Please remember my friend Leslie's precious girl as she has open heart surgery tomorrow morning. 

I cannot make the code work that she has posted on her blog so just head on over there.

I guess I'm not very good at blogging.  I let 6 months go by without a word.  Oh well.....not much to report. 

This was a very long week with a stomach bug in the house.  It started with 5 year old Connor throwing up all over his 9 year old sister Katie in the nursery last Sunday night at church (she was a helper).  My 11 year old got it tne next night, my husband had it by morning (only his was "the other end") and Jenna (16 months) started with it the next night.  I've never seen a little one throw up so much.  Poor baby!  This is a long lasting virus....Jenna is still sick today.(Sat)  I am glad that only 4 of us were affected in a big way.  A couple of the other kids had a touch of it but not the full blown 5 day sickness.

I am currently researching Tapestry of Grace because I am looking for something for the entire family to study together that is from a Biblical worldview.  I hesitate because I seem to always want to try something new and because it is pretty expensive.  I need to spend a lot of time praying about whether to invest in this or not. 

I have really let time slip by without posting.  Hopefully with the new school year starting soon I'll get back on track.

A few quick updates.  My mother in law passed away in late May.  She had a 10 month long battle with lung cancer.  She was only 55 years old. Very heartbreaking. 

Ellen is still struggling with brain cancer.  This past week she had to have her gall bladder out on top of everything else.  She can use your prayers.

We've had a nice summer and I do not want it to end.  But, it's time to get busy again soon.....

I am finally getting around to posting a picture I took on Easter Sunday.

My friend, Ellen was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week.  She had surgery on Monday and will be undergoing aggressive treatment.  The prognosis is not good but she is keeping her chin up.  She has a husband that she adores and 3 children aged 12, 9 and 1.  Please pray for her and her family.

A few entries ago I talked a little about choosing literature.  My oldest daughter is finishing 7th grade and I've begun thinking about what books I am going to require the children to read before they graduate from our homeschool.  I had a pile of books out of the library and read a few.  If anyone knows of a book that would help me in choosing literature I would love to hear about it. 

Jane Claire Lambert, author of the Five in a Row series, used Philippians 4:8 in selecting books for the manuals. 

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8

I believe this is a valid method of choosing books for young children.  Does it also apply to youth and adults?  I believe it must, at least on some level.  I wonder if there are any Bible verses out there that encourage reading that does not fit the criteria of Philippians 4:8  Is there room for reading books (particularly novels) that are "unwholesome"? 

Keepers of the Faith has an article on their website about how they choose the books they sell.  If you are struggling in this area as I am, you might want to read it.  (or not if you don't like to be further conflicted...lol)

I have Books for you: a booklist for Senior High Students out of the library.  Some of it reads like smut 101.  I have no idea what the criteria was for choosing the books in this book but I know it was Philippians 4:8!

Ideally, I could pre-read all of the books that my children want to read but this is unrealistic!  I do not have the time to do this.  I would like to be able to teach them to be discerning so they know to close a book if it is so offensive that they know they shouldn't be reading it etc. 

I would love to hear any thoughts on this.  I would also appreciate any booklists you find that may help me in my endeavor.  Do you have a must read list of books for your teens?  Please share it if you do. :)

This morning I was awake early and only 1 child was awake.  (so it was nice and quiet)  I pulled out my Bible (I wish I could say I did this every morning).  I read a nice Psalm and then was flipping toward the New testament when I came across two verses in Proverbs that caught my eye.  The first is:

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.  Proverbs 1:7a

I can guarantee that no one in the public schools is teaching that! 

The second verse is:

Labor not to be rich Proverbs 22:4a

I'd say that most people in our culture are doing this very thing.  What is the ultimate goal of parens who send their children to the school? I believe the most obvious answer to that question is to give them an "education" so they can go on to college and GET A GOOD JOB.  What is the definition of a "good job"?  A good job would be one that pays a lot of money. (not my personal opinion but one that the people I come across would agree with)  Now, I know that not everyone who sends their kids to school would agree with this, but most people (even homeschoolers) would give this as a reason for getting a good education.  We all want our children to have a good education and most probably even want their kids to have a good job.  None of us want to see our children struggle financially.  However, this verse clearly says that our goal should not be riches! 

Lay not up for yourselves treaures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:19-21

I found this this morning while looking up Matthew 6:19-21.  I only read the section on generosity, but I intend to read the rest later since it deals with worry. 

Spunky is my favorite blogger on the net.  I never miss reading what she has to say. She actually has two blogs and I read both, the posts are the same but I like to read what people have to say on both.  That said I am entering her giveaway by blogging this:

Spunky is giving away a Benz Microscope and Apologia Biology Set this week. Click Here to get the details.

This past week we were off for our April vacation.  We didn't really do much of anything special but Rob got a lot of yard work done and some things he wanted to do around the house as well.  We picked out some new furniture on Monday.  Some of it was delivered on Thursday.  We special ordered a couch to match the recliners we picked out.  I got caught up on making some Christmas cards for a rubber stamping challenge at Splitcoast stampers. 

I have been working on school planning for next year. As my older children approach high school age I have been reading a lot about homeschooling for the high school years.  I am reading Barb Shelton's Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+La and the High School Handbook by Mary Scholfield. I recommend both highly. 

I am struggling greatly in choosing materials for literature in particular.  I am hoping to blog on it soon.  In the meantime, I have been doing some reading of "classics" that I have never read.  In the past few days I have read, Flowers for Algernon, The Pearl and I'm halfway through Lord of the Flies right now.  I have Wuthering Heights, A Tale of Two Cities, some Shakespeare and a few other titles in my bookbag as well.

It's hard to believe we are getting ready to wrap up another year of homeschooling.  8 full years already!  Wow!

I haven't blogged in a while and I really don't want to get away from it.  Last week we had a missions conference at church and we were pretty busy and I just haven't felt like blogging.....here's what we've been doing.

On Friday, March 24 I had a Stampin Up party.  I dd $500 in sales and got a bunch of stuff free. woo-hoo!  On Saturday morning I had cantata practice at church.  I then came home to begin preparing food for Sunday when the missionaries that were here came to my house for lunch after church.  While I was cooking my husband took 3 of the kids on a church bowling event.  My oldest daughter (13) and her best friend were here and they helped watch the little ones so I could cook. Rob got home just after 5:30 and we headed to my parents house to celebrate my niece's 2nd birthday.  When we came home from that I finished cooking.  WHEW!  It was a long day!

On Sunday morning church didn't get out until 12:45.  We had several missionaries and another couple from our church for lunch. 

On the homeschool front, we have been rowing each week.  Last week we rowed, The Story About Ping and this week it's Madeline.  I am so glad we are using Five in a Row.  We have about 6 weeks left of school before our summer break. 

Now that the time has changed I have been thinking about getting out and doing some walking.  I was reading Pattycake's blog tonight and read this, which is very inspiring.  Check out the links in that blog entry too...some neat stuff!

Jenna has now passed the 6 month mark.  She's crawling everywhere and FAST!  She isn't quite sitting yet but she's close.  Some nights she even sleeps all the way through!  She has two teeth now too.  She is growing up so fast!!!

Jenna went to the pediatrician today.  She is 10% for height and weight.  She has dropped from 50th to 25th to 10th in height in the last few months.  Her dr. is not concerned though because her weight has been OK and my kids tend to be petite.  She weighed 13 lbs 9 oz and she's 24.5" long.  She got two shots and is cutting a tooth...she's rather fussy tonight.  I am hoping she falls asleep soon and sleeps through the night...she kept me up last night and I'm really tired!

I am a musician and there really is nothing I love more than hymns.  Pattycake recently added some piano music to her site.  It is so nice and you can download it free in itunes.  I am downloading them now.  Gorgeous.  Go to  Piano by Joel to listen or download.  If I ever figure out how to do things on my sidebar I'll add it to my page too...one of these days! 

When Rob and I went out shopping the other night we went to the Christian bookstore.  They had a hymn CD playing and I asked what it was.  It's Bart Millard's CD Hymned.   I got that for my birthday yesterday.  I like that too even though it is a totally different style.  You can listen to a sample or download (not free) from that site as well.

Yesterday I turned 38.  My husband and I were able to go out to dinner alone and do some shopping on Friday night which I really enjoyed.  We decided to go out for dessert too but the line at that place was too long so we ended up buying a Death by Chocolate cake to bring home.  I enjoyed that all weekend. It is so unlike us to purchase a dessert like that because I love to bake and it just seems silly but it was a very nice treat.

I don't know that I am any wiser now that I have completed another year but my prayer as I begin my 39th year is that I will be a better wife, a better mother and be closer to Him than ever before.

One of the older girls told me the other day that they thought Jenna was getting a tooth.  Sure enough, Erin spotted it today and her first tooth is poking through.  She is growing up so fast!!  (Now I have a record of her first tooth since I haven't even bought a baby book for her.)

I haven't blogged in several days and I don't want to lose my momentum.  I've been really tired and it's hard to get my thoughts together! 

This week we are rowing The Very Last First Time.  It is a really neat book and I have been enjoying it.  I learn so much from doing these units. It really is amazing!

Rachel (10) is doing a unit study on the Presidents.  I am really trying to figure out what Erin(11) should do next.  Will have to keep this in prayer as she does a little of this and that in the meantime.  Becca (13) is back to her usual stuff (Math-U-See, Apologia, Wordsmith Apprentice etc.). 

I ordered a few things today from Shekinah Curriculum Cellar.  They have been having awesome sales and they price match too.  I highly recommend them!!! I have placed at least 3 orders with them since December....great customer service and fast delivery. 

We are having typical dreary March weather but it's warm enough for the kids to get outside and that is so nice (except for the mud!!)

Today was our first attempt with rice cereal.  It went pretty good.  I don't have an infant high chair (I have a wooden restaurant style one).  So, I just held her on the island and fed her.  She liked it OK.  She's started crawling (commando) this week and rocking on her hands and knees.  Where is the time going??

yes....that's me....

Here is another one of her in her carseat: