Make learning stick?

     Tonight I was reading an article about homeschooling and what we are making "stick" with our children.  It made me a little sad.  There are so many things that I try to cram into a given week with my children, that oftentimes it seems that I neglect those things that are really important. Yes, I am teaching them Math and English, and desperately working to improve my second graders handwriting, but am I passing along what is most important?  While I was pregnant with my daughter, I had a case of the "crazies".  There were times when I really felt like I was losing it.  It seems like I screamed more in four months than I have ever screamed in my life.  A few months ago, I began to notice that my children were doing a great deal of screaming themselves.  Immediately, I began to initiate a peaceful atmosphere in my home.  I lowered my tone, prayed for God to help me to be kind and to be an example of gentleness to my children.  I even started to research gentleness in the Bible. Unlearning a characteristic that has already been learned, is not an easy task!  Our example to our children is the greatest teacher that they will ever have.
     So, why am I sad?  I've realized that in the midst of teaching them to pray, do their studies, wash their hands, and even to be kind; I sometimes neglect to give thanks and just speak to God openly (like I used to before they were around and things got so busy).  We say grace before our meals, and pray before bedtime, but my heart is for God to be a much bigger presence in my children's lives. I feel that He is a great presence in my life because of my own personal journey with Him, but I fear that I am not making a strong enough impression on their little hearts.

Our Lives Change and We Continue to Learn

     Obviously this has not been the most consistent thing that I have ever done. Let's see, I think the last post I made in here was over a year ago...pretty sad I know.  Well, quite a bit has changed since October of 2009. We have added another member to our family, changed grades, moved to another state, and are creating a whole new support group up here in North Dakota. We are now schooling second grade and kindergarten. We have also started some basic preschool activities for our now three year old (fun stuff).  Hopefully, as  things are becoming more routine, I will be able to document our journey a little more consistently.
     I'm sure I will learn many things along this journey, but for now one of the best things I have learned is about motivation.  A day can be totally transformed with the right motivation. I'm not talking about bribes or rewards, just a little incentive for getting things accomplished in a timely manner. For example, yesterday I woke up to find several books scattered all over the living room couch. When I inquired as to why the school books were cluttering the couch, Aidan responded, "I wanted to get it done early so that I can see my friends tonight."  He had already completed all but one subject! Wow! How do I bottle that? I know that if I could, I'd definitely be rich.  In that one instant, I was on top of the world!