Summer....where is it going?

I was helping the kids pick up their messes just a little while ago, and it occurred to me. It's almost the end of July. Soon Libby will be 12 (what??), and we will be starting school. While we are still working on getting the "school room" set up, we are making progress on it everyday.

So far this summer, this is what we have accomplished as a family:

Working on getting rid of some bad habits, and putting good habits in their places:
We have started working with the kids, on being kind to each other. I don't think they always realize how they are speaking to each other, and how hurtful words can be. So we are working on asking for forgiveness, and giving it as well. Both can be very hard to do.

Getting into a routine of sorts, with the chores and such.
Chores are a new thing in our house, as I have mentioned before, we never really made the kids have/do chores, because we felt guilty with spending so much time at work. When we came home we were selfish, and wanted to spend all the time we could with our kids. So this has been a bit of a challenge, but I will say the kids are really coming around to the idea of chores. They have figured out, if they do "chores" during the week and pick up after themselves, we don't have to spend all weekend trying to "catch up" on house cleaning. We can actually go do fun things together as a family! What a concept!

The room upstairs is going to be divided. 1/2 the girls room,  the other 1/2 will be the school room.
Most of you know, and I guess now the rest of you will know. We have decided to home-school our children this school year. We feel after spending lots of time in prayer and seeking the council of our priest, family,and friends, this is the best thing for our family this year. We are going to take homeschooling one year at a time, and re-evaluate each year. "What is best for our family? What helps us to grow in faith, and spirituality as a family, and follow God's plan for us, as his (mostly) obedient children?" (this is something we have to work on everyday).

Getting organized and removing some of the clutter that has accumulated in the last 12 years of living in our house.
Some of you know the challenges that arise in living in a nearly 100 year old farm house. One of the challenges is the lack of storage (only 2 closets) and small rooms. However we are thankful for having a roof over our heads that keeps us warm or cool(depending on the season) and dry. So we are trying to go through all the stuff we have accumulated over the years, and weed out what we don't need or use. If any of you have ever done this, you know that it takes time and patience (which is not something I have a lot of! Darn Irish heritage....LOL)


Well there you have it. That is our summer so far. Now don't get me wrong, we have had lots of fun as well. Such as taking the kids, and one of their friends to see the free summer movies at the local theater. Going to a drive-in movie for the first time, and getting some swimming in there as well. It's been a crazy, busy, fun summer. I am looking forward to the adventures of the rest of this summer, and continuing into this fall.