Wednesday -

What have we done today?

School.

Our first lap book. This is momentous!!! Arielle has been trying to memorize the books of the Bible. I enjoyed checking out Southern Belle's blog on lapbooking and decided the one they did on books of the Bible looked doable. I'm not sure SB wants her blog url public???? So....if ya'all want to go to homeschoolblogger.com you could search for Southern Belle and see what you get...or she could let me know if she wants me to add a link in this entry. {G} Here is a picture of Arielle working on her lapbook...I'll post photos when we are done. We want to do something to make it a bit "spiffier". {G}

We discussed costumes for the Redwall Feast that we are attending on Friday. I'm at a bit of a disadvantage, having never read the books. Our older 3 have read them. They are divided as to whether they'd recommend them....we've had some GREAT discussions from their reading of the books, though.

I took Arielle, Nolan and Jared for haircuts. Zander did NOT get a haircut but wanted in the picture...
At the beauty salon a 15 yo girl decided to sit down next to Jared and commence to flirt. He didn't realize that is what she was doing - he just thought she was strange. She said he looked interesting and asked some fun questions....I told him it was time to read *I Kissed Dating Goodbye*. We were laughing over dinner about this and Josiah told me there is some girl at the mall who keeps wanting to give her phone number out and such. What are parents teaching their daughter's these days? What ever happened to a guy pursuing a girl?????

Due to an unforeseen accident, the pizza dough fell out of the freezer and defrosted, we moved pizza night to tonight. This works well for the younger set and I as we have an engagement on pizza night. Jamin took over. He has been having fun with his Culinary Arts book. He now understands WHY I want to set a table and not just have buffet every night. ::snort:: Here is the "bishop's hat" fold....

And here's some paddle action in our household {G}....

After dinner we showed Cy how to play Ruckus. He missed out last night. He seemed to like the game as much as the rest of us do.

We ended the night with a couple more chapters from Pinochhio. Jamin and Josiah went out to see how far Jamin had run earlier...6.5 miles. When they got back they asked me what happened in the book. I had no clue. I slept through the last chapter again. ::snort:: Now if I could just get Stacia to wind down...her naps are off with the time change.

Parenting/Discipline in Proverbs - Chapter 1

Discipline - Chastisement (4148 - musar/muwcar, muscar) - Oral instruction based on a covenantal relationship that is theocentric and theofugal (God centered, God natured)


I realize that some may be feeling I made light of Proverbs in my parenting study. I didn't. I value this book. I've read through it often and gleaned all sorts of different insights. Once I read it and noted all it said about heart, covenant, fear, etc. I thought this month I'd share what I see in the book of Proverbs on parenting/discipline. I currently use the New American Standard Bible for my devotional a.m. reading. Note these are devotional thoughts and not an in-depth study as the "rod" posts were. In other words...this is my early a.m. reading....though I reserve the right to dig deeper at any time. ::snort:: Don't expect a deep theological treatise...expect to hear how the Holy Spirit is applying the book of Proverbs in my mothering. Also - my focus is not my CHILD'S responsibility this time through Proverbs - but MY responsibility. I'll assume the child is living up to his responsibility. {G}

Proverb 1:8-9 "Hear o my son, your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching; they are a graceful wreath to your head and ornaments about your neck".

~Son - yes male, but also used in the generic sense and means "children of all ages".

~What is my instruction like? Am I instructing? If not, I'd best begin. Am I taking the time to teach my child in a way that is God centered and God natured or am I simply barking out commands? Am I nurturing obedience or compliance (see previous post on this {G})? If I'm not careful I veer into compliance over obedience/submission.

~I must be instructed of God before I am able to instruct my children.

~My teaching is to be GRACEFUL and ORNAMENTAL. Are my instructions a club of condemnation about my child's head or a graceful wreath to his head? Are my instructions a noose around my child's neck? Am I strangling his God-given zeal and personality in the name of "discipline"? Or are my teachings an ornament around his neck, worn gracefully and enhancing his God-given personality and spirit?

Father, today I desire my mothering to bring glory to You. I desire for my parenting to accurately portray Your character and nature. Give me strength and insight to diligently teach my children. Help my flesh to stay out of the process and may my instructions be graceful and ornamental in my children's lives.

Praise

Stacia slept through the night! YaHOO!!!! She doesn't seem to have a fever. She woke, ate and went back to sleep so I even had lots of quiet time for Bible Study this a.m.