5 Yr. Anniversary Celebration...

Justin took me to downtown Indy for a belated anniversary trip. We had a fun time and attended the Indiana Homeschool Conference as well. We were planning to go back to St. Elmo's Steakhouse--our 3rd anniversary celebration spot--but decided to go w/ Fogo De Chao, instead. It's a fancy Brazilian steakhouse...one of those once-every-couple-years-places. :) There's an awesome gourmet bar w/ every kind of exotic salad, crusty bread, and delicious cheeses. After the "appetizer", then came the meal: Brazilian cowboys brandishing huge skewers of meat plus yummy side dishes. Needless to say, we were both stuffed, but did go for the cheesecake at the end, justifying it, since we split it and had a few blocks to walk back to the hotel.

The hotel we where we stayed, was connected to the Convention Center and a mall. We tried to find a dress coat for Justin, but didn't succeed. :( I thought the men's coat selection would be like the women's section at the end of the season. Goodness! I was wrong...there were hardly any to choose from! He needed a size smaller...but there wasn't one.

~He's an awesome ironer...all my clothes that needed to be ironed left after I had children...should've kept some. :)

The Conference we attended was very good, although it seemed a bit smaller than Illinois.

(Justin's work schedule is too busy for the Illinois ones) The vendor hall--one of the favorite spots--had tons of books and such! We knew what we needed and conquered that the first day. The curriculum choices are endless, pricey, and can be very overwhelming. My motto is: SIMPLE. I'm going to use Rod and Staff Reading and Phonics and "Popcicle Math" and the other books that are pictured. I'm so blessed that my Mom has paved the way. I'm using her hardback books, and just buying our own consumables or the ones that she's worn out. :)
There were several used book dealers at the conference...we love those! I was able to get lots of science-type books for low prices. The kids were so excited to see the "loot" when we got home!

We felt like we were drinking from a fire hydrant...sitting at the feet of veteran parents/homeschoolers. It really wasn't about homeschooling, as much as it was home discipling. I believe there is a difference. It's not just "school" that we're doing at home, but we're actually wanting to disciple our children, teaching them God's Word and how to live to please the Lord. I really think non-homeschooling-parents would enjoy the conference because there's so many great resources and workshops. Justin and I really enjoyed two of the main speakers: Rick and Marilyn Boyer, parents of 14 children. Justin enjoyed Rick's sense of humor, and I enjoyed Marilyn's "Getting it All Done" Workshop, and others. One workshop I attended was called, "Occupying Preschoolers" and was taught by a dad! It was hilarious! I took so many good notes and it's fun to apply some of the ideas I learned. I think it's so good to keep evaluating what we're doing and why we're doing it, as parents. Here's a quickie run-down of some of my notes/applications:

~Learn to differentiate btwn. childishness and disobedience (accidentally spilling milk, would be an example of childishness)

~Speak the Word when I'm training:

*Start studying and teaching verses related to character traits

*Allow life to stop when training is required

~Pray for ideas and wisdom for handling various situations or questions the kids may have

~Have vision and goals--expect maturity

~Work training into our "school-day"--have the kids help me do the dishes, cook, clean-up...and make it fun!

~Praise the children when we pray--thank the Lord that _________ obeyed or helped Mommy, etc. Pour on positive affirmation w/ the the kids

~Create a culture in our home...make certain days special, start traditions, etc...

~Take time to play together

~Pre-train/teach kids about various situations. (behavior that's expected at church, grocery store, a playdate, etc. Children need to be taught proper behavior, not just be expected to "know")

~Have a place for everything in the house

~Give specific jobs to the kids

~Study your children: what their interests are, what encourages them or discourages them (Realize that we're raising up the next generation of leaders/people of character)

~Praise their good character traits and turn their misused ones around

~Spend 1 on 1 time with each child throughout the day--toddlers/preschoolers

~Play the "Ifs" Game- "If this happened, what would you do?"

Developing a Work Ethic in Your Kids-

~Focus on character quality rather than perfection

~Work on character traits and learn w/ your kids!

~Make a list of all age appropriate chores, assign and train during the summer, that way during the school year, it's easier

~Do a character quality: 1 a month

~Children need accountability w/ chores...check up on them or work w/ them

~Obedience: cheerfully, immediately, thoroughly

~Kids are different=different expectations

~Older kids are key-do a good job training them, and your job w/ the younger ones will be much easier

~"Every negative character quality is merely a positive character quality misused"

~Train them in God's Word--that is what will permanently affect them. Gear training and teaching toward their needs. (assign specific bible verses for them to learn)

Obedience From the Heart:

~Our goal is to do our best, even when no one is looking. God always sees; Our kids need a proper fear of God

~Submission to us=submission to God

~Obedience: 1. Cheerfully 2. Immediately 3.Thoroughly

~Discipline for disobeying God (not offending us)

~Discern attitudes; learn to "read" the kids [ex she gave: sometimes a child who is displaying anger, is actually embarrassed]

~Ask for direction from the Lord as we train the kids

~Let peace rule in our hearts

~5 Love Languages of Children: acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch, quality time, giving gifts (look for patterns of how they reach out to you...it's probably their love language) Learn to speak their love language

~God's mercy softens judgement...not a drill sgt, but not permissive

~Kids don't expect us to be perfect, they want us to be honest (be willing to admit when we're wrong)

~Scripture is the only thing that will bring about lasting changes in behavior

~Train them to obey 1st, and ask questions later

Getting it All Done:

~Say no to good things if it interferes w/ the best

~Constantly evaluate outside committments and activities

~Realize that in this season (while the kids are young), my family is my priority. That may mean saying no to good things...like a women's bible study, etc...

~Streamline your schedule, your child's schedule, and your curriculum

~Organize your home: make a frustration list-then look for solutions (ofen it's only 1 or 2 things that really bug us, and reoccur many times throughout the day--she gave the example of needing a shoe shelf and book shelves. Everything in the house needs a "home")
~Train kids in organization

~Discipline YOURSELF and your children

~Include preschoolers in "school"-help them be productive and get creative w/ them (have a lg. box of interesting "only-during-school" items

~There's a quick re-cap of our little trip. It was a blessing, and I'm so thankful for a husband who sees the importance of going away, every once in a while. ~