My loaves and fishes

School starts back Monday and I have to say I've been a bit apprehensive. I'm looking at each kids' schedule and wondering how in the heck this is all going to work. Short of cloning, I really have no idea how it's all going to play out in the coming months.

As I took my fears and concerns to the LORD this morning, He reminded me of the feeding of the 5,000. Taking the meager lunch of five loaves and two fish - enough to feed a young boy - He multiplied it to feed "a vast crowd", most of whom hadn't eaten all day. They ate until they were full and then collected the left overs. I felt Him say, "If I can feed 5,000, trust me to feed your five and still have some left over."

Though some days my "loaves and fishes" feel more like "bones and crumbs", in the hands of Jesus it will be enough to accomplish HIS purposes in our lives.

Socialization - we're OK, really we are

If you're a homeschooler, the mere mention of "socialization" makes you laugh or cry, depending on your mood on any given day. I could really get on my soapbox here, but I'll save that for a post when I'm feeling feisty...today I find the whole notion rather comical.

One of the things we hear frequently from those outside the homeschool community is "What about socialization?" My question exactly! What about it? What is the big deal? What are people so worried about? When I was a kid I use to get in trouble for talking at school. (Yes, I realize that doesn't surprise many of you!) If talking to our friends at school is "socialization" then it stands to reason that public school kids get in trouble for being social. And yet society thinks the only way to be socialized is to go to school. Hu??? Is anyone else confused by that circular thinking?

I'm chuckling today about the whole idea because we spent the morning at the pool with a boatload of kids playing together for over two hours. Ages four to 14, everyone played, laughed and splashed around together. That looks a whole lot like socialization to me. Then we hurried home to change clothes, drop two kids off at one friend's house and pick up another to bring back home with us. No, my kids are not lacking in social skills, or for kids to hang out with. In fact, truth be told, there aren't enough hours in the day for all the field trips, WII tournaments, water fights and tea parties.

So if you're worried about homeschoolers not being "socialized", let me put your mind at ease. We're OK...really.

Top 10 child training tips

I've heard it said that parenting is "the hardest job you'll ever love". I would certainly agree with that summation. I tell my oldest all the time he's our guinea pig and is free to use his college fund for counseling if needed. I'm kidding...sort of.

While I do enjoy reading books on parenting topics, even more helpful is being able to hear from a trusted friend, whether in real life or the blogging world. I love learning from someone who's parenting track record is right there in front of me in the form of their kids. Lisa at The Pennington Point is one of those. I told her just today how I wish I could be a fly on the wall in her home. If you've ever felt that way, take a minute to read her latest post on the top 10 child training tips. She doesn't claim to know it all, but being a mom of nine pretty much gives her the title of "Parenting Professional" in my book!

How about you? What's your greatest child training tip? I'd love to hear it.

Are you a one legged Christian?

"God is more concerned with your character, than with your comfort." Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life

God's desire to refine us is what leads Him to allow character changing events to take place in our lives. Were He only interested in making His kids comfortable, we would never grow beyond where we are now. I don't know about you, but I don't want to stay where I am now. I am not content to remain in the same place emotionally and spiritually, but desire to change.

Looking at my role as a parent helps me understand the life changing role of character building. If I want my kids to merely lead a comfortable life, I will not push them beyond where they are now. I will not expect anything other than what they are currently giving. I will ask nothing of them that might be too hard. In concerning myself more with their emotionally and physical comfort, it may seem in the world's eyes I am doing what's best for them. In fact, what I'm doing is raising spoiled, comfortable kids who don't have a spiritual leg to stand on.

On the other hand, if my desire is to help develop their character, I will push them out of their comfort zones, even if it means facing their greatest fear. I will continually expect more than they are currently giving in order to teach them an attitude of service. And I will give them tasks at which they may struggle. Do I want to see them struggle? No, but it is through struggling they will learn valuable lessons that move them beyond where they are and on towards maturity.

That's exactly what our heavenly Dad wants for us - to lead us on toward maturity. But are we willing to take the necessary risks to grow in Him? Or are we content to stay where we are, safe within the confines of the familiar? When faced with a decision, most of us will gravitate towards the easiest choice; the one that requires the least amount of sacrifice. That's human nature, but it's not usually the choice that leads to the greatest growth. It's through personal sacrifice and allowing the LORD to use us and mold our character that we see the greatest blessing.

I'm pretty sure my heavenly Dad doesn't want to raise a spoiled, comfortable daughter without a spiritual leg to stand on. He's working on my character and with each difficult choice I make, I'm being refined to reflect His glory. How about you? Are you willing to give up being comfortable in order to be refined? I guarantee it will be a decision you won't regret.

This ain't your grandma's Jello

My friend Julie sent me a neat recipe from The Food Librarian. I am not necessarily a fan of plain old Jello, but this takes it to a WHOLE new level.

Isn't it pretty? Yes, I did just refer to Jello as "pretty". I'm envisioning blue and orange for our first Bronco game of the season. The possibilities are endless! Who would have thought Jello could be so exciting?

While you're visiting with the Librarian, check out her post on strawberry shortcake. Beautiful food is so much more fun to eat don't you think?

Yes, food should be beautiful and this one takes the cake! Sorry, couldn't resist.

Exterminating the homeschool buying bug

If you're a homeschooler, no doubt you can identify with the malady I call "homeschool shoppingitus". No, it's not catchy, but it can be very hazardous to your budget. You see, homeschoolers have a certain propensity toward purchasing books, curriculum and all those fun extras that make schooling so much fun. I have actually been known to call home while shopping a curriculum sale to have my family check our shelves for a particular book so I didn't purchase one we already had!

With the curriculum purchasing season in full swing, I found myself making a rather long "wish list". I included all the things I would like to add to our studies, but just can't quite afford right now. When the basics have been covered, we can look at what extras to add. After looking back over our list, I began to see there were some things we already own that can accomplish the same goals without spending any more money.

For example, I was oohing and aahing over a new typing program for the computer. Filled with awesome graphics and fun games, I'm just sure this would have my kids typing in no time, but the $80 price tag gave me pause...lots of pause. Obviously purchasing expensive science curriculum ranks higher on the list than a typing game, but still...it looks like so much fun! Then I remembered we already have a typing program on our computer. No, the graphics aren't as flashy and the games are not as exciting, but the end result is the same - they learn to type. This goal can also be accomplished with a host of free, on-line typing games.

So before you whip out your checkbook for the latest and greatest, ask yourself if there are other ways to accomplish a particular goal for your child. We all want to give our kids the best education possible, but spending more money is not always the wisest solution. With a little creativity and ingenuity you can exterminate the shopping bug once and for all...or at least send it into hiding for awhile.

The secret to a clean house

After 19 years of marriage and four kids, I've finally figured out the secret to keeping my house clean. Surprisingly, the answer didn't come from one of the hundreds of books I've read on the subject. Nope, this one I figured out all on my own.

Now, if I were a salesman this is the point I would say, "Send me just $19.95 and I'll tell you what no one else has been able to figure out!" But since I'm feeling generous today (and I'm NOT a salesman!), I'll tell you for free. Aren't you excited?

Here it is - send all your kids away for the week and clean your house. I PROMISE it will stay clean longer than five minutes! There, don't you feel better? After years of looking for just the right system, you now have the answers you've been searching for.

After searching for the holy grail of home maintenance systems for years, I've discovered something important. I miss the endless piles of books scattered around the living room. I miss the crumbs on the counter. I miss the mountain of shoes by the back door. And dare I say it...I miss the noise. How often have I wished for just FIVE minutes of solitude in the midst of our daily routine? Now faced with three whole days of it, I find myself wishing for just five minutes of noise. Life's funny that way isn't it?

See the thing is behind each of those messes is a part of our family. Each shoe represents a child I love more than my life. Each crumb represents a healthy growing individual. Each book reminds me of their love of learning. And each laugh reminds me how blessed we are to share life together. There will be plenty of time for a clean and tidy home and I think it is something I'm not really looking forward to at this point. I'm learning this week to appreciate the messes and embrace them while I can.

I don't know how I'm going to get anything done today...it's just too quiet!

4th of July inspiration

The menu is planned, fireworks purchased and a new flag is flyin'. Looking for some 4th of July inspiration for your holiday table? I Googled "4th of July tablescapes" and found that Between Naps on the Porch (love that blog title) hosts Tablescape Thursday, a weekly tablescape linky. Lisa, I found yours on there! So cute.

Over 120 links so far of star spangled inspiration. So much red, white and blue just makes me want to sing Yankee Doodle.

icraziness

So we're in Costco today and the itouch display captivated my kids attention. As we're standing there trying to keep the kids from drooling on the merchandise I commented to them all in no uncertain terms, "No, you're not getting an itouch...they cost $350! $350 times four...you do the math!" Just then a man walks up with his little boy who couldn't have been a day over six. "Isn't this the itouch you have son?" Seriously? A six year old? Can someone please tell me what a six year old does with an itouch?

Of course then Emma pipes up, "Oh look Momma! A pink one! I want a pink one!"

"Honey, you're five. You don't need an itouch."

"Yes I do Momma. I like the pink one."

She has no clue what it does, but it's shiny and pink and she's pretty sure she needs one to carry around in her purse.

Our kids will never know a world without technology - ithises and ithats, texting, facebook and cell phones that do everything but their chores...although I'm sure there's an app for that too. I heard someone say recently that e-mail is becoming outdated. Wow. The exponential rate at which things are changing boggles my mind. Remember learning dos on those ancient green screened computers? That really wasn't that long ago...at least in my mind it wasn't. My kids tease me about our "old-fashioned" video games. Hey, Atari was cool and I could whip your fanny at Centipede!

Nope, there will be no i-anythings in this house...until Momma gets one first!