In the Grand Scheme . . .

Okay.
I know I mostly just post pictures here, with a few little nothing thoughts sprinkled about, but today I've got thoughts.

I know.

It's a miracle.

Lately I've taken to stressing about everything.
And by lately, I mean pretty much the last 6 or 7 years.
Truly.
I have terrible anxiety that runs the gamut from worrying that I will die before I get to see my babies grow up, to absolutely ridiculous things like "did I respond to that one email I got this morning? Oh no, what if Mary May thinks I'm ignoring her.  I'll bet she hates me now".  Yep.  I don't discriminate, I just worry about it all.  I'm a multi-tasker like that.
And for me ~ worry, stress, and anxiety manifest themselves through a LOT of stomach issues.
And that leads me to step away from life, in general, and just want to hide away at home with my little fam.

But, I digress.

Where was I?  Oh yeah, the stuff I worry about.
Well, it's pretty much everything. 
But recently, {the last year or so}, the worries at the forefront of my brain
are predominantly concerns about my girls.  I mean, they always have been. 
But now, instead of worrying about diaper rashes, or picky eating,
I worry about their education.  Their hobbies and activities. 
Specifically: their homeschool education.  Are we doing enough?
And the fact that they aren't in every activity or sport under the sun.

You know what doesn't help the worrying?  Satan.
He loves taking every worry and insecurity we have, and magnifying it for us.
And Social Media.
Oh Social Media.  A definite love/hate relationship for me.
I love being able to connect with others, but it can be difficult when it *looks* like everyone else is living the perfect life ~ doing it all right ~ when sometimes you feel like you're doing it all wrong.

But the other day, while I was worrying about whether or not to continue homeschooling past 8th grade {Sierra will be a FRESHMAN next year.  HOW did this happen so quickly??}, and then worrying some more because my girls aren't involved in a sport or activity every.single.season., I had a moment of peace.  And clarity.

Because you know what, IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS:

*It doesn't matter if you're a mama who works, or if you're a mama who stays at home.

*It doesn't matter if your kiddos are homeschooled, or attend public school {or private, or charter, or, or, or}

*It doesn't matter if you're a vegetarian, or if you like your meat!

*It doesn't matter if your child is involved in sports or activities every single day of the week, or not at all.

*It doesn't matter if you have one child, or 12.

*It doesn't matter if you use Pampers or Huggies ~ hehehehehe!!!

It plain does.not.matter. 

Because when we parent with love, and follow God's plan for our lives, the rest falls into place.


And on that note . . .

You know some photos are comin'

I just have to.

We've been having some awfully crummy weather days, but that hasn't kept us indoors, no siree!

We just bundle up, and head right out into the sprinkles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This little fishy-guy was cracking me up.  He did NOT like us getting too close to the water. 
Any time we would lean in for a closer look, he'd jump out at us to scare us away.
 

 

The girls braved the old, rickety bridge for a quick group shot {much to Kenners' dismay.  She did not want to set one foot on that bridge!}.

 

 

After a long walk to the creek and back, we were COLD, and wet!
Hot showers, and hot cocoa all around!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And now . . . I'm either ready for about a foot of snow, or 80* temps!

This rain can go bye-bye!

Oh!  By the way, fellow homeschooling friends . . . my sweet friend, Melissa, is starting her journey as an Usborne Book distributor.  They have the coolest books for your homeschool library!!!  I am having an online book party Wednesday night.  If you are interested in taking a peek at these gorgeous books, just let me know, and I'll link you right up to the group!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedules & Routines

 We are officially back into the swing of things around here.

Last week we just dove right back in to school.
I am pretty proud of the girls.
We have a lot to accomplish in the coming months, and there was not one complaint about the long schooling hours.  Especially after a fairly lengthy break.  We got used to our down time!

After school one day last week, the fog had rolled back in, and we were feeling a little blah.

So we decided to make an ice cream treat.

 

 

This little miss loved shaking her ice cream bag.
 

 

And in no time at all, we had a delicious snack!
 

 

 

 They've also been busy dressing up their Barbies, and staging them for a little Barbie photo shoot.
 

 

We've only gotten a few shots so far {dressing Barbie, and changing out backdrops has proven to be a lot of work!}, but the goal is to make enough images for a calendar.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 We are in the middle of planning some fun outings to get us through these dreary Winter days, but until then we've definitely been keeping busy at home!

What have you been up to?? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday ~ Nature Walk