Homeschool Mother's Journal - 5

In my life this week...
We have been on SPRING BREAK!  It has been marvelous. Waking up knowing I don't have to rush to get anything prepared, I can take my time, enjoy watching the kids play, create messes and {yes} chaos! It also means my husband has been on Spring Break (he is a public school Science Teacher) so he has helped with the kids, taken the hiking, let go to Doctors appointments without the kids! It's been truly the breath of air we've needed.

In our homeschool this week...
I've spent little snippets of the days re-organizing school areas, supplies, re-arranging the school room (I'm thinking about re-naming it our Learning Lab~heading away from the institutionalized idea of "school"). I got to visit the education store (I try to avoid this place for fear of going into debt!), got a bulletin board!!! Next on the list is planning!

Places we're going and people we're seeing...
Oh my. We've done tons this week! We visited the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens and learned about Butterflies, had a picnic, fed the fish and ducks. The kids went to Manoa Falls with Daddy on a hike, came back all muddy and tired! Today we visited the Bishop Museum and had a blast exploring and learning about Dinosaurs and Volcanoes! We even purchased a year pass for friends and family which means we can go back all we want for a year AND bring in 2 guests for free each time! I can't wait to go back! We didn't even make it to the Hawaiian History sections and the Planetarium!

My favorite thing this week was...
Being able to breathe. I mean deep, peaceful breaths. And just pick up and go! I love being with the kids exploring new things! And getting my Homeschool Enrichment Magazine in the mail. It is ALWAYS a refreshing source of encouragement to me!

What's working/not working for us...
This break is working so well, I'm considering extending it! Well, we'll see. We are adjusting to having 4 more people in the house, and getting everything in order for adding Bella to the schedule. Her and Ellie are using the same curriculum so I'm hoping the transition won't be so rough. But any homeschooler knows change can be a little difficult!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...
Has anyone ever homeschooled someone else's child? I'm a little nervous about it, though my years of teaching in a public school will help. Any tips?

A photo, video, link, or quote to share... 
A qoute from an Article in the March/April 2011 Homeschool Enrichment Magazine "Why Would You Want to Do That?" By Lea Ann Garfias
 
"I am after a greater goal: character, not acclaim; wisdom and understanding, not mere knowledge; work ethic, not riches; service, not popularity; godliness, not grades. That's not to say some of those other things aren't important-they're just not the focus. Different results call for different means. This is a sowing and reaping principle......I have a different goal, a different vision, and a different calling. I must be different. My life should be lived in a radically different way. My children, if I want them to be completely different from the culture in which they live, must be trained in a completely different way.......

Teaching my own children is a calling. I am called of God to be the mother of my children (I Timothy2:15). Keeping my home, including training my children and managin our families resources, is a responsibility on whichour testimony hangs (I Titus 2:3-5). This is not a task to be taken lightly.
My very God has given it to me."

I needed these very words right now. As I look to the future, even to next year, and give to God our plans as a family and as His followers. What is right for us, may look so strange to others, but it's a calling. A very difficult one to pursue, to continue in. And sometimes, you need a little encouragement!