My Long Sabbatical

It was not my purpose to go MIA on my blogs. It just sort of happened. Life at home, and life outside home sometimes throw you for such a loop that it takes time to get your nerve back. 

Since my last post, and I'm not sure when that was, I have graduated my last two homeschoolers. 

It is an end of an era. My teaching career as far as homeschooling has ended.

However, with the Lord's help and leading, I hope to continue in the spirit of Titus 2. Not only with homeschooling things, but on my other blogs as well.

Lord willing, I'm back. 

A Plan

A plan is always a good place to start with any endeavor, which is why someone coined the expressions about failing to plan being a plan to fail.

Quick update: merging posts, links, etc from my scattered blogs, and websites, into one space-here at blogger.

No promises of how soon I'll manage this, but at least I have a plan, right?

It's my hope and prayer to help and encourage homeschool moms, and moms who wish to homeschool but for some reason are unable to do so. 

If you want to keep up with updates, please "follow me", or subscribe.

Thanks. 

I wish I thought of.....

Glue Sponges

Tips for Helping Children Understand Money

Tips for Helping your Children Understand Money
By: Corrie Petersen

How many times have you told your child, "Money doesn't grow on trees"? I know I used to tell my boys that on a regular basis. Sometimes it felt like I was telling them this several times a day. Small children and sometimes the older ones as well, don't understand this, but it's something you need to show them or they'll have money problems for years to come.

We give our boys an allowance every week, but it doesn't come free. They must do chores around the house or they won't get it. Those chores include taking out the trash, rolling the garbage can to the street once a week, taking care of the dog, cleaning their rooms, and helping pick up other rooms in the house. It's not a lot, but we do expect them to help or they won't be paid.

It's no different then a regular job or a business. If you sit around and do nothing all day, you're not going to receive a paycheck for it and if you do it won't take long before it's noticed and it comes to an end. Well you need to treat the chores and allowance the same way.

If they don't do what's been assigned to them for the day or week, the allowance will either be docked for a certain amount or it won't be given at all. This may be hard to do, so you'll need to come up with a way to make it work. Pay a certain amount of money a day or per chore so it's easy to dock it from the pay when it's not done. Using a whiteboard may help with this or you can create a spreadsheet with the chores and boxes to mark when it's been done.

Another thing we struggled with was with them borrowing money. If one of the boys wanted something at the store, but didn't have the money we used to buy it for them and not require them to pay us back. It got to a point where he would purposely leave his money at home because he knew we'd just buy it for him. While this was a hard lesson it was one we decided was a must. We were spending way too much money doing this and it was defeating the purpose, so it came to an end.

Since we stopped making purchases and not making them pay it back they have learned how to save money or if they didn't think it was possible to save the money and make the purchase later, it taught them what a loan was. We put a list on the fridge that contained the amount they borrowed and each time a payment was made that was added and the amount subtracted. We came up with a reasonable pay off date and discussed it if the date was not going to be reached.

When you help your children to understand the value of a dollar and that you're not going to support them by purchasing things that aren't necessary, they'll learn about money and they'll make wise choices.

http://www.wahm- articles. com/Article/ Tips-for- Helping-your- Children- Understand- Money/10508

Graduation 2012

When school began it felt like it would be forever before we finished.  Honestly, it seems like a blink to me. Our lessons are almost complete and plans for next year are in the works.  

Last Friday we had our annual evaluations, which officially brought our 4th child to the end of his homeschool journey.  What a journey it has been. He was faithful and finished his course. 

While I am overjoyed at his success, it is a bittersweet moment for us. It reminds me how fleeting our lives are, and especially the brevity of the time we have with our children. Almost overnight they transform from babies, to toddlers, to teens, and suddenly, childhood days are done, wings are flight-worthy, and they soar off embarking on a new life's journey.  

In less than two days our son will be leaving his childhood behind and enter adulthood. 
 We love him so dearly. He is such a blessing to us. 

Son, you will be missed more than we can say.  I love you, Son.  

Homemade "Silly Putty"

Make Your Own Silly Putty

• 1/4 C liquid  laundry starch
• 1/4 C Elmer's glue

Place in a plastic bag and mix together. 
Store in the refrigerator.

Waffles Anyone?

When we first started homeschooling in 1992, all the popular homeschool magazine articles about homeschools families made a HUGE deal about them getting up at 5AM, having chores and breakfast, including feeding chickens, milking cows by hand etc, all done by 7AM, and in school by 7:15 or so. Then noonish, one o'clockish, they were done with bookwork and had time for fun and naps. 

New homeschool moms can read stuff like that and think that is how it is supposed to be. ( I did) When they find they can't get everyone moving before 8AM, and just feeding children and getting out of pjs takes utnil 10AM, with the arrival of new babies (which all homeschoolers are supposed to pop out annually-I say that with a touch of sarcasm and wishful thinking), these moms feel like they can't do it. They see themselves as failures. They think they are messing up their children for life, that they'd all be better off sending their children to school-often the only alternative being public school, and that they need to get a job to help with expenses since there is no "need" for them to be home.

It would be great for magazines to publish the reality of homeschooling, and not just someone's schedule, which for many folks is just out of reach.They intend to be encouraging, but in the long run, those type of articles can have negative consequences. Especially for those who, like many folks we know, are homeschooling, but they are just going through the motions, and/or have a take-it or leave-it view--they are not homeschooling because they believe God led them to do it. Which is really the crux of it, ya know?

It doesn't matter what good endeavors we do as Christians, it might be pastoring, being a missionary, or the church janitor, if God didn't/doesn't lead us to do it, not doing it is not such a big deal.  We can move on to the next thing in life without a second thought if it seems reasonable to us. 

From talking to many homeschoolers and Christians, especially since our family went online, well-intentioned friends, family, teachers, preachers, etc. often, (unwittingly?) put pressure on others to conform to a certain "image". They usually have scriptural principles to back up their ideas, but in their teaching, preaching and talking about it, they forget to advise people to seek God's face on the matter before committing to it. They fail to remind women to be sure their husband doesn't grunt "I don't see it that way, but you can do it if you want to", but that he agrees with, or is agreeable to any changes they are going to enact PRIOR TO enacting them.

During the election when....the "waffler" was running for president, people didn't like that. His flip-flopping went  against the character and qualities people seek in electing a  good president. 

In the body of Christ, there are alot of wafflers. People will accuse them of them being compromisers or legalistic, or extreme or liberal...etc.  I've seen this up close with people I love and care about, friends who one day bring up a topic they know we disagree on but never fight over, and suddenly they are defending their stance to me in an aggressive manner. A couple weeks later, they have moved to a conservative or liberal viewpoint, which they aggressively seek to conform me to as well. As time passes their stance on standards, and issues, and doctrines, flip-flop from extreme to extreme, and to onlookers they appear to be "compromisers".  I've heard this said to folks, and about folks. Personally, I think their intention is to be right with God, and whatever church or circle they are in, they conform to the standards and practices of that group. When they move on, they might conform to the new groups ideas, or revert to the ones they started with. In reality, it isn't that they compromised at all, but rather that they conformed to a standard that wasn't a conviction to them. The true compromise was in their conformity. At times conformity is done out of respect, and at other times conformity occurs due to verbal and non-verbal peer pressure so they fit in. My hope is that when I speak of matters on which people have strong beliefs, that if my teaching/speaking/convictions/beliefs differs from their own, that they will not feel the need to copy me to be my friend, or fit into my circle.

It helps me to remember that the same Holy Spirit that lives inside me as a Believer, also resides in other Believers. It's His job to convict a person to change, or not. It is only my duty to make sure He is leading me to speak/teach etc, and leave the results to Him.  Each one of us will stand and give an account at the judgment seat.

 Terry at home in PA  

  Boaz Baptist Church  

A Plan

A plan is always a good place to start with any endeavor, which is why someone coined the expressions about failing to plan being a plan to fail.

Quick update: merging posts, links, etc from my scattered blogs, and websites, into one space-here at blogger.

No promises of how soon I'll manage this, but at least I have a plan, right?

It's my hope and prayer to help and encourage homeschool moms, and moms who wish to homeschool but for some reason are unable to do so. 

If you want to keep up with updates, please "follow me", or subscribe.

Thanks. 

Career to Retirement

Each school year begins with a sense of anticipation, and hopefulness, which is often whisked away by the struggles of daily living, failing to comprehend new concepts, being unable to keep the pace desired, and just plain old tiredness of school.

This particular year is a milestone for our family because we will once again have a high school graduation.  Spring 2012, should the LORD tarry, our 4th son will be graduating. It will be a momentous occasion marked with tears of joy, and sorrow, especially for me. You see, each graduation is the end of an era signifying the close of my homeschooling career. In five short years I will be forced into "retirement". In the meantime, I am seeking to enjoy each day with my children, to make memories that will cheer me on lonely days, or comfort me when I yearn for the "good old days".


I assure you that even though I am lamenting, to a degree, the end of homeschooling my children, my sense of purpose in life is not wavering at all.  There are numerous projects and endeavors which I set aside that I think I will finally have the free time and freedom to pursue. There are plenty of things to do to fill my days, and God willing, that will include many visits with my grown children, their spouses, and OODLES of grandchildren.  Plus having more time to run to the aid of my husband freely when he had need of me, or just to get a hug or kiss.

Free Dress Shirt Ministry

Lenni-Lenape, Delaware Tribes

Lenni-Lenape tribe, also known as the Delaware tribe. The following link is a PDF file with Elementary and Secondary lessons, activity sheets, tests... It's a PDF.

http://www.bcps.org/offices/oea/pdf/cultural_heritage/Native-American-and-Alaska-Native-Heritage-Resource-Packet.pdf

This one focuses on OHIO. There are many activities, includes, tests and video links.
http://www.pbs4549.org/onestate/images/onestate.pdf

Expansion

the posts from BOAZ BAPTIST ACADEMY
blog to my this blog.

New School Year 2009-2010

Hard to believe that we are already into our school year. I am glad that during the months of summer I kept a running log of educational stuff we did. However, I am sorry that we took a break. It has put us behind academically. But this is our year to catch up. That is the big goal...bring math and english up to par, or close to it, without driving us all nutty.

Our first unit on lightning bugs was a success. Very interesting yet mysterious creatures, that you gotta love!

Tomorrow, yes school on a Saturday, we wrap up our brief dragonfly unit.

For history we jumped into the Constitution. You could easily spend the entire school year on it. Lest I bore my children with it, we are devoting just a few weeks to it. They will have, at the very least, an understanding of what it is, and why it is so important to us, to our country.

All summer we explored math curriculum and so far we are still undecided. Though I wish it wasn't, money is a factor. Plus we don't want to end up in the same spot next year--starting new math curriculi. We've looked into Math U See
Singapore Math, and The Teaching Textbooks . This in addition to considering A.C.E , Alpha Omega, and Landmark (which we have been using, but unhappy with the methodology used). I've learned we need something that is mastery based rather than circular. Suggestions for or against any of the above will be taken under advicement. On the math u see site, they have a helpful drill page. They like doing the work on the computer. I've also wondered if Quarter Mile Math would be a good choice, at least to get everyone up to speed.

Anticipation or Dread?

Are you looking forward to the new school year? There is a comical ad on television for "back to school". Which features a father with two children,in the background you hear "It's the most wonderful time of the year" being sung. The children are just pouty faced and the dad...well..he is full of glee...he pushes the cart kicking up his heels, with a big grin on his face. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9ZgH4AtdUY Get the picture...most parents simply cannot wait for school to begin after summer break. Their children get on their nerves, the children are bored, the children.... notice it is all about the children. (But that is for another post)

My question is, do you share the "staples dad's glee?" Let me rephrase that, are you full of glee at the start of a new school year because you can get your rugrat kids out of your hair, or is it the thought of a fresh start that brings a smile to your face?

Are you dreading the new school year because of past struggles, problems, or you hate homeschooling your children but are too ashamed or embarrassed to admit it to anyone? Maybe you can't even admit it to yourself.

To be perfectly honest, I have had years that I dreaded a new school DAY, forget the whole cotton-picking year! One day at a time was too much for me. I share your pain.

I dreaded school days, months, and yes, even years, because I KNEW everyday was going to be a battle. A battle to get up, to finish chores, to fix, eat and clean up a simple breakfast, to settle into our lessons, to quietly .... Do you get the idea? I KNOW the struggles. Like I said, I have been homeschooling a LONG time...we began in 1990...19 yrs ago....makes me sound and feel quite old...but I have the experience. Did I mention that I dreaded the paperwork, planning, and pretending it was all joy?

Yes dear homeschool moms and dads, I know the pain of beginning a new homeschool year.

You can't count on all your fingers and toes the times I wanted to quit...and that is just in a weeks time! Ok, maybe that is an exageration, but it is not easy, and I did want to give up.

Notice I said I. What held me back? It wasn't what, it was Who? The LORD held me back. He reminded me that He was the One who led us to homeschool, and that anything short of that would be living in disobedience to Him. Talk about a nudge! I've seen alot of folks choose disobedience, and the result is not pretty. Enough fear of God and His chastening had been instilled in me that I didn't have the guts to risk quitting.

The change for me, from dread to anticipation, came gradually. As we continued to battle out everyday and I wanted to pull my hair out, and scream, and cry, and feel like a failure, and fret that my children would hate me, and ... I started to cry out to God for help. I'd reached the end of my rope.

Another big prod from God: my friend and I have sons nearly the same age, both struggling academically, and one week she threw her hands up, literally, and told me she'd given up on J. Now I wonder what sort of expression met her eyes when she looked at me again. In my heart, I just felt so bad for her son. The LORD brought to mind all the times I wanted to quit and hadn't, not outwardly anyway, with my oldest son in particular. That day was a turning point for our homeschool, for me as a mother. I repented before the LORD, but spoke not a word to anyone else. The transformation in my son, and his attitude towards school, gradually changed for the better. It was amazing, and reminded me of how many articles I'd read when my children were infants stating that a moms emotional state could affect her baby. I believe our attitude affects our children. They feel our disappointmet, frustration...even if we are hiding it, or think we are. This is evident by the turn about in my son.

Graduation was another poke. It reminded me, clearly, that homeschooling is only a season of my life. One day, if the LORD tarries, my last child will graduate, and homeschooling will be done, forever. (Unless my children make good on their promise to bring my grands home for me to school) God was saying to me WAKE UP..ok He was shouting at me. W A K E U P!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reality hit me....life is fleeting! My days having my children at home are numbered.

This ended up making me sad, and I sat around crying about the fact that I only had this many years of homeschooling left. Really. It almost crippled me, thinking about what it will be like to wake up and not have my children here, and to not have to homeschool.

Exactly when I stopped dreading school and began to anticipate it with happy thoughts, is unclear. I can't point to the calendar and say on this day, month and year, it all changed. It was a process. It required me to forget the day before if it was a rough one, and rejoice that God's tender mercies are new every morning. And if His could be new everyday, then surely I could start each school day fresh. We could begin again. Believe me we had to BEGIN AGAIN lots of times.

My children still have times when they make me want to pull my hair out, or scream, or quit...but OVERALL, those times are fewer and farther between as the weeks turn into months.

Though I don't look forward to the time when homeschooling ends for us, forever, I anticipate each day and each school year as a new start, as a chance for us to redo our mistakes and move forward.

I want my children to look back and Praise God for being homeschooled, and have happy memories of many hours spent with their mother, who lovingly, and joyfully schooled them.

My answer to the title "Anticipation or Dread?" is Anticipation.

What is yours?