A New Year

So, I'm a little late getting a new post up for the new year... but I've been a little preoccupied with life. We took two weeks off at Christmas time and travelled to Maine to be with family. It was a good visit, we really needed the time away, but I was glad to come back home and get at things again.

Joy has finally settled into a mostly predictable routine. It has been challenging with three older ones to focus on the baby and figure out her needs, but I'm getting there. She is growing well and smiling big smiles and starting to babble and coo. :) I have not been good about taking pictures, but I will try to get some new ones soon. (On a side note, you can read her birth story here if you are interested.)

I always love the beginning of a new year. A time to reevaluate and refocus. I don't usually make resolutions, too much pressure. But I usually make a mental list of some things I'd like to focus on. My main focus right now is homeschooling.

I started Emma with kindergarten last summer, thinking I'd get ahead and be able to take time off when the baby came. Well, we didn't get too far, and we didn't do school all over November and December. So I've picked up where we left off, and we've been on a roll for the past two weeks. I have been using the kindergarten curriculum from My Father's World. It has been fun, and easy from a teaching point of view since it includes everything you need.

I have also been doing some lite preschool work for Julianna and Ethan. It is mostly to give them something to focus on, and to give them some special attention so that I can give Emma the attention she needs without the younger two needing to be in on it as well. It is working well, and I'm encouraged that this homeschooling business can be done. For the younger two we sit down and do some reading, focus on letters and numbers, and learn some songs and poems. I have been loosely following this free preschool curriculum. It is easy to do with both Julianna and Ethan, and doesn't take very long. They feel like they are doing something special.

This new season in my life is incredibly busy. It takes a lot of energy and focus to keep up with four kids, a husband, and a house to run. But I am learning, and there have been plenty of curves!

I will be sharing when I can, I've got some things in mind.... So stay tuned! :)