Introduction to Our School Room and First Day!

It's finally here! After a full year of planning, researching curriculum, picking out items for the school room, and lots and lots of prayer, today is our official first day. No more talking about it, we are finally doing it! One of the best parts is having our very own one-room school house. 

I wanted the school room to not only be functional, but also to make me smile when I walked by. It's visible from pretty much every corner of the first floor, and I tried to have it blend in style with the rest of the house. We just finished planning and decorating last week, and I love it! I don't have confidence in my decorating skills, so I'm uber excited with the results- I'm in love with this room!

I love our light from Ballard Designs. The room was too dark before, and so we needed to replace the old one. Might as well make sure it's pretty! The vintage-inspired banner was a free download from the Handmade Home blog. It's one of my favorites in the room. What other alphabet banner has high heels for letter H? I strung twine across the wall and attached each letter with a small clothes pin. The rug is from Home Goods. The teacher desk was handed down to us years ago after we were first married- it's solid wood and gorgeous. The vintage desks were from a local private school. They are just too perfect!

We wanted a Bible verse theme for our school. I thought this proverb was perfect. The sign came from Sawdust City LLC. I was able to customize the color of the sign and lettering.

I wanted to be able to change out the theme with each unit. The bulletin strips will let me do that pretty easily.

Bookshelf and storage wall. We are going to outgrow this bookshelf by Christmas. Considering I'm out of wall space in here, I don't know exactly how we'll handle that.

The chalkboard was made out of a mirror frame. We have a dresser from Bill's grandmother, and the mirror used to be attached to it. We removed the mirror from the frame, had a piece of particle board cut to fit from Home Depot, and painted it with magnet primer and chalkboard paint. 

I chose Weaver curriculum from Alpha Omega Publications. It's a unit based curriculum that uses a daily Bible theme as a foundation for each day's studies. The family learns the same basic concepts, with individual assignments and activities geared toward each grade level. It seems to fit our family with the multiple ages and attention spans. The nice thing about the curriculum is that it was relatively inexpensive, and if it doesn't work out after all, we can switch without throwing a lot of money away. There aren't any textbooks, and I have to do a lot of lesson planning, including searching out books to borrow or buy for each unit. The good thing is that I love both learning and teaching, so this shouldn't be too big of a problem. At times I do wonder if I should have just bought boxed curriculum because it seems a lot easier, but overall I think I picked a good fit for us. Time will tell!

 A school bus from Home Goods. I just thought it was cute.

I had to prime the chalkboard. It was so perfect and jet black, it was painful to mess it up!

Our first day! They were super duper excited, and couldn't wait to start.

She was so happy! She sat here for about two minutes, then she was done. Off to play in the next room. She's three.

My second grader! 

My tall third grader! 

First day of kindergarten! Too cool to smile.

Lydia ran up to be included. She loves her big sister.

Cheese for PreK 3!

 She loves school. She reads literally nonstop. Makes me so happy.

Oh- wait- is that a smile?

My kids' teacher!

Picture with mommy.

 The first day's lesson was based on Genesis 11, the Tower of Babel. We covered the Bible story, early Sumerian culture, ziggurats, and map skills. Isaac was interested for the first 15 minutes, then quietly did math worksheets while I finished teaching the girls. We then broke off for their activities. Brooke and Madeline went outside to draw maps of our block, and Isaac drew a map of his bedroom.

I heart ABCMouse.com. Worth every penny so far.

Some of our lesson notes. They also had Wisdom Words (creative writing for Brooke and Madeline, and speech practice for Isaac) penmanship (writing practice using that week's Bible verse), and spelling. They start Switched On Schoolhouse Spanish curriculum next week. Math (we chose Singapore Math curriculum) will fit into this afternoon sometime- eventually when I know how much math to expect from them each day, it will be incorporated into regular school time. For now I've set it up more like traditional homework. I'm not rushing into a set schedule just yet.

 It was a great first day! We packed a ton of learning into a few short hours. I know it will be a lot of work, and not every day will go so smoothly, but I am looking forward to a great year!

Submission Prayer

*I wrote this last night and had Bill proofread it, but then chickened out from posting it. Openly admitting faults in Christian life is not easy, especially when it seems everyone else has it all together. But then this morning's church sermon was on being authentic and genuine- not acting like a phony. So, yeah...here it is. Being a Christian is not about being perfect, but about repentance and God's grace when we do fail. His forgiveness never runs out.*

Last week I sat in a meeting for new homeschooling moms. In three hours, we'd covered the state's laws and available homeschool organizations. All dry material, but I was still so excited as I drove back home. Even getting stuck in wet grass while trying to leave, and needing the hostess's husband to get the car out by shoving boards under the tires (only me, seriously!!) didn't change my mood. I was over the moon with joy. So much joy, that it spilled right out of my eyes and down my cheeks, into my lap. I started laughing because it was so ridiculous, but I can't even find words to explain how grateful and thankful I am to be in this place. I once thought this day would never come. I had all but given up my dream, and now, in just a few short hours, our family starts the first day of homeschool, just two feet from my kitchen.

Four years ago, I begged Bill to agree to homeschooling. I just couldn't let go, couldn't hand my child over to the public school system. I don't know that any mother grieved the anticipation of their child going off to kindergarten more than me. I would cry just driving by the school. It felt so unnatural to send her away to school every day and into the care of strangers. I wanted to protect her, shelter her from the world. I wanted to maintain control.

When Bill first said no, I took it as a prompt to just keep asking. We'd always agreed on major decisions during the six years of our marriage, so this was actually new to me. The Bible says that wives are to submit to their husbands, which, ok- yeah, it's in the Bible, He said it, so I agreed to it in front of our family and friends- but thankfully I had a husband who always agreed with me anyway. Submission never really became an issue to deal with. Until now. A major crossroad, and for the first time, he was disagreeing with me, saying absolutely, unequivocally no way were we homeschooling. I wish I could say I handled it with grace and understanding. Or not, because lessons aren't learned without failing sometimes. And wow, I failed big time.

The next three years were a roller coaster ride between climbing trust for the public school decision, and back down again to bitterness- at either Bill, or God, or both. Then I'd repent, and the ride would continue up and down, cycling over and over again.  I was slowly learning what it means to *cough* submit. (Truth be told, the word itself made me want to throw up. I LOVE my husband, and he is the best man in the world to me- but it had nothing to do with him. I just don't like to be told what to do, plain and simple. I have my own mind that works pretty well, and who is anybody to tell me what to do with it?) There would be months at a time when I was in accord with my husband and his decision. Even my reasons to homeschool no longer came from my need to control and protect. I was learning to fully trust my children into God's care, regardless of where they went to school. I still wanted to homeschool, but now for reasons that stemmed from an overall different philosophy on education, apart from what the public system provided. Submission in the interim seemed doable, until something at school happened and walls of resentment built back up.

It all came to a head one year ago, last September. Madeline had been unfairly treated (in my eyes) at school, and I was furious. Shaking mama bear mad. I didn't even try to hold back my biting words. If we had been homeschooling, none of this would have happened. Once again, it was Bill's fault, and it was God's fault for not leading Bill to the decision I wanted. I boarded an airplane the next day to Birmingham, Alabama for a Dot Mom conference, still angry. I was excited to see my best friend Amy, but I couldn't be completely happy, knowing I was hurting my husband. And I was too prideful to change it.

But it's hard to stay in pride and sin while at a two day Bible study event. Halfway through the conference- miserable, sad, and sick of being inside my own skin- I had an honest discussion with God. I was giving it up. He knew my heart. He knew how much I wanted to homeschool. A deep, burning desire. But for whatever reason, He was telling Bill no. Bill had told me at one point that he wanted nothing more than to say yes to me and make me happy- but his Lord was telling him that no matter how mad it made me, the answer was no. So in obedience to God, Bill didn't give it to me. He'd rather be right with God even if it meant living with an angry wife. The guilt washed over that I had made him choose between the two. I was done. I repented to God, and I gave it all up. For real this time. It was a wave of relief and sadness, giving up a dream that had meant so much. But God has a plan to give good and perfect gifts, and if this wasn't good or perfect, then I didn't want it anymore.

Home from the conference, sitting on the couch and kids asleep in bed, Bill told me that while I was out of town, he felt God clearly leading him toward homeschooling. I couldn't believe what I was hearing- I don't even remember the rest of the conversation. I just kept repeating, "Are you serious? Don't play with me! Don't tell me this and then take it away later!" I was laughing and smiling and couldn't even contain my joy. A dead dream resurrected.

There have been so many life experiences in the past few years that broke and molded me. This was one of those hard winding roads that I wouldn't change. If Bill had agreed to homeschooling four years ago, I would have gone forward for all the wrong reasons, and our marriage would not have stretched and grown the way it has. I would have homeschooled for the sole purposes of shelter and control. I wouldn't have learned what it means to trust God's protection, even after my five year old daughter was shoved and punched in the face by another student. I wouldn't have experienced the pure peace of knowing that He's in control, and allow her to walk back into the school the next morning. Letting go and letting God. I wouldn't have learned what true submission feels like. That it isn't suppressing my own spirit, but instead is a beautiful picture of God the Father and God the Son, of Christ and His bride. That when I allow my husband to lead us, a huge burden is lifted off of my shoulders. My husband takes into account my opinions and feelings, and then turning to God, takes us in the direction He is leading. I have a husband with such a fear of the Lord in him, that he endured years of my on-and-off resentment creeping up in little everyday things, both of us knowing it was the bigger issue of me not getting my way. That is a God-fearing husband! And I am so blessed to call him mine.

Monday morning we begin homeschooling. In God's perfect timing, and under my husband's leading. Joy.

Extending my Comfort Zones

Last September at Lifeway's Dot Mom conference, Amy and I walked into a breakout session led by a loud and funny speaker named Jen Hatmaker, and expecting- well, honestly not much. Especially nothing that would turn our lives upside down.

 Jen asked if we were raising our children to say no to drugs, hang out with Christian Awana friends, and not say the F word. (All well and good by the way. I abhor drug use, love Awana, and definitely don't want my kids to use the F word.) But if one day my kids heard Jesus call them to a Third World country away from my safety net, would they be pulled to tell Him no, because their mom would just freak out?  Well, considering the current parenting path I was on, I felt really uncomfortable answering that question.

There is a whole world out there waiting to know Jesus' love in a tangible way. I had to ask myself where I spent more of my time: angry about politics and Supreme Court rulings, or out there demonstrating the love of Christ to people on the other side of my conservative agenda. When was the last time I looked beyond my church walls to find someone in need of Jesus' message on the cross? How can I show my children the way to live like Jesus if I don't even know how to start a conversation with a homeless person? Ouch.

Spending more of my time in the Gospels, I hear Jesus pleading, commanding, demanding that I love the least of these. That I love my neighbor as myself. Maybe I've assumed I could slide by and only reach those that didn't make me feel uncomfortable. It's easy to serve sweet, clean people in the middle of my path. It's another thing to go out of my way, search out those in need, and not know if they will even be nice to me or appreciate it. But then, like a smack in the face, the Holy Spirit told me- It's not about what I want to do within my comfort zone. Waiting for people in need to show up in my Sunday School class isn't cutting it. Using the excuse that I'm a shy, busy mom of four isn't a reason. I have no excuses, and I will give an account one day of what I did with my life. He's called me to so much more while on this earth. Because if I really love Him- and oh Jesus how I LOVE You- then I will humbly show it in increasing obedience.

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?" Then Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 22:36-40

Ten Years!

Next month is our tenth wedding anniversary. I can't believe I'm old enough for that to be true. In some ways it seems like yesterday that I walked down the aisle; in other ways it feels like a lifetime ago, because it's hard to remember life without Bill. He's my first and only love.

I'd always imagined reliving our honeymoon in the Virgin Islands for our ten year anniversary. But- it just couldn't be so. My parents would be taking care of the kids, and with Lydia's health always uncertain, my mom asked that we not travel far. It's hard to leave our kids anyway, so it was good to know we'd only be a couple hours away if anything happened. We booked a short getaway to Harman's Luxury Log Cabins in Hopeville Canyon, West Virginia.

These two pictures of our cabin and our view are from the Harman's Cabins website. It's a great place to stay if you ever visit the area.

We hiked to the overlook at Seneca Rock and traveled up to Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia. We also visited Seneca Caverns. It's not the Caribbean, but our state is so beautiful that I can't imagine living anywhere else.

 Seneca Rock.

 View from the overlook deck on top of Seneca Rock.

 I'm never brave enough to go past this sign. The warning of death is enough to stop me.

 I love him!!!

 The last time we were here, Brooke was six months old. We were with our friends Dave and Stephanie, and we all four took turns carrying her to the top. I nursed her on the overlook deck. It was also the same weekend that she said Mama for the first time. 

There's no cell phone service in the area. We had WiFi in our cabin and could iMessage my mom and check Facebook messages, but that was it. We found this pay phone- they still exist!- and called home. We only had a dollar in change, and that bought us four minutes long distance. Time warp.

Last week while researching for our trip, I decided to face my fear of heights with a canopy tour at Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center. I've wanted to go zip lining for a few years, but I've just been too afraid. Bill has zero fear of heights, so he was all for it, but I wasn't completely sure I'd go through with it. To anyone who isn't afraid of heights, it wouldn't seem like a big deal. There were twelve zip lines and three sky bridges. I almost backed out when I realized it included repelling out of a forty foot tree. Before I could psych myself out, I went ahead and paid for our reservation over the phone. Non refundable. Do or die.

 I never looked down the entire trip. I didn't even look around at the scenery. I just stared at the target straight ahead. There aren't any pictures of Bill. I was just trying to survive, and didn't think to take pictures of him. He was perfect at it though. He would come in smoothly each time, braking just right. It was almost annoying, he was so good at it! 

 The scariest part for me wasn't how high off the ground I was. I was most terrified when leaving the platform, and then again when my body turned to face sideways, halfway across the zip line. We were supposed to steer with our wrist, but I was horrible at it. I hated the feeling of being out of control. I think if I didn't have to try so hard to keep my body facing forward, I would have been able to relax a lot more.

Repelling at the end. My biggest fear on the trip. 

 I was so glad it was assisted repelling. I just kept my eyes closed until about halfway. I finally opened them, but never looked down. 

 That's me!

 That smile is my relief and joy of being back on solid ground. 

 It's over! One more item crossed off my bucket list. I'm good for life, and I don't think I'll relive the experience. It never got easier to leave the platform with each zip. Adrenaline rushes aren't my thing, I guess. Fine with me. That said, I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone who's not afraid of heights. Our guides were so great! I'm sure I looked like a big sissie, but they never made me feel that way. 

 Lunch at Seneca Caverns after zip lining. 

I love him even more today than I did yesterday!

 Inside the caverns. We were the only ones on the tour! 

 They call this area Fairy Land! It was so cute.

 Beautiful!

 We drove to Spruce Knob after the caverns for more gorgeous views.

I am one blessed girl.

Cheap Detergent

It's been almost two months since I started using homemade cleaners and detergent. I've saved a ton of money, and my house is just as clean without the dangerous chemicals. I'm also not experiencing the bad headaches from all the fumes on cleaning days.

My favorite homemade cleaner so far is the laundry detergent. It's probably saved me the most money. (I do about three to four loads a day.) Our clothes are just as clean, and stains come out better than with the All Free and  Clear I used to buy.

Laundry Detergent Recipe

One bar soap (such as Ivory), grated to powder

One cup Borax

One cup Washing Soda

Mix together. Use one TBSP per load. 

Window and Glass Cleaner

Mix equal parts vinegar and water. 

(If that sounds too easy, add a bit of rubbing alcohol. Makes the surfaces dry faster.)

Bathroom and Kitchen Counter Cleaner

See above.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

See above.

Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Yep. See above.

Basic Tub and Tile Cleaner

1 2/3 cup baking soda

1/2 cup liquid soap

1/2 cup water

2 TBSP vinegar

Mix well.

Basic Mildew scrub

1/4 cup vinegar

1/4 Borax

1 cup warm water

Shake well.

Furniture polish

Varnished: 1/2 cup warm water, add few drops lemon juice

Unvarnished wood: 2 tsp olive oil, 2 tsp lemon juice

Apply with soft cotton cloth.

Natural Drain Cleaner

1/2 cup baking soda- pour first

1/2 cup vinegar- pour second

follow with 2 quarts hot water

(I've not tried the drain cleaner myself.  I will when the time comes though. Store bought drain cleaner is one of the most toxic products found on the market.)

I couldn't find a spray bottle that worked well. I have an old Mop n Glow squeeze bottle that I've been using for homemade floor cleaner over the past several months. It's the same combination of vinegar, water, and rubbing alcohol that I use to clean pretty much everything else in the house now- so I just don't bother with a spray bottle.

It took a little getting used to on the first day- but I promise- my house is just as clean as before. I've saved gobs of money. It's been completely worth it. 

On another note: I was reading old blog posts earlier this evening, and couldn't stop smiling. I decided that I need to blog more about my kids. I've been through a lot of struggles over the past two years dealing with Lydia's health, and while I'm glad I have this blog for therapeutic writing, I've strayed from the reason I started this blog nearly three years ago. I'm going to try to write more about the cute things my kids say, the fun things we do as a family, and talk about why I love being their mommy. I'm sure I'll still talk about food allergies and organic food- that's a big part of what I like to talk about- but I want to bring the focus back to where it was from the beginning. My cute babies- Brooke, Madeline, Isaac, and Lydia.