Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement

This week, I want to talk to you about things that are educational, but that you might not have considered in that way before.

When I was a young girl in elementary school, the Kindergarten class had stations. One of those stations was a kitchen/laundry area sort of set up. The goal here was to teach children the very rudimentary concepts of cooking and cleaning. How many of you also played in a station like that? When I went to middle school, there was of course home economics where I learned to cook pancakes and to sew my very own teddy bear. When high school came along, I learned how to bake far more elaborate meals, was taught meal planning, and enjoyed a section where we learned to care for infants and toddlers.  Are you seeing a theme here?

So many things we learned in public school were just that: SCHOOL! Why should our homeschooled students be any different in their learning of this critical subject as well? They shouldn't. Throughout the summer is a great time to teach our kids, no matter what grade level or age, some of this basic life skills.

Here are a few ideas and:

(C) Super Mom the Illusion, 2016                                                                  (C) Super Mom the Illusion, 2016




What other things would you or do you include in your teaching of life skills? Please feel free to share!


Have a blessed week!

Lyn~

Forgiveness...

Lately our family has come back into contact with someone who hurt us. We literally didn't even see it coming and had no reason to believe this person would lie or hurt us until he had. As a friend, my husband and I were concerned for this young man's safety, we spoke at length with his mom, and all to realize he was not even where he was supposed to be and he was basically safe.

That hurt has not been forgotten. But we have forgiven him. There is a difference between forgetting and forgiving. Forgiving is Biblical, and it's also freeing for those who have been hurt or wronged. Forgetting those hurts comes through the peace and grace of the Lord. Several times we are directed to forgive:

So remember, if you are ever wronged, hurt, anything has been stolen from you, FORGIVE. The Lord is your Redeemer and He will set things right for you again!


Blessings!

Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement

Homeschool encouragement during the summer?! You BET! Even if we take off of traditional books and formal education, our children continue to learn. And most of us can't shut off our mindset of finding teachable moments. So this is the SUMMER Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement!

During the summer, many people choose to grow their own vegetables. Fruit can be another story, especially for us in clay-soil Colorado. Some choose to go to the local Farmer's Markets. Have you considered that when you plant your own garden or even visit the farmer's market, you have a teachable moment with your kids and an opportunity to show them some Biblical principles as well? 

Here are some ideas:

These are a few ideas to get started. What other ideas do you have for teaching sowing and reaping? We would love to hear from you!


Blessings!

Lyn~

Welcome Back!!

Actually, it's not you that has missed these posts--it's ME! But I'm back and ready for what the Lord has for me and for YOU!

Recently, I took some time off from the blog to spend much needed time with my sister and dad. We had a great week and made fabulous memories! I can't wait for the next adventure we have. I began thinking about the legacy my dad is leaving me and that I am passing on to my children. While we were on our trip, I shared some of those things with him. Often little sayings or a quippy comeback from one of my children, knowing it was something "GranDad would say!" My dad has a unique funny side, a pleasant and caring side, a smirky, sarcastic side, and a loving side. I have enjoyed becoming his friend as we both grow older, and I'm glad I can pass a bit of him in me onto my own children and grandchildren.

I know I am passing on my dad's legacy, and in doing that, my grandchildren will in a small way know their GranDad when he is no longer with us. For now, though, there will always be "GranDad Adventures," random games of baseball (or some semblance of baseball!), quippy comebacks, and memories made every step of the way.

This is what the Lord wants of us, too. He wants us to pass on His character, His responses, His voice, His heart, His adventures, and our testimonies of all of those to our children and grandchildren. What a joy to pass on these things of my father and Heavenly Father to my family!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads in your life! 

Have a blessed week!


Lyn~

Friday 'Fess Up

Do you remember the song "Belle" from "Disney's Beauty and the Beast"? There's a line in that song that the character Belle sings:

"Every morning just the same, since the morning that we came to this poor provincial town."

My confession today is that I'm feeling a bit like Belle. Every morning just the same...

Sure, I have errands to run, meetings to attend, meals to make, but for the most part, I feel like every day is like the one before. I get up, read my devotion for the day, have one of the kids unload the dishwasher, make breakfast, feed the dogs, work on school, update my clients' social media pages, make lunch, let the dogs outside, work on the things associated with the youth organization I work with, think about what to make for dinner, feed the dogs, make dinner, load and run the dishwasher, shower, check social media once more, get in bed, check emails once more and actually go to sleep, most likely watching NCIS. Does anyone else have a similar experience with your days?

I'm done with having every morning being just the same! So today, I'm going change it up. I'm going to start doing something every day that points me in the direction of my goals on my vision board! I wanted to travel more this year, so:

•  I'm taking a road trip next week with my sister to Ohio. 
• The next week my husband and I are going to Nebraska to visit our son, daughter-in-law, and two of our grandsons.  
• At the end of July, I'm taking a road trip to California with my bestie and her kids. 
• In September I'm driving my family to Florida for a birthday celebration for my mom (she's turning 70!) and my middle daughter (she's turning 21!). 
• Then in October, we're taking another road trip with a wonderful group of ladies to Fort Worth, Texas for a women's conference! 

I'm certain those days won't be anything like the ones before!

If you're tired of the "same thing, different day" scenario in your life, I want to encourage you to find something new to add into your daily routine, to propel you closer to your vision, and to allow God to create adventure in your life! Remember, the plans He has for you are for good and not evil; to prosper you, give you a hope and an expected end (Jeremiah 29:11). I promise you, if you ask the Lord to bring adventure into your life, to make it something to look forward to everyday and not the same, old thing, HE WILL!

Have a blessed weekend!!


Lyn~

Homeschool Hump Day Encouragement

Happy June! This is the month our family typically takes off regular schooling. If you take off a month or two during the summer, remember that true learning never really takes a break. Our kids are learning new things almost every day!

What do your summer days look like? Can you find learning in your daily routine? I am certain you can! Here are some ways our children learn through our normal, everyday lives:

These are just a few examples. I want to encourage you today, homeschooling mama, that even when you think your children aren't doing school, they are still learning! What things can you find that your children learn without traditional textbooks?

Keep on learning!


Lyn~