My Birthday!

My birthday was yesterday and I had so much fun! Mike was off of work and that was a plus! He bought me this nice stainless steel pot and pan 10 piece set that I have been wanting for a long time. I even cooked lunch for the girls with the 2qt sauce pan. We also went out to eat at Cracker Barrel. It was really, really good! Then I wanted to rent a movie. We rented The Nativity Story (I had been wanting to see that for a long time). It was such a good movie. It showed the girls how people lived back then. It was a really good day...even though I am another year older! ;-)

Today, Mike is taking the girls fishing again. They aren't staying as long this time because it is just so HOT! I put a lot of sunscreen on the girls and they took PLENTY of water. I believe they are going to the state park again. They caught fish last time but they had to throw them back because they were small. R really wants to catch big enough fish to have for supper. I pray they have a good time...it is sometimes difficult to when it is sweltering! Today I am doing some major laundry, cleaning and working on Awana. Not sure what we will have for supper yet. As long as I know by 1pm I am good. :-) I pray you have a GREAT Thursday and may the LORD bless you!

Terrific Tuesday!

Since my hubby has been working shift (2 on 2 off, switching between nights and days), the days have been pretty lackadaisical. We have really enjoyed the extra time we have all spent with Mike. He is home A LOT more and for a HUGE plus he is off for my birthday (tomorrow) and for R's birthday at the end of the month! Usually we are home during the time he is sleeping. It is a really good thing he can sleep through anything. Today I decided to go grocery shopping (which I plan to do on Tuesday's or when he is off during the week and coming off of nights). I made the list last night and the menu. The shopping trip went really well! It was the first grocery trip in my new van! I enjoyed it immensely! I bet that is strange coming from a woman with 3 children under the age of 7, but it is the truth. Mike has started to really dread and get cranky when we are grocery shopping so we decided that I should go by myself or with the children (whichever is best that day). Actually I decided and I brought it to him because I know he needs the rest and to enjoy going out and he agreed (he was relieved). I appreciate him and all he does for us.

It was super hot today and I thank the LORD for giving some person the terrific idea for air conditioning! Well, that is about it for today! I need to get some Awana work done!

Have a blessed day! If anyone asks you how you are doing say, "I am blessed and highly favored of the LORD!" For you are! You are a child of the MOST HIGH KING!

Homeschool Open House 2007

Hi! My name is April! My husband and I have been married for 8.5yrs. We have 3 beautiful daughters. R is almost 7, E is 4.5 & S is 2. We have been homeschooling for almost 4yrs. R was 3 when we started. The curriculum I used then was Hands On Homeschooling's 3yr old curriculum. They have curriculum for 2-5yr olds.

Ever since R was 4 we have used an eclectic mix, with a deep Charlotte Mason influence. I have a ton of websites with free curriculum or info on the left. I have used something from all of those. I am using most of the history and science ones this year. Here is what we are using this year:

Bible: The Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History

History: Old Testament and Ancient Egypt from Veritas and the history sites on the left
toward the bottom.

Science: We are coming up with our own units, using some BJUP texts 1 & 3 and using this
website

Math: Mammoth math for my almost 7yr old and manipulatives/workbook activities for 4yr
old

Art : How to Teach Art to Children

Reading: Drawn Into the Heart of of Reading

Handwriting: Italic series

Language Arts: Language Lessons series

Scripture Memory: Awana


For our 2yr old we are using Slow and Steady Get Me Ready. She also likes to play with the manipulatives. We are also doing a Multisport club on Monday's and The Scholar's Guild on Tuesday's.

I have a schedule that you can scroll down to see but that is really a goal, a guide...not the task master. This year I have learned to be more relaxed. But I like to see what I need to do and the time it "should" take to do it. I also have a home management binder. When I get batteries for the digital camera, I will put pics. Linda Fay's website, Candy's website, Tiany's website & this one are WEALTHS of information!

We homeschool all over the house or outside or even at the park! To me, that is one of the ABSOLUTE beauties of homeschooling. Read great books to your children...they absolutely LOVE IT! Ambleside Online is a GREAT resource! We also use What Your __ Grader Needs to Know...they are great!

I have only one tip. This was given to me by a mom who used to be a public school teacher and homeschooled her own children. Her tip was (especially in the early years), RELAX! Too many homeschool mom's feel they have to compete with other homeschool children, the public school kids, family members and society. God has given you His children for a short time to raise them in THE WAY they should go and in the nurture and admonition of the LORD. Ask for wisdom, He will give it to you. Now go over to Tiany's blog and get ready to receive some wisdom from the Homeschool Open House of other mommy's!

Also don't forget to check out all the links on the side! :-)


Wow! I hope you enjoyed reading as I enjoyed writing! Abide in the love of Jesus Christ, OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR!

Powerful...simply powerful

If you want to see something powerful, watch the video at the bottom.

Blue Thistle Books Back to Homeschool Giveaway!

Go to this GREAT SITE and there is an AWESOME GIVEAWAY!
This contest is only until the end of August so HURRY!!!

Fishing @ the state park

Mike is off today and this weekend. He told R & E that he would take them fishing today. He wasn't so sure about E because she usually isn't interested in fishing but she went and he hasn't called for me to come get her. She was really excited, they both were. R was probably more so than anyone. She has been waiting for this day for a while but has really been counting down since Monday when Mike got his fishing license. They love to spend time with their daddy.

Since Mike has been put on shift, we will all spend more time together. I haven't really gotten into the routine of it all yet, but I will. It is difficult to start the day like he is at work because I want to spend time with him too! :-) The routine of it all will come...I pray! :-) He only works 2 wks total out of the month so it is something that I really do need to plan/account for. If anyone has any advice or suggestions on this, let me know! :-) I may have to tweak my schedule again, but no biggie. May have to do that anyway if the Lord leads us to do The Scholar's Guild. I am still praying about that. I just need to lift it totally to the Lord and not worry anything about it. I need to be ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING! We can afford it but I keep thinking it may be too much for me, but then I think it is 1x a week for 2hrs. Mike is off every other Tuesday, so why I am I making it a big deal!? It is so exhausting to keep second guessing myself! Anyway...the Lord WILL provide the ANSWERS!

Praise the LORD! I pray your week was blessed!

My day today!

Well, let's start with Monday. We received Mike's bonus! We paid off 2 big bills. On Tuesday, we paid off another big bill and bought me a van! It is a 2000 Ford Windstar and I LOVE IT! We paid cash for the van so no payments! I would rather pay cash for an older but good vehicle than buy a new and be in debt for it. The girls are really excited too! R said we have room for another baby now! I am not pregnant, nor do I plan to be for a few years. :-) R wants a brother so bad. Anyway, today I am calling to get the van added to our insurance. Then we need to go to a few places and maybe Ft. Yargo State Park. It is free on Wednesday's. I am just so excited! This evening is The Princess Ball. R is pretty nervous about being "crowned" on stage and getting her picture taken. E usually isn't nervous but R rubs off on her sometimes. Please pray along with me that the girls will throughly enjoy it and it will be a blessing to them. I think this will be my post for today. Tomorrow I pray to get some major Awana work accomplished. :-)

Wow...consumation of time!

I have put some of my homeschool bookmarks on the side bar...towards the bottom I believe. I still have quite a few to put on there but I think that is good for today! I hope you enjoy!

Homeschool Bookmarks

I have a ton of homeschool bookmarks saved on my computer. I am not sure if I should put them ALL on the side bar or not. They are at least organized in my bookmark section. I will think about it. That would be quiet an endeavor to put that on! lol

I pray that everyone had a blessed week and that this week would be for the glory of God!

Abide continually in His love!

Optional and quiet time activities

Mon 2-3:30 is Running club/Wed 5:30 for Awana /Tues History Project Day/Thurs Science Project Day/
Tues & Thurs artist, hymn,or composer study

Quiet Time Activities

· Take a nap

· Listen to calm music

· Listen to books on tape or CD

· Color

· Read or look at books

· Quiet and neat craft