Learning In Spite of Labels~ Practical Teaching Tips and a Christian
Perspective of Education by Joyce
A Family Guide to Biblical Holidays by Robin Sampson and Linda
Pierce
Good and Angry by Scott Turnasky and Joanne Miller
A Parents Guide to The Spiritual Mentoring of Teens ~Building Your
Childs Faith Through the Adolescent Years by Joe White , Jim Weidmann
Wild Days ( a book about language arts and nature journaling) by
Rackliffe
How to Create Your Own Unit Studies by Valerie Bendt
How to read the Bible for all it's worth by Gordon D Fee and Douglas
Stuart
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes in You and your
kids by Scott Turnasky and Joanne Miller
You Can Teach Your Child Successfully Grades 4-8 by Ruth
Beechick
A Strong Start in Language
An Easy Start in Arithmetic
A Home Start In Reading by Ruth Beechick
Any Child Can Write by Harvey S. Wiener
Aug. 8, 2009~ Weekly Wrap Up ~ August 9th ~
(to join the fun head on over to Carol's by clicking the graphic)
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From the Heart:
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I am learning more of something that I have been learning slowly over the years. I am learning to say no. I am gearing up to say no to something big. ( no it isn't anything like shutting down my blog or anything like that. But it does effect family members. ) I have learned something just recently that has helped me to release myself from certain expected expected responsibilities. I have to tell myself that ____ won't die if I don't ____ .
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This has been something that has effected me from being a very good wife, mom, and homeschool teacher with my time. It's something that has been demanding too much of my time and that has stretched me to thin. I need to step back and prioritise and count the cost of what is most important. I need to realise that everything else will fall into it's right place and what is most important will go to the top of the list. I don't have to be all things to all people. I have to listen to what is most important to the Lord and do what he has called me to do and not look back. I think that is why I was lead to the verse in my header. I cannot remember where it is so if anyone does know please let me know. I am learning to put blinders on and try very hard not to get side tracked and over commet my time. "If I shoot for the stars at least I won't come up with a hand full of mud."
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On the Homefront:
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We are much closer to having our leagal issues solved. We heard from our lawyer that our friendly neighbor wanted to add a clause to reassure himself of a right he actually already had. So nothing changed other than our neighbor feeling like he got the last word. So now we are waiting for him to sign the papers for the easement. He actually has till the end of the month but we would love it to happen next week. Our house is getting close to being finished on the siding. I can't wait till it is done and then I can give updated pics. The rock arrived that will be a rock thrown stucco plus I will be painting the trim around the windows and corners of the house. There is also the sofits to be finished and then it will be a good fire retardent house.
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In The Garden:
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Things are growing very nicely. All the squash (summer and winter squash) is growing nicely and we will have our first picking of green beans tomorrow. The raspberries are coming to end and then there is lots of seed plants that need tying up. There is also lots of basil and cucumbers to be harvested too.
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In the School Room:
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I am working very diligently to gather all that I need for making lesson plans. Figuring out where we left off and where we need to go. I am going to be putting a lot more energy into our lessons this year. ( remember about me say no more [0; ) I am feeling the years slip away and I NEED to put my best foot more forward. I am hoping by next week I will have a what we are going to do in our homeschool post. I will be ordering this week all the loose end books that I need to order. I am continuing on with last years theme. Canadian History and Geography. I am hoping also to do a better job sharing on my blog what we are learning. I know Canadian history is a mystery to some and it would be fun to do a better job at sharing with you all. It is very intresting and it really does over lap into American history more than most know about. So I will have ....
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Or .........
Nature Study:
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I am hoping to become more diligent in this departent. I have learned a ton about plants and have LOVED seeing the squash go through it's cycle but the boys need more involvement. I also have to share a wonderful sale !
I bought the Nature Study Notebooking Pages and I LOVE love love them ! I have also bought other sets from them and you won't be disappointed at all. They are layed out sooooooooooo nicely and makes it easy for a homeschoool mama and it is very afford able especially with the sales. ( no I am not getting anything for saying this I just love it that much and have to tell you before you miss out on the GREAT deals )
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In The Craft Corner:
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I have found that I HAVE to be creative or I am a grumpy mama. I have several things ( or irons in the fire) going. I have found when I feel very dried up and feel burnt out I find if I sit and knit for a bit I am a whole new person and people are happier to be around me. ((blush)) I really suggest to sit and find out what it is that you need to do to be a happier mama and make sure you make time to do it. God created each one of us with special talents and you NEED to make sure you feed your soul that way you can give to others and be a blessing to those around you.
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In the Kitchen:
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I have been testing out modifications I have made to several recipes and having a blast in the process. I am hoping with all the sales of my crafts that I can buy a computer that will then enable me to have time in the evenings to write my ebook cookbook and tightwad tips. It is something I want to give to my boys ( and future DIL's ) so they don't have to re-invent the wheel. I have learned soooooooo much for the last 19 years that I want to bless them with what God has allowed me to learn.
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Weightloss Wednesday:
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I am happy to say that sense a year ago June I have lost 15 lbs. I am keeping it off and slowly taking more and more lbs off. It has been slow but I am making life long changes and want to be able to keep the lbs off. I pray by next year that I will have lost another 20 lbs.
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The House That God Built Update:
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I have mentioned things in the post already what has been going on.
I want to get back to reading "Created to Be His Help Meet" by Debi Pearl, Holy War by John Bunyan and re-reading " A Charlotte Mason Compainion" by Karen Andreola. Things are still going strong but I need to make a goal of 15 minutes a day to read what I have to read. As the flylady says .... you can do anything for 15 minutes. So I just need to set my timer. [0=
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There is the reflections and ramblings for this week.
"If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play!
If she would have the courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in
a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures, or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily for both children and parents.
The mother would then be able to hold herself in "wise passiveness’ and would not fret her children by continual interference even of hand or eye - she would let them
be." ...Charlotte Mason
Oh Mary, it can be so hard to say no, especially when we tend to feel responsible for so much. I wish I had time to call you last week so we could have chatted. I would call you now, but being it's Sunday, I won't bother you. (I'm home with a head cold this morning, ugh). Anyway, I'll be praying for you to stand in the Lord's strength and His peace.
And could that verse be Deuteronomy 20:3-4? I looked it up, and it sounds similar. Not sure if that's it or not.
Hi there! We will also be doing Canadian history & geography this year so it will be neat to see what you guys are covering as well! Maybe we can swap info! Maybe it will take us more than a year too!
I also have bought stuff from Notebooking Pages to use this Fall. It looks really neat!
Blessings!
Oh, I feel for you about saying "no." And I apologize now because my comment is going to be lengthy, lol!
First of all, always remember that "No" is a complete sentence. Nothing else needs to follow.
And second, I have a little story for you that I learned during a Bible study this past year, and it's made a world of difference.
One day a man met God in a garden. During their time together, God asked the man to do something for Him. Without even knowing what it was, the man happily agreed. This was God, afterall.
God thanked him and then showed him three rocks that He wanted taken up to the top of the mountain. God even supplied a wagon to make the trip easier.
The man loaded the rocks into the wagon and set off on his mission. He was amazed at how simple the task was that God asked him to do and because of the wagon, it require little effort. THe day was bright and warm and the man began to sing praises to God as he walked along.
Soon he came to a town. As he passed through the town, he stopped to visit a dear friend. After a brief visit filled with wonderful conversation and cool cider, the man was ready to continue on his mission. He was reaching for his wagon when his friend asked him about it.
"I'm doing a job for God. I'm taking these rocks to the top of the mountain for him." He replied.
"You, my friend, are an answer to prayer. I have this bag of pebbles that I've been meaning to take to the top of the mointain, but I just haven't found the time. I'm so glad you stopped by. Now you can take them for me." And with that, the friend put his bag of pebbles in the man's wagon.
The man didn't think this was a problem. Afterall, God likes when we help a friend. So, the man began to walk toward the mountain again with his wagon filled with the three rocks from God and the bag of pebbles from his friend.
Soon, he came to another town. Now, I'm sure you know where this is going. At every town and village he came to someone put something else in his wagon. The wagon became heavier and heavier. The warm sun no longer cheered him but instead covered him in sweat. No song of praise excaped his lips. Instead, he bagan to grumble. He began to whine. He began to complain...loudly.
Finally, the man pushed the heavy wagon off the road and began shouting to God. "I can't do this. It's too hard! You've given me more than I can handle!" He dropped to the ground, and in his frustration, he began to cry.
God came to man and asked what was wrong. The man answered, "I cannot do what you've asked me to do. It's too hard."
God walked over to wagon and peered inside. "What's all this?" He asked.
"Well, I'm helping others as I go along," answered the man, thinking God would like his helpful heart. However, God looked at all the pebbles, stones, and boulders and began pitching them out of the wagon onto the side of the road.
The man grew concerned. "I have to deliver these. People will be upset with me if I don't."
"I did not ask you to take on other people's burdens, or to do their work for them. Let others shoulder their own responsibilities. I know you were trying to help, but when you are weighed down with these other cares, you cannot do what I asked you to do."
"You mean I only have to take these three rocks after all?"
"That is what I asked you to do." God smiled. "My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I will never ask you to carry more than you can bear."
Grinning from ear to ear, the man grabbed the wagon handle and set off once again, leaving the rest of the burdens beside the road.
A new song filled his lips, and he noticed a fragrant breeze wafting over the path. With great joy he reached the top of the mountain. It had been a wonderful day, for he had done what the Lord had asked.
*Yeah, I know it was long, but it's such a great story and I try to share it as often as possible. BY the way, it took months for me to finally empty my wagon of the things that weren't from God. Some things were easy to sent by the side of the road, but most were so difficult to let go. However, it now feels much better to know that what I am doing is what God wants from me. I'll be praying for you as you toss this boulder out of your wagon!
Betty
You can do it! You can say no.
I had to lean that lesson a few years ago and it was hard at first, but it gets easier with practice.
I look forward to seeing what you'll be doing in school this year. It's always neat to see how others do things.
Thanks for the link to the nature study pages. Very cool.
I could not agree more on saying no...I actually started doing this 3 years ago. it was soooooo hard for me. I am now at ease with it and know the it was the right thing to do. I do a few things very well and know that is what the Lord would have me to do.
Oh I would so much like to know more about Canadian History!
I am trying hard to do more crafts/projects. I think I need to schedule them! I miss my creative side.
I love it when you post photos of your crafts. It inspires me!
Just dropping by and say BRAVO. You have accomplished so much. More God's power and wisdom and strength to you as you tackle to put your plans into reality. No job is to big if you have the Lord with you.
What a great list of goals that you've articulated here, Mary. I'm looking forward to your sharing of what your doing this year for hs - especially the older ones.
That's a great book that your compiling - for your kids - and for everyone. Your the expert at thriftiness.
Congratulations for losing 15 pounds! Your new pic looks terrific.
Antoinette
Joshua 1:9 is the verse you have there!! It's my favorite verse and I love that you have it for your header and that you related it to the things you are learning about saying "no". I am learning something similar, since....last year. Lol. But sometimes this is a slow process. First you learn to say no to some obvious things that are somewhat scary to say no to. Then you begin to learn to say no to things along the way that you just don't need to be doing....or rather that God does not have for you to do at that particular time. There was this great quote I read one time, and I can't find it at the moment but it said something like this: saying no to some things can help you see the burning "yes" that is what God has for you to do.
Sometimes by saying no to something we are then able to see more clearly what God really has for us.
Rambling on here to make sure that my thought comes out. Hope it makes sense. :)
Praying right now that God will give you the strength and clarity to say those "no"s that you need to say to do the "yes" that he has for you to do.
First , I am a daughter of the King almighty and a
a wife to my Handsome of 19 years. A mom of 4 on the go boys 17, 15, 11, and 9. I grew up in the states but married my Canadian sweetheart and moved up north.
We live in the southern part of British Columbia , Canada on our homestead. We have homeschooled our four boys from birth and plan to go the distance till all four graduate from our homeschool. I teach with a Charlotte Mason style. I love to craft! I am a beader, knitter, x-stitcher, quilter. We have been on a journey of being apart of building "The House that God Built". I have been recording our journey on my blog. Go to my links on The House That God Built and you will find it. I know God has a lot more instore for us and we just need to follow where our Lord takes us.
This blog is the home of Show and Tell Friday's and Tightwad Tuesdays. I hope you decide to join in on the fun !
Blessings and ((HUGS))
In Him<><
-Mary
Thank you all who nominated me for
Best Thrifty Homeschooler
Best Encorager
Best Cyber-Buddy Blogger
Thank you all who nominated me for
From the Heart: 
On the Homefront: 
In The Garden:
In the School Room:
Nature Study:
In The Craft Corner: 
In the Kitchen: 
There is the reflections and ramblings for this week. 
First , I am a daughter of the King almighty and a
a wife to my Handsome of 19 years. A mom of 4 on the go boys 17, 15, 11, and 9. I grew up in the states but married my Canadian sweetheart and moved up north.
We live in the southern part of British Columbia , Canada on our homestead. We have homeschooled our four boys from birth and plan to go the distance till all four graduate from our homeschool. I teach with a Charlotte Mason style. I love to craft! I am a beader, knitter, x-stitcher, quilter. We have been on a journey of being apart of building "The House that God Built". I have been recording our journey on my blog. Go to my links on The House That God Built and you will find it. I know God has a lot more instore for us and we just need to follow where our Lord takes us.
This blog is the home of Show and Tell Friday's and Tightwad Tuesdays. I hope you decide to join in on the fun !
Blessings and ((HUGS))
In Him<><
-Mary
