Spring cleaning

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)

As we prepare to begin homeschooling, it has occurred to me that we have a lot of unnecessary things! So today we are clearing out and organizing. 

It's been harder to maintain my organizational OCD since I began having children, but it still lurks in the back of my mind waiting for the chance to go on an organizing bender, 😊 

The children have been really receptive to helping me prepare...I love these cool munchkins.

On another note, I ran into one of the first people that we met when we moved here and as we were talking I said, "we're transitioning to homeschooling." She looks at me all serious and goes, "we are too, I pulled him out of school last week." I know many people believe that things happen just to happen, but I believe that God has a hand in EVERYTHING (always for our good)! We exchanged numbers and plan on getting the kids together during this journey and it was definitely confirmation that we're on the right path!

As I prepare for this spring cleaning, I am reminded that it isn't always confined to your home. Maybe you need to clean out fear, doubt, stress, etc. I have definitely been made aware of my own fears and have decided that it's time to clean them out, get rid of 'em, and throw them away! 

Are we homeschooling today?

Lamentations 3:27 "And it is best to learn this patience in our youth"

Now that the children are aware of the fact that they'll be homeschooled next school term every morning greets me with an, "are we homeschooling today" from one of the younger children. Although, I would love to take them out now I made an agreement with my husband to let them finish out the year since they've already started....something about them not becoming quitters in the future ::eye roll::: seriously though, there are only a few months left so, why not? 

I must admit that I am enjoying this phase immensely! I have completed a month of planning and feel great to have a map. Though I'm positive that we will not strictly follow the plan or any plan for that matter, it still feels great to have one in place....I'm a planner by nature though! Over time I've learned to be flexible b/c as we all know, life doesn't go as planned! This has become quite a learning experience and I'm looking forward to learning even more!💋

Wobbling to class

"6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

As I watched the cool babies scurry to class this morning [we make it to school right on time-not a minute before or after] I realized that I may miss the baby's wobble to class...it is so extremely cute! It's that walk/run that kids have that says "I have not a care in the world." 

Her teacher stands at the door and waves her in so, I figure that I could recreate this moment in our homeschool....send everybody outside to run back in as I wave from the door! Ha! 

We allowed the cool kids to choose whether they wanted to begin homeschooling now or next school term and the consensus has been next school term which Is ok since cool kid #1 is in the 5th grade.....wouldn't want him to miss those awesome end of the year parties :-)

Preparations are going smoothly. I got my  teacher's planner from scholastic in the mail yesterday. I am pretty positive that we're going to start with an eclectic style, i got another book case for $15- talk about exciting news! Lastly, I have almost all of the material that I need. I found an awesome globe that I have on a big wish list on cool dad's desk! Now, I'm looking for a curriculum to use...there are sooooooo many to choose from!

Happy New Year!

"I am the good Shepard. The good Shepard lays down his life for the sheep" John 10:11

It's been about 5 years since my last post...time flies! So much has happened over these past few years. After homeschooling for a year, I decided to let my children go to public elementary school because of insecurities on my part. They were only around peers at church & sports, was that enough "socialization"? were they learning as much as they would in school? Etc.

I remember praying around this time that God would allow us to become missionaries abroad & receiving a word that my children are my mission. Hmm. What does that mean? Ironically, my pastor preached a sermon shortly after on how for many of us, our mission work is in our homes, communities, or our Jobs. 

The school was good. It had christian programs that reinforced what they were receiving at home & at church, a mothers prayer group, etc. I was content, but would still have an occasional urge to go back to homeschooling....I guess home really is where the heart is!

<<< fast forward to now>>>

We moved & and I think that I finally understand that word/message from a few years ago! My children are my mission & now more than ever I see the need for them to learn in a non-traditional setting. 

Do I have any regrets about stopping my children's home education? No. I believe that everything happens for a reason & in that time I've learned a lot, created bonds with people that have become my biggest supporters & others who have been homeschooling forever, & most importantly I've grown in my faith enough to say, "Lord, you're in the lead" and truly mean it! These entries will be a journal of my family's transition back into homeschooling. May they be encouragement to others! 

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Psalm 16:1 "Preserve me, O God, For in thee do i put my trust"

I haven't posted in awhile but i'll be starting again, starting with today! We have done so much since the last time that i've posted and our home school experience has become more faith based b/c i realize that when you love the Lord, you love him in everything that you do!

We began hooked on phinics for reading at the beginning of the year and the children have continued to excel in math. I'll be updating with photos very soon. Thanks for reading and God bless!

Learning through Rhyme

Word list

1. Fish- the pet
   
2. Disneyland- The place that they traveled to
   
3. Log- An object in the story
   
4. River- Fish' first home
   
5. Bird- Who they met
   
6. Dog- The owner of the pet
   
7. Black- The color of the owner's fur
   

   
    

The objective is to make a rhyming story from a list of words that the children have picked out. You ask, "What rhymes with fish?" and then choose a rhyming word that the kids have said that best fits within the story. The kids and I have had tons of fun with this activity!

 

 

 

 

Dog's pet fish

 

 

In a Deep, Deep river lived a fish

That was suddenly caught by a girl named Trish

 

Next to Trish on a big log

Sat her pet fluffy black dog

 

Trish Gave Dog the Fish as a pet

Dog loved the fish so much that he made him a home on the family's deck

 

When the family went on a trip in the van

They took fish along to Disneyland

 

At Disneyland they met a big bird

That fell in love with Dog's curly fur

 

Dog introduced Bird to all of his friends

Even his best friend, a dog named Ben!

 

The End

 

 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!!

I Have many pictures that I've taken from previous assignments that I've yet to upload which I think should be contributed to the "it's around the holidays" lazy bug! Hopefully I'll get them up soon but for now I would like to say from my family to yours, Have a blessed Christmas!