Bev turned me onto this and now I am addicted.  So if you don’t know what it is, tun in on Sunday and find out. 

Be prepared to be tipped people!

A thunder storm woke us all very early this morning.  Our daughter is suffering from growing pains and we are all cranky:-)  We finished our work early this am and I was thinking, holy cow we can be done with schooling easily before lunch and play the rest of the day.

You just can’t beat that!  Because on cranky days  like today, we all need to play!

Ok - you can now classify me as a home schooling, home business, organic eating (as much as possible), breast feeding (when they where younger) simple church, composting, recycling DIVA.

  For every-time someone who sees me out with our three children says “You’ve got your hands full”  I would be rich!  Then I would be doubly rich if I had another quarter for every-time someone asks me “You go grocery shopping with ALL of them?”  Honestly, what do people think? No people, I leave them at home and go live it up!  Geez……

You can read the entire 20 Principles of CM education in my previous post. This one is GOLD! 

20. We teach children that all truths are God’s truths, and that secular subjects are just as divine as religious ones. Children don’t go back and forth between two worlds when they focus on God and then their school subjects; there is unity among both because both are of God and, whatever children study or do, God is always with them.

My husband has a brilliant post on following “the voice”.  It will keep you right where you are supposed to be.  It isn’t always safe and secure but it is good.  I look at this whole journey into home schooling and see the whispering that Jesus has been doing.  The timing, the trusting…how so much of this is really about me and not so much about them.

Earlier this year, I was going through a rough spot with my business.  I was praying at the computer and in the midst of my prayer, I felt the impression that God was rescuing me.  And indeed He has.   I am at a really good place now and I am excited to learn new things. 

Some simple observations this past month with our kids.   I think this whole home school process is about really getting to now our kids and not manage them. Does that make since? You manage so much when they are little you miss the small quiet moments of inspiration.  Things that send their hearts soaring.  So I am not managing anymore. I am on a treasure hunt to see what God is doing in them.  I could mess the whole “curriculum” thing up and still have an amazing relationship and insight into our kids that I would of never had if I had not sat down with them everyday in attempt to expose them to something. 

So, the wild west was fun.  We are moving into the ocean and then probably launching into the Charlotte Mason method in August.  It really fits our family rhythm already and lines up with our overall educational/life vision for our kids.  I am still exploring but I am fairly intuitive and this feels right.  Sorry for all of you analytical folks. So I will keep you updated on all of that.  Meanwhile, I keep a painting, and cleaning and organizing and exercising….it occurs to me that I have a lot more time to just be without running the kids to school every day and then errands and then all the other things that crop up in a day.  Anyway..life is Good.  Hope your’s is too!

Do - read stimulating and engaging material.  Read as much as you can as often as you can.  Let great work inspire you to dream, laugh, cry, or maybe even get angry.  Learn to love to think.

Don’t- read the above mentioned material after 11:00pm.  You will be up for hours thinking and thinking and….thinking, and wake the following morning a bit groggy.

we got married. It seems like a lifetime ago and then again it feels like just yesterday.  Mike and I were dreaming about what our life would look like in another 12 years.  It will be here in the “blink of an eye”.

It is true what they say….”time flies when you are having fun.”

“The quieter you become the more you can hear.”
Ram Dass

I got a call today from a friend “jus because”.  Just to see how I was etc.  Nothing needed, nothing to ask or check on or anything like that.  It was like a hug over the phone.  It was nice.  I need to learn to call more often, just for a moment, just because, not to do, or see, or check on or anything else.  Some times I can be too “task mode” and forget “just because”.Give a ring today, just because!

Here are some great thoughts for first time homeschoolers here.  When I read this article, I heard my friend Chenoa’s voice.  Honestly, I can say I have about 100 friends who home school.  OK that is a bit of an overstatement but she was the first who said, “Don’t read another thing about home schooling, or ask another friend.  Go ask God what his vision for your childrens life and then go from there.”  That was a slam dunk.  It got me right over my fear and right into inspiration!

For some years my husband and I have been relearning and redefining how to be a disciple of Jesus in our whole life and not just for a Sunday morning service.  I’ve had LOTS of work thinking out of the box, so that part of home schooling is coming very naturally. We are learning with our whole life.  I think one of the things that feels the best right now, are the looooong kisses my littlest gives me all through out the day.He is so happy to have his brother and sister home. To be honest…..I am too.   That……. and my kitchen is cleaner. 

Hilarious!

This goes along with my previous post about slimming down.  It really applies to my whole life.  Simplicity is the predominate theme right now, so I am cleaning out in every way I can.  I kind of felt like 2007 would be that type of year for me.  

I have mentioned before that we have moved 7 times in 5 years. (I don’t know what I am complaining about.  Laura Ingles Wilder moved 5 times in 6 years via covered wagon, so I need to get over myself!)  It is a long story that I can tell later but let’s just say we will be in a current home for at least 5 years.  Famous last words right:-) Anyway, I have moved 10 gallons of paint from 3 houses now intending to paint at some point.  Well NOW I am painting away.  Along with hanging things that have been in boxes or in the garage for years.  Not to mention my mom just moved as well and she is cleaning out and I am the proud owner of her wonderful cast offs so I plan to decorate with little to no money spent.  I will post picks of my progress and I move along. 

So what you are doing reading this?  Go clean out a closet or something!  Grace and Peace to all in the house! 

I am amazed that I dug my heels in for so long about home schooling.  I guess I was not sure of how it would look for our family.  Now, all I can say is, I can’t believe I didn’t do this sooner.  There is timing for everything and now is definitely the time for this. 

 As I move forward into this, I have read about and heard about tons of different approaches to schooling.  I have friends who do everything from unschooling to classical approach so I was a bit lost as to what was best for us.  Well, I still am feeling this out, but I can say that Charlotte Mason has got my ear.  I have been very drawn to Montessori for so many reasons.  There are some places that it gets a little too child centered, but for the most part it resonates with us.  It seems that Charlotte feathers nicely into that philosophy, so I will keep reading and learning right along with our kids.  Something about those gutsy turn of the century broads that inspire me. Add Sophia Coveletti to the list as well.  Talk about having a strong voice:-) For now the one thing I know for sure is that we are all  “Learning to Live…one day at a time.”

OK - I am on a crusade to lose some wight.  I really need to lose about 20 pounds and I aim to do it by the end of the summer.  One of the things I just started doing is exercising with a friend almost daily.  I know I do so much better when I have someone doing it with me.  I am also using the weight loss forum to help me stay committed and motivated.  Less calories, more activity and more accountability will help the weight melt off for sure.  Check out the fitness boot camp in my links.  Good well rounded stuff.

 Hold me to it people.  My jeans are too tight!

One of my hero’s  just started a new blog to help you along with your preschoolers.  Go check out her daily activities.  I know I will be trying a few for sure!

That is one benefit I see of keeping your children home.  When they are little they don’t play with each other so it is hard to conceive having your kids home all day.  But I have just crossed the threshold, where all of my kids play with each other.  Mostly without any incidents.  I have noticed that ever since our family schedule has slowed down, our children are bonding.  Our youngest have always been close, but I now see our oldest and youngest boys are playing  like friends.  I think it helps now that Hudson can talk, swim and keep up with them.  It is a fun process to watch. 

So I thought that after we returned from Peru I would just dive into homeschooling now. Why wait?  I have the motivation and want to start establishing a rhythm so no time like the present.  

Besides EVERYONE who I have ever known who home-schools has said…”We take many breaks throughout the year.”  Homeschooling is a way of life.   The less stressed I am in this whole process, the better off we all will be.  Plus we will learn “mo bettah”!  How is that for proper English.  OK - so I am doing the “Wild Wild West” for June and have lots of fun things planned.  I will keep you posted on how we do.

When traveling abroad in a country…oh say like Peru…. there are a few fundamental things you may want to consider.

•  #1 - Never underestimates the altitude.  Altitude sickness can and will knock you on your butt if you are not careful.  Some of the biggest men in our group went down for the count.
• #2 - In large groups…it is best not to use your limited Spanish as if you were a pro.  Otherwise you may say something embarrassing like “my husband is easy”.  Best not to do that.and last but not least
• #3 Never, I repeat never leave your groups truck unattended.  In Peru they hire people to watch their car when they are indoors. Tonight we did not do that and someone stole our tires!  Yeap..never a dull moment.  All the men are running off like Magnum PI in search of said tires…….with armed guards no less.    I told my husband to be careful.  I don’t need any heroes on this trip.  But they need those tires.  They cost $500 American for new ones, and these particular tires are only 2 months old.  Lee, one of the missionaries here prayed for money for months and someone just sent him money for new tires…so no banditos are going to get them tonight. 

Those are some of the Diva’s late night tips.  Keep them close at hand, they could prove to be helpful right when you least expect it!

Today I rode in an Arequepinian taxi, with  a  Peruvian driver who spoke no english.  He could however sing word for word the U2 song “It’s A Beautifal Day” in english.  I guess U2 trancendes language barriers:-) 80’s music is “the bomb” here.  It is funny, riding along seeing such extreme poverty listening to “Wang Chung Tonight”.  The ironey! 

Amanda asked what I was teaching on and what instrument I played.  I play guitar and I will teach on Jesus and his “way” and the pronuncment of the kingdom of God.  Good stuff:-) 

I love getting outside of my day to day surroundings and being a part of what God is doing around the world.  I started traveling overseas for missions work when I was 18 years old and it changed my life forever.   Pray for me…on Thursday.  I get to teach and lead worship for a gathering of local woman. I’ll try and post some more pics later but for now…. here are some pictures of Peru.  Enjoy them!

We are here.  Our flights where cancelled and shuffled around but we ending up getting here 7 hours earlier than originally planned.  Today we were able to be a part of the baptism of two wonderful friends.  The Andes are amazing.  I will post some pics soon. 

As far as homeschooling thoughts go…I had an epiphany on the flight down.  You know what…I DON’T HAVE TO BE PERFECT WITH THIS!  For me a recovering perfectionist, that is a huge realization.  I will learn as I go.  My kids will learn with me and my friends will help guide me along the way.  

 That’s all from south of the border. 

Peace to you! 

ok - so a “mild storm” has turned into a tropical depression over night.  Nice…. the day we are to leave for Peru the weather is crummy.    I am preparing for the red eye to Lima and here are a few of my tips.

  Ok - I have a few hours left to blog tip.  Rebekah tipped me so off I go with a few minutes left to blog tip.  I read of it first over at Bev’s blog and forgot this month.  Shame on me!

Firstly, the Dolly Mama   I am sure if we lived within driving distance we would be thick as thieves…and anyone who has 6 kids, home-schools and is a WHAM gets a huge hats off from me.

Secondly, my new find Firmly Planted  Another Homeschooler who has a strong voice.

 Last but not least….  Day of a Mom. Because she is as passionate and driven as I am.  Actually she makes me tired at times but she only has 2 kids so she has an advantage over me.  I love her to pieces and she makes our business better just by being her!

You can check them anytime in my blog roll.  I am on the hunt for new finds who have a stong voice and are saying something the world needs to hear.  Look out you may be next.

Here are some questions to think about.

What do you do to nurture your own unique voice

(apart form your husband/wife)?

Do you think it is important to do so?

How does your husband/wife help you develop that uniqueness?

I have been thinking lately about my own “unique voice”   Like I mentioned before one of my main fears with homeschooling has been…”Will I turn into someone who only knows how to talk about kids and home-school?”.  I really want homeschooling to add to me and not become me if that makes since. 

I know there are plenty of seasons in life and God uses all of them to shape, and transform us….if we let Him.  And there may be some that seem completely con-summed with one facet of their journey because that is where God has them.  I have recently been reminded that balance is so important.  Being out of balance takes a toll.  Or I will say It has on me so the pendulum is swinging back towards the center.  It feels nice.

The reason I ask about how your husband/wife nurtures your voice is because I realize what a huge role my spouse plays in nurturing my unique voice.  Here is an example. I remember being newly married and Mike and I having our first fight!  We had been married for 4 months or so and I was really steamed that he left and played golf for 5 hours on a weekend when he could of been hanging out with me.  He explained how important it was for him to have time to himself and golf was a non negotiable for him.    He was very good (and still is) at encouraging me to stay close to my “girlfriends”.  He didn’t want the pressure of having my whole world revolve around him.  I am so glad we had those really hard conversations when we are first married.  It really helped me continue to grow as an individual and not as “Mikes wife”.    Now 12 years later, we are interdependent not co-dependent, or in-dependant. 

I bring all of this up because this blog is another extension of me developing my voice.  I want to know what you are doing to develop yours. 

Leave a comment poeple.  Share the love. 

Tip #1 Give them a roll of tape and some paper.  It will keep the busy for hours.  Seriously! Chloe just now used 50 pieces of tape to make her foot look like a mummy. 

Tip #2Give them 10-12 empty boxes of various sizes and it will keep them working together building things again…for hours.  Warning, you may want to advise them not to start throwing said boxes as to keep glass breakage to a minimum.

Tip #3  Use ice-cube trays to separate paint.  It is much easier than muffin tins.  After 5 years you think I would of already  come up with that one.  I was just getting some paint ready today when I spy-ed the 3 ice-cube trays in the back of our cabinet I used to use to freeze their homemade baby-food.  I used to put their paint in throw away muffin tins, but they are kind of big and clumsy.  Ice cube trays work great!  They can even mix colors without a ton of mess.  OK - the mess is minimized if you instruct them to use paintbrushes only instead of hands. My 2.5 year old thought he would finger paint. He then painted his face to look like William Wallace from Brave heart.  I wish our camera wasn’t out of batteries.  I would of had a picture of that and posted it for sure.

Really…keep reading I am sure I will come up with at least 3 more today……………

I’ve just added a blog about a boy in Peru.  He and his sister live with the Styrons and it is about his journey.  I am building my links to those I enjoy reading. I hope you enjoy them.

Jackson has been mumbling to himself all week.  “I can’t wait until Friday, I can’t wait until Friday”  Why you may ask?  Because Daddy said he was old enough to go here.  The men in our church have gone as a group several times and these are some of the highlights.   You may think it a bit “much” considering we are leaving for an international trip within  6 hours of their return.  But Mike really wants the bonding time with J-man.  We’ve been working on taking one child at a time on “dates” with one of us.  This is a “Daddy/Jackson date” and it wont be missed.  Meanwhile, I will be having a “packing date” with Hudson and Chloe.  You laugh but those 2 love to help in anyway possible.  To tell them to help me with these 2 huge Rollie things on our living room floor will be like Disney World to them.

Ok - people I’ve got to go… things to do and people to see:-)  Have a great day!

Side rant:  You know how many people in the self help arena say “Make it a great day” instead of “Have a great day”.  I understand that there are things that you have control over,  but I am choosing to say “Have a great day” as in I am completely thankful and overwhelmed with the good gifts that God has given me and that I am content to go where he leads me and not where I choose to go.  I am not making any judgments on what anyone else is lead to do, but me I am going to “Have a great day”!

Remeber - Be and not do! OK - that was  a freebie.  I will chew on that one today!

Latah!