A Resolution

As I prepare my children for this upcoming school year, I've chosen a way to prepare my own heart for homeschooling.  This is my Homeschool Resolution, a prayer full of reminders, that has found it's place on the wall of our schoolroom.

I will start our days with peace.  Through prayer and example, our days and our home will not be filled with chaos.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known unto God.  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

I will teach you, first of God’s love.  His words and promises will be the foundation of our hearts.

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the ways, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of the house, and on the gates.  Deuteronomy 6:7-9

      I will be intentionally patient.    

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.  Proverbs 3:3

I will remember that letting the Holy Spirit correct me is the only way I’ll be able to properly correct you.

My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction.  For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.  Proverbs 3:11-12

When discouraged, I will turn that into trust.

Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.  Proverbs 22:6

I will daily give your life to the Lord, knowing His love and plans for you are perfect.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Jeremiah 29:11

If you act out, I will draw you closer.  I will openly love and encourage you in your struggles.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.  1 John 1:5

I will keep learning beside you, growing, and letting His strength be made perfect in my weakness.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  2 Corinthians 12:9

Leading you by example, I will apologize, seek forgiveness, and change when I do something wrong.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  1 John 1:9

I will praise and thank Him daily for letting me spend my days teaching and loving YOU!

Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Feel free to copy and bring this Resolution into your own homes!

I must take a minute to share with you what a great surprise my Grandma, the kids' Great Grandma, sent our way!  Not only did this shower us with her love and affection, but it gave me a boost of confidence from her.  One of the women I look up to the most is behind us in our new journey! She found a perfect, fun way to show us all that she'll be one of biggest cheerleaders!  We received a package full of school supplies!  Thank you Grandma for stocking our school room!

What a great gift this was to get, as it said so much more than just the wonderful items themselves!  This would be a great way to lift up that homeschooling Mom close to you if you're looking for gift ideas!  

A Life Change

It started a couple of years ago.  That small whisper in my heart, the right people in our lives, and an idea that our home and family life could be so much more complete than it was.  And like those trusted women I spoke too, I began a journey to this place.

They all told me that it hadn't originally been in their plans.  Homeschooling that is.  And time again I heard stories of how defenses went up, their ideas fought with God's plan for their life, and in the end...how they surrendered to this calling. 

I didn't fight it plainly by saying no.  I never said that this wouldn't be for us.  As a desire to teach my children grew, each and every reason NOT to browsed through our family's ideas.  I reasoned through each one of them.

"Maybe when they're older."
"Maybe after she learns to read."
"We'll let the baby go to Pre-School first."
"I'll get our schedule more organized and us on a better routine before we go there"

And the one that ALWAYS, each and every time, stayed in the center of these other thoughts?

" I have a heart for this.  One day, just not now, we will homeschool."

And there it was and there it stayed.  I continued to learn and research, my desire growing.  I prayed.  I studied scripture.  I journaled my thoughts.  And I decided that yes, I want to homeschool my children.  So I specifically asked God to show me.  Is this what I'm supposed to do?

I'll never forget the way He moved after that prayer.  In the way only He can, so clearly and so real.  I was in church later that week and I heard a scripture that about knocked me out of my pew.  It was one of those moments where if you had been watching, you could have seen the shake of my head, the widening of my eyes, and the expression of just being spiritually 'slapped in the face' if you will!  I heard the scripture loud and clear. 

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.   Deuteronomy 6:7-9

There it was.  God's answer rang perfectly with every thought, feeling, and idea that had been weighing on my heart.  This was exactly what He was telling me to do.  And then....another unnamed influence brought this once again to a screeching halt.  It wasn't bad, it wasn't wrong, it was just another part of our journey towards coming home.  It was okay, just a reminder that we still weren't quite there yet.  And I surrendered.  I clearly told God 'ok', that I was on board with His decision, and surrendered myself to the place in my life where He had me. 

What came next changed everything.  That final, undeniable change that stepped us into this new part of our lives.  Every comfort and security of our current situation had vanished.  I can't say that it was a surprise.  Because once again, our good Lord had prepared me for it.  Through uncomfortable, seemingly silly events that led up to this....things were made very clear.  When the bomb dropped, I was grateful to have the past few months of 'lessons learned' and people's true hearts shown.  Though they had been challenging, it was these things that had prepared me for what was happening next.  These things, these 'interactions' and realization about people and things that made the truth crystal clear.  I DID NOT have to doubt what was wrong and what was right.  I only had to close my eyes and thank Him, once again, for preparing me and making things perfectly align with scripture and His guidance, before the 'changes' ever even took place.

I clung close to Him, I lost myself in His perfect word, I prayed harder than I've prayed in a long time, and.... I listened.  He laid the groundwork, he paved the path, and he prepared our hearts long before the storm of change came our way.  So it was with great peace in my heart that the decision was made.  Everything that has happened since this time has only been a reassurance, small reminders, and boosts of confidence, that we are exactly where we are supposed to be! 

 After every storm comes new growth.  When days get hectic, as I'm sure they will, I will cling to His promises.  And I will remember, just how faithful and good He has been to our family!  He has brought us here, and He will guide our way.  In the meantime, my heart is full of joy and excitement!  I can't wait to see what is in store in our home, and I look forward to sharing all of the true lessons of the heart that He sends our way!

Moving Along

Less than 3 weeks from now our oldest boy will be having surgery.  As nerves begin to rattle a bit and more questions come from his heart, I prepare him as best we can.  Summer.  I help focus him on summer and enjoying these long, hot days before school begins.  Jesus.  It all comes back to Him, how grateful I am to have our family foundation of faith to help my little boy stand upon.  See, those questions fade and he knows, even in his young heart, that we have Him greater than us to guide our way.  So the nerves settle, and summer carries on.  Please keep Aiden in your prayers as this is a big thing for an 8 year old boy to face.  I am proud of him already and will post updates when that time comes. 

In the meantime, we continue to prepare ourselves for school.  I love watching this come together.  With every piece of organization, resource discovered, and lesson plan, I find something even greater.  Confidence.  With a deeper understanding that this is exactly where God wants us to be, comes that  sweet peace of watching the heartbeat of our home fall into its perfect place.  Even with ideal routines not yet completely established, I find glimpses of a wonderful year ahead.

Assurance of being in God's will.  Peace in knowing we've followed Him into what's right for our family.  Understanding that He's had life under control through everything sweet and everything bitter.  Confidence through seeing how prepared He's made us.  Living grace through how He's guided and provided through following His direction.  Growth through standing for Him, His word, and what He's whispered in my heart as being true and right.  THAT is what I thank Him for today.

I was reminded this weekend of how roots must be strong in order for a tree to bear much fruit.  Reminded again and again in only that amazing way that He can-by bringing the same truths into our lives repeatedly.  In only ways and circumstances that He can.  And today I stand on His reminder and promises.  I can hardly wait to watch this next year unfold!

And the remnant that is escaped the house of Judah shall yet again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.  2 Kings 19:30

                 And for a peak into our schoolroom in the making...

Probably my favorite part of our schoolroom is these chairs!  A little background will help you understand!  My Grandpa passed in January of this year.  This man will always be such a huge part of our lives and hearts!  I grew up so close to him, learning more from him than I could ever tell you.  He was a part of my daily life, my school life, and as I said above...my heart!  Him and my Grandma gave me these old folding chairs when I first moved out on my own.  I've hung onto them as they're so sturdy and have come in handy time and time again.  He put his initials on the bottom, so that's another small but priceless thing he left behind!  And come to find out, these chairs were actually given to him by HIS father.  So, the kids' school chairs actually belonged to their Great, Great Grandpa Oscar. 

I first took the chairs apart, which will vary with the type of chair you are refurbishing.  For us it was as simple as 4 screws, then popping the cushion part of the seat out of a second part of the frame.

I spray painted the frame-both pieces (the seat isn't pictured).  It took 4 coats, a little less than one can of paint per chair.

Then I covered the cushion with duct fabric from Hobby Lobby.  This proved to be thicker and therefore will be more durable for everyday use.  I've seen in other tutorials that crafters use staple guns for this step.  As our seat was metal, I opted for a high temp hot glue gun.  The trick is to pull the fabric tight at each step and to cut off as much excess fabric as possible, as this cushion was afterward popped back into the seat frame.

Piece it all back together and we have the final result!  LOVE THEM!

 

 

 Now for a bit of resources/organization to share with you....

 

I refuse to raise couch potatoes.  I not only want my children to stay active, fit, and healthy-but I also want their days to be filled with fresh air and the boost we get from physical activity!  Our curriculum encourages this as something we should add-and I completely agree.  So our school days will include P.E. 

I made a set of 'P.E. Pick A Card's.  The kids (or Mama, depending on the day) will choose a card filled with various activities.  If we have leftover time, they can choose a game to play.  I'll continue to add to this deck of cards as we see what works best.  They also include cards for 'Indoor Days' when good old Louisiana weather will get the best of us!

Master Lesson Plans-COMPLETE!  I've found a wonderful, and free online home school planner.  It's loaded with resources for planning and record keeping.  Click here to visit Mardel's A Simple Plan Online.  And, it's all printable, which will serve well for my record keeping!  I spent a few days making both kids' master lesson plans for the entire year.  I put the master pages into page protectors and have them in my binder with their course instructions!  So week by week, I'll be able to look and see where we need to be!  This will also help tremendously with their weekly lesson plans.  It was a lot of work, but will serve to keep us on track and let me focus weekly on teaching and their learning!

 

And YES, we are upside down-just work with me here :).  I've finished the kids' weekly lesson plans for the first 2 weeks of school.  It's helped me get acquainted with their specific subjects and texts, along with feeling out how our weeks will flow.  Using the same online program, I was able to print a list of their weekly assignments.  This will serve as a guide, but will also be great for my grading system.  I can enter grades for graded work and reprint the list at the end of the week to include these grades!  Their completed work and grades will be filed by the week!  The handwritten lesson plans include the actual 'guts' of what needs to be covered-these pages came from the CLASS Lesson Planner and include space for notes on what will still need review, etc.  And lastly, their worksheets for that week are pulled and attached!  I feel really good about this system and think it will serve us well!

 School in the Whitten home will begin August 19th!  The countdown is on!

Schoolroom In The Making

It's Official!!!

Aiden & Gracie are now enrolled in their homeschool program and our schoolroom has begun to come to life!  Both kids completed testing for placement and to have their curriculum customized.  I've filed with the state.  I'm now patiently waiting for their books and my teaching resources to be selected and shipped!  So while we hurry up and wait, I wanted to give you a glimpse into aesthetics....

 

(Now remember, this is still a work in progress!)

 

 

This is my desk and work area.  Tons of storage and organization hidden within!  According to Tommy, this is his (the principal as he's informed the kids) area.

 

This will be Aiden's work area.  I figure it's best to keep him in his own space to focus more on the work he'll be doing at his grade level.  However....I still need to come up with something to make this space 'his'.  Still turning my wheels on that one.

 

This will be the little kids' work area.  For Cass, he will be able to come and go as he pleases, as we're not officially starting him on any curriculum.  But this way, he will have a place when he wants to be involved.  I know very well what's required for PreK and will be giving him activities to prepare him! 

 

Now the chairs are another story and something that I"m VERY excited about!  The chairs (we will bring in another for Aiden) belonged to my Grandpa who passed this last January.  They were handed down to me to use years ago.  I've found directions to revamp them and they will fit perfectly in the room when I do.  The cushions will be redone in the same fabric pictured below-which will also be used to make the valance and covered cork boards.  The body of the chairs will be painted the same yellow in the pattern of the fabric!  I can't wait to share before and after pics!

 

 

And onto organization....

 

 

I took this shoe organizer and filled it with supplies, then simply printed labels onto card stock and hot glued them on!  Easy, simple, and efficient!

 

 

I was amazed at how many resources we already own!  Going through the kids' rooms, I've gathered so many valuable, educational tools and books that we've had here all along!  They are stored in this cabinet!  The organizer atop will shelf an 'inbox' for Tommy's paperwork that come in while he's working, for my things to grade and such, then one for each of the children!  The storage bins will hold extra books, etc. that will be needed for assignments.  They will be able to go here daily and find everything required for the lessons planned.  Once we get into the school year and feel things out, I'll know just how many lessons to have work pulled for in advance!

 

 

These have been fun to remake for the kids!  Aiden's isn't quite finished so I will be posting pictures of it later!  We had these old, battered, and outgrown responsibility charts that we no longer used!  They came with magnetic labels and 'stickers'.  So, we personalized them.  Gracie helped to paint her labels and glue on the pompoms.  These will be used for their daily 'checklists'.  Once each days schoolwork and chores are accomplished....then they can choose to do other things.  I figure it will give them a visual (and help me keep up too) of what needs done before TVs get turned on, games get played, etc...

 

This is their 'achievement' wall.  I'm not sure I like the location or look yet, so it may be changed up some.  But the concept is a MUST in our schoolroom.  I'm a firm believer that it's not only my responsibility to educate them, but to help them be involved, active, and committed to things other than school and home life!  And my kids have a lot to be proud of!  So I figured this was a great way to incorporate this into our school room and serve as a reminder of all they've accomplished and everything they have to look forward to!

 

 

I couldn't resist posting this last picture!  Cass came to me today and said, "Mama, JoJo needs me."  He then proceeded to lay down next to him and read his book to our sweet CottonEye Joe.  I'm excited to see just what little man will think of school here next year!  He already loves having everybody home together again-and so do I!  I hope he'll enjoy being little, playing, and learning at his own pace this year leading up to starting him with curriculum the next school year.  I'm a firm believer in structure and high expectations for my children's learning.  But for this year....he gets to stay little and play all he wants to! 

 

Coming Soon....

 

We will be moving a futon into the room, it will go under the window.

Binders!!!  I'm excited to put together both kids' and my own personalized lesson planners.

 

I will update as we continue our preparations!

I'd love to hear suggestions from anyone who has to share! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Summertime

 

Sweet Summer Time

 

 

 

Favorite Gracie Moment....  A walk on the beach with just my baby girl and me!  We walked, we talked, we danced, and we played!  It was OUR time, the rest of life stayed frozen while we made a forever memory!

 Favorite Aiden Memory.... We did it when no man said it was possible!  With an exam glove, garbage sack, saran wrap, and angry bird duct tape, we successfully kept his cast sand and water free!  Although, after such an ordeal, the beach calls our names once again for another visit...without a cast!  This picture captures his curiosity as he tries to capture a little sea creature that stealthfully dodged into the sand!

Favorite Cass Moment....  I would say this picture says it all.  There's something sweet, priceless, and irreplaceable about the baby of the bunch!  I love these little arms wrapped around my neck!  The ocean was a little too big for his liking, but playing in the sand was a whole different story!

 

How I love these kids and will cherish this trip with them forever!  Thanks to Daddy for shipping us off to sand and waves!

 

Two of our favorite people!  This picture is definitely a framer!  Love them and hope this Mama and kids getaway turns into an annual event!

 

 

With only one day left of June, it does seem summer is flying by!  We are enjoying every moment of just being together and being home again!  It never fails to amaze me at how God knows exactly what we need before anything in our life even comes our way!  I have so much to be thankful for today, everyday.

 

1.  God's grace, provision, and all knowing presence in our home!

2.  A husband I love that does anything to take care of us!

3.  Parenting grace....when I rock, and when I need 'redirected'!

4.  Coming home for good....my heart is here, with this man, these children, and in our home!

5.  Watching God's plan unfold in our homeschooling journey...coming this fall!!!!

 

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart;  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.   And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 

 

6.  The awe at realizing I once again underestimated the heart of one of our children!

7.  Going back to LifeChoices, a ministry both to others, but so very much to me also!

8.  That every trial has had it's purpose, and seeing how the Lord protects us, teaches us, and separates us from the wordly through those times!

9.  Being part of a new, growing church, and seeing how God has prepared and provided for this long before it came to be!

10.  Daily realization of who I am in HIM!

 

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:  that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 

John 15:16

Parenting Grace

 

So blessed to have this man in our lives, over our home, and always in or corner.  If you would have asked me years ago, I'd have easily told you it would get easier for him to be away from home.  And I believed that.  Silly girl.

 

We have done our duty when it comes to sippy cups, late night feedings, and potty training.  But now, the real 'parenting' begins.  Learning to ride a bike, late nights at the ball park, and early morning soccer games have become our days.  As special as it is to watch these kids grow, succeed, and master their gifts, that too is the easy part.

 

 

When I see a challenge or insecurity in their sweet eyes, I ache with understanding.  These small, innocent people are beginning to face the life lessons that I relate to even now.  Making friends, keeping good ones and protecting our hearts from those in disguise.  Learning it's okay to not be accepted by all in the world around us.  Striving to do our best, even when we don't want to. 

 

I pray they only learn from my good attributes and that the Lord help them not to pick up my weaknesses.  And I thank Him that I too am learning, learning from the same small hearts I try to teach daily. 

 

I'm learning that when I want to scream about one of these kids' behavior, that is my cue to draw them closer.  To hold them tighter and to love them harder.  Kind of the same as my savior does to me, such an unworthy me.  Grace.

The small things.  At times they just don't matter.  Other moments they bring the greatest teaching opportunities...for child and me.  Each moment an opportunity of grace, a way to let Christ shine.
Today I won't hurry, I will strive to be slow to anger and quick to love.  I will listen to that still, strong voice in place of the hurry of the world.

That same concept of drawing my children closer when I want to anger...it applies to others too.  Have I really slowed and prayed like I need to?  For my family and friends, of course.  For those I don't consider such...no.  When appalled by someones behavior, I need to stop and pull them closer too.  Not closer in touch, but closer in prayer.  I've been very good, very good at not doing this.  How sad because isn't that what we've needed in the past too?  Still probably need more often that we'd like to accept.  My answer is yes, and yes again. 

I love the Lord, I love my husband, and I love these kids.  Today, I will strive to love those I'd rather not.  To love them especially through prayer. 

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you, and persecute you

Matthew 5:44

 



Counting Gifts

I read a book.  It changed me.  So today I give thanks.  Thanks for it all, good and what may seem a challenge.  When we close our hand tight in control, it snuff's out God's freely given joy.  So today, I open mine wide to let His grace flow. 

 1.  Her Daddy to love.  The time away he sacrifices to take such good care of us.

2.  Blue, innocent, bright eyes that love and nurture us all with simple joy.

4.  Little boy boots and the places they tread



 

5.  Innocence and wonder, always!

 

6.  A new time for us. Being so full of now that we can't miss yesterday



7.  His growing independence

 

8.  Another of 365 days of loving each other

9.  The smile when he woke up to find his Valentine

10.  Eyes and a smile that light up our days, hearts, and lives

11. Fun times and new experiences, watching them grow

12.  Friends and family.  Those who love us always.  The ones that want to be here but distance won't allow.  Those who choose to be here, a part of our lives.  And those whom God has allowed the choice to not be in our lives-for He knows what we don't and always what is best!

 

13.  Healing.  In, of, and from the body of Christ.

14.  Our dogs

15.  Answered prayers

16.  The peace of knowing there's no such thing as unanswered prayers, only better ways

17.  The gift of counting

 

 

Count with me?  The good.  The bad.  The joy.  The sorrow.  The hard.  The exciting.  The beauty.  The everything.  For all is a gift, even when wrapped in what we see as hardship and tears.  This gift of counting, this book that has changed me, this author whose heart touches mine, these words that God has used to transform, this new way of seeing God.....can be found gracefully in the following pages....

 

The One Thousand Gifts Blog

Where I first discovered