Decorating Cents

I love to decorate but like most people I have a budget (most of the time a rather small one).   I think even if I had a larger budget I would still be a bargain shopper thanks to my mom.  My latest project is my 8 yr old daughter’s bedroom (details of the new decor will be in a future post).  The last time her room was decorated was when she was 3 yrs old and moving from a toddler bed to a full size bed.  I was lucky to find a quilt for her new big girl bed at Wal-Mart at a great price.  So to accessorize I started with a bulletin board, covered it with batting and fabric purchased off a remnant table at a local fabric store.  I finished it off with ribbon to create a custom memo board.  I used the same fabric to cover the seat cushion of an antique rocking chair passed down from my grandmother.  I had also purchased a coordinating fabric from the same remnant table and decided I would try my hand at sewing custom window treatments.  At this point I had only dabbled, very lightly, at sewing but was confident that the treatments I wanted were very simple and didn’t require darts, gathers or anything complicated.  The treatments consisted of a rectangle piece of fabric stapled to a 1×4 cut the length of the window.  I then used scraps of the fabric used for the seat cushion and memo board to make ties.  Again, the sewing required straight lines and nothing more.  A heavy duty staple gun attached the curtain/fabric to the 1×4, a man with a drill and brackets to hang the board and wah-la!  Since the curtains went so well I decided to make a few throw pillows.  Again, straight stitching and you’re done.  I had learned how to make a neckroll pillow from a “no-sew decorating” class I attended years ago.  Take a roll of batting or you could even use a roll of paper towels, a rectangular piece of fabric with the raw ends turned in, then tie at the end of roll.  This one is a little hard for me to explain but I think you can look at the picture and see what I mean.  I actually sewed the ends of the pillow fabric and sewed ties using the same fabrics as before.  

Now on to wall decor.  The pictures on either side of the dresser mirror are poster prints I bought at an art supply store for next to nothing.  The picture frames probably came from Wal-Mart or the same art supply store.  Then for the pictures over the bed, I re-used pictures that were in my room growing up.  They were colored by my granddaddy while he was sick with cancer.  My granddaddy died before I was born but I felt like he had done them just for me.  I’m glad to see them hanging on the wall again…

It has been several years since all this work was done and it’s time to do it again.  So far it hasn’t been that hard or costly.  I am recycling and repurposing most items but all the detail will come once we get it all fixed up!

Making Memories

It’s been a couple of weeks so I have some catching up to do.  I’m still trying to figure out what I am doing or what I want to do with my blog.  So I guess for now I’ll begin rambling…here goes!

Since my last post, Mother’s Day, we finished our last week of school…WOOHOO!  Don’t get me wrong, we love homeschooling, kiddos included, but we are in need of a break…a real break, something more than a week.  We had decided to celebrate the end of the school year by taking a family vacation to the NC Outer Banks.  The hubby and I had been several times but it had been 9 years (BC…before children) and we were just as excited to go back as the kids were to go for the first time. 

Our week consisted of visiting Jockeys Ridge State Park several times.  The kids loved, loved, loved climbing the huge sand dunes and sliding back down along with watching the hang gliders.  The best part for me was that it was FREE! 

    The next day was very cloudy with spotty showers but the weather held off so that we could visit Currituck Lighthouse.  This was a first for the whole family.  We paid our $21 (5 and under climb for free, $7 for the rest) and climbed all 214 steps for a view 150+ feet off the ground.  The climb was easy enough and well worth it.  The winds were about 11 mph and with light jackets the temperature was great.     Day 3 of our vacation took us to the NC Aquarium at Roanoke (free for homeschoolers…see my earlier post) and the Roanoke Island Festival Park (another reasonable admission for 2 consecutive days…$8/adult, $5/children over 5).  The park has a replica of the 16th century Elizabeth II that is open for exploration, an American Indian Town, an English settlement site and adventure museum with lots of dress-up and hands-on experiences. 

   As we were finishing up our fun at the park the rain began to fall and continued on through half of the next day.  So we rented a Redbox movie, stayed in for the evening and were bums the following day.  Ahhh, the joy of vacation!  On Wednesday we visited the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk.  It was interesting to hear the details of their story and see first hand what they flew, where the flew and how far.  Amazing! Oh, and kids 15 and under get in for free, adults only $4 each!    Thursday we drove down OBX from Kitty Hawk to Cape Hatteras.  We learned that Hatteras Lighthouse is the tallest brick lighthouse in the US.  We paid our $21 (kids $3.50 each, adults $7) and climbed all 268 steps to get the best view of the OBX.  The weather on this day was absolutely wonderful.  The clouds had melted away, the sun was shining and thanks to the friendly ranger at the top of the lighthouse, we clocked the wind at 13 mph.  Not to shabby being 190 feet in the air!   We were able to show the kids where the lighthouse was built in 1870 and how they moved it 2,900 feet back in 1999 to save it from toppling into the Atlantic Ocean.    We then ventured down the coast, hopped on a ferry and made our way to Ocracoke.  Now I have to say I was a little disappointed.  The last time we were there it was quiet, serene and not very crowded.  The word must have gotten out because the island was full of people!  We managed to enjoy ourselves anyway.  We visited the British Cemetery, Ocracoke Lighthouse and a few shops.  Still worth the visit in my book.  Our last day, *sniff*sniff*, was another beautiful day so we spent the majority of it on the beach.  The ocean was a balmy 63 degrees and my children could not stay out of the water.  We finished the day out by making yet another stop by Jockey’s Ridge (I lost count but I think this was the fourth stop) and flying our kite. 

To sum up our week of vacation, we visited a lot of historical sites, ate a lot of wonderful, fresh seafood, enjoyed our time together as a family and made wonderful memories.  The kids rated this vacation their 2nd best ever because you can’t top that cute little mouse that lives in Florida!  So home again, home again, jiggity jig…and back to reality!

Mother’s Day…

 

What a wonderful day this has been!  At breakfast this morning I was serenaded by my sweet little man and hugged by my little girl.  For someone who is not a morning person, this was better than any cup of coffee! 

After church I decided that instead of going out for lunch we would come home for leftovers.  Well, some leftovers and a box of macaroni and cheese.  Now before you go throwing stones, understand this…my kids LOVE this stuff!  Besides, our “real” meal was going to be later that evening when my parents came over.  Lunch was followed by an impromptu photo session with me and the kiddos.  My husband is into photography so I figured we’d give him some real material to shoot!

  

Next we took a family bike ride..our first ever!  We rode through the neighborhood, minus the main road.  I think we did pretty good, especially considering how all our roads are on an incline.  Then the thing I was afraid would happen happened.  Little man had a small crash going down one of the many hills.  He was a brave guy, returned to his bike and finished the ride with a smile.  The rest of the afternoon was spent throwing the football, softball, inspecting a bird’s nest and just being together.   As I mentioned earlier, I fixed “real” food for supper, baked penne pasta with spinach (yummmmo), salad, bread and strawberry shortcake. 

I am so thankful for all the blessings God has given me…my children, my mom and my mother-in-law…God is good…ALL THE TIME!!!

Where to go in NC

A great find at this year’s NC homeschool conference was a book about traveling NC called “Kids Love North Carolina” by George & Michele Zavatsky. 

I have lived in NC my whole life but as I flipped through the book I read about places that I had never heard of.  The book lists amusements, animals & farms, museums, outdoors, state history, tours, etc. by region (6 to be exact).  A “City Index” is given to list all cities and towns mentioned in the book as well as an “Activity Index” in the back of the book.  The authors have given all necessary information for each location listed: directions, phone number, website, hours, admission prices, etc.

http://www.kidslovetravel.com/

The authors have also written several travel guides for other states.  We spoke with the author and she said that they originally wrote these books over 10 years ago but recently have had an increase in sales due to current economic situations.  If you are looking for a guide to help you plan field trips, day trips or just expand your knowledge of NC (or any other state), I suggest checking this book out!  Happy Travels!

Homeschool Deals

I was delightfully surprised when my husband informed me today that homeschoolers get in free to our state’s zoo (NC).  I thought, “He must have read something wrong or didn’t read the fine print.”  It seemed too good to be true.  But I checked it out and it was true.  Now there are some stipulations (I’ve listed them below) but nothing major.  So after calling and making my reservation for my zoo trip I got to thinking how nice it would be if there were a site or someone who could share this type of information.  I have yet to find such a site or group with the info I would like therefore I am going to include what I have found thus far.  It’s not much but it’s a start. 

NC Zoo - Asheboro, NC

http://tickets.nczoo.org/Info.aspx?EventID=+11

Registered homeschoolers get in free!

Ages 5- up and one educator during normal school year

No holidays or weekends

Must call for reservation 2 weeks prior to visit date!

NC Aquariums

http://www.ncaquariums.com/fort-fisher/teachersstudents/home-schools

Homeschoolers get in free once per year (They are not real strict with this rule.  I was told initially “once per calendar year” but the next year I called for a date 11 months out from my last visit and was told “no problem”!)

Includes children and 2 free adults

Pre-register 24 hours in advance

Must show homeschool registration card

Battleship North Carolina

 http://www.battleshipnc.com/

We weren’t really sure based on the website if we would receive a discount so we showed up with our registration card and asked!

We were admitted based on the school group prices.  The lady who registered us didn’t say anything about calling and making reservations in the future.   She made a copy of our school registration card and my husband’s id.

Barnes & Noble

http://images.barnesandnoble.com/pimages/bn-atschool/Barnes&Noble_EducatorDiscountApplication.pdf

Sign up and receive a Educator Discount Card for 20% off purchases.

 Office Depot

https://www.mystarteacher.com/home.asp?source_page=login&S=01&logout=TRUE

Join “Star Teacher” and receive discounts and rebates on purchases…see the link for further details.

 

 Happy educating and saving!

Scripture Memorization 2

Several months back I blogged about the need of memorizing scripture, especially for children.  I’m sure there are a lot of parents who want to teach their kids but struggle with where to start or even how to do it.  Maybe you want to memorize but find it impossible to accomplish.  I thought I would share a few items that I have found helpful.

1. Foundation Verses by Children Desiring God:  “Foundation Verses are strategically chosen Bible verses for children preschool through age five. The pack includes 76 verses designed to lay a firm scriptural foundation of basic Biblical truth that will pave the way for faith response.”  The set comes in a business card size pack, attached by a ring, in either NIV or ESV.  The cards have a picture on one side with the verse on the other.  It’s a good place to start, whether you are 3 or 33!!! http://www.childrendesiringgod.org/product_group.php?id=2

2. Sing the Word by the Harrow Family:  Scripture put to music is a great way to memorize.  How often do we hear a song on the radio and after only a time or two hearing it we can sing along?  One thing that I really like about their cd’s is that you also sing the scripture reference.  The songs are catchy and fun to sing.  http://www.singtheword.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PLST

3. Steve Green’s Hide ‘Em In Your Heart cd/dvd combo:  A friend turned my daughter on to these sets and she fell in love with them.  It’s great because the kids can listen to the cd in their rooms during quiet time or we can pop the dvd in when they are itching to watch tv or a movie!  http://www.stevegreenministries.org/music/index.php#kids

These are just a few tools that we have found helpful and hope you will to!

 

Reflections…

As I begin to look to a new year with new possibilities and new challenges, I am ever reminded of 2008.  Looking back I never would have imagined my life would have changed the way it did in just twelve short months.  For starters, around January 2008 I made one of the biggest life-changing decisions of my life.  I decided to be my kids’ teacher.  I can not begin to explain the myriad of emotions, thoughts and feelings I had.  For one, this was a path I never imagined myself following or even contemplating.  Secondly, I don’t see myself as being gifted in the abilities as a teacher.  But alas, all is well and we have had a blessed school year so far!  God is good and has blessed us continually!

The event that will never leave me is the memory of a dear friend.  It was on August 11, 2008 that I heard the words, very calmly, out of her mouth, “I have cancer”.  It took a while for those words to sink in and the gravity of the situation.  I remember the next day, my friend calling me, happy as usual, and asking me and the kids to come visit.  We sat on the banks of the lake as her husband did his thing with the kids (boating, fishing, swinging…).  She told me all she knew and that she knew her time was short.  I, of course, cried.  We also laughed during our visit as I reminded her that even though she was sick, she would still be the one to hold us all together and remind us all that God was in control.  It was over the next several weeks that I learned what true faith was all about.  As her body started it’s quick decline, that smile was still there.  Her attitude was forever positive and her thoughts were not of self-pity but of taking care of those left behind.  She knew her destination was Heaven and I remember her saying, “I knew I had a ticket to Heaven but I never figured I would be cashing it this soon!” and of course, we laughed. 

I was one of the few ladies that was asked and trusted to take care of this special lady in her last few weeks of life.  Out of all the things I have done in my life, this was by far the easiest and hardest job I have ever had.  I loved my friend and would have done anything for her or her husband.  That was the easy part.  But watching my friend’s earthly shell deteriorate, never her spirit, but watching her body die was the hardest thing I have ever experienced.  I would not trade it for anything this world could give me.  It was during those times that I came to learn more about God’s love, His grace and His mercy.  My friend taught me so much about God during the 5 years I had with her but it was in her last 2 months that I learned the most. 

As the end came near we all still continued to pray for healing but it became apparent that her healing would not happen on this earth but in Heaven.  So on Sunday, September 28th, 2008 at around 2:30 a.m. we got the call.  We had been with her almost continually during those last few days.  We had all said our goodbyes and just prayed for God to call her home.  It is what she wanted and ultimately we wanted for her as well, no matter how much we were going to miss her.  During the weeks that followed, some days were such a struggle.  I juggled between trying to resume our normal schedule but also help fulfill a promise I had made to my friend.  I’m still trying to fulfill her promise.  Life has gone on but never without thinking about my friend and how life has changed.  Which brings me back to thinking about the start of a new year.  Never would I have imagined a year ago that our time together would be so short.  I thank God for 2008, even it’s hard times because I have learned that I am to “Count all things joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 ESV).  I have no idea what God has in store for me and my family this year but I know Romans 8:28-29 holds true. 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (NKJV)

What’s In A Name?

 

I am currently driving myself crazy.  The state we live in requires you to name your homeschool and I have to file the paperwork within the next month.  I have been thinking and brainstorming for months!  I don’t think we had this much trouble naming the kids but like them, the name will be permanent.  No pressure…no worries…

I decided to take to the internet and forums to get some ideas.  The ideas ranged from using last name, street name, name based on surrounding landscape, kids initials or word made-up using parts of each child’s name, etc.  As nice as some of those ideas worked for others, it still doesn’t seem to work for us.  Sure, we could use MC2 Academy (read M C squared) but how would that look on a diploma or transcripts?  So here are the other ideas I’ve come up with so far:

Cornerstone Academy

Foundations of Grace Academy (initials are FOG, which I sometimes seem to stay in)

MMC Academy (kids’ first initial and last)

The form is laying on my desk, all filled out with the exception of “Name of School”.  Place your vote or suggestion now.  Time is running out!

Scripture Memorization

Scripture memorization should be an important part in our christian life but yet so many claim to be too busy.  I hear this excuse from time to time from the children I work with at church.  I have to be honest, I was not an avid memorizer  until I started working with my daughter on memorization when she was around 2 or 3.  But we have made it an important part of our daily routine.  Before I started homeschooling, we worked on verses on the way to school in the morning or before bedtime.  We didn’t spend nor do we now, spend hours working on verses and catechisms.  We are currently learning one baptist catechism per week and two to five verses per week, depending on the verse.  We have been using the Foundation Verse pack from Children Desiring God and will soon move to the Fighter Verses.  The Fighter Verses came with a handbook that outlines the why, who, how and other useful information.  Here are a few why’s from the handbook:

Children have amazing memories.  Children memorize easily.  In fact, they often memorize effortlessly.  Since memorization is so easy for them, they are memorizing constantly.  They will memorize either what the world has to offer them or what we have to offer them.  Why not take advantage of this God-given gift for the benefit of our children’s spiritual growth?  This window of opportunity is open for about twelve years.  After age twelve, memorization is harder – unless a child has been trained in the habit of memorization.

What is learned in childhood is often retained for a lifetime.  It is so much harder for adults to memorize scripture than children.  We often feel handicapped because we do not have more scripture memorized.  For many adults, the verses they know well are verses learned in childhood.

Memorizing scripture provides children with an ever-present counselor and protector.  We cannot always be with our children.  If the word of God dwells richly in them, they have wise counsel with them at all times.  In addition, God’s word is so much more powerful than our words; it will protect them from the attack of the enemy.

Memorizing scripture makes application and response to the word more likely.  Situations arise in all of our lives which either demonstrate a spiritual truth or demand a word of Biblical counsel.  Often in those situations, the Holy Spirit brings to mind a verse you have memorized.  This is less likely to happen when we have memorized only a few verses.  When we recognize a Biblical truth demonstrated in a situation, it is often impressed on our hearts, and a heartfelt godly response in more likely to occur.  That response can come in the form of appropriate behavior, correct attitudes, or in worship of God as we are awed with the truth of His word.

Children learn by example.  They learn to talk by repeating what they hear.  They learn how to treat others by watching how we treat others.  They will learn to value God’s Word and make it a priority in their lives if they see us making it a priority in our own lives.  Prepare yourself and your child by suiting them up in the Armor of God!

Never Say Never

I must admit, I’ve said “I’ll never…” several times.  The ones that stand out the most are…

“I’ll never drive a mini-van…it’s so not-cool.”   Well after baby #2 came it didn’t take us long to figure out we would be much more comfortable in a vehicle with more seats and being the practical people we are, a gas-guzzling SUV just wouldn’t do.  So what do we buy?  You guessed it, a mini-van!  But in my mind it’s the not a typical mini-van…it’s a Honda and it’s cooler than all the others.  (I don’t know why…I said it was in my mind…no further questions, right?)

“I’ll never be a stay-at-home mom…I would go crazy being with kids all day and no adults to interact with.”   I don’t know what I thought…maybe I thought husbands locked their wives and kids in the house and unhooked the telephone so that you really had to “stay-at-home”!  Well, whatever I thought, I became a stay-at-home mom last year.  After a couple of weeks I couldn’t stand the thought of going back to work.  Not because I’m lazy, just the opposite.  I’m busier now than I ever was when I worked.  It’s like saying you can’t do something when you’ve never tried.  I tell my daughter all the time when she says she can’t do something, “Can’t never could”.  How did I know I couldn’t be a full-time mom if I never tried it?  This mom tried it, loved it and is thankful God allowed it!

“I could never homeschool my children.  I just don’t have the patience…smarts…patience…”  I had some real misconceptions about homeschooling that I won’t even go into.  I made the decision, with a lot of support from my husband, to homeschool around January 2008.  It is a decision that I thank God for every day.  It has been wonderful.  Now don’t get me wrong, there are hard days and stressful times and I am still lacking in the patience department occassionally, but these are the same things I experienced in the workplace.  The only difference is the ones I am working with now love me unconditionally and the pay, well, my pay will come one day when I hear the Lord say, “Well done my good and faithful servant”.  There have been many sacrifices made by the whole family in order for me to stay home but they are sacrifices worth making.  Watching my children grow in the Lord, learn new things and thrive has been some of the biggest blessings in my life.  God is good!  All the time!

So the next time you start to say never, you should ask God, “What would you have me to do or not to do?”.  Sure, God doesn’t care what I drive but he does care about how I live my life.