I am a homeschooling mom of 3. I have been married for almost 15 years to the love of my life and best friend. We are on a path of life I never thought we'd be on, but God has put us on it. "God's grace will never lead you where His grace can never keep you." I am finding that to be true each and every day. Come on in and get a little peek into our lives...... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:22:00 -0600 Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:22:00 -0600 Outside my window: cold, cold, cold! The sun was shining so that's good. But looks are deceiving....warmer tomorrow hopefully....   I am thinking: how hungry I am getting, need to get supper going.   I am thankful for: the Christmas season! And for the means to bless our family with a little more than usual this year.   I am wearing: the infamous jean skirt again! Ha ha! And a striped sweater and pink socks.   I am reading: a hilarious book called Fancy Pants. A girl has to dress up as a boy until she turns 18 to avoid being sent back to an arranged marriage. Of course she ends up on a ranch and the men decide she needs to be taught to be a man!   I am hoping: I get my house cleaned thoroughly this week.   I am praying: for a new convert (named Savannah) at church   Around the house: uh....do you want to know?? at least I decorated for Christmas today!   From the kitchen: nothing right now--we'll see what happens shortly! I need a magic wand!   One of my favorite things: reading by the fireplace on these cold evenings.   From the learning rooms: Yes, we are still having school! Today we focused on the 3 R's and called it good though.   I am hearing: mostly silence, children are reading or playing a computer game http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/752213/ Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:22:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/752213/ We have been working diligently at school this month and plan to continue right up until Christmas. We're a little behind so I'm trying to make up some lost time. I thought I'd post about each child and our thoughts of this school year so far.   Z (7th grade): Still loving Rod and Staff Bible. It is a very thorough study complete with time lines and maps. I think it would be great for an adult Sunday School class.   CLE Language Arts is definitely getting the job done although he says it is HARD! He is making good grades on it but it is a lot of work. I love it!   I just switched his science. We were using Abeka and it was so over his (and my) head. We've always used it but it was a huge jump this year and it's written so technically. I ordered ACE and he's already telling me facts each day that he is learning. He thrives on interesting facts and it seems to present the material in a way he can relate to it. So far so good.   I love Sonlight history but we probably won't continue next year with it. Z wants to go back to a regular textbook style. We'll re-evaluate after we complete the Core. We're doing Core 4.   Abeka math is still great as usual!!   T: (second grade) He's still doing BJU DVD's for history. We've have some technical difficulties that are frustrating, but it's good. However, I plan to combine he and K next year with more of a unit study approach.   Abeka math is a keeper.   We have switched our phonics to CLE Learn to Read program. He really could have started a little ahead of this, but it's so rich that I started at the beginning. It's a lot of review for him and he enjoys it. I highly recommend it. I offered him a penny per word he reads. He can cash his pennies in at Christmas. He has filled two small jugs and is still going. He is reading harder and harder things!   We're still doing Abeka handwriting. Nothing special but it works. We've also added in CLE Bible and I alternate that with the book "Leading Little Ones to God." K and T both listen in together on those stories.   K (K4) We are still doing the Rod and Staff kindergarten workbooks and are almost done. They are excellent. We're alos doing Abeka K4 reading program. It's good, but I don't get around to it each day. I'm really trying to do a lesson per day and I think I could double up a little too.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/751600/ Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:00:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/751600/ Where has time gone? I see my last post was October 31st. Wow! But I can explain...we were traveling most of the month of November.   The first week of November we went to Alabama. Then home. The next day we left with my in-laws in their motor home and drove to California. Great trip! We saw the Grand Canyon, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest, and lots and lots of desert. We also squeezed in a trip to Sea World and White Sands on the way home.   A few days after that, we went to Charlotte, N.C. for a churhc fellowship meeting. The children were so tired of traveling that we left them with Grandpa and Grandma and were able to have some time for just the two of us.   Needless to say, we didn't do much formal school during last month. We were able to count several educational things as school though. Each of the National Parks had  a Junior Ranger Program which we took part in. They gave each of the children a workbook (at age level) to work through. When it was completed, they turned it in to the park ranger and received a patch or pin depending on the park. We also counted Sea World as a school day because it was very educational ....   I mean fun!!   I hope to post some pictures of the trip, but I'm not going to promise. I have been enjoying being home and getting caught up. I have been in a de-cluttering mood and the whole family knows it! I have been organizing, straightening, getting rid of, and throwing away stuff. Hubby even started cleaning out some of this things. It feels so nice to get it done! My goal next week is to do the children's bedrooms. K has a birthday next week and then with Christmas the next week--it all adds up! I have finished all of my shopping except for one gift for Z. It's something hubby has to get so it's on him now. I have everything wrapped also. I will be mailing out-of-state packages Monday. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/751599/ Sat, 12 Dec 2009 19:49:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/751599/ All 3 children went to the dentist last week. K loves to go--she's never had any trouble with anything so it's still fun for her. Here she is in her fancy shades..... T doesn't mind going, but we did find out about a small problem with his 6 year molars. They have come in partially but are at an angle because of baby teeth in front of them. They would normally pull the baby teeth, but the x-rays show he has no permanent teeth under those 2 baby teeth. So...she wants to save the baby teeth as long as she can. We went to an orthodontist to follow up and they put a metal spring in between one of the molars and the baby tooth. I don't know why they didn't do both sides. We go back in 3 months to check on this. They are talking about putting braces on the back teeth to help this problem. Otherwise, the dentist will put crowns on the 2 baby teeth. Z has had a jumbled up mouthful of teeth for awhile. He's supposed to get braces in a few months. He had a pretty good report and is doing very well caring for his teeth. None of them have ever had any cavities so I'm thankful for that!                                                                                                                                                                                             http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/740994/ Sat, 31 Oct 2009 13:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/740994/ For today...October 22, 2009..... Outside my window....it is dark and quiet. It is midnight and we are ALL still up! How do we do this??? I am thinking....how glad I am the weekend is almost here. I am thankful for...living in the land of plenty. I am wearing...a striped sweater and jean skirt. No, I don't wear a jean skirt every day! It just happens when I'm updating I guess. I am reading...not as much as I'd like to be. I'm trying to finish the second book in my series by Tracie Peterson. The third one is waiting at the library for me. I need to pick it up tomorrow. Around the house....I really really need to organize clothing. I'm in the middle of the transition of summer/winter clothing and I need to finish this weekend. From the kitchen...I am challenging myself not to buy groceries for awhile! Only milk, bread, and produce. My freezer(s) are overflowing and so are my cabinets. I look around and think I don't have anything to cook. I have decided to be creative and use what I have on hand. It's been fun for me. Of course, this is only the second day.  Yesterday, I made chicken/dressing together using: frozen breaded chicken chunks, boxed chicken flavored stuffing, cream of chicken soup, some milk and parsley. A friend gave me several patty-pan squashes yesterday. I don't know the technical name for them. I fried one with 2 potatoes, and a quart sized bag of okra from the freezer. We all liked it pretty well. I have 3 left, so we'll probably do that again this week. Tonight, I made nachos using: corn chips (freezer), ground beef, taco seasoning, pinto beans (already cooked and were in the freezer), sour cream, tomatoes, green onions, and cheese sauce with Rotel tomatoes. Not bad for using what we have!! One of my favorite things....is realizing tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it. A few plans for the rest of the week.....to update this blog with our week's accomplishments in school, to enjoy the weekend, and to do some mending. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/738363/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 23:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/738363/ Wow! This new format makes it so easily to update quickly! Maybe you'll see more of me on here than usual....   For today, October 14th, 2009, Outside my window....I hear the lawnmower running. Daddy and the boys are bringing around firewood. Today has been our first fire of the season!! They haul wood on a trailer hooked up to the mower and stack it on the porch near the front door. I am thinking....about another day with so much business that school barely got touched! We'll make up for it though! I am thankful for...running water. Our water has been off since last night and it makes me appreciate it so much more when it's on! Our town is so small that when a leak happens, everybody loses water!! I am wearing....a black hooded cardigan and a jean skirt I am reading....nothing at the moment. I finished my book last night and I'm in between. I am hoping....the water comes on soon! I am praying...for our country. Around the house....it's starting to be evident that the weather is cooler; therefore, the children are inside much more than usual! They have several "projects" started.... From the kitchen....I am making philly steak sandwiches tonight. I use the frozen Steak-um's and cook them with an onion and green pepper until all done; I put them on French rolls, add shredded cheese, wrap in foil and bake until heated through. I'll probably serve them with some veggies and maybe curly fries. One of my favorite things:...is FALL!!! A few plans for the rest of the week.....church tonight, homeschool band tomorrow, Z's first day of volunteering at the children's museum on Friday, and catching up on school in between! I don't feel too bad if we miss some throughout the week, as long as we're done with everything that was planned by Friday evening. Oh, and my 2 youngest kiddos are going to start their first lapbook on Friday while Z is gone. We're going to do one about Curious George. I will post pictures later of our progress. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/736224/ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 17:12:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/736224/ I have seen this on a couple of blogs lately and thought I'd try it from time to time. Here goes....   For today, October 12, 2009,   Outside my window....I hear rain drizzling and a car driving on a wet road   I am thinking....how tired I am   I am thankful for....my husband taking a day of rest today and not working so hard!   I am wearing....a homeschool t-shirt and a jean skirt, barefoot   I am reading...a book by Tracie Peterson called Lady of Intent   I am hoping.....we get an earlier start on school tomorrow   I am praying....for wisdom each day   Around the house....is lots of laundry! I'm catching up today.   From the kitchen....I made homemade chicken pot pie and salad tonight   One of my favorite things...is clean fresh sheets   A few plans for the rest of the week are....dentist appointments for all 3 kiddos on Wednesday, Z starting his new "job" of volunteering at the children's museum, T going to a birthday party http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/735671/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/735671/ Our schooling has been hit and miss, as it always is in September and October. We have more days in school than we do off, but I wish we could just have a smooth flow.   My main goal has been working on phonics/reading with T. He can read very well when he wants to. I'm trying to figure out how to get him to want to! I did sign up for the Pizza Hut Book-It program and I think that will be a good incentive. I am using a program called Happy Phonics which is all phonics games. We are also doing flashcards each day from the Abeka program, but I have stopped the Abeka program overall. It just moves too quickly. T reads in the Abeka reader each day as scheduled, but I'm trying to get it solidified very well before moving on. I hear this is common in boys. So I'm not too worried!   I have started learning the days of the week and the calendar with T and K. It dawned on me that I used to do that with Z and he learned it quickly. These two love it! I have a big calendar on the wall and we add the date each day. It has extra pieces for special days, such as Columbus Day today. We are singing the days of the week to Frere Jaques. It works well.   I am also teaching them some sign language. They are enjoying that, and it's something fun. T was using the Bob Jones Bible program on DVD. It was so dry! It was cute, but he knew the stories and was bored. We couldn't understand the words to the hymns they were singing, and we weren't familiar with them. I scrapped that last week and started my own Bible program with T and K together. We are reading a great book called Leading Little Ones to God. We read that Monday through Wednesday, then a Scripture Sleuth story on Thursday, then a story from His Mysterious Ways on Friday. I am also assigning a memory verse with it. We are working on Genesis 1: 1-5 right now   Everything else is going well. I think the jury is still out on Z's Sonlight program, but I love it! I would use it from here on out with him, but I really am trying to "feel him out" about it. He's not saying much and I don't know if that's good or bad. His math is getting pretty tough, but we kind of have to get through it and get through it well to be ready for pre-algebra next year.   I have been surprised at his Language Arts. We are using CLE. Today he started learning about writing outlines. He did very well and he does NOT like to write!!   Overall, it's been good. Now that it's turning cooler, we'll be able to settle down more and put our noses to the books. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/735666/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/735666/ As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartedned. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The other rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't all the earthly fortuns. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I often struggled, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of You." http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/735664/ Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:05:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/735664/ I almost forgot. The boys took the standardized tests in May. Because of several situations, we didn't get the results back until last week. I was so impressed! We do these tests every year but I really was worried about T. This was his second time to test and the struggle with reading had me nervous. T scored right where he should be. I was so relieved he wasn't behind! He scored 3 grades ahead in math and a little higher than that in listening. The little stinker! So many times I think he doesn't hear or me isn't listening. I know better now. Z scored at almost 11th grade across the board. He was in 6th when he tested. Several things (such as reading, vocabulary, comprehension) were post high school level. He's always done well on the tests, but I think he made a huge jump this time! I was surprised because I thought last school year was our worst year of homeschooling as far as being consistent. We were so unusually busy and it "hurt" us or so I thought. Okay. I think I'm done updating for today. I really mean to update more often! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/726345/ Sat, 12 Sep 2009 15:39:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/psalm23/726345/