Went to Legacy Village to get the $20 voucher for $10. I took the kids to Joseph Beth bookstore to spend their birthday money.  Chase got an anthill, sheriff’s handcuffs, some small animals and I picked out for him a paperback “Farmer Boy” and a book from the Caroline Years series. (I will probably read that one first!)  Alyssa got a paint pony puppet that she spotted when we first walked into the door.  She clung to it the whole time we were there.  Most of her time she spent playing with the Groovy girls.  She ended up talking me into a bed and a doll from that line.  They are cute and we definitely spent all of our vouchers.  So much for using them at the grocery store!  We will have a lite Christmas this year. I also got her the nursery rhyme book that she likes from the library and some Golden Book classics (3 Bears, 3 Little Bears). We met Lisa and Logan at the bookstore so the cousins got to spend some time together too.  We came home and began homeschooling but it was hard for Chase to focus and get going.  I did have Chase do 2 math lessons today to try to catch up a little before our Christmas break.

God continues to bless our homeschool.  Despite the fact that Alyssa was sick for almost a  whole week, Chase did not lose too much ground with his homeschooling.  His homeschooling would have completely neglected if this had happened last year when I was not using the BJU HomeSat.

It has been challenging for me to maintain the proper attitude toward our homeschooling.  I realize that this year is different not only becase of the new curriculum (BJU HomeSat) but because my expectations and goals of homeschooling have become more clear.  Our main focus during the day during the week is now homeschooling, only homeschooling.

In the past, I would still run errands, have playdates, etc. during the week which would seriously derail my homeschooling efforts.  I was not diligent to the task (homeschooling my children) that the Lord appointed me for.  I was easily distracted and not having a schedule definitely hurt me and Chase's education.

I continue to be impressed however, by  the professional knowledge and Christian worldview exhibited by Chase's first grade HomeSat teachers.  And the fact that both he and Alyssa love their "TV teachers" makes my job as the co-ordinator and manager of our homeschool so much easier.

In fact, after having had the desire for a few years, this is the first year that I created and am able to find the time to teach an art appreciation/art history curriculum for my children.  Art history was a major area of interest for me in high school and college and Sam works in the visual arts so it seemed natural that my children would particularly enjoy the arts as well.  It has been very interesting and fun to see how much they can learn so quickly!

I am also teaching music and history myself as well.  DS loves history so much though we also do the HomeSat Heritage studies although we do not complete every single project in that subject.

I have appreciated all the kind support from other moms who realize that traditional Christian textbook based learning is not all bad (stifling growth, not fun, discourages learning etc.)  I am only sorry that it took me so long to stop listening to other voices in the homeschool community who are anti-textbook and anti-"school at home" and listen to God and my husband as we decide what is best for our family.

1.The best time to kill weeds is when they are young.  This is when weeds are most vulnerable because they are still growing and growing rapidly so they will more quickly incorporate the poison into their undeveloped root systems and eventually be killed off.  I wonder if this is one of the reasons  Jesus was so concerned with the protection of children who came to believe in Him.  Matthew 18:6 says-

But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (NIV)

Causing a little one, one so vulnerable to poison, to sin is a grievous offense because of the unique vulnerability of those who are not only chronologically young in age but young in the faith as well.  Causing one to sin may not just be enticing to sin but also includes failure to train and lead away from sin. 

Our little ones also must be protected from those who would entice them to sin and the Lord knows how many there are desiring to entice little ones to sin.   As examples of subtle "leadings off the path", my son has recently been encouraged to sneak a little candy in a class, watch  more TV  and  get  a video game.  While none of these things may be sinful, they encourage  discontentment, disobedience and discord as they are activities that we as a family do not encourage.

As I think on these points, I am at once humbled and awed that God has entrusted me with the care and growth of two of His little ones in a very special way as their Mom.  Although it is so tempting for me to want gifts and honor and praise and recognition on Mother's Day, I know in my heart I should just be thankful that God has already honored me by allowing me to help His Kingdom come her on earth through the gift of Motherhood. (this will be the topic of a different post!)

I must continue to protect my little ones as God leads me from the poison of the Evil One, Satan, especially in these crucial early years lest they be choked off and die before they really have a chance to live.

I pray that God will give Sam and I the strength and wisdom to follow His guidance in the matters of protecting our family today and every day.  Help us to hear You and obey You Lord. In Jesus' name I pray.