Homeschooling at its finest

Today was our first day back to school--a gentle start with a little bit of kindergarten. Our older ones will start their own thing next week. We ended up having a really good day when a bird's nest was discovered in our hanging flower pot. I forgot to water the flowers (oops!) and they died, but that was a good thing for our new friend. Justin noticed a bird perched inside, then later David discovered her two eggs.


Here is the proud mother, a mourning dove.


After we finally left the scene she returned to her nest and has been there all afternoon while little ones watch from the window.


Just a few feet away we also found an egg that had already hatched. It was a much bigger egg.


We ended up having some good unplanned nature study today. I love surprise lessons! And I'm especially glad we are home to find them :)

Staying connected to God through the day using perpetual calendars

I wanted to share about something I started doing a year or so ago that has really helped me. I use perpetual calendars, or "DayBrighteners" to keep me connected to God throughout the day. The prayers, bible verses, and inspirational quotes in them help keep me focused all through the day. I use ones that are inspired by books that I have loved.

Now I didn't go out and buy these all at once, so don't feel like you have to spend $100 today if you want to start this habit. I started with one and built my collection from there. I have found them on ebay, at thrift stores, on paperback swap, and ok, I splurged on a few as they came out. They are $7.99 on CBD.

In my bathroom I have the Power of a Praying Woman calendar. So it's the first thing I see in the morning. Every time I visit that bathroom I re-read it and meditate on the prayer or verse.

In my bedroom I have the Power of a Praying Wife. I read and pray about it as I'm making the bed, straightening my room, or putting away laundry each day.

In the kitchen I have Nancy Leigh DeMoss's A Heart at Rest calendar. I was dismayed to find that this is no longer available. It is my favorite. If you can find one, I highly recommend it!

On the computer desk I have the Love Dare calendar. I put it there so maybe my husband will read it too ;)

In the downstairs bathroom I have Ann Voskamp's God in the Moment daybrightener. If you read A Holy Experience or have read One Thousand Gifts, you know this is good! This is where I'm usually wiping the little ones' little bottoms, so it's good to have the perspective of God and beauty in everything while I'm in there ;)

In the children's bathroom I have the Power of a Praying Parent. While they are taking their bath at night, or as I'm brushing their teeth, I can pray for them using the prompts and scripture for each day.

Another good place to put one is in the laundry area. I don't have one there, but that is where I keep my copy of a Busy Mom's Guide to Prayer. This really helps me to pray for every area of my life as I'm folding laundry. It is a WONDERFUL book. It is spiral bound so it's easy to keep open to where you are currently.

This is just one of many ways we can stay in God's Word and prayer all throughout our busy days. Keeping little reminders up in every room I am living and working in is a good way to keep my mind focused on seeking Him first.

Titus 2 To-Do List

I have a lot to do each day, but does any of it matter at all if I haven't done my Titus 2 to-do list? I pray that I will concentrate on what really matters. Not all of it is easy, but I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength to do it. If I do, I have a feeling all that other stuff will fall into place.

Titus 2 To-Do List

1. Love God (seek Him, spend time with Him daily, focus on Him)
2. Love my husband (serve him, honor him, make time for him, cater to him)
3. Love my children (serve them, discipline them, teach them, spend time with them)
4. Be self-controlled (for me this means get up a reasonable time, don't waste time, don't yell at the children, etc.)
5. Be pure (for me this means being picky about what I put into my mind through tv, internet, music and books)
6. Be busy at home (no laziness!)
7. Be kind (to everyone....even when it's hard)
8. Be subject to my husband (probably the hardest one, but there it is in black and white)

Can I do all this every day? No. Absolutely not. Can God help me, empower me, strengthen me, give me wisdom, and enable me to do all these things? Yes, He can! God, make me a Titus 2 woman.