Homeschool Rooms 2010

Is August really around the corner? Did half the summer just go by in a blink of an eye? I've been having visions of homeschooling rooms dancing around in my mind. Here is what I see...

This one from Molding Minds is oh-so pretty and organized:

This set-up from DIY Ideas is great for conserving space:

Love this reading nook from Homeschooling in the Rose Garden, it makes you want to curl up with a good book and escape the world...

and how practical is her space saving idea above the organizers...

Imagine what your children could create on this chalk paint wall from These Are The Days:

The Homeschool Channel was a great source:

This 3 in 1 computer desk was made from clearance kitchen cabinets from Lowes on the lower part and plain lumber for the table. The chairs were from target $30 each. Notice the Konos timeline above---don't forget to have a timeline for your school year! If you don't have the space on a wall you could also create a notebook of timelines.

I snuck this one in because I have always wanted to have learning centers for the children but wasn't too keen on the space that was required of them. Here is a brilliant solution as seen as on the above shelf (click to enlarge)---just put what you would like in your plastic bin for your history, science or listening center and pull it out when you need it. You could even use bins bigger than these if you like bigger displays. Just make a note to update them every few weeks if you want to change the theme or make them could be fresh and new.

This room is a preschoolers mom's dream! What is NOT here? See the table in the back by the easle? So cute!

This looked so comfy I just had to post it. Aren't these chairs just beckoning your name? Love how organized the books behind them look too. The only thing that is missing is a cup of hot tea!

And last but not least, here is a homey-feeling schoolroom. It is comfortable and inviting so opposite of that sterile, cold environment we grew up in!! Wherever you homeschool--if it is in the kitchen, dining room or an official homeschool room, make sure to make the memories of your school special. You may have a small budget, large one or nonexistent---but remember what matters most is the love that you put in it.

My homeschool room definitely is a far cry from any of these rooms right now--it has been empty, neglected and played in by preschoolers pretending to "do" school. I am viewing much of August as my time to makeover the room, purchase the remainder of their curriculum, research great teaching ideas, and loosely plan out all the learning and fun we will have this year.

Have you started your planning yet?

What new ideas/methods will you incorporate this year?

Need more inspiration? Check out my showcase of homeschool rooms from 2009.

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***Looking for excellent homeschool resources? Click here! **

Learning the Secret of a Homemaking Heart

What is it, that makes a christian woman a happy, home-loving wife and mother?

I wonder if, part of it perhaps, is this... as a woman setting out to become godly home-maker, she is encouraged to 'look to the ways of her household' and so, she begins the happy work of creating a haven of order and beauty. Her duties encompass many tasks, both mundane and creative, and she discovers that all are necessary for the making of a pleasant home.

She does not aim to reproduce the sterile image of perfection from some home decorating magazines. Neither is she slavishly mimicking the staged room settings of non-existent homes, found in the junkmail brochures. In fact, there may be nothing at all in her abode which bears a designers label to be eyed with envy.

No..a godly homemaker seeks items of much higher value to embellish her precious home!

Her guests may have trouble recalling the pattern on her sofa or the color of her curtains, but they will, however, clearly remember the atmosphere of the room in which she entertains them. Being aware of this, she aims to create, to the best of her ability, a tranquil room. For a caring home-keeper loves to create a warm and welcoming feel to her home.

She works to achieve this by simple means such as...avoiding ugly clutter, dusting and cleaning the furniture, and having good natural light coming in through the windows for starters. She adds some pretty flowers, real or silk, some comfy cushions, and pleasant pictures on the walls to make a plain room look lovely without costing a fortune.

She knows that many of the decorative items she seeks, can easily be found at thrift shops, or perhaps can be handmade by herself, as she learns some craft as a handy new hobby.

But nice as all these objects may be, the thing which people will remember most, is the 'feel' of the room. If everything is in it's place and picture perfect but the conversation is dry, cold and uncaring, her guests will carry away an impression of a soul-less house. However if they are greeted with true charity and genuine friendliness, they will leave with a sense of contentment and a desire to return again and often.

After all, it's not a designer sofa which offers comfort-a listening ear and gentle heart does ! And a stiff 3 course meal on expensive china does not feed the soul-but a simple bowl of warm soup can be a feast of joy, if served with love ! So the godly woman comes to discover that the heart of a truly happy home-maker must be a 'servant' heart.

She cheerfully learns to build a home of faith, love and peace for her family, as well as beauty comfort and order. She opens her home gladly to offer friendship, respite and encouragement to others. Her heart delights in sharing the blessings of her life and she extends them gladly as each opportunity arises.

She is known and loved for her generosity, joy, gentleness and faith. Her family treasure her and her friends admire her for she holds the key to contentment in her daily round of home-keeping. She knows the secret of finding joy in the humble chores of cherishing her home.

The key is shaped by the word 'GIVE'

And the secret's name is 'LOVE'

--Beautifully written by Trish @ Angel Wings and Apron Strings






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Grace and Mercy

I have learned a few things on this glorious journey of biblical and wise womanhood and of it all, it would be not to fall into the foolish woman's trap. I know I must keep my wits about me and so must you--so I'd like to share them with you.

There is no one such woman that exists that is perfect--not I, not you, not Suzy Homemaker down the street. We all need the abounding love that comes from our omnipotent Father and the grace and mercy from one another.

I do not want to build a home to look down upon others or compete with others. My homebuilding is not a race, nor is it a track record of how well I am doing spiritually. It comes from a heart of love to do the right thing and heart of obedience to serve the Lord.

My homemaking is not perfect--nor is yours. Strive as we might, we cannot and should not mimic the staged scenes of the ever so popular and glossy magazines. There is so much more to homebuilding and that is cultivating and loving the tender hearts and atmospheres at our homes. If you stop by my home during the week you will see the imperfection I am speaking of! Toys on the floor, fingerprints on windows---yes, I would rather have that with happy children and husband than a neglected family and pristine home. In the past, I have known of godly women who purposefully make it a point to keep their homes 'imperfect' while having company to encourage the young ladies who visit ...what an encouragement, indeed!

And where shall I begin with imperfect children? Why, we all have them! They are the product of us--their imperfect parents. We should not be surprised when our children sin except be prepared for it so we can handle it biblically.

We do not want to ever fall into the trappings of pride. Prideful about our homes, our families our Christian walk, our material possessions, our so called 'good works'---it is the awful and seductive web of deceit that Satan spins enticing us throughout our days. I have heard it described as a yummy, enticing ice cream sundae---from afar you are tempted, its look soooo attractive with whip cream and cherry toppings. But as you get closer you see it for what it really is---it is not ice cream after all, instead you find that under all the whip cream, it was really manure! How could this be--what looked so great at a distance turned out to be a sham. And so how it is with Satan's allurement. It is but an ensnarement and a lie. At the end of the day, we need to ultimately measure ourselves through the eyes of Christ.

We need more grace and mercy towards one another. We have it with Christ, now we need to practice it...especially towards ourselves. So many of us are struggling right now with financial difficulties, layoffs, losing homes, and illnesses. Grace and mercy needs to be abundant in our lives. Our love needs to be evident and extended wholeheartedly in the way that Christ would want it, especially during difficult times.

I love to share what inspires me on this blog, but I never want even one of you to feel that you cannot measure up---these articles are here to encourage to help guide the way---to spur on, to inspire and most importantly--- give vision. Never to raise the bar so high that we feel we are miserably failing. NEVER!!! We need to take things with baby steps. Here a little there a little. Soon enough we will learn to 'walk' as we teach and train ourselves to do what is right and necessary to build a home that is pleasing to God.

It is with love that I share my heart on this blog, first to my children and then to you, my dear readers. May you always "hear" the undertones of this in my writings and know I am constantly praying for you. We are on this journey together--learning side by side--and what an honor to be able to do that with you...my dear friends...at the feet of Jesus.

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Her Gentleness

Then her gentleness is another part of her qualification for duty. She should have, must have, really has, influence and power of impulsion, if not compulsion. Were she utterly powerless , she could do nothing. Her influence, however, is a kind of passive power; it is the power that draws rather than drives, and commands by obeying.

Her gentleness makes her strong.

How winning are her smiles, how melting her tears, how insinuating her words.
Woman loses her power when she parts from her gentleness.
It is this very yielding, like the bulrush
lifting its head after the rush of water which it has bowed,
that gives her a power to rise superior to the force of circumstances which,
if resistance were offered, would break all before them.

She vanquishes by submission.

How necessary gentleness is to the fulfillment of her mission
in handling the young and tender spirits of her children,
in training the first delicate shoots of their infant dispositions,
and for directing the feelings of that one heart on which she depends for her happiness.

There are many varieties of disposition in women,
which may make them sensitive, petulant, irritable, jealous, quick to feel and to resent;
but not withstanding all this, and under all this,
there is a gentleness of disposition
which indicates this vocation
as destined to influence and constrain by love.







-John Angell James, Female Piety




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Discipling Children

“God has designed your family

—not the youth group,

not the children’s ministry,

not the Christian [or Government] school,

but your family

—as the principle discipling agent

in your children’s lives.”

- Voddie Baucham

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The Art of Domesticity

Here is a lovely virtue that women are designed for. It isn’t in found in a list of virtues like some of the others we have discussed, but women are charged to be domestic, to be capable homemakers.

Domestic means simply, home-loving; enjoying household affairs; a devotion to home and family life.

Domesticity encompasses everything that has to do with managing a home.Women need to be trained to be domestic, just like they might be trained for any other job. Though women are designed for this, it does not follow that we know everything instinctively. It is a calling, not a hobby. The older women are to teach the younger women to be homemakers (Titus 2:4). That word 'maker' is an important one. God is our Maker and He has given us the great privilege of making things in imitation of Him, whether it is a poem or a home. Women are given a glorious responsibility in homemaking.

Homekeeping refers to the nuts and bolts of managing a home, and homemaking has more to do with the intangibles; but both are necessary to build God-fearing, trinitarian homes.

Women are called to manage their homes (1 Tim. 5:14) ; this pleases God and keeps the adversary from speaking reproachfully. Women who make homes keep God’s word from being blasphemed (Titus 2:4). The way I understand this is that a home that is well managed is a positive glory; a home in shambles is a poor testimony. But this is not to lay a guilt trip on women; rather, it should inspire us to view our seemingly mundane tasks as a truly worthy calling that God uses to transform the world. We often think of homekeeping as drudgery. But God says it silences our enemies. That is something potent. God always does things backwards from what we think. This requires wisdom.

“The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Prov. 14:1).

“Through wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (Prov. 24:3-4).

Wisdom and knowledge are not things you can order from Pottery Barn. Consider wisdom when you decorate, make purchases, iron shirts, organize the closet, stock the pantry, clean the fridge, plan the menu, plant the petunias, hang the guest towels. Women are given dominion over a vast amount of territory in their homes. Our homes are to be an oasis to our families, a center of operations to refuel and send out our husbands, a refuge for our children, a delight to our own souls. But sadly, a many women squander their opportunities and abandon their homes for something they think might be more fulfilling. But whenever we run away from what God has given us to do in order to pursue something we think we may like better, we give the enemy opportunity to speak reproachfully and we miss God’s blessing on our lives.

The woman described in Proverbs 31 (vs. 27) “watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” Many things can distract us from our duties. It could be a “ministry” somewhere outside the home. It could be getting together with the girls for coffee. It could be working out at the gym. None of these things is bad in itself, but each can be a cover for idleness.

The woman in Proverbs 31 is meant to be an inspiration for us. She is virtuous. If you read through the description, you’ll see she has a very broad job description: She seeks, works willingly, does good, brings food, rises, provides, considers, plants, girds, strengthens, perceives, stretches, extends, reaches out, is not afraid, makes, sells, supplies, rejoices, opens, watches, and fears the Lord. She is prepared. She is wise. She knows what her household needs.

G.K. Chesterton in one of the essays in Brave New Family, says that a homemaker can be good at many things, while a “professional” may be an expert in one thing. Women, he says, have so much more scope at home than they do in a “career” outside the home where they must focus on only one skill.

The unmarried woman has the opportunity to be domestic whether she is living at home with her parents or has her own home. She might have to work outside the home to provide for herself, unless she is independently wealthy (or entrepreneurial), but she can still make her home her central calling. Women are to be home-centered, even if they are not in it all the time.

Mothers need to be preparing their daughters to be excited about homemaking. Many things are required of a homemaker and many skills are needed. Our culture does not give the homemaker the honor she deserves.

But God does.


-Nancy Wilson of Femina, originally titled Home-Loving

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Raising Homemakers "Reunion"

Recently we were blessed to have the Brookshire family come out to visit our church. We said it was something of a Raising Homemaker's "reunion" since we all write for the new, popular site and were all together at one place! Here are some pictures from their lovely visit:

From left to right:
Breezy Brookshire of A Bowl of Moss and Pebbles
Rhonda Devine of Walking With Sarah
Robin Brookshire of Robins Egg Blue
June Fuentes of A Wise Woman Builds Her Home (me!)
Emily Rose Brookshire of Simply Vintage Girl

We tried really hard not to laugh and giggle too much for the shots but it took about twenty or so to finally get it right!

Mother and daughter (Breezy and Robyn)

Robin was just as lovely, sweet, and sincere as you would imagine her being from reading her blog. She is also one busy mama as she helps her industrious daughters through the many new, exciting projects that come their way.




*Lovely Daughters*

(Naomi Fuentes, Breezy, Janai Fuentes, Emily Rose)

Emily Rose and Breezy are two wonderfully accomplished daughters who are striving to live godly, counter cultural lives. Their giftings range from beautiful art, knitting, cooking, poetry, writing, photography, sewing, to web graphics and design. They are also the special gals behind the beautiful and historic 'Daughters of His Story' paper dolls sold through Vision Forum.




My daughters own the whole set--they love them, and play with them constantly!I highly recommend these high quality dolls for your daughters...be sure to visit Noble Rose Press to purchase them for the lovely young ladies in your life.


For more pictures of this special day click here.

Also---did you know there were more writers added onto the Raising Homemakers team?

The West Ladies, creators of Homestead Blessings
and
Miss Jenny Leding of Blessed Femina


Have a blessed day!






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Home is His Castle

*Home is His Castle*
The Godly wife sets the Atmosphere of the Home.

A wife is called upon to create the environment and right climate in which the tender plants of love and marriage can grow and flourish.

1. Think back through the past week:

* a. In the time shared with your husband before he left the house, what kind of atmosphere did you set for the day?

* b. When you greeted him upon returning home, what kind of atmosphere did you set for the remainder of the day or evening?

2. What principles for helping to set a good atmosphere in the home do you find in Ephesians 4:26-27, 29-32?

3. What do you think your own attitude and appearance have to do with setting the atmosphere?

4. What have you taught your children regarding how they can help set a good atmosphere when their daddy arrives home?










(Hat tip to Practical Housewifery)

Virtuous Daughters

I am over at Raising Homemakers today sharing about

"Homemaking Daughters"

Won't you stop by?


And if you would like to read Part 2 to the article

you could find it

here.