Encouraging Moms Who Homeschool

It's 2015 . Yup. 2014 is over . Is is just so over. I'm not a terribly huge fan of resolutions, mostly because self-will has yet to fix or change or improve anything in my life. So this post is definitely not about setting your resolve to be a better mom, wife, homeschooler, Christian, whatever. It's just about opening your heart and allowing the Lord to look at what is, and what isn't, in there. And then giving Him full access to do whatever it is He might like to do. So the question I am going to pose to you is this:      If every other homeschooler lived their life the way I live my life and homeschooled the way I homeschool, what would the homeschool community look like?  I did not say it was going to be an easy question.  But it is an important question. Ask it. Today. And let Him answer. Then give way to Him and let Him do what only He can do. (Which, by the way, is anything and everything.)  2015 can be the most blessed year of homescho...

So I have not put up a new post since October. Wow. That is a really long time. Not that I actually think anyone is missing my posts, but if you were wondering why on earth I am not posting...there are a few reasons. I have found that bloggers need to take breaks. There are seasons when we just don't have the heart to post and post and post. Instead our hearts are focused on our home lives, our children, homeschooling...stuff like that. And my fall/early winter has proved this to be true. I also needed a break from blogging because I have been writing a book. So I have been writing, just not on my blogs. I hope your days have been filled with the Lord's chosen will for you, whether it is encouraging others through weblogs and social media, participating in small groups, giving your time in service to others, or just being a mom to your children. And if you happen to have a blog and you happen to have guilt when you don't post all the time...then let this post give y...

In my home, for a never-ending compendium of reasons, October is a busy month. It is typically so busy that it can deplete my patience, energy, bank account and time and leave my head spinning by the time I turn the wall calendar to November. I do not seem to be able to conquer this fall phenomenon which can be referred to as "Octo-Mania". But I really do love fall, I do enjoy all that this first full month of autumn brings. I don't want to be so consumed with busy-ness that I fail to enjoy the blessings that come with Octo-Mania. So I have to make a daily choice to consciously be thankful. Making that decision at the dawn of each new day has enabled me to be a more content follower of Jesus this autumn. It's sort of like choosing to give thanks in October, rather than waiting for the arrival of November. When I was a young mom, way back in my twenties, older and more wizened women would tell me to enjoy the stage of life I was in (diaper bags, midnight feedings,...

So I found myself wondering, "Hmmm, if I were to begin to blog about things that edify women in the church as a whole, as compared to only those who homeschool, would I lose readers? How much would I need to alter my weblog?" And in the midst of wondering about that, along with finding that most of my ideas for posts are more about greater edification as of late, I have not written much. Which is a problem. Because a writer is only a writer to the extent that she writes, right? But I have also found that my most-read posts are those that have encouraged my non-homeschooling friends as much as homeschoolers. Perhaps there isn't really a conflict-of-interest after all.... All that to say, my posts may be a little broader in scope, at least for the time being. I suspect that something written to edify women who love and serve Jesus will also edify women who love and serve Jesus and homeschool. If you've followed my blog for very long, I am sure you know how often...

So, this isn't exactly my "typical" blog post...but I am hosting a Facebook/catalog Pampered Chef party. I seriously love Pampered Chef products - A LOT. And I use them - A LOT. So I am having a party to, of course, earn some free and discounted stuff (may as well be brutally honest - I mean, that's why we have these kinds of parties, right?!?!?). And I would really love, love, love it if you would make a purchase. If you place an order of $60 or more, you can choose a free item (the link to my online party is http://new.pamperedchef.com/pws/kathyperry/guest-landing/8867277913243 ).  Either the Bar Board (item # RK98) or the set of 3 Small Flexible Cutting Mats (item # RK99). The Bar Board is just the right size for making one sandwich - so you can instruct your sandwich devouring children to make their snack on the Bar Board, and clean up will be easy. As for the Small Flexible Cutting Mats, I will tell you how we use those in our home...my daughter has a small bus...

Okay, is everyone ready for a blunt weblog post? If you're not, then just stop reading right now... As August rolls ever closer to September, and another year of homeschooling dawns, let me ask you a serious question:  Why on earth do you homeschool, anyway? Seriously!!  What is your reason for choosing this lifestyle of home education?  Peer pressure from within your church? Or from your spouse? All-consuming anxiety about what the world might do to your child? In order to maintain a firm hand of control over your family? Those are all lousy reasons to homeschool. First, peer pressure is not God's way of accomplishing His good and perfect and pleasing will. Open up your Bible and start reading those words in red, and very quickly you will see He intends freedom for His disciples. So if you homeschool because everyone in your peer group wants you to homeschool, you need to step back and spend some time in prayer about the entire situation. It's not my job to tell...

August is busy month around here. My two oldest are preparing to head back to their respective colleges (Wheaton & Taylor, each about 12 hours away). The three girls still enrolled in our family homeschool are making decisions about fall activities and dual enrollment classes, while hoping to somehow delay the start of school. And I am busy, as always, with what seems to be a million different things. But I want my kids to each take some time to reflect on this summer and enjoy it just a little longer. Be in the moment, not just thinking about what is coming next. Moms, the same applies to us. We need to daily decide that we will live in the now and not bemoan the past or focus only on what comes next. Life can only be lived right now, it cannot be relived nor lived in advance. So wherever life finds you today, be fully there. I know it's old advice that you've heard many times before, but it is sage advice and is worth repeating. And do take some time to get away wit...

Christian families of course ought to be praying families, just as individual followers of Christ ought to of course be praying people. And homeschooling mothers ought to be praying women. If you have not yet set apart some time this summer to pray over the upcoming academic year, let me encourage you to do so. If we feel led to homeschool due to our Christian faith, then it seems pretty silly to fail in praying over each homeschool year before it starts. I could give you a list of things to pray for, and sharply reprimand you for failing to thoroughly cover prior years in prayer...but that really isn't what I am called to do via this blog. I am all about encouraging homeschooling mothers, so I sincerely hope you are only ever encouraged by reading my posts. Pray any way that works for you. By that I mean pray for a few minutes in the morning, or set aside an hour one afternoon when the little ones are taking a nap. While waiting for the kids at swim lessons, you could...

Okay, so that's a weird title for a blog post. But it's an accurate title, and it rightly conveys what needs to be conveyed...so I'm sticking with it. This post contains details about my first Big Giveaway this year. And while it is July, which is kind of late for my first giveaway of 2014, I'm still sticking with that title. (Now, this may not be the world's largest homeschool blog giveaway, but it is "big" for me, and I hope it's a blessing for one lucky homeschooling mother!) Here is a list of what the winner will receive: One copy of The Homeschool Mom's Bible (NIV). This is a hardcover Bible, which means it will hold up well for daily use, and I have to say the daily devotions are really, really good. My purpose with this blog is to encourage homeschooling mothers, and this Bible is a great source of encouragement. One copy of the book Amos Fortune, Free Man (by Elizabeth Yates). This book is one of my absolute favorites! It'...

Today is July the first, 2014. I can hardly believe it is now the seventh month of this year...it's as if I blink and another week flies right by. Our family is in full-on summer mode, with projects and family time abounding. A short list of things we've done (or will do) this summer include: finishing adding a 6th bedroom to our home stripping & repainting a chifferobe a youth group trip to Arkansas (in just a few weeks! yikes!) my husband's transition to his new job wrestling camp for my son (gotta practice in the off-season when it's college wrestling!) my daughter is a photographer, so she has lots of shoots to do when she's home for the summer selling curriculum/books I no longer need for our homeschool (I have close to 500 amazon listings...) a fun jet-ski weekend @ the lake to celebrate my daughter's 16th birthday our annual scavenger hunt to welcome new students into the youth group and of course took a crazy-fun vacation to Florida......