As our school starts.....

The beginning of this week we started our 19th year of teaching our children at home. I am so thankful to be able to do this. It hasn't always been easy.... rather hard at times .... but always, always a gift from the Father.

We are blessed with six children. Two of our children have completed their home schooling. Our oldest is married to Amber and they are doing well. Our second child graduated from home school in 2007. She worked a few jobs, went to the tech. college for two semesters and this summer went to Ukraine on a mission trip. Last week I took her to the Baptist College of Florida. She is doing good. We really miss her around here.

So my students for this year 2009-2010 are~

Dakota 16 ~ 11th grade Abeka dvd program. He has Chemistry & Alg. 2 and neither were my strong points!

Alyssa 11 (until next week) ~ 6th grade. We use Abeka Math & Language and then we use Heart of Dakota (which I LOVE!) We are really enjoying this. We started HOD last year and she really *gets it* everything just goes together.

Wyatt 7~ 2nd grade. He's doing Abeka phonics/writing/language and math. Then we use Heart of Dakota~ Little Hearts for His Glory. Again we found this curriculum last year and I just love it. Everything is laid out and Carrie Austin does such a great job.

our youngest.... hard to believe he is already in first.

Wesley 6~ 1st grade. He is doing Abeka phonics/writing/language and math. He's also doing Heart of Dakota~ Little Hearts for His Glory along with Wyatt.

Our Wyatt has struggled with reading. It has been difficult. I have taught all of our children to read using Abeka's phonics program. Lots and lots of practice... waiting if they are not ready (which has always been difficult for me). I began to doubt myself and the curriculum with Wyatt's difficulties. I kept going over the vowels... slowing down as needed and adding in Explode the Code as a supplement. Still at the end of 1st grade he was reading short vowel words but with difficulty. I kept telling myself "it will click, it will click."

Wyatt came to me one Sunday morning before church and said "Mama, I do not want to bring my bible.... cause they ask us to read in Sunday school and I can't read. " My heart broke.

Wyatt started 2nd grade this week. I was torn whether to put him back into his 1st grade books (that he didn't finish) or start in his 2nd grade. I decided to try the 2nd grade... he was so excited about his new books! Wyatt's doing GREAT! He is reading and REMEMBERING....
thank you, Jesus!

As Wesley starts 1st grade ... I see that he is struggling some.... so I am breathing deep... asking God for His grace... as I feel myself growing tense and encouraging Wesley that he's doing great!

Why do we stress so over this? I have a 24, 20, 16, 11 yr old and they ALL read wonderfully.

Do I spend as much time stressing if we didn't read the word together, or pray together or laugh together....

Father, may I remember the awesome gift of being able to teach my children at home.... may we talk about You as we walk on the way, lie down and rise up.... May we bring glory and honor to You, Lord in all we do. May I remember that these days go so very fast ... and to laugh with them more.... pray with them more.... and read Your Word more with them. May they see You in me... Lord.... may I empty myself of pride and humble myself before You.... I praise You, Father... for You alone are worthy....

As we grow less and less...

So with Mandi at college..... Michael married to Amber.... I still have four children at home.

Last night Dakota (16) went to a football game after he dropped his sister Alyssa (11) off at a friends house for her birthday spend the night party.

It was just the two little boys and me here. It was really strange. We had to put up the miniature horses.... and water them. It was really funny as this is not something we normally do.

I was a little sad.... but encouragement from a friend and I rallied the boys together....

We had supper together.....
then we played a game of ABC Bingo
and after I let them finger paint.


After their bath~ we had to wash off the finger paint.... I made ice cream sundaes with chocolate syrup and sprinkles. We cuddled together on the couch and watched Narnia. They fell asleep... about the time Dakota came home.

I am so thankful for the gifts God has blessed us with..... so very thankful. IF I would of bought into the world's lies.... I would have an empty nest today. I am so very thankful God opened my heart.... and gave us MORE gifts!

May the JOY of the Lord be yours~

Some of the hard things.......

On Tuesday morning..... Mandi, Alyssa and I drove the 200 miles to take my Mandi to college. WOW~ I can't believe it. But I can.


God is faithful and sometimes when we are not sure of things He is.... when we wonder if this is it.... He doesn't. For He knows the plans He has for us.... Jer. 29:11

I am very pleased with the enviroment & atmosphere. Everyone was so nice and welcoming. Her dorm is brand new... like a huge house.

Alyssa and I took her to supper.... our favorite place "Olive Garden." Then we went to walmart for snacks and several other things she would need.

Saying.... goodbye.... oh now that was very very hard.... Mandi and I are best friends.... the last few days have been hard. I have a peace.... but still hard. We miss her. I home schooled her for thirteen years. Where did the time go?

A friend said to me the other day "looking back... I wish I would of hugged them more, not been so critical, read more.... laughed more..... "

May I encourage you today..... grab hold of the moment for tomorrow it will be a memory and before you know it.... this *season* will be over.

I am thankful for you stopping by and your wonderful comments~

Changes....

Lots going on here.... summer is coming to a close. We haven't started school yet but... we will in the next few weeks. I have been cleaning out and reorganizing my school room (it is really our dining room/computer room.... and books, books, and more books. As my children grow older... I find myself giving away preschool books, games and all that other stuff. It is somewhat sad.. but just part of life I think. It is nice cleaning things up and weeding out what we will not need.

I love babies.... would love/loved for the Lord to give us more. I will be 48 next month and I was almost 42 when our youngest was born. For several years my heart ached for another one or two or three.... some do not understand because "I have so many" but it really doesn't seem like SO many. The last couple of years God has given me peace.... and I think I am content with our six children. My almost 12 yr old daughter still prays that Mama would have a baby.... my little boys would love it... and I would too. It is freeing to just give it to the Lord. It is also neat that as the years go by and my childbearing years come to a close the Lord continues to *add* to our family through marriage... Amber (my oldest son's wife) is so special and just a part of us. It is like she always has been... and really she has. God knew when He formed her that she would be Michael's lifemate. So often we put God in a box.... but He is so much bigger than that.

My husband left yesterday on the train to go visit his Aunt/Uncle in Maine. He went in 2007 but hasn't been back since. They are very special to him and I am thankful he was able to go. I know he will be gone for at least 3 wks... maybe longer.

Our Mandi leaves on Tuesday to go to the Baptist College of Florida. She is majoring in missions. We are very excited, nervous and sad..... we know God will bless this and I am excited to see what will happen. Please pray for our Wesley (6) he is really struggling with this.... he begs her not to go.

I am so thankful that I can rest in Him. Things are not perfect.. far from it. Often I find myself stressed and overwhelmed... I have to take a deep breath and ask Him to calm my heart, give me His peace & grace..... and with Him... I am able... though I am weak He is strong.

God of hope, I pray that You will fill me with all joy and peace as I trust in You, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)