So eager to learn

She comes and tugs at my arm with that super sweet voice - "mommy can we do school". She's my only one that hasn't been to a public school setting, and it's such a honor to be, her teacher from the very beginning. She's a stinker, but she melts my heart, and even if it is just coloring, I hope she always ask "Mommy, can we do school?"

Lets play some games

I've been really trying to spend more time with my children throughout the day. This might sound confusing, since I am with them all day long. But it's possible to be in the same room with someone, without giving them the attention they are so desperately craving to get. School is a chore for the day. It's something that HAS to be done, not all of us like to do it, but it's pretty much just a check mark on a list of many daily events that take place around here. So where's the fun in our homeschool? To be honest it's terribly lacking! I've been trying very hard to discipline myself to stop for 15 minutes each hour throughout the day, and just plop in the middle of the floor with the kids, and just have some good-old-fashioned fun. Hide and seek, tickle monster, reading books, or making up silly dances have all quickly become my new guilty pleasure. How many adults get to run around the house and goof off and be silly, and just have FUN with their kids? I hope to start setting aside at least half a hour after the twins go to bed to sit down and play family games with our older three. If we aren't investing in our kids, what are we investing in? I can't even remember how I spent my days when my kids were being rushed off to school with the masses every morning. Gosh, what DID I do? Talk on the phone, gossip, catch up on my dvr...I was definitely in a lot better shape since I actually had time to work out, oh and my house was cleaner...but do those things REALLY matter in the big picture? How can someone say a workout/clean house/ t.v. shows are more important than spending time with children? Sadly I fail at this way more than I succeed. Which is why I am SO thankful to have my kids at home with me...I get so many opportunities to hug, love on, and tickle them throughout the day, even in the middle of prepping dinner, planning lessons, or folding laundry. My challenge to myself in the coming weeks, and to all SAHM - let the dishes go, if we have mac n cheese for dinner one night it's ok, workout for 20 mins instead of a hour, and put down the remote, shut off the computer, and let's take the time to spend time in engaging our children, and showing them that THEY are MUCH more important than all the other things in our life that we get "busy" with!

33 more days, I can't do this, but He can!

I've been feeling a bit discouraged in the teaching department lately. We are almost through our first year of home-schooling but not without lots of sweat and tears. Our oldest is extremely strong willed and never forgets to tell me how much he hates school. I think tell him to suck it up, well all had to do it, and he doesn't have a choice, and the battles are fought over and over again. I can't tell you how many times my poor husband has come home to me emotionally drained and temperamental from fighting a battle since 6AM. I can't even count the many times I have said to him "I give up, I can't do this". After speaking with 3 different people today for advice on what to do about my situation, it finally hit me during a conversation with my mother. I am trying to do this Crystals way, instead of doing it God's way. I know God has convicted me to teach my children, so therefore I know He will supply me with the strength to get through this. Obviously what I have been trying isn't working, so it's time to come up with something new. It's not time to give up, it's time to think out-side the box. It's time to spend the day on my knees digging into The Word instead of calling anyone I can think of to find help. I KNOW I CAN'T do this. But I know HE can, and it's Christ that lives within me and His will that will be done! 33 more days...He can do it!