Today was the beginning of my seventh year of homeschooling.  I never planned to go past third grade.  Even last year I went through a time of major burnout, and questioned whether I was doing what was best for my children.  I remember one morning standing in the shower crying and praying, "Lord, please don't let me mess my kids up!"  God answered my prayer through another lady in my small group.  She approached me with a few questions, and then started talking about all the things I had been worried about.  I had not mentioned to anyone other than the Lord my concerns.  In fact, I know I must have looked strange to her because my jaw dropped when she started sharing.  Isn't that just like our heavenly Father?  To answer our prayers in such unexpected ways.  It is such a relief to know I am not alone in this journey.  Thank you, Lord.

Besides the normal day-to-day things like laundry, cooking, and cleaning, these other 'small' activities must be done this week:

Cut in-law's yard which hasn't been done in three weeks.  And yes, it was bad! (done last night)

Take A. to the orthodontist to get spacers - again.  We are starting Phase II of treatment.  I say 'we' because 'we' must now pay for Phase II which will be as much as Phase I. 

Awesome August starts Wednesday night.  This is our version of a revival.  Every Wednesday night in August a different speaker will preach.  This Wednesday is Jonathan Falwell.

Run to the store for supplies.

Go swimming.  Gotta get that swimming in because once school starts swimming stops.

Pick, shell, and put up butterbeans.  There is maybe two more pickings.

Prepare for family to come over for dessert to celebrate dad's and sister-in-law's birthdays.  I'm thinking about making a 3 layered coconut cake.  It will all depend on how much time I have.  Oh wait!  Before I do anything I guess I should check to see if my brother likes coconut cake.  I can almost bet he doesn't!

My mother-in-law shared this recipe with me several years ago.  It's very simple, but it takes three days to make.  Just so everyone knows, I am still a work in progress on this canning business.  I'm sure there are better and simplier ways of doing this, but I love the whole idea of preserving food I've grown.

Here are a few pictures of the process.

Start with 7 pounds of cucumbers.  Wash and slice.  It's optional whether you peel them.  I've made them both ways.

Mix 2 gallons of water and 2 cups of pickling lime.  Stir until the lime dissolves.  Add the sliced cucumbers and soak for 24 hours.

After soaking for 24 hours, drain the water and rinse several times to remove any left over lime.  The jar of lime recommended rinsing three times.  Then soak the cucumbers in ice water for three hours.

Drain ice water and mix 2 quarts of red vinegar, 5 pounds of sugar, and 1 T. pickling salt.  Pour over the cucumbers. 

Now it's time to add the spices.  Mix 1 T. mixed pickling spices, 1 T. celery seed, and 1 T. whole cloves.  I like to tie the spices inside a square of cheesecloth so no big pieces of spices are floating around in the jar of finished pickles.  Throw the cheese cloth bag into the vinegar/sugar mixture and let it set overnight.

Bring the mixture to a boil and cook for 35-45 minutes until glossy.

Pack pickles in a hot jar and cover with the pickling liquid within 1/2 inch from the top of jar.  Seal with lids.  Now comes the fun part - listening for the "pops" as the lids seal.

1/4 cup butter, melted

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1 1/2 cups buttermilk, divided

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 T. dried basil

1 T. dried parsley

Hot cooked rice

Pour butter evenly into a 9 X 13 in. baking dish.  Mix salt and pepper with flour.  Dip chicken in 1/2 cup buttermilk, and dredge in flour.  Arrange chicken in dish.  Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.  Turn chicken and bake 5 more minutes.  Stir together remaining cup of buttermilk, soup, and herbs; pour over chicken and bake 5-10 more minutes.  Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning, if necessary.  Serve over rice. 

Today was the first day of VBS.  The theme of the week is Camp Outrageous.  All-in-all things went very well.  In our class alone we had 25 fifth graders.  There are 9-10 other 5th grade classes.

Our group consists of Debbi, the director, and 4 teachers.  Since I'm not used to working every year, it took a while to find my niche.  I am teaching on Bible skills, and keeping the roll and handling all the paper work.  That, I discovered, is where I'm called - to handle the paper work!  None of the other ladies wanted to do it.  In fact, they all said it was their least desirable job in VBS.  Yet I actually enjoy it and am good at it. 

This is a perfect example of how God has equipped the Body.  He gives us each a gift (maybe more than one), and we all work together according to His plan.

This is a great dish to take to a Memorial Day cookout.

1/4 cup canola oil

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

1/3 cup orange juice

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can mandarin oranges, cut in half

1 can corn, drained

1 medium red pepper, diced

1 medium green pepper, diced

1/2 cup red onion, diced

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

In a large bowl, whisk together oil, red wine vinegar, and orange juice until well blended.  Set aside.  Mix the remaining ingredients in a large bowl.  Add dressing and mix well.  Serve with fritos.

For even more flavor, cover and let stand at room temperature for several hours or in the refrigerator overnight.  If chilled, bring to room temperature before serving.

It won't be long before fresh squash from the garden will be running out of our ears.  I am always looking for a new way to cook it.  I've tried several casserole recipes and this one is my favorite.

Squash Casserole

2 cups cooked and mashed squash
2 cups butter flavor cracker crumbs
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped onion (optional)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
Pinch of sugar
6 T. butter, cut into small pieces

Combine the squash, cracker crumbs, evaporated milk, cheese, and onion; stir well. Mix in the eggs, salt, pepper, sugar, and butter. Pour into a greased 2 quart baking dish. Bake for 40 minutes at 350.

These are my three blessings.  They have their own strengths and weaknesses.  Their own likes and dislikes.  I am constantly amazed and in awe of how our heavenly Father has uniquely designed each of their individual personalities.  They are truly fearfully and wonderfully made.

Now that our school year is almost done it's time to think about curriculum for next year.  This is really one of my favorite things about homeschooling.  I am a curriculum junkie.  I love going to curriculum fairs and pouring over catalogs.  I imagine all the wonderful things we could learn, how easy school would be, and how smart my children would be "if I just had ONE MORE BOOK!"

Invariably my good sense returns, and I stick with what I know and have - most of the time.

Our homeschooling journey started out in kindergarten using A beka for everything.  That year we used two different math programs:  A beka and Math-U-See.  (My engineering husband loved the MUS workshop we attended at the curriculum fair that year.)  I chose A beka because I had no idea how to do what needed to be done.  I was terrified of missing something and messing my child up for life.  I wanted a script to tell me exactly what to say and how to do it.  All that and more came with those A beka books.  The "more" that came was the realization that it was not necessary to do every single problem or activity listed.

By third grade I was feeling slightly more confident.  My son could read, write, and do all kinds of math problems.  So we branched out a little.  We switched to Rod & Staff for grammar and spelling and Sonlight for science and reading.  For history we still used A beka.

When fourth and fifth grade came around our curriculum was set in stone.  Rod & Staff for grammar and spelling, A beka for history and science, Math-U-See, and the public library for reading.

So now I'm looking at next year.  Sixth grade will be a transitional year. 

• My son has now passed me in his knowledge of math.  Thank goodness for his engineering dad and Steve Demme! 
• It's time to vamp up the writing skills.  I see a co-op in our future. 
• Rod & Staff for grammar and spelling
• Still considering the options for history and science.
• Latina Christiania I (again)

What about those other two children coming up behind him?  It was my plan that the second child use the same curriculum.  It worked well for the first one.  Shouldn't it work the same for the second?    Light bulb moment here:  the second child is not the same as the first child!  So our curriculum choices are still a work in progress.

Here is a short list of a few of the other curriculums we have used:

• Easy Grammar
• Handwriting Without Tears
• Story of the World Vol. 1 and 2
• Just Write

This weekend we are getting together with some friends for a movie night.  Everyone is bringing their favorite movie snack.  Here is mine:

Peanut Butter Haystacks

1 c. sugar
1 c. white Karo syrup
2 c. crunchy peanut butter
5 c. corn flakes

Bring syrup and sugar to a boil on medium heat. Remove from heat and add peanut butter. Mix well. Add corn flakes and mix well. Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper.

Here are a few pictures from our day at the zoo.  The weather was perfect although it was a little chilly in the shade.  The animals were all out and moving around.  That was a special treat.  The last few times we've been to the zoo they were hiding inside where it was cool or snoozing somewhere in a back corner.

Look at that middle one.  I don't know where she got the idea to pose like that.

We made it just in time to see the show.

This is Andre.  He never would pose for the camera.

This fellow was a hoot!  He sat for a long time looking at us looking at him.  Then he decided to provide some entertainment.  We figured we would give him a little privacy to complete his business so we walked on.

Here are a few other ways that heart connections can be made:

1.  Set guidelines.  Let them know what you expect and what the consequences are when they disobey.  Then be consistent.  It helps the child and it helps you when you want to blow-up in anger.  This should also eliminate some of the shouting, yelling, and sarcasm on your part that can break down the connection between your heart and your child's heart.

2.  Spend time with them.  In order to develop heart connections, time must be spent getting to know each other.

3.  Maximize the potential of your words.  Our words have the power of life or death according to Proverbs 18:21 so use them wisely.  Be encouraging instead of critical.  Focus on the positive instead of the negative.

Is your heart connected with your child's heart?

Maybe the first question should be what do you want for your children?  Do you want them to be successful in business?  Have a good marriage?  Have a lot of friends?

A healthy spiritual life is usually something Christian parents desire for their children as well.  We want them to be saved, be involved in church, and serve others.  But is that all?  Do you want just the status quo?  I don't.  I want more.  I want to know my children love Jesus with all their hearts.  I want them to have a passion for His Word.  I want them to serve him diligently and faithfully.  I want them to love and serve others with a servant's heart.

Here is where the heart connection comes in.  Most likely our children will be just like us.  If we are angry, they will be angry.  If we are prejudice, they will be prejudice.  If we are critical, they will be critical. 

Just like negative character traits can be caught, positive ones can be as well.  Do your children see you begin your day with Jesus in Bible study and prayer?  Has one ever "caught" you on your knees, tears streaming down your face, as you intercede with the Father?  Do they see you helping a neighbor in need by taking a meal to them while they are sick?

These small actions can have a big impact on the spiritual development of our children.  They know what is important to mom and dad by what they see us doing.  We may not always be aware, but they are watching us.  Lets make sure they see Jesus in all we say and do.  This will be the best foundation to solid heart connections that will stand up to the test of those sometimes awkward teen-age years.

But beyond this, my son, be warned:  the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.  Eccl. 12:12

This could have been my life verse while still in school!  I must be sure to not let my children discover this one.  

Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.  Luke 24:27.

I would have loved to listen in on this conversation.

But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.  Luke 10:41-42

Martha was distracted with all her preparations.  She was "worried" and "bothered".

What was "the good part" that Mary had chosen?  She sat at the Lord's feet and was listening to His word.

Being worried and bothered by my daily activities and preparations distract me from hearing His voice -   "the good part", the one thing that will not be taken away.

"Lord, help me to listen for You. 

To not worry about what I cannot change. 

To not become bothered with preparations that are quickly undone. 

Instead I want to meditate on Your word, behold Your beauty and delight in You."

But the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying, "Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:38-39

This man wanted to stay with Jesus, sit at his feet, be in His presence. Yet Jesus would not allow him to stay. Instead, Jesus told him to go tell what great things God has done for him.

The past few weeks I have been deeply burdened over this very idea. I have sat and soaked for 30+ years. I've been under some great Bible teachers, completed countless Bible studies, and been through many disciple-life courses. Perhaps it is time to step out of my comfortable and secure setting and start sharing what great things Jesus has done in my life. To start giving back instead of always taking. To disciple instead of being discipled. To teach instead of being taught.