Yes, you are correct. A view of the Bar? Bar means BAR! – as in beer, drunk, Asheville, NC. Our beautiful Asheville, NC, set in the Great Smoky Mountains has been quite overtaken by the liberal left and become the prime spot for Craft Beer and Breweries. “Oh be careful little eyes what you see?” song ditty has turned into “Oh be careful better close your eyes for sure” every time we venture downtown for a mail run. On this day in point, we rounded the corner from the Post Office and stopped at a traffic light. Right outside AbiNoelle’s window was a old mechanic shop turned beer joint and with a quick gasp she looked and said, Continue reading “A View of the Bar”
Early this morning, Mommy was preparing for the day, Daddy had already kissed us goodbye, and AbiNoelle was stirring from bed. Before Mommy knew it, an urgent knock came to her bedroom door. It was followed by an emphatic, “Mommy, Mommy!” and soon she was singing “JOY to the World” all over the house.
Continue reading “Why we’re singing “Joy” to the World in September”
“Mommy, why don’t I have a recess like they do?”
AbiNoelle is such a logophile! You know, a person who likes words! She didn’t realize, that for her, playtime is synonymous with recess! Why, just the other day, from out of the clear blue, she says, “What does the word indignant mean?”
“Indignant? Use it in a sentence,” I prodded.
“She gave her teacher a very indignant look. That was what Amy said to her schoolteacher,” she explained.
Then, I knew…
From the hubbub of the holidays to a vigorous start in the new year – life is busy! With the church Christmas play, family events, and other memory-making moments passed, we turned to a new year of scheduling for family and ministry. Traveling for our ministry causes great excitement as AbiNoelle loves to GO anywhere and she loves people and preachers! Daily ministry office tasks are never-ending and constantly growing and vying for attention. Homeschool activities, family time, Ladies Sunday School Tea Party (what a “Tea”-rrific time), personal projects, the list goes on AND the bathroom really needs cleaning!! Life is busy, but life is also brief. Just this month, we have witnessed a lady in a year-long recovery from a horrific car accident, a grandfather’s fall while on vacation causing a tramatic brain injury, and a dear pastor friend passing into Heaven after a sudden heart attack. Busy Life. Brief Life – Two adjectives that give pause when you wake in the morning saying, “There is just too much to do today to do school!” Believe me, I find that thought peeping out from under the covers at least once a week. So, what to do?
- Get up and do it! From day one, we established a routine for AbiNoelle’s school days, and we are so thankful! At four, AbiNoelle doesn’t quite grasp the busyness of schedules. She simply gets up, eats breakfast, gets dressed, and expects school to start. Thankfully, we chose a program that allows Mom to prepare boardwork and paperwork the afternoon before so that each morning the school day is ready to start without wasting time trying to figure out what to do first. The A Beka DVD program is great for busy Moms because it allows you to be as involved in your child’s education as you desire, while enthusiastically engaging the student in learning so that Mom can get some needed things accomplished. Building good habits from the beginning makes life a little easier when times get hectic.
- Finish the Job! AbiNoelle loves Patch the Pirate and one of his songs has been sung on many occasions during school when we think of quitting for whatever reason: “Finish the job, finish the job, get it done! Finish the job, finish the job, then have fun! When you have a job to do, never quit until it’s through. Finish the job, finish the job…go and get it done – finish the job!” From day one, we have had the policy of finishing the school day before playing, lunch, shopping or other activities. Some days that has meant being flexible, getting up earlier, or even eating breakfast during school so that we complete school and move on to other special activities for the day.
- Do it right! I admit, the thought has crossed my mind to just allow “art time” or “craft projects” or cooking, cleaning, etc. to “count” as school time. While those activities are great learning tools to utilize, they can never replace a planned curriculum that insures that AbiNoelle will not miss out on one important topic of learning. I also realize my own weakness in busy times is to skip those needful reviews and extra practices. Life is brief. God has called us to do whatever our hand findeth to do with our MIGHT. That doesn’t mean skimping or half-heartedly. It doesn’t mean talking ourselves into accepting excuses and degrading school from top priority to the bottom-of-the-barrel, extra-curricular option. NOW is the time. Today is important!
And so…with those 3 thoughts, we made up that bed, drank our one-cup-a-day mug of coffee and started school. As each day ended and we returned to the bed, we realized that the bathroom still needed cleaning but much had been accomplished and we had no regrets for completing a successful school day! Enjoy the quick highlights below of some of our fun times!
(From left to right) 1. Our ministry hosted a special Pastor’s dinner with Chef Dave in which AbiNoelle had the opportunity to quote Matthew 28. 2. Time-out for a ministry family pic. 3. Tons of fun in a big snowfall. 4. MeMe, AbiNoelle, and Mommy at our church tea party. 4. AbiNoelle with Chef Dave after the dinner.
Giggles, squeals, and bubbling energy were barely contained as we started Phonics with Mrs. Pintar. The promise of the most special day had us antsy in our seats. After a little review with vowels and consonants to bring routine and order…it was finally revealed. Look what Mrs. Pintar had today…
Continue reading “Can you believe it! I’m so excited!”
Homeschooling with a MISSION 
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