Our School Room 2012

This week in the Not Back-to-School Blog Hop it is School Room week. What a great time to have to make pictures, that means the school room gets a little extra TLC, not that I would neglect the school room... ;)

Our school area has changed so many times over the years. Here is a link to a post from a few years ago. We have also schooled in a little "school house" that my hubby built us when we first started. It was an awesome little playhouse type building outside and since Josh was just a toddler it worked out great. he could play in the outdoors and we could school uninterrupted by the things in the house. The only drawback was heating it in the winter and the trips to the bathroom. So, as I have fond memories of that time, I really am thankful for what we have now.

Our school room used to be our garage. About 6 years ago my husband, who is the greatest, gave in and allowed me to convert the garage. Do I miss the garage? Not hardly as much as I thought!

Now to the pictures of our room now:

Our main school area for written work. 

The snuggle and have coffee area. :) My favorite!

The fitness area, I am really working on fitness. Perhaps one day I will blog about it.

Our super awesome white board. (It is a shower board from Home Depot)

The ugly wall unit does the job of keeping cool  or warm   and I love the bulletin board! It was cheap to make!

If you want to see how I made the bulletin board click here: Bulletin Board

That is it! 

Happy Homeschooling!

Crock-Pot Pork Chops (for those busy days)

Over the next three weeks we are going to be one busy bunch of people. I am known for my love of being a home-body. Sometimes, though, you have to happily go. We will be having 3 weeks of revivals in a row. For these few weeks I am going to be using a lot of crock pot meals and I thought I would share them here, as time allows.

Crock-Pot Pork chops

1 family pack of bone-in thick pork chops (we just ate the last of our fresh, home-grown chops)
1 package of Ranch dressing dry mix (I really am going to find a healthier sub for this one day)
1 can of fat free Cream of Mushroom condensed soup
1 can if fat free Cream of Chicken condensed soup
1 TBS Onion Powder
1/2 TBS dried parsley flakes
Put chops in crock-pot
Mix all other ingredients in a bowl then pour over chops
cook on low for 6 hours.
Nutrition Info:
(Based on 8 4oz Pork Chops, bone-in center cut)
Calories: 188
Fat: 6
Carbs: 7
Protein:  26
Sodium: 393
Fiber: 1



This picture makes the chop look a little dry, but that was not the case. It was really good and there was a lot of "gravy" in the crock pot. :)

2012-2013 School Year - Picking Curriculum {and blog hop}

This is big!

I am just as surprised as the little guy above!

This will be my THIRD year using My Father's World!!!! I am still in shock myself!
All of those years I spent wandering through the wilderness of homeschool curriculum choices. The countless times that UPS man came up my driveway. The thrill that eventually gave way to a sale on eBay. For three years I have been done with that routine!

Did I say yet that I love My Father's World? Okay, I did? Just checking. :)


Let's start with Jessie, my upcoming high school junior. (That is equally as shocking to me)

MFW US History to 1877 (photo from MFW website)

Her core is the US History to 1877. Yes, the price is a little much to us homeschool moms. But really, is it? Considering what this education would cost at a private, Christian school I think it is a great investment. I have 3 others to come up through this program.

What will be new this year? This:

Don't get me wrong, I can really appreciate Dr. Wile's love for science and his Apologia Science books, but I just can't go there again with this child. Ah, the beauty of homeschooling! This is Biology 101. A DVD series that the entire family can and will want to watch and learn together. With the included Course Accreditation Program and Guide book ( you print these yourself) then it is a full years credit for high school Biology. I am beyond excited!  I purchased mine here: Biology 101 @ Rainbow Resource

Jessie will continue with her Viola lessons in the Suzuki method. She will also use Artistic Pursuits. She is my artsy child and I love to see her create. She has spent the last year beginning to take photographs for people and make money! She also taught herself Photoshop and by the looks of that program that is quite an accomplishment!

For the dreaded math we will continue and finish with Math-U-See. Bless her heart! :)

For ACT prep we are using this book

She will continue on through French although we are not sold on Rosetta Stone. (Any advice here is appreciated, please, leave a comment!)

To round it out she will complete the Logic course detailed on the MFW site for one semester and then this: One semester of Health. 



Whew! She is going to be a busy young lady!


Now, onto Josh (7th) and Jenna (2nd)

Exploration to 1850

MFW Exp to 1850 (MFW image)

The core for Josh and Jenna is Exploration to 1850. Awesome!

Josh is using Teaching Textbooks math and I could not be more happy about that!

For Science we will use Apologia General Science, and he will watch the Biology 101 DVD's. 

I found this awesome stack of papers lapbook to accompany this course. I chose to purchase it already printed. I also picked up the lesson plans for this level. 

L@@k at that stack...in a 3 inch binder.....what was I thinking??? Okay, I was thinking that it made this textbook look a little more fun and a little less intimidating! I will let you know how it all works out. 

For Jenna she will use the 2nd grade supplement that goes with this plan. I added these finds for her: Emma Serl's Primary Language Lessons Teacher's guide...I never knew...and I am glad I do know now!

Primary Language Lessons, Teacher's Guide

Also, I care not for Drawing With Children, I am sorry! I tried it twice! So above is a shot of the art I have added.

Beginning Drawing
I have purchased for Jenna Artistic Pursuits, but I don't understand why any art curriculum would start by asking the child to draw without showing them how to draw first.  So, that is why I added that DVD. Thanks to Tara for sharing the knowledge!

Jenna will continue with Singapore Math.  with plans to move into Teaching Textbooks.

On the topic of Jenna, I am still amazed at how she learned to read so well. I am in love with the fact that she learned to read not with only "Mat sat on Pat", but with starting at Genesis and reading through the MFW First Grade Bible Reader.


I am sure that there is more, but this post is long enough and gives a good idea about our year. Not to leave out little Janie, she will just tag along and will watch a lot of Leap Frog Letter Factory. I greatly attribute that DVD to Jenna being so ready to start MFW K.

Have a wonderful time planning your homeschool!
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Jenna's Birthday {the post I almost forgot to do}

Well, good grief! What kind of mom am I? I was uploading pictures for a blog post about our new school year and I ran across pictures of my dear little Jenna's 7th birthday. She had a fabulous cake done by me dear, talented friend, Tara and I just forgot to share it!

So, here you go...just a little late.

Birthday morning. Opening gifts before church.

A birthday muffin to start the day!

The main event: Brave cake!

Since her birthday fell on a Sunday we had cake and ice cream after night service in the fellowship hall with her little friends and family.

Isn't that the cutest cake!

This child is a sweet blessing! That little smile just makes my day. I am having a blast watching her learn to read and write. She is busy today writing a song. It is titled "I Love My Jesus."  What could be more precious? Since Jenna is the third born she has the advantage of having a momma who understands now that babies grow up real fast and that momma's need to cherish each moment!

How to get excited...

....about school when you don't stop for summer vacation. Start with coffee. :)







Take a small break. For me this is easy because my family loves to have my kiddos spend time at the lake with them. Two days works wonders for me and is about all I can stand when it comes to not having my babies at home.

Hit up the back to school bargains. New crayons, stickers, notebooks and markers are always fun.

Take time to evaluate how well you like what resources you have been using. Toss what don't work. Go ahead, it's your school. Sell that stuff on eBay and don't look back!

You still need books for the "next year", or what ever you call it. Have fun! This is to me what the mall is to most women. I love Rainbow Resource and right now they have free shipping when you place an order over fifty dollars. That is easy to do, right?





I am excited about still having little ones and have grown to appreciate the process of them learning the foundations and their eagerness and excitement!

Reorganize your school area. A good de-cluttering session always puts a pep in my step! Get some cute baskets. The Dollar General sometimes has these at a great price.


Got any advice for me? I'd love to hear it!

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He's Concerned About Me

I have always kind of felt that I just got in on the love of God in a corporate way, so to speak. I have asked my husband, years ago, that was there any way the he could believe that if I had been the only soul on this earth that  God would still have sent His son to die for me. I have always had a hard time thinking that he could love me that much. So, for those reasons I think that is why these lyrics speak to my soul. Perhaps they will to yours also.
 

He’s Concerned About Me

Kyla Rowland

Verse1: I am troubled today; May be troubled tomorrow

But I know of mercy and in whom I’ve believed

There is comfort and healing for all who believe Him

And through all my suffering He’s concerned about me

Chorus:

I am more precious than the lily; more than the sparrow

I know who I am and who bears all my sorrows

He is my good Shepherd who died for this lost sheep

He is my Father, He’s concerned about me

Verse 2: With so many children with so many problems

He still knows where I am and He’s touched with my need

I have the Father’s attention through my Holy Physician

Oh, it is amazing; His tender care of me

Repeat Chorus

Tag: I’ll take no thought for tomorrow; It’s in the hands of the Father

He loves me, He’s concerned about me

Constrained

I ran across this, I don't know what to call it, a rambling of sorts. It comes often. The feelings of doubt and the questions: is this real and is this worth it? I suppose at one point I wrote about the struggle that sometimes goes on in my mind. I decided to share it here.

Constrained By God's Love                                                   11.07.10

Through the movement of time, we are tossed about by many feelings and emotions. Constant is the battle between the spirit and the flesh. One will triumph. Why am I constrained by God's love and law to fight every hour for the spirit to win?

The Story:

In the beginning.... do I really believe this? The father of lies tells me no. "The battle is not worthy to fight," he says. "Just let go. It's all a myth." Yes, I start at the beginning. He only speaks to my mind, the intellect, which we all seem to think so highly of at times. However, the Comforter sweetly speaks to my soul and takes me down this road.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
And God said....... That is all I need to begin to ponder the wonder of it all.



Creation by God is the only one way to explain the phenomenon of our physical earth, it is just as He said. Consider that if the Earth had just a slightly different tilt on its axis then none of what we know could be. There is no modern day theory that can account for that. It was not mere chance and the one who spoke it into being said:

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; Jeremiah 1:5

Then he tells me:
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

And when I worry He whispers: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

When I feel unloveable the word says: But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Then when I go though it all over again as the next sun rises He speak this truth :

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lam 3:22-23


He did what I could never do:
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


So when my weariness of the way comes and when I am weakened as the woman in the crowd who was low enough to touch the hem of Him.....tired, ready to surrender, somewhere in my mind's eye I catch a glimpse of the Lamb, as led to the slaughter, carrying that tree that He would hang on for me. The flesh wrapped Son of God. Cant you see the blood, the sweat....authentic tiredness? My soul cries out ,pitiful wretch that I am....Lord, How can I not give you my life?



As I climb out of one pit the tempter is ready to drag me down another. This day he chooses to work on my feelings of self-pity, the “why me Lord” cry....and I am stronger this time and the Word comes to me swiftly. This is our only defense. Jesus being tempted in the wilderness only answered the evil one with Scripture.
So who am I if, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
and why do I think I deserve any good if : they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him. Matt 27:30
Then I hear myself say “why not me, I am not worthy.” Pity turns to praise. I thank him that I have never faced what He allowed to become of himself for me. When selfishness creeps in and encompasses my mind, the Selfless One gently reminds me of the price he paid for my life. I will gladly serve.
When I doubt Him and think it all in vain I step back and in awe see the Creator's hand in everything around me. The face of a loved one, every fowl of the air, every tree & every flower. Our wondrously made beings and the heavens above. The beautiful tapestry He has woven and called it my life which had the lowliest beginning. I wonder how anyone could not believe in and yearn to live for my Redeemer.



I made it again, by God's grace, through the trying of my faith. And I remain joyfully, thankfully constrained.

Buffalo Chicken {Crock-Pot}

So, I'm probably the last one to know about this awesomeness that is so easy and tasty and healthy.

Easy as pie!

Here it is:

Gather:
One pack of boneless, skinless chicken breast.
One bottle of Frank's Hot Sauce
One pack of Ranch Seasoning

Dump it all in
Turn the pot on low
Come back hungry in 4-6 hours

Shred and serve on bun. Serve some carrot sticks and celery with a little blue cheese. On my!

(sorry we ate it before I could take a picture. )


Wonderful!


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Unexpected Fun

This post has been a couple of weeks coming. I meant to blog this sooner but forgot until I was looking through pictures.

It all started last September in the park when we found this leaf with a huge cocoon on it.

Of course, it did not have the exit holes in it when we brought it home. So, anyway, we brought it home and placed it in the butterfly garden net and promptly forgot about it.

Imagine our surprise when Josh called out "What happened in here?"

In the picture above you can clearly see that we had yet to "Google" our creature or we would have known that they do not feed during their short life span.  (we brought it clover and water)

 Polyphemus Moth (Antheraea polyphemus)

Honestly, we had given up on the cocoon every amounting to much. How disappointed I would have been to find that net and this beautiful creature would have lived and died without us knowing it. 

We studied it, admired it and then let it go. What a fun "Charlotte" kind of day. :)

Called

"I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful." ~ Mother Teresa


I read that quote some days ago and have been thinking on it a lot. Just this week I ran into an old friend, a fellow Christian, and almost immediately he asked how our church was doing. We conversed for a moment and quickly I recognized myself in his words. He was gracious but frustrated. He expressed his love for the church and his pastor as he expressed his sadness over the lukewarm condition of many fellow travelers. I felt the need to say something to uplift him, while I was thinking about how down I had been recently over the same things. Mostly, this causes great concern for the condition that my children may find the church in as they grow. So, as I do, I went to my sweet, patient husband. (His faith never wavers, if he is frustrated it hardly shows). I said things to him that was no new news. He listened and then said, with love,


 "Melanie, Jesus himself walked this earth and had to look at his disciples and ask then if they, too, would go away. Why do you think we should expect to be treated any different?" (John 6:67) Good question.


Now, if you believe the lie that the Bible is not relevant to today just read this passage:

Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. (Luke 14:15-20)

And then this:

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!


So there you go. This is not new. Melanie, you are not special. However, you can be faithful. You can teach your children by example without ever having to open your mouth. {Isn't that the best kind of lesson anyway?} 

Look at those eyes! What does she see in me? Forget my words, what does she learn from my walk?

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt 18:6


In the hectic bustle of life, homeschool, summer, church activities it is very easy to become lazy. But "for such a time as this" it is time to rise up and act according to the call we profess. 

♪♫♪♫♪

Jesus is my Savior, I shall not be moved; In His love and favor, I shall not be moved, Just like a tree that's planted by the waters, Lord, I shall not be moved. In my Christ abiding, I shall not be moved; In His love I'm hiding, I shall not be moved, Just like a tree that's planted by the waters, Lord, I shall not be moved. If I trust Him ever, I shall not be moved; He will fail me never, I shall not be moved, Just like a tree that's planted by the waters, Lord, I shall not be moved.  On His word I'm feeding, I shall not be moved; He's the One that's leading, I shall not be moved, Just like a tree that's planted by the waters, Lord, I shall not be moved.  Chorus I shall not be, I shall not be moved; I shall not be, I shall not be moved; Just like a tree that's planted by the waters, Lord, I shall not be moved. Although times look desperate, although Christians are despised more every day, although we want to faint, today is not that day that we do. Stay strong and fight for the cause, your very soul and the soul of our children depend on it!

Hands On Math

We are using MFW 1st grade and just love it! One area always had me a little intimidated from the start and that was their way of teaching math. No math book. I'm all about living books, but for math I've always wanted step by step instructions. It took me some time to wrap my thinking around hands-on math but now I think I get it. Today's review was simple and Jenna had fun.

This exercise explores the addition facts of the number 6. We had these little disc that are two sided. Take six of them, toss them on the table and make an equation out of what is showing. Simple and effective.


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My space...no, not Myspace. :)

When we learned that little Janie was coming back in 2008 we knew that we would have to get creative with the bedroom arrangement. Since I am an avid co-sleeping parent, we knew we had some time to ponder this. Well, that time came sometime late last year. I wasn't sure how I'd like giving up my bedroom. But, it was the largest bedroom that had the most wall space. So we gave the three girls our room and we took the room that Jessie had been in since we built the house. It is a lovely room with a large window that lets lots of light in. I thought it would help me become more of a morning person. :)

Well, recently I was reading in my Google reader and someone had wrote about have a "woman cave" in your home. This was suppose to be my space, but I really think my hubby uses it and enjoys it the most!

 Yep, it's mismatched, just the way I like it. The desk & chair was a gift from my mom. She painted the desk to have this finish. I am sure it was a piece from the 70's or 80's and she made it look totally cool again.

This little space made giving up the master bedroom just a little easier. The girls are so happy with their own space and they love being together.  And I love that!

Thanks, Debbie, for this shot.