The Big Huge Dora

Dora was at the McWane Center today! Since Claire LOVES Dora, I decided to take everyone to see her. After reading on other blogs that the line was very long, we got there early. She was supposed to come at 10:00 so we got in line at 9:40 and were first! It quickly filled up and Dora came out early, so we only waited 10 minutes. The girls loved seeing and hugging her. Henry loved her from afar and Jack slept through the entire event. After we met her, we did a Dora scavenger hunt which was a big hit.

O&A "Ask me anything"

What curriculum are you using?

I've spent hours and hours looking at curriculum. Maybe that's not necessary but it was important to me. Here's what I've settled on for next year.

Bible: The Bible, Veritas Press Old Testament read alouds, Leading Little Ones to God, Catherine Vos Story Bible. Memory work: Bible verses, 1/2 Children's Catechism, 1 Hymn a month. This will all be done throughout the day in formal and informal learning. Hymns can be learned in the car for example.

Math: Christian Light Education 1

Language Arts (included reading, reading comprehension, grammar, spelling, handwriting): Christian Light Education 1

Greek: Hey Andrew! Reader The Reader simply teaches the Greek alphabet so no big deal!

Science and History: Christian Light Education 1. No formal lessons are needed in Kindergarten but we'll just do this for fun and see how it goes. Both will probably only be done 2-3 times a week.

Read-Alouds: Little House in the Big Woods, Charlotte's Web, AA Milne (for poetry), etc

Character Training: Doorposts - Polished Cornerstones. This is character training for girls. It hopefully will be repeated over several years with different projects for different ages. 1 time a week

Kate will probably also take piano (from my mom) and ballet.

In second grade, we'll switch over to Veritas Press for Bible and History.

That's the plan for now.

Are you part of a support group? No - not at this time. The state law requires enrollment in a "cover school" at age 7. We will start that at the beginning of the next school year (2011-2012). We will be using Evangel Presbyterian. That will be my "offical" support group. Right now, I do know a few other moms that are homeschooling that I know of and one person in particular that I can call when I'm having a bad day and she'll encourage me.

I'll take a break from the homeschool questions (I'll get back to them) and answer these next time:

I love your big family! How many kids do you think you will have? How do you and your husband find time for intimate time? - Don't worry, this will be G-rated!

Questions from "Ask me anything" Box

Here's the first question/questions I received:

Tell us more about homeschooling. What curriculum are you using? Are you part of a support group? What does your day look like teaching, learning time and taking care of the kids. Do you like it?

Tell us more about homeschooling.

I'll try to give a little background info because that might help. Kate is technically only in K-4 this year. I wanted to go ahead and start to test everything out. I've spent so much time researching curriculum, schedules, etc, but you have to practically work it out to see how you like it. For instance, I picked Saxon math and I like it in theory, but I don't like teaching it so I've already scrapped it.

When people ask where Kate goes to school and I mention homeschooling, I always get at least one of these responses and most of the time I get all 3: "Oh, you must be so patient." "You must be very disciplined." "I couldn't be around my kids that much." For the record, I am not patient, I am not disciplined, and sometimes it is hard to constantly be working and not have a break. Seriously, if you don't believe me, ask Rick. I am sinful and I am selfish but I have learned that I can "do all things through Christ who strengthens me." When I have a good day, and I'm super patient and on top of everything, I can look back at the end of the day and KNOW that the Lord has supplied all my needs. When I have a terrible day and I'm impatient and unorganized (unmotivated) I can look back at the end of the day and KNOW my need for Christ. The Lord is gracious and gives me enough good days as to not become too discouraged, and enough hard days to protect me from pride. About once every 2 months or so, I cry to Rick and he reminds me of these things as well. For some, homeschooling may be "easy", but for me, it puts me in a place where I have to 100% rely on the Lord and I know that's a good place to be.

One story and then I'll stop and answer the other questions later so you all won't be bored with this long post. A couple of weeks ago, Kate was not getting something we were doing. She's 5 and doesn't know things, THAT'S WHY I'M TEACHING HER!!! I should have been patient and understanding, instead, I became frustrated with her. I knew I had hurt her by my impatience and frustration; she had tears in her eyes. At this point, I felt like the worst mother in the entire world. I went to her and hugged her. I apologized for my actions and explained to her that this is why Christ had to come and die, to save me from my sin. I'm so sinful that I would make my own daughter want to cry. She forgave me and we prayed together and I confessed my sin to the Lord. That stayed with me all day and I told Rick about it that night. I was still feeling bad about it. Rick explained to me that that situation is one of the main reasons we want to homeschool; we want our children to SEE the gospel lived out on a daily basis. We don't want them to only have knowledge of our Saviour. The gospel is real, Christ is real, sin is real and He has forgiven my sin through His death. I am not perfect and our children won't be either, but they can see sinful parents, seeking (and desperate for) the Lord, thankful for what He has done.

I'll answer these questions in the next post:

What curriculum are you using? Are you part of a support group?

Ask me anything!

I have a new box on the top left side of the blog. It's an "Ask me anything" box. If you have any questions you want me or Rick (or any of the children for that matter) to answer, you can now ask anonymously. Hopefully this will be fun!

Rain

It's dark outside and pouring down rain. Only one of us is taking advantage of this day:

Jack was supposed to be playing with us but I guess we wore him out.

John Richard - Covenant Child

Jack was baptized today. It was a wonderful time. I am grateful for the blessings the Lord has given us and pray that we will honor the Lord as we seek to raise our children to worship Him. Here are some pics from the day and his blessing from Rick.

At home

Getting dressed in the "bride's room"

Blessing

Talking to the pastor

Our covenant children - Thanks be to God

Jack,

We live in an age when many call themselves "Christian", but few have counted the cost of discipleship. Our prayer is that you will receive the grace necessary to repent toward God having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Your name, John, means Yahweh is gracious, and it is our hope that this serves as a constant reminder to you of your need for the wonderful grace of our Lord. May He turn you from the power of Satan to God, that you may receive forgiveness of sins. As Paul tells us, there will be men rising up speaking twisted things to draw you away from CHrist; therefore, we commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, resist Satan, and remember the prayer of David in Psalm 86:15 when he says, "But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." May these words be on your lips all the days of your life as evidence of God having made you a new creation in Christ. Finally, Know always that we love you dearly, and will pray without ceasing for you in all these things.