Rain

humor January 27, 2012 Leave a comment
Rain
I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And it flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.
I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can’t do a handstand-
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said-
I’m just not the same since there’s rain in my head.
                                                                     By:  Shel Silverstein
This pretty much sums it up. The winter filled with rain that’s driving me insane!

Full Circle

memories January 26, 2012 Comments: 2
Bess and I at the zoo – summer 2002
Chris and I had barely been married for 3 months when he was sent on a deployment to Kyrgyzstan.  While he was gone, our sweet friends took me in.  Not literally, I had an apartment and a job.  But, spiritually, emotionally, they included me in their family life.  I was able to be a part of trips to the zoo, family dinners, and they helped throw a welcome home party for my new husband.
 More than anything they showed me what it meant to live as a faithful, Christian couple.  They homeschooled and I knew after growing to love their children that this was what God would want for my future children, too.
I am so thankful for the role this family has played in our family life.
They have been an example of a godly marriage, a steady and stable example
for Chris and I for over 10 years.
Now things have come full circle.
That sweet, little blond girl who was the flower girl in my wedding is now the babysitter of my children.  I just love how God works….

H.C.I.N

Foster January 25, 2012 Comments: 3

A little over a year ago, Foster found out that one of his fellow cub scouts and family were in the process of adopting two children from Ghana, Africa.  Since then he has it on his mind all the time how he can help orphans or any child in need.  He, Katie and Theodore also talk a lot about the homeless and how they can help them. 

Over Christmas, instead of buying gifts for us, Chris and I told the kids they could use their piggy bank money to give to Habitat for Humanity.  They were so excited, they drew a great picture and took their money to the main office.  Foster told his daddy he wants to go to the work site and actually help build the house.

It seems that Foster is always thinking of ways to earn more money to put in his H.C.I. N. fund.  His Grammy helped him come up with the name Helping Children In Need.  He puts all his spare change and money he gets others to donate in the jar.  He helps neighbors with jobs and just basically asks people to give.  He brainstorms about how to raise more money, bake sales, lemonade stands, car washes, etc.

I love him for the passion he feels about other children who are in need of the basic things he and his sibling take for granted, like clean water, food, clothes.

It does my heart good so see how God has worked in him and how He will work through him. 

His 8th birthday is coming up soon.  In some ways, he is all boy, running, yelling, pretending he is Davy Crockett, teasing his sister.  But in many other ways, he is tender-hearted, kind and patient.  He loves God and His word.  He often sets an example for me to follow. 

I need some sleep

baby, breast-feeding, Jonah, marriage January 24, 2012 Leave a comment

Remember when you had a 3 month old baby who slept 8-10 hours? Yeah, me neither.

 I have nursed all my babies, breast milk just doesn’t last like formula (apparently).  Also, when I had my first baby I followed all the rules for bedtime.  Well, all except the put them to sleep on their back rule.  I would get up and go to Foster’s room and nurse him on one side for approx. 10-15 minutes, change his diaper, nurse on the other side 10-15 minutes.  Then he would sleep another nice, long 4-5 hour stretch. 

Well, then came baby #2 and in our little 2 bedroom house that meant that Katie would be waking up her 2 year old brother in the night if she was crying incessantly (which she did).  Katie wanted to nurse for approx. 5 minutes and fall back asleep. Then she would sleep about 45 minutes and want to nurse again.  Enter, co-sleeping.  Chris was working 2nd shift then and so he would bunk on the sofa bed, while Katie and I had our bed.  And so it has been our routine for babies #3,4, and 5. 

I am thankful that I have a husband who is so understanding.  Although, it works for both of us.  He suffers from sofa bed uncomfort but doesn’t get woke up to feed or change a crying baby.

In fact, nobody hears the baby crying except mommy. 

Chris and the kids often say in the mornings, “I didn’t hear Jonah cry at all last night. Did he wake up at all?”  Ha, ha so funny.

I will try not to resent your long, peaceful night’s rest.

After all, it’s only for a season.  

A day of rest

faith January 23, 2012 Leave a comment
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak His praises.
             Psalms 34:1
Sundays when we can all go to God’s house together. 
Sundays when we get to come home to a warm home, a tasty meal, some outside play time, some inside cuddle and movie time. 
After a long, hard week…our reward has been a peaceful Sunday. 
Praise the Lord!

Spending the paycheck…

parenting January 22, 2012 Leave a comment

We took the kids out to the movies Friday on Daddy’s day off.  We went to the “dollar” theater which is now $2.00 a person. Parker and Jonah were still free. 

Captivated

Oblivious

We paid for the movie, but the kids took some of their money they had earned for their commission this week.  We don’t give an allowance but use Dave’s ideas that the kids earn money for chores and good behavior.  They must tithe 10% and then they put half in savings in their piggy banks and they may spend the other half.  They start on Sunday with the following amounts : Foster $7.00; Katie $6.00; Theodore $4.00 and Parker gets a quarter to put in his bank so he doesn’t feel left out.

They can get fines through the week (from .10 – .25) for multiple prompts, breaking house rules, bad attitudes, etc.  They are able to earn a .25 bonus if they can say our memory verse for the week. 

Foster and Katie used their commission after the movie to play a couple of video games and air hockey.  Theodore bought a huge box of M&M’s (which took all his money) before the movie started. This outing offered many “educational” moments dealing with getting change, how many quarters to play a game, what happens when you put your money in and the game just doesn’t work, and finally, bartering. Theodore offered to give Katie some M&M’s for .50 so that he could play a game. 

Our kids aren’t just handed money any time they ask.  However, we want them to learn how to give, save and spend.  We want them to know the joy of tithing, the joy of buying a gift for a friend, the pain of losing money or paying for repairs of something they have broken.  We want money to be REAL for them, not some abstract thing.  So we decided a commission for the work they do would be a good way to do that.  (Along with the birthday money they receive from relatives.) 

Anyone over 4 years old in our home is put to work.  We try to instill from an early age that as a family, we are a team.  If asked to clean up toys, I don’t need to know who made the mess or who cleaned it up last time.  I expect them to clean up the toys even if they haven’t played in that room. That’s part of working together and taking care of each other.  They wipe the kitchen table, sweep, empty small trashcans, sort and put away laundry, put clean dishes away and load the dishwasher, carry in groceries, carry out the bags of trash to the outside trashcan, clean up toys, vacuum, and anything else they are big enough to do.  They are a huge help, but more than that, they are more cognizant of the messes they make. They are able to feel a confidence and a belonging that comes from feeling needed and a part of a team. 

I do not feel like parents are doing their kids any favors if they don’t give them family responsibilities, if they wait on them hand and foot because they want them to be able to just “be kids.” Our society has created some selfish, lazy humans compared to past generations who had to help milk the cows, scoop manure, work in the garden, etc. 

Better get off this soapbox for now…..

Homeschooling 101: The support

homeschooling January 21, 2012 Leave a comment

After making your decision to homeschool and letting your family and friends know, the next step is to procure some support for this crazy ride on which you are about to embark.

Spiritual Support:
Hopefully, once you have shared your homeschooling decision with loved ones there will be at least a few people that you can ask to be praying for your family.  My mom and Chris’s mom were both supportive of our decision when we started homeschooling.  I know they both prayed for our children and us as we began the journey.

Relational Support:
Chris and I had been friends with a long time homeschooling family so we did know at least one other family who homeschooled.  However, their children were much older than ours.  It is important to have other homeschooling parents with which to discuss questions, curriculum choices, concerns, etc. Try to reach out to another homeschooling family, they will probably be more than happy to take you under their wing as you get started.

Educational Support:
There are many umbrella schools and online academies that offer educational guidance and support for those just getting started.  If you are concerned about being able to pick the right curriculum or what grade level work your child might need, these types of programs might be worth some research on your part. 

Try to find a local homeschool support group.  We are blessed to have a thriving local support group.  BHEA offers many things to its members with the largest being our “Monday Fun” co-op.  Moms, dads, or other members of the community come together once a week to offer a wide variety of classes for members ages 3 yrs. to adult.  My children have taken many different classes from cooking to World History.

When you first start researching and planning how to get started homeschooling you will have times where you feel overwhelmed.  We all have! Just try to take the time to establish support so that when you do feel overwhelmed you’ll have a few people from which you can draw strength and encouragement.  Many times I would (still do) pray and ask God to reassure me that what I was doing was the right thing! And He’s always faithful.  He will be your strongest supporter.

Homeschooling 101: The decision

homeschooling January 20, 2012 1 Comment

Since we started homeschooling I have had several people, friends and strangers, say things like “I wouldn’t even know how to get started homeschooling.”

These next few posts will address that statement.

The decision:
The decision to homeschool cannot and should not be taken lightly.  When a family is discussing their educational options, the majority of them are talking about city versus county schools or private versus public schools.  If, as a mother (or father), you have felt like homeschooling might be beneficial for your family then you are facing decisions that will be much different than the ones your peers are making.

First things first:
As a Christian the first thing you should do is pray.  Often times, only one parent will feel the call to homeschool.  This was the case with my husband and I.  Although I was tempted and probably did try and “talk him into it” his agreement came only after he had time to seek what God would have for our family.  I remember telling begging him “please pray about it! If you get a definite NO from God then I will accept that.” Thankfully, God did not give him that no. 

Your sacrifice:
If you are a family that already has one parent at home then the decision to homeschool will just be a natural progression as far as finances are concerned.  If you are a two-income family, however, you and your spouse will have to make a plan as to how you will survive with less money. 

There is also the sacrifice of freedom.  For some stay-at-home moms that 5 year old birthday means a ticket to at least a few hours of peace, time to clean, shop, pursue a hobby, etc.  The reality is that if you homeschool, your kids are with you all day. The free time you do have you will need to spend some  a lot of your time making lesson plans and other school related tasks that as the teacher will  be your responsibility. 

Your family’s decision to homeschool is a lifestyle decision that seeps into every part of your family’s life.  (To me, that’s one of the best things about it – but that’s for another post.)

Your declaration:
Unfortunately, many people are still “in the dark” about homeschooling.  I am not saying that to belittle others or exalt homeschoolers.  What I am saying is that well meaning grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, etc. may not be happy with your decision to homeschool.  This negative response comes mainly from their lack of knowing exactly what homeschooling is, not how it is depicted in movies or extreme news cases. 

When you tell your loved ones that you have decided to homeschool, don’t feel like you need to be ready for the next great debate.  Just say “We wanted to let you know that instead of sending little Johnny to XYZ elementary, we have decided to homeschool.”  When the wailing and gnashing of teeth stops and the questions start, just remain calm and say “This is what we have prayed about and feel God is calling us to do as a family right now.”  

Just remember this is your child.

Stay tuned…more on how to get started homeschooling coming up tomorrow!

Band-aid

faith, homeschooling, humor January 19, 2012 Leave a comment

You can’t put a band-aid on emotional pain.  It has to just heal slowly, uncovered, letting the air get to it.  Our healing today came from being together.  In the simple day-to-day learning and the joy of laughter.

I was eating some dip at lunch and Foster said “what is that?” I said “It’s hummus dip. It’s made from chickpeas.” He said “Gross! Chick pee? That’s yucky.”

I love my kids.

Remorse

faith, parenting January 18, 2012 Comments: 2

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? (Even the Scriptures say,”For your sake we are killed every day; we are slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.                                                    Romans 8: 35-38

A promise from God that I needed today.

Have you ever had one of those days? Where you let your emotions run over and you say ugly, hurtful things to your loved ones? Where all the little things that have been bothering you just explode in an ugly mess?

It happens all the time in the movies, people yell and slam doors and pitch fits.  But what happens after that?  The happy ending is shown, the parents hugging their kids, the husband and wife holding one another lovingly in bed.

What happens in real life is you have to humble yourself and apologize. You have to ask forgiveness from those you have hurt and then from God who was watching the whole time, wanting to love you, wanting to protect you from yourself but you just wouldn’t get alone with Him.

I’m human. I get hurt and feel unappreciated.  I have my own opinions about how things should go in our family.  But instead of praying about it, talking it over with God and calmly approaching my husband and children, I blew up. I was irrational and hurtful.

Of course, they said they forgive me. And I know that God forgives me, but the promise that I so needed today is that no matter what God loves me. No matter what trouble (even if it’s caused by me), no matter my fears or worries – NOTHING keeps God’s love away from me.