What kind of Mother Hen are you?

What type of Mother Hen Are You?
by Montessorimom.com: Educational Resource

On my travels through blog sites I came across this. I thought it was cute so I decided to take the test. I am SHOCKED that it says I am a Groovy Mother Hen. I have never thought of myself as that. I would love to hear what others are. Leave me a comment to let me know.

Toodles--or should I say Peace-Out since I am so groovy : )
Judy

A New Heart

It is very fitting that today, Valentine's Day, our daughter gave us a new heart. This has been a tough week for me. Sometimes, it isn't easy being Mom. Jessica wasn't budging. She was in such a rebellion, walking in her own wisdom. Yesterday she came to us to tell us she wanted to "be part of the family again". Unfortunately, she looked as hard as stone as she was telling me this, shooting me dirty looks as we were talking. When asked why...she said a list of "fun" things she missed. When asked about her heart and why she wasn't being a part of the family she just shrugged. We tried talking to her but it wasn't going very far. The heart just wasn't ready.

Today I went to co-op with the boys. Hubby has Thursday's off and spends it with the girls. Jessie spent the day in her room or sitting on the love-seat when Emily was sleeping. She still looked stone-like this morning. I spoke with her before I left asking her if there was anything she wanted to say. NOTHING. At co-op I spoke with other mothers that I look up to. My heart was breaking. I wasn't sure how much longer I could do it. All I really wanted to do was go home and wrap my arms around Jessie. After talking I knew I needed to stay strong and stay the course. I am happy to say that when I came home from co-op I could see a change. She was starting to crack. After she had lunch she came up to me and again asked to "be part of the family". This time was different. Her heart was different and you could see it in her face...especially in her eyes. When asked why she wanted to be part she gave reasons that were heart felt. I asked her why we had to do this and she told me "because I wanted to do my own thing." SHE GOT IT!!!

Chris and I sat her down and it was like talking to a new little girl. Happiness was truly beaming from her face. Actually let me correct that....Her clean heart was showing. She came to the place that she was ready to accept the correction. I spoke to her about her anger towards me. She told me she was praying and asking God this morning to help her with this. She said she doesn't know why all of a sudden she was angry with me. This is something that I think will get better with time. She is going to have questions in her mind and heart about "why" her birth-mother doesn't have her. I want to help her through the questions and feelings. She then asked us to forgive her. We told her we did just as God forgives us. We sat her between us, prayed together and gave her a huge squeeze.

I am taking this as a new beginning. I want to build a strong relationship with her. I love her so.

Toodles,
Judy

Wordless Wednesday

Valentine Craft

Finished Hearts

My Funny Valentines

One hard nut to crack!

We have been dealing with some big-time heart issues around here. My oldest daughter, who is 7, had a horrible weekend. We had taken her out of co-op for a couple of months but let her go back for the last 3 weeks. She really just can't handle it. Starting Thursday night attitude set in and has been here ever since. My heart is breaking because I know it is a heart issue with her. I truly believe that she is angry with me that I am not her "birth mom". In her mind, I think she believes if she acts up enough for me that I will "give her back". Obviously this is not true. I love my daughter as if I had given birth to her myself but she honestly wears me out sometimes. She can be subtle in her disobedience and if you didn't know her you might take it that she is being "cute" or "just a kid". But it is her trying to show me that she is the boss.

God has been showing me today that I NEED to prepare myself better. I need to equip myself with bible verses and be able to show her what the bible says. As an example: Right now she is thinking she is wise in her own eyes. The bible talks about forgoing the wisdom of your parents...but I don't know exactly where it says it. Looks like I got some homework to do.

Finally yesterday Chris told her she needs to make a decision about being apart of the family---heart and all. So right now she is like an outsider looking in. She is not allowed to eat with us because we eat at a "family table", she is not allowed to play with her siblings because they are part of the family...stuff like that. It might sound tough...especially on a 7 year old, but you need to understand, she doesn't THINK like a 7 y.o.! And let me tell you...she is one tough nut to crack right now. She is stubborn!!!

If you get a moment, and you think of us, could you please lift us up in your prayers. Once she comes to the point of realizing how much she is wrong and being sinful we can let the healing begin.

Judy

January's Swap Sister

I got a package in the mail this week from my Swap sister. LOVED IT!! It had all kinds of goodies in it...A cake and Valentine cake pan(with a note saying it is for the love of my life to make me), scrapbooking paper, jasmine tea, a Valentine dish towel (I have been looking at those at the store) and Hershey chocolate (yummy). This was my first swap and I can't wait to do another. If you want to join the fun, head on over to The Homeschool Blog Awards. They will be posting when the next swap sign up is.

Toodles,
Judy

"A Lovely Marriage" Giveaway

"A Lovely Marriage" is doing a giveaway. It sounds like a good one. It includes:

"How a Wife Can use Reverence to Build or Save Her Marriage" by Pastor S.M. Davis

"How to Change into the Ideal Wife" and "How to Rear Children" memory verse pack by Ron Hood

A small tin pill box

3 note cards

All package in a Hallmark Card Keepsake box.

Go on over to http://hskubes.blogspot.com/2008/02/lovely-marriage-giveaway.html to enter.


Toodles,
Judy

History Has Come to Life!

I am not a big history person. I have a hard time getting into it. My husband for the first 4 years of homeschooling was in charge of this with my oldest son. Now I am in charge of it. CJ (my 14 y.o.) does Switched-On-Schoolhouse and doesn't need me too much for it (only the occasional correction). With my other 3 school-aged children I bought My Father's World. I love the whole idea of the curriculum, however I have a hard time implementing it. This is no fault of the program...it is me. I am trying though.

I figure some history is better than none. We were on George Washington last week (which went into today). I read to the kids a few books, read from Abeka 3rd grade history and planned on finishing today with a movie about General Washington. Today was a slow day (stayed up way to late cheering crying over the Patriots). We watched the movie and then Zachary asked me if I could get a picture off the computer of Washington to color. I liked the idea so I did it. I was feeling like I pretty much failed again with history over this past week. We haven't done really that much compared to what I hear others say they do (most homeschoolers I know LOVE history and could do it all day)...and then I couldn't believe my eyes. Zachary and Alex all afternoon have been playing Revolutionary War! They are actually taking turns being General Washington and the British Army! I am speechless! You truly have to understand this from my perspective. I didn't think I did enough...but they are putting what they learned into practice. I am in awe. I love a-ha moments with homeschooling, don't you?