Aim High, Settle for Less

Tip number four from this homeschooling mom?  Aim high, Settle for Less!

What, you ask??

Yep, that is it.

Take it from the mom who has homeschooled for over 18 years.  And who over plans every. single. year.

I have a curriculum problem.  Actually, the problem is not usually with the curriculum.  The problem is there are too many great ones out there and not enough time or children to use them all.  So what usually happens is that I over plan in my over-zealousness.  I mean, why leave anything out?

HA!

Homeschooling gives you the freedom to do everything, but that does not mean you should do everything, as my wise Riley says.

She should probably say it more often, because it does seem to be a lesson I have to keep relearning year after year after year.

Unfortunately, no matter how great the stuff is, if it is just too much for any one child to handle and sends them running from the room in tears, just saying, it is not worth it.

So yes, you should aim high and look at all the wonderful choices, but then settle for less, knowing in the end it will be the best for everyone.

Starting stuff and not finishing it, especially when you have paid good money for it, is not wise.  And while yes, sometimes you begin a curriculum that is just not a good fit and you need to move on, that is quite different than planning too much schoolwork for your child to ever be able to handle.

Be wise, be choosy, and allow your child to be a success!

Want some more great tips from other homeschooling moms and dads?  Pop over and visit some of my friend's who are blogging this week- in between school lessons, of course!

Annette @ A Net In Time
Brandy @ Kingdom Academy Homeschool
Brenda @ Counting Pinecones
Carol @ Home Sweet Life
Cassandra @ A Glimpse of Normal
Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses
Cristi @ Through the Calm and Through the Storm
Crystal @ Crystal Starr
DaLynn @ Biblical Womanhood
Danielle @ Sensible Whimsy


Blessings,

What Holiday?

You will make many decisions on your homeschool journey.  Many!  What to teach, when to teach, how to teach.  Luckily, for the most part, save state laws, the decision is up to you.  Some you will find easy to decide.  Others, well, let's just say, others can get a bit tricky.

Like those pesky holidays.

There are some holidays that I deem worth celebrating and then there are those that I am pretty sure were established by the card companies, politicians, or tired and burned out teachers.

Let me give you an example.
Valentines Day
Groundhogs Day
Presidents Day
Labor Day
Halloween
St Patricks Day

Just to name a few.

Now before you get mad at me, let me explain.

I went to public school, and I remember these holidays vividly.  But here is what I remember.

The decorations
The coloring sheets
The fancy snacks brought in by moms
The crossword puzzles
The crafts
The music and fanfare.

And not ONE thing about why we were basically taking a whole day off of academics to celebrate that particular holiday.  Not one thing.

I am willing to bet that many of you could admit the same thing.

In some ways I am ok with that.  Sometimes we all need a break and to have some fun.  Sometimes kids have worked hard in a particular area of study and you may feel that they need to be rewarded.

Awesome!  Party on!

But, I will have to say that I get a bit miffed when people act like I am a bad teacher when I tell them we do not take those particular days off from school or treat them any differently than any other homeschool day.

It is not that I am a meanie.  It is not that I do not believe in having fun.  I do however believe even more strongly in academics and the need to learn.  If one of those days comes along and there is true historical value in it, don't worry, we will cover it!  Not by taking the day off of school or wasting the entire day with trivial activities, but by researching, discussing, and evaluating.  However, if there is really no use in that holiday, and I would argue there are a few in that category, we move on.

Should every homeschooling family agree with me?  Of course not.  The beauty of homeschooling is that we are all able to choose the path we feel is best for our children.  We are a conglomerate of people who acknowledge differences, respect others in their decisions, and do the best we know how to raise our children.

No matter your decisions on Holidays and how to school around them, rejoice in the knowledge that YOU the parent, have the freedom to choose!  Freedom-what better reason to homeschool!

Once again, I have the privilege of sharing a few of my fellow Crew members' blogs for you to enjoy even more Tips for Homeschool Parents!  These gals are in the trenches with you daily, while blogging about it on the side.  Enjoy and know you are never alone in this journey!

Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break
Latonya @ Joy in the Ordinary
Laura @ Day by Day in Our World
Leah @ As We Walk Along the Road
Lisa @ Farm Fresh Adventures
Lori @ At Home: where life happens
Meg @ Adventures with Jude
Megan @ My Full Heart
Melanie (Wren) @ finchnwren
Melissa @ Mom's Plans


Blessings,

Believe Me- 'Ya Gotta Have Friends

This week I am participating in a 5 Day Blog Hop featuring Tips for Homeschool Parents.  A group of lovely ladies across the globe are sharing their favorite tips each day!

Feeling a little burned out from having an allergy related cough for over 6 weeks, and now a cold, I wasn't sure how I would even begin to write for five days this week.  I sometimes feel like I have written all I know about homeschooling.  But then I thought about these ladies participating, and it hit me...

F-R-I-E-N-D-S

Yep, that is it.

My tip for the day.

Sounds simple, but it is oh, so important.




You see, as I mentioned already this week, I spend 24-7 with my children.  That is a lot of KID- type conversations.  You know-

Have you done your chores?
Have you done your homework?
Be nice to your siblings.
Be nice to your mom. ;)
Stop doing that.
Please do this.
Do you need to go to the bathroom?
Can I please go to the bathroom alone?

The list goes on and on.

And while I love those kiddos dearly, I sometimes need some adult conversation.

The conversation of a friend.  One who knows what I do all day and who understands. One who wants to talk about homeschooling, and sometimes one who doesn't!

Friends!  And friend talk!

Never underestimate the value of friendship.  Seek it out, cultivate it, cherish it, and be thankful for the friends God had brought into your life!

These are just a few friends I am thankful for today who are in the trenches with me- homeschooling and blogging about their days!  Pop in to see their homeschooling tips and tell them I said hi!

Dawn @ Double O Farms
Dawn @ Guiding Light Homeschool
Debbie @ Debbie's Homeschool Corner
Desiree @ Our Homeschool Notebook
Diana @ Busy Homeschool Days
Diana @ Homeschool Review
Elyse @ Oiralinde: Eternal Song
Emilee @ Pea of Sweetness
Erin @ For Him and My Family
Jen @ Chestnut Grove Academy

Blessings,

6 Tips on Dual Crediting High School

OK friends, here is my disclaimer- this is just OUR experience in dual crediting.  Everyone does it a little differently, and every duel credit program is a little different.

That being said, I have done it twice now with much success and have learned a few things along the way.

Here we go-

Research your school!  I cannot say this with enough seriousness.  Some things to look for or at:

• Are they accredited?
• How much does it cost per class or credit hour?
• Do they give a discount for high schoolers?
• Are the teachers easily accessible?
• If online, is their system easy to use?

How old does your child have to be?  Some schools allow freshmen and on to dual credit while others only allow juniors and seniors.  Why is this important?  Take history for example.  All highschoolers need US and World History to graduate.  They usually take them their freshman and sophomore years.  If your intended school does not allow kids that age to take classes, you may want to hold off teaching those classes and let them be taken their junior and senior years instead.  Otherwise, they end up repeating classes so they can be taken for a college credit.  Ask my children how we know this! ;)

Will your intended college accept dual credit classes and which ones?  Some college easily accept most general college classes with no problems.  Others are a little more particular.  Others want you to take certain classes from them only.  Again, do your research and ask questions!

Is your child ready for college level classes?  These classes are not watered down classes.  They are just classes that can count for both high school and college.

•   Is your child responsible enough and mature enough to actually attend a class on a college campus?
•   Is your child responsible enough and independent enough to take online classes, away from the eagle eye of a professor?

We were told by several online teachers that if you can complete an online class successfully, you will have no trouble in a physical college class.  It takes discipline and organization to take a class from your computer!

Are YOU ready to let go of control?  Seriously, this is a big one!  You will have to take a step back and let go of control.  If your child needs help or is having an issue, it is they who will have to contact a professor or school and work it out.  This is a time where momma has to step away and let the child be the responsible one.  It is good training for the future, but it can be a difficult path for those of us who have schooled our kids exclusively forever!

And in the end- What is best for YOUR child?  Because at the end of the day, that is what is most important.  No college credits are worth it if it stresses your child out and is a horrible experience.  No credits are worth it if your child is just not ready for college level classes.  And no college credits are worth it if you cannot find a program that is a good fit for your child.

Above all, know your child, support your child, and love your child!  Embrace the freedom to choose in your homeschooling journey!

Each day this week, fellow Crew reviewers will be sharing their best  homeschooling tips!  I am so blessed to work this these gals and know you will be blessed to take a peek inside their lives!  Stop by and tell them I said hi! ;)

Melissa @ Grace Christian School
Missica @ Through the Open Window
Monique @ Mountain of Grace Homeschooling
Rebekah @ There Will Be A $5 Charge For Whining
Renita @ Krazy Kuehner Days
Sarah @ Renaissance Mama
Sasha @ Such a Time as This
Tawnee @ Adventures in Homeschooling
Tiffany @ The Crafty Home
Tina @ Desperate Homeschoolers


Blessings,

I Am a First Class Idiot - Guest Post by Riley

Hello, my name is Riley Pleasants, I am Michele's best second child and I am a first class idiot (and I don't even use that word, so you know it's serious). If you're wondering about this confession, let me give you some back story.

We're a puzzle family. That means that 9 times out of 10, we have a puzzle going on the table in the living room. We work on it in fits and spurts, with some of us being harder workers than others. The other day, Colby and I were working on a puzzle- a bigger one with tons of Disney characters on it. He and I were almost finished with the puzzle and we were getting down to the parts of the puzzle no one likes. You know, those sections that are all one color.

A few minutes previous to the Riley the Idiot episode, I had finished Bagheera and Baloo (from The Jungle Book). I had then moved on to the sky, when Colby pointed back to the section of the puzzle I had finished, "There's a piece missing."

Sure enough, Baloo was missing a foot.

I don't know if you do a lot of puzzles in your house and are familiar with all types of puzzlers, but there are some people in this world who like to remove pieces and then produce them when the rest of the puzzle is finished- much to the annoyance of everyone else. We've got several of these "fun" people in our house and I assumed Colby, the little stinker that he is, had pulled such a stunt.

"Ha ha, put it back."

Colby pulled his best innocent face, "I don't have it!"

"Where did you put it?"

"I didn't take it, maybe you're sitting on it?" That was a classic deflection if ever I heard one. He was still grinning like the Cheshire Cat, so you can see why I didn't believe he hadn't taken the piece.

The two of us went back and forth for several minutes, with Riley insisting he knock it off, and Colby insisting that he didn't have the piece.We must have gotten loud, because Mom intervened, informing Colby that if he wasn't going to produce the piece, he couldn't work on the puzzle.

I was now thoroughly ticked off and so continued to work on the puzzle in a huff. How difficult would it be for him to just put the piece back into the puzzle? Colby insisted he wasn't guilty again, so Mom let him work on the puzzle.

I was still fuming when I shifted in my chair and happened to look down.

Oh no.

(You can see where this is going.)

There, on the corner of my chair, was the missing puzzle piece. Baloo's foot. I had been sitting on it.

Through embarrassed giggles and a few tears I produced the piece for Colby, apologized profusely, and received a big hug from my 8 year old brother, who is obviously a better person than I am.

The lesson learned from brothers and puzzles? There are actually a few here. Don't go around accusing people. Be quick to apologize. Be quick to forgive.

And give grace for all of the first class idiots in your life.

Love, Riley

Momma Footnote- First, we do not allow the word idiot in our house. It is not nice. ;) Secondly, this incident reminds me of how quick we are to forgive when we are young.  Colby, though wrongly accused, did not miss a beat in telling Riley he forgave her and telling her it was ok. Oh, that we all might be so forgiving!

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.  Matthew 6:15

Grab a Friend for Art

Paint. Glitter. Glue. Markers and pencils.  Chalk and paper.  Tiny pieces of paper.  Did I mention glitter?

Yuck!  There, I said it.  I do not enjoy kid's art.  Actually, I think I may have mentioned it before, but in case there was any confusion-

I really do not enjoy kid's art.

BUT, I do think it is an important thing to learn and for kids to enjoy.  Even when their mommas do not.  And so just like science, I love to grab a friend for art.

Yes, I will actually teach my son art if he has a friend, or two, with him.  Let's just be honest, everything is better if done with a friend, right?

Amidst the mess, there is fun.  Amidst the cleanup, there is team work,  And even amidst the glitter there are giggles.  Theirs, not mine, mind you, but giggles none the less.

Weekly, I try to have a friend of my son's over and we do an art project.  Some days we use one of the many videos I own and they create, while other times, we use an instruction book and create and some days we just create.  We being them, of course.

I just watch.  And listen.  And smile.

Because when little boys create, wonderful conversations happen.  From make believe storytelling to talk about their days to pure silliness, you should hear the conversations.

I am reminded that sometimes kids just need time to be creative.  To explore color and texture and be allowed to imagine the possibilities. And so this momma is trying to embrace the glitter and glue and the messes that come with it all!

Create away boys, create away!

Linking up with Caroline at-

Blessings,

5 on Friday

Is it warm where you are?  It has been unseasonably warm, so I am told, here in Nebraska.  Several days we have been able to sit outside and enjoy the sun and I even have had the itch to trade out clothes for spring things.  Ahhh, I could get used to this.

1. I got to go shopping with Riley this week for a formal dress.  Yes, she's going to a homeschool dance with a really good friend of hers.  And no, can't share a picture of the dress yet because she would kill me! ;)  But it was oh so fun to shop.

2.  My mom comes to visit in a few weeks. This is the first time we have moved without her help in a long time.  I miss her and can't wait to show her our life here!

3.  Ashton got another job!  Yes, she is holding down like 4-5 part time jobs.  This week she started working at David's Bridal in their alterations department as well.  Plus, she picked up three more quilt orders.  The girl is busy!  I also got to surprise her by inviting two of her sweet friends from SD down to surprise her for her 22nd birthday!  The look on her face was priceless and we LOVED having them here.  I love seeing her so happy these days!

Funny story.  Ashton NEVER wears black.  Never!  And now she has to for her job!  Well, I think it is funny.  She does not!

4.  My sweet hubby was gone this week and while no, it was not a year this time, I still missed him.  Yay for SHORT business trips.

5.  Life in Omaha is good.  Church is good.  Friends are good.  Shopping is good. (just saying)  Kids are good.  It is all good!  I am overwhelmed by God's goodness.  And while our joy in life should ultimately come from God and God alone, I do think He allows us to enjoy the things in life He blesses us WITH as well.

I pray you find the blessings this week too!

When Was the Last Time You Were Overwhelmed?

Actually, that is not the whole question.  You see, a few nights ago we were having family devotions and the question that came up was actually-
"When was the last time you were overwhelmed by God? In a good way?"

The answer came to me immediately.  That's big friends, because many times our family questions stump me or I really have to give them some thought.  But not this time!

My answer was so fresh in my mind, and quite frankly stamped so hard on my heart, that it still brings me to tears.

God has brought us to the most amazing church.  Not even that, but to the most amazing church family.  I can brag on them because most of them have probably not found my blog yet. ;)

From day one they took us in, acted like we had been there forever, and have made us a part of their lives and their families.  I stand amazed week after week, really I do.

And two Sundays ago I had the unique opportunity to stand in the background of things after service and watch the body of Christ work as it should.  I saw families mingling, people laughing, people crying and hugging.  People doing life together.  People loving each other.  And it almost took my breath away.

How thankful I am to not only see it, but be a part of it.

Our family laughed about how it is pretty amazing when you stand among a group of people that are trying to figure out where a group of 30 plus people can possibly go to lunch after church together. That it is amazing when you can't stand the thought of missing out from one group for another- you want to be with them ALL. That on Sundays you can't wait to be in God's house with God's people!

Yep, overwhelmed by God's love.  And God's people!

It's a great place to be.

Blessings,

I Have Become THAT Woman

Yep, just call me the bird lady.  Well, not to my face.  That might be awkward.

But seriously, I have become that woman.

You know,

• The one who sits in her kitchen and watches the birds at the feeders. And tries to get the family to look too.

• The one that has to search out the long forgotten bird books so she can see what is new at her feeder. 

• Who buys bird seed in large quantities so it won't run out because she wouldn't want the birds to find a new place to hang out. 

• Who is already planning on the location for the next feeder she wants to buy.  

• The one that won't let the dogs go outside to potty because they might scare the birds away. Just saying.

You know, that lady!

And yes, I have since called my mom and apologized for teasing her about her bird obsession.

And to tell her I had 6 female cardinals at my feeder at once, of course.

I have also told my neighbor that I am sorry I have stolen some of his birds.  But I am not, really.

Because they are so cute.  And so fascinating.  And quite frankly, stealers of my time these days.

What better way to enjoy God's creation though, than to take a few moments, maybe more, just to take a breather from the chaotic world we live in and watch the birds outside our windows!

What a privilege to know that God cares for us even more.

So if you have a moment today- stop and watch the birds.  Then send them my way! ;)

Blessings.

5 on Friday

What a week it has been, as evidenced by my lack of a post on Wednesday.  What's been going on?  Oh, you know, the normal craziness of life.

1- I normally try to post on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  It is something I got into a habit of when I first started this little blog, and I have tried hard to maintain that pace with very few exceptions.  Until these past few weeks, that is.  And for some reason life seems to be getting the best of me.  And when life happens, and you bemoan the fact, your sneaky daughter gets on your blog and takes matters into her own hands.  I have since changed the password, but that explains the sweet post she slipped past me on Wednesday!

2.  This gorgeous lady, my first born and yes I am a biased mom, turned 22 yesterday.  I remember the first time I laid eyes on her.  She captured my heart.  Still does.  Such a gentle spirit, an encourager, loves her family and friends with zeal, chases after God with determination.  A seamstress by trade and a homebody by heart, you will usually find her brainstorming new projects at a sewing machine or teaching young people.

3.  Riley, our second daughter, graduated from high school this past week.  She worked hard to complete 32 hours worth of classes, many of which will transfer to college and so she is taking a few weeks off to relax. Then she will get a part time job.  Says dad. ;)

4.  My sweet grandmother turned 90 this week as well!  I adore her!  When I was little she lived with my mom and me for a year.  I remember when people would tell her what a cute daughter she had and she would say thank you and wink at me.  She would take me with her when she went to clean apartments and I remember singing Delta Dawn at the top of our lungs together.  Eventually she moved on, but I then attended college in the town she lived and once again we were buddies.  She would fixed me roast beef and mashed potatoes for Sunday dinner and wash my clothes.  Such sweet memories.  I think she should move to Omaha!  Hint hint!

5.  Hmmm, let's see, what else?  Still sick here, which is part of my excuse for my random blogging. (Well, that and this handsome guy has been home during the days and he is a distraction.)  I was finally put on an antibiotic so hopefully I will be on the mend soon!  And back to some more productive blog posts.  Or not.  We will see!

I pray this finds you well.  Have a blessed week, my friends!

Blessings,

An Amazing Mom

Hello everyone, this is Ashton!

Mom mentioned she didn't have a post for today so I wanted to take this opportunity to mention how amazing she is. If you only know my mom from online you know she is amazing. If you have the privilege of knowing her in real life you know she is even more amazing than that! She always has a kind word or a piece of encouragement for everyone, and she is one of the most amazing women I know. Her hospitality is legendary, her love for God is obvious and overflowing, and she doesn't hesitate to speak truth!
So if you have a second, maybe leave a comment and let her know how amazing she is!

 -Ashton, posting on her mom's blog without her knowing it! ;)

Lessons from the Closet

Can I just be honest and admit to you that last year was one of my scariest years of parenting?  I mean, I was parenting a 13 year old boy, ALONE!  Ahhhh, the responsibility.  There were more than several times I thought I would have to put him in a box and ship him to his father.  Not for anything he had done, but just because I felt so inept at parenting a teen boy.

Oh, how I am glad that year is over.  And oh how thankful I am he has a father that invests daily into the lives of he and his brother.

But hey, I have also discovered a little secret that may be what I was missing last year.

Dad parents him in the closet.

No really, stay with me here.

It is a phenomena that I have just recently noticed.

You see, more than several times in the past few months I have wandered past our master closet to hear voices coming from it.  And every time I check to see what is going on in there without me the conversation seems to lull.  No mistake about it though, my husband and one of the boys would be chatting in the closet.

I was starting to take things a little personally until I caught wind of snippets of the conversations.  Moms are stealthy like that, you know! ;)

The truth I learned- there were a lot of lessons being taught in that closet time.

Simple lessons like-

What color socks to wear with church pants.

Which side your belt goes into the loops of your pants.

No, that shirt does not match your pants.

Or a few deeper ones-

When you are disrespectful to you mom, you are disrespectful to me.

A repentant heart is a heart that makes a change.


See, not necessarily things I am incapable of teaching, but rather things that just seem to mean more when coming from a father or father figure.

We need the men in our lives to step up and take an active role in the lives of our children.  We need the men of this country to invest in the younger generation of men we are raising up to be leaders. While mommies are so important and have their own wealth of information to share, I am thankful that there are men able and willing to guide the young men in our lives.

The first being their father.  He is pretty special indeed!

Linking up with friends-

Blessings,

Do You Know Us?

Slowly, through the last few years, this little blog of mine has grown.  I can remember when about 5 people read it, one probably being my mom, and I would get so excited!  Now the numbers are in the hundreds daily, and it still thrills me to have you visit!

As a "lifestyle" blogger, don't 'ya love that title, I know not every post may meet you where you are at.  I get that!  But I thank you for continuing to stick with us, and for becoming a friend!

So if you are fairly new here to Family, Faith and Fridays let me catch you up!

You can follow us on our Family, Faith and Friday Facebook page!

The fastest way to summarize is here-

About me

Tops Posts

Homeschooling and College

And if you still like us, see ya back next week! ;)

Blessings,

Zonderkidz Faith Builders Bible

Do you ever wonder if a family can have too many Bibles in their house? Or if a child can ever have too many Bibles?  Is there such a thing?

I certainly hope not because thanks to Zonderkidz, a subset of Zondervan Publishing, we have recently added their Faith Builders Bible to our collection and are loving it!

Our boys did not NEED another Bible.  Truly, we have more than our fair share.  But there is just something about a Bible that calls my name.  And let's face it, there is something about a Bible that has a Lego looking front that calls most kids' names.  As soon as they saw it, even the 14 year old was intrigued.

As soon as this beautiful hardback Bible showed up at our doorstep, it was whisked away.  It is lightweight and the perfect size for child sized hands and is printed with an easy to read 9 point font that even my old eyes could see!  This version is the New International Reader's Version, (NIrV), making the translation slightly easier for younger readers to comprehend.  One of the highlights of the Faith Builders Bible are the 24 full color pages, many depicting memorable scenes from the Bible.  Each picture is accompanied by a summary of the verses regarding the scene as well as a "Building Block" verse for your child to memorize.

In addition there is a small Bible dictionary in the back as well as a list of more well known Bible stories for quick reference and ease of looking up for your kids!

And of course, there are the blocks!  Whether you are using Legos or another similar building block, the pictures are bound to grab your child's attention and inspire them to build their own creations. For younger children there are simple ideas shown, while older kids will be inspired by some pretty elaborate scenes.

And what do you do when inspired?  Build of course.

I thought my boys, ages 14 and 8, would try to replicate exactly what they saw in the pages, but instead they decided to go off on their own and create.

Colby did a scene of the last supper.  Yes, we will have to review how many disciples were actually there.

And this is his Jesus!  Not sure about the beard, but hey, it works! ;)

Salem made a scene of the crucifixion.  (Did you know you can take those little arms off and re-position them?)

Later on they joined forces and built Jesus coming before Pontius Pilate.

The sky's the limit now, and this is only the beginning of the Bible coming to life in our house.

My thoughts-
Honestly, I did not expect to like this Bible as much as I do.  I mean, building bricks and Bible are not your ordinary pairing, BUT, I do really like it.

-I love that it is colorful!
-I love that it encourages children to memorize scripture!
-I love that it is lightweight and easy to read!
-I love that it is engaging for kids!

After all, isn't that what we want- our kids to be engaged with and in their Bibles?  If the Faith Builders Bible creates a desire to read more, I am sold.  If it creates a desire to base play off what was read, I am sold!

Now, to just convince the 8 year old it is not an excuse to take Legos to church!

Blessings,