I have been reading a new to me web-site (www.simplycharlottemason.com) and have been encouraged (and chastened) and now resolve that I won’t give up and determine next year’s school to be a disaster before it starts.  I have been reading info. about chores and habits and home-school from moms with kids similar ages to mine or younger or more in number, etc. and am realizing that it doesn’t just have to “be hard” or in my mind, next to impossible, but that Isaac and Abby need TRAINING!!!   They don’t just need to be OLDER (which has been my mentality of late). 

I have read about “blanket time” where the kids are required to stay on their own blanket or mat and play for a specified time and I liked that because then, they are close but not TOO close and they are not wandering and quite as distracting.  I also think I am going to assign caleb or emily to play, read, or get snacks for Isaac and Abby while I work with the other one.  It might take longer to get through the day but I am really longing for and missing that “quality” one-on-one time with caleb and emily where I feel like I am actually TEACHING them something.  It seems to be working fairly well right now with the kids alternating helping me or watching abby and then they aren’t really “free” and wasting time but they think it is a break to watch the baby. 

I have also read about scheduling in short blocks of time and not necessarily being RIGID with the schedule, which is what I have been struggling with because it seems there isn’t enough time.  I am looking at the schedule too minutely and not with a broad enough perspective.  Then, what happens is my kids hate school, I am crabby, all I care about is that the page is done in the workbook, and I forget all those wonderful goals of building character and developing close relationships with my kids.   I am thinking I need to take a step back and do more read-a-louds and more bible memory and character training and not be so obsessed with the curriculum.  This website has a neat scripture memory system that I am thinking of trying with the kids.

While I was reading I came across two great quotes I think you might like to post somewhere:

1. The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days.  (obviously, this must be understood in light of God’s sovereign will for our lives)

    2.   Don’t expect what you don’t inspect!!!   (in reference to chores but could also be meaningful in a school work context).

Finally, in terms of my summer goals…obviously, to have the kids reading and being read to but I need to take some time to go back and work on some simple HABITS that have been neglected for too long.  These are as simple (yet as complicated) as teaching my kids to brush their teeth properly, to FLOSS which we have never done, to WASH/BATHE properly, and to complete their chores properly.  Another big and on-going one that never seems to make it to the “DONE” list is FIRST TIME OBEDIENCE with only two words allowed “Yes Ma’am/Sir” although Mom/Dad will be accepted as well  =).  If these items can be at least addressed with some adequacy, I think it will make the coming school year a bit smoother as well!

"Comparison is the death of contentment"

                                 -Original Author Unknown

The neat thing about a good quote is that it often needs no further explanation.  However, I know that I will not get away so easily from a certain friend who is waiting for my next blog...

I came across this quote in the latest issue of TOS magazine amidst an article entitled, "Ten Things I've Learned...In Ten Years of Homeschooling."  I was sitting at a local coffeehouse with my oldest son (7) and catching up on some odds and ends of school work that had accumulated as a result of our bout with the respiratory flu.  As I sat there that day, I remember marveling that something my friends and I had spent many hours discussing could be so easily summarized in such a simple quote.  And yes, we have heard it before and maybe even said it a thousand times when we have "jokingly" remarked how "the grass is always greener..." wherever we're not!

THe consequences of dwelling in a thought life that does not bring glory to God are far-reaching.  How true it is that when we take our eyes off the only One we should be setting our standards by that we end up discontent, disgruntled, and dare I say, even bitter with our circumstances?   We lose sight of the blessings that He has given and suddenly it seems as though we are the ones who know what is best for our lives!  It is a terrible mistake and I have made it many times!

This is true in the realm of homeschooling when it is easy to be casually discussing with a friend a curriculum choice or a method employed and then, suddenly to begin to feel as though your own choices or methods are inferior (even though they have been prayed over and chosen with care with the specific needs of your child or family in mind).  It might be that at times we are struggling with an especially busy season and long for the serene and quiet lives that seem to be an earmark of those with children grown or with less children than we have.  "Ahhh...to have the time to ______ like so and so", we wistfully whisper.

Our desires may not even be frivolous but good and godly things.  Perhaps to serve more at church in a particular capacity, help a friend, or spend more time meditating on God's Word.  But God has us in a different place and has a purpose for where we are.  At times in my life, seeds of discontent have been sown when I have considered our house size in comparison to others and it has been fed when I have dwelt on the lack of means to fill it with showcases of lovely decor.  Even more tempting for me is to focus on those things that cannot be so readily seen or measured.  The gifts and talents of others can cause me much angst if I allow myself to measure my weaknesses against them.  How much better it would be for me to rejoice in their strengths and praise Him for the many ways others bring God glory with what they have been given!

Having said all that, I was thinking the other day that sometimes making comparisons can be healthy.  Huh?   Well, I hope I am never content with certain things such as how much I know of the Bible or how far I have come in my walk towards spiritual maturity.  I want to keep growing and learning and if I should ever reach a point that I am content with, I should like a good friend to come alongside me and "show me up".  Knowing that the Word of God and His example is my ultimate standard, if He should allow others into my life that cause me to squirm a little and push me more in the pursuit of knowing Him, then I will praise Him for that too. 

I just thought I would take a minute and tell you why I have entitled my page "Perfect Peace."  For those of you who know me and my nervous tendencies, you may be especially curious.  One of the reasons I have not created this page sooner was that I felt like I needed a good title for the page and being a perfectionist, it soon became apparent that I may NEVER have a blog! 

After a somewhat frustrating week of inner turmoil and wondering how I can accomplish all that I purpose to do (in His will), how I can better educate and teach and disciple my children, how I can be more effective for Him in my friendships and relationships with others, and how I can be meek and quiet about it all, the last thing I was this week was PEACEFUL!  

But, then, just when I needed it the most, I was reminded of Isaiah 26:3-4!

"You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast, because He trusts in You."

And yet again, I was reminded that my job is be unwavering in my trust.  And when I trust in Him, He will fill me with not just a small bit of contentment, but with a PERFECT peace-a peace that only He could provide. 

And so, along the way and amidst the entries here, you will see my many shortcomings and we will both be assured that I am not, nor ever could be, a perfect wife, mom, or friend.  Rather, I pray that His peace, which IS perfect, and His faithfulness will be evident as I share with you from my heart.