Happy Friday!  I personally am glad to see the weekend roll around.  We have a busy week next week and I was looking forward to relaxing and watching Kentucky play in the Final Four but it's not to be.  Tyler has a big scouting event tomorrow night~his crossover from Cub to Boy Scouts. Big Deal.  Thank goodness for DVR.  Plus, I'll be less nervous that way. :D

Next week we are cleaning the house (spring cleaning) and preparing to have my in laws over for Easter dinner.  Maddie and Tyler are spending Tuesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon in Chattanooga with buddies and then coming home with them to spend the night Thursday night.  Of course, we have Holy Week activities too. We're trying to take Spring Break the week after Easter so Maddie and Ty have some extra work to do to compensate for the time off.  They are going to the Chattanooga Aquarium all day Wednesday with their friends for a field trip, but their math, grammar, etc. needs to be done before leaving~plus some of their cleaning chores.  

I think the happiest person around is Wes who is excited to have the run of the house alone for a day and a half.  And I'm happy to have a week off of co-op for Good Friday.  I love it, but it wears me out because I get up early and exercise, etc.  

God is good, though.  In the midst of a busy, somewhat stressful week I had a friend tell me she's sending me a birthday treat in the next couple of weeks.  She's one of my favorite DVD instructors that I interact with on Facebook, Jessica Smith. Can't wait to see what she sends my way! <3

Thursday's workout:  Ellen Barrett Grace and Gusto

Friday's workout:  Exercise TV Metabolism Boost with my buddy Jessica Smith.  20 minutes alternating cardio and compound strength moves and hits it all well.

Mary Madison and Tyler gave me the best birthday presents ever today:  they bathed Tucker and Penny for me and cleaned the bathroom.  Now that, my friends, is something money just can't buy.


We also had piano and are off to church in a bit.  And, are spending as much time as possible enjoying the 83 degree sunshine.  So, I'll cut this short to go enjoy it while I can.


Today's workout:  Petra Kolber Cardio For Beginners (10 minute dance section, as a warm up); Ellen Barrett Fusion Flow (I never get tired of this, so deceptively challenging).

Luckily today was a little more "normal" than yesterday. Well, except for the fact that I woke up in the middle of the night and then couldn't get back to sleep for about an hour and a half.  And, then overslept for half an hour.  :)

After the usual morning routine, I got my workout and shower in and then spent time on Algebra and Pre-Algebra.  After that, the kids were allowed to "unschool" by looking into topics of interest~they love when I do that.

The Rome City Schools are out for the week on Spring Break so I've been letting Ty get up early and get his work finished so he can go down the street and hang out with his friend, Anna. Kind of funny to some people, but Anna is a total tomboy and loves Tyler and the two other boys on the street, Louie and Andre(who are visiting their dad in Canada for the week). They all love Legos, Beyblade, basketball, soccer, and running around playing tag outside~it's just so funny. :D

This afternoon Wes and I walked Tucker and just talked.  I tell you, one of the greatest blessings I have is kids who enjoy being with their mom.  I'm not always popular with them (and one even less so than the other two, lol~that strong-willed child shall remain unnamed to protect the innocent and not-so innocent;)). But, overall, they will spend time with their mom and even seem to enjoy it~although teasing me always figures into the equation at some point. :D

Mary Madison and I had eye exams at 4 and 4:30.  No change in my eyes and the opthamologist  is amazed that I can still read the smallest line of near vision at 47~highly unusual.  I told him I have to strain a bit and he showed it to me with plus 1 reading glasses. It made a difference in that I didn't have to strain.  So, no change in my contacts and I keep reading glasses on hand only for small print.  My Kindle Fire adjusts font size if necessary so that helps a lot too.

Mary Madison had gone from -4.24 to -5.5 in the last couple of years.  And, she's getting contacts.  She's a very pretty girl (I'm not biased) but looks stunning without her glasses.  Tom is trying to decide if he'll buy a gun or baseball bat to keep the boys at bay, LOL.

Tom and Wes cooked dinner since Maddie and I had late appointments and now we're all doing our own thing~which means the kids are outside until it gets dark and I'm getting ready to read.  

I pray your day was filled with laughter, work to do, people to love, and a place to curl up and rest.

Today's workout:  Balletone Center Moves (moderate cardio based on traditional ballet); Yoga Buns with Denise Austin(harder than it sounds and works that lower body well); doggie walk with Tucker.

WooHoo!  Great birthday weekend.  UK won on Friday and Sunday, sending the team to the Final Four next weekend in New Orleans.  I had a lovely lunch on Sunday at my favorite Mexican restaurant and Tom bought me a fabulous cake from Honeymoon Bakery.  It was Red Velvet and to die for.  I sure hope the kids eat it up so I'm not tempted to eat another slice (okay, I did take a bite today, lol).


We spent the day dealing with life. I ended up talking to Tom later than I intended this morning and got out to study God's word a bit late.  I had to go by the grocery and then came home to get going with the kids on some work.  I did squeeze in a workout and shower and then Wes came to tell me the toilet overflowed.  It ran down an air vent so he and Tom had a nasty clean up down in the basement, ugh.


After I got Wes' Algebra discussed and he was working, I saw the neighbors' dog was out. So, I grabbed Tucker and we went for a walk.  Gus saw us and came running, as I knew he would, and the neighbor was able to corral the dog.  I then came home and finished off Ty's history lesson with him while Tom and Wes ate lunch after that nasty job.


After all of this, I bought Wes a sweet tea at McDonald's since he did some nasty work, came home and got dinner ready for Tom and Tyler to take with them to the soccer field, and then decided to blog and breathe!!  In a bit I'll take Wes to scouts across town and then come home for good since Tom will pick him up after he and Ty are done with scouts.


I'm grateful most days aren't this crazy BUT I just love how God is there in the midst of the unexpected, aren't you?


Oh, and p.s.  Because of all of this, Maddie and I didn't get Algebra started until about 4:30.  I'm certainly glad most days of school work don't drag on like this. ;)


Friday's workout:  Denise Austin's Body Burn with Dance and Pilates; standing pilates and mat pilates; Tucker walk


Saturday's workout:  Kathy Smith's Peel off the Pounds Pilates (cardio, upper and lower body pilates); Tucker walk


Monday's workout:  Denise Austin's Body Burn with Dance and Pilates, Cardio Dance; Powerfit Harmony Upper Body Blast, using free weights and a band together; Tucker walk.


What I'm reading:  I've not been reading much, to be honest.  I am reading C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity with my Sunday School class.  Lewis is a wonderful apologist but his stuff is heady reading for sure.

Allergies~yuck.  Been struggling for the past week with them.  I sure hope it rains tonight and tomorrow to wash a bit of it out of here.


The kids did do some fun things this week.  Diamante poems for one thing.  Some creative writing, art, reading, etc.  Much more fun that just the regular grind of the last few weeks.


We're also just SO ready for Spring Break, which we'll take the week after Easter.


I promise to be more diligent about getting here and updating things.  Between March Madness Basketball, allergies, school, and life I've not been on the computer at night as much.


Workouts lately?  
Saturday, March 17~Balletone; Trudie Styler's Pure Sculpt Arms


Monday, March 19~Jessica Smith Ultimate Bootcamp, Total Body and Upper; Jessica's Lower Body workout from her 10 MS Special K DVD


Tuesday, March 20 ~Petra Kolber BREATHE Cardio


Wednesday, March 21~Ellen Barrett Power Fusion; Trudie Styler's Pure Sculpt Arms


Thursday, March 22~Petra Kolber's Elegant Strength (warm up, yoga for upper body and core, core, stretch); Kathy Smith Ageless Total Body Turnaround, Cardio Balance section


I've also been walking Tucker for a mile or so most days.

I wish you could see me doing my happy dance.  I'm so, so glad the weekend is here.


We had our first co-op after a two week break. Wes and Maddie have PE (Shorter actually lest us use Barron Stadium where they play football) and Skits/Improv together.  Then Maddie is taking Debate while Wes is in Foods/Show and Tell. It's funny that the youth wanted to do Show and Tell, lol.  Today they had to talk about their favorite toy as a child and bring a favorite food from childhood to share.  Next week they have to dress as a Super hero!


Tyler is finishing up his year of Astronomy.  He is also taking PE and Survival Skills.  


After all of that(I got up at 6am and exercised and then went out for my Bible Study with Wes before co-op at 9), I came home, ate lunch and CRASHED for a 30 minute nap. Then it was grocery shopping, dinner, and getting Wes off for a weekend Scout camping trip. Now I'm looking forward to more basketball and simply enjoying being home.  


One thing I've noticed is that when we get really busy, the fun things are the first things I drop with homeschooling.  We've been grinding it out with Algebra, Pre-Algebra and Math, and regular Science, History, etc.  But we've gotten away from fun projects. Next week I'm dedicating some time to do those things that make home learning unique and fun!


Workouts:  Thursday~Denise Austin Shape up and Shed Pounds (30 minutes of low impact; 20 minutes of stretching and body weight exercises)


Today~Ellen Barrett Tone Every Inch (30 minutes of resistance training using a resistance band and weights together and 5 minutes of light cardio as a warm up).

Yikes, I've not posted in a bit.  We've been busy this week for sure. Wes had an orthodontist appointment, Ty's been fighting a cold, we had piano, scouts, etc.  In between it all, we've been out as much as we can walking the dogs, enjoying the weather, and playing soccer with Tucker,  You read that right~Tucker LOVES to chase a slightly deflated soccer ball.  He also "dribbles" it with his paws~it's hilarious.


I had to teach Wednesday night Bible Study at church tonight so I've been working on that too.  I'm glad it's over for sure.  It was fun but I'm always tired after working on a project like that.


We start co-op again on Friday so plan to spend tomorrow getting the last bit of this weeks work done and then enjoying some March Madness Basketball.


Workouts!


Friday, March 10  Joy Bauer's Slimdown (cardio and weights)
Saturday, March 11  Ellen Barrett Zen Sculpt 


Monday, March 12  Jessica Smith 10 Pounds Down Total Body Tune Up (cardio and weights)
Tuesday, March 13  Petra Kolber BREATHE II (blend of cardio, yoga and tai chi)
Today  Ellen Barrett Yogini (yoga/pilates blend~body weight strength workout)

The inspection went well; the car battery is faulty but will be replaced for free; the sun was out and it was warm; and my family is all together.  My life is blessed.


Tomorrow the Maddie and Wes have a bowling activity with the homeschool teens in our HEART group.  Seems like a good way to kick off our weekend~spending time with others who love Jesus.


Today's workout:  Caribbean Workout Chi Ball workout(cardio); Crunch SuperSlimdown Pilates/Yoga blend.

This is just for my Dad. He wanted to see a picture of Tyler with "Green Machine" on the blog.  That's the Pinewood Derby car Tyler and Tom worked on and came in second place with!  You probably can't tell but the car is resting on a Pinewood Derby trophy display.

Happy Hump Day, as we used to say about Wednesdays.  Two work days down and two to go~at least for our school week.


Today we seemed to be stuck in a rut, just grinding it out.  I couldn't put my finger on it and then realized:  Parsonage Inspection. That yearly event is tomorrow afternoon so we have been picking up a bit more, cleaning a bit more, etc.  They don't come to check my housekeeping, lol, but it's a nice excuse to get some extra things done.


I took the kids to piano and we also have church tonight.  I'm looking forward to watching some basketball tourneys this week/weekend too!!


Today's workout:  Ellen Barrett Fusion Flow.  Deceptive strength workout using only body weight and I know I'll feel it tomorrow.

Not been into blogging the last few days, don't know why.  When I get like this I think it's good to just throw some praises out there.


1.  The kids and I have been doing a fabulous Lenten study for our Bible Study homeschool time.  It's called 24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton.  It's been a blessing.


2.  Tyler has been doing some science experiments and been a bit more proactive with his work.


3.  Wes is in a new phase in his Algebra and is doing really, really well with it.


4.  Mary Madison is taking off more and more with her geography knowledge. She has said for years it's boring and she's "bad" at it but is now realizing its significance and her own abilities.


5.  The weather is warming up.


6.  I have wonderful, supportive homeschooling friends (online and in "real life").


7.  I just have wonderful, gifted, funny kids.  Not perfect or without flaws, but I love the young men and women they are becoming.



Monday's workout:  Jessica Smith's 10 Pounds Down Better Body Blast; dog walk 


Tuesday:  Ellen Barrett Barefoot Cardio

The rainy season continues. We had some pretty strong storms on Wednesday night and are having them tonight too.  I don't mind rain, but don't like the thunder and lightening.  Compared to the people in other states, I feel blessed.


Wes finished his math book today~he has 10 to get through in his packet to have completed Algebra. It's amazing how much better he's gotten at word problems, praise God.  


Tom and Tyler went to Astronomy today and then on a hike at Berry College.  They have a 2.7 mile hiking trail there that simulates the distances between the planets in the solar system.  The rest of the day was spent finishing up school work for the week and then Tom and Ty finished his car for the Scouts' Pinewood Derby tomorrow morning.


Wednesday's workout:  Slim Series Tone it Up


Thursday's workout:  Ellen Barrett Self Slim and Sleek Fast~warm up and ballet cardio; Chris Freytag 2 Week Turaround Cardio (low impact); 10 minutes yoga; dog walk




Today's workout:  LBN Strength training; Ellen Barrett Grace and Gusto for light cardio; 1 mile dog walk