Daily Thoughts

The young moms of our church have a Facebook group where we enjoy sharing news, upcoming events and something new ... daily thoughts and devotions. It has been a great addition and I know it has also been an encouragement to me.

As our last little series was ended, I volunteered to do the next week or two and share some thoughts. 

so ... I thought why not also add them to the blog? So throughout the next little while you will (hopefully!) see daily thoughts. Please don't be afraid to comment on them ... I would love to hear what you think!!

Here is the introduction that I shared with the ladies today... tomorrow the real fun begins :)

As I begin to share thoughts and devotions throughout the next little while, I intend to be 'real' because isn't that what we all need? To know that not everyone has it all together. Because if we were honest, we would say that there are tough days; and days where things don't feel so great. And by saying that, we would really help every other mom who sometimes wonders 'am I the only one who is feeling this way?' Hopefully what will be shared in this upcoming week or two will be used by Him to encourage you as wives, moms, etc. and start us all on a journey to be joy filled believers!

May the Lord use what He puts on my heart to be an encouragement to you ... that's my prayer!

It's That Time of Year Again....

The night before the first day of school .... that day that seemed so far away at the end of June has crept up so quickly! I can imagine that there are kids all over the city with the same thoughts as my own girls ... 'we need to go to bed so we can get up for what?' Believe me, I have the same thoughts :)

As I was thinking about the first day of school, I was realizing that there are many parents with fears and concerns as their child(ren) head back to the classroom ... will they make friends? will they like their teacher? will the excel this year in learning? All of these are logical questions since we moms (and dads) want the very best for our kids!

Now, believe it or not ... I, as a homeschool mom, have those same thoughts and 'quams.' Why would I worry? you ask. I know, I'm home with my kids all day, I don't have to send them off to a different place to learn, I know their teacher well ;) ... but it's still true. There are things that concern me as a homeschool mom as well. I want to make sure that they are excelling in their learning and that I am providing an environment and teaching style that enables that. The reality of the fact that I am responsible for my girls' learning is a challenge that everyday I ask the Lord to help me with.

I want them to have friends! I want them to be able to have play dates, go to birthday parties and meet up with people at the park, ask if they can call someone on the phone and do FaceTime with those who live a distance away!

And of course, I want them to like their teacher ... but remember that I am teacher and mom at the same time. An interesting combination for sure! Playing more than 1 major role in my girls' life is a challenge.   But, by God's grace, and with His great help, I am up for that challenge. 

This year lies before us like a blank book waiting to be written in. What will our story be this school year? What will fill it's pages? As we make a story of our homeschool year, it is my fervent prayer that God will use our family for His glory; that we will be a family who loves to learn, and loves to learn together! 

What will your school year story be this year? Whether you homeschool or not, you are writing one. Let's make sure that we are committing it all to Him, who already knows ALL, and that we are willing to be used of Him. In other words, let Him be the One who helps you write your story! 

~ Another School Year ~

It's that time of year again! New pencils, workbooks and markers (Mr. Sketch if you're lucky ~ and yes, they still make them!)  ... the beginning of another school year is right around the corner. For our little family that means jumping into another year of homeschooling and we are excited! 

We are tackling Grade 1 and Grade 3 this year and the girls are looking forward to getting started ... they actually found their workboxes and asked if they could start their new books :) Let's not rush it! We still have 2 glorious weeks of vacay left and I intend to make use of every minute :)

Some people have asked about my 'teaching style' and I must admit that I ADORE unit studies! One topic and all of your main subjects are covered throughout your study. For instance, we are going to start the year off with a unit on Scaredy Squirrel. Fab books by the way if you've never seen them ~ and we will incorporate everything from math/graphing and time to antonyms in language, reading responses, and developing their own story board and finished product ... their own Scaredy Squirrel adventure! Amazing fun while learning .. isn't that what it's all about?! 

Now there is a new element to our homeschool year ... an infant! Yes, we have a new family member who happens to be almost 3 weeks old and this will be a learning experience for all of us! Juggling homeschooling 2 older children while meeting the needs of an infant is something that we will all learn together but we are up for the challenge. Who knows...maybe Charlotte will be reading by the time she's 1 ... I realize .... I was just kidding :)

There's a wonderful adventure awaiting us this year and I can not wait to get started!
Here's a break down of how our year is looking: 

Unit Studies ... including Scaredy Squirrel, Flat Stanley, Pioneers (gr.3), Ocean (which will coincide with our family trip to Florida!), Literature Studies (Black Beauty), etc.
Math ~ Ontario Curriculum Books that I found at ... wait for it ... Costco! $8.99 per book compared to the $22 each I spent last year! 
Science ~ Chemical Reactions (Volcanos ~ tying in with our Ocean unit), etc.

So, there you have it ... the first part of our year at a glance. We are also planning to go and visit Winter the dolphin (from the 'Dolphin Tale' movie) whose home is an aquarium not far from where we will be staying in Florida ... so I am sure there will be a Dolphin study in with our Ocean unit :) 

As always ... any questions about what we do our why we do it ... please feel free to ask! And  ~ as you all begin the quest to find those perfect back to school outfits and shoes, may your back to school be fabulous whether it be homeschool or 'traditional' :)

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made ~

The Summer has come and with it sunny days, jumps on the trampoline, popsicles, campfires and s'mores.... delectable family memories.

This Summer has also brought along our newest addition ~ 

Charlotte Katherine Ines made her grand debut on August 1st at 3:24am after only an hour and 24 minute labour! That's what we call fast and furious folks ~ trust me!

                                                              Isn't she just delightful?!

Having Lotte finally here has brought such a wonderful dynamic to our family! The 2 big sisters are thrilled to help change diapers, pick out her clothes and snuggle with her!

                                                      My 3 beautiful girls ~ true 'God Gifts'


It has also made me realize more and more how miraculous this creation of life is! How amazing to think that this little one began as a group of cells and developed into this beautiful, healthy baby. Only a Great Creator could arrange that! He knit her together in my womb and she has been fearfully and wonderfully made! What thanksgiving has been in my heart, more so since Lotte arrived, than I can really remember ... how can our hearts not swell when we see those eyes taking things in for the first time ~ the way they sleep, the little hands and feet .... 'O taste and see that the Lord, HE is Good!'

As we begin this new chapter as a family of 5, we are excited to see what He has in store. One thing is for sure ... with Him leading the way, we follow knowing that this Great One has a great plan!

~ more on homeschooling and our joy dare next time :)

 

~ What Kind of Nest are You Making?

A mother's care for her little ones ~ providing a nest of safety

Sunday was such a glorious Lord's Day, remembering Him, the very One who put the sun in the sky.  There wasn't a cloud for miles and of course, it was Mother's Day.


We had the opportunity to go and visit my husband's parents at their home during the afternoon, sit on the porch and let the girls run around their property with some new friends. As they ran into the playhouse, they noticed something incredible ... and brought it to show me :)


A robin had chosen the playhouse as the perfect place for her nest, and a home for her soon to arrive babies. The girls were memorized ~ they kept talking about the beautiful turquoise colour of the eggs and counting how many there were. The colour was truly stunning and we were all amazed at the way she had put her nest together. The effort she had put into making it the ideal home was incredible, and visibly noticeable.


Why would a robin choose the playhouse? they kept asking. I explained then, and again on the way home, that she knew that was the perfect place to keep them safe and warm and out of danger. 


Isn't it amazing how the robin wants the best for her little ones, providing for them and keeping them? Well, isn't that how all moms and parents feel? We want to provide our children with a safe place to grow and be nurtured, so when it's time for them to 'spread their wings' and learn to fly from the nest, they are prepared and ready to face what is all out there.


How much more does He, as our Creator and Master, want for us? He provides as no other can, giving a nest of safety through the direction in His word. Some see those directions as 'rules' or that they are there to ruin our fun .... but is that what we do as parents when we set down guidelines? We are doing it because we know what our children can handle at different points of life; we know them so well because we have been hand chosen to be their moms! Doesn't He do that as the Heavenly Father ~ gives guidelines and direction because He knows what is best for us? Of course! That is what love is! 


The robin loves her babies before she lays the eggs ... you can see that in her preparation of the nest (the home) she makes. What kind of 'nest' are we making for our family? Are we making it a place where our children feel safe and secure, knowing that they are loved no matter what they may do?! 


May our homes/nests be places where our family is priority, our children feel loved and people feel welcome! That is my prayer for the kind of nest I want to make!

~ The Sorrow of a Broken Spirit

Yesterday, I witnessed the broken spirit of a child ... my child. 


One of my favourite mothering/parenting books is 'Shepherding the Heart of a Child' by Ted Tripp (and as a side note I highly recommend it if you haven't read it!). In that book, Tripp talks about how there are certain times the will of a child needs to be changed/broken ~ for instance in a safety issue, something that is not age appropriate, and so on. We need to be able to change their will but do it in such a way that it does not break their spirit.


Yesterday in the express check out line in our local Wal Mart, my oldest daughter was inspecting a bag of chocolate candy. She was trying to feel how big the pieces were and then put the bag back. The lady behind us bent right down and with a finger pointed in my little one's face and loudly said, 'If I payed for that bag of candy and all the pieces were squished, I wouldn't be very happy.'


OK ... obviously my first instinct as a mother is to give this woman a piece of my mind (and maybe something else!) but I chose a soft answer and just said 'ok mam.'


But then there was the moment where I felt this little hand in mine and looked down to see tear filled eyes looking for some consolation. I put my arm around this first born of mine and held her tight against me and told her not to worry.


But her eyes... those blue eyes that are always sparkling... were suddenly dimmed. You could see the embarrassment on her face and in her actions ~ people were watching her and she just wanted out.


It was then that I fully saw what breaking the spirit can do. It can cause people to doubt themselves, who they are and their worth to those around them. I saw how for the rest of the afternoon she just wanted reassurance that I loved her no matter what anyone said to her. Her little sister did a good job by just saying 'that lady was just a little crusty...don't worry!'


I must admit that even writing about this, brings tears to my eyes. Just picturing looking down at her and watching the very joy that she had just had, vanish. 


May I be a mom who can help change the will of my children without breaking their spirit!! Oh, I have failed many times .. but there is a new resolve in me to make sure that my girls know their mom is their biggest supporter, encourager, cheerleader ... you get the idea!! 


Their little spirits are thriving on our love, support and encouragement. 


~ just some thoughts today that will hopefully encourage you as they have me ~

A Soft Answer ...

The weeks have flown into the next and before I have realized .. here it is Spring! The season of renewal and fresh beginnings. I have taken some weeks off to get my mind focused on priorities .... no, not blogging and status updates ... but my family; my husband and girls. The result with my girls has been tremendous! Calmness in the house, they are not battling for my attention .... all wonderful things that I am daily thankful for!

We have also been focusing as a family on the verse, 'a soft answer turneth away wrath...'

How many times have I snapped and had a hard answer to a very simple question?! I shudder to think at the answer if I was being completely honest. 

As moms, we have those little eyes on us all the time, watching our reactions, observing how we handle fear, anxiety, joy, sorrow .... the list goes on! And as those little ones grow and mature, they will take many of our examples with them into their adolescents and adulthood, namely the way they face everyday situations. Do they yell in response, or keep their cool remembering that verse they learned as a child and saw lived out in their homes by their parents.

I find myself throughout the day reminding myself, as well as the girls, 'a soft answer.'

Who wouldn't want to turn away wrath (anger, bitterness)? If we speak lovely to people we will be amazed at how that draws the 'lovely' out of them. 

Daily I find myself falling before God and pleading with Him to make me a mom who has a soft answer. And to raise up that desire in my girls! The challenges are great, yes. But, we have a Great God who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, works in us!!! 

May we all determine that we will be women and families with a soft answer!