What a difference a day...er...a YEAR makes!

It's been a good long year since I posted an update about my family here. And the year couldn't have been much crazier. :oP '

I suppose the biggest change has been that I am now working full time outside the home. Yep! After 17 wonderful years of either working from home as an entrepreneur, or not working at all, I am now leaving my kids 40 hours a week. :o( It's been difficult to do, but we just didn't have a choice. My 17yos now attends public school, which he had actually decided to do before I went back to work, so he could play football. But I'm still trying to homeschool my 15yod and 10yos. This has proven to be quite a challenge.

For one thing, my mother is trying to keep the hsing kids on track with some basics while I get used to a new work schedule. When I started working in Feb. I was on a day shift, but now I work 12-hour shifts three or four nights a week. So me being in bed until noon several days a week is pretty common. But Mom does her best to make sure the kids are getting some basics done each day...or close to each day. ;o)

The sleep schedule is really tough, though. For example, everyone's in bed as I type this at 2:23am, except me. ;o) I probably won't go to sleep until at least 4am. Just can't do it. Then, when everyone's up in the morning...I'll be dead to the world. :o( I've been toying with the idea of letting the kids stay up almost as late as I do now...so we'd wake together, but there's no way my mom could do that, and I really need her awake to keep the home fires from burning out of control. LOL

And I'm also considering using a "box" curriculum with the kids this year. Generally speaking, I hate the whole 'textbook-workbook-regurgitation' method of learning, and instead, we use unit studies. The kids enjoy them, too...not just me. ;o) But having lessons all planned out and easy to track right now...that sounds very appealing. :o/ Still thinking about that one. And, my 15yod is definitely getting a reading tutor this year...something my job can pay for. At least it's good for somethin.' ;o)

Well, off to work on the kitchen...yes, at 2:30am.

See ya soon!

Can't believe how long it's been since I posted on my blog.

I'm not sure how many people even visit my blog, to be honest with ya. But I'm very interested in making sure I stay more on top of this thing. It's been over a year since I've been here and made my presence known. I'm so inspired by all of you hsing moms who keep us all informed about what's going on in your lives with your blogs. In fact,...inspired may not be the word. JEALOUS! Yep...jealous is definitely the word. LOL!

I've got a new laptop and have to transfer my photo files over from the old one, then you'll be able to see what's going on in our lives these days. ;o)

Promise!

The Gang is Headed to Colorado for BAK!

Here's a photo of the guys (and gals) before pulling out and heading to the starting line for this years BAK! They're so excited! ;o)


My hubby is the one in the middle with the bright orange shirt. It's been 20 years since he went on a ride like this, so he's very pumped.

Never heard of these guys!

Not sure where I've been, but I love this. :o) And just so you'll know, I'm a "rock-n-roller" mom. ;o)

See? I told you the school room looked better!

I have a table in the middle of the room now, but no photo of it, yet. :)

More moving photos

So now that I've got the dining room table moved in, and it's crowded by the enormous freezer :-P, I'm thinking it's time for a new table. My grandmother has given me her beautiful old table and chairs, but I've been afraid to get it in my home and discover we might not take very good care of it.
But maybe it's time.

I made these little memo boards myself, so just had to show them. I'd seen someone make them in no time at all on H&G channel a long, long time ago. When I discovered these boards in my mom's garage this week, I just couldn't resist. I am excited to have them hanging in my kitchen now. :-)


And here's what the school room looked like as we all began dumping our loads of books on moving day. Oh, my! You'll notice that the one set of shelves that's even remotely close to organized, is my FIAR shelving unit. LOL!


I'm happy to report that it looks much better now...but those photos will have to wait. :o)



And this is the very small living room. Not a problem, since we really don't do much living in there anyway. It's a cozy TV room more than anything else. ;)

Photo's of our new apartment!

Here's the awesome kitchen. Two double sinks (can ya tell it used to function as a fellowship hall for a church? and the counter opens into the formal dining room, ala the "garage door." ;)





This is the east side of the master bedroom. There's another closet just like this one on the west side. Dh is thrilled to know he'll have his very own closet to clutter any way he chooses. LOL


And three of the five bedrooms have these built in study nooks and double folding door closets. I can't tell you what a relief it will be to have ALL their garments hung in the closet. Yes!!