Set Apart Sunday #7

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31

Praise God for his unfailing mercies!

 Hope you all have a GREAT & Blessed Week! 

Set Apart Sunday #6

If we are unfaithful,

 he remains faithful,

  for he cannot deny who he is.

2 Timothy 2:13

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ephesians 5:20

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Set Apart Sunday #5

A foolish child is a calamity to a father;

 a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.

Proverbs 19:13

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Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor? ;-)

Scripture Plaque SALE!!!

WOOHOOO, do I have a deal for YOU! 

 Up until Thanksgiving, I will be doing a SALE on my Scripture Plaques! Normally they are $21.00 but they're on sale for $16.80! WOW!

 These will make AMAZING Christmas gifts, and so heartfelt! So make sure to pick out one today! And combined shipping on TWO is only $2.00 extra! Awesome!

So come check out my store on etsy! 

Coupon code is-TURKEY

 Or you can see them to the right of this post!
 HAPPY MONDAY!!!!

Set Apart Sunday #4

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And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's Love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in ALL creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord!

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Romans 8

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Two really neat things I wanted to point out before I get my week started:

#1 Operation Christmas Card

This is to send Christmas Cards to soldiers. We LOVE doing this, and it's so awesome to include the kiddos in these heartfelt cards! For more info, click the link above!

#2 Operation Christmas Child

This is such a neat thing we do too! You pack a shoebox, for either a girl or boy, with toys, needs, etc. You can find a local church accepting them in an area near you to drop off to. We've always done one each year, and earlier this year we got a response from one of the recipients! SUCH A BLESSING! So check out the above website on HOW to pack a shoe box (or it can even be a store bought plastic shoebox from walmart!) and what to do with it!

 Happy Sunday friends!

$5.00 Scripture Wall Decor

 Hola friends! Did you have a good October? We did. So good, in fact, that it seemed to come and go as fast as  the snap of a finger! Oh well, what can ya do? Now the holidays are right upon us, and I'm excited for that too!

 Today I want to share with you my AMAZING piece of art I created for $5.00....yes. FIVE!

After sawing, painting, and getting the vinyl lettering on the distressed edged wood, we have THIS Beauty!

 I absolutely adore the way it turned out! All you need is a 1x4x8 and 2 pieces of scrap 1x2's to secure the planks to the back, and voila! GORG, right? Yes, I am aware that my planks are not even. I'm still mastering the circular saw. And it gives it character :)

 I just love it. Not gonna lie. I beam everytime I look up at it. 

:)


EDIT- Just so you're aware since a few of you asked, it's based off of Isaiah 41:10 which says-


So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Set Apart Sunday #3

There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

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:::Proverbs 18:24:::

Set Apart Sunday #2

 I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: 

Forgetting  the past and looking forward to what

 lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize

 for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13-14

Set Apart Sunday #1

 Create in me a clean heart, O God.

  Renew a loyal spirit within me.

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 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

  and make me willing to obey you.

.Psalm 51.

Why We Homeschool

(If this clogs up your reader, SORRY! I've got lots to say today)

 Greetings, blogging friends! It has been a week since I last blogged -- how sad! But the truth is, "life" happened.  And when life happens, projects have to wait. BOO!

I took last week to get stuff done. I had to get all my homeschool paperwork updated and get things ready (computer, spelling lists, etc.) for our new homeschool year. I attended a homeschool group meeting. I met with old friends. I prayed and encouraged some of our old friends caught up in hard times. It was a "life" week, for sure!

 And this past week -- when seeing many kids go back to school both locally and in blogland -- I've really been thinking about WHY exactly we homeschool. I'd love to share with you our reasons; so today's the day!

 We first started homeschooling in 2008. Our oldest son had been in public school for 3 1/2 years. We put him into Kindergarten when he was four years old turning five. He did great, kept up well, and continued on until the third grade.

When he was in second grade, he had the most incredible teacher. Mr. L was a Christian man who was passionate about the Lord. He and his wife were BOTH SECOND GRADE TEACHERS at the same school! So sweet. He was so tender with the students, and reflected his relationship with Jesus Christ every day in the classroom, whether it was by singing children's bible songs on the guitar with them or encouraging our son to invite children to our church and AWANA program. He would even come see my son in our church performances, though it was not his home church! I will always be grateful that the Lord placed such a Godly teacher in the public school system in our son's life.

 It was that year with Mr. L that convinced us that we wanted our children to have a Christian education. We just couldn't afford it. So our son continued on into the third grade. It wasn't until his open house in March that we really knew we needed to bring him home to homeschool. We weren't comfortable with what was being taught in their textbooks. We felt that the challenges we would experience allowing him to be taught certain things that were against our convictions -- and then us trying to convince him what he was learning was false -- would be dangerous ground to tread on. So after much prayer and discussion, we decided to withdrawal him from public school and homeschool.

 Now backing up for a minute -- I would have NEVER in a million years thought I would homeschool. I'm not a very patient person, and teachers require an extraordinary amount of patience! They needed to be knowledgeable in all things! They needed to be experienced! I'm none of the above. 

 There was also the issue of socialization...DUN DUN DUN. The "S" word. "Homeschooled kids aren't socialized." "All children need to be socialized and that happens among their peers in a classroom setting". These are things I've heard in regards to homeschooling. And it's a complete and total myth. But more on that later.

Luckily, in California our homeschooling rules are pretty laid back. There is a wonderful, informative site CHN that takes you step by step through how to withdrawal your child from public school and how to set up your homeschool. Wow! So after getting all that taken care of, we finished out the rest of third grade and then I bought a curriculum set that would take care of all of fourth grade.

Boy, was that year rough! Our son had spent 3 1/2 years learning one way. Coming home and homeschooling with a very different learning technique really threw him for a loop. There were tears, arguing, frustration. It was a HARD year. When we finished out that curriculum, I knew that we needed to find another one; that curriculum was NOT working for him, and not catering to the way he learns. So after searching and asking fellow homeschooling families what they used, we decided to go with Switched On Schoolhouse.

 It was just what he needed. This is an amazing, interactive curriculum that totally caters to my son's learning style. We have been using it for 3 grade years now, and I've also started my youngest son on Switched On Schoolhouse for the 3rd grade. In addition, we do spelling and sentences to keep their penmanship neat and up to par, along with book reports and lots of book reading.

 Now, onto our reasons WHY we homeschool! 

•  Our first and most important reason for homeschooling is to keep Jesus Christ in our education. I love the fact that Christian based curriculum always implements the Lord into the work, no matter what subject it is. We love the Lord, and want what we learn to be centered around Him and His Word :)

•  We LOVE the freedom of a homeschooling schedule! I have always found the concept of children waking up extremely early to get into the habit so that they'll be prepared for doing it for the rest of their life kinda strange. The fact that they'll be doing it for the rest of their lives is reason enough to let my kids be KIDS, and get their rest. I find they're at their best when they sleep in a bit and are able to go about their morning at their own pace (sometimes a little TOO slow, which is when I regulate! hah).

•  We LOVE the flexibility of homeschooling: When something comes up, we can just take the day off and resume tomorrow. If we wake up and decide that we want to go to the beach, we can do that! When a baby's been throwing up all night and mom needs a day to focus on her, we can do that. When something comes up that might need to take us out of town, we can do that. Now granted, we have to make up the school day to comply with our state's mandatory attendance regulation, but we just add a day to the end of the year. 

• We LOVE being with other homeschoolers! When we moved to this new town and started going to our current church, we found a large sized homeschool group that likes to do activities together! There is a field trip once a month, and they're cool field trips too! October is the Science Museum here in Southern California...LOVE that place! And the support from the group is awesome. My boys really enjoy the friendships of the other boys in the group, which are also their friends that they go to church with. Win Win situation here :)

• We LOVE the controlled environment aspect of homeschooling. Another reason why we removed our son from public school was the unnecessary profanity and vulgarity he was exposed to. We're talkin' third graders with mouths like sailors! The bullying of other students, the "harmless, all in fun" name calling....it's just not a necessary part of my children's education. At home, they learn free from the anxieties of playground bullying, their flaws being pointed out daily and the adult-influenced vulgarities that their little ears just need not hear.

Socialization...the "S" word. The fact is, as long as your children have interaction with other children, their socialization skills are being developed and nurtured. They don't NEED to be in a classroom for 6 hours to have that skill developed. If you take your children to a playground, to children's church, to choir, to gymnastics, to dance class, to play places...they're socializing. For someone to say a child who learns at home vs. learning in a classroom environment will lack socialization skills is just silly.

 I believe the Lord has entrusted me and my Husband with our children to do the very best that we can raising them up in Him -- to know Him, to love Him and to WANT Him as the Lord of their lives; and for our family, teaching them at home the required studies with God's fingerprints all over them is what works best. I'm NOT saying that homeschooling is for every family, because it's NOT. But it's what the Lord put on OUR hearts and our convictions, so we do it. 

 Oh, does it have its challenges! But it's worth it. I think it pleases the Lord. And that's enough for me. 


So here's to another year of homeschooling! 

A Couple Things

 Hey friends! Hope you all are staying cool on this FIRST DAY OF SUMMER! Today's forecast in the desert is 104! Can you IMAGINE?! Well, some of you can.

 So a few things....one, thank you all so much to those who commented on the passing of my Grandmother. She had a very difficult life, especially for the past four decades; but I know that God is a merciful, redeeming God who has awarded her a special crown in heaven. 

Psalm 37:11 says "But the meek shall inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant peace."

 This is one of His promises, and in my time of grief I hold this verse and Matthew 5:5 close to my heart.

 Two, I can't believe I'm getting close to 500 followers! That is so awesome! I plan to do something super speeeeshul when I reach 500 so keep your eyes peeled!

And lastly, I'm thinking about doing a few giveaways, preferably from folks who have an online shop! This would bring more advertisement to your shop and blog, and would just be awesome all around! So please email me if you're interested and willing to do a giveaway!

janet@iheartmygluegun.com

Tomorrow Friday I'll be sharing an organizing tip and revealing a super messy area in my house! See ya then!

No Friday's Fun Facts

 Today it's all about the cross.

 Have a great weekend, and Happy Easter!

Where have I been?!

I know, I know, I have been so quiet. You wouldn't BELIEVE what we just went through!

All six of us have had the stomach flu in the past 96 hours. Every one of us! UGH!

 It started with our 7 year old early friday morning-violent throwing up. Then Saturday afternoon, our 11 year old started violently throwing up. By 8pm, both our 20 month old AND our 8 month old were projectile vomiting wherever they sat. It was awful-one would throw up, and then the other about a minute later. Until 5am Sunday. Exhaustion is an understatement of what this weekend was.

 Sunday and Monday, my turn. Today, My Husband's turn.

 Ok, TMI. Sorry for that, but I had good reason to not update for days!

In other news, our 11 year old won 1st place in the Awana Grand Prix! WOOHOO! Second year in a row. However, our 7 year old didn't win a trophy-and he was DEVASTATED. So it was obvious that God was teaching our sweet boys an important lesson-how to win gracefully, and how to lose gracefully. It's so hard though!

Also, I have been using my handy dandy Cricut ALL DAY! I bought the Cricut Create off of Craigslist Friday for $85. It is in GREAT condition and came with two brand new mats. However, it smells heavily of MARIJUANA. Apparently the inside was used to store the marijuana because when you open it, it reeks. I have been trying different cleaning techniques and the smell is slowly but surely going away. So stinky! I didn't take it out of the box when checking it during the purchase, so I had no idea until I got home. My poor, poor Cricut. Its life has been filled with illegal drug use and abuse!

But now it has a new home, and it will most definitely live a sober life from here on out! HA!

So stay tuned, tomorrow I will have SEVERAL projects to share since I spent hours cutting today! So excited!!!

What a weekend!

Hi all! Boy, did we have a great weekend!

Friday, we headed out of here and got to Ventura, CA by 4:45. Checked in, freshened up and we headed over to Joe's Crab Shack for dinner.

Look at our view from our table! 

Breathtaking right?!

The food was AWESOME!! My husband HATES seafood, so it's rare that we go somewhere and I order it. Well I went all out-crab and shrimp! Yum. It was just fantastic. I also enjoyed the every half hour singing and dancing by the staff-LOL! Too funny.
We then went back to our room and crashed. Saturday, we went thrift store shopping(*squeal*) at the shops on Main Street in Ventura. Some of them had AMAZING stuff! I got a LIKE NEW Spacemaker can opener for 2.95 and it works GREAT! After we were done there, we headed down to the pier and rented a Surrey so we could go for a ride! I've always wanted to rent one of those things, so we did...and boy, was it work! PHEW! I took LOTS of breaks and let the men do the work while snapping some shots!

   

After that, we got lunch and then headed back to the hotel for a nap. Then came the shopping! We went to the Camarillo Premium Outlets and shopped away! Got a few neat things and then headed to dinner.

Sunday, we went to a REALLY cool park that had a pirate ship and a zip line attached to it. The boys LOVED that. They also went down to the shore and collected rocks and shells.

We had an amazing time. It was much needed getaway, and now I'm refreshed and ready to continue running the race despite the few hurdles we've had to jump so far.
Heb. 12:1-2 ...And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith...
Thanks for virtually coming to Ventura with me! Be sure to come back and check out an AWESOME giveaway I'll be doing soon, you WON'T wanna miss this one!!