Hi Everybody!

I just happened to stop in at one of my favorite blogs and found that she is having a Mother's Day contest.  If you stop in at Crystal's blog at http://www.biblicalwomanhoodonline.com/blog.htm

You will find the ideas for submitting there.  She will be giving away an Ergo baby carrier to the winner of the contest.

I hope you enjoy!

I thougt that I would share the books that I am either reading personally or reading to my kids.  Often the books we read really tell something of who we are.  I happen to like to read many different kinds of books...so perhaps some will not know how to interpret me from them, but I hope this gives you all some insight into me.

Just Finished

Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn~My hubby is now reading this.

*Just so you know, I thought this book was great!  So helpful in my truly understanding my own reasons for homeschooling and God's thoughts on them.  Also, I really felt much better equipped to begin teaching my children(not to mention being convicted of areas I need to improve in).

Currently Reading(Mom)

An Introduction to Home Education by Susan Beatty & Karen Woodfin Middleton

*This is a great guide to what is expected by the California government for homeschooling families and also is a great resource for what you need and need to know.  This is sold by CHEA of CA.

Persuasion by Jane Austen

*I love her books.  She is very witty and a wonderful writer.

Currently Reading(with Kids)

Bedtime Stories and Rhymes (a collection of stories and rhymes)

*we read these off and on by request of dd3

The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

Future Reading(Mom)

The Mother at Home by John S.C. Abbott

For The Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola

*and no doubt I will read many of the books that I have set aside for dd6's curriculum.

Future Reading(Kids)

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

**Along with all of these readings, we also read in the evening from the Bible(KJV)...Right now my hubby is reading Luke and then we try to include one or two Psalms.

I have alot of reading to do, so that I know what I want to use for my daughter's schooling.  But God has blessed me with a fervent love of reading...so I am looking forward to it.

Happy Reading!

My have I been gone for awhile!  So sorry about that.  However, life has gotten away with me and I have found myself overwhelmed with emails and ordering curricula for the school year. 

I finally have most of the things we ordered and I am just waiting on a couple of items.  I have decided to continue with the A Beka phonics/reading program that my dd6 is already familiar with in her little Kindergarten class.  I wasn't going to, but she has done so well with it...I figured at least for the remainder of her phonics we will do this.  The blessing in this...is that her teacher will put the items I need to purchase on their order, so that I can take advantage of their discount.  This ought to save us about $50.  I am very happy about this.

Once I have all these straggling items in, I will start planning my plans for this coming year.  I am looking forward to this.

As for my heading up at the top...it is finally spring here in California!  Well, actually it has been for about a week or two.  I am enjoying the sunshine and the flowers.  I think my girls are very pleased too.

Okay, so I don't have any thought provoking comments today...but perhaps I will come up with something soon ;-) 

Have a blessed week!!!

I've been trying so hard to post an entry!  But my computer or the server or something is just not cooperating.  I've written out two posts and lost them both before I could post them on my blog...UGH!!!!  This is very frustrating, but perhaps I will try later.

I think I'm being told to learn patience....

Thank you to those who posted about my potty training woes.  She is getting a little better, but still she is stubborn.  I will begin the cloth thing and see how it works.  I will be using covers...so hopefully I will avoid stinky pee spots.  I think she is ready...but just has way too many things to do. 

As for my upcoming departure from the work place...I am still quite excited.  I already feel so much more at ease and that I will be more equipped to do my work as a wife and mother. 

I recieved my copy of Teaching The Trivium by the Bluedorns.  I am quite excited and have already begun reading it.  One of my friends, who has also been an awesome supporter of my homeschooling endeavors, reccomended this book and I am enjoying it thouroghly.  I wanted to read this before I begin my curriculum collection, so that I have an idea of what I will be doing.  I find that this book is also making my reasons for homeschooling even more concrete in my head.  The amount of scripture reference is just wonderful, and I enjoy being able to see clearly where the Lord put forth His desires for our children's training up.

Well...off to lunch!

I hope your day is filled with blessings!!!

I finally did it!  I called my boss last night and gave him my notice.  For those who don't know me, I've been working for the same fellow for almost 11years.  After my first child was born, I have gradually lowered the amount of hours I work.  I am now down to working just Saturdays.

It has been my desire for some time to be a full time stay-at-home mom, but because of financial stuff, we just didn't feel ready.

Well, now is the time! We've made some adjustments to our financial output and we feel that we should be able to do it.  It might be tough, but we know that God will provide in our need.  This has been a hard decision for me.  I have been struggling with faith that God will keep us okay. "Lord, I believe; Help thou mine unbelief." Mark 9:24

 But my wonderful hubby told me on Sunday to go ahead and give my notice...so after much procrastinating it is done.  All I have to do now is tell my manager when I go in on Saturday. 

I have been feeling so unhappy at work that I knew this was the right thing.  I haven't felt like I've been able to do my calling as a wife and mother to the best of my abilities.  Even that one day, threw my spirit off.  God has convicted me of many changes needed in my life, and this is just one.  I think by taking this step, I will be able to give my full attention to my hubby and children.  I believe too that the homeschooling will go much smoother if I am not split in my duties.  I feel a great weight lifted from my back.

So, one month to go...April 8th is the last day!

I love this picture.  I found this picture on www.sensibility.com and it reminded me of my girls.  As I'm sure many of you mom's know, siblings don't always get along.  However, once in awhile you will catch them in a loving embrace or dancing like little fairies.  My daughters often dance around to music and this picture just makes me feel brimming with joy. 

To let you all know, I have recovered from my daughters haircut.  She looks adorable and I know that she is quite happy.  Unfortunately, in cutting her hair, we have removed the last remnants of her beautiful blond curls.  It is so difficult watching them grow.

Well, off I go to bed.  I have to work tomorrow(my one day a week left) and I need to get up early.  I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. 

Recently my sweet 6yr old daughter asked me to cut her hair.  At first, I said lets wait until summer...but she has not let up!  So, I have given in...with conditions.  It will not go above her shoulders.  Now, why you may ask am I so resistant?  Let me give you some history.

My daughter, as I have said, is 6yrs old.  I have never cut her hair...ever!  It is beautiful and long and somewhat curly.  I am torn up about it.  Where did she get this great idea?  Well, she has been attending Kindergarten at a small Christian school and sees her classmates come back from Christmas holiday with short hair.(Just so you know, we are letting her finish this year out and then will begin homeschooling for the coming years.)

Although I could tell her absolutely not, my hubby and I have decided that this is one area that needs no fighting.  It will grow back and perhaps she will want it long again.  How long is it you ask?  It ends right above her rear end.  I love it. 

It is these little changes that remind you that your children are getting older day by day.  And this is why I am a(almost completely)stay at home mom and one of the many reasons we have chosen to homeschool.  I don't want to lose one more moment with my children..it is too important and it goes by too quickly.

So off I go to bawl and brush through her beautiful long hair one more time.

And just so you know...she thinks I'm being pretty silly.

So, I was reading a blog here and she asked how you make time for the blogging.  Well, that is a great question...

Do I have an answer?  Probably not, but I'll tell my thoughts anyhow.

Since I'm still figuring the whole thing out, I find myself obsessivly sitting here.  I'm trying to make the blog look pretty and find art or graphics that I can add in.  That isn't so easy.  I'm also not sure how to arrange things in a way that is asthetically pleasing to me.  So, I have spent way to much time on the computer.

My plan usually is to spend about an hour during the day at the computer, checking emails and other blogs..as well as working on my blog.  I do this generally when my youngest(she is 3yrs)is taking her "nap".  My older daughter is either coloring, playing or talking to me.  That seems to be the best time for me.  I also go on sometimes at night, after my hubby goes to bed.  All said, this can be rather distracting and I sometimes feel like I've neglected my family.  I usually get what I really need to do done though and I make sure that when I start getting snappishI stop and focus on the more important things...my loves. 

I have to remember that this is only an added fun time for me and that the really important things are God and my family.

That said, I better get back to my family and things on my to do list.

Have a blessing filled day!

Okay...

So I'm still not sure how to add graphics or little scripture blurbs, but I am slowly figuring this out.  I was able to change the pic for my Profile.  I really like this one..it is called "Sisters" and it reminds me of my "little women".

I have also added some links, as you may see to the right.  These are websites that I frequent regularly and find quite enjoyable.  Trivium Pursuit and Veritas Press both have wonderful curriculum for those interested in Classical Education.  CHEA is an organization for homeschoolers in California.  They are a great resource.  I will no doubt add more as I find ones I like.  Some may be for homeschooling, some will be biblical womanhood and others may just be my different interests.

I hope to add some "Friends" as well, but I haven't quite yet.  There are a few blogs and sites I enjoy and I would enjoy sharing them with others.

I will give you a little background on me and my family in a future blog...so stay tuned!

Have a blessed day!