Week in Review 8/21/09

And our 2nd week...

Son...
...is flying through "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch". Loves it.
...handled his first algebraic stumbling block very well.
...began writing full-page narration! Whoopppeee!
...began regular tennis lessons after enjoying a tennis camp.
...started reading "Adam and His Kin" and really loves it, too!
...got his trombone put together for the 1st time.
...getting excited to go see the King Tut exhibit next week.




Daughter...
...continued to fly through her math.
...continued to also fly through her phonograms!
...started her new learning log for spelling.
...began regular copywork.
...watched video of "God's Story" on Christian Answers, with brother.
...is enjoying being read to much more as of late.
...also enjoyed her tennis lessons.


The Mama...
...is setting up some good routines.
...is thankful both children are enjoying their lessons!
...loves the new resources for this year.
...read together about William Cowper in "Mr. Pipes" book.
Learned the hymn, "Sometimes a Light Surprises."
...needs more time in the day.
...is determined to stick with nature study even though it's most out of character!
...may have to set "Swimming Creatures.." aside--tough decision.
...finished reading "The Hidden Hand", by E.D.E.N. Southward.

Week in Review 8/14/09

A little late, but here's what happened our first week:

Son...
...started 5th grade.
...began geometry completely on his own.
...also decided to tackle algebra.
...learned his first latin words.
...committed to reading his Bible on his own.
...stood with the Lincoln family.
...toured the Lincoln home, tomb, & museum/library.
...did first written narration, on the creation story, with minimal hysterics.
...began reading about Leonardo DaVinci.
...read "First Book of Ancient Egypt".
...began reading "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch."


Daughter...
...began Kindergarten.
...got to skip several math lessons.
...quizzed all phonograms: oral & written.
...heard the creation story.
...excitedly continued her reading from her reader.
...was always ready for the next thing.


The Mama...
...met Monday with joy and relief!
...invited the Holy Spirit to be present in all we do.
...cheered daughter as she got into the swing of participating more in lessons.
...drove to Springfield, Illinois to see Lincoln.
...was rejoicing to have friends along!
...was ready for the weekend.


**My apologies to Daisy for stealing her idea for this post! Forgive me!

Where Does Paper Come From?

I'm not a tangent person...really, but I have small children and I've been inspired to answer their questions (on occasion!). Today son asked, "Where does paper come from?" I was so glad that he was seeking how paper was made (and only paper!), that I decided to do a youtube search! We found a neat video and thought we'd share!

Of course, he quickly wanted to know if he could make some himself...even after seeing the huge factory! Oh my. With a quick google search, this is what I found:

A tutorial that looks very thorough...and another video on how to make paper with your kids.

Not sure when we'll get to this (hmmm) but there you have it!

What Public School Teachers Don't Get (or Even Want...But I Do!)

There is "something" very important to the core of family that happens at a variety of times--good and bad. When homeschooling though, there are extra added elements--time & opportunity--that make this "something" like a warm glowing flame that burns and shines the most awesome light. It makes everything fresh and new. It is divine. What is it, you may ask?

Hugs.

The ones that come when a child spontaneously leaps from his lessons in moments of victory, springing towards you with open arms that soon seal you in the most glorious hug. The ones that come when a child leaps from his lesson, feeling remorse for a rotten attitude and thankful to you for loving him anyway...and he hugs you.

Hugs.

Better, still, when they are given as well as received. In the giving, there is hope (as well as love). There is thankfulness and there is a joy that is immeasurable. There is understanding. Forgiveness. Triumph.

Hugs.

Get some...Give some... today!

The Secret to Homeschooling Freedom

I recently downloaded an article from Homeschool Freebie of the Day (you can still get the article here) entitled, "The Secret to Homeschooling Freedom" by Joanne Calderwood. It's subtitled, "How the self-teaching method can revolutionize your homeschool!" We've all heard of self-teaching, as homeschoolers, and I'm sure we all have varying degrees of understanding as to what it truly means. I remember early in my homeschooling days, being told indefatigably, that all homeschooled children would be teaching themselves by fourth grade! Like it just automatically happened as a result of homeschooling! No planning for it by laying the proper foundation. No practicing it with an eye toward any "goal". And no specific direction for reaching that point. Personally, we've used "on-your-own" time, and I confess to sometimes acting as though it was my vacation! Subsequently, those times were sporadic and admittedly neglectful.

I have to say, I'm beginning to understand more correctly, the need, motivation, and results that may come from having children self-learn. Sure, there are extra benefits of more time for mom to get that laundry done and bake bread, or more importantly, be with younger siblings, but what are we really talking about? Instead of the issue being all about "me", suddenly I'm seeing a different picture. One of excellence and purpose. This way of thinking and doing fits perfectly with our foundation of Biblical Principle Approach (The Principle of Self-Governing) as well as our desire to instill habit (good habits!) as a way of life.

Shame on me for never considering that my now fourth grader would need training to study. Or even learn the purpose of record-keeping. Shame on me for setting goals for my children and never letting them in on 'em. Shame on me for doing more for him than I should and thus, not allowing him to do all he could for himself!

As I consider the ideas put forth in the article, I realize that, like any good revelation, the thought process can be defining. I honestly feel as if God has given us a gift of revelation! After I absorbed the information from the article and prayed it through, I sat down with son and told him what I was seeing. He didn't bat an eye, but rather considered it as the next logical step in his "growing up". So, game on!

I'm now working on his own record-keeping pages for his notebook, then I'll be transferring some of my planning sheets for the next quarter over to him to use for his daily work. We'll take a step-by-step approach at first, with him beginning by checking off and owning each task. Then, he'll record his daily efforts. Lastly, he'll plan for his own days. I'm not certain how much time will be between these efforts. We'll take it a week at a time and see. We will also still do a few subjects together: Bible, History read-alouds, and Math. Also possibly Science (Exploring Creation With Botany) as daughter has listened in on our lessons and has picked up quite a bit that she is obviously interested in!

I believe son will truly blossom (do son's blossom?) with this thinking. I'm also encouraged that it will allow our time together to be less taskmaster driven and more Mommy driven, as this has bothered us all from time to time! I'm sure it won't hurt daughter, either!

Now daughter, who just turned "the mighty FIVE", will also begin her training by checking off each subject she accomplishes each day. That will be her job.

If you can't tell, I'm really excited about this next step in our homeschooling journey. God always provides a way, the resources, and the grace and mercy we need to live each day. It doesn't get much better than that!

Abe Lincoln Visits Indiana

About a week ago, we were honored to attend the re-enactment of Abraham Lincoln's famous visit to Indianapolis in 1861, while on his way to Washington after being elected President. The speech was given on the steps of the State House and was hosted by the then governor of Indiana, Oliver Morton. After Lincoln's speech, a reporter questioned Lincoln and his responses were heard by all.

This re-enactment was so fun. They took great care with the details, (except that it actually took place on a cold, snowy, February day) including a world-renown Lincoln impersonator by the name of Fritz Klein. He was incredible! (If you ever get a chance to see him, you won't be sorry!) Both my children were mesmerized, which is saying a lot considering the speech was political, the sun was in our eyes, and daughter is just four. We were sad that there wasn't a bigger crowd, and that there were hardly any children, but some schools here had already started.

Having the governor and the reporter (actors) also present was like the icing on the cake. It made the experience a lot more real. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and since we are deep into our Civil War studies, I was very curious to hear what the President-elect had to say on a few issues. Very interesting stuff.

After the event, we headed to the Indiana Historical Society for the afternoon. They had Lincoln crafts, Civil War & Lincoln exhibits and a great picnic spot on the canal, that we enjoy. This was all part of the Lincoln Bicentennial celebrating 200 years of Abraham Lincoln.

Next, we'll be heading to Springfield, IL (sometime this fall) to visit his home there. We've already been to Lincoln State Park in southern Indiana. That was a lot of fun too!

So Much To Tell: Not Such A Surprise!

"Literature.": The second thing that son wrote down on his "positive reinforcement" list his first day of lessons (after proclaiming his loathing of school).

Son loves literature! It's no surprise, really. My children just love good books. The fact that he thinks he knows this story so well, since he's listened to the dramatization a hundred times! (It's really good, too!) This has not dampened his enthusiasm to hear it read aloud. He's only sad that I'm keeping to a slower pace so that we can notebook. Daughter is truly enthralled as well. Me too! It's been years since I read the story and I have my old copy with beautiful pictures to inspire.

I found a neat resource at CurrClick to go along with the book. There are some errors in the e-book, but it's still a great resource. Son has actually enjoyed recording his thoughts on our reading, as well as being introduced to ideas like compare and contrast, and we're only in the second week!

I look forward to our time with this treasured book.

Helpful Font

Here is a helpful free font that you can download if you have young beginning writers who enjoy tracing!

So Much To Tell: Being Four

Our four year old was quite eager to begin school. I was happy to see her enthusiasm and have enjoyed seeing her reactions all week.

Some of the highlights include her love of memorizing scripture. She asks for MORE! She also likes our hymn and poem time.

She is also thoroughly enjoying our reading aloud of "The Secret Garden", by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

She has begun her Spell to Write and Read and is beginning to write the phonograms. I will need to keep coming up with new ways for her to practice because she gets bored with the repetition. The pre-printed sheets I've used, she doesn't like. She likes her wipe-off book with the colored markers, but gets tired of it. Time to get creative.

I've started her in RightStart A, which she also likes and is doing quite well with. Who wouldn't! It's a great series.

I'm happy that most of these things just take a few brief minutes. I'd forgotten how nice that was! She moves from one thing to the next very quickly.

Most of all, she is enjoying the art time with her brother, and her piano lessons. We are using Artistic Pursuits which is so fun! This week alone they have used paint, chalk and modeling clay.

I'm using the Bastien Piano Party (available from your local retail music store) series for her piano time and she loves it--wants to play all the time!

I've started her with the Noah Kindergarten lessons (though she's still a bit young for it) for Bible and Literature. The lessons are so short, I'm finding it hard to adjust to the slower pace and the spreading it over a week business. I'm also tweaking because who can help but, at this stage in the game! I'm mainly using them for more foundation development.

I'm doing a good job thoroughly wearing her out! She had to lay down for a few minutes one morning because she could hardly hold her head up. She hasn't napped regularly for about a year and probably should! Her little brain is very busy.

So Much To Tell: Surprises!

With every new day, comes a surprise or two! My most pleasant surprise has been son's interest in our writing lessons from Institute for Excellence in Writing.

On Monday, I set up the video for him on my laptop at the dining room table. I made a point of removing myself from the temptation to let him watch it on TV like it was a show. Next I handed him a PEN (recommended) instead of a pencil. He was curious. He fussed a bit at first, but by the time he finished the 40 minutes, he was sold!

My totally reluctant writer may be a thing of the past! He has written his assignment for 30 minutes each day without complaint. He completed his great "work" and proudly presented it to me today.

Part of my "master plan" to get him writing was the purchase of a portable recording devise. I presented him with it today after a full day of lessons with no whining. One of the first things he did was record himself reading his story! That would be me jumping up and down and woohooing in the corner! :) He then set off to record his own version of the Jonathan Park stories (after I told him about the newest volume being released).

In case you haven't heard Andrew Pudewa, or purchased the IEW program, YOU ARE MISSING OUT! It is beyond good and Andrew is an incredibly smart man and gifted speaker/teacher.

So Much To Tell: The Rough Spots

Our roughest spots out of the gate these past three days, were undeniably math and spelling: two places we've achieved the most and had the best results curriculum wise.

First off, as we moved to Level E with RightStart, there was seemingly no review. Son panicked and did not handle his fear well. The lack of summertime practice took it's toll and patience became the order of the day as I watched him struggle to remember his tens facts. (It has begun to come back quickly now.) Needless to say, math took a good hour. There were tears and lots of hugs. We're over it now. :) Prayer helped immensely and then there was this...

I took the advice of the great Andrew Pudewa and used a white board for the first time. Success! Son loves the board and has asked to use it everyday so far. More than that, his attitude has done a complete about face. Of course, it may also have to do with the disciplinary tactic that I'm resorting to.

I'm calling it "positive reinforcement". Every time he whines or cries and utters words in the categories of "I hate..., I can't..., No...", he must write three things down that he loves about school. It will be a running list and no two items may be the same. The more he utters, the deeper he's going to have to dig. It's my most brilliant mommy moment in quite a while, if I do say so myself. He gets it and there's no room for misunderstanding.

Back to the math. It was just today (third day) that I heard it: "This is fun!" I'm recording it here for posterity so that I'll remember that, if even for a moment, math was fun. My cup runneth over.

The last tactic that I embraced was that of letting son decide when he would do his math. He has wanted it first thing when he is fresh. A bit of good wisdom that has helped. I think we're over the hurdle now, so we're going to try it after Bible. (I like to have Bible first thing, don't you?)

The second bump in the road was spelling. This makes little sense to me. He's good at it, it's not hard and there was nothing new. We continued the same routine (with Spell to Write and Read) and began with review words. Mentally, he's gotten into an attitude rut with spelling and he knows it. A couple of things will help: more prayer! use of the "positive reinforcement" tactic, and the use of the recorded spelling lists on the ipod. Also, he does like his new notebook pages for spelling. Today there was nary a peep from him about it. The conniption fit of Monday is just a faded memory. May it ever be so.

That's the extent of our rough spots so far. Well, unless you count daughter's "adjustments" into a learning routine...but that's a different story!

So Much To Tell: The Schedule

We have three days of school under our belt and are making all kinds of progress! I must tell you how grateful I am to my prayer buddies who lifted us up this week. Thank you, thank you!

Let me just tell you how thankful I am. I'm thankful that Monday's only happen once a week and that the first Monday of a school year only happens once a year! Yuck. Now, while it wasn't completely horrid, it had it's rough moments and they were looonnggg moments. Our day began at 7am; school starting at 8:15am and ending at 4:30pm. Yep. It was a long one.

I'm happy to report however, and am oh so grateful, that Tuesday came in two hours less. Whew. Today lessened the load still further by another 15 minutes. I'm hoping we'll sit comfortably at 1:30ish.

Getting everything done was not an issue since we literally had all the time we needed. I'm thankful, again, that experience has shown me that things will settle down as time goes on. The schedule that I made for the first week lasted half the day as I "let it go" for better results. The next schedule I made didn't get used at all, and I'm contemplating whether or not we've had enough days to justify truly attempting a third! I will say, nothing would have come together if it weren't for check lists. LOVE check lists!

Overall, daughter's lessons did not take near as long as I thought they would, and son's are about what I expected, give or take a bit. It shouldn't take too long to find a balance.

I'll add that time-wise, we've all gotten up on time and done very well getting ourselves together, breakfasted up and moving. By last night, however, this Mommy was feeling it. Just a wee bit on the tired side (iow--wiped out!). That carried forward to dragging myself out of bed this morning, rather than the bounding out that I had hoped for.

I'm excited to share more about what we are doing. It's going to be a great year!

Sunday Night

It's Sunday night. Down to the wire and I think I'm finished. Oh, I'm sure I could come up with something else to plan or organize, but for the moment, I'm done. I'm ready.

I asked daughter if she was excited about starting school tomorrow and being with Mama and brother to learn good things. She said no. But, she said yes yesterday and earlier today. I pick those answers!

Son. Well, I'm trying not to project my anxiety over him "hating" school work. Especially because I know he really doesn't hate it, but is dealing with this 8/9 yo attitude issue that I keep hoping will pass. Now would be a good time. :)

I'm concentrating on thankfulness. I don't want this week to be about my efforts, or my children's attitudes but about how awesome it is that God has given us the privilege of knowing Him and learning all that He has for us. Oh, please Lord. Let us see your face.

I'm nervous about managing both children with lessons. I'm nervous about my own energy level, as well as my patience. I know all too well how the best laid plans of man often fail. That's why it's got to be about Him. I don't want to forget for a moment.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the hottest day of the year, so far. We'll be inside! I offered son the option of having lessons outside, but he wants to be in the school room (pictures to come). Now, having seen the weather, I'm relieved.

I'm really thinking that my response will set the pace for the day. No pressure. HA! I'm not sad that the public school down the road starts on Tuesday. That will help with some issues.

I'm off to enjoy the rest of my evening with a little bit of kitchen cleaning thrown in. Everyone has their clean underwear and 4yo is already asleep--on time! One more to go. If you don't hear from me, send out the troops.

Heading "Back to School"

I've been listening to Andrew Pudewa quite a bit lately, and I've particularly enjoyed all his insights into education, boys and girls.

One idea I heard today as I was listening to "What Are We Really Doing Here?" revolves around back to school time and, in particular, the thought process that some might go through in putting their children back into public school.

He suggests two things:
1. Borrow and read through the text books they will use.
2. Spend a full day in the classroom observing. That should be the least that you do to decide.

I find it interesting how many people over the years have asked if they could observe our school day to see how it works. Granted, homeschooling is not as familiar to most, but there seems to be a sense of disbelief that this "homeschooling" thing works. Our "trust" is so firmly planted in the "way" of the public school. It's familiar, therefore we "believe" in it. Interestingly, no one has ever followed through in observing our day, though being welcomed. Again. Many just don't want to believe it works.

So that is what I'm thinking about this stormy Monday morning as I come down from my treadmill listening.

Back to School Gift Basket

Who doesn't enjoy the excitement of buying school supplies? I know I sure used to. Still do on occasion. As the years go by, however, I need a bulk of them less and less. But one thing we still treasure is the chance to gift our kids with a Back to School Gift Basket.

It's a tradition we began early on. I cleaned up in the $1 bin at Michaels yesterday and filled a couple of their neat, colorful plastic totes that are great for carrying your school work to the porch or swing-set tower. I'm sure I'll pick up a few more goodies for them, but we enjoy the tradition of surprising them on the 1st day of a new "year".

Where You Are

When I was on staff with Campus Crusade, everything was about "going". As you can imagine. Going, sending, going, sending. Nothing wrong with that. I was there because that was where God wanted me at the time. But I'm not there now. I'm here. In my house in suburbia with my husband and children; homeschooling and being a child of the King, regardless of my rather obvious imperfections.

I remember during that long ago time (as a very young woman), struggling with the fact that my very Godly father wasn't a "missionary"...he was a "businessman"--just a businesssman. There was something in the environment in which I was entrenched that, though it was subtle and probably unintentional, suggested that unless you were on the "mission field", living on raised financial support, you were missing "the mark". It was then that I began to understand what the "mission field" really was and what it wasn't.

It wasn't elusive. It wasn't always in a foreign land. It wasn't for just the elite, or the unemployed. It wasn't just for the college graduate. It was in a music store in a small town. It was anywhere a person in submission to Christ was sharing His glory. Even if it wasn't with a little yellow booklet (The Four Spiritual Laws), but by word and deed. It was life in Christ.

In a recent article in Homeschooling Today magazine, there was an interview with Steve Saint. Remember him? Nate Saint's son? "End of the Spear"? Jim Elliot? The man who took his family to the jungles of Ecuador to minister to the tribe that murdered his father and five other men back in the 60's? Well, the article entitled, "Go, Make Disciples", by Mark Robinette, has several excellent quotes. One that really struck me was when he talked about how God gives us His Word, wise parents and counsel as our "fences", or boundaries and then God says (and this is Steve's quote), "'Here's your pasture.' Our job is to be faithful where He put us."

He then goes on to say, "Every assignment from God is an adventure worth taking seriously, whether it takes you to a jungle an office, or your own living room where you are teaching your children."

I love this assignment from God that I am on! He meets our daily needs. He encourages and teaches us daily. He guides, directs, strengthens, upholds us in His hands. He IS the Good Shepherd. And...He loves us. Apart from Him we are nothing. I'm grateful for my experiences in various mission "pastures", but I'm more thankful that I can teach these Biblical truths to my children.

The grass is not greener in any other pasture!

Until Next Year

The convention has come and gone. I'm taking my deep breaths as I settle in with my books, catalogs and planning materials to think about things to come--waiting a year till the next convention.

I had a fabulous two days, to be sure. Good time with friends, acquaintances, and vendors. I was sufficiently inspired, somewhat depleted in energy, and juiced up by the thrill of it all. It amazes even me, how I can find enough to look at and do during two full days, in one large room, yet at the end of day two, I could have kept going. I did not make it to even one seminar. At this stage in my life, they just are not my cup of tea. I'd rather visit.

I was disappointed to not see a couple of favorite booths, and amazed at how many math companies have popped up! Things seemed pared down a bit. I hope that is not a sign of things to come. I can't really say that I saw any new trend or trendy items, but I did notice the passing of a few. I did not see one Charlotte Mason item. I didn't see as many used places as in previous years. There were hardly any science exhibits. I can think of 3 off the top of my head that were a no-show. Interesting.

I was able to get the items that I needed, see a few things I was curious about, be challenged on my math choices (Rightstart is still the best), and even pick up a couple of inspiring items for myself. I could hardly resist getting a couple of Gene Stratton-Porter books I've rarely seen and I bought a weekly journal for each of my children from Notgrass. Gotta plot those milestones more carefully than I have been!

Son got his annual "gun" purchase--this time a WWII rifle. Daughter got her "princess" book. They are both elated. Except that son has already "lost" his gun for the day...

We got up nice and early today and have just about finished our lessons. It's only 1pm. Getting up early is the "bomb"! (Whatever!) Getting up early does, indeed, give you more time in the day. We've finished lunch and will be taking a nice, long walk before we hit the yard and garden, garden center, and grocery. Hope your day is as fresh and sunny as ours!

Study Habits

We're suffering from a terrible condition: poor study habits. And it's starting to cause big problems and lots of anguish. I know that this is about bad habits that I have allowed and good habits that I haven't taught.

It's time to refocus on the habits we need to instill. The goals are pretty clear. I want son to be able to complete his work within a certain amount of time. I want him to be able to do this without complaining and without an attitude of "hating" school. Nothing like lofty goals!

One of the biggest causes of our strife has been distractions. Today, for instance, his sister is very sick in bed and was watching a movie. He wanted to watch to. I said no, but he positioned himself where he could "hear" and "peek". My fault. Then when I finally did move him and instructed him not to get up till it was done, I didn't follow through with a consequence when he did get up...several times. I'm not that great with consequences, especially when I DO see effort.

I watched him do practice problems for math and this is what I observed: He would put his pencil down a lot. Look around the room. Look out the window. Tip his chair back and forth. Start conversations. Join conversations. Need to go to the bathroom. Need a drink. Ask questions. Etc. At no time did he bend over his work in concentration, pencil in hand, determined to complete the work quickly and correctly.

Now, he is a boy...and wiggly, but this is actually not typical of him--except for "on his own" work time. Of course, one solution would be not to HAVE "on his own" work time, but I believe that would be counter-productive. He understands about self-governing, but something is not connecting for him. It could just be his concept of time; it's value. It could just be stressing him out when he's given more than one thing at a time to do.

I promised him today, after many tears, that this was not something that was "wrong with him"; and that it's more about me not helping him in the right way, to be able to do what he needs to do. I told him we would come up with a plan together. So that's what I'm praying for. A plan.

First off, removing distractions is a priority. And I'm going to establish places and work conditions that are unbending. Consequences will include losing privileges that come from having spare time. Times will be established to do certain things, and they will be strict. If work is not completed in that time, the consequences will again kick in. And the thing that will make this a good habit is consistency. Everyday. Without fail.

For my part, I'm going to be much more particular about what is assigned and it's value. I'll be sure and certain that he is given everything he needs to complete the work without feeling stressed by it. I hope. I want him to have the freedom to ask for help when frustrated, or even better yet, before he's frustrated! I want him to have a sense of accomplishment, and I want him to gain an understanding of his own progress as he makes it.

I know that as we begin to make good habits our own, the bad ones will slip away. No more working on a math page for 3 hours. No more of me asking, in my own frustration (and sin) "Aren't you done with that yet?!" Total replacement theory!

This should give us a good start in the right direction.

Convention Countdown

Okay! So I'm a little bonkers when it comes to conventions. Having grown up in a convention environment (my parents owned a business that precipitated this), I crave them like a bear craves honey! Actually, it's honey that I'm looking for!

With only 10 days to go, I'll be excited to embark upon my 7th IAHE convention. I never tire of them. I never consider not going. I look forward to each one with enraptured abandon! How's that for poetic license!

This year a dear friend and I are getting a hotel room for the night and having serious Mommy get away time. Kinda weird considering we live within 30 minutes of the convention. We are really looking forward to be able to go back and forth if the need arises. We love our time together kinda propping each other up--sharing ideas, etc. (Hey Suz! We have "etc's"!) We're also looking forward to some gooood food. Not convention food, but choosing from some of the best restaurants there are! Yummy!

I really love the convention for a number of reasons. I love the encouragement along our journey. I love eavesdropping joining conversations on peoples reviews of books and products. I love holding those books in my hands and attempting to determine their true value. I love running into so many homeschool friends and acquaintances that I don't regularly get to see. I even love searching for hidden treasure. That's my retail background coming out.

I'm not much of a meeting attender. I prefer the mp3's, but you never know. This could be THE year! Regardless, I've come to realize that I spend more physical time in the pursuit of all things homeschooling, than anything else. I'm not just referring to the time spent planning lessons, printing out notebooking pages, or even teaching. But also my own Bible Study time to prepare me to be the woman the Lord would have me be--the mother, the teacher that He would have me be, or even feeding my children healthfully so they can learn better. The Lord has set apart this time and place for this purpose. Homeschooling in the Lord truly is our way of life.

So ten more days and I'll be there. You going?

Year End Business

Trying to make a decision about keeping track of your school year's worth of learning? Check out this very impressive post on "Portfolios".