1 Corinthians 13---Homeschooling

LOVE

If I purchase the perfect curriculum and supplies for each child, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I research, study, and implement the right homeschooling philosophy, but do not have love, I am nothing.

If I plan each detail of our school year with wonderful experiences in a specially designed planner, but I do not have love, I am nothing.

Love is patient when siblings fight or argue.

Love is kind when carefully chosen read aloud book is a flop.

Love does not envy free time other moms have in their days.

Love is not proud that your children are ahead of grade level standards.

Love does not dishonor others who chose a different path for their family.

Love is not self-seeking at co-op or easily angered by a Facebook post.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with truth.

Love always protects, always trust, always hopes, and always perseveres. 

Summer Musing #7

Boating---Another Hobby

As I said before my husband leads us to do hobbies, interests, and passions well.  His love of being on the water after grouping up water skiing and years of enjoying a boat of our own is apparent.  So this summer, he planned outings on a boat.  We were fortunate to go boating on different area reservoir several times in the past few months.  At first, honestly, I was completely apprehensive to the idea of wake-boarding, tubing, and knee-boarding.  This apprehension quickly dissipated when everyone was squealing with joy, encouraging one another, and smiling.  
Another fun summer experience.    

Summer Musing #6

Summer Nature Experiences:

*Hiking

*Climbing trees

*Walking greenbelt

*Watching ducks

*Floating river

*Tree swing

*Boating

*Swimming in the creek

*Fishing

*Catching craw-fish

*Gardening

*Camping

After the challenge in the spring to be outside everyday, my awareness to our time in nature was heightened.  Just like our family has a culture of enjoying books, we have a culture of loving time in nature, God's creation.  As a whole after time spent outside, we emerge more grounded, refreshed, and content.

So get outside. Breathe in fresh air.  Enjoy our God's miraculous creation.

Summer Musing #5

Creating a Family Culture with Books

I love a good book but even more I love a good series of books we as a family can dive into head first.   This summer the series I selected on good recommendations wasn't a fit for us.  My niece enjoyed it, so all wasn't lost.  We sent them to her and found a series we couldn't put down.  (Fun Jungle --- more on that later.)

Creating a family culture around books doesn't mean reading books from a book list---trudging through and dragging your kids along.  It means getting lost in books everyone enjoys, having meaningful conversations about story and characters, and making connections to our own lives.  The books we choose and love will be as different as our families.

Summer Musings #4

Individual Time.  It is so nice to take time alone with each child to do what they want to do in that day.  Fortunately on Monday, Bubba and I were able to get materials for a strike zone box he wanted to build.  I loved seeing him apply himself, build, and enjoy his finished product.  

On Friday, Sis and I did our weekly shopping together which she enjoys as a shopper of any and all things.  Revealing her desire for glasses (not needed just wanted), we were able to make that happen for her.  As the one who LOVES drama, Sis was thrilled to marathon watch Once with me.  

Individual time not only helps me know my kids better, it draws us closer together as a family.  

Summer Musing # 3

Sis has found her "shows" on Netflix.  Enjoying silly drama's for kids like Kickin' It, Lab Rats, Girl Meets World, Richie Rich, and Good Luck, Charlie.  These shows speak to her right now because she finds the dynamic and social interaction depicted fascinating.  I love to snuggle up next to her to watch one or two and hear what is interesting to her.

Summer Musings #2

As a follow-up to my last post about summer baseball, I thought I would share Bubba's insights.  

"I just needed to experience this."  Bubba explained one night at the end of June.  He meant "All-Stars."  While it was humbling being on a team that suffered many losses for the first time in his life, he had the opportunities to improve drastically as a catcher and pitcher.  Learning to handle the disappointment of striking out or getting out in the field as well as not being fast enough to make the play came with this season.  He understands he enjoys baseball but regular season maybe enough since he missed the time usually spent fishing, boating, shooting archery, and camping.

Summer Musings #1

The word for June was "BASEBALL."  I heard the rumors and the gossip that summer baseball was consuming, but naively thought to myself, "It is summer and I already stay-at-home with both kids, so how hard can this really be?"  Well, summer baseball was a new beast for me as well as everyone else in our family.  

As a family with a son playing All-Stars, we were in a constant state of preparing for baseball (practices or games), playing baseball games, recovering from full days on the field, or discussing past plays and future ideas.  

I am by no means complaining, but only saying.  Baseball is what the entire month of June revolved around for us and anyone visiting us.  Just ask my niece her visit was Intro to Baseball.  We enjoyed every minute of it and have memories that will last forever. 

Return of the Routine!

Wow! Seriously!  I haven't blogged since the end of May.  

Well, summer is my favorite time of year.  I just love the long days of sunshine, visits from family, time  in the water, and camping.  With August arriving means football for our family which also translates to returning to a schedule.  Practice, other kids returning to school, and end of family visits ushers us into a new routine.  

Before I jump right into that, I would love to share some of my summer musings!