I have been hearing about the Homeschool Lounge for a week now so I decided to visit.  It looks great - good job Tiany!  I really have no idea how I can keep up with another compute related project, but I want to try.  You should go take a peek!

Yesterday Jeff had another day off of school - a snow day.  This was a blessing for him as he is busy completing many job applications.  In the evening we went to see the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything.  This is the veggietale movie that has been out for awhile.  We wait until movies are at the dollar theater because who want to spend $6 on a movie?  Oh, well, we will spend that much$ if it is a movie like Lord of the Rings or Prince Caspian (coming out in May). Back to the Pirates movie.  It was, well, it was veggie tales.  During the first half hour I heard a familiar snore and looked at Jeff- yes, he fell asleep.  We all got a giggle and that woke him up so he could enjoy the rest of the show.  It wasn't that bad-but I am glad we didn't pay more than $1.  The Water Horse is also at this theater so that will be next.  I hope everyone has a great day.  Are you impressed that I actually updated this blog so soon after the last entry?  I am trying...

Anissa

Like all of the rest of you who live in cold weather zones, I am ready for spring.  I want to open up all of the windows, close down the woodburners, deep clean the house (ok, this I don't want to do) and take a walk.  Yesterday we had a teaser day.  It was 50 degrees but rainining.  This week it is going to be cold again. 

We had basketball again this weekend.  There are only 3 weeks left, then we get a little break before soccer begins.  After a game on Sat, one of the moms stayed to talk to Jeff. She was upset that her son accepted Jesus as his saviour at one of the practices.  The Upward bball program exists to evangelize.  Jeff went through some of the message but the poor mom was quite confused.  She was not upset with how Jeff presented the Gospel, but with the message itself.  She felt she was a good person and that talking about sin and hell was offensive.  Well, we had to scoot (Jeff coaches 4 teams) so Jeff passed this one off to the director.  We haven't heard how it ended. 
We had a great day of church yesterday.  I am still mulling over the message, it was so powerful.  Jeff is home today for President's Day.  This always changes the dynamics of homeschool somewhat.  He will more than likely teach everyone's math.

How was that super long paragraph without a topic sentence?  My children would be aghast that their grammatically correct mother should write in such a way.  Okay, I can't stand it, I'll go back and put some space between thoughts ......there is that better?  I know, it still isn't perfect but the morning is dragging on and I have to get off of the computer.  I hope everyone has a wonderful day. 

Anissa

I have been trying to update my blog for about 3 days.  There were two reoccurring problems that kept me from succeeding.  The first was the unbelieveable slowness I was encountering trying to login.  I tried to snatch time here and there to get something written, to check your blogs, etc... and I just couldn't get logged in.  So this morning, everything worked great and here I am.  The second problem is actually the newest member of our family, Tony the Pony.  Tony was adopted (you are not supposed to say bought) by my youngest with his saved up birthday money.  If you don't have young ones anymore you may not be aware of the Webkinz craze that is sweeping the nation.  I remember the Cabbage Patch craze of my childhood (lucky for my parents I thought they were really ugly), and now my sons have webkinz.  It is actually a great idea that I wish I had come up with.  You buy, I mean, adopt, your animal from a store then race home to the computer.  Your secret code to enter the website is securely hidden in your animal's tag.  Once you have registered you can buy furniture, clothes, toys, food and so on for your animal using play money (thank goodness).  You earn more money by playing games on the site.  Can you see the fascination this would have with kids? 

Now for my update.  School is going well.  Basketball is all comsuming.  I am behind in my housework.  That about sums it up right now.  Tony the Pony is way more exciting than my real life.  I'll go read all of your blogs to see if your lives are any more exciting in the dead of winter....

Anissa

I've been tagged by canadianladybug.  Here we go:

RULES:

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).
2. Open the book to page 123.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

The book nearest me was A Patriot's History of the United States (What can I say?  I am a history-geek)

The fifth sentence on page 123 (get ready for a great sentence)  "In fact, Hamilton sought the alliance of government with elites because they needed to be enlisted in the service of the government on behalf of the people,a course they would not take if left to their own devices." The next 3 sentences: "To accomplish that, he intended to use the Treasury of the new republic, and its financial/debt structure, to encourage the wealthy to align themselves with the interests of the nation.   Only the wealthy could play that role: middle-class merchants, farmers,or artisans were too transient and, at any rate, did not have enough surplus to invest in the nation. Permanent stability required near-perpetual investment, which in turn required structuring property laws so that the wealthy would not hesitate to place their resources at the disposal of the government."

If you actually read all that, I am impressed.  Seriously, this book by Schweikart and Allen, tries to tell our country's history as it really happened.  In fact the authors state that they are trying to undo what modern texts claim concerning our history of racism, sexism, bigotry and basically the idea that everything our founders did was wrong.  You know the fad: America bad, everyone else good. 

Thanks for the tag.  I am suppose to tag 5 people.  I think that I'll just ask you, yes you, to play along.  Come on, you can do this one.  It is easy and it lets us see what you're reading (or at least what's on the coffee table).  Let me know that you've played.

Anissa

Friday night basketball is over for this week and now we move on to Saturday basketball.  The season is only 2 weeks in and I am getting tired.  The boys (and the dad) love it so what' a mom to do?  We had to make a few minor changes in our school routine.  The boys were really not enjoying the learning process.  It was becoming drudgery.  Ok, I really wasn't all that excited about things either.  So this week we made one tiny change that helped revive our interest in learning.  After morning devotions we did science.  So?  You say?  Well, you see, being the former classroom teacher that I am, I have always made the boys do the work that took the most brain power and stamina first in the day.  This is how most classrooms run - reading and math first with all other subjects coming in after lunch when everyone is tired.   On Monday I was tired after devotions.  This was not  a good thing.  (I think my body needs a good brisk  walk on a warm sunny day).  So I pulled out science because I didn't want to have the familiar battles over math/language arts.  I should say here that my kindergartner does not fight school yet.  He is still way excited over everything.  I couldn't believe the enthusiasm so early in the morning (ok 9:30, but early for some).  It worked so well that we started each day this week with either science or history.  If you need a great science program for your elementary kids that doesn't cost very much, you have to check out Jeannie Fulbright's series.  I love it.  The boys love it.  It is loved.

Have a wonderful weekend, my blogging comrades.

Anissa

Good day blogging friends.  I don't have much time to write as we have 2 basketball games tonight and need to hustle. This entry is more of a plea for help.  My son just started his own blog.  We searched the member's list to find other boys but found none that are still keeping a blog.  Can you direct us to any boys out there that he could befriend via the blog world? Tyler   would love to read and comment on other boys' blogs.  Thanks!

Have a great weekend.  I'll try to add a more "normal" entry later.

Anissa

Okay.  I have no idea why the link is not working to Tyler's blog.  Here it is:  www.homeschoolblogger.com/alphakid

Ohio (and most of the mid west) is in a serious deep freeze.  It is about 7 degrees (farenheit) right now and the prediction is for it to drop below zero today.   I shall only say this once (at least for today) "I can't wait for spring!"  There, I have got that out of my system. 

 We had a busy weekend of basketball.   I had the opportunity to talk to a mom at one of the games.  I had mentioned to her in a previous week that we homeschooled.  Well, she said that since I talked to her, she can't stop thinking about homeschooling.  This is exactly how my homeschool journey began.  play dream music....  It was seven years ago.  My son was attending the local kdg. at the time.  During a brief meeting after church I politely asked Tammy how her children were doing  in school.  I asked if they would be attending the same Christian school during the next school year.  Then she said those fateful words, "We are going to homeschool."  ZAP.  I felt ('m not kidding here) a jolt go through me.  I continued our friendly banter for a while longer and then went my merry way.  Poor Tammy did not know what she had just done.  I could not get this homeschool lunacy out of my mind.  I mentioned it to Jeff who just sort of shrugged it off.  Not me though.  I made my next fateful move - I started praying about this thought that had infected my being.  Then I was led to search the Bible.  Using my concordance I looked up every verse that dealt with family, knowledge, children,...you get the idea.  I actually wrote done these verses.  How nuts am I?   By the time I was done (or you could say the Lord was done)  I was convinced that I had to at least try homeschooling for one year.  Jeff wasn't excited but he wasn't opposed.  So there. The decision had been made.  Then began the curriculum hunt...but that would reveal too much of my neurotic self so we will just stop there.  I am happy to report that Jeff is now on board 100%. 

As I talked to J (the aforementioned mom at the game), all of these memories came back to me.  I really think that she and her husband are going to end up homeschooling...they told me that they are praying about it.  So let this be a lesson to all of us - even our chit chat can be used of the Lord. 

Have a great day.

Anissa

disclaimer:  I am not saying that everyone is called by our Lord to homeschool.  I do not presume to speak for the Holy Spirit.  Remember, Samuel and Moses were not even raised with their parents.

Okay, I will attempt another entry.  The last one I typed got erased before I could post it.  This was a bit frustrating, but I will give it another try.  We are doing well.  Basketball season has started.  We are involved in the Upwards program.  Jeff is coaching 3 teams and assisting with a 4th.  Needless to say we spend a lot of times at practices/games.  The other night I went to watch the kindergarters practice.  There was a lady there with a newborn.  I, of course, had to go oogle on this little guy.  As we chatted (yes, she asked if I wanted to hold the baby - -which I did) I mentioned that we homeschooled.  She was full of questions.  I think that she is really interested.  She did have one funny observation. She thought homeschoolers have the common trait of not being very organized people.  I sweetly said that there are all kinds of people who homeschool - super organized to super laid back.  I look forward to talking with her each week and holding that baby.

Another sweet little moment in my otherwise dull life - I took the boys to the bike trail the other day.  We were having 40 degree weather and no rain which is quite the heat wave in Ohio.  Anyways, my always ready to chat 10 year old decided to hang back with slow mom( who was walking) while his brothers went ahead on their rollerblades/bike.  As we passed a local elementary school he commented that he was glad that we homeschooled because he didn't want to learn "stuff without God".  As we (by this I mean mostly he) chatted, he came to a final conclusion that he wanted a wife that would homeschool their children.  YIPPEE!! HOORAY!!  This of course what was going on inside of me but I kept my cool. 

I guess that these two incidents really have brought back a little of the passion that I had for homeschooling before I became a "veteren".  I started this year with less than ideal enthusiasm.  My patience has been worn thin through weeks of various illnesses and other problems.  However, God is able to break through circumstances and recharge me.  Now if I can only find more time to connect with my blogging friends...

God bless you all in your homeschool,

Anissa

Hello friends.  I took an unplanned break from blogging during the holidays.     Anyways, Christmas is over and life slowly gets back to normal.  We had a quiet Christmas this year.  I will have to tell you one funny story.  My niece received a remote control dragonfly for Christmas.  She is 5 yrs old and this was the one gift that she craved above all others.  My bro took her outside to fly the beloved gift.  All was wonderful in the world.  The dragonfly took off and flew - for about 2 minutes.  You see, a huge red-tailed hawk swooped down and grabbed the poor toy and then deposited it a couple of yards away.  The toy was destroyed.  Now my niece never wants another flying toy again.  How did my boys, her cousins, respond?  Well, one of my boys had to go and buy the same toy in order to experience the supreme coolness of a hawk attack.  So far, no hawk. 

We did not do anything for New Year's Eve because my oldest boy is ill.  He tried to stay awake until midnight but the poor kid fell asleep.  The other boys stayed up with Jeff.  I was in bed, reading.  Jeff said that at midnight (they watched the ball drop in NY) my 8 year old gave his 6 year old bro a hug and a big kiss.  I wish that that had been captured on film.

Have a Happy New Year! 

Anissa

Yesterday was cookie making day.  We started before lunch and were still icing cookies after dinner. 

While you can see the mess on top of the countertops, you will only be able to imagine the mess on the floor.  There was cookie dough, crumbs, a dog toy, legos, and shirts that were flung off.  By the way, do you think my youngest has a future career as a plumber?  Look at those Hanes.  You will also have to imagine the noise.  Have you ever sat back and watched your children making a big mess and thought "Oh man, this is going to cause me A LOT of extra work to clean up."  BUT, you also see them having such a great time that you decide to not interfer? 

I have one more picture to share.  This is a very familiar sight of my husband in the winter.  His head is stuck in our woodburners a great majority of the time.  I like to be warm, and so does our 13 year old dog. 

I hope everyone is staying warm and well sugared-up this Christmas season. 

Anissa

After 10 years researching, editing, and groveling, Jeff has earned his Phd.  Last night was the hooding ceremony.  In my world it is called graduation but in the land of academia is it called hooding.  The hood is the blue velvet that you see around his neck.  It hangs all the way down the back.  The colors symbolize the school you earned your degree from (education in Jeff's case) and the university (Kent).

 Here is Dr. Jeff with his diploma. 

I was getting a kick out of the family sitting two rows in front of me.  They reminded me of the family in the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding".  No, I didn't take their picture.  That would have made the ceremony rather uncomfortable, don't ya think?

Anyways, after the ceremony we were all invited to a ballroom for a reception.  My gang was walking around looking at the buffet, trying to find some cake.  I should have taken pictures of the food.  There was unrecognizable foods.  I did see lobster but the rest was rather, well, fancy.  No cake?  We're outta here.  It was a nice evening.  I even painted my fingernails for the occasion.  Impressive, huh?

Seriously, I am really proud of you Jeff.  You worked hard and made it.  I look forward to what the Lord has for our family. 

Ok.  Help.  I don't know why my words are in black.  How do I change them back to white.  HELP!!

Anissa

update:  While I still have no idea what happened, I just clicked on edit template and choose the same template all over again.  This meant that I lost a couple of things but at least the word color is while again.  Have a great weekend!

I just finished reading today's newspaper.  One of the stories concerned the shootings in Colorado over the weekend.  The story revealed that the shooter was a homeschool grad from a very religious home.  Like these two facts shed some light on why he hated Christians.  Why not report the school experience and family religious views of all criminals?  Why just homeschoolers and Christians?  I have a feeling that it is with a bit of glee that this was reported.   Before we all get too upset over this reporting, I have also read news reported from homeschoolers seeming to relish some new failure in the public schools.  We need to work to stop the feelings of mistrust and competition between homeschoolers and everyone else.   I really don't know if anyone else senses this animosity that exists even among believers.  Remember to say a prayer today for the young man's family and for the victims' families.  This will be a holiday season that will be unbearable without the peace of God. 

...but the fire is so delightful...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.  Yes, winter weather has hit.  My kids love it!  Me?  I like snow in December and I like my cozy warm fires.  I like hot chocolate and the beauty of the snow on the trees. 

I also love the Advent season.  Our family will either use the advent candles with nightly Bible readings or the Jesse Tree.  I love both.  We never have observed both traditions in the same year...until this year.  Jeff has decided that since the kids love all of it, why not combine them?  Here is what we are doing:  First, Jeff has the boys create a decoration that has to do with the Bible story for the night. (sometimes we skip this part)  He thinks up the most creative crafts you can imagine.  Then, after clean up, we turn the lights off and the advent candle is lit.  Then one of the boys will play a Christmas carol on the piano.  After this, Jeff reads the Scripture and there is a super-mini discussion.  Then the candle-lighter gets to choose a song to sing and then he prays.  This week is the prophecy candle so all of the scripture has to do with prophecy concerning Jesus.  Well, late last night, I was reading in bed.  I thought all of the boys were asleep when the silence was broken by my #2 son rushing into my room with his Bible in hand.  "Mom!  I found tons of prophecy in the book of Matthew!"  Then he wanted to read me 2 chapters!  Yes, 2 chapters.  I asked for a paraphrase instead of the reading.  There have been a lot of different kinds of problems in my home this week and at times the discouragement was overwhelming.  However, the excitement that my son showed for God's Word was incredibly uplifting.  If you want to observe either Advent or Jesse Tree, it is not too late.  Do a search on the internet and you'll find all kinds of free resources.  It is so neat to light the Jesus candle on Christmas morning.  Each candle makes your room brighter, a visual lesson on how Jesus brought light to a dark world. 

Have a super great weekend!

Anissa

Good morning friends.  I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving.  The stomach flu was still rearing it's ugly head Wednesday morning and our trip to see my brother's family was in serious doubt.  I put my sister-in-law on notice and then just waited.  Late afternoon, Jeff and I decided to go ahead and book a hotel.  We were suppose to stay with my bro but thought it safer to sleep elsewhere in case things grew ugly.  My bro is still recovering from chemo and there was no way that I wanted to make him sick!  So we went to bed Wed night knowing that the trip depended on whether or not any of us, well, had stomach issues through the night.  I woke up at 4:30 am and realized that we made it through the night!  PTL!!!  So we woke the boys @5 am, packed the van and headed to Chicago.  We had a great visit wih my bro and his family.  My sister in law is a trained chef and she is an artist.  I had fun looking at her art and seeing how she decorated their home.  She is really gifted.

We went into Chicago once.  The kids couldn't believe the amount of people, traffic, and buildings that exist there.  One of the boys commented that the people who live in the city must not even know what a star looks like.  Two of the boys had their excitement turn to dread the longer we lingered.  The crowds and noise made them nervous.  They wanted to get back to the hotel and have peace.  We didn't stay very long because it was very cold.  We went to the Lincoln Park Zoo to see the Christmas lights and then ate at the Rock and Roll McDonalds.  You are thinking :  "You ate at McDonalds with the stomach flu?  Are you crazy?"  Well, it had been 48 hours since the last " incident" and we couldn't afford anything else in the city.  The next day we visited Jeff's college roommate and his family.  Jeff attended Wheaton College.  After touring Wheaten we went one last time to my brother's home.  As we were getting ready to head for home, Jeff discovered the flat tire.  So the boys and I settled back in while Jeff found a Walmart and bought a new tire.  By the time we made it home, it was 2am!  I was a little tired.  We stayed awake by listening to the Narnia series on CD.  So today we get back into our normal routine.  After the flu and the trip I am ready to jump back into that very comforting rut....for now.

God bless you,

Anissa

The stomach flu is making its way through my family.  Jeff had it late last week and last night two of the boys came down with this delightful illness.  We have had to put our Thanksgiving plans on hold until we see if we are healthy enough to travel the 6 hours to my brother's home.  Even today's plans got all messed up.  We were all going to go with Jeff to deliver his final copy of the dissertation to the university and then we were going to go to a nearby mall that we enjoy visiting.  Today is my 8 year old's birthday and we were planning on doing something special for him while there.  Instead, Jeff took the two healthy children on the trip (about an hour away) while I stay here with the sickies.  They are currently sleeping and the house is way too quiet for me.  Even the dogs and the guinea pigs are sleeping.  So please leave me a comment so that I can connect with the outside world.  Tell me that this flu will be gone by Thurs and we can make our trip.  Please.  I am desperate for some good news.   I need hope.

Waa waa waa.  Don't you hate hearing all of this whining? 

Quid agis?  I had one of those aha! moments yesterday.  I must first remind you of a prior confession of mine - that I did not like teaching latin.  For those of you who are not going the classical route you are scratching your heads wondering why bother with a dead language.  However, those who are die hard classical educators are gasping in horror.  You see, latin, is suppose to be taught, according to experts in classical education.  It has something to do with learning word roots or torturing poor moms, I'm not sure which.  Anyways,  I was trying to plow through some conjugations and declensions yesterday with my oldest.  He was willing to play along but totally uninspired.  Then it hit me - this curriculum is boorrrrrrring!   If is bores me, can you imagine what it does to an 11 year old boy?  So I told him that we would get through some of the vocab and things like that but we would skip the latin prayers.  This would get us to the end quicker and then I could find something different to use.   Maybe a workbook that uses puzzles or some other means of teaching would help us along.  The only reason I used this curriclum was because the expert told me to... If I am following someone else's curriculum choice for my kids then am I really homeschooling? 

I must now say valete dear amici.  

Anissa

Life around here has settled into a nice routine since soccer ended.  Jeff gets home from work and we have a leisurely dinner.  Then my oldest son and Jeff head to our 'school room' and work on algebra.  Having a husband who actually thinks algebra is fun is quite a blessing to this math-challenged mom.  Jeff is really good about spending time with each boy.  Last night turned into a carnival...no really it did.  You see, we were eating dinner when one of the boys picked up a dice from the floor that had fallen from a board game.  The boys started getting each other to guess what number they would roll.  Then Jeff, the happy mathematician, began a discussion on probability.  He explained how so many games at carnivals use probablity to take your money.  After cleaning up the dinner table, the boys rushed to the basement and set up a carnival.  You should have heard them all calling out "Step right up! Try my game!"  Jeff and I had to go down and play carnival games.   Either Jeff has taught the boys how some of those games are not set up for you to win, or they are going to enjoy gambling. 

Tomorrow is my baby's 6th birthday.  I really can't believe how fast time is flying (forgive the cliche).  I sort of miss having a baby. 

I hope all of you are enjoying your week. 

Anissa

Good morning everyone.  I have only a few minutes to say hello before all of the fun of another school day begins.  There is a bit of excitement in the home this morning as the first snowflakes of the season are falling.  Hopefully today my oldest son will finally concede and not wear shorts.  He is really fighting the whole cold-weather-has-arrived reality. 

This month begins the birthday season for my family.  By February everyone is pretty well sick of giving and receiving gifts.  I tried to put off the making of the wish lists for as long as possible, but the grandparents become so excited to start.  The making of the lists is pure agony for me.  The older ones understand when to stop the " I want that" conversation, but to the little ones the list is a work in progress.  

Oh man, they are coming to me now.  I guess that the little blessings from above need me.  I will hopefully chat with you later.

Have a great day.

Anissa

Here it is another Monday and I can look back at my blog and wonder where the time went.  I mean, I have not been here in a week?!?  I suppose all of you somehow school, manage your home, and blog all in the same day.  I do not have the stamina for such feats.  Some of you even work outside the home - you are wonder-women. 

This last weekend was pretty uneventful.  I helped Jeff grade some of his school papers.  The boys and I were laughing so hard at some of the answers.  One example of a question & answer: Q What was the nickname of a famous ruler from Portugal who was also an explorer?  A.  Paris Hilton  Of course all of you know that it is Prince Henry the Navigator.  I may have not written the question the way the quiz said but you get the idea.  There were many, many answers that were so funny. 

Today we reconstructed a city street in London from 1666 and then burned in down.  We read about the fire today in our history book.  After our city was burned down, my 7 year old started irritating his younger brother.  My little guy then came to me and asked if we could send Nate to London!  He was a little disappointed to find out that the city is no longer burning.  You'll have to believe me when I say that they really do like each other.  In fact, at this very moment they are constructing various ships for their Beanie Babies.

The noise around me is increasing in volume and I am having trouble thinking so I'd better say good-bye.  I hope all of you are off to a great week!

Anissa

Good morning everyone!  I have great news.  Soccer season is over.  Whatever normal is, we can return to it until basketball begins...

My husband just left for work.  I wished him good luck with his students and he said to wish him luck with our church people (said in humorous vain).  You see, today our church begins an afterschool program targeting Jeff's school.  This morning at 7am some members of the congregation will be gathering in the hallways to pray for the school (shhhh, don't let the ACLU find out).  I am rather glad about this.  Jeff's school contains all of the 7th and 8th graders of the city.  There are many fights, threats, etc...going on there each day.  I pray daily for Jeff's safety and am glad that more peoples' prayers will cover the school.  Satan has a stronghold within this school that can be broken.  So why was he nervous about these members coming to school this morning?  Well, many in our older congregation have no idea what they are stepping into...junior high is a battle ground.  

On that cheery note, I shall begin my "battles" with laundry, keeping the kitchen counter cleared of debris, legos everywhere, and schooling. 

Anissa