Where Did Monday Go?

Is it Tuesday already? Our days have been going by so quickly! Just like a ferris wheel spinning and spinning. Before we know it the day is done, the ride is over, and then it starts again with the morning sun.

"...For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." James 4:14b

We can not stop time, but we can prioritize our time so that we can stop to "smell the flowers". Stop to enjoy what God has given us for that day. Today I took a picture of a wood pecker that was finding his lunch on the tree in my front yard. Unfortunately, the photo came out blurry. But I'm glad I was able to take time from my busy day to notice God's creatures.

I pray that you and I will stop each day to pay special attention to something our Lord has created, or spend time with someone we love.

Have a blessed evening.
(Above photo was taken by Donna at a local carnival.)

Week One ~ Done!

I'm happy to say that week one is done and we survived it. LOL Not that we thought we would not. It's been a week of adjustments, for both of us. We are enjoying the homeschooled life.

Caitlyn said the other day, "Well, I can now officially say that I'm homeschooled." I asked her why, and she said, "I've done laundry during class!"

I have to say that I am so proud of Caitlyn's attitude. The other day I heard her tell a friend (from public school) that she really likes homeschooling because she learns so much more. I'm glad she sees the importance of learning, and that she is enjoying it.

Today we are having our church's homeschool support group over for a time of fun, food and fellowship. It's kind of a Back-to-Homeschooling party.

Have a wonderful weekend!

What Kind of Day Will You Have?

This came to me via email the other day. I felt it would be fitting to post today. Especially after the day we had yesterday. (Author unknown.)

***************

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new job relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to!

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with knowledge and adventure.

Today I can dejectedly murmur because I have housework to do or I can feel grateful for shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped, and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. And I shall decide what kind of day I shall have!"

What kind of day will you have???

Mama Said There'd Be Days Like This...

Well today was not a bad day, but it has been very taxing. I'm not really sure why. We are still adjusting to a new curriculum. I'm still adjusting to being the teacher, or more like the director of events. LOL I realized today in the middle of things, that I forgot to order the Literature Teacher's Guide. Oh well, it is ordered now. Even Caitlyn feels exhausted.

The weather may have some contribution to our gloominess. It has been raining the past two days, and the forecast is calling for rain the rest of the week. I'm not complaining, mind you. We desperately needed the rain. The rain has helped to cool things down a bit. It is only 81 right now! For that we are most grateful. These hot August days in Texas can be an energy drainer also.

On a lighter note, we did enjoy a good laugh at a squirrel in our front yard. It was raining pretty hard and he didn't seem to like it. It was as if he was throwing a temper tantrum. He would run up the tree a little ways, then down the tree, up the tree, and down again. Once the rain let up he came into the yard and sat on a tree root. He didn't like the wet grass. We had a good chuckle about him.

Our First Day

Today is our first official day of homeschooling. We had planned
to start on the 25th, but since her curriculum was in, Caitlyn was
anxious to begin.

Caitlyn begins her day at 7:00 am. She has two hours in which to prepare for school. During this time she does her daily devotions, makes her bed, tidies her room, gets dressed and eats breakfast.



As school begins, we start out by praying for our day, and for the other homeschooled children and their moms in our church's homeschool support group.



Deuteronomy 6:6,7
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

I Will Survive!

I had to laugh when I read the "I Will Survive (the first year of homeschooling)" song lyrics, considering this is our first year. Caitlyn and I have talked a lot lately about our feelings of homeschooling. We are excited, yet a little nervous. We see so many positives to homeschooling, but we really can't see any negatives. I think that any thing we may be nervous about will dispel once we get into a routine. Below is the song that prompted this post. :-)


I Will Survive (the first year of homeschooling)

Originally written and produced by Freddie Perren and Dino Fekaris
Originally performed by Gloria Gaynor Mercilessly altered with apologies by Natalie Criss
Here's the tune: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv6lHwWwO3w

First I was afraid, I was petrified.
Kept thinking I could never teach
'Cause I'm not certified.
But we spent so many nights
Reteaching homework that was wrong.
I grew strong, so now I teach my kids at home!
We study math,
and outer space.
I just kept on despite the fear
with a big smile across my face.
I bought a set of Base Ten blocks.
I bought books with answer keys.
My parents think we're nuts,
but they don't even bother me

Come on, let's go, walk out the door.
We're on the road now,
'cause we're not home much anymore
My friends would laugh and say we'd be unsocialized.
I heard one mumble
that I'd give up by July.
Oh no, not I! I will survive!
As long as I know how to read
I know we'll be alright.
I've got all my life to learn.
I've got energy to burn,
and I'll survive.
I will survive.

It took all the strength I had
not to fall apart.
Decided to attend
a play date at the local park,
and I met oh so many moms
who offered eagerly to help.
They used to cry.
Now they hold their heads up high,
and so do we!
My kids are cool!
They're not those chained up little people
stuck inside at school.
So if you feel like dropping by,
and just expect us to be free
you'd better call ahead first
'cause we're probably busy!

The Privilege of Motherhood

"There is no greater place of ministry, position, or power than that of a mother." ~ author unkown

Have you ever desired a higher position than what you have? Maybe one with more power? If you are a mother, I'm happy to tell you that you already have the highest position, and most powerful position possible. You have the power to shape and mold a young mind and life. Maybe you have never thought about that. Our children will be influenced by someone. Wouldn't you rather that someone be you? I know I would rather my children to be influenced by their father and I, than by others in the world. Mainly because I know how her father and I believe, think and feel.

Proverbs 1:8 & 9 says,
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
9) For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."
The child's part is to hear and obey; instructing them is our part. When every one does their part, then the child is like a badge of honor worn around our necks. This also pleases God because we obeyed His word. (See Proverbs 6:20-23 also.)

Homeschooling will be one extra way that I can help Caitlyn grow into the young Christian lady that God desires for her to be. Even though our school year has not officially begun, I can see positive changes in her. I also see positive changes in myself. This year will be a growing year for both of us!

HUZZAH!

Alright, my daughter said that "Huzzah!" is the same as "Yeah!" but cooler. Thus the reason for the title.

She is excited because, even though we had given up on the UPS man yesterday, her curriculum did arrive. It was around 6:30 pm when the big brown truck came. Yeah, ummm, Huzzah to the UPS man!

We were like kids on their birthday as we opened the boxes. Everything was there and is now nicely organized. We are excited about everything, except Trigonometry. That is not an adventure we are looking forward to. BUT! We can do ALL THINGS through Christ which strengtheneth us.

Waiting Anxiously!

Here we are in the office...waiting...for the UPS man to stop at our house with Caitlyn's homeschool curriculum from A Beka. We are anxious to get everything unpacked and organized, and be able to look through the books.

Our plan is to begin school on Monday, August 18th. Woo Hoo! In case you haven't heard, this is our first year to homeschool. Caitlyn is going into the 11th grade, but will actually finish her 12th grade this year as well. I know that all of our friends who will read this will be praying for us. :-)

While we're waiting, allow me to give God praise for His protection last night. We were on the way home from dinner out with friends after church, when we came to a screeching halt behind a stalled car on the interstate. A lady had ran out of gas. We were stuck behind her, with cars zooming around us going 70 & 80 mph. We called for help and started praying. We were sitting ducks. The inevitable happened. A bronco hit us, shattering our rear window, and smashing into us. Glass flew everywhere, hitting me in the back of the head, and landing on the dashboard. Fire trucks and police arrived at the scene, making it safe for us to get out of our car. Once all of the statements were taken care of, we were free to go. Surprisingly, we were able to drive our car home. Our children, Casey and Caitlyn, had to ride in the police car that was giving us an escort home, because the damage to the car would have pressed against the wheel if they were in the back seat. They enjoyed that. The police officer was a band nerd (like them), so they had a lot to talk with her about on the ride home.

None of us were injured, and we thank God for that. Here are a couple of pictures of our car. The damage is so minimal compared to what it could have been.