School Begins

One of my blogger and homeschool friends came up with a great way to start off her school year.  Seeing that I was lacking a great way to start mine, I borrowed some of her ideas 

Tomorrow, our oldest heads off for public school for the first time.  We are very excited for him.  So today, we officially kicked off our school year, for homeschool and public school, together. 

We started with the borrowed idea of having a time capsule.  So, as the boys sat at our round table for nearly two hours, they filled out four blank pages with the following information:

What are three things you are good at?
A self-portrait.
What do you dream about doing?
What will you do this year to improve in one area?

The answers were varied in thoughtfulness and creativity.  Some were completed with words and some with pictures.  You just never know what you're going to get with an assignment like this.  I decided not to interfere with their creative processes and was pleasantly surprised by most of their ideas (and as you will see, a little concerned about a few!)  So, in random order (to keep their anonymity) here are the answers I got to the above questions:

What are three things you are good at?  Soccer, climbing, thinking up ideas, art, reading, math, sports, camping.
A self-portrait.  Oh, I wish I could show you these.  The boys had so much fun and really worked hard on them.
What do you dream about doing?  Designing things for the Army, Becoming a Regional Service Manager, Being a Wizard (What?), Making Shoes, and Racing Cars. 
What will you do this year to improve in one area?  read more (YAY, he thought this up on his own!!), riting (boy, did he hit the nail on the head with that one!), brotherly love (Thank you, Jesus!), laying on the floor to do my math (hmm, maybe that will make all the difference!  Pun intended.)

After completing all the answers, we rolled up the papers and stuck them in our "time capsule"--a modified cardboard Sensodyne toothpaste box--to be opened on our last day of school.

Oh, yes, and during this process two of my boys decided to change their names.  Brenner would like to be called by his middle name, Isaiah.  Parker would like to be called Bubba--which is the name of a friend I had in high school.  (After my high school reunion last year, the boys asked me lots of questions about who I saw.  I mentioned seeing Bubba--who no longer goes by that name, but it's hard to think of him as anything else.  Well, apparently the boys loved the name and have debated for awhile as to who among them should be called Bubba.  I guess Parker won).   We'll see how long that lasts. 

We wrapped up our morning by brainstorming ideas for our daily schedule, our classroom rules, our chore rotation, quick lunch/snack ideas, and field trips.  During the field trip discussion, ideas like "a trip to Disney World, to the Grand Canyon, and to Kansas to see their cousins," kept coming up. I had to remind them that a field trip is a day trip, not a destination vacation.

May God's hand continue to be upon us this school year.  Teaching us, prodding us, growing us, speaking to us, and showing us how to live this life for Him!

Walk a Mile

I've been thinking on that phrase lately......"If you could walk a mile in someone's shoes...."

Sometimes we see what others are doing around us and we make judgements about their decisions.....good or bad....especially if we have a strong opinion one way and the decision went the other way. I know I'm guilty of it.

I've been thinking on that phrase because we've had a couple of big decisions before us. Decisions that others will have a strong opinion on either way we go. Part of my nature, asks.....What will people think of us.....of our choices? Some may applaud. Some may shake their heads. Some may openly speak their dissatisfaction. Others may encourage. Some may say nothing. So, I suppose I've quietly been preparing myself for all that may come.

The first decision is about homeschooling. Sean and I knew without a doubt that God called us to homeschool each of our boys as they became of schooling age. We were scared about the idea, but pursued it nevertheless; because when God says, "Follow me in this!" you know He's 'got your back.'

So each new school year we've prayerfully considered what the next year will be. So far, we have continued with homeschooling because that is where we felt God led us.

There may be some changes for this upcoming year. Though a final decision has not been made, we are looking into our options for our oldest son who will be entering 7th grade next year. This is the first year where we have felt peace in heading toward the public school system. We are aware of the pro's and con's of both sides. We want our decision to be God-lead and not fear-lead. So we continue to pursue our options. And we pray that God will direct us and the path for Spencer.

The second decision is about reconstruction surgery. I decided last fall that I was ready to pursue reconstruction after my bilateral mastectomies. I had thought that I'd be okay to stay this way forever. A small part of me wonders, "Is it vanity edging its way into my thoughts when I consider this option?"

Is it? Is it vanity? I don't know. Maybe a little. Mostly, I consider it restoration. God has done an incredible work in my life through my breast cancer journey. He has restored unto me the joy of His salvation. I'm thankful He has raised a generation of doctors who can restore the body, too.

But I'd never ask you to walk a mile in my shoes to figure it out. Just pray for me, for my doctors, my nurses, my husband and my children, and my family as we move forward in a few weeks with my surgery.

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Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Psalm 51:10-12

Reading Advice

The flu-bug has left the building!

So, today we went to the library. The boys love to get books, though a few of them rarely actually R-E-A-D the books they get.

What are their favorites? Spencer loves Hardy Boys, World Record's Books, Comic Books and Superhero books. Trevor prefers books on Dinosaurs, any kind of animal, and Superheros. Parker is partial to dragon books, 'how to draw' books, and Superheros. Brenner picks up whichever books are on the shelf in front of him and enjoys browsing through the superhero books his brothers get.

But today was a break-through on the reading aspect of books. Both Trevor and Parker found a series of books that are interesting enough that they WANT to read the stories. Trevor has found a series on puppies and Parker re-discovered Amelia Bedelia books. Yay!

As a homeschooling mom, the most taxing part of the job for me has been to teach my kids to read. Though my middle two can read, they are not what I would call fluent readers. So, I'm so thankful that they have found books that seem to make the words leap off the pages.

So, I'm curious. If you've had a child who less fluent in his/her reading, what things did you do to help him/her along? I could use some more help on this.

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My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers; write them on the table of your heart.
Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and call understanding your kinsman....
Proverbs 7:1-4

What is the Difference?

A Math Lesson with Mommy & Parker:

Mommy: Grama made six cherry pies and three apples pies. What is the difference between the cherry pies and the apples pies?

Parker: The cherry pies are sweeter.

An Incredible Gift

Have you ever been going through your day....a day like any other day....when an unexpected blessing falls into your lap?

Last Wednesday I received a call from Carey Kinsolving, syndicated columnist and organizer of the Children's International Art Festival. I was one of two finalist for a contest. That's neat....what contest?? I thought. Though I'd been told by the contestant's mom that I'd be receiving this call, she had not filled me in on any of the details. Boy was I in for a HUGE surprise.

A very dear eleven year old friend of mine....whom I've known since her birth and have watched grow into a beautiful and Godly young woman.... wrote an essay about me as her teacher and friend. Her family is in the same homeschool co-op as mine. As I spoke to Carey on the phone, he began to fill in the details of this contest. The winner and her spouse would receive an all-inclusive trip to a Dude Ranch in the panhandle of Idaho. What? Are you serious??? I thought.

They were having difficulty picking the winner and he had a few questions for me. Does a trip like this interest you? Could you leave your 4 boys for a week? Do you like to ride horses? Could you make the trip in August? I answered in the affirmative, and more, for all of his questions. I'm sure I talked his ear off!!!

The next day, as my family traveled to New York for my niece's wedding at West Point, I drifted in and out of sleep in the front seat of our big green Suburban while holding the cell phone in my hand. The phone vibrated. I answered. RILEY'S ESSAY WON!!!! The phone call was a mixture of tears, laughs, exchange of information, and more tears. Cory from the Dude Ranch at Red Horse Mountain was also on the phone and he filled me in on some of the details of the ranch. Wow!! It sounds like a little piece of heaven on earth!!!

What a blessing from God! Thank you, Riley, for this incredible gift!

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For more details about the contests that Riley entered and about the Dude Ranch in the panhandle of Idaho, check out these websites:

www.kidstalkaboutGod.org/riley
http://www.redhorsemountain.com/

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Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. James 1:17-18

Half Dead?

I just love the literal mind of younger children. Two days ago, Parker was reading about the Good Samaritan in his Bible reader. When he read that the man was left half dead by the side of the road, he stopped and thought for a moment. He's a day dreamer by nature so I often find myself 'nudging' him back to the present. Just as I was about to 'nudge' him he said this:

What does that mean, Mommy?
What does what mean, Parker?
Half dead?
That's a good question, Parker.
Does it mean he was dead from here [Parker placed his hands on the middle of his torso] down? [He motions to his feet.]

I just shook my head.....again......

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"Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he {Jesus} replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all our heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
John 10: 25b-28

Personal Responsibility

Last week Sean gave my oldest two sons a writing assignment: write down, neatly and without spelling errors, twenty things that you can do to demonstrate personal responsibility. They took the assignment with much enthusiasm.

What a great idea! I was impressed. What I hadn't expected was that our third son, Parker, would be just as excited about it.

"Can I do one, too?" he asked me. Well, I wasn't going to rain on his parade! I also didn't want to interfere with his creative ideas, or overwhelm him with too big of a project.

"Alright, Parker, why don't you write down ten things? You don't have to worry about spelling, just put the words down the way they sound to you."

So here it is.....Ten Things Parker Can Do to Demonstrate Personal Responsibility:

1 U shoold be vere nis to uthrs.
2 Oba yor muthr and Fothr.
3 Oba The bibol
4 God Es Vere nis to us.
5 U shoold be nis to the speret.
6 U shoold not stel Dimens or uthr thes.
7 Brush yor teth.
8 Mak yor BeD.
9 Get Drest.
10 Klen yor room.

Some may look at this list and cringe at the spelling abilities of my 7 year old. That's okay. I was impressed that he got sixteen words right and that he punctuated each sentence. More than that, I was impressed that the first 5 things dealt with relationships. That wasn't really what daddy was referring to when he gave the assignment. Parker always has, and always will be, my 'out of the box' kind of thinker and doer.

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One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?"
"The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love, your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:28-31

A Beautiful Thing

To match each parent to the areas of service God has uniquely gifted him/her, in order for the various parts of God’s family to work together for His glory.

That is one of the purposes of the Homeschool Co-op we attend. This year our group added 16 new families, we began meeting in a new location, and we took our junior high and high school group in a new direction. There were plenty of reasons why it could have been a rocky start.

But...

But, God....

Our co-op has witnessed each parent using the unique gifts God has given her, and we've been blessed by 'the various parts of God's family working together for His glory.' And it is a beautiful thing. I am truly thankful for all the families who make up our group.

Recently, I attended a women's retreat from my sister's church. The ladies who met together and planned the retreat did such a great job. It was another example to me of each one using the unique gifts God has given her. I watched as 'the various parts of God's family worked together for His glory' and I was encouraged. It was a beautiful thing.

We were meant to live our daily lives with 'the various parts of God's family working together for His glory.' Can you imagine if each member in a family was able to live his or her life in this manner? It would be a beautiful thing.

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My prayer is that those who are seeking would seek even more,
That those who are looking would look past the shore,
That the gifts that You've given would show themselves true,
And not lie unnoticed from lack of good use.
Give us strength to go forward, though mistakes, they will come.
May we give grace to all men, and not just to some.
Lord, strengthen the family...What a beautiful thing!
When we work for Your glory and crown you as King.
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Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. I Peter 4:8-10

Mr. Independent is Ready

My youngest won't turn five until mid-September, but I've considered starting him in Kindergarten this year. I hadn't made up my mind until today, when he and I had the following conversation:

Brenner: Mommy, are you going to sign me up for school at home this year?
Mommy: I've thought about it. Do you want me to?
Brenner: Yes, but not today. We can start tomorrow. I won't whine or cry or anything.
Mommy: Well that's good to hear. What makes you say that?
Brenner: 'Cause school takes WAAAAAAAAAAAY too long if you whine and cry. I want to get it done faster.

Apparently, this wise young boy has already learned an important lesson!!

More from the Convention

If you couldn't tell from my last two entries, I was not disappointed at the Homeschool Convention last weekend. Being a teacher at heart, I have this deep desire to share good insights with others. Not only do I think it can encourage those who hear it, but it also further cements ideas in my heart. So, I wanted to share just a few more things that spoke to me. The reason I've included the websites is to twofold: first, you may really like what was said and may want to find out more about that person or his ministry; second, you may question what is being said and may want to find out more information. I suppose the third option is: you don't care what was said. If that is you, then it's easy to skip right over the websites!!!!

So here are some of my highlights:

"In order to prepare for a personal revival we must live each day nourishing a humble heart. The fallow life is contented with himself and the fruit he once bore. He does not want to be disturbed. The plowed life is discontent, yearning and contrite. It lives in courageous obedience to the will of God......If you have quarreled with anyone, go as far as you can to achieve reconciliation." Points from Norm Wakefield's talk on 'Building a Godly Legacy for Generations.' http://www.spiritofelijah.com/

"A boy doesn't do what his mother tells him to do....He does what his father is doing. If you want your child to read (to be respectful, to be a hard worker, etc.) then you need to model that. Otherwise you'll hear, 'Well, daddy, if (reading, hard work, etc) is so important then why don't you do it." Points from Jan Bloom's talk on 'Books for Boys!' http://www.booksbloom.com/

"A man who knows how to serve knows how to lead. The four building blocks to raising Godly sons are purity, integrity, responsibility, and servant leadership. Responsibility must first be demonstrated in the home, then in the church, and then in the community." Points from Shelley Noonan's talk on 'Build-A-Man.' http://www.pumpkinseedpress.net/

"No civilization has ever survived the breakdown of the family......Today's entertainment is an overwhelming and culture-shaping force in our world. But is it entertainment? No. It changes how we know and think. The rapid pace of images and ideas bombards us and discourages us from true reflection and evaluation of what we are taking in. Images and ideas are given and juxtaposed out of context, making life fragmented. Life becomes trivialized. For instance, after days and days of reporting on the devastating tsunami, people became disinterested. Nobody paid attention to the TVs scattered about the airport. The death toll was now over 200,000. But all of a sudden, 'Breaking News' came on a Major News Channel. Every head in the airport turned, every eye became fixated on the monitors as we discovered that Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston were breaking up. Oh My! (Yes, it is sad for Jennifer and Brad....but 'Breaking News' on a MAJOR NEWS CHANNEL......I don't think so). Often when we turn on our TV, listen to our music, or go to see a movie, we 'veg' out. Our brains turn off. We escape. It is never legitimate to escape the world." Points from John Stonestreet's talk on Thinking Biblically in an Entertainment Culture. http://www.summit.org/

Well, that's about it. It looks like I'll be busy for the rest of the day. I've got a yearning to till some fallow soil in my soul and a desire to read some really good books to my boys. When I get done with that, I'll find the strength to serve my children so that I can model for them what it is to be a servant leader. Once everyone is tucked in bed, I'll turn on the TV and try NOT to 'veg' out!!!!!! :)

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Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7

Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10: 43-45

Stop Comparing

Last night some of my fellow homeschool moms and I finished discussing a book by Todd Wilson called, "Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe." It's been an encouraging book for all of us. The basic truths of this book are helpful for anyone: everything you do, every decision you make, and the attitudes you hold are based on what you believe. If you go through life comparing yourself to everyone around you, you will feel discouraged, defeated and alone. That is exactly where Satan would love for you to stay. He would love to keep you from experiencing the best that God has for us.

Here are some points that stuck with me.......

• Don't believe lies.
• Lies blind you from seeing the truth and leave you feeling defeated and alone.
• If lies go unchecked and unchallenged, your joy will be sucked right out of your home, your marriage, and your life. You will put undo pressures on your children, your spouse, and yourself.
• What are some of those lies we believe?.......Everyone else is more capable than you and can do it all. Everyone's marriage is better than yours. Everyone is more disciplined and more spiritual than you. Everyone fixes better meals, has a cleaner house, and better kids than you.....ya-da-ya-da-ya-da.
• Jesus taught the truth and it was freeing. God's truth is light and easy.
• Hiding your true self leaves you feeling alone and isolated. Being REAL produces freedom and healing. Being REAL deepens relationships.
• The great thing about TRUTH is that it's always TRUE. It doesn't change over time, smear when it gets wet, or stretch when it's pulled.

I believe someone, besides me, needed to be reminded of these truths today. As Todd puts it, "Let me encourage you not to compare your weaknesses against others' strengths. It's a losing proposition. Instead, be confident that God knew what He was doing when he made you and that your weaknesses and strengths are exactly the ones He wanted you to have." And just in case you need more affirmation.......know this:

• You ARE NOT alone.
• If you are a mother, God gave your children EXACTLY the mother they needed.
• You CAN'T do it all.
• God LOVES you!!!

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He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed...James 5:16

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:13

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John8:32

When Waiting Takes Forever

I'm happy to report that yesterday I finished my 12th weeks of chemotherapy and herceptin. Although it was a very long day with unexpected twists and turns, God was faithful.

We started with our homeschool co-op day. This has been the highlight of the week for my boys and for me. It has been one of our constants during this time. And God has been ever so good to our co-op. We have a creative and loving group of moms with servants' hearts, and we have about 80 energetic and wonderful kids who participate each week. I've really enjoyed watching their friendships bloom. Here's what everyone enjoyed:

Spencer: Playing sharks and minnows in Gym, Figuring things out in Creative Communications, Seeing Abraham Lincoln's cabin in Indiana History.
Trevor: Drawing a tree in Art Class, Playing Freeze Tag in Gym, Sharing his poster about the White House in Geography.
Parker: Playing cool instruments and listening to music in Music class, Making Cards in Schoonerville, and Playing in Gym.
Brenner: Well, he opted to stay home with daddy that morning and I didn't have the strength or gumption to make him go.
Mommy: Seeing every one's efforts come together for a wonderful day, Seeing the smiles on the kid's faces, Listening to a few of our mom's teach and watching the classroom interaction take place.

We had to leave the co-op before lunch. After a quick zip through McD's drive-thru, I took the boys and their lunch to my house where my mom waited for us. We exchanged quick hugs and instructions before Sean and I left for my last treatment.

Here's where my patience was tested. I had to decide to 'trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.' I had to accept by faith that 'all things work together for good.' And, above all things, I had to acknowledge there are a lot of hurting and sick people in this world and only so many hours in a day. I needed to extend grace to my physicians and their staff, even when the waiting seemed to take forever.

The gist of the story is that my chemo day took twice as long as it normally would. Also, a week had passed since decisions about my upcoming surgeries had been made, and yet important communication to get my surgery date scheduled hadn't taken place. I had done all that I could to get the process rolling. And now all I could do was wait. Waiting takes forever sometimes. Can anyone relate?

So, I've chosen to do what works best. I trust in the Lord. I put my faith in Him. I realize that my option to do bilateral mastectomies and oopherectomies (removal of my ovaries) in one surgery requires more planning than a normal surgery. So, I pray that my two doctors and their staff will be able to work out the details. Things don't always work out in the way or in the time frame that we hope, but God is sovereign and He is faithful. Can I get a witness?!!!

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Addendum: I tried to post my blog earlier today, but there was something wrong with my connection. But I see it as a God's timing. Since writing this morning, I've had two calls from one of my doctor's offices. The ball is rolling. I still don't know for certain when my surgery will be or where it will happen, but communication has started. God's still in control. So, once again, I'll keep on waiting. And even if it takes forever, I'll know that it's okay.

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Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. Hebrews 11:1

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Genesis 1:3......(God spoke our visible world into existence. Not only do we serve an omnipotent Creator, but we are also loved and treasured by Him. Did you know that the words, "And God said," or their equivalent, are found over 2,500 times in the Bible?)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9......(This proverb assures us that even when our plans fail, God will ultimately bring about his purposes. Lord, may my plans reflect your desires.)