Weekly Wrap-Up

In which the ups and downs of life find us. 

On the Heart and Mind:

This week has had many twists and turns, ups and downs.  It began on Sunday with a delightful trip to see my grandma with my mom and daughter.  We brought her lunch.  Grace had made her Rice Krispie Treats.  We did her nails.  We watched Little House on the Prairie. We had fun.

Grandma and her kitty.

We were running around on Monday, as usual, enjoying some social time with other homeschoolers.  Gym class at the community center has turned out to be a nice opportunity to meet other homeschoolers.  Grace is also getting anxious about her dance recital next Monday.  I am not sure how to help her.  I would be anxious, too! 

And we all worked hard on Tuesday to get ready for my Bunco group expected that evening.  That is when the "downs" started to appear!  Only 3 of 11 invited friends could come. It was still nice, but not the same, a bit of a disappointment.  I decided to focus on the bright side.  My house was clean and I had a good conversation with 3 other ladies.  Plus, there was a little chocolate cake that tasted really, really good!

Wednesday brought the news that my grandma was being taken to the hospital for severe dehydration and a high fever.    She became more stable after some IV fluids, so I am hopeful that she will be back to normal soon.

Thursday was shopping day, a chore I find tedious.  I used to enjoy spending money.  Now I just try to endure.  And I focus on being thankful that I have the money I need to buy groceries and other things we need, like forks!  Just an aside, but it seems we've lost 10 forks since we've been married.  Where are they?
  


Life and Learning:

We started a biography of Mary Slessor, missionary to the Calabar area of Africa.   So far we are loving this book!  Actually, there is never been a book about a missionary that we did not just love.  Mary is the typical missionary.  She is just an average, poor working woman who felt a very strong call to Africa.  I love reading how God uses unskilled people.

Science Treasure Box.

We started and completed a little book set in South Africa during their oppression called, Journey to Jo'burg.  This little book is a quick read and very well written.  I wish it had been longer.  The characters are well developed and just begging for more.  It is the story of two young Africans who set out to walk to their mother who works in Johannesburg because their little sister is very sick.  Along the way they learn exactly what it means to be a non white person. 

I spent a little time clearing out our homeschool shelf and found a treasure, an old science kit we had bought at our first homeschool convention.  We had completed the kit back then and I decided to save it for another day.  It was fun to get it out and read the books again and do a left over craft.  It also reinforced the learning we had done about butterflies long ago.

Grace's Butterfly.

Grace started Teaching Textbooks, 5th grade!  I think it is a good fit for her.  I plan to have her do a lesson each day, even through the summer so that she can do some catch up work.  Hopefully she can like math again.  We will continue to use the Mathtacular as well. 

Ryan's Star Trek Creation!

Around the House:

I feel like we made great progress in decluttering this week.  I took a bunch of  stuff to Good Will.  I managed to clear off two" hot spots."  Now to just keep it up!


In the Kitchen:

The only major thing that happened in the kitchen this week  was getting a counter cleared off!  I plan to bake some cookies sometime this weekend. 

Trevor's Western Night Get Up.

On the Nook:

Renae gave me a great book suggestion this week, Mary Jones and Her Bible.  (Thank you!)  I am almost done with it. What a great little true story of a poor  girl who saves her money for 6 years and walks 50 miles round trip to buy a Bible!  Wow, kind of makes me think we take our Bibles for granted! 

     "We sometimes see - and particularly in the case of young people - that great eagerness for the possession of some coveted article is followed by indifference when the treasure is safely in their hands. " 


How many times have I seen this in my own children's lives?


Scripture Memory:

This may seem like an odd verse to memorize, but it helps to remind me that my graying hair is biblical!

Proverbs 16:31
"Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life."



Picture the Week:

Do they make mute buttons for older children?

I hope you've had a great week, too!
~Jenn