Homeschool 2013-2014 Recap

In my head I had all these plans of homeschooling hands-on and enjoying every moment with my kids as we learned around the table or kitchen sink or in the garden or at the library. It was going to be a beautiful, nearly holy, experience. I envisioned quiet afternoons of me reading orally to the kids while they hug on every word of some classic. 

And instead....our school year went more like this:

Messes...big ones

Marker marks on the table

Frustration

Forcing them to stay awake as we read orally

Discoveries

Serving Others

Unsuccessful projects

Unused books

Unread biographies

Fractions (need I say more???)

Impatience

Tears

Laughter

Dance breaks

Scripture 

Doubts

Phonics

Tom Sawyer

Cursive

Maps

Poetry

Biology

Snacks 

Fun

And moments of questioning my sanity....many moments. I'm not even going to say the good outweighed the bad....But I will say God's grace outweighed my frustration, doubts and tears. You see, when I realized God was calling me homeschool both my kids (I've homeschooled Savannah since kinder) I was 100% sure that I heard Him correctly. And when I resigned my teaching position, I was 100% sure I was doing what He had asked of me. But fast forward a few months to a string of bad days, difficult math, frustrated kids and mom and a deficiency of diet coke...and I wasn't sure about this act of obedience. In fact...the struggle is still very real. 

I'm still wondering..

Did they get what they needed this year?

Did I do a good enough job?

Is this really what's best for our family?

Are they stronger spiritually because of this year?

Do we do THIS again? Or something different?

It's not really any different than any other decisions we make for our family...seeking God, His will, constantly reviewing our decisions to be sure we are still on track with His plans. But listen...when His plans and your obedience are all about molding, shaping and modeling Christ to this next generation...well, it can get a little scary. I can't do it alone. Just saying'. So I'm listening more closely after a year....trying to be super-sensitive to His plan for us. Some might not think it's that important or that I take this calling too seriously but really??? What is more important than teaching and shaping and showing this generation about what's really important to know...Jesus. And sure...I know reading, writing and math are important...but who really wants to be around anyone who knows it all but lacks grace and love and peace??

Besides, it's only by HIS strength my crew even made it out alive from this year! And thankfully His mercies were new every single morning. And I am counting on that again tomorrow and the next day and the next. 

And my kids will be ok as long as they learn those lessons...about grace and new mercies and listening to God's voice. Because in the end...that's the most important lesson of all.

So what's in store for us for next year? Homeschool again. Different curriculum for some classes and lots more reading....and writing ....and arithmetic, with heavy doses of grace and mercy...every day. 

Snickerdoodles

I wasn't raised on this cookie..I tasted my first one in my early 20's (from scratch)  and then again I found it in my late thirties...I know... I am sure that you might have a made from scratch recipe that is awesome....but I've tasted Mammy's snickerdoodles....and nothing really compared to its awesomeness until... Last Christmas when I was making a quick pass through at Big Lots and came across this...and thought to myself....why not? For $1.67? Sure, I'll try it.  And here's what I found... A moist, chewy, delightful cookie.  I liked it so much I sent Bruce back for 6 boxes.  Is it Mammy's??? ....well of course not... nothing will be as good as that....but it's pretty close! Whipped up a batch today....aren't they pretty??? Sure wish you could smell their cinnamon fragrance! Now...Go get you some!

10 Things My Mom Taught Me

She rivals a few of my girlfriends for title of best friend. I don't know exactly when it happened but somewhere between high school and college I realized I had more than a mom in my mom. I had a friend. I think it happens that way most of the time. Once we grow and mature and realize that all the things that we endured as children were really mostly for our own good...we find a friend in this caring individual we call mom.

Here are 10 Lessons My Mom Taught Me..

1. She was raised in extreme poverty..and because of that she taught me how to make the most of what I had. Whether it was food, or my house or even my wardrobe. She taught me to mix and match, look for bargains and use leftovers.

2. She taught me the value of using my time wisely. She was a housewife who modeled the work ethic of a career woman. She cleaned and gardened and cooked and homeschooled and served in our church.

3. She taught me to make time for friends. Before the days of Facebook and texting and even cell phones, I remember mom using the corded phone in the garage. Us kids knew that if the phone cord was wrapped around the kitchen door to the garage that she was on an important call....even if that meant she was just catching up with Ms. Nell or Ms. Shirley (her best friends). Those ladies permed each other's hair, went antiquing and could talk over coffee for hours. (Excuse me while I try to get the smell of the home perm out of my nostrils.)

4. She taught me to make fun memories with my kids. The Grist Mill at Stone Mountain Park was a small little swimming hole that we used to meet up with friends for an early morning hike and breakfast and swim. She also took a painting class and cake decorating class with me....not to mention she engaged in basketball season for all 6 years that I played!

5. She taught me the value of God's Word. She woke up early every morning, made a pot of coffee and sat in her "spot" in the living room. For years we knew that if she wasn't finished with her quiet time, we were to stay in our rooms. In school she and my dad required us to memorize scripture and long before it was cool to journal...we were journaling our thoughts about and towards God.

6. She's taught me how to trust God in the hard times. She became a widow at age 40, but long before that she knew grief. Having been raised in dysfunction, alcoholism and abuse she knew what it was like to grieve and mourn without anyone dying. Her testimony of God's faithfulness has gotten me through more than one hard time. Now it's become my testimony too.

7. She taught me to be hospitable. We had missionaries and evangelists and friends in our home ALL the time. We made pallets and slept on the floor more times that I care to remind my back. We adopted college students on the weekends and housed orphans and cousins and widows when the need arose. We were not wealthy. We struggled. But God always seemed to provide for those extra people..and mom hardly ever turned away the opportunity to serve someone a meal.

8. She taught me the value of a good education. First by sacrificing to put three kids in private school, then by homeschooling us and then by helping me find a good college to go to. But it really didn't stop there. She is a lifelong learner..she reads constantly, goes to conferences and talks with professionals in her line of work (counseling). She motivates me to read up on bestsellers and good articles. She challenges me to grow my mind.

9. She taught me how to love my husband by modeling a Christ-centered marriage to my dad. Perfect? Oh no....my mom was a strong woman..and when they fought...they FOUGHT but it was rare and even though there was an occasional disagreement, I never feared my parents would divorce or abandon the family. She walked my dad to the door every morning as he left for work. She smooched him "goodbye" and "hello". She fixed his favorite foods and even rubbed his stinky feet. She encouraged him, pushed him, believed in him and openly prayed for him.

10. Certainly not the last lesson...but the last one for this post....She taught me to invest in people. She's a Christian counselor who pours her life into others 40 hours a week. She charges fees on a sliding scale and even does some work pro-bono. She listens as others tell their horrible tales of despair and she helps them process their lives. She's helped me on more than one occasion. She truly gives herself away.

So this Mother's Day...and every day...Thanks mom...for modeling Godly womanhood to me. Perfect...hardly. Flawless....nope...in fact...it's this imperfect motherhood that gives me hope that one day, maybe, just maybe I will have come close to being the kind of mom you are today.

Tom Sawyer and My Own Handful of a Boy

My mother in law bought Tucker the book "Tom Sawyer". The abridged version, but still.

Tucker was fascinated by her own personal testimony of how the boy reminded her of himself and that she was sure he would LOVE it. Grandma.of.the.year.

So now we are 6-8 chapters in and Tucker wants nothing more than to spend his entire school day reading the tales..the tall tales of Tom Sawyer. And I wonder just how healthy this is, for a boy like Tuck to be hearing the prankings of a boy much like himself. We already struggle with his insatiable desire to trap his parents, scare his sister and prank call his grandmother (yes...the same one that he got the book from....perhaps she is bringing some of this on herself???)

I love Tucker's creativity, his humor and his laughter. He truly is a boy after my own heart. And on days while he's acting more like Tom than Tuck, and I think he might not make it to 18, I don't even things about stopping to list all his wonderful qualities, his unique abilities and his God-given gifts--I'm doing good just to stay afloat...alive...untrapped!

My heart may be more drawn today than most to think of my son in a sweeter sense. A recent suicidal tragedy hit our small town and it probably has all the momma's holding their boys a little closer and more fondly. All the silly tricks and prankings and messes and forts and traps and dirty projects Tucker brings to our family would be welcomed to a mother who lost her son. So today as I watch over my own, these precious treasures God has given me, I hope I'll remember how quickly these days will pass and instead of being exasperated by boyish shenanigans that I'll embrace these fun times with less worry, more love and patience and an extra helping of hand sanitizer. Because there's a mom out there today and every day that won't get that chance.

Praying for a momma I don't even know as she walks these hard hard days. May her sweet memories of her son bring her some joy in the future and in the time in-between may she be drawn to a peace that exceeds anything her heart has ever know....First peace with God, then the peace of God.

This Week's Top Ten Goals

- Daily Personal and School Quiet Time

- Work in the yard and clear front flower beds

- Spring Clean all closets

- Write Thank You Notes

- Read Tom Sawyer with Tucker

- Order household supplies from Amazon

- Finish embroidery project

- Can Salsa

- Take kids to the library

- Start curriculum planning for next school year

What does your week look like....do you set goals or have a to-do list that keeps you on track? Using our minutes wisely is not only a good habit but it's also biblical. The Proverbs 31 woman was a mastermind at this. She used her days and nights to glorify God with her time and talents. I want to get better at that. I want to fill these hours each day in such a way so that in the end I can honor God with what He has given me.

Let's see what I can do with my time this week!

Ga Trip Recap

Warning...lots of family pictures ahead....you've been warned...proceed at your own risk!

See...I warned you! 

Can't wait to go back! 

What To Do When Your Server Is Down

Computer problems are a hassle, inconvenient and frustrating. I remember about 7 years ago when I sent my first text (yes, I was behind the times) I wondered how anyone could be so dependent on technology and now just a few years later I find myself tapping my computer when the high speed just isn't fast enough. And when the server is down...well pass the ice cream because between two kids and Bruce and I...somebody is going to be stress eating. We are such first world people. Thankfully we have a couple of genius friends who know just about everything there is to know about our gadgets that when we are down...they get us up and running pretty quick. Bless them.

But lately it's been hard not to notice that physically my "serve" has been hit or miss. Oh...don't get me wrong, I've been doing and going and accomplishing but my heart has been tired and worn and I've been depending more on me than on the One who never fails. So last week we went to GA to visit my family and I had some time to think about and pray about my attitude and my serve. And here's what I was reminded of:

--Jesus was the ultimate example of "serve". And yet, even He had to take time away to recharge with the Father. He went away to the garden, to the mountains and who knows where else during his earthly ministry, for the purpose of rest and renewal. Close, intentional communion with God will do that. But He didn't stay gone forever. After His 40 days, He came back ready and willing to do whatever God asked Him to.

--My attitude is important as I serve. His word says, "Serve the Lord with gladness", in Psalm 100:2, is a command ...not a suggestion. I normally enjoy serving my family, my church and my community. But when my attitude isn't plugged into the joy found in Christ, I'm miserable. I find myself complaining about mundane things...laundry and dirty socks and hair in the sink and emptying the dishwasher. What I was reminded of on my getaway is that there are no mundane tasks assigned by God. I'm a wife and mom..that's my job description...and my service to my husband and children should be with joy filled gladness even when there's spilt milk and crumbs on the table.

--I serve the Worthy One. On earth it's easy to think about who deserves our service- family, church, friends, country, the poor. But the truth is, our service should be to the Lord. Whatever we are doing..to whoever we are doing it to...for whatever reason we are doing it. And when my eyes are fixed on Him and I am filled with His Spirit to walk and do the things that He has scheduled for me to accomplish, I'm unstoppable.

A couple of practical things to do when your server is down:

1. Get in God's word and be encouraged.

2. Stay faithful in fellowship with your church.

3. Confess known sin.

4. Ask God to reveal unknown sin and ask forgiveness as He does.

5. Fellowship with Godly people who will encourage you.

6. Recharge. And then get busy again...(Repeat as needed)

7. Ask God to show you His plan for your service. We can't do it all. He has a place designed where you'll be most effective.

8. Remind yourself of what you've been saved from.

9. Defeat Satan by quoting scripture

10. Ask God to stir you up to do good works. Why? So others will be drawn to His spirit in you.


I've returned....revived and recharged to serve my family, friends, church and community by doing the things that God wants me to be busy doing. I have the ability to say no to the things that God does not call me to. And I have the desire to say YES to the many things that I can do. He's gracious to give me so many opportunities to share His love and care for humanity. I'm thankful to be His hands.