Bye Bye Butterlies!

Yesterday we finished off our caterpillar to butterfly project. Thankfully, we got 5 healthy, beautiful butterflies from our 5 disgusting little caterpillars. :) They came out of each chrysalis so quickly each time that I thought we weren't going to actually catch one in the act. But we were able to catch the last one emerging from its cocoon so that was great. The girls let them go yesterday. It was a fun project and I think any child would enjoy it. In a few weeks, we'll be having our own ant hill!

**Blue Eyes**

First of all, thank you to Melody for letting me know the above pictures are on our church website! I've been wanting to blog about this, but wanted a picture to attach.

Anyway, its always fun to find out who your children favor and why. Rebekah just adores her Sunday school teacher, Teacher Keith (or "Teacher Keef" as Bek says). Notice in the picture to the right all the other kids are participating in worship...except Bekah. She has to be near Teacher Keith. A few months ago I asked her why she likes him so much. With a far-off gaze and a sweet smile she said, "I like his blue eyes."

It Is Well With My Soul

I've been wanting to post about one of my recent devotions for a couple weeks, but just haven't carved out the time. I know I mentioned the devotional I'm currently working through and how much I love it. In the beginning of the chapter on "the confidence of the pilgrim", the author records the lyrics to a beautiful hymn called "It Is Well With My Soul". Here they are....and at the end of this post I will tell you the story of the man who penned this hymn.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll--
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Tho Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin--O the bliss of this glorious thought--
My sin, not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll:
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so--it is well with my soul.
Horatio G. Spafford

It seems like every Christian I know is going through trials. I have a dear friend who has been battling with major medical issues, a ton of questions, and zero answers for 2 years. Two more dear friends are dealing with unfaithfulness and divorce. Another is verbally and emotionally mistreated by a person she cares for every day. Others are dealing with major financial hardships. Others with betrayal and loneliness. Our latest trial was losing another baby a few weeks ago. I was very early pregnant, in fact it was the earliest I'd ever lost one, but it still was a much desired child. However, I know that when we keep perspective through these times we can whole-heartedly say that it is well with our souls. Why? Because we have hope that is certain and a future that is glorious. Not to mention that through trials we grow deeper with Jesus Christ.

Here is Horatio G. Spafford's story:

"Horatio G. Spafford, a wealthy businessman, had invested heavily in real estate on the shore of Lake Michigan. As a result of the Chicago Fire of 1871, his land-holdings were wiped out. Just before this disaster, he had lost his only son.

Later, desiring a vacation for his wife and four daughters, he planned to join D.L. Moody on one of his evangelistic campaigns in England. He sent his wife and four daughters ahead of him on the S.S. Ville du Havre. On November 22, the ship was struck by another vessel and sank in twelve minutes. Over two hundred lives were lost, including Spafford's four daughters. Spafford received a cable from his wife delivering the news, "Saved alone." Days later, Spafford left by ship to join his wife. It is said that at the exact spot where his daughters drowned, Spafford wrote the words, "When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, / When sorrows like sea billows roll..." Although he had lost what was most dear to him, he was able by grace to say, "It is well with my soul." How is that possible? Read the lines of the fourth stanza again.

Do you see the hope of heaven? Will you be encouraged today with the hope of a glorious future in heaven?"
(taken from "Pilgrimage of the Heart" by Catherine Martin)

Blessed Are the Flexible

Some of you may remember my idealistic daily homeschool schedule I created and posted for my own reference. For those who don't, click here.

No wonder a veteran homeschool mom straight laughed when I told her about my schedule. I am a structured and organzied planner from the core, and I cannot function any other way. However, I've had to learn that not everyone is like me and my children could really care less about running according to schedule. Lately they've been in the habit of watching TV first thing in the morning, leisurely eating breakfast in that same spot and then giving me a horrible time about getting dressed and transitioning to school. By the time that all happens, I'm so frustrated that we're not on schedule and then we all have bad attitudes. School then becomes something to trudge through instead of have fun with. So this week, we have not been turning on the TV at all before school. They come straight to the table to eat and we move right into school from there. I'm giving in on the whole getting dressed and beds made, etc. before beginning class. It so worth it for good attiudes, fun learning, and ending school around 10:15 a.m. (which is when we've been starting lately after all our daily morning drama).

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken!

More Homeschool Stuff

Here are a few pictures of our recent activities during school at home:
















While working through our "rock" unit, we built a mini volcano and the girls loved it when it erupted (with baking soda and red food-colored vinegar).















During math, the curriculum required me to get out the pattern blocks so Annie could name the shapes and colors. The instructions were then for her to take a handful and make a design (like a flower or shape). Should've know...Annie decided to make a whole family - mom, twin sisters, and a dad. This is just an example of how her little bright mind works. She wants to decorate everything and give everything a story. It takes us a year and a day to get through 1 math worksheet, not because she doesn't understand, but because she decorates the numbers, draws an elaborate word picture, or colors 3 colors in a nice pattern to fill in a 1 inch square. Lord, give me patience!!!
















This week we are learning about butterflies. Its a lot of fun and part of the unit is to watch caterpillars go through their metamorphosis and wind up as painted lady butterflies. We received our 5 caterpillars in the mail on Saturday and I would honestly say they've grown at least 10 times their original size. I don't know when I became so squeamish, but they look DISGUSTING to me! Ewwww! I hope they hurry up their process and turn into beautiful butterflies. I guess its a really good picture for me of how God takes our ugliness and nastiness and transforms us into something beautiful. After all, the girls' words to remember for this unit are "God can make me new".

100 Lessons...Done.

Annie and I were excited today because she finished her reading lessons that we began in the fall. We used "Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons" and I highly recommend it. Annie is doing fantastic with her reading and will now be moving on to real books. Bekah is also doing a great job with her reading lessons and is somewhere in the mid 30's.

Teaching my children has truly been a joy so far this year. Being the one to watch those little light bulbs go on in their heads is such a privilege. I am so glad we decided to homeschool this year!