You KNOW you're a homeschooler when...

you see this creature and it's web attached to the hose you are about to use and run into the house to tell the children to "Come, quick, there's something I want you to see!" despite the fact that it creeps you out!  (Yes, I know that's a run on sentence, lol)

Black and yellow argiope

The girls came outside to check out the spider in question and told me they had already seen it in my flower garden!  So, Emily decides to "google it" and figure out what kind of spider we were looking at.  It's an orb web spider called a black and yellow argiope   My first concern was to find out if it's poisonous or potentially harmful.  It's not!  In fact, it's a beneficial animal to have around since it eats pests in large quantity.  I love impromptu science lessons!

Now, if we can just get rid of the woodchuck living under our front stairs...anyone have a "have a heart" trap we could borrow to catch him?

How does she do it?

I don't know how she does it, but Ann Voskamp has put words to my thoughts...again. 


 When perfectionism and to do lists are overwhelming, Ann's blog post is well worth the read.  Or maybe I'm the only one who gets overwhelmed.

At the end of the day, Ann tells her husband:

“I guess it’s just coming to realize…” I lean back into him and I didn’t know the words until they slipped out true, “God doesn’t ask me to be perfect; He asks me to praise.” I don’t have to have smudgeless windows and empty laundry baskets and gleamy toilet bowls! I don’t have to have a perfect life, all problems solved! I think I hear the Hallelujah chorus! I simply need have a grateful heart to give Him glory. Gratitude in all things is the only thing God asks. Can I take each seeming problem and turn it back to praise? That alone is the one thing needful.

As I go into the next week of starting school "full time" and all the busy-ness that the next ten months hold, I'm praying that I can indeed turn it all back to praise.  That I don't get caught up in trying to be perfect.  That I will take the time to be fully present with those around me, especially the ones I live with.  

22.  A centerpiece of pretty weeds, arranged by my youngest daughter.

23. My oldest's soccer game.

24. Cooking dinner for my husband and family.

25. Laundry, dishes, dirty floors.

The way life should be...

21.  These girls ♥ 

22. The rocky coast

Saying goodbye to a furry friend

Alvin-C

Mr. C

Black Cat

Snoopy Vulture

Shadow

Beggar Boy

Saying goodbye is never easy.  Today we had to say goodbye to our black kitty, Alvin.  My furry companion will be missed.

Wait, wait, you can't leave me!  Who's gonna feed me?

Ugh!  I don't like snuggling!

Now this is more tolerable!

17.  A flock of geese in the tall grass.
18.  Reorganization of our living space.
19.  Forgiveness, grace, and new beginnings!
20.  Ladies bible study.

More...

13.  A garden that is producing good food.

14.  The whir of the washing machine.

15.  Watching the hummingbirds visit.

16.  Learning and growing.

One Thousand Gifts...con't

9. Visiting with friends.
10. Running in the cool of the morning.
11. A birthday reminder to savor each moment with loved ones.
12. A turkey family seen on my run.