Okay, ladies.  I need some help here.  I need some ideas about scheduling and how to get everything done without going crazy.  I have a 5 yr old who will be officially starting homeschooling next month.  I have a very active 3 yr old and I have a nursing 10 month old.  How do I get the schooling, cleaning, mothering, exercising, devotions, etc....how do I get it all done?  Any help?  Any suggestions?  Anything would be appreciated!!

Here are all my sweet little fish.  We have been to the pool almost everyday that it has been open this hot summer.  I wondered how hard it would be to go with 3 children by myself.  But, the boys have become such excellent swimmers in such a short amount of time that it has made going to the pool very easy and fun.  It's so relaxing to go and throw the boys around in the pool while my dd floats around in her floaty.  The boys are loving it and having a great time.  I'm loving it b/c it really wears them out!!  Well, we have a few things to do before we hit the water..... again!

Here's my beautiful baby girl!!  She's almost 9 months old.  I can't believe it!! It's terribly sad.  Why do they have to grow sooooo quickly?  As some of you know, I have 2 older boys and now that I have this precious girl, I"m in heaven.  3 beautiful children, thankyou, Lord.  My princess has 2 teeth now and still is not crawling, but that's fine with me cause we all know it gets much harder after that.  She already, somehow, manages to get into just about anything, so I can't imagine how hard it will be when she can really move around. LOL.  I can't wait!! 

My boys are sitting playing Legos and they are playing really well together, another praise.  Every mom loves those days when the children play well and just really enjoy each other.  We are having VBS this week and we are all a little tired, but we are really enjoying the time at church.  I've been able to get to know some more women that I usually don't talk to b/c our church is very large.  so, it's been nice to gain some new friends.  My oldest is loving VBS and my 2nd son is tolerating it. lol.  My baby is a momma's girl, so she is having a little bit of a rough time being away from me.  But she is with some wonderful, patient women so I know she is in good hands. 

well, i hear my sweet girl now.  Better go!!

I have recently started going through Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons with my 5-yr.old son.  Before we started this book everyday was a struggle to try and get him to grasp the difficult task of reading.  We have now been going through the lessons in this book everyday for about 30 lessons.  It is amazing the progress he has made.  I love this book!!  It's so exciting to see your child learn how to read.  This book may look complicated at a glance through it.  But once you sit down and really read and look at it, it is very simple.  My son is so proud of himself that he can read.  I pulled out the book we had previously been working on.  We couldn't get past the first few pages before.  Now he can read many of the words of the first 40 pages!!  It's very exciting.  Each lesson takes about 20 minutes.  Sometimes it takes longer b/c my son needs to talk about each word he just read.  But I just wanted to blog about this wonderful book and the amazing results in such a short time!

Today I discovered something that will hopefully help me to be a better mom.  Cause who doesn't want to be a better mom? 

My boys and I had a wonderful day today, and I realized that it didn't have anything to do with the absence of disobedience.  No, there was plenty of that, but we had a wonderful day because I made an effort to be FUN.  Yes, something sooo simple and yet it takes a lot of energy to make ourselves get out there and play and have fun with our children. 

I do have fun with the kids, but usually we (or should I say I ) get caught up in doing school, cleaning the house, making sure the children are being trained to be obedient, that I lose sight of what makes a house a wonderful home to live in, FUN.

I"m not saying that training the kids, and cleaning the house cannot be done or should be put aside, but we need to remember to have a fun time with our children.  A special time during the day when they can just laugh so hard that it makes you laugh and cry at the same time. 

I love to hear the sound of my boys laughing.  My oldest gets laughing so hard about many things and he almost can't even breath he's laughing so hard!  My second has such a deep laugh and has since he was a baby.  It just brings joy to my heart to hear them laughing and know it's because of something we're doing together and because I'm right there acting goofy or splashing them in the pool.

I want them to look back and remember that I was a fun mom.  Every kid is going to remember some time they got in trouble, but I want their memories of fun and laughter to far out way those times of discipline.

In Ecclesiastes it says there is a time to laugh. Take some time today and get those kids laughing!  It will bring joy to your soul.

I am finally back after a long absence.  Almost a month!!  I can't believe it's been that long.  Anyway, we are doing great.  The schedule is still working out wonderfully.  The food issue has been a little hit and miss, but right now I'm doing well.  I hope to write more later, and on a specific topic.  Hope everyone is doing well!

We're still doing great with the school schedule.  I love it!!  I feel like I"m actually accomplishing something now.  My oldest (4) is really thriving.  He loves to do sit-down work, which is great for me cause I love it too!  He's really made some strides in writing and reading since we started a schedule where we do school everday.  I think the key for him is consistency!  This is our 3rd week of consistent school and I'm so proud of myself.  I think I finally reached the point of no turning back.  There were many times before when I would start a schedule, do well for about 3 days and then just let it go.  But this time is different, I can feel it.  And I know now that we have been doing so well, we will never go back to free wheeling it!  Of course, there are going to be days when we do other things and don't stick right to the schedule, but as a whole, we are sticking to a schedule.  I know the schedule will have to be tweeked here and there with weather changes and baby naptime changes, but we are sticking to a schedule.  Hallelujah!! 

Well, it's been a few days since I started trying to get my eating under control.  The first few days really took a lot of willpower.  Today, seemed a little easier.  I'm so thankful that I have atleast had some victory in the last couple of days.  I am just praying that the Lord will continue to give me strength to be self-controlled.  Right now I am hungry but it is so late and I would probably overeat, so I'm going to wait until morning (another big step for me).

The garden.  The plants are growing well (except the cucumbers, because they were uprooted by a small visitor we had at our house the other day. Don't worry it was a human visitor!).  My irises are coming in well and my gladiolus have come up.  It's very exciting to watch.  I feel like such a nerd about these plants, but I find it fascinating.

We have just recently laid out a specific schedule for schooling and tried to stick to it.  We are doing really well.  My oldest is still four and we will start kindergarten this year, but I wanted to start getting on track now.  I feel great about the schedule and our lives seem less crazy.  I'm lovin' it.

Tomorrow is a busy day for us. We are going to breakfast with some close friends (even though we see them everyday and saw them all day today, why not get together again?)  Then it's off to the strawberry patch since we were rained out last week.  Then grocery shopping.(UHG!!!)  Then we will hopefully be able to fit a little schooling in before my wonderful hubby gets home from work. 

To do list for tomorrow:

1.  Sew just the back and front of daughter's dress together

2.  clean bathrooms

3.  clean out truck

4.  go through more of school materials and plan some of next week's lessons

5.  put my boys to work

Alright, I need to wrap up. Have a wonderful evening!!  God bless you .

Alright, yesterday i posted that I was addicted to food.  And yesterday I fasted and actually didn't cheat!!  Anyway, it was my hope that blogging about this would help to deter me from eating, keep me more accountable.  So, as I sat down a few minutes ago to get on and blog, I had a big bowl of popcorn in my lap.  It doesn't have butter or anything, but I was prepared to finish the whole bowl!  I was very convicted and after having only taken a few bites, it is now in the kitchen away from me.  I have done well today. This morning I only had 2 pancakes (instead of 5) and didn't have anything until lunch when I had red beans and rice.  I am going out to dinner with some friends and it is my goal to eat a small portion and not just pig out.  This is so hard for me, because I just love the taste of food!  Can I get a witness?  Well, to anyone who's listening, thanks.  I think this is helping me a little bit.  Also, staying busy!!!  That helps me and then I'm not constantly going into the kitchen.  Have a super day!!

So, I've known for a long time that I am addicted to food.  I have been addicted to food since I was a teenager.  Although I have never really struggled with a weight problem, I am definitely an overeater.  I know so many people that this is a struggle for them as well.  I find that I eat no matter what mood I'm in.  If I'm happy, I want to eat.  If I'm sad, let's eat!  If I'm bored, let's eat!!  (This is a huge one).  What is the appeal of food?  Why is it such a struggle to conquer what we put in our mouths and how often we put food in our mouths?  Even after I have eaten a full meal, I get up and go into the kitchen because I just "want" something.  I have had periods in my life when I have victory over this, but then I just fall back into it.  I realize that there is a connection between being disciplined in this area in my life and being disciplined in other areas of my life.  I want desperately to become self-controlled in many areas of my life, including food addiction. 

I was watching a show the other night called The Half Ton Man.  In this show, one of the doctors said that food addiction is something that we can never have victory over.  I will not accept that as the answer.  I know that in His power, God can, through His Spirit, not only give me self-control but give me victory over food!  There is nothing that is impossible with God.

I do not have a lot of extra pounds that I would like to lose (although there are some), and I don't say that to be insensitive.  I am still very young and active, but I know that one of these days, I will not be able to maintain the amount of acitivity that I do and that my metabolism will slow down.  So, before all that happens, I want to be in control of my eating!!  If anyone is reading this, please pray for me.  I'm also hoping that if I keep a log of my journey to self-control that it will keep my a little more accountable. 

I'll keep you posted.  Today I am fasting, and have almost blown it several times.  Isn't that pathetic?  I can't go one day without eating?  I know I can physically, but I keep trying to rationalize to myself.  My son didn't finish his lunch today, so I sat there thinking, "Isn't it worse to throw food away than to continue this fast I put myself on?"  But I was reminded to keep my word to the Lord.  I asked the Lord to give me strength throughout this day, through the many temptations, so I didn't eat the leftover lunch.  Well, I"ll end now, and keep you all posted.  Thanks for listening!!

Today I was up at 5:15 to do some cleaning.  Right now I sit at the computer having just finished studying a little bit of Scriptures.  My plans for today include the following (but are not limited to):

School work with the kids

a couple loads of laundry

taking pictures of my friends children

visiting the strawberry patch!

and visiting with a friend who is coming back into town after being away for a couple weeks

Of course, tonight, time with my my dear hubby

I'm excited about today.  This week has been a great week.  I've been organized and scheduled and the kids of done excellent and I've been at peace.  It's wonderful!!  (I hope none of you are gagging!)

Hello, everyone!  Okay, so this year I've decided to try my hand at a garden.  I'm not sure I have a green thumb, but I"m going to give it a try.  So far it has been a learning experience.  I've started out with flowers,(iris, gladiolus, allyssum) and I've also started some carrots, peas, and cucumbers.  As of right now, I see a little life from the iris and from the carrots and cucumbers.  The irises I started out with the rhizome, so I"m feeling good that something has started to grow.  The gladiolus started out with the bulb and the carrots, cucumbers and allyssum, I started out with the seeds. I'm pretty excited so anyone who has any gardening advice, I'm all ears!!!  This has also been a fun experience for my young boys.  They've been checking the flowers everyday!  It'll be fun to record the growth and see what happens.

Yeah!!!  I was able to finish all the tasks I put on my list for today.  It wasn't that long of a list, but I finished it!!!  The things needed to be done. 

Tomorrow's tasks:

~finish calendar for school

~finish schedule poster for school

~get ready for school week (plan each day's work)

~implement 7:00 wake up (my boys like to get up at 6:15, so this needs to be addressed!)

~wash remaining floors that were not washed yesterday

~wash slipcovers (yuck!)

Today I'm going to try and :

~clean front closet (ugh)

~clean laundry room (not bad)

~organize papers (I can't wait to do this!!  I love organizing, just not cleaning! does that make any sense?)

~clean closet in extra room (double ugh)

~take out all old baby clothes out of my daughter's room

Okay, maybe I shouldn't be too over zealous

Well, I'm going to finish up this series by just giving you the rest of the things I found In 1 Thess. to pray for my children.  I hope you  will be encouraged to pray for your children every day.  Here it goes....

I pray that they will:

-Act pleasing to God (1 Thess. 2:13)

-Encourage others in their faith (1Thess. 3:3)

-not be shaken by affliction (1 Thess. 3:3)

-comfort others in affliction (1 Thess. 3:7; 5:11,14)

-standfast in the Lord (1 Thess. 3:8)

-be directed in their path by God (1 Thess. 3:11)

-increase and abound in love (1 Thess.3:12)

-God will establish their hearts blameless in holiness before Him (1 Thess. 3:13)

-abound more and more in how they ought to walk and to please God (1 Thess. 4:1)

-be sanctified, which is God's will (1 Thess. 4:3)

-abstain from sexual immorality (1Thess 4:3)

-act in holiness (1 Thess. 4:4)

-lead a quiet life (1 Thess. 4:11)

-lack nothing, spiritually (1 Thess 4:12)

-come to know and believe in Jesus death and resurrection (1Thess. 4:14)

-look forward to His coming and find comfort (1 Thess. 4:16-18)

-not live in darkness, but in the light (1 Thess. 5:4-5)

-watch and are sober (1 Thess. 5:5)

-put on breastplate of faith and love (1 Thess. 5:8)

-put on the helmet of hope of salvation (1 Thess. 5:8)

-be saved through Jesus Christ and not be appointed to wrath (1 Thess. 5:9)

-edify others (1 Thess.5:11)

-appreciate those who labor among them and who are over them in the Lord (1 Thess.5:12-13)

-not render evil for evil, but pursue what is good (1 Thess.5:15)

-have patience (1 Thess.5:14)

-have a rejoicing spirit (1 Thess. 5:16)

-pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17)

-give thanks in everything (1 Thess. 5:18)

I think I will also be praying for these things for myself.  The Lord is definitely not finished with me yet, and I have a long way to go!! 

In addition to seeking to please God, having a passion for others, hardworking, and blameless behavior, I also pray that my children walk worthy of God, who calls them (1 Thess. 2:12).  Colossians 1:10 says "that you may walk worthy of the Lord fully pleasing Him,..."  and 1 Peter 1:15 tells us how we and our children can walk worthy of the Lord. 1 Peter 1:15," but as He who called you is holy, you also by holy in all your conduct." 

Next, I ask the Lord that my children welcome the word of God as truth (1 Thess. 2:13).  I pray that the Word of God would abide in them (1 John 2:14).  We know how important the Word of God is!  2 Tim. 3:16-17,"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."  The Scriptures are able to make us wise (2 Tim. 3:15).  And our children will be blessed if they delight in His Word and meditate on it day and night (Ps. 1:1-2).  I can not stress how important His Word is to us! I also pray that if you are not committed to the reading and studying of the Bible, that you would do it.  I don't think we can ever talk about the Word too much.  Too many churches and bible studies are studying what man has told us and not what the Lord Himself has told us in His written Word.  Please make this a proirity.

The next thing I came across in Thessalonians that I would love for my children to have in their character was devout, just, and blameless behavior (1 Thess. 2:10).  I think I need to pray for these things to be developed in me as well!  Ps. 37:37 says, "Mark the blameless man and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace."  Do I desire peace for my children?  Of course!!!  Ps. 19:13 says,"Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me.  Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression."  We need to pray that our children will resist the devil and flee from temptation, so that they can have blameless character.  Are we talking about perfect kids?  No way!!  There is no such thing.  But if our children can say, like David, "cleanse me from secret faults" (Ps. 19:12) and keep His Word, there is great reward (Ps. 19:11).  Lord, I pray that my children would repent and turn from sin.  I pray they would find delight in Your Word and keep it that you may give them a great reward.  Search their heart and make them blameless before You and make the words of their mouth and the meditation of their heart acceptable in Your sight.  Amen.

Okay, I'm not ready to go to bed yet, so I'm going to add another entry.

One of the things that I would desperately pray for my children is found in 1 Thess. 2:4,15 and also in Col. 3:22 and Gal. 1:10.  I pray that my children would work heartily to the Lord, and not for the praise of men!!  Agh!  This one is one I have struggled with my whole life.  A struggle with pride!  The Lord hates a proud look (Prov. 6:17) and everyone proud in heart is an abomination to Him (Prov. 16:5).  Lord, may my children desire to please only You! and help them to fight against their flesh that cries out for the praise of men.

The next thing I see in 1 Thessalonians is a passion for other believers.  I pray that my children would long to be with fellow believers (1 Thess. 2:8). In this verse, Paul says he affectionately longs for the Thessalonians.  I pray this would be so for my own children. So many people are drawn to a life of fellowship with non-believers.  How can light and darkness have fellowship?  I am not saying we cannot be friends with non-believers, in fact I would say we need to develop friendships and relationships in order to share Christ with them.  But our closest friendships should be with fellow believers.  These are people who have the same hope we do.  Surround yourself with believers who can exhort you according to God's Word.  These friends can give you biblical instruction and encouragement.  We need fellow believers!

Hardworking (1 Thess. 2:9).  Lord, I ask that my children be hardworking and dependable.  I pray that they would not be given to laziness. Prov. 13:4 says the soul of a lazy man desires, but has nothing.  May this not be for my children.  May they by diligent in everything they do and do it for You. (Here it is again, working to please the Lord!)

I will continue with more tomorrow.  To God Be the Glory!

Tonight I took the opportunity to read through 1 Thessalonians and think about what I would pray for my children from this book.  I was challenged and excited about all the things I was challenged to pray for.  I would like to share these with others and that is why I am posting it.  As a mother I am always looking for books and articles about praying for our children.  I am not very good in the prayer department and felt I should make this a object of study for myself.  As I looked through some of the books that Paul wrote, one of the first things that stuck out to me was the fact that the first thing he said to his readers was that he thanked God for them.  So, the first thing I will pray concerning my children is I will thank God for them.  (1 Thess. 1:2; 3:9)  And as I start, I also want to remember to pray night and day exceedingly for my children. (1 Thess. 3:10)  So, tonight before you climb in bed, or while you are loading the dishwasher, or folding the 13th load of laundry, thank God for your children and ask Him to give you the desire to pray exceedingly for them.  These things that I am writing are things that the Lord pressed upon my heart as I read 1 Thessalonians.  (These prayers are not word for word from Scripture.  Some of these prayers are just inspired by a single word in the text.  As I read through this book of the Bible the Lord just laid on my heart these things to pray for my children. If these encourage you and help you to know how to pray for your children, then Praise God!  To Him be the glory forever and ever.)

In the next few days, I will continue through 1 Thessalonians with what I will pray for my children.  I also encourage you to pursue the reading of His Word! 

Hello, everyone.  I am new to this, but I am excited about getting started.  I have been blessed by this homeschool blogger and I hope that I can be a blessing to someone else.   ~Dimples~