Is there possibly anything more sweet and yummy than a clementine? Well yes, I'm most certain there is, but I still count clementine's at the top of my sweetness list among many other things.
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And I must say they are especially sweet when being stored in this beauty of a bowl that was passed down to me from my mom. Well, I guess I can't really say it was passed down but I like to think of it that way. I actually stole it from my dad's house while visiting him and his new roommate (my grandfather) last weekend. Okay, I didn't really steal it, as I did ask first, but I had planned on taking it anyway. I think that's the way my mom would have wanted it, don't you?
.I think she'd be pretty proud to see our sweet clementines resting in her bowl.
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and the sweet hands of her tiniest grandchild placing his pealed clementines back into the bowl.
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So to kick off the new year focusing on healthy eating habits, we have been talking a lot about God's perfect food. I think I'm on my way to getting them pretty well brainwashed trained at this point. I often find them stopping before taking a bite and asking the question "Is this (insert food item here) God's perfect food?"
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So with that we have been trying very hard to make that answer be yes as much as possible.
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And before we bite in, we make sure we do this...
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And before we bite in, we make sure we do this...
Because after all, it is His food that He has so graciously given to us. And He didn't have to make it so sweet and delicious either so we make sure to give extra thanks for that.
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And yes, in case you were wondering, prayer is allowed in our school. In fact it's highly encouraged.
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We all agreed that our snack for the day was way... yummier than any milkshake ever was. We said milkshake because that is what we've been craving now for days. I told you I'm doing a pretty good job at brainwashing them didn't I? Natural yogurt and fresh berries. Yup, that's God's perfect food!
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And while I'm on the subject of sweetness, look what my extra sweet niecey gave me a few days ago...
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She's following perfectly in her daddy's footsteps huh? (http://www.bsylvesterart.com/)
She's following perfectly in her daddy's footsteps huh? (http://www.bsylvesterart.com/)
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This was just what I needed to brighten up the gloomy day I was having.
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So, getting off the subject of sweetness, well sort of, I have been trying to combat the battle of sibling arguments, grumbling, non-sharing moments, rivalry, and whatever non peaceful sibling moment you can imagine, by reading this book...
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I'm only early into the book so I can't say yet how much I like it, but along with reading it myself, I have been reading bits and pieces of it to the kids. It has brought us many opportunities for discussion and they know that this is something we are really working on. So I'd say we're making progress, one tiny step at a time.
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The boys admiring each others artwork from today and yes, I was too
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Gracie knows just what to do to make it all better. She makes sure she lets her little brother know just how very special he is and just how much he is loved. Even if he does get left in a wet diaper every now and then.
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I firmly believe that family is the absolute most important and special thing that God has given us outside of the gift we've been given in Jesus and I strive to make sure that my children know this and feel this. Children will not be in school forever, and most likely sports, ballet, Tae Kwon Do or their childhood friends will not be the most special part of their lives as they grow into adults (again outside of their relationship with Jesus we're talking) but family will. We will always be there. For one another. Until our very last day here on earth and beyond, we will be here for each other. Supporting, encouraging, holding each other's hand, and loving one another, we will be there.
.But it gets even better than that. Jesus will ALWAYS be there. No matter what happens. Through thick and thin HE . WILL . BE . THERE. And this is the very most important thing that I strive to make sure my children know. My goal is that there never be a day where they feel alone. Nor a day where they experience hopelessness. Or feel unloved. He will always be there. And so will we. Together.
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This is my homeschooling goal for 2009 and beyond. The 3 R's are so very important, and so are all the many other subjects that we study throughout the year, but this, is the very most important thing I can teach them. Their morals, character, values, and love for Jesus and family is what will make them who they are from childhood to adulthood. And along the way, I as their honored mother and teacher will make sure that without a doubt, they will obtain the knowledge that God has planned for them.
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I found this not to long ago and just love it! I thought this was an appropriate time to share it with you all. It is very long, but made me laugh and smile and even get all warm and fuzzy at times. Some of these just sounded too much like our house so I had to add my personal words in orange.
...
* * *
* * *
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You Must Be Homeschooled If...
You Must Be Homeschooled If...
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Someone asks what grade you're in and you're not sure.
You sometimes go to school in your pajamas.
You sleep till 9:00 am on school days, but get up early on Sundays. (so true)
Your favorite author is Jane Austen (girls) or Robert Louis Stevenson (boys).
You own the entire series of Saxon Math books. (we're getting there ;)
Your birthday is an official school holiday. (that's right!)
You don't get to stay home from school when you're sick.
You are unaware of the current fads, fashions, and slang terms. (we try and remain unaware)
Someone asks what grade you're in and you're not sure.
You sometimes go to school in your pajamas.
You sleep till 9:00 am on school days, but get up early on Sundays. (so true)
Your favorite author is Jane Austen (girls) or Robert Louis Stevenson (boys).
You own the entire series of Saxon Math books. (we're getting there ;)
Your birthday is an official school holiday. (that's right!)
You don't get to stay home from school when you're sick.
You are unaware of the current fads, fashions, and slang terms. (we try and remain unaware)
Your favorite activity is reading.
You know what a unit study is.
Watching a movie means you'll have to write a report comparing the film to the book.
You dress up as historical or literary characters for Halloween.
You exchange e-mail Valentines with your homeschool pen pals.
Your room looks like a science lab.
You can get science credit for going to the dentist.
You go to the park for P.E. (every Monday)
You check out at least ten books every time you visit the library. (try 30 - 50)
You have ever attempted to teach yourself physics.
You have no idea what rock bands are currently popular.
You get books and science kits for your birthday. (and Christmas too!)
You know what Latin roots are.
Your board games all have names like "Bookworm", "Scrabble", "S'math", "Game of Knowledge", and "Name The State". (yup, and sum swamp is fun too!)
Your home library is arranged in Dewey Decimal order.
Your favorite place to study is outside, under a tree.
You can quote lines from Shakespeare, but not from South Park.
You memorize math formulas for fun.
You never get nervous on the first day of school.
The only bully you ever run into is your big brother. (well, actually it's little brother at our house)
You don't have to remember a locker combination, just your computer password.
It takes you less than a minute to walk to school.
You don't have to worry about forgetting anything - you can just run back to your room and get it.
Your school bus is a nine-passenger van.
There are only nine students in your class - but all of them are your brothers and sisters.
You have a 12-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 2-year old in the same class.
You can get extra credit for cleaning your room. (good idea : )
You know what a unit study is.
Watching a movie means you'll have to write a report comparing the film to the book.
You dress up as historical or literary characters for Halloween.
You exchange e-mail Valentines with your homeschool pen pals.
Your room looks like a science lab.
You can get science credit for going to the dentist.
You go to the park for P.E. (every Monday)
You check out at least ten books every time you visit the library. (try 30 - 50)
You have ever attempted to teach yourself physics.
You have no idea what rock bands are currently popular.
You get books and science kits for your birthday. (and Christmas too!)
You know what Latin roots are.
Your board games all have names like "Bookworm", "Scrabble", "S'math", "Game of Knowledge", and "Name The State". (yup, and sum swamp is fun too!)
Your home library is arranged in Dewey Decimal order.
Your favorite place to study is outside, under a tree.
You can quote lines from Shakespeare, but not from South Park.
You memorize math formulas for fun.
You never get nervous on the first day of school.
The only bully you ever run into is your big brother. (well, actually it's little brother at our house)
You don't have to remember a locker combination, just your computer password.
It takes you less than a minute to walk to school.
You don't have to worry about forgetting anything - you can just run back to your room and get it.
Your school bus is a nine-passenger van.
There are only nine students in your class - but all of them are your brothers and sisters.
You have a 12-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a 2-year old in the same class.
You can get extra credit for cleaning your room. (good idea : )
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* * *
* * *
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You Must Be a Home Educator If...
You Must Be a Home Educator If...
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You live in a one-house schoolroom.
Your walls are covered with maps and timelines.
You know what math manipulatives are. (oh yea)
You have mold growing in your fridge…on purpose.
Your preschooler can name all the planets, but doesn't know who the Rugrats are.
You've mastered the fine art of vacuuming a floor without sucking up a Lego or K'nex piece.
You're either an expert at doing the Lego dance - Oooch! Ouch! Yeow! - or else you've resorted to wearing shoes around the house.
You know the recipes for homemade versions of Play-doh, finger paint, and paste.
Your students have to clear the breakfast bowls off the table before sitting down to do their school work.
Your house is messy, but your kids are happy. (amen)
You know that reverse psychology really works.
Your kids publish their own family newsletter.
You shop for birthday presents at educational stores.
All you want for Christmas is a Barnes & Noble gift certificate.
You'd rather buy books than clothes.
Your friends don't want to help you move because you have so many books.
You turn a trip to the grocery store into a learning experience. (of course, doesn't everybody)
You get nervous about what people will say when you take your kids to K-Mart in the middle of the day.
You have a standard one-minute speech to give to store clerks, mother-in-laws, and school officials about why you homeschool.
You are sick and tired of answering the question, "But what about socialization?" (amen to that too!)
For your wedding anniversary, you decide to splurge and get a photocopier.
Talking out loud to yourself is the same as having a parent/teacher conference.
When you see a parking lot full of mini vans, you wonder if there's a homeschooling conference.
You take your family vacation in September, when the beaches and theme parks are empty.
You take a suitcase full of books along on your family vacation.
You can never find your kitchen utensils because they're out in the sandbox.
Your kitchen doubles as a science lab.
You are on a first name basis with your local librarian and bookstore owner.
The UPS driver delivers a box of Scholastic books to your doorstep once a month.
You know the scientific names of dinosaurs from A to Z.
You're willing to drop what you're doing at a moment's notice to go look something up in a dictionary or encyclopedia. (ahh... does Internet count?)
You have ever vented for more than five minutes on the evils of standardized testing.
You don't get fired for teaching your students about God.
Some days you learn as much as your students. (yes, sad but true)
The more your kids learn, the less you seem to know.
You live in a one-house schoolroom.
Your walls are covered with maps and timelines.
You know what math manipulatives are. (oh yea)
You have mold growing in your fridge…on purpose.
Your preschooler can name all the planets, but doesn't know who the Rugrats are.
You've mastered the fine art of vacuuming a floor without sucking up a Lego or K'nex piece.
You're either an expert at doing the Lego dance - Oooch! Ouch! Yeow! - or else you've resorted to wearing shoes around the house.
You know the recipes for homemade versions of Play-doh, finger paint, and paste.
Your students have to clear the breakfast bowls off the table before sitting down to do their school work.
Your house is messy, but your kids are happy. (amen)
You know that reverse psychology really works.
Your kids publish their own family newsletter.
You shop for birthday presents at educational stores.
All you want for Christmas is a Barnes & Noble gift certificate.
You'd rather buy books than clothes.
Your friends don't want to help you move because you have so many books.
You turn a trip to the grocery store into a learning experience. (of course, doesn't everybody)
You get nervous about what people will say when you take your kids to K-Mart in the middle of the day.
You have a standard one-minute speech to give to store clerks, mother-in-laws, and school officials about why you homeschool.
You are sick and tired of answering the question, "But what about socialization?" (amen to that too!)
For your wedding anniversary, you decide to splurge and get a photocopier.
Talking out loud to yourself is the same as having a parent/teacher conference.
When you see a parking lot full of mini vans, you wonder if there's a homeschooling conference.
You take your family vacation in September, when the beaches and theme parks are empty.
You take a suitcase full of books along on your family vacation.
You can never find your kitchen utensils because they're out in the sandbox.
Your kitchen doubles as a science lab.
You are on a first name basis with your local librarian and bookstore owner.
The UPS driver delivers a box of Scholastic books to your doorstep once a month.
You know the scientific names of dinosaurs from A to Z.
You're willing to drop what you're doing at a moment's notice to go look something up in a dictionary or encyclopedia. (ahh... does Internet count?)
You have ever vented for more than five minutes on the evils of standardized testing.
You don't get fired for teaching your students about God.
Some days you learn as much as your students. (yes, sad but true)
The more your kids learn, the less you seem to know.
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The Gift of a Child
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Dear God, I thank You for the gift of these children to raise, these lives to share, these minds to help mold, these bodies to nurture, and these spirits to enrich. Let me never betray their trust, dampen their hope, or discourage their dreams. Help me, dear God, to help these precious children become all You mean for them to be. Let Your grace and love fall on them like gentle breezes and give them inner strength and peace and patience for the journey ahead. Amen.
~~ Marian Wright Edelman
Dear God, I thank You for the gift of these children to raise, these lives to share, these minds to help mold, these bodies to nurture, and these spirits to enrich. Let me never betray their trust, dampen their hope, or discourage their dreams. Help me, dear God, to help these precious children become all You mean for them to be. Let Your grace and love fall on them like gentle breezes and give them inner strength and peace and patience for the journey ahead. Amen.
~~ Marian Wright Edelman
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