My girls and I got out our ice skates a couple of days ago and took to the ice.  My husband and I have been grooming our home made ice rink for a month now (through 50 degree weather in January- crazy!); but it has survived and is now ice instead of water :-).  The kids picked up quickly and I was amazed at how I was able to remember some of my days as a teen skating (I think my skates are that old).  My fear was not of putting on the skates and trying, but of falling down and getting hurt (I'm too old to take too many falls on ice and not pay a price). 

The ice skating story makes me think of other things I don't do because I'm afraid of "falling" down and getting hurt or worse yet, hurting my kids (or so I think).   How many things do you not do, because you might fall down-- like trying a different way of doing school, joining a co-op, changing curriculums, or simply just doing things differently.  I know I hesistate with all the "what ifs".  I'm a great "what iffer". 

But God is not the God of "what ifs"  - He's the God of mercy and grace.  He is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow-- and He is always the same.  He is the light to our paths and the lamp to our feet.  He is our Protector, our Great Physician and our Father.  Do not worry about tomorrow, for today has enough worries of its own.  So, go ahead- try something different the Lord has put on your heart.  And if you fall, get back up, pray and try again.  I decided to join a group at my church that is reading through the Bible in One Year- I've never done that before.  I was a bit nervous I might fall behind and be embarrased, but God is faithful- I'm on Day 24 and on track.  Sure, I might fall behind, but I'll get up (earlier this time :-)) , pray for discipline to catch up and get back on track.  Go ahead- try something new-- and let me know how it goes- I love to be encouraged by other's stories. 

About 3 weeks ago when we headed back to school after the Christmas break, I was really struggling with revisiting where we had come from (and hadn't gotten done) and where we were going-- where is that again??? :-)  Just that week- The TOS Homeschool Minute came out and it was all about "The Winter Blues"-  the authors were so insightful and encouraging and made me feel right at home.  I wasn't losing my mind, I didn't need to go out and sign my kids up for public school because I was failing them.  The New Year is a good time to reflect, re-evaluate, maybe even reorganize (my current project- does it ever end :-)?).  But persevere we will, for it is by perseverance, that we can be made mature and complete (James 1:4-5).  And it is only by the testing of our faith that we will develop perseverance.  So, I will have faith that until God shows my otherwise, I will have faith that He will provide for our homeschool and we will persevere so that we can mature.  So- for those of you reading, if you have doubts- choose faith and persevere- our God is an awesome and faithful God. 

By His Grace-  SadieJ

I'm always looking for fun craft projects with the kids to get them engaged in what we're learning.  We've read the biblical account of the parting of the Red Sea lots of times from many sources.  So, I thought we would create our own image of the Red Sea.  The kids had a blast making fish, seaweed, sharks (not sure if they're in the Red Sea), and then choosing some plastic figures to represent the Israelites.  We've left it on our dining room table and the kids have had a blast showing anyone who visits our Red Sea- it's great fun to watch their excitement as they retell the story with "pictures" to help. 

Today we had a wonderul time hiking in one of our favorite spots with our family and my Aunt and Uncle.  We went up to the Northwest corner of Connecticut to White Memorial Conservation area.  The area has multiple hiking trails in the woods and a wonderful boardwalk around and through a marsh area.  Our family has hiked their since, well since before the kids were around.  It's a great time to get outdoors, talk with the kids about different plant types and different bird types (we love birds and watching them-- more about that next week).  Enjoy the photos!

     The first frost of the season has arrived, with temps dipping into the upper 20's last night.  Well- finally time to give in and turn the heat on.  It's been a wonderfully warm fall; we were due for this frost for a bit now.   Time to switch over the clothes- a two week process for me: can it be worn next year and if so, by whom? If not, is there someone else who could wear it or is it simply too worn?  3 kids, 2 adults-- that makes 10 sets of clothes (1 set of summer and winter for each person).  My sweet husband always chuckles that it takes me 2 weeks to switch them over :-). 
     Well- in school, we're continuing in Ancient times and returning to Africa with the Egyptians, Hyskos and the areas around Nubia and the current day Middle East.  History is fascinating!!  Well- off to begin school. 

Last night we supped on a wonderful African Feast of Chicken and Figs, Papaya Stir-Fried Rice, Fried Plantains and Date & Banana Bars.  My girls made the meal (with some help) and my husband, son and Grandma joined us.  Everyone like it!! And the girls had a blast cooking-- does home schooling get any better.  Check out the pics of the prep and the meal. 

     Raindrops keep falling on my head... Today is a more typical fall day in New England- predicted highs in the 50's.  The pictures are from my family's yard after our rain last night and this morning.  As I think about the rain and how it nourishes the earth, our plants, and us, I am reminded that California needs this rain. 
     Today we will paint our Ming Dynasty bowls (clay made) so that we can use them as decorations at our table for our African Feast tomorrow evening.  The girls (and I too) are excited to feast on such delicacies. 

Quote of the Day: Paraphrased from my husband "Hey- I saw this [computer] window open to a blog for an educational topic- did you see it?   I wanted to use some of the ideas/ layout from it."  I said, Sorry, the computer shut down, but I have the address- it's MY blog !!  He made my day :-

A Spectacular Fall Day in CT--One Month into Fall

We in CT are having the Fall of a lifetime.  The weather has been gorgeous and we have been enjoying the outdoors.  Today we swapped our normal school in the morning, play in the afternoon to ... rake up the leaves into a pile, jump in the pile of leaves, slide down the slide into a pile of leaves, etc.  What fun to have my kids at home and to be able to play with them and teach them about God's creation as we enjoy it.  We're about to settle down now into school.  Today we're studying Ancient Africa and we're preparing for our African Feast on Friday evening.  We've invited Grandma to join us as we feast on Chicken with Figs, Papaya Stir Fried Rice, Fried Plantains and Date Chewies.  We'll let you know how it is.  The kids love history (me, too!)  I learn as much if not more than they do-- I am seeing history all over again for the first time. 

Quote of the Day: My 20 month old son after dropping his pacifier, "Oh bumma".

Question of the Day:  Does anyone have a child with Celiac disease; my oldest was just diagnosed and I'm looking for a friend to chat with.