Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom

Learning Styles Introduction (Part 1)

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

How do you retain new information best? Chances are, at least one of your children does not learn the same way that you do. My older daughter does learn the same way that I do, so I was in for a shock when I tried the same style and activities with my younger daughter. It should be no surprise that not everyone learns best with the same style of teaching. That’s why so many people do not have good memories of their school years; they just weren’t taught in a way that engaged them. The beauty of homeschooling is that we can discover our children’s learning styles and teach them in a way that they will enjoy and retain information. Learning styles are similar to personality traits. Every book I’ve read, and every person I’ve heard speak on the subject gave different titles to different traits and styles. For the next several posts, I’ve lumped the different styles into four categories: intake, output, setting, and orderliness.

Dealing with Chronic Illnesses, Part 4: Taking Care of the Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Let’s face it: a household need a certain number of things done daily in order to run smoothly (or at least stumble along). And moms with chronic illnesses don’t always have the energy to do them. That means we often have to ask our kids (and hubbies) to step up to the plate. But what’s a mom to do when the kids resent being asked to do extra chore or being told mom can’t do something for/with them?

One of the biggest advocates for Mom’s health and kids doing chores is Dad. A father sets the tone for the whole house. If Dad plops on the sofa every night after work and asks about dinner and clean clothes when Mom is clearly not up to either, he sets up false expectations for the kiddos. On the other hand, if he willingly pitches in and encourages the children to help as well, he’s not only blessing his wife, he’s also exemplifying an attitude of servanthood.

What happens if a chronically ill mom is all your kids have ever known? That’s okay! They’ll learn how to do household chores early on. They’ll learn to be independent (in a good way). Hopefully, your kids will have extra compassion towards those who are physically weaker.

What happens if a chronically ill mom is suddenly sprung on our kids, especially if they have previously not had to do many chores? They’re in for a surprise. It’s all about expectations. In general, change leads to frustration. When a major life change like this occurs, it’s best to sit the family down and address these issues at the current level of expectation. It may be a bumpy adjustment, but don’t back down when the kids start whining about never having to do their own laundry before. They’ll adjust eventually. Promise.

Here’s what one friend had to say, “If Dad is frustrated and complaining, the children will follow suit. My husband never hesitated to clean do dishes, scrub floors, do laundry, etc., when I was down with pain. He encouraged our daughters to serve similarly. There were times when my girls were frustrated (junior high/high school), but they eventually grew to appreciate all I was able to do despite my pain. Also, I feel that my chronic pain was a plus in homeschooling. I was physically unable to hover over them or spoon-feed information. They were on their own. I wrote the lesson plans, and they carried out their work without me. They learned to dig for answers and be resourceful. Community college professors said they had incredible study skills—but that’s because they had no choice but to develop those skills. It’s all good.”

It may take a few years—or more—for our children to appreciate hard work, responsibility, and serving, but it will probably happen. Proverbs 22:6 reminds us, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

How can we try to keep our children’s attitudes in check?

· Model servitude

· Model a good attitude

· Don’t ask them to perform extra chores when we’re able to do them ourselves

· Study together biblical examples of people serving others

· Be patient when they are frustrated and unhappy, but don’t feed into it

· Encourage them to snuggle in bed with you to talk

· Let them express their frustrations in an appropriate way

How can we make sure our kids know that we appreciate them and the sacrifices they’re making on our behalf (at least in their minds)?

· Say thank you. A lot

· Spend time with them on their terms when we’re able

· Say yes when possible

· Take them on special outings when possible

· Give them little, unexpected treats just because

· Make an effort to ask someone else to take the teens on field trips and other outings

· Give hugs and kisses

· Write them thank you notes for special (or even regular) acts of service

· Let them hear you praising their actions to others

Of course, kids and teens will be frustrated from time to time, but aren’t we all? It’s that root of bitterness that we have to watch out for. Ephesians 4:31 admonishes, “Let all bitterness . . . be put away from you.”

Bottom line: there’s no guarantee that our kids won’t spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours stretched out on a therapist’s couch whining about their forced slavery. But there’s also no guarantee that kids who have been raised in church won’t forsake it, either. While we have no control over how our children choose to feel, I believe our number one defense against the root of bitterness in our children, especially as it concerns how our physical limitations affect them, is prayer.

This post also appears over at Heart of the Matter today. Go check out the other fabulous contributors!

A Fresh Start in the Middle of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 10:00:00 +0000

For those who homeschool on a more traditional schedule, January is the middle of the school year. And no matter what the calendar says, I’m convinced that February is the longest month of the year. Nevertheless, we can take steps towards a fresh start even at this juncture. Now is a great time to refocus on our objectives—while our minds are all ready focused on losing the same ten pounds we lose every January, and we’re in the starting-over mindset. Let’s take a look at three areas in which we can reestablish our beginning-of-the-school-year goals: curricula, clutter, and character.

Let’s tackle curricula first. Yes, I mean the new math program we were sure would turn our little darlings into Albert Einstein miniatures. Is that new math program really working or would it be better to pull out the good old standby that has a proven track record? While it may not be the easiest time of year to try to sell used curricula, it is the right time of year to start a to-sell bin. If it didn’t work this year, chances are that it won’t work next year.

What about all those cool extras that we were sure we would be able to squeeze into our already-overcrowded academic days? If it’s still collecting dust on the top shelf, put it in that to-sell bin. Don’t think of it as wasting money, think of it as seed money (after you sell it, anyway) for next year’s curricula list.

Next we’re ready for my favorite category to organize: clutter. Some people have every stray Christmas hand towel and ornament tucked away in matching red Rubbermaid bins by New Year’s Day. Others of us are still finding turkey fridge magnets and glittery bows as we get out the Valentine’s Day decorations—not to mention must-have toys that turned out to be not all that.

The perfect time to declutter our seasonal decorations is when we’re boxing up our them up. Trash the broken ornaments, the ugly centerpieces, and the faded wreaths. This time of year is the most cost-effective time to invest in new storage, if need be. Mass retailers currently have season-specific storage solutions on, which is the only reason that my Christmas decorations are all stored in red and/or green plastic containers. As a side note, color coding makes it easier to figure out which bins need to come down from the attic for each season. When you’re shopping for storage, though, don’t give in to the urge to purchase all new decorations just because they’re on sale. That defeats the purpose of decluttering!

“Out with the old, in with the new,” goes the old saying. If your kids’ grandparents are anything like mine (my in-laws at least), then you know that Christmases and birthdays bring in a plethora of new toys, games, and DVDs. While some of the new items lose their appeal the day after the wrapping paper has been ripped off, some of them really do earn a spot in the limelight. Now, while our kids’ attention is on their new stuff, is the time to weed through their old toys and games. Start a yard sale bin for things in good condition, a give-away box for items that can go to the less fortunate, and a BIG trash bag for toys that are broken, games with missing pieces, and videos that got eaten by the VCR.

While we’re in the decluttering mode, let’s go through our papers, too. First the obvious: trash old invitations, expired coupons, and finished magazines. Next the less obvious: academic papers that multiply like dust bunnies. Remember those portfolios that we were going to set up in September for samples of our children’s school work? Now’s the time to start them for real. Can’t remember the details? Review my column in the July/August 2011 Home School Enrichment magazine. The basics are to just keep a few of each subject, to sort them by child and by topic, and to file them in a binder every few weeks.

Last, but certainly not least, let’s talk about making a fresh start with our character development. Like Paul in Philippians 3, I do not count myself as having arrived. I start each new school year with good intentions of being more patient, more flexible, and more godly as a homeschool mom. About this time every year, though, I find myself exhausted and ready for June. The problem is that June is still six months away. Instead of letting this area slide—again—let’s regroup and start over. It’s the perfect time of year to take a deep breath, say yes to an unscheduled field trip, and to start each school day with devotions—again. Let’s say with Paul, “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12, NKJV). We need to practice what we preach to our kids in this department. I don’t know about you, but I’m guilty of holding my kids to a higher standard than I want to impose on myself. We just need to remember that good character traits are caught more than they are taught.

Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners (book review)

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Kids who are gifted and/or academically advanced are in a category unto themselves. While I've seen many resources for parents of kids who have special needs, this is the first resource I've seen that addresses gifted and advanced learners in the homeschooling arena. I only wish I'd seen it before I graduated my then 15-year-old from our homeschool!

The author, Cindy West, is a veteran homeschooler with gifted children; she knows what she's talking about. She includes practical ideas, websites, and resources, not just pie-in-the-sky theories. She also addresses practical ideas for those who struggle in certain areas (even if they're gifted in other areas). Cindy has information about all of the core curriculum areas, including how to find curriculum that will challenge your advanced learners. She helps parents think through the best course of action for each student; this is not just a one-size-fits-all solution manual. Cindy even incorporates practical ideas on how to find creative outlets for talented kids and how to find true intellectual peers.

Homeschooling Gifted and Advanced Learners is available from Prufrock Press, Inc. for just $24.95 (paperback) or $19.95 (PDF). I highly recommend this resource if you're already homeschooling or considering homeschooling kids who are gifted.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this book for free in exchange for a review. The views expressed are my own.

A New Way to Use To-Do Lists

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

If you've been around my blog for a while, you know how much I love my to-do lists! And all of my other lists. I have yet, however, to find the perfect to-do app that will sync with my android phone and my Google calendar. I've tried a few that were supposed to sync between the two, but didn't work properly. I finally settled on one called "Out of Milk," a free android app (found in their market). It doesn't sync with my Google tasks, but I found I was rarely looking at my task list there anyway. It will sync with the cloud if you're a pro member (I'm not), but it should be okay just stored locally on my phone.

Anyway, it supports three categories of lists: to do, shopping, and pantry. I'm not using the pantry lists (maybe I'll work myself up to that level of kitchen organization someday), but I am using the other two categories. Notice I said categories; that means that I can have multiple lists in each category. I can separate my shopping lists by store (very handy). And, I can have more than one to-do list--woohoo!!

So here's what my second to-do list is: my ongoing prayer list. I already write in a journal (when I have time), but my phone is always with me and makes it so much easier to access my prayer list when I have just a few moments throughout the day. It keeps those requests in the forefront of my mind. Plus, I can't wait for God to cross off an item!

I'm sure I'll be adding different types of lists to my "Out of Milk" app as needed. The app really is very easy and intuitive to use. I didn't think I'd like re-entering my grocery list, but it doesn't take much time and I can reorder the items according to my path around the store.

Take a look at the free market for whatever type of phone you have and see if you can find a to-do list app that will work for you. I'd love to hear what you're using and how you're using it!

Disclaimer: I am NOT receiving any compensation for this post or endorsement.

The Ultimate Prescription (book review)

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

. . . What the Medical Profession Isn't Telling You. Are more prescriptions really the answer to our wide-spread health issues? "Take 2 and call me in the morning" just isn't cutting it anymore.

Board-certified cardiologist Dr. James Marcum explains the biblical plan for spiritual and physical health that will help us feel energetic and beat stress naturally. I don't know about you, but this fits in nicely with my New Year's resolution to be more healthy and more natural.

Marcum reviews the 7 days of creation and then explains how each element (air, water, rest, etc) is necessary for our well being. That's our ultimate prescription. Simple, yet complex in our modern-day lives. On the road of life, God is not a police officer; rather, he is our support team. Marcum says that God's love and God's directions will set us free from the stressors that can cause heart problems--and many other chronic health issues, I suspect.

Purchase your own copy from CBD or Amazon.

Disclaimer: Tyndale provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a review; however, the opinions expressed are my own.

Good Enough

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

For a perfectionist, the words "good enough" make us cringe. But in my recent reflections, I've come to the conclusion that sometimes good enough really is good enough. On the radio the other day (local K-Love), the DJs were saying something about realizing that sometimes a good enough marriage is good enough. We're not cut out to be perfect mates, so why should we expect that our marriage be perfect? Homeschooling moms don't live in a sterile environment, so why should we expect that our houses always look perfect?

Much to my great surprise, I'm not the only one on this wavelength. My daughter posted a new poem on her blog today entitled "Good Enough for Me." Her way with words puts a different spin on this idea.

Let's decide together that this year, our homeschools ARE good enough, our houses ARE clean enough, and we ARE organized enough. For right now. I don't want to preclude working towards truly needed improvements; I just want to erase the inadequate feelings of not good enough.

Are you in?

Mathematical Reasoning (review)

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

An educational, easy-to-use, middle school supplement that combines logic and math skills? Yes, please! The Critical Thinking Company manages to do just that with their latest offering, Mathematical Reasoning: Middle School Supplement. Word problems encourage creative, logical thinking and reinforce common 7th-8th grade math concepts. This is a great supplement to whatever math curriculum you're using and takes just a short time each day.

To be totally honest, I have to say that my middle schooler's least favorite subjects are math and logic. However, the clean formatting, engaging questions, and included math facts needed for each problem set made these subjects almost bearable for her. The detailed solutions and tips made it almost painless for her equally challenged mom :-). I have yet to be disappointed by a Critical Thinking Company product.

Visit The Critical Thinking Company's website to purchase your copy today for only $19.99, not a bad price for the 50 activities (2 pages each) it contains.

Disclaimer: The Critical Thinking Company provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. The opinions expressed, however, are my own.

Winner & Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:51:00 +0000

The winner of the Good and Easy Eats cookbook giveaway is entry #4, Heather. Congratulations & enjoy!

Announcement: A brand-new blog has appeared on the homeschooling horizon entitled "Reality Homeschooling." My very good friend, Bonita, is the author. She's a homeschooling veteran (graduated her son last year) and helps us all get through the tough times of homeschooling with humor and encouragement. Go check out Reality Homeschooling today!

Good and Easy Eats--Review & Give Away

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

One of my New Year's resolutions was to eat more healthfully and more mindfully. And unless I miss my guess, I bet many of y'all made the same resolution. Kim Wilson, author of Good and Easy Eats, helps make this resolution a reality.

Allergies? No problem. The 70 included recipes are gluten, wheat, dairy, egg, soy, and yeast free. They're also made with whole, plant-based natural foods. Fear not that these recipes taste disgusting, contain hard-to-find ingredients, or won't pass the kid test. They're affordable, yummy, and easy. Kim also includes information about a whole-foods diet, juicing, stocking your pantry, and introductory basics.

Our family tried cinnamon raisin muffins, trail mix, and brownies and loved them! The only thing missing is nutrition information. I'd like to know how many grams of protein, carbs, and/or sugar (even if it's natural!) are in each recipe. One of my major concerns with eating a vegetarian diet is getting enough protein and other nutrients.

So, who wants a FREE copy of Good and Easy Eats? Kim is offering a free e-book to one lucky reader of my blog. All you have to do is leave a comment below (on Blogger, not on Facebook or Twitter) with your name and contact information. I'll choose a random reader on Thursday, January 12 before noon (EST). Winner will be notified privately and announced here on the blog.

Purchase your own copy of Good and Easy Eats from Amazon for only $3.99--a real bargain. Or, download it directly (PDF or e-reader) from Kim's website. Bonuses included with your purchase:

1 hour podcast of Kim’s Introduction to Wholesome Eating class
Video of Kim preparing one of her family’s favorite staple recipes
Access to Kim’s exclusive menu planning system

Disclaimer: Kim provided me with a free e-book in order to provide a review. The opinions expressed, however, are entirely my own.

Longing (book review)

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

Bailey is longing for a romantic relationship. Leaving ends with a long silence from Cody. When Brandon Paul, the handsome movie star, pursues Bailey, she thinks she's found what she's looking for in a future mate. Considering the huge romantic gestures he makes and the amount of attention he lavishes, I can't say I blame her. But, Cody hasn't disappeared from Bailey's life forever. Who else would he call when he need encouragement? Why would Bailey's heart respond as it does if she's completely over Cody?

I think Karen persuaded me to switch from team Cody to team Brandon in this book! No one but Karen Kingsbury elicits such heart-involvement with characters. Karen writes for today's readers--not last decade's readers. I'm waiting with baited breath for the Bailey Flannigan finale, Loving, due out this March.

Disclaimer: Zondervan provided me with a free e-copy of this book through Net Galley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

If you're anything like me, you've made resolutions to lose weight, do devotions daily, be nicer to your family, and have a home-cooked meal on the table every night by 5:30. While there's nothing wrong with those resolutions, if you're anything like me, you've already broken at least one of them--and it's only two days into the new year.

Instead, let's resolve this year to let go of the mom/wife/friend guilt we carry around. Just think how much lighter we'd be without all of that extra baggage! When our resolutions go out the window with the leftover Christmas fudge, resolve to be make more healthy choices the next time. When we hit the snooze alarm one too many times to complete our devotions before the kids clamor for breakfast, resolve to sneak in a little quiet time later in the day instead of giving up. Let's resolve that the occasional drive-through meal doesn't mean the end of our home dinners resolutions.

Deal? I'm in for less personal guilt, how 'bout you?

P.S. - If one of your New Year's resolutions is to be more organized, stick around. :-)

Thank You Notes are Always in Style

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Is it just me, or are thank you notes (the paper kind you hold in your hand) becoming obsolete? Are they following the dwindling number of friendly letters and Christmas letters and cards that used to stuff our mailboxes? Well, my mum (she’s Canadian, but I thought the southern phrase more apropos for the title) taught me to acknowledge every gift with a handwritten thank you note. If your techno-kids balk, here are some inspirations to help reinstate the good old-fashioned thank you note.

1. Don’t restrict Thanksgiving to a single day or month. On the contrary, the fact that Thanksgiving comes exactly a month before the day when kids get overloaded with new toys, books, and electronic gadgets should prime them for even more thankfulness.

2. Someone—grandparent, aunt, sibling, parent—took the time to pick out a special gift for each child in your home. The least a child can do in return is to take the time to handwrite note acknowledging appreciation for the gift and for the thought that went into its purchase.

3. Yes, grandparents know that little Jimmy just loved the Tonka truck, but writing a thank you note is kind of like saying “I love you.” You know it, but it’s still nice to hear frequently.

4. The Bible leads the way in encouraging thankful attitudes. “Offer to God thanksgiving” (Psalm 50:14a NJKV). “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4, NKJV). “Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20 NKJV).

5. You can count writing thank you notes as a school project! Just look at all the subjects you’ll cover: grammar (proper letter forms and written grammar), handwriting, art (if they design their own), spelling, and etiquette (it is good manners to write thank you notes).

6. Let’s face it: the kids will be looking for something to do in between Christmas and New Year’s Day. The novelty of the new toys will wear off about two days after they’re opened and writing thank you notes can help fill in the time gap before you’re ready to jump back into formal lessons in January.

7. Many children enjoy designing their own cards or drawing pictures. The recipients will enjoy seeing those pictures and cards on their refrigerators. This works especially well with children who are too young to write complete sentences; they can draw pictures of themselves playing with their new toys.

How many ways can you say thank you? Shukran Gazillan, Thoinks, Moite! Wado, Xie_Xie, Merci, Danke sehr, Mahalo, Köszönöm, Grazie, Cheers, Salamat, Spasiba, Tapadh Leat, Gracias a todos, Tesekkurler, Thanks y'all! (Other languages courtesy of e-Tailers Digest.)

(It's a repost because I have to remind my own kids to write Christmas thank you notes every year, and I'm sure you do, too!)

Merry CHRISTmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 20:17:00 +0000

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancee, who was pregnant.

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger."

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises: "Glory to God in the heavenly heights, peace to all men and women on earth who please him."

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. it turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

~ Luke 2:1-20, The Message

Louisa, book and reading guide review

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Louisa is the story of a young, African-American girl who was taken from her family and native country as a young girl. Her inspiring story includes details of learning to read, write, and speak English in her new Boston home. She eventually became an internationally known poetess and gained her freedom. Louisa is loosely based on the life of African-American poetess Phillis Wheatley.

The novel is inspiring and touching. Written from a first-person point of view, the book enables younger readers to relate to Louisa's feelings and escapades. Set during the late 18th century, it adds real-life depth to American history and evangelical studies.

The Resource Book for Louisa: A Guide for Teachers provides everything homeschool or classroom teachers need to make this a full unit study. Included are journal writing prompts, thought questions, worksheets, projects, vocabulary, a test, teaching tips, and background information. Although not stated, the grade range looks to be about 5-8. The resources are thorough enough to pick and choose, yet not too overwhelming. There's a good variety of projects for writers and those who hate to write.

Hurry on over to Parson Place Press and purchase your set today! The novel would make a great Christmas present.

Disclaimer: Parson Place Press sent me a complimentary copy of Louisa and The Resource Book for Louisa for me to review. The opinions expressed are my own though.

Dealing with Chronic Illnesses Part 3: Dreading December

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

I'm over at Heart of the Matter Online today. Check out the rest of our wonderful writers!

December is my favorite month of the year because it includes my two favorite holidays: Jesus’ birthday and my birthday. I love the presents (giving as well as receiving), the wrapping, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the anticipation, the caroling, the baking, the planning, the partying—all of it. At least, December was my favorite month until I was diagnosed with two chronic illnesses that have left me overwhelmed and gasping for air with a regular schedule before even adding holiday duties. I hate that my favorite season has become a series of duties.

So, what’s a mom to do? Cancel Christmas? Not likely! Go full bore and pay a heavy health price in January? Not a good idea. How ’bout a balance that falls somewhere in the middle? The following measures can help us experience a more peaceful nativity.

Ten Steps to a dread-proof December, even with a chronic illness:

Think about what really matters. What’s at the top of your list that you just can’t give up during the holidays?

Make a list of the top five items on your what-really-matters list and brainstorm ways to make those happen this year.

Let go of the rest. Yes, I know that’s the hardest part!

Delegate everything possible. The cookies will be just as good if your 13-year-old makes them.

Simplify the decorations, the baking, the gifts, and most of all your expectations.

Be happy with what gets done and try not to focus on what’s left undone.

Pace yourself. Don’t try to complete your entire list in one afternoon just because you start off feeling great.

Take naps.

Rest often.

Remember the real reason for the season: Jesus. Nothing else really matters.

Now, all I have to do is follow my own advice, and I can return to enjoying my favorite season instead of dreading December!

My Daughter The Writer, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:50:00 +0000

My daughter the writer has another guest post over at the Write It Sideways blog. It's called "7 Steps to Taming Your NaNoWriMo Manuscript." Check it out! If you'd like to read some of her other writings, follow her blog, Slaying Dragons.

Warring Spirits (book preview)

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

There’s a party going on!! Historical fiction author April W Gardner is celebrating the release of Warring Spirits, the second book in her Creek Country Saga! Everyone who purchases Warring Spirits on Amazon on Thursday, December 15, 2011, will be entered into SIX different drawings for some cool and unique prizes. That’s right—ONE purchase. SIX chances to win. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS. She’s also giving away personalized, signed book plates (labels for the inside cover). One for every book you purchase. That’s a lot of bang for your buck. Order today and cross a few names off your Christmas list! So what’s this book about? Warring Spirits is the sequel to Wounded Spirits, April’s Grace Award winning debut novel.

Here’s a bit about today’s featured novel: Where blood is spilt, unexpected love may bloom. In 1816 Georgia, escaped slaves control the land just beyond the American border in Las Floridas. Lost somewhere between white and black worlds, Milly follows hope to the only place that can offer her refuge—the place Georgians are calling Negro Fort. The first, sweet taste of freedom convinces Milly that surrender is not an option. Death would be more welcome. Major Phillip Bailey has orders to subdue the uprising and return the runaways to their masters. Forced to fight alongside Creek warriors—the same who etched the scars into his mind and flesh—Phillip primes himself for battle. But inside, a war already rages—return for the woman he thought lost to him or concede her to the enemy she loves; follow orders or follow his heart.

Wanna know more about these great prizes? Get on over to APRIL'S PLACE to see what all the hoopla's about!

Book excerpts are a great way to get a feel for the author’s writing style, so I asked April to share a scene with us. Here’s a taste of chapter one when the hero and heroine meet.

Ears finely tuned, Phillip crept toward his cap which lay before a scanty shrub. The bush shook violently. He jerked his musket up then back down as a woman sprang from concealment. Her skirt snagged, abruptly halting her flight. As her hands battled to extricate the fabric, she lifted her bonneted head, exposing large, fearful eyes and a face which glowed pale in the waning daylight. Unless the encroaching night was playing tricks on him, this woman was white. Not the midnight skin of a runaway or the smooth olive of a Spaniard, but white. Nearly as white as Phillip. He settled the butt of his musket at his feet. “Ma’am? What are you doing out here?” Her struggle grew more desperate until the sound of ripping preceded her tumble. Mostly hidden by palmettos, she scooted backward on the ground. Still many yards distant, Phillip reached a hand to her, unable to imagine why she might be afraid of him. “I won’t hurt—”

A black man, large as a bear, darted from behind a thick pine to Phillip’s right. His sprint carried him across Phillip’s path and directly toward the woman. “No! Get away.” Her words came out a garbled croak.

“Halt!” Phillip flipped the weapon back into position and aimed it at the slave’s chest. Unfazed, he kept moving and would have intercepted the woman except for the stone she hurled. It thudded off his shoulder and stopped him dead in his tracks. He swiveled to face Phillip, who had shortened the distance between them, his eye never leaving the musket’s sites. “One more step, and before the night's out, I’ll bury you where you stand.”

The man’s shoulders rose and fell with each rapid breath, but his stony face showed no fear. “Then you bettah do it. Otherwise, it’ll be you what's buried. See, I plan to make it to that fort, and losin’ my life to do it is no mattuh to me.”

Phillip’s brother, Dixon, had often said that a man who didn’t value his own life made the most dangerous of enemies. This one wouldn’t live long enough to become that. Phillip leveled his musket’s barrel at the big man’s heart. In response, he took a single step forward. “Don’t shoot!” The woman stumbled forward, placing herself between the runaway and the iron-tipped muzzle.

Reflexively, he skipped to the side to maintain his aim on the man. “Step away, ma’am. Don’t want you hurt.” What was she thinking? She mirrored his movements, keeping herself between them. “No one needs to get hurt.” “Move away from him, and let me handle this.”

She faced Phillip, her large brown eyes pleading. “Let him go. Please.”

“Woman, are you crazy?” The black man voiced Phillip’s own thoughts. She was either insane or suffering from over-exposure. Weapon still trained on the runaway, Phillip took a quick step forward and flailed at her, trying to grab her by the arm. She skittered to the side, and he swiped nothing but air. “Get out of the way,” he snapped. Not one of his men would have dared defy his command, yet this woman stood her ground. She backed further away from him and dangerously close to the black man.

“He didn’t run a hundred miles just to be shot down defenseless in the woods a day away from the only chance at freedom he’ll ever have.” Her voice shook, but her rigid back told Phillip she wouldn’t give in any time soon.

With his mind concocting a way to move the woman and save both their necks, Phillip was only half-listening. “What are you talking about?” Although shadows fell across her face, Phillip didn’t miss the softening of her eyes or the quiver of her lips. Her passion for this slave’s freedom furrowed Phillip’s brow.

“If you were fighting for your life, wouldn’t you want a fair shot at it?” she asked. Like a Red Stick’s arrow, her soft-spoken question pierced him, immobilizing his thoughts to anything beyond one image—his brother’s doom-stricken features and the blood-thirsty warriors that swarmed him.

“Yes,” he rasped. Surprise widened her eyes and parted her lips—a lovely image to return to after his disturbing trip to the past. For one instant, Phillip would have done anything she asked. He lowered his musket and stretched a hand toward her...

Sound intriguing? Head over to APRIL'S PLACE to learn more! Or go straight to AMAZON to get your copy.

--April W Gardner is a multi-published author and the founder and senior editor of the fun literary site, Clash of the Titles.

Warring Spirits

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Guest post by April Gardner, author. Thanks, April!

What It Takes to be a Good Online Student

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Going back to school after you've been out for a while is scary. At least, it was for me. I entered college at age 17, full of dreams and plans to save the world as a social worker. Then I graduated and had to get a job to pay the rent. I found a social work job, but I didn't think I could change the world anymore. I worked for two years, then started the job that never ends and really does change the world: motherhood. Somewhere between changing diapers and clutching the door handle of my car for dear life with a teen driver, I started writing and editing. I figured out that I really liked it. Then I figured out that to advance any in that field, I should return to school for a master's degree in English. I waded through the hundreds of online choices, applied to a state school, and got accepted. Then I panicked!

School means studying, writing papers, and reading textbooks. In the world of online studies, it also means posting on the Blackboard (without the chalky mess of our childhoods), emailing questions to an unseen professor, and navigating Internet research materials. All of this happens in between driving the family taxi, cooking dinner, working, and a slew of other responsibilities.

How do I juggle it all? Very carefully! First of all, I am now the not-so-proud owner of brand new dust bunnies. I've had to lower many of my housekeeping expectations. Second of all, I recruit help; my teenagers do their own laundry, clean their own bathroom, and cook dinner occasionally. Third, I carved out a space where I can close the door to concentrate on my school work. Oh, it's technically a shared office/school room, but when they're done at the end of the day, I can put out my do-not-disturb sign.

So, what do I do with my do-not-disturb time? Not Facebook, not email, and not blogging. At least, not much. I dedicate the quieter times to the longer papers that take real concentration and the confusing textbooks that require my full attention. I do my best not to multitask during that time so that I can really focus on my schoolwork in order to make the most of my time.

I wish I could say I can get everything done when I'm locked in my own little space, but I can't. I often take my reading to gymnastics and my paper drafts to waiting rooms. I've learned to check out the discussion forums while dinner is cooking.

This whole process is not easy. I'd much rather be reading a novel than a technical editing textbook on the way to the shore. I'd rather sleep on the long drive home for Thanksgiving than be working on a project due in a few weeks. But, it will all be worth it a year and a half from now when I hold that master's of English degree in my hand!

Do you have a dream to back to school or maybe to go to college for the first time? You can do it! It takes a lot of discipline and a lot of determination, but it can be done. Go for it!

Color Coding for Control

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Color coding is an easy way to organize lots of different kinds of things. You don’t have to remember where it is, whose it is, or how to return it once you’re done. Kids’ possessions, calendars, books, holiday decorations, and homeschool materials can all benefit from using color coding for controlling them.

Anyone with more than one child knows how hard it can be sometimes to keep the stuff separate. This is especially true if you have more than one child of the same gender. Rather than just make sure all the kids have a different color sippy cup, washcloth, doll blanket, or monster truck, I suggest assigning a specific color to each child. That system is much easier than remembering that little Susie has a pink blankie, a red toothbrush, and a green sippy cup while little Molly has the opposite.

When my first child was born, I was thrilled to be able to dress her in frilly pink dresses, sew hew pink doll blankets, paint her room pink, and eventually buy her a pink, big-girl comforter for her big-girl bed. When daughter number two came along, I decided that all of her things could be purple, my favorite color and still very girly. As much as possible, I bought accessories and toys in pink and purple. No fighting over identical bath towels, sippy cups, or blankies. As they got old enough for school, I bought a pink binder and a purple binder, a pink pencil case and a purple pencil case. This system was also a no-brainer for me when I found a pink ruler under the couch or a purple notebook on the kitchen table. For those of you with more than two children, no worries, you have a rainbow full of colors from which to choose for your color-coding scheme. If your kids are old enough to have a favorite color, by all means use it.

Since the kids were already color coded, I went ahead and assigned a color to my husband and to myself for our family fridge calendar. That way I save space by not having to write everyone’s name on every event. I can also see at a glance who has an outside activity on any given day.

After we get our kids all color coded, we’ll be ready to start color coding other things around our houses. Many people choose to color code their books so that it’s easier to find what they’re looking for and to return books where they belong. You can purchase small, colored circle stickers and put them on the spine of each book. Make up a color scheme and post it on the side of the bookshelves or somewhere accessible and visible. For instance, you may choose to make all history and historical fiction books green, all science-related books blue, all language arts books red, and so on. The actual colors aren’t as important as choosing a color scheme, sticking with it, and making sure everyone else knows what it is. If you’ve got enough books in one particular subject to fill an entire shelf, you could also add a same-color dot to the edge of that shelf. As an aside, our bookshelves are ordered by subject, and the shelves are labeled, but the actual books are not.

Since this is the holiday season, let’s talk about color coding our holiday decorations—or at least the containers in which we keep them. Since we can’t all afford to buy a whole new collection of different colored, matching Rubbermaid containers, here are a few other ideas. Use masking tape to label the boxes with a large spot of color on them. Choose easy-to-remember colors such as orange for fall, brown for Thanksgiving, red and/or green for Christmas, blue for winter, yellow for spring, and pink for summer. Of course, if you are in the market for new storage containers, the few days immediately following a holiday are the best times to score them cheap. That’s when I was able to purchase my red Christmas containers.

Since this column is supposed to be strictly about homeschooling, let’s talk about how color-coding can help to control our homeschool stuff. Assign each subject a color, say green for history, blue for science, red for language arts, purple for Bible, orange for fine arts, and yellow for electives. Or feel free to add more colors so that each elective and/or fine arts category has its own color. Then use folders, binders, dividers, notebooks, etc. in that color for that subject. You can use the color dot book labeling system I mentioned above as part of this system as well. When you’re trying to collect all of the stuff you need for, say, science, just look for all of the blue notebooks, folders, dot-labeled books, etc. If you store your materials in or near the kitchen to transport them to the table for school, you can color code each container and/or shelf as well.

The color-coding system is something that even toddlers can participate in since it does not involve reading. All they have to do is to match the colors. Of course, it may get a little dicey if you use both chartreuse and lime green, or if one of your family members is color blind, but for the most part, color coding is an inexpensive, easy method of controlling some of our stuff.

This article originally appeared in the November/December 2011 issue of Home School Enrichment, in my "The Organized Homeschool" column.

Taking Care of Mom, Dealing with Chronic Illnesses, Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 01:35:00 +0000

In last month’s article, “How to Bless Homeschooling Moms Who Have Chronic Illnesses,” I listed a few things that other homeschool moms could do to help a fellow mom in need. The list was hardly comprehensive, but it was a start. This month I want to address a few ways that families can bless their own moms who have chronic illnesses.

As if homeschool moms don’t feel enough guilt already about not being perfectly patient, perfectly knowledgeable, and perfectly organized, those who are chronically ill also add in a hefty dose of guilt for not always feeling well enough to participate fully in family and homeschooling life.

Younger children don’t understand why mom is on the couch—again. They don’t understand why mom can’t play tag—again. They don’t know why mom can’t pick them up—again. They just know that they’re sad because you’re sad. Younger children can still help mom feel better, though. Little chubby arms encircling mom’s neck and sloppy kisses are the best therapy. Chronically ill moms can let their kids know that the best way they can help is to dispense that kind of medicine. Mom would probably feel better with a blankie and a stuffed animal to snuggle with, too. From a very young age, children need to feel needed; we have a chance here for a win-win situation.

Older children and teens also have a difficult time understanding why they need to make dinner, watch the littler ones, and skip the youth group party when mom’s not feeling well. Oh, they may understand the words pain, limitations, and lack of energy, but they don’t get how it applies to their lives. The solution is to train them to be godly servants as Paul advocates in Philippians 2:2–4 (MSG), “Do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.” If I figure out an easy way to get this concept through a thick-skulled teenager’s brain, you’ll be the first to know. But, we’re all on the faith journey together, so maybe we need to offer up a bit of grace with our training.

Children can be trained to do just about any household chore, including cooking simple meals. Of course, as they get older, they are capable of taking on more responsibilities. The trick is to utilize the times when you’re feeling good to teach these types of skills. Rather than feeling guilty for making your children help, think of it as home economics training for their futures.

Instead of sounding like I’m preaching to the husbands, I’ll just encourage the wives to let their husbands know what they need. I will also encourage the husbands to be sensitive to their wives’ needs. There, that wasn’t too preachy, was it?

Moms, I bet you thought you were off the hook, didn’t you? Nope. How can you best take care of yourself? By letting go of the guilt. I know, I know, that’s easier said than done. Use the following Scriptures on grace to combat the guilt. “At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me, ‘My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.’ Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift” (2 Cor. 12:8–9, MSG). “But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Eph. 4:7, NKJV). “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble’” (James 4:6, NKJV). “Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18, MSG).

Many blessings of grace to you and yours as you struggle through homeschooling with a chronic illness.

This article also appears over at Heart of the Matter Online.

Tiny Prints Christmas Cards

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0000

'Tis the season for mailing out Christmas cards! I have an address list that I reprint every year, changing addresses and making additions or deletions as necessary. It's a time saver, and I've already printed it out onto labels. I've already decided that I'm going to send out a picture card this year to highlight my older daughter's high school graduation.

My next step is to find a really cute backdrop for it, then I'll need to order the cards. I'm ordering my cards from the Tiny Prints Photo Christmas Card selection. With over 500 choices, there's something for everyone, even if you celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanza, New Year's, or just Happy Holidays. I actually had a hard time choosing among all the beautiful designs and many different styles. My top five choices include a folding card (write a personal note inside), a circle ornament card (to go on Christmas trees--very unique), and variations on the flat photo card. OK, Tiny Prints just got huge grammar bonus points from the English teacher by pointing out that it's incorrect to use an apostrophe at the end of one's last name to show that it's plural. Apostrophes show possession. Right: The LeBedzes. Wrong: The LeBedz's (it hurts me even to type that!). I think I'm gonna have to go with the circle ornament photo card just because it's so unique. Here's what the finished product will look like (there's a cool backside as well):

When they arrive, I'll slap the labels on the envelope, use my return address stamper and slip the photo cards into the envelopes. Before putting the stamps on, I'll count how many foreign, Canadian, and domestic stamps I'll need so I can be sure to purchase the correct number of each at the post office. Voila! Easy-peasy Christmas cards with not too much fuss in my busy schedule.

Head over to Tiny Prints now to choose your perfect Christmas photo cards!

A Marriage Carol (book review)

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0000

Christ Fabry and Gary Chapman team up in this heart-warming Christmas tale that highlights the good parts of marriage. Like many couples, Jacob and Marlee can't pinpoint exactly how their marriage went from winter wonderland on a Christmas Eve to an appointment with a divorce lawyer exactly twenty years later.

A Marriage Carol is A Christmas Carol meets a modern-day almost-divorcee. A snowstorm, an accident, and a stay with what could become their future await on Christmas Eve. A welcoming old man brings Marlee in out of the cold, reminds her of what her marriage used to be like and what it could be like. We all have choices in life; which future will Marlee choose?

Fabry and Chapman work their magic in this short tale to make the reader reevaluate her marriage, her choices, and her futures. I give it a two thumbs up!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this e-book for free from Net Galley (Moody Publishers) in order to provide a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

What to be Thankful For

noreply@blogger.com (Bethany from Confessions of an Organized Homeschool Mom) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0000

What to be Thankful For

By Louis Bromfield

Oh, Lord, I thank You for the privilege and gift of living and a world filled with beauty and excitement and variety.

I thank You for the gift of loving and being loved, for the friendliness and understanding and beauty of the animals on the farm and in the forest and marshes, for the green tress, the sound of a waterfall, the darting beauty of the trout in the brook.

I thank You for the delights of music and children, of other men’s thoughts and conversations and their books to read by the fireside or in bed with the rain falling on the roof or the snow blowing past outside the window.

I thank You for the beauties of the four seasons and of the churches and the houses built by fellow men that stand throughout the centuries as monuments to man’s aspirations and sense of beauty.

I thank You for powers of mind, which find in the universe an endless and inexhaustible source of interest and fascination, for the understanding of so many elements that make life precious.

I thank You for all the senses You have bestowed upon me and for the delights that they bring me. I thank You for my body itself, which is so wonderful and delightful a mechanism.

I thank You for the smile on the face of a woman, for the touch of a friend’s hand, for the laughter of a child, the wagging tail of a dog and the touch of his cold nose against my face.

I thank You for all these things and many more, and above all I thank You for people with all their goodness and understanding which so far outweigh their vices, their envy, their deceits.

Thank You, God, for life itself, without which the universe would have no meaning.

This poem was recited every Thanksgiving as a prayer by my great-grandmother,
Pearl Constance Cramer La Shell

P.S. - You caught me again! I posted this last year at Thanksgiving as well, but it's so good that it bears repeating (besides, I'm still in the middle of all the craziness!).