Friday, March 9, 2012

Homeschool Mother's Journal - Our Week









My boys were most awesome this week! I had to take my mini-van in for a
tune up and touch up for my upcoming road trip - they chatted quietly with a woman who at least appeared
to be highly interested in what they had to say. I'm sure she could have done without that look inside my
7 year olds mouth to see his loose tooth - but, overall, I was really proud of their behavior. She was especially impressed at how they all stood to the side and held the door for me to walk through without
even being prompted. My little gentlemen are growing up!


In our homeschool this week… 



We did some more of our Cooking 101 class this week 
and more fun with Kids in the Kitchen - I hope you'll post in our 
link up - either kids helping and learning in the kitchen or favorite recipes
 to share- we are working to bring families back to the table! 

We also did a good bit of video homeschool as I was not well.
We did some math and reading, of course and found a cool 
resource for studying the "Sea Urchin" and other ocean related 
studies. The Sea Urchin study is interactive and they loved it.
Click on the shell picture to learn more about this interesting creature:



Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Remember to relax a bit and go with the flow. If you aren't feeling
well, the kids can do projects, watch educational resources, and do 
some quiet work - think of it as an exercise in self-direction. I cut 
out a rough looking little bird from felt and threaded a needle for my 
six year old and he sewed while propped up next to me in bed. We
 watched Liberty Kids and some fun science shows. The boys also 
enjoy "how it's made". They can draw - so some worksheets - and 
even play with clay or play-dough if you lay down an inexpensive 
vinyl table cloth or set up the kids table next to you. 
I am inspired by…

My sweet friend Rebecca from Moms Mustard Seeds
has been a constant source of encouragement and support. 

I am inspired by her heart for the Lord and her commitment to her 
family. She seeks daily to encourage and help others. One of the 
ways she has done this is by setting up a free program - in 
partnership with Founders Academy. They are providing free 
links and a video each week to teach moms and kiddos alike 
about how our government and nation was founded and how it 
works. Especially with elections just around the corner - it's a 
wonderful way to learn more about how things work. There is no 
political party information - but education about freedom - liberty - 
why it matters - and what it takes to keep it. I hope you'll 
take advantage of these awesome resources! 
Go here to learn more and feel free to link up a post each 
week about how you and the kiddos studied our nation! 

Rebecca writes throughout the week on various homeschool 
and heart topics - I know you'll love her like I do! 
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

Doing a little happy dance cause I'm on my way to meet Rebecca and Kathy
and so many more awesome homeschool moms at Teach Them Diligently and 
the following week at Apologia! I'm road trippin it with the kids - so y'all pray
for safe travels if you will, and I'll be sure to tweet, and post great conference
information. I'm about to meet and hear from some of the best of the best in 
the Christian homeschool world and I couldn't be happier about it! 


A giant shout out and Thank You to my sponsor and a ministry I am honored
to support - the folks from Rescued the movie are an incredible group! 
If you are looking for a good film/ documentary for your church groups or 
want to learn more about adoption and what God says to Christians about it - 
please check them out! 



My goals for 3 in 30: Not going so well right now ;) I'm making progress 
though but my focus is getting ready to leave town - so I'm tweaking my goals
Eating fairly healthy, Some writing done, Exercise I'm afraid has taken a back
seat to the fact that I was stuck in bed for several days. God will heal me. 
I am walking with the Lord and enjoying and growing in my quiet time. He 
used the song posted below to break down some tough barriers this week. 
I spend so much effort trying to be tough to deal with physical pain and take 
care of my family - that I'm afraid sometimes my edges get hard. He broke 
them this week - because He loves me. 

My favorite thing this week was…


We never get tired of seeing these creatures - we love living by 
the ocean - well, Gulf - it's an amazing thing. 


I came across these awesome resources by Amanda Bennett: 

Dolphin days

   Oceans and Sailing Ships
Click here to view more details                       


These are the kind of studies that keep my kids interested in learning! 
Things I’m working on…

Packing, planning and hitting the road! TTD and Apologia - here we come!
A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

This life has thrown me some curve balls lately - I try to be strong
I hear from friends that "I'm amazing" to handle a chronic illness and 
do what I do - and I truly do try to walk on faith each and every day - 
"They don't know that I go running home when I fall down"

  I fight the good fight - then "I drop my sword and cry for just awhile"
I lay it down at the Masters feet! 
 He is my strength. He is all that's good in me.
 He is my strong tower! 

click on the picture to hear the good 'ole song God used 
yesterday to heal my broken heart: 

Cause deep inside this armor - the Warrior is a Child- 
Especially for my friends who are struggling right now - God 
loves you - you are His child - He will sustain you - drop your
sword and cry for just awhile - then trust HIM! 

I hope you'll visit these awesome homeschool moms: 

The Homeschool Mother's Journal
                      3in30.png                                        

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy travels! Have a great time! (I'm sure you will!)

Lisa Boyle said...

Have a wonderful time! I am so happy that you are going to the conferences and that you are going to see Rebecca! You two are definitely bloggy friends who I would just love to meet in person someday! :-) I am very impressed with your versatility, strength and flexibility. Your ideas for when you weren't feeling well are excellent. I pray that you are doing better! And your photos of the dolphins are just stunning! I can't wait to hear all about the conferences. I wish I was able to go! There isn't much near our neck of the woods here in PA. :-(
Many blessings, friend!

Jen said...

sounds like a good week

do enjoy TTD and Apologia

Unknown said...

Thank you ladies! Lisa - someday maybe we'll have that opportunity! I'd love it - I'm like a kid in a candy store when it comes to meeting up with some of the sweet women (like you) who encourage me regularly!

Amy S said...

YAY for great behavious and Great Friends! :) ..... Hope you have a great time and be safe traveling!

momto8 said...

have fun on your trip!
Love to see kids cooking and helping in the kitchen...mine were always at my side and it taught them so much about so many things...fun too!
Happy weekend...
I would love to see dolphins on a regular basis!!

dmauton said...

Your going to have a great time on your trip. Have fun. Adjusting goals happens. As mom's we have to deal with life and life sometimes needs adjusting. Thanks for the links that you shared. :)

Anonymous said...

I agree, Rebecca, is such an inspiration!

Susan said...

How cool that your boys were so awesome while you were getting the van tune-up :) Sounds like loads of great learning this week, even though you weren't feeling well. Thanks for linking up, and have a great trip!!

Jen said...

Sounds awesome! I so wish I was traveling right along with you but maybe next time;) safe travels and prayers for your journey! Btw you can use regular coke in that recipe:) I use diet because I'm diabetic ;) hope you have a great time!!!

MomLaur said...

I LOVE THAT SONG! brings back memories of listening with my mom to Twila Paris...wonder what she's up to now! Love reading about your week and what you do with your boys. Praying you are refreshed this weekend!

Rebecca said...

Can I possibly be anymore blessed than I am by my friends - like you...who lift me up and your words...always come when God knows I need them! I can NOT wait to see you!!!! I may not let you go back...or I may just pack my bags now and go back home with you.... Thanks for the info on the shells...ours from the beach are still sitting in a bag...I think...we'll be pulling them out soon for some fun studies! Love ya!

Kathy Balman said...

Thanks for linking up to FreeBEE Fridays and sharing your awesome resources. What a great week you are so blessed to have such wonderful boys. Cannot wait to see you only 5 more days.