Archives for September 2014

mommy guilt is real

September 29, 2014

Mommy Guilt is real.

If you’re a mom, you may know this feeling quite well, especially around the time of night when your head finally hits the pillow.

That moment when your mind and body are supposed to be relaxing, but instead your thoughts start to settle on all the things you should or shouldn’t have done, and guilt begins to overwhelm you. Your eyes snap open, and suddenly you find yourself making a mental list of all the ways tomorrow will be different. All the ways YOU will be different.

And sometimes tomorrow really does end up being different, but sometimes…it’s just a repeat of exactly the same, sometimes even harder.

But in those moments, those days…okay, those weeks, I’ve really been blessed to have the Lord open my eyes to a little behind the scenes glimpse, and let me just tell you, it’s good. It can actually be really good.

If this sounds familiar, and you hear yourself saying, “me too…” I encourage you to head on over to The Better Mom, and read my post today on The Mommy Guilt Cure…

We’re in this together.

SHARE THIS POST

It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

confessions of a homeschooling mama: curriculum & update | kindergarten & 4th grade

September 10, 2014

I think it’s definitely time for a homeschooling update. So much has changed, and this year will definitely be an adjustment for all of us, but I’m actually really excited about it all! As always, God is continuing to teach and mold me so much through this process, and though it’s been incredibly emotional and difficult at times, I wouldn’t change a single second of what we’ve chosen to do. But, I’ve learned to hold whatever plan we’ve chosen for the time with a loose grasp because I realize Gods plan is always better than my own.

In the video below I’ll explain all the changes, the curriculum I’ve decided to use, and then just a little about what I’ve come to realize regarding this whole homeschooling education approach! Like I said, God’s definitely been at work, and I realize I still have such a long way to go!

I hope this helps or blesses you in some way, and of course if you have any tips or suggestions to share, please leave them either in a comment below or in the comment section of the video itself!

Curriculum Mentioned:

Spelling Power
Wordly Wise
Singapore Math
Explore the Code
First Language Lessons
Handwriting without Tears
What your kindergartener needs to know

And then I used this book to teach both Taylor and Chloe to read, starting around the age of 3.5: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.

If you happen to be at Public School, I definitely recommend reading this book, Going Public.

To watch my other homeschooling confession videos, just click here for the full list!

SHARE THIS POST

It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

we exist only to reflect his light | mini instagram blog session

September 8, 2014

We exist only to reflect His light.
The most lovely light anyone has ever seen.

In everything we say and do…
In all the ways we live and love…
In each and every little decision we make throughout our day…

In all these things, in all these ways, we ought to remember that it’s not about us.
It’s not about proving something.
It’s not even about finding happiness.

It’s only about reflecting Him.

__________

Sometimes I have thoughts.
{Which is often to be celebrated when you’re a parent…}

And so often lately those thoughts just don’t seem enough for a blog post, but the writer in me still desires to share.
In fact, so often its as I write my heart, that I’m better able to understand where it stands.

It’s the writers life, I suppose.

More and more, I’m finding that those thoughts, quotes, pictures and inspirations are spilling out on to the pages of my Instagram, becoming what many hashtaggers might consider #miniblogsessions.
But every once in awhile, I’m thinking those macro posts just might also end up here.

Today is that day.

SHARE THIS POST

It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!

saldana fam cam: kauai style

September 1, 2014

For years Jimmy and I have been wanting to plan a family vacation for just the four of us, and after our first year of homeschooling, we knew the idea needed to move up in the priority list of our to do’s, stat. So, we started tucking money away and doing research on where we wanted to go, and finally last December we had enough saved and had confidently chosen our location…Kauai.

11 years ago on our honeymoon we spent a week on Oahu, and a week on the Big Island, and we have always wanted to go back and explore the other islands one day as well. After two years of homeschooling, all I craved was relaxation, so Kauai seemed the perfect choice.

It ended up being the perfect week, and by the time we got home, we were completely content and relaxed. Even the kids seemed more mellowed out, as the plane ride home was much calmer than the plane ride there. (homeschooling was almost easier than dealing with my kids on the way there. oh my word.)

Kauai was unbelievably beautiful, and with every scenic moment we took in, we made an effort to pause for a moment of authentic worship. You cannot deny there is an incredible Creator when you stop and take in all the beauty that surrounds you, especially when you are in a place like Kauai.

I did my best to capture all that I could on the vlog, so that you too could experience a little of the beauty and relaxation the island had to offer as well.

And now that we’re back home, we’re continuing to challenge ourselves to keep up our worshipful heart and mindset, even as we’re surrounded with what feels so simple and familiar…

It’s amazing what you notice when you make the effort.

{To check out all the pictures from our trip and activities, make sure you follow me over on Instagram! I post a lot of things that never end up on my blog or YouTube channel!}

SHARE THIS POST

It means so much that you are here! I know life gets busy though, so if you don't want to miss a thing, I invite you to subscribe to my blog through email!