Homeschooling

ETA: Ok, since I'm new to all of this, I can't figure out to add my pictures below my text. So, I guess next time, I will put my pictures in, then type above it. I don't feel like re-typing everything right now either, as it won't let me copy and paste either. So just go down and read than come back up and look at my pics!!

A picture of Jordan's weekly lesson plan sheet

Our monthly calander (I print out a new one each month)

Weekly & monthly chores for the boys

Their daily routines/jobs

Our daily schedule

I can't believe we are about to end our 8th year homeschooling! Time has gone by so quickly! I wish there was a way to slow the time down, so I can enjoy this time with my kiddos longer. We do have our rough days sometimes, but those good days more than make up for the rough days. I love my boys and I absolutely love being home with them. I am so thankful that I have the privilege to do so.

I am often asked about our school year, by other home school moms and non-home schoolers. So I thought I would share what we do and also our schedule for next year. We usually school year-round, so that we can take breaks more often. It's really quite nice. We can take time off and enjoy the beautiful weather outside in the spring and fall, and be inside doing school during the blistering heat of summer. Plus, the added bonus of taking family vacations during off season, and going somewhere without a big crowd! =)

This school year will end on July 29th for us. Then we will start school again on August 29th. So we'll be taking a 4 week break. This year we will be doing a 6 week on, 1 week off schedule.

August 29- First day of new school year
September 5- No school (Labor Day)
October 10-14-Break week
November 11- No School (Veteran's Day)
November 21-25-Break week (Thanksgiving week)
December 19-January 2-Christmas Break
January 16- No School (MLK day)
February 13-17-Break week
February 20- No School (President's Day)
April 2-6- Spring Break Week
May 21-25- Break week
July 4-No school
July 20- Last day of school

That is our fall schedule. Hopefully it will all go as planned, or at the very least, fairly close to it!! And of course..this is subject to change if I so desire!! =) Lol!

I really like organization. I strive to keep an annual, weekly, & daily schedule. I have lessons plans done for each of the boys for each week, and I have a daily schedule for us to follow. Makes our days go so much smoother. I will post pictures (well try).

Here I go!

I have had it on my heart for a couple of months now, to start blogging...I mean, I only set this thing up over a year ago, and have never used it. =) I keep thinking of all these great things to write about, or more than likely, they're things God has placed on my heart that he really wants me to share. However, for some reason I haven't been able to actually bring myself to the point of really doing it. So, this is where I start! Hopefully someone will enjoy reading my thoughts!!

Children are a Blessing!

As my first "real" post to my blog, I just wanted to share a little bit of my heart. I probably won't be very good at this, and it probably won't be very long, but I will give it my best shot! I hope that it will bless and encourage someone.

Children are a blessing! I'll say it again...Children ARE a blessing!

Psalm 127:3-5 says: Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born of one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

I often forget that my children are a blessing from God...a reward from him. I'm ashamed and saddened to admit that. But thankfully, God gives me mercy and grace. My heart is to learn through His grace, and to try and always remember that they are my blessings. My special "gifts" from Him! Yep...that's right, gifts! He hand picked them for me...ME! He thinks that I am the best mother for them. Really? Me? I often feel that He could have done much better than me, but God doesn't make mistakes! Ever!

God wants me to love them, and care for them, protect, and nurture them, and to train them up in righteousness. It's not always easy to do these things! But, as their mom, I need to strive for doing this as best as I can. All the while knowing, that I have a huge responsibility to fill taking care of these special blessings!

So, what about you? Do you think of your children as "gifts" or blessings? Did it ever occur to you that God himself hand picked your children for you? That you are the best mom for them. I don't know about you, but that is incredibly humbling to me! I think that if us moms can fully embrace the fact that our children are blessings, and treat them as such (not just nod the head and agree), but live it out daily in our lives, we will see even more blessings in our home. Our children should see and feel that they are a blessing.

Most children know their mom loves them, but do they know they are a blessing?