Wordless Wednesday: Yellow Belts

My Philosophy of Parenting

I'm not often (practically never) asked for parenting advice but if I were there is really only one practical piece of help I could offer.  Pray.  Pray often.  Pray long.  Pray hard.  Pray specifically.  Pray.

In light of my belief in the fact that prayer is our greatest parenting asset, I was delighted to find a parenting trend that fits my outlook very well.  The CTFD style of parenting seems to be just about right to me. Now, for those of you that may be offended by the language just skip the f word and just stick with me.  You may be struggling to understand how prayer and CTFD could possibly work together.  Trust me, they do.

It is absolutely impossible to worry and pray at the same time.  You can worry or you can pray.  You cannot do both.  Only one of those choices provides comfort, assurance, results.  God tells us repeatedly (and repeatedly, and even more repeatedly) in the Bible not to worry.  God also tells us repeatedly (and repeatedly, and even more repeatedly) to pray (without ceasing even!). 

So, CTFD (or CT*D if that's more comfortable) and pray rather than worry.  God's got this and you and your child(ren).  And that's my very best parenting advice.

Then and Now: Happy 24th Anniversary

Celebrating 24 Years!

On Wednesday we combined a business errand with a day of escape and celebration.  In our 24 years together we've learned to take our moments together when we can find them and use them to the fullest.  Rob had to travel to Canton for work.  The two hour drive took him past several vineyards and wineries that I've been wanting to visit.  It was a perfect pairing of opportunities.  The day trip was even more perfect because he'll be out of town for our actual anniversary day.

We drove straight to Canton, took care of business, then meandered our way back home by way of six Ohio wineries.  On the way we did countless tastings, bought sixteen bottles of wine, had dinner and drank one of those bottles, weathered a wind store and arrived home to two disgruntled teenagers and no electricity.  All in all, it was a great day.

Curriculum & Read alouds for 2012-2013

Curriculum 2012-2013

M8 - Third Grade
Explorer’s Bible Study – Jesus, My Shepherd
Language - Spelling Power
Rod &Staff 3 Grammar
Writing Strands 2 7 3
Singapore Math 3A&B
Story of the World: The Modern Age
NEOE Physics
Latina Christiana
Great Artists

S10 - Fifth Grade
Explorer’s Bible Study – Discovery: God’s Perfect Plan
Logic puzzles (Mind Benders, Red Herrings)
Spelling Power
Rod &Staff 5 Grammar
Writing Strands 3 &4
Math on the Level /Lial BCM
Story of the World: The Modern Age
NEOE Physics
First Form Latin
Great Artists

H13 - Eighth Grade
Explorer’s Bible Study – Quest: God’s Perfect Plan
Art of the Argument
Spelling Power
Analytical Grammar
The New Oxford Guide to Writing & Elements of Style
The Great Courses Algebra 1, & Jacobs Algebra
Story of the World: The Modern Age
NEOE Physics
First Form Latin
Great Artists

Read Alouds
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachian
The Yearling by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
The Twenty One Balloons by William Pene du Bois
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff
Sky Lark by Patricia MacLachian
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
Caleb's Story by Patricia MacLachian
Caddy Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
The Life & Works of W.B. Yeats
The Impossible Journey by Gloria Whelan
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
Samir and Yonatan by Daniella Carmi
When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
The Watson's Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
My Father's Dragon by Ruth Gannett
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Maggie's Door by Patricia Reilly Giff
The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights by Russell Freedman
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Mr. Chickee's Funny Money by Christopher Paul Curtis

Summer Swing

I know that the official beginning of summer is June 21 but it seems as if our summer has been in full swing for quite some time. 

We have been to the beach, joined the library summer reading program, enjoyed the local pool, washed the outside of the house, had the chicks delivered and played in the creek.  One child has participated in soccer camp.  Another has enjoyed space camp.  A third has spent a week with friends in another state.  We've toured national historic sites, visited friends and family and viewed a super moon. 

The best part is that there is so much more to the summer. In the next few weeks we will go to 4-H camp, the Ohio State Fair, practice for "The Music Man Jr.", go to the beach (again), roast a pig, read, swim, dream and  explore. 

I love summer.

Happy Father's Day!

I am so blessed to be able to celebrate two amazing fathers.

My father

and the father of my children.

God is so gracious and I am so blessed.