Homeschooling Again

I mailed in our Intent To Homeschool.

And submitted my resignation from Beachbody coaching.

I had every intention on sending Liam and Alanna to public school together this fall along with Ruy...even though so much of me longed for and missed the connection with my children through homeschooling. I was still going to send them. Even though I didn’t have peace about it.

Then when we decided to move and as school time approached closer and closer...I realized we’d probably be in 3 different school districts before the school year ended and I knew I didn’t want that for Liam and Alanna.

It felt like a very clear sign that homeschooling was the best option for them. Once I made the decision I immediately felt peace about it. I picked a curriculum that was highly recommended and looks so beautiful and fun and what I was looking for.

I knew I could not be a Beachbody coach and homeschool because I’d tried before and it just was way too much on me. Homeschooling is a full time job in itself. So that was one reason for my resigning along with several others...

but on Sunday our pastor spoke of distractions that come into our lives and take God’s peace from us and it just really spoke to me and while at one point in my life...coaching is what I needed...I tried it again and just could not get peace about it. Could not shake the feeling that that season of my life was passing and I needed to fully let it go because it just was no longer in alignment with my needs and goals and my family’s needs and goals.

Then I listened to It Is Well by Caleb and Kelsey last night ...and literally just felt SO at peace about my decision to homeschool, to get refocused on home making and motherhood, and God, and health in a different way...like a wave washing over me almost.

Like I’d come home or something...I’m not sure 100% how to explain it but I guess just that I feel totally and completely where God wants me, so happy, and so at peace with my decisions.

The last 3.5 years have been a huge journey for me...but it feels so good to finally feel right where I’m supposed to be. I haven’t felt that in a long time and I’m just so thankful for where I’m at right now.

Ruy will continue on at public school but the other 3 will be home with me....so excited for this school year! For a fresh start! A new curriculum! New goals! Moving! And everything God's doing in my heart and life🌲

The Puppies First Time In The Water + The Best Day At Our Favorite Park

Saturday, a little over a week ago...we randomly decided to make a little trip out to a lake near our house.  I had no intention of taking the dogs but right before we went to leave, Nathan was like "let's take the dogs!" 

So we loaded up the kids (Ruy wasn't with us that weekend or week) and the dogs and headed to the lake! 

The dogs were so terrified of the water!  

They didn't want to get in at first but Nathan helped them in and once they got in they loved it! 

We stayed about 2 hours and just enjoyed the water and splashing.  We'll definitely be going back!

I'm sure the more we take the dogs to the water, the more used to it they will get and eventually be jumping into it on their own.

I won't be taking them without this man though....two big dogs are way to much for me to handle without his help :)

Then a few days later, I took the kids to one of our favorite parks.  It was overcast and so a little cooler than the 95 degree days we'd been having.

We walked along the water and saw butterflies, threw away plastic that was laying around, and got our feet wet.

We found tons of frogs and toads.

There was one spot where tons of little frogs were everywhere we looked.

Jude found some feathers he loved and said they were" tiger bird feathers" because of the stripes on them.

We found clams, and also a pretend fire pit someone had made.  We pretended we were camping in the woods and made clam soup, rock soup, and pinecone soup.

It was definitely my favorite time at this park we've ever had before and we've been going to this park probably 1-4x a month for about 11 years.   I love being out in nature with my kids and just learning and exploring with them.  

10 Year Anniversary Camping Trip

I remember when Nathan and I got married.  We couldn’t afford a big honey moon because we’d spent $6000 on our wedding and had no money leftover for the dream honey moon to Hawaii that I really wanted.  So we said on our 10 year we’d do something big like that!

Back then at 21, 10 years seemed like F.O.R.E.V.E.R away.  And then you blink and all of a sudden you’re 31, have gray hairs, and a whole ‘lotta kids!  And are looking back like “OMG how did 10 years already pass!?”  But seriously...I can’t believe it’s been 10 years already. 

We’ve gone through so much as a couple the last 10 years and I feel in this past year we’ve grown in our marriage more than any of the other years combined.  Marriage takes work. Lots of love. Lots of communication.  Lots of learning what the other person needs to feel loved.  Lots of patience.  Lots of growing and learning.  We’ve had our share of struggles but overcame them and are more in love now then the day we got married.  We’ve had so many amazing times and are so excited for what the next 10 years has for us. 

When we were trying to decide what to do for our anniversary... we knew we couldn’t do anything huge like Hawaii (one day we will but it wasn’t something we could do this year) and I really didn’t want to do anything fancy.  I’ve been wanting to get into camping and hiking as a family so we decided to go on our first camping trip together. 

I love being  near the water so we picked a spot near VA beach and reserved a tent spot.  Nathan’s parents have a ton of camping stuff so they let us borrow all their stuff and watched the kids for us for two nights.  We went to VA Beach for our little weekend getaway honeymoon.  Here's a picture of us when we were 21 at VA beach.

We had planned on getting to the campsite by 5pm but of course…between taking the dogs to their spot to be watched, packing, and dropping off the kids, then having to pick up a few more things we needed, and get groceries…we didn’t get to the campsite until almost 8pm. 

We ended up having to set up the tent in the dark. (And by WE I mean Nathan  ) ok I helped a little but really had no clue what to do.  I think next time I’ll be more helpful now that I know what to expect.  Thankfully there was a big light behind our tent from the street or it might have been hard to set up the tent at 8:30pm in the dark.  

Our campsite was a cute little spot in the trees and so thankful I found a spot near the bathhouse because I wake up ALL night needing to go so …. We needed to be close to the bathhouse.  

We made our own coffee and breakfast both mornings which was fun.  

I got a morning stretch workout in which was super relaxing...

And then We had some time at the beach which was beautiful! I forgot to take any pictures of it but that's ok :) 

Later that afternoon when a storm was supposed to roll in we went to the aquarium.  

Dinner was at a little restaurant by the bay with a beautiful view.  It was still raining most of the time we were there so we sat inside but were able to get a picture before we left once the rain stopped. 

I wanted to get back pretty bad to check on the tent and make sure it was still standing after the big storm.

It was…but rain had gotten inside.  So instead of taking a walk on the beach after dinner, we ended up at the laundry mat drying out our blankets and having sundae’s from McDonald’s  

I was so tired from not sleeping well the first night so I was struggling internally to go back out to the laundry mat when I really wanted a little walk and then BED but I made it through.  I came from from the laundry mat and crashed out immediately with the lantern still on.  I slept really the second night since it was cooler, which meant I could wrap up in a blanket, and we had more air in the air mattress. 

We got up and watched the sunrise and took a walk on the water.

I missed the kids pretty terribly and I am not sure I talked about anything else but them the entire time we were gone.  We even saw a little boy in Food Lion with buzz lightyear wings on and I was like “omg Liam :(!”  Haha yes, I’m that mom that just LOVES to be with her kiddos.  Some think that’s weird but I really do love being around my kids a lot.  

I’m so glad Nathan and I got the time alone together!  We had so much fun! but I also can’t wait to experience camping with the kids as a family!!!  We’ve already planned out a family vacation with the kids and I am excited for starting new traditions with them! 

Some people were surprised I went camping but honestly guys…I’m not super high maintenance. I love nature and animals and simplicity.  And while yes, sometimes I enjoy dressing up and the fancier things….99% of the time I just crave a simple lifestyle.  

If you’re into camping and hiking I’d LOVE all your tips and favorite places to go!

Happy 10 year anniversary baby!  You’re my forever and always best friend, lover, and soul mate!

BLUEBERRY PICKING

I feel super emotional about going blueberry picking this morning.  I don't want to go into too much detail about it right now but...I haven't taken the kids in three years. Not because I didn't want to, but because...I kind of got a little sidetracked and also went through a process of really unpacking what was going on inside myself.  

I did a lot of soul searching the last 3.5 years.  I messed up a lot but I also did a lot of things right.  I let go of so many things that weren't serving me and I realized the things that I wanted to keep in my life.  I had to question everything. I had to search for answers. I let go of things I was doing and loved because I needed to find out if I was doing and loved those things because I truly did OR because I thought I needed to.  

In that process I stopped doing so many things that I wish I hadn't stopped doing.  I let go of routines and goals and values and just really had to find myself.  If you've ever been on a similar journey... you get what I'm talking about.  

Maybe some day I'll unpack all of that and share more of what I experienced but for now...just know that I feel like I'm on the right path,and feel really good about where things are heading. Motherhood is my MOST FAVORITE thing in the world and learning and being with my kids is the thing that brings me the most joy.

....anyways...so back to blueberry picking...

We headed out this morning after breakfast and some chores.  It was overcast so a lot cooler than some of the days we've been having this summer.  Basically 85 feeling cool :)  Those 98 degree days are crazy hot!  So we were thankful for the break from that.  

The youngest 3 didn't remember going picking before so they were all crazy excited!  They loved having their own buckets. 

Jude spent more time eating mine than anything else. Pretty sure he ate over half of the ones I picked! 

Alanna and Jude found flowers and put them in my hair.  And Alanna wanted some in her hair. 

The flowers that grow on blueberry bushes are beautiful. 

We all combined our berries and got a whole woppin' $6 worth :) 

"Liam wanted me to add here that he LOVES blueberry picking and can't wait to go apple and pumpkin picking"! 

I've never actually picked a ton of blueberries to the point where we filled a whole bucket since the kids end up getting tired and hot after an hour...but it's the fun and the memory I care about the most anyways.  

We got enough to make some pancakes and muffins tomorrow and that sounds pretty delish to me!

The kids all wanted to add into my post as well saying that "blueberry picking is fun and holding the bucket is fun and the bushes are thorny"! 

Can't wait to go again! 

Apple and pumpkin picking are next!!!