Trying again

I have decided to get back into writing. Life has changed so much lately that I am not even sure where to begin. This past summer we were given the wonderful opportunity to move into a much larger home. We had been at our previous home for 11 years. With 6 children and hopes for more, it has been such a blessing to have so much more room! I love it here! This month my baby turns a year old. So hard to believe. He has bright red hair and big blue eyes. OH, he melts my heart. Garrett is becoming very 2ish...his favorite phrase is "I do it myself!" He has so quickly transformed from a toddler to a little boy. Hallie will be 4 soon, and boy has it been a joy! She is slowly coming out of her difficult stage and becoming a fun little girl! She is doing so well that I don't make her nap much anymore because it helps her to fall asleep faster at night. (She used to really struggle falling asleep...wouldn't lie still for a moment!) Makenna is 5 going on 13...or at least she thinks so. She wants to be big so bad. She and Hallie have recently started gymnastics and are loving it! Brenden and Katelyn are both growing up very quickly. They are a huge help to me. My oldest three are doing well in their schoolwork, and they all participate in quizzing at church. Josh is keeping busy at work and the church. He loves being a youth pastor, and we are both so thankful for our church family. Well, there is an update. Next time I will add pictures!

She is 3 now!

My 4th little one is now 3. She was my most difficult pregnancy, hardest delivery, and one of my greatest challenges as a parent...but I wouldn't trade her for anything! She is funny, smart, cuddly, sweet, and absolutely adorable. Hallie, I love you so much. I know that God has amazing plans for your life. You are a blessing!

Levi Mark Potter

On October 26th our 6th blessing was born. He was 8 lbs 2 oz and 20 inches long. He has red hair like his daddy. He is a good baby. He nursed great from the beginning. In the first few weeks he slept much better in the day than at night, but now he is doing better. He tends to be awake and a little fussing in the late evening, but I just rock him till he falls asleep...and I don't mind that a bit! During the day I sometimes have to wake him every 2 hours to eat, but at night he will usually wake after about 3 or 4 hours. It is hard to believe that he turned a month old yesterday. He fits right into our family. Our other children adore him and often want to hold him...especially Katelyn and Makenna. He is definitely a blessing from the Lord!

Behind...

I do not know why I have fallen behind in my blogging. I write many in my head but never seem to have the time to sit down and put them on the computer. I am sure there are many of us out there with that same excuse. :) We are finishing our 8th week of school this week. School is going well. I have changed a lot of things for Brenden, which has greatly improved his attitude. He is so smart, yet would rather play. He is an all hands-on boy. I have set up my own system of workboxes, yet the activities are in large ziplock bags to save space. Though this takes more time than tearing out the next worksheet, it is really better for him. It is also forcing me to get my creative juices flowing...and use those many games and activities that we all buy, but seem to collect dust in the closet because they are extra...and who has time for extra? It has been a really good fit for us. I have about 7 weeks left until I can hold my new bundle of joy. I am getting very excited, but have a lot that I would like to have done before he arrives. We are still trying to get out and walk each morning (with kids riding their bikes), but I am getting slower and it is now taking us about 45 minutes. The weather has been wonderful though. I will miss this time when it gets colder. It is a wonderful time to enjoy God's beauty and spend some time in prayer...not to mention talking to my constantly chattering 2 year old. Speaking of her, God gave me an interesting perspective today. She is so busy and wanting so badly to be big and independent. It is so easy for me to become discouraged by her constant need for intervention or correction. I had a thought today about her arrival. She was our first blessing after giving God complete control of our family size. She was also my hardest delivery. I thought to myself...after all I went through, you would think she would be my easiest, not my hardest. Then God intervened my thoughts...she is only 2 years old and you are already developing an attitude for her life. I was then reminded that I was a very difficult and strong willed 2 year old...just like her. It is just a small phase of her life. God has many great plans for her, and He can and will use her determination for His glory! It gave me a peace about her life and a new determination to not give up on my training. God will give me the strength and energy to continue guiding and raising her. Thank you Lord for that moment of realization...I needed it...even if it was in the bathroom at the Dr. office where she was sure she needed to potty in a cup as well! Oh, Hallie, I love you! (Don't worry, I distracted her with washing her hands!)

Where does the time go?

Ten years ago Josh and I took a step of faith and bought our first home. We had the privalege of building. It was a lot of fun to choose all the different accents. It is hard to believe that we have lived here this long. We bought this house coming from a itty bitty apartment. This house seemed huge at the time. We did not have enough stuff to fill it. Now...well, after almost 6 children later, we are overflowing it. Hopefully soon we can find a bigger place. This last weekend the air conditioner stopped working. It was a very hot couple of days. Even the butter on the counter melted. During that heat, I tried to do very little, but I spent a lot of time thinking. I realized that this was the first time our air conditioner had gone out...in 10 years! What a blessing! I also started to think about how well other things have held up. We replaced the lighter on the heater once, replaced the dishwasher, replaced the kitchen sink faucet, changed many light bulbs, and are working this summer to replace the weed barrier outside in the flower beds. I was pretty impressed how long things were lasting. This house has truly been a blessing from God. I am so thankful for all the years it has given us.

Schedules

**I apologize for the large paragraph. This is not how I wrote it, but I can't figure out how to change it. I admit, I love schedules. I can handle a few weeks of no schedule, but then I need to get back into it. I do not necessarily mean busyness, but just having a routine. Otherwise, some things to do not get done...a routine helps me to not forget things. I have recently read a new book...and I loved it. It was called Large Family Logistics. It has really helped me find a schedule that works for my family. I would highly recommend it to anyone that stays home and homeschools. It really is not specific to large families. So, I thought I would share my schedule in hopes to encourage anyone, give anyone ideas, or just because :). The Lord has been very gracious to me and helped my non-morning body rise earlier...and I really like it! 7:00 am - I rise, get ready, and spend time reading God's Word and praying. When finished, I occasionally do an exercise video. 8:00 am - My children start to rise...they have chores that they do before breakfast. I start a load of laundry and begin making breakfast. After my children have finished their chorepacks (that is what we call them), we eat breakfast. I try to read a Psalm or Proverbs to them at breakfast. After we eat, the children have a checklist of things to do (getting dressed, brush teeth, etc.) 9:00 am - We head out on a walk/bike ride around the neighborhood (I walk with 2 little ones in stroller and the 3 oldest ride bikes). Our walks usually last about 30 minutes. 9:30 am - School time - yes, we started school already. I typically only do school 4 days a week, and I want to get a good start before our baby is due in October. Here is a run down of the school schedule. Bible History Science Language Arts Math Reading My oldest two follow this schedule. Garrett goes down for a nap, and the middle two do a little bit of preschool with me. Hallie mostly colors and sometimes watches a video. Makenna is learning her letters and numbers, and she also does some hands-on activities. I also have her and Hallie play on starfall.com during this time. 12:00 pm - Lunch time (When quizzing starts, we typically practice the verses during lunch). After lunch, Hallie lays down for a nap and Makenna looks at books quietly. The older two finish their school work. If they finish by a certain time, they earn Mommy Time (I will do or play anything they want with them individually). 3:00 pm - During this time is when I have a focus for each day (this is what I learned from the book mentioned above). On some days, I am doing things throughout the day, but this is when I do a bulk of it. Monday - Cleaning day - I clean the master bathroom, dust (with Makenna's help), and vacuum. Katelyn cleans the kid bathroom. I also focus on one room a week to deep clean. Tuesday - Office day - On this day I focus on finances, computer tasks, menus, school plans, etc. I also clean and organize my desk area. Wednesday - Kitchen day - On this day I clean and organize my kitchen (one drawer or shelf a week as needed, as well as wipe down large appliances). I also cook meat to freeze, bake, and try to make a freezer meal for another day. Thursday - Laundry day - I do laundry throughout the whole week, but on this day I wash towels and bedding. I also declutter and clean the laundry room. Friday - Town day - I leave this day for errands, field trips, outings, or projects. We do not do our regular schedule of school on this day...only parts of it. 4:00 pm - Snack time 4:45 pm - Jurisdictions - Each older child has an area that they clean up each day. Makenna cleans the living room. Brenden cleans up the playroom. Katelyn mops the kitchen and clears the counters as needed. 5:15 pm - Dinner prep rotations - each day the kids rotate activities while I cook dinner. The rotations are computer, Wii, and dinner helper. Garrett is usually napping during this time and Hallie either watches a sibling on computer or Wii, or she does an activity at the table (playdough or coloring). We usually eat dinner around 6:00 pm, but rotations usually only last about 30 minutes. After dinner the children each have a table job (they typically do them after each meal, but dinner is the main one). Our table jobs are clear the table, wipe the table and sweep, and load the dishwasher. After family time or evening activities we have devotions as a family. Then the kids get ready for bed, and I read aloud from a chapter book to them in bed. Well, that is our day. I love having a focus each day. I love having a routine. I hope this encourages someone or gives someone an idea for their own day! Thanks for reading!

Looking back

This post is long overdue. I guess that is what summer does to you...or maybe keeping up with kids...or maybe just because I am a blogging slacker. Well, anyways...back in June my brother and his family followed the Lord's leading and began their adventure in Texas. It has been surreal to think that they have moved halfway across the US. Boy, my family sure does like to spread out. My dad in Tennessee, brothers in Texas, mom in north Idaho. It gets lonely around here without family, but maybe that is why God called me to have such a big one...we keep things exciting! I am really going to miss my brother and his family. It brought me great joy knowing that my house was a favorite for the kids. I am excited to see what God has planned for them...as their story of getting there is pretty amazing.