Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Cassie's Blog

Cassie has decided to make a blog to encourage and inspire young people. I love it! Check it out here! Be sure to leave her a comment or two!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Mexican Jumping Beans-YEAH!




Yesterday was the first day of HIM co-op this year. Cassie filled in for me at the nursery for GYM day co-op. It was nice to see "old" faces and new. It's amazing how much children grow in just a few months. Babies that weren't crawling are now walking! There is just something about being in a room of fellow homeschool families that makes the world seem so much better.

Ok, now on to the topic at hand. Mandy- the amazing-science teacher brought in a lesson on Mexican Jumping Beans and we had the children use the Scientific Method to awnser questions such as "Why do they jump?" "What are they?" "What's inside?" etc...

I read this book to the class and we did different experiments with the children to see if their observations were correct. It was allot of fun and the kids had some pretty funny ideas of what the bean was and what was inside. One child said it was a peanut with a popcorn kernel inside. It was also great to see the wheels spinning in their heads to come up with the answers. One little girl Maya had the idea to draw a circle around the bean before I read the book and see how far it jumped out of the circle by the end of the story. Some of those buggers travel far. :)
It was just a great time! I look forward to helping with next months science class -earth worms!!




Update on my Mom

I want to thank everyone for their prayers. It looks like my mom will be going home today!! It's a good thing too because today is her anniversary. :) After six days of being in the hospital and only two days with food she is more than READY to get home. Her recovery will be slow and long but at least she can recover in the comfort of her own home. Again, thank you for your kind words of encouragement and prayers!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

New House Pics

Downstairs Guest Bathroom, This is also the bathroom Bre uses and it has a full size tub. Ty and Cass share huge upstairs bathroom and we have a full master bath.
This is the Master Bedroom.We have HUGE walk in closet and a nice sized bathroom.

LivingRoom

I love the kitchen There are so many cabinets that I had room for everything.

Another view of the kitchen.

A glimpse of the Dining room

School Room. There is a sliding door that leads out to the back deck.




Here are some pics of a few rooms. Does the School room look cluttered? I hope so, if it didn't then we wouldn't be doing school right! I was going to declutter and organize before taking all the pics but I thought, let people see how we really live. :) I do like a clean home but I have learned the difference between clean and cluttered. I guess I will have to live with a little bit of clutter if that means happy kids. Someday I will look back and cherish the clutter! I didn't take pictures of the kids room. l'll save that for another day ;)

Monday, January 19, 2009

10 EXCUSES not to Homeschool

1. My kids drive me crazy. Then maybe it's time you do something so they don't drive everyone else crazy, too! It's easier to ignore problem areas if you send your children off to school each day ~ you don't have to put up with it all the time. Let the teacher and other students do it instead. But who must answer to the Lord for how you taught and trained your child? Not the teacher but the parent. Homeschooling isn't a "cure-all" for poor behavior but it does give us time together to work out any problems instead of ignoring them, and it eliminates the negative role models and peer pressure which often influences negative behavior. Or maybe you feel that they DO respect others, just not you? You can tell them when to brush their teeth, get dressed, go to bed ~ just not when to do their math! There is really no difference ~ it's all a matter of obedience and respect. Ephesians 6:1-2 "Children obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."

2. I don't have enough patience. Patience comes through overcoming trials and learning to yield to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25) instead of the fruit of flesh. You'll never develop patience if you continually avoid opportunities that would require you to put it into practice. But you might be surprised how quickly it grows with frequent exercise ~ homeschooling can be that vehicle the Lord uses to work patience in you!

3. I'm not highly educated. Fine ~ here's your chance to learn right along with your children! There are tremendous resources available to help us teach our own children. Studies have proven time and again that the success of homeschooling is not dependent upon the level of the parents' education. According to Dr. Brian Ray's recent study, "Home educated students' test scores remain between the 80th and 90th percentiles, whether their mothers have a college degree or did not complete high school." [from National Home Education Research Institute. And there's lots more "proof in the pudding" where that came from!]

4. I love my job. What's more important during this season of your life ~ your children or your job? Your job can wait. Your children can't. Your decisions and priorities are already influencing them every day ~ either for good or bad. I've never heard older people say that they wished they had spent more time on their job. I have heard them say they wished they had spent more time with their children. If you love your job more than spending time with your children then maybe this is a sign that your priorities need reevaluating.

5. I don't have time. There is always time to do the will of God. Is He calling you to homeschool? Then He will provide the time. As a result of homeschooling our children, we have limited outside activities and found a simpler lifestyle. We're not forced to succumb to the modern pressures and stresses of our society with its hectic pace ~ instead we are able to slow down enough to enjoy time together as a family, embracing a slower paced lifestyle without sacrificing the modern conveniences of our microwaves, washers, dryers and computers! (See articles on "Priorities" and "Time Management Tips" for more encouragement.)

6. I'm selfish ~ I need my privacy and space. Jesus said unless we take up our cross and die to self, we can't be His disciple. (Luke 9:23-24, 14:27) Good parenting requires sacrifices during this season of our life. However, choosing to homeschool doesn't mean that you can never have any privacy anymore. When the children are young, we have regular naptimes and bedtimes so that gives us time apart. Older children are trained to respect the need for quiet time in the afternoons and evenings. The children also have their own activities and playtimes apart from mom during the day at times, too. (See article on "Feeling Frazzled" for more tips.)

7. I can't afford it.
If it's God's will that you homeschool, you can't afford not to! And He will provide all your needs if you trust Him. (Matthew 6:33) We have never been a "high income" family but God has worked in the most unexpected ways to provide our needs over the years. Think of how much you spend now by sending your child off to school ~ don't forget to include the "hidden" expenses of special school wardrobes to keep up with the peers. Homeschooling curriculum can cost as much or as little as you like ~ it all depends on what you choose to do. The public library is free and full of helpful resources for your homeschooling! We have always chosen not to purchase a full packaged curriculum and saved so much money by putting together our own curriculum. (For more help on this, see the article on "Choosing Curriculum")

8. I never liked school. Homeschooling will help you see how enjoyable learning can be in a relaxed, pressure-free atmosphere at home! You don't have to structure your homeschool like a public or private school ~ so don't let your past experience with school hinder you from committing to homeschool your children. Give them the opportunity to experience what you missed out on in your childhood and see how much fun you can have while learning together!

9. My children are too sociable ~ they'd get
lonely homeschooling.
An EXCELLENT reason to educate them at home so you can make sure their "socialization" experiences are positive instead of negative. Homeschooling doesn't require your children to become hermits, but you will have the freedom to select the activities and make sure they are blessings and not hindrances. (See my article on socialization called "Missing the Mark" for more information.)

10. I could NEVER do that! If we had known in advance and in detail all the negatives and challenges we'd have to face as parents, who among us would have been brave enough to have children? God gives us the grace, strength and wisdom we need when we need it ~ not in advance! I find great encouragement in scriptures that remind me that I must yield and abide, then He is sufficient to take care of all the needs and enable me to fulfill my responsibilities. II Corinthians 3:4-5 "And we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God..." John 15:4-5 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing." Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." And the following scripture has always encouraged me when I've been tempted to dwell upon my inadequacies: 1 Corinthians 1:27-31 "But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God had chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." Homeschooling, like parenting, requires faith ~ faith that the Lord will give us wisdom and grace as we need it. In His infinite wisdom, He has designed us so that we MUST rely upon Him! Why doesn't He give us all the wisdom we need to be parents right at the start when the child is first conceived? Instead, He allows wisdom and maturity to develop as we grow through trials, the study of His Word, and experiences ~ all the while, pointing out our need of Him daily in order to walk in His ways. Thus, He receives ALL the glory! May the Lord direct your family in His Ways and give you clear wisdom and direction in the education of your children! Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."
_________________________

©Copyright 1997 by Tamara Eaton

Please Pray

For my mom. She is having surgery to remove a hernia caused from a previous surgery on her colon Tuesday afternoon. She is a strong woman and God has seen her through many trials. I am afraid that she is getting weary and needs to be lifted up.
Thanks in advance for your prayers!

Wife's Ten Comandments

1. You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your mind;
and you shall love your husband as yourself.

2. You shall not make your husband into an idol,
but you shall love, honor, respect,
and submit to him as unto the Lord.

3. You shall not take your husband's name in vain,
through gossip, slander, criticizm, complaint, or mockery;
but you shall bless him
both privately and publicly.

4. You shall work heartily as unto the Lord
and as directed by Him and your husband,
not by your own ideas of what should be done.
You shall not be so busy working, however,
that you neglect to get alone with God everyday.
During this quiet time,
you shall pray diligently for your husband.
You shall also be willing to put aside work
in order to "play" when your husband asks you.

5. You shall honor your mother and father,
but you shall not elevate their position
or opinions above your husband's.

6. You shall not resent, revile,
or hate your husband,
but you shall grant him grace,
forgiveness, and mercy.

7. You shall not commit adultery,
nor shall you think lustfully toward another man;
but you shall thank God for your husband
and be pleased with him.

8. You shall not steal from your husband.
You shall not steal his marriage by threats of divorce.
You shall not steal his wife by leaving him alone all the time.
You shall not steal his spiritual leadership by taking control.
You shall not steal his time by placing unnecessary demands on him.
You shall not steal his joy by complaining or moping.
You shall not steal his peace by endless nagging.
You shall not steal glances from other men
by wearing provocative clothes & causing them to stumble.
This defrauds your husband of an honorable wife,
the other man of pure thoughts,
and the man's wife of her husband's faithfulness.

9. You shall not lie to your husband,
but you shall speak the truth in love.
You shall also practice
a quiet and gentle spirit.

10. You shall not covet another woman's husband,
her children, her friends, her house,
her decorating style, her garden, her looks,
her wardrobe, her possessions, her talents and gifts,
her ministry, or any other thing that is hers;
but you shall be content
with all God has given you.

Authoor Unknown

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Bre and Ty































Breanna has stated for three years now that she wants to be a famous Chef someday. We got her a cooking set for Christmas and she decided to put it to use a few days ago with the help of her brother. The shots of Matt and Ty are male bonding over some new cabling tool.

Cassie and Cake








Christmas










































Here we are at my Mom's on Christmas Eve, Our house Christmas Morning at Matt's parents the day after. We had fun eating and fellowshipping at my mama's house. I love her. :) For some odd reason I do not have pictures of us opening each others gifts. Must have been too busy having fun. We went tothe Lights on the Lake on the way home.


I was sick all day Christmas but as you can see from the few pics taken that morning that we still had fun.


We had a good time at Matt's parents house. As you can see Jim was in a great mood and we were able to visit with Aunt Ess, Uncle Scott and the boys (whom are in college) Aunt Ess was teaching Bre to knit with the knitting kit we gave her for Christmas.

We had lots of food!

Decorating the Tree







Here we are decorating out Tree four days before Christmas with boxes everywhere. :)

Meet Josh


For the friends and family that do not know Josh.
Meet Josh: Cassie met him at college, he is a nice christian boy that comes from a big family. (he is one of 7 kids) We all like him. (Even Matt) ;) He is good with Bre and Ty and knows his boundries with Cass. He is a full time business student and is part owner of a construction company. That's all Ive' got right now. :)

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Moving, chritmas and Birthdays

Well, we are finally all settled. Sure, there are a few boxes and a few pictures to hang, but unless you are the Lloyds, Falcons or Smiths you have NO idea what mess I had to deal with. I can't forget Derrick and Josh either. Boxes,Beds and furniture everywhere! I am very thankful and grateful for those families above that helped us move from 9am to 1am a little over two weeks ago. The moms helped with the kids, shopping and meals, plus they even made our beds! The guys worked almost non stop to move everything. It took two trips with the 26'' truck. I was on 1 1/2 hours of sleep and pain medication. I felt very helpless because I couldn't lift anything. Anyhow, I am so grateful for friends so giving and thoughtful!! I will post pictures of the house in the next few days. I want to get everything in place first. Yes, I know I am a bit neurotic. :)

The second day in our new house we put up our tree- four days before Christmas!! We had a good time and it turned out beautiful, even if it was surrounded by ugly boxes. By Christmas morning I had the living room unpacked and decorated so we could at least have one room to enjoy. I ended up very sick on Christmas day due to a change in medication but, I did end up feeling good enough to make a nice dinner with the help of the kids. The kids loved thier gifts and had a nice day in our new home.

Because we celebrated Cassies birthday in June (1/2 Birhtday) we just had her favorite dinner (Stuffed Shells, Cesear salad and crossiants)topped off with ice cream cake. Josh was here also, of course. I will post pics later.

Goals

I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. While I am sure some people have had great success with them, I personally have never met anyone who lost 50 pounds, stopped smoking, run a marathon, or learned a foreign language because of a resolution.
I do believe in setting goals for the upcoming year.

Family Goals
· Family Bible time 5 nights a week
· Stick with family game night once a week No excuses!
· More Winter Outings as a Family (Not my favorite)
· Family read alouds
· Make more time for other family members outside of our home
Financial Goals
· Purchase new van (cash) by April 2009
· Fund Retirement Plan
· New Glasses for Breanna
· Cut grocery budget by $50 a month
· Live on half our income/ save or invest other half
· Save for short term goals: vacations, homeschool materials, gifts
· Better Allowance Program/System for Kids
· All extra money goes into Savings
Homeschool Goals
· Restructure Bible time
· More read alouds/ less silent reading
· Research curriculum changes for 2009/2010 school year
· Once a month library trips w/ kids
· Create system for organizing past and future books
· Reorganize my filling system
Homemaking Goals
· Freeze Meals to prepare for neck surgery
· Work on my monthly meal plans and shopping trips
· Involve the kids in meal planning/ prep
· Incorporate more whole foods/ purchase less prepackaged foods in meals
· Plant container garden
· Enter all addresses into the computer
· Try two new recipes a month
Personal Goals
· Be more consistent with workout plan
· Learn to knit
· Learn to sew clothes
· Go to bed 1/2 hour earlier and get up 1/2 hour earlier
· Take vitamins every day
Places to Visit
· DC
· Williamsburg
· Florida
· LEAH Convention
Spiritual Goals
· Read through One Year Bible
· Increase time in prayer
· Faithfully keep a journal
· Reach out to more people out of my comfort zone