Still Struggling to get back that "Groove"!

I don't know what I was thinking to think that I'd be able to get even 3 days of school in this week! I only scheduled 2 weeks off for Christmas, and ended up taking one of those b4 Christmas, due to illnesses. So I really wanted to get back into our lessons this week. My parents took the 2 oldest for the past, long weekend, leaving us with only a 2-yr old and 2-month old. I thought this would allow me to get tons accomplished! I wanted to catch up on all the laundry, housework, meal planning/groceries, plan Adam's special allergen-free meals, and make sure all 1st grade lessons were in order. However, it seems that feeding a baby every 3 hours is really taking more of my time then I thought it would. I mean, I can't just feed him and then throw him in the bouncy seat for another hour until his naptime! I know he doesn't require much, but he needs attention too, leaving me with only the 1 1/2 hours increments in which he sleeps. Add to this another "baby-on-the-verge-of-pneumonia" scare and I achieved very little this past weekend. So needless to say, I don't have enough wits about me to do anything other than having Jefferson read, read, read for this week.

How do you other homeschooling moms make it through the infant stage without jipping the older kid/kids? I would like to have it together by now (Lincoln is 8 weeks old) and find that "groove" that we seemed to have b4 the baby came. I know that Jefferson is doing well with his languages (still needs more reading practice) and even math, but can someone tell me - will I be able to catch him up in history and science? I know that this is doable, I just sometimes need to hear from others who have made it through this point.

I want to be where Trivium Academy is - she's come to a good place in her planning and curriculum choices where she is excited and enthusiastic about where they are this year. Not Before 7 understands our battle with illness since Thanksgiving and still has her sense of humor, therefore reminding me to keep smiling. Smooth Stones Academy recently blogged that she is coming out of this baby phase, reminding me that I'm not the only one here and that change will come soon. And the leading mom from Lighthouse Learning Co-op recently gave me a sweet training idea (involving M&M's) for my strong-willed (and sweet-toothed) daughter, reminding me to always be open to the advise of others.

So when I can barely get everyone dressed and fed by 10am (it used to be 8am for us) and can't see the days lessons through the pile of dishes on the counter, or over the screaming 2-yr old, I am thankful that God has given me other homeschooling moms for support. I really enjoy getting the perspective of those who have gone before me, or even those in the same place in life, whether they be co-op, church, or blog friends. I know that the Lord has provided all that I need in order for me to obey His calling to educate my kids at home. The enemy may throw a lot at me some days, but not more than I can handle. I hope that one of the things I learn in this process is how to help and encourage other homeschooling moms when they find themselves at this point also!

So for now, I will keep on keeping on and check things off the 'List' one by one. I will pray that God helps me to be ready for better structure next week, so that we can be on our way again to our homeschooling "groove"! And I will remember to thank Him for all you other homeschooling moms!