Jen's Journal - Homeschool Blogger

Consider me moved!

Wed, 5 Sep 2007 12:13:00 -0500

I'm sure it's obvious by now, but I am just going to blog the other place. Here is the link again if you want to visit... www.goodfruity.blogspot.com .

The Other Blog

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:56:00 -0500

I started playing around at Blogspot the other day and well, I got carried away. My father in law started a blog over there for my brother in law's homeless ministry. He asked if I could help him. I didn't know anything about blogspot but figured I could learn enough to help him if I played around with it a little. So far I have been no help to him but have really been liking the features there for my own blog! Oops! So I am considering a big change. I need to decide if I am done with this one or if this can just be my little homeschool place on the web and Good Fruit can be more of a devotional type blog.

For now, just know that I am at both places, but it is possible that Jen's Journal will be moving soon. I'll let both you loyal readers (both of you...ha ha) know if I ever make up my mind.

Our First Break and A Little About Our First Few Weeks!

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:12:00 -0500

We have already done 5 weeks of school, and this week is our first break.

This is a week to catch up on my records and planning. Our next break will be the week of September 10th and I hope to have all things Five in a Row ready to go through that week. I have already pre-planned most of the books. Mary Evelyn will be learning from Amber on the Mountain, Gramma's Walk, and Night of the Moonjellies. Rachel's lessons will come from Mailing May and Higgins Bend Song and Dance. Now I just need to glance at my pre-planning page and see if I need any materials for projects or crafts.

I also want to review where we are ao far in the three R's and make some short term goals for these. This is our first year using Easy Grammar with Rachel and we both really like it a lot. She had her first test recently and did great. In math she is brushing up on her multiplication tables and she is loving Wordsmith Apprentice for creative writing. Mary Evelyn is working hard to learn her addition facts mostly using games and hands on activities, though we do use a math book too. She is still learning to read, but thinks that should wait until college. Her writing is great and she is getting braver and trying to write more on her own and not asking me how to spell every little word. Both girls love Five in a Row and our read aloud time. I let them draw while I read chapter books out loud. Currently we are reading Caddie Woodlawn and really enjoying it.

Some of their extras are swimming lessons, church activities, and Rosetta Stone foreign languages...free though our library. Jason is going through the book of Acts with them and we are learning catechism questions and answers with our small group from church too.

Busy, busy...just like everyone else I know!

I wanted to share a game idea I learned about in the Carol Barnier book I am reading (see my sidebar for the title). We have been playing Hop on It to review our math facts. You write one answer per index card and lay these on the floor in any order. I call out a math fact (like 7x6) and Rachel hops on the card that says 42. It makes review a little more fun than it could be. I like this game because it can be played with just about any subject. Mary Evelyn likes to play this game as well. There are lots of other game and manipluative ideas in the book. If you need a little creativity in your homeschool, check your library. It's a great book.

Awww Man, I Missed My Big Day

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:53:00 -0500

Yesterday was Middle Child's Day. Can you believe I missed it? Sigh...I expect Big Brother Billy and Little Sister Laura must have mailed their cards late because they haven't gotten here yet. And poor Mary Evelyn...we forgot to wish her a happy day as well. But the good news for her is that today is Left Hander's Day, so she still has reason to celebrate. Unfortunately she has to share this one with Little Sister Betsie, who also seems to be left handed.

Who makes this stuff up anyway?

Look What I Got Today

Thu, 9 Aug 2007 19:13:00 -0500

Thank you, my love!

We Have a Two Year Old!

Tue, 7 Aug 2007 08:06:00 -0500

Today is Betsie's second birthday! Or the joke in our house...at least we think it is. Since Betsie was found as an abandoned baby, the doctor had to estimate her birthday. But at that age, it has to be pretty close. She was found August 9th and estimated to be 2 days old...so we're going with it! Last night we had a pitiful looking homemade birthday cake and sang to her. I wish we had videotaped her dancing and laughing while we sang Happy Birthday. My still pictures didn't capture how cool she thought it was. It took her forever to blow out her big #2 candle because we have convinced her that fire is something to stay away from. Try blowing out a candle from three feet back sometime! Really, the cake and gifts have all been done, so today will be a rather normal day. (You can do that when they're two!) But I will be thinking all day how blessed we are to be Betsie's parents.

Happy birthday Little One!

Come on, Betsie. You can do it!

Why Did I Sign Up for the 3PM Swimming Lessons?

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 11:49:00 -0500

And they are 30 minutes (almost) away. This means I have to wake Betsie up early from her nap and what mother in her right mind wakes up the nearly 2 year old from a nap?! It's one o'clock and she is wide awake. Here's hoping for at least a short cat nap today.

But the girls are improving a lot in their swimming this summer so I am hping the lessons will make a big difference. We are going to the beach next month and it's always more fun when you are more skilled at this stuff!

Off to put the wild child to bed!

Reflections Award

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 12:40:00 -0500

Wow. I have just received my first blogging award. My dear friend, Nikki has nominated me for the Blogger Reflection Award.

The award is special not just because of what it's for (more on that in a minute) but because it's from Nikki. If she had not just given the award to me, I'd be giving it to her! (Can you do that?) Nikki's blog is so beautifully written and challenging. She makes everyday life at home with three children sound like every woman's dream come true. She has a gift for seeing the beauty in the ordinary. The way she loves her husband and sons is downright inspiring. I am always blessed by her words and I love it when she has a new post! And what can I say about her encouragement when we were adopting? All throughout the process she was there with encouraging words and prayers...and when I really needed it, scripture. Nikki, that meant SO much! Thank you for encouraging me yet again with this award. I said I would nominate you if I could...well, I decided to do just that. Of course, whether or not you want to honor five others is up to you, but if this is for the best of the best...you have to be in my top five!

Here's what Nikki's blog says about the Reflections award:

"The reason for the title is because this award should make you reflect on five bloggers who have been an encouragement, a source of love, impacted you in some way, and have been a Godly example to you. Five Bloggers who when you reflect on them you get a sense of pride and joy... of knowing them and being blessed by them.

This award is for the best-of-the-best so consider who you pick, carefully. This award should not be given to just anyone. If you're going to do the award don't just write a few words and slap it on your blog. Write real thoughts about these bloggers and what they've been to you, and if the bloggers you pick have already been given the award, don't be afraid to give to them again. They deserve it as many times as it's given."

So...here are a few people who have inspired me along the way...either with their blogs or in real life or both!

I want to give this award to Hollie. Hollie is a busy mom of three boys. She has a blog, but I am blessed to know lots more about her heart than she shares there. In fact, I would not be a bit surprised if she is so humble about the award that she doesn't mention it on her blog! Hollie is my real life friend...we just hung out this morning and then raided the Target dollar section together afterward. She is so generous too...always comes bearing gifts. I am always so thankful to have Hollie as a friend when something good OR bad happens. It's fun to have her as a "go to" friend when there is news of any kind. She encourages me, prays for me, and makes me laugh all the time. Hollie is also a bit of an accountability partner, though we sometimes need accountabilty to hold each other accountable! Thank you Hollie for being my friend.

Next is Candace. Candace is another mom of three. I love how she shares her questions and ponderings with the rest of us. We have learned that we have a bit in common too. We are both teachers turned homschool moms and married to accountants. Candace has the best ideas for teaching little ones. I read her blog and think she must be a bundle of energy to put so much into her teaching! No busy work at her house! Candace loves her husband and children and especially her Lord and I am glad to get a glimpse of how she seeks him continually via her blog.

Next is Alicia. Alicia and I have only recently met, though we have been at the same church for a while. We have both recently become a part of the same small group at church. The second time I was there, I had had a horrible day and started crying right there in front of everybody when I was sharing with the group. (I HATE when that happens!!) Alicia marched right on over, put her arm around me, and prayed for me right then. I have been reading through her blog in the past week and have enjoyed getting to know her a little better though her writings. She is such an example (like Candace) of ways to make school fun, of loving your husband in sickness and in health, and make the truth of scripture central in the home. And she is a FIREBALL! I want some of her energy! Alicia, I am so glad God has led us to the same shepherding group and I look forward to getting to know you better!

I must nominate Leslie. Leslie started blogging after her sweet daughter Eliana was born last December with Down Syndrome. She has been so transparant about the struggles of finding a new normal among the many challenges she has faces, including surgery, feeding troubles, and more. Not only is her blog a reminder of how God works in us and that all children are a gift from Him, but she recently ministered to me in a more personal way by sending me a gift in the mail and some of the most kindhearted notes and emails you could imagine. Leslie has a gift for building others up, even when she hurts. I want to be more like her.

Here is the link to the blog where this award started. Rules for passing the award on can be found there.

My King

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 20:58:00 -0500

Here's the video referred to in this post: My King

As I said in my earlier post today, I was going to be reading Colossians. Here is what I found in chapter 1, verses 15-20.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things in earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Then I was driving the girls to their swimming lessons later on and I was listening to a podcast about Jesus being first in our lives. The YouTube video above is the same clip that the preacher played at the end of his sermon. So today I have been so clearly reminded that Jesus is it. It's all about Him and not my problems, or rather my little problems are to point me to Him and make me more like Him. I hope you enjoy the video as much I as did. What a Savior!!

Growing Pains

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:39:00 -0500

God is doing so much right now that I am just plain worn out. It's good but it is hard. Growing pains. And I can barely articulate it so I know I won't be able to write it all out here but I'll give it a shot.

We have joined a new small group at church. We had been leading and hosting one for a few years in our home until we got Betsie. I had not realized how much I missed it until we joined a new one a few weeks ago. Last night I spent time at a restaurant with 5 other ladies from the group just talking and praying and learning so much. One of the mothers has two grown children that were homeschooled and two that are the ages of my oldest girls. She is such an encouragement and such a wealth of knowledge...the godly kind (wisdom!). The other ladies are such humble examples to me too. They love their families and God and I know they pray for each other (and now me too). I am so thankful that God has led us to this group. I am excited about what He will do in our hearts as we spend time together.

Most of what we discussed last night was about parenting. I think when you have 6 mothers together this is just natural. I was challenged in so many areas and I can't wait to have time to discuss it all with Jason. We talked about everything from when to allow your child to take communion to handling tattling in a Biblical way to submission to authority and so much more. I could barely sleep last night. I have been so frustrated lately as a mother that I was thirsty for this. The best part is that these ladies continually went back to scripture. This was not a meeting to find the best tips for how to get your child to clean up her mess...it was a time of exhorting one another to rely on God and His word as we seek to lead little ones to Him.

As we shared prayer requests I could barely figure where to start. So I asked that they pray for me in setting the proper atmosphere in our home. I shared that I want to respond to disobedience and other problems with my children in a way that brings peace to our home and family. Yelling and lecturing don't seem to work. Jason told me the other night that I really need to stop measuring a day's success by our girls' behavior/attitudes but by whether or not I was obedient to Christ in my thoughts, words, responses etc. I heard another woman say something similar once. She goes over the fruits of the spirit each night and asks God to show her where she exhibited these fruits and where she failed that day. Big sigh... I have so much to learn.

However, it is peaceful for the moment. Little one is napping and Big ones are reading quietly. I am about to spend some time in Colossians and see what God has for me there today. (I woke up late this morning and failed to read anything this morning except a little at the breakfast table to my girls from Matthew.) I am desparate for His word right now. I want it and I definitely need it. So it's time to get to it. I'm listening Lord...