Just my ramblings of living and learning with my four amazing kids, my best beloved husband, and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as we journey through life together........... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:02:00 -0500 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:02:00 -0500 I really liked this article in light of soon becoming a mom of 5.  Read it here: http://www.onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=644700 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/718735/ Wed, 19 Aug 2009 10:02:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/718735/ Well, it looks like I have to change my name and my email address sometime in the next 6 months or so!  After 5 years, I found out that I am unexpectedly expecting!  I will be changing from mtnmamaof4 to mtnmamaof5!  Baby is expected in the beginning of January.  What an adventure!  My oldest is starting high school and my youngest is starting kindergarten in the fall.  Not really what I had in mind for our lives right now.  But God had other plans.  And I've finally come around to trusting His thinking on this.  I think!  But seriously, I am praying over this school year more than ever before.  And would greatly appreciate any advice on enjoying an infant while homeschooling 4 other children!  I am sure I can rest in God's grace to get me through this when the time arrives.  It is just the nine months waiting and wondering that are so hard!  :)  It seems my mind wanders to worry so easily.  I need to train it to wander to the Savior instead.  God always seems like He is asking, "Do you trust Me?" That is really what everything in life boils down to.  Do we trust Him?  Do we trust Who He says He is?  Do we trust what His Word says?  Do we trust what He says about us?  Do we trust His payment for our sins?  Do we trust His plan for our lives?  Do we trust Him with our children?  Do we trust Him with our economic situation?  Or do we grab hold of the controls ourselves because we think WE could do a better job?  That somehow our lives are safer in our hands than in HIS.  WOW.  I need to repent of that sin of arrogance.  Because sometimes the fear I feel is really saying I think I can do a better job of planning, orchestrating, and protecting this life I am living.  Because I forget this is not MY life.  That He bought it with a price.  That living is no longer about me but about Him.  And I want to be part of the plan that He has.  I want to bring glory to Him with the life He gave me to live.  I don't want to waste my life.....  I want to pour it out for Him.     There is a great book written by John Piper called Don't Waste Your Life.  It can be downloaded and read for free here: http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/OnlineBooks/ByTitle/1593_Dont_Waste_Your_Life/ Here's a great video/song that illustrates the same principle.  (And no, I don't normally listen to rap but this song is just SOOOO doctrinally sound with such a great message!)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RWEllqh5J0  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/703098/ Sat, 27 Jun 2009 17:19:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/703098/ First of all, I use coconut oil for, I don't know, EVERYTHING!  For every recipe that uses oil, I use coconut oil.  I pour it into smoothies.  I used to melt it in my coffee.  (I just stopped drinking coffee this week so....  I am still missing it TOO much!  Just thinking about that rich, creamy aroma.  With raw cream and honey....  YUM! But coconut I CAN HAVE SO.....)  I scramble eggs in it.  Fry chicken in it.... You get the idea! My favorite recipe has to be for fudge.  It is a way I can still give my kids "candy" and yet it's good for them.  I've posted my recipe before so I'll give you the quickie version: 1 cup coconut oil, melted ever so gently to preserve enzymes 1 cup cocoa (I use a combination of dutch processed cocoa and raw cacao nibs, powdered) 1/2 cup to 1 cup honey or sweetener of choice Stir until smooth.  Pour into a 8x8 pan and refrigerate.  I sometimes add a pinch of salt if I remember.  It does make it taste better.  Also, you can add dried fruits and nuts or seeds.  Extracts are fun to add.  My son really likes peppermint fudge. Adjusting the ingredients can make a chewy, drop type cookie if you add granola, shredded coconut and nuts or seeds.  Just drop them onto waxed paper and refrigerate.  A yummy, quick "cookie." Almost like a hay stack. Just by adding melted coconut oil and cocoa and stevia to taste, you can make chocolate "bark" by spreading it on wax paper and refrigerating.  Some people I know even use this to make chocolate "chips" to avoid the sugar and unhealthy oils in the chocolate chips. Looking forward to reading all the other great recipes!  See more at http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2009/02/share-your-healthy-coconut-recipes-on-real-food-wednesday.html http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/659591/ Wed, 18 Feb 2009 08:46:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/659591/ Too many homeschool moms start homeschooling their elementary aged children with confidence.  This confidence wanes as children enter the middle school years, and by senior high, many parents doubt their ability to continue.  There seems to be an unwritten rule in many circles that ordinary moms can only homeschool UNTIL high school.  Then, they are incapable of teaching such complex subjects as algebra, chemistry, advances language, government and law, etc.  If you find yourself in one of these circles, I say the circle must be broken! Step purposefully outside the circle of uncertainty!  You CAN homeschool your child- at any age! The real ability lies within your child, not you!  He or she is the one required to learn the information or lessons, not the parents.  There are several ways to make this process easier for your child.  And this will make your homeschooling the upper grades much more pleasant for you as well!  Hopefully this will be a time to enjoy your older student and to develop strong bonds with your child as he or she nears adulthood. First of all, make sure your child is prepared to handle the material of the lesson.  If there are prerequisites, finish those first.  Don't jump into trigonometry if your child isn't familiar with the terms in algebra.  Sometimes lessons need to be done in a proper order.  It is more important that your child understands what he or she is expected to learn than to force them to hurry through lessons to advance to the next level.  Also, don't expect too much out of your child.  If your son or daughter struggles in reading or math, allow the time to work through these lessons without the additional pressure of a time constraint.  Know your student.  Know your child's limits, his/her weaknesses.  Don't assign lessons that don't take these factors into account.  We would all fail German 2 without taking German 1.  Remember this and prepare your child for the lessons you have planned. Develop a love of learning in your child while he/she is young!  The younger the better, in fact!  If your child learns to love knowledge, nothing will stand in the way of his/her education.  Gaining knowledge becomes the goal instead of just finishing a subject.  Desire drives us as human beings.  If your child is driven by a passion for learning, he or she can learn anything!  Even without instruction, a person who can read and who loves learning can learn almost anything, even advanced math and chemistry.  Instilling this lifelong romance in your child will give him or her the edge that will make learning not only easy but a joy! So you have an aversion to math?  Shakespeare not your cup of tea?  Well, guess what?  God made each of us different.  So don't be afraid to admit you don't want to face chemistry again.  But also, don't pass that fear onto your child.  If your child needs more help than you feel able to give, reach out to other moms and dads in your local homeschool group.  Find a mom that is passionate about chemistry, calculus, or Plutarch and have them share that subject with your child.  When a person is excited about something, it is contagious.  So expose your child to other parents or people within your community who love what you don't.  You could also check into tutoring programs such as Sylvan or a public  school or private tutor to help assist a struggling student.   Some schools even allow homeschooled students to participate in their classes.  Even technical colleges will often allow students over sixteen to take a class.  And don't forget the internet!  Find online or satellite classes or ebooks to help your child learn.  There are so many options available to homeschoolers today.  We just need to do a little research and take advantage of them! My favorite resource for students is real books.  Give a child the opportunity to sit under some of the most brillant minds in history by giving him/her a chance to read their writing.  Give your child a real book- not a textbook, not a lesson plan or a regurgitated version of someone else's opinion.  Give them direct access to scientists, doctors, inventors, mathematicians, poets, presidents.  You will never get better teachers than allowing your child to develop a relationship with the author and his material.  I have never regretted a single book I've ever read.  (Oh, okay.  Maybe Junie B. Jones to my daughter when she was six!  That is why C.S. Lewis said books that weren't worth the time to be read by adults weren't worth the time to be read by children.)  Engage your child's mind with quality books! Lastly let your older child take part in the planning of his/her education.  If he/she has a college or vocational goal, show him or her the classes needed to reach that goal.  A student who wants to be a nurse sees science classes as a means to an end and can use that forward thinking to endure tough lessons.  He/She practices perserverance in achieving their goal.  As parents, we also need to practice the art of listening.  Maybe your child wants to be a florist or a chef.  Then, maybe he/she doesn't need to be on the science or math fast track.  He/she would do better studying the economics of small business or the French language  Education can be tailored to your child's interest and goals.  Since no child is the same, no course of study needs to be the same either. In closing, I want to gently remind you to take all your thoughts, plans, worries, fears to the Lord in prayer.  And be ready to obey when He answers!  Homeschooling through high school may not be for everyone but if God puts it on your heart, He will be faithful to provide you with all you need to homeschool successfully.  Be confident in His provision and seek His will for the education of your child.  And I'll see you outside that circle of doubt!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/653824/ Mon, 2 Feb 2009 19:55:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/653824/ Blogging about a blog... Is that unheard of???  I just read a post here http://aheartforgod.blogspot.com/2009/01/entering-valley-of-humiliation.html And it inspired some thoughts within me about myself.  How I- even as a Christian- will do most anything to avoid humiliation.  That my pride is my desire to please men, not God.  That I don't want to feel ashamed.  But it strikes me that humility- something I say I desire- comes from humiliation- that which I avoid.  According to Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, humiliation is "the act of humbling; the state of being humbled." Also, it is "the act of abasing pride; or the state of being reduced to lowliness of mind, meekness, penitence and submission." So to be made meek and humble, I need to accept humiliation into my life.  It is the catalyst that creates a spirit of humility.  Not very appealing is it?  I don't want people to know the 'real' me, my sins, my trials, my secret covetous nature.  But the desire to avoid humiliation inflates my pride.  And arrests any chance of me achieveing a humble heart. Why do I want to be humble?  More than "because God's Word says so."  God has a reason behind everything He does.  He wants us to embrace humility for a purpose.  Why?  Again, I am turning to my dictionary to give me a deeper understanding of humility.  According to Webster, humility is "freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estate of one's own worth."  Now this isn't the false "I'm so focused on my horrible self" type of humility.  True humility doesn't stay focused on self because of the rest of the definition.  (Stay with me here!)  "In theology, humility consist in lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will."  Thank you Daniel Webster!  So, true humility will bring us to repentence and allow us to see how low we are and how great God is.  Then, when confronted with God's love, we are so deeply grateful- because WE KNOW OUR UNWORTHINESS!  So humiliation is a true gift from God that allows us to see our need for Him- if we don't fight it, if we don't squirm away from it, if we allow God to work His will in our lives to His glory.  So instead of pretending everything is perfect, that I am perfect, I will trust God.  I will accept the truth about myself, my circumstances, people around me.  I will stop "keeping up with appearances" and will become more honest at the deepest level.  I will stop seeking the approval of man (or woman, friend, child, mother-in-law, co-op group, etc.) and rest in God's acceptance of me as an unworthy, sinful creation that desperately needs Him or ALL is lost. ************************************* Lord, give me peace in all circumstances.  Stregthen my spirit to endure any humiliation that might make me see my dependence on You.  Destroy my self-sufficiency.  Make me totally dependent on You.  Amen. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/652834/ Sat, 31 Jan 2009 09:48:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/652834/ How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure That He should give His only Son To make a wretch His treasure How great the pain of searing loss, The Father turns His face away As wounds which mar the chosen One, Bring many sons to glory Behold the Man upon a cross, My sin upon His shoulders Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, Call out among the scoffers It was my sin that held Him there Until it was accomplished His dying breath has brought me life I know that it is finished I will not boast in anything No gifts, no power, no wisdom But I will boast in Jesus Christ His death and resurrection Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer But this I know with all my heart His wounds have paid my ransom (REPEAT) ******************************* I first heard about this song on WretchedRadio with Todd Friel.  What a beautiful way to get doctrine into our hearts- songs based on the Word! I AM THE WRETCH THE SONG IS REFERRING TO!  PRAISE GOD FOR WHAT CHRIST DID FOR ME! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/651900/ Thu, 29 Jan 2009 07:37:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/651900/ I entered this cheesecake in a cheesecake contest at our local farmer's market but it only got honorable mention.  This recipe is very different from traditional cheesecake.  It is light and fluffy.  I love it!  It is also high in protein and a good source of calcium.  This recipe is adapted from the Ricotta cake recipe in the Moosewood Cookbook by Mollie Katzen. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. 4 large eggs, separated 4 cups ricotta cheese 3/4 cup sugar, sucanat, or 1/2 cup honey 1/3 cup white or sprouted wheat pastry flour 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp almond extract dash of salt 1/2 tsp orange rind 1 tsp lemon rind 1/2-1/4 golden raisins, soaked in hot water for 15 min. and drained 1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds DIRECTIONS Grease a 10 inch springform pan and dust with ground almonds. Beat egg whites until stiff. Beat in a separate bowl, ricotta, yolks, sweetener of choice and flour.  Beat well.  Stir in extracts, salt, rinds, almonds and raisins. Gently fold in beaten egg whites.  Gently pour into springform pan. Bake 50 minutes.  Turn over off and open the door.  Leave the cake in oven another 15 minutes. Cool completely before refrigerating.  (Best served chilled.)     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/650391/ Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/650391/ This is why I never get my information from actors or actresses.  I have news for Spike Lee.  It wasn't God; it was George Soros and his ilk!  Read full article below: http://www.businessandmedia.org/articles/2009/20090119124854.aspx   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/647830/ Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:31:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/647830/ I'm looking forward to a delicious week!  Take a look! MONDAY breakfast- chocolate chip muffins, yogurt lunch- salami sandwiches, carrots and dip, strawberries dinner- beef tacos w/lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cheese, Mexi-rice, refried beans, corn (gmo free!) TUESDAY breakfast- toast with sausage gravy, orange juice lunch- quesadillas with leftovers from yesterday's dinner!, apples, cucumbers and carrots dinner- pork chops, rice pilaf, garlic spinach, applesauce WEDNESDAY breakfast- Swedish waffles with homemade berry syrup, bacon lunch- vegetable soup, grilled cheese, pears and apples dinner- roast chicken, potatoes, roasted root veggies, applesauce THURSDAY breakfast- homemade apple cinnamon oatmeal lunch- (on the run) walking apple salad, leftover muffins/rolls, carrots, celery, cukes, cheese cubes, trail mix dinner- slow cooked stew, applesauce, fresh bread FRIDAY breakfast- On the Go Pancakes (delicious oatmeal pancake recipe!), butter, honey, orange juice lunch- yogurt parfait with fruit and granola, slices of salami and cheese rolled in lettuce dinner- sourdough pizza (one pepperoni, one cheese, one spinach and garlic), simple lettuce salad, fruit pizza for dessert SATURDAY breakfast- granola with milk or orange julius smoothies (if I get a new blender!) lunch- leftover pizza, clementines dinner- curried chicken soup, pita chips, hummus, carrots, celery and cukes SUNDAY breakfast- Southern breakfast (eggs, biscuits and sausage gravy), orange juice lunch- chili in slow cooker, corn bread, cheese cubes, fruit salad dinner- pancakes, smoothies or fresh, raw juice from juicer, fried ham slices http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/647326/ Mon, 19 Jan 2009 12:06:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/647326/ How many of you know the story of the tower of Babel from the Bible? Genesis 11 The Tower of Babel  1Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. 2And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in(A) the land of Shinar and settled there. 3And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone,(B) and bitumen for mortar. 4Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower(C) with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth." 5And(D) the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. 6And the LORD said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. 7Come,(E) let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another’s speech." 8So(F) the LORD dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. 9Therefore its name was called(G) Babel, because there the LORD confused[a] the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth. Last night I was thinking about how I struggle and strive.  Even as a Christian.  I am constantly TRYING.  TRYING to do the right thing, TRYING to be a good mom, TRYING to be a good wife, TRYING to be a good person, TRYING to do what I THINK God wants me to do.  Okay, STOP right there!  What does the Bible say that God wants me to do?  Micah 6:8 reads,  "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" Walk humbly with my God.  God wants me to walk with Him, trust in Him, rely on Him, cling to Him.  We all (like in Isaiah 53:6) have turned to our own way.  How many times in your life have you heard: 'be the best you can be;' 'always try your best;' 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again;' 'aim high?'  Then, of course, our society is built upon awards and achievements in school and work.  So what are we doing?  We are building a tower of Babel in our own lives.  We are stacking our good works, awards, achievements to try to earn our way to heaven.  Even as Christians, we can be guilty of this.  In fact, this heresy has been perpetuated by the church.  Many churches actually tell people to do good deeds.  Especially in this age of the 'social gospel,' we are encouraged to fight the good fight, feed the hungry, help the homeless, reach out to the less fortunate, etc.  All good things- no arguments here!  But doing good on our own power is still trying to earn our way to God.  We think we can become more Godly by reading the Word more often or by praying more, or going to church.  We might even try to manufacture feelings: guilt, humility, love, compassion.  We are trying to do what we think God wants us to do.  We want to do God's job.  Maybe we don't trust Him, maybe we don't want to wait for His timing, maybe we're just used to being self- sufficient.  We might even realize we are doing this and try to fix it by trying to focus on God.  (This is when Christianity starts looking like other religions.  We try to "journey" to God. It is hard to understand why God wouldn't "save" a good Muslim or a good Buddhist.  After all, they are doing all they can to do what is right.  BUT IT IS NOT ABOUT WHAT WE DO.  IT IS WHAT HE HAS DONE!)  The Bible reads in Philippians 1:6, 6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. HE began a good work in us.  He will continue to perfect us until the day of Jesus Christ.  He will do it.  We just need to obey Him.  The God whose power resurrected Christ from the dead and destroyed the power of sin and death is at work in your life if you are a true believer!  Let Him do as He wills! In light of this realization, my tower of Babel falls like a house of cards.  I will not strive any longer.  I repent of willfulness and of my false works based Christianity.  I will have no more faith in myself.  I will have faith in Him.  Because He WILL complete the good work He began in my life.  I just need to stay pliable in the Potter's hands!     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/647182/ Sun, 18 Jan 2009 22:01:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/mtnmamaof4/647182/