On Thursday of this week, I turned 35... a milestone, and yet, is it really? I'm a big birthday person; I like the person who has the birthday to be celebrated and to honor God by giving that person life. I love to make a big to-do of the actual date, but over the years, as I suppose is the case of many a person, I've softened a bit on the grandeur of the event.
I'm married to a very cool, calm, collected man who grew up with nary a celebration of holidays, including birthdays. Sure, there was a present and perhaps a cake, but the day went on like any other. From this background and from mine, we come to this marriage. So for the past almost 9 years we've tried to strike a melodious balance on how to celebrate the birthday. I was hoping for more recognition of the event from him, but he was inundated with a deadline at work and his responsibility to his community college class (as professor, not student) so he was unable to do the large festivities. But, somehow, I was okay with it.
I felt so loved by so many of you who wished me a happy day via Facebook and e-mail; a special friend honored me with a movie and dinner; Ben did take the morning off from work and we spent time with the kids... normal for me, but it was nice to have him around during the morning hours! Thank you!
Yes, I'm 35... I don't "feel" that old. But then again, what does "that old" feel like? I'm enjoying my life of being a wife of almost 9 years and a mom to three precious blessings. I'm adding to the role of homemaker by teaching the kids in the fall... a new adventure for sure. If you would have asked me 10 years ago where I saw myself in 10 years, I probably would have described something similar to my life right now. I'm blessed beyond measure to be growing in my faith and contentment with all that God has given to me and entrusted to me.
It was indeed a "happy birthday." Blessings!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The present participle
In thinking about what to write today, I keep hearing my daughter's voice in my head and must acknowledge that I'm supposed to write about her "funny" saying that has had me thinking for over 2 days! Strange how 3 year olds can do that to a person!
We're a household that believes strongly in telling the truth in all circumstances. Our 5 year old son definitely knows truth from lie now, and we're working on concrete examples to explain this concept to his 3 1/2 year old sister. Well, the other day, I was addressing such an instance. I asked K, "Are you telling me the truth or are you lieing?" She proudly puffed our her chest and said, "I'm trueing, Mommy!" How funny... but it got me to thinking (always the case when my children speak such profoud sentences - ha!).
Am I trueing in my daily life? A present participle is a verb condition where you are in a state of continually doing something. Is my life marked by truth on a moment by moment basis? Do I allow little white lies to seep into my thoughts but in general, tell the truth?
Many of the verses in the New Testament that speak to doing something are often written in the present participle, to convey a sense of pressing on and doing the right thing no matter what and no matter how hard it is.
I don't have much to add other than to thank my sweet little girl for reminding her mama of the need to constantly be in the moment and checking my spirit for Truth.
We're a household that believes strongly in telling the truth in all circumstances. Our 5 year old son definitely knows truth from lie now, and we're working on concrete examples to explain this concept to his 3 1/2 year old sister. Well, the other day, I was addressing such an instance. I asked K, "Are you telling me the truth or are you lieing?" She proudly puffed our her chest and said, "I'm trueing, Mommy!" How funny... but it got me to thinking (always the case when my children speak such profoud sentences - ha!).
Am I trueing in my daily life? A present participle is a verb condition where you are in a state of continually doing something. Is my life marked by truth on a moment by moment basis? Do I allow little white lies to seep into my thoughts but in general, tell the truth?
Many of the verses in the New Testament that speak to doing something are often written in the present participle, to convey a sense of pressing on and doing the right thing no matter what and no matter how hard it is.
I don't have much to add other than to thank my sweet little girl for reminding her mama of the need to constantly be in the moment and checking my spirit for Truth.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Manners
Happy Friday! I survived my week back from the conference. It's been a long week of getting the kids back into the swing of things and of not being pampered by Pop Pop and Grandma. Ben and I are SO thankful that my parents took care of the kids for 5 days, but it makes for a rough transition when dessert is no longer the "norm" for the kids :)
I'll finish off the week with my last post about the homeschool conference... I'll get back to my daily topics next week. I'm sure I'll still talk about the conference to some degree, but I won't go on and on about it!
Today's post is really just about observations while with 14,000 people. I have to say that I am very impressed by the kids that I saw at the conference. Although we left ours at home (thankfully!), many families came in tact. And many of those families consisted of 6 or more kids. I actually felt like we had a small family with "only" 3 kids. That feeling soon passed when I got home and fast forwarded to the busyness of my life with three little ones.
These families were amazing... now, I don't know the ins and outs of the daily grind, but the manners that I saw really impressed me. I saw 13 year old boys voluntarily helping their 2 or 3 year old sister with a shoelace or a drink or simply a hug. Teens spoke with "thank you," "please," "sir," "m'am" to their parents and to any adult that was around them. Small children (early elementary age) sat quietly through hour-long sessions with just a book or some crayons (there was a children's program for kids and for teens, separately). There was even one session that Ben attended where a teenager presented part of the topic and held the interest of the audience and spoke clearly and with confidence. Teens weren't texting or on their phones all of the time.
Now I'm not saying that there aren't kids "out there" who can't behave like this; nor am I saying that all homeschool kids behave in this manner. But I am saying that I enjoyed watching families interact as families, with love and respect and honor. Sure, day to day life probably has its fair share of sibling squabbles and challenges of authority, but overall, these kids understood who was in charge and how they are to behave. It was simply refreshing.
Blessings!
I'll finish off the week with my last post about the homeschool conference... I'll get back to my daily topics next week. I'm sure I'll still talk about the conference to some degree, but I won't go on and on about it!
Today's post is really just about observations while with 14,000 people. I have to say that I am very impressed by the kids that I saw at the conference. Although we left ours at home (thankfully!), many families came in tact. And many of those families consisted of 6 or more kids. I actually felt like we had a small family with "only" 3 kids. That feeling soon passed when I got home and fast forwarded to the busyness of my life with three little ones.
These families were amazing... now, I don't know the ins and outs of the daily grind, but the manners that I saw really impressed me. I saw 13 year old boys voluntarily helping their 2 or 3 year old sister with a shoelace or a drink or simply a hug. Teens spoke with "thank you," "please," "sir," "m'am" to their parents and to any adult that was around them. Small children (early elementary age) sat quietly through hour-long sessions with just a book or some crayons (there was a children's program for kids and for teens, separately). There was even one session that Ben attended where a teenager presented part of the topic and held the interest of the audience and spoke clearly and with confidence. Teens weren't texting or on their phones all of the time.
Now I'm not saying that there aren't kids "out there" who can't behave like this; nor am I saying that all homeschool kids behave in this manner. But I am saying that I enjoyed watching families interact as families, with love and respect and honor. Sure, day to day life probably has its fair share of sibling squabbles and challenges of authority, but overall, these kids understood who was in charge and how they are to behave. It was simply refreshing.
Blessings!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
An Education on Classical Education
It is an amazingly beautiful day... kids and I met some friends at the park and played until they were all sweaty and tired. Nap/rest time has now commenced so I have a few quiet moments to blog.
Ben and I are definitely united on what "style" of teaching to incorporate into our school. Before leaving for the conference, I was about 90% sure that we wanted to go the Classical route, and after having returned, I am 100% convinced that this method of teaching is foundational for the goals that we have established for our school and our kids. But many people freak out at the terms "classical education." So I thought I'd take a moment to share with you what I learned.
A classical education is simple, yet complex, at the same time. Developmentally, children are sponges from birth onward and upward to about 4th/5th grade. So, during the Grammar Stage of the CE (classical education), roughly 1st - 4th grades, children memorize tons of facts. There isn't a great emphasis on logic or the "why" of something. Grammar rules are studied; math facts are drilled; phonics studied; history dates memorized; Scripture memorized (although this goes on for life!)... kids love it... their little brains are just eating the stuff up.
Somewhere around 4th/5th grade, kids switch into the Logic Stage. Now they want to know the why of everything. How do all of the facts that they've learned fit together/relate? This lasts until about 9th grade. And in high school, they start the Rhetoric Stage... now, it's personal. How do I feel about all of these facts? How can I support/defend/propose a point/an idea, namely my idea? It's fascinating to really think about these stages not just in school but as I look at my kids and reflect back on my junior high and high school days. Do you know why history textbooks were so boring? Because they taught us at a grammar school level - we didn't want to memorize dates, etc. We wanted to form opinions but we didn't know how to back it up. As you can see, foreign languages should also be studied during the grammar stage.
I heard one presenter talk about the classical approach even within Christianity. God says over and over again (especially in Proverbs) that we are to gain knowledge and understanding in order to have wisdom. Knowledge is the nuts and bolts; understanding is making sense of the raw info; wisdom is knowing how to use the information. "Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin." (Proverbs 10:14) Profound, eh?
I am SO excited to be on this path and am thrilled to see how the classical approach to education prepares my children to think and to defend their faith because their "world" is not going to be the same as ours. I want them to know what they believe and be able to intelligently present the case for Christ (thanks, Lee Strobel!).
Blessings!
Ben and I are definitely united on what "style" of teaching to incorporate into our school. Before leaving for the conference, I was about 90% sure that we wanted to go the Classical route, and after having returned, I am 100% convinced that this method of teaching is foundational for the goals that we have established for our school and our kids. But many people freak out at the terms "classical education." So I thought I'd take a moment to share with you what I learned.
A classical education is simple, yet complex, at the same time. Developmentally, children are sponges from birth onward and upward to about 4th/5th grade. So, during the Grammar Stage of the CE (classical education), roughly 1st - 4th grades, children memorize tons of facts. There isn't a great emphasis on logic or the "why" of something. Grammar rules are studied; math facts are drilled; phonics studied; history dates memorized; Scripture memorized (although this goes on for life!)... kids love it... their little brains are just eating the stuff up.
Somewhere around 4th/5th grade, kids switch into the Logic Stage. Now they want to know the why of everything. How do all of the facts that they've learned fit together/relate? This lasts until about 9th grade. And in high school, they start the Rhetoric Stage... now, it's personal. How do I feel about all of these facts? How can I support/defend/propose a point/an idea, namely my idea? It's fascinating to really think about these stages not just in school but as I look at my kids and reflect back on my junior high and high school days. Do you know why history textbooks were so boring? Because they taught us at a grammar school level - we didn't want to memorize dates, etc. We wanted to form opinions but we didn't know how to back it up. As you can see, foreign languages should also be studied during the grammar stage.
I heard one presenter talk about the classical approach even within Christianity. God says over and over again (especially in Proverbs) that we are to gain knowledge and understanding in order to have wisdom. Knowledge is the nuts and bolts; understanding is making sense of the raw info; wisdom is knowing how to use the information. "Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin." (Proverbs 10:14) Profound, eh?
I am SO excited to be on this path and am thrilled to see how the classical approach to education prepares my children to think and to defend their faith because their "world" is not going to be the same as ours. I want them to know what they believe and be able to intelligently present the case for Christ (thanks, Lee Strobel!).
Blessings!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Back from the Conference
I've finally returned and collected some of my thoughts so I feel compelled to blog about our time in Cincinnati at the Midwest Homeschool Convention. Wow... there were 14,000 people in attendance so it was jam-packed, quite literally, with families who desire to educate their children at home. And for the first time, I felt that our family of 5 was small :) Many people who were present and those presenting had 5 or more children! Anyway... that's not my "takeaway!"
Over the next several days, I'll be sharing insight into the topics presented. I'll start off by saying that Ben and I are more convinced than ever that God is calling us to school our children at home. Specifically, we'll approach education from a Classical mindset... instilling in our children a desire to think and to learn. I'll expound upon the Classical model in a later post; today, I want to focus on a fun tidbit from the conference.
The second session that we attended on Thursday night was with John Rosemond. He is a parenting "expert" who we read faithfully and tailor our child-rearing around many of his suggestions. Before the talk, he was milling around outside of the room so Ben and I went up to him and shook his hand and asked a seemingly simple question: "How do I separate being a mom from being a teacher?" That was the gist of the question.
Well, when he started his talk, he opened with that question, citing his thanks to "Ben and Becca." Martha and Melody (two friends with us) said I turned a deep shade of red. Anyway, his response was a common theme that I heard all weekend... educating our children is not a 5 day a week job; it's 24/7/365... it's life. First and foremost (after being a child of God), I am a wife and then a mom. From those two "titles," the rest of life flows.
I am such a type A person that I find it difficult to break out of "boxes." But we're educating our children at home because we want them to see Christ in every aspect of life... and life is 24/7/365. I get caught up in "school," "play," "family time," etc. While segmenting my time is helpful, I need to remember, above all, that the Holy Spirit living within me does not take a break and his outpouring shouldn't either. I have so much to learn, but that little reminder that life is continual and educating children is, too, was an excellent way to start off the conference. In the days ahead, I'll share more with you. Until then, have a blessed day!
Over the next several days, I'll be sharing insight into the topics presented. I'll start off by saying that Ben and I are more convinced than ever that God is calling us to school our children at home. Specifically, we'll approach education from a Classical mindset... instilling in our children a desire to think and to learn. I'll expound upon the Classical model in a later post; today, I want to focus on a fun tidbit from the conference.
The second session that we attended on Thursday night was with John Rosemond. He is a parenting "expert" who we read faithfully and tailor our child-rearing around many of his suggestions. Before the talk, he was milling around outside of the room so Ben and I went up to him and shook his hand and asked a seemingly simple question: "How do I separate being a mom from being a teacher?" That was the gist of the question.
Well, when he started his talk, he opened with that question, citing his thanks to "Ben and Becca." Martha and Melody (two friends with us) said I turned a deep shade of red. Anyway, his response was a common theme that I heard all weekend... educating our children is not a 5 day a week job; it's 24/7/365... it's life. First and foremost (after being a child of God), I am a wife and then a mom. From those two "titles," the rest of life flows.
I am such a type A person that I find it difficult to break out of "boxes." But we're educating our children at home because we want them to see Christ in every aspect of life... and life is 24/7/365. I get caught up in "school," "play," "family time," etc. While segmenting my time is helpful, I need to remember, above all, that the Holy Spirit living within me does not take a break and his outpouring shouldn't either. I have so much to learn, but that little reminder that life is continual and educating children is, too, was an excellent way to start off the conference. In the days ahead, I'll share more with you. Until then, have a blessed day!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
On my way out of town
I've been waiting for several months for this week, and it's so refreshing to know that I only have to wait one more day! Ben and I leave tomorrow morning for Cincinnati for the Midwest Homeschooling Conference. The sessions start Thursday night and last through Saturday evening, and we are pumped. The speaker topics are just amazing, and it seems like I want to be in 3 or 4 places at one time, plus I want time to roam the convention floor to see all of the vendors! It's incredible to have this opportunity at the beginning of our homeschooling journey. We're very thankful for my parents who will be watching our 3 kids while we're gone; we've equally as thankful for good friends who are housing us while we're in Cincinnati; and we're amazingly thankful for awesome friends who are traveling with us to share in this experience. God's blessings are so evident in this trip.
Five years ago, I would have never thought we'd be where we are today. Ben and I had talked about school options for our then one month old (and subsequent children) and homeschool was never ruled out, but it wasn't the frontrunner. And now, all other options seem to pale in comparison for us as we begin this journey. Lately, friends and family have been asking us if this decision to school at home is for "the long haul" or just a couple of years. I answer them with the year-by-year approach. Every year we'll evaluate where the kids are and how they're handling things. I don't think I see us putting the kids in public school so I'm comfortable with the homeschool for a long time option. This conference will provide an excellent resource for us to see other families who have gone before us. How exciting!
Not only is the conference a blessing, the time that Ben and I will have together as a couple is an added bonus. 5 days without children and researching/studying/educating ourselves in homeschooling will be great for our relationship. We're also excited to spend the time with good friends, both coming with us and those hosting us. These families, for us, represent a common bond and give us encouragement as we tow the road ahead.
Well, Bible study this morning, last minute shopping after lunch, and packing this afternoon... phew, busy day ahead! Please pray for us as we travel and that we would have open hearts to what the Lord wants to teach us as we go.
Blessings!
Five years ago, I would have never thought we'd be where we are today. Ben and I had talked about school options for our then one month old (and subsequent children) and homeschool was never ruled out, but it wasn't the frontrunner. And now, all other options seem to pale in comparison for us as we begin this journey. Lately, friends and family have been asking us if this decision to school at home is for "the long haul" or just a couple of years. I answer them with the year-by-year approach. Every year we'll evaluate where the kids are and how they're handling things. I don't think I see us putting the kids in public school so I'm comfortable with the homeschool for a long time option. This conference will provide an excellent resource for us to see other families who have gone before us. How exciting!
Not only is the conference a blessing, the time that Ben and I will have together as a couple is an added bonus. 5 days without children and researching/studying/educating ourselves in homeschooling will be great for our relationship. We're also excited to spend the time with good friends, both coming with us and those hosting us. These families, for us, represent a common bond and give us encouragement as we tow the road ahead.
Well, Bible study this morning, last minute shopping after lunch, and packing this afternoon... phew, busy day ahead! Please pray for us as we travel and that we would have open hearts to what the Lord wants to teach us as we go.
Blessings!
Friday, April 2, 2010
An attempt...
Good Friday to you all! As I sit here in the bleakness of the day, I remember the suffering my Lord went through for my sin. K asked me this morning why it is called "Good" Friday if Jesus died today; trying to explain "theology" to a 3-year old is hard, but I think she got the gist.
I've been preparing our Easter menu for most of the week. We're having the traditional spiral sliced honey ham on Sunday with our good friends instead of with my family. This will be a little different in that we won't be with family, but these friends are like family so it'll be a special Easter dinner for us all. Along with the ham, we'll be having twice-baked potatoes, green bean casserole (for my hunny who loves gb casserole), raw veggies and two desserts: a pie and an orange cheesecake with raspberry sauce. All said and done, I think it's going to be a fabulous meal.
With all of those good eats, I would like to do a bread of some sort. Most of you know that I make my own bread from scratch, but I'd like to do something different, special to mark the celebration that Easter is to our Christian faith. I found this recipe at allrecipes.com, and it looks like a blast. It's a braided Easter bread that you cook with eggs right in the middle of the bread.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Braided-Easter-Egg-Bread
I'm going to attempt to make this bread and will let you know how it goes... if I get around to it. If I don't, I, at the minimum, shared with you a recipe that's a little strange but beautifully presented.
I'll try and post something this weekend, but we'll see how busy the weekend gets! So, if I don't write to you, please remember the REAL meaning of this celebration. He is risen; He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Blessings!
I've been preparing our Easter menu for most of the week. We're having the traditional spiral sliced honey ham on Sunday with our good friends instead of with my family. This will be a little different in that we won't be with family, but these friends are like family so it'll be a special Easter dinner for us all. Along with the ham, we'll be having twice-baked potatoes, green bean casserole (for my hunny who loves gb casserole), raw veggies and two desserts: a pie and an orange cheesecake with raspberry sauce. All said and done, I think it's going to be a fabulous meal.
With all of those good eats, I would like to do a bread of some sort. Most of you know that I make my own bread from scratch, but I'd like to do something different, special to mark the celebration that Easter is to our Christian faith. I found this recipe at allrecipes.com, and it looks like a blast. It's a braided Easter bread that you cook with eggs right in the middle of the bread.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Braided-Easter-Egg-Bread
I'm going to attempt to make this bread and will let you know how it goes... if I get around to it. If I don't, I, at the minimum, shared with you a recipe that's a little strange but beautifully presented.
I'll try and post something this weekend, but we'll see how busy the weekend gets! So, if I don't write to you, please remember the REAL meaning of this celebration. He is risen; He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Blessings!
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