Homeschooling freebies

I have this big heart and desire to homeschool the boys but lack the confidence to know I will be able to teach them all they need to know. I need a schedule to follow with things like this and while there are many curriculums avaiable I hesitate to buy one because I don't want it to be repetitive of what we know or too advanced of where we are and then we'd be out the money. 

So thanks to Pinterest and the internet and many mommies who do have it together such as this blog <a href="http://weefolkart.com/content/winter-wonderland-preschoolkindergarten-curriculum"><img src="http://weefolkart.com/sites/default/files/winter-wonderland-button.jpg"></a> I can try to take a small approach to teaxhing and learning. She suggests additional materials which I'd need to buy, so I'm back to square one. Lol. I just want a guide book for me, the teacher and then an all encompassing math, phonics, reading, writing, spelling, art, literature, history, science pre-k/kindergarten cirriculum and struggle to find it. Abeka is one I'm considering but there too, you can pick and choose and I don't want to pick too much sit at the table and focus material for the boys, but I also don't want it to be boring and easy. 

This is where my ADHD just leaves this and goes on to whatever thought pops in my head but then not big gets done. Lol. 

With daddy being gone soon, I want to keep us busy and learning and it's moments like this I wish I had 2 million followers of this blog so I could get some good feedback. It may sound silly but I pray that an experienced home school mom will come along side me and mentor me and help me work through things such as how difficult I'm making the process to pick a cirriculum. Until then I know the boys are always learning and they are loved and that's truly what matters! 

Purpose

Is there a purpose for pain? 

Have you ever wondered that for yourself or maybe a friend or family member? Why would God allow this to happen? Why must pain come for His glory to be shown? Why can't we see His power in other ways? If you're hoping for that answer, I cannot give it to you simply because I am not God. But I can tell you that we have a choice how we will respond to the pain.

You may be one if those people who blame others or things. Start to list reasons of why this or that happened. And why is that exactly? Because you need to have an answer? I'm not saying that it's wrong. It's cause and effect, right? But what happens when the cause doesn't equal the effect? What happens when the effect just starts to go haywire and isn't lining up with the cause. Forgive me for going off on a tangent but it's interesting how our minds work to try and reason out why things are they way they are and if we don't have an answer, we start to create possibilities. But what if there is no answer? I'll touch on this again later. 

Another way someone may deal with pain is to draw back, to isolate, to start to say or think, "This is too much for me to bear". They may start lessening their expectations of themselves and ease into a lifeless depression.  There's also anger & rage, alcohol, eating disorders, and drug abuse. The sky is the limit when we seek to get this ugly monster of (be it acute or chronic) pain off our shoulders!!! 

We talked about what if there was no answer earlier and this is an interesting place God has brought me back to. Because so much of our FLESH is drawn to fear. Why am I in pain? How long will I be in pain? Will a doctor ever be able to help me? Will anyone understand what I'm going through? Will I ever feel normal again? Fear wants a reason. Fear needs a reason. Fear wants to know what's next!!! But the truth is fear is false. My fear is false. Your fear is false. Your neighbor's fear is false. Your husband's fear is false. Your mom's fear is false. Your child's fear is false.  When we line the fear up with what the Bible says we know that we can come back to that fear, that pain and look it straight in the eye and say, "I know that God will never leave me nor forsake me. I know that God has plans to prosper me, give me a hope and a future. I know God can easily shine through broken pots. God uses the humble and the meek. God has made me in His image. This too shall pass." Looking at things from the later perspective of God's truth and who HE says we are is a lot more freeing and hopeful than that fear and anxiety driven mindset.

It's not easy. It's not fun, but it's a choice and it's one we have to make EVERY SINGLE DAY! Whether it's rain or shine, I'm going to praise you all day long Lord! Whether this be one night or one year Lord, use me how you will, so that YOU get the glory! See this isn't about you and me. Think of all the people that can relate to this story but don't know the end. They don't know that Jesus saves!!! They don't know that they can physically be in pain but be living in a joyful mindset because if they did, they'd know their treasure lie not in this world! Have faith! 

I feel like I'm getting off on another tangent but it's so real! It doesn't get anymore real than this. There are so many people abusing SOMETHING out there to fill a void and it's an inner PAIN that ONLY God can fill. And no matter if it's mental, emotional, spiritual or physical God wants to be our healer, but we have to ask!!! We have to invite Him! We have to allow Him to get rid of the filth and dirt and let Him change us so that our attitude set on, fixed and constantly gazing in His direction. 

So ugh! What now Becky!? I do feel like I do that...And I'm still in pain. Well then, you know what I would say to you? First, I wish I could hug you, because I'm a huger and I just like to love on people, but second, hang in there! God's got you! He sees you! He's with you and He won't let you go!! He's not forgotten about you like you're yesterday's news. You'll get your answer and until you do, you keep believing that it will be today! God deserves to be praised in the good times and bad. He is holy and mighty and I believe will do a mighty work in you and me, but we must keep believing and confessing and living a righteous life, loving others, even WHILE we hurt!!! 

My heart goes out to you tonight if you are in pain. Please don't just read this and go away. If you need to talk, please send me a note or prayer request and I'd love to come along side you and lift you up! Don't stop believing! 

I have included just a FEW of the many promises of God below! I urge you to

jump head first and take some time to find some verses from the Bible that mean something to you and write them down. Post them on your fridge, bathroom mirror, in your car, on your dresser. Share them with your family or children. Speak life and truth and focus on it! 

My special sister

I am blessed by my big sister. She is THE most thoughtful and tender hearted person I know. 

I have this note placed on the inside of one of my kitchen cabinets to remind me of her. She left this note in the guest bedroom after she came to visit earlier this year. 

This post is dedicated to her. You are beautiful, smart, loving, and kind. Thank you for being so real, and a beautiful extension of God's hand!!!

Not only are you an English major, poet, and mom, you are my best friend and I love you SO much! 

Masterpiece

This morning our devotions spoke of how God has made us His masterpieces. He has formed us in His image, all unique. God did His very best when He made us. Now He wants us to do our very best for Him. So what does that mean? How can we do our best for God? Maybe we can be helpful in doing our chores? How about expressing kind words? What about a loving act of service for someone else to bless their life? 

We can remember this and praise God when we pray and thank Him for making us the way we are. We can also daily ask Him to help us do the best we can. 

"We are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

Ouch!

Big brother stepped on toy. Ouch! That hurts! If you're a parent, I'm sure you've been there! Some of those toys have sharp angles/edges. As my dad would always say whenever we had an owie like this, "Darnit toy!!! (or whatever the object is), Dooooonnnnnnnn'tttt do that!!!". I think he did/said that so the focus would then be on that toy/object and not the owie. 

Dr. Mama to the rescue! While it's not a major injury and it's going a little beyond on my part to wrap it, it's fun to play pretend and give him lots of love and attention. I'm blessed to be able to stay at home right now and take care of these minor owies. My degree as Dr. Mom  comes from the best training in the world, the Bible. It has a prescription for everything; from headaches & heartaches, and simple owies on the foot, it's my go to mommy (woman, friend, wife, parent, disciple) guide!  

I took full advantage of the owie and saw the  many practical lessons in this! As a mom, I get so excited over these natural teachable moments when they happen!!! You can't plan this kind of learning & that's what makes it so special. 

1) When we don't pick up our toys after we're done playing with them we may accidentally step on them and hurt ourselves.

2) Mommy & Daddy loves you and will always be here to help you if you have an owie. 

3) God is our ultimate healer and we can come to Him anytime and bring our requests to him no matter if it's a hurt foot or help changing our attitude or help with a decision, the examples there could go on and on!  

4) When someone is hurt it's nice to stop what you're doing and go over and ask them if they are okay and if they need help. (While this may seem obviously, if I said this at any point in our day it wouldn't stick as much as I believe it will now as I lead by example and stop what I'm doing to purposefully take care of him and love on him and share this tender moment with him.) 

JUST a stay at home mom

My eyes are noticing a lot of people these days that are stay at home moms AND _______. Stay at home moms AND successful paid bloggers. Stay at home moms AND fitness professionals thriving in their home business. Stay at home moms AND homeschooling 5 other children. Stay at home mom AND worship leader. Stay at home mom AND________.

I was pointed to this broadcast http://www.focusonthefamily.com/radio.aspx?ID=%7BBAF84D51-4E4B-48B5-A73E-057AF3B26058%7D

In which I stayed up tonight, well now 12:51am... I guess it's the morning... to listen to. I got some really good points but still feel this tug inside me like I want to do more! I want to be a mom AND....!!! 

In all honesty, ever since the beginning of 2013 I have felt the Spirit say, "Be content where I have you." I go back and forth, trusting and then asking God for more. Every time I come back to ask for more God has told me the same thing, "Be content where I have you." Rats!!! So I walk around the mountain again, and make sure God hasn't changed His mind and logically try to argue with myself, well God does tell us in the Bible to ask and let our requests be made known to the Lord.... So umm... Lord, how about now??? I know my Heavenly Father loves me and gently reminds me, "Be content with where I have you."  

Tonight I'm back at the mountain. Getting back to this broadcast I just listened to. There were some really good takeaways in Erin's interview. My heart still just felt like well she talks about investing in her family and such and have that kingdom vision, but as the program stated she has a blog, so there we go! She has something else she's accomplished! Which lead me to check out her blog. So I google her name. Erin Davis. I click on a link that brings me to this. http://www.erindavis.org/putting-an-end-to-spiritual-envy/

I read through the title and thought two things. My first thought was, this is exactly what I'm going through!!! And then as I read on and felt the conviction set in, my flesh started to say Hey! This is not what I came here to read! I came here to see all the many roles she has to compare myself with her and say, wow not only do I not have a blog, but I also don't have x, y, and z. (I can't tell you what x, y, and z are because I refuse to let myself look at her page with a comparison attitude and a selfish heart. 

So for tonight, I praise God I'm not alone. I know many other moms and women struggle with this and I know when I let The Lord lead, then will I find my peace and my "stay at home mom AND ______" role. I praise God for his patience in this journey. I see here tonight that my heart is not where it needs to be and I am thankful that God doesn't give me what I want when I want it because He knows what's best for me more than I do, and so ultimately I want what He wants for my life. 

On a side note I feel Him preparing me to not be so moved by my feelings or circumstances around me and as I go through different scenarios in life, they are like little mini-tests of trust and faith. And I don't feel like God gives me a pass or fail grade at the end. I don't think there really is an end. I hope to never arrive because I want to always need Jesus and although I know that in my head, it doesn't come so naturally to my heart. Jesus laid down His life for me and I must do the same for Him, I need to not be so dependent on me, rather lean on, press in, get intimate with my Heavenly Father & keep my eyes focused on Him. 

Apple stamp

Decorating our letter of the day, today it's J. We have to top of the jelly fish and the "J" is the bottom. We will add tentacles with some ribbon that can dangle and move after the paint dries. 

So far we have colored our animal letter of the day with crayons or markers, but today we broke out the paint. We added in apples to make the paint part a little different than just regular finger painting. We don't own any stamps, so I took a couple apples that were going bad & we cut open an apple and sliced it a few different ways. 

The stamping with apples didn't last long. 

"Icky sticky" 

Learning    IS   f-u-n!!! 

Cracks and Lacks

Did you know there are many things you can't do? 

You're probably laughing, thinking ugh, yeah Becky, thanks for reminding me! Well, I remind you to let you in on a secret!....

Would it shock you to know that I think there are a few things God can't do either? Don't get me wrong, let's go to the scriptures!!! 

See!!! Isn't that awesome!!! I somehow feel a little closer to God after reading that he can't do a few things too, and you know what? He can't do all those thins because He is Holy & perfect. And I believe He has called us to be set apart, but by no means does He call us to be perfect. He does call us to live for Him and to call upon Him where we lack. So it's not an excuse to slack to recognize we are imperfect, rather where we are imperfect God fills in those cracks and gets the glory!  

So be encouraged today that God called you. He loves you. He will never let you go. He won't abandon you. He IS perfect. He IS Holy. He will make a way. There's nothing He CAN'T do! 

Discourage vs Encourage

This morning my babes and I were learning about how we can become discouraged in this world. 

Discouragement can come when playing with each other, becoming frustrated with ourselves or our situation and hopes for the future.

But Jesus has come so that we may be encouragement and hope in this life. 

Specifically we read through Psalm 42. We talked about how the man that wrote it was discouraged and how the devil sometimes tries to steal our joy. Kind of like the Shape Bandit steals shapes from Umicity or Swiper likes to take things from Dora and her friends. 

I took it a step further and opened my study Bible where the boys and I read when discouragement overwhelms us, first we should examine our thought life. If we have been thinking negative, self defeating thoughts, then it's no wonder we get discouraged. Think discouraging thoughts and become discouraged. Think condemning thoughts and you will be condemned, and so on. But why not change your thinking and be set free!! There's an example in there I read that I have been looking for something  to start my day and have it have an affirming, positive, authoritative, applicable prayer statement to set my mind. If you have an suggestions you've either come across or put together yourself, I'd love to hear them!!! You can either email me or leave it in the comments below! Onto the prayer from my study Bible. 

"Well, things are going a little slowly, but, thank God, I am making some progress. I am sure glad I'm on the right path that will lead me to freedom. I had a rough day yesterday. I chose wrong thinking. Father, forgive me, and help me to keep on keeping on. I made a mistake, but at least that is one mistake I won't have to make again. This is a new day. You love me, Lord. Your mercy is new every morning. I refuse to be discouraged. I refuse to be condemned. Father, the Bible says that you do not condemn me. You sent Jesus to die for me. I'll be fine --Today will be a great day! I ask You to help me chooseright thoughts today."

I already feel a lift in my spirit after that, how about you? I love the power of Jesus's name! I praise God His mercies are new every morning and we get second, third, fourth, fifth, and many times over to grow in Christ everyday. He sees our heart and knows our thoughts, may those thoughts be solely and completely fixed on Him. 

Struggles for you? For me?

Ever wonder what God is trying to teach you through something? Some days are harder for each of us depending on sleep, the kids mood, our other relationship, illness, our own hang ups, etc. Yet, in the midst of everything God is still there. Have you been at that cross roads where you feel like you can't possibly take anymore? What do you say to yourself? What's your internal dialogue? I can't do this? I'm sick an tired of living this way? Something has to change? 

Do you ever talk to God about it? Seriously pour out your wharf to him and ask Him what his purpose is? Is it for you? Is it beyond you? Is it something you need to give up? Something you need to change? Something you need to believe? 

Where is God trying to work but you won't let Him in? As you sit and ponder these thoughts my heart is with you and I join you in prayer seeking the Lord for HIS will for our lives and that His plan would unfold and we will be open and accepting to it. 

Laundry Room Decor

There's always, always something to be thankful for & I enjoy trying to find it in every situation. 

Sometimes I may not see it or it's more of a challenge. But, one thing is for sure, I KNOW God has blessed me whether I feel it or not. 

How many of you are on Pinterest? I saw a really neat laundry room saying and knew I was going to incorporate it somehow to our laundry room. 

I have a hard time decorating because it just doesn't come natural to me. Unless I'm copying an exact look, a blank wall leaves my brain blank. 

On another note, I'm all about saving a buck or two and while my handwriting isn't perfect, it's almost more fun making it by hand. With that being said I enlisted some helpers. 

We got out the finger paints & I just let the boys paint however they wanted. To start, we used paintbrushes.

Ben had enough of the paintbrush

It wasn't long before the colors were mixed! 

My inspiration 

Here is the final product 

ABC's and 123's Semi-homeschooled

My title is semi-homeschooled because I feel like what I'm doing is so unorganized. I have explored several free homeschool curriculums and I don't know if it's my ADHD but it's been so hard for me to stick to one as well as know how to implement it. I liked few in particular but to execute it, has been a challenge. With the one school I was hoping the boys can go to wouldn't accept William into their 4 year old pre-k program because he turned 4 after their cut off date of Sept. 30th, I took it upon myself to try and learn all I can about homeschooling. I still have a lot to learn and am trying to pick the brains of some women I know who homeschool, but ultimately I need to do the work and I am the one teaching them. 

A few things that come to my mind for my criteria for the homeschool material we use is:

-- Christian based

-- age relevant (but also challenging) 

-- good for beginner teachers (moms) like me

-- free or low cost

We don't have a working printer, so I am trying my best when something needs to be printed to just make it myself. 

Pinterest has given me TONS of ideas. I don't have our schedule down and know that I need to balance play and learning. I find the best learning comes through play, which has been a HUGE challenge for me because sometimes I feel like I want to just be a drill sergeant and get things done,.... Honestly I need to work on that and chat with some moms on how not to feel or be that way. Maybe even more than talking to moms, I need to have a consult with God and ask him for a heart change.   

Here's the letters we've done so far since starting this week of formal school. 

Yesterday was the letter A. I also have a verse that goes with the letter and we'll make a Bible abc's wall somewhere in the house when we're done :) 

Today is the letter B. We sing it abc's at the beginning. Watch a YouTube video of the phonetics of the  letter, trace and upper case as well as lower case, and then do a craft. I know they won't be writing out letters by next week but letter recognition, how to properly write it, the sounds the letter makes, and how when put together they form words are all things I'm trying to incorporate. 

My personality wants to have the rest of our curriculum (whatever that is) laid out, but then I also am such a fly by the seat of my pants type of girl. I cherish this time with them and am so thankful I can stay home with them right now. I am learning so much about them everyday, and I continue to learn more about myself as well.

I pray I do right by my boys and that they know how proud of them I am and how much I love them and God loves them! It'll be interesting to see if we continue homeschooling next year for the boys. I know God will open or close doors but for now I am soaking this up and amazed by my sweet boys! 

Smart SMART boys!

William has always had an attention to detail and amazing memory of songs. 

Lately he likes to say the title and artist (if he knows) of our local Christian radio station within a few short seconds of it being played. I should get their play list and put all the songs on a cd and then test him and tape it. It's amazing!! 

This was today right before lunch. Here in the picture I asked firefighter William to move his trucks to the end of the table so we could eat lunch. He had them all in front of him playing before I asked. One by one he drove them  and faced them all in the same direction -- one lined up next to another so nice and neat!

The other day Rick had to run into work to drop something off quick. So the boys and I were sitting in the car waiting. William was talking about firetrucks so I said would you like to draw some? He said, sure!  I handed him a notepad and a pen. He started to draw a said he drew a big fire (it kind of resembled a sun, it was a circle in the middle of the paper with a lot of lines all around it, it was a cool fire" He said, ugh mom, I don't think I know how to draw firetrucks, will you draw me some? I said, sure! I started to draw a very basic ones and then said hmmm... How many should I draw? He said eleven!!! I said okay 11 it is. Well in the process of drawing them he said this is taking long time, I think I'll have my paper back. So I handed him the notepad not having drawn all 11. He started counting and kind of chucked and cheerfully said, hey! This isn't right! (He kind of chuckled again) Mom!! You only drew 9, I wanted 11!! You're missing 2. I look at him and said whoops! Obviously I thought well wait not you asked for the paper back...... Then I thought wait a minute, forget all this reasoning... William just not only counted to 9 but 11, then he realized 9+2 = 11 AND/OR 11-2 = 9!!!! I praised him like no other and STILL am shocked!! We practice addition and subtraction like once a week, but this was amazing!!! 

Here we have sweet, tender hearted and thoughtful Ben. I asked him to move his firefighters to the end of the table and he said, shhhh, the fire fighter is talking to his wife, and we need to be quiet!! He does this with baby toys too or animal toys too, or even pretend people we have in the house. This was the first time the wife came up and it made me wonder if it's because I ask Ben to wait or not be screaming loud when I'm talking to Rick or people on the phone. 

Side note for Ben.... I have been working on writing numbers and letters both the number itself as well as the number spelled out and upper and lower case letters. We have flash cards and a book both made by the same company, so their pictures are similar. I didn't put that together until Ben was working on one of the flash cards and said HEY!!! (He ran off and came running back with the book) he opened the book and said, It's a pair!!! He held the similar items next to each other. I praised him and he got all giddy and running around and was excited for himself. It was neat to see him make the connection, neat for him to want to show me and then neat to see him be proud of himself for what he had discovered, and neat too for him to watch me watch him give him a reaction. 

Mom after God's Own Heart

As parents we are blessed as well as challenged as we are entrusted with this precious gift of life. 

There are many seasons. There's that lovely stage when a child is first born and where we lack sleep and everything is new and as we start to get into a routine and learn the cues from our baby they start moving and rolling and crawling and walking and new challenges arise. 

One thing I'm learning as a mom is the changes and challenges continue, they just change as the child gets older & can understand more. 

It's my hope and prayer that I can teach them and do my best to lead by example. I know as I desire to do this I must be in prayer everyday and as challenges arise lean on the Spirit to guide me in that moment. 

How have you found you best keep your peace, hold your patience, and stay grounded? Quiet time? Prayer? Family Bible studies? 

Semi-sleepless

I realize this is not my most flattering pictures and my smile is halfway there... But it's REAL. It's me, it's life! :) 

Last night was my 4th semi sleepless night. 

I was having a huge pity party for myself early this morning in anticipation of the day knowing I had only slept from. 10:30-11:30pm and then did not fall asleep until around 5am again. The pelvic pain is back and the restless muscle tremors (from withdrawl of just 1 month of being on ultram) are still existent.

This morning while making milk for the boys, and waiting for it to warm, I bent over and my mind thought, I am so tired, how am I going to make it through the day being so tired? The verse that goes something like, "Lift up your eyes to the hills where does my help come from? It comes from the Lord filled" my mind. I immediately went from bent over stretching position to arms up and said that verse out loud. I sat down on the couch and praise God His mercies are new every morning! My Spirit rose up within me. And I felt the Spirit saying, "Becky, maintain a good attitude. I have given you a big, beautiful house filled with food and toys and two beautiful, smart, healthy boys. A faithful husband who loves you beyond life and family and friends who pray for you and are there for you." Did I get a big energy surge and now feel completely restored? No. But my soul waits upon the Lord for answers & I can do ALL things through him who gives me strength & I put my hope in the Lord where my strength is renewed. I will soar on wings like eagles; run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.