I'm a Better Mom

We have now completed two weeks of homeschooling and something I never thought I would say, I love it. The girls seem to be thriving and my favorite thing is that we start our day in the word, studying what God has to say to us and asking questions and praying then we start our day. There is no formula for a well ran day, but I truly believe the Lord is blessing our time because we honor him with ours.
Here is what else I feel, I'm a better mom. I don't feel anxious all the time with all the have-to's. We have to be home to get homework done, we have to get in the shower, we have to get dinner started, we have to read now...we have to, we have to. It's now, we get to. We get to go outside and play. We get to read a book together, we get to sleep in and have a leisurely morning. We get to start our day in the word. We have time.
Matt, our pastor, was talking this past weekend about a tired that we feel when we go to bed because we honored and worked hard for the Lord doing what he has asked. I must admit, there were many nights before I home schooled that I went to bed tired, exhausted, and dreading the next day and all that had to be done and joy was sucked right out of me. And in hindsight, perhaps all this stuff I was doing, wasn't unto the Lord because he hadn't asked me to do it! I was working on my plan doing my thing.

But when I surrendered to his call to home school (reluctantly at first), I came under his umbrella of obedience. And I go to bed a good kind of tired. I don't dread my day ahead and all the have-to's, I look forward to going to the park to play with the girls, and for all this, I'm a better mom.

Thanks for Thanksgiving

Thanks for Thanksgiving is one of my favorite books. I read it so much each year that it's falling apart. I used that book and some ideas I found on Pinterest and this is what we did today.
I read the book to them then we made thankful-pies (Pumpkin pies, cool whip and all!). We took a paper plate and turned it upside down to trace a brown circle, cut it out, and glued that on the plate. Then we cut a smaller orange circle and cut a piece out and marked out the slices on the brown paper where they put their thanks. We stuck a brad through the center and added a cottonball for the whip cream. They're pretty cute if you ask me.

One day, this won't be sideways. Till I figure it out, sorry!

Abbie wrote what she was thankful for. 

Ellie drew what she was thankful for. 

And ta-da! Our thankful pies are done, whip cream and all!

Day 1 in the Books

Today was our first day of homeschooling. After careful thought I put on my gray comfy pants, house shoes, threw my hair up in bun, and went to work. One great thing was we started our time studying the bible. This week we are studying Pentecost and using the book Old Story New, which are 10-minute devotionals.
Part of our reading curriculum is FIAR and all three girls sat down with me on the floor and we read and did our lesson together. We got all our work done, reading, math, grammar, and handwriting. It worked like a well-oiled machine and I couldn't have asked for today to have gone any better. It was nice to work one on one with each girl in a relaxed environment. To top it off, we finished everything in 2 hours.
We went to Chick-fil-A for lunch, headed to the library to load up on books, and enjoyed having fun after working diligently.
I know every day won't be this seamless (and awesome), we will be adding Explode the Code for both of the older two girls and the oldest will start her writing program twice a week using Writing Strands. But I feel good about this decision and fear I might become one of those, "You have to do this!" kind of person. Oh Lord have mercy!

Don't Say the "S" Word

Many people, even myself, think about homeschooled children as these weird, awkard little people who don't know how to interact with others. I have looked upon my own kiddos and have Abbie, who is very active, loves people, loves to chat, and is overall, the social butterfly and in her very humble opinion, is famous at Vista since everyone knows her.
Ellie is the quiet kiddo who can sit around the house all day in pj's and be completely happy for hours...days...weeks?
Bryn is still evolving but I think she will fall somewhere in the middle of these two.
I do worry about socializing them. How will they make friends? Who will their friends be since they'll be at home while everyone else in school?
There are a few things we do have in our favor.
1. They will be involved in a homeschool gymnastics class and I have asked for them to be in a class where there are ages close to where they are.
2. They are at church on Sunday and Wednesdays.
3. My future plan is to find a coop for us to join to hang out with other kiddos who are homeschooled.
4. I know many moms who homeschool so for me, it will be having to be diligent to pursue these relationships, even if it means me stepping out of my comfort zone.

One article I read said that kiddos who have awkard parents, whether they are in public school or homeschool, will be awkard. Here's hoping I'm not awkward. Feel free to check back in year to see how we fair.
"What most people  mean by "socialization" is simply socializing. And they regard children are not in school as being deprived of this opportunity. However, studies show that homeschooled children participate in more activities than the average child." (Free Range Learning)
"A homeschooler who interacts with parents and siblings more than with peers displays self-confidence, self-respect, and self-worth. She knows she's part of a family unit that needs, wants, and depends on her. The result is an independent thinker who isn't influenced by peers and is self-directed in her actions and thoughts." (Social Skills and Homeschooling: Myths and Facts)

The Home School Mom had a great article about homeschooling and socialization, highly recommend you take a couple minutes to read over it.

Please hear, I am not against public school. I am not pulling my kiddos out of public school (charter) because I am against it. I do, however, don't want misconceptions formed that my kids won't be socialized because I have made a personal choice to teach them.

Each family follows the path that God gives them. He has chosen homeschooling and whether it be for the rest of their education or for a season, either way, I will be faithful. He knitted these littles together in my womb, he knows them full well. He knew their bent, their design, their personality, and he determined that it would be best for all of us to be home. And so, I walk in faith that he will socialize them as he sees fit and I am to be faithful to the good works he has prepared in advance.

Homeschool Curriculum Choices

I have spent a lot of time researching and talking to other HS moms and have made a choice for curriculum for our girls. I will include those we did not choose because they might work for you!

Abbie: 3rd Grade
Bob Jones University (BJU) 3rd grade reading (mostly for the book portion)
BJU Math
Cursive Handwriting book
Writing Strands Level 3
Explode the Code Level 4
First Language Lessons Level 2

Ellie: Kinder
BJU Math
D'Nealian Handwriting Book (went with this method since they've been doing it in Kinder. Didn't want to switch her up).
Explode the Code Level 1
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

For Both of them:
Five in a Row (FIAR) This will incorporate our "formal" reading and tie in History, Geography, Language and Science. I do want to add in experiments during the week.

For next fall I will add an formal history using The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times and Science using Apologia Exploring Creating with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures. They each will have their journal for this.

If you're new to looking for curriculum, try the publishers website then search on Amazon which will typically give you a better deal and if you're Prime, FREE shipping. Also, Mardel does run sales on their HS curriculum (that's where I bought Explode the Code for pretty cheap) but overall, they tend to be higher in price. If you get their emails, there are coupons and you can usually get 1 item for 25-30% off.
My favorite place is Home Educator's Resource in Lewisville. They sell new/used HS books and such. Even found some of my FIAR books from here for $3! They are super nice and so helpful there. I asked a million questions and they answered every one!

Curriculum that I did not use but have looked at:

Math:

Math U See    

Saxon     

Teaching Textbooks (TT)

Right Start

Math on the Level

Life of Fred

History (not yet at least):
Notgrass

Reading: 

The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading

Writing:

The Complete Writing: Writing with Ease 

There is so much out there that one can get overwhelmed. I chose to pick and choose in lieu of a boxed set. My goal is to start leaning toward more of a classical curriculum and some of these choices do allow this, though not all. It's all about balance and what is right for your family. 

And finally, if you're thinking of HS, read these two books now. 

A Thomas Jefferson Education 

A Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home  (This book covers pre-k through HS)

A New Season

There is new season upon the Vinson family and not just fall, which happens to be my favorite, but a season of change. Lots of changes. And for one who does not like change, this is sanctification in warp speed for me.
Over the summer Brian and I began to discuss homeschooling, a topic that is not new. We have many friends who homeschool and love it (at least, they seem to!). And the seed began to grow, that we will homeschool our girls. Of course, I met this with a bit of resistance and began to research curriculum after curriculum. I talked/wrote many moms who homeschooled to see what they did, what they liked or didn't like and began to create lists of ideas for every subject and then began to delve into those to find what I think would work best for our girls.
I made a pros and cons list for home school vs. charter school still not certain that the Lord would really ask me to take them out of school that we love, love, love. I will be an advocate for Vista because it's awesome. We are not pulling from this school for any reason other than the Lord has spoken a command over our family and our response is to obey.
I began to feel an angst in my soul that I can not explain other than if you've experienced the Lord asking you to do something and you didn't really want to do but he wouldn't let up till you did. I finally resigned to the fact that he was asking me to do this. And yes, I have a teaching background, but teaching your own kids? Ha! After saying yes, it came down to the timing. We had thought we would start next school year but began to feel better about starting in January and began to second guess ourselves. Curriculum is bought, we know the Lord has asked us, why are we waiting? We then decided to start the first week of November and let the girls be home for the holidays and begin our new way of educating.
Here is one thing I do know, just because the Lord has asked me to do this does not guarantee it will be easy. Part of me is really excited, the other part terrified. I can easily walk the what-if road of all the things that could go wrong. God has been very clear about this calling and he has graciously answered my request for clarity so I know that I am right where I need to be.
The girls are excited. We have our "school" room set up, desks, book shelves, lamps. It is fun to see it all put together and I pray over their desks as I clean them, that the Lord would bless them, bless the girls, and be part of this whole homeschool thing.
I would be remiss not to mention the moms who have been so incredibly helpful (they may not even read this blog, but a huge thanks is still in order!): Nissi, Amanda, Jess, Emily, Kristen, Dawn, and Robin who has poured more time into mentoring me than I dare mention!

Worst End of the School Year Mom Conviction

I am sure by now you have read Worst End of School Year Mom Ever and if you haven't, you should. It was me this year. Don't know why but I just ran out of steam and said many times, "I can't wait for summer!" We did a lot of auditory reading, and checking the folder? Um, folder? I claimed to not have received an important paper to fill out and return and Abbie's teacher lovingly said it was in the folder. Oh, that folder! 
But today the Lord convicted me. I will not take away from what Jen wrote, it describes me. But I want to add. In the midst of the chaos of end of school, what did I teach my girls? Did I teach them to persevere? Did I teach them to lean into Jesus when we just wanted to be done? Did I teach them to continue to be diligent in their work and continue to do what was asked, actually reading for 20 minutes a day? 
No, I didn't. I had summer on the brain and began to just survive. I didn't teach my girls to persevere even when we (I) didn't feel like it. I didn't teach them to honor God in the midst of busyness and to work with eager hands.  I had the end in mind and that is what kept me going, not truly walking in the day to day craziness and allowing myself to be a vessel of hope and truth that praised God that we have 'free' education, teachers who care, activities to enjoy, friends to hang out with, birthdays to celebrate, cars to get us where needed to go, and so on. I forgot God. Sure, I prayed in the morning, "Lord help me!" But after my cry to him I went about the day on my strength and only turned to him when I was at my wits end. He wanted me to be his, communicating with him from sunup to sundown trusting him to carry the burden and the load and all the little things that just had to be done. He wanted to be part of it. But I didn't invite him in. I had summer on the brain. 
Hindsight is 20/20, that is truth. My question for myself is how to move forward. I think it might just begin with repentance, asking God to forgive me for trying to do it all and grumbling about "having" to do it all, possibly, most likely, telling the girls that I did not honor in this season by working diligently and asking for their forgiveness, and then, next year when this all happens again, that I am reminded of His goodness and grace and I invite him into all the end of the year milestones. 

Rules, Rules, Rules

I love rules. I really do. Rules tell me what I can or cannot do. It gives me boundaries. The problem with rules for me is they are set in stone. I am quick to judge those who break rules but even quicker to justify my failures. Yes, a love/hate relationship with rules.

Luke 11: 37-52 are the woes to the Pharisees and Lawyers.

The Pharisees get three woes:
1. hypocrisy: tithe everything, even herbs, but neglect to do justice and love God.
2. love for the best seat in the house: they like the praise of others
3. like unmarked graves: those who follow Pharisees are deceived, they lead others astray.

Then it's the Lawyers' turn.
1. They interpret the law, make them hard to bear, but won't even help people keep the law.
2. Hypocrisy for building monuments to the prophets, of "whom they will kill and persecute."
3. Condemned for their interpretation of Scripture that "have taken away the key of knowledge" to understand God's plan of salvation and "hinder those entering in."

I find myself in both. I am like the Pharisee at times who makes sure the outside of the cup is clean, but my heart is not in the right place (vs. 39). I like to "look" a certain way or get a certain response and be praised for what I have done instead of basking in what He has done.

And sometimes, more than I like, I impose rules upon my girls, like the lawyers, expecting them to follow, but not helping them burden the weight of them. Can you say convicting? I set rules to keep routine and stability in the home, sometimes like a drill sergeant, "Do this, do that!" I don't enter into the rules myself, teaching them why they are good, how they help us, why they are needed, and how they can move their little hearts to  actually like the rules. Instead, like the lawyers, I "do not touch the the burden with on your fingers." (vs. 46).

It should not be. Rules haven't saved me. They never can, never will. Only the righteousness of Christ has saved me and out of a deep love and revere for knowing him more deeply, serving him more joyfully, I follow the rules. It's out of an overflow of my heart that has been transformed that I am able to love the rules and appreciate them and know that when consequences come, it is for my good, his joy, even when it hurts.

My girls need me to enter in, to lift a finger, heck, a hand, to hold them, show them how rules are out of a joy and respect and walk with them until God transforms their heart and makes them his.

I must not take away the key of knowledge needed to understand God's plan of salvation. I have entered in and been saved, but they have not. I must do what I can, empowered by the Spirit, trusting in the Lord, to make sure they have heard and know God and pray fervently that he lights that on fire and just blows up their hearts and mind with who he is.

With God...

I am going through the book of Luke with Good Morning Girls Living Like Jesus and this morning the focus verses were Luke 1: 37-38. 

For nothing will be impossible with God.”  And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

The angel had just told Mary she was to have a baby and nothing was impossible with God and Mary's humble response was that she was a servant, let it be. 

The verse that stood out to me was, "nothing will be impossible with God." God opened my eyes a bit to help me understand this a bit more in my life. There are many things I try to get done and I often have a list of things, then I get burdened by the list and there is no joy and I get upset that others aren't helping me with my list of things or are getting in the way. Frustration builds or I just wonder why I try to do it all. It can be from having a clean home, cooking good nutritious meals for my family, bringing my girls up in the Lord, serving others, working out to take care of my body, budgeting well, and fill in the blank with what you are trying to do. And we say, with God, this won't be impossible! Yet, we're exhausted. But I think we cling wrongly to that promise because we need to step back and ask, is this call to do these things from God? If they are from God, I do think they will be possible and if they are from us, there's going to be some friction. 

I will cling to the promise that nothing is impossible with God, when he's ordained it. Yes, raising my kids in the Lord is from God, a biblical call on my life, it will be tough, but not impossible. 

My response, like Mary, is to humble myself, remember I am a servant of the great high King and the things he calls into being in my life won't be impossible as I walk with him.