No Children, No Pets

This book is part of the Sonlight Core A curriculum we are currently using. It was such a fun book for our family to read together. Even reading it again after only 2 years, I was delightfully surprised by it again. My kids also enjoyed reading it and Lillian shared it at a kids book club we had today.

I really appreciate the simple style of writing that is also full and rich. My kids would readily ask me what words meant so their vocabulary was built as we read. The story takes this family from Pennsylvania to Florida when they inherit an apartment building from their great uncle. The two rules, No Children, No Pets. This family has both. The kids go out on adventures to figure out the mysteries of the building and try to figure out how to stay there and not go back to Pennsylvania. The book is just a good story with interwoven stories throughout.

I would definitely recommend this book.

4.5 Stars

Be Yourself

Throughout my life I feel like I have always had someone telling me there was something wrong with me, whether from outside sources or from my own mind. It seems to be more and more prevalent that we’re being told how we have to think, look, dress and act. We are told what is acceptable as a profession and hobbies. There are a lot of rules. (Reminds me of the Pharisees.) Obviously, to some degree we are told these things by God in how we are to love Him and love others. But the older I get the more I realize there is a lot of gray in the specifics, and God has made us each differently. We have different body types, coloring, talents, thoughts, callings and jobs that are not right or wrong. They are just part of the vast diversity that God has given to His people.

“If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?” 1 Corinthians 12:17

When we try to be the same, we lose the purpose of how God created us, to work with others to bring Him glory. The beauty in the Body of Christ is the diversity in it. The beauty in us is living out the roles God has given each of us to live. So be yourself, your redeemed self as my husband says. We live under the Lordship of Jesus, following the rules He has given us to live by through the power of the Holy Spirit in us. And in that we live out the person God created us to be.

So who has God made you? Seek with Him to figure that out and don’t stop living the life He has called you to for His Kingdom and His glory!

Emmie's Hommeschool Day with a 7, 5, 4, 3, 1 and 8 Month Old

I am linking up with Simple Homeschool blog to share what a typical day in the Manor homeschool looks like.

This year has been more challenging as we are formally schooling 4 and have a busy 1 year old who wants to do everything his older siblings do! Our aim is to be up by 7 and eating breakfast. We start the morning with individual Bible reading and breakfast. After breakfast we do a quick clean of the kitchen and prep for school time.

We aim to start our formal school time by 8, but with so many little ones this usually does not happen. As soon as we can, we gather for Bible time found in our Sonlight curriculum. We do calendar/time and recitation. After our joint time, the older 2 have their lists to work on what they can by themselves and I work with the middle boys using the Memoria Pre-K curriculum. My middle boys love their school time. My 1 year old often sits in during this time. After doing a few things together, the middle boys enjoy doing their own work in their workbooks.

Usually by this time we are getting ready for lunch. During lunch, we do joint history and have read a-loud time. After lunch I attempt to do some one on one work with the older 2. When my husband is home it's easier, but sometimes this does not happen with the little ones running around. We do our best to leave the TV off, but at times, the middle 3 boys get to watch a Leap Frog movie so other work can get done! During good weather they will often go outside to play.

At 1 we have a rest time. The younger boys always lie down. For the older kids this time changes and we're still in process of figuring out what works best most days, but it usually consists of reading, drawing, coloring or building with Legos. Sometimes we have to do more school work, but I do my best to be done with everything by 1, even if we're a little behind because other days we will have more time and get caught up or ahead by 1. I use this time to read, write or do other needed things.

Rest time is officially over at 3, but sometimes naps go a little longer. From 3-4 is free play time. I encourage outside time, especially if it's nice. Energy often needs an outlet by this time.

Around 4 one of the kids and an adult start making dinner. This is great hands on learning time for the older kids. Then dinner, free play or movie, family Bible time and prayer. Then bed.

I have no great insights into schooling so many with littles and I'm constantly evaluating how to help things run more smoothly. The thing I find helps the most is consistency. The past couple of months have been chaotic in our home and we need some consistency. I hope to get back to this regular schedule soon.

So that's a good day in the Manor home school.

At Every Stage It’s Hard, So Press On

Life is hard. Can I get an “Amen”!? Everyone knows that it’s hard. And the stage that you’re in right now is the hardest you’ve ever been in, especially when it comes to raising kids. I don’t know why this is the case, but it is. Each stage is different, but it’s still hard.

In spite of what culture tells us, we know that nothing will make our lives easier, except having Jesus by our side. And even with Him at our side, we suffer as He suffered. It’s the nature of living in a fallen world. Everything is working against us. Our kids, our homes, our possessions, everything. We were told this in Scripture, that life would be hard even following Christ.

But we’re also told that everything works together for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). We are more than conquerors through Jesus and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:37-39). And all of this suffering is good. Romans 5:3-5 says, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” This is why life, even after salvation, is hard and we must suffer; it produces Christ-like character in us.

So no matter what hardships or suffering you are going through, know that God is using it for your good and it is bringing Him glory. Press on, Sister. Let the Spirit fill you and help you one moment at a time.

February Blessings

Even in the short month of February God has blessed our family so much! It's such a joy to be a part of God's family and to see how He is working. God is so gracious and takes care of His people. Here's a look at some of our blessings for the month.

1. Gabriel saying "I love you!"
2. Feeling good most of the day
3. Amy and Emma coming to visit
4. Getting good school work done
5. No TV or Computer all day!
6. God's amazing grace
7. Gabriel taking initiative in school work
8. Talking with, encouraging and praying for Becca
9. Productive day
10. Being sobered
11. Talking about justice
12. Encouraging email from Sara
13. Co-op!
14. Connecting with people
15. Cheap gas
16. Crashing
17. Lasagna
18. Another Sister expecting a baby
19. God's mercy
20. Showers
21. God's love
22. Sam giving Lillian kisses
23. Being reminded I have nothing to prove
24. Productive rest time
25. Catching up in 4 journals
26. Arranging to get a pregnancy pillow for $10!
27. Being able to make dinner
28. Sleeping
29. Lillian getting her work done
30. Jim doing school
31. Jim working on his school work
32. Reuben and Gabriel doing well with their book work
33. Date night
34. Free movie
35. Getting the pregnancy pillow
36. Jim taking Reuben out by himself
37. Gabriel taking initiative to do work
38. Leftovers
39. Sam praying at dinner
40. Learning about friendship
41. Dealing with hurt with Jim
42. Taking a nap
43. Jim having extended quiet time
44. Boys napping almost 5 hours
45. Sudoku
46. Getting most of 2 days done
47. Showers
48. Connecting more with Jim
49. Smoothies
50. God working
51. No TV
52. Jim getting school work done
53. Having a good school morning
54. Good discussion on friendship
55. Challenging each other
56. Thinking through friendship
57. God working in many ways
58. Sara coming for dinner
59. Time to write
60. Surviving!
61. Getting ahead on school work
62. Jim calling to talk to Jamey
63. Little Women
64. Time to relax
65. Snuggling with Jim
66. Neo crawling
67. Space heaters
68. Shannon and Gage and Courtney and Asher coming over
69. Encouragement from friends
70. Learning to build friendships
71. Sending emails
72. Restful afternoon
73. Feeling good most of the day
74. Kids eating well
75. Jim being home
76. Finishing school work
77. Planning
78. Dinner at Ruby Tuesday's
79. Talking through family things
80. Redeem Marriage
81. Meeting Pastor Jamaal and Amber
82. Seeing friends
83. Growing in Oneness
84. Sleeping in
85. Brunch at Dairy Queen
86. Seeing Ryan's house
87. Restful afternoon
88. Pizza
89. Yummy dinner
90. "The Hobbit"!
91. New Journal
92. Ice cream cake
93. Good birthday
94. Sam singing happy birthday
95. Starting Colossians
96. Jesus is King over all!
97. Reception for Kara
98. Meeting/Catching up with people
99. Logic problems
100. Hanging out as a family
101. New baking show
102. Time with Lillian
103. Good day at home
104. Seeking God together on dealing with issues
105. Sam singing "Jesus Loves Me"
106. Book club
107. Helping Becca
108. Reading
109. People stepping up to help us prep for yard work
110. Learning to do hall monitor
111. Cookies, card and chocolate
112. Free Chick-fil-A
113. Nap
114. Early bed time
115. Lillian and Reuben acting out all of "Inside Out"
116. Catching up on journals
117. Kids eating chili
118. Salad
119. Getting back yard ready for work
120. Seeing Jessica and getting stuff from her
121. Blog posts
122. Making it through a Saturday without Jim
123. Beautiful weather
124. Spending time with Charlene
125. Kids playing with the neighbors
126. Enjoying being outside
127. Great sermon on Jesus as King
128. Time to pray and think through the week
129. Jamey is 7!
130. IHOP
131. Homemade Cake and Icing
132. "Monsters University"
133. Sweet Potato latkes
134. Hearing the baby's heartbeat
135. Standing up for beliefs
136. Good conversation at CG
137. Getting help
138. Free Panera bread
139. New pizza place
140. Finishing Light in August
141. Starting next classic
142. Feeling more awake and refreshed
143. Stomach feeling better
144. Starting "Large Family Logistics"
145. Becca being home for the evening
146. Good conversation with Margaret
147. Writing
148. Getting Kitchen and Lillian's room cleaned
149. Organizing table
150. Getting ahead in schedules
151. Evaluating how I'm letting Jesus be King in my life
152. Getting car cleaned
153. Feeling a little bit of movement
154. Nehemiah wanting to explore
155. Being God's child

February Evaluation

Spiritual

• Spend at least 10 minutes praying daily- I've been able to do this most days, growing in more directed prayer
• Spend at least 10 minutes reading and reflecting on the Bible daily- Been able to do this most days, lost a few with illness
• Memorize verses with the kids - working on this during school time
• Have extended prayer times 4 times during the year- Jim had his first this month, I have my first planned for March
• Read Christian books (Jim- 1 (not school related), Emmie- 3)- Have not started any yet

Marriage

• Pray together daily- YES! This is huge!
• Go out for a date once a week- Yes
• Go on a night away once this year- Need to plan this
• Read 3 books together this year (read one day a week)- This did not happen
• Discuss plan weekly on Saturday afternoon- Done well with this

Kids

• Spend 15 minutes of one on one time with each child every week- I need a good way to gauge this. I think as a whole we did this, but I am really not sure
• Special Outing Alone twice during the year with each child- Took Reuben out for his first outing this year
• Family fun activity once a month- This was included in birthday celebrations this month
• Write in individual journals at least 3 times this year- Got caught up! On schedule for the year
• Finish Jamey's 1st year Scrapbook- No work was done on this

Homemaking

• Keep up with cleaning schedule- NO!
• Keep up with my calendar- Sort of
• Being fully present when with my family- Struggled to do this this month, but some improvement
• Try 12 new recipes this year- We did 4! (well Jim did) Sweet Potato soup, Sweet Potato latkes, strawberry cake from scratch, and blueberry icing from scratch
• No TV 2 days a week (watching)- At least 1 day a week this happened, getting better at leaving it off as the weather improves
• Begin gardening in the spring

Ministry

• Continue sending out Prayer List- Yes

Personal

• Read a book a month for myself- Finished "Light in August" this month, continued on 1 classic, started another and began a non-fiction book 
• Jim read one fiction book- not yet, this month has all been school
• Journal 5 days a week- Yes! God is gracious
• Jim Journal 3 days a week- Did for 2 weeks, not as much the last 2
• Edit novel to prepare for publishing- No work on this
• Book Club once a month- Yes! Love these Sisters
• Continue to meet once a month with writing group- Yes! Love these Sisters too
• Blog 1-2 days a week- Yes! God has been gracious in this

Health

• Mild Exercise twice a week- No!
• Maintain weight until birth- Have maintained well this month
• Lose weight after giving birth- 

Oh February! It's such a short month, even with an extra day. By God's grace we still did accomplish a lot, but it's been a busy month. Mostly keeping up with school and starting our homeschool co-op has kept us busy as well as celebrating birthdays. We have a couple more crazy weeks ahead, but we will make it. We have also been working to figure out live as we have things that need to change as we prepare to grow again. Such a blessed but busy time. God continues to sustain us and I am so thankful to be His!

How was February for you?

Light in August

I finished my first classic for the 2016 Back to the Classics Challenge, for the category of re-reading a classic you read in school.

I was a bit surprised by this one. I found that I really enjoyed Faulkner's writing style in this book. It took me awhile to read because I really enjoyed the way he phrased things and used imagery that was clear but not unnecessary for getting his point across. At times I did find Faulkner difficult to understand, but I still enjoyed it.

The story was an interesting look at a few people who lived in the deep south in the late 1800s/early 1900s and how their lives intertwined. I can't say it was the best story I've ever read, but it was unique and interestingly written.

Some of the down sides are the normal things in dealing with that time period, how they viewed and talked about black people, poor religiosity, and ignorance. In the writing some of the chapters were REALLY LONG, while others were short. Some of the material made you wonder why he was going into this much detail on particular things. The end was full circle, but still uneventful and left you wondering what was really going on. With so much thought involved in the book, I wish he would have included Lena's thoughts.

One personally challenging thing for me in reading it was thinking how nice it might be to live a solitary life. I know this is a lie, but when you're reading about characters that were primarily solitary and seemed stuck in that state, it can seem blissful when you're life is chaotic. It caused dreaming of getting out in nature and just being alone, which is not bad, but must be held in perspective.

I would give this book 3.5 stars.