Hello 2012

A new year and new plans . .. New goals and new me!     I have several things I am doing this month.   lol We will see how much I get done.

I am looking to start this challenge:

Then I will be doing a book club too, here:

I will be busy.   Not to mention, I am doing this challenge too:

I know it is a lot but most only take a few minutes a day.    I will work on keeping my house up too.   

September Goals for 3 in 30 Challenge

1.  To get a months worth of Freezer meals done

2.  To keep on top of my laundry each week.   So my goal is to have at least 1 to 2 loads washed & FOLDED every 2 days.    Some days I don't need to do a load but I do tend to not fold them when they are done.   So goal for housekeeping this month is to keep up on my Kitchen routines & add keeping laundry washed and folded.

3.  I am signed up for a 21 day challenge for praying for my Boys with Warrior Prayers, I am a leader of a group.  (which one with a boy/s can still join us)  But I am adding the book 31 day to a Better Spouse, prayer book for John.   So I will be starting that prayer book on September 1st for John and September 6 for the boys.

3 in 30 Challenge end of month update

1.  31 days to Clean - well, I was able to keep up some basic routines.   I will continue to see if I can work out a better way to focus on specific routines each month so it isn't so big of a challenge for me.

2.  This didn't happen well at all.   But since this next month I will embark on a Daniel Fast, this will be a must since I will be down at church most of the times, so I will need to have both meals for the rest of my family and for me.

3.  I have succeeded for the most part getting up early just due to the fact school started and I had to so I could have my quiet time before the boys got up.

I am glad I was able to have some success and pray that my goals for next month will be more precise and specific so I can have a better chance to really accomplish them.

3 in 30 Challenge Weekly Linkup

1.   Homemaking- well the first week of homeschool & UBC Academy derailed some of my homemaking.   THe laundry languished a bit but I was able to keep up some of the morning routines I began a week ago.   I am praying the next week will be a little calmer.

2.  Freezer Meals - these are still not happening - This week will be my week to get started.   My goal this week is to at least get a plan in place, since I will be away from home more it will be vital to figure it out.   But it will also make it a challenge this week.

3.  Waking up early - well because school started, I had to get up early.    So that by default I have been actually able to get up by 5:30 at the latest most days.   I would like to be up by 5:15 but I am happy to be able to get up earlier.   :)

Educating the WholeHearted Child Book Discussion Chapter 2

1. How are you making your home a living and learning center for your family?

This is a work in progress.   We do encourage them to think for themselves but as I realize how often I am not always the best at this one.   I grew up in a household where the TV was always on so it is an adjustment for me to change my norm.    We have started to really push the boys to take more responsiblity 

2. Are you willing to learn right alongside your children? If not, what is stopping you—time? Desire?

You bet I am.   I love to learn and even though I get frustrated at times when I don't learn quickly.   But I love to learn and pray that I can instill that desire and love in my boys too.

3. How are you prepared to answer the critics? You may want to sit down with your spouse and discuss your united response to the critics.

We have a pretty open and supportive environment.    Idaho is the freest states to homeschool in, we have no requirements or regulations.    the only thing you have to do is if they have been enrolled in public school you have to send a written letter of withdraw from the district.    Other than that, we don't have to do anything else.   Family has been very supportive and inquire how things are going.   Most of the responses have been number 3 that, "I could never do that".   I was one of those but found that I can and will.   I enjoy it even with its frustrations.

4. What is a positive story about your family’s homeschooling that you can share with a critic?

Not really.

5. The Clarksons share how they try to make their home a haven for their children. They believed in family style entertainment—where they made their home a fun place to be. What are you doing to make your home a fun haven where your family enjoys time together?

I know that our house if often where kids (their friends) want to come.    We don't have a lot of structured family time but we do hang out together a lot.    We play games together a lot and go swimming together during the summer.    I would like to implement more intentional family time though.    We have lots to work on over the next years to really create the environment I desire to do.

Weekly 3 in 30 Challenge Check up

1.  Homemaking - I am doing 31 Days to Clean.   On Day 5 and I am doing the new Martha Challenges which I have been doing pretty well with.    My kitchen has been clean and I actually got that floor mopped finally.    I haven't done a lot of organizing with in areas but I will get there.    I need to get to the Mary challenges more though.

2.  Freezer Meals - well I haven't even started with the August food.    I have some left over meats from last month so trying to get organized but those have really help out.

3.  Getting up at 6 a.m. has been tough.    Not sure what else I can do.   I got up earlier several times but have to figure out how not to snooze but it is such a norm for me, sometimes I don't even wake up until I have done it several times.    I just snooze it in my sleep.  

So all in all, I am doing okay.   Struggling to get some of those done.    Any ideas would be appreciated.    We start our supplemental homeschool classes next week so that will affect us a lot.   I am praying we can smoothly move in to the schedule without too much pain.    the boys have a hard time getting up earlier so it should be an interesting week.

Kids In the Word Wednesday

We started a new book this week by Pearables, The Narrow Way.   You can get it from their site or Christianbook Distributors.    We are on day two we are talking about faith.   Today's focus was on Who God is.    This goes well with our Wednesday night kids class at church which we are doing Firm Foundation for Kids by New Tribes Missons.    

We also picked up the Truth and Grace Memory Book 1 and I got that today.    It is a list of memory verses, chapters & books of the Bible.   Split up into age groups, this one is for 2 years to 4th grade.    

We also use the Scripture memory system from Simply Charlotte Mason's site.   that have been really good.    I have been reading through the Bible in 90 days.   So they boys have been doing the kid's version of it which is the first chapter of each group I read.   I am doing that through the Mom's Tool Box.   So we are on day 24 for that one.   We read that every night before bed.   They always remind me.  lol   

Educating the WholeHearted Child Book Discussion Chapter 1 part 2

 Which one was the most compelling reason for you?  Did you consider any of these reasons when you made your decision to homeschool?
What I thought was the reason was that my son was struggling not having any friends who believed they way he does.    In reality, I think that God finally brought all the plans into place where we would and could start homeschooling.   Numbers 5 & 6 seems to really fit my heart for our homeschool, Homeschooling allows the greatest opportunity for strategic discipleship influence in a child's life.  &  Homeschooling provides the best setting for personalized learning through natural, biblical relationships.      There are more but those where I am at now.   I am not sure these were the ideas I had but I know God did.    


What cost do you have to consider for your family?
Most of the cost was for the 'time' I thought I needed.    We already had a one income to support us so I have been home full time since my oldest was born.    This was very important to my husband.     Soon I realized that not just the curriculum can be costly but I realize just how hard it was for me to figure out what works for my two children.   They are so different yet similar so finding things have and has been difficult.    I don't get a lot of workout time which is something important for me to help me keep weight off and stress relief.   Learning how to present information in ways that help my boys.    Just the overwhelming realization of how much I give on a daily basis.    This sounds so selfish but it has been tough for me to adjust.   I love it and enjoy it but I never learned to do some of these things myself so teaching my boys can be difficult.    more in the area of how to time management and just figuring out scheduling details.    The blessings far outweigh any of my struggles because these are things God has been working on me for years and now it is time for me to figure it out with His strength.


What led you to homeschool?  How did you know that you were supposed to homeschool?
As I mentioned earlier the catalysts was my son coming home in tears wanting some friends who believed how he did.    Now as I have done this for a year and have really looked into the Word about how this is my commission in the first place by God.    I think I always knew I would but in their early years, I had things especially my son's attitude that he must go to school.    It has been a journey and now I am working through how to teach my boys not just the academics but God and how he has woven this World together.


What topic or scripture caught your attention?
Be content really struck me as well as Renew your Mind.   


   “But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ” (Philippians 4:10–13, NASB95)


Learning to be content with my limitation really struck me as vital.    I struggle with my weight and I need to learn to be content with what I need not always expecting what want or what I think I want.    This will transform my mind and my life.  

3 in 30 Challenge

Well, I will take the plunge and make some goals.  

1)   Homemaking - I will be doing the 31 Day to Clean August Challenge with the new challenges since I didn't make it through the last one.   My goal is to get a good routine going, it doesn't have to be perfect but if I can get a good routine going, then my days will go easier.

2) Freezer Meals - I started doing freezer meal planning last month.    This month I want to have a written down month of meals planned.    I have meat from last month and a few other things that i can add too.   With school starting for my boys at the supplemental school, I need a plan to make sure dinners are made and planned out.   AT least most of the time.

3) Presently I am getting up around 6:30 most mornings but if my school schedule is going to work I need to work it to 5:30.   But my goal is to get it to 6 a.m. by the end of August.   I need to be getting to bed by 10 at the latest if I am going to accomplish this though.     I do my Quiet time, Bible reading, Prayer time and if I have time my workout done then.  

These feel like lofty goals but my prayer is that as I work through them all, I will be gracious to myself and allow for mistakes.  

Educating the WholeHearted Child Book Discussion

I am excited to begin this adventure in this book.    There is so much I want to change in our home and knowing where and how to start is difficult at times.    I get overwhelmed and quit.    

• How long have you been homeschooling?    I just finished up my first year and will beginning my second year in a few weeks.
• What are you hoping to gain from reading this book?   The direction and ways God is calling me to go in my homeschooling.   To breath life and excitement into it that it is missing right now.   
• What quote or scripture stood out to you in the preface and/or introduction?  There were several quotes I really liked.   Here is one of them:   "We have come to the place where we can honestly say that there is no distinction in our homeschool between home and school -- we are living to learn and learning to live, all at the same time."     I loved to learn as a kid but I am seeing how much I miss that passion.   I still want to learn but never learned how to learn.    I only learned how to avoid failing.   Now I am realizing just how stunted I am in learning.    I don't want that for my boys.   I desire for God to transform my home both in school and in the quality of our relationships.   I desire to see a passion for learning and seeking to know and learn.    

Day 5 of Bible 90

Passage read: Exodus 1- Exodus 15:18 -

Scripture:  ““The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.” ” (Exodus 14:14, NASB95)


Observation:
     God will and does fight for me.   Sometimes I need to just be silent as he does.

Application:  I need to stop complaining about my situations and/or what is going on in my life.  Then allow Him to fight for me.    He has a plan and I need to watch and join not complain and whine.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to cease and allow you to do the work You need to do.   Help me move out of the way so You can fight for me.   Your ways are not my ways and plans are not my plans and I am thankful they aren't.   Because I don't see the entire plan and You do.   You have woven a tapestry for me and my life, You know what is needed.  Help me to remember that and get out of the way and join you.

Feeding the Children Challenge

My idea or rather, an idea that showed up when I started the Bible in 90 days challenge, through Mom's Toolbox blog.   She also has a Kid's reading challenge.   Basically it is more of an overview but for my boys, it will be perfect.    So I will either read a chapter for them or they will read it themselves and then I will have them write down one thing they learned about it.    We have just barely started since they have been out of town up until last Monday and then we had several appts this week.    So I read their first chapter last night before bed and I will have them caught up by this weekend, then we will focus on one chapter a day with them.    I also have several Bible devotion books that I plan to start but still working on getting the schedule going since we are going to be starting school shortly.  

Day 4 of Bible in 90

Yesterday was busy and I wasn't home much so didn't get a post for yesterday but here is today's SOAP:

Scripture: Genesis 43;25

So they prepared the present for Joseph's coming at noon; for they had heard that they were to eat a meal there.

Observation:  I never saw that Joseph's brothers has prepared a gift for him before their meal with him, the second time they returned to Egypt.   I thought it was interesting when I looked up the Hebrew and it told me that it was a customary or something to do when you are showing submission to an authority.    Whether or not the brothers realized it, they were bowing before Joseph fulfilling his dreams again.    Yet it also seemed to show me that they were trying to show they recognized their position and they were at the mercy of this leader, whom they didn't realize was their brother.   They were truly trying to make things go well so they didn't lose Benjamin and/or Simeon.   A change of heart after their heartless act of selling Joseph to the travelers years back.

Application:  For me, I need to remember my position before Christ and others.    I am not superior to anyone and I need to watch my attitude that goes a long with that.   I need to be a humble servant regardless what happens or who recognizes it.   I am here to be Christ's servant to my husband and my sons.   Not to lord or expect them to indulge my every whim.

Prayer:  Lord, help em to remember my place before You, to be humble.   To seek to give you gifts of service towards my family an others.   Not to expect them to give me things but to give out of my overflow of what you have graciously given me.

Day 2 of Bible in 90 Day

Passage read today: Genesis 17:1- Genesis 28:19

Here is my SOAP for today:

Scripture:  Genesis 27:34 - When Esau heard the words of his father, he cried out with an exceedingly great and bitter cry, and said to his father, "Bless me, even me also, O my father!".

Observation:
I was struck by Esau's cry- How impassioned and just upset he was.   I looked up the word Exceedingly in my Hebrew dictionary and found it was a physical and forceful response.    Esau was so upset he was physically and responded in a forceful manner.   It wasn't just crying because he didn't get what he wanted but this affected his soul and heart.  

Application:  Words have great power and I realize how much I need to be aware of the words I speak.   ARe they words of blessing and training or just mean and nasty words that tear down?  Today, I want to make sure I stop before I speak and/or yell at the boys.   That I discipline with love and compassion not with annoyance and frustration.   That I don't speak with sarcasm and meanness but with gentleness and love.  

Prayer - Lord, as I go about this day, help me to pick my words deliberately to encourage and to train.   Let me pause before I speak that I might find the correct things to say that build up the soul not tear it down.   Let Your Spirit control my tongue today.   Let me speak words of life into Joel & Sean.

Check this Giveaway out.

Clay and Sally Clarkson are giving away 3 copies of their book "Educating the Wholehearted Child", the new edition.    I have heard raving reviews on this book and haven't had a chance to read it but here is your opportunity to get it for free.   Here is the link to Sally's site:  I Take Joy   Don't miss this chance.  

Book Review and an update

Well, I finally finished "Pieces of Light" by Julia Cave, the third in a series.      You can get all three from Answers In Genesis or if you have a Kindle, you can get it at Amazon too.   What I love about Julia's books is they intertwine apologetics and a great story line too.    In this book, Dinah Harris, a former FBI agent is a consultant on serial church bomber.    It builds the story with the why the young man decided to go on his rampage against the church and how Dinah and the FBI agents find him.     You learn how abuse really ravages a family and how when church family turn a blind eye what 'could' happen.   You see how different children respond differently to the same abuse.    You see corrupt politicians at work with in the story line and how power corrupts.   You get it all.   If you have read Julia's previous books, then don't delay and get this one.   If you haven't read any of them, you can get a great deal at Answers In Genesis for all three.    I would love to say more but would be afraid to give too much detail away.    Don't miss a great book.     I hope Julia writes more in this series because I so love a good mystery and also enjoy such a great tool for apologetics.

Update on me:   We have been busy busy busy this summer.    So far I have been to the Homeschool Convention in Boise which was great.    Heidi St. John of First Class Ministries along with Steve Lambert from the Five in a Row both were Keynote speakers.       I enjoyed the conference immensely.   We as a family also began a great family class at UBC Academy, Hebrew Made Easy.    We have had two classes so far and I am beginning to understand a few letters and how they are pronounced and other basics.      Also UBC Academy put on a Biblical Approach training conference.    For a day and half, I was immersed in the Principle Approach and the 4 R's.    I wish it could have been a week long so I could really understand.    It has redefined how I want to approach schooling with the boys and me too but still working on how it will look at our home.   Since I have most of my curriculum already, I need to work how this will work with in what I have already.  I know it should be pretty easy but don't want to overwhelm us.   lol    If you are interested in this approach you can check out:  FACE   or The wonderful teachers we had were from Aletheia College in Twin Falls, ID.    They love to teach and help people learn how to do this approach.     My oldest boy went to Church camp this week and a week from today, my Father in law will come pick both boys up to go with them for a week and a half.    So summer is flying by right now.  

Don't miss this giveaway

I found out about Sally Clarkson as last years Homeschool Conference and have since enjoyed her commitment to her family.   Her husband,  Clay and her have a wonderful ministry and some great resources for all to enjoy.    If you want to learn some valuable lessons on how to teach and disciple your children don't miss this chance to get all their books.  here

Warrior Prayers: 21 Days of Prayers for our Boys

Come join us in a challenge that will put you on your knees for your boys.    I have a group beginning on June 8th and if anyone wants to join us let me know.   You can go here to the Facebook Event page: here  And you can leave a message here and let me know if you want to join us.   There are lots of groups joining so you can join me or one of the other leaders.   I have a private FB group so I can add you there.  

Lots of Thoughts and Seeking

As I have been meditating on a few scriptures this week for a new study and book I am working through.   They really hit me where I am at as I work on my homeschooling with the boys presently and work on next years focus.

 Monday's verse was:
Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who builds it;  Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchmen keeps awake in vain. Psalm 127:1


I realize just how much I have been trying to determine what I need to be teaching the boys based on books and recommendations.   Instead of going before God and asking what He wants me to focus on.  Sure I need to cover a certain amount of information but what to focus and emphasis is for the Lord to direct.   He knows my boys' hearts better than I do.    What do I think, that I know more than God?    Not that i do this intentionally (which on occasion, i am sure I do) but I just get so wrapped up in the hows and whats, I forget the most important part, these are God's boys he gave them to me but a short time and I need to ask Him what they need.

yesterday's & today's verses were:


John 15:4–5 (NASB95)
⁴ “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. ⁵ “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 




Matthew 6:33 (NASB95)
³³ “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 




Here and today's verse really showed me where I need to be Seeking and Abiding is the answer.   If I would seek the source of Life and the One who knows the beginning and the end would know what I need to focus on.    Not just for Homeschooling my precious boys but also for my life and where he wants to lead me too.    


If you want to link up with the Good Morning girls go here:

Anyone with boys want to join me in this 21 day challenge

21 Day Challenge - Warrior Prayers

It is a simple book on praying for your boys.    I have been wanting something like this and the book you can get for the Kindle or a PDF.  

Kindle
PDF

You can check out Brooke's site (she is the author of this book) too while you are there.   Leave a comment if you are joining me in the challenge on the site.