The ups and downs of trying to serve God, love my husband, teach my children and still be sane...... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:08:00 -0600 Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:08:00 -0600 I've  been looking forward to this week for a long time.  We were going to just stay home, craft and bake cookies.  But nothing ever goes as planned.  First ds was sick, then dd, then me and dd at the same time.  So Monday was my doctors appointment and yesterday was dd doctors appointment.  She's still not finished with it all.   But  hopefully tomorrow and Friday will be good, fun and educational days. Also, I've been "tagged".  Okay, this may seem silly but what does that mean?  Am I supposed to be doing something...I'm new to this blogging thing.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/633592/ Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:08:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/633592/ While getting the kids ready for bed tonight, I noticed that my dd has started to show signs of "growing up".  My heart is broken!  I'm not ready for this, she is so young.  My first reaction was to call my mom but since I can't do that, I'll just sit here, near tears.  These babies you give us, Lord, actually grow up. I know, this is silly.  She is healthy and happy.  I get to stay home and spend time with them, teach them and love them.  Count your blessings, woman!  I have never understood why some women can't wait for their kids to turn eighteen.  I know that we all have bad days and that thought might cross our minds but to really mean it, I can't imagine.  I want my baby girl back.  I have even decided that I want my ds who is into everything, to stay at this age.  So I guess I'll just be happy that she has asked her papaw for some doll accessories (stroller, diaper bag,etc) and enjoy this Christmas.  We have so much to look forward to and I hope that God will give me the wisdom to look to today, not tomorrow or yesterday.  I really am thankful, Lord.  I just needed a pity party for myself. .... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/622165/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:25:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/622165/ Keepers at Home is a program that teaches girls many creative skills (soapmaking, scrapbooking etc.), homemaking skills and scripture.  This program is for girls and their mother  to do together at home and at meetings or field trips.  They can earn badges for each activity completed. www.keepersofthefaith.com Today we went to a nursing home to visit some of the residents.  We had 12 children with us (we had to take boys also on this trip).  The age range was from about 8 months to 8 years old.  The children got to enjoy some ice cream with the residents at their ice cream social.  Everything went very well until the ice cream was gone and then my ds decided he had been still for too long. He was running, tripped and almost landed on an elderly ladies feet.  He wasn't as rowdy as I thought he would be though.  Another mother in the group-Dawn- had made turkeys out of small paper plates and leaves.  They were very cute.  She gave each of the kids one to give out.  This helped some of the kids who were a little more shy to be able to at least say hi to some of the residents.  One of our dd didn't seem to have a problem talking to anyone.  She was very good at it and seems to have a more sensitive heart than alot of other little girls her age. So, everything was a success.   All of the kids were behaving and seemed to enjoy themselves, even the little ones (maybe it was the ice cream)lol  Its funny, I was kind of dreading this trip but it turned out to be a good time for me too.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/619590/ Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:07:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/619590/ My dd had a Keepers meeting last night.  We met at the house of a lady who loves to make cards.  She had a "huge" amount of scrap paper, pencils, glue, you name it and she had it.  I was in heaven.  I also spotted a Cricut machine.  This is where I'm sure I was sinning big time!  I have so wanted a Cricut for a long time.  I watched while my friend showed me how it works...Amazing!  Anyway, the girls had a wonderful time.  They each made three cards and are working their way to a card making badge.  So a big thank you to Rebecca for arranging everything and to her friend for being kind enough to host us and let us use her materials.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/614605/ Tue, 4 Nov 2008 19:53:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/614605/ Dh called me yesterday from work and asked if I wanted to go get pumpkins and then to the park.  I was all for it.  So when he came home, we went to the farm market to get pumpkins.  There were so many to choose from and you should have seen the all the gourds, indian corn and corn stalks!  I love fall, I wanted to take most of it home and fix up my house with all the autumn colors, it was beautiful.  When we bought our pumpkins, we headed to the park.  It is so pretty this time of the year with all the different colors on the trees.  We went for a walk , picked up some leaves and took some pictures.  But when it was time to leave, we couldn't find our way out.  There are so many different trails and different "park" areas, we went the wrong way.  So, its dark outside, we are in the woods and going the wrong way (which of course, we didn't know at the time).  We finally found the main road and started the long walk to the parking area we needed to go to when a park ranger passed by.  Dh talked to him and he bummed a ride to go get the car.  The kids were scared and dd said she was trying not to cry.  I stopped on the side of the road and told them we would pray, that Jesus would keep them safe.  They seemed to feel better then and it wasn't long before dh showed up with the car.  We walked for at least 90 minutes just on the way out.  We all slept well last night.  Needless to say, neither one of them wanted to go back tonight. l  can't imagine why.lol http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/611940/ Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/611940/ I was helping my ds with his school work today.  He is just writing his letters and supposed to be learning them.  We went over the letter for quite some time last week so today when I asked him what letter it was and he said "B", I wasn't too happy.  So we started writing the letter A again with me asking him every few minutes "What letter are you writing?"  Anyway, he did a great job and was so proud of himself he yelled for dd to come and see what he had done.  There were hi-fives and I love you's, it was great.  Then I had to tell him he couldn't call her in here every time he wrote the letter, just wait until your done and you can show her then.  He wrote the next letter and said "Wow, wait till "dd" see's this!"  These are the times when I'm so glad I get to do this.  I am blessed.   Thank you, God...... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/611284/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 14:49:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/611284/ We are currently working on a lap book about Abraham Lincoln.  We are following the Abeka 2nd grade history reader but making a unit study out of some of the subjects.  DD seems to like making the lapbook and we are reading many different stories about Lincoln.  Hopefully, when we are finished, I can put the picture on here but first I have to learn how.  She is also in the process of learning the 23rd Psalm.  She writes a few of the verses everyday and at the beginning of the week, I add another verse and now she is almost reciting the whole thing.  She is very excited about that.  DS is learning the alphabet, how to write the letters and their sounds.  He, however, is having a hard time sitting still.  Oh, well, this time next year I'm sure I'll miss that about him....I hope so.lol http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/610507/ Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/610507/ Our hs co-op has been trying to come up with some new classes to teach for the spring session.  I know, winter isn't here yet, why worry about Spring?  We are hoping to get our topics in order to give the teachers time to come up with the curriculum they want to use.   So, we were in need of some "ideals" for the new classes.   However, some people are asking what is an "ideal-l-l-l" ?  Well, that would be the hillbilly phrase for "idea".  This is where teaching phonics by the sound of the letters would not be a good "idea".  Can you imagine how my kids would be spelling things?  So, I guess my class for next week will be "English 101-How to get rid of the twang".lol http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/609683/ Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:43:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/609683/ I love Patricia Polacco.  She is a wonderful author of childrens books.  My favorite is "Pink and Say".  I read about this book on another blog a couple of years ago (Southern Girl Musings, I think).  Anyway, its the best and worst childrens book I've read.  Her books are sometimes based on things that have happened in her childhood.  I also like "The Keeping Quilt" and "Christmas Tapestry".  I haven't read one of her books that I don't like but then, I haven't read them all.  That is my goal, however.  Can anyone suggest any other childrens authors that they like?  I'm always looking for more childrens books.....I may have to move dh into the garage to add more book shelves..lol http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/608230/ Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:58:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/608230/ A fellow blogger needs our prayers.  Nick Nischan who lives in Grayson, Ky. is suffering from tumors on his brain that has spread.  He has battled this disease for years  He is so young and he loves the Lord.  Please visit his sight at www.nick7-11.zoomshare.com.  They really need our prayers...... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/607743/ Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:45:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/inHim/607743/