Vacation

We are on vacation this week. But always learning. Here is my favorite pic from the Kennedy Space Center visit.

So much to be thankful for . . .

I am amazed at the list created by this homeschooling mom
Following her lead I thought I would try to see how many I can come up with. I'm sure she didn't create her list of over 100 items in one day. So here goes:

My gifts for which I am grateful, the blessings and grace enjoyed in this life:

1. The love of a good man (my husband)
2. A God fearing mother who taught me the fear of the Lord
3. Salvation ...it's free
4. second chances
5. a best friend
6. 3 healthy girls
7. the sound of birds that sing in the morning
8. homeschooling freedom in all 50 states
9. forgiveness
10. panera bagels
11. a good cup of coffee
12. Ross & Marshalls :)
13. a good bargain
14. an unexpected check in the mail
15. learning something new
16. knowing an alternative route in traffic
17. a warm hello
18. blue, see through water
19. Sunday drives
20. Thanksgiving dinner
21. watching Football with my BFF
22. VIP treatment
23. laughs that make you cry
24. traveling as a passenger
25. homemade baked goods
26. summer cook outs
27. new friendships
28. clean sheets
29. fall weather
30. a good word
31. songs that make you cry
32. talks with children
33. talks with wise elders
34. a compliment
35. things that move you to action
36. accomplishing a goal
37. the feeling you get after a good workout
38. overcoming temptation
39. visible growth
40. fresh vegetables
41. Mexican food
42. girls night out
43. Christian radio
44. good conversation
45. a dress that fits just right
46. pedicures
47. time to think
48. trailblazers
49. acceptance
50. an honest opinion

Alright . . . 50 is a good start!

Question?

For awhile I didn't share the fact that I homeschooled so that I could stay focused on what I was doing and to give myself a chance to get my footing. Now that I've been at it for 20 weeks (yes, 20 whole weeks!) now I share more confidently, many times trying to bottle my enthusiasm as to not come off as "you should be doing this too!" The inevitable question from most people is "what made you decide to do that?"
I've yet to come up with a to the point, concise answer. I would love to hear what other homeschoolers say in response to that question.

I have no idea who reads this blog outside of people I know and most of them don't homeschool :) so it will be interesting to see if I get any responses. OK . .. go ahead . . . hit "post a comment" (laughing)...

At some point you have to say no more . . .

I'm talking about buying books. I just keep finding things that I think would be great to incorporate in our homeschool. For the last two days JW and I have been at the CC practicum where I've been learning more about the classical model of education. JW has been in a logic camp. What is a logic camp? Well, Logic is one of the classes she will be introduced to next year, so from what she told me today they did different activities to identify opinion and fact statements. You really have to understand classical education to get it but within the logic class they are taught how to critically think through statements that people make, how to discern truth from fallacy and make arguments that can be supported by truth. A big part of the program is writing, speaking and debating. The debates which are introduced in high school really make the kids examine the truths in their Christian faith as revealed in the bible and teaches them skills to defend their faith. Logic is foundational to debate. So I purchased all the books she will be using next year along with some great grammar finds to begin teaching grammar to the younger two and myself as well.

The kids are so excited about summer vacation. I'm excited about having them all home finally. I'm also excited about getting them into summer reading and math which they just can't understand why I'm so excited about "school." I just believe its been a wonderful gift God has given me - the privilege of being totally responsible to nurture and teach his children at home. Here is the conclusion I've come to - homeschooling and adoption are such a wonderful effective tool to raise up mighty warriors for God's army. OK where did adoption come from? That's another story for another time maybe another blog. But here is a treat - http://buildingtheblocks.blogspot.com/ A family with such a heart for God's children. Their story resonates with me.

A near miss

Today I'm driving home with my two younger kids in the car when a guy turns into my lane from a street clearly marked with a stop sign. He did not stop at all and never even looked in my direction as he nearly side swiped me. I was sure he was going to hit me as I veered into the lane next to me. I didn't even have time to see if the lane had traffic in it. I laid on my horn for a while, the guy didn't even look in my direction. The kids were a little shaken and when I got home I realized my hands were shaking. All I can say is thank God for seeing us through dangers seen and unseen.

Ok . . . what's been going on in homeschool?

3 weeks to go until the end of the "school year." I haven't stuck to my 9 weeks plan but it did serve as a great guide to what I needed to cover. My language arts plan included doing a unit study on Adam and His Kin but I just couldn't get into it. I'm thinking about making it a summer study. We did enjoy Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and followed the study with the video starring Michael Keaton, Keanu Reeves, and another famous actress I can't remember her name. Warning on the video - includes some brief back nudity that I wasn't expecting. It was rated PG-13. I guess I don't really know what that means anymore. I'm pretty much finish with LLATL so we will just read good literature and view the movie if one is available. Next pick - The Last of the Mohicans.

We are on Lesson 91 out of 120 in Saxon Math. But we have the summer to complete the book.
I have one more Unit that I can complete in AO LifePacs. We are finishing up The Earth, Moon, and Sun Unit 608 this week. Unit 609 continues with Astronomy covering stars, and the galaxy.
We've skimmed the last two chapters in our Abeka history chapters. It's just too much information so we've taken the most important information to focus on. JW did her fist oral presentation on the "technological advances of the mid 19th Century." This was an independent assignment and she did very well. She really got into the presentation and included a powerpoint slide with great graphics and a poster board display. I will upload pictures shortly. We are now in the "Education & Culture" chapter highlighting poets, and novelists of the time. This is where I got the idea of reading The Last of the Mohicans, as it was written during this time. I'm thinking of how I can lapbook this material to incorporate more hands-on activities in this study.
Track ends in a week and I think that's it. I am still preparing for next year and look forward starting summer reading and math lessons in preparation for next fall studies. That's it for now.

Lesson for the day

. . . for the gracious hand of his God was on him. For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel. Ezra 7:9b - 10.

Yes, I forever want the hand of God on me. What I've realized is how its so important to be intentional about most things. Do I want my children to adopt the Christian faith? Of course I do. Well how intentional am I in teaching them the things of God, writing them on the doorposts of my home, talking about them when we get up and when we lay down? Are we sowing the seeds of what we want to reap in our lives? In discussions about the children of Israel and thier constant rebellion against God and his Word the question always comes up "these people are punished over and over again for falling away why don't they get it?" We aren't so different. I realize I have to intentionally open that Word, remind myself of what God says and what he requires of me. Things that I know and have heard over and over again but I have to be constantly reminded. Just like our children have to be constantly reminded of things we tell them. This is part of training in righteousness. I have to train myself to do what God asks of me. The moment I don't intentionally seek him out (daily) it is so easy to fall away. Lord, help us in this flesh to go hard after you.

We've been praying about good friendships for ourselves and our children to encourage us in our homeschooling journey and just in our walk with the Lord. What I'm often reminded of is "he who wants friends must first show himself friendly." Proverbs 18:24. Ok coupled with this prayer - we got to do some friendly intentional things. Who have we extended invitations to for fellowship?

This principal can be applied to so many areas of our lives - the discipline of eating right, exercise, maintaining our homes and relationships. Things will quickly fall by the wayside if we aren't diligent (intentional) about the things we do. Some of it is making a conscious decision but not without first submitting to the grace of God to walk in these things. I'm sure I'll have to read this post over again to remind myself :).

My first homeschool conference

I think the 3 hour drive kept me from fully enjoying everything the conference had to offer but it was still worth it. The exhibit hall was overwhelming. There were so many great books and resources - makes you want it all. I did stick with the resource list I plan to use next year and was able to buy them at a deep discount. I am always encouraged by others' stories so that was an encouragement when listening to the speakers.

I purchased the digital edition of Tapestry of Grace the night before I left and read through the program while out of town. I was actually able to plan out the first 2 weeks of school for 4th & 6th grader today along with the worksheets they will need to complete the lessons. Each child will have their own 3 ring binder divided up in 36 weeks with a checklist plan for each week's reading and writing assignments, worksheets that need completing, and any supplements to do hands-on projects. If I can keep up the pace to get the first 18 weeks done by Aug/Sept that would be an huge accomplishment.

Although I'm sure the plans I come up with will not be followed to the letter and there may be times that I have to tweek things it makes me feel like I have a game plan. I did the plans in pencil to leave room for flexibility.