First Day of School

If you see any pretty pictures on this blog...its because of my friend, Marian!  Thank you!

 

Our first day!!  I made it special with putting together a pencil box for each child filled with fun pencils, pens, erasers, crayons, and some chocolate!!  Then, we made a stay-in-your-pajamas donut run to 7-11 which is right down the street from us.  And, this evening we are having a special dinner...the family favorite...roast beef with potatoes and carrots...can't go wrong with that one!  And, strawberry pretzel salad.  My mom used to make this dessert when my brother and I were growing up and I had forgotten all about that it until I saw it on Pinterest last week.  Yum!

 

 

 

Sweet, fun students!  So thankful for these four gifts!

 

Emily (tender heart) - 2nd grade

Elizabeth (a little bit o' spunk) - Kindergarten

 

Luke (my ham) - PreK4

 

Caleb (mr. tough and ready) - PreK3

"That Busted Snake"

I have been reading this storybook Bible to the kids.  Today's story was about Adam and Eve.  After I read the story, someone asked what tomorrow's reading would be about.  Emily responded, "I bet its about that busted snake."  Hahahaha....

That's a good way to put it...busted snake is right!!!

Happy Rules

 



Love Jesus.

 

Love one another.

 

Be happy.

 

Tell the truth.

 

Have fun.

 

Encourage one another.

 

Work hard.

 

Listen.

 

Be thankful.

 

Help others.

 

I thought these rules were wonderful...but, I can't take credit for them.  I found them on Pinterest (shocker, I know) from a blog called http://augustfields.blogspot.com.  I am going to print out a copy for myself and each of my students.  And, I would like to somehow display these rules on the wall.  I need to talk to my artsy, creative friend in order for that to happen!

 

 

Back to School

"Do not fear for I am with you;

Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, surely I will uphold,

Surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

This is my favorite promise of God.  That He is with me, strengthening and helping and upholding.  And, do I need this now!  Four little ones with way too much energy.  Sea duty.  Loneliness.  Routine mundaneness (is that a word?).  Potty training (adding this one because it is stressing me out a little).  Burn-out. Attitudes.  And, the start of a new school year just around the corner. 

I have found it helpful to read other blogs of ordinary women to gather ideas from what they are using for homeschool.  So, if you find that helpful....keep reading.  If not, quickly exit out and I will post some sure-to-be-cute pictures largely-because-of-a-talented-photographer of our first day which you might enjoy.

The Bible, Jesus Storybook Bible, and The Child's Story Bible:  Not all at once, of course.  But, simple readings for .... you guessed it... Bible...gasp!  We sing hymns, too.

Sonlight:  I have come into contact with many women who are using this curriculum and really enjoy it.  We are just using the core curriculum which includes age-appropriate readers, history, and literature.  All the lessons are planned out.  Thank you, and yes!  This is the spine of our school year. 

Apologia:  Biblical worldview look at science.  I chose the Exploring Astronomy book for this year.

Spell to Write and Read:  SWR teaches the phonemes and rules of the English language along with spelling lists.  Also includes grammar exercises for beginning grammar.

Math U See:  Includes a short ten minute video lesson along with worksheets to reinforce what was taught from the video.

Reason for Handwriting:  Printing and cursive practice using Scripture for Emily.

Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading:  Systematic, simple reading lessons for learning to read for Elizabeth (age 5).

Handwriting without Tears:  Letters and simple words for beginning printing for Elizabeth.

And, for my two preschoolers....letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and read alouds...using simple, boy-friendly ideas....that might be another blog.



A Prayer for an Empty Mama

I am trying to laugh.  So, I posted this picture.  I feel for this Mama Pig.

This is part of a prayer I read today in Andrew Murray's With Christ in the School of Prayer:

"O give them to understand that they have only to come with their emptiness to Him who has all to give, and delights to do it.  Not, what they have to bring the Father, but what the Father waits to give them, be their one thought.  And bless especially the inner chamber of all Thy servants who are working for Thee, as the place where God's truth and God's grace are revealed to them, where they are daily anointed with fresh oil, where their strength is renewed, and the blessings are received in faith, with which they are to bless their fellow-men.  Lord, draw us all in the closet nearer to Thyself and the Father. Amen."

I am empty.  But, He is full.

Eavesdrop on Eternity

Life is confusing and overwhelming.

We often get distracted in the muddle.

How do we gain clarity?

Eavesdrop on eternity:

"Hallelujah!  For the Lord our God, the Almighty reigns.  Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."  It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.  Then he said to me, "Write, 'Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.'" - Revelation 19: 6-9

God is important.

God's reign is important.

God's glory is important.

Redemption is important.

~ Tedd Tripp

One Handsome Little Guy (and his buddies)

Celebrating Luke's 4th Birthday

 

Luke's Favorites:

 

favorite animal:  zebras

favorite color:  blue

favorite food:  cookies

favorite thing to do:  cutting out hearts, crafts

favorite friends:  Mommy

favorite thing to do with our family:  cutting and craft projects



Believe and Unbelief

"I do believe; help my unbelief."  Mark 9:24

The battle over belief is fought with the help of a mighty Savior and Lord.

Uncomfortable Grace

I

I have been attending a summer study called Forever by Tedd Tripp.  Each session has been a blessing but tonight was especially comforting to my heart.  Tripp was using the passage from Mark 6:45-52 - Jesus walks on the water.  

Jesus had just showcased a tremendous miracle of feeding the five thousand.  And, right after, the disciples were faced with difficulty as they set out to sea and the wind was against them.  And, that is when He came, walking on the water defying all natural laws because He was Lord over all.  And, the disciples despite being witnesses of all these glories remained hard-hearted in disbelief.



Yet, His first words to the frightened and disbelieving crew, were those of comfort, "Take heart; it is I.  Do not be afraid." 

"In the moment of difficulty, He is there in His glory."  "The I AM is here." ~ Tripp

And, I was reminded (again)...

When children are fighting and fussing and demanding...The I AM is here.

When husband is far...The I AM is here.

When family is far...The I AM is here.

When church involvement is muddled...The I AM is here.

When all is very lonely...The I AM is here.

And, this is His uncomfortable grace to me:

"God will take you where you hadn't intended to go, to work in you what you could not achieve on your own."

"The God of glorious grace is rebuilding me." ~ Tripp

He is good.  And, He is here.