EVERYDAY IS A GIFT... - Homeschool Blogger

In the Lord's hands now.......

Tue, 6 Oct 2009 10:53:00 -0500

Things are beginning to iron out with our school routine. I think part of my uneasiness is just the fact that dd doesn't need as much of my envolvement. She is taking on responsibility for her schedule and recording, which is wonderful. I had my moments of panic last week, but I went to the Lord and he gave me peace. Yesterday I took a big step, I returned the original planned curriculum that I had planned to use this year to the curriculum company!!!! Now our school plan is totally in the hands of God and I know He has great things planned for our school year. There are still kinks to work out and I'm sure there will be a few more moments of panic, but I will rest in the Lord and know that His plan is for good and I have already been blessed.

Dd continues to struggle with constant pain in her knee with nothing more than prayer and our faith in God to give her strength to get through this time. But in the midst of dealing with that we have had some sweet time together as I read from the Bible each night to her to relax and calm her. I know God is right beside her holding her and giving her strength.

Take a journey on our New Path......

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:23:00 -0500

I have to believe that God has a sense of humor. He's proven it recently as I was diligently planning for our new school year. I had everything ordered and was getting all my so called ducks in a row when God decided this was the year He wanted me to make some changes to how we did school!

We've homeschooled since our daughter was school age. I won't go in to the details, but you can read more about our daughter's miraculous entry into the world in my past blogs. Suffice it to say that I didn't want to miss a moment of her life, so school outside the home was not an option.

Now we are in our 10th year of homeschooling. With little variance I have pretty much used pre-planned curriculums to homeschool. I haven't trusted much in my own abilities and up until now I'm embaraced to say that I haven't put my trust in God with our schooling either.

Gods nudging to teach more to my daughters interests and not from a standard of what "I" thought school should look like began last year. At the beginning of our 2008-2009 school year, probably about the same timing as this year (God is so funny...), I switched what I had planned to use for school, which were pre-planned curriculum(s) for a variety of subjects, to using the an teaching approach based on Gods Principles. But fear quickly extinguished that nudge I had felt and I reverted back to what I'd always used.

Gods gentle nudge came again about a week before we were supposed to start our 2009-2010 school year and our first year of high school. I had pulled a book from our bookshelf that had probably sat there unread for atleast 5 years about educating through a Lifestyle of Learning. When I originally bought the book I had browsed through it, but high school seemed like an eternity away, so I didn't pay much attention to its contents.

Gods prompt was stronger this time as I was reminded that with only one child I don't get to do this over neccesarily and with a handful of years left to be a main influence in my daughters life, I wanted more for her.

I want my daughter to want to learn and to have the ability to educate herself on whatever her heart desires. Up to this point I've spoon fed most of what she's learned. She hasn't seen the relivance in what she's learned, so much has been forgotten. I want more for her and I know God does also.

So we are on this path of renewing our minds as to what school looks like for us. I know it will look different than the way I was taught and many homeschools, but I know this is the path that God wants us on.

I have days of feeling overwhelmed and days of feeling at peace. On the days that I'm struggling and finding it hard to resist the temptation to fall back into what's comfortable for me (pre-planned curriculums) I find strength in His Word. As I find my stride I know He's right beside me and I know He has a perfect plan for my daughter. I just get the privledge of coming along on her journey.

Easter 2009

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:55:00 -0500

Mom to Mom.... something you should know....

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 20:03:00 -0600

I've had my blog for quite a while now and have never really known what to "blog" about. I am a homeschool mom and I could probably fill my blog with information of our daily adventures in our schooling. I 'm also been married to my high school sweetheart for 22 years this July, so I do have many stories to share on that topic too, but then I thought about an area that is close to my heart that I could blog about that can help other families.

When we pick up a product in the grocery store, most of us like to think we are getting something that has been tested and proven to be safe for our family’s personal use. After all – we have laws to protect our health and safety – RIGHT?

Over the last 4 years I've really gotten an education and I want to share some information with you, not to scare you, but to educate. There are more and more disturbing facts about the simple everyday cleaning and personal care products that we, the average American family, have in our homes.

The average home contains over 62 toxic chemicals
Chemicals enter our body through inhalation, absorbtion(skin) & ingestion
Household cleaners are the #1 cause of poisoning in children
“Formula 409” is considered a legal peticide
The shiny things in “Tide” powder are fiberglass
Formaldehyde can be found in many personal care and cleaning products, such as toothpaste and baby shampoo

Unfortunately, our government has very limited power when it pertains to regulating manufacturers or requiring testing on their products. The FDA cannot regulate a personal care product until it is released into the marketplace. Neither personal care products nor their ingredients are tested and approved before they are sold to the public. No law requires manufacturers to list the exact ingredients on the package label. A product that kills 50% of lab animals through ingestion or inhalation can still receive the federal regulatory designation as “non-toxic”.

Of coarse, household cleaning and personal care products are NOT the only source of chemicals in our homes, although they ARE some of the most deadly! They are also the easiest to replace.

After realizing that I was bringing chemicals into our home that could really effect my families health I switched to safer, healthier products in our home. I shop from an online store that has products that are safer for my family and the environment and they delivered right to my door. By removing the chemicals from our home I no longer suffer from migranes, which I suffered with for years and I have peace of mind that I am providing the very best for my family.

Don’t take my word for it. Please visit the websites below for yourself. These websites are very educational and informative. They opened my eyes to what I was exposing my family to.

http://www.concernedmoms.com

http://www.epa.gov/kidshometour/

http://danpatch.ecn.purdue.edu/~epados/waste/house/mainmenu.htm

Ready or not here we goooooo

Fri, 4 Jan 2008 21:40:00 -0600

I continue to ready, read, read everything I can about the PA. I'll be starting to apply what I've learned next week with my daughter

I am convinced that this is the path that God has put us on, but boy is it scarey. For years I've been relied on curriculum written by someone else and I've taught using someone elses plan. Now I've given it to God and will be trusting His providential plan. I don't know what it looks like for us yet, but everyday will be a new adventure into His Story!

Getting Excited...

Wed, 5 Dec 2007 08:48:00 -0600

I've spent the last week studying and reading, reading, reading up on the principle approach of homeschooling taking in all the hows and whys and I'm actually getting more excited. I'm still very scared as I don't yet have a plan or know exactly what our schooling will look like, but that's part of my excitement is that it's a new adventure. One that I think will re-charge my love for learing and hopefully ignite my daughters love for learning. Have a few more weeks before we officially start our new school year, so I will stay on my knees and trust that God will be there to catch me.

On a new path

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:22:00 -0600

Just before Thanksgiving we finished our 2007 school year and God is stretching me to trust Him and begin using the principle approach for our studies. I'm excited, scared and overwhelmed all at once.

Excited for the plans He has for me and for our daughter and for the personal growth that is to come through seeking truth through being immersed in His word, something that I have not been consistent about.

Scared, because I am a person that likes to have all my ducks in a row and know what's next. I like to feel like I'm in control and God is challenging me to leave the details to Him and even though I don't know much to how teach using the principle approach that He will equip me as we go.

Overwhelmed because I am to be the living resource. I have to 4'R and find the answers so that I know what to teach our daughter. A change from relying on a curriculum to tell me the answers to what our daughter should know.

We will be starting our new year in January and I have to be realistic about what I'll be able to accomplish and prepare in a few weeks, but I am going forward having faith that God will be there to teach me so that I can teach our daughter.

Looking forward to the Journey!

Count your blessings....

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:49:00 -0500

Everyday is a gift. You have the choice to make it what you want. I find that my perspective is much different when I take a moment and count my blessings....

I am grateful for....

another day, freedom, flowers, down comforters, warm showers, a smile, laughter, a rainy day, the grace of my husband, unspoken acts of love...

How about you?

Me and My Girl

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 08:43:00 -0500

Need Anything?

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:09:00 -0500

Just returned from a few days visiting my grandma who's 81. My daughter, mom and myself went to see her and it was a very special time. My daughter was very excited because she got a few days off from school.

This week we're back to our regular schedule. Although yesterday I so wanted to say, "let's just take vacation for the rest of the year". It was just one of those days, but our school year doesn't end until November, so we have a ways to go.

I've begun clearing our homeschooling shelves getting ready for new, so I am selling any curriculum we're not using. This is a list of what I have. Pretty amazing how things can accumulate. Email me if you have an interest in anything.

The Mystery of History Vol. 1 $30

Mystery of History Vol. 1 craft pack CD $18

Great Science Adventures: The World of Plants $15

Drawing With Children $9

Writing Strands Level 3 $9

Writing Strands Level 4 $8

Writing Strands: Evaluating Writing $13

What in the World’s Going on Here: Creation to Christ part 1 CD $19

What in the World’s Going on Here: Resurrection to Revolution part 2 CD $19

Classical Kids-Mr. Bach Comes to Call teacher notes & cassette $25

Classical Kids-Tchaikovsky Discovers America teacher notes & cassette $25

Classical Kids-Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery teacher notes & cassette $25

Classical Kids-Beethoven Lives Upstairs teacher notes & cassette $25

Classical Kids-Hallelujah Handel teacher notes & cassette $25

Classical Kids-Mozarts Magic Fantasy teacher notes & cassette $25

Classical Kids-Mozarts Magic Fantasy cassette only $4

Adventures in Odyssey-Old Testament 4 CD set $15

Adventures in Odyssey-New Testament 4CD set $15

Adventures in Odyssey-In Your Wildest Dreams 4 CD set $15

Adventure in Odyssey-Welcome To Odyssey cassettes $12 (1 of 6 cassettes missing)

Adventure in Odyssey-Journey or Choices cassettes $14

The Chronicles of Narnia cassette set $20

Leap Pad 1 Phonics – A Day at Moss Lake $5

Leap Pad 2 Reading – Arthur and the Lost Diary $5

Leap Pad 3 Classics – The Wind in the Willows $7

Quantum Pad – Smart Guide to 3^rd Grade $5

Turbo Twist Spelling $15

Spelling Power 3^rd edition $40

Further Up and Further In $30

Where The Brook and River Meet $30

The Prairie Primer $30

Beautiful Feet History of the Horse $9

Beautiful Feet Geography $7

Beautiful Feet Medieval History $12

Beautiful Feet U.S. and World History $12

Movin’ & Groovin’ Fitness for Kids VHS $8

Considering Gods Creation complete set with CD $20

Spelling Workout E teachers manual $10

How the Body Works, HB, NEW, $10

The Language Wars by Ruth Beechick $5

Thanksgiving Unit Study by Amanda Bennet $5

A Charolotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison $5

The Way They Learn by Tobias $6

Bastien Piano Basices Level 1 $5

The Book of Virtues paperback by William Bennett $10

Books Children Love by Elizabeth Wilson $8

Magic Tree House books

Mummies in the Morning $2

Pirates Past Noon $2

Dingoes at Dinnertime $2

Buffalo Before Breakfast $2

Dolphins at Daybreak $2

Polar Bears Past Bedtime $2

Vacation Under the Volcano $2

Lions at Lunchtime $2

The Knight at Dawn $2

Knights and Castles Research Guide $3

Day of the Dragon $2

Ancient Egyptians and their Neighbors-An Activity Guide $10

History Pockets-Moving West $9

Wee Sing America cassette only $2

Teach me Spanish cassette and book by Teach Me Tapes $5

The America Heritage Student Dictionary $12

SL6 International Childrens Bible Field Guide $10

SL6 Hittite Warrior $11

SL4 Light & Color $5

SL3 American Adventures $8

SL3 Sarah, Plain & Tall $3

SL2 Strawberry Girl $4

SL2 A Little Princess $5

SL2 The Door in The Wall $4

SL2 Minstrel in the Tower $3

SL1 Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle $3

SL1 The Wheel on the School $4

SL1 Little Pear $4

SL 1 Follow my Leader $4

SL PK People $10

SL PK 20^th Century Children’s book Treasury HB $25

From Sea to Shining Sea $10

Of Plymoth Plantation, by Governor William Bradford, HB, BRAND NEW $20

Studying Christian Literature (CLP) $4, New

Home Grown Kids by Raymond and Dorothy Moore $9

The Frog & Toad Treasury (HB) $6

Frog & Toad are Friends

Frog & Toad Together

Frog & Toad All Year

The Little Bear Treasury (HB) $6

Little Bear’s Visit

Little Bear

Little Bear’s Friends

Jumpstart 3^rd Grade – CD in box with instructions, $15

Making Make Believe – Fun props, costumes and creative play ideas, like new $10

Bordome Busters - $10

Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining and Bad Attitudes in your Kids by: Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller $8

The How & Why of Homeschooling by: Ray E. Ballman $9

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by: Debra Bell $10

The Homeschooling Manual $8

FREE SHIPPING on orders totaling $15 or more, media mail shipping. I make a once a week trip to the post office on Friday’s.

CASH PAY PAL ONLY!!! Please NO CREDIT CARDS.

If you are interested please email me or pay pal me at home4mariah@iglide.net

Thanks for looking.

Tracie