How we use A Child's Book of Character Building in our Homeschool

I recently posted our Year End Review: Our Read Alouds and enjoyed looking back so much that I've decided to look back on Baby Girl's Kindergarten year.  We've used many different resources over the past years, but one I've used with all my kids is A Child's Book of Character Building. So, how did I use this book?

I decided to not only go through this book with Baby Girl, but add some picture books and copywork to go along with it.  The majority of the copywork was done the last half of the year as we were still working through our letters during the first half. But it ended up being a great review of each trait for her and I!

A Child's Book of Character Building is broken up into 12 character traits.  Each character trait is first defined in simple,but clear terms and has a Bible verse to go with it.  Then, each character trait has four simple, single page stories that relates that trait to the Bible, home, school and play.  At the end of each trait are a few simple questions/discussion prompts, called Character Development Challenges, to talk about.

Since our school year has 36 weeks in it, I chose to focus on one character trait for 3 weeks each.  The first week we read the definition and verse of the character trait and the Bible story included an example of the trait.  The following week, we would reread the definition and then read some or all of the 2-3 stories relating to home, school and/or play. When we finished the last story, we would discuss the character trait using the Character Development Challenges. Once we finished up the stories in each section, I would have a library book picked out for us to read that, again, related to the character trait we were discussing.  This was a great opportunity to ask Baby Girl how she saw the trait in the story and discuss it further.

I did some research to find books that would be applicable for each character trait.  Just a little note - I love the definitions this book uses for each trait, so I am including them!

Attentive - "Listening with the ears, eyes, and heart" 

The Morning Sam went to Mars by Nancy Carlson

Faith - "Believing God will do what He says"

Let the Whole Earth Sing Praise by Tomie DePaola

Creative - "Doing something in a new way"

  

Ish and or The Dot by Marcia Brown

Diligence - "Working hard to accomplish a task"

Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell

Patience - "Waiting with a Happy Spirit" 

Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael P Kaplan 

Contentment - "Happy with what I have"

The Whingdingdilly by Bill Peet

Obedience - "Doing what you are told with a happy, submissive spirit"

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems

Wisdom - "Thinking God's way"

The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco

Tenderhearted - "Strong enough to feel the joys and hurts of others"

The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes

Thankfulness - "Being grateful and saying so"

I'm Thankful Each Day by PK Hallinan

Honesty - "Truthful words and ways"

The Boy Who Cried Wolf  (there are many good versions of this one!)

Joyfulness - "Being happy inside and out"

Have you Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud 

What a fun list and a whole lot of sweet moments to look back on!  Some of these books, I probably wouldn't have picked out on my own, but are now some of our favorites. 

Once we finished all the character traits and the copywork - I had Baby Girl write the trait and the definition provided - we punched some holes in them all, added a cover page and back page and we made our own book of character traits that Baby Girl can read through.

I hope this list inspires you to sit down and do a little bit of fun, and meaningful, reading with your child!

Rita

Big Picture Story Bible Review- One of the best Bibles for Littles!

  

A couple of Christmas's ago . . . we purchased The Big Picture Story Bible for Baby Girl.  I was looking for a "spiritual" gift for her and wanted something appropriate for a 4 year old - something she would actually be able to use.  I had looked at The Big Picture Story Bible and at The Jesus Storybook Bible.  I liked both of these from browsing through them on Amazon. They both have amazing and colorful pictures - not freaky pictures like some kids bibles. What's up with that?! Seriously, all my kids have received some sort of Bible in their PreK years and they ALL have disturbing pictures, lol.

I liked both of these options because the share the overriding Gospel message and show how God has had a plan since the beginning of time. They don't moralize the Bible stories. Yes, there are stories in the Bible that one can get a moral lesson from.  I want the Gospel message and God's love to capture my child's heart.  My goal was a Bible that shared the goodness and love of God and that we are a part of HIS story, this is not our story.  The Big Picture Story Bible comes highly recommended:

• This article does a great job of explaining how and why we should be teaching God's Word to our children and recommends The Big Picture Story Bible.

• At the homeschool convention I went to in April, John Stonestreet, from Breakpoint, did a talk titled: How We (Mis)handle the Bible. In his talk, he recommended The Big Picture Story Bible and The Jesus Storybook Bible.  

After reading reviews, looking through both of my options on amazon.com, I ended up getting The Big Picture Story Book Bible. Mainly because it also came with a CD!  As a homeschooling mom who frequently does read-a-louds, one thing I appreciate is a CD that does the reading for me. Sometimes I get tired of hearing the sound of my own voice . . .  but back to this Bible.  I love it! And Baby Girl does too!  It is divided into Old and New Testament and each Testament is divided into parts, 11 in the Old, 15 in the New.  There are questions peppered throughout each part that encourage the child to think about the story being told.  There are not only questions, but also reminders of God's love and that He has a plan throughout! And don't we all need that reminder?

If you're looking for a great Bible to get your preschooler started on, I highly recommend this one! Baby Girl is approaching 7 and will still put the CD on, sit down on the couch and listen to the entire book. Love that!

Rita

Forgiveness

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Every Sunday evening, my family gets together with a few other families for a focused time of fellowship and food - for our bodies and souls.  One could call this a small group, missional community, bible study or even, church.

The past few weeks we've been going over the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and it was these specific lines that lead me to do a post on forgiveness:

"Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors"

This could also read - sins, trespasses - but what does it really mean?  And what is FORGIVENESS really?  I have been wrestling with these 2 questions this week and the concept of forgiveness even longer.

In the Lord's Prayer, we are asking God to forgive us as we have forgiven those who have sinned/wronged us.  Wow . . . in as much as I forgive, I will be forgiven?!  That is a hard thought to process.  Read Matthew 6:14 - " For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."  And this is not the only time it is mentioned.  In Matthew 18:21,22, "Peter asks 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven'".  And then he proceeds to tell the parable of the king who forgave his servant a vast amount of debt, but then the servant proceeds to throw a fellow servant into prison for a much, much smaller amount of debt.  When the king hears of this, he becomes angry and has the first servant delivered to the torturers (!) until he can repay all of his debt.  (Matt. 18:23-34).  Then there is this in verse 35 - "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses".  

How can we, as mere humans forgive on this level?  


What sticks out to me about these verses?  They are not talking about forgiving our enemies - though there are plenty of those in God's Word - but forgiving our brothers and fellow servants .  I, personally, find it easy to forgive those I am not super close to.  It seems easier to me to forgive someone and offer them grace, see the situation through their eyes if they are not in close relationship to me.  It is so much more difficult to not let bitterness and unforgiveness build up when I have to interact with that person every day, when I see them not changing, when it hurts so much more because of our close relationship.  But not only does Christ call us to forgive our enemies, but our brothers (family), fellow servants (other Christ followers) . . . those we are close to.  Does this seem impossible to you?  If I'm being honest, it does to me!  But God has also given us His Spirit and tells us in Matthew 19:26 - "but with God all things are possible," and Jeremiah 32:17 - "There is nothing too hard for You."

First, what is forgiveness NOT?

Forgiveness is not the absence of angers at sin, forgiveness is not forgetting the wrong, forgiveness is not forgoing justice, forgiveness is not enabling and forgiveness is not necessarily reconciliation, as that requires both sides participating.

So then, what IS forgiveness?

I found this series of articles - specifically 1,2,& 5 by Focus on the Family, extremely helpful and have pulled a few quotes out that really seemed to speak to me. (Note: these were written for those dealing with divorce/infidelity - this is NOT something my husband and I are working through and I pray for protection in our marriage regarding this - but the articles are very applicable to forgiveness and the process it is).

Most importantly, forgiveness is a PROCESS - it may happen overnight, it may not.  It may take days, weeks, months and even years to truly embrace forgiveness.

"Forgiveness is a gift of God's grace . . .  and we must give ourselves the grace our healing requires as we move forward to full forgiveness."

 Many times, a situation requires time, perspective, more information and rebuilding the relationship. I think that saying "I forgive" and trying to act as if everything is the same doesn't allows us to take the time to really be open to complete forgiveness.

"When we've been deeply wronged something inside yearns for justice. If we don't forgive, our desire for justice becomes revenge, subjecting us to the bondage of bitterness and self-righteousness. When we choose to forgive, the justice we seek is for the other person to feel our pain."

Wow, I don't know about you, but that hits the nail on the head.  Isn't that usually what I want - an acknowledgement and validation for what I am feeling and going through?!  But even if I don't get that "justice", I am still freed. When I forgive others I am released from the bondage unforgiveness can cause in my own life - bitterness, resentment,etc.

True forgiveness takes place when we release our hurt and let go of it, acknowledging that our spouse  is a fallen human being, who is perhaps doing the best he or she can with the limited resources in their emotional, relational, and spiritual arsenal. When we anchor our hearts on the rock of God's love, the forgiveness of our spouse enables us to release our pain into God's healing hands. As grace shatters the threat of growing bitterness, it plants the seeds of a more intimate relationship. 

Where does this lead me?  To this:

Forgiveness is releasing the person who wronged me - whether a spouse, friend, child, co-worker, etc. - and myself from the wages and bondage of sin (death) as God has released me! Forgiving someone doesn't place them in right standing with God, it places me in right standing with God! I think I need to hear that again :

Forgiving someone doesn't place them in right standing with God, it places me in right standing with God!

When Christ died for me and I accepted His free gift, I no longer had to pay the punishment for my sins - they are completely forgiven. I praise Him for that and pray that He will enable me to pass on that forgiveness to those around me.

Rita

Changing How We Do Chores - In 4 Easy Steps!

Last month, I wrote a post here about how we are in the process of changing how we do chores and technology at our home.  This is a follow-up post-most likely one of many-as this is a process that we are working through, not just a quick, easy fix.  A quick, easy fix would be: 1) Hire someone to clean my home, 2) Get rid of all the technology in our home.  Granted, I like quick, easy fixes, but I don't think either of those are realistic for us right now :)  I guess I could start a Go-Fund Me site for my cleaning bill?


Step One:

Since this is not a quick, easy fix . . . I did some research (aka browsing Pinterest) and printed off LOTS of printable,Thankfully, I also have a super-organized friend who has made her own printable!! (and she's letting me share it with you!) She uses it for her Spring Cleaning and breaks down what needs to be cleaned in each room.  Since her form is for Spring Cleaning, there were a few things on it that I could take off for our weekly cleaning - they don't need to be done every week or even, every month.  I do not use all the printables, but when processing all this, I need something in my hands to look at.

Step Two:

Next, I looked at what our week looks like - this is important because every family their own rhythm, their own routine.  For example, we have co-op on Wednesdays for 12 weeks in the Spring and 12 in the Fall.  This means, that on Wednesdays, there will be no cleaning!!  After a busy day at co-op, I'm lucky to get dinner on, let alone tackle anything else.  Our trash gets picked up on early Tuesday.  Also, I like to keep Sundays as a day of rest (no chores, no technology-unless it's a family movie).  Take a look at your family rhythms and routines and decide what would work best for you!

Step Three:

After looking at what needs to be done and what days we have to do it, I then began placing specific rooms to be cleaned and chores to be done on a specific day. I ended up using the blank chore chart from this site.  I've opted to print her blank page with the days out and laminate it . . . I like the flexibility of that option :)

Step Four:

And here it is . . . I started to s-l-o-w-l-y implement these.  So far, these have all been a whole family effort.  Really, it's "ok guys, it's time to all clean the kitchen.  Here is what needs to be done, what would you like to do?"  It was helpful that half a week into it we had Spring Break.  That meant all the kids were at home and we had a little bit more time.  It wasn't helpful that I went out of town for 3 days . . . I guess that is where adjusting one's expectations come into play.  I did leave a list of things to be done each day - not the complete list - and they did get done!  For me, that's a win.

We are now officially on week 2 - and I am making some adjustments as we go along.  For example, do I really need to wash our sheets every week?  After reading this . . . yes, yes I do!  But our extra blankets - I'm OK washing every other week, less in the summer if we aren't using them.  And cleaning those windows . . . in my dining room (where the dog slobbers all over the back door) every week or twice a week! Bedroom windows . . . I am good with once a month.  Again,this is where there is no set rule, but it is best to look at your family and your schedule and do what fits best for you!

And I've had one unexpected blessing come from this.  I can look around my house and not feel ANY guilt for the things I see that need to be done. I know they are on the schedule and will get done by the end of week.  And that is WONDERFUL! Oh, yeah . . . any my house is clean! Win, Win!

Below is what I've come up with:

• Daily - Fill/Empty Dishwasher, Wipe down Kitchen, Make Bed

• Monday - Kitchen & Dining Room; wipe table & counters, sweep/mop floor, vacuum rugs, dust, clean windows, wipe down stove, micro, fridge, dishwasher & oven. Take out Trash. Laundry; Boy 3, kids sheets.

• Tuesday - Bedrooms; Pick-up, dust & vacuum, clean windows (1/month). Laundry; Baby Girl, kids blankets.

• Wednesday - Laundry; Husband, Master bedroom sheets & blankets.

• Thursday - Living Room & Back Room; Pick-up, dust & vacuum, clean windows (1/month). Laundry; Boy 1, Bathroom rugs, towels & kitchen towels.

• Friday - Bathrooms; floors, counters, sinks, tub, mirrors & toilets.  Take out Trash. Laundry; Me, all Norwex.  

• Saturday - Breezeway & Entry; floors, pick-up, dust, clean windows (1/month). 

• Sunday - Rest! Laundry; Boy 2.

Next up . . . adding extra chores for pay/tech time, putting parameters on technology use . . . oh, the fun to come . . .

Rita

And again - my disclaimer: "And, with anything, please do not let these add to your list of 'things I should be doing' or 'yet another thing I need to do', but use these resources as ideas, motivation to lighten your load, not add to it!"

Changing How We Do Chores & Technology!

Oh how I dislike chores . . . hence the reason they are called chores - "An unpleasant, but necessary task" . . . yes, yes, they are!  And what a love/hate relationship I have with technology!  So, why do a post about both of them?

I am trying to rethink the way we here at the Gorbics house do chores and use technology and am going to try and process that here on my blog.  It was much easier when the kids were younger - they loved helping out and technology didn't surround them nearly as much as it does now.

As much as I dislike chores, I do like a clean, orderly home.  And as much as I dislike some aspects of technology, I do use it quite frequently for learning, communicating, finances and to find out all sorts of information.  And yes, I wouldn't be able to blog without the wonderful world of technology.
BUT, how many times have I chosen to ignore the accumulating dust on my entertainment center to check in with Facebook, real quick?  And how quickly that "real quick" turns into much longer.  And not just for myself, but it appears my kids have this tendency also.  Shocking isn't it?!  There are times I see them with spare time and they quickly turn to an app, the computer, Netflix or a video game.  I have no idea where they get that from - - - > (ME!).

So, I've been perusing the technology world, aka Pinterest, for some ideas to help out in both of these areas.  Here is what I've found:

I am not the only parent with this problem!  Aaaah, there is comfort in knowing you are not alone :)

There are a LOT of great ideas out there! And . . . I am going to try and implement some of them and then update you on how it goes.

While we use the Gorbics family as guinea pigs, there are a few things I need to keep in mind.

• We do expect some chores to be done with no reward, monetary or otherwise.  I feel it is important that we all contribute to the running of our household.  
• My kids are more than capable and do not need a reward for being part of the family.  
• That said, I also think that using some sort of reward system can be a great learning tool (how to budget time and money, thinking long-term, etc) and we can all use some external motivation at times. 
• I will be adapting some of the sites below to implement my own system that will get our chores done, allow my kids to earn money and/or tech time and hopefully, make our home run smoother overall!

I liked these sites in regards to managing technology:

Near Normalcy

Sports Mom

Mudpies and Make-up

They all have great ideas and PRINTABLES!  I just love printables.  I like having something tangible to look at and to implement.

For some age appropriate chores, charts and how/when to do them:

My 3 Monsters

Money Saving Mom

Happily Unprocessed

Again, it is so helpful to read through their ideas and glean what may work for us.  And more PRINTABLES! :)

And, with anything, please do not let these add to your list of "things I should be doing" or "yet another thing I need to do", but use these resources as ideas, motivation to lighten your load, not add to it!

Hopefully I'll be updating soon with how we've been implementing these!

Rita

Book Review - The Boy Who Played with Fusion by Tom Clynes

The Boy Who Played with Fusion: Extreme Science, Extreme Parenting and how to make a Star by Tom Clynes

One of my unofficial goals for this year is to read more - YOU can read about that here.  And not just to read more, but to share what I am reading.  I like to read all kind of books; fiction, historical fiction, non-fiction, self- help and the occasional light-hearted novel.

So here is My First Book Review of 2016!

The Boy Who Played with Fusion by Tom Clynes . . . sounds exciting doesn't it?!  Ok, well maybe not at first glance, unless you are a big science buff, which I am not.  What did attract me was the "Extreme Science, Extreme Parenting and How to Make a Star" part.  I don't even recall if is saw it on FB, Goodreads or at a bookstore, but I added to my own Goodreads account and let is sit there. Since February is a great time for reading in Indiana, I placed a variety of books on hold at our local library and waited to for them to come in . . . and this was one of them.

First off, no, I am not raising geniuses (though every parent thinks their kid(s) are at one time or another) and no, I don't encourage my kids to play with fusion!  But what this book did challenge me to do was to really watch my children and see what interests them and encourage them in those interests.

This book tells the story of Taylor Wilson.  A boy with a very strong interest in all things science; rockets, space, fusion, fission, etc.  It begins with a 9 year old version and ends shortly after his high school graduation.  The story of Taylor is a fun one, mostly because he is an energetic, gregarious boy and does everything with all that is in him.  In amongst the story of Taylor, we find information on parenting, science, fusion, fission (do you know the difference?), gifted and talented kids, science, the history and future of gifted and talented programs, science, difficulties with inclusive education and more science.

As a homeschool mother, there were many things I could glean from this book.  One, was how Taylor's parents, Kenneth and Tiffany provided and encouraged their son, even when they were unsure about his path.  "Most significant, Kenneth and Tiffany adapted by opening up opportunities that were outside the mainstream of what's available to most kids in southern Arkansas.  Plenty of parents support their offspring's interests by buying things for them or dropping them off at the best schools or art centers that money can buy; far fewer put real time and effort into creating customized, hands-on opportunities that meaningful expand their children's - and often their own - range of experiences." (Emphasis added) Hmmm, how often do I look for experiences for my children?  I am challenged to find actual experiences for us as individuals and as a family that will enhance my children's learning.

Another thing I gleaned was to continue on in our decision that I have the ability to decide how/when/if/where/what kind of testing my children need.  It was encouraging to know that I try to "put the value of learning above the value of not failing" What I try to do in our home, is not to dictate to my children what they need to know, but to ask them to tell (or narrate) to me what they have learned from a lesson.  This not only encourages participation, but also allows absorption of material. Over the past few years, the mainstream culture has issued high-pressure testing for many children.  This is high-stakes for not only the students, but for the teachers also.  While I fondly recall testing as a child (I was one of the few, I am sure), I learned quickly how to absorb and regurgitate the information without really learning anything.  "When students have a growth mindset," says Dweck, (Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck) "they understand that intelligence can be developed.  Students focus on improvement instead of worrying about how smart they are and hungering for approval.  They work hard to learn more and get smarter."  When we have done testing, it is to gauge and see if there are any areas that they may need some more time, a different approach  or specific focus on. How can I continue to create an environment that fosters real learning and engages my children to become active participants in their education?

When I was in Jr High, I was part of the new gifted and talented program.  I don't really see myself as gifted or talented, except that I was gifted, by my father particularly, with the value to THINK.  And I feel strongly that the capacity to think for oneself has gone out of style, not just for the gifted and talented, but for the education of all students. "Acquiring knowledge for its own sake has gone out of fashion, replaced by a high-pressure talent track onto which promising, prosperous children are pushed. . .  Maybe that's not what education for the gifted should be all about. Maybe it should be about (1) encouraging supersmart kids to discover who they really are and who they want to become and giving them the support and freedom to pursue their passions; (2) developing talents into suitable and fulfilling careers that enhance interesting, rewarding live; and(3) encourage curiosity and intellectual risk-taking that might lead to  original, useful ideas that propel a field - or even a civilization - forward." How do I, even if my children aren't "gifted & talented", try to do this every day?

There is a LOT of science talk in this book.  Some (read: MOST) that I did not understand.  Micah is learning the elements on the Periodic Table this year, so that was fun to come across one we have studied. I also learned the difference between fission and fusion!

Overall, this book was an encouragement to me, as a homeschool mom, particularly.  I have the privilege to step out of the "norms", the bureaucracy, the testing and the "this is how we have to do it" attitudes and create for each child of mine an environment, education and experience tailored just for them. So, maybe an encouragement and a challenge?!

Fitting It All In

“No man has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.” 

Socrates

This quote in on the wall of the gym where the kids and I go each Friday morning for our workout (Not the first quote from my gym I've used here). I began my journey to see the beauty and strength of which my body was/is capable of about a year and a half ago at Rockstar Gym.  Rockstar is now just one part of my fitness routine.

Why do I like Rockstar Gym and why do I take my kids there?  The answers to these go hand in hand. Rockstar focuses on Functional Training . . . "Functional training is a classification of exercise which involves training the body for the activities performed in daily life "(Wikipedia).  So, me, only better.  Each workout, whether group or individual, is like a personal training session.  The trainers are always offering suggestions to modify the exercises to make it simpler or more challenging depending on where you, as an individual, are.  They are there to instruct you on proper form and want to make sure that your form is correct before any increase in weight/difficulty.  Functional training isn't necessarily just about losing weight or bulking up either!  This is the part that I feel is important for me to pass onto my children and that many gyms miss the mark on.  Being healthy and fit isn't about how you look - it's about how you feel and that you are able to be an active participant in life!  

After working out at Rockstar, I decided to ask about classes for my kids.  As a homeschool mom, if I find something I love, I want to share it with my kids and others.  Rockstar was willing to host a homeschool class on Friday mornings!  I love that my 6 year old, 11 year old, 18 year old and I can all go and participate in a workout together - we are not only getting fit together, but are also having fun together! 

Originally, when I started exercising, I wanted to just zone out and get it in (running, walking).  However, due to my personality and the lack of my ability shut down my mind, I need something that engages my mind during the workout.  If my mind is focused on the movements and exercises I have to perform, then I can't think about all the other things going on in my life!  Functional Training at Rockstar means that I don't get bored!  I came away from my first workout mentally and physically energized.  Each workout is different, moving from one exercise to another, changing intensity and focus.  And honestly, that is one thing that makes working out so much easier for me.  

Since we work out at Rockstar only on Friday's, I wanted to add something to the rest of my week. It needed to be mentally and physically challenging to me - see "bored" above.  The choice - Yoga!  Yoga offers me the mental challenge of focusing on breathing, relaxing into each pose and the physical challenge of attempting each different pose.  Enter - Yoga Studio:

There are so many reasons I love this app:

• I can do yoga in the comfort of my own home! More specifically, in my bedroom, with the door shut, so I am alone. I can even turn on my diffuser or apply a drop of doTERRA Peppermint oil before the workout to enhance focus and breathing
• I get to choose how much time I want it to take! There are 10, 15, 30, 45 and 60 minute classes. Just pick a class, download it and you are ready to go.
• I get to choose the difficulty! There are beginner, intermediate and advanced classes.
• I can schedule them in! There is a calendar feature (that will sync with your phone calendar) to schedule out the day/time/class.
• I can mix up my yoga classes! As I mentioned before, I get bored easily.  This app allows me to select from over 65 pre-made classes. Or I can put together my own.
• I can select what I want to focus on!  Strength, flexibility, balance, relaxation or a combo.
• I can go to the "Pose Library" for a demo of any specific yoga pose!
• Lastly, it only cost me $3.99!

I started out scheduling a 15 minute, beginner yoga class 4 mornings a week.  I thought, "I can do 15 minutes, right?"  Ok, it was more like "Will my kids be able to leave me alone for 15 consecutive minutes??"  Now I am ready to move to 30 minutes of intermediate.  Wish me luck - the kids are doing great ;)

With these tools, I am learning the beauty and strength my body possesses, I am training my kids to do the same and I am able to engage and function better in every area of my life. I hope this gives you some ideas of how to fit in the "fit" part of your life.

How I - Inadvertently - Tamed the Laundry Monster

It's cold here in Indiana!  Not much to do except sit next to the fire, put a warm laptop on and write a blog post - about laundry.

 I know, it's not your favorite subject, nor is it mine, but it is something we all must deal with.  As my recently ill husband said when I mentioned I would have to wait to wash the sheets when he was out of them . . . "Yes, just like clothes, it's much easier to wash them when you're not in them"!

As a family of six, we have a lot of laundry, clothes, running/work out clothes, towels, sheets, delicate's, hand wash . . . the list goes on!  Thankfully, quite a few years back we had an old house issue that inadvertently led to a laundry solution.

Have you ever heard of a "dry well"?  WELL, I hadn't!  ;) I guess it's something that may come along with an old home such as ours. Our dry well was right next to our driveway and front step and apparently, it was full.  Yes, our dry well was full . . . of laundry water . . . As I type this, I realize how little sense this may make, so if anyone out there can explain it to me, please do.

Until we were able reroute our laundry water, we couldn't wash more than one load at a time or the water filling up the dry well would seep up out onto our driveway, walkway and yard.  And since this was in the middle of winter, freeze.  "Welcome to our home, watch out for the small, ice covered pond on your way in!"  

So, I started washing one load a day . . . and then I assigned each member of the family  a laundry day  . . . and then I started to teach my kids how to do their own laundry!  Aaahh, yes, you can see where this is going!!! Freedom!!!  Ok, maybe not freedom, but freedom from the Laundry Monster!  No longer did I have 4-5 loads to do at a time.  No longer did I become extremely b-o-r-e-d washing, drying, folding and putting away laundry.  No longer was this another chore for mom to do.  This became an opportunity to instill a life skill to my children, to lessen my load as a mom and to give up some areas of control.  My boys (Baby Girl-6, is still learning) can now wash, dry and put away their own laundry!  Granted, they may not fold them, but if they are ok wearing wrinkled clothes, good for them! They can also help out if I need a load of sheets put in the dryer or a load of towels put on to wash.  

These days, we sometimes have to do more than one load a day and we can, since we have rerouted our laundry drainage. But I still stick to a load a day for each family member.  There have been 2 other changes since then that have helped lessen our laundry - the most recent, Norwex Towels - the other, we know what clothes we need and what clothes we don't!  With my kids washing their clothes once a week, they need enough pants/shorts, underwear/socks, and shirts to get them through a week.  If they are only using the top half of a shirt drawer, we get rid of some!  If they stay in their pj's because they have no clean pants (and not because they are homeschooled), we need to go shopping.  

Now if I could only find a way to get my whites WHITE as Snow!

Family Portraits

Yes, you heard correctly - Family Portraits.  Oh why do these cause me so much stress?!  Is it because they so badly need to be done, but nobody wants to do it? Or is it the difficulty of finding outfits that coordinate but don't "match"?  And then, what if the weather is bad, the kids cry or don't smile, or I am having a bad hair day?  Or what if we are just having a bad year as a family?  But then, I read something like this and there is no putting it off any longer.

Family portraits had been in the back of my mind -  maybe it had something to do with the fact that the last time we had them taken, Portrait Innovations was, well, an innovation!

You may be able to tell that this was quite a few years ago!  Baby Girl was just that, a 6 month old baby, The boys still looked liked boys instead of on the verge of manhood.  And yes, hubby and I look young!

So what better motivation that mommy guilt, so many years lost and a homeschooling friend who takes great pics! After one cancellation due to cold weather, a few $$ spent on outfits that at least wouldn't look bad together and a trip to my Fix Salon . . . .

Yeah, so we've grown a little!  Here's to building family and self-esteem! Oh wait . . . now I need to order prints, get frames and put them on the wall!

A Mother's Calling - Part 3

A Mother's Calling

This is the final post of three, from a lesson my own mother have given to me many years ago. 

Part 1, Part 2

My Mom

We are part of the body of Christ

I have learned that I am important in God's eyes.  My child should feel important in his mother's eyes.  He should feel worthwhile and loved.  As they get older, they will be able to see that they are a part of a bigger family.

The family unit is the ideal place for us all to learn how we fit into the body of Christ.  If I, first as a child of God, then as a wife, and then as a mother, take my proper place in the family, God can use me in the larger body.  So with my child: he learns interaction, sharing, how his feelings and actions relate to others, and how they affect others.  My child learns, in the safety and love of his home, how to relate to others, and how to use his talents for the good of God's kingdom.

Final thoughts

God keeps telling me to slow down, don't rush through my children, take the time; they are the task He has for me now.  I am to rest in motherhood as I rest in Him!  

As my children are being raised in the truth, I rejoice over God's faithfulness.  Oh Lord, that the love you have placed within me causes me to protect, trust, hope and to persevere in training my children.  Where I fall short, your love never fails.  Thank you, Lord.

I hope these posts have been encouraging to someone in their role as a mother. Rereading these, has not only been an excellent reminder for my role as a mother to my children, but also has given me a greater appreciation for my mother.  I thank God for her in a new and different way. She has always made me feel important, has shown me the 1 Corinthians love and most importantly, has shown me the how to be a follower of Christ. I hope and pray that my children learn much from me, but above all, to love Christ and follow after Him first.

Rita

A Mother's Calling - Part 2

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. "

Part 2 in a series given to me by my own mother

Help Comes from God

God wants my heart 

When a child is born, his heart is quickly given over to those that love him.  It isn't hard for the child to trust, love and look to his mother.  So, as I look to God, my first love, the infant and child in the beginning looks to his mother, his first love.

Wouldn't it be good for each of us to read the above scripture everyday before relating to our children? I believe God wants our children to begin getting a glimpse of this kind of love through us.  So, as I am mothering my children, I must strive to show the love of 1 Corinthians 13 - which I can only have through the power of the Holy Spirit and Christ living in me.

Happiness in Jesus

I have and will be spending many years mothering my children. When am I most happy in Jesus?

• When I allow Him to order my life 
• When I enter into regular prayer and fellowship with Him
• When I allow myself to be dependent on Him
• When I am obedient to Him

When I allow Him to order my life: My child will function best in an orderly life as I do. With routine, he will learn what to expect and be able tor relax in it. Without routine, the child will not have the security he would otherwise have.  Through prayer, God can show me how to best set up my household so I may serve Him in raising my children and caring for my family.

When I enter into regular prayer and fellowship with Jesus, I can also commit my children to God daily, their spiritual and physical welfare.  In order to glorify God, I must be consistent in communicating with Him. Sometimes my children will see me doing this, and other times, God and I will meet alone.  There are occasions when I include my child in "meetings with God", impromptu and planned. 

I am happiest when I am dependent on God.  I, by an act of my will, have chosen to turn my life over to the God who created me.  My child is naturally dependent on my from birth through much of his childhood.  He is happy and secure in this dependency while learning responsibility.

Obedience to God brings joy.  I experience that joy when I am obedient.  My child must be taught obedience to experience joy. Obedience is taught through discipline. We must discipline out of love, not anger or impatience. It must be done in a way that the child will not be belittled or feel rejected. Through correction the child learns that he is capable of proper behavior and encouraged, even motivated, to do better. Correction must be done in such a way that the child does not question our love for him.

Ways of discipline for each child may differ and only our Lord can reveal the best way for each child and situation.  We will make mistakes but love (the kind we talked about in 1 Corinthians) will cover these mistakes.  It is important to remember that our sweet babies learn early to manipulate their parents. With that in mind: a)parents should make all decisions for the very young and still many as they get older, b) parents must be consistent (no matter how the day is going), c) parents must not avoid conflict, they must deal with it, d) parents must not expect too much or too little from their children.


What do I notice when I read this?  Freedom.  As odd as that sounds and as our culture says that dependency and obedience are opposite of freedom, I see freedom.  I am free to be the person God has created me to be and get my identity from Him when I am in relationship with Him, depend on Him and am obedient to what He is calling me to do in my life.  The same is true for my children.  They have the freedom to be themselves within the security and love of our relationship.  

A Mother's Calling

This following is the first part of a lesson that was given to me by my mother in 2001.  She had given a talk many years before (I was probably 8-10 years old) at the church we then attended. At that time she gave this to me, we had our first two sons and they were 4 and 1.  Two more children, 14 years more years of parenting and the need to plan a devotional for a weekend retreat and I was led back to this. 

Not only did fill the need for that weekend, but it has spoken to my heart. As only a mother can fully understand a mother's heart for her children, it has given me a wonderful view into the heart of the woman who has been and continues to be one of the greatest influences in my life.  I hope it is as encouraging to you as it was to me.

A Mother's Calling

"What any of us has to share about our experiences in parenting would benefit the rest of us.  I have been asked to share today so I pray each of you will be encouraged and hopefully, better equipped in your parenting.

Vision for my Children:

1) "bringing them to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their lives"

2) share in God's blessings

3) develop dependence on God, trust in God, and love of God that only our God deserves

The Scripture Basis for carrying out this Vision:

Colossians1:28-29, "We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone (our children) with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone (our children) perfect in Christ.  To this end I labor, struggling with all His (Christ's)energy, which so powerfully works in me."

This scripture emphasis the importance of having that personal relationship with God.  In having that relationship, we can help reach that end (so our children may be perfect in Christ).  In having that relationship, we have His (Christ's) energy to do it.  God knows we need energy!"

Many times I am unable to focus on a specific goal or task when parenting.  Especially as a mom who also teaches her children during the day, the roles and responsibilities frequently overlap or run together.   Is it that they are learning to read today, having a hard time being kind to one another, getting those multiplication facts down, learning to work with a cheerful heart or, sometimes, that we are just trying to make it through the day?!  For me to have the vision above is not so much what we do during our day, but how we do it.  

What a powerful reminder (and one that I so desperately need) that this task of parenting is not something I labor at by myself!  I not only have my husband, family and friends to encourage and help me, but ultimately I have Christ and with Him, nothing is impossible!