September... a month of beginnings

September went by in a whirlwind. We started so many new things in September (and promptly quit a few). I felt like I needed to chronicle some of it to keep track.

I started working again. On Thursdays and Fridays through December I will be working back at North Marion Primary. It is a completely different position than I was in before (less biting, scratching and screaming. More paperwork and wiggly first graders). So far I am enjoying it, but it is hard to be gone two days a week.

Since I am working in Aurora and "my horse" is in Canby, I have been hanging out at my Aunt's house sans kids. I had hoped that I could be in Canby by 6:30 and work with Nina before school, but that did not work out. It was fun while it lasted. It did my heart good to be out on the farm with sun rising, scooping horse poop and handing out hay. There is a deep, physical longing in my soul that I someday get to live that life. As much fun as pretending is... 

Homeschool started full swing this month. I am still struggling with what is really important and what is doable. I have all these visions in my head of what I want school to look like (lots of crafts, awesome, meaningful activities) and then reality hits and I feel like a complete failure. But Elie is really great at reading and is way ahead of where she *should* be, so I keep telling myself that. Being in a school has helped keep things in perspective.

I ran a 5k! I am not a runner, and am really not very good about being self motivated to do ANYTHING, so this was definitely a struggle for me. The only time I could really train was if I got up at 6:00 in the morning... so I definitely did not end up where I wanted to be. BUT the 5k itself went really well and I never hit a place where I thought "I. must. stop. now" so I was proud.

I started a 30 day 24 hour diet similar to the Paleo diet. That went well.






Elie and Lainey started AWANA. Lainey is a few months shy of the cutoff date for the Cubbie's class, but it is a super small church so they let her and a couple other *almost* 3 year olds join. Wednesdays are a lot more peaceful in my house right now.  It is funny to see my girls love something that I HATED so much. For me, social events that involved tons of people and REQUIRED participation were pure torture for me... But my girls love it. I am learning memory verses like crazy.

Nick FINALLY started rebuilding our fence THAT BLEW DOWN IN APRIL. No bitterness or crazy nagging wife here, I promise. So weekends have been a continuation of me having the girls by myself all day while trying desperately hard not to be frustrated at the seemingly lack of progress outside. My wonderful father-in-law came down last weekend and put boards up. Now at least it looks finished out my window. I am not anticipating it ACTUALLY being finished until next summer. Thank you hunting season.

Elie started CC the last week of September. I am really excited about this. I am thrilled with what she (and Lainey and I) are learning. I am again amazed at my sheer lack of knowledge and it is so fun to get to see Elie be successful in a school setting. I am really hoping and praying that this group gives both of us some community. I have been really lonely the last two years and I desperately want a friend.













I started a little preschool in my house with my kids and two of the neighbor kids. They were coming over two days a week in the morning and we did circle time and arts and crafts. Them being there was a little more motivation for me to get more organized with fun activities with school. I quickly realized that having them two mornings a week, working two mornings a week and Elie's school the other day, left me exhausted and no time to shop, clean or have fun. SO I only have them one day week now. It is still a lot for me, but we are making do. I move down to one day a week of work in January and I am definitely looking forward to breathing a little easier.

I think that mostly sums it up. Life has been busy. My girls are all at a pretty fun stage in life right now. Elie is so grown up and entertaining. Lainey is hilarious and goofy and Delia is just starting to be independent and have personality.