Weekly Wrap-Up 2.21.14

I'm starting this on Tuesday so that I don't have to spend so long on it on Friday or Saturday, whenever I post it. I have read many blog posts that are beautifully typed up and include many images, and just wonder how they could possibly get the post up while doing all the amazing things they write about. I can't do it; it's a one or the other kind of thing. Oh well- this is my life; that's their's. 

*This post contains affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.

Sunday, I love Sunday. I say that honestly but I'll also admit that the winter schedule at church plays a part in that lately. We have Sunday school, main service, a luncheon, followed by an 'afternoon' service. We get home about 3:00 pm. It's an all day thing. I really like it. We only have one more week of the winter schedule though. It goes back to Sunday school and main service, over by 12:00 pm, and an evening service at 6:00 pm. 

Anyway, this Sunday Pastor talked more about what makes Baptists Baptist {the second part of the series is talked about in that linked post}. The main points:

• Saved church membership. verses: 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Acts 2:41, Ephesians 4:1-3, Romans 16:17
• Only two offices- Pastor & Deacon. verses: Philippians 1:1, Acts 20:17-28, 1 Timothy 3:? (missed the exact reference)
• Separation- church & state, the world. verses: Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:1-7, Acts 5:29, Ephesians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 15:33

Continuing in the main service with the theme for the year, Taking the Word of Life to a Lifeless World, Pastor talked about "Excuses, excuses..."

Main points: Romans 2:1-3

• Man has no excuse. We are inexcusable; we are sinners. verses: Romans 2:1, John 8:7
• God judges according to truth. Not man's 'truth' but God's truth. verses: Romans 2:2, Acts 17:31
• God's judgment is unavoidable. We cannot hide. verses: Romans 2:3, Exodus 34:7

The afternoon covered 1 Timothy 4:1-4, dealing with the commandments of not eating certain foods, and how that goes along with diet fads of today. Basically, if it's 'commanded' in a religious/spiritual sense it is wrong, but the fads presented in general, outside of church settings, are just a distraction, really. Okay, perhaps he didn't quite say it that way but that's my take on it. 

Monday we went to Willoughby and hung out with the Jeanines :) I'm quite the reserved type but I do love the Jeanines. I just want to snatch them all up in a big bear hug. Anyway, the kids had ASL Club that Jeanine's oldest son so willingly puts together and instructs once a month. I got to hang out in the kitchen with Jeanine and Molly. Other than being so literally cold {heehee, Jeanine}, it's such a cozy place to be, with friends. 

Afterward, Lee drove us to the Mayfield branch library, the long way, since she still cannot drive on the freeway/highway {never can figure which is which}. She did get up to 45 mph though :) I was quite lenient with school today. They covered a few subjects, did chores and then had screen time. It was a nice day lol. 

I got another post in the Amusing Ourselves to Death* series of posts. It only took four months. Eh he he...
*affiliate link

Tuesday I was again a nice mommy lol. I got up early and slaved over the hot oven...making the kids some cinnamon brown sugar scones. Lol. Don't feel too sorry for me; I always get up early. My continued chant today: Must stay motivated and keep things going. If I let it slip, they are quick to encourage it. It's not that they really dislike school {well...} but they like to not have school much more than they like to have school, you know?

I am thinking that today we need to do evaluations of where we are and what's left for the year. Our school year this year ends on May 23rd or 30th, depending on how well we do. I also was thinking about Term 2 exams...it seems we get Term 1 or 3 exams in {sometimes get both lol} but I don't recall a Term 2 exam yet. Hmmmm, something to look into. 

Round Table. Check! {included: verses, foreign language (German salutation phrases right now), recitation (Gettysburg Address and Declaration of Independence), hymns ("Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing", "There is Power in the Blood", "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder"), chemistry (today's reading from Exploring the World of Chemistry* affiliate link), attempt at sign language (rather dismal try it was), Composer's Datebook, and prayer} And it was done before 10:30 am, I believe! Oh, and a resource that was give on the AO forum is MP3Monkey; ever hear of it? Find songs to download. Of course, I'll put the little disclaimer in here- if it's not public domain, don't chance downloading for fear of pirating music. You know... I haven't actually looked at the entire site but searched Mozart and found quite a bit. 

I have to do grocery shopping today. Not especially looking forward to that chore. Edited: I got it done and survived :)

Wednesday was so strangely warm. There is still a lot of snow piled up on the lawns but the roads are nice and clear. The kids rode their bikes for a good long time; even took off their jackets! 

School went well. Fox had Young Marines, and Lee and I made it to prayer meeting. Lee drove a lot yesterday. I get a little jealous when she drives so much {no joke- but it's funny isn't it?}. 

It is Thursday now as I update for Wednesday but I wanted to put this here:

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:9-10 (KJV)

I had a few "moments" yesterday of growing weary and I've started my day today with the same thoughts. It's sad to me when I catch myself thinking, why doesn't someone see this or that that I've done. It's not so much I want recognition but imitation. And it's not that I want others, and by 'others' I mean specifically my children, to say "I'm doing this like mom does." No, I want them to see it and think that they should do things because I am doing what I should do; it is the example of obedience I want them to imitate. I was reading in one of my college textbooks, and talking with the kids,  about external rewards- candy or money or grades- and Fox chimed in that he thought it was fine to give rewards "sometimes". Hmmm. 

Perhaps I've messed up this part in the training of my children. Personally I think the only external reward we should ever look for is when the Lord will say "Well done, good and faithful servant." What more do we truly need? As Charlotte Mason says, we do what we do because it is right and it is our duty to do so. I'm not quoting that because I don't have it perfect, but it's a part of the CM motto, "I am, I can, I ought, I will." External rewards should not be the reason someone ever does anything. {Of course, I am not perfect in this, as can be read in my paragraph above.}

Today we've 'accomplished' Round Table, "PE", and a few other subjects {lol by "we" I mean "they"}. We have some things to go to today; errands to run. It will be a shorter school day. Edited: it was a short school day but it turned into a long day overall. Is it Friday yet?? But a good note: I got the books I ordered last week. I got a Biology coloring book* for Fox for school next year, and for me I got For the Children's Sake*, When Children Love to Learn*, and Charlotte Mason Study Guide*. I've read Macaulay's book and really enjoyed it. I checked out Cooper's book two weeks ago, and was spending some time skimming through it; it looked worth owning. Gardner's book I found used on Amazon at a good deal {and it is signed by Penny!} when I searched for the other books. I am done buying books for this month *wink*.
*affiliate links

I almost forgot to include the Schwebel's Bread Factory tour we took this afternoon. Silly me! It was pretty neat, albeit very much longer than I'd anticipated. They gave us each a loaf of bread. It's white bread, so it's a special treat for the kids lol. 

Friday -Finally! It's felt like Friday since Wednesday. This morning I get to visit with some friends; fellow THMers. No Round Table since I have to leave right when that would start. The kids will be on their own for a little while. Gosh, hope they can manage *wink*. 

For breakfast Lee made THM pancakes. I posted about this when I first made them and didn't really care for them. I was graciously given this tip: either put a bit of gluccomanan in it or let it set over night. 

Edited: Wow- so that was one busy day! From 6:30 am when I woke up until 10:00 pm when I went to bed, I was only home for not quite 7 hours! I'm a homebody and that was tough! And most of that time was driving. Did I say I was getting jealous of Lee's driving so much? I shall no longer complain. School was a mess; what little the kids got done, I can't even tell. It was all completely independent and I've not even looked it over. 

Our tea-time was not quite so ...nice. It wasn't bad but rushed and at least one of us, but honestly probably all of us, was definitely not feeling it. We finished chapter two in Eragon. And I was wrong about next week being smoother and less rushed because the kids still have one more Microsoft Movie Maker class. 

Good things: It was a very nice time with fellow THMers. Met a couple of newbies, and although I don't know even close to 'everything', it was nice to share some of my experiences with them. 

I got The Great Courses I ordered at huge savings. Understanding the Human Body: An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology and The Art of Public Speaking. Seriously I got an unbelievably good deal on those. The sale is still going for the anatomy but still not as good as I got. I waited until the last possible moment trying to decide if I should get them. It was a deal to good to pass up. But if you miss it- they do have the up to 90% off sale at least once a year. And they gave me a messenger bag 'free'; I gave it to Fox. 

And I got my small little bottle of Green Pastures Fermented Cod Liver Oil, in Oslo Orange. That's one expensive little bottle! Eight ounces and it cost me $34 to buy, not to mention the 2+ hour drive to get it. But really, I'm not complaining too much. The benefits of the fclo should be worth it. And surprisingly, it tastes much better than I thought it would :) I had it in my bulletproof coffee this morning and it tasted like a orange creamsicle! I *really* wanted the chocolate butter/oil blend but have heard it does not taste so yummy. Don't want to give me any reason to dislike chocolate *wink*

And now, today is Saturday. Fox is still sleeping at 8:30 am and Lee is out with The Warden driving more. She has over 20 hours of driving. The plan for the day is me here at the computer, cranking out a 10-12 page literature review, creating a lesson plan of sorts for a virtual field trip. I just can't believe it's Saturday already! Time flies... For everyone else? I don't know. I'll be 'in the zone' and not available at all today. That's the plan. 

And on that note, I must get to my necessary tasks. Hope all have a wonderful weekend!