Hmmm, perhaps I'll end up rearranging things more often around here. Anyhow I'd appreciate feedback on the new look. Let me know what you think...
Monday, August 25, 2008
A bloggy makeover 101
I'd been feeling for awhile that this blog was in dire need of a makeover. I finally had the time to tend to it this past weekend. There are loads of sites with free templates that you can use. I chose one from here. The tricky bit honestly was in not losing my widgets, those nifty little gadgets and signs in the right hand column. I found great instructions for doing that here, but in the end, being the simplistic type, I chose to copy and paste each one into a word pad file in the order that I wanted to place them back. Then once the new page was up and running I recreated each one relatively quickly.
Hmmm, perhaps I'll end up rearranging things more often around here. Anyhow I'd appreciate feedback on the new look. Let me know what you think...
Hmmm, perhaps I'll end up rearranging things more often around here. Anyhow I'd appreciate feedback on the new look. Let me know what you think...
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Homeschool Memoirs
I'm excited to start this weekly meme and excited to meet some fellow homeschool mommy blogggers as well. This week's assignment asks us to share a bit about ourselves. I can talk forever about my family, but I had to think a bit about this one. Isn't the first assignment supposed to be an easy one?
Well, I've been married to my dh for around a dozen years now, though it often does seem like just yesterday that we met. God's ways are perfect and it is so evident in His choice to match us together. We are vastly different in some ways, each with our unique strengths and weakness, but on the big things we see eye to eye. When we first married our relationship with the Lord was honestly a much more casual and compartmentalized one (of the every once in a while on a Sunday variety). As years passed and our family grew, He led us to realize that we were missing the boat... big time. Christ's amazing mercy and unfailing love are so evident in His desire to reclaim His wandering sheep. How wonderful that the all powerful God of this universe truly wants to have a close relationship with each and every one of us!
When we began to truly seek after His will for our lives again, we made some cursory changes. We spent more time in daily prayer, saturated our hearts with His word, sought fellowship with like-minded believers, got involved in serving our church (and attending a bit more often :-) ), etc. These were all positive changes, but pretty easy ones. But when we really began listening to the Lord's whispers we found He was always calling us further, out of our comfort zones, to follow Him to places we'd never dreamed we'd go.
First, a few years ago, He called us to leave our home, family, and friends in New England and to begin life in another place. Then He almost immediately blessed us with our fourth child- one we'd long given up expecting. He also let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I was to make my home my primary ministry, giving up my position in our church's preschool as a teacher.
By early 2007 the Lord began whispering to us about our children's education. Until then they'd attended both public and Christian schools at various times. They were academically successful, quite happy, and generally well liked by both children and adults. On the surface all was well.=Thankfully, when we don't listen to His quiet leadings, the Lord often will take more drastic measures to get make us take notice. He did so in this case with an escalating series of attention grabbers that ultimately led to our decision to begin homeschooling. The decision itself came after an extended time of prayer and really wrestling with God. Oh, we knew at this point what He wanted us to do, but we didn't like the idea, at least not at first. Dh teaches Chemistry in a public high school. I, too, had spent several years in the classrooms of public and private schools. Hey, we were both products of the public school system and we turned out alright?!? Plus, I had all these 'ideas' about homeschooling and homeschooled kids for that matter.
So, why did we take the plunge?
Well first and foremost because God told us to. In that process He convinced us a few things:
1)The importance of training our children's hearts and not just their minds.
2)The fact that few things are truly neutral. Life cannot exist in a vacuum. When we remove something, it is inevitably replaced. We feel that to the extent that Biblical values and teachings have been removed from our schools they have been replaced by secular humanism and atheism. We realized this was both counter productive and potentially dangerous.
3)How much easier it is to live as Christian when you have a truly Biblical worldview.
4)That the responsibility to disciple our children rests firmly on our shoulders.
I'd like to clarify and state that we are not convinced or 'convicted' as many would say that homeschooling is the only, or even the best way, to accomplish this. It is simply the best way for our family to accomplish this at this time.
I absolutely believe that there are families led to send their children to both public and private schools. I also believe that we are blessed to have many wonderful and incredible Christian teachers who reach and teach many young people in these schools. Children who might never know the Lord otherwise. I am proud to count my dh amongst these. I attend an incredible church which provides my children with invaluable fellowship and teachings. Still, the Lord led us to believe that we needed to take a more personal and active role in the education of our girls.
The Lord has greatly rewarded our obedience. I'm often asked by friends and family members how I'm able to 'handle' homeschooling. They imply that I'm either some breed of super mom or just plain crazy. We'd often heard folks say, "When the Lord calls you to do something. He equips you for it." We've seen the evidence of that first hand this year. As with our move a few years back, it's clearly evident when the Lord is working in your midst. He brought together all the pieces necessary for us to begin this new chapter in our lives- the hearts of our children were prepared, the materials available, and the support folks who mentored us appeared in our lives.
This year, our second year of homeschooling, is shaping up to be an exciting one. Our daughters are in 7th, 5th, and 1st grade. We also have a 15mth old precious one who keeps us on our toes. We've begun to lean toward the 'classical' way of doing things around here. You'll find our curricula list on my sidebar as well as additional information about our family. We post photo updates often so feel free to browse and take a peek into our lives.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my heart with you.
Well, I've been married to my dh for around a dozen years now, though it often does seem like just yesterday that we met. God's ways are perfect and it is so evident in His choice to match us together. We are vastly different in some ways, each with our unique strengths and weakness, but on the big things we see eye to eye. When we first married our relationship with the Lord was honestly a much more casual and compartmentalized one (of the every once in a while on a Sunday variety). As years passed and our family grew, He led us to realize that we were missing the boat... big time. Christ's amazing mercy and unfailing love are so evident in His desire to reclaim His wandering sheep. How wonderful that the all powerful God of this universe truly wants to have a close relationship with each and every one of us!
When we began to truly seek after His will for our lives again, we made some cursory changes. We spent more time in daily prayer, saturated our hearts with His word, sought fellowship with like-minded believers, got involved in serving our church (and attending a bit more often :-) ), etc. These were all positive changes, but pretty easy ones. But when we really began listening to the Lord's whispers we found He was always calling us further, out of our comfort zones, to follow Him to places we'd never dreamed we'd go.
First, a few years ago, He called us to leave our home, family, and friends in New England and to begin life in another place. Then He almost immediately blessed us with our fourth child- one we'd long given up expecting. He also let me know, in no uncertain terms, that I was to make my home my primary ministry, giving up my position in our church's preschool as a teacher.
By early 2007 the Lord began whispering to us about our children's education. Until then they'd attended both public and Christian schools at various times. They were academically successful, quite happy, and generally well liked by both children and adults. On the surface all was well.=Thankfully, when we don't listen to His quiet leadings, the Lord often will take more drastic measures to get make us take notice. He did so in this case with an escalating series of attention grabbers that ultimately led to our decision to begin homeschooling. The decision itself came after an extended time of prayer and really wrestling with God. Oh, we knew at this point what He wanted us to do, but we didn't like the idea, at least not at first. Dh teaches Chemistry in a public high school. I, too, had spent several years in the classrooms of public and private schools. Hey, we were both products of the public school system and we turned out alright?!? Plus, I had all these 'ideas' about homeschooling and homeschooled kids for that matter.
So, why did we take the plunge?
Well first and foremost because God told us to. In that process He convinced us a few things:
1)The importance of training our children's hearts and not just their minds.
2)The fact that few things are truly neutral. Life cannot exist in a vacuum. When we remove something, it is inevitably replaced. We feel that to the extent that Biblical values and teachings have been removed from our schools they have been replaced by secular humanism and atheism. We realized this was both counter productive and potentially dangerous.
3)How much easier it is to live as Christian when you have a truly Biblical worldview.
4)That the responsibility to disciple our children rests firmly on our shoulders.
I'd like to clarify and state that we are not convinced or 'convicted' as many would say that homeschooling is the only, or even the best way, to accomplish this. It is simply the best way for our family to accomplish this at this time.
I absolutely believe that there are families led to send their children to both public and private schools. I also believe that we are blessed to have many wonderful and incredible Christian teachers who reach and teach many young people in these schools. Children who might never know the Lord otherwise. I am proud to count my dh amongst these. I attend an incredible church which provides my children with invaluable fellowship and teachings. Still, the Lord led us to believe that we needed to take a more personal and active role in the education of our girls.
The Lord has greatly rewarded our obedience. I'm often asked by friends and family members how I'm able to 'handle' homeschooling. They imply that I'm either some breed of super mom or just plain crazy. We'd often heard folks say, "When the Lord calls you to do something. He equips you for it." We've seen the evidence of that first hand this year. As with our move a few years back, it's clearly evident when the Lord is working in your midst. He brought together all the pieces necessary for us to begin this new chapter in our lives- the hearts of our children were prepared, the materials available, and the support folks who mentored us appeared in our lives.
This year, our second year of homeschooling, is shaping up to be an exciting one. Our daughters are in 7th, 5th, and 1st grade. We also have a 15mth old precious one who keeps us on our toes. We've begun to lean toward the 'classical' way of doing things around here. You'll find our curricula list on my sidebar as well as additional information about our family. We post photo updates often so feel free to browse and take a peek into our lives.
I appreciate the opportunity to share my heart with you.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Foto Friday- New England Trip
It was a whirlwind trip and the weather wasn't very cooperative but it was great to catch up with friends and family. Here are a few pics...
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Back to school
I know. I know. I've been a bit lax about posting lately. Between our whirlwind trip to New England (stay tuned for pics on Friday) and getting ready for school I've been otherwise occupied. That's putting it mildly.
We're trying to get back into a routine on several additional fronts also, as church is ramping back up to a full schedule, our homeschool PE/social group is starting, and we haven't been making it to the gym regularly. I am getting a good deal of exercise by chasing littlest these days though. She's quite the busy bee at 15mths and is into everything! But I'd like to add more regular blogging to the fall routine as well.
S. is adding another Bible study as well as some youth group activities to her schedule (and mine :-) ). C. auditioned this week for a role in the Homeschool Theater Company's production of the Wizard of Oz. P. will also audition for a non-speaking role, but that process begins after the holidays. Soccer season is delayed this year due to flag football, but we'll be tackling that later in the season.
For those interested watch for links to our curriculum list and basic school schedules to appear sometime soon. We get lots of questions from our fellow homeschoolers and others about just what we're up to these days. We're taking a more classical approach this year and we're all enjoying it so far.
We're trying to get back into a routine on several additional fronts also, as church is ramping back up to a full schedule, our homeschool PE/social group is starting, and we haven't been making it to the gym regularly. I am getting a good deal of exercise by chasing littlest these days though. She's quite the busy bee at 15mths and is into everything! But I'd like to add more regular blogging to the fall routine as well.
S. is adding another Bible study as well as some youth group activities to her schedule (and mine :-) ). C. auditioned this week for a role in the Homeschool Theater Company's production of the Wizard of Oz. P. will also audition for a non-speaking role, but that process begins after the holidays. Soccer season is delayed this year due to flag football, but we'll be tackling that later in the season.
For those interested watch for links to our curriculum list and basic school schedules to appear sometime soon. We get lots of questions from our fellow homeschoolers and others about just what we're up to these days. We're taking a more classical approach this year and we're all enjoying it so far.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Finding peace
I'm not sure if we've hit the mid summer doldrums or whether preparations for our trip north are making things chaotic, but either way we seem to be a little short on peace around here lately. We seem short with one another and there have been too many sibling quarrels to count.
I've often found myself hiding (quite literally) from the masses and seeking to find snatches of personal time and space. It's rare that I need to take a break from the family, but I finding myself wishing for some solitude and quiet time that is purely my own.
I know that I should be down on my knees thanking the Lord that life here in our home is usually quite peaceful. We're often busy, but generally well purposed and serene. There tends to be a calm and predictable order to our lives, and its comforting.
These verses spoke to me today as I'm seeking the Lord's help in restoring a sense of peace here at home.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing..
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
1Peter 3:8-9a, 11 (NIV)
P.S.: I hope we're all in better spirits come Thursday night as we depart for New England. A less than peaceful car trip of 17 hours would be most unpleasant!
I've often found myself hiding (quite literally) from the masses and seeking to find snatches of personal time and space. It's rare that I need to take a break from the family, but I finding myself wishing for some solitude and quiet time that is purely my own.
I know that I should be down on my knees thanking the Lord that life here in our home is usually quite peaceful. We're often busy, but generally well purposed and serene. There tends to be a calm and predictable order to our lives, and its comforting.
These verses spoke to me today as I'm seeking the Lord's help in restoring a sense of peace here at home.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing..
He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it.
1Peter 3:8-9a, 11 (NIV)
P.S.: I hope we're all in better spirits come Thursday night as we depart for New England. A less than peaceful car trip of 17 hours would be most unpleasant!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
The girls
Here are a couple of shots from our recent photo shoot. Everyone is sporting a true summer glow. We've had many happy days at the pool lately. It's been a fun summer.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Trust
I've been meditating a lot on Psalm 31 lately. I know that there are a few areas of my life that I still have yet to completely give over to the Lord, at least consistently. As a result I often flounder and worry needlessly. To truly rest in Him, I must completely trust in Him. He wants my will, my desires, my plans, my future, and most of all my heart.
I've studied several versions of this passage, but the New King James version has particularly resonated with my spirit, as I seek to commit it to Him more fully.
1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
2 Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Psalm 31:1-5 NKJV
I've studied several versions of this passage, but the New King James version has particularly resonated with my spirit, as I seek to commit it to Him more fully.
1 In You, O LORD, I put my trust;
Let me never be ashamed;
Deliver me in Your righteousness.
2 Bow down Your ear to me,
Deliver me speedily;
Be my rock of refuge,
A fortress of defense to save me.
3 For You are my rock and my fortress;
Therefore, for Your name’s sake,
Lead me and guide me.
4 Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me,
For You are my strength.
5 Into Your hand I commit my spirit;
You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
Psalm 31:1-5 NKJV
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