Thoughts and comments about our life in Idaho. As we continue on this homeshcooling journey, as well as our desire to follow God and do His will in all that we do. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:52:00 -0500 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:52:00 -0500 Well, it's been months since I've been here, updating you on my very exciting life. OK, it's not so exciting, but I was having fun keeping you all informed about it .  Life seemed to take over and blog writing and reading dropped very low on the list. However, I've been missing all my blogging buddies and always enjoy a little inspiration, be it homeschooling, homemaking, parenting, etc. So, I'm making yet another attempt to join the land of blogging. See you again, soon (I hope)! Jilann http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/738368/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 03:52:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/738368/ Well, since this semester hasn't been too productive, I thought we'd just skip the rest of it and head into planing next year . I'm finding some things that work and some that don't. I know I'm using Teaching Textbooks for math for the older two and Math U See for my youngest. I know I want to use Easy Grammar for all of them. Has anyone reading this used Mystery of History? I was thinking of using this, so I could do it with all 3 at once, instead of having them each in their own thing. Perhaps I could keep them all on track better that way. Any thoughts on this one? I know my oldest will be doing Apologia Physical Science and my younger two will be do Apologia Exploring Creation with Botany. Other than that, I'm sorting out a few thoughts on what I'd like to do. How about you? Do you all have everything that works? I thought I did. I like it, but my girls don't, which leads to me not liking it. So, I'm having to do some modifying. Sigh... Any thoughts about what you do would be greatly appreciated. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/684492/ Thu, 30 Apr 2009 14:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/684492/ Yesterday, as a part of my work, I met with an older gentleman about the possibility of listing his and his wife's home. I don't think they are going to list, but he was the sweetest man I've met in a long time. His wife is having health problems and not doing well. He recently had a heart attack and was so worried about her. So, he was beginning to look into options. This man was so in love with his wife, it was beautiful. They've been married 63 years and you could see and hear the love in his voice. He is having to do a lot more of the care at this point, and you could tell he would have it no other way. He never said they were Christians, but I know that they were. He mentioned God, and several other things of such that helped me to know. Although I don't think they will list their house, it was one of the best meetings I have had in a long time. I hope when I'm that age, people can tell how much I still love my husband! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/679998/ Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:47:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/679998/ School? What's that? Oh yea, that's the thing I am supposed to be doing with my three children. Where does the time go? Perhaps I'm not blogging because I have no school things to write about. It seems our sit down school time continues to escape me for one reason or another. Sigh, I'll be writing about it in July though :). We have been "doing" school, just not marking off all the things that I want to be marking off. It needs to improve. Work? Yea, that is something that is keeping me busy. This is good. My oldest daughter is very happy, as I told her she could get her braces when I sold the next house. So, I am to be scheduling that appointment soon. I've got one house under contract, just got a new listing, have a listing appointment tomorrow, and a new client coming to town on Saturday. My oldest tried out for our next CYT play - Wizard of Oz. This was her first time and she's going to be an Ozian and a Poppy dancer. She's very excited about that. She finished up her first year of speech and debate. She won one round in debate, and was very excited about that. I think she did very well on her speeches as well, considering this was her first year. I'm not sure she'd admit it, but I do think she really enjoyed it and is glad she did it. She waffles back and forth as to whether she is going to continue, but I think she will. Besides, if she does, her sister has to do it as well. She's very excited about making her sister do it. Middle daughter also tried out for Oz, but didn't get a part. I wasn't very happy, and she was sad. But, she's handling much better than her mother. It was most disappointing, because this was the first time her sister tried out and she also had several friends that tried out. All got parts, but her. However, she is going to try out for another play with our local Summer Theater group. So, she's excited about that and is also going to be a part of crew for Oz. Youngest daughter has her ballet recital coming up. We found out her teacher is moving, so the recital date is moved up. I'm a bit sad, because now I have to find a new teacher. Other than that, she is keeping busy with following me around to all her sisters' activities it seems. Well, that's us in a nutshell. I'm wanting to get back into this, but it seems the days fly by and alas I miss my writing time yet again. However, I'm trying (very trying, I know). http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/679513/ Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:32:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/679513/ Well, it seems I've taken quite the hiatus from my blog and, honestly, I make no promises. But, I've been missing all my blogland friends, who have no idea who I am, so I thought I'd do a post and to blogland cruising. Life has been WOW! FULL!!! January was CRAZY busy with real estate, and now that it's the beginning of April, many of those houses that we wrote contracts on are finally going to close. I have three closings this week - woo hoo! Caitlin made it through her first Speech and Debate tournament. Of the five debate rounds she did, she actually won one round. Her and her partner were so happy. I'm thinking next year they will really grow by leaps and bounds. She also did two different speeches and did a lot better than I thought she would. The beginning of February we went on a family Disney cruise. My parents took my family and my sister's family. It was a lot of fun! This Friday we leave for a week (off and on) at our time share. It's not too far away, so we are able to get away, but come back home for things that can't be easily missed. You will notice that there hasn't been a lot of school work mentioned. When we haven't been working on  the above, I have managed to squeeze a little bit of school in. But, I'm definitely in the process of figuring out a "how can I be motivated to school through the summer" plan. It's going to be necessary, for sure! So, life it good, but definitely busy. I'm hoping to be here more regularly and get back to updating you on my exciting life, as well getting to read what's been happening in all of your worlds. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/675070/ Wed, 1 Apr 2009 21:00:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/675070/ I think a couple weeks ago I predicted I would be here. Perhaps I just became a self-fulfilling prophecy and it was my subconscious that has caused me to be here... But, I mentioned how great menu planning, etc. was going... I think I FELL!! Work has been crazy! - A good crazy, mind you, but CRAZY! School has been minimal by me, and overseen slightly by dad. I also started an exercise challenge and weight loss challenge, that has me using any spare moments to go to a class. Menus! What are those? Cooking! What's that? Yea, that's how it's been in my house! Sigh... Early Friday morning we leave for Florida to go on a Disney cruise!! Woo hoo! We're gone for a week. I'm hoping this is enough time for me to recover somewhat and get back in the menu saddle again. I have not lost hope! I know I am capable, so that's growth. It'll happen, but we have definitely hit a bump in the road. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/654315/ Tue, 3 Feb 2009 22:36:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/654315/ I'm feeling better about math. I had my oldest daughter take a math curriculum placement test. She's in 7th grade. After working with her on some errors and talking about some problems I knew she wouldn't know how to do on the 7th grade placement test, that she didn't do that great on, I had her take the 8th grade placement test. She passed it. It was encouraging to her. It definitely showed me that we are going to take some time just test practicing, over the next few weeks before the standardized test. Tomorrow I'm going to work with my middle daughter, doing the same thing. So, I'm feeling better. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/648742/ Thu, 22 Jan 2009 06:47:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/648742/ Well, the menus are working relatively well. So, I am feeling accomplished at something. We did have some alterations last week, but I had a plan to work from, and that was good. Now, since I have just declared that I'm doing pretty well at this, it WILL completely fall apart this week . I hope not, but it has been a trend once or twice in my life. This week: Brown rice & lentil casserole - that I stole from another menu plan Maple Glazed Chicken - cuz' we didn't get to it at least Ham & Potatoes Homemade tortillas with chicken/black bean burritos The rest will be leftovers or ? For lunches I'm doing salad, tuna, and quesadillas. I'm excited to try the chicken/black bean burritos. I got the recipe from a friend, who says her whole family eats it and really likes it. And - IT'S EASY!!! This is always a big bonus for me . 2 chicken breasts 2 cans black beans 2 cans Rotel tomatoes or salsa Put in a crock pot, about an hour before dinner shred the chicken and see if it needs more liquid. You can even put the breasts in frozen. Is that easy or WHAT??? I have also been wanting to try and make tortillas, so I'm going to give it a whirl. I'll let you know if I really get it done or not. And, the results. For more ideas, head on over to Org Junkie. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/647495/ Mon, 19 Jan 2009 19:04:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/647495/ I've got to be honest, I am not in school mode yet. I have been very busy with work things, and it just seems to keep coming. My oldest daughter is behind on her debate and it's really my fault. I'm overwhelmed by the process, so I keep procrastinating it. I feel like I don't really know where to start. On a positive note, we are making good progress in math this week. I worked with all three of them on three different days making sure they are getting through their math. I am a little concerned. This year we are going to take one of the standardized tests, mostly because my husband wants to know that they are learning something. I understand that and appreciate that. However, I do know they are a bit behind in math. And, it seems no matter how much I work towards getting them ahead, we don't move at the pace I would like. So, I'm a bit nervous. I know I'll get out of this slump, but I must say, I'm just doing it because I "have" to at the moment. The inspiration and enjoyment isn't there for me at the moment. Sigh... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/647071/ Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:43:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/647071/ Well, since I seem to not be making it to write out an entry but once a week or so these days, I thought I'd see how many I could post in one morning, while I'm still enjoying the sound of silence in my home . I really liked my menu plan last week. It helped me and it helped the girls, too. My middle daughter was looking forward to tuna sandwiches ALL WEEK. I wrote it on a paper pad that I bought for this purpose quite some time ago and posted it on the fridge. We did do some altering, but it still worked - woo hoo. I didn't do one meal, because my frig is filling up with leftovers, so we had those more than once. This week for breakfast I am trying eggs with sauteed veggies, in an effort to get more veggies into me, and hopefully my kids. I am also including a fruit smoothie. I may continue with the basically one thing for the week plan for a bit, just to give myself the time to adjust to eating well, losing weight, and not having to plan. On the weight loss topic, I joined an 8 week gym program at our local gym. If you participate in at least 3 specific classes each week for 8 weeks, they refund your $50 class fee. So, I joined with a friend. Last week I went to 5 classes, so I am on my way to reward. My goal is to attend a minimum of 4 classes, but I am going to aim for 5. This week I am down 3.5 pounds, so I am on my way towards my goal. I am also in a weight loss challenge with my exercising friend for 12 weeks. I am hoping to lose about about 30 pounds during the challenge. So far I am on my way to success! Sorry for the menu interruption... Breakfasts - eggs & veggies (sometimes with some cheese) Lunches - salad, soup, tuna, refried beans & cheese Dinners    Monday - Steak Stir Fry    Tuesday - Salmon, rice, & green beans    Wednesday - Taco Soup    Thursday - Maple glazed chicken & rice    Friday - leftovers For more great menu ideas, often with recipes included (sorry I'm not including any this week), head on over to Org Junkie. Have a great week!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/644335/ Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:16:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/idahofamily/644335/