• About
  • Contact
  • Homeschool Consulting
  • Shop Beautycounter
  • Nav Social Menu

    Come Find Me

    • Facebook
    • Google+
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

fromkristin.com

Words from my heart on homeschooling, faith, anxiety and so much more.

  • fromkristin.com
  • Home
  • About
  • Homeschool
    • Homeschool Posts
    • Homeschool Consulting
  • Faith
  • Beautycounter
    • Shop Beautycounter
    • Posts
  • Contact

if i can help just one…

I just can’t keep quiet for a single second it feels like. My fingers can’t sit still. My words can’t stay in my head. This is burning inside of me and I just need to get it out.

I had planned a much more articulate way of sharing my mental health story with you, and I still will share it in more detail someday, but for today I just need to say something.

A great and devastating and earth shattering loss was felt in the life of our friends recently and I just can’t sit quiet for one more second and not speak for mental illness.

mental illness is real!

anxiety and depression are real things.

And hear me real loud on this one…

there is absolutely no shame in your suffering!

it can happen to anyone at any time.

Mental illness does not discriminate by race, gender, age, religion, or anything else. It can come on at any time.

For me, the horomonal shift that occurred during pregnancy seemed to really escalate the anxious tendencies that were already there.

let me tell you a tiny bit of my story

I have always been a slightly nervous person (didn’t like to be home alone, etc) but I also travelled alone, got sick and didn’t panic, moved to a new town all alone and did lots of things anxious me probably couldn’t have done.

When my second daughter was born 5 years ag0, a number of things happened that I consider the perfect storm, and I hit what seemed to be rock bottom. I was barely coping. I mean, barely. Well, lets be honest, I really wasn’t. But I convinced myself I was. I am so very thankful both my kids were young enough to have no recollection of those days. I’ll never forget them. I kept so much of what I was going through to myself because of how ridiculous it sounded. And really my fears were quite out there BUT to someone suffering from anxiety, it feels very real. I remember I couldn’t open my blinds even, as I was scared I would see tanks coming down the street. I didn’t sleep. Like, at all. Only if I was on my couch so I could see both points of entry to my house. Jesus brought me through it. Without a shadow of a doubt. I’m not saying He didn’t use people to do it, He absolutely did, but He reached down into a pit and He pulled me up out of it.

For a long time after that I thought I was free and life felt normal but it was still dormant. It was still situational and waiting to rise back to the surface. This past fall, I really did hit rock bottom. This time it looked like actually having someone come stay with the girls and going to the hospital, crying for hours, telling them I just didn’t know how to cope anymore. I had reached a point I didn’t know how to put one foot in front of the other in my day anymore. Anxious thoughts had taken over my entire mind and there wasn’t room for anything else. I wanted to be free so badly. I told my husband I felt like I was in prison and I had no idea how to get out.

Jesus saved me. Again. Sometimes Jesus saving us looks like a doctor giving us meds to help us regulate whats happening in our bodies. Sometimes Jesus saving us is a counselor near by popping up in a google search. Sometimes Jesus saving us is a Bible study at the exact right time in life, on the exact right topic, with the exact right people to help you up. Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. Know Him. Call out to Him. Hold on tight to Him. (If you are reading this and have no idea how to know Jesus or how to talk to Him or how to experience His help in these situations, please reach out to me.)

I really do long to share more about the breakthrough I experienced in being set free from this paralyzing anxiety at some point but really what I want to do tonight is to lend my voice to the voice for mental illness. I want to say, I understand. My life probably looked totally normal on the outside and I probably put on an awesome front but inside I was LOSING. MY. MIND.

It took me years to be able to admit how bad things were other than to a few confidants. To those who knew, who prayed, who listened….thank you. You were the hands and feet of Jesus to save me.

If you are suffering, you do not have to suffer alone. If you are going through this and you don’t know Jesus, I can only assume you feel there is no hope. There is hope. I promise you. I have been where you are. Please reach out and let me tell you about it. There are people that love you! You are important. Your story is important. Your life is valuable. There is help for you.

If you are suffering and you do know Jesus, run to Him now. Search your Bible and commit to filling your mind with His truth and not the enemy’s lies.

If you are struggling, go tell someone NOW. Make sure at least one person knows where you are mentally.

If you are struggling, seek medical help. Please. There is absolutely no shame in this. I fought receiving medical help for my anxiety for way too many years. Why did I let myself suffer when there was something right there to help? Let me just say it again:

there is no shame in seeking medical help and using medication to help your mental health.

Most of all, I just want you to know you aren’t alone. You feel like it, but you’re not.

If you have never experienced any type of mental illness, I’m betting you know someone who has. Lend your voice of support. Let’s end the stigma and make sure this is talked about.

**( Edited to note that I am currently doing great! I felt like a bunch of things that occurred after that terrible rock bottom moment in the fall worked together to really pull me out of a dark place. That is what I was mentioning above that Jesus uses different ways to help us. I really did experience a break through and healing and I am doing so well in regards to my anxiety at this time. But thank you to everyone who checked in on me! Love you)**

In memory of a man gone too soon and in support of a loving family left grieving.

alberta mental health hotline 1 877 303 2642

click here to access Canada wide help for mental health

«
»

Anxiety, Faith

Subscribe

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Archives

  • April 2021 (1)
  • February 2021 (1)
  • November 2020 (2)
  • October 2020 (2)
  • September 2020 (4)
  • August 2020 (2)
  • July 2020 (2)
  • June 2020 (1)
  • April 2020 (2)
  • February 2020 (1)
  • January 2020 (2)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (1)
  • August 2019 (4)
  • July 2019 (4)
  • June 2019 (6)
  • May 2019 (6)

Featured Articles

Our Cross Country Move and New Home

Learning in Motion For The High Energy child

CrossTimber Plaque Print review

Drive Thru History Adventures Review

Footer

About Me

Hi I am Kristin Stewart. I consider myself so lucky to be a homeschool mommy! Before I was a mother, I was a teacher in both public and Christian boards and I loved teaching so much. However, once my first daughter was born I knew God was calling me to be at home with her. So when it was time for her to start school, homeschooling was a natural fit for us. Read More…

Instagram Feed

from_kristin_homeschool

Kristin Stewart
✨better together✨ Another week of school done ✨better together✨
Another week of school done and enjoying the beach on this beautiful Friday afternoon.
1ish week of school to go.
#raisingreaders #alwaysbringabook #raisingreaders
#alwaysbringabook
Homeschool perk- the freedom to travel. Packed up Homeschool perk- the freedom to travel. Packed up our books and brought them to the land of the red sand. The beach is calling, we must go!
Friends, popsicles, butterflies and tiny pools…. Friends, popsicles, butterflies and tiny pools….we love summer ❤️
Starting our study of Numbers today for Bible time Starting our study of Numbers today for Bible time. It’s important to me that the girls understand the importance of looking at a whole book of the Bible for context and understanding of how each event fits into the bigger picture of Gods salvation. 

The Bible Handbook from @thedailygraceco to overview and introduce the book.

The Story of Numbers by @readkaleidoscope writes it geared toward kids.

And not pictured, our Bibles. We frequently go over checking back to our Bible if we arent sure about something in another book. 

What are you studying?
Cheers to the other mamas just finally getting the Cheers to the other mamas just finally getting their quiet time at 10:15 am because they’ve been in diffuse and correct mode all morning. 

Here’s to the mamas with a child who needs a little “extra” in the regulation department. (If you know what I mean, you know). 

To the ones taking deep breaths and calling on the fruits of the spirit to help her deal with the current “explosion”. 

To the mama who wonders if she’s doing it right but knows it’s worth it. 

God chose me to mother her and He chose you to mother yours. He did that purposefully and He will equip us. If you are a Christian, you have the fruits of the spirit and the help of the Holy Spirit. 

Take a deep breath, a quiet minute and ask God for wisdom and help for this day. It’s an honour and a privilege to have this job of mama.

Hard doesn’t equal bad. 

Here’s to you mama! Keep going. ❤️
All About Reading tip: give them last years reader All About Reading tip: give them last years readers for independent reading.

 She always wants a few minutes to read on her own before bed and she likes to read last years AAR readers because she knows she won’t get a story that’s too hard. 

There’s nothing wrong with letting kids independent reading material be below their instructional level.
It’s a great way to build fluency and confidence and avoid frustration.

Thankful for these readers with interesting stories and colourful pictures @allaboutlearning ❤️
We had a great hike adventure on this beautiful sp We had a great hike adventure on this beautiful spring day!
A look through, and long explanation of, Learning A look through, and long explanation of, Learning Language Arts Through Literature grade 4. 
Let me know if you have any questions!
Sharing the math manipulatives I used today in my Sharing the math manipulatives I used today in my stories. My youngest really thrives when she learns hands on. These are from amazon, except the animals that are from the dollar store.
Read with your kids! 👏🏻Read to them. Let the Read with your kids! 👏🏻Read to them. Let them read to you. Take turns share reading. Read your own books beside each other. READ!

The benefits of reading to your kids are staggering. Not only are there crazy academic benefits, there are also relational benefits. Reading together is such a bonding experience. It helps calm your tiny ones and it brings your older kids to you. 

She’s almost 10 and she’s been reading since she was 4. She’s a voracious reader, reads constantly. I might need a job just to keep her in books. She can read as well as people twice her age. Some might naturally think there’s no point in reading to her anymore. She doesn’t need me to, she’s capable on her own. 

I disagree! We always have a book on the go together. It’s so bonding to be mutually enjoying a book and into it together. It allows her to relax or draw while I read to her. It gives us something to do just the two of us when we have time but I’m tired. Sometimes we just snuggle up like this reading our own books, pausing when she wants to talk about her book. Benefits here are we are physically connected and I get to know what shes reading and be available for discussion. 

All that to say, read with your kids!! Even when they’re older!! 

Together, she and I are loving the Tuesday’s with the Castle series. We’re on our last one!! What are you reading with your big kids?
What a great fsmily hike today to the southern tip What a great fsmily hike today to the southern tip of our island! 75 ish min hike for the whole crew!
Mystery of History Level 1. This is the history p Mystery of History Level 1. 
This is the history program we are using this year and I love it. This is likely what we will use for the next few years. I think this level will last us 2 years since we don’t do History daily.
This is a Bible based curriculum. It begins with creation and goes through history chronologically from there. Each lesson is short with a lesson in the text to be read (I read it out loud) and then a selection of activities. Each lesson has an activity for younger students, middle students and older students. 
There are some written components you can choose, such as matching characters with descriptions or answering comprehension questions. But as the teacher you can pick and choose what you want your kids to do. It can all be oral if you prefer. 
You can order timeline images and work throughout this whole curriculum to make a timeline. This is neat as it allows the kids to see how it all first together.
I love using this resource to learn together as a family!! 

#mysteryofhistory #homeschoolhistory
Merriest Christmas from our house to yours!! Looki Merriest Christmas from our house to yours!! Looking forward to this week off of school and next week we will be back at it!! My plans this week are mostly to read! How are you spending this week?
We are all so excited to see the snow and hope it We are all so excited to see the snow and hope it stays for Christmas
Grumpy mom goes to the beach. If you hear report Grumpy mom goes to the beach. 

If you hear reports of a crazy lady walking Stanley beach in the downpour and singing at the top of her lungs, have no fear, ‘twas just me. 

Do you know the best part of homeschooling? Being with your kids all the time. Getting to make so many memories and develop a strong bond, laugh together, train them, shape their character, disciple them, see them grow up….

Do you know the hardest part of homeschooling? 
Being with your kids all the time. All the mess, all the noise, all the discipline and discipling and correction. Not being able to outsource the tiring and hard parts of parenting. 

Homeschooling isn’t neat and tidy that’s for sure. It’s loud and messy and tiring and hard. And it’s beautiful and rewarding and bonding and the best decision we ever made. 

Doesn’t have to be one or the other. Both can be true. I can love it and think it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done all at the same time. 

So that’s what brings me in my raincoat and boots, worship music blaring out of my pocket and out of my lips, to the beach…getting myself ungrumpy and ready for another week of the hardest and best thing I’ve ever done. I wouldn’t change it for all the money in the world. ❤️

@valmariepaper a nod to your grumpy mom takes a holiday book. ❤️
“I believe in God the Father, I believe in Jesus “I believe in God the Father,
I believe in Jesus Christ,
I believe in the Holy Spirit
And He’s given us new life.
I believe in the crucifixion, 
I believe that He conquered death.
I believe in the resurrection
And He’s coming back again
I believe.”

Last Sunday our oldest daughter publicly declared her saving faith and allegiance to Jesus through the act of obedience through believers baptism. What a glorious day! And for her daddy to do the honours was even more special. 

We will continue to disciple her as she grows in knowledge, understanding and love for God. 

You do not need to share my beliefs to be welcome here. I’ve got a seat for you at my table regardless of your religious views. But may where my belief, love and allegiance lays never be in question. 

We love you Hailey girl ❤️
One row of carrots and a few onions harvested. Abo One row of carrots and a few onions harvested. About 1/3 of what’s there so lots more work to do.
Thank you God for this harvest and it’s provision for our family
I accidentally cut myself off! Here is part 2! I a I accidentally cut myself off! Here is part 2! I also forgot that there are usually individual white boards down below with the binders but they used them this morning and they’re not put back yet!
Showing the rolling cart we use for school this ye Showing the rolling cart we use for school this year
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Subscribe

Fill out your info to be notified of what is new around here!

Thanks for subscribing!

Copyright © 2023 · Darling theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Darling Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in