Homeschooling: Getting It All Done

Let's jump right in to Homeschooling Month on the blog. I certainly don't mean to alienate those who don't homeschool. My very best friends don't homeschool! But something we have in common is that we want great things for our kids and we want them to love learning. Some of the things I write about this month may definitely be of interest to those who don't homeschool, so don't write me off just yet! Soon I'll be back into writing stories of my bad behavior in public and of the goofy things my kids do. Ah, heck, I may just put a few on here for fun this month.

Anyway, above is a picture of something I tried that failed. I try lots of things that end up failing and it used to really get me down. Then I realized that if I'm never failing, I'm never trying, right? Anyway, we are always looking for ways to keep our homeschool days on track. I'm not great at schedules since I'm a go-with-the-flow mom with a baby always attached to my boob. Someday I might be able to have a schedule and stick with it, but for now I'm going easy on myself and we are doing the best we can. Amazingly, more gets done than we realize.

So the above is a planner I wrote up for my oldest son, who was only 9 at the time. He wasn't ready for his own planner. Eventually he will be, especially since I NEED HIM TO BE, and especially since he NEEDS TO BE so he can be all self-sufficient at college and in life, right? So for now Mom will keep track of the daily assignments and the kids are free to look ahead and see what's planned.

If you homeschool, I'd love to hear about your successes and failures and when you decided to go easy on yourself as a teacher and as a mom.

My Sixth Child is a Toshiba Laptop

Or, if you count my surrogate daughters Jordan and Reever, this is actually my EIGHTH child. My sixth child is ...

A Toshiba laptop.

Yep, I put birthday money together with some writing money and made the leap. I'm at McDonald's right now eating fries and informing you of this big event in my life.

In case you haven't figured it out by now, no, I am not pregnant.

Thank you to everyone who gave me birthday money to buy this wonderful material item I have been dreaming of for a long time. No longer am I "chained" to my desk at the house. I can work on articles while I homeschool at the dining room table, outside, or even in bed!

Still no Internet access at home, but at least now I'll be taking my very own computer to Starbuck's to post blogs and submit queries and articles. I am grateful and thrilled.

P.S. I had an amazing birthday ... Aron threw a BIG bash complete with DJ, Mexican catered food and 1970s theme ... I have to post photos of THAT because my husband wore tape-on black chest hair and a 'fro AND rented me my dream car ... a red Mustang convertible ... for the weekend! I love you, babe!

My Wife

Guest Post.  Today is Kerrie's 40th birthday.  She is eternally young to me and is so pretty I love her very much.  Her laugh keeps me young and her smile brightens my day.  She is a beautiful mother to our 5 children and a patient, faithful wife.  She is a blessing to me, to our family and to all who know her.  Happy birthday Kerrie, I hope to have many more wonderful birthdays with you.  I love you.

Kerrie McLoughlin Turns 40 Today

Yup, folks, I'm 40 today. It's also Father's Day! I'll be busy hanging out with my dad and Aron's dad and relaxing because it's my birthday. I don't want anything special for my birthday ... just more of the same great life I've been given. I wouldn't turn down some chocolate, coffee or Chapstick, either.

Have a great day!

Potty Pictures

Yes, I know I am strange. But realize that many other mothers are doing the same exact thing right now: taking pictures of their kid on the potty. It's cute! And she's "reading" while she's doing her business. You can't go wrong with a shot of that! The point is that I love taking pictures ... it's just the getting them in the scrapbooks that is the problem lately! Help!