When You Are Tired...

This is the way I feel sometimes!

"Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

-Sir Winston Churchill

Rest when you need to, but never lose your vigilance on the home front.  Keep rolling on for Jesus, dear ones!

Free E-Book!

Something for your homeschool!

I am a bit new to the Charlotte Mason style of home education, but what I've seen so far I really like.  I found a really good web site, Homeschooling Down Under, and it seems to be full of all sorts of really good ideas.  I especially think it is great to have someone from New Zealand who has a vision to create a special homeschooling space just for her own people.

You can download their free e-book, which is a geography textbook written by Mason revised in 1925.  Elementary Geography, Book 1 was written to introduce young children to the study of Geography in a step by step, reasonable and interesting manner.  Even though my youngest is 8, this book has been a great read-aloud!

Keep the homeschool fires going, folks!

What's an Educated Woman to Do?

What's an educated woman to do?

I've been reading a very interesting book by Charlotte Mason, an educator from the 1800s.  Charlotte was actually the original home education proponent, turning the hearts of the parents to the children, and encouraging parents, especially mothers, to use their talents to educate their children at home.  Her writings are refreshing, insightful, and encouraging.  I've been tremendously challenged and blessed by what I've read so far.


Here's an interesting quote I read earlier:

We are waking up to our duties and in proportion as mothers become more highly educated and efficient, they will doubtless feel the more strongly that the education of their children during the first six years of life is an undertaking hardly to be entrusted to any hands but their own.  And they will take it up as their profession - that is, with the diligence, regularity, and punctuality which men bestow on their professional labours.

Looking back now on all that's transpired in the past one hundred and ten years or so, we see that Mason was perhaps a little idealistic, ready to believe in all that is good in people.  Really, we can't fault her, but it's sad to see that just the opposite has happened - mothers have become more highly educated and efficient and instead of benefiting their families with their talents, they have taken them and given their best energies for the purse, or the pocketbook, or the self-esteem.


What's an educated woman to do?  Give of her best to her Master, and give her very best years, talents, and labors to her family.  What better reward can there be for her labors than that her children would rise up and call her blessed?  

Invest in her children!

Life in a Nutshell

Skies are blue, and road is gray,
God is worthy
Every day!

God's Will - Nothing more.

          God's Will - Nothing less.

                   God's Will - Nothing else!

Keep Rolling on, dear ones!

No More Nightmares!

I have a recurring nightmare.

I find myself, in my dream, suddenly asked to come forward in church and sing with the rest of the family.  (That’s not the nightmare part)  As I mount the platform, I look down at my feet and notice, to my great fear and dread, that I HAVE NO SHOES ON!!  To my complete horror, I look out on a sea of faces – all of whom are now looking at my bare feet as well – and I’m frozen with one singular thought.  How do I get out of here?!?  My thundering heart jolts my body alert.

Another horrifying dream I have brings back the old marching band days.

For some odd reason, I find myself suddenly on the field with the rest of the band, standing at attention ready to start the show.  Show?!?  What show??!!?  My mind shrieks.  Two seconds later, the drum majorette is clapping and yelling, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do.  I jerk awake in a cold sweat.

I have yet another frequent dream which troubles me.

With no warning whatsoever, I find myself standing in the hall at East Pennsboro High School, students jostling here, there, everywhere.  I’m standing stock still in the middle of the mayhem, with a paper in my hand.  It’s my class schedule.  I find myself back at high school, and It’s time to go to the next class.  I look down at the schedule, and it’s too blurry to read.  I squint, turn my head from side to side, and even try holding the little paper farther away, but with no success.  I can’t read the dumb thing, and I’m going to be late for class. 

All of these dreams scream one thing: I hate being caught unprepared.  Unfortunately, it has happened to me time and again, hence the dreams. 

I determined that this school year will not catch me unprepared. 

Having seven children, it’s easy to go into a school year completely unprepared.  There have been a few years when I would look at the calendar and, realizing with horror that it was mid-August, I would announce, “Oh, no!  we’ve got to start school TOMORROW!!”  I remember frantically digging through the pile of books, still in the same place as I left them a few months before, looking for this year’s books, wondering if there was anything I should have ordered but didn’t. 

There have even been a few times that one of my children didn’t start school with the others, much to my own shame.

Hopefully, this school year will not catch you unprepared.  Here are some last-minute organization tips for busy homeschoolers:

1.       First, you need to take some time out of your busy summer schedule to check on each of your childrens’ books for the next year.  Do you have everything you need?  Should you order something?  If so, getting to it right away will really reduce the stress load later.

2.       Make a list, with each student’s name at the top, and subjects along the left hand side.  Then list the books you have already, and notice what blanks you have.  Put a star next to those, and pray about how to fill those blanks.  Spend some time looking through catalogs, researching online, or simply talking with your husband to see what would be best for your student and your family.  Then, place your orders!

3.       Next, work on a school schedule.  First, you need to schedule your time, then you may want to make a schedule for your kids’ time.  Making a chore schedule will help around the house, too.  You can schedule your chores and your kids’ chores.

4.       Then, pray about and decide on your school starting date & your target ending date (understand that it probably won’t happen that way, but it may give you something to shoot for).

5.       You will also want to take some time to become familiar with the subject matter your kids are going to be learning this year.  Look at each child’s teacher’s manuals, write down things which you may need to gather, print, or collect.  Then, set aside a time to gather, print, or collect the necessary items.

6.       Take just a few minutes to check on your supplies.  You may need crayons, glue, paper, notebooks, rulers, calculators, etc. etc. etc. etc.

7.       Finally, it would be a good idea to organize each student’s space, or better yet, allow them to get their own space ready.  Make sure each child has an appropriate container for his books, dvds, etc.  Of course, this may go without saying, but it’s a good idea to make sure last year’s mess is cleaned up first! 

Homeschooling does not have to be a nightmare.  Even if you’re just starting your preparation now (you’re in good company – I have some things I need to order tonight, if possible), you can still be ready in time, and start your school year relaxed, prepared, and joyful.  With prayer, preparation, and a lot of grace, you will be ready to start your next school year!

Pulling out Tomorrow!

Yesterday, we loaded up most of the food, the kitchen stuff, and school supplies. I also did a lot of cleaning in the bus, of things I do not normally get a chance to do, like cleaning out the filters of the air conditioners.

Today we are loading all clothes, except for the clothes we are wearing tomorrow. The hardest part is trying to figure out what we will need for the next six months!

Tomorrow is the day set aside for "last minute items" (which I know can be tons!) and for actually pulling out. I don't know why, but when there's a big trip like this, actually leaving can take awhile.

Everybody is excited to be moving into their own spaces in the bus. Each of the kids can decorate their bed area however they want, so that is fun. Soon we will be ready to roll!

My verse for today is: "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." We need to work hard, because today is THE DAY to get it done!

Wit's End Corner

This poem has been a real blessing to me lately, when I seem to find myself daily standing at "Wit's End Corner!"

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”,
Christian, with troubled, brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you,
And all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you,
And you in the battle alone?
Remember – at “Wit’s End Corner”,
Is where God’s power is shown.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”,
Blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it,
You cannot bear the strain,
Bruised through the constant suffering,
Dizzy, and dazed, and numb?
Remember – at “Wit’s End Corner”,
Is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?
Your work before you spread,
All lying begun, unfinished,
And pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it,
Stretching out trembling hands.
Remember – at “Wit’s End Corner”,
The Burden-bearer stands.

Are you standing at “Wit’s End Corner”?
Then you’re just in the very spot,
To learn the wondrous resources
Of Him who faileth not.
No doubt to a brighter pathway
Your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at “Wit’s End Corner”
Is the “God who is able” proved.

- Antoinette Wilson