2011-2012 Curriculum

Enough with the slacking...

Well, it's that time of the year again - getting ready for school.  I'm actually really excited for this year.  We had some hard truths to swallow about what worked, and DIDN'T WORK last year.

I have two VERY different personalities to work with so I'm needing to be very creative. The girls are VERY strong willed (I have NO IDEA where they get that from)...but over different issues so it gets interesting around these parts.

I had a lot of fun getting our office ready for our up & coming school year - I commissioned my talented husband to put his artsy touch in our room.  I mean, if it's going to be a year of inspiration - let it be a fun place to be in!

 

This year we are changing the curriculum completely and are doing a lot more interactive activities together.  I know it's making a big difference in their excitement level that I am involving them in the choosing of the school work - so the girls feel invested in their own learning this year.

Here is part of our science curriculum - it has all kinds of experiments, and projects in it.

One project is to put a tooth (one of their baby teeth) in soda and watch it rot - will that cure them of their love of all things sugar?!?!?

Here's the other science book we're doing - of course - with the girls' love of anything & everything having to do with the Ocean...

 

For Math, English, & Spelling work, I'm changing to Rod & Staff (Grades 3 & 4).  A very good trusted friend did it with her girls last year and they appreciated it's simplicity & style.  I also had a public school teacher look at it, and she said it's content is at par with the school system.

 

Geography will be studied mostly by "the car window" via our current and past travels since we do a lot of cross-country traveling, and are in partnership with several missionaries...so we study where they are.

History - the jury is still out, so I'm really looking forward to "gleening" from the blog hop posts.

I heard a statistic that an average child is busier than a CEO of a major corporation. So we are becoming jealous guards of more peace and good ol' fashioned play time.  I think it's so important that we as a family are more available for each other, and opportunities God brings our way to be a blessing to others.  

We have enrolled the girls in dance again this year, and they are also in a Missionettes (like a Christian Girl Scouts).  They have plenty of opportunities to spend time with friends & activities, but I'm determined to have a quieter year of quality family time.  It's soo easy to stay very BUSY but I know that is not healthy for the little people, or us to be on the go from sun-up to sun-down every day

I am daily thankful for the opportunity to be a mom & teacher to 2 beautiful little girls.  As they grow, and change I'm prayerfully watching them turn into the little ladies God is molding them to be.  

"Thank You God for trusting me with 2 precious hearts.  May I be diligent in pouring Your love and teaching into them."

Marriage Mayday

This project is not only close to my heart, but close to my marriage.  Like many marriages, ours has great times, but we have also some big scars from battles over the years & challenges that have been brought our way.  

There were times we both asked, "Are we going to make it?"  but pushed through - the resentment, hurt, and anger.  And God without fail...MAKES ALL THINGS NEW. 

How do you re-claim that deep friendship with your spouse when you are consumed with the busy-ness of life, kids and/or are working through any fracture within the relationship?

Partnered with some amazing wisdom totaling over 90 years of marriage, we've all concluded that no matter where you are in your marriage, stopping life, being open, and having a good 'ol conversation can begin to heal anything.

This kit contains: 

• 2 journals (His & Hers) with thought  provoking conversation starters, date ideas, & journal paper.  
• Kernel Seasons popcorn & seasoning (choices are - White cheddar, Jalapeno, and Kettle corn) for your date.
• 2 white "surrender" flags.

Sample Page:

There are many aspects within a marriage that need to be viewed as a business.  No business will be successful without unity among the management team.  The key to harmony and success within the marriage is being on the same page in terms of direction of operations within the home:

-          Money management

-          Raising & disciplining kids

-          Stress management/communication

-          Life direction/goals & dreams (etc)

Because the marriage dynamics are always changing as our lives evolve, there needs to be regularly scheduled business meetings. 

Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 

Matthew 12:25 (NIV)

Write the area(s) there is dis-unity within the operations of your marriage (financial direction, children, stresses…) then set a date (at the bottom of the page) when you will have a meeting to get on the same page in terms of managing the marriage:

Thank you to all our family & friends who have been amazing support to our lives, & marriage. There are soo many of you who have laughed with us, and cried with us over many years. We would not be where we are today without your support & prayers.                                                  

Nothing is un-fixable if 

both parties are willing

The link to our store for this product is:

Marriage Mayday                       

Sincerely, 

Christy

                                                                                               

A Tribute to Healing

I've been asked many times about the card collection  - and being that it's Mother's Day, 

I wanted to share this story in honor of my mom, the artist. 

Growing up with 2 parents who struggled with terminal illness was most challenging.  My dad worked on the railroad, hunted & fished all we ate until he was too sick to do all the things he loved.  He slowly was losing his mobility, and his life - and as a result he became a very angry, controlling hostile person.  I remember when he first lost his ability to drive, he'd sit in the living room chair and stare at his hunting truck for 18 hours a day...for many months.  I can't imagine his anguish knowing he would never be able to do the things he loved again.  His deep pain and fear resulted in him lashing out at us, his family.

My mom too had her own set of challenges with her illness (not to mention trying to help my dad), and almost died several times over the years.  Where she was an inspiration through chaotic and stressful circumstances was that she always saw the glass as half full, and found ways to find peace through difficult circumstances.  She'd find a stress outlet to pour herself into - something that would bring healing and joy in the midst of storm.

Her last and greatest passion before suddenly passing away - was watercolor painting.  It brought her such joy over her last years.

After my mom passed away - then my dad, it was difficult to find my new normal life and sift through all the feelings and pain.  Through my journey I found that the grief is not an easy road - and is fairly lonely.  Most don't know what to say, and forget it can be a long journey.  So I originally created this card collection as MY outlet of healing.  This has become a tool of support to others on the journey of loosing someone loved.  There are 12 cards in total - one for every month for a year of support.

Thank you - my friends and family for the support on my journey.  I'm excited to see my mom's continual legacy of joy, and peace carry on to be a support to others in difficult life circumstances.

Here is the link to our store where the card collection can be purchased.   http://www.shop.isaverb.com/Collection-of-12-cards-designed-for-grief-support-cm0001.htm

New Beginnings

A Scripture comes to mind that describes this new season of my life;  

Revelation 12:11 "They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." 

I'm the same as you - I've had devastating tragedies happen, deep betrayals, and beautiful triumphs.  The one thing that always stands out and has gotten me through the rough times is The Blood of the Lamb.   

So, here I want to bring the word of my testimony; not only mine, but  the testimony of others who can pass on some hope to another.

I have been taught more about loving and overcoming through being the mom of two of the most beautiful and inspiring girls.


No matter how imperfect I am on any given day, they never hold it against me, are always quick to forgive me, believe the best in me, and eagerly await to spend time with me. I see now why God says to approach Him like little children; they don't analyze, always trust, and always have more than enough compassion and love to go around.


This is a big lesson on my journey towards loving those around me - to pattern our thoughts and actions like little children towards God, and each other.  To trust God more & be offended less; to believe the best in each other and forgive freely, to be available when needed.