Here we are now at the start of our second quarter as a homeschool family. There have been interesting challenges to overcome but so far everyone is still alive and thriving in our home environment. Here's a quick flashback of our journey thus far...
Challenge One: How do we do this whole thing?
Simply put....one day at a time. I'm a list maker and a planner by nature. Homeschooling directly challenges that nature because the beauty(frustration) is that learning is flexible. Flexible. Bendable. Moveable. Some days school follows the planned schedule precisely. Other days it's not even close. The key is that the boys are learning. A LOT. They are laughing. A LOT. They are excited about their subjects. A LOT. Really isn't that the goal? Raising eager learners.
Challenge Two: How do we do this with Mommy working part-time?
Insert Grandma. Praise God for my mom and her love of teaching. She has jumped right in to teach the boys on the 3 days per week that I work. If it's a lesson they are struggling with she saves it for me to work with them on after I get home at 2:45. Of course I would rather be home every day with them but right now we need that little extra money from my part-time job so we make it work. So the lesson taught to this Mommy? Sometimes it takes a village to raise a child. (Oh wait, didn't someone already say that? LOL)
Challenge Three: School is over for the day...now what do I do with them?
We learn. We continue to teach. Character lessons. Responsibility lessons. We do chores. We play Minecraft (this game can be a HUGE teaching tool). We go on field trips. We play with other homeschool friends. We spend hours at the library, outside, at the park, on a walk, taking pictures, exploring museums, watching documentaries, grocery shop to learn budgeting, drawing, singing...exploring God's creation all around us.
I am learning more about my children. They are learning more about me. About Daddy. About Grandma. About God. About the world. This is a blessing. Yes, it can be a challenge at times. Yes, I still have days when I want to throw in the towel but those are fewer and fewer. We might just be addicted to this. To each other.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Battleground
I'm probably famous for saying, "Is this the hill I'm gonna die on?" when it comes to dealing with the boys (or even difficult people) during conflict. Some behaviors can be attributed to tiredness, illness, or even over-stimulus. Sometimes it truly is easier to let something slide if it's not a character issue. IF it's not a character issue.
Character. Oh so important character. The Fruits of the Spirit. The choice to live like Jesus. The lessons I find most important to instill into our sons that they might grow to men of principle, men of integrity, men of God. It's the greatest burden we have as parents...teaching character. Specifically the character of God...teaching them to be men who emulate Jesus. Far beyond mathematics, science or English. Any man can be smart but not every man will have character.
I looked today into the hostile eyes of my son, daring me to fight him. Breathe in, breathe out. Is this a hill I should die on or is there a greater battle lurking? The scheduler in me wants to battle on - get the lesson done. The pride in me wants to battle on - demand the respect I deserve as a parent. Thankfully, the gracious Holy Spirit whispers to me..."character." Books are closed. Angry feet stomp to a bedroom after being instructed to go and take a moment to think about actions.
It's time to breathe. To collect myself. Soon I will go to the bedroom and quietly talk about respect, kindness, work ethic and the importance of self-control. Far more precious this time spent...battling for this child's soul. Prayers go up for the right words, for a tender heart, for this boy who is struggling so hard right now in this phase of life...Lord, give us strength to do what is right.
Character. Oh so important character. The Fruits of the Spirit. The choice to live like Jesus. The lessons I find most important to instill into our sons that they might grow to men of principle, men of integrity, men of God. It's the greatest burden we have as parents...teaching character. Specifically the character of God...teaching them to be men who emulate Jesus. Far beyond mathematics, science or English. Any man can be smart but not every man will have character.
I looked today into the hostile eyes of my son, daring me to fight him. Breathe in, breathe out. Is this a hill I should die on or is there a greater battle lurking? The scheduler in me wants to battle on - get the lesson done. The pride in me wants to battle on - demand the respect I deserve as a parent. Thankfully, the gracious Holy Spirit whispers to me..."character." Books are closed. Angry feet stomp to a bedroom after being instructed to go and take a moment to think about actions.
It's time to breathe. To collect myself. Soon I will go to the bedroom and quietly talk about respect, kindness, work ethic and the importance of self-control. Far more precious this time spent...battling for this child's soul. Prayers go up for the right words, for a tender heart, for this boy who is struggling so hard right now in this phase of life...Lord, give us strength to do what is right.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Ephesians 6:12
Ephesians 6:12
Monday, July 29, 2013
Finding our groove
Here we are...three weeks in! It takes time but we're finding our groove as we start week 4. This adventure is not for the meek or the easily frustrated. I've found myself wanting to give up at least twice but even then it wasn't that I wanted to give up schooling, it was more of a complete personal meltdown that really just required a "Mommy Time Out" - even if that just meant time by myself to go brush the horses, or take a shower, or read a few pages in a book without the fighting.
Fighting. Well, there's a bit of crazy. Lately it seems I'm always fighting with someone, for someone. Epiphany finally hit. The boys aren't really naughty all the time. They just do such a good job of taking turns being naughty and spacing it just right that it SEEMS like I'm always in conflict about something with someone. Truth is they are very sweet and loving and just when I want to run screaming down the driveway begging a passerby to take me away, they do something amazing. It's a big brother helping build a cool Lego car for a little brother. It's boys with heads together looking in a exploration book. It's a 4 year old snuggled with a puppy, head on his big brother's lap, sleeping.
So I learn. To breathe in and breathe out. To soak up the moments when there is peace and unpack them as a good memory when the tired overwhelms a boy. When the tears start. When a fist is raised.
We've made it this far. We are learning. Learning to be content and at peace with each other. Learning to be partners. Friends. Companions. We are finding the joy of coming back together after having visited a friend for there really is no place like home. We can share. We can work together. We can still love - even in anger. We can forgive when the anger passes. Math, English, Science...yes, important to know but it's the character development that we most need. THIS is why we are here.
Fighting. Well, there's a bit of crazy. Lately it seems I'm always fighting with someone, for someone. Epiphany finally hit. The boys aren't really naughty all the time. They just do such a good job of taking turns being naughty and spacing it just right that it SEEMS like I'm always in conflict about something with someone. Truth is they are very sweet and loving and just when I want to run screaming down the driveway begging a passerby to take me away, they do something amazing. It's a big brother helping build a cool Lego car for a little brother. It's boys with heads together looking in a exploration book. It's a 4 year old snuggled with a puppy, head on his big brother's lap, sleeping.
So I learn. To breathe in and breathe out. To soak up the moments when there is peace and unpack them as a good memory when the tired overwhelms a boy. When the tears start. When a fist is raised.
We've made it this far. We are learning. Learning to be content and at peace with each other. Learning to be partners. Friends. Companions. We are finding the joy of coming back together after having visited a friend for there really is no place like home. We can share. We can work together. We can still love - even in anger. We can forgive when the anger passes. Math, English, Science...yes, important to know but it's the character development that we most need. THIS is why we are here.
Monday, July 15, 2013
A Journey Starts with a Single Step...
We made it through our first week! We did it! Organized and without huge trouble!
Learning is happening here and it is good!
Thursday, July 11, 2013
The Rubber Meets the Road...and the Tire Pops!
I knew the day would come but I can't believe it's already hit me this quick. The "CHALLENGE" day. The day when the boys are deciding to be really obnoxious to each other as they sit across the table from each other, books open and pencils engaged in war. Rage against the system boys! Rage against each other!
Pencils poke. Feet kick. Scream and make faces. Mom buries face in hands.
No, I won't give up. I won't let us quit. I won't let them quit. I won't quit. Some semblance of assignments will be done today.
Separation. One at the computer doing math games while the other grumbles because "That's not the way Mrs. Nichols does it."
Enter the 4 year old who is no longer content to do his puzzle with his auntie. Demands. Playdough...appeased.
Here's the headache I've been feeling tingle at the edge of my brain. Full force and ouch, I just want to go to bed for a while but there are these children to teach, laundry to do, jelly to be finished and my mind is elsewhere thinking of my mother and the task that she has to do today. Her burden so much larger than mine.
"Go easy. Rest in Me. There will be these days but I am working in them and in you and through you. Rest in Me."
Break time declared. We've struggled through our math and English but they are done. Lessons have been absorbed. Children are separated to play for a while and I hear the buds of laughter starting to bloom as the washer chugs happily. All will be accomplished...in time.
Pencils poke. Feet kick. Scream and make faces. Mom buries face in hands.
No, I won't give up. I won't let us quit. I won't let them quit. I won't quit. Some semblance of assignments will be done today.
Separation. One at the computer doing math games while the other grumbles because "That's not the way Mrs. Nichols does it."
Enter the 4 year old who is no longer content to do his puzzle with his auntie. Demands. Playdough...appeased.
Here's the headache I've been feeling tingle at the edge of my brain. Full force and ouch, I just want to go to bed for a while but there are these children to teach, laundry to do, jelly to be finished and my mind is elsewhere thinking of my mother and the task that she has to do today. Her burden so much larger than mine.
"Go easy. Rest in Me. There will be these days but I am working in them and in you and through you. Rest in Me."
Break time declared. We've struggled through our math and English but they are done. Lessons have been absorbed. Children are separated to play for a while and I hear the buds of laughter starting to bloom as the washer chugs happily. All will be accomplished...in time.
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
It's a Whole New World...
Fast forward to July 9, 2013...
We've been through a devastating F5 tornado which took our home and most of our "stuff." We've rebuilt and replanted and are still recovering in so many areas but God is still good and faithful. So here we are...back in our home for just over a year now and taming the wild back into a bit of manageable chaos. We've added horses to the mix. We've gained land. We've changed and grown.
This year's big adventure is the addition of home-schooling to our family. Yep, we finally did it. We pulled the boys at the end of their 2012-2013 school year and have just started our first 2 days of school after many family meetings, hours of research and sore knees from prayer. That is where we'll be now on this blog...chronicling the journey of our school. Lessons learned. Lessons relearned. Grace granted. Tears poured out and then dried. Here we are. Let the fun begin!
To read more on our tornado and recovery please visit our page Beyond the Storm
We've been through a devastating F5 tornado which took our home and most of our "stuff." We've rebuilt and replanted and are still recovering in so many areas but God is still good and faithful. So here we are...back in our home for just over a year now and taming the wild back into a bit of manageable chaos. We've added horses to the mix. We've gained land. We've changed and grown.
To read more on our tornado and recovery please visit our page Beyond the Storm
Monday, February 28, 2011
Opening the clenched fist by grace
Those who have read the blog since inception know that we've had a few challenging years here at Camp Cardwell. Our obedience to God brought us to our "Promised Land" here in Oklahoma City and we felt blessed. Blessed indeed...with a surprise baby boy born May 2010 - 18 years younger than our oldest. Blessed indeed...with beautiful acreage and wonderful neighbors. Blessed indeed...with Ron's layoff and removal of a large chunk of our income. Pause. Yes, you read that right. Blessed.
Why on earth would I consider our sole provider losing our only source of income as a blessing? Have I lost my mind? Though grateful for his re-emergence into work society with a $40K paycut, shouldn't I be just a bit "ticked"? I suppose part of me would like to be but every time I've tried to feel angry God has spoken words of wisdom and growth. Instead of anger I find peace.
We had to be knocked to the ground to be humbled enough to do what we otherwise wouldn't have. Go on a budget...a tight one. Rely completely on God for provision...instead of our own ingenuity. Now after some long conversations and prayer it is time for me to emerge back into the workforce. We have a full time sitter for Evan since my mom is now here and has volunteered...for free, bless her heart but you know we'll still keep giving her nice things. We looked at the budget and decided a number that we felt we should pray for as income for me. Off I went to the web, armed with a killer resume, a few cover letters and a prayer before each submission to make sure that I was following the Lord's guidance.
Friday I submitted for an underwriting position with OECU (Oklahoma Employees Credit Union). Their response was "here take this big ol' test on the computer." At first it appeared to be yet another silly personality styles test but after completion of those areas there was a math and vocabulary section. Um, it's a good thing I paid attention in school and like algebra because this wasn't your basic 1+1=2 sort of test. Finished the test (without the aid of calculator or dictionary as instructed) and sent a message to them. 10 minutes later...phone call, which I missed. Today I spoke with Dusty and though they have filled the underwriter position they really want me to consider a position as a branch loan officer for mortgages. STOP. If you know me, you know I don't do the "schmoozy" thing with agents and I don't cold call random people on a list. My mind sent up a "are you kiddin' me Lord?" to which I received a "Be still and listen". Dusty further described the position - no need for realtor ties, no need for cold calling...it's just serving bank customers on their home loan needs from start to finish. Ok, I CAN do that. I love to help people achieve their homeownership dreams. I interview tomorrow at 2 pm.
Now, why share all that? Here's why. When Ron lost his job we cashed out every bit of stock and investment funds we had to simply survive. Timely enough our church was doing a Dave Ramsey class which we attended and learned from. Ron found a job with a huge pay cut.Thank you Lord for the job. We had tried the route of me working for 3 months - we paid so much in daycare that there was only $100 left over. That wasn't a benefit so I stayed home again. We immediately contacted all creditors. They were shocked that we were so proactive and "Yes, Mrs. Cardwell, we can modify your account to meet the new income your husband makes." Thank you Lord for meeting the exact amount that we had left over to pay debt...I'm talking within $5 per month.
Today, I asked what the salary range was for the position at OECU. When I calculated 75% of the low end of the range it was exactly what we had calculated we needed for me to work. The likelihood of me being at the low end is pretty slim given the vast experience I have. God provided our minimum and then some. In addition, the office is within 2 miles of Ron's work....we can carpool some days to save on gas. Plus, there are bonuses. Thank you Lord for giving me opportunities beyond my requests.
It doesn't matter if I get this job or not...I am so excited to tell you that God provides. I recently shared with a friend that we were not giving our full 10% tithe but only what we could do and that I was afraid to "just do it". She shared her story with me and encouraged me to get out there and use our tax return to "catch up" our tithe, ask for forgiveness and commit to obedience. We prayed. We asked forgiveness. We caught up. That was a week ago. This week I have an interview with more than what I asked for in income. Coincidence? I think not.
Go out there and trust God. Give him your very best. Give him your first fruits. Never be afraid to take the chance. He's faithful, so very faithful!
"Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers." Malachi 3:8
Why on earth would I consider our sole provider losing our only source of income as a blessing? Have I lost my mind? Though grateful for his re-emergence into work society with a $40K paycut, shouldn't I be just a bit "ticked"? I suppose part of me would like to be but every time I've tried to feel angry God has spoken words of wisdom and growth. Instead of anger I find peace.
We had to be knocked to the ground to be humbled enough to do what we otherwise wouldn't have. Go on a budget...a tight one. Rely completely on God for provision...instead of our own ingenuity. Now after some long conversations and prayer it is time for me to emerge back into the workforce. We have a full time sitter for Evan since my mom is now here and has volunteered...for free, bless her heart but you know we'll still keep giving her nice things. We looked at the budget and decided a number that we felt we should pray for as income for me. Off I went to the web, armed with a killer resume, a few cover letters and a prayer before each submission to make sure that I was following the Lord's guidance.
Friday I submitted for an underwriting position with OECU (Oklahoma Employees Credit Union). Their response was "here take this big ol' test on the computer." At first it appeared to be yet another silly personality styles test but after completion of those areas there was a math and vocabulary section. Um, it's a good thing I paid attention in school and like algebra because this wasn't your basic 1+1=2 sort of test. Finished the test (without the aid of calculator or dictionary as instructed) and sent a message to them. 10 minutes later...phone call, which I missed. Today I spoke with Dusty and though they have filled the underwriter position they really want me to consider a position as a branch loan officer for mortgages. STOP. If you know me, you know I don't do the "schmoozy" thing with agents and I don't cold call random people on a list. My mind sent up a "are you kiddin' me Lord?" to which I received a "Be still and listen". Dusty further described the position - no need for realtor ties, no need for cold calling...it's just serving bank customers on their home loan needs from start to finish. Ok, I CAN do that. I love to help people achieve their homeownership dreams. I interview tomorrow at 2 pm.
Now, why share all that? Here's why. When Ron lost his job we cashed out every bit of stock and investment funds we had to simply survive. Timely enough our church was doing a Dave Ramsey class which we attended and learned from. Ron found a job with a huge pay cut.Thank you Lord for the job. We had tried the route of me working for 3 months - we paid so much in daycare that there was only $100 left over. That wasn't a benefit so I stayed home again. We immediately contacted all creditors. They were shocked that we were so proactive and "Yes, Mrs. Cardwell, we can modify your account to meet the new income your husband makes." Thank you Lord for meeting the exact amount that we had left over to pay debt...I'm talking within $5 per month.
Today, I asked what the salary range was for the position at OECU. When I calculated 75% of the low end of the range it was exactly what we had calculated we needed for me to work. The likelihood of me being at the low end is pretty slim given the vast experience I have. God provided our minimum and then some. In addition, the office is within 2 miles of Ron's work....we can carpool some days to save on gas. Plus, there are bonuses. Thank you Lord for giving me opportunities beyond my requests.
It doesn't matter if I get this job or not...I am so excited to tell you that God provides. I recently shared with a friend that we were not giving our full 10% tithe but only what we could do and that I was afraid to "just do it". She shared her story with me and encouraged me to get out there and use our tax return to "catch up" our tithe, ask for forgiveness and commit to obedience. We prayed. We asked forgiveness. We caught up. That was a week ago. This week I have an interview with more than what I asked for in income. Coincidence? I think not.
Go out there and trust God. Give him your very best. Give him your first fruits. Never be afraid to take the chance. He's faithful, so very faithful!
"Bring your full tithe to the Temple treasury so there will be ample provisions in my Temple. Test me in this and see if I don't open up heaven itself to you and pour out blessings beyond your wildest dreams. For my part, I will defend you against marauders, protect your wheat fields and vegetable gardens against plunderers." Malachi 3:8
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