You Simba-starfish-bucket-shell!

"Mommy, he called me a Simba-starfish-bucket-shell!"

That's what Lamby ran in the room to tell me this morning. She was actually really hurt by this. And just as with the others, I explained to her that there's no such thing as a Simba-starfish-bucket-shell - but she was hurt nonetheless.

Isn't it like that sometimes though, even when we know that what someone called us does not fit who we are or if what they called us does not even exist in this world (like a Simba-starfish-bucket-shell), it still hurts us!

We have to choose which words will hurt us and which ones we'll brush off. The most important thing is that we know who we are in Christ and not allow a stranger, friend, relative, or society's words to define us!

The R.O.C.

Another family placed a bulk order of these and we joined in. We picked it up from her this weekend.

It's especially great for times like these. I didn't use it until we got home and had a chance to explain (reiterate) what the R.O.C. is all about.

The R.O.C. = The Rod of Correction

"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." - Proverbs 29:15

It's like a belt but you don't have to deal with the buckle and the length of a belt. A cross between a wooden spoon (since it's sturdy) and a belt (since it's leather outside), it gives just the appropriate amount of sting!

When I think about disciplining children, no matter what the kindness of my heart says, I need to always go back to this:

Quote 1 from The Mother at Home by John Abbott

How entirely is your earthly happiness at the disposal of your child! His character is now, in an important sense, in your hands, and you are to form it for good or for evil. If you are consistent in your government, and faithful in the discharge of your duties, your child will probably through life revere you, and be the stay and solace of your declining years. If, on the other hand, you cannot summon resolution to punish your child when disobedient; if you do not curb his passions; if you do not bring him to entire and willing subjection to your authority; you must expect that he will be your curse. In all probability, he will despise you for your weakness. Unaccustomed to restraints at home, he will break away from all restraints, and make you wretched by his life, and disgraceful in his death.

Quote 2 from The Mother at Home by John Abbott

If you love 'momentary ease' better than your children's welfare and your own permanent happiness, you cannot murmur at the lot you have freely chosen. And when you meet your children at the bar of God, and they point to you and say, "It was through your neglect of duty that we are banished from heaven—and consigned to endless woe!" you must feel what no tongue can tell. Ah! it is dreadful for a mother to trifle with duty. Eternal destinies are committed to your trust. The influence you are now exerting will go on, unchecked by the grave or the judgment, and will extend onward through those ages to which there is no end!

Coming up with this year's curriculum

My neck is hurting from revisiting the subject and researching online while holding baby in between his naps today and listening to the other kids read stories but now I am taking a break from that, to prepare for dinner.

We're almost done with our list for the school year.   Tonight I'll spend some time putting together a price list and preparing for my meeting with the head of the school and getting even closer to our final list.

The time I spent today has reminded me to go back to our original principles and methodology and not get too caught up in the details of everyone's specific experiences.

It's been good to hear the reviews and opinions of others, as we hone in on what's right for THIS year.  Here's where we are on the list.

Status Report

Here's my status report for this point in this season in life. Just a quick one. Hopefully the future ones will be in more detail.

Age: 36

Married 8 years, one month, and three days!

Four children: Ages 6, 4, 2 and 3 1/2 months

Occupation: Household COO

Industry: Marriage, Parenting

Ministry: In everyday life, showing others what we (the church) are about

Giving Flowers!

I read these two posts as I was thinking about this concept. I realize that to some, it may seem a little morbid but I think it's beautiful. There's even a song that was written by James Cleveland which shares the heart of it.

These posts, and this project, speak of the concept that my mother and grandmothers often spoke of as we were growing up. We often wait until family and friends leave this earth and funerals or wakes are held, before we say wonderful words of appreciation about them, how they lived their life, and what they meant to us. Instead, we should give each other flowers while we're still alive.

So I'm inviting you to join me in celebrating each other. It's not held to a specific date or time frame. I'm starting it today and it will continue for as long as people are interested in participating. You could do it for yourself here or on your own blog, and also invite your own friends and family to participate. If you do this on your blog let me know so I can come visit!

For starters, if you want to participate submit a comment below and let me know that you would like to participate. Then send me an email (JeoffsRib at hotmail dot com).

I will create a separate post for each person's case in the "flower shop" and that's where you can go and pick them up! If you're having a bad day or just need a pick me up, you can stop by your shop and read them again. What do ya think?

After you sign up below by entering a comment, I'll send you instructions for the next step. Telling others about it.

Happy flower giving!!!

Happy Birthday & New Blog Theme

Today is my husband's birthday. I didn't post anything special on my birthday so I'll post something on his and do something new for the start of a new year. I got the idea from my friend Chrystal. It's the start of a new year for us because we've just ended our family's celebration season --- from January til July, we are celebrating our kids' birthdays our birthdays and our wedding anniversary.

So after today we'll start over and prepare for next year's celebration season.

I'll start that off with a new title and layout for my blog (not really a big deal, I know) but right now I'm going with Joy n Pain (see the tagline under the title above, to see what I mean by that). I'm also considering Great Stress, Great Joy, because some of the things that bring us the greatest joy in life -- marriage, children, being a Believer -- can also bring us the greatest stress!

Let me know what you think about the blog titles, what sounds the most appealing (I'm being a people pleaser arent' I?) LOL.....

In case you didn't know, my old blog name was Blog for Life and it's explained here.

The next thing we'll do at the start of our year is begin preparing for the next six months of celebrating everyone else -- family pseudo reunions, back to school parties with friends and cousins, parents' birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas!

Pictures in this post ... I included our celebration of Jeoff's birthday. We celebrated on Sunday, at a new play place in our metroplex. We had a blast and it was a super good deal on all you can eat buffet and unlimited rides -- all for $8!

Come back and visit me again some time. I'll be having an online yard sale next week!

Book of the Week

When the Church Leaves the Building by David Fredrickson











Past Books of the Week
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
The Birth Order Book by Kevin Leman
Teaching the Trivium by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn
Heart & Mind: What the Bible Says About Learning by Ruth Beechick

Photos

This summer I haven't been writing much but I am posting photos here and there. So see below for random photos and photos from events.

Online Yard Sale

I never new there was such a thing but I got the idea from some fellow bloggers and thought I'd give it a try. I'm having a yard sale right here on my virtual lawn!

We all have things that we need to get rid of around our house and we all could stand to get a purchase some items far below the retail price.

Hopefully, some of the items I list here, will be found as great bargains for you!!

Depending on the item, and your location, a shipping fee will be added to the price listed below. If you're interested in a particular item, post a comment or email me at JeoffsRib at hotmail dot com and let me know.

Flash Skills Phonics - Vowels (Grade 1) $2.00

Vocabulary Bridges from English to Latin & Greek by Harvey Bluedorn $12.00

Designing Your Dream Husband - How to Build Your Man Up and Release Him to His Full Potential by Amie Dockery ... like new $5.00



Family Driven Faith - Doing What it Takes to Raise Sons and Daughters Who Walk with God by Voddie T. Baucham Jr. $12.00

Seeking Him (Workbook) - Experiencing the Joy of Personal Revival by Nancy Leigh DeMoss $10

I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler, Frank Turek $5

Operation World - Wehen We Pray God Works by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk $5

Bible Doctrine - Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith by Wayne Grudem $5

The Eternal Church - A Prophetic Look at the Church, Her History, Restoration, and Destiny by Dr. Bill Hamon $5

The Blessings of Brokenness - Why God Allows Us to Go Through Hard Times (Book) by Charles Stanley .... like new $5.00

Jennifer Knapp CD - Kansas - ... used $1.00


What to Expect When You're Expecting ... like new $5 (purchased for $14.95)

The Chronicles of Narnia - The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis ... $2

Rebecca St. James CD - Pray ... $1.00

Kathy Trocolli CD - Love & Mercy ... $1.00

Experiencing God CD - Music for Knowing & Doing the Will of God ... $1.00

Kathy Trocolli CD - Love & Mercy ... $1.00

Microsoft Office Mac 2008: Special Media Edition for Digital Media Enthusiasts - (Also includes Expression Media) - Suggested price is $249, but name your price!

Homeschool 2008-2009

I'm still working on this but here's my list of approaches and curriculum we're considering for this school year. The bottom list is where I started. The top list is the more "narrowed down" list.


This is where we are now:
The list includes all of what we'll use. Some will be only for Kitty (first grade) and The Pupster will kind of tag along with. Everything else we'll do all together and all the kids will glean from it.


Discipline - The Bible, The Rod of Correction

Phonics & Early Reading: Letter of the Week (FREE), and TATRAS - Teach America to Read and Spell

Multiple Subjects: Five in a Row by Jane Lambert.  I love this because we'll be reading books that were already on my list of books to read this year (and learn through reading), and the Five in a Row lesson plans cover a number of subjects such as Social Studies, Language Arts, Math, Art and Science.

The bulk of our homeschool day will be focused on the areas above (1) reading - to enrich the mind, build vocabulary, broaden their view of the world, (2) writing (3) work & service ethic, (4) discipline, and (5) honoring God & parents ... we will pull from the areas below as well but these five are of primary concern.  We follow the Trivum Method of Classical Homeschooling. 

----------------------------

Additional Literature: Veritas Press First Favorites - Volume 1, Billy Blaze Books, James Herriot's, Literature Pockets, Treasury for Children and other Classic Children's Books, A Child's Garden of Verses, The Children's Book of Virtues -- for reading aloud, memorization, copywork and narration

History: Diana Waring's History Alive - Audio plus activity book and read-alouds
Capyboppy -- for reading aloud, copywork and narration

Bible & Godly Character: Big Truths for Little Kids (Catechism), My ABC Bible Verses, For Instruction in Righteousness by Doorposts -- for memorization

Writing: ReadyWriter -- for writing practice

Spelling: Spelling Workout A & B

Geography: How to Use a Map, Land Forms and Bodies -- we'll do narration with these to test comprehension

Science: Things Outdoors, Science With Water, Science With Plants -- we'll do narration with these to test comprehension

Math: Developmental Math, Living Math books, Calculadder, The Complete Book of Math,Wedgits & Cuisenaire Rods

P.E. - Homeschool Family Fitness

Art: How to Teach Art to Children, Drawing with Children, Come Look with Me: Enjoying Art with Children, Come Look with Me: Exploring Landscape Art with Children,

Music: Piano Lessons, Introduction to the Orchestra

Foreign Language: Hebrew & Greek - Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew by Johanna Bluedorn, Greek - A Greek Hupogrammon -- memorization

__________________________

This is where we started:

Letter of the Week (FREE)
Lapbook Lessons (FREE)
Homeschool Share Free Unit Studies & More Free Lapbooking
Typing
Veritas Press - First Favorites
Wedgits
Cuisenaire Rods
Timberdoodle
Little Bitty Baby Learns Hebrew by Johanna Bluedorn
Big Truths for Little Kids
ABC Bible Verses
Teach Your Child to Read
Basic Phonics Skills B and C
Spelling Workout A, B and/or C
Italic Handwriting A and B
Shurley English 1 - Grammar - 1st grade
How to Use a Map
Land Forms and Bodies..
Literature Pockets: Nursery Rhymes
Literature Pockets: Caldecott Winners - 1st grade
A Child's Garden of Verses
A Treasury of Children's Literature
20th Century Children's Fables
Where the Wild Things Are
Homeschool Family Fitness
How to Teach Art to Children

Books for Parents
The Well-Trained Mind
Shepherding a Child's Heart
Say Goodbye to Whining...
Easy Classical
Choreganizers