What, Me, Crack??

Ok..so like, today started out as any other normal day. I woke up early, got showered, dressed, hair dried, let the dog out and had first cup of coffee in hand before the kids woke up. Nice. Kids got dressed, did their chores like obedient little angels, and even worked together on earning a chore reward. WOW!! We sat down, and began our school day. Just like any other day. Then, it hit.

Maybe it was because Hubby had been away all week and we missed him. Maybe it was because I hadn't slept as soundly while he was gone. Maybe it was because we were all worn out from running, running, running all week. Whatever the reason, it hit the fan....HARD.
Have you ever had one of those days? I actually yelled at my precious 7 year old because he didn't want to draw an ice cream cone. (ice cream cone????) We were filling out a "field trip" sheet on our trip to Dairy Queen Wednesday, and I wanted him to draw an ice cream cone. He refused, and burst into tears. Like any other compassionate homeschooling mom, I got angry. I yelled. I sent him to his room with threats of public school, boarding school, whatever.
Anyone still with me?
Well, long story short, (I know, too late!) I calmed down, talked to my darling son, and realized that he didn't say no because he wanted to be disobedient, he was scared that he wouldn't be as good as his sister at drawing an ice cream cone. And he felt the pressure. Too much like his mother....
Well, I realized that we needed to get out of this house. We did the only thing that a homeschooling family on the edge could do. We hit the garage sales. How much fun was that! I didn't realize how hard our schedule was until we were out, enjoying the fall weather, and "wheeling and dealing" at the local sales.
I found a big canning pot with the rack for $2, Ka found a CD player for $1.50, Nick found a really cool "Bionicle" book for a quarter, and Aaron found the donuts at one sale. All in all, after we spent 2 hours hunting for that "special thing" that we had no idea what it was, we were so much more relaxed. We were able to just enjoy the day.
I would like to say, that I "never thought that it could happen to me", but it did. What I realized today was that I am trying too hard too fit my kids into a mold. They are so unique, it's impossible to teach them the same way. And without prayerful guidance, this year could be back breaking. Maybe we need more days like this. Maybe we just need to stop and smell the flowers. After all, they won't be around much longer.
I am grateful that I have taught my kids the importance of forgiveness. Anyone who doesn't ask for their kids to forgive them when they mess up misses out on what became the best part of my day. When I asked my son to forgive me for being so nasty, he smiled, gave me a big hug, and said, "I always will, Mom. You are my favorite mom in the whole wide world and I love you." What a way to end this day. I truly am blessed...

Wordless Wednesday

Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God"....

Amazing at what 8 words can do to a person, isn't it? Be still??? With cell phones, instant messaging, drive thru restaurants, drive thru pharmacys, and the ever popular, drive thru banks, being still is not exactly what we humans do best. How are we ever supposed to stop our whirlwind lifestyle? We want things and we want them NOW. We pay bills instantly online, have digital cameras to see the picture instantly, and can almost own a movie on DVD while it's playing in the theater.
What this is saying to me, is in order for us to know God is GOD, we have to be still. Quiet. Peaceful. Going against the grain of human nature.
I know that it's not in my power to do so...I have to have God's grace to do this.

It's not as hard as it sounds. Maybe turn on some praise music or even instrumental. Talk to God in the
morning in the shower. Put the kids down for a nap (or silent reading time). That has saved me
in so many ways. My kids actually look forward to their own quiet time with a book, or devotion
that they are reading. It's not as hard as it sounds, but we need to discipline ourselves. If you have no energy, then rest in the promise of Isaiah 40:31 "They that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength..."
Sounds like a neat promise that if we are quiet before God, not only will we get to know Him, we will have renewed strength to face the day (or the rest of it!)
And really, what do you have to lose by trying? A few minutes that you got to yourself? :)

Day one

Ok...it's the first full day with Hubby gone. The kids have been angels, doing schoolwork without complaining, the dog actually comes when she is called, and I have had more free time than I remember having in a while....
Why was I worried?


God has been showing me really neat things lately. For example, last week, our pastor spoke on 1Cor 13. And how we really need to love. And I prayed that I could love people like He does, and let me tell you, He has given me opportunities to show that I can do it!
For example, the guy who cut me off in traffic today, the lady at the grocery store who kept changing her mind on a cart full of items and holding up the line, the neighbors who constantly berate their children loud enough for everyone else to hear. It's amazing how, when I want to criticize them and get angry that God reminds me of what I prayed. "Love them with my love", He says. Not an easy job!!!
But I tell you, that the best thing is, when I didn't get all angry and uptight, I had a peace like no other. Amazing! I wasn't all stressed out by worrying what was going on around me. I just walked in love. Now, am I perfect? Not even!!!! But I know that I can love with His love by His strength. And what a feeling!!!!

Sunday thoughts

"I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians..."~Gandi

After all is said and done, more is said than done.~Aesop

Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing.It was here first.
~Mark Twain

A man who won't die for something is not fit to live.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
- Ronald Reagan


Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother. - Kahlil Gibran

Saturday afternoons...

What a beautiful day this is today!!! The sun is shining, the birds singing, and not a cloud in the sky. 75 degrees and just a slight breeze makes this a day to smile. And what is my family doing? Well, to put it mildly, nothing.
Hubby and the kids are all taking a nap. Hard to believe, that I have some free time, quiet time, on my hands. That normally doesn't happen. The laundry is all caught up, the dishes in the dish drainer, drying and the house generally clean...wow!!!
I have often wondered at what I would do if I had a lot of time to myself. You know, like in the days before hubby and kids...and I laugh. I often complained that I was bored. Can you believe that? Now, I long for time alone to be bored!
We have been busy this school year so far. Mikayla is playing 3 instruments and has band 2 days a week, along with piano and guitar lessons. Nick has been really practicing his TaeKwonDo and we have that 3 days a week. Plus, there is Bible Study for Mom, library trips, park time for Aaron. It's amazing that I have any energy myself!
I was the typical homeschooling mom this year. About 23 minutes into the year, I flushed down the toilet weeks worth of planning. Not that it wasn't good, it just wasn't going to work. I am trying to find out what will fit for my kids and I have to say that nothing that I would like to do. But it's not about me, is it?
I can't honestly say that I have ever been interested in studying dinosaurs, or lizards, or finding out why mentos and diet coke create havoc when you mix them (ok...maybe the mentos/diet coke thing...). But, these are things that are keeping my children interested in schoolwork. My daughter, who is in 5th grade this year, is finally learning how to write in cursive. But not regular cursive. No...she had to come up with something all her own. It's a cross between italliacs and D'Nealen. With a little bit of calligraphy added. Should've made that easier for me, but now my 2nd grader wants to learn. Sure, I say. But he doesn't want to write like his sister, he wants to write like his public schooled friends do. So...now I look and look for a book on how to teach cursive. Real cursive. Like that's easy, right???? Well, it's been a challenge. He wants to learn, but doesn't want to have to write. Makes sense :)

On a happier note, my 3 year old is finally using the potty. He has been sans diaper for almost 3 weeks now. And accident free (including naps and night-time) for almost a week. That's been nice, but now I face the fact that my baby is growing up and isn't a baby anymore. Mixture of feelings, it is.
Hubby is getting ready to go to a work conference 1500 miles away this week and all I can think is...I have to put the kids to bed by myself???? Oh, yeah, I'll miss him. :) I worry when he is gone. Mostly about bats. See, when we moved into this house, several nights came with bats flying around in my living and dining rooms. Karl had to get rid of them by using a tennis racket to stun them and carry them out. I don't know about your area, but here, bats are 12 feet long and have 15 inch fangs and they know my name and call it out..."Heather...Heather" with a screechy voice. And I wonder if they are waiting outside, knowing Karl will be gone...
I guess that I will have to enjoy the fall weather, because, according to what a trusted source told me, we are in for a long winter. Lots of cold and snow. So, I will be outside, enjoying the peace and quiet, and soaking up the fall sun rays. And looking for a tennis racket to sleep with...

If you will...

Allow me to step up to the soap box for a minute. There I am!
I need to let this out. I know that many of you are suffering from a broken heart. For what reason, that is not the issue. The issue is the hurting. You may feel that you are the only one going through whatever you are, but let me assure you that you are not. Christ came and He became our hurt, our pain, our wounds. He knows the pain of having a loved one die, having no place to live, having someone close betray you in the worst way possible.
He wants so badly to take that pain, that hurt, that anger, and replace it with His joy. He longs for it. And, as hard as it may be for some of you to accept...it's all there for the asking. He is willing, but are you? Are you willing to trade your sorrow for joy? If you know that you are, then just pray this simple prayer: "Jesus, I know that I am hurting and that You can bring the healing. I ask you right now to come in and take this hurt and be my Savior. I give you myself from now on."

The healing will come, my friend. God has promised this, and He is not a man that he can lie. Trust that He will do this for you. And know that you are NEVER alone, no matter what it may seem like. Jesus is there, just a breath away....

I Corinthians 13 For Mothers
Adapted by Jim Fowler
If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place,
but have not love,
I am a housekeeper - not a homemaker.
If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements,
but have not love,
my children learn cleanliness - not godliness.
If I scream at my children for every infraction,
and fault them for every mess they make,
but have not love,
my children become people-pleasers not obedient children.
Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.
Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.
Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.
Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.
Love accepts the fact that I am the ever-present "mommy,"
the taxi-driver to every childhood event,
the counselor when my children fail or are hurt.
Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, and runs with the child,
then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.
Before I became a mother I took glory in my house of perfection.
Now I glory in God's perfection of my child.
All the projections I had for my house and my children
have faded away into insignificance,
And what remain are the memories of my kids.
Now there abides in my home scratches on most of the furniture,
dishes with missing place settings,
and bedroom walls full of stickers, posters and markings,
But the greatest of all is the Love
that permeates my relationships with my children.

Titus 2:3-8

I have often wondered about my life. I was a single career woman, then career wife, then career mom. The job that I had was a fast-paced, high stress job. I managed a multi-million dollar 24 hour, 7 day a week restaurant. I had nearly 100 employees, including 10 assistant managers under me. I loved the adreneline rush! I have often wished to go back to that lifestyle and the money that came with it. How much easier would it be for us if the kids went to school and I worked full time?

As I began reading today, God lead me to the above verses. Then it hit me. (Sometimes, God really needs to knock on my head to get my attention!) I have a fast-paced job. No two days are ever the same. I have only 3 "employees" under me, and I am no longer the "General Manager", rather the "Co-Manager". I don't get a dollar salary and I don't get to meet tons of new people every day.
But, God really spoke to my heart. I know that my most important job is right here. At home. I am to instruct the younger women (my daughter) on how to love her (future) husband, and to set an example to my sons about self-control by doing what is good. Talk about high pressure!
Living by example is not always easy. I am human. I have rough days where I didn't get enough sleep, have enough coffee, or am just generally crabby. There are always dishes to be done, laundry to be washed, meals to be cooked, math and spelling papers to check, a toddler to take potty, and errands to be run. Sometimes, I just want to throw it all in. But, I can rest in the hope that God is always by my side and all I need to do is call (Jer 33:3)and He will give me the grace to face it. And when I blow it, all I need to do is ask for forgiveness. (1John 1:9)
How about you? Are you wondering if your job as mom is important? I tell you, according to God, it is. We are raising up a new generation of men and women of God. Can you think of anything more important?
If you are feeling overwhelmed today, let me encourage you...YOU CAN DO IT!!!! You can raise the children that God gave (will give) you because He is faithful and He will give you the wisdom if you just ask. (James 1:5)

Too Good Not to Share.....

From AOP....

Schooling on a Shoestring

As I watched my exhausted husband walk through the door that night, I knew something needed to change. Like many other homeschooling families, we were facing the difficulty of living on one income. Unforeseen car repairs, appliance breakdowns, unexpected medical bills, and the additional expense of curriculum costs were adding to an already tight budget. We could barely break even and our homeschooling ship was sinking. Frustrated, I prayed and asked “God, what can I do to help my family?”

My answer came the next morning from His Word in Proverbs 31. God used this Scripture to help me outline a new financial strategy to keep our family afloat. For the next twenty years, I hung on to the money-saving principles He taught from these verses:

Proverbs 31:11: “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.”

I needed an attitude adjustment towards accumulating “things.” Having the latest “whatever” was out the door. Sticking to a budget was going to require discipline and long-range consideration for paying monthly “musts” such as mortgage, utility and phone bills, and groceries.

Proverbs 31:13: “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands”

God has gifted every woman with talent and mine was training horses. This small, but profitable home business provided the extra we needed and helped us save for “rainy days” and family fun nights.

Proverbs 31:14-15: “She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.”

Since homeschooling requires cooking more than one meal a day, God taught me that we could avoid eating out or purchasing expensive entrees if I simply got up earlier to prepare my family’s meals from scratch. My grocery bill was also reduced by purchasing groceries in bulk and praying for His blessings on our garden.

Proverbs 31:16: “She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.”

Great shoppers are made, not born. God wanted me to be a wise steward and humble myself to use coupons, wait for the best discounts, and to fix the old before buying something new.

Proverbs 31:17: “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.”

A healthy homeschooling mother is a blessing to her family. My children wanted someone to accompany them on bike rides and hikes, and it was time for me to discipline my eating and exercise habits. When I finally got into shape, I felt better about myself emotionally which reflected to my children when I taught.

Proverbs 31:20: “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”

All the money we have, as well as the ability to earn it, is from the Lord. Although the lean years tempted me to stop tithing and ignore the needs of others, God’s Word commanded me to give back the first of our fruits (Proverbs 3:9-10). Honoring the Lord from my wealth and sharing with those in need reaped a special blessing for our family.

Are you struggling today and looking to the Lord for wisdom in supplementing your family’s income? If God has called you to homeschool, He will provide what you need if you’re willing to obey Him and apply His truths to your finances. (Philippians 4:19) Trusting God isn’t always easy, but any sacrifice you make is worth the rewards of teaching your children at home. Plus, don’t be surprised if years later, when the children are grown, you reap the blessing I did from Proverbs 31:28: “Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”