Wednesday, August 27, 2008~Day 9: 

"May the Words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19:14

Words can be powerful; they can encourage someone greatly or they can severely wound someone in their spirit.  Let's guard our mouth w/ the words we let pass through our lips.  Mom too!  :)  Let's say only what is loving/kind/helpful.  Let's think on what are ways we can encourage someone w/ words today?  Write a personal letter/note/email?  Go to them and speak words of blessing.  :)   The greatest way we can use words today is to share the message of Christ...whether in person or through a letter/note/email....these Words are Life and Hope to every person who hears them.  Including ourselves.  :) 

We began our lesson time together this morning w/ Bible and Prayer  (365 Days of Celebration & Praise - Daily Devotions for Homeschooling Families)-- We learned that this week is National Veterinary Week.  In God's Holy Word in Exodus 9:1-7, we read about how the Egyptians would have probably thought they needed a Veterinarian.  Then we answered 3 discussions questions.  We pondered the Scripture, Romans 15:4, "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragment of the Scriptures, we might have hope."    Our prayer focus on Wednesdays is Women (specifically Wives and Moms).  Breanna prayed for me.  :)  I prayed for a friend in our church who's husband got a new job and will be gone during the wk. for training for the next 17 wks. and she'll be home w/ 4 children and also for another friend from our church who is expecting after 3 miscarriages, praying for Baby and her.  What a blessing when in God's Word and in prayer!  :)

Again Breanna enjoyed the quiet of her bedroom and completed most of her schoolwork this morning.     Bible— Elsie’s Life Lessons Walking In the Fruit of the Spirit~ Chapter 1-Walking in Love- Lesson 4 – Loving Others:  Read p. 23 (Began at: Loving Others) – p. 24 (Stopped after reading: Beginning when you wake up in the morning, until you go to bed at night, what are some of the things you need from the people who share your life?).  She is to meditate & memorize Scripture.  Answer study questions.  Ponder them. Pray about her own walk w/ Christ in relation to love.  Copywork—Copywork for Girl’s~ Lesson 9. History— The Chimney Sweep’s Ransom (John Wesley)~ Chapter 4~ Notebooked an Idea for Reading and Discussion.  She needs to complete all the work for this assignment tomorrow.  Science/Nature Study—A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie~ ~ Chapter 2 – Read bottom of  p. 22 (Began at: “I see such a splendid large moth,”) – p. 24.  Notebooked on caterpillars.

This afternoon, Math—w/ Jacqui at 12:10-1:30 pm.  She completed ACE Math PACE 1068 p. 36(all but the first 2 problems)  - p. 40.  While Breanna was at Math lessons,  Nathan and I did his Language Lessons for Little Ones. 

This afternoon, while I worked out at the Wellness Center, Breanna did Nathan's Little Hands to Heaven preschool lesson w/ him.  Little Hands to Heaven~Unit 2-Day 3-The Earth and the Flood.  They did the fingerplay called, Noah's Big Boat.  The Bible story (The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes)--  Read p. 28 "It Rains for Days and Days"  based on Scripture Genesis 8:8, 9 & looked at picture on p. 29 of the ark floating on the waters and a dove in the air w/ a twig in its mouth. Answered 3 discussion questions about the story. They had a great time w/ Active Exploration.  They filled our kitchen sink w/ water.  Then, they gathered various items to see if they would sink or float.  She even recorded the results on a sheet of paper for me to see. Coin: Did not float, Cotton ball: stayed up for a little bit, but then sank.  Barette: did not float, Bottle cap: Floats! Rock: did not float. Tin foil: Floats.  Block: Floats.  Plastic lid: Floats, and Spoon: did not float.  He had a Letter Activity where Nathan had a copy of the Hide and Seek 'B' page. He circled the B's.  And, then he had to trace the dotted line from the capital B to the lower case b.  There were 2 of them.  For a Bible Activity he had a copy of the Count on Me page and in each box (there were 5 of them) he drew blue oval which were raindrops. Then, he wrote the number 1 under each box.  Again they finished their fun lesson w/ The Singing Bible CD song, Noah Built a Boat.

Tonight, Breanna and I did a Grammar lesson (Simply Grammar)-- the rest of Lesson 2 on p. 7 and on p. 8. 

Tuesday, August 26, 2008~Day 8:

JESUS is our greatest treasure.  Could you imagine life if He hadn’t died on the cross in our place, rose again 3 days later, descended to heaven, never leaving nor forsaking us, living to intercede for us (see Romans 8), and coming again someday?!  J 

Think on what you truly treasure.  Does it have eternal value?  People’s souls have eternal value – each of your friends who don’t know Jesus as their Lord & Savior will spend eternity w/o Him – you can be a shining light for Jesus to all of your friends – you are a shining light – shine for Him!  J

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Matthew 6:19-21

This morning, we began our lesson time together w/ Bible and Prayer (365 Days of Celebration & Praise - Daily Devotions and Activities for Homeschooling Families)-- Today we celebrated Mother Teresa's birthday.  She was born on August 29, 1910 and died in 1997.  She shared God's love so freely in helping with or starting orphanages, homes for the dying, a leper colony, and many more projects.  Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.  We read in God's Holy Word in Matthew 5:1-12 about the meek and humble.  Then, we answered discussion questions, and pondered the Scripture Matthew 5:5- "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."  Our prayer focus today is Teen/child/baby.  Again I prayed for the salvation and then growth in Christ of a neighbor preteen boy and his 7-yr-old sister and this week I also prayed for another neighbor boy. He's a preschooler.  Lord, touch their lives in Your amazing ways and bring them to give their lives completely to You and spend the rest of their lives living to please You.  Thank You, Jesus!  :)

I had company this morning.  And, Nathan had the preschool neighbor boy that I'm praying for over in the morning and in the afternoon.  They had so much fun playing w/ all of Nathan's cars.

Daddy began his five-day stretch at work and we continued on w/ some schooling on Saturday...yes, on Saturday...  :)   Yet it's basically only for Bible & Copywork, and Nathan's Language Lessons for Little Ones.  Breanna didn't complete all of her schoolwork on Friday, so she had some of that to complete this Saturday too.

Saturday, August 23, 2008~Day 6: 

On Breanna's assignment sheet for Saturday:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus before He ascended back into heaven gave this command to us.  Jesus has forever changed our lives; we are to continually be open to God’s leading to share the Gospel w/ others and show them how He brings salvation.  J 

It was another full day on Saturday. 

In the morning,  Breanna worked on her own.  She completed Bible (Elsie's Life Lessons Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit)--  First, Friday's assignment~ Chapter 1-Walking in Love- Lesson 1 - God’s Love Makes the Difference:  Read p. 18-19 (Stop after reading “The Bible declares, “If we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us” (1 John 4:12). Chapter 1-Walking in Love- Lesson 2 – First Love: Read p. 19 (Begin at First Love) – top of p. 21 (Stop after reading “How then do you show your love to your parents?”) Scripture was:  Matthew 22:37-38, John 14:21, and 1 John 5:3. For both assignments, she notebooked answers to study questions and reflected on Scriptures(I hope. :) ). Copywork (Copywork for Girls)-- Lesson 6, Science/Nature Study (A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie)-- She finished notebooking from Friday's assignment which was about earthworms and cockshafer, and ACE Math PACE 1068-- p. 17. 

It was a busy morning, afternoon, and company over in the evening.  :)

Nathan and I did his Language Lessons for LIttle Ones in the evening after company was gone.   Lesson 6-- Introducing the Letter "A"   There was a row of letters and he had to find all the capital and lower case A's and circle them.  He found them easily.  :)

Breanna, Nathan, and I ended our time together w/ Bible & prayer late tonight.  (365 Days of Celebration & Praise - Daily Devotions and Activities for Homeschooling Families)-- Today we read about it being National Smile Week.  It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile. :)  So, let's keep smiling!  :)  We read in John 11:1-44 about how Jesus' friends, Mary and Martha, were able to change their sad faces to happy ones again.  :) Then, answered discussion questions and reflected on the Scripture John 11:25-26a--"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."  Our prayer focus on Saturdays is Salvation.  I prayed for 7 family members salvation and one of their longtime girlfriends.  What a wonderful way to end the day together!  :)

Monday, August 25, 2008~Day 7:

“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field.”  Matthew 9:37-38

One of the things I treasure w/ my children is simply visiting w/ them.  After Breanna was up this morning, she and I spent some time sitting in the living room together and chatting about a book that she is reading (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) and compared the book and the movie.  And, we talked about other books/made into movies and whether they were good or not.  I so enjoy this relaxing time of communicating w/ Breanna. :)

We began our lessons together w/ Bible and prayer.  (365 Days of Celebration & Praise - Daily Devotions and Activities for Homeschooling Families)-- Today is Friendship Day.  We read in 1 Samuel 19:1-20-20:42 about Jonathan and David's friendship.  And, we answered study questions and looked at Scripture, Proverbs 17:17a, "A friend loves at all times."  :)   Our prayer focus on Mondays is Missions.  I again prayed for a dear former college floormate of mine and her family who were missionaries in Hong Kong and just relocated to TX in mid-Aug.!  We had a praise & answered prayer this week that they found an 8-passenger van.  And, prayer for Baby #6 (They found out she's carrying Boy #6) and due in Dec.  What a joy to lift this precious family up to the Lord!  :)

Breanna completed the majority of her schoolwork this morning.  Bible (Elsie's Life Lessons Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit)-- Chapter 1 - Walking in Love - Lesson 3 - The Word of God: Read p. 21 (Begin at: The Word of God) - p. 22 (Stop after reading: Why do you think reading the bible is different from reading any othr book?)  The Scripture was:  1 John 5:3, Psalm 119:72, and Psalm 119:127-129.  Then she was to answer study questions, pray, and reflect on Scriptures.  Copywork (Copywork for Girls)-- Lesson 7.  These last 3 lessons she did in more of a hurry. I talked w/ her about slowing down and writing neatly again.  The lesson for each day is not long.  Science/Nature Study (A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie)-- Read in Chapter 2 - p. Read bottom of p. 18 (Beginning at "Auntie, come here!” ) - p. 20.  Take all the notes on Earwigs, Squirrels, and the Hummingbird.  Math (ACE PACE 1068)-- she went to Jacqui's from 12:15-1:30 pm.  And completed p. 18-26.

This morning and afternoon, Nathan and I had to go on errands.  One of the places we had to go to was the pharmacy to pick up his daddy's new inhaler.  While we were waiting in the drive thru, observant Nathan said to me,  "This is a nice building." (He'd said that when we were at the bank too. :) ) I said, "Yes, it is." Then, he said, "And, they make money too."  hee hee  On our way leaving to take Breanna to Math as we were passing by our house, he exclaimed, "Our house is pretty!" (Our newly painted Hazy Dawn--cheery yellow w/ white trim) :)  He's sooo encouraging!  I think one of Nathan's gifts is as an Encourager! He says so many thoughtful things through the day! (A very special example was on Sunday when he said to me, "You are a sweetheart." Followed by, "And you are precious and beautiful."  Then, a lil' while later as he was leaving the kitchen, he said to me w/ much feeling, "I love you, Mommy" )  :)

This afternoon, Breanna enjoyed time w/ a cousin and Nathan spent time w/ another cousin. 

Tonight, Breanna (who really enjoys working w/ preschoolers) is doing Nathan's Little Hands to Heaven preschool lesson w/ him. :)  They had a fun time w/ his Bible lesson~ Unit 2-Day 1~The Earth and the Flood.  They did a new fingerplay called, Noah's Big Boat.  The Bible story (The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes)--  Read p. 24 "Noah Builds a Big Boat"  based on Scripture Genesis 6:13-22 & looked at picture on p. 25 of Noah and one of his sons building the Ark. Answered 2 discussion questions about the story. He had a Letter Activity was of seeing the Letter B flashcard & making the motion of it and sound of it. He came to me and had to accentuate pronouncing the "B" sound for me. :)   His Bible activity was to cut out 2 hands from a magazine and he taped it on his Number 2 paper.  They listened to a new song called, Noah Built a Boat on The Singing Bible CD.

Also tonight, Breanna finished History (The Chimney Sweep's Ransom)-- Chapter 3 - Notebooked Ideas for Discussion and Writing and Reading Activity: Fact and Opinion.

Daddy is home on Thursdays and Fridays every week, so we had the added blessing of his presence w/ our lessons yesterday and today.  :) 

Thursday, August 21, 2008~Day 4:  

At the top of Breanna's assignment sheet, I wrote:   Having a heart that is thankful can easily change our perspective.  We can be greatly discouraged, yet when we start thinking on what we are thankful for or simply thanking God for who He is, our heart is transformed; we are greatly encouraged!  Today, with our main focus on being Thankful, let us write a list of at least 10 things that we are thankful for.  Let's thank God continually!  :)

"Be joyful always; pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

How ironic that our day started out w/ the above focus, then once everyone was up for the day, we were under spiritual attack.  It was a very rough morning for all.  I called on my prayer partner to pray for us; she and I prayed on the phone & she said she would continue praying for us through the day.  I know, that God immediately began answering our prayer even if it wasn't happening in the physical yet.  :)  We still did get some of our homeschool accomplished in the morning.  Breanna worked on her own first.  She wrote her Thankful list of 10 things. Copywork (Copywork for Girls)-- Lesson 4. History (The Chimney Sweep's Ransom)-- Chapter 2 - Notebooked all of the following~ Ideas for Discussion and Writing, Reading Activity: Compare and Contrast, and Extension Activities.  Science/Nature Study (A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie)-- Read p. 14-15(stop at all the stars across the page) and notebooked on snails.  Then, since Breanna didn't meet w/ Jacqui for Math on Monday, she met w/ her at 12-1 pm.  She completed ACE Math PACE 1068 p. 11-16. 

In the meanwhile also this morning,  Nathan and I enjoyed having Daddy watch us do our fingerplay, Adam and the Animals, during Nathan's Little Hands to Heaven preschool lesson. :)  Unit 1-Day 4~Creation and the Fall.  Our Bible story (The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes)--  Read p. 20 "Adam and Eve Disobey God"  based on Scripture Genesis 3:8-13 & looked at picture on p. 21 of Adam and Eve having to leave the garden of Eden.   I took a long white scarf and laid in in a straight line on the living room floor pretending it is a snake.  Nathan practices jumping over the snake.  Then, he jumps forward, backward, and sideways, and I'm wiggling "the snake" at him and he's trying to "run away" from the snake.   Nathan had a Letter Activity where he had 2 large A's w/ 2 small a's and he had to connect the lines of dots between each to the other A.  He sat down w/ such enthusiasm when he has "his" worksheets to do.  :)  We listened and sang along to a new song called, Two Trees (based on the 2 trees in the garden), onThe Singing Bible CD.   Then,  he and I worked on Language Lessons for Little Ones-- Lesson 4 - For Narration - He had to listen to the poem again from Wednesday called The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson.  His answers to the questions are so precious.  :) Have you ever played on a swing? (At first it was, no, but then more prompting...) "Yeah"  When asked what it was like, he said, "High in the sky like air."  And, to what it feels like, "I love it!" When asked if he could pump his legs yet, he was jumping up & down and said, "I can't pump my legs yet."  And, the color of the swing where he likes to swing, "Ummm...Yellow" (I'm not sure if that's really the color. :))  And, where it is located is "At the park, Mommy.  It's just like a park."  :)

This afternoon, Breanna spent time at the library researching Alaska (a delight directed project- based on our talking about Alaska in our Bible time on Wednesday) and spent time writing a report this evening on it.  :)

Due to this morning's difficulties and other activities this afternoon, this evening after Dad and Mom got home from a fundraiser for a State House candidate at a dear friend's house (great fellowship, btw!),  Nathan and I enjoyed a couple more activities from in his Little Hands to Heaven preschool Lesson 4 - For a Bible Activitiy, he and I spent time looking through Country magazines for a tree, then we cut one out and taped it to a new worksheet he had w/ a Number 1 on it.  It is so cute-his concentration when he was deciding where to put the tree on the Number 1 worksheet and when he was putting it on.  :)  That was fun~God has such beauty in His nature.   :)  And, then, he and I listened toThe Singing Bible CD song, God's Promise (His promise is to send His Son.).

Breanna spent time doing her Bible lesson (Elsie's Life Lessons Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit)-- Walking in Love - Lesson 1 - God's Love Makes a Difference:  Read p. 16-17. She notebooked answers to study questions and reflected on Scriptures.

Breanna and I also had a lesson to do together.  It is now 10-something pm ~ flexibility is the name of the game~ she and I did her oral narration grammar lesson from Simply Grammar - We did Exercise 1 on p. 5.  She enjoyed coming up w/ the subjects in a few sentences and coming up w/ what they were doing in some of the sentences. 

This is my first time really doing narration w/ Breanna and Nathan.  I'm really liking this!  :)

We ended our time together(Breanna, Nathan, and I) with Bible and prayer.  (365 Days of Celebration and Praise  - Daily Devotions for Homeschooling Families by Julie Lavender)-- It is Truck Driver's Week. Then, we discussed how in the Bible they only had walking, riding in chariots, riding on animals such as horses, donkeys or camels, no truck drivers to help anyone do a task.  We learn of how the Philistines wanted to retun the stolen Ark of the Lord and how they were able to take care of their predicament by reading in 1 Samuel 4:1b-18, 5:1-6:21.  My kids struggled w/ wanting to sit there through this long one, however interesting Teacher Mom tried to make it :),  and it was interesting to me, yet we made it through.  :)  Our prayer focus on Thursday is The President (catch that, "The" to go w/ Thursday... hee hee... Breanna had thought of that one.)  and other candidates/officials.  We spent time praying for The President George W. Bush.   

And, a wonderful ending to the day,  Breanna and Nathan spent time together doing a fun activity.  They took time browsing through Country magazines and cut out beautiful pictures of flowers and made a collage for Grandma.  Then, they searched for animals and made a collage for me.  :)  What a delight to see them enjoying each other and being creative.  :)

Friday, August 22, 2008~Day 5:

Our Main focus today:

We put our faith, our trust in someone or something all day long.  Who/what are you putting your faith in?  The Lord is the only One who is perfect in all His ways and will never let us down.  I pray you are placing your trust completely in Him moment by moment.  And, then in turn, are giving complete Faithfulness to Him. 

This morning, Breanna did her lessons by herself first.   She completed her Copywork  (Copywork for Girls)-- Lesson 5.  History (The Chimney Sweep's Ransom)-- Completed the Vocabulary work and read Chapter 3.  Science/Nature Study (A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie)-- Chapter 2 - Read p. 15 (After all the stars across the page) - towards bottom of p. 18.  Notebooked on moles. 

At the same time, Nathan and I did his Little Hands to Heaven preschool--  Unit 1-Day 5~Creation and the Fall.  Our Bible story (The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes)--  Read p. 22 "Cain Kills Abel"  based on Scripture Genesis 4:8-13 & looked at picture on p. 23 of Abel w/ a lamb and Cain- w/ stalks of grain.  He had fun doing Active Exploration:  I would tell him a phrase, "I'm angry."  "I'm so sleepy" "I'm really sad." "I'm so excited!" and after each phrase he had to show me the different expressions. This was fun for me too.  :)  His Letter Activity was to make a letter A with an ice cube on a piece of construction paper~cold, wet, and fun.  His Bible activity was to act out being angry w/ and mean to 2 of his stuffed animals and then walked away from them.  Then, he came back and said he was sorry and worked through angry feelings and made things all right w/ them. He said we are to "Love."  :)  I am so enjoying teaching him!  :)  We listened and sang along to a new song called, Cain and Abel (which Sister joined us towards the beginning of the song : ) ) on The Singing Bible CD. 

Later this morning, Breanna, Nathan, and I had Bible and prayer time. (365 Days of Celebration & Praise - Daily Devotions and Activities for Homeschooling Families)-- It is Liquid Soap Anniversary--it was first patented today in 1865 by William Shepphard.  We read in Psalm 51:1-17 the reasons King David was led to pray about being made clean.   Our prayer focus on Fridays is Friends/Family.  I prayed for a dear long time friend and her family who are going through a difficult time and had a special situation going on specifically this day.  Time in God's Holy Word and prayer is to me~the central focus of our day.  :)

And, still this morning,  Breanna and I did her oral narration for Grammar (Simply Grammar)-- the 2nd page of Exercise 1 on p. 6.  I liked her answer for: My new book --- she said, "grew wings and flew away."  :)

After Daddy, Nathan, and I were gone out of town this afternoon and into evening,  Breanna and I had Mom/Daughter time watching a premiere movie.  Tonight, Nathan and I did his Language Lessons for Little Ones-- Lesson 5 - Introducing the Letter "A" - For Copywork - he had to look at the capital "A "and copy it on the line 2 times, and do the same w/ the lower case "a".

It's been a very full week and it's only the beginning of the school year...yet I wouldn't have it any other way! (well, unless, God told me to. )  :)

"May Your unfailing love come to me, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your promise;" Psalm 119:41

I received a phone call just after 8 this morning that my hubby's gatorade leaked all over his lunch in his cooler, so I had to make a run to pick up McDonald's and take him lunch at 11 am.  Maybe he just wanted McDonalds??  :)

Day 3:   

On the top of Breanna's assignment sheet today I wrote our main focus as Words:

Words can be powerful; they can encourage someone greatly or they can severely wound someone in their spirit.  Let’s guard our mouths w/ the words we let pass through our lips.  Mom too!  J  Let’s say only what is loving/kind/helpful.  Let’s think on what are ways we can encourage someone w/ words today?  Write a personal letter/note/email?  Go to them and speak words of blessing.  J  The greatest way we can use words today is to share the message of Christ…whether in person or through a letter/note/email….these Words are Life and Hope to every person who hears them.  Including ourselves.  J

This morning, at breakfast, three-year-old Nathan said to me, "When I am done w/ my school can I do such and such"  It was so cute to hear him say, "when he was done w/ his school."  :)

We began our day w/ Bible (365 Days of Celebration & Praise - Daily Devotions for Homeschooling  Families by Julie Lavender)  ~ we read about Alaska Discovered --in 1741 and then in the 1850's Russia sold it to the United States for very little money.  It was a very good decision for the U.S.  We also read in Acts 5:1-11 about a couple who sold their property and were not honest in doing it--they had drastic consequences.  Our prayer time together hasn't happened yet.   Due to various interruptions. 

Breanna has done much better w/ her notebooking today.  :)  I know, she wants to go to the pool and see her friends!  :)  She did her Copywork (Copywork for Girls) -- Lesson 3,  History (The Chimney Sweep's Ransom) -- Complete the Vocabulary work and read Chapter 2, Science/Nature Study (A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie) -- Read Chapter 1- p. 11-13 and wrote in notebook all about  flies.  In the midst of this, Nathan and I were next door at Grandma and Grandpa's & I also had my run to McDonald's and out to hubby's work.  Then, Breanna had Math w/ Jacqui at 12-1 pm.  She did ACE Math PACE 1068 p. 5-10.

And, guess where Breanna went from there??  Yes, she is at the pool again and enjoying her friends. 

Nathan and I did his Little Hands to Heaven preschool lesson this afternoon -- Unit 1-Day 3~Creation and the Fall.  During our fingerplay about "Aa" "Aa" "Aa" "A-dam"  Nathan did the actions w/ me today. :)  Our Bible story (The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes)-- "  Read p. 18 God Makes Adam and Eve" & looked at picture on p. 19 based on Scripture Genesis 2:7-9.  We acted out a Bible story of the creation of Adam and Eve.  At the end, Nathan who was sitting on the couch when we were acting out this Bible story, said, "I'm gonna lay on Adam."  LOL!  We thanked God for making us.  :)  Again, we listened and sang along to The Singing Bible CD song, God Made the Universe.  It's a cute and fun lil' song!  For a Letter Activity I drew a large "A" on a piece of paper and then we had to find an "o" shaped cereal and glue it on the letter "A".  We had to improvise.  We couldn't find the glue, so we rolled up pieces of tape.  The cereal was Marshmallow Oaties (which Nathan proceeded to dump the box on the floor to find the marshmallows) and then he had fun sticking them all over his large letter "A"~he wanted more!  LOL!

Nathan and I also did Language Lessons for Little Ones this afternoon-- Lesson 3-Poetry Appreciation & Narration.  He listened to me read the poem The Swing by Robert Louis Stevenson.  Then, he had to answer 2 questions.  His answer to how the poem makes him feel,  "Good. And, I like it. (big smile)"  And, what he thinks of when he listens to it, "Going way up high"  :)

Now, I have some Marshmallow Oaties cereal to sweep up.....   :)

"I will sacrifice a freewill offering to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good."  Psalm 54:6

I'm happy that our home is being painted a pretty, cheery yellow!   And, I'm even more thankful that God blessed us when last night Lowe's let us return our way too bright shade of yellow (Top Banana) for a lighter shade of yellow(Hazy Dawn).  It looks much better.  It will have white trim w/ it.

We began our official 1st week of the new school year yesterday~YAY!  It's hard to believe that Breanna is in 8th Grade & finishing her last year of middle school and that Nathan is in his 1st yr. of preschool (3-4 yr. old).  We are easing into school. 

Monday, August 18, 2008~Day 1: As it is the 1st day of school, I was led to make our main focus today as JESUS is to be #1 in our hearts and minds and lives.  Over the next couple weeks, we will be working on a Prayer Box  for prayer praises and requests which we will use each day.  We began w/ Bible time (Using the book, 365 Days of Celebration & Praise - Daily Devotions for Homeschooling Families by Julie Lavender.  Today we read about the Klondike Gold Rush Begins --this week in 1896 & we read in Acts 3:1-16 about a "prospector" who when meeting Peter and John, Jesus' disciples, found something worth way more than gold. ) & prayer (We have a central focus for each day: on Mondays it's Missions and we pray for missionaries or a mission each week.  I have at least one that I am praying for--a (longtime friends of mine/the wife is a former college floormate of mine) missionary family who just this passed wkend made a big move from Hong Kong to TX-- and Breanna is to choose one too (Nathan will too as time goes on.)  

Breanna did Copywork (Copywork for Girls by Sandi Queen)--Lesson 1, History(The Chimney Sweep's Ransom-John Wesley- by Dave & Neta Jackson)-- Complete the Vocabulary work and read Chapter 1, Science/Nature Study (A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie by B.E. Wright)-- Chapter 1- Read p. 3-top of p. 7.  did notebooking on Spiders, and a 10-minute oral narration lesson for Grammar (Simply Grammar Revised by Karen Andreola) w/ me--I enjoyed this!  Words put together that make sense form a sentence. :), and she took ACE Math PACE 1067 test at home (as Jacqui was sick).  

Nathan's preschool lessons (Little Hands to Heaven by Carrie Austin)-- Unit 1- Day 1~ Lesson on Creation and the Fall was fun~Sister even wanted to be part of it all!  Our 1st theme is the Days of Creation and God making the Universe, and learning the "Aa" sound of  the letter A .  I like the little fingerplay that I do,  "Aa" "Aa" "Aa" "A-dam".  And, God creating various animals and the actions that the animals do.  His Bible lesson is in The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes by Kenneth N. Taylor which correlates w/ his curriculum.  Today's Bible study we read on p. 14 "God Makes the World " and looked at picture of the world and colors of darkness turning into light on p. 15. Scripture based on Genesis 1:2-5.   During the lesson when Nathan was to color w/ a white crayon on white paper, he said that he wanted to draw letters and proceeded to write an "H"  :)  and then a "T".  :)   I really like his danceable song from The Singing Bible CD (from Focus on the Family), God Made the Universe. 

Breanna was able to do be done w/ all lessons by 1 pm, so she could enjoy time at the swimming pool w/ her friends.  This is the last week that the pool will be open.  This is a very important factor!  :)  In the afternoon, Nathan was able to go w/ Grandpa to play w/ his cousin-Nolan. 

In late afternoon, we received a UPS package~YAY!  We got Breanna's Bible studies (I had a Bible study for her already, but decided I wanted to start her on a different one before I have her do this one.) and her Art & Music books/CDs, plus a few books for Teacher Mom.  :)

Tuesday, August 19, 2008~Day 2:  Our main focus is JESUS is our greatest treasure.  What are we treasuring each day~is it of eternal value? Beginning w/ Bible and prayer (In 365 Days of Celebration & Praise - Daily Devotions for Homeschooling Families by Julie Lavender, we read about the Hurricane Season and then we read in Jonah 1:1-2:10 about Jonah's adventures w/ a "mighty wind"...complete w/ my rocking my three-year-old boy in my arms showing how the boat Jonah was on kept rocking back and forth and was about to break in two!  They didn't know what was causing this!.... :)  Tuesday's central focus is Treasures.  And, we prayed for a teen/child/baby.  I have a neighbor boy and girl that I'm praying for. 

Breanna is struggling w/ wanting to write exactly what is asked of her in her notebooks (I want the date, what is being read, the chapters & page numbers, and lesson for that day.  It is needed especially to show what is done for each day in her records.) and listening to Mom.   Or I should say, Teacher.  :)  However, Teacher Mom can make a fair deal:  if it isn't done correctly as asked she will not be able to go w/ her friends to the pool this afternoon.  :)   

Breanna:   Read the Introduction and How to Use this Study Guide (her new Bible study book, Elsie's Life Lessons Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit), Copywork (Copywork for Girls)-- Lesson 2, History (The Chimney Sweep's Ransom)-- Using the Study Guide for Chapter 1~she notebooked Ideas for Discussion and Writing, and she notebooked Reading Activity: Setting, Science/Nature Study (A Nature Walk with Aunt Bessie)-- She finished notebooking all about Spiders from yesterdays' assignment and She continued in Chapter 1-Reading from top of p. 7-top of p. 11.  Then, she notebooked all about Swallows, and she went to Jacqui's for Math from 12-1 this afternoon (ACE Math PACE 1068)-- she completed p. 1-4 after discussing her Test 1067 and the errors she had on it.   And, I just remembered that she didn't get her 10-min. oral narration for Grammar done w/ me yet.  So, later this afternoon or evening.   And, at 1 pm, she was off to enjoy time w/ friends and at the pool before it closes.

It was cute how just before Nathan's preschool lesson, Nathan said,  "Aa" "Aa" Aa" A-dam" remembering it from yesterday.  :)

Nathan's preschool today:  Unit 1 - Day 2~ his lesson Creation and the Fall and he had more on the "A." Breanna was again a part of the activities.  She's so good w/ children.  She read his Bible lesson(The New Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes) Read p. 16, Everyone is Happy based on the Scripture Genesis 1:1 and looked at the picture on p. 17 of the Garden of Eden and various animals there.  He had to draw circles using various colors and then we looked around the house to find different items that were those various colors.  He had a lot of blues and purples.   This afternoon, he and I played outside w/ this little ball in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard(Grandpa & Grandma live right next door) and then we decided to take a walk and he and I were on a hunt for bunnies and kangaroos.  :)   It is a warm one outside today, so he and I came back inside and had some ice cream. mmmmm.....  He and I had to finish his Little Hands to Heaven preschool lesson for today, so he spent time drawing a caterpillar in five different boxes on a worksheet & then we had to count them and write the number under the box.  He really had fun doing this!  Then, we wrapped it up w/ listening to his The Singing Bible CD song, God Made the Universe.  I so enjoyed singing w/ him to the song and it was a delight hearing him sing some of the days of creation and what happened on them.  I had also got for Nathan Language Lessons for Little Ones by Sandi Queen.  We didn't get to Lesson One yesterday which was Picture Study and Narration of the painting Blackberry Picking by James Clarke Hook, so we did that this afternoon and then we followed w/ Lesson Two~ Narration (of the Blackberry Picking painting).  It was so fun hearing him tell me who he thinks the boy and woman could be in the painting("Nathan and Mommy"), and how they got there(he said, "They walked there!") What do you think they are going to do next? ("They are hugging.")  :) 

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."  Psalm 107:1

I mentioned that in one of Nathan's Bibles he likes me to read The Burning Bush.  In another one of his Bibles he likes me to read the Story of Creation.  He knows this so well that he "reads" parts of it w/ me; I enjoy this so much!  We've had so much fun w/ reading together!  I so delight in his enthusiasm and exclaiming over the books we were reading & the parts in them that he liked.  :)

I have had clear moments this week where the Lord just really touched on my heart of where I could see why I am home w/ my children and why I am homeschooling them.  I am so blessed to have them and so blessed to be able to homeschool them.  :)

On Monday,  Breanna and Nathan walked to the library (only a block away) and had a great time picking out new books for him together!   I was able to get a great photo of her and him sitting together on our recliner w/ her reading to him~precious moments.  On Monday,  I got thoroughly involved in extensive research on artists and composers; it was fascinating! And, I decided on Breanna's Art & Music curriculum.  She will be using Harmony Fine Arts Program for 8th Grade.  She will begin these extra subjects in the coming weeks.

Breanna & I had a fun time school shopping  on Tues. evening.  It's exciting get all new notebooks, folders, new sneakers, etc.  even for Mom!  :)  When we got home, Nathan met us at the door and he said to me, "Hi Mom!  I missed you!"  Ahhhh, it does my  heart so good!  :)

I haven't mentioned before one of Breanna's extra curricular activities is to go to another church in town (Westside Church of Christ) on Wednesday evening for Kid's Nite.  And, during the summer, they have special activities.  This passed Wed. was Summer Olympics and they played several special games and she had a blast! 

Breanna went to math lessons w/ Jacqui on Tuesday-Thursday this week and she is moving steadily along.  She finished the pre test for PACE 1067 and she is to take 1067 Test on Monday. 

She is really relishing these last days w/ her friends before the pool closes and before school starts.  Public school doesn't start here 'til August 27, and we're easing into school this next week or so.  She'll still be able to enjoy them; that's a high priority, you know!  :)

Yesterday, we went on our first field trip of the new school year as a family.  We journeyed about 45 minutes away and viewed the traveling Vietnam wall.  Breanna took notes in her brand new Field Trip notebook and she will write a report on someone involved in the Vietnam War.  We also took photos and we'll have to put them up soon.  I was surprised how as I was reading I had to swallow and choke back the tears as I was so moved, especially when reading of how when the Vietnam soldiers returned after fighting that many of them were told to put civilian clothes on again in the airport and I recall reading before of badly they were treated when they returned.  They fought for our freedom!  We must respect their defending us! 

A cool side note:  the town where the traveling Vietnam Wall was located is where my cousin-Melissa and her family live, so we had a great time visiting w/ them afterwards and into the evening.  :)

"Teach me, O LORD, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.  Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and obey it with all my heart.  Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight.  Turn my heart toward Your statues and not toward selfish gain.  Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word."  Psalm 119:33-37

Michael is on his Monday at work, Breanna is off at the pool w/ friends,  and Nathan just began watching his movie, CARS, (actually he's watching previews right now).  

I am enjoying a nice tall glass of raspberry ice Crystal Light.  And, I thought I'd share our homeschool happenings this week and our upcoming plans.

Breanna was keeping on track in doing her math w/ Jacqui on Monday-Wednesday this week.  On Tues.  she took 1066 test & got another A!  YAY!!  Then, she proceeded to do almost 12 pages in her next PACE w/ NO ERRORS!!  I am so proud of her!!  :)  For her reward, she, her "little sister", and I went to the movie, Wall E, on Tuesday evening.  An added blessing is at this theatre it only cost $.99 per person to see it.  It is a cute and funny movie. 

Three-year-old Nathan continues to amaze me w/ the things he says and does.  He'll tell me something and say,  "I have an idea, how about we...does that sound like a good plan?"  :)  I've also discovered that he's got a great sense of humor!   He'll say, "You know, what dad said..." precides to tell me and then he laughs and laughs.   On Tues. morning, he and I were next door out on Grandpa and Grandma's back patio w/ them and chitchatting about Nathan's new NASCAR bed(we traded a 27-inch TV we no longer use for it).  I was telling Grandpa about how the previous owner had used a power washer on it & Michael took it apart to drain the water out & Grandpa said, "oh, is it a water bed?"  Nathan said, "A water bed!  hee hee"  That was the funniest notion to him!  LOL!  It gave us all a good laugh!  :)

On Thurs. morning, I just had to spend time reading w/ my little guy before Michael and I were on the road.  It's so precious to hear him say, "Jesus'" or "disciples" and of course,  I had a little sing songy Row Row Row Your Boat.    :)   Michael & I enjoyed time away at our state fair.  We also had a great time seeing Michael W. Smith(-blessed worship! He sang some songs from his brand new live worship album coming soon.  And, he prayed over all of us too!), Natalie Grant(a powerful voice!), and Matthew West(what a goof! He even spontaneously made up a song for us & referred to our pork chops on a stick! LOL!) in concert at the fair on Thurs. night.  And, Nathan had lots of fun w/ Grandpa & Grandma B.  :)

We are getting down to the wire w/ the start of the new school year.  Woo hoo!  I am getting excited!   This next week,  final preparations w/ lesson plans (Art, Music, and Bible), pick up some more materials, also go school clothes shopping & get kid's materials.  Oh, I also, need to call about the homeschooling group, also homeschool support w/ another homeschooling friend, write out homeschool plans for school records, etc.  9 days and counting.....

"All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what He has done.  Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in Him; let all the upright in heart praise Him!"  Psalm 64:9-10

Breanna and her daddy are having a date this morning.  Nathan is occupied w/ some cartoons (he hasn't watched any this morning 'til now, so I'm not feeling too guilty, yet...anyway... :) ).....

On Sunday, Nathan discovered a beautiful large orange and black butterfly inside our house!  The butterfly was on our front door inside our enclosed front porch.  I took a couple photos of Nathan watching it in fascination. 

Breanna got back from our longtime friends on Monday around noon.  She was all excited about VBS (played the entire VBS CD right then and there & showed me the dance moves) and talked about the children at VBS, her time w/ our friends, and in the city they live~she had a blast!  I was most encouraged by the great Christian influence our friends and their children had on Breanna.  :)

She got back in the groove w/ her math lessons w/ Jacqui on Tuesday through Thursday this week.  Although she would've liked to put if off indefinitely.  :)  She worked diligently each day and is almost half way through 6th Grade math.  :) 

Breanna has unofficially  "adopted" a 7-yr-old neighbor girl as her "little sister."  This little girl wants to be w/ Breanna a lot of the time and Breanna makes time for playing w/ her and shares the clothes she's grown out of and toys she no longer plays w/.  She and her brother are starting to go to church w/ us.  May she and her brother and their family come to know the Lord.

A major answer to prayer:  yesterday in the mail, we received Breanna's missing standardized test scores!!  She took her testing back in the second week of April and usually receives the scores by June.  We still hadn't received them by the end of July and I talked w/ the lady where she took the testing and discovered the tests had been lost!  I began praying and my prayer partner-Susan and I prayed on Tuesday night for them to be found before the first day the public school starts.   God hears and answers!  Thank You, Lord!!  :)

Nathan and I had a fun time building a castle, and a large home, etc. w/ his legos...he works so intently building...and stacking most anything... a future architect?  :)

Reading continues to be such a joy to me personally and reading to Nathan.  On Thursday,  he narrated the story of The Burning Bush to his daddy for me.  It was such a delight to hear him sharing in his own words and esp. from a Bible story.  He is such a sponge soaking in the words and what is happening. I like when he points and asks, what is that word?  And, that word? , etc. And, we talk through each word. 

Last night, when Michael and I got home from a date, Nathan and I spent some time reading in his brand new books from the library(Sister and him had went to the library yesterday).  One of the books was called,  Row, Row, Row Your Boat  (as told and illustrated by Iza Trapani). It was a sing songy book~I loved that book!  I read(or sang) it three times last night. hee hee 

And yes, I've read/sang it today too. hee hee hee

"O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth.  I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old--- what we have heard and know what our fathers have told us.  We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done.  He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which He commanded our forefathers to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.  Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands." Psalm 78:1-7

It is a beautiful, mostly blue skies day.   Nathan and I took a walk in late morning and played at the park.    This afternoon, I enjoyed having my sis-Beth visit W/O KIDS here!  Nathan was gone playing w/ one of his cousins.

This is Michael's weekend to work, so today was his Monday.  Breanna is gone this week.  She is w/ longtime family friends 'til Monday.  They are a family w/ 10 kids, w/ 5 at home now.  One of the daughters is only 3 weeks younger than Breanna and they have known each other all their lives.  (I've known the parents for 25 years.)  Breanna was helping w/ VBS at their church this week.  She is great w/ little kids!  And, having lots of fun w/ our friends!

So, Breanna had a break from Math.  :)  And, from us. :)

Nathan and I spent time reading, as usual.  Our normal routine is for us to read in one of his Bibles and THEN read other books.  In one of this Bibles he is always wanting me to read The Burning  Bush.  I like that there is a Bible story that he is drawn to.  He is wanting to know what more and more words are.  :)  He wanted to spell his name w/ his little wooden blocks.  I love his inquisitive nature...well, usually.   :)

The best part.   When I hold him he'll sometimes say, "This is the best part."  Ahhh, he knows how to melt my heart.  :)  Nathan waking up yesterday morning and he and I hugging tight and his saying, "You're a nice mom.  You're a nice mom."  He is so thoughtful!

On Wednesday, I did some lesson planning.  I'm also working on getting a new schedule and cleaning routine.  The planning is the easy part.   :)  I am looking forward to this new school year w/ almost all Charlotte Mason-style living books approach, also Nathan's first formal preschool year, and other new experiences that the Lord has in store for us. 

"How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in You."  Psalm 31:19