Vintage Morning

Daily Pressures

Today was one of those days. I haven't had one since our first step on this homeschooling journey. One child was amazing, filling my heart with joy, really "getting" homeschool and working hard to complete his assignments. It could be because of his maturity and his ability to see the light at the end of the school tunnel. On the other hand, one was flustered, impatient and for lack of a better term bored. So after little motivation and much frustration I ended our day. At the same time working from home and teaching I start feeling the pressures of doing good, succeeding and having goals that feel unreachable and at one point feeling like the youngest. Then, I was reminded of Matthew 6:33 - 34 (Amplified Bible)

³³But seek (^[z]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (^[aa]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things ^[ab]taken together will be given you besides.

    ³⁴So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

   

Whew, just released the valve off that pressure cooker. Why do we put ourselves in one to begin with anyway? As a wife, a mom, a teacher and a business owner the pressures, oh how they build and build and start to feel like a point of no return. Do you ever feel this way? The answer, let go! Trust me, I have had to let go daily, and sometimes often more than once in a day to seek Him first. It is then, when I start to feel refreshed, controlled and calm. The news flash hits me plain as day.  HE has everything in control, I just have to let him!   His goals will be met and I will feel content and confident if I seek Him first.

What a lesson for me to swallow today, remembering that this is my special time and my only opportunity at raising my children to be God LOVING, fearing and bold soldiers for Him.

What an awesome responsibility.

Gabreial

Homeschool Resource: What About Socialization with Israel Wayne

I've thoroughly enjoyed the Ultimate Homeschool Expo with Cindy Rushton. What About Socialization with Israel Wayne, has been one of the most interesting and informational speakers on socialization. Even if you don't homeschool or you are wondering about  "socialization" I encourage you to have a listen. 

An exciting future...

It's been so long since I've visited this personal space. Changes are taking place in our home for an exciting future. Several months ago we made a thoroughly thought out decision to homeschool. We are quickly approaching the first week. I plan to use this space as a somewhat personal journey and a platform to host links for reference.

With faith, together as husband and wife, I know that the hard work and determination that we have will pay off when my children are ready to face this crazy world. We have chose not to get into debates about homeschooling and have used prayer, research and our own personal convictions to make this decision. We appreciate opinions of others, but request that if you are reading and would like to offer encouraging comments please feel free, but please respect our decision not to debate homeschooling. I have complete peace about this decision and I'm very excited for what the future holds for our family.

With love,
Gabreial

Something fun for home schoolers!

Pondering Questions from a 4 year old...

On his mind today.

"Mom, what is cheese made out of?"
" Mom, where does milk come from?"
"Mom, how do you make a cow?"
" Mom, how do you make a human?"
"Mom, what are toes made out of?" Oh, they're made from skin and nails." he says.

"Mom, what are suits made out of?" What kind of suits, I asked him. " You know like super suits, Iron Man, super heroes?"

A Woman Inspired: April 6th - 9th

Hello lovelies. I just wanted you to know, I've recently signed up for the A Woman Inspired Conference. This is my first online conference to attend and it would be great fun to "meet" you there and be inspired together.

Click this button or the link to find out more.

Regaining Your Peace - Find Comfort in the Truth

Every Thursday, my life is changed. My mind renewed, transformed and amazed at what I'm learning. I feel like a little child all over again. If you live locally to Taylor Mill Kentucky or have the chance to take the Demolishing Strongholds Class by Answers In Genesis, I HIGHLY encourage you to check it out.I recommend this from ages 7 and older.

You won't look at the world the same, the bible the same and most of all, PEACE is one of the rewards. Once you really start to get into this wonderful series, comforting peace will fill your heart and you finally start to see the whole picture, of what God has planned for your life.

 I don't know about you but during this day and age things seem to get more and more gloomy as each day passes. The moral of people is at an all time low. Get lifted once again, find truth in God's word and be encouraged to share what you know with the world, once you have this foundation.

For more information on Demolishing Strongholds visit the Answers in Genesis site or book store.
This series was originally created for teens, but more and more people are grasping onto this foundational program and learning something vitally important.

Please know, I am not affiliated with Answers in Genesis or this program, but I'm only on week 8 and can't recommend this enough.

Food: Weekly Menu Planning

I've decided to plan my menu this week, I usually do, but I don't normally write it down and stick to it.
Eating organic, natural and fresh is always priority on my list of must do's for my family, but our local grocery stores don't allow it as much as I would like. Our climate is one of the main reasons I want to move, boy I can't wait until the farmers market starts again this season! 

So here's what's on the menu this week.

Orange Roughy and Quinoa with roasted asparagus.

Chicken Fingers, Broccoli and salad.

Beef Bourguignon (one pot dish, my favorite kind)

40 Clove Garlic Chicken (this is one of my family's favorite meals)

Homemade pizza.

What's on your menu this week?

Have you ever made Quinoa? It will be my first time making it.

Would you like to learn how to make any of these recipes?

How to Chop an Onion: - A Photo Tutorial

Well hello lovelies! I have a surprise for you that I've been working on, but first you'll need to know how to chop and onion! So here goes my first tutorial for you, in "vintage" style of course.

Start off with an very chilled onion, and a very sharp knife to hold back the tears.

1. Trim the ends off, leaving the root somewhat attached.



It should stand flat on your cutting surface now.



2. Cut your onion lengthwise to form two halves. (Remove any green parts)



3. Lay your onion on the flat part of the half. Start by cutting at the opposite end of where the root was. Make one large horizontal slice almost all the way through, but not through. 



4. Follow the natural lines of the onion and make vertical slices from root towards you, but not through the root, you'll want to keep that in tact to keep everything uniformly chopped.



5. Turn your onion half so that the vertical slices you just cut are now horizontal. Here you can decide if you would like a tiny petite dice or a medium dice. Cut vertical slices until you reach the end where the little bit of root you have is left.



There you go, now you're an expert onion chopper!

2.25.09 Today I reminded myself:

Today I reminded myself:

 - My faith isn't in the government, it's in God.

- I reminded myself to be thankful for the small things in life, like laundry, a roof over my head, family who is healthy.

 - I reminded myself, my kids are only going to be this young for so long. I'm going to soak every inch of it up as much as I can.

 

 
 
 What did you remind yourself of today?

Inspiring words of Faith: 2.23.09

Faith means, you take a chance, you step out and you are willing to be wrong even if that's what you have to do to find out what the next step that God has for you.
 - Joyce Meyer