Truth for my Child

Our first official week of the 2016/17 school year is almost complete.
This week we gently eased back into school mode.
 I held a loose idea of what our days would look like, and we certainly had struggles,
but the Father planned for something lovely.

Earlier this week, I lay tossing and turning, not over curriculum, but with a strong stirring upon my heart.

 A stirring of what truly matters most in our day to day.

 
My heart begin to well up with the enormity of the daily opportunity I've been given as a mom
to speak life over my children. To declare the truth to them.

Truth that they might often not believe. 

Truth that they the world has lied to them about.

Truth of who they are; not based on actions, but a child their Father has redeemed them as.

I awoke the next morning, penning words from the Father;

You are righteous, not b/c of actions, but simply b/c you believe.

You are my child; my son, my daughter.

You are royalty and have the complete inheritance as my child.

You can never disinherit all that I've given you. You are not in lack.

I have provided and will continually, abundantly provide more than you can imagine!

You are unconditionally loved, no matter what you do, or how much you mess up.

You are NOT a disappointment.

My arms are continually open toward you.

When you feel distance, turn around, you'll see Me. I am never far from you.

I will never leave, never turn aside.

I am always perusing you, always longing for you. 

I am your Shepherd.

When you fall, when you're wounded and cannot walk,

I will carry you close to my heart, so you hear my heartbeat toward you.

Your falling does not anger me; You are pleasing! 

Not b/c of how you act, how you look, or what you say.

You are mine and I delight in you!

When I look at you, I see a clean and spotless child b/c of the priceless blood which paid for your righteousness.

I love you when you are unlovable. 

I am your Father, standing with open arms, welcoming you my child.

I've prepared a wondrous feast, I've put the finest clothes on your back.

All of my kingdom is yours, simply b/c you.are.mine." 

Morning Time {Bringing Beauty to your Day}

This year has been trans-formative for our family. 

In January I stumbled across the concept of "Morning Time" and it's truly hands down, the best part of our day!
 The idea of Morning Time is quite simple;

  

"It's simply gathering together to cover subjects, as a family, that we can do together which encourage truth, goodness and beauty into our day".

 Honestly, establishing the habit of Morning Time did take some preparation

 mentally, physically and financially.

Mentally. I had to retrain myself that this simplistic, lovely time spent with my children was in fact deeply beneficial to their education. I subconsciously equated a rigorous education with a quality education. However, through our personal experience, I discovered that this meaningful time not only fulfills a quality, thorough education but is life building, relationally, which to me is invaluable!!

Physically. I had to prepare by spending some time alone, which isn't easy with a large family.

Late nights after the kids were in bed, or evenings when Ben was away, I sat down pen in hand, and quietly pondered what subjects I wanted to incorporate into our Morning Time. I took this time to thoughtfully consider which subjects to focus on, then determined to gather the materials.

Many of our materials I already owned; these lovely, lovely books were just being overlooked!

Lastly, I purchased the remaining items I didn't already have.

Morning Time, Circle Time, or as it's known in our home, Living Room Time can be beautifully tailored to fit your individualistic interests. Ours include Ritual, Reading and Recitation.

Morning Time does not eliminate Math, Language Arts, History or Science, though you certainly could thoroughly cover these areas if you're family chooses, especially if you educate Charlotte Mason style.

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Our Morning Time included these resources shown above include:

Literature || all seven Narnia books including the Veritas Press comprehension guide

Music || Mozart and Bach including the music CD's by Zeezok Press

Art History || Degas, Monet, and Renoir | Looking at Picutres | Picture Study Portfolio

Science || Outdoor Secrets, Trees Leaves and Bark, and Nature study

Greek || English from the Roots Up

Once all my materials were gathered, I decided how to "loop" the days to cover each subject:

{Mon thru Thurs}Literature and Greek

 {Mon and Wed}Music and History

 {Tues and Thurs}Art History and Science

  

On nice days we usually head outdoors and add in a bit of Nature journaling as well.

If while reading this, you feel your heart strings tug at the idea of implementing this beautiful, transformative routine to your day, my single piece of advice is

"start small and give yourself tons of grace while you get settled into this new routine"

In my next post, I'll talk about planning Morning Time and our daily rhythm

 Lastly, if your final days of summer find you cleaning out closets or organizing school rooms, and you'd like to learn more about Morning Time, I encourage you to head over to Pam Barnhill and listen to her podcast or if you'd rather cozy up with a good book, you can find that over at Your Morning Basket.

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|| Mama, there is absolutely not a single ounce of condemnation for those not doing Morning Time!  
I firmly believe life is found in many, many ways! 
I'm in no way preaching a method, I'm just sharing how the Father is unloading life to us in this way. 
Next year could look completely different. We simply are walking where He leads
That's where life is found!!

Why I photograph my "perfect life"

First off, I do NOT have a perfect life! Quite honestly, some days are messy hard!

I wake up before the herd, the house is still quiet; sip my coffee, which the best husband made.

 One by one, sleepy kids stroll downstairs sweetly, then it's all downhill from there.

Sister doesn't want eggs, almost a half gallon of milk spilled, "brother is sitting too close to me"

A headache strikes and you want to go back to bed for the entire day! 

but the day must go on. 

After the breakfast mess is clear, and husband out the door, I long for the lovely, the best things.
  Little Brother wants to read, so we head to his favorite spot.
As he arranges his buddies, smiles his dimpled grin, he snuggles close.
 This time nourishes my heart.  I quickly capture it with a photo. 

As I listen to him read, I breathe deep; all five of my boys have accomplished this childhood milestone.
I recall to mind the hard days of four boys ages five and under, three in diapers. The days I just survived. 

Those days have transitioned into an overflowing home full of books, lego's, and loud drum sets {plural}

During those "routine days" of life when my guys were little, I photographed what felt like the mundane.
Silly boys just being silly!
 Those photographs are treasures to my heart today!
Treasures of encouragement; reminders of lovely days; even the loveliness that I overlooked.
Looking at those photographs today, my heart is bursting!
Bursting with the gratefulness for the reminders of my beautiful, abundantly blessed life!

Some days are tough, I mean tooth and nail tough.
A photograph captures beauty, even in the midst of chaos.
 I never want to overlook the beautiful surrounding me, each and every day!
Often times that beauty is in the midst of a beautiful mess.

"Through it All"

These lyrics; this song; echo my heart's cry today. 

 One month ago,  May 29th, another of our precious unborn children dances in Heaven. 

 

My second miscarriage has been painful at the loss of our Little One.

Yet, these six years later, The Father continues to carry me, comfort me, and surround my ache with his abundant love.

He is steadfast, true to His loving nature.

Yet I walk in the truth of His nature deeper now than ever before. 

When the enemy lies and steals,

The Father abundantly multiplies, illuminates truth, and renews my mind.

 "Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you 

 Through it all, through it all, it is well

Through it all, through it all, my eyes are on you

 And it is well with me.

                    Let go my soul, and trust in Him; the waves and wind still know His name.

It is well, It is well, It is well with my soul "

treasuring the days

all the boys are involved this week at VBS, meaning Sweet Pea and i are spending time just the two of us.

she holds my hand and we stroll along, i look at her and truly can not believe how fast time has passed.

                      i'm continually thankful the Father blessed my life with a daughter.

                                                              my life has forever changed.
               

                           

                                                     

 

she is gentle and fierce. sensitive and silly.

when i lay beside her at night, after many books have been read...she snuggles close and whispers

                                                         "your my best friend. "

                       my heart soars.   we share a special bond, unique to the two of us.


              i've changed so much through the years, but nothing like the past three years.

my relationship with Father has grown as i'm catching glimpses of His completely overwhelming favor.

                 my mothering heart has softened more than i thought imaginable.  i'm treasuring the days.