Sharing :: Homeschool Story

This is a great motivative blog piece. I thought I should share, because it has great advice! From Heidi St. John's Blog

The Real Homeschool Story

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Heidi 

If only I knew how this story was going to end….

Then I think I could do this, I agonized while snuggling into my husband one night.

And it’s not even that I minded the hard work, the sacrifice, and the challenge of homeschooling so much. It’s more the thought of doing all this…for nothing…that got to me. What if it didn’t amount to anything? Or, worse, what if I wasn’t doing it right?

Yes, it was the possibility of this turning out to be more of a fantasy than a Real Life story that discouraged and made me want to give up. I was really counting on a happy ending for this one.

I know. Kinda silly. But that’s how my mind works sometimes (especially when I’m overtired). I want to rush ahead and find out where we’re going with all this….

I want to know the end of the story. 

Yet that’s not how it works with homeschooling. You only get to go through one chapter at a time. One child at a time. And on some days? One word at a time.

But take heart, you might not get to peek at the ending, but I’m confident it’s going to be a very good story and certainly one worth writing. And one worth reading someday too.

Hoping to Write a Real Homeschool Story?

1.  Don’t be discouraged by a day. It’s only one day. And such days do not determine the entire tale. Just turn that page and keep going.  As Anne of Green Gables says, “Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?” Lovely thought. Tomorrow is a fresh piece of paper on which to write something totally new.

2.  It’s a story about a relationship – not a method. Truly. It doesn’t matter what curriculum you use or what subjects you cover. While it might not be how it’s presented out there, that’s the inside scoop. What matters is their hearts. That terrific (or lousy) math curriculum will never have the significant impact on their lives that a loving, learning, teaching parent will. You are what they really need.

3.  Don’t read over someone else’s shoulder. Their story is not your story. That family over there might look accomplished and successful. And that’s great for them.  But you are on your own unique adventure. Look to the Lord what for what He intends for your family. He’s got something in mind specially suited to you.

4.  Review Your Main Theme. Remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Prov. 29:18). So if you feel like you’re “perishing”? Go back to the beginning. Why you started this story in the first place. It might be just what you need to tackle that next chapter.

5. The Lord wants to reveal Himself through your story. Above all. We sometimes forget that this isn’t actually all about us. Or even our children. It’s about the Author and what He’s doing in us and through us.

You only have to let Him shine. Yep. Let Him shine through your weaknesses, your set-backs, and even your mistakes. And isn’t it reassuring to realize that this whole thing doesn’t depend on us, but on Him who is more than able?

So I guess we know how this story is going to end after all.

Because we know Him.

And He’s the Real Story. 

Author:: Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matt Jacobson, literary agent and author, and together they enjoy raising and home-educating their 8 children. She’s also rather fond of dark chocolate, French press coffee, and deep friendships (though not necessarily in that order).  She encourages women to embrace the rich life of loving relationships and the high calling of being a wife and mother. You can find her sharing her passion for husband, home, and family over at Club31Women and on Facebook.

Seeing Your AD/HD Child Through the Eyes of God

"Moses and John the Baptist are just two of the many people God has used for His purposes whose abilities, behavior or thought processes run against the grain of what is considered 'normal'. It seems obvious from God's Word that He has no problem working with people who are different... in fact, He seems to prefer it!"
-Of Different Minds (Seeing Your AD/HD Child Through the Eyes of God) by Maren Angelotti, M.A.T.

This is a quote from my new favorite book. This particular quote opened up my mind to see that not everyone has to think a like to be able to used by God. Not that I doubted my daughter was going to be used by Him. I pray every night that He uses me to help her along the way. More accurately said that He gives me the wisdom to guide her.

Many want to KNOW the reason for everything that happens to them in their lives. The truth is that if you knew you wouldn't learn from each particular situation.

In this book I am reading now, along with the CHADD Parent to Parent Program, I have come to understand that just because there may be a certain 'disorder' doesn't mean it has to stop there; that you let something like that hinder you, your gift, or your purpose. Things will be difficult but not impossible.

We've all heard: we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. Do we really understand what that entails? That all things can be done through Him, not some or a few, or if we have some type of hinderance then it really doesn't count; but ALL.

This is something my daughters and I are not only learning but experiencing. How awesome and great is that!?!

I hope you can take this and catch a breath and say, "it's okay, we can go through this and learn from it, and we will come out of it so much better for it."

When in doubt...get EDUCATED!

I'm about to embark in a 7 week course to go through a "Family Training on AD/HD". It's sponsored by CHADD :

It's part of the Parent to Parent program they have. 

I'm actually very excited to be getting some more in depth look at how it works, how to handle it, and just how to learn to navigate the challenges. If anyone is interested please click on link and get oriented.

Remember: when in doubt, get EDUCATED. It's the only way we will be able to get through out any life challenges. To also, be more equipped to help our children.

A LITTLE BIT MORE HELP.

MORE MATH WORKSHEETS!

This is for the ones that need to SEE it, to believe it. 

It helped my daughter understand the place and the value.

HERE IS THE PREVIOUS WORKSHEET FOR TENS AND ONES.

Hope these help. As always if you need different numbers, let me know!

Email me: elianitza@gmail.com

Days go and appreciation grows.

Sometimes we get so inundated with daily life, that we believe our life is so difficult and drown in our own cup of water. Well, one good thing the internet has is that if it's used properly it can actually lift someone spirit. That is actually the reason I wanted to write this blog. To try to reach out to people, let them know they are not alone, and that maybe we can help eachother.

Our strength as mothers (or just parents) is amazing at times. We believe to be so weak and incapable, but yet we are actually pretty strong.  I find my strength in God, that I can rely on to guide me through out life.

When our children get sick, this is when we most feel helpless. We wish we could have that touch to take it all away. Sometimes it's so bad that we wish that we had the sickness instead of them so they can find some relief.

I found this video, of a mother singing to her daughter that is in bed with Leukemia. I cried my eyes out, if I was her if  don't know if I would be able to finish the song. But in her weakness she shows her strength and finishes her song.

Please watch, enjoy, and have a blessed week!

Highly Recommended:
http://www.godvine.com/Mother-Sings-a-Precious-Song-to-Her-Dying-Daughter-3102.html

Day ???: I lost count- But it has been the best!!

We woke up this morning to a beautiful day, ate breakfast, then I had the usual conversation with my homeschooler. Goes like this:

Mom: "Alright, we have to start school now."

Child: "Awwww, why?"

Mom: "Because you have to learn everyday."

Child: Makes face. "Fine."

But when we started, for some reason she gained interest as we kept going. It became the best Homeschool Day!

This is her version of the Tree with the forbidden fruit, Adam & Eve. And the snake around the tree!

BUT!!! There are days that are not this easy going, they were hard. She fought every step of the way, cried in the middle of transitions from one subject to another. She even got to the point of not moving at all, and just pouting and crying because she just did not want to do it. We got through the classes, but me and her ended up exhausted, then I had to leave to a meeting and she stayed with Daddy at home.

When I get home late, I sit on the couch to rest and I find this:

That's a picture of me and her in a heart.

This gesture just melted my heart and motivated me to keep moving and not give up. I mean she's my daughter I was never going to stop from trying to teach her and find new ways to do it, but on what I considered the worse day God inspired her to give me a glimpse of hope.

That's how our God is. In midst of our worse storm He gives us a glimpse of the eternal hope, mercy & grace that He has for us. Through out this "Homeschool Journey" I'm learning more of her, but also more of how God looks at us, feels for us, and cares for us eternally and unconditionally.