Rest is the new hustle.

“Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.”

The commandment that literally tells us to remember to take a day to rest as that is holy.

Isn’t it funny that it’s the hardest thing to do for most of us? We don’t live in a 24/6 world, it’s 24/7 for everything! We work as much as we can (another post on that to come…),  we check emails, we run errands, we shop, we clean, we rush, we hustle. Even better, the thought of laying around all day (especially for us momma’s), doing nothing, cleaning nothing, nothing nothing — is the definition of LAZY, not HOLY.

We should all, even without the center of spiritual or religious principles, strive for a 24/6 life. Imagine what you might discover in those 24 hours of rest and reflection? I’m excited to go deeper into this- but that will have to wait for now. To get you started, read 24/6 by Matthew Sleeth!

I’d like to share our Monday’s with you. In the wedding industry that we work in, Thursday-Sunday is BUSY BUSY time. Monday’s, they’re our stop day. We stop. Work stops. Cell phones, emails, cleaning, schooling, kids chores, outdoor work (and we have 8 acres- there’s ALWAYS work to be done!), getting out of our jammie’s, brushing our hair, making beds… it all STOPS. And guess what, the world keeps going.

I don’t care how dire it is, I don’t work on Monday. I don’t even look! Especially being a mompreneur, this was SO hard! What would happen?! My business would CRUMBLE if I don’t get to it right away! (Insert an apocalyptic scene happening in my mind starting with that one email from a bride that sat… unanswered… for 24 HOURS! The horror!!!)

Do you have any idea how amazing it is to reserve one day, EVERY week, where nothing is expected of you? Of your kids? Your home, can just be. Your kids, can just be. You can just be. You can spend time in your Bible, you can watch tv, you can lay outside and listen to the magic of the silence, you don’t have to run to any store, anywhere. You can nap. You can think. You can meditate. It’s glorious! Every single week. It makes even the worse of weeks that much more tolerable– because Monday is the light at the end of the tunnel.

Let me tell you about my Monday-

It started last night, I stayed up late last night watching Trailer Park Boys (admitted, LOVE that show!) with the hubby. It was nice to cuddle in bed and watch tv (we never get to do that) and stayed up way past my bedtime.

So this morning, I slept in. Until 9 something, my 3 year old came in eventually, snuggled me, I dozed back off again.

I eventually got up, still in pj’s, and ate some leftover oatmeal on the stove that the 11 year old had made. Dishes everywhere… who cares.

Sat on the couch, tablets going, Xbox running, coffee sipping… noticed the dog hair collecting by the baseboard, then quickly dismissed it.

Did the 5 year old’s hair, she wanted a ballerina bun. We could do any number of girly things and make her day- I think we’ll paint nails later.

I ‘got dressed’ in my ‘fancy’ yoga pants, old t-shirt and put a bobby pin in my hair. Boom, done. The 11 year old got dressed, the 5 year old is in a nightgown she outgrew months ago, and the 3 year old preferred to be dressed and have her hair done. No mom nagging to get dressed/brush hair/teeth/clean/chores/school….

I felt the need to write, this blog is fun for me and not work- so I’m typing here. Kids are playing Xbox with their family in CA, grilled cheese sandwiches are to be inhaled here shortly.

We’ll finish our day off with some time splashing in the pool, a nap, a small dinner (we made our big Sabbath feast yesterday), goodnight yoga with the girls and some time to myself to sip tea and spend time in prayer tonight after the kiddos are sleeping and the house is quiet. Lots to mediate on and a heart to keep open and listening.

Just be. Listen to the birds, snuggle the kiddos, put off anything you don’t want to worry about. It’s a beautiful day. It is holy. †

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1 book homeschool?

We all want the best for our kids. Every parent would agree on that. (Well, dear lord I hope so at least) But sometimes shouldn’t we stop and question what THE best really is? It’s not a one size fits all, of course. But some things we do make me wonder… I won’t go in to all of those things (that’s too many posts to count) but I have a discussion about one- Homeschool. Specifically for believers of God.

We homeschool. Our oldest went to public school for Kindergarten and 1/2 of First Grade. He had AMAZING teachers (who we still connect with and love) and went to a wonderful, American suburb, picture perfect school.

We pulled him out, and have struggled with figuring out the “right” homeschool groove ever since. He starts 6th Grade this upcoming September. And from any time spent reading homeschool blogs, Pinterest searches, etc… the struggle for the “right” homeschool plan is a common struggle.

With years of struggling, changing, growing, success and failure- I have a new thought. (New to me, I do not claim creation of this way too basic idea.) What’s the point of our current ‘view’ of children’s education? What is it? To educate our children so they can grow up to be successful adults, good citizens and to find good jobs/get into a good college. Something along those lines, right?

As followers of Christ and believers of God (be it Christian or whatever label you prefer), isn’t our #1 concern  to be sure that we are focused and center on the word of God and constantly striving to follow the footsteps of Jesus? I think we can all agree if we are honest with ourselves, we know that to truly be one with God and following as best as we can, we need more than just a weekly church service. A 10 minute devotional. A memorized prayer before dinner time. What do our children need then?

What if our children’s education consisted of just one book? What if the Bible was TRULY the center of your child’s (and your) day? Week? Life? Imagine no stress over curriculum, over worksheets, over quizzes and non stop feeding information that could or could not ever be needed in their future life. (How much of your 13 years of schooling do you ACTUALLY use in your day to day life? Come on… it’s a small percentage.) What if that time was dedicated to something that we as believers know is a HUGE part of the core we all want to see more of? I’m not going for crazy, sheltered brainwashing of children across the world. But a focus on building a solid foundation based on the Biblical knowledge vs the “normal” school curriculum.

With this one book, you kids will learn to read, learn to spell, learn history, critical thinking, math is everywhere. Morals, character, the list goes on! The best way to learn and understand more about what you’re reading- honestly? For the kids AND adults– What’s In The Bible by Phil Vischer! Not kidding- this series is AMAZING! We buy them digitally on Amazon, can watch on our TV and the kids have them all on their Amazon tablets! The hubby and I can sing you most all of their songs. And we have learned more from those videos than a lifetime of church services and private Christian schools. I’m not kidding.

For those of you thinking that discarding our current view of curriculum and schooling, I strongly recommend you pick up some books by The Moore’s and read thru them! You can get used copies for pennies on Amazon, they’re sure to open that path to transform your thinking.  I’ll have to go more in depth on just those books alone one day, we’ll wait for now though. (Your welcome)

So, abandon everything you’ve thought you need to do to homeschool your child. Everything. Instead, read the Bible together. Ask questions, pray, meditate, teach your child to spend silent time thinking over what you’ve learned or just keeping your heart and mind open to hear the Lord (even if it’s just by way of hearing the birds sing) and watch What’s In The Bible together. (You can even watch the creator of the show’s podcast to give you more insight to faith & culture- such an amazing podcast!)

What do you do for the rest of the day? If you spend 30 minutes- 1 hour in the Bible, another 30 minutes – 1 hour watching What’s In The Bible, a bit in meditation… well- that leaves a TON of the day to play outside, pull out the board games, bake, garden together, cook a homemade meal, have a multi course lunch, nap, catch fireflies, paint your nails, blog (haha) and force your husband to do podcasts… you know. Stuff like that.

Maybe this will be the first time that YOU actually read the word of God from start to finish? Maybe this will open your heart to see what the Bible ACTUALLY says vs what we’re kind of blanket taught to believe. Imagine that… imagine all that could come by ACTUALLY putting the Bible as your core- in theory AND practice.

Worse comes to worse, your kid isn’t so hot at multiplication drills or fractions and the periodic table of elements but they can quote the Bible and pull examples from the lessons from the Lord to reference their day to day life. I’m not the hottest on all math or periodic elements but I created and run a 6 figure business while keeping a full home- I think we can manage without those tidbits.

We’re taking the summer off, we’re enjoying other things right now. Come September 1st- our only plan for curriculum is the Bible. That’s it. And I’ve never looked forward to a school year as much as I am right now! Thoughts? Been there/done that? Standing up to tell me how ridiculous this is and I’m going to ruin my children’s futures? One way to find out… 😜