From Renee's Desk | January Homekeeping Calendar & Goals

The January Homekeeping Calendar is here and includes our built-in routines!  Now, you can easily access our calendar anytime on our new page, Freebies, under the menu bar, "Learn & Discuss."
Here's what to do:

1. Print it here & post to your fridge.
2. See how it works.
3. Do 5 things a day (about 1 hour).

Enjoy your neat & tidy home. This is what I use and it works! Now, let me give you a tip and share my January Goals.

A Tip!

My daughter, recently told me that she was keeping her room clean all the time.  "Want to know how I"m doing it?" she asked.  "Yes!" "Each morning and each evening, I tidy it up for just 5 minutes."

It got me thinking about how just 5 minutes of a good habit can make such a big difference.  So, I applied the 5 minute solution to a little problem I've been struggling with lately, the dishes piling up.  (I hope I'm not completely alone here!)

So, I asked everyone to help clean-up 3x a day (after every meal) for just 5 minutes.  Did it help?  You bet!  Infact, the problem is solved. It only takes 5 minutes to start a new habit. 

What homekeeping habit can you improve with the 5 minutes rule?

January Goals

My goals for this year are going to be very simple - to sew a vintage color coordinated wardrobe.  Each month, I'll add just one item!  What's for January?

• ​The Basic Jacket - I'm planning on a reversable (3-qtr sleeve) in white & navy.  This is going to be an all-season, color-coordinated wardrobe. 
• 5 lb. loss - in January with Charm School Exercises & Daily To Do!

Do you have any goals for January?

2020 is a great time to revive your dream and goals!  It's not time to give up, but to just. keep. going.  You can reach your goals if you focus on progress rather than perfection!  Keep going!  Keep reaching ... whatever they may be. God is on our side, so we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. 

Homeschooling my children has been the biggest blessing!  A few years ago, I was doubting the process.  Then, we went back to school (I taught 4th grade, they crammed!)  At the end of the year, we were all spent, depleted, and seperate.  I realized that they had learned nothing, only crammed for tests.

At homeschool, we take our time to soak in beautiful literature (and Biblical textbooks). We go on nature walks and identifity God's big world around us. We talk about great books (often called narration, but this was just a natural discussion for us).  We get to explore and love learning.  Education isn't a panicked race, but a way of life.  

I guess that's why, in 2020, I'm focusing more on sharing our curriculum, and creating support products for it.  Yes, I do have a degree in English, Secondary Education, and yes, I do have a passion for teaching & curriculum planning, but any mom can plan and teach her children. Often, we start with a curriculum kit, and then branch off as we become more confident and understand the individual needs of our own family.  That is the beauty of homeschool -it's not cookie cutter!

But, what will the results of homeschool be 15 years from now?  Isn't that the question we all have as moms?  When we were at the beach, I watched my almost 18 year old and 15 year old - they radiate the love of God and goodness.  No, they aren't perfect, but they talk intelligently, they enjoy their family, they know how to apologize to one another, they smile, they have manners, they don't have thier nose in a phone (infact they don't own a phone, nor do they want to), they are gifted and have developed various skills, they are well-read (classics of their own accord, they ... You get the idea.

In contrast, I saw unhappy families with teens that walked around with their heads down and phones out.  No manners. No smiles. No connection with family.

And I thought to myself as I looked at my two girls . . . the world didn't get them!

"The world didn't get them!"

​I raised them for the Lord!

That has eternal implications.  They will be in heaven.  They will make an impact on earth as they tell others about freedom in Jesus Christ.

I know I'm on the right track, because my girls challenge me with my walk for Jesus!  I don't say all this to "brag" (although we moms have to ... a little!), but to encourage you to keep going.  The results will pay off!!!

Helpful Resources

• The Homekeeping Hour - for those that need a simple solution!
• The Winter Letter - a letter from my heart (in your real mailbox!) 
• Our Curriculum - See How It Works!

​*We are just now presenting our curriculum, and are happy to answer any questions.