Apr. 19, 2007
We have a visitor....
Posted in Homeschooling
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I'm still amazed at how fast time goes by. We have so much we want to get to (in the school year) and it is almost over! I wish my girls would let me school year round. (Just kidding) I'm sure I can use a break. Well we have started our new curriculum. I think I like it, but I don't quite have a feel for it yet. Everything is done in smaller bites, which I like. It seems to keep their attention better. We have finished The Little Princess and will be starting The Wind in the Willows. That might be our last book of the school year. We have started our Nature Notebooks and the girls are loving it. We are going to do them all through the summer. At first they objected but now they are excited about it. So our visitor is Deanie, my 19 year old stepdaughter. She has been with us for 2 weeks. I don't know how long she is staying but the girls really like her being here. She just got a job and will be starting this week, but when she is around she joins us for some homeschool activities. She is fitting in to our routine really well. We haven't made any progress in our construction, but the the weather is about to break. So I am hoping they start up soon. Co-op is is almost over, only two weeks left. I think I will be teaching a high school and middle school class on the Presidents and possibly the voting process for next semester. Well thats all for now. Seeking Him, Missy |
Mar. 21, 2007
Still under construction!
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Patience, patience. Well, It's been 7 weeks and our room is still not complete. We are waiting for the weather to clear up so we can put the floor down. We still need to put trim up, install the sink and add the finishing touches. It looks great though! Terry painted the room, hung the cabinets and installed recessed lighting. We had a great time at King Tut's exhibit. The Franklin Institute is such a fun place. The girls enjoyed Sir Issac's Loft and the Sports Challenge. I'm not sure where our next field trip will be, but I think it's time to take the train to Washington. There is so much to do there. We finished reading The Bridge to Terebithia and are trying to squeeze in a trip to the theater to see the movie. We just started reading The Little Princess. We wrapped up our study on Egypt, Snow and were just about done studying the book of Genesis. I think we might start our new curriculum real soon. We will be doing The Weaver by Alpha Omega. Both the girls are sick today so we aren't doing school. Our co-op is going great! I am planning to teach more classes next semester. We are still going to the church on Fridays to help feed the homeless (they extended it through the month of March). We have been helping redesign their Prayer Room. I feel like Vanna has been studying for this moment all her young life. She is really enjoying this. Vanna has been taking confirmations classes at church this year and she will be confirmed this Sunday at the 11:00 am services. Then they are having a luncheon in the fellowship hall afterwards. I am so proud of her. Madison I believe is gonna be a "Great Chef". She has been cooking up a storm. Getting cookbooks from the library, writing grocery lists and creating fabulous treats. Her Strawberry Lemonade is out of this world! She definitely has found one of her gifts. She even cleans up after herself. Last week when it snowed, we woke up to smell of fresh cooked pancakes. She makes me proud too! O.K., so I'm gonna add some new pictures and get rid of the Christmas music (even though I love it and could listen to it all year). Seeking Him, Missy |
Feb. 25, 2007
Remodeling
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We are under construction again! This time we are finishing our laundry room. The drywallers were in today and will be back tomorrow to start taping & mudding. Well, if the roads aren't too icy. It is looking really nice. Our classroom is much warmer now. it is next to the laundry room and we had a terrible draft from it being unfinished. We also have a new entrance to the laundry room from the classroom. It cost me a book case but I think it will be worth it. So as I was finding room for my books I started cleaning off my shelves and listed a bunch of them on ebay . It was very successful. I didn't make a fortune, well maybe a small fortune. But it was alot of fun. I enjoyed listing them and waiting for bidders. I'm kinda bored now that it's over. I'll have to find more items to sell. Of course I'll be painting the laundry room soon so that will keep me busy. We are going to Philadelphia this week to see King Tut's Exhibit. The girls are very excited. We didn't take a field trip in January. We have been going to a local church to help feed the homeless this month and the girls have really enjoyed it. One of the families from our co-op belongs to the church so it was great for them to know other that were there. The mom from our co-op is very gifted in letting the children help. So all the children worked together to prepare pizza for everyone. They were all cutting, chopping, saucing the pizza, setting up tables.... it was amazing. This weekend Vanna participated in The 30 Hour Famine at our church and the whole group went there to help. It was a great experience for all. So far she has raised almost $200.00 to feed hungry children. We had a little party for my mom this past week for her birthday. The house was in chaos from the construction but we all survived. Vanna and Madison each played my mom a song they have learned on their instruments. It was very sweet. . We did get her a cake and gifts but I thought their music was the best. Well I'm trying to go to bed early and get up early ( once you break that routine it's hard to get back ) so I had better say, Goodnight! Seeking Him, Missy |
Feb. 13, 2007
It's Snowing!!!!
Posted in Homeschooling
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We are loving the snow! Even though we are having school. It's worked out great. We are doing a study on snow for sciene and I figured we wouldn't get to do the snow experiments. (Lack of snow in MD) But between last week and today we got to do them. Today we took black paper, that we had kept in the freezer, outside and caught snowflakes on it. Then we looked at the flakes with our magnifying lens and they were awesome. You could see the hexagonal shapes, they looked like fancy cutout snowflakes. The girls really enjoyed that. Oh and last week we did a Blizzard in a Bottle. They loved that too. They made their own snow and colored snow. They are still talking about that one.
I finally got my new curriculm and have been looking through it all. It is kinda overwhelming, but I do like it. I think we will wait to Sept. to start it. We have started reading The Bridge to Terabithia and will be watching the movie. We finished James and the Giant Peach and got to watch it on tape. The girls were disappointed that the movie left out the cloud men. But it is interesting to read the books and then see how they make it a movie. We are going to the Franklin Institute at the end of this month to see the King Tut exhibit. My parents are taking us, my dad loves all the egypt stuff and history. We can't wait. We are beginning the story of Joseph and will be reading about Moses soon. Also in history we are going to do a study on Egypt, so this will fit right in. I haven't got to do my freezer cooking yet. My husband is remodeling my laundry room and there is just too much mess and chaos in the house right now. I don't funtion well when everything is a mess, so for sanity reasons I will have to put it off for a while. But it has inspired me to clean out my bookshelves in the schoolroom. I have listed 19 items on e-bay. So far a have sold six, but the auctions haven't ended yet. I'll try to load some pictures soon, especially when the room is complete! Seeking Him, Missy |
Jan. 28, 2007
Feeling Better
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Well we're all up and running. Feeling much better, we weren't terribly sick, just getting run down. I can't wait to start a full week of school! We are in the middle of painting Madisons room. We went with a camouflage theme. She got all new bedding etc. for Christmas. The walls are half brown and half tan with green trim. It's looking so nice. The walls were purple and green from Dora the Explorer, she was much younger when we did that. They were all up there painting today! I finally fried chicken for my parents anniversary and Madison made her famous pudding pie. I showed my dad the ins and outs of his new cell phone. I am in the process of ordering curriculum for next year. I am going with The Weaver , It seems very similar to the curriculum we are using. From what I can tell it has a lot more planning already done, which I think I need. Anyway I have won it on ebay, but it is in limbo because the seller is having trouble with her paypal account. I hope it gets worked out quickly, I can't wait to see it. A local church will be helping the homeless all next month so I am making plans for the girls to volunteer their talents. They are excited. I am glad because while we were in Washington they came across a homeless woman and got scared. I am hoping this will help them understand better. I am also planning another cooking day. Back in Jan. 2007 I followed the The 30 Day Gourmet Freezer Cooking and made meals for a month. It took me 2 days but it was worth every bit of work. Dinner time has been so easy and delicious. I've almost used all my dinners so I am ready to cook more, this time all in one day. I will be trying some new recipes. I think that brings me up to date. Happy Homeschooling! Seeking Him, Missy |
Jan. 18, 2007
Moving right along.....
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We are trying to get into the swing of things, but life keeps interupting. We took off last Friday because we weren't feeling well. I was supposed to fry chicken for my husband and father on Sunday but really didn't feel up to it. So I threw together a dinner and while cleaning up I realized it was the last day to sign Madison up for Little League. We rushed out the door and made it there just in time to sign her up. Then the girls wanted off Monday for Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, who am I to say no. ( well i did, but the principal persuaded me to give them the day off ). Then we spent Thursday in the emergency room. My husband couldn't get out of bed after a weekend of wood splitting. Terrible neck spasms, but he's feeling no pain now, thanks to muscle relaxers. The girls did have school though, with their substitute teacher, aka mom - mom. From what I hear she enjoyed it. I never got to talk to her because after the trip to the hospital I had to get right to work. I feel like I still have the flu and Vanna wasn't looking to good at bedtime. Our friends want us to go swimming with them Friday, but I don't know if we will be up to it. I just want to crawl in bed and stay there. On a much better note we have begun our new bible study: The Power of a Praying Wife. I like it already. We don't have our study guide yet, but chapter one has plenty to think about. We did have snow flurries today!!!! My girls cannot wait for it to snow. Well I think it's time to crawl in bed and hibernate. Seeking Him, Missy |
Jan. 13, 2007
Time is slipping away.
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Where does the time go? We still have our Christmas tree up. Vanna and I went to the 20th Annual Youth Rally in Ocean City MD, with our church, Jan. 5,6 & 7. Our church took 54 youth and about 14 chaperones. What a weekend. The kids were great, although it was like being at a rock concert all weekend. It was Christian rock, but rock none the less. They did have some great speakers, my favorite performer was Joel Engles . I really enjoy the adult fellowship on these trips. We are trying to get back into school, for reading, we have started James and the Giant Peach. It is a much easier read then our other books. The girls are really enjoying it. We are still studying astronomy, waiting for a clear night to check out the stars. The girls are really mastering their multiplication tables. We played multiplication Bingo and they loved it! Our Co-op will be starting up in February, I can't wait. Our bible study has changed to Weds. and we are beginning the book: The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian. I have studied The Power of a Praying Parent, which was great. We had our family picture taken at church today for our new directory. They turned out so cute! Well that's all for now. Seeking Him, Missy |
Dec. 24, 2006
It's quiet around here
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Everyone is asleep and all is well. The cookies, milk and carrots are out, along with a quick note from Madison. I'm just waiting for Saint Nick to arrive. The girls are so excited for Christmas. We went to church tonight to watch the Christmas Pagent. Madison was a shepherd. It was really cute. I even got to watch "A Christmas Story" ( one of my favorite holiday movies). I am sad to know it will all be over very soon. I wish we could have the tree and lights up all year! Well i just wanted to leave a quick note before I go to bed. Merry Christmas, Missy |
Nov. 18, 2006
A quick catch up!
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We took a field trip to Washington D.C. with my parents. My dad wanted to go the American Indian Museum so we took the train and spent the day. It was alot of fun. We enjoyed the museum, but I must say Union Station was a big hit. We bought donuts the size of frisbees! We decided we would try to go back once a month to visit all the sights in Washington. Our first semester at the OCEAN Co-op is over. We had a great time. The girls have already picked out their classes for spring.The closing program was Friday night & Madisons play for her Meet Kirsten class went really well. Her character actually died on stage. Her first death scene, what a comedian, she had the whole audience laughing. Vanna missed the program, because she was on her way to Ocean City with our youth group. She would have gave her speech on organic food for her Public Speaking class. This is her very first overnight trip with the youth group. She is having a blast, she called today to tell me they went in the ocean! It started out as a walk along the beach and sure enough they ended up in the water. It must have been freezing. I really missed her not being at the closing program though, I would have loved to see her give her speech. We are starting another program in December which will include a weekly gym class and an alternating music, cooking, art or science class. It's through Elkton Parks and Recreation. I think one of Vannas friends is coming too! We are changing our studies around a little for the holiday season. Right now we are studying Genesis, but were gonna do an Advent study beginning the last week in November through Christmas. I can't wait. We have been using an Advent Wreath the past couple of years, so this will really give the girls a greater understanding. I haven't posted new pictures in a while so I'm gonna add some from vacation, Halloween, our trip to Washington and what ever else I find. Seeking Him, Missy Vanna cooked us an organic meal in Florida Me & Madds in Daytona   Halloween 2006 Our trip to Washington   Madison playing Marta Madds big moment!   Everyone came to the closing program and to see Madisons death scene!   Me & Reesie Bear Sporty Boy   |
Nov. 10, 2006
It's almost been a month!
Posted in Homeschooling
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I guess you can say I've been busy. Our vacation was wonderful, but I am really not a vacation kinda person. I was ready to come home soon after arrival, and I missed my little dog so much I couldn't stand it. So I decided NO more vacations without the Reeser's! School has been great. We are on track and moving right along. Madisons piano lessons are wonderful, she plays so well! Vanna has started theory in her music lessons, and she is playing well also. Soon I will have them playing together. Our co-op is almost over for the fall session. It sure went by quick. We all really liked it alot. I will be teaching a class for the spring session and the girls have already picked out their classes. Madison is in a play for the closing program. She is playing Marta, Kirstens best friend, from the American Girls. She dies in the play and is quite excited about that. I have been sewing her costume, it turned out so cute. I still have to finish her apron, which I should be doing right now ;>). As soon as I can I will post some new pictures. I will be writing more regularly now. Seeking Him, Missy |
Oct. 12, 2006
Our Vacation is almost here!
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It's been a long seven weeks since school has started. This vacation is timed perfectly. Thanks Mom and Dad. We are on our way to Florida, Monday morning at 9:00a.m., I'm told. Terry will be driving me and my mother-in-law down and the girls are flying with my parents. We are staying at a house with 4 bedrooms and a bulit in pool. I'm looking forward to rest and relaxation. We are planning on touring a plantation house on the way down. I can't wait, I love old houses and hope to one day own one. I also want to go to The Holy Land Experience . We will also go to Walmarts. We never go anywhere without visiting that place. Other then that we don't have many plans, oh! other then Octoberfest in Daytona. School has been such an adjustment this year. I feel like I'm not doing enough. Time seems to go by so quickly. I have so much I want to do but we run out of time. I'm hoping a break will do us all good. I guess I haven't found a good balance yet, but I know it will come. I'm very nervous of our portfolio reviews. Last year I followed a well mapped out schedule and had papers to show for everything. This year is a little different, I think once I get through the first review I will feel better. My mom is bringing her laptop on vacation so maybe I will find time to blog. If not I will blog more when I return. Seeking Him, Missy |
Oct. 4, 2006
More Changes
Posted in Homeschooling
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So we are tweaking the system some more! We have decided to give up our prayer letters. Madds liked giving them up, but Vanna said she liked writing them. I want the girls to learn how to pray from their hearts and the letters were getting very repetitive. They were fill in the blank style.They did explain and help teach the different forms of prayer so they were helpful. But I think were ready to develop our prayers further. Vanna walked in a Crop Walk Sunday (7 miles) and raised $130.00 in donations. I was very proud of her. Most of the other youth collected money that morning at church, but Vanna had been out collecting for 2 weeks in our neighborhood. She has been such a help to me lately. She is maturing and becoming so responsible. Madison went fishing with Jerry tonight. She caught one fish! I think she enjoyed it. She is still adjusting to homeschooling. We talked tonight about cooperation. She is so easily distracted and I am so focused that it is really hard. Even Vanna is very focused this year and there is Madison stopping to smell the roses. Makes you wonder who's smarter  ? The girls are having their school pictures taken tomorrow at our Co-op. Madison is finishing up the braided rug she's been making and Vanna has a new public speaking assignment. She really enjoys that class, practicing her speeches, she's a natural. Before we went to bed Madison helped me prepare dinner for tomorrow. She really loves to cook and is such a willing helper. She will unload the dishwasher or wash some dirty dishes whenever I ask. She is really at home in the kitchen, while Vanna reads directions to boil water! We use the crockpot on Thursdays because were gone most of the day with bible study and the Co-op. So tonight we were preparing a BBQ Pork Roast for pulled pork sandwiches. I had to laugh, the whole while we were making the BBQ sauce, she was complaining how awful it smelled. With every ingredient we added she wrinkled up her nose. The funny thing is when we get home we are so hungry we will eat anything - tasty or not! Last week we had beef tips w/pasta. The pasta was so over cooked in the crockpot and the beef tips were so shrivel up, but we still wolfed it down. I think there is an art to crockpot cooking. Well I better get to bed it's getting late. Seeking Him, Missy |
Oct. 2, 2006
Remodeling
Posted in Homeschooling
We are starting week six and we are already moving the furniture!  |
Oct. 1, 2006
Learning
Posted in Homeschooling
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What an interesting week! We are all learning so much. I got a tip from a fellow homeschooling mom, via a yahoo group, it was about demerits. I had read about it and marveled at her idea. She felt handling behavoir issues and teaching was difficult so she would issue a demerit to the offending child and when the father came home he would deal with the child. I had breifly mentioned the idea to my husband and we laughed at the thought of him being "The Principle". ( I think he liked the title). Well before I knew it little Miss Madison was the very first recipient of the demerit. (Mostly for being uncooperative and I must say it felt freeing to issue a demerit and continue on teaching). But I hadn't really thought this through or even discussed the consequences with my husband ( I didn't know I would actually use the idea ) and sometimes he comes home quite grumpy. So I started thinking I should probably handle this myself but I put my worries aside and left it in Gods hands. I needed to teach and not deal with these issues. So when my husband came home I blurted out "Madison got a demerit today daddy, she's all yours". Off the two of them went. He had her vacumming out his Jeep, washing the interior windows and then giving it a good scrub all over while he helped. He handled it all so well. I don't even know what they discussed but her cooperation was much better the next day. Even though it was punishment I know she enjoyed the time spent with her dad and I think he enjoyed acting "The Principle". Looking back I don't know what I was worried about, but I am thankful I left it in God hands. I'm beginning to think I am learning as much as my girls! Seeking Him, Missy |
Sep. 28, 2006
Things are going Well!
Posted in Homeschooling
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I belong to a womans bible study that meets every Thursday. We have actually been doing this for 6 years now, how time flies! Some of the faces have changed but our goal is still the same, to get closer to God. This year our study is "Managing Your Moods" by Women of Faith. It is turning into a great little study, just what I needed. I almost didn't participate this year because of homeschooling, I thought it would be too much. But then I realized it recharges me, keeps me in the word and streghthens me. Who couldn't use that on a weekly basis. There is an experienced homeschool mom in our bible study that offered to give me educational and emotional support. We talked about different things today and I think she will have alot to share with me. I am very excited because she is a christian and goes to our church. As far as school is going, things are improving. Vanna is working very independantly, Yeah!!!!! Madds is still adjusting. We have some attitudes to work on. Also I have to learn to - discipline without anger - ( which is hard for me ). I have to get this under control. I can see clearly that it is making things worse. I think our bible study is going to help me with this and my prayers have been focused on this. I really feel led to change in this area. I am believing: I can do all things through Christ who strenghthens me. Phillipians 4:13 Our co-op is turning into a real blessing. Vanna who was dreading going now likes it and looks forward to it. Madds was excited from the start and she has been making new friends. I am beginning to get to know some of the moms and starting to feel at home with them. Next week we are taking school pictures, a nice option I didn't have last year. I am even considering teaching a class in the spring. Well I wanted to give a quick up date, we have been very busy and I have been trying to cut back on my computer time. Seeking Him, Missy |
Sep. 19, 2006
Get Thee Behind Me Satan!
Posted in Homeschooling
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So were off to a new start. The schedule is running smoother, the girls are getting up earlier and we are accomplishing!!!!!! Great, but now my daughters are bickering and I feel like a referee. Only I didn't get a whistle. So I have to stop teaching, get them under control and pick up where we left off. Sounds like fun.......can't wait for tomorrow. We pray daily and I pray nightly for cooperation at school but Satan seems to be getting the better of us. We were supposed to discuss & write about spiritual warfare today but we ran out of time. As I am writing this I am realizing the importance of this activity. We are being attacked. I have felt annoyed all day, even when the girls weren't being annoying :) and then I went to work and continued to be annoyed. The enemy is coming against us and we need to fight. So I think we will study: 10Finally, my brothren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16above all, taking the sheid of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perserverance and supplication for all the saints. Well tomorrow has to be better it is Madisons 9th birthday.. Yeah!!!!!!!!!  So we will have school in the morning then my parents are taking us out to lunch to celebrate. Madison chose to eat at the Golden Corral. We love their rolls. We will have Madisons birthday party on Saturday. I'm figuring out how to change some of my blog design but I still have much to learn. HTML is very complex. If any visitors have any advice please leave a comment. Thank You. Seeking Him Missy |
Sep. 12, 2006
Did you vote?
Posted in Homeschooling
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Well today threw me off. Election day, our public schools were closed so we decided not to do school today. It would be to hard to focus with all the kids in the neighborhood outside playing. Plus my girls are always ready for an extra day off from school! Madison had alot of fun on her "Free Day Off" on Monday. My mom took her bowling and Madison bowled 3 strikes I was hoping to get a full week in with both girls, I guess theres always next week. I was planning on listing our daily schedules but now my days are getting mixed up. So maybe I will list them all in another blog. We start our co-op Thursday, I can't wait!!!!!! Seeking Him, Missy P.S. I did vote! |
. I didn't know she was that good! She also had Ritas water ice and went to the park. Sep. 9, 2006
We Begin Week 3
Posted in Homeschooling
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We are ready to kick into high gear! We have gone slow these past two weeks to get used to our new curriculum. I think they might be getting bored. So starting Monday, with the absence of Madison, we will be working full speed! Madison on the other hand will be bowling with my mother, enjoying her Free Day Off. Mom-mom you Rock!
Our Monday schedule will look something like this:
Sounds like a plan! Seeking Him, Missy
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Sep. 9, 2006
We Created the Earth!
Posted in Homeschooling
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Sep. 7, 2006
God's Mistake!
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I have to share this - Madds was doing a character study and this week it was on God. She uses a generic worksheet that helps define a persons character traits, good and bad.One of the topics states: A mistake I made was........... When I read it, I immediately thought, God dosen't make mistakes. But I remained silent to see how Madds would handle this. She replied:
........creating Satan.
Priceless! Seeking Him, Missy |
