My Garden of Flowers - Homeschool Blogger

Friday

Fri, 6 Jul 2007 17:14:00 -0500

We are home from Grass Valley where it was very warm. The children visited Empire Mine, went swimming for a couple of hours, and after a nice BBQ dinner we all watched the traditional fourth of July fireworks. We drove home Thursday stopping at the Jelly Belly Factory, just in time to see them making jelly bellies. A dinner stop at Macaroni Grill, then on to home.

This morning Lauren was ready with Math Book in hand ready to do the next lesson. We have all been cleaning, doing laundry, and even went to the grocery store to stock up for the weekend. I went to try and find a variety of foods I could eat. Turns out that my recent blood work showed my cholesterol levels were a bit high. That motivated me to actually follow through and sign up for Weight Watchers Online, and start tracking what I eat. I still have some reading to do about high cholesterol and eating better, plus figure out all the stuff on the WW website.

I think that they kids are anxious to start school, (Lauren with her math book at 8:30 this morning was definitely a big clue!) but I have to do a bit of planning before we can officially start. What I will do is spend the next few weeks summer cleaning the house, and going through everything. While I do that they children do have a few subjects that they can do until I get things ready for our official start in August. I finished the paperwork (for this past school year) and it's ready to be mailed. My laptop is at the service center, so I won't be doing any other paperwork right away since all my school stuff is kept on there.

It looks like we will be visiting with friends this weekend, so I do need to tidy up our house quickly today! And then next weekend will be visiting them.

Stay Cool and have a great weekend everyone!

Quick Trip for the 4th

Tue, 3 Jul 2007 11:11:00 -0500

We are packing for a quick trip to visit friends up in Grass Valley. I am taking my school paperwork to finish up and several knitting projects. It's about a 4 hour drive so I can knit something easy in the car. I won't have computer, it's off to the repair center this week.

Have a Happy and Safe 4th Celebration!

A Sunday Picnic and A Bunny of a Movie

Sun, 1 Jul 2007 18:22:00 -0500

Our church had our annual "4th of July" Picnic. The weather was really nice, even with a brisk breeze. Lots of fried chicken to choose from! The children played soccer, badminton,tossed balls, and played on the playground. I chatted with friends while I got a little bit of knitting in. It was just a nice time to just visit and relax.

Last night we watched "Miss Potter", a very sweet story (and very sad at times) on the life of Beatrix Potter. About half way through the movie, Lauren and Tyler had the set of Beatrix Potter Book out figuring out the order of when they were written. Lauren really liked the story, (and is watching again right now!). I thought it was well done, especially how they animated Peter and his friends throughout the film. The DVD also included a nice biography of Beatirx Potter which shows that they kept the true story of Miss Potter intact for the movie version.

With VBS finished, I can now turn my attention back to school. I have paperwork to finish, lessons to plan and preparations to start on for our new school year.

Happy Summer Homeschooling!

VBS

Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:05:00 -0500

Vacation Bible School finished up today. Whew! The kids went how with new Bibles, and lots of goodies. My children came home with all of their projects and lots of goodies from their class. I packed up about half of my classroom and brought what need to come home. I will clean up the rest of it later. My room isn't being used during the summer so I don't have to rush.

We had 13 decisions for Christ, and lots of other children who went home with seeds of the Gospel planted in their hearts. What a great week!

Now I am ready for a long nap!

A Week Of Heros

Wed, 27 Jun 2007 22:44:00 -0500

Vacation Bible School is in full swing here. Our theme is "Game Day Central" learning about true heroes. We had 130 children registered today. Today was the salvation message and 12 of our children prayed with our pastor to receive Christ. What an awesome day!

I am working with 18 pre-k and kindergarten children this year. We have planted flowers, made pennant flags, memorized Bible verses, played a variety of games, and dozen of other activities! Both Tyler and Lauren have enjoyed their time.

Tomorrow night we have our Family Night and our church is looking forward to hosting all the children and their families! During the fellowship time our church has tables available to highlight our different church ministries, so I will help John put together the Awana table and Children's Choir. It will be a full day tomorrow!

Changes

Sun, 27 May 2007 16:58:00 -0500

We are now in transition from spring to summer. Our Awana program has come to close for this "school" year, with a summer break for leaders and students. Both children danced in the year-end Recital for their Dance Studio and taking a summer break from dance classes. After a busy two weeks I am quite tired, but look forward to getting ready for our Vacation Bible School in a month. Today I told a friend now that we are done with Recitals and Awana, I can focus on VBS. I am anxious to get started on my preparations.

There was much excitement at church this morning. Several friends who had moved away were visiting, congratulations were in order for recent graduates, and even with the number of people attending was small for a holiday weekend our church was full of fellowship activity. The worship service was nothing out the ordinary, so I was surprised when the invitation and closing prayer was finished that the pastor had us all be seated. Normally he would invite all us to the fellowship in the courtyard following the prayer. But today's ending was going to anything my ordinary. I got somewhat concerned when my husband reached over and took my hand, and pulled it over to him and held it. Should I be concerned? I wasn't sure. I couldn't think of anything that I should be concerned about in the church???

Then our pastor pulled out a piece of paper out and began reading it. At first I wasn't absolutely sure who he was speaking of, himself or our other pastor - someone else on staff. Then it hit me as he read "I as your pastor, resign today." Oh really, I thought, really??? I think for a split second I wasn't sure if I was happy about it or sad about it. I wasn't quite sure what to think. I knew some of my friends would be genuinely sad, and others would be glad. But how did I feel? I wasn't really sure. I did go up to my pastor and his wife afterwards and just gave them a hug and told them I was glad that they weren't actually leaving the state, at least I know they are still physically here in CA. They seemed to be a such peace over this decision.

It wasn't until we were leaving church to go to lunch, that I began to wonder why he was leaving? Did he not like us? Did the people who weren't happy with him, cause him to leave? I asked if it was known as to what he would be doing next...did he have another job? Maybe I shouldn't have because it just made me have more questions come to my already confused state of being. Our other pastor reassured John that this is a good thing, there isn't anything negative about our Pastor leaving, and God will take care of church. Our church is going to change and we need to embrace that.

I am not all that sure that I like change, but seems lately change is going to happen whether I can accept it or not. My children's needs are changing, our needs in a support group are changing, and I am forever trying to change myself! Praise God is He is unchanging, we has been, is and always will be the same. And over the next few days, weeks and months I can cling to that promise as change continues to happen in my church, my family and my life.

Thu, 24 May 2007 15:56:00 -0500

It started as I was looking for two missing library cards...I can't find them anywhere I have looked every possible place they could be. They just aren't here. I know the minute I go in a get replacements I will find them immediately.

However in the process of looking for the cards I just got more and more frustrated. I see little things that I thought for sure I had asked the children to take care of. I know I have gone over a 1000 times on how to keep the clothes neat in the drawers, to put away CD's, to pick up their clothes for the laundry, to ... well you get the point. I finally decided I needed to sit down and get myself together.

Ok, I am not perfect and I am pretty sure God didn't gift me with housekeeping skills and I had to work really hard last night to get my own clothes taken care. I know I am guilty of not putting away things that I have gotten out or leave something in the wrong place because I get distracted.

Seems this time of year our calendar is filled with the ending of the "school" year activities and the beginning of summer activities. I always get stressed at this time of year. I have to remember dates and times for different events. I have to make sure all costumes are ready for the recital..do we have tights, where are your ballet shoes? Oh, I need to finish that for the Awana. Not to mention I still have to manage a home. In three days all of the dance rehearsals, Awana club nights and school activities will be a memory. And here I am complaining about their rooms, their lack of organization and why can't they just do what they are told.

Of course God is right there reminding me of my own responsibilities, and my own downfalls. Don't have I have paperwork to turn in next week that isn't finished? Didn't I put off laundry? Didn't I have to spend extra time dealing with my clothes last night? Didn't I wait until the last minute to make gifts for the teachers...I have know about the end of dance classes since September? However God doesn't growl at me, He simply convicts me of my own sin, and brings me back to Him. Yes, I have to face the consequences to my own lack of planning and preparations. I also have to do the same with children, correct them, discipline them and direct them back to God.

It may be a long couple of days, but with the right perspective and attitude we will make it through until Sunday!

Our Legoland Pictures

Fri, 18 May 2007 12:00:00 -0500

I was able to use one of my photo programs and make a slide show! (And it links back to the actual photo album on my website). There are a lot of pictures and I haven't quite finished putting in all the captions (Edited: I just finished all the captions!) I also have a few pictures from our trip to Old Town San Diego that I will work on later, will probably just put those in an album, but haven't really decided.

We had a great trip, despite the fact the window on the van broke in the legoland parking lot...John and Tyler got it rigged to stay up for the rest of the trip. Even with the use of sunscreen all of us got some kind of sunburn, which I think most of us have recovered from. And I woke up Monday barely able to move with some kind of problem with the middle of my back. I did manage to get a few rides, which weren't bad, it was walking around that was tough. Still sore, but getting better, driving seems to be the thing that is hardest to do. We were able to enjoy the beach and sight seeing in San Diego between our days at Legoland, as well as visit with John's sister.

Seems I have a lot of decisions to make other than how post pictures! How will we end the school year? Will we have summer school or just start school in July? Is there a used curriculum sale this year and will I sell all my extras...seems I have a lot... no comment from the DH :). How do I reorganized all the stuff we still have, and where will all go when we do the floors!? What group do I join for a support group, seems I have to decide soon! Not to mention I still have to get the rest of the supplies for our Awards Night for Awana. And, make sure all costumes are ready for the recital next week.

Maybe I will go back to Legoland, it was more fun trying to decide to go on the "The Dragon" or take a walk through "MiniLand!"

Enjoy the pictures! Sandi

Home

Wed, 16 May 2007 12:04:00 -0500

We drove home yesterday and are almost completely unpacked. We are all enjoying a quiet morning. I enjoyed breakfast in bed compliments of Lauren and was informed I could stay here all day until we had to leave for church tonight. Humm, sounds sooooo tempting.

I am working on putting together pictures but not quite sure how I am going to post them for you all to see. I love the way you all have your blogs set up! I must learn to personalize mine so I can have the special touch to it.

I have much to think over and plan for the next few weeks. I am not sure if I am going to just "end" school now, then have a summer session, or just take a break, then start school in July for the new year. I still have decide on what to do about my support group. I am feeling a bit pressured to decide because my current group wants to know if I am going to be there if they have a spot for a new member. I don't really know what other group to join at this point. I just feel so confused about deciding without talking it over with someone! (Planning on doing that later) So many things to decide on right now.

Maybe I will stay in bed, ha! As tempting as that offer is I think I need to get ready and be prepared for the day ahead, besides it's already passed 10, the morning is just sailing by!

Sandi

Almost Finished With Our Vacation

Mon, 14 May 2007 23:21:00 -0500

We are back in Riverside after spending four days in Carlsbad/San Diego area. Tomorrow we will drive back home to San Jose. The children have their new lego kits out, while we all relax after a long day at Legoland. After I get home and get unpack, I will work on getting pictures posted.

Since we have had internet I have been reading over several HS Blogger blogs, some of you have wonderfully designed blogs! I must learn how to do that! I was going to bring my new HTML, but forgot it. (I was trying very hard to pack lightly!) I really want to give mine a personal touch.

Have a nice week everyone! I will be back later this week with pictures and a little bit about our trip!

Happy Schooling! Sandi