Coffee for Breakfast

Sometimes you just have to mix it up a bit. After admittedly stumbling through this school year, we are making some big changes. I have tried this and that, with nothing really feeling just right. The funny thing is... I always tend to go right back to where my heart was all along. When we first started homeschooling, many moons ago, I read a lot about the Charlotte Mason Method. Even though we stray occasionally, we always include some aspects of this teaching method. For example, narration is always a part of whatever curriculum we may be using. I've bounced around with unit studies, textbooks, ect. without really getting excited about any of it. The girls have recently been even less enthused.  I'm not happy with what has seemed to be a floundering year. Then, just as I had determined to just muddle through, making the best of the remainder of this school year, I happened upon an old friend. Ambleside Online! Not only is this curriculum everything I love, ...

My favorite new item on the first day of the year is a book. A book full of blank pages. I have always journaled off and on throughout my life. It is only more recent that I have consistently journaled. I'm not consistent in a daily sense, but consistent nontheless. I have managed to keep a yearly journal for the last couple of years. These treasured books have some stories to tell, but I don't really share these most private thoughts on this blog. Someday, I possibly could, but for now I will keep these stories private. These stories are about the last couple of years of my life. The pages contain some of the absolute lowest points of my life. They also contain some of the most wonderful moments. I often wonder how I could live in such contrast. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it w...

As I was browsing a few of my favorite blogs this morning, I ran across this on Message International. These words rang true in my heart so I thought I would share them here. I encourage you to read Lisa's books. They are deep and life-changing. She is a gifted from the Lord author. Reading a few of her books have ignited a fire in my heart to draw closer to God. They challenge me to be who God called me to be. A prophetic word for women & church leaders... I woke this morning with such an urgency to share the following excerpt from Lioness Arising. I believe it is an urgent and prophetic word for Church leaders and God’s women. I shared this portion with John and he said he wished EVERY church leader could hear it...so here is our attempt. Feel free to re-post and share as you feel led. Then turning to the woman, but speaking to Simon, (Jesus) said, “Do you see this woman? I came to your home; you provided no water for my feet, but she rained tears on my feet and dried them ...

Love & Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs should be required reading for all married couples. This book is full of the simple clear truth of the Bible that is so easily overlooked or misunderstood. Anyone who has ever studied God's word in order to improve their marriage or to understand their role as husband or wife is probably very familiar with the scriptures in which this book is based. It is just amazing to me that I could quote alot of these scriptures by heart, but was not applying them. This book has been a very eye-opening experience for my husband and myself. He has listened and relistened to this book on audio cd's. I prefer the print copy and have been reading/journalling chapter by chapter. I think we tend to overcomplicate most things. God's word goes deep but usually brings us back to the simple truth. God didn't make this life too difficult to do His way. From my reading this morning: "Obviously, when the sparks fly and a couple has a conflict, se...

I just realized I haven't written anything about our homeschool in quite a while. Other than our basics, Aubree is hugely interested in Native Americans. I went to one of my favorite free resources to supplement our studies. This is a site we turn to often to find lapbooking/notebooking pages. Her interest in studying Indians or Native Americans began with a penmanship book (Draw*Write*Now) that we started around Thanksgiving. After completing the lessons she still wanted to know more. Currently we are working on a lapbook based on the story, The Courage of Sarah Noble. We will follow with book studies on Pocahontas and Sign of the Beaver. We plan to make a teepee (Barbie size) and other crafts from the book More than Moccasins. This site also has a free resource based on the Iriquois Indians. We are having alot of fun and will continue our studies throughout the remainder of the school year, or until interests change. One of the most enjoyable aspects of homeschooling is the abil...

Last night I found myself with only one child in my car. We were on our way home from an out of town basketball game. We decided it would be a great time to make a quick run to Starbuck's and quickly browse in Ross. I'm working on a couple of decorating projects so I headed straight to housewares. I always take a quick look through the book section also. I was excited to find Sew U Home Stretch by Wendy Mullin and Amy Butler's Sew-It Kit. I paid $4.99 for each. If you sew and read sewing blogs you are probably aware of both of these designers. Happy, thrifty find!

I am reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I knew I would be reading it as soon as I located it. I have never seen such a strong reaction to a book as this. I first heard about this book a few weeks ago. I don't know how I missed out on such a great writer for so long. I guess it would be because I read so much nonfiction . The funny thing about this book is that I keep encountering people who have already read it. They All have loved it and most will say it is the best book they have ever read. I'm about halfway through already and I just started a couple of days ago. This one of those I-can't-put-this-book-down kind of books. I should be finished in a day or two. I already plan to re-read this book. I'm not sure I have ever planned on a second reading during the first. It is THAT good. So, even though I'm not finished, I am highly recommending this book if you are looking for a great read. Just make sure you have time in your schedule. You will start reading...

Yesterday my son and I went thrift store shopping. This happens to be a favorite outing with me amongst my kiddos. From the youngest to the oldest. They each have "their" special item they search for. For some it is a particular brand of jeans or maybe cool art supplies. For myself it is almost always books. My "finds" yesterday were The Complete Book of Crochet by Elizabeth L. Mathieson, Knitting for Babies & Kids, and Soft Furnishings for Dollhouses. I was happy with the crochet book because it was first published in 1946. The second book, of knitting, is a goal I have this year. I've been wanting to teach myself to knit for a couple of years. Hopefully this will be the year. The third book just looked like a fun project to work on with my girls. A couple of other things I bought were a pillow form still in package and a cool frame for Kaitlyn's latest artwork. Shelby bought Banana Republic jeans and several American Eagle pullovers. All for a little o...

I joined a book club today. I found it on the Women of Faith website. This month's selecton is Fearless by Max Lucado. Funny thing is I've been planning to read this book. We took a quick trip to Mardel's and came back with a few new selections. I love the bookstore! I found Kaitlyn a couple of Ted Dekker books on the discount isle. ($2.50 each) I also finally found the new Yada Yada House of Hope book, Who Do I Talk To?. I loved the first Yada Yada series and this second series is just as wonderful. I haven't spent alot of time reading lately. I look forward to enjoying my new books.