Well, I told you that I would figure out how to get some pictures on this blog!I did! (Well, right after barrynmissy1972 told me how to do it!). Click on their link on the right and visit their blog - it is really beautiful and very encouraging! Our students have grown up over the years and we have added a new student almost every other year! I am so proud to be the mommy of such a wonderful bunch of kids! Just think, I get the privilege of educating them for the next 20+ years!!

I made it!  We have finally completed our first month!!!  I know that there are still another 7+ months of schooling left in the year, but we are one month closer to the end of the year than we were when the school year began!!!  HOOORRAAAYYY!!!!

I happen to be one of those mothers who needs to celebrate every small accomplishment, you know what I mean?  A one month celebration breaks up the monotony of the school year and allows me to concentrate on small chunks of learning/teaching.  It takes 30 days to develop a habit, right?  Well, by the time that 30 days is over, I can look over my shoulder at the time that has elapsed and smile.  I have created a habit of schooling my children daily.  I have created a habit of focusing on what is important so that I don't have to worry with too many things becoming urgent!  For 30 days, I buckled down and I now have 30 days worth of academic accomplishments to show for it!  YIPPPEEEE!!!

As if that wasn't enough - We Finished Our First Lapbooks EVER!!!!

I am so very proud of my children!  I read through the Ultimate Lapbook Handbook and The Big Book of Books and Activities in order to prepare for this.  I did absolutely nothing right!!  I couldn't figure out which fold to assign to which information set.  I couldn't even decide which information should be included in the lapbook.  I didn't have the children do mini-books while we were studying the subject.  I did everything wrong.  Even still, I have a set of very lovely lapbooks to show for my ignorance!

My children, bless their hearts, chose their own ways of displaying the information.  I told them what I wanted in the lapbook and their creative juices flowed on its own.  I did give a little more assistance to the younger ones, but not as much as I thought I needed to.

Well, what did you do the lapbooks on - you ask?  Insects!  We have been studying them in our Weaver studies and it seemed like this would be a cool subject to lapbook.  I was right! (Aren't I creative, smile?)  I tried to take pictures of them today, but of course my camera didn't want to cooperate!  I am so totally bummed out about that!  I am having Daddy help out with that, I think he may be a little more tech savvy (especially since it is his camera) than I am.

There is only one more week of school left before our family's annual family vacation.  It was moved from this upcoming Monday to the following week.  I don't know how I want to approach next week's studies.  I would hate to begin a chapter and then have to stop in the middle of it.  On the other hand, it looks like this could turn into a "family vacation school" opportunity because Daddy will be doing some lessons on simple machines with projects during that week.  Hmmmm, maybe I could sneak in some other things as well.....

Thanks for celebrating this small, but significant accomplishment with me!  Come back and see our lapbooks!  I am pretty sure I can get them up by the end of next week!  Until next time - Much Love In Jesus!

I was given a copy of this wonderful poem and wanted to share it with all the other homeschool moms and dads.  Many times we find ourselves at war with the character development or academic development of our children.  On one hand we want to complete the line of study that we are in, but there arises a need to address a character deficiency in our children.  What do we do?  I think that the following will help us all to remember why we have embarked on this journey in the first place.

To Be Educated by Carolyn Caines

If I learn my ABC's, can read 600 words per minute, and can write with perfect penmanship, but have not been shown how to communicate with the Designer of all language,

I have not been educated.

If I can deliver an eloquent speech and persuade you with my stunning logic, but have not been instructed in God's wisdom,

I have not been educated.

IIf I have red Shakespeare and John Locke and can discuss their writings with keen insight, but have not read the greatest of all books - the Bible - and have no knowledge ofits personal importances,

I have not been educated.

If I have memorized addition facts, multiplication tables, and chemical formulas, but have never been disciplined to hide God's Word in my heart,

I have not been educated.

If I can explain the law of gravity and Einstein's theory of relativity, but have never been instructed in the unchangeable laws ofthe One Who orders our universe,

I have not been educated.

If I can classify animals by their family, genus, and species, and can write a lengthy scientific paper that wins an award, but have not been introduced to the Maker's purpose for all creation,

I have not been educated.

If I can recite the Gettysburg Address and the Preamble to the Constitution, but have not been informed of the hand of God in the history of our country

I have not been educated.

If I can play the piano, the violin, six other instruments, and can write music that moves men to tears, but have not been taught to listen to the Director of the universe and worship Him,

I have not bee educated.

If I can run cross-country races, star in basketball and do 100 push-ups without stopping, but have never been shown how to bend my spirit to God's will,

I have not been educated.

If I can identify a Picasso, describe the style of da Vinci, and even oaint a portrait that earns an A+, but have not learned that all harmony and beauty comes from a relationship with God,

I have not been educated.

If I graduate with a perfect 4.0 and am accepted at the best university with a full scholarship, but have not been guided into a career of God's choosing for me,

I have not been educated.

If I become a good citizen, voting at each election and fighting for what is moral and right, but have not been told of the sinfulness of man and his hopelessness without Christ,

I have not been educated.

However, if one day I see the world as God sees it, and come to know Him, Whom to know is life eternal, and glorify God by fulfilling His purpose forme,

I HAVE BEEN EDUCATED.

Ever hear the saying - "Thank God It's Friday"?  That is about how I feel!  No, this was not a terrible week or anything.  After having been away from "formal schooling" for a couple of months, it was a little work getting back into the swing of things.  I am so thankful for Teri Maxwell's Managers Of Their Homes Book!  The schedule that I set up before giving birth to child 7 earlier this year has been a life saver this week!  We knew exactly what to do, when (even though we are still working on the finer points of keeping to the schedule) and that kept us from wasting valuable time.

I already know that there are some adjustments that I will be making both to the schedule and how I operate the school.  I actually got my educational goals down on paper for this year.  They are simple, but that makes them more attainable.  I sure wish I could figure out how to get my pictures on this site!  I want to show off my little students and the neat things we've been up to!

My preschoolers are learning all about Creation and since we have been discussing the truth that God created the light, we have been exploring shadows.  A fun activity for today was having the children make silhouettes.  Although this isn't what my older children are studying, it was a nice art project for everyone to do together.  The kids were surprised that the silhouettes actually looked like them!  They want to laminate them and turn them into a two dimensional puppet.  I want to mount them on the wall.  Whatever we decide to do with them - it was alot of fun just doing them.

Next week we will begin our Ancient Egypt studies.  I am still looking for some really fun projects to do with them.  Perhaps by then I will have figured out how to get my pictures uploaded successfully!  Have a great weekend!

Every day I am more excited and impressed about the Lord!  It seems that just when I think that I know Him, something hits me or is revealed to me that signals I don't know Him like I thought I did.  He is even more magnificent than I previously believed.  He is even more intellegent than I previously acknowledged!  He is altogether, without limitations, God Almighty!

I know that the testimony may seem a bit old to some, but it still brings tears to my eyes - "Oh How He Loves Me!"  This was such a good day for our school!  It is hard to describe what is going on in my life right now.  It seems that everything is different, but absolutely nothing has changed.  I honestly believe that my circumstances are no longer what dictates my future, my happiness, or my peace.  Wow!  That sounded like it came from a really mature child of God!  Could that have been me?  I can remember a time when my academic outlook was centered around catching up with that family, passing up another family, not wanting to be compared to the third family, etc., etc., etc.  Somewhere along the line, it would eventually occur to me that this entire journey is really about my walk with God.

That is not my testimony this year.  I don't care what other families are doing.  I don't care what curriculum anyone else has chosen.  I don't care if everybody else's kids are reading before they cut their first tooth, if they graduating out of diapers while graduating from high school too, or any other super-genious type of thing that my children are not capable of doing.  I really don't care.  I have learned to be proud of the geniouses without needing to make my children compete.  I have learned how to listen to other moms speak proudly of their children without needing to join in the "top your story" game.  I have learned to just let God do what He promised that He would do.  "Your children shall be taught of the Lord and great shall be the peace of your children."  What more could I be in search of?  Is there a curriculum out there that will top that?  Of course not!

I realize that the most valuable thing that I can offer to my children is not a book, a snazzy computer-aided learning experience, or enough activities to cause people to stop asking me if they socialize!  No.  The most valuable thing in our school, offered by me, is my personal walk with Jesus.  You see, there is absolutely no way that I can succeed at this without Him.  I can't think straight, I can't plan, I most certainly can't teach - not on my own power.  What I need more than anything else, is to sacrifice all to draw closer to Him, to learn Him, to replace my mind and thinking with His mind and thinking.  I want to succeed at this!  I want my children to have great peace.  In order for that to happen, I have to bow my will, my knees and even my desires and pride to His.

There is just no other way to do this.  This is the reason why this school year is so much different from all of the previous seven years.  I am not doing this for a pat on the back by people.  I don't need their praise right now.  Somewhere along the way this year I will probably need some encouraging words to ward off burnout, but I am looking to God for the praise of my work.  His praise is truly the only one that counts anyway.

I can feel the tears welling up in my eyes because I know that I received new mercy on this morning.  I received new mercy to get it right today.  I received new mercy to try again.  I love the Lord for just that reason.  Every day He lets me try again to get even closer, to be even more pleasing to Him.  The only thing that has changed is -ME.  But then, that means that everything has changed doesn't it?  Now my "dire" circumstances don't seem to be all that important anymore.  What I mean is, it doesn't seem to me that my happiness and comfort is resting on them now.  Now, I find my confidence in Jesus.  My happiness is in Jesus.

I could say so much more, my heart is so full - but I will wait until another time.  Oh bless the Lord oh my soul and all that is within me!  Bless His Holy Name!

This was not the way that the first day of school was planned.  My plan was to wake up at exactly 4:00 am and proceed step by step through my MOTH schedule (Managers of Their Homes for those who don't know) and have the most wonderful day ever!  Didn't I mention reality the other day?  My reality hit before today - has that ever happened to any of you?

This weekend has been quite eventful.  Nothing happened that natural eyes could see, but I have been fighting a very real spiritual battle though.  I am always amazed at how faithful God really is.  He helped me to speak when I should, think when I should, pray when I should, and remain quiet when I should.  I know that the end result was because of God.  Usually there is a reason why I find myself going through.  When I stop long enough to think, I am able to see what the devil is trying to keep me from doing.  This time it was obvious - school is about to start.

I have been so excited about this schoolyear.  Just today I was sending Paypal payments for books off to very patient sellers across the country.  We are studying Ancient Egypt and the geographical areas surrounding it.  My eldest is completing 8th grade this year and so we are wrapping up this chapter in her life in order to prepare her for her high school years.  And yes, we will homeschool through high school.  With all of that excitement and character lessons ready to go, etc., etc., why did I think that this would go off without a hitch?  What, am I crazy or something?

But God is faithful!!!  What the devil planned for evil, God used it for my good.  The test that would have taken many days for me to mature past, only took one tough night.  I thank God for that.  I hate having to learn things the hardest, most painful way.

So, Sunday morning I woke up feeling so grateful to God, because the day was so hopeful and my spirits were high and my conscience clear, that we decided to surprise some friends of ours in Indianapolis by driving down for a special celebration in their honor.  It took ALL DAY to get there because of inclement weather and nursing baby demands, but it was well worth the trip.  The service was high, we rejoiced with them (and even shed a few tears) and we were really glad that we went.  Then, we took the long ride home (in inclement weather again).  By the time we arrived home, we were all exhausted. 

The school day did not start on time (MOTH schedule), but it was beneficial.  We watched two videos in prep for the unit we would be studying this session.  The first was about the insect world - yuck! The second was a historical documentary on the Civil War.  While I hate bugs (sorry insects), they are some impressive little creatures.  God even has walking jewelry!  Did you know that?  Some insects are so brilliant in color and sheen, that they look as if they were designed by a master jeweler.  Oh yeah, they were weren't they?!?!?

The children have begun researching how bugs are beneficial to mankind and will do a report on the one bug that most impresses them.  This report will be converted into some form of a mini-book to be included in a lapbook.  I still haven't made up my mind which type of lapbook we will do, whether it is all about Egypt (insects could be included in there as part of the 10 plagues) or if we would do an "insect" lapbook.  We will see as the study progresses.  I picked up the books from the library this evening that have been on hold for me and the children will have a few more resources to confer for their report.

Whew!  I know that doesn't look like much, but when you consider the weekend and lack of sleep that preceded it, I think we did pretty good.  Tomorrow we are discussing deception and illusions.  That should be interesting....

Check in with us again soon!  Much love in Jesus Christ!

The new school year is quickly approaching!  For our family, we will begin on next week Monday, August 20, 2007.  It has officially been 8 years since I began this journey and quite a bit has changed.  When I first began, the back to school sales were something that I lived for!  I literally bought cases of crayons, colored pencils, spiral notebooks, and lined paper for writing.  Funny thing is, some 3 years later, the boxes are still in my basement.  No one can convince children that they really don't need to open a new box of crayons every month, so we have used the art tools - alot.  But the paper... not so much.  Don't get me wrong, the children write, but we have found much prettier paper to write on.  Paper with pretty borders, cut into neat shapes to fit into mini books.  I haven't been school supply shopping at all this year.

Just like the first year, there is a new baby in the house.  I had forgotten how exhausting it is to have a little baby.  Mind you, it has only been a few years since the birth of the last child, but I am so tired!  All I want is to experience a full nights rest for a few days straight.  Sleeping through the night, for a breastfed baby, doesn't always (if ever) mean 8-10 hours.  My little guy is up every hour!  I know this is my fault, somehow I have trained him to do that.  The thing is, I am so tired that I don't want to wake up in the middle of the night to right this wrong.  I just want him to go back to sleep, so that I can snatch some sleep too.  Bad mommy, bad mommy!

This will probably hurt me the most on next week, when my necessary rise and shine time is 4:00 am.  This is my time to be with the Lord, my daily quiet time before my very full household becomes a bustling one!  I am concerned that this quiet time will quickly turn into "sleepy" time.  Even so, the school year will begin on time!

Is it just me, or do you find yourself getting a little "giddy" about the new school year.  Right now, at the beginning, it is full of so many possibilities!  My mind tells me that this will be the year when all of the children will buckle down and get their work done.  They will be attentive and eager to learn.  Every morning I will joy to see their smiling faces and bask in the sunshine of their upbeat and positive personalities.  Yes, this will be the year - the perfect school year.  Hey!  Don't laugh. We all need a time to daydream and fantasize about a little perfection, don't you think?  Reality will hit soon enough, but for now I will continue to look, with great anticipation, to the first day of the rest of our school year! (cute huh?)

To all of you other homeschool mommies out there, shopping the sales at Walmart and Target, I know how you feel.  I see the smiles pasted on your faces as you organize your school area and neatly stack the art and writing paper.  I hear you sigh contentedly as you inhale deeply above the box of newly delivered school books and take in that "new book smell".  Yes, we are all members of the same band.  We are a sisterhood of educational warriors, fighting the war of illiteracy, immorality and ignorance!  Let's hook our arms together, pull from each other's strength and march on!  Together, with the Lord's Grace, we can conquer the monster of "reality" and actually find ourselves enjoying another school year with our children.

I pray for your success this year!  Happy Schooling!!

This is truly exciting!  I have visited other blog pages and after truly admiring the women (and men) who operate them, I slinked back into my chair wishing that I was as talented as they and could have my own blog!  Well, well!  What do you know?  I do have some talent (thanks to the staff that operates this site).  I have no idea how to upload pictures and make the site do all of those wonderfully fancy, shmancy things I've seen on other sites, but I'm sure I'll learn.

A little about us - We are currently an Apostolic family of nine!  We will be Apostolic in belief and lifestyle forever, but we may grow to be larger than nine if I have my way!  We are the proud parents of two beautiful young ladies (ages 12 and 13+) and five very handsome young men (ages 10, 8, 5, 3 and 5mos).  Wow, my family looks big when I write it out!  I'd love to give birth to atleast one more son and a set of twin girls.  That would make us a family of 12 and I hear that it's "cheaper by the dozen" anyway.  With my grocery bills, I could use a discount!

We have been homeschooling since the birth of our 2nd son, so it has been eight years now!  Time really flies doesn't it!  I have been blessed to see the academic growth of all of our children and am amazed at the faithfulness of God at every turn.  When I started this journey I had no idea the ride that I was about to take.  I thought this journey was really about academics, but I have since learned that the academic side of this is just a small part of it.  I have learned more about the my God since being home with my children and teacing them than I think I had learned my entire life before then.  Let's not mention the amount of stuff that I am learning now that I truly didn't learn in school!  I'm getting smarter!

When we began, we started using textbooks and quickly learned (as the children were added) that this method would not work very well for our family.  I hadn't been exposed to unit studies much and really didn't have the confidence to believe that I could do well with them.  After praying about, God led me to the Weaver Curriculum and I am so glad that he did!  We really love using this curriculum!  It is such a joy to start with God's Word and use it to explain the world around us to the children.  The children really enjoy doing the hands-on activities and projects .  This year we will be adding lapbooking and notebooking to our schooling.  That should be alot of fun!

Thanks for taking the time to read my little blog.  I hope you will come back and visit again soon!