*My journey through life, listening to God's wisdom & will for my family and parenting our children. Grab a cup of coffee (or water!), sit down and join me. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 2 Apr 2007 22:17:00 -0500 Mon, 2 Apr 2007 22:17:00 -0500 After much thought and research, I've moved my blog to blogspot. Here's my new address: www.SpiritualParentingTo4.blogspot.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/308557/ Mon, 2 Apr 2007 22:17:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/308557/ Our homeschool group had a small turnout for our People & Places fair.  However, it was great.  I learned something about each state (Indiana, Hawaii, Oregon, Georgia & Texas) and about each person that was studied.  I even learned about someone I've never heard before!    Savanah (8) chose to study Hawaii.  It was much more fun than we thought it was going to be.  My oldest wasn't that interested, so I didn't push the issue.  We studied the volcanoes, geography, animals, tree, flower, flag, history, food, culture and more. We made a Hawaiian Ambrosia and Volcanic Punch. Here are those recipes: Hawaiian Ambrosia 8 ounces of crushed pineapple, drained 11 oz of mandarin oranges, drained 3 1/2 cups of cool whip 2 cups of mini marshmallows 2 cups of shredded coconut 1 cup of maraschino cherries Mix all ingredients and chill an hour before serving.   Volcanic Punch 3 cans of frozen fruit punch concentrate 1   64 oz. can of pineapple juice 2  2-liters of Ginger Ale ice cubes Pour ingredients in, one by one. Enjoy!   If you would like to make a homemade volcano like we did, here is the website we used: www.spartechsoftware.com/reeko/Experiments/volcano.htm Here are some great photos: Our presentation: Savanah in her Hawaiian clothes:   Our erupting Mauna Loa:   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/307821/ Sun, 1 Apr 2007 12:59:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/307821/ We did a quick science experiment today.  We put red food coloring and even some chocolate sprinkles to represent dirt. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/304975/ Mon, 26 Mar 2007 12:24:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/304975/ I don't know why it amazes me when God does something great in my life.  I know He WANTS to do great things in all of our lives.  Do you have a want list?  You know, those things you want, but just don't want to spend extra money on them right now, because they are a want and not a need?  Well, thanks to our gracious, loving Father, mine just got shorter.  We have been in need of a dresser for some time.  Douglas doesn't have one at all.  I hang most of his clothes up and the rest are folded on his changing table.  Being the boy that he is, I know it won't be long before he tries to climb up it.  Savanah & Alexis share a dresser.  Savanah is a neat, orderly person, while Alexis doesn't care if her clothes are folded, inside out or backwards.  It is starting to cause a problem.  I've had an eye open for a dresser, whether it be at a thrift store, consignment sale or new.  Well, Savanah and I were coming home from her eye doctor appointment (yes, she needed glasses, luckily our insurance is great and we only had to pay $30 TOTAL for the glasses and eye exam!  Thank you God!!!!) and we spotted a yard sale.  We looked around and I spotted a dresser.  It wasn't new by any means, it needed cleaning, painting or sanding and a little wood glue.  I didn't have a lot of cash on hand so I looked around more.  I have wanted a CD rack to organize my computer CD's in for a while now.  There was one sitting right there and I grabbed it.  It only holds about 16 CD's, but it will definitely do!  I looked more and found a typing CD (Mavis Beacon) that I have wanted Alyssia to do for at least two years now.  I almost bought it from Rainbow Resource a month ago, but decided to wait, because I considered it a want and not a need.  Plus, there are many free typing courses online.  I grabbed it up off the table also.  The couple hosting the yard sale were very nice.  She confronted Savanah and said, "I have something I know you will love."  She handed Savanah a little leather type case.  Well, that was nice to just give her something, right?  I looked over the dresser again.  The drawers were in good shape.  The wood was all intact.   "How much for the dresser?"  They only wanted $10!  Oh, I love yard sales!  But even more, I love how God continously provides for my family and my wants even though I let Him down so often.  He loves me unconditionally!  I have been in prayer about some major things lately.  I know He is working miracles with those prayers.  It's very obvious.  Now, He is letting me know again, He cares about my little wants. I didn't pay another penny for the CD rack or new CD typing software.  They loaded the dresser in my van and we were off.   Savanah opened her leather case and there was a shiny new digital camera!!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/304727/ Sun, 25 Mar 2007 20:49:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/304727/ Today was a good day.   I felt as if we actually got things accomplished in school and on the home front.  We are learning about Hawaii and having fun with it.   Our homeschool group is having a "People & Places Fair" in about two weeks.  Savanah decided to learn about Hawaii.  It has been interesting so far. Alyssia really enjoyed Mr. Stebbing's art class.  She went to WalMart with me tonight and with her own money, she bought some paint and paint brushes.  We started a point system in our home today.  The girls have to earn priveleges with their points.  They start every day with 10 points.  If they disobey, etc., then they can have points taken away.  I'm praying this leads to better behavior, helping out more and better attitudes toward each other.  Oh, and that the "rolling of the eyes" quits!  URGH! Douglas decided at nap time that he didn't want to stay in his crib today.  He is trying desperately now to escape it and climb over.  I'm just not sure that I'm ready for him to be in his toddler bed! I've been reading about this "Tackle It Tuesday" phenomenom.  It has intriqued me.  I am amazed at what some women are getting accomplished in their home.  I want to get rid of my clutter hot spots.  I can clean them, then in a few days, they are piled up again.  I don't have much organization in this house since we are living in half of it and the other half is being remodeled.   This morning I felt totally overwhelmed when I couldn't find something we needed for school.  I decided to do a "Tackle it Thursday".  I don't like much on my kitchen counters.  I just like it to be neat and clean.  Here's a before: Now, we don't have all of the cabinet doors on just yet.  Just the bottom cabinets, except the one on the left.  It really doesn't bother me as bad as I thought.  Right now it is MUCH more important to me to get the oak hardwood down in the girls room, so they can move in.  Anyways, here is my counter.  I just can't stand that clutter!!!  Here's after: See how neat and clean?  I think I just may jump on board the "Tackle it Tuesday's". http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/300204/ Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:20:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/300204/ I love spring.  Summer used to be the only season I really liked at all.  It's still my favorite, but as I've gotten older I have learned to appreciate spring and autumn much more. I have ordered some things for our garden via the internet.  I haven't ever ordered such things from the net or bought them and had them delivered via postal mail.  I'm anxious to see how the plants look when they arrive.  This is what I bought: 6 Big & Plenty Tomato Plants Sugar on the Cob Corn - seeds 6 Earliglow Strawberry Plants Carrot seeds Sunflower seeds Quicklawn seeds (my front lawn needs grass!!!!) I bought these items from  Gardener's Choice .  I didn't pay any more than I if I would have bought these items from Lowe's or WalMart.  The website looks promising, doesn't it?  I'll let you know how this years garden goes.  Remember last year?  I broke my foot planting a cucumber plant!      Savanah planted three watermelon seeds in a pod planter and it's already sprouting.  However, we plan to plant more than I've listed here.  Now, we just need to rent a tiller.......... My two older daughters are taking an art class by Barry Stebbing, creator of the How Great Thou Art , art curriculum.  Alyssia (12) is really enjoying it.  Savanah (8) is enjoying it some.  It think if she were older, she'd like it a lot more.  She really liked it today when Mr. Stebbing gave her an A+ on her homework!  Neither child has had any art instruction from me.  We have checked out the "Draw Write Now" books from our library and they did like those.  I have a feeling that Alyssia will be asking for some art curriculum next year......... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/299065/ Tue, 13 Mar 2007 21:34:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/299065/ I have two things that have been a long time comin'........ 1.  Updating my blog.  I haven't been able to log in to my homeschoolblogger since Dec. 2006.  I think I have finally gotten everything under control.  Tech support and I have been sending emails back and forth since then.  When I have time, I may still change my blogger site.  Some things have changed and I need to sit down and look at them before I decide.  I'll keep you posted!! 2.  I have high speed internet!!!!!!!!    I'm lovin' it. Now, off to finish my daily to do list!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/296555/ Thu, 8 Mar 2007 13:30:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/296555/ I have so many things to do here.  You would NOT believe my to do list.  So, what's my problem?  I'm a procrastinator.  At the end of my day, I look back and think, "What happened to doing such and such and getting this accomplished today?" What makes things worse is that I'm going through some sort of depression.  I'd like to think it's mild, but I'm not sure. This has only happened once before and lasted for a short time.  I'm trying hard to stay close to God during this time.  Here are some blessings I'm thankful for: My 12yo dd.  She sent a care package through the mail to a member of our church that hasn't attended since June.  She insisted on spending her own money to mail it.  I was afraid she was wasting her money, but didn't say a word.  The next Sabbath, the lady was at church, with the care package in hand.  ......to have the faith of a 12 yo....... My 8 yo dd.  What did she want for her birthday?  Build a Bear? nope.  New Barbies?   nope.  New Polly Pockets? nope.   A new game for her Nintendo DS?  nope.  She wanted her own Bible, so she can read it and learn all the Bible stories herself.  My 6 yo dd.  She is always concerned about others well-being.  Whenever we pass by a Salvation "red bucket" and person ringing the bells, she must put money in it.  She is a thankful little girl.  Whenever I take her anywhere, to the mall, Taco Bell or even the library, she always says, "Thank you mommy for buying me a burrito." My 18 mo ds.  His grin will melt my heart in 0.5 seconds flat.  I am so thankful for the way he walks over to me, grabs my cheeks and kisses my lips at least 5 times.   AND, I'm VERY thankful that even though he has 3 older sisters, he is ALL boy!   He loves to climb, play and LOVES his toy cars.  He almost always has one in hand. My dh.  For his sweet compassion towards me.  I'm thankful for such a strong & handy dh.  He is a hard worker and most weeks, he is working 60 hours for us.  He has a job that requires him to be on his feet at least 95% of the time. He is NOT a procrastinator!  That is a good thing with our home!  I'm very thankful that even though we spent 3 hours at the surgery center yesterday morning, the report from the doctor was a good one.  Under Jesus, he is my rock. My mom.  I can gripe and complain all I want, but when it comes down to it, my mom is here for me and my family NO matter what.  I need to be more thankful for that.  She does so much for us. For a Saviour that loves me no matter what I do.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/248177/ Fri, 1 Dec 2006 08:21:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/248177/ http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/245847/ Mon, 27 Nov 2006 20:54:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/245847/ I can't believe it's been a month since I've blogged! I always say I'll try to blog daily, but I just can't find the time. We've enjoyed have two flat travelers with us. We had Flat Hillary from California and Flat Princess from Arizona. We will be sending them home this week with some goodies! Savanah & Alexis had their fall musical at a local nursing home, on the 15th. The kids did wonderful! I'm thankful for the long break that Mrs. Jackie gives us! The 20th was Savanah's 8th birthday. We had a small party at Playworld Down Under. She was happy that some of her best friends were there. That night, the two youngest started running fevers and we found out the next day that they both have ear infections. My husband also came down with a cold and sinus infection. It happened to be the same week he agreed to do the sermon at church! He was better by then, but I decided to stay home with the little ones. On Thanksgiving, my husband had to work and the hospital is always busy in the ER and ICU's! I stayed home with the kids and we relaxed all day. It was nice. Of course, I went through the sale papers and made a plan for Black Friday. Yes, I was up at 3 a.m. and out the door by 4. We went to Kohl's first. I attempted Target, but after watching that the policeman could not control the crowd, we decided to come back later, and we did. We made it to A.C. Moore, Michael's, JCPenney's, Toys R Us, Sears, Linens & Things, Bed, Bath & Beyond and lots of little stores in the mall. I was totally exhausted by noon!! BUT, I've almost got the kids shopping finished! I am thankful for my family, my gracious Lord and the right to homeschool my children. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/245126/ Sun, 26 Nov 2006 16:16:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SpiritualParenting/245126/