Oh the plans we make

I'm a planner and I like to know what's happening so I can be prepared. I used to have so many random things in my purse at any given time, just because, but now I just carry my wallet with me. I still make lists of things for different occasions just so I can have ideas for what to do when that time comes, but I can be very forgetful as well. I also like to have options so if one thing doesn't work we can try something different.
Now, even in my preparations for each new adventure, there comes a time when, things don't go as planned (we've all been there) or in the timing I thought. (Hello 3 week early baby) I, for one, can get really bent out of shape when there's a bump in the road, I'm kind of a perfectionist. I just like things a certain way and when that way, or what I thought in my head was a good plan, gets changed, due to whatever reason, it can cause stress, irritation, and frustration. I'm an emotional person but I have learned that I have to choose to control those emotions. Even though I still have to work through them, I can be positive, which teaches me how to trust that God has it already planned out. (Jeremiah 29:11)
Just a few examples in our life:
When we bought our second home in 2013 we thought we'd live there for years. We were living in the same town we were both born and raised in with all our family close by and never thought we'd live anywhere else. However, Mark wasn't getting anywhere in his job after 10 years. So we trusted God had bigger plans for us and moved a few states away down to Springfield, MO, where Mark got his first official, well deserved raise. Something we waited so long for, but God has grown us a lot from that move.
Then there was our decision to Homeschool. I've always wanted to be a mom but to educate my kids at home wasn't something I set out to do. I did a few things with Kyron early on since he was the only one at home for so long, but I knew he needed to be in school where they would challenge him and help him thrive. We chose private school because we believe in wanting the best influences for our kids. When we moved we saw ourselves in a different state financially and really felt called to homeschool. It gave us so much more freedom and flexibility.  Every day is not easy but we are doing life together and that's something I will always cherish.
Lastly, two years ago, we had the most amount of debt we've ever had due to car repairs, new vehicles and foolish spending along with another move, our fourth in four years. I ended up getting a job which was something I never planned nor wanted, especially while being a stay at home mom and Homeschooling. However, God provided and the flexibility with my schedule allows me to work in the evenings after Mark gets home from work. After saving the first couple months of my income we devised a plan to pay off all our debt in two years and then I could stop working. I loved the plan, I was excited for the plan, I started to put the plan in motion, but even though we had a plan, things kept happening. Car repairs, dental issues, medical needs. Things that weren't in the budget. So each month as we only paid minimum payments, we were just getting by. Finally, our first debt payment is paid off and it feels SOOO good! Especially because I know the momentum will only get stronger.
In conclusion, (I feel like I'm writing an essay, sorry!) We have been working on a plan since June, praying on God's timing, that will forever change our lives, effect our whole family, future and our finances!!! It's been a work in progress as we wait on the Lord but He is guiding our path and I can't wait to share our exciting news in a couple weeks when we get confirmation, and to see the journey he has for us!! 

What's one more?!

We are just beyond excited to add another little princess to our clan!!

When we adopted Duke a year and a half ago we thought about getting another dog right away. We always knew he would love a playmate and Daisy definitely gives him a run for his money! She is 4.5 months old and a Dachshund mix. She's so playful, very energetic, friendly and the cutest little thing! The perfect addition to our family.

New school year, new curriculum, new hobbies

We started school two weeks ago! Each school year we have a tradition to do something fun on the first day.  We chose glow golf and ice cream!

 

So we've been in school mode for the last two weeks and here's an update for those of you who don't follow me on Instagram and get my daily posts. This year we have a whole new curriculum and each child has their own lessons.  This year is the first year I have something for each child and I think that makes it challenging but more structured in our every day.  We have incorporated a morning basket into our routine with devotions and apologetics, so we have lots to keep us busy.
Our new curriculum is Masterbooks, it's faith based and easily laid out but also structured in a range of grades so you can work at your own pace.  (I am not getting compensated for mentioning or reviewing Masterbooks in anyway.)
So we got to choose which category and at which level our kids get to learn at.  This year we are also only doing school four days a week.  School is overwhelming for any parent and this system might not work for everyone but that's the joy of being able to set your own curriculum and go at your own pace! I've learned we need more fun in our life and my weekends are busy with work so we take off on Friday to do something fun and we call #freedayfunfriday where we've done some baking, gone to the library and the Discovery Center (science center) and just take a break from school to relax and do stuff that we wouldn't get to do in a normal day.
So far it's been good working with the kids, but right now we are only doing Math and English/Language and this week Mark has off so we are going to incorporate more subjects as we go and get into the full swing of things come the beginning of September!
Other than school Mark and I have each picked up a new hobby in our "spare time" where he is making blanket ladders and I'm doing scrabble art! Anything to help make some extra money to save or pay off debt, as we plan our coming year with continuing updating our house, saving for a family vacation, and our next trip to visit Wisconsin. We've kept pretty busy and look forward to sharing all we do with you! Here are some pictures of what we've been up to.

Our updated house pictures

HEEYYY!!! It's been sooo long and I know you've missed us! I posted about our homeschooling yesterday but I've been meaning to post pictures of our new house. If you follow me on Instagram you've seen some of the updates we've done already, and if you don't follow me, you're missing out!! PS. You don't have to create an account to follow me, just go to the website and search for me. So ANNNNYYYYWAAYYYY, Friday marked 9 months since we made our fourth move in four years and I seriously can't believe all we have accomplished already!!  It's amazing that out of the four houses we've owned, we've done the most to this one in the shortest amount of time.  Must be because I'm finding my thrifty/DIY groove. LOL, or I'm just really motivated to make it feel like home. SO here are just a few pictures of what we have been up to for the last nine months. I hope you enjoy them as much as we have!

Being called Home

To say we survived our second year of homeschool is an understatement, considering we aren't officially "done" yet. With our big move at the beginning of the this last school year we just set ourselves back from the start and could never get back on track.  I was extremely distracted with house projects and getting things situated and the kids had zero motivation to sit and do school at all in their new surroundings.  Regardless of what life brought us though we seemed to do what we could and Sarin learned to read this year! She is always excited to spell out words and read whenever she can.  She's loves to write and make notes using what she has learned.  Kyron, well he's learned some things and a lot of what Alexa has to offer.  Currently he's made over $7,000 on his virtual lemonade stand!  He has started mowing the lawn for some extra money and we are excited to begin working with the two older kids this coming year about budgeting. 
When we thought about homeshcooling our kids two years ago there were a lot of factors that went into the decision.  Just because God calls you to homeschool doesn't mean that it's going to be easy as anything in life.  We learned that quick with our first year.  With limited resources and a low to no budget for "fun stuff" I have a hard time with doing my own thing and like to stick to the books.  This year has been challenging in more ways than one but we have learned that the curriculum we have used these past two years just isn't doing it for us.  We always buy used because it is cheaper for us and we have a used curriculum store here in town which has been great.  After praying about it we got an unexpected pamphlet in the mail about a faith based curriculum and I was really excited just looking at all they had to offer.  I took the leap and joined the Facebook page for it along with the mom's page that went with it.  That's when I found many of the reviews were about people using the same curriculum we had been using with the same issues and how they changed to the new curriculum and they have seen such a difference.  So we bought all three kids' books in May and have been planning and preparing to start the beginning of August. We will see!
Along with a new curriculum I had gotten the book Called Home which opened my eyes to a new perspective and reasoning why I was called to homeschool my kids.  I'm feeling like the weight of expectations has been lifted and I can rely more on God to be my strength during those days things don't go "as planned" which is hard because I'm a planner and a perfectionist.  I struggle with a lot of things when it comes to homeschool and it's been eye opening to just let go and let God.  He has really carried us through these past two years and I'm so excited to see where He takes us this coming year with this new curriculum and how it will change our family living and how we run our home.  God has been that strong hold that has given me hope when I've wanted to give up and just be done.  I'm exhausted all the time and have a lot on my plate with home duties, a part time job and homeschooling. It has taken a toll on me this past year, but God is faithful and He sees us through.  I can't wait to begin a new thing.  Each day is a new day for learning and beginning again when we fail at life one day.  Taking each day like a new slate is encouraging. Here's to new beginnings.