Words of truth

This post is more or less just for my future reference, but someone else may also find these links helpful.

The first link is from a blog titled Hands Free Mama. This post seriously spoke to my heart and brought me to tears. Disconnecting is an area that I definitely struggle with, and this post stepped on my toes! All parents should read it! http://www.handsfreemama.com/2012/05/07/how-to-miss-a-childhood/

The second link is something that I ran across today. I love love love this prayer. It took the words right out of my heart. I can definitely see myself returning to this prayer over and over. All you homeschooling mamas out there will know just what I'm talking about! http://www.simplylivingforhim.com/2012/03/homeschool-mamas-prayer.html

And lastly is a picture I ran across on Facebook last night. It evoked so many emotions in me and I keep returning to it. I hope it speaks to you the was it has spoken to me.

School Update

It's been a while since I've made an update about our homeschooling journey! So here goes, we "finished" first grade at the end of March. North Carolina requires each homeschooled student to take a standardized test at the end of each year. We chose to take the CAT test. Both girls did awesome!! They both scored in the top 2% of the nation in Math and the top 5% of the nation in Reading. We were so excited for them, and they were excited too.

Since we got all of the "formal stuff" out of the way, we are now just enjoying some fun activities together. We still do math reviews and the girls typically read each day. They are gardening with Daddy and spending lots of time "studying" nature in our backyard. I guess we have sort of taken on an unschooling method until we begin second grade around the second week of June. They are most definitely still learning each day!

We had our end of first grade celebration at Massanutten Water Park while we were visiting my parents in Virginia. It's an indoor water park and the girls had a blast! We hope to be able to celebrate the end of each school year with a special adventure like this!

I just love this picture! They really are best friends!

Nevaeh "surfing"

Saturday Sick Day

We woke up to a sick little girl this morning. She was fine when she went to bed last night, but woke up with a nasty stomach bug.

So it's a very laid back Saturday for us. A whole lot of this:

And some of this:

And then she was begging me for an ice cream cone, so I gave in and let her have it. She was about halfway finished with it when her loose tooth  began to bleed all over the ice cream. The ice cream cone went in the trash and she pulled her own tooth! Isn't she awesome?!!

Crazy Sisters!

 

Doctor ordered pool time

I have somehow injured my back. I have no idea how, but am having severe muscle spasms which is causing nerve compression leading to back and leg pain. I finally gave in and saw a doctor yesterday. He gave me some medications, ordered rest and physical therapy and encouraged me to spend some time in a swimming pool.

Needless to say, my little mermaids were incredibly excited about the last order.

So we packed up and headed to our local fitness center. I can't say that spending time in the water helped my back at all, but the smiles from my girls definitely made me feel better.

 They put the colors of the rainbow in the correct order using swim noodles :)

 Swim noodles are so versatile..they each made their own boats!

LOVE the imagination of a sweet little girl!

I'm back and with a new challenge!

After reading blogs of some of my friends who are so diligent about blogging and recording the day to day events of their families, I've decided that time is flying by and one day I am going to look back and wish that I had kept up with our blog. One day I am going to enjoy reading the ins and outs of our days, remembering the tiny events that when added together equal big memories that I otherwise would have forgotten all about.

And so...here we are, resurrecting the blog *again*. My goal is to blog 4-5 days a week. Pray for me guys! The very few people who follow this on again off again blog know how many times I've vowed to keep up with it only to publish a few posts and then neglect it. Hang with me guys. This is my last attempt. If I can't keep the blog going this time, I will officially call it quits. But I really don't want to do that.

As if bringing the blog back isn't enough of a challenge, I've also adopted a new 30 day challenge. I found this challenge on a friend's blog and am so excited to get started.  I am sure the fruits of these 30 days will be many and life-changing. Who wants to join in the challenge with me??

For Your Reading Pleasure..

Not only have I resurrected my blog, 31 Rubies is up and running again too!!

You missed us, didn't you?

Head on over and join in our countdown to Thanksgiving with 10 days of thankfulness. Laura and Catherine posted earlier in the week, and I'm up today.

Stop by and tell us what you are thankful for!

www.thirtyonerubies.com

Lazy Saturdays

This is the second Saturday in a row that we don't have any plans.

Let me just say this is something I could get used to.

No getting up early and rushing around to make it to a 9am soccer game or other event.

No wondering how in the world I am going to keep my sanity with our crazy schedule for the day.

None of that.

Only being able to be sitting in bed, typing this post with a cup of hot tea at 9:30 am, listening to the girls playing and my hubby still sleeping.

Ahh..it's wonderful! We need days like these.

Especially knowing that the holidays are quickly approaching. Even though this is absolutely my favorite time of the year, along with the holidays comes the hustle and bustle and a packed calendar.

So, today we will rest.

We might stay in our pajamas.

We might catch up on some school work.

We might cuddle up in my bed and read.

We might cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie.

But we will take it slow and enjoy the day.