Exodus Family
• Oct. 14, 2008 - Help Me 2 Teach Review
As a member of The Old Schoolhouse’ Homeschool Crew, I had the opportunity to review the website: HelpMe2Teach. The owner of HelpMe2Teach was a teacher for more than 40 years. She has worked hard to create a searchable internet directory of educational websites.
The index is categorized by subject, and well-organized. You can scroll through the table of contents, find the topic or subject area you desire, and then click to see a description of each website in that topic. You can also use the search feature to find websites relating to your topic of interest.
The websites in the list are clearly labeled to show you which ages they are most appropriate for. This will save time when you are looking for information on the election process for your high school student, as opposed to elementary students.
HelpMe2Teach is safe. You could allow your children to use it to find information for themselves, and know that their search will not bring up inappropriate websites. There is no need to worry about who is in the room when you open a new website, hoping it is what it claims to be.
The creator of HelpMe2Teach is very responsive to her customers. When several members of the Homeschool Crew requested that she add faith-based websites to her directory, she did. When others reported dead internet links, she corrected them. When I had a problem with my account, she responded to my email and resolved the problem quickly.
I’ve explored HelpMe2Teach for 2 weeks now. I’ve been pondering whether this was a service I would recommend to others. I've debated whether it was a service I would purchase for myself, or not.
Many homeschool Moms are excellent at internet scavenging themselves, or they are members of message boards and email groups where online resources are shared frequently. Like me, they have a long list of homeschool-related bookmarks already. For those moms, HelpMe2Teach may not be the best way to spend their money. The main benefits for them would be time saved in searching for online resources, the safety of letting their children use the directory to find information themselves, and the ability to replace some purchased curricula with online free resources.
But for the moms who rely heavily on the internet for free resources, who don’t have a core curriculum already purchased, or who are just beginning to homeschool and don’t yet have a long list of bookmarks ... HelpMe2Teach will be even more beneficial. They can also use HelpMe2Teach to find websites that will fill holes in their curriculum, or to cover all the subjects they teach. They can easily create their own long list of bookmarked websites, as well as letting their children explore the directory.
HelpMe2Teach is a great resource for homeschool families that desire to use the internet as a core part of their curriculum.
HelpMe2Teach offers several different pricing structures, so you can choose the plan that best meets your family’s educational (and financial) needs.
12 months for $29.95
3 months for $15.95
1 month for $9.95
3 days for $4.95
The long term memberships allow for continual use as a family, in your homeschool. This would be an excellent way to let your students do online research as you cover new topics in your lessons. It also allows you to explore the directory in a leisurely manner.
The shorter memberships would be good for those who desire to quickly search the directory and bookmark any new sites that they find, or any sites related to the topics they plan to cover in the next year.
At the moment, HelpMe2Teach has a SPECIAL OFFER!! From now through December, you get a free year of membership, when you purchase a one year subscription. Buy one year, get one free. That’s 24 months of membership for $29.95 – just $1.25 per month. That is a price that will even tempt the internet-scavenging experts. To participate in this offer, you need to enter the code TOS into the discount coupon box in your order form.
Trusting in Him,
April |
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• Oct. 14, 2008 - Things that 2 year olds say ...
2 yo L has been making us laugh lately. She's very verbal, and she cracks us up.
While my mother was here after Baby G was born, we realized that her apologies lacked something ... sincerity, maybe?
"I sorry. That was not an accident." Really? She says this all the time!
She also makes us laugh when she agrees with us. She always says, "Uh, huh! That's right!"
When she isn't sure what you mean, L says, "Huh? What you talking about?" in a sweet voice.
When she wants to nurse, she says, "Me want mooky. I like mooky." Who can refuse that request for milk? Never mind that it makes me feel like a cow, at times.
Today, though ... I heard myself say something to her that sounded rather nonsensical. "Your hands are cold, maybe you should put some socks on." I know it sounds crazy, but her hands were cold. So, I reasoned her feet were likely also cold, and her whole body would warm up if she warmed up her feet. After all, the head and feet are two places we lose body heat rapidly. But it sounded silly when I said it.
At least she is usually honest. Today I asked who had dumped out the blocks. She proudly replied with a loud and cheerful, "ME!" She even raised her hand. So, then I told her she needed to pick them up ... and she made a face that obviously said, "Aw, man! Not that."
Also, today she was talking with 13 yo A. 2 yo L told her oldest sister that she was Molly, our dog. So 13 yo A decided to play dog with her. A told L to Sit, Lay Down, Roll Over, etc. 2 yo L did each thing she was told. Then, A told L to "shake". L proceeded to shake her whole body instead of holding out her "paw" to shake hands with A. A just laughed and brought L to show me how she plays dog ... complete with "shaking" for Mommy, too. Again, she shook her whole body instead of holding out her paw. Cute, cute, cute!
Communicating with a 2 year old can be so much fun. 
And if you're wondering ... yes, I've been saving up blog posts in my mind all weekend, and just now getting them posted. No, I haven't started the laundry yet. Yes, I'm still in my pajamas at 4 pm. Yes, I have been holding the baby most of the day. Yes, the kids did resume homeschool today. No, all my days are NOT like this. I promise.
Trusting in Him,
April |
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• Oct. 14, 2008 - 6 unspectacular quirks of mine -- Tag!
Kristenph tagged me with this meme. It was fun to read her 6 quirks.
Here are the rules:
Link to the person who tagged you.
Post the rules on your blog.
List 6 unspectacular quirks you have.
Tag 6 bloggers by linking to them.
Leave a comment on each blog to let them know they were tagged.
6 unspectacular quirks of mine:
- I don't wear lipstick or blush or foundation. I do wear pearly white eye shadow, green eyeliner in an attempt to make my eyes look more green than brown, black mascara, and clear lip balm ... but not every day.
- I paint my toenails red in the summer. I've tried other toenail colors, but red just seems to work best for me.
- I never paint my fingernails, because I am a perfectionist and don't want to take the time to keep them perfect. Does any Mom (or wife) have time to do that? It wears off so fast! I have no idea how women do this.
- I carry big purses and big diaper bags, with lots of pockets ... because like a good girl scout, I like to be well-prepared for any contingency, and I want to be able to find what I'm looking for without digging around. Although nothing compared to Nancy Drew's toolkit from the recent movie.
- Despite my "girl scout worthy" purse, I often do not have a clean tissue when I need one -- for myself or someone else. Sorry ... just don't sneeze when you're with me.
- Since my diaper bag is usually packed for two children, it's rather large. I have a bad habit of bumping people and things with the very large diaper bag hanging by my hip. So, if you see me coming and I have kids along ... watch out!
A bonus quirk is that I am now bugged by the fact that those 6 points do not have a space between each numbered point. It looks too cluttered to me without that extra space. But I can't figure out how to space it better, or how to make the numbers bold. Oh well.
I am tagging:
- Delighting in the Days
- Angels of Heart
- Army of 5
- Bow of Bronze
- Ramblings From The Crazy House
- The Cappuccino Life
Now, I'd better let them know they've been tagged. Hopefully not more than once.
Trusting in Him,
April |
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• Oct. 14, 2008 - The Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 8
 Click on this image to visit The Simple Woman blog, and find daybook entries by others.
For Today...
I'm a day late with this ... but I really wanted to do it, so here goes ...
Outside my Window... gray skies, rain, a wheat field turning green.
I am thinking... that this first day back to school isn't going very well.
I am thankful for... the fact that we were able to take Baby G to meet his Papa and Grandma E, Aunt and Uncle H, and Aunt R this weekend.
From the kitchen... nothing but lunch dishes waiting to be washed.
I am wearing... to be perfectly honest, I am still wearing my flannel Christmas tree pajama bottoms, and a Pirates Who Don't Do Anything t-shirt, at 1 pm.
I am creating... Christmas shopping plans.
I am going... to do laundry today ... soon ... yes, I'll start that job soon.
I am reading... blogs and websites lately.
I am hoping... that my Father-in-law begins to recover soon.
I am hearing... my children announce that my Homeschool with Heart totebag arrived in the mail, along with a book I was expecting.
Around the house... children playing creatively, and cooperatively (at least), although some of them should be finishing schoolwork instead.
One of my favorite things... the view from my living room window.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... restore order to the home ... again ... church, library ... get school rolling. For the most part, though, I'm just going to "circle the wagons" and focus on the homefront this week.
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you... Steve being Super Dad, wearing Baby G in the sling, with 2 yo L on his shoulder. (Yes, he needed help getting 2 yo L off his shoulder since he had G in the sling).
Trusting in Him,
April |
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• Oct. 13, 2008 - Hopefully the beginning of ...
Posted By EclecticUnschooling
... nothing. Hopefully it is nothing at all. I want to keep a log just in case and this is the easiest way for me to do it.
On October 10, three-year-old Jada had her yearly check-up with our family physician. He heard a heart murmur.
He suggested that it is simply a flow murmur and we need not be concerned unless she exhibits symptoms of heart problems.
We took the weekend to consider the issue. She has always napped more often than our other children did at this age, and for longer periods of time. She has had dark circles under her eyes for as long as I can remember, suggesting that she is chronically fatigued.
I called our doctor this morning and left a message, requesting that we pursue the next step in determining what she is dealing with, rather than waiting for further symptoms to manifest themselves.
He immediately referred us to a pediatric cardiologist at the city hospital. Jada's appointment is at 9AM on October 23rd.
And so we wait ... |
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• Oct. 10, 2008 - Our Prayer box... and a NEW Tradition~
Posted By teena6
Last year I read somewhere (Nancy commented that it was Jill Novak~ thanks, Nancy!) about a "Prayer Box." We decided to start this tradition in our home. I found a pretty box (that looks like a present) and asked EVERYONE (children and dh) to write out several prayer requests (can't remember if it is 3 or 5). Place them in the "Prayer Box" on New Year's Eve and we would read them on New Year's Eve 2008. Everyone liked this idea. Those prayer requests have set in that box for 10 months and in just a few months we will take them out and read them. We will also put new ones in for the coming New Year's Eve. We will see how God worked.... I am sure we will laugh and we will cry..... but we will witness the hand of God.
our *Prayer Box*
Just today I was reading over at Holy Experience and Ann shared how her family was going to start a tradition from Leslie's blog. I was reading at Leslie's blog and it is such a great idea I think we will start this one too! It is a "Thanksgiving Box."
Here is what Leslie shared~
Throughout the year, anyone (even a guest) is encouraged to place a note of thanks to God. These tiny messages of praise and thanksgiving have ranged from "Thank You, God, that I found my lost shoe" to "Thank you, Lord, for water from the creek, while the pipes were frozen" to "Praise God for Jesus' saving grace in my daughter's life, as she has made a full surrender to You". They are written on post-a-notes, receipts, envelopes and scraps, then folded and deposited through a hole in the top of the can. Sometimes, this is done secretly, the note folded many times, enclosing a penny or a drawing. At other times, the author of the note draws much attention to the fact that they have a special note of thanksgiving to add to our box. If you would like to read more at Leslie's blog here is the link~
http://weblog.xanga.com/wetherill
I am very excited about this new tradition..... Michael & Amber will be here this coming Sunday so I am going to share with ALL of us about our "Thanksgiving Box." We can start putting our thanks in the box that we are thankful for..... and next month or somewhere between Thanksgiving & Christmas ~ maybe "Tree Decorating Night" we will read all of them. I think after we read them we will pray.... and then file our "thanks" in a special place and write the year on them. Another way to show my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren how we trusted God and PRAISED HIM!
Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise Your glorious name. I Chron. 29:13
Here are the links.... to give credit for these great new traditions that have touched my heart~
www.holyexperience.blogspot.com ~ Ann Voskamp
http://www.xanga.com/wetherill ~ Thanksgiving box
www.remembrancepress.com ~ this is Jill Novak
www.giftoffamilywriting.com ~ Jill's too
Thanks for letting me share....
Wyatt & Wesley
Best friends.... and brothers~ |
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• Oct. 10, 2008 - Do you have a struggling reader?
I have one. He isn't my first to struggle with reading. Each of my children has come to a point where they knew the letter sounds, but could not blend them together. Repeated practice didn't seem to help. It was only frustrating to them, and me. We'd feel as if we were banging our head against a brick wall, so we'd set aside the curriculum and relax for awhile. I'd just resume reading to them, and we'd try again later to work on their word blending skills.
With each child, it eventually "clicked". And when it did "click", they quickly excelled in reading. 9 yo C took a full year longer than her older sisters to reach that point. I had to try new approaches, and continue to remind myself that she would eventually learn to read. Now she can be found reading daily, and often begs me to take her back to the library for a new book.
7 yo J has also taken longer than the first two children. He has reached a point of being able to read the simple Bob books, but still lacks the confidence to apply those skills to more challenging words and books. He is easily discouraged, and I need to be more diligent in listening to him practice reading.
When I saw Tia's request on the Front Porch for several volunteers to review a children's book, I didn't know what the topic of the book was going to be. I thought it would be fun to review a new children's book, so I volunteered. It was truly a blessing to receive the text, and realize it was a book about struggling readers. I read it to myself, and then to 7 yo J.
If your children participated in the TOS Summer Reading Splash program, your children will recognize Splish, the frog who stars in this story.
And Then Mama Said ... It Takes Time To Learn To Read.
Author: Gena Suarez
Illustrated by: Kevin Collier
As a homeschool mother with a struggling reader, I am thankful for this book: And Then Mama Said ... It Takes Time To Learn To Read. Gena's story of Splish is encouraging both to the emerging reader, and the parents.
Splish's mom encourages him that it takes time to learn to read, and everyone learns at their own pace. This lesson is repeated throughout the book, and Splish's feelings about his inability to read will resonate with any child facing a similar struggle. The book will validate their feelings, and show them they aren't alone in their struggle. Splish's eventual success will give hope to beginning readers.
The story also includes gentle lessons for the parents about how to teach reading to a child who is struggling. These subtle reminders for the parents will help ease fears that their child will never learn to read, or that they are unable to teach their own child to read. The book will encourage the parents to persevere, be patient, and not compare their child with others.
And Then Mama Said ... It Takes Time To Learn To Read will be a blessing to every homeschool family, and to every beginning reader. It will especially encourage the child who has struggled longer than others, and is discouraged. Splish's story encouraged both myself, and my struggling reader. It will be on my list to purchase for future students.
Thank you, Gena, for addressing a common area of concern to homeschool families, and for doing it so well.
Look for Splish's story (in e-book and print format) in stores soon.
Trusting in Him,
April |
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• Oct. 9, 2008 - How to stay humble ...
Have a four year old. Yes, that will do it.
Tuesday we were preparing for homeschool group. I looked at my 4 year old and saw white undershirt (his favorite shirt lately) and knew it was stained, but figured oh well. Then I saw blue jeans and cowboy boots. Okay, that'll do, I thought. Arrive at homeschool group and take a closer look. Cowboy boots are wearing out in one toe ... oops! Blue jeans have a hole in the knee ... double oops! Tshirt is not only stained, but has several small pinholes in the front of it ... triple oops! Oh well, at that point there wasn't anything I could do about it. So, my ragmuffin and I attended homeschool group, and patronized the library before going home.
Wednesday, he was in a MOOD ... and not a good one. I knew before we left for church that he was not going to be obedient enough to go to his class. I'd need to keep him with me. What I didn't know was how miserable that hour sitting in the car was going to be. (I had intended to take him, 2 yo L, and baby G to an empty room ... but he fought against that.) Then we arrived home and more tantrums over bedtime snack arose. He's determined to learn the hard way that Mommy means what she says ... and to make us all miserable in the meantime.
Then, he was awake twice in the night, whining and fussing. Plus the 2 yo woke up once in the night. And Baby G decided to live up to his nickname twice ... Mister Grunt ... so I had to take him out to the living room to rock him to sleep where his grunts wouldn't wake up Steve or 2 yo L.
It wasn't a restful night, and I was not a pleasant Mommy with the whining 4 yo at 1:30 and 3:30. And I laid there thinking some not so nice thoughts about my dear hardworking husband who had gone to bed at 10 pm because he didn't feel well. He kept asking me to take his temperature to see if he had a fever, which he didn't. I'm sure I'm not the first wife to sit and think some of those thoughts in similar circumstances.
At least things look better by the light of the day, after some coffee and iced tea. But by evening, I'll be dragging, living on caffeine and chocolate.
This too shall pass, right?
And just to encourage me, and anyone else who has had a week like mine with a 4 yo, I'm posting some of my favorite encouraging quotes.
"The most important occupation on earth for a woman is to be a real mother to her children. It does not have much glory to it; there is a lot of grit & grime. But there is no greater place of ministry, position, or power than that of a mother." – Phil Whisenhunt
“Bricks and mortar make a house, but the laughter of children makes a home” – Irish Blessing
“The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes.” – Harold B. Lee (1899-1973)
"Homegrown children take a lot of hard work -- and sometimes "it ain't pretty." Other times, it's breathtaking." ~~ Passionate Housewives Desperate For God, pg. 21
“Biblical motherhood means sacrifice, selfless love, and faithful dedication. It means we’re there with our families – body, mind, and spirit.” ~~ Passionate Housewives Desperate For God, pg. 21
“What you do in your house is worth as much as if you did it up in heaven for our Lord God. We should accustom ourselves to think of our position and work as sacred and well-pleasing to God, not on account of the position and work, but on account of the word and faith from which the obedience and the work flow.” ~~ Martin Luther
At least their hugs and kisses and sweet smiles this morning help me forget the frustration of the night before. I know God makes them cute for their own self-preservation. They're easy to forgive, and fatigued Mommy brains forget quickly, too.
Trusting in Him,
April |
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• Oct. 8, 2008 - School at home or in the van?
Posted By teena6
This week we are busy. We are out of the house more than usual. It is hard to get our school in. I use to make them take it in the van but I do not do that much anymore. Not sure why. Maybe I am more laid back~ we get what we can done.....
We had our local homeschool support group meeting yesterday and Dakota had the drug awareness class that students have to take to get their drivers license. He will finish up the class tonight. He is bummed cause he doesn't like missing Wednesday night services. He plays the drums for the youth praise band.
Tomorrow we are going to our State Fair. This is a big thing and wonderful exhibits. We bring a picnic lunch and sit under the trees. Beautiful quilts are on display and home made honey, jams and jellies.
Hopefully Friday & Saturday will be days at home. I enjoy having several days of not going anywhere. Next week we have a Mom's Night Out and the week after that we are going camping. We do this every year with several other homeschooling families.
How is your school going? |
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• Oct. 6, 2008 - Our Every day life.........
Posted By teena6
I love this time of year.... the mornings here are crisp. I have started walking again and eating right. I do the live-it program called "First Place." It is a lot like weight watchers but not. LOL ~ This is the only way I can lose weight. Other programs do not work. I started on Sep. 14th. I've lost almost 10 lbs. I feel lots better, my head is clearer and I am sleeping better. I still want to lose lots more....
We put out our fall stuff..... little scarecrows, pumpkins, yankee candles and all. I start thinking about baking and the holidays. I love pumpkin bread........ it makes my house smell wonderful.
We are plugging along in school. We are enjoying Heart of Dakota. I love how it is all laid out. Alyssa really is getting it. She is learning so much about history. Everything fits together.....
Michael & Amber came this weekend. Mandi, Amber & I had a girl's night out Saturday night. We went to a movie and out to eat. It was fun. Nice just the three of us. We laughed and talked ..... I would like to do this every month or so. Billy (my husband), Michael & Dakota stayed here and watched the younger ones. They played hide and seek in the dark with flash lights. Yesterday we all went to church together. Last night after church we went to Burger King and several friends were there for my birthday! It was fun.
Michael painting Alyssa's nails.......
A very good friend from church ..... mom of two..... has cancer. Our hearts are heavy. We are asking (and have been) God to heal her..... on earth. She is such a great lady. She is a labor/delivery nurse. So very special. I love her dearly.........
May we know what a gift this life is...... may we live each day to bring glory and honor to HIM.... may we be the wife and mother He has called us to be~
make a memory........
Wyatt climbing our tree....  |
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