It is a typical morning in the Brown house today. We just finished working on our lap books and now the kids are outside enjoying the semi-cool morning while I catch up on email and other random things. I am sitting in the living room in front of our big window occasionally looking up and watching what they are doing. And much to my surprise I see me 2 1/2 year old sitting on a 'big' swing going almost as high as her sister. The only thing is there is no one pushing her. As I watch her I realize she is pumping her legs!
Oh my goodness! She can swing!
I know that first children are slow to do things because they don't have someone to watch and the subsequent siblings catch on more quickly; but man, I was not expecting this! She is growing up so fast and that makes me so sad! :( If I am being totally honest it makes my uterus hurt! I have been heart broken over her milestones because that means that she is no longer a baby. She is closer to a preschooler than a toddler now. I know I am not the only one who feels this way..right?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
God is so good!
I have been struggling with homeschooling and being a full time student myself. Especially since I want to work with special needs kids and my kids do not fall under that category. So what the heck is God doing? Why is He calling me to do all of this so? It doesn't make sense.
Then today in our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) we talked about Abram and his faith. We talked about how he was righteous in the sight of the Lord because of his faith. He was not perfect but he still believed. There were several questions from others and our fearless leader, Barry, did a great job leading the discussion. I was even able to share some of what I have been going through over the past several months. I left class feeling good about the valley that I have been in. The emotional, physical, financial, uncertain valley. Only because I was reminded of how good God is. He truly is!
Fast forward to picking up my child downstairs....I ran into someone that I have been talking to about a possible job opportunity. One that would allow me to use my schooling and still homeschool my kids. One that seems very cool yet it is still so far away (not until May 2012). As she was talking to me she started revealing some very cool stuff. HUGE plans that she has for me. Plans that she has prayed and prayed over and the Lord has put me in the forefront of her mind. Plans that are so cool and so huge that I am SURE they are from the Lord.
I can't give all details now but what I do know is that my faith is still strong, but it just got a huge boost. It feels renewed. As I was making lunch for the kids I said a prayer thanking Him for His goodness and His plan. I was also mindful that there are other aspects that I don't know yet and that is okay but what I do know is that He is in control and that my friends is so comforting!
We were challenged to memorize some scripture this week and honestly these verses were the first thing to pop in my head as I was praying today.
Then today in our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) we talked about Abram and his faith. We talked about how he was righteous in the sight of the Lord because of his faith. He was not perfect but he still believed. There were several questions from others and our fearless leader, Barry, did a great job leading the discussion. I was even able to share some of what I have been going through over the past several months. I left class feeling good about the valley that I have been in. The emotional, physical, financial, uncertain valley. Only because I was reminded of how good God is. He truly is!
Fast forward to picking up my child downstairs....I ran into someone that I have been talking to about a possible job opportunity. One that would allow me to use my schooling and still homeschool my kids. One that seems very cool yet it is still so far away (not until May 2012). As she was talking to me she started revealing some very cool stuff. HUGE plans that she has for me. Plans that she has prayed and prayed over and the Lord has put me in the forefront of her mind. Plans that are so cool and so huge that I am SURE they are from the Lord.
I can't give all details now but what I do know is that my faith is still strong, but it just got a huge boost. It feels renewed. As I was making lunch for the kids I said a prayer thanking Him for His goodness and His plan. I was also mindful that there are other aspects that I don't know yet and that is okay but what I do know is that He is in control and that my friends is so comforting!
We were challenged to memorize some scripture this week and honestly these verses were the first thing to pop in my head as I was praying today.
"Yet, with the respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform." Romans 4:20-21
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Spring Lapbook
My kids have been asking a lot of questions about Spring. They are excited that it is getting warmer and they are ready for Spring to get here. Today I realized we are only 5 days away from Spring! So I surfed the web and found a Spring Unit Study. We are going to make a lapbook. I am also excited because there is a lot of information about weather and I also purchased a weather unit study! So we are starting tomorrow and I will post pics and let you know how it all goes!
Monday, March 14, 2011
I should post something...
It has been busy. So busy that we have not had school the last 2 weeks! As a whole our family was sick for 2 weeks and then last week we were in DFW visiting my parents and grandmother. So this week, this Spring Break, the kids and I are buckling down and attempting to get back on track.
We are not trying to catch up because, well, I threw out the lesson plans the 3rd week of school! :) My goal is to just get a full weeks worth of work to get done. That means Jackson has a lot of work ahead of him! Today he did great with very little complaint. I must say I am very proud of his attitude toward school. He is so much better. He also started reading a new chapter book today (independent reading). He is doing so well I can't believe it!
We are also in the process of potty training Charlotte. She was almost potty trained several months ago but I was in the midst of my funk and didn't have the will or the want-to to get her completely trained. Today my funk is gone and I am ready to get back on track. So we took off the diapers and wore panties all day long! She did not have any accidents! She did both number 1 & 2 in the potty without issue! I am so proud!
Ellie is still Ellie. She is doing great. She is really turning into a little momma. She wants to help with EVERYTHING. She begs to watch cooking shows and she talks about what she wants to do when she grows up to be a mom. I have started teaching her the steps to different things like cleaning and cooking. When I was little I knew I was going to grow up and be a mom and I dreamed about cleaning house and cooking. So I know how she feels! I like being able to train up this little girl.
Other then that life is good. Troy got a job and that is always a good thing. My Pampered Chef business has been very successful and has done what I want it to. Until next time....
We are not trying to catch up because, well, I threw out the lesson plans the 3rd week of school! :) My goal is to just get a full weeks worth of work to get done. That means Jackson has a lot of work ahead of him! Today he did great with very little complaint. I must say I am very proud of his attitude toward school. He is so much better. He also started reading a new chapter book today (independent reading). He is doing so well I can't believe it!
We are also in the process of potty training Charlotte. She was almost potty trained several months ago but I was in the midst of my funk and didn't have the will or the want-to to get her completely trained. Today my funk is gone and I am ready to get back on track. So we took off the diapers and wore panties all day long! She did not have any accidents! She did both number 1 & 2 in the potty without issue! I am so proud!
Ellie is still Ellie. She is doing great. She is really turning into a little momma. She wants to help with EVERYTHING. She begs to watch cooking shows and she talks about what she wants to do when she grows up to be a mom. I have started teaching her the steps to different things like cleaning and cooking. When I was little I knew I was going to grow up and be a mom and I dreamed about cleaning house and cooking. So I know how she feels! I like being able to train up this little girl.
Other then that life is good. Troy got a job and that is always a good thing. My Pampered Chef business has been very successful and has done what I want it to. Until next time....
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Body and Soul
I have been on a several month journey where I have really been working on me. This is a big deal for me because I have never felt as though it was okay to take care of myself. A lie many of us tell ourselves.
I have learned a lot about myself; the way I think, the way I respond, and why I do all of those things. I have decided to take this journey of the soul through Christian counseling and I have never made a better decision.
Lately I have realized that I am taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back every couple of weeks. I realized that although my soul was being healed my body was suffering. I have endometriosis and ovarian cysts and I live in pain and other horrible symptoms at least 2 1/2 weeks a month. I have started researching and have found some holistic ways of treating endometriosis. I have started them this last week and can already tell a huge difference.
So I have started a new part of my journey. I have started the process of healing my body. We will see how it goes and where it takes me.
I have learned a lot about myself; the way I think, the way I respond, and why I do all of those things. I have decided to take this journey of the soul through Christian counseling and I have never made a better decision.
Lately I have realized that I am taking 2 steps forward and 1 step back every couple of weeks. I realized that although my soul was being healed my body was suffering. I have endometriosis and ovarian cysts and I live in pain and other horrible symptoms at least 2 1/2 weeks a month. I have started researching and have found some holistic ways of treating endometriosis. I have started them this last week and can already tell a huge difference.
So I have started a new part of my journey. I have started the process of healing my body. We will see how it goes and where it takes me.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Discerment- A journey down a new path
So when you decide to go on a journey and allow the Lord to lead it, you may end up in places you don't want to be.
I am starting to realize that I have allowed myself to be manipulated by those that I thought cared for me the most. That makes me so angry! Don't get me wrong here..I allowed them to think it was okay. Of course I did, otherwise they would have never done it.
My relationships have been changing the last several months and a lot of that is because the Lord has shown me a spiritual gift that I did not realize I had, it is called discernment. I have always known that He has chosen to reveal certain things to me in situations that maybe others didn't get but I didn't realize that it was discernment. I have been praying, more recently, that He would show me how to use this gift. What is it that He wants me to do with the things that He shows me?
I know some feel as though they need to tell everyone what God is telling them but I have not felt the same way. At least not now. I really feel like He is using this gift to show me broken relationships. They all need to be healed. But they don't all need to be pursued. Does that make sense? I don't need broken relationships to be a block between me and the Lord, but just because we work out our differences doesn't mean we have to be friends.
I am finally coming to that realization and honestly it is freeing. I always felt I had to be friends with everyone and that everyone had to like me but that is not what the Lord wants for me at this time. I really believe that He wants to pursue me and have a relationship with me and that is the most important thing. That is what really matters.
So what I do with this? I keep praying. I keep asking the Lord to lead my path. I learn to forgive those that have wronged me, even if I led them into thinking it was okay. I go to those I have wronged and I say "I am sorry". I am not perfect but what I do know is that I am loved by Jesus just like you are. And that has got to be worth something.
I am starting to realize that I have allowed myself to be manipulated by those that I thought cared for me the most. That makes me so angry! Don't get me wrong here..I allowed them to think it was okay. Of course I did, otherwise they would have never done it.
My relationships have been changing the last several months and a lot of that is because the Lord has shown me a spiritual gift that I did not realize I had, it is called discernment. I have always known that He has chosen to reveal certain things to me in situations that maybe others didn't get but I didn't realize that it was discernment. I have been praying, more recently, that He would show me how to use this gift. What is it that He wants me to do with the things that He shows me?
I know some feel as though they need to tell everyone what God is telling them but I have not felt the same way. At least not now. I really feel like He is using this gift to show me broken relationships. They all need to be healed. But they don't all need to be pursued. Does that make sense? I don't need broken relationships to be a block between me and the Lord, but just because we work out our differences doesn't mean we have to be friends.
I am finally coming to that realization and honestly it is freeing. I always felt I had to be friends with everyone and that everyone had to like me but that is not what the Lord wants for me at this time. I really believe that He wants to pursue me and have a relationship with me and that is the most important thing. That is what really matters.
So what I do with this? I keep praying. I keep asking the Lord to lead my path. I learn to forgive those that have wronged me, even if I led them into thinking it was okay. I go to those I have wronged and I say "I am sorry". I am not perfect but what I do know is that I am loved by Jesus just like you are. And that has got to be worth something.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Homeschool-Update
Just thought I would post an update on what we have been doing for school. This is more for me than anyone else reading this. I like to look back and see what we were doing.
I recently went to the Dollar Tree and bought a few things for Ellie and Char. Ellie really has been showing an interest in reading and writing and I have been a bad mom and have not let her do it! I know that is horrible but I know that once she starts I am COMMITTED!!!! So I have waited on the intensness of it all and have done just some surface stuff like abc's, and 123's. She has been doing really well with it.
So I bought her a Cinderella Alphabet book at Dollar Tree so that she can continue to practice writing her letters. She still needs to work on some fine motor skills. We also have a puzzle that has 2 pieces per letter that makes a picture. So Aa-put together makes a basket of apples, and so on. We are really concentrating on A-E. We are working on the sounds and letter recognition.
For Char I bought her some books about animals and colors and shapes at the Dollar Tree. She loved reading them with me and when I finished she "read" them to me. She basically would tell me the animals name and then ask me "Sheepy say?" Wanting me to make the sound of the sheep. These are all really good early learning concepts that I enjoy doing with her. She is also working on wooden puzzles that are animals and even plays with them as thought they are figurines. I love it!
Jackson is rolling right along in Math and Reading. He is on grade level now and I am sincerely impressed with his reading skills! It is like a whole other child here. Because he has improved so well we are going to start introducing so other things. I had thought about Science but he is taking a course about space in Friday School. We may work on some History. We have also started a new Bible study called "Devotionals for Boys". He craves the Word and that sparks a fire in me!
I would have loved to post pictures of the girls working on their newest things or Jackson reading his Bible but alas my camera is still broken! Hopefully I will get a new one soon! :)
I recently went to the Dollar Tree and bought a few things for Ellie and Char. Ellie really has been showing an interest in reading and writing and I have been a bad mom and have not let her do it! I know that is horrible but I know that once she starts I am COMMITTED!!!! So I have waited on the intensness of it all and have done just some surface stuff like abc's, and 123's. She has been doing really well with it.
So I bought her a Cinderella Alphabet book at Dollar Tree so that she can continue to practice writing her letters. She still needs to work on some fine motor skills. We also have a puzzle that has 2 pieces per letter that makes a picture. So Aa-put together makes a basket of apples, and so on. We are really concentrating on A-E. We are working on the sounds and letter recognition.
For Char I bought her some books about animals and colors and shapes at the Dollar Tree. She loved reading them with me and when I finished she "read" them to me. She basically would tell me the animals name and then ask me "Sheepy say?" Wanting me to make the sound of the sheep. These are all really good early learning concepts that I enjoy doing with her. She is also working on wooden puzzles that are animals and even plays with them as thought they are figurines. I love it!
Jackson is rolling right along in Math and Reading. He is on grade level now and I am sincerely impressed with his reading skills! It is like a whole other child here. Because he has improved so well we are going to start introducing so other things. I had thought about Science but he is taking a course about space in Friday School. We may work on some History. We have also started a new Bible study called "Devotionals for Boys". He craves the Word and that sparks a fire in me!
I would have loved to post pictures of the girls working on their newest things or Jackson reading his Bible but alas my camera is still broken! Hopefully I will get a new one soon! :)
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