Observations & Joys of Our First 2 Days

OBSERVATIONS

1.  It's a good thing to ask others to pray as we begin our school year.  I haven't been more terrified of a first day of school since....well...never!  But, I asked people to pray and many dear and true friends did.  I am so grateful to each of them for it is because of their prayers for me and my family that our first day went so smoothly.

2.  It's a good thing to lean on God.  I have reached the point where I truly realize that this is all God's deal.  I have six children in school this year with grade K-9.  I will fail miserably without God's help and I'm holding onto Him for dear life.

3. While I was terrified of our first day, Gloria was excited for her first day ever.  She still loves it. Ok, so it's her second day into 13 years, but....

4.  Long gone are the days of school being done by lunchtime.  School is taking about 6 hours.  On the up side, this makes me feel like they're getting a great education!

5. I have a lot of kids.  And, I have a lot in school.  And, I have a lot of grades to help teach.  K/1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9.  The youngest is learning to read while the oldest is doing experiments on the kitchen table for Physical Science.  This all adds up to one thing....

6.  I'm no spring chicken.

JOYS

1.  My son, the struggling learner, took his first science test today.  He made sure he got a head start in school this year, and he's been working diligently.  Anyway, he only got ONE answer wrong resulting in one of his best science test scores ever - a 93%!!!!!!!!  What a great way to start my morning!!!!  All the helps I got him are paying off!

2.  My 2 oldest are working together in math.  Today, they were trying to figure out a riddle/problem.  Mike was downstairs while Cassia was upstairs.  Just as he was beginning to say, "I GOT IT!" Cassia came bounding down the stairs exclaiming the same thing!  Smiles and a sense of accomplishment - THAT's what makes this mom happy.

3.  Yesterday, my husband said homeschooling is a thankless job. For once in his life, he was wrong.  Gloria, a few hours after finishing her first day of school, thanked me for doing school with her.  Make my heart melt, kid!

I'm exhausted, we're only 2 days in, but I'm less stressed and more excited about this year.  With the Lord's help (a lot of it!), we will succeed happily!

The First Day of School - Delayed

So, I was going to begin school today, until I looked at the calendar late last week.  Turns out, my son had an eye exam scheduled for this morning.  10:15.  Prime time for school.  Who wants to break up the day and mess up the schedule on the very first day?  UGH!

Today, I took my 4 year old to his exam and then went grocery shopping.  Just he and I.  I figure that, as he is the only one not in school this year, he'll start getting less attention once school begins.  It was good to have him all to myself for a few hours - though I found that if he had been our first child, I probably would have been to exhausted to have had any more!!!

Once I got home, I started a spontaneous meal-prep session. I got 4 meals prepared and, tomorrow, I'll prep for at least 2 more.  This should make dinner-time a lot easier these next couple of weeks.  I'm hoping to continue this throughout the year.  I usually make a weekly menu in order to avoid the stressful, last-minute decisions after a long school day.  But, if I can actually get the entire dinner made ahead of time, or even just the majority of the prep-work, life will be even easier...and I'll have more time in the afternoon to get other things accomplished, whether it be chores or rest!

So, tomorrow is our official first day of the school year!  Pray for us!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - Aug. 8, 2011

In my life this week...
I took thing easy and got some things done for our final preparation for the up-coming school year.  I also took our 10 year old daughter to have some minor surgery this past Tuesday.  All went well and we'll find out in a month or so if it was, indeed, successful.  I was reminded, once again, of all those who care for us through their taking the time to pray for our sweet girl.

In our homeschool this week...
We are getting ready to start next Monday (8/15).  Actually beginning to look forward to it!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...
It's taken me forever to learn this, so I'm probably the last person to suggest this, but:  see where you can cut back on your activities this year.  After a down week at home, I'm realizing the importance of slowing down in order to really focus on my family.  Even my kids are tired of running hither & yon.

I am inspired by:
James Knox.  We heard him speak at our annual conference Wed-Fri night last week.  His messages focused on our Saviour, Who He is, and what He did for us and what that means for our relationship with God & our future.

Places we are going & people we are seeing...
Didn't go too far last week, as I said.  Went to church for a few nights, went swimming at a neighbors on Saturday and had some new friends for a very informal supper that night.  Went to a friend's house yesterday afternoon for a good time of fellowship & delicious food!!

My favorite thing this week was...
My husband quit work early on Saturday and took all of us swimming at our neighbor's.  What a treat to just relax with him and have fun!

What's working for us...
Slowing down.

Thoughts I have...
For some thoughts I had last week, check out my post over at Love & Rewards.

Things I'm working on...
IHIPs & lesson plans.  I have 2 IHIPs completed, 1/2-way through a third, and have 3 more to go after that.  Then, I'll be making my weekly lesson plans.  Last year, I planned the whole school year, but I think I'm going to go back to planning week by week, or, at most, do a month at a time.  I use the Bento program on my Mac.

I'm reading...
I finished Julia's Hope...LOVED it and look forward to reading the other books in the series.  I am now half-way through The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure.  There are some words and issues that I'm not crazy about, but, overall, it's a very good and very honest book about the impact of the Little House books on its readers.

I'm cooking...
A ham for dinner tonight with leftover salt potatoes.  Will have to come up with a good dessert to serve.

I'm praying for...
My friends the Snyders - missionaries in the spiritually hard country of New Zealand.  Mrs. S is due with a baby at the end of the month - about one day after they are scheduled to move into a new house!

A link to share...
A picture from the 150th anniversary re-enactment of the Battle of Mannassas.

For more journal entries, go over to the Homeschool Chick!

Making Science Better - for them & for me!

So, I was doing my final school shopping on-line today and I found this:

It's the Apologia Physical Science Lab kit.  This is our 2nd year of doing Apologia Science.  I love how thorough it is while still being interesting.  There are several labs throughout each course, but, last year, we didn't do most of them as we were usually missing one or two of the required materials.  That's where this kit comes in.  My son is doing Physical Science this year and this kit includes almost all of the materials he will need for each experiment this coming year!  The beauty of it is, the materials are separated out by modules (chapters).  It takes the load of thinking, preparing, and running around to various stores off of me and allows my son to get the most out of his science curriculum.  I am thrilled.

I also bought a kit for my daughter's General Science course.  If I could afford it, I'd get the kits for my elementary students, as well.  Hmm...the year's young.  I could always wait till next month....

Check it out.  You can get the kits from CBD (like I did), Rainbow Resource Center, or directly from the people who do all of the work for us...Nature's Workshop Plus.  

Homeschool Mother's Journal - July 30, 2011

In my life this week...
I succeeded in doing something I've never done before - driving from one state to another without anyone to follow or take over the driving for me.  My son & I went down to Mannassas, VA for the events surrounding the 150th anniversary of the First Battle of Mannassas.  I didn't get lost (too badly), no tickets, and no accidents.  Trusting in the Lord to get us through a blinding downpour on PA Rt 15 was a faith-building experience and one that has given me more confidence in trying new things.

In our homeschool this week...
My son and I learned even more about the Battle of Bull Run & Gettysburg.  Other than that, nothing else seems to have been accomplished.

Helpful homeschooling advice to share...
Try to enjoy your summer vacation.  I am finding it nice to just be able to rest and get daily chores done without having to juggle so many things and dropping most of them.

I am inspired by...
Our Marine Corps.  My son and I toured the USMC Museum last Sunday.  Reading the accounts of the various battles and the soldiers, gave me an even deeper respect for those I've always admired.

Places we are going & people we are seeing...
The biggest reason we went to Virginia was to see the re-enactment of the first major battle of the Civil War.  It is impossible to describe the impact of over 8,000 re enactors on the field - rifles firing, cannons shaking the ground, smoke filling the air.  This 2-hour long re-enactment was worth the over-16 hours in the car.   We spent some time at the Mannassas Battlefield Park, USMC Museum, and had a QUICK tour of Gettysburg on the way home.  Seeing Big Round Top was a thrill for Mike.

As far as people - we stayed with my "sis", her hubby, and their sweet one-year old daughter.  My "sis" and I grew up with our families being very close.  As she and I had no sisters, we adopted each other long ago.  It's sad not having her nearby, any longer, but VA is where she found her wonderful husband and I am thrilled at the happy life they've made together.

Once we returned home, life didn't slow down.  We went to our CHOICE Kids Club on Tuesday, went blueberry-picking and swam at a beach on Thursday, went to our home-town parade on Thursday night which was followed by trip down to the carnival for some steamed clams and a stroll.  Friday night, I took my middle child to the County Fair for some mommy/daughter time.  We saw her older sisters who are working there most of the week.  Katrina rode the rides, ate cotton candy, saw the fireworks, and watched the Greased Pole event.  She went to bed just before mid-night.  Oh yes, summertime is a wonderful time!!!

My favorite thing this week...
There are so many things, it's hard to choose a favorite.
1) Spending the weekend alone with my oldest.  No clue how many more times that will ever happen.
2) Seeing my children enjoy the Parade on Thursday
3) Seeing my daughter smile and laugh on the rides at the Fair

Thoughts I have...
Somewhere along the line this week, I had a sort of "revelation" or "break-through."  For sometime, I've been a bit frustrated with the slow progress of my photo "business."  Everywhere  you look, there's another photographer.  People I know are constantly getting more clients, better equipment, etc.  However, when I heard about 2 photographers that I know and what they were accomplishing and purchasing it dawned on me:  these people do not have families.  If they do, they are smaller and younger.  I realized that, while I am envying their apparent success, they may trade it all in for what I have that is "hindering" my photography success - my sweet family.  THEY are the treasure.  THEY are what I'm investing in.  Maybe the time I've spent with my children this week made me more aware of it.  I do know this, I am enjoying my photography and my family more now that I've had this realization.  God is good & gracious!

Things I'm working on...
Check my last journal entry.  Basically the same! :)

I'm reading...
"Julia's Hope" by Leisha Kelley, a depression-era Christian novel that, so far, is proving quite interesting.  Before beginning this book, I finished, "Young Pioneers" by Rose Wilder Lane.  A great short novel written by the daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder, it was very reminiscent of her mother's tales.  For an instant, I wondered if she was "copying" her mother's books.  However, when I saw the copyright, I saw that she wrote it before her mom wrote her first Little House story.  It was so neat to see how this woman used the stories she had obviously heard while growing up to inspire her writing.  Obviously, Laura Ingalls Wilder didn't always intend to write books.  However, she always had a desire to keep her stories alive - evidenced by the fact that she told her stories to her daughter over and over.

I'm cooking...
I will be making blueberry jam later today and made a blueberry-crumb pie yesterday.  YUM!

I'm praying for...
My 10-year old daughter's out-patient surgery on Tuesday.

A couple of photos to share...
Of my sis & her sweet Esther Mae:

For more Homeschool Mother's Journals, go to The Homeschool Chick!  Better yet, join us!

Homeschool Mother's Journal - July 17, 2011

In my life this week...

It has been hot for Upstate NY -  temps reaching near 90!  My hubby got the a/c in, though, without me asking once!!! Love when I don't nag & I know he does, too!

My oldest went to a Boy's Camp and helped remodel a house.  It was a great experience for him - working with other guys as a team and hearing some good preaching.  For more on my thoughts on this, go to my other blog and read this post.

We celebrated our oldest daughter's 12th birthday this week, as well.  Time is a-flyin'!

In our Homeschool this week...

My son actually finished his Science; it was a stipulation for him to finish so that he could work at a local Air Show before he went to camp.  I also read a bit of my daughter's science book with her, as well and we're closer to finishing that, as well.  I still have to finish ordering books and plan next year.  I seem to have run out of steam...

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share...

Umm.......yeah, I'm not much of a help this week.

I am inspired by...

Missionaries who work in places where the temperatures exceed 90 degrees on a regular basis.

Places we are going & people we are seeing...

We headed to a park at the beginning of the week for a friend's birthday party.  Went to a friend's pool a couple of times - LOVELY!  Took some of my children & nieces & nephew to the local Horse Trials on my daughter's birthday.  What a wonderful way to spend a day - watching horses gallop over hills & jumping gracefully over obstacles.  Celebrated the 80th birthday of my husband's uncle and saw/met many family members.  My husband's aunt is in from out of town and it will, most likely, be her last time here.  Hoping to get together one more time before she leaves. :(

My favorite thing this week was...

Cleaning my son's room!!!!  It had been over a year since I had been up there to clean and, boy, what an interesting project THAT was!

What's working for us...

Summer vacation.  I don't know how people homeschool year-round do it!

Questions I have...

Homeschoolers who school year-round:  How DO you do it???!!!  :)

Things I'm working on...

Blog posts, bills, listing books to sell on Homeschool Classifieds, ordering books, making a plan for next year.

I'm reading...

"Signers of the Declaration" by Katherine & John Bakeless  This is an amazing book which is made up of short biographies of each of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  It's amazing to see how our Founding Fathers were still sinners and human just as our modern politicians are, but they feared God.  They had committees solely for the purpose of prayer & fasting.  Thomas Jefferson, whom so many "blame" for the concept of the separation of church & state, was actually one of three Virginian politicians who called for a day of "Fasting, Humiliation, & Prayer" when the port of Boston was to be closes by the British in 1774.

I'm praying for...

Rain.  Friends in PNG need rain to fill their barrel so they can wash their clothes, bathe, etc.  We need rain, but not so much that will ruin the wheat that is ready to be harvested.

A quote to share...

John Adams referring to Dr. Benjamin Rush:  "Too much of a talker to be a deep thinker."  Ouch!

For more Homeschool Mothers' Journals head on over to the Homeschool Chick!

Summer Learning - Pea Harvest 2011

Yesterday, the pea combines were in our fields harvesting the peas.  This is always a highlight here on the farm.  The kids & I, along with my niece & nephew, walked over and enjoyed our donut-breakfast while watching the large machines do their thing.

While my husband plants and cares for the peas, he grows them for a particular company and they are the people who decide when to harvest and who does the harvesting.  I'm not even sure if my husband was in the field at all yesterday.

Here is a short video of the happenings with a bit of commentary by yours truly.  It's definitely something you don't see everyday and your children may learn a little more about where their produce comes from.  Put it towards Ag. Ed.  Enjoy!!