Weekly Wrap Up: A Whirlwind

Well, this time it's been over a month since my last wrap up post this summer!  We have had the busiest summer I can remember.  I'll try to share some of the fun here.  

In my life this month…

My mind has been focused on getting organized and ready for school.  The kids and I did a major playroom clean out and our basement is a much more pleasant space right now.  If only it could stay that way for the long haul :)  

I just began cleaning out the attic yesterday, but it is so overwhelming up there that I can only do 30 minute spans before I need to leave.  However, in 30 minutes yesterday, I gathered a large bag of garbage, three large bags of toys and household items to donate and several cardboard boxes for recycling.  

I have had the chance to crack open all the curricula and begin the first few weeks of lesson planning for all three test subjects.  Right now, I am feeling most apprehensive about teaching Kindergarten, believe it or not.  I guess it is the unknown that has me a little anxious.  Trusting God will work all the details out.   

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Over the past month, we spent more time on the baseball field watching TS 1's team work their way up from a 0-5 record to a 9-5 record, ending up in third place in their division.  Not bad, huh?

We spent three days at the beach with Tom's sister and her family.  It was a wonderful, relaxing getaway.

We went to a local aquarium with my sister and her daughter. 

My delicious little nephew stayed behind with our mom, but I have been visiting him as much as possible.  He is at the cutest stage, smiling and cooing when you talk to him.

My dad and I took my three kids to the Six Flags I grew up going to each year with my family.  It was a fun-filled day.

Next up was VBS!  The theme this year was Sky, where everything is possible with God.  My role is always to teach the kids the songs and motions, and to take the pictures for the daily slide show.  I am truly blessed to serve at VBS.  TS 1 was a crew leader for the first time this year, which he was very excited about!

The morning after VBS ended, we loaded (and I mean LOADED) up the minivan and headed to the mountains for a week at the Word of Life Family Campground.  We had no clue what was in store for us, but it turned out to be the best family vacation we have ever had.  In addition to time for relaxing and fun family activities, we each had a few hours of solid Bible teaching every morning and a few evenings as well.  We all left feeling stronger and encouraged in our walk with the Lord!

My cousins had a celebration on what would have been their baby Jayden's first birthday this month.  Much to my disappointment, we were not able to be there, but my heart and prayers were with them all day.  

Last weekend, we enjoyed our annual church picnic.  We all enjoyed a beautiful day with our church family.  The boys were especially excited to have a softball game against the grown ups :)  They won, of course!

My favorite thing this week was…

A date night in followed by a last minute decision to take in a movie.  The kids were at Papa and Abuelita's for a sleepover. 

Questions/thoughts I have…

Still pondering these questions: How will I manage home schooling all three of my own kids next year?  Will I be able to give each one what he/she needs?

Things I’m working on…

The attic.  Hold me.

And getting back into our routines- morning Quiet Time, breakfast, morning chores, evening chores, etc.

I’m reading…

I finished re-reading and taking notes on A Charlotte Mason Companion, as well as Jimmie Lanley's Notebooking Success e-book.

I am working through Beth Moore's Mercy Triumphs study, which is on the book of James.  It is excellent so far.

As for our Read Aloud goals, I'm sad to report that we did not get further than Homer Price.  We listened to about half of The Secret Garden on audiobook, but it never really captured their attention.  I felt like I was forcing it on them, so I just let it go.  Perhaps we will get into a read aloud groove in the fall.  

I’m praying for…

My prayer partner and I agreed to pray for one another's specific requests everyday in August.  It has been a wonderful experience.  

I am also using this plan to pray for my husband everyday.  It's almost impossible to follow the times laid out, so I usually combine a few of the prompts and pray a few times each day instead.  It's been instrumental in keeping a positive outlook on my husband and our marriage.  I encourage you to try it! 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  Job 1:21

Weekly Wrap Up: Where a Week Stands for a Month

I never intended to totally abandon my Weekly Wrap posts for the summer.  Nevertheless, it's been a month since I've written about our daily lives!  Rather than try to detail all our comings and goings this month, I'm using the Homeschool Mother's Journal format coupled with lots of pictures for this week's post.

In my life this week…

I have been feeling a bit overwhelmed recently.  There are many projects and obligations floating around in my head and weighing me down a bit.  I am trying to tackle each one a little bit at a time, and that does help.  Most of the projects are not earth shattering in importance.  They are things like organizing photos, de-cluttering the attic and playroom, preparing for VBS, etc.  However, I know I won't feel true relief until I get the largest ones completed.  The two biggies on my list are: planning and preparing for the two co-op classes I will be teaching in the fall and planning and preparing for our upcoming homeschool year.  

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Over the past month, we spent a day with our dear old friends who are in town from London.  

This little one was already strapped in and ready for departure when we remember to get a group photo!

We met the newest baby in the family, my sweet nephew!  I am spoiling him as much as humanly possible- oh how I just love snuggling a newborn.  It is a little bit on heaven right here on earth.

We spent 5 days with cousins (13 kids and 8 adults) in the country.  

We watched fireworks on the 4th of July.

We had a beach playdate with dear friends.  The dads met us there and we stayed until almost 9 p.m.  

The kids spent a week at camp- baseball camp for the boys and day camp for our girl.  They had a blast!  


They also had a much anticipated sleepover at Papa and Abuelita's house.  


TS 1 is playing on a summer travel team for the first time and loving the experience, which means we are spending plenty of  time at the local baseball fields, too.   

(Our last name is not Dutra.  His jersey still has not come in yet!)

We had an impromptu backyard swim and BBQ with friends this week that spilled right over into the Wednesday night home bible study in our neighborhood.  It was a wonderful time of fun and fellowship!


We have made it to the community pool with friends only one time so far, but we are hoping for more opportunities to do that soon.

My favorite thing this week was…

5 quiet, productive hours everyday this week while the kids were at camp.  I could not believe how quickly two o'clock came each afternoon!  

Questions/thoughts I have…

What will teaching at co-op be like?  Will it add a lot of stress to my weeks in terms of planning and prepping?  Or will it be great fun?  Will the kids be bored or engaged?  How will I manage home schooling all three of my own kids next year?  Will I be able to give each one what he/she needs?

Things I’m working on…

I spent this week, while the kids were all at camp, working on a syllabus and lesson plans for my co-op classes.  I was able to sketch out lesson plans for the entire semester for both classes and I feel so relieved.  I've also been de-cluttering hot spots around the house and have plans for a big playroom clean out in the next few weeks.  

I’m reading…

I read most of A Charlotte Mason Companion last month.  I took a break to read the Hunger Games trilogy this month.  My reading goals for the rest of the summer include finish reading and taking notes on A Charlotte Mason Companion, so I can be sure to include more of her ideas in our homeschool next year.  I purchased Jimmie Lanley's Notebooking Success e-book this week and plan to read it as part of my planning process for next year, too.  I am very interested in incorporating more notebooking in our home school next year.


I realized my Read Aloud goals were a bit lofty for our busy summer routine.  So far, we have read Charlotte's Web and Homer Price.  We are going to be reading A Secret Garden next.  If we get through the first four or five of my top 10, I will be very satisfied.  There's always the fall for more Read Aloud fun, right?    

I’m praying for…

A dear friend who has been through so much in less than a year.  For her health, her children, her family.  For friends whose husbands are out of work.  For friends who are preparing for their first year of homeschooling.  For my own anxiety about the burdens I mentioned above.  

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."  Psalm 19:1