Patriot Moms

School year schedules can get hectic but with a little planning, meal time can still be enjoyable and healthy.

The next time you make lasagna, spaghetti, enchiladas, soup, you name it, make double or triple the portion and freeze the extra. Do this often enough and you will be surprised at the meals you will have on hand to choose from the next time you are in a pinch.

Stews and soups can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just be sure to add a little water when reheating.

To get you started, here is a yummy, quick recipe for Baked Ziti. Double up on the ingredients and you can make one for now and freeze one for later!

Ingredients
1 lb mild Italian Sausage, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (26 ounce) jar pasta sauce with mushrooms
1 (12 ounce) package ziti pasta, or penne pasta, cooked and drained according to package directions
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Lightly grease a 9x13" baking dish; set aside.
2. In a large saucepan, cook sausage, onions, green pepper, and garlic over medium heat until sausage is browned; drain fat.
3. Add pasta sauce and cook until mixture is hot, stirring occasionally. Add pasta to the sauce mixture and mix well. Stir in 1 cup of the Mozzarella cheese, mixing until well combined.
4. Pour mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup Mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Cover with foil.
5. Bake at 350ºF for 15 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Submitted By Marissa Henley, Patriot Mom

One of our most important jobs as a parent is to sow seeds of God's Word into our children's hearts. In case you haven't heard already, let me introduce you to a fabulous resource: Seeds Family Worship (http://www.seedsfamilyworship.net/).

They offer five CDs of Scripture beautifully set to music in a way that is enjoyable for kids and adults. They are not your typical children's CDs . . . they are catchy enough to facilitate memorization, some are upbeat and some are more thoughtful, and the best part is that I genuinely enjoy listening to them with my children. The Seeds Family Worship website includes great (free!) resources to go along with your CDs, such as memory verse cards and a memory verse checklist for each CD. The CDs are also packaged with an extra CD to give to a friend (or perhaps a teacher?).

I play these CDs for my kids, but also for myself. Scripture memory is not my strength, but the verses from these CDs have really stuck with me. As I endured some difficult circumstances this summer, I often found myself singing Isaiah 41:10 or Psalm 55:22 from the Seeds CDs. I have noticed several times when I've been driving and my thoughts are wandering to anxiety or other sinful thoughts, and then I hear God's Word playing from the CD player, and I am convicted or encouraged as needed.

Christian music is wonderful, but there's something special about God's Word. Isaiah 55:11 tells us that when God's Word goes out, it does not return empty, but accomplishes the purpose God intended. There is nothing better than saturating our day and our child's day with truth from God's Word.

Galatians 6:7-9: Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Submitted by Vivian Echegoyen, Patriot Mom

The first day of school was a success! After seeing firsthand all the hard work the teachers and administrators do on a day to day basis, I have a new appreciation for them. So in order to help our children and teachers during the school year, here are some helpful hints and reminders:

* Backpacks
Rolling backpacks are preferrable. It makes it easier for the children to carry everything they need, with minimum damage to the books and folders.

* Label Everything!
This might seem obvious, but write your child's first and last name on everything. This is always helpful especially if there is more than one child with the same name in the class. Label backpacks, lunchboxes, books, notebooks, towels, pencils, crayons (each one individually also), rulers, water bottles, etc.

* Water Bottles
Make sure it is easy for your child to close the spout in his/her water bottle to avoid leaks when they’re moving their backpacks around.

* Calling ALL Volunteers!
It would be ideal to have one mom per grade helping for an hour every Tuesday to file papers in blue folders, make copies or assisting the teachers as needed. It could be a rotating list, so that you would only have to do it once a semester. So if you want to make yourself available, let your teacher know what Tuesday would work out for you.

Be encouraged that the Lord will give us the grace and wisdom that we need if we ask Him. Looking forward to having a wonderful school year!

One of our Patriot Moms mentioned this week that we need to share our stories to remember how God brought each of our families to Providence Academy. Just like Lesley shared in the previous post, we all have a story. If you would like to share yours, then e-mail it to me at DGuthrie@Providence-Academy.com and label it "What's Your Story."

Submitted by new Patriot Mom, Lesley Riendeau, Patriot Mom

My family moved to Bentonville from Jacksonville, Florida in November 2008 when my husband, Ed, took a job with Walmart. We moved with 3 children who were all 5 and under and didn’t know anyone in Arkansas. The move was a really big one for my family because Ed and I were both pretty much born and raised in Jacksonville and all of our family was there. We prayed and sought the Lord’s direction and really felt like Bentonville is where He wanted us.

Our education plans for our children in Florida was to homeschool full-time. When we started investigating the support groups in Arkansas, there just wasn’t anything that we found to be like what we had in Florida. I was interested in Classical Education and heard about Providence from another mom, and I told my husband we should attend the information session so we could find out what Classical Education is all about. I had no intentions of liking Providence or sending Elle there. Little did I know what the Lord had in store for me.

I sat through that meeting and was totally blown away by the Administration’s commitment to be Christ-centered in all matters at school. Mrs. Hilliard spoke about being a mom, an administrator and a previous homeschool mom, and what Providence meant to her and her family. The testimonies really made me think long and hard about our education goals, why we wanted to homeschool and the pros and cons of a school like Providence.

I came out of that meeting loving Providence and believing it would be a wonderful place for our family. My husband and I didn’t talk about it until we got in the car and we soon realized we were on the same page. We went home and prayed about it and felt like it was the Lord’s desire for us to send Elle there.

Elle was accepted into Providence and shortly after that I discovered that the lump on my leg that surfaced while I was pregnant was not a lipoma as 2 OB’s in my practice told me, but that it was a cancerous tumor that needed to be removed. Soft tissue sarcomas are rare and the only surgeon in Arkansas that performs them is in Little Rock. Long story short – I had the tumor removed, along with one of my hamstring muscles. I just completed 6 weeks of radiation treatments and am currently continuing with my physical therapy.

Mrs. Russell and Mr. Ross were aware of my surgery and were kind enough to be praying for my family. After Elle was accepted, I was assigned a mentor mom – Megan Morgan. She called me to introduce herself and when she found out about my situation, she immediately brought a meal over for my family and offered to watch the kids if I needed her to while I went to appointments or just needed to rest. Megan received my email updates and always responded with encouragement and assurances that she was praying for me. Megan told Beth Ann Fox about me and she called me to introduce herself and offered to do anything we needed to help. She immediately brought over a meal for us and has since called to offer her family’s time to help clean, pull weeds or help in any way we might need.

I knew from the informational meetings and from the interview process that Providence was going to be a special place. I had no idea that people who did not know us would reach out and take care of us in our time of need. These special people at Providence showed us the love of Christ and were His hands and feet in a very real way to our family. The Lord met our desire for us to be able to school Elle at home and as only He could and provided an extended family for us.

Submitted By Kristi Crafton, Patriot Mom and Teacher

Okay, everyone, 1…2…3… BREATHE. It is going to be okay! I realized this morning that I have been through Parent Orientation of EVERY grade up to the 8th. This will be our 6th year at Providence. We were in the picture of the 39 students of year one. This year I led an orientation as a teacher as well!

I am so excited. It is amazing to see what God has done with Providence. It has been a real blessing in our lives. I have watched my children grow in character and strengthen their academic muscles.

Many of you are feeling a little overwhelmed right now. I promise that we “seasoned” parents have felt the same way and still feel it! What I know is that it is going to be okay. The administration and teachers have always been gracious and helpful. They want to make your school year successful. Here are some things to encourage you as we embark on the journey of a new year together.

Communicate! Communicate! Communicate! If you have ANY question, ask it. If you have 20 questions, ask them all! Use your email and phone to get answers. We seasoned moms have always called each other to check on a difficult or confusing problem listed on the assignment sheet. If you have a mentor mom, call her. Any seasoned mom will happily answer your questions. She understands, she has been there and has probably asked the same questions. If you do not have a mentor mom, email Cindy Palen at cpalen@providence-academy.com.

Your teachers will give you grace as you learn to grade and instruct your student. One year, 2 of my children had most of the same teachers, but the subjects were all different. On the first parent teacher conference, I frantically flew in after leaving a couple of screaming preschoolers. After a few minutes I looked at the teacher and asked, “Now which child are we talking about?” I felt really embarrassed, but she gave me grace and encouraged me over the next couple of years while I got my act together!

You will find opportunities to return grace to the teachers. We all need it. One year a teacher assigned us to read Chapter 1 in science on the first Wednesday. Of course we moms were all wailing and gnashing our teeth that day! It was just a typo. It should have read Chapter 1.a.
Get plugged in. Support from other parents will help you succeed. The Mothers of Providence group will help build relationships. If you find it difficult to make it to the meetings, reach out to another mother in your class. If you ever feel isolated or overwhelmed, tell someone. It will only be met with a compassionate answer.

Trust in God! We all have a personal story on how God brought us to Providence. Is He faithful? Yes! Remember your story. He has a plan for you. You have prayed and asked God to direct you. He knows your desire to do your best for your child. He knows if you feel overwhelmed. He brought you here for a reason. Bring your hopes, desires, and stress to him. You know He is faithful. Above all, rely on Him.

Phillipians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 16:3 Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

Submitted by Shelley Cassar, Patriot Mom

I had the wonderful experience yesterday of meeting two of my child's teachers at the Providence parent training. How blessed are we to have such an amazing faculty at Providence that loves the Lord and our children. I learn so much from the teachers and parents at our school!

At the parent training, I was reminded by our lower campus Latin teacher Magister Janicki, what educating means. The word educate is derived from the Latin word educo. Educo: to draw out, lead out, march out/ bring up, rear/ issue. Education is about leading our children into knowledge, not "cramming" or "filling" them with information. When I look at education that way, it seems to change the way I approach teaching my child too. I am thankful for the reminder that educating my child can be fun and is not just about giving them as much information as I can. I came away inspired to make this year about having fun educating my children and in turn am already looking more forward to teaching my child this year. I bet that is going to make it a better experience for them too!

For another way to keep your history cards looking new, go online to Office Depot and purchase the page protectors for 5x7 cards to slip your History and Bible cards into, rather that binding or hole punching, and place them in a half size binder. This way they stay looking brand new for improved resale value and you can reuse the binder and protectors year after year.

If you have any additional suggestions, please comment on this entry, so we can all learn great ideas from each other.

If you haven't been to the Box family farm, you are missing out! A few weeks ago, the Box family hosted our annual Wacky Wednesday outing to their family farm in Huntsville. It is known by many of the Providence students as "better than Disney Land." The first time we went, my son had so much fun, he wanted to know how much it would cost to go back!

We want to say a special "thank you" from the Providence family for hosting such a wonderful day of swimming, canoeing, fishing, and having fun!

It's the perfect time to do a "spotlight on the Box" family.

The Boxes have been at Providence for 2 1/2 years now. They drive each school day all the way from Huntsville to Rogers to attend Providence, which is about a 1 hour commute each way. What an amazing commitment from their family! We were especially blessed this past year to have Mrs. Box as a second grade teacher.

When asked why they chose Providence for their childrens education, they told us, "At Providence, we enjoy the Christ centered education and atmosphere that our children experience. We also appreciate that it is a place where kids get to be kids."

When asked what the Box children like most about the school, they said, "Our kids enjoy being with their friends at Providence. Sarah Beth’s favorite activity is lunchtime. Sam enjoys P.E., and he also enjoyed the bird feeder project in Mrs. Smith’s fourth grade class this year. Seth likes having time with friends and time with family that the Providence school model allows."

The Box family's favorite Bible verse is Hebrews 12:1-2, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith who for the joy set before him, endured the cross."

Next time you see the Boxes, tell them "thank you" for hosting our annual Wacky Wednesday at their family farm.

Submitted by Cindy Palen, Patriot Mom and Teacher

Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3. Perfect peace…what a wonderful promise! As we make the final preparations for a new school year, let us keep this verse in mind. Our duty is to keep our mind stayed on Him, and His promise is to keep us in perfect peace. How do we keep our mind on Him?
Romans 12:2 "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
So, we transform our mind by not conforming to this world. This world puts its hope in appearance, jobs, money, houses, security…on what is seen with the eye. This world tells us when we have a problem, we should seek the hand of man for help. This world tells us to be concerned with how we look, where we live, what job we have, what we’re going to do tomorrow, next week…God tells us to “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Take no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matt. 6:32-34) So, if we renew our mind, we will be able to prove what the acceptable, perfect will of God is. Isn’t that what we are in earnest to find out? Here is the answer laid out in scripture. In a nutshell, trust God, seek righteousness and the kingdom of God, renew your mind, and you will have peace and know the will of God. Likewise, if we seek the things of the world, and the lusts of the flesh, our mind will be patterned after ungodliness, and we will not have the peace of the Lord. There will always be things to take our minds off the savior and His word. Let’s walk day by day seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, and put aside the worldly temptations that lure us away from His word.
Cindy Palen

New Patriot moms and Mentor moms,

Please join us tonight, August 6th at 6:30 p.m. at the west campus fellowship hall

for a "meet and greet" where you will have the opportunity to meet and fellowship together.

Mentor moms please be there at 5:45 p.m. for a short meeting.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at

We look forward to seeing you there!

**New moms, please note that if you have already attended a meet and greet, you do not need to attend.

Submitted by Jennifer Banks, Patriot Mom

School starts 3 weeks from today. I mentioned this to my son, expecting the renting of his clothing and the ashes upon his head that would typically go with such mournful news, but instead heard, "I hope our friends like it".

We have neighbors that will start their Providence journey this year. When they began to seek the Lord months ago on the direction He wanted them to take for their kids' education, we prayed along with them. When they heard the leading to come to Providence, we rejoiced with them! Recently, our front yard chats have revolved around books and uniforms and school supplies and what direction a desk should face to best keep a floating attention span. And periodically along the way, my friend will start her questions with, "I'm sorry to keep bothering you, but......". Bother me? Oh, if she only knew how lost I felt in MY first few weeks!

We came in mid-year and I had many worries. Could we do the work? Did I have the qualities it took to school my son? Would we make any new friends? Is this the right decision??? Yes, yes, yes, and yes quickly became the answers to all my questions. By God's grace, He first kept our nose above water, then our shoulders, our waist, and eventually, we felt that we were walking on the water with Him. One of the biggest tools He used, and the one He's blessed me with the most, is other precious Providence Moms. My mentor Mom had her share of calls from me but immediately put to rest another one of those silly worries I'd had. In our first conversation she had me relaxed and laughing and I thought -- whew! -- she's normal! Then I began to notice that as we showed up for things, women would break away from conversations because they noticed someone new in the room. Never had I been anywhere and found that. I heard stories that sounded like mine, comforting and encouraging words that assured me we would be successful. Everywhere I went, I felt so welcomed.

My prayer is that I'm never the weak link in a chain of amazing people that follow the Lord and make Providence one of the best decisions our family ever made. Be on the lookout for those new faces. Break away from your friends and reach out to the ones with the same questions in their eyes that we all had once upon a time. What a blessing you will be!
I'm with my son......I hope our friends like it, too

We are going to head over to Tulsa to explore the exciting world under the sea! At 11:00 we will have a private classroom program called "Completely Cartilaginous" which is all about sharks, skates, and rays! At 11:30 we will have lunch outside on the deck together—you can bring a lunch or buy one at their deli. After that we are free to explore the aquarium with a self-guided tour. Our discounted cost is $7 for children and $10 for adults.

We will meet at 9:00am at the Jose’s parking lot on the northwest corner of 540 and 412/Sunset in Springdale. We will caravan to Tulsa together. Please, RSVP by August 3. For more information about the aquarium visit http://www.okaquarium.com/ .