What Really Matters?

I wrote this last school year and it got stuck in my drafts. But since a new school year is upon us I thought it might be a fitting time to finally post this.

This morning I was folding laundry and praying for wisdom on how to deal with one of our children who needed some correction for a wrong decision he had made. As I looked at the time I wondered if we would get any book work (schooling) done this day. For this was already the 3rd child that had needed correction and it was only 9:00!! It definitely was seeming to be 'one of those days!'

And then God reminded me of something He had taught me years ago. Something that I seem to forget from time to time especially when I get caught up in the moment! Something that keeps me reminded of the reason we homeschool. DISCIPLING AND TRAINING OUR CHILDREN TO OBEY GOD AND HIS WORD IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY EDUCATION WE COULD EVER GIVE THEM! AND IT IS NEVER A WASTE OF TIME!!!

I'm not sure why I lose focus so quickly. I know what God has first called me to do as a mother....To train up our children to love, obey and honor God. Yet too many times I let "education" take over and push aside the things that are really important.

As I was sitting here looking at pinterest this evening God once again reminded me of this calling by showing me this blog post and I realized that He was confirming what He had spoken to me this morning.

"Because what will the math really matter if they are bitter?

 If the house is immaculate — but my attitude a mess? 

If they can count — but they don’t know how to count all things as joy? 

If we get the lists done, but have lost happiness in Him?

How can any grammar skill outweigh the fact they don’t know the language of grace and thanks? 

What good will it be if they can recite all the major British battles 

— but they don’t know to see beauty? 

What am I teaching our children if I’m not living simply, quietly this:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

—think about such things” (Phil. 4:8).

Focusing on what is beautiful, good, true –isn’t this the truest education?"

Taken from http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/03/when-youre-tired-of-kids-complaining-15-ways-to-happier-grateful-kids/

I pray that this truth will stay foremost in all my days as a mother. For I know that when I stand before God one day to give account for all I have done, He will not ask me if we finished a certain math program or if my children were perfect in grammar. Rather He will ask me if I taught my children to love Him with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength. If I taught them to love their neighbor as themselves. If I trained them up in the way they should go so that they would never fall away from Him.

This is true education and is more valuable than any bookwork our children could complete. And I pray that tomorrow when I go through my day and character training issues come up, that I will be able to see these as valuable opportunities to lead our children one step closer to the heart of God and know in my heart what really matters!

Camping Adventures Summer 2014

Here is a story/update for you. 

Most of the facts are, well, facts....some of my story is, well, fiction :)

A few weeks ago Mikaya gave me this look.....

Now this look can mean many things.

So as a mom, I had to determine a few things.

Did it mean...Mom, I need to ask you a question?

Did it mean...Mom why is Jennifer taking my picture?

Or did it mean....Mom, don't you think it's about time we go camping?

And after consulting Kerri....she smiled, so we figured that must mean it was about time to take our first camping trip of the summer!!!

So in true Pauls family fashion we:

decided to go camping

check over this big boy

packed up this big boy

gave instructions to the ones at home left to do chores (thanks Becca:)

washed our faces and feet

all within a few short hours

Now let me interrupt this story to give you one word of what life is like 

when we achieve a feat like this....

CHAOS!!!!

But once we were on the road all the craziness was soon forgotten 

and we set out to enjoy our family time together.

As soon as we got there Caleb tried his hand at putting up the tent.

Of course Jaden was there to give moral support.

And Elijah was practicing the act of walking on his hands!

A much needed skill while camping!

But after awhile the boys got tired of the slow pace and left Caleb all by himself.

So he pounded in pegs with....a log????

Oh look, here's Zach! He's come to the rescue!! 

And of course Jaden came back to inspect. 

I think he was thinking, "They are doing it all wrong!"

Many hands makes a tent pole stay up!

Of course, having your big sister on the sidelines bossing you around  

cheering you on, always helps!

Teamwork!

Almost there boys!

 

Next on the list was sweeping off the picnic table...

cause that's how we do things?

It wasn't long before we tried out fishing. 

I used to fish a lot when I was little but haven't in years so it felt like we were both learning!

Don't we look pretty professional though? (this is where you nod your head!)

Cast away!

And what's fishing without some sweet kiddos sitting on the sidelines encouraging us on!

On a side note....we are pretty sure we can physically see him growing!

He will soon be the tallest member of our family!

Joey is good at observing and learning.

Here he is practicing that skill!

Obviously we don't have enough fishing rods for everyone.

This was a "have patience" moment!

You fish on this side, I'll fish on the other side!

LOVE :)

Hey! I caught something....

SEAWEED :(

Oh here's a fish!!! 

Isn't he just the cutest little thing?

Sadly he was too little so we threw him back.

1 minnow, 2 minnow, 3 minnow, 4.....

Soon the ones without rods were kept busy catching minnows.

Even though we didn't catch much the boys loved their fishing time. 

They spent every spare moment they had out there.

Campfires....must be one of the best family bonding times.

Silly stories told, even sillier songs sung!

Not to mention yummy food eaten!

I think he is thinking about how yummy that smore is going to taste!

And then there was this girl that wore pink!

Who loved to wear pink actually.

And then there was a boy with a bug in a blue cup.

He was pretty proud of it and it entertained him for quite some time!

And there was this girl who spends the most of her days 

singing, listening to music, playing piano, or singing :)

Everyone needs one of these folk in their home.

When I got married my mom was so sad that I was leaving 

because she was losing her "canary" as she fondly called me. 

I didn't understand then...now I do. 

What a joy and peace fills your heart when you hear music all day long

as long as it's not too loud....

right Kerri???

And then the little boy decided, "As long as I have wheels under me, I am happy. 

And so he rode his bike all day long." 

Of course now the tent was all put up so all advice was given, 

so now it was time to ask questions. 

And this is what he does all day long! 

Usually followed by a thoughtful "ohhhhh" when you give him the answer!

And the man and wife....

the team....

cooked up the chicken....

because the tummies were hungry.

And this little boy thought that was just fine.

While this little boy watch on in silence and learned how to wait patiently

 when you are very, very hungry.

Since the days were cool and they couldn't go in the water, 

the family enjoyed some more time fishing, soaking up the sun and catching minnows. 

They were hoping to catch some fish for their supper....

but nothing like that happened :(

So they made the best of it and played with the little minnows in the pail. 

This little guy figured between wheels and swings, he had it made!

And then it was time to play some catch. 

Interesting technique!

I got you ball...you are not going to get away on me!

The sweep.

Of course big boys can't just swing...

they have to jump and stuff 

and threaten to break bones!

Look mom...I can fly!

This family can never do a camping trip without doing lots and lots of hiking.

There's something so peaceful about 

the trails, the singing birds....

the kids saying they are tired,

the mosquitoes buzzing in your ear :)

This hike led them to a new fishing spot!

They thought surely they would catch their supper here!

So they fished...

And they caught minnows...

And they played in the water...

And they sat and avoided falling off the "cliff"!

When they caught no fish there, 

they decided to walk to the dam.

And tried again...

And again...

And again.

And even though, once again, no fish were caught,

they took in the beauty that was all around them.

And spent some time cuddling.

While papa was determined to catch some supper.

While others got "just their feet wet" :)

And some watched the waterfall 

thinking how fun it would be to go under it 

but knowing that it would be difficult to get only "feet wet" 

so he decided otherwise!

Then the family returned back to the campsite with empty hands...

but full hearts!!

So to get rid of the fishing blues they sang some more!

And stared into the campfire...

Dreaming of the fish they would catch tomorrow!

And sang more silly songs!

And took upside down pictures of people's nose hairs.

And smiled....a goofy type smile.

And even though no fish were caught, 

there was still lots of food to be eaten.

So they ate.

And ate.

And fed the ground squirrels.

This particular one was kind of picky....

he only wanted macaroni!

So he too had his fill.

"Please, feed me more," he said.

"I am wasting away here in the wild."

The three musketeers enjoying some dinner conversation.

Cute little toes :)

And even more adorable faces!

And this brings us to the end of the photos of our camping adventure.

Again, great memories made.

And even though we never caught a fish we could put on the fire...

It was still a success.

Family times like this are greatly treasured.

We will never have these moments back again.

Life goes by so fast.

So we must take the time to enjoy each other while we have the chance.

Live

 Love

Laugh

And treat each day as a gift.

NOTE: The reason one of our family members isn't in any of the pictures...

AKA Jennifer...

Is because she sacrificed her whole time behind the camera 

so we could capture these wonderful memories. 

Thanks Jen!