how do you do it?

Okay, so Jeremy and I are asked, "How do you do it?" all the time. Usually this is in response to hearing that we homeschool our twelve children. Recently, I was asked this by other homeschooling mom's. So, I will attempt to share how, and a little of why we do what we do. I hestitate to write this because by no means do I want anyone to think I believe our way is the only way. God leads and directs all his children, and each family must seek God's will for themselves. But if an insight into our lives will help you in your search, I am willing to share to help someone along the way. So, let's start with the why?
Why do we choose to homeschool?

The reason we homeschool is because we believe God chose us to parent our children, and according to His Word that means to teach and train them. We read this in Deuteronomy 6. "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." These are the words of Moses to the people of Isreal. He is preparing them for entering into the Promise Land, and he is reminding them that it is very important to hold tight to the ways of God, because if they don't they will be pulled away from God into the ways of the world. We believe that we should be in the world and sharing God's love with the lost, but we must be seperate from the world to stay close to the Lord. We read this is Paul's letter to the Romans chapter 12 verse 2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." We believe that as parents it is our job to train and teach our children the Word of God, so that they can know God and live for HIM, if they are not with us then we can't teach then these things.

Simple answer: we homeschool because we beleive that God tells us to.

How do we homeschool?

We use the WORD of God as our primary textbook. What? you say. Well, it is quit simple as we look and study God's Word we find that not only in Deuteronomy, but all throughout scripture God tells us that he wants us to seek HIM first, to know HIS laws, and to learn HIS ways. We believe everything one needs for success in life is in the WORD of God and can be found no where else. This belief is founded on the scrpiture 2 Timothy 3:16-17 " All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Ok, so how does it work?

We start and end our day with the WORD of God. We take the scripture literally and believe we need to be talking of the Word of God when we sit, rise, and lay down. When we are out and about and when we are home. So, when the kids wake up in the morning they start their day copying the Word of God into notebooks (they do this for one hour). (Learn more about this method here http://blog.inkleinations.com/p/about-copying-bible.html). Then we sit down and pray and eat together. Then we read from the Bible, we discuss what we read, touching on history, timeline, maps, literature, grammar, and such and I give assignments based on these scriptures. We try and read the Bible chronologically and my goal is to complete the whole Bible in four years, and cycle back to the beginning. (I use Anne Elliots Bible materials and her soon to be available history and grammar materials as help guides.http://foundationspress.com/our-homeschool-curriculum/foundations-bible-foundations/) We clear the table and the older kids continue copying the Bible for another hour. Each of my younger students, ages four up to about 11( depending on their reading ability and ability to do their work on their own), take turns reading the Bible with me and getting writing assignments from their reading.

After the students finish their copywork, they do morning chores. Then we break for lunch, at this time we read together again using support materials to go with our Bible reading. Examples of support material can be a history book, like Story of the Ancient World by Christina Miller(http://www.nothingnewpress.com/guerber/ancient.html), or it could be a character building book like, Making brothers and sisters best friends by Sarah, Steven, and Grace Mally,http://www.amazon.com/Making-Brothers-Sisters-Best-Friends/dp/0971940509). After lunch we do other studies or activities of interest. This is when math, journaling, independent literature reading, study of sciences or arts, home improvement, and so much more are done. Each child takes time learing things that they are personally interested in (ie. carpentry, music, technology, sports,etc.) , and also takes times learning things we as their parents deem they should learn (ie. cooking, cleaning, basic car care, serving, etc.). The next learning part of our day comes at supper time with dad. After supper, Dad teaches us from the Bible using the One verse a day method (http://inkleinations.com/pdfs/how-to-teach-your-children-one-verse-a-day.pdf). Our evenings are spent watching educational videos that go with what we are studying in the Bible (example Mike Snavely creation series http://www.natureofcreation.org/) , play in games, reading additional materials, or just visiting with each other.

Ok, I know your wondering how this really works out day to day? Is it really as simple as it sounds? Of course not, we are human after all and no were near perfect. Life get's busy with distactions no matter who you are and how hard you work at it. But, we seek to seek God's Kingdom and Righteousness first. Matthew 6:33 So, here is a look at how this schedule looks on paper and then how it might look in real life.

8 am everyone is up and copying the Bible at the table, little guys are playing quietly near by, mom is making breakfast and meal prep for the day.

9 am prayer, breakfast, Bible reading and discussion (recite Bible verses and books of OT)

10:30 am copy work and mom one on one with younger guys

11:30 morning jobs

12:30 lunch prep

1:00 LUNCH story time (recite again)

1:30 lunch clean up

2-4 independent studies

5:oo house keeping before dad comes home

6:00 supper Bible with dad (recite again)

7:00 movie night

9 bedrooms

10 lights out

What really happens:

8:00 little kids up running around house(before 6), some big kids copying the Bible, some big kids still in bed, mom trying to make breakfast but has to take care of fussy baby and deal with kids fighting over toys.

9:00 mom calling everyone to table, kids moving slow and complaining about oatmeal.

9:30 Mom read's Bible story and get's interrupted by little guys several times.

(mom can't find her lesson book, and is trying to remember what questions and ssignements to give).

10:30 big kids copying, but have to stop to help with little guys who need diapers changed, and a bath after throwing up breakfast.

mom has to feed baby and read to little ones at the same time.

12:15 finally done with morning routine and start morning clean up and lunch

1:30 finally sit for lunch (not to bad only 30 minutes of schedule).

have story and visit about yesterday's sermon and get off topic for a little while, but glad to know kids are listening at church.

2:45 clean up lunch

3:15 Independent time, no one can find their notebooks, or lessons from the day before, and it is mom's fault. (dad calls and needs mom to take car to mechanic.

mom leaves big kids care for little kids. mom is gone longer than planned, big kids decided to have little ones watch tv since it is raining out. (always)

5 big kids supervise house work, and start supper.

6 pm mom home, but dad's running late. so supper help off till 7.

7 pm supper.

too late for movie night now, so we play rock band on the PS3 instead.

other interruptions we often have are doctors appointments, service projects we found out about, music lessons or classes, sports, goodnews club (teaching), Bible studies, sickness, toys in toilet, etc.

So, how do we do it?

Well, this was just a sample of how our life looks. We have a weekly schedule, a monthly calendar, and daily charts with chores, menus, and lesson plans. And yes, God has gifted me to be pretty organized, but the truth is we do it with God's grace and Power.

You see, we believe God never gives us more than we can handle. We find this in 1 Corithians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." We also believe that God gives us the strength and ability to do that which he has called us to do. there are many verse for this belief, but here are just a few. Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." In Hebrews 13:20-21 , we see that it is by the same power of God used to raise Christ from the dead that he equips us to do the work he has called us to," Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. " Finally, in Phillipians 2:12-13 we are told to continue in obedience as God works in us to accomplish His will. "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. "

So why and how we homeschool, is simply done by the grace and Power of God with the use of his WORD.

Derailing to get on track

Lately, I have found myself unable to focus and stay on task. This is not new, as I have always been easily distracted (some might say I have ADHD) I like to think of myself as a great multitasker. But, since having baby girl and moving, I have struggled with focus, insomnia, and depression(again not new, just not wanted). As the dark months start to close in on me, I find my hearts prayer for the Lord to give me a booster shot of energy, motivation, and drive. So this morning, I woke with an idea. I am calling it the "Katie's Daily habits of Health." I am a firm believer that God made us like himself (God the father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit). We are mind, body, and soul. To be our best all three parts must be in good health. So I came up with a list of 20 things I need to do daily to maintain optimum health. This is a very simple list of very basic activities. They are in order of what come to me first (not what is more important than another).

1. Get up at 7 am (this is necessary to get up same time everyday to help with insomnia and motivation)
2. No candy (sugar addiction)
3. No Pop (caffeine and sugar addiction, Dr Pepper is my drug of choice)
4. Go to bed at 10 pm (not TV) (again to combat insomnia)
5. exercise 30+ minutes (combat laziness and depression)
6. go outside 5+ minutes (no matter what fresh air is always benificial)
7. no eating after supper (no nighmares)
8. drink water only (this is different than no pop)
9. pray
10. read Bible
11. eat with kids (if I eat with the kids I eat healthier, because I feed them healthier than I do myself)
12. one serving per meal
13. read out loud
14. memorize
15. have a meaningful conversation
16. hug someone
17. say I love you
18. pray with or for someone
19. write a letter or blog
20. be grateful for something/someone

The goal is to intentionally do each of these things everyday, until it is a habit. So, my plan is to take 20 weeks and intentionally add a new one each week. So, week one focus on getting up at 7, then week two add no candy eating, and so on, so by the end of twenty weeks all should be added into the days activities. Then go back to the top and do it again, until it is mastered.
I am sure other people would have other goals, but these are areas I need to focus on. maybe you have suggestions or ideas of other areas people in general could work on, please feel free to comment and share them.

Question 1: Are they all yours?

Whenever I go out of those with all twelve of my kids, I get asked this question. "Are they all yours?" Sometimes it is asked in a different way, like "Did you bring the whole neighborhood today? or "Do you run a daycare?" Sometimes, people say, "His,Yours and ours?" But, no matter how they ask, what they want to know is are they really all yours? Most of the time, this question doesn't bother me. I love people, to watch people, find people fascinating, and am very curious about people. So, I understand that others are curious too. Once in a while someone will be a little too nosy and/or rude in their curiosity and that is harder to deal with. So, what is my answer to this question. Usually, I just give a yes answer and a smile. This satisfies 85% of those who asks, and they usually say something like God bless you, or what a blessing large families are. But, once in a while people want more and say, so you gave birth to all of them, you must have been pregnant for the last fifteen years, are there any twins, etc. Others are even bolder and want you to clarify if any are adopted, foster, or step children (to me that is a little rude when the children are standing right there). Even though three of my beautiful children are adopted and know it, I don't think a total stranger needs to make them feel some how separated from the rest of the children. This is especially true when you have foster children. It always bothered me when I was a kid and people would point out that some of my siblings were foster children. Like they and I didn't already know that. Life is hard enough as a kids in the system why make them feel less like part of the family they are with.
Oops, I side tracked there, lets get back on the right track. So, Are they all mine? To be totally honest, yes and no. You see I believe they belong to God, and that I am just blessed by him to be their mother. So, yes, they are all my children born of my heart, and some born of my womb. Most days I do not even feel worthy of such a high calling as to mother one child, let alone twelve. But, God has blessed me, and I am grateful to enjoy the life I share with these children. They teach me so many things day after day. The next question I often get asked is, "so are you done?" check back in to see what my answer is for this one.

Psalm 127
1 Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
2 In vain you rise early
and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—
for he grants sleep to[a] those he loves.
3 Children are a heritage from the LORD,
offspring a reward from him.
4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are children born in one’s youth.
5 Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their opponents in court.

Why?

Why?
Do you ever wonder why? Well, often I get that question about our family? IT used to bother me a bit that even complete strangers felt they had the right to question me about my family. But, being a curious person myself, I realize when you see a large family (especially with kids so close in age) it pecks your curiosity. I have to admit I am a people watcher, and I find people and especially families very interesting. I will see a couple that has been married a long time with no children, and wonder if they wanted children and for some reason couldn't have them, or if they felt led to not have any for other reasons. Maybe, they just don't like kids, whatever? I will see a single woman with children and wonder how she found herself in that position. Or a single Christian man in his later years, and wonder why he never married, etc. So, since I know I am curious about others, I understand why people our curious about us. I do have to say, that I am often not bold enough to ask such personal questions of people, just because I am curious. I do not want to ask a question of someone that may be painful or just plan rude, just because I am curious.But, because you may be a curious reader, I will take some time ot answer the why question for our family.Here is the long story:Jeremy and I met the summer before our senior year in high school. My parents moved to the small town of Decatur, IN where my dad was the new pastor of a small country church. As we prepared for that move, my mom and I began praying that God would bless me with a special friendship when we settled in there. Mom had thought us kids very early to pray specifically for the desires of our heart. She had taught us at a young age to pray everyday for our future spouse, and she prayed for that person too. Well, mom and I knew this was going to be a rough move for me, so we began praying for a good friendship. Well, I had know idea that God would answer that prayer request and the prayer request for a future spouse in the same person. Jeremy and I met that summer and became friends. Shortly after becoming friends, Jeremy became a believer in Jesus Christ as his savior and began a relationship with Christ. We soon began dating and it wasn't long before we began talking marriage and our future. (It had always been my dream to marry right out of high school, and I had thought this dream impossible when I hadn't met my mate by my junior year in high school). We would take long walks on Sunday afternoons and talk about what we believed the Lord had for us as a couple. In those talks it became clear that we both felt the Lord leading us to trust him with the growth of our family. We felt strongly that he was calling us to raise up Kingdom Builders. Also, it was clear that we would one day be foster parents, with the goal of helping families reunite. We had no plans to ever adopt any children at this time. Our goal was to minister to children and families. We married the December after graduating from high school. We had two wonderful years of marriage before our first daughter was born. Oh, like all couple we had hard times, but we learned so much about each other in those first years that strengthened us for what lied ahead. After Tyler was born we took in our first foster child. Then soon came Rachel. Oh, it was scary trusting the Lord, money was tight and we haven't always been the best stewards of what the Lord has blessed us with. At times, we both felt unsure of God's calling to trust him with our family planning. We took in several more foster children and God used us to help them reunite with there parents or relatives. Then we got Daniel and Lydia, and there was something different from day one about the place they held in our hearts. We knew God wanted us to make a commitment to these two. It was good he told us from the beginning, because it was a messy and painful time the years of them going in and out of our home for three years. As they came and went from our home we were blessed with Brenden and Bekah. We struggled with being certain if the Lord wanted us to keep having more children. Especially, when I became ill after Bekah. But, when the Lord did a miracle and healed me through the prayers and faith of our church. I placed my trust back in him. Finally, the day came when we were asked to adopt Daniel and Lydia, and we knew it was right. So, now God had blessed us with six kids under the age of seven. wow, was I overwhelmed. I spent many days questioning if this was truly God's plan, and wondering why he chose me. Then there were days when I was so excited with how he proved faithful. The many times he brought us through tough financial times, and times of insecurity as parents. There are the days of feeling so unworthy of such an awesome calling. The times when I see them growing in their faith, the times I see them caring and loving each other, the days when I see them learn something for the first time, the excitement at learning and the joy of teaching each other. This life like any is full of joys and struggles, but it is a faith journey and I can honestly say I feel so honored to be the mother of now eleven beautiful children. Ok, the other question I often get is are you done. To be honest, we do not believe the Lord is done blessing us with children. We have a strong desire to adopt one more time, we are looking to adopted a little princess. Also, we do not feel the Lord leading us to do anything to prevent his blessing on us through child birth. How many more, I don’t know. Do I want to be like the people on TV and just have a passel of children? Not really, but I will trust that the Lord will led as he always has. The days of joy, definitely out way the days of being overwhelmed. So, I feel so blessed to raise these children for the Lord.