I love the idea of journaling to be able to go back and see what lessons the past has.  Below is my second blog entry, right at the end of the "school year" (traditionally speaking, I guess.)  Now here we are at the big "back to school" rush, and find ourselves caught up in it.  Hey, I am not one to turn down sales on supplies!  Nothing like fresh paper, brand spanking new pencils and folders and ......all those things we have bunches of already.....if we could just find them.....LOL.  Empty Nest Mom posted some great free offers on school supplies, check them out! I did, and I will be watching my  mail box.

So anyhoo...we are enjoying our Fallish weather, and had a great time this week learning about the seasons, the tilt of the earth, equinoxes, Ecclesiastes, and a whole lot of other things that just manage to fit together somehow.  One thing ALWAYS leads to another. 

Today we had homeschool book club, and before we could go I wrote a list of the projects (cleaning) that had to be dealt with around the house on the white board.  Stuff like:  compost, feed animals, sweep, dishwasher, laundry.  Everyone pitched in and we got the house in pretty good shape before we headed to the library.  The theme of this month's book club was "mystery/detective."  My son was in charge of one activity, so we took a fingerprinting kit and after they all had pizza, and played this crazy mafia game, some of the kids got to lift their fingerprints and that was pretty cool. It COULD be an entire unit study.  The science of fingerprinting.  God's fingerprint on us.  It is just a matter of how far we want to take it........

Well, back to this "old" blog.  I keep waiting for the blog police to come and tell me this is illegal---but until they do, I plead "ignorance."   Hope you enjoy reading it, and please let me know what you think!!

Have a great day---started to say "tomorrow" but I guess tomorrow is already today.  :)

Night-night!

Nancy

 May. 19, 2005 - What did we accomplish today?

For many Mom's out there, this is the "end of the school year."  Some follow institutional methods and calendars, because it might feel safe, or familiar.  Although we have some "loose ends" to tie up because of our state statute, we personally just keep on doing what we are doing, whatever that may be!    Yesterday we had the option of going to a park day with a group of Christian Unschoolers---we have that label, but nobody really completely fits it.  We have a mom with an only child, who has Asperger's syndrome.  We have a Mom with an itty bitty girl, who is starting this journey early, this thing called homeschooling.  We have big families and small, adopted kids and "biological."  Every one of them is loved greatly, and we are all trusting the Lord for His guidance.  He will tell us which way to go, after all, He made us and He wrote the instruction manual!  Forgive my digression, but we didn't make it out to the park day.  We really had fun at the last one, but sometimes, just being home and working on being disciplined, (both Mom AND kids,) is what is needed.    ********   There are many wonderful group "happenings" for homeschool families in the Colorado Springs area, and Denver.   Big state conference coming up in June---local booksales here (just went to one last month, and found some treasures, although I didn't need any of them.....I still succumbed.)  "Too many good books, too little time."   I guess when you have a blog you can ramble and nobody cares, right?  I just want to tell you that some of my most favorite books are by Mary Hood, PhD.  "The Joyful Homeschooler" and "The Relaxed Homeschool."  I have learned so much from her about letting go and enjoying what is happening around me.  I am not so much a teacher here as I am a facilitator, and a sermon without words.  Of course, we have all been witness to some really bad sermons........God's grace covers a multitude of my sins. (Thank you Lord!)   So back to the beginning......of this entry :)  What did we accomplish today?  Mud.  Lots of mud.  We finally have been having some nice days, and for my kids that means mud.  Three sets of clothing, mud.  Lots of towels to wash.  More mud.  Sigh.  One redeeming thing, the tub is now nice and shining thanks to some creamy cleanser and a child willing to scrub it.   Oh, and the kids are nice and clean too.    ***********************   I have been blessed with a friend who is single and childless---but with a great love of kids, who has been visiting with us about once a week and being an extra pair of hands around here.  She folds laundry and other wonderful little jobs that I like to "share", and sometimes stays here while I run out for a quick Mommy errand.  It got me to thinking, about maybe starting a homeschool/friend/mentoring "thingy" getting some singles hooked up with some families and sharing some joy and duties.  I know there are "Grand-friend" programs out there, and this would be similar to that.    I heard a while back about a ministry that a woman had to Mom's in need.  She would get together a whole troup of ladies to converge on one Mom's house, and help in whatever way was needed.  Maybe after the birth of a new one, or after an illness or something else where a boost was needed.  Then they all split up according to gifts, the Mom's who loved the kitchen cleaned it up and made a few freezer meals.  Some liked to do floors, some teamed up and watched the kids.  They did what they loved to do, what they were good at.    I LOVE this idea.  The family has become so fragmented over the decades.  But God's family can come together anywhere, and be the surrogate.....no, not that.....it can be the real thing.  Just some thoughts......praying about that and seeing what God thinks.   I will let you know when I hear back. :)   Have a great day everyone.  Nancy