This blog is, among other things, to keep our family and friends informed about our learning lifestyle, about our daily lives and to show off the projects the children create. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:56:00 -0500 Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:56:00 -0500 [NOTE: Back in January, 2009, some of you know that I was struggling to keep hold of my strong faith in God when we found out our developing baby had no heartbeat...This is something I felt led to share then, and I felt the Holy Spirit wanting me to share it again...For whomever may need the encouragement, Psalm 91 is one of my favorite Psalms, stating (I'm paraphrasing...) that we do not need to fear the terror that comes in the night or the arrow that flies by day because the Lord our God is with us...] This song has blessed me a lot in recent weeks with our loss of baby Mati. I hope that it can also comfort you, dear friend, as you remember that God is holding all your tears... "And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands for You are who You are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand You never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise You in this storm" ~Praise You in This Storm words by Mark Hall/music by Mark Hall and Bernie Herms [On another note, this song also helped me continue to praise God after Les' mother passed away on June 11, 2009 after battling with lymphoma, a type of cancer, for less than a year...It's been a difficult season for us, but we keep holding tight to our faith in God...] http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/731070/ Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/731070/ I started this post on another blog I sometimes write. While the list is somewhat ambitious, it is certainly not even complete...I have read other books that are not even on the list yet, and have decided to postpone reading some really worthwhile books so that I can work them into a better schedule (as if such a thing existed for us!)...At any rate, I thought you might enjoy seeing what I thought I would tackle this year. I am going to re-work my list, to include books I have actually read that were not on here (mostly fiction, but some others equally interesting) and re-post the final list in December so you all can see what I did -- and did not -- accomplish. So here is my original post:  Sunday, January 25, 2009 My Ambitious Reading List Although I am always busy with my own schooling and homeschooling several of my children, I want to make some meaningful strides in my life this year and have chosen some books that reflect the topics I want to learn more about and the values I wish to espouse. Of course I have some fiction thrown in the list too...nobody's perfect!!! At any rate, I got this idea from several other bloggers that I visited randomly, so I am not sure to whom I should give the credit. Suffice it to say, though, that this is an excellant idea that I hope to continue each and every year. I will plan on posting my progress, but please do not expect any reports for a while...Due to my miscarriage I have been behind in other tasks that must take priority -- which is yet another reason I felt the need to write down my ambitious reading list for this year...If I write it down, it might actually be accomplished! Also note that this list does not include any books I am reading with my children for homeschooling, so I am probably missing the majority of things I've read!!!! Without further ado, here is my incomplete reading list (I have already thought of a few other things I might like to add) in no particular order as to priority or favorites... BOOKS TO READ in 2009 1. Family Driven Faith ~ Voodie Baucham, Jr. 2. Shepherding a Child’s Heart ~ Tedd Tripp 3. Be Fruitful and Multiply ~ Nancy Campbell 4. When Children Love to Learn ~ Elaine Cooper 5. For the Children’s Sake ~ Susan Schaeffer Macaulay 6. The Excellent Wife ~ Martha Peace 7. Following God With All Your Heart ~ Elizabeth George 8. My Heart’s In the Lowlands ~ Liz Curtis Higgs 9. The Eat Clean Diet ~ Tosca Reno 10. Nourishing Traditions ~ Sally Fallon 11. Food Storage 101 ~ Peggy Layton 12. Last Child in the Woods ~ Richard Lauv 13. Rashi’s Daughters, Book I : Joheved ~ Maggie Anton 14. How To Pick a Peach ~ Russ Parsons 15. Songs in the Key of Solomon: In the Word…and in the Mood ~ John & Anita Renfroe 16. More Hours in My Day ~ Emilie Barnes and Sheri Torelli 17. The Original Homeschool Series, 6 volumes ~ Charlotte Mason (I have never read the complete set) 18. A Year in the World ~ Frances Mayes 19. Beautiful in God’s Eyes ~ Elizabeth George 20. The Meal that Heals ~ Perry Stone 21. The Shack ~ William P. Young 22. Rhett Butler’s People ~ Donald McCaig 23. Total Truth ~ Nancy Pearcey 24. Dumbing Down Our Kids: Why American Children Feel Good About Themselves But Can’t Read, Write or Add ~ Charles Sykes 25. Bad Girls of the Bible ~ Liz Curtis Higgs 26. Country Wisdom Almanac ~ Storey Publishing 27. Cooking With Home Storage ~ Peggy Layton 28. Little Heathens: Hard Times and High Spirits on an Iowa Farm During the Great Depression ~ Mildred Armstrong Kalish 29. Debt-Proof Living ~ Mary Hunt 30. Don’t Make Me Count To Three ~ Ginger Plowman 31. Candymaking for Dummies 32. The Mission of Motherhood ~ Sally Clarkson 33. Breaking the Jewish Code ~ Perry Stone 34. Pride and Prejudice ~ Jane Austen 35. People of the Book ~ Geraldine Brooks 36. The Lost Symbol ~ Dan Brown 37. The Heart of Homeschooling: Teaching & Living What Really Matters ~ Christopher Klicka [I have decided that I will highlight the books I have completed, so that my reaaders might know how much I have accomplished...or not!] Several of these books I have planned to read aloud to/with my husband either during a trip somewhere (church, store, etc.) or during our personal time. However, the majority are books that I hope will serve to help me learn essential spiritual truths or homemaking skills as I continue in my walk with Christ and try to be the best wife and mother possible. Of course, the number one book that is not listed on my current list is the Bible -- although there have been some days lately that have started out all wrong (such as the day I found out we'd lost the baby), I am trying to devote even more daily time to reading God's Word and drinking deeply of the spiritual truths. So far my readings have served to give me much comfort during this difficult time, in addition to revealing areas where I need to improve upon my attitude and walk with the Lord. No other book is as important to me, and if I never get to the rest of them because of the busy demands of a large family, I will have at least read the Book that matters the most! God bless you all and have a wonderful week!!! ~mary http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/731066/ Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/731066/ It's funny how sometimes you get so busy and caught up in life that you feel overwhelmed and then suddenly God brings a situation to light that requires your focused attention. I guess that's been me lately. I often have self-esteem issues, so I had this great idea that if I earned my Bachelor's Degree (in Elementary/Special Education), I would "be someone"...and always be able to homeschool on top of it, kind of like an added benefit. Well, that might all sound well and good...And I truthfully have gotten a 4.0 each semester at my online college (which, by the way, is great but very writing-intensive!)... However, I am at a season where I keep feeling God call me back away from my own scholastic pursuits...My husband needs me, my children need me. And with the recent hospitalization of my mother, and my sister-in-law's recovery from surgery to remove cancer, my extended family needs me too. Some people might think that I'm so far ahead I might as well just finish...But with classroom observations and student teaching looming ahead, I can't justify fitting it into an already crammed chock-full schedule of family events and activities --- most of which I am missing anyway because of homework. I don't know...I guess the focus of the world is to conform and in some circles that means continuing education. But to be pleasing to God, I need to do what HE has called me to do, and be what HE has called me to be, despite what anyone else thinks. And yes, I would even include my family in that...If I felt the Lord calling me to a specific purpose, I would follow Him no matter what anyone thought. And so right now I feel strongly that the Lord is calling me to shed some of my hectic schedule - with the most important time-consumer, my own schooling, being first and foremost on that list. My children are growing so fast, and I will lose this day, this week and month and year, to be with them and influence them for the better if I keep filling my plate with unrealistic goals and ideas that could be put off to another time and season. Some day the empty nest will come, and I can pursue other things for myself at that time, Lord willing. And if He has a better purpose and plan for me other than what I've devised, I know He will graciously reveal it. Meanwhile, I think I am going to heed His call, take that needed break and focus on making my home a haven of rest and peace for my family. Life is too short, and I think that is why we sometimes cram our schedules to the breaking point. But we really can live a much more fulfilling life in purposeful simplicity, following God's lead and call to focus on the things that He deems more important. And right now, the things that are most important to me after my relationship with Him are my husband, children and extended family. The rest can wait... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/731061/ Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:27:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/731061/ Sara is in her fourth year of cheerleading. Sara gets a lot of physical education in through practice and games, and she's made the competition squad again too, so that means her cheerleading year is extended beyond football season through March. Here are just a few pictures from her first game... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730385/ Sat, 5 Sep 2009 13:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730385/ We were really blessed to get tickets to see Sight & Sound's production of "In the Beginning". Not only did we have tickets for our family of eight, but my parents were able to accompany us, as well as two friends of Zachary's -- Layne and Devyn. Here is a picture of the theater, which makes for an impressive view... The next photo shows most of the group in front of the fountain....From left to right are Will, Zachary, Devyn, Sammy, Emma, Kayla, Sara, Layne and Les (who is not looking!!!). Sight & Sound is going to be producing "Joseph" in March 2010, and this large statue is in anticipation of that show: I would encourage you to visit the Sight & Sound Theater, in Strasburg PA or now in Branson, MO. You can find more info at www.sight-sound.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730383/ Fri, 28 Aug 2009 22:30:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730383/ While the five older kiddies were enjoying summer camp at Camp Mantowagon near Lake Raystown, we decided to do something special with Sammy...We couldn't figure out what we wanted to do, but then a bright idea came to mind...or at least a "colorful" one...We would go to the Crayola Factory, located in Easton, PA!!!   Here there was even a place where writing on the wall was allowed and encouraged! Les and Sammy are having a great time doodling...and no one is yelling at them to stop! And check out the world's largest crayon...and in my favorite color too!!!!! When we got there, we discovered that the admission also covered a trip to the National Canal Museum, housed in the same building...That was a great hands-on way to learn about the canal system! Each participant was given a boat, which they took through the canal by raising or lowering the water level in the locks. You could even put cargo like coal on your boat!   Here, Sammy is opening the lock, getting ready to put his boat in. In the photo below, Sammy has worked his way almost to the end of the canal...Soon it will be time to deliver his cargo! There were so many interesting things to do here, and I encourage you to check it out next time you are anywhere near Easton, PA! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730376/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:36:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730376/ We were really blessed to be able to purchase a museum membership at the North Museum in Lancaster, PA this year. Although due to family incidents we have not attended as much as we would have liked to, we still have had a lot of fun exploring when we get a chance. Above, here is Emma, pouring over some x-rays. What a neat exhibit! In the picture below, you will find Will putting together some puzzles which stick on the wall with velcro. He really enjoyed it! The museum also has a room lit by ultraviolet light....The kiddies love going in and trying to figure out what part of them is glowing!!! Here's Sara holding a piece of paper...It's glowing more than she is! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730369/ Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:58:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730369/ No, this is no mystery...I love the library system in our county! Today, with bags of books to return, we headed off to the library in Lititz, which houses a wonderful collection of picture books, chapter books and adult fiction and non-fiction, in addition to CDs and movies on DVD or VHS. Today I wanted a little extra time to browse before making some final selections, so the kiddies took it upon themselves to work together on a puzzle. What a great display of teamwork!!!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730366/ Thu, 20 Aug 2009 12:53:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730366/ Fingerpaints. Wow, kids seem to love 'em....and Sammy was certainly no exception! I decided to gently begin school with a few projects here and there, and fingerpainting struck me as a fun way to begin. I have to admit that Les and I don't always like messes....It seems as if our six children, no matter their ages, leave them behind all the time. So to introduce an activity that was messy to begin with was a big step of faith for me. Sammy lost no time in determining what he wanted to paint....A big van, with the sun, flowers and maybe a light. So with a little help from mommy -- at his insistance -- we teamed up and created what I think is a lovely masterpiece...One he is so very proud of! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730364/ Tue, 7 Jul 2009 12:43:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/730364/ Well, I see I've done it again...Neglected my poor blog here for over a month. So we're going to try again. But I have to say that when I re-read my last entry, all I could do was laugh. I might have to pause for a few moments to gain some composure before I type. Or... I could just type and worry about composure later. A very, very good friend of mine wrote his first blog not long ago and it was something along the lines of "does there need to be a topic?". Well, maybe, but maybe not. Sometimes I suppose it's freeing not to be tied down to one specific thought or subject. But sometimes it is just as freeing to have those boundaries set so that you don't stray too far with your thoughts --- the good Lord above certainly knows how many things go swimming through my mind at once, and so I'm sure that keeping the post streamlined to one particular thought can keep things clear and concise rather than the absolutely muddied mess they would be should I just start typing at random... I mean, that could really be dangerous -- anything from grocery lists to thoughts of room reservations for my cousin's wedding next weekend to dinner tonight to the annual physicals (or evaluations, testing, etc.) due per particular child...and on and on. So...does there always need to be a topic? Well -- actually yes and no. Sometimes the writing and thoughts should just be allowed to flow freely, to escape the boundaries of the mind. Sometimes. And then again, sometimes the restrictions actually allow a lot of freedom within those boundaries. So write on!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/512132/ Mon, 7 Apr 2008 15:25:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maehsweet/512132/