I'm just not good at this blogging thing.  It's been 6 months since I last blogged!   I guess I'm just busy....Alot has happened the first 6 months of this year.    Mostly, hubby got orders and for you non-military families that means we move.   We have a house here (Hawaii) and we are trying to sell it.   I'm really trying to be patient and work on God's timeline but that is easier said than done!  So if anyone wants to say a little prayer....we could use them.  We've had lots of lookers, even lowered our price but so far no takers.   Maybe God's buyer isn't on island yet.

We are suppose to be headed to TX.  At least we know hubby is.  El Paso - Ft Bliss to be exact.  Anyone out there from there?   We are all excited about the move.  Even the oldest who says he's not...I know down deep he's excited about a change.   He loves Hawaii though and this is "home" to him.  

We are almost done with our school year.  Just finishing up a few things.   My boys are going to camp most this summer (at least we think so)   They are both going to be Eagle Scouts by the first part of July!  they have their Board of Review this week....so excited.  I've been working as hard as I can to have their Scout albums finished in time for their Eagle Court of Honor.   They deserve it.  They've worked very hard.

I'll try to pop in and write more often...it'd probably do me good. 

A fellow homeschool parent, innocently mentioned to me one day how their family listens to books instead of reading all the time.   She was explaining how it was a nice change of pace and actually the cost wasn't much more than purchasing a book and sometimes even less.   I had to check this out.     So I did and I LOVE it!   AUDIBLE.COM (http://www.audible.com) has a very wide selection of books available for purchase.  You can download them onto your computer, iPod, MP3 player and more!   Once purchased, they are available for downloading as many times as you'd like.    They have several different payment plans.   You have the option to be a member or not; however, the cost is higher if you are not a member.    We purchased the yearly plan.   Audible Listener is available for $9.95 a year.   We receive about an average of a 30% discount and can purchase a book anytime.   For those listeners who would buy more, they offer a Gold & Platinum membership as well with opportunities to earn credits towards books.

Why would we do this?  I have 3 children - 12; 14 and 16.  We use a curriculum that calls for some old classics which, even I admit, can be difficult in reading smoothly sometimes.    The children love this idea of being able to listen (and follow along in the book).    It's worked very well for us.

We've listened to Beowulf (an epic poem in Old English set in the Viking era).  My oldest is currently listening to The Scarlet Letter by Nathanel Hawthorne and we just purchased A Christmas Carol  by Charles Dickens.  We've read A Christmas Tale before and we watch it each Christmas season, but thought we'd listen to it this year for a change. 

when life is busy!  I cannot believe it's been so long since I've blogged.  I really should and want to make this at least a weekly thing.  I really enjoy it out here.  I think I found I was spending too much time reading blogs and ignoring the things of the household.    We've also have a very good school year.  I cannot believe we are 1/2 way done.   It's our 8th year and it seems I'm finally getting this thing down!  LOL    It's been a very productive, successful year to date.  

We are anxious for yet another Christmas here in Hawaii.  It's our 6th Christmas season here.   It's hard to believe we've been here longer than anywhere else in our 19 years of marriage!  This is really where our children call "home".   

We've been so busy this year.  I cannot believe it's almost over and 2007 is right around the corner.....I think I'll add blogging more often on my list of resolutions this year LOL

Mele Kalikimaka (Merry Christmas)

I happen to just randomly come across Saved By Grace's blog today and she's got a great article on homeschoolers and socialization published at CNSNews.com.    Why not run by and read it for yourself!   I think you'll be encouraged by it. 

Our recent Netflix viewings were the following....All great choices for families in my opinion.   I've linked the movie to Netflix, hopefully it gets ya to the right place if you want to check it out!

The Gospel...if you've not seen this one you should.  It's rated PG and apporpriate for most family members.    It's a story about a son who drifts from God and returns home 15 yrs later when he finds his dad is ill.  I guess one could say a modern day prodigal son story.  Great story, great music.     5 thumbs up

The World's Fastest Indian....another good family flick.  My husband and children really enjoyed it.   It was good but I wasn't really in the mood to watch a movie at the time.    Based on a true story.    5 thumbs up

Eight Below....EXCELLENT family film.  Might be scary in a couple of parts for little ones but overall it's a great family film.  A little slow in some parts.  What amazing creatures those dogs are.  Truely amazing.   Also based on a true story.   5 thumbs up

It's been a full month AGAIN since I last blogged.  For some reason I just can't seem to make this a priority.   I had a response left on my blog more or less asking about life here in Hawaii and a request to blog more about that.   I can't promise but I will say I'll try do that more often.   

My boys, husband included, headed off to Boy Scout camp this week.  It's the annual summer camp.  This year however, they went to Maui's camp.  How cool is that huh?  I can't wait to see pictures when they return.   We put them on a plane this morning.  It only took about 30 minutes for them to fly there.    That leaves my daughter and I a week to have girl time.   We decided to jet off to Maui as well (fair is fair!)   We leave on Tuesday morning, stay the night and head home Wednesday night.   I've never been so this will be new.  I want to hit the old whaling town of Lahaina and we are going to do the Maui Ocean Center as well. 

We've been on summer break a few weeks now.  I hope to take a day this week and get started on reorganizing the bookshelves and school stuff for the upcoming year.   I know I'll need more than a day but at least that's a start.   I have one last curricula order to put in with CBD.com   I really need to do that.

I've done a few home improvements (painted the kitchen/living area) this week.   It feels good to accomplish something ya know? 

I can't believe it's July already.   Child #2 turns 14 next week.... FOURTEEN!   (#1 turns 16 in Sept)  Where does the time go??  It just seems to be fleeting by so quickly now that they are older.

Much Aloha everyone and I hope your summer has been fantastic so far!

Wow! It's been way too long since I last blogged.  I'm horrible at keeping up with this kind of stuff.

We are on our "modified" summer schedule.  The kids still have some reading to do over the summer but for the most part we have our days free.   For me that means scrapbooking!   I've finished 18 pages in the last week.   I hope to get alot done over the summer vacation.

School wise, we've ordered all but 2 subjects for the fall.  I still need to order Rosetta Stone (Spanish) and bible for the boys.   My daughter and I are going to do a mother/daughter study in the fall (at her request).    Doing lesson plans should be much easier on me this year as we are now comfortable with our curriculum and I can use what's already been done.   For example: my oldest finished Physical Science but my middle one will be going thru that this year and my daughter will be doing General Science which my middle one just finished.   There fore in Science I only have to draw up Biology for my oldest and thanks to Donna Young.org it's practically done for me.  

My daughter is taking guitar lessons.   My boys are wrapped up with Boy Scout stuff this summer.  My oldest is camping the next 6 out of 7 weeks.  He's attending the National Jr. Leadership Training this week.   In July he'll be working as part of the staff at the local Boy Scout camp.   The second week of July, my husband and both boys head off to Maui for a week of summer camp with their troop (must be nice huh??) 

That's about it here for now.

I'll try to blog more but sometimes I just don't know what to blog about!

Much Aloha!

April 23rd   http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12442731/

I came across this on Fiffi's blog.

This is just another reminder (and reason) why we homeschool!

In the first article they site another school shooting happening: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12409480/  This was in a community of about 600 people!  A place, in my opinion, where something like this is not expected. 

This is a great site that provides CLEP Lesson Plans.   

We plan to CLEP as much as possible with our children to get them that headstart on college.  This site is a great resource to help anyone get started! 

I'm very sad today.   I got word this morning that after several months of tests, although I'm very healthy, I'm unable to give my father a kidney.   I've blogged on this in the past but long story short my father has kidney failure.    He had a heart transplant 10 years ago which is still working fine but over time, his kidneys have just worn out.    I was the 3rd person to go through this process to be denied.   I  was really wanting this more than anything.  Last week I was so hopeful.  We were nearing the end of the tests to rule anything out and so this morning was a huge blow to me.   

I am very healthy as I said but if they were to take a kidney, my function left would be only about 50% which means I have some kidney not working to its fullest I guess.   Nothing unusal really, many of us have kidneys that don't work at completely 100% but that doesn't make something wrong with us.   But for me, it means they cannot put me at risk in the long term and leave me with kidney failure or something else in years to come.   

Many people I've shared this with are surprised at how long of a journey this has been.   It's more than just a match.   I match but I still cannot donate.  

So in the meantime, daddy still needs a kidney.   Please pray for our family and particular my mom.   I cannot imagine watching a spouse have to go through what my father does.   By the grace of God he's doing well all things considered but it is only by God he's still alive.   He's not on dialysis yet, they don't want to do that because of his previous heart transplant but if they have to they will.   They put a port in back in December but have been able to hold off.   Now that I cannot donate Im not sure how much longer they'll hold off.   For anyone, this is not a quick process but at least 3-6 months.  

It's been a very emotional day to say the least and once it all soaks in and I have time to process it, I'll share if the Lord leads me.    My children were so disappointed but looking back just a few hours ago to this morning I see where this was a wonderful opportunity to instill in them that we do not have to be angry or mad at God or even doubt Him.    It's all in the Lord's hands and we need to find peace with that if we are struggling with it. 

Thanks for letting me share this here.

Well, I'm almost done with all our school shopping for next year.   We still have a few subjects left to pick up but I know what I want, it's just a matter of ordering it.   We have very little changes this year.   I'm just trying to fill in some electives for my two high schoolers. So far I've got an art elective and a classicial music elective lined up.    If you have any ideas or thoughts on what you have done or are going to do for electives I'd love to hear it!

I had to share my love of the Dover Coloring Books.  They are so detailed and just wonderful!   My children are 15, almost 14 and 12 and they enjoy these books as well.    We use particularly use these books in history and science.    I just placed an order for a few new ones and I can't wait to receive them!   

As they say, a little community service goes along way.

Here in Hawaii it is very common that churches meet in schools, actually most churches do meet in the schools here - elementary, high school and even at the community colleges.  YES, churches actually meet inside the public school buildings on weekends.  It's quite a shock for some people to find that out.  Land is at a premium out here and if a church was able to find some land to purchase more than likely the price would be too high...we are talking millions for a shoebox piece of land. 

The schools actually work well with the churches out here.  It's kind of a you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours kind of thing. 

Today we, a few of the homeschool families in our church, went and hid some easter eggs for their hunts later this afternoon at the school where we meet.   It was very interesting going in during their school hours doing last minute counting of eggs and having the children hid them.  We hid over 1500 eggs today for all the classes PreK thru 5th grade.   All the teachers were very nice and very appreciative that we would actually take the time to do that for them.

We were even able to start our service off with a circle of prayer right in front of the school ON the school grounds!   No one cares!  That's the Aloha Spirit....and the HOLY Spirit working together in this little place I call Paradise... 

Aloha!

When we first started homeschooling 7 years ago the children were younger elementary age.   One of the big concerns from family and friends was "what about high school?"  Well, what about it?  Why are parents so afraid to continue homeschooling the last 4 years of their children's education?   I'll admit I had some concerns last year as it struck me it was time!  Our oldest was going to be in the 9th grade.   My husband and I attended our annual convention and the theme was Homeschooling High Schoolers and College Prep.  We sat in several workshops over 2 days soaking it all in.   By the end of the weekend I was confident I could do this too!  However without the knowledge of those who have gone this path before me, I'm not sure how well prepared I'd be.    I'm one of those people who will read any and all books I can get my hands on to prepare me and focus me on whatever subject.   So, when I received an email asking if I was willing to read, review and blog on a new ebook that will soon be available to all, I jumped at the chance!    

Homeschooling the High Schooler: 

                                   From Transcripts to Graduation 

A compliation of lessons from well-known authors such as Inge Cannon, Paula Moldenhauer, Maggie Hogan and Ann Zeise. 

Split into three parts, this new ebook offers much encouragement, advice and planning tips for the future to homeschooling high school parents.

Part One:  You can Homeschool Through the High School Years

With chapters written by Christine Field, Maggie Hogan, Jill Novak and more, support and encouragement of being able to homeschool high schoolers is given in reminders of why we started this journey to begin with as well as the opportunities that come along during these years.  They also put at ease some of the anxieties that come with giving credits, record keeping and testing.

Part Two:  Options and Resources to Help You

Paula Moldenhauer, Ann Zeise, Steve Clark and others cover the "how-to's" on the basics and academics.  You'll find information and helpful tips on dual enrollment, CLEP testing, job shadowing and how to prepare your child for college.  Also covered, how to pick curriculum for these years and more importantly how you can teach higher math, science and language arts during these years!  Each chapter is full of website links to take you directly to the resources suggested.

Part Three:  Preparing for the Future

This part of the ebook covers transcripts and why they are so important, how to convert your extracurricular activities into credit courses, a college selection checklist for Christians, apprenticeships and vocational training, and entrepreneurs.   Written by Igne and Ronald Cannon, Rhea Perry, and Cindy Downes these chapters cover the concerns of 'what about after high school'. 

This is an excellent book and should be read before you hit those high schooling years however, it's never too late to prepare.  If you had to choose 1 resource, I would highly recommend this ebook.  You will not be disappointed!

If interested, this ebook will be available for purchase in the next few days through THE HOMESCHOOL MAGAZINE. 

This is my pineapple plant that I started myself.     

The story behind it though is a sad one.  It was stolen from me   Who steals a pineapple plant??   Here in Hawaii if you steal a pineapple out of the fields the fine is like $1,000 or more!!!  They take it seriously too.     Anyway, we were moving from one house to another, about 4 miles apart.   The plant was the last thing to move so my husband put it behind the house and said we'd go back the next morning to get it.   It was large and honestly we couldn't fit it in with the last little bit of stuff in the truck.   Well, when we came back it was gone!   Which means more than likely a neighbor took it so what's more sad - a missing pineapple or realizing a neighbor would steal. 

It takes apprx. 17-24 months to grow a pineapple to maturity.  I did not know that until we moved here.   No wonder pineapples are expensive!    The best pineapples to eat here are not from the grocery store.   I buy mine at the local swap meet on the weekends or at a local farmers market type of thing that comes though my town on Friday mornings.   I pay about $2.50 for a pineapple.  They are much more than that in the stores (or in the tourist areas).

To start a pineapple plant all you have to do is take the top that you sliced off a mature pineapple and stick in some dirt.   It will grow from that!  It's so easy.   We plan on starting another one but my large pot I have now is growing a Plumeria tree.  So, I need another big flower pot and some dirt which I've just not gotten around to.  

So here it is ~ A couple of shots.    The red/green plant growing it it is different.  I'm not sure where it came from, it just started to grow with the pineapple LOL

One thing I love about Hawaii is the tropical flowers.   I particularly love Birds of Paradise.   I purchased a smaller plant back about 3 years ago for $15 at a local nursery.   I waited and waited and waited some more and for a while I thought it wasn't even growing!   I finally found a book that was well written for down to earth people like me  on growing plants in Hawaii.   That's where I read that it takes 3 YEARS for a Birds of Paradise to mature enough to put off its first bloom.   Well, 3 years are up and last week I finally got a bloom!!!    Here's a picture!

I've replaced my photos (since deleting everything from Photobucket).    I'm going to try yet again to blog more often.   I just have a lot going on right now in life.  Nothing major, just alot of day to day stuff.   If it would stop raining it'd be nice.  This is "paradise" (Hawaii)  so I have to wonder - WHY so much rain this year??  I guess it's like areas on the mainland that get hit with that last late season snow storm.   It's been raining the whole month of March it seems.   Most our rain is what I call liquid sunshine - it rains for a few minutes and you dry off quickly but this is the sun is not shining, overcast, grey nasty rain - constantly!    We had a small break yesterday but by far not enough!  We are so overdue with some beach time....Sure would be nice to see the SUNSHINE again!

I have all my blog photos out at Photobucket.com but I just found out today that they changed their Terms of Service and I'm gonna have to find a new place to host my photos.   Any ideas?  Please let me know.   If you have Photobucket you will want to read this!  I've bolded the important change at the bottom!  If you have family photos there, I'm sure you will not want to keep them there....

* Updated 03/02/06

Before you use this site, please read these Terms of Service carefully as they govern your use of the services provided at Photobucket.com (the "Services"). By using the Services you agree to the Terms of Service set forth below as they may be updated from time to time by Photobucket.com, Inc. ("Photobucket.com"). Photobucket.com may modify or terminate the Services from time to time, for any reason, and without notice, including the right to terminate with or without notice, without liability to you, any other user or any third party, provided that when Photobucket.com does so, it will update these Terms of Service. You are advised to periodically check the website for changes in the Terms of Service.

"User Content" means any videos, photographs, images text, graphics, news articles, charts, presentations, communications photographs, illustrations text, graphics, news articles, charts, presentations or other materials provided by you to Photobucket.com. Photobucket.com does not claim ownership rights in any User Content. In order for Photobucket.com to permit you to use the Services, you grant to Photobucket.com a perpetual, universal, non-exclusive, royalty-free, transferable, license to use, copy, distribute, modify, print, display and otherwise exploit in any manner any User Content and to enable third parties to use the Services to do the same."
http://photobucket.com/terms.php

You are PAPER!

You are an all natural basic person who likes to act as a foundation to others. You are willing to take a backseat in most of your relationships and let others take the spotlight, while you show your support and help them shine! Underneath it all, you are the one who makes it all happen. You are the focus and stability in any group, even if you are not the leader. Others look to you to set the pace and provide ideas for ways to get things done. But Paper Beware - sometimes you get a little edgy with the people who look to you for support and can give them some papercut remarks that can hurt their feelings. Remember to watch what you say, because you are best when leading by example.

What Kind of Scrapbooker are You?  Take this quiz at Quizilla