Lauren was nice enough to interview me. It was a real honor for me, and a pleasure to get to know her a little bit (although I’m looking forward to getting to know her better!)
I can’t imagine anyone finding me intimidating, though…Is that a common problem? If so, I really need to do something about that!
The weather is horrible and we have a few kids with colds, so we are home from church today. The winds were so strong last night that I spent a good portion of the night awake, praying for God to calm them. Our antique home is still in need of new windows…I was a little fearful that the old ones would not hold…but morning came and all was still well.
Today, I honor all mothers - those who have birthed children and those who have spiritually mothered. I believe mothering to be a gift to women, specifically from the God who created them. Sometimes that involves birth children; but sometimes that takes the form of adoption, or fostering, or mentoring…I know beautiful-spirited women from every walk of mothering. Thanks, Moms, for all that you do to show the heart of God to the next generation!
My husband is getting ready to lead us in a time of study, prayer, and worship here at home. Corporate worship is important, community is important, but I love these times when we worship simply as a family as well. Today is extra special, because on this Mother’s Day we are going to have a time where we dedicate our Mariam to the Lord. Even though not in full-time ministry, Jeff still carries his pastoral credentials (not that we believe that is so important for this, but let’s just say he’s done a TON of baby dedications), but we are doing this as a family, for our family. There is something that is indescribably special about having a little baby, and committing as a family to raise her to love God. THESE, her siblings, are the people who will surround her and support and encourage her for LIFE! They will know her inside and out, they will wipe her face and read to her…her brothers and her sisters love her so much and will be instrumental in who she becomes.
I’ll leave you today with a “Thank You” list that my children made me for Mother’s Day. I’ll bold my favorites. (Good thing they didn’t list my failures…I wouldn’t have been as willing to share!)
Thanks, Mom, for…
Here is an excellent post by Kari at In This Storm. It talks about Mother’s Day and the need for Forgiveness. I didn’t say that it is necessarily an *easy* post, but if you struggle in this area, maybe it is one that you need to read! You might not be ready for it - but perhaps the day will come.
Kari also reviews my little Bear Business. Those smiles on those little girl faces are priceless, and I am SO honored!!!!
I love this post by “Et Tu?” It’s called “Getting My Life Back.” It’s perfect for Mother’s Day. Puts it allllll in perspective.
From my archives…this post called “Dear Mom” is still getting lots of hits. Maybe you could use the encouragement today.
And two more from the archives:
Happy, Blessed Mother’s Day, dear friends. Rejoice in your families this weekend!
In His Love,
Holly
Having just had baby number 8 five months ago, I have thought about this issue a lot.
On the financial end, here’s two links:
Baby Center says that it will cost our family $7,236 for Mariam’s first year. (That does not include labor and delivery charges. Frankly, I’ve always thought someone should pay ME for labor…) This site also quotes me a price of $181,432 to raise her to the age of 18. That does not include college, for we do not plan to pay for our children’s college. We both paid our own college bills, and owned our schooling quite seriously.) This site has a handy-dandy feature where you can type in your region of the US and income level to see how much a baby will supposedly cost you. Very neat!
This site (by the USDA) says that Mariam might cost us $7,580 per year (that’s broken down for children in the 0-2 age bracket.) Their total costs, based upon the year 2006, say that it takes approximately $143,790 to raise a child to the age of 18.
I don’t think it is nearly this expensive to have a child, and it is important to point this out. If people really do believe these figures, then they will be afraid to bring children into this world. I’m trying to analyze what it has actually cost us to raise Mariam to be almost 6 months of age. I’ll break it down into categories:
That leaves us well below the $7,000 figure. I’d venture a guess that 3rd or 4th (or 7th or 8th) children are more economical than first or second children…simply because a parent does not have to re-buy things. It does NOT have to cost a fortune to have and raise children. It CAN, but it does not HAVE to.
I think it costs a lot to LIVE, but that is based more on life-style choices once the child is here rather than the child itself. Surely we can all make better choices on some levels; but from the beginning everything that we have comes from the Lord.
So far, our baby’s just not a big consumer. She’s very cost-efficient. Her carbon foot-print is well below the national average as well. We’re also teaching our other kids to not be mindless consumers, either. (You can read the whole series at the Simple Dollar.)
Side topic, because it is on my mind and because it is semi-related and I don’t know where else to post it…If large families think they are misunderstood and discriminated against just because they are BIG, watch out if the food supply gets even tighter and food prices climb higher. I’m already hearing subtle and not-so subtle hints from the left that says “we need to have people commit to having one or two children max.” I do not like to fall into the alarmist category…but I do think we will hear it and that there will be even more pressure to NOT have a large family. Sheesh. There’s already SO much pressure to NOT have more kids - both verbal and just by the fact that it is HARD some days!)
Admittedly, as children grow they cost more. Babies don’t need shoes, but little boys do, and they grow out of them regularly. Babies often can nurse, so cost nothing to feed; but teenagers can quickly consume a cow.
Even so, don’t buy the parroted financial line-item breakdown. Kids cost, but more so in terms of time and relationship than finances. You can always get creative with the piano lessons, and help your children find ways to earn their own cash.
A house full of children, loved well, will grow up to be better investments than social security, a quality nursing home, or a house full of collectibles to be auctioned off at the end of your days.
Who knows how God will use that child throughout his or her life? Anyone want to put a price on that?
When you look at the cost of raising a child, don’t be frightened. A child is a better choice than money in the bank, every time.
It’s a rainy day. Time to wrap up this series. Thank you so much for asking, Sarah. I hope that I didn’t take the joy out of it all by making this too lengthy!
I’ve had the opportunity to speak to several of my friends this past week who are not even aware that I blog (blush…) and I’m so glad I did. They remind me that there are actually many children who struggle with issues such as mixed dominance or autism spectrum issues, and they may need specific and very different educational methods than I have mentioned here. I am always grateful to be reminded to keep the windows and doors open for children who need alternative modalities. I’m not unaware, just didn’t mention it in the framework of this series. As always, the key is that the parent KNOWS the individual child, and tailors the education to the child. That’s the beauty of home-education. To a “T,” these friends of mine have ALL been happy that they have home-schooled. It has enabled them to give their child more individualized help and has given them the opportunity to work on character-building and life skills with their child. For this post, I am speaking of children who do not have any readily identifiable or diagnosed learning difficulties.
There are just a few academic basics that I feel are important to teach my Kindergarten child. If I focus on these things, I can just enjoy the time spent and not panic that I am not “covering it all.”
The very most important thing you can teach your child to do, educationally, is to READ. Much of the foundation for reading has been taught leading up to this time. Letters have been identified for several years both by how they look and by the phonetic sound they make. For many children, the transition to reading is just a natural progression and not that hard at all. (But it IS exciting!) Once you teach your child to read, and supply them with books to read, the world is THEIRS! There is nothing they can not learn. (Resource recommendations: Mommy Teach Me to Read by Barbara Curtis, Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, and the Bob Books. In years past, the second two are the only things I’ve ever used to help a child learn to read. After that, they’ve progressed rapidly into beginning readers and the rest is history. I’m pleased to add Barbara’s books - she has another called Mommy Teach Me - to my shelf. She has many practical ideas that are simple and inexpensive.) The bottom line for me is this: If you can potty train your child you can teach your child to read. Reading is easier.
I believe there are probably any number of good and basic programs available. This is a remarkable, educationally specialized era that we are blessed to live in, and you will do best to find something that appeals to you and zeros in on your child’s learning style. Simple, without overkill, works best at our house.
The second essential thing for a Kindergardener is this: You MUST light a fire for learning within their hearts. Sometimes, that means you must withhold other things that vie for their time and interest. (Television is an example, although I think even that can be used for limited entertainment for the Kindergarten set. Computer games are the same, but should not ever be over done. I’m a meanie. have a limit of an hour a week for computer games for all ages. Even then, I expect a good attitude and that they have been responsible with their schooling.) Learning should be presented as a pleasure, and as a fascinating privilege. Again, if you can ignite this passion for learning, your work as a homeschooling parent will become so much easier down the road. Your children will learn things that will amaze you and astound you…things that you didn’t teach them but they taught you….all because you taught them to read, and more importantly, to love to read. It’s a good idea to stay humble…because my children are teaching me specific, academic things even though they are still teenagers. If you only knew how many times I say, “Jake, I need to you to teach me….” Learning becomes a mutual, beautiful thing between parent and child - IF the groundwork has been poured in the early years.
As you can see, I do not use many resources for Kindergarten. For Handwriting, which I view as important but not worthy of 30 minutes a day, I currently just use the traceable pages at Jan Brett’s site. She has many options. There are also freebies at Donnayoung.org. If you have a printer, I like these just as well as a purchased book. I have also used “A Reason For Writing,” but I know that it is truly just one of several good ones out there. (Be sure and check under the “used” book section. I regularly buy books from there that are not written in at all, for a fraction of the price!) What you choose is really only dependent upon your goals and preferences. For me, I’ve tried D’Nealian, Modern Manuscript, and Cursive for my Kinders. I’ve gone back to the basic, tried and true ball and stick letters. I just like it best, and for my children, it seems to consistently produce the best handwriting.
Other than these things, I love to do little unit studies with my small children. That can be ANYTHING they want to learn about! And the web is FILLED with wonderful resources. I don’t think any parent really has to spend much money at all to home-school the first three years. Between the internet and the local library; you’re covered. Even Math at this age should be so informal that you don’t really need a curriculum for it. If you play games that involve any kind of Math, and if you have some fun manipulatives on hand, you should be set!
I’m firm in my belief that Kindergarteners shouldn’t spend much time on “school,” at least the kind where they sit down at the desk or table to learn. We don’t even get “serious” about school until third grade, and even then it doesn’t take very much time. If you are worried about results, and need testimony, I will say that my children all test very well and all read way above grade level.
Mostly, your kindergarten child should be running and playing and learning responsibility naturally. School should take up about 30 minutes to an hour of their time, a few days a week. Use the rest of the time to teach them practical life skills, to take field trips, and to just read books. That is probably what you are already doing! So, slap a name on it (Kindergarten) and make everyone (the child, yourself, the grandparents, the clerk at the store) HAPPY! Then, go on with your life and ENJOY being together.
Over the years, I have heard of so many parents who would like to homeschool their child for Kindergarten, but they despair because they think it is SUCH a big deal, so insurmountable. They look at everything they must do and think they can’t possibly handle it all, especially if they have babies and toddlers. I do not believe that everyone has to homeschool - but for those who desire to, it doesn’t have to be this huge and frightening thing. It can be a most wonderful, rewarding, and fun way to extend your days together while they are still little.
Please, parents, feel free to add your opinions and thoughts and experiences in the comment section. Questions are always welcomed, too.
I have so many things I would love to be talking about with you!
Right now, we’re in the middle of growing season…when spring happens, it happens, doesn’t it? I’m planting seedlings from my father. He goes crazy in his basement when it comes time to start seeds. If things go well, I’m going to have enough broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, and cauliflower to feed my town. Every few years he goes overboard with planting weird things. I remember the time he got hung up on growing mung beans and loofah sponges.
We’re outside constantly when the weather is nice. I’m turning my yard into a garden, all by spade. It really is going nicely. I’m staggering plantings of lettuce, spinach, beets and kale in order to have a new crop every few weeks or so. There are little heads of Romaine everywhere!
We’re also adjusting to helping my parents manage their two homes. They have a farm that sits inside of an extinct volcano, and they have a house in town. Both places need lots of mowing and tending - and there is our own place that needs care as well. We’re trying to figure it all out.
Today is my son Josiah’s 6th birthday. We’ve had a wonderful time celebrating with him. He has been so content and blessed with every thing he has received…a true joy to watch him!
So much more to share - I’ll be back! The Lord is working so much in my heart, and my life, every day. It is just spilling over, and I wish I had more time to write. I think that is what rainy days will have to be for. There’s just so much mothering to do right now - and I don’t want to miss a bit of it! Blogging is ALWAYS enjoyable for me, but it certainly doesn’t come first!
p.s. I’m so excited! Lauren over at Blogged In has asked me for a little interview. Not sure when she’ll post it…but I’ll let you know, okay? I’ll get the conclusion to Mary’s story, and also my homeschooling series up soon.
Crystal at Biblical Womanhood has written about this twice before. Here and Here. She already received her $500 check for referrals to this company. This company, Revolution Money Exchange, is a legitimate option to Paypal.
This is backed by a bank, and is FDIC insured. Just like any other financial institution, you have to submit your SSN, so if you are not comfortable with that, then don’t sign up. (The government requires that because of anti-terrorism funding and scamming.) There is an opt-out place in the help section where you can mail in your information. I think this expires on the 15th, so there isn’t much time left to get in on the deal.
If you are even more curious now, read the comments at Crystal’s blog, to read of other’s experiences with the company. When you sign up, you get $25 immediately and may request it in a check form. (This is their word of mouth advertising.) If you refer others, you get $10 for each new signee, up to $500. So…of course…you should sign up through MY link above) I signed up under Lily of the Valley.
So…back into packing mode for a tiny trip. See ya all later!
I’ve been wanting to show you my favorite mug for quite some time.
I’ve asked my lovely assistant, Mariam, to gum hold it for me.
I don’t really know why it is my favorite…I just know that I feel better if it is waiting for me in the cupboard in the mornings. Small comforts, I guess. I think it holds the heat better than some mugs because it is smaller at the top.
It’s perfect for a morning cup of coffee (straight, please), or an herbal tea with stevia.
Why don’t you take a picture of your favorite mug or cup, and link back here over the weekend? I’ll be away for just a few days…but I’d like to know what you like in your mug. (With or without a link!)
(Here’s a better shot of the mug.)
(Edited: My husband just read this post and said, “HEY! That’s MY mug! What do you mean YOUR favorite mug? Ha Ha. :) I guess that it is OUR favorite. :) )
This is my first time doing a Frugal Friday. With food prices, I’m guessing that just about everyone can use some frugal hints. This one pulls several good and frugal practices into play.
Although rice has more than doubled in cost recently, it is still a relatively inexpensive staple. If you use brown rice, it is much healthier for you.
Brown rice takes so long to cook, though, so you really need to plan ahead if you are going to use it in a meal.
I like to bake my rice ahead of time, and put it in the freezer. If you take advantage of cool days and bake, you can warm your kitchen at the same time. (That’s tip number two. You save money by using more rice, you save money by heating your home while you cook. You save money by already having your rice cooked on hot days.)
I also like to bake more than one dish of rice at a time. If I use large, covered casserole dishes, I can bake several batches of rice for the same heat and time. I like to do even better, and also bake my main dish (tonight it was chicken) at the same time. A full oven might take a little longer bake time, but not much. (That’s frugal tip number 3.)
When the rice is done, and it has cooled, I place it in freezer bags, label the amount, and pat it flat. It stores easily in the freezer and doesn’t take up much space. If you don’t want to freeze the rice, you can simply bake it earlier in the week when you already have another item baking. Then, when you are making that tex-mex dish or chicken/broccoli/rice casserole, the rice is already baked.
Here’s my recipe for brown rice. It came from Martha’s Family Cookery Book.
Oven Brown Rice
Place in a 4 Qt. glass oven proof dish with lid:
Cover tightly. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until all liquid is absorbed. If you bake it early in the afternoon, you can just turn off the oven after 1 hour and let the dish stay in the oven until supper time. It turns out great every time and is very easy to clean up. If you freeze it, it is very easy to take out a few hours before you need it.
For more of Frugal Friday, visit Biblical Womanhood.
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