My daily schedule has gone through many changes over the years. Mine is so easy now, I hate to even share it with you.
6:00-6:30 am Arise
COFFEE!!
6:30-7:30 Bible reading, e-mail, personal reading, daily planning, start one load of laundry
7:30 shower, make bed, get dressed (boys are getting up and starting their day)
8:00 make breakfast and clean up kitchen
8:30 begin schoolwork with boys
between 8:30 and noon I:
try to get in some weight lifting
continue to work on laundry
clean around the house
check work that the boys have done
Our school time:
8:30-8:45 work with one son on math
8:45-9:00 work with other son on math
9:00-9:20 read a book together (we’ve read “A Young Man After God’s Own Heart”, “A Case for Christ”, and others
9:30-10:00 language (writing, grammar, etc.)
10:15-10:30 OUTSIDE!!
10:30- 11:00 science or history discussion over previous day's assignment
11:00-11:30 individual reading
11:30-? Independent work (finish math lesson, writing, music practice, chores
By noon I am finished with schoolwork. I’m still available to answer questions, but my “sit down” time is over. The boys usually still have writing and reading to do on their own. This is also drum and guitar practice time for them.
Afternoon: pre-make dinner (everything that can be done ahead)
Garden, read, more housecleaning chores, mending, etc.)
Two days a week we have music lessons, library and grocery store. I have tried to limit my getting out to only 2 days a week.
Our boys are encouraged to head to bed by 9:00 pm. They are allowed to read until they go to sleep.
Again, this is only a guide. It doesn’t always run smoothly or even on time. But, it’s what I aim for.
This is so easy now, compared to the time when we still had seven children at home! I’ll talk more about that schedule next.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
I Love Routine......for a Day or Two
Come on. Admit it. Routine makes us feel like we’re accomplishing something. We’re on a roll. We’ve got everything down. We can do it! Right?
We have a few days, or maybe even a few weeks when we’re able to get up at the right time, get our Bible reading done, the kids roll out of bed and get their schoolwork done, and chores even get accomplished. And maybe we even get that workout! Oh yeah! We’re feeling good about ourselves!
But then, that inevitable morning happens when things just don’t go right. Or, even if they do, we’re just not enjoying ourselves any more. The routine is just…….routine. Boring. Weighty. Hard.
I think it’s sort of like living by “The Law” verses living by faith. Just as we can try to live our lives by a set of rules (and notice that no one was able to do that successfully in scripture), we’ll ultimately fail. Our schedules and routines won’t be able to hold us up during the hard times.
So, how do we “homeschool by faith”? What does that really mean?
For me, having a schedule is still important. It’s the daily guideline I go by. But, that’s all it is. When life gets in the way of my routine, it’s time to take action! After all, isn’t that what faith is?
Next, we’ll take a look at my own daily schedule. And then talk about some practical ways to live within, and outside our schedules and routines.
What is your daily schedule? Does it help you, or frustrate you?
We have a few days, or maybe even a few weeks when we’re able to get up at the right time, get our Bible reading done, the kids roll out of bed and get their schoolwork done, and chores even get accomplished. And maybe we even get that workout! Oh yeah! We’re feeling good about ourselves!
But then, that inevitable morning happens when things just don’t go right. Or, even if they do, we’re just not enjoying ourselves any more. The routine is just…….routine. Boring. Weighty. Hard.
I think it’s sort of like living by “The Law” verses living by faith. Just as we can try to live our lives by a set of rules (and notice that no one was able to do that successfully in scripture), we’ll ultimately fail. Our schedules and routines won’t be able to hold us up during the hard times.
So, how do we “homeschool by faith”? What does that really mean?
For me, having a schedule is still important. It’s the daily guideline I go by. But, that’s all it is. When life gets in the way of my routine, it’s time to take action! After all, isn’t that what faith is?
Next, we’ll take a look at my own daily schedule. And then talk about some practical ways to live within, and outside our schedules and routines.
What is your daily schedule? Does it help you, or frustrate you?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Life
Our new, smaller family is leaving for Colorado Wednesday night after Switch, Lifechurch’s youth experience. We decided that our boys (almost 13 and 15), would enjoy our week-long trip much more if they didn’t have to miss their youth nights. So, we will return in time for Switch the following Wednesday!
Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with some young moms to talk about chore cards SHE-style, homeschooling, and raising children. It was a delightful time and quite encouraging to hear new thoughts and ideas. I still have LOTS to learn! It’s always a blessing to see others who are passionate about teaching their children at home.
In upcoming blogs I plan to discuss transcripts, beginning phonics, discovering your child’s giftings and anything else YOU want to hear about.
Have some questions? Or some ideas you want to share? Leave a comment or e-mail me at manymeadows@yahoo.com.
We begin our academics on September 4. Have you started your school year?
Recently, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting with some young moms to talk about chore cards SHE-style, homeschooling, and raising children. It was a delightful time and quite encouraging to hear new thoughts and ideas. I still have LOTS to learn! It’s always a blessing to see others who are passionate about teaching their children at home.
In upcoming blogs I plan to discuss transcripts, beginning phonics, discovering your child’s giftings and anything else YOU want to hear about.
Have some questions? Or some ideas you want to share? Leave a comment or e-mail me at manymeadows@yahoo.com.
We begin our academics on September 4. Have you started your school year?
Sunday, August 05, 2007
A Marine Came to Visit Me Today
He wanted to explain to me why he had decided to re-enlist with the Marine Reserves. How he felt like it was a calling on his life. It is what he was trained to do. He said that if he could ever prevent his two boys from having to go to war, now was his time.He shared how very much he loves my daughter and my two grandsons, and he hoped that he could convey that love to them before he left for Iraq .
He talked about the opportunities he would have as a Corporal to share important things with the young men in his unit-- things like his faith, finances, and important lessons he’s already learned in his life.
He shared how he didn’t know what was ahead for him, but that he trusts God. He feels like he is being obedient, even when it doesn’t make much sense to anyone how he can leave a wife and two boys behind.
He is my first son-in love. I couldn’t be any more proud of him if he were my own son.
Corporal Jon M. Simms left today for 30 days training in the Mojave Desert before heading to Iraq and will return June 2008. He is with the Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 23 Marines, and will be stationed in a town west of Baghdad.
Please pray for the safety and protection of his unit and pray for his wife, Erin and his boys, Kaden (4) and Will (2).
If you would like updates of information about Jon and his unit, send me an e-mail at manymeadows@yahoo.com
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Fat or Fit?
Check out my daughter, Anna's blog over on Swerve. She is our 4th child, 20 years old, and the Associate Youth Pastor of Lifechurch Northwest. She has written some challenging words and stirred up a little bit of controversy there. Hope you enjoy it--I did!
Click here:
And click on "comment on this post" below to leave your comment!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Am I Doing Enough? (Part 2)
Potty Training is Home Education!
OK – here’s my philosophy on “Am I Doing Enough?” If you’ve ever successfully potty trained a child, then you are a successful home educator!
Potty training is hard work. First of all, you must determine if your child is even ready for the concept. How do you know? By observation. By noticing his interest level, by trying it out and watching his reaction. And even at some point you go forward with the idea, even if your child shows no interest whatsoever.
Next, you experience lots of trial and error. You switch up your approach, you play games, you get creative, you may question whether you can even do it. “Maybe,”
you think, “someone else could do a much better job of this than I." You finally experience elation when your little one says, “Mommy, I need to go potty”. And you make it to the potty right in time! You give lots of hugs and praise. Success! But, then, in an hour or so, he forgets to tell you, and wets himself and the sofa cushion. So, did you give up? Did you send him to potty training academy? Or did you just start again, reinforcing what you had already gone over a million times before? You started again.
And guess what? When your precious little one is taller than you, and headed off to his first job, he won’t even need you to remind him to “potty”.
That’s how it is with teaching your child at home. This applies to everything from learning to read to learning to change the oil on a vehicle. You discover your child’s needs. You discover a way to attain them. You work and work to accomplish those needs together. Is it enough? Most definitely. If you’ve loved your child enough to see him through potty training, learning to walk, and learning to talk, you’re equipped to do the rest. Accepting your calling as a dedicated parent will assure you that exactly the right amount of academics, character building, life skills, and most of all, love, will see your child mature into the person God has called him to be. That’s success!
OK – here’s my philosophy on “Am I Doing Enough?” If you’ve ever successfully potty trained a child, then you are a successful home educator!
Potty training is hard work. First of all, you must determine if your child is even ready for the concept. How do you know? By observation. By noticing his interest level, by trying it out and watching his reaction. And even at some point you go forward with the idea, even if your child shows no interest whatsoever.
Next, you experience lots of trial and error. You switch up your approach, you play games, you get creative, you may question whether you can even do it. “Maybe,”
you think, “someone else could do a much better job of this than I." You finally experience elation when your little one says, “Mommy, I need to go potty”. And you make it to the potty right in time! You give lots of hugs and praise. Success! But, then, in an hour or so, he forgets to tell you, and wets himself and the sofa cushion. So, did you give up? Did you send him to potty training academy? Or did you just start again, reinforcing what you had already gone over a million times before? You started again.
And guess what? When your precious little one is taller than you, and headed off to his first job, he won’t even need you to remind him to “potty”.
That’s how it is with teaching your child at home. This applies to everything from learning to read to learning to change the oil on a vehicle. You discover your child’s needs. You discover a way to attain them. You work and work to accomplish those needs together. Is it enough? Most definitely. If you’ve loved your child enough to see him through potty training, learning to walk, and learning to talk, you’re equipped to do the rest. Accepting your calling as a dedicated parent will assure you that exactly the right amount of academics, character building, life skills, and most of all, love, will see your child mature into the person God has called him to be. That’s success!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
What's for Dinner (Part 4 of 4)
Better Than Drive-Thru
Instead of driving through McDonald’s or explaining to your husband why your family needs to eat out, why not have a few really quick recipes that can be made in only minutes. Or, plan ahead and get out your crock-pot!
Here are a couple of mine:
Border Bowl (sorry Taco Bell)
Place in order in large microwave-proof bowl
1 can beans (Ranch, black, kidney, or refried)
1 pkg. pre-cooked ground beef
season with 1 tsp chili power, ½ t. cumin, sprinkle with salt or garlic salt
1 can corn, drained
2-4 cups cooked brown rice (use Minute Rice if you’re in a hurry. Add the same seasoning as above to your rice as it cooks)
grated cheese (I like Colby or Mexican)
Cover your dish with plastic wrap and microwave until hot – usually about 8-10 minutes. While it is warming, prepare lettuce, as you would for a salad, or even slice a head of iceberg. Set your table with a bowl of tortilla chips, sour cream, salsa, dressing of choice, jalapenos, guacamole. You get the idea.
When serving, some of my family prefers making soft tacos from the Border Bowl. Others of us prefer mostly salad using salsa as our dressing.
This recipe is requested by my family often. If this would be too much food for your family, leave off the corn, or use less rice.
Another easy one:
Chicken Stroganoff
Chicken breasts or boneless thighs, enough to feed your family
2 cans fat-free cream soup (chicken, celery, mushroom or a combination)
1-16oz carton low fat sour cream
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
Pre-cook your chicken (I use bone-in breasts. The cost is cheaper and the skin comes off easily before cooking and the bones are easy to remove after cooking. I do this in a covered, non-stick skillet with just a small amount of water added) When the chicken is just cooked through, remove from skillet and set aside to cool if you are removing bones. Shred chicken when cool.
Add your cream soup to the same skillet with the dry onion soup mix. Heat the mixture adding just enough water to make a nice thick gravy consistency. Add the chicken and stir in the sour cream. Keep your heat low so the sour cream doesn’t separate. Heat through and serve over brown rice, mashed potatoes, or grits. Yum!
There’s always Spaghetti. Use one of those frozen zip-locks of cooked hamburger, open up a can or two of spaghetti sauce (add onion, bell pepper, garlic, carrots, etc. finely chopped in your food processor—your kids will never know!). Cook some pasta (try the whole grain version—it tastes just the same but adds extra fiber to your meal), open up a bag of salad mix or make one of your own, and, voila, almost-instant dinner!
Save time and money by having a plan!
Have any really quick recipes to share?
Instead of driving through McDonald’s or explaining to your husband why your family needs to eat out, why not have a few really quick recipes that can be made in only minutes. Or, plan ahead and get out your crock-pot!
Here are a couple of mine:
Border Bowl (sorry Taco Bell)
Place in order in large microwave-proof bowl
1 can beans (Ranch, black, kidney, or refried)
1 pkg. pre-cooked ground beef
season with 1 tsp chili power, ½ t. cumin, sprinkle with salt or garlic salt
1 can corn, drained
2-4 cups cooked brown rice (use Minute Rice if you’re in a hurry. Add the same seasoning as above to your rice as it cooks)
grated cheese (I like Colby or Mexican)
Cover your dish with plastic wrap and microwave until hot – usually about 8-10 minutes. While it is warming, prepare lettuce, as you would for a salad, or even slice a head of iceberg. Set your table with a bowl of tortilla chips, sour cream, salsa, dressing of choice, jalapenos, guacamole. You get the idea.
When serving, some of my family prefers making soft tacos from the Border Bowl. Others of us prefer mostly salad using salsa as our dressing.
This recipe is requested by my family often. If this would be too much food for your family, leave off the corn, or use less rice.
Another easy one:
Chicken Stroganoff
Chicken breasts or boneless thighs, enough to feed your family
2 cans fat-free cream soup (chicken, celery, mushroom or a combination)
1-16oz carton low fat sour cream
1 pkg. dry onion soup mix
Pre-cook your chicken (I use bone-in breasts. The cost is cheaper and the skin comes off easily before cooking and the bones are easy to remove after cooking. I do this in a covered, non-stick skillet with just a small amount of water added) When the chicken is just cooked through, remove from skillet and set aside to cool if you are removing bones. Shred chicken when cool.
Add your cream soup to the same skillet with the dry onion soup mix. Heat the mixture adding just enough water to make a nice thick gravy consistency. Add the chicken and stir in the sour cream. Keep your heat low so the sour cream doesn’t separate. Heat through and serve over brown rice, mashed potatoes, or grits. Yum!
There’s always Spaghetti. Use one of those frozen zip-locks of cooked hamburger, open up a can or two of spaghetti sauce (add onion, bell pepper, garlic, carrots, etc. finely chopped in your food processor—your kids will never know!). Cook some pasta (try the whole grain version—it tastes just the same but adds extra fiber to your meal), open up a bag of salad mix or make one of your own, and, voila, almost-instant dinner!
Save time and money by having a plan!
Have any really quick recipes to share?
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