Today I am grateful for.....

~Answered prayer...I have been praying about something for a long time.  This weekend I finally got the fact that I was standing in the way of God answering my prayer in His way.  I kept trying to fix/solve the problem.  Within hours of surrendering it to the Lord, He answered my prayer in a great way. 

~Great husbands.....my is the best!

~Grandparents....We had a fun time with Grandparents at our Keeper's Grandparents luncheon.

~My dog Belle....She is such a great dog and she likes me best!

Sleeping on my leg.

Poor dear, Grace dressed her up! 

From the Heart:

We had a great week.  School went very well.  We are all past our sicknesses.  No drama.  I'm so grateful.

The Lord is speaking to me about being a better friend, about really listening and being there for people.  I need to hear this, and so much want to do this.  I am convicted of keeping my friends at armslength.  I know it stems from being insecure in childhood and feeling like I didn't have any friends, so I stopped trying.  There have been times when the Lord has brought me friends, and still I did not work hard at keeping them.  I want to go beyond that in my life, and work harder at being there for my friends.  If you want to be included in those who want my deeper friendship, just leave a comment, or email me.  I'm going to try.

This is Snow Crystal working on a Christmas present. 

On the Homefront:

We worked on keeping the house cleaner throughout the week, and found that to work well.  I do laundry twice a week (Sundays or Mondays and Thursdays or Fridays).  If the laundry isn't finished, I finish it the next day without adding more from the new day.  This way I know all the laundry gets done twice a week and it isn't as much of a burden.  The older girls are helping me a lot more too.  For example, Snow Crystal is downstairs making cookies right now as I type.  The weather was nice, and got nicer all week.  Feels like summer except for all the snow still on the ground.

This is Snow Crystal following her "directions" of how to make her favorite cookies that she had to do for language arts yesteday.

In the School Room:

Bible:  We continue to read Egermeier's Bible Story Book with Bubbies and the older girls listening in.  We didn't do anything with our Biblical Holidays book.  We also read a few stories from "I Heard Good News", which is a book full of short stories about how different countries and peoples received the gospel.  I am thinking that for the older girls we might try to do some of the articles and activities that go with The Voice of the Martyrs magazine.  You can find it at http://www.kidsofcourage.com.  It looks like it would be a good thing for them to do.

History:  We are now in the post-civil war era.  In Landmark's History of America we learned how Montgomery Ward changed the way business was done for the rural American, and about Richard Sears' imput to this.   

Science:  We moved on to start learning about Alexander Graham Bell and his inventions.

Read-Aloud:  We are ahead with the older girls, so took a break from read-alouds.  I read The Light on Tern Rock with Bubbies.

Reader:  Mountain Princess and Snow Crystal are reading Shades of Gray, by Carolyn Reeder.  It is a good book about a boy who was orphaned during the civil war, and having to live with his mother's sister and family after the war.

Language Arts:  The older girls worked on similies, topic sentences, writing a formal letter, and grammar.  Bubbies reviewed the letter "S" and made a "P" and an "S" letter sheet (I get these from homeschoolshare.com).  She read her first "reader" that comes with her curriculum.  It is a cute little book called "Pam"). It was a proud moment for her to read it to her daddy one evening this week too.

Math:  We had a great week again this week, and the girls continue to make progress in becoming independent.

Spanish:  MP is using Rosetta Stone and seems to be learning and retaining a lot.  SC is using The Complete Book of Spanish (workbook from Wal Mart).  She'll get back to Rosetta next year.

On the Mission Field:

The school had Chris Stanton here.  He suffered from acute mountain sickness for the first day, but finally recovered.  I think they've been having a great time. 

In the Literary Scene:

I am reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's second book in the Galway Series Of Men and of Angels, and I finished the first book too.  Very good reading!

Feeding on His Faithfulness,

Carol

If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories.  Then sign the Mr. Linky below.  I'd love to read your weekly summaries too!    I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday.  At the latest it will be on Sunday.  If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before.  Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did!  It is a great way to meet new people.

Today I am grateful for...

~love...faith...and continually answered prayers

~a beautiful teenage daughter who helps willing around our home

~two sisters who play together and claim to be "best friends"

~a husband who diligently prepares our home for winter, he is the best!

~a Friday tea party with loving Grandparents.

~health!  We are all so healthy! Thank you Lord!

I am blessed!

Today I am grateful for~

~full days...filled with grace, love, hope and joy!  Many activities and lots of smiles.

~daughters with tender hearts.  Grace and Elizabeth came home from Awana's wanting to send their favorite stuffed animals in the Operation Christmas Child boxes.  They have a shopping list started for what to send. 

~faithfulness....a faithful God who always their to speak loving words to me.  A spouse that is faithful in so many ways.  Children that are faithful in their learning.  Parents who are faithful and taught me responsibility. 

~a warm home and warm bed...

I am blessed!

As part of the TOS Crew, I received the following two books free from Bright Ideas Press, for review.  The opinions presented in the review are solely mine. 

Why take the time to “Crack the Code” of Classical Music?
     • Music is from the Lord. He created it, and He created us with the ability to both make and appreciate music.
     • “Classical” music is uniquely part of our Western civilization.
     • Research suggests that both listening to and playing classical music aids brain development.
     • Even rudimentary exposure increases one’s level of enjoyment and understanding.

This course provides a close-up look at famous composers, their music, and their times, with special attention to character traits and Christian testimony (or lack thereof). Even the musically challenged will enjoy this course! It’s perfect for grades 4–8 but is easily adaptable for younger and older students. Minimal teacher prep will return maximum enjoyment!

Within the book there are a variety of great learning activities to use within your home.  Some of them include

• 32 Weekly Lessons
• 26 Bios of Famous Composers
• 6 Eras of Music Explained
• Easy-to-Use Comparative Timeline
• Easy-to-Use Maps
• Composer Info-Cards & Game Directions

• Note-taking Pages
• Quizzes
• Answer Keys
• Listening Suggestions
• Intricate Coloring Pages
• Resource Books

Authors:  Maggie S. Hogan and Melissa Craig did extensive research and writing to bring this great resource.  They had music expert, Richard B. Pinkerton edit the book as well.

Cost:

CD-Rom Book
Price: $29.95

 To purchase click here.

 In Our Home:

We've been using this great resource for over a month.  At least twice a week I read through the detailed lesson with the girls.  They take notes on their provided note-taking pages.  Then we fill out a composer card.  The composer card is a place to collect all the facts about each composer.  There are also thinking questions to apply the interesting facts gleaned through the lesson.  Then using the supplied map, we map where the composer was born.  Each composer is divided by style of music and a great history of each music style is provided. 

I like the way everything is self-contained for our Classical Music discussions now.  I don't have to search for the perfect book to read, assemble the notebooking pages and make-up a timeline.  The only thing missing for me from this curriculum is actual music to listen to.  I want my daughters to also be able to recognize the composer's main pieces when they hear them.  It is easy to find CD's or the pieces online though to add to the curriculum. 

This is a picture of the folder that Jennifer has been putting together as we study Classical music.

Written from a Christian perspective, Hands-On Geography will get you excited about teaching an oft-forgotten subject. Includes specific instructions for many activities, games, and projects designed to be appealing to kids and easy for parents. An easy, yet thorough, introduction to a very important subject. Grades K – 5.

 Written by Maggie S. Hogan.

This is a large paperback book stuffed with wonderful Geogrpahy resources.  The beginning chapter has information about the National Geography Bee. 

Also present in this book are directions for six homemade geography games for the early elementary years. Fun stuff that uses items you already have in your home to reinforce geography.

 Included in this book is an extensive section of outline maps to copy.  Then Maggie S. Hogan has a large chapter on ways to use these maps called "Maps Galore".  Things like sticker geography, jigsaw maps and booking maps to name a few.  There are sixteen projects in that chapter.

 Jennifer did the chapter on Joseph's Journey, this is a detailed map and geography questionnaire to enhance her learning as we studied Joseph's life.

A chapter on nature geography was filled with tools on how to include nature in your geography study.  A great guide to making your own field guide is on my to-do-list for the spring.  We will be using her helpful pages on studying birds that live in our area this winter. 

This is a valuable resource that is well worth the cost of $14.95

Orderhere.

Maggie S. Hogan has written an extensive amount of great Homeschooling curriculum. 

Please click the logo to read reviews of her other products.

Continuing my 25 days of gratitude, with day number 3.

Today I am grateful and thankful for:

~answered prayer and His continue soft whispers in my life.

~praying with my sisters in Christ this afternoon, what a blessing.

~Jesus...He is the way! No matter what happens, He is watching over me.

~I don't have to worry or fear the date December 21, 2012!  If the Lord chooses or doesn't choose to return on that date, so be it, but I say Marantha! 

~a warm fire, made by my wonderful husband and a hot cup of tea to warm me up!

~Thank you!

As Jennifer begins her high school years, we are all beginning to ask the question, what next?  Jennifer has some ideas, but has struggled to put those ideas into tangible work opportunities.  Even more important to us is that Jennifer has a job that fits her talents and desires. 

As part of the TOS Crew I received a free month's subscription to ACT Discover to review.

DISCOVER can help you choose a career, find training, or learn how to find a job.

This is an inventories based assessment tool. The inventories help you think about yourself, and which occupations would fit you best your interests, abilities, and values. As you grow older, you become more certain of your interests, abilities, and values.

DISCOVER offers inventories to people based on your grade level.

Inventories available:

To view other TOS Crew members review of this and other great products click the logo.

For review I received of CD of lesson plans for free, from American Heritage Education Foundation, Inc.  As part of the TOS Crew my obligation is to provide a review of this product.  All opinions expressed are mine alone.

AHEF is a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation dedicated to the understanding and teaching of America's factual and philosophical heritage to promote constructive citizenship and Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility among our students and citizens.

AHEF accomplishes this patriotic mission by writing, producing, and distributing FREE K-12 lesson plans to teachers, students, and families in all 50 states and through additional initiatives, programs, and partnerships.

AHEF's History:

Our History

The American Heritage Education Foundation (AHEF) is a non-profit (501.c.3) corporation established in January 1995.  In 1993, current members of the Foundation worked with the Houston Independent School District (HISD) to establish American Heritage Month. Today, schools throughout HISD and the nation celebrate our nation's heritage each November through creative activities and projects. AHEF has assisted HISD in the development and subsequent revisions of an American heritage curriculum guide for grades K-12, entitled America's Heritage:  An Adventure in Liberty.  This curriculum continues to be introduced and activated throughout school districts in Texas and the nation.  American Heritage education workshops have also been developed to assist teachers in fully understanding and putting into practice the ideas and concepts included in the curriculum.

America's Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty is a curriculum project designed and written by teachers with AHEF and HISD and is available in Texas and National Editions with correlating standards and objectives. The initial phase of the project included development of material designed for middle school students, published in 1996. The curriculum was later expanded to include lessons for K-12 and was published as a first complete edition in the spring of 2001.

How do you get your FREE copy?

It is available free of charge as a download, in hard binder format, or in CD format via mail.

Please click here to order.

My Thoughts On This Product:

I have read through the CD that I received from the company and scanned their website.  We currently are not studying American history and I was not lead to use this resource when we did.    The foundation of this course is to teach the students about the four key themes of Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility--to educate students in our founding father's beliefs and perserve our nations founding principles.  These are detailed lesson plans that use historical documents such as The Mayflower Compact, The Declaration of Independence, Federalist 47, the First Amendment, and a government letter on religious expression in public schools.  It is a good supplement to your US History studies and it is FREE. 

To view other TOS Crew Members review please click the logo below.

Continuing with my 25 days of gratitude, this is day #2.

~for His Word, although sharper than a two-edged sword, is always there to provide guidance, comfort and peace in all circumstances.

~beautiful sunshine, bare trees and wind blowing

~big bear hugs from the man I love

~an afternoon nature walk with two of my sweet daughters

~family togetherness, these are sweet times.

~a full and complete day of school, the Lord blessed us with a lot of good learning! 

~helpful library workers, I get a lot of books each week and they were kind & generous today

~God's protection

Blessed beyond measure,

From the Heart:

I'm hoping that I am coherent enough to write an intelligent readable post this weekend.  This week has been good.  We only had four days of schooling, but we managed to get our five days worth of work done in that time, somehow.  I'm grateful for that.  I'd really like to get this year done by May or early June so I can start schooling year-round in June or July, and take some of the pressure off of missing days due to sickness and so forth.  I don't want to not be able to start early and each year go late, and so forth.

I had the bug this week from starting on Sunday, but it was the worst Wednesday, with me chilling and aching Tuesday night.  I am much better now.

Most of the pics posted today (except the one of my family making applesauce) are from a birthday party we went to near Delta, Colorado, yesterday. 

On the Homefront:

Wednesday while I was sick, dh and I, and the kids made applesauce.  We had gotten 3-4 cases of apples from Sharing Ministries last week or so, but hadn't gotten to this.  Dh had the day off due to working last Saturday.

We didn't have anywhere to attach our "Squeezo" onto a ledge or table in our home, so dh took the kids to the front deck to make our applesauce after I cooked it up.

In the School Room:

Bible:  We continue to read Egermeier's Bible Story Book with Bubbies and the older girls listening in.  We didn't do anything with our Biblical Holidays book.  We also read a few stories from "I Heard Good News", which is a book full of short stories about how different countries and peoples received the gospel.

History:  We read more about the Civil War from Landmark's History of America, and started the second volume of the same book learning about the "Go-getters" that helped settle our country.   

Science:  Pretty much the same.  We'll be glad to get through the electricity and magnetism unit.

Read-Aloud:  We finished Across Five Aprils with the big girls.  We also finished The Hundred Dresses with Bubbies, but didn't finish the lapbook yet.

Reader:  Mountain Princess and Snow Crystal finished Turn Homeward, Hannalee.  It is a good book based on an event in the civil war era.

Language Arts:  The older girls worked on similies, topic sentences, writing a formal letter, and grammar.  Bubbies reviewed the letter "P" but we didn't get to making her notebook page.  She seems to have lost interest in that, so I don't know if I will continue to do it or not.  It may work better to do them with Little Critter in the next year as I introduce letters to him.

Math:  We are back to our math books, and I am pleased to say that Snow Crystal has begun to work more independently.  For this I am thankful!

Spanish:  MP is using Rosetta Stone and seems to be learning and retaining a lot.  SC is using The Complete Book of Spanish (workbook from Wal Mart).  She'll get back to Rosetta next year.

This is Little Critter playing the piano at our friends' house during the birthday party.

On the Mission Field:

The students were gone to the Go Conference in Estes Park for most of the week.  Tim took three of the guy students fishing for half the day yesterday.  They enjoyed themselves a lot.

In the Literary Scene:

I finished reading Raising Godly Tomatoes by L. Elizabeth Krueger.   I highly recommend it for every parent with children in grade school or younger.  I will regularly go back to it as a refresher, and I feel it has already done wonders with my family.  I am also reading Brock and Bodie Thoene's Only the River Runs Free, which has had a fabulous beginning, and I know will continue to be great.  It is about Ireland in the mid-1800's.

Feeding on His Faithfulness,

Carol

If you would like to join me in this theme, just write up your own weekly summary, using mine or your own categories.  Then sign the Mr. Linky below.  I'd love to read your weekly summaries too!    I hope to post mine on each Friday or Saturday.  At the latest it will be on Sunday.  If you get yours done before I do, just leave your link in my cbox or comments from the week before.  Be sure and check last week's Mr. Linky for any new ones who posted before I did!  It is a great way to meet new people.