A Meaningful Easter

My heart has been burdened the last week or so to make Easter a celebration in our home as big, if not bigger, than Christmas. We have boxes of Christmas decorations, books, and music--and yet, not a thing for Easter. Isn't Christ's resurrection just as important and joyous to be celebrated--if not more so, than his birth? 

So, I am on a quest to find meaningful ways for our family to celebrate. As a child I remember pretty dresses, an Easter basket full of chocolate and sometimes gifts, and church (filled with people who weren't there the Sunday before or the Sunday after). 

I'm gathering ideas, decorations, books, music, and activities that will become our family traditions. I'm excited! Here are some ideas (with links to sites) I've found so far:

1. Resurrection Rolls
2. Carnation/red dye activity
3. Sunrise service/breakfast/hike
(All three at: http://beinglds.blogspot.com/p/easter-crafts-about-christ.html)
4. Resurrection Eggs (found at Hobby Lobby)
5. Messianic Passover Seder Meal (http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/03/the-best-easter-dinner-with-a-free-printable-start-a-christian-tradition-messianic-seder/)
6. A Holy Week (http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/04/3-bowls-a-crown-of-thorns-on-holy-week-a-holy-week-day-2/)
7. Naturally-dyed Easter eggs (http://ecocrazymom.com/natural-easter-egg-dye/)
8. Beautiful decorations (http://harrisonhomeblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/easter-mantel.html)
9. Veggie Tales! (http://www.mardel.com/A-Very-Veggie-Easter-Collection-VeggieTales-DVD-CD.aspx)
10. Easter tree (http://www.incourage.me/2010/03/five-ways-for-a-family-to-celebrate-easter.html)
11. Repentance box (http://www.incourage.me/2010/03/five-ways-for-a-family-to-celebrate-easter.html)

What meaningful ways do you celebrate Jesus' resurrection?

My Thoughts On Homeschooling

I've been honored recently by a few friends who have asked my thoughts on homeschooling. I am no expert, but here are a few of the thoughts I've shared with them. I hope they bless you in your journey.

1. Take the time to pray and talk with your spouse. Think about why you're doing this, as well as your goals, hopes, dreams, and expectations of each other. Getting on the same page with my husband was key. When we first started homeschooling I had crazy expectations of myself, kids, and husband. Because of this, I assumed my husband's expectations were also crazy high. When I didn't live up to the expectations I put on myself, I felt I disappointed everyone. 

2. Homeschool YOUR way. Discover what works for you and go for it. I say discover, because it really is trial and error. Don't beat yourself up if you buy a book or curriculum only to find out that it just isn't working for you or the kids. Try something else. It's okay. Shortly into the first semester of this school year I realized our history program wasn't working. So, I looked at our other subjects to see what WAS working. Realizing one of the publishers also had a history curriculum, I then read some reviews and asked a couple friends who I knew used it. We switched, and it's awesome!

3. Stop reading every blog, post, article, or idea that every homeschooling parent puts out on the internet. For one, you CAN'T do every amazing idea you read about. Two, they aren't you, their kids aren't yours, their life is totally different. Putting pressure on yourself through comparing your homeschool journey to theirs isn't going to make for a blessed homeschooling experience. And, if you're like me, reading these blogs fuels a desire to compete on an unhealthy level--one which you try to out-do something that's truly just a snapshot of someone else's life. Every homeschooling blog I've read sounds like they must live in Perfectville. I don't live in Perfectville. I went so far as to avoid homeschooling conferences too. At least for now. We need to get into our own groove & learn what works for us.

4. Don't try to fit it in a box. You're a mom first and a teacher second. Your days are not going to look anything like what they look like at a public or private school. You have kids of different ages with different needs. You have breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cleaning. Give yourself the permission to be flexible. Having a schedule and plan is great (and recommended), but be sure give yourself grace on those days when you have a child who's tired today or needing extra time to grasp a math concept, or a younger child going through a growth spurt. Hey, you might even have a day when YOU'RE extra tired. Or, maybe you decide that some time out in the sunshine after weeks of clouds is WAY more important than getting all our lessons done. Things happen. My husband and I decided on this: Bible, English, Math--everything else is icing on the cake. I strive to get those three done every day. If we make it to Science, History, Music, and Art--it's a bonus!

5. Get started. There is no magical moment or formula to get going. If God put it on your heart to pull the kids out of their current school, there is not a moment to lose. I was not prepared the day we brought Owen home. We spent a few weeks decompressing--resting, reading, and rebuilding his passion for learning. I focused on basics--reading and math. I spent a lot of time just trying to figure out where he was--his strengths, struggles, and passions. Then, I spent the bulk of the summer researching curriculums and figuring out what would be my plan for the school year. We school year-round because it works better for my kids. I have a monthly planning day. Each week I become a little more organized, and our school days run a bit more efficiently. All of this to say, don't feel like you have to know it all, or have all your ducks in a row from the get-go to  get started. 

My final word--Grace. Give yourself and your kids a lot of grace. You'll both be learning in this process. I absolutely love homeschooling. I never thought I would EVER say that. God is good!

Granola

I started making granola.
Our family loves granola. I used to buy whatever was on sale, but after meeting Lisa at Kitchen G.A.L. and trying her Epic granola--I learned what great granola could taste like. 

I stumbled across a recipe for Pumpkin Pie granola. My husband and kids raved. Next, I tried Gingerbread granola. Again, raves. I made my own modifications to the recipes. More raves. No one wants store bought anymore. 

Try these. Please.

Pumpkin Pie Granola

• 4 cups gluten-free rolled oats
• 1 cup pecans chopped
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce (I used apple butter)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons flax meal
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions 

Preheat oven to 275 degrees.
Line your baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together gluten-free oats, chopped pecans, and flax meal until well combined.
In a small sauce pan heat brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and vanilla extract. Bring to a boil, simmer until sugar is melted.
Add wet mixture to the dry ingredients and with a spatula, mix until everything is coated.
Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Carefully remove and mix for even baking. Repeat twice (for a total of 1 hour of baking) or until the granola looks nice and golden.
Remove from the oven and let cool before stirring in the dried cranberries, if you chose or add in before serving.
Store in an airtight container.

Blueberry-Pecan Gingerbread Granola

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• Pinch salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 4.5 cups uncooked oatmeal
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
• 3 tablespoons flax meal
• 1/2 c of dried blueberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 275.
In a medium sauce pan, combine first 8 ingredients. Bring to a boil.
In a large bowl mix oatmeal, coconut, nuts and flax meal.
Pour boiled molasses mixture over oatmeal mixture.
Stir well. Add to a cookie sheet.
Bake for one hour total time, but checking and stirring granola every 15 minutes.
Granola will turn a rich color. Remove from oven and cool.
Remove from the oven and let cool before stirring in the dried cranberries, if you chose or add in before serving.
Store in airtight container. Good for 2 months. (Let's be honest though, it will be amazing if you have any left after 2 days.)