daybook

Outside my window::

:: the sun is shining beautifully on my backyard. wispy clouds fill the sky

I am listening to::

:: my children discussing their recent lego creations

I am wearing::

:: my pjs- and starting to feel a bit guilty about it

To be Fit and Happy::

:: I totally need a gym partner for motivation, but truly that is no excuse. I am going to try and make sure we all get outside and active for at least 1 hr each day. It's definitely a struggle to combat this laziness of mine ;P

I am thankful for::

:: GRACE

I am pondering::

:: how I can improve (er, fix) my homeschooling methods or lack therof
:: adoption

I am reading::

:: the Word, admittedly not enough

:: Last Child in the Woods

From the kitchen::

:: My fridge is screaming to be filled. Tomorrow...

:: I made my first pie crust the other day for a very delicious pumpkin pie. After pondering the soggy undercrust, I learned from my best bud, aka chef genius, Brie, that I should have precooked the crust. But, it was still a success.

:: I am trying not to be bitter about the stone soup on which I worked so hard that no one (not even the raccoons who will eat a-n-y-t-h-i-n-g) would eat.

I'm thinking::

:: I am so in desperate need of the Lord's help and mercy. With this homeschooling, I am confronted with my largest failings, shortcomings, bad habits, sinful behaviors-- I am in over my head, and ONLY the Lord's grace and mercy will keep me from sinking.

I am creating::

:: felted acorns with the boys, and anything else acorn-related we can think of

On my iPod::

:: I've really been into the song "All I Wanna Do" by Sugarland. Makes me wanna move ;P

Towards a real eduction::

:: I am trying to let go of my notion of sit down, worksheet-filled education and remember I.have.boys. They learn best and behave best when they can be active- touch, see, run, jump, take apart.

Towards rhythm and beauty::

:: I have been working on rhythm, albeit unsuccessfully. Our real education, these days, has been life. Now, for a slightly less messy life ;P One of these days I will unclutter, and it will remain that way. For that, I pray.

I am hoping and praying::

:: peace and understanding for Christian, who is obviously unhappy and I pray I can meet his needs

:: that God will reveal to me in a big, undeniable way His plan for our homeschool

:: for Christian's father, who has been wrapped in the pit of depression for far too long

In the Garden::

:: our pumpkin, watermelon, tomato and parsley seeds are growing. not sure where they will end up since I planted them mid- October on a whim ;P

Around the House::

:: I don't wanna talk about it. It makes me crazy. It just makes me nuts. Legos. Laundry. Yeah, I'm trying to work something out. Patience.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week::

:: PE day with the homeschool group tomorrow (baseball :)

:: possibly Keegan's first piano lesson Thursday

:: Science day with the homeschool group Friday

A Picture Thought I'm Sharing:

going on a bear hunt...

...gonna find the other blog...

Come visit us here to see what we have been doing the past few weeks.

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY...October 5th from Leslie's Daybook

Outside my window... cloudy peaceful autumn day

I am thinking... I am totally unprepared.

I am thankful for... God's sovereignty and His mercy. I would be dead without it.

I am wearing... my favorite jeans at the moment, my "Been Through the Water" Chets Creek baptism shirt, my flipflops and John's fleece. My hair is wet, brushed but that's about it.

I am remembering... how lost and "off" I felt a few months back and how being off just that little bit with the Lord caused such confusion...sure glad to be back and centered with and in him alone

I am going... to make it through this week, and come out on the other side better for it.

I am reading... a multitude of things, Last Child in the Woods, Scripture, lesson plans, Lemony Snicket with my boys

I am hoping... to regain my energy and excitement and to have a calm week.

On my mind... how thinking about my unhappiness often is selfish- that my mind must be set on godly things.

From the learning rooms... school is almost over for the day, boys are cleaning

Noticing that... my patience is running thin

Pondering these words... "My grace is sufficient for you."

From the kitchen... using up whats left before a Tuesday grocery run

Around the house... a few more things need to be done around the yard, then all will be nice and pretty. Borrowed Mom's vacuum so the house is looking spiffier.

One of my favorite things~ hugs

From my picture journal...

an oldie but a goodie:

Weekly Wrap-up: Aug. 31-Sept. 4

crosspost from homeschool blog

Tomorrow we will start our 3rd week (2nd official- with books & all that fun stuff) of (home)schooling. I am very excited about our journey, and if I continue to learn things in the amount I have this week, I shall be a whole new person by this time next year. I've said this before, and I will say it again: I know I have far more to learn from this year than my children do.

I am so thankful the Lord is sovereign; He can use one experience (in this case, homeschooling) to address many issues with which we have all been struggling. By nature I am lazy, disorganized, impulsive, last-minute, flighty and impatient. When I homeschool, I cannot be any of these things (well, I can and I will at times, but the consequences for these behaviors are very clear- in a hectic day, poorly conducted lesson, etc). Without self-control my children are also disorganized, easily bored, emotional, and whiny. There are direct consequences for these behaviors as well in the form of less play because of the length of time needed to complete schoolwork appropriately.

This week I have learned:

ABOUT OUR DAY:

-I must plan for Math ahead of time. When I am not organized, I quickly lose the childrens attention and do not have the energy for creative teaching because it is used up in keeping them focused.

-I must not try and do every activity Tapestry of Grace suggests. I must remember it is a buffet, and gorging myself (or my childre) never ends successfully.

ABOUT MYSELF:

-My best work does not come from times where I am put on the spot. I cannot say enough about the importance of preparation.
-My day goes much more successfully if I am up before the children and get my God time and planning time. I feel more established.

ABOUT MY CHILDREN:

-My children quickly tire of worksheets.
-There are going to be bad days. Moody children make for difficult encounters. Creativity and patience are a must. Redirect the child's thinking, ignite passion and creativity, and try, try again.
-If I am not on my toes, they will quickly talk me into less work and inferior quality.
-As children (and boys especially), they need breaks consistently and active time (preferably outside) every day. No excuses. And I make more than they do.

Some of my favorite places on the web, these days:

Old Fashioned Education- most of my curriculum comes from this comprehensive, and FREE, site.

Project Gutenberg- tons and tons of public domain e-texts. Many wonderful old primers can be found here.

Super Teacher Worksheets- I came across this site while searching Google for spelling words and am extremely surprised at the quality of the worksheets found here. My boys get bored if I give them too much written work to do, but these provide more hands-on worksheets as well. I did use their lists for spelling words as well. They even have printouts for each week.

i believe

I believe in the sovereignty of the Lord.

I believe I was bought for a price.

I believe I was made for a purpose.

I believe every moment, even (and especially) those moments that pass by without notice are opportunities to grow and live out the purpose the Lord has for me (and you).

I believe there is such a thing as objective truth.

I believe in the authority of the Bible.

I believe the Lord has called me to stay home and bring my children home with me to train them in righteousness to love and serve the Lord with the talents in which He has bestowed them.

sorry

Been busy planning. . .

for homeschool. . .

yep, I'm planning (can ya believe it?)

Come see what we've been up to on our homeschool blog.

focus on the road

I wanted to share the words of Pip tonight- I am quite tired and could not talk right now about the wonderful grace of God any better than she did (and I have to humbly admit I probably couldn't on my best day). So, let me share with you her wonderful words:

"Focus on the Road"

And this song has been on my mind all day- I just love it:

week in review and a few questions

It's been a busy week. Or at least it feels that way. I've come to realize I haven't put as much time into my blog or my etsy shoppe as I'd like, but sometimes that's just how life goes. I have had my mind occupied with school planning, as we will start in 2 weeks (count it! TWO weeks). And, ironically (or not so much, I am just paying more attention) I have become overly aware of how I have defaulted, or been lazy, if you will, with the training of my children. But, on the upside, I will be here to work with them, watch their growth, and pray for and with them. Also, it gives me very clear goals on character issues I need to work on with each boy this year. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I am equally excited and nervous, but I truly believe in the sovereignty of the Lord- HE will guide my paths, and HE knows the outcome- I just have to keep on walking.

So, with that in mind, I've been walking, one foot after the other, sometimes at tortoise "slow and steady" speed, which is a change from my impulsive ways, but I feel like I am working toward a goal, purposefully, so I am comfortable with that.

Where we are:

I have a hard time walking the line between training my children and projecting upon them and nitpicking. In the past my approach was admittedly one of default, only disciplining the grievous (and most obnoxious and/or embarassing) offenses. And I use the word, "disciplining" very loosely- it was a more of bribe-and-yell tactic. So, can you see what I'm working with here? Far too long of brushing things under the table, expecting the world to piece itself together without any of my help (or sadly without an petition to the Lord- now that's a recipe for disaster!)

I have found a way that seems to be working, that is, asking myself some questions about where my effort goes:

1. Was does the Lord have to say about it (if anything- do I feel convicted in one way, has He been speaking to me about something lately?)
2. Will it serve a pressing need? Will it serve the Kingdom?
3. Is this a "big deal"? Is it a sin or is it just annoying?
4. Am I tired? Are they tired? Did I eat? Did they eat? Did we get some sunlight today?
5. What am I trying to teach them? What behavior do I want to replace the negative one?
6. Am I starving my flesh or feeding it?

So, there you have it. It helps keep me on track, which is a large task ;)

i know that full well: saturday psalm and praise

Psalm 139

1 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. 5 You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I ruse on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Fearfully and wonderfully made. I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God. How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, O Lord, and abhor those who rise up against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

These words are such a comfort to me. And they are equally as convicting. I may be able to hide what I do from others, possibly even myself, but He sees. And not only does He see, He knows before I even do it. Eek. See how this can be both comforting and scary? The thought of it, when I see my sins, my failings, my self-absorption, brings me to my knees (I've spent a lot of time on my knees lately).

When I fear the Lord, as I am called to do, I know that I have nothing else to fear. His ways are righteous. His ways are just. As I align my will with His, my ways will line up as well.

It has become clear to my recently that we make a grave mistake when we mistake being called to be Christlike with being told to be Godlike.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

We cannot, despite all effort, become God. HE is the Creator. HE is the Rock. We, at best, and with His power, can be less sinful. But we will still be human. So, we must attribute His characteristics to Him and acknowledge our helplessness. It is then that we see Him in all of His glory.

Lately I haven't many words. Well, many insightful words. I am embarking on a new experience in my life, one that requires more focus and purpose than I may have ever given in my life. I am scared, I am excited, I am thankful, sometimes anxious, trying not to get distracted or to feed all of my fleshly impulses.

I have no words to describe the gratitude and the wonder I have that the Lord, my Father, knows every second of every thing I ever do, every thought, even before I do things. As I try to remain focused, with a clear mind, I am reminded that He sees it all clearly. And He knows where I am going. He will guide me if I will follow, so I need not grasp desperately for the slightest glimmer of light because

12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

If you are interested in why this is posted on Sunday as opposed to Saturday, as the title suggests, see my words here.

that time between

one of my least favorite phases is that time between making a decision and actually acting on it. it is a time rife with anxiety for me, a time of great doubt but hope, and many times in my life it has produced paralyzing fear.

i moved out of my apartment into the house in which I currently live 4 years ago. actually, 4 years ago last month. i was a mom to two boys, john was working, and i had to move less than one mile, and to make it sound all that more cushy, it was a house my parents bought for us. despite all this, all i could see was the mess i had created around me and focus on the seemingly insurmountable task of boxing it all up or throwing it away. it paralyzed me. medicated, with mother-filled boxes and a stressed out husband, i moved to the neighboring development. not a proud moment.

i haven't ever been a good decision maker. i have often turned back, taken the wide road, or just defaulted my way through things. the doctor told me it was add. my father told me it was laziness. i just assumed that's the way i was. i have stood by my convictions when it was easy or when i had no other choice. my dad described the quandry this way: "You say you'll do such and such. You can say it all you want, but the real question is this: When the alarm goes off at 6:30am, are you actually gonna get up?" Frankly, if the consequences for remaining in bed weren't immediately life-endangering, the answer is...Probably not.

so, you are wondering why i am rambling on about this. it just so happens i am at one of those crossroads right now. i have chosen to take the narrow path. it's a decision that upsets, alarms and angers many people very close to me. it's different from anything my circle has participated in. it's possibly more shocking to them then when i decided to have a homebirth. (though my father still believes i narrowly escaped disaster) yep. I've decided to homeschool. and they can't say they didn't see it coming.

so, who cares what others have to say? doesn't it only matter what hubby and the Lord have to say? well, yes. but, for such a person as the one i described above, it is still novel to do things on my own.

where do i go from here? well, i've been quite convicted lately that as long as I keep moving, one foot in front of the other, God will direct my paths. He said He will. where i get all tangled up is when i refuse to move, when i insist on standing still, or sitting down. He can't direct my paths if i don't move.

so, i just keep moving. . . and i do it joyfully, with intention. . .and He knows where i'm going. . .so that's okay with me.

it's been awhile

So, it has been awhile since I have written too much on my blog. I have plenty of excuses for that, but who needs excuses? It is my blog, isn't it? So, why do I find myself feeling guilty when I do not update?

word-filled wednesday- proverbs 4:11-12

Wanna join in the Word-filled Wednesday fun? Head on over to 160 Acre Woods, visit a little with Amydeanne, and make sure you sign the Linky :)

walk this way: thursday threesome

a three-word phrase divided into thirds and then expounded upon. . .

This is the first meme I have actually hosted. I would love for you to join me! And please make sure to add your link to the Mr. Linky box below. If you add your link, please leave a comment.

Join me. Today's phrase is:

Not sure what to do? Check out past Thursday Threesome posts.

Today, my oldest, Christian, made the Word-filled Wednesday picture. At first he attempted a web picture compilation (as is my typical style), but frustrated with paint's mysterious closing mid-save, he decided to draw his own. I'm glad he did. I had my own agenda about what I wanted him to create, but in retrospect it isn't about me (I know, contain your surprise ;) *Can you see my shadow in the background as I take the picture?

So, here it is, his choice of verse AND picture, Genesis 6:19-20:

Wanna join in the Word-filled Wednesday fun? Head on over to 160 Acre Woods, visit a little with Amydeanne, and make sure you sign the Linky :)

homeschool link list

As many of you know, I am preparing for my first year homeschooling the boys. I tend to get overwhelmed before major life changes and am like a deer in the headlights forgetting how to put one foot in front of the other. The Lord (ADONAI) has really spoken to me lately about just taking a step. He will direct my paths. He will make them straight. But if I refuse to walk then He's gonna have to hit me with something to get my attention (and I'm not sure I can live through another such event). He cannot lead the paths of the stationary.

So, I am starting at the beginning- what the boys need to know, what information I have, and what I need. More information about what the boys will learn is at our new (and thus under construction) homeschool bloggy home, H.O.M.E. Most of our homeschool information will be contained there, with a few exceptions as I see fit. This is one I wanted to add here as well, because so many of you all are homeschoolers as well, and I believe these are great links worth sharing.

Here is a running list of homeschool resources we have found helpful. This is by no means an exhaustive list, just what I have compiled thus far. Please scroll to the bottom to see other resources I have compiled/written.

KIDS SEARCH ENGINES:
Kids Konnect

ONLINE BOOKS:
bibliomania
Childrens Books Online
Project Gutenberg

REFERENCE:
Webster's 1828 Dictionary

BIBLE STUDY:
No Greater Joy
On Tablets of Human Hearts

RESOURCES/ UNIT STUDIES:
Easy Fun School
eField Trips
NASA Instructional Units & Lesson Plans
Free Ed (free online classes)
Owl & Mouse
Homeschool.com
i Know that
BrainPOP
Up To Ten

MATHEMATICS:
Living Math!

LITERATURE:
Book Adventure (free reading motivation program)- http://www.bookadventure.com/
Shakespeare and the Internet- http://shakespeare.palomar.edu/default.htm

GEOGRAPHY:
National Geographic Xpeditions- http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/
The World Factbook- https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
A Child's Geography- http://www.achildsgeography.com/

SCIENCE:
Smithsonian Kids- http://www.si.edu/kids/
The Happy Scientist- http://thehappyscientist.com
Terrific Science- http://www.terrificscience.org
Chem 4 Kids- http://www.chem4kids.com/
Kids Astronomy- http://www.kidsastronomy.com/
NASA Kids Club- http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html
Your Sky- http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/

HISTORY:
History.com Classroom- http://www.history.com/classroom/index.html
History for Kids- http://www.historyforkids.org/
GOVERNMENT:
Kids.gov- http://www.kids.gov/

LANGUAGE:
ASL Browser- http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

MUSIC:
Piano Nanny- http://www.pianonanny.com/start.html
PlayMusic- http://www.playmusic.org/
Creating Music- http://www.creatingmusic.com/

ART:
Haring Kids- http://www.haringkids.com/master_b_sleep.htm

PHYSICAL EDUCATION:
Game Central Station- http://www.gamecentralstation.com/handcrafted2.asp

CRAFTS/PROJECTS:
Auntie Annie's Crafts- http://auntannie.com/
A Kids Heart- http://akidsheart.com/

GENEALOGY:
US GenWeb Project- http://www.usgenweb.org/

COOKING/BAKING:
Cooking with Kids- http://www.childrensrecipes.com/
Kids A Cookin'- http://www.kidsacookin.org/

Other Things I Have Written:
-Scripture for Teaching
-Saturday Night Link Fever: Homeschooling Edition