This is one of a few posts about how I plan our preschool lessons.
Thank you, captain obvious.
I am not a "pintrest perfect" kind of person--- I don't have every day meticulously mapped out or our school room decorated perfectly to match the theme. Most days I'm not really sure what *specifically* we're going to do until we do it. This works for us--- I think it's actually a great strategy for toddlers and preschoolers as it is very flexible. So, if you're yearning for this type of existence (hehe), read along.
If you're the kind of person that needs every minute of the day mapped out, I'm telling you this might not be the best post for you. Well, actually, it might, as I have some (I think) good tips for beginning lesson planning, as that's as far as I generally get. So that could be helpful :)
Uno:
Pick a theme.
I have a "school binder" that I write down ideas in--- at some point this was intended to be a schedule and a lesson planner, but that failed miserably. But I keep it by our school stuff and write down themes and ideas as they come to me. Like "Hey, we should do construction vehicles, it'd be cool to build a whole construction site in the playroom." (Whoa now, that IS a good idea. To the binder I go...) So I have a list of themes that I *think* bean and possibly bug will be interested in. Some of them are random (like the construction idea), some spurred by conversations we've had (like if she asks a lot of questions about certain things one week, maybe the human body or seasons, etc.), and some are more methodical (centered around holidays, events, etc).
Some of the themes we have done or plan to do:
Pirates
Clouds/Sky (Creation Day 2)
Plants and Trees (Creation Day 3)
Space/The Universe (Creation Day 4)
Oceans/Fish (Creation Day 5)
Birds (Creation Day 5)
The Human Body (Creation Day 6)
Family
Where I Live
Helpers
Hockey (you knew it was coming--- sadly, probably not coming this season)
Construction (Bean LOVES "snorts"--- or bulldozers, as others call them)
The Farm
For pretty much the whole year our theme has been "The Days of Creation." This worked really well for our first year because it was pretty much tailor made. There are 7-ish set things to study, they go in order, and it gives me a good guideline. It's easy to work in our bible time with little-to-no-reaching (like there was with the pirate theme).
This upcoming unit we are doing Day 5--- Fish and Birds. Actually, we are just doing Fish/Oceans for the first part.
I have been interpreting the "Creation" themes fairly liberally--- for example, we did Day 2 as clouds and sky, based on Genesis 1:6-8 (Then God said, "Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it
divide the waters from the waters." Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which [were] under the
firmament from the waters which [were] above the firmament; and it was so.And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the
second day.")
Day 4, which we are currently doing, when God created the sun, moon and stars (Genesis 1:14-19), is a general overview of space--- including planets, comets, asteroids, etc.
The reason I like this system of choosing topics is twofold: it's flexible and it's child-led. At Bean's age (a ripe ole 3), she can learn her basics from pretty much any topic. I can teach letters using blocks and construction as easily as using stars and planets. I can do math and patterns with flowers as well as with hockey pucks. I know the basics of where she is and where she needs to go and I have some activities that I can do with any topic that we pick (I think. We'll see if she stumps me one day with something off the wall and nutso). If her interests change (like she doesn't like snorts in a few weeks) before I get to use a unit--- oh well. I just use a different one. If I can't find and/or get all the books I want for a specific subject (and Bean reads... this kid will go through 10-12 library books, at least, on any given topic, so this has been an issue for us) I just choose something else.
Not sure if that was too helpful except to say this: the great thing about doing preschool at home is that it can be very interest-led, so the sky is the limit!!
Stay tuned: Next post (on this subject, at least) will be about the actual meat of the "curriculum" of each theme. Exciting, eh?
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Friday, December 14, 2012
Bittersweet Christmas
It's that time of year ago...
That time of presents and trees and Santa and... oh, wait.
No, it's not THAT time.
That time of Jesus.
It's THAT time.
Last night at a Ladies Christmas Party, a beautiful young woman with a beautiful voice sang a beautiful song called "Breath of Heaven." Its a song written from the perspective of Mary. And it got me thinking, as pretty much everything Mary-related does this time of year, about the mother of God.
I know this is a happy time of year, when we celebrate the only gift that really matters, the gift of God's love through his Son, Jesus.
But it's a bittersweet time, too, and anything about Mary makes me remember the sad side of Christmas.
I remember very clearly one of the saddest moments I have had as a mother--- I was sitting in the hospital with my brand new baby, my first baby, my little Bean, staring at her sweet little face in the middle of the night. And it hit me--- I cannot protect her. One day, too soon, this sweet little face is going to be crumpled up in heartache over the first time a friend betrays her. Over the first time she is invisible to the boy she likes. Over the first time her heart is broken. And I can't stop it.
Bean was born at the start of the Christmas season, and I remember thinking that night about Mary. We read about the angel appearing to her and her faithfulness. But we don't read about her sorrow. We don't read about what must have been happening in her heart--- she knew she was carrying the Son of God,; she knew she was carrying the Messiah. She knew she was carrying a baby she would love with all her heart. And she knew, she MUST have known, being a Jewish woman, what her baby would face in His life. She knew, for 9 months and 30 years after that, that the baby she loved with all her heart would face severe rejection, ridicule, hatred, and eventually a beating that left Him unable to be recognized followed by a horrible death. And she couldn't stop it.
And I am brought to tears now every time I think about this woman who not only faced the worst heartache any woman can face--- the death of their child--- but lived the majority of her life and all of His life with that looming on the horizon. And then I realize that not only did Mary face this--- God the father faced this as well. With even more knowledge. With even more foresight. But He loved us enough to do it. He loves us THAT much.
I'm not trying to be a downer, but let's be honest--- Christmas is nothing without the sacrifice of the cross to follow it. If all we think about on Christmas is joy, we are missing something--- a HUGE something--- that this sweet baby who's birthday we are celebrating lived a short thirty-something years on earth and died a horrific death.
And that, on top of that, Christ lived his whole life KNOWING not only that He was destined to die, but that He was destined to die in that horrible way. Do you realize that? That as a Jewish child, Jesus had to be fully versed in the scriptures by the time he reached "adulthood" in the Jewish world--- 13. And the scriptures clearly tell of the kind of death the Messiah would face. And crucifixion was a VERY common death in that day; so common that he probably walked by men dying this death on the side of the road on a daily basis. So, by the time he was 13, Jesus faced every day knowing the death that was to come to Him, and he chose to do it anyway.
Is Christmas joyful? Of course! God loves us! We are washed in His blood because of what started on Christmas. But it's nothing without the sacrifice and the sadness that comes with it...
That time of presents and trees and Santa and... oh, wait.
No, it's not THAT time.
That time of Jesus.
It's THAT time.
Last night at a Ladies Christmas Party, a beautiful young woman with a beautiful voice sang a beautiful song called "Breath of Heaven." Its a song written from the perspective of Mary. And it got me thinking, as pretty much everything Mary-related does this time of year, about the mother of God.
I know this is a happy time of year, when we celebrate the only gift that really matters, the gift of God's love through his Son, Jesus.
But it's a bittersweet time, too, and anything about Mary makes me remember the sad side of Christmas.
I remember very clearly one of the saddest moments I have had as a mother--- I was sitting in the hospital with my brand new baby, my first baby, my little Bean, staring at her sweet little face in the middle of the night. And it hit me--- I cannot protect her. One day, too soon, this sweet little face is going to be crumpled up in heartache over the first time a friend betrays her. Over the first time she is invisible to the boy she likes. Over the first time her heart is broken. And I can't stop it.
Bean was born at the start of the Christmas season, and I remember thinking that night about Mary. We read about the angel appearing to her and her faithfulness. But we don't read about her sorrow. We don't read about what must have been happening in her heart--- she knew she was carrying the Son of God,; she knew she was carrying the Messiah. She knew she was carrying a baby she would love with all her heart. And she knew, she MUST have known, being a Jewish woman, what her baby would face in His life. She knew, for 9 months and 30 years after that, that the baby she loved with all her heart would face severe rejection, ridicule, hatred, and eventually a beating that left Him unable to be recognized followed by a horrible death. And she couldn't stop it.
And I am brought to tears now every time I think about this woman who not only faced the worst heartache any woman can face--- the death of their child--- but lived the majority of her life and all of His life with that looming on the horizon. And then I realize that not only did Mary face this--- God the father faced this as well. With even more knowledge. With even more foresight. But He loved us enough to do it. He loves us THAT much.
I'm not trying to be a downer, but let's be honest--- Christmas is nothing without the sacrifice of the cross to follow it. If all we think about on Christmas is joy, we are missing something--- a HUGE something--- that this sweet baby who's birthday we are celebrating lived a short thirty-something years on earth and died a horrific death.
And that, on top of that, Christ lived his whole life KNOWING not only that He was destined to die, but that He was destined to die in that horrible way. Do you realize that? That as a Jewish child, Jesus had to be fully versed in the scriptures by the time he reached "adulthood" in the Jewish world--- 13. And the scriptures clearly tell of the kind of death the Messiah would face. And crucifixion was a VERY common death in that day; so common that he probably walked by men dying this death on the side of the road on a daily basis. So, by the time he was 13, Jesus faced every day knowing the death that was to come to Him, and he chose to do it anyway.
Is Christmas joyful? Of course! God loves us! We are washed in His blood because of what started on Christmas. But it's nothing without the sacrifice and the sadness that comes with it...
Friday, November 30, 2012
Choosing Joy
I read a great post on The Marathon Mom the other day, entitled "Dear Overwhelmed Mother of Little Ones." It is a great post and I really recommend everyone read it. If you don't have a house full of incoherent little devils... I mean, sweet little angel preschoolers and toddlers... then read it to gain some understanding of those of us that do. If you do... read it because you need to read it. It will make your day (although it might make you cry, so if this is the one day you decided to opt for mascara, maybe wait until tomorrow).
Anyway, it got me thinking about the verse in Romans that talks about renewing the mind:
Anyway, it got me thinking about the verse in Romans that talks about renewing the mind:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--- his good, pleasing and perfect will.
--Romans 12:2
As I was driving in the car today, trying not to lose my patience with my sassy little 3-year-old, I started adding up all the "I won'ts" and "I can'ts" and "I will do" in my brain--- basically, succumbing to the "pattern of this world" that tells me that I should be depressed, overwhelmed, stressed, and self-pitying about my current *domestic* state. Things such as "I won't go on an adult vacation/sleep through the night/pee by myself for another ??? years" or "I can't leave the house without a diaper bag/make plans more than 2 weeks ahead/leave the cupboards open for another ??? years" or "I will change ??? diapers/make ??? bottles/ get peed/pooped/puked on ??? times before I'm done raising kids."
And then, the stress became compounded. I could hear the devil whispering in my ear "This is coming from your choice to continue having children. You could stop and go on a cruise in less than a year. You could stop and have no more diapers in 2 years. You could stop and have your body back, your nights restful, your house clean, etc etc etc." And part of me wanted to give into it.
But then a stronger voice, the voice of the Holy Spirit, came soaring in, telling me "be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." And the love of God filled my heart and reassured me: not that any of those things were necessarily lies, because they aren't, but that I am doing HIS will, and while those things may be true, there are stronger, higher, brighter truths as well.
It is true that there is no end in sight for us--- no end to baby, toddler, preschool, and in the future pre-teen and teenage years. And I could choose to listen to ramblings of a crazy man (ie, the devil) and wallow in the negatives that come along with each of those, and let that wallowing drag me off the path I know I am meant to walk.
OR
I can renew my mind and give myself a Godly attitude (as many times a day as it takes). I can strive to be like the person in Psalm 1:
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.
Granted, I was in the car with a *sassy* (that's really the nicest word I have right now) child, so it didn't all come this clearly. But, the scaffolding was there :) And the main point that I did get was this: I can choose joy. I can meditate on what God has promised me, and I can us that to renew my mind, and I can choose joy--- because once we look for it (and we don't have to look hard), joy is there.
And the biggest reason it's there, for me, is this: There are a million little things to love about the phase of life that we currently find ourselves. Many more than there are things to hate, although the things to hate push themselves to the front of the line and scream "Me! Me! Right here!" while the things to love wait patiently and sweetly behind them.
Things like:
-How funny toddlers find it to escape mid-diaper change and run around the house naked, laughing like an insane person.
-A preschoolers eagerness to help-- even when that help isn't all that helpful-- that is going to evaporate much faster than I want it to.
-The amazing love and joy that comes from a child that is sick or hurt and depends totally on you to fix them.
- Midnight snuggles
- Car rides and neighborhood walks where my kids discover things they never knew existed-- like Roly Poly bugs. Or sprinklers. Or lawn gnomes. Or bulldozers.
- Always having snacks in my purse for when I get hungry ;)
- How proud my daughters are of me when I go potty. Goooooo Mommy!
- Seeing the unique uses for common household items that I would have never imagined had that cupboard not been raided.
- Watching my daughter turn into a person with her own thoughts, feelings and attitude... even if I don't always like that attitude...
- How sweet a little hand touching your cheek and saying "Time to wake up, Mommy" can be, even if it's 6am.
And what makes them so precious is that I don't know how long they are going to last. I may be blessed beyond measure and get to experience them again (even 5, 6, or 7 agains) or I may be a person to whom the Lord chooses to say "No, you're done now." Part of the joy comes from not knowing if this is going to last for 20 years or if it will be over in a few short months. And I won't know until that happens, so my best bet, the smart thing to do, and even the selfish thing to do is to choose to take all the good things and focus on them for however long they are there.
Lastly (I promise): my encouragement for myself, and I hope my encouragement for other people, is to rest on the promise of God in Psalm 1. He promises that if we delight in His law, if we meditate on His word, we WILL yield fruit. We WILL prosper in whatever we do.
Can I get an amen??
XOXO,
Me
PS: My list above is by no means exhausting. Please, comment and add your little moments of "choosing joy" for whatever season you're in. I'd love to read them and add them to my list of things to watch for :)
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
3 under 3 no longer...
... or, "Happy Birthday to my Baby Girl!"
My little-not-so-little bean is 3 years old today. In honor of her momentous third birthday, this post will be dedicated to all things JoJoBeans.
So, if that doesn't interest you, please go away.
If you are part of the cool club (i.e. subscribe to the "JoJo is awesome" philosophy), feel free to peruse the following and add your own comments, pictures, memories and thoughts about my awesome little girl at the bottom.
I can't believe this little bean (1 month, above) has grown into such a beautiful, smart, talented little girl. She amazes me every day with her wit, her love, and her crazy personality.
This picture was taken during our church worship practice a few weeks ago, where she took over the lead singing responsibility and rocked out to "How He Loves Us." She has such a heart for worship and for loving God--- what a blessing to have her teaching us how to have true "childlike faith" every day!
I'm finding it really hard to put down on "paper" anything concrete about little Bean... so I'll bomb you with a few more adorable pictures and then be done with it!
My little-not-so-little bean is 3 years old today. In honor of her momentous third birthday, this post will be dedicated to all things JoJoBeans.
So, if that doesn't interest you, please go away.
If you are part of the cool club (i.e. subscribe to the "JoJo is awesome" philosophy), feel free to peruse the following and add your own comments, pictures, memories and thoughts about my awesome little girl at the bottom.
Here is my sweet little baby at 2 weeks old!
And here she is yesterday...
This little girl changed my entire life. I never knew how much it was possible to love someone until she came into the world.
I can't believe this little bean (1 month, above) has grown into such a beautiful, smart, talented little girl. She amazes me every day with her wit, her love, and her crazy personality.
This picture was taken during our church worship practice a few weeks ago, where she took over the lead singing responsibility and rocked out to "How He Loves Us." She has such a heart for worship and for loving God--- what a blessing to have her teaching us how to have true "childlike faith" every day!
I'm finding it really hard to put down on "paper" anything concrete about little Bean... so I'll bomb you with a few more adorable pictures and then be done with it!
Happy 3rd Birthday my beautiful girl! I love you!!!
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Welcome to the World, Baby Boy!
As I'm sure everyone knows, we welcomed our third beautiful blessing into the world on November 1st at 10:42 am.
He is beautiful and perfect and I am so in love with him! Even though, clearly, he is not too in love with me in this picture. Hey, birth isn't easy for any involved. Even Hubby had to take a much more active approach this time around--- I'm sure he got a bit more of a *peek* than either of us would have preferred, but he did a great job and was really helpful!
Let me just get these answers out of the way:
No, we are not done now that we "got our boy."
Yes, we want more.
I have no idea when we will have more--- whenever God decides to bless us with another.
Yes, my hands are very full. Better full than empty!
No, we aren't trying to beat the Duggars (as if we're even close at this point, really) but we are aiming for a decent-sized hockey team ;)
Really, if your kids were this cute, you'd keep reproducing too
I was going to say everything went really quickly, but clearly the postpartum hormones are kicking in and already making me forget the 3 days of "prodromal" labor that happened before the super-quick actual labor. I had contractions (yes, real contractions--- painful, can't walk or talk contractions) every 10-40 minutes from Monday afternoon to Wednesday night. Luckily, I got to sleep Wednesday. I woke up at 6am thinking "Hm, no contractions all night. Maybe that's done with."
Well, my water broke about 5 seconds after that, so I guess I was kinda right! I called Nik to come home (because, of course, he had gone to work for the first time in 4 days--- and had literally just clocked in and sat down with his coffee, in that order) and my Mom to come over. By the time she got there around 6:20 I was having contractions about 3-5 minutes apart, strong, but not too bad.
We headed to the hospital around 7, got there about 8. By that time I couldn't walk or talk through the contractions. I got checked in, told the random person pushing my wheel chair "I'd like an epidural. Like yesterday."
The contractions were bad, but not as bad as I remember with Jordan. I puked around 9, and they totally changed quality (I guess that was *transition* or whatever--- I'm totally not up on this labor stuff.) I think I got the epidural around 10, at which point I kept telling the nurses I felt "funny," they checked me and said "Oh, you're ready to push." Like I said, totally not up on this labor thing--- I guess I'll know better for next time.
Everything else was a bit of a blur--- Nik had left the room for the epidural, and I guess I was REALLY ready because they started breaking everything down and calling the doctor and forgot that Nik wasn't there. I had to keep telling them "Go get my husband!"
He came in right as they had me start pushing. Like I said, he was a trooper--- I was really impressed considering he kinda hid like a deer in headlights with Jordan. Little Man was born only a few minutes later.
I felt really great after birth--- not too tired or worn out or grumpy or anything!
Everyone is doing really well. He had a little jaundice but is all cleared up. Little Bug was having some jealousy issues but she seems to be adjusting better now that I'm up and about more and am able to give her more attention. It's definitely an adjustment to be nursing instead of using bottles, but it's working out well. Thank God Nik is able to be home for 6 weeks, because I don't know what kind of craziness would be going on around here if I was trying to handle all three of them on my own already!
Love from us,
He is beautiful and perfect and I am so in love with him! Even though, clearly, he is not too in love with me in this picture. Hey, birth isn't easy for any involved. Even Hubby had to take a much more active approach this time around--- I'm sure he got a bit more of a *peek* than either of us would have preferred, but he did a great job and was really helpful!
Let me just get these answers out of the way:
No, we are not done now that we "got our boy."
Yes, we want more.
I have no idea when we will have more--- whenever God decides to bless us with another.
Yes, my hands are very full. Better full than empty!
No, we aren't trying to beat the Duggars (as if we're even close at this point, really) but we are aiming for a decent-sized hockey team ;)
Really, if your kids were this cute, you'd keep reproducing too
(Isn't his rockstar hair awesome! I love it...)
I was going to say everything went really quickly, but clearly the postpartum hormones are kicking in and already making me forget the 3 days of "prodromal" labor that happened before the super-quick actual labor. I had contractions (yes, real contractions--- painful, can't walk or talk contractions) every 10-40 minutes from Monday afternoon to Wednesday night. Luckily, I got to sleep Wednesday. I woke up at 6am thinking "Hm, no contractions all night. Maybe that's done with."
Well, my water broke about 5 seconds after that, so I guess I was kinda right! I called Nik to come home (because, of course, he had gone to work for the first time in 4 days--- and had literally just clocked in and sat down with his coffee, in that order) and my Mom to come over. By the time she got there around 6:20 I was having contractions about 3-5 minutes apart, strong, but not too bad.
We headed to the hospital around 7, got there about 8. By that time I couldn't walk or talk through the contractions. I got checked in, told the random person pushing my wheel chair "I'd like an epidural. Like yesterday."
The contractions were bad, but not as bad as I remember with Jordan. I puked around 9, and they totally changed quality (I guess that was *transition* or whatever--- I'm totally not up on this labor stuff.) I think I got the epidural around 10, at which point I kept telling the nurses I felt "funny," they checked me and said "Oh, you're ready to push." Like I said, totally not up on this labor thing--- I guess I'll know better for next time.
Everything else was a bit of a blur--- Nik had left the room for the epidural, and I guess I was REALLY ready because they started breaking everything down and calling the doctor and forgot that Nik wasn't there. I had to keep telling them "Go get my husband!"
He came in right as they had me start pushing. Like I said, he was a trooper--- I was really impressed considering he kinda hid like a deer in headlights with Jordan. Little Man was born only a few minutes later.
I felt really great after birth--- not too tired or worn out or grumpy or anything!
Everyone is doing really well. He had a little jaundice but is all cleared up. Little Bug was having some jealousy issues but she seems to be adjusting better now that I'm up and about more and am able to give her more attention. It's definitely an adjustment to be nursing instead of using bottles, but it's working out well. Thank God Nik is able to be home for 6 weeks, because I don't know what kind of craziness would be going on around here if I was trying to handle all three of them on my own already!
Love from us,
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Ready... or not?
I haven't written in a while because... well, I am exhausted.
Sleep, apparently, is for people better than me. This is (my husband tells me) one of those parts of pregnancy that my brain always forgets about once it's over--- I can only assume God made it that way so that I continue to have children. I probably shouldn't even write about it in case I stumble across this sometime in the future, but since we're pretty intentionally unintentional about our family-non-planning, even knowing how exhausted I will be won't make any difference in any future baby-making endeavors. So I get to whine.
Honestly, I'm not even sure that paragraph makes sense.
I am on day... I think... 5 or 6 of less than 5 hours of sleep, accomplished by some combination of not being able to go to bed until very late and/or waking up very early. One night I went to bed at 3am, and the next night I woke up at 3am.
And if anyone tells me to "get sleep while I can" they might get slapped. Clearly, if I COULD, I would sleep.
Anyway, I'm pretty ready for this baby. I think. I mean, I pretty much STOPPED nesting about 3 weeks ago. Just got too tired and sick of cleaning. So there's no crib set up, no baby diapers, no swings or bouncy seats or extra meals. But as I don't anticipate that happening any time in the next few weeks, I'm as ready as I'm going to be!
Yep, I have definitely stopped making sense. And both the girls are awake extra early today, so this will be the end of my rant.
XOXO
Tired Girl
Sleep, apparently, is for people better than me. This is (my husband tells me) one of those parts of pregnancy that my brain always forgets about once it's over--- I can only assume God made it that way so that I continue to have children. I probably shouldn't even write about it in case I stumble across this sometime in the future, but since we're pretty intentionally unintentional about our family-non-planning, even knowing how exhausted I will be won't make any difference in any future baby-making endeavors. So I get to whine.
Honestly, I'm not even sure that paragraph makes sense.
I am on day... I think... 5 or 6 of less than 5 hours of sleep, accomplished by some combination of not being able to go to bed until very late and/or waking up very early. One night I went to bed at 3am, and the next night I woke up at 3am.
And if anyone tells me to "get sleep while I can" they might get slapped. Clearly, if I COULD, I would sleep.
Anyway, I'm pretty ready for this baby. I think. I mean, I pretty much STOPPED nesting about 3 weeks ago. Just got too tired and sick of cleaning. So there's no crib set up, no baby diapers, no swings or bouncy seats or extra meals. But as I don't anticipate that happening any time in the next few weeks, I'm as ready as I'm going to be!
Yep, I have definitely stopped making sense. And both the girls are awake extra early today, so this will be the end of my rant.
XOXO
Tired Girl
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Kindness
These past two weeks we have been learning about Kindness in our morning character time.
... I have noticed that whatever character quality we are studying is the one that the devil really tempts both Bean and our whole family with at that time... sucks to be him, though, because I'm taking this as an encouragement and "counting it all joy" instead of being deterred!
As I wrote about in my initial post on our character studies, we use a few tools to help with these morning study times:
--We Choose Virtues mini-posters and Character Chart
-- "God, I need to talk to you about..." books by Dan Carr
-- Character Builders DVDs
-- Memory Verses
-- Bible stories that relate to what we're studying
So, for this *series* (for lack of a better word) we're reading "God, I need to talk to you about... sharing and hurting others" which are both really relevant to an almost-3-year-old, as well as watching the Character Builders on Sharing and Kindness.
Our current memory verse is Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
We are reading about The Good Samaritan and Jesus healing the paralytic who was lowered through the roof.
It's really funny how the things that a preschooler struggles with are the same things I struggle with as an adult. That's the one thing these character studies have really convicted me of---
I am no better than a preschooler.
My problems are slightly more mature (sometimes) or complicated (sometimes), but really no different. We are trying to teach her to "Use gentle hands, nice words, and think about how others feel." That part I (sometimes--- are we catching a theme here?) have down. But the most important part is that we want her to show kindness to others even when she doesn't feel like it, when they are mean or unkind to her, and when they don't *deserve* it. Why? Because this is what Christ did, and continues to do, for us. He shows us love, forgiveness, grace, and yes, kindness when we least deserve it. When we've denied Him, or disappointed Him, or disobeyed Him, or ignored everything He's told us, he returns all those downright *mean* actions with love and kindness. With gentle words, kind correction, and thinking about what is best for us.
And how often does my first reaction to some one's actions--- no matter how I try to intellectualize it or reword it so it sounds grown-up and responsible--- really amount to "But they're being mean to me! I don't wanna be nice!!!" I'm only a (sometimes VERY small) step away from chucking a toy at their head and screaming "I don't like you!" while stomping into a corner to pout.
... or yelling angrily what an idiot someone is while flashing angry hand gestures and speeding as fast as I can to get in front of them and cut them off in turn...
I asked Bean to tell me ways she can practice kindness and wrote them down. I said "How can you be kind to..." and listed people. This is word-for-word what she said:
My Sister: "Not push her, share toys."
My Dad: "Not get in trouble, listen to him, give him hugs and kisses."
My Dog: "Pet him."
My Mom" "Use Nice Words to her."
Jesus: "Give him hugs, celebrate his birthday, not think about myself--- think about Jesus and THEN myself after."
... I have noticed that whatever character quality we are studying is the one that the devil really tempts both Bean and our whole family with at that time... sucks to be him, though, because I'm taking this as an encouragement and "counting it all joy" instead of being deterred!
As I wrote about in my initial post on our character studies, we use a few tools to help with these morning study times:
--We Choose Virtues mini-posters and Character Chart
-- "God, I need to talk to you about..." books by Dan Carr
-- Character Builders DVDs
-- Memory Verses
-- Bible stories that relate to what we're studying
So, for this *series* (for lack of a better word) we're reading "God, I need to talk to you about... sharing and hurting others" which are both really relevant to an almost-3-year-old, as well as watching the Character Builders on Sharing and Kindness.
Our current memory verse is Luke 6:31 "Do to others as you would have them do to you."
We are reading about The Good Samaritan and Jesus healing the paralytic who was lowered through the roof.
It's really funny how the things that a preschooler struggles with are the same things I struggle with as an adult. That's the one thing these character studies have really convicted me of---
I am no better than a preschooler.
My problems are slightly more mature (sometimes) or complicated (sometimes), but really no different. We are trying to teach her to "Use gentle hands, nice words, and think about how others feel." That part I (sometimes--- are we catching a theme here?) have down. But the most important part is that we want her to show kindness to others even when she doesn't feel like it, when they are mean or unkind to her, and when they don't *deserve* it. Why? Because this is what Christ did, and continues to do, for us. He shows us love, forgiveness, grace, and yes, kindness when we least deserve it. When we've denied Him, or disappointed Him, or disobeyed Him, or ignored everything He's told us, he returns all those downright *mean* actions with love and kindness. With gentle words, kind correction, and thinking about what is best for us.
And how often does my first reaction to some one's actions--- no matter how I try to intellectualize it or reword it so it sounds grown-up and responsible--- really amount to "But they're being mean to me! I don't wanna be nice!!!" I'm only a (sometimes VERY small) step away from chucking a toy at their head and screaming "I don't like you!" while stomping into a corner to pout.
... or yelling angrily what an idiot someone is while flashing angry hand gestures and speeding as fast as I can to get in front of them and cut them off in turn...
I asked Bean to tell me ways she can practice kindness and wrote them down. I said "How can you be kind to..." and listed people. This is word-for-word what she said:
My Sister: "Not push her, share toys."
My Dad: "Not get in trouble, listen to him, give him hugs and kisses."
My Dog: "Pet him."
My Mom" "Use Nice Words to her."
Jesus: "Give him hugs, celebrate his birthday, not think about myself--- think about Jesus and THEN myself after."
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Little Smarty Pants
I had a real "Ah-ha!" moment last night.
I have to remember that my sweet little Bean is ONLY *almost* 3.
She is such a smarty pants. I mean, I know all parents say that, but really. The kid is a little genius. She so often behaves like a typical 4 or 5 year old that sometimes (many times) I forget that she ISN'T.
Most of the time, this isn't a problem. I don't have any intention of dumbing things down for her or talking to her like I'm "supposed" to talk to a 2-year-old.
But sometimes that 2-year-old comes out and I forget that, when that happens, I need to treat her like the toddler that she is.
So last night she had a LATE night. She was up until 11pm at our WONDERFUL babysitters house. When we got there to pick her up, she had a M-E-L-T-D-O-W-N. Not a fall to the floor, scream hit and cry meltdown (I think that would have been easier!). She just started making this horrible, high-pitched whine and WOULD NOT STOP.
And, I admit, I had a Mommy of the Year moment and honestly forgot that she's only 2. I got SO irritated at her for whining and not listening and being all around unreasonable. Because, I realized later, I was expecting reasonable behavior for a 4 year old, and not for her sweet little 2 year old self.
Her breakdown was totally normal and totally acceptable and TOTALLY my fault (I mean, really, what kid needs to stay up 3 hours past her bedtime?). Luckily, my wonderful husband had his head screwed on right and didn't overreact. He pulled me back in, and as we were driving home and I was stretched in an awkward car-yoga position to hold her little foot while simultaneously trying to sing (with hand motions) Itsy-Bitsy Spider, I had my "Ah-Ha" moment.
... one I expect will be the first of many...
I have to remember that my sweet little Bean is ONLY *almost* 3.
She is such a smarty pants. I mean, I know all parents say that, but really. The kid is a little genius. She so often behaves like a typical 4 or 5 year old that sometimes (many times) I forget that she ISN'T.
Most of the time, this isn't a problem. I don't have any intention of dumbing things down for her or talking to her like I'm "supposed" to talk to a 2-year-old.
But sometimes that 2-year-old comes out and I forget that, when that happens, I need to treat her like the toddler that she is.
So last night she had a LATE night. She was up until 11pm at our WONDERFUL babysitters house. When we got there to pick her up, she had a M-E-L-T-D-O-W-N. Not a fall to the floor, scream hit and cry meltdown (I think that would have been easier!). She just started making this horrible, high-pitched whine and WOULD NOT STOP.
And, I admit, I had a Mommy of the Year moment and honestly forgot that she's only 2. I got SO irritated at her for whining and not listening and being all around unreasonable. Because, I realized later, I was expecting reasonable behavior for a 4 year old, and not for her sweet little 2 year old self.
Her breakdown was totally normal and totally acceptable and TOTALLY my fault (I mean, really, what kid needs to stay up 3 hours past her bedtime?). Luckily, my wonderful husband had his head screwed on right and didn't overreact. He pulled me back in, and as we were driving home and I was stretched in an awkward car-yoga position to hold her little foot while simultaneously trying to sing (with hand motions) Itsy-Bitsy Spider, I had my "Ah-Ha" moment.
... one I expect will be the first of many...
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Our week(s) in photos
I posted last week about some of the general school stuff we've started.
Now I'm going to start a cute apocalypse by sharing some of the pics.
I've been trying not to lock them up all day, but it's really hard with 100+ degree weather. A few weeks ago we had our BFFs over for some outside playtime, so I decided it was a good day for making sidewalk paint. I can't remember where I found the recipe, but it's all over the Internet. I used 2 tbs cornstarch, 4 tbs water, and food coloring.
It was really watery, so I nuked it for about 10 sec at a time until it was a pretty thick, paint-like consistency. If it gets too thick, just add a few drops of water to thin it down.
The best part was that they could paint each other, their clothes, the ground, my car, my garage--- it just washes off. I didn't have any problem with staining (except for my fingers while I mixed the paint--- but that's my own clumsiness!). Also, my little bug that likes to taste-test everything could eat it to her heart's content. She didn't WANT to (of course, the only time), but she could without me worrying about it!
We did do actual "school" stuff, I swear. I just didn't take too many pictures. Mostly because my camera died and I was too lazy to charge it.
Our "unit" study these past two weeks was pirates--- which Bean LOVED. She's a pirate freak. We read some pirate books:
How I Became a Pirate and Pirates Don't Change Diapers by Melinda Long
Shiver Me Letters by June Sobel
Sheep on a Ship by Nancy E Shaw
Bean REALLY loved the Melinda Long books. We probably read those 15x in 2 weeks!
We did some Pirate activities: Made pirate hats and eye patches, talked like pirates, watched "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything," and played with our MegaBlocks Pirate Ship.
We also did a Treasure Memory match with the letters she knows and was learning-- S and P (our new letters), A, R, W, O, and J.
The cards are 1/2 sheets of construction paper that are laminated. The other side has the colors written out so Bug can use them for color sorting. But she's not there yet...
Probably Jo's FAVORITE thing to do--- shaving cream letter hunt. I don't know how I thought of this one... sheer brilliance... I hide some small magnetic letters in the shaving cream; she finds them, washes them off in the bowl of water, and then matches them to the foam letters on the table.
The paint is non-toxic, although once this batch of store-bought Crayola runs out I'm going to make some (off pintrest, again). Although, then she will WANT to eat it...
I'll let you know how that goes.
XOXO (because I think I'm Gossip Girl, have I told you?)
--Beka
PS: I forgot! Bible Time--- Both girls doing their Hallelujahs :)
Now I'm going to start a cute apocalypse by sharing some of the pics.
Reading with Daddy... one of their favorite things to do. He usually does afternoon school--- reading and whatever activity we have for the day. The first two weeks it was pirates (although they're reading Fancy Nancy, here)
I try to do some art time every day. Which never happens. So maybe 3-4 times a week? Little Bug is not content to toddle around while sis is busy with fun stuff like paint and markers, so I tried this "no mess fingerpaint" idea I saw on pintrest.
If she looks less than amused... it's because she was. It just wasn't a big hit with her.
Most likely because Bean was next to her getting good and messy. She kept signing "all done" and then pointing to Bean and saying "That. THAT!"
Bean, meanwhile, wanted to do bag fingerpainting. So next time maybe I'll switch them and see how that goes over...
I've been trying not to lock them up all day, but it's really hard with 100+ degree weather. A few weeks ago we had our BFFs over for some outside playtime, so I decided it was a good day for making sidewalk paint. I can't remember where I found the recipe, but it's all over the Internet. I used 2 tbs cornstarch, 4 tbs water, and food coloring.
This stuff was SUCH a hit!
The best part was that they could paint each other, their clothes, the ground, my car, my garage--- it just washes off. I didn't have any problem with staining (except for my fingers while I mixed the paint--- but that's my own clumsiness!). Also, my little bug that likes to taste-test everything could eat it to her heart's content. She didn't WANT to (of course, the only time), but she could without me worrying about it!
We did do actual "school" stuff, I swear. I just didn't take too many pictures. Mostly because my camera died and I was too lazy to charge it.
Our "unit" study these past two weeks was pirates--- which Bean LOVED. She's a pirate freak. We read some pirate books:
How I Became a Pirate and Pirates Don't Change Diapers by Melinda Long
Shiver Me Letters by June Sobel
Sheep on a Ship by Nancy E Shaw
Bean REALLY loved the Melinda Long books. We probably read those 15x in 2 weeks!
We did some Pirate activities: Made pirate hats and eye patches, talked like pirates, watched "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything," and played with our MegaBlocks Pirate Ship.
We also did a Treasure Memory match with the letters she knows and was learning-- S and P (our new letters), A, R, W, O, and J.
Bean really liked this game... we still play it, although we've started eating the booty. I got the gold coins in the bulk section of WinCo and wrote letters on one side with Sharpie.
I also made a Pirate Treasure Map/Letter Hunt. But, alas (matey), no pictures. I drew pictures of areas in our house (front door, basketball hoop, fireplace, under the table, slide, and "X" and put letters next to each picture, and then taped 1/2 sheets of paper with those letters in those corresponding areas. Under the "X" was some "gold"--- peach sourpatch candy. It was a big hit!!
These are two of our "general" activities--- this one is one-to-one counting. This day she was using poker chips and chip clips. Sometimes she uses candy, or little knick-knacks (erases, dinosaurs, etc).
The cards are 1/2 sheets of construction paper that are laminated. The other side has the colors written out so Bug can use them for color sorting. But she's not there yet...
Probably Jo's FAVORITE thing to do--- shaving cream letter hunt. I don't know how I thought of this one... sheer brilliance... I hide some small magnetic letters in the shaving cream; she finds them, washes them off in the bowl of water, and then matches them to the foam letters on the table.
She will do this for HOURS if I let her... I usually just let her go until the shaving cream runs out or she starts using it to decorate herself or her sister.
"Hey, I found an H for HOLLY!" she says...
Meanwhile, in Bug land... I learned my lesson from the ziplock painting and didn't even ATTEMPT to entertain her with something less-than-messy. I gave in and let her fingerpaint. I've done it a few times with paper, but this time I just let her paint the highchair tray. I added some water so it was a little more squishy and entertaining...
She actually didn't PURPOSELY paint her face... she just got sleepy. And then signed "Sleep." And had hands covered in blue paint.
The paint is non-toxic, although once this batch of store-bought Crayola runs out I'm going to make some (off pintrest, again). Although, then she will WANT to eat it...
I'll let you know how that goes.
XOXO (because I think I'm Gossip Girl, have I told you?)
--Beka
PS: I forgot! Bible Time--- Both girls doing their Hallelujahs :)
Monday, August 20, 2012
Our first 2 weeks of homeschool: Check!
We just completed our first *official* two weeks of homeschool.
By official, I mean I actually set out to do somethings, and I did... some of those somethings.
I admit that I was being very (overly) ambitious--- more with myself than with Bean, as she will pretty much learn/memorize/complete anything I put in front of her.
But that's ok! It's preschool, it's homeschool, and it's MY school, so I don't have to live up to someones checklist of what needs to be done--- which, by the way, I LOVE.
Overall, I'm quite proud of myself. We managed to do some amount of school for at least 4 days each week, and a decent-to-extraordinary amount for 2-3 of those days each week. I'm going to go into detail about what, exactly, we did in the next post. But now I'm lazy; I don't want to plug in my camera and download the pictures of what we did, so that's not happening.
Here is what I learned these past two weeks:
First: I was really intending on doing an equal smattering of Character (morning), letters/numbers (pre-lunch), unit studies (after nap), and fine motor/art (pre-dinner with Dad). Needless to say, our days didn't (ever) look like that.
Oh well, that's what experiments are for!
My priority with Bean was, is, and is going to be making sure that we work on Character and Bible. I figured out that the best way to do that, for us, is to talk about it at the breakfast table while we eat every morning. Then, if I have a book, DVD, or craft/activity for us to do, we can do it after. But she learns really well from just discussing it on a daily basis. This works well because our breakfast table is also our school table, and all the Character materials are on display in the corner where she can see them while she eats.
Letters/Numbers got scrunched into unit studies and/or art (although I did have a few days where we did some letter activities before nap still). Nik has pretty much taken over this area (yay!). I do the planning, but he actually does the "lessons" with the kids. It gives me a good break for the day!
Planning day-by-day curriculum just DOESN'T work for me at this stage. Maybe because I'm pregnant and lazy. Or because I hate being stuck inside all day and all my day trips ruin my plans. Regardless, I can't stick to doing things on that exact of a schedule.
What DOES work for me (us) is to have a list of projects, activities, movies, etc that go along with what I want to do (either with the unit we're doing, or just general number/letter activities and art things) and then look at it during naptime and decide what will be best for the day. I really love this because then I can actually judge "Ok, she's in a drawing mood today, she'll like doing workpages and tracing, etc." or "No way this kid is gonna sit still for a lesson, maybe we better do hopscotch" or "they're in a really messy mood, let's bust out some shaving cream or fingerpaints."
I guess I'm turning into a hippie or something.
Oh, on a practical note, I also learned that I need to *remember* to order my books from the library at least a week in advance. I'm still working out the timing on this one. I forgot this time, didn't order this weeks books until Friday, and I'm not really sure that they will be here by tomorrow (Tuesday). Whoopsie.
Anyway, not a terribly thrilling topic, I know. But it's good for me to have these things in writing so that when I try to go crazy next year (or next week), I know better...
Just a *small* preview what we did get accomplished (specifically) these last two weeks:
--Bean learned 2 new letters (recognizing and some sounds)
-- We both learned 2 new verses
-- A new Character Quality
-- 2 new bible stories
-- Lots of swashbuckling fun.
Till next time (when I get my pics uploaded!)
--B
By official, I mean I actually set out to do somethings, and I did... some of those somethings.
I admit that I was being very (overly) ambitious--- more with myself than with Bean, as she will pretty much learn/memorize/complete anything I put in front of her.
But that's ok! It's preschool, it's homeschool, and it's MY school, so I don't have to live up to someones checklist of what needs to be done--- which, by the way, I LOVE.
Overall, I'm quite proud of myself. We managed to do some amount of school for at least 4 days each week, and a decent-to-extraordinary amount for 2-3 of those days each week. I'm going to go into detail about what, exactly, we did in the next post. But now I'm lazy; I don't want to plug in my camera and download the pictures of what we did, so that's not happening.
Here is what I learned these past two weeks:
First: I was really intending on doing an equal smattering of Character (morning), letters/numbers (pre-lunch), unit studies (after nap), and fine motor/art (pre-dinner with Dad). Needless to say, our days didn't (ever) look like that.
Oh well, that's what experiments are for!
My priority with Bean was, is, and is going to be making sure that we work on Character and Bible. I figured out that the best way to do that, for us, is to talk about it at the breakfast table while we eat every morning. Then, if I have a book, DVD, or craft/activity for us to do, we can do it after. But she learns really well from just discussing it on a daily basis. This works well because our breakfast table is also our school table, and all the Character materials are on display in the corner where she can see them while she eats.
Letters/Numbers got scrunched into unit studies and/or art (although I did have a few days where we did some letter activities before nap still). Nik has pretty much taken over this area (yay!). I do the planning, but he actually does the "lessons" with the kids. It gives me a good break for the day!
Planning day-by-day curriculum just DOESN'T work for me at this stage. Maybe because I'm pregnant and lazy. Or because I hate being stuck inside all day and all my day trips ruin my plans. Regardless, I can't stick to doing things on that exact of a schedule.
What DOES work for me (us) is to have a list of projects, activities, movies, etc that go along with what I want to do (either with the unit we're doing, or just general number/letter activities and art things) and then look at it during naptime and decide what will be best for the day. I really love this because then I can actually judge "Ok, she's in a drawing mood today, she'll like doing workpages and tracing, etc." or "No way this kid is gonna sit still for a lesson, maybe we better do hopscotch" or "they're in a really messy mood, let's bust out some shaving cream or fingerpaints."
I guess I'm turning into a hippie or something.
Oh, on a practical note, I also learned that I need to *remember* to order my books from the library at least a week in advance. I'm still working out the timing on this one. I forgot this time, didn't order this weeks books until Friday, and I'm not really sure that they will be here by tomorrow (Tuesday). Whoopsie.
Anyway, not a terribly thrilling topic, I know. But it's good for me to have these things in writing so that when I try to go crazy next year (or next week), I know better...
Just a *small* preview what we did get accomplished (specifically) these last two weeks:
--Bean learned 2 new letters (recognizing and some sounds)
-- We both learned 2 new verses
-- A new Character Quality
-- 2 new bible stories
-- Lots of swashbuckling fun.
Till next time (when I get my pics uploaded!)
--B
Friday, August 10, 2012
I chose this life...
Sometimes, I find myself throwing a pity party and thinking "I chose this life?!?"
Because, let's be honest, some days just suck. I know that's not the good, pretty front that the united stay-at-home-mommy union likes us to present, but it's just the truth.
Some days, all the pretty little danglies floating in the water are really enticing.
Some days, the allure of all the things the devil wants to offer me really do look like things I can't (or really just don't want to) pass up.
Like nice vacations. Or any vacations.
Or getting to drop the grouchy, teething baby off at daycare and go talk to grown-ups.
Or eating at the Melting Pot more than 1x a year.
Or getting dressed for someone other than my 2 year old to look at.
Or even slugging off to a job--- because at times, even the temptation of a minimum-wage paycheck is strong; not because of how the money would "help" (see above), but because even the most under appreciated, poorly treated employee still gets the recognition of getting paid at regular intervals.
Yes, I am betraying my calling, but the truth is the truth--- those sparkly things are very attractive sometimes.
But so are the lures to little fishies swimming along in the sea when they're hungry, or tired of eating... whatever fish naturally eat... and they see a shiny, bouncy, glittery worm-bug-a-jig just floating there, waiting to be consumed, easy as that.
And this is when I thank the Lord for His Spirit that guides me and makes me more than a fish. That He comes along and reminds me--- if it's too good to be true, it probably is. Bugs don't glitter and shine and float like that. A bite is tempting, but a bite will get you hooked, dragged up out of the water, suffocated, scaled, and eaten by some fat man in camo that's too stupid to realize how useless camo is when you're above the water in a boat. Then you're an appetizer at Red Lobster while the thing God was calling you to, your real nourishment, lies in the water for someone else to eat.
OK, that was a little bit of a digression, but my point is this:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." --Romans 8:28
Those little lures are pretty, and they might even taste good, but they are illusions. They are not the goal. And the past few days, while I've had a fevery, teething baby and a sassy toddler trying my very last nerve, God has spoken into my heart, not a question, not an accusation or a condemnation, but an affirmation, a confirmation, and an exultation:
You chose this life.
If my vacation is that my husband understands from just a look or a sigh to take the girls, make dinner, and feed them while I sit on a chair and finish a chapter of my book, I am more blessed to have a husband with that understanding and that servant's heart than I would be to be on a cruise ship or in the Bahamas.
If my conversation is with my 2 year old while she is sharing some amazing insight about God, or my baby as she is learning to say her first words, I am more blessed to be a part of that dialogue than any about what happened on the Olympics (which, by the way, I don't know) or the latest office gossip.
If all I eat is chicken and spaghetti every night, I am blessed to be spending every night with my family in a way many families do not.
If the only person who tells me I'm beautiful every day is my daughter, I am blessed because she means it, and because I have the time to sit with her and talk about what beautiful is, and how beautiful she is. I am blessed because she knows the most important place Mommy has to be is having that conversation with her at that moment.
And if the only payment I get is that my grouchy, sweaty baby wants nothing more in the whole world than to use Mommy as a pillow; to lay on top of me all day and attach herself to my arm like some sort of crazy tree-dwelling monkey, I am blessed. I am blessed that I can reach over and turn the alarm off and snuggle with her for 5 more minutes and enjoy the little time I have left that she will be small enough and willing enough to crawl on top of me for comfort.
I chose this life... and I CHOOSE this life. Sometimes the temptations are pretty (and pretty enticing), but the benefits of swimming through and past and getting to the real stuff, the God-given stuff, at the other side are the real reward.
--B
Because, let's be honest, some days just suck. I know that's not the good, pretty front that the united stay-at-home-mommy union likes us to present, but it's just the truth.
Some days, all the pretty little danglies floating in the water are really enticing.
Some days, the allure of all the things the devil wants to offer me really do look like things I can't (or really just don't want to) pass up.
Like nice vacations. Or any vacations.
Or getting to drop the grouchy, teething baby off at daycare and go talk to grown-ups.
Or eating at the Melting Pot more than 1x a year.
Or getting dressed for someone other than my 2 year old to look at.
Or even slugging off to a job--- because at times, even the temptation of a minimum-wage paycheck is strong; not because of how the money would "help" (see above), but because even the most under appreciated, poorly treated employee still gets the recognition of getting paid at regular intervals.
Yes, I am betraying my calling, but the truth is the truth--- those sparkly things are very attractive sometimes.
But so are the lures to little fishies swimming along in the sea when they're hungry, or tired of eating... whatever fish naturally eat... and they see a shiny, bouncy, glittery worm-bug-a-jig just floating there, waiting to be consumed, easy as that.
And this is when I thank the Lord for His Spirit that guides me and makes me more than a fish. That He comes along and reminds me--- if it's too good to be true, it probably is. Bugs don't glitter and shine and float like that. A bite is tempting, but a bite will get you hooked, dragged up out of the water, suffocated, scaled, and eaten by some fat man in camo that's too stupid to realize how useless camo is when you're above the water in a boat. Then you're an appetizer at Red Lobster while the thing God was calling you to, your real nourishment, lies in the water for someone else to eat.
OK, that was a little bit of a digression, but my point is this:
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." --Romans 8:28
Those little lures are pretty, and they might even taste good, but they are illusions. They are not the goal. And the past few days, while I've had a fevery, teething baby and a sassy toddler trying my very last nerve, God has spoken into my heart, not a question, not an accusation or a condemnation, but an affirmation, a confirmation, and an exultation:
You chose this life.
If my vacation is that my husband understands from just a look or a sigh to take the girls, make dinner, and feed them while I sit on a chair and finish a chapter of my book, I am more blessed to have a husband with that understanding and that servant's heart than I would be to be on a cruise ship or in the Bahamas.
If my conversation is with my 2 year old while she is sharing some amazing insight about God, or my baby as she is learning to say her first words, I am more blessed to be a part of that dialogue than any about what happened on the Olympics (which, by the way, I don't know) or the latest office gossip.
If all I eat is chicken and spaghetti every night, I am blessed to be spending every night with my family in a way many families do not.
If the only person who tells me I'm beautiful every day is my daughter, I am blessed because she means it, and because I have the time to sit with her and talk about what beautiful is, and how beautiful she is. I am blessed because she knows the most important place Mommy has to be is having that conversation with her at that moment.
And if the only payment I get is that my grouchy, sweaty baby wants nothing more in the whole world than to use Mommy as a pillow; to lay on top of me all day and attach herself to my arm like some sort of crazy tree-dwelling monkey, I am blessed. I am blessed that I can reach over and turn the alarm off and snuggle with her for 5 more minutes and enjoy the little time I have left that she will be small enough and willing enough to crawl on top of me for comfort.
I chose this life... and I CHOOSE this life. Sometimes the temptations are pretty (and pretty enticing), but the benefits of swimming through and past and getting to the real stuff, the God-given stuff, at the other side are the real reward.
--B
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
But where are my furry animal friends?
Some days (most days), I feel like Snow White.
Only, I don't have cute little wooden creatures singing me sweet songs.
I always thought Snow White was good ole Walt preparing me for the day when my prince would come, sweep me off my feet, and take me away to my castle.
Now, I see it for what it really was---
Walt preparing me for being a Mommy that is constantly surrounded by little people...
"...Dwarfs," if you will...
...who function in a miniature little environment (a cottage?), complete with miniature beds, miniature chairs, miniature plates, knives, forks, spoons, cups, and toilets. Miniature food. Miniature books. Things you never even IMAGINED came in miniature form.
And anything that ISN'T miniature is surrounded by tools to aid the Dwarfs, in their mini-ness, with day-to-day life. (Please don't mind the step-stool in front of the sink, or the ladder in front of the fridge, or the hundred other safety hazards in my home; my dwarfs are becoming self-aware and want to do everything by themselves today.)
Fear not! Snow Mommy has become very accustomed to this way of life. In fact, I often think strangers from outside the enchanted forest must look at me funny as I automatically take large, knee-bending, leg-lifting steps everywhere I go to avoid any unseen... (insert any miniature item here). Or when I don't think twice about using a dixie-cup for my lunch beverage, or a small, plastic coated spoon to eat my oatmeal.
The little dwarfs go to "work" every day, make themselves filthy, don't want to wash before dinner, wear Snow Mommy out with their crazy dwarf antics, and then fall peacefully asleep for the night to start again tomorrow.
And the only peaceful place in many a Snow Mommy cottage is to curl up in the tiny little dwarf-sized bed that has been so associated with nap-time that the actual dwarfs won't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Or their miniature 3 ft. pole that they carry around to beat other dwarfs over the head with.
But here is where Sir Disney got it wrong. Because when Prince Charming sweeps in to rescue Snow White (and yes, please sweep away), what we really need for him is to see that we are in a deep, almost deadly sleep, and BACK THE HECK AWAY. Because, if my Prince Charming, bless his sweet heart, comes home to the dwarfs playing peacefully and the house being clean and me resting and his first thought is "I better wake her up," this fairy tale is going to turn into a homicide movie very quickly.
~The End~
Only, I don't have cute little wooden creatures singing me sweet songs.
I always thought Snow White was good ole Walt preparing me for the day when my prince would come, sweep me off my feet, and take me away to my castle.
Now, I see it for what it really was---
Walt preparing me for being a Mommy that is constantly surrounded by little people...
"...Dwarfs," if you will...
...who function in a miniature little environment (a cottage?), complete with miniature beds, miniature chairs, miniature plates, knives, forks, spoons, cups, and toilets. Miniature food. Miniature books. Things you never even IMAGINED came in miniature form.
And anything that ISN'T miniature is surrounded by tools to aid the Dwarfs, in their mini-ness, with day-to-day life. (Please don't mind the step-stool in front of the sink, or the ladder in front of the fridge, or the hundred other safety hazards in my home; my dwarfs are becoming self-aware and want to do everything by themselves today.)
Fear not! Snow Mommy has become very accustomed to this way of life. In fact, I often think strangers from outside the enchanted forest must look at me funny as I automatically take large, knee-bending, leg-lifting steps everywhere I go to avoid any unseen... (insert any miniature item here). Or when I don't think twice about using a dixie-cup for my lunch beverage, or a small, plastic coated spoon to eat my oatmeal.
The little dwarfs go to "work" every day, make themselves filthy, don't want to wash before dinner, wear Snow Mommy out with their crazy dwarf antics, and then fall peacefully asleep for the night to start again tomorrow.
And the only peaceful place in many a Snow Mommy cottage is to curl up in the tiny little dwarf-sized bed that has been so associated with nap-time that the actual dwarfs won't touch it with a 10 foot pole. Or their miniature 3 ft. pole that they carry around to beat other dwarfs over the head with.
But here is where Sir Disney got it wrong. Because when Prince Charming sweeps in to rescue Snow White (and yes, please sweep away), what we really need for him is to see that we are in a deep, almost deadly sleep, and BACK THE HECK AWAY. Because, if my Prince Charming, bless his sweet heart, comes home to the dwarfs playing peacefully and the house being clean and me resting and his first thought is "I better wake her up," this fairy tale is going to turn into a homicide movie very quickly.
~The End~
Friday, July 20, 2012
My little Bug...
Bean is off with her grandparents on a canoe adventure, so I got to spend the morning all alone with my beautiful second born, little Bug-a-Belle.
I very rarely get to spend alone time with her--- especially since she and Bean started *blissfully* napping at the same time. It was nice to get to spend the morning watching her just be her, although she was a little lost without big sister to torment.
There is no deep meaning to this post except to say she's such a fun, crazy little girl and I adore her to no end. I am so blessed to have such a curious, sometimes rotten, spunky little child. Today she was obsessed with the play phone. She kept picking it up, saying "Hiiiii..." and babbling for a few minutes, then throwing it across the room. Also, she's still pretty scared of the Bigfoot toy, so she was pretty preoccupied with standing far enough back to see it (on the top shelf, 4ft up), and then yelling at it. I love that she remembers its there and then has to go out of her way to make sure it knows she is not pleased with it's existence.
She's the exact opposite of Bean in almost every way, which makes every day with her totally new and exciting. For example, we didn't have baby locks on ANYTHING in the house except for the kitchen sink cabinet. Which Bean never even tried to open, anyway.
Now that Bug is mobile, EVERYTHING is locked. Well, it wasn't until Husband was on baby duty the other night... I was in the computer room, working away on school stuff, when I hear "No! No no no! Don't touch that... {CRASH. Mysterious glug-glug-glug. Baby giggle.} Oh. My. God."
Bug was sitting on the kitchen floor with the cupboard open and 1/2 a bottle of corn oil spilled all over the floor. Every cabinet was equip with a baby lock literally 30 minutes later.
Ok, so the "deeper" lesson of this post is, I guess:
Nagging Wife: worthless
Baby Spilling Oil that Daddy has to clean up: Valuable currency in our home!
Anyway, I digress. She's adorable and I love her. She's such a joy to have around and I wouldn't trade her for all the well-behaved, self-absorbed babies in the world. (Although that isn't stopping me from praying this new little man slights away from Bug's inquisitiveness and towards Bean's self-absorption just a bit)
I very rarely get to spend alone time with her--- especially since she and Bean started *blissfully* napping at the same time. It was nice to get to spend the morning watching her just be her, although she was a little lost without big sister to torment.
There is no deep meaning to this post except to say she's such a fun, crazy little girl and I adore her to no end. I am so blessed to have such a curious, sometimes rotten, spunky little child. Today she was obsessed with the play phone. She kept picking it up, saying "Hiiiii..." and babbling for a few minutes, then throwing it across the room. Also, she's still pretty scared of the Bigfoot toy, so she was pretty preoccupied with standing far enough back to see it (on the top shelf, 4ft up), and then yelling at it. I love that she remembers its there and then has to go out of her way to make sure it knows she is not pleased with it's existence.
She's the exact opposite of Bean in almost every way, which makes every day with her totally new and exciting. For example, we didn't have baby locks on ANYTHING in the house except for the kitchen sink cabinet. Which Bean never even tried to open, anyway.
Now that Bug is mobile, EVERYTHING is locked. Well, it wasn't until Husband was on baby duty the other night... I was in the computer room, working away on school stuff, when I hear "No! No no no! Don't touch that... {CRASH. Mysterious glug-glug-glug. Baby giggle.} Oh. My. God."
Bug was sitting on the kitchen floor with the cupboard open and 1/2 a bottle of corn oil spilled all over the floor. Every cabinet was equip with a baby lock literally 30 minutes later.
Ok, so the "deeper" lesson of this post is, I guess:
Nagging Wife: worthless
Baby Spilling Oil that Daddy has to clean up: Valuable currency in our home!
Anyway, I digress. She's adorable and I love her. She's such a joy to have around and I wouldn't trade her for all the well-behaved, self-absorbed babies in the world. (Although that isn't stopping me from praying this new little man slights away from Bug's inquisitiveness and towards Bean's self-absorption just a bit)
(This picture is the perfect example of my girls' personalities.
Bean is only concerned with her moment in the spotlight, and Bug is totally absorbed in EVERYTHING that is happening in the world!)
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Morning Bible Time
I get to brag on myself, a little bit.
... well, not really...
But I get to brag on GOD, which I like much better.
Bean, Bug and I have started doing morning bible time. Like, actually DOING it. Over the past 5-6 months, I have *wanted* to do it, and I have done it occasionally (read, every 5-10 days). But this past 2 weeks, I have actually been doing it.
Let me just tell you what a difference starting our day with God makes.
I am seeing more and more (and more and more and more) how important it is to start everything with praise and worship. I realized (I know, LIGHTBULB!!) a few months ago how important it was to go into prayer time and church all praised-up, but it just clicked with me that our days should start out the same way.
The Bible says "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name," (Psalm 100:4, NIV). I don't know about you, but I'm figuring out I prefer to spend my entire day (and not just my Sunday, or my Tuesday night) in His courts.
Before (read, last month) I would send Bean and Bug to our playroom for their "play alone" time right after breakfast. This almost always ended in Bean being angry because she wasn't getting enough attention (rightfully so), and Bug standing at the gate, shaking it violently and yelling in her best prison-movie-riot-impression. They had too much energy, not enough Mommy, and definitely not enough Jesus to start their morning on a good note.
Let me tell you what we do NOW:
Eat Breakfast
Get Dressed
Bible Time!
Right now, this consists of:
Praise and Worship--- Usually 3 songs (although sometimes 4 or 5). Bean pretty much ALWAYS insists on "How He Loves Us" by John Mark McMillan (FYI- I personally think this is a MUCH better version than the more popular David Crowder redo). She also really likes "Deep Cries Out" by Bethel). Bug usually tots in and out. She likes to shake her booty, so she's more patient with the fast songs. Although she's getting into cuddling and worshipping, too. She sits next to us and raises her hands up during the slow songs.
Prayer--- Short and sweet. Bean likes to thank God for "our wonderful day, all our friends, all our family, and Jesus amen." I pray for patience for ALL of us, good attitudes, etc. I think it helps Bean to hear me pray for help from Jesus for things I have been struggling with because we teach her to do that as well. She likes to pipe in during my prayer and say "I pray for patience with Mommy and Sister, too."
Bible Story--- We've been going over what we are studying as a family with Bible Study Guide for All Ages (right now, Joseph) and whatever other story Bean wants to hear. She's really into Jesus Calming the Storm right now, although today we also talked about how Jesus was sold for silver just like Joseph was. That kinda blew her mind.
(once "school" starts in August, I'm going to put all our character study into this time as well, but I'm easing myself into that... a first, for me!)
We start our day off this way, and it is (I was going to say magically, but) faithfully transformed. I find myself with more energy, a much better attitude, and MUCH more patience. My kids are better behaved, with an added bonus of having gotten a substantial amount of energy out of their systems during praise. Bean plans (yes, the 2 year old plans) what we will read about and worship to during Breakfast. It's a great moment for me to see her eating her cereal and having an out-loud debate with herself:
"Hmmm. I think I want to hear about Joseph. No, Jesus calms the storm. No, maybe Joseph. Maybe both. And we will listen to 'How He Loves Us.' And maybe 'Furious.' Or 'Mountaintop.'"
I will end with this (our latest memory verse; Bean mastered it a few days ago):
"I have written you words on my heart, O Lord, so that I might not sin against you." --Psalm 119:11
... well, not really...
But I get to brag on GOD, which I like much better.
Bean, Bug and I have started doing morning bible time. Like, actually DOING it. Over the past 5-6 months, I have *wanted* to do it, and I have done it occasionally (read, every 5-10 days). But this past 2 weeks, I have actually been doing it.
Let me just tell you what a difference starting our day with God makes.
I am seeing more and more (and more and more and more) how important it is to start everything with praise and worship. I realized (I know, LIGHTBULB!!) a few months ago how important it was to go into prayer time and church all praised-up, but it just clicked with me that our days should start out the same way.
The Bible says "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name," (Psalm 100:4, NIV). I don't know about you, but I'm figuring out I prefer to spend my entire day (and not just my Sunday, or my Tuesday night) in His courts.
Before (read, last month) I would send Bean and Bug to our playroom for their "play alone" time right after breakfast. This almost always ended in Bean being angry because she wasn't getting enough attention (rightfully so), and Bug standing at the gate, shaking it violently and yelling in her best prison-movie-riot-impression. They had too much energy, not enough Mommy, and definitely not enough Jesus to start their morning on a good note.
Let me tell you what we do NOW:
Eat Breakfast
Get Dressed
Bible Time!
Right now, this consists of:
Praise and Worship--- Usually 3 songs (although sometimes 4 or 5). Bean pretty much ALWAYS insists on "How He Loves Us" by John Mark McMillan (FYI- I personally think this is a MUCH better version than the more popular David Crowder redo). She also really likes "Deep Cries Out" by Bethel). Bug usually tots in and out. She likes to shake her booty, so she's more patient with the fast songs. Although she's getting into cuddling and worshipping, too. She sits next to us and raises her hands up during the slow songs.
Prayer--- Short and sweet. Bean likes to thank God for "our wonderful day, all our friends, all our family, and Jesus amen." I pray for patience for ALL of us, good attitudes, etc. I think it helps Bean to hear me pray for help from Jesus for things I have been struggling with because we teach her to do that as well. She likes to pipe in during my prayer and say "I pray for patience with Mommy and Sister, too."
Bible Story--- We've been going over what we are studying as a family with Bible Study Guide for All Ages (right now, Joseph) and whatever other story Bean wants to hear. She's really into Jesus Calming the Storm right now, although today we also talked about how Jesus was sold for silver just like Joseph was. That kinda blew her mind.
(once "school" starts in August, I'm going to put all our character study into this time as well, but I'm easing myself into that... a first, for me!)
We start our day off this way, and it is (I was going to say magically, but) faithfully transformed. I find myself with more energy, a much better attitude, and MUCH more patience. My kids are better behaved, with an added bonus of having gotten a substantial amount of energy out of their systems during praise. Bean plans (yes, the 2 year old plans) what we will read about and worship to during Breakfast. It's a great moment for me to see her eating her cereal and having an out-loud debate with herself:
"Hmmm. I think I want to hear about Joseph. No, Jesus calms the storm. No, maybe Joseph. Maybe both. And we will listen to 'How He Loves Us.' And maybe 'Furious.' Or 'Mountaintop.'"
I will end with this (our latest memory verse; Bean mastered it a few days ago):
"I have written you words on my heart, O Lord, so that I might not sin against you." --Psalm 119:11
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Character for Preschoolers
I really wanted to do some good, in-depth character lessons with Bean when we start "offical" preschool in August.
Immediate problem encountered: I did not like anything I found. I like peices of what I find, but it is either too watered down, or too complicated for her, or not engaging enough... I decided very quickly that doing a little song and pointing out when she was being (insert positive Christian character quality here) was not going to cut it. While I'm all for letting kids learn as they play and as they go about their day, I do think some things NEED to be purposeful--- especially those things that relate to building their relationship with Christ. So if I want them to grow up displaying Christ-like qualities, I need to be intentional in teaching them those qualities and making sure they know what they are (and are NOT), what God says about them, and how they can display them.
I ended up borrowing (hey, I paid for everything that needed to be paid for) aspects of a bunch of different programs and came up with something that I really like. Let me tell you about what we're doing for Character this coming year and how I came up with it.
First, I started with a chart that was recommended on a message board. It is the Operational Definitions of Character Qualities. This particular link will send you to the Duggars' website where you can download a PDF of the chart. It is available other places, as well.
There are a lot of versions of this list out there. I like this chart because it is quick and easy. I went through and highlighted everything I wanted to cover with Bean (in an ideal world) that I thought she could grasp at 2 1/2. I then ordered it in "importance" (for us), and narrowed it down to 12-14.
Another friend had recommened We Choose Virtues as having great resources for Character Curriculum. After searching this website, I found some things I REALLY love. The first clue that this was going to be great for us was that the 12 virtues the beginner program focuses on were the same ones I had already chosen. I ordered the Kids Virtue Poster and the Kids of Virtueville Mini-Poster Set to use as visuals in our "school room." They also have a great free PDF download of bible supplements that has a bible character and a bible verse to go along with each virtue.
The virtues/character qualities I'm going to cover with Bean for at least the first part of school this year are (in no particular order): Attentive, Content, Diligent, Forgiving, Gentle, Helpful, Honest, Kind, Obedient, Patient, Perserverant, and Self-Controlled.
Then I just kind of looked around, went with some recommendations from others, and found what I needed to supplement the visuals and the information from the first two sources. One source I really like is the Kids of Integrity website. They have free PDF lessons for many, many character qualities. These lessons include memory verses, bible stories that demonstrate the quality and/or its opposite, and (my favorite) suggested prayers for the kids and parents. It is so important that my heart is in the right place when I'm teaching Bean these things, and that I am demonstrating what I want her to learn in my own life, so I really love the prayer and parent prep portion of these materials.
There are also some great activities, visuals, and songs on Hubbard's Cupboard. We will be using some of those, as well.
I am using DVD's called Character Builders. I bought the boxed set (8 DVDs, 16 episodes) on Rainbow Resource Center. The same site has these great little books called the God, I Need to Talk to You About... series. I got 11 of those, as well.
Now that I look at that... it looks like a lot! But you have to factor OUT all the thought processes that go into that long list of information :)
What I ended up with is a basic outline of what I want to cover every 2 weeks. It looks like this:
WCV “I am/ I am not”:
Child’s Prayer:
We won't be doing every item every day. What we will be doing every day is going over the We Choose Virtues materials (They have an "I am... I am not..." statement for every virtue), the age-appropriate definition that I come up with, the memory verse, and the prayers. Bean is at the level where she can memorize about 1 verse/week, so, depending on if there are any memory verses from our family bible study, we will have either one or two verses for each quailty. Everything else is going to be cycled in and out for the two weeks.
So that's that... I'm very proud of anyone who made it this far! It was quite a lot of information, I admit.
Until next time...
Immediate problem encountered: I did not like anything I found. I like peices of what I find, but it is either too watered down, or too complicated for her, or not engaging enough... I decided very quickly that doing a little song and pointing out when she was being (insert positive Christian character quality here) was not going to cut it. While I'm all for letting kids learn as they play and as they go about their day, I do think some things NEED to be purposeful--- especially those things that relate to building their relationship with Christ. So if I want them to grow up displaying Christ-like qualities, I need to be intentional in teaching them those qualities and making sure they know what they are (and are NOT), what God says about them, and how they can display them.
I ended up borrowing (hey, I paid for everything that needed to be paid for) aspects of a bunch of different programs and came up with something that I really like. Let me tell you about what we're doing for Character this coming year and how I came up with it.
First, I started with a chart that was recommended on a message board. It is the Operational Definitions of Character Qualities. This particular link will send you to the Duggars' website where you can download a PDF of the chart. It is available other places, as well.
There are a lot of versions of this list out there. I like this chart because it is quick and easy. I went through and highlighted everything I wanted to cover with Bean (in an ideal world) that I thought she could grasp at 2 1/2. I then ordered it in "importance" (for us), and narrowed it down to 12-14.
Another friend had recommened We Choose Virtues as having great resources for Character Curriculum. After searching this website, I found some things I REALLY love. The first clue that this was going to be great for us was that the 12 virtues the beginner program focuses on were the same ones I had already chosen. I ordered the Kids Virtue Poster and the Kids of Virtueville Mini-Poster Set to use as visuals in our "school room." They also have a great free PDF download of bible supplements that has a bible character and a bible verse to go along with each virtue.
The virtues/character qualities I'm going to cover with Bean for at least the first part of school this year are (in no particular order): Attentive, Content, Diligent, Forgiving, Gentle, Helpful, Honest, Kind, Obedient, Patient, Perserverant, and Self-Controlled.
Then I just kind of looked around, went with some recommendations from others, and found what I needed to supplement the visuals and the information from the first two sources. One source I really like is the Kids of Integrity website. They have free PDF lessons for many, many character qualities. These lessons include memory verses, bible stories that demonstrate the quality and/or its opposite, and (my favorite) suggested prayers for the kids and parents. It is so important that my heart is in the right place when I'm teaching Bean these things, and that I am demonstrating what I want her to learn in my own life, so I really love the prayer and parent prep portion of these materials.
There are also some great activities, visuals, and songs on Hubbard's Cupboard. We will be using some of those, as well.
I am using DVD's called Character Builders. I bought the boxed set (8 DVDs, 16 episodes) on Rainbow Resource Center. The same site has these great little books called the God, I Need to Talk to You About... series. I got 11 of those, as well.
Now that I look at that... it looks like a lot! But you have to factor OUT all the thought processes that go into that long list of information :)
What I ended up with is a basic outline of what I want to cover every 2 weeks. It looks like this:
Character
Quality:
WCV “I am/ I am not”:
Webster’s
Definition:
Age-Appropriate
Definition:
Memory Verse (s):
Child’s Prayer:
Parent’s
Prayer:
Animal:
Bible Stories:
DVD:
Book:
Song/Chant:
Activities:
We won't be doing every item every day. What we will be doing every day is going over the We Choose Virtues materials (They have an "I am... I am not..." statement for every virtue), the age-appropriate definition that I come up with, the memory verse, and the prayers. Bean is at the level where she can memorize about 1 verse/week, so, depending on if there are any memory verses from our family bible study, we will have either one or two verses for each quailty. Everything else is going to be cycled in and out for the two weeks.
So that's that... I'm very proud of anyone who made it this far! It was quite a lot of information, I admit.
Until next time...
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
No rest for the Mommy...
8:00 AM
T-Minus 15 minutes until wake-up time.
Theoretically.
In my attempt to start getting into a "school" schedule slowly, I am making myself wake up at 7:30 (well, making my alarm go off at 7:30...). I need that 15-30 minutes for myself in the morning to really start my day in a good way. I wake up, take time to feel the baby move around, pray, drink some coffee, waste time on the internet.
It has really helped put me in a pleasant, happy mood for the day. Except...
Now both Bean and Bug have decided that their normal 8-8:15 wake-up time is just entirely too late in the day. They have both been waking up right at Mommy's quiet time for the past 4-5 days. I swear, one of Satan's many guises is as an alarm clock for small children.
So my supposedly peaceful morning routine is now being interrupted by screaming and angry protests from BOTH bedrooms. I had every intention of starting to put together some of the Character curriculum I was so excited to get in the mail last night, get breakfast out on the table, maybe make a worship playlist for bible time...
But, no rest for the Mommy.
Maybe tomorrow :)
T-Minus 15 minutes until wake-up time.
Theoretically.
In my attempt to start getting into a "school" schedule slowly, I am making myself wake up at 7:30 (well, making my alarm go off at 7:30...). I need that 15-30 minutes for myself in the morning to really start my day in a good way. I wake up, take time to feel the baby move around, pray, drink some coffee, waste time on the internet.
It has really helped put me in a pleasant, happy mood for the day. Except...
Now both Bean and Bug have decided that their normal 8-8:15 wake-up time is just entirely too late in the day. They have both been waking up right at Mommy's quiet time for the past 4-5 days. I swear, one of Satan's many guises is as an alarm clock for small children.
So my supposedly peaceful morning routine is now being interrupted by screaming and angry protests from BOTH bedrooms. I had every intention of starting to put together some of the Character curriculum I was so excited to get in the mail last night, get breakfast out on the table, maybe make a worship playlist for bible time...
But, no rest for the Mommy.
Maybe tomorrow :)
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