All Things Homeschool

Ahhhh, homeschooling.  The simple life of sweet kids, total obedience, a love of learning, neat houses, choir music in the background, pets that never need to be cleaned up after, giggles and laughter all of the time.  You know - perfection!

Nope.  Not even one day.  At least not in this house!

Don't get me wrong, I love homeschooling and I would not change what we do and why we do it for one second, but perfect days?  Nope. Well, not here anyway!

The reality is that just like you, whether you homeschool or not, our days are often hectic. Sometimes there are tears.  Occasionally there are misunderstandings.  And most of the time there is a mom in the background who can feel pretty understaffed and overworked.

Thankfully, there is a God who knows and understands that.  And loves us just the same.

Thankfully, I have a friend who has a heart for homeschooling mothers that knows that too and wrote a devotional just for us!

Jan Burt is the author of All Things Homeschool- 180 Devotions for Homeschooling Mothers.  Jan and I met a few years ago when she was on the Old Schoolhouse Review Crew with me.  She has since moved on to other endeavors but I am blessed to have been able to remain in contact with her and call her friend.  She graciously allowed me to review her newest book so I could tell you all about it.

Let me first tell you up front that I adore this woman.  Many of you that know us will remember that we had a very difficult time watching our oldest go away to a college that was a two days drive from us.  We knew she needed to spread her wings and grow, but it did not make it any easier.  It was hard, friends. I mourned for her like I never thought possible, it was just that bad.  It was then that Jan stepped boldly into my life and asked if she could pray for me as well as for Ashton.  And pray she did.  Her messages of heartfelt encouragement held me close and I never doubted that there was this sweet gal who had never met me in person covering me in prayer daily.  It spoke so boldly to me that I now try hard to do the same for people I know who are struggling.  I know those prayers got us through some pretty dark times and I cannot even begin to tell you how much that simple act of friendship across the miles spoke God's love into my heart.  A fellow mom who understood kept pointing me to the One who understood!

 I assure you, it is with that same love that Jan writes All Things Homeschool.  This beautiful devotion consists of 36 weeks of devotions for the homeschooling mom- to lift, encourage, and speak words of truth into your heart.  Each week is broken into 5 days, clearly marked and easy to follow. I have found that beginning my day with it, usually reading at breakfast, is a great way to get myself in the right frame of mind to do the job that God has currently given me.  Make no mistake, if you are homeschooling, it is where God has you!  Full of scripture and the truth of God's word, Jan's book will encourage you to delight in the task at hand and to cling tightly to the One who has given you that task.  As a homeschooling mom of five with 20 years of experience, Jan knows what you need and how to tell it to you.  Deeply tied to scripture yet easy to understand and read in a few minutes, this is one of the best devotionals for homeschooling moms I have read.

What better way to start the day than with a friend, a prayer, and God!

Thank you Jan!

Blessings,

Lessons From My Closet (A Two Season Capsule Wardrobe)

Does it seem to anyone that God has me learning a lot of lessons lately?  Luckily for me, and hopefully you too, today's lessons are a lot less life altering than those I have talked about lately.

So, about a capsule wardrobe.  If you have not yet read about my daughter's success, you may want to start there!  Boy, has that post gotten the blog buzzing!  She references several sites that are much more knowledgeable than we are.  You will either be inspired or think we are all crazy.

After encouraging everyone to empty out their closets, clean, and start again I realized I had far too many clothes. Far too many. I used to be good at this thing called getting dressed but somewhere along the way I went back to some old bad habits (impulse shopping anyone?) and the clothes were taking over again.

So here is what I have been working on- A Two Season Capsule Wardrobe!

Again, Ashton's post explains the concepts behind it all and shows how it all works, so I would encourage you to read that if you haven't already.  No need to repeat what has been already said.  For now, let's talk about me and my experience.

Hangups-

• Yes, I have a fear that my friends will think I am crazy or get tired of my same 'ole clothes.  First of all, they probably think I am crazy already.  For the record, I wear only black, white and grey with pink, purple, and occasionally turquoise for color.  Therefore, they may be tired of my clothes already. Plus, I can barely remember what I wore three days ago.  I am counting on them having faulty memories as well.

• Will these clothes wear out?  Ashton addressed this last week, but two things as a reminder.  One, you are only wearing most of these things for only several months at a time.  Not all year.  Second, in theory, when you are buying less, you can afford to spend a little more money and buy better quality.

• Will I get boring?  Let's face it, if clothes make us boring, we are already boring.

• Why a Two Season Capsule?  For me it just makes more sense.  We live in a cold state.  I like winter but I do not like being cold, so you will often find me in a cardigan, inside especially.  Because of those cardigans the things I am presently wearing are good for spring, summer, and even early fall here.  Then it gets cold, and I quickly jump to a winter capsule.  So, yes, unlike Ashton's four seasons, I stick to two capsules.  Which means mine have slightly more things in them.  More on that in a moment.

Rules-

• Not many, really.  This is not about numbers for us.  It is about clearing out the excess, spending our money more wisely on timeless pieces that will last longer, and letting go of the stress of getting dressed each morning.

• This is a five month trial.  Surely I can do this for five months, right?  So, for me, that includes May, June and July, August and September!  Depending on where you live and when you start your months, your length of capsule may be different.

• Things that do not get worn and I do not miss will be donated.  No holding on to stuff "just in case."  Actually, most of the stuff already went out the door.  A few pieces I am holding back to see.  A very few.

• For ME, church clothes and dressy clothes are separate things. Here is why. We attend church weekly and do tend to dress up a bit. I have however also gone through those clothes and made adjustments which we will talk more about next week  Also, because we are a military family and one that goes to the theater often, I do have a few dressy pieces for such occasions.  Again, we will address this later!

Things learned from my closet-

• I tend to buy "cute" over "classy."  The bad news is, I look better in classy.  Maybe I am just too old for cute, but whatever the reason, I need to accept my fate and buy accordingly.

• I love clothes.  Or maybe just shopping.  Or maybe both.  But either way, I can clear my house of just about anything else and not look back, but clothes- well, THAT is hard for me.

• My girls are ruthless.  Want to try this capsule experiment?  Invite my girls over and you are guaranteed success.  You are not however guaranteed to like them when all is said and done.  Ask me how I know this.

• I have an obsession with scarves.  Which is why we are not counting them as true capsule pieces.  Truth is, I cannot bear to see any go. I have agreed not to buy a new one for the next five months.  Yay me!

• I know now why I like fall and winter better than spring and summer.  The clothes and the layers.  Seriously!  I use to think it was about the cool/cold weather.  Now I have decided that it may because of the clothes.  Pitiful for sure.  One, you can cover up a multitude of sins with winter clothes.  I like that.  Two, in my opinion, you can create A LOT more variations of outfits with layering.  When it is so hot that even a T-shirt makes you hot, that's all you've got- a tee shirt.  Not much variation there. And while some people look great in just a solid color tee shirt, I do not count myself as one of them.  Layers, people.  There are great possibilities in layers!

• I love JJill and Ann Taylor Loft! I just always thought they were too expensive to buy on a regular basis.  But here is the thing...I can buy two or three $10.00 pieces on impulse while walking through Target or whereever and wear them, not loving them, for a few months, or I can save that money and once each capsule change over, invest in one or two new pieces from a company I LOVE on a piece I LOVE and will last longer.  This is also where ThredUp can rock your world if you are brand loyal and know what you are looking for and what size you wear.  Do NOT get on that site without a plan!

Remember, one of the reasons we embarked on our 34 Weeks of Clean Series was not to just clean and organize but to declutter.  We want to take the stuff out of our lives that creates chaos and only leave that which we love and brings us joy!  If you don't love or use it, and it doesn't bring you joy, move it out!

There are several other things that I learned from this little experiment of mine, but I will share those with you next week when I show you which clothes made the cut and the outfits we created with them.  Following Kathi Lipps model from Clutter Free, we will be asking-

-Do I love it
-Do I use it (wear it, in this case)
-Would I buy it again?

Here is what I came up with that we will be working with next week, remembering that these pieces will cover spring, summer, and fall.

Hang on to your hat, things are about to get crazy here.  Who's in for a little fun?


Linking up with friends-

 Blessings,

34 Weeks of Clean! Week 19- Bedrooms 1 & 2

Back to the bedroom.  So here's the deal.  For the next two assignments you are getting an advance notice. We will spend TWO weeks, this one included, on bedrooms. (The Master Bedroom was done in week 15 if you need to catch up!)  Children's, guest, whatever.  Therefore, if you have more than 2 bedrooms left you will need to pair some up.  In our case, you will see the two boys' rooms together and then a week for our girls.  No guest room in this house, but you divide as you see fit.  The basics will be the same!

The Basics- 

• Strip the beds and wash ALL of the linens.  Replace any torn or stained sheets or such.

This is what happens when you strip the linens and the dog finds them before they make it to the washing machine!

• Take everything off all flat surfaces and move it out!  Some children are not naturally neat people!  So thankful that only one of my kiddos is still in this stage!  And yes, we moved all of this stuff out and started over.

• Dust all surfaces, sides and all!

• While stuff is still off, move furniture away from walls so you can wipes down baseboards and vacuum around all edges.

• Replace furniture or rearrange while you have the chance! ;)  See a trend here?  I am the queen of changing furniture around.

After of same bedroom.  Rearranged and cleaner.  For the moment, at least!  Yes, the Christmas lights stayed up for a while longer.  Don't ask!

• Put things back, but try to eliminate half.  Remember, we are on a quest to declutter as well as clean.  Does your child need it?  Do they use it?  Could someone else get better use of it? Make a pile and move it out! See notes at the bottom!

• Time to tackle the drawers.  Again, take it ALL out, decide what you need to keep and then put only those things back neatly.  Now is a good time to get rid of clothes that are too small, not in good shape, or your child hates. Now, teach your children how to keep it clean.  Even a young child can be taught to put things away neatly.

This is what you look like when your sister is helping you purge!

           -My best tip for you here- fold t-shirts in thirds and then put in the drawers.  We have found it is much easier for a child to see the shirt they want without making a mess of a stack of them, and you can fit many more in!

• Wipe down light switches, door knobs, and door frames, inside and out.  Look up, again, and clean off ceiling fans and light fixtures. 

• Clean window frames and windows.  Once again, mini blinds and curtains are on the list.  Sorry!

• Vacuum the floor and you are done.  Mostly!

A few notes about toys.

   -Stop buying them!  We have a pretty strict rule about no buying toys unless it is birthday or Christmas.  Best thing we ever did.  Of course, when a child has saved up their own money we make exceptions, but we want our children to learn early that just because we WANT something does not mean we NEED it.  Ok, yes, we do break the rules for an occasional special treat, but I mean special and oh did I say, small!?  Happiness is not built on toys alone and it is time kids today were taught that.

   -Stick to a few themes.  Our children do not need one of everything.  Really, they don't.  Pick a few things they like and stick with them.  The themes around here tend to be Legos, army men, Playmobile and Lincoln logs.  Find what your child likes and plays with, and don't get carried away.  In my experience, it is parents that get caught up in collections, not kids.  Let's don't teach them our bad habits!

   -Containerize and rotate toys.  Trust me, it helps and it works.  I did another decluttering post a while back that shows one way to containerize easily you can check out.  We tend to use baskets and when the kids were really little we rotated those baskets in and out every few weeks, a few at a time.  You would be surprised at how excited they get about toys they haven't seen in a few weeks.

Even coloring supplies can be kept together!

- Special items!  Yes, even my kids like to hang on to things, despite my natural tendency to dump stuff in the trash.  You know, important things like rocks, paperclips, old art projects.  There are two ways we have helped with that problem.  One - a small plastic tackle box. The rule is if you can fit it in there, it can stay.  If not, something else has to go.  And two - a simple folder with pockets. If there are papers you just cannot let go of, put them in your folder.  Again, if there is no more room, it is time to weed out what you do not want anymore.

Let's face it, every child's room is going to be a little different.  I would love for my boys' rooms to look like the ones in the Pottery Barn catalog.  I would REALLY like that.  But for now that is not reality for us, OK, that is probably NEVER going to be reality for us.  So we do our best. When we have lived in houses that have playspace areas we tried to make bedrooms just a place to sleep.  I love that!  But that does not always happen.  Certainly not in the house we are in currently.  So sleep and play must co-exist.  And sanity must reign, so I try to make it as easy as I can for them to maintain a reasonably clean room and ignore accept the rest.

Clean up, declutter, and embrace the space you have!

So, about that Half Time week, How'd you do?  What area did you catch up on?  I can't wait to see!  Keep those pictures and links coming- the drawing basket is getting full!

Week 18- Half-time

Week 20- The Bedrooms 3+

An InLinkz Link-up

Blessings,

FREE Kindle Book kids! Summer With The Moodys from Titus2

One of our favorite authors for children's books is a sweet gal we have had the privilege of meeting and doing a few reviews for.  Sarah Maxwell has a passion for children, reading, and the Lord and is using her writing skills to bless families.  Since the age of 21, Sarah has been reaching the hearts of children everywhere with these fun and engaging books centered around a sibling group of two boys,two girls, and their parents.

We were introduced to the Moody Series many years ago just after Sarah began writing.  My girls (who are adults now) grew up loving the books and I am thrilled to say that my youngest is now enjoying them as part of our summer reading. Written about a Christian homeschooling family, this series is one that your kids and you can enjoy with no worries about any questionable subject matter.  Instead,you will read about a family's love for each other, service, kindness, and the love of Jesus.  What a great way to help your kids see that they are not alone in their faith!



For a few more days Sarah and her family's company, Titus2, are offering the first in the series, Book #1: Summer with the Moodys, for free.  (May 5th-9th.)  The following 9 books are available from Titus2 and I highly recommend them!

Quick, jump over to Amazon, download your FREE Kindle copy of Summer with the Moodys and watch your child fall in love with this fun series!

Blessings,

More: From Messes to Miracles (Book Review and giveaway)

Messes.  Yep, I have had a lot of those in my life.  Praise the Lord, most of mine were pretty minor. So far, at least.

Miracles.  I've seen a few of those in my life as well.

But author Tammie Head, wow, she has seen a lot of both. A lot! And she credits God from pulling her out of those messes and into those miracles.

Tammie's book, More, from B& H Publishing, is a look back at her life. More importantly, it is a description of her journey forward and how she allowed God to take her from where she was and put her where He wanted her to be. Through heartache and tears she sought and followed God to a better place.

More is much more than a story of one person's life.  It is a story that we can all relate to - about how we all make mistakes and how we all have to make decisions to move forward.  As Tammie says so beautifully, "The heart of God is never to shame us, but to free us." (p.10)

I want to quickly share two of my favorite parts of this book!


First is Tammie's story is about her life changing trip to Africa.  Now, I believe I would be changed by going to Africa for sure, but wow, the experiences Tammie had - well they are beautiful and messy at the same time.  From children to adults, the people she met made an everlasting mark on her heart.

And second is this quote.  It is highlighted in my book!

"I have discovered much of our frustrations find rest if we'll take them to God before we take them to others....People cannot handle our brokenness and conflicted emotions most of the time.  Oh what fuss and fret and frustration we'd save ourselves if only we took ALL things to God in prayer." (p. 148, emphasis mine)  Oh, ya'll!  I love my friends, and trust me, I have a few that could knock your socks off with prayer if you allowed them to.  And I love them for that.  But how often do I take my complaints, problems, and fears to them first, instead of the One who can handle anything I lay at His feet?  Guilty.  Anyone else?  Yes, I am pretty sure my friends love me.  But I am also absolutely sure that God loves me even more.


Above all when reading this book, you will hear Tammie's message to us all that we do not have to stay stuck in our messes.  That is not what God has for us.  He wants so much more!  We need so much more!

"Above and beyond what any of us do in areas of service or life description, what is foundational and unshakable is that we are God's children.  This alone is where we find our purpose and identity.  Not in what we do, but in Whose we are." (p.95)

Oh friends!  How true.  If you do not know whose you are, ask me to talk to you about it.  Pick up this book and let Tammie tell you about it!  You, like Tammie and so many more, were created by Him and were made for so much more!

I have one copy of More to give away.  Just leave a comment sharing a miracle in your life- big or small!  A random reader will be chosen next Thursday!

Blessings,