~ About Me ~
Hi, welcome to my blog. I will be sharing our experience as we homeschool 5 boys - our struggles, trials, prayers, and blessings. There are many challenges along the way for any homeschooler and I hope you are encouraged by what you read here. We use Sonlight and My Father's World as our main curriculum. Thank you for stopping by and comments are welcomed.
School is over for the day except Spanish which we do after dinner together as a family. We started Spanish this year because my oldest son needs two years of foreign language for high school. My husband really wants all of us to be fluent in the language so that we can more effective in our ministry. It has been a challenge ministry in an area where there are a lot of Hispanics and we have not been able to connect with them because of the language barrier.
This is our third week of school for the new year. It is good to get back to some kind of routine even though it was nice to take time off in the summer. We had a busy summer with packing and moving to our new home. We took a trip to Lake Michigan and went camping. It started out as a nightmare because our camper broke the morning that we left. We did not want to disappoint the boys so we bought a tent and used that instead. We had a great time hiking and hanging out at the beach. It is always relaxing to get away from the daily routine and just enjoy being together.
Our oldest son started his first year of high school this year. Yes we are still homeschooling him. The only big hurdle I was having was trying to find a good Algrebra curriculum. I read a lot of reviews and finally decided on using Teaching Textbooks. It is working so far...
A list of the curriculum we are using:
My Father's World - for the younger two (Everything we need for them is contained within this curriculum. It is pretty laid back and that works for us. They also like to use Mavis Beacon Typing and Music Ace.)
Sonlight One Year U.S. History - for the middle two (This includes History, Language Arts and Bible.)
Sonlight Church History - for our oldest son (Includes History, Language Arts and Bible)
Right now we are using Alpha Omega Lifepacs for math but we will be switching to Teaching Textbooks for our second oldest son. I like LIfepacs for the younger grades but as they get into the upper grades the teaching sections are lacking in my opinion. I spent a good deal of time last year with 8th grade searching on the internet how to do different problems because the book didn't explain it well enough.
For Science we are using Apologia for the older 3. My oldest son is doing Biology and the other two are finishing up our science book from last year Exploring Creation with Zoology 1.
My husband is also the worship leader at our church. He plays the guitar and used to play drums. So he teaches them music and they also use Music Ace and other resources for teaching different instruments. No one is completely proficient in any instrument but the older 2 have been taught basic guitar and drums. The other boys use the keyboard, bongos and harmonica. I am not musically inclined so I offer nothing in this area. I am thankful my husband can teach this class.
We have always struggled with having physical education class. The boys have played soccer in the past. Of course they play backyard basketball, baseball, soccer and football. We are looking into karate but having a hard time finding something close enough and within our price range.
Over the years we have used a variety of curriculum. We have used the library and internet for the backbone of our curriculum. We have used unit studies, traditional textbooks and a hodgepodge of other things. I never wanted homeschool to be school like you would experience in a classroom. I wanted them to be able to learn the way God made them to learn and not learn the way I learn. It is not easy to do sometimes. Especially when you have tried everything and it still isn't getting through. (That is usually when I call in my husband especially for one of our sons.) Homeschooling is not easy but it is rewarding and worth all the hair pulling experiences that come along with it. I love my job even though sometimes it doesn't appear that way.
Well thank you for stopping by and meeting me. I look forward to meeting new friends and learning from your experiences.
Therefore encourage one another and build
each other up... 1 Thessalonians 5:11b
Aug. 21, 2008 - Thankful Thursday
Iris at Sting My Heart is focusing on peace today. Everyone longs for peace - peace in their homes and in their countries. As Iris pointed out one definition of peace is: freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. Another definition, which encompasses the above definition is: Strong's Concordance 7965 - Hebrew Shalom ..... A word study in the New King James version for SHALOM says: Completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord.
I am so thankful for the peace of God. It is more than being free from conflict on the outside...it is true freedom from conflict on the inside. So many times we appear to be cool, calm and collective but inside our emotions and thoughts are raging. I am so thankful that we, as believers, can have shalom even in our inner being. When the storm is raging call on your Prince of Peace and He will quiet you with His peace. Thank you Jesus for that peace...it is a strong testimony of your work in our lives.
I am also thankful for my MIL and her sister. They have offered to take the boys for a day so that I can have some time to myself.
I am thankful that my dh's new job is going well. The Lord has given him peace, wisdom and strength each day.
My prayer for you:
The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace (shalom). Numbers 6:24-26
Sonshine over at Glimpse of Sonshine presented me with this award - Thank you for your kindness!! It was not easy to choose only 5 blogs for this award because I enjoy reading so encouraging and informative blogs. Blessings to all of you...and keep on writing!!
Now I must:
1. Choose 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award based on creativity, design, interesting material, and overall contribution to the blogger community, regardless of the language.
2. Post the name of the author and a link to his or her blog so everyone can view it.
3. Each award-winner has to show the award and put a name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award.
4. The award winner and presenter should post the link of the �Arte y pico� blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. Please post these rules.
I nominate the following blogs for this award(in no particular order!)...
Tiany at Less of Me~More of Him: a beautiful blog plus homeschooling and homemaking resources
Stacy at By God's Grace: love her cute graphics, worship music & her willingness to be real about life and give God the glory
Dee at Boys 'R' Us: fellow homeschool mom of all boys; enjoy reading her humorous posts about life with all boys
Song of the Sagebrush: enjoy her poems & posts about her life on the ranch; brings me back to the simple way of life
Shorty Bear's Place: love to read her Thankful Thursday post; a beautiful heart that loves the Lord
"Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You..."Jeremiah 32:17
I am thankful there is nothing to difficult for our God. If He can create the heavens and the earth through His great power then we can be sure He is able to accomplish mighty things in our own lives.
I am thankful for my husband, who has worked tirelessly this week training in his second job and continues to accomplish work in the ministry. I am thankful for his dedication to the Lord and to his family.
I am thankful for my children. They are each a unique gift from the Lord. They may bring challenges into our lives but they are also a huge blessing.
Thank you Iris for hosting the Thankful Thursday meme. If you would like to know more head on over to her blog and check it out. You will not be disappointed.
Homeschooling is not easy but it is rewarding and worth all the hair pulling experiences that come along with it. I love my job even though sometimes it doesn't appear that way. 