Life

So long since I've updated. Just really didn't want to because I just want Varsha home. Working toward that goal is wearing me out. Emotionally, I'm ready for a break. I know my break is coming.
We are 2 months into our school year.
Anthony is in the 8th grade this year. I just don't know where the time is going. We are working on lots of accountability. Getting work done without being told 15 times. Doing work completely and well. He is doing alittle better.
We are reading some classic literature. 1 book per month. Study guides to review the books. Writing summaries of history reading.
Anthony is turning into a chicken farmer. We have 15 chickens and 2 ducks. Anthony takes great care of them on his own. We have lots of eggs obviously.
I've got lots of field trips planned. I have some things I want Anthony to work through.
-Babysitting class through the Red Cross
-Extreme environment class through Red Cross
-Online Hunting and Gun safety class
-Small patch of garden for him to tend
-continue with band playing trombone
-beginning money management concepts including having a checking account and using a debit card (lot of supervision)
Some things that are not necessarily for this year:
-Dave Ramsey teen class
-One year Adventure Novel
-finding ways earn income
Ananya and Prasun are maturing. I can't believe it. I looked at Ananya about 6 months ago and realized the baby was gone. She was my daughter, a little girl. I also realized I had to change how we treated her. It was giving her dignity to be carried around all the time. We bought new strollers. We got high chairs so they can sit at the table like little kids and not babies. I've started considering our school options. I have to figure out the best way to teach both of them. It is alittle complicated. I have to consider each of their strengths. I have to figure out which skills to push them to accomplish and which skills aren't as important. I have to figure out how to teach Ananya to read without hearing her do it.
I've tried Time 4 Learning. It seems to work well. We'll probably go with it for now.
I'm hoping to have a good schedule when I'm done fundraising (working extra). I'm hoping for
-3 days of "school" on the computer for each child
-2 days of therapy for each child
-daily read aloud together
-Bible verse and catechism memorization
-Reading lessons at a child lead pace
I definitely have some things to work on personally. I need to be more consistent in my routines. Some changes to make me healthier. Some changes to keep me focused.
-Become consistent in eating healthier choices.
-Include regular exercise
-Spend time each day reading the Bible
-Plan some fun things that I want to do and/or learn (canning jelly, baking projects, sewing projects).
-Consistent with my personal chores (household cleaning schedule) and ensuring that the kids are keeping up with their responsibilities.
My biggest problem area lately is something I need to work on NOW.
As Mom, I set the mood for our house. If I'm joyful, then the others will follow. If I'm nasty and grouchy then they follow that. If I'm spending my time doing what I want without doing what I have to do, then the kids will follow that example.
As of today, I'm chosing JOY. I'm going to thank God for what we are walking through. He is doing great thinks in our house. I know that our family is being an example to others without saying a word. Our actions are speaking louder than our words. I have to make sure my actions are telling the story I want others to hear.
We will just continue to wait to hear from India. I'll try to keep Varsha's blog updated with adoption updates.
I hope you all have a great fall. I'll try to come up with some things to say that will inspire my friends.