The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week… School, school, and more school. It is the last week of the term and I am trying to get it all done.

In our homeschool this week… Spiders and pigs! Charlotte's Web unit study!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… It is okay to put down the curriculum and do something your kids are excited about.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing… This weekend {hoping for good weather} we are going hiking with friends/Cub Scouts. 

My favorite thing this week was… Making spiders. I love watching the boys working so hard and being so focused on something but also how much they enjoy creating.

My kiddos favorite thing this week was… Making spiders and webs!

Things I’m working on… Schoolwork. Not to sound redundant but it is my life right now.

I’m cooking… A birthday cake!

I’m grateful for… My husband {did I say that in my last post?} because he is really awesome. 

I’m praying for… The U.S. government.

I rewarded my kids this week by… Extra time on the XBox.

Something I am ogling or have my eye on… An art journaling class from Julie Fei-Fan Balzer.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)… 

Yep, that is snow! 

Read more: http://www.soyoucallyourselfahomeschooler.com/homeschool-mothers-journal/#ixzz2h5r0RXxa

Motivated Moms 2014!

I have been using Motivated Moms consistently for about a month now. I am excited to mark things off the list each day and get things done. My home is cleaner and more organized but the biggest thing for me is that I don't even have to think about it. Motivated Moms has it all planned out for me. I use the half size chore planner that has a full week on one one page. On the back I print a simple weekly to-do, to keep track of my school assignments. Then I hole punch it and put it in a half-size Staples Better Binder {more on my planner at a later date}. An exciting update to MoMo is some color! The black and white version will still be available but I do like to add some color to my planner. MoMo also has an app for your smartphone but I'm not there yet. I really need it on paper, for now. I may try out the app. I highly recommend MoMo! There is a plan for everyone! And there is a special going on right now! {This post contains affiliate links, scroll down to the bottom of my blog for my disclosure. Don't forget that if I don't love it I won't try and get you to spend money on it!}
With the purchase of a 2014 ebook, you will receive the Oct-Dec 2013 planner FREE! Just add the 2014 ebook to your cart and the free product is automatically bundled. The Oct-Dec 2013 ebooks are also available to purchase for $2. AND the coupon code SAVE1 will take $1 off any purchase!

Living and Active Challenge Update

It seems that whenever I commit to a challenge some road block jumps out at me and I can never finish. I'm sure it is just excuses because I know people that have much more going on than I do that still get their workouts done. My husband was sick, I'm overwhelmed with school, homeschooling, living without all my things (still waiting for our shipment!), housework... You get it. Excuses. Lots of them. And now the weather is turning colder, there is another one. All of those excuses should be reasons that I exercise not reasons to skip a workout.
Saturday, Hubs dropped me off at the gym (at his workplace, we don't pay for a membership) and took the boys to get groceries. I was there for an hour. I ran (well, let's not exaggerate, it was much more of a jog) and lifted weights, heavy weights. I did squats and lunges. I used the 75 pound bar to do squats! It was awesome! And the only reason I didn't do more was because the bar was hurting my shoulders. My legs could've done more. I am still sore but it felt good. I love being sore because I know my body is getting stronger.
Soon (like, hopefully, next week!) our water rower will be here and I can get into a routine. I'm hoping to have a good weight lifting session at least once a week. And carbs... I've been eating too many. I am not going low-carb but I need to cut back because I'm not eating balanced. More protein and veggies, even if we have to sell a kidney to afford lettuce this winter (I've heard that it can get up to $16 a head for lettuce!). It is so good to have such an encouraging husband.