Joyful Socks Mom

2/27/13

When My Life Isn't Homeschool Picture Perfect: RISE UP

Well sister, if you were looking for perfection, you came to the wrong blog!

To quote my most entertaining dad, "Somethin' just ain't quite right about that girl. Boy howdy, I know that's right." ;)

He means it in the sweetest way possible, promise.

So, as I am encouraging you all to "RISE UP" to the challenge of homeschooling with a Christ-centered focus, let me be completely transparent about my epic fails in my own efforts. Here are some reasons my life has not been homeschool picture perfect this week:

Truly, I am the learn by-the-seat-of-my-~~pants~~ skirt, wait till the last minute, oops-I said I would take care of that, homeschool friend at times. This week, no exception!

My life is hectic at times (I know, you are saying, "like who's isn't?"). It takes a huge effort and all the grace that Jesus can bestow upon me to keep my mouth shut & just do what is kind. Had more than one hiccup with that this week.

My husband was ill with the stomach flu this week (yuck * I do not recommend). Bless his heart, it was bad. He gave me some lovely flowers to say thanks. . . I probably didn't deserve them. You know how "we wives" can feel about husbands whining when ill? Yep, that was me . . . in secret.

I had a mild temper flareup when my new hand crank grinder showed up at my door without any instructions. My handyman (hubby) was sick and I had to ACTUALLY wait 24 hours for it to be fixed. Not a big deal, right? Don't worry, I took it out on my prayer walk. Silly.

I slept late on Monday. Breakfast was WAY off schedule at 9:15 am and I did not get my lesson plans finished.

So, there you have it. Nothing tragic. Less than perfect. Still in one piece. Living on grace for the remainder of the week . . . and the rest of my life.

I am hanging on to the lovely words of Roxanne Parks, "Whatever the question is, Jesus is the answer."

Prayers for all of my sisters. Hoping you experience a joyful (even if it may be less than picture perfect) homeschool journey this week.

Joyfully Learning with You,

The Joyful Socks Mom

Be sure to keep up with Joyful Socks on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

HERE are other blog posts you might enjoy:

2/25/13

10 Steps to Being Less Easy-to-Offend: RISE UP

We have all been there.
We have all done it.
We all have that "mommy-bear" that can rare up, unexpected and unwelcome. Getting offended can truly be just as painful to any by-standard close by, and just as hurtful as the offense.

The root issue? I take offense to what you did, said, or implied.

Is it right? No. Do I know it's not? Probably. Yet, there it is. I am offended! Now what?

RISE UP!

10 Steps to Being Less Easy-to-Offend:

1. Get Accountability! If getting easily offended tends to be an area of struggle for you, get yourself an accountability partner. A friend. An elder. A lady at church. Your spouse. Chat it out with someone who will not allow you to take it to a sinful, negative place. Do not confide in an individual that will allow you to gossip, or that will enable you to stay in this negative life pattern.

2. Stop Taking It Personal. It is totally feasible that whatever it is that is offending you is not about you, intended for you, nor directed at you. There, I said it, don't take offense. ;)

3. Walk A Mile In The Other Person's Shoes (or, Socks!). People are people. Always have been, always will be. They will sin, make mistakes, have bad days, suffer tragedy and lash out. Again, it is probably not about you. Give grace. Give a hug. Say a prayer. Write a letter. Now, move on.

PHOTO CREDIT via Compfight.com cc

4. Forgive Immediately, Then When You Remember, Forgive Again! and Again! and Again! Jesus did not ask us to forgive. He commanded it. Period.

Mark 11:25 - 26

"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses."

Luke 6:37

"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"

Luke 17:4

"And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."

5. Stop Taking People Literally. Face the fact that people, in general, myself included, are sarcastic in today's society. There lives literally revolve around themselves. They don't mean to be short, brash, blunt or rude . . . they just are. This is the perfect opportunity to practice grace.

6. Choose Joy. A close friend of mine and I were discussing this, in-depth, just last week. Choosing joy and choosing NOT to be offended is just as valid a choice as anger, resentment, offense, or un-forgiveness. The later are quick, fleshly responses we gravitate toward easily. (I'm wincing at my own statement there) The joy and not-being-easy-to-offend choices are fruit of the Spirit and require a faithful effort on your's and mine conscientiousness.

PHOTO CREDIT via Compfight.com cc

7. Give Yourself Some Grace. Look, we are going to mess-up . . . me especially. Give yourself some growing room to begin "turning the other cheek" and don't be surprised when you fall short. Be a big girl, suck-it-up (my dad's favorite advice), and keep moving.

8. Go Prayer Walking! Get in the habit at the end of the day, or anytime that is best for your schedule, to hit the sidewalk. Walking, praying and shedding your day's frustrations is therapeutic to your body, mind and spirit.

9. Give A Reward to Yourself! When you have gone God's way and have truly chosen to not be offended in a big situation, just give Him glory and do something good for you.

Okay, okay . . . maybe you would pick a different reward for yourself. That's cool. This is obviously what I would pick if I had my choice!

You don't have to be extravagant in rewarding yourself either. In fact, it would be better to keep it sweet and simple. Examples: Give yourself extra time reading, napping, or in the bubble bath.

10. Give it to God! Lay these anxieties at the cross of Jesus Christ and leave them there . . . P.S. That includes not picking them back up again tomorrow.

I know this can be a tough issue for many, and truly, what one of us has not been there? I am praying that the LORD would give you peace and His strength to help you (and I) lay this one down, so we can Rise Up in His greater service.

Joyfully Learning with You,

The Joyful Socks Mom

Be sure to keep up with Joyful Socks on Pinterest, Twitter & Facebook

HERE are other blog posts you might enjoy:

2/23/13

Rise Up and Meet the Road: {Weekend Reflecting}

PHOTO CREDIT via Comfight.com cc

An Old Irish Blessing
~ Author Unkown

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Reflecting on the week with joy; come good, bad, or indifferent . . .

This week has been full of prayer and reflection. I tend to get introspective this time of the year. Perhaps this is caused by the constant warm-cold-in-out of Texas weather. When it comes to weather in Texas, you just have to be flexible sister.

How our school week went . . .
We had a what I lovingly dub a homeschool-lite week. The children spent most of their academic hours reading or working on their history projects. Each of the kids will be entering multiple entries in our local Texas Independence Day Festival coming up next week. Here is a sneak peek:

The Alamo: by the Squeaker, 14 yo

What I'm reading this week . . .
I have been reading as much as possible during the week. This is essential for me. Reading feeds me, and helps me to maintain a more positive outlook.

Charlotte Mason: Original Homeschool Series, Not Your Mother's Make-Ahead & Freeze Cookbook, Abigail & John: Portrait of a Marriage & A Charlotte Mason Companion

Won my copy on Simple Homeschool - Thank you!

What's on my e-Reader . . .
One Bite at a Time
This book is a great motivator for me during this season. The book is broken down into small projects created to help you reach a simpler lifestyle. Oh, yes please! Do you know how easily this mommy can make things too complicated and "gum-up" the works? Think Speedy Gonzales fast!

What the kids are reading this week . . .
The Squeaker: Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, The Outsiders, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (NOT BAD for a dyslexic kid!)
The Scout: The Spy & The Secret of the Fortune Wookie
The Bug: The Rover Boys on the River, True Tales of Animal Heroes, The Bible (she's trying to do a read-through this year), Fudge-a-mania

Mom projects that I tackled this week . . .

This was my most exciting week for accomplishing some projects! I officially have a "writing" mentor and she is helping me stay accountable to my writing goals, and checking my progress. I NEED THIS. I worked on two of my upcoming eBooks, began an article and posted on this blog (my goal is 4 posts a week).

Cleaned out the garden & flower beds for some spring planting. Cross my fingers . . .

What I'm Eating?
Gluten Free, mostly Dairy Free, Clean-eating, whole foods . . . having major issues maintaining this when I am out of the house. Lock me up food-police!