Gratitude

I just wanted to stop in and say a few things that have been floating around my mind lately.  It does not happen often and I thought I really should record these little light bulbs for future generations. 

We ( I ) do not often enough thank those around us who mean the most.  My wife, Mindy Kay, is a true blessing sent from God into my life.  She is first and foremost a wonderful Christian Lady who strives to follow our Lord in this life-and for that I thank her wholeheartedly.  She is also a dedicated mom, homeschooler, TeamKid Director, and VBS Coordinator not to mention a cook, janitor, impromptu nurse, and referee.  I am glad I do not have to pay her what she is truly worth.

I also wanted to thank all Homeschool parents in general for sacrificing time and often finances to educate your children.  I know that for those of you who do so from a Christian perspective God will bless you for your efforts and reward future generations.  I never thought we would be homeschoolers but now that we are I would not trade it for anything.  I cannot imagine sending my boys to a person who. for all intents and purposes isstranger, to shape and mold them through the public school system.

Finally I want to thank God for all the support that is now available for homeschoolers.  There are countless blogs, websites, and groups designed to inform and guide us parents who need all the help we can get.  I want to encourage everyone to read this blog ( shameless self promotion ) and to join us on Facebook at Adventures in Grace, as we travel this road of life together.

Luther

http://www.livingngrace.com/

The simple gift.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (Matthew 7:9-11)"

I am sitting in the living room folding laundry and thinking of my next step. I can hear my boys in the yard the joyful laughter of children enjoying the summer morning. The door burst open and my four year old smiling from ear to ear  gives me some flowers from our yard. He is proud that he can give me something he actually came up with himself. It gives him great joy to give his  mommy a surprise gift. My heart feels like it will burst with joy at the love that this little fellow has given me.

Sometimes it is the simple gifts that are the best. The ones that tug at our heart because we know just how much love they came with. As I am thinking on this little simple gift my son gave me this morning I am reminded of a bigger gift of love that was poured out for me. Jesus my savior gave me the ultimate gift as he took on my sin and died on the cross. This is the most simple and meaningful act of love that could be bestowed on anyone.

How might my life be different if I lived it like my four year old and looked for a opportunity to give simple gifts. To my struggling friend a kind word or note to let them know I am here or to the elderly man down the street who has a hard time with his lawn and we simply come by and mow it. There are people in this community hurting and in need how might their outcome be different if I gave of myself just a little bit more.

What is a simple gift you could give today? How might someones day be different if you gave it?

Nate the Great and the Sticky Case

We have slacked off on our Nate the Great reading for some other choices the past couple weeks! Today we started a new book and had too much fun with the extra projects in the back of the book. Today we were all about magnify glasses and we had a blast looking at things.

Read more »

Misconseption Monday's # 3: So you don't work?

Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs... since the payment is pure love.  ~Mildred B. Vermont

                                                            

I am standing around after Wednesday night service talking and some guy says "Well, Mindy doesn't work so she probably doesn't understand when you don't want to go out at night Luther."  I think to myself REALLY? I don't work? The sad part is this is not unusual for me to hear. So since I don't work here is a low down of a day as a Wife, Mom and Homeschool teacher. 

Read more »

Blessings from above.

My Family is gone to church this morning minus myself and my sleeping boy with a ear infection. There are the boys shoes laying on the floor and toys about and I wonder to myself  how I ever got so blessed. In the hustle of the everyday happenings sometimes I lose my focus. I forget how so many people long for three little smiling faces. I honestly could have been one of those people. I was told in my late teens I would never have children due to Endometriosis. When I met Luther I was so afraid to tell him that news but he was very supportive. God's plans were far above mine and he knew what my calling in life would be and that is a wife and mother. I love my job even if sometimes it becomes overwhelming. I love to wake up to three blue eyed boys waiting to see what adventure the day has for them. I thank God for the moments he gives me snuggled up with Gibson or listening to Jackson tell me about the fireflies in the yard. Weston and his love for the Bible and his daily devotions with us. Right now as I sit and bask in the quiet I praise God for all he has done in our lives. I couldn't have dreamed of a life this blessed.


Read more »

The Struggle

Yesterday was a long day filled with lots of things to do. We got up and threw on our clothes and drove Luther to work. That unfortunately is what happens when you only have one car. When we got back I found every ones  shoes and packed our lunch. We then headed to meet some friends and head to the science center. On the way Cassie's Tire blew out and we hung around her house trying to figure out how to straighten out her car situation. We ended up going over to our friends house and hanging in the pool till about three. I rushed home and threw some more clothes on the kids, showered and printed out somethings for TeamKID. We loaded back up in the van and went to get Luther at work. Then we all rushed to church and had TeamKID. We got home about nine. Then I fixed up some Mac and Cheese and put on some Pajamas and fell into bed. Whew!!!

Read more »

Fun with Water and Science!

We use My Father's World Curriculum and this year in the first grade material we received two science books. I decided to wait till summer to tackle the books and the fun in them. A lot of the experiments are better outside so I decided to do them every Tuesday!! Today was our first day and we had a lot of fun with water. I made some science journals out of construction paper and lined school paper stapled down the middle. I thought we could write down any observations.
Read more »

Misconseption Monday: What about the S word? Socialization!!

 Socialization-
–noun

a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social  skills appropriate to his or her social  position.

I am hanging out in  Walmart and my three boys are swarming around me and a older lady with pretty silver hair and matching shoes and pocket book asks the question. "No school today?" I smile and say my usual we are homeschoolers! Then the questions hit me but I am usually ready now! The top question I get is how do my children get socialized. I must admit I worried about this before I started but I have come to know that my boys can be "social" without school! I worried that there might not be birthday parties to attend or friends to invite. But actually quite the opposite has happened!

Read more »

Misconseption Monday's

I have decided to take on some of the biggest misconceptions of Homeschoolers, Stay at home Moms and even Mothers of Boys every Monday right here. I know a lot of people can relate and for those who don't maybe I can clear somethings up!

Monday Misconception #1: If I homeschool my child I will be studying with my kids over books eight hours a day. 

I am sure that most of you out there who don't homeschool think you will be running a little school in your house. Taking eight hours a day going over worksheets, books and math lessons. This is not the case in our homeschool at all. We do have school work and books that we go through. We also have lots of fun doing crafts, cooking and going on field trips. We also do our work in about 2-3 hours a day and the rest of the time is spent on doing the things we love!

Since we learn at home it seems that everyday things become a learning experience for us. Carrots turn into a math exercise and signs at the park become reading. We are always in the learning mind set and looking for things to incorporate into a lesson.

Read more »

We are on the case!

 Today I finally broke through and got some of my momma mojo back. We finished our first Nate the Great book today with all three boys begging for more. I am glad there are a ton of books in this category because it has become a Stapleton favorite. Yesterday the boys all pretended to be detectives so I was excited to find this site. We made our very own Nate the Great detective hats and now the boys are on the case!


Site full of Nate the Great activities: http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/pdf/nateactivities.pdf

Gotta love free fun!! Especially in the afternoons when it is WAY too hot to send the boys outside!






   Coloring their hats so nicely!

My little Nate the Greats!

So I am not Super Mom!

Today started out rough. We woke up late and it seemed everything was out of place. I struggled to find my children each an outfit that matched. Okay, so I have been slacking this week and not feeling like my usual self. I finally got all our books and materials ready and we sat down to do our summer reading. Both boys seemed to be resistant today for some reason. I pushed along till we finished with the promise of Nate the Great Pancakes.

I got the boys all excited and started to get out my ingredients. Going through the list I put what I needed out on the counter. When I read eggs my heart sank I knew that there were no eggs. We had managed to eat them last night for dinner. I told my very disappointed boys that we would have to do this tomorrow. Do you ever think you can do it all? I sure try and often times I fail or disappoint someone in our family! I am sure glad that my Heavenly Father never fails me or disappoints me. So on a day like today I just throw up my hands and say thank you Jesus for carrying me through! Here is to all the less than perfect mothers out there. They are all Super Moms in my book!!

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.~ Philippians 4:13

One...Two...Three Strikes Your Out!!!

Today ended our boys Baseball season for the spring. I can't believe I am saying this but I may actually miss it. I know some of you might be shocked by this since I really am not into sports in the least but I had so much fun rooting the boys on. They also learned a lot about hard work and perseverance! I also think this season taught my sons to win and lose graciously! Great time with friends and lots of life lessons!



Weston started out the season hardly knowing how to play and has come very far. He has learned to hit pretty well and his catching is coming along!

Ready to knock it out of the park!

 

My Sweet  Ball Player!

Jackson is a natural baseball player and has a great swing! His team was in the top four seeded teams and lost to the undefeated Bandits by just one point!

Jackson and his Friend J.J.

The Virus 2011

 
Gibber had a fun time learning the basics this year. He is also a little spoiled because on numerous occasions he claimed it was too hot to play. I guess we need to toughen him up a bit! He was so excited today when he got his very first trophy! He came right home and wanted to put it along side his big brothers!

Baseball ready!

Silly Kid!

Gibson and his BFF Anna!

Proud of his Trophy!

Got Books?

Are your kids geared up for summer? Mine can't wait for the outside time, water fun and popsicles! (Red, Blue and Green to be exact!) I am also looking forward to starting a summer reading program with my kids. I have looked online and there are so many fun reading charts and programs out there. Here are a few that I think are really fun and you get something free in the process!!

Barnes and Noble: Imagination's Destination! Earn a free book when your child reads eight books and fills out the journal. http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/index.asp

Borders: Double Dog Dare! Your Child reads ten books of his or her choice and fills out the form. Bring it into Borders for a free book!  http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_doubledogdare

Bookit: Your child reads five books fills out the form. They can enter to win a fun prize package! http://www.bookitprogram.com/summerbreak/challengesweeps.asp

Lifeway Summer Reading Race: Your child gets a punch card and a reward for every five books he or she reads!! http://www.lifewaystores.com/lwstore/readingrace.asp

This next week we are starting on the Barnes and Noble Challenge! We have purchased some Nate the Great books and they have some fun recipes and activities in the back. I am hoping this will be the start of a life long love of reading for my boys!! 

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Journal.

            My Summer Readers!!

Jesus goes to heaven!

Today when we got out our Calendar and Math books Weston was in a hurry. I wondered what his brain was thinking of instead of school. I started our normal routine and I heard a loud sigh. Looking exasperated I asked Weston "what exactly is so important that you have to rush through all this?" His answer " I want to read my Bible reader and learn about God." Wow my heart melted and I was so proud of my freckle faced little boy. I thought he wanted to play outside or Play the Wii but honestly he has a childlike heart for God. How many times have I rushed through life doing other things when really I should be like my children and waiting to learn about God! It humbles me the lessons God gives me through my children!

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

  After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

. ~ Acts 1:7-9

Heaven is.........

Gibson~ 4 years old- I hope my Mommy and Daddy and Brothers will be there. Can I bring my Yoda?

Jackson~ 6 years old- Where God is and not bad people. I don't think I can get sick there can I Mom?

Weston~7 years old- It is going to be better than my imagination. I know I am going there because I asked Jesus  to take away my sins. I know it will be great cause God only makes AWESOME things!