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I started the week with a comedy of errors: I accidentally popped out a filling and will be dealing with a massive hole in my molar until the dentist can fit me in sometime in the next two weeks. I got stung by a hornet or yellow jacket while moving pigs on pasture and had a localized allergic reaction. We’re also dealing with a fox snatching our chickens and our attempts to trap him have been frustratingly unsuccessful. Thankfully, God is gracious and knew I needed one small win: our first week of school went smoothly and without complaint!
This week was all about figuring out a new routine with six school-aged kids: what subjects can be completed independently vs. what do I need to be present for, is it too much work or too little? and on and on. Like every year, fitting in household chores is the last puzzle piece; when do I even have time to do the laundry?! Dinner was also a poorly planned hodgepodge. Oh well…it will all work its way out in time.
The science experiments for Week 1 were a big hit. In seventh grade, my son dropped M&Ms in water and vegetable oil and we were surprised to discover that the “m” on the candy is made from edible paper! When put in water, the candy will dissolve, but the “m” will float to the top. My littlest boys learned about light and shadows and watched their chalk-traced shadow move throughout the day. So fun.
Baby steps from burnout update: I have put on some weight (ahem…) and my ill-fitting clothes have put a damper on my desire to dress nicely. So with my husband’s encouragement, I decided to buy some items in my current size. I am firmly in the camp that you can be realistic about the body you have right now while also working toward a healthier one in the future. Weight is what it is and I don’t find my identity in the number, but I do know what size makes me feel best. My box from ThredUp arrived this week and I was pleased with about 90% of it. Now I’ll be able to feel a little more confident in clothes that actually fit while working toward my health goals.
I decided that my early mornings with the dog (hours before anyone wakes up!) could be an opportunity to start a new mother culture habit. Currently working my way through Land of Hope: An Invitation to the Great American Story, Pioneer Priests and Makeshift Altars: A History of Catholicism in the Thirteen Colonies, and The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur. All really good so far! I’m learning a lot.
Love your blog! Your pictures and stories are great and motivate me to keep doing my little homestead projects.
Thanks, Lori. Your comment means A LOT!
What a great way to turn around the lack of sleep situation. Still, I hope the puppy stops waking up so early (thank you though for reminding me of when my Luna (now back with her Creator) was a puppy and my mom had to wake up and rock her back to sleep 🙂 19 years ago.
I’m praying he starts sleeping in too. I think he just hates being in the crate, but he’s still too young to be trusted to be alone all night…and he tends to chew all the things. Raising puppies is a lesson in patience, ha!
Ashley,
The Secret Diary of Elisabeth Leseur is absolutely amazing! I believe she had a phenomenal interior life, and it is her story that gives me so much hope. My husband, though he is a God-fearing man, has left practicing the Catholic faith (while still attending Mass with the children and I), but I came into the Catholic faith, and here I shall stay if it means burning at the stake. (Likely it won’t come to that; I just have to die a thousand daily deaths to self instead.) Anyhow, I hope you enjoy her story.
You are doing a lot of amazing things with your homestead and children. I like the M&M experiment; may have to do that with mine. (We haven’t even started school this year – though that’s not unusual for us. Still making last-minute decisions for my 12th, 10th, 8th, 5th and 2nd graders.)
Many blessings to you and yours,
Melisa
I started her diary a few months ago and for whatever reason, set it aside. But talk about the right book at the right time! I recently started again and now I’m devouring it. Her story is different than mine, but her thoughts on suffering are so poignant and helpful for me. I’m filling my notebook with all of her quotes.
Wishing you and your family a wonderful school year!
I am so glad you splurged and bought yourself some clothes that will make you feel good.
You deserve it mama!!
Thanks, Shelly. I hate spending the money, but it feels good to finally not feel like a frump!