Livingstone Mouse by Pamela Duncan Edwards & Henry Cole

I find great joy in discovering lesser known children's books with delightful illustrations and a great story line..  This would be a great Five in a Row type book to consider..  Livingstone Mouse presents many interesting animals and insects to explore such as the click beetle, cockroaches, a cricket, a raccoon, rats, a bat and of course mice..   Livingstone the famous explorer of China could be studied while enjoying this book.  Also, this would be a great time to explore the 5 senses of smell, taste, sight, feeling & sound as many are characterized in this lovely book.   I love the play on words regarding "China".  Hope you investigate this book with your little ones..  Would  love to hear about one of your favorites..

Using Technology for His Glory

Several Months ago a very precious friend of mine invited me to a Bible Study-Accountability group via text.. I was grateful for the invite and didn't realize how life-changing such a small thing could be!  I was living about an hour from our church and unable to leave my babies at this stage in my life to attend a Women's Study.  I prayed and asked God to fill the emptiness I was feeling regarding this..  His Answers are beautiful beyond my imagination..  So M-F after doing my devotion I started texting my 2 precious friends about what I had studied.  They also texted me  about what they had studied..  I get a 3 fold dose of the Word every morning from these two beautiful ladies..  I started thinking maybe others would benefit from such a sharing of the Word.. so I included others who maybe weren't used to reading the Word every day.. and then some  other friends as God laid them on my heart.. and then my own precious teen daughter.  The most wonderful blessing occurred when my teen daughter started texting the Word to me each day...  I have been doing this for several months now and have learned so much  from my beautiful texting buddies <3  Not only that.. we have been only a text away when a need for prayer has arisen.. and when I don't receive a devotion in the morning I know that I need to be praying.. and asking if everything is ok..  My love for the Word and fellowship has grown and I am grateful!  Please Consider starting a circle of precious texting or even facebooking  friends to help keep you in the Word and fellowship!  Truly it has been a precious treasure! 

David Crowder Band - How He Loves Us (Slideshow + Lyrics)

Isaiah’s & Bethany’s 2011 Summer Reading

Isaiah’s & Bethany’s 2011 Summer Reading List

The Early Reader’s Bible as told by V. Gilbert Beers        10
Wild Baby Animals Polar Bear Cubs by Ruth Owen         9
Pebble Plus Venus by Thomas K Adamson                        4
Wild Baby Animals Tiger Cubs by Ruth Owen                  9
Just For You! By Christine Leeson                                    9
Wild About Animals Raccoon Cubs by Ruth Owen          9
All About Pets Birds by Helen Frost                                  2
All About Pets Dogs by Helen Frost                                  2
Pebble Plus Pluto by Thomas K Adamson                        4
Pebble Plus Avalanches by Mari Schuh                            5
Baby animals Seals Focas by Alice Twine                        3
Pebble Sea Turtles by Martha E H Rustad                       4
Pebble Plus Beavers and Their Lodges
    By Martha E H Rustad                                                 4
Pebble Plus Wildfires by Matt Doeden                            4   
A+ Books Pyramids by Nathan Olson                             9   
A+ Books Animal Patterns by Nathan Olson                  8
Pebble Books Chimpanzees by Helen Frost                    4
The Horse In Harry’s Room by Syd Hoff                       7
Watch Animals Grow Fawns by Anne Wendorff           4
A Visit to the Police Station by Patricia J Murphy         7
Danny and the Dinosaur go to Camp by Syd Hoff         9
Nat Geo Kids Great Migrations Butterflies                    9
Black Spiny-Tailed Iguana by Natalie Lunis                  9
Wild Baby Animals Squirrel Kits by Ruth  Owen         9
Nat Geo Kids Ants by Melissa Stewart                         9
The Sweetest Spring-Disney Princesses                        8       
               

Hannah's book report: The Red Badge of Courage by Stephen Crane

     The Red Badge of Courage will take you on a journey through the eyes of a youth named Henry Fleming, who is a young soldier going into battle in the American Civil War. At first Henry is selfishly proud and cowardly, but as the chaos of the battle progresses, he finds himself growing in courage, humility, and maturity.   This book was very well written and wasn't overwhelming to read. It succeeded in taking me to the action of the  Civil War and showing me what it was actually like to face & feel the desperation of War,  unlike a textbook. I believe that this is the perfect book to read for teens who are studying the Civil war or just for a great read.

Hannah's Book Review on Jesus Freaks by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs

"Jesus Freak".  You've probably heard this term before, but what does it actually mean to be a "Jesus Freak"?  The Devotional, Jesus Freaks, written by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs, will teach you what it is to be one.  You will read the stories of many believers who stood up for their faith in Jesus Christ.  Some stories are quite shocking:  Including Christians being attacked by wild animals for the amusement of others, two young girls being shot by their own pastor, and many being killed by their own families for their faith.  The stories will open your eyes to how good we have it here in the United States.
    
 The devotional goes over why we believe what we believe, how to see these heroic martyr deaths in God's eyes, and how to show love to our enemies and persecutors.  There are also specific prayers for persecuted Christians and their countries.
    
This book impacted my life by giving me a new view on my faith.  I asked myself  how I would respond if I were one of the Believers in these stories.  I have known  that Christian persecution existed, but I have never thought deeply about what life would be like if I were being attacked and hated for my beliefs.   It also encouraged me not to ever be ashamed of God or His Gospel, and to share His love with others.
    
I recommend this book to teens and adults who want to be impacted greatly by those who have given everything for the cause of Christ.  I believe this devotional will encourage you to be a stronger believer and a witness of God's love.



 

Lead Me

Cardboard Testimonies

A great List of 1000 Books for children divided by age and type

I was searching for a list of classics for Hannah to pick from and found this great list of reading materials I thought I'd share :0)  Happy Reading!!

ttp://www.classical-homeschooling.org/celoop/1000-primary.html#picture1-3 

Teaching Phonics

What a journery teaching Phonics has been for my little Isaiah & I..  He has to learn each step slowly and sometimes in several different ways..  This has challeneged my teaching skills greater than anything I have previously encountered.  At age 5 Isaiah was learning his letters and all the sounds they made and really struggling to write anything that resembled a letter.  We worked thru Explode the Code A,B,C & listened to all the sounds of each letter on StarFall.  He tried so hard yet each step and letter mastered was painful and slow for him.  We did flash cards, games and wipe on wipe off books for writing practice.  We have continued to plug away using Sing, Spell , Read & Write, Spectrum Phonics, Explode the Code and Hooked on Phonics over the last 3 years.  After much work Isaiah can now write all of his letters and numbers, knows all of his letter sounds and can read many three and four letter words.  Today we start out with reading the Beginner's Bible together. He reads a page, I read a page & Bethany reads a page. Next we listen to Bible songs and play with blocks or math toys and let him emotionally prepare for the day ahead.  We go on to do JUMP math a new math in simple steps that is great for the struggling learner, then we read and work on Hooked Phonics 1st grade Orange box.  Then read from Abeka Health.   Isaiah needs a break so he listens to Patriotic Songs and practices jumps, hops, skips and other feats of daring :0).  Next we do Abeka History and then Spectrum Phonics grade 1.  After another few minutes play time we do Explode the Code book 2 and read a couple books about his favorite topic:  science.. we have learned about insects and volcanoes, how cars work  & the planets among other things.  All the kids take a nice long PE Break and have lunch.  After lunch we read lots of stories together and rejoice because we've put in a faithful day of school.  It is sometimes very hard to be a homeschooling parent to a struggling learner.  Slow and steady at the pace that reaches your child has been what works for me.  Along the way Bethany age 5 has gone thru each step with her big brother and has learned to read well.. so I am greatful for that <3
Galations 6:9  And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Soul Surfer Official Trailer

Home School - A True Story (Part 1)

How He Loves Us - Kim Walker / Jesus Culture

Brandon Heath - I'm Not Who I Was

Sanctus Real - Lead Me (Slideshow With Lyrics)

Pineapple Princess / Annette Funicello

Lilo & Stitch - Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride

Jason Castro Somewhere Over The Rainbow American Idol Top 8

I Will Survive- Homeschool Version

2011-2012 Curriculum Plan

Isaiah & Bethany (Grades 1 & 3)

Bible:  Read Leading Little Ones to God, Lots of Bible Stories, Listen to Bible Songs & Do Memory Verses
Math:  Saxon 1 & 3
Language:  Grand Tour 1 & a trip to the library every other week for new books to explore
Science/Health:  Abeka 3
Social Studies:  Abeka 3
Electives:  Art Projects, Friday Co-op classes & Music

Aaron (Grade 7)
Bible:  Read thru the NT, Jesus Freaks and a Bible Study of his choice
Math:  Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
Language: Finish Easy Grammar 6, Abeka Spelling 7, & Abeka Literature grade 7, Jump In Writing
Science:  Abeka 7
Social Studies:  Abeka 7 World History
Electives:  Art Projects, Logic, & Friday Co-op classes

Hannah (Grade 9)
Bible:  Bob Jones Bible Truths D, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, Prayer Journal & Service Projects
Math:  Finish Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra..  and Teaching Textbooks Algebra
Language:  Easy Grammar Plus, Writing  Strands 4 & Movies as Literature
Science:  Precepts of Anatomy & Physiology & Genetics Lab Work
Social Studies: 20th Century American History by Switched on School House
Electives:  Art Projects (God & the History of Art, Guitar, Teacher's Assistant & Co-op classes)



Companies I order from:

Rainbow Resource
Christianbook.com
Timberdoodle
Abeka
Lamppost Publishing

If anyone has experience in using these curriculum choices I'd love to hear from you.. also if anyone will have any of these items available for the upcoming year.. would love to bargin with you :0)  Thanks a bunch!

Breakfast...

     So after years of doing breafast one way.. God has lain on my heart that He desired a different sort of morning for our family.  I used to get up do my devotion, make my husband breakfast and start school at 9am..  Well, I discovered that my oldest daughter wasn't eating breakfast and the little kids were not eating as well as they could be.  I always had cereal and oatmeal so they could just get up and help themselves when they were ready.  This week was a new week.  I've been getting up a little earlier and making breakfast for everyone and we all sit down to eat at 9am..  Even my sweetheart has been able to join us each day.  Day 1 we had scrambled eggs, toast & sausage.. Day 2 we had french toast and sausage... Day 3 we had omlettes with hash browns..   It has worked out great and everyone stays full until lunchtime!  Eating a good sized breakfast has also helped the kids be more alert for school.  We've also been able to start reading A Closer Look at the Evidence by Richard  & Tina Kleiss during our breakfast time together.  This book is a wonderful little devotional from Apologia-simple and thought-provoking.  Eating breakfast together is already becoming a treasure for our family.  It's wonderful  to have a time around the table to laugh, share, be nourished and nourish <3 

I'd love to hear how you do breakfast at your house<3  Please share.



Jan Brett's Snowy Treasury

I've made many mistakes in parenting.. one thing I do feel good about is reading everyday to my children.  I found a delightful treasury of 4 books by Jan Brett.. the included books are Gingerbread Baby, The Mitten, The Hat & The Three Snow Bears.  a group of wonderful read out loud stories.  The illustrations take this book over the top, educate and help you to explore things new and exciting.  I hope to do  at least one of her stories for our Friday School PreK/K class.

Our Daily Schedule

 My School Day Scedule

7:30    Rise and Shine.. Devotion & Shower

8:30    Make Breakfast

9:00    Family Devotion & eat yum...  Nice time to connect and see everyone's face <3

9:30    Big kids start school/ Mom cleans up

10:00  Start School with the little ones

11:30  PE

12:30  Lunch

1:00    Finish School with the little ones

2:00    Start chores..

2:30    Snack & break

3:00   Deep clean 1 room or finish laundry

4:00   Free time :0)   

Every trial has been overcome with blessings!

As I think upon the trials in my life.. I realize that every sorrow, heartbreak and loss has been overcome with at least a 100 blessings to take its place.  When I couldn't get off the ground God lifted me by filling my life with hope and surrounding me with just what I needed to get up.  I don't want to forget all the people who have blessed, helped, encouraged and gave when I could not.  Today I am greatful to be helped.  I am blessed and want to pour out that blessing unto others.   May I bring some sunshine into your life today..