100 Days of Change for the Family

I don't have time to figure out how to embed this YouTube video but it very clearly spells out the need for the citizens of this country to get involved and vocal.

That's me and that's you.

FOR TODAY April 13, 2009...

Outside my window...a cool clear morning...the little tulips look like they want to stay closed today.

I am thinking...about curriculum

I am thankful for...medicine

From the learning rooms...Tapestry of Grace Y1 W29, trying to squeeze in as much as possible before we leave on Thursday...

From the kitchen...today I'm making freezer meals for our trip this weekend

I am wearing...tights (it's still chilly here), comfy jean skirt, tan t-shirt and crocheted sweater

I am creating...a new dishcloth is on the needles, my dd wants it for her play kitchen (we'll see)

I am going...AWAY on Thursday.  We are attending the Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincy this weekend.  Grandma and Grandpa W. are meeting us in Cincy and will spend time with the children while we go to the Convention.  Then we all get to enjoy a few sights while in town.  We are so excited!

I am reading...Winter's Folly, I forget the author, its a Lamplighter book

I am hoping...to finish all my chores this week...there is a lot to do

I am hearing...children playing downstairs, the hum of the washer, an exploring baby (hmmmm, what is he into), Piano Hymns (bind my wandering heart to thee...)

Around the house...clean and tidy up before we go, I'm also enjoying the freshly primed walls in the entryway.  We are beginning the process of painting the tallest wall in the house.  It is a big job with three little ones around!

One of my favorite things...Workboxes!  I'm hoping to blog about these when we get back.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Clean, bake, cook, do laundry, pack, LEAVE, enjoy some time away!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Visit Peggy's blog to join in the fun!  http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

...the posts are dancing around my head like crazy.  Lots of application to the study I'm doing of II Timothy.  I don't forsee myself finding lots of time in the near future to spend lots of time blogging but hopefully I can take some notes and organzie some thoughts. 

Sometimes I feel like I'm chasing the thoughts in my head as much as I chase the children around the house. 

Lord, may all these words glorify you and may all these steps during the day lay a foundation of grace in the hearts of my children.

In Christ Alone

Wow!  Life can get away from you sometimes.  I've been neglecting the blog lately because we been busy around here.  I have had so many thoughtful blogs written in my mind lately.  Sigh.  They will never be retrieved at this point.  I've only got a couple of minutes to pop in now before I MUST get up in the shower and start the day.

The big news around here has really been a bit of a stumbling point for my heart lately.  We took Pickles in for an eye doctor appointment per some concerns we've had and yes indeed the child is VERY nearsighted like dh and I.  He will get glasses this week.  I'm hoping that will help with some of his attention issues when in church or in audience situations. 

But the thing that has had my heart tied in knots at times lately is to learn that he is also color blind deficient.  I know it isn't life threatening or a disease but it has brought me face-to-face (yet, again) with the realitiy of our fallen state.  It has made me quite sad for our little man because he has to deal with the effects of sin in his body. 

I'm reminded that I must hold my hand open and pray for the strength to dream-the-dreams God has for my child rather than the ones my selfish flesh would desire. 

Parenting is a process of letting go...and it begins when the baby cries for the first time.

Living in a world of vibrant color doesn't compare to walking in the wisdom of the Word.  I pray my child walks in the wisdom of the Word with his heart firmly kept by the King.

"My son, keep my words, And treasure my commandments within you.  Keep my commandments and live, And my teaching as the apple of your eye."

Proverbs 7:1-2

FOR TODAY November 10, 2008

                    
Outside my window…a thin layer of soft white snow

I am thinking...on Proverbs 10.  A comparison of the wise and foolish.

I am thankful for...warm wool socks

From the learning rooms...finishing a study on China, making “Mat Man”, and beginning to read Thanksgiving books.

From the kitchen...chili, sweet cornbread, pumpkin bread with a hint of spice and chocolate

I am wearing...tights, a comfy jean skirt, a tee with a soft yellow flannel shirt over it and my favorite wool socks

I am creating...a pretty dress for Pumpkin’s birthday later this month

I am going...out to dinner with my hubby this week

I am reading...Darwin’s Plantation about the evolutionary roots of racisim

I am hoping...to finish the socks I’m knitting

I am hearing...nothing….the sound of rest in a home with young children

Around the house...catching up on laundry, finishing birthday sewing projects

One of my favorite things...reading with my children

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Grandmom K. is coming to visit later this week, dinner out at church with dear hubby, and lots of sewing

Memory Verse: Isaiah 40: 1- Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Intro: “Have It Your Way” (Burger King)  - As cooler weather approaches and the winter eases into our doors I like to lounge by the fire after a hot shower.  I love to make soups that are brimming with a rich and full flavor.  In our home there’s nothing better than a hot bowl of soup or and a hot cup of coffee or cocoa on a cold winter night.

Assignment: Tell us all about how your have “your” relaxing time, more especially how during the cooler months you take time to curl up with your favorite movie, book, Bible study, and what your favorite warm drink would be.

 ****************************************************************************************************************

Two answers come to mind when considering this assignment. 

1.  I love to cuddle into a freshly made bed (clean sheets, plump pillows, and cozy quilts) with a wonderful book to read.  I can hear the blowing winds outside but it feels so cozy and restful snuggled beside my dh while I read.  Ahhhh! Relaxation.

2.  My second favorite thing to do in the winter is to knit while dh reads out-loud.  We snuggle on the couch under a favorite quilt, sipping tea or cocoa, while my needles click-clack, dh reads and we discuss the book together. 

Both of these activities always leave me feeling refreshed and ready for a good long sleep.  It seems odd that my mind is so engaged in each of these activities.  I've never been much of a "bath-tub" person because it seemed like a waste of time...yes, I'm a "doer".  I'm so glad God has created us with such differences. 

When I started blogging about two years ago I honestly didn't think I would ever get to 100 posts.  Wow!  For some reason I feel a giddy satisfaction with myself. 

I remember when I taught Kindergarten and we did our 100 celebration.  It was the new and vogue thing to do...count each day of school and then have a party when you reach 100.  We spent an entire day doing things 100 times we jumped rope 100 times, counted out 100 jelly beans, and ran in place for 100 seconds.  I always thought it seemed kinda silly to do since most children at that age don't "get it" anyways.  They just don't seem to connect how much time has past and why the day is monumental.  Another example of how we try to make learning cute rather than deep. 

I'm teaching my three year old to count to one hundred.  We started tonight.  She always wants to jump off the potty without waiting for the p** p**s to come out so I started counting past twenty with her to help make our bathroom visits productive.  Now, eventually we'll move on to counting objects but for now we'll stick with using a math lesson as a stalling technique. 

I love that I can teach math, potty-train, and spend time with Pumpkin all at the same time!

I've put off completing the assignment for Blogger Friend School because I just cannot find one thing to write about.  So, I'm declaring us the Most UnWacky Family Ever. 

We like order and structure

We thrive on schedules

We live in the Suburbs

We have three kids and one dog

Dh is a computer programmer and I am a home-lovin momma with a degree in teaching

We can't ever even imagine ourselves trying to "unschool"

The scariest thing I (momma) ever done is go white-water rafting with dh on our honeymoon

Ummmmm....

I really can't come up with more than that. 

I think our neighbors think we are wacky (for homeschooling, grinding flour/baking bread, square-foot gardening, staying home alot, wearing dresses and skirts to the soccer game and letting our kids play-out the battle scenes from "Narnia") but in comparison to some other homeschoolers we are pretty ordinary.

about the implications of Palin potentially being the VP.  I'm still praying through this but as a reformed ex-feminist I struggle with voting for Mrs. Palin.   This article asks the questions I've been asking myself.  I don't agree with the authors final assessment because I don't think we need to rethink our theology on feminism.  But he does raise some excellent points that if you are thinking the situation through to its end result makes perfect sense.  So, how can I vote for this woman with a clear heart before God?  I don't see how I can...part of me really wants to...but I just don't see how I can.

We've been here just over a year now.  We feel like we are finally ready to get involved and do somethings.  This feels kinda awkward because for so long we didn't have any extra time (having young children and being missionaries).  We've been praying for opportunities to get involved in the things God would have us do. 

Now, when I pray things like this I often feel like I ask with an agenda but this time I didn't.  God has been so awesome to grow us and stretch in this process.  We have taken on two major commitments that I know are blessing others.  My joy doesn't come in the fact that I'm making others happy but in the way I feel about this.  You see I'm a very selfish person.  I hate to be bothered (unless it fits in my schedule).  But instead of dreading these commitments I have found that I'm excited and blessed by my sacrifice for others.  It isn't about what I need or what but what I need to do for them.  This is truly a miracle because I know my sinful heart and ways.  I feel like God has lightened my load and I do not serve with a begruding spirit. 

I understand now why people say that serving blesses the person serving more than the person being served.  I honestly can say that I never really "got" that at a heart level before.  Praise God, now I do!

...through love serve one another.  For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in the [statement], YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.                                              Galations 5:13b-14

I'm participating in Blogger Friend School and the assignment was to write about a struggle you have with the homeschooling lifestyle.  My current struggle is with the clutter monster.  I feel like we are living in survival mode and not getting past "go" on chores.  I can usually keep up with laundry (not putting away but washing/drying), dishes, meals, and school each day but the other things (cleaning bathrooms, sweeping floors, putting away the 'stuff') just doesn't get the attention it needs.

This is a personal struggle and not so much something that my family is overwhelmed by.  I'm just the type of person who likes to have a cleaning schedule and enjoys checking off my accomplishments.  I've been trying to rest  rather than react when it comes to the clutter.  I know this is a season in our lives.  We have three kiddos with the oldest being five.  So, momma is pretty much the "go-to" person on picking stuff up.  Now, I do believe in training my kiddos to help out and they really do but there is still so much that momma has to take care of or oversee (they can't put all the dishes away, they can't reach the clothes in the bottom of the washer, they still don't "get" that sweeping is more than a swipe here and a swipe there). 

My challenge is to give myself as much grace as my dh has bestowed on me.  He is a benevolent man.  I look forward to the days when the kiddos and I can collaborate on chores while actually accomplishing something.  I know this day will come because I'm going to keep investing that time in traning them.  But until then you may find me cleaning my own shower at 8 p.m. while daddy gives baths.  *sigh*  I'm sure that when I reach the phase of having a clean bathroom again I'll realize that there aren't any happy giggles coming from the tub.  I'm sure that when I have clean kitchen counters I'll realize that there is a lack of baby toys scattered around.  We'll get there...but I don't think it will bring me as much joy as this moment does. 

Yes, I get frustrated with the seeming lack of order and cleanliness in our home but I know that my kiddos enjoy the stories read, the crafts made, the math games, and the lunches at the park more than an immaculate house.  I know a lot of people who wonder how homeschool moms "do it all".  We don't.  We don't even come close to doing it all and in certain seasons it feels impossible to attempt to do-it-all.  We have to prioritize like every other mom out there.  I must prayerfully choose everyday what my priority will be for that day.  Then the challenge becomes sticking with those priorities and not getting my focus skewed. 

So, no awesome method to slove the problem or great advice from me.  I'm just a mom who keeps plugging away and choosing joy!  I've heard countless times that the children will grow-up faster than I want them too.  When I get frustrated or overwhelmed I try to remember that truth.  I'm committed to homeschooling and it sometimes needs to be more important than me checking off a cleaning schedule.  I'll never do preschool with Pumpkin again and Pickles only has one Kindergarten year but I know I'll have lots of years left of cleaning.  I do what I can with the time I have and I try to let the rest go.

I can't believe we've just begun our fourth week of school already.  It seems to be passing along so quickly.  I must admit I'm a school junkie.  I've always been a school junkie.  I was the child who longed for school to begin in the fall and hated to see it end in the spring.  A new box of crayons has an enticing smell.  I still remember the way my heart would leap for joy when the boxes of crayons arrived in our classrooms each fall.  I would relish the joy of opening the stiff cardboard, sniffing the waxy scent and then coloring in such a way as to keep the points pointy for as long as possible.  I never colored them down flat or, heaven forbid, break them because I pushed so hard as I made my strokes (all in one direction and approxamately the same length). 

I remember the joy of experiencing those same sounds and smells the first year I taught.  The wonderful aroma of fresh pencils shavings and the sound of the squeaky bus brakes.  It sure seemed like a dream come true.  Until the reality of teaching hit home.  I struggled with the politics of being a teacher.  I often felt like the principal had expectations that were never clearly spelled-out and that the "older" (read elderly) teachers had it out for me simply because I was young and had a sense of adventure in the classroom.  Yes, mine was the classroom that pushed everyones comfort level and that people walked slowly by so they could try to find something to gossip about. 

I also struggled with the sense of hopelessness I saw in my pupils and their families.  I had the privilege of teaching at Christian schools but was struck by how Christ-less the families seemed to be.  My heart ached for them to know Jesus in a deep and meaningful way.  I could teach them to read, count, do fractions, and write book-reports but without Christ it would all be meaningless.  

So, there I was.  A new teacher with a freshly minted dipolma and all ready my ideal is shattered.  I have to admit that I really began to be disillusioned with my career and began to beg God for some true direction.  At that time in my life I clung to Psalm 119:32, "I run in the path of  your commands, for you have set my heart free".  I continued to follow my career path and even began persuing a master's degree in Early Childhood Education (I told you I loved school).  I kept thinking that if I just found the "right" job that my concerns and frustrations would go away.  Well, they didn't.

Fast forward (so this doesn't become horribly long)...God didn't allow me to find that "job" that would answer my questions.  I searched and searched for it but it was elusive and I finally ended up realizing that God wanted be to be home and available for my dear husband.  I surrendered my desire for a career to God in the summer of 2001 and by March of 2003 we were moving out-of-state to pursue God's call as vocational missionaries.  God had the best plan for my life.  I praise Him for the opportunity to labor with my dh for almost 5 years as we diligently called families to the truth of Scripture and challenged them to focus on the eternal rather than the temporal. 

Yet, God wasn't done with my love to teach, learn, and experience school.  It was during our time as vocational missionaries that God called both dh and I to home education.  So, here I am still intoxicated with the smell of new crayons and having to control myself during the school supply sales.  But now I feel that I can truly be a teacher because my days are spend weaving the truths of Scripture in with the gift of knowledge and skill.  This is who I was created to be!  This is what I pray my former students can somehow experience in some small way. 

IMHO, I believe true education can only happen in the home and balanced with the truth of God's Word.