A Place To Call Home

A Place To Call Home

Nov. 13, 2008

Things are going well ~ I think!

Well, we started our Homeschool Journey (once again), back in September. I Homeschooled my oldest son until the end of 3rd Grade, and then the following September, enrolled him and his younger brother and sister in the local Christian School. They were in that School until my oldest son was part way through Grade 6.

We brought our children home part way through that year, and I once again began to Homeschool. The next year and a half was a total disaster! Nothing I did seemed to go right. I couldn't seem to focus on what I was doing. The kids didn't want to apply themselves ~ I know they are smart children, because their report cards from School were proof of that! But something was not going right.

Last year we enrolled our children in the Christian School once again. Something had changed in the School during the 1 1/2 year absence of my children. I don't know what it was, something I can't quite put my finger on, but something was definitely "different". So my husband and I decided to once again bring our children home and and teach them here. Not necessarily what I really wanted to do, but was really the only option we had at the time. All I could think about was the huge disaster our last attempt at Homeschooling had been! I definitely did not want a repeat of that!

I was hoping that if we changed our Curriculum up a bit, things would be different. So I changed EVERYTHING!!!! We had been using ABeka, and I found it very challenging for me as a Mother, to try and teach three children, in three different Grades at the same time. So, this year, we are using a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Now mind you, some of my choices are not working with my children. But you know what ~ that is o.k.. If something doesn't work, find something that does! That's the beauty of Homeschooling! We are free to make changes if we need to.

I can honestly say though, that School is going much better this year (so far ~ fingers crossed here), than it has in the past. I started the year out quite anxious about everything, but I am starting to mellow. I take one day at a time, and what happens ~ happens. There really is nothing to worry and stress over. I just need to learn to leave everything in the capable hands of the Lord, and He will get me through! So, yes ~ things are going well ~ I think?

Posted by Kim on Nov. 13, 2008 at 6:28 PM • Shared blessings (3) • Share a blessing • Permanent

Sep. 4, 2008

You know you're a Homeschool Mom when......

Posted in Homeschool Thoughts

You Know You're A Homeschool Mom When...

You get to change more than diapers, you get to change their minds.

When a child busts a lip, and after seeing she's okay, you round up some scotch tape to capture some blood and look at it under the microscope!

You find dead animals and actually consider saving them to dissect later.

Your children never ever leave the "why?" stage.

When your teenager decides to take one community college course, and comes home and asks you why the teacher wrote "At" on his paper. (A+)

You ask for, and get, a copier instead of a diamond tennis bracelet for your wedding anniversary.

Your kids think reading history is best accomplished while lying on the floor with their head resting on the side of their patient dog.

Your husband can walk in at the end of a long day and tell how the science experiment went just by looking at the house.

You never have to drive your child's forgotten lunch to school.

Your child will never suffer the embarrassment of group showers after PE.

The only debate about the school lunch program is whose turn it is to cook.

You never have to face the dilema of whether to take your child's side or the teacher's side in a dispute at school.

If your child get's drugs at school, it's probably Tylenol.

Your neighbors think you are insane.

Your formal dining room now has a computer, copy machine, and many book shelves and there are educational posters and maps all over the walls.

You have meal worms growing in a container....on purpose.

If you get caught talking to yourself, you can claim you're having a PTA meeting.

Talking out loud to yourself is a parent/teacher conference.

You take off for a teacher in-service day because the principal needs clean underwear.

You can't make it through a movie without pointing out the historical inaccuracies.

You step on math manipulatives on your pre-dawn stumble to the bathroom.

The teacher gets to kiss the principal in the faculty lounge and no one gossips.

Your honor student can actually read the bumper sticker that you have put on your car.

If your child claims that the dog ate his homework, you can ask the dog.

Some day your children will consider you to be a miracle-working expert and will turn to you for advice.

Your kids refer to the neighbor kids as "government school inmates."

You can't make it through the grocery produce department without asking your preschooler the name and color of every vegetable.

You can't put your produce in your cart without asking your older student to estimate it's weight and verify accuracy.

You live in a one-house schoolroom.

You try to (quickly) capture the huge bee that was knocked unconscious as it accidentally flew into your car window, so the kids can classify and inspect it.

Your bank statement reflects the fact that you spend more at Books-A-Million than at fancy clothing stores.

You've got more books and bookcases than anyone you know.

You DREAM of a room (or even a whole house!) with wall to wall, ceiling to floor bookshelves.

The walls of your dining room are decorated with posters of the US Presidents, Periodic Table of Elements, Map of the Moon, Spanish Conjugation Chart and a copy of the Declaration of Independence, not to mention a poster of the Ten Commandments since no one can tell you not to!

You have children draped all over the furniture....and they're reading...for the FUN of it!

Your children actually enjoy spending time with their family, even their siblings!

Your children aren't embarrassed to be seen playing with someone younger than they are!

You are on a first name basis with the majority of local librarians.

You've laughed out loud when someone asked you "What about socialization?"

Posted by Kim on Sep. 4, 2008 at 2:21 PM • Shared blessings (1) • Share a blessing • Permanent

Apr. 29, 2008

Getting Ready For a New Year

Posted in Homeschool Thoughts

My children attend the local Christian School this year, but we will be Homeschooling again next year. I have Homeschooled in the past with some success, but also with a lot of failures! Last year was a disaster!!!! We used Abeka for everything ~ now don't get me wrong, I LOVE ABeka, but it was just too much for me. My children are in grades 4, 6, and 8 and I found it too difficult to do everything required with ABeka when my children are spread out so much . We ended up finishing school last year the first of May ~ not because we were finished, but because of sheer frustration! We only had about half of the years work completed, but I just couldn't continue! The kids were frustrated, and I was frustrated, I just didn't see any point in continuing.

This year off has been good for me. I have a better outlook on Homeschooling next year. We will not be using ABeka, but a variety of different things which I hope the children will find more interesting. I think they are getting tired of ABeka as some of the subjects tend to be a little repetitive. So we shall see how things go. I am excited about a new School Year, but I know that I have to be better prepared for each day, and be more firm in my rules and expectations of my children. I tend to be too much of a softee.

I found some really good books at a used book sale over the weekend which I will put to use next year! I can't wait ~ I am so excited ~ and I would be lying if I didn't say a little scared as well!

Posted by Kim on Apr. 29, 2008 at 6:26 PM • Shared blessings (4) • Share a blessing • Permanent

Apr. 17, 2008

Canadian Province/Territories Unit Studies

Posted in Homeschool Thoughts

While "surfing the net" today, I came across this website for Free Unit Studies on all of the Canadian Provinces and Territories. Thought I would share in case anyone was interested.

~ Kim

Posted by Kim on Apr. 17, 2008 at 1:00 PM • Shared blessings (1) • Share a blessing • Permanent

Apr. 3, 2008

Weblink Education

Posted in Homeschool Thoughts

Wow! There is a new Website for Homeschoolers! SoCalVal has come up with a new website with a wonderful list of "weblinks" for homeschoolers! This is what she has to say about Weblink Education:

Welcome to Weblink Education! This is a teacher resource center for all home educators. What makes this site unique is that all of our resource weblinks have been provided by mom's just like you. Over 400+ homeschooling families have contributed their favorite weblinks by participating in our weekly Weblink Wednesday blogging Meme. This should give you comfort to know that each site has been Mom Tested and guaranteed to give you want you need. You will find helpful educational links in all areas of study. Our goal here at Weblink Education is to bring you the best weblinks available that will help enhance your homeslchool journey.

She is also giving away a $25 gift card from Amazon.com. So head on over here to find all of the details!

Posted by Kim on Apr. 3, 2008 at 8:34 AM • Shared blessings (1) • Share a blessing • Permanent

~ About Me ~

I am a SAHM striving to be like the Proverbs 31 Woman. I want to love my husband and my children to the best of my ability, and I want to bring honor and glory to my Lord~

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