I'm sitting here in my hotel in Lancaster, Ca listening to the livestreaming of the commencement ceremonies at WCBC. I love to hear Pastor Chappel preach (he's throwing it down right now!). We came down to see son #2 and to drive his car back while he is away this summer. He will be flying to NJ to do the Jewish Ministries, he is a group leader this summer. He as well as the other boys need your prayers, it is a difficult ministry. Also, #2 will be a senior next year, WOOHOO! He also won a $500 scholarship towards his bill for next year, what a blessing!

Last night as we were sitting in the Baccalaureate service, listening to a great message, surrounded by over a thousand young people who have chosen for one reason or another to be a part of this school, I realized how blessed we are. Now I know we have been blessed to have such a spirit filled school to send our boys too, but this time I REALLY realized how blessed we are!

We have been blessed to have a christian college that has worked along side us in instilling a love for our Savior, an unwavering faith in God and a passion to get the Gospel out to the world. Our boys have been challenged in their faith in many different ways. Through finances, dealing with people who say they are like them (but in reality are not), having secular jobs (learning how to deal with the unsaved/ungodly in a caring, compassionate, still standing up for their faith kind of way) and dealing with their own flesh. They have learned how to take their parents faith and have made it their faith. That is the greatest thing to watch your children do. Watching them grow in THEIR faith, watching them become adults who love their Savior with all that they are, this is what it's all about. This is our soul purpose as parents and to be able to send them to a college where it can and is encouraged to continue blesses us greatly.

We are getting ready to pick up Brett and take him shopping to get him some of the things he needs and to just spoil him some. No matter how old they get, they will always be my boys! and my girls! :)

Well, it's been quite awhile since I've blogged. We've just been plugging along...family, school, church, life. The children are doing well  with their school work, Grace is doing good with her studies. Phonics and reading are starting to click with her, YAY! Her language skills are getting better and better. The other three are really learning and growing in so many ways, I am so proud of my children. I am truly one blessed mom!



The beginning of April my family had a family reunion of sorts to remember my nanny (grandmother). It was the first time in over a decade we had all gotten together. We have a rather large family that are spread all over the country, so to get together is virtually impossible. It was a truly blessed time.

"Cousins"

Nanny & Grandad

a.k.a. Sophie & Frank

Love and miss you both more than words can say.

I thought I'd share one of my favorite Christmas comics:

Hope you're enjoying this time of the year rather than stressing out!!!

Happy Homeschool

So, last week we officially started our school year. I always start nice and easy then move into the more full schedule the second and third week of the new school year.  I usually post what I'm doing for the new year before I start but this year I thought I'd shake things up some...and do it after we started school. Really, it hasn't nothing to do with the fact I wasn't sure what I was doing this year, really.

So here it is, this years curriculum plan:

Jacob: Teaching Textbooks 5, Jr. Analytical Grammar, Spelling Wisdom Book 1 (Middle of book)

Luke: Teaching Textbooks 4, Language Lessons for the Very Young 2, Spelling Wisdom Book 1

Laura: Teaching Textbooks 3, Language Lessons for the Very Young 2, Spelling Wisdom Book 1

Grace: Math U See Primer, Teach Your Child To Read In 100 Easy Lessons, Read Aloud time w/mommy, math and reading apps on tablet

Boys: Christian Manhood with Dad

Girls: Little Lady series with mom

All together: *Bible Memory, *2012 Election Unit Study, *Mystery of History VL. 1, *copywork, *hymn study, *artist study *Science Unit Studies (September- Autumn Treasures, October- Horses & Weather, November/December- Birds, January/February/March- All About Bugs, April/May/June- Mammals)Eco-Systems (make terrariums)

Extra Unit Studies:September~ 9/11 mini study, November~  Veteran's Day Book (older 3) & Veterans Day mini book (Grace), Final 25 Days of Thanksgiving(older 3) & Thanksgiving Week (Grace), December~ Christmas (Amanda Bennet Unit Study), January~ Famous Black Inventors, February~ Presidentential Lapbook, March~ Easter (Amanda Bennet Unit Study), May~ Memorial Day unit study

Literature & Creative Writing: The older three will be reading various genres of books and keeping a journal on each book.  *Still working on different ideas for creative writing.*

The most Important thing I do is pray for each day, it sooo shows when I do not pray! After 17 years of homeschooling there is one thing I have learned: PRAY! Simple, I know. But oh, so true! It is the one thing that gives me patience, peace, patience, strength and patience (notice a theme?)

I take very seriously my job as mom, I nurture them, guide them, educate them and most importantly show them Jesus. I am the Jesus they see day in and day out. If He's real for me, He will be real for them. That's why it is so important to start my day with my Heavenly Father and to end it with Him too. I wish I was perfect in this area, but I so am not!!! :(  It is something I strive for though, to be close to Him on a daily basis.

I also know it is important to weave Christ throughout my school day, especially with my curriculum choices. No humanist slants here! No having to tell my children to just "ignore that paragraph" or just "skip that question." No government money buying my curriculum, just trusting God to provide.

I remember when I first started homeschooling, how nervous I was. As I look over my year plan, I have to laugh, I used to think women who homeschooled "eclectic" were crazy. Guess I'm crazy now. LOL!