Sep. 7, 2006 - Starting over again

Guess what? I'm changing curriculum again! I had everything planned out for this year, but I don't like it (neither do the kids) so I'm changing it. That's the beauty of homeschooling. If something isn't working, you don't have to keep doing it. (Unless you've spent 165.00 on it) I almost did that. But since I didn't actually have the money to throw away, I decided to download the SAMPLES and try it for a week or two. You really can't know if a program is going to work for you until you actually use it in your home for a few days. I think everyone should give a week's sample of their curriculum to try before you buy! I've purchased way too many programs only to find after a week or two that they really aren't what I wanted after all. Of course, I'm the type of person who will read 15 recipes and then make up my own. I usually end up doing the same thing with curriculum. But I always think I'm going to find that perfect program that suits everyone's needs precisely. Perhaps that is presumptuous.

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Jul. 21, 2006 - Back to School?

Somebody help me here. Does it seem the summer gets shorter and shorter every year? Why are we having "back to school" sales in early July? I already missed Walmart's sale on markers and paper! I almost feel the summer has evaporated altogether.

I guess it's just like any other season of life. Before you know it, it's over. I'm learning to cherish the "now" moment though. As C. S. Lewis says, the present moment is our only connection with eternity.

God is NOW!

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Jul. 12, 2006 - Update

I realized it has been almost three months since I last posted a blog entry. That's pretty bad. It's kind of like scrapbooking. You can't keep up with it all the time. At least I can't. Life has me in circles sometimes.

May was baseball and finishing up school. Also my sister visited which was awesome. We must have talked for 5 to 6 hours a day and didn't exhaust any one subject!

We had family vacations, etc all through June. Mountains, cousins, mining for gems, smores, grandparents, putt putt, swimming... ah the life.

My husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary at the end of June! We shipped the kids off to friends and family and had two nights all to ourselves. That was awesome.

Now it's almost the middle of July! My youngest has tuned three!!! Yeah!!!!! We celebrated her birthday in style at Chuck E. Cheese's. We have another daughter with a birthday later this month AND stop by and wish my sister a happy birthday on Friday. I won't tell you how old she is.

So all in all it's been a great summer so far. I would like to share one book recommendation: Romancing Your Child's Heart by Monte Swan. This is one of the best books I've ever read. It so inspired me. I made my Mom read it while she was visiting. She loved it. It's a great book to get you excited about homeschooling again and just about loving your kids.

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Apr. 18, 2006 - What is this world coming to?

A librarian can't recommend a book without being accused of harassment and hate speech?! I read the book "The Marketing of Evil" upon the recommendation of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's recent article. I highly recommend it. It is one of the most eye-opening books I've read - a little scary in fact; which is why I suppose some do NOT like it. They would rather our eyes be blinded and our voices silenced. God, have mercy on this fallen world.

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Apr. 17, 2006 - Our Secret Garden

We found a beautiful garden downtown. It's actually a cemetery with large, white tombstones scattered throughout. The girls were enraptured at the sight of it, and convinced me to let them change into fancy dresses after violin lessons and go to the garden and take pictures. I'm so glad we did. I had no idea such a beautiful place was just minutes from our house. Here are a few photos. If you want to see them all go to dropshots.com/faithsmom

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Apr. 12, 2006 - Exchange City

My oldest girls are participating in Exchange City this year in May. We have been preparing for this by studying economics. I'm really thankful for being "forced" to study this subject. It is fascinating. We checked out "Whatever Happened to Penny Candy?" from the library (this is a great book), and Exchange City provided us with a curriculum as well. The kids learn how to write checks and keep a check register. They have group meetings before the all day event in which they will decide laws for the city, choose a mayor and interview for the jobs they will have. They will earn money which they can spend in the shops and snack bar. They have to learn how to manage their money and run a business.

I'm so excited about doing this. The girls are planning which business they want to run, etc. My oldest wanted to bring her computer and printer and make personlized signs and greeting cards to sell in her "store." She is such an entrepreneur. I'll keep you updated.

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Apr. 5, 2006 - Maidens of Virtue

I recently purchased Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald. Since I have 4 girls, I thought this would be a good way to train them how to be ladies. I started a group with two other moms and their girls. They come over once a week for some Mother-Daughter time. The girls take turns making a snack for everyone and they also take turns performing some sort of talent. My girls play the violin and the piano and sing. They are also very dramatic so we don't have to look far for entertainment. :-) Then we read a chapter out of the book and discuss it. There are questions at the end of each chapter for this purpose.

At first, the girls were hesitant to open up and discuss things in the group, but now that we've been meeting together for a few weeks, they have gotten more open. There are Scriptures to read and discuss as well as projects that could be done during the week. All in all I've been very happy with this study. It's a great way to connect with my girls, and my friends' girls, on a level that I wouldn't otherwise have. And my girls learn how to function in a group with adults and children together - something that doesn't always happen in our segregated culture - and they also learn from the other moms when they contribute to the discussions.

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Mar. 30, 2006 - Return to blog world

I've been away from my blog for so long! I have been trying to get organized (life-long quest) and prioritize and get some other projects done. I don't know if I've succeeded, but I just wanted to say to all my fellow bloggers - I'm still here. I'll try to post something more meaningful in the next few days. How do you wonder women find time to get it all done? With 5 kids each running in different directions - even one activity per kid is more than I can keep up with - church, homeschool, husband, keeping house, having a prayer life, much less my "own" projects (writing, making videos, blogging), I haven't figured out yet how to maximize my time in every area. I've tried flying and various methods of organization. This is something I am really praying about and asking God for wisdom on. I need to find ways of investing in things which bring me more time and money instead of taking them away. Any ideas???? Words of Wisdom???

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Mar. 8, 2006 - Confessions of a Victorious Saint p. 1

 Confessions of a Victorious Saint

 

 

Mercy will surround me because I trust in the Lord. (Psalm 32:10)

 

I will receive imperishable crowns of glory and of life.

 

I have treasures in heaven.

 

I will be glad and rejoice in the Lord.

 

I have the grace and favor of Almighty God on my life.

 

Everything I do will prosper. (Ps. 1)

 

I will hear the voice of the Lord and accept his direction and plans, which are perfect.  (Is.30:21, Jer.)

 

I will trust in the Lord, and he will direct me.  (Prov. 3:5-6)

 

I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus.

 

I have everything I need for life and godliness.

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Feb. 27, 2006 - Birthday Week

This is birthday week for my fourth born. She is my leap of faith - born on leap day! So we pick a day, or two or three, and celebrate her coming into the world. She is a gift.

This year was such a sweet, non-stressful birthday party. Perhaps I finally learned. It's much more fun when everyone (especially mom) is relaxed.

Three of her friends came over, all dressed up in their Sunday best. We took pictures of them and put them into some pretty frames that I found at the dollar store (love the dollar store). We also decorated little foamy crosses that could be used as bookmarks.

My dd wanted ice cream sandwiches instead of a cake, so I made them into a cake! Easiest cake I ever made. My oldest daughter played classical tunes on her violin as well as few fun requests. My second daughter was the waitress - she definitely has the gift of serving. (See pictures in the following post.) All in all everyone was happy and calm - including mom!

What do you do for birthdays? Anyone else have a leap baby?

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