On Any Given Day... - Homeschool Blogger

What we have been up to since Nov 2

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:09:00 -0600

November 2 was the last time I did an update. Wow... where does the time go?

Since November 2... here is what has happened in our world...

Here are the assignment sheets from the last couple of weeks...

_________________

THIS WEEK – November 2 to 8 DEANNA

MONDAY – ○MATH lesson 33, ○Aircraft design and engines pgs 46-50, ○Gruesome Grave Robbers pgs 75-87, ○Shakespeare research, ○one chapter of THE LIGHTENING THIEF

TUESDAY - ○Ranch work 8AM-12PM, ○MATH lesson 34, ○Cars and Motorcycles pgs 50-53 and check out the charts on pgs 54-55, ○The Remarkable River pgs 88-93, ○one chapter of THE LIGHTENING THIEF, ○Shakespeare research

WEDNESDAY - ○No Mug Up scheduled :o(, ○MATH lesson 35, ○A Gallery of the Gods pgs 94-98, ○one chapter of THE LIGHTENING THIEF, ○Shakespeare research, ○Shakespeare movie

THURSDAY – ○Math lesson 36, ○Awesomely troublesome Egyptians pgs 99-110, ○one chapter of THE LIGHTENING THIEF, ○Shakespeare research, ○read James Chapter one and two, make notes

FRIDAY -- ○MATH lesson 37, BABYSITTING 8am-3pm,

SATURDAY -- ○MATH lesson 38, Birthday Party 2:00-4:00pm, sleepover

SUNDAY --- church at our house

THIS WEEK – November 2 to 8 JORDAN

MONDAY – ○MATH lesson 32, ○Aircraft design and engines pgs 46-50, ○Medieval weapons research, ○one chapter of THE LIGHTENING THIEF

TUESDAY - ○Ranch work 8AM-12PM, ○MATH lesson 33, ○Cars and Motorcycles pgs 50-53 and check out the charts on pgs 54-55, ○one chapter of THE LIGHTENING THIEF, ○Medieval weapons research

WEDNESDAY - ○No Mug Up scheduled :o(, ○MATH lesson 34, ○one chapter of THE LIGHTENING THIEF, ○Medieval weapons research, ○Shakespeare movie

THURSDAY – ○Math lesson 35, ○one chapter of THE LIGHTENING THIEF, ○Medieval weapons research, ○read James Chapter one and two, make notes

FRIDAY -- ○MATH lesson 36, ○Medieval weapons research, ○option--- work on the ranch... ask dad for a job

SATURDAY -- ○MATH lesson 37, Birthday Party 2:00-4:00pm, sleepover

SUNDAY --- church at our house

_______________________

Deanna — November 9 to 15, 2009

MATH

Lesson 38—Proportions 158

Chapter 5 Quiz 163

Lesson 39—When the Bottoms are the Same 168

Lesson 40—Matching Up the Bottoms 172

Lesson 41—Changing Both Denominators 176

Lesson 42—Lowest Common Denominator 180

WRITING

Student Writing Intensive – DVD classes

DAY ONE – outlines, summary, dress-up

DAY TWO - story summary, dress up

DAY THREE - reference summary, paragraph structure

DAY FOUR - creative writing

BOOK - Horrible Histories - Awesome Egyptians

- Live like an Egyptian pages 111-127

- Epilogue and Quiz pgs 127-135

BOOK - Lightening Thief

four chapters

SHAKESPEARE PROJECT

– work on a Timeline of some sort. History is all about dates and if you can communicate the time frame that your event, person or invention encompasses it will help the visitors that come to your table on the day of the Extravaganza to get “into the time period” of your project.

- mapping (see email)

- write out some interesting facts, a paragraph or statistic to present on your project board or table.

OTHER THINGS THIS WEEK:

Tuesday – School pictures in Red Deer 1:50pm (this means you must do you school work in the morning, get up early, set your alarm)

Wednesday – You are scheduled to babysit Samantha from 7:30 - 3:30

Friday - Essay Apprentice Class in Innisfail at 12:30 to 2:30 (this means you must do you school work in the morning, get up early, set your alarm)

– Read JAMES CHAPTER 3

– Random Acts of Kindness Project (do one kind act each day, record it in your bible notebook)

_______________________

Jordan — November 9 to 15, 2009

MATH

Lesson 37—Parentheses within Parentheses 181

Lesson 38—Freeing x from a Fraction (Part 1) 185

Lesson 39—Freeing x from a Fraction (Part 2) 190

Lesson 40—From One Side to the Other 196

Lesson 41—Moving Shortcuts 201

Lesson 42—Chase Scene 205

WRITING

Student Writing Intensive – DVD classes

DAY ONE – outlines, summary, dress-up

DAY TWO - story summary, dress up

DAY THREE - reference summary, paragraph structure

DAY FOUR - creative writing

BOOK - Horrible Histories - Measly Middle Ages

- Introduction & timeline and Nasty Normans pgs 5 to 18

- Feudal fellows & Dreadful Disease pgs 19 to 41

- Nutty knights & Awful Angevins pgs 42 to 61

- Foul food & Lousy Lancastrians pgs 62 to 82

BOOK - Favorite Greek Myths

- Introduction

- Chariot of the Sun God - the story of Phaeton and Helios

- The Golden Touch - the story of Bacchus and King Midas

SWORD PROJECT

- mapping (see email)

- write out some interesting facts, a paragraph or statistic to present on your project board or table.

OTHER THINGS THIS WEEK:

STUDY for your Learners Exam – We can go to town to do the test on Wednesday

Tuesday – School pictures in Red Deer 1:50pm (this means you must do you school work in the morning, get up early, set your alarm)

Friday - Essay Apprentice Class in Innisfail at 12:30 to 2:30 (this means you must do you school work in the morning, get up early, set your alarm)

– Read JAMES CHAPTER 3

– Random Acts of Kindness Project (do one kind act each day, record it in your bible notebook)

______________________________

Deanna's ACADEMICS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16 TO 22, 2009.

MATH

Lesson 42—Lowest Common Denominator 180 (Re-do this lesson)

Lesson 43—Three or More 184

Lesson 44—Whole Numbers and Fractions 188

Lesson 45—Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers 192

Lesson 46—Converting from Mixed Number to Improper Fraction 196

Lesson 47—Converting from Improper Fraction to Mixed Number 200

Chapter 6 Quiz 204

WRITING

1. Rewrite “Sea Snakes” on your computer.

2. Rewrite “Little Wishes” on your computer.

3. From your essay class – write a 5 paragraph essay (rough draft).

4. Write a 5 paragraph essay about William Shakespeare.

BOOK #1 – “All The World’s a Stage - Speeches, Poems and Songs from William Shakespeare”

1. Part One - all the world’s a stage – pages 1 to 28

2. Part two - toil and trouble – pages 29 to 56

BOOK #2 – “All the World’s a Stage – William Shakespeare - a pop up biography”

BOOK #3 – “Bravo, Mr. William Shakespeare”

1. As You Like It – pgs 6 to 9

2. Antony and Cleopatra - pgs 10 to 15

3. The Tragedy of King Richard III – pgs 16 to 19

OTHER things this week

1. Mug Up at Susan’s on Wednesday

2. I think dad is planning a project for Saturday.

3. Read James chapter 4

______________________________

Jordan's ACADEMICS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 16 TO 22, 2009.

MATH

Lesson 43—Mixing It All Up 209 (from last week)

Lesson 44—Mixture Problems Again 214

Lesson 45—Solving Freestyle 218

Lesson 46—False Equations and Identities 223

Lesson 47—Reducing Fractions 228

Lesson 48—Factoring into Prime Numbers 233

Lesson 49—Reducing Fractions with x’s 237

WRITING

1. Rewrite “Sea Snakes” on your computer.

2. Rewrite “Boy and the Nuts” on your computer.

3. From your essay class – write a 5 paragraph essay (rough draft).

4. Write a 5 paragraph essay about Medieval Swords.

BOOK #1 – “Horrible Histories – Measly Middle Ages”

1. Woeful women & Cheerless children - pgs 73 to 106

2. Middle Ages mind-benders & Rotten Religion – pgs 107 to 126

3. Epilogue & Grisly quiz – pgs 127 to 136

BOOK #2 – “Favorite Greek Myths”

1. Lost at Sea – the story of Ceyx and Alcyone

2. The Weaving Contest – the story of Minerva and Arachne

3. Apollo’s Tree – the story of Apollo and Daphne

READING #3 – Swords

Read 6 to 10 articles/resources about swords (via internet, encyclopedia, books, etc). List each resource in your agenda or on your computer.

OTHER things this week

1. Ranch work for Wednesday

2. I think dad is planning a project for Saturday.

3. Read James chapter 4

___________________________________

OTHER THINGS OF NOTE:

- Deanna had strep throat at the beginning of November but recovered quickly and didn't have to miss any of the weekend fun.

- I bought a book about famous paintings, Deanna spent quite a bit of time going through it. She is looking forward to studying art.

- I bought a book about Canadian coins. Deanna really took to it. It came with a booklet to collect coins and she must have spent over three hours going through all the change in the house to look for coins to fill the booklet. One can never tell what will strike a child's interest.

- I had assigned Jordan to read the book "The Lightening Thief" out loud to Deanna, however this was too slow for Deanna so she took it upon herself to read the book (which was the goal all along) because she was so hooked on the story. She is now reading the second book in that series.

- Deanna had a friend over for a sleepover a couple of weekends ago.

- I ordered new bibles for the kids. The new ones are bigger (easier on the eyes to read) and they are study bibles geared towards teens. Jordan said he really liked the format.

- This past week was a real test of time management skills for the kids. I did not assign what needed to be done each day of the week, just a list of assignments to be finished by Saturday night. They did not get the list done and Sunday morning were working diligently to try and finish.

- Deanna worked with Noah this past Sunday during our church time. We had printed a Noah's Ark book for Noah to color and cut out together. This was an opportunity for some mentoring to happen and some teaching practice. (I had encouraged the kids in our home church to come up with age appropriate activities for the two youngest members. This week only Noah was here.)

- As of this past Saturday, my kids now have the internet available to them on their laptops. Now we have the job of learning time management with the internet and what content is okay to view, etc. I am also looking into some kind of parental control programs, just for good measure. This morning they took some time to check out their email account and catch up.

- TODAY... Deanna is struggling with LCM. Here is a video we watched to help..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAwq8hnVxY8 This is the same video we used to help Jordan last year. :o)

- I assigned Jordan three portions from his Greek Myths book (I figured he would spread them throughout the week) and he read them all in one (very quick I might add) sitting. Well I questioned whether he ACTUALLY read them and so I had him narrate the stories back to me. He did an awesome job and I had to apologize for not believing him that he had actually read them. I guess he is a speed reader like me.

- Jordan passed him learner's licence exam and can now drive with a fully licenced driver. He is very excited.

- Jordan and I ended up discussing twice last week the issue of doing what is required. On Tuesday is was about the issue of showing his work in math. He doesn't see the benefit of showing his work and continues to not do it despite my instructions to it. So I told him that this was not a math issue but one of disobedience and lack of ability to do what is required of him. I further explained that in life an employer might require soemthing of him and whether or not he thought it was beneficial he would have to do it or risk losing his job. So in this matter if he chose to continue to not show his work I would have to come up with a very negative consequence to encourage him to meet the requirement. THEN on Saturday morning I asked if he had completed all 6 math lessons for the week and he said no. We then had a discussion of finishing the work assigned to him. He complained he didn't have time. So we went over how he chose to spend his time all week and showed that actually he DID have them time, he just didn't use his time wisely. And this year's theme is all about personal management, so we will see if this week's time management is better then last week's. :o)

- Jordan did some woodwork a couple of weeks ago. He designed and crafted to swords from wood. One was for himself and one for a friend as a birthday present.

- Jordan watched the video from How It's Made about swords. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTg0Oc0mQy4

- Jordan and Deanna spent time learning about drawing from Jay French. This is one of the many on YouTube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn_iVm8x5TM

Well that is all I remember for the moment. If I remember more, I will come back and add it. :o)

~Pam~
I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write. (Augustine)

Home Church / Simple Church / Organic Church

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:04:00 -0600

I was doing some online research for a lady who was asking me about my experience with home church. I came across this video while searching. Now I have seen this video before but it has been a while. There are so many good tidbits to pick up and meditate on in this video about being the church. I encourage you to watch it. :o)

another update

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 21:52:00 -0600

NOVEMBER 02, 2009

1. I learned how to use the fax machine portion of my 3-in-1 machine today. That is exciting for me because I have owned this machine for years and had never used the fax before. An old dog can learn new tricks. LOL! (not that I am calling myself old.)

2. Last week kind of fell apart towards the end of the week academically. Wednesday we went to activity day, which was a success. Deanna learned how to make sushi. Thursday was an all day work day on the ranch. Friday the kids did branding in the morning and then it was off to town for errands and a weekend sleepover at Nana's house. Okay, maybe I am being too hard on myself. We only fell flat on Friday.

3. I just checked my blog and I didn't really comment on anything about last week. Well I just mentioned the last portion of the week, so now to touch on Monday and Tuesday. Monday was good. I had the kids assignment sheets ready for them. Having the assignments written out ahead of time is really working for all of us. At the end of the day they record what they accomplished in their student agenda's. Monday also included a babysitting job for Deanna. Tuesday was pretty similar to Monday. They worked on their assignment list.

4. I went to the dentist last week on Monday and finally got my tooth fixed. YAY!!! It is feeling so much better. It is still a bit tender to chew with that tooth, but each day continues to get better. Hopefully one of these days it will be pain free all together.

5. The weekend was nice and quiet (because the kids were at my mom's). Saturday Wes did some work at his mom's and Sunday we met with the church.

6. This morning when I got up I thought today was going to be a write off because I felt horrible (bad headache and very tired). But I managed to get the kids assignment lists written up for the week and they spent the day working away at them. In the afternoon my kids discovered some YouTube videos that teach drawing and they spent most of the late afternoon and evening watching them and practicing some drawing skills. Jordan did two very good sketches, one of a sword and one of a battle ax. Deanna tried drawing a dragon as well. Today, in the end, turned out to be a very successful home school day. It was exactly what I had always pictured a good home school day to be.... each working, learning and inspired by something that warrants further delving into. Learning at its natural best. It was a good day.

Things the kids have been doing since last week:

- reading the bible

- math -- a lesson per day

- read about radio activity and nuclear power

- read about 1918 during WW1 - the year of exhaustion

- read many chapters of the book "The Lightening Thief"

- read about ships, boats, and flight

- Jordan did a quiz about WW1

- we watched the movie "Hamlet"

- we attended ACTIVITY DAY, hosted by our home school support group

- ranch work -- weighing calves and branding

- sleepover at Nana's

- shopping

- read about aircraft design and engines

- did research on medieval weapons -- narrowed down the research to medieval swords

- did research on Shakespeare

- babysitting

- read about the magic of mummies

- read about the curse of the mummy

- painted xmas ornaments

- played games

- made sushi

- went to see two pet turtles at a friends house

- read about gruesome grave robbers in Egypt

- watched Dancing with the Stars

- changed the clocks back on Saturday

- sang songs

- discussed James chapter one

- practiced making tongue twisters

- Deanna wrote another new song and a new poem

--- that is all I can remember at the moment

Did you know that this coming Wednesday is "USE YOUR COMMON SENSE DAY"?

~Pam~
I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write. (Augustine)

Sunday Meeting - October 25, 2009

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:43:00 -0500

1. Noah (5 years old) shared from his children Bible the story about Moses and the burning bush (Exodus 3:1 to 14).

2. Josh (14 years old) shared the last superhero from his superhero Bible. (He has been sharing one each week for over a year now.) This last superhero is.... YOU! You can be a superhero for God when you are willing to let God use you. He will equip you for the task he wants you to do... no worries. Philippians 4:13 - "I can everything through Him who gives me strength."

3. The kids watched a Veggie Tales movie -- Veggie Tales: Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving. (Synopsis - Kids can learn the true origins of Santa Claus and the real meaning of Christmas in this animated adventure starring Junior Asparagus, Laura Carrot, and Bob the Tomato. It's Christmastime for Junior Asparagus, but Laura Carrot may not get any presents since her father just lost his job. To show all the young vegetables the definition of generosity, Bob the Tomato takes the crisp creatures back to ancient Greece where they encounter Saint Nicholas, who teaches the veggies how to give. ~ All Movie Guide ) http://www.amazon.ca/Veggie-Tales-Nicholas-Joyful-Giving/dp/B002FOFX6U

4. The kids shared what they learned from the movie which led us into a discussion about the topic of JOY and how it differs from happiness.

JOY is a gladness of heart.

JOY is a calm delight. (I love this definition! ♥)

We learned that happiness is an emotion that is dependent on our surroundings, our happenings. When things go wrong we lose our happy feeling but we can still experience joy (a calm delight) because we are in Christ.

To learn about JOY... Philippians is the book to read. You will read about joy in suffering, joy in serving, joy in believing, and joy in giving.

"Rejoice in the always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

Philippians 4:4

5. We looked in a concordance and looked up some verses with joy in them -- 2 Cor. 8:2; John 15:11; John 16:20; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 2:2; 1 Thess. 5:16; Phil. 1:4; Isaiah 58:14; Isaiah 51:11;

Prov. 10:1

6. One of the kids asked what "Zion" was.

7. Another asked what a concubine was.

8. I don't remember how we got on the topic but started to discuss what the Body of Christ was. The kids shared their thoughts. One mentioned that it was all the people in the world that made up the Body of Christ. We then questioned the kids if it was really ALL the people in the world? One boy shared that all those who believe in God which led to a discussion about how other people groups have what they call god but is it the same as the God. So we looked up some verses on that topic (the only one I wrote down was 1 Samuel 5:1-6, but I know there was more). We then looked up verses that mention the Body of Christ -- Ephesians 1:23 and 4:25 and 5:30; Colossians 1:24.

9. I shared a quote from Frank Viola -- "There is a mutual dependence between Christ and His Body. The Body needs the Head to give it life, nourishment and direction. The Head needs the Body to give it expressions. The two cannot be separated." -- I really like the word picture of the Body is for expression... or action.

10. Jordan shared a portion from the book he is reading right now by Wayne Jacobsen.

11. After supper, while the kids were cleaning up their activities, a discussion started about the idea of Sabbath... especially the portions meaning to REST and to set aside a time for God. What does that look like in today's world? The "rest" part is very countercultural in North America. How we do we make it a priority for own families, make it a reality for our own families? What does the setting aside the time for God look like? How we do get the two ideas married together?

I was discussing this with my mom yesterday... setting apart time for God. I think I finally got to the point of what I am working through right now. When I set apart time to spend with God, what should that look like? For example: If I set apart time to be with my friend, but then spend my time watching TV and ignoring her... have I truly set time apart for her... am I spending time with her? I feel like this is what I am needing to address for our family, for myself. Johanna mentioned a few weeks ago about what should and should not be done on "God's day" and it has been in my mind being worked on ever since. And the idea of Sabbath has been a reoccurring topic that God brings to my mind a lot. The day we discussed with Johanna we talked about one day not being holier than another but since then we have discussed what holy means. I think this may be tweaking my understanding and thoughts on the topic. It is still a work in process.

How do you honor/practice the idea Sabbath... to rest and set time apart for God?

~Pam~
I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write. (Augustine)

VIDEO --- Steve Harvey introduces Jesus. :o)

Another day... another dollar.... (or in my case, many dollars!)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:56:00 -0500

1. We had a wonderful weekend. The kids spent time at their friends for the weekend. Wes and I did some shopping on Saturday and ended the day with dinner out with friends. Wes and I should not go shopping together because it always equals lots of money spent. :o)

2. Wes picked up the broken part for the washing machine and installed it Sunday morning. This morning I decided to give the part a go and threw in a load of laundry HOWEVER something wasn't right. As the washing machine was agitating... I could smell burning rubber. That can't be good. Wes checked things out at lunch, pulled the machine apart again and started the machine to watch all the moving parts... but NOTHING. No burning smell, everything worked fine. A mystery but it seemed I could do more laundry, right? Well I am now on my third load and guess what.... burning rubber again. Sigh. Wes is not going to be happy about this when he gets home. :o(

3. Off to the dentist this morning in hopes of getting my tooth fixed. I arrive at the office and the assistant tells me that the dentist is not feeling well and may not be able to see me today. My thoughts start whirling, thinking about how I will survive with this tooth in its condition for longer. But he did see me and he did fix my tooth. Yay! So now I have a new filling and a sore jaw joint (from the needle), but at least the tooth is fixed.

4. I got the kids out of bed this morning a little before 8am. Deanna was grumpy about it asking why they had to get up so early. I told her that their days of sleeping in are over! I had a list of their academic assignments waiting for them to get started while I went to the dentist. A list for them to check and mark off really does help.

5. Deanna has a babysitting job this evening. She really enjoys babysitting (and the income it provides). :o)

6. The kids and I finally went over the student agenda's that I bought in September. I instructed them that they will fill it out each day with what they covered for school. Then we went through and penciled in all the upcoming activities that are scheduled from now until the end of May.

7. I watched SYTYCD-Canada last. My favorite won! Yay TJ! Way to go.

8. I posted the sermon from yesterday for my friend Steven (I manage the blog for him). Check it out if you like. http://fromthepewtothepulpit.blogspot.com/2009/10/1st-reading-revelations-146-7-then-i.html

Here is what the kids did today...

1. Read Genesis 1:1 to 6:8 and Isaiah 42:5 to 43:10.

2. Competed one math lesson.

3. Read about radioactivity and nuclear power.

4. Jordan read a portion of his WW1 book. (1918- The year of Exhaustion)

5. Deanna read a portion of her book about Egypt. (The magic of mummies)

6. Read aloud -- 2 chapters of "The Lightening Thief".

Tonight will be TV and Deanna's babysitting. A good way to wrap up an eventful Monday. :o)

~Pam~
I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write. (Augustine)

The rest of this week....

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:52:00 -0500

The rest of this week....

1. My tooth is getting better. There is not as much deep pain but still some irritation from the filling being loose and food particles getting caught under the filling. Only two more days until HOPEFULLY the dentist will repair it.

2. Wednesday the kids did some work on the ranch. Thursday as well. Not all day jobs... just a few hours in the afternoon.

3. Math was the main academic completed this week.

4. The kids and I love watching cooking shows. We have a watched a few this week... they are always inspiring. A great way to inspire some "home ec" learning too.

5. Wes and the kids dug up the potatoes yesterday. What a sad crop. We were able to get three bags of potatoes. We usually get about 20 I think. But with the drought, the storm that shredded the garden and the early winter frost... the garden just didn't survive.

6. Deanna is reading a book I ordered from Scholastic about Shakespeare. Plus I ordered her some books from the library today. I am also on the lookout for some of his plays that have been made into movies to watch with her.

7. We missed Mug Up this week. Between my tooth being a pain and the thick fog that morning, I didn't want to go anywhere. I have actually managed to stay home 3 days this week. That is pretty amazing for me.

8. The kids are away this weekend at a sleepover. They are very excited. We are heading over there after supper.

9. My VCR died this week. And yesterday my washing machine died too. It will no longer spin the clothes. In was about to go into the spin cycle and then there was a loud CLUNK!!! and then the machine no longer worked. So I see a trip to buy a new washing machine this weekend maybe??? This machine is already 13 years old and has been making funny noises for quite a while now. So I am not surprised that it gave out yesterday.

10. Have you ever had to wash out your dryer? I did yesterday. You see my dear husband threw his boot liners in there to dry them after getting them soaked on the job. Well it seems they should have been washed first because when he opened the dryer door to get them... the inside of the dryer was covered in smelly guck. Not pleasant... so very not pleasant. :o)

I think that is a pretty good summary of the week. I am looking forward to the weekend and resting. And then Monday... off to the dentist. Crossing my fingers he can fix this tooth.

Have an awesome weekend everyone.

~Pam~
I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write. (Augustine)

October 20

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:34:00 -0500

1. Today the kids worked on the ranch for the whole day (8am to 6pm).

2. I went to pick up an extra worker this morning. The ranch hired one of Jordan's friends to come and help do some of the work today.

3. This afternoon I went to town to run some errands. I was looking for a mouth guard... I noticed last night I am clenching my mouth on the side with the bad tooth. I am going to give it a try tonight... I hope it helps.

4. I watched SYTYCD-Canada tonight... the top 4. I hope Tara-Jean wins! We will find out Sunday.

And that sums up my day. Nothing too exciting.

__________________________________________________________

Well scratch that idea.... I can't use the mouth guard because I have a loose filling. That would have been handy info to have on the OUTSIDE of the package. Oh well. :o(

Goodnight.

~Pam~
I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write. (Augustine)

today

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:27:00 -0500

October 19

1. Dentist appointment made me cry. Another week of pain before he will treat my tooth. :o(

2. Two math lessons assigned (and completed).

3. Full day of ranch work scheduled for tomorrow.

4. Watched Dr. Oz today. Main topic -- teens and sex. Kids watched too. Answered a couple of questions. Shocking statistics.

5. Need to get moving on history projects.

6. Found a website for Jordan -- medieval stuff

http://medievalswords.stormthecastle.com/

7. Ordered book for Jordan (from the library)

8. New scholastic flyers are in.

9. I went to go and check on Jordan's math work. He is just about done his second lesson AND he is writing down all of his work to prove Paul wrong... he can show all his work. LOL!

10. Deanna wrote a poem.

11. Jordan thought he found a place where the math answer book was wrong.... however after reworking the question with me.... the book was found to be right.

_______________________________

FOUND ON THE WEB:

http://www.dalebest.com/2009/08/the-antithesis-of-psalm-23.html

The Antithesis of Psalm 23

The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest
It makes me lie down only when exhausted
It leads me to deep depression
It hounds my soul
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity’s sake
Even though I run frantically from task to task
I will never get it done
For my “ideal” is with me
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me
They demand performance from me
beyond the limits of my schedule.
They annoint my head with migraines.
My in-basket overflows
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever
**Marcia K. Hornok**

Quote

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 09:31:00 -0500

“The worth of a book
is to be measured
by what you can
carry away from it.”
— James Bryce

I will have to ask my kids next time they are finshed a book..... "What did you carry away from it?" :o)

Simple Church

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:51:00 -0500

A good blog post about simple church. The line about not being able to "hide" is spot on. It is something we have discussed before in our small community.

http://fl450.blogspot.com/2009/04/simple-church.html

Simple Church

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works...." I read this scripture several weeks ago in our home fellowship.(Heb10:24) It was one of the "one another" scriptures we had been talking about. One hour later, an intricate message had been woven by the Holy Spirit, using normal folks in various stages of their christian walk. Each adult and several young people contributed to the conversation. It was not a message that was prepared beforehand by anyone.

We hear a lot about loving one another in church,
but that particular verse in Hebrews uses a very strong verb
in the Greek.
Provoke, incite, stir up, stimulate, arouse;
these are some of the words used by different translations.
These words are not passive.
This type of love is something that we must purpose in our hearts to do.
It does not just happen.

After the meeting was over, I came away convinced the Holy Spirit had spoken to us in a very concise manner. I personally felt that it was a message for me. However, I was not the only one who felt that way.

Each time we have come together, the Lord has spoken to us through those that are gathered. I find myself meditating on that word throughout the next week. It has an impact on my life. It challenges me and makes me uncomfortable. This is what simple church is about.

What I am finding is that I cannot hide in these meetings. I have a responsibility to spend time with the Lord so I can be ready to share with the group. The Lord is revealing things to me that I need to attend to. It is very personal. The next week the message was along the same lines. The Holy Spirit weaved another amazing message that touched my heart. I confessed at the beginning of the meeting that I had been challenged in provoking my family to love. Jokingly I mentioned that I had been better at provoking them to anger. The problem was it had been easier. One of the dad's asked his teenage son for forgiveness for getting mad at him the week before. This happens in simple church meetings.

So here are some questions I ask. Are we challenged when we gather with the saints? Do we participate? Do we leave the meeting with a mission on our hearts? Are we changed?

I have encountered God during these meetings. It is frightening. The flesh doesn't like it. I am exposed. I come away changed, grateful for a Mighty God that loves me, in the midst of my weaknesses and faults. You can't help but be changed when you encounter God.

A few good questions to consider and answer for yourself...

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:04:00 -0500

A few good questions to consider and answer for yourself...

http://fl450.blogspot.com/2009/04/why.html

??????Questions??????

There are plenty of blogs out there that are addressing the issue of ecclesiology, that are much more articulate and persuasive than I am able to do. However, I like joining the fray because it helps me organize and articulate my thoughts in a much clearer manner.

I have found myself in too many conversations where I am unable to explain, for example, why I think meetings should be interactive and participatory; not a one way monologue with the pews. I can see in my spirit what it all looks like, but have a very difficult time expressing it in a cogent manner. I generally come away frustrated.

There is a picture in my mind of how I believe the church ought to function. I believe it can all be backed up by scripture, but I don't have it all written down in a clear concise manner. Have you ever seen someones office with post-it notes all over the walls and desk. The guy knows where every note is, but does not have it all organized in one area. Well, that is what my mind is like.

So, I am starting to write some questions to ask people instead of engaging in persuasive type conversation. Here are some of the questions I am putting together.

What does the bible say about the gathering of the saints?
What is the purpose of the gathering of the saints?
What is a church service?
Is the gathering of the saints or worship service the place for believers to participate of spectate?
What is a worship service?
When does the worship service start?
What does the bible say about the worship service?

Some of the questions are leading, but hopefully they will make people think. So much of the church never thinks why they do the things they do. Paul said in 2 Th 15 to...stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught by us... Jesus told the pharisees, "...for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God," in Mt 15:6.
It behooves every generation to "ferret" out the traditions that have been passed down them to ascertain they are not of pharisaical origin.

Quotes

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:12:00 -0500

"It's no use pretending that we're doing things 'in the name of Jesus' if we're not doing them His way."

*******

"You can say what you think, but you will LIVE what you believe"

*******

What do I mean when I say * institutional church*?

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:02:00 -0500

10:00pm

Well I have some free time right now... the kids are headed to bed and my dear husband has gone to bed. So I thought I would take this time to write about the topic of institutional church.

Once upon a time I attended what I called "church". It was a building in town where those who considered themselves Lutherans gathered weekly to participate in a traditional liturgy. To me that was church. I was often questioned why I attended there because my guests could never get anything out of it... no teaching to take home nor an uplifting word. I always told them it was because this type of service was more of a worship service not a pep rally like some churches held.

Anyway, fast forward to today... I am no longer meeting with this congregation. I am part of instead of a fellowship of believers who meet weekly in homes for prayer, study, fellowship, food and support (Acts 2:42). I call this church now. Church meaning... an assembly of people who are followers of Jesus Christ.

In the past few weeks we have had another family who has been joining us regularly. They are members of mainline denomination church but choose to meet with us on Sunday afternoons for fellowship and the studying that we do. Sometimes in conversation I refer to my previous experience with church (meeting in a building for a worship service) as "institutional church". My friend has issues with the term intuitional church, because to her it sounds like people sitting in straight jackets. She has brought it up a few times so I know it is a bothersome term for her. The last time we were together, she mentioned it again, so I asked if there was another term I could refer to it by because the way she meets with fellow believers and the way I meet with fellow believers are different and I need a way to differentiate them from each other. She didn't give me word to use that day, and ever since then I have been pondering my use of the word 'institutional' church. So I hit the books and the web to help me of this quest of what I mean when I say "institutional church" and discover for myself whether it is the right word to use or not.

Here are some of my notes:

- from the Wikipedia website --- institutions are structures and mechanisms of social order and cooperation governing the behavior (actions) of a set of individuals within a given human collectivity. (rules governing cooperative human behavior/ customs/ behavior patterns/ deliberately & intentionally created by people/ self organization/ culture/ habits/ customs/ make and enforce rules & laws on marriage and family) (reflect social constructions for a particular time, culture, society produced by collective human choice.)

- from a conversation with a friend who pastors a congregation --- institutional means an organized and government recognized body-- a legal entity. Institutional church would be bricks and mortar, everything laid out how things are done. He figures a problem is that we Christians try to use a secular word to describe a spiritual entity.

- my first thoughts I wrote down --- institutional church is an organizational structure with degrees of control and formality

- denominations, memberships, rules, positions, authority, government, salaries, staff, financial and time obligations, building, doctrinal statements, membership covenants, type of worship music acceptable, pews, who teaches???, who is allowed to teach???, who is allowed to baptize, marry, etc, dictates when to meet, formally organized, national headquarters....

- man made denominational congregations -> the same as institutional church

- from a website (don't remember which one) --- Institutional Church = a groups of believers who meet in a building, identify themselves with a name, have leadership structure, offer programs and services and support to its members (and hopefully their community).

- man made religious church different from God's universal spiritual church

- 1577(Strong's Concordance) - Greek - ekklesia -- a calling out, a meeting, congregation, assembly, Christian community

- congregation = coming together into an assembly

- Acts 2 --- my Bible references them as a fellowship of believers

- kuriakon = belonging to the Lord (http://www.alanknox.net/2007/07/ekklesia-and-kuriakon/)

- fellowship = companionship, friendliness, a taking part with others, sharing, brotherhood --- a relationship

- communion = the act of sharing, having in common; an exchange of thoughts, feelings, intimate talk, fellowship; a close spiritual relationship

- religion = a system of belief and worship

Conclusion from my research:

So from the research I have done I can see that "institutional" is a correct word when I am speaking of the church on the street corner -- the one with the building and the denominational label and name. I am not sure how to reference it any differently for my friend, out of respect for her struggle with this concept. This type of assembly and the type of assembly I participate in a remarkably different. I questioned and struggled with the idea of what to call what I participate in. Some call it house church, or simple church or organic church. I have never really been comfortable with any of those names. I don't like having to label what I do. When we become Christians, we become brothers and sisters in Christ.... we are family. So when we meet, it is simply a family gathering. No rules or formalities. The only commonality among us is Christ -- not that we are Baptists, Presbyterians, Lutherans or ____________. Our common bond is Christ only. No memberships to join or sign. No obligations or rules. Not a legal entity registered with government with tax deductible receipts.

Just Christ... just family.

I think an interesting study would be to look into the reason why we are to meet together as the family of Christ. What does God's word tell us? I wrote a blog entry about this back in April -- http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Pamela/677053/. We should also look into what the word worship means. Many say they go to church to be in God's house, to worship him. What does it mean to worship? Where is God's house... where does He say he dwells?

An article I read in my travels talked about how we should not be concerned the WHERE and HOW Christians choose to meet but we should concentrate on the WHY and WHO we meet for.

Here is a list of websites I was reading the week I was looking into this... there might be something good to read in amongst them. (It has been a week so I can't remember each link.)

institutional church/elders/deacons

http://www.neverthirsty.org/pp/corner/read1/r00415.html

we meet b/c He is risen

http://www.lionelwoods.net/2009/10/we-meet-because-he-is-risen/

church involvement

http://www.alanknox.net/2009/10/church-involvement/#comments

why we need the institutional church

http://moveintothehood.wordpress.com/2007/08/19/why-we-need-the-institutional-church/

art and thoughts of a person's experience with the church

http://www.springbranchbaptist.org/forevergrasping/church.html

the assembled church in Corinth

http://www.alanknox.net/2009/10/the-assembled-church-in-corinth/

"I've stepped away from the institutional church!Can you help me find a group nearby?"

http://www.organicchurchtoday.com/profiles/blogs/what-do-we-do-when-theres-no

what is the universal church?

http://www.xenos.org/classes/um1-1a.htm

Good night. 12:03am

institutions of control....

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:17:00 -0500

"Schools have not necessarily much to do with education... they are mainly institutions of control, where basic habits must be inculcated in the young. Education is quite different and has little place in school."

- Winston Churchill

a long overdue update

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:13:00 -0500

OCTOBER 14, 2009

Hello blog land! Wow, life has been so full and busy that I haven't been able to take the time to write out what has been happening in our world since the beginning of September. So what exactly has been happening around here, let's go check the calendar and see.

IN SEPTEMBER...

we did chores for friends while they were away on holidays

the science crate I ordered back in the summer arrived. The kids and I had a blast doing all of the activities. ( Mega-machines - http://crates.sciencealberta.org/Crates/CrateDetails.aspx?id=103 - Mega Machines focuses on the principles of simple machines and explores how they relate to the massive machinery in the oil sands of Alberta. Students will experiment with physical models and learn about topics such as gears, levers, pulleys, Pascal's Law, hydraulic systems, inclined planes, and the development of oil sands technology.)

The new Dr. Oz show started and we have enjoyed this show using as a resource for science/health studies. Although it is not always “child friendly” so if you decide to check it out, check out the website to see what the topics will be about and if they are appropriate for your children. On Dr. Oz's Facebook page, he shared a picture of a page of notes an eight year old took while watching the show. That is an idea I have been thinking of doing... using TV shows to help my kids with the skill of note taking from a “lecture”.

Our home school support group started the MUG UP gathering once again. It is one of the best concepts for home school families looking for support and socialization. What is MUG UP? Check it out here: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Pamela/736197/

We participated in a couple of large work projects two weekends in September. On one weekend we gathered with a few other families to reshingle our neighbors roof. The large work force (which half of it was kids) was able to get the whole roof done in one day. Amazing!!! The second weekend we camped out at friends and tore off their old back porch and built a new bigger one.

I spent a lot of time on the road in September as well. I drove to Calgary numerous times. My mom had a friend named Dale who was dying from cancer. We went to see her as often as we could. This past Sunday, Dale went home to be with her Lord.

I was also able to get to Red Deer to visit my Grandmother in Red Deer. She went in to the hospital in May due to a spinal infection and spinal stroke. For the longest time she wasn't taking any visitors but now she having visitors. She is doing so well. She was told in the beginning she would never walk again and things looked really grim. But she is doing well, she has built up a lot of upper body strength and is becoming more independent with each passing day. She can even move her toes and feet a bit which is a sign of hope she may walk with assistance some day. Yay! And I was amazed at how awesome she looks. She looks about 10 years younger and well rested like she has been at he spa. :o)

Wes has joined the community choir once again. So one night each week he is away learning new songs in preparation for Christmas performances.

I started a new blog for my local home school community. You can check it out here: http://www.sundrehomeschool.blogspot.com/

We didn't get a lot of “academics” done. But we lived a lot of life. :o)

IN OCTOBER...

I organized (with the help of Heidi) a MEET and GREET for home school families in our area. I was able to meet three new families. My hope is that we can start to have more activities locally versus having to drive to neighboring towns. Sure would save on time and car wear and tear. :o)

We spent the weekend at a friends the first weekend in October. Their youngest daughter was having a princess party on the Saturday and then hosting church on Sunday, so we decided to just make a weekend of it. It was an awesome weekend for sure.

By this time, I am pretty exhausted from work weekends, weekends away and being on the road constantly... so my mommy took pity on me and offered to take the kids a few days so I could rest. I am so thankful for my mom. So my kids spent 4 days at their Nana's house. I sent a school assignment list with them and I think it was our most successful school week to date for this year. LOL! So I figure I should send them to Nana's every week. Just kidding! But I do see the value of having a “plan” written down. I guess my kids a more like me than I thought. You see, for me, if something is not written down, it doesn't exist and does not get done. Well the same for my kids. So the new plan is to write out weekly assignment sheets for the kids to complete.

Next on the agenda was a visit from my dear sister Stephanie (my sister in my heart, technically she is my cousin). She flew in from BC on on a Thursday to stay for the weekend and have her own little mommy get away (she has two kids – Sarah is almost 3 and Isaiah is 1). We had an awesome weekend together that went by waayyyyy too fast. It hardly feels like she was here. I took her to see our grandparents in the city on the Friday, enjoyed a great turkey dinner on Saturday and then spent Sunday with my mom visiting and then Monday it was back to the airport to say goodbye. :o(

On October 9 the kids participated in a science class with our home school support group. (May the Force Be With You - 12:30-2:30 p.m. Ages 13+ - Do you know how a Roller Coaster works? What on earth is a current anyway? And how on earth do some of the worlds tallest structures and bridges even stay upright? Come find out! This class will include the Science topics: Structures and Forces, Mechanical Systems, Electrical Principles and Technologies)

I bought a new movie a couple of weeks back and the kids watched last week. Who knew it would be such an inspiration to them. The movie was “Shakespeare in Love”. Well after the movie was over, the kids decided they should write a play. I don't think Jordan got very far with his but Deanna has been working on hers pretty steady. I think she is on page nine last time I checked. PLUS she has decided to spotlight Shakespeare for her history project for the history fair in November. Too cool.

Jordan has continued to work on his novel with the “One Year Adventure Novel” curriculum.

Deanna has wrote two songs. One called “Memories” which is really awesome for a 12 year old (you would have to hear it to appreciate it). Plus she wrote a cute little lullaby.

Wes has started a read aloud/bible study with the kids. He is reading the book “From Eternity to Here” by Frank Viola with them.

Jordan has finally decided on a topic for his history project... swords. It should be interesting.

ACADEMICS

both kids continue to work on their math curriculum

Deanna is reading - “Horrible Histories – Awesome Egyptians” by Terry Deary and Peter Hepplewhite

Jordan is reading - “Horrible Histories – Frightful First World War” by Terry Deary

Both kids are working their way through the book “The Usborne Internet Linked Library of Science – ENERGY, FORCES &MOTION”

Jordan has finished the book “Twenty and Ten” by Claire Hutchet Bishop. (A written summary of the book was assigned.)

Deanna has finished the book “The Big Wave” by Pearl S. Buck. (A written summary of the book was assigned.)

Jordan is reading the book - “The Lightening Thief” by Rick Riordan – aloud to Deanna.

Both kids have been reading various books from the library that are not assigned thus I do not keep a record of them.

Both kids are signed up to participate in the HISTORY FAIR coming up in November. (HISTORY EXTRAVAGANZA - We will be doing a History Fair (Sept-Nov email outs) with the final fair date on November 27. This event will be similar to past events (Science, Geography and Literary Fair). For those that have participated and come to the event they find it very educational and fun! Pick a historical event, person or invention. Each family will choose one history piece of work on or each child in the family could choose their own history piece.) Jordan's topic is swords and Deanna's is Shakespeare.)

I think that about brings things up to date. I was hoping more academics would have been done by this point but the other day I was looking at some pictures a friend had posted of her time at the beach. As I was looking you could see learning happening in the moment, not preplanned scheduled learning... but life learning. Why is planned learning more valued than life learning? I can see that when a person wants to become an expert in a field, it is good to have some in depth studies but in the pre-adult years, is it really necessary to go in-depth in the topics that we are told to (example – chemistry, physics, accounting, art, etc)? So in my mind the other day I realized I may not necessarily be a home 'schooler', but a life learner who is raising kids who I hope I will catch the life learning bug.

Well, now it is time to go and put pen to paper and make a list (a map) for the kids to follow in their academics. We were suppose to be at Mug Up today but the weather was awful and the raods even worse, so we are back at home. Only two days this week to cover, then we have the cattle drive and then hopefully next week we will get a full week of learning in.

~Pam~
I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write. (Augustine)
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Pamela/
http://sundrehomeschool.blogspot.com/
http://www.fromthepewtothepulpit.blogspot.com/

What is MUG UP???

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:34:00 -0500

Come and join us for MUG UP on Wednesdays.

What is MUG UP?

Mug Up is simple in concept but massive in benefits. It is a weekly gathering of home school families - a socialization time for the kids and support for the moms.

Mug Up is hosted by different families in their home where they provide the coffee and everyone who attends brings a bag lunch and a mug for the coffee (thus the name Mug Up).
__________________________________________________________________________________

“It seems I'm getting away from blogging daily again, thankfully today was Mug Up which keeps me "anchored" (in more ways than one). It's such a joy to be able to discuss our year, our kids, our styles with other like minded people. No we don't all homeschool the same way which is what is great! We can discuss what works (and doesn't) for us and still get so much from others about things we might want to try for next year.” ~Lori D.~
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriD/524869/
__________________________________________________________________________________

“So I had a comment on my blog asking "What is Mug Up?" and since I mention Mug Up so often (weekly) in my blogs I thought it best to answer here.

Before I do that though a disclaimer. Don't let the simplicity of this concept deceive you. I've been homeschooling a while and have attended many wonderful homeschooling events but none of them hold a candle to Mug Up. It has transcended from a get together to something "very special". It's really hard to describe and some of us try to articulate it when we get together but there is "something", "something special" about Mug Up.

So what is Mug Up. While the premise is this. Weekly (this year it's on Wednesdays) our homeschool group holds Mug Up. Each week someone "hosts" which means you have to have the coffee/tea/hot chocolate on. The day is setup as an open house style from 10:30-3:30. Some of us come for the day, some pop in the morning and then need to run off, some come closer to the end time just for a cuppo jo! If you are over during the lunch hour we bring our own bag lunches for ourselves and our kids. What activities do we have planned? Absolutely none! That's the only steadfast rule! The kids play and the Mom's chat. That's it, that simple. Oh the name Mug Up refers to bringing your own Mug (most newbies forget, but that's part of the fun too).

So sounds simple right, so why is it so special. Well some comments have gone like this:

"I don't know if I would of made it through last year without Mug Up." - referring to the support Mom's feel from other Mom's.

"If my kids are dragging their feet about their school work I just say fine then we aren't going to Mug Up this week, and then they get their work done in record time with no whining."

Some other observations - it's not a weekly commitment (it's not ANOTHER thing to do), yes some people come every week all day long (like me), but there are others who come once a month and it works for them, there are others like I mentioned that just pop in occasionally. But one thing is for sure, anyone who has attended has always asked for more :).

So what really makes it work -- you are surrounded with like minded people who are supporting you in what you are doing, you hear about others struggles and triumphs, you are able to voice your struggles with not "while you should...." but a "yeah I've been there"!! We laugh, we cry, (yes we complain sometimes too :)), we make observations, we offer "suggestions", we talk about homeschooling but we also talk about parenting, life in general and we all support each other in however we want to live these things.

And the kids LOVE it too! Why, they see their friends yeah, but they have homeschool friends. They don't think they are the only ones out there either. Yes sometimes it's just the boys playing together and the girls playing together, but it's also about all of them playing together. Yes sometimes it's specific age groups playing together but again often they all play together. We celebrate birthdays and special achievements. We support each other through sicknesses (casts on arms, colds, and flus).

Both the adults and kids have a place to develop friendships/relationships that encourage us in our homeschool journey and I think that is what the "special" is.
Oh I do have to add too that it has also become a special place for new homeschoolers to come to check out the group or people. It's informal, relaxed and fun!

Well I think that's it but when reading it I still didn't get across the specialness of this event for me, my kids and others in our group. Hopefully if you check back often (especially Wednesdays) I'll be able to convey better what happens each week and how wonderful it is!” ~Lori D.~
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriD/403286/
__________________________________________________________________________________

THE MAGIC OF MUG UP –
“Another glorious Mug Up today and as I sit in the quietness of the house late at night I suddenly know why Mug Up is magic!

I realized something about our little group (that I kind of already knew) but it was really brought to light in the conversation we had at Mug Up today.

We discuss many things at Mug Up sometimes homeschool related and sometimes just life related. One of the conversations happened to be about homeschooling and without really meaning to each of us revealed a little of "how" we homeschool and how others perceive we homeschool (sometimes a big difference, sometimes not). But the really BIG thing I heard (or didn't hear for that matter) is each of "celebrate" that we are ok with how each of us homeschools, in that if it works for you great! And you are doing a great job REALLY!

Do you know how incredibly supportive that is versus someone trying to tell you or insinuate that you should be homeschooling "their" way or that perhaps you "fell short" and should try THIS instead.

I have to admit I've experienced both but what I realized today is that in our very special group each and every person there is ok, really ok, with however you want to homeschool. Each and every person there believes in YOU and the job YOU are doing (whether you do a great job somedays or not so great other days).

We have quite a diverse group and I know from when we discuss things like resources that we all don't "believe" in the same things. But I also know that there is one thing we all believe in. And that is that as a parent we not only have the right we have the respect from our fellow homeschool compatriarts to homeschool however we feel is best for OUR children.

THAT is the magic at our Mug Up!” ~Lori D.~
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriD/497698/

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriD/

MUG UP runs from September to May each school year.

A new blog to check out...

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:36:00 -0500

My friend Steven has a blog to share his weekly message that he gives each Sunday to the congregation he pastors. It is called FROM THE PEW TO THE PULPIT. It is called that because he is not ordained into the ministry by a seminary but has been called by God and hired by this congregation to be their pastor. So he has gone from the pew to the pulpit. :o) I hope that this resource may be a blessing to you and please feel free to pass it on to those who may be interested.

http://fromthepewtothepulpit.blogspot.com/

Quote

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 12:46:00 -0500

Another week has flown by. What has happened here in our world?

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 10:09:00 -0500

Well we did get a bit of learning/schooling in. This is the end of summer though so we did a bit of fun too. ;op

Monday the kids did math and reading.

Tuesday we participated in a fun forensics workshop. A home school family had a science crate and invited other to come over for learning and fun. The kids had a blast and we solved the mystery. Yay for us!

Jordan spent some time socializing this week. He went to a friends house for a sleepover and somehow managed to squeeze out a second night there. He finally came back home last night. ***update on his knee -- it is healing very well. He says it isn't bothering him anymore and he can poke at his knee and that seems to be no problem too (no wincing in pain).

Deanna and I did errands in town on Wednesday. Plus we have been doing chores for some friends who are away on holidays.

Thursday was a city day. Deanna went to my mom's to hang out with Nana. My friend Jenn and I went to the city to stock up at Costco. In the evening after shopping there was some chaos to deal with. Deanna needed to picked up, Jordan needed to be picked up, and Wes had a meeting to go to. So I sent Wes to the meeting with John and Evelyn. Deanna stayed overnight at my mom's and I will pick her up today when I go to town. And I headed northwest to pick up Jordan at a halfway point from his sleepover. When I got home last night, I was pretty much bushed.

And the best part of this week is that we are going camping this weekend. YAY! Wes asked me earlier this week what my plans were for the long weekend and I responded in shock, "what do you mean what are my plans... farmers don't get long weekends so I just assumed they would be just regular days?" Well it seems he has some free time (so to speak) so he suggested we go camping. I am in! I love camping and a weekend away is exactly what the doctor ordered. :o)

So today I will pick up the last of the supplies we need, load the camper and then total relaxation for 3 days.

Have a great long weekend everyone! See ya next week.

~Pam~
I count myself one of the number of those who write as they learn and learn as they write. (Augustine)

if a book told you....

Fri, 4 Sep 2009 09:45:00 -0500

“If a book told you something when you were fifteen, it will tell you it again when you're fifty, though you may understand it so differently that it seems you're reading a whole new book.”
— Ursula K. Le Guin