Letter A is done!!!

Yeah, we finished Letter A.... it felt like we have reviewed the letter A from week 1, (this is week 3). We have had a BIG A & little a up with the word, "Attitude" & a bible verse that we talked about every week.... the kids have down the word ATTITUDE, lol. Tonight on way home from urgent care, Zariah heard someone say it on the radio & she yelled it out how we said it at home! :)
I have learned a lot this week and have enjoyed seeing the kids pick up retention. I am also learning that they may not get it all now & I just have to stick to it! Emma has learned our one spanish word well, "Avion" (Sp?) for Airplane, we have had fun with that one...... Zariah has amazed me with her cutting skills and she is the best at tracing & has a desire to learn how to write her name. Tony well, he is here..... he gets excited some but is easily distracted.

Basically we are doing mostly preschool activities with some K4 activities added in every day now for girls. Lacing cards was a hit this week so we will see how it goes this coming week. We did A Mon.-thurs. last week & finished up today with a cute "A" Alligator craft for our ABC book. :) Kids loved doing this & putting on the googley eyes....
We have four days planned out for B. Since splitting kids up more, we are doing less group time, but kids sometimes want to do that in the middle of day or even @ dinner with daddy! :) & I hope to get a regular routine of doing this & their weekday notebooks atleast 2-3 times a week, but I also realize it is SUMMER, so we are not going to do but so much a day!
Reading use to be the #1 activity in our day, then our house was turned upside down with many kids! BUT today during nap time for Tony (since girls slept til 10, i didn't give them a quiet time) we read for about 30+ mins. different books and was lots of fun! Then silly girls decided to hop in bed together to play kindle for a quiet time on their own, lasted 20-30 mins. til they were mad at each other. & of course Tony was up by this point but got a few good things done!

Today was a great day for outside time! They had to clean girls room & LR play area before going out the second time (had play time before school first) & that took forever..... but they finally buckled down & got it done..... We also took a walk down road together to see horses, no horses though :( in pastures near us & we were hot so we walked back home!

Looking forward to starting B tomorrow! :)

Moving along....... with Homeschooling.....

Week 2 went well on our trial run of homeschooling..... technically did 4 days (Had a field day on day 5) & one day the next week....  then we had days off for the girls to go to a 3 day dance camp with a sleepover @ Mama Debbie's as well.....

Week 2 we reviewed Numbers, Shapes & Colors.

Now as we move ahead, I have been torn how best to teach the kids and decided to step back from the K4 program and use a preschool program.... but the more I prepared it the more I decided to include K4 materials for girls with plans to possibly do majority K4 with girls soon and use the preschool stuff for Tony. I feel like we have a lot planned out for this week but you know how plans can go.....
We will still do our group time, and this week I will introduce notebooks that they will have daily & weekly stuff to do. And then I have planned out 5 mostly individual activities for everyday..... this is what will take me most time figuring out as when I give each kid something to do and when they all need one momma! Granted, I see the pluses in having kids so close in age but I also haven't found a lot of help in dealing with planning our schooling/day with this as most of the parenting help books talks to families with at least year gaps+ in their kids ages.

This week is going to be challenging because we also have VBS all week too..... so kids will probably be tired everyday as we tend to be one of the last families to leave church.... (their daddy will be tired too, with 330 am alarm clock!)..... I hope to take kids swimming @least once as well..... and maybe visit with a friend!

Well, for the most part I am ready to start, everything is all printed out, have a few things to laminate & cut and this week will all be ready! (Monday is ready to go!) And I am excited as we are going to try to start the weekly ABC's letter art projects too at the end of the week! Hoping to get at least 3 weeks down before taking next break, camp & swim lessons! :)

So thankful for all the support we have been given!

Bumgarner Preschool (Giving homeschool a trial run)

Well, we survived week one! And have our first day under us on week 2. I have gone back and forth with idea of homeschooling since Emma was born! And then when Zariah & Tony came along, the idea seemed so overwhelming! As I began to plan for fall preschool, the only way I can see affording preschool is a miracle by God but I have also had a tugging on my heart to homeschool for a long time..... I am not NEAT (a slob), not organized and not a good planner. The idea of having to have lesson plans for kids stresses me out..... BUT.... our first week went really well overall & I am falling in love with it more & more & so are the kiddos! I realized the other week that I have a K4 curriculum on my computer from a ebook set I got last year.... Well, I love it, comes with lesson plans and all! After more research, I am going to most likely take a step back & use her LOTW preschool program (Letter of the Week). I feel like both the girls are not on the same page with their letters after our alphabet review week and this can include Tony more and I'll still use some K4 materials.... especially for the one that seems to have gotten her letters faster. And if I move on with K4 more than I can use LOTW more for Tony because he wants to be doing stuff too. The hardest thing for me is planning out their worksheet learning time and trying to figure out what to all do at once & what to split up and trying to go back & forth with the kids. I feel this will come. I am considering Abeka for this fall as well & looking forward to talking to a friend about this soon before I make a final decision. And if this goes well, we will most likely use Abeka for Kindegarten next year.

So, we have our group time.... we usually start with a warm up song to get everyone in the mood (even mom)..... we sing & dance to SHAKE by MercyMe..... and yes its a pretty good work out too.... b/c we Shake & praise the LORD! :)

Then, we use ideas from K4 Curriculum (Confessionsofahomeschooler.com) and stuff they were doing in preschool already that they enjoy....
Pledge (the flag just got posted to the wall by the principal, lol, they were not too happy about this today but I told them after last week's drama over whose turn it was this was the plan!), and then the girls break out into songs: My Country Tis of Thee & I love my Flag (I Love My Flag, Oh, Yes I do; I Love my Flag, Red, White & Blue, 50 Stars & 13 Stripes, 7 are red & 6 are white!!!) :)

We do our calendar time and sing songs: Days of the Week to "The Adams Family"
Today is...... :) to "Frere jacques"
We also sing ABC...

We look at Today (is), Tomorrow, & Yesterday on our board and each gets a card to post.

Then we look at the Weather out the window.... and post those cards & then it's memory verse time.... we are using a cd..... 1st week's we learned Matthew 19:14, it has a little story and the verse & a fun song we dance to: "Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them for such is the kingdom of Heaven." They have done really well with this. This first week, we used 3 different children's books one time each through out the week about this verse!

Then it's time to start individual time! Today, we started a little different since we started later, i gave kids a snack and then after group time, we had to pull out SHAKE b/c kids were struggling with attitudes.... I think i am just going to have to expect Monday's to be hard, Sunday's are great days for our family but also a very long day! Girls slept til 9ish this am! (another thing i like about homeschool)

We then do different activities during individual time, some we do at the same time others we do one and then switch around. Sometimes Tony can stay involved and other times i have to give him something else to do. First week, we tried to read through out different times in the day about our ABC's, got some books from library & have more from home.... girls really have gotten into this & have been practicing their ABC"s a lot..... We also practiced our sounds after watching The Letter Factory several times this week..... one fun evening girls took turns with figuring out 1st letter of words by sounds.....while swinging (they could swing ALL day!) I also uploaded some apps on my phone & kindle & let them take turns with these. We had a play date after one homeschool day with Callie Rae & Auntie & our friend Jessi came & babysat them on Friday after our work was done so I could rest before a night shift.  They have our friend Tori tomorrow while I go to dentist & work :( but they LOVE these girls and cant wait til they come! (we have been blessed w/ 3 awesome friend babysitters.... cant leave out Mandy!!!)

So, I am incorporating all of this into trying to exercise & eat better daily now! We are starting to eat more REAL Foods and love it! Slowly getting rid of boxes of junk (processed foods).... and it means more clean up, more dishes! Today girls helped in kitchen which also means more of a mess.... but they did a good job and it was fun! This week we are reviewing #'s, all 3 kids are doing well with their numbers to @least 10! :)
& we may start our A the week after, not sure, going to call about swim lessons for the next two weeks if they have spots so that may change our mornings.....

BIGGEST changes in our home since starting this is...... Zariah, she is like a whole new child, still has her whiny moments..... but now i can totally see the attention seeking behaviors & I am dealing with her better! I find myself yelling less and just ENJOYING my kids! They are great kids.... a hand full but a blessing!!!! God is showing me so much in this & blessing my heart & mind as well..... I truly believe this is what He has been wanting me to do for a long time! So we are going to give it our best! I have also been obessed with our church's new program: RightNow Media (ministries) and have been listening to bible studies online while preparing materials, etc. and this has given me a huge encouragement with my walk with the Lord.

God is good all the time!!!!! :) So, I'll let you know how it goes! :)

Sunny Day in Our Life!

It has been a great day so far.... had to hurry the girls along (Emma slept til Brad called to say he was on his way home from work @ 9am) & was soooo tired! LOL...... she managed to eat her oatmeal & yogurt & a little more yogurt since she was still hungry by the time he got home & be dressed & ready..... Tony had been ready since before 8 am (although he did hang out with me in my bed while I read the end of Matthew) then we hurried out the door & loaded down the Hyundai with all 5 of us & Trigger! Dropped Trigger off @ the groomer's & then Tony next @ daycare..... (his last day being 2!), then went & picked up the mini-van to only drop it off where it has spent more time in the last 6 weeks than it has at home with our family with hopes that this time when they replace the warranty computer it will work & work without being towed 5 days later (maybe work much longer!!!)..... then i went to vzw to work on turning my old line off.... and the girls had already begged their daddy to go to a playground.... so off to the world of McD's we went & got our early am lunch to carry with us to the rec. We had the BEST time playing & swinging, lots of giggles! Even walked the track & played some duck duck goose, which was more of a high end chase game for the girls & they included their dad in..... i was glad to sit & watch! After spending over an hour playing together we went home & the girls enjoyed a little tv time before going down for a nap!!!! I managed to read my book in the dark while Emma slept hugged up to me.... had a hard time sneaking away b/c she was so sweet! W/ her long eye lashes & sweet cheeks and cute lips..... & snorty nose which was a little stuffy..... i snuck out just before her sister woke & she has managed to entertain herself quietly while the others still sleep.... assuming Brad is now in Tony's room napping, getting only a few hours of sleep will do that to you! & now it is time to go get Trigger & Tony! & figure out what in the world I will feed this family of mine! I should be mopping right now.... i did manage to move the couch & sweep the floor.... so we will see! :)

Five Minute Friday: Tree

"> Five Minute Friday: Tree Come on over & join in this blog for today.... lots of writings on Tree... I had planned to not stay up tonight & only join in if I got a chance later on Friday.... but here I am up despite having a very busy planned out for tomorrow (including very hopeful for a good nap before working all night Fri. night)..... guess stayed in night shift mode all week this week.... last week was sleep sleep.... some weeks need sleep more than anything & others need "alone" time.... in God's Word & just relaxing as well! But I have to admit when I saw this week's WORD: TREE, I got very excited... I have been somewhat obsessed & mesmerized by the  "Tree" and how it is seen in God's Word from the beginning to the end.... so here goes, my thoughts on the Tree....

In the Beginning, God created a perfect world & He said "it is good!".... Man & God were in perfect communion. Adam & Eve lived in the garden and were able to eat of all except one tree, "Tree of knowledge of Good & Evil" and they were able to eat of the "Tree of Life".... they had it all, the best food in plenty, God's presence, peace, NO SIN..... But at the tree temptation entered and sin took it's hold & Eve choose to eat of the "Tree of Knowledge" & Adam participated as well.... they choose to disobey God & now our perfect created earth bears the mark of sin & we are all born sinners.... this was the FALL which shows man's total depravity......

The Tree is talked about all through Scripture.... Ceremonial sacrifices and so much more...

One passage that really stands out to me is Psalm 1: that talks about "Believers" being like trees planted along side a river and these trees bear fruit each season without fail! (v.3) Their leaves do not wither and in all they do they prosper! I think about this passage often & how this should look in our lives and how we should be like these trees described by God.... planted beside the river.... fed & nourished by the Living Word of God and here we may bear fruit and our leaves will not wither but in all we do in Christ will prosper!!! I picture a man (Christ--the bridegroom) & a woman (myself-the bride) sitting by my tree along the river holding on to each other, hand in hand, being guided through life..... I have pictured this man (Jesus, our savior) standing by that tree hands out, waiting for me to return when I think I can do things on my own or when I choose sins and selfish idols over Him.... I'm still a believer but one that fights battles against the flesh... but over & over again I learn that this battle can only be won in His Arms by that river... only then can others see the Gospel lived out in me as my tree (my life) bears fruit without fail! Because I am His, when I look or pull away, He waits... He loves me (like Hosea once loved).... He calls & draws me near..... He reminds me of His grace & love and at the tree I learn how to be the tree who bears fruit!!!

Okay, my time is up.... but I really do think about that often.... I can even sense when I need to draw near, sense Him standing at that tree calling me home... He promises to never leave nor forsake Me! Praise God because it is I who tends to pull away.... to go at life on my own... not basking in His promises.... but when I draw from that river at my tree I am able to glean from His promises in His Holy Word and grow and walk this life arm & arm with my Savior... He is our 1st Love!

The TREE amazes me... and the River--that feeds us gives me HOPE! The Savior Jesus Christ love is greater for me than any other can ever give! What a picture of love the bride & the bridegroom.... only when we know Him truly know Him can we come to His throne of Grace & be cleansed & look into our bridegroom's eyes who accepts us for the who we are! He fully knows us.... there are no secrets....

On to the NT, I am still amazed that when Jesus was born, He was placed in a manger (trough, most likely made of wood) He left his Heavenly Throne to be born in a manger.....

Then His earthly "adopted" father was a carpenter.... He was chosen for this task and I am amazed that Jesus grew up with Joseph who would've shared with Him his trade of life.....

Then He DIED on a CROSS (a tree)... there His blood was shed for mine.... He paid the price & bought us that we would accept His sacrifice & BELIEVE..... that He is the SON of GOD!

Thank You God, for your creation! For the TREE! And may I be a "Tree" that bears fruit for You and prospers Your Gospel for YOUR Glory!!!
Check out this song (video) that I have not been able to get enough of this song tonight.... so beautiful & greatly enjoyed watching the "My Hope America' Video in church the other week... you should check it out (on Billy Graham Evangelistic website) Here's the song from that movie: http://youtu.be/hrgl9z3grKU
http://youtu.be/hrgl9z3grKU

Five Minute Friday: Truth

Five Minute Friday... Come on over & join in! Go.... Truth: My first thoughts on Truth is the task I have in sharing the TRUTH with my kids.... The Truth of a Savior who created this world we live in, the fall of man--when sin entered this world--& God's plan to rescue us by sending His own son to be our Savior. Our world is full of sin, lies & deception..... Satan has power over this world but he can not be everywhere at one time.... He takes claims and feeds us false truths.... and all too often we believe them.... we choose sin instead of life.... even as believers we all too often turn away and because of the desires of the flesh.... it pulls us down.... yes, Satan may have power here but how often does our own "SINFUL nature" step in.... we se the sinful nature even in our children, when they hit, push, lie & are disobedient, in the temper tantrums.... and yes in our ownselves.... we choose to believe the false truths, the deception all too often.... and again... that's why it's so important that we be saturated in God's WORD, where the truth is found and then begin to live it out! The TRUTH Will set you free and our task as mothers is to teach these truths to these small growing children that they too one day may be set free by the TRUTH! That one day the GOSPEL will become real in their lives and they will cling to the Truth that lies within it! God is good! Thank you God for the task you have given me in teaching these precious three children your TRUTH!!! Thank you for your forgiveness where I fail & for your conviction to continue on, clinging more & more to your TRUTH--YOUR Word!!! :)

Trials in Grace

So, it never seems to fail.... when God has me focus on Grace or teaches me something new about Grace or reminds me again how I need to show Grace... It seems like WHAM.... something happens very quickly after these thoughts on grace & but I seem to of already forgotten.... and sometimes i'll even remember some of these thoughts & think, "I need to show grace but also think... I dont want to!" So, that's what happed this past Sat. after working Friday night, i was tired needless to say with a few hours of sleep after work & my husband was stressed out & grouchy.... that wasnt so bad... we had a bday party & it was lots of fun & the day came & went but before bed... tempers began to flare a little.... not bad really but i think in both of our exhaustion..... Grace went right out the window..... GRACE... What is that????? I definately fought the idea of grace.... this week though i've been reminded of Jesus & the Sermon on the Mount when He talked about trying to take the speck out of someone's eye when you have a log in yours.... well that was the case.... It's amazing how one moment you can think things are going pretty good & the next a "fight or flight" in you comes out... & for me it was thoughts of "flight".... not a great place to be really.... Well, even in my husband's sleep as I crawled into bed (determined I would not get in the bed if he hadnt put the sheets on.... but he had & my heart warmed just a little because I really wanted to sleep in my bed!)... He apologized (and this time he wasnt talking in his sleep!) & I did too.... & a NEW day began again... this time with fresh apologies & as the day went along we talked about our thoughts & struggles.... One thing I learned... our crazy & exhausting schedules need a change so that we are laying in the Hands of God & trusting His plan for our family! I struggle with my husbands schedule as he seems to have his hands in everything... with 3-4 jobs including the responsibilities of church.... And I'm thankful as the week has gone by that he has had his cell phone off more than the last few weeks during our evening time as a family! And God is definately working in my heart as well as I learn more to ask, seek & knock.... not for material things but that my life would be conformed to Christ's character... that I would long for Heaven & be a godly wife & mother my family needs me to be! he is showing me my mission field right now is here within my home and though it may be overwhelming at times it's important & He will help me through it!!! Trying to learn to ponder HIS Grace & remember when I'm ready to lash out... look for faults that I'll first see the my own faults & remember the CROSS & how God forgave me & showed me His GRACE!!!! That maybe one day I'll become a woman known for Grace.... One who loves God, His Redemption, my adoption in Him, who ponders on how He CAME from His Heavenly home to save me (US!) & His Love is EVERLASTING! :) God's Redeeming Adoption Comes Everlasting :)