Complain Much?

One of the many hazards of homeschooling is that my kids aren't always quite as polite to the teacher as they might be if the teacher were someone else. There's a comfortableness that, while endearing, can also be taken advantage of if we aren't careful.

Complaining seems to be the most popular issue at hand right now. Complaining about doing schoolwork, how much schoolwork, how hard the schoolwork is, how boring it is, how tired they are, how long it takes....need I go on????

Anyway...I've explained until I'm blue in the face, we've spanked (yes, we do that), we've prayed, we've raised our voices (ok..maybe that was just me), I've lectured....And I've grown weary.

And since I'm not a complainy type person for the most part, this is under my skin. WHEN DID THEY BECOME THIS WAY??? I think the same way we all do sometimes.

1. We only want to do what we want to do.

2. We think what we want is the most important thing on earth.

3. We think we are right.

4. We don't think of the effort others have made for us to have, do, be....

5. We become covetous. We want what others have even if that mean different but not better.

And so now I'm figuring out a plan of action that might help my kids think before they complain...at least some of the time.

1. Gratitude. Speak and write thanks when you are tempted to complain.

2. Do something for someone else when you are tempted to complain.

3. Pray about your attitude. Is this really something that is important enough to complain about?

4. File your complaint. Write it down and place it in the complaint jar. If it's still worthy of conversation at the end of the day, we will read it.

As I was thinking about these things I thought how they really apply to any area of our lives. We waste so many words complaining about things that don't matter, that when we really do have a concern that deserves our words, no one listens. I'm praying that I can teach my own kids the extreme value in a word spoken in due season. Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean I've mastered this concept. In fact, it's just a great reminder to use my words wisely.

Fall Casserole

In hopes of persuading autumn out of her shell, this casserole was dished up at our house this week. Anytime vegetables are involved and the kids ask for seconds, it's worth posting.

LAZY SUNDAY CASSEROLE

I changed it up a little bit by using a pre-made Italian seasoning packet and adding corn to the veggie mix. The aroma that filled the house while the veggies were cooking was delicious. Once the sausage was added, the smokey-goodness ...well, just make the casserole, you'll get the idea!

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful for:

1. A great start to Ladies Bible study Wednesday night. We are doing Charles Stanley's 30 Life Principles and we had a great kick-off night!

2. The routine of September...school, church activities, Taekwondo, Piano...all tidy and in their place on the calendar...makes me feel a little more organized without picking having to clean anything! LOL!

3. God's voice...and that after we listen we too can hear His Words....which strangely enough echo those found in His Word! I am thankful that He gives His wisdom liberally...cause lately it seems we can't get enough of it fast enough.

4. The little things like an old refrigerator....an old dryer and an old car. All that remind me how God has provided for us over the years with little to no repairs needed on any of them.

What are you thankful for?

Curriculum Review

I can't say enough about this Bible Study for Kids. If you have an 8-12 year old and are serious about teaching them the Word of God, this is a great great great Bible study series. I have purchased 4 of them to do this year in school and we are LOVING them. We eased into school this year and the one thing the kids wanted to do everyday was their Bible lesson. This first book that we are doing is focused on teaching children how the Bible matches up ---Old and New Testament ---when it comes to creation and the validity of scriptures. It's inductive Bible study, where kids highlight different words that go together in context so that they can see how God's Word all fits together. The kids are in the Word digging out treasures for themselves. I'm just crazy about it! Kay Arthur also explains where certain words come from. Today in Bible Savannah learned the Pentateuch is the correct word for the first 5 books of the Bible and then in math learned about Pentagons (shapes with 5 sides) ....she knew exactly what pentagon meant because of what she had learned from dissecting the words during Bible class. I kinda like that ...a lot. Tucker enjoys the puzzles and word games that accompany each lesson. He also gets to draw and title a pictures that goes with each part of the Genesis story.

If you're looking for something a little more than storytime Bible time with your kids, then this might be just the thing. I sit with them and talk with them about the lessons, but for older kids they could certainly do these lessons independently. You don't have to be a homeschooler to want your kids to learn to study the Bible....so check this out...it might be just what you're looking for!

Here's the order information....should you decide to take a closer look.





Discover 4 Yourself, Children's Bible Study Series: God's Amazing    Creation (Genesis Chapters 1 and 2)

By Kay Arthur & Janna Arndt / Harvest House Publishers

This book takes kids through the first part of Genesis, focusing on the theme of creation in chapters one and two.  Young scholars will put on their archaeologist hats to help the book's main characters--inductive detectives Max and Molly--dig up the truth about how the world began.  Kids will discover who the world's creator is, how the heavens and earth were formed, what exactly happened in the beginning, and how the earth, the sea, people, and animals came into existence.  Great fun and wonderful Bible truths for kids with an insatiable appetite for the "whys" of life!

The More Better Brownie

I have a confession. Until one week ago I had never made homemade brownies. I just figured Betty Crocker was good enough and that was that. I tasted other brownies at church socials and  birthday parties and had never had a brownie that tasted that much better than Betty's so I just figured I'd stick with what I know.

Until last week, when I was craving something chocolaty and didn't want to go to the store. So, I thought I would just look up a recipe and see what ingredients I had on hand to make something that would satisfy my desire for some sweet goodness.

And now I will never buy Betty's brownie box again....sorry Betty.

Here's a link to the more better brownie than Betty... (Go ahead...click that last sentence...you know you want to...

I knew they were good the first time I made them, but last night after dinner when Savannah asked me to make them again...and Bruce and Tucker chimed in that they were the best brownies ever....That did it for me!

Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

The Homeschool Schedule

A few people have asked about our schedule for the homeschool year. Here it is, for your viewing pleasure...Not gonna say it's permanent, because in our house...like your's, life happens, people need us, we need others, we get bored, we need a day away from each other....and the list could go on and on. But this is best case scenario. Here ya go:

Time	Subject	Name
8:00	Rise and Shine, Dress, Eat	Savannah and Tucker
8:30	Sweep Porches- M,W,F Vacuum-T,TH	Savannah
8:30	Take Trash Out- M,W,F Dust T, TH	Tucker
9:00	Bible - Kay Arthur for Kids	Savannah and Tucker
9:30	Math - Horizons and Xtramath.com	Savannah
9:30	Handwriting- Horizons	Tucker
10:00	Language Arts- LifePac	Savannah
10:00	Phonics and Reading - Horizons	Tucker
10:30	Independent Reading	Savannah
10:30	Math - Horizons and Xtramath.com	Tucker
11:00	Break	Savannah and Tucker
11:15	Piano Practice	Savannah
11:15	Stack the States/ Geography	Tucker
11:45	Science- BJU	Savannah
11:45	Journal, Flashcards & Independent Reading	Tucker
12:15	Lunch	Savannah and Tucker
12:45	Maps of the US and World YWAM	Savannah
12:45	ipad games	Tucker
1:15	Wii Fit or TKD	Savannah and Tucker
2:00	Quiet Hour (Read, Educational videos, puzzles, games...leave mom alone)	Savannah and Tucker

Officially Home

School starts tomorrow at the school I've taught at for the last few years. And I'm officially a full-time homemaker. It really hasn't seemed real until now. Back to school sales, the hustle and bustle of getting a classroom and bulletin boards ready have alluded me altogether. As teacher friends are pinning teaching ideas and cute quotes, I've been in the back of the class cheering them on...quietly. I pray all the patience, wisdom and grace they will need for this year ahead.

And today as I sat down to write out a few goals...I realized...it's official...Homemaker...that's me. A dream come true. And while it's filled with some uncertainty and a little nervousness on how this is really supposed to look, I'm certainly thrilled that God has allowed me this blessing.

So...here's my goals for this week.

1. Make homemade bread (instead of sandwich bread).

2. Cook dinner every night (except Wednesday because the church cooks for us...Hallelujah)

3. Stick to the homeschool schedule

4. Write Genesis 1:26-28; 9:1-7, Psalm 16:11,1 Corinthians 10:31, by hand, daily, in preparation for Sunday School Sunday.


5. Spend time studying for Bible Study teaching Wednesday Night


6. Work on needlework for 30 minutes


7. Menu plan for next week


8. Read one chapter of Pollyanna aloud with kids.


9. Encourage Bruce
How are you spending your week? If you're a full-time homemaker, do you find it easy to waste time? Or, are you a go-getter? Do you keep a pretty tight schedule or fly by the seat of your pants? What works for you....Give a girl some advice if you have any tips you think I could use! Thanks!