First Field Trip

We took our first field trip today. Since my Man and Big Boy were in Houston with some friends and enjoying the day at a ballgame (and then having dinner with our friend, Albert Pujols), I decided the rest of us should enjoy something out of the ordinary for a Monday, as well. So, I loaded the other three kids and we headed to the zoo. The last zoo we visited was in Beijing and if you've ever been there, you know it's not quite like our zoos here, so we were all excited about spending the day strolling through the zoo together and seeing the many wonderful creatures God created.

We commented all afternoon about how this was "the perfect day to come to the zoo" because NO ONE seemed to be there. I assumed Mondays weren't good days for a field trip for most schools and most people must be waiting for the weather to get cooler before venturing out to the zoo. Anyway, we enjoyed having much of the exhibits all to ourselves.

As we headed to our car about the time the zoo was closing we noticed that the local news channel was there doing an interview out front. We laughed about my Big Girl saying she was going to hijack the microphone and say something and then hand it back. Of course, she didn't, but as we were laughing about that a lady and her daughter asked if we knew why the news was there. Of course, I had no idea. She proceeded to inform us that a rattlesnake had escaped and they had been looking for it. EXCUSE ME? I've been strolling nonchalantly through the zoo with a LOOSE poisonous rattlesnake????

I stopped by a security officer to get the real "scoop" and she smiled and calmly affirmed what I had been told. Yes, in fact, a rattlesnake had escaped and was LOOSE, but apparently a man living nearby had killed it on his porch sometime that day. She thought it was comical that I had no idea it was loose since it was "all over the news" (according to her). Yes, well, I try not to watch the news unless I have to.

Crazy thing is that I tweeted the fact that my kids and I were heading to the zoo and NONE of my "news watching FRIENDS" gave me any warning about this creature on the loose. What were they thinking? I know, what was I thinking? Well, I didn't know anything about it, but what's their excuse??

Well, all I can say is that we had a fabulous day at the zoo together, laughing, exploring, and talking, and the snake fiasco just made for a funny memory to bring home with us. All in all, it was a fabulous first field trip for this year with lots of learning (about things you can miss when you don't watch the news) and laughing (about how we went to the zoo on the day a deadly snake was loose). I'd say it was a great day at the zoo!

Super Saturday

It's been a super Saturday... well, maybe not for my kids, but very productive for me. When you homeschool four kids FULL time, your weekends are often spent catching up and doing things to "stay afloat" during the week. Today was one of those days. I did all the things that need to be done on September first, but that I can't do in the middle of a busy homeschool week, like payroll, taxes, bills, etc. I did all my assignment sheets and accountability sheets for the kids last night, so that was done.

Among all the craziness I have going on, I'm beginning to new adventure of couponing. I'm not sure how this is going to work, but I'm going to give it my best shot. I hear how much money it can save, so I'm going to dive into the chaos of it all. It sure seems like alot of work, but I'm hoping I can get the hang of the "system" quickly. I'll let you know how it goes and just what we save. : ) I have a family that "likes what they like" and my Man is not one that likes to come home after working hard and dealing with "food on the road" and not have some of his favorite "staples" in the pantry, so I'll have to see just how I can save money and still buy the things we simply have to have, like Oreos and Oatmeal Cream Pies. HA!

I hope to have some playtime tomorrow with my babies since I worked so much today. My Little Man was quick to tell me he had the "most boring Saturday of his whole life today". It's funny how kids think we should be "doing and going" everyday, especially if there's no school. Someday, they'll understand the work that it takes to keep their homes running smoothly.... For now, I'll just enjoy tomorrow with them, throwing the baseball, playing games, or watching their favorite shows (after church)....

Bad Blogger!

What can I say.... I've been so busy, and with very little down time. No excuse I know, but it's where I'm at. Things are going fantastic, but things are steady busy... even on my weekends.
Since we started school almost a month ago, we've fallen into a wonderful routine. My days are running smoothly, but they are non-stop! I go from my morning quiet time, to my elliptical, to a quick shower, to the family breakfast and bible time, and then spend the next several hours juggling the four kids and their schooling. I'm loving it... all of it! They are all doing so great! My Big kids have fallen into a great routine, and little Ladybug is loving "school". She is already learning to read. Yes, she is barely four years old, and I've been teaching her only about 4 weeks, and she is already sounding out words everyday and reading short sentences. She is like a little sponge. I'm watching all of my kids get so much out of their studies, even the ones they say they "hate" and would never admit that they are "learning" or maybe enjoying. Ha!
I am also managing our ministry office right now. I am so blessed to have my assistant, who is literally my right arm in so many ways, and I look forward to training our new employee sometime next month if the Lord continues to work that out. My weekends are usually spent typing the next two weeks of lesson plans for the kids and readjusting the schedule as needed. Then, of course, I'm doing laundry, a little cleaning, home and ministry administration, finances, and trying to PLAY (a mom's hardest thing to stop and do!)
So, I'm busier than a one arm paper hanger and that is why you haven't heard much from me like you normally do. I'm not totally dropping off the blog scene, but it isn't making it in the top half of my mile long To Do list these days. I guess I'm just a BAD BLOGGER these days. I am posting on Twitter and Facebook almost daily as I share what God is doing in my own heart through my mornings with Him. If you want to follow me there, I'm just a few clicks away. Let me know you're coming from my blog.... : ) I'll update here as I can, but just know that life is still happening like crazy here in our home and Jesus is still the CENTER of it all!

Fun in the Surf

It was an amazing week at the beach. It was six full days our family shared with my mom, sisters, brother-in-laws, and nephew. It was such a blast. Tons of sunshine (too much really), lots of wave riding, lots of food, and a TON of laughter. We didn't have internet, but it ended up being a blessing because I couldn't work at all. I enjoyed reading and made it through one and a half books and enjoyed lots of fun relaxing moments with my four treasures!

I enjoyed reading one Christian fiction and made it halfway through "Raising a Modern Day Princess", which I am loving. I am gleaning much from this book and highly recommend it to any mother of girls. We, as a family, enjoyed each morning in the Word, as we stayed on our schedule of going through "Our 24 Family Ways, and it was sweet.

It was a great week and now we're back home, I'm regrouped, and ready to begin another week of homeschooling. What a privilege! Vacation was great, but I'm grateful that I came home to a "reality" that I absolutely love and cherish!

So, that's the first post on what we've been up to the past week.... more to come.

Much To Share...

I have much to share, but no time to share it! We've been on a great vacation, but without Internet (which was a blessing)! Now I'm home, playing catch up & gearing up for another week! I hope to have a "window" of time to update you soon! Just wanted you to know I haven't forgotten about my blog! I'm just "swimming" in responsibilities & posting doesn't get the "Must be done" tag! ; )
Stay tuned, though, as I'm coming with much to share....

Tammy Nolan
Sent from my iPhone

The School Fun is Well Underway

It's been a fabulous first week of school! I couldn't ask for things to go smoother. The kids are adjusting to a few new things and I'll tweak a few scheduling things, but all in all, it was outstanding.

After a few first five days of school... we're off to the beach for a week. HA! I know it's crazy, but it's how the schedule happened to fall. We look forward to the week away as a family. I don't expect much blogging time, but I'll be back, Lord willing, very soon!

School

Yes, somehow it's that time again. We started another homeschool year today! After about a month of SOLID planning, preparing, and researching, the time for implementation has begun!

We had a "Family Meeting" last night to kick off the week. We discussed chores, schedules, classes, etc. (all the things most kids LOVE to talk about ~ ha!) Everyone really did good and actually went to bed last night quite excited about our new routine and what was planned.

This morning couldn't have gone smoother. I was up on time, had a sweet time with Jesus, ran/walked 2.25 miles, and showered by the time the kids were getting up at 7:30. The did a few chores while I made breakfast, and then we all sat down and enjoyed a good hot breakfast. My Man led us in our Bible time. We're going through "Our 24 Family Ways" (thanks to the recommendation of our dear friend, Melanie) and it was great!

The rest of the day ran smoothly and felt so blessed. I've incorporated more things together this year and I'm so excited. We started reading the story of the life of John Wesley today and we thoroughly enjoyed our History together today. My Ladybug did amazing on her reading lesson and I honestly think she'll be reading a few months.

We're all exhausted tonight from the long day (after a summer of alot of "free time"), but we're going to bed feeling good about the day and excited about tomorrow. I love, love, love having my treasures at home with me and I tell them, "Even when things get tough (and I'm looking for any school bus to come by and take them ~ kidding, of course), there isn't a "job" I have or a "hat" I wear that I love more than that of their mother. I'm a blessed woman and tonight I am deeply aware of it!

Lord, thank you for the privilege to educate my children at home, to be a part of their daily lives and not have to share it with another entity, and to pour more of you in them as we share "life" together. You have entrusted me with four amazing treasures (five, including my Man), and I am deeply grateful! Enable me to stay focused on you and love them like you would have me to!