Mommy Homework Update

After the first week of reading, I have made lots of notes and am learning lots of valuable info.

I have read the first six chapters of Raising Godly Tomatoes. I have been making lots of notes in the book and summarizing the chapters as I read them. The most important thing I have read is to expect pleasant, prompt obedience each time I ask the little ones to do or not do something. I was always consistent with making them obey, but I never really new how to handle a bad attitude when it showcased itself. I am making them re-do the task if a bad attitude is displayed and requiring them to say, "yes mommy" when I give them instructions.

Lou Lou seems to be the most difficult at this point. She does really well obeying most requests but occasionally her obedience is not very prompt. Also I feel like I am having to start all over again each morning. I know she is little and she is wondering do I mean no all the time or just this time. She often cries when I ask her to hold my hand when we are walking or sit still on my lap for bible time. She will hold my hand and sit still with a couple of reminders but the crying about is driving me crazy and I am not sure what to do yet. I am reminding her to be quiet and she eventually stops but it takes awhile.

I was having a lot of trouble with Boo wanting to retreat to his room and pout when something did not go his way. He was generally whiny and had an unpleasant face when he was asked to do something. I have not been letting him go to his room at all when he is upset, but he has to stay close to me. He is learning to wipe the unhappy look off of his face and do things with a "yes. mommy" and smile. I can definately see improvements to his general attitude.

I have read the first two chapters of Honey for a Child's Heart. This book has really been enjoyable and has reminded me of the importance of feeding the imaginations of my children with wonderful stories and books, not television and video games.

I have finished the first few sections of Drawing with Children. I see much potential in this book to teach me how to draw and in turn I can begin teaching Bo really soon. He asked me the other day when we were going to start homeschooling and I said after I finished this book I was going to teach him how to draw. I have my art supply list made and am ready to but them so I can go ahead with the lessons.

I am reading along with the Ambleside Year 0 yahoo group and I have finished the preface to volume one of the Original Homeschooling Series.

I did not read any of Pocketful of Pinecones. I may have to save this one for later. Since we love nature and do a good job of enjoying God's creation, this one can wait until I finish one of the others.

Lots to learn...
Holli

Pregnancy Update

I am feeling really well lately. I still try to get a short nap when the little ones do. This usually recharges my energy enough to make it through the day. I am 21 weeks and 2 days. We found out the day after Christmas that we are having another little girl! Chris was shocked and Bo said, "Oh Me!" But we are thrilled. I am so glad my nursling aka LouLou will have a sister. This little girl moves around a lot. I seemed to notice her moving lots more than the others this early on!

Holli

Mommy Homework

As I prepare to homeschool my children there are several books that I want to read and reflect upon. So with the new year here, I thought I would make a schedule and begin reading a chapter per day from several books.

Raising Godly Tomatoes by L. Elizabeth Kruegar
This book is a must read for all moms, especially moms of little ones. I haven't read the book yet, but the website had been full of useful information. This book has the potential to be the best child training book I have ever read. I am very anxious to get started reading this. The website has affirmed a lot of things I have been trying to accomplish with my little ones (first time obedience, coming when called, obeying joyfully, etc.). Training them when they are young will make homeschooling run much more smoothly.

Home Education volume 1 of Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series
I have read this before, but it is good to keep fresh on my mind. The Yahoo Ambleside Yr 0 group is reading and discussing this book beginning this week. Here is it online!

Drawing With Children by Mona Brooks
I want to read this and brush up on my almost non-existent drawing skills. I plan on learning how to draw right along with the little ones.

Pocketful of Pinecones by Karen Andreola
This is a great fiction book about a homeschooling mother who does nature study with her children. We love God's beautiful creation and I wanted some fresh inspiration for nature study!

Honey for a Child's Heart by Gladys Hunt
This is a book about importance of reading books to your children. Another one I've been hoping to read for awhile.

I'll be taking lots of notes and maybe a few blog posts about what I am learning.

Holli

Did God really say???

"Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" Genesis 3:1

The same crafty, cunning serpent that approached Eve with the words "Did God really say?", uses the same approach with us today. For if he can get me to doubt that God really meant what he said, then my behavior will start deviating from the standard of holiness outlined in God's Word.

How many times throughout the day am I faced with situations when these same words enter into my mind?

Did God really say, "Be holy as I am holy."? (1Peter 1:15-16)

Did God really say, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."? (James 1:19)

Did God really say, "These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."? (Deut 6: 6-7)

Did God really say, "Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."? (Col. 3:12-13)

Did God really say, "Wives submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord." (Col. 3:18)

Did God really say, "Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances..."? (1 Thess 5:16-17)

Did God really say, "Avoid every kind of evil." ? (1 Thess 5:22)

Did God really say, " Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their own husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."?(Titus 2:4-5)

To live the life of obedience to Christ I must be sure to know what God says in His Word. Because when I know God has called me to live in a certain way I can then begin to ask for his strength to live in obedience to His Word.

Still learning,

Holli

Question of the Day

"What are you going to do with your utters now that you are finished nursing sister?"- Bo 4 years

A Warm Day...Long Hike...and His Gifts

Today dawned sunny and crisp and was proving to be a beautiful day. So after all the cold or rainy weather we decided to take the time for a short walk in the pasture before lunch. We set out ten minutes before lunch and was only planning on a short stroll. We ended up walking out to the edge of the woods and telling the boys that at the bottom of the steep hill in the woods was a creek. The boys immediately wanted to see it. So Chris said there used to be a fairly clear path at the back of the pasture along the power lines. We headed for the power lines and found the path overgrown. We decided to make our way down anyway and through small pines, vines, and a steep rock embankment. We found the creek, full and flowing because of the recent rain.

We decided to walk the creek and climb the hill into the pasture later instead of climbing back up the rocky embankment. The woods were cool, the sun was peeking through the trees and the creek was making music over the rocks. It was a beautiful time to enjoy one another and God's creation.

Our short stroll turned into a 3 1/2 hour hike with no lunch, water and an interrupted nap time. The little ones were amazing. They hardly missed lunch and my nursling took a nap laying on mommy in the shade of a tree while the boys played in the creek.

When we finally got home our peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were like a feast. The ice cold water was wonderful and the warm bath to relax was so refreshing. The boys are napping now. Little legs exhausted.

a newborn calf...black as midnight...mother's love protecting

turtle shell...white with age...under the flowing water...God's geometric designs

little one...eye's heavy with sleep...snuggling close to mama...her body warming mine in the shade of the giant trees

watching boys and their daddy...play at the edge of water...then rest in the shade

Bo...such a little man...hiking hungry with hardly a complaint

the warm sun peeking through the trees...shimmering on the water as it rolls down the rocks

Boo...a much improved hiker since last March...quickly becoming a little man

Daddy...so patient and loving with the our new inexperienced hikers

Brokenness over sin...

Since I have been a mommy, God has continually used my children to bring me to my knees and to teach me more about his love, grace and character than anyone else. Today was no exception.

Bo aggravated his brother this morning with a warning from me that he was not to do that specific thing again. A couple of hours later...it happens...again. In this home we use The 21 Rules of Our Home. These rules have become the foundation of the order we expect in this home. The rules are based on scripture. I reference a scripture for each rule we memorize. Rule 21 is In this home, when we forget or disobey any of the 21 rules of our home, we accept discipline and instruction. So Bo had to be corrected.

After the correction, I went out to help Boo close the chicken coop. I came back in and Bo was weeping uncontrollably on the couch. I picked him up and just held him asking him what was wrong. He said, I thought something I should not have thought. I rocked him and sang to him. I asked him to tell mommy what he had said. After about 20 minutes he finally told me he thought a mean thought about Boo. I should not have done that mommy and I am sorry. We prayed, I told him that:

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

He prayed..he asked for forgiveness...he began to clam down and return to the happy little boy I know. But, I will never forget that brokenness. I have never seen him so convicted...so uncomfortable..and I thought I need some of that.

After years of dealing with sin, I guess I've become a little hardened to it. When was the last time I sat down and wept because I has a harsh thought about someone? When have been so broken over my own sin that I couldn't get it out of my mind until it was dealt with. I pray for a brokenness like my sweet Bo. A heart so tender to wrong...a heart knowing he had disobeyed God...a heart out of fellowship longing to return.

Give me a heart like a child...

Still Learning,

Holli