Homeschool Mother's Journal {5}

The Home school Mother’s Journal began as a single post on a Friday morning over at The Homeschool Chick, and turned into a link-up for homeschool mothers across the blog-O-sphere to share a piece of their journey with one another each week. The link party is open from Friday to Monday so join me in The Homeschool Journal and lets encourage one another on our homeschool journey.

In my life this week…

 
In our homeschool this week…

• Understanding numbers and place value is starting to fall into place with Sir N.  
• Our home phone died this week and we handed it to Sir N to take apart.  He loved looking inside and using his Dads tools to try and take the bits and pieces off.  He enjoyed discovering circuit boards.  
• We watched Miracle on 34th Street.  The original 1947 version in black and white.  

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

I have been thinking about why as home school Mums we become so weary and why we constantly feel inadequate. I had the privilege of guest posting about this at Princess Warrior Lessons.

I am inspired by…

• The new friends I am finding in the blogging world who write inspiring, challenging and encouraging blog posts.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

• This week we have been visiting my mom each day to make sure she is alright.  She is recovering from surgery.  Please continue to pray for her recovery with me.
• Monday we had our last CHEF (Christian Home Educating Families) get together for the year.
• Wednesday found us blessed with dinner at my husbands end of year / Christmas work dinner.
• Today we have the last swimming lesson for this year.
• Today we are visiting a friend and completing the paper mache mask we started at her place two weeks ago. (photo's / tutorial to come)

My favorite thing this week was…

• Seeing my husbands delight at the arrival of his new fly fishing rod.  This is something that has been on his hearts desire list for the last twenty years.

Hardy Marksman II 7' 3 weight Fly Rod.

What’s working/not working for us…

• Trying to do regular days of school during the Advent season.  Sigh.  Experience should have taught me by now.  Every year I try this and you would think after 14 years I would know better. 

Questions/thoughts I have…

• My thoughts this week have been about my blog.  I really enjoy posting, sharing, discovering new blogs, being fed intellectually and spiritually.

• My pondering has been on the content of my blog.  I love to encourage and discuss things and I am passionate about homeschooling and being a mother.  I started this blog as a way of documenting / sharing my homeschool journey with Sir N BUT I want more.  More depth.  So I have been thinking about the content of my little space and what I want to do with it.  

Things I’m working on…

• Structuring my day and week. Strictly speaking I love a flexible routine but a routine non the less so that I and my children know what is happening and we all feel safer.

I’m reading…

•  Normal is so boring - combating homeschooling burnout
• When Mothers Don't play nice.
• Should Christians celebrate Christmas with a Christmas Tree with Santa?
• Surrounded by beauty
• 5 Books that changed who I am.
• Is that You Lord ?
• When I don't want to pray anymore ....
• Has your blog become an Idol
• Growing A Homemaking Blog (1): What Not To Do
• Growing a Home Making Blog (II)
• Growing a Homemaking Blog: Content cont'd

I’m cooking…

• I finally got around to making my ginger bread house gift.    It was a thank you gift for a friend who helped us out this last year with lifts for my husband to work.

• I am planning to try a fruit cake recipe with gluten free flour :) If it works I will post it !

I’m grateful for…

• Family and friends who encourage and pray for me.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

God is responsible for the consequences of your obedience. You are responsible for the consequence of your disobedience

Blessings

Be True to Yourself.

This weekend while spending time with my sister she encouraged me saying: “Be true to yourself.”   

I have really been struggling with feelings of insecurity, yes even after 14 years of homeschooling! 

As I went through my week my heart kept reaching for His.  “Lord why do I feel this way ?” 

and His reply kept echoing.  “Be True To YOURSELF”  

Click here to read the entire post at Princess Warrior Lessons  

While over at Jo's place take a look around.  Her blog is full of rich lessons learned from the King.  

Lessons that will inspire and encourage you.

Blessings

Candle Care

Ever wondered why candles you buy only last about ten hours and then wont light any more even though the sticker on the base says thirty hours of burn time ??

Did you know that candles contain a memory once you use them ?? A couple of years ago I attended a PartyLite party where I learned some really interesting things about candles.

For every inch your candle is in width is one hour of burning time.  So if your candle is 3 inches in diameter  you need to light it three hours before you need it.

If you snuff your candle before that time it will retain a memory and burn down the center of your candle creating a canyon which when it gets deep enough will mean your candle will no longer burn for lack of oxygen. This in turn will reduce your candle burn time.

These candles have only been lit for about 30 min and you can see that there is only about half an inch of the candle melted / warmed. If I snuffed my candle now it would retain this half inch memory and the next time I lit the candle it would only burn this half inch and no more.

These candles have been alight for about four hours

You can see that the wax has melted nearly to the edge and wont go further because of the previous time I lit them the memory is retained.

To blow or snuff a candle ??

It is much better to snuff a candle than blow it out.  When you blow out a candle the force of the air on the wick moves the wick in the candle which makes it lie on a strange angle and off center thus shortening the life of your candle. It also means that the next time you light your candle it will burn off center.

It is also better to place the candle where it is needed before you light it.  Do not move once lit as this will move the wick causing it to move off center.

Hug your candle

Snuff your candle and wait for around five minutes. Gently cup your hands around the top and put a slight inward pressure on the lip.

These three simple steps will mean you will get the full burn time on your candles.

Blessings