Wow, this week is going by so quickly, I can hardly stand it.  I feel like each day has flown by faster than the last.  Today was an extremely busy day for us.  We had our nature walk with our Charlotte Mason group in the morning, which was fabulous. The boys and I had so much fun just looking at all God has made. We looked at insects and collected some. We used the binoculars to look at birds.  We also saw a turtle, and collected leaves for a project.

 I'm getting to know the Moms in the group, and I am so enjoying that felllowship.  It is unbelieveably encouraging to be hearing other mothers say the same things to their children that I say to mine.  It is a blessing for me to see that I am not the only one left attempting to instill Godly values into my children.  These mothers I spent today with are incredibly beautiful women.  Two of them in particular are becoming close friends, and that is so sweet.  Feeling support, when it sometimes seems that the whole world is against you, is a gift.  I am so happy that God has placed these women in my life.   

We had Awana Club this evening.  I am so proud of both of my boys. They are both serious about learning their verses, especially my younger boy.  I don't need to poke and prod either one.  They love the program, and best of all so many little seeds are getting planted.  It is ever so important to me that my children know who Jesus is and understand what He did and continues to do for us as believers.  I want my boys to choose Christ for themselves, and not because I tell them He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. 

While yes, I will continue to teach them about Him, I want them to choose Him. That is not something that I can force.  I want them to be critical thinkers.  I do not have to sell Jesus.  God needs none of us to sell His message.  I simply want to provide them with the information, and allow God to mold and shape their hearts.  A relationship with God is dear and precious.  Knowing that I can go to the Lord with all things whether big, small, happy, or sad is beyond comforting.  I want this comfort for my children.

My prayer is that God will use me. I want to stay available and keep my own heart open to Him.  I see so many wonderful things in each of my sons.  While it scares me sometimes knowing the influences out there in the world, I know that they will be protected and guarded by the Holy Spirit. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.  Yes, God is mighty to save.  It is not inevitable, my children do not need to be tainted.  Even though someone said the opposite not too long ago.

I believe whatever God wants my children to be exposed to He will allow with purpose.  My goal is to continually go to Him first with all things. I am not raising my children to be naive either.  To each of their age levels, I explain what is "out  there."  I definitely think that there is a difference between protecting children and raising naive fools.  The world is evil.  To not share that with my sons would be an injustice.  I do think though that as long as I can choose their influences that I am going to do so. 

I am building a foundation for Godly righteousness.  I am raising these young boys to be men of Godly courage and strength.  Yes, I will tell them right from wrong.  It is not relative.  I tell them what God says, and with great discernment then what others in the world say.  We have discussions, and I allow the boys to tell me what they think and feel about certain topics.  They will not always be with me, and someday they will have to make these life decisions without me. 

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So we're midway into our 5th week of school and I can't say things are going badly, but I also can't say that I am completely encouraged either.  Recently a friend told me there is not much I can do to hurt my child by homeschooling them.  I really want to believe that.  I mean I do actually teach them each day (well, most days anyway), and they seem to be learning.  I am not sure if they are learning everything that the county schools here are teaching their Kindergarteners and 3rd graders, but they are learning nonetheless. 

I have so many voices saying different things. My goal is to weed them out, and listen to the ONLY voice that matters.  That is certainly not my voice either.  Jesus has such a gentle and quiet voice at times it can be hard to hear Him with my noisy head.  I do not want to make Him speak louder either. I've been there, done that, and when God speaks loudly it is usually through trials.  While at this point in my walk I am able to see the blessing in trials, um...no thanks, I'll skip them if possible :)

I always have to go back to my primary reason for homeschooling; which is to make God first in my children's lives.  I want them to understand that they cannot do anything without Jesus Christ.  He controls every breath we take, so they had better consultant him with everything in their lives. Yes, I want Jesus to be their guidance counselor at our homeschool. I am also much more concerned with character building and moral values than I am with educational curriculum or prepping for college. 

College is a temporary means to a not so definte end. Nothing in this earthly realm is guaranteed except that without a savior that we are going straight to hell. Salvation through Jesus Christ, understanding what that is, and why we need it ,however is a means to an eternal life with God.  "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him will not perish, and have eternal life" John 3:16.That is something worth living for in this life. 

So I do not stress getting A's, but I do stress doing your best for Jesus. Not to say I don't want to see A's, because hey A's are great, but I think we have to examine as parents, what does that particular A cost?  The bible commands us to give God our all, because God has given us so many talents and abilities that are not to be wasted.  I don't want these boys to take short cuts.  I want them to wake up and serve their Lord and King Jesus with all of their hearts.  That means being obedient to Mom and Dad, loving others, doing their best in school, doing all of their chores in timely manner without complaint, and enjoying all that God has put before them. 

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So we're in the third week of school this year so far.  It is going fine I suppose.  My five year old is flying through his Math which is kind of nice.  I appreciate that a lot.  My 8 year old is doing well. He is extremely intelligent and convinced that he can fool me into thinking that he is not very smart, so that he will not have to work so hard. My largest issue with him is disobedience.  He is bound and determined to do everything his way, and to defy me. That is extremely frustrating to me as a parent.  He has made a habit of being dishonest, and he is a huge dilly-dallier when it comes to working.  I pray, I use the rod, I give consequences from writing ones to cleaning ones, and yet nothing seems to work. 

I am praying for God to probe his little heart.  I love him so much! He can be exceptionally sweet, and he loves the Lord, but he really struggles in those areas.  As his teacher, because, really thats what parents are: teachers, I am trying to teach him the way he should go.  I cling to that proverb.  I hope and pray that when he is old, that he will not depart from it.  I think that part of "when he is old" is extremely important to remember.  I also think that you have to ask, what is old? Is it his twenties, his thirties, or maybe his fifties?  Only God knows what "when he is old" means, which is why it is so important to pray unceasingly. We must never give up on our loved ones, because Jesus never gives up on us.    

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              I think the creators of the planner have outdone themselves. You will never see another planner like this one.  This is not your ordinary, run of the mill school planner. It is more of a teaching assistant. I was excited to see inserts such as the invention timeline, the history timeline, all of the wonderful recipes, and the countries with capitals.  I actually feel smarter after reading the planner. 

             I thoroughly enjoyed looking at each page that was included.  In all honesty this planner is so complete that most everyone may not use every single page in this planner at all times, or possible not at all.  However, you may be surprised at the occasions that will pop up where you will appreciate having those selected pages, or you may know someone who can use them.

             The planner is easy to use in PDF format.  There never needs to be any wasted paper or ink. For those pages not needed right away, you just don’t print them.  No longer is there a heavy, expensive book sitting around that was only used partially. You can assort the pages however you like. You can organize them in any type of folder, binder, or filing cabinet. 

              The TOS planner is well worth the $42 investment.  It is flexible, useful, and economical for everything that is included. 

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  TOS Digital Magazine Subscription:

           TOS has made their digital subscription extremely convenient and simple to use. This is my first experience reading a digital magazine, and if this is any indication at all of what the digital subscriptions are like, I will have to get more of them. 

            Everything is at your finger tips to peruse in your preferred fashion. I really liked that I could easily click on a page number in the table of contents and it would take me right to an article that I wanted to read. I appreciate the fact you do not have scroll down very far.

           To even simplify the reading encounter more you could click on the pages tab, see all of the pages in front of you, and choose that way.  The colors are every bit as vibrant as they are in the printed version.  If the font is too small for you, you can even go to setting to adjust the viewing.

           So if you are looking to cut down on clutter, you like to read things on your computer, and you want to save a couple of dollars over the printed version, do subscribe to the TOS digital subscription.

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I was locked out of here of a little while, but tech support got me back in...go tech support!  So last week was the beginning of our first week back to school after a three week break.  We are getting used to the curriculum and enjoying it.  The boys really love the art projects that are involved.  It's very flexible, so that is what I like. 

I am going to have to getting some more difficult spelling words for my 8 year old.  The ones in the book he knew in first grade.  He laughed at me today, and said, "Mommy, these words are way too easy, I need harder ones." I just purchased some vocabulary builders fro 3rd graders so I can pull some words from there. 

 My 5 year old said he wants flash cards for spelling too.  I thought that was cute.  Today I was reading Bob Books with him and he started laughing.  he said what did you tell me the answer for?  I already knew that!  Can you believe he was playing with me the whole time? He does that often-you know make me think he is struggling when he's not.  He's too smart for his own good.

Next we have to tackle shoe tying.  That may be challenging.  He can be lazy with things of that nature, and say he can't do it.  He's been like that with getting dressed.  He can do things fine, he just won't ,especially if there is someone such as a grandmother around (of whom on both sides of the family he has wrapped around his little finger). 

My Mom taught my 8 year old at age 5 to tie his shoes. Maybe she can do the same with his brother. I struggled with teaching that for some reason.  Everything I tried, no matter what, to no avail worked.  I did bunny ears, around the world, loops...yet I could not get him to understand.  My Mom sat down with him, and in ten minutes the kid was a pro.  Either she has the touch, or he had me wrapped...well atleast he could tie his shoes! Now I'm on to the next kid :)

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So several weeks back I had told myself that I would be taking a break from school the first 3 weeks of August.  Well, my children didn't seem to be too happy about that, especially my 5 year old.  He wants to do school, he says!  My little man, who is not so little anymore (tonight he lost his first tooth), told me that his workbooks, and art projects are so fun, and he even likes his Bob Books. Wow, did those words warm my heart!  He actually made me feel like I am doing something right.

So often I walk around here with the same doubts as almost all homeschooling moms.  You know that doubts that creep in our minds like we aren't smart enough, we aren't good enough,  and public/private school children learn so much more. I was walking around a teaching supply store the other day, and I was looking at all of the materials, posters, and books.

I couldn't help but wonder about how I am ever going to teach these 2 children all of these things.  Then at that point I was a) going to buy everything in the store and panic over how I am going to do it all or b) pray, get perspective, and remember the over-all reason why I am homeschooling.  I chose B. I stopped right there in the store, prayed for God to give me wisdom and discernment over what I am supposed and not supposed to teach.

 I then took captive the whole reason I went into the store in the first place...a cursive alphabet poster and erasers. Finally I walked up to the register, paid the cashier, and happily took my boys home.   I remembered why I started homeschooling, to make the Word of God first, and all things second.  Instead of fitting God's Word into my children's day, I wanted to fit my children's day into God's Word.  When my oldest was in public school that was a struggle at times.  Public school teaches so many contradictions and oppositions to God's Word.

I don't ever want my children to have one time slot for God.  I want the Lord to be all over their daily itinerary.  I want them to include Him in all that they do and think.  Speaking to the Lord is not just for blessing our food, or before we go to sleep.  

Despite what this world teaches, getting to college should not be our children's ultimate goal. Don't get me wrong, furthering your education through college can be a very good thing, but a college degree doesn't bring your salvation.  I want my children so grounded in the Word of God that they can say it in their sleep.  We live in a sinful, evil world, and my family's only defense is the Bible.  Praise you Jesus, Holy One,  for all you are, and all you do everyday!

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So next week will be our last week of school for our school year.  I am teaching year round.  Its easier for me that way. A three week break in August is much welcomed.  I am trying to reorganize for the new school year.  I am attempting to make my house more conducive to homeschooling. 

There is so much that I wish I could acomplish before the new school year.I know though that I seriously need to set some realistic expectations for myself. I tend to set my sights too high and then have a feeling of being let down. 

I moved a 3 tier shelf from my bedroom downstairs. I then brought my art and craft supplies downstairs.  I had been keeping them in a chest in my bedroom. That was not working for me. It was very inconvenient going up and down the steps with supplies. I also did not like having to dig into that chest all of time.  It became such a nuisance that I'd avoid going into the chest.  So I had to make some changes.

I am still working on things here.  Right now my living room and bedroom are a bit of a mess.  I'd also like to purchase my children a new computer, but I'm not sure where to put it.  I truly don't want it in my bedroom.  I may put it in their room, but I'd seriously have to rearrange their room then.  I used to have th ecomputer downstairs, but I do not really have anywhere to put it.    

Well, I had an extremely busy day, so I am quite tired.  We wound up having two playdates today.  The boys of course loved it.  It was very nice, but now I am ready for bed.

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I feel so blessed by having the ability to keep my children home with me.  I see the struggles that my friends have to go through with their kids still in public school, and even private school, and it is such a breath of fresh air for me to look up to God and say, Thank you!  I've said to others before that homeschooling is simply an extension of parenting.  I like when they ask why, or what do you mean because then I get to explain myself.  I almost never get someone who disagrees with me.  I figure if the living and all-powerful God finds me qualified to bring these children into the world and raise them, then I am most definitely qualified to teach them how to diagram a sentence. 

I have to say its comforting living where I do and homeschooling.  I live in such a homeschool friendly area.  I praise God for that.  The boys enjoyed their new workbooks today that I had gotten them.  My 7 year old is having fun with the map workbook.  My 5 year old likes his dot to dot as well.  It goes from 0 to 150.  I am hoping that will help to strengthen his counting skills.  We start kindergarten the last week of August.  The curriculum that I am using doesn't seem overly intense, but he most definitely needs to be able to count.  He's funny.  He'll count really well one day, and the next he says he simply can't do it.  He gets himself into these little moods.  He amazes me by what he can do. He can tell time and he can read..well, again, read when he wants to do so, but nevertheless read.  I'm sure there's hope for him...lol!

My other son will start 3rd grade on August 25th.  He's excited not to be a "second grader" anymore.  He's reading The Chronicles of Narnia.  He is doing fairly well with them.  He comes across words here and there that he doesn't know and I help him then, but for the most part he can hold his own.  He asks more questions about what words mean over how to actually pronounce them.  The books are a little challenging for his age, but I think in his case it is a positive challenge.  He loves to read, but if I let him, he'll stick to easier books.  The rest of the time I allow him to read whatever he wants, but only after he reads what I have chosen.  He's up to book number 3 I believe, its called, " The Horse and His Boy." He's trying to get through this one so he can read, "Prince Caspian."  He wants to see the movie, and he knows he has to read the book first.

I spoke to my husband today. It was nice to hear his voice.  He seems positive about coming home for my birthday, so that's nice.  I turn 30 this year.  It'll be a blessing if he can come home.

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So I am coming to the end of my and my children's first homeschooling year.  It has been fun, extremely challenging, and above all a blessing.  I am so grateful to be able to teach my children at home.  I am completely flabergasted at those people who say that we, as parents, the orginal teachers to our children, are not qualifed to educate them.  I will admit that I am learning right along with my children. I am grateful that the Lord changed my husband's heart in Spring of 2007 and allowed me to do this "teaching at home thing" as he called it  :) 

I am looking forward this up coming school year.  I'll be teaching  Kindergarten and 3rd grade to my two sons.  I am super excited about my new curriculum choice.   I have chosen The Heart of Dakota to cover all subjects except Math.  For Math I'll be using Math U See.  For Spanish which we'll be starting for the first time I picked up Rosetta Stone.  I went to the NC Home Educators Conference with my best friend, who I am so blessed to have as well.  We had a blast at the conference.  We learned a lot and picked up some terrific materials.  I expect next year's conference will be just as great.  

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