My full time job is being a mama.
I need full time hours for this very full time job.
It’s pretty important and these kids need me.
All of me. Undistracted. Attentive and here with them. Fully present.
They are always going to need me and one day it won’t be as much as it is now.
For now their hopes, dreams, beliefs, character, ethics, integrity, health, happiness,
and a million other things are being shaped.
I am not going to miss it.
No matter what.
I was filled with doubt when I began homeschooling. Looking back, one of my greatest concerns was that my children would get everything they need to grow up into happy, healthy, well functioning, non weird, non unsocialized children who were taught at home. Was it even possible????
Three years and many tears later I will tell you, heck ya. It is.
It doesn’t matter what God has called you to do. Whether it be to send your babies to public school, Christian school, private school, charter school, homeschool, online school, or school in a van down by the river….
My God shall supply all your needs.
MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEEDS.
Lord, as I seek to know you more, please melt my desires and wishes to become one in the same with Yours, as I travel down the path You have set out before me.
One of the biggest concerns I have heard from homeschoolers in general is FRIENDS. Connection. How will we get enough?
Would you believe we have a sweet family who lives two doors down? There are four children who live there. They homeschool too. We live on a court with a park at the end of the street. Recess can become a little more fun, a whole lot more quickly.
The girls will be girls…and the boys, well they will most definitely be boys.
Looking for the beauty in God’s provisions, every step of the way.
Learning to always be content. Learning to be filled with joy and thankfulness of the beauty that is around me every second of every day.
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.-Phillipians 4:19
The power of positive thinking can be C R A Z Y impactful. I need to bottle me up some of that and shake it all over my house. TOO MUCH DISCIPLINE is taking place over here. How can there be too much discipline, you ask? I ask the same thing. I guess it is too much negative behavior, that is the actual problem. There is nothing earth shattering going on. Just plenty of constant unending “little stuff”. Which actually is pretty big stuff to me ~eye rolling, sass sass SASS, arguing, not completing chores, and a huge amount of whining. Sounds fun, huh? Wanna come over?
When negative behavior comes, I tend to favor the “ok, that’s a chore” approach. This way I get a semi~clean house out of the deal too. However, this is sliding down a pathetic hill quite quickly. I have become a full time Mrs. Hannigan. Just me and my little pig droppings.
While it is tempting, I know that I can not just yell ABORT to all punishment and scream and run away. That will get me nowhere fast. It needs to have its place in our home, but it needs to be balanced with love and positive things. How do we strike that balance when the kids are struggling?
Then one day, I read this. It’s a long read, but full of great stuff about this mama’s household systems. I am adapting the GEM DATE from it.
GEM DATE :[jem dÆt] n. 1. a date earned with your mom or dad for exhibiting Christ like behavior over and over until your jar runneth over. 2. a time of hanging out one on one with either a mom or a dad. 3. a time to be loved on and made to feel like the special little child of God that you are.
Jars @ Home Goods $1.99
Gems (aka marbles) @ Walmart $3.00
Each child gets their own color of gem and their own jar to collect them in. I get to dish out gems for whatever I want such as attitudes, actions, extra chores, etc. They receive gems for GOOD things. However, not every good thing with be rewarded and one is never ever allowed to ask for gems. When the jar is so full that they can’t put their lids back on, they are rewarded with a GEM DATE. We started this, this past Sunday. I filled them up just to show you. The big sliver thing behind the gem jars is our craft container (aka spice rack from Costco). It has nothing to do with our gem dates at all, but on a side note it is super functional and cute too.
I mixed all the gems together and put them in a great big jar that I already had at home. They live in my office on my favorite Ikea bookshelf of all time. The kids are allowed to go in and get their gem when they earn one. They take it and put it in their own jar.
The dates will occur one on one with either me or my husband. We will decide where the date will be and who they will go with. It may be as simple as a trip to the park to play catch, or Rite Aid for ice cream. Sometimes it may be a meal out, or even a game of mini golf. It will always be one on one.
It’s been a little over 48 hours and let me tell you whats happened already…
I am focusing and looking for their good behavior. Who knew this would end up changing me first and foremost?
Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Philipians 4:8-9
I Love you through and through.
I love your top side. I love your bottom side.
I love your inside and outside.
I love your happy side, your sad side, your silly side, your mad side.
I love your fingers and toes, your ears and nose.
I love your hair and eyes, your giggles and cries.
I love you running and walking, silent and talking.
I love you through and through…
yesterday, today, and tomorrow, too.
I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak
Enter a world where the mom, baby, and housekeeper, sit down to a mid day lunch of potatoes, candied apples, Fritos, cheese, chocolate cake, and coke. I’m so totally in. Sounds dreamy.
Look closer…doesn’t it all look yummy?
I took an extra week off of school at the holidays this year, so I could have a week to deal with post Christmas mess and repair. It was great decision. I was able to spend 2 whole days cleaning out our garage while sorting and repacking Christmas. I started to dig through some of the boxes of things from my childhood.
For Christmas, the year I turned 11, I received a big Victorian dollhouse kit. You know the cool wooden kind? My dad built it for me. I remember he put it on a board covered with fake grass that could wheel around my room. The house was totally tricked out with 80′s wallpaper and real working lights. Over the years it became completely furnished and I remember spending hours rearranging, decorating, and creating my little dream home. I loved it. Unfortunately, today I can’t find a single picture of the completed house.
When we were first married, we moved a lot and circumstances did not allow for me to keep the huge and fragile house very easily. At the time, it was better off to sell. However, I did keep most of the furniture and accessories.
A few days ago the girls and I unwrapped each miniature piece. There were plenty of ooh’s and aah’s and despite the fact that I am 40, I am still fairly smitten with it. It’s so dang cute. Everything is so dang teeny tiny.
After the appropriate fuss was made over each piece I left the room and let the girls set up the house. It was a makeshift house with no walls that covered our entire school table. It was complete with a working toaster, ping pong table, perfume bottles, fruit bowl, and gum ball machine. All the essentials.
My eleven year old was questioning why they don’t make toys like this anymore. I told her I thought that pre teens these days were more interested in electronics. She declared this is way cooler than an iPod. I agree. Whole heartedly.
The mini house still remains on our table. We schooled around it today. I am not sure what to do with it all and I can’t stand to pack it up just yet. I am so glad I kept it.
It would rock if I had a guest room and could display it in a fancy Victorian house just for kicks. In a busy homeschooling household of six, that hardly seems possible or practical.
While my wheels spin on where to put all of my treasures, my girls will continue to create magical scenes out of these fragile and outdated spectacular furnishings. I love watching their imaginations. I love that they GET how very fragile these pieces are and they treat them like gold. My little crazy balls of energy become perfect little dainty ladies trying to manipulate potatoes that are the size of a grain of rice.
The whole thing just makes me smile.
Happy Monday.
We are quite blessed with so many people in our life who love on us and our kids. Today we were reminded of that yet again.
Heirloom toys. You know those kind. You imagine your children’s grandchildren pulling them out of an attic one day. We received such a toy today. This awesome family at church came in with a surprise for Greyson. He plays on the worship team with my husband and she watches Greyson in the nursery.
Isn’t it cool? Greyson was clapping and all smiles. It is one of a kind.
As if the toy wasn’t enough…then I found out that the dad in this family made this. MADE IT. With his own 2 hands. I am blown away. Truly, it is a work of art. It is just simply beautiful. I am so honored that he spent his time making such a beautiful gift for my little guy.
Such kindness that will be remembered each and every time I look at this.
This toy will be cherished and used and loved…
by all of us….
Thank you Matt and Hally. What a treasure. We are so grateful for you two.
”Mommy, if it is Jesus’ Birthday, why do we give each other presents and not Him?” ~says my 7 year old.
Mom Panic sets in. I think I would rather be asked where babies come from. Somehow, that just seems easier to answer.
”Why do you think we give each other presents?” I triumphantly pull this technique from my mom arsenal to buy me a few more seconds to come up with an answer that will make sense to her seven year old brain.
“I don’t know, mommy. Why?”
”Because God loves us SOOO much, Emma. You can’t even imagine how much. It makes Him very happy when we all show love and kindness to each other….”
then I panic…oh shoot, did I just teach my child that in order to be kind to each other, Jesus wants us to buy things for each other?
”Does that make sense Emma?” I ask hesitantly.
“Yes, mommy. When we give presents to each other, we are loving each other…..
“…and that is exactly how Jesus wants us to be.”
” Yes, and baby girl remember that Jesus’ birthday is so important…
…that it takes millions of people all over the world celebrating to make the party big enough.”
I can see the wheels in her head turning.
I am waiting for a response and there is none. Just a smile and a content little girl who runs off to play.
These kids of mine keep me on my toes, challenge me, and put my perspective in place time and time again.
It’s definitely better that way.
Our Christmas morning goes a little something like this….
We used to be awakened by loudness. I am not a morning person. I am a Christmas person…to the nth degree B U T…apparently this does not over shadow my lack of ability to get yanked away from dreamland as I am being jumped on and become instantly joyful. SO, this one day in the year 2006, I uttered some of the wisest words that have ever left these lips.
“When you wake up in the morning the only option for waking us up early is to come in and stand at the foot of our bed and sing Jingle Bells…in HUSHED TONES.”
Now keep in mind, I have a tree full of presents waiting to be opened and I can pretty much get my children to instantly agree to do ANYTHING I wish at this point. I am pretty sure if I said they had to scrub their toilet before opening presents, they would do so, agreeably.
However, I am not that mean and this little tradition of song, has become one of the highlights of the year. Truly. It is the simplest things in life, most of the time.
The first couple of years, my husband and I would actually be awakened by giggles and whispers as they plot their entrance and grand presentation while just steps outside of our door. We would fake sleep and listen to the pre show with smiles on our “sleeping” faces. It was priceless. Soon, they were on to us and now their goal is to truly wake us up with song. This year they definitely achieved it.
We wake up to the sweetest, softest voices. They are filled with excitement ~ and anticipation ~ and joy. Listening to children try and bottle up the joy of Christmas morning into a whispered version of Jingle Bells is amazing. It is beautiful. Each year I lay there and pretend to be asleep a little longer so that I can bask in the delight for a chorus or two.
After this we ask the kids to go sit on the stairs and wait for us for just a few minutes.
2006 (Emma was just 3 and still asleep)
They huddle and giggle and talk about what they might see. For in our house, upon reaching the bottom of the stairs and turning the corner, they will find their “big gift”. It is in plain sight with no wrapping.
2007
It is not necessarily big in size or price, but big on a child’s Christmas wish list. It usually creates screams, falling on the floor, and jumping for joy. Sometimes a delightful happy dance will spontaneously erupt. It is all so magnificent.
2008
…But those moments of waiting on the stairs, are some of my most treasured memories. The anticipation is at its absolute height of the season. All of the planning, preparing, decorating, and waiting is at the peak of its crescendo and for those few moments everyone in our house is on the same page.
2009
I love it. I LOVE IT. I L O V E I T. I dangerously push the line of inflicting childhood torture as I stall as long as humanly possible.
2010
We take our positions. My husband takes video and I take still. We wait for a moment and yell G O. A year of waiting, gives way to laughter and screams and imprinting more memories, that will hopefully last a lifetime.
2011
Hope your Christmas days are Merry and Bright.
What toddler does not love spending time pulling wipe, by wipe, by wipe, out of the baby wipe container?
Greyson is no different. He will spot, hunt down, and go all kinds of crazy intent on pulling those little suckers out as fast as he can before I catch him.
Thanks to Pinterest and this blog, I have the B E S T Christmas present for my little man.
It cost me $4.76 and took me 10 minutes to make.
Eight pieces of flannel fabric purchased at Joanns, cut into rectangles, and stuffed into an empty wipe container. Who knew that toddler bliss would come at such an easy price?
If you are a sewing type, then you would have tons of fabric scraps laying around and could do this for free. You could use different textures and patterns. You could even cut thinner strips and knot it together in one longer piece. The possibilities…..
Oh, the fun to be had. Can’t wait to see how he likes it!
Oh Christmas Tree!
We always purchase one new ornament for each child every year. We also purchase ornaments from special occasions, or vacations, or things we need to remember. Add them together and they make for a very unique tree. One full of memories. One that has replaced my former attempts at a themed tree worthy of being showcased in a department store somewhere. The sentimental tree has made its way into our hearts and home and I could not be more happy about it. Most of the ornaments on our tree have a story…..
Such as…Last school year we went to Disneyland for our participation in Give a Day, Get a Day.
A couple of weeks ago, I spotted a version of this little guy on Pinterest and had to make it immediately. After spending $.74 on the clear ornament at Michaels, I promptly dipped each of my children’s thumbs in paint, decorated the prints with a sharpie and have an adorable addition to our tree.
A most fabulous and beautiful friend who has loads of style and charm gave me an ornament that is almost as lovely as she is.
This is one of my most very favorite ornaments. It reminds me of a very special angel in our lives, Lillian.
This year I had SUCH an easy time finding ornaments for each of my kids.
One day I was walking the aisles of Target, completely minding my own business when this little guy caught my attention. When my baby boy turned one this year, we celebrated monster style. So there was no question, this little monster became Greyson’s ornament of the year immediately.
Emma discovered a love for soccer this year. She had cleats with pink on them. Again, thank you Target.
Taylor was in a community play this year and landed the role of Snow White. I found this great Snow White ornament with a theatre rose in hand. Thank you Etsy!
After purchasing a Wii Paintball game last January, Cameron has been all about all things Paintball. I wanted to find a Paintball ornament, but did not think it was possible. However, we have Etsy these days. Is there anything you can NOT find on Etsy?
Any discussion about ornaments would not be complete without proper mention of the tree topper. One of my favorite Christmas decorations that I own. The star~esque looking Peacock feather tree topper. Perfection.
Merry Christmas from our tree to yours.
