Posted in School Time

Here are the pictures that I promised. The kids really had fun with this project! They drew the map, then painted and labeled it. They made little boats and traced Columbus’s journey.

     

Posted in KONOS

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas season. We had a very blessed Christmas. My husband finally had Christmas off and he took a little extra time off too! It was great. We had some really good quality family time. 

Now it’s time to get back to school!! We started back to school the 1^st of January; however we kept it part time up until this week. So this week we went back to full days.

 Oh, we did have excellent New Years news!! We got those orders to move that we’ve been waiting for!!

 This is our schedule for this week. I did want to post it earlier in the week but my days got away from me. The kids had a good time with the Christopher Columbus craft and I will post some pics of that later.


Mondays we will be taking off for the next 3 months due to my husband’s schedule.

 
Tuesday AM - read books about Christopher Columbus and do a map activity. We may also start the craft project for Wednesday to ensure it gets done.

Tuesday PM - In the EAL book we will be starting with leading and leadership. The first two weeks we will be evaluating what qualities make a good leader. Today we will look to the Bible and discover what guidance God gives us about good leaders and what God says a good leader is. We will then write a short paper on what God's word says and what we think each verse means.

 

Wednesday AM - We will continue looking at Columbus today. I found a great project on enchantedlearning.com. The kids will draw on poster board the area surrounding Columbus' voyage and paint/color the continents green and the waters blue. We will then label the map as well as Columbus' route. We'll make three ships using an egg carton and some other supplies and then trace the route using the small ships! I think we will have to get the map done Tuesday and the ships today.

Wednesday PM - We will contrast the requirements for King of Israel with the requirements for President of the U.S. We'll look at what things God considered and what He did not. We will also "attempt" to dramatize the scene of Samuel anointing David and discuss the differences between anointing and electing.

 

Thursday AM - Today we'll move onto 1497 and take a look at John Cabot. Depending on what material I can find this may be a very short lesson. :) Thursday PM - We will again look to the Bible to find out why our Founding Fathers embraced the idea of representation. We will also look at how the high priest of Israel was a representative for the nation.

 

Friday AM - Move to 1500 and look at Vasco Nunez De Balboa. I am looking for some activities or supplements still.

Friday PM - Spend some time looking at some of Clinton's decisions and discussing if these were wise or unwise. We will also discuss whether past behavior is an indication of a man's character and ability to lead in righteousness.

Posted in Family

I want to thank all of you for your prayers. We did receive that dreaded phone call last night. She has passed. Though it is so sad, there is a relief that comes with knowing that she is now with her Savior, our Lord. No more wondering if she is suffering, no more hoping that she is comfortable. Now we can rejoice in knowing that she IS home.

Please continue to pray for the family.  Thank you all for the love and kindness that show to complete strangers.

Bless You

Posted in Home

       Well, there is not a lot to tell you about last week. We had a very busy week outside of the home so we were not able to accomplish much Konos. We did manage to get through the basics; language, math, writing and such.

       This week is much of the same story. Daddy is off work this week and home with us so we are just spending some nice family time. I always love having him home but I just have to accept that nothing will get done. J

      I think I have mentioned that card making is a hobby of mine. I made this birthday card last week for a church friend who is serving over in the desert. Let’s remember to keep all our service men and women in our prayers.

     I am going to request a prayer from you please. There is a very sweet elderly family in my church who need your prayers. They just celebrated 59 wonderful years of marriage this year! Unfortunately the wife is in the hospital and not doing so well. Now I am sure you can imagine that this poor sweet man’s heart is broken. Please if you have time say a little prayer for this family. It is much appreciated.

     I hope you all are having a blessed week in your homeschool and life.

Posted in KONOS

Sorry I missed a week. I was having technical difficulties. I am ever so grateful for my very best friend Renee who helped me get them all straightened out! J Thank you again Sweetie.

Ok, so last week we finished up our study of the New England region. Wow, did we learn a lot! We learned about the architecture that is specific to the area. I would have never known what a widow’s walk was. We also looked at clap board houses and salt box houses. Very interesting! We also took a look at some light houses and the kids decided to find what they could around the house to make their own!!

Last week we were studying lobsters! We even took the kids out for a seafood meal and tried all different types of seafood. J They were very good sports about it. My son was very sick afterwards so I think he may have had a reaction to the shellfish. So, we may not be eating much shellfish too early in the future but we did buy some crayfish to dissect and take a closer look at. Here are some great pictures of the kids having fun (well sometimes) looking inside the crayfish!

  

We finished last week up with a bar-b-que! We made ribs and made from scratch Boston Baked Beans!! We learned that the Puritans did not work on the Sabbath. They began their Sabbath at sundown on Saturday. The women prepared baked beans on Saturday and simmered them until Sunday.

We simmered ours for most of the day on Saturday and then put them in the crock-pot until Sunday for dinner! We all enjoyed this! Of course the kids always have fun when cooking is involved!! J Oh, we finished up reading Moby Dick!

This week we moved on the Atlantic region! We added some areas of interest to our huge map such as; Hudson River, Erie Canal, New York City, and Philadelphia. We spent time researching coal-mining, and Susan B. Anthony, the Erie Canal, what a spinning jenny is, and of course the Amish group. Today we are taking a look at some differences between the Quakers and the Shakers. The kids had fun working together today to make this replica of the Statue of Liberty!!

   

On Monday we move on to the Great Lake States! I will let you know how it goes. J I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!

Posted in KONOS

We began our study of the states and regions! Last week we didn’t really end up getting much done except a whole lot of revising our map. Finally today I came to the conclusion that I was expecting too much by thinking that my 9 and 12 year olds should free hand this huge map. So I broke down and asked Daddy to do it for us. J He was very willing. He did it in pencil so that the kids were able to trace over it in permanent marker. They were much happier with this plan. J So was I after all the frustration we faced last week. I think I was going to scream if I heard “it’s too hard!” one more time! We all think Daddy did a great job! Here are some pictures!!

Now we just have to catch up on all the activities that we should have gotten done with our map last week. Most of that won’t take too long. We have a states game we’re going to play! I love seeing how much they know in the beginning and then going back after we have been studying so we can all see how much they have learned! Ashlynn is going to map a journey across the U.S.(including any landmarks, animals, scenery, and friends she might see on her way!) and Jonathan is going to research where in the U.S. you might find hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and volcanoes. Those are both activities that they want to do. We will also learn the time zones!

We started last Monday by having the kids’ free hand the outline of the United States on a plain piece of paper! We also had a pop-quiz on the state abbreviations as well as labeling all the states on a blank map! I keep all of these so that they are able to see how much progress they have made when we go back and take these tests again. They always enjoy that, it’s a great encouragement to all!

This week we start our study on the New England area! We will start reading Moby Dick tonight as part of our study on the New England area. Some other activities we will do this week include; adding some important landmarks to our map, answering some interesting questions about this area, making a meal that is popular in the area, study some New England architecture, research lobsters, dissect a crayfish, and build a lighthouse!! I think it will be a fun and exciting week! J

I will try to post an update and some pictures at the end of the week! Wishing you all a happy homeschooling week! J

Posted in School Time

  

      Wow, a new school year!! Well I certainly owe some people (those who check this blog regularly for updates) an apology. I t has been almost a year since I have put anything in here. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I am going to try to at least put in weekly updates and pictures.

      I am so excited for this school year!! We are going to be studying the states and regions and lots of geography!! After Christmas we are going to work through U.S. history from 1400 forward! Yes, a lot of it will be a review but that’s ok. We are going to have so much fun!

      I am looking forward to sharing it will all of you and also enjoying your blogs too!

     I am praying for a blessed school year for all.

    

Posted in KONOS

Here are the pictures of the kids' career day interviews! Ashlynn interviewed the dentist, and Jonathan interviewed the F-15 fighter pilot!! They had so much fun, and both were very attentive while gathering information from their career person.

Here is Ashlynn with the dentist...
 

Here is Jonathan interviewing the pilot...

He even got to try on a helmet...

The pilot was able to get us out on the flight line!!

We were able to gather alot of information...

He told us about lots of different parts of the jet...

We even got to look in the cockpit!!


The kids really enjoyed this unit on Stewardship!!

Posted in KONOS

Well, it has been quite a while since I've been on here. Life can get so crazy sometimes. School has kept us busy, and we love our Konos Co-op!! We are studying careers right and talents right now.
Today we will be able to go meet with an F-15 Fighter pilot!!! My oldest son has expressed his desire to be an Air Force Fighter jet pilot for a very long time. He is so excited about this meeting! He has put time into what kind of questions he wants to ask and what important aspects he wants to know about. I am very excited for him and hope this meeting goes well.
Next week my other two children will be meeting with a dentist for their career meeting. I think it's wonderful that we have such thoughtful people around us that are willing to give their time to talk to kids about their careers.

I will be sure to give an update on how our career meetings go!

Posted in My Thoughts

As I read through my devotionals today I can’t help but think God is trying to tell me something. Two out of three talk about taking that very important “quiet time” out with Him. Of course I pray, many times a day in fact. However, I am really having a hard time learning how to sit quietly and still and just listen. Now this has been on my mind for about two weeks even before reading these devotionals. Hmmm, maybe He was speaking to me about this subject before today? Here are a few tidbits from two of the devotionals I read today;

 

The road to heaven can get rocky and the burdens of everyday living often seem far too heavy for our feeble frames. On our trek toward God's perfect future, we must occasionally stop ourselves on the path to again hear Jesus' quiet words: "Are you tired? Worn out? Come to me. Get away with me... walk with me... watch how I do it... Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly" (Matthew 11:28-30, The Message). With this in mind, not only does the prospect of heaven enliven our days, but the journey with Christ as Companion becomes one of joy.

 

 As Jesus’ popularity grew, crowds followed Him through the streets, the hills, they gathered along lake shores, screamed His name, touched His cloak, and even climbed trees to catch a glimpse of Him. Everyone wanted a piece of Jesus, as a mentor, teacher, friend, judge, healer, and most importantly, a Savior.

 

How did He divide His time? His Heavenly Father was His first priority - Jesus always made time for prayer. Despite a busy, demanding schedule, He seized solitude. Undisturbed, quiet meditation gave Him the spiritual strength and direction He needed to carry out His responsibilities. We need to do the same.

 

A daily quiet time is crucial. While everyone wants a piece of us, we must first give a piece to God. In return, we'll receive His peace and joy. As the Holy Spirit energizes our lives, we can effectively manage daily priorities such as our family (feeding, clothing and bonding with our kin are part of that iron clad for better or for worse vow). Next, we are responsible for any employment obligations, followed by regular maintenance of healthy friendships.

 

 

Now, believe me I desperately want this “quiet time” with Him. I need to figure out how to make it happen. I need to make this goal my top priority. Maybe some of you would be willing to share with me how you manage to fit this most important task into your daily lives. Do you wait until your hubby is home so that he can assist the children? Do you wake before everyone else and devote this quiet time in your home to Jesus? Do you wait until everyone has gone to bed? Do you have your children have quiet time during your quiet time? I would greatly appreciate any ideas. I will try to let you know what I work out and how I make it work.