January 31, 2009
Once in a while my 6 year old will amuse me with something just downright funny or adorable and I have to share it and record it for future musings!
Today, while casually watching The Wizard of Oz, after Dorothy walked into Oz in Munchkin Land, Gabriella says, “Mommy, they must be in Canada!” I say, “How did you draw that conclusion?”, She replied, “Because Glinda is the ‘witch of the north’”. Followed by thunderous laughter and of course a couple of proud (in a not-so-prideful way) parents.
January 31, 2009
Good Saturday morning! Ok, so this section I am just going to use for those little rambling thoughts I have in my head that just need to come out somewhere! If you choose to read, great! 
Writing often helps me gather my thoughts and organize them.
Today my husband is working (blah!) He works every other Saturday and they just changed his hours from 8-2 to 8-4 (on Saturdays). So….I am going to be spending the afternoon planning out the remainder of our homeschool year! I am also gathering together all the materials I will be buying for next year. (We buy our curriclum and materials at tax time).
So I have this large coffee mug in hand, that my husband so graciously poured for me this morning. This has been a new thing of his! Ever since we watched Fireproof on Tuesday, he has been pouring my morning coffee and bringing it to me! He is so sweet! Though, he has this crazy idea that he’s not good enough to me. Seriously, this man is amazing and still thinks he doesn’t do enough. (Hmm..sounds like how I think! Yikes!)
Well, be sure to scroll down for today’s post!
January 31, 2009
Ok, this is my first one…I would’ve joined in last week, but I seriously don’t have any antiques to share!
BUT, I definately love my coffee and have a favorite mug! Ya’ll are probably going to laugh at me because it is nothing fancy shamancy. In fact, my mom got for me from the dollar store (I love Dollar Tree!) It even has matching pens, which I also love. They write so well! (P.S. I love writing).
I love the size it is and the odd shape it has. It’s simple, yet different.
So anyhoo, without further ado…my coffee mug:
If you are interested in joining, visit Kim at Homesteaders Heart!
January 30, 2009
This weekend I plan to dive into planning out the remainder of our year. I’ve really been thinking about all the aspects of homeschooling:
What I’ve been thinking is how to weigh each aspect. The more I think about it, the more I want to be an eclectic style of homeschooling. Eclectic, Charlotte Mason style! Ok, I’m not sure if that’s possible because eclectic, by definition means not choosing any one method or style. I love, love, LOVE Charlotte Mason, yet I am still learning much about her and her method….her philosohy. She wasn’t one to advocate unit studies simply because the children are smart enough to put 2 and 2 together. However, my curriculum is unit study based and I am extremely happy with it. It’s very hands on, using living books, includeing many of CM’s book suggestions and other areas of study that she used. It works for us. And I’ve determined THAT’S OK!
But I also think it’s fun and refreshing to step “outside” for a while and maybe do some notebooking, or maybe even a few worksheets. I know, I was so not liking the workbook/worksheet method, BUT, once in a while is no big deal! It’s good for a well rounded education and way of learning.
I don’t like having to be tied down to one way of doing things, constantly. I would love to try several ways of doing things. Maybe have one dominant trend, but still be able to step “outside” and refresh with something different, frequently.
My resources come from all over, so I suppose that can make me “eclectic” in and of itself. So as I sit here and think of our future of homeschooling, I want to plan out our year and have a goal. But throughout, I would like to sprinkle it with different methods, different styles, different materials.
It’s funny, I seem to work SO hard at building a routine and sticking to something, yet here I am wanting to break out and be different! Ok, so I know I need the foundation of a [loose] routine…that’s fine. But I need more freedom [outside the small box of my mind] with homeschooling. The sky’s the limit!
So, now that I’ve opened up a million homeschooling doors, where do I start!? I am looking for a few things in particular:
If you have any ideas for these, please share!!
January 30, 2009
Copyright of Broderbund
Proverbs 31:15 – She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions to her servant girls.
Oh isn’t this verse fun! This is a dream I have, ha ha! To get up while it’s still dark out. In fact, here is a picture of my ideal morning right here…hang with me for just a moment:
That would be a picture perfect morning! And you know what? I will not give up on working toward that goal. No, it may not (or has not) happen(ed) over night, but it will happen–with perseverance.
I understand for some people something like this is just impossible due to different lifestyles, etc. But for me, it could happen. It could. I have done it a few times before and it is amazing what it does, not only for the rest of my morning, but my entire day. It seriously sets the tone. I am not rushed or easily irritated. I am up and ready for the children when they wake up. Not irritated at hearing them say they’re hungry as soon as I shuffle my feet to the kitchen.
Now, get this, not only does this amazing woman feed her family, but she serves her servants. Now if that is not humbling, I don’t know what is! Remimd you of anyone? Jesus, of course! He washed the feet of his servants (disciples).
This woman proved herself to be a true woman of grace and humility. That’s what I want.
January 28, 2009
Proverbs 31:14 – She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.
Ok, admittingly, I did not know where to go with this verse. I found myself stuck. I found myself googling “merchant ship” and couldn’t find anything significant. Then I googled “Proverbs 31:14″ to see if I could find a spark of idea. Even better: I came across a blog called A Wife’s Biblical Submission and it goes through the Proverbs 31 verses, one by one, but in more more depth. The whole point of me doing this on my blog was to personalize it for me. I am still learning all there is to know about these remarkable passages. So be sure to check out this blog and click here to read about Proverbs 31:14 before I personalize it below. 
After learning that merchant ships were the preferred way to carry goods due to it’s capacity (most economical), it’s a great parallel to choosing what foods to buy and prepare for my family. Buying as fresh as possible, from the grocery store, would be my best bet. Some people go the extra step to buy organic and from healthy food stores. This isn’t always possible with the budget we are on, so I just do the best I can.
I admit, there is definately room for improvement in this area. It’s not so much that we eat out a lot, because we hardly eat out. It’s not that we buy pre-made foods from the grocer, even. Most everything I make is made fresh (lunch and dinner, at least). Breakfast is usually my failing point. Mornings are rough around here. When my children wake up (esp. the littles), they want to eat right away…I mean, they are literally rubbing their eyes to wake up as they say, “Mommy. Eat.” In fact, I’m still rubbing my eyes when they say, “Mommy. Eat.” I don’t exactly want to jump up and cook a 3-course breakfast when I first get out of bed. So, they usually get a variety of carbs…cereal, or frozen waffles, or a bagel, all with fresh fruit (or sometimes natural applesauce) on the side. I don’t make eggs and sausage, or french toast with bacon or pancakes topped with strawberries on a regular basis. I will do breakfasts like this occasionally on the weekend, when my husband is home to play with the kids while I cook it. But no, normally, it’s something quick.
I am harder on myself in that I rarely eat breakfast, and if I do, it’s at like 11am. I’m good about keeping the junk food away from my kids…but not away from myself! What I really need to do is take better care of me.
January 28, 2009
*Make sure you scroll down…lot’s going on today you don’t want to miss out on!*
Ok, so who out there visits or has mail delivered from Internet Cafe’ Devotions? I receive an email in my box every morning with a new devotional. What is really neat about these is that the women use their own lives and what they have personally learned to share with others and challenge others in their walk. I encourage you to check it out!
Right now they are accepting blog nominations for your favorite blogs, but only until January 30! So click the button at the top and hurry to get your nominations in! This is a wonderful opportunity to bless someone who has truly blessed YOU!
January 28, 2009
Lisa over at Mama’s Smitten has so graciously given me this bloggy award after telling me she had been reading my blog “behind the scenes”. So thank you so much Lisa! I am so grateful to God for using this blog…I may piece it together, but ultimately, God is the creator of it all! He fashions my steps – except any imperfections you see, like hitting my neighbors car, that is all me. BUT, God showed His grace there, too! So even He had His hand in my mess-ups. Isn’t that just like Him!?
Ok, on to the bloggy award! Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post. (You can highlight the photo and text of this post and copy/paste wherever you need to…start your highlight from the bottom up to get the photo)
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.
Honorees, please follow these instructions and share the LUV!
Hugs to all my bloggy friends! I apologize I don’t have time to do any others today. (That’s the only downside of me receiving bloggy awards! They take much time to respond to.) But I wanted to at least bless a few people who have really blessed me. Ladies, this is not just an award…it is truth I speak of each one of you and I pray you receive the blessing, as you have totally blessed me!
Now it’s your turn to go show off some bloggy love!
January 28, 2009
I apoloigize, I had some things come up unexpectidly that has kept me from writing this weeks post (I know, it’s terrible since I”m the host!)
I side swiped my neighbors car pulling into my driveway today and I’m feeling rather cruddy about it – I don’t like that I’ve wasted my husbands money and ruined someone elses’ stuff. I feel terrible. I am seriously not a bad driver…just not perfect I guess, lol. Please pray for grace for this whole thing.
If you did do a post this week, please leave your link so I can come by and visit you!
*UPDATE* Ok, my husband ROCKS and wasn’t upset with me over any of this. Even more, he took the pains of going over and talking to the neighbors about my accident and you know what ?! THEY DIDN’T EVEN CARE! They owner of the vehicle (an 18-year old girl) and her step mom both said not to worry about it, that it was no big deal! Our van actually took most the heat, with a nice dent and scratch on the door. But everything still functions! God is good and had so much grace on me. Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!
January 27, 2009
OK, here is the low-down on the meme:
The way this meme will work:
So next week I’ll have Mr. Linky up and we can each share a piece! See you then! I’m excited to see what everyone is going to write about!
Theme for this week: Your choice! Pick what you are passionate about!
**RECENTLY UPDATED CODE** 
