In my life this week… I’ve joined a TRX class– that’s basically a bodyweight resistance class using straps hung from a wall– with my husband. We’ve gone the past 2 Mondays and to our surprise we’ve both been sore from it and end up drenched in sweat, so it must be a good workout! I haven’t run in weeks though. I have lost 10# in the past month, just through juicing for breakfast and lunch. I eat a normal dinner even went out for dinner twice in the past few weeks and had a small dessert too. I’m definitely NOT starving! It’s nice to fit back into jeans I haven’t worn in a couple of years. Just 2-1/2 weeks until the wedding now!

In our homeschool this week… We are finally getting into a routine! I’m getting at least SOME lesson planning done too! Just enough so I know what we’re doing for the next few days at a time. You know how I prefer to log everything after the fact!  We are reviewing Leif Ericsson and vikings right now, and I am encouraging the boys to spend a little time studying not only the explorers as we cover them, but also their ships. D1 has taken an interest in building a viking ship. I found some basic printable plans here, and he’s ready to try building it on his own! I’ll let you know how it turns out.

My favorite thing this week was… The awesome salmon barbecue we had with my inlaws and friends when E and the boys brought these home on Sunday!

What’s working/not working for us… Not working:  Winston Grammar is just too easy for us. The boys like it because it takes 5 minutes but really, they are bored. They already know nearly everything covered in the book.

Working: Back to Easy Grammar we go! It’s a good thing we didn’t get rid of their books from last year. Both have just under half left so we’re going to use them until they are done. Easy Grammar IS easy but it progresses in skill and the topics keep moving forward so they don’t get a chance to be bored. This still takes them around 20 minutes, so it’s not a huge life change for them.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share… Be flexible! When something isn’t working, tweak it if you can. If it still doesn’t work, it’s okay to ditch it and either go back to something tried and true (ala Easy Grammar) or try something else.

Things I’m working on… I designed myself some new blog business cards in preparation for the Allume Social Conference, and now I am doing cards for a couple other ladies as well. Exciting stuff!

I’m reading… Forbidden by Ted Dekker hooked me from the beginning and I NEED to read the second one!

I’m grateful for… Fall weather! I love the cooler days while we still have lots of sunshine!

A photo to share… My new business card! If you’re going to Allume, I will see you there and I hope you bring cards with you because I collect them!

In my life this week… I have been overwhelmed with starting school and tackling clutter. It’s not that I WANTED to declutter, or even planned to… it became necessary just so that we could use the dining table. It still isn’t handled, just moved into a plastic box. Once I get this lesson planning thing figured out I can put most of this stuff away!

In our homeschool this week… School is back in session. Or something like that. We are working on trying to get a good start with Illuminations, but we are lacking the necessary textbook so we are making do only with the Family Study Guide for the book we’re reading.

My favorite thing this week was… Starting a new Bible study. I stumbled on to a ladies Bible study in the YouVersion app on my tablet. It’s called #SheReadsTruth, and apparently there is a website and a big Twitter group and a lot of women using it. I’m excited because I haven’t had any organization to my Bible reading and I need to have some sort of plan to follow. Right now we’re in Galations, which is a very nice place to be.

What’s working/not working for us… I’m not sure about our mornings yet. And D1 is sleeping through his alarm clock. I think we need to get him a new one with a radio we can turn up full blast. And I’ve been staying up way too late and not getting enough sleep, which isn’t helping.

Things I’m working on… Balance.

I’m reading… Under Drake’s Flag with the boys. So far it’s a really good book! Also still slowly working my way through Wrecked by Jeff Goins.

I’m cooking… Or should I say I’m eating… or NOT eating… Or something. This week I have been juicing for breakfast and lunch, and eating dinner with my family, with maybe a snack of an apple or banana if I’ve got the munchies later on. I am sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I’m tired of constant gut aches after I eat, and feeling like a slug. I know the main culprit is dairy, and I suspect a secondary culprit in wheat, but I don’t know for sure yet. For now though, I can honestly say I feel satisfied, not starving at all, and haven’t had a gut ache in 3 days so I call it a win. I’m shooting for doing this for a week. It may turn into longer, depending on how I feel. I hate to think that I will need to adopt a dairy free lifestyle, but I am pretty sure that’s a given. And gluten free? Oh Lord help me. I don’t know if I can do both. We’ll see. For now I am being sure to eliminate wheat and it has made a difference.

I’m grateful for… Our son’s fiancee’s mom. She is helping  get the wedding together and with only 29 days left, it’s getting exciting too! I’m just glad it hasn’t landed fully on my shoulders. At least not this time around.

I’m praying for… My kids. Oh Lord please protect my kids, help them to remain strong in you, and give them undivided hearts.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share… A very fluffy chicken at the fair. I want one of these!!

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