http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:22:00 -0500 Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:22:00 -0500 Since I've been on sabbatical from the computer, I've turned most of my focus torwards my home. And yes, I've been down right shocked by all the STUFF everywhere. Its really no wonder the house is so hard to clean when theres so much stuff everywhere. So far I've gotten rid of the 'stuff' in my linen closet (how many sheets do I NEED anyway?) Especially sheets that a) don't fit any bed I currently have or b) are so old they don't fit anymore. And towels. wow. NO one needs as many towels as I had. I got rid of all the towels that were just plain old, and the ones that aren't that soft and cuddly anymore. The truth is that I have beautiful towels that I got for our wedding that are brand new (because I couldn't find them in the closet behind all the old towels!). So, my first 'reward' for decluttering has been beautiful, cuddly, and soft towels. :-) Lovin' it. I've also weeded out my kitchen (glasses/ plates) cabinets. Yes, two cabinets. for a family of five. As I was trying to stuff another cup (one that I do use) into the cabinet. I just stopped. and then I looked up! at all those glasses/ wine glasses/ old fashioned coffee cups/ and just JUNK that I Never Never Ever use... and then I wondered why in the world are they still there?! So I dragged over a chair and balanced myself on it, and tugged out every single glass that I never use, or b) that I simply don't love anymore. If it doesn't come in handy more often than not, and if it doesn't make me smile I gave it away. :-) Now it can actually be used, and it's not taking up my cabinet space anymore. :-) YAY! So, my second reward has been that I smile whenever I open up my kitchen cabinet. :-) It's a great feeling now when I'm doing my kitchen work. Oh, and another 'bonus' is that I was able to get everything off of the top of my fridge, so now it looks pretty in my kitchen. I'm so glad  I've started doing this. It's so much easier to keep everything clean. Next I tackled my childrens books. :-) Now you can't imagine how many books my kiddos have collected. and I honestly don't know why I haven't weeded them out sooner, my only excuse is that I feel guilty getting rid of their stuff. But they have mounds of books, (and they can't ever find the book they want to read because of all the books they don't like anymore) so I got rid of a good portion of their books, and I organized the ones that I got to, by age ranges. So, now they can find what they want. I still have more to do here though, still working on it. I'll let you know my progress next time. Oh, another bonus here: I took the books I was giving away to church (because I can't do freecycle as easily without internet at home) and I asked around and one of the newly married sisters (she has a almost 2 year old) was soooo excited to get those books for here little one. She was trying to get the finances to go to the thrift store to buy her baby books, and here I am with a whole bunch of them that were simply getting in our way. Love when it works out that way. :-) New decluttering goals: *finish the library (walk in closet that holds all my bookshelves and boxes and piles of books!) *the childrens toys. (that are taking up residence in every closet in our home, plus multiplying in our bedroom, now that we are out of room in the kids room.) lol really really need to get to this. :-) Ok, lovely friends. I'm off because I'm running out of time on this computer. <hugs> Oh, I found this article by (my hero) Nancy Campbell, that I thought fit nicely with what I'm doing. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I really struggle with numbers 6, 9, and 10. But I'm working on 9 (decluttering). and 6 is kinda taking care of it's self now that I don't have the computer to distract me. :-) Love ya, Alexia http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/703599/ Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:22:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/703599/ Well, I have been using this time 'off' to get things ready for the school year... organize our home... spending time with the family... and practicing hospitality. It's amazing how much I can get done when I don't have 'important things to do on the computer'. hee hee. But I still miss you all. I'll be back next week with an actual post. But for now be encouraged: God is soo Good. Bye, Alexia http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/701157/ Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:40:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/701157/ I'll miss you all! And I'll still go to the library to post the Weapons of our Warfare verses. Keep me in prayer. And take this time to browse through the older posts. you may want to even take a second to read MY FIRST POST EVER. lol My how times have changed. You can also look back at when the baby started walking, or how I got fed up with the 'S. WORD' question. Theres lot to read about so enjoy! And In the words of the Governator "I'll be back!". Anyway, LOVE, PEACE, LAUGHTER, JOY, & JESUS! Alexia http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/699982/ Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:25:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/699982/ I was praying and praying for a Bible Curriculum for my (soon-to-be) 2nd grader, and Kinder student, And I was of course also praying for the finances to get the stuff. (Yes, Hubby is still out of work, but Jesus has and always will come thru -know & trust that-). I found some really great stuff, especially at Christian Book (dot) com. Which, if push came to shove, I also could've gotten easily at PaperBack Swap. Please use my 'name' (alexiamiguel) so I can get the referral credit. But then I felt God whispering that why do I need to purchase a curriculum when I have HIS Word? And Why is His Word not enough? Oops. Sorry, Lord. I'm not saying a Bible Curriculum isn't great, just that it isn't what God wants for us this year. Good to know. So, I changed up my prayers, to more along the lines of 'what do I teach?' and 'when (in the year) do I teach it?' And wouldn't you know it? God came through. As if there was ever any doubt! My God is amazing!! Anyway, I was given (I mean almost in one sitting!!) a list of Bible verses for memorization, study, meditation, penmanship, character training, early morning devotionals (My Coffee with Jesus time. ) etc. etc. etc.  And I was given the Title: Weapons of our Warfare. Isn't that amazing?! It's based on 2 Cor 10:4,5 (which also happens to be ok, it was planned to be the first scripture on the list to memorize!). We will have a new scripture every two weeks, except in Jan, and next July. We will use those two months to review the previous verses, to help us lock them into 'long term memory'. I think I will start posting the Weapons of our Warfare scriptures every two weeks, and maybe you all can memorize God's eternal truth with our family? Make sure to let me know in the comments if you are, and we will keep eachother accountable. It's starting in July. (Because that is when we are starting back to school -light schedule-) and remember the first scripture is: 2 Cor. 10:4,5 (NKJ version) "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." I firmly believe that even the youngest of children can (and should) memorize scripture. Andrew (my 7 year old) memorized his first scripture at the age of 4: John 3:16. What do you think? I'm debating whether to have my soon-to-be 5 year old memorize the whole scripture, or just a relevant piece of it? Then my 7 year old to memorize most of it, with Hubby and I actually memorizing the whole thing? Or should the goal be for all of us to have the whole thing memorized? Considering how easy it is for kids to memorize stuff, what better use is there for their mental faculties, huh? What do you think? I'm still praying on that. And I will definitely post failures and successes as time goes on. (Keeping myself accountable and all that!) I am so wanting to learn from my mistakes. Here's the plan: Every morning (probably right at the beginning of 'school') we will recite the scripture together. Angel (5 yr old) will have to trace a part of it, every day. & Andrew will use it for copy work daily. (Penmanship) We will also discuss the verse(s) during breakfast (when we usually have morning devotionals anyway) and through out the day, as opportunity arises. What they mean? How they apply to every day life? (Character training.) You know the drill there. Also I usually post a copy (printout or hand written) of the verse(s) in front of the toilet (hee hee, no comments on that please!) and above the toilet, also on the mirror where I do my makeup, and on the front door where every one can (and will see it!). Another copy will be placed in the kids' school folders in the handwriting section. And we can recite it whenever it catches our eye. So, anyway, do you see anything that can be added to this? Or improved upon? What are your favorite verses? Do you have them momorized? What tips do you have for memorizing scripture? Alexia http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/699193/ Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:50:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/699193/ Who likes FREE stuff? I do! I do! Well, ok, if everyone insists. <hee hee> Go HERE to read a FREE e-book called Steps Toward the Mark of the Beast. I've read some of it, and it seems pretty good. Go check it out, and let me know if you have any comments or concerns. I'd love to hear them. Bye Bye Now. Alexia http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/698946/ Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/698946/ Shake The Salt is hosting a giveaway for a $100 Home Depot Gift Card because The Home Depot wants to help you jump-start your summer projects!!  The deadline to enter is June 15, 2009 at 11:59 PM EST. So hurry there to enter to win! Because, you can't win if you don't enter, right!??! Alexia http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/698076/ Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/698076/ Hey all! We watched the most moving Christian movie ever the other day and I wanted to take a second to let you all know about it. It's available on Amazon. and also available on Netflix. This movie is a must see for every Christian out there. I agree with Penny when she says  to watch after the kiddos are in bed the first time, so you'll be aware of when to have them shut their eyes and hum.  But we only had to do that once. I don't even want to say what part, because that truly came as a surprise to me, and I want to keep it that way. If you want to get a more detailed review read Penny's review HERE. I totally agree with her when she says "If you are looking for a good movie you will enjoy this, but not be overly impressed. If you are looking for a God story you will be weeping and rejoicing with the realness of the Gospel and how faith is lived out in real life." It's really that good. Alexia http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/698067/ Fri, 12 Jun 2009 12:52:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/698067/ THE HATED WORD Psalm 104:24, "O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches." Filled. It doesn't sound such a bad word, does it? I wonder why so many people hate it. It's strange that so many Christians hate it when God loves it! In fact, this word describes who God is. He fills the heavens and the earth. He fills all in all--and Jesus is the fullness of Him who fills all in all. The whole earth is full of His glory. He is filled with majesty, filled with righteousness, filled with compassion. He does not have these attributes in a little measure but is filled with them. God does not take long to introduce this word to us. He uses it in the very first chapter of the Bible. Genesis 1:28, "And God blessed them, and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it'..." It is interesting that the very first words that God spoke to man included the word fill.  It is obviously very much part of God's heart. He loves abundance. After God destroyed mankind through the flood, apart from Noah and his family, He repeated the same command again. This time He repeated it twice. Genesis 9:1 and v. 7, "And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth'..." The Hebrew word is male which means "fill to overflowing" . Many take objection to God's command today. They certainly don't want to fill their families to overflowing. They would rather fill their homes with "stuff"--more gadgets, more furniture, bigger TVs and computers. Yet it seems that every time God speaks about children, He uses this despised word. When Jacob and his family went down to Egypt there were only 70 of them. Four hundred years later they emerged a mighty nation. Exodus 7:7 says, "The children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them."  They became "more and mightier" than the Egyptians who began to fear them. Their fear turned to persecuting them and making them slaves. But the more the Egyptians afflicted them the more they multiplied. This is God's purpose for His people. He wants them to fill the earth with His glory--His love, peace, truth and salvation. Numbers 14:21 says, "But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord." This is not talking about creation, but God's people who bear His image in the earth. God wants this earth to be filled with His image. God wants His land to be "filled with flocks of men." (Ezekiel 36:38, Psalm 80:8-9) God's picture of a blessed family is one filled with children. Once again it is this detested word. Society is brainwashed to think differently than God thinks. And of course, we think that we know better than God. But what does He say?  "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that has his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." (Psalm 127:4-5) The parents who have their quiver full are happy! Actually, the Hebrew word in this Scripture is a double word which should be translated, "happy, happy". The parents who have their quiver full will not be ashamed. The parents who have their quiver full will have children who know how to speak against the evil things in the land, even in high places. The gate in Bible days was the civic center of the town, the place of administration of justice. Zechariah 8:4-5 is one of my favorite Scriptures. It is a picture of what Jerusalem will be like when God dwells there. "Thus saith the Lord of hosts: There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof." What a beautiful picture of children playing while the old people walk the city streets with their canes and watch the children in the city squares. And do you notice that there are not a few children playing? The streets are filled with boys and girls. How God delights to see them playing together. Here's one more Scripture. Luke 14:23 says, "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." God loves to have a full house. It's part of His character. If we have God's heart, we'll want to have a full house too. Love from NANCY CAMPBELL PRAYER: "Lord, I pray that you will change my heart. Save me from from thinking miserly, but help me to think like you think. Amen." AFFIRMATION: I'm filling my home with God's blessings. P.S. Next week we will continue to find out more areas of our lives that God wants to fill. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/698026/ Thu, 11 Jun 2009 13:19:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/698026/ Without GOD our week would be: Sinday, Mournday, Tearsday, Wasteday, Thirstday, Fightday & Shatterday. Remember, seven days without GOD makes one weak. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/697526/ Tue, 9 Jun 2009 20:52:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/697526/ Have you seen the newest The case against homeschooling?!!? Man what will they come up with next? lol It's really hilarious. I took his 'top ten reasons to not homeschool' and answered them one at a time below. My answers are in red. But if you have the time, you really need to go check out the comments that he got on that one post. <giggle> bet they've never had that kind of traffic before. Here's Spunky's response  to his 'case'. By JESSE SCACCIA Homeschooling: great for self-aggrandizing, society-phobic mother…… but not quite so good for the kid. Here are my top ten reasons why homeschooling parents are doing the wrong thing: 10. “You were totally home schooled” is an insult college kids use when mocking the geeky kid in the dorm (whether or not the offender was home schooled or not). And… say what you will… but it doesn’t feel nice to be considered an outsider, a natural outcropping of being homeschooled. Ha Ha Ha Ha and this is a reason NOT to homeschool!?!? Seriously? I hope my kids are self confidant enough to naturally stand out in a crowd, not to blindly follow the crowd. 9. Call me old-fashioned, but a students’ classroom shouldn’t also be where they eat Fruit Loops and meat loaf (not at the same time I hope). It also shouldn’t be where the family gathers to watch American Idol or to play Wii. Students–from little ones to teens–deserve a learning-focused place to study. In modern society, we call them schools. Well, we personally have a school room.... but even if we didn't: this home is where my kids have learned to walk, talk, eat with a fork, tie their shoes, and yes, read, write, and spell, too. How is that wrong? How is that even a reason to NOT homeschool? please! 8. Homeschooling is selfish. According to this article in USA Today, students who get homeschooled are increasingly from wealthy and well-educated families. To take these (I’m assuming) high achieving students out of our schools is a disservice to our less fortunate public school kids. Poorer students with less literate parents are more reliant on peer support and motivation, and they  greatly benefit from the focus and commitment of their richer and higher achieving classmates. I am homeschooling to offer society a well educated, well rounded, well established, self confidant, man of God and woman of God. and I am forfeiting any and all 'spare time' while I do it. HOW IS THAT SELFISH??? OMGosh, this person is insane. Plus most of these (you assume correctly) high achieving students are high achieving BECAUSE of the commitment that their parents have in their education. Sheesh... selfish.. <shaking head in disbelief> 7. God hates homeschooling. The study, done by the National Center for Education Statistics, notes that the most common reason parents gave as the most important was a desire to provide religious or moral instruction. To the homeschooling Believers out there, didn’t God say “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations”? Didn’t he command, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me”? From my side, to take your faithful children out of schools is to miss an opportunity to spread the grace, power and beauty of the Lord to the common people. (Personally I’m agnostic, but I’m just saying…) Ok, now I must admit I LOVE this one. First they presume to know the mind of God, and then in the next sentence goes on to admit to being agnostic... hhmmm!?!? But I will answer it anyway. Because this person is just so knowledgable. <snicker> Ok, first off. Let the adults go witness to 'the world' (in quotations because since when does the world consist of nothing but 4 walls?) my children were entrusted to me by God, and are to be protected from people like you until such time as they are able to form their own opinion. (ie: when they are adults). Second: how in the world are they to make disciples of anyone when 1) they can't pray in public school 2) they can't preach in public school 3) they can't even mention the name of Jesus in public school?? hhmm? Answer: they can't. They will be spoonfed the worlds mentality until they can spoon feed it to others, at which time they will graduate. Uh uh, not my kiddos.  6. Homeschooling parent/teachers are arrogant to the point of lunacy. For real! My qualifications to teach English include a double major in English and education, two master’s degrees (education and journalism), a student teaching semester and multiple internship terms, real world experience as a writer, and years in the classroom dealing with different learning styles. So, first of all, homeschooling parent, you think you can teach English as well as me? Well, maybe you can. I’ll give you that. But there’s no way that you can teach English as well as me, and biology as well as a trained professional, and history… and Spanish… and art… and counsel for college as well as a school’s guidance counselor… and… and… hahaha. Ok, but I certainly can learn whatever you learned... correct? So if I stay 1 day ahead of my kids, then they are good. For Reals! 5. As a teacher, homeschooling kind of pisses me off. (That’s good enough for #5.) awww. Why thank you. Its great to know that my doing something in my own home, with my own children, useing my own resourses, while still paying you and your co workers paycheck (with my tax monies) is pissing you off. Great to know. (can you just smell the sarcasm?) 4. Homeschooling could breed intolerance, and maybe even racism. Unless the student is being homeschooled at the  MTV Real World house, there’s probably only one race/sexuality/background in the room. How can a young person learn to appreciate other cultures if he or she doesn’t live among them? How can I appreciate the horrors of the holocost when I didn't live through it? You read, read, read, and read somemore. and when thats done, then you pick up another book. 3. And don’t give me this “they still participate in activities with public school kids” garbage. Socialization in our grand multi-cultural experiment we call America is a process that takes more than an hour a day, a few times a week. Homeschooling, undoubtedly, leaves the child unprepared socially. No one said anything about participating with public school kids. But for our family, my children spend time with other kids twice a week at church, once a week at Bible Study, and then at whatever play date/ academic class/ sport/ and/ or activitie we decide to participate in. And they aren't just bulked in with other kids based on nothing more than the year they were born.. and they don't have to stay in that same bulk class setting for 6 or so years. hhhhmmmm, socializing with a number of different ages, backgrounds, and befiefs, or socializing with the same 30 to 40 students for 6 years?!?!?! Who's more prepared socially? 2. Homeschooling parents are arrogant, Part 2. According to Henry Cate, who runs the Why Homeschool blog, many highly educated, high-income parents are “probably people who are a little bit more comfortable in taking risks” in choosing a college or line of work. “The attributes that facilitate that might also facilitate them being more comfortable with home-schooling.” Oh, I'm sorry, I should just blindly follow the crowd. I get it. Because that is what George Washington did. And Henry Ford. and Lincoln. and Bell, and any number of inventors, politicions, and revolutionarys. Right? I HOPE that you are right, and that we are risk takers, and scene changers and world shakers! More comfortable taking risks with their child’s education? Gamble on, I don’t know, the Superbowl, not your child’s future. urg. No one is taking a risk with their childs future by homeschooling. Check out any of the top collages and you will find that they are actually SEEKING homeschooled graduates. hee hee Are they actively seeking out public school graduates? <snicker> I think Not. So who's really gambling? 1.  And finally… have you met someone homeschooled? Not to hate, but they do tend to be pretty geeky***. And if you mean that they are hard workers, considerate, and kind, and are learning at way above their grade levels. Then thank you. I appreciate the compliment. Alexia http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/695346/ Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:44:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourfunhouseofgod/695346/