Well, after some time learning to get around iTunes, I was able to get some podcasts downloaded.  This has been really fun.  I came across sites with free podcasts from well known preachers and such.  Just what I was looking for.  Now I have Kay Arthur on my iPod and I can have my study with her everyday and not have to deal with the computer buffering.  I have also managed to get the Homeschool Expo on there, but that was a bit of an ordeal.  I don't know what happened, but I thought I couldn't get any but one of the speakers to download.  After a few days I was randomly clicking on my podcasts to get to know how everything works better and I found that all the speakers were indeed there, but I have to download them individually.  My settings were all ok, so I don't know why this has happened.  Just as well, I really don't need all of them anyway.  Now I can be out in the garden and listening to inspiring sermons or homeschool speakers.  Thank you my Hubby, I love the iPod!

The kids and I had a great lesson yesterday regarding the Stamp Act.  I was king and I gave them 20 nickels each to have for the whole day.  The catch was that everytime they used a piece of paper, whether it was a book, music books, notebook paper, even toilet paper, cost them a nickel.  They were so funny in that they did become outraged about the whole thing and thought it wasn't fair I didn't have to pay and my pile of money kept getting bigger.  Hey, I was the king!  I made the rules and got all the money.   I think I made my point.

We also started into the book of Leviticus.  I know, I know, but it's still history and it points to the fact we need a Saviour.  If we are not with Jesus, we are still under the law carrying that heavy burden that we cannot carry alone.  Jesus came and was the perfect sacrifice for are sins.  The Isrealites had to make their own atonement with a burnt offering and because we are sinners, we cannot possibly make enough sacrifices.  Jesus fulfilled all the laws and set us free as long as we profess He is Lord.  What a promise He offers us.  Think of carrying heavy loads uphill on a hot day.  If we just ask, Jesus will take that load for us and quench our thirst with the living water.

The point of Leviticus in our studies goes along with the setting up of a new nation (America  and Isreal) and the laws that were put into place.

I got our new Math U See books yesterday.  We got the new editions and they are really nice.  I think I may miss the comb binding, but we'll see.  I realized something the other day, too.  MUS takes a different approach in teaching math skills.  Each book is geared for certain math functions like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and now we have fractions.  Each books takes you as far as you can go with each function and exhausts it.  Now what I've realized is that I have worried a bit that the boys are not doing what other textbooks are doing, but I feel the Lord telling me to stay put.  Plus the boys are doing well with this curriculum.  I did happen the other day to see some scope and sequences from another curriculum and I see that my guys are just fine.  They in most cases have gone beyond their grade level in that function and they might be only missing a few things but will eventually pick up later.  My mind has been officially been put to ease and we are staying the course.  I'm glad because I really love this math program.  I've learned so much.

My spinach and lettuce is springing up in my cold frame.  I feel like a horse straining at the bit.  I'm so eager to get the veggie garen going this year.  I have big, big plans for it.  There's so much I want to do, but let myself get overwhelmed with doing it.  I need to S..L...O...W...down and enjoy the time.  I've got raspberries, nectarines, apricot, and peach tree, grapevines ordered.  I have seeds sprouting in trays with more to plant.  Do you think 66 tomato plants is too much?  That's of course they all come up. No I'm not planning on trying to grow all these.  I think I'd like to take them to farmer's market and sell the baby plants, just to get aquainted with the whole process.  I'll be growing lots of heirloom vegetables this year.  I want to be able to save seed.  Gotta figure that one out yet, the whole cross pollination thing.  AND I 've got to get my wits about me to do battle with the bugs.  No spraying here, just ways to deal with them.  Row covers come to mind and companion planting.

No, I still haven't done any winter projects!