O.k. so I checked my email this morning and a very prominent homeschooling magazine sends an email to me with this in the subject: "Homeschooling is easy".
What world are they from? And where did they get their information? Easy?? Obviously they are not in my home, with my children, with my mess.
And that's the part that ticks me off. I have been homeschooling for several years and it has never been easy. Between trying to give and excellent education, keeping a house moderately clean, cooking meals, cleaning again, doing laundry, taking care of an elderly person, trying to be a good wife, loving my children and consequently not killing them, I find nothing easy.
Happy, yes. Worthwhile, yes. tranquil, well maybe sometimes, but never dull. I have so many happy and felicitous feelings associated with homeschool, that I think "easy" is a dangerous word.
The reason is this: If you are starting out to homeschool, and whether or not you have started out with young children or have taken them out of an institution of some kind, there are bound to be some battles. Battles of will, energy and motivation. There will be times when you question your ability to educate your children. There will be times of testing your mettle when well meaning friends think you've gone mad or worse. Saying that homeshooling is "easy" might make someone think that they are "doing it wrong" or that they should be able to snap a finger and all is "perfect". It doesn't happen that way.
All of these reasons and more seem to me to beg to tell people the truth. Saying that homeshooling is easy is like saying that following Christ is easy. Tell that to the persecuted church in China, or anywhere else in the world. Jesus never said that following him would be easy. In fact, he said the opposite.
When we swim counter to the cultural tide, it is not easy. Look at the salmon.
Homeschooling is much the same way. We are still at the point of swimming against the current of the "normal" way of thinking, and it will only get worse as it gets closer to Jesus' return. Read Revelation, it's all in there.
So, please forgive me if I seem a little critical of this headline, but I think if we are called to homeschool, we need to count the cost just as if we are counting the cost to follow Christ. Then by all means, go ye, therefore!!
But don't call it what it is not. It is not easy.
In closing, let me leave you with this wonderful cartoon by Todd Wilson that shows what a real day often looks like around here.
Have you ever based your homeschool day based on how you were feeling? That never happens to me, of course, but I've heard of it before....
Ok, so I do that...a lot.
When I feel good, I get in my quiet time, have a hot breakfast ready for Hubby before he goes to work in the morning, the children come downstairs singing my praises, and everything has a "Golden Grahams" quality to it.
But often, I don't feel as great. Then I wake up. Late. Again. No quiet time, I run to get cereal in a bowl for Hubby to take to work. The kids are screaming at each other upstairs, and there is a sink of dirty dishes that hasn't been done in two days. This gets me into a funk both physically and emotionally.
I would love to say that my emotions and health don't affect how the house is run, how the kids do their work or how the day starts, but the old adage is too true, "if Momma's not happy, nobody's happy!"
So, what's a girl to do?! I'm a stress eater, so I have always done what I do best when I don't feel great. I eat and make myself feel even worse.
But not anymore!! I say say enough! 1st Corintinas 6:12-19 says
"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both...Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
So I decided that God was right. I am so tired of being sick and tired! So, I bit he bullet, got an accountability partner, and I have lost almost 18 pounds! I have about 10 pounds more to go. Not as many as some, but for someone of my smaller frame, that's a huge percentage!!
And you know what?! I feel better! I have more energy, and a better attitude. Do my children come downstairs singing my praises? No, but I feel better, and everone sees it. I'm not quite as angry, grumpy or selfish as I was before. I have a long way to go, and my homeschool days still get pretty crazy from time to time, but I am not going to let God's place of residence and worship go into a state of disrepair again.
With the grace of God, my body, mind, emotions and homeschool will honor God and His Glory!
O.K. so we're actually taking a "Mommy feels like she's been hit by a truck" day. We have canceled all "fun" activities this week, and are hunkering down at home with hot tea, crackers and a few movies the kids can watch while Mommy lies comatose on the couch praying that nobody asks her for anything they can't get for themselves.
I noticed with some guilt this morning that I'm not so sympathetic when my kids are sick.
"Just because you have pneumonia, doesn't mean you can't do long division!" feels a bit cheep at the moment. Well, to be fair, it wasn't pneumonia, just a cold. But I bet it felt like it to her.
I know that when the kids are sick, I expect them to do a little bit of what they usually do, even if it isn't up to the same standard. But when I'm sick all I want to do is lie in bed and to be left alone. Don't talk to me, ask me for anything, and whatever you do DO NOT ARGUE!
When Hubby was sick last week, he came home from work, and took a nap. When I'm sick, I can't stay home from work.There is something not right about that!
I know I am whining. I am so blessed to be at home with with my four wonderful children that I adore more than life. I wouldn't trade my life for anything!
The winner of my contest for a copy of my new book is.......Hidden Jewel! Congratulations!! We are in the final days of proofreading, and will be sending her a copy shortly!! Thanks for all the feedback, and I will be posting here when we publish the book.
• Feb. 4, 2009 - Deadline for Book... and Winter Blues
Just a reminder that if you want to receive a free copy of my new book, you have one week left to enter the drawing. If you refer someone to the site and they tell me you referred them, you'll be entered twice!
Now, who out there is having the mid-year winter blues? I'm not talking about the emotional condition that is commonly associated with the season we are in. I am talking about the "it's too cold to send the kids outside to play and they're jumping off the walls" kind of attitude.
Now, I live in Georgia. Many of the wonderful nature readers and storybooks we read to the kids refer to my state as the "Sunny Southland".
Yes, it was sunny this morning.
19 degrees.
A few flakes of snow.
My apologies to all you Yankees, I know it's a bit frigid up there. But it's not supposed to be here!!
It's supposed to be cold, but glory be! People from up North move down here to get away from the cold! Not drive into it!!
...Sigh...
The real reason I'm tired of the cold is I want to send the children outside. But as we wimpy homeschoolers down South have no parkas, they cannot go outside. I have no desire to see my children turn blue from the cold. Strange, I know.
Two more months. I can do this!
In the meantime, make sure you get signed up for the giveaway!
• Jan. 20, 2009 - The Time Has Come for a Book Giveaway
OK. Time for a giveaway! Blogging is all about readership, and I want to increase mine, as well as get the word out about my new historical fiction novella, "The Time Has Come." You want to know more? Setting? Plot? Aha! Read on...
Below is the first chapter. I want to hear what you think about it. If you post a comment, you will be automatically entered into a drawing to receive a PDF copy of the whole book.
Increase your chances of winning by referring someone! (Reader must also post a comment and site your name to be eligible).
The deadline to enter will be February 13th at midnight. The winner will be chosen at random by monkey ninjas and announced on this blog on February 23rd.
Chapter 1
T
he morning was misty and damp as Sir Edmund Rembrandt rode his horse, Troy, down the narrow street. The early spring rains had turned the roads into mud as thick as pudding so that the horse at times had to pull at his step. The early morning light gave the scenery a blue haze that made everything seem colder, and Sir Edmund drew his cloak tighter around him. He had been on the road for three days now, hoping to get home to a warm fire and a warm meal. That thought drove him on a little faster, and he clicked to his horse encouragingly.
Sounds of distant battle training wafted to his ears and took him back to the days of his knighthood, before his wounds and scars that never completely healed. He had been in the service of His Majesty, King Nathan the faithful. Back then knights were rewarded for their bravery, even if they were wounded in service to the King. Sir Edmund had received such horrible wounds in battle that many thought he would never survive. He didn’t like to speak of them today, or even think about the painful recuperation that had taken many years. He was not fit for battle after that, but the King had taken pity and gave him Troy, the faithful steed Sir Edmund had ridden in battle, to seek out rich spices from the east. Sir Edmund had a natural ability as a merchant and had become rather wealthy. And so Sir Edmund was living fairly comfortably in his advancing years.
New sounds of children playing nearby brought Sir Edmund back to his senses just in time to see a young child run out into the street, having been chased by her friends. She was startled by Troy and in her surprise spooked the horse as well. Fortunately, for both animal and girl, they were able to miss colliding, and the young girl apologized profusely for scaring the horse. Sir Edmund dismounted and approached to check on the girl’s health. She, in turn, was staring at the horse, mouth open in a gesture of pure adoration.
“Are you alright, lass?” Sir Edmund queried. The young girl just nodded, soaking in the animal in front of her. “Yes, sir, I’m very sorry for scaring you like that. I didn’t see or hear you coming. What kind of horse is that?”
“Well, he is a war horse, young lady. You are very lucky he didn’t trample you.” The girl continued her nodding, noting every detail of the massive animal. He was a gray-speckled steed, very muscular, and with a long flowing mane and tail that looked to the girl as if it were spun out of silver.
Sir Edmund noticed the girl’s small frame and dark long hair and olive skin. She couldn’t have been any older than five, he thought, and didn’t have any business being in the middle of the street. “What is your name, lass?” he asked.
“Elizabeth, sir. My name is Elizabeth,” she answered him.
“Where is your mother, then? Does she know you are out playing in the street so early in the morning?”
Elizabeth hesitated before answering the man, not wanting to draw upon someone else’s pity.
“I have none, sir. My mother died while giving birth to me. My father is also gone, and I live with Miss Rose down the street. I’m out here looking for work to get some breakfast. Would you like me to take care of your horse for you?”
Sir Edmund stifled a chuckle at the thought of this tiny creature trying to brush and take care of his horse. Troy must have stood at 15 hands tall, and the girl only came up to Troy’s elbow.
“I’ll tell you what, lass. If you come show me the best stall to eat at, I’ll buy you breakfast.” Sir Edmund was aware of a change about the girl. She looked almost sad, and when she spoke he noticed for the first time that she did not have the usual posture or speech of the local people. She spoke with a definite, almost noble, inflection in her voice; certainly not the accent spoken in these parts.
“Thank you, kind sir, but I would prefer to work for my meals, rather than accept charity for them. You see, I don’t remember much of my father, but I know that he was a stately sort of person and very proud. He was not the kind of man who would think kindly of his daughter taking handouts. I’ll be happy to show you to the Eagle’s Inn, however. It has very good food, and I hear that many noble people have been happy within its walls.”
“Well, then, young Elizabeth, please show me the inn, and I would kindly like to speak to your guardian, this Miss Rose, afterwards,” Sir Edmund said. “I would like to bring her a free-will gift, if that is permissible,” he added with a smirk, knowing the child would not likely turn down the offer of food when it wasn’t charity.
~~~~~~~
They went around the bend and presently came to the Eagle’s Inn, a prosperous establishment that tended toward higher noise volume at night, when the ale flowed freely. Sir Edmund bade the horse to stay, and left the girl in charge of his steed while he went in to buy some food.
He wondered about the girl’s upbringing, noting that her posture and accent were all wrong for this sort of environment. He was curious about her history and hoped he could answer more questions than he could ask. He bought some food and went outside to the horse and girl, who seemed to be conversing in hushed tones. They seemed to enjoy each other’s company, he noted.
Mounting the horse, Sir Edmund pulled her up into the saddle in front of him. She gave him directions, and they started off. Sir Edmund looked down at the girl in front of him and pondered how a child could get to be an orphan in a different town, for he knew with most certainty that she did not grow up here.
The wind rose, and Sir Edmund noticed that Elizabeth was trying not to shiver but was very cold. Her skin, though naturally olive, was a bit blue, and he took off his cloak and wrapped it around the slight girl. Despite her best efforts, Elizabeth relaxed and eventually fell asleep, leaning into the arms of the large man.
Sir Edmund, for his part, had found the house, or rather the hovel, where Elizabeth lived, for she had given excellent directions. He slowly dismounted, holding Elizabeth in his arms, careful not to wake her.
An elderly, haggard-looking woman came out of the doorway with an expression of worry upon her face. She had the look not of old age, but rather of many years of hard labor and was stooped from bending at the fire too often. “What happened to the girl, sir?” she asked.
“Nothing, Madam, she’s just tired and hungry. Here, I’ll lay her down, and I brought food for you and her to share.”
Sir Edmund put Elizabeth down on an old worn mat that lay on the floor in the back of the hut by the fire, and then retrieved from the saddlebags two loaves of bread, a large chunk of cheese and goats’ milk, which he then gave to the woman.
“May I ask, Madam, how this creature came into your care? She is obviously not from these parts, and I am curious about her history.”
The woman answered him vaguely, and he could tell she did not trust him with the knowledge she had.
“Madam,” he insisted, “I am a wealthy merchant working for the King. I have no plans of taking her away to a fate worse than this. Indeed, I may be able to give her aid. I know people who might be able to help, if we knew her background. It appears to me that she is from a noble family. Am I right?”
The woman, obviously torn about what to do, went over to the sleeping form of Elizabeth and watched her breathing for a while. Sir Edmund was about to try again when the woman turned around to him again.
“Kind sir, I do not know the girl’s tale, though I do know it is a tragic one. I do know she is of noble birth, though I admit of which family I have no idea. She came to this village two years ago with a woman named Esperanza, who told me she had taken care of the child since birth and that evil men wanted her doom. When Esperanza fell ill with the fever, she bade me to take care of her at all costs. She is a wonderful child, already able to read and write a bit; better than me, I’m afraid. She is no trouble, but proud enough to get noticed around here. Truth be told, I would like to see her go to a better place, but I am worried that whoever wants her dead may come looking for her. How do I know that you will keep your word and care for her well?”
Sir Edmund pondered how best to answer this woman who took charge of the child without even knowing anything about her or what she was getting into. “Madam, I do not know how to guarantee her safety in this dark age, or even her future with me, insomuch as it depends on my own good fortune. I can, however, promise you that I will give her every chance and ability to excel and thrive. I promise to see that she is educated in the finest setting and that I will treat her as if she were my own daughter. As I have no children, I can assure you that she will be well taken care of.”
These words seemed to comfort the woman, and she turned once again to watch Elizabeth sleepily stirring upon the mat. Elizabeth opened her eyes and, seeing the gentleman in her house, stood up a bit embarrassed at having fallen asleep. She walked over to Sir Edmund. “Sir, thank you for bringing me home, and I am sorry for having fallen asleep and troubled you with carrying me in.” Turning to look at the woman, Elizabeth dug out a few coins and put them in her hand. “Miss Rose, here are a few coins I earned today so far. It might buy you a couple of muffins for lunch.”
The woman turned away her eyes brimming with tears. “Lizie, this man is offering to take you to live with him at his house. Won’t that be nice for you?” She turned toward a clay jar and put her coins away, then turned toward a confused Lizie and put her hands on the girl’s shoulders.
“But Miss Rose, I thought you were happy with me here. Have I done something wrong?” She searched the woman’s eyes, groping for answers.
“No, young Lizie. It’s only that this here gentleman can provide you with a warm safe home and an education, and other things I cannot provide for you. I am fond of you, Lizie, but I know this plan is for the best. Now I want you to put on a brave face and a happy heart. I want you to do this for Esperanza, God rest her soul. She would want you to go. This I know.”
With that, she gave Elizabeth a pat on the shoulder, then turned her back on the girl and moved toward the fireplace, small though it was, and pretended to be very busy cooking, though there wasn’t even a pot in sight.
Elizabeth turned slowly around and looked at Sir Edmund closely, not rudely, but curiously, as if searching his heart for what lurked beneath his thick brocade vest and pantsuit. “Sir, if I may ask, if I am to go with you, how am I to address you? I don’t even know your name.”
“Well, Lizzie, you can call me Uncle Edmund. Would that be acceptable to you?”
Elizabeth considered this for a moment, then looked at him levelly in the eyes and answered, “Yes, Uncle Edmund, I would like that very much.”
Remember, if you want to read the rest, post a comment and enter to win!!
Yesterday morning I got up dutifully early with hubby and started the day off right: Bible study and prayer.
It went downhill from there.
At about 10:00, I was ready for a nap. My children could not find their school books (misplaced in the Christmas shuffle), the weather was nice outside, and I was completely worn out. And this was before lunch!!
We were so used to Daddy being home for the holidays, that it seemed like the longest day on earth until he came home.
The bright spot was that we did in fact get some schoolwork done (more than P.E.). And we actually enjoyed it.
• Dec. 17, 2008 - It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas (Not!)
I'm not sure who is counting faster, them or me!!!
Since I promised my kids we would take a break for Christmas, they have been looking forward to the time when they are allowed to sleep late, stay in their pj's all day and generally have a stress-free time to not do any "school work".
But I have to admit that I'm looking forward to it as much as they are. I need time to recuperate, plan and gear up for the second half of the year.
We are going to do some fun Christmas stuff like Christmons and tree, Christmas cookies and sing a lot of Christmas carols while making smores over an open fire (OK, Maybe the open fire is a bit of a stretch, but you get the point). We haven't put a tree up yet this year, and to be honest, I'm not sad. That sucker is a bear to get set up! So, I'm trying to think of some fun activities for the kids to do that will make them feel the Christmas Spirit.
But God, having a sense of humor, is having some fun with my holiday plans. Thursday it's suposed to be 72 degrees. It's actually colder in San Diego than it is here!! So the singing of "Oh, the weather outside is frightful..." doesn't hold water for my kids. Tomorrow (Thursday) they will be playing outside with their friends and having a blast in the relative heat.
We don't do Santa, so we can't even go to get our pictures taken on his lap, so you'd think that they wouldn't be all that geared up for Christmas, right?
Wrong!!
Like I said, they are totally gearing up for it, and it's precious to watch. This is the first year that Superhero will have a little money to give gifts and he is so excited about getting something for his sisters. He is so into this, and it warms my heart. Ponygirl received a huge Visa gift card and spent more than half of it on her friends and siblings, and is going to spend the other half on a gift through the World Vision Gift Catalog.
This is not some smarmy statement meant to inspire guilt if your children haven't done this. No, I was shocked that the statement came out of her mouth. But it's so nice to see.
• Dec. 13, 2008 - Little Old Lady from...the dish department
I heard Todd Wilson talk about his book Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe at a homeschool expo a couple of years ago. He talked about this phenomenon of the husband loading the dishwasher wrong and getting in trouble for it. I laughed with everybody else, thinking how superior I am to all those moms who didn't get it.
Well, everyone...I've been humbled again.
Yes, God showed me my uptight and arrogant behavior in the dish washing department.
But in my defense, I will say I thought this was different! My husband isn't the culprit. It's a cute little old lady.
Yes, I have a cute little old (I can say old, she's 91) lady that lives with us and does our dishes. Now before you all stone me for elder abuse, she wants to do it. As a matter of fact, she demanded to be allowed to wash dishes when she moved in with us. That was almost eight years and two sets of dishes ago. She doesn't just wash the dishes, she breaks them too. I don't like the way she does the dishes. She pre-washes them, which is a good thing because if you saw the layers of dishes on the top rack alone, you would wonder how anything gets clean.
But I digress.
I didn't realize that I was just as guilty as the woman who won't let her husband help because he loads the dishes wrong.
So I confessed to the Lord that I am selfish in wanting things done, my way. I refuse to be pulled into the deception that I have control over my dishes anymore. They are just stuff, and she is 91.
I buy Corning Ware now. It hurts the pocket book a little less.
Have you ever had one of those moments? You're working on a project. You think you're doing everything right, and then notice that... oops! You weren't supposed to do it; your kids were supposed to.
It can be easy when I am homeschooling to get so caught up in what we're doing that I start to take control. For instance:
I had a passion for the local homeschool kids in my area to be able to put on a Christmas play. So I ended up directing it. That's ok, but when I heard that one of the pastors would be at the performance, I was amazed at how quickly it went from being about the kids to being a reflection of me.
Ugh!! I hate it when my ego gets in the way! Fortunately for me, God enabled me to step out of the way almost as quickly as I stepped in. Phew!
I remember as a child when a parent stepped in the way of my education. It wasn't a big deal at the time, but it stuck with me that an accolade accredited to me was never earned. In reality, it was a lie. This homescholing trip can get challenging, especially when we need to stay out of the way of our children's path. We are suppoed to walk alongside them, not in front of them, blocking their path to education.
So, Mom, when you get the "sceince fair-itis", step back, take a deep breath, and remember this: If they were perfect, they would be teaching us instead of the other way around.
Keeping it real,
Brandie
Cartoon by Todd Wilson, from The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons, volume 2. Used by permission
I just watched a video of a group singing "Amazing Grace" in the Roman Coliseum. Wow! They sang four verses and had an interlude of bagpipes. That brought to my mind a time when Ponygirl and I were having a nature walk on our local mountain. We had just moved to town, an we didn't know a soul, but the weather was beautiful, and the scenery was gorgeous. As we sat at the summit of the mountain admiring God's creation, a man walked up and began playing his bagpipes.
I have heard bagpipes played well, and I have heard them played badly. There is no in between, so needless to say, I was a bit nervous when he pulled them out.
But then he started to play.
I was reminded of the biblical story of when King Nebuchadnezzar told all the people of Babylon to bow down and worship the idol of himself. They were to bow on cue to the music.
"As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold..." Daniel 3:5
I am continually awestruck by the power of music to move the soul. My soul was stirred that day on the mountain and moved me to worship the Lord. We told the man that his playing was beautiful, and he rewarded us with a rendition of Amazing Grace as my daughter and I descended back down to the parking lot to go home.
That was six years ago and both of us still remember it like it was yesterday.
Now I am the last person who would ever put on you the guilt of having to teach your children music! While I would love for all children to learn the classics and play an instrument, I know that finances, abilities and desires change with every family and every child.
I would like to encourage you to remember what I said. Music moves the soul to worship. That's what is was created to do, and children seem to be especially vulnerable to it. Music will either move them to worship the creator or, as in Nebuchadnezzar's case, worship a twisted counterfeit.
Music is a tool, and we can all learn to use it for God's glory. Teach them to use it wisely.
In an instantaneous flash of time, she transformed from a toddler that laughed at the antics of others to a young child that generates laughter in everyone around her. On purpose.
Tonight, we were sitting around the kitchen table attempting to have a family devotion and hubby asked some questions related to the story. Without batting an eyelash, Ladybug raises her hand and shouts, "ME!" to get hubby to call on her for the answer.
Now, two things about this seem strange to me.
First, since we homeschool, rarely do any of my children raise their hands to answer a question, and Ladybug is too young to get this from her social groups. Keep in mind, she's not even 2 years old yet.
Second, this is a child that has many words, but has yet to formulate sentences.
Where does a 20-month-old child get the personality that makes an entire family, even cranky whiny people, smile, giggle and laugh so hard that we all need to excuse ourselves to the restroom?
I would like to take credit for this wonderful personality, say that she inherited it from me. And while it is true that one of my greatest desires in life is to make people laugh, I cannot take credit for this bundle of wonderfulness before me. She is entirely her own unique set of likes, dislikes, highs and lows.
For instance: The girl likes tofu, and doesn't care for meat. She seems to be turning out to be a natural vegetarian. I am a meat eater. This does not come from me.
Also, at 18 months old, this child could hold a writing utensil correctly and sit for hours drawing and "writing." Of course that would be great, but her "artistic" ability unfortunately is not limited to paper. She is not happy unless she and at least three other surfaces in the house contain marker, crayon or something else that refuses to be removed. This does not come from me. I think it's rather telling that my toddler has a longer attention span than me.
And that's just a couple examples. Looking at my children reaffirms my belief that God has a big sense of humor.
I know he laughs at Ladybug; He delights in her... and so do I.
I love this time of year. we get to put everything away for the week, and just play indians and pilgrims. I found a bed sheet at a thrift store that was the color of buckskin and sowed dresses and pants for my 3 squaws and 1 brave.
Now before, you give me the mom of the year award, let me warn you they were, shall we say...elementary? Although I have to admit they were pretty darn cool for being sheet fabric. They've already been ripped so I have to fix them before I post any pictures. that will come soon, I promise.
Last year we were pilgrims, complete with aprons. Well, I say complete, but that's all about I could do. You know, if you put a large white apron over any dress, you can look like a pilgrim in a certain light!
I found a great link a few years ago about how to make paper pilgrim hats and I made one out of white fabric interfacing. Very cute and easy to make.
I got the inspiration last year and this, from a great book I highly recommend for reading to your children. It's called "Squanto and the Miracle of Thanksgiving". It is the first children's book I've seen in a long time that does justice to the story of Squanto's life and God's sovereign hand in all of history.
I know my post is a little forgetful today, must be the Tryptophan...I think I need a nap!
Have you ever had a best friend that always thought the best of you even if someone else was picking on you?
I was fortunate in that I had a few close friends, and one in particular who was always on my side. I knew that no matter what life and other people could throw at me I could run to my girlfriend and whine, cry, sob or celebrate. It is still like that today. We can usually finish each other's thoughts before we have a chance to finish our sentence.
On Sunday, my pastor shared from Romans 8:31: "If God is for us, then who can be against us?" Of course Paul wasn't saying that nothing bad will ever happen to us if we are Christians. On the contrary, Jesus promised us that we will have trouble in this life. I think what Paul meant was that no matter what, if God is for us, then it doesn't matter who is against us.
To quote a great theological statement, "God is bigger than the boogeyman, and He's watching out for you and me."
Do you know that God is for you? Are you living out that truth in your life? How about in your homeschool?
If God is for us -- truly for us -- then we have nothing to fear. We need not fear the state standards or what our children might be "missing" from the scope and sequence. If God is for us, then as long as we are seeking Him, we will be on the right path.
But remember... that path is narrow, and not easy to travel. It can be bumpy and full of snares. It is the road less traveled, which means some potholes, but I think that's what Jesus meant.
Homeschooling is also the road less traveled and full of its own potholes and snares, such as: comparing our children's performance and abilities to that of other kids (both homeschooled and non homeschooled), comparing oursleves to other parents' teaching methods and the books they read, as well as how many children they have and whether or not they wear denim jumpers.
But God is for us. He is the eternal best friend who is always rooting for us, giving us encouragement and loving us when we show our best... and our worst.
So just remember, don't let the boogeyman get you down because God is on your side.
Boy, the political climate right now makes for a great unit study!!!
I'm not going to do that, though. To be honest, I am a bit over the top on politics at the moment. I believe in being involved, yada, yada, but I leave that for my other blog.
I got a book in the mail I am sure all of you in homeschool cyberland have heard of and read. It's called, "Pocketful of Pinecones" by Karen Andreola. I had intended to read it, but must admit that non-fiction books (even good ones) tend to send me to sleep. So imagine my surprise when I pick it up and it's a fiction book!!! I did not realize this!
Over the years of homeschooling, I have really liked the ideology of Charlotte Mason education, but I was scared silly when I saw the work load. Some of these students were studying 15 different subjects! It's enough to make my knees rubber! I have a hard enough time preparing for the basics.
All that to say that "Pocketful of Pinecones" has made me rethink my fear. I also have a copy of "A Charlotte Mason Companion," which I am now determined to read (only when I am good and awake) and hope to move in that direction. I have already implemnted several sugegstions, like afternoons off, short (hopefully) lessons, but I have lacked doing narration with my children, as my first born didn't like it.
Heart of the Matter online blog had this to say a while back:
'Education is an atmosphere' doesn't mean that we should create an artificial environment for children, but that we use the opportunities in the environment he already lives in to educate him. Children learn from real things in the real world.'-Charlotte Mason Series (preface)
You know, homeschooling is wonderful, partly because of the flexibility it gives you.
We school in the car on the way to appointments, on the floor, through educational TV and in bed. Many times when the kids aren't feeling well, they just do their work while being comfy in bed.
Today, though, we're doing something a bit different. We're actually taking a bona fide sick day. I mean, why is it that we homeschoolers seem to always push our kids to do their work when they aren't feeling well? I have done it many times, and didn't have any sick days last year, because we just worked through them.
I wonder, though, how that effects my childrens' attitudes toward school work. If the almighty schoolwork is more important than our children's health, what does that say to our kids? I think it says that "school" is more important than them. And it can become an idol for us.
God forbid it!! I want my children to have a passion to learn, not a burden when they are sick. Now, if they want to pursue something while sick, say reading a good book, etc., who am I to say no?
So, I'm taking the day off to clean the school room, plan ahead for the next quarter, and prepare for National Novel Writing Month. If you are not familiar with this, click here.
As for my kids, they are having a day to play, watch a little TV, eat yummy things and just relax.
So, I sat and rocked, sat and rocked.
Sat and rocked, sat and rocked.
Sat and rocked, sat and rocked.
Poor ladybug came down with croup, and she is miserable. She wanted her Mommy, and just wanted to be cuddled, wanted to be held, wanted to be rocked.
So I did.
Now, I admit that I don't like to rock my children to sleep. I got caught in that trap with the first one, then had a heck of a time trying to teach her later how to fall asleep on her own. So with the others, I loved them, kissed them and put them down to bed.
Worked like a charm.
Until they get sick.
And to be honest, I'm a sucker for a sickie. When they feel puny, I feel powerful. They know that only Mommy can stop the hurt, and if Mommy can't, then she'll stick with you until it does stop hurting.
What they don't know is all the things that go through my mind, all the projects that go undone, and the chores that need to be finished. I'm thinking about the floor needing to be swept, email to be answered, dishes to be done. It is in these moments that I realize what a hard time it is for me to be still. I guess I'm a Martha at heart, and it's not natural for me to just sit.
But I did tonight. I fought the demons of industry and just sat and rocked. With God's help I did it for her.
Ladybug was finally ready for bed and asked to get into it. I had tried earlier, but she just wasn't ready and fussed. So I picked her back up and rocked.
I sat and rocked, sat and rocked.
It feels good to do the right thing. At least I get it right from time to time
I didn't yell at any of my children ALL day. You're shocked, I know.
So, what's my secret, you ask?
Well, I've been reading a book, and I think it's actually getting through to my brain. It's called "Parenting is Heart Work," published by the National Center for Biblical Parenting. I read chapters 14 and 15 last night and it explained a little secret about not waiting until the situation blows up before addressing your children.
Duh, you say? Well, it spoke volumes to me.
I realized at that moment that I prefer to be an armchair Mommy.
"Don't make me get up off of this couch!"
"As long as he's not hurting anyone, or himself..."
I am constantly amazed by my level of laziness and procrastination. A wise woman told me that as we grow nearer to the Lord, we become more aware of our sinfulness and how that compares to His holiness. I know that should make me feel better.
The other thing that really made a difference for me was that I actually watched live TV last night... *gasp*
Yes, I admit, not only did I watch TV, but as my husband and I were flipping through the channels (absolutely nothing worth watching was on), we stopped at Nanny 911. While I have always been intrigued with the idea for the show, I had never watched it.
Where do they get these families? I was appalled. And then, the Lord spoke to me in His still small voice that said, "Brandie, before you judge these people, look at the mom and how stressed she is. Don't you ever feel that way? She is yelling at her children and not finding out the root of the problem. Do you ever do that?"
I believe that mom loved her children, but she had not learned any coping skills. Is that ever us? Do we ever find ourselves doing something we swore we would never do? We are but one step away from that mom who had no hope.
I say one step, but that one step is a big one.I don't know that mom's relationship with the Lord, but I know that we have a secret weapon against anger, frustration, and irritation. That weapon is the Holy Spirit, and honestly, I believe that God is the only difference between us and that mom.
Never should we be lax about our own ability because our strength must come from God. If it doesn't, well then we will turn out like that mom who had nowhere else to turn to but let her anger get the best of her.
I'm humbled by the thought that there go I but for the grace of God. But for the moment, I am enjoying my victory!!! (and so are my children...)
To borrow a phrase from one of my favorite bloggers, " I'm a great Mom. Except when I'm not."
I blew it again.
Yesterday I was in a hurry. I don't even remember why at the moment, but I needed to go somewhere, and go now. I didn't have a large time window.
Princess was pushing my buttons that day, and I wanted to give her an opportunity to redeem herself. That in and of itself would have been fine.
But I told her to go to the bathroom.
Alone.
Without supervision.
Now, Princess is 3 1/2 years old and she is perfectly able to go potty. But, she has a tendency to forget details... like wiping, flushing or washing her hands.
So, someone needs to remind her to do those things.
But I was busy and in the car, trying to get the other balls of kinetic energy (read children) into their seats and strapped in. Princess was taking too long, so I went to the basement stairs and shouted up the stairs to her what was taking so long. Then I saw her.
Completely naked from the waist down. One shoe and sock on, one off. It seems that she forgot to put the toilet seat down when she went to wash her hands and stepped into the toilet (don't worry, it was clean).
In hind sight it was hilarious! But I didn't laugh. I got angry.
I was inconvenienced by having to interrupt my almighty schedule for a short person. So I stomped upstairs, get her new clothes, and generally let her know that I was not happy with her.
She got the point. She cried and said, "Sorry, Mommy."
So, how many times do we hurry our children, demand that they conform to our schedules and then we get irritated when they can't keep up?
In my own selfishness, I forget that my children are little people that need to be loved and not herded like cattle from one event to the next.
A great quote from Lorrie Fleming of Teach Magazine states, "The Bible shows us over and over again that the greatest enemy of God's will and God's best is often impatience."
It's OK; I made up with Princess. I have learned long ago to not let my mistakes slip past me when possible. I apologize to my children when I mess up, and they are gracious enough to forgive me.
