Teeter-Totter

   As I am changing a diaper, calling out spelling words, and trying to encourage yet another child to work on his math, a little phrase runs through my head:

“Be still and know that I am God.”

   HOW can I be STILL? I am sure, as a homeschool parent, you can relate to this often crazy life! God gently (and sometimes not so gently) reminds me that there is more to life than checking off boxes. I need to BE STILL.

    Finding the balance between the academic training of homeschooling and the calling to disciple in solid Biblical faith often feels like a teeter-totter in life. Adding the many alluring temptations of extracurricular events can make things seem more like a merry-go-round! I have discovered that when I finally arrive at the top of the academic side: the schedule works well, the kids are all checking the proper boxes, our family is getting ALL the “school” things done, it is then that I realize the Biblical balance has slipped to the bottom. This is the point where I am reminded that our calling to homeschool was first to ground our children in strong Biblical values and godly character. So my natural reaction in these times is to quickly jump to the other side: emphasizing Bible, prayer time, and ministry or serving. However, what happens now? I promptly realize I am NOT accomplishing either of the things I was striving for, and my children are frustrated with the “see-sawing”!

    What is the way to find a delicate balance on a teeter totter? It takes focus, patience, and being STILL! Somewhere in this life of homeschooling there is a balance too. Finding the right mix for your family of faith-building character development, along with academic challenge and opportunity, will bring stillness to your heart. In that stillness I KNOW that God can lead and guide, training the next generation to love Him with all their hearts, through all ups and downs of life.

Lord, help me today to focus on You. Give me patience as I find the stillness and balance in my homeschool life!

(no this isn't our family but it was too perfect!) 

"Be still and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10

*Look forward to posting more encouraging thoughts as we prepare for the upcoming homeschool convention season! We are heading to ND, NE, AR, TX and more to be determined! Hope to see some of you there!

Where oh where does the time go?

Here we are looking at the end of January already! Time goes so quickly! We have been keeping busy with school, basketball (Chucks team) swim lessons, dr appointments and fighting off winter colds!

Well we hope to share more updates on our life the journey including the struggles and the blessings but that will be another time (keep thinking we'll have time someday!)
Tutu, Ria and I have begun a new home business adventure this month too! Its called Thrity-One and we look forward to telling you more about in as time goes one but for now if you'd like to see what its all about check out our website www.mythirtyone.com/moquak

Steve and I are very much looking forward to a weekend away this month too! YEAH! thanks to great friends for helping watch all the kids (and animals) so we can have a little time alone!

That is what we are up too.... we really hope to do more posts soon :)
Happy winter to you!

Family fun up north

We enjoyed lots of fun with family making cookies with the cousins (this is the beginning it DID get messier!)
some of them eat more then they make but its fun! and sugar is good for you right?
We were also blessed to go up North to cabins with the K family and enjoyed an indoor water park one day and some of us tried skiing the next day.
"Bernie" did great!
"Tutu" I don't think she even fell down once! amazing!!!!
"Eugene" he did great too, pretty tired out but had lots of fun! the chair lifts were great -- especially the time mom and I were getting off and I made her fall!

More pictures soon! (really! )