Assignment: How do you keep energized so you can get it all done? bouncy music? treat it like a workout? Do you use a schedule?, a housekeeping binder system? luck of the draw system?.. or is this an area where you need encouragement? Do you need God’s help to keep order and beauty in your dwelling place? Take this week to tell us how You diligently keep going with your housekeeping chores.
In this area I have probably tried everything. Every method seems to work for a while and then something happens that makes me get off track. I always have very good intentions. Currently I am using the when I have a free minute I get it done. I do use a "TO DO LIST", and that does seem to help. There is something satisfying about being able to cross something off of your list. I can be awful with this I will put things down like get up, brush teeth, etc on my list just to cross them off. HEHEHE.
Before summer started I was using a schedule and that was nice but I didn't like that my house was never clean all at the same time and my children seem to make continual messes. I know they still need training in this area and I haven't found the patience or the know how to deal with the messes. I know I love them to be creative but does it have to involve a mess.
The one thing I loved about the schedule is that I seemed to spend a little more time just playing with the kids since I had it scheduled into my day. Right now that doesn't seem to be happening.
Well I guess right now I am just going by the seat of my pants to get my housework done. My house isn't a disaster and we do have clean sheets more than once a year. So maybe I am achieving my goal of being a housewife. I do try to make my husbands work clothes and his dinner a priority. Also before he gets home about one hour before we do try to pick up the house so he walks into a better environment than at work.
I found this verse on a website and it really spoke to me:
Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust (2 Peter 1:2-4).
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
BFS Assignment #102 - Try it, You’ll Like It!
Assignment: This week I want you to do something for someone else. Do you have a neighbor that needs you? Do you know an elderly person or single mom that could use you? What about the homeless? Pack even one single sack lunch and give it to someone in need. Do you know someone in blogland that is struggling right now and could use a note from you about how much you care? Pray about this. Let God put on your heart the perfect thing for you to do for another. Now, here is the kicker…I DO NOT want you to post about what you do. Whatever you choose to do is between you and God. Our rewards are in heaven, not here on earth, Mathew 6:1. I want you to post about how doing this “act” made you feel. Was stepping out of your comfort zone in this area as hard as you thought it might be? Could you see the gratefulness in their eyes? Hear it in their voice? Tell it from their typing? Do you think you might make doing things like this a more regular part of your time? If this is an area that you are already active in, tell us how you feel this has impacted your life.
Memory Verse: Psalms 26:2 NIV Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.
This is not an area of my life I have felt comfortable with. This summer we did a local mission project and that was awesome. It is amazing what you can accomplish with God and a group of like minded people. The person we helped was obviously very touched and she is now going to have a much warmer and safer home for a good Michigan winter.
I know this is different than what the assignment said but I have currently been trying to lay myself down for my husband. He is currently stuggling at work and having a rough time. So, I have been reading Created to be his Helpmeet and that has been a true blessing. I have been trying to think of things to do for him to make his life at home much more relaxing. Like I said this is not an area of my life that I have been very good at. I usually get dinner made and then do the dishes but then I am exhausted. So, lately I have been trying to also make time for his projects that he needs my help with. Yesterday I had a ton of things to get done but I tried to also accomplish some things I knew would bless my hubby. For example the lawn needed to be mowed and we also needed wood moved into the basement. I didn't get that done but I am going to try and get it done so then he can just come home and relax.
Maybe this is off topic but sometimes helping the man right in our lives is very important and I have lacked in this are so that is the area I am working at. I will think of a way I can help someone besides my immediate family. I am thinking I might try to help someone who doesn't even know me. So I need spend sometime in prayer about it
Favorite verse:
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25
Jenni
Memory Verse: Psalms 26:2 NIV Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind.
This is not an area of my life I have felt comfortable with. This summer we did a local mission project and that was awesome. It is amazing what you can accomplish with God and a group of like minded people. The person we helped was obviously very touched and she is now going to have a much warmer and safer home for a good Michigan winter.
I know this is different than what the assignment said but I have currently been trying to lay myself down for my husband. He is currently stuggling at work and having a rough time. So, I have been reading Created to be his Helpmeet and that has been a true blessing. I have been trying to think of things to do for him to make his life at home much more relaxing. Like I said this is not an area of my life that I have been very good at. I usually get dinner made and then do the dishes but then I am exhausted. So, lately I have been trying to also make time for his projects that he needs my help with. Yesterday I had a ton of things to get done but I tried to also accomplish some things I knew would bless my hubby. For example the lawn needed to be mowed and we also needed wood moved into the basement. I didn't get that done but I am going to try and get it done so then he can just come home and relax.
Maybe this is off topic but sometimes helping the man right in our lives is very important and I have lacked in this are so that is the area I am working at. I will think of a way I can help someone besides my immediate family. I am thinking I might try to help someone who doesn't even know me. So I need spend sometime in prayer about it
Favorite verse:
I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint. Jeremiah 31:25
Jenni
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
BFS #101 - Plop, plop, Fizz, fizz; Oh, What a Relief It Is!
Assignment: This would be a good week to tell about your worst struggles with a lifestyle of homeschooling. Tell about something you’ve struggled with and how God’s mercies gave us the strength to get past it. Also, share any curriculum/homeschool methods that have been a relief to you, i.e., a particular Teacher’s Manual or Homeschooling method that’s been easier for your family. Talk about how you felt when the burden was lifted and Oh, What a Relief it is!
Where do I begin. You know I love homeschooling and every single time I think about just letting that bus stop I get a sinking feeling in my gut. So, I know that is not God's will for us. At the same time I still have a lot of struggles when it comes to homeschool. I have struggled with teaching my daughter to read. She is a math kid, it comes very easy to her. Reading on the other hand doesn't. I struggle with not comparing my children to other kids, whether they are in Public school or are homeschooled.
One of my main struggles is maintaining a easy pace schedule. Who said being a stay at home mom would be boring, they are nuts. I have a tendency to get to busy and then my home and my poor husband get neglected so I have really worked at that. I listened to a lot of Cindy Rushton's stuff and that has really helped my to purge some of the stuff that does not need to happen. I can see that this year is going to be easier for us. I eliminated a lot in my schedule, although this particular week is pretty bad. I have had some good weeks so far and it has been wonderful. Side NOte: Last night at my daughters dance class there was a bunch of mom's talking about what their kids were doing this year. NOw remember this is a group of 4 and 5 year olds. They all had them in Soccer (twice a week), dance (once a week), looking into Tae Kwon Do, and still considering Gymnastics. When do those poor babies get to be kids. Sorry about the bunny trail. We have eliminated our kids to one outside activity other than church a week. We were one of those crazy people last year I can't do that again.
Now on the other hand I have struggled with trying not to focus too much on the house and the wife duties I have and not spending time with the kids. Now for this area I could really use some advice. I still don't know how to fit it all in.
The one curriculum that has been a total relief to us is Math-U-See. It makes my life so easy. I just pop in the DVD he teaches the lesson to her and then we go over it together. There is plenty of worksheets for each lesson, so if she needs to do all of them she can or she can just do what she needs to get the concept. Also he continues to review the stuff from the beginning of the year till the end of the year. This way she doesn't forget it.
We are using Queen homeschool this year and so far I like it but it almost seems too simple. We will see how it goes. The unit studies were a little too hard. We are in 3rd grade this year and they wanted her to write a report almost everyday and we were both getting bogged down with it. Other than that the copy work is awesome. They have beautful pictures to look at. I also am enjoying there language arts program.
My theme verse has been
Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Prov 15:18 (KJV)]
I need to live by this verse since many times during the day are training oppurtunities and I tend to lean toward the yelling side and I need to just discipline and not yell.
Where do I begin. You know I love homeschooling and every single time I think about just letting that bus stop I get a sinking feeling in my gut. So, I know that is not God's will for us. At the same time I still have a lot of struggles when it comes to homeschool. I have struggled with teaching my daughter to read. She is a math kid, it comes very easy to her. Reading on the other hand doesn't. I struggle with not comparing my children to other kids, whether they are in Public school or are homeschooled.
One of my main struggles is maintaining a easy pace schedule. Who said being a stay at home mom would be boring, they are nuts. I have a tendency to get to busy and then my home and my poor husband get neglected so I have really worked at that. I listened to a lot of Cindy Rushton's stuff and that has really helped my to purge some of the stuff that does not need to happen. I can see that this year is going to be easier for us. I eliminated a lot in my schedule, although this particular week is pretty bad. I have had some good weeks so far and it has been wonderful. Side NOte: Last night at my daughters dance class there was a bunch of mom's talking about what their kids were doing this year. NOw remember this is a group of 4 and 5 year olds. They all had them in Soccer (twice a week), dance (once a week), looking into Tae Kwon Do, and still considering Gymnastics. When do those poor babies get to be kids. Sorry about the bunny trail. We have eliminated our kids to one outside activity other than church a week. We were one of those crazy people last year I can't do that again.
Now on the other hand I have struggled with trying not to focus too much on the house and the wife duties I have and not spending time with the kids. Now for this area I could really use some advice. I still don't know how to fit it all in.
The one curriculum that has been a total relief to us is Math-U-See. It makes my life so easy. I just pop in the DVD he teaches the lesson to her and then we go over it together. There is plenty of worksheets for each lesson, so if she needs to do all of them she can or she can just do what she needs to get the concept. Also he continues to review the stuff from the beginning of the year till the end of the year. This way she doesn't forget it.
We are using Queen homeschool this year and so far I like it but it almost seems too simple. We will see how it goes. The unit studies were a little too hard. We are in 3rd grade this year and they wanted her to write a report almost everyday and we were both getting bogged down with it. Other than that the copy work is awesome. They have beautful pictures to look at. I also am enjoying there language arts program.
My theme verse has been
Proverbs 15:18
A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.
Prov 15:18 (KJV)]
I need to live by this verse since many times during the day are training oppurtunities and I tend to lean toward the yelling side and I need to just discipline and not yell.
After I have said all this I know that I would not trade one moment with my kids. Yes there are days when I would like to just go to the store by myself to get a break but all in all I enjoy my life my dh and God have given me. When would my kids get to spend the time together that they get now. When would I be able to say we struggled through reading but WE got it, not some teacher or tutor at the school. We are all truely blessed to be able to have this time and get to enjoy this journey with our little ones.
The picture I posted is very old. I need to update the pictures in my computer.
God Bless
Saturday, September 6, 2008
What a Saturday
Today was a very productive day. First I got woke up by my dh. He had a problem with our poor kitty. I guess the cat caught him off guard and bit him. Then he reacted and the cat went flying. AFter that the cat didn't act quite right. I felt bad for both of them. Hubby cried cause he felt so bad and the kitty just laid around.
After he started acting normal the hard work began. Although while kitty was under the weather we sat and talked, it was really nice to have some quiet time to talk while the kids were in bed.
Got breakfast made and then talked to my dear friend who lives in South Carolina now. While I was on the phone did some house work, finished dishes from breakfast, then headed to the big pile of clean clothes that needed folding.
Then we headed over to the same friends house here in Michigan. The are renting the place. We went there to pick apples. Now I have a job to get done. Applesauce here we come.
Then we power washed the deck, playhouse, and chicken coop. Then sealed it with water sealant. After that we worked on closing the pool. That went well.
While I cooked dinner dh planted some raspberry bushes we got. After all of this I am exhausted but feel good about what we got done. It is nice to have a productive day with my family.
Jenni
After he started acting normal the hard work began. Although while kitty was under the weather we sat and talked, it was really nice to have some quiet time to talk while the kids were in bed.
Got breakfast made and then talked to my dear friend who lives in South Carolina now. While I was on the phone did some house work, finished dishes from breakfast, then headed to the big pile of clean clothes that needed folding.
Then we headed over to the same friends house here in Michigan. The are renting the place. We went there to pick apples. Now I have a job to get done. Applesauce here we come.
Then we power washed the deck, playhouse, and chicken coop. Then sealed it with water sealant. After that we worked on closing the pool. That went well.
While I cooked dinner dh planted some raspberry bushes we got. After all of this I am exhausted but feel good about what we got done. It is nice to have a productive day with my family.
Jenni
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
BFS Assignment #100 - Oh What a Feeling
Assignment: Take time this week to write about YOU and your feelings of trials and triumphs with homeschooling. Touch on when you first heard about the concept of home schooling and whether you tip-toed into the idea or just jumped in and never looked back. Share your schooling as a child and how you compare it to what your goals are for your children.
This one I have to think about. I thought about homeschooling when I was working and my oldest daughter was only 9 months old. There was this lady that would come in to the bank that I worked and she talked to me about homeschooling her daughter. I loved the idea of my child being able to pursue her own interests. She had a daughter that loved horses so part of her studies was on horses. From the point on I researches, and researched, and researched homeschooling. I knew as soon as I could quit working that I was going to homeschool. I have looked back a few times but then my heart and stomach sink and I know that this is where God wants us to be right now.
My schooling as a child was probably typical of most public schooled kids. Nothing to much to tell. Although I can tell you that I am learning more now with my children than when I was in school. It is like they get to learn a subject more in depth. We were pushed through things. My child, if she ever finds an interest in a certain subject, could spend weeks on it. I am allowed to change the schedule but in public schools they can't do that so you just get to dab in subjects.
My goals for my children are to have a love of learning, although this can be a challenge. There are days where you feel like you are losing your mind since they aren't getting something. I need to relax more so they will have this love of learning. When I was in school you just did things to get them done not because you wanted to find out more. I hope they can have this curiosity about a subject and want to find out more.
This was fun
Jenni
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