Ethan Says Psalm 23

I'm so proud of my little man!

Curriculum Choices for Next Year

It's almost August, so the pressure is on!  This is what we have line up to do together:

Andrew - 2nd Grade

Language Arts - Horizons 2 Phonics & Reading and Horizons 2 Spelling & Vocab

Math - Horizons 2

Writing (I might have a hard time not using the term Penmanship!) - A Reason for Handwriting

Ethan - Kindergarten

Language Arts - Horizons K Phonics & Reading

Math - Horizons K

Writing - We'll see how he does before I make a big plan on this one.  I may just have him do the same R for H that Andrew does.

Sam - PrePreK?


I still have a lot of work and thinking to do on this one.  I want him to have somewhat of a system just so it makes it easier for all of us.  I'm just not sure what that system is yet.  I love Tot School from 1+1+1=1 and her Tot Tray ideas.  So I may do that with some trays I purchased at Target. I love the Letter of the Week curriculum, so I will do some of that as well.  This is just more of a busy work time for him (with lots of learning and listening opportunities from the other boys doing their school).  I just want to include him in our school time and get him adjusted to our schedule.  He's my baby, so I don't want to rush him into anything!

For All 3 boys

Bible - I will use the HOP Bible pack Chad's stepmom gave to me a while back.  I have used it some, but could definitely do more of this on a schedule.  I am also feeling the need to  spend a lot of time focusing on creation, which will be a great history lesson at the same time.  So I'll have to do some more praying on this one.

Galloping the Globe - We had a great time with this one last year!  This covers a lot, including a lot more than just geography!  We incorporate literature, science, art, Bible, and more.  The countries I have chosen this year so far are:  Brazil, Italy, Germany and China.  We will also be doing more Christmas around the world.

Health - We will be using Horizons 1st grade health curriculum together.  I didn't do health last year, so I thought we could start here.

Science - A lot will be done using GTG, but Chad and I also want to have a "science night with daddy" on a weekday evening.  They will love that!  We could easily go through one concept at a time using Usborne's How Things Work.

I am working on a "Morning Notebook" instead of a board to save space.  In that notebook we will have the calendar, including (and still working on this) the counting of 100 days, temperature,  skip counting, and Godly Character Traits.  BTW...I am so delighted that so many people have downloaded this (2,877 to be exact!).  It's amazing for me to think that so many children might be taught these this upcoming year.  To God be the Glory!  I also have a neat devotional book to use each morning.  I like it because it has 180 days!

Speaking of 180 days...We plan to start after Labor Day.  Our Horizons curriculum has 160 lessons.  So after laying it all out with holiday breaks,etc, I came up with 170.  So 10 of those days will not include Horizons work (around the holidays).  I will make up the 10 more needed by doing a Saturday each month as a field trip or some other kind of learning opportunity!  I could easily count a ton of days this summer if I wanted to.  I love being flexible and relaxed (pretty much!) about it all.

We will also be involved in our Co-Op next year.  We love that and it just gets better!!

In all this planning, what really matters?  What really matters to me is that I am fulfilling my purpose as a mom and teacher to my children.  I pray that I am planning the right things.  I want to raise up Godly little men.  In Proverbs 16:3 it says, "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."  I want to make a commitment today for next year.  This upcoming school year is Yours, Lord!  I cannot do this on my own.  It goes on to say in verse 20, "...blessed is he who trusts in the Lord."  I pray for that blessing to be bestowed upon our family and all the rest of our plans for next year.

'Cause I gotta a lot to do.

Lead Me

This is such an awesome song.  Take time to listen with your hubby today.  We need them to lead our families.  It's only through God's strength that they can!  It really reminds me how much I need to be praying for Chad to lead us!

I look around and see my wonderful life
Almost perfect from the outside
In picture frames I see my beautiful wife
Always smiling
But on the inside, I can hear her saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

I see their faces, look in their innocent eyes
They're just children from the outside
I'm working hard, I tell myself they'll be fine
They're in independent
But on the inside, I can hear them saying...

“Lead me with strong hands
Stand up when I can't
Don't leave me hungry for love
Chasing dreams, but what about us?

Show me you're willing to fight
That I'm still the love of your life
I know we call this our home
But I still feel alone”

So Father, give me the strength
To be everything I'm called to be
Oh, Father, show me the way
To lead them
Won't You lead me?

To lead them with strong hands
To stand up when they can't
Don't want to leave them hungry for love,
Chasing things that I could give up

I'll show them I'm willing to fight
And give them the best of my life
So we can call this our home
Lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Father, lead me, 'cause I can't do this alone

Inspirational Flowers

Inspirational flowers from my garden

Flowers

Anyone that knows me knows that I love flowers.  These are the ones in bloom around my yard right now.

My prayer is that anyone that knows me also knows that I love  and serve My Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have a blessed Lord's day today!

WANTED: Homeschool Teacher

From AOP's Daily Focus

Have you ever thought about how an advertisement would read for a homeschool teacher? If truthfully stated, the ad would probably go something like this:

Now accepting applications:

Family seeking fun-loving, godly homeschool teacher. Applicant will be responsible for providing total educational development and daily personal care for children of multiple ages. Applicant will assume the following roles: cook, housemaid, nurse, taxi driver, administrative assistant, accountant, athletic coach, social director, computer technician, household and automotive repairman, gardener, course instructor in multiple subject areas and grade levels, and various other responsibilities. This is a full-time position — approximately 120 hours or more per week. Qualified candidates must be able to work well under pressure, multi-task, and prioritize work loads while maintaining a friendly, enthusiastic attitude. Quick thinking, good memory, and a varied background in extensive subject matter are a must. Promising candidates will be resourceful, adjust easily to distractions, and display creative, hard-working leadership abilities. Organizational and problem solving skills are a plus. Previous teaching experience and/or college preferred, but is not required. If you're interested in working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment, this is the position for you! For more information on this exciting opportunity to earn fulfilling, one-of-a-kind rewards, please apply in person today.

After reading these qualifications, no wonder many parents walk away from this employment opportunity. Who can measure up to these standards? Praise God, you can! As you step out in faith and yield your weaknesses to God's strength, you'll not only get the job, you'll also successfully homeschool and discover the fantastic benefits of teaching your children at home. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10).

"Thy God hath commanded thy strength: strengthen, O God, that which thou hast wrought for us" (Psalm 68:28).

Lord, homeschooling seems overwhelming, and there's so much to learn. Like the new guy on the job, teach me what I need to know to successfully homeschool with Your wisdom, strength, and power. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God hears our prayers, even for the silliest things

Last Thursday I went out to CVS to grab a few things.  It was the day before Treasure Box time and my box was empty.  I needed something to put in there.  I needed something cheap and not something completely junky, and not candy.

So I said a little prayer while walking around the store, asking the Lord to show me something.  This is what I saw...



And I know you may thinking, "Tape?"  But you don't know my boys.  They LOVE tape.  And this will be their tape dispensers...they won't steal mine!

And the colors...now that is a beautiful gift from God.  Red for Andrew, Green for Ethan and Blue for Sam.  Just like it always is.

Crazy?!  You can think that.  But may my donut tape dispensers remind you of how God really does care, and He does hear the prayers of His people.

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you ladies out there! I hope you are being loved and appreciated, just as you should.

I love being a mom.  And I also love being a daughter!  I am so thankful for my mom and for Chad's mom and step-mom. They give us so much love.  They have taught us what is right,and what really matters.  I know they can agree with this verse as much as I can...

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. III John 1:4

Those who know Your name will trust in You,for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 9:10

Shepherding A Child’s Heart

My sister and brother-n-law first introduced me to this book.  I read it when I was pregnant with Andrew and have referred back to it numerous times.  I have been thinking about it some more lately.  A friend has the book, so I found this on-line.  It was good to hear from the author, to hear his heart and his funny stories.



Shepherding a Child's Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flow from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way: "...out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks." Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child's heart into the paths of life.

Listen if you get a chance!

Tedd Tripp's Seminar on Shepherding A Child's Heart

Praying like you really mean it

We survived a pretty ugly hail storm Monday evening.  This is what it looked like!





I pulled the boys into the hallway for safety.  Their eyes were lit up and they looked a little afraid.  I told them we should pray.  Andrew says, "Yeah, let's pray.  And let's pray like we really mean it!"

I began to think...so do we normally pray and not really mean it?!  Maybe we do.  Yes, a lot of times we do pray about something and doubt it the very next breath we take.  I knew what Andrew meant.  But we need to remember to pray in faith, believing that the Lord does hear us and will answer our prayers.

The storm passed and the boys were delighted that God answered our prayer!  I thought that was kind of funny, because of course the storm passed.  It was a storm.  That made me think even more.  The storms we go through in life only last for a time, but of course God answers our prayers according to His will and way.  It does pass and we see victory from the other side.

This was a good opportunity to talk to our boys about prayer.  It's such an important part of their lives.  I love the faith that I see in them.  They believe God is a god of love and He delights in giving us what we need, especially in the midst of a storm.  Safety, protection, peace.

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.  James 5:16

Giving

Andrew had his first job yesterday evening.  It was "being in charge" at our Wednesday night Bible study.  Our group meets in an open office space each week.  The adults are in one corner, and the children are in the other.  Usually there is a teenage girl there to help out, but this time Andrew was the oldest.  So our teacher asked Andrew to be in charge.  They did super.  At one point I turned around to see Samuel wandering off a bit away from the table where Andrew and Ethan were coloring.  I heard Andrew say, "Samuel, come here.  Now you need to obey!"  It was pretty cute.  So after class our teacher gave Andrew a $10 bill.  Andrew's eyes lit up!!

Andrew has been wanting to save up for an r/c airplane.  I reminded him that this was a huge blessing from the Lord to get him closer to getting that airplane he wants.  We started talking about it in the van on the way to a friend's house (she loaded us up on groceries before they go on vacation!).  We talked to him about this being a great time to tithe on what he had earned.  We talked a lot and he listened carefully.  He told me this must be an answer to his prayer.  I thought for sure he would tell me he had been praying for money!  But he told me, "I prayed last night, Mommy, that I wouldn't think about things too much, but I would think about God more."  I about cried!!  We came home and got Ethan and Samuel to bed.  We spent some one on one time with Andrew sharing our hearts and our thoughts on tithes and offerings.  We explained what a tenth was using math with his other dollar bills.  He understood well.  He chose to give some extra, as well.  It was a very special time of teaching.  This is what it's all about.

I tucked my big boy into bed.  Ethan was completely out of it.  I kissed him and went in to say goodnight to Samuel.  He was asleep, too.  I just sat there watching him, singing one of his lullabies that was playing and cried.  This was the chorus of the song:

He loves you more than I can say
And He is always taking care of you
He love you more than I can say
And more than I can say He hopes
That you will love Him too

Bedtime Prayers by Twila Paris

I cried tears of joy, feeling overwhelmed at what a huge and special responsibility Chad and I have.  Our strongest desire is to raise our three young boys to be godly men.  I love seeing their hearts now.   They are on their way.  All glory goes to Him, but we thank our parents for having a such a part in that.

Looking for the good

Although a tooth infection may seem pretty minor to some, it's a major thing to me!  I almost feel guilty about making such a big deal about it.  But this stinky thing has sent what feels like infection throughout my body.  Yikes!  It does not feel good!  I'm on a different medicine now that is making me feel bad.  So I'm looking for the good in all this mess I am going through with it.  Some things I thought of these last few days are:

It's a blessing to know that others are praying for you, just knowing they care.  Thank you to everyone!

It brings joy to my heart when I find a little sticky note from Andrew that says, "I hope your tooth feels beter." :)

It melts my heart hearing my boys pray for me.  And every night A & E always say, "Have good dreams, I love you, goodnight..." and then attach something cute or funny at the end.  That something this last week has been, "and I hope your tooth feels better!"

Losing my appetite with the new medicine.  That's never a bad thing.

Getting a $10 gift card from Target for my first Rx and a $25 gift card from CVS with the new prescription.  Hee, hee, I'm pathetic.

Just trusting God in the little things, and knowing He does care.

Love Has Come

Happy Friday to you!  Listen and enjoy!

In The Light

A friend of mine got me a neat book for Christmas.  I love it, and it's by a friend of hers.  It's called Faith-Filled Moments - Helping Kids See God in Everyday Life.  I actually heard her speak at an advent tea.  Anyway, we did one together tonight.

In The Light

Gather one or more glow-in-the-dark toys and explain to your child that for the toys to brightly flow, they need to spend some time near a lamp or in the sun, soaking up the light.  Pick a bright light in your house together, turn it on, and arrange the toys in the light.  Let the toys sit under the light for at least 5 minutes.  (If you're able, leave them there for an hour or more while you and your child do other things.) After the toys have had time to charge up with light, have your child help you take them into a completely darkened room and enjoy watching them glow.  This is a powerful experience of what happens when we spend time with Jesus.  Use this experience to help your child think about what it means for us to be close to Jesus - to be in His light (Read together 1John 1:7).  You may want to repeat the activity, talking with your child about the spiritual meaning as you wait a few minutes for the toys to soak up light once more.  Ask your child about experiences he's had or things he does that help him feel close to God, and share about some of your own spiritual-growth habits such as prayer, worship, and Bible reading.  Emphasize to your child that God wants him to be close to him all the time!  You may also want to read John 15:4.  Help your child understand the simple picture here:  just as the toy is in the light, soaking it up, so we can be in Christ's light.  And as we spend time close to Jesus, we glow with His light and love to the world around us.  This was a special time for us tonight while we did this together.  It's so simple, but what a message it teaches our precious children!

And I really needed the reminder today.  Although my Beth Moore studies are going great, I really take for granted what that time in the Word is really doing for me during my days.  I read just yesterday about crying out to God...how David did this in a cave on the run in fear of losing his life.  So come yesterday afternoon, I too was crying out to God to heal my tooth!  I had a root canal done on this tooth back when Chad and I were first married.  Now there's all kinds of infection around that tooth right now.  I go for a consult tomorrow.  I am trusting God to bring me through.  He's never let me down before and he won't disappoint me now.  Something good has to come out of this, whether it' s trust that I learn or me getting to speak to one of the staff members.  I want to be used by Him and will give Him glory.  Pray with me, won't you?  I seriously hate getting my teeth worked on!!!

My Complete Sustainer

I have been really enjoying the Beth Moore Study on David.  I am learning so much!  I love it when God places studies like this in my life just when I need it.  I have a friend that is doing it with me, and I know she is feeling the same way.  Her and her family are in the process of adoption, and I know this study has been so right for her during this time.  God is so good.

We've been studying about David being on the run from King Saul, who wanted David put to death because of the jealousy he had towards David.  David runs to Nob, a city of priests.  Perhaps he knew what he would find there...men of God.  He came asking the priest for food.  The only bread that was there was the Bread of the Presence.  Beth describes how this bread might have been purposefully been used of God to feed David.  1. The bread of the Presence might have symbolized God's everlasting covenant with David.  2.The bread of the Presence might have symbolized the provision of God's presence in the life of David.  It was more than feeding David's stomach.  God was pledging His presence to David as a promise to be his complete sustainer.  That is what I found Him to be for me so many times.  My complete sustainer.  So many times He has been with me.  His presence is with me through reading scriptures, prayer time, through a song, or through a friend or family member.  I am so very thankful for how faithful my family and friends have been to me.  That reminder of His Presence calms me, although sometimes it takes me running frantically for a while like David did!  I am asking the Lord this morning to make me aware of the constant reminders that He is with me.  I want that hunger and thirst for His Word.  Beth says, "Like David, God doesn't want you feeding from common loaves.  He desires to feed you with the Bread of His Presence.  His table is always set."

May He sustain you today.

A Must Read

Our Wednesday night Bible study teacher gave us each a copy of this for Christmas.  It is truly one of the neatest little books I have read!  Chad and I have been slowly reading it together.  It's so good, you want to rush through it.  But you must take it in slowly!

God has revealed to me who He is when the Bible calls Him My Shepherd.  I will never look at  Psalm 23 the same way again!  It's so interesting to learn about what shepherding involves.  And about sheep...things I never knew before!

I told Chad I really would love my boys to read this as an assignment one day.

Get it, read it!

Glorious Day

I love this song.  In fact, the chorus is the ringtone on my phone!
Today is a snowy and beautiful day.  The beautiful white always reminds me of just what "white as snow" means when referring to our sins being washed by His blood.  It's a great teaching moment, too.

I look forward to that Glorious Day!!

Have a great one.  I'm off to fix some hot cocoa!

Emmanuel – God With Us

I can't help but share some of my favorite Christmas songs.  Here's another...



I will be listening to it while we prepare for a Christmas gathering here this evening with some friends.