Just seven more days!

 

Welcome to our School Room!

 

 

(Well, it's actually our dining room- but this area of our house is about to be serving more of a purpose than just a meal time meeting place.)

 

 

 

I decided to write a few quotes on a chalk board from others and one from myself, to encourage me throughout the year!

 

 

 

I took A Beka curriculum for pre-K and then added two or three pages each day from other work books I found. Each week we will focus on a different letter. So, week 1 will be the letter "A." Monday's to finish the day, we will do an art project, Wednesday's we will do a cooking project, and on Fridays once the lesson is over, we will visit the library, for story time. For week 1, we are cooking apple pie, which I have actually never cooked in my life! So, this whole process will teach me some stuff too! Raylea wants to be artist when she grows up she says, so I think she will love Monday's and she loves helping me cook and the library is about her favorite place, so each day will end with something she likes.

 

The plan is to start the day at 8:30. We will do things such as prayer, our memory verse, and some other things I have written on the schedule. I will see how it goes the first few days and I may end up changing it up later, but for now I have a pretty strict schedule we will be sticking to. Each day will end around 11:30. Then lunch. :)

 

 

 

Here's some photos I took of Raylea last week. She is the prettiest girl in the world. (I'm her mother- I know, but still, I just think she is pretty stunning!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

It rained and rained the other day, so Monkey Bread it was.

 

 

 

 

Ray had her buddy Natalie over and they stirred their bowls as I dumped in the ingredients for banana bread. It was seriously the best batch I've ever eaten! Maybe because it was made with love and giggles from these two!

 

 

 

 

I will let you know how next Wednesday goes! Raylea starts school and Bible Clubs at church that same day. It's a busy week. I will update ASAP though!

 

 

Why Homeschooling is for me and my Family

 

 

This short post is just to explain to those who would like to know why I have decided to homeschool.

 

 

 

 

 

I worked a job since I was 14. When I got married, I quit for a year and half because we traveled full time in the ministry. Once we came home and he began to play baseball again and began working full time for his uncle at his church, I was able to get a job back.

 

 

When I was 8 months pregnant with Raylea, September 1st 2011, I had my last day ever of a "9-5" job. Well, my hours were actually 7:45-6:15... But, regardless, I wanted to be a "SAHM" (stay at home mom) as bad as Grant wanted me to. My mom always said if I needed a person to babysit if I had to go back to work, she would get someone to fill in for her and she would keep Raylea so I could work. Praise God it has always worked out that I have always been able to stay home with Raylea.

 

 

We lost a pretty good sized pay check when I quit working, sure. Not to mention great insurance. But, I didn't lose one single second with my little girl who is now less than two months away from turning 5. I will never ever regret my decision to stay home with Raylea and take advantage of every second possible to teach, love, care and train her up in the ways of the Lord. Staying home isn't possible for every mom, and staying home isn't perhaps your cup of tea, but I pride myself in being a stay at home wife and mom. Just in the same way some take much pride in themselves for having an awesome career/job, I take much pride in my career/job, which just happens to be within the four walls of my home, 24/7.

 

 

I don't look down on any person who returns to work after having a child, whether it's a necessity, or it's just part of who they are or if that is what is best for their family. I fully believe in doing what is best for your family and your situation.

 

 

 

I have many friends who return to work for various reasons after their baby turns a couple months old, and that is what is best for them. I support their decision just as they support mine.

 

 

 

 

 

Grant travels often with preaching revivals, camp meetings and other events, and in the past several years he's traveled for baseball. Therefore, staying home has it's benefits for us because it makes it much easier for us to be together, rather than apart.

 

 

God showed me clearly last fall that I was to homeschool. I cried that day because I had such a strong peace. I've only felt that a few times in my Christian walk.

The day I drove Raylea home from her last day of pre-K at a Christian school I told her I was going to be her teacher. She looked at me with the happiest eyes and gave me a huge kiss and hug.

I needed that! And God knew it.

 

 

 

I've been blessed to have a handful of homeschool moms who are on average probably 10-20 years older than I am, take me under their wing and give me tons of advice, counsel and offer resources.

 

 

 

I don't plan on every single day being perfect. Maybe some days I won't be feeling great, (I will have a newborn to care for on top of a toddler and Raylea starting in November!) and some days Raylea may be having 'one of those days' we all tend to have! I do plan on though taking this role seriously as God has aloud me to stay at home and also has given me the strength and courage to take on a large responsibility- eventually homeschooling three children.

 

 

 

I was reminded by a homeschool mom at my church recently, that I have already been "homeschooling" Raylea. Every day I am teaching her something. This will just add to the fun!

 

 

 

This post was strictly to explain why Grant and I felt led to homeschool- simple because God showed us that was for us and was best for our family.

 

 

 

I am so excited to start sharing the fun memories we make this school year!

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!



A little something different

 

 

 

For a little while now, I have been contemplating on whether or not I should start a new blog, separate from my original.

 

 

I had a list of reasons that I shouldn't, but even though that list was longer than the reasons I should, the reasons I should outweighed my excuses to not make this blog.

 

 

 

This blog will be more about what goes on in our life. For one, I am starting my first official year of homeschooling. Yes, she is just a Pre-K student, but I am beyond excited for this new adventure that her and I will take together. Also, I not only obviously love writing, but my other long time hobby is photography. When I was a kid, around 10 years old, I went through many of those little disposable cameras. And what's funny, is I don't remember getting any of them but a few developed. I just loved taking the picture. Well, this last Christmas, Grant surprised me, (and boy did it surprise me...) with a sweet Sony digital camera. I have had so much fun with it. It does way more than I have time to figure out, but as most people know who know anything about taking a decent picture, it all comes down to the right lighting, angle and overall shot. So, I try to focus on those three things and not stress about the rest.

 

 

 

So, from homeschooling, to my little side hobby, photography... that is basically what this blog will be about. It'll be a bit more laid back and personal than my blog in which I focus souly on God and the Bible. That blog is www.hannahledbetter.blogspot.com

 

 

You are more than welcome to keep up with this blog if you want to see what Raylea is up to in school or if you want to see a few pictures I take here and there.

 

 

 

 

I titled this blog "Raising Arrows" because of the scripture, Psalms 127:3-5.

 

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

 

 

 

 

 

My greatest calling, after being a help meet to Grant, is to be a godly example to my kids. I never once have said I was a perfect example, but I am following a perfect example... Jesus Christ... so I just give my strengths and weaknesses to Him and let Him do the rest. So, please know I am a laid back mom, just trying to do what God asks of her to do the best I know how.

 

 

 

Again, this blog is going to be about homeschooling, pictures I take, anything else I feel like mentioning, and just life on our range. :)

 

 

 

I hope you enjoy future posts- they won't ever be very lengthy. Just an update here and there!

 

 

 

Have a great day!

 

 

 

Here's a few random pictures from this year.

 

 

 

Raylea Jo...

 

 

 

 

My youngest niece, Zoe Faith. She's too cute for words. These were taken the very day she turned 6 months old. Her eyes are amazing!

 

 

 

Two sweet girls from my church, Morgan and Kenzie. I took their pictures to surprise their mom for Mother's Day this year. We had lots of fun!

 

 

 

This was our backyard earlier this summer! I tricked you and made you think we were in the middle of a pond, didn't I? :)

 

My brother in law, Garrett, and a few small bucks he has killed. ;)

 

 

Sweet little Gracie! 2 years old!

 

 

Addie with her momma at her first birthday party. She got lots of neat stuff!

 

Raylea Jo after an afternoon of baking... don't worry, we ate all of these and didn't give them to anyone. :)

 

My handsome little nephew, Cross Garson! His smile hurts it's so cute!

 

 

Zoe Faith inside her momma... Morgan Jade. :)

I'm pretty sure she makes pregnancy look way too easy and cute!

 

 

My brother in law, Gabe, with his baby girl, Zoe Faith, about an hour after she arrived!

 

 

 

Jack Gannon, my little hunter.