suggestions?

It's that time of year that I was regretting the most when I decided to homeschool Joshua......football season is 1 week from being away and I am not sure what we are going to fill our time with.  His strengths are definitely his athletic ability.  He doesn't have any music background, not artsy or into acting or anything like that.  Josh thrives on his social skills and I am not sure what to fill in the extra time with.  I would really liked to get him plugged into something.  I would love some suggestions so that he isn't stuck at home every single day.

Crusader Football

Sara and I sat through two football games yesterday.  The first game was intense and came down to the last seconds and we won.  The second game the two of us had to sit through the rain (cold) watching the boys play football.  We didn't come up with a win that time, but after two weeks of no football, it was nice to get out there.  Sara took these shots (thank you) and shared them with me.  I love that Josh and Wes have been friends since kindergarten and I hope they will always remain friends.

end of one, possible beginning of another

Soccer season is over.  It was a good first season for Southside and I am glad that Jacob got to be a part of it.  He did a good job of playing with 9th, 10th and 11th graders.  We are still involved with football season so our Saturdays are filled up until the end of October and then we may possibly be crazy busy with two trying out for basketball.  If they both make it, I will once again be running around.  Sometimes it drives me crazy, but I wouldn't trade these moments for anything.  I know I don't have much time left with them and I love to see them having fun.

Homeschool Josh Bonus

I still worry about homeschool.  Am I doing enough?  Is he where he should be?  I do know the stress of this household is gone!!  Last year the tension was so deep....I don't have that now.  I must say that I love the time that Josh and I can spend together.  I know we have a crazy life....running to practice, watching Chloe.  I know he spends most of the time on the computer doing his work, but I love those in between moments.  I love the moments with one on one conversation.  So Josh, this post is for you.    Some day if I die and you come back to read my blog I hope you will remember this.
     The other day in the car you randomly told me how you wish you could give up your sports talent and just be smart.  You went on and on telling me that you were not smart at anything and you will never be smart.  As a mom, that broke my heart.  More than anything I want you to be a Jesus lover and follower.  I was never smart and I am not smart now.  Somehow I graduated from HS and believe it or not, by the skin of my teeth, I graduated college.  Am I smart?  No!!  Can I even attempt your Algebra problems? No!!  But Josh, you don't have to be smart.  You just have to know how to find the answers.  All those times I helped on the hw, I didn't know what the answer was, but I knew who to ask for guidance or I knew which resource to pull out.  Even if I had to google the answer, I knew where to go.  Sometimes I spend several hours researching a project or a trip...and that's ok.  You don't have to be smart and rattle things off your head....you just need to know how to figure it out or where to go.
     I've seen you grow these past few weeks.  I've seen you have compassion on a kid on your team who wasn't a good player.  I've seen you high five him.  I've seen you talk to him.  I even heard you tell me how you felt bad for him when it was his bday and he only got to play in one play of the game.  You saw that he was struggling and you reached out to him.  You took him his favorite candy the next practice day to tell him I hope you had a nice bday.  Josh.....that is so much beyond the book smart.  If I could reach out to people the way that you have showed me that is worth more than any book smarts.
     I know that you are facing adversity now.  I know you feel defeated thinking that you are no good at football, but the truth is, you are.  You are good at almost any sport you play!!  I know that things are not fair right now.  I know that someone that has not attended games or practices comes in and not only plays one position but take over your position seems unfair.  It is, but I think it will only teach you to work harder.  Life is unfair.  This will happened time and time again.  As a momma bear I want to growl at all these people, but I have to leave the emotional part behind and go on.
    So someday when you read this just know that I always worried about my job as a mom and an educator and I hope you know that God has a plan for your life if you will just follow and keep working hard!!

Moving Right Along

Hello September.  August was just an insane month around our house.  September is busy but not quite as bad.  I am really tired.  I am homeschooling Josh while keeping care of Chloe, a 15 month old from our church.  Whew.....keeping her is hard work in itself!!  I am still doing early morning care at the school.  My days include running the kids to school, picking them up, working with Josh (although a lot of his is self-sufficent) running Jacob to soccer practice on T/TH's and attending any games, making sure Josh gets to football on T/Th as soon as Jacob gets home too.  Josh's games are all on Saturdays so that will help a little bit.  Also we have 5 dentist, ortho/regular doctor appointments to fit in this month too.

Busy

Things have been very busy for me lately.  Starting in August I took on another little girl.  I'm losing the two boys in another week so that will help me out.  I also ran Josh to drivers ed for a week and am still doing football practice for him twice a week.  In the meantime Jacob made the JV soccer team for Southside so I am running to games and practices with him as well.  I am so happy that he got on the team. On top of that I started homeschooling Joshua.  We couldn't afford three kids anymore and I also thought he would do better at home.  I never knew how overwhelming this could be.  I know this is the right thing for us to do this year, but I also am so worried that I am not doing a good enough job.  I worry when he has down time, I worry that he isn't getting what he needs to get, I worry that I am not doing things right and I worry that I am doing more harm than good.  I also worry about his social life.  He is my social child and I know that he misses going to school every day.  The only good thing about homeschooling him is that I do not have to do math with him.  He will be going to a homeschool place once a week to get teaching and his homework assignments so at least that burden is lifted off of me. 

So, I am very busy right now and very very tired, but I wouldn't change things. I love watching my kids play sports and having fun.

Catching Up

I never finished the vacation photos because I didn't know how to get them off my phone, but I finally figured it out on my own.  I can't believe we are now in August.  The next two weeks are busy busy busy......basketball camp, football practice, orthodontist appts, watching 4 kids and drivers ed.  Here are some of my favorite pictures.

 Help....I'm getting eaten by a shark!!

 By day three, Jack decided not to ride anything because of his neck condition.  That didn't stop me!!  I rode by myself!!  This thing went straight up......totally cool!!

 Blues brothers jam!

 Love the minion characters

 Love Lucy!!

Even though I don't watch the Simpsons, this was the Homer donut!!  Yes, we split it!!  Jack wanted some carbs for breakfast (after I had been on 2 coasters....and then I got on more rides)

 More Minion characters

 Love this guy's muscles!!

 Dr. Suess Land!!

 Harry Potter World.  Even though I don't know the story, I loved this part of the park and the Harry Potter rides rocked!!

 The Hulk Roller Coaster....awesome

 This was actually day one at seaworld.  Never been on a coaster that they turned you on your belly to ride.  It was an adventure but I would do it again!!