Signing Off for Now

If anyone still shows up to read, you've noticed my posts have dropped off lately. Lots of reasons for this...we've recently moved, I'm schooling four kids in three different grades while keeping up with a toddler, and we have a new puppy. I'm (for the most part) choosing one social media outlet for the year. You can find me on Instagram @abbasgirlfamily. I'll look forward to following along with you there!

Thomas: 24 Months

Our precious youngest son is two! What a delight he has been ever since his birth. He is our family sunshine and there is so much love wrapped up in him. At 24 months, Thomas loves trucks, trains, cars, tractors--pretty much anything with wheels. He likes to spend his time playing outside, reading, and eating. He is an easy toddler and enjoys playing around us while we do school in the morning. We are very, very thankful that he is easy-going and cheerful. Happy birthday, Thomas!

Thomas: 23 Months

Inching so close to two! Thomas is starting to think he's a big boy these days. He talks and talks and talks, and his comprehension is excellent. Last week he announced, "Mama, my cracker all gone!" He loves to play outside and adores trucks--watching them, playing with them, reading about them. He starts asking "when Daddy home?" after nap and he's still a snuggle bug. Can't believe he'll be two in just a few weeks!

Thomas: 22 Months

22 months with this precious boy! These aren't the greatest pictures but they show you how busy he is...he was not going to stand and smile for the camera. ;) Thomas loves trucks, cars, and all other motor vehicles. He likes to sit in front of his window with a pile of books and watch for cars and the garbage truck. He adores his siblings and the feeling is mutual. I weaned him this month but he still loves to snuggle. He's the sweetest and the best baby forever!

November Books

In November, by Cynthia Rylant

Balloons Over Broadway, by Melissa Sweet

Cranberry Thanksgiving, by Wende and Harry Devlin

For littles: The Story of Thanksgiving, by Nancy Skarmeas

For bigs: The Thanksgiving Story, by Alice Dalgliesh

Halloween 2020

Queen Esther, Ninja, Cowgirl, Princess Jasmine, Firefighter

Organizing Your Time and Space

I recently gave a talk to our homeschool mom's group on "Organizing Your Time and Space." I'm not sure if it was helpful to anyone else, but it helped me feel more organized just writing my speaking outline. Thankful I learned from the true master, Honey a.k.a. Mom!

Organizing Your Time and Space 

I. Time 

    A. Every family is different. You will have different strengths and weaknesses, different learning styles, different needs. 

    B. Start with spending time with the Lord. Kids can join in. 

    C. My hourly schedule – may look overwhelming at first, but it shows me where my margins are. Combines my calendar and to-do list. 

        a. Leave room for margin (quiet time—first 30 minutes, reheat coffee and Instagram) 

        b. Leave room for your hobbies/interests (read, piano, out with a friend) 

        c. Date your husband and your kids (babysitting swap with a friend) 

    D. If your resources allow, get help. 

        a. Housekeeper 

        b. Grocery delivery 

        c. Babysitter one afternoon a week 

    E. Schooling 

        a. You really can’t do it all, I have tried so hard! 

        b. Play to your strengths (I’m not a nature girl, I hate history projects, love to read). 

        c. No school is perfect—private, public, home—they’ll all have gaps. 

        d. Day in, day out learning adds up to a whole lot by the year’s end. 

        e. Structure: morning time, then tutorials, after lunch is together time subjects. 

        f. In previous years I’ve done different things—all grades handwriting, all grades math, etc. Rotation Stations. 

        g. Trust in what the Lord has called you to do. 

        h. Pray for wisdom. 

    F. Take inventory 

        a. What’s working, what’s not? Possible solutions. 

        b. Write out a family mission statement—if you want—how do those priorities fit in your life? 

 II. Space 

    A. Two mantras: 

        a. Everything has a place and everything in its place. 

        b. Don’t put it down, put it away. 

    B. Teach kids to help 

         a. Laundry basket idea—gather up all you can find, a quarter to get anything back 

        b. Transfer responsibility to your child—help them develop their own plan, resort to the Mom plan when needed 

        c. 15 minute pick-up time/cleaning time 

    C. Get rid of clutter. Give away things you haven’t used in the past year. Simplify. 

    D. Cleaning routine 

        a. I have daily tasks—dust Monday, clean kitchen and baths Tuesday, floors Wednesday, wash sheets and towels Thursday. 

        b. It is easier to clean a clean house. It doesn’t take very long. 

        c. A weekly wipe-up keeps the house clean enough. 

        d. Deep cleaning—some seasons I’ve had a schedule, some seasons I just wait till something starts bothering me or I have time to scrub. 

    E. Meals routine 

        a. Let kids help in kitchen—teaching and serving opportunity! Sometimes seems more trouble than it’s worth, but say yes when you can. 

        b. Dinner short-cuts—make double batches and freeze half, use that crock pot! 

        c. Make a master grocery list. 

III. Conclusion: Grace 

    A. We all need more grace. “From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” John 1:16         B. Ann Voskamp: Life is not an emergency, it’s a gift. 

    C. Enjoy your children. Soak up each phase. It won’t last.