January!

I LOVE a New Year…each time one rolls around I have the chance to try to get it right!

I recently read a very humorous little line that went something like, “A New Year’s Resolution is a to-do list for the first week of January.” Couldn’t help but laugh at that one! Rings too true!

As I thought about January and all the resolutions I’m supposed to be setting for this new year, coupled with my thoughts about Moms and Homeschooling and all that faces us each day, I decided to just jot down a few things that might be helpful. As always, they are probably the things I most need to be reminded of. Hopefully one might jump out and grab ya!

J ~ I challenge you to CHOOSE JOY everyday!

Joy is a choice…

Some days we may have to seek and seek to find it, but dig deeply enough and I promise you will feel it, take time to bask in the beauty of JOY…it feels so fantastic!

A ~ Focus on your ABUNDANT blessings! I have a quote that hangs in my school room as a constant reminder to myself, my children and everyone who enters “our room”…

“What IF you woke up today with only the things

you thanked God for yesterday?”

May we make the choice to focus on the abundance of blessings we each enjoy and focus less on the hardships life may bring.

N ~ Never stop dreaming…

Always follow your heart and refuse to shut down or stifle the dreams that reside within you…what an amazing example you are to your children ~ let them catch you tackling the world!

Give yourself the right to be extraordinary!!!

U ~ Believe that nothing is Unattainable!

Keep climbing those mountains, as trying as they may be, YOU will show this world and yourself that you CAN conquer the unimaginable with dignity and grace, just by believing in yourself!

A ~ Attack your battles and challenges with enthusiasm and courage!

Don’t allow yourself to be fearful or worse yet, defeated! YOU are too great…challenges are merely stumbling blocks (or oversized boulders) that when overcome, help us stand a little taller!

R ~ REMEMBER, You are never alone!

During some of our lowest times we may feel very alone…a scripture I turn to time and again that brings peace to my heart is a well known verse - Joshua 1:9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” When I read this, I know I am going to be okay, no matter the situation, HE is with me, He is telling me not to be afraid, not to be dismayed, to be strong, to have good courage BECAUSE He is with me everywhere I go. What a Beautiful peace this brings….I am never alone!

President Gordon B. Hinckley’s words of optimism are powerful…I like to picture him looking into the mirror as he would say these words to himself each morning, “It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out. Don’t worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it will all work out. Put your trust in God and move forward with faith and confidence in the future.”

Y ~ It’s all about YOU!

Take care of you…nurture yourself…feed your Spirit…replenish your cup…

Recognize what brings a smile to your sweet face…and spend more time doing those things.

Make time for YOU!

Contrary to what some may believe…

YOU really must treat yourself to a little “YOU TIME” each and every day…be creative…you may have to sneak in a few priceless moments in the wee hours of the night or before the sun ever peeks it’s lovely head over the mountaintops…

It may feel selfish to find this time for yourself; that is simply not true! YOU will be better, happier, more energetic, more willing, more confident, more adventurous, more nurturing, more joyful, more pleasant, more of everything desirable!

You will be the very best Momma and Wife when you have nurtured yourself and fed your sweet spirit!

Happy New Year, Dear Friend!

My wish for you is that this will be a year filled with an abundance of joyful moments.

Much love to you, Stacey

Why Fix what isn’t broken?

I started homeschooling three years ago, in January. At the time I had a third grader and a first grader. My husband and I had spent a couple of years researching educational options for our family and came to the conclusion that we were meant to homeschool. We fasted and prayed for confirmation on our decision and received it. We had planned on just NOT putting our kids back in school in September, but somewhere between the intense feeling of RIGHTNESS about our decision in June and the giddy back-to-school hype in the world around us in August, we lost our nerve. We felt crushing insecurity and enough fear to send us jack-rabbiting back to the local public school. It didn’t help that my daughter’s teacher was in our ward, and had apparently hand-picked all the third graders from our ward to be in her class.

“Things will be fine,” we told ourselves. “Mrs. So-and-So is a GREAT lady, and by all accounts, an amazing teacher. She wants our daughter in her class! And we can always pull the kids out later, if we still feel like maybe we should...”

School started and by all traditional measures, the kids were doing fine. They liked public school, they had plenty of friends, good teachers, the kids were excelling academically—even being challenged some, but not to the point of discouragement. Everything was FINE. Except, it really wasn’t. We felt “off” somehow. After receiving confirmation from the Holy Ghost that homeschooling was truly the best choice for OUR family, we had turned our backs on it—succumbed to fear. Lost faith.

It was a terrible feeling, and it didn’t diminish even as my husband and I tried to rationalize it away. We kept repeating my mother’s opinion, “Why fix what isn’t broken?” She had a point—good school, good kids, good friends, good teachers---that wasn’t the broken part.

The broken part was our lack of faith to step out into the unknown and trust that God would show us the way to educate our children and help them develop a testimony of Jesus and his Gospel.

I often get asked what prompted us to homeschool. To be honest, the answer depends on the day, and the longer we do it, the more reasons we find that we didn’t even KNOW at the time we made the decision. But one thing encompasses all the answers I could give—and that is we chose to homeschool to deepen our relationships with each other and with the Lord. To develop our faith—faith in God, faith in ourselves, faith in our children.

Our first test of faith was to see if we’d really do this crazy homeschooling thing. It took us awhile to gather enough courage to jump in, even after we knew we should. And the first four months were pretty hellacious. The kids cried every day. I cried every day. But I didn’t want to face the Lord and say, “I didn’t do my best because it was too scary and I didn’t believe You would be there with me.” So we all kept going—and gradually, miraculously, things got better. I could see the hand of God daily. I still do.

We’ve come a long way in three years.

I look back on our first “official” homeschool day and smile at my bewildered, insecure self and my dejected, confused kids. We really had no idea what we were in for. But for all the stumbling and difficulty getting started and feelings of inadequacy, it’s been an amazing journey. We’ve all been stretched emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I’ve had the joy of seeing my children grow in all facets of their little lives, and I can see NOW how my faith has expanded and deepened.

So, here’s to another January—another New Year of homeschooling—I’m putting my hand in the Lord’s and taking a few more steps in faith. Whatever the next year brings for you, I hope you do the same and I hope you feel His love and guidance as you go along. Happy New Year!

 

Marissa Pineda
Vice President

Santa’s Workshop Works Overtime at the DHSA Christmas Party!

Thank you, Melodi Kallmeyer, for mobilizing over 45 “elves” in Santa’s workshop! Kids of all ages tied a quilt, stuffed and sewed toy balls, and sanded and painted building blocks to donate to the Humanitarian Center. Santa and Mrs. Claus were on site, supervising and encouraging the helpers. Great work, everyone, and thanks again, Melodi, for your time and work putting the event together!

January Mothers' Meeting...

 

Is anyone in need of a good chuckle, how about some seriously hysterical laughter, or uncontrollable giggling?  

January can bring with it a big ugly case of the doldrums...I, for one, intend to kick them right out the door!

Please join us Thursday evening, January 26th @ 7 p.m.

For a night of fun and giggles and yacking....

We'll meet together at Stacey Lytle's home

22899 River Road, Caldwell

I've recently met an incredible friend whom I am sure you are going to love!

She is going to share her secrets of laughter with us...I cannot wait!  

I'm hoping you'll all take a little time out for YOU and join us this night... 

Come in your comfy clothes, be ready to relax and laugh and eat some yummy treats...

At the close of our evening, you should feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the world!

Any questions?  Give me a call!  453-2945 or shoot me an email lytlemomma@gmail.com

Treasure Valley Homeschool Spelling Bee!

Our first Spelling Bee is coming up: February 15th, 2012.

We will meet at the Garden City Library.

We will meet together about once a month to practice our spelling skills and participate in a spelling bee. Take a look at around the website to get an idea of what a spelling bee is like.

- Melissa Wolfe