Hello Friends!

I can't believe it is already 2007! I wrote my first date wrong today as I was writing a check....we certainly can get in a rut, can't we? After writing "06" over an over.....and I knew I was going to make that mistake. Sure enough, I did. But only once so far!

Sometimes we get in a rut with our homeschooling too. Even unschoolers can get into a rut! For me, sometimes the rut is the old way of thinking about what we are doing. The rut might be starting to compare our methods with somebody elses. The rut could even be second guessing ourselves when we shouldn't be.

It is always a good thing to take a step back and evaluate our progress, or our method or our madness, whichever it seems to be. :) New Years is one of those times that we automatically take a critical view of what we have been up to!

New Years Resolutions are an American Tradition!

I have been reading several blog entries about the last year and what it meant for those families. I read about travel to foreign lands, I read about new friends made. I saw where a child had begun to read for the first time! I read about sadness; a few dear Mothers went home to be with the Lord. Children were born, and children died. The cycle of life goes on.

I have been reading a book here at home called "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. It is a very good book, I highly recommend it. It is not written from the standpoint of a homeschooler, although a Christian wife and mother can get a great deal out of it. One thing she mentions is that each day is like a new little life. A year is just a series of those days, those 24 hour lifetimes, that are repeated. I love how the Lord says in His word that each morning, His mercies towards us are brand new. And the Word also says that this day is the day the Lord has made, and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

Even though you might not have travelled to a beautiful paradise today, or you didn't yet hear your child read a single word, God made this day. I am thankful that I was able to wake up and live! Pray for those who are troubled, but rejoice with those who rejoice. If harsh words were spoken, be thankful that His mercies are new and tomorrow is a new day. Put that strife behind you and smile at your children! Ask the Lord for a new creative way to teach them, to love them and to love Him with all your heart. He has it all under control! God is in the business of getting us out of the ruts.

Blessings to you all!

Nancy

Homeschooling Is Life!

(c) Nancy K. Baetz, 2007

Nancy Baetz is a homeschooling Mother of four very cool, creative kids who do things like re-upholster furniture and sew; her daughter having just set a record for making a dress in 3 hours and 18 minutes, and who love to cook and write and produce dramas while their Mom writes blogs.  Please stop by her regular hangout and say hi over at www.homeschoolblogger.com/byhisgraceincolorado