New Blog Address!

If you are still coming to my blog via Blogger.com (http://liferichlylived.blogspot.com), please change your bookmark to go directly to my URL: http://liferichlylived.com.

I am no longer using Blogger for my blog, so this site will not receive updates.

Thanks!
Judy

This Crazy, Beautiful Life

It's been a crazy, busy month here in our home! In the past month, I have taken 3 trips out-of-state, leaving my kids (except Avigail) for the first and second times. It has been challenging, but it has been good. Even my trip to Minnesota for my uncle's funeral was a good trip - getting to be there with my family for this difficult time was priceless.

Now that I'm home, we're working on getting back into a routine.  We've restarted school again after a 3-week break.  I'm so thankful that my home was kept in great shape (thanks especially to my wonderful mom-in-law!), but I'm trying to get caught up on the random chores that tend to get neglected when I'm busy.

And on top of all of that, I'm super tired because... I'm pregnant again!  Yep, we'll be welcoming another sweet little one to our family next May.

And I think this is where I want to go for this blog.  I've been trying to figure out what to blog about, because I have had so much on my mind lately that it's been hard to focus it all into a cohesive thought.  But I think that what the Lord has been teaching me has a lot of value, and hopefully you will be able to glean something from it as well.

Finding out that I was pregnant was not just surprising, but rather terrifying.  To be brutally honest, when I saw that second blue line, I sobbed and sobbed - body-racking, uncontrollable sobs.  When I was finally able to stop, it wasn't for long - I cried many times during that first day.

See, way back when Mark and I first had Eliza, we wanted to have five children.  And that has been the case ever since.  But when I was pregnant with Avigail, Mark told me that he was thinking that he really wanted to be done having children with four.  I told him that if the baby was born a girl, I would probably be okay with that, but if it was a boy, I'd want to try again for a girl.  :-)  He sorta-agreed with me, and we left it at that.  It was still very stressful for me.  I didn't feel done having children, didn't feel complete, didn't feel ready to end that season of my life.  Then Avigail was born, and the talks began again.  I actually struggled a lot with depression because of it. Even though I was sorta-okay with the idea, it was like a part of me would have to die.  But I love my husband, and I totally understand that he's exhausted with parenting young children and ready to move on to the next season of life.  And over the next year, I finally came to a place where I agreed with him.  I was ready to move on.  While I knew I'd miss getting to have another baby, I also knew that I'd always wonder what it would be like to have just one more!

Anyway, back to my story.  So, I'd wrestled with all sorts of emotions over the past year in coming to a point where I was excited about being done having children and being ready to move beyond diapers and sleepless nights.  And no sooner had that happened (and we'd decided to take the next step towards that), than this happened.  It was as if God was answering us with a firm "No."  I didn't understand it.  Why?  Why had God caused me to get pregnant when I shouldn't have been able to?  Why didn't He listen to my exhausted husband's heart's desire?  Why did He wait for me to finally come to grips with not having any children, just to yank the rug out from under me with this shocking news?  And why did He pick me (again) instead of one of those couples who can't have children and want so desperately to??  I was angry, hurt, sad, frustrated.  I felt so lost, and walked around all day in a daze.  I called my best friend, my mom, and my mom-in-law - all in tears.  It was a hard, long day.

But in the back of my mind, I knew that I really didn't have an option.  I really didn't have a right to question God, a right to argue with His infinite wisdom and power.  So I had my day-long pity party, and went to bed an emotional mess.

The next morning, I came downstairs for my quiet time.  Thankfully I was up before the kids were, so my quiet time was actually quiet.  Ahh..  I opened up my gratitude journal, as is my habit first thing.  But I couldn't think of a single thing to be thankful for.  My heart was hurting and raw.  I began to cry again.  I sat there on the couch, talking my thoughts out to the Lord.

"Why, God?  I don't understand!"
"I'm SO tired, so very tired."
"Why did you let me finally get to be okay with being done and then put this on me?"
"I can't do this again!"  

And one by one, the Father answered me with His calm, sure words.

"Yes, Judy, you can do it."
"You have learned so much through each of your children, but I have more that I still want to teach you."
"I want you to trust Me.  Trust that I know best.  Trust that I will give you the strength you need."
"You will come out of this stronger, and better equipped for the life I have for you, but you have to trust Me."

As I began to let go of my own worries, He filled me with peace - and even a bit of joy!  I'm not saying there aren't times when I still struggle.  It's been 4 weeks already since I found out, and I'm still not always very joyful about it.  But if I keep my eyes on my Creator, He helps me see the joy and the blessing.  Remember this post? (You Are Joy)  This was my heart's meditation that day, and it still is now. God IS Joy - He IS Peace - He IS Love.  And His ways - they are perfect.

Learning the Blessing of Mourning

Wow, where do I start?  This month has been one of the most roller-coaster months I have ever experienced.  In the course of one month, we have started school for the year, celebrated family birthdays(including my 30th!), traveled to Seattle twice, made some major life decisions (more on this later), received some surprising family news (more on this later, too), started a college course, celebrated the arrival of my newest nephew (welcome, baby Owen!), and lastly, received the shattering news of my uncle's murder.

For those of you who don't know me on Facebook, here's the quick recap: on Thursday evening (the 27th), there was a shooting in Minneapolis.  A disgruntled ex-employee went on a vengeful shooting spree at his former office, killing 4 people plus himself.  My uncle was an innocent bystander - the UPS delivery guy dropping off a package at the wrong time.

My Uncle Keith

My uncle, Keith Basinski, was an amazing person.  Everyone loved him.  He radiated happiness and joy.  He was genuine and giving.  I remember his selfless hospitality - we always stayed at his house when we visited Minneapolis and he was always willing to do whatever to help us feel comfortable and welcome.  Mark said that he holds a special place in his heart as well - so full of joy and kindness.  Learning of his death was quite a blow. 

Death is hard to process by itself, but I've learned this week that murder is a different story altogether.  It's so dark, so evil. 

I've been working through my grief these last few days.  My uncle was a believer, so I have the comfort of knowing his destiny and that he is with the Father right now.  But it is still hard to have someone snatched from life so quickly, so cruelly.

Mark has been reading a book about the Beatitudes, and he suggested the next chapter, which was on mourning.  So I read it this morning in my quiet time, and it really ministered to me, so I wanted to pass along some of the most poignant passages here.

"Mourning means they have given up their self-delusions about control, power and protection.  They know that life is fragile, and that they are not in charge."

"Only when life jolts us do we see the real picture of our existence, that we depend on God's graciousness for every breath.  Mourning brings about the acute awareness of powerlessness - an essential ingredient in spiritual growth."

"Yeshua looked out on the brokenhearted in the crowd and saw that some were ready, posed to accept the incredible announcement about to be theirs.  they were ready because they were the blessed ones.  God could reach them, now, in the moment of their raw openness."

"Yeshua knows that this comfort has two critical elements.  First, it is comfort found only by those who are at this moment open because of their agony.  And secondly, it is a promise that reaches beyond the immediate."

"It is the guarantee that no matter what crisis comes upon us, God is here.  God is in control.  Our lives are not adrift on a stormy sea of emotional trauma.  The Holy Spirit will stand as our Advocate when we fall.  He will intercede.  All of His unfathomable power, care and love will be ours because God hears our cry."

"So grief comes upon us, not as a judgment or a punishment but as the single most clarifying moment of life - the moment that I see that my life is not my own, that it is not even mine to keep.  At that moment, when I know my limits most intimately, I am ready to hear God's message - comfort is upon me."

My prayer in all this is that through grief, many people who were blessed by my Uncle Keith's life will be even more blessed through his death.  May they find the One who was the source of my uncle's joy, the foundation of his giving and generous life.

"Oh, so happy are those who at this moment are broken over life's finality because the day is upon them when God's gracious love is at hand and they have the promise that death is defeated."

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." - Matthew 5:4

A few links honoring my uncle, Keith Basinski:

http://www.kare11.com/news/article/992930/396/UPS-driver-killed-in-shooting-remembered-as-a-gentle-spirit

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/video?clipId=7779705&autostart=true

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_21654524/minneapolis-shooting-ups-driver-was-devout-christian-packers

http://fridley.patch.com/articles/amazing-gentle-minneapolis-shooting-victim-keith-basinski-of-spring-lake-park-remembered

* All quotes except for Scripture are taken from "The Lucky Life - The Backwards Beatitudes," by Skip Moen, D.Phil.

Happy Rosh Hashanah!

I love Rosh Hashanah. It's the beginning of the new year, the celebration of new beginnings. It's the start of the Ten Days of Awe, a time of introspection, repentance and forgiveness. And it's a celebration of the kingship of our Messiah Yeshua!

Biblically, Rosh Hashanah is called Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets. The only details that HaShem gives us for how we celebrate this day are that it is a holy convocation - a day to assemble together, a sabbath - a day to rest, and that we are to hear the shofar/trumpet blown. (Leviticus 23:23-25)

HaShem has always placed high significance in the shofar blast. It was the sound that came from Mount Sinai at the giving of the Torah, and has been used in battle as well as worship throughout Israel's history.

But why did HaShem establish an entire holiday for the purpose of listening to the shofar blast? I believe the answer is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17:

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Not only has the shofar blast been important in times past, but it will be important in the time to come!

Be blessed this new year and always - Shana Tova!
~Judy

*For more information about the shofar, check out this link:
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Holidays/Fall_Holidays/Elul/Shofar/shofar.html

You Are Joy

My meditation this morning, hope it blesses you too!  (Video at the end)

            ~   ~   ~   ~   ~

Through life I’ve seen storms will come and go
You’ve promised me I’m not alone
When my faith is weak and I’ve fallen to my knees
I find You are all I need, all I need

You are love, You bring healing to the hurting
You are peace, You bring comfort to the worried
You are joy, You turn my mourning into dancing
You are good, You are good

The joy I find in facing every trial
Gives me hope and makes it all worthwhile
I’m looking towards all the plans You have in store
Cause the victory is Yours, it is Yours

You are love, You bring healing to the hurting
You are peace, You bring comfort to the worried
You are joy, You turn my mourning into dancing
You are good, You are good

So I’m not gonna complain
My lips will speak your name
My voice will give You praise
And I’m not gonna give up
My strength comes from above
Your grace is more than enough

~ You Are Joy, by Warr Acres

Stretching, Growing, and Entering a New Season

Some of you may know that I visited the Seattle area this past weekend.  Mark sent me to a women's retreat at Beit Tikvah, our home congregation. I was excited and a bit apprehensive about it, being that it was the first time I'd ever left my big kids overnight (yes, ever!).  I also had with me a heavy feeling - not in a negative way, but in a full way.  I knew that the Lord had something planned for me in the retreat, but I really had no idea what.

I arrived in Seattle with Avigail on Friday night, got settled into our friends' home (what amazing hosts they were - such a blessing!), and got a good night's sleep.  On Saturday morning, I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with my lovely hosts and a relaxing devotional time before making our way to BT for morning service.  The speaker for the women's retreat was Melody Green, wife of the late Keith Green (revolutionary Christian singer from the late 70s/early 80s).  The theme was "No Compromise", but I didn't yet know what that really meant. 

Keith Green

 

 

 (Click Here for Keith and Melody Green's testimonies and ministry website.)

Throughout the weekend, Melody spoke about their lives together, their ministry, and the challenges she has gone through since his untimely death.  Her main teaching text from the first day was this:

“I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."

(Revelation 2:2-5 ESV)

I meditated on this a bit on Saturday night and Sunday morning, and didn't quite know what to fully make of it.  How to we really love God?  (My immediate thought-response was "If you love me, obey my commandments.") What works is Yeshua referring to?

On Sunday morning, her main teaching text was this:

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
   
(Matthew 25:31-46 ESV)

This really hit home.  How can it not?  As a busy mom, my life is consumed by the daily details of raising children, educating them, and running a home.  How often to I even take the time to give thought to all of the people around me who are needy in one way or another?  When was the last time I stepped outside my comfort zone to feed someone, invite a lonely person to my home, or provide basic living essentials such as clothing to someone who needed them?

I'm not beating myself up over this - I believe that we all go through seasons that are each important for their own reason.  Since we've moved, I've been in a season of reestablishing myself.  I've been focusing on getting back to the core of who I am and how my relationship with God works.  And there's nothing wrong with taking time to do that.  In fact, without that foundation, you really can't do anything else! 

But the Lord was speaking very clearly to me this weekend that this season that I've been in is coming to a close.  It's time to refocus a bit more on those around me.  Time to reach out and share God with others, especially in practical ways.  I don't yet know how this is going to look, but it's something I'm praying about and working through, and I'm excited to see how the Lord will be glorified in this next season!

Grace and Law - Opposites or Complements?

I saw a post on Facebook last night that caught my eye.  It was a quote that basically pitted law and grace against each other, showing just how awful law is and how wonderful grace is.  It broke my heart.  God wrote those words of "law" for His people whom He loves with an everlasting love, and who He chose to have a relationship with.  This is the reply I wrote to that thread.  I hope that it helps people to think about God's beautiful word through a slightly different lens.

First of all, the word “law” here is a poor translation of the Hebrew word “Torah” which means teaching or instruction. God gave the Israelites His divine instruction on how they should live as His covenant people. It is their “marriage ketubah” of sorts – a written contract for the covenant that He made with them. You say that the law was put into place for the unsaved, but that's not really the case.

Second, grace and law are not opposites, as is evident when we understand what the “law” really is. (No one would try to argue that grace and instruction are opposites.) Grace and legalism are opposites. Grace and Torah are a beautiful complement to each other.

As soon as people start pitting grace and “law” or NT and OT against each other, they lose the ability to understand either fully. This gives way for us to depend solely on our “conscience” and what “feels right” instead of going to God's word for the answer. I know that most people may not think of it that way, but it happens every day – just look at how many churches are ordaining homosexual ministers. As soon as you bypass God's Torah in favor of grace, you begin seeing it as a license to interpret Scripture however you want.

Jesus said “If you love me, obey my commandments.” He's speaking of the Torah. He said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” He's speaking of the Torah. Then He says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Grace and Torah serve two different purposes, both of which equally important. Grace keeps us in right standing before God. Torah shows us how to live out our love for God. Because we have grace, we keep His commandments.

Four Months of Grace, Thanks, Joy

"I run my fingers across the pages of the book. I read it slowly. In the original language, 'He gave thanks' reads 'eucharisteo.' I underline it on the page. The root word of eucharisteo is charis, meaning 'grace.' Jesus took the bread and saw it as grace and gave thanks. He took the bread and knew it to be gift and gave thanks.

But there is more.  Eucharisteo, thanksgiving, also holds the Greek word chara, meaning 'joy.' I breathe deep, like a sojourner finally coming home. That has always been the goal of the fullest life - joy."     ~Ann Voskamp, Selections From One Thousand Gifts

Two years ago I read a book that moved me deeply.  "One Thousand Gifts", by Ann Voskamp, challenged me to see my life through the constant lens of thankfulness and grace.  I started a gratitude journal - a list of thanks, of blessing, of grace.  It is a discipline, this learning to see grace in all things.  But it has deepened my walk with the Lord and helped me to see through His eyes so much more.  It has brought me more patience, more understanding, more joy.

It has been four months now since we moved to Idaho.  There has never been a doubt in my mind that this is where God wants us to be, yet there are times that it has been very hard.  Settling into a new home is a long process, especially when that includes starting over in the area of relationships.  But we have been blessed to meet some great people and are excited about what the future holds for our family.

As we hit our 4-month anniversary in our new home, I also reached 500 in my gratitude journal.  It's a big mark for me, and as I reached it I took some time to look back and read many of my entries over the past several months.  I was struck by how many of my thanks would not have been possible without the Lord bringing us here.

193. all of our friends who helped us move - working so hard, long, and selflessly
196. laying-on of hands and prayers from cherished friends
199. the sweet surprise of a beautiful drive to get to our new home
200. our new home - beautiful - and on the outskirts of town, in a beautiful setting off a country highway
213. grandparents living close
237. the homeschool freedom we enjoy in Idaho
250. horses down the street, in pastures of wildflowers
257. our first time enjoying our neighborhood pool
274. two generations of brothers, throwing footballs in the backyard
280. joy-filled days spent at the grandparents' house
285. the freedom, space, and safety we enjoy in our new home
294. summer days!
296. family time at the pool
298. mountains in the distance, decorating the horizon
299. grandparents, close enough to babysit
300. renewed vision for the future, with God's calling at the center!

I know that big changes can be so scary.  Even when you know that God is speaking, taking that big step of faith is so hard, so unsettling at times.  We doubt, we wonder, we can't see the future, and it is so, so hard!  But as I'm learning and growing, the Lord is good - always good - only good - and He knows the beginning from the end.  He knows the plans He has for us.  He knows the desires of our hearts.  And His plans for us are bigger than our own!  But in order to get to that place of being used, we must trust.  We must choose to take joy and offer thanks even when it is hard.  It is a discipline, but one with amazing payoff.

311. evening family walks around our neighborhood
367. family time to explore our new town
393. clarity, given by God, about His purposes
396. sunny days - now the norm
399. grandparents around for birthday celebrations
429. making new friends!
440. the sun, red at sunrise and sunset from all the smoke - beauty from the ugly
448. blue sky again after so many days of smoke-haze
458. Avigail's love for the outdoors, and how easy it is for her to access it
480. three kids in a row, all on scooters
501. the multitude of birds in the tree next door, all chirping together in the morning
507. my children's growing comfort in the water
509. the park behind our house
510. a summer of children riding bikes and scooters to their hearts' content

If you've never done it (or if you're just struggling with faith or joy), I highly recommend keeping a gratitude journal.  It will bless you, because it will bring you closer to the One who gives blessing. 

~Judy

Cultivating a Peaceful, Purposeful Home

Home management is something really important to me. I'm pretty sure I would have completely lost my mind by this point if I wouldn't have picked up these tips along the way.  I originally prepared this material for a La Leche League enrichment meeting, knowing how valuable this sort of advice can be, especially for new moms.  I thought I'd share it here in hopes that it will helps some of you!  Enjoy!

Areas of Home Management:

1. Time - Family Activities, Time Spent Together, and Daily Routine

Managing time is the first major aspect of home management that every mom must learn how to do.  There are so many things that we need to fit into each day or week! Developing a method of managing your time is so important. 

Here are a few ideas:

• Create a family calendar (either physical or digital, whichever works best for you), and use it regularly!  Check it every night before going to bed and look it over at the beginning of each week.  Make sure you and your spouse do this together so that you are on the same page about your schedule.
• Create a written routine.  Or a lot of them!  I have a loose daily routine, a weekly cleaning routine, and a list of extra cleaning jobs that aren't weekly.
• Use a timer to help manage your time in chunks.  If you're like me, you may get carried away with one thing, allowing it to take up way too much time.  Or you may feel overwhelmed with a large project, and breaking it into pieces makes if feel lighter.  Egg timers (or your microwave timer) can be so helpful in many cases!
• Incorporate your kids input into your routine.  Allow them to help design your routine, and keep them posted as to what is going on that day and week. (See This Post)
• Assemble a home management binder.  I started doing this a year ago and love it!  It keeps all of my stuff together - calendar, finances, meal planning, routines, projects, etc.  Type in "home management binder" into Google and you'll get all sorts of great ideas!

2. Food - Meal Planning, Grocery Shopping, and Cooking

I tend to go through seasons in my meal planning and cooking life.  Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it.  Sometimes I'm a rock star about planning everything out and never forgetting anything, sometimes I go for a week or two on last-minute throw-togethers ("Is spaghetti okay again, guys?")

Here are a few things that help me:

• Have a weekly meal routine.  Each day is assigned a different "genre" of food - for example: soup/bread day, pasta day, rice day, meal salad day, etc..  This takes so much out of the guesswork of creating a meal plan and helps you to incorporate new ideas easily.
• Keep a list of favorite meals that your family enjoys (with page #s to recipes), that way you can quickly make your list rather than thumbing through your shelf full of cookbooks every week.
• Take advantage of your freezer and slow cooker.  I make certain things in bulk (marinara sauce, marinated meat, ice cream... wait, ice cream doesn't count?!), that way when a day goes differently than I planned, I can throw a freezer bag into a bowl of hot water and thaw it in no time.  And I love my slow cooker (or my cast iron dutch oven) for fall and winter days.  Mmmm...
• Try seasonal eating!  By varying your menu by the season, you will enjoy a variety of foods every year, and not get tired of the same thing over and over.  Certain foods just taste better in their proper season, and bonus - you will save money at the store by buying your food in season!

3. Cleaning - Home, Car, Closets, Purse, etc...

As a mom with 4 young kids who I also homeschool, our home is never spotless.  But, I can also honestly say that if I stay on it, I am able to keep our home regularly clean.  Everyone has different solutions that work well for them, so take what works here and leave the rest!

Ideas to help keep your home clean:

• Get rid of clutter!  Seriously, I think I could (and probably will!) write a whole blog or several about decluttering and keeping a simple home.  For now, I will simply say that the less stuff you have, the less you have to keep clean. 
• Take the time to organize.  Another topic I could talk about for hours.  I'm actually one of those nerdy types that loves organizing, but even if you aren't, I still strongly recommend you give it a try, at least for your most hectic spaces.  Keep it simple, and easy to maintain.
• Have a daily cleaning task that stays the same each week.  For example: Monday is laundry, Tuesday is vacuuming, Wednesday is kitchen thorough-cleaning, Thursday is the car/garage, Friday is laundry again.  Something like that, anyway!
• Do a 15-20 minute "sweep" of your home every day.  We do this in the early evening before Mark gets home from work, and I get the kids involved too.  We usually pump up some Newsboys and make it fun.  
• Teach your kids to take some responsibility for their own stuff.  Help them remember to clean up one activity before taking out another.  Teach them to take care of their own laundry and make their beds.  

4. Self Care - Mom must care for herself in order to be able to care for others!

This is such a big deal in our home!  It's easy to spend every moment of the day cleaning and cooking and maintaining - there's always another thing to do, isn't there?!  But if we don't take good care of ourselves, in the end it will all crumble apart.  We serve our children and husband by taking good care of ourselves.

For me, as a major introvert, I get overwhelmed easily by the constant needs and company of my little brood.  The most vital part of my self care is making sure that I get adequate time alone.  But it has taken me a long time to realize just how important this is and learn how to make it a priority.

Here are some other ideas of ways to take care of yourself.  This post (click here) also has a few ideas on hitting the "reset button" on a rough week.

• Develop a morning ritual.  Mine is tea, my gratitude journal, my Bible, and a book (for personal/spiritual growth, not entertainment).  Yours can be whatever helps you most.
• Exercise.  Make sure you don't care for everyone else while neglecting your own body.  This will eventually catch up with you!
• Eat well.  I know, we all fall into the habit of eating whatever we can scrape together in the middle of everything else we're doing.  But with just a bit of planning, you can feed your body what it needs to thrive instead of simply exist.
• Get out!  Go to a mom's night out or even playgroups where the moms can hang out while the kids play.  Both are valuable. Try to go on a date with your husband on a regular basis.  Have tea with a friend at night after the little ones have gone to sleep.  Get up early and hit up a nearby coffee shop before your family arises. 

I hope this post helps you!  Below are a list of links to resources that have really helped me.  I hope they help you as well!  Please leave a comment with any great tips that have helped you to better manage your home!

~ Judy

---

Resource List:

Websites:

http://zenhabits.net

http://organizedhome.com

http://simplemom.net

Books:

Smart Organizing, by Sandra Felton

Organized Simplicity, by Tsh Oxenreider

Binder Helps:

http://simplemom.net/downloads/

http://organizedhome.com/household-notebook

As A Man Thinketh

"The aphorism, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he," not only embraces the whole of a man's being, but is so comprehensive as to reach out to every condition and circumstance of his life. A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."

-James Allen, As A Man Thinketh

As I said the other day, I struggle with depression. It's a topic that I've read a lot about and I've spent a lot of time thinking about. I have tried hard to keep it from getting the best of my life. But no matter what I do, it keeps resurfacing.

So the other day, as soon as I felt it creeping back in, I confronted it head-on. I remembered what a huge difference it made for me last time when I finally admitted to my friends that I was struggling. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, and just felt this shift in my mindset - like I was no longer a passive victim, but a fighter, and it had to go! Shortly after that time, I was feeling much better.

Anyway, I've been pondering a lot over the past couple of days. Why do I get depressed? Is this something God has allowed in my life as a lesson to learn? Is it an attack? Is it physical, spiritual, or both? Am I going to struggle with this for the rest of my life?

And as I've been thinking, praying, and meditating on Scripture these past few days, I've felt HaShem impress upon me some important truths. I want to share them with you, and my hope is that someday my openness will be a blessing to someone else struggling with this ugly beast.  I don't have all the answers, but I will share with you what I have!

God is bigger. No matter what I'm facing, He is so much bigger than all of it!

This morning I read the last several chapters of the book of Job. It is HaShem's answer to Job after everything he has been through. Very powerful words, very moving. If you haven't read it recently, do it!

God knows. He sees everything. He knows my heart. He knows my thought processes.

"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, ...discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  -Hebrews 4:12

God's love never fails. It never gives up. He knows all of this, and yet His love doesn't give up or even waver in the slightest.

"For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever."  -Psalm 100:5

God created my mind to have a strong influence over the rest of me. My mind is of utmost importance, and I cannot ignore it.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." -Romans 12:2a

God tells me what to focus my mind on, and His plan for me is abundant life.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  -Philippians 4:8

God does not force His will on me - I must choose it daily.

"Choose this day whom you will serve."  -Joshua 24:15


Finally, to close I want to add one more thing.  It is important to remember that I can go through all the right motions but not truly let Him speak to and change me.  This does more harm than good, tricking myself into thinking I'm doing well, but setting myself up for failure! This is why I believe there is so much power in admitting my challenges. I must be real with myself.

So today, I am choosing to renew my mind with the truth of God's word. I will set my mind on Him, and walk in faith.

"If then, you have been raised with Messiah, seek the things that are above, where Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."  -Colossians 3:1-2

~ Judy

P.S. If you enjoyed the quote at the top, you can download the entire short book for free off the website, asamanthinketh.net.  It's a good read!

Today We Are Celebrating!

Today in our home we are celebrating something special - the birth of the man who God has given to us as a husband and daddy! 

Mark is one of the most amazing men I have ever had the privilege of knowing, and I feel so blessed to be his wife.  He has integrity, passion, and loyalty.  He is an incredible daddy, who adores his children and really enjoys developing deep relationships with each one of them.  He is a devoted husband, who really tries hard to understand and honor me.  He takes care of my needs, placing them above his own.

I love him dearly and passionately, and I just wanted everyone to know that. 

~ Judy

When the Blues Come Knocking

I struggle with depression. I used to think that it was something that I'd eventually master it, and never struggle anymore, but since then I've realized that's probably not going to be the case. I have a strong family history of depression, and I'm married to someone who struggles with it as well. I used to think it was mostly due to living somewhere that I rarely saw the sun, but now a rarely see clouds and I can still feel it trying to sneak itself in. I used to think that if I just hit a certain point in my walk with the Lord, I'd conquer it, but I'm stronger now than I've ever been and it's still knocking on my door.

I used to be embarrassed to admit to this struggle of mine. Didn't it illuminate some major weakness of mine? Can I really be fit to raise children when I struggle with this? Or to serve HaShem? Can He really use me?  But since then I've realized that just like other things that people struggle with, this is something that the Lord can use to His glory, if I let him.

It's been four months since we moved here to Idaho, and I'm starting to experience the "blues" again. I'm not sure of the cause - maybe homesickness, maybe burnout, maybe loneliness, maybe it's diet-related. Maybe it's not really any of that. I don't know if it really matters.

But I do have a major advantage over the last time I was struggling with depression - a much stronger relationship with my Creator, who is the only one who knows the answer to that question. He knows why this is a struggle of mine and how I can beat it. And He is the source of life - not just physical life, but emotional life as well!

So this morning, I am going to place this struggle into the hands that made me.

"Trust in him at all times, O people, pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us."  ~ Psalm 62:8

And instead of placing my focus on this challenge of mine, I'm going to choose to place my focus back on God's word.

"The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul."  ~ Psalm 19:7

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  ~ Psalm 19:14

I am so thankful that I serve a Maker who loves me and has a plan for me! So for today, I will rejoice in Him and His truth. May He sustain me.

On the Doorposts

Yesterday morning, our family put up our mezuzah. We have had a mezuzah on our front door for several years now, and while I'm used to seeing it, it's impact on me has never faded.

The mezuzah is a small, thin case that holds a tiny scroll of scripture with two passages written on it - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21. These passages contain the Shema and the verses giving the command for writing/affixing God's Word to our doorposts.

Although we are not Jewish, we chose to keep this commandment out of love for the Lord and respect for His Word. It functions, not as some kind of "amulet", but as a constant reminder of the role of God's Word in our home and lives. When we enter our home, we see the mezuzah, and remember that God reigns in our home and that His Word is above all. We often touch the mezuzah and bring our fingers to our lips, worshipping not the object, but the Creator whose holy Words are written within.
 

Whether or not you choose to affix a mezuzah to your doorposts, I challenge you to find a way to bring honor and attention to the authority of God's Word in your home.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”

-Matthew 7:24-27

May we be those who build our homes on the solid foundation of God's Word!

- Judy

Attachment Parenting... and the Bible, Part 1

Today I am going to start an 8-part series on attachment parenting and the Bible. I haven't directly referenced attachment parenting on this blog before now, partly because I don't want it to be the focus of this blog, and partly because I don't like labeling myself as one "type" of parent.  But, nonetheless, attachment-style parenting is really important to me. It has laid a strong loving and godly foundation for our family.

"Wait, godly?" You might be wondering about that claim. Attachment parenting has a reputation for being humanistic and indulgent, not at all things that the Bible supports. But while AP can be applied that way, it isn't that by nature. In fact, the "founder" of attachment parenting, Dr. William Sears, is a Christian father of 8. His books established AP as a legitimate, fact-based parenting method and offered parents some practical ideas for what that meant.  Since then, much more research and many more books have been written about the subject, and an international organization, Attachment Parenting International, has been formed.

In this series, I am going to go through each of Attachment Parenting International's 8 Principles of Parenting and present some biblical support for each, as well as share some of our story. I hope this is a blessing to you!

Principle #1: Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting

"Become emotionally and physically prepared for pregnancy and birth. Research available options for healthcare providers and birthing environments, and become informed about routine newborn care. Continuously educate yourself about developmental stages of childhood, setting realistic expectations and remaining flexible."

There is so much wisdom in this principle. Scripture has a lot to say about gaining understanding, in fact, most of the book of Proverbs is dedicated to the pursuit of wisdom and knowledge.

"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance."
                                    - Proverbs 1:5

I believe that an important part of being a good steward is educating yourself about what you are stewarding. Remember the parable of the talents? The man who was praised for making more money with his talent needed to first know how to best invest that talent in order for that to happen. We are entrusted with something far more valuable than money - we are entrusted with life! How much more, then, should we study and learn!

God has given us 9 months to prepare for our new babies, and I would challenge you to make the most of that time. Learn about birth options. Learn about infant development. Learn about breastfeeding. And discuss things with your spouse too - learning together is a great way to strengthen your relationship!

For me, this part has always been pretty easy. I'm already a bookworm, and I love learning about babies! But it has been so beneficial for me, especially in the areas of natural birth and infant development. We decided to have unmedicated home births after reading about the dangers and ramifications of managed, hospital births. Learning all we could gave us peace of mind and faith in the body that God has given me.  And learning about infant and child development has helped us to have realistic expectations of what our children are capable of and how their brains best develop.

When studying these things, especially development, you will probably come across books written from a secular worldview.  One of my favorite books is called "The Science of Parenting", and is written from an evolutionary viewpoint.  From what I've seen, sometimes Christians write off these kind of books as non-relevant because they come from a different worldview.  But while we do have to read with more caution, there is usually a huge depth of information in those books - just without the knowledge of God.  Part of being mature as believers means being able to sift through these materials and gain valuable knowledge while skipping over the stuff that doesn't fit your worldview.


I hope that you found this post to be thought-provoking and interesting!  Stay tuned for Part 2: Feed With Love & Respect!

~ Judy

*For a practical list of things to prepare for and read about when getting ready for a baby, please click here: API Principle #1.

My Baby is One!

Watermelon instead of cake for this baby!

Yesterday, my baby girl turned one year old. It is a bittersweet day for me. I am so ecstatically happy that the Lord gave us Avigail - she is such a gift! Her sweet smile and gentle snuggles melt our hearts. Her love for her siblings brings a smile to my face on a constant basis. But her first year has completely flown by, and I am struggling to come to grips with that.  I am finding myself clinging desperately to her babyhood, wishing I could slow time.

She just realized that we're singing to HER!

As parents to small children, it can be very overwhelming at times.  Their needs are intense, and there are so many of them!  Mark and I have often caught ourselves lamenting our lack of freedom, and looking forward (maybe too much) to the days when our children will be able to take care of themselves a bit more.  It has become difficult to appreciate this stage of life for what it is.  But is the problem really the crazy intensity that is our life?  Or is the problem our attitude about it?

She loves it!

- - -

Over the past few months, as we have settled in here and I have had more time to ponder our home and family life, there are some things about this stage that the Lord has really pressed upon me.

First of all, I need to accept each day for what it is, and consider it a blessing.  Every single day, I start my day by writing a few entries into my gratitude journal. By starting out this way, I have found it easier to return to it when I'm struggling later on.  There is so much power in thankfulness!

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" - I Thessalonians 5:18

Second, I need to have realistic expectations for my children.  They are supposed to act like young children - that is what they are!  If the Lord wanted kids to be born mature, He would've created them that way.  But instead, He gives them to us completely dependent - dependent on us to help them walk through the stages of life, to grow and develop.

Third, I need to remember that our children are like plants in a garden - given the right environment, they will grow.  My job is not to try to force growth and maturity on my kids, my job is to foster an environment where growth is encouraged.  That means that I have to be a mature person, and model those character traits that I'd like to see developed in my children.  Of course, those things that they struggle with so much also tend to be the same things that I struggle with, making this step so hard but so necessary!

Lastly, I need to remember that God has given me children to bring me closer to Him.  These daily struggles that I have with how I choose to approach my relationship with my children have the power to deeply change me.  I have blogged about this a bit before (click), but it's such a powerful truth to embrace that I want to mention it again today.  Through our relationships with our children, the Lord can work through sin and struggles in our own lives, bringing us into a closer relationship with Him!

- - -

So, as I embark on my baby's second year of life, it is with a renewed conviction and determination to embrace life as it happens!  I want to soak in every moment of her remaining baby/toddlerhood (ouch, it hurts to see that word "toddler" on the page!), and not just for her, but for each of my children. I want to cherish my children, to enjoy them, to truly love them in a deep way - thankful for the blessings that they are in my life!

With you on the journey,
~ Judy

Getting Through the Dry Times

Internet has a funny way of altering reality, doesn't it?  I enjoy the outlets of social media such as Facebook and blogging, especially now that we've moved and I'm physically away from most of my friends.  It's great being able to stay connected online. But we all have a tendency to present only the best part of ourselves online, don't we?  It's really not reality.  I mean, when is the last time one of your friends posted a photo of their child throwing a tantrum, or of herself crying at the end of a hard day?  This whitewashed view of people's lives around us can cause us to judge our own lives wrongly, and can make us feel inadequate and incapable.  And I am not immune.

This morning, after my quiet time, I sat on the couch trying to figure out what to blog about.  I've been quiet on my blog for a week or so now, and for the past few days I've been thinking about different ideas that I've had for possible posts.  I even posted about my dilemma on Facebook.  And a dear friend gave me some great advice: Just be real.  This morning, as I was pondering my different blog ideas and my friend's advice, I realized that to blog about any other than what I'm about to write would not be real.  So here it goes!

As I was saying, I am not immune to the nuances of internet communication.  I both struggle with judging myself based on other people's cute haircuts, happy kid pictures, and awesome dinners, as well as the temptation to always present myself as put-together, with a happy family.  So today, I want to share about my week - my real week.

Things have been kind of challenging this week, and many evenings I wanted nothing more than to get into Mark's car and drive away for a long time.  We have struggled with a nasty cycle - you know, the one where your children have had a rough week, which makes you feel inadequate and cranky, which makes them feel & behave worse!  Yeah, that's been our week.  For some reason, my 6-year-old, who is normally mature and able to reason very well for her age, has been struggling with a lot of anger and has had several tantrums - one of which was in the grocery store.  Ugh.  My boys have been fighting and hitting/pinching a lot.  And my babe is cutting 4 teeth, and hasn't been sleeping well, leaving both of us extra tired all day long.

And as a result of this, I have been feeling very overwhelmed and inadequate.  I'm having a hard time connecting with them (and therefore not able to give them what they really need to work through these issues).  I've been testy with my dear husband.  It's just been an "Ugh" week that I've been looking forward to seeing the end of.  So, here I am at the end of it.  I'm very thankful for a husband who understands my need for alone time, and has graciously given me an hour this morning to read, pray, think, and hopefully reset.

Now that I've done that, I can honestly say that I feel a lot better, a lot more capable of being the mother that I want and my children need me to be.  I'm giving myself some grace, replenishing my cup with God's word and the encouraging words of a great author, drinking a yummy cup of tea, and taking a deep breath.  My job as a mommy is the highest calling I have.  HaShem has entrusted me with these 4 little lives, and He chose me to be their mother!

Maybe you've had a week like mine, and can relate.  I want to wrap up this post by listing out some things that I can think of to help you in your attempt to reset:

• Give yourself some grace. Remember that ups and downs are normal and even beneficial.  Those down times can teach us a lot too!

• Be thankful.  Keeping a gratitude journal has really helped my maintain a healthy focus and perspective.  I highly recommend it!

• Take some time out.  Go out to coffee by yourself or with a good friend.  Go for a walk/drive.  

• Talk to God.  Be real with Him about how you feel and your thoughts.  He knows them anyway and it can feel really good to voice them!

• Enjoy something beautiful.  Music, art, and poetry have a powerful way of working in us.  You may enjoy creating something as well.

• Find some alone time with each of your children and talk to them.  Apologize.  Apologies are powerful for restoring relationships, and it sets a godly example. Encourage them with things you appreciate about them, and how God wants to see them grow and develop.  

• Go on a date with your husband, and talk things through with him.  Sometimes husbands can be a great source of encouragement and healthy perspective.

• Do something physical.  Sometimes we need to release stress in a physical way, whether that be going for a run, doing some gardening, or lifting weights.

Do you have another way that you reset from a hard week?  Share in the comments!  And now, I'm off to nurse my teething babe!

~ Judy

Being a Servant Mother

Yesterday I wrote a quick note about the challenge that the Lord had placed before me yesterday. I didn't realize it at the time, but the next chapter in "The Mission of Motherhood" is entitled, "The Servant Mother."  This morning, after my prayer and Bible study, I opened up my book to this next chapter and was deeply moved.  I believe that HaShem showed me that little snippet yesterday to prepare my spirit to receive what He wanted to teach me today - so if you haven't read yesterday's post yet, please do that really quick! (Link)

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Today's reading brought tears to my eyes.  As a mom, completely immersed in the routine - and often mundane - tasks of motherhood, I tend to think a lot about the future.  "Someday, my kids will be able to cook/do laundry/clean house for themselves," and "I can't wait until I get to sleep through the night/go out for more than 2 hours alone again" are thoughts I have on a daily basis.  And I will admit, I struggle with resenting all of the time and energy that my children consume with minimal gratitude in return. 

In this all-consuming calling of motherhood, it is vital that we remember why we are doing all of this! 

"When we choose to graciously overlook our children's messes and accidents, we are teaching them to be patient and forgiving with the mistakes of others.  When we react sensitively, thoughtfully, and patiently to them, we are helping to instill these qualities in their lives.  As they benefit from our unconditional love, they learn to extend it to to others as well.  As they watch us extend hospitality, care for others, and pray for them, they learn to make service a part of life.  And as they observe us searching Scripture, spending time with the Lord, and making faith-based decisions, they learn these things as well.  Modeling loving service to our children gives them something to emulate in their own lives."  -Mission of Motherhood, p.66

Just as our Lord, Yeshua served His disciples and followers, we are called to serve the children that He has given to us to disciple!  And this calling is one of infinite importance! But how do we do that?

"What does it mean to practice servant leadership as a mother? I believe it starts out with a choice.  I have to choose to serve Christ by giving my time and energy to my children - not just when I feel like it but when they need me. This means I often must sacrifice my own needs and desires for the purpose of giving my children what they need and modeling for them the depths of Christ's love... Choosing to be a servant-mother means willingly giving up myself, my expectations, and my time to the task of mothering - and choosing to believe that doing so is the best use of my time at that moment.  It means that, by faith, I have already made a decision to make myself available in the routine tasks and myriad interruptions of daily life because I believe it is God's will for me to serve my family through them." -Mission of Motherhood, p.66-67

I love how she says, "...and choosing to believe that doing so is the best use of my time at that moment."  That's what it's really all about, isn't it?  We struggle with resentment because we wish we were doing something else.  Because we don't embrace that serving our children really is the best thing we could possibly do at any given time.  So hard.  So important.  So life-giving.

Today, this will be my meditation.  As I go about my daily tasks and care for my kiddos, I am going to work to remember that serving them IS the best use of my time at any moment.  Serving them is serving my Lord.

~Judy

A Little Challenge for Today

A short but intensely-powerful challenge for you today:

I like to read inspiring and challenging book as part of my quiet time every morning.  Currently I am re-reading "The Mission of Motherhood" in preparation for the MomHeart group I hope to be starting up soon.  I read chapter three today, entitled "The Undivided Heart," and was reminded of something very important.

When we are mothering our children, we are not only serving them, but we are serving Yeshua!  By being gentle to my children, by being compassionate and empathetic to their needs, and by being present with them throughout their daily trials, I am serving my Lord. At the same time, I am setting an example to them of how the Lord wants us to treat each other, and demonstrating His love for us!  What a powerful act of service!

~ Judy

Getting Started in Homeschooling - A Few Thoughts

I have had a few moms lately who have asked me for advise in getting started homeschooling, so I figured it would make a good blog post.  :-)  So, I'm going to share some of my thoughts with you, and hopefully you'll find this encouraging and informational!  *Disclaimer: I'm mostly speaking from the perspective of a mom who has decided early on to homeschool, and I don't have experience pulling kids out of public school later on.  That adjustment can be a very different experience entirely.*

Homeschooling has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember!  I was blessed to be homeschooled myself from kindergarten through high school graduation (except for a one-year stint in public school).  Some of my earliest memories are reading with my mom and little brothers.  Although there were times I felt very "different" than the neighbour kids, I knew that I was blessed to be home!  And as I grew older, I knew that homeschooling my kids was a non-negotiable.  I was very happy when Mark shared my conviction fully.  Anyway, as a homeschooled kid, and now a homeschooling mama, I think I can share with you a fairly well-rounded perspective on something that I'm pretty passionate about!

First things first - making the decision!  So here's the deal - as valuable and awesome as homeschooling is, I'm not going to sit here and tell you that this is a big huge decision that you need to spend weeks and months agonizing over.  Because, in most cases, it's just not that big of a deal!  We moms have a tendency to over-think everything - from whether or not we mash up our baby's food to how often we brush our kids' teeth.  Are you interested in homeschooling?  Is your spouse on board?  Then give it a try!  Especially in the early years, you really don't have much - if anything - to lose!  And that leads me right into my next thought...

Commit to taking things a year (and day) at a time!  For many moms, committing to a life of homeschooling is a completely overwhelming thought!  They start pondering things like "How do I teach calculus/chemistry/physics?" "How will I my kids learn music or speech/debate (or those other things that require classmates)?"  Here's the thing - starting homeschooling early on with one child (or even two) is something you ease into.  Homeschooling kindergarten (and other early grades) is a totally different ball game than high school.  And the confidence you will get from teaching your children through elementary school will help see you through the harder parts of high school (which, btw, is totally do-able as well, but that's another post for a later day!).

So, those things said, I'm going to dive into some specifics.  This relates mostly to the early elementary years, since that is where we are right now.

Education Style

One of the first things you'll want to figure out is your education style.  There are many terms that refer to various styles ranging from very structured to very relaxed.  Here are a few of the most commonly used:

     Unschooling - Unschooling refers to any non-structured learning approach that allows children to pursue their own interests with parental support and guidance and lets children learn by being included in the life of adults.
     Montessori / Waldorf - Montessori and Waldorf recognize and respect a child's need for rhythm and order in his daily routine. They recognize that need in different ways. Take toys, for example. Montessori schools use Montessori designed and approved toys which will teach them concepts.  A Waldorf education encourages the child to create his own toys from materials which happen to be at hand. Using the imagination is the child's most important 'work'.
     Living Books / Charlotte Mason - One begins by teaching basic reading, writing and math skills, then exposing children to the best sources of knowledge for all other subjects, taking nature walks, observing wildlife, visiting museums and reading real books for subjects such as geography, history and literature.
     Unit Studies - A unit study involves taking a theme or topic and delving into it deeply over a period of time, integrating language arts, science, social studies, math and fine arts as they apply. All subjects are blended together and studied around a common theme or project.
     Classical - Classical education depends on a three-part process of training the mind. The early years of school are spent in absorbing facts, systematically laying the foundations for advanced study. In the middle grades, students learn to think through arguments. In the high school years, they learn to express themselves. This classical pattern is called the trivium.
    All-inclusive Curriculum - Textbook curricula have graded textbooks in each subject and follow a scope and sequence that covers each subject in daily increments for a 12-year, 180-days-a-year academic program.

I have found this website: http://www.homeschoolreviews.com to be a priceless resource for learning about different curricula!

I'm not going to tell you which approach I think is *best*, because that really depends primarily on you and your children!  If you and your kids need more structure, do that; if you do better on more freedom, do that!  Don't let anyone else make you feel inferior because you take a different approach than they do.  And again, don't forget that homeschooling is a constantly-changing, fluid part of a relationship you have with your children, and as such, don't be afraid to adjust it with your kids as you go about your studies!

But to get started out, pick an approach that you feel best reflects your style and goals for the next school year, and go from there, okay?  :-D

Our Approach - What Works For Us

Okay, so all that said, I know that some people may wonder what we use, and why, so I will share that too!

First, some quick background.  We have two kids who will be in school this next year - Eliza and Judah.  Eliza will be 6 1/2, and in first grade.  Judah will be 5 and in kindergarten.  But although they are only one grade apart from each other, academically they are very different!  Eliza learned to read before she turned 4, and now reads around a 4th grade reading level.  She does 2nd grade math and writes well, and has a pretty long attention span.  Judah has a much shorter attention span and is just starting to learn phonics and numbers.  That said, I am still trying to keep them together for as many subjects as possible, for the sake of family togetherness and my own sanity!  :-)

So, here's my take on the early years of homeschooling:  The goal for the first 2-3 years is to establish a love for learning and a foundation to build upon for the rest of the child's school career.  By nature, this has to be very individualized, because that works out differently for each child.  For Eliza, that meant that I had to be careful not to hold her back, and to keep things interesting.  Last year (kindergarten), we had to completely change gears after the first trimester because neither of us were enjoying ourselves!  For Judah, this means that I have to be careful not to push him too hard or put my experiences with Eliza onto him, because he is a totally different person with his own needs and personality.

Our approach is rather "eclectic" - I have realized that although I love the ideas behind the less-structured methods, I need more structure than that myself, especially having four kids.  But I can't have too much either, or I drive myself nuts!  So I have to find a happy balance, which is sometimes challenging!  I lean mostly towards the "living books" approach, using the library a ton.  For Eliza, with her level of reading where it is, we have chosen to do American Girl studies for kindergarten and 1st grade.  We spend 6 weeks with each historical character, reading through the 6 books as well as the "Welcome to *A.Girl*'s World" book that AG published.  We make lapbooks for each girl, which is how much of her writing practice happens.  Through this, we cover reading, writing, history, culture, and art.  For science, we just use the library for topics they choose (this will change in 2nd grade).  For math, I love the Singapore Primary Mathmatics series!  Eliza really likes them too, and is learning a lot.  She's currently in the middle of 2nd grade for math.  For Judah, kindergarten will be mostly phonics and math, with read-alouds for other topics (the world around us) of his interest.  He'll use Singapore Math as well, and we were given the K12 Phonicsworks program which we like.  (I've heard really good things about Explode the Code as well, but K12 is all I've used)  Like I said before, kindergarten is kind of a "warm-up" year - with the biggest goal to establish a foundation and love of learning, so all that really matters to me is that he makes progress in reading and math, and that he enjoys learning about whatever else he's interested in!

Subjects We Study:
     Kindergarten - character/Bible, phonics/reading,  intro writing, math, the world around us (nature & culture), art/music
     1st Grade - character/Bible, phonics/reading, writing, math, nature & culture, art/music

*As a side note, for preschool, I love this guide from SimplyCharlotteMason.com: http://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/eyguide/  Although I didn't follow it exactly, I think it lays a great foundation to build off of!

Getting Started

So, if you're just getting started, here's what I recommend.  Read about different approaches to home education, and discuss them with your spouse.  Get an idea of what you think will work for you and your family.  Research the curriculum options for the basic topics and pick something to get started with.  Don't go overboard!  Then, a few months into your first year, take a really honest assessment.  Are your kids learning?  Are they enjoying learning?  Are you enjoying teaching?  Is there anything that needs to be adjusted?  Readjust, and continue.  Take it a day at at time, a week at a time, a month at a time, and always be open to changing and adjusting.  The journey can be challenging at times, but it is so worth it!

~ Judy

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Our Future Plans

As a major planner, I am actually a total nerd about researching homeschooling curriculum and ideas, and as such, I've drafted out my plans for the rest of our homeschooling career!  So, in case you were curious, here's what's been floating around in my mind. (And if the idea of planning this far out totally freaks out out, please feel free to skip it - I won't be hurt!)


2nd - 6th Grade - the subjects above shift into character/Bible, language arts (grammar, writing, spelling, vocab, reading), math, science, history, geography, art, music, foreign language intro.  My plan for the elementary years is to work chronologically through history using Truthquest History (a Christian history curriculum, but there are great secular ones as well), and incorporate our language arts studies into history like we are now with the American Girl studies, as well as art and music history.  We'll continue using Singapore Math through 6th grade-level unless it no longer meets our needs.  We'll be using Apologia science (also Christian/creationist) which also uses the holistic Charlotte Mason approach.

7th - 12th Grade - literature, math, science, social studies, foreign language, electives of choice.  My plan for the secondary years is to work chronologically through history again using Truthquest History and incorporate literature, art and music history.  We'll probably switch to Teaching Textbooks for math, which I've heard is the best homeschool math program around, and since math is *not* my strong point, I need a curriculum that will teach my kids for me.  (Maybe I'll go through it with them, lol!)  We'll continue using Apologia science for middle/high school, and probably Rosetta Stone for foreign language. **I will also have them studying at a deep enough level to take CLEP test to earn concurrent college credit as we go through the relating topics in 9th-12th grades.  Our goal is for our kids to have at least their associates, but hopefully bachelor's degree by the time they graduate.**

Interested in the Jewish Roots of Your Faith?

Have you ever wondered about the Jewish roots of Christianity?  Are you interested in learning about the land, people, and culture of ancient Israel - the land that Jesus came to over 2000 years ago?  Do you wonder what relevance it has to your life today?

We are super excited to be starting up an in-depth, well-researched Bible study about our Jewish roots!  It is called HaYesod, which means "The Foundation." From www.hayesod.org:

"The HaYesod discipleship program attempts to educate believers on their relationship with the Promised Land, the historic people of God, and the Scriptures of the Jewish people. Knowing the Jewish foundation of Christianity deepens the faith of the believer, clarifies the meaning of the Bible, and reveals God's purpose for all of His people."

HaYesod will run for 10 weeks, beginning Saturday evening, September 8th.  It is open to believers from all backgrounds, and will be located at our home in Meridian, Idaho.  Families are welcome!  Cost is $35/single or $60/couple and includes a gorgeous, in-depth (3/4" thick!) student workbook for each registered student.

Watch the video preview below, and if you'd like a longer preview, click here!

After watching, if you are interested in signing up, please contact me at judyrich04{at}gmail{dot}com.  Thanks!!

Character - Deepened By Motherhood

Lately I've been thinking a lot about how much the Lord has changed me and developed my character through each of my children. When I think about how many character flaws on my life have been exposed through the constant companionship of my kids, I am humbled and (dare I admit it?) embarrassed.

Before we get married, we all have someone tell us about how our spouse will expose things in us that we didn't know were there, and that if handled well, it will strengthen our character. The same thing is true of our children, and even more so! I know for me at least, my kids are with me pretty much 24/7 except for occasional times of solitude. I sleep next to my youngest, educate my 2 oldest, run errands with then in tow - they are my constant companions!  Anyway, that also means they have the constant ability to grate my nerves, test my patience and resolve, and push my buttons! 

But through them, I have wrestled through many personal issues, and I believe, come out on the other side with deepened character and integrity. And it's still an ongoing act of refining - every day I must choose to allow the Lord to use these interactions with my children to change me and mold me into a better likeness of Him.

My challenge to you today is this: next time your child(ren) is pushing your buttons or grating on your nerves, take a moment to breathe and allow the Lord to grow in you patience, sympathy, gentleness, mercy, self-control, empathy, or whatever it is that you are struggling with. And then, thank Him for the blessing of the opportunity for growth that your children bring you!

Blessings on your journey,
~ Judy