Posted in Family life

The past few months I've spent most of my free time learning about "urban homesteading" and have started a new journey toward simplicity.  I've had so much fun dreaming and making plans.  Lately I'm checking out more books from the library than my kids!

I have been VERY convicted that things are going to get worse before they get better.  Our family has realized just how tied we are to the grocery store and how we are lacking in many skills - depending instead on other experts to feed, build, and fix things for us.  What would happen if some of the services we've taken for granted were no longer available, affordable or both?  What if there wasn't enough food in the grocery stores for everyone?  I'm not living in fear, but rather waking up to the realization that things may not always be as they are.  We depend on our heavenly Father to provide, but I am also reminded of the example of the industrious ant, and the life of Joseph who was told to plan and prepare for the coming famine.

We want to not only be more self-reliant for ourselves, but also so that we can be a blessing to others!

In case you're wondering, I've made a list of my growing "Journey to Simplicity" bookshelf and put it on my other blog: www.journeytosimplicity.com

Posted in Family life

We're recouping from a busy weekend at the FPEA Convention in Florida.  While there we visited with lots of homeschool families who stopped by our booth and had a great time encouraging one another.

We're not traveling as much this year on the convention circuit, so it was nice to see other publishers and authors whom we haven't seen since last summer.  Maggie Hogan was looking good and showing off the new "Mystery of History Vol. III", coloring pages for MoH Vol 1, and Christian Kids Explore Physics - wow, does Maggie ever stop?    I'll have more to say about some of the new products from Bright Ideas Press over the next week or so..stay tuned!

We chatted a bit with Todd "The Familyman" Wilson - it's great to see their whole family ministering together!

I also had the treat of getting a sneak peek at Rebecca Powell's new book - literally hot off the press!  "Season of Change" is a book full of encouragement and practical tools for moms of middle schoolers.  She has done a great job of reminding us of just what it was like to be a middle schooler - it is indeed a season of change, both for our children and for moms.  I'll have lots more to say about this great book when I get home and have a chance to upload some pictures.

Now we're spending a few days with hubby's parents and our nephew.  We'll be at Disney for a couple days - just what my aching feet need (NOT!).  Today, I'm resting up for the parks!

Posted in Family life

I am excited to spend this year celebrating God's appointed times - His feasts.  Each one points to either Messiah's first or second coming.

Passover is in April on our calendar, but it is the first month of the Hebrew calendar.  I'm waiting to see when the moon is "new" to count to the 14th day of the first month.  Lev. 23 and other references tell when God's people are to meet with Him for special times of remembrance and celebrating.  I figure, we've celebrated all the worldly holidays for years...what about the special days God has chosen to meet with His people?!?

I've been looking for a Passover Seder plate, and a Messianic Seder "program", also called a Haggadah, to be used during our dinner.  The day after Passover is the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.  The Scripture gives some guidance on how to celebrate these two feasts (that are often referred to as one), and there are many wonderful traditions that have passed down.   One thing you do to prepare for the Feast of Unleavened Bread is to remove all leaven from your home.  For Christians, this is not only a remembrance of how the children of Israel had no time to prepare bread with leaven (couldn't wait for it to rise) before making their Exodus from Egypt, but also as a reminder to rid ourselves of the sin in our lives, and to be thankful for the redeeming work of Messiah for us.  He has rescued us - we are no longer slaves to sin!

One book I've found especially helpful and that has inspired me to learn more about the Hebrew Roots of my faith is: Celebrating Our Messiah in the Festivals

I know some churches and synagogues offer a Passover Seder to the public sometimes, but I am really looking forward to celebrating with just our family.  We'll all be learning together and I am praying that it will be a faith-building time for both my husband and myself, as well as our two teen boys.  My oldest will be returning home from his first mission trip (he's going to Romania) right about the time of Passover.  I his homecoming will make our time even more special.

Shalom!
Cindy

Posted in Family life

A friend turned me on to the book "Getting Things Done" by David Allen.  I am organizationally challenged so at first I had a hard time wrapping my brain around the concepts.  Actually, I put the book back on the shelf to read when I could think more clearly.  Last week I pulled it out and skipped the first chapter, as I had a hard time getting it.  From chapter 2 forward, I have finally "got it"! 

I have started applying some of the concepts introduced in the book and my email inbox is - are you ready for this? - empty!  Having my own business, leading a support group, being involved in church, etc., means HUNDREDS of emails everyday.  I set up some folders and began processing emails in a similar way that Allen lays out in GTD, and it is so freeing!  I'm working through my desk today and tomorrow.  My kids can't believe they can actually "see" the top of it

So what is so great about GTD?  Well, I think the thing I related to the most is the idea of all of the many projects and things we know we need to do that we keep in our head as "open loops".  These open loops stay with us and interrupt our workflow.  This is true for the executive (who GTD is targeted to) as well as a homeschool mom.  By getting every project (that is anything that requires more than one action step) down on paper, and setting up a reliable system to check over our "next actions", we free our mind to be more productive.  He does not recommend making a daily To Do list, but rather organizing all the "next actions" by whether that task can be done when running errands, at the computer, phone calls, etc. 

Maybe this isn't news to the naturally organized, but for me the idea of having everything written down, files set up to take in every piece of paper so I don't worry about anything getting lost is revolutionary to me!  I find myself really trusting my calendar, as I know if I put something on it, that thing will get done - as it isn't a To Do list, but rather, the items on my calendar are "must do" THAT day, or they wouldn't be on there!

I'm not sure I've done GTD justice in my little rambling here, so I'll point you to some other sites that have done a great job summarizing what GTD is all about:
http://www.coloradocollege.edu/library/Instruction/gtd.html  Great summary with other useful links
http://www.minezone.org/wiki/MVance/GettingThingsDone  Summary of GTD in outline form

Now back to clearing my desk!  When I'm done, I get to do taxes - ugh!

Productively yours,
Cindy :-)

Posted in Family life

Ask anyone who knows me and they'll tell you that in addition to literature, art and writing, that I love tech stuff!  You hear people talk about men and their gadgets/toys - well at our house I am the one always reading about and sometimes pining for the next cool tech gadget!  My most recent longing is to switch to a iMac from my increasingly frustrating PC.

Since writing a book on Using the Internet In Your Homeschool, I'm always on the look out for new sites to add to my updates.  Have you heard of StumbleUpon.com ?  My son and I have enjoyed checking out some of the neat sites linked from there, but today I joined and downloaded their free toolbar.  Now I can click a button "Stumble!" and be taken to a random site.  Actually it isn't quite random.  You see, when I joined I chose categories of interests.  Additionally StumbleUpon.com also learns my surfing behavior, so the sites that it chooses really are of interest to me.

I "stumbled" onto two neat sites today:
World Public Library - features thousands of free ebooks including children's classics, Shakespeare and more
Imperial History of the Middle East - this awesome site features a map and flash movie showing 5,000 years of history in 90 seconds.  The history shown is the different countries and peoples that have taken over that region in order.  A cool timeline at the bottom shows you exactly where you are in history as the map is highlighted and labeled.

Of course, not everything featured will be to your liking and I've just broke the surface of the capabilities of Stumble Upon.  If you are interested in drawing traffic to your blog or website, you definitely need to learn how using Stumble Upon can help!  However, you don't have to have any motive accept one of adventure to click the "Stumble!" button and see where it takes you

Posted in Family life

Some interesting things have happened since my last post here!  I mentioned that we were most likely facing a move - leaving our church and homeschool "family".  Although I accepted that this seemed to be the direction God was leading and definitely was the direction my husband felt we needed to go, I had not totally surrendered my will to God's will.  Inside I was struggling - even my husband wanted more clear direction - we felt like we were hanging in limbo.  It is important to begin making some plans BEFORE his job comes to an end, yet we weren't POSITIVE which direction to go.

About 3 weeks ago I came to a point with the Lord where I totally surrendered the situation into His hand. HE gave me an incredible sense of joy - even at the idea of moving away - because I knew I was totally leaving it in His hands. My good friend, who has been praying faithfully for our situation, encouraged me that it has been her experience that when she totally surrenders, gives up trying to figure it out on her own, that God begins to work.  Several days later, God allowed a series of conversations and circumstances to cause us to reconsider moving.  So, now instead of assuming we're moving away, we've decided to try to stay, believing that God will lead and take care of us.  This is a real leap of faith, but we know that the One in Whom we've placed our trust is worthy and faithful!

Last week I was reading in Psalms and a verse that I've read a hundred times seemed to jump off the page: "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Ps. 37:4-5
The past several months God has been wonderfully wooing me and my abiding time has been so sweet. Having struggled with legalism in the past, He has been growing me in grace and guiding me to focus on inside rather than the outer man (woman). I have truly been delighting in Him - not for what He is or isn't doing, but for WHO He is!

God has given me ideas for new writing projects and opened the door for my husband and boys to begin working on building up a second company selling on eBay.  This is something we have done as a hobby for several years, but God showed us how this could be a way for my husband to work only part time and eventually possibly be able to work from home full-time. 

We are still planning to put our house on the market and will rent for awhile.  This will actually save us lots of money because homeowners/flood insurance is over $3000 per year here.  We are definitely going to have to tighten our belts too!  I know this will be a growing experience for our family and our prayer for over a year has been that God would bring us even closer as a family unit.

The neatest thing about all of this, is our plans to stay put us in a position to move if God were to direct us that way either in a few months, or a few years.  Like all women, I need security and in the physical realm, this season is and will test my faith greatly.  However, I can't help but be excited as we take this newest "turn" on the journey God has set before us :-)

Oh, you might be wondering about the new projects God has stirred up in me - well, I'll save that for another day

Resting in Him,
Cindy

Posted in Family life

Change can be a good thing, at least that's what people say :-) We are facing a major change in our lives as we look at moving from Florida to Tennessee. My husband's job is ending and we have always said that when that happened we would move closer to "home", which is the Midwest. The only problem is - we've now been in FL for almost 20 years and, especially for the boys and I, feels like home.

I know this move is needed. We will be closer to aging parents, deal with a much lower cost of living, and we will now have our business more centrally located. There is a part of me that is excited about the adventure, but also terrified as I leave the familiar and we deal with my dh needing to find another job.

We have such close church and homeschool friends - it will be difficult to leave them. We have no "real" family here, so God has provided us with the body of Christ as our family. I definitely sense God's leading in all of this and we really do want to be in the center of His will.

Yes, change, especially when directed by God, is good. It grows us, keeps us leaning on Him...but it is hard, too.

On a lighter note - the Gingerbread Houses turned out very well - considering it was our first attempt! We definitely learned some important lessons that we will be able to apply when we attempt to do this again next year :-)  Yes, it went so well, I'm willing to do it again!

Cindy

Posted in Family life

I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away.  We finally have all of our packages shipped, and the Christmas cards are all on their way too.

Last weekend our family went Disney World for a couple days.  I love seeing all of the decorations and the lights are just amazing.  We really enjoyed visiting a couple of the resorts to view the incredible, life-size gingerbread house and the detailed gingerbread and chocolate carousel.

My boys were quite inspired and insisted that we make our own gingerbread houses this week.  I offered to purchase a kit for each of them, but noooo, they want to make them from scratch!  As we were toiling making the dough just right and cutting out the parts of the houses for baking, my oldest commented that even though it was messy and time consuming, he was having fun just creating with his mom.  Now keep in mind, my oldest is 15 years old!  I was quickly reminded how few years I have left with my boys at home and my heart was warmed as I wondered if we would have this good of a relationship were it not for homeschooling.

I'm not sure how the gingerbread houses will turn out - but I am thankful for a brief glimpse God gave me into my son's heart.  You see, during the day-to-day, nitty-gritty of homeschool life, sibling conflict, teenage hormones, etc., I sometimes lose sight (or maybe I forget to really look) of the simple joys and blessings that children (yes, even teens) are.

Posted in Family life

I love a bargain - especially when it involves ice cream :-)  Cold Stone Creamery has a printable coupon on their site for Buy 1 Get 1 Free!  Cold Stone is a rare treat around our house, due to the cost.  But ohhh is it some good stuff!  With this coupon we'll be able to get two "Love It" size treats to share as a family.  Now if I'll only be able to get everyone to agree on what two creations we should get :-)

Enjoy!

Cindy

Posted in Family life

A friend just sent me an email about a really cool ministry opportunity called Bibles Unbound presented by Voice of the Martyrs.  You can sign up on their site to participate in the program, or just read and pray for the effort, even if you are unable to help at this time.  I read it to my kids and they said, "Let's do it!" 

Basically you will have the opportunity to mail New Testaments to new 'friends' around the world who live in restricted nations.  VOM supplies the Bibles and each one is sent to individual Christians who are hungering to have God's word.  Not only do Christians receive the Bibles, but the Church is also gathering names and addresses of people who do not yet know the Lord, but are receptive learning more.  It is cool to think that not only are we helping to meet the spiritual needs of fellow Christians, but also helping them to be a bold witness for Christ - often at great risk.

If you've never done so, I'd encourage you to visit the Voice of the Martyrs website and their site for Bibles Unbound.  My kid have gathered blankets and sheets for Sudan and participated in other projects to help the Persecuted Church through the ministry of VOM.  We have found it to be such a blessing to serve the Lord in this small way!

Remembering their chains...
Cindy

Posted in Family life

After getting rolling on a pretty good routine for a week or so, we took off for our vacation.  We had a great time - it was so nice to get away.  Earlier this year we "splurged" for Florida resident passes to Disney World, so we decided to spend 8 days with Mickey.  Not exactly my hubby's idea of a vacation, but the kids and I loved it 

We came home with sore feet, but much more "unwound".  The trip was followed by surgery for our youngest.  He had corrective surgery on his right foot earlier this year and had to undergo the same surgery last Wednesday.  Now his feet match :-)  Everything went well and he is getting used to the constraints of being non-weight bearing for a couple months.

School-wise, this was our first time we ever had to worry about getting "behind" in a subject.  My oldest is taking a Biology course and must keep up with the classwork, plus we are meeting with a study group going over our Starting Points material each Tuesday night.  It took some extra "homework" time for Z. to get caught up, but I think we have it under control now! 

Having gone from a fairly relaxed homeschool method to a much more structured or "traditional" method has been interesting.  Overall, my oldest is thriving, but it definitely has been a challenge.  It is neat to see him rise to the occassion and take initiative to work "outside of school hours" in order to get caught up after our vacation.  My boy is definitely growing up!

I'm glad to finally have a chance to sit down and check in here!  I actually have lots to blog about, but little time.  Hopefully I'll get to share more later, especially about the Generation Joshua group that just started in our area!

Posted in Family life

I have been wanting to blog for over a week, but I just can't seem to catch up!  Tonight I'm sitting in a hotel room in Chattanooga, TN.  We spent the day setting up our booth for the CSTHEA Homeschool Curriculum Fair which starts tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to seeing many of our TN and GA friends   This is one of our favorite conventions of the summer and the last of our travels for the book fair "season".  It will be nice to get home and begin doing some planning for my own homeschooling.

Speaking of planning, I'm going to look into using Megawords this year, but I've never seen them.  Hopefully, I'll  get to check them out at another vendor's booth this weekend.  A friend told me this series of books is a good reinforcement for spelling and phonics.  If you've used the Megawords series, I'd love to read your thoughts - just post a comment.

The day we left home for TN, I got the opportunity to offer a prize in the TOS Short Story Contest.  As a writer, I'm so excited to get to encourage others in their craft.  I've never written any fiction myself, and I can't wait to read the winner's entries.  I took a peek at the other prizes a few minutes ago - what a great package! 

Sounds like it's snack time in our hotel room - time for goodies and a game of cards! 

Posted in Family life

After a very busy spring speaking and traveling to homeschool conventions, I took a much needed break for the month of June.  I've missed stopping by here - I'm sure my lack of blog entries makes it look like I dropped off the face of the earth   I enjoyed a relaxing visit with my mom at her home in Arkansas.  They raise goats and my youngest son enjoyed "farm" life.  Both boys helped with the farm chores, helping to take care of horses, goats and dogs.  We are definitely "city slickers" - so it was quite an experience for them! 

While we were visiting mom I renewed my interest in collecting Depression Glass and even managed to pick up a few pieces at antique stores in her town and at stops on our way home.  I also had some time to just enjoy reading a book for FUN.  Imagine that!  I spend so much of my reading time focused on books that I am reviewing for my newsletter, that I rarely give myself the treat of reading for ME.  I began the Elm Creek Quilt books and got through the first two in the series.

As I have been resting and reflecting over the past few weeks, I've been reminded by the Lord how important rest really is.  He did not design our bodies to go, go, go.  I believe that is one of the reasons He gave us the Sabbath.  We need to rest - it is when I stop and rest that I not only can physically recharge, but in the resting my mind and heart quiet down so I can more clearly hear from Him.

Now that I am recharged, refreshed and renewed - I am ready to jump back into our routine. More on that another day - it's time to fix breakfast!

"...our souls are restless until we find our rest in Thee." St. Augustine

Posted in Family life

I mentioned on my blog earlier in the day that I would try to post some of the resources we're using for a summer Astromony study.  Imagine my delight when I saw the Star Light, Star Bright article by Michelle on the HSB Company Porch!  I'm excited to add some of those activities to my list - thanks Michelle!  It seems great minds think alike

Summer is a great time to do an informal astronomy unit or perhaps start a new hobby of star gazing as a family. Through mid June the early evening skies will provide a spectacular view as Saturn, Mars and a star cluster called the "Bee Hive" all converge. Plus, Mercury will also move in close by the middle of the month making for some "astronomical" views right after sunset. Click here to read the complete NASA article. 

You don’t have to be an astonomer to help your kids enjoy the night sky – I have found the following sites to be full of information just for parents and kids.

Astronomy for Kids 

Astronomy Magazine’s Kid’s Page

Kid’s Astronomy 

Astronomy from a Creation Science, Biblical Worldview

Favorite Astronomy Books/Curriculum:

Apologia’s Young Explorer’s Series – Astronomy by Jeannie Fulbright

Astronomy Unit Study Guide, Media Angels

Find the Constellations & Stars, A New Way to See Them – both books by H.A. Rey

Be sure to check out other book recommendations as well as, the constellation-related activities provided by Michelle in the company blog!

The Internet and your library are full of books that have information, stories, experiments, crafts and more! I hope you’re inspired to spend some nights lying out under the stars as a family considering the amazing universe and our awesome Creator!

"The heavens proclaim the Glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of His hands." Psalm 19:1

Happy star gazing!

Cindy

 

 

 

 

Posted in Family life

I woke up this morning to a gray, rainy day.  PTL!!  You see, we live in SW Florida and have been in drought conditions for several months.  We are about 6" below our normal rainfall so far this year.  So this rain is a reason to celebrate!  Of course, days like these tend to make us all feel a bit "slow" and sleepy, too.  Couple that with kids who have come down with the latest virus going around, and I can tell it is going to be one of "those" kind of days.

 

You know what kind of day I'm talking about...sleeping late, breakfast late, the kids just want to veg-out, and I don't think much "school" is going to happen around here.  We've not been as consistent with our schooling the past 3 or 4 weeks as I would like, so it would be easy for me to get frustrated at our situtation today.  However, I am resolved to allow this season to take its course, making the best of it along the way.  As I wrote in yesterday's blog, today is a good day to pull out a couple of fun, simple math games that we haven't played in a while.  It is also a good day to start our next read aloud, which I haven't had "time" to begin.  Perhaps we will watch a bit more TV, but Discovery and History Channels have some interesting shows on their line up.  My youngest asked if we could make cookies - I know, not exactly what you need when you are sick - but, we been busy running everywhere the past few weeks and he has been waiting patiently for me to have "time" to help him.

 

As I type this, I am reminded of the many "catch up" things I could get done today, since we obviously won't be doing much school and I don't have plans to be anywhere.  I know I am going to have to resist the urge to do my own work and give myself permission to just cuddle up and enjoy a sleepy, rainy day with my boys.  At 14 and 11 yrs. old, opportunities like today will soon be past and I can be left with memories of "Why didn't I take the time?" or "Wow, what a great time we had that day!"  I think I'll choose the latter!

 

Time to bake those cookies :-)

Posted in Family life

Wow, I can't believe how fast time has flown!  I thought I'd drop in with some random details to bring things "up to speed" on my blog.

 

We have been busy dealing with my youngest son's surgery and recovery, as well as getting ready for our busy convention season.  Many of you have inquired about Noah's surgery - it went very well and he is recovering nicely.  In fact, God has been so good to allow him to have no complications and very little pain from the very first day. PTL!  He is now 12 week post-surgery and today was his first day to wear shoes on both feet to church and be free of his wheelchair.

 

I have been busy redesigning my website.  I have learned so much, but what an adventure!  We are getting ready to travel to the GHEA Convention in Atlanta.  I'm hoping to write more reviews to add to my site and get another issue of Homeschool Reviews for You sent out next week.  I'm excited to have added some new products to our catalog, including All American History.  If you haven't taken a look at this program, you really need to do so!  The student text is so interesting, not at all like the dry textbooks I remember from my school days.  I love how the students interact with the text by completing their student notebook pages WHILE they are reading.  There really hasn't been many options for non-workbook based American History studies for the upper elementary and middle school years, and I am so pleased to be able to offer this curriculum.

 

Last week our support group held its annual Geography Fair.  We had such a good time!  One of my favorite parts of this event is the huge international buffet lunch we all share together after everyone has completed their "passports".  This year there were 80 children & adults, with projects covering 24 countries.  I usually coordinate this event and it is one of the highlights of our year. 

 

It is getting late, so I'll end this entry.  Now that my website project is finished, I'm looking forward to getting back to blogging on a regular basis   I have missed touching base with all of my "cyber friends" here!

 

Blessings,

Cindy

Posted in Family life

For some reason I feel like I'm being swept along on a wave of busyness lately!  It feels like Thanksgiving and Christmas are sneaking up on me.  Every year my husband and I struggle with finding the balance between the many "good" things we can do over the holidays -- while wanting to make sure we make time for the "BEST" things.  Even with an emphasis on serving others, giving rather than getting, etc., it can still be easy to fall prey to being too busy and loosing our focus of a Christ-centered, family oriented Christmas season.

 

As I looked at my calendar today, I realized that I must write down some important appointments like - our family tradition of riding the Christmas train at a local park, starting our advent book (we're reading Tabitha's Travels this year), other family reading time of special Christmas books, a day/evening at the beach (another Christmas tradition since we live in FL and the weather is beautiful), the night we will shop for our tree, each child's special shopping day to pick gifts for brother, mom and dad, etc.

 

I am finding if I don't write down these things as appointments, then they may get pushed aside, or at the very least, feel rushed.  I've also started writing down my appointment with God, choosing to not schedule anything during that time.  This isn't my quick daily devotions, but rather an hour or so once a week to spend more quality time in God's word and prayer.  Believe it or not, I've had to tell someone, "No, I can't attend _________." because I have another appointment!  Of course, they don't know that the appointment might be my weekly special God-time, or the afternoon I set aside to bake with my son, but that doesn't matter.  What DOES matter is that I kept my appointment -- choosing the "best" over something that is "good". 

 

Although it is still a challenge to balance it all, seeing my children's faces light up when they see their name on my calendar is helping me to keep to this new way of cutting through the busyness and keeping the "main thing, the main thing."