Vacation

Howdy!

In Texas, spring vacations are all about relaxing, sight seeing, and getting a tan.  Well, that's exactly what we did minus the tan plus fishing.  More like sunburns for our fair skin-ded family. (Texas word)

Speaking of burns...boy were we burnt-out with school.  So hitting the road for a week of guilt free vacation was just in time.

We started at a gator farm in Grand Saline where Katie was greeted with a baby alligator to pet......

(No, we didn't pet these!)

 ....and a ferret named Prissy.  

Then headed out to Lake Caddo:

The Lotus' were beautiful.

Daddy scowled about her short shorts only to remember he packed her bag :) Katie and I will be cleaning out some drawers this week!  

Then we ditched electronics and went out to Grasslands in Decatur to fish.  No success. So we attempted lake Benbrook and caught 2 tiny stripers. We might not have caught too many fish but we had a ton of fun just enjoying the outdoors and each other!

To top it off, we just by chance ended up taking vacation the week of the Homeschool Bookfair.  My husband attended the bookfair with us for the first time this year.  Even though it's crowded, it's encouraging to see so many families like us!

At the book fair, we purchased the little reader story books that Katie loves by Rod and Staff.  These story books are written and illustrated by the Anabaptist community and cost about $2 and some change per copy. Katie loves anabaptists and mennonites because of their cotton dresses, bonnets, and simple way of living.  The books aren't bright and stimulating but instead peaceful, simple, and classical storylines. It's about kids helping their parents, being kind to others, and being creative.  She couldn't wait to get home and read the stories!

Katie's favorite

We also purchased some readers about Christian Heroes from YWAM. (stands for Youth With A Mission)  I could have purchased them all (yikes) but I started with 2 female heroes since Katie is a female.  One particular book about a lady named Amy Carmichael inspired Katie to start praying about opening an orphanage. :)

Most little ones usually really love math or dread it.  Mine is a dreader.  "Oh mom, do we have to do Math? Can we do Math last?"  While we purchased our normal ACE curriculum at the book fair, I was scouting out something to make math interesting for miss Katie. Just something fun to merge with our current math.  We came across a booth called Math-U-See.  We stopped and let the salesman do the demo.  While, it had lots of colorful interesting blocks, I am always skeptical of "new concepts".  So we picked up theses recommended books called Life of Fred.  It takes you through a fictional character's life named Fred who encounters the need to use Math in everyday life.  After all, even at 30 years old, I still don't understand why we need Algebra! We came home and whizzed through 40 pages of Life of Fred giggling the whole way! I finally said, "Okay, lets save some for later!"   If you have a Math dreader like me, you might want to check out Life of Fred.

Life of Fred Butterflies

Alright, now it's time to get back to it!

When Homeschooling Gets Tough

When I began Homeschooling, I looked to any source that I could to get some advice or help.  So I ordered this book on half.com for 75 cents plus shipping called, "When Homeschooling Gets Tough" by Diana Johnson.  

The book is small so the task of reading didn't seem to overwhelming.  I wondered what kind of good advice such a small book would have. In the beginning she blabs on and on about her credentials, college degrees, how she's a homeschool curriculum writer, and her husband is a minister.  I almost put the book down because the last thing I needed was to hear how tough it was for some highly educated pastors wife with a perfect life!  But as she reveals, at times, she also feels inadequate to teach.  Wow.  Suddenly I don't feel so alone. 

She also reveals her life is not so perfect as it may seem.  When speaking of her husband, a preacher, she says, "He preaches each sunday.  He labors over his messages.  After services he greets his people warmly.  His suit shoulders often have makeup (not mine) and baby drool on them.  He loves the little ones and greets them as sincerely as he greets their parents.  He is regularly seen with a child in his arms.  Guess what?  He doesn't teach math in our homeschool.  He doesn't teach science either. Even family devotions can be crowded out if church needs or responsibilities are too pressing.  It happens more often than either of us would like to admit....Right before my very eyes I would see homeschool dads who seemed to personify perfect homeschool manhood.  They were always there for heart-to-hearts with mom or kids, to guide, direct, and discipline when needed.  I would find myself becoming idealistic and grumpy."

How do we learn satisfaction with the homeschool dads God has given us?  Ever felt like she has?  

1. Realize you are on the outside looking in.  As Christians, we strive to glorify God through our family.  Be assured that those same men are bonified sinners that walk on the earth just like our husbands.  No matter how perfect they seem, it's just not the case.  

2. Understand that your husband is just as commited to your children's education.  You may live it out differently but know that he trusts you 100% if he's not constantly checking in on you.  

3.  Stop putting so much pressure on your husband to be like the Jones'.  I have heard ladies say when boasting amongst each other, "My husband has quit his side jobs and dropped overtime as a sacrifice to be home with us more."  And all the ladies around the room say, "Awe, how sweet."  And in their mind, they are thinking, 'wish my husband would do that.'  Be assured that the majority of men who have stopped striving so hard at work have caved to the pressure of their suggestive wife who believes the kids are not having a quality life due to the lack of the fathers involvement.      

Have you ever met military families?  These brave men are shipped off for months or years at a time leaving only the mothers to raise the family.  So why do the vast majority of these children love, cherish, and have the utmost respect for their fathers?

Mother, you are the key.  Your perspective will carve the image of Dad in their sweet little minds.  If you are constantly complaining to your husband about his overtime, inabilities, and lack of dedication for the family be assured that your children are listening to you grumble or "suggest".  Your children will mimic the attitude you have toward your spouse and will develop the same opinions.  Soon that hard working dad will all of the sudden become a looser in the eyes of his children.  Mother, that is the worst thing that could happen!  You don't want this!  Be happy with whatever involvement he can give.  Lastly, pray.  Let your discontentment be made known to God.  A little conversation with God will help you get a good perspective.    

"for I have learned in whatsoever state I am,  therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11

Start making some changes with your schedule.  If your family life consists of a husband who works late, start adjusting the children's schedules to his.  It may involve your kids staying up later to get some additional time with Dad.  Isn't homeschool about taking advantage of flexibility? Wait on Dad for dinner.  They will learn respect and consideration for Dad when you postpone dinner just especially for him!  Find ways to show Dad you appreciate his hard work, and your children will do the same.  I do not recall ever hearing our daughter complain about Dad being at work late, but I have heard her mimic me in stating, "I sure miss Dad."  She greets him with a kiss at the door everyday especially when he comes home late.....not a frumpy disappointed face. I challenge you to get a good perspective.  What kind of face will you greet your hard working husband with today?  

A Ruth Mentality

Naomi had it bad.  She lost her husband.  Then her two sons.  All that was left was her 2 daughter in laws.  She decided to go back to her hometown.....a long journey away.  She said goodbye to her 2 daughter in laws and bid them ado.  One daughter in law kissed her on her cheek and said goodbye.  But there was one special daughter in law who refused to leave her side.  She was the one who made her big debut in the Bible.  Her name was Ruth.

Tips of the Trade

While I am still a babe at Homeschooling, I've learned a few tricks here and there.  Spending time listening to other homeschool moms has helped me learn stressers.  Though I am still growing, I feel we have a decently well oiled machine. While many have different ways to teach, I'd like to share some things that have made our lives simpler. 

The Farmer and The Dell

Katie sweet talked our local farmer into letting us come work on the farm.  With our family on the lookout and planning for future land purchase, I would say we need all the help we can get!

Since we buy our meat and milk from this farm, it was even more cool to see how our milk is processed; from the cow to the jug! 

Katie helped prepare the grain to lure the diary cows in for milking!

They knew what time it was.  Everybody lined up.
Number 41 won 1st place at the 2013 Fort Worth Stock Show for the Holstein breed. I believe she is a returning champ.

Undying Love

1 John 4:7   Valentines creations :) 

While the origin of Valentines day is murky and indefinite, what is celebrated on this occasion in our current times is not.  Valentines is all about love, gifts, and romance.

Arbuckle Wilderness

We went to Arbuckle Wilderness!   

Since kindergarten, we've been learning about all these animals.  Exciting fictional stories and known facts.   It was soooooo cool to see them in person eating from our hands!  I just had to share the pics!  

Katie would point excitedly and say, "Momma momma, it's like Emil Emu from the story!"  

Katie's favorite pic.