Homeschool blogger was my first introduction to blogging. Actually, before reading an article in The Old Schoolhouse mag, I had not even heard of blogging. OK, so maybe I was a bit behind the times, but hsing four little ones left little time for much else. I was so intrigued with the idea, I checked it out and was immediately hooked. What an awesome way to share my faith, trials and triumphs along the homeschool road. Homeschool blogger allowed me to get my blogging feet wet and learn html (through much trial and error) in a safe and supportive environment.
Though I've made the move to Blogger, I will always be grateful for the wonderful environment created here at HSB and for the friends I made along the way. I hope you'll click over and say hello at The Potter's Hand. Leave me a note and let me know your blogging story. What got you started and what motivates you to keep writing?
Anyone have good advice for backing up two year's worth of blog ramblings? Other than going through post by post, I'm not sure how to do it. Yikes! I don't have time to do that. Guess I should have thought of this sooner.
If you've never heard of Tim Hawkins, you're in for a real treat! This man is good, clean fun for the whole family. I've been laughing for twenty minutes watching on-line clips.
After you watch the homeschool video on his site, check out his schedule to see if he will be in a town near you soon.
There's just something about the new year that makes me seriously contemplate life. I'm not quite sure what it is. Other than the passage of time, there is no difference between December 31st at 11:59 p.m. and January 1st at 12:00 a.m. I guess it's the possibilities a new year brings. A chance to make changes...to continue striving towards the goal.
I journaled extensively yesterday during my quiet time. As I poured out my heart to the Lord, my mind turned to the practicality of my goals. Looking over the list, I began to see a need to quantify what I was hoping to accomplish. Goals need to be specific. There needs to be some way to measure whether or not we have achieved what we set out to do. Though maybe a noble goal, "To become a better person" is difficult the assess.
My main goal for 2008 is to know the LORD more deeply by the end of the year than I do now. Again, a great goal, but how will I know if I have succeeded? Here comes the practical part. I have determined to memorize one new scripture verse a week pertaining to some area the LORD is speaking to me about. As I meditate on the verse, hiding it in my heart, I am coming to know the Author more deeply. Just think, at the end of the year that's 52 verses committed to memory. This week's verse pertains to my words. If you've been reading here awhile, you might remember I have a certain affinity for sticking my foot in my mouth. "Anyone who guards what he says guards his life. But anyone who speaks without thinking will be destroyed." Proverbs 13:3
Another place the rubber meets the road is my exercise goal. Ugh...I even hesitate to make goals like these because, as I've mentioned many times, I hate to exercise. Mentally battling myself each day is not cutting it. I need something more and since Jillian (the kick butt trainer from The Biggest Loser) is not knocking on my door offering her services, I came up with another solution. A friend and I are going to work towards running a 5K together. Luckily this friend LOVES to exercise, teaches kick boxing even. It's all about accountability my friend. Maybe I can get her to dress in all black and act tough like Jillian. Nah, Linz, you're too nice!
“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” - Jim Rohn
“Time is the justice that examines all offenders.” - William Shakespeare
“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.” - Henry Van Dyke
“Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.” - H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in.” - Thoreau
Time. It's a funny thing. Mike said to me recently he wished he had a few more hours in each day. Maybe an extra 120 minutes would help him mark a few more things off his to-do list and leave a bit more time for relaxing. That's the funny thing about time. It's much like water. It will fill whatever container it is placed in. If adding more time to our day would solve our problem of busyness, I'd be all for it. I have a hunch that were we granted those extra moments, we would find other things to fill them with.
2007 brought a lot of change for our family. Someone once said, "The only constant is change." While change may be inevitable, I would have to disagree with the premise. I have found the only constant in my life is Christ. He is what sustained us through our year of uncertainty.
As I look at 2007 in our rearview mirror, I see some times that felt, well, quite long. Seasons that at times I felt would never end. Transitions, changes...they're all part of life, some are just a bit more fun than others.
I have no idea what lies behind the door marked 2008. Whatever it is, we will face it with the assurance that He knows the plans He has for us and has promised they are for our good and not for evil.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Not quite sure how to potty train your little one? Bribe them with Disneyland!
Here's the scoop on the poop (sorry, I couldn't resist!). We have been struggling with Emma for over a year on the second half of potty training. We have tried everything...literally. Can't watch her favorite TV show? No problem for her. No sweets? OK, she can deal with that. She actually asked one day what I was going to take away next. Tell me she is not a bright child! She simply refused to do what she knew we wanted her to do.
Now, before you start leaving me comments about the merits of positive reinforcement, we tried that route too. Sticker charts, candy, heaps of praise, clapping, hugging, parades through the house...yep, we tried it all.
Enter Mickey Mouse. Yes, I told her that if she did not stop pooping in her pants she was not going to Disneyland. OK, I realize that move will not win me mother of the year, but I don't think I was in the running anyway. We were simply sick of dealing with the poop!
You know what? It worked! She is so excited about going to Disneyland that she has decided she is now a big girl and will go in the potty.
Please don't ask me what would have happened if the whole smelly mess had blown up in my face. We won't go there.
Suffice it to say we are even more excited to not have to deal with potty training while at Disney. Hey, maybe it really IS the happiest place on earth!
Happy post Christmas sigh...Mike has the week off and all sense of scheduling has been thrown to the wind. The Christmas rush has been replaced by sleeping in, lingering over a cup of coffee, staying in my jammies, watching movies and taking naps. Oh, don't forget eating Christmas cookies for breakfast. Don't gasp in horror...you've done it too!
Our first Christmas in Texas was a mix of new experiences and old traditions. Spending time with family and new friends made for many wonderful memories. I have so many photos to download off my camera that it will take me a month of Sundays to complete. Dealing with the overwhelming number of images stored in my computer is sure to find its way in some form onto my list of New Year's resolutions come January, but that's for another post.
There were two HUGE surprises in our family this Christmas. NO, I am NOT pregnant! That would be a huge surprise to everyone...myself included. The first surprise was for my dear husband. I had a custom oil painting done of his favorite place on earth, the Sawtooth Mountains. This is where he grew up camping with his family, where he took us camping as a family and where he proposed to me. It turned out absolutely amazing don't you think?
He loves it and we both cried. Of course after I had been telling him for two months how much he was going to love his gift, he had no choice but to cry. I was fully expecting it! He may have been crying knowing full well I had blown our Christmas budget out the window, but he cried none the less.
Our other big surprise has to do with a castle, a mouse, Star Wars, lots of chocolate and best friends. We're taking the kids to Disneyland and our best friends from Idaho are meeting us there! We leave in 22 days. That's 22 days to find a good pair of shoes that will withstand a week of standing in line and chasing children all over southern California. Sore tootsies are sure to make me an unhappy camper at "the happiest place on earth". That certainly won't do.
Yes, our first Christmas in Texas was definitely one to remember. I hope yours was as well.
I think it's some sort of right of passage....the whole Santa thing I mean. Our oldest has done a great job of keeping the Santa secret. He loves playing along and I can tell he feels like he's in on something clandestined and grown-up. I believe he is too.
This morning I overheard him telling his younger brothers that they probably won't be getting everything on their list because, "Santa's on a budget". Yep, that's my boy. Oh wait, who am I kidding? I can take absolutely no credit for any sort of budgeting gene he may have inadvertantly inherited.
Speaking of Christmas things near and far...Someone mentioned on my last post that they had never heard "I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". You are seriously missing out! It ranks right up there with Alvin and the Chipmunks singing "Christmas don't be Late". Now please tell me you've heard that one?
So here you go. If looking at photos of the back end of a hippo doesn't get you in the Christmas spirit, I don't know what will!
Dec. 19, 2007 - I want a hippopotamus for Christmas and other random thoughts
What could be better than spending five hours shopping with four children? Why, spending five hours shopping with four children who are all trying to decide what to buy for one another while sticking to their budget and attempting to hide their purchases of course! Wow. At one point I said to my youngest son that if he did not make a decision soon we would still be standing in the aisle when they put things on sale AFTER Christmas. I was only half kidding.
We rested a bit and enjoyed some pizza at Target. OK, maybe 'enjoyed' isn't the best choice of words, but the kids seemed to like it. The best part is we made it home with smiles and good attitudes intact...even Mom! We did get a few grins in Wal-Mart as we walked through the store singing "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas". What a great song!
Now we're home and though my body is begging for a nap, there are gifts to wrap, pumpkin bread to bake and boys to be carted to basketball practice. I've done pretty well at not riding the Christmas Express this year. Thankful today's busyness was the exception this season and not the rule.
Want to wow your family and friends for Christmas dinner? Try this delicious cheesy potato recipe. It is sure to leave them clamoring for the recipe. Mmmm...cheesy goodness in a pan!
Cheesy Party Potatoes
2 lb. bag frozen hash browns
1 tsp. each salt and pepper
1/2 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup melted butter
Mix above ingredients together.
In a separate bowl, combine
1 can cream of chicken soup
3 cups shredded cheddar
2 cups (16 oz container) sour cream
Mix with hash brown mixture.
Pour into greased 9X13" pan.
Sprinkle 2 cups of corn flakes on top.
Pour 1/4 cup of melted butter over the top.
Bake 1 hour at 350.
OK, just one more "happy holidays" rant...then I'll stop...maybe. One of my long-time Idaho friends sent me this great poem from the Urban Homemaker. Thanks Michelle!
Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the Politically Correct Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people’s feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a ‘Holiday ‘.
Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down
At Lowe’s the word Christmas - was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny’s and Sears
You won’t hear the word Christmas;
it won’t touch your ears.
Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton !
At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded
The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate ‘Winter Break’ under your
‘Dream Tree’ Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday !
WishI could take credit for this one. Guaranteed to make you think.
Obituary for Common Sense - Mr. Common Sense
My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me I would do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but around less and less as time passed by.
Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance because Common Sense had served us all so well for many generations. Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who had been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as, 'knowing when to come in out of the rain,' 'why the early bird get the worm,'
'life isn't always fair,' and 'maybe it was my fault.'
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year- old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch, and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. His health declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.
Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, and criminals received better treatment than their victims.
Common Sense took a beating when a person couldn't defend himself from a burglar in his own home and the burglar could sue the home resident for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little of the hot coffee in her lap and was awarded a huge settlement.
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason.
He is survived by three stepbrothers - I Know my Rights, Someone Else is toBlame, andI'm a Victim.
Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
I am in awe of Him. Seems every time I turn around I am viewing evidence of God at work, not only in my own life, but the lives of people around me. Not simply the "oh, isn't that a nice coincidence" sort of thing, but the "that couldn't be anything but God" sort of thing. It almost leaves me speechless...which is amazing in itself!
God is working all around us, but oftentimes we are too busy to recognize the hand of the Creator. Once you begin to see things for what the truly are, you find yourself looking even harder, not wanting to miss a single thing. Every moment could bring something amazing...one more reason to praise Him.
The thing I find even more amazing is that He chooses to use me in what He's doing. He certainly doesn't need me to get things done. I'm pretty confident the God of the Universe could accomplish His purposes without me. What an incredible privilege it is to be a part of the work He is doing in people's lives. Wow.
Lord, help me to have heaven eyes today. To look at the world around me with an eternal perspective, not missing out on the miracles you are doing. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of Your work here on earth.
Apparently the Killary Hillary campaign thinks Americans are not the brightest sheep in the flock. They seem to be taking the "sin first, ask forgiveness later" approach when it comes to campaigning, thinking the ends certainly justify the means. I believe Nixon tried that already. Where is Deep Throat when you need him?
The liberal news media is no better. CNN knew nothing about the affiliation of the questioners they chose to use during the last Republican debate? Give me a BREAK! I just hope the average American sheep can see past the incredible media bias and make a well informed decision.
Stuart Shephard from Focus on the Family sheds some light on the current political jungle. The Democrats attempts to camouflage themselves is weak at best and certainly doesn't leave them smelling too rosy. Stuart hits the nail (or should I say daisy?) right on the head.
Thanksgiving has come and gone and the Christmas season is in full swing. At least by the looks of the calendar anyway. The perpetual leftovers overflowing from my fridge attest to the fact that Thanksgiving is indeed over. The as yet undecorated Christmas tree sitting in my living room seems to tell me Christmas is coming. 'Santa Clause is Coming to Town' mixes with the laughter of my children and reminds me I need to get moving.
That's the problem. I don't want to get moving. I want, just once, for time to stand still. I want to take it all in...the sights, the sounds, the smells...I want to hold on to each memory as it lingers for a moment.
No, I haven't figured out how to slow down time. The only thing I can slow down is myself. I can control my calendar over the next month and not allow it to control me. I can plan a bit and make some intentional memories with my family. I can work time into our schedules to do nothing but sit and stare at the tree with no place to go.
I can ride the crazy express train of Christmas moving at breakneck speeds, or I can intentionally slow down and walk. The express keeps me breathless and a bit on edge. I miss out on the very memories I am hoping to create simply because we are moving too fast. When I walk, I take time to watch my little girl's eyes light up as she looks at the Christmas tree. I snuggle in my comfy chair, hands wrapped around my favorite mug as Mike reads another Christmas story to the kids. The view is different when I walk. Life is more vivid and full of detail. Life is more...memorable.
I'm getting off the Christmas express. This year I think I'll walk.
Nov. 13, 2007 - Pardon me while I pry my foot out of my mouth
There we go. Much better.
We've all got one. We carry it around in our purse or pocket, keeping it hidden until we really need it. If the situation presents itself, we pull it out and climb up. Arms crossed and head held high, we make sure everyone within earshot can hear what's on our minds. What am I talking about? Why, my soapbox of course. Surely I'm not the only one. You have one don't you?
Those who talk a lot are likely to sin. But those who control their tongues are wise. Proverbs 10:19
These are the words running through my head as I climbed down off said soapbox tonight and realized I had completely run over someone while letting myself be heard. Good grief! When will I learn to just keep my mouth shut? Isn't that what a blog is for? Oh no, that's just another form of my soapbox.
Maybe I should just become a mute.
No, that won't do.
I think I need to consider my words more carefully...and ask the Lord to keep His hand over my mouth!
You've seen the commercials for Allstate. "Life comes at you fast" is their slogan. Boy is that the truth. Christmas is only 45 days away...now that's fast!
This past Saturday I invited a small group of friends over for our first "Intentional Holiday Tea". I've come to realize that my good intentions mean nothing if I don't back it up with action. I can approach the holiday season with an "Oh my gosh I haven't done anything, let's get everything done today!" mentality, or I can do things with a bit of foresight and purpose, thus alleviating a great deal of stress and making life a LOT more enjoyable.
The idea behind the tea was to jump start our holidays, while sharing ideas for organizing, decorating, favorite recipes or treasured traditions. Boy, did I invite the right bunch of ladies! They were full of fantastic ideas. By the time we left, there was a feeling of excitement in the air and no one had the "deer in the headlights" look. I think that means it was a success!
Since I can't have you all over for tea, I thought I would host a cyber tea. Just pretend your sitting around my dining room table with a tea cup in your hand. Instrumental Christmas music drifts over the room as you enjoy strawberries, quiche and scones with devonshire cream and lemon curd. Oh, don't forget the chocolate truffles. Care to join us? Take a minute in between bites to share your thoughts.
What do you do to make your holidays special?
What is your favorite family tradition?
What organizing tips can you offer to take the stress out of holiday planning?
Share your favorite recipe. You know, the one that gets rave reviews at all the parties.
What things will your children remember and pass on to their kids?
Thanks for sharing tea with me. I pray your holidays are filled with purpose, creativity and many wonderful memories.
Our church is going through a study on a wonderful little book by Randy Alcorn called The Treasure Principle. I must admit, when I first looked at the book I thought it would be just another reminder of the whys and hows of tithing and giving. Great reminders, but things I have heard all my life. I went ahead and started in on the daily readings and have had my socks blessed off in the process.
Broken down into five readings per week, the book has both convicted and challenged Mike and I in our finances. This morning I read about the church in Macedonia. The believers there were extremely poor and yet they begged Paul for the privilege of giving. Why? Because they recognized the joy and blessing that come from giving above your ability to do so. Though we tithe and give, I can't say we have fully grasped the mindset of the Macedonian church. I pray we can come to that point. This little gem of a book is certainly pointing us in the right direction.
The daily, sometimes hourly, musings of a homeschooling mom of four surviving on prayer, friendship and lots of Starbucks. Some days my cup runs over and some days it all spills out the cracks...and I wouldn't have it any other way.
