Blogger Friend School
Jan. 12, 2007
Blogger Friend School Assignment
Posted in Blogger Friend School
Oy....I forgot about this weeks assignment until today. Sigh. It's been a long and hard stressful week. I have asked for and received a lot of prayers. If you happen to think of it I can certainly use more. Some issues have come up, things that have had more than 30 years to grow and it hit a boiling point (I am not the one boiling). I spent many many days shaking and dry heaving from the painful words lies that were thrown at me, and thank GOD, he sent me a great friend and a superb big brother who are listening and counseling and helping me through it (And of course lots of hugs and back rubs from hubby).
This weeks assignment:
Blogger Friend School - Assignment #13
CAPTURE Your Uniqueness
Write about or list several ways that make you or your family unique and/or different. Ponder a while as though you were an outsider looking into your family home and envision 'how' they might see you uniquely made through Christ. Does something set you apart that immediately shows that you are a child of God? Share!
I am not sure that I am all that unique. I am just an average ordinary homeschooling mom. I think we are a pretty loving family, but in truth, I am not at the level I want to be at. How does someone see me? What do they see that sets me apart?
This is the only thing I can come up with (This last week is weighing heavily on my heart and I am having a hard time finding the good about me...after being told I wasn't good repeatedly):
A few years back we lived in our quaint little home in a small subdivision. Our next door neighbors were an older retired couple. Interestingly enough our house was on a small rise above the rest of the neighborhood (Not in a big way, very minor, but there was a good 4 foot drop to the neighbors house). When the sun shone into the neighborhood in the afternoon my entire house would light up. I kept the windows open and the light would bounce off of every surface and cause a glow. It was beautiful and amazing. From the outside the sun also caught on every nook and cranny. Our house literally lit up every single day. The leaves on the trees would reflect the light from the sky.
One day I walked out front and our neighbor called me over with tears in his eyes. He said "I always see so much of God in you and your family. And today I was thinking about it when I saw the light from heaven just light up your house. You are a beacon. Your home is full of light and joy. I just want you to know that."...as he said it he pointed back and I breathed in a deep breath, because before me was my house, the light was bouncing off the windows and shining back at me, blinding me. I shielded my eyes and was amazed that the entire street to the South, all lower than my house, was in shadows, and in the midst of the darkness stood my home, lit up for everyone to see.
I would love to be that beacon. Or at least let God use me that way. I know I have a lot of growing to do, but it was always such a tangible thing for me to grasp while we lived in that house.
Blogger Friend School
Jan. 3, 2007
Blogger Friend School Assignment
Posted in Blogger Friend School
Big huge thanks to Training Hearts for the school assignments. There were probably assignments while I was gone, but you know how that goes!
This weeks assignment is:
The assignment for this week is make a List of "HITS" and a List of "MISSES"!
Extra Credit (from Training Hearts Mom): Take your favorite Homeschool item and write Raving Review! Be sure to share from the heart and be honest. In your review include the 5 W's and the H...Who, What, Where, Why and How!
Okay Hits and Misses:
Hits:
Five in a Row
Beyond Five in a Row
Saxon Math 54 and 76
Sequential Spelling
Misses: (I feel the need to explain that this is not a reflection on the programs, but on our family dynamics and what worked for us and didn't work for us)
Konos Volume 1 and Compass (I'll be selling it soon if anyone is interested!)
Singapore Math (Great for lower grades, not so great for the more advanced stuff, at least not for our family)
Raving Review: BEYOND FIVE IN A ROW! I fell madly in love with
Five in a Row when I first began homeschooling, after begging my charter to allow me to use it at that time I finally went out and bought it and added it to our school days. My children loved Five in a Row from the beginning, which is why I am slamming my head into the wall wondering WHY I didn't continue and use Beyond once they were older. I came back to it this year, and it is a fabulous curriculum, it meets every need "I" want met while homeschooling my children. FIAR is written by the Lambert's, who are wonderful Christians and who have set up a support board for those of us using FIAR, Beyond was written by their daughter Becky, who is now a mama planning on homeschooling (or perhaps already homeschooling) her children. It uses a Unit Study Approach and you use it at your own speed (unlike Five in a Row, in which you read a book every day for FIVE days, thus the name). Beyond is meant to be used through ages 12, but I will be using it to supplement my oldest sons education as we move on into Junior High. If you are interested in more information (I know this is a short and sweet review) please stop by
five in a row, and read through the sample pages and FAQ's!
Blogger Friend School
Dec. 14, 2006
Blogger Friend School Assignment and other fun stuff
Posted in Blogger Friend School
This assignment came from Karen - Thank you for your help!
Christmas will soon be here and it seems no matter how we plan, it is always a busy time in our lives. This week’s assignment will be hopefully simple yet inspirational. Share your favorite Christmas verse, quote or poem.
Well...we must start with the most important thing: Blogger Friend School. I am to share a favorite Christmas verse, quote or poem. The most oft repeated quote in our home lately is "WE'RE GOING HOME!!" usually said with a tear in our eye, a catch in our throat and "hip hip hooray" on our lips! We are so excited to be heading home. We haven't seen our beloved Northern California Mountains for two years. Haven't smelled the pine forests, have seen friends and family. Although we have been blessed with frequent visits from our parents, my dad hasn't been back in about 1 1/2 years and I can't wait to hug him!! I have never seen my precious niece who was born shortly after we left, but my SIL has assured me that she plans to stay glued to my side for our entire visit so she can get her "Sheri-fix", meaning my little toddling niece Kiara MIGHT like me before we leave.
Fun stuff:
1.) This is the MOST fun I've had in ages!! Are you ready? I have officially lost 27 pounds! I am wearing a size 6 jeans and am sorely tempted to leave the tags hanging off of them simply so the whole world will know!!!
2.) You may or may not know about the horror that befell our family this week. OKay, so it wasn't that bad, but it's oh so much more dramatic this way, don't ya think? A pipe burst in one of our walls and flooded about 1/3 of our living room and part of our bedroom and followed the baseboards down into the hall. I literally closed my eyes and prayed over the plumber pages (after the first plumber we called told us we'd have to wait a week) and the next guy we called came out and fixed our pipe all within an hour! Add to that: Disaster Relief zipped on our within TWO hours and had our wet pad cut out, carpet pulled back, baseboards pulled off, dehumidifiers and fans whirring...and my head spinning. It will be a while before my house is back to normal, but it's what's in our hearts that make it a home, and has NOTHING to do with the fact that we had to take down the Christmas tree two weeks before Christmas!
I am very concious of the fact that this could have been a lot worse. We could have not discovered the busted pipe and when our neighbor came to feed our dogs while we are gone, he WOULD have turned on that faucet and flooded our home. Can you imagine what a mess THAT would have been to come back to!
So, even if I come home from California to half my living room in the dining room, my bed taken apart, and all of us residing in different rooms that normal, I know I will be okay! As long as the noisy whirring dehumidifiers can be turned off soon!!!
Blogger Friend School
Nov. 30, 2006
Blogger Friend School Assignment
Posted in Blogger Friend School
This weeks assignment is baking cookies!!! I will be back to complete it later, because right now I am baking cornbread and it's calling to me!! Have a blessed day!
1 Thessalonians 2:7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
Blogger Friend School
Nov. 15, 2006
Blogger Friend School Assignment #7
Posted in Blogger Friend School
(I snagged this graphic from Tamara, but I copied it, I can't tell if I still have it on her bandwidth, if I DO let me know, I'll fix it!!)
Blogger Friend School Assignment #7
BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS
Next week is the American Holiday, Thanksgiving! I know that there are several BFS Classmates from all over the world but I hope that you will join in our celebration of giving thanks.
Our assignment this week is to blog about your plans for Thanksgiving Day.....share your day in any creative form. Please try to include family traditions, your menus, who carves your turkey, do you save the wishbone, the list could go on and on.
WELL!! Let me tell you about our Thanksgiving! 12 years ago this Thanksgiving our traditions took on a whole new turn. That is, on Wednesday November 23rd, as my husband and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary we were honored to welcome to the world our first born son! Mr. D came roaring into the world at 8:57 am, and since then has shared the family Thanksgiving with a birthday celebration also, he even came home from the hospital on Thanksgiving day that first year! A few times in the last 12 years his birthday has hit the Holiday, including his 1st birthday and now his 12th birthday!
So, this year, while Mike and I celebrate 15 years of marriage, we will also be celebrating 12 years of parenthood...and the incredible joy it has been to watch this beautiful boy grow and blossom into the preteen he is today.
Anyway, as far as food and such goes: Since we have moved 2000 miles away from family we do Thanksgiving on our own. We were invited, again this year, to a friends house in OKC, but I really dont want to spend the day in a car. And D. would love ham on his birthday, so we will be home where we have a semi-traditional meal of: Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, baked yams, sauteed green beans, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, and cheesecake.
1 Thessalonians 2:7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
Blogger Friend School
Nov. 9, 2006
Blogger Friend School Assignment #6
Posted in Blogger Friend School
Blogger Friend School Assignment #6
Currently in our world today, there is still of lot of persecution. I believe that most of us, blogging here, are enjoying our freedoms, to not only believe what we choose to believe but more importanty we can do it openly and without fear that we will be made a public disply and tortured. We can write our thoughts and feelings and even quote scriptures freely. We can go to a library and choose a book to read of our choice. I am very grateful to all those who have served or are currently serving in any military to protect these freedoms.
This week's assignment is taking a deeper look into our spiritual lives and the warfare that we are individually facing. I'd like everyone to seriously think and then blog about a situation in your life where you know that the enemy is attacking you and challenging your spiritual growth. What area in your life are you feeling burdened or challenged? The purpose of the assignment is to use this as a tool to arm ourselves better for this battle not to make you uncomfortable. If this is too personal for you, share an area in your life that you have perservered in a spirtual battle or share your feelings on freedoms in general.
ARM YOURSELVES and take time this week to thank our past battles that have created and protected our freedoms that we enjoy today. Try to visit at least one fellow Blogger Classmate and leave a comment to encourage them in this battle.
It's a TOUGHIE this week, and I am not a really deep person (No matter how hard I try, I tend to be pretty easy to read and wear my heart on my sleeve). I always feel like Satan will get a foothold where ever we allow it or where ever he sees something we are stuggling with. We are headed up a mountain and screaming out to God "HELP ME PLEASE", and Satan pops up "Hey, there's an easier way over here...look, a nice clear path" and we have to make that choice to take it or not. And it's a HARD choice.
Believe me when I say that I am covered with little footholds for Satan. Little areas that make me easy to attack. From finances to weight loss to frustration over the lack of Sunday School classes offered, there are a lot of ways to attack me. I am in constant constant battle with them.
I know there is a rule, it takes 15 times in a row to make something in a habit. Only I never quite get to 15 before I crumple to the ground.
On the plus side, Jesus is always there by my side, never quite letting slam into the groung, but cushioning my fall, picking me up, brushing me off, and kissing my bruised sole, as only a Father can do.
1 Thessalonians 2:7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
Blogger Friend School
Nov. 1, 2006
Blogger Friend School Assignment
Posted in Blogger Friend School
Coming soon!! (Because I know you are waiting in eager anticipation!)
I don't want to rush through the season! I want to be prepared to renew my spirit with the most precious gift the Lord has given us -- HIS SON!
Our assignment this week, is to blog about "Getting into the Spirit". I would like everyone to cover 3 areas in their posts:
- Share your family traditions for Christmas
- List 10 ways that you can prepare for the season
- Post a scripture that will help you "Get into the Spirit
EXTRA CREDIT: Add your verse to bottom of every post that make this week to help you remember to focus on Him as your start to prepare yourself for the upcoming season.
And HERE we go (I hope!)
1.Share your family traditions for Christmas:
We really don't have that many traditions, let's see:
a. Pajamas on Christmas Eve, so they are fresh and clean in all of the Christmas morning photos, AND who doesn't like getting a present on Christmas Eve?
b. We take turns opening presents. Starting at the youngest, up to the oldest, round and round until we are done. Everyone must stop and pay attention to each gift being opened. It makes the opener really pay attention to what's being opened, and everyone see what everyone else received, etc.
c. Gift giving rhyme: Something they want, something they need, something to play with, something to read
2. List ten ways you can prepare for the season
a. we are heading home for Christmas, so I can start making a packing list early
b. and pick up any gifts and get them ready early
c. plan the meals that we will be having here before we leave
d. plan the meals that we will be having here the night we get back (because it will be LATE on New Years Eve)
e. keep God first
f. don't let the ads on TV overwhelm me or make me feel inadequate
g. remember our rule: Something they want, something they need, something to play with, something to read.
h.purchase quick snacks for the plane trip out
i. have cash on hand for the plane trip out so they can pick up something at the layover
j. Get excited!! We're going home!!
3. Post a Scripture that will help you get into the spirit
a.1 Thessalonians 2:7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
Blogger Friend School
Oct. 25, 2006
Blogger Friend School
Posted in Blogger Friend School
Blogger Friend School Assignment #4
PUMPKIN PARTY!!
In honor of the season, I thought we all could do something fun this week! I'd like everyone to share something to do with a pumpkin or pumpkin related. This can be a recipe, decorating idea, or if you are really creative "show" us on blog :)
I have to admit, I am not sure this is the recipe I used last year or not, I have two of them...anyway, the cookies were wonderful and are a favorite of my kiddos! Enjoy them and there in nothing that screams "FALL" like the scent of pumpkin filling the air! The recipe came from someone on my Homeschooling boards, I'd love to give credit where credit is due, but I lost the name. If it's your recipe stand up and SHOUT IT OUT!
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
4 cups flour
2 cups oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups butter
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 - 16oz can pumpkin
2 cups chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, oats, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl cream butter, gradually add sugars, beating until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Alternate additions of dry ingredients and pumpkin, mixing well after each addition. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by 1/4 cup dough amounts onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 20 minutes. (You can make them half the size - regular cookie drop amount- but check the around 12-15 minutes as they may need to come out sooner than the large size.) Enjoy!
Blessings!
The second part of the assignment is a game! We are going to "Guess how many candy corn pieces fit into my jar?" I am posting a picture of the jar and on my blog, post your answer in a comment. Be sure that you are signed in so that I know which student is leaving the estimated guess. (Hint: This is a good math estimation project to do with your younger homeschooled children.) The WINNER of this game will receive a Signature Tag. I hope that everyone will enjoy the assignments.
GUESS HOW MANY CANDY CORN PIECES
FIT INTO MY JAR?
My guess is 252
Blogger Friend School
Oct. 18, 2006
Blogger Friend School #3
Posted in Blogger Friend School
See what happens when you show up to class before the teacher? Yep...you don't have an assignment to day! Maybe later today?
Scratch that...teacher showed up with coffee for all of us! (Hey, sounds good doesn't it?)
The assignment this week is sharing our internet treasures!!
A website I visit every single day: Five in a Row Message Boards
First place I look for a book to buy: Christian Book Distributors
Favorite Homeschool Support Area:Five in a Row Message Boards
Homeschool Site you use regularly:Five in a Row Message Boards
Site you buy your new curriculum from: Christian Book Distributors
Site you buy your used curriculum from:ebay
Site that offers frugal tips to save money: Hillbilly Housewife
Wholesome recipes: allrecipes.com
A how to website:
A homeschooling family website that you purchase from to support them:
Charity Website:
Favorite Graphic site: Home Sweet Home
Educational Calendar: Crayola , Today in History
Homeschool Freebies:
Freebies: Daily Freebies
A blog full of humor:
A blog full of useful information:
A blog that is eye appealing and easy to read:
A site you allow your children to visit: Starfall Bookadventure
Any other sites to share: My favorite quiz maker , Paragraph a Week Program
I'll have to get back to you on some of those, I can't think of anything. SORRY!
Blogger Friend School
Oct. 11, 2006
Blogger Friend School Assignment #2
Posted in Blogger Friend School
The Blogging ABC's
Using the first letters of the alphabet describe things that are important to you or would be descriptive of your personality.
AWANA: LOVE IT!
Bible: Love it even more
Curly: Wacky, mind of it's own mass of hair
D...my 11 year old
E...my 3 year old
Friends: I need some, wanna be mine?
G...my 6 year old
Husband: 15 years this year!
Irish :A tiny bit
Jesus: need I go on?
Kooky: Quirky, my personality
Loving
M...my 9 year old
Nice
Open-minded
Prayer: Is good for the soul
Quilts:Made by my grandma
Reading: can't get enough of it
Shy: But I push myself all of the time to get past it
Teasing
Understanding
Values: are oh so important
Wife: I LOVE being a wife.
Xbox: It's important that I took it away and keep it in th attic
Young at heart
Zany
These were hard, and since I wrote short explanations I am sure I miserably failed! LOL
Blogger Friend School
Oct. 6, 2006
Blogger Friend School
Posted in Blogger Friend School
Wow! I joined Training Hearts for Blogger Friend School! It looks like a lot of fun and a great way to get to know other bloggers out in the whole blogger universe!
This is this weeks assignment:
Usually a new class starts off with introductions, so the first part of our Blog Assignment is to post on your blog a brief introduction about yourself and why you decided to blog. If you make a category called Blogger Friend School it will be really easy for us to find your posts and I encourage everyone to visit everyone's sites and start praying for them. The power of prayer is amazing!
The second part of our assignment is supposed to be fun :) and entertaining for the entire class. Using the internet or if you have digital camera, find or take a picture of your "Dream" house. You can just post the picture, or you can be as elaborate as you want and describe it in detail. I think this will be fun to "see" what others dream.
And here we go!
Part 1: A brief introduction!! I am Sheri, homeschooling christian mom of four. About 1 1/2 years ago I followed my husband on a job transfer from California to Oklahoma (I can still barely say that without breaking out into song!!). We are STILL settling in. In fact, when we moved we were told that it would take about three years to make new friends and feel really comfortable. I scoffed at them...now I am thinking they were right. Anyway, my children are D, our oldest son who will be 12 this year ON our 15th anniversary (Yeah! We'll NEVER forget his birthday!); M, our only daughter, who is 9; G, our 6 year old miracle; and E, our 3 year old SURPRISE!!
As for why I started blogging. You know, it was several years ago (I still have a main blog: http://mikeandsheri4.blogspot.com) that I started this venture. I thought it looked fun, and we were transitioning and living in a 29 foot travel trailer!! I needed someway to bide my time as I surely had NO housework.
Part 2: Dream house.
My dream house has always been a great big farmhouse with a wraparound porch. They just sing to me when I see them out in the country. Anyway, it MUST be yellow. And it MUST not be in town. Pretty simple huh?
I must add that I have a wonderful home right now, with a huge porch, 20 miles from town and on 1 1/2 acres complete with Coyote packs that wander through at night, Armadillos's on our front porch and a whole bevel of bunnies that hop around all of the time that I adore.
And I truly believe what makes someone feel at home is what's INSIDE rather than what the house is made of. And we have a great home. When we moved I told my friends I would "Bloom where I was planted". And I meant it.
