Homeschooling Is…

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Homeschooling is…

Family schooling – learning how to be a real family in a culture that has declared war on families

– learning how to do family God’s way

– learning how to live life together with our children

– learning how to develop loving relationships

– learning how to inquire of God about everything concerning our family

– learning how to cultivate a love for God in our children

– learning how to produce a sense of belonging and security in each member of the family

– promoting a love of family and cherishing your own family members

– introducing each child to God and demonstrating our relationship with God and love for Him

– teaching our children to trust God and letting God reveal Himself to them

– praying together every day

– praying for our children to know that God is real and the Bible is true

– praying for our children to have a hunger for the Word

– encouraging our children to get to know God for themselves

– doing everything out of love without selfishness and teaching our children to do the same

– praying that God will reveal to us gifts and talents of each family member and how to sharpen and improve them and use them for the Kingdom and to provide for ourselves and others

– praying for guidance to find out God’s purpose for our family and each member

– working together as a family in ministry (the way He tells us to do it!)

– producing income to finance Kingdom projects that God lays on our hearts

– letting God have His way in our family

That’s what I believe homeschooling is.

Today I joined the Link-up at A Wise Woman Builds Her Home:

http://Wise-Woman-Builds

Being Creative with Fiona and Emma – Making Cards

I finally found a use for some of the scrapbooking materials I’ve been lugging from one state to another in my big, heavy scrapbook case. Making cards! Anna has actually made quite a few cards in the last several years, as I released my death grip on my beautiful and revered scrapbooking stuff and hesitantly let her cut into the papers and use the stickers and other supplies.

Now I have actually let myself cut into the papers and use them instead of hoarding them. I’m using them to bless others. And it feels good! I’m letting myself take some time to be creative. Always having a baby around was a major deterrent to getting the stuff out, but now my baby is 5, so it’s time! I still had to chase my baby away, because she stepped on one of my pads of scrapbook paper and wrinkled several sheets of it. I also found that there was some water damage to some of them, but they are mostly intact.

I am finally at a stage where I can actually like my finished product, too. What a victory! This is big for me. And I’m having fun.

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Emma making a card for Grandma and Grandpa’s anniversary

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Fiona using real scrapbooking supplies for the first time to make a card for Grandma and Grandpa.

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Fiona’s card

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Fiona’s envelope

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My card for my Mom and Dad’s Anniversary

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My card for Aunt Laura’s birthday. She will be 93 years old!!!

My Birthday! The Big 5-0! Yes, Really.

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Me and my baby. Abby just turned 5 years old on Aug. 6.

Kelsey sent me up to my room so she could make preparations for my birthday.

She had Fiona help the little girls make cards. They were so cute!

Garrett made one, too.

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This one is by Abby with a little (or a lot!) of help from Fiona.

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No doubt about it: children are a gift from the Lord;
the fruit of the womb is a divine reward.

Psalm 127:3

For my birthday dinner, Gary made hamburgers and french fries for the whole family. He is a really good cook. Then Kelsey made me a Hot Fudge Pudding Cake. It was delicious.

Then Garrett asked if I wanted to watch Fireproof. I hadn’t even thought about it, but that sounded like a great idea. So we ended the evening by watching Fireproof together. Gary even sat by me through most of it and watched it with us!

Kelsey made sure I had a good birthday this year. I usually don’t get much attention on my birthday, because I’m usually the party planner, but Kelsey has stepped into a new role, and she is making sure that every one of us gets our moment in the spotlight.

Thank you, Kelsey, for making my birthday so special!