Beauty full Slow™

Reconnect and 52 lists returning!

2017-12-28T21:42:00.002-08:00

I'm going to keep this brief because I'll write more later, but I am returning to blogging in hopefully a new refreshing way, but with a clean slate and simplicity. I've needed the year long break from blogging, but I have greatly missed this little corner.

Please visit me at: OliveandPlaid.blogspot.com

This blog will automatically start redirecting over to the new site, but none of the feeds will be the same. I've missed you all so very much!

{Restore} The Educational Philosophy

2017-01-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

Our Homeschool Philosophy

“Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!”
Deuteronomy 5:29

We believe that the home is the best place for the education of our children. A safe place of love, discipline and nurturing, so that our children will daily, hourly and by the minute experience His Word through not only lesson plans, but by example and hands-on doing and living in His Word.

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"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD;
and great shall be the peace of thy children."
Isaiah 54:13

We believe that the responsibility for training and educating our children rests with the parents and that we are capable by God’s grace to accomplish this task.

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"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
Deuteronomy 6:7

Educating our children is a continual, year-round process and that textbooks only account for a portion of this education. Living education through field trips, chores & responsibilities, and socially interacting with family and friends is a vital piece to year-round education. We encourage our children to learn everyday and not value the term “vacation” as a break from using their minds and hearts to expand their knowledge and wisdom.

We believe that the ultimate knowledge that can be brought in home education is the salvation of their souls. This belief is the basis for ALL areas of training our children and not just in the subject of Bible. Instead, Bible is the subject in all our subjects of education - Language Arts, History, Science, Fine Arts, et. al.

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“Train up the child in the way he should go:
and when he is old,he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

We believe that it is our responsibility to protect the Hearts of our children from excessive or unmonitored negative peer pressure, various fleshly temptations, and ungodly role models during their formative years - (the years in which our children lack a thorough knowledge of “right and wrong” — the years in which our children are deceived by the hidden sin of temptation.) These formative years we define as the years living in our home, but will always be important as long we call them our children in our lifetime.

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“Be not deceived; evil communications corrupt good manners.”
1 Corinthians 15:33

We believe that our reward in following His instructions for training the hearts of our children will yield the peace of the Lord in their lives and a joy beyond our dreams to see our children living firmly in His truth.

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“I have no greater joy, than to hear my children walk in truth..”

III John 1:4

We look forward to reaping this harvest of joy!

"God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every

Branch of literature and Wisdom."

{Established in our 3rd full year of homeschooling 2002}

Have you established an Educational Philosophy for your homeschool?

I wrote this back in 2002, after our homeschool journey began. We didn't start homeschooling for the reasons above, but Our Father Above changed this vision and His "beauty full" plan unfolded. The past several years have been full of such struggles, that I forgot to keep this vision at the forefront. Add to that, the pull of all the wonderful homeschool resources (too much) and the glimpses the internet brought into other homeschool rooms, and I allowed it to taint the plan the Father had already put upon my heart. (Comparison truly does steal joy.)

I am choosing to RESTORE this area. It didn't come without learning the hard way - again, but the Father is gentle with me. It's being restored only after 2 curriculum changes mid year, prayers, some tears, and encouragement from close friends.

If you are struggling with curriculum choices {'tis the season}, I suggest taking a pause - a slowing - to write out a homeschool philosophy and reap the Beauty full Slow it will yield in your heart.

Read more about Heartschooling HERE.

My One Word {2017} RESTORE

2017-01-21T10:47:00.005-08:00

For many years, I've chosen a Word of the Year that I try to study and embrace. In December, I usually start my quest to find "the" word. I received a special package and in it had a book called The Year of Cozy. I jumped at the the thought of the word cozy. I imagined warm blankets and flickering candles and the warmth that this word would bring. But as I pondered it more, it didn't feel like this was the right year. After so many years of trials, I knew I wasn't in the place to find cozy without some things being restored in order first.

The word RESTORE kept coming to heart in the following days and weeks. I always do a Scripture search while I am choosing my word and when I came across 1 Peter 5:10 it really spoke to my heart. It spoke of suffering, the gift of grace and the restoration to Him - the confirmation, strengthening, and establishment.

I knew that Restore was my one word for the upcoming year!

I've already been applying the word in my life. My silence here on the blog is because I am deep in thought and seeking this path of restoration - not only for my health but in so many areas of my life that have suffered - health, homeschool, our home, our fellowship and worship, and so much more. I see I not only want the word restore to permeate deeply, but I need the word restore to be active and productive in my life.

I never know where my word of the year will take me, but I am looking forward, with excitement, to what restore will bring this year.

My past words are often still part of my life.

2009 ~ Compassion ::we've been sponsoring through Compassion ever since!::
2010 ~ Yearn ::I wanted more of God's guidance in so many areas -- still do!::
2011 ~ Tomorrow ::it always holds the memories of today!::
2012 ~ BeLoved ::I needed to accept things as they were::
2013 ~ Abundance ::I saw so much abundance and saw areas having too much::
2014 ~ Be still ::I needed patience -- oh a struggle to embrace at times::
2015 ~ Nourish ::"I" had good intentions for this word, but God had better plans to nourish me differently ... spiritually. This required SLOW -- exactly where He wants me to be now.::
2016 ~ Slow

2017 ~ RESTORE

Exploring Countries & Cultures {USA - Weeks 3 & 4}

2017-01-13T00:01:00.000-08:00

Looking back on these pictures (since this is way back in early November), brings back sweet memories. I love seeing these two learning together side-by-side. They are learning so much and it isn't hard, it's simply because our learning moments are back to short, meaningful lessons with lots of literature and hands-on fun, but primarily because my girls are learning together. Little moments involving big sister helping little sister are cherished.

We had a lot of fun learning about the United States. It was a perfect moment to pull out our North America Continent Box! I just watched and my heart remembered that these are the moments I want to treasure. Often times, I found myself sitting down to join them. I made a Bible bookmark with them, and even colored the map challenge of the United States. Our "book suitcase" was packed full. Their grandparents visited the Grand Canyon and mailed a special package with a puzzle of the National Parks.

We took a very long unexpected break from our travels. We had a death in the family, sickness, an ambulance ride to the ER, recovery time, a bout with congestion and colds, the holidays, among other health battles of mine. I am so grateful that we stayed on top of our Language Arts & Math during this time but we are more than ready to jump back into our journey around the world. Because of our change in curriculum earlier in the year and these other battles, we will be working hard to still finish by summer. I've made out a schedule to double up each country. {For instance, the Schedule for Canada is two weeks, and instead we will be learning about Canada for only 1 week.} The girls and I are up for the challenge and my main goal is to end this school year with a foundation of the countries and cultures from around the world. In past years, I would have let this really bother me as I like to check off all the boxes. Now, I am learning to use our curriculum as a tool and use it to meet our needs.

We've been halted at the Border!!! Due to circumstances that I did not not account for, (my error) we are having to put away our Passports and stay in the United States for a while longer. Some call it the beauty of homeschooling to have the ability to change things; but this time, it came with a lot of resistance.

This was just a peek into our some of our week.

We are still using our Morning Basket and have been enjoying a lot of other ongoing subjects!

~ Nature Exploration & Tea time ~

Rolled beeswax candles

2017-01-04T21:28:00.000-08:00

This has been on a bucket list of mine for a while and we finally did it! It was really easy and a handiwork project that will be used again and again in our home. Beeswax smells so natural, burns clean, and I love how they turned out. Our first use for them was during our Christmas quiet moments. I now plan to use them during our morning basket time as part of our call to worship.

We used a kit and after making the first one, cut the sheets in half (long side) so that our candles are about 4 inches tall. I felt they were a little more stable and we got twice as many this way.

Hello 2017

2017-01-02T20:33:00.000-08:00

Hello 2017! I am struggling to believe that it's already a new year. We ended 2016 with snow falling and began 2017 with a beautiful white covering. I wanted so badly to go outside and explore and I'd love to share that it is starting off as I had hoped, but instead I type from the couch where I've been pretty much stranded for a few days with my back out.

I started off the new year with a good cry. The pain has taken all my strength and I finally broke down. Today, was a little better. I just have to live with my limitations. I can't say that my attitude has been positive. It's been quite an internal struggle because "my" grand plans seem to always get thwarted by a road block. On a positive note, my ear pressure remains stable despite its constant reminder and having to pop my ears to relieve the pressures. I am grateful to be at home!

I am clinging to this verse.

In my downtime, I've tried to work on my planner. For now, it must remain fairly empty, as each day is now dictated by my ability -or shall I say, "inability" - to move. I've been praying over our homeschool road map for the years ahead to keep my girls learning together as long as possible. Their age gap is making choices hard. For now, we read and do school from the couch and I keep praying over the decision process and books for next year.

I've taken the Read Aloud Revival Challenge to read aloud every day -- not just in January, but for the entire 2017 year. This will be extra reading not assigned in our curriculum or scheduled homeschool time. I'm logging the hours and can't wait to see the results!

I've enjoyed my blogging break and yes, I am quite behind in sharing, but this is at least a start!

52 lists - Goodbye 2016 & Goals for 2017

2016-12-29T03:00:00.000-08:00

Week #52

List your goals for 2017

Our year has come to and end, and hosting the 52 lists was a fun way to inspire & encourage others to blog a few short lists. Some lists were casual and fun, while others required some deeper soul searching. I grew this year and loved getting to know some new friends.

As we say "Goodbye to 2016", I am also saying a sweet goodbye to the 52 lists and entering into an even slower season. I hope that you all will look back on your lists and find them to be inspirational and a treasured memory. I know that I do!

My goals for the new year are really being kept simple:

Read through my Bible in 90 days again!
choose a word for 2017 - actually it's chosen but won't be revealed quite yet :)
cut my blogging wayyyy down {updates only & eliminate obligations}
spend more time making & enjoying memories than trying to journal them
relax and accept that spur of the moment is part of my life now (health reasons)
keep my planner up-to-date
continue and complete our full home purge - before this post goes live, I've already got 5 boxes full to send off to Goodwill's new Give Back Box program!!!
embrace SLOW and always look for the beauty full = my new word of the year!
learn beside my girls & read aloud a lot more! - participate in January's Read Aloud Revival
give more & buy less
gather with my Slow Lane friends

Thank you for a wonderful year of list making!

An InLinkz Link-up

{December 25th} Christmas morning!

2016-12-25T15:00:00.002-08:00

It's a white Christmas. Hot cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing and orange slices start the day. It's quiet and praises are given for 'The Gift'. The only gift we'll ever need. ~amen

My heart is full and heavy. I see so much in the worldly Christmas missing the real GIFT. The one where a miraculous birth was only given to save the undeserving, like me. Even in our home, the busy season steals away the solemn moments that my heart yearns to spend in The Word, instead of rushing around, buying this or that, and trying to have that perfect holiday. We were given the Light to guide the way along the dark path. With this, I close today with not just a slow, but a stop. A complete halt in blogging and other time on the computer to honor this gift and share in it with my family.

I'm happy that I was able to finish another December Photo Project.

.... only 1 more blog post this year (52 lists on Thursday - already scheduled to post)

May you all end the remainder of this year by unwrapping 'The Gift' and accepting it with a heart in the

{December 24th} A slow snow day!

2016-12-24T09:00:00.002-08:00

It's a beautiful snow day!

These days are my favorite types of days. I love our views from every window. Watching the snow falling to the ground, wrapped in blanket, and sipping hot tea while watching the fire warm up the house.

{December 23rd} children are gifts!

2016-12-23T08:54:00.000-08:00

...just blessed beyond words! These are gifts to my heart.

{December 22nd} Christmas Program

2016-12-22T21:35:00.000-08:00

Little E's Christmas performance! She's growing up so fast. I missed nearly all of her first year battling an illness, so this year I give praise that I am gifted these moments.

Among the continued coughing, I felt good enough to venture out this evening to Little E's Christmas program. It was so cute! Seeing other babies this evening, I realized how much of this girl's life as I battled in my own health struggles. It's heartbreaking, but I'm choosing to find JOY in the moments that I am given. None of them are promised and I shall take none for granted.

52 lists - list your favorite of the 52 lists

2016-12-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

Week #51

Share your favorite lists from the "52 lists"

YAY! I'm back to posting this list on time, but it's probably because I've been sick for several days and either in bed or on the couch.

I loved them ALL! I've enjoyed each and every week and especially enjoyed getting to know a special group of bloggers who joined me in this project.

Week #1 - the words that touch your soul
Week #2 - your greatest comforts
Week #3 - the things you should be proud of
Week #4 - your current and future dreams & goals
Week #5 - what you are grateful for
Week #6 - the ways in which you can love others
Week #7 - things that make you feel healthy
Week #8 - your favorite albums
Week #9 - the places you want to go
Week #10- ways you can cleanse for spring
Week #11- your essentials
Week #12- the things that feel like home
Week #13- the things you want to make
Week #14- your childhood & current dream jobs
Week #15- list your favorite quotes
Week #16- favorite books
Week #17- the people you admire
Week #18- the ways you are energized
Week #19- the things you want to be known for
Week #20- your summer goals
Week #21- your favorite snacks
Week #22- the things that keep you up at night
Week #23- your pet peeves
Week #24- your happiest moments
Week #25- your favorite meals
Week #26- the things you keep in your purse/handbag
Week #27- life's trials that made you better
Week #28- things/places that make us feel safe
Week #29- your favorite games/apps
Week #30- the sports you like to watch or play
Week #31- your August "to-do" list
Week #32- your favorite scents
Week #33- your favorite places/food to eat out
Week #34- random/quirky things about yourself
Week #35- list what/how you would spend a million $
Week #36- list your autumn bucket list
Week #37- your favorite places to shop
Week #38- your family traditions
Week #39- your wish list
Week #40- your daily routine
Week #41- GRACE week :)
Week #42- things you do when you are sick
Week #43- conversational favorites
Week #44- your November "to-do" list
Week #45- gratitude lists
Week #46- list your Thanksgiving menu
Week #47- your favorite movies
Week #48- your December "to-do" list
Week #49- your winter bucket list
Week #50- list your 2016 accomplishments
Week #51- list your favorite 52 lists
Week #52- share your goals for 2017

Will you join me?

Grab the free graphic below

Write your list/post**

Come back to the current week's list and link up your post (please use direct link to your post)

Please visit the link up of the person before you and leave a comment. (I personally try to comment on everyone's blogs -- I'm not a google+/Disqus member, so I can't leave comments on those, but I will keep trying in case you start accepting comments other ways, too.)

**please keep family friendly

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://beautyfullslow.blogspot.com/search/label/52%20lists" rel="nofollow" title="52 lists with Beauty full Slow"></a></div><br />

next week's list:
Week #52 - List your Goals for the Year 2017 (December 29th)

An InLinkz Link-up

{December 20th} Begin each day . . .

2016-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

"Begin each day with a grateful heart." A little box spotted on a shopping trip that caught my attention and made me ponder the mornings I start off grumbling.

This spoke to me. I'm usually not a happy morning person. It takes me a while to rev up and get going and this box on the shelf kind of nudged me to be more careful on how I start each day.

{December 19th} "this one!"

2016-12-19T14:35:00.000-08:00

"Grammy's cookies" are very tempting to little hands! She was picking out all her favorites.

{December 18th} My cute reindeer

2016-12-18T14:31:00.000-08:00

The family gathering... I missed going this year. I didn't feel well enough to go but I know from this picture they sent me that they were having fun!

{December 17th} Nature Pal Exchange

2016-12-17T14:25:00.000-08:00

Happy mail! Our #naturepalexchange package arrived. We had a bundle of fun opening up every little goodie from our Texas barrier island pals @wallisstarr. Every piece of nature had a tender loving homemade touch. Beeswax filled shells, angels made out of shells, and so much more. Thank you, nature friends!

Isn't the palm tree reindeer adorable!

{December 16th} Baking Day

2016-12-16T14:18:00.000-08:00

It's our annual cookie baking day! Sugar cookies, snowballs, fudge, butter toffee, snickerdoodles, melted snow men, frosted pretzels and more!!! The snow is falling outside and it warm and toasty inside. It's beginning to smell a lot like Christmas.

Unfortunately, as the day wore on, I knew that I was getting sick. I was so happy that my girls were able to keep going without me. It was a small group in comparison to past years, but it was really nice and quiet and still filled with giggles and frosting!

{December 15th} Rejoice in the birth

2016-12-15T10:53:00.000-08:00

From our family to yours . . .

Merry Christmas

The annual Christmas card is ready for mailing. I'm still feeling behind, but embracing the slowness of my attempts. We Rejoice! Not because of seasonal traditions, but because of the grace He extended to us.

52 lists - List your 2016 Accomplishments

2016-12-15T03:00:00.000-08:00

Week #50

List your Accomplishments for 2016

...better late than never should be at the top of this list! First and foremost, I personally struggle with the list because NONE of my accomplishments are truly "mine". They are because of either God's loving grace, answer to prayers, or the gift of teamwork from others in my life.

52 lists - I set a goal to do this and while not quite complete this year, it will be accomplished before the year end! - {this is because of teamwork!}
blogging our family memories
letters to my family - still have one daughter left this year!
moved back home - God's grace upon my health
finished Rest Assured book club - {thanks to my dear friends walking beside me}
started using a Morning Basket routine
started a Gratitude Lists that I hope to grow next year
wrote out the chasing slow series that was put upon my heart -{probably more to come!}
visited my MIL and took a family road trip out-of-state with lots of field trips
went on nature walks
had a picnic by the lake - {I guess I need to post this...oy!}
made some rolled beeswax candles
learned to use Instagram
wrote letters to our Compassion children
gave more
over half way finished through another year of the December Photo Project
hosted another annual baking/decorating cookie day - {post coming} - previous year

Will you join me?

Grab the free graphic below

Write your list/post**

Come back to the current week's list and link up your post (please use direct link to your post)

**please keep family friendly

<div align="center"><br /><a href="http://beautyfullslow.blogspot.com/search/label/52%20lists" rel="nofollow" title="52 lists with Beauty full Slow"></a></div><br />

next week's list:
Week #51 - Share your favorite List(s) from the 52 Lists Blog Style (December 22nd)

Upcoming List:
Week #52 - List your Goals for the Year 2017 (December 29th)

SPECIAL NOTE: If you have linked up to every list, please let me know because I have something special for you!!

An InLinkz Link-up

{December 14th} Winter Wonderland

2016-12-14T10:46:00.000-08:00

We visited a Winter Wonderland! An beautiful evening outdoors among millions of lights that draped and adorned one of our favorite places. We had 'almost' all of our family together for this enlightening event.

{December 13th} homemade nature cards

2016-12-13T10:13:00.000-08:00

The handmade Christmas card. A simple mix of nature and colorful dots made with little hands. I'm so amazed by God's creation. It's truly the greatest symbolism of the #beautyfullslow . May I make it a priority in the coming year to pause and whisper prayers of gratitude for this beautiful abundance.

...and just for the record, I didn't make all of our cards! This is my reminder to put the girls to crafting these for next year.

{December 12th} Bird Seed Ornaments

2016-12-12T09:09:00.000-08:00

Winter treats for the birds. I think I may have done something wrong because several of them fell apart. The process was still fun!

I had a request for the recipe on Instagram, so I'm going to type out a little altered recipe that I think works a little better unless you have a lot of different cookie cutters to fill.

Ingredients:

¼ cup water
1 packet of unflavored gelatin
1½ T corn syrup
¼ cup (rounded -- like a good ¼ cup)
2 cups birdseed

and cookie cutters - sprayed or dipped in oil & a straw

Directions:

Dissolve gelatin, with water and corn syrup heated in sauce pan over medium flame. In separate bowl mix flour and birdseed. Pour liquid mixture over birdseed mixture and mix well. Press tightly into greased cookie cutters. Using a straw poke a hole and then let dry for a short bit (15 min) and remove from cookie cutter and let dry for a day or so on a wire wrack or remember to turn them so that both sides dry evenly.

Add a cute ribbon or twine and hang on your favorite tree outdoors and watch for birds!

{December 11th} Nature Pal Exchange

2016-12-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

Finishing up the last touches on our @naturepalexchange package. We've had so much fun and hope to add it on our next year's bucket list, too!

This was our first time participating in this event. It's been encouraging to see nature and apply it to our homeschooling journey this year. It's a priority for us and little bits of inspiration is helpful to keep us going, discovering, and looking forward to the adventure. Part of the package we sent to our friends across the miles, was little pine cone bird feeder kits. Inside a mason jar, a small pine cone, a snack size peanut butter, wild bird seed, and twine. We added bits of burlap and fabric and tied a plastic knife to complete the little kit. I hope to have our girls make some peanut butter pine cone feeders for our local birds here, too.

{December 10th} Seeds

2016-12-10T22:27:00.001-08:00

"...and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice."

Genesis 22:18

We planted seeds (paper white bulbs) in symbolism of the waiting, hoping, and the blessing that comes. Today, we can celebrate because the blessing has come. ~amen

{December 9th} - Chopped wood

2016-12-09T19:07:00.000-08:00

Today is the first day in many weeks that our fireplace is not burning wood. Our temperature is near the 50 degree mark - a warm late autumn day. This piece of wood reminded me of all the hard work chopping truckloads of wood my husband has done this season. I am so grateful for my man.