Let's clean up our Hearts!

Pondering and thinking lately about all the problems for teens. The latest technology seems to be mostly use by teens to gain access to others there age...which they believe is "kool" or "fun". Yet, what I see is the majority of the kids are not learning to use the tools wisely. And the darts from the devil come at these teens from all directions, but the easiest is through the new tech gadgets, from their peers. Yes, that's right. They are sending negative messages to each other. I once bought a little chicken. I built it a nice coop, and thought this would be great. She grew up, and seemed happy alone. But then I put another one in with her one day. She tried to kill the new little chick. She didn't realize that it was one of her own. So, I had to separate them to keep them alive.

Today's kids seem thrown in a big arena at the schools, and they don't know who the real strangers are. Most public school kids are having some problems with socialization! That's right folks! They are not friendly. They don't recognize their own kind of species. And their ideas of what is kool or fun is usually based on which clothes they can get, or how much violent games they have at home, or if they can get on the computer and talk trash. It's a real mess out there. I wish people would realize that it is a crisis here in America too. We are rich in comparison to Haiti.....and spiritually poor! The kids are in a culture at their school, which is full of destruction to the human heart.

I plan to find new lessons for my kids. One that I found lately was The Squire and The Scroll, by Jennie Bishop. It's for boys, to teach them purity, valor, and to be on guard! It's really a rough world right now. Jennie Bishop also wrote the Princess and the Kiss, for girls to learn about purity.

I surely hope that I can find ways to teach them to guard their hearts and even their eyes from the things that will bring them down. Lots of kids I meet have wounded souls, which I think is sad. Sometimes a kid will say to me, "recycle, save the earth".....to which I'm ususally thinking...."May God save us!" We need to save our kids hearts, or they won't be able to enjoy a earth, even if it's clean, without landfills. The heart shouldn't be a dump! Let's clean up our hearts!

A Better Life

I am in search of a better life. I thought I had it years ago, and lost it along the way with all the discipline issues, etc. Today was a glimpse into that life, because my son really tried hard to do well. I am hopeful today, which helps my outlook!

We started a few new good habits in our homeschool this week. We are reading the Psalms more and using them for handwriting practice too. Also, I found a great website full of charts at www.chartjungle.com The charts really help dear son to see his own responsiblities and progress.

We also joined an afterschool recreation for kids, and have the option for him to go there on some days. It's not too far from home, and we can choose which days we want to use the program.

We are trying to explain to the little one, that she isn't a baby anymore, but will always be loved. She will be 3 this month, and still thinks she's a baby.

I am trying to drink lots of green tea, since it's suppost to be healthy for all kinds of stuff! :)

The cold weather is strange to us. It nevers lasts this long. What happened to all the global warming?

I actually had a minute for this post, but I hear the laundry calling me.

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Yard Work

Well, since I had procrastinated the yard work, I finally went out and did some. I worked hard today. The front yard was overgrown. I've hedged, raked, pulled lots of weeds. I am exhausted! Yet, I am happy that the much needed work got done.

Homeschool thoughts

As the next semester approaches, I have used the amblesideonline.org to guide my literature for the children. I have used an eclectic style with the kids for years, but I believe that the philosophy of Charlotte Mason has been my outlook regarding most education. My eldest daughter loves to read so much, and I hope to go to the library this week. I've written her an index card of the books I would like her to read before summer. I've done the same for my son. I'm considering moving my son up to a higher science, to challenge him more, and give his brain more to think about.

I'm trying to consider that I may not necessarily need more organized things, but more priorities to accomplish. We will be printing out our charts to keep us on a good schedule, and it helps to see some progress on them.

I really like the Abeka books for science. They are so interesting and all my children like them. I would like to incorporate some character based learning into our day. Since the town near us has a big Medieval Fair in February, I would love to do some unit studies on that this year too.

Vasilopeta

Ok! Success! I made my first Vasilopeta bread! It looks great. but, it has a hole in it! LOL ;) That's because I didn't have a regular round pan, so I used a bundt pan. I think it will be delicious. I can't wait to see who will get the piece with the coin!

Our oaks are falling leaves like there is no tomorrow. They don't just fall in autumn, but many times through the year. It's alittle annoying, but in the summer the shade they give is important.

Dear daughter and I were just looking at photos yesterday, and I was thinking...gee we need to start to scrapbook these. I don't really know when we will make the time!

A brisk morning in December

What a beautiful morning! Brisk weather for us here in Florida! I met a fellow crafter...she makes wonderful quilts and table runners! She's designed a fantasic primitive runner with black crows, all hand-made. Here is her shop- http://www.etsy.com/shop/CypressHollowGifts. Her items would make lovely gifts for any time of the year.


Also, I have been thinking alot about music, since I love to sing, play, and hear it! We love to hear lots of different types, and lately I just love Orla Fallon, who plays the harp as she sings. It is unique, to hear a type of music that is so much from the heart, a folk style, yet elegant! She with the other Celtic Women inspire my soul, and I appreciate their work greatly!

I hope to get started on some new projects soon! Have a blessed and Safe Happy New Years!