Spring Fever

Every year at this time we get Spring Fever really bad. Especially since we moved from Florida. We were outside all the time in Florida. It seemed it was easy to stay busy. Here in Utah the winters are cold. We stay in most days. It isn't just the restless kids, it's me as well. The house is clean, the school work is done, emails read, phone calls made, ...and it is noon. Now what? The kids don't want to go outside, and if they do it is for just a few minutes.

So what do we do? Instead of trudging through we looked for a new path. The curriculum we were using was monotonous for us during this time. It was awesome..but we needed something new to brighten our thoughts. I decided to do the basics, ie.. Math, Spelling, Reading. I brought out some old drawing books and had the kids spend some time drawing and illustrating. We looked up funny quotes online. We went to the library and stayed there longer than usual. We also started doing a morning devotional. I am going to start letting the kids be in charge of it.

I also decided it was time to spring clean. We spent a few days learning to organize our closets, we dug everything out from under the beds, and we vacuumed those hard to reach spaces behind the dressers. The house felt new and fresh. It did help us feel energized. And now the kids have a different view of what "clean your room" means.

We also decided to take a Spring Break this year. I usually don't have breaks. We do school year round. Keeps life orderly and sane. But this year we are taking a cruise with family and getting away.

I already feel better. I already am excited to "start" again and get more done. That's the beauty of Homeschooling. You can make things fit for you. My kids are doing great. They get quized all the time by non homeschoolers who want to prove they are dumb because they are homeschooled, and it is usually the non homeschoolers who walk away feeling dumb. So I'll stop stressing and enjoy where we are and what we are doing.

I always did walk a different path than those around me. I never had a problem doing my own thing. I want my kids to have that and "Enjoy the Journey", their journey. Not a journey others have determined "normal".

So take a break. Do what needs to get done. Drop what needs to get dropped.

In a world filled with those who aren't learning to control their lives, who are falling victims of depression and boredom, I feel we need to teach our children to take control of situations and turn them around. They need to know they can do things differently and make a happy life without following the routine or norm. When we would come to my dad or mom and say "I'm bored", their reply was "there is pletty to do. Are you sure it's not that you are boring?" My sister and I learned to find the fun, and to make "boring" times good ones. Without that ability I think it would have been easy for us to go along with some of our friends down terrible paths, looking for excitement only to find more sorrow and pain.

(1 Timothy 3:4-5 KJV)
(4) One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (5) (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

Enjoy the Journey