This was my first week … without a job. I sold The Homeschool Village – primarily because a 9yr old’s heart is drifting away making bad choices and I feel constantly distracted. I sold it to two gals to run as a team because doing it by myself was killing me.
Hubs and I agreed last week we needed to be more intentional with our time and cut out anything that was becoming a distraction. John 10:10 “The thief comes to steal, to kill, and to destroy … “
My first week without a community to babysit was definitely an interesting week. It has been two years that I’ve gotten up each morning to post something on facebook. To make sure the website was updated and things formatted correctly.
This week I made breakfast (almost) every morning – the real kind requiring pots, pans, and a stove. I was in bed early each night – before midnight. I was awake early to greet my boys. Hubs and I listened to Walk in the Word together. We prayed before he left for work. We were out of the house often. I had dinner planned and cooked by 6:30pm. I laughed so hard I couldn’t breathe. My thoughts were not distracted.
PRESCHOOL LETTER H
New Tool Set
We also discussed “healthy food” with the our new Melissa & Doug Food Groups Set
H Crafts – painted H, colored do-a-dots, modeled play doh, and punched out “h”earts for Gramme!
We read many H books (the boy picked out for his brother). We went to the playground, we played war, Wii bowling (which was eventually taken away because it’s become a distraction), we went to the dentist (all 3 of us zero cavities) and purchased Guess Who Star Wars
4th Grade
I am taking Rachael Carman’s advice and putting down the curriculum and picking up my son’s heart. We are 100% Character Training mode until further notice!
We are spending time engaging each other rather than just being in the same room doing different things. We are starting Something New -Notebooking and it is definitely my new favorite thing! We are also learning how to serve each other. New piggy banks in the house have made two boys eager to work for some quarters. This coming week I am looking forward to more games, stories, and cuddle time.
I encourage you to see if there is anything in your life that is stealing your children’s time! Maybe you need to pray about it like I did and ask God to show you what you can eliminate. Because, you CAN eliminate!! And the best way to do it is fast and 100%. I tried too long to “manage” my distractions. We need to blast ‘em!
Stef ~ I admire your decision to sell The HSV… there are a lot of things that can steal our children’s time, and I think our children’s misbehavior can be a direct result of them knowing our attentions are divided. For me, I am cutting back drastically in my piano studio next year, and we are also limiting extracurriculars for the kids.
When you say your thoughts were not distracted, that is a huge challenge for me. Like you, I’m finding that if I’m in bed at a decent hour, and up (doing #hellomornings) early and ready for the day everything goes much more smoothly. You’re doing a great job, mom!
I love the picture of your son playing “Guess Who?” We love that game here and I was excited to see I could print cards from the web, so we have aliens now. Where did you get the Star Wars version???
Thanks Mary for saying so. It was a VERY hard decision – especially when I’ve worked so hard to keep it going, growing – but God requires obedience – not good management.
We got Guess Who at Target, but it’s not a “board” they’re hand held – which is nice, but they flip too easily. I’m not a big fan (for what I paid). Definitely get it on sale!!
Beautiful Stef….I’m just so thrilled for you! It really is all about being intentional…have a wonderful weekend!
thank you sweet friend!
Your first two paragraphs convicted me. So many things conspire to steal my time from my kids, and I don’t do a whole lot to try and stop it. I’m off to be more intentional now … thank you for the reminder!
praying with you to stand firm and guard your heart and time. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, wow, it certainly sounds and looks like selling HSV was the right decision! What a lot of things you accomplished with your kiddos! LOVE that last photo! Anyway, I agree with you…I think my biggest distraction is the computer.
But I do jump off it whenever the kids need me for anyway and after housework, school and taking care of animals as well. I still spend more time than probably necessary scoping out Facebook! 
ha! I’ve had to leave the thing off! I notice they slip into disobedience as soon as I sit down and realized I’m a HUGE hypocrite for getting mad they want to play wii ALL DAY LONG!
Stef, I’m glad you are at peace about your decision to sell The HSV, you will be missed, but you left it in capable hands! Glad to hear none of you had cavities, we are moving on to the braces phase – ugh. Have a great weekend!
we’ll be hitting braces … sigh – Dentist said 80% pf kids need braces now a days. I miss the HSV, but I don’t miss the time and effort – just you writers! =)
I am so interested in notebooking, but my children prefer workbooks. I’m brainstorming some ways to fit in a bit of notebooking, though!
I’m sure you made the right decision in freeing up more time for your children–what an inspiration that is to me!
Try it Judy – you might love it. We even started with a “mini” notebook, just a few pages!
Praise the Lord you had the courage to follow through on your conviction about the HSV. I’m sure He will bless you abundantly for your obedience. I know that could not have been an easy decision.
Oh Natalie – we’ve already seen a difference this week! Pictures the boy wouldn’t smile in before – he’s smiling. I’m crying thankful!! (p.s. cruised by your place – love the “mommy & me” photo!!
We are just trying notebooking for the first time around here and so far we LOVE it!!!
I am excited to see the journey not having a job takes your family on…all that wonderful time together!
you are so sweet Theresa – thanks! Notebooking is great – shoot me a link if you have one on your newest notebook. I’m becoming a junkie! =)
so glad you have found the balance and peace you needed for you and your family!
love you Joy!!
love this Stef – and I am doing much of the same – I have one in particular who’s heart we are working on – Spence has issues he never asked for (birth mother who did drugs – neglect – we got him at 8 mos & damage was already done) but God is healing him and working me over
in the process! It’s amazing what He will do when I get out of the way and let Him. looks like y’all are having lots of fun!
Oh friend – praying over Spence right now and our God continues to redeem that time, comfort his heart, and lead him into godly character!
Sounds like a lovely first week without an outside job! And my boy adores Iron Man, he’d love to have a mask like that!
TARGET! They had Captain America too! =) Thanks for stopping by the blog again!