Big hugs to so many of you who responded to my last blog post with kindness and love!
I am still trying to respond to you individually, but, as always, I am having a hard time catching up.
Life is so full at this stage of the game. When I was a young mom, I thought that life would get simpler as my babies and toddlers grew up, and in some ways it has. But each season of life has its own kind of busyness and its own limitations. So here I am, homeschooling a high schooler, grandmother of ten, coordinator of house projects, hostess, blogger, daughter, wife. Yes, life is full.
Life is so full at this stage of the game. When I was a young mom, I thought that life would get simpler as my babies and toddlers grew up, and in some ways it has. But each season of life has its own kind of busyness and its own limitations. So here I am, homeschooling a high schooler, grandmother of ten, coordinator of house projects, hostess, blogger, daughter, wife. Yes, life is full.
A bit of what we've been up to lately . . .
Some of our family had the opportunity to tour the house that once belonged to my great-grandparents.
It was an amazing opportunity . . . and an amazing house! Craftsman style, built in the early 1900's. Beautiful mill work, inlaid wood floors, gorgeous chandeliers, built-in china closet, window seats, a back staircase that led to a maid's room, little doors and so many nooks and crannies, sweeping wide staircase with a solarium on the landing.
We all loved seeing this piece of our family's history, but I am especially grateful that my mom was able to visit it. It meant so much to her!
On Sunday, our family celebrated Bekah's 16th birthday.
How can my baby be sweet sixteen?! Her actual birthday is tomorrow, and she has invited some friends to celebrate with her later in the month. No need to confine the celebration to one measly day, right? But we kicked off the festivities with a sweet family gathering. (I'll share more pics in another post.)
Progress continues in the library.
The bookshelves are finished! The next step is painting, which will begin tonight. Then we'll allow the paint to cure for a week or so. And then we can unpack those boxes and shelve those books. Can. Not. Wait.
After the books are shelved and the piles of boxes are cleared away, we'll paint the rest of the room. We still have a ways to go, but the end is in sight!
After the books are shelved and the piles of boxes are cleared away, we'll paint the rest of the room. We still have a ways to go, but the end is in sight!
Tenth grade is rolling along.
We have tweaked some things along the way this year, dropping some things that did not bring "shining eyes" and replacing them with things that do. There is new life in our little home school! I may write some more about that in a future post. (I seem to be planning a lot of new posts as I write this one!)
I so love homeschooling and I am sad to think that I have only two years remaining after this one . . . but I am not sad that this is the last time that I will be teaching Algebra II. I will say no more about that.
Those are some of the things that are keeping me busy. We're also preparing for our celebration of Resurrection Sunday this weekend. What a glorious thing to celebrate!!
What is keeping you busy these days? (Do you ever have a hard time keeping up . . . or trying to catch up?)
I so agree! Life seems to fly faster with every passing year! When I look back to the time I had children at home, why, I marvel that the pace wasn't as fast as I thought it was at the time. Nothing ever stays the same. Life is always morphing and changing. I'm learning to surrender to the journey.
ReplyDeleteThat stack of school books brought back so many memories! I used the same algebra and biology books!
My Baby Homescoolers will be 28 and 32 this summer!
Your blog is wonderful Cheryl. Love the way you share. Hope you have a blessed Easter too.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Cheryl. A very happy birthday to your 16 year old. Your Great Grandparents home is so lovely. What a treat to be able to check out the inside. Glad your mom could be there, too. Those shelves are going to be so nice. These days my arms are busy with little Addy. Soon we'll be home again and I'll be quite behind when I get there! Easter is glorious and I know you and yours will celebrate our King. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I haven't visited yet, so when I do come the library will be done!!!
ReplyDeleteBekah is a lovely young woman. I can't wait to hear what changes you've made!
That house is so amazing! What a treat for your mother!
I don't think life ever slows down, especially if you're the kind of person who is interested in and cares about others, and sees things needing to be done, has hobbies or projects (endless) and enjoys many things. I had a long list when I retired from nursing and I've barely scratched it. I think I may be busier than ever, but it's all things I mostly enjoy and that brings joy. Can't wait to see your library decked out with its books! Have a blessed Easter.
ReplyDeleteThat is so amazing that you got to visit the house! I'm guessing your mom has memories from being with her grandparents there. During a family reunion we were able to visit our grandmother's house and the owners (who bought it years ago from our family) let us go anywhere in the house, knowing (grown) children have memories in nooks and crannies. What fun we had. The house looks and sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteSuch a full post, Cheryl. I love that you and your family were able to visit your great-grandparent's home. What a lovely home it is!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your sweet sixteen Bekah! The years seem to fly, don't they?
I know you are looking forward to filling up that great bookcase. That's quite an undertaking. I remember when we built our's. Measuring books before deciding on dimensions was the trickiest part. ♥
Catching up, it is good to see things getting accomplished and especially wonderful, to see progress. The library is going to be lovely. You all must be getting excited to get it all set up. Happy 16th Birthday to your daughter, such a beautiful, young woman. Happy Easter to you and all your family. He has risen indeed!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a contact for you, Sally, but I do thank you for your kind and encouraging comment. Blessings as you celebrate His resurrection!
DeleteHappy Sweet Sixteenth! What a lovely photo. Oh, your library - it looks wonderful. What a pleasure it will be. I very much miss homeschooling; I still live in hope that hubby will change his mind and allow the boys to come home, if it is God's will. Wishing you a blessed Easter.
ReplyDeleteHappy 16th to Bekah!... and the library is going to be awesome...looking forward to seeing it all finished! Did you say life slowing down?? oes it ever? (smile) I have been up to my eyeballs, still trying to get the rooms back together after the floors were installed...completely redoing our bedroom and I running out of time since our TN bunch will be here this evening! All I can say is whatever hasn't gotten done is just going to have toasty that way for now. Wishing you a wonderful Easter weekend!
ReplyDeleteSorry for the typos...rush, rush, RUSH! LOL!
ReplyDeleteTypos make it fun! :D
DeleteLife just seems to speed up the older I get. Happy Birthday to your beautiful 16 year old. That library is going to be wonderful! Easter blessings to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteOh! what a wonderful outing for your family, to go and see where part of your heritage was lived, I know your mom shared some wonderful memories!
ReplyDeleteMy, oh my, what a joy to see Bekka grow into this beautiful young lady, wishing her a very happy 16th birthday!
I can only imagine the joy in getting the book shelf completed, as one too, who loves books, and loves to have a home for them!
Read your previous post was so blessed by your thoughts, thank you for sharing, so many times people who are on social media get and give the impressions that everything is just perfect, nothing could be further from the truth, as we are told in the Bible, that trials and tribulations would come, but we are given hope knowing who would be with us and deliver us!
I can certainly relate to the many trials over the past year for us as well!
Wishing you and your dear family a most blessed and Happy Easter.
Hugs,,
Sue
What a post rich in fun details and amazing happenings. Touring your great-grandparents' home must have been quite a delight. Not many of us get to do that! And what a house...your mother must have lots of memories and stories. Pray tell, what was your great-grandfather's occupation?
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated 16th birthday to Bekah🎈
I am currently busy with spring clean-up. The sand is piled high on my front lawn. I can only work at in in small doses lest I do myself in. 😏 You pace yourself, too!