Wishes for a blessed Easter…

 

Because of his sacrifice, his love for me, I will know eternal life…

And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

                                                               ~ 2 Corinthians 5:15

Feelings of…

Lately with all the changes that have occurred in our family life and having to make changes in all of our routines, I have been feeling so overwhelmed, out of control, depressed, and just plain tired. All of which, make my body’s ability to function with my auto-immune issues and chronic pain from the fibro and arthritis that much more difficult.
It’s hard to find words to say how I feel and it’s even harder to find an answer to the feelings and how to “fix”it… I have always struggled with the need to “have routine” and “clarity” in our family structure. And change (especially when unexpected) doesn’t come easy for me.

“I pray that God gives me strength to adapt and make the necessary changes, to overcome feelings that I shouldn’t have, and that kindness, compassion, and love would be what my heart feels instead of the stress and worry that have been with me the last several weeks.”

I was reading my bible and I read this particular verse over and over. It’s words ringing true to what I know has to be done and how I should deal with everything now.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
                                                                         ~ Colossians 3:12
Sometimes, I think it is just selfish of me to not want changes to occur, even when I know they are for the good and will only in the end enrich my children’s lives in so many ways. I just need clarity and reassurance that “I“ can deal with things and handle all that is happening so quickly. And there again, the “me” factor sinks in and I start feeling the feeling of doubt and fear of what is next to come.
I know that thru it all that God has a plan. I know that he is in control at all times. I know that he has all the answers. And that I only have to turn to him for help. But sometimes, that is so much easier to think than to actually do. So many times, it seems, I struggle with just asking for help. That is where I find the wall. The wall that keeps me tied up with those feelings of depression, insecurity, doubt, and fear. All feelings that make it so difficult to adapt and handle change effectively. 
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
                                                                                                    ~Galatians 6:2
I see tiny little sparkles of beauty everyday in the midst of all that is going on. I pray that God will allow me to continue to grow with compassion and grace. And continue to bless me in the midst with seeing the beauty of my children grow in compassion.

Great book deals!!

I love buying books! I love finding books at a great price even better.

This week while traveling with my family, I stopped at a thrift store to kill some time before picking up my mother-in-law.

for $20, here’s what I came out with…

Science :   

• Geology Rocks
• Poison
• Extreme Pets
• Weather by Janice Van Cleave
• Plants by Janice Van Cleave

History: 

• 100 Things You Should Know About A Pirate
• The Story of the Pony Express (Cornerstones of Freedom)
• The Journal Of Wong Ming Chung (Dear America Series)
• Meet Kirsten (American Girl) ~ we already had this one though
• Meet Molly (American Girl)
• Life of Washington

Literature: 

• 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
• Moby Dick
• Benjamin’s Box (we already have this one, but I’ll give it to my nephews)
• Black Beauty

 

Mowing the yard…

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!

DS is finally heavy enough to keep the lawnmower running and be able to mow the yard!!

He is so excited and loves doing it ~ I’m so excited, because I won’t have to be doing it…

Touring the Titanic

April 15th is the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.

The ship struck a massive iceberg late on the night of April 14, 1912. It took approximately 3 hours for the entire ship to sink. The Titanic became completely submerged about 2:45 AM on the morning of April 15, 1912.

So, I thought this would be a great day to take the kids to see the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN.

We got a special homeschool rate and also had the use of the info speakers for the audio tour.

   The view from outside the Museum.

  The size of the iceberg.

It was a 2.5 hour tour that seemed incredible. Each person is assigned a character that actually was a passenger or crew on the Titanic and at the end of the tour, you find out if you survived the iceberg.

We actually saw a passenger that had the same surname as have and that has became a project for DS to trace it and see if he was an actual relation in the past.

The most magnificent sight for me was the Grand Staircase, constructed from the original Harland & Wolff plans with its oak carvings and cherub statue. There is a magnificent glass chandelier that reflects all the light and elaborate railings and iron scrollwork. Then you learn that the flooring was the most expensive of the day in 1912 ~ linoleum. That was a surprise to me… At that time it was more expensive than European Marble.

    Outside with the HUGE anchor

You are welcome to take pictures outside but they don’t allow any pictures to be taken inside.

And there are tons of learning activities “on board” for the kids that they can do that only helps to make the memory of the Titanic come alive. 

   

it’s easy to see the magnitude of the size of the museum from this picture.    

 

  No details were left out ~ even the life boats are on there…

It truly was like stepping back in time!!

4H Demonstrations

Today was “Demonstration Day” for our 4H 4Him Club.

This year the 5th grade had to do a demonstration pertaining to their chosen projects.

This was DS second year doing a demonstration and he was excited to talk about his project this year ~ POULTRY !  (I am sure that you are just as excited as I was about this topic, but he has been on Cloud 9 since we told him he could have chickens)…

He was much calmer this year about doing it and I think it was mostly because he was talking about a subject that he truly loves and is enjoying learning about. In the end he received a purple ribbon and an invitation to the county competition.

  

DS getting started with his demonstration on “CHICK CARE”

  

Explaining the importance of using good feed and proper equipment.

  

Here’s his friend Peyton doing a demonstration on football calls.

Some of the others were ~

   making lasagna

   how to compost

    making a smoothie

 making a homemade bag

They were all great and I can’t believe how much work and effort the kids put into them. GREAT JOB!!!

Spring photos…

Couldn’t resist snapping some pictures with some beautiful gardens on a beautiful day! God is good and his beautiful creation is ours to enjoy!

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth

                                                                    ~ Psalm 50:2

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.

                                                                                                     ~ Isaiah 40:8

Have a blessed day!!

JiuJitsu Tournament

It was tournament time again… The kids had there belt advancement and tournament for their jiujitsu class.

DD and DS both came in first in their divisions and were thrilled with their trophies…

                                                

                                           DD’s division class picture.

                                                

                                                    DD with a hold.

                                                         

                                        DD getting her trophy from her instructor.

                                                           

                                  DS getting his trophy from his instructor.

                                                   

                              My DS, my nephew, and DS with their trophies…

 

 

New Toys from Vision Forum…

Vision Forum has the best heavy duty toys for creative play…

Recently they had a great sale on some great toys… I managed to get DS some great stuff to go –along with or upcoming year when we get into the Middle Ages and then some great stuff to use for pretend play from WW2…

I also got DD some things also since we all know that Gwenivere had her own sword and shield…

                                                         

The helmet is incredibly heavy… He has on his artillery belt, but left the canteen on the porch…

                                                  

King Arthur giving lessons in the use of the sword to Gwenivere.

Learning about Digestion with friends…

I have been so busy with some family things going on that I am finally getting a chance to get caught up on my blog posts… Here’s a post from last month’s Anatomy group.

In our Anatomy group we did some fun stuff with digestion.

We started out with some experiments.

First we did an experiment using spit and checking for amylase.

Then we looked at some different foods and checked for fat using brown paper and a light source. Some of the ones we tested were bread, macaroni, bacon, and cheese.

Then we took different colored yarn, cut in the actual lengths of parts of the digestive system, starting with the esophagus and working down to the rectum. The kids were divided up into teams of boys and girls and had to compete to see who could place the correct color string in the correct place the quickest.

  

Then we stretched all the yarn out to see how many kids it would take to go the entire length of the digestive tract. It took all six kids lined up (head to toe) down the hallway and there was still a little string left.

        

Then we were off to the classroom for some crafting… we created the GI tract our of playdough… FUN STUFF!!!

                  

Then we played a game where the kids had to sit back to back and be the intestine and “squeeze” their “food” down the tract…

 

And we finished off with a fun game where each child has a job to do in the GI tract and the others had to guess what they were doing and what part they were…finishing off with eating some M&Ms…

We are loving this study!!

Fix-A-Word

My friend Michelle loaned me a board game called “FIX-A-Word” to use with the kids… It’s a board game with 5 different ways to play, using a spinner and “prefix and suffix” cards.

The kids loved playing it today.

Sad thing is they liked it so much, when I looked online to see if I could find one ~ there was no one like it for sale… So, I’ll have to keep my eyes open to eBay and such ~ If you see one tell me!! 

Have a great day!!

Midwest Homeschool Convention 2011 ~ part 4

HOMESCHOOLING THE REAL CHILD ~ Susan Wise Bauer
Diagnosing the problem leads to solving the problem!!!

1. What is the real problem?  You? Do you have realistic expectations? Think of things that block the goal. Sit down and write a half page summary of what you think your perfect day should look like ~ then you can evaluate what road blocks are in the way.
2. Do you have a daily plan?  Children need a daily plan ~ so they don’t feel out of control.
3. Have you looked back at where you were a year ago? Have you progressed? Is it real for each child? They are all different.
4. Have you forgotten your child is a human being?  A constantly maturing and changing being.

Look beyond the symptoms at character qualities:
Purposeful~ determined to do what “he or she” wants to do (impatient and moody)
Immature ~ children working ahead of the age/skill level (will often be argumentative, unenthusiastic, restless, distractable)
Single-minded ~ focused on one topic
Multi-talented ~ finds it hard to focus
Independent or creative child
if there is a constant battle ~ CHANGE THE CURRICULA!!
STRATEGIES:

1. “Nibbled to death by ducks” ~ a little tiny bit every day. Release the worry of progression. Give kids time to mature and decrease frustration. 5-15” lessons will decrease conflict and anxiety. Let go of progress expectations.
2. System of rewards ~ there is nothing wrong with occasional bribery.
3. Drop the difficulty level, increase the time ~ by dropping the intensity of the program, you let the child learn at their own pace.
4. Parent / child contract ~ All people need some range of power. Negotiate something mutually binding of appropriate powers. (in writing and in view)
5. 3 - way teaching ~ when kids hit an academic wall, you need to find a way around that wall. Read out loud, read to self, read to you ~ slightly change the variables everyday. (HEAR, FEEL, SEE)
6. The timer ~ this won’t change a kids normal work pace but it will aide in eliminating distractions. Motivate thru rewards when using a timer.
7. BLOCK scheduling
8. Ten minute sprints ~ list people, play musical chairs, liven up the day and the curriculum.
9. Written checklist ~ gives kids control over their day and how much needs to be done before it’s over. They need a visual picture of when they can be done.
10. Create your own curriculum
11. Step out of time ~ YOU are the one in control. Always question this, do it your way.

DON’T GO GLOBAL ~ keep a sense of humor and find a sense of peace. Kids aren’t machines. It will all work out  in the end!

Midwest Homeschool Convention ~ part 3

PREPARING SON’S FOR LIFE: THE MOM’S PART   ~ Shirley Solis
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
   and do not forsake your mother’s teaching
                                                      ~ Proverbs 1: 8
12 STEPS:

1. We need to understand the heart of a man
2. Trust God ~ ask God to show you if you have a healthy relationship with your son.  Psalm 68 is a great place to start.
3. Fight the feelings of sheltering. Let them be adventurous, let them make mistakes and learn from them.
4. Cover them with prayer.
5. Be a strong woman ~ willing to raise a strong boy in the “age of opportunity”. DON’T BE AFRAID!!
6. Be willing to get dirty. Let them have animals.
7. Teach them to have good manners and Godly character.
8. Be diligent and industrious yourself.
9. Be cheerful and show them the beauty of life ~ look inside your own heart.
10. Have a general vision for your son ~ a goal for him to achieve in life.
11. Help and encourage them with their general vision and goals.

RAISE THEM UP, DON’T CRUSH THEM DOWN  ~ Mark Hamby
This was one of my favorite sessions. Grace is something I long to show my children as God has shown it to me and continues to give it to me freely.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.  ~ Romans 5: 1-5
Character and endurance are two of the most important qualities a child can possess. Always demonstrate grace and control with your children.
Instead of your voice, children should hear your heart. They need to see our compassion and God’s grace thru us. They need compassion ~ every morning anew.
He tends his flock like a shepherd:
   He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
   he gently leads those that have young ~ Isaish 40:11
Open your heart to your children. Allow them to see all that is inside ~ the good, the ugly, the kind, and the cruel.
He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction. ~ Malachi 4:6
The results of the curse is:
the serpent ~ will crawl on it’s belly in constant conflict
Eve ~ in sorrow (intense labor) she will bring forth children
Adam ~ in sorrow he will bring forth the fruit of the ground
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen ~ Revelation 22:21
In closing ~ GRACE is unconditional acceptance and forever love.

Midwest Homeschool Convention 2011 ~ part 2

COMBINING CLASSICAL EDUCATION, CHARLOTTE MASON, AND UNIT STUDIES WITH A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ~ David Hazell (MFW)

The main goal I got from this session was to again ~ START WITH A GOAL, GET GENERAL DIRECTIONS, AND THEN REFINE.

Mr. Hazell likened the different learning pathways to roads on a map.

• INTERSTATE ~ is school at home
• TOLLWAYS ~ Christian school at home
• ROUTE 66 ~ Classical Education
• SCENIC ROUTE ~ Unit studies
• RESIDENTIAL ROADS ~ unschooling
• MAP SYMBOLS ~ eclectic schooling

and most important is the MAP KEY which is your tour guide to finding your way amidst all the different genres out there.

One of the most important lessons for me this session was that the most important subject in our schools today should be BIBLE. And it is the subject that even in homeschools is the one that gets put away to the side when having a busy day full of errands or a day when your not feeling well or have a sick child. When getting ready to go to an appointment and getting the kids stuff together, why is it that we always make sure we have the 3 R’s and leave bible by the wayside. It should be the FIRST and FOREMOST subject of importance in our day!!

This should be communicated to our kids ~ so that they know the importance of God’s blessings in our lives and the importance of learning the bible and all the history within.

 

BALLISTIC HOMESCHOOLING: THE BOY FRIENDLY HOMECHOOL ~ Hal and Melanie Young

First and foremost ~ BOYS ARE WIRED DIFFERENT !! It’s okay for them to wiggle!!

Boys are made for a different purpose. Don’t get pulled into stereotypes. God creates each of us as individuals. And our job as parents and teachers is to allow them to learn at their own pace. We need to take what works for our family.

Boys are better at spatial reasoning. Don’t say “WHAT IS IT” to a boy ~ say “TELL ME ABOUT IT”. Another key to remember with educating boys is that they draw and color in “action”.  Don’t let difficulty in one area interfere with other subjects.

When children are allowed to learn later, they learn faster. So it’s OK to learn at the pace that is comfortable for them.

A scope and sequence is basically not something that is necessary for our homeschools today ~ it’s a factory model of education. Homeschooling gives flexibility, so that each child can work at the pace that is for them. When trouble areas arise, it allows the freedom to work through the issues.

Boys love competition ~ make lessons a sport.

Boys get excited over noise ~ it’s ok to make noise. Speak louder when talking to boys.

There is a major difference in how boys and girls view history, math, and science.

For example when teaching history to your children:

• teach girls about culture, foods, clothing, and lifestyle.
• teach boys about war, battles, soldiers, danger, courage, exploration, and adventure

It’s ok to teach your son to be a hero and learn about courage filled men ~ Men lay down their lives for the weak and innocent every day and it’s an honor to teach our young men about these heroes.

Boys are easily distracted ~ it takes a lot of physical energy for a boy to sit still. Research shows mental acuity improves after physical activity in boys. Allow them to do push-ups, run up and down the stairs, and do jumping jacks in between subjects.

Keys about boys to remember:

• it’s ok to write big
• it’s ok to not sit in a chair (boys like to stand or sit on knees a lot of the time)
• it’s ok to do things differently

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Midwest Homeschool Convention 2011

Last year was my first year going to the MHC in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had been several times to our local homeschool conference, but this was the first “MAJOR” conference the I was able to go too. I had such a good time and gleaned so much info, that a friend and I couldn’t wait to go back this year.

I was disappointed over the disinvite that Ken Ham had received and had I been able to get my money back, I would probably have cancelled my trip due to my feelings of his being treated unfairly and unjustly.

But Ken is such a gracious man that he extended an invite to all families with paid admission to the conference to be allowed to tour the “Creation Museum” over the weekend and we even heard him speak there. I was happy to be able to shake his hand and let him know his stand was appreciated by my family. And the 20% discount on AIG products was awesome as well!!

Here’s some of the information and lessons I gleaned from the speakers this year:

LIES HOMESCHOOL MOMS BELIEVE ~ Todd Wilson

The most important lesson I learned from Mr. Wilson was to “TAME THE TECHNO-BEAST” . This is has been something I was already striving to get under control. It is so easy to get online and waste numerous hours of the day. I  now make it a point to only check e-mail briefly in the AM before we start school and to avoid getting online for anything other than education during our school day.

Another lesson I came away with was my perspective on “HOMESCHOOL FOG”  ~  it’s ok to have a messy house and eat cereal. You are a homeschool mom and your first priority is to teach your children and help them to become all they can be.  

These days it is so easy to have feelings of inferiority in the society we live in and the techno-beast makes it all too easy to compare ourselves to others who we might think are doing a better job at teaching their kids, cleaning their houses, fixing 4 course dinners. We really have to work at combating these feelings and to realize that we are individuals and no two families are alike.

Some ways we can combat those feelings of inferiority are:

• Be REAL
• be open, honest, and vulnerable (let people see the “REAL” you)
• don’t hide (it’s ok if your friends come over and see the science experiment on the kitchen counter or the laundry being folded on the couch)
• don’t compare (a difficult thing to do in the modern day world of blogging)
• talk about issues with others (they probably have the same problems)
• PRAY by yourself and with others (this is a biggie for me ~ everyone needs more prayer and warm thoughts these days)
• talk to your husband ~ let him know when you are overwhelmed and needing help ~ it’s ok to get him involved
• allow others to be “real” with you ~ it’s easier to be real with others when they can be real with you

Finally the two most important steps to defeating the lies that homeschool moms believe:

THERE IS NO ONE BETTER THAN YOU TO TEACH YOUR KIDS

YOUR KIDS WILL BECOME WHAT GOD INTENDED THEM TO BE ~ ACCEPT AND LOVE THEM FOR WHO THEY ARE, NO MATTER WHAT

 

HISTORY VIA THE SCENIC ROUTE ~ Diana Waring

History is everything that has ever happened. In history our children will see God’s faithfulness and the courage of others.

Come and see what God has done.
      See what wonderful things he has done for his people!
He turned the Red Sea into dry land.
      The people of Israel passed through the waters on foot.
     Come, let us be full of joy because of what he did.
He rules by his power forever.
      His eyes watch the nations.
      Let no one who refuses to obey him rise up against him ~Psalm 66: 5-7

I guess the major concept for me in this session was “WHY THE HURRY?”

Why do we get in such a rush to teach history? History is a daily, on-going occurrence and we should allow our children to learn it in a way that is relaxed and inviting. Help to foster that love in them!

ANTICIPATION ~ it needs to be there in an effective history program, building up the excitement!!

Some guidelines for a fabulous year with history:

• take time ~ make the decision that it will be so worth making things come to life
• read the map ~ history should be chronological, make sense to kids, geography can play such a big part in this
• a starting point
• not all kids are interested in history ~ it’s important to “hook your fish” by learning how to turn up the interest and create that love for learning.

History should involve the senses:

• see it
• taste it
• hear it
• touch it
• smell it

 

NOTEBOOKING: CREATIVITY WITH A PURPOSE ~ Jeannie Fulbright

Notebooking is an education methodology that employs a child’s comprehension, critical thinking, and creativity to produce a permanent work of artistic and academic value. This will replace artificial learning with real understanding. By using narration, learning is increased by retention through engaging the child and teaching them to focus on the topic. It replaces worksheets and tests by engaging the whole mind by teaching contemplation, thinking skills, and employing long term memory.

The benefits of homeschooling are:

• promotes retention
• transmits ownership of knowledge
• learner becomes author
• learner gains confidence
• can intelligently discuss subject with others
• enjoys learning when the pressure is off
• provides record of subjects studied
• provides method of review

How to notebook: After learning, a child will ~

• write
• draw
• color
• collect
• create
• craft
• picture