I Used a Lifeline

This past week was rather busy. We were privileged to have our friends, Jeremy and Amanda Tyler, missionaries to Brazil, with us last Sunday. I was not so privileged, however, to have a cold while they were here. I was doped up on medication during their visit. I also had one of the most embarrassing "Lucy" moments ever this past week, which I will be sharing with you sometime in the distant future. Okay, I hope it won't be too distant! ;) I've also been making Christmas gifts for some people this week.

And did I mention homeschooling??? I didn't think so.

I've been homeschooling this week, also. This is the week before Christmas. I have only bought gifts for one person so far! Can you believe that? Don't panic, it will be okay......I hope.

I decided that I needed to use a lifeline.

You know, the lifelines from that game show, "Who Wants to be a Millionaire"? Yeah, that show.

It was just me and Regis:

"Okay, Valerie, here's your next question, for $50,000. Are you ready?"
"Ready, Reege. Shoot."
"You have Christmas shopping to do, gifts to make, laundry, four children to feed and clean up after, a husband, laundry, ironing, a home to manage, laundry, birthday cards to mail, laundry, and homeschooling to do.

How will you make it work?"

a. Curl up in the fetal position and stare into space
b. Scream
c. Beg your husband to save you from yourself
d. Do not sleep the entire week before Christmas

(That weird wavy noise is in the background. The audience is silent, waiting...waiting...)

"Reege...(big sigh) I don't know. I need to use a lifeline."

That's what I've done. I've used a lifeline.

We began school a week earlier than the public schools in our area. We did this because we would be taking a week off in October for our Fall Revival meeting. We also managed to work ahead in Lauren's Arithmetic, because the first ten lessons were review. Some of that review was unnecessary for her, so we skipped it. This put us one whole week ahead in Arithmetic.
This, my dear blogging friend, has been my lifeline. We did absolutely no Arithmetic for fourth grade this week. None. Nada. Zilch. Zero. I think you get the idea.
Let me tell you, it's been a load lifted.
I am not very good at Arithmetic. Not at all. I passed it, but only because I worked and scraped for every good grade. I perspired. It was serious work. And now, I get to work all over again and re-learn it all with my children. Really, it's been good for me, in a character building sort of way.
I'm so thankful that I used a lifeline so that I could survive this very hectic week before Christmas.
I was planning to blog a lot the week of Christmas, but I don't know if I will get to now. On Monday I will be cleaning and buying groceries. OnTuesday we have a wonderful, sacrificial lamb, I mean teenage girl, coming to babysit so we can finally buy Christmas gifts. On Wednesday we will be baking and wrapping gifts. Thursday is Christmas, and Friday I will be in bed all day. So, it's just going to be a hectic week. Okay, I won't be in bed all day Friday, but I will want to be, I'm sure.

I will do my best to have another chapter/post/installment of my love story up next week, for the three of you who enjoy reading it. Consider it my Christmas gift to you.

What?
That's not what you wanted?

Ah-oh.

My Daughter, the Door Climber

This is what my children do in their spare time. They climb the doorways. Never let it be said that homeschooled children aren't also athletic! I enjoyed Lauren's little feat, (no pun inteded) and I hope you do to. She came up with her own "script"! :)

Have a fabulous fall weekend, everyone!

Hands-On Homeschooling

We enjoy homeschooling. (Most days.) One of the more difficult aspects of homeschooling for me would be completing all of the "hands on" projects. When we do the actual lessons and bookwork, all of my materials are readily available. When we do science projects or art projects, things are not so ready or available. I often do not have things such as red felt, a package of feathers, sequins, or gold braid ready to use. I also do not have the supplies needed for many science projects. Usually. On our first day of school, however, we did have the materials needed to do a few science projects that Lauren's fourth grade book discussed. The first one was a project in which you watch a plant grow. I like plants. They are quiet, neat, and require little care. The second project was how to make"trap" for insects so you could observe them. This one didn't appeal to me too much for some reason. The third one was a project we were supposed to do in third grade science, but did not do because I didn't have frog eggs or tadpoles available. Well, we have a neighbor who has a pool. A frog from somewhere found this pool and thought it a good place to lay eggs. The eggs hatched into tadpoles. So...you guessed it. We now have many little tadpoles swimming around in a jar. We are awaiting their transformation into frogs. (This project is really low on my list people. But, never let it be said that this homeschooling Mom doesn't allow her children to explore God's wonderful creation. No siree. Not me!)
I thought you might enjoy looking at the hard work Lauren has put into her recent scientific endeavors.

Watching the seeds grow was not only a good science project, but was a good Scriptural project as well. We discussed how Jesus said in John 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. (KJV) We were able to see the actual seed covering (seed coat) fall off and die, just as the Bible said. We then saw how the seed brought forth so much more after it died than if it had remained in tact as a seed. This was a great way to discuss that, as Christians, our lives should be given to serve the Lord. We need to "die" to self, and follow Christ and His will. We can see so much more fruit doing this, than by living for pleasure or money. It was a good lesson for all of us! :]

First, we poked holes in the bottom of Styrofoam cups. We then placed pebbles into the cups to prevent the soil from falling out. The holes allowed excess water to drain out. Next came the seeds. We used pinto beans and lima beans because, that's what I had! Lauren wanted to do marigolds, but we never got the seeds. :[

Adding the seeds...the fun part!

We then watered the little cuties.

We then labeled the cups "pinto" or "lima" so we would know which was which. (Are we smart or what?) ;]
Next, we placed a sandwich bag around each cup with a twistie tie. This stayed on until the seeds sprouted. We removed the bag and checked the soil everyday and added water as needed.

Lastly, we placed them on the window sill to get plenty of light! :]

Our next project was the insect trap. Lauren buried a glass, level with the soil, under a bush.

Dad helped too. :]

Then Lauren propped a lid up over the jar using rocks. This kept the jar from getting full of water, but left a space for insects to slide in at.

Lauren had so much fun getting dirty! Here's the finished product! The only insect we caught wasn't an insect at all...it was a spider! :[ We were a little disappointed about that.The plants are growing nicely! This was taken August 21st. We planted them on August 11. They sprouted only a few days later. We labeled them in order that they sprouted, just out of curiosity.Here are the tadpoles. Yuck. I counted over 40. We have since skimmed it down to fifteen, and it will probably be skimmed down even more in the days to come. (Don't tell Lauren.) We change the water every three days or so and feed them pieces of lettuce. They nibble away on it and when it's gone we give them more. All of this in the name of education.Here's our only surviving plant. It is doing nicely. The others didn't make it. We needed to transplant them, and since we didn't, they died. This one, however is still doing well. I took these photos today.I thought it was interesting the way this one is entwining itself around my mini-blind!Here's one more taste of summer photo for you. I love the way Leslie's glancing over at her big sister!I leave you with this photo of Lauren's homemade car. See what I would miss if I didn't homeschool??

Hurray! We Survived Our First Week!

Our first week of school went quite well, actually.I was pleased that both the kids retained some of what we learned last year! ;] I am sooo happy to be schooling Lauren myself this year. It was really hard keeping up with her and my other kids while she watched the DVDs. I know she wasn't giving it 100% when we were not in the room with her. It's great knowing what she's up to all the time! And, the best part, is that we've been finishing up in about 3 hours. It took her five hours with the DVDs, and sometimes more. It's nice not having to "wait" on the other kids on the DVD. I finally feel more relaxed about school too. I am somewhat of a perfectionist, and that was true for my homeschooling technique too. Every problem, every question, every page needed to be done. This year, I've decided that if I'm convinced she understands the concept at hand, then we'll move on. I have let her choose what subjects to do when. (Except for Arithmetic, I insist that it will be first each day, while we're fresh.) If she doesn't like the way we review or drill something, then I let her come up with a better idea. It's really helped her attitude, and mine, quite a bit!
Mitchell has done well also. He is definitely hyper-active. He is also definitely a kinesthetic learner (he learns best by moving or doing) . I am so thankful he is not in a Christian school! He would get in so much trouble for moving, and he would get bored. Homeschooling him gives me the ability to keep him moving along and working fast. We counted to 100 by lying on the floor and twisting back and forth for each number. No, that wasn't my idea. It was his. He had fun and did his numbers perfectly. He would have never been able to that in a classroom setting.
We had several interruptions throughout our days, but I'm trying to take them in stride. I could tell I was a bit tense this first week; anxious about how it was all going to play out. By supper time, I was really tired. Getting dinner for six people wasn't exactly what I wanted to do. Or laundry. Or bathe kids. But then, those are never my ideas for fun even when I haven't been homeschooling. :]
It was hard on the kids to see their neighbor friends playing outside this past week. The schools here in Hope don't start until this coming Monday. I wanted to get a head start though, because you never know what may come up during the school year. I already know that we have a revival scheduled in October, so I'll want some time off then. I really enjoy being flexible.
I want to say thank you to those of you who shared your reasons for homeschooling with me! I agree with you all!
Oh, and one more thing! I've added music to my blog! If it annoys you, you can stop it by just clicking the stop button on my playlist.

Have a wonderful week!

We Survived the First Day

Man...am I tired. We had a very good, but very exhausting first day. Terry felt ill this morning. We thought he was getting the flu. After I forced him (okay, I exaggerate slightly) to take some ibuprofen, he did feel better. I'd like to publicly thank the Lord that he does not, I repeat, does not have the flu!!
We got started at about 8:30 and worked until 10:30, when we took a short break. We then continued on until 11:30. We had everything done by lunch except for Lauren's history. I was pleased but tired. And did I mention I was thirsty? Tired and so thirsty. Anyway, after lunch we finished up history, then I did laundry. I made a grocery list and went shopping. I went to a new store and got sooo much food for so little money. If you don't have an Aldi - which is the all time best money saving store - then I hope you have a Super One Foods. Great tasting generics, great savings and great specials. The only draw back is bagging your own groceries. At Aldi, you can take your cart over to a counter and bag at your leisure. At Super One, you're right there by the cashier and bagging with other customers breathing down your neck. It was a little uncomfortable. After loading them in the van, unloading them and putting them all away, it was time to cook! yay. Did that lack enthusiasm? Good, it was supposed to. I don't LOVE cooking, but I can tolerate cooking. But it's really hard when you're mentally tired and physically exhausted. I made oven fried pork chops. Even my kids liked them! I also made a fruit salad for dessert, and they liked it too!
While at Super One I stocked up on frozen bone-in chicken breasts which I got for $.77 a pound. I bought four packages. I got the pork chops on sale for $1.17 a pound. I was one happy tired shopper.
Oh, and another blessing to share, and then I promise to put an amen to it all! Maybe. :] A very generous, sweet, wonderful man in our church bought us a freezer!!! I am now able to take full advantage of those wonderful specials at Super One. Thank you, Bro. Bobby! And, I'm really sorry for bursting in on your Sunday School class last week. :]
After all that food, it was time to clean up, bathe kids, mop the floor, and you get the idea. Work. And now, my fine and wonderful cyber friends, now that I've bored you out of your skull, I will retire for some much needed rest.
I'm sure you will sleep better now too. Now that I've already put you to sleep.
I bid you adieu as my Dad used to do in his oh-so-poetic manner.
"Goodnight, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite."

PS The time stamp on this post is wrong....it's really 9:55 PM. Just wanted to clarify lest you think I'm some freak who goes to bed while it's still daylight. (Oh, you already think I'm a freak? Well, at least you know that I don't go to bed while it's still daylight. That part we're clear on!) :]

School Starts Tomorrow!!

Saturday afternoon Lauren and I made our way over to Texarkana to get her some dress shoes and...to look at an educational supply store. I know. I'm weird. But I have told you that before, so please, no criticism. Thank you.
Anyway, we got some pencils for rewards for good handwriting. You know, the glittery kind. I got some cut outs for decorations on my "Star Students" board. I'm so imaginative! I got some star cut outs for that! Creative, huh? I was looking for window clings, I just LOVE window clings, but they didn't have any. I also bought a Webster dictionary for the intermediate grades. It's not huge, it's hard back, and it stays open while you're working. Oh, and it was under $20, so I bought it. I've been looking for a good, but not great, dictionary for some time. They were either enourmous and cost $50, or they were tiny and paperback. This one fit perfectly in the "happy medium" category.
On the way home, we were talking about our new school year. One change we've made - that I haven't told too many people about - is that we are not doing the DVDs for Lauren this year! I'm going to teach fourth grade myself!!!! I hope we can manage it! As I see the year ahead of me, I'm a little nervous about it that's for sure! There are so many things I will need to balance. But that's another subject! As we talked about the year, we decided we should make up a motto for each of our subjects to sort of "inspire" us as the year went by. This is what we came up with. We wanted them to all rhyme. I thought they were cute. I hope you like them.
Here are the ones Lauren thought of:
Reading: "Read for Speed!"
Arithmetic: "Don't pay the bills, just do the drills"
Spelling" "Spelling is propelling"
Science: (We have two for science that are about specific areas of study for this year.) #1 "I love bugs, and they don't do drugs." (What a relief! I'd hate for my daughter to spend time with dope head bugs!) #2 "Outer space is the perfect place."
Here are the ones I thought of that Lauren liked:
History: "We travel back through the ages in our History pages."
Language: "We're striving to pass our Language class."

We are really excited about school. For second and third grades Lauren got to sort of experience what attending regular classes was like by doing the DVD school. This year, we are looking forward to moving more quickly, because we won't have to wait on 24 other kids to finish.
I am going into this school year on my knees! I need God's help to get it all done, and to be the right example for my children- even during those tense moments that will most assuredly come. If I had to sum up our reason for homeschooling in one sentence, it would be the following: We homeschool so that our children will grow to love the Lord. That is truly the desire of our hearts. You can accomplish this regardless of what method of schooling you use. We choose this one for our family, but we realize it isn't what's best for every family. I hope I never come across as "down on" other educational methods. I love them all because I've been exposed to them all. I know the pros and cons of public school - my Mother worked there, and sometimes if felt like we all worked there! I know the benefits and draw backs to Christian school, I did that until 10th grade. I know the pluses and minuses of homeschooling. I was homeschooled from grades 10-12, and I've homeschooled my children for five years. As parents, we make the difference regardless of what method of schooling we choose. We are our children's main teacher.
Whatever method of schooling you choose, whether public, private, or homeschool, I hope and pray you have a wonderful year of seeing your children love the Lord, and love learning, more than ever before!

Why I Homeschool

I know, I know. I have a thousand photos to upload and lots to post about our trip, but I can't rid myself of the desire to begin homeschooling! I love it...most of the time! I do have days when I'd rather eat raw meat than homeschool. Okay, that's stretching it a bit, but you know what I mean. Most days, I look forward to seeing what they will be learning and what I'll be learning! :] So, in that "back to school" spirit, I thought I share why I homeschool.
1. I homeschool because my husband said I could. (I love that man.) We wanted our children to be in a school where the Bible was the core of the curriculum, but a Christian school can do that very well. I asked my husband if we could homeschool, because I really, really wanted to, and he said "yes"!
2. I homeschool because I love being around my children doing something constructive. I don't love to be around them when none of us have anything to do, like when we were trapped in a van for 12 hours for two days in a row. Yep, that was our trip home. Or when we all need a nap. Yes, I said "we". I do, however, like it when we are all working on something: art, reading, writing, 'rithmatic. You get the idea.
3. I homeschool because it's cheaper than Christian school, and I really love their teacher. (BIG SMILE!) Oh, that's me! :]
4. I homeschool because we can be flexible. We can start, pause or quit altogether, if necessary, without any one's permission. I am very disciplined about school, but it's nice to know that if we all get the stomach flu, we can take a break and then resume when everyone is well again. No make up work! We can attend preacher's meetings or visit family or whatever. I can take spring break in March or May! It's up to me, er, I mean us! ;]
5. I homeschool because it isn't the books that influence my children as much as it is the people. (Okay, Terry said that. I confess. I stole his line. But it's so true!)My Mom was a public school teacher/principal my entire life. She was a good influence on her kids, in fact, they all adore her to this very day! But, not all public school teachers are thus. This is mostly a concern during those exciting junior high-teen years. Teachers can have a great impact for good, or bad. I want it to be for good. So, I chose me. Not that I'm always good, but I try to be...never mind. You know what I mean, don't you?
6. I homeschool because I love to teach, and no Christian school in their right mind would ever hire me. Just kidding. I mean, I do love to teach, and there may be a school of twelve somewhere who would hire me, but I'm not even sure of that. After all, I hold no teaching degree- although I did help my Mom study for her Principal's certification. Hmmm. That might count for something. What do you think, Mom? Mom? Are you there? Oh, no she isn't. She's in Florida. I'll have to ask her about that later. But you get the point. By homeschooling, I get to teach!!! It's great. In my next life, I'm going to go to UCA (my parents went there!)and then teach, just like my Mom!
7. By homeschooling I don't have to get my kids off to school. We eat breakfast, have devotions, get dressed and then I say "You guys go the school room."
8. Lastly, I love to homeschool because I seriously cannot bear the thought of my kids going an entire day without my knowing what they're doing, learning, saying, and thinking. I may be a little obsessive...okay I'm a lot obsessive. I know they will have to leave someday, and it will be sooner than I realize. And don't worry, I'll let them go! But until then, I want to be around them. I really love my kids.

So what's your story?
Do you homeschool? If so, why? Were you ever homeschooled? Whatever your thoughts, I'd love to hear them!