Practical Vision for Young Moms

I came across another blog that I have absolutely love, Stay At Home Missionary! She has done a series of posts on mothering I think all moms should read. We are not all the same but we can always glean from other mom to help us.

Click on the button for her series. Please read and allow God to speak to your heart!

Garden Done!!

This weekend was so busy. We did our entire garden in three days. It was VERY windy and very long, hard days but my was it worth it. And it will be worth it in the end when we reap our harvest.

Unfortunately with the winds we may have lost all our beans, but still have time to start from seed, so that will be tomorrow!!!

This has been such a great time for us all, but I am really excited because so much of my dd Botany lessons were clicking. :)

So here are some photos!!!


Here is half and....



And here is the other part! Yes it is big but well we eat all this type of food, and believe me we were selective!

I now have a new appreciation for farmers :)




11. God's living Word

12. Sleep

13. Music

14. Friends

15. The calm of NO blustery wind

16. Quiet time

17. A good book

18. My daughter's recovering health with no complication

19. God's grace

20. A new day

21. Farmers and their families

22. Military personnel and their families

GOD bless you all!

The Heart Mender Review

The Heart Mender takes place in the time of WWII. It follows the lives of to people, a young American woman, Helen, who has lost her husband due to the war and Josef, a man in the German/Nazi navy. After loosing her husband her aunt in Louisiana asked her to come ans live with her. But shortly after she moved her aunt died. Helen now works in a diner but is very angry. The owners of the diner try to help her work through the anger but mostly just love her where she is at. Josef is in the German navy, assigned to submarine in the Gulf of Mexico, but not devoted to Hitler ,he makes a powerful enemy on board the sub. Through circumstances he finds himself shot and lying on the beach in Louisiana dying when Helen discovers him. She, though she wants to leave him for dead, takes him in and provides him shelter. Both are battling demons from the past but through this unlikely meeting they learn more than they ever hoped for.

This book talks of forgiveness and the healing it brings. You learn that this story is not only a wonderful example of how forgiveness can change your life but also all those around you and future generations.

I was captivated by this from the first page. The author opens by telling readers how the story was developed and then he delves into the story. He does leave you wondering,until the end, who these people really are but all is explained in the end.

I love the way he captures the real emmotions of the characters, so much, that I could feel the anger that Helen had or the sadness of Josef's and even the compassion of Margaret and Billy.

The book does have a few mentions ofGod but it is just that a few mentions. That is the one thing I wouldhave like to see more of. Talking of forgiveness without telling us where the forgiveness comesfrom or how we have all been forgiven was a bit disappointing.

But all in all I would highly recommend this book to everyone!



I reviewed this product, from Book Sneeze, for free and a complimentary copy and all opinions in the post are my personal thoughts.

Gratitude Community-Counting 1000 gifts

Stressed.

Busy.

Preoccupied.

Mind racing.

It breaks through, her laugh. It is so contagious that I can't help but stop and just listen. What she is laughing at, I don't know, but what a sweet sound it makes :)

I take those few minutes and just watch her laugh, her eyes light up and her whole face is smiling. Wondering if I could leave all the worries and answer His call just to laugh and live in His joy.

What an awesome moment to be able to look at His heart. She is not bridled by the worries of the day/world just wants to live in happiness and bask in His glory. Wow what volumes that speaks to my heart and soul.

He wants us to live in His joy!

Just taking a few moments to enjoy her laugh!

So sweet :)

10. The wind through the trees

9. Her laugh

8. The warmth of the sun

7. My parents

6. My sister

5. My daughter

4. His love

3. His joy

2. My life He has restored

1. My Lord and Savior Jesus

Prayers needed

It is with a sad heart that I write this post. Some dear friends to many people lost their little girl May 12th at 3pm after an emergency c-section. Her name was Hope Asaiah and we all know she is with the Lord Jesus today but the family still needs prayers. This is a hard and trying time but they have such support and Jesus, the best support! So please pray for the Price's, their children and family.

You can know more about Hope's amazing story at Our Eyes are Closed and Heads are Bowed . A donation is being collected by a mutual friend to help them with funeral costs so if you feel led and are able please donate at Confessions of a Homeschooler.


Thank you all for your prayers!

Download N Go Review

I received the great opportunity to review a product by The Old Schoolhouse, Download N GO. As the title says you download the unit and all you need, minus some recommended books, is in that download. This series combines unit studies and lapbooks into one and covers one subject in one week. All individual units come complete with lapbook pieces, links to videos and sites of information, and activity pages. All you would need is some file folders for the lapbook and some books from the library. Download N Go offers a wide range of subjects, from Soccer to George Washington and from Australia to Whale Tales.

The full year program option consists of 38 subjects, each lasting a week. You are able to purchase only one unit for $7.95, a month (4 one week unit studies) for $30, a semester worth of studies (19) for $114 or the full year (38) for $190.

My daughter and I completed the unit on Australia. This worked out great as we have been studying countries this year and our good friends live in Australia. At first glance it looked a bit overwhelming but as I started to read, I saw that it was complete and user friendly. I printed off only the sheets my daughter needed to write on and the rest was kept on my computer. This is a nice feature because I don't have needless papers laying around looking to get spilled on or wrinkled. As we went through the days it was very nice that all the links needed to learn about the specific subject and answer the questions was right there. I didn't have to search for information or screen site after site. It was an all in one, ready to use unit study.

One downside I had was that a couple of the videos used talked about million of years and evolution, but we just used that as a conversation starter and compared the world's thinking to the Lord's word.

We did not get the recommended books, mostly because we had already done a quick study of Australia so this was more like an addition to that study and the links and videos we felt were enough. This is also a perfect way to get more than one grade involved in the same study, the older students can get some books that are more grade appropriate while younger students can just use the links provided.

My daughter (4th grade) and I loved this study. She would ask to do it each day and she was so proud of her finished lapbook that she asked to send pictures to our friends in Australia. I would recommend this program to all who have younger kids. Even if you find some that fit into the curriculum you are using.

As stated above, I would recommend that if you use this on a 4th grader that you do get more information for them. If this had been the only time we had studied Australia I would have gone to the library and checked out their recommended sources and maybe even picked some out that I thought would give her more meat, for her grade.

That being said we both loved this program and may even do one or two over the summer.

Here is her finished lapbook that she is so happy with :)


She loved writing the last page. It is a 'certificate of completion' and she did her best cursive and the very happily showed grandma and grandpa.








Enjoy and have fun!!!





I reviewed this product, from The Old Schoolhouse, for free and all opinions in the post are my personal thoughts.

'Already Gone' Review

I have just finished reading 'Already Gone' by Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis. Wow!

The book lays out the results of a study Britt Beemer with America's Research Group did to see why so many twenty somethings are leaving the church. The results are shocking. Not only do they lay out the results but then Ham goes on to give us resources as parents, church leaders, and Sunday school teachers to help stop the mass exodus.

The results were mind boggling. To actually hear from these twentysomethings that have left the church on why they left was a wake up call. I have listened and been taught by many of AIG seminars and have heard some of these findings in a "not so official" way but to see it in the words of those who actually left was surreal. As I was reading this I thought of my own daughter and went through a mental checklist of what I am teaching her or what I am not.

I would highly recommend this book not only to every parent but also to those who just serve by teaching kids.


May we strive to teach our next generation so that the world can not come in and steal them away!!! Let's give them the tools to fight.

Daily Life Devotion

I recieved this devotion today from Proverbs 31 ministry and thought I had to share it.

The Dailyness
7 May 2010
Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Co-Director

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)

Life wouldn't be so hard if it wasn't so daily. As I sit here surrounded by laundry and dishes piled high in the sink, I see more than ever how life wears us down one day at a time.

Crumbs litter the floor and dirty smudges cover the windows. And I have yet to discover where that smell is coming from. For this mother of four, a simple trip to the grocery store requires an act of God and Congress – attempted only when we are down to powdered milk and Ramen noodles. Not thirty minutes ago a little one-year-old boy clung to my legs, belting out that scream - you know the one, bats can hear it. And I felt my co ping skills slipping away. Not because he was crying but because he cries every day.

The daily-ness.

The job of motherhood feels so vast, and frightening, and unending. I am called to raise these children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and yet there are days that I can't seem to get out of my pajamas much less lead them in a time of prayer. I think anyone could endure the temper tantrums of a small child or the rebellion of a teenager or the constant needs of another if they lasted just one day. But the truth is that these things are the stuff of daily life. And when I am honest with myself, they grind down the rough edges of this woman. Because parenting can not be all about me when diapers must be changed, noses wiped and beds made.

In those moments I force myself to take a deep breath and thank God for this season of life. These children. The privilege of wiping noses and bottoms and countertops. A privilege many women wou ld love to have, but don't. I remind myself that the days are long but the years are short. And one day I will look in the rear-view mirror and see empty seats. The cup that is overflowing right now will slowly drain. The stretch marks will fade. And I will find that a new set of daily struggles has overtaken me. When that day comes I will find the strength to face them as well because God gives the grace, daily.

The daily-ness.

As C.S. Lewis once said, "The thing is to rely on God... Meanwhile, the trouble is that relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing has yet been done."

Your daily-ness is probably different than mine, but it is nonetheless God-ordained. It is exactly what we need to live dependent on His grace instead of our own strength. The One who knows us best, who knit us together in our mother's womb, has allotted these days that are equal parts trial and triumph. And He knows that we will see Him most clearl y from a place of dependence.

So today I embrace the normal things. The daily things. Another round of laundry. The ring in my toilet. The dust on my dresser so thick a child could write his name. But even more than that I want to celebrate the important things. A child slowly learning to read. A husband that finds his comfort in my arms. A baby who learns to walk and talk. Because all these are the things of life: some mundane and some holy. And all of them must be received daily.

Dear Lord, sometimes daily life is just hard. And we're tired. And overwhelmed. But You promised to be our strength and our hope and our comfort. So today we look to You for what we need. Would You meet us in this, our daily-ness, and help us receive Your grace? In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I would highly recommend getting on their email list for their daily devotions. You can go to their website here.

May we all take joy today in the daily-ness.



God Bless!!!

National Day of Prayer

Well it has happened. A judge in Wisconsin has voted that the National Day of Prayer violates the Establishment Clause. If you feel led please sign the petition and also I would encourage you to participate in one of the many events happening across our nation. This would be wonderful for even your kids to participate in.

Taking a stand on bended knees!

Great Poem

My sister sent me this poem and I thought it was too good not to share. Please enjoy!


My Work

I have the greatest work in the world;

The job of rocking a baby to sleep,

That of guiding his tottering feet,

A baby's clothes to launder and fold,

A precious life to shape and mold,

A drink to give from a little cup,

At night his toys to gather up,

Hurts to heal and fears to quell,

A baby to keep clean and well,

A stack of diapers to put,

Oh, what a happy worthwhile day!

I am a "Mother."

I have the greatest work in to world;

A husband to encourage when things go wrong,

When he comes from work to greet with a song,

Denims and shirts to wash and mend,

A helping hand, when needed, to lend,

Three times a day his meals to cook,

To strive to be my best to look,

His back to rub at the close of the day,

For his faithfulness to God I pray,

When hubby's in the field I take lemonade,

for all these tasks his love has Paid.

I am a " Wife."

I have the greatest work in the world;

A home to keep happy, clean and bright,

Make things go smooth and strive for the right,

Jams to cook and jellies to make,

Cookies and pies and bread to bake,

Washing, ironing, and sewing to do,

So many tasks, will I ever get through?

Lettuce to wash and peas to pick,

floors to scrub, lost items to seek,

Dishes to wash and windows to shine,

These and many more tasks are mine.

I am a "Homemaker."

Help me, Father, to faithfully work,

Forgive if I unconsciously shirk,

give me the patience and love I pray,

To keep myself in duties way;

With all the hustle that each day brings

May I not neglect the needing things;

Each day to spend time alone with Thee

That Jesus Christ be seen in me.

Thank you for my husband, our home, our girls and boys;

Thank you for love which brings me much joy.

Thank you, Lord.

~Mary Lou Burkholder

Devotions

We have now started to read a Proverb each day. We read the corresponding Proverb for what day it is, for example today is May 3rd so we read Proverbs 3. It is so cool because we read it before we eat dinner and then while eating we are able to discuss what it means and ways we can apply its wisdom to our lives. This is such a good family devotion that all can be involved in and learn from. I would highly suggest doing this devotion. We even got grandma and papa in on it to :)

I will, from time to time, post something from these times that really spoke to me!!!

Preparations!

Well I have really fallen off with updating on my blog...sorry :( This past month we have made a push in school and with that and her soccer and her horses and gardens and...and... wow I am getting tired just typing that all.

But I can say that school is almost done and the major push is now over, so we can breath a little there (just a smidge though or we won't finish what we have to :) I have already received my curriculum for next year and am so excited to start that I have to keep reminding myself we have to finish our current year before jumping into next hehehe!

Well I will have more pics to show you of her new found sports love, soccer. It is so cool to see her out there, she plays goalie and loves it :)

More to come but right now I need sleep!!!

Homeschooling Mother's Day Giveaway