First day fun & tips for your Homeschool

Summer is quickly ending {sniff sniff} and when August arrives we slowly begin our homeschool year. I would like to share with you some tips and encourage you! I have a passion for homeschooling, I have to first say that I never planned this for my life, God did. The path for schooling for my children was never prayed for, I had to send my first child to school for a year and half to finally see what the Lord wanted me to do. Pretty sad that he had to YELL for me to hear!

First of all I have to say this, learning is natural. Each day your child is learning. They are processing information, building, using their imaginations, trial and error.. And God created our children to be this way. Children are so incredibly smart and their interest in the world around them facsinates me.. they love to learn!!

Mothers, do not stress yourself and try to make your homeschool a mini public school at home. One of my favorite quotes is by Dr. Ruth Beechick:

"Homeschooling is naturally natural. Dont work too hard on making it artifically schoolish."

First day Fun
Last year we took a field trip to the childrens hands on muesum..it was alot of fun! We have started lessons but our offical day is coming up soon, my children are hoping for another trip to the muesum~ I love making the 1st day special!

We also like to dress up & take 1st day photos~

My goodness my children have grown so much in a year!

A new tradition will be a tasty breakfast! We will be trying Overnight Crockpot Oatmeal & warm Apple Butter on hot biscuits.

Our Routine

First thing, this is not exactly how my day goes everyday. The best thing about homeschooling is being flexible. I use this guide when we get off track and it is my hope for a normal day.  

Our homeschool day begins with two B's: Breakfast & Bible. Its such a joy for me to sit down and enjoy breakfast with my children while discussing a Bible story and scriptures.

After we break for chores. I joyfully clean along side my children praising them for their hard work and help. I also pray over them to have happy hearts. My children know that they are needed in our family and we trully love their help. Stick to age appropriate chores. All of my children are expected to make their beds. More examples is my oldest son checks on all the trash pails, my daughter may sweep or organize the childrens books, my youngest checks our pets water dish.

Next we meet back up at the table, hold hands and pray for our day and for our homeschool. We usually begin with writting and/or spelling moving on to math.

We take another break..my children usually head outside to play in the sand, swings, run around or complete a puzzle. I like to look to my checklist of cleaning, phone calls or maybe preparing a craft, project or experiment. If i havent already would take my shower and dress for the day. All of my goals for the day with cleaning and schooling our wrote on a whiteboard, read why its an important tool for your home!

Everyone is ready for lunch at this time, we gather together, eat and start reading our history or science lesson. As of right now we have science and history everyother day, one day being history, the next science. :}

We move on to our other subjects, my 4 & 5 year are usually done for the day and work on a craft, maze booklet, color, play or watch an educational video. Usually they are ready to just play! ;} I continue to work with my oldest. Our lessons end around 3pm, the goal is 2pm!

Homeschooling is all about balancing..first and foremost my duties are serving my husband~one way I put him first is providing a neat, sweet smelling home so while my children are working on a lesson I can wipe down the counter, throw dinner in the crockpot, light a candle, sweep....ect. right now one day a week I am folding clothes and while I am folding my children are plopped on the ottomen working on their workbooks or reading to me. I love it!

Most Important Tool

Prayer! Pray over your children while they are learning esp during those moments of frustrations! Pray for God's leading and flow of your day. Pray that he shows you your own teaching style and your childrens learning style. Pray your children have happy hearts and good learning attitudes!

Always remember Homeschooling mom's that Jesus wants to help you! Homeschooling is not easy, we have hard days..He is there for you, lean on Him!

Would love to hear other suggestions and tips, your traditions for the 1st day and your routine! Please share!

Linked up with:
Women living well
Far above Rubies
http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/2011/08/homeschool-room-virtual-tour-and-link.html
http://raisinghomemakers.com/2011/homemaking-link-up-39/
Our Simple Country Life
Time Warp Wife

Celebrating my journey in the Word

I am celebrating my journey into the Bible, I have not yet finished reading the entire word of God but almost there! Reaching the New Testament was such an exciting moment for me! :} :}

I have been a christian for a long time but my way of thinking and living never reflected Jesus. My thoughts were,  i dont lie, steal.. i pray when I need something..


Then the Lord put me in places in my life where He was the only one I could rely on opening my eyes. 


I remember writing a letter to Him.. praying to be closer to Him..to learn His ways..to be the woman that He wanted and created me to be. I remember feeling very overwhelmed not really knowing how he wanted me to live. So I wrote a lengthy note pouring out all my thoughts.


He anwsered me with this.. read my letter to you from page 1

I obeyed and its been one of the best steps of my life. Reading the Bible has transformed me. I have grown in wisdom and a close relationship with my savior.


If you have not taken the journey of reading the Bible from page 1 then I encourage you to start this goal. You will not be the same!


Reading the Bible has taught me His ways and strengthen my faith. I can teach my children all that I have been learning. I can feel the Holy Spirit guiding me thru temptations and truths, opening my eyes over and over again.


I feel like the woman who found an amazing hair salon, wants to tell everyone to go there because it is so great but for me its my Bible. It is a treasure of mine, our homes daily instruction book, our love letter from our heavenly Father. I want everyone to read the Bible! I want to quote and memorize scriptures all day long. I love every word written, His perfect ways.


The Word of God is Alive, working within you! Whatever problem you may have or advise you seek can be found in the Bible.


 The Bible equips us to serve God: "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"Ephesians 6:17

Charles Stanley author of "When the Enemy Strikes" wrote

"A person cannot live the Christian life with consistency and victory if he does not make a commitment to pursue the truth of God's Word. You must know the commandments and principles of God. The commandments and principles are there in the Bible for you to read, but you must make the intentional effort to read the Bible and to reread it day in and day out, year in and year out, so those commandments and principles become a part of you. You must fully take them into your spirit so that your responses, choices, and decisions are almost automatic according to God's Word."

Maybe you have read the entire Word of God once, but I think that you can never read your Bible from page 1 enough! If its been awhile, start again today!

Linked with:
http://www.oursimplecountrylife.com/
Far Above Rubies

A Quote to Start your Week

Its Monday again, a new week! Praise the Lord for this day!

I know Mondays arent the most popular days, I already have a 'to do' list myself! But I know at the end of the day when I see my list checked off, I did my duty as "keeper of the home." A job created for me!

 "That they may teach the young woman to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers of the home.." Titus 2:4-5

I wanted to share with you a quote that I have come to memorize and say to myself often.

"I am my neighbors Bible;

He reads me when we meet..

He may not even know my name,

Yet he is reading me." Pearl Anderson

..."and ye shall be witnesses unto me.." Acts 1:8

I hope that you will do the same and memorize this quote. Each day & moment strive to be a witness for Christ.

Take the extra time to smile

Stop yourself from yelling

Stay calm and patient during a frustrating time

Be in thanksgiving, search for things to praise your Father for, let others hear!

Show Christ is in you to everyone & anyone...family, friends, neighbors, strangers you meet day to day.

Its the little things you do

Start memorizing scriptures and be ready to help someone with the Word

Pray for someone

Say something encouraging

Send a 'thinking of you' note

Bake for your husband or an elderly man/woman

Give your children extra xo's

Start praying for the Lord to help you, ask for him to show you opportunities to be a witness by your behavior, words and gestures. Pray to be a blessing in someones life today!

What are things that you do? Would love to hear!

The Lord provides deals!

When something breaks you dont have to run out and buy something in a hurry! Its been a lesson from the Lord & my husband to be frugal. I am a proud frugal girl now! ;]

I have had things break several times. Right now our poor 4 peice toaster is missing parts like the lever, the writting has rubbed off and it doesnt toast perfectly..but it does get the job done, it toast our bread, just takes a little longer! The pretty stainless steel toaster looks nice and shiny in the stores, but I realize its not something I need. Even if mine looks pretty awful it still does the job and helps remind me to tuck it into the cupboard for more counter space. ;} plus it was free!

Not everything we own needs to be the latest gear and look.

When something does break down and has absloute no use for it, you can wait and pray on the Lord to provide a good product with a good price. My poor dyson gave me 6years of loyal service, scored my dyson will sales, discounts and a coupon..it was a great tool in housecleaning and kept our trucks clean too! For 2 weeks I have been without a vacuum..which is crazy because I used mine almost everyday!

I want to get a vacuum and will..but I want to search and pray for the best deal for my family!  

Its been interesting with no vacuum...been sweeping alot..having the children go around with a small plastic shopping bag to pick up. I even take my big rugs outside and beat them, like the old days! The small rugs have been going in the washer. Its been fun being creative! Its been more work but it will be worth it when I find that good, brings a smile, deal!

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

Another item we waited on was my daughters bed. She outgrew her toddler bed and we sold it off craigslist. We searched for a bed at all of the furniture stores but it was either made really cheap or very expensive. So we waited and prayed..

She enjoyed sleepovers in her brothers bedroom, on the floor with sleeping bags..even used the air matress! She had fun and finally the Lord answered our prayers and we found her a beautiful wood day bed with little hearts carved into the wood. like it was made just for her! It was in a showcase home and never been used! It also came with a brand new comfy matress... all for the price of $30.00 What a deal the Lord provided us with! We had sold her little bed for $5 less then her new bed~

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow...." Matthew 6:31-34






Is there anything in your home that isnt perfect or you needed to buy and waited on the Lord to provide? Would love to hear!

Linked up with:
Women Living Well
Our Simple Country Life

Anger is Ugly!

Ever have that feeling when a person wronged you and you want to stand for your right? get even with harsh words? take revenge? think evil thoughts for that person? wanting to make that person pay for what they have done? Begin to yell?  

This can happen in so many ways in our daily lives;
 

*Rudeness from a stranger 

 

*Bad driving

 

*A Company overpaying you on your bill

 

*A service of any kind with a bad turnout, not what was promised or expected {such as lawn care, salons, cleaners, plumber, restaurant}

 

*A friend or family member not being what they should be

 

*Your husband mistreating you

 

*A complaint or put down.

 

We live in a fallen world surronded by people who are not perfect.

 

We need to remember that we are not perfect and are forgiven, so we should be able to understand others faults. things go wrong, words are spoken too quickly!

This has been a problem for me, I am a bit of an "ex diva." I thought, "its who I am!" No, it is a sin.

I was always ready to show my strength with words, rant my rights or dissaproval of what was wrongly said or done to me or my family! even sometimes to my family.. :(

The Lord is working on my heart.. This part is dying and I am so very glad. There are still struggles.. but I have come a long way.

We should not be eager to be angry with others who are christian or non christian. "Dont just pretend that you love others: really love them." Romans 12:9

When we begin to get angry, rude, raise our voice.. its ugly!

James 1:19-20"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

"Dont quarrel with anyone. Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible." Romans 12:18

Nancy Campbell of Above Rubies writes, "Is it weak to have a gentle and quiet spirit? No. It is a woman of strength who keeps a gentle spirit in the face of harshness and rebuke. It is a strong woman who keeps an even temper when she feels overwhelmed and angry."

She also writes, "Sweet words are becoming to a woman."

Let us stop attacking one another. Let us stop looking to find something to fight about.

Let us be living among eachother with love, patience, prayer and understanding!

Romans 12:10 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another."

God thinks of us as precious when we are gentle. I think of my daughter who watches me and how I behave. I would never want to see her 'quick to anger.' This is not easy and this goal needs to be put in prayer, Jesus wants to help you!

I found this prayer from Stormie Omartian
Lord, Help me to be so filled with Your love, peace, and joy that envy over anything never enters my heart or my mind. Help me to be loving and kind at all times so that I never fall prey to the cruelty of my own wrath. Don’t allow the torrential power of anger to wash away my life in a moment of weakness. Give me patience and peace in my heart because I look to You for all I need~ In Jesus Name, Amen

How do you deal with anger? Have you struggled?

Much love, Sarah beth

Linked with:
Far Above Rubies
Women Living Well
Our simple Country Life
Raising Homemakers