I'm starting the One Thousand Gifts Thankfulness Journal that author, Ann Voskamp, has so wonderfully inspired me to do through her amazing blog and book. I posted a flickr photo of January's thankfulness prompts and am going to post daily what I'm grateful for. I know this will help me to see God's faithfulness and love through every season of my life.
21 January 2012 Gifts
1. One Thing in the Sky- the sun peeking through the clouds
2. One Thing from Your Memory- my Grace, now 3, coming home from the hospital all swaddled in a pink newborn blanket, so tiny
3. One Thing that's Ugly-Beautiful- the mess of a tent with four chairs and blankets/pillows that my boys made in the living room for us to snuggle under and watch movies :)
That's what I'm grateful for today.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Why I do what I Do
I thought it might be enlightening to some other homeschooling moms out there in cyberspace to read about why I chose to homeschool my 3 little ones. Also, if you are a mom that is on the fence about homeschooling, maybe (just maybe) you might be encouraged and inspired to start after reading about my convictions on this topic.
I made the decision to homeschool in the summer of 2010- about 1 year ago exactly. I had two preschoolers and a 1st grader at that point. My oldest son had just finished a whole year in kindergarten at our local public school and, while he loved his teacher, he didn't have much else to say about it that he enjoyed. He came home everyday exhausted and moody! I mean, for goodness sakes, he had to be at school at 7:45 and didn't get out until 2:45. What in the world can they possibly do for 7 whole hours every day? I can't get my son to sit still for 1 hour without having to take some sort of break to run, stretch out or even sing a song...and that's how most kids are I've learned. So...besides reading, writing and arithmetic (the basics that all kids should be familiar with by age 7), what else did they think was so important that my child had to be there so long for everyday? I just didn't get it...and neither did he! - REASON 1
I also got the distinct impression that the morning rush out the door with 3 kiddo's in tow was wearing my whole crew out! I am a morning person by nature- I love to get up at the crack of dawn and have quiet time with my coffee cup in one hand and my Bible in the other. After many years of trial and error, I learned that I am not a very patient mommy without this refreshing and peaceful start to my day! :) But my morning time started to get infringed upon by my sweet darlings as I had to wake them all up early enough to get dressed and eat breakfast before my oldest had to get to school. (For those of you whose kids ride the bus, more power to you! I just didn't have the desire to start my son on the bus in elementary school. That's just me though.) I think I'm as organized as anyone can be with 3 young children- you might disagree though- but these rushed mornings put me in a bad mood and our goodbyes in the front of school were less than peachy keen. I hated to send him to school like that and he hated leaving me like that...there had to be a better way for our family. -REASON 2
I think, of all the reasons why we chose to homeschool, the desire to actually watch my child grow and be the main person who gets to speak into his life at such an impressionable age is the most important. Homeschooling is a good choice for us because I am passionate about my kids knowing their worth comes from God and not from their good grades or extracurricluar activities. Yes, we encourage doing your best but not because of the bad grade that might result if we don't try hard enough- we encourage doing your best because of how much we love God and want to please Him. It's not about how many checks or A+ 's my kids get on their work that matters to me. It's if they know how much God loves them and values them even when they mess up or miss the mark. That's something that they were not gonna get from public school (or even some private schools, in my humble opinion). Our day is relaxed and there is no pressure to perform- I detest that word. Every child has lazy days and that's ok! At school, you just might get a call from the teacher if your son lays his head down in class too many times because he didn't get a good night's sleep the night before. There is rarely a digging deeper mentality in schools today. That's ok though cause we as parents, homeschooling or not, should be doing that anyways. :) If my child has a bad dream or just a rough nights sleep the night before and wants to sleep in unti 9:00 to make up for it before we start school...I can extend to him that grace and then he does better in school that day. REASON-3
The bottom line is this: Yes, we have hard days. Yes, it's exhausting at times. Yes, I am learning as we go. But my kids have permission to be themselves- tired, cranky, happy, upset, hyper, loud, etc... and they enjoy learning things with mommy. It brings a whole new level to our relationship and goes beyond the surface question of "How was school today, honey?" There is depth and that is so important in our relationships with our children. I want to know what is really going on without having to pry into their lives because I never see them.
I encourage you to look into homeschooling if any of these reasons encouraged you! I have only been doing it for a little over a year so I'm still new at it but the first year is usually the toughest and we're still at it so that says something right? :) I am open for questions about this topic anytime! Thanks for reading!
I made the decision to homeschool in the summer of 2010- about 1 year ago exactly. I had two preschoolers and a 1st grader at that point. My oldest son had just finished a whole year in kindergarten at our local public school and, while he loved his teacher, he didn't have much else to say about it that he enjoyed. He came home everyday exhausted and moody! I mean, for goodness sakes, he had to be at school at 7:45 and didn't get out until 2:45. What in the world can they possibly do for 7 whole hours every day? I can't get my son to sit still for 1 hour without having to take some sort of break to run, stretch out or even sing a song...and that's how most kids are I've learned. So...besides reading, writing and arithmetic (the basics that all kids should be familiar with by age 7), what else did they think was so important that my child had to be there so long for everyday? I just didn't get it...and neither did he! - REASON 1
I also got the distinct impression that the morning rush out the door with 3 kiddo's in tow was wearing my whole crew out! I am a morning person by nature- I love to get up at the crack of dawn and have quiet time with my coffee cup in one hand and my Bible in the other. After many years of trial and error, I learned that I am not a very patient mommy without this refreshing and peaceful start to my day! :) But my morning time started to get infringed upon by my sweet darlings as I had to wake them all up early enough to get dressed and eat breakfast before my oldest had to get to school. (For those of you whose kids ride the bus, more power to you! I just didn't have the desire to start my son on the bus in elementary school. That's just me though.) I think I'm as organized as anyone can be with 3 young children- you might disagree though- but these rushed mornings put me in a bad mood and our goodbyes in the front of school were less than peachy keen. I hated to send him to school like that and he hated leaving me like that...there had to be a better way for our family. -REASON 2
I think, of all the reasons why we chose to homeschool, the desire to actually watch my child grow and be the main person who gets to speak into his life at such an impressionable age is the most important. Homeschooling is a good choice for us because I am passionate about my kids knowing their worth comes from God and not from their good grades or extracurricluar activities. Yes, we encourage doing your best but not because of the bad grade that might result if we don't try hard enough- we encourage doing your best because of how much we love God and want to please Him. It's not about how many checks or A+ 's my kids get on their work that matters to me. It's if they know how much God loves them and values them even when they mess up or miss the mark. That's something that they were not gonna get from public school (or even some private schools, in my humble opinion). Our day is relaxed and there is no pressure to perform- I detest that word. Every child has lazy days and that's ok! At school, you just might get a call from the teacher if your son lays his head down in class too many times because he didn't get a good night's sleep the night before. There is rarely a digging deeper mentality in schools today. That's ok though cause we as parents, homeschooling or not, should be doing that anyways. :) If my child has a bad dream or just a rough nights sleep the night before and wants to sleep in unti 9:00 to make up for it before we start school...I can extend to him that grace and then he does better in school that day. REASON-3
The bottom line is this: Yes, we have hard days. Yes, it's exhausting at times. Yes, I am learning as we go. But my kids have permission to be themselves- tired, cranky, happy, upset, hyper, loud, etc... and they enjoy learning things with mommy. It brings a whole new level to our relationship and goes beyond the surface question of "How was school today, honey?" There is depth and that is so important in our relationships with our children. I want to know what is really going on without having to pry into their lives because I never see them.
I encourage you to look into homeschooling if any of these reasons encouraged you! I have only been doing it for a little over a year so I'm still new at it but the first year is usually the toughest and we're still at it so that says something right? :) I am open for questions about this topic anytime! Thanks for reading!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
What I'm Reading Right Now
I am reading this amazing book called "Mystical Union" by John Crowder. It it totally messing with my theology a little bit! I love it because it goes against the grain (and by that I mean, mainstream grain) and really digs deep into the Word of God.
For those of you who don't know, I believe the Good News is a Grace Message that was freely given to us through Jesus Christ. I live under the New Covenant and God loves me unconditionally. All my sins (past, present and future) were forgiven and forgotten when I accepted Jesus as my Saviour. If that isn't enough to make me grateful than I don't know what is! :)
On that same note, I read pretty much anything I can get my hands on that delves into this very controversial topic of "Grace." The thought of receiving a gift without having to do anything to pay the giver back is very hard for many people to understand because of the current "works based mentality" that we as humans live by these days. Crowder goes into the point that we are complete in Christ so we don't have to work anymore to attain this completion. He explains that once we have a revelation of the finished work of Jesus than we don't want to do anything except sit at His feet and soak up His love. Out of this relationship, we live, and move and have our being. Favor and blessing don't just come upon us if we do enough for God but rather, they consume us from the inside out as soon as we become a Christian. It's already in us (along with every other good and perfect thing) from the moment we say yes to Him- we just have to walk in it. Interesting huh?
I've been a Christian for 25 years and am just now understanding this concept of "completion in Christ." Grace means we don't have to do anything to earn God's love and forgiveness- it is a free gift- no works can get us closer to Him- we just simply have to believe. :)
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an enlightening view on God's grace. You won't be disappointed.
For those of you who don't know, I believe the Good News is a Grace Message that was freely given to us through Jesus Christ. I live under the New Covenant and God loves me unconditionally. All my sins (past, present and future) were forgiven and forgotten when I accepted Jesus as my Saviour. If that isn't enough to make me grateful than I don't know what is! :)
On that same note, I read pretty much anything I can get my hands on that delves into this very controversial topic of "Grace." The thought of receiving a gift without having to do anything to pay the giver back is very hard for many people to understand because of the current "works based mentality" that we as humans live by these days. Crowder goes into the point that we are complete in Christ so we don't have to work anymore to attain this completion. He explains that once we have a revelation of the finished work of Jesus than we don't want to do anything except sit at His feet and soak up His love. Out of this relationship, we live, and move and have our being. Favor and blessing don't just come upon us if we do enough for God but rather, they consume us from the inside out as soon as we become a Christian. It's already in us (along with every other good and perfect thing) from the moment we say yes to Him- we just have to walk in it. Interesting huh?
I've been a Christian for 25 years and am just now understanding this concept of "completion in Christ." Grace means we don't have to do anything to earn God's love and forgiveness- it is a free gift- no works can get us closer to Him- we just simply have to believe. :)
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants an enlightening view on God's grace. You won't be disappointed.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Ann Voskamp's "10 Point Manifesto for Joyful Parenting"
10 Point Manifesto for Joyful Parenting
(You can find this printable list at http://onethousandgifts.com/gifts-for-you/10-points-of-joyful-parenting-printable)
1. Today, I will make our home a house of prayer. I will pray at set times. And I will invite our children to come move into an interior space that lives with God.
2. Today, I will transfigure all things into beauty, and I will refuse to see anything else.
3. Today, I will not have any emergencies. There are no emergencies! Only amateurs hurry.
4. Today, when stress mounts, I pray to dismount it with gratitude. My stress management plan will be intervention with verbal thanks. I can only feel one feeling at a time, and I choose to give thanks at all times. Fight feeling with feeling!
5. Today, I will pray to speak words that are only STRONG words, words that make these children feel strong. Grace words. Grace is the only non-toxic air. All other words I breathe are death words.
6. Today, I will pray to be consistently consistent. I will create safe rhythms that our children can find security in. I will create daily ceremonies because everyday we are CELEBRATING the gift of now!
7. Today, the moment when I am most repelled by a child’s behavior, that is my sign to draw the very closest to that child.
8. Today, I will hug each of my children as many times as I serve them meals — because children’s hearts feed on touch. I’ll look for as many opportunities to touch my children today as possible — the taller they are, the more so.
9. Today, my priorities will be all Things Unseen.
10. Today, I will laugh! And I will let the little children laugh! I will create a culture of JOY!
-Check out Ann Voskamp's website for more great encouragement and free printables! http://onethousandgifts.com/
::
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
What I'm Learning From My Kids
1. "Mother May I" is a good reminder to me, as well as my kids, to use my manners.
2. Sitting down to eat a meal together is more about enjoying eachother than it is about enjoying my food.
3. Swimming after eating doesn't really give you a cramp after all.
4. My day is always better after a little attention from daddy.
5. Clothes can be outgrown or go out of style very quickly, but hugs and kisses never lose their shape or appeal.
*What have your little ones taught you?*
2. Sitting down to eat a meal together is more about enjoying eachother than it is about enjoying my food.
3. Swimming after eating doesn't really give you a cramp after all.
4. My day is always better after a little attention from daddy.
5. Clothes can be outgrown or go out of style very quickly, but hugs and kisses never lose their shape or appeal.
*What have your little ones taught you?*
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
30 day Photo Challenge- Day 12
A Picture of Something I Love
Yum! I love my daily cup(s) of coffee!
It makes me smile. :)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
30 Day Photo Challenge- Day 11
A Picture of Something I Hate
INJUSTICE
This is a picture of a child soldier who was likely forced to watch the murder of his family before then being brainwashed by power-hungry, blood-thirsty men to kill.
This is an injustice.
To this boy. To his family. To the innocent people murdered at his hands.
Check out http://www.invisiblechildren.com/ on how you can help.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
30 Day Photo Challenge- Day 10
A Picture of the Person I Do the Most Crazy Things With...
As you can probably guess, my kids are the ones
that I do the craziest things with! They take me on
all kinds of adventures and I'm ok with that! Having kids gives you guts! I wouldn't trade a day though for a boring, stay at home and go insane in front of the tube kinda day....adventure makes life fun! I am loving every minute of it...
Sunday, April 24, 2011
30 Day Photo Challenge- Day 9
Caryl, my best friend for the past 3 years, has been there for me through thick and thin. While I made some horrible decisions and went through some yucky experiences, she stuck by me and loved me anyways. She had to put up with my complaining and irritable side at times :) and cheered me on when I thought I'd always be stuck where I was. She is loyal, thoughtful and helpful. I love her very much and am grateful for her friendship!
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