Playing Catch-Up!

First off, I would like to apologize for my absentee behavior. Although my reason for not posting (is explained in my post, "Heavy Heart") is understandable, it certainly isn't proper Blog Etiquette. Especially for most bloggers, a minimum of 2-3 post a day is proper Blog Etiquette. I have decided to play catch-up for not commenting on anything in the last several weeks of February.

In the weeks of my absence I was able to accomplish much. For starters, I have struggled with discipline. Not in my parenting, but in my scheduling. I needed to figure out how to stick to a routine or schedule that met my needs along with my children's. Praise the Lord for showing me just how to do that. I have implemented that in the past month to form a habit (anything done in a 21 day time frame) of being consistent. I guess it's our brains that need the structure and if we continue in a pattern of consistency then our brains are able to comprehend our actions either intentional or unintentional.

I have been reading from the New Testament to my five sometimes six children everyday (depends on if the baby is napping). So far I have missed only one day (yesterday). I have them sit for 20 minutes or more and read 1-3 chapters from the New Testament and now a chapter from Proverbs. That alone, the insight from Proverbs is enough to have me keeping writing and keeping your thoughts occupied for a long time. So much truth can be found in the Proverbs. We are currently in Luke chapter 8 and Proverbs 17.

What a blessing it has been to read to my children and simultaneously hear the Word myself. My goal in reading through the New Testament, is to teach my children to sit still, to be reverent to God and his word, and to show obedience to me when I have a need that needs to be met. So often as mother's we spend most of our days meeting everyone else's needs and not our own. Well this mom needs to have her needs met and the only way possible is to teach my children to help me met my needs, along with me meeting theirs too. It will also give us a closeness, which I believe is only possible through being in the word with others. Such as with, Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
No other book I know has that kind of power. Plus the Bible is my favorite book and is so applicable for shaping our lives.

This past week my dh and I have begun our work out program. It is a system we have owned and used before. It is called "Power 90" a work out system designed by Tony Horton. It is great to have a work out partner and makes the exercise much more bearable b/c of the support. What is great about the system is that it is only a 90 day commitment. It combines a cardio workout with a weight training workout that also includes 100 sit ups the first 45 days and 200 sit ups the last 45 days. If not a great way to loose weight, but a great way to tone up and get fit.

On top of that, I am trying to balance eating healthier and drinking a greater volume of water. I am hoping to strengthen and discipline my mind, body and spirit. By getting spiritually fit and physically fit my mind is all that is left to be shaped or to do the shaping.

This week I am being more active in my home-educating. I have decided to set goals in my teaching to help my child feel accomplished and enthusiastic about learning. Teaching my Autistic son has always been a creative challenge. I am positive and prepared to encourage his mind awakening. Along with my other 3 sons and 2 yr old daughter. Not leaving anyone out of the learning process. Even little baby Jehosheba is going to be challenged by strengthening her body and finding new toys and things to focus on.

This past week I have been doing lessons on Butterflies. We made a giant tissue paper butterfly and taped it to the wall. Learning 3 simple facts about the butterfly and about the different types of butterflies and the process of how a caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. My sons have been delighted in the activities and the projects that I am using to encourage their involvement in learning about the beautiful butterflies of God's creation.

One such activity was hand painting and foot painting in the shape of a butterfly. First I set up two foot buckets with a water proof pad underneath. Then I poured yellow paint into the lid of a disposable metal pie plate (round for the hands to fit into), then also two long plastic dishes big enough to press feet into. I poured turquoise paint into one and blue into the other. I set my children one by one at their little table and place their hands at or near the top of their paper, (both in yellow). Next one foot in blue and one in turquoise and upside down I place each foot situated to shape a butterfly. After they were done we soaked their feet and hands in the foot buckets. They loved it. I periodically soak my feet especially when I am pregnant. So being able to soak their feet like mom was a treat for them.

Trying to make learning exciting and fun. Also to showing my sons another side of their mom, the creative side.

I find it interesting how Jesus taught his disciples and how he made learning for them by seeing. He taught by using his words, but more so by his actions. Hence my other main objective , is to teaching my sons by showing them the example that will produce the life worthy of Jesus and his sacrifice for us on the cross.