Copyright © Field Lily Press
Design by Dzignine

Friday, September 20, 2013

Family Glue

1. loyal, 2. admirable 3.faithful 4. stubborn 5. nice 6. loving 7. Godly 8. bold 9. obedient 10. stick-to-it-ness 11.laughs 12. smiles 13. strength 14. fast runner 15. fast jogger 16.steady 17. willing 18. alert 19. attentive 20. unbowing.
Tonight, I had Daniel make a list of 20 things he admired about his sister. This was my idea of a gluing exercise. Sometimes our reactions are snapshots of our own coming unglued, and as quick as God gave me the thought, I had him make out a list to snap him out of it. Even in the depth of his irritation, this is what he came up with. I especially loved #20: un-bowing.  This is actually a pretty decent list. I could take issue with the fast-jogger thingy as I wasn't sure *how* someone could be a fast jogger??? but I loved the rest too much. Admired Bethany. Learning and loved Daniel. Thanking God tonight for His wisdom and the assurance there's more where that came from.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Lesson planning: One of my strategies is to plan the hardest subject first. By that I mean, plan the subject or subjects that are most often pushed to the side. At our house that includes science. We meet weekly in a co-op and often find ourselves scrambling at the last minute to finish our notebook journal, or in my case, the lesson plan if it's my week to teach.
 Next up to plan will be Latin. We are working with a new curriculum and I can't wait to sink our teeth into Visual Latin! Writing keeps giving us a run for our money as well, so I need to make some decisions on that.  For History, Bethany is creating and monitoring, I should say, her Ancient History reading and notebook activities on her own, but tonight, I'll make some suggested reading assignments to help her along. Daniel's history is planned out (Notgrass's "America the Beautiful"), so I'll be checking his answers and making sure my planner is up to date with assignments completed and those to come. The children's math and english are mostly planned, and it's a matter of me reviewing the week's upcoming lessons and making a note in the planner of the lessons they'll work on this week.   

I also make a note of the week's appointments and activities to make sure I don't double-book any where.  For the record, I've done that before!  I always say that I don't plan because I am organized, but that I plan because I'm not naturally organized.

Have a great week, and may the Lord crown our efforts with His measurement of success!

Last Night I Dreamed That...

Last night I dreamed I had comments waiting to be moderated on my blog! {insert smile.} And while you're imagining that, here's a brief timeline of the good news of the gospel in video form.
Have a wonderful Sunday.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Honesty Monday

This is my brain on  a Philippians 4:13 Monday.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (That's the Philippians 4:13 part.)
I can teach language arts. (I love language arts!)
I can decide between Analytical Grammar Jr. for my 5th grade son OR First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind.
I can pick up the phone and call CBD and ask about their return policy. (Did it!)
I can place the order for both with full knowledge that one will be returned.
I can then choose the best course for my son.
Then I can TEACH that course and return the one we choose not to use.
I will not let this frustration and apparent obstacle deter me from my mission of teaching my children, and how I love the mission!
The end. 

So, this may appear infantile and ridiculous, so yes, I'm a tinge blushed to admit  that these are the kinds of conversations I have every now and then. Yep, honesty can be humbling all right!


Saturday, September 7, 2013

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' Matthew 25:40