Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

to dream, to work, to thank.

Thankful for all that is around us...

Thankful for lessons learned...

Thankful for seeing the fruit of work...



fresh corn
((there is so much to learn on this journey))



fresh strawberries.
((working hard. working together as a family))


little hands at work
((making. creating))



fresh jam.
((fruit of labor. to enjoy in days to come))



Sunflowers
((surrounded by beauty. plans and dreams growing))





Whether therefore ye eat, or drink,
or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

Monday, August 16, 2010

Today

:::Today marks the start of a new year:::




Standing on His Word.

(I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me)


What better way to start?



Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Being Prepared


I recently was able to reconnect with an old friend. It's been fun to hear from her and to hear about her family. To share about what we are doing. She is homeschooling her little ones and was quick to ask about how we homeschool with five kiddos. I spent several days... weeks really... thinking about how I should reply. I finally wrote her back last night and my answer was simple.

Homeschooling is so wonderful, isn't it!?! It's a beautiful journey... to see God's hand at work, to see His grace, His provision. How do we do it? God. Finding a simple rhythm - A routine. Protecting my days. Making sure I am prepared (having activities for the girls... things used only during school time).


We start school next Monday and this year will find me with three little girls in the home. One little girl will be taking a nap in the mornings and two little girls will join us. They'll want to participate in as much as they can.... They'll be able to sit with us as we read stories. They'll be able to draw with us and observe nature. They can join us in much and that is one of the beautiful things about homeschooling.

I still need to be prepared for those times when they need to sit quietly... those times when I need to sit with the boys and guide them.

I want the girls to know what they can do. I want them to understand the importance of sitting and working quietly. And so, we have been working on getting their activities ready.

They will be able to draw and color... Work in their school books... Count and sort their teddy bear counters and work with their alphabet cards.
Books, puzzles, stickers, stamps, and lauri products will surround them.


Yes, my answer to my friend's question was simple. I don't want it to be a complicated or a stressful journey. I want to find God there. For peace and joy to be in the midst.

God. A Rhythm. Being Prepared.

:::


Maybe it is the time of year, maybe it is the fact that we do in fact have five little ones right now, maybe it is just that season of life... I don't know, but all of the sudden the questions seem to be coming. Questions on homeschooling and how we do it with five children.

The questions have been good.

It's caused me to slow down and share our journey. To stop and ponder. To reflect on His goodness.

I want to bring those thoughts here... I want to record what we are doing and what works for us in this season...

Tuesday, August 3, 2010


My little girl received a princess tea party book for Christmas last year and it quickly became a favorite book. She has spent hours looking at the pages and dreaming... dreaming of a tea party and what we would make... dreaming of pretty dresses and fun girly projects...


I'm not sure why it took us so long to plan a tea party but we finally made it happen. We found a fun project... making butterfly wands... planned the food and invited those we love.


We started getting ready yesterday. The butterflies were cut out and we made meringue cookies ((and oh, how my boys love them. They say they are the best they have had and they are usually quite honest. ))


We cleaned... and set the table... we put on pretty dresses...
and picked sunflowers... we made tea sandwiches... and got the fruit ready...

Today was the day. We were so excited!

Oh, what a fun morning it was.


I think we might just have to have another one soon.




Monday, August 2, 2010

Again, we stop

Here we are. It's the start of another week... the beginning. Yet, our summer is coming to a close... an ending. There seems like there is a lot to be done but we want to keep our focus on Him even when the days are busy.

The worship music has been playing loud this morning. We fold laundry and cook. We sing loudly. Dancing as our hearts focus on Him.



We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward

.....and so the song goes...
((Keith and Kristyn Getty))


yes Lord, we fix our eyes on you. Our soul's reward.


And so we're stopping.

We are remembering and we are looking forward to what is to come...

Our hearts full of gratefulness for all that He does in our lives and we don't want to forget.

So, we come and sit together. Each person sharing. We stop and see because we want to walk with open eyes.




... paintings in the sky...

... four days until our Church camping trip... twenty-six days until we climb unto an airplane... fifty-four days until we make a special birthday trek...

... Grandpa and Nana inviting little ones over for a sleep over...

... the warmth of summer days....

... finding the Jonathan Park Audio Adventures...

... being able to sell old toys; adding money to special savings...

... special cookies being made; a fun morning with cousins planned...

... school starting; the anticipation of another year...

... bike rides; long walks; jumping on the trampoline...






Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James 1:17