2009 April

Teacher Appreciation Day

April 17, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Homeschool, MamaMusings

I received an email today titled: Great gifts for teacher appreciation week!

I remembered all the parties I organized and gifts I bought, chipped in on, and planned for Coco’s teachers over the years. And of course I wondered if I can get in on this action now that I’m her teacher. Probably not. Yet, it gives me a great idea.

I think every homeschool mom or dad should plan a teacher appreciation day! Wait, you say, that’s what Mother’s Day is for! Well I say, who cares? One more day to celebrate me sounds great. I could sit around and wait for my husband and kids to express their appreciation for me, but let’s be honest. That might take years to happen. I don’t want to be holding my grandbaby when I hear for the first time how beneficial homeschooling has been.

I have decided to pick a day at random and write on my calendar…Teacher Appreciation Day. Having experienced this in the school system for many years, I know exactly what is required.

I will force my kids to write notes of appreciation to me and I am considering getting myself a Starbucks gift card. I will also collect all the cute photos I have from the year and make myself a scrapbook. Why not? I will cut some fresh flowers and deliver them to myself, and possibly hold a luncheon in my honor. I will accept it all graciously and maybe even shed a couple tears. A new coffee mug may also be in order.

For all of you moms who say you don’t do this for thanks…good for you! I however, could use a little boost to finish out this year and gear up for the next 12. And hey, our kids should learn how to say thanks, right?

I think every homeschool dad should do this for his wife, but chances are it won’t cross their minds. And even if it does cross their minds–thanks to a well-placed hint–how many dads could pull off this day as well as you could yourself?

You know your favorite coffee place, and the best photos to print. You know the prompting questions to get those letters of thanks flowing. You know whether you want a fast food burrito or a rack of lamb for lunch. You can treat yourself to a day of, well…you better than anyone else!

So get started. Pick a day and enjoy. I’m off to fantasize about having a room mom and teacher in-services.

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The Pampering Bath

April 16, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Homegrown Kids

Today, I want to share a fabulous idea that my own husband began in our home. It all started back when I was working full time. I came home from a particularly stressful day to find a hot bubble bath complete with candles waiting for me. Shortly after I got in and began to forget the worries of the day, Eric popped in to deliver me a plate of chocolate cookies and a gigantic diet coke (my drink of choice back then.)

It had never occurred to me to eat in the tub, but I must say it was glorious! Although it still seems weird and slightly naughty to me, I do indulge in this practice once in a while. No, I will never be the same.

Anyhow, one day when Coco was about 8, she had a pretty rough day at school and I decided to pamper her a little. She got the full treatment, bubbles, a candle on the counter, and cookies and tea. She was thrilled to say the least. I have only done this a handful of times for her since then, it is something to be saved for unique moments.

I have not done this for Soleil, as she still likes to play in the bath and I can’t see her keeping any food out of the water. When she’s older, though, we will try it.

I think this is such a sweet thing to do for a girl, especially your teens that may need a break from siblings and the cruel world once in a while. Maybe a boy would like it as well!

You can do this with simple things already in your home, or go out and pick up a few new things…whatever works for any particular day!

Some ideas of materials to gather:

Try to imagine your daughter walking into the bathroom to find this surprise! She will feel so special and one day may do it for her girls. I also suspect that as an adult, if Coco has a trying day, she may run a bath and treat herself. I hope so J

Note: If a pampering bath seems like just the thing YOU need, then don’t wait for someone else to do it. Create your own and relax!

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The Up Side of Being Sick

April 14, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: MamaMusings

I am sick in bed with something. I don’t know exactly what, but I have my suspicions. The doctor thrust a prescription for antibiotics at me and it wasn’t until I was halfway home I realized I had no diagnosis. That’s okay, though, because any mom can tell you that sores on the back of the throat accompanied by a fever is probably strep.

Whatever it is, I am in pain and exhausted by simple acts like showering. Of course, I must always remind myself that this is nothing compared to the suffering many are going through around the world right now.

As much as I dreaded getting dressed and wearing myself out just to go sit in a room full of hacking sickos, then waiting hours for my chance to be prodded for a whole thirty seconds before being dismissed…it could be worse.

I know I annoy some people with my tendency to look on the bright side of things, but I can’t help it. If I don’t, then I will convince myself that I am dying and I’ll drive everyone around me crazy.

So, today I’d like to list a few things I am grateful for in light of being sick. I’ll admit it’s partly because my mind isn’t working properly (earlier I couldn’t remember the word for box) so this is no time to ponder life. Maybe it will annoy some of you, so I am sorry for that. On the other hand, if you are annoyed, maybe you need a little thankful list of your own J

Here goes. I am thankful because…

· I have insurance that allows me to go to the doctor any time I like.

· My doctor’s office, even the urgent care center, is clean, nearby, and modern.

· I do not have to call in sick to work, or worse attend work sick in order to keep a crappy job.

· I can actually drive through our pharmacy and get the proper medicine I need in under an hour.

· I can stay home, guilt-free, in my pajamas, directing school from the couch if needed.

· My daughters think it is great fun to have lessons on their own while mommy reads in bed.

· Today, my husband brought a new book home so I could actually do just that.

· My bed is comfy and warm. I have blankets, pillows, and perfect socks.

· Everyone in my extended family asks, “What do you need?” as soon as they hear I am even a little sick.

· As yucky as I feel, I can still walk, talk, hug, laugh, sing, and countless other things to be thankful for.

· Lastly, when I forget to be thankful and start whining, my family still loves me.

See, I feel better already.

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By No Other Name

April 9, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Following Jesus

When I am talking to a friend, it is nearly impossible to go an entire conversation and not have the names of Eric, Coco, or Soleil come up. Whether I am relating the latest cute thing one of my girls said or talking about something we’ve done recently, most my conversations revolve around them.

This makes perfect sense. Who I am, after all, is all wrapped up in the people I share a life with. I can’t go a few minutes without thinking of them, let alone speaking to or about them.

A few years ago, I was doing a Bible study and it was talking about the power in the name of Jesus. I realized as I read it that I was not in the habit of saying Jesus very often. Other than in the ‘in Jesus’ name I pray’ way.

This realization made me sad. Sure, I would tell of God’s wonderful works in my life, but to actually say the name of Jesus was rare. I don’t know why this was, it just was.

I heard Greg Laurie say one time that you can say the name of any religious figure and get almost no response, but when you say Jesus, people react. While I don’t want to toss around His name just because, I also didn’t want to go day by day and not acknowledge Him, either.

I made a concentrated effort back then to talk more about Jesus. To get in the habit of daily saying His name was not easy. I was (and still am) just used to saying, “God has done this for me,” or “God is so good.” Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

I didn’t question my feelings back then; I just tried to say Jesus more often. I felt I should, so I did. Then, a couple weeks ago at church, our pastor taught on Acts 4. This verse jumped out at me:

          Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is
   ” ‘the stone you builders rejected,
      which has become the capstone. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:10-12

By no other name will we be saved! It is good and necessary to proclaim the works of God, my father. But it is by the name of Jesus that we are saved. And so that name should be often on my lips!

With Good Friday and Easter upon us, we naturally think, hear, and speak more about Jesus. I for one want to let the work of the cross and the joy of the resurrection spill over into the rest of the year.

Say it with me today…Jesus!

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10 Date-Gifts to Give Your Husband

April 7, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: A Wife to Rush Home to

Today, Eric and I have been married for nine years. Tonight we’re celebrating by going to dinner at a place where you don’t have to order outside. I’ll probably even ditch my ratty sweatshirt and wear a real shirt for the night. Fancy stuff.

For my gift to Eric, I gave him tickets to a baseball game, one we can go to together. I like to think of things he enjoys when I’m planning dates, and I’ve found that outings make nice gifts. There are, after all, only so many shirts I can buy him.

I thought I’d share some, so here’s…

10 Date-Gifts for Your Man

1. A sporting event: If tickets are too pricey or the event is too far away, find a local league to go cheer on.

2. A sporty activity: What are his interests? Take him fishing, hiking, bowling, golfing, or bike riding.

3. Manly movie and dinner: Go to see an action film, foreign language film, or whatever your husband is into. What kind of restaurant would he choose? Something loud with a game on television? Or maybe or a farm-fresh artisan place is more his style.

4. Concerts or shows: Eric took me to the symphony for my birthday last year, and it was great! Find a concert by his favorite band or a local offering of his style of music. Maybe he would enjoy a play or comedy show instead?

5. Picnic in the park: If you bake and pack his favorite foods, he’ll feel special! If he’s not into laying on a blanket for long chats, bring a fun card game or plan a nature walk nearby.

6. Retro date: Revisit the places you used to frequent when you were first dating. Reminisce about when you were a younger couple and keep the mood upbeat.

7. Plan a night in: If you’re busy, busy, your hubby might appreciate a night in. Clean the house, ship off the kids, get pretty, and cook his favorite dinner. Then set aside the whole night for whatever he wants to do. I’ve actually heard a whole group of men in a marriage group say this was their greatest desire!

8. Take him out for lunch and shopping: Yes, men like to shop. You just have to ask yourself where. Eric would love a gift card and patient wife while he browsed around Home Depot or Rockler. He’d also love a bookstore or surfing shop. What would your guy like? Gourmet foods, clothing, shoes, office supplies, electonics, video games…the list is endless!

9. Amusement park: Ride all the fast rides you can’t go on when the kids are with you!

10. Celebrate his hobbies: My mom took her train-crazy husband to a train museum recently. Look for: conventions, home shows, galleries, gardens and museums featuring his special interest.

Tips:

· If you don’t have something specific to wrap up, like a gift card or tickets, make a certificate detailing what you’ll do. Other ideas: A brochure, a collage, an invitation, or a gift basket with items for your special day.

· Be sure to arrange for childcare if needed on the special day, and even take over the driving if he’d appreciate it. That way, he won’t have to do anything but show up!

· Consider his schedule. If he has to request time off of work in advance, make plans, but let him choose the date. This is when a certificate comes in handy.

· Remember, it’s all about him!

Anyone have any more creative date or gift ideas? Please share!

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A Good Week

April 2, 2009 By Homegrown Mom Filed Under: Homeschool

This has been one of those weeks. The kind where I think, Wow, I am really glad I homeschool my kids! I so often share frustrations and weaknesses to reveal God’s ongoing work in my life, and hopefully encourage you who may share the same struggles. Today, I want to share a couple little bright spots.

Yesterday, Soleil came up to me and plopped her Bible in my lap. “Can you read me Luke 14?” She said.

Well, sure. We read Luke 14, and she shared her thoughts with me afterwards. Why Luke 14? I don’t know. But the fact that my little girl can come up to me any time of day and ask for that, and that I can sit on my couch in the morning, reading God’s word is…awesome.

Then today, after a fun-filled park day, we went to get knitting needles and yarn for the girls. A young girl there at the park is teaching the other girls how to knit, and Ccoc and Soleil are very interested. Tonight, again on the couch, Coco patiently taught me the steps she’s learned so far.

“Just think, Mom,” she said. “If I wasn’t homeschooled I never would have learned how to knit.”

“True.” I smiled.

“Or have gotten interested in horseback riding and volleyball.”

“Yep. And Spanish.” I added. I played it cool, but I was beaming inside. This coming from my girl who was skeptical about homeschooling (to put it nicely) was a blessing indeed.

So, a good week. What can I say? I’m easy to please.