|
I haven't been here in a while. I have moved my blog to this site: A Stretched Out Mom. Come visit me! I'd love to hear from you! |
|
We are counting down our last days of school until we take a much needed break! I can't wait! I can't seem to get my mind back in action since my trip to England. My mind is muddy and clogged up. The kids have done so well, but I am making mistake after mistake. I have just started sleeping again, but it was soooo worth it all. I really came home ready to study British History and Literature! I wish I had known more before I spent the time in this beautiful area of our world. This time of year, the end of a school year, I also get very eager to look at curriculum for next year. I want to do a lot of planning and scheming for the next year. I love this time of year and I can spend hours on the computer, looking at different options for curriculum. In reality, I know what I am going to use next year in most subjects, but I LOVE looking! There is so much out there and so much of it I have bought and tried only to be disappointed. I have learned what works for us.......finally. I will stick to it, but I occasionally find a new book that I want to use to supplement our core. It's the search that is so much fun! Office/school supplies......I am an addict! I so enjoy buying new school and office supplies. When I was a girl, the new paper and pens was more appealing to me than new clothes. There is nothing like opening a notebook to the first clean page or using a pencil for the first time. I know, I know......I am weird, but I also know I am not alone. There are other office/school supply addicts out there. Show your face!!! Let's stand together! So the kids are tying up the loose ends and then I will do my planning and begin our school after a short break. I can't wait for both the break and the new beginning! Some things I want to do on break: finishing some unfinished needlework projects; make some Christmas gifts; paint a room; clean out the attic; work on my fireant-infested and overgrown flower garden; read aloud and read my own books......just to name a few. Have a great week! Do not grow weary in doing good! |
|
I just got back from England last night. Our choir spent 10 days over there touring and celebrating John Newton's life and contribution to abolition slavery, as well as his wonderfully written hymns. What an awesome place! I loved every minute that I was there! The only thing that would have made it better was having my dh by my side. We spent the first few days in London and, though, we had little time, we saw soooo much! We had a nice coach and an energetic, knowledgeable blue badge guide to show us the sites. Oh, I miss Nigel's accent! We also went to Wales, Northampton, Bristol, Olney........such beautiful country! I can't even begin to believe all that we took in. It was sensory overload! So many historical sites......so much history! I can't begin to get my head around it all! But I just wanted to say to all of you UK homeschoolers.......YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HOME!!!! I would love to go back with my family SOON! And we will be studying your history SOON while it is still fresh on my mind! I am weary, but it is such a great tiredness! |
He was here taking care of the family for me. 
|
The time has come........a trip that we have been planning for almost a year...... I leave for Olney in England tomorrow morning. I am going with my church choir to be a part of a celebration of John Newton's 200th anniversary of his death and the abolition of slavery. My worship pastor fell in love with John Newton's hymns several years ago and began studying the life of this man. One thing led to another and he began putting music to the lyrics of these hymns. He has since recorded a cd and last year was invited to present a concert of Newton songs at this celebration. The choir was then invited and his assistant wrote orchestration and choral arrangements for the songs. Now there are 74 of us leaving tomorrow morning to go for 10 days to share the great news that Newton wrote about. I will say this.....if you have not read about John Newton's life, I would highly encourage you to. Our worship pastor gave us a list of books to read in preparation and the life of John Newton is fascinating! What a story of God's grace! I am going to have my kids read the book Out of the Depths. It would make a great movie.......ship wrecks, love, mystery.......all about God's grace in a boy's life. I would appreciate any and all of your prayers while we are gone. I am leaving my kids for 10 days and that is never easy! I am having to say good-bye today to them and tomorrow I will do the same with my darling husband! May God go before us all! |
|
It appears that the cold weather is out of here for a while. Spring has arrived and with it, spring fever for the teacher. I am so ready to "be done" with school, but we have a ways to go. Basketball season wipes us out and makes us move slower in school. It's at this time of year that I have to remind myself how much we enjoyed watching him play. The kids seem to have great attitudes, so I am masking my struggle in front of them. We are just trying to read out on the front porch, plant some veggies and flowers, yet get all of the other studies done as well. They seem motivated and are getting everything done each day as well as helping with the chores. Maybe part of my struggle is knowing that I am leaving to go to England on a special choir tour with my church next week. I will be gone for 10 days and don't want to spend my last week here with the kids doing school. I would rather play with them or take them to climb Mt. P. Maybe I can work out doing both. I still have to shop and pack, though, and I am feeling the crunch! I also think that leading up to time for me to leave, it will help them if things have been "normal" and in our regular routine. Hopefully, they will be able to continue while I am gone. My MIL (right "next door" on this dirt road") is going to keep them, so that they can practice their instruments and do school (as much as possible) while I am gone. They have learned to do well on their own for some things, so we'll see. Anything that they get done and understand will be worth it to me........one step closer to taking a month's break! Math-U-See calls........I wonder if we can watch MUS videos outside???? |
|
Yes, I am trying to give up sugar. I have done it before; as a matter of fact, I was able to completely get off of sugar and caffeine last November and stayed off of it for 3 months. I felt great! I am still off of the caffeine except for the chocolate I love so much. Why am I getting off of sugar? My main reason is for health reasons and I am totally enslaved to it. Doesn't Scripture talk about being enslaved to sin? I know that sugar in and of itself is not sin, but my pull to it is. I find myself thinking about it and finding ways to sneak away to enjoy it.......I say "enjoy", but I never find it as satisfying as the thought of it. I see this as more than a health/weight loss issue. It is really about denying myself. Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Yet I don't exhibit that fruit in my life. I long to! I feel that this sin has become such a part of my life that I have learned to justify my enslavement to it. Yet what does Romans say? I don't have to be enslaved to sin anymore! Christ has freed me from that! The victory has been won! So why do I continue to CHOOSE to sin with my self-indulgence? Why do I feel that I have the right to eat what I want, when I want to? Why do I continue in this acceptable sin in my life yet claim that I desire to walk in a manner worthy of the calling in which I have been called? James would tell me that it is because of the selfish war within myself. I am self-centered, self-absorbed, prideful. I need to learn to deny myself of the things that aren't in and of themselves sinful, but can be in the way I choose to submit to the temptation of them. The biggest trigger of this temptation for me is junk food. How can I teach my kids to eat good when I don't show them by example how to do it? What a hypocrite! I want them to eat "right", but don't do it for my own body which is the temple of God! I think that right eating would affect so many areas of our lives in a positive way........school, allergies, medical bills, energy, food bills, sleeping, concentration, skin troubles.....and the list could go on and on. Lord, help me to learn to deny myself one thing each and every day. Maybe, with Your help, if I practice this self-denial, it will become a habit. It has been said that if you do something for 30 days it becomes a habit. Could it apply to this? I don't want to try on my own strength because that is a prescription for failure. Lord, I want You to help me call upon Your strength, Your power. May You be my total satisfaction in life! May I desire nothing......not food, finances, relationships, fun......more than YOU! Help me not to give up what I want most (fruit of self-control) for what I want now (self-centered eating..........chocolate)! |
Go figure! Isn't that the way with sin? The thought and enticement of sin is much greater than the actual enjoyment of it. Yet there is a greater long-term enjoyment of obedience. Why doesn't that entice me? |
HALLELUJAH! THE LORD IS RISEN! THE LORD IS RISEN INDEED!!!! |
|
We did get Bible time done yesterday and a whole lot more! Isn't God good? Today.......Friday, April 6, 2007........Good Friday.......why is it "good"? I have been trying to meditate and read about the seven sayings of Jesus while He was on the cross. It is a new and fresh way for me to focus on this season that could so easily become rote and rutualistic for long-time believers. Every year, I pray that God refreshes my heart to the wonderful truths I learned on my parents' knees. Each year, He does just that. Each year Satan tries harder and harder to distract me, too. The busyness of the weekend at church (good things!) plus family get- togethers are usually the culprit, but this year he threw some new stuff at me.......conflicts in relationships. Isn't he "crafty"? I find that I am no match for the devil and his schemes, but I am so thankful that I belong to THE KING Who created him and knows him well and yet gives me victory already. Today as I was reading about John Newton and William Cowper, I was reminded in one of their poems/hymns how much Satan hates it when believers fall on their knees before their God. So today, I do that. I go to prayer to ask my heavenly Father, my King, my Lord, my Saviour to go to battle for me in this moment, this weekend. Convict me of sin, forgive me of falling into the temptation and make me clean so that I can worship from a pure heart tonight and Sunday. I am going to muse on the words of the book, "Seven Sayings of the Saviour on the Cross" by A.W. Pink this afternoon. May God use it to prepare me for worship and communion at church tonight. "Open my eyes that I might see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me. Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine." |
|
As I look around my house right now, my rug is dirty, laundry is piled high (and I've been doing laundry everyday, all day this week!), bathrooms need cleaning, phone calls need to be made (to see if I am going to get my passport in time to go to England!!!), school needs to be completed and enjoyed, books need to be read (yes, "need" for the England trip), VBS materials looked over before a meeting today, the treadmill is calling my name, dinner needs to be put together.......but then I think of my agenda vs. God's. What is most important to Him? It's time for family Bible time.........I think that is what He desires most. Then I know that He will help me accomplish what He desires me to accomplish for His purposes. I also anticipate Him showing me things on my agenda that were not His plan for me. Lord, make me willing to let go of what I deem important.......my checklist! Help me today to enjoy YOU, my husband, my kids (even through schooling), and whoever you have me come into contact with.......may I point them all to You and encourage them in their walk. Make me salt and light! |
|
After a long time, I have decided to change my template. I sure wish I knew more about computers so I could really personalize this blog.....one day......some day. We were able to get a lot done today. Three of my kids were struggling with sickness, so we didn't go tonight to church. That gave us a bit longer to work on school. They were working a bit slower and needed some breaks for resting, but we did get some stuff done. Two of the kids have sinus infections; another has allergies that sounds like it is headed to a sinus infection. We started out the day with a bit of extra sleep since they were coughing so much last night. DD12 made waffles for everyone and as they were eating waffles and drinking hot chocolate (it was a bit colder here today), we watched "Oliver Twist". My kids had not seen the really old one (1948) and I had gotten it from Netflix. It is a tough movie to watch, especially for my sheltered kids, but a good one. It led to several really good discussions........gratefulness, honesty, life situations for other kids, stealing, standing up for what is right, unfairness, etc. So many themes, so many questions........it was really great to hear the older two answer the younger two's questions. After the movie, the kids really hit the books well! I was so proud of them. DD8 struggled with some math, so we spent a little longer with MUS today, but she finally got it and I loved seeing her smile when it clicked! The best part of the day was outside time! We have a new puppy and the kids love playing with him. He is 9 weeks old and is so playful! So cute! If I can figure out how to upload pictures on this blog, I'll put a new picture of him on here. I just can't seem to get it to upload. Tonight we had a good dinner and some down time together. All of the kids were able to complete a full day of school, plus chores, play time and down time. It was a good day! I have found a new website for free ebooks. I was roaming others' blogs randomly and there was a free download, so I went to the site and 30 minutes later had bought a couple of downloads. I saved them and printed them off this afternoon. I can't wait to begin.......one on learning the presidents in order, another on the moon and the last one on composers/artists. I hope the kids enjoy them as much as I am looking forward to them! Go check them out! Apparently, they frequently have free stuff! It's worth looking! Enough for tonight. Good night all! I am going to head to a good book before bedtime. |
|
I am so glad for the promise that God will be with me through all that I go through. I am so sad today. I have been stressed about an overseas trip coming up.......not wanting to leave my family for 10 days, not sure I made the right decision, don't want to travel overseas without my husband..........lots of stressful thoughts. But God is providing encouragement through Scripture. Today more sad news.......news that doesn't shock me, but still makes me sad. Lord, show me Your hand through these sad times. Lift my eyes to look at You. Thank You that Your face is one that brings JOY. Help me count my blessings. |
|
I would just like to recommend a book on marriage that I am reading right now. It's by Gary Thomas and the title is Sacred Influence. When I read the introduction, I thought this book was going to advocate manipulation by women to change their men, but now that I am almost finished with the book, I see that I had misinterpretted the language because I am a manipulative woman!!!! I have worked so hard to NOT be that the language that I can spot it a mile away! God has been working on my life and convicting me of trying to change my husband instead of loving him and leaving the changing part to GOD. I thought at the beginning that the goal of the book (and of wives) was to change their husbands when I have come to believe (after 19 years of marriage) that marriage is largely to conform me to the image of my Saviour, Jesus Christ. Now I know that Mr. Thomas believes the same thing. This book does give some real insight into the minds of men. A man wrote the book and there are some things that the book that made me go: "OH!!!!! I see that in my relationship!!!!" I even read some of them to Wade just to see if it was true of him because I know that some of the statements are general statements made about men and won't apply to all men. BUT these did apply to him and helped me see things so much clearer! Especially in the way I communicate with him! Let me give some examples......we women know that we process information by talking. I knew that this was not true of men, but Thomas goes on to say that talking through hurtful things causes men stress! I didn't think it was stressful for Wade; I just didn't think he enjoyed it. That changes the way I approach him (and how often) about certain topics. I can process with the Lord and with my friends if it is too hurtful for him OR I can share a bit, but give him space to process it on his own before talking to me at a later time. "It is the rare man who grows in intimacy by being chased." Yes, that is a quote!!! Opened my eyes about some things! Another quote that I read that has affected all of my relationships is this: "That's why forgiveness is so crucial; we need to let go of the past so that we don't keep coloring the present with it." Go back and reread that! I might think I have forgiven someone of an offense, but does that past offense keep me from communicating honestly? Do I read into what they say and pass judgment based on my history with them? Yes!!! Forgiveness truly wipes the slate clean! Can I do this? Not without the Lord and even then I wonder if I can this side of heaven, but I am going to try! One last quote: "If your husband doesn't respect you, you're going to have a very difficult time influencing him in any significant way." It reminds me of the verse in Proverbs 31, "The heart of her husband trusts in her." That is one of my goals with Wade! If he can't trust me in my mouth, money, time, heart.........whatever........then we have nothing together. So add to you reading list, Sacred Influence, and ask God to help you apply the principles to your marriage. It could be eye-opening and life changing! It IS for me! I think I will have to read this book once a month! Happy Tuesday to you! |
|
I don't know why, but the last 3-4 times out of 6, I have written a post and then when I got to save it as a draft or add new entry, the page won't work and my post is lost! Soooooo frustrating!!! I don't have this trouble with my other blogs! HELP!!! |
|
Happy Monday to you all! My day started out with lots of laundry and calling the pediatrician. I have two kids that have been coughing for almost 3 weeks. While camping this past weekend, my bro and SIL camp up to eat with us Friday night. She is a pediatrician and told me about an infection that they have been seeing and said I should take the kids in to see what is going on. He checked for whooping cough, took x-rays of their chests and sinuses, and PTL! it was sinus infections for both of them. Easily taken care of with a mild antibiotic! They even felt good enough for us to get some school done when we returned from the dr. The other two kids (oldest two) were able to get a full day of school in today, plus some cleaning. I was swamped with laundry and my washer worked all day long, but still we have tons of laundry! Oh, well! Thank God for kids and a husband who are messing up clothes! I also had the chance to begin reading CM's Original books on education. Last year, I read some excerpts that I printed offline, but now I have my own copy to highlight and mark up anyway I want! I am soooo excited! Her writing is so inspiring and convicting.......all at the same time! I can't wait to go read a bit more tonight before bed! For those of you that homeschool the CM way, what are your favorite books that you have read on homeschooling? Have a good night! Happy reading to you! |
|
After camping for four days in Devil's Den State Park in West Fork, Arkansas, I think I am ready to get back to school. We had so much fun just resting, relaxing, reading, riding bikes (didn't mean to have so many "r" words!)...........it rejuvenated me to get back in the school game again. We spent our spring break this year testing (state mandated) and moving my sister, so we really didn't get a restful week. So this four-day trip was just what we needed. We went to the library before we went and you don't know how much joy it gave me to see each child reading........one in bed each day, two of them taking their books down to the creek to do their reading.......I had the chance to finish almost 4 books! YIPPEE!!! After taking two kids to the dr today, I will be ready to enjoy teaching (and learning with them!) again. So, Lord, help me give You my day. I also give You my agenda. Make today what You want it to be. Make me what You want me to be! Give me the strength and patience to work diligently with these kids while enjoying each moment with them. Teach us, Lord, mostly, how to be more like Your Son. |
|
A good day of school with the kids: #1 Son: Private Bible Time Family Bible Time: John Apologia Biology: Module 8 TT Geometry: Lesson Reading: Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health History of the World, ch 9 Natural Speller Writing Class: Student/Teacher conference week Speech Class: Finally over!!! Drum lesson #1 Daughter: Private Bible Time Family Bible Time MUS: R&S Grammar Reading: Elsie Dinsmore History of the World Science: Jeannie Fulbright, Module 2 Natural Speller Piano lesson #2 Daughter: Private Bible Time Family Bible Time Reading: History of the World Science: Jeannie Fulbright Natural Speller ETC: 3 pages Piano #2 Son: Private Bible Time: With Mom Family Bible Time Science: Jeannie Fulbright ETC: 3 pages Reading: ABEKA McGuffey Reader MUS: Playtime Outside!!! A great day! Praise the Lord! |
|
#1 Son: Bible Time: John Family Bible Time Reading: Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health Geometry: Lesson Science: Apologia biology, module 8 History of the World, ch. 9 Natural Speller Writing Class (outside the home) Speech Class (outside the home) Scripture Memory: Matt 5-7 Drum lesson #1 Daughter Bible Time: Family Bible Time MUS: One lesson Grammar: R&S, One lesson Science: Module 2 History of the World, ch 9 Scripture Memory: Matt 5-7 Piano lesson Natural Speller Reading: Elsie Dinsmore #2 Daughter Private Bible Time Family Bible Time: Leading Little Ones to God/Proverbs MUS: Grammar: R&S, Lesson 25 Natural Speller ETC: 3 pages Reading: Barn Series Science: Jeannie Fulbright's series History of the World Violin practice #2 Son Bible Time: With Mom, Bible Stories Family Bible Time: LLOTG MUS: Review Reading: ABEKA and McGuffey Readers/library books ETC: 3 pages Natural Speller Science: Jeannie Fulbright's series Playtime!!!! I am sooooo excited that my youngest has become a reader! I was worried for a long time, but he loves it now and wants to read 15 pages a day!!!! I think that is a whole lot for a 7yo/1st grader!!!! Something has clicked, praise God!
|
|
WOW! Where have I been since Father/Daughter? Things around here have been sooooo busy. I'm sure all of you can identify with that, right? It has really cut down on my computer time. I am just reflecting today on my life as a homeschool mom. I tend to get so bogged down with my agenda that I miss out on having fun with my kids. I am slowly learning to let up on my agenda and stop to "smell the roses with my kids". If I don't, others will and I will have missed out! It's so hard, though, to be the parent 24/7. Then the grandparents are the "fun ones" who do fun things with them. When they do that I am so thankful because it usually means I get to rest or focus on the house or another project, BUT lately, I am realizing that I am missing out! Even though it is 24/7, I don't want to only do the hard stuff like train, school, discipline........I need the fun times to unwind with them. I have always seen unwinding time for me to be focused on me! How selfish!!! I am learning to unwind with the kids even if it means just lying on their bed while they play, listening as they talk and telling myself not to "correct", but just be with them. Sometimes it means reading together or just sitting outside in the sun. This weekend we are taking the camper a couple of hours away to "get away" with the kids for 4 days. We just went to the library (since we are all readers) to stock up for the trip. Where we are going has less play areas, but the kids have said they can't wait to lie in bed reading for as long as they want. Sounds great to me!!! I would call that unwinding, wouldn't you? I will probably take my CM series that I just bought. I have read some of the books online, but now I can mark them up anyway I want to! Since I am trying to decide what to do next year, I think I will reread her books to remind me what is most important! She has a way of inspiring me! |
|
We had a weird week for us. We didn't have a regular routine at all, but we did get some stuff done. I was in the final week of planning for a Father/Daughter banquet at church and so I was "in town" 4 days.......all day long. The kids were real troopers! They took school to church with us; they schooled in the car; they school at other people's houses. They did well even though my mind was on Father/Daughter banquet. My oldest son was able to get a full week of work in while the youngest ones read to each other, work on Explode the Code, Math U See, R & S Grammar, science reading and more history reading. They had to stretch themselves this week, but they learned how to be diligent in new circumstances and places. We bought ds15 a planner so that he could begin to become more responsible with his assignments. He has been working diligently on his own for several years now and does well, but he is taking 2 outside classes this semester. He has missed a couple of deadlines at the beginning, so we are learning time management, planning our schedule, looking ahead, etc........things he will have to master before he goes to college or is on his own. This is not the strong point for my 15 yo. He gets MOST things done, but at his age, he can't afford to miss one or two things in a class. I am praying for him to learn how to do this. I am a list maker, a daily planner keeper. I am going to go through my planning procedures with him sitting by my side......looking at my calendar the night before, planning Sunday for the week, looking at my emails and planner several times a day, making "to do" lists that are specific and praying that God will bring things to my mind. Lord, help him grow in this area. Help him learn from his mistakes so far. It is hard to learn to manage time well, but it is a discipline that has to be learned. And thank you, Lord, for going before me in this Father/Daughter banquet. I pray that it honored You as well as these fathers and their beautiful daughters.
|
|
We have had a great week so far. Monday was my birthday, but we were so tired from the long wedding weekend that we slept in. DH took ds14 to driver's ed for me that morning and the other kids helped me clean house. I had been sick for a week before leaving town for four days. The house was a total wreck! The kids did a great job helping me "clean-clean". I was going to clean all day long, but then realized that I would be really disappointed and depressed if I stayed in the house all day cleaning on my birthday. So we called my sister and her kids to go see "Charlotte's Web" with us. It was fun! I am glad we did that. Then we headed home to have a cozy night at home......dh brought home comfort food (Chinese) and we sat by the fire and played catch-up watching last week's American Idol episodes. On Tuesday, we hit the books hard. The girls went to piano and because I had been up during the night for several hours, I slept in, then headed to the grocery store. Here in the south, if anyone hears the word "snow" they ransack the grocery stores. I wanted to go before the rush because the weather guy was predicting snow for Wed night and Thursday. The kids did so well finishing school that afternoon with me. They checked everything off of their lists and seemed to actually enjoy it. Today was the best day in a long time. Because of the weather, all activities at church were cancelled for tonight and tomorrow. We got the email about this early this morning, so we were able to hit the books hard for a while today, completing everything on our lists. That made it easier to let the kids head out when the snow started falling. They are still out there even though the snow quit an hour ago. I don't think I give my kids enough play time in their day. How can I change my schedule to allow more time for them to be outside?! I need to look again at our schedule of extra activities to see what can be cut so that we can focus on school in the mornings, then have some time in the afternoons to explore and be kids. I have really enjoyed this week being able to get a lot done and things running fairly peaceably in our home. It just goes to show me that when I plan well, we get MUCH done! I need to make the most of my time, so that WE can make the most of OUR time. Now I am looking forward to snow and a cozy night at home! |