Focus....

It's time to focus on next years curriculum choices.  I have lots of changes in store for next year.  This year has been wonderful, so far.  The kids are always so enthusiastic to learn something new and they are getting older, so we need to change the way they study some things.  My oldest arrow will be going into 8th grade!!!  I can hardly believe she is that big....seems like just yesterday we started this homeschooling adventure and here we are about to start our 7th year.  WOW.....time flies.

As I am still reading my book on Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit, I am trying to put into work some of the things I have already learned.  For example, they suggest bringing in your husband to help with the curriculum choosing.  This is an area that I have normally had full control.  My husband trusts my choices, although I often go to him first and ask what he thinks.  This year however, I will be seeking to do this as a joint praying and decision making process.

Having an almost highschooler in our midst really changes the way you look at curriculum.  You want to make sure that her transcripts will look good to whatever college she might applies and you seek to teach them as much as possible before they are "adults."  I have to say, I am getting a bit nervous over this one.  This is when I have to stop and pray, pray, pray. 

The younger children's curriculums won't change all that much other than a few things here and there.  I am seeking a new math curriculum for everyone.  I've loved using our Teaching Textbooks, but I have also heard recently that they miss quite a bit too.  I don't even know where to begin on this one!!  Any suggestions?  We really enjoy having it on the computer, as I am not great in math and the "new" way of math has me baffled!  I could probably get by with teaching it the "old" way, but I'd be doing my kids a disservice when they get older and into higher grades.  So, what do you do?

How do you go about choosing your curriculum?  Do you follow what your fellow moms are teaching, branch out and go your own path, or do you and your husband pray over and choose wisely?  I'm curious to know....so sit a spell and give me your insights.  I'm wondering if after 6 years, am I missing something wonderful???  Thanks for sharing!

I'm off to FOCUS, pray and focus on choosing the right curriculum for my uprising highschooler.

Fear.....

Better days have passed.  I still feel the struggle of depression knocking at my door, but there have been a couple better days.  Today, while waiting on my eldest arrow to finish her science class, I sat in the car reading a book while the other children played on the playground.  I have read this book before and it warranted reading again, since the first time didn't "take" for me.  You know those books that are great, full of good information, but you failed to put it into action in your life?  Anyway, I am now reading "Homeschooling with a meek and quiet spirit" by Teri Maxwell  GREAT book for anyone that wishes to be that calm, soft spoken homeschool mom that doesn't lose her temper every single time something goes wrong.  As I was saying, I'm reading it for a 2nd time hoping and praying that something sticks this time.

Today I was reading the chapter on Fear and Worry......ah, this is perfect for me to read.  I immediately thought, "the Lord has something to teach me today....wake up, pay attention, don't let anything distract you."  As I read this chapter I see so much of what I am facing.  FEAR is taking over my emotions, fear is trying to run my life, but fear is NOT OF GOD!!  Then I read these bible verses that I already know, but they finally start to click in my mind and my heart starts to respond.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2Timothy 1:7

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Finally I think I'm understanding, you mean if I stop worrying over every little detail of friendships, school, relationships, and church and PRAY....hand it over to God, He will direct my path?  And I will show my children that there is joy in Godly obedience???!!!  OK....I think I'm getting this!  Finally, I feel some relief.  I don't control everything, although I would like to, but God controls it all.  I can rely on Him to help me be a better teacher to my kids, He will provide friends, and He will care for every need.  Wow...what a wonderful, loving and merciful God I serve because He knows, I will try, but I will also fail.

Lord Jesus, may I hold dear these teachings you had for me today.  Make them new to me everyday, write them on my heart forevermore, and may I truly take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ!! Amen.

I have known these truths for so long, but today they feel fresh and new.  Isn't it wonderful to know that God has so much for us to learn from His word, even when we think we already know so much?!  I love it!  I can't believe there are people out there that say the bible is outdated and does not teach us anything about today.  Oh how sad and wrong those people are and I pray that they would turn from their ways and see His glory!

Melt Downs, Screams and More...

WOW....whew, we are exhausted around here. Our 2 year old has really brought out the worst in me the last 2 days. I am really about to pull my hair out!!! I don't know what to do with her and I can't keep my cool long enough to teach my kids peacefully. I keep thinking about a book I once started reading called "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit". It is a WONDERFUL book, but only a reminder to me of what I will never be. :( I know that the Lord is trying to teach me something, but WHAT???? Enough already!!?? Ha Ha Ha A friend of mine once told her husband that she and the Lord had a different understanding of what she could handle. I like that quote and I agree!! I feel so overwhelmed!! My homeschool is not getting off to the best start, my toddler is unruley, my son screams in nursery at church to the point of throwing up, and he still gets me up 2-3 times a night!!! When will the Madness End??? Is there Light at the end of this dark tunnel?? CALGON!! TAKE ME AWAY!!!