Things have been busy, as usual. Trying to keep up with my cluttered house has been hard. It seems like as soon as I get one area clean, then another one rears it's ugly head.
I have been really dragging my feet when it comes to my upstairs. There are just so many junky toys, papers, and books everywhere. I am sad to say, that I have been gladly throwing away legos when I run into them. I know that I have thrown away toys that kids like. If they knew about some of them, there would be tears. But these toys are toys that haven't been played with in months. They will probably never notice they are gone.
This week we have been working on getting out adoption application filled out, and reference forms handed out to close friends. I read some blogs today that belonged to other families who have adopted, and it brings a great amount of excitement to my heart. The Lord willing we will be one of those people!
One particular blog that I read today talked about how she has what she considers virtual twins. She was 33 weeks pregnant when they adopted an infant. She was able to not only nurse her biological baby, but her adopted baby as well! Wouldn't that just be the best? It would be such a WONDERFUL thing to be able to not only have two children the same age, but to be able to breastfeed your adopted baby. The bonding that happens when you are nursing a baby is like nothing else. What a blessing! So perhaps the Lord will allow that to happen with us.
Next week I am hoping that Adam will be able to take a day off so we can get our application turned in, and also get our fingerprinting done at the State Police department. Just a couple more steps toward an addition to our family.
Last year I talked about another family that was adopting from China for the second time. I am so excited to hear tonight, that they may be able to adopt a third child from China here in the next week or so. They could use a lot of prayer about that. Everything is happening really fast with this adoption.
As for our homeschooling...it has been going ok. It is almost as if I have been stuck in a rut for the last week or so. Do you ever get like that? When I get like this, I tend to just sit and stare at my shelf of books and think to myself...am I doing this right? Are the kids really learning? Am I just so disorganized that I am failing my children? When it is time do some school work, I look at the shelf and pull books off that I think will do for the day. I think...ok, let's do some math, maybe some writing, and we will read out of this book. Maybe it is working doing it that way, or maybe it's not. I just don't know.
I'm sure you're doing a great job homeschooling. We had some friends over for dinner last night and the dad asked Peregrine what we'd done for our school that day. Peregrine said "oh, we don't really do school anymore." Groan.... it's a good thing they're homeschoolers too and understand! Sometimes learning doesn't look like school.
ReplyDeleteThat's excited about you moving forward with adopting. Keep us posted!
Love,
Beca
Oh, yeah, I do that where I just pull things off the shelf. I definitely questions myself, but, you know, at least right now, I don't think I want to change homeschooling styles. The girls are sooo interested in what we learn and really connect the dots. My parents came over this past weekend and I could tell they were impressed with the more complex interest levels of my children. I think, even if you did do a not so great job, just having a life where TV and electronic toys aren't a big part of it, and the Bible and classic literature is, then well your kids would turn out way more informed and able to learn than is the norm.
ReplyDeleteCathy
Hi Ali, first I want to thank you for all your work on my blog. Second for the fun chats on homeschool, and life in general. I think I have been getting a little out of touch. ;) Second, I envy a little those moms who actually have the artistic ability and knowledge to chose and pick what they teach. I really have to follow what I have.. sometimes I chose to look stuff up with them but I really follow a pretty strict curriculum with quizzes, tests and book reports. I like this but at the same time am trying to bring in more enjoyment for the boys. I think reading your blog and others who are doing it a little more relaxed and in a classical manner makes me realize that I can too. :) Thanks! Oh and I will be praying for your adoption and pregnancy possibilities.
ReplyDeleteHi Ali, I have you updated in my bloglines now! You are such a self taught person that I know you will pass on the love of learning to your kiddos.
ReplyDeletesusan