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."

If you are visiting, say hi so I can visit you! 

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

Happy Tuesday!

linking up with :

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 :) 

linking up with:

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! 

I am linking up with: 

Why Homeschool? Our Decision.

When Justin and I were first married we lived in Louisville, KY where he was in seminary. At that time we noticed MANY families home schooled. We didn't give it much thought until we really got to know some of the families and their children and it really altered our view on home schooling and what it looks like. 

We made a decision pre children that we would homeschool. 

Here are some of the reasons we made that decision:

we believe God has called US to educate our children, even if only for a season

we want to educate them from a Christian worldview

we want them to receive a solid, well grounded, well rounded education 

the opportunity to teach my children to be salty, so they can truly be salt and light

Some things I LOVE about homeschooling:

- the ratio, as of now it is 1:1

- the speed, we can go as fast or slow as we want to. If the concept is learned quickly we can move on, if not we can focus and work on mastery. 

- it is tailored to my child's learning style.

- I love my kids being at home!!  

I realize these are not earth shattering reasons but alas, they are ours! 

linking up with 

Meal Planning Helps

I confess, cooking isn't something I love! There I said it! Meal planning is something I love even less. However, it must be done to keep everyone healthy and happy! 

One thing that helps me is when my menu is cute and laid out how I like it! I am not one to re-invent the wheel so after many internet searches I found one that is cute and perfect for us. I do not like to plan out breakfasts, lunches and snacks. A list of options to pick from is awesome for me and my family. When I came across this adorable weekly meal plan calendar it was perfect for me! I love the bottom, "save money, live generously." which is something my husband and I are really trying to implement. 

Now that my cute menu is in place I needed a practical grocery shopping list. My list often consists of a scratch piece of paper with my groceries written down by meal ingredient not section of store. OFTEN I would  get to the front of the store and look over my list and realize I forgot something at the back of the store (I know you have all been there!) and because dragging two kiddos to the back of the store to get the ONE thing I forgot is not fun, I check out only to return to the store again and end up buying stuff I do not need! After searching the internet I found a few I liked but eventually tweaked one for myself. It is nothing special but it is divided into sections like dairy, deli, cereal, pasta, frozen... Here it is as a pdf. 

Our grocery budget is not huge but I am attempting to buy two weeks worth of groceries at a time in an effort to save money. 

I am always looking for ideas, what are been some of your best meal planning tips? Any grocery shopping tips? How about recipes?!? 

K4 - Homeschool Happenings | Week One

I had a surreal moment a few weeks ago... I  was sitting in a room with other parents for a parent orientation because Kyla was starting school! My daughter is officially school aged. I knew this day was coming and I was looking forward to it, but it happened so fast! 

We started school at home this week and we had our first day of Classical Conversations yesterday. In my mind I had a schedule and an order in which I wanted to do things here at home but what I have found works best is I pull everything out and we just start. If she is getting distracted by one thing then we move on to the next subject and come back to whatever we need to work on. 

We do always start with Bible time, I am using Long Story Short for that. When we start Awana's in a few weeks I will included that during this time. After that we just go with it. Today we did a lesson in the Math U See Primer, two new letters in Handwriting Without Tears and then she practiced on lined paper, learned 6 new sight words, reviewed our memory work for Classical Conversations, one lesson out of Teach Your Child to Read, we read a BOB Book and then she read it to me and daddy (she was sooooo proud of herself, and I confess we were proud too), we worked on 5 Basic Elements of Shape via the dry erase board and she painted just for fun! I am also trying to read out of chapter books atleast once if not twice a day. Currently we are reading The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh and a Flat Stanley book. 

Here are a few images from the past few days, 

Day 1: at home

Preparing for CC: awesome easy way to pack lunches, Easylunchboxes

This is what it looks at my house as this tutor is preparing for CC. Note the big glass of Sweet Tea! 

First Day of CC!

Today at home: working on handwriting without tears, making the letter H

I still haven't forgot about why we homeschool and why a classical education and Classical Conversations!
Soon!!


Linking to:

5 on Friday

Lately the Lord has really caused me to feel really blessed for the relationships He has given me! Today I wanted to reflect on 5 very different seasons of my life and how thankful I am for the friends God has given me. 

Season 1: Growing up 

There was always at least 5 of us from 2nd grade on. Here we are on the first day of our senior year. We have gone our separate ways since high school keeping up via Facebook but nonetheless these girls played a huge part in my life!

Season 2: High School 

Joy and I knew each other since we were little but it was high school when we became close. Our faith in the Lord drew us together and it is what has kept us close since then. We don't talk often but when we do we pick up right where we left off. 

Season 3: College

I wanted to go to a Christian university so that I could have solid Christian friends. It was a HUGE desire of mine! God granted that desire in unmeasurable ways. The four of us have been friends since freshman year. Our relationship is built on Jesus. It is our common glue because we are all very different. We all live apart from one another but try to see each other as often as we can. Last summer we spent a weekend in STL catching up and having girl time. Since that time we have each had a baby, (one of them is in labor as I type). I am SO THANKFUL for these Godly women! 

Season Four: Louisville Life

I left college early and these three wonderful friends behind and traveled to the unknown world of Louisville, KY to marry my absolute best friend and love of my life. It was hard to leave friends that are like sisters behind. After a tough few months God directed Justin and I to an awesome church who immediately became our family. God gave me some wonderful friends in the form of women who were a few years older than me and MUCH MUCH wiser! These ladies saw me through so many changes and were there to always encourage, correct and walk beside me. I am honored to count them as my closest friends! 

Season Five: Ministry 

Approximately two years ago my husband took a senior pastor position away from Louisville. We have no doubt God called us to serve where we are now but that doesn't make leaving these awesome ladies behind any easier. If it were not for the immediate best friend I found in the associate pastor's wife this transition would have been a lot hard. Ministry is HARD! It is awesome to share the burden with someone else who is in your same shoes.  I am so thankful for her love for Jesus, her family, our church, and for just who she is!! It is a blessing beyond words! 

Now to be fair there are a few ladies who are not pictured in various seasons that mean the world to me! God gifted me Sara (Drake) Salguero in college as a fellow friend and RA, Julie Noyes during my transition time in Louisville, and some awesome ladies in our church who I feel blessed to call friends! 

So thankful for the relationships God has blessed me with and how in every season HE knows exactly what I need! 

My Blessings

It has been awhile since I have shared any of my sweet blessings so here ya go :) 

Almost Go Time!

I can't believe it, my little girl is 4. WOW! That means we are officially starting preschool this year. She is ready and excited. All the books have been purchased and supplies are ready to go, even I am ready to start. Monday is GO day! 

This year we are starting Classical Conversations. CC, as it is fondly called, is a group of people who meet weekly together and introduce a new set of memory work that everyone is working on at home. After learning about different styles of education I think the classical model of education will be a great fit for Kyla and our family. If you are interested in learning more about what Kyla is learning you can learn more about the Foundations program here. I am actually going to be a "tutor" (their word for teacher) of K/1st grade, I am excited to be a part of such an awesome group of people. 

The program itself is not complete, we have to add math and phonics. We are about 15 lessons into Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons for phonics. For math, we are starting with the Math U See Primer. I am actually excited to re-learn math as it is my weakest subject thus my least favorite! The other additional things we will be doing is Handwriting Without Tears and Long Story Short for our Bible overview.  

I am planning to post what I have learned about the classical model of education and why I think it will be GREAT for us and also why we want to homeschool! 

Here it is, our school shelf in the kitchen... ready to go! 

yes, that is a back pack. Was it necessary... no but did she really want one for school, yes and she was excited about it! For $9.99 from LL Bean I obliged :) 

My Son

It is still weird to say son, but I love it! We have very few photos together and I think it is important to have photos together. So here are a few of me and my boy!

My Heart

 "My flesh and my heart may fail,
   but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 73:26

I have found myself taking great comfort from this scripture lately. 

Why? 

- because I am sinful and battle with sin continually.. my flesh fails

- things don't go the way I want or expect them to.. my heart fails

- I cannot seem to keep up with all the stuff that needs to get done.. my flesh fails 

- I see the struggle others have with this world and sin.. my heart fails 

But.. 

God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! 

So I..

- continue to wage war against my sin.. because God is my strength!

- continue to pursue righteousness by waiting on the Lord.. because God is my portion forever! 

- continue to run the race God has set before me.. because God is my strength! 

- continue to encourage, exhort, and pray for others.. because 

God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever!

February

I have logged on many times to update my blog friends about life, but I rarely get a chance to start a post before I am off doing something else! 2011 has been a great year so far, God is teaching me much about working at home and being content. A goal for 2011 is to get on top of my home management, mainly cooking. So far so good, I would say we are eating at home the majority of the time and yes I even enjoy it. My new kitchen aide mixer makes it fun. And who knew making homemade bread was fun! 

Little man will be 3 months in a week or so, her are a few I took of him last week!