A Good Starting Point (for non-cooks)

In my attempt to shed pounds, I've begun to examine our food choices and to slowly steer away from processed and pre-packaged products. I state slowly because I have to change my lifelong habit of buying for convenience!

My oldest daughter loves Bisquick pancakes, but I couldn't find a replacement box in the grocery store (other than the pourable liquid - yuck!) On Friday morning, I logged onto the Internet and Binged an easy, homemade pancake recipe. As usual, allrecipes.com topped the list.

I am not a stellar cook; worse I am uncomfortable in the kitchen unless I have written, step-by-step directions. Obviously, I can prepare easy meals, but most involve packaged foods. I'm in the midst of training myself to think, "What can I make from scratch?" Friday provided me the opportunity.

I like allrecipes.com because other readers submit comments and many include substitution ingredients. I chose the first pancake recipe, but used melted butter instead of vegetable oil (probably not the healthier choice, I know) and lessened the amount of baking powder and salt per another reader's suggestion. I also added one teaspoon of vanilla, an ingredient that I wouldn't think to use in the batter. The pancakes were very fluffy and filling - my daughter could barely eat two! To my surprise, the pancakes were delicious once cold. More importantly than the taste, the recipe awarded me confidence. Frankly, I don't know if I'll replace the Bisquick now! And I plan to use allrecipes.com for future meal planning. For non-cooks like me, it can be a lifesaver.

The Child Documentary - Airing March 7th

Dear Lord,

Please lend Your hands in encouraging millions of American families to watch The Child. Hear our prayers as we join together to protect Your blessing upon us - the family. Guide us to make the right decisions as we strive to protect parental rights in the United States, the country that You have blessed greatly. Open the hearts of the judges who declare You are not to be taught to our children. Allow the decision makers to see their errors of using the UN treaty to set dangerous precedents in our courts of law. Lord, please strengthen us and those organizations who are working fervently to protect our liberty so we may be the ones to choose what is right for our children and to teach that the only way to You is through Your son, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Re-evaluating

I can't believe that it's March 2nd! I know the time will fly, so I'd better decide on our curriculum for next fall. Technically, I homeschool year-round and allow only about one month off in the summer, but I need to begin planning now. I don't want to make the same mistake as last year - waiting until May to choose first grade and kindergarten curriculum - and walking up and down aisles at the local homeschool conference exhibit hall. I impulsively bought two "curriculums in a box", and frankly, I've been disappointed. The first grade kit assumed that my student could barely read (which isn't the case at all!) and the kindergarten kit needs a lot of supplemental activities. Additionally, both kits introduced the days of creation and my daughters have studied creation twice in one year already! *Sigh*

With the amount of free information and resources on the Internet, I could have written my own curriculum, but I was persuaded to take the easy path and purchase a promise in a box. One mother had warned me against ready-made curriculum, but I fell into the temptation of ease, convenience, and new, shiny textbooks. This year's convention is only two months away so I'll be scrambling a bit to solidify our preferences beforehand. Ironically, the more I study curriculum choices and homeschool methodologies, the less I want to purchase texts and workbooks. So maybe at the May convention, I'll simply browse the used-book booth!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

I recently discovered the web site, The Homeschool Chick, and her weekly journal entitled, "The Homeschool Mother's Journal". Since I love to write, I immediately accepted her open offer to join in the journal and to write about our current week!

In my life this week...

Four sick children (and myself!)

In our homeschool this week...

Our schedule this week was a bit relaxed and random. Amongst the usual copywork, Bible memory verses and math lessons, we added a sketch to our nature books, continued reading Black Beauty and baked a horse cake in honor of our first completed unit study.

Places we're going and people we're seeing...

We hibernated as all of us have nasty colds. However, we welcomed five new visitors to our household - our painted lady butterflies hatched out of their chrysalids! We enjoyed watching the tiny caterpillars grow fat, position themselves to the top of the cup, and eventually spin into a cocoon. Unfortunately, we couldn't keep the butterflies inside for long because a family of ants (that adores crawling onto our kitchen window sill) quickly detected the orange slices on the bottom of the butterfly house. Luckily, our weather improved significantly and we released our brief visitors into the warm sunshine.

My favorite thing this week was...

Rediscovering the poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. I especially liked "The Children's Hour", and assigned a sentence to each of my girls to memorize and recite.

What's working/not working for us...

Relying on workbooks and dry texts is not working for us. Because I've focused on worksheets, text chapters, multiple choice quizzes etc., I rarely fit in music or art appreciation into our weekly schedule. I'd rather read living and whole books, biographies, autobiographies, and poetry. I love reading aloud to the kids, and since I haven't read many of the books suggested in the Charlotte Mason methodology, I am in for a treat! I searched the living room and found several classical audio CDs. Cleaning the kitchen isn't as bad a chore when you're listening to Bach, Mozart and Beethoven!

Homeschool questions/thoughts I have...

Often I wonder if I'll ever have my act together! It seems as if I'm always reading, analyzing and researching curriculum, methodologies and schedules. I'm closer to what I want to implement in our homeschool, but I have a lot more studying to do. Anyone else feel the same?

A photo, video, link or quote to share...

I have you fast in my fortress,

And will not let you depart,

But put you down into the dungeon

In the round-tower of my heart.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's The Children's Hour

Hats off to you!

If I weren't ill, I'd be in Phase Four of the Fit Yummy Mummy Fit Fast 4-Week Workout Plan! The last three weeks have been a phenomenal physical change - my hat off to you, Holly Rigsby! While I haven't lost more than 2 pounds, I can tell that my body is changing shape. My clothes fit a little better. And after each 15-20 minute workout, I feel very sore!

Ironically, for a person who lacks strength, I love the push-ups and squats! The Belgian split squats caused my body to be tender in places I've never experienced before. Yay!

Hopefully, I'll begin to feel better so I can hop back into the FYM workouts. In my previous posts, I promised myself to exercise six times per week; however with Holly's workouts, I cannot do her routines two days in a row! Too painful. I have been supplementing with outdoor walking and abdominal exercises. Hurry up, germs - get out of my body so I can continue to reshape it on the outside!

Fit Yummy Mummy

Last Wednesday, I began Phase I of the Fit Yummy Mummy workouts. I am a natural skeptic (something I wish to change this year!) and I didn't see how fifteen minutes of exercise could produce weight loss and muscle tone. Then I did the first three sets of spider man crawls and squats, and as I started to breathe really hard, the cynical side of me practically disappeared!

By the end of day two, my thighs were so sore that walking up and down the stairs (especially when carrying my 19-month-old) was utter torture! I can't remember a time when I had such intense soreness in my muscles!

Am I still skeptical? Indeed. But now my curiosity has overshadowed the doubt and I can't wait to continue to the next phase!

Two Friends

I have two Jennifers in my life. And I'm one lucky gal for it!

The first Jennifer I've known for almost 35 years - she lived across the street from me. Many of my happy childhood memories include her. I remember our adventures to the creek in the woods, feeding the tiny fish pieces of cheese singles. I remember our weekend walks to the local 7-Eleven store to buy candy and Slurpee's, and how one time, we got caught in the rain on the way home and laughed hysterically. I remember her first car and the freedom we felt as we drove the suburban streets. I remember how we grew apart as teens and how I wished we attended the same high school. I'm blessed because our friendship bloomed again as mothers and even though I don't see her, I know she's only an email away. Her advice, empathy, spirituality and encouragement lift me and remind me of our strong roots.

I met a second Jennifer on Face Book. She was a mutual friend of a friend and I'm so fortunate to know her! Ironically she lives in my home state and her husband grew up in my old town! Small world. We often exchange messages and our daughters have become pen pals. She shares powerful links and web sites with me, enriching my knowledge in homeschooling techniques and resources as well as in the Christian worldview. She too is only an email away and I can count on her for listening to my faults and mistakes, sharing learned principles, and supporting my endeavors whether it be physical fitness, curriculum choices or Bible study. She is a true gem and hopefully, one day, I can meet her in person!

Two friends by the same name. Both hold special places in my heart. Both are endowed with goodness, caring, and solidarity. Both I thank God for.

Out with the old...

I sincerely want this year to be different. I want to transform myself inside and out. I want to clear the mucky cobwebs, declutter my mind (and my personal space), and strengthen my body.


I've enlisted the help of Fit Yummy Mummy creator, Holly Rigsby. A couple of years ago, I purchased her ebook, but frankly I didn't get beyond the first few pages. Why did I get stuck? Was I not mentally ready? Was I merely lazy? I don't know the answer. What I do know is that I want to feel good and hold my head high. I want to treat my body with respect.


Today I bought Holly's basic workout program. Rather than just an ebook, I'll receive DVDs with Holly's workouts. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'll stick to her routines and begin to see a difference in my weight and body shape.


In my last post, I pledged to exercise six days a week. Since Holly's workouts are only 15 minutes each, maybe I should do one every single day. Maybe I should shift my old habits aside and wake each morning at the same time, exercise and pray. Maybe, just maybe, if I do this, the new habits will become the norm and I can bust out of this overweight cocoon!

Committing to Change

While I work to resolve inner conflict and heal my heart, I also plan to focus on my external condition. Yes, I am referring to weight! I'd love to lose 15 pounds and look and feel stronger. I am very soft right now, and my padding is shifting to new parts! Yuck. For the past year, I have noticed a much slower metabolism. I knew that I couldn't eat the same diet, especially once I stopped breastfeeding and exercising. A piece of me wants to pledge - here on this post - that I will no longer delight in chocolate candy or cookies or chips. But I am afraid that I'll fail and end up with a giant egg on my face.

So...

Why not pledge to exercise six days a week, alternating cardio and weight lifting, and continue to monitor the morsels on my plate?

I've already given up my beloved Chick-Fil-A vanilla shakes, Doritos, Oreos, and Diet Coke. I'm no saint - I do eat some chips and crackers - I simply watch the serving size. However, I refuse to abstain from coffee! It is a morning ritual and something I look forward to. At lunch, I try to limit carbs and focus on fruits.

I also know my danger hour - early evening when I'm sitting at the computer, planning for the next school day. Often I'll reach for chocolate. Why don't I clear the cabinets and allow zero chocolate in the house? Because I am a woman and complete deprivation isn't always the answer. Do I buy peanut M&Ms? No! I have no will power with those tantalizing candies in the kitchen! Yet I can purchase chocolate chips and not have the same response. And we can actually bake with the chips!

(Sigh)...I guess, as with most things, the diet will be a day to day effort. But perhaps this time, I'll pray for God's strength too.

My goal date is July (my son's second birthday), a short six months away. My incentive is a new wardrobe. Please Lord, help me to become healthier. Not for a passing goal, but for a lifetime.

"Staying Close to the Almighty"

This deserves a permanent post to my blog. Dr. Charles Stanley always seems to write devotionals that speak directly to me. And this one came at a poignant moment considering my emotional roller coaster ride last weekend. Working past old haunts and addressing skeletons isn't an easy task for the heart. But now is the time, and if I remember to keep my eyes and ears open, God will provide encouragement and sustenance, for example:

January 19

Staying Close to the Almighty

Isaiah 41:10-14

As children of the Most High, we are called to walk with Him whether circumstances are delightful or difficult. Both can be challenging.

In times of relative ease, we may lose sight of how dependent we are on God. Of course, we still desperately need His direction and care, but pleasant "seasons" can cloud that reality and lull us into a self-sufficient mindset. To prevent this, we should discipline ourselves to fill our minds with God's Word, pray for direction, and listen for His answer.

Strenuous times, on the other hand, can draw us to our Creator for sustenance and help. With Christ by our side, we can walk fearlessly through any situation. As Jesus warned, hardship is inevitable (John 16:33). Yet we have a choice about how to respond. We can either let painful situations trigger increased dependence upon the Lord, or we can allow doubt, depression, and anger to fill us.

The Lord promises to give all that we need to endure difficulty well. Our responsibility is to stay by His side, follow where He leads, and obey even when we don't like or understand what is happening. Our goal should align with the apostle Paul's: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7).

Amen!

Inner Beauty

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30 NIV

Tonight, I read the original book, The Beauty and the Beast, to the girls before bedtime. I had it saved (for free) to my Kindle. Technically, it was the first book that I read using the handy, ingenious device. And thank goodness for the ease of Internet searching - I merely typed, "Bible verses on beauty" in the Bing toolbar and literally, BING!, several options appeared on the screen. I chose the above verse for copywork.

Indeed, technology can be marvelous!

Parents' Complaints

Perhaps this shouldn't bother me, but it does. We had an incredible ice storm - beginning Sunday - and the public schools have closed for three days and counting. If I'm not mistaken, the county declared another snow day for tomorrow, Thursday.

The snow days and school cancellations don't bother me (our house isn't affected, thank goodness). What ruffles my feathers is the barrage of parental complaints littering Face Book. Parents are moaning and becoming stir crazy because they are forced to spend 24/7 with their own children! Did I read those statuses correctly?

Wait a minute. That complainer used to be me too. When I believed the public school system was a way for me to be alone and "free", I too would be aghast at the number of missed school days; as if the weather ruined my private plans! I also remember a lot of mornings at the local preschool as I overheard mothers' conversations and how they couldn't wait to drop off their child so shopping/eating/working out at the gym/socializing could be done. What a sad commentary.

Have we become so accustomed to somebody else raising our children that when we have zero alternative and must watch and care for these precious babes non-stop for four days, we go ballistic?! Praise God for homeschooling. While it isn't easy by any stretch of the imagination, the moments I've gained understanding my girls' hearts are priceless and a true gift. If only these folks on Face Book had the same experience.

1 Corinthians 13 for Homeschool Moms

{Published in the Fall 2010 GHEA Magazine}

1 Corinthians 13 for Homeschool Moms

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels,
and teach my children Latin conjugations,
Chinese, and Portuguese, but do not have love, I
have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal,
and no matter what I say, they will not hear me.

If I have the gift of prophecy, and know my
children's bents and God's plan for their lives,
and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and
am the keeper of the teacher's editions and
solutions manuals, and if I have all faith, so as to
move mountains, and even keep up with my
giant piles of laundry and dishes, but do not have
love, I am nothing, even if all the people at
church think I'm Supermom.

And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor,
and my formal dining room gets turned into a
schoolroom, and our family vacations look more
like educational fieldtrips, and if I surrender my
body to be burned, never having time to get my
nails done, put makeup on, or even take a bath,
but do not have love, it profits me nothing
because all my family cares about is the expres-
sion on my face, anyway.

Love is patient with the child who still can't get
double-digit subtraction with borrowing, and
kind to the one who hasn't turned in his research
paper. It is not jealous of moms with more,
fewer, neater, more self-directed, better-behaved,
or smarter children.

Love does not brag about homemade bread,
book lists, or scholarships, and is not arrogant
about her lifestyle or curriculum choices. It does
not act unbecomingly or correct the children in
front of their friends. It does not seek its own,
trying to squeeze in alone time when someone
still needs help;
it is not provoked when interrupted for
the nineteenth time by a child, the phone, the
doorbell, or the dog; does not take into account a
wrong suffered, even when no one compliments
the dinner that took hours to make or the house
that took so long to clean.

Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness or
pointing out everyone else's flaws, but rejoices
with the truth and with every small step her
children take in becoming more like Jesus,
knowing it's only by the grace of God when that
occurs.

Love bears all things even while running on no
sleep; believes all things, especially God's
promise to indwell and empower her; hopes all
things, such as that she'll actually complete the
English curriculum this year and the kids will
eventually graduate; endures all things, even
questioning from strangers, worried relatives,
and most of all, herself.

Love never fails. And neither will she. As long
as she never, never, never gives up.

~ Misty Krasawski

It's been one year!

Tomorrow, we celebrate our first year of homeschooling! Well, I doubt the girls will be interested; in fact today my oldest asked (after a long Christmas holiday), "Am I in fifth grade now?" Out of the mouth of babes...

It has been very difficult for me to fall back into our normal school routine. I take three different medications to combat my bronchitis and all leave me drowsy and fatigued. I can't tell if I'm feeling any better yet. The nurse warned me that the cough may not abate for weeks. So, not the best start to the new year but I must be patient, and in time I'll heal.

One year! I survived! I don't want to quit! These accolades are praiseworthy - thank You, Lord! As He knows, many days I wanted to surrender and I didn't feel as if I could lead the household anymore. He has heard my prayers and He has comforted my doubts and fears. He never fails me.

I have been fortunate to locate a couple of terrific homeschooling families on Face Book. If I ever feel lost or frustrated, I update my status and within a short time, I receive several pep talks in my inbox. It is wonderful and encouraging. Thank You, Lord for bringing these ladies into my life.

Perhaps what surprises me the most is my confidence level. I am slowly learning to trust my gut. I believe my path to home educating is the right one for us and I am secure in my curricula. If I ever feel inundated, I simply focus and turn to the Bible. This is my personal "refresh" button.

It certainly hasn't been a bed of roses but as the Bible teaches us, God uses moments like these to mold us. I pray that my heart remains open so I can always hear Him clearly and serve His purpose.

Beginning in The Book of Proverbs

Even though I was raised in the Catholic community, I never opened a Bible as a child. I attended mass every Sunday, without exception, and received all of my Catholic sacraments, but I had no clue about God's Word.

Thankfully, my neighbor introduced me to the Bible and it has transformed my life. About three years ago, my husband and I were invited to our neighbor's non-denominational church for a candlelight Christmas Eve service and I was enthralled. The service was intimate and beautiful. We began to attend the church and little by little, my senses were awakened to a new world, God's world.

I had always been a faithful person. He showed Himself to me in different circumstances (which I can write about in a later entry), and I knew instinctively that I could depend on Him through my prayers and tears.

Fast forward to now and I've decided to purchase, The Book of Proverbs: God's Book of Wisdom study guide authored by Colorado pastor Kevin Swanson. (I listen to Kevin Swanson's radio program Generations with Vision as often as I can. He is a great motivator and keeps my thoughts and feelings in perspective.) My intent is to learn the Book of Proverbs alongside my family: my husband at the helm, my four children and myself. As we explore the study guide together, I'll include more postings on our progress.

"Genesis is God's history book of the world, the book of Psalms is God's book on worship, the Gospels are God's autobiography of the Savior, and the book of Proverbs is God's book on life." Kevin Swanson

Gathering Wisdom

"If we don't pay attention to the issues that come up for us every month during the years when our periods are regular, our symptoms will escalate as we get older." Christiane Northrup, M.D. from The Wisdom of Menopause

While I don't agree with everything Dr. Northrup discusses in her book, many of her words jump off the page! I believe that I'm on the path to perimenopause. I've turned back to writing (a love that was placed on the back burner for years) as I cope with unresolved issues and rediscover who I was meant to be for the next forty years.

I've noticed that as I grow older - and become closer to God's Word - I tend to buck the popular trends in society. For example, I have never taken a birth control pill. I witnessed the evil effects of the pill because my older sister took them for 6+ years. As soon as she stopped, her body retaliated. She had to see a dermatologist and unfortunately she was prescribed more pills. It is a vicious cycle. A pill for this, a pill for that. I decided that road was not for me.

I have learned to listen to my body. What does it need? What should I change? What should I add? My monthly cycles can be harsh and frankly, I hate those seven days. But my cycles are regular and dependable so I realize my body is working optimally.

I'm also looking more seriously at vitamins. In my dream world, I'd be living on 50 acres in the middle of nowhere, growing my own fruits and veggies, baking my own bread from scratch and learning to live off the land. Alas, here I sit in reality. Since our organic selections in the grocery stores are poor, I rely on my vitamin intake. Dr. Northrup has a comprehensive preimenopause supplement list in her book.

This will indeed be a year for gathering wisdom, and definitely courage as I encounter skeletons, forgive and bury past hurts for good, and evolve into the woman I want to be. I pray that I can do it well and please Him so my children may reap all of the benefits of a healed and happy mother.

Imperfection

Unfortunately, I am a perfectionist. I hope to change that part of me this year. Or at the least to label myself a recovering perfectionist! No doubt there's a ton of books on the subject of striving for perfection only to encounter frustration and failure. Only One is perfect - God. And no matter how hard I try, I won't ever reach a perfect conclusion.

When I was a little girl, I believed my mother had many perfect qualities. She never showed anger or impatience. She never complained. If you knew my childhood home, to never complain in that environment must've taken an unbelievably strong will. But I needed to see her weaknesses. Ten years ago, as a new mother, I aimed for perfection and repeatedly failed and disappointed myself. I couldn't cook a meal with ease like my mother. I was frustrated and depressed. I bellyached often. In my mind, I'd never match her skills. I beat my self-esteem to a pulp.

My mother's mother - my Gram - also had admirable character traits. Gram's mother died when she was 13, so my grandmother took control of the household and took care of her brother and father. Gram was loving, outgoing, vivacious and extremely personable. She clearly never met a stranger. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with her. She fussed over all of the grandchildren - making scrumptious dinners, giving manicures, teaching card and board games, and giggling and laughing into the late night hours. These are memories I'll cherish forever.

But perhaps the greatest gift that my gram gave to me was her willingness to display her faults and shortcomings. Why do I view the negative as a positive? Because my grandmother wasn't perfect. She knew it and I knew it. I never felt as if I had to reach my grandmother's level in cooking or excel in meeting new people and developing new friendships effortlessly. If she encountered a conflict, she let us know. I truly appreciated her. I loved spending the weekends with her, as a child, as a teen, and as an adult.

There's something beautifully endearing about the truth. Yes, the truth can be difficult or painful, but my heart appreciates the closeness that truth brings. The walls crumble down and the emotions are real and raw. Imperfections and all.

Health

It's funny. When I feel terrific, I seldom think about or pay attention to my health. I try to thank God for keeping me healthy, but it isn't prominent in my mind when nothing hurts or aches.

December was a horrible month for our family. Most of the kids were sick, my husband contracted a sinus infection that never healed properly, and my littlest began to feel better in time to catch a secondary (or third?) cold. Fortunately, I stayed healthy and happy throughout the Christmas holiday only to feel sick before New Year's. I haven't felt well for nine days and I'm tired of it. Now that I am coughing and my head aches and my body cries for rest, what's on my mind 24/7? My health! Funny.

A Diary?

For now, I am the only one who can view this blog. I don't know what the purpose of "Speech Paint" will be, and perhaps it will only be a sounding board and outlet as I tackle some deep emotions and past hurts. On the other hand, it may be inspirational as I learn new things approaching my 40th year on earth.