Speaking of 2nd chances...

I wish I could have a do-over.  At the State Fair last week, we stopped at a booth that had fossils and rocks.  The man behind the counter started telling us about the millions of years ago.  I stopped him mid-sentence and said, "You mean thousands of years."  He asked something about why we don't believe in evolution, and I said, "We believe the Bible's account in Genesis 1."  But I said it so smugly and condescendingly.  :(  I should have been kinder and asked him questions.  I should have shared my faith bravely yet in love.  But I didn't.  Since then, I have thought of countless other ways I could have said something, countless things I could have - should have said.  This morning at church, the words of the liturgy in the confession of sins was such a comfort - that though I screwed up, God forgives me and offers me another opportunity in His own good time.

And, since God is a God of miracles and 2nd chances, and because I know that His Word does not return to Him void, I have been praying for that man - that my words would cause him to wonder, to search, to question and doubt his own beliefs.  That another person can continue where I left off, awkwardly though it may have been.  That the seed I haphazardly strew might find water and nourishment and grow.  I pray God tugs on this man's heart and leads him to the Truth and to Christ.

And I hope you'll join me in praying for him.

Putting God first - every day

I've been working hard at getting my books in order.  I mean, REALLY hard.  Anyone who knows me knows how much I love books, and I have quite a few.....  My favorite pastimes are digging through them, reading them, and searching for more golden treasures.  I have a lot of books.  I am a bookaholic.  And I love admitting that.  Ha!

And you know, I realized something this morning during Bible class.  We were discussing things that get in the way of keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus (we were studying Hebrews 12).  As we were talking, it dawned on me that my books and getting the house organized and planning for school has taken a priority over being in God's Word daily.  Yikes!  What a humbling moment to realize that.  It's so easy to get sucked into things that don't really matter, even as you're trying to be all He wants you to be for Him.  How does that happen????  Oh, yeah - sin....  So glad God is a God of second chances - and third, and fourth, and 77th, and millionth....

So I need to get back into the habit of reading His Word daily before bed with my hubby.  And the kids and I need to get back into our habit of daily devotions (granted, this is worked into our school schedule, but we've been off all summer...  Time to get back into our routines!).  And Hubby and I really need to work out a way to fit in family devotions every day.

Family vs. Sports

I've seen a few posts lately on FB regarding the family dinner vs. sports and other activities, especially as the kids get older.  I thought I'd offer my own thoughts on the subject.  Now, I'll warn you, this is definitely not the popular opinion, and I probably will get flak for it, but hey, it's my blog and my opinion.  :)

Some parents have each of their children in multiple sports/activities throughout the week.  And then they complain that they don't have time for a family dinner anymore.  But it's "not fair to the kids" to take them out of said sports/activities, even if these activities are costing them an arm and a leg to be in dollar-wise, and a priceless amount family time-wise.

So here is my suggestion.  Cut back to 1 activity at a time per child.  See if that fixes your problem.  It may not...  But it may, depending on the activity(ies) they end up with and how many kids you have.  It's tough to choose a favorite sport/activity, but how else can one get really, really good at something if they don't concentrate on it?  If this does not solve the problem, then take them out altogether, or choose a different activity on a different day or in a different time slot.

Honestly, unless the child is planning on playing or doing that activity professionally as an adult after college (if they choose to attend), do they really need to be in it?  Of course not.  I, for one, know for a fact that neither of my 2 oldest girls will be professional gymnasts after college, nor will they be going to the Olympics.  But they love it!  If their practices or meets as they get older get in the way of family time, I'll have them choose an activity that does not hinder our time.  I am a jealous mom about family time, and I guard it viciously.  I absolutely hate it when my husband isn't home from work in time to eat with us, and it bugs me when he eats somewhere else (TV or computer).

I believe God will provide in His timing exactly what my children will need to become the adults He wants them to become.  So if Angel needs art lessons, and the one she really wants just won't work out for our schedule, then another one that in the long run will be much more important will come along.  If Bug Girl needs robot lessons, she'll get them - when it works out for us as a family.  Same with dance class for Peanut.  And whatever will come up for Trouble.

And when you really think about it, "it's not fair to the kids" is really a bad excuse.  What about all those kids around the world, 50 years ago, even today's inner-city kids?  Really?  "It's not fair?" 

Also, over-scheduling kids is agreed by the experts to NOT help kids.  It stresses them out, can knock their grades down (lack of sleep and proper nutrition), and actually can hurt their self-esteem rather than building them up like parents like to think they're doing.  Go figure - less is more.

Family time is so much more important than a short-term "fun" activity.  I urge all parents to let go of the "status quo," "but everyone's doing it," "but what will their/my friends say" mentality and focus on what is truly, really important in the long run - the relationships within your own home.

Are electronic devices taking over your life, too?

I read this post this evening and was convicted.  I have been on the computer and my phone WAY too much lately.  Really need to stop that...  Just when I get started back on my blog again...  Ironic, isn't it?

So here is my plan:

1. The phone will be turned "off" from 7am - 8pm. (I still have to have it on for emergencies, and there are appointments to make and things like that, but I will not answer the phone except for emergencies.)
2. I will keep my computer off until all 4 kids are in bed.  The last child goes at 9pm.  Wow, that will be such a huge change, especially since I head to bed no later than 10pm.  I will really have to keep my priorities straight so I can get whatever work done that needs to be done on the computer before my time is up.  No staying up late!  I'll have to start doing more work on paper - the old-fashioned way!
3. I will include myself in my kids' activities throughout the day, or at least be there with them watching them, even if I'm just reading outside while they play next to me or in the yard.
4. I will never be too busy to help them, listen to them, guide them, explore with them, hold them, love them.  I will not get so involved in my own activities and work that I forget to be a mother first and foremost.
5. I will include them in my life, as well, so that we can get our work done together so that we can go play together.

Of course, I'm not perfect, so I know this will not happen all the time.  But from now on, I am going to try really hard to follow these.  In fact, I'll print them out and tape them to the top of my computer, the wall by my bed, and anywhere else I end up on my phone when I shouldn't be (like the kitchen while I'm cooking - don't ask how many times I've burned things because I forgot I had something in the oven while I was playing on my phone - it's as bad as leaving the kitchen!).

I challenge you to put down the phone and turn off the computer and engage with your children.  We only have them with us for a little while, and the time goes so fast.  Soon they will be gone from our next, and we will miss them.  Will we regret the time we had with them, or will we look back with fondness?  How about our children?  What will they remember about us during their childhood?

Doing Science Charlotte's Way

Got back from the Living Education Retreat in Windom, MN this past weekend just full of new ideas and so much inspiration!  I anticipate the best school year yet happening...  :)

So this weekend focused on Science.  Ah, the dreaded subject of dry textbooks and even drier experiments....  Or is it?  Does it really have to be dry and boring?  Does it have to be dull?  Do the experiments have to be pre-canned and only work like "magic" with no relevance to real life?

According to Charlotte Mason, the answer is a resounding NO!  Studying nature in detail, drawing or painting it, narrating it, reading real living books on a variety of subjects - these will all inspire students to create their own experiments and their own "Aha!" moments.

So what does one use in the study of science in a Charlotte Mason education?  Nature!  Get out there, even in your own yard, and ID things you've never seen before.  Draw them in your nature notebook in as much detail as you can, then write about it.  Collect things that interest you - rocks, feathers, seashells, insects, you name it!  In your Book of Firsts, record the day you see the first spring robin and flower, the day you see the first snowflake, the weather that day, precipitation, moon phases.  Compare them from year to year.  As you read, write down info on scientists and discoveries in your Book of Centuries.  Pay attention to current events related to science, such as space exploration or new species being discovered.  Read, read, read lots and lots of living books.  These stories are intriguing, in story form, and if they have illustrations, they are works of art and beautiful.  These books lead students to conduct their very own experiments ("hmm, how can a wire under water transmit sound???  Does that really work?  Let's try it!").  Students record their observations in their lab books, a journal of their scientific discoveries.  The teacher spreads the feast of books and opportunities - the student makes all the connections on his or her own.

I see this happening every single day with my children.  They read constantly, and they're constantly acting things out that they've read about or trying something they read in a book.  It's not just play-acting history or literature, but they are experimenting with the world around them.  They are studying God's majestic creation as they look at flowers or bugs or even just dig in the dirt.  They are keeping that sense of wonder about creation that most of us have lost with a traditional approach to science education.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to attend the Retreat and learn more about Charlotte's incredible philosophy of education.  And I know I will learn even more next year!

If at first you don't succeed....

Let's try this again, shall we?  Maybe I'll actually keep up with it this time.  :)

So Matt's away on a business trip this week.  I am sad.  Lonely.  A little frustrated.  In need of a break.  And some grown-up talk.  But tomorrow is Wednesday already, and he comes home on Friday.  I'm trying to keep busy, on purpose, but it is actually very difficult.  I didn't know it would be so tough to actually DO the things I was going to do to stay busy.  I have a new-found respect and awe for moms who do this 24/7 as single moms or military wives, and for those who do it often due to their husband's business trips.  I have also discovered (though I think I knew this already) that I cannot survive without my hubby.  I went to hang up our new dry-erase board and found I needed to drill the holes for the screws.  Don't know how to work the drill...  Don't know how to mow the lawn, but luckily Matt had already arranged that to be done by the neighbor kid.  Even just having to bring the trash can up from the end of the driveway and change the cat litter - things he usually does - I just know I never want to be alone.  After 10 years of marriage, we really, truly ARE One.  And doing things apart is just, well, silly.  I need someone to bounce ideas off of, to have deep conversations with, and to tell secrets to.  I need my hubby.    Come quickly, Friday, please come quickly!