To homeschool or not to homeschool...

Early this morning I was awoken to the sound of some rustling and wimpering.  Little Man has been suffering from a bad cold all week and he is just not resting well.  After I went to check on him, give him some milk and settle him back, the wheels in my brain began to turn;  and if you know anything about me that is an all consuming event.  It seems as if the flood gates were opened.  However; this time I know it was the Lord.  Speaking to me only as he can.  So I began to listen.  It was about homeschooling.  First, let me state it is NOT for everyone.  You cannot do it successfully without the Lord.  Your spouse must be on board.  It MUST be a conviction or you will not persevere. 

Proverbs 22:6a "Train up a child in the way he should go," II Peter 1:5-7 "But also for this very reason, giving all diligence add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self control, to self control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness love." Deuteronomy 6:7 "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 thy way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up."  Learning is NOT limited to 8 hours a day but it is a way of life.  Homeschooling is "life learning".

We are not "homely, uneducated" folks.   Most even have college degrees.  We desire our children not only to have superior educations but superior behavior and superior life skills as well.  We want our daughters to be godly mothers and homemakers and know that it is a blessing to do so.  We want our sons to know they can support a household spiritually and financially and it is a blessing to do so.

Before someone can homeschool they must fast, pray, seek the Lord's direction and be in harmony with their spouse.  (For a good post about submission see my friend the Twins Mommy's blog- ajourneytowards.blogspot.com)

1 Corinthians 12;24-26 "But God has so adjusted the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."

As you can see homeschooling is not only a conviction of mine but a passion.  It is possibly one of the toughest things I have ever done.  The things you work the hardest for, yield the greatest rewards. Proverbs 31:28 "Her children arise up , and called her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."  As I have stated before not only do I want to hear the Lord say enter in, I want him to say WELL DONE!!!!!!!

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Have a blessed day!

Separation

It seems as if all things these days are focused on the upcoming elections. What is very sad to me is MOST people have NO idea what their "candidate" represents, believes or his voting record. They are simply voting by emotion, and in some cases, ethnicity. Yep. I said it. The Bible is VERY clear on this. We MUST vote based on the word of our Lord and what HE thinks. I beseech you all to fast, pray and seek the Lord for your decision. Keep in mind just because a candidate says they want to end the war does NOT mean it will happen. No one single person has that much power. It must be voted on by both the house and Senate and then it will take a period of time before it will be implemented. Speak to a member or former member of the military and ask what they think of the two candidates. I believe you will have a different perspective. I guess that is part on my "ranting" as I have been accused of doing on this blog. Personally I think of it as righteous indignation. I do have scripture that backs me up.
You know the Bible DOES tell us to separate ourselves from the world, not be lukewarm and to be a peculiar people.
I WANT to hear WELL DONE! Not just enter in.
Well, I tried something a little different and actually frugal. I made my own dishwashing detergent. I have tried ECOS, Seventh Generation, Method, BioKleen and just about every store brand with and without poison.   My conclusion.......... They all STINK. Actually my homemade with some vinegar in the rinse aid dispenser work the best. My sweet friend from Germantown Home-school classes told me she uses white vinegar as a rinse in her laundry and how great it was. So I tried that and it was great so I tried it in the dishwasher. Great! And I also read an article by a person who works at the CDC and she stated by spraying peroxide and vinegar alternately actually kills more germs that using bleach. So guess what? I have the gallon size vinegar and is is sooooooooo cheap.
Well, tomorrow is the devils day/night so we are going to go out to eat & hopefully avoid the trick or treaters, most anyway, in our neighborhood. We will have our own fun and I will annoint the house in the morning and pray for the Lord's protection and mercies for another year.
I gotta run now- I need to buy Erin her winter coat on line and check out the skirt I just dyed. Making old things new. Love you all!
Oh, and I am still working on the information about courtship- Big Daddy is soooooo down with that concept. He is awesome! The Lord knew who to send me!

Courtship

It seems as if EVERYONE has courtship on their mind. Big Sister and I settled in to try to watch something on TV and relax and I turned on TLC and what was on? The story of Josh and Anna Duggar. Yep, Jim Bob and Michelle's oldest son. He and his new bride had a courtship. It was a very interesting story. My friend over at A Journey towards- the Twins Mommy- she also has been talking about courtship, and another friend, the Boys Mommy she agrees. Of course The Very Blessed Mommy of Six and I have had this same discussion and she is actually the one that started my wheels turning. I realize I probably do not have as much time as I think to begin the research and of course the praying. (Which was started from birth) There HAS to be something to this. So far I like what I read and what I see. There has to be a better way than what I did. What do you all think? Know of any good resources?
I have looked at Vision Forum and Grace and Truth Books. I just cannot decide which to start with.
My prayer tonight is that I will be able to convey this to my children and I will be a worthy example to them.
Good night family and friends. I Love you all!!!!!!!!!!

Life

Good morning friends and family.  It has been busy, busy, busy here; and that is the way I like it.  Really!  Unfortunately, Little man and Big Sister are a bit under the weather- so say a prayer.  We will be staying in the next few days and logging on to some Jesus today.  I have to tell you a little funny story.  My friend, Sweet Very Blessed Mommy of Six has gotten a bit "disturbed", and stated she was going to get some righteous indignation like her friend (wonder who she was talking about?  Must be an exceptional woman!)   Anyway that tickled me, you see her 10 year old, yep, you read that right her 10 year old daughter is ALREADY getting pressured by her peers about having a boyfriend.  Can you believe it?!?!?!?!?!?  I guess now I will have to get some righteous indignation also.  What tickled me was this mild mannered, very practical, always kind Mommy got her feathers ruffled and she was a bear.  The claws came out and I could swear (not really) I saw some horns.    Oh, that's right bears don't have horns, maybe it was something else.  But anyway, she was angry and rightfully so.  It is always good to see someone else, get ruffled instead of yourself.  Especially when it is someone who you don't see like that.  Good to know!

Which leads me to the next point or question.  What about dating?  What about courtship?  Kelly, the "Word Warrior" over at Generation Cedar has had some excellent posts about courtship rather than dating.  I think she has hit the nail on the head.  We will be doing more research and studying about this.

So we went to "Hallelujah Night" last night.  My churches alternative to trick or treating.  They asked those who would dress up to be community helpers or Bible characters.  I did not know that Hannah Montana was a community helper or a Bible character, or that a sonic waitress waitress was or even Indiana Jones.  (I do have to admit Indiana Jones WAS really good)  Anyway we went as ourself with an Indian headdress on.  After all it DID have pink feathers on it.  A great time was had by all and a bonus- sweet Baby Hemwee gave us the fish lips.  She is just beautiful.

This afternoon we are going to try a "new" healthy dessert.  An Apple crisp made with millet and oatmeal.  Yummy!!!!!!!!  I will let you know how it comes out.

Have a great day- Love you!

Sorry!

Sorry dear family and friends for being absent so long. This has been a BUSY week, even though we did not have classes Tuesday. Go figure. Sunday was AWESOME! I am so proud of Big Sister, she did a great job on her sign language song.  She did not do as well in the choir; she was busy looking at herself in the Jumbo-tron; it still sounded great!  Little man REFUSED to nap at all so he was restless and at times down-right U-G-L-Y! Thank goodness for Big Daddy; he really helped me Sunday. Love you Babe!
We have sent out our invites for Thanksgiving dinner and trying to arrange passage for Nana and Papa. We are very excited they may be coming. I have even started planning my meal. What can I say? After all I am A.D.H.D and a bit O.C.D.
In other news Big Sister began piano lessons this week she is VERY excited. I hope she will love it enough to continue many years.
Now for some righteous indignation. I found out today that some think my sweet friend, Very Blessed Mommy of six is controversial.   Apparently after our last Mommy's meeting at church she was told her topic was "controversial". WHAT!?!?!?!?!??!?!? ARE YOU SERIOUS??????????? This is the most conservative, considerate, mild person I know.  She would NEVER be controversial and I am sure that will bother her. Bless her! Me, on the other hand- VERY CONTROVERSIAL and proud about it!!!!!! I guess now because someone has convictions and lives according to the Bible they are now considered controversial. I say pray through people, and maybe the Lord would give you convictions, or better yet give you the courage (I was thinking another word) to live those convictions and not what they think people would like. The Bible tells us that to know right and not do it is to sin.

For those interested I baked Marilyn's (urban homemaker) bread recipe and used Joshua's (Tammy's husband from Tammy's recipes) conditioning technique and what I got was some YUMMY, YUMMY, SOFT bread. Try it.
Gotta run- Little man has awoken and is HUNGRY. Love you all!

Praise the Lord!

Good morning folks and praise the Lord! We are soooooooooo excited about what the Lord is going to do today during Children's revival. Big Sister will be doing her sign language song, and then singing with the choir. I can't wait. It is going to be good. Props to my sweet friend The Very Blessed Mommy of six; her girls are AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sweet Big sister went to the altar Friday night and had her hands raised to try to get the Holy Ghost, and who do you think came over to pray with her? That's right, Very Blessed Mommy's oldest girls. It scared Big Sister but I explained to her that they came to pray with her because they love her and they want to help her pray to get the Holy Ghost. She liked that. So did I. They have been raised right. You guys (girls) will never know how much that means to us. Big Sister is still scared and I told her that was okay. She will get the Holy Ghost and we will keep praying. I told her how her Daddy got it- driving to work one morning. So please all keep praying. She will when it is time. My bestest girlfriend, Baby Hemwee's Mommy was 13 when she got it. Her Mom told me she just stopped pushing and just let the Lord work. Much wisdom in that statement. Much! Thank-you Marmie.
We had a fun but loooooooooooong day at the zoo yesterday and in fact both of the children are still sound asleep. At one point I thought I heard little Man snoring. Big Sister told me last night when we got home, "Mommy I had a fun day today. Fun at the zoo and fun at church. But it was a long day". Amen to both!
I need to go now and start something for our dinner when we get home late this afternoon. Remember to log on to www.tpcmemphis.org at 3:00 pm EST to see Big Sister sign and sing. Love you guys!
Oh, and buy the way spandex CANNOT be stretched to it's limit. Trust me I saw it yesterday at the zoo. YUCK!!!!!!
Love you!

Good Day

Today was a good day.  Actually today was a great day.  The field trip was fun, and everyone went to bed early!!!!   So I got to clean the house so we can have a fun day tomorrow.

I want to tell you all about the special "gift" I received.  Yesterday my sweet Big Sister and I were watching Arthur on PBS.  After it was over we both got up, I to start supper and she told me I have to make something, but it's a surprise so don't look.  Sweet!  Now, keep in mind the table is in the kitchen, where I was working.  Little Man was still napping so I was trying to get an early start.  Apparently she made what she wanted to and then I heard her go upstairs to Big Daddy's music room.  I heard her say "Daddy, I need you to write the words I say.  I made a surprise for Momma so don't tell."  I just smiled to myself and I tuned them out.  She came back down and handed this little card she had made.  It is a pink square with a sticker on the outside that says "princess".  So far so good.  Then I opened it up and it said, in Big daddy's handwriting, " I Love you Momma.  I Love you very much.  I like when you make cakes for me.  And Thank you for my baby brother in your tummy. (she means Little Man) I also like it when you gave me a Birthday cake. Love Erin"  WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It doesn't get any better than that.  Of course it is prominently displayed on the front of the refrigerator.  Yep, it was a great day!  In Jesus name!

Love you guys!

DUH!!!! I forgot.

I forgot to tell you all one of the most important things that has happened.  Big Sister got her library card.  She was soooooooo excited.  The little man that helped us was so kind and encouraging to her. Thank-you Lord!  After we got it and got back in the car, she said Mommy I LOVE to read and I LOVE the library. (Thank-you Jesus)  And Mommy I need a wallet like yours so I can put my library card in it.  I told her she had a wallet but she insisted, No like yours.  She meant one that had a place to put cards in it and a little slot with a piece of plastic that your can see your ID thru.  So when I went to WAL-MART I found a little white one with butterflies on it.  Gotta Love WAL-MART!!  She was so excited and sure enough she placed her library card where you would your ID so everyone would be able to see it.  I am so proud of her!  Friday we get to go see some friends from church and their newborn twins.  We are taking them some supper.  Big Sister LOVES babies!

Saturday we are going to the zoo for Big Daddy's company picnic and hopefully I will have some

pictures to share from it.  Love you all!

Field Trip

 Good morning family and friends!  It has been a CRAZY week here.  Monday we were trying to get everything done from the weekend, and 2 days worth of school work- since Tuesdays we have enrichment classes more than half the day.  Tuesday we have classes.  Wednesday was going great.  Big Sister was doing 4 pages(both sides) of math and doing very well I might add.  We had done 2 days of school work that day also so we could go on a field trip Thursday.  We get done, have lunch late, get everything gathered up- get strapped in the car and...........nothing.  It would not crank.  I checked everything, made sure I turned it all off.  Tried again.  Nothing.   Well, actually it made like a little coughing noise- a noise I have heard in the past.  It sounded like the starter.  SO I called Big Daddy and when he got home we took it to be repaired.  Thankfully both car seats, barely, fit in the convertible so we do have wheels.  As I was putting everything in & strapping it all safely I turned to Big Daddy and said "sports cars were not made for families.".. Keep in mind we purchased the car in 1994.  It was 7 years old then.  It is German engineering so it will far outlast us probably.  Gotta LOVE those Germans!

Our field trip is today and while everyone is still asleep I have made lunches.  Enough for probably 5 people.  Thanks Brigitte!!!!!  Love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We are going to the pumpkin patch.  We will get "pie" pumpkins and go on a hay-ride.  We may even be able to go thru their petting zoo.  There is a gift shop also.  It will be fun.  The BEST part will be to see my children, and see how much they enjoy it.  It is truly amazing being a parent.  The BEST, well second best after the Holy Ghost, thing I have ever done!  I should have done it sooner.............but then again maybe I would not have appreciated it as much.

Okay, the information you have been waiting for...........  Erin will be praise singing, up in front, this Friday night at 7:30 pm, then the children's choir will sing a little later.  That is CST for those on EST.  AN hour ahead Mommy!  Saturday evening, the same time her choir will again sing and then on Sunday afternoon 2:00 pm CST her choir will sing but before them her little girls group"The Gemettes" will being doing sign language to a song.  It is going to be great!!!!  I CAN'T wait.  I am the proud Momma I assure you!  For those that can please at least get on-line and watch the singing and signing: www.tpcmemphis.org.  It will bless you.  Also please pray for our friend Christine from our Bible study group.  She is supposed to come to Children's revival.  She NEEDS to be there.  Okay- I have to go.  Little people will be waking and I must call to check on my little friend Janet who was put in the hospital last night.  Please pray for her complete healing.  She has had sooooo many health problems in the last 5 years.  Even had all but 1 inch of her colon removed; but I serve a God who is THE GREAT PHYSICIAN.

Love you guys!!!!!!

A Day of Rest!?.......... and a confession!

Today is Sunday, our day of rest.  I wish!  Big Sister has to be at church at 11:30 am for sign language practice.  1:00 pm is Sunday School and then 2:00 pm is regular service.  Today we have a guest speaker so it may be later than usual when we get out.

Well.................. I have a confession to make.  Some will be very surprised, shocked even and some will just nod their heads and grin (because they were already aware of the information).  My confession is, well it's........um.................... okay, okay.  I am NOT frugal.  Not even  a little bit. There, it's out.  Sigh!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I need prayer friends!!!!!!!!!!!!

With the recent turn of economic events and the Lord's prompting (for about 20 hundred months it seems) I realize I need to be.  Frugal that is.  I am sure so much more also but, one thing at a time.  I have decided I will start meal planning, something I loathe more than ironing, and I will clip coupons and I will STICK to my list.  Yes, I will continue shopping organic and all-natural of course but I will try to do it with much more wisdom.  I can only do what I can do.  That is one reason you pray over your food right?  I think!  No, really.

Here is a funny for you along those lines.  When Big Daddy and I were first married, and I really was not a great cook he would pray over our food "Lord bless the hands that prepared it and Lord, if there is anything harmful in it.................needless to say THAT prayer did not last long- for many reasons.  I am sure one was self preservation on Big Daddy's part.  Now when he sits down to eat he looks and says "What yummy gourmet meal has Mommy made for us tonight?"  Thank-you Lord!

On a different note, when the children and I were at Target yesterday morning, another thing I will cut back on, we saw a friend from Germantown Baptist Home-school group.  Her son is in little man's nursery class.  She asked me if little man had been sick or any of us.  Apparently Tuesday night, we have classes Tuesday morning, Conner (her son) had gotten sick with a stomach virus and it went through all of her four children and her.  At that very moment there was panic in me, but then I thought wait-I have a COVERING that keeps us safe and I happened to fast that day because of the bible study we were facing.  Thank-you Jesus for your protection!  Also I was talking to very blessed Mommy of six yesterday afternoon and  was telling her the story.  She told me that her daughters were telling her of all the people that had the stomach flu from their classes. The Lord NEVER ceases to amaze me at his greatness.  I fully expect my prayer for this coming class to be answered- and the devourer to be silenced.

My Sabbath plans have worked about half way so far.  I did not get any dinner in the crockpot- we will grill out & have a salad from a sack.  I did get all the laundry done, and all the baking done, including 2 loaves of wheat bread.  By the way friends, I used "Marilyn's"  recipe with "Tammy's" conditioner and it is a yummy, soft, lovely loaf.

Time to go friends and family, little man is standing here, hands up for me to pick him up, crying so...........................

Love you all & have a blessed "Lord's day".

Life

It is Saturday and life just caught up with me. Tuesday went, well............let's just say we (the Apostolics) were hit with both barrels. Denise started the "study" by giving the trinitarian doctrine and then it just went south after that. The scripture in Acts 2:4 was read up until it said "and they spoke with other tongues." But that is okay, we held our peace and the Lord will win. Our friend Stephanie asked many questions and said if the Bible says it than I want it. Praise the Lord! Today she was going to spend the day with very blessed Mommy of six, so I know she will be blessed and loved- and my friend will give her loving, gentle information. So please help us pray for truth to be revealed.
My prayer for next Tuesday is "Lord, YOUR will be done, allow the speaker's mouth to be closed." Actually that was a nice way of me saying Lord, give her laryngitis or the flu- and let the devourer be silenced. I am who I am!

Today we are spending a nice quiet day at home. I got up early, made cookies, chili for chili dogs, and later I will make some cheese danishes for tomorrow morning and start something in the crock-pot for dinner. I am determined we will have a proper Sabbath. Oh, for those interested next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Erin's choir will be singing and her Gemettes girls group will be doing a sign language song. It will be FABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will give you the times later, but the website is www.tpcmemphis.org.

I am sitting here on the loveseat, watching a movie with Big Sister and Big Daddy, he went to work this morning at 3:30 am and little Man is blowing kisses behind me.  It doesn't get any better than this.  Love you all, more later!