Seeking Simplicity: 10 Small Ways to Start Living a Simpler Life

Wow--18 months!  I cannot believe it has been 18 months since I posted here.  Life has been full and busy, but mainly I just haven't had much to say.  It has been a period of growing pains in my life for sure.

I guess I need to update the header of my blog as I am now a mom of 8!  Our eighth child, Hannah Leigh, was born 9 months ago.  She is an absolute delight and a balm to my soul.

The past year or two I have grown increasingly interested in simplicity and minimalism.  It's not an easy quest with 8 children and a large house, but I am learning that living a simple life is not just about downsizing and decluttering, but is more of a lifestyle and a state of mind.  Here are a few ways I have been seeking to live a more simple life as I go about my daily tasks as a mother at home.  I have these words posted where I can see them as a reminder to myself.

Slow Down
I am learning to take my time with each thing I do rather than feel hurried all the time.  I feel that it's better to get less done if I am doing it well and enjoying the task at hand rather than get more done and feel stressed.  I love how Ann Voskamp says, "Life is not an emergency".

Savor
I want to really taste every moment of the day and savor the time.  Whether I'm snuggling a baby, combing a little girl's hair, chatting with a teenager, washing dishes, or cleaning up the fifth spill of the day---it's all a gift I want to drink in and appreciate.

Single-task
I used to try to do a million things at once.  Or I'd start one thing and then go to another before finishing and on and on.  Now I am doing one thing at a time until it is done.  This brings such a feeling of accomplishment and peace.  I try not to worry about what I'm not doing and focus on the ONE thing that I am doing.

Silence
Recently I enforced "screen free before 3" in our home.  With the exception of using the computer for school, we have no tv's, video games, or computer games on before 3:00.  I am trying to limit it at all other times as well, but this new rule has changed our days.  I have also stopped playing music as much.  I am finding enjoyment in doing my work in silence.  I hear the children.  I hear rain or birds outside.  I hear appliances running.  It's very peaceful and calming.

Smile
Happiness is often a decision we make and sometimes the first step is simply smiling.  Smiling at my children even when I'm not smiling inside can turn a stressful situation around.   It's amazing how putting a smile on your face usually ends up leading to a smile in your heart.

Sing
How powerful it is to sing during the day, especially if it is praise to the Lord.  I especially love to sing the old hymns.  They bring so much comfort and joy to my heart.  Scripture songs like Seeds Family Worship are another great way to keep praise and truth on our lips.

Speak Less
I am not a big talker but I still find myself rattling on at my children when it is unnecessary.  Sometimes I even get sick of my own voice.  I also notice that eventually my children start to tune me out. I am trying to get into the habit of speaking less and correcting only when truly needed.  Being quiet quiets my spirit as well.

Solitude
I have a place in my home where I go several times a day.  My children know when I am there they don't try to enter.  I take a few minutes to refresh myself, to think, to reflect on my day, to think about how to make my day better, to pray, read a few verses, or even just to look at Facebook for a few minutes in peace.  A few minutes alone is usually all I need to refuel, especially when things were getting especially loud or stressful.

Self
Solitude is a major way I take care of myself so that I can take care of others, but I have recently learned there are many other things I must do.  Taking the time to plan and prepare healthy food is one way and exercise is another.  Also, just making the time to do things I enjoy, like taking a long hot bath with a book. And most of all, spending time with the Lord every day in bible reading and prayer.  I have time for what I make time for.

Sabbath
I am really starting to enjoy Sunday as a Sabbath day by truly resting.  Sometimes it doesn't feel like a rest with the hustle and bustle of Sunday mornings and getting myself and 8 children out the door in the mornings, but the washing of worship and the Word once we get there makes it all worth it.  And the rest of the day is spent resting, reading, planning, eating, hanging out with my family.  It's like a holiday we get to have every week.

Practicing these small simple habits each day has brought so much peace and purpose to my heart.  When I start to simplify my mind, heart, and atmosphere, it frees me to begin simplifying in other areas like my home, activities, and finances.  Even when I lose my way and the stress builds up and the tasks start to pile up around me, I can look at these words and turn my heart back to simplicity.

I Love My Life!

I just read this post I wrote in 2009 and it reminded me of what a wonderful life I have! I forgot about it, but I sure needed to read it!


I am so in awe that God would see fit to give me a life that is everything I have ever dreamed of and that I get to do everything that I love and love everything that I do! If you are looking for someone to gripe with about being "stuck at home" with kids and cooking and cleaning and laundry or to whine about the agony of pregnancy or the toil of caring for babies, you have come to the wrong place! I LOVE my life!

I get to be pregnant, which is the most wonderful state for a woman to be in, not once or twice, but many times! I get to give birth naturally because I want to because it is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I get to breastfeed my babies as much as and as often as and as long as I want because I get to stay with my baby 24 hours a day!

I get to play with cute clothes and adorable cloth diapers and beautiful baby carriers and call it "taking care of the baby"! I get to snuggle with the most delicious fat rolls and inhale the most fragrant breath you can imagine all day and all night long.

I get to hang out with the people I love more than anything, having fun and loving and learning all day long and call it "mothering".

I get to snuggle on the couch with them and read books and learn amazing new things every day WITH them and call it "homeschooling"!

I get to blast music and sing at the top of my lungs and dance around the house with the children with our list of chores and call it "cleaning".

I get to do fun experiments in the kitchen, and sometimes my helper and I will pretend we're on the Food Network, and call it "cooking".

I get to pop my delicious baby in a sling, put 2 more gorgeous blondies in a stroller, and walk behind 2 other amazing kids on bikes, and breathe in the evening air and the company of my family and call it "exercise".

At night I get to sit in front of the TV and watch a few of my favorite shows I've DVRed and call it "folding laundry".

At the end of the day I get to curl up in bed with a huge stack of books and call it "research and higher learning".

I also get to curl up in that same bed and feel the warmth and comfort and security and happiness and joy of cuddling up to my husband's sleeping body and call it "marriage".

I cannot even imagine a better life! I can't wait till tomorrow to do it all again!

Family Bible Reading

One of the things about homeschooling that I hold most dear is the amount of bible reading we get to do. That's not to say you can't read the bible with your children if they go off to school, but the amount of time homeschooling allows us is precious to me. We read many times throughout the day: after breakfast, after lunch, during rest time, before bed, and any other time that's a good time. When the kids are getting extra rowdy (read: getting on my nerves!) or mommy needs some extra quiet time, I love to tell the children it's time for a break and then we all sit on the couch for some bible reading.

I'm a big believer in reading children the actual bible and not just bible story books. I also see great benefits in reading lots of it, especially after reading Ten P's in a Pod. When I read this book years ago, it really got me fired up about reading the bible with my children even more. Children will not retain and understand everything right off, but as they hear it over and over through the years they will retain more and more. And of course we talk about and explain things as we go along; and we also study things more in depth in our bible homeschool curriculum. (We use BJU Bible Truths, which I highly recommend!)

I thought I'd share how we go about reading the bible each day. I have a lot scheduled each day, but that doesn't mean we actually read it all every day. We read whatever we get to and have time for. Some busy days may allow for one chapter, while other days may give us hours.

First we read the Proverbs of the day, the chapter that corresponds with the day of the month.
Then we read the Psalms of the day, 5 Psalms that also correspond with the date.
If more time is allowed to us, we pick up where we are in the Gospels. We can never read too much about Jesus!
If we have more time after that, we pick up where we are in the chronological bible (We have the Daily Bible. I LOVE it!)

Here is a calendar showing our bible readings for each day of the month. Feel free to print it for your own use!

If you are not reading the bible to your children, I encourage you to start, no matter how young or old your children are. I started when my oldest was a baby! After all, these are not just words and stories your children are hearing. It is the Word of God and it is living and active! We can never underestimate the power of God's Word getting into our children's minds and eventually their hearts. I encourage you also to have them memorize it. They will likely never forget the verses they memorize as children! Here is a wonderful system for bible memory.

I wanted to add that when my children are old enough to read and follow along, they get a nice bible of their own so that they can follow along and also take a turn reading. Once they learn to read well, I get them a nice copy of the NIV thinline bible with their name inscribed on it. We all use this same bible so that we are all on the same page. The younger children get a practice bible till they can read well. This is also great for learning to navigate the bible. Even the little ones scramble to find the right spot :)

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 :)

My Favorite Getaway

My nightly bath is something I look forward to all day long. After the house is quiet I start filling up that tub with hot water and bubbles and end my day by relaxing and energizing my spirit. This is also the time I get a chance to savor my favorite magazines in total silence. I especially look forward to this time if one of my favorite magazines is waiting for me, Eternal Encouragement.

Eternal Encouragement??? What is that? Some new gem I've discovered? Nope. Something I have long loved and treasured, but now has a new name. Eternal Encouragement is the new name for TEACH Magazine! I have loved TEACH for a long time and I never would have thought it could be improved, but WOW! It definitely went through Extreme Makeover: TEACH Edition! And the results are amazing!!

Not only has the name changed to Eternal Encouragement (with a slogan of "Inspiring Women to Become More Like Jesus Every Day"), but the format has totally changed. The magazine is smaller now (the size is perfect!) and it's in COLOR! The many articles are organized into three "Departments": "Godly Women", "Godly Homemakers", and "Godly Mothers". This season's issue was a total of 63 pages--63 pages of nothing but meat! Rich, inspiring, challenging, encouraging article after article that make my heart soar with passion for my calling in life!

What hasn't changed about the quarterly magazine is the theme for each issue. This issue's theme was "Time Flies". I cannot begin to tell you how, well, timely this was for me. Using my time wisely, not wasting it, living in the moment, treasuring TODAY. And somehow tying in with all this there are articles on child training, recipes, controlling clutter, marriage, free homeschool resources, product reviews, healthy eating, and SO much more. One of my favorite articles was "10 Ways to Make Today Your Best Day Ever" by Lorrie Flem. It's my new to-do list.

Eternal Encouragement magazine is the absolute best magazine for all aspects of our lives as wives, mothers, homemakers, homeschoolers, and most of all, women of God. It is an investment I have never regretted making. You can subscribe to it at www.eternalencouragement.com.

I already subscribe to this magazine, but I also received this product for honest review from Eternal
Encouragement Magazine as a part of The Gabby Moms blogging program. All
opinions expressed are solely my own.

2011-2012 Homeschool Plans

I know it seems a little early for this post, but we are going to have such a busy summer with my husband getting home for good and a big move that I needed to do all my planning and buying early. Here are our plans for next school year:

Justin--fourth grade:

My Father's World: Exploring Countries and Cultures
BJU Bible Truths
Explode the Code
A Reason for Spelling C
New American Cursive II
Queen Language Lessons for the Very Young 2
Master Skills English 4 (a light grammar supplement)
A Beka fourth grade readers
Teaching Textbooks 5


David--second grade:

My Father's World: Exploring Countries and Cultures
BJU Bible Truths
Explode the Code
A Reason for Spelling B
The Complete Book of Handwriting
Queen Language Lessons for the Very Young 1
Master Skills English 2 (supplement)
A Beka second grade readers
Teaching Textbooks 3 (or possibly MCP Mathematics B, depending on how he tests at the end of this year)


Isaiah--kindergarten

My Father's World from A to Z
BJU Bible Truths
Explode the Code
Queen Language Lessons for Little Ones 2
CLP K readers


Zachary--preK

My Father's World from A to Z
BJU Bible Truths
Queen Language Lessons for Little Ones 1


Cara and Tyson--preschool

BJU Bible Truths
Lauri toys from My Father's World toddler and preschool package. Love these! They will be for school time only!

Ordering your day: Advice from a mother of 10!

I have a very special treat for you today! My friend Edee has graciously agreed to be a guest blogger here today and share some wise words about scheduling. She is the mother of 10 beautiful children and one of the wisest women I know. I hope you will be blessed by her words of advice for mothers.

First, I think the best thing you can do is to ask your husband what he would like for you to do as far as a schedule. What does he want you to accomplish each day? Then, just do what he thinks, even if it's not exactly what you had in mind. I've learned this the hard way. My ideas are usually high and lofty. My to-do list for one day usually takes at least an entire week to accomplish, and I get disappointed and irritated when I don't get it done that day! Shane, who isn't usually dealing with changing hormones, sleepless nights nursing a baby, and all the wonderful things that come during that postpartum time of life, usually has a much better grasp on what I can realistically accomplish.

Next, when we have been on a schedule, it's a very basic, flexible one. It's more of an "order of events" rather than an actual schedule with time slots. Here's what our "normal school day schedule" looks like:

BIBLE TIME WITH DADDY (the whole family): ideally 7:30 but fluctuates depending on sleepless nights, Shane's work schedule, etc.

If Daddy can't do this, we have individual quiet time with the Lord. This may look as simple as reading a simple Bible story with little ones then reciting a verse and singing a song.

BREAKFAST

MORNING CHORES (make beds, get dressed, tidy a little bit)

MORNING WORKBOOK TIME

LUNCH (hopefully around 1:00)

NAPS AND OLDER ONES' WORKBOOK TIME (hopefully 2-4:00 but at least by 3:30 - 5:30) (my youngsters nap until they're 5 or 6, depending on the needs of the child and the mama!)

PLAYTIME/OUTSIDE WORK/MOMMIES' TIME TO PAY BILLS, ETC.

JURISDICTIONS JUST BEFORE SUPPER (each room gets a quick tidy, laundry gets put away, etc.) This is a wonderful way to enter a more relaxing evening with Daddy! We almost always have music playing and often a candle lit when Daddy gets home. We want him to step into our home and consider it a wonderful, aromatic, comfortable, and peaceful haven from the world.

SUPPER

BATHS

READING/FAMILY TIME

BEDTIME - younger ones ideally by 9:30, older ones by 10:00, daddy and mama by 11:00

I hesitate to even put times since they do change so often. However, this "order of events" is almost always the same, unless we have company or needs like a film deadline or farm/garden needs that change it (which is fairly often). Our little ones are very used to the schedule and know what to expect. I still think flexibility is the key - for the purpose of peace, not for idleness or laziness (by the way, taking a nap with little ones instead of doing grammar workbooks is not idle nor lazy!).

When all your children are little, it is so hard to stick with a stringent schedule. We were watching a home video last night, and I was reminded once again of how quickly time flies. My children don't remember or even care what our "schedule" was when they were little, but they do remember the times we played outside together, played play dough, took a walk, or took a surprise picnic to the park. I'm not advocating never doing laundry or cleaning, etc. These things must be done, and we mustn't feel guilty about it. Bring them along beside you to do daily tasks together, and make it fun.

Now that we have so many older children in our family, I'm amazed at the amount of things we can get done in one day, with only a reasonable amount of effort per person. I think that training them to do small tasks cheerfully and well really pays off. Let them do as much as they can to help.

All that said, we do have particular areas that are "scheduled" or at least planned. They are as follows:

We do use charts.

*I have a "table setting chore" chart (napkins, utensils, make drinks, dish out plates, serve the condiments, "Dabney and Delight duty" which means change their diaper, wash their hands, buckle them in their seats), etc.)

*a chore chart with daily chores as well as Friday cleaning chores (we clean the whole house every Friday with only tidying/light cleaning on other days). Each room of the house is a jurisdiction for one person to keep presentable. This chart also includes each person's kitchen clean-up chore and/or farm chore. We change this schedule every Monday so that everyone gets experience with different chores, plus it breaks the monotony.

*Also, I have a bath schedule (during winter time, little ones only get 2 baths per week unless they get unusually dirty). The older ones and myself take turns giving baths, and it usually goes something like this: "Is it my turn to give babies baths tonight? OH Good! I was hoping I'd get to do that tonight!"

*Also, we have a supper schedule - each of the four older girls and myself are assigned different nights of the week to choose the menu and cook supper for everyone. Right now, I only cook supper on Friday and Saturday nights! (reaping the benefits of letting them get in there and cook with me when they were little).

We used to have a laundry schedule, with all the older ones taking turns each day to do laundry. Recently, we've assigned the monumental, perpetual task of sorting, washing, hanging, drying, folding, and putting away laundry, to one older girl for an entire week. She gets one younger helper to assist her. Can you believe that this happens to be their favorite chore??

Okay, I hope this helps somewhat. Remember, having older children makes a huge difference. Breathe deep, meditate on the Word, pray without ceasing, smile and laugh most of the day, and enjoy those little ones God has entrusted to you. What a wonderful stage of life you're in!!!


I just LOVE that last paragraph! Thank you so much, Edee, for sharing with us!! Edee and her family have also made a wonderful film called Children are a Blessing, which I have shared here before. I highly recommend it! I hope you will visit their website at moorefamilyfilms.blogspot.com

Back to School

Tomorrow we are starting school again and I can't wait to get back into a routine. Everything is out of control during so-called "breaks"! My curriculum looks a lot different than it did at the first of the year. I got all those workbooks, textbooks, and scripted teacher's manuals out of my system REAL fast and have since returned to my true love, Charlotte Mason. Most of my curriculum is following the guidelines at Simply Charlotte Mason. For many subjects I have developed my own system of using the Bible. I will primarily be using the Bible for reading, copywork/handwriting, spelling/dictation, and english.

Using the Charlotte Mason approach, we'll be covering all these areas.
Math--using Teaching Textbooks, Horizons, and Singapore (three different kids, three different needs.)
Science--using Christian Liberty nature readers and an A Beka science reader.
Reading--the Bible along with some readers from A Beka and Christian Liberty Press for added literature.
Copywork--bible verses, hymns, poems
English--Language Lessons from Queen Homeschool as a supplement. These are wonderful!
Character--bible and read-alouds, currently reading Everyday Graces. LOVE this book!
History--read-alouds and A Beka history readers
Geography--map books and GeoPuzzles! We'll go deeper into geography later. For now the puzzles are awesome.
Bible--LOTS of bible! We are also still going through BJU Bible Truths that I just can't let go.
Scripture Memory--verse packs from Simply Charlotte Mason.
Literature--lots of books books books! Right now our A Beka readers and Everyday Graces is covering a wide variety of literature for us.
Poetry--we're going through Favorite Poems Old and New.
Nature Study--this involves me actually going outside with my kids once a week. This takes a lot of discipline from me, but I hope to do it with them at least once a week.
Picture Study--currently studying John James Audubon. There are such wonderful children's books for learning about artists and their work. We're also learning a lot about birds through this particular artist!
Music Study--currently studying Bach. We are using books from Vision Forum that study the lives and music of composers. Excellent. This is the first time I have every studied or even listened to classical music (other than being in ballet growing up) and I love it.
Hymn Study--using Hymns for a Kids Heart. We're currently in Volume 2.
Missions Studies--currently reading about Gladys Alyward
Shakespeare--We are reading a children's version of Midsummer Night's Dream. Unsure about whether or not we will move beyond children's adaptations right now.


That looks overwhelming, but it is really very simple, easy, and relaxing--and fun. Many things are only covered once or twice a week so it is not as much as it seems. Just lots of good books and learning interesting things!

It's all about You.

It's all about You, Jesus.
All this is for You, for Your glory and Your fame.
It's not about me, as if You should do things my way.
You alone are God and I surrender to Your ways.



This has been my sing-all-day song lately; my sing through the mess and the noise and the chaos and the exhaustion song.
It's so easy for me to give into selfishness in the midst of these long hard days when I am constantly cleaning only to have it messed up,
constantly disciplining only for the same child to commit the same offense 30 seconds later,
constantly shushing only to have the noise level rise,
constantly cooking only to have it all gobbled up with nary a thank you, mom!
Constantly going going going and giving giving giving, and never a moment for me.
It sounds like a good way to forget about "me" but I find myself crying out "Me! Me! Me!" What about me? I need a break! I need quiet! I need something for me me me! WHY do I have all these little children? WHY am I keeping them here 24/7?

But then the Lord reminds me, life is not about me. My purpose in existing is not so I can live and die and have as much fun as I can and just enjoy life while I have it. My purpose is to serve and glorify Him. It's ALL. ABOUT. HIM.

I can think of no better way for the Lord to teach us unselfishness than through motherhood. Because of motherhood, I am all but forced to die to my self daily, to take up my cross, to deny my self.
The world wants to tell me everywhere I go that I am crazy because children are burdens, I need to have an easy life, I need the money children will take, I need what my flesh wants. Can no one see how selfish they look when the glare at me, shake their heads, point their fingers, make their condescending comments? I may be just as selfish, but my heart is crying out to them, "It's not about ME!"

It's all about You, Jesus.
All this is for You, everything I do all day, I offer it up to You as a sacrifice of praise, for Your glory and Your fame.
It's not about me. No matter how many times I lose my temper, lock myself in the bathroom, or think about giving up--I know it's not about me, as if You should do things my way!
You alone are God. I'm not God. You alone are God, and I surrender to Your ways.

Resting together for learning, quality time....and quiet!

I think I've blogged about this a few times over the years, but I've had several recent conversations that made me want to talk about it again. For me, rest time and early bedtime for the children is KEY to my sanity. Not that I don't love to be with them (as you will see, I AM still with them during this time), but it's like I have said before: I don't need a break from my children themselves, but I do need a break from noise, messes, and chaos! And so do the children.

This is how we currently do rest time at our home. At noon we stop school to make lunch. We eat lunch and do whatever cleaning up we can get done before 1:00. At 1:00 sharp, it's rest time, no matter how much progress we've made in the kitchen! It's the law!

ALL of us from birth to mommy-size find a spot in the living room to sit or lie down. Sometimes a toddler may still need to go to their room for a nap, but if they are able to nap with us, they can stay. If Cara gets too disruptive, I put her in her room to sleep. Actually, if ANYONE is persistently disruptive, they will rest alone in their room. This is a great disappointment to them--they love rest time! The younger ones may get a pillow and/or blanket, or sometimes they just cuddle up with me.

Everyone knows the rules of rest time--sit down, be still, be quiet.

What we do at rest time varies throughout the year. This is our current lineup:
First prayer--this is when we pray over our prayer list.
Homeschool Bible (we are using BJU Bible Truths and it is amazing! They do the corresponding worksheet after rest time.)
History (Monday and Wednesday)
Science (Tuesday and Thursday)
Reading from Everyday Graces (I love this book!)
Reading from Gladys Aylward (We are reading through Christian Heroes Then and Now biographies)

Of course most of this is way over the little ones' heads, so what do they do? Well, first of all, they absorb WAY more than you think! Then...they get bored and fall asleep! Yes! Now they are getting their much needed nap and you are getting much needed one-on-one time with the older children. And if it has been an extra busy day, they will fall asleep too! And yes, there are those seasons where mommy will fall asleep before anyone else!!! During those times, I will either turn on a movie for them or have them quietly read or look at books. Either way, the same rules apply--sit down, be still, be quiet!

Rest time ends at 2:00--or when you wake up!

Now, bedtime. Do you dread bedtime? I've had complete strangers remark to me after noting the size of my family how hard bedtime must be. It is actually one of my favorite times of day. This is how we do it. 7:00 is baths for the little ones, followed by showers for the older ones if needed, and once everyone is ready for bed, we all head into the bedroom. I have 4 boys in one room, and Cara also comes in there with us, and Tyson crawls around on the floor.

The rules are: lie down, be still, be quiet.
This is our current bedtime booklist:
First we pray. Whoever wants to pray may pray.
First I read a book of a child's choice. Each child has a day of the week that he gets to pick the book.
Then I read from Hymn's for a Kids Heart (We are on volume 2)
Then I read from the Bible. We are currently reading John and the Proverbs and Psalms of the day. For instance on today, the 9th, we read Proverbs 9, and Psalms 9, 39, 69, 99, and 129.

What I do next I just recently started and it has been such a blessing to me. I pray over each of the children. By this point, most, if not all, are asleep. If they are awake, I might talk to them or ask them if there is anything I should pray for first. So I just go to each one, lay my hands on them, and pray. This one thing has changed my life as a mommy.


There are so many benefits to having a daily rest time and early bedtime with your children. It provides togetherness and cuddles, peace and quiet, learning and discipleship, rest and relaxation, training and structure--and a precious time of prayer. We ALL look forward to these times every day.

2010 Homeschool Plans

(The pictures are not uploading right. Sorry about that!)

I've been wanting to do this for so long, but our life is just so busy with out-of-home activities right now that I'm finding it hard to do anything like this. I'm so excited about next years school year. Here is a little of what we'll be using.

Bible:
BJU Bible Truths
We will all be doing the same level together and I'm using the first grade level A Father's Care. This is absolutely AMAZING! I wish I had discovered it sooner.


Language Arts:
Language Lessons from Queen homeschool.

Reading:

Justin--A Beka third grade readers and CLP Nature Readers
David--A Beka first grade readers and CLP Nature Readers
Isaiah-- CLP pre-k and possibly K readers
All of the books are not pictured because I think someone has been sneaking them ;-)


Math:
Justin--Teaching Textbooks 4
David--Horizons math 1
Isaiah--have not decided. Will probably begin Horizons math either mid-year or next year. I don't feel he's quite ready.


History:
We get most of our history through read-alouds, but just so I feel secure we are also going to use A Beka 1-3 grade textbooks. These are really good! I love what I have read so far.


Science:
A Beka. Like Bible and history, we do science together.
CLP Nature Readers also count :-)

Other:
A Beka Health, Safety and Manners
Everyday Graces
Authors and Artists (character)


Preschool:
The two older children and I will be "teaching" preschool to the 4 younger ones using a wonderful curriculum I found called ABC Jesus Loves Me. You can access it free online or buy it in book form. We started it a little last year and I can't say enough about it.

We will also be doing co-op this year.
Justin--gym, science, and lego science
David--art, math, science, and reading
Isaiah and Zachary--preschool
Cara and Tyson--nursery

One of the things I'm most excited about is using the Workbox System this year. I have not gotten it set up yet so no pictures to show, but I absolutely love the concept and I think it's going to help us so much, not just with school, but with everything. I don't think the system has to be limited to school.

Sorry I didn't link to anything. If you need more info on anything, feel free to ask, or use google ;-)

I finally updated my sidebar with all our current books and school resources. We are loving everything so much this year. I am so glad I decided to go with My Father's World. It is truly amazing and so far I don't have a single complaint. We truly love everything we are doing and reading.

We are also still using the Hold That Thought time line figures with the Record of Time book. I absolutely love it and I'm so glad we are starting our time line early. It is so neat to see everything we read about come together in history and I love how when they are grown they will have such a beautiful keepsake of everything they have learned and read about.

School days

We have done three days of school and we are loving it. I know I can't judge a curriculum by three days, but I LOVE My Father's World. This is the most fun and relaxing and put together "boxed" curriculum I have ever tried.



This week, each day has only taken 1.5 to 3 hours because MFW advises a gentle and gradual start to the new year. We are just starting handwriting tomorrow. We'll start math next week and english next MONTH. I think this is a very wise approach. To add to that, every Friday is scheduled as a relaxed day with only math, reading, and a nature walk. We just might make it to the park every once in a while!



This week we have been talking about our names, what they mean, and how we chose their names. Tomorrow we are making a cake with all our names on it to wrap up this discussion. That's my kind of school activity!

Another food-related activity was the first day we had a red, white, and blue snack since this year we'll be studying everything USA and had just learned about the Pledge of Allegiance. We had vanilla yogurt with strawberries and blueberries. I put a big blob of yogurt on a plate and let them decorate their plates of yogurt with the fruit. That was a hit with everyone.



(Yes, Zachary is a nudist. My 2yo's usually are. Anyone else have this experience?)

We've worked in our timeline book and began making History notebooks. They love having their very own binders to keep their work in. They each have two--one for history and one for everything else. They love putting the pages into the rings.

We've done a lot of coloring and reading and playing and it has just been so fun so far. And our school room--wow! I LOVE it! We go down there and it feels so nice, we just stay all day and we stay down there even after we're done with school. Plus, being down there, I am not bothered or distracted by any work that needs to be done up here and no further messes are made since we are down there. I didn't know if I would, but I highly recommend a separate and set apart learning place if at all possible.

I love school, my kids love school, and my house isn't falling apart. Life is good.

New School Room Pics

Our basement school room is complete and school starts tomorrow morning! I didn't think I could turn our dark, dirty, dismal dungeon into a school room, but I did and I love it! I painted the walls white, covered the floor with carpet scraps, put in bright light bulbs, and hung sheets from the ceiling to make a "wall".

Click here to view the pictures and their descriptions.

The smell of new books!

You know how guys love new-car smell? Well, I love new-school-book smell! I have always, even when I was a homeschool student myself, loved the feel, the look, and especially the smell of new school books. The fresh new school year is one reason this is my favorite time of year.

Do you know any crazy people who take pictures of their children's school books? Well, you do now! As I was getting them organized in our beautiful new school room (pictures to come when it is complete), I couldn't resist taking some pictures of our beautiful curricula.

Here is our My Father's World curriculum. I still have a few things I need for it, but am going to order them as I need them later in the year.


Here are Justin's books for second grade.


David's kindergarten books.


Some of Isaiah's preschool stuff.


And our little preschool/play area with puzzles, blocks, toys, etc.


School is so fun!

And I wanted to add that I was so blessed to spend less than $200 on EVERYONE for everything!

Our 2009 Curriculum!

I used to say that I schooled year-round, but now that is only half true. Yes, we continue to read--bible, devotions, read-alouds, even science and history books (because they love them!), but I have decided that once they have finished their levels of math and reading and other grade-based subjects, it's good to take a break for the summer. The children enjoy not having school, while at the same time also start looking forward to starting back! And the BEST part??? I get to plan a new school year!!! We are using My Father's World this year and I am so excited. I have had so much fun planning for it and ordering all our books. I tried to find whatever I could used and have done pretty well. So here it is--our 2009-2010 second grade/kindergarten/preschool curriculum! (Not linking these things, so either ask me or google for more info ;-)

Bible, History, Geography, Science, Read-alouds and more are all included in MFW. All other subjects are also scheduled in the teacher's manual.

Adventures In My Father's World, the AMAZING teacher's manual
American Pioneers and Patriots
New International Reader's Version Discoverer's Bible for early readers
Exploring American History
Science with Air
Birds, Nests, and Eggs
North American Indians
The 4th of July Story
The Thanksgiving Story
Science in the Kitchen
First Encylopedia of Science
Red, White, and Blue
Celebrate America (CD of patriotic songs)
Squanto, Friend of the Pilgrims
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Sarah Whitcher's Story
In Grandma's Attic
Mountain Born
Farmer Boy
By the Shores of Silver Lake

Math:
Justin--Horizons Math 2
David--Horizons Math K
Isaiah--Ultimate Skill Builders PreK
Zachary and Cara--number puzzles and cards

English/Phonics:
Justin--A Beka Language 2
David--Explode the Code
Isaiah--Ultimate Skill Builders PreK
Zachary and Cara--Letter puzzles and cards, Dr. Seuss ABC Book (I teach letters and phonics with this book!!)

Reading:
Justin--Beautiful Stories for Children, Robinson Crusoe Reader, Nature Readers (All from CLP)
David--Kindergarten Phonics Readers (CLP)
I, Z, and C--listening!

Spelling:
Justin--Building Spelling Skills (CLP)
David--Explode the Code

Handwriting:
Justin--A Reason for Handwriting A
David--A Reason for Handwriting K
Art:
Baby Lambs (from How Great Thou ART)

Music:
A study of Tchaikovsky and The Nutcracker (included in MFW)

Foreign Language:
First Thousand Words in French sticker book (I took French in high school and college, so it is the only foreign language I know how to pronounce!)

One of the things I love about My Father's World is the Book Basket. You know I love books and I'm always adding them to my homeschool. With the book basket, you can supplement MFW with your own selections. They even give suggestions for what to put in the basket. There is a scheduled time every day to read from the book basket.

I also love that it is literature based, uses the Charlotte Mason approach, and most of all is centered on the bible! Those are only a few things that sold me. I am so looking forward to August!

Our Favorite Read-Alouds

Reading aloud is our favorite time of the day. We always read two books at a time--one at rest time and one at bed time. The good thing about this arrangement is that usually the littlest ones fall asleep. I am convinced that we learn the most simply from reading good books. And in addition to all the knowledge we're obtaining, the kids are also learning how to listen and how to sit still, even if they don't understand everything being read. But don't underestimate how young children can retain reading seemingly far above their age level. I find they start retaining at least some of most of what we're reading at around 3 years old. And even before that, imagine all the language they're soaking in.

Here are a few of our favorite read-alouds--the ones that qualify for a definite re-read in the future.

The Bible. Of course I must start there. I started reading very large portions of the bible to my children after reading 10 P's in a Pod. It has been VERY rewarding for all of us. Which naturally brings me to...

10 P's in a Pod. This book really revolutionized our life. Reading the bible 3 times a day is not the only thing we gleaned from this wonderful book.

The Little House Series. We're currently on book five in the series. The history and even science we learn from these dear stories couldn't come close to reading a dry textbook. We'll be re-reading two of the books in our upcoming year of My Father's World and I'm so glad--they're my two favorites.

The Millers Series. These are ultra conservative, at times even beyond our family, but we just love the simple wholesome stories and came to feel like we knew this family. We have read the whole series and definitely plan to read it again.

My ABC Bible Verses and Big Truths for Little Kids. These are my top picks for bible/devotional books. The first one teaches verses with stories and application for each one. The second teaches the Kid's Catechism with stories to go along with it. They are absolutely wonderful. I am looking forward to reading the next book Discovering Jesus in Genesis and after that Discovering Jesus in Exodus.

The Chronicles of Narnia. We are only three books into this series. I didn't even understand the movies till I read the books. I just learn that way :-) I am really hoping they make a movie out of the first book which is my favorite.

Christian Heroes Then and Now. This is a collection of many biographies. There is nothing more inspiring than reading about the lives of great Christians of the past.

Hymns for a Kid's Heart. I have always wanted to make sure my children learned hymns. The way these books present them with the story behind them and even little devotionals makes these books treasures.

There are so many more books we look forward to reading in the future. I am so thankful to have this time with my children every day.

Timeline stuff came!

I got both my Hold That Thought timeline figures CD's and Record of Time book yesterday and I am beyond thrilled. The free CD offer from Hold That Thought is real--I got both CD's and I only paid for one! I cannot believe I got all that for $20!

I ordered the History Through the Ages Record of Time book from the Old Schoolhouse Store (because they have free shipping of course!) and they even threw in a free copy of the Old Schoolhouse Magazine. That made my day! And wow! The Record of Time is beautiful. I don't think any other timeline book could compare to it.

I am so looking forward to doing this with the kids.

I love my life!

I am so in awe that God would see fit to give me a life that is everything I have ever dreamed of and that I get to do everything that I love and love everything that I do! If you are looking for someone to gripe with about being "stuck at home" with kids and cooking and cleaning and laundry or to whine about the agony of pregnancy or the toil of caring for babies, you have come to the wrong place! I LOVE my life!

I get to be pregnant, which is the most wonderful state for a woman to be in, not once or twice, but many times! I get to give birth naturally because I want to because it is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. I get to breastfeed my babies as much as and as often as and as long as I want because I get to stay with my baby 24 hours a day!

I get to play with cute clothes and adorable cloth diapers and beautiful baby carriers and call it "taking care of the baby"! I get to snuggle with the most delicious fat rolls and inhale the most fragrant breath you can imagine all day and all night long.

I get to hang out with the people I love more than anything, having fun and loving and learning all day long and call it "mothering".

I get to snuggle on the couch with them and read books and learn amazing new things every day WITH them and call it "homeschooling"!

I get to blast music and sing at the top of my lungs and dance around the house with the children with our list of chores and call it "cleaning".

I get to do fun experiments in the kitchen, and sometimes my helper and I will pretend we're on the Food Network, and call it "cooking".

I get to pop my delicious baby in a sling, put 2 more gorgeous blondies in a stroller, and walk behind 2 other amazing kids on bikes, and breathe in the evening air and the company of my family and call it "exercise".

At night I get to sit in front of the TV and watch a few of my favorite shows I've DVRed and call it "folding laundry".

At the end of the day I get to curl up in bed with a huge stack of books and call it "research and higher learning".

I also get to curl up in that same bed and feel the warmth and comfort and security and happiness and joy of cuddling up to my husband's sleeping body and call it "marriage".

I cannot even imagine a better life! I can't wait till tomorrow to do it all again!

Timelining

I'm really excited about adding timelining to our homeschool. I almost did this a couple years ago, but it didn't work out. But now I just sold a lot of things we are no longer using and have the funds to get the things I really want for this.

Homeschool in the Woods is a good place to get an idea of what keeping a timeline is all about and I will be using their History Through the Ages Record of Time for our timeline book. It looks to be the nicest by far with heavy cardstock pages, illustrations and quotes, and even 17 pages of blank maps.

Anytime we come across any person, thing, or event as we read and learn every day, we will paste its timeline figure into the book at its date in time. We will keep this book throughout our entire homeschooling lifetime and it will keep a record of what we've learned, give us a better scope of history, and help us retain what we have learned about. It will be something rich and wonderful for my children to look at again and again.

We will use the maps in the same way. Anytime we come across a new place, we can mark it in the blank maps and will be learning geography at the same time!

At first I was going to use their timeline figures on CD-ROM too. They are the most well known and loved and even though it seems to be a great value, the cost was still a bit steep for me. So I thought I'd do some googling and see what else was out there before I bought it.

I am so glad I did because that is how I found Hold That Thought. How have I never heard of this company? They make awesome notebooking pages on CD-ROM and other homeschooling products. I was so excited to find that their timeline figures were better (in my opinion), much more affordable, and twice as many! I immediately added them to my cart and was about to check out, when I decided to look around the site a bit more first and saw this:

Receive a FREE CD with your order! If you post this offer on your homeschooling blog or tell at least 2 other homeschoolers about us we will send you a free CD. We have decided that instead of spending money on advertising we will reward you for promoting our products instead. When you order a CD from us, all you have to do when you are checking out is write the name of the CD you would like us to send you free of charge in the “comment” section (it needs to be at least the same price or less than the CD you are purchasing).

I was going to do that anyway! So because of this company I will have better timelines that will be part of our lives forever AND save over $50!

I will definitely want to try their other products in the future, especially their geography, bible, and devotional notebooking pages. Everything they offer looks awesome. With a deal like that, they are definitely worth trying out!