Homeschooling the dog or socializing the kids??

As a homeschooling family, I am often ask "What about socialization?" It reminds me of when we  became foster parents of an Australian Shepard puppy, named Molly. I was not excited, and thought, if this little puppy needed a home, of course she could stay with us!  Well, as time went by I realized, this puppy acts like a toddler and I needed some parenting advise! And quick!!

 So, we were referred to a sweet lady, who is a puppy trainer. She took us to the local park, which I thought was odd, because there are so many distractions, how would the puppy ever learn anything.  Well, this lady was AMAZING!! She had that puppy wrapped around her apron, full of puppy snacks!  She told me the best thing you can do for your puppy is to socialize her. Ahhh, I have some learning to do! ~ and that's why we were at a busy park.

 Socialize! Huh? There is that S word again. What does socialization have to do with a DOG?
 The puppy trainer had my ears perked up. So, I asked her "What does socialization mean ( I knew what it meant to me)?" She said, " you need to introduce your new puppy to all kinds people. People that are young and old with hats and glasses, tall and fat, red heads, people with dresses on or shorts and those who wear boots and high heals. Introduce them to the UPS man, police men, doctors, the mom walking her child in a stroller, the kids skateboarding down the sidewalk. Introduce, whistles and bells, little hands clapping, plastic being crumbled, trains and trucks driving by. Show them and let them hear the people and the sounds around the town. Keep them with you at all times, until they have been trained and have learned to obey when you walk out of the room. Wow, sounds kind of like homeschooling my kids!

Proverbs 22:6 ~ Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

As I went home later that day I thought of the reasons why I was homeschooling/socializing my kids. I came up with many reasons, but the main reason is to teach them the ways of the Lord, about God's Word and how and why we obey it.

 So that brought me to the question, am I homeschooling the dog or socializing the kids lol!!

An Attitude of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

Start the month off with some new found gratitude!

Gratitude Journal

Just print and cut! It will print out 4 pages per sheet then cut and hole punch the corners.  Tie together with whatever you have on hand; ribbon, twine, pipe cleaners etc.

Some ways you could use these:

• Write down something you’re thankful for each day for 30 days. Start on November 1st and do one each day in November, or start on October 26th to do one each day through Thanksgiving day.

• Have each family member write what they are thankful for each day. It would be great to bring it out each year to look back on!

• Put a card with each place setting for Thanksgiving dinner and have everybody write down what they’re thankful for. Bind them together into a keepsake.

• Use the cards to write encouraging notes to friends/family/teachers/etc. Start with a few or see if you can giveaway all 30!

• Make a book for your spouse filled with all the things you’re thankful for and give it to him or her on Thanksgiving day.

• Use as a gift for your child's teacher. Have each student write some they are thankful for from their teacher.

New Adventures

   I got call from my sister the other day. I love talking to her. She is one of those crafty, fun people and always has something exciting going on. Amanda started off saying she wanted to start a blog and wanted me to help her. I advised her that I can’t spell or write in complete sentences. She laughed as if I were joking. I wasn’t. That’s why I am home-schooling my 1st and 5th graders, so I can re-learn to read, write and spell again.

  Wow, a blog! {What is that, I thought} ha-ha, so I googled it of course! I got lots of great tips: write less, use short sentences, use simple words and don’t take yourself too seriously. Do all your daily activities with a camera around your neck to be sure you capture each step of the way and tell all your friends about it. So, let’s get started!

Made New

   I love to shop! Shopping always made me feel good and refreshed. When I had nice clothes and lots of things I seemed to have felt good in that moment. Well that kind of thinking and impulse shopping has lead our family into a great amount of debt... But it was ok because we could still afford the payments and live comfortably. We didn't think about how much money we were spending paying high interest credit cards and loans.


  About a year ago I realized that the credit card charging needed to stop. So we began to budget our money better and faithfully and fully tithing first and foremost (Which by the way has been amazing) God is good and always faithful and has always provided for us.


  So now we are cutting back and getting our finances back to where they should be. Living more purposeful lives. On fire for Christ and our family!
  
  I recently thought of this idea- to start blogging ! Blogging would be fun but I thought it would be even more fun to do it with my sister, Melanie! So I talked her into it ;) So we hope you enjoy all we have to share with you. 

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