Home Schooling 101

I lead a support group for new home schoolers. It is called Home Schooling 101. I started this as a part of Smoothing The Way The Way. This is a great program. Be sure to look into it.

 After a year with them, I decided I needed to do it my way. Their way wasn't wrong, they just expected you to charge a fee and for the participants to buy a book. I know that in my area of East Texas, it is difficult enough for most people to buy curriculum. I didn't want to burden them more by asking them to buy something else. I also didn't want to leave anyone out that didn't feel they could afford it.

After working with a few different schedules, programs etc, I've finally found a way to do it that easier for me and the newbies. We have 4 sessions (one a month) in the fall and 4 session in the spring. This is really helpful for those wanting home school half way through the year. Or even for those that are doing their research and plan to begin the following year.

Last week we had our first spring session. We discussed getting off to a good start and getting organized. We had a good meeting. We even had a 10th grade boy that was just starting home schooling.

Our next meeting topics will be Choosing Curriculum, Teaching Tips and Socialization. If you would like to help new home schoolers as they start out, this is a great way to help. You can e-mail me with questions or get in contact with Smoothing The Way.

No More Bunk Beds

We have 6 boys.  Bunk Beds have been a staple around here for a long time.  Well, I'm getting older and don't enjoy climbing up on top of bunk beds to make the bed.  True, I don't have to do this, and I don't very often.  It's just nice to have your mom make your bed correctly once in a while.  Since our oldest son moved to Colorado a month ago, I figured we might be able to spread out a little.  We now have 2 twin beds in one room and a twin and full bed in another room. 

Since all this moving around has been going on, we are also doing some deep cleaning.  That includes simplifying and organizing.  I've already gotten rid of a large box of books we don't need.  There is probably a couple more boxes worth hiding in various places around the house.  With the little one turning 3 last week, I should be able to get rid of some of the baby toys.  I also need to go through the clothes closets.

I hope to do most of this by the end of the week.  Once that's done, out comes the new chore charts.  Aren't the boys going to be excited:).  I came up with a new plan last night.  Instead of assigning chores to certain children, I will post a chart (like they do in store bathrooms).  Whoever does the chore will initial it.  Then at the end of the month, I'll see who did what and pay them a nickel or dime (depending on the job) per job they did.  This, of course, will bring some hopefully healthy competition to the chores each day.  In fact, if they want, they can make their brother's bed and get paid for it.  I'll try to keep you posted on how it goes.

I tried paying for chores a couple of years ago, but I went broke.  The house was the cleanest it's ever been.  I just don't have lots of money to pay the boys.  This time, the jobs are reduced to very small portions and so are the payments.  I'm going to just start with the bedroom.  They do a pretty good job with the bathroom, kitchen, living room etc whenever I ask them to do it.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I can get on with the day.  It's grocery day.

Believing in God — What’s In It For You?

Why do you believe in God?  That may seem like a silly question, but I don't think we all believe in God for the same reasons. 

I've heard people say you need to believe in God so that He will improve your life.  What does that mean?  Will He improve your financial status, your health, your relationships?  Is that why we should believe in God? 

I've heard others say we should believe in God or we'll go to hell.  Is that the reason we should believe in God?  Do we just want to stay out of hell? 

I think we should believe in God because we can't believe anything else.  It is the only option.  It doesn't matter what God can or will do for us.  We believe in God because He created us.  He is in charge.  It's His world not ours. 

If we believe in God for this reason, then we can't help but want to do what He has asked us to do.  We won't waver in our belief just because of our conditions here on earth.  Some people turn to God in times of trouble.  Some people turn away from God in times of trouble.  If they truly believe in God because He is the one true God and the creator of all, they wouldn't ever have to turn to Him.  They would always be focused on Him.

Why do you believe in God?  Because there's something in it for you or because you can't help but believe in Him?

Playing With Fire!

What a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon. With the burn ban lifted, we just felt the need to burn something. The only thing we could think of to burn were hotdogs and marshmallows. They sure did taste good. The guys had a great time.

What did you do this weekend?