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This has been a tough week. Of course, postpartum hormones, life with
a newborn and the rest of the crew and all. But also, hubby has been
dealing first with back pain and then an eye erosion. 🙁 My dear mama
vounteered to take our little #ninjatoddler to stay with her for the
weekend. I've had two thoughts ...

1. I keep having this adrenaline-rush moment of panic. "Where's Joey?!? Who has Joey?!?"
Interesting to observe how much of my emotional energy and attention
gets spent on that.

2. I'm a little scared to see just how smoothly our day goes without
him. If it's significantly smoother, will that make it more
overwhelming to think about the challenge of homeschooling with a
toddler? Or will that motivate me to come up with some really good
strategies for helping him stay busy?

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZD_ojNFTwq/

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The older kids are out riding bikes and scooters. One is taking the
two-year-old for a walk. And I'm in charge of these three. It may not
last long, but for just a moment, there is quiet.

(Click the link below to see the video.)
https://www.instagram.com/p/BY6fPAunA0y/

Serial Misunderstanding

Matt was explaining to the children that reading a story a chapter at a time and having to wait before hearing the next part of the story wasn't such a bad thing. He told them about the original publication of some of Charles Dickens' work.

Matt: Originally, these novels were serial publications. That meant that each section of the story was published one at a time in a ...

Ruth: Cereal box?

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My older two boys (and my nephew) got to spend the weekend with their
Pop-Pop (my dad). Among other adventures, they visited the Children's
Museum. So thankful for the generations before us loving and nurturing
those coming after us. ❤
https://www.instagram.com/p/BY34JkanwTW/

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It feels like I've had to mostly say "no" for about three years. "No,
I'm sorry, Mama doesn't have the energy to do that." They've been
really understanding. And for the most part, I think I've been more
upset about the no's than they have.
.
But it feels so good to be able to say yes when I can. Today it was
yes to bread making and yes to painting...partly because I had enough
energy, but mostly because these projects require less and less from
me these days!
.
Bonus: When you don't get to say yes as often, even the little yes's
feel like a big deal to the kids!
.
What about you? Does it seem like energy is a limiting factor in your
homeschool? How do you handle that challenge?
.
#hswotrainingwheels #bravewriter #bravewriterlifestyle
#homeschooltoday #homeschoolirl #homeschooling
https://www.instagram.com/p/BY1W36WH5Fc/

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Want to know what my biggest homeschool struggle is? You're looking at
him! We love this guy bunches and bunches. He's the sweetest little
man and a fantastic snuggler. He makes us smile and laugh every day.
We wouldn't trade him for the world.

But he is a bundle of energy and a super impulsive guy. Yes, there are
some strategies that help and I'm all for practical tips. But for me,
the most important approach has been simply to adjust my expectations
and give myself a whole lot of wiggle room in what we try to
accomplish with a toddler along.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYyszZ6HiOC/

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When we found out, around 20-weeks, that we were having a boy, we
narrowed down our list of name choices to one. When we told the kids
we had decided to name the baby George, several of the younger
children were very upset.

"No! That's a name for a monkey, not for a baby!" 🤣🤣🤣

Of course, we assured them that we didn't pick the name because of
Curious George. We were thinking more of Handle, Whitfield,
Washington, Constantino (a dear friend from church) and others.

But when our little fellow arrived, @donnajean84 couldn't resist
getting our curious little man a monkey outfit. And we love it! ❤🐵

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Last week my mother brought her parents (my Grannie and Granddaddy) to
see George. When I count my blessings, these two are high on the list.
Their loving, faithful, and godly example has been a foundation and
guiding light to our family for decades. They both celebrated their
87th birthdays this summer.
.
I don't take for granted the privilege of raising kids surrounded by
multiple generations of my family and my husband's family. Their
encouragement and supprt is one of my greatest homeschool resorces and
one that I can't measure or quantify.
.
Do you have family nearby? Does your family (whether local or from a
distance) support your decision to homeschool?
.
#hswotrainingwheels #bravewriter #bravewriterlifestyle #homeschoolirl
#homeschoolrealities #homeschooltoday
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYszRuDn6eI/

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Since we knew we'd have a new baby around the traditional date of
back-to-school, we continued our schooling throug early August. Now
that baby George is here and Daddy is back to work, we're starting our
"summer" vacation!

Homeschooling has its plusses and minuses, but this is one time when
we're really thankful for the flexibility to be able to ebb and flow
with the seasons of life.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYrJN8CjQwp/

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When you get a package from Etsy and can't remember what you ordered
... and it turns out it's a super-cute bouquet of baby goodies from
Baby Blossom Company sent by Cousin Lauren! 😍

The little note says she's sorry she couldn't be here in person to
snuggle baby George. We forgive her because ...
A. She's 7 for 8 (she was on the spot for our first 7 babies!)
B. She's a traveling nurse, loving on NICU babies on the other coast!

We love you and miss you, Lauren. Thanks so much for the stinkin'
adorable bundle of baby items. See you at Christmas! ❤
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYlkU3QF_y6/