Any homeschooling family with more than one child knows the challenges of keeping "destructo" baby for destroying the house in ten minutes  during school hours! Nursing babies, fussy babies, and destructive, energetic toddlers.. what do you do with all of the little ones while teaching school?

Sometimes, if you were to walk in my house you would see groceries needed to be put away, 10 loads of laundry needed to be folded, supper not on the table; in fact, lunch is still on the table, babies crying, toys out, I am still in my jammies, beds not made, and chaos reigning.

On the other hand, on any given day, you could see the children set on our schedule, which keeps us all happy and moving along in a clean house, my 6 children doing school, all the laundry folded ready to be put away, my two year old napping, the 5 year old playing quietly, and supper in the crock pot ready for a family supper together.

Having a organized house is not the easiest goal to attain when raising a large family and homeschooling on top of it all...in fact, it's impossible... sometimes! But can it be done?

YES!!

We have set up a schedule this year that will hopefully prove to be a either a success...or...a Zoo!!

For those of you who want a peak into my schedule...hold on...are you ready?

1. Every one up, showered, and dressed by 7:00, to meet at the breakfast table for breakfast and prayer.

2. ALL children clean up the kitchen (more on our fast cleanup method later).

3. 7:45 -   all children 1st to 10th grade at their desks starting school.

Meanwhile...I straighten the upstairs and dress my 2 year old and 5 year old, throw a load in the washer, run the vacuum...

4. 9:00 -  start my kindergartener  on school and help all other children as we plod on...

5. 12:00-1  break for lunch and recess.

6.  Nap and rest time for the 2 year old and kindergartener.

7. 1:00 -  Autumn's music (violin)

8. 2:00 -  Joshua's music (violin)

9. 3:00-4 DO NOT BOTHER MOM TIME!!!! I need quiet!!

10. 5:30 - supper

11. 7:00  - Family devotions

12. 7:30  - bed time for 4 little ones.

13. 8:30 -  bed time for next 3 big ones.

14. 9:00  - Bed time for oldest.

15. ALL KIDS ARE IN BED!!!!!!

This is really my schedule...each child has their own charts and schedules they follow. This helps me keep up with cleaning, school, baths, etc.

Sometime I might share their chore charts and schedules...

Are we always organized!! Ha Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!  Can you hear me laughing?  The goal is to be...if there is not a goal, what would there be to reach for?


I can do all thinks through Christ who strengthens me!!

She says, “Are those kids all yours”?

I say, “Yes”.

She says, “Where does your husband work”?

I say, “He is a Pastor of local church”.

She says, “Do you work”?

I say,”Ummm…no…yes”? Thinking: of course I work…who feeds, cleans after, loves, teaches, and clothes these children?

She says, “I mean an outside job!”

I say, “No” Thinking: “I can’t afford an outside job. Yes, I to have a Bachelor’s degree…in Nursing. I could make three times my husband's salary, but I choose to stay home”.

She says, “Must be nice, how lucky you are”.

I say, “I guess…” Thinking: “Lucky? Why, because I choose not to have a second income? Yes! I am lucky…my husband lets me stay home, so I can rear our children for the Lord”. I wish all husbands loved their wives as much as mine loves me.

She says, “I don’t know how you do it; my two drive me crazy.”

I say, “We have a lot of fun, I enjoy my children!” Thinking: “Sometimes they do drive me crazy, but how much I would miss ours if I did have one of them! “I am sorry you are not happy…”

She says, “You look so happy! “

I say, “My joy comes from within…not from the things around me. Can I leave you something that can show you how to have that same joy ?”  Thinking: If only she or her family could know the jo of Christ…

She says, “Thank you. Here is your receipt.”

Thinking: “Thank you Lord for my Salvation, my children, my husband, my church, my family, and all that I have been given. My heart is broken for all those that do not have the privilege to have all that I have in Christ!”