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I had major surgery almost 8 weeks ago and then I had some complications that made me feel sick 24/7. My kids brains have been on vacation for almost 2 months while I recoup! This is one reason we went over the summer this year!

I feel SO guilty!!

OK...Time to get back into the swing of things!!

Pray for stamina for mom...and for kids

Praying for you!!!

We took 2 months off over the summer and were able to get back to things very easily. It was amazing how much we all craved the routine. I pray it goes the same for you.

Oh my. That can seem really overwhelming. We did that in the middle of Beyond because we had a death in the family, followed by a move, followed by the holidays. Actually, I think it ended up being longer than 2 months. But my children caught back on really quickly following our old routine and it went surprisingly smoothly. I think you'll be surprised how much they retain. Just go back into it slowly, for yourself as much as for them.

I took about a two month vacation from teaching my two middles, and they came back into it knowing MORE than when we stopped!

I know how overwhelming that can feel. I just want to encourage you that you will get back to that routine and peace with HOD in no time. We took a long break this summer and had many delays toward the end of last year. There have been many struggles in my house and yet HOD still flows. We just finished our first unit of RTR, Bigger and CTC. Even though I LOVE, love HOD I was feeling a bit nervous about this year because I have such struggles going on right now and I am watching so much discontentment on other hsing boards. I began to wonder about what math, what LA and the stupidest minute details anything and everything I could worry about except HOD. But still again it has been my peace and sanity and with HOD as the core everything seems to flow for us. It is our anchor in our hsing besides of course the Lord who lead us to it.

I also just want to encourage you that at your worst getting through HOD just as written best you can will be enough and God will bless it. We just had many tests run on my ds and one of them included IQ because they do it, I had no idea. I was told they believe his score is accurate even though he is testing above what he "should be" for his IQ. I assure you it is not me. It has been the fruits of HOD even in the worst of times God has just blessed it. In fact they attributed it to an enriched learning environment. I assure you I have not been very "enriched" over the last year or maybe even two in all honesty. So hang in there God is good and He will not let your good work for Him turn up void even when it feels that you are not doing enough, He has you covered. Just get going and commit to doing the first unit in two weeks. Yes two that will give you the time to get your groove back. Leave all the extras alone and take care of your health. And most important when you start make sure you are ready health wise. If you start too early with that your set back will only be more. Don't let the enemy scare you. You will be just great.

Take care of yourself. I am saying a prayer for you and your family.

I'm praying for you, Shannon! I also want to encourage you that we took a 3 month summer break in the middle of Bigger Hearts for my ds. It took us a few weeks to slide back into the routine of things, but it's working like clockwork now. HOD really is that flexible. I am praying for you to feel well though - that is more my concern!

Love in Christ,
Julie

Thanks everyone for your encouragement! Now...I have to get myself OUT OF THE BED in the mornings even when I don't feel like it!! : )

OK...I also have to stop lying down with the toddler in the afternoons as much. I have needed that as my body recovered, but now I need to wean myself off the naps!

I'm praying for you right now, too, Shannon. I'm sorry to hear that you've been struggling with your health. I agree with the other ladies here. Take heart, and know that God will give you the strength to accomplish everything HE has on your to-do list. Give your day to Him (and resist the temptation to add to His list! )

I have to ask why you're wanting to give up naptime, though. I sure haven't! Don't feel guilty about getting the rest you need!! I LOVE naptime!

Kathleen

I agree with naptime...I don't feel guilty for taking a quick nap a few times a week when the younger ones rest if my "chores" are done. I find that a bit of rest makes me more productive throughout the rest of the day!! Glad you are starting to feel better!!

Shannon,

I just want to be an encouragement, too. Even though you've had many weeks off from HOD, I guarantee your children have still been learning. I bet they've learned more about patience, serving others, increased their compassion for and appreciation of you. Maybe some of them have learned to ask other siblings for help or to do some things for themselves. I had our newest baby two weeks ago, via c-section (my first), and my children have been learning some of these lessons. They've also been doing TONS of reading, so I know their minds have been active, even though it's not from our 'school' books. I understand the feeling of being 'behind' but sometimes life just throws us a curveball and we have to get through the best we can...relying on God for our strength. He knows what we (and our children) can handle. So, maybe they are a few weeks behind in math, science, etc., but I'm confident they have been learning some valuable life lessons. Get back to work as you can, when you can, and at a pace that works for all of you. I know you'll all be fine!