Last day of January? Where has the time gone? We've been having a ball with the Chronicles of Narnia Unit Study~and learning so much. This week, based on chapter 4 of The Magician's Nephew, we've written comparison/contrast paragraphs about different types of silence; discussed types of adjectives and used them; looked into the meaning of vocabulary words; learned principles for citing other works in our writing; studied what the Bible has to say about making choices, and examined the consequences of choices on ourselves and others through people in the Bible, and done a longer science project on sound waves! And that's only a sampling of things you can do.
Wes and Tyler had their eyes examined Monday. They both have astigmatism. Wes is also slightly nearsighted and Tyler more significantly. So, they're both getting glasses. I got Wes' today so will include a pic of him in them. He needs them for reading and driving and is more upset about needing them than Ty is. However, I think he looks very cool in them.
My Firm workout rotation for the month is done and I'm contemplating what to do in February. It's heart health month so maybe a cardio emphasis?
This month I've discovered that my greatest reward in life is God himself. What a gift!
I have not given a thought to blogging in the last week. Don't know why, I guess I just got busy with life. It's been the usual round of church events, kid events, and school. We've also had some really cold weather at night and Tucker has been loving it. He gets to come in and sleep on the sofa~covered with old blankets, of course. He's getting quite spoiled!
We're expecting some major winter yuck tonight and tomorrow. Ice pellets and wintry mixes. That is what sometimes makes the power go out so Tom and the boys are gathering wood and starter logs for the 2 fireplaces, just in case. Tyler is supposed to go on a Winter Camporee tomorrow and Saturday~we'll see how the weather holds out!
As far as everything else, I'm plugging along with my workouts, reading, living, laughing, and loving. That's what life is about. Living each day, making as much of a Kingdom impact as possible. Because, each day matters.
I never should have put this rain background on my blog. It rained non-stop from Sunday night through about 1 a.m. today. The ground is saturated, we've been stuck inside, and the dog is going crazy! We were supposed to get snow/black ice overnight and thank the Lord it didn't really materialize~except a bit of ice. The schools ran on a 2 hour delay, the sun came out, temps were in the 50's and it was a glorious day. Tucker and I especially enjoyed our walk~and we dragged Tyler along for company.
We've kept plugging along with basketball games, church events, school, etc. And, we have Monday off for a school holiday so things are looking up.
Of course, God is wonderful. Some of the best times of discussion and laughter we've had have come as the result of the rain~so I'm grateful for all things He sends my way.
Workouts: Tuesday~Firm Pump, Jump and Jab (kickboxing and weight intervals)
Wednesday~Firm Express Cardio Cycle 2; Firm Flat Abs Solution Cardio to the Core
Thursday~Firm Total Body Toner (weight work)
Today~rest/recovery day. I did a YouTube workout with Jessica Smith called Dance Stretch and it was divine. I felt so good when done. I also walked with Tucker and Ty for a mile!!!
Rain, rain, rain, rain.....and that's the story of my life! We did, however, get some good grammar lessons done today, a nice writing assignment, and our Chronicles of Narnia work in. No time like a rainy day to hit the books hard!
Workouts: Saturday: Firm Express Cardio 1 and 4; Walk with Tucker (no more of that until at least Wednesday, from the forecast)
Sunday~Firm Total Body Time Crunch (cardio/weight intervals)
Today~Rest day. I did Jessica Smith's Sunset Stretch~just lovely.
Rainy and gray here, the past couple of days. So far, the southern "wet season" is well under way. Tomorrow is supposed to be 70ish and nice so I hope to get a long walk in with ole' Tucker~we both need it.
Wednesday Tom and I had a "date night" before I had Bible Study since the kids had youth and youth supper. Okay, so we went to Burger King and used a coupon, lol~but we did have salads instead of fries! ;)
Maddie and Wes worked a long time yesterday. The Thrift Store had a bag sale the weekend before and that means everything is a mess. Maddie came home with some brand new Yellow Box flip flops (the don't have room to store them in the winter)~cute and they're expensive. She also bought me some new fuzzy pink slipper socks, never worn. They say they volunteer but the pay in merchandise turns out to be pretty good!!
Maddie has a game (we think) tonight so she and Tom took off for that. I'll be taking her to practice one day next week and to 3 games so I'm taking the night off.
Tyler and I finished up our first week of our Chronicles of Narnia Unit Study this week and we are both enjoying it. Stay tuned for more about lessons we learning from spending time with Aslan.;)
Workouts: Wednesday~Firm Express Cycle 2 Cardio/Sculpt and Cycle 3 Sculpt (workouts with HIIT cardio intervals)
Thursday~Ellen Barrett Yogini (45 minute yoga style total body workout)
Today~Firm Cardio Sculpt(cardio and weight training interval workout)
So, my admission is that I fell asleep during the fourth quarter of the National Championship Game between Alabama and Notre Dame last night. The good news is I missed nothing. The better news is that Tom provided Chex Mix, spicy hummus, and salsa and chips. Otherwise, it would have been a boring game!
Further work continues on our unit study, etc. Tyler has lost his Comprehensive Curriculum book. Sigh, he does this a lot. He doesn't look well so I'm offering a McDonald's sweet tea for someone to find it. I bet Wes will have it hunted down in no time! :D
Workout: Firm Ride the Wave and Rock Solid Cardio
It's good to be back in a routine, I guess. I will confess to feeling down a bit due to the holiday celebrations, visits, and lax schedules being a thing of the past. But God is faithful and understands my emotions and is with me always!
So, in honor of that, I am posting this picture from one of my favorite workout instructors, Jessica Smith. Not only is it true in general, it's also biblical (i.e. look for the ancient paths and walk in them).
Tyler and I started a unit study today using the Chronicles of Narnia, specifically The Magician's Nephew to shake things up a bit. Wes did a fantastic job on his Scarlet Letter report from the end of last semester. And, Maddie spent time on biology, literature, practicing basketball for her first practice today, and making homemade mochas! All in all, a really nice day.
Workouts: Today was Firm Ultimate Fat Burning Workout.
What I'm reading: Hercule Poirot's Christmas, which I didn't read during Christmas due to other things I was reading. It's fine because it extends the season a bit!
Tom and I had a lovely three hours alone to chat and hang out last night before he went over to check out the Youth Lock In. I wish I'd been there because the guys all went to Mildred's Thrift Store(owned by our church and is the place Maddie and Wes volunteer each Thursday) and picked out skirts, etc. They then had a beauty pageant! Tom said Tyler did a tap dance for his talent~in some cute heels, no less~and Wes yodeled!!! (In his own tennis shoes with his skirt as no women's shoes in his size could be located)! I've added a couple of pictures Tracie Howell, our Youth Director, posted on Facebook!! And, for goodness sake, don't ask me about the face Wes was making in the Youth Council picture~he and his buddy Blake(pictured next to him, who is Tracie's son and looks like he could be Wes' brother)decided to do that.
Tom is gone doing a funeral and the rest of us are relaxing and hanging out. I've spent time on the phone with former pediatricians, a homeschool compliance consultant, and someone in the Social Security office trying to figure out how to get a copy of Wes' SSN card that we lost so he can get his learner's permit. Ai-Yai-Yi, don't ever loose that card unless you are: 1)In public School; 2)already have a license or a passport. What a nightmare!
Today's workout: Firm Dangerous Curves Ahead Express Cardio premix.
We had a wonderful trip to Kentucky, complete with some great snow. The kids (and yes, that includes my sweet husband Tom) got out and went sledding. Tom and Tyler built a snowman that Ty calls
"the ugliest snowman ever built". They threw snowballs, got wet and cold, and had a great time.
My brother gave us tickets to a University of Kentucky Women's Basketball game and that was a blast. Since Maddie plays ball now she was dying to see a college women's game and really loved it. She did think there were too many time outs and decided it was for the sake of the Dance Cats and Cheerleaders! :)
Now we're trying to settle back into routine. Tucker came home today and the kids have a lock in at church tonight. In fact, Ty has a scout lock in tomorrow night! Come Monday, we'll be hitting the books again.
P.S. You'll notice I changed my template again. Usually winter is known as the rainy season here in the south~we'll see if that holds true this year!
Workouts: This month I'm doing a Firm rotation of three workouts and then a rest day where I walk and do stretchy yoga. I started today with a 30 minute cardio and weight routine, Power Half Hour.
