New Plan for Schooling

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to be more consistent with what Buddy and Sweetpea are learning.  I've really slacked off in the past few months throughout this pregnancy but am determined to make this more a part of our routine.  Since the big focus for Sweetpea is learning her alphabet, I'm also trying to coordinate Buddy's lessons with each letter.  Here are a few of the things we'll be doing:  Sweetpea will be going through the In My Heart section from Totally Tots.  The verses and activities coincide with our Songs for Saplings Cd that she loves. 
Both Buddy and Sweetpea will be coloring the Alphabet Coloring Pages from Pondered In My Heart.  We'll be focusing on a letter a week along with the listed virtue.  We started these pages this summer but did not make it very far so we'll start over.
Buddy will be working through Raising Rock Stars Preschool materials.  We've done a few of the lessons but we're going to go back through the ones we've already completed as we work in ABC order.  I've found that Buddy is a lot like me and likes to do things in order.
And finally, Buddy will continue to work through the You Can Read program.  He has loved this program and loves to point out his words whenever we see them in print around us.
The best part about homeschooling is the flexibility to change as needed but I hope to bring a little more stability to our work this year, even with the addition of a third baby to the mix!

New Year's Resolutions

As usual, Jon and I have made our list of New Year's Resolutions.  The top one for me was to read my Bible through again this year until Jon showed me Professor Horner's 3650 Bible reading plan.  This entails reading 10 chapters of the Bible a day from different sections of the Bible, hence the 3650 in the title (though this year is a Leap year so it will be 3660 chapters). 

"This means that over the course of 2012 anyone who uses the plan will go through all the Gospels four times, the Pentateuch twice, Paul’s letters 4-5 times each, the Old Testament wisdom literature six times, all the Psalms at least twice, all the Proverbs as well as Acts a dozen times, and all the way through the Old Testament History and Prophetic books about 1.5 times."  -- Tim Challies

I know today is January 2nd but it isn't too late to join in!  How changed do you think your life would be after reading God's Word daily?  I have enjoyed both days of reading so far and today Buddy woke up from his nap while I was reading.  He cuddled with me while I read about 7 1/2 of the 10 chapters aloud to him which made the reading time even more special.  If the 3650 plan seems a little much for you right now, feel free to check out youversion.com which has several different Bible reading plans.  The important thing is that we are reading Scripture and soaking in what God has to say to us.

I hope 2012 brings you closer to God!

New Year's Eve: Organizing life after Christmas

I love Christmas time but I also love cleaning up after Christmas.  Some of you out there are thinking that I am crazy but while putting away Christmas decorations and finding new places for all the new gadgets and toys, Jon and I tend to re-organize our house.  Sometimes this means completely rearranging furniture in rooms or just cleaning out various spaces around the house.
I love the way organizing our house gives us a clean start into the New Year.  A clean start is also the reason we all make New Year's resolutions.  We want to organize our entire life for a clean start this coming year as well.  Jon and I have been reflecting as we clean house about what we want to change in ourselves this coming year.  Our resolutions are made and we are excited to greet the year.  2012 will bring new additions to our family in the form of a new brother in law and a new baby in our house.  In whatever happens this year, I wish you the happiest of New Years!

2011 Resolutions

I have decided to simplify my New Year's Resolutions to three this year.  Normally I have a list of about ten things I want to change and end up giving up by February.  Maybe simplicity will help!

Here are my 2011 Resolutions:
1.  Read the Bible through in 90 days!
2.  Be Healthier
         a.  Eat better and exercise at least 3 times a week.
3.  Grow Buddy and Sweetpea spiritually.

Reading the Bible in 90 Days is going to be a fun challenge and has built in accountability.  There is still time to join in on the challenge if you'd like!  It starts Monday, January 3rd, which I personally liked since we traveled home today and I will not be starting out behind. 

Becoming healthier is going to be the hardest resolution for me because I am a Southern girl and I love to cook with butter and I hate to exercise.  And unlike last year, I am not going to aim to work out every day but only three times a week which is much more realistic!

Finally, growing Buddy and Sweetpea spiritually is a vague resolution but I know that the application of faith to their lives will always be changing.  I want to continue with Buddy's scripture memory (especially since he memorized Isaiah 9:6 in days!) and my first goal with Sweetpea is to have her sit quietly through prayer time. 

I'd love to hear your resolutions and ideas for the New Year!

Happy New Year!

I wish you all a very blessed New Year!  Happy 2011!

Idea for 2011

I can teach my child has an awesome idea for the New Year called the Blessing Jar.  For the full story and how to make one, make sure to go to her site.  But it is a way to keep the focus on the blessings that God sends throughout the year.  This past year is full of blessings for my family with the birth and everything we went through with Sweetpea and for Buddy's growth as a two year old.  We've moved and God has blessed us in our new area.  I'd love to keep better track of the little blessings so when we get home, I plan on making a Blessing Jar for my family.  It will be a great thing to reflect upon at the end of next year!