God has recently renewed my conviction that our children need to be trained in a loving, firm Godly manner.  Not that this hasn't always been our conviction--in fact it has--some times, however, we just get wearing in doing good.  Sometimes, I just let the little things slide.  Sometimes, I pretent not to hear the offensive child.  Sometimes, I don't see that slight offense in the other room.  Sometimes, I'm just weary! 

One particular area that God has been convicting me is making the punishment/training count the first time.  For instance, when I discipline or train a child with the rod, it should be painful enough to be a strong deterent of that behavior.  The older my children get, the less the rod is applied, but the more painful it should be.  It's strange how difficult it has become for me to overcome my emotions of sympathy for the child and apply the rod properly--especially with my older children.  The little ones don't really take the same threshold to be broken of an attitude as the older ones, so I don't feel quite as conflicted when using the rod. 

The other area God is leading me is in demanding first time obedience.  From this day forward, I vow to no longer say the following phrases:  "If I have to tell you again..."  "Do you want a spanking?"  "1.....2.....3"  (that one is very rare around here.)  "Did you hear me?"  (of course they did, little ears work just like big ears :)  If we allow them to delay obedience, it really isn't obedience at all, is it?

Here is my old favorite website:  www.nogreaterjoy.org and here is my new favorite website:  www.familyministries.com .  Check out the book To Train Up A Child at the first website.  It has been a HUGE blessing to me and dh in our quest for raising obedience, respectful and Jesus Loving children.  Also try Created To Be His Helpmeet.  WHOA ladies.  This one will remind you of your high calling as a wife to your dh.

Dear Father, You are so good and generous.  Our children were the special gift we always wanted, and we didn't even know it.  But you knew.  And in your providence, you sent them to us as a special present and a gift of stewardship.  May we love them, train them, model your ways to them and may you be glorified by their lives now and to come.

Donald E. Wildmon Founder and Chairman

March 20, 2007  Please help us get this information into the hands of as many people as possible by forwarding it to your entire email list of family and friends. Video shows activity that would receive even more protection under new "hate crimes" law If you protest the kind of public activity shown on this video, the proposed federal "hate crimes" law may be the first step toward limiting your freedom to speak out against open homosexual activity. Dear Amy, Sincerely, Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman American Family Association A new "hate crimes" bill further protecting homosexual activity has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would increase protection for the kind of activity shown on this video. The bill is the first step toward silencing any opposition to the homosexual lifestyle. This video will show you the kind of activity this bill protects. The video was shot during an actual homosexual pride parade in Dallas. Warning! The video is highly offensive, but it is real footage from the actual parade. Click here to view the video. If this "hate crimes" bill is passed, and you publicly protest, complain or oppose the type of activity in this video, your action could be eventually construed to be subject to prosecution for a criminal act. To stop this bill, please take these actions today. Take Action Click here to send an e-mail to your representative asking him or her to strongly oppose the "hate crimes" bill. Please forward this e-mail to friends and family.  The average person has no clue about this "hate crimes" bill.  The only way we have of getting the word out is with the help of individuals like you.     If you think our efforts are worthy, would you please support us with a small gift? Thank you for caring enough to get involved.

^   1 Corinthians 5:9-6:1 reads "I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. ^ Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. ^But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner— not even to eat with such a person.  For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? ^ But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

'Round eight we give a kiss and hug

And tuck each rosy face in,

For dreams await and sighs do come

And sleep does come once again.

But something happens 'round eleven,

When one of them starts to stir.

He wakes with a cry to shake heaven;

 I jump to my feet in a blur.

A cough and a wet one he mumbles

So I pour the red potion to cure.

And back up the stairs he tumbles

With blankie in hand to be sure.

But I just long for the day

When my sleep shall go on for hours.

I'll dream all the darkness away

And wake up smelling the flowers.

It's been months since I've logged into HSblogger.  Life has gotten very, very busy.  Lame excuse, I know, but true.  Here's an overview of what's been happening in the life of the Tfamily Homeschool.

January-were were all sick all month.  Baby A, nine months now, had rotovirus, followed immediately by RSV, followed immediately by the flu.  FUN!  She was never hospitalized, but it was close a few times.  She lost much weight and would only nurse, no solids.  So we're focusing right now on building her eating habits back up to taking solids 3 times a day. 

February was a lot of recovering and laundry.  Also preparation for our trip March 1st to Floriday.

So far this March we've been to Tampa, FL for a wedding, then DISNEYWORLD and a day at the beach.  It was great fun; the kids really seemed to love flying since we haven't all done so in a few years.  DW was great, with lots of walking to shed those extra calories from Mickey Mouse Ear Ice Cream Bars!  Everyone loved the beach, especially baby E-21 months.  To her, it was the biggest sand box ever.  She had a pail with holes in the bottom and she would fill it up, then pick up the pail, which to her dismay was empty.  Fill the pail again.  Pick it up.  You see the cycle.  It was great fun watching her attempts to fill the "holey" bucket. 

Also beginning is tee ball season for our six year old son-M.  He's loving it and his team seems to have quite a bit of talent (for 4-6 year old boys.)  We did lose our first game last night, but we've been placed in a more competative league since the boys are doing so well.  I'm preparing myself to be a gracious loser :) 

As for school, we've been plodding along with phonics, reading, writing, math, handwriting, spelling, science and history.  This is our last week studying the Human Body for Science--not a big hit with your 6 year old son and 5 year old daughter.  I expected science to be great fun this year since it was our first year to add it to our studies.  History, however, is the love of the day.  We're using The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer and LOVING it.  Monday and Tuesday afternoons I'm sure to hear "Science, can't we do History instead?"  I believe that even children long to hear the stories of old and to be taught how God's providential hand has moved throughout time, bringing his Kingdom into being and Preparing His People for the tasks to come.  That's all history is, anyway.  HIS story. 

Blessings and Happy Schooling!

Today we studied about Tigers.  We learned that Tigers are the largest of all the cats that God created.  They live in Asia and are hunted for their wool and body parts used in traditional Chinese medicine.  We also learned that they are nearly extinct due to man's over-hunting and abuse.

My 6yo ds was devestated.  NO MORE TIGERS!!!  What will we do?  I can understand his sadness and surprise to learn that men have mistreated this beautiful animal and slaughtered it to the point that is has nearly disappeared from the wild. 

But what about mosquitos?  Would he feel the same way if they were nearly extinct?  What about snakes??  Why should we care about the animals, especially if they are nusance animals like mosquitos?  We visited about this topic for quite a while in our science time this afternoon.  We decided that since God made everything "good" that we should be responsible for the animals and care equally for all of them, even the ones we don't prefer around the house :)  (Let me clarify, there will be no creepy crawlies allowed INSIDE the house!)

I think Christians are the original "green" "peace" people.  We love God's creation because He reveals Himself through it.  We love peace because He is the Prince of Peace.  We should be leading the charge for conservation of the world, not because we worship it, but because we worship its Creator. 

The verdict is in...I love it!  After hearing many commentaries, some glowing, others very negative, I decided to order Saxon Math Homeschool Kit 2 for my 1st grader.  He's a little advanced in math right now, so I went ahead and bought the second grade level.  I'm SO glad I did.  I think it might be a level behind.  Hopefully we'll breeze through this and move onto Saxon 3 mid year. 

I"ve learned a valuable lesson.  That is to listen to all my dear friends' advice, then follow the Holy Spirit's leading.  I know this might sound silly to some of you, but I believe that He led me to this curriculum.  After struggling with finding a comprehensive, yet simplistic Math curriculum, I decided to go with my heart.  I'm so glad that I did.  Dear son will benefit, I know.  Thanks to all my friends who listened to my pining over a math curriculum. 

If you haven't noticed, I've been blogging a lot more.  DH installed a wonderful cabinet system in our school room.  Organization has ARRIVED!!!!  After living with a cheap office max desk and a small target bookshelf for four years, I feel like I'm one step away from heaven. Love that man!

Quote for the day:

Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be.--Abraham Lincoln.

The verdict is in...I love it!  After hearing many commentaries, some glowing, others very negative, I decided to order Saxon Math Homeschool Kit 2 for my 1st grader.  He's a little advanced in math right now, so I went ahead and bought the second grade level.  I'm SO glad I did.  I think it might be a level behind.  Hopefully we'll breeze through this and move onto Saxon 3 mid year. 

I"ve learned a valuable lesson.  That is to listen to all my dear friends' advice, then follow the Holy Spirit's leading.  I know this might sound silly to some of you, but I believe that He led me to this curriculum.  After struggling with finding a comprehensive, yet simplistic Math curriculum, I decided to go with my heart.  I'm so glad that I did.  Dear son will benefit, I know.  Thanks to all my friends who listened to my pining over a math curriculum. 

If you haven't noticed, I've been blogging a lot more.  DH installed a wonderful cabinet system in our school room.  Organization has ARRIVED!!!!  After living with a cheap office max desk and a small target bookshelf for four years, I feel like I'm one step away from heaven. Love that man!

Quote for the day:

Most people are about as happy as they make up their mind to be.--Abraham Lincoln.

In an effort to put Jesus in and get Santa out of the Christmas season, we are going to do a Jesse tree this month.  Here is some more information from http://www.crivoice.org/jesse.html#Jesse%20Make.  Check out the website for a reading and ornament list.  I'll update on how it went.  I'm a little concerned about this consuming lots of time, but I'm sure it will be worth it.

"The Jesse Tree is named from Isaiah 11:1: "A shoot will spring forth from the stump of Jesse, and a branch out of his roots."  It is a vehicle to tell the Story of God in the Old Testament, and to connect the Advent Season with the faithfulness of God across 4,000 years of history. The Branch is a biblical sign of newness out of discouragement, which became a way to talk about the expected messiah (e.g., Jer 23:5). It is therefore an appropriate symbol of Jesus the Christ, who is the revelation of the grace and faithfulness of God."

Also, we're doing an Advent wreath and lighting the candles each night before dinner.  This was something I was exposed to as a child in the Methodist church.  While I am not a different denomination, I did enjoy this tradition and the opportunity to read through the prophecies and scriptures regarding Jesus' birth.

Jesus is the Reason for Everything!

that I can feed my children fresh fruits and vegetables.

for my husband who worked all weekend to put cabinets in our school room.

 for my mother's life and health.

 for Your word, the bible.

that Jesus is everything.

that I'm not everything.

for a cool house on a hot day.

for a pastor who loves my children.

for washing machines, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, steam irons and all my "servants."

that Jesus is beautiful and so are my daughters.

for friends to hang out with.

for Sunday evenings with no church.

for children who are blessings to me and others.

for the Spirit who fills our home.

that gas prices have gone down.

for neighbors who love Jesus.

for neighbors who don't love Jesus.  (yet)

for candles.

for special blue blankies.

for a freshly shaven face.

for French Silk pie.

for pilates.

I'm thankful today that I can spend each and every moment (good and not so good) with our precious little ones.  I consider it a mandate from You God, but also a privilige  (Deuteronomy 6) and ask You Father to keep my heart humble and to please allow us to always live this way and in your will.  Let us do all things without complaining that we may be found blameless and pure in your sight.  Jesus, you are everything!

An IKEA store recently opened its doors about five minutes from our house.  So, I decided to load up all (five) of the little ones to check, check, check it out.  WHOA!  It was not a store, but more like a small Texas town.  I think there was a stop light.  Traffic all flowed in one direction and you better not DARE stop the flow to wipe a little one's nose or pick up a lost blankie.  I thought it was a great concept and the quality of the furniture looked good for the price, but it is NOT a kid friendly place.  Date night here I come!

I think it's important to be realistic about what is doable and what is pushing your kids to the brink...especially when they are so little.  I was imagining what that walk was like for little A, our two year old boy.  It must have been a MARATHON!  And poor big brother, who was responsible for holding his hand and keeping him up to pace the whole walk.  The wind was blowing tropical storm force gales, so that added to the chaos.  Kids should be flexible, but so should Moms.  I won't ask them to go there again. 

Besides, it is kind of a mommy place!  No toys or sugar cereal.

I recently had a fabulous facial with a friend who sells a line of makeup and skin care products.  Well, I loved it and bought way too much.  Why you may ask?  After one use of the skin care line, I could see a difference in a few of those creeping laugh lines.  After all, I'm pushing the big 3-0!We talked about wrinkles and how to prevent them.  Then we got onto the subject of where women (and men for that matter) wrinkle first.  Of course there are those crow's feet that frame the windows to your soul...the eyes.  (My window frames are getting thicker and thicker!)  Then there are those lines that shadow our smile or perhaps our frown.  Finally there's the line that develop in the brow furrow. 

Your wrinkles can give you away.  You certainly can't hide them! 

I know a sweet older woman who works in the nursery of our church.  Her babies are long, long gone from her nest now, but she still has a mother's touch.  Her face is wrinkled into the shape of a smling, loving mother. The lines from her eyes and mouth point upward into a permanent smile that cannot be erased--even when there are 10 screaming babies to be fed.  

Think now of her counterpart.  Perhaps you know a  bitter old lady who never has a kind word to say to anyone.  I wonder how she walks into the same sanctuary every week and doesn't catch a little of the Lord's joy in the place.  Anyway, her brow is wrinkled into a near-permanent scowl and her lips purse into an ugly pucker.  Deep lines keep her eyes squinted saying to all who come near "Don't mess with me buddy."

So, where are your wrinkles? Do they lift your countenance, even when you try to betray them?  Or do they give away the negative attitude that you carry as a burden in this world.  May my wrinkles point upward...to the Lord Jesus, Himself!

Have you ever planted a tomato plant without staking it?  It grows wildly and doesn't produce much fruit.  The fruit that does grow rots quickly from sitting on the ground and under the growth.

Our children are just the same!!!  I've been "tomato staking" with my 4yodd this week and what a joy it has been!  She spends every waking moment right at my side.  We make our daily bread, wash dishes, change diapers, teach, even snuggle for naptime together.  I am really enjoying the time(she may not completely agree!), but there is a greater purpose.  With four other little ones sometimes I don't get the opportunity to witness every interaction that occurs, and only see the consequences.  How can I make accurate judgements about what I don't know.  Especially when I am not confident of the character of those involved.  Sweet dd has been involved in more than her fair share of disagreements lately, so I thought this was a good time to give this training method a try.

"Tomato Staking" does three things:  ensures that we are spending enough time together and she is gettign enough of my attention, allows me to see more of her character and learn who she is becoming, gives me a chance to be the stake--the model for every interaction that she has.

It does cramp my style a little.  I mean I love my mommy time and am spending less time with the others.  But, the holy spirit has impressed upon me that dd needs a little more lovin' right now.  I would encourage anyone who notices a child needing a little extra mama luv to try this technique.  Go to http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/index.html for more information.

Do you ever find yourself being mean and wondering why?  Do you snap at your kids, ask them 10 times to do a chore instead of requiring immediate obedience, then become peeved that they are not perfectly obedient children?  Do you get angry because the shoes aren't all tied?  Or rooms perfectly picked up?  Or school work finished on schedule?  Or, or, or???  Fill in the blank of your child's imperfections that you allow to cause anger in your life.

 I think this must be a struggle for other moms, besides me, but no one ever talks about it in the hs circles.  Am I the only mom who ever raises her voice?Sometimes I wake up mad at them.  I spend the whole day mad about something.  Then, when they are tucked sweetly in bed, I repent and feel guilt for all the nagging and fussing I created that day.

I remember a conversation I had with a deacon friend a few years ago about the verse "The joy of the Lord is my strength."  That's one I just don't get.  I get strength.  I get joy.  But the two don't naturally go together in my mind.  I feel like if I'm going to be strong, I have to be sullen and stern.  There is no joy in my strenghth sometimes.  I remember the sad, pitiful look he had on his face as if to say, "Oh, I'm so sorry for you.   You're missing so much." 

I am praying that God will show me the joy that He intended for this life and rescue me from my own self-inflicted grumpiness.  I'm going to "Practice Joy"  in all that I do so that I can help Him create a home where mommy is not mad, but rather (miraculously) glad!

I have always loved to cook for DH.  Early in our marriage, some of the meals were not quite gourmet, but over time I have improved my culinary skills.  One of my favorite things is to prepare him foods that remind him of his childhood.  This one is the only recipe that he requested from his mother. It is my prayer that one day my daughters-in-love will call requesting it as their husbands' favorite!   I thought I'd share it and hope you enjoy it.

Zucchini Bread

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

3/4 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups sugar

3 cups un-peeled, shredded zucchini


Combine first 6 ingredients (flour thru nuts) in a mixing bowl; make a well in center of mixture. Combine oil, eggs, sugar, and vanilla; mix well. Stir in zucchini. Add mixture to dry ingredients, stirring just until moistened.

Spoon mixture into 2 greased and floured 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 3-inch loafpans. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Cool 10 minutes in pans; remove to wire rack, and cool completely. Yield: 2 loaves

WOW!  God is so gracious to give us the encouragement our hearts need.  After yesterday, I was ready to have a break down.  My sweet husband encouraged me and prayed for me.  Today was wonderful!  The men working in our shower (we have a leak/mold issue) were on time, efficient and pleasant.  I had a chance to share the gospel with one of them while sharing a loaf of home-made bread.  Pray for Butch and his wife that the word of God will bless them.  The babies were feeling much better and no fainting spells!!!  My mom got a great report from her neurologist about a brain tumor she's been battling for 15 years.  All is good there.  And the cherry on the top...DH came home early and NO TBALL PRACTICE!  We actually got to hang out and enjoy some fall chilly air together, eat a little chili and watch a little baseball!  The list of "to dos" is always long, but DH is great to encourage me to let it go sometimes.  We needed tonight.

Thank you Father for making me lie down in green pastures and leading me beside still waters.  You always know what is best for me and because I trust you, you make my paths straight and you bring peace to our home and family, no matter the circumstances.  Once again you have been our everything.  How we love you! 

Well, what a day today has been.  Although I'm extremely tired, and still have a load of laundry to fold, then put away, I needed to sit down a write a little about our day.

It all began last night on the way home from 6 yo ds' T-ball practice.  2yo ds started throwing up all over the car seat and car.  We got home, cleaned that up, cleaned him up, nursed the baby, fed everyone, put to bed...then another episode of throwing up.  Cleaned that up, put him back to bed and passed out from fatigue.  Woke up bright and early to workers at my house repairing a shower leak and mold damage to our master shower.  DD began throwing up (4 months) so now we have two kids throwing up and workers in and out of the house.  God was great to graciously give us a few uninterrupted hours of school with 6yo ds this morning so that we didn't fall behind.  About 6:30 I took all the kids to get ice cream since dad was working late and they had a hard day.  (OBviously ds didn't get any because he's still throwing up!)  Anyway, got home, played in the back yard.  Just as I was calling everyone in for devotion something happened to 1 yo dd.  I' m not sure exactly what caused the drama, I think a stubbed toe, but she hurt herself and began crying.  She was holding her breath (so the doc says) and passed out, turning blue and having a mini-seizure like episode.  Of course, I freaked out and called 911.  Ambulance came took us to local Children's hospital.  After a nice visit with the dr. there, we decided it was just a breath holding spell and nothing to worry about.  So, it's 11:50 and I'm home, showered and ready for laundry!

Today is gone, today was fun. Tomorrow is another one. From there to here from here to there, funny things are everywhere!

May God grant us a peaceful, joyful day tomorrow and all those who come across this as well!

I'm looking for an affordable way to organize my school room.  There are no closets or shelves other than a small Target bookshelf.  We've considered having a shelving unit built, but are not able to find anyone to build it.  The systems that we've seen that are prebuilt are $5000 and way out of our budget.  I would love any suggestions or pictures that you could share about how you organize your rooms.

We had our Young Married Adults Minister and his wife and children over tonight for dinner.  After knowing them for five years and serving under his leadership as class directors and now teaching, we finally made the effort to invite them over.  What a joy!  We had a great time and their kids seemed to enjoy themselves with only minor injuries.

What we really appreciate about them is their transparency.  Sometimes ministers can seem to be "on"  all the time.  I'm not sure exactly how to explain being "on" except by explaining being "off."  By that I mean that when you are "off"  you are not worried about appearances.  You're real.  You're vulnerable.  You wear your jeans!  Amen!! Heaven forbid that your kids might act up!  YIKES!  What a joy it was to see them with their family just being normal--eating fajiitas and drinking a Dr. Pepper (23 flavors!) 

They visited about the last movie they watched and their daughter's band competition; shared struggles with parenting and encouraged us in our ministry.  Although there are some lifestyle choices that we may differ in, I found them to be very real and like-minded. 

Recently in our church we had a minister involved in some inappropriate behavior.  He is no longer with us, but it opened our eyes to the reality that often times we don't really know one another.  Our church is a large one and it is easy to hide.  Even for someone in the congregations eyes.  We're learning that you can't show Jesus' love to someone if you don't know them and let them know you.  Sometimes it's just about letting your guard down, being vulnerable and stepping a little baby step outside of your comfort zone.  Then the Lord can begin to use you in a new and mighty way.  May we never be found complacent!

My sweet little neice was baptized tonight.  They live a few hours away and so I was not able to be there, which was very sad for me.  It's always a miracle when a little one gives his or her heart over to the Lord Jesus, but this was a very special miracle.  My brother, her daddy, was not a Christian.  He professed to believe in God, but just a few questions and it was clear to any mature Christian that he had not given the LORD control of his heart and life.  My mother takes the kids to church every time the doors are open, and he has always encouraged her. 

Well, tonight while visiting with the Pastor before Summer's baptism, my brother ACCEPTED CHRIST!  After little girl was baptized, out steps my brother.  My Mother was FLOORED!  What an answer to 44 years of prayer.  God is good, all the time!  I can't tell you the prayer and tears that have been shed for my brother. 

Dear Father, I stand in awe of your faithfullness.  Your love endures forever and your mercies are new every morning.  Thank you for never giving up on my brother and for ordaining this day for his salvation.  I pray that as he begins this journey of righteouessness that you will encourage him and make his path straight.  Give him a sweet love for Jesus and make him bold for the cause of Christ!  I love you Jesus!