The Unschooled Homeschooled Slave

Im inspired. 

Im so inspired…..

There just arent any words to explain whats going on in my head.

I had the privilege of visiting the campus of Tuskegee University where the George Washington Carver museum is located.

We mostly know George as the peanut guy. That great inventor that made a bunch of stuff out of peanuts, and taught at that HBCU where he showed people how to grow stuff. Thats true, but today…. Im inspired.

Ive know a bit about George. 

I knew he was born a slave.

I knew he never knew his mother.

I knew he gave himself the name “Washington” because there was another George Carver that he was constantly being confused with.

I knew he was accepted into college and then turned away once administration realized that he was a black man.

I knew he was offered a significant amount of money to come work for Thomas Edison and turned it down.

I knew he had hundreds of inventions but only patented a few.

I knew George was an amazing individual….

But today, I was inspired.

I knew George was a sickly child that wasnt capable of doing much manual labor, so he spent alot of his time in nature. Observing. Playing. Exploring.

I knew George had a love for agriculture and knowledge… But today, I was inspired.

 

This man was so amazing at what he did that everyone who was anyone wanted to learn from him. Thats an amazing accomplishment for the time in which he lived.

Lets think about this…

HE WAS BORN A SLAVE!! He was suppose to be a nobody.

HE WAS UNSCHOOLED!! Meaning, he really learned alot through nontradional education – with no instructor. Teaching himself. Now, dont get me wrong. He received some traditional education, but in his early years, he was an unschooled homeschooler!

He did a little of EVERYTHING. This man was dedicated to educating his people.

He taught them how to grow their food.

He taught them how to cook the food they grew. (He even had a book, “40 Different Ways to Cook Cow Peas” or something similar) Do you know what cow peas are? Me, either.

He taught them how to raise animals.

He even taught them how to use scraps of fabric or feed bags to weave pieces to beautify their homes!!

He taught them how to make NOTHING into SOMETHING!

He was a painter. He learned how to take clay and make dyes out of it. He was in Montgomery, AL and found a sort of blue in the clay. Some kind of way (using some form of science), he took the blue out of the soil and used the color for paint. This was something that alot of businessmen wanted to capitalize on, but George wasnt interested in commercialization. Crazy, right?

OH YEAH!  I didnt mention he wasnt just a botonist, but also a painter!

He was a health nut! (no pun intended) 

“There is probably no subject more important than the study of food in relation to their nutrition and health. To understand them, one must know them chemically, botanically, and dietically… I have no taken a pill, powder, salts, or oil as a purgative for the last 30 years. And it has been quite 35 years since I was in bed sick. I regulate myself with vegetables, fruits, and wild herbs, natures remedies, which God intended we should use.” – George Washington Carver

AND A SCIENTIST! His first lab was made out of scraps from the trash pile!

 

But more than anything he was a man of God.

“I indulge in very little lip service, but ask the Great Creator silently, daily, and often many times a day to permit me to speak to him through the 3 kingdoms of the world which He created- the animal, mineral, and vegetable kingdoms- to understand their relations to each other and our relations to them and to the Great God who made all of us” – George Washington Carver

I am inspired. 

Inspired to fulfill my purpose as he did.

Inspired to turn off the technology that dumbs today’s world, and explore God’s three kingdoms with my family.

Inspired to take time to “indulge in very little lip service” and ask my Creator to speak to me.

Inspired to not be concerned with financial gain, but be more concerned about how I can give my purpose to others.

Im inspired to bring my soul to canvas. (paint)

Im inspired to not look at what I dont have, but rather make use of what I do have.

Im so inspired, and Im so thankful for the opportunity to learn more about Mr. George Washington Carver, A real American Icon, and my homeschool hero!

Thats Totally Supermom

 

Staying Focused- The Vision Wall

Hey guys! See, I told you I was back!!!

In 10 Things That Happened While I Was Gone I had LOTS to share with you that I wanted to show you later.

This post will cover numbers 2, 3, and 7. Mostly 7.

I have trouble staying focused. Ive learned that my goals are consistently the same, but I really struggle with remembering to execute them. For that reason, I usually start the year strong and by December forget all about it. The goal is still something im passionate about and burns within my soul but I rarely get it done the way I would like, not because I dont want to do it, but I just get distracted VERY easily for various reasons.

One year, a good friend of mine (HEY CANDACE) invited me to a vision board party. We went to this nice boutique with our poster boards and magazines to make vision boards. Guys, I was soooo confused! LOL What am I suppose to do with these magazines? Cut what out? For what? LOL!! I did eventually create what is now my yearly tradition. I even sometimes have a party of my own. Ive expanded and now instead of a board, I have an area.

Come with me as I give you a tour!

This area is located in my room on a small wall.

 

The above picture is a shot of the entire area. Its on a small wall in my bedroom, so it looks like my “office”…a very creative office. Some call it organized chaos. Let me tell you, everything means something. Every spot. Every piece of paper. Even where its placed. Its all for a purpose. I call it my little heaven. The banner over the top says, “Thats Totally Supermom”. You get it? You will by the end of this post. It was given to me by my wonderful husband that threw me a supermom party.

The Green board is 2013’s vision board.

                  2014 Vision Board

Above is my vision board for the 2014. I unconsciously have placed a center piece in every vision board Ive made. I realized this after looking over my past few vision boards. This year the center piece is that piece of paper that says “It will change my life”. Everything else surrounds it, and is divided into sections. Top Right- focuses on me. My dreams. My health. My fitness. My eating habits. Bottom right- friendships, artistic goals, reminder to read and let go of what I cant control. Bottom- Summer Vacation (Did it), the desire to travel (kind of did it), wanting a new couch (got one) among some other household items. Bottom left- My spiritual life, plugging into the power God gives (I need to work on that) Top Left- Some family goals. Top center- Goals for my marriage. *wink wink*

I know some people that will change their board to go with the changes throughout the year. I dont do that because I like to see how Ive grown in the past year. So as I change, I add stuff around it.

Reminds me of who is in control and who my power (in my vision board) comes from.

Given to me by my church women’s group.

Here is a close up of one of the really special things on my wall. My name was inserted in the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11. It really touched me because it was so personal. Almost as if God himself was talking to me. I also found my love cup being filled just because the ladies took the time to do this.

 

Helps me remember to relax, and bust a sweat. 🙂

If you can read the pink heart and enjoy watching “The Sound of Music”, you may get a kick out of that.

Sometimes I need a reminder to do those things I love.

Gum Package

This was given to me by a really good friend. It was so simple but so special. It made the wall. 🙂

 

So now, you got to see my vision wall, my mint colored desk that I refurbished, and my orange walls. Really Guys, it was a totally accident gone fabulous.(The walls)

But here’s really why I do my vision board:

Matthew 6:22-23 (NIV)- The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

My vision board is the light to my eyes. It reminds me daily of my purpose, my goals, my worth, my love, and the list goes on. It gives me perspective. Stay positive, Court. One day at a time, Courtni. Get your tail up and work out. Yes honey, its ok to leave your kids to go do things that make you happy. You like what you do, remember? You dont need affirmation from the world to do what God tells you. God doesnt call the equipped, He equips the called.

How’s your Vision?

Thats Totally Supermom

(Did you get it?)

 

 

 

10 Things That Happened While I Was Gone

 Hello Everyone,

Its been a while since Ive posted.

Lets see…

1- I moved…twice. Twice in 4 months to be exact.

2.I painted the inside of my new house orange and absolutely loved it!

3. I refinished a desk and painted it mint which pops greatly against my orange walls. *giggle*

4. I planted a garden using the Back to Eden method. Made my garden so much easier to maintain.

5. Speaking of gardens, I learned not to plant 5 cucumber plants next to each other. (Pics coming soon)

6. I also learned not to plant a watermelon plant next to the cucumbers.

7. I now have a vision wall that gives me life! Ill post about that soon.

8. I started and didnt stick to a healthier lifestyle plan more than a dozen times.

9. I learned that breaks are like air and food. I have to take breaks in order to survive.

10. Random but Fourth of July came around and I crafted with my children. We made cute little handprint flag shirts.

I think I’ll be forever catching you guys up on everything that has happened, but here’s something that I discovered that seems to stick out above everything else.

I was feeling rather discouraged guys. VERY discouraged. I questioned if I was a good mother, a good Christian, a good friend, a good wife, and sometimes a good person. I counted all my faults, and none of my gifts. All of my defects of character and none of my good deeds. I was struggling. I desperately needed guidance. I found it.

Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.”

Its a common quoted verse. Ive read that verse over and over again in my life, but this time it really struck me. Earlier in the chapter, Jesus is telling us not to worry about what we would eat or drink or what we would wear. Clearly if nature goes without want, we would be taken care of. Even in our sinful nature, we know how to give food to our children. Doesnt God want to give that to us. 

Ive always read this verse as God provides. Yes, I know. I know God provides. It was redundant, but this time I REALLY heard it. 

This verse says:

Courtni (Supermom), dont worry about if youre a good mother, seek me and you’ll be one.

Courtni (Supermom), dont worry about if youre failing your children, seek me and you’ll be a success.

Courtni (Supermom), dont worry about if you have the money to cover that bill, be a good steward, and Ill take care of the rest.

Courtni (Supermom), Its ok that you made that mistake, seek me and Ill help you out of it.

Courtni (Supermom), dont worry about if you are a good wife, seek me and Ill make sure you have the tools to make you a good wife.

Courtni (Supermom), dont worry about all those things that are on your heart, give them to me, and Ill supply the solution.

 

I saw the intimacy in this verse. I saw it!

I also discovered that I have a bad habit of trying to handle everything all on my own.

He says just ask.

Im doing my best to remember that.

Thats Totally Supermom

The babies in the flag t-shirts they made. They werent that excited when I pitched the idea of doing the shirt, but were totally siked at the results.

 

 

There are NO WORDS!

There are no words to describe the the type of exhausted that I am…

I didnt work this hard when I had a cash-paying gig.

Help me, God!

Thats Totally Supermom

The Cutest Thing EVER!!!

I’m so touched!

Guess what happened!?

My three year old son…..

Opened the car door for me…

Unprompted….

On his own….

Moments like these encourage me greatly.

I’m doing something right.

That’s Totally SuperMom

First Day of SCHOOL!!!!

Its that time of the year again. School is starting all over the country! It starts for my children tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow.

School starts….tomorrow.

I have to be honest with you… Im a little anxious. A little nervous. A little afraid.

Why?

Well, I homeschool. I feel this way every year.

EVERY SINGLE YEAR!

Because, I want to do well. I want my children to enjoy themselves.

And of course every year they do…

But…

Im always anxious to start the new year!

Well, here we go! Bedtime is near!

So, I think Ill watch a bit of The Cosby Show to lift my mood a bit. Comedy tends to do that.

Keep ya posted on how it goes!

Thats Totally Supermom!

Tomorrow is My BIRTHDAY!

Im excited that tomorrow is my birthday.

Celebrating ** whole years of living! (Did you REALLY think Id tell you?)

HA!

I asked my daughter if I could sleep in tomorrow and she and my sister (17 yr old) get up and take care of my two youngest children. She said yes.

Now lets see what REALLY happens.

Anywho, I was thinking to myself about the next year ahead of me and what Id like to accomplish.

You know, just for me.

Lets see what did I come up with?

1) Id like to do more things for myself. For example, Id like to take a night away from my children at least once a quarter. Just me. Time to think and breathe in the quiet. Id also like to do more things with my friends- more girl nights or lunch dates. Feel me? But the thing that has been on my mind recently, is running a 5k, HOLD UP! Lets make this clear. I HATE running. Its not my thing, BUT Ive been seeing these cool 5ks. One called the “Color Run” and the other called something like “Neon Vibe”. The thought of paint being tossed on me seems like so much fun!!! Doesnt it? I laugh at myself.

2) Id like to lighten my load. I think Im involved in too much. I think I shall get off of a few ministries and just devote more time to myself and my family.

3) Well…. thats about as far as Ive gotten.

*shrug* Im sure Ill think of more!
Thats Totally Supermom

I Am.. Who I Am… I Think.

Im a homeschooler. Yes, I am. And I LOVE it.

Im a mother. Yes, I am. And I LOVE it.

Im a wife. Yes, I am. And I LOVE it.

But there are tons of other things I am, but I find myself not having time to dive into those parts of me.

Im a fitness enthusiast. But now that Ive started my school year, (yes, already) I found that I dont have as much free time to hit the gym.

Im an artist. But I dont seem to have alone or quiet time to play with my paints. Oh, yes. The kids will def decide to create WITH mommy.

Im a writer. But who has time to write? I barely keep this thing up.

Im a chef. But I HATE cleaning my kitchen. That may very well be why Im afraid to cook. Especially with my new love! (The CLEAN kitchen)

Im a counselor. But I dont have the graduate degree, but OHHHHH do I counsel. (im ok with that. I HATE school. Not homeschooling, of course. Shoot, I wish I was homeschooled!) I just wish I could get paid for it.

SIGH I have so many other things that are a part of me.

In these next few weeks, I will strive to honor more of the deeper parts of me instead of staying in the rat race.

I will.

I Shall

I CAN!

I Hope….

Thats Totally Supermom