Alphabet Art

The home search is coming to an end, but this link will sure inspire. Super cute crafty art. Enjoy.

Reading Curriculum

Phonics Pathways has been our tool for reading this year. My friend Leslie, had used it carefully, and was very pleased. Our 1 day school had used it as a guide and frame for activities in class & assignments. I have just never warmed to it.

Last night I got 'The Ordinary Parents Guide to Reading' out and it was like a reunion with a long lost friend. I looked through it and found it to be just what I've been missing. It seems so much more comprehensive. But to stay on task with a group/school program, you don't add to the work, especially with a 1st grader. You just do 1 program and supplement and be creative as you go. But the 'school' year is ending and I'm seeing the light shining big & bright on 'Ordinary Parents guide'. I can't wait!

Mudpies and Other Recipes

When I was little... this was a favorite. Enjoy.

The Earth is the Lord's

'the Earth is the Lord's

and everything in it,

the world,

and those who live in it.'
Psalm 24:1

This has been our memory verse for the first section of Our Spiritual Heritage Bible study. The period covers 'first fathers' of OSH, creation, & introduction of Abraham.

Our second memory verse is from:

Psalm 146:5-6

'Happy is the person who has the God of Jacob for his help. Whose hope is in the Lord, his God, who made heaven & earth, the sea and all that is in them.'

April, Lord willing will bring us the a comforting and encouraging verse,

Psalm 40:11b

'Let Your loving kindness and your truth

always preserve me.'

These verses are selected for the modified pre-school lessons for OSH chronology box of the Bible. We are all continuing to learn Ephesians 6, along with Jack for his regular academic work.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

These two little boys want to go out and play, and there will be mud. and laundry.









My computer has been at 'the shop', but it's on the mend. Still house/homestead shopping. Finding, getting, aquiring... not where my heart wants to be. It wants to be digging, creating, growing. But it's a necessity, the getting of the place to do the digging, etc..
So these Sunday dudded kiddos continue to play in the muddy creek, ride bikes 'with no training wheels,' and enjoy playing HARD.
Blessed are we, health, love, opportunity. Thank you Lord, for not 'cutting me off', when I forget to take my 'meds'. Lifetime meds that is.
Henry was thankful for the rain today, stay rain, stay... makes more mud.

An Apology for Latin or Math

I've been juggling the math question and stumbled upon this article. Latin seems so mandatory to me, but I have long been a believer in delayed math. But common practice & marital bliss have required a start in the subject. But the article above (linked first) shed a little light about math being a 'subject' not a grammar subject, much like Latin.
I'm working on a start in Classical Conversations which will provide the memorization facts, but give freedom of planning in our educational plan.
Another related article about Latin I found very interesting can be found here.
We'll be incorporating Latin for sure, and math in a slower pace, 'grammar' of the subject way as time unfolds.

Lifemeds #36

Counting still {1000 gifts}

301 Nana's who come to visit & do the laundry.

302 watch the kids

303 celebrate victories no matter how small.

304 Jack finally losing a top tooth

305 Henry's attitude (happiness)

306 opportunities in homeschooling to solidify connections made in learning.

307 beautiful weather

308 concert at UGA to hear amazing musicians (Punch Brothers)

309 Eric's williness to see & enjoy the moments of life (he got the tickets without my knowing)

310 Valentine Junior Mints from my sweetie.

311 Excellent DAR meeting

312 the boy's enthusiasm for playing tennis -- TOGETHER

That's my list for now...

Be sure to visit the Gratitude Community over at A Holy Experience to enjoy the company of others counting what could be an endless list of blessings ~ One Thousand Gifts.

I call it ~ Lifetime Meds.

Homesteading Revisited

We feel we've been on a break, and found ourselves just needing to 'survive'. A move of any nature is disturbing & disruptive. We are in a 9 month position of recovery. We're getting our feet. Perhaps because we've 'figured out' what we really need, and 'how far out' is really far enough.

It's likely we'll put yet another offer on a house this weekend. We've missed a couple, but that's just part of the learning curve, growing process, and character building. I'm curved, processed & built enough. I WANT TO GO HOME. Hang up my horseshoe over the door and plant the garden. And it's really time to start living, stop fretting & wringing hands.

We had a serious moment last week, that sent our Valentines day into a tailspin. Our dog of 11 years bit H. A dog nip is one thing, but this was serious. We knew it. It was time. She's gone and a chapter in our lives has closed before we were ready. We love her and miss her. How silly, not really, time invested into a living creature... she gave us so much and we hope we cared for her well. We know it's a part of life, but she's gone. Our hearts broken are ready for the opening of the new chapter.

Chickens, goats, horses? Perhaps a new dog, when the season comes. I was able to vist Lazy B Farm in person, & savor the company of likeminded women for an evening of coffee and discussion. Excellent. Next meeting in a few weeks for those who are nearby.

For now, we appreciate the simplicity, have played tennis everyday in the beautiful weather, and have enjoyed our Valentines as best we could.

Mt. Hope Chronicles: Q & A: Homeschooling

Visited Heidi @ Mt. Hope Chronicles: Q & A: Homeschooling for some homeschooling questions about boys, and just in general. Head on over for some excellent information about Classical Conversations (links), and some good detail about her world of learning. And you'll get to see Lola. Don't miss Lola.

Inspiration

This photo from Southern Living is inspiration to me. perhaps it's the big french doors. The fireplace, with it's contemporary art, or the persian rug. The 2 kids in my house seldom if ever sit that still. We are working on 2 offers, on 2 different houses. Life moves on. So literally.

Jack is working on memorizing Ephesians 6, and is currently in the midst of the armor of God. What an amazing illustration for us. Henry is quoting 'The earth is the Lord's and everything in it,' taken from Psalm 24:1.

Lifemeds #35

274 finding a book that actually helped me with the tv addiction problem.

275 the desire to do something about it.

276 peace about a house.

277 breathtaking weather.

278 a beaverdam in our creek.

279 boys healthy play in the creek.

280 4-H clubs and a home-school group each month.

281 my husband.

282 that he watched the boys 2 times this last week so I could make 2 special meetings.

283 a self-defense class with friends at Tae Kwon Do

284 a Homesteading Meeting!!! how fun!

285 complimentary school classes that teach scripture

286 my Sword

287 Sunday pot lucks - yum.

288 coupons that I found while shopping for groceries

289 the time (3rd time Eric watched boys in the week) I had to shop alone for groceries.

290 duct tape

291 my washing machine

292 a steam carpet cleaner

293 my vaacum (last years christmas present)

294 our table hockey game

295 an obedient dog

296 teachable boys

297 patient friends

298 a home for Leslie

299 a decorator she loves

300 opportunity.

I heard last week one is happier if they have a meeting to attend once a month. Well once a week individuals meet up on a Monday morning to share in a Gratitude Community, counting 1000 Gifts. Visit there. Join. It's amazing.

I call it my lifemeds. It is a medicine I will always need. Gratitude.