Happy Birthday to My Son

A year ago today I was cuddling the sweetest little boy I had ever seen. I have approached this day with a slight since of dread, knowing my baby boy is quickly moving past being a baby. I feel like Mary who is pondering many things in her heart at this moment. But for now, here are a few things I love about my son:

- his name means the one who praises God and he LOVES music.

- he is rough and tumble, no doubt a boy!

- his personality is large and he has many faces.

- he is passionate, I cannot wait to see how God will use his passion. 

 

Here are some photos from today: 

Happy Birthday Sweet Baby!

Homeschool Journal | Week 9

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In my life this week…

We have been busy the past few weeks but life is going on! This week I have been home a little more. I have so much photography to catch up on! 

 

In our homeschool this week…

it has finally clicked! I feel like the past 9 weeks have been in vain and school is finally clicking. I have a direction and we are going that way :)

 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Kyla's last soccer game is Saturday and I am gearing up for little man's first birthday next week!

My favorite thing this week was…

Seeing my girl get excited about learning, sounding out words, reading numbers, comprehending place value, memorizing scripture. When I was tucking her in last night I asked he what her favorite thing she is learning she told me math. That makes this very non-mathematical momma's heart sing!

Questions/thoughts I have…

I am interested in what people are using for language arts. Any IEW users out there? What do you think? What are you using? I am thinking for the future. 

Things I’m working on…

Photo's - I have 4 sessions to edit and a wedding!! 

I’m reading…

A Praying Life, but preparing my book list :) 

I’m cooking…

From the pantry! 

I’m grateful for…

Great friends the Lord has blessed me with and my sweet sweet family! 

I’m praying for…

my family!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Quote of the week, today while doing our reading, Kyla was sounding out d, but saying t. I corrected her and she said, "I know that, my mouth just forgot!!" :)

Photos: here we are working on place value. I write it, she say's it and builds it! (along with my littlest mathematician) 

and yes, we have days like this :) 

Fall Fun - Catch Up

It is hard to believe we are 3 weeks away from completing our first 1/2 of Classical Conversations and homeschooling. I can't get over how fast life is flying by and how little I really get done in a week. Weeks have gone by since I last blogged and it is only because we have been swamped! 

 

Here is a recap:

Soccer... last game is this weekend. It has been fun, Kyla's favorite part is the snack's after the game ;) 

 

 

We went to see flat stanley at a local theater, her first show. It was the perfect length, just under an hour. She really enjoyed it, we have read the book together. 

 

That same week we went to pioneer days at a local national park. She learned to wash laundry, make candles, some things about gardening and cooking. It is a neat park!

We also made a trip to Kansas City to see a friend and we visited a children's farmstead there. 

And last but not least, trunk or treat... we also hit up a fall festival :)

Upcoming: 

 

In history the next few weeks we are talking about slavery. I have checked out some picture books from the library to help us understand and open a way of communication about slavery. We are plugging right along in our other studies. In math we are working on place value and skip counting. Still working on reading and handwriting as we go. 

Probably the biggest thing is little man will be 1 in a few weeks!! Where has the time gone! 

 

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What have you been up to?!? I am so sorry I have missed some great posts lately. Say hi so I can come by and see what you have been up to!

Whew! What a week!

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In my life this week…

God's timing is so perfect! We had this week off of CC and it was much needed! This week is/has been a 4 photo session week, tried to still do some preschool, had a tutor meeting, attended Bible Study Fellowship, celebrated the life of my great grandmother at 101 she went home to Jesus, watched some cardinal baseball, and had some awesome fellowship!

In our homeschool this week…

We have been reviewing our memory work, reading books and trying to integrate school into the mundane of life. 

I checked at our local library and have been getting picture books to go with our history sentences. It has been awesome to see her make the connections.

I am inspired by…

The early church, at BSF we are currently in Acts. The boldness in which they shared about Jesus is challenging! 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Two more sessions to complete the 4 this week. Next week my mom will be in town for a few days and we are going to go see a Flat Stanley Jr play! 

My favorite thing this week was…

watching the interaction between my two children. I have been reminded about what a GIFT they are! 

Things I’m working on…

That chore chart! The unending mound of clean laundry that needs to be folded and the insane amount of editing that needs to get done!

I’m reading…

A Praying Life by Paul Miller

I’m cooking…

BBQ Meatballs last night with Cheesy Potatoes. Nothing tonight, dinner with friends! 

I’m grateful for…

The cooler weather and screen doors!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

A Praying Life

Prayer has been a struggle ever since I trusted Christ at the age of 14. I can remember as a youth going to my youth minister and talking to him about prayer repeatedly. He, as any good youth minister, pointed me to the scripture, and the known resources about prayer. But, it was still a struggle for me. Always has been. 

All that being said, this book 

has really opened my eyes to some new truth about praying. 

In a previous post I quoted Miller equating prayer to conversation at family meal time and how we experience God through prayer. In Part  I was reminded how children ask for things. They are relentless, diligent, they come with out pretense or any other trappings. They say what they think without abandon. Why can we not be the same way? We are needy people who desperately need a deeper relationship with God. 

Quoting Miller, 

"Jesus wants us to be without pretense when we come to him in prayer. Instead, we often try to be something we aren't... Jesus wants us to come to him like little children just as we are." 

"In bringing your real self to Jesus, you give him the opportunity to work on the real you, and you will slowly change. The kingdom will come. You'll end up less selfish. The kingdom comes when Jesus becomes king of your life. But it has to be your life. You can't create a kingdom that doesn't exist, where you try to be better than you really are."

"...the gospel also frees us to ask foe what is on our hearts!"

My kindle tells me I am 19% through this book and it has been a very helpful, encouraging read on the subject of prayer! It is awesome to come to my Father like a child and simply ask and seek His face!

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In my life this week…

I survived... no seriously that is how it felt some days but as I sit here on Friday evening I am greatly refreshed by the Lord and His grace this week. My week didn't look anything like I planned it buy exactly as HE had in mind! 

In our homeschool this week…

We worked on our CC memory work from week 5. We went to the library and got some books to read to go along with our History Sentences. Kyla read the second Bob Books and we finished all the letters in Handwriting Without Tears. We practiced today by writing in salt. 

My favorite thing this week was…

Kyla's first soccer game last weekend. She had such a blast and it was very entertaining! :) My parents also came to visit and go to her game. We purchased a screen door for the front and my parents bought us a sliding screen door, hello airflow! I am incredibly blessed!

What’s working/not working for us…

Not having a schedule or goals! I am hoping to sneak away a bit on Monday to plan and lay out a plan! 

Questions/thoughts I have…

How much should I do for K4? I know it should be fun and teaching her a love for learning but that comes naturally to her... how far do I push, how much do I give her! 

Considering reading The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Home-Centered Education or Echo in Celebration: A Call to Home-Centered Education 

Any recommendations on which one? I have read some of The Well Trained Mind

Things I’m working on…

A chore chart, I cannot seem to find the time to get one done and photography session! 

I’m reading…

A Praying Life by Paul Miller 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Here is Kyla working with Salt today and I wanted to sneak in and get a sweet sleeping photo of brother and he had just woke up! 

Pulling out Weeds

Tonight as Daddy and Miss K were doing their Bible story I heard K say, "God is pulling the weeds out of my heart." She was happy and excited that God is working in her life! I praise God for the work HE is doing in her life. I have seen a change in her and a desire to know God and serve Him. 

That simple sentence brought about conviction in my life. 

The truth is, I am complacent with my weeds! I have made little effort in "pulling out the weeds" and have done next to nothing to prepare the soil for what God intends to plant and grow in my life!

I thank God He is working in my life to reveal my weeds so I can lay them at His feet and continue to uproot them!

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Things are going well on the homeschool front. I feel blessed that I get to homeschool! Really, we are just getting our feet wet and there are day I feel like we should get more done, then I remind myself this is just preschool! I am trying to cultivate a love for learning and learning together! 

A good helpful read for those of us just getting started over at Confessions of A Homeschooler

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One of the fun things we have been doing is soccer! Miss K had her first game this past Saturday and it was a blast! She had a great time and her little team did GREAT! I am officially a soccer mom! 

We installed (okay I use the term "we" loosely, my dad and mom) screen doors in our home and it is really helping to get awesome fall breeze through our living room! I feel so blessed to have my parents so close that they can help us do things like hang screen doors! 

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A few pictures of the kiddos, it had been awhile since I had taken them outside and got some photos :)

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Keeping On!

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In my life this week...

I survived week 4 of Classical Conversations attended week #2 of Bible Study Fellowship and recuperated from my 10 year class reunion. 

In our homeschool this week…

We are continuing on with our memory work, adding new letters to 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

my parents are headed into town today! My mom visits often, it is rare my dad visits so we are extra excited :) and Miss K's FIRST soccer game tomorrow! 

My favorite thing this week was…

Homeschool wise, when Kyla ASKED to do handwriting after it being such a HUGE ordeal a few weeks ago!

What’s working/not working for us…

Reviewing our memory work in the car and on the fly (think the local restaurant over lunch!). Not working, our calendar time... I need to make it a priority 

I’m reading…

I finished The Gift, I started A Praying Life by Paul Miller. 

I’m cooking…

not a lot, our stove is out. Hoping my dad can get it fixed this weekend! 

I’m grateful for…

A faithful God whom I can trust! We received some news this week that causes me to RUN to my savior and cling to HIM. Right where I should be! 

I’m praying for…

Peace, understanding, wisdom, and faith! 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

From A Praying Life by Paul Miller 

"A praying life feels like our family mealtimes because prayer is all about relationship. It's intimate and hints at eternity. We don't think about communication or words but about whom we are talking with. Prayer is simple the medium through which we experience and connect to God. Oddly enough, many people struggle to learn how to pray because they are focusing on praying, not on God. Making prayer the center is like making conversation the center of a family mealtime. In prayer, focusing on the conversation is like trying to drive while looking at the windshield instead of through it. It freezes us, making us unsure of where to go. Conversation is only the vehicle through which we experience one another. Consequently, prayer is not the center of this book. Getting to know a person, God, is the center."

"Deep in our psyches we want an experience with God or an experience in prayer. Once we make that our quest. we lose God.You don't experience God; you get to know him. You submit to him. You enjoy him. He is, after all, a person."

Refreshing

Today has been a day of refreshment. This past week and a half have been a whirlwind. This morning as we were headed out the door it was raining. A nice, peaceful, gentle rain was falling to the ground providing refreshment for a very parched ground. 

We were headed to Bible Study Fellowship where God provided refreshment for this weary mother's soul. 

After that I had some errands to run, we all know errands with kids are not easy but God blessed our afternoon with sweet spirits and joy in one another's presence.  

While baby boy was taking a short snooze I got to rest and close my eyes for a few minutes to renew my energy after a night of little sleep. 

God has provided refreshing today from all directions: the rain, His Word, my sweet children, and physical rest! 

Today, I am thankful! 

Priceless!

Daddy went to check and see if she was asleep last night and this is what we found. She doesn't know how to read yet but she often wants to take her Bible to bed with her to "read" before bed! Yes, it is upside down! No, that is not a big deal! :) I am praying God will give her a love for His Word that runs so deep in her soul she will feast on it always! 

Here is a great read: Homeschool Blindspots by Reb Bradley. It is really a great parental read regardless of your schooling preference. 

To whet your appetite, here is an excerpt from the conclusion. 

"I am convinced that the most contagious parenting is living a heartfelt faith before your children. Fruitful interaction is not about what you do to your young people, but who you are with them. It's about having a real faith in God, and expressing it in a real relationship with a real person--not about methods and self-working principles. God intends that the side-effect of loving Jesus and enjoying the grace of the gospel will be that all people--including our children--will be touched by the Savior in us."

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I would love to hear if you read the article and your thoughts :)

Happy Tuesday!

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Homeschooling Journey | Week 3

In my life this week…

we have something going on everyday and everynight! That makes for one worn out momma! 

In our homeschool this week…

we will continue on with our memory work, reading lessons, math and handwriting! 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

to my home, nanny and papa's house!! I am going to my 10 year high school reunion this weekend! Fun times! 

Things I’m working on…

a chore chart, trying to decide how to implement an earning/chore/reward/discipline chart/system in our home! 

I’m grateful for…

peace! God's unending peace when you seek Him!

I’m praying for…

endurance, reconciliation, patience, love, mercy and kindness!

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

Here is Miss K, citing the first two weeks of the timeline, she is not a reader... yet :) 

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Things to Thursday!

I have been coming across some things lately that I want to do, so I thought I would share them with you and see what you are considering trying around your home or in your life. 

Things to...

try in the kitchen:

 Making my own peanut butter.

 Make my own ranch dressing.

 Make a LARGE batch of taco seasoning.

do around my house: 

Some sort of chore chart. (any out there you like?)

Clean out our "school cabinet" and craft cabinet and get some organization going on! 

make:

I have a few silk flowers to make bows for Kyla 

buy: 

Fabric for a Roman shade to go over my kitchen window. 

blog about:

Why we we chose the classical method and classical conversations.

Awesome parenting resources that I have encountered. 

 What are you wanting to do, buy, try, make in your home?!? I would love to hear what you are up to. 

Fast and furious is my pace!

In my life this week…

I am trying to stay on top. On top of the dishes, on top of the laundry, on top of the e-mails and digging up from the bottom of my to-do list!

In our homeschool this week…

Tomorrow is week two of CC and trucking right along! Last week we reviewed CC memory work, learned how to make the letters, L, F, E, H, and I. Learning 6 sight words and working on lessons in the MUS book and 100 Easy Lessons. For fine motor skills we have been cutting on the lines. 

My favorite thing last week was…

Seeing Miss K get so excited about learning! She wants to listen to her memory work and do school. She has told me multiple times she loves school! :) makes this momma's heart smile! 

What’s working/not working for us…

Handwriting is a battle, I should of known. I strongly dislike it too! 

Questions/thoughts I have…

Are far to many to list here! 

Things I’m working on…

A wedding guestbook for a client, flower hair bows for Kyla, a website for my in-laws. 

I’m reading…

The Gift by Bryan M. Liftin I downloaded the first one free from Kindle awhile back and am borrowing this one from a friend. Also Growing Your Faith by Jerry Bridges. 

I’m grateful for…

God's peace that passes all understanding! 

I’m praying for…

Endurance, peace, joy, reconciliation and faith! 

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