It was a really nice day. I wrote out my schedule last night for today so that it would go smoothly in spite of all the things I had planned and it worked well! I am really loving this schedule thing, at least for my upper level of my house. My lower level is sort been ignored, but some day, people!!
Not the most flattering picture, but I went to Tricia Goyer's book signing today at Borders, which was fun!! I got her to sign my copy of Love find's you in Lonesome Prairie Montana before I read it tonight! I will post a full review soon, but I really am enjoying this line of books. Of course her book the Swiss Courier is another really good one, I really enjoyed and will be posting with the blog tour and review on the 20th.
After the book signing I went over to a meet the doula's tea, which was nice, but somehow one of the invites said 1-3 and another said 2-4 so some of us were there at 2 and some were there at 1....it worked out though, although we really got to get more expectant moms there. There were two moms there this time, which made it nice! I stopped for a few minutes to chat with some friend's and visit with my sister which was nice before I came home and made homemade pizza pockets to go with the homemade spaghetti sauce I made that morning.
I am tired out, lots of long nights lately with some nasty nightmares, but days have been good! The older two boys worked with my brother in aw all day today and they are tired out this evening. It is really good for them!
Well, clean boys are put to bed, two of the four Saturday night showers were done and the other two took them last night. Everyone is clean, most of the laundry is done, folded and put away, floors did not get washed and the laundry room still needs to be cleaned, but you know, I am happy!!!
"Mrs. Diamond" and I have been getting to know each other through our blogs. Her "Diamondettes" (I refuse to cal them lumps of coal), have been blog friends with my girls for awhile now. It's fun to meet families as a family on HSB!
Now there are TONS of blog posts I could link you to, but I had such a hard time deciding what to go with. I've opted to link to categories, that way you can see a bunch of posts at one time.
The first category up is Emily's 400 Questions, and Mrs. Diamond isn't kidding when she makes that claim! Some of the questions her daughter comes up with will surely make you chuckle and wonder where that question came from. Others are very thought provoking. All are fun to read! Now if Mrs. Diamond would put the answers she'd have her own Q & A Encyclopedia!
Ever wonder what it's like to live in the desert? Then the category Life in the Desert is what you want to click on! It's hot, it's cold, and it's always full of blessings--and lessons from the Lord.
With the holidays coming up you are more than likely looking for some new recipes. Try this little recipe "book" Recipes From My Kitchen. The recipe that is a family favorite for my family is the Dutch Baby. Yummo!
My all time favorite category though is Diamonds and Other Gems. Wow! There are some lessons to learn here! Like the worth of diamonds--and souls.
Please click on over and say hello to my friend, DiamondsInTheRough!
My grandpa, my Papafather's dad, was a country vet. He had a little office off the side of the house where he did small animal surgery, and exams. He made house calls all around the country, some trips taking him an hour or more to reach the animal in need of help, be it cow, horse, sheep, or pig. Very often he would have one of his children in tow. He had 10 of them so there was no shortage of helpers. It all sounds very James Harriot like, and in a way it was. James Harriot's stories are popular with that side of the family and each story reminds them of one like it that grandpa experienced.
Grandpa's office was, as I said, just off the house. Just off the kitchen to be exact. My grandma had a dutch door put in so that she could just open up the top half to talk to him and yet keep the little ones inside. Think about that. A vet's office, just off the kitchen. Do you recall how a vet's office smells? That smell still lingers in that office to this day and it's been over 10 years since my grandpa died.
Aside from the smell, I never gave grandpa's office much thought. We would traipse our way through it on the way to play outside, to gather in the clothes from off the line, to pick grapes, collect eggs, or to find grandpa. The office doubled as grandma's laundry room so I suppose that's why it didn't seem like a room that needed much attention. I never spent any time in it other than to get from point A to point B. Which is strange now that I think about it, all those fascinating instruments, chemicals, medicines, and the like just within reach. I never touched them or was ever tempted to do so.
One temptation I did give in to was a special barrel out back that held two skunks. Grandpa would warn us to leave those skunks alone. My numerous cousins and I would stand around the barrel peering in, and those skunks would peer back. The lot of us cousins would look for only a moment and then run away as fast as we could before we got sprayed. I didn't find out until I was much older that those skunks couldn't spray because my grandpa had "deskunked" them. I don't know if my cousins were aware of this at the time or not, they ran just as fast as I did. Grandpa's warning hadn't been for us, he had been worried that we would torment the skunks.
Skunks actually make a great pet and are positively darling, if you can legally keep them. My uncle kept one for awhile. She was just like a cat, had a litter box and everything. Her name was Rosie, and then some, but I won't repeat that part.
We have a family story, told every couple of years or so I guess, about grandpa and one particular skunk he was de-scenting. While in the process of removing the gland that contains the hideous skunk musk, it was ruptured. It squirted all of its contents right in my grandpa's face. He came into the kitchen to clean up and the only thing he said was, "It's such a beautiful color." Apparently skunk spray is an amber color, and my God fearing grandpa could still recognize the beauty of God's handiwork even in a skunk's musk.
Funny, while my aunts and uncles roar with laughter about this story every time they tell it, I don't remember anyone talking about the smell lingering in the kitchen or what on earth my grandma said or did. I'll have to ask them about that.
After the laughter dies down, someone will always mention how my grandpa was such a quiet, gentle, and patient man. Oh he had his moments when a cow would stomp him, but how many men do you know who would take it from a skunk and only comment on it's beauty?
I know I'm hopeless, it's only November and I'm getting ready for next year. I have been racking the brains of my sweet friends at My Father's World forum. I had it all figured out for Joshua's 7th grade year.
My Father's World for Bible, History & Read Aloud
Apologia Science (as recommended by MFW)
The Bridge to the Latin Road
Character Quality Language Arts for spelling, grammar review, writing. I will omit the editing, all optional exercises since he will be getting some heavy grammar using The Latin Road.
Progeny Press Guides or Christian Light Education
Math Mammoth
I was going to have Joshua, use MFW Exploration to 1850 on his own. I would order this early and pre read the books so I can discuss them with him. I could write out everything he needs to do in his student planner.
I have been chatting with the ladies on the MFW forum and they have suggested I combine all dc for Bible, History, Science, Read Aloud using MFW Exp1850.
BUT here is my dilemma; I plan to use The Phonics Road Levels 1 & 2 and The Bridge to the Latin Road. These are all mom intensive. They can not be done as independent work. It would take me about three hours to get through it all.
The Bridge 40-60 minutes (Josh & Annette)
Phonics Road Level 1 20-30 minutes (Ethan & Lance. I might also wait another year, depending on Lance how mature he is and how far Ethan has gotten with Christ-Centered Phonics)
Phonics Road Level 2. (Caleb & Brent) There are three parts or sections and each takes about 20-30 minutes
If I combine when would I ever get to MFW?
I do want to continue with The Phonics Road to Spelling & Reading. I already see improvement in Caleb's & Brent's reading & spelling. I think it is worth the time and effort.
The Bridge to Latin Road is also something I don't want to give up. I truly believe it will give Josh & Annette a strong start in grammar. It looks to be a very solid program. I also want to use The Latin Road for High School credits (can't believe I'm talking about high school credits)
I still have the rest of my children's subjects. Annette, can do a lot on her own. Not sure where Caleb & Brent will be regarding reading.
I'm thinking out loud here. We can all do MFW Bible together in the morning. Do The Bridge with Annette & Josh so they can be set loose to finish their other subjects after we are done.
After that I'm stumped . I think that once I have the Teacher Manual for MFW Exp1850, I can get a better handle on how to accomplish everything. I can figure out if it would be better for Josh to do MFW on his own or if we should combine.
Today we went to Mr. Jim's Pizza for lunch. We actually picked it up and took it to the park. It was pretty windy. The leaves where falling everywhere. Pretty but some of them hit your face pretty hard.
The children had fun playing. I was busy looking at the Scope & Sequence of CQLA & The Bridge. trying to figure things out. We then came home and the kiddos are napping and here I am.
As for school I still need to correct papers but other than that we are done with week 9. Amazing.
I almost forgot. Joshua, is going shooting with Lupe, this weekend. Yesterday they took a class with some men from church regarding firearms. Josh, was so excited. My boy is growing up .
My wife came up and told me that Sesame Street had done another spoof. This time it was a skit called "Desperate Horse-wives." I got a groan when I asked if the characters were less than neigh-borly.
In all seriousness, I'm not that thrilled with how the folks at Sesame Street parody network TV shows. While I am sure that the creators mean simple and innocent fun with their skits, I believe it also sends the message that the shows they represent are normal and acceptable in normal households. I'm not sure how normal we are, but Desperate Housewives is a show that we do not let in our house. My children know that when Extreme Makeover Home Edition is over and they hear, "Previously on Desperate Housewives..." power to the television is to be immediately terminated. It's almost comical how they scramble to turn it off, as if they were diving on a live grenade.
While it may not be a grenade, many TV shows are painfully difficult for us to watch these days. Some of the shows are so corrosive, I wonder how anyone can possibly watch them. Consequently, some nights we simply don't turn on the television set. Instead, we will read a good book or play a game together, if we don't split up to do separate things. We avoid the shows not because we like feeling superior or cerebral, but because we've found that these shows actively interfere with our hearts and minds.
8-9Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:8, The Message)
I can't come out with a list of TV shows that I think are bad or good. The verse above should be more than enough for the average Christian, especially when it's paired with the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Each person is responsible only to God for decisions like these. However, Jesus did give us a special charge with children.
"And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. Mark 9:42 (NIV)
To me this verse means that God takes the destruction of children's innocence very seriously. This is why the Sesame Street skits irritate me. It feels like they're playing with fire. Look smart all you want, but I would prefer if they would just stick with "C is for cookie," and the yip-yip monsters.
What? You've never heard of the yip-yip monsters? Yip Yip
Tonight we are having a fellowship meal at our church for our pastor and his wife to celebrate their anniversary. Just last week we had a celebration/meal for another couple who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary.... I just love how serious this church takes and MAKES families. The couple that celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary also had a wedding quilt / throw hand made for them by ladies of the church (not me, I am not good with a needle...and it was also made during Nathans birth and there-after). My older 2 were at first surprised that we were having a dinner to celebrate an anniversary-- but now that this is CELEBRATION #2-- I think they get the idea-- Marriage is SUPER special and we all need to encourage and celebrate it with each other!!
Then tomorrow we are heading home (to my home) to help my mom who really needs some wood cut and split and stacked for her. We just found out about this yesterday-- but I am so thankful I have a husband and children who realize that this is what families do for each other-- we HELP and SERVE whenever and wherever needed. Jason works all night tonight but will still be the only "MAN" there-- and I know he is going to be so tired-- but he still stood right up and said "Yes, if your mom needs help-- WE WILL BE THERE." (That made a wonderful impression on the boys too-- ).
I have a friend who is considering homeschooling next year- and she asked me a few questions (I LOVE TALKING ABOUT Homeschooling-- even if we are becoming Unschoolers)....and the one she asked was "How long do you homeschool your boys each day?" Ummmm how do you answer that to someone who sends their children to school all day with out getting THIS look... LOL So I gave her the ol' standby (and TRUTH) "Oh we are homeschooling all day--everyday-- my children are always LEARNING.... it is just a matter of WHAT they are learning." (and I must BLUSH and add that since Nathan has been home and we have been watching FOOD NETWORK and the DO IT YOURSELF channel VERY frequently-- they have had a WHOLE lot of Home Ec. and Industrial Arts... LOL-- really though-- they can tell you many things they did not know before-- and are very ANXIOUS to help in the kitchen!! LOL) Oh and don't for get life science-- raising 25 meat chickens from 2 day old babies to the freezer to the kitchen TABLE (last nights dinner) But I did tell her the truth- "sitting and desk time is about 3 hours"-- (because I KNOW that is what she is considering school-- but hoping she will see school is SOOOO much more) I did re-state that that was not counting read aloud time and hands on learning-- and learning to "serve and help" as members of a society (the home and more).
Posted By HomeschoolBlogger Company Blog in hsingonlyone
It is so sad that events occurred yesterday at Fort Hood, north of state capital Austin, near Killeen, Texas, during the same week that we had chosen to honor our Veterans and write about honoring them. I'm assuming by now everyone has heard that a shooter, a psychiatrist major, opened fire upon his fellow soldiers, killing 12 and wounding 31. Thankfully, he was stopped before the statistics became higher, and in this case, he survived and is in stable condition (as of Thursday night). It is sad that for whatever reason he snapped. Sadder still that he happens to have an ethnic name, helping others to automatically put blame towards domestic terrorism. (Although things are coming out that his religion, Islam, might have contributed to his thoughts and actions.)
Last night, I was at my dog class, which is held at an National Guard Armory in Fort Worth. In fact, due to the Fort Hood event, they were asking us to lock the front door behind us as we came and went. We voiced our support to them. Being there and having to be in a "lock-down" situation helped to put a face on those who serve us by being willing to protect us and our country.
You never know when your path will cross with those who have served (or who are serving). I want to encourage you to voice your support and appreciation for and to them. It can be a simple "thank you for your service;" it doesn't have to be anything elaborate or overly formal. (I usually include our police officers and fire-fighters also, since they serve and protect us "closer to home.")
Reach out to those who come across your path and show them your appreciation for their service. They deserve our respect and gratitude.
Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completed his homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. You can find these free resources, including a message board for those who HOO, on her website at http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC
Why join the military? The money isn't terribly good. Starting pay is nice but it doesn't keep up with the private sector. The locations are great but even a tropical island is blah after the third holiday you don't see your family. Then there is boot camp and the continual physical tests and challenges that are just plain hard. So why join the military?
I can tell you why we did. My husband and I both chose to serve. Someone must stand on the line and say no further. I will protect my family and friends. I will stand up for my rights and those of my neighbors. I chose to serve because it is a responsibility as a citizen of the United States of America that I am able to fulfill.
Times change and now we are no longer in the military. I am glad that I had that chance. Now how can I continue that sense of service to country? This year we are looking into sending packages and cards to soldiers around the world.
I would like to thank the veterans out there! Thank you for your dedication and willingness to serve and protect. God bless!
Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 8 years. Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal! Visit Heather's page at www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at Special Needs Homeschooling.
On Oct. 1st the kids and I were in the car headed to the pumpkin patch! They were all dressed in fall t-shirts and I was ready to take some great pictures! Then it started raining...I pulled over and made a few quick calls to the homeschool friends we were suppose to meet. We all decided to go another day. Little did we know it was going to rain for 30 days straight! (I am exaggerating a little here, but honestly this is the wettest Oct. I have seen in my life!) Meanwhile we were in the middle of moving. The rain meant we were moving in the mud and the last thing I wanted to do was trek out into a pumpkin patch and collect even more mud. As the month headed to a close I started to realize a trip to the pumpkin patch was not going to happen. So I did the next logical thing...I decided to have a Pumpkin Party! LOL
What is a Pumpkin Party??? Honestly it's something I made up. But, we had our first one on Nov. 2nd with 97 people in attendance! Thankfully the rain finally stopped and we found a park with lots of concrete to keep us out of the mud. The party was a huge success and a LOT of fun! Here are the highlights....
We started out with the kids each decorating a pumpkin cookie.
Then they ate their cookies while waiting for the pumpkin story to start.
Next we listened to the Pumpkin Gospel You can read all about the story at the link below http://ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress/2007/10/30/the-pumpkin-gospel/
Then we played pumpkin games!
Pumpkin Parachute Game. I got a package of Fun Foam Pumpkin and made a smiley face on one with a marker. Then they would put all the pumpkins in the parachute, throw them up in the air and the person who found the smiley face got a piece of candy. Repeat until everyone wins!
We also had Pumpkin Hot Potato.
And we had Pumpkin Relay Races!
We finished off the party with lots and lots of pumpkin food! Everyone brought a pumpkin dish to share. We had pies, breads, cakes, cookies, pumpkin dip. The food was amazing!
It was a great day and I am sure we will have many more pumpkin parties in the future.
I'm Marsha...proud Mrs to David, mommy of boys, home educator, chief cook and chaos coordinator...
There's always something going on at my house-- not always good, but always something!!!
Not the most flattering picture, but I went to Tricia Goyer's book signing today at Borders, which was fun!! I got her to sign my copy of Love find's you in Lonesome Prairie Montana before I read it tonight! I will post a full review soon, but I really am enjoying this line of books. Of course her book the Swiss Courier is another really good one, I really enjoyed and will be posting with the blog tour and review on the 20th. 
)
. I think that once I have the Teacher Manual for MFW Exp1850, I can get a better handle on how to accomplish everything. I can figure out if it would be better for Josh to do MFW on his own or if we should combine.
.
LOL So I gave her the ol' standby (and TRUTH) "Oh we are homeschooling all day--everyday-- my children are always LEARNING.... it is just a matter of WHAT they are learning." (and I must BLUSH and add that since Nathan has been home and we have been watching FOOD NETWORK and the DO IT YOURSELF channel VERY frequently-- they have had a WHOLE lot of Home Ec. and Industrial Arts... LOL-- really though-- they can tell you many things they did not know before-- and are very ANXIOUS to help in the kitchen!! LOL) Oh and don't for get life science-- raising 25 meat chickens from 2 day old babies to the freezer to the kitchen TABLE (last nights dinner) But I did tell her the truth- "sitting and desk time is about 3 hours"-- (because I KNOW that is what she is considering school-- but hoping she will see school is SOOOO much more) I did re-state that that was not counting read aloud time and hands on learning-- and learning to "serve and help" as members of a society (the home and more).
You can read all about the story at the link below
I got a package of Fun Foam Pumpkin and made a smiley face on one with a marker. Then they would put all the pumpkins in the parachute, throw them up in the air and the person who found the smiley face got a piece of candy. Repeat until everyone wins!
The kids loved this! I got the idea here: 
