Kirstyn Wright's blog/journal of the crazy life of our family and how we are coping, surviving, (or not) on any particular day. Kirstyn is a homeschooling mom of 4 living in sunny Florida, not close enough to Disney. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:15:00 -0600 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:15:00 -0600 Yes, I know I have been neglecting this blog. I apologize to all who read it - all 2 of you!  JK!  Really, the holidays are just so crazy around here.  Enough excuses, I have vowed to try to do better in 2009.  We had a wonderful Christmas season.  Truly blessed in so many ways.  The kids really got excited about the gold, frankencense and myrh presents.  I even had color coordinated wrapping paper so they could tell which category each present was before it was opened.  Obviously gold paper was for the "gold" presents, then red paper was myrh, and blue paper was frankencense.  It was a lot of fun, and I know it helped keep their focus on the true meaning of Christmas.      Psalm 127: 3-5  "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!" My pastor read this passage on Sunday, and commented on how we as parents (the warriors) need to point our children toward the target.  The more I thought about that concept, the more I realized that it speaks so profoundly to homeschool parents.  The verse calls the parents WARRIORS.  They are not just archers, or someone who shoots the arrows for sport.  They are in a battle.  We know that there truly is a battle for our children's souls.  We need to take it seriously - in a battle there is danger, and loss of life sometimes.  But when there is a victory, there is freedom.  Warriors need training.  They don't just go out there in the midst of the battle and hope for the best!  We, as parents, need training and instruction as well on how to accurately point those arrows at the target. Where do we get that training?  The Bible.  I always get a bit annoyed when people say babies aren't born with instruction manuals.  They are!  I am convinced that everything we need to know about godly parenting is in God's word. (Not that I've discovered or implemented it all yet...)  God's word will change their hearts and minds, and continually point them back toward that target when it goes off course.  We, as parents, need to make SURE we are filling ourselves with the Word, so it flows out of us.  You cannot get water from a dry well, so we cannot expect them to see the Lord in us, if we don't take the time to constantly fill ourselves with the Word.  So often it seems like that becomes one more "thing" we have to get done in a very busy day.  I pray that we remember that our time in the Word is so important to our parenting that it's Okay if other "things" don't get done.      Later in the service, the pastor began his sermon on Revelation chapter 2, about the church in Ephesus.  This really had no connection to the earlier Scripture reading, but since I was still pondering the warrior/arrow/homeschool/parenting concept, this sermon started to take on that meaning as well.  In Rev. 2, the Lord is talking to this specific church, and he commends their works for Him.  He compliments their TOIL and their labor, and patient endurance.  He does not confront them on their "busy-ness".  What he does confront them on is their lovelessness.  He says they have forsaken, or abandoned, the love they had at first.  This reminds me of the passage in Corinthians where we learn that that if we do things without love, we are nothing.  The works themselves are good perhaps, but what is truly needed is LOVE behind them.  Remember when you were first in love with your spouse?  You wanted to be with that person ALL the time, and serve that person in whatever way you could.  Remember when you were first saved?  Your passion for the Lord was so strong.  Sometimes you barely got to requests in prayers, because you were so full of praise!  Remember when your children were newborns?  You were totally in love with them and wanted to hold them and kiss them ALL day long, and every little thing they did was so adorable.  Well, in Rev. 2, God tells this church to repent and GO BACK and do the works they did at first.  That is His instruction on how to get the "love" back in their works.  We can take this and apply it to our homeschool parenting as well.  We are often so busy with the "works" of homeschooling that we may be forgetting the "love" part.  And that's our reason for homeschooling in the first place.  We need to remember to actively LOVE ON our kids all day long, through the schooling and frustrations and all the other stuff.  If we do it without love, it is like any other work done without love.  It is so easy to become weary, and get bogged down in the small stuff.  So today, let us pray that we will do all things with LOVE. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/649319/ Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:15:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/649319/      I know I have not made an entry on this blog for SUCH a long time!  That is a testament to my totally busy life.  It seems I have not had a single second to do anything other than the "necessary" for way too long!  That is one of the reasons that this idea I'm going to share appealed to me so much.  Now, I do believe Christmas should be extravagant, because God's gift to us was EXTRAVAGANT!  But, Christmas-time seems to get busier and more expensive every year, and even more so as I collect more children!   I always worry that we are not emphasizing the REAL meaning enough, because the kids' wish lists get longer and longer, and my budget gets stretched thinner and thinner.  I read this idea in a parenting magazine, and LOVED it!  Here it is:   Give the children THREE gifts: one "gold" gift (the big item they've been longing for); one "frankincense" gift (for spiritual and mental growth); and one "myrhh" gift (for their body, like clothing).  It will help keep spending down and focused, but also will help keep our eyes and hearts on the the birth of our Savior, and the gifts brought to Him.  Here is my take on this : I've decided that I cannot just drastically CUT to 3 gifts (they might freak), so I'm going to wrap up one big "gold" box with a few items in it, etc...I am also going to have one big "family" gift box with games and things the whole family can enjoy.  I discussed this idea with my 8 year old, and I honestly thought she would not be on board, but she actually loved it!  I also assured her they would still get spoiled by grandparents, etc.. (that helped!)  I just think this is such a sweet idea.  I'm also going to do a little homeschool thing in December on the gifts to the Christ child to help solidify the concept.  I am now actually excited for the shopping and classifying of the gifts!    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/623484/ Mon, 24 Nov 2008 09:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/623484/      So I actually watched a bit of Oprah today, which I never do anymore.  My heart just broke as I listened to the stories about totally overwhelmed moms.  Don't get me wrong, I do have my overwhelming moments (as you can read on this blog), but I would not categorize myself as "an overwhelmed mom".    Mom after mom on the program talked/ lamented about how busy and stressful their lives were.  They feel they have to have the perfect home, the perfect job, the perfect marriage, and of course, the perfect kids.  Their children are stressed out too from being signed up for every extracurricular activity there is available.  There was no joy being expressed at all.  Many of them feel they hardly know their kids due to their terribly busy lives.  Oh, how sad!  Why do they put so much pressure on themselves?  They say "society" expects all those things.  Well, I don't.  In generations past, those "extra" things were never expected, in fact, many were frowned upon.  Kids got to be kids, and moms got to be MOMS.  Things were slower and simpler.  I love being a homeschool mom who has the opportunity to be with my kids all day long.  I get to take things slower and enjoy them.  I try to remind myself that my JOB is being their mom, and not cleaning the house, or cooking the perfect meal.  So if those things suffer, so be it.  I know that working moms feel like they don't have time to "slow down", but I pray they will be encouraged to do so.  Stressed out, unhappy moms make stressed out, unhappy kids.  I know no one wants that.  And I pray that homeschool moms don't ever make other moms feel guilty or judged either.  We need to love and support them.  If God wants to steer them toward homeschooling, He will do it.  Our children are such precious gifts, and all they really want is our love and attention, not all that extra "stuff".  So let's slow down and give it to them. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/598586/ Wed, 1 Oct 2008 20:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/598586/      I heard an awesome sermon on Sunday morning and I just wanted to share a couple of thoughts.  The Pastor talked about not wasting the storms in your life, and not wasting your miracles.  I love that!  He talked about how when we are going through a storm, we always talk about looking TO God for the answer, when in actuality God IS the answer already.  He is so faithful.  It's during the storm when we experience growth - nothing grows on the mountain tops, but it is fertile in the valley, Amen!  And, don't waste your miracles.  Our testimonies are SO powerful!  We need to share them ALL the time.  What way could be better to explain to someone God's power, than telling them about His miracles in OUR lives?  And what an encouragement our testimonies are to other believers.  Sometimes I just wish we could have "testimony" services at church - where we pass the microphone around and tell of God's graces.  So, in lieu of that, make telling your testimony an everyday thing...and don't waste those miracles! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/587929/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 09:50:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/587929/      Okay, so yesterday was a rough day.  We all have them.  Right off the bat in the AM, the kids were all ganging up on me.  There was no mercy.  #1 didn't want #2 to set the table because she might get "boy germs" on her silverware.  #2 didn't want help making his breakfast and burnt his finger on the toaster.  #3 just wouldn't stop whining and wanted to sit on my lap constantly, which made it hard to nurse screaming #4.  Then when school started, #2 just would NOT cooperate, and fought me every step of the way.  #2 was still forcing herself on my lap.  I found myself reading and re-reading my "Why We Homeschool" canvas.  The first few times it actually helped me focus back on the prize.  But after awhile, I just felt defeated and it was only about 11:00 AM!  Then my husband phoned to inform me he would be working Saturday too.  Arghh!  So, I decided we would take a longer than normal lunch break, and I set to work cleaning the floors.  After a few minutes I realized I was actually REALLY enjoying scrubbing the floors!  I then deducted it was probably because I was seeing PROGRESS in what I was laboring at.  As homeschoolers, sometimes it's hard to see progress.  We get frustrated and feel like we're failing.  But have faith, we are not.  Even on those rough days, progress is made.  The kids needed a break too, I think.  After the time off, even #2 did his work without complaining.  So I have decided that the next time I experience a more frustrating than normal school day, I will clean.  It will be my task to get myself back on track.  Something about really scrubbing with a lot of energy helps take that pent up anger away, too.  And when I'm done, I have a shiny floor, too. :)      I thought my day was improving until I had an interesting expereince with my home business.  I teach music lessons - piano and voice, out of my home.  I have a degree in this, and have been teaching for 15 years.  I had a new family starting lessons, and the mom had spent quite a long time on the phone with me asking me questions about policies, procedures, and teaching methods.  After their lesson yesterday, (which I enjoyed - the children were wonderful and intelligent), the mom informed me that they would not be returning due to the fact my children were present in my home at the time.  Mind you, I had a babysitter watching them, and they were actually outside most of the time.  She insinuated it was unprofessional for me to teach with them home and suggested I should have arranged for them to be elsewhere.  Um, they live here.  She was positive that other teachers who teach out of their homes would never have a situation like mine because it is not an "appropriate learning environment".  I was quite shocked by many of her words.  I didn't respond much, out loud that is!  Well, my teachers growing up had their kids at home, and never had a sitter.  That's kind of the whole point of the HOME business - to have a money-making opportunity without having to leave your home and kids.  In fact, I have NEVER had anyone say anything about it before, in 15 years.  Most of the students who take lessons with me love to play with my kids.  (Especially if they're waiting for a sibling's lesson to finish)  They become part of my family in a sense.  They don't need to knock, they walk right in.  They open their hearts to me during their lessons.  I have always seen my lessons as a ministry in this way.  Kids will tell me all kinds of things, and I have been so blessed to form many close relationships with my students.  They tell me their fears, and have even cried on my shoulder.  Music is such an emotional expereince, and music lessons seem to really open people up.  Of course, this family is TOTALLY entitled to their opinion, and what works for some simply does not work for others.  It just hurt my feelings, because I'm a mom FIRST.  I took it as a personal attack, even though I'm sure it wasn't meant to be one.  I've been offered positions teaching at studios, but why do that when the Lord ALWAYS provides enough students to keep me busy at home?  After a good, long cry (all day building), I felt much better.  I remembered all the happy students I've taught over the years.  I remembered the many recitals and their inspiring moments.  I remembered that several of my past students are now music teachers themselves.  These things tell me I am doing what God wants me to do.  I may not be the "best" teacher, but I know I'm called to do it, and do it at my home.  My home fosters a more cozy environment than a studio to allow me to connect with students on a more personal level.  When they enjoy their lessons, they do better.  They will remember being welcome in my home and around my family, and that makes me happy. :)      I woke up to a new day today.  Look what God reminded me of in my kids' devotion for the day : Matthew 11:28-29  Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."                 "THEREFORE, MY DEAR BROTHERS, STAND FIRM.  LET NOTHING MOVE YOU.  ALWAYS GIVE YOURSELVES FULLY TO THE WORK OF THE LORD, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN"       http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/585675/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 15:23:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/585675/      Yeah!  Here is our "first day of school" photo for 2008-9.  We were in the midst of Hurricane Fay, so we ran outside for one quick picture.  My husband insists that first day pics must be outside.  Maybe he doesn't really understand we don't go anywhere...  So, I had each child write their new grade level on a sign, and we posed by our bumper sticker "CAUTION - UNSOCIALIZED HOMESCHOOLERS ON BOARD!"  Love it!  I held the baby in one arm while I took the picture with my other, and the baby did not appreciate the rain or the feeling of almost slipping out of my wet arms.  And also, I was in my pajamas and the other neighbors were taking their children TO school, and wondering WHAT in the world WE were doing.  Good times.  Anything for a good picture for the scrapbook!      Now we are on week two of the school year.  It has been a crazy year already.  We evacuated the area due to the storm on school day #2.  We had school in a hotel, which the kids LOVED.  Then we took advantage of the situation and had a field trip to the FL Aquarium in Tampa.  Making lemonade out of lemons and all that...  Now this week, we have started our new Classical Conversations group, which is AWESOME, but as a new tutor, I'm a bit stressed about getting it "right",  I also had to evacuate my house TWICE this week due to a leaky gas can in the garage causing noxious fumes to invade my home.  We did school at Grandma's two days in a row.  So, FINALLY today I had NO where I needed to be, so I never got dressed or combed my hair or put on even the tiniest bit of make-up.  I have become one of those moms I said I'd never be... and I love it!  Now, I did bathe and dress my kids.  I did school.  I did laundry and cooked a home-cooked meal.  But I didn't gussy myself up at all, and it actually felt -relaxing- to not care at all.  I think that I might institute a "once a week- I don't care about my appearance- day".  And that is OKay.  My hubby still knows I can be cute when I want to be, right?  And who cares what the UPS guy thinks of me?  I can read a little for fun tonight before bed because I already have my jammers on, and there is no make-up to scrub from my face.  And an added bonus:  just a little effort tomorrow, will be a huge improvement!      http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/581219/ Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:35:01 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/581219/                     My good friend gave me the great idea to create a scrapbook page or something similar to post in the house with the reasons we homeschool displayed on it.  That way, when we're having a stressful day (everyday at some point?) and wondering, "why am I doing this?", we can look to our posted reasons and remember what inspires us. Since I like to do large scale craft projects, I decided to make mine a large canvas, and do a "mixed media" type display with paint, stamps, scrapbooking supplies, and lots of Modge Podge.  (I love getting my hands all sticky with glue...)  My goal was to get this done over summer break, and post it in my school room in time for the new year.  Now, when those moments arise when I ask my child what letter is on the page, and he says "5", or the way you spell space is "e - h - 9 ", or I hear, "I hate math" from my 3rd grader for the bazillionth time, I can look up at my pretty canvas and remember that I do this because...      -It is a ministry of DISCIPLESHIP to my children...      -The HOME is the only institution provided by God for the training of children      -God created the family with mothers and fathers as the teachers, trainers, and nurturers of their own children.  It is more than academics, it is virtue, it is victory!  When parents turn their hearts toward God and their children, their children's hearts are turned as well. -Clarkson      -TIME- to explore and learn, to experience childhood and growing up, to develop strong bonds with siblings, to give individualized attention, to really get to know each other, TIME TOGETHER      -We get to be the primary influence on their precious "sponges", and we get to be there when the "lights" of learning turn on.  We don't miss a thing!      -"We see our children as God sees them - royalty worth dying for.  They are not raised to be average.  They are raised to lead as servant-kings.  All of our sacrifice of time and energy is of eternal value.  This is the mission field God called us to." -Bortins      -We proclaim Christ, admonishing and teaching our children with all wisdom, so that we may present them perfect in Christ.  To this end we labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in us."  Colossions 1:28-9      -These commandments I give to you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get back up." Deutoronomy 6:6-7   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/576221/ Sun, 17 Aug 2008 17:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/576221/ I celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary this week.  It is amazing how it can feel both like it was just yesterday and a lifetime ago at the same time!  I look at pictures of that young girl and remember how thrilled I was to set out on this new adventure.  I had no idea how many blessings were down the road. I felt so "mature" and ready for anything.  Now I think back to how naive I was.  Marriage is hard work, of course.  We must recognize that love is a decision, and not always a feeling.  I truly married someone who has put the same importance on that committment.  We are best friends, and we laugh ALL the time.  I cannot imagine going through life with anyone but him.  God knew exactly the kind of partner I would need, and it surely wasn't the guy of "my list".  You know, all those qualities we thought we were looking for.  But that is just like God.  He knows us better than we know ourselves.  He knit us together in the womb, and knows every hair on our heads.  I am so glad He sees a bigger picture than I.       We celebrated our anniversary with our kids, by having a candlelight dinner at home and watching our wedding video.  The kids thought it was so special to be included.  They toasted us at dinner with their apple juice, and chanted "Kiss, Kiss!" at the TV when the pastor told C he could kiss me.  I realized then how important it is for kids to see their parents celebrating their love and their marriage.  I want it to be obvious to them that God is the center of our marriage.  I want them to remember us as mushy, gushy, in love parents.  (How embarassing for them :) )       What an amazing 10 years.  I can't wait for more... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/572798/ Sun, 10 Aug 2008 22:07:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/572798/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/570920/ Wed, 6 Aug 2008 17:03:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/570920/      Would you like to hear about my day?  Well, it all started bright and early with child #2 throwing up.  And throwing up, and throwing up some more.  I HATE cleaning that up! (Doesn't everyone?)  I spent the AM cleaning and cleaning some more, and feeling pretty nauseous myself as a result.  Am I coming down with it too?  Or- is it just the result of close proximity?  Like in "Stand By Me".  I happened to be talking to my df and I had to comment that NOTHING is worse than cleaning up what I was cleaning up.  I mused that I'd even rather clean up lots of poop.  Why did I say that?  Fast forward a few hours, and #2 has finally stopped hurling.  #3  is napping (or so I think...)  I exit my bedroom to have a fresh glass of lemonade, and realize my house smells disgusting!  I take out the trash and light some candles.  I decide to check in on #3.  I soon discover the origin of the smell My newly potty-trained little one has had a massive accident in her pants and has decided to clean it up all by herself...  There is doo-doo everywhere.  Streaks on the floor, smeared all over the dresser, swiped on toys, and caking her hands,arms, and legs.  Of course I started laughing and ran to get my camera before helping her out.  (I knew it would make a great scrapbook page).  AND THEN, I REMEMBERED my earlier words.  Isn't that just amazing?  I started helping #3 clean herself up, and I heard baby screaming from the other room.  I figured his binky had just fell out, so I decided I'd let it go a few minutes until I had the biohazard under control. Babies cry sometimes right?  No big deal.  He actually calmed down after a few minutes, and I figured he had fallen asleep.  When I got the stinky one in the bath, I went to check on baby.  He was on the floor!!! He had rolled over like 4 times and rolled right off the bed.  So that explains the screaming...  Now he was just lying there looking around very curiously, happy as anything.  SO, how has your day been? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/570814/ Wed, 6 Aug 2008 13:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/disneymom3/570814/