This time every year I take a break and give you a recap full of links from the past year. This year at Raising Arrows has been a blast! Thank you all so much for journeying with us!
On January 1 (Micah’s 1st birthday), I found out I was pregnant with Baby #7.
In February, I moved to WordPress from Blogger. I also took a leap and told you for the first time about my diastasis recti.
In March, I introduced you to the concept of a Scheduled family versus a Routine family and how that affects your entire day. I also showed you how to set up a school schedule. I let you in on the secret to getting your children to clean the house and getting them to come to the table quickly.
In April, we talked about children’s chores, our modified workbox system, pregnancy journals, and how to survive homeschool conferences. I also started my Half My Stuff Saturday series.
In May, I gave you my Top 10 Reasons to Have a Large Family, showed you my baking cabinet, color-coded my children, told you how to have a large family mentality no matter what size family you have, and started my Difficult Words series that talked of self denial, obedience, diligence, discipline, and contentment. I also changed up the way we kept track of school assignments and showed you our homeschool assignment binders.
In June, I explained how we have Scripture verses on our walls, table chores after meals, and a chore board every morning. I talked about the 3 year homeschooling learning curve and how good it is to get away from technology from time to time.
July found me at the Savvy Blogging conference and using coupons for the first time in my life. I also introduced you to my binders for household management. I told you how to make sandhill plum jelly, how to calm restless legs, and how many hours it takes to homeschool.
In August, I rocked my babies and stepped on toes. I shared how I nurture my relationship with my boys and did a podcast interview on helping a grieving friend. I also started my series on creating a lifestyle of learning where homeschooling is a natural part of your day. I made homemade peanut butter and started getting anxious for baby’s arrival.
September was a month of agony and ecstasy as we waited for baby to arrive. We made Pho, stored hand-me-downs, and let go of expectations. And finally, on September 23, 10 days past my due date, 11 pound Garin Theodore made his entrance into this world via vbac just 9 hours before his scheduled c-section! What an amazing blessing!
October was a month of adjustments to sleepless nights, allowing the Holy Spirit free reign in my life, and wading through the flood of Emily memories that came with having a new baby. I also found myself needing to stand up for how we raise our children.
In November, I told you what it is like to have Sensory Integration Disorder as an adult and how to raise boys to be men in the city. I gave you ideas on how to tweak your homeschool curriculum to meet your family’s needs and how to use the internet to homeschool. The highlight of the month was winning the Best Super Homeschool Blog award!
And finally in December, I found a diastasis recti brace, talked about family integrated churches, made daily chore and homeschool assignment cards, found out we were moving, and hung a buffalo on my wall!
What a year! Looking forward to what God has in store for us in 2011!
Many blessings,
Clara says
You have a beautiful family, Amy. I’ve enjoyed this year of getting to know you, sharing about my own life and family (and country!) with you, and reading about your life and family.
The Lord bless you this coming year with special things and days of joy and His peace.
Lauree says
I have really enjoyed your blog this year. You just don’t know how much you have helped me! This is my first year to homeschool and I have gleaned a lot of information from you! I have enjoyed reading about your family and have appreciated the way you open up to the strangers who love you!! May your 2011 be wonderful and full of blessings.
Judy says
Here in MA we are having a blizzard today through tomorrow. I am excited to go back through lots of links you provided. Thanks!!!
Love the pic of your family.
Lisa~ says
You family picture is adorable! I love seeing you all together. I love the look back over the past year. It’s been a big year for you. Merry Christmas. Lisa~
cayce says
Thanks for your site and your recap was a great way to read somethings i had missed. I have always dreamed of a large family but my husband has other ideas ( I have him up to saying we can have four) for his sanity sake :)We are pregnant with the third and looking forward to hopefully a boy to add to our family. But hoping the more i get together and make things happen he will feel calmer thanks for your ideas and positive attitudes.
Sally says
What a great picture! Garin is SO handsome! 😉
Blessings in this coming year, sister!
h. rae says
I don’t comment often, but I read every new post. You are an amazing and encouraging family. Your family portrait is just beautiful!
Nony the Slob says
Amy, your family is gorgeous! I can’t believe how big your littlest is!
Brandy says
Such a beautiful family! I love reading your blog, Amy! And I look forward to seeing what’s coming here in 2011! 😀
Lynnea Williams says
Love the family photo. I have enjoyed reading your blog this last year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Lynnea
Rachel says
Great year in review!!! I so enjoy your blog. You are real and authentic and right from your heart.
Rachel