April 25, 2009 - My Weekly Wrapup
My Weekly Wrapup April 20-24, 2009
Faith
I've been trying to read the Bible daily, but haven't been keeping up with my read through the Bible in a year plan. I need to keep working on that.
I keep having unbelievers and our nation and what we stand for on my heart. I will keep praying. But, also, I pray that God would direct me how to reach out to others in a tangible way.
Our Farm
Dora Ann still hasn't calved. She's at least a week past her due date - according to the last possible date she could have gotten pregnant. And, she keeps faking us out. She lost her calf last year and we weren't home at the time, so we're extra nervous. We hope it was just a fluke and that we get to keep her. She is such a sweet Momma - loves to be scratched.
I'm waiting on my greenhouse seedlings to sprout. I have one warmer for my trays. Otherwise, it's been above freezing in there, but not optimal.
The steers got out of the electric fence at the neighbors, so this week Jon is working on re-inforcing the fence over there - making it double layered in spots. He is also working on tilling a couple acres of field to replant.
Our Home & Health
We've all been healthy, except Rachel is fighting a cold. I don't know where we get them from - dance, church, or the grocery store - those are pretty much the only places we go!
I felt like I was treading water with the house all week. Oh, well, "some days are like that".
I've been trying to eat less, to the point of feeling hungry all week. My feet have been bothering me so I haven't added walking to my routine, but I've done a lot of stretching.
In The Schoolroom
We started each day with Violin practice. On Tuesday we went to dance. Nat did Saxon Math four out of five days, but it was taking her like an hour to an hour and a half to do her math by Thursday, so on Friday, I just let her do her own thing on math, which was actually a pretty good summary of what she had learned this week. Nat's been working through the human body book on her own. She even wanted to do it on Saturday she is that interested. She learned about teeth and nutrition among other things this week. She's been doing copywork from the Bible and also from the Handbook of Nature Study. She has chosen mostly to write about sheep. She really wants a goat and I think sheep are close to goats, so she's hooked. We've been doing a lot of nature study this week. Not four to six hours a day, but a good hour of dedicated time each day, plus free time outside. We looked at our giant Douglas Fir and it's deep grooves at the bottom of our property this Friday. We've continued with Parables Of Nature, Fifty Famous Stories, and Trial and Triump this week. Nat is reading By The Shores Of Silver Lake of the Little House Series this week. We went to soccer on Thursday - in the rain, and Nat had a soccer game on Saturday. The game is a challenge for her - especially the cold, early mornings, but she pretty much begs to continue next year, so I think we may. I keep going back and forth.
Rachel has really made progress reading this week. She is finally getting most of the letters - including the letter "I". Yeah! And she is all the sudden able to understand the "vowel followed by a consonant followed by an e" rule. She can't actually tell me vowels from consonants - but she gets that certain letters followed by other letters followed by an e say their name and the e says, "shhhh!" How cool is that! I can't tell you how pumped I am at that.
Abigail, well Abigail is cute and she likes to do "Copywork" too right next to sisters - she likes to get out pencils and paper, help with the dishes and the laundry. She's just plain cute!
Our Business
I haven't been into work this week at all. Business is pretty slow as I hear from almost everyone, yet we are hopeful for opportunities and for God's blessing.
On Friday, we went to dinner with some friends. Here are some cute pictures from that night:
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April 18, 2009 - Weekly Wrap-Up
My Weekly Wrapup April 13-17, 2009
Faith
I have been feeling convicted about praying for unbelievers we come into contact with and to set an example in this with my children, rather than just get frustrated with people that seem to have no regard for God or Godly things. I have also had some good prayer times praying for my husband before he leaves and as we go to bed. This may seem too obvious to even state, but it's a habit we frequently get out of that is very important to us.
Our Farm
Things are starting to turn green! Jon moved the steers over to the neighbor's pasture this week. Just in time too as we are running out of hay. We sell pasture fed steers that people have butchered. It's totally healthy. And great meat - although it has a slightly different taste than grocery store meat, but I think better!
We also raise Momma Cows who have babies. We keep the girls for breeding, and hope to get all our steers from our own herd one day. We have a Momma Cow we've been waiting to go into labor forever. Jon says now at this point that she had to have gotten pregnant the last day the Bull was here because even according to that date she's overdue a couple of day. She looks REALLY ready. So wait to hear about another calf. It will probably happen at night, it always seems to.
Our Home & Health
I managed to mostly (except my room and a carpet shampooing) do a house top to bottom this week. It feels good to me. After the broken arm, I've felt really behind.
I hope to get back in the swing of things in my cooking soon. I made home-made bread one day this week, but I hope to get some sourdough starters going, some buttermilk going, and get an Azure order placed.
In The Schoolroom
It's often hard to remember exactly what we did during a week. Of course, Natalie continued on her Saxon math. I love its gradual approach, for instance even in 2nd grade they are introducing multiplication with 5's first, then 2's and 3's.
Natalie -7- finished reading Kavik, The Wolf Dog, which was one of my favorite books when I was in grade school. I'm glad she liked it as well. She finished reading Tom Swift and His Sky Racer at the beginning of this week as well. She is also reading the Black Stallion. Natalie -7- does a great job of reading picture books to her younger sister -5- as well.
In science the girls have been learning about the senses - including taste, hunger, hearing, and sight. I just can't say enough about the Answers in Genesis God's Design For Life science series. My girls love it, are always fascinated by what they've learned, and love the hands on activities.
We've been reading in Trial & Triumph, the Discovery Of New Worlds, Parables from Nature, and Fifty Famous Stories Retold. I actually find myself not only better informed for having read these books to the girls, but convicted by the stories of church leaders (or servants) throughout the ages. One particular character that will stick in our memory from this week (especially since there were stories about him in more than one book) is King Alfred The Great.
Natalie -7- has chosen to do her copywork out of The Handbook Of Nature Study and has been writing about sheep all week. She has done a great job.
I continue to work with Rachel -5- on phonics, phonics readers, and basic math worksheets. She is quite good at math and always wants her worksheets. She isn't as interested in phonics, although she has come up with her own form of copywork - taking her sister's books and the Bible and copying them, then asking me what they say. This might just be how she ends up learning to read in the end! It's what interests her.
We've also spent a fair amount of time outside this week as the weather has been warmer. We've been seeing wildflowers, blooming trees, and other signs of spring. Since I am back to driving, we were back to all our activities this week. We went to ballet, to violin, and to soccer and enjoyed them all.
Our Business
We're continuing to get settled in to our new work location, although we have a lot of set up still to do. It's amazing how many details regarding this. I went into work for a few hours this week with my husband, then went out to dinner with him. It's amazing how this kind of arrangement suits us - when there isn't anyone else there at work, it is like a date for us - and we really enjoy working together. This hasn't been the case when we've worked together under the pressure of a daily business.
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April 10, 2009 - My Weekly Wrap Up
My Weekly Wrapup April 4-April 10, 2009
Faith
I feel like God is continuing to do a work in me to pray for my world and country and family. I did not do much Bible study this week, I am afraid.
Our Farm
We are still waiting for Dora Ann to have a baby calf. Any time. She isn't showing any signs yet. Jon moved the main herd (mostly steers) to a bigger pasture. Next week he will move them to the neighbor's pasture - who generously let us borrow their field. Between my injury and the move at work - we have been behind at implementing the greenhouse. It is halfway done, however.
I am also watching all sorts of perennials start to bring forth new buds. I want to get out there and divide up some clumping type of flowers before they become too big.
Our Home & Health
My wrist is feeling quite good. I'm typing with two hands without any trouble now. It's two weeks till I'm home clear. I'm excited for that day. I want to start exercising and want to get some cooking goals accomplished. I'm slowly getting started on some of it now.
The house is getting much easier to keep up with. And I did a lot of organizing of my desk this week, which desperately needed to be done. I'm analytical in all that I do and I tend to collect more and more papers which I don't know what to do with. I like my various hobbies and interests, yet it is my desire to stick with the interests I have going and not add to them. Of course, the Lord can lead me, but too often I lead myself into disarray.
In The Schoolroom
I've really been enjoying my Charlotte Mason reading this week. It's about the out of doors. The weather was beautiful this week and between that and how I've been influenced by my Charlotte Mason reading, I have largely been allowing my girls to enjoy the weather. We have done math and reading of course. Natalie has done science. Natalie has been reading a Tom Swift book from the library. And, we have been studying nature. It has been enjoyable.
Our Business
It's been busy because we just moved and everything is still unsettled. Also, Jon's work computer went down (the core of it was about six years old and was due to be replaced) and so he has been dealing with an unreliable computer all week. This has been frustrating to him.
Other Activities
The girls went to dance this week. They just love dance. It's a Christian classical dance studio and the girls absolutely love it. I love it too as I get good fellowship there.
We also went to soccer this week and have soccer tomorrow morning. The girls really enjoy soccer, but unfortuneately I don't so much. I'm not sure what to do about next year. Sometimes I wonder if I started soccer to make up for my own lack of sports ability anyhow. Yet, sports were a really great thing for my husband growing up.
We went and watched Mariah's Easter recital at her school this week. Mariah (my step-daughter) is in a Christian school this year and we are as pleased as can be with how she is doing. She had a solo at the performance and was beautiful and sounded beautiful.
On Sunday we are planning to visit cousins, which is a long drive, but one we usually only make a few times a year.
Here is a picture of the girls explaining about their outdoor art (people made out of cedar chips).
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April 3, 2009 - My Weekly Wrapup
I'm participating in Mary's Show 'N Tell Friday. Visit Mary's blog to see more entries like these.
My Weekly Wrapup March 30-April 3, 2009
Faith
I've been praying a lot for wellness in our family and for God's help in our business. I've also been reading some in Daniel and Revelation this week. Not that I'm that into prophecy, I just wanted to try and understand where some people get the ideas they have.
I am really praying for (starting with myself) for Christians to pray for the God's people to humble themselves and pray for our world and nation and for His righteousness to shine in this generation. I think sometimes we get so frustrated and feel like what can we do about where this whole society is going. Well, He can accomplish much and one of the main ways He chooses to work through us is through our prayers. Of course He knows best, but He wants us to petition Him nonetheless. Remember Abraham petitioning God for Lot's city? It turned out the time had come for it to be destroyed, but God did not look down on Abraham's compasssion or prayers.
Our Farm
Dora Ann should have a baby calf in the next week or two now. She is the last of the cows which we are planning on re-breeding to have a calf. And she, along with the other Mommas stay in the upper pasture by our house. We'll wait and see.
Our Home & Health
My wrist is getting better. Two and a half more weeks till I can drive and do more things with my left arm. At least I think so. I'm getting to the stage where my fingers feel more flexible and my arm usually isn't in pain and I am tempted to do things I'm not supposed to do yet - like grab a pillow with my broken arm or scoot my toddler on my lap or try and fold towels.
The house is a challenge to keep up with. But most of the time I've kept up with making meals. I'm so glad I came up with that easy menu plan before I broke my wrist. I'm not being perfect with Rachey's Gluten Free Casein Free and I think it shows - we've had lots of potty accidents and some trouble looking me in the eye and concentrating on days when I haven't been so good. It's so hard to tell what is just a bad day and what is diet related. If I just never ate when we were out and about and never cheated on milk products with her, it might be clearer
In The Schoolroom
We're pretty much back on task with school this work, since the kids are well, I'm out of pain, and I am a lot more mobile.
Some books we've been reading together are Trial & Triumph, Exploring New Worlds, and The Burgess Bird Book. Nat read several readers to Rachel this week - one about Helen Keller. Then she made brail with foam sticky shapes she cut up. Nat also read a full length translation of Pinnochio this week. She loved it and was sad there wasn't a sequel about his life as a real boy. Nat did some copywork from The Handbook Of Nature Study and the Bible.
Nat worked on 2's and 5's in multiplication and double digits with adding. I like Saxon math for it's gradual introduction of topics. I just cut back on the worksheets when I feel it is too much. Nat spaces sometimes and forgets to watch for signs in her math. That another good thing about Saxon - they mix it all together so the kids learn to watch for signs. I'm quick to explain things to my girls with manipulatives so we make math fun that way. I do want to get the book Family Math sometime for a more hands on approach.
In science the girls have been learning about the brain and the nervous system. They really enjoy the projects that go with the chapter. Below, I'm sharing a picture of their brain models (Natalie's and Mariah's).
Rachey has been enthusiastic about reading "Top Job Mom" to me this week and enthusiastic about her math (which is Abeka Kindergarden math).
Our Business
Things are going well. We are moving our business closer to our home. Jon's putting in lots of hours because of that, but it's good long term.
Mariah went to work with Jon two days this week - and was excited to help Dad with stuff. Since this week it's not all desk work, but more hands on and errands, it works out well.
I went in with Jon on Tuesday. It was actually just a few hours in the office. That would be about how much I think I could stand, typing with one hand. Then, Jon & I went out to dinner (no kids). It was nice!
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March 8, 2009 - My Weekly Wrapup #6 2009
My Weekly Wrapup #6 2009
It's been a good week, despite me starting the week out sick.
Faith
This was another slow week when it has come to Bible reading and prayer. I've been continuing to read Habakkuk. I'm finding that really comforting especially when looking at the place our country is in. Only God knows what time it is in His plan, but whatever the case, we can know that God will prevail. It seems like my husband and I have taken more time to pray together before he leaves for work this week. And, God has been faithful to work through my husband as I lift him up in prayer.
Our Farm
It was a good week on the farm. We had a calf. She is doing great by the way. She leads all the calves on runs around the field - with her mom following in tow. Moooooo. Her baby is still young and she doesn't like her running around everywhere. Little Jewel (Jewel is the calf's name) likes her belly rubbed too. I'm excited for a tame Cow. The other female doesn't much like being pet, so it was nice that this one does.
Our Home & Health
My kids and I continued to struggle with this virus. It was never really THAT bad - just icky achey stuff and a little runny nose, but it continued to slow us down. I worked on my menu plan this week and I'm optimistic it will work for me. Another thing I am doing is having a master list based on my basic menu plan and based on staples we need. Then I just go through and highlight what I need. I've had something similar in the past. But, this is more simplified and I think it will work better. Just after doing dishes, trying to figure out grocery shopping is my hardest task. Who says going to work is hard anyhow??? Those people with the idea that staying home is easy, just do not know. It's not easy, but it's rewarding. And I love that I love my kids and that my kids feel loved, rather than some burden their parents like in small doses only please.
In The Schoolroom
Well, we've just continued on. Not much exciting in this realm. More Carry On, Mr. Bowditch. I'd have thought we would have finished it but we got slowed down being sick. I finished it like the first two days we had the book in our possession. But, the girls and I that's a different story. The girls did a lot of science this week - between Thornton's Bird Book and The Human Body Book. We've also done some art study and they wrote a story about one of the pictures we were studying.
We did more math of course. It's amazing how much Natalie likes doing two worksheets over three. She gets two worksheets done in a half hour versus three in about an hour and a half. It was just too repetitive. Natalie asked me about fractions this week and we actually went over reducing fractions. She's in 2nd grade and she didn't get it exactly, but she was having fun with fraction cubes figure out that two 1/4's equals 1/2 and 1/3 plus two 1/2's equals 1 and 1/3. I think having them asking questions on their own and exploring their questions, well that is what homeschooling is all about. That's the goal.
Natalie is always reading about five books. I can't keep track of her. I think she finished By The Banks Of Plum Creek this week. She loves the Mrs. Piggle Wiggle books. Rachel pretends to read her sister's chapter books and she spells words out to me and asks me what they spell. We talk about phonics. It's what works for her. We're establishing an interest and a curiosity and waiting for that to line up with her comprehension.
Our Business
Business has been better. Still slow, but as I mentioned last week we're moving ahead moving our business closer to our home. What with being sick and homeschooling, I didn't put any time in this week, except quick stuff from home.
Activities
Despite being sick we made it to dance and made it to soccer. Natalie wasn't feeling great at Thursday's soccer practice. But she was fine by Saturday's game. I wonder about the wisdom of keeping Natalie in soccer sometimes as she is more of a thinker than an athlete. But, it's just for fun at this age, right? And she does have fun. Here is a picture from soccer. This is, of course, her most favorite part of the game.
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March 1, 2009 - My Weekly Wrapup #5 2009
My Weekly Wrapup #5 2009
Faith
Well, I must say that I have the feeling of having slacked off in this area in this last week. On Saturday morning this weekend, we did read Psalm 23 and go over every verse and what it meant to them at the breakfast table. This was my hubbies idea. I just love my husband leading us in that way. I tend to be the one that goes over the verse with them after they read it, because I'm most familiar with how to put scripture into words the kids understand. Yet, despite me being the most wordy at devotional time, I really think it says something when my husband is the one that makes sure moments like these happen for our household. The girls really enjoyed it too.
Our Farm
We are still waiting for Ruby (our Red Angus cow) to go into labor. We thought her due date was February 23. And, Jon thought she'd go into labor early for some reason. So, we've been waiting a while. She should have the cutest little calf as it will be half Red Angus (which is a beautiful red color) and half Pinzgauer (which have really sweet looking faces and have that white stripe down their back). I can't wait to see it.
We finally decided on a plan for a greenhouse. We decided to do the bare minimum and are making a 8 x 10 x 6 foot greenhouse made with PVC pipe for the hoops, treated boards for the base, and greenhouse film for the cover. So, we've ordered the supplies. Hopefully we'll build it next weekend. Then we'll be full speed ahead trying to make our own starts.
Our Home & Health
Natalie and I and I think the baby have been fighting a little cold/flu this week. Achey and congested, but not too bad. I think it helps that I've been eating less sugar lately - the cold doesn't get quite as miserable as it otherwise could be. Everything is still going great with Rachel. I think we've found our answer for her. We've just been maintaining on the house this week, but at least we've done that and it hasn't totally fallen apart.
Natalie (DD7) said she wanted to learn how to do laundry today. How cool is that? So, I showed her how. Both Natalie and Rachel already know how to fold most laundry (with a little supervision), but they just hate to do it. I hope this skill is one she stays enthusiastic about.
In The Schoolroom
Natalie has been continuing with Saxon math. I've cut it down to two worksheets, instead of the three a day that Saxon comes with. I've been reading a Charlotte Mason book this week and I was impressed to do that - as they say the younger kids should really only be doing 1/2 hour of math a day. Some days it was taking Natalie an hour and a half or more. Not because it was difficult. Just because she drifted when she was doing her math. I think the change was good.
We're almost done with Carry On Mr. Bowditch. Both my five and seven year old have enjoyed this book immensely. We've also been reading The Burgess Bird Book. We've had our bird reference book out with us as we've read about the birds and this peaks their interest in birds even more than it was already. We've been reading Trial and Triumph and Exploring New Worlds too. The girls like those books too and I think they open their eyes (and mine) to the greater history of Christianity.
We basically follow the outline from Ambelside Online - adding in Saxon math and Answers In Genesis God's Design For Life Science. So, we read our books, we do our math, we do our science, we do copywork, then the kids self-initiate other projects like writing about an animal or writing a story. For a long time I felt like I needed to add Lapbooking to what I was doing, but with the young ages of kids I have and how challenging it is to get done the basics, I've reduced my expectations on myself. When I look at how enthusiastic the girls are for learning, I think I'm doing the right thing. The right thing for our family that is. What's neat about homeschooling is that we all get to figure out what works best for our own families.
We did dance on Tuesday. We skipped violin on Wednesday (as Natalie was feeling especially bad that day). We went to soccer practice on Thursday. On Friday, it was nice weather, and I was feeling bad, so we opted out of school and we went to the park.
Our Business
The economy continues to slow down our business. Quite frankly, with each new announcement from the executive office of our government, orders seem to come in slowly. I could point by point take you through each announcement and tell you how detrimental it is for small business people and working people in general (not to mention detrimental morally), but I will refrain.
The bright news, however, is that we worked out an agreement with our old landlord for terminating our lease. Also, within a month, our business will be closer to home so Jon will be able to get home in 11 minutes (exactly) if need be. And, if I'm going in for a few hours, it won't seem like such a hard thing.
I went in and worked one evening this week while Jon watched the kids. Jon also gave me some free time another day which was nice.
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February 20, 2009 - Do You Ever Just Have One Of Those Weeks?
My Weekly Wrapup #4 2009
Do you ever just have one of those weeks??? As you'll read below one of my biggest things I've been dealing with this week was just a needy toddler. Also, I've been dealing with a general tiredness on my part.
Then, this evening, I asked my DH to look at my computer and see if he could fix the USB printer connection for me. You are supposed to be able to plug and unplug USB in live. However, not this time. The USB broke off ruining the plug and the motherboard - which means we'll have to do a complete upgrade of my computer. Not a real problem for me since I'll just send my computer to work and have the technicians upgrade the computer. But, probably, we'll have to order in a couple of parts and now it's Friday. So, I'll probably not have my computer till next Wednesday or later. No Photoshop, no uploading photos, no life scheduling and homeschol planning.
Faith
Well, I read Habakkuk with my husband this week and I prayed with him a couple of times before he went to work and God really answered those prayers.
Our Farm
I did enjoy visiting the cows. They are getting really more comfortable around us. One of the Mommas comes right over to me and stands there till I scratch her back. The boy calf is also friendly and likes his tummy rubbed. Last weekend, we partially trimmed our overgrown apple tree on the bottom of the property. We really need to get to some winter garden stuff like spraying and planning out that greenhouse. I'm starting to sound like a broken record on that one.
Our Home & Health
Well, I'm happy to report that going gluten free and as of lately avoid lactose (but not cheese - yeah) seems to have done the trick for Rachel. Everyone has been quite healthy, and we've heard of lots of bugs going around, so right now for that reason (among many others), we are thankful for home schooling. I made bread this week. It's amazing how quickly it disappears!
In The Schoolroom
Well...it's been a challenge this week. I started this week on Tuesday. Jon watched the girls on President's Day and I went into work. From then on, I can't really tell you what we got done. We read fairy tales and Natalie did her math three days out of four. We went to violin, dance, and soccer. Today I let the kids play, play, play in the yard as it was the most beautiful day. But I struggled to keep the house up. I struggled to do much reading with the girls or any projects. It seemed to me, this week, that anytime I was trying to clean or read with the girls or plan homeschooling projects or cook, there was my baby girl with a, "uh, uh, uh." Even trying to read with the girls with her on my lap - she'd take the book, want up and down, and just generally fuss.
Business
It's been a challenging but good week. We had a landlord issue this week - telling us we are "auto-renewed" for another year because we didn't "give adequate notice" (you know like even though we've been in a conversation with them for months - we're moving to a location which is closer to our home). They are really unethical people. But, they picked a fight with the wrong man, I can tell you that.
I leave you with a picture from soccer. This is Rachel at the end of the line. This isn't Rachel's team. She wasn't old enough to play soccer yet this year. But she likes to go to her sister's practice and play with them and Natalie's coach is obliging.
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February 14, 2009 - My Week In Review #3 2009
Faith:
Believe it or not, I've been thinking a lot this week about Asherah poles and every worship or pagaan practice that pulls us away from God, needs to be pulled down.
2 Chronicles 14:2-6
Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to obey his laws and commands. He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. He built up the fortified cities of Judah, since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the LORD gave him rest.
Quite frankly, I am grieved. I am grieved for this nation that would accept the kind of reckless lawmaking that is going on right now. I am grieved for the continuing moral decline and acceptance of all things worldly, whether it be coarse talk, pornography, television shows and movies that push the envelope, immodest dress, disrespect, etc.
And, I am convicted. I am convicted of my need to pray. Pray for our world. Pray for our nation. Pray for our leaders to have strength and morality and honesty. Pray for people to turn to Jesus, not just because He will bless them, but because they know He is good and strong and real, that they are willing to take up their cross and follow Him. Pray for opportunities to speak the truth in love through the power of the Holy Spirit to others.
Our Farm:
Not a lot happening here, except a funny quote from my husband. "I wish I had ten times as much manure to spread on the fields." Well, I found that funny, anyhow. We are awaiting our Ruby to have a calf soon. And, I need to sit down with my husband and plan a do-it-yourself greenhouse with him.
Our Home & Our Health:
Everything has been well this week. I really got ahead at organizing the house and practically got all the laundry caught up. I've also been continuing to attack dust everywhere I can find it. I think I'm pretty much at the end of what I can do, except for keeping it up. Also, I want my husband to move our (VERY HEAVY) bed a little, so I can dust behind it. My allergies have improved with all my hard work.
I haven't made any bread for the longest time. I hope I get to that next week. Homemade bread is so much better than store bought. We mostly ate at home this week, except when both Jon and I both worked.
In The School Room:
We plodded along this week. Rachel's really been picking up on her writing and sounding out words and I'm pleased as pie about that. Natalie's been moving ahead with new math concepts. She carried a two with one problem and I hadn't even taught her about that. We've continued to read Carry On Mr. Bowditch. I just love this book. I tell Natalie that she sails by ash breeze by teaching herself things, just like Nathaniel Bowditch. In science, Natalie studied paramecium, worms, and starfish among other things. She is always so gung ho about making her own little models of all these creatures. Natalie practiced violin during the week, but didn't on Friday and Saturday. I'll have to have her practice on Sunday to get caught up. Both the girls are doing great copywork for their level. One day this week, Natalie wanted to do some copywork out of the Handbook For Nature Study all on her own. And she came up with her own lesson plan. (Sailing by ash breeze just like Nathaniel Bowditch). Oh, and (of course) the girls are always doing artwork. We also went to dance this week and and we went on a nature walk. Sometimes it doesn't feel like I'm getting a lot done, but looking back we sure did.
Our Business:
I worked Friday evening and part of Saturday, then going out on a valentine's date with my dear hubby. Things are moving along with work and we are really excited about the enthusiasm and ideas that a couple of our employees are coming up with. Of course they come up with ideas of things for me to do, but that's ok. I want to keep improving my Photoshop and Photography skills anyhow!
Me Stuff:
The biggest me thing was that my tripod and shutter release came in this week. I had fun taking some new types of pictures I needed a tripod for. My next goal with all of that is to write out a list of pictures that I want to shoot with my camera so I can check them off as I do them.
Also, I've been reminiscing about how little my baby once was this week. Oh, to have a little newborn. I love my toddler and I'm in awe of all the new things she does, but I just can't believe how she's changed.
Here is a pic of her shortly after she came home:
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February 6, 2009 - My Week In Review #2 2009
Faith: I've been reading and re-reading about the Proverbs 31 wife this week:
Psalms 31:10-31
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
My sweet husband is always telling me I'm a Proverbs 31 woman. There is so much more of the Proverbs 31 woman that I want to become. But here are some of the things that strike me as I read Proverbs 31. She wasn't passive. She spoke for herself. She didn't go through her husband to speak into others lives. Yet, her instruction was faithful and full of wisdom. She wasn't selfish is her confidence. She was a business woman. Yet, she put her household first. I strive to hit that balance. And, above all of that I pray that I would become truly a woman who fears the Lord.
Our Farm: Not much has been happening on the farm front. Our two black calves are out grazing the field with all our other cattle. We have another calf due probably in about a week to two weeks.
I've been getting overwhelmed with the chickens in our yard. Even though we've moved them out of our yard into the field and then even farther away from our yard, they keep coming back to our yard to scratch and poop, which is just embarrassing when people come over and we have to tell them to watch their step. My DH put up a 2x4 under the gate where we figure they get into our yard from. This helped, but two chickens got into our yard anyhow, then couldn't get back out to go to their pen. Natalie, who is our resident junior chicken master, noticed a couple places where the livestock fence was up a bit from the ground. So, she and are hoping that Jon will be able to re-inforce these spots and keep the chickens out of the yard. I really do love having chickens. I just don't like having their mess on the sidewalks.
Our Home & Our Health: I took Rachel to get her MRI this week. So she doesn't have Tethered Cord. And she doesn't have Celiac (her tests came back on that earlier). So, I guess her issues are just a mystery and I'll just keep on keeping on and keep her off gluten anyhow and maybe work harder at getting her off dairy. All our family is really healthy as can be and Rachel's tummy issues seem to be more of an annoyance than anything.
In The School Room: We only got three days of school done this week. That's ok. We often do school when the school district doesn't have school, so it all works out. Monday, I had the MRI for Rachel. Then in the evening I worked at our business. Tuesday, the girls had dance (pic below). Then when we came home it was so warm and sunny (so unusual for us this time of year) that I just couldn't make our girls do schoolwork.
The rest of the days we did schoolwork and also violin on Wednesday.
We continued to read Mr. Bowditch. We continued to learn about sea creatures (this time mullusks and coral, etc.). Natalie has been finding scriptures on her own and writing them down in a journal. She was really interested this week in a scripture from Isaiah that talked about sacrifices of animals and such, and how they are nothing if a man's heart wasn't right. She asked me what it meant and I explained it. She had been dealing with just such an issue earlier in the week, and I think it really spoke to her. It was neat to see. We've done copywork. We've done math. Natalie did violin. We didn't do much history this week (unless you count Mr. Bowditch). I tried a technique Robinlyn used with her girls when they were younger, which is allowing the girls to do things with their hands during reading time. That is...allowing Natalie to draw pictures during reading time as long as she drew something related to the story. She was really enthused and motivated by this, and seemed to have improved understanding because of it.
Our Business: In addition to working earlier in the week, there was also some business I had to work on one morning when our programmer updated our website and it broke some html on our site, which is a lot cheaper for me to fix than a programmer. As much as I hate combining the business with our home life, we really are blessed to be able to be there with our kids most of the time.
"Me" Stuff: Not much me stuff this week. Yet, I just can't help myself and I'm always playing around in Photoshop with photos.
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January 30, 2009 - My Week In Review
I have been toying with the idea of doing a weekly report like Carol at Three Little Ladies does. This is my own format. I hope this will be a good reminder for myself of all that I've been up to in a year of schooling and of life.
Faith: I really enjoyed this scripture this week:
Psalms 31:19-24
How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues. Praise be to the Lord for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city. In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full. Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Our Farm: We let our newest calf out earlier this week. You can read about it below. He is a real friendly one. Now he and Blackberry (the female calf born the week before) are out in the field running around together. The chickens have really been attacking the flower beds in our yard lately. I'm hoping this will actually be helpful to me. As Spring approaches, maybe the ground will be a bit softer because they continually work at it. I need to start planning some kind of greenhouse soon, if that's going to be going by March. For right now we just want to make some kind of passive greenhouse with lumber and greenhouse film to extend our garden's season. We plan on putting it off the back of our garage (which is detached from our home).
Our Home & Our Health: We were home most of the week. We have been doing pretty well eating healthy. Rachel is back on Gluten Free. I need to fine tune that however, and I am considering taking her off milk as well. She is getting an MRI on Monday to check for a possible cause of some problems she has had. I didn't do much more than upkeep on the house this week, except for attacking the dust. Jon also cleaned the furnace filters this week. Natalie & I have had our asthma acting up lately and we are hoping this will make it settle down.
In The School Room: Natalie has been continuing Saxon Math 2 and getting much quicker at it. We have been continuing to read "Carry On Mr. Bowditch". Natalie has also been reading out of the Bible and read the story of Isaac and Ishmael to me - writing down the verse about naming the place where God provided another sacrifice for Isaac. She has such a hunger for Bible reading. Natalie has also been working on a story about our two calves that were born recently. We have been learning about Arthropods this week and the girls made a model of a crayfish this week.
Natalie also practices violin daily and has really been enjoying violin a lot more since she reads her lesson notes herself and follows them. We didn't make it to dance this week as it snowed on dance day.
Rachel has been continuing to do a lot of math worksheets on her own. She has a real knack for math. As soon as she is able to read and to write clearly - she will really take off independently in math I think. She has been "writing" her own stories by having her sister write down the words she wants to use - then she re-writes them onto her paper. We have not been pushing the reading, but rather I continue to read to her and sometimes I will point out a word to her here and there. She said to me the other day that she tries to "read" the books I read but that all she can recognize are "a", "and", and "the". This is much better interest than she had before.
Our Business: Jon has been working long hours at work. He has some accounting due for a state audit next week. Jon has a degree in accounting and he said he had hoped he had put this kind of pressure behind him in college.
I stopped by for a few hours this week and did a couple tasks, but for the most part I haven't put much time in this week. Jon and I are going to go into work together tomorrow, however.
"Me" Stuff: I've been continuing to learn and try to absorb more things about photography. I have some Christmas and Birthday gifts coming on the way late next week and so I am excited for new photography possibilities. I can't wait to try some sort of tripod shot - be it just a crystal clear nature shot, some night photography, or some panning motion photography.
I had the opportunity to go to a sewing class this week - it's one in a series of an heirloom sewing class. This last week we learned about Mexican Wedding Pleats and Shadow Applique. I don't even know how to put a quilt together and I'm pretty much a newbie at garment construction, but I'm really enjoying these classes, and am really looking forward to using some artistic flair in the creation of my own unique garments at some point in the future.
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