We were counseled before our home schooling journey to think big picture about who we wanted our children to become and what type of education did we want them to have.  I keep that vision in front of me daily.  It helps me NOT to “lose the forest for the trees” if you know what I mean. 

Do my interactions, my body language,  my tone of voice, my consistency with the very things that I am requiring of them etc….what is all of that saying to them?  How is it shaping them?  After correcting/disciplining our children, I strive to have an “eye”  moment.  Where we look each other in the eyes and I tell them how much I love them.  How much I want them to be people who are respectful of all people and the world around them.  That God gave me a job to do, and I need to be obedient to that job.  Our oldest gets that.  Our youngest does not…but he will. Our middle child is just starting to grasp it.

With our oldest our “correcting” episodes are less and less frequent.  After they happen and we talk about why I had to discipline him etc. I have this huge big picture view of where I am guiding him. With our younger ones, I know it is just a matter of time.  For that reason, I now enjoy the correction of our children.  It keeps me in touch with where we are going.  These are not arbitrary corrections so that I can “rule the roost” or have complete order in the home.  That is a possible byproduct but what it really is, is “training for reigning” as Dallas Willard puts it. 

What I have found through it, is a calming of our children when we are home together.  They understand the drill, they know I am not caving and that I don’t act emotionally (most times) it is just “steady as she goes” rhythm that keeps a well oiled machine moving.  I am not perfect, or have it all together.  Our children are not perfect ether.  We are still working on how to discipline when we are in group situations, but we are getting there.  I have found when the focus is not on them per se or me per se and the day to day grind, but the big picture goal, we move past the hardness, tedium, and constant repetition of daily correction into training.  And now I wonder, how can parents do that well, having their children away from home 7-10 hours a day especially when they are little?  There is no indictment in that statement if you have your children away from you, it is just an out loud wondering question that I am mulling over.

Anyway, Peace to all!

I readily admit that a good friend gave me this idea.  She doesn’t blog so, I will post it here.  If you are home schooling mixed aged children (who isn’t?) and have those that are 3 and under, create a busy box just for them.  We now call it “Hudson’s busy hand box”  he sits on my lap as long as possible for family reading and copy work time. He has his own pencil and paper and we work on the “sand paper alphabet” when the older children are doing their own work.  Then when he can sit no longer, I take out the box of “busy things”. (stacking blocks, a Thomas train, silly putty, floam with appropriate tools, small hard books that he loves and a sorting work.)   That usually keeps him busy for some time.  Everyday, I set our sink up with one side clean water, and the other side soapy water.  The family puts their dishes in the “soapy” side all day and one child or another invariably comes to wash the dishes.  I have a sponge wand and a dish drainer and a drying towel. They have all had a “dishwashing lesson”. They love it and so do I.  This gives me enough time with the older children and helps our youngest feel connected to what we are doing.  As Martha says “It’s a good thing!”

Emerging Grace has a list of her 7 favorite books going.  After I read through her reading list, I knew I liked her.  So, today, I will give you my 7 books and tag you to do the same. Firstly, 7 is a bit much for me at one time.  I do have three little kids, a business, a house, and am trying to fit in home schooling so my reading has declined a bit:-) I will say, I was just talking to some friends about how I want to get back into reading more stories and not just theology.  I will read a ton with the CM home schooling method but I also want to read more just for me. So here are my 3!

Blogging is a great medium to not only share your thoughts on life etc. but to learn from people all over the world.  Today I am focusing on blogtipping other DIVAS whose work I enjoy and learn from.  I hope you learn from them too! In no particular order! 

Diva #1:  Higher up and Further In - is an inspiring CM homeschooler in the middle east.  Her blog is a wealth of info.  I have already picked up several things from her site and I am sure you  will too. 

DIVA #2: Yielded has a blog that really gives a ton of nutritional “food for thought”  (Excuse the pun:-)  ) and some home schooling highlights thrown in.  You will get some tasty recipes from her!

DIVA #3: The Truevyne has some funny home schooling stories.  She loves CM, Montessori and Cavaletti.  When she posted about The Forty Day Fast I new this Diva has some serious Social Justice “kickin” and that inspires me.

DIVA #4 Hidden Art Jumps right in and comments away.  I think it is one of the most interesting things about blogging…the interaction!  So Thanks for all the thoughtful comments, I will try to reciprocate:-)

 Diva #5: The SecretlifeofKat   I found her through the truevyne. She is a soccer mom who actually plays the soccer.  What do you know about that.    I think it is funny.  I first read of the 40 day fast through the true vine who took me to Kats blog.  I then see her linked to Brant who is part of our faith community and a very smart Blogger too…even though he is not a DIVA.  Blogging is a really small world.

Ok - people so there you go…go and learn a thing or two, or three or how about this, just never stop learning!

Peace to all!

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!

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. 

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.”

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.

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! 

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……………

Firmly Planted  has some great thoughts today on how she got started homeschooling.  I think it is very interesting how God is calling so many home to be with their kids.  I think in general God is moving his people to a more integrated, holistic life rhythm.  Life long learning in regards to education as well as how we live and practice our faith is a common thread I see popping up all over.  I am happy to have “clued” in now.  As my friend Chenoa says “God really squeezed you into a corner with this!”  Yes, He did and I am happy about it!

Que u2 People!

Yesterday was hard (emotionally) as I mentioned.  But we got through it.  Today is the first day of summer and the beginning of new rhythms at home.  The kids stayed up extra late last night with our church family.  We have “comon meal” once a week to stay connected usually at one family’s home or another.  We hosted last night.  The kids LOVE having their church family over. I must say it was nice not rushing to get them to bed or get them up this am.

New, New, New. It is amazing what a good night’s sleep and some productive work will do.  Now, to pack and organize for Peru.  I have got some business deadlines to meet before we leave but we are cruising through them.  I need to buy the supplies at Walmart.  I really hate the Walmart here by our home. It is so diorganized and understaffed.  I hang on to the kids for dear life.  But we are stockin gup on brown sugar, choclate chips an dother fun things they can’t get down there.  I think we will fill our suit case up with coffe for the road home.  If you want to place your order for some amazing coffee beans send me an email. 

It is interesting how this process has gone for me.  I have had people tell me that I am not the homeschooling type or actual homeschoolers tell me how hard it is.  It is kind of like before you have kids or teenagers, those parents that do tell you to get your sleep or that you don’t know what it is like until they are teens etc.   I am sure it will be challenging but like anything there will be great days as well. My work at homepartners and my husband have been very supportive.  I’ve enjoyed learning new and helpful things from them all.  I named this blog “homeschooling diva” for courage.  Every time I log in and see the name and look at the picture I find rest and courage.  It may sound weird to you but its not your blog so there.  Friends who encouarge me to go for it are a special blessing.  I pray that I encourage many of you to go for it….whatever “it” may be.  Life is short so don’t live it in fear.  Embrace it!

Tomorrow is the last day at our local Montessori school.  I thought I would be much sadder than I am.  I mostly feel a sense of moving in the right direction.  It is funny, I am picking up some things again, I thought I was done with.  I am teaching again at the Jupiter Academy of Music  I am having to pick up some classes for a teacher that is ill and wont be able to finish her scheduled session.  I may have to do the summer session as well.  I hope to begin getting things in order for school this year.  I am still not sure I am going to purchase an exact curriculum for our first year.  I may change my mind in December but this year is all about de-stressing and just having fun learning together.  If no set curriculum starts to get stressful, then I will purchase sonlight probably.  Lots of friends have used it and recommend it. 

My work partnershipcontinues to be exciting, challenging and just enough to keep me engaged but not overwhelmed.   Mike and I are off to Peru on the 2nd so I’ve got tons to do to get ready. I look forward to learning more from Chenoa about her homeschooling adventure.  She has schooled 3 kids who are now starting home-school high-school.  She has completely empowered me to do this and have fun along the way.  More to come….

There have been many reasons that I have not wanted to home-school over the past few years. Firstly, We had three children in a short amount of time and that alone was overwhelming. Now I have my feet under me…a stable rhythm. Our oldest is 5 going on 6 in August and the hum of our life is enjoyable. I now have the mental clarity to think about things other than, sleep and time to myself. My main hesitation (for both myself and my husband) has been not wanting to lose myself in the process of homeschooling our children. Would I be a frazzled, school marm with no sense of passion or calling outside of homeschooling? This last year has been a year of awaking for me. I am starting to remember who I am outside of parenting. I have the space to work on me again, and so now I can enthusiastically move into home-school with balance. This is a one year at a time plan. I am not adamant about anyone way of schooling except that this year my kids need to be home with me. Maybe that will change in time. Up until this point they have had Montessori education and that has suit us perfectly but now it is time to change and expand our horizons. I am learning to BE and not DO. To rest and not strive and to capture every treasured moments (even the hard ones) because the one thing I do know is that “time is the only thing we really own and relationship is the only thing we can buy with it”.

Ever since our first child was in the womb people have been asking me if I am going to home-school.  I have gone through the gamut.  Yes, no-way, maybe and overwhelmed.  We are moving into the home-school journey and at this stage in my life I am excited for the new challenge.  Life is short and I don’t want to wonder my whole life if I should of done it, so here we go! This is my story and  I invite you along for the ride!