Do You Ever Lose It With Your Kids?

Of course, I'm not asking anyone to admit in the comment section that they've lost it with their kids.

But, let's be honest—we all do it. And so, I offer you grace, dear homeschooling moms. It is not easy to live 24/7 with your little sinners. And some days you just want to scream. Or have your head checked for ever deciding to homeschool in the first place. 

One of the biggest challenges to homeschooling is being a nice mom. Especially when you have little (or not so little) children giving you grief for having to "do school," even after a holiday week off (that maybe was not a planned week off, but happened because you got sick).

This is a big job we have, teaching our children. Not just because we are educating them in math and science, etc., but because we are trying to instruct them in righteousness. And that means we need to watch our walk.

Because our kids are sponges, and we've all probably seen the lovely poster hanging somewhere (in your own home, maybe?) that tells how kids learn what they live. (No pressure there.)

My dear friend and fellow homeschooling mom told me once that someone is always in emotional control of a situation. When you lose it, you give the control to your kids.

"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a [homeschooling mom] who has no control over [her] spirit," (Proverbs 25:28 NASB, brackets mine).

Like the cities in biblical times, we need strong walls to protect our emotional state, or our kids will break us down and wear us out. Next thing we know, we are screaming and yelling. And maybe throwing or slamming things. Then the tears come and guilt sets in and everything is a mess.

What makes for strong walls? Time with the Lord. If you are jumping into your school day and not making time to sit with Jesus before you get going, then you are not prepared for your day. Even if things go "as planned," your homeschool journey is more than ticking off the lessons on your daily to-do list.

"The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps," (Proverbs 16:9, NASB).

 This can be an especially difficult time of year, with the busyness of the holidays and the rush to finish first semester lesson plans. But time with the Lord will help us to have balance, and more importantly, to keep our cool.

"She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue," (Proverbs 31:26 NASB).

And remember, even "bad" days with your kids are opportunities for learning (for your kids and you!).


Linking up with others at

Meadowbrook Mall Events this Weekend

In case you are looking for something fun to do this weekend, here are some things scheduled at the Bridgeport Mall:

10:30 am Today, Sat., 11/16 -- String Ensemble

3:00 pm Today, Sat., 11/16 -- Caricature Artist

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm Today, Sat., 11/16 -- magic show

9:00 pm  Today, Sat., 11/16 -- Fireworks

2:00 pm - 4:30 pm  Tomorrow, Sun., 11/17 -- Landau Murphy, Winner of America's Got Talent (free concert)

2:30 pm - 6:30 pm Tomorrow, Sun., 11/17 --  Musical Performance by youth choir

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm Tomorrow, Sun., 11/17 -- Grand Piano concert by Mel Olman

Encouragement for High School {Moms Forum}

Moms' forum for Saturday, November 9, from 10-12 in the morning at Liz DeRoos’ home.  

A few moms who have seen their kids through high school will be sharing what high school was like at their home, some insights, some challenges, etc.  

This will be a relaxed, informal meeting, so dress comfortably and bring your questions.

Coffee tea, and snacks will be provided, along with answers (and laughter).

Questions? Please contact Liz DeRoos.

Details for Monday Field Trip to Harrison County 4-H

Cost:  FREE  

Location:  Harrison County 4-H Center, 43 Recreation Drive (Rt. 19 South) Clarksburg, WV 26301

**Please note that the activities will be help outside Monday, even though temps are to be in the 50s, so dress accordingly. In the event of inclement weather, a notice of any changes will be sent out to THESIS members, via email.**

  

Monday, Oct 28th         Outdoor Adventure

  9:30-12:00  Class type activities

o             Pre-K – 1st grade    Kindercamping – Experiences include a Nature Hike, fun around the campfire, a visit from Smokey Bear or Johnny Appleseed and a fun-filled hay ride.

o             Grades 2nd - 5th    The Happy Camper – Students will enjoy a combination of fun, skill-learning activities including campfire cooking, songs & stories, life-long sports and exploring the nature trail.

o             Middle & High School   Navigation—Compass basics, orienteering and map reading through fun field tested activities.  GPS/Geo cache treasures.

12:00-1:00   LUNCH BREAK  Bring a picnic

1:00-3:00  Open sessions/rotation

o             Pre-K –12th  Scavenger Hike Adventures  --  Follow clues to find hidden,natural, historic, and fun treasures on hikes…all age appropriate hunts.

o             Pre-K – 5th  Bicycle Rodeo --  Students will learn basic bicycle handling,traffic skills, road rules, and safety training through fun activities. Bicycles, tricycles, and helmets available…or bring your own.

o             Pre-K –12th  Guided Nature/History Trail --  Learn about native plants, trees,critters and history.  A stop at our outdoor-classroom for hands-on lessons.

o             Grades 2nd-12th  Golf  -- Learn about the history of golf and take a couple swings in the indoor golf simulator.  Test your skills and hit a 300-yard drive.

o             Grades 2nd – 5th   Navigation—Compass basics, orienteering and map reading through fun field tested activities.  GPS/Geo cache treasures.

 Questions? Please contact Karyn Burns, our field trip coordinator, at

 KAOSx3 (at) ma (dot) rr (dot) com

Upcoming Field Trips

(Don't forget – THESIS does NOT meet for classes this coming Friday. )

Here is a list of currently scheduled field trips (per Karyn Burns):

Current Semester Dates

• Thursday, October 24th:  Where: The Historic Metropolitan Theatre, 369 High Street at 10:30 a.m.  Cost:  $4.00 each
• Monday, October 28th:  Where: Harrison County 4-H Center, Harrison County 4-H Center, 43 Recreation Drive (Rt. 19 South) Clarksburg, WV 26301 at 9:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00  Cost:  FREE
• Thursday and Friday, November 7-8 -1:00 - 4:00 Barry Stebbing Art Classes Woodland United Methodist Church in Morgantown, WV  Cost: $30 

***Date Pending Determination***

• Thursday, Nov 14  or  Tuesday Nov 19 at 10:30am.  Rocket Boys, the Musical (PG-13)*  and "Black Diamonds" West Virginia's Coal Exhibit Wallman Hall at Fairmont State University  Cost:  $5.00

  

Second Semester Dates  All Events at 4-H Center and are free of charge

• January 21st:  Rockets (Pre-K-2nd) and Robotics (3rd-8th)  High schoolers welcome  (12-3pm)
• March 17th:     Dinosaurs (all ages)  Carnegie exhibit (12-3pm)
• April 15th:       Space/Planetarium (all ages)  (12-3pm)

For specifics about field trips, or to offer suggestions, please contact 

Karyn Burns [ KAOSx3 (at) ma (dot) rr (dot) com ], our field trip coordinator.

*For more info regarding this musical, please contact Liz DeRoos or Selena Campbell.

Did You Get An Invite for the WESTEST?

Did you get an invitation to take the WESTEST at a local public school?

Please, do not be alarmed!

You do NOT have to reply to this letter. You are free to throw it away.

The Board of Education is simply letting you know that this is an option for you. 

No worries!

Questions? Contact us.

Encouragement for Monday

Whether you are new to homeschooling, or a veteran who has graduated some kids from high school already, you probably need encouragement to stand firm.

After the weekend, when the laundry is calling, dishes are in the sink waiting to be washed, and school needs to start but you haven't had your quiet time with Lord yet because you got in bed late the night before because you were out at a church-related function, Mondays can be daunting.

You are not alone.

I love this quote by C.S. Lewis:

"Enemy occupied territory . . . that is what this world is."

When our to-do list or our schedule or our plans start to make us crazy, we need to remember just who our enemy is. Although we may be tempted to think so, it isn't our children.

The devil hates us, we who are made in the image of the God who cast Him out of heaven. And he would like nothing better than for us to take out our frustrations on the sweet blessings that live in our home.

We are in a war, and we can't win if we make it a civil war. We have to know our enemy and his schemes.

Today, if you feel like giving up, or giving in, or running away, I hope this encourages you:

"Therefore we do not lose heart . . . for momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NASB).

What we are doing, this raising up of our kids and training them in righteousness, will last far beyond what we now see. May God give us eyes to see beyond "Mt. Washmore"  to the eternal land on the other side.

HARVEST FEST Moved to SUNDAY!

Hello Everyone,

Please note:

If you signed up to serve or bring food to the Harvest Fest,  

the date has been moved 

to Sunday, September 22nd, at same time (5:00 pm), 

due to a 90% chance of heavy rains.

If you have any questions, please contact us.

Field Trip to Carnegie Science Center

http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/

Our first field trip is to Carnegie Science Center on Friday, September 20. 

Plan to arrive there by 11 am.  

If you want to caravan, some of us will be leaving Trinity's parking lot at 9 am.  

Best to pack your own lunch, and they will give us an assigned half-hour in their group area for that, plus space to store your lunch things.

Cost is $9 per person over 2 years of age.  

Price includes general admission to all areas, plus Submarine (weather permitting), as well as the IMAX movie "Flight of the Butterflies", showing at 1:45 pm for us.

You can pay me (Liz) cash or check this Friday or next.  Plan on bringing an extra $5 for the parking lot.

Any questions, please e-mail!

Warmly,

Liz

Harvest Fest at Trinity!

Each year, Trinity celebrates fall with a fun Harvest Fest during which there are food booths, games, and fellowship for all ages.

This year, Trinity Assembly of God will have this event on:

 Saturday, September 21st, 

with kickoff at 5:00 pm. 

Since THESIS is a ministry of Trinity, we will manage a food booth during the festival.

Did you attend THESIS this past Friday? If so, did you sign up to bring apples or corndogs for the THESIS Harvest Fest booth? 

Or, did you sign up to help serve food in the booth that night?

This event is just a few weeks away! 

If you have not signed up, please be sure to check out the sign-up sheets this Friday, which may be found on the cafe counter, near the THESIS mailbox.

Yes, it is HERE -- First Day of Classes Tomorrow!

Greetings THESIS Families!

Tomorrow looks to be a beautiful day for our first day of co-op classes!

First, thank you for the generous response to the Music assistant slot:  more than enough of you replied in the positive.  May I encourage  all of you who are not teaching to look at the assistant posters tomorrow where there are empty spaces  to see if you can assist there as well.

For Tomorrow...

1. Park and enter by the Main Entrance, and make your way with your kids to Kidz Church.  Announcements will begin at 12:45, and there are things to go over as a group this first Friday.  Pick up your name badges on the way in.
2. All students up through eighth grade should be prepared for an active class by wearing athletic shoes, and bringing water.  (not juice, not Gatorade.)
3. Pre-K and Group A, remember to bring your own snack for snack time!
4. Groups A-D should be led back to Kidz Church at 3 pm by the last teacher of the day, where they can re-unite with their parents.  Pre-K parents pick up your young ones in the Pre-K room.
5. Moms (and Dads) look at the Cafe counter for: the Mailbox, which has a folder in it with your name on it.  Newsletters, notes, refunds, reimbursements, mislaid children's papers are here.  Also check the counter for sign-ups for Harvest Fest, field trips, etc.

See you then!  I am excited!

Warmly,

Liz, for THESIS