It is truly wonderful that our creator has carefully and purposefully created each one of us. Each of us has gifts and passions that help make us who we are.
I am daily becoming aware of my strengths vs. weaknesses and my passions vs disinterests. One such area of disinterest is studying literature. Although I thoroughly enjoy reading, I'm not fond of learning about literature and all it's many elements.However, I do recognize that as a parent, it's not all about "me" and what I like or dislike.
For example, our oldest daughter is an avid reader and easily devours chapter books in a short period of time. This has been her passion since she was 3 years old and continues to resonate within her. If I were to enforce my disinterest for exploring literature on a deeper level, then I'd be hindering her natural passion. Instead, I believe it is part of my job to encourage her love of reading and support her in this area.
One way that I've stepped out of "my" comfort zone, is by signing her up in the homeschool book club. This has been a great alternate way to introduce literature into her studies.
I also recruited a friend who is extremely passionate about literary works to give a brief discussion on different genres of literature. As you see in the pictures, the children took notes and asked questions as he taught.
 We explored drama, fables, fantasy, folklore, fiction, poetry, mystery & science fiction.
 It even inspired me to purchase one if his recommendations at an used bookstore, "A Child's Garden of Verses" by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Another recent literary endeavor was to attend the local homeschool theater production of "Romeo and Juliet." Our daughter has probably read more Shakespeare in the past few years then I did in my entire academic career! I'm sure this benefited her, (and all our children,) to experience. I find that these live productions really make the stories come to life and they're also great tools for discussion....thanks Mom for sharing your passion of theater arts in me :-)
In short, I hope you will be prayerful as you seek to encourage the natural gifts/interests of your children.
"I Give thanks to You, For I am awesomely and wondrously made! Wondrous are Your Works, And my being knows it well." Tehillim (Psalms) 119:14
We're approaching our 3rd of week getting together with fellow homekeepers to encourage and support each other in our homekeeping pursuits (http://www.joyfuljunction.com/1/post/2011/05/encouragement-for-homekeepers.html) . I've been really motivated to get things in order after meeting with these ladies and gathering the children, so I wanted to post some notes from the group. Perhaps you can glean from our time together and share some ideas from our topics of Couponing, Gardening & Meal Planning.
ENJOY:
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Do you delight in homekeeping? Or is it tedious position you take for granted?
Since leaving the business world in August 2005 at the request of my husband, I've developed a passion for homekeeping delights. I figured, if this is my new focus, I might as well teach myself how to thrive in the art of being a homemaker.
After months of seeking out examples of fellow homekeepers and resources to help me in this new endeavor, I began to appreciate the beauty of being a keeper of our home (Titus 2:5)
Now, that we're in another phase of our lives (establishing ourselves in the northwest,) I've gotten a little off my path to homekeeping. So, with the accountability of a few fellow homekeepers, we began gathering on a weekly basis to encourage and share our experiences. We get together, discuss relevant topics, set goals and have some hands on activities (see pics.)
Right now, our focus is simple:
- Couponing
- Gardening
- Meal Planning
Ultimately, my hope is to continue to delight in homekeeping and encourage others in this blessed position!
Any tips or resources you want to contribute will be greatly appreciated!
The last PE sport for the semester....Rock Climbing!
Several months ago I posted our attempt at Virtual Education (http://www.joyfuljunction.com/1/post/2010/09/peak-into-the-future.html).This experience really opened my eyes to how technologically advanced we've become in such a short period of time. It also taught me several other lessons regarding the education of our children.
Ultimately, the experience confirmed that not all education programs benefit the dynamic of our family. I do believe this program would be a wonderful fit for some new home educators transitioning their older children from institutional learning or for those students wanting a challenging structured model of learning comparable to public schools. However, the primary reason for withdrawing our 2 students from this program was it put too many regimented academic demands on them which virtually killed their love of learning. Now that we've had our virtual education experience through the public school system, I've recently embarked upon a program introduced by my friend in New York. The program is entitled TIME 4 LEARNING (http://www.time4learning.com/index.htm) and it is a great supplement for after school or summer school students as well.
Although, we've only been members for 2 weeks, it is a program worth checking out if you're seeking an affordable online curriculum to supplement your childs education:
http://www.time4learning.com/index.htmP/S We're still enjoying the Prepare and Pray Unit Study :-)
Last month, I signed up our 5 school-aged children in the local homeschool pe group. This has been an amazing outlet for our family and it's keeping us disciplined in many ways.
Gone are the days where I feel the need to join every other homeschooling activity. Thankfully, I've found a few great local enrichment programs that don't effect our main focus: Child Training
Enjoy the pics
My oldest daughter and I have enjoyed a few recent episodes of "Extreme Couponing." I've been so inspired & started slowing incorporating this into our homeschooling lessons. The positive part about it is she likes to shop and I like math--I think we'll make a good team!!
Please share some couponing advise for this newbie :-)
In the words of my mother, "SUPPORT LOCAL".....
Last week, we passed the local fruit stand and I couldn't resist the stop.
The children and I unloaded and browsed the selection of local fruits & veggies. We managed to buy an entire box of apples for a discounted $4!! They are great for snacking or juicing and I still hope to make either applesauce or apple butter. (Notice the small jar of local honey...YUM)
Also, Marlon & I picked up 4 straight run chicks for our backyard homesteading pursuits. The children were surprised and delighted and quickly made some creative contraptions for their living quarters
BTW, Millennium is so diligent in caring for this chicks...(great idea for responsibility!)
The girls and I had a great little outing to the mall and the dollar movies. We found some wonderful bargains at the Fabric Store that help encourage creative sewing pursuits:
I just came across a emailed "tribute" to my great-grandmother on my mothers side. I'm so blessed when I hear about some of our family heritage. Not only does it inspire me, but it also explains some of my innate tendencies/desires.
Here is a little excerpt from the history of a truly phenomenal woman born in the late 1800's:
"….She taught for a salary of $55 per month grades 1 - 8. The school term lasted five months each year in an one-room school house. The love of teaching extended beyond the classroom and, during the growing season, homemakers were taught the art of canning and preserving fruits and vegetables. Some of their efforts were carried to county fairs and won prizes.
In her words:
"By using your head and hands, work can solve any problem that a person has."
This philosophy was undoubtedly inherited from her beloved father, who was a skillful farmer and carpenter. His skills were also her skills:
- Her family was never hungry because she always had a garden with beets, onions, greens, cabbage squash, beans, etc.
- Her orchard had peaches, plums, pears, pecans, and grapes.
- Her planting and harvest schedule was planned to ensure at least nine months of fresh produce.
- From the harvest of fruits she made juices, jellies, preserves, and cobblers. A family favorite was her peach cobbler made from tiny peaches wit the pits left in.
- She built stools and chairs for her grandchildren, each customized to the child's size.
- She remodeled the back porch, of the house that the family rented, to make an additional room. She also built a storage shed.
- She enjoyed fishing with her next-door neighbor in the local rives and creeks.
- She helped other people build outdoor pit toilets (out-houses).
- She taught her school children to cook, sew, embroider, make curtains, build chairs, etc.
- A Sunday afternoon ritual was making and freezing ice cream. (The recipe has been handed down through the generations)
With what seemed to be limitless energy, she also held other jobs. These included washing and ironing, picking cotton, cutting and stripping sugar cane to make molasses, and selling meals at stands set up a various associations and fairs.
From this amazing woman, family values were to spring as models for all generations to come.
- Love and respect people from all walks of life.
- Learn, and teach, the joy of living and the joys of life.
- Be pleasant while being firm.
- If you must not spare the rod, ensure that the children know that despite this, they are loved. (Later generations would come to believe that not all parents learned this one so well!)
- Always retain a respect for the status quo; don't loose perspective on 'from whence you came.' As examples:
Above all, make sure that you have a Faith that is deeply rooted in God.
A faithful member of Second Baptist Church, she attended every Sunday with her brood in tow. Attendance for them was not optional because she held a strong belief that parents should take their children to church not send them to church. Her favorite hymns were What A Friend We Have in Jesus and Leanin' On The Everlasting Arms.
…… As she lay in repose at her funeral, her only son, now a pilot with the famed Tuskegee Airmen, removed his wings and placed them on her chest as a final tribute. Why? It was his mother who taught the family how to fly to their dreams, keep a friend in Jesus, and not to forget to lean on the Everlasting Arms. "
(above excerpt about my great-grandmother written by my mothers cousin)
Consider talking to your children about the "positive" attributes of their ancestors
P/S If your great-grandchildren chose to write a tribute about you, what things do you think they'd share? (That's a humbling thou
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