Hearts at Home

Apr. 12, 2007 - I'm So Thankful

I'm so thankful, let me count the ways:

I'm thankful that at an early age, I sensed that somehow that God was there, that He loved me and desired a relationship with me
I'm thankful for Christian friends who invited me out to church. For rides to and from church every Friday night youth group and twice on Sundays
I'm thankful for my parents who didn't hinder me from pursuing being a Christian and going to church (camp, conferences, etc. etc.)
I'm thankful for my husband who loves me, just the way I am.
I'm thankful for the priviledge of being home with my children to teach them they ways of the LORD
I'm thankful for my salvation of which is assured in Christ.
I'm thankful for my home
I'm thankful for our (albeit old) van
I'm thankful for the priviledge to own my home
I'm thankful for friend who really, actually do care about me and my family
I'm thankful for the internet and the Godly women I've "met" online

There is so much to be thankful for. God is good. He is faithful. Whom shall I fear?

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Apr. 2, 2007 - Homeschooling Goals and other Rambly Stuff

I'm thinking about homeschooling goals for the next grade level. What I'd like my children to accomplish academically, physically and of course spiritually.

I'll be in prayer over the next little bit trying to sort it all out. I hope to blog about it as I go.

I'm absolutely starving! I should go and eat. Ah, nothing like nursing a baby to keep that apetite revved up! Hmmm...what shall I have? Spaggetti and a nice salad? We'll see...

I've got my laundry semi-caught up (who is ever really caught up?), and still need to think about dinner. However, I'm NOT behind!

I've also got my lastest issue of Mothering magazine waiting for me to read...I can't wait.

Well, I've rambled enough today...I'll sign off now.

Blessings,

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Apr. 1, 2007 - Not a Lot to Write About

I don't have a lot to say, but I just want to keep to my resolution to keep this site current.

I've had a good weekend so far, and am slowly making may way through the house spring cleaning and decluttering.

Samuel is fussing on my lap. Perhaps I'll come back and write more later.

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Mar. 28, 2007 - Spring Has Sprung

Well, it has been too long since I've last blogged and I really have no good excuse. If I had to try and think of an excuse I guess I'd say that I had a bad case of the winter blahs...not so anymore! The weather has been absolutely beautiful. The sun is shining and the birds are chirping! I know that from here on out the weather is only going to keep getting better and better. I can't wait for my tulips to come up. Soon...soon...

As far as homeschooling goes, things are...okay. I am trying my hardest to go day by day in following a routine and in focsuing on child training. I must say that the website Raising Godly Tomatoes has been an imense source of help, encouragement and information in this area. I just have to keep believing God and He will enable me to not only survive this season of my life but to flourish in it!

I love my husband and my children dearly. They mean so very much to me. It's all I think about, how much I want to do right by them. To be the best wife and mother that I can be. Sometimes, I get this bad spirit of perfectionism and I become this "all or nothing" type of person. As though any progress I make isn't good unless I accomplish everything I'd expected. This is not good. I have to continually remind myself that I am only one person and that I have enjoy this journey and not keep obsessing about the destination or how we ("I") look along the way. My walk with God, is paramount. I would do well to remember that most days, lol. So that mean sometimes I take one step forward, and then two steps back. It also means that eventually I'll will make it. With the Lord I can do anything! He alone is my strength.

Anyhow, like I said Spring has Sprung. It's going to be a time or newness, new beginnings, a fresh start and a decluttering of the mind, heart and yes the home too!

God bless you if you're reading here today. If you've offered up prayers on my behalf, thank you so much! I will do the same for you.

I look forward to writing here and talking about homeschooling and child training issues more often.

~Nadine~

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Jan. 23, 2007 - Putting One Foot in Front of the Other

Today I will:

Read to my girls (more than I already have)
Clean the kitchen
Do my own personal devotions
Pray

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Jan. 21, 2007 - A Beka

I'm thinking of order the whole first grade kit for my soon-to-be 6 year old daughter...any advice?

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Jan. 21, 2007 - If you happen to read this entry

Please pray for me.

I'm not doing so well today. Emotionally, spiritually and physically.

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Jan. 16, 2007 - Been Busy

I've been busy cleaning and taking care of the kids today (what else is new, I know). I am looking for ideas on what to do with the chicken tonight for dinner...

I've got a terrible headache and I think it's due to sleep deprivation, lol. Oy...

I'll try and write later when I have something more valuable to say LOL!

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Jan. 14, 2007 - Still Reading Created to be His Help Meet

I am enjoying it! It is a lot of common sense stuff in there, however, the teachings (so far) are a bit difficult to swallow. I know it's just my selfish pride. I am praying that I will be as a little child and just learn and soak up what God wants me to learn and really *apply* and *follow through* with it.

On the child training front things are...okay. I know that consistency on my part is the key, so I just have to get tough and get consistent and really mean what I say to the kids.

I'm praying for wisdom, understanding and discernment in so many areas of my life right now. I know that if I just cling to Jesus and walk humbly with Him day by day, He will make all things clear to me.

Well, I'm going to spend some time browsing around HSB. There are so many uplifting and inspring blogs here, I hope to make some new friends.

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Dec. 21, 2006 - Laying down the Basics

I've come to the realization that I need to lay down some very fundamental things before I get too far into homeschooling. I've realized that we will have to work on several things:

1. Marriage "issues".

2. Our daily routine

3. Basic behavioral expectations.

I can see that before I get these things in order, I cannot teach my children academically. Afterall homeschooling isn't only about the three Rs. It is about life skills, and becoming responsible Godly people.

So, after the holiday rush is over we'll be beginning a fresh new homeschool year with a Back to Basics Boot Camp of sorts. I'll post more on what exactly that will entail. I am far too tired right now to go into it, but just wanted to at least get this idea out.

I pray that God will show me how He wants me to train and raise my children in Godliness. I pray that my husband will be the strong leader and that we will take this responsibility on together and in unity. Unity is so key here.

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Dec. 18, 2006 - This and That...

Created to Be His Help Meet

I just ordered a copy of this book! I'm so excited!!! I've heard so much about it. Now, I love my husband dearly however I believe we wives can never stop improving! There's definitely always room for improvement, lol. :)

I just want to do all I can to be the wife that God has called me to be. You should see my bookshelves. Many of them are books on marriage improvement. The thing is, if I'm not putting them into practice than I'm merely just collecting books. I pray to God that I would use every bit of Godly advice that I glean to the improvement of my marriage. My husband is a wondeful man. He is not perfect, but who of us can say we have a perfect husband? No, they aren't perfect, but they are perfect for us, amen?

Child Training

I need help in this area!!! My girls are so difficult at bedtime. They take upwards of two hours to finally settle down and go to sleep at night! It's ridiculous! I'm so frustrated right now, I don't know what to do. There is no amount of threats, punishments and what-have-you that will make them do as they are told. They are even at this moment, running from room to room laughing and playing. It's 10:23 pm and they were sent to bed at 9pm!!!

Christmas Shopping Tomorrow

Dear husband and I will be heading out tomorrow to do our last minute shopping. I'm praying that my baby, Samuel will be good and sleep the whole time we are out, lol. I guess we'll see.

Well...I am tired and my girls are misbehaving upstairs. I'd better go tell them (again!) to go to bed.

Nadine

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Dec. 18, 2006 - A Somewhat Relaxed Approach to Homeschooling

I am still trying to figure out where I am on the homeschooling philosphy. I am currently strongly leaning toward Moore Formula. Here's a little blurb:

THE FORMULA. 1) Study from a few minutes to several hours a day, depending on the child's maturity. 2) Manual work at least as much as study. 3) Home and/or community service an hour or so a day. Focus on kids' interests and needs; be an example in consistency, curiosity, and patience. Live with them! Worry less about tests; we'll help you there. With the Moore Formula, if you are loving and can read, write, count, and speak clearly, you are a master teacher.

I like this approach because it's not School at Home, but rather a home-centred learning approach where family life and just plain old life experiences and service to others as the main "text-book". I am by no means a seasoned homeschooler, but I have been interested in homeschooling for some time now and I have been researching a variety of methods. This one feels right. It's almost like un-schooling but, not too much of the un part, LOL!

Welp, that's all I have time to write about today. I'm going to try and do a bit more tweaking of my page to see if I can homey it up a bit more.

Be blessed and happy homeschooling!

Nadine

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Dec. 15, 2006 - Getting Down to The Business of Homeschooling

Homeschooling for me has been something I've always wanted to do. I have always admired those who homeschool their children. There is nothing like a homegrown child!

As I endeavor to undertake this task of educating my children, I humbly go before God and ask for his guidance and grace. I have no idea what challenges and trial may come my way, but I am absolutely certain that through homeschooling, there will be many, many blessings.