TEACHING is what I love...

I am so privileged to be able to teach my children. I am surprised every week however at the time it takes to get lesson plans, experiments ready, tests typed, etc for the entire week. But most of my time is spent coordinating the entire household activities, making sure there is a vehicle available for transporting who needs to go where...


My week typically consists of:

• SUNDAY - After a morning of worship and an intriguing message from Jim Bailey, my day of rest usually ends up with all my workbooks, test booklets, and text books in the office at the computer. Using a great homeschool tool, Homeschool Tracker, which I downloaded for free, to create our entire week's plan. Any material/schooling that was not entered for the prior week must be entered and accounted for.
• MONDAY - Coen works on Monday from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. If I have any upcoming caterings, I must get to WalMart to make purchases and return home by 8 a.m. so Coen can have the car. Lindsey and I work on school assignments while Coen is working at Calipetro's making gelato and baking cheesecake. When Coen returns home, Lindsey and I are ready to leave the house to go to piano lessons. While she is there, I use that time to return library books and get those on hold for upcoming lessons or reading assignments. After piano, twice a month, Lindsey and I attend a history club meeting for an hour. One Monday a month, I attend a home educator's support group meeting. Lunch, dinner, and laundry...and usually try to accomplish one special project. Lately, it has been the simple task of getting my shower ultra clean...sounds simpler than it has been to do!
• TUESDAY - Coen is home in the mornings typically and has class in the afternoons at Mrs. Callow's home (Physics and English ACT Prep). Lindsey and I work on her school work which can take from 2 to 5 hours, depending on our projects and load...oh, and concentration. Tuesday afternoons, Coen takes us to the Crosby's home, we pick up Will and drop off Lindsey. Then we head to Bible Quizzing Practice from 4:30 til 6 p.m. Since I coach, I am there during the practice as well. I do some prep work for the practice on Tuesday mornings. During hockey season, Coen has practice at this time as well, which he alternates with his quizzing practice. Michael and I have an appointment from 7 - 8 with dear friends of ours to work through life's issues. Lunch, dinner, laundry... oh, and the daily special project...today's was cleaning the Little Tikes gym and sandbox out back so I can place it on Craigslist.com to earn money for decorating projects.
• WEDNESDAY - this is truly a hump day for us. Coen doesn't have outside classes but has tons of homework from them all and this is the day that is concentrated homework time for him. He and I work on his English 101 assignments; my job being mostly one of "How's this sound" while he composes his essays/compositions. He does spend 2 hours in the mornings from time to time memorizing scripture with Matt Slawson. Lindsey and I work on school during the day; afternoon usually includes trip to Walmart for caterings. Wednesday evening Coen is at youth group. The other 3 of us usually have Jenn here to have dinner and to play. Once again, lunch, dinner, laundry. Ya'll know the routine...you do it too!
• THURSDAY - Coen has his class at Longview in the morning, leaves the house at 8 and doesn't return until 6 p.m. I usually have an evening catering that is prepped during the day. Delivery is at 6:30pm. Lindsey and I have a lighter day for school, and she helps with the catering. Thursday nights are family fun nights where we play a game or do a puzzle together, all 4 of us. Thursday seems to be the day where laundry for the week is finalized: folding, putting away, ironing, etc.
• FRIDAY - Coen works again at Calipetro's. So if runs to the store are needed I try to do so by 8 a.m. so he can have the car. Friday afternoon is generally used as wind down time; I try to update the week's records so I don't have that to do on Sunday when planning my new week. Friday evenings are sometimes spent with the Crosbys, friends or just wishing we were with Coen and his buddies when he is out with them! Sometimes our big family night is on Fridays with homemade pizza/crust and a movie at home.
• SATURDAY - Hockey games, Bible Quizzing...when that is not going on, then we try to accomplish a few household tasks like the planned change of moving Coen to the basement room, Lindsey to his, and the office upstairs to Lindsey's room. Generally, Lindsey spends the day with Jenn whether at their house or ours.

As busy as I get, I still love watching them gain knowledge and learn how to use it in day to day life.