NEW SCHOOL TABLES

We love group lessons around our dining table, living room couches, or in a circle on the floor. We find many creative places to learn both indoors and out. But, we also appreciate having designated spots for our schoolwork time. Since moving into our new home, we've been trying to figure out the best place for all of this and we've finally found a solution that works.

Enter...our new school tables.

(flooring coming soon)

This area behind the couch used to be for the dollhouses, but they have found another happy home in the girls room.

The big kids have a table downstairs and the little ones have theirs upstairs in the playroom/schoolroom turned loft.

There's something about a new table that makes schoolwork even more enjoyable!

I love it when a project equals a new family activity or a place to capture children's attention. This one has done both!

(Hey, who's that little cutie squishing her way into the middle?!)

The older kids are also excited about this upstairs table because we sometimes use DVDs or online resources for lessons where they take notes. Since the table faces the TV, it should be very convenient for this! (I should point out that we don't have cable television and our use of the TV is specifically for resources that encourage us or enhance learning. We like to be sure that what we take in through the screen is useful and beneficial. That said, we watch less and less all the time as we consider what is actually a benefit to our family through the TV. Still, we do value this as a resource.)

(Elka...always embroidering something.)

Thank you to the handy men in our lives for building us these new school tables!

I have a feeling they will be very well loved!

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

Colossians 3:23

PROVERBS 31

She studies Proverbs 31 and points out insights, I confess, I hadn't thought of myself.

To witness spiritual maturing...to cultivate lifelong friendship, even sharpening fellowship,

with our children...to grow together with them...this is why we homeschool.

"She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."

Proverbs 31:26

READING BUDDIES

(Olia reading Make Way for Ducklings, my favorite children's storybook.)

We really enjoy buddying up for just about anything in our family.

(Noble and Elka using Abeka readers.)

Reading buddies are in full effect today.

(Brodie and Boden using Bob Books and Boden's alphabet chart.)

The little ones are eager to read and big brothers and sisters are eager to teach.

(Aida and Nova using Abeka readers.)

And this little pumpkin is resting while all is quiet and industrious at home on this crisp, autumn afternoon.

I thank God for homeschooling...and in particular today, for reading buddies.

"Encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

1 Thessalonians 5:11

READING LOGS & FAVORITE THINGS

Each year, we enjoy filling out some of our favorite printables.

I love almost anything that involves the whole family learning and working together!

READING LOGS

FAVORITE THINGS

Today, these are the ones we've added to our keepsake binders for the year.

(It's very serious business.)

The kids all enjoy expressing themselves in these ways and it's fun to see how everyone changes over the years! This year, a very popular choice for favorite website was Answers in Genesis. We have learned so much from their online videos!

What a bonus when something can be both educational and exciting for everyone involved.

So proud!

This year, we have reading buddies...a "big" sibling paired up with a "little" sibling to encourage all around. The older ones will help the younger ones fill out their reading logs as they read books together. The little ones are encouraged to read and are edified, while the older siblings have the opportunity to teach and invest in their younger brothers and sisters.

It's a win win.

Just another little snippet of our homeschool over here.

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Philippians 2:4

BIG HOMESCHOOLERS

These guys...my "big" homeschoolers...I'm so proud of them!

They work together so well, in pairs or as a group. They feel more and more a team all the time.

It's been such a blessing to homeschool them all along this journey and they are each mastering

so many objectives these days, academically and spiritually. I am so thankful for our time together!!

It seems like just yesterday these were my little homeschoolers...and now look at them...so big.

May the Lord continue to equip them for their futures and may they always seek to glorify Him in all that they do!

(Aida-Grade 10, Brodie-Grade 9, Elka-Grade 6, Olia-Grade 4)

"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

LITTLE HOMESCHOOLERS

In our home, we have groups of children that get to learn together.

(little homeschoolers loving their new clipboards here)

Our eager little ones LOVE learning and I love employing a wide variety of creative learning methods...including just letting them be little. We allow plenty of play time for them to be curious, nature explorers and artists, but they also love the structure of formal instruction as well, so we aim for a healthy balance of both. This seems to work well for all.

It's fascinating to see the diversity in development represented in our family and it's wonderful to celebrate progress!

(lots of love going on here)

Each year, we stock the children's binders with their schoolwork, complete with a self portrait on the front cover.

It's a fun way to see them express themselves and also to observe their artistic growth each year.

I'm so proud of all my little learners!

They are each incredibly unique and special in their own ways...different as different can be!

What a privilege to have them here at home every day! What a blessing to be their teacher! What an asset to allow them to learn and develop at their own pace and to let them be who God created them each to be.

(so proud of my little class)

Thank you, Lord, for my little homeschoolers!

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."

1 Peter 4:10

3 LITTLE KITTENS...AND 3 LITTLE LIONS

Our little ones have always loved the book, Goodnight Moon,

probably because their daddy has always loved reading it to them.

We even bought him his very own extra large board book copy last year for Christmas.

That's how much he likes reading it to them.

(I'm pretty sure they are saying, "Goodnight Mooooooon" in this pic!)

In the story, there are 2 little kittens and a pair of mittens.

In our family, there are 3 little kittens...

...and 3 little lions.

And all of them love Goodnight Moon!

The End

"When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"
Psalm 8:3-4

FAST TRACK

I've never been one to consider a fast track for homeschooling. If anything, I'm much more the slow pace type.

And yet, it's a funny thing what happens in the heart when we're committed to following Jesus.

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."

Proverbs 19:21

Sometimes He changes things up. Sometimes, He stirs something new. We've been through this type of transition before. We've seen the Lord take our committed hearts in a totally different direction when He's changed the chapter, like the turning of tides.

Yes, He has redirected our hearts in homeschooling before and so He has again...toward a fast(er) track.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Proverbs 16:9

It's ironic. It really is. But, when there is a goal in mind and eternal focus, we move when we sense movement. We want to be doers, and so we are. This time, the movement is taking the form of a fast track through high school and it's really not so far fetched. Such things are significantly more elusive and intimidating from afar. But here we are, high school upon us and Brodie joins the ranks. He's ready. He'll be joining Aida on an intentional rhythm. Together, they'll be achieving goals and together, they'll be focused Godward. They want to know and accomplish His will and we sense the time has come.

And so we bunker down with a plan. We have a goal in mind. We've sought the Lord and can see He's confirming that this is the route for us all. We're thankful for our team. With graduation in mind and closer than we'd realized before, we hope to ready our young adults for what's next. Lord, please continue to show us what's next on this fast track aimed toward you.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Matthew 6:33

OPERATION WORLD - MYANMAR

We have used many different sources over the years to draw our family together for group learning, but one of the most consistent for us is Operation World. After learning about and praying for the country we've studied as a group,

we apply what we've learned in a variety of ways, giving the children expressive freedom and choices.

Yesterday, the children wrote down prayer points for Myanmar and added some artwork in there too.

The little ones joined us at the table to make collages...which is especially fun when Daddy is home to help with the glue!

It is a privilege to learn as a family, spending time together around the Word.

What a blessing to homeschool!

And what a blessing to pray together and focus on the world around us.

May the Lord raise up missionaries in this home! Maranatha!

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world

as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Matthew 24:14

HOMESCHOOLING AN ARTIST

I remember when Brodie was younger, trying to squish him into the educational box. I thought that was the "right" way to homeschool and so I tried and tried. At some point frustrations and confusion led me to question God. Is this really what you intend for our homeschool? Is this the BEST way to homeschool an alternatively minded/artistic child? After all, God is the most genius Artist and He designed the (many) artists in my home in His image. Surely, He had answers to my questions.

I've heard it said in terms of seeking God's will for our lives, that 95% of our questions are directly answered through the Word of God, the Bible...and that the other 5% not specified to our particular circumstances can certainly be revealed to the one who seeks after that explicit 95% with passion. I've found this to be true. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, study His holy Word, and pray constantly, we will be yoked to the Vine. We will know our Shepherd's voice and we will hear from Him. We will.

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart."

Psalm 37:4

So, as I sought the Lord for answers to my homeschooling questions, gradually He began to whisper and it became more and more clear that He had new plans for us that differed from how we were originally approaching homeschool. He showed me that just as all people are unique, we all learn in unique ways that compliment the beautiful differences He creates in us, with purpose. In order to fulfill His unique plans for our children, we would need to ask Him to lead us through His Holy Spirit on behalf of each of our learners. He has never failed us since and we haven't looked back once. We have only grown in confidence as we have morphed and there is good fruit as a result, both for us as the parents/teachers and for the children/students.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Ephesians 5:15-16

When given the gift of TIME, children flourish because they are naturally curious and inquisitive. With proper, biblical parental guidance, children can discover God's will for their lives early on and begin investing in their unique avenues of exploration and mastery. When given the benefit of unhurried, unlimited TIME to explore their God-given talents and inclinations, children thrive. There is peace when we step prayerfully into God's plans and He reciprocates by paving the way as we seek Him.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 119:105

In the case of Brodie, we recognized his musicality early on, but it wasn't until years later that we offered him the gift of TIME. Once we let him have the (literal) hours in a day to focus on his instrument, he began to soar. Once we stopped squashing him into the worksheet/textbook box and let him delve deep into the music God enables him to produce, he began to explore the avenue that he was clearly created for. His piano playing has taken off. His aim is Godward. His focus is pointed and ambitious. His music glorifies God because it must, for that is why the Lord gave him his talent. We remind Brodie of this daily.

Brodie spends many hours most days practicing his piano and composing. He has the time to do so. We allow him unlimited time to hone his craft and he is content to spend it at the keys. He's never had lessons. He doesn't read notes on paper. But, he produces thematic, compelling melodies that tell stories through song and move our hearts to worship God. THIS is what he was created to do. He's currently working on his first original project and preparing to record when the time is right. He creates introductions to hymns that season the heart, encouraging tenderness in preparation for worship. Most days he makes his mama cry as his fingers play our life's soundtrack, the backdrop to our days. I couldn't love his music more and I thank God for inspiring us to let Brodie be who He created him to be...an artist...just like Him.

"'But now bring me a musician.' And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him."
2 Kings 3:15