September 3, 2010 By Karen Leave a Comment

Another year of homeschooling is upon us!

This time of year finds us all eagerly anticipating what lies ahead. It’s a fun and fresh start, and we all are excited. I have come to realize that in a few months, like anything, the excitement starts to fade and things become routine. But for now, while it is all new and exciting for a bit, I will enjoy it!

What are you looking forward to most this year in your homeschool?

New curriculum? New organizing methods? A new approach to learning?

I am looking forward to our science curriculum. It looks fantastic! I am also looking forward to seeing my kindergartner learn to read. It will be my third child that I have taught to read! I also look forward to all of the “little” things along the way…seeing each child grow and mature each year and becoming the person God created them to be.

So what are you looking forward to most this year? Share with us! Let’s chat about the upcoming year!

Karen is married to the love of her life, Steve, and a homeschooling mom of 4 children ages 9,7,5, and 1. She was called to homeschool when her oldest was kindergarten age after thinking, “I could never do THAT!” Now she is passionate about encouraging others on their homeschool journey, as well as learning all she can along the way. She sees her kids as her mission field and loves the verse in Romans 10:15 that says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who carry the good news.” Follow her blog at Beautiful Feet Bring Good News.

August 13, 2010 By Karen 21 Comments

Do you crave a simpler life? Less chaos? Less “stuff.”

I do.

Recently when we traveled to Jamestown and Yorktown VA, I noted that the recreated 18th century farmhouse was so simple. There was basically one room and a loft to take care of and there was very limited clothing for each person. Now I understand this was out of necessity as well as limited resources. Certainly doing laundry back then was a much more difficult task, therefore each person having 1 -2 sets of clothing made more sense. Plus they just didn’t have the resources for more.

Yet as I stood there in the house I thought to myself, “How awesome would it be to have this house in today’s world with all of our technology?”

We’d have so much more time in our lives…With so little to take care of, we’d have more time to do “real” things! I know I sound crazy. In an age where most people crave more “stuff”, I crave less. I have come to realize the more we have, the more there is to take care of. Imagine the 18th century family seeing all of the technology we have, and seeing our lives are even MORE complicated and busy? They would have given anything for a washer, dryer, dishwasher, etc.! And cell phones, iphones, and laptops?? Unfathomable! Why are things so hard today when we have it so easy?

I am trying to simplify more in our life. Our kids don’t have nearly as many toys as I think others do, but I still find myself wanting to get rid of more. They enjoy being outdoors and playing and really do not need all the “toys.” I have found myself simplifying closets. They are happy to wear the same few outfits everyday. So I have tried to weed out what we don’t need ( we are lucky to get LOTS of hand-me-downs), and limit it to some basic outfits and a few nice church outfits.

I have tried to simplify our home. I realize it is not about how things look, but who the family is that lives in the house.

Schooling can take place and I can be more focused on my kids, when I am not always trying to keep up with the house chores and clutter…

So, while I don’t think we will sell our home and live in a 18th century farmhouse, I do want to be grateful for the resources we have and how easy our life can be, and not make it more complicated with so much “stuff!”

July 23, 2010 By Karen 11 Comments

I love organization. Love the little boxes, labels, folders, everything that has to do with organization. My heart wants to organize, really it does! Yet it seems like whenever I get it all in place, life happens and it never stays as pretty as all those organizing websites show.

We’ve used the Workbox System. We have bins for all of our schoolwork. We are lucky to have a whole room at home to use for our school things. Yet I seem to always want MORE organization. There are so many things to keep organized: schoolwork for 3 kids, supplies, paper, craft items, etc. And then of course, where do you keep all the completed work, crafts, etc.??

I also love planners. I love having a cute little book with all of my “to-dos” neatly organized in a pretty calendar. I have used big planners, small ones, weekly, monthly, specific homeschooling planners, etc. But I find the one that I have stuck with and use the most is my iCal on my laptop…since I spend so much time on my laptop, it just makes sense.

This year I will modify my Workbox System to use files rather than shoeboxes. I will re-use ALL those plastic shoeboxes to organize our supplies, and I will be using the Simply Charlotte Mason organizer online. I will also stick to the iCal.

Are you organized? Disorganized? Longing-to-be organized? Share your organizing tips, storage ideas, planning ideas…whatever you can!

July 9, 2010 By Karen 6 Comments

We love hands on learning in our homeschool, and many times that involves field trips. We have so many places we want to see! Our family dream is to take an RV trip to see the places we are learning about…what a great opportunity for family bonding, let alone “hands on learning.” It doesn’t get any more hands on than that!

This past year we took a trip to Plymouth, MA. It was by far our best homeschooling memory. We had an amazing time visiting Plimoth Plantation and seeing all the sites we had been studying about. It really brought history to life! In our school we use the Charlotte Mason method and try to read lots of historical fiction to make the time period come alive in our minds. Yet, seeing the actual sites, really just takes it one step further.

Since we are studying the American Revolution, we also went to Philadelphia this year. Being inside of Independence Hall was the pinnacle of our study of the Declaration of Independence. We also visited Jockey Hollow right here in New Jersey and saw the soldiers huts where they would have camped during the Revolution.

This summer we plan on making a stop in Jamestown VA, and next year have discussed Washington DC or Boston. And who knows, maybe that dream trip to take an RV will happen and we’ll travel along the Lewis and Clark trail when we get to studying post Revolutionary America and the Pioneers. Oh how much fun!

How do you incorporate field trips into your homeschool? Do you make them a priority? Share your greatest field trips moments with us!

June 25, 2010 By Karen 18 Comments

What made you decide to homeschool? Has your vision changed since then?

I cannot believe that this year I will begin my fifth year of homeschooling. It seems like just yesterday, I walked into the school to register my firstborn for kindergarten. I left there with a sick feeling in my stomach and a feeling of despair.

When I told my friends about it, they said it was the “first time kindergarten jitters.” Once she went to school I would see how great it was having her out of the house. When the feeling only intensified as time went on, and I couldn’t pin point what “it” was, some friends began suggesting homeschool for a year, until I was sure how I felt. NO WAY!! Not an option for ME!

Well, as we all know, when the Lord calls you for something, he relentlessly pursues you. Slowly, I began to think about homeschooling…as I thought about it, various people would come into my life that were homeschooling or would talk to me about it. I would come across articles about it. Everywhere I turned, there seemed to be something about homeschool! The Lord was using every means necessary to show me this WAS His will. Homeschooling has definitely been a calling from God, and that is the only way to explain it.

There were many obstacles to overcome, but I decided to try it for one year. And now here were are begining our fifth year. I have never looked back. What started out as something to try, has evolved into the norm for us. I have found that it is an amazing blessing for our family in so many ways. Our vision has changed for our family. It started out as a calling, but God has clearly directed my heart and shown me the benefits of our decision. Our kids are thriving, our family is close, and most of all we have answered the call. We have let the Lord lead us, and He has abundantly blessed our decision.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:6

What made you decide to homeschool? Has your vision changed since then?

Let’s chat in the comments section!

June 11, 2010 By Karen 8 Comments

What role does your husband play in your family’s homeschool? How do you manage keeping your marriage a priority when you have so many responsibilities pulling you in so many directions?

As a homeschooling mommy, it is all too easy to take on all of the responsibility of the schooling by yourself. It is also all too easy to neglect our husband’s needs because we are already pouring so much energy into our children and in school.

Just recently my husband and I went on out to dinner ALONE for the first time in about 2 years. I had a baby 18 months ago, and leaving him with someone always seemed too hard…then we had made plans, but one of the kids got sick the day we were supposed to go out. When we finally went out, we realized how much we needed that time! It is so important not to forget that, buried under all the little ones running around, the schoolbooks, the messes, etc…there is a marriage there. And it was there first…long before the homeschooling.

Having your husband help out in homeschooling is not only great for the kids, it is great for you to not feel the sole responsibility. Fathers should be involved in training our kids spiritually, but also there are many areas they can teach as well. For instance, when my 7 year old was interested in computer art, my husband (a graphic designer) taught him some “lessons.” Fathers can use any area of specialty they have to teach. This not only helps the homeschool, it helps the family as a unit. Learning from each other and building relationships are key. And in the long run, a husband’s participation can ease the load off of mom, enabling her to meet her husband’s needs as well.

So how do you manage a marriage and a homeschool? Does your husband play a big role in your homeschool? Does he do any of the teaching? How do you manage your homeschool together? How do you keep your marriage a priority?

May 28, 2010 By Karen 3 Comments

photo by Ann Dunagan of Harvest Ministry

Today, let’ s talk about missions. Missionaries are on the field everyday working to care for others and to serve the Lord, as well as bringing souls to Him. Oh how I admire these missionaries. I have 4 dear friends who just returned from Haiti, to serve people living in conditions we cannot imagine. They are truly fulfilling the call!

My thoughts often turn to far off places where we are needed. At times I thought I wasn’t doing enough. One day God changed my perspective though. He made me realize I DO have a mission field right here at home. My first responsibility that He has given to me is my children. They are to be taught the Word, they are to be raised knowing the good news of Jesus Christ, and in turn we are raising the future generation of missionaries.

I love the verse in Romans 10 that says, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news.” (v. 15) I love the picture of those sharing the gospel and it’s beautiful message. Yet that message also applies right here at home. Even amongst the diaper changes, wiping noses, diffusing arguments, etc., we are acting as missionaries right here at home. We don’t have children and then expect them to raise themselves or have others raise them. NO! We are the biggest influence in their lives. I am responsible to do all I can to turn their hearts toward the truth. Wow! What a big responsibility and awesome privilege!

So next time you feel unimportant or as though you are not making a difference right now, remember at this season in your life, as a mother at home raising your children, YOU are a missionary. You are doing your part to grow the Kingdom. Yes, we are absolutely to be missional in other ways too; in our community, internationally, etc., but don’t underestimate the importance of your mission right here at HOME! God has placed us in these homes at this time in our lives for a reason.

So I ask you, how are you feeling about being a missionary at home? Do you consider yourself a missionary to your kids? What kinds of activities do you do with your kids for outside missions? Share your thoughts!

May 14, 2010 By Karen Leave a Comment

Spring has sprung! The weather has finally gotten warmer and the sun is shining longer. For me, it is my favorite time of the year. I love the anticipation of summer, the accomplishment of another school year almost behind, and the joy of being outside! This time of year means planting in our garden and getting active outside! Bike riding at night becomes a family ritual, and eating on the back deck becomes the norm.

The outdoors is a great classroom! We love to use nature and all of God’s creation to teach us at this time of year.

For instance, we have had bird nests right outside our window at times to teach us about birds. We have put out bird feeders and kept a log of what types of birds have visited, as well as how many. Many days I will plan a “scavenger hunt.” I ask the kids to find certain things in nature and then they either check it off a list or sketch it. Sometimes, I give them the camera and ask them to take pictures of what they found. We also have a garden and grow different types of vegetables. Last year we kept a “garden journal.” Each day we measured and recorded the growth of our plants as well as sketching our plants. We all helped in the garden, watering, planting, weeding, and harvesting when the time came.

Sometimes we use the outdoors just to do our usual lessons. I mean isn’t reading a book in a hammock under a tree so much more fun than sitting inside? Or doing math at a picnic table using sticks as manipulatives to do subtraction? The possibilities of outdoor lessons are endless!

Share your favorite outdoor lessons…do you do nature study? Do you take advantage of an “outdoor classroom?” What are your favorite activities to do outside?

April 23, 2010 By Karen 10 Comments

Do you have a love/hate relationship with curriculum fairs and homeschool conventions? It’s that time of year, when the annual conventions take place and so do those HUGE curriculum fairs! As homeschoolers these days, we have so much access to an abundance of curriculum. We are truly very lucky.

However, sometimes these can be so overwhelming, leaving you to feel like either:

a) you’re not doing nearly enough
b) you NEED to have all the latest and greatest products or your kids will surely never learn to read, write, or spell!
c) like you’ve spent WAY too much money!

I am a curriculum catalog junkie. I pour over every catalog, researching all the new great ones out there. I spend way too much time looking online at all there is available.

However, I am slowly starting to learn that I need to stay focused on our goals, decide what works for us and what doesn’t, and not to get overly disracted by the abundance of homeschool resources out there.

I have realized to seek God first, pray over my curriclum choices and make sure that we don’t get too distracted by all the “extras.” We will be separating the wheat from the chaff. (Matthew 3:12)

Next month, I will attend my state’s annual convention, and I DO love going each year. This time I am bringing a list of what I want to look at, and am bringing a budget of what to spend. I am going with my daughter on Friday night for some girl time, and so she can look at all the goodies with me…but on Saturday I plan to go ALONE, shop, and listen to an awesome line up of speakers. It will be a nice break and one of the only days of the year that I will get to be all by myself!

So now I ask YOU:

Are you going to a curriculum fair this spring?
Do you get overwhelmed with all of the choices?
Do you go in with a plan for what you want to see?

Share your best purchases or those lessons learned in the past…Let’s share our experiences!

April 9, 2010 By Karen 9 Comments

It has been almost 9 months since we hosted our Friday Memes. Our readers have spoken and you want them BACK! The difference is that now, instead of linking to your own post, you can simply leave your thoughts in the comment section. This way, everyone can participate and not just those with blogs. It is our hope that this will become a popular, interactive feature, full of support and lively conversation.

Now, I would like to introduce you to our new contributor and feature coordinator, Karen, from Beautiful Feet Bring Good News.

Four years ago, God tugged at my heart and called me to homeschool. My first thought was “ME?? Homeschool? No way!” I never thought I would be a homeschool mommy. That was for people who were more organized, patient, creative, smarter, and more disciplined than me! My second thought (when God pursued me and kept calling me) was to RUN! Run as fast and as far away as I could from this crazy idea of homeschooling!

Well, obviously God changed my heart. I stopped running, answered the call, and here I am four years later with a passion for homeschooling. I love teaching my kids, spending time with them (even when it seems like I will never, ever be alone again in my life!), and most of all I love serving the Lord.

I have learned so much right along with my children on this journey. History is suddenly fascinating to me. We took a trip to Plymouth, MA. this year and I learned so much about the Pilgrims. Science is full of amazing things about God’s creation that I never realized before. Did you know that Neptune and Pluto actually switch places at times making Pluto the 8th planet? I have also learned lots of funny lessons along the way. For instance, don’t let your 8 year old play TV TAG with her friends when you don’t have cable TV. When she screams out, “Nightly News with Charles Gibson!” it sure can get a look! But mostly, I have learned that I AM organized, I AM disciplined, and that I CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens me! He will supply my need. He will lead me if we obey His calling. I do not do any of it by my own strength, but by Him, the supplier of all my needs!

So today, I ask you: What unexpected thing has

homeschooling taught YOU?

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