A terrible storm hit our beautiful West Virginia last night. 80 mph winds I hear. 500,000 people without power on this 93 degree day! Obviously I am not one of them. Our power came back on during the night. Most have been without power since 7pm last night.
Please pray for all the people effected by the fires out west, floods in the south and now storm damage for those here in the west!
God is good and he is watching over all of us!
Fight like a girl
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Where do YOU buy curriculum?
There are several places to save that extra buck on books. There's always good 'ole ebay, but you have other options.
Vegsource.com is a great site to buy or sell. You just click on the homeschool button and you are on your way.
Homeschool groups are another. If you are part of your local homeschool group, then you can just ask around. You never know who has what sitting on their shelf. Maybe they plan on using it in the future, but you can always rent or borrow it until they are ready to use it.
Book sales are another. Check out the counties or cities near you. Watch the local newspapers for upcoming sales. Or a used books store may have some as well. Private schools donate a lot of their textbooks to places like used book stores, goodwill and even thrift stores!
Last but not least, check with your local library. You'd be surprised on what curriculum they have. Most libraries have a budget for purchasing new books. Find out if you can request a new books for check out. Our local library just ordered a whole U.S. History series for me to check out! It never hurts to ask!
Happy curriculum hunting!
Vegsource.com is a great site to buy or sell. You just click on the homeschool button and you are on your way.
Homeschool groups are another. If you are part of your local homeschool group, then you can just ask around. You never know who has what sitting on their shelf. Maybe they plan on using it in the future, but you can always rent or borrow it until they are ready to use it.
Book sales are another. Check out the counties or cities near you. Watch the local newspapers for upcoming sales. Or a used books store may have some as well. Private schools donate a lot of their textbooks to places like used book stores, goodwill and even thrift stores!
Last but not least, check with your local library. You'd be surprised on what curriculum they have. Most libraries have a budget for purchasing new books. Find out if you can request a new books for check out. Our local library just ordered a whole U.S. History series for me to check out! It never hurts to ask!
Happy curriculum hunting!
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Do you line dry your clothes?
I have done four loads of laundry today. I hang all my clothes out on the line. They smell so outdoor fresh! I wonder how many people still hang clothes out to dry.
Did you know that if you hang out your clothes it can save you more than $20 per month on your electric bill? (That figure is based on 4-5 loads per week.) Doesn't sound like much, but that it $240 per year if you live in the southern states where the weather is nice year around. We live in WV, so it saves us $140 + per year.
I love my sheets on the line! They smell so nice and fresh when I crawl into bed!
Did you know that if you hang out your clothes it can save you more than $20 per month on your electric bill? (That figure is based on 4-5 loads per week.) Doesn't sound like much, but that it $240 per year if you live in the southern states where the weather is nice year around. We live in WV, so it saves us $140 + per year.
I love my sheets on the line! They smell so nice and fresh when I crawl into bed!
Thursday, June 21, 2012
I love this season! We are picking from our garden daily now. We are canning pickles and eating fresh veggies for dinner every night. I find myself choosing fresh raw snow peas over ice cream at snack time!
My kids even get excited about going out to the garden to see what has sprung up and ready for today. I never thought I'd be canning like my mother did all those years. Watching her slave over the stove and pick, cut, wash, boil, etc. all that food did not look appealing to me at all. But I find it very rewarding, providing for my family, and it's actually kind of fun. :)
It is also teaching our children to be more self sufficient. They see all the hard work that goes into growing our own organic food. Even though we are not into our text books over the summertime, we are learning more every day and THAT is not something that can be taught in a classroom!
My kids even get excited about going out to the garden to see what has sprung up and ready for today. I never thought I'd be canning like my mother did all those years. Watching her slave over the stove and pick, cut, wash, boil, etc. all that food did not look appealing to me at all. But I find it very rewarding, providing for my family, and it's actually kind of fun. :)
It is also teaching our children to be more self sufficient. They see all the hard work that goes into growing our own organic food. Even though we are not into our text books over the summertime, we are learning more every day and THAT is not something that can be taught in a classroom!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Mountains vs. Plains
Yes, mountains vs. plains. I grew up in Michigan and then moved to Florida as a young adult. So flat land / plains is what I was used to. I loved the beaches of FL and the Gulf of Mexico. I lived right on the water most of my years living in FL. The waves, dolphin noises and seagulls were so relaxing to me.
Then, for financial reasons, we were forced to move up to West Virginia. Wow! What a difference! We are talking about a left, then right......black and white......night and day difference!
But I have to say that I fell absolutely in love with WV; the mountain state! I know what you are thinking. Um...., there is no ocean, no seagulls and no waves..... not one beach in the whole state! But WV, God's country, is just as beautiful as FL; just in a different way.
I remember sitting on the hill of our property overlooking all the bright colors in the trees thinking, 'Only God could have possibly created something so beautiful'. Sitting there, listening to all the WV noises like the birds singing, frogs croaking and the wind whistling in the trees and branches I thought to myself, "John Denver described it perfectly as 'almost Heaven'". The smells of the hay fields, creeks, livestock and nature were amazing.
Sure there are days I miss the beach, but if I had to choose between the two, I would choose WV. When we moved here, people kept asking us why we moved from FL to WV. My answer? Because it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Then, for financial reasons, we were forced to move up to West Virginia. Wow! What a difference! We are talking about a left, then right......black and white......night and day difference!
But I have to say that I fell absolutely in love with WV; the mountain state! I know what you are thinking. Um...., there is no ocean, no seagulls and no waves..... not one beach in the whole state! But WV, God's country, is just as beautiful as FL; just in a different way.
I remember sitting on the hill of our property overlooking all the bright colors in the trees thinking, 'Only God could have possibly created something so beautiful'. Sitting there, listening to all the WV noises like the birds singing, frogs croaking and the wind whistling in the trees and branches I thought to myself, "John Denver described it perfectly as 'almost Heaven'". The smells of the hay fields, creeks, livestock and nature were amazing.
Sure there are days I miss the beach, but if I had to choose between the two, I would choose WV. When we moved here, people kept asking us why we moved from FL to WV. My answer? Because it is absolutely BEAUTIFUL!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
grocery store learning
Everyday is a learning experience. The grocery store is a great way for kids to learn the value of the almighty dollar. Whether they are little ones or teens, this is a great life lesson.
Going to the 'big' grocery store is a half of day experience for us. We live near several small towns with a few grocers, but to get the good prices and to buy in bulk we have to drive about 30 miles one way. I know what you are thinking.... '30 miles, that is nuts', right? Well, it is mostly country views with no heavy traffic. Anyway, a trip to the grocery store is very exhausting for me.
First, the kids and I make a list. We do an inventory check in the food pantry and the refrigerator. (Hopefully I remember to bring the list.)
When we get there, I give my two younger ones (ages 9 & 13) a list of things that they are responsible for. My oldest (almost 16 yrs. old) gets to stay home because he is needed to unload :) The boys know that their job is to find the best deal. They have learned that sometimes 'bigger, isn't better'. My 13 year old gets a price limit too. For example, I tell him that he has to get a certain five things AND stay under $20. (Of course I know how much they will all be.) I also give the list to one of them sometimes and let them check things off. The 9 yr. old loves to do this.
They know that the work begins at the check out line. They both help get everything onto the assembly belt. Then the 13 yr. old gets the bags and puts them into the cart all organizing to make sure they all fit.
We all guess how much the food bill will be. Most of the time they are pretty close.
When we get home, the 9 yr. old is the door man, the 15 yr. old hauls in the bags and the 13 yr. old unpacks. They all help mom unpack and put away when the groceries are all in.
Maybe this isn't a typical homeschool day, but why shouldn't it be? They are all learning responsibility, math skills, organizing skills, meal planning, the value of a dollar and most importantly they are learning how to be a servant.
The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Going to the 'big' grocery store is a half of day experience for us. We live near several small towns with a few grocers, but to get the good prices and to buy in bulk we have to drive about 30 miles one way. I know what you are thinking.... '30 miles, that is nuts', right? Well, it is mostly country views with no heavy traffic. Anyway, a trip to the grocery store is very exhausting for me.
First, the kids and I make a list. We do an inventory check in the food pantry and the refrigerator. (Hopefully I remember to bring the list.)
When we get there, I give my two younger ones (ages 9 & 13) a list of things that they are responsible for. My oldest (almost 16 yrs. old) gets to stay home because he is needed to unload :) The boys know that their job is to find the best deal. They have learned that sometimes 'bigger, isn't better'. My 13 year old gets a price limit too. For example, I tell him that he has to get a certain five things AND stay under $20. (Of course I know how much they will all be.) I also give the list to one of them sometimes and let them check things off. The 9 yr. old loves to do this.
They know that the work begins at the check out line. They both help get everything onto the assembly belt. Then the 13 yr. old gets the bags and puts them into the cart all organizing to make sure they all fit.
We all guess how much the food bill will be. Most of the time they are pretty close.
When we get home, the 9 yr. old is the door man, the 15 yr. old hauls in the bags and the 13 yr. old unpacks. They all help mom unpack and put away when the groceries are all in.
Maybe this isn't a typical homeschool day, but why shouldn't it be? They are all learning responsibility, math skills, organizing skills, meal planning, the value of a dollar and most importantly they are learning how to be a servant.
The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Feeling discouraged?
Don't be discouraged! Being a homeschool mother is very overwhelming at times.
I came across a post this week that says, "Moms do the job of twenty people and get paid nothing". Well, we can look at it like that. But I choose to think of it as "I do the job of twenty and get rewarded greatly"! My rewards? Well, they are.....
*being with my children daily
*giving them a Godly education
*teaching them the responsibilities that are necessary
*watching them grow up to be Godly young men
*being blessed by following God's plan for me
( and so on....)
It's all about "perspective". We can go through life with a negative outlook or we can realize that God can take something not so good in our lives and turn it into something good for his purpose.
Romans 8:28 says....
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Notice that the verse says ALL things, not just the good things. God has a greater plan that is filled with hope for our futures.
Jeremiah 29:11 says....
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
So when I start to feel discouraged I read these two wonderful verses, knowing that I have a God that loves me so much that he wants nothing but good in my life. Wow!
What was I feeling discouraged about again???????????????
I came across a post this week that says, "Moms do the job of twenty people and get paid nothing". Well, we can look at it like that. But I choose to think of it as "I do the job of twenty and get rewarded greatly"! My rewards? Well, they are.....
*being with my children daily
*giving them a Godly education
*teaching them the responsibilities that are necessary
*watching them grow up to be Godly young men
*being blessed by following God's plan for me
( and so on....)
It's all about "perspective". We can go through life with a negative outlook or we can realize that God can take something not so good in our lives and turn it into something good for his purpose.
Romans 8:28 says....
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Notice that the verse says ALL things, not just the good things. God has a greater plan that is filled with hope for our futures.
Jeremiah 29:11 says....
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
So when I start to feel discouraged I read these two wonderful verses, knowing that I have a God that loves me so much that he wants nothing but good in my life. Wow!
What was I feeling discouraged about again???????????????
Friday, June 8, 2012
my first reviews are coming soon!
I am so excited to be doing a review for TOS on Apologia's "Who Is My Neighbor"! I have used Apologia for science but haven't tried their Bible curriculum yet. I can't wait to start on Monday!
I will also be reviewing a fun education game as well as a Literature program next month. Thanks TOS!
I will also be reviewing a fun education game as well as a Literature program next month. Thanks TOS!
Monday, June 4, 2012
Idols in disguise
Isaiah 42:8 says:
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols"
There are so many disguises of idols now a days. Things such as Facebook, video games, books, TV, computers, music, etc. can be our idols.
Lets look at what Webster's Dictionary definitions as an 'idol'.
idol-
1. An image, form or representation, usually of a man or other animal, consecrated as an object of worship; a pagan deity. Idols are usually statues or images, carved out of wood or stone, or formed of metals, particularly silver or gold.
The gods of the nations are idols.
2. An image.
Nor ever idol seemed so much alive.
3. A person loved and honored to adoration. The prince was the idol of the people.
4. Any thing on which we set our affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and sinful attachment.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John.5.
An idol is any thing which usurps the place of God in the hearts of his rational creatures.
5. A representation. [Not in use.]
Wow. With all that we have these days I can say that I may have a few idols in my household. Time to re-evaluate my home and think about where PRAISE should be given.
Thank you Lord for the things you have given me, I will praise only you! For YOU are the only thing / man worthy of my PRAISE!
Amen.
“I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols"
There are so many disguises of idols now a days. Things such as Facebook, video games, books, TV, computers, music, etc. can be our idols.
Lets look at what Webster's Dictionary definitions as an 'idol'.
idol-
1. An image, form or representation, usually of a man or other animal, consecrated as an object of worship; a pagan deity. Idols are usually statues or images, carved out of wood or stone, or formed of metals, particularly silver or gold.
The gods of the nations are idols.
2. An image.
Nor ever idol seemed so much alive.
3. A person loved and honored to adoration. The prince was the idol of the people.
4. Any thing on which we set our affections; that to which we indulge an excessive and sinful attachment.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. 1 John.5.
An idol is any thing which usurps the place of God in the hearts of his rational creatures.
5. A representation. [Not in use.]
Wow. With all that we have these days I can say that I may have a few idols in my household. Time to re-evaluate my home and think about where PRAISE should be given.
Thank you Lord for the things you have given me, I will praise only you! For YOU are the only thing / man worthy of my PRAISE!
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Organizing
I love to organize my homeschool / office / mud room. I need some new ideas. Anyone have any? The clutter is getting to me.
I am finding ideas on the web, but nothing that I have decided on.
I guess this time of year is a good time to organize since we are taking our summer break.
I am finding ideas on the web, but nothing that I have decided on.
I guess this time of year is a good time to organize since we are taking our summer break.
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