It's that time again...

It's time to start planning out my school year now that August is almost upon us. We start school the day after Labor Day, so I usually begin my planning sometime near the end of July and beginning of August, I usually have all my curriculum or at least know exactly what I'm doing so I can plan accordingly.  This will be my first year in 7 years that I will not be planning high school. Mixed blessing I guess... 


So.. #'s 3,4,&5 will be doing Math Mammoth at their various levels, Language Lessons from Queen Homeschool Supplies, Homeschool in the Woods Adventure's series (history), Apologia science-Botany + some animal studies, weekly nature journal (first year doing this), still have to pick out hymns for hymn study, archery, woodworking, sewing and cooking will be handi-work skills being learned this year also.


#3 will be working on his cursive writing skills, reading some more challenging books ( I may incorporate some audio books he can read along with, considering he's an auditory learner).


#4 will be learning cursive, working on his reading skills, he will be finishing up with his Math-U-See and then be moving on to Math Mammoth.


#5 will be learning how to read, learning to write, and learning all about modesty and manners. I bought these great little books for girls from Queen Homeschool Supplies (at queenhomeschool.com) that really help start the conversation with you little girls.


#6 will continue learning her phonics on starfall.com, and Your Baby can Read, continue with basic math skills, beginning writing skills (tracing different shapes and lines, etc...) various workbooks from local stores and plenty of hands on creativity.


There's a whole lot more but that's all I can think of for now, I'm in the process of planning my terms, I bought a school planner a few years ago that has really helped me plan out my year, break it down to my terms, break those down to my weeks and then days. I bought from Simply Charlotte Mason and it has been worth every penny.


Well, the grandparents just pulled up (yep, I'm in the front watching the children play), time for some fun grandparent time!;-D

July 14, 1990

Daddy and #1 July 1990

#1 and #2 Youth Conference 2010

20 years ago today #1 was born...now he's a man, it really goes by in the blink of an eye! He graduated a homeschooler (was homeschooled all his life) he is going to be a junior in Bible college this year, He truly has a heart for the things of God. He truly blesses his parents lives. We love him and are so very proud of the godly young man he has become!

40 years...

Dad (Gary), Mom (Francine), Me ( 40 years ago)

Today (July 13) I am 40 years old. I have mixed emotions about it, I welcomed turning 30, I was very thankful to get out of my 20's! The first half of my 30's brought my 4 younger children while the last part I watched my oldest two boys become men.  My husband surrendered to the ministry, we became missionaries, spent 2 yrs. on deputation, went to the arctic, our youngest daughter was born, became very ill, lost her hearing and we moved back to the states. We started a church, graduated our first son and he went off to Bible College, just graduated second son and he is going off to Bible College, all this and much more in this one decade. I look at my 40's and see my second set of sons growing into men with girls close behind into becoming young ladies. As we get older we realize much more that our parents get older also...


With all the uncertanies that life has, I do know one thing- That GOD is ALWAYS with me, no matter what! He is such a loving, merciful, gracious God, I cannot imagine life without Him!!


Psalms 18:28-36 For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God? It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.

The Simple Life

As I was reading from Little House in the Big Woods to my children tonight I once again was overcome with the need to have a more simple life. Let me restate that, I need to have less stuff in my life and in my home! I have gotten rid of a lot of "stuff" but there is always more "stuff" we can get rid of. Sometimes I wish for the days when all a family had was one good church outfit and one good daily outfit, you had exactly what you needed to wash, cook and clean with. That is how big families where able to live in small homes and not have them be a mess with clutter. I know, I lived in a 29 ft. trailer for over a year while travelling the states raising support for the mission field. During that time we went from 3 children to 5 with the the 6th one on the way when we left for the field. I did it then, I most definitely can do it now, we are down to 4 children (sniff, sniff), it's time for some serious re-orginizing and getting rid of some items (big & small) that we can live without. I would like to get my house in order before school starts up again, actually before August. I would like to leave that month for preparing for when the new school year starts up again (after Labor Day). Time to print up some encouraging verses from the Bible and hang them around my house to keep me motivated,
any good verses that are a blessing to any of my sisters in Christ would be welcome!


~Christine
Phil. 4:13