New friends

Here are a couple of photos taken in our new cul-de-sac. I love that the kids are outside so much. We have a crazy week this week with our Challenge year end party and the May Crowning with TORCH. It is all good.

Challenges and Opportunities

There are at least two times when homeschooling becomes a seemingly monumental challenge: when a new baby arrives and when you move. God help the family who does both simultaneously, homeschooling or not. Well, there are opportunities to learn and grow amidst the challenges. The older siblings have the opportunity to serve. So do the younger ones. The preoccupation of the adults is palpable. Prayers are often short and breathless. Tempers flair. Love and affection save the day.

After weeks of utter craziness, we are getting back to routine. We went to our new library today and, while the kids were grumpy, I was in heaven. The librarian was enthusiastic and did something that I do. She addressed my son and daughter as separate persons, as if I were not there. It really is the littlest things that matter most.

We are using our workbooks alot right now for math and phonics. JB and J are reading a good amount and lots and lots of narrating.

I am going to finish watching a World War II movie with my hubby and son -- "The Great Escape".

Three Pics Worth a Thousand Words

Catholic Bible Study resources

We are waiting until we move so sign up for Pius Media, the "Catholic Netflix". I have looked at Ascension Press materials from afar before and would like to see them before I buy them.

Happy 8th Bday to our Miller!

We are off to inspect the house, eat donuts and, with his "round table" of Blue Knights, have a party and a lesson on Heaven at TORCH coop. All Glory and Praise to the Lord on my son's birthday!

Yesterday, J and I both got haircuts and he bought a very small guinea pig, which he and his sister named Millie to keep our "old girl," Fibi, company.

Mom is reading...

I am reading speedily through this engrossing reflection on restoring Christian culture. And, I am a bit slower with the PIG ("Politically Incorrect Guide") to the Civil War, which is such an important book, so timely.

It is slam-o-rama time around here....

The past week or so has been a bit crazy around here as we are giving birth to our new house. The kids are learning and growing and JB is being a big help working on the whiteboard with her brother in math and spelling. HRM is doing lots w/K12, cooking and reading and working on her part in the upcoming TORCH play (as is JB who is in the other play). J is still reading Spongebob books and plenty of other literature. We are reading alot and doing oral narrations on what we are reading and watching and listening too.

I think the Books of Centuries will have to wait until after the move, but we shall see. Miller's 8th bday is the 20th!

I posted this on my other blog last week. I have a book list that I will post of books I have checked out of the library and from our personal library on Daniel Boone and American frontier life. This year we have studied the life of George Washington and St. Isaac Jogues. We are now on to Daniel Boone -- coonskin cap and all-- and his strong wife, Rebecca Boone. This is very sketchy but will have to do for now.

When life throws a few extra wrenches at you, homeschooling is such a source of enjoyment. It is my sanity amongst the craziness of many things going on right now, only including packing, applying for a mortgage, inspections, pondering and working on the myriad improvements needed in the old house. And, also including a bit of a meltdown in my spiritual life....well, enough of that -- we are blessed and I know it and am so very grateful and know in my heart that our Lord can make straight any crooked path.