Week 8 - Strength and Dignity

I'm teaming up with Amanda Pelser @The Pelsers to bring you the Prov 31 study group

for the ebook from Good Morning Girls

Proverbs 31: 23

"Her husband is respected at the city gate, 

where he takes his seat among the elders of the land" 

We don't have a city gate these days - but it is my job to support my husband in his endeavors so that he has the freedom and encouragement to be all he can be. I am to encourage him as a husband, father, as a man, and in his business and interactions with others. 

I want to make a difference in his life - to be good enough to him and in a way that makes him want to be the best man he can be. You know what? I can see how my attitude towards him effects him on a regular basis. The more I honor him in our home the more I see it in him. 

I don't want to pretend that I, my life, or that my husband is perfect. We are human and each come with all  that entails - life's bumps and bruises and such. I do want to encourage others (as I learn and grow along with you) to be the women God has called us to be. It isn't my job to point out the faults of my husband - but to focus on and see the good in him. 

He is a caring, gentle man who puts his family first. He is a hard working, intelligent individual who seeks God's will for his life - and I am blessed daily by having him as my husband. 

There was a time in our marriage when I could only see the negative. I was angry and hurt and I am certain I was making him miserable. God convicted me of this and I began to focus on the good. It was difficult at first to find it, so I started simply "thank you God that my husband doesn't beat me" (um, yeah - I was that far gone). Then it got easier, as I sought daily to thank the Lord for him. Gradually, I forgot what had been so terribly upsetting in the first place. 

Our husbands aren't perfect. If we are not there to lift them up - to encourage them - who will be? 

As I focus daily on my blessings and on the positive in my husband - it becomes much easier to live a joyful life. My relationship with the husband God intended for me is blessed, and all that is reflected in our life throughout the community - hopefully in a way that will encourage others. 

I want to be the crown for my sweet husband. I want to bring him strength and dignity. I want to be the woman God has called me to be. How about you? 

Proverbs 12: 4

"A wife of noble character is her husband's crown" 

From GMG site:

Week 8 Challenge: Ask yourself this question this week “What can I start doing that will help my husband be the man of influence, God is calling him to be?” Also focus this week on giving your fears over to God. Mentally pray each time a fear pops in and give it to God. Instead of focusing on the fear, thank God for something instead and realize that YOU have a bright future with God…..one that will bring you joy and laughter “at the days to come!” Remember whose daughter you are and allow God to cloth you in His strength and dignity!


counting to 1000 Gifts and beyond- #340 - #349: 


* A husband who loves me - really loves me
* A husband who cares about what God wants from him 
* A fine example of a man - for our sons 
* God's conviction in my heart and life 
* Opportunity for improvement in myself 
* Family time 
* Open communication
* Beach blessings 
* Powerful sunsets 
* Sharing our home and our beach with special friends 

Linking with #ifellowship Seeds of Faith - Thought Provoking Thursday - The Better Mom
From My Mountain View Titus 2's Days  Raising Mighty Arrows

   

                            

Notebooking - A Happy How-To in Homeschooling

Jeannie Fulbright of Apologia suggests:

 "You can transform any course into a first class educational experience with notebooking"

I tend to agree! We've participated in some form of notebooking or lapbooking since I began homeschooling my son some 6 years ago - and now they have multiplied and there are 3 boys in our little classroom. Well, it's actually quite a large classroom - as we spend a good deal of time in the great outdoors.

Notebooking has indeed transformed our courses. Along with using the notebooking journals from Apologia we also do lapbooking and make our own nature journals.

The boys each have a composition notebook which we have decorated with scrapbook paper and  personalized. They use pencils to sketch nature scenes - either on location - or something we bring back to the house (like weeds pretty flowers picked for mommy) or an interesting leaf - bug - plant.

They carry their journals on many of our adventures as we explore God's Creation. Something else we have begun doing more of - is a more "official" kind of notebooking. I like using three ring binders to organize much of our studies after the work is done.  The kids enjoy using their clip boards (very official) to do nature studies. We are finding it particularly useful with our notebooking in the outdoors.

One of my favorite resources for notebooking is a fun little place called The Notebooking Fairy 

My friend Jimmy does a wonderful job of both providing brilliant (and even FREE) notebooking pages as well as explaining and teaching you WHAT to do with them. Most recently we put her super cool Dolphin notebooking pages to work for us. I found them free on her blog of course - under "printables".

Even though I've been homeschooling for quite awhile - I learned a LOT from her ebook - 

Notebooking Success is loaded with creative ideas for your notebooking pages. You'll learn HOW to use the technique to it's fullest potential, WHEN to use them to get the most benefit for your learners, and WHY they are great for every subject and most every student - regardless of grade

 or age of the child. 

You'll find an easy to follow guide that will enrich your homeschool studies. It's not a curriculum or a workbook - but a method of teaching you can use for all ages! Whether you are an experienced homeschooler or just getting started - You're likely to- like me-  become a fan of  the ebook: Notebooking Success. 

It's On SALE for just $5.50

BUY HERE 

»»Free Bonus — Grade Specific Reference Sheets

»»Free Bonus –General Notebooking Pages

»»Free Bonus – 50 Things to Put into a Notebook

*this post contains affiliate links which means that if you purchase I do make a buck or two - however - I do not recommend products that we don't use ourselves and approve - 

I was given a copy of the ebook from NBfairy to review - the opinions are my own

  

Shepherding a Child's Heart- Chapter 2-3

"All the aspects of family living have a profound impact on the persons 

your children become." Tedd Trip 

Who's responsible? 

No pressure or anything. But, ALL the aspects of family living - means ALL. 

We are big believers that "families who pray and play together stay together" - as a Christian homeschool family who love the outdoors - we have to opportunity every single day to instill these same values in our children. We actually enjoy the company of our children and see them as blessings from the Lord - not as a way to punish us for things we did to our own parents. Although, it has become apparent to me that God really does have a sense of humor in this department. 

The main point to Trip's second chapter is that although we have responsibilities to teach our children what is right - to provide structure, guidance, encouragement, and love to our little blessings -

 THEY are responsible for the way they respond to our parenting.

We had a wonderful time on this particular family adventure. We camped, hiked, and learned about nature. We sat by the fire and told stories, talked about the stars and how wonderful God is in His creativity. We made beautiful memories - as we always do when spending time together outdoors. 

But, we have three little boys. One hit the other (says it was an accident) the other responded with a strike back. We had them settle it and shake hands. At one point - someone had the SAME EXACT STICK that another wanted (you know how boys are about their sticks) we encouraged them to work it out themselves. Then there was this other thing - and the kid who threw themselves down on the ground - right there in front of God and everybody. 

They are good boys, but you know what? It doesn't matter if we are headed to church, the grocery store, or on a big adventure - there are always "things" for us to guide them through. (read arguments to break up, discipline to hand out, and whining to put a cork in encourage to stop) 

ALWAYS. 

Most everywhere we go - I have people compliment how "well behaved" my children are (not during that "throw himself in the floor" incident) but, it's not because they don't do normal kid stuff. It's because we do continue to lovingly guide them back on track. (Ok - a couple of times here and there - I talk through my teeth). When the going get's tough, we just keep on going and pray our way through it. 

I mess up regularly - just like my children. One of the things Trip said in chapter 2 of major significance is this "don't let guilt over your parenting failures keep you from parenting!" 

These are just SOME of the shaping influences in our children's lives. 

Parenting and sailing: 

"The direction of the craft is not determined by the direction of the breeze 

                                                                               but by the trim of the sail" Tedd Trip

Children are not born as neutral beings. They are born worshipers - they will worship things of God or the things of man. Our job is to teach and train them to love, value, and worship the things of God rather than man. Ultimately, they will choose to accept or reject God's direction for their life. 

If they love the things of God - they will respond to His authority through you as the parent. 

Their Godward orientation is like the set of the sail.  *total paraphrase from the book 

Proverbs 4:23 

"Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it 

SPRING the issues of LIFE" 

Are you focused on the behavior of your children? Or on what's going on in their heart? 

Call me a dork - a Jesus freak - whatever - but one of my new favorite questions for my children is: 

"What would Jesus do?" 

Ya know what? It's a much easier way to break up a fight

 - turns out, my boys DO care what Jesus wants of them!

 As Christian parents - we are the agents of Christ in the lives of our children. 

How I'm sharing Christ with them this week: 

We start our homeschool each day by reading and practicing a bible verse to memorize - This week- 

Ephesians 4:32 

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted forgiving one another; even as God in Christ, 

has forgiven you"

We repeat it back and forth to each other - discuss what it means - then pray and ask God to help us to remember not just the words, but to use it in our life. 

We read and discuss several bible stories through the week - I love hearing what my kids "think" about what we are reading and how they believe it can be applied in their lives. I try to find key times during our week to remind them of what we are learning. 

We sing songs of praise. We are currently learning and singing the songs from"Family Worship Seeds"

On my recent trip to ApologiaLive (now called Real Refreshment) - I had the privilege of meeting Pam Tebow - yes- Timmy's mother. One of the things they did in their home while Tim Tebow was a growing boy is to sing scriptures. Pam said that singing the word helped them all memorize scripture. She attributes "hiding God's word in their hearts" as a major influence in the lives of her children. 

Me, Kelli, Rebecca, Amanda, Pam Tebow, Kathy

How about you? Are you Shepherding your child's heart? Please feel free to share ways that you've  found to help train your children toward the Lord in the comments below. 

For more information about joining the book club or getting your own copy go here.

Counting to #1000 Gifts and beyond: 

#231. Singing scriptures with my children

#232. Learning from other mother's who love the Lord 

#233. Growing with Christian sisters 

#234. Encouragement from a stranger 

#235. Grace and strength to push through 

#236. A fresh start - a "do-over" 

#237. Hearts turning toward Jesus 

#238. Music filling the house with songs of praise 

#239. Laundry almost caught up - one thing at a time

#240. Children soaking up the Word and being a witness to their heart changes! 

Proud to link with encouraging sisters: 

      

      

You're Already Amazing

Matthew 19:26  But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 

"With men this is impossible, 

But with God ALL things are possible." 

Holly Gerth wrote a book to let women know they don't have to buy into the Lies of the enemy. 

Lie #1 - You have to be perfect  

So often, we get into the damaging  habit of comparing ourselves to others. "She has it all together" 

"She's a great writer - mother - wife - woman" 

and while there is nothing wrong with admiring your sisters for their accomplishments - we need to know that "We ARE enough"  "You are enough" - Right here - Right now - just as you are. 

Psalm 139: 14 

"You are fearfully and wonderfully made" 

Holly does a wonderful job of uncovering the lies which zap our mojo and keep us from living fully in His strength and being confident in Christ - by the way - she makes it clear that being confident in Christ is not prideful - like Martha Stewart says - "It's a good thing" 

This amazing book helps you figure out your "Emotional Style". She reminds us that we have emotions because God has them too. We are given the opportunity, daily, to reflect Him. 

"We have the capacity to reflect Him" - we are made in His image 

This is a book for every woman. It digs much deeper than I can express in this short post - You need to read the book - We all need to read the book - I'm so thankful I did! 

It will help you accept who you are - in Christ. 

It will help you excel at who you are - in Christ. 

It will help you become all God created you to be. 

You can get it here: 

Or get the Kindle version: 

You're Already Amazing

My Homeschool Week With The Boys

In our homeschool this week… 

                         Our homeschool this week was for the birds! 

Yes- REAL BIRDS with feathers and all!!

They were loud enough we could not ignore them 

and they were swarming 
Swallows 
(we can't tell exactly what kind) 
They are most likely - Tree Swallows

They swooped down in groups to drink from the water behind the house

dipping and streaking - fast across the water - then back up 

to the sky - They eat insects - They are roosting in the pepper trees on 

property surrounding our house - and now they are part of our 

homeschool study! I'm proud that our boys get excited about 

Exploring God's Creation 
and participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count!
Free printables from Spell Outloud! 


"Drink Up" Project 52 - drinking up life's little surprising moments!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

    Go with the flow.  When distractions pop up - whenever possible just go with it - use it to your advantage to be creative. If the kiddos seem to be having a real problem being cooped up inside - bundle them up if necessary and get them out. Even if it is for a few short bursts - it can change their whole outlook - and yours!

 When it rains - make a rain gauge - go with the flow

Also - check out the awesome resources provided by MomsMustardSeeds and Founders Academy

They have provided links and information to study the Mayflower Compact by reading the document, a 

video link, and free worksheets to do with your kids! This week's assignment is

 The Declaration of Independence   - Click any of the links provided to go to the main site! 

I am inspired by…

Curriculum from GeoMatters 

We are having so much fun with our Paths of Settlement curriculum.

 I don't stick right to the plan - of course - but use it as a guide as it is meant

 to be used. We were inspired to paint a continent map 

by the "Geography through Art"  book.

*I'll be giving away a set of the Paths of Exploration Curriculum 

later on this month in support of the Teach Them Diligently Convention

Excited about this giveaway - I'll be attending the convention

 - hope to meet you there! 

What’s working for us…

                   Searching for Gopher Tortoise burroughs 

Finding Gopher Tortoise "friends" 

they are on the protected list of endangered species - 

live mostly in Florida - and can live to be 60 years old - 

this one is a beautiful specimen 

Nature Walks in between rain storms 

       Not Working. . .  . 

 um - self directed "fashion" statements 

He's 6 y'all - and he really likes to dress himself - I pick my battles -

that one is not worth it!

      Working . . . . 

finding the biggest baddest Tortoise home on the block! 

"Tortoise Cave" 

Things I’m working on…

"Drink Up" Project 52 - drinking up the sunshine and

Exploring God's Creation with my family 

Playing with the texture features on Picnik -

 even the premium features are free until April when Picnik closes 

I’m reading…

It's up for an Epic award for 2012 - Donna Sundblad is a friend of mine from way back. She was like a 'nother mother' to me when I first moved to the island. I'm so proud of her novel. It's a wonderful cross between a 

Pilgrim's Progress and The Giver meeting the Hunger games 

but is a fantastic tale in it's own right. I'm using it as a read aloud in our 

homeschool and the boys LOVE the adventurous story unfolding. 

(there's a link on my side bar if you are interested 

available in both ebook and hard copy)

I’m grateful for…

A wonderful husband who loves me and homeschool community

who encourage me every day! 

Also grateful for our family time and time with friends spent in 

the outdoors - we love making special memories - looking forward

to seeing more homeschool friends for a visit soon! 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

                                          "Drink Up" by Project 52

Loving my new coffee cup from DaySpring - enjoying green tea with honey 

and a bit of coffee in the mornings! 

Special Giveaway going on from DaySpring -

here on my blog $50 coupon code and free shipping!

John 16: 24

"Ask and you shall receive, and your joy will be complete"

3 in 30 Challenge:

1. Health:  I've gotten outside several times for a bit of exercise this week and I'm drinking water and cutting down on coke zero -n- not doing so well still with sugar. Cooking meals at home except 1. 

2. Quiet Time: My walk is going well, studying Ephesians although I haven't kept up with the whole SOAP style study - I'm keeping up w my reading. It's funny how it is fitting perfectly into place with several other things I have going on. 

3. Writing/ Blogging: I'm more organized and following my list - I'm keeping to my schedule pretty well, but not entirely - I'm not a rigid schedule kind of girl -but having one helps! 

I'm not doing the 28 day Special Feb Challenge although I think I'll get the book & see if it 

helps me organize a bit - I have a semi-house cleaning schedule going on but need to be a bit 

more rigid in THAT department - it's just not as much fun as blogging and nature walks :) 

But - I do so love a clean and organized space - I'll be thrilled if I get my closet done this month & 

do a better job of sticking to my little cleaning schedule! 

Linking with: