Cold Weather Meals

As the seasons are changing, I am finding it enjoyable to start thinking about the cold weather recipes I have wanting to cook for my family. Chili, Stew, and Chicken Noodle Soup are the three that are highest on my list. Yum!

Actually eating the food takes second place to my memories of these foods. I love it when we have all been outside - working, playing, hiking, or any other outdoor activity that works up an appetite- all bundled up because of the cold - then come back into the house after the food has been simmering all day long.

The warmness of the house combined with the aroma of home cooking has seared fond memories into my subconscience, not just from my current home but also from growing up. Being the loving mom that I am, I want to pass fond memories of home on to my children who will hopefully pass them on to my grandchildren : )

There are many heritage related aspects of home and family that I desire my children to pass on to future generations and food is probably the least of them but for now, the leaves need raking and the crockpot is empty. I think I will go take care of them both right now.

Blessings,
Julie

Do you need recipes? Are you bored with the meals you have been serving to your family?
Click the link for this incredible collection of recipes!

Working and Home Schooling - Accountability

Just this past week I have realized that I have not been following through with the most important aspect of being a working home school mom. I have not been checking my kids work on a daily basis. We had a wedding this past week and because mom (me) was busy with preparations before the wedding and out-of-town company after the wedding, kids took unapproved time off of school. No wonder we end up working all summer long every year.

This year, I am going to focus most of my attention on accountability. I have the perfect home school curriculum planner and record keeping system to do all of my planning and record keeping but even having the perfect planner does not make up for daily accountability.

I hate the feeling of being behind. The Full-Year Notebook System takes away a lot of that stress but the kids still have to do their work. The only way to ensure that daily work is getting done is to have a time set aside each day for me to check their work. I also like to restrict activities until their work is checked but this usually makes me feel guilty if I am unable to get to it early enough in the day so this is a flexible rule of mine. If it is my fault, they can participate in the activity as long as all of their work is finished before I check it. If it is their fault that they have not finished their work, they cannot participate in the activity.

I don't like to resort to the flexible rule because they have to do work based on what I checked. If they have already taken off for the day, it is very difficult to get them back to correct their mistakes or do additional work in areas they don't understand. I also like them with me as I am checking their work. That way they can see that they are the ones who made the mistakes and I am not the bad guy who just marks everything wrong because I am out to get them. I guess I consider this as "Tutor Time" rather than just checking their work.

My sister has a saying - Inspect what you expect. She told me this saying years ago when we were discussing daily household chores. I find it to be an appropriate saying to apply to school work as well.

Because I am looking forward to having the summer off this year, I am hereby committing to being more diligent about daily Tutor Time! I hope some of you will make this same sort of committment.

Blessings,
Julie

They're Married!

As the newlyweds honeymoon at a resort in the Ozark Mountains, I have been busy throwing together a website with some of the pictures taken at their wedding. It was so beautiful. We couldn't have asked for a prettier day for an outdoor wedding.

This is a temporary website that I literally threw together (with the help of my niece Emilie : ) so please don't expect too much!

http://full-year-notebooks.com/wedding

These young people have made some committments to each other and to God that most wouldn't dream of making. Included in those committments was to experience their first kiss as husband and wife. There is a photo on the website which captures that special moment.

Watching them kiss for the first time was like experiencing the joy of training them up in the way that they should go. I had my doubts at times. There were days that I felt I was wasting my time because my kids didn't hear a word I said much less the still small voice of the Lord. I kept plugging away, day after day, year after year in obedience to what I believed my Father was encouraging me to do and this past weekend I was able to enjoy the fruits of my labors.

Both of these young people were homeschoolers and I am delighted for my son to have chosen such a lovely young lady who loves and serves the Lord. He was raised to seek his bride's hand only after receiving the blessing of her father. In our day and age it seems a little out of place to be so formal with seeking parental approval but I imagine it will save them tons of heartache in the future and they are free to live their lives knowing they are loved and supported by a strong family network.

Blessings,
Julie

If you ever struggle with organizing your student's curriculum, you may want to consider purchasing The Full-Year Notebook System to help you get your home school materials organized.

Getting Married!!

I have finally finished shopping for a dress for my oldest son's upcoming wedding. Only one more week before the big event! Who would have thought that it would be so hard to find a simple yet appropriate dress? Not only that but shoes, foundation, accessories - no wonder I am one of those strange but few women who don't like to shop. Yuck! But at least I have a new, beautiful dress : )

I am very excited about the wedding. It is only a week away and I am busy preparing for out-of-town guests. My mom and dad are coming as is my sister and 5 of her children. My son Joel will be on leave and has just arrived back in the states from Diego Garcia where he has been for the last four months. He will be home early in the week next week.

I guess the thing I love most about this young couple is that they both love the Lord and spend time each day with Him. They live three hours apart yet take time on the phone each night to do their devotionals together. It just warms my heart to see the Bible laying next to my son's bed.

I had my doubts early in his teenage years when I was sure he never heard a word that was taught to him but watching him grow and mature in the Lord as well as in his relationship with his soon-to-be wife has been a huge blessing to me. I have learned that children are going to grow up and turn out the way they are going to be despite me, not because of me. I am proud of him. He is going to be an excellent husband and father.