The Bell is Ringing…Back to School

Posted on July 9, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

I don’t know about you, but the first day of school was always exciting for me with new classes, new teachers, and new clothes. Even though I homeschool our kids, I want them to experience some of that same excitement I did every year.

It starts with breakfast and what better way to say, “Welcome Back to School,” than with fresh yummy donuts (Thanks Daddy)!

Next comes the grand entrance to a fresh clean homeschool room with new school supply goodies! Their faces make it worth every minute of planning to make this day special!

FYI: Staples has some great sales on school supplies and Target was getting their things ready this week.

After we settle down, from opening their gift bags, we take a moment to pray for our school year. Homeschooling is NOT easy for the parent or the child. Attitudes can flare quickly when you are with the same people 24/7. We ask God to help us all to watch our words, to stay calm and focused, and most importantly to respect each other.

Self portraits have become a tradition every year. Once completed they are placed in the front of their school year portfolio.

Everyone has their own handwriting curriculum, but today I decided to combine it with our weekly scripture. I had the girls pull out their new notebooks and copy down the scripture for the week, Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Victoria actually quoted this scripture later in the day when a certain situation came up with our outing plans (She was listening!).

A quick ten minute snack then back to work. Grammar, Math, and Spelling are all completed before lunch. Lunch break can take a half an hour to an hour. Around this time our Turtle Power Guy takes his nap and we all run to Mommy’s bed where we each take turns reading out loud.

Our day doesn’t always look the same, for nothing is written in stone. That’s why we homeschool (I love flexibility!). With that said, I do try to keep somewhat of a routine and soft schedule, it keeps things organized and the kids know what to expect!

Tomorrow is going to be pretty great also…it’s our First Field Trip of the year, on the second day of school!

Love and R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Posted on July 1, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.

Women desperately need love. It’s the way God designed us to be. If you notice though, the Bible doesn’t say husbands love your wives when she’s sweet, when she cooks, when she has a thankful attitude. No, it’s says, husbands love your wives, period. The love it speaks of is unconditional.

In the same manner, men desire respect. Believe it or not, our husbands are starving for admiration and to be honored, whether they deserve it or not.

Now, here comes my question; when was the last time you let him know how much you appreciate him? I encourage you to sit down and think of a few things you admire about him. Then when your husband is relaxed and not distracted mention one or two to him.

Make a decision tonight to stop the crazy marriage cycle of frustration, “he’s not loving me so I’m not showing him the respect he needs.” Instead, let your words start a cycle of love and respect!

Friday Thought…

Posted on June 26, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

In today’s society the outside appearance is idolized! If you don’t believe me, hashtag fashion (220,000,00+) or hair (110,000,000+) or even makeup (72,000,000+)!

I’m not saying it’s wrong to use those hashtags, I might have used them myself at one time, but what I am saying is, don’t get consumed with the outer appearance!

Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised. Prov. 31:30

Reading with Purpose

Posted on June 24, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.”
~Amy Carmichael

The last sentences in the book read, “The family had promised not to mark her grave with a headstone, but they hoped she would forgive them for placing a stone birdbath over her grave. It bore a single word: Amma.” Amma stands for mother in the Hindu culture and Amy Carmichael had become an Amma to hundreds of girls and boys, something she didn’t welcome at first. Her hesitation came from an old saying in the Tamil language, “Children tie the mother’s feet.” It means that when a woman becomes a mother she is no longer free to do all the things she had done before. It is as though her feet are tied together and she cannot go far from home. Amy’s heart was to minister to the people of India and she didn’t know how she would be able to carry out that call with kids, but God did!

As you plan for your upcoming homeschool year, I highly recommend the Christian Heroes: Then & Now. They are inspiring true stories of men and women who answered God’s call. I choose one or two a year to read aloud to the kids. We have completed George Muller, The Guardian of Bristol’s Orphans, Gladys Aylward, The Adventure of a Lifetime, and today finished Amy Carmichael, Rescuer of Precious Gems. These stories will make you laugh and cry. Your children will learn about different cultures, countries, and the hardships many faced aboard. Chapter after chapter you will read about ordinary men and women whose trust in God accomplished extraordinary exploits for His kingdom and glory.

You can purchase these at Christianbookstore.com or YWAM Publishing.

Summertime = Project Time

Posted on June 9, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

Summertime means checking off the project list! Our homeschool closet has been screaming for help for a while now. I installed a second shelf and now boxes are no longer falling out every time we open the doors!

There are many benefits to organizing…you are able to find things quicker which in turns helps with time management. When we are able to grab what we need within seconds it reduces our stress because we no longer need to turn the house upside down to find a stick of glue, and one of my favorites is the eye appeal. I love the look of a clean and organized house!

What are you waiting for? Pick a project a day or one a week and feel the positive effects when completed!

Be Still…

Posted on June 7, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

Guilty as charged! I noticed this week feeling irritable, but ignoring it like everything was okay. To be honest, I tried filling that grumpiness with Iced Caramel Macchiatos and large chocolate bars! Yes, I’ve had cravings out of this world and no, I’m NOT pregnant!

You see the problem with ignoring red flags is, eventually you will run off a cliff! The Holy Spirit has a subtle way of saying, “hey you aren’t acting nice, maybe you should take a break and spend sometime with me?” If we don’t listen, our family or friends could step in and they aren’t as gracious as God.

I like how Courtney Joseph explains it in Women Living Well…Remember how the crowds pressed in on Jesus everywhere He went? Everywhere He turned, there was a need unmet, and though there was so much to do . . . He withdrew to rest. Luke 5:16 says, “But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” If Jesus needed alone time with God, then certainly we do. Just think of the wisdom He wants to impart to you, the strength and the peace you may be missing out on. Give yourself permission not to have your to-do list all checked off in order for you to rest and get alone with God.

We must make it a priority to rest and spend some alone time with God or there will be ugly consequences.

Record Keeping…

Posted on June 4, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

It’s that time of year…organizing each child’s portfolio. I always buy a 3inch binder at the beginning of the year and store each child’s lessons in that binder by subject.

How do you organizing and store each school year’s work?

Posted on May 22, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

“I love to vacuum, mopping is exciting, and laundry is my favorite thing to do in my free time,” said no mother ever.

Face it chores have never been the highlight of our lives, but they weren’t meant for torture either. I challenge you to grasp the deeper purpose…cleaning and decorating creates a place of comfort and refuge for your family. We have the power to take a “house” and make it a “home,” a place of safety, and a retreat from the negative noise of this world.

How will you view cleaning today or this weekend?

JJ’s 3rd Birthday

Posted on March 19, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

Today you turn three! And I’m still amazed I have a little boy. My prayer was to be a mama…Boy or Girl, was never of importance to me, until I had you! You’re a rough, tough, fighting machine, that doesn’t like to share (we’re working on that), but my heart melts every time I look into your big brown eyes.

Thank you God for giving me my own little boy, I pray now that you will give me wisdom in discipling him without crushing him and encouraging him in the gifts you have blessed him with. I also pray your protection over his life, with every step he takes. Guide his decisions and may he grow to be a man after your heart. ~Amen

Turtle Power in a Half-Shell!

*FYI: Walmart has almost everything Party City has for a TMNT party and it’s 25% to 30% cheaper!

Live in the Central Florida area and are in need of a BOUNCE HOUSE, check out Leaping to Fun. I’ve used this company for seven or eight years now. They have great prices and great customer service! Schedule one today and don’t forget to mention Bethany 🙂

*Eight of the ten boys were sick the day of the party so, he just rocked out with the girls!

Define Productivity

Posted on February 25, 2015 by fromthecommittedheart

I am a Type A personality…waiting in long lines kill me because I always have something to do, somewhere to be, and I don’t like wasting time. Falling asleep is hard because I’m playing a never-ending list for the next day, week, or year through my mind. Though there are some negatives with being a Type A personality, there are also many positives. My favorite is productivity. If you need something done you can depend on me… I make things happen.

Yes, I made things happen….That was until I had kid after kid after kid after kid! Having kids is a wonderful thing. They need to be fed, changed, washed, and looked after 24/7. Your very organized to-do list become wipes for spills on your babies high chair. It’s not about helping others or even helping yourself, for that matter, but the focus is on these precious two eyed wild things looking up at you for everything.

If you don’t know me personally you might think I regret being a mom, but that couldn’t be more opposite. From when I was a toddler and my mom brought home my baby brother, I knew at that moment there was not a greater job or gift. The problem is I forget often what a blessing it truly is to have the name, “Mama”.

For example, three days ago, I noticed two Mommy friends sitting at a table cutting away at some invitations and making super cute centerpieces for a baby shower they are throwing. After talking with them a bit I walked away closing with these words, “well, at least y’all are able to be productive.” You see our daughters were all in ballet class together upstairs, so they had time to get things done because other kids are older and can take care of themselves. My boy on the other hand is a Tasmania on steroids, if he’s not watching “wv” (tv) that’s it, take your eyes off of him for a second and he’s gone. As soon as those words rolled off my tongue my heart dropped. An inner voice kept echoing them over and over, “at least you are able to be productive.” Really, like being a mom to a toddler isn’t productive, Bethany!? Spending time teaching, chasing, wrestling, tickling, and loving your son, isn’t productive?

Friends, our priorities and definitions get confused at times, but I’m here to tell you Type A Mama, you are being productive! If all you do is change diapers for the day, you are productive! If your kids are having an off day focusing on home school assignments, so you take them for ice cream, you are being productive. Type A Mama you have to look at things different than before kids. Use some Windex and look at your title again. Everyone says it, but it really is true, your kids will be grown and gone before you know it. You’ll have plenty of time for a personal list then. For now throw your own agenda out the door because the greatest check (off any list) you could ever give yourself is raising a child that has a heart after God, who is strong, smart, secure, independent, wise, and loving. Mama you are VERY PRODUCTIVE!