RePost of the 10 Things list

So way back I posted a 10 things in 10 days list. Here's a revisit of that thing. It was a great movtivator for sure, but life happened, and the list did not. :D I'm good with that. Because the cool thing about lists is, I'm in charge of it, not the other way around. So I'm going to redo the list and make it fit my now. What's your list?

Here's mine from the beginning of summer.
1. clean carpet in living room (bought the soap...)
2. finish Simon's grad scrap book (during advent)
3. organize mudroom for fall (done)!
4. remove anything not conducive to sleep from my bedroom (done)
5. paint muskoka chairs (spring)
6. power spray the deck (leaving till spring due to tree removal)
7. lay mulch around pool (bought it...still sitting there)
8. paint JP's bed (spring redo of whole room will include this one)
9. remove wallpaper in Sara's room (one layer done)
10.frame and order grad pictures for Simon's diploma set (in the mail)

New list
1. clean carpet before cookie exchange at end of November
2. fix toilet seat and taps in 2nd bathroom
3. book shelves up in bedroom
4. organize mudroom for winter
5. clean out the linens in cupboard
6. fall displays away, begin christmas decorating
7. make list of christmas to do's
8. declutter basement music area
9. scotchguard couches
10.move drums and vacuum

Okay, lets see if this works better. :D You in with me?

Life is full and good

There is so much to do. Do you have that? I'm not at all complaining, in fact, I'm actually quite grateful that the words, even, the thought, 'I'm bored' can't escape my lips. I can't remember the last time I was bored. What a blessing. In fact, I remember thinking as I was drifting off to sleep last night, that laying here for 8 hours is crazy. I could be doing something! I'm always excited to get up, to 'start' my day. I'm usually really ready for something to begin! I know that some days are easier than others to wake up to, like when the sun is out and bright early in the morning, it's really easy to jump up and begin living again. But I love sleeping too. At the end of a full and complete day, I love dropping into my bed, reliving my day in thought and picturing my next one. What a blessing that today I got to enjoy my next one. I never want to take advantage of that. God is good to me. I'm crazy about Him. The scriptures say he rejoices over me with dancing! Can you imagine? The God of the universe, dances over me. And you too! He loves us that much. And while we sleep and renew our bodies, he still dances over us. Oh, how he loves us.

Back at it...again

I tend to do that. To just stop. Not sure why, if it's life being so full, or lack of attention to the things that I like because I'm so busy. I choose to not beat myself up, jump back in and move on. That's my plan in the natural. In the supernatural, I know my God is just waiting on me to do a new work in me. He maintains me, prunes me, organizes my ways to his, when I let him, if I was really honest, that's not very often. I love control. I home school. Where in your life do you need to let go? I'm not sure if it's letting go of my kids, or just letting things shift and change and move the way they should. When things are the same for a long period of time and then change comes along, it can be hard. But it can also be exciting! New beginnings. Do you like change? I do, mostly. Some change I could do without, but I love new-ness. That's why I love my Jesus so much...he came to make ALL things new. Even my controlling nature can be made new to something better; surrender. Today, in the grayness of fall, I surrender. A good and exciting surrender, not a defeat. A renewal, a shift of season. A surrender that I don't have to have it all together, I don't have to know everything, I can be simply me, knowing that Jesus will love me right where I am. Things said, things unsaid, it doesn't matter. He alone is enough for me. He is my portion, I am his bride. We were born to praise him, to live for him, to direct our everything to him. As I try to maintain all my lifes stuff in the natural, it gets messy. When I rest in the supernatural love he has for me, clarity and order become like crisp water from the purest stream, touching my lips and filling me with a fresh and revived energy, a fullness that I can't describe. So why on earth do I run in the exact opposite direction? Do you?

Amazing grace?

Well this week has escaped me, but non the less, I felt like I needed to check in. Our first week of school was a bit of a strange one, sickness, moving dear friends, and just the whole business of starting is a strange thing. This week brought helping hubby at the family business, pointe shoes and the beginning of ballet. My all time favorite thing to do with my own self. Now that said, the pointe shoes are not mine, they belong to my very adept dancing daughter. I on the other hand...find myself in great need of abundant grace. This being my second ever year of dance should say much. Dancing is serious hard work. It requires something from you. A trust first of all, that you believe you can make your body move in a way that feels completely foreign but looks completely beautiful when someone else does it. And an understanding of rhythm...which I thought I possessed until last year. The whole counting thing in dance is lost on me. It's all I can do to stay upright without every part of my body shaking under the stress my muscles feel. Once the quiver begins, it's not pretty. Then the toe cramp kicks in and finally the butt cramp..yep, I said butt cramp. Honestly, my lovely teacher, Ms. Hannah, makes it look so graceful. She is lovely and strong. So in my minds eye, I pretend I am she and float and move with as much grace as I think I own. And it feels amazing. Grace? Not so much.

I'm listening

It's hard to be still, but the benefit is enormous. The payoff is sweet and so worth it. Stillness, I covet you and invite you into my busy stuff. Open my ears so I can hear the Divine, the lover of my soul, speak words of life and truth to my spirit. "Meet me, in the quiet of this room." Wanda Mann. Have you found that song that can bring you into that space, even when the chaos is running around you? Meet Me, by Wanda Mann is that song for me. It's the kind of song that when I close my eyes, I can hear silence even on a busy street corner, in the grocery store, anywhere. So today I pray Lord, you'll Meet Me, as I meet you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLUhIBelcxg

I win

A noticeable drop in workout buddies this week as we all return to our fall schedules. But I am not deterred. This should maybe be a tweek it post, but, it's a win instead. Learning to change direction and make something work is so important for the win. Knowing I need motivation to get the job done is the biggest thing for me. So when something isn't working, change it. It's okay to do that. If you make the rules, you can change them too. And...here's news...it's okay to say 'no, that doesn't work for me.' Try it with me...it starts with saying, no. Out loud now...say it...no. NO! Feel better? I'm excited for change. I'm excited for new beginnings and I'm most excited to be able to say, No. This isn't working for me. I need to change it. And, for my sisters in Christ to know that freedom too, blesses me beyond measure. So sisters, say it with me again...NO. Now, go out there and practice. If it sounds like a great blessing but isn't lining up with your best plan for your family, then say it like you mean it. "No". You win. I win.

Tender times

This morning was bitter sweet. I let my daughter go from the homeschool to the highschool today. The first time she's been in school since ending grade one! Wow! She looked beautiful in her kilt and uniform shirt. The picture of confidence and loveliness. And her brother, off for a victory lap in highschool. Sorting out his courses and confident he'll do so. So that leaves just me and Johnny P. A tiny homeschool family of one student and one child. Sweet. Bitter sweet. It's so quiet as I type this. It's a different quiet. Almost lonely. Well, here's to some excitement. I don't want to miss a thing, so I'm off to celebrate the first day of school with breakfast at gramma's and then off to begin our school day. It's a crazy life, but it's our life, someone once said. I like it's a full life instead. Full to overflowing somedays. I'll take it. Every stage, every season, every moment.

Labor Day

To me it will always be labour day. The day I became a mom for the very first time :D
Enjoy your day off...I am! School starts tomorrow. Grade 7, Grade 11 and Grade 12B which is another way of saying Grade 13. :D Ahhh, routine!

full on friday more like it!

It's actually Saturday, I couldn't post yesterday due to traveling to Huntsville to collect the man child. Yep, I have an adult child. First one too. I'm not sure exactly what that really means, and what actually changes, but whatever it is, I'm excited. I'm excited to have arrived at this place. It's not just a milestone birthday for him, but for us as well. Mom and Dad...successfully rear a child to this point. News flash, it CAN be done. And right there...freedom. How do I get freedom in this moment? Well, there's a certain level of satisfaction in bringing a newborn through all those stages to adulthood. Even though, this is the baby end of being an adult, he's here, he's made it. So I'm good with where we are. I'm sure there's more to come, so many 'mores' to come...finishing the next level of education, jobs, weddings, grandbabies...yep gotta slow down, but I look forward to these events. It's with great joy that I celebrate that I'm old enough to have a child this age. That I've arrived right along with him. Freedom for me, is knowing whose I am and knowing my kids are His too. Freedom is peace, that surpasses all understanding. So, even tho it's been a busy weird week, it's full of joy. Happy Birthday Simon, my first born. You bring me such joy and pride. I'm so blessed and pray that blessing into your life. As an adult...welcome to a very cool place. And I pray you know the same peace that I do. All your long, long life.

weary or dog tired

Have you ever been so beyond tired that thinking is an event? I'm there. More than weary? I'm there. I thot. Because that got me thinking...what is weary? What I'm feeling is dog tired. You know, the kind of satisfied at the end of the day, get a good shower, cozy bed and relax kinda tired. Weary doesn't leave. Weary won't quit, it's like a fog that won't lift. And it never really will unless...you go to Him. When Jesus said, 'come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest', I don't think he meant, come to me if your dog tired and I'll make you fall asleep fast. Jesus is the only way out of the fog. The only way. And when we go to Him first, he'll direct us in the ways we should go to seek help. To medicate or not to. The scriptures remind us that He is the WAY and the TRUTH and the LIFE. So if I want life and good life at that, I gotta know the truth to find my way. Weary is a tough place to be. I'm grateful tonight for dog tired.

You would not believe what happened!

So, we go to Huntsville on Friday last week to take our son to camp and get stuck in this MONSTER traffic jam. I'm talking people getting out of their vehicles, walking around, going for jogs, you name it. No moving. In park on the 407. 3 Ambulances, 2 Tow Trucks and an OPP go by... crazy. Then an hour later we go from 0 to 100 in however fast a minivan can...people were scrambling to get back to their cars, hilarious! So we're thinking there's gonna be bodies all over the road, a huge crash scene...nothing. No evidence of anything at all. I'm completely baffled.
So we get to Huntsville, have a lovely evening and drop the child off at camp. Only I leave my teen son and pick up an adult son. On Saturday he turns 18. Trying to wrap my head around that still. So Monday, as I'm pulling out of the driveway to go register my daughter for highschool...I see this hole in the soffit of my roof. Raccoons. Ugh. So I call the guy to come and take them out but on the other side of my house is an even bigger hole that I could climb in! Freaked out. Right there. So, $1000.00 later I have 2 doors on my roof that let the critters out but not back in. Good thing too! Cause that's nasty! In a week the guy comes back to take it all down, disinfect and repair the damage. So, my projects are falling behind. I'm okay with that.

10 Things in 10 Days list Update

Okay, so I didn't account for the rain. So the outdoor activities are way off schedule but the indoor things are coming along really well. Purged the bedroom. Now it's in my living room. But that's not so bad since I'm moving it down to the family room today to be shredded. I can't believe the paper work. Crazy. So the bedroom is looking really great. Today I'm working on the floor in the living room so that I can clean the carpet on Friday before we leave for Huntsville. That will work really well for me. I'm hoping the weather isn't crazy blazing this week and I can do the mulch out back and also spray paint the items in need. My list may extend beyond the 10 days, but it feels really great to have a plan. I might have to do this challenge again. I'm kinda liking the deadline. It's pretty fun. How about you? Are you working to a deadline? And if so, how do you organize your lists?

Freedom Friday!!!

Whooo hooo! Another week of bootcamp done! Check week 12 off the list. So a great conversation happened this morning during our stretch time. We've all realized that we're gaining weight. Okay, that was not the plan. The plan was to loose weight. I've gained 5 pounds since starting and a couple of my clothes are fitting tighter. Strange cause I thot muscle was smaller than fat...unless I'm bulking which really, isn't true at all. So, today is research day for me. I want to get to the bottom of this strange thing. It's not just me. Out of all the women this morning, 100% have experienced weight gain. What up wit dat? So in the spirit of freedom friday, I'm feeling actually really great about the fact that it's not just me, but I'm completely uncool with the gain. So, I've decided to post my foods. I journal what I eat anyway, so this is no big deal, but it is a bit more, (okay alot more) public. I think I'm beginning to realize my freedom in my weight isn't tied to a scale but more to how my clothes fit. And even there, it's a bit dicey because I can always buy another size. But measurements don't lie. I know that a woman should never exceed a 35 inch waist and men a 40 inch waist. This has something to do with the kind of belly fat that is very dangerous. So, therein lies freedom. Stay below 35. Done. Eat less, exercise more. Done. Live, love and laugh...be free. Working on it.

Food Journal so far today...

6:20 Protein Shake
6:30 -7:30 2 cups water
8:00 coffee
9:00 1 egg and toast with smidge butter
and 2 cups water

Thirst Thursdays

To thirst means to have a desire or need to drink or have an ardent desire (craving, longing). mmmmmmmm...doesn't that sound like the perfect definition for our relationship with our Abba Daddy? At some point in our lives, we all have a thirst. Sometimes we thirst after things that set us in a downward spiral. We hit the bottom and can't quite figure out how to satisfy our thirst on our own. And that's just it, we were never designed that way. The insatiable thirst to KNOW, is deeply rooted in our being. We're reminded, "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost." Isaiah 55:1-3 but an even better promise is "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Matthew 5:5-7 and even better yet "Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:34-36 If I could only get that right every day. To never thirst after my needs or my desires ever again...wow. Knowing that Jesus has that covered blesses me. Knowing I can just rest in the beauty of my own peace that surpasses all understanding is where I can rest. He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:5-7 and "The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life." Revelation 22:16-18 Have you had your free water today?

Winning Wednesday: Where You Go I Go

What does winning mean to you? Winning prizes, or position, or a race perhaps? What ever winning looks like to you, think on it from a Jesus perspective today. What do we do in our day to show our gratitude for the freedom He won for us? How do we show Him our enduring and grateful thanks? I know for me, it's not always pretty. Some days, I'm critical of my hair, or the size of my hips or that the scale is running in the wrong direction...but I know deep in my soul, that God doesn't make junk. I know that because He already won, that the rumblings in my head are not of God. God speaks truth to me. He tells me to count it all Joy. He reminds me that tears may last for a night time, but JOY comes in the morning...that's because my Redeemer lives. He won. So, I'm having a Victory party. No more pitty party in this house. I'm celebrating every victory I can find in my day. My choice is to stop being a victim and contiue being Victorious...because the battle that was fought for me (and you) was way to costly to be ignored. Even in my weakness, He is strong. I can run and hide in the shadow of my almighty, but I think He would love it more, if I went boldly forward, declaring:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2U3PU-E32E&feature=related

Where You Go I Go: Jesus Culture

Chorus
where you go I go
what you say I say, God
where you pray I pray
where you pray I pray
(repeat)

Verse
Jesus only did
what he saw you do
he would only say
what he heard you speak

he would only move
when he felt you lead
following your heart
following your spirit

how could I expect
to walk without you
when every move that Jesus made
was in surrender

I would not begin
to live without you
for you alone are worthy
and you are always good

you are always good
yeah...

you are always good
always good
always good
yeah, yeah yeah

Chorus

Bridge
though the world sees and soon forgets
we will not forget who you are and what you've done for us,
what you've done for us

Chorus

Bridge

Bridge 2
though the world sees and soon forgets
we will not forget, who you are,
who you are, who you are, yeah
who you are, oh you are my god, you are my god
you are my god, you are my god, you are my god
woah, yeah..

Chorus

Tweek-it Tuesdays

Today I want to challenge you. I'm challenging myself and I need accountability so I figure if I drag you along with me it'll work to my favor and wonderfully enough, for your favor too. With the advent of the Hydro Smart meter in our area, I'm facing a huge and insurmountable task it would seem. I need to conquer Mount Laundrymanjaro before rates change to time of use consumption. Now I know, that in your homes, laundry may not be your sticky area, but for me..oi vey. It's an on going, daily momentum buster. I simply and completely forget to do it. Our laundry room is in the basement and I'm a see it deal with it girl. So I need to tweek my plan since the Smart meter will be kicking in soon. I need to get down to 1 load a day and run it when I'm sleeping. Thankfully my washer just died and we bought a lovely front loader with a timer on it. So I can load before bed and set it to come on. Then I can get up before the higher rate kicks in and dry it and be done for the day. In theory this will work. On paper..awesome. Problem is, remembering to do it. So I need to tweek the plan. Somehow, I need something that makes me remember to go downstairs before I climb into bed....a sign...a push...hmmmm, maybe my husband, I could recruit him to remind me. What do you need to tweek? And hey...mudroom is done! Today I think I'll tackle my bedroom. :| Pray for me.

Press in toward Tuesday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLZvwCB6tCM

Maintenance Mondays

Ever have the desire to change something or some part of your life and you buy all the books and magazines to inspire you, only to find them sitting on the shelf? You know what I've learned from this experience? Simply owning the book isn't enough. Reading it isn't either. It's the gleaning and application process where many of us fall short. Well, here's some inspiration. School goes back in our neck of the woods in 2 weeks. Let's together, tackle the last of the list. Let's do 10 projects in 10 days. You with me? Get your list together of 10 large or small things you want to do and get checked off the list. Saturdays count, Sundays for me, not doing it. So if we start today on August 23, by my calculations we should be done our 10 days by Sept 2nd. Just in time. Now for me...I'll be leaving for the north country on Saturday so I'm going to plug in an extra day there and say I'll be done Sept 3rd. Your call on how you want to pace yourself. So...question is...what's your list look like? Wanna share?
Here's mine.
1. clean carpet in living room
2. finish Simon's grad scrap book
3. organize mudroom for fall (done)!
4. remove anything not conducive to sleep from my bedroom (done)
5. paint muskoka chairs
6. power spray the deck
7. lay mulch around pool
8. paint JP's bed
9. remove wallpaper in Sara's room
10. frame and order grad pictures for Simon's diploma set

Okay that's me. Some of these projects are more time saturated, others are labor intensive, and other still, just take brain space. But all things I wanted done by the end of summer and somehow, here I am. So, 10 projects, 10 days. Not to mention, I want to help my dearest friend pack her home, make sure I have time for my kids last days of summer and keep house. Can this be done? With some ubber organization...I think it can!!! Who's with me?

Back to Blogging

Yep, it's time. I think I need to come back to blogging. Facebook is fun, but it's taken me away. So I think I'll start over. Hi, I'm Samantha, a homeschooling mom, speaker and parenting coach. Nice to meet you! Introduce yourself, stroll my blog, excuse my rants...if nothing else, I'm transparent. If your on Facebook, look me up. I'm back.

Oh Time...come back

Time flies. Honestly, it goes really fast. I'm seeing a new graduate coming into our family really soon, a blossoming daughter who desires to pursue ministry not a fashion degree like before and a skater boy young man, who seeks first the Kingdom. Praise God for all things.

The face of homeschooling changes over time too. Currently in our school, we have one in traditional Catholic highschool, one in online public school at home, and one completely homeschooled. Each child, unique and precious.

Who ever said it was a cookie cutter mould of planning, curriculum and one book does all? It's a joy to see each child becoming. I love who my kids are, cringe when I see or hear myself in them, where they need correction but so do I, and I rejoice in their changing and moving lives. Who they are now isn't who they will be and Praise God for that, but who they are becoming, is a joy to witness. God is just that good!

The Study of Words

Words count. Ever notice how much your words count? You can bring life to someone or shoot them with just a few well organized and greatly placed words. I've begun using a dictionary when I do my bible study, when I pray, when I hear from the Lord. What a great tool! I never liked my dictionary as a child, but as an adult, wow! Words leap and have so much more impact. Understanding that there's a more full meaning, makes me long for more words. And ultimately more of God. This is a very very good thing.

The Graduate

It's a busy life. I'm realizing when I don't get to be who I want to be that it's time to once again slow down. It always amazes me how every thing happens that is good, on the same day, at the same time. Why? So many good good things. I know the enemy's plan is to distract me, and he's quite good at it. But my focus is higher and deeper and wider. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. I'm back.