Confessions of a Homeschool Mom

Aug. 11, 2007 - Update, Copy & Paste, Dinner at Our house

Well I am getting lazy with my blog entries :)  I write a newsletter for a couple different homeschool organizations so I have decided to just copy and modify them a bit for my blogs.  A girl can only do so much!  I feel as if the summer has just flown by!  Savannah is DRIVING now.  (pray for me!) and the ministry that God has laid on our hearts to help churches reach out to homeschoolers (www.firstclasshomeschool.org) is growing almost as fast as our children.  We have a few big announcements on the horizon.  As we pray and seek the Lord hope to be able to make them soon.  :)  I know, I"m such a TEASE.  hahaha!

Last night I was making dinner (london broil, salad, mashed potatoes and something else I can't remember) and I heard this funny "squirt squirt" sound coming from the living room.  I peered around the corner in horror only to find Summer (age 4) squirting Sydney (age 2) with the sunblock!  It was the pump kind, not the aerosol (thank heaven!!) but it was EVERYWHERE.  All over the walls, the couches, Sydney, the carpet, and the stairs.  I was TOO MAD to get pictures.  Now I wish I had so you could all feel sorry for me at the same time :)    Summer did clean it up (no way was I going to clean it up) but my London Broil was overcooked and the mashed potatoes got a little softer than I would have liked.  Sigh.

Someone emailed me the other day about my "perfect, all-together life."   :)
This should dispel that rumor!

Love to all!
Heidi

Back to Homeschool
homeschool mom5 Tips for a
Great Start to the New School Year

"MOM!!! Spencer broke the chickens!"This was the call that came to my ears as I sat down to write this for you.   "What chickens, Summer?  We don't have chickens!!??"  My mind was filling with images of the frozen chicken the in garage freezer, strewn all over the stairs, or of the darling chicken drawing one of the kids made for us, torn to bits.  Fortunately for me, it was neither of those things. I had to laugh when she brought the "broken chickens" -which were not really broken at all.  All that fuss for a toy chicken Jay brought home from a mission trip to Russia two years ago.   And it wasn't even broken.  I asked myself (outloud)
"Oh my, how am I ever going to fit homeschooling back into my schedule after taking the summer off?"   Life is so full already!

If you are a homeschool mom, chances are that your life is as full and busy as mine. Your kids may not be "breaking chickens" but I'll bet they're up to some mischief!  Are you ready to add schooling back into your daily routine?? As homeschool moms, we need to be ready to minister joy and love to our kids.  The following 5 tips have helped me over the past ten years.
 
  1. Be prepared Spiritually
    Have you spent time in prayer?  Do you know God's heart for your children this year? He wants to speak to you specifically about your homeschool plans!  Take the time to listen.
  2. Be prepared Relationally
    How's your relationship with your children?  Especially your teens ... are you connecting with them?  Remember, homeschooling is about relationships, first!  Talk a walk!  Read together - affirm your kids!
  3. Be prepared Academically
    In Washington we are required by law to test our children annually.  I have never looked at this in a bad way - it helps me to see where to chart our course for the following year maximize our homeschooling efforts. Be sure to lay out your course for each subject you are teaching, and then be willing to adjust it as you go along.
  4. Be prepared Emotionally
    Here is where you take care of the "me" in MOMMY! If you have not had a chance to rest and relax a little, take the time! Call a friend if you need to trade babysitting, or plan a nice quiet evening that you can sit down and ask the Lord to give you His joy for this coming year.  Locate your favorite teacup (if the kids haven't broken it yet) and read a book, or journal your thoughts.
  5. Be prepared Romantically
    Yes- you heard right.      If you are a homeschool mom - then you were a WIFE first.  What came first, the homeschool chicken or the homeschool egg?  I think it was the ROOSTER!  :-) Spend time with your husband, and take joy from that relationship. It is from the Lord and He wants to bless your marriage!  Share yourself with your husband and connect with him in every way before you dive headfirst back into the school year.  You'll both be glad you did.
-heidi st. john
follow Christ!Remember the heart of homeschooling - as Christian parents- should be to teach our children what it means to be fully devoted to following Jesus!

Our children are watching us more than they are listening ...

What are YOU saying by your example?
The theme for this past conference was Encouragement from the Father for the Heart of Homeschooling

Did you miss any workshops?  You can purchase them in either MP3 or CD format!

CONFERENCE RECORDINGS
are available at
Best Christian Conferences
AFTER AUGUST 12th
 
GET CONNECTED!
Want to be part of an independent Christian homeschool cooperative?
First Class Homeschool Ministries has co-ops infirst class homeschool ministires
Washington:
Renton
Lake Stevens
Snoqualmie
Mount Vernon
Vancouver
Camas
Spokane
Longview
Nation-wide:
Central Louisiana
Louisville, KY
Appleton, WI
Dorchester County, MD

Classes start soon!
For more information or to start a First Class co-op in your area,  visit www.fchm.org
 call 360.326.8826 or
email
info@fchm.org
What folks are saying about the 2007
Seattle Conference:
"I have been absolutely and thoroughly blessed by the whole conference!  I feel you hit the heart issue directly-that it's not all about the academics but about the relationships with our spouses, kids and most importantly God.  Thank you for all your hard work, volunteer time and effort to make this weekend happen.  We are new WATCH members and look forward to helping out in future events!" 
L.R. from Shoreline, WA

"(The conference) helped us feel like a part of a community.  Calmed and encouraged us.  Gave us direction.  Loved that it was about so much more than what math book we should use." 
M.W. from Vancouver, WA






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About Me







Heidi and her husband, Jay, have been married for over 17 years. They reside in Ridgefield, WA, where they homeschool their six children. The children range in age from 15 to 1 and Heidi "highly recommends having older children!" When Heidi is not climbing Mount Never-rest (folding laundry),changing diapers or washing dishes, she enjoys writing, trying new recipes she finds on the internet and encouraging other moms. The St. Johns founded First Class Christian Homeschool Ministries, a parachurch organization dedicated to helping churches start homeschool co-ops in their communities.

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