Daybook ~ September 28, 2009

FOR TODAY...September 28, 2009

Outside my window...twilight.

I am thinking...I am glad that the busi-ness of this day is nearly over.

I am thankful for...peace.

From the learning rooms...the eldest will begin typing tomorrow and is adding the memorization of the states of America to her studies. The youngest are

continuing on their studies and we all are beginning a study of clouds.

From the kitchen...three bean chili, rice and applesauce.

I am wearing...a tee-shirt, knit pants and tennis shoes.

I am creating...plans for E and J's Birthday parties in October.

I am going...to do our bedtime ritual soon.

I am reading...the book of Isaiah, Knowing God by His Names (Dick Purnell)

and The Wizard of OZ (aloud to the children).

I am hearing...the dishwasher run.

One of my favorite things...lying in my bed reading.

A few plans for the rest of the week: get in a really good

school week and focus on my priorities.
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40 Gifts

S's sweet card with hugs and kisses!

Sweet, sweet party planners!

A secret desire fulfilled!

M's homemade gift that she spent a lot of time on!

E's homemade friendship bracelet!

J's stuffed dragon that we will now share!

Today was my best birthday yet! These are 40 gifts in my life.

1. Life itself.

2. God's great love.

3. Growing up in a stable family.

4. God's faithfulness.

5. A love of reading.

6. God's mercy.

7. Big dreams.

8. God's soveriegnty.

9. Salvation.

10. God's grace.

11. Meeting Ira.

12. God's compassion.

13. Giving birth to E.

14. The Living Word of God.

15. Moving into our home.

16. The power of God.

17. The birth of J.

18. The dream of adoption.

19. The birth of S.

20. The pursiut of M.

21. The loyalty of good friends.

22. A God that grows bigger daily.

23. Journalling.

24. Finally holding M.

25. God's patience.

26. More big dreams.

27. Finding our current church home.

28. Growing in faith.

29. Scrapbooking.

30. E accepting Jesus as her Saviour.

31. Music that leads to the foot of the cross.

32. Good health.

33. The call to come pick up a foster baby.

34. The peace of God.

35. Blogging.

36. That a holy God pursues a relationship with me.

37. Holding a newborn baby.

38. Feeling God carry me through giving a baby back.

39. Being called mama.

40. Birthdays.

I have had a lovely 40th birthday. God is so good to me.

Our Life in Pictures

We've had a baby in the house!

E making paper doll clothes at the tea party birthday
celebration of a friend.

S falling asleep mid-sucker!

M being creative with her babies.

J making his Papa proud with the BB gun.

Daybook ~ September 22, 2009

Outside my window.......it is night-time and raining.

I am thinking......about our school day that went well and a sweet foster baby that was placed with his forever family yesterday.

I am thankful for......a husband that blesses me so much and the joy of mothering.

I am wearing......jeans, a red knit shirt and sandels.

I am creating......plans for E and J's upcoming b'day parties.

I am anticipating.......my birthday tomorrow!

I am going.......to journal before I do our bedtime ritual.

I am reading.......the book of Isaiah.

I am hearing.......my husband playing the trumpet and my son wondering aloud just exactly how many more minutes he has to clean!

One of my favorite things.......my birthday.

A few plans for this week: continue on with school, teach Young Musician's Choir tomorrow night, our homeschool kick-off this Saturday and Sunday's services.

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Our Home School

The kids start their day at 7 in the morning. We have breakfast and then start our Spiritual Training. I am trying to incorporate several aspects into this part. The kids look at Children's Bibles, while I read in mine. Then they say morning prayers silently. This is followed by our weekly focus. These focal areas are Hymn Study, Worship, Real-Life Applications and Bible History. So one week we learn about and sing a particular hymn (our first one was Holy, Holy, Holy). The next week, I utilize ideas from Teaching Kids Authentic Worship. The following weeks, I read out of Sticky Situations and The Child's Story Bible, respectively. Throughout it all, we work on a monthly memory verse, review the hymn and a protestant catchism. Then we begin with the rest of our curriculum.

E - 4th Grade
Grammar - Rod and Staff
Math - Abeka
Spelling - Spelling Power
Penmanship - Abeka
Comprehension - Christian Liberty Press readers &
Abeka Read & Think Skill sheets
Writing - Writing with Ease
Vocabulary - Wordly Wise
Required Reading
Science - Apologia Sea Creatures (Co-op)
Geography - Beautiful Feet (Co-op)

M & J - 1st Grade
Phonics - Abeka
Reading - Abeka readers
Math - Abeka
Penmanship - Abeka
Writing - Writing with Ease

S - Preschool/Kindergarten
Phonics - Abeka & Rod and Staff
Math - Rod and Staff
Penmanship - Pentime
Bible - Rod and Staff

I am ever grateful for the privilege and honor that it is to Home School.

We are all ever learning in this household!

Homeschooling Joys

~ being intimately involved in curriculum choices for your child
~ sitting side by side with each child on our couch, going over new concepts
~ seeing understanding dawn in your child's eyes when a concept is grasped
~ teaching my children about God and His Word
~ my children feeling no shame or hesitation in talking about God

We are in our second week of Home School. This is my first year to be teaching three grade levels simultaneously. I was quite nervous about this. But with God's great mercy and hours of careful planning, things are running smoothly. Right now, I am just so thankful for the great privilege of schooling my children at home. Polishing treasures indeed.

Finding My Footing

In my continued struggles with control (over my life, our children's lives and my daily schedule), God has revealed two things to me.

1. The single most important item on my daily agenda is intentional time spent with God in prayer, Bible study and listening to Him. Personal Holy Communion. The end.

2. The single most important act (of mine) as a wife, mother, teacher, daughter, and friend is to be so in tune with the Holy Spirit and so aware of God's character, that it not only keeps me moving in the direction of my Father's will, but also that it transforms my response to all people and every situation. The end.

I cannot express how deeply relieving this is to me. It lets so much else that tends to clutter up my mind and my to do list to fall away. Released. Centered. Blessed.