Welcome to my blog! I thought this blog might be a fun way to journal about my family and our homeschooling adventure. My name is Susie. I am married to my most perfect mate -- Darren. He is so good for me! We have been married for 17 wonderful years and are blessed to have 2 sweet daughters. It is a joy to homeschool. I treasure my time with these precious girls. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:58:00 -0600 Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:58:00 -0600 for a little Petra.  This was a special "request" from David Scott -- my awesome brother.   We both LOVE this song.   Any other Petra fans out there?     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/621846/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 10:58:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/621846/ Uh-oh -- behind on the 'ole blog again!     Where does the time go?  What have we been up to??  We are plugging along in school and just finished up our election unit study!  We celebrated with a small "Election" party with both sets of grandparents.  It was a fun time!  The girls had so much fun decorating the diningroom in red, white and blue.  There were namecards at every spot with the names of past Republican presidential couples!  Our flag was flying and we had little flags lining the entryway to our front door.  We had shrimp appetizers (one of McCain's favorite foods!), red jello for dinner (republican colors!!), lasagna, salad and for dessert -- what else?  Good old "All American Apple Pie"!    We had a blank map of the United States for the girls to fill in as the electoral votes were tallied.   We also played the game of Clue -- but the girls had made special cards changing "Professor Plum" to John McCain and "Mrs. White" to Sarah Palin, etc.  It was cute!   Despite the fact that the Maverick lost -- it was a wonderful, memory making evening.  I do love homeschooling!  There are so many fun ways to learn and I think it allows time for these kinds of activities.  We have begun our Thanksgiving unit study too -- our blessing tree is up for all to see in the diningroom.  I love reading what each person is thankful for on the "leaves" we have cut out.  We are studying about Pilgrims, Holland (now the Netherlands), Martin Luther, the Reformation, Separatists, Rembrandt, etc.  One child is reading an assigned book about Squanto.  The other about Pocahontas.  It's amazing how much I learn too as we go along.    We also just finished  reading "Where the Red Fern Grows" together.  Oh my!!   Basically the last two chapters I sobbed (along with the younger daughter).     We seriously used up half a box of kleenex.  What a tear-jerker book - but fabulous!  Our next book on the "read-aloud" list is, "Island of the Blue Dolphins".  I'm also enjoying these rainy days...candles lit...crockpot dinners....snuggling on the couch (reading tear-jerker books!!!).  What precious memories!  It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is around the corner.   If I don't write before then (chances are slim - hee!), Happy Thanksgiving!  It has been humbling to read how the Pilgrims struggled to survive and  realize how blessed we are.   Even now, I thank our Heavenly Father for His amazing blessings in our lives.  All glory to Him! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/616654/ Sat, 8 Nov 2008 23:33:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/616654/ Hey there -- yes, it's me again!  So soon, you ask?    I'm sneaking in a few minutes on the computer while the girls work on their guinea pig lapbook.  Have I mentioned how much I love lapbooks?   My girls have so much fun cutting, glueing and decorating their special lapbooks.  And it's always such a neat project that you have to show others.  We keep them in their "school notebooks" once completed and they are fun to look back on.    They are also working up their courage to ask Daddy about breeding their guinea pigs.  One child says she is saving her money for a "boy" guinea pig and cage so they can breed our "girls".  Oh boy....we'll see....Daddy is extremely busy at work right now, so I loved the conversation yesterday of waiting to approach him until work slows down.  Cute! Today is a wonderful day....sleeping in a bit...snuggling on the couch together in our p.j.'s watching Steven Curtis Chapman perform on one of the morning shows....then off to start school....after math someone suggested painting our nails so we took a break and had a "spa" -- even lighting candles in the bathroom.   I love homeschooling.  Now the girls are back at schoolwork -- basically having craft time with the lapbooks....I will make lunch....the sun is shining.....we'll do a bit more school and then off to run a few errands - maybe a nap too?   One recommendation today...a friend passed along this website:  www.mathwithlarry.com -- it's got this guy who explains all sorts of math things online.  It's very helpful and I plan for the girls to watch a few that I think might be helpful.  I treasure this time with my girls!   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/588107/ Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/588107/ Wow -- is it really Friday?  This week flew!  As I'm sure the coming weeks will and before you know it, Christmas will be here.  We are back in the swing of things -- math, grammar, science....all those lovely subjects.  I think all went well and I continue to LOVE homeschooling.  Each year we improve and adjust things to fit our family best.  Last year I finally realized my girls need a printed list of what is expected each day -- very detailed too.  In other words, I list which math pages each day and which reading comp, etc.  This has been a huge blessing in our homeschooling. This way everyone (including mom) knows when school is officially done for the day.  Before we began this using this detailed list (I make a new one every 2 weeks), I would still be suggesting school at 7 p.m...., "Hey guys, let's read one more history chapter,"...or, "Let's do another another mathpage."   It was met with groans and tears.   This new way has also kept me more organized.  It makes us all accountable and I can see we are pretty much on track.  This year's new goal is to "forget about the house and my to do list".  Easier said than done.  I am trying to pretend I am at a serious job and I just can't go stick in a load of laundry.  Or check email.  It is too easy for me to push school off so I can get my things done throughout the day when I really need to just stop and sit, teach, and encourage.  It is amazing how much this changes their attitude and understanding when I take the time to sit with them, teach, explain and help them learn.  I love it.  Please pray I'll continue to grow in this area.  Okay...as promised....the book I just finished reading was, "Mistaken Identity" by Don & Susie Van Ryn and Newell, Colleen and Whitney Cerak.  It was great.  It is the true story of the girls from Taylor University.  These two girls were involved in a car accident and for 5 weeks, one family cared for a girl they thought was their daughter -- when in fact it was a different girl.  An amazing, wonderful story and the Lord's love and strength is weaved throughout the book.   I got it from the library!   I highly recommend it.  Until next time.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/585779/ Fri, 5 Sep 2008 19:58:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/585779/ Hello wonderful friends!  Well, 3 people have recently asked me about my blog, so it was time to give a little update!    Oh, how the time flies and I "forget" about my blog.  Happy Labor Day!  And Happy Birthday to my mother-in-law who has a birthday today!  My hubby gets to be home today -- he is beginning a new project in the driveway.  He is planning to lay "pavers" (cement blocks) in the ground to make the driveway look a bit wider.  Currently, if someone is parked in our driveway on either side, there is absolutely no room for someone to walk to our front door without stepping in the dirt and bushes.  Should be nice.  I am hoping the project goes very smoothly and he may be inspired to do the same with our back patio next summer -- widen it and add a firepit.  I'm envisioning some summer evenings spent out there next year. We have sure enjoyed barbecuing out there this summer.  Now we just need a table, swing of some sort and firepit....it's fun to dream.   The weather outside makes me think summer is over AND we hope to start school tomorrow, so that makes me feel like summer is over as well.  BUT, I homeschool and must remember that...so this week if it gets sunny, I hope I will take advantage of it and get outside to enjoy the sunshine! I even pulled out a few fall decorations yesterday.  Oh my!  And the candles have begun to be lit!  We even turned the heat on for a short time yesterday.  Is it time to move the shorts and capris back under the bed?  Where are my turtlenecks? It was a good summer....a few small trips here and there....mostly  we stayed around here just enjoying sunshine...swimming, letterboxing, playdates, parks, relaxing, sleeping in, etc.  One highlight of our summer was a family vacation with the grandparents and my brother's family at a place called, "Duckabush" in a small town called Brinnon.  We had a ball and so many wonderful memories with the family.  We hope to make this an annual tradition.  I would still love to get an album made of this trip...so many cute pictures. Last night I began sorting my books on the bookshelf in our bedroom.  Basically they were just thrown up there (by me, I think) in no orderly way (when we moved).  It was fun to start sorting and seeing books I really would love to re-read.  Next posting I'll tell you about the good book I just finished and what I am currently reading.   So don't give up on me yet with this blog thing.  Enjoy your day!    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/583335/ Mon, 1 Sep 2008 10:34:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/583335/ I know...I know...it's been SOOO long since my last entry.....where does the time go?  :)  Well, school is out and I am enjoying these summer days!   I am filling my time still unpacking boxes from our move in December, sorting and orgainzing school stuff, planning for the fall (already!), getting together with friends, and just taking time to enjoy these couple of months without "school" hanging over my head.  It's wonderful!  I think the girls are really enjoying it too!  I'm happy for them.  It is good to take a "break" in life sometimes. I also joined a Bible Study group -- studying the "Believing God" Beth Moore book.  It has been great!  I have not been in an organized Bible study for a few years now and I've missed it -- and the accountability of it.  Amazingly there are 4 gals attending who went to Ingraham high school at the same time.  It has been neat to catch up with these women and see the journeys God has all of us on. We are enjoying our new neighborhood too -- there is always someone around to ride a bike or jump rope with -- so cute.  Yesterday I purchased a $6 slip and slide at Fred Meyer and today that was the hit of the neighborhood.  We had kids here for almost two hours today slipping and sliding on that thing.  What fun.....and good memories.... Another thing taking a bit of time is training for a 5k run.  I have wanted to do something like this for awhile and while 5k seems so small -- it is definitely going to be a challenge for me. I have been training for 7 weeks now....just 2 more weeks to go.  I may be walking part of it, but I am looking forward to giving it a shot.  Oh -- and did I forget to mention we have guinea pigs now?  Yup!  TWO!!  We found two free guinea pigs (cage and all) on Craig's list.  I have a little girl who has been really wanting another pet (since our doggy died) so this has satisfied her crave for now.  They are pretty cute little things -- sometimes smelly --which is a helpful reminder that it's time to clean the cage.  The girls told me I need to "clip the guinea pig's nails" soon -- eek!  I'm not sure this mommy is up to that task.....any takers?  I think that is about it.....hopefully I've caught you up a bit....and hopefully I can be a bit more diligent about journaling on this blog!    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/554022/ Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:03:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/554022/ Hi there!  Wow!  I almost missed my monthly commitment of blogging!!  I have less than 2 hours to spare!  So....let's see....what has been going on in our lives lately?? Well, probably the biggest news is that our dog died.  That was last week.  whew!  What an emotional rollercoaster that was.  Maybe I was a bit more attached to that dog than I realized.    Yes, sweet Chassy is no longer with us. She suddenly got something called "bloat".  This is where the dog's stomach gets all twisted around and the dog's health fails quickly.  She was 12 years old and a $3,000 surgery seemed a bit too much for an elderly dog.  So....we had to make the sad decision to put her to sleep.  It was a really tough day for my youngest daughter -- probably one of the hardest things she has ever been through.  She was VERY attached to the dog.  It had been her birthday present a couple years ago.  Our memories of Chassy will live on though!  Do I miss the dog hair, snoring, loud body licking, dog smell, poopy yard?  Not really.  But let's not tell anyone..... What else?  Oh yah.....boot camp.  That is a new exercise class I have attempted twice now at the local YMCA.  It is one hour of, well...boot camp!  The teacher hollers out exercise orders and by golly, you do it!  Can you say, "out of shape"?  Why am I torturing myself?  Well....it's actually fun and you feel so happy when you complete a session.  At my age, these things are "stretching" me -- literally!  I also am considering a 5k run in July.  That's 3 miles for those non-runners.  (I had to look it up myself.)  I have a "couch potato to 5 k runner" program I found on the internet.  It's pretty funny.  One very fun memory happened in our American Girl co-op class today.  We are studying World War II so my dad graciously came in and posed as a "World War II" veteran and did a skit with me.  The girls in the class were totally caught off guard when he knocked on the door and asked if "this was where his veteran meeting was?"  I casually invited him to stay and talk to our class "if he had a few minutes" and there you go!  The skit was underway.  It was so fun and I think a great learning and review time for the class.  My girls each also had an oral report in class today.  My oldest did one on the discovery of Insulin and my youngest did one on Adolf Hitler.  They did a great job (if I do say so myself).    It continues to be such a joy to homeschool them.  We may be behind in the math workbook and not exactly where I'd hope for in some subjects, but we are slowly getting there.  Little by little....the bricks are being laid.  More importantly, I want the bricks to be laid for our Heavenly Father.  This worldly knowledge will slip away....but our true treasure is in heaven.  I pray they will always walk with Him and each day, brick by brick, deepen their walk with Him.  Until next time....oh....and Happy May Day (almost)!!!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/525302/ Thu, 1 May 2008 00:01:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/525302/ Did you all wonder what happened to my blogging?     I did too!!!   When I first started this blog, my goal was to just write once a month -- a simple little goal (I thought).  So here I am -- doing my March entry.   I did have one friend ask me recently when I was going to update it and I needed that bit of encouragement.  (Thanks Colleen!)  It made me feel good to know someone was even checking it.  I'd like to be blogging more....so stay tuned.  So, what have we been up to?  Mostly just life.  We are plugging along in our homeschool year....the girls are doing great.  I was feeling a tad behind in our math workbook so I told my girls if they each got to a specified page, I would buy them a new Webkinz.  BOY!  Did that motivate some people around here!  My eldest spent all day (I mean at least 5 hours) working on math this past Saturday.  And yes, Saturday night found us at the mall buying the new Webkinz.  Maybe I need to throw out a few more incentives!!  I'd like to justify the Webkinz incentive purchase to you all....as I like to tell my husband, "We aren't paying for expensive tuition each month" so really a $14 stuffed animal is no big deal.    He just looks at me and smiles.  Is he wonderful or what? Today I spent at least 3 hours sorting clothes.  We had received several hand-me-down bags in the past couple months and it is also time to pull out the spring/summer clothes.  There was much to go through.  So after we finished school this morning, I spent the entire afternoon having the girls try on shorts, pants, shirts, dresses, etc.  We now have 4 big bags of clothes to pass along to someone else.  It sure is a blessing to receive these hand-me-down clothes.  My girls act like it's Christmas as they sort through the bags and pick out "new" pajama's, shirts, etc.  I love it.  What a great feeling to have the drawers and closets sorted....at least for awhile.  I was thinking of my sister-in-law as I sorted -- she has four children and this must be a constant task with everyone growing. Way to go Sara!!    My brother is having surgery this Thursday on his knee.  He is on my mind a lot.  If you think of him, please pray that the surgery will be uncomplicated and for a quick recovery.  Until next time....       http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/504322/ Tue, 25 Mar 2008 00:29:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/504322/ Today I read a verse that challenged me....Amos 8:11-12, "There is a famine upon the land, not a famine of bread or thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.  People are wandering, running all over the place, seeking the Word of the Lord, but they cannot find it...." I just loved it.  How true of my life and many others.  I am busy -- mostly good things in my opinion, of course, but I was reminded of the importance of slowing down and taking the time to just be refreshed in the Word.  It is amazing how there is no other book on this earth that truly feeds my soul.   "Your words are what sustain me.  They are food to my hungry soul...." Jeremiah 15:16 The past couple of weeks have been extremely busy -- each day filled with various commitments, homeschooling, and just the daily resposibilities of cooking, cleaning and caring for a family.  I love all of these things, but I admit -- sometimes I get too busy and neglect the refreshing time alone with my heavenly Father.  I become like the people mentioned in Amos...wandering around, hungering for the Word of God. I read recently in a book how important it is for our children to actually see us reading the Word.  I have a false idea in my head that I must be alone to study my Bible or that it must be very early in the morning and if I miss that timeslot, the opportunity is lost.  While solitude is needed at times, I want to be "caught" reading my Bible at any time.  And if someone wants to snuggle up with me while I do it, that is fine.  I find those are the times when I get questions about how to study or read the Bible.   Sometimes my girls like to snoop over my shoulder and read the little "notes" I've written in the margins and they'll ask me about it.  The other morning one of my girls came and snuggled on my bed while I was getting "refreshed" in the Word.  She asked me about reading one Proverb a day and said, "yes, but mommy, next month you'll have already read it."  What a great time I could tell her that was the beauty of it.  I can keep soaking up those words of wisdom and each time I read it, something different might stand out to me.  She liked that idea.  These girls are  so precious to me.  I know my time is short with them.  My days fill up quickly, but I pray the days will not be so full that I neglect to teach them to "slow down" and be with their Heavenly Father.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/476475/ Thu, 7 Feb 2008 13:18:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/476475/ Well, we just passed the one month mark in our new home.  We are LOVING it here!  We are so thankful to the Lord for leading us here and overwhelmed by His blessings.  We are slowly getting more and more unpacked and somewhat organized.  Yay!  Tonight I came home and Darren had painted the family room wall with "powel buff" -- our new favorite paint color!  I must confess....we did not come up with this color on our own...he and I do not have good skills for picking out paint.  This color came recommended by two sisters we had over.  They specialize in this sort of thing and within a few minutes had several colors suggested for our house.  It was so helpful!  Next up -- the livingroom.  That may become the color "caramel latte"!  We both commented tonight how much time the "experts" have saved us -- by pointing us to the exact colors!!  Today was an amazingly busy day.  Piano lessons....library trip...ice skating with a few other homeschool families and then off to the Awana Sparks Drive-in movie.  Fun day, but busy...it was one of those where I had to make a list of everything to bring before we could even head out the door:  piano books, library books, insulin, snacks, the cardboard "car" for the movie, ice skating gear (mittens, hats, scarves)..... We have no commitments tomorrow....don't you love those kind of Saturdays?  I think I might take a nap...one of my favorite things to do!  Until next time....   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/464229/ Sat, 19 Jan 2008 01:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SusieQ/464229/