WELCOME BACK MY LOVIES!

I didn't save these on PicMonkey as large enough files so I wasn't able to print them large poster size for them to hold, but this was good enough!   Welcome back my Middle Schooler, Third Grader and little Kinder Sweetie!  I LOVE YOU!

Day 3

The pics look FAB, don't they??!!!  Read on after the pics, LOL

My sweetheart created our school flag!  We learned about flags and symbols so he chose 3 stripes (3 kids) in each of their favorite colors and a heart in the middle since he said that's the reason I teach them....LOVE.

Sweetest, most loving child EVER!!!!

Anna surprised us all with notes on Day 2!

What homeschooler doesn't school in pjs??!!

Bacon Stuffed Pancakes. (Anna sent me the pin for them of course!!)

First Day of School Breakfast with the Pencil cake that BROKE IN TWO PLACES at 11pm the night before, LOL....they still said it was the best cake idea ever!

We are on Day 3 and after our first Reader's Workshop at our little town library with our Homeschool Group, we were ALL EXHAUSTED!!!!  Needless to say, we came home, did phonics and took a little siesta!  Homeschooling is hard work! LOL  I was laying in bed thinking about how much my journey has changed from Day 1 in January of 2013 to Day 3 of our 2014-2015 School year.  I have learned to not be "so uptight" and how to "go with the flow" more.  I've learned each day is NOT going to go as planned, hell, some days we need to toss "school" out the window for fun. THAT'S OKAY!!!

I had some wonderful women encourage, support and teach me back in the beginning ... Amy was my saving grace back then, teaching me SO much.  I was exposed to so many different backgrounds, HS views, knowledge and curriculum through a group I joined (RRHome) and it was crucial that I had that support from all the wonderful ladies I met through the group when I first started.  After I got my "feet wet" and plugged into a Homeschool group here in town (Homeschool Hippos, yay!) and started attending some meetings, I met Jessica!!  Talk about an entire new view on educating your children....she was JUST. WHAT. I. NEEDED. at JUST the right time.  She has shown me another side to this homeschooling gig!  I have become softer, more flexible, but most importantly, MORE CONFIDENT.  I *so* have this!  

I am capable.

I am smart.

I am determined.

I LOVE my kids.

Kids love to learn.

Enough said.

So here's to year #2.  May I grow wiser and more confident as each day passes along.

Classroom 2014-2015

2014-2015 School Room

(It's FINALLY exactly what I wanted!!!)

Classroom

Ikea desk and caddy just like the one I drooled over from Confessions of a Homeschooler's Page!

Mom's Desk with extra computer for kids.

It's the little things that make me smile. LOL

Workbox system on right for Sofia and left boxes are for extra workbooks, etc. by subject.

My beautiful closet that Chris put together for me!

Closet

LOVE the magnetic boards from Ikea. Each card is up to hold the place for future ART!

My favorite Classroom purchase this year (and no, we didn't go with the multi color curtains since I didn't have enough fabric to do the big window and couldn't get more from HL!)

Nature Journals!

Anna and Chris's Daily Planners

Kids' Weekly Workboxes to make it easy on the go!

Jake, our class pet!

 2013-2014 School Room 

(after we realized the Dining Room that we used wasn't going to work)

WHAT A DIFFERENCE, RIGHT???!!!!!

Mommy and Sofia's PreK desks

Big Kids' Desks

Closet Space Before

Old Schoolroom

Old School Room

Closet Space Before

                                                     

The Power in Words

If I can teach my children one thing besides loving themselves is to LOVE, ENCOURAGE, and BUILD each other up every.single.day.  My hope is that they live a life in a constant state of action and being, NOT "reaction"....if that makes sense.  I pray they feel and recognize how valued they are, how important and necessary their existence is to all of those around them.

The world NEEDS them.


It is so so SO easy to live life feeling less than, feeling insecure, withholding love, passion, and your words from others, closing yourself in.  Why IS that????!!!!  I am so thankful that I surround myself with people that celebrate and encourage me.  It fuels me to be THAT person to others, not just my husband and children.  I had a Facebook friend comment on this picture (those that really know me know that I do NOT think I'm photogenic) that I felt really pretty in, and it CHANGED my thinking yesterday.  Her words fueled me. They made me feel confident. She didn't have to say it, but she felt it and said it and it was JUST what I needed to hear.  Your words can be EXACTLY what someone needs to get through "that" moment, or it may be the encouragement they needed to "Do THAT thing"!  So instead of reacting out of a negative place, rolling your eyes at the Facebook post, or gossiping about that "friend" on Facebook, why not try leaving a comment using words to build them up, support them, encourage them?  I mean after all, it is Social Media....try to be "social" and not passive aggressive.  God knows we have to fight enough demons inside of us all, why add fuel to the fire?

Food for thought.

You are a wonderful example of a dedicated mama! I enjoy seeing your posts on schooling, fitness, and nutrition. And you sure are pretty! 

I mean seriously....how could THAT comment not turn your entire day around after a broken car, a $900 auto bill, a period from hell, and 2 sleepless nights due to anxiety??!!