Homeschool Moment

I wanted to share something that we started this school year, more independent work. When we moved here and Timothy was 1 and Elijah was 3 (more needed attention) I had to do something. I was wearing myself out trying to be right beside Isaac and Sarah doing school and keeping the two (now 3) little ones occupied. Bryan suggested that I let Isaac and Sarah do a good bit of school on their own. WHAT?!! Finally I gave in and tried it. At first it was hard (harder for me). I have realized that Isaac was depending too much on me, so it has been real good for me to take my hand off of him some. Now we work like this....if they have a question they come and ask me but they first try and figure it out on their own. I will check their work and go over whatever they missed. I have been amazed that they have done so well. :) As Bryan and I have talked about this I have come to see that in the long run it is for their benefit to figure things out for theirselves. Over time I have felt such a freedom from not having that "control". Isaac and Sarah can read the directions and do their work, only need mom for support. Next year I will be doing more school time with Elijah and he will need more of my attention so that eventually he will be doing independent work one day. I am such a perfectionist that in the beginning this drove me crazy, but after wise counsel from my hubby and following his lead, I am SO glad I have removed my hand from total control (I am still the teacher just not dictator) of Isaac and Sarah's school. So may I encourage those of you who have older children to give it a try, I really don't think you will regret it. It is a step toward more responsibility and maturity for our children.

A Kingbird

One day I was sitting outside when a kingbird flew by. I watched it land on a branch. It saw a insect and swooped down and got it. Then it went back to his branch and ate the insect. I wish I was a kingbird. The kingbird has strong wings that can fight off hawks and crows. It is a useful bird and very pretty.

by: Isaac Chandler Camp

Baseball

Watching for the right one!

Warming up!

Joanna is out!

Well, baseball is in full swing! Most of Isaac's games are later games so the younger kiddos and I don't get to make those. We did get to go this past Friday night to a game that started at 7:30. Joanna goes to bed at 8 so she was give out! Isaac has enjoyed playing and being with other boys his age. His team did not win this game but did win the game on Saturday. Next week is a busy week with a full week of games.

Jesus Is Alive!

Thank you Jesus for these wonderful blessings!

Our new family picture! I have been wanting to get a family picture since Joanna has been born and since we were all looking descent today (LOL) I got one. One of our Pastor's daughters took this, she took our Easter picture last year also.

Timothy is showing what he liked most....Resse Pieces!!

Isaac seeing what was in his basket.

Sarah opening a card from Paw and Maw!

Elijah is showing his bendable bunny!

Mommy and Joanna

This morning the kids got their Easter baskets before we went to church. Every one put on their "new" clothes....Jesus gives us a NEW life when we allow Him to change our hearts. We got to go and worship a Risen Savior with our church family at Shelbyville Mills Baptist Church....He is worthy of our worship! Then this afternoon we have enjoyed being together as a family by watching the new Narnia movie together and playing outside....one day we will be able to spend every moment at the feet of Jesus!! Pray each of you had a wonderful Easter!!

Helpful Hints

A Menu for the week(s) to come. This has helped us out in more than one way. First of all I make a list of all the meals that our family likes or eats and then I sit down with a calendar to decide what we will have for which meals. On that calendar I write down what our meals will be for each day that week and if possible the next week. From this calendar I compose a grocery list or make sure I have those items on hand. Then I write out my menu and post it to where the whole family can view it. My big kids love having this so they will know what we are having to eat and they don't have to ask me. Having a menu really helps me when I am trying to grocery shop for two weeks. I always get a few extra things for those "just in case" moments. Now I will say this, things come up and we don't always have what is written down to eat but I still am prepared. It is nice to know ahead of time what we are having so incase I need to set something out for the next day. Writing the menu down on a calendar is helpful for me, I know what we had last week and the week before, etc.

This is the claendar I use. Use what ever is best for you.

This is what our menu looks like. I place mine in a clear project sleeve so that I can write on the sleeve with a dry earse marker and then I can reuse it.

Big Brown Eyes

We have been blessed with brown eyed children! Some of our kids have Bryan's coloring of brown eyes, light brown. Some of the kids have DARK brown eyes like their mother! :) One of our dark brown eyed children is Elijah. When he talks to you those brown eyes just light up and especially when he gets excited!! When you ask him to show you his BIG brown eyes this is what he looks like (see picture above). It is so cute and so funny! Last night I was going to take a picture of him and Joanna, then he wanted me to take his picture, so I said "Show me your eyes" and this is the picture I got!! Got to LOVE him!!

Helpful Hints and Homeschool Moment

I have felt that maybe I could share some things that we do as a family and it might encourage others or spark an idea in some. I know how much I enjoy hearing what other familys do and getting ideas from others that I might can apply to our family. Two areas that I would like to share are, "Helpful Hints" will be things that might benefit any family with children and then "Homeschool Moment" might benefit a homeschooling family. Let me be the first to admit I am not saying that we have it all together, I know there are many others out there that are doing this family thing way better than we are, but I am willing to share in order to spur others on (Hebrews 10:23-25). So when you see a post titled "Helpful Hints" or "Homeschool Moment" you will know what I am sharing. I want to encourage feed back. If you have any suggestions for me please feel free to leave them in the comment box. I would love to hear what you all are doing in your families and what works for you and what doesn't. I want my post to be an encouragement to you and for them to challenge you as a mother, wife and woman. My ultimate goal will be to lift Jesus up and glorify God in all that is said and done!

"Don't Make Me Count To Three"

This book is divided into three parts. Part 1 is Reaching the Heart of Your Child. It is our calling as parents to reach the heart of our children. How do we do that? This book gives some great wisdom in how to begin and continue drawing out issues of the heart in our children. Then we can train them in righteousness. This is such a great calling to be the mother of these precious children and I know that without God I will not be able to reach their hearts.

Part 2 is How to Give a Biblical Reproof. Correction and discipline can not be done correctly aside from God's word. How do we speak to our children when we are disciplining them? I am guilty of raising my voice and being angry but that is NOT the way the Lord discipline's me. I have learned and gained so much from this part. God has revealed to me some sin in my life in correcting my children. Praying that God would change me and grow me in giving biblical reproof.

Part 3 is The Biblical Use of the Rod. Spanking is a controversial issue so I know that this part may not set well with some. This book gives clear guidelines for when to spank and when not to. Also that spanking is biblical and if we search out the word of God we will see this is something He is for. There is scripture to back up spanking and how it can be a source of driving out the foolishness in the heart of our children (Proverbs 22:15).

Once again I have so gleaned from this book. It will be one of those books that I will be able to refer back to in days, months and even years to come. I thank the Lord for placing it in my path and for allowing me to share it with you. I know that we are in this together as moms and that our hearts are for the hearts of our children.

Training

As Isaac was helping with the grass cutting, they ran across this little fellow! Groundhog?

Bryan and I are in full swing of training our children. I am sure most of you have been there or are in full swing yourself. Training, I believe needs to be done in all areas of life not just one.

First, we are training our children to do things around the house. In the pictures above Isaac is learning to cut the grass. He does the trim work while Bryan is doing the big part of the yard. Someday I am sure that Isaac will be cutting the big part of the yard and Bryan will be training Elijah to do the trim work. Sarah is learning to wash clothes. On laundry day she can start a load of clothes all by herself. I know one day she will be ironing clothes while Joanna is starting a load to wash. Keep in mind these are not the only chores they are learning to do, these are just to name a few. The little boys are in training as well. Timothy is learning to clean up his place at the table and Elijah is learning to fold a load of towels and wash cloths. Each child will always be learning (in training) something that they will be able to take with them.

Second, we are training them in education at home. We have been homeschooling all along and have been very blessed. It is a challenge, especially since Joanna has come along and the little boys are needing more one on one attention. We have come along way and I truely feel that God has given wisdom and given guidance in helping me to know how to manage this area of our life. Thank you Lord! Next year I will be doing more school with Elijah and this year I have learned that I need to let Isaac and Sarah do more school on their own.

Lastly, we are to be training in the area of discipline. I am in the middle of reading a book titled "Don't Make Me Count To Three" and it has been a great blessing and full of wisdom! If I had the money I would buy each of you that are in the same season of life as we are (raising children) a copy. Let me be the first to say I DO NOT count! That is the reason I have not read this book sooner. Last week as I was passing through our church's library I saw this book and thought I would check it out because I probably would NOT want to buy it. Well, it is now on the top of my "books to buy" list!! I want to have it available for my children to read when they have children.

The rod and rebuke give wisdom,

But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Proverbs 29:15

It is not the rod part that I was missing or lacking on....it is the rebuke (reproff). God has used this book to open my eyes to pulling from God's word in my discipline of the children. For example: When Elijah lied to me the other day I pulled him aside and told him that "God's Word (the Bible) says that we are not to lie. God tells us "Do not lie", He commands it. So Elijah you have disobeyed God and I can not let you continue to disobey Mommy or God." WOW! I never thought about gently speaking to them and using God's word to reveal their heart and the sin that is within. The next time he disobeys in this area I will remind him of what God's word says and then he will receive discipline. Well this has also caused me to have to KNOW God's word, which is awesome! I am so thankful for God leading me to this book and I am looking forward to applying it to our training of our children. I am not real good at expressing my heart but I hope you see what I am trying to get across. I urge you to read the book. I will not do a very good job of explaining it, but maybe I have atleast caused you to be interested. This is a book that points you to God's Word and those are the kind of books I love to read!

Joanna

Since Joanna turned 3 months this past week I thought I would share a couple of pictures of her. This was her first real bath picture. The first couple of times I gave her a bath she screamed! I didn't post the picture of her screaming because now she doesn't scream at all! She does really well getting a bath. When I gave her a bath tonight I remembered I had this picture and thought I needed to make a post of "Bath Time".

Also wanted to show off these very cute house shoes! My grandmother got her these and Joanna looks so cute in them! She won't be able to wear them much longer as she is growing every day!

Proverbs 14

The wise woman builds her house,

But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1

As I read Proverbs this morning this verse hit home with me. Oh how I long to be that wise woman who builds her house. I asked myself "What can I do to build my house". I need to ask myself that everyday. It might be to spend more time with my children, pray for my children more, make time for dates with my hubby, or maybe all of the above. It might be something else that I did not list, but I need to be intentionally building my house. Oh how I DO NOT want to be a foolish woman who tears down my house. I realize that we are all capable of this and that is all the more reason to fill ourselves with the wisdom that comes from God's Word!

Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;

But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.

Proverbs 14:4

I have come to love this verse and something I need to remind myself of everyday. A few months ago a friend of mine posted on her blog about this verse and I loved what she said. To be honest I forgot about it in the next day or two. A few days later God brought this verse back to my rememberance and I have thought of it quite often since. I struggle with my house being in order and getting my to do list checked off. This verse reminds me that if I had no family(children especially) my "trough" would be clean, in order and all those "to do's" would get checked off. BUT....I am sooooooo thankful for a dirty trough!! Those "ox" (children and hubby)bring wonderful blessings (increase).

Thank you Lord for your Word and for the wisdom You give through Your word! Help me Lord to build my house for Your glory. Convict me if I began to tear it down and guide me back to the straight and narrow path. Thank You Lord for a dirty trough! My children and Bryan are a gift from You! May we as a family do many things for You and may You be please with our family! I love you, my Father!

Chocolate???

See those hands and face?

Timothy was playing outside and as all boys do, he loves to play in the dirt. Well this particular day he decided that he would eat some. By the time Bryan realized that he was eating it he already had it down his chin. It looks like he was eating chocolate! He later informed me that he ate a bug!!!!! Oh well, he survived and I am sure it won't be the last time we have a dirt issue!

Joanna will be 3 months tomorrow! I am amazed at how fast these past 3 months have FLOWN by! We are enjoying every minute with her and she is so loved! :)

Pizza Painting

Sarah had art class last night and they painted a picture of pizza. I thought she did a great job on this. I have it in my kitchen and she had so much fun painting it. She has been saying she wants to be an artist. I think she has potential.

Brothers and a Tea Party

I just had to get a picture of these two in their matching PJ's! I love it when my kids are dressed alike, which doesn't happen often. As I have said before these two are the best of friends and I think you can see that some in these two pictures. Elijah and Timothy do have their moments but for the most part they have so enjoyed each other. I catch them being so sweet to each other some times and I wish I had a camera to capture the moment. I am so thankful to God who gave me these two boys and that He gave them each other!!

Had to share a picture of Joanna at her first tea party! Sarah got this real cute tea set when she was little and I put it up years ago. Well the other day when I was going through some toys for Joanna, I ran across it and Sarah has had so much fun having tea parties. Even the boys have been invited to the tea parties. Sarah just insisted that Joanna come and have tea with her, so we put Joanna in her bouncy seat at the little table. Sarah was so excited! She even played tea party with her grandmothers this past weekend. Tea anyone?

A Celebration!

When Bryan's Dad and Mom came up on Friday night we all gathered round to watch a rerun of the Cosby Show. We laughed so hard!

Joanna was a party girl as we celebrated Timothy's birthday!

Timothy has been asking for sunglasses and so that was one of his gifts. He loves them!

This is what was left of some cinnamin bread. A lady at West Park Heights use to make us homemade bread and homemade cinnamin bread and we love it! Mrs. Betty sent some by my parents and that bread didn't last a whole day! Sarah calls this bread "Betty Bread"! Thank you so much Mrs. Betty for the bread and as always it was so delicious!! :)

Elijah and Timothy had the best time "digging in the dirt" with the birthday cake!

Timothy turned two on Friday and we celebrated! We are so blessed to have Timothy in our famiy and he is such a joy, we had a whole lot of reason to celebrate Timothy's life!! Both sets of grandparents were able to come up and celebrate with us! My parents got to come up on Thursday night and Bryan's parents came up on Friday night. We so enjoyed our time with them and the kids LOVED having the grandparents here! What a great weekend, great weather and great company!

A busy Saturday!

Last Saturday was a busy one for us, especially Bryan and Isaac. Our morning began with AWANA olympics. Isaac and Sarah participate in AWANA's on Wednesday nights at our church and this was something special for the games they play on Wednesday nights. They had so much fun! Then we all headed to Isaac's first baseball game. The weather was really nice. The little boys enjoyed playing at the ball field, as you can see in the last picture. They really needed a bath when we got home! :) Isaac is playing kid pitch this year, so this all new to us. Isaac likes playing baseball and really enjoys getting to play with some of the boys from church. They won 13-5!! Right after the game I took the kids home for a much needed rest time. Bryan and Isaac headed to a Men's Conference with some men from our church. Boy were we busy but we all had a great day!!