A friend of mine that homeschools sent me a message on facebook because I had asked her to pray for us and our homeschooling journey and I wanted to share it with you guys. It really meant a lot to me and was so encouraging...
"I think it is a lie of Satan that convinces moms that they don't have the ability to teach their children. God created families and in doing so I truly believe that He equips us for the job of raising them- which includes teaching them. Before public schools were started to help those children whose parents could not afford books, etc. it was never questioned as to a parents role in education. Also, when the first public schools were established they were founded on biblical principles and included prayer, etc. I praise God that we lice in a time that we still have the freedom to make choices about their education and especially in MO where they value the parent as teacher and don't interfere with the hows and whys of what we do. I know you will do a great job! You don't have to know everything- sometimes I have told my children that I don't know that answer but let's see if we can find the answer together or ask someone who might know. I have learned/relearned a lot of things with my kids. You will find that google is a God-sent. It is nice to live in a technological age where information is at your fingertips. I think having other homeschool moms to encourage one another and share ideas, struggles, etc. is essential. No one understands unless they have tried it. I meet moms all the time who think I am crazy not to just drop them off at school and do what I want to do. They say they could never spend that much time with their kids- that actually makes me sad for them. The bring me such joy!"
It really meant a lot to me and made me feel even more confident in the fact that this IS what God wants for our family! I remember reading on another blog, a woman I don't know but admire just by looking at her blog frequently (www.confessionsofahomescooler.blogspot.com), she shares a lot of scripture on why she homeschools her four children and also said, "There is no 'ME time' in the bible." I believe that it is important to have a time to be calm, a time to spend with God and to do things you enjoy but I also get what she is saying. My children are so important to me and I desire and feel called to do all I can to raise them to be God fearing, God loving, responsible, selfless adults and this is how I feel God is calling ME to do that.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
I am going to be a Homeschool Momma!
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.'
Deut. 6:5-9
'Our' children have been given to us by God. He has entrusted us to raise them, teach them, and provide for them the way he desires for us to. I have felt led to homeschool our children for about a year now. Justin didn't feel that same calling so we have been discussing it off and on since I first brought it up. I am not going to lie, we have argued about it a lot as well, I believe that throughout this whole thing we have misunderstood each other and also just plain disagreed on some things. I am a very stubborn woman and at times it is very hard for me to be submissive to my husband. I really do try! I was really struggling because I felt called by God to homeschool but my husband didn't. It broke my heart. I have never felt called to do something but not been about to do it before. So, for months I just shoved it out of my mind and tried to ignore it and sent Trinity to school. Well, for a few months now it has been so pressed upon my heart, x10 compared to last year that I couldn't ignore it. Justin and I discussed it and yes he has his doubts but we are going to give it a try. He has more of a peace about it this year and I am so thankful and feel such a blessing that he is very supportive now. I am very excited about what homeschooling has to offer for our family, and our children. I believe that God wants this for us and he will bless it! I have so many reasons I believe that God wants us to homeschool but my #1 reason is just that I feel led to. Some may not think that is very important but I heard someone once say that if you feel called by God to do something you will never find as much joy in anything else but what God want for you! I know God has so many amazing things planned for our family and I am excited about sharing those things with you as they come!
Reasons I want to homeschool (other then feeling called by God, which is all that matters.)1. I want their #1 influence to be there dad and I. If they are with someone else more them they are with us, how can we be that #1 example? Luke 6:40
2. I don't want to look back and think or regret not spending enough time with our children. 4 hours a day is NOT enough time with and FOR them! They will spend more time with someone else then with me and I am not okay with that!
3. More family time! They can learn the true value of family. They will grow up close and take care of each other and learn from each other as well.
4. I don't believe that just because the 'world' says something is best for my children (school) that means it is automatically true. I answer only to MY God and he alone knows what is best!
5. Freedom for our children to learn at their own pace, without being labeled as either slow or gifted.
6. Freedom for our children to pursue their own passions.
7. Gives us more time to give them individualized attention.
8. As their Momma, no one is more committed to my children's success then I am!
9. Our days can be focused around learning and honoring God in our learning.
10. There are so many opportunities for our children in homeschooling. They will not be missing out on all the things public school offers. They will be gaining so much more, things public schools do not offer at all and in some cases offers the opposite!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Inspiration...
Once a week I am going to try and share a new person/thing/photo that inspires me for whatever reason. I decided to start here because this is the person that started inspiring me at a young age as young friends!
This is Elsie Flannigan. We met when we were around 10 and she was always so creative and I always tried and tried to keep up with her. Her mind was always creating and coming up with new ideas. Life was always fun and interesting with Elsie. Because of 'life' we don't see each other much or get to talk as much but she will always be my oldest friend and fills my childhood memories. I am so excited for her and proud of her. She has done so many amazing things and gone for her goals and dreams. I'm also excited for her and her fiance' and there wedding!She owns her own business with her sister and I (embarrassingly) haven't seen it in person yet but the pictures are amazing! I love vintage clothing, decor, well anything vintage almost and it is the cutest!
These are places you can find Elsie and see what I mean, she is so creative!
Friday, May 13, 2011
The Cunningham 6!!!!!!!!
I think this picture I took with my phone is funny. You can't really see Justin and Arianna is hard to see because she has a baby in front of part of her face but I like it. I get frustrated and sometimes have absolutely NO patients in the car but I also have fun with them sometimes too! I used to drive a really tiny car and sometimes I really miss driving it and sometimes I hate my mini van but I am so thankful I have it and even more thankful for the reason I have it! I love having a big family and I wouldn't trade it for anything, even on the days I want to pull my hair out because of the screaming, fighting, and crying in the back!I am truly blessed, filled with joy, and thankful for what I have, for what God has given me (us)!!!!! :)
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
JCSTVH
The Royal Wedding Music Video
This is my Hubby and his new show he has started!
I am very excited about him making more videos and going for his dream! As silly as his videos are, I am very proud of him! Please go and check out their 'Justin Cunningham Smiley Time Variety Hour' page on facebook and 'like' them!
Website- http://www.jcstvh.clanteam.com/
You Tube Channel- www.youtube.com/user/jcstvh
Prayer for Maxter and his Momma!
This is MY Momma! My beautiful, strong, sweet, giving Momma and one of my very best friends as well. I know I have asked for prayer for her in the past but I am asking again. I am asking for continual prayer for her. She has so much to go through daily in taking care of my little Bubba Maxter. He is a handful, a blessing, but a handful and I have a feeling it is only going to get harder in so many ways for her. I decided to start a blog about Max to meet other parents that may be going through the same things, to ask for prayer, and to keep family and friends updated on how Max is doing.
This is my littlest sister Zoie, I call her Zo or Zo-zo. I also ask for prayer for her. I know she doesn't take care of Max but I also know that being his sister can be hard at times, I am sure. He needs a lot of attention and I know my mom does a great job trying to make sure Zo gets the attention she needs as well. She is 10 now, almost 11 (wow, that is crazy) so she is a lot more independent and has so many friends to hang out with and keep her busy! :) I love this little girl so much! I was 18 when she was born and I babysat a lot and I am so thankful that I got to be such a huge part of her life as she grew 'up'!
This is my baby Bubba Max, I call him Bubba or Maxter. He has given me so much joy. He is a stubborn, ornery, spoiled little boy but at the same time he is loving, sweet, and gives the best kisses and kindest hugs you will ever receive! Max was born with Down Syndrome and later had Infantile Spasms (epilepsy). I don't know a lot about it but I know that it causes a lot of problems and causes them to be extremely delayed. Right now Max still doesn't walk, crawl, or get around on his own at all. He weighs almost 60 lbs. and my mom has to carry him everywhere around the house. She has a stroller/wheel chair for when they go places but she has to carry him A LOT. This is really hard on her physically. He can also be a bit rough and he is very strong. When he is angry or anxious he will bang his head on things, bite, pinch (hard), and move around crazy. This obviously makes it very hard on her physically as well. He also will gag himself at times and make himself throw up. You can imagine, this is not like a baby spitting up but it is THROW UP and a lot of it. I am not trying to gross you out but I am just wanting everyone to see/hear how hard this is on my mom. She is a strong person in so many ways but I just know this is becoming SO much for her. I want to be here as much as I can for her. Obviously I have four kids of my own so its hard to be there as much as I really want to be. So the best thing I know to do is pray! To share this prayer request with all of you and to ask you to remember her. I pray God touches her heart and soul. I know that with God we can do all things and get through all things.
Now, Maxter is not only stubborn and ornery but he is also very sweet. He loves music, he loves it when we sing to him. He loves to watch his nieces and nephew play and dance for him. It is so cute when they get him giggling. I think Sophia is his favorite. She loves to play with him and will sing right in his face and he loves it. It is so sweet! He is our little blessing, our little Bubba!Prayer Request!
This is Jackie...
Jackie goes to my church, we are a part of a large, amazing, sweet, close family. I may not know Jackie all that well but I love this woman very much and I have heard so much about her. I have only been blessed to have a few conversations with her ever but I have read her website frequently and I feel like I know her more then I actually do! :)I want to encourage you all to go read about Jackie. It will be a blessing to you, I promise! Jackie has been through so many things in her life, things I look at from the outside and think there's no way I could go through that... but the key is, she gives God all the glory! And with God we CAN get through anything. She has such a giving, sweet, kind spirit and her faith blows me away.
I want to ask you all to pray for Jackie, she has cancer and it is so scary for her, especially right now. She has to start radiation and some of the side effects are very scary. She knows that God is with her but the fear is still there.
I look forward to getting to know Jackie even more! Please go and read her story! Like I said, it will bless you! Keep her in your prayers!!!! Thank you!
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
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