Monday, February 4, 2008
40 Days and 40 Nights
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Well, I have decided for my Lent fast this year to give up the internet. I have done this for various periods before, although this will be the longest yet. :-) Even though I'm somewhat dreading it, I'm also really looking forward to it as well. I really need this extra time to spend with my Lord and with my family. So, if I don't post anymore before Wednesday, I won't be back until after Resurrection Sunday. |
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Snowy December!
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Wow, it's been awhile since I've updated...life's been super busy around here! It is the first day of December, and it is also our first big snow of the year! It is so beautiful! There is so much to update on... First of all, I'm preggers again! Yay! I am 7 weeks along and due 7/15/08. Please keep this little one in your prayers. The good news is, that because of the pregnancy, I am off all my MS meds and doing great! Women with MS who get pregnant usually experience remission during pregnancy, so I am happy about that! Of course, I am more likely to have a relapse within 6 months after giving birth, so I told dh we'll just have to get pregnant again before then! LOL! Seriously, though, for those of you who HATE taking those prenatals...I am completely cherishing this time of only having to take ONE! pill a day. :-) The bad news (okay, not really bad, you'll see in a minute) is that we cannot afford to live in our house anymore. Dh's second job (PT) is in a pretty bad season for hours right now, as it is every year. Even just basic expenses are starting to be too much, so we are looking at 3 bedroom townhome rentals right now. We will probably be moving by June at the VERY latest. So we are going through some massive de-cluttering right now (a good thing!). With all the storage space in our house, we've always just kept stuff because "we could," but now we won't have that option anymore, and it's time to realize what's really important. I will blog more about this later, because I could spend entirely too much time on how wonderful de-cluttering has already been for our home! Lastly, Vincent is just chugging wonderfully along in 2nd grade. We have our moments, of course, but for being a young second grader (he will be 7 in March), he is doing amazingly well! Right now, we are focusing on Jesus, the Giver of Living Water for bible; we just finished reading about the signing of the Declaration of Independence, so that's where we are in American History (I love this year!), and of course, learning about water in science to correspond with our bible lessons. This is another thing I will have to blog about later, as it is getting late, and dh will be home soon! Oh, yes, and I would love to be able to post pictures on here of our projects and stuff (dh doesn't allow face shots, but there's still plenty of fun pics I can post!), but I can't figure out how to get pictures formated to put in my blog entry. They keep coming up too big. So if anyone can give me some tips, I would greatly appreciate it! :-) Love, Lisa |
Monday, October 1, 2007
Nature Walk
Posted in Homeschooling
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Well, we are getting ready to start Week 3 of Adventures tomorrow! We are ALL loving school and every bit as excited (if not more!) as at the beginning. Today we did our first nature walk. It was so fun! The whole family had a really good time exploring a neat park by our house. I have more about this with pictures here. Love, Lisa |
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
2nd grade
Posted in Homeschooling
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Well, we have completed our 2nd day of second grade (any Veggie Tales songs come to mind? LOL!). It's going really well so far! We are studying American History this year and it's going to be so fun! We have started a binder for our US History Notebook...I can't wait to see this thing grow. :-) For our first day, we had a snack of yogurt, blueberries and strawberries. We did a brief review of the Pledge of Allegiance, and we are doing a brief overview of maps. Vincent got his own NIrV bible, and we will be focusing on the names of Jesus this year. When I gave Vincent his bible, he wanted to look up John 3:16 :-). Last year in first, we learned all the books of the bible. It took him awhile, but he found it and read it on his own. I love it! Vincent's reading has really been coming along...he was able to read the directions and complete pages in his math and spelling books all on his own! Friday we will kick off reading in history about Lief Ericksson. We are also doing "I Can Do All Things" for art...starting off with very simple exercises, but we are both loving it. Next week, we'll explore his bible more, learn about Christopher Columbus, start music (starting off with "God Bless America"), start the "fun" science, and start Spanish. I found a really good free resource for this here. We want to eventually do Rosetta Stone, but we couldn't afford it this year, so this will be at least a pretty good intro. Vincent seemed a little leery when he learned he would be doing Spanish, so we'll start gently and just see how it goes. If he's struggling, we'll wait. We're both very excited about the year. I love American History, even though I know there's a lot I have forgotten, so it will be fun to re-learn things this year! And it will be way more fun than the way I learned it (not homeschool). :-) Love, Lisa |
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Box Day!
Posted in Homeschooling
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Yay! We ordered on Friday and my box of goodies came yesterday! We are so excited to start 2nd grade! I couldn't get the pictures to upload, so I posted at my other blog here. Love, Lisa |
Friday, September 7, 2007
Curriculum day???
Yay! Nick said we are going to go through the budget today and that we will most likely be able to order curriculum! I am so excited! If we order today, we should get it by Monday or Tuesday, so we won't be starting very "late" at all. We will be ordering the deluxe package here, and will be using Primary Language Lessons for English, Singapore Math, and Spelling by Sound and Structure by Rod & Staff. Oh, and dh also said we could order the toddler package for Andrew! So, it will be fun for him to get something, too. So, once again, I decide to stop worrying and give it to God, and He is letting me know that HE is in control and that He has everything taken care of. God is ALWAYS good! Even in the midst of the situation at hand, I will praise Him because whatever happens, God will put us where we need to be, and where He wants us to be. Love, Lisa |
Monday, September 3, 2007
Happy Labor Day!
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Well, it's been a pretty good week! I've come a long ways as far as de-cluttering. The main floor of my house is complete, and I have started upstairs now. I told hubby it's kind of like paying off credit cards lol...once you get one paid off, you have more money to apply to the next and it just snowballs. The more I have stuck to de-cluttering, the more time I have to actually get more de-cluttering done. The house has been getting easier and easier to maintain. So, even though I have more time to spend on projects that need to get done, I also seem to have way more time to just relax and hang out with the boys. Speaking of the boys, we still haven't been able to get curriculum yet. But I'm not going to sweat it...we just finished first grade barely a month ago. Tomorrow I'll probably just start doing a few things from Ambleside just for some brain exercise :-) but for the most part, we are just going to enjoy our break. Besides, it'll be nice to have some time to make sure everything gets (and stays!) clean and organized before we officially get back into the school routine. On the financial front, we could really use some prayers. We will be meeting a bankruptcy lawyer soon to discuss options. We may not file, and we really don't want to, but we may not have a choice. We are going to see if we have any other options, and we will have to file as a last resort after we've ruled everything else out. Hubby is really stressed out to be at this point, but I am behind him 100 percent! I do hate to see him like this, because he truly is working so hard to try and fix our past mistakes. We both understand that God WILL provide our every need, but I do understand that he still worries about what's going to happen. Hubby's prayer is that he's not somehow resisting God's will. He's really trying to listen and follow God's leading in this. All I know is that God has already done some amazing work here. Because if we would have been in this spot before we found the Lord...let's just say it would not be a pretty picture. I hate to even think of what this home and family would be like. But the Lord gives us all the strength we need to get through these times. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Love, Lisa |
Friday, August 24, 2007
A Productive Friday
Posted in Homekeeping
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Well, I'm just stopping by while taking a break in a busy day. My neurologist has me on a one-day steroid treatment once per month to help with the other MS stuff. I guess it's working, because I have been on the go since I got up this morning! Here's what I've gotten done so far: Made bed Cleaned bedroom (including putting all clean laundry away) Got laundry running (one load in washer and one in dryer now) Last night's dishes (I know, I shoulda had them done, but it doesn't always get done!) Picked up and put away things where they belong around the house Weeded and swept the front yard (now it's ready for hubby to mow tomorrow) Washed down the outside of the front door and the two windows I can reach :-) Got the garbage and compost out Now I want to start working on the backyard. That will take a lot more work than the front, so I doubt I will get it done today, but I want to get as much done as possible. I also have to finish up the laundry, iron some shirts for dh, scrub down the bathroom and sweep the floors. And once I get the yard done, I will resume de-cluttering on the inside of the house :-). I need to finish the living room and our front porch, then the downstairs will be done. The bedrooms are another story and will probably take me awhile. Then, it's on to the basement. It's still somewhat of a disaster, but luckily, I got a lot of work down there this spring, and the garage sale cleared A LOT of stuff out for us. I know we will have plenty more for a garage sale next year and hopefully, we will pretty much be done with the de-cluttering...and KEEPING the clutter out! Yesterday, I went to the library and checked out a pile of readers, picture books, books with CD's, and some Ranger Rick magazines for Vincent. That will be our "school" for now, until I can order curriculum. I figure as long as he keeps on practicing reading, and is reading good things, he will be just fine until we officially start, and will even be better prepared as he has more time to practice reading :-). Anyway, this got a lot longer than I planned, but I do like to get things "down on paper." LOL! If I'm not back on in a couple of days, have a good weekend! Love, Lisa |
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
A great deal!
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Well, through some searching I did, I found a Christian library at a church here. Our church has a library, but this is a REAL library LOL! It is such a great find...they have all kinds of books and resources we'll be able to use for school. They also have a section of books that they are selling, and we found the "Handbook of Nature Study," by Anna Botsford Comstock...for only $1!!! I looked it up on Amazon, and the cheapest used was going for $21. So, wow, we really got a steal! Even though I'm doing My Father's World, I had seen this on Ambleside Online and had been looking at getting it for the days we do our nature walks. There was no way we would have been able to afford it, considering we haven't even ordered the curriculum yet. Praise God, He always provides! Love, Lisa |
Monday, August 20, 2007
Slooooow week so far
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Well, first grade has been behind us for a couple of weeks now, and we have been getting much done around here around the house, especially last week. Which is good, because it has been rainy and dreary the last few days, and it's supposed to stay that way all week. This is really taking it's toll on me and making me very tired, so the last couple of days I've been getting the bare bones basics done and not much else. And thank God for crock pots. :-) Dinner is in the crock pot for tonight, and the entire house smells good. Well, I am as prepared as I am going to get for 2nd grade. Now all I need to do is order the curriculum. We are still waiting to have enough money, as we are a little behind right now. Dh is just starting to get better hours at his part-time job, after having a few months of down-time there, and we are still trying to catch up. I need to be vigilant, because while I am anxious to get started, I don't want to be stressing him out by bugging him about when we can get the curriculum. He just doesn't need the stress right now...he knows we need it and he has told me he will take care of it, so I just need to trust that the Lord will provide in HIS timing, not my own. I am sooooo glad I worked hard on getting our home in order last week, as it has made this "lazy" time much easier. I haven't really done a whole lot yesterday and today, but I can honestly say I wouldn't be embarrassed by a surprise visit, so that's good! My kitchen and hallway are both completely de-cluttered. :-) The dining room doesn't need any de-cluttering, and I need dh's help with the living room. The movie cabinet is "his" area, so I'm not touching a thing unless he's helping LOL! He also said if I can find an empty tote, he will go through his clothes...right now, we have a laundry basket full of his clothes that won't fit in his dresser...it's been sitting around for months now, so it will be nice to have that gone! And let me tell ya, it has been really hard to NOT deep clean while de-cluttering, but I know I have been able to get as much done as I have because I have managed to hold myself off from deep cleaning! LOL! I figure once all the main areas are de-cluttered, I will go through and do a "fall cleaning." I never really got around to spring cleaning this year, so this will be nice. :-) Anyway, the boys are napping, so I'm off to make my rounds of the blogs. Have a nice Monday everyone! Love, Lisa |
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
A moving skit
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I was just browsing some blogs today and found out there is an answer to YouTube called GodTube! I was browsing some of the videos and found this. It made me cry. It really gives a good visual as to our relationship to God. Love, Lisa |
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Finishing up first grade
Posted in Daily Ramblings
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Well, tomorrow is the first of the last four days of first grade for Vincent. He has done so well this year, and we have had so much fun! He has especially seemed to pick up his reading lately. We will take a few weeks off, and hopefully will be able to start second grade the last Tuesday of August. We still have to order Adventures from My Father's World, just waiting for enough funds to come in. :-) If we start a little late, no big deal...that's one of the many benefits of homeschooling. :-) On the homefront, I am trying to get de-cluttered and organized. On Friday, I started with the easiest room, the bathroom. LOL! Now I am finishing up taking inventory of all our food so I can go through and make menus. We have sooo much food here, we shouldn't have to go grocery shopping for weeks (except for milk and fruit and such) if I do it right. This should 1) free up some space around the house, 2) save us a TON of money (we've been eating out and eating convenience food way too much lately), and 3) help me how to learn to cook more from scratch and learn to use what I have. I want to learn to make as much from scratch as possible. Out of snacks? Well, I'm going to have to make some. Don't have a certain ingredient for a recipe? Well, is it something I can make from something I do have? A lot of this comes from the fact that lately, I haven't been a very good steward of dh's hard-earned money. And he never (okay, hardly ever LOL) complains. I just see so many things I can be making/doing (or learning to do!) myself that we are spending money on unnecessarily. And I hope to be on here a little more regularly again. I have missed reading all the wonderful blogs here at HSB! I hope everyone is ready and well-rested for Monday! Love, Lisa |
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Please Pray
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Please pray for all involved in the Minneapolis bridge collapse. If you would like to see the story on it, just Google "bridge collapse minneapolis." Pray for the victims, their families, rescue workers, doctors, nurses, and all involved that I'm not thinking of. God holds each one in His hand. |
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Long time no blog!
Posted in Homeschooling
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Hi everyone! It's been awhile . I hope you all are having a great school year! As I've said before, we started Kindy at an odd time of the year. With some breaks in there, we are finishing up tomorrow! We are all so excited here! As soon as we get our tax refund back, we are ordering first grade curriculum from My Father's World. We will be starting as soon as it arrives. Yay! I am so proud of my Vinny-pooh  . He has done so well with this curriculum and he is especially doing so well in reading.Time to go get dinner ready! Love, Lisa |
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Moving to a new blog...
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I have a few blogs, and have decided to consolidate down to one. Here is the address of my new blog: http://www.xanga.com/lisa062797 I do plan on keeping this one open as well, just probably won't update as often, at least until we get school going regular again. We have taken off here and there as the MS progresses, and until I can get on some meds that will help consistently. Just letting ya'll know where I'm at! I hope to see you over there! Love, Lisa |
Saturday, November 18, 2006
What's going on with me...
Posted in Daily Ramblings
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Check out this post on my other blog: http://www.homesteadblogger.com/lisa062797/33456/A+tough+couple+of+months....html Because of what has been going on, we have taken a brief break from homeschooling, but I plan to try to resume next week. We have about 4 weeks of K left, so Vincent is still way ahead anyway. Then, until I can afford to purchase the first grade curriculum from My Father's World, I will be using some of the wonderful resources at AO. |
Saturday, September 16, 2006
A Study on the Lord's Prayer...seeking good websites
Posted in Homeschooling
Starting Monday, I would like to start going over the Lord's Prayer with my 5 year old son. He has it memorized, but I want him to understand what he's really praying about when he says the words. I found this website so far, but I am wondering if any of you out there have any favorite references for this? I would appreciate any suggestions! 
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Friday, September 15, 2006
Exciting times
Posted in Homeschooling
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I know that I already blogged about it, but after today I have to do it again. It is so exciting to see how much easier and easier it is getting for Vincent to read words, even words he has not seen before. It is also so cool how well he is doing in math. I got him a 1st grade math workbook (he already flew through the K stuff) from Sam's, and he is just flying through that stuff. He has a hard time sometimes with the number words, as with the phonics we are doing, he is just having to visually memorize those right now. But even those, he is getting good at. Vincent even did his first crossword puzzle today! LOL. His grandma is always doing them, and he is finally seeing what all the fuss is about. Meanwhile, dh and I are getting ready to order the next set of curriculum from My Father's World. I just love looking through their website. For now, I plan on using at least through 6th or 7th grade, but of course, I (or more like Vincent) may change, so we'll see. We can always supplement as well. I just really like their packages and curriculum! So far, it has been fun, and well, it's working! LOL. I guess I just like the style of how it's presented and taught, and the material itself is top notch. Yes, I know it's kind of a weird time of year, but Vincent will be finished with K around the end of October (we did start at an odd time, but it's also only 26 weeks) and then we will get him right into first grade. I'm not sure how long the 1st grade curriculum is, but I'm guessing we will be starting 2nd grade at the beginning of the next "normal" school year LOL. |
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Susan's Angel
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Susan Godfrey has posted an announcement of her precious angel, who is now in the arms of the Lord. May God bless her family and give them peace and comfort during this time. Lisa |
Thursday, September 7, 2006
PRAY FOR SUSAN GODFREY AND FAMILY
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A lot of you probably know Susan from her blogs. I have known her over the internet for a couple of years now, and she has been such a source of encouragement and inspiration to me in my faith, as well as in practically every aspect of my homekeeping. After being away from the blogging world for awhile, I was devestated to read this today. In the midst of everything, Susan's unwavering faith in the Lord is shining through in her testimony to how He is carrying her through this. I have thought about her and her family many times since I read this, and have cried many times for her. Every time I think about her, I send up a prayer to the Lord for Susan, her baby and her family. Please, please, please pray for Susan and her family during this time. She will be induced this coming Tuesday morning, and she will be going to the hospital Monday night. Amy has set up a 48 hour prayer chain for Susan and her family as they are going through this. Please visit her blog and sign up if you can. Biblical Womanhood is gathering email notes, verses, and encouragement for the family, as well as any snail mail you may want to send to them. But most of all, please pray for this grieving family, whenever you think of it. Lisa |