Home-school Weekly Journal

In our homeschool this week…

  Well, we got through it. We did.  Each day I held my breath and God provided! We made it! Another week done.  We had some good moments... I am pleased with our devotions we do each day, Maddy's progress with sound recognition and penmanship, and Kate is getting back into the swing of things with reading. She is also learning new things in math is has been fun to see.

 

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

We have been mostly at home trying to get school done... but at night we've gone for walks, to the park, and spent time with dad.  That has been fun and it reminded me a lot of last year-- those times were so incredibly special.  We went to MOPS on Thursday and the kids played and I had an encouraging meeting. We got groceries, came home, and we are now enjoying the weekend. 

 

 

My favorite thing this week was...

doing our banana craft and working on our bite size banana bites. 

Things I'm working on......

I'm working on memorizing scripture more, being a {more} praying parent and wife, and being more gentle. I'm also working on food choices.

 

 

Things I'm cooking...

Beef Stew with Biscuits

 

School outside

button sorting

Enjoying dad

canned salsa

 

 

 

 

I’m grateful for…

Gods grace! His vision. His encouragement. His wisdom. His loving hand.

I'm praying for.....

 the kids and their discernment, peer pressure in the future, that they'd make wise choices and that they'd be teachable. That they'd soak in all that is being taught, especially gods word. 

A photo, video, link, or quote to share (silly, serious or both!)…

my instagram photo book! so excited!

 

healthy snacks

tired Ella

Biscuit making

goodbye to our summer help

6:30 a.m. - running stairs

 

Day 1

Today was the first day of homeschooling for the 2013 school year. It went about as well as I thought it would. I really enjoyed teaching the girls, and I enjoyed spending more time with them. I think it will take a while to get the right schedule in motion but for now I am trying to take things slow. It is such a busy time of year with harvest in full swing.... My help for the last seven months is coming to an end this week. Though I am very capable of doing things myself, it has been really nice to get help with laundry and watching the kids while I have appointments. It is very much a sacrifice on my part to homeschool, but I'm praying my choice to be obedient will richly bless the girls and bring joy to our family!!  Here are some photos from the day.

Following

I haven't written for so long. There has been many things going on-- so much I wouldn't know where to even begin!  This post will mostly be photos, but i wanted to share a couple songs that have really been moving to me, and special.  I have been praying for wisdom and encouragement, and God has been so faithful.  I have felt really tested this last week, and when I began to get discouraged, yesterday in church this was played:

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
[Verse 2:]
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me, Lord, through the flame
[Chorus:]
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
[Verse 3:]
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand

That really spoke to me and encouraged me that God is just refining my character. How will I grow without the opportunity?

The other song was "I will follow you" by chris tomlin.  Today I did my workout as usual and when i stopped to stretch, I let my praise music keep playing. Boy, was it powerful. It moved me to tears and I meant every word:

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve, I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone
In you alone
Lyrics from eLyrics.net 

I'm so thankful God cares about me to encourage me through scripture, music, and my time alone. 

8th anniversary surprise scones this morning

my moms 60th birthday

brand new nephew, William Robert

morning devotions

healthy snacks

 

Whatever we do, God calls us to reflect His glory  1 Corinthians 10:31

lately...

I thought summer was supposed to be a little more relaxing than homeschooling... boy was I wrong! Though I feel freed from my recent journey with pumping and bottle feeding, I am so glad I pushed through those hard times. There were many times where it would have been easy to just quit and do the easy thing... but I stuck with it, and I credit Gods strength for that! Especially, and hard to admit, wanting to lose the baby weight, but knowing that I couldn't while nursing and pumping. I realized it was only a season in life to sacrifice my body for little Ella. Since then, though, I have been taking care of my body through none other than healthy eating and exercise. I don't know that I could do any of those diets or cleanses for a long period of time. I just get too hungry... plus for me it has been all about portion control, and self discipline!  Oh, it is so very hard. But the battle begins in my head and I have been learning of ways to fill my body with the food it NEEDS, not just the food it wants. It is really so much more about losing weight.. it is a spiritual battle and I am being taught how to use my discipline with food and other things as a form of worship, too. God has been so faithful in giving me verses to get through the day and to also let me know that he supports me in this journey and calls me to be conditioned in this area.

Here are some photos to help explain what we've been up to lately:

lighter waffles using almond milk - no oil or sugar!

shepherd's pie with leftover stew

Quesadilla fix-ins

beef stew with homemade biscuits. So. Good. Ah.

cottage cheese with strawberries, almonds, and half a banana muffin.

Bean burger on half an english muffin, salad and cucumbers