Well, I'm back.  We have just started school this week, and I am pretty tired.  So far we are doing:

All-in-one curriculum for The Pilgrim's Progress  (love it)

Sequential Spelling  (so far, so good)

The Fallacy Detective  (two oldest ds14, dd12)

And today I just ordered Math 7 and Algebra I from Teaching Textbooks.  I love those!

We are trying to start out the year slowly, so as not to burn everyone out. 

I am having a great time with the Pilgrim's Progress, this book is so interesting, and the extras that go with the all in one curriculum are so fun!

For science we're all just doing a little nature study.  I never have been really big on science.  I just feel sort of like I don't know where to start.  I'm kinda thinking about doing like I have heard others do, 1 year history, 1 year science.  Or 6 months/6months.  Something like that.  I have alot on my plate with all the kids.  Plus we have our house up for sale.

On top of the fact that I suffer from depression that starts every fall.  Usually hits around October or November.  I try to stay away from anti-depressants, they turn me into a zombie!

I'm thinking about getting into the local homeschool group again this year.  I have the application, just haven't filled it out, yet.

The kids enjoy it, somewhat, some of them anyway.  I, on the other hand, despise it.  I don't like the competitive nature of most of those homeschool mothers, who have to know every curriculum you use, and what level all your children are on.  Just gets really annoying to me. 

Anyways, it's good to be back!  I hope to post more often in the following weeks!

Tracy

I hate to be a scatterbrain but I just cannot get everything together these days.....  I am slacking in every area lately.  I can't seem to get groceries bought,  oh I go to the store.....sometimes more than 2 times a week, but can't seem to get everything we need, then can't seem to plan things to cook.  

I don't know what's wrong with me, I think I need a vacation, but who's gonna plan what to pack?  I don't think I'm up for the task.......

However, we have been having a great summer, doing lots of swimming and reading.  My oldest ds14 has read "The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom, and a biography of a missionary named "Eric Liddell".  He has always been such a great reader, but for a while, the only thing he would read was his Nintendo Power magazine, (cover to cover, several times).  So this summer I've just been going through the bookshelves and saying, "Here, read this, you've got two weeks."  Well, when I got that started, my youngers ds8, started devouring the Magic Tree House books.  I think he's read three or four of them within about a week.  Both the boys are like me, when they pick up a book, they can't put it down.  My girls, however, are a totally different story.  I also gave my dd12 a book, (actually I let her choose from several that I selected), well, after two weeks, she came to me and said,"can I choose another book? I just don't like that one."  So that time I chose for her, well, I think she read one chapter of the first book, and two chapters of the second book.  This child and her reading has always been like beating my head against the wall.  I try not to push, but then sometimes I think I don't push her enough.

Then, my baby, dd6, she's following in big sister's footsteps.  She knows all the sounds, she can read a word.  She can read lots of words, but just don't put them all on the same page!!!  She is very timid, so I try to stay patient and calm, but it strains my brain trying to think of ways to make it click for her.

So goes my life........we're having a wonderful time!!!

I am a slacker.  I start a new blog, and then I go and abandon it while I have a kidney stone!!!!  Oh what fun!  Anyone who has ever had one of those knows how absolutely wonderful those are......  I have had four children, the last two weighing over 10 pounds at birth, and I was in the floor crying with a little bitty kidney stone!!!  3mm.....it took me two weeks to pass it. Oh and that's not even the good news, I have THREE more!!!(So the CT scan says)  Yep, sure nuf, 2 more 2mm ones and  ........drum roll pleaseAN 8MM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't know what we're gonna do about that baby, cause the dr. says only 5-6mm are passable.  So,  not looking forward to any of that, however..........so thankful to be feeling better for now!!!

If anyone is reading this and has had this problem, (stones too big to pass), please tell me your story.  No horror stories, please....lol.....

Well, how do I start?  We are a relaxed homeschooling family of four, 2 boys and 2 girls.  We live on the outskirts of a fairly large metro area, but we're in the process now of trying to find a home further in the "country".  I would love to live on a farm, in an old farm house.  However, only me and the girls see it that way, my husband and boys like convenience, and video games, and cable tv.

We have homeschooled since the oldest was in 1st grade, which means this is the end of our 8th year!  Wow, time flies!  We always have fun, though, and I have used almost every style imaginable.  From school at home, to unschooling, and I think everything works!  I change from year to year with each child, according to what I feel they need to learn or catch up on.  I am not trying to raise geniuses, I simply want my children to know and love the Lord, and to know what it is to walk with him every day, every minute.  All the rest is icing on the cake!!!!!