8 mile hike

Waiting for the movies

Thankful

This morning, I am thankful for gifts. The thing I am most grateful for this fine, cool morning, above and beyond the break from the heat, is my coffee. This mornings fine coffee brought to you by my buddy Maria (who gave me this lovely frother) and my hubby Geoff (who gifted me my moka pot)  Thanks guys!!

Not so happy happy happy

It is hot. Really hot. 88 degrees in my house at 8:20 tonight. I had a 3 hour root canal today. Apparently I have extra long roots. Awesome. Praying I don't have a huge amount if residual tooth pain. That plus the heat just may take me out. Whew! 

Seventh Mt. Resort with Bart, Michelle and Kiley!

Showers taken, breakfast eaten, bible study and math drills finished and its only 9:00. Mama had her coffee early today. 

Help!!

And the projected temps keep rising, every time I check. :/  What to do with 3 kids and no AC...

Fun times in Portland

Cheese!!

Geoff cut Isaacs hair!

Fridge thief

Isaac has taken to drinking Parmesan cheese. 

Thoughts on Homeschooling

1. I homeschool with a bigger picture in mind. I am not an organized person by nature. I may never be. But I don't homeschool to win scholarships for my children, to raise mini Christian politicians or to stick it to the man. I do it because I love my children, and I see the bigger picture of WHO not WHAT I want them to become; of WHO, not WHAT I want them to love and follow. 2. I cannot compare myself to others. I cannot wish I was anyone but who I am, nor can I wish my children were different. They are who the Lord crafted them to be, uniquely shaped beings who were chosen to live and grow in our home. 3. Although I cannot be a different personality, I can continue to strive to be more like Jesus. He is a God of order. Chaos can be tamed. I can grow, and I can encourage my children to grow to be more like the one we serve. 4. I enjoy my children. The days may be long, and I may fail to complete my agenda for the day, but they are beautiful, respectful, loyal, compassionate and kind. They have joy. It is my job allow the Lord to use me to create an environment that facilitates their becoming more peaceful, joyful, loving, patient, kind, good, faithful and self controlled. 5. The world, and many around me, view success very differently. No matter how busy and smart our peers may seem, this is not the direction that we have chosen. I am beginning with a specific end in mind. I trust the Lord has prepared a way for us, and one of busyness and anxiety is not part of that way. 6. If, at any time, something isn't working, I reserve the right to change it based on what I believe the Lord is saying is right for my child. I will not be mastered by any curriculum or agenda that is arbitrarily set and may not be in our best interest. 7. Homeschool is not public school. It will never look like it. I cannot try to recreate it in my home because the two are fundamentally different. I am preparing my children to follow Jesus and to be responsible, self assured, and confident adults. This is accomplished in many ways and may look much different than a child sitting in a desk for 7 or 8 hours straight. That is OK. 8. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my children and teach them. I teach them with my actions, my words, and with what I surround us with. I should thank the Lord every day for this amazing opportunity, and plead with him each morning for the wisdom and strength to do it well. 9. Although Geoff isn't home during our school day, he is an integral part of the success of our homeschool endeavor. His knowing, approving, and even teaching the curriculum is not only something that I want, it is something that I need. His wisdom and insight into each of our children is invaluable. 10. We need the support of our extended family. We value it. Their encouragement and support are pivotal, through prayer, words of encouragement, and financial blessing. 11. I need to be more diligent in praying that the Lord surrounds us with like-minded families that we can grow and fellowship with.