Why We Choose To Homeschool...

Today I am guesting posting over at The Kindle Crew about why Dwight & I chose to educate our children at home. So, if you've ever wondered why we continually choose to do what we do... go on over and check it out! My sweet friend, Jennifer, is doing a series of posts from fellow homeschooling moms in hopes of answering some of the many questions others ask. If you find yourself with many questions, whether they are why someone would homeschool, where you find curriculum, how you get started, homeschooling multiple ages or even more advanced ages, stay tuned to The Kindle Crew and you may just gain some insight.

One Week To Go...

At this time next Friday, I'll be in the car on my way to have tea with Sally Clarkson! I am SUPER excited as I ponder the things God wants to say to me at the Mom Heart Conference next weekend... the friends I will meet... the friends I already know, but want to know more deeply... being completely surrounded by women created in the same image I was with similar desires for their children and family.

Call it... camaraderie... fellowship... encouragement... refreshement... renewal... I don't really care what you call it. I'm looking forward to it! :)

On a side note, I'm praising the Lord for the amount of women that are being refreshed by Sally's ministry! I learned yesterday that they reserved 420 rooms at the hotel for the conference, and all of them have been reserved already!! Mind blowing...

It's not too late to go! You can register at the door if you want. They have reserved 50 extra rooms at the Wyndham across the street. So if you're thinking about attending... don't wait! I have a feeling you won't be disappointed.

I am BURSTING with anticipation! :)

'Come to Me'

I just wanted to share the lyrics to a song that has been, to me, a soothing salve of sorts at times lately. There are times in our walks when we become weary from the spiritual battles we fight... broken by the world around us, or when the Lord brings us to a new level of understanding of Him... burdened for the lost or the constant training of our children. Let's face it, friends, Jesus warned us this journey wouldn't be easy. But, in Christ, we certainly have reason to rejoice!

Come to me, you weary one.
And I will give you rest, I will give you rest.
Come to me, you weary one.
And I will give you rest, I will give you rest.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Take me upon you. I will give you rest.

Come to me, you broken one.
And I will give you peace, I will give you peace.
Come to me, you broken one.
And I will give you peace, I will give you peace.
I will calm your waters, and I will whisper,
"Peace be still."
Take me upon you. I will give you peace.

Come to me, you burdened one.
And I will give you joy, I will give you joy.
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Come to me, you burdened one.
And I will give you joy, I will give you joy.
You will rise like eagles, and my joy shall
be your strength.
Take me upon you. I will give you joy.

Come to me (x3)
I have been waiting for you here.
He has been waiting for you here.
Come. Come to Him.
Come and find your peace.
Come and find your rest.
Come and find your joy.
He is waiting here for you.
He is waiting here for you with open arms.
To hold you, to embrace your heart, to love you.
He is waiting here (x2)

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

-Hebrews 4:15-16

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."

-1 Peter 4:12-13

If you find yourself in one of these places today, seek the One who truly comforts! He is waiting for you...

*Song is 'Come to Me' by Kari Jobe



Life-giving Memories

Well, I'm off to see my midwife today for the first time with this pregnancy. I'm excited to hear the beating heart of this life growing inside! We will all be going as a family... which I LOVE. :)

Tina delivered both Hayden and Elijah, but when we reminded the children last night that we were going to see her this morning, Corbin was the only one who remembered her. Wanting to make them a little more comfortable with her before hand, we got out the slideshow of Elijah's birth and played it. It's a twenty-minute DVD of pictures my sister-in-law, Melissa, took during the labor and delivery which she then put to the same music that was playing that evening. Needless to say, I LOVE this DVD! I love the memories it brings back... the reminder of my weakness but God's strength... the reminder of how quickly the pain and anguish cease when I finally hold that tiny baby in my arms... the joy in my heart (and on my face) when they said, "It's a boy!" Corbin was so thrilled to see the picture of himself and Daddy cutting Elijah's umbilical cord. *grin* Seeing those pictures helps me remember the people who were there to pray over me and support me... the conversations we had... the times when they held my hands (or arms) just to show they were sympathetic to me.

My children laughed and giggled at how much different they look now and how much they've grown... Hayden belly-lauged when she saw herself laying next to me in the bed with her shirt up showing off her 'baby' like Mommy was... they laughed at how big Mommy's belly was... how tiny Elijah was... they laughed at Mommy wearing Daddy's t-shirts and standing around in her panties, Lol!

Oh how I relish the memories of life and being able to have my children share in those same memories because they were there with me, to cheer me on. I am ALWAYS amazed at the beauty of God's creation, His imagination in making multiple children from the same two people and yet they are all so very different! Simply a miracle! It's the only word I can use right now to describe the creation, growth, nurture, and birth of chilren. Blessing for me would be a very close second! :)

Life or Death... What Do Your Words Bring?

I don't want to sound like I'm bragging, (reality is: There's no reason to boast about myself), but (by God's grace) I've been doing much better lately at not yelling at my children... until today! Is it ok to have just 'one of those days'? I mean, we can be justified at yelling and losing our tempers with our children a couple days a month, right? It's bound to happen because we're human, and children can be persistant, blah, blah, blah... right?

And can this possibly have any corrolation to us talking about anger and the power of our tongues today for church? Of course not! *laughing out loud as I look toward the ceiling*

Oh Lord, You always have the perfect message for me at just the right time... *humbled*

This morning after worship, my husband shared this picture with us. He came across it this week on Facebook. Talk about a slap in my face!

I couldn't get this little boy's face out of my head... I have seen this face before on my own children from time to time. With a humble and broken heart I went to e-sword to look up verses for 'tongue'... there were 102! I guess the Lord has much to say about our tongues!! Here are just a few that stuck out to me. I share these not to bring guilt or condemnation to anyone! God has humbled me today, and His Word is exhorting me to be "quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger."

"Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things... and the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell... but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so."

-James 3:4-10

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

-Proverbs 12:18

"A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit."

-Proverbs 15:4

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

-Proverbs 18:21

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

-Proverbs 31:26

I didn't notice the chapter that last one came from until after the fact... It is one of the ones describing the woman who fears the Lord... ouch!

While I am exceedingly thankful that the Lord's mercies are new for me every morning, I don't want to go about my role as Mommy thinking and feeling justified every time I lash out at my children. I want to strive to be the best example of Christ to them as I possibly can! Now, I don't believe this means I don't ever correct or discipline them... absolutely not! That's my responsibility. How I correct and discipline them is more or less what I'm referring to.

I ask you to pray for me to have strength and endurance as I seek to be constantly aware of my words before they pass my lips. While you're at it, why don't you pray for all the moms you know... we could all use an extra dose of the Holy Spirit's power and leading as we teach and train our children! :)

Heart check: Are you quick to hear? Slow to speak? Slow to anger? (James 1:19)







Easiest & Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce

I LOVE pasta! Yes, I am fully aware that alfredo sauce is probably one of the worst things you can eat, but it's delicious... and my children love it too. If you eat it sporatically, I don't believe it'll kill you. At least that's what I tell myself. Lol!

We don't have chicken alfredo very often, but when I make it, I typically use a jar of store-bought sauce. I didn't have any on hand, but last night I was really wanting this dish! So I got online and googled 'homemade alfredo sauce'. I found this recipe on cooks.com, and I believe it completely lived up to its name. :)

All you need is:

1/2 c butter (1 stick)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 c half and half
1/3 c Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp. garlic power (optional)
pepper, to taste

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter on med to low heat.
2. Once butter is almost melted, add the cream cheese (cut it into 4 pieces so it melts faster).
3. When the butter and cream cheese are melted, whisk together well. Then add the other ingredients, beginning with the half and half. Continue whisking until all ingredients are mixed well.
4. When it is thoroughly mixed and saucelike, remove it from burner and allow to thicken up. Stir every few moments.
5. DONE! Pour over your favorite pasta.

I'm not that picky about my alfredo sauce, but my mom is... and she said it was the best alfredo sauce she's ever had! The children devoured it, so I guess they approved too. :)

I think garlic bread with pasta is a must, but I didn't have any on hand. So I used some leftover hotdog buns and split them apart. I melted some butter, added garlic power, and lathered those babies up. Then I sprinkled a few with parsley flakes. They toasted nicely in the toaster oven!

In case you're salivating now, feel free to give this meal a try. It only took about 30 minutes start to finish!

I always enjoy trying new, quick meals. If you have some favorites, feel free to share them with me! I'd love to add some new recipes to my repertoire!

'Out of The Mouth of Babes...'

Sometimes I like to sit and watch my children worship. Of course, it blesses my socks off! Then the enemy creeps in and says, "You know it's not really genuine. They are merely mimicking what they have seen you or Dwight do."

I know I should take these thoughts captive immediately to the obedience of Christ, but there has always been a part of me that really did wonder whether those thoughts were really mine... maybe even from God.

Until this morning that is...

I was spending time in the Word this morning. I'm reading through Matthew right now. In chapter twenty-one, Jesus is making His triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The people are lining the streets ahead and behind him, some waving palm branches, and they are shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

Then Jesus went to clear the temple of the money-changers and those who were misusing it for their own personal gain. There he also healed the lame and the blind. And what was going on at the same time? The children were crying out, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" You see, they were merely repeating what they had heard others saying as Jesus was entering the city. Their praise further angered the chief priests and the scribes! When they questioned Jesus about it, He simply rebuked them with Scripture...

"Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have prepared praise."

I believe the Lord was confirming to me that, regardless if my children are merely acting and singing as they have witnessed, He considers it praise. Oh, I am SO thankful He does, too! They only know what they have been taught... and they are innocent as doves as they raise their little hands to the Lord and sing as loud as they can "I'll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross!" *smiles and tears*

Thank you, Father, for once again using my children to speak to my heart...