Make It Work

I don't know if anyone is like me, but I thrive on planning.  My problem is that when I plan I do all I can to stick to the plan.  I am working on it...

I have found that if the plan doesn't work REVISE it.

So today I have revised our weekly schedule.  

My children, well one child in particular, has been telling me that he doesn't have enough time to get his school work done.  So along with revising the schedule a tad, I also typed in times during the schedule that he could be doing "Independent work."  After doing that, I see at least four hours most days that he has time for independent work.  Hmmm....  No excuses!

Actually, highlighting areas will help me to make sure the most important activities in our day are accomplished.

What a blessing!  Revising and, if need be, going with the flow can make your day more pleasant.  If your day happens to be a bit wonky, adjust as you go.  It's not the end of the world if you don't get everything done that day.

Have a blessed day :)

Shot in the Head

 This man was shot in the head about a year ago.  The bullet is still in his brain, but God...

https://notthebee.com/article/praise-the-lord-hans-schmidt-the-arizona-street-preacher-shot-in-the-head-is-nearly-fully-recovered-and-sat-down-for-an-interview-with-local-news

Anxiety

Anxiety starts with being anxious and allowing it to fester.  

How do I combat it in a healthy manner?

1.  Breathe.

2.  Remember, this day shall pass.

3.  Give it to God.

That last one is the hardest to do.  Well, it's easy to do it, but it's REALLY hard to leave it in God's hands.

I always thought that it would get easier as my children got older.  They would be more responsible and be in charge of their own lives.  Now I realize that the older they get and the more responsibility they take on, the more I lack the control.  

This week has been full of anxiety.  I keep telling myself to breathe.  Then I remind myself that they will learn from whatever happens.  Finally, I give it to God.  He is amazing at taking the anxiety away.  Why can't I just leave it in His capable hands?!

Plans

 I remember a saying I heard a long time ago...

"If you want to hear God laugh, make plans."

I might as well join God in laughter :) 

I keep making plans, and then they change for one reason or another.

Electronics for Kids

My kids are playing on the computer and watching youtube and more.  I don't like it, but what can I do about it?  I don't think it's good, but what proof do I have?  When I do take electronics away for a time, life is so much nicer at home.  Can I just say, "No more electronics."?  Yes, I can.  

Here are a couple podcasts to give you a good footing to say just that.

for kids - https://www.durendawilson.com/podcast-1/episode/c33b63fa/healthy-screen-time-habits-for-kids-podcast-534

for teens - https://www.durendawilson.com/podcast-1/episode/bc897dcc/healthy-screen-time-habits-for-teens-podcast-535

I ended up listening to the one for kids while my children were in the car.  My teenage boy turns to me and tells me that he wants me to stop listening to this.  He proceeds to tell me that he will probably use this when he has children.  Score!!!  My son already understands.  I decided to listen to the teen one on our next drive.  Then at the beginning of school this year, I informed them that electronics were not be allowed during the school week except for school use.

Now what to do for the breaks.  I just need to have a back bone and not back down.

A Time for Work and a Time for "Home" Work

Well, a new school year is upon us.  

I taught for ten years in the public schools before stepping into motherhood full time.  During my last year of teaching, I weighed the pros and cons of homeschooling.  I could only come up with one con for homeschooling, and that is, I would not have any time to myself.  I decided I could be "selfless" for eighteen plus years.  

Yikes!!!  What did I get myself into!  Don't get me wrong...  I thoroughly enjoy teaching my children and building a relationship with each of them.  But sometimes it would be nice to leave my "job" at work and come home to "home" work.  Well, I am putting that into place this year.  There is a time for teaching, a time for grading, and a time for tutoring.  If you try to get me to do "work" during my time of rest or "home" work, I say, "Plan better next time."  It doesn't always work, but it is working MUCH better this year.

Embrace the Want

A few days ago, my husband said something and left the room.  I immediately started bawling.  I mean, I was sobbing.  I couldn't figure out who I was.  I don't cry over hurt feelings.  He didn't even say anything bad; he just told me he was going to get a pizza for lunch.  I was so hurt, I actually thought about telling him I wasn't going to go to a wedding that afternoon.

About an hour later, I went into our room and decided to veg.  I didn't want to think of anything.  I watched a show I was able to get lost in.  After the first episode ended, I was fine.  I wasn't hurt.  I definitely wasn't crying.  Who was that girl?!  Then it hit me.  I was stressed.  I allowed too much stress in my life.  

On our way to the wedding, I told my husband about the incident and explained that it was due to stress.  So he told me to think of things that are stressing me out and take out the least important things.  I almost immediately respond, "I could get rid of the kids."  Obviously, that is NOT going to happen.  But most of what stresses me out has to do with them.  So what am I supposed to do?

I listed different things, but a lot of those things I "need" to do.  The things I could give up, I don't want to.  I find joy in them for the most part.  So he told me to embrace the "want."   Huh?!  The want?!  Yes, I want to do things that are adding to my stress, so embrace it.  Ok.  That actually makes sense.  Kind of 🤣

So here is to embracing "The Want."

Why Can't I Find a Good Man?!

I wish I was taught this when I was young...

Most girls grow up wanting to marry a man who is kind, giving, loyal, protective, and financially secure.

They tend to have a list that encompasses much more than that, but the things above are what they really want.

What those girls don't understand is that you need to be a woman that type of man wants.  

Are you loyal?  Are you caring?  Do you show your parents respect?  If you don't respect your parents, chances are you won't respect your man.  

Ladies, dress the part.  Are you dressing to attract lustful men or a man who desires a wholesome woman?  Act like a woman that type of man would want to wake up next to for the rest of his life.  

Respect yourself.  If you don't respect yourself, don't expect anyone else to.  

Know your value, your true value.  It's better to be single your entire life than married to the wrong man.

Ask your creator who your spouse is.  And wait for him.  While you're waiting, follow God's plan as a single person.  There is so much you can do when you don't have any ties to another.

  

Next School Year

Wow!!!  This summer has flown by.  It seems like next school year is almost upon us.  I am prepping to teach three classes that meet 1-2 times per week.  I've gotten two classes mostly prepped.  The schedules are done, but I still have some lessons to plan in one and recording in another.  The third class should be fairly easy to prep; fingers crossed :)

I don't think the children understand.  They get a break.  Teachers don't!

And with homeschooling, there are not many repeat lessons.  Each year we teachers start from scratch.  Well, at least the schedule is done, so that should make the following school year a smidge easier to prep as long as I teach the same types of classes.  But Lit will be more difficult to schedule for sure.  Remember:  One year at a time 😐

Direction

 What direction should I go?

Remember, whichever way you choose to turn, you can always turn back as long as you still have breath.

Steps to turn your life around:

1)  Humble yourself

2)  Ask for forgiveness

3)  Accept the free gift offered you

4)  Keep your eyes on Him; He won't leave you.

Hint:  If you notice your eyes have wandered, put them back on Him.

Much love 💞

That Time of Life

 Baby - all their needs are given to them; they can't do anything on their own

Toddler - the world is theirs; everything is new

early elementary - branching out; making friends

upper elementary - testing the waters; what can I do

junior high - pushing boundaries; what can't I do

high school - on top of the world; it's all about me

college/early 20s - it's a brand new world; I'm in charge

mid - late 20s - switch flips; seeing the dangers and downfalls

30s - a new way of life; starting a family

40s - best of times; but the body starts going down hill

50s - even better times; but losing family and friends more quickly now

60s - grandkids; saying bye to so many

70s - enjoy life; 10-30 more yrs

80s - settle down and live; let others come to you

90s - smile & enjoy all that you helped bring into being; giving others a chance to say goodbye

100s - nice; I've lived this long; what's stopping me now :)

No matter what stage of life you are in... Remember, God is always there; just ask.    

Camping

Why camp?

1)  Nature

If you live in the city, nature is a little foreign and can, therefore be desired.  

Nature helps calm nerves/relieve stress.

2)  Community

With your family and/or friends.  Also making new friends :)

3)  Food

Different atmosphere, different food :)

4)  Electronics

Less is more :)

5)  Fun!!!

Where you camp determines what kind of fun you can have.

water, hiking, puzzles, games, roasting marshmallows, campfire, talent shows :), etc.

Mourning

 It seems that death comes in waves.  Recently someone dear to me passed.  Soon after, a dear friend's mother passed.  A couple days ago, another dear friend lost her father.  

It makes one think.  No one knows their day or time.  If we did know, what might we do differently.  Maybe give an extra long hug, say more words of love, do acts of kindness for those you love, share God's love with others, etc.  

Thankfully those I know who recently passed know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, so they are celebrating with Him in Heaven.  Knowing this eases the loss but it doesn't negate the loss.  

Lord, wrap your loving arms around those who have recently lost a family member or dear friend.  Give them peace.  Bring to their mind fond memories of their loved one.  Let your joy flow through them.  Bless them all.  In Jesus' precious name.  Amen.

Is It Helpful?

Is it helpful?  That is a question I want my children to learn to ask before opening their mouths.  They are getting better at it as they grow :)  I am now asking myself that but the other way around.

I have a dilemma. I think many of us adults face this same dilemma.  Should I open my mouth to help even though it will most likely cause the other person to go on a rampage or remain quiet and act nicey nice to keep the "peace"?  I am torn.

I think it is best for now to remain quiet as any helpful words will fall on deaf ears.  In prayer.  

Comparing Oneself to Another

Lord, help me to best respond to the narcissists in my life.  

I pray that all of us see our sinful ways, ask for forgiveness, and accept the grace You so freely give.  Let Your light shine on our dark places, so we can better deal with them.  Help us to not compare ourselves to others but to the Perfect Lamb of God, Jesus.  It is then that we will see what wretches we truly are.  Once that happens, I ask that despair not take hold.  Let us breathe in Your mercy and grace and truly accept You as our Lord and Savior.  Help us to forgive ourselves and move on in Your light.  

Lord, let Your light shine through me as I interact with all those around me.  Help me to be more like You every day.  

Thank you, Lord.  

In Jesus' precious name.  

Amen.

Homerun!

I am reminded that I hit a HOMERUN.  Where I am going will not change no matter what happens here.  When I begin to falter, I draw my attention back to the truth.  Yes, life has ups and downs.  It may knock me down, but it will never keep me down.  

I am a sinner saved by grace.  Jesus came and took my place and conquered death.  Now at the judgement seat, it won't be me who God sees but Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice.  Jesus is the perfect lamb.  He took my place and conquered death.  He has washed my sins away.  There is nothing I can do to right my wrongs; I just need to accept His free gift.  His is my Lord and Savior.  I hit a HOMERUN!

Making It Work

 As a homeschool mother of three, I have learned that my children all learn differently.  So I tweak the lessons to fit their needs and strengths.   Well, the same goes for life outside of school. 

When my children were little, I found these beach towels with a whole in the middle to fit over their heads and a hood attached.  As they grew I modified those towels to grow with them.  Then one by one they each grew to big to even fit those.  So I found a post on Pinterest of a tutorial for a hooded towel that they could also change inside of if needed.   Those were also modified as they got bigger.   Now they are so worn that I needed to make another one.   

This time I decided to design it myself.   Hmmm...  I offered to put velcro on them to make them easier to use and dry.   My son was not having it.   So I made his first testing it the whole way.   He does not like being a model.   At 6'4" it took some creativity and trial and error to make his fit.  But alas he seems pleased enough.   I think he was actually just done with trying it on at each step; he would have taken anything at that point 😆 

Then I made my daughters' and my towel.   My oldest daughter did not want a hood.  My youngest and I actually liked that design, so we each have one very similar to the each other's.   Mine was the last to be made and the fastest one put together.  I already had the design down by then.   But I really liked having something covering my arms, so I opted for an additional shall/hood.  It's its own piece, so I can wear it by itself, with the wrap or not at all.   Actually, I brought it with me to soccer practice in case I needed just a little wind covering 😀  I think it will come in quite handy. 

Find what works and make it yours or your children's ❤️ 

Cling Sin

 A few months back my pastor asked all of us to take out our notebooks and write down "Cling Sin."  Then he told us to write what our individual "Cling Sin" was.  Well, it took me a minute, after all I'm prit near perfect.  Just kidding :)  But it did take me a minute to figure out which issue I deal with most often.  I could have written 'yell at my kids over something silly,' 'selfishness,' 'put things off that should have been done yesterday,' 'not give my husband enough attention.'  The list goes on...

But I realized there was one sin that I have dealt with my entire life.  If I'm being realistic, I've dealt with it since I was a baby.  I may have started out innocent enough.  I mean come on, I was a baby.  But as I grew, I didn't recognize that sin in my life.  It was something that gave me comfort.  It didn't hurt anyone.  I didn't see it as sin.  Then a couple years ago, I realized that 'thing' was my first thought when I needed comfort.  I looked for that BEFORE I looked for God.  You might think that since I recognized it I would be able to take control of it.  Well, it's not called a "Cling Sin" for nothing.

I've prayed for God to take away certain sins in my life.  It took time, but I kept praying and desiring it to be gone, and each time I was changed from the inside out.  But a "Cling Sin" is a cloak that keeps you warm in the dead of winter but you don't realize it's actually summer.  The tricky thing about a "Cling Sin" is that you don't necessarily realize that your insides are boiling.  It's like a frog in a pot of water with the temperature slowly rising.  It's a habit that just happens without you thinking about it.  

My "Cling Sin" is gluttony.  People might look at me and think, "She could stand to lose some weight."  But they wouldn't think, "Glutton!"  Actually, when the sin doesn't necessarily stand out to others, that's when it's even harder to deal with.  You can disguise it, cover it up.  I want to be healthier, BUT I really like eating.  So I go in spurts of eating healthy and shedding some fat to enjoying "see food."  Yes, I spelled that right.  I see food and I eat it.  

I need to stop blaming others for my "Cling Sin."  I think, "If they didn't offer it to me, I wouldn't eat it.  If I didn't have buy food for my growing children, I could eat next to nothing.  If... If... If..."  The truth is... a "Cling Sin" is no laughing matter.  To truly get rid of it, you need Jesus and you need to stay in the Word.  It probably won't happen overnight, but if you keep your eyes on Him, He will help you overcome even your "Cling Sin."  When you fall down, get back up.  His mercy and grace is abounding.

Too Much?!

I have learned over the years that I am not necessarily available just because I don't have something scheduled in my calendar at that time.  I have to remember to block off down time.  If I don't have down time, it will catch up with me and sickness will ensue.  

It's easy to over schedule yourself now adays with things at your fingertips.  One of the hardest things for me is not getting together with loved ones.  I have to ask myself often if the get together will allow for building of a relationship or just having a party.  And then I need to decide if I have time for that.

Every summer/school year, I tell myself next year will be different; I will schedule less.  Where does the time go and who keeps adding things to my calendar?!  LOL 

Blessings Throughout the Year

We just got back from our yearly camping trip with our extended family.  We see each other throughout the year, but this trip is extra special.  Even when the weather seems to work against us, we power through.  Friday was rainy and windy, but it was worth it.  The sun came out Saturday and stayed Sunday.  Our talent show was covered in sprinkles but it didn't stop us.  We love each other and help out when we can.  They are such a blessing.  

Where's the Fun?!

I remember when I was little...

I would have been thrilled to play with other kids, to go on vacations, to have my parents spend time with me.  And I was thrilled when it happened, but it didn't happen nearly as often as I hoped.  I spent most of my school days on the bus or in school.  When I did get home, I was stuck inside because we were latchkey kids, and it was the rule.  We did get to watch one half hour show after our homework was complete, but I would have much preferred going outside to play.

I do remember my mother spending every minute she had available doing something with us whether it was watching a show together, playing a game, eating dinner, going to see family, going to church, etc.  Our vacations were on the inexpensive side as we didn't have much money to spare, but they were fun because we went together and got to do something different.

Now that I have kids, I actually get to stay home with them every day and teach them.  We play games together, visit friends and family, go to church, camp, etc.  The thing about it is my kids, at least my two oldest, beg to stay home.  They all like going to church, thankfully, but aside from that, they'd like to stay inside by themselves.  :(

I think kids now a day are, for the most part, spoiled.  They have too many things at their fingertips to appreciate the little things like fresh air, an actual book, and laughter with friends.  They can get those things any time they want and don't realize how precious it really is.  

I have to "force" my kids to go on a hike, go camping, play a board game or cards, go for a bike ride, etc.  They usually enjoy it, but I am spent by the end of it from having to make them go in the first place.  

I often toy with the idea of quitting everything except for church and getting rid of the internet.  I wonder if my children would have a different tune after that.  Hmmm...  Things to think about :) :) :)

Alarm

 I feel like I have to set an alarm for everything these days.  The air was low in one of our van tires, but I couldn't stop.  I had to get the kids to horseback riding lessons.  Then I completely forgot about it.  It took a few days for someone else to find the problem.  

I had to set an alarm to remind me to write this blog once a week.  Another alarm is set to remind me to make reservations to go camping.  Alarms for vitamins, pick up the kids, drop the kids off, etc....

I think this life with access to everything at our fingertips has made life more cumbersome.  I remember back when I didn't have a cell phone or email.  Yes, I am dating myself.  But life seemed easier, less stressful.  Wouldn't it be nice to go back to those days?  Maybe I'll set an alarm to remind me one week out of the month to turn all electronics off.  LOL

Stop! Just for a minute or two, please :)

 It seems life just keeps on going even when you ask nicely for it to halt for just a bit...

I measure my children throughout the year, usually around their birthdays.  I guess it was about time I measured them again.  My son only grew about a quarter of an inch in the last seven months :)  Six foot three/four inches is quite tall enough.  He already has issues with sitting in cars and planes; we don't need to add to that.  My oldest daughter who has been trying to stay shorter than me is now the same height when she stands up straight.  No she doesn't slouch her shoulders; instead she falls into her hip and bends her knees.  My youngest is coming up fast.  She has gained about two inches in the past seven months.

I am reminded how quickly time flies when I get photo reminders of years past.  My children use to sit on my lap and snuggle with me and give me nose kisses.  At least my youngest still does, but how long will that last?  I continue to remind myself to enjoy every moment I have with them; before too long they will be grown up and move on.  I wish I could bundle up some of the hugs they give me for days when this house will be empty.  

It's funny!  I TREASURE my time alone, but I still miss them when they are not with me.  

I am one blessed mamma :)

Thankful

 I have been homeschooling my three children.  Yes, we now have three.  A, B, G.

We started a "Thankful Journal" three years ago.  This year we started using a weekly planner instead of a notebook.  It is much easier to keep track of :)  However, our weeks now end on Sunday as that is how the planner is set up.  I still prefer the planner to a notebook, especially for my children.  

At the end of the week, we mark the thing we are most thankful for that week and share it with each other.  It is more difficult some weeks than others to choose just one.  We do the same at the end of each month.  At the beginning of the new year, we go over our most thankful thing for each month and pick one for the year.   I love looking back on our thankful "posts."  We have really good years even when hard things happen.  Being thankful each day makes life more enjoyable no matter what is happening.

We do a White Elephant gift exchange with our family each year.  I remind them that no matter what they get they need to be thankful.  We practiced by me asking my son how he could be thankful for manure.  He responded, "It's good for the garden."  

I am one blessed mamma :)