My little girl is 13!

I really just can't believe how fast time flies.  I know that really sounds trite...but I am completely serious! It boggles my mind at how fast a week goes by. I wish there were some way that I could put our life on hold or at least slo-mo for awhile!!

See this was just yesterday...

or wait...

 that was 8 years ago...oh my....

See what I mean... this little girl who just turned 13 on Monday is now...
taller than me...

wears a bigger shoe size than I do ... (which is saying a whole lot!!)

and in my impartial opinion is... so pretty... when did this happen?

A Secret Mission...

Should we homeschool in the summer or not???

The facts are strong on both sides... but I must admit... the lazy days of a free summer call to me! Even when I taught at school, I think I loved summer way more than the kids did! I love the peaceful relaxation and the time it gives me to unwind and destress.  I know I would never be able to get through all of the rough times with homeschooling if I didn't have a bit of time off. However, I really see that the children do begin to forget a good bit of what they were learning. It's with this in mind, that I have tried to concoct a summer experiment... my very own covert educational mission!

My poor innocent children just won't know what hit them! I want the kids to be able to review and practice some of the skills that we have worked so hard this year to learn. So, I am putting together several websites that offer concrete drill and practice at each level that my children need with awesome super fun games. The beauty of this Secret Mission is that whenever the kids get bored this summer, I can honestly tell them to go "play" with the websites that I have put in their lists. Learning will be taking place, kids will be having fun, and I will be sitting on my patio, sipping a lemonade, reading a book, and refreshing my soul! Woohoo... can't wait for summer break... how 'bout you?

A Summer Secret - Book Review

Just (finally) finished a good book by Kathleen Fuller called a Summer Secret. This would be a super pick for a young girl. The story is about an Amish Family and their children. The young people find a run away boy living in an abandoned barn and decide they must help him. But then things get out of control and... well, you'll just have to pick up a copy and check it out! Yet, as a new author Kathleen Fuller has you interested from the first moment. With poignant thought provoking issues for young people introduced throughout, this is a great read!

Love books? Check out Book Sneeze . com to get free books in exchange for book reviews!

The Future of Homeschooling

No... I am not gazing into a crystal ball to tell the future of homeschooling...

But, I am looking at the facts...

Did you know that the most recent government count of homeschoolers was at 1.5 million in 2007? And this was estimated with a projected growth rate of 36% a year! Calculate that and you have nearly 3 million Americans that are homeschooling!!!

But, in this "government" count, they excluded those homeschoolers who particpated in umbrella schools, public school sponsored homeschools, and temporary homeschoolers. Also, think about most homeschooling families - I lump myself in this - I don't really like the government to know everything that we do so I typically only answer what I have to... So in all reality the government's count could be VERY shy! Including in all of these other "excluded" groups would bring the homeschooler count to between 4-6 million. WOW!!

So, if homeschooling is really growing this rapidly what does that mean for our future? Yes, I have seen homeschooling grow from a "red headed stepchild" to a popular method of education. Homeschooling has grown from having little to no resources to having such a plethora of resources that it boggles my mind to look for curriculum. There are homeschooling support groups all over the place now, and even our family and friends are starting to "come around" to our crazy decision to homeschool. The scene has changed - and definitely for the better, but again... what does that mean for our future?

Well, truthfully no one can say. Alot of the future of homeschooling depends on how the federal and state governments continue to look at home education. As long as the laws remain that protect our freedoms in this area... we should be able to continue. Yet, with so many Americans making homeschooling their method of education our voice becomes louder. At this point in time...with an estimated 4-6 million homeschoolers... the future of homeschooling appears strong and growing!!

The Toilet is Overflowing... but am I?

Overflowing toilets are a serious issue at our house... in fact, it has happened twice this month...

...beautiful innocent children become monsters when they leave a loaded toilet to gracefully spill its contents out onto the floor...

...fill up the bathroom, and spill down onto the ceiling below...

...trickle down the lights, and spill out of the stove vent hood...

...dripping onto innocent mothers cooking dinner...

That's alot of overflowing... which brings me to my thoughts today...

Am I? You know, overflowing... hopefully not with the same nastiness that we were just talking about... but with the Lord...

Am I so full of Him that it spills out onto everything around me? How I want to be! We were made for this... not for sitting in front of the TV... not for wasting time and money... but we were made to seek Him. To draw nigh to Him, and to relish in His amazing love! God help me today... to be so full of you I just drip onto everything near me, around me, above me, and below me!

I recently started a new Bible reading program... it is really interesting... it gets you reading ALOT... somedays I can't get through all of it - you know since I only have a couple kids and all... but I try. You can check it out here and here. I am praying that He will fill me as I earnestly seek Him.

I did purchase plungers for each toilet in our house,and have conducted plunger school...

...By the way... anyone know a good painter... we have some water damage on our kitchen ceiling... ;)

Making peace with Graham Crackers and English Muffins...

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Everyone has their own daily personal battles...
For one person it may be loneliness... for another it may be sickness... or financial difficulty...
Many days mine is frustration with training and teaching my children, and stress that I just don't have more time to do what needs to be done with them. Some days, I just gotta laugh or I would cry! How about an English muffin, chocolate graham cracker, and cheese sandwich? She knew mommy was busy, so she fixed her own lunch... This, of course, makes me sad that she didn't want to bother me because she knew I had so much to do...

Life is full of unexpected challenges... yet being able to rest in the Father's will though life's storms threaten and howl about you is evidence of a true child of God...

He fills us with His strength and we go on though we really don't understand how...

I love this song that Heartland Baptist College sings...
Is there something in your way, a battle you can't win
Do you struggle day to day with thoughts of giving in?
There's no reason for despair, He has walked this way before.
With compassion flowing free, He is there for you and me.
That's what grace is for...
When all hope fades away, and prayers are only words.
Just reach out in faith and know, He's already heard.
He'll mend your wounded heart,
Peace he will restore - His arms are open wide
Walk through mercy's door - That's what grace is for!!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Cor. 12:9

Under the circumstances...

Have you ever been there? you know... under the circumstances?

Are you there right now?

I have been there many times, though it isn't a place that I should be because I am His. 

That's difficult.  When things are tough... the stress is high... do we get "under His wings" or "under the circumstances?"

I often allow my perception of what I should be, how I should be doing it, and what others think to put added stress on my life. I have always had these goals in my head that I felt I must live up to but are my "goals" His goals? Are the troubles of this life the focus of my life?

If I could only focus on Him, the trials and troubles would become so much smaller... and actually pale in comparison to ... HIM.

Phil. 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand, be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God . And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.