Ancient History- Homeschool Begins

We're loving The History of The World Volume 1: Ancient History. We also are using in a limited way the workbook. We're actually coming up with so many options on our own, that we are not needing to using the worksheets immediately. I'm finding with just starting out, as soon as I bring out a worksheet or spend any valuable time copying a map/worksheet or anything to color, I lose him. If it's in the book, he looks and goes back several times to see it again. We are also using Usborne's Internet Linked History of the World for visuals. I know there is another smaller book specific to Egypt from Usborne, but don't have in our library. The funniest thing we'll be trying is to re-enact Osiris in the coffin. We have a window seat which doubles as many things, but this is definitely on our list of to-dos. Jack of course wants to be Set & bury H.
Mentioning the window seat, it is located in a dormer that opens onto our roof. There are now toys on our roof where Henry decided they would look much better yesterday. I'm not sure if he was climbing out to get them, but he was definitely in a precarious place(a second story open window). Heart be still... If we survive his antics, we'll be doing well.
God bless you in your endeavors today, and please pray for us!

7 Quick Takes Friday

This is what my 7 Quick Takes looks like --thanks for the invite from Conversion Diary

1. Saw the movie, "Gran Torino" with Clint Eastwood. I've been holding out, waiting to see this with Eric, as we seldom watch movies together anymore. We're always so tired, and there are a million things to do other than watch a movie. I think our most enjoyed movies together were "Band of Brothers". Strong movies with an serious theme. "GT" is good. Really good when it comes to drama. However, it is similar to another movie I saw recently: "Seven Pounds" with Will Smith. I do not recommend this movie. It is depressing for reasons that people don't need to consider. I do think "Gran Torino" has a noble theme, whereas "Seven Pounds" is just disturbing. However there is a similar ending that I'd be interested to see who else noticed. Drastic resolutions to serious problems. I think there's something to be seen in modern movies about modern problems and what writers see as options for life/death. I'll see if anybody comments before I spoil the ending.
2. Saw first 10 minutes of "Igor" at the kids movie, before we walked out, told the manager, and were offered free seats to another movie. Really, who actually thinks a movie like that is appropriate for any child? We actually, truly prayed for the children that had remained. We saw "UP" for the 2nd time, which has some sadder themes but is a much better choice in my book.
3. Made my favorite easy frozen dinner tonight from Bertolini. It's the pasta with the basil/tomatoe sauce. Quick & easy. I buy 2 bags and have no left overs. It's our version of take-out. Pricier than a regular meal, but easy & wayyy cheaper than a nice Italian restaurant.
4. Received Susan Wise Bauer's "The Story of The World Vol. 1:Ancient Times" w/workbook via UPS. Also, "First Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind". by Jessie Wise. Looking forward to diving into both.
5. Finally finished cutting the grass, before it started to cover the windows. We have a small yard & use a push mower. No biggie. It was just a little more time consuming with the length of the grass being so great.
6. Received a notice to schedule H's 3 year dr's appointment. Can't believe he's going to be 3.
7. We're considering the clunker's for $ program as our cars are both showing their age. Who know's what we'll actually wind up doing. The world turns to fast for actually worrying about how that will turn out.
ps. don't miss the dolls in my last post...

Handmade Dolls for a Wonderful Cause

I'm inspired. You will be too. Finding your spot in helping is where it's at. Go here and see all the variety and creativity. Puts my mind to sew.
I think I found the link to these dolls on this site, but even if I didn't, you have to see her oilcloth fabrics (and her beautiful new baby). These are the tough water-resistant, washable fabrics that you love. Textile designs at their finest. Visit her shop, you won't be disappointed.

Clover Lane: Book Review

Sarah at Clover Lane has listed a few interesting reads. Apparently there are some good books out there. .... HOpe your summer is shaping up nicely. Still swimming and playing around here. Enjoying no books at present but starving for a good 'distraction'. I think I'll look at Sarahs' recommendation for Gallway..
I listed my recent read here if you're visiting from Sarah's site. I also highly recommend Psalms 103 if you're feeling a little overwhelmed or negatived out by books like Common Sense.

Psalm 103

Psalm 103 seems to say it all for me today. Reading through the Sunday news paper locally, I really became overwhelmed with what one person can do. Sometimes it seems all to big, too difficult and so far removed from what can effectively be achieved. School systems spend time trying to resolve truancy with a truance department, staffed with new buildings needing funding. Just a symptom of something that can't be legislated.
I say consider this Psalm. God is sovreign. 22 verses of healing, rescue, mercy and justice. All on the Divine Designer's terms. Thank you Lord for Your providence, goodness and faithfulness.

What's it all about... anyway?

After watching Ben Stein's movie "Expelled-No Intelligence Allowed", one thought kept ringing in my mind. The tragedy of not believing in a Divine Designer, & Intelligent Creator, and not just Intelligent Designer but Jehovah God, is the lost sense of purpose and hope. I listened to a lesson about Joseph yesterday regarding his potential for despair in his circumstances. The last verse of chapter 40 in Genesis says that he'd been forgotten by the chief cupbearer. His family had already sold him into slavery. Yet over 18 times Joseph mentions his concern for God's purposes in the record of his life in Genesis. Even in the moment he's tempted by Potiphar's wife, he says to her, "How can I do this great sin before God?" He knew there was a greater purposes for his life, if only to glorify God through his humbled circumstances.
Interesting. He perceived that there was a standard of righteousness that was understood. Even speaking to a prominent Egyptian woman, who's god's were vary different in their purposes for mankind--self-seeking, not benevolent toward mankind.
This standard to which Joseph referred was not called the Intelligent Designer, or Higher Power, but Lord God, the Creator of the Universe, the God of Abraham, who spoke to him and promised that all nations of the earth would be blessed. In chapter 17 of Genesis, God is refered to as El Shaddai, the provider of all good things, as we need them. This is the same God who has revealed himself throughout the Scriptures of the Bible.
Without God, without a relationship with Him who will deliver one in this life or in the next, there is no hope, nothing to hang one's hopes on. It would be easy to despair at the experiences of this fallen world. Even when the things we hold most dear and count on the most fail us, we can say with the writer of Psalms that the Lord will take care of me.

"Could there have been an intelligent Designer?"

Ben Stein's movie "Expelled-No Intelligence Allowed" .... 'things that aren't properly answered don't go away.' says Ben Stein in the afore mentioned movie. I live this problem...
The other day when trying to solve one of the Encyclopedia Brown mysteries, which is at the top of Jack's desired bedtime reading stack, one of the solutions depended on dinosaurs being present on the earth before man. And not just before, but before and died out/ended existence before man walked the earth. So even tho I have graduated(informally as it was) the amazing Lord, I Believe classes & workshops, I had not the answer organized and ready to explain to my son exactly what I thought about this. How do the numbers 12000 BC, 68 million years, etc.. line up with the time line I'm creating for understanding time & history? But more importantly, how do I explain the introduction to Jack's DK Book about the world, that says there was a big bang and then the world was? Ben Stein interviews numerous scientist of real/significant consequence who have been outed & ousted for merely questioning Darwinian Evolution and even mentioning Intelligent Design. This is a very interesting film, shining a light on the rediculous claims and lack of evidence that actually provide the foundation for many athiestic beliefs. I stand in the camp of Divine Designer, Supreme Creator, confessing my ignorance on many levels, respectfully appreciating those who are far more well-versed in subjects, even when I may fundamentally disagree with them, when all the dust settles. Lord help me to read & study more fully understand the greatness of Your Creation, to glorify You more.

Waiting for paint to dry... literally

We are painting a desk project for Jack, & I'm painting a plaque for a verse. So now we're waiting on the paint to dry. I've been a busy beaver this morning preparing 3x5 cards for various subjects and memorization. I had to look up the 4 major time periods of history found in the Well-Trained Mind material. While I was there, I stumbled upon Jessie Wise Bauer's 52 books in 52 weeks challenge update. Deep, exausting sigh. I have finished about 3 books this summer. All not nearly as deep or intellectual as what is on her reading list. But to keep the noggin sharp enough to speak in complete sentences, I try to read. It also keeps me sane, literally, to read lightweight books. I don't recommend everything I read. Everyone has their thresholds of what they deem appropriate. I did receive a stack of Mary Higgins Clark books to borrow from a friend last week, and can't wait to jump into a mystery novel that doesn't assault you with unecessary inappropriate material. Everyone is always rich, and someone who deserves it, 'get's it'. How shallow. I did read another thinker book recently, by Barbara Kingsolver. Her stuff, not so lighweight. But very entertaining. Actually entertaining is a sad description for something so well-written, so absorbing. I read Prodigal Summer, enjoying the numerous references to Kentucky and the people who are smart enough to live there. Her experience is well brought out in references to farming, and making your way in an established farming community. Being a Greenhorn. Her descriptions of accents and local vernacular, person's ways of relating to family and locals are sincerely respectful and I believe, accurate. I really loved Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by the same Kingsolver. Not a novel but a descriptive book about their family's personal experience eating locally for 1 year. An experiment I'd snap to on a paid reality show, any day.. lol... (remember Leslie, when you told me 'you'd be great on that show 'Frontier House'?)
And this book, Prodigal Summer, is sensual in it's nature, more than AVM, by far. Sensual including all senses & cycles of life. There's my disclaimer.... for those who may purchase and then regret, due to a little more than you may have anticipated with my recommendation. Definitely R rated in parts. But worth the read, if alone to enjoy the elderly characters life exchanges. Truly precious. I wish I knew all the characters in this book. I think I do know some of them. It's a beautiful lyrical read, one which can be, I'm sure most enjoyed, as the end of the summer season approaches.
One more note about Prodigal Summer... Kingsolver is very in-tune with nature. I am one of those folks who in the past may talk a big talk about 'nature-lover's' and 'tree-huggers' in a less than complimentary way. I am no longer, and haven't been for sometime. I think there is a seriously important wealth of information that people in general could learn about themselves and their place in the world if they/ME could step back and learn about something that we/I am completely unfamiliar with. Her references to the food chain and balance of nature are not flippant thoughts. She's a studied author with research to back up her material, whether in novel or essay. (but isn't that the point of reading outside our comfort realm? to grow our brains and our attitudes?... thank-you Mrs. Hepler for teaching me to read in the first grade...)
Can't seem to find the book titles of those I'm next interested in reading next other than the MHC books. There was something about Solitude and 100 days... I'll find it ... somewhere in my brain. As well, I'm pressing on to retrieve a copy of The Bean Wars, by Kingsolver as well.

Konos Timeline

(what hydrangeas are supposed to look like...)

Yesterday, I took both boys with me to Hobby Lobby to finally get some flannel for our Konos Timeline. I've got my mini-laminator out to protect the little figures that come with the 'Obedience' box/unit. We read a 'ready to read' book the other day, "The Trojan War" and we've got to put it in order. Not necessarily focusing on dates, as much as before and after. Flannel is a good option for me, to be used with the rough loop of sticky side flannel. I plan to stick that side on the back of he figures and use the flannel to attach them. I've seen it work, perhaps it will again.

Hobby Lobby is conveniently located on our path, and that's a good thing, because for all the effort it takes to keep the boys from knocking over every display in the store, there's got to be something simple about it. I didn't go to the grocery tho. One store is enough for me in a day.

I did pickup some super cute ribbon & fabric on remnant sale, to perhaps inspire me to get the sewing machine out again. It's a real effort with such excellent helpers on standby.

I also am planning to paint the inside of the eternally changing cabinet where I currently store overflow glassware & coffee cups. It has a great lower section that has been mostly useless up till the boys figured it was a great hiding spot.

So perhaps it will be cute and useful. Pictures to follow, but I was inspired by the furniture in this post about painted floors. (I've painted floors and the outcome is very rewarding. I did a checkerboard, I just never sealed it.... have to complete the project, or it won't last!)

Four Green Acres: 100 snails

Four Green Acres: 100 snails is an inspiring site full of wonderful things. Be sure to go and visit to see 100 snails. Snips & snails don't only belong to little boys I see... be sure to visit her posts on chickens. Gotta see the chickens.

Raised by Geriatrics-- visit Smockity Frocks

Smockity Frocks posted something I can related to ...oh so well. When you have kids a little later on in life ( I was 36 when Jack was born), you somehow have a different view of life, and are often sooo out of it when you are in a room with playgroupers or friends with kids your kids age. One friend who became pregnant at 40 said, "there's something wrong when your putting diapers and clearasil in the same grocery cart." I know Mrs. Duggar (18 & counting) wouldn't agree, but she's not your average mom. I'm your average mom, and sometimes the diapers and the book on 'facing menopause' sort of makes me wonder about my cart. I admit it, sometimes the image of who I'm supposed to be (per the world's view), or what I thought 'it' would be, gets in the way of who I should be. There I said it. I think it has something to do with not getting what you want/expected, but wanting what you have(or are).

I have started exercising more lately(for the health in it). Yes, I even got the P90X set. When you feel like a turtle on its back when you wake up, its time to something. I may not be up on the latest pilates, but I want to be able to show up to that playgroup, to find out what I'm missing. I love it (P90X), and seem to have more opportunity to actually do it since the boys are a little older, (needing less immediate attention, and more experience in delayed gratification). But I'm still in agreement with miss Smockity... running is for when someone is chasing you. Maybe one day, Roan, I'll be able to sing running's praises.

Hope you're having a super day- no matter how old you are, and no matter how old your kids make you feel.