My random writings about my life with 4 kids, a wonderful hubby and an Awesome God. Come sit and enjoy a cup of coffee as I write about our homeschooling world. Some people may not agree with our style of homeschooling but hey it is our life together raising a rambunctious bunch. We will be doing what God has intended for each of our children and the path He wants them to take. Psalm 23:3 " He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:18:00 -0500 Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:18:00 -0500 I was so excited that my recipe was posted in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Fall edition.  My famous fruit salad, I have to admit it is spin off of my mama's the kind she made when I was a kid but over the years I have put my own twist on it and have called it my own.  My kids love it so much. I guess I should post it here but I want you to go out and buy TOS if you really want the recipe.  I will post it next month closer to Thanksgiving.  Blessing to all today.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/415159/ Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:18:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/415159/ Finally my blog entries are showing up hopefully I won't have to worry about my blog not updating I so want to get back to blogging on a regular basis.  Work is crazy as is homeschooling.  I want to start selling stuff on ebay, I don't know where I am gonna find the time so I will just grab it and find it somewhere. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/400528/ Mon, 1 Oct 2007 00:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/400528/ I am so excited this is such a sweet story, My daughter is such a sweet blessing in my life.  I felt such confirmation that the Lord really loved me the day she was born.  I did not know my baby's gender for 9mths that I was pregnant I really wanted to know because honestly I really wanted a girl, I had enough boys and shopping alone was not something I was looking forward to in my future.  I know this sounds so selfish and Mommies with just boys may think I am being so wierd and ungrateful for my boys.  I know I wouldn't be saying "oh life with boys" if my girl had been born a boy.  For some reason my Father in heaven knew I would need this person in my life.  My boys are just as important and sweet and dear to my heart but my daughter I truly treasure this gift God bestowed on our family. Late yesterday afternoon my daughter came up to me and says "Momma, can I go outside and I really need to be alone I have to talk to God."  She was holding her Precious Moments bible.  I asked her if she would like to be alone in my room she said Momma "This is really important I really have to talk to God"  So she got on the bed on her knees and with her face down and thanked Jesus for dying on the cross for her and she started sobbing asking God to forgive her for all the bad things she has ever done and asked Jesus to come into her heart.  I couldn't believe what I was hearing my 6 year daughter said the sinner's prayer, I was so touched I prayed with her after that so she could take it all in.  I made sure she realized what she had just done was such a big deal and that she had the Holy Spirit in her heart.  She was so happy she was smiling and we marked it down on our calendar.  My Boo was wondering what all the ruckus was so he said "Hey, I believe in Jesus, too!"  so he said the sinners prayer too and his little sister helped lead him.  I was feeling so loved again by  our Father in heaven.  Thank you God for sending your Son and thank you God for my children, Blessings to our family. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/389881/ Wed, 12 Sep 2007 12:11:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/389881/ Wow, we are almost ending our year - Year round schoolers that's what we are.  Due to the two boys extended vacation we have had to extend our year a little longer and think about this new year coming up on us.  I am so excited to end the old and start the new.  But alas it seems like summer is gonna last a bit  longer for us because of the Desert of course but also because of the ongoing studies we need to complete before we start all over again.    Of course like every homeschooling mom I have all these wonderful plans for the new year that I know are subject to change as the year goes on.  My youngest is still finishing her reading program and will just be about done when we start her 1st grade year.  My oldest is going to be reading a classical I still am trying to find just the right one so that he is interested, my middle boy is an avid reader he will read just about anything so I really want to find him a set of interesting books he can use for his reading program I found the Kingdom Series and will be ordering the books soon, he saw the ad in TOS and was in agreement that I buy them.  My youngest boy I discovered today will read a book but isn't really interested so I had him read to me to earn points to play  the ever popular Club Penguin.   Today he was running all around the house it sounding like chasing and I was helping my daughter in her room and I asked my oldest.  "Who is doing that?' quite loudly, he answered back "Who do you think, Mom"  Well my Riley "Boo" came to mind immediately.  I called him in the room and he had the look of terror in his eyes.  I tried to calmly ask him why all the running and his eyes went to the floor like he was done with this questioning.  I asked him to look at me and his head went up slowly and I caught his eyes.  I asked him to find any book and read it to me.  He shot me this look like "Whaaattt?' He ran away for a minute and came back with this short version of "The Velveteen Rabbit"  He was so monotone reading it at first and then he became interested and was really reading it for pleasure.   The book was so short I made him read it again and he found a few other books to read to me.  This really helped calm him down from all the running and helped his brothers finish up their work.  I bought him legos for his hyperness and that only last so long.  He would rather go and run outside all day long but unfortunately this heat can take a toll on you in the middle of the day, so that is out of the question until the sun starts going down.  Sometimes I am so exhausted by his energy of course I wish I had it.  He is my smiling boy sometimes he will look at himself in the mirror and just crack up leading his oldest brother to believe for a while that he was mentally crazy.  It is hard to explain why their brother is different and for awhile all I would get was an arguement but now they realize how God made their brother and they love him anyway.  His social skills have greatly increased since bringing him out of public school and sometimes I am so ashamed to know that I let him stay in that hostile environment.  He loves taking a bath and says that Timmy Turner is 10 and he takes a bath so why shouldn't he.  His brothers starting taking baths at 7 & 8, I couldn't argue with Fairly Odd Parents logic so I gave in.  He has to have a specific soap or he won't wash his hair.  Of course while he was staying at my sisters he used the soap she does and did not have any problems.  I know its a Mom thing.  Someday my baby boy will be all grown and I wonder if he will still be here with us or on his own.  I am just going to enjoy them all now and know that God is planning their lives and letting me help Him what an honor. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/374766/ Thu, 16 Aug 2007 21:16:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/374766/ My boys came home Sunday evening--Thank  You God Thank You God!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/366399/ Wed, 1 Aug 2007 13:59:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/366399/ Finally all my little ladybug's hard work has paid off, she had her end of the year recital it was fantastic!!! The school she goes to did a wonderful job with all the little ballet and tap dancer's it was amazing.  We were so proud and just loved it.  She absolutely loved dancing in front of a crowd, she was afraid at the beginning of the year and said she would be too embarassed to dance in front of other people.  After she heard the applause she was hooked.  I advised dear hubby of her ballet and tap fund for the coming year we need to start saving up now she will most likely be taking more classes.  I loved her form for such a young dancer she has great form and poise. Here are a few pics from the recital. Daddy and his Princess Lovely Ballerina Proud Grandma and Pops -- They came all the way from AZ to see  our little ballerina Proud Mama and Daddy with our Little Ladybug Princess http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/365239/ Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:50:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/365239/ If God is for us who can be against us.    No foe is too great, no enemy too cunning for our Lord and Saviour.  --- I feel like we are getting beat down from all sides.  If it is not one thing it is another.  I keep praying and it feels like Rain pouring and beating down us with no relief in sight.  Lord I am crying out Father God.  Be here next to me as I can only turn to you in my times of trouble.  I need to understand there are worse things in this world but my trust needs to be placed in your hands.  My needs are meet Lord please let your peace that surpasses all understand reside within me and let my impatience be cast away along with my worries.  Lord you have always meet me where I am and listened just thanks be to You oh Father thanks be to you. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/363195/ Thu, 26 Jul 2007 11:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/363195/ Ps 34:4-10 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him, and he rescues them.   Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him! Let the LORD's people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing. NLT I emailed a good friend of mine and she sent me this wonderful encouragment.  God is faithful all the time.  I trust in Him and he delivers but it is my trust that is important.  I was recently listening to a podcast by Greg Laurie I Love listening to this man we used to live in Riverside, Ca. and went to Harvest for awhile.  I love how he takes a message straight from the bible and delivers it so it makes sense and it is never boring.  There is always a story and such a strong message and a couple of laughs too.  Anyhow he said that we tend to put God on the back burner when everything is going good and that we really seek him in times of trouble but like my pastor says we need him as we need food.  I always picture one of those neo pets you remember those things you had to electronically feed every day or they would get mad and then starve and die.  I look at our spritual bodies like this and if we don't have some nourishment everyday we too get mad and we starve and our spiritual bodies become dead to His word.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/358964/ Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:40:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/358964/ I saw this on another blog and had to take the quiz!!! Your Mothering Style this almost fits me to a T - I wish I had more time to read though!!! Your type is: intp  —The “Love of Learning” Mother “I keep the encyclopedia in the kitchen so we can look up things together while we eat.” Intellectually curious and patient, the INTP mother relishes those times with a child when they are learning something interesting together. Whether they’re at the zoo or computer terminal, she sparks to answering his or her “whys” with in-depth responses or new knowledge. The INTP mother is also objective and introspective. She listens to and discusses children’s ideas and questions as she would those of a peer, fostering self-esteem and confidence. Open and non-directive, she allows children the freedom to do for themselves and quietly encourages them to believe they can do it. Independence, autonomy, intellectual development, and self-reliance are probably the INTP’s highest priorities for her children. An avid reader, she naturally imparts an appreciation and love of reading as well. Drawn to all types of learning, the INTP may also value her mothering experience for all the new insights about life it provides her. Find out your mothering style at motherstyles.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/354541/ Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:50:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/354541/ This blog is new but blogging on this site is not new to me.  I had another blog but had to close it down.  This was a very hard decision because I had to take everything off of the other blog a year and a half worth of pictures and journaling it was like an online scrapbook of the my life for that time.  It was very drastic but had to be done.  My family on my side do not agree with the way I homeschool my older child and have threatened social services on my family.  They said they supported me but they really did not.  My oldest child went for a visit with my mother and my sisters and unfortunately was subjected to an inquistion.  This child has learning disabilities and has been diagnosed by a doctor he is about 3 years behind in "school" at his grade level.  My young man was lied to and things he shared were misconstrue and turned around. Things have gone too far and I did not want them using my blog against my family and me.  I have loads of God's family praying for them and their hearts and myself and my family.  I do feel very betrayed.  My husband is my rock and knows that I give my children the best education that God has intended for them.  He loves me despite the in-laws.  All this is unfortunate and I am praying that in the days ahead they will come to their senses.  In the meantime I wanted to share this and get out my feelings in my journaling.  I am praying for each family member, I also know that My Father's feet is where I can sit awhile and just learn from him and not be bitter or mad but just feel comforted that my son is in good hands with my in-laws on his side of the family.  I am praying that this blog will be helpful and meaningful and something my kids can look back on and know how much we loved them and cared for them. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/354243/ Mon, 9 Jul 2007 18:57:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/tulipmama/354243/