tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80975128295055670542024-02-20T18:16:50.066-05:00Training Hearts at HomeTrain them up in the way they should go...Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.comBlogger445125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-26889284867979616782014-01-29T00:39:00.001-05:002014-01-29T00:39:57.788-05:00Are you SAD?I think it's safe to say that the majority of the country has been fully experiencing winter this year so far, and sadly, according to our local weatherman, it doesn't look like spring is coming anytime soon.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><blockquote>"…February is likely to bring a lot of nasty weather our way. To repeat… I do NOT think we’ve had our biggest snow, yet." -Chris Bailey, our awesome weather man</blockquote><br />
So how are you holding up? Are you enjoying all the snow and sub-zero temperatures? Can't get enough of bundling up and freezing your buns off just to take the dog out? Loving piles of wet, snowy clothes from the kids?<br />
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Yeah, that's what I thought.<br />
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Winter can be hard to get through. For most, it's just an inconvenient nuisance. Some love the cold and snow. If it's within the month of December, I'm one of those that welcome it! However, if you are like many of us out there and have a hard time making it through the cold winter months you might be suffering from a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D.<br />
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Some of the common symptoms of S.A.D. include :<br />
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<ul><li>Sluggishness</li>
<li>Increased sleepiness</li>
<li>Increase in appetite/weight gain</li>
<li>Less energy</li>
<li>Difficulty in concentrating</li>
<li>Loss of interest in work or other activities</li>
<li>Social withdraw</li>
<li>Irritability </li>
<li>Sense of unhappiness</li>
</ul><div>The main cause of S.A.D. is actually very simple. Lack of sunlight! When the days grow shorter it means fewer hours of sunlight. This can mess with your internal clock which tells you when you should be awake and when you should be sleeping.<br />
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A reduction in exposure to sunlight also causes a reduction in serotonin and melatonin in our bodies, each of which greatly affect our mood. Who knew the sun, which CAN pose some serious health risks if we don't take the proper precautions and limit our exposure, is also the main key to our mood and level of energy!<br />
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However, since most of us can't run away to a sunny beach for a few months every year, what are we to do about this?! Well, here are some simple things you can do to help fight the symptoms of S.A.D.<br />
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<ol><li>Number one on the list of things you should try to do is to get your daily dose of natural sunlight. I know this isn't always easy to do in the winter time, but even on the grayest of days if you can get outside for just 15 minutes you'll be surprised at how much this will help boost your mood. Investing in a<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004UIBUI4/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004UIBUI4&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20">clear umbrella</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=traheaathom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B004UIBUI4" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> will ensure you can still take a short walk even on those rainy days. Or maybe eat lunch outside if possible. Believe it or not your body will still absorb some Vitamin D even on cloudy days and your mood will boost!</li>
<li>If you can't get outside, make sure to try to let in as much light as possible. Open all the curtains and blinds in your home and let the light flood in. If this isn't enough you may want to seriously consider light therapy by purchasing a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000W8Y7FY/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000W8Y7FY&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20">special light that mimics natural sunlight</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=traheaathom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B000W8Y7FY" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />! I don't have one yet, but I can't wait to get my hands on one! I have friends who use this to help with their S.A.D. and swear by them!</li>
<li>Even though you may not feel like doing it, exercising and increasing your heart rate will increase serotonin levels which will in turn increase your mood. It's best if you can exercise in the morning to help set the mood for the rest of the day.</li>
<li>Making healthier food choices will go a long way in helping how you feel throughout the day. High carb, high sugar foods might make you feel good for a little while, but will soon cause you to crash and make you tired which in turn only adds to the feelings of depression.</li>
<li>Stay busy! Use this time to keep your mind and hands busy by tackling those unfinished projects you never seem to get around to or maybe take the time to learn something new! Maybe try your hand at sewing or take a class you've always wanted to try! Find something that interests you and that you will get excited about and look forward to doing. One thing I find that helps keep my mind distracted is to tackle a room or closet that's needed cleaning or reorganizing for a while. Not necessarily 'fun', but it kills two birds with one stone, keeps me busy and gets my house clean! </li>
<li>Laugh! The Bible says that laughter is like a good medicine and it's true! Watch a funny movie and laugh yourself into a better mood! </li>
</ol><div>If you have found other things that have helped get through these rough winter months, please share with us!</div><script src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=traheaathom-20" type="text/javascript">
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</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-50071172473044574502014-01-26T23:39:00.001-05:002014-01-26T23:48:36.825-05:00Teaching Responsibility, Even When It's Hard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0Img0zuBzY-r8ZU2INmNJHWVhmW7iYIC9mOJMD44_Q2I5c38rkbNceyeg-H6RHKyNyGs0s4odtzgF-9VpKDwuUAI4hBW_KJlygXpHt7Q8Pv4g6zPsRn4Rmk7kuGHYkSt-aaxqdocVpvS/s1600/Responsibility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0Img0zuBzY-r8ZU2INmNJHWVhmW7iYIC9mOJMD44_Q2I5c38rkbNceyeg-H6RHKyNyGs0s4odtzgF-9VpKDwuUAI4hBW_KJlygXpHt7Q8Pv4g6zPsRn4Rmk7kuGHYkSt-aaxqdocVpvS/s1600/Responsibility.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Two of our children have <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B004ZLV5UE/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004ZLV5UE&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20">cell phones,</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=traheaathom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B004ZLV5UE" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />one because she's a driver now and the other because he's in public school and getting busier as he gets older and needs a way to stay in communication with us.<br />
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From day one when they received their phones we warned them to always keep a protective <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B005SUHRH6/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005SUHRH6&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20">OtterBox case</a> <img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=traheaathom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B005SUHRH6" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />on them in case they ever dropped them. My husband and I had seen shattered phone screens and it made us wince in pain each time we saw one.<br />
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They listened, for a little while. But as time went on they got comfortable with their phones and chose to change their cases to more cool/pretty/decorated ones that aren't even close to being protective. While I wanted to be the protective mom I've always been and MAKE them keep their OtterBoxes on their phones, I knew they were getting older and needed to learn responsibility as well as understanding that there are consequences for the choices we make, whether good or bad. Not that choosing a different phone case can be categorized as either 'good' or 'bad', but choosing to listen to the wisdom of your parents or choosing to do your own thing usually results in consequences we're not always happy with. We had told them repeatedly that if they chose to not keep the protective Otterbox on their phone and something happened to it because of it that we would NOT be replacing their phone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakKxd6BZ6IDyU-PLs0xlQsJShfueHbTD1P3fez_CtEvhYeUiSX7755i7JR8eD3ts9MGo5rgLLuEQC1wEsFkdLztNSAi4nAXjWSN3UR184GtxjVWGRcKzuRE3TJD_sSjw2ApQu3Uo87Nvs/s1600/ShatteredIphoneScreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakKxd6BZ6IDyU-PLs0xlQsJShfueHbTD1P3fez_CtEvhYeUiSX7755i7JR8eD3ts9MGo5rgLLuEQC1wEsFkdLztNSAi4nAXjWSN3UR184GtxjVWGRcKzuRE3TJD_sSjw2ApQu3Uo87Nvs/s1600/ShatteredIphoneScreen.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a>I'm guessing you can see where this story is headed.<br />
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Last week, our son's phone fell to the hardwood floor and the screen shattered. As luck would have it, his warranty was up last month. He can upgrade his phone for free... but not until December of this year. And considering it shattered at the bottom of the screen where the keypad is, making it nearly impossible for him to type, I don't think he's too happy about waiting nearly a year to have this problem resolved.<br />
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So, we went searching to see what options he has. We found this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00822U9S6/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00822U9S6&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20">iPhone screen replacement kit</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=traheaathom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00822U9S6" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />on Amazon and it seems to have the highest reviews from buyers, so when our son decides he's had enough of his busted, nearly-unusable phone screen and finds a way to earn the money needed to buy this replacement kit, we will help him get his phone back into like-new condition.<br />
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You may be thinking that this sounds a bit harsh, making our 14-year-old son pay to repair his phone when it was clearly an accident that it busted. However, I feel like this is what's wrong with so many young people in our society today. Everything was either given to them or done for them and they don't know what it means to take responsibility and work for what you want or need. Our son will soon turn 15. Another year and he'll be driving. Another couple of years after that he'll be graduating high school and making decisions that will affect the rest of his life. If we don't help him learn lessons like this now, then when? It's our job as parents to help our kids learn these hard lessons now, while they're still under our protective care. They're human. They're going to make mistakes. If we truly love them we won't jump in to save them every time but will instead give them advice, pray for them, help them (as opposed to doing it for them), and let them learn these lessons that will prove to be invaluable to them when they're older.<br />
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Oh, and by the way, the Otterbox has been back on his phone ever since it fell to the floor. *sigh*<br />
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-29396190068369829532014-01-23T22:52:00.000-05:002014-01-26T23:49:05.888-05:00 Got a Young Seamstress in the Making?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTqAIFx5ljhWD2zAwOQ5P3yJ0WuY_kAG-5aRTh9PyFA5ysqxqPVENrGb284uuSljBnpJGcCwbZVbE9JGcTXqPJSpVWkbGCc3LKbY4cwHxqfLoRewZ5Z9RPy7v1botIA5YkDi5C_8Xrmi1/s1600/SewingThread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvTqAIFx5ljhWD2zAwOQ5P3yJ0WuY_kAG-5aRTh9PyFA5ysqxqPVENrGb284uuSljBnpJGcCwbZVbE9JGcTXqPJSpVWkbGCc3LKbY4cwHxqfLoRewZ5Z9RPy7v1botIA5YkDi5C_8Xrmi1/s1600/SewingThread.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div><br />
One thing I love about homeschooling is that it allows our children the time and freedom to pursue things that interest them. True learning often doesn't come from a textbook, but instead comes from spending time doing things that interest us, getting hands-on experience learning a new skill, visiting with and listening to and learning from an expert, or maybe watching instructional videos or reading from a book specifically geared towards something we are interested in. When learning is fun and interesting it's no longer something that 'has' to be done but instead becomes something we WANT to do!<br />
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Our 12-year-old daughter has talked for quite a while about wanting to make clothes for her American Girl dolls, and considering the price of those things from the AG website, I am MORE than happy to hear that she is interested in making her own! My goodness, those clothes are just as expensive, sometimes more so, than the clothes I buy for HER, my real-live little girl! I LOVE that she wants to learn to make her own! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002FJWP52/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002FJWP52&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B002FJWP52&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=traheaathom-20" height="200" width="198" /></a>To help her do this we bought her her very first sewing machine for Christmas last month, a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002FJWP52/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002FJWP52&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20">SINGER Pixie-Plus Craft Machine.</a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=traheaathom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B002FJWP52" height="1" style="border-image: none !important !important; border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />It's a cute little thing. Just perfect for her to begin to learn how a sewing machine works and to begin to make her own little projects! I'm sure one day, if she stays interested, she'll move up to a bigger, more expensive model, but for just starting out, this little machine has proven to be perfect.<br />
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<center><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=traheaathom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B002FJWP52" height="1" style="border-image: none !important !important; border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></center><div align="left">It has eight different stitches and comes with thirteen spools of thread, twenty-three pre-wound bobbins, an accessory kit that contains everything a new sewer (sewer? sew'er? sew-er?) would need to get started, as well as a foot pedal. </div><br />
She couldn't wait to get her hands on it so after a few short lessons from mom on how to thread the needle and using the foot pedal and reverse stitch button, she dug into my box of scrap material and went to town, trying out all the different stitches, making her own version of a little bag (with its own handle!) as well as a 'pocket'. Yep, a pocket! lol<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZy_P8xUHQX0g34xhyphenhyphenuRjeVEhrT7HwUa_JBjv6bdUErDuAgDKHCzA6k5QMii9KLiIErZdLyT-YoOVtEgz5qJoSIc2SPQJj2zzPIEu04DGoUVnsKjeErnHG3T090oPlSfCOo3an6FwtS8Aw/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZy_P8xUHQX0g34xhyphenhyphenuRjeVEhrT7HwUa_JBjv6bdUErDuAgDKHCzA6k5QMii9KLiIErZdLyT-YoOVtEgz5qJoSIc2SPQJj2zzPIEu04DGoUVnsKjeErnHG3T090oPlSfCOo3an6FwtS8Aw/s1600/IMG_3482.JPG" height="400" width="298" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1607057514/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1607057514&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=1607057514&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=traheaathom-20" height="200" width="166" /></a>Now, since her idea is to one day have her own etsy shop where she sells her hand-made doll clothes, I thought she might need a little more instruction in the area of sewing projects that actually look a bit more professional than a pocket. (Not that a pocket isn't a handy little thing. Where would this world be without pockets?!) To help her out, we also gave her the book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/1607057514/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1607057514&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20">A Kid's Guide to Sewing</a> for Christmas.<br />
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I love this book! Its perfect for the new young seamstress! Here's the description of it...<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><em>"In this book by well-known modern quilters Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr along with their 11-year-old daughter Sophie Kerr, kids will learn how to navigate a sewing machine, make smart fabric choices, and use basic sewing tools. Sixteen kid-friendly projects run the gamut from clothes to bags to accessories while clear, step-by-step instructions from Weeks and husband/design partner Bill Kerr walk kids through the creation of each. Throughout the book, tips from Sophie offer design and construction advice from a kid's perspective. The book "grows" with the sewist, offering more complex projects as the reader's skills develop."</em></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-image: none;">Now doesn't that just sound like the perfect little sewing book for beginning young ladies?! Kristin loves it and can't wait to get to all the projects in it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00B0T7XPA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00B0T7XPA&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00B0T7XPA&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=traheaathom-20" height="200" width="138" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00B0S6L7M/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00B0S6L7M&linkCode=am2&tag=traheaathom-20" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00B0S6L7M&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=traheaathom-20" /></a>Last but not least, as I was walking past the craft department in Walmart one day in December what to my wondering eyes should appear but Simplicity 18" doll clothes patterns! I had no idea they made these but I knew right away that our Princess would love them! I couldn't find the exact ones we got her, but here are a couple I found on Amazon to show you what they look like...</div><center style="border-image: none;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=traheaathom-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B00B0S6L7M" height="1" style="border-image: none !important !important; border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></center><center style="border-image: none;"></center><center style="border-image: none;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br />
</span></center><center style="border-image-source: none; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I am truly loving this special time with my 'baby' girl. I really enjoy sewing and wish I had more time to devote to it so I am thrilled I have a daughter who is showing interest in it as well! Helping her learn is causing me to take the time to slow down and spend quality time with her doing something we both love. It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks that are constantly calling out our name and let these precious, fleeting moments with our children pass us right on by.</span></center><div class="separator" style="border-image-source: none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both;">I can't tell you the joy it brings my heart to watch my daughter sitting at that machine, using her imagination to create her own little masterpieces! And the joy it brings her, the confidence I see it building in her, well, there's just nothing else like seeing that in your children.</div><div><br />
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So, if you have a young lady who is interested in learning to sew, this might be a good place to start. Naturally this machine isn't going to last her forever if she continues to show interest in sewing, but it's a good one to begin with to let her test the waters to see if it's something she truly does want to learn and continue doing. No sense in investing hundreds of dollars in a sewing machine if it's going to wind up only collecting dust and not something she is going to be interested in continuing, right?</div><script type="text/javascript" src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=traheaathom-20">
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Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-12090426403453853362014-01-16T19:05:00.000-05:002014-01-23T22:54:33.250-05:00Changes To Our Homeschool<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGC-r7hlNUd5UoZ0NCf3ZVvT11wIiqIZismjLEtRa01r5b8jShAYzHFdX3hovhDhQvfXhPc2Vd_ti8HXI6AvBZhWdRux6SgBzIqifbZl5PgeigJjPz4oep6DYzehNYkz8Qe6pKRugo1Abw/s1600/HomeschoolVsPulicSchool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGC-r7hlNUd5UoZ0NCf3ZVvT11wIiqIZismjLEtRa01r5b8jShAYzHFdX3hovhDhQvfXhPc2Vd_ti8HXI6AvBZhWdRux6SgBzIqifbZl5PgeigJjPz4oep6DYzehNYkz8Qe6pKRugo1Abw/s400/HomeschoolVsPulicSchool.jpg" /></a></div>
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Since the last time I regularly blogged, the look of our homeschooling has changed. We now have three children being homeschooled and one in public school. There are so many different emotions that have been going on inside of me for several months since this change has occurred, but I'll save that for another post at another time.<br />
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Our oldest is still home and is now a senior in high school. She'll turn 18 in April and we will celebrate 12 years of watching her grow and learn at home at her graduation in May. My goodness, how our lives are but a fleeting moment. How can our baby be old enough to be making plans for college?! Wasn't she just learning to multiply and divide?!<br />
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Our second oldest is now in public school. He's in 8th grade and this was a decision much prayed over, although I'm still not sure we have done the right thing or not. (Again, another post for another day.) The ONLY reason he is going to school is so he can play football, a great love of his. (Although 24 other states have passed some form of a Tim Tebow bill where homeschooled kids can join public school sports teams, if you live in the state of Kentucky the only way you can play is to enroll in public school.) It seems he has been blessed with some talent in the area of football and although school had already started by the time he got signed up to go, the very first day he was at football practice they put him in at quarterback and that's where he stayed.<br />
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Our second son is currently in 7th grade and I'm afraid I may also lose him to public school next year as well because he desperately wants to get back to playing football also. I'm pretty sure, if he decides to go, this son will decide that public school and all that comes with it simply isn't worth it just to play football but, I could be wrong. But mommas know their kids and I just have a hunch he isn't going to feel as strongly about football as he thinks he does right now. <br />
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And then our youngest, our 'baby', is 12 and in 6th grade. Unless God hits me over the head with a hammer and makes it abundantly clear she is to go to school at some point, she will be with me for the next six years and graduate from homeschooling just like her sister. That thought makes me very happy!<br />
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I always try to see the positive in every situation. Make no bones about it, it's my dream to homeschool ALL our children through high school, that was always the plan in my mind as well as in my heart, but for now we are in a different season of life. I don't know exactly what the Lord has planned for each of our children, but at least I can blog with knowledge about both sides of the coin, homeschooling and public schooling, and believe me, I plan on doing just that. I may have to be careful and sensor what I say on Facebook (several public school parents there that I don't want to offend), but here on my personal blog I will inform you guys of anything I feel needs to be shared regarding public school education because I know I'm not the only one facing this kind of situation. Even if you don't have children in public school and never plan to, I dare say most of us have nieces, nephews, friends' children, possibly even grandchildren in the public school setting and it's important we're informed of exactly what's going on and what's being taught to children. Regardless, today's children are our future leaders! God help us, literally, if we're not informed and involved!<br />
<br />Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-75383938176598438462014-01-14T23:45:00.000-05:002014-01-14T23:52:42.711-05:00I'm BACK!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEAxw68ZoRL6X87j5W8D9pvRP930Y0prwOAIsNHkG0KS1AA636d_FZZI07gFTZdu9AQF_5-4g26D7R5iKW4roCHXFRCwOA0J3iwEg6S-CDoyRn9K95YM8ugWeKQX8UEJoqMoxCDI-EWKL/s1600/Hello-Im-back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEAxw68ZoRL6X87j5W8D9pvRP930Y0prwOAIsNHkG0KS1AA636d_FZZI07gFTZdu9AQF_5-4g26D7R5iKW4roCHXFRCwOA0J3iwEg6S-CDoyRn9K95YM8ugWeKQX8UEJoqMoxCDI-EWKL/s320/Hello-Im-back.jpg" /></a></div><br />
WoW! It's been soooo long since I've blogged on a regular basis. But when, on a whim last week, I paid a visit to my nearly-forgotten blog, my love for blogging and reaching out to fellow homeschoolers was instantly rekindled inside my heart. As soon as the page opened up I just felt like I had finally come back home after a much-too-long hiatus. <br />
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So, expect to see a whole lot more from me starting this week! I've been doing some early Spring cleaning and sprucing up the look of my home here on the web. After not blogging in a couple years there were several updates that needed to be done. While I'm still working on that part, I'm jumping head-first back into blogging and I can't wait!Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-45112756998287141562012-08-15T21:28:00.000-05:002012-08-15T22:01:56.408-05:00Our Curriculum for 2012-2013<br />
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I've had some dear friends asking me what curriculum we have chosen to use this year and while I'd really like to do some in depth blog posts about some of the things and tell you WHY we choose what we did, that will have to wait for another time. For now I'll just give you a quick run-down of what each of the kids will be using in one form or another this year and maybe you'll find something you didn't know was out there! That's always fun!<br />
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Ok, here we go. From oldest to youngest:<br />
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<u><strong>*Kaity (grade 11):</strong></u><br />
-<a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Algebra1.htm" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1</a> and <a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Algebra2.htm" target="_blank">2</a> <br />
-<a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/american-government-high-school-curriculum/" target="_blank">Exploring Government</a> (1st semester) by Notgrass Company<br />
-<a href="http://www.notgrass.com/notgrass/exploring-world-history/" target="_blank">Exploring World History</a> (2nd semester) by Notgrass Company<br />
-<a href="http://www.analyticalgrammar.com/" target="_blank">Analytical Grammar</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.essentialsinwriting.com/" target="_blank">Essentials in Writing</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=043262&sid=1309137171-916863" target="_blank">Biology 101 DVDs</a>, <a href="http://beginningspublishing.com/version2/rainbow.htm" target="_blank">The Rainbow Science/Biology section</a>, <a href="http://www.apologia.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=4" target="_blank">Apologia's Biology</a> (our own mixture of the 3)<br />
-<a href="http://store.tellmemore.com/Learn-Spanish-with-TELL-ME-MORE-Spanish-s/98.htm?gclid=CM-hz7yA67ECFdNxMgodL3IANQ" target="_blank">Tell Me More Spanish</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/total-health-high-student-softcover/susan-boe/9781583312261/pd/312269?kw=312269&en=froogle&p=1013824&gclid=CNn-6vvs6rECFYkWMgod4RIAlQ" target="_blank">Total Health- Choices for a Healthy Lifestyle</a><br />
-<a href="http://positiveaction.org/products#shk950" target="_blank">The Inner Man (Bible study) by Positive Action for Christ</a><br />
-<a href="http://shop.fablevisionlearning.com/mapping-the-world-by-heart/fa/shop.detail/productID/2683/" target="_blank">Mapping the World by Heart</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.meetthemasters.com/" target="_blank">Meet the Masters</a> (art)<br />
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<strong><u>*Caleb (grade 7)</u></strong><br />
-<a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/PreAlgebra.htm" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.themysteryofhistory.info/volumeI.shtml" target="_blank">Mystery of History Vol. 1</a> & <a href="http://www.themysteryofhistory.info/volumeII.shtml" target="_blank">2</a> (since we've already done U.S. history we're doing ancient/world with this)<br />
-<a href="https://apologia.securesites.net/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2" target="_blank">Exploring Creation with General Science</a> by Apologia<br />
-<a href="http://www.analyticalgrammar.com/" target="_blank">Analytical Grammar</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/jump-in-kit-2-volumes/sharon-watson/pd/437014?product_redirect=1&Ntt=437014&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Jump In! Writing</a><br />
-<a href="http://avko.org/sequentialspelling.html" target="_blank">Sequential Spelling</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.wordvoyage.com/" target="_blank">Word Voyage</a><br />
-<a href="http://positiveaction.org/products#smkn700" target="_blank">Wise Up (Bible study) by Positive Action for Christ</a><br />
-"<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Check-Your-Brains-Door/dp/1400317207/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345081474&sr=8-1&keywords=don%27t+check+your+brains+at+the+door" target="_blank">Don't Check Your Brains at the Door"</a> (apologetics book for him to read and get the 'why you believe what you believe' teaching)<br />
-<a href="http://store.tellmemore.com/Learn-Spanish-with-TELL-ME-MORE-Spanish-s/98.htm?gclid=CM-hz7yA67ECFdNxMgodL3IANQ" target="_blank">Tell Me More Spanish</a><br />
-<a href="http://shop.fablevisionlearning.com/mapping-the-world-by-heart/fa/shop.detail/productID/2683/" target="_blank">Mapping the World by Heart</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.meetthemasters.com/" target="_blank">Meet the Masters</a> (art)<br />
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<strong><u>*Cameron (grade 6)</u></strong><br />
-<a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Math7.htm" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks 7</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.themysteryofhistory.info/volumeI.shtml" target="_blank">Mystery of History 1</a> & <a href="http://www.themysteryofhistory.info/volumeII.shtml" target="_blank">2</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.gravitaspublications.com/" target="_blank">Real Science for Kids</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.growingwithgrammar.com/1gwgProduct_Page.html" target="_blank">Growing with Grammar 6</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/jump-in-kit-2-volumes/sharon-watson/pd/437014?product_redirect=1&Ntt=437014&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Jump In! Writing</a><br />
-<a href="http://avko.org/sequentialspelling.html" target="_blank">Sequential Spelling</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.wordvoyage.com/" target="_blank">Word Voyage</a><br />
-<a href="http://positiveaction.org/products#senn610" target="_blank">Winning the Race (Bible study) by Positive Action for Christ</a><br />
-<a href="http://store.tellmemore.com/Learn-Spanish-with-TELL-ME-MORE-Spanish-s/98.htm?gclid=CM-hz7yA67ECFdNxMgodL3IANQ" target="_blank">Tell Me More Spanish</a><br />
-<a href="http://shop.fablevisionlearning.com/mapping-the-world-by-heart/fa/shop.detail/productID/2683/" target="_blank">Mapping the World by Heart</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.meetthemasters.com/" target="_blank">Meet the Masters</a> (art)<br />
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<u><strong>*Kristin (grade 5)</strong></u><br />
-<a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Math5.htm" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks 5</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.themysteryofhistory.info/volumeI.shtml" target="_blank">Mystery of History 1</a> & <a href="http://www.themysteryofhistory.info/volumeII.shtml" target="_blank">2</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.gravitaspublications.com/" target="_blank">Real Science for Kids</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.growingwithgrammar.com/1gwgProduct_Page.html" target="_blank">Growing with Grammar 5</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/jump-in-kit-2-volumes/sharon-watson/pd/437014?product_redirect=1&Ntt=437014&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">Jump In! Writing</a><br />
-<a href="http://avko.org/sequentialspelling.html" target="_blank">Sequential Spelling</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.wordvoyage.com/" target="_blank">Word Voyage</a><br />
-<a href="http://positiveaction.org/products#senn510" target="_blank">Possessing the Land (Bible study) by Positive Action for Christ</a><br />
-<a href="http://store.tellmemore.com/Learn-Spanish-with-TELL-ME-MORE-Spanish-s/98.htm?gclid=CM-hz7yA67ECFdNxMgodL3IANQ" target="_blank">Tell Me More Spanish</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.typingweb.com/" target="_blank">Typing Web</a><br />
-<a href="http://shop.fablevisionlearning.com/mapping-the-world-by-heart/fa/shop.detail/productID/2683/" target="_blank">Mapping the World by Heart</a><br />
-<a href="http://www.meetthemasters.com/" target="_blank">Meet the Masters</a> (art)<br />
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There you have it! Hope this helps you discover some new things out there you weren't aware of! I just love finding new, fun curriculum. Don't you?Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-26605523232697641622012-07-25T00:04:00.000-05:002012-07-25T00:07:09.458-05:00God Can Use Anyone!Jacob was a cheater, Peter had a temper, David had an affair, Noah got drunk, Jonah ran from God, Paul was a murderer, Miriam was a gossiper, Martha was a worrier, Gideon was insecure, Thomas was a doubter, Sarah was impatient, Elijah was depressed, Moses stuttered, Zacheus was short, Abraham was old, and Lazarus was dead!<br />
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God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-84828435557138319082012-05-11T13:31:00.000-05:002012-05-11T13:31:41.744-05:00Am I Willing?<br />
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"You keep repeating a few words over and over. Have you really heard yourself? Do you really know what you are saying? I... I... me... me... <u>my</u> hopes, <u>my</u> dreams, <u>I'm</u> unhappy, what will <u>I</u> do, what will become of <u>me</u>. All your thoughts are focused on yourself. All of them. I suppose, considering the circumstances, that some of that is only natural. But you can't continue in that spiritual condition. You must ask the Lord to help you set yourself aside. Because that is what is in the way of your spiritual growth. Yourself. It always has been. It is for all of us. Jesus said that you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. You are clinging to yourself and what you want, instead of denying yourself and clinging to what He wants. I know it is hard. It isn't easy for anyone. We are too weak to do it on our own. But remember that He has said that His strength is made perfect in wekaness. Call on Him, ask Him to help you. He will answer. But you must truly want to set yourself aside. You must truly be willing to take His will for your own."</div>
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What powerful words to think about! This is a quote from a book we picked up at this year's Midwest Homeschool Convention in Cincinnati called <a href="http://castleberryfarmspress.com/" target="_blank"><em>Waiting for Her Issac </em>by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen B. Castleberry</a>. <br />
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How many of us, if we were completely honest, could say we don't need to take this to heart? Am I willing to 'set myself aside' and possibly give up all <u>my</u> hopes, <u>my</u> dreams, <u>my</u> plans and <u>my</u> ideas in order to allow God to have His perfect will in my life? Isaiah 55:9 says, "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." Wouldn't it stand to reason that our human, fleshly thoughts and desires just might not match up with God's plan for our life if we haven't thoroughly prayed and KNOW that we've heard from God and know without doubt that we are walking in His will for our lives? Maybe we have convinced ourselves that we are in God's perfect will for our lives because we are comfortable and happy. And that very well may be true, God does care about every single aspect of our lives and from Him all blessings flow, including happiness. But at the same time, from experience I know that we serve a God that sometimes likes to get us out of our comfort zone so He can teach us and mold us into who He created us to be!<br />
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"For I know the plans <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup>I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper <sup class="crossreference" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-19647B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup>you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. " (Jeremiah 29:11) We might have <em>our</em> plans and ideas about what <em>we</em> want out of this life, what <em>we</em> think will make us happy and will make everything alright, but if we are true followers of Jesus and we believe the Bible is the inspired true Word of God, then we have to take His words to heart and trust that while it may be hard, sometimes very hard, God knows what's best for us and if we will humble ourselves and seek HIS perfect will in <u>every</u> <u>single</u> <u>area</u> of our life... marriage, job, homeschooling, etc., then and only then will we experience true joy and peace that only comes from willingly His will for our own.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Just for the record, this book is wonderfully encouraging as far as seeking God's perfect will for our lives, and we agree completely with waiting for the one God has created just for you instead of today's view of dating until you find one you think you want to marry, but our family plans to settle somewhere in between 'waiting on the Lord' and the story presented in this book for our children.)</span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-52906222603131954022011-09-27T21:28:00.003-05:002011-09-27T22:58:27.158-05:00Our Weekly Lesson Plans<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I always love seeing how other homeschool moms organize and plan out their lessons, so, I thought I'd share with you what has worked for our family for the past few years. Maybe something here will spark an idea for you that will help you just as reading about others helped me develop the best plan for our family.<br />
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First of all, I'm not going to lie and tell you that this way is neccesarily <em>quick</em>. I do have to put some time into it each week. But compared to the years I tried to get by without having a plan down for the week, the time invested in laying out our weekly plans is SO worth it!<br />
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When sitting down to plan out this school year the very first thing I did was take each subject and see where I wanted us to be by the end of the year then backtracked to see what we needed to cover each month in order to reach that goal. Each month was then broken down into what needed to be covered each week.<br />
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The result is what I have sitting before me each school day:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wNtex3Q9ZHJHBy2gP6nEykDy4-fO4Z1dZSKLW0pW8bZs290LmaiUVPtfMTmc9ZGiFYzkQzVM6iVKn4gSypVxInRXOZVA7NadN22_8N5Y0mKdLM3cPBW0kSR71JyVUMJz35eihyphenhyphenMcxW6s/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wNtex3Q9ZHJHBy2gP6nEykDy4-fO4Z1dZSKLW0pW8bZs290LmaiUVPtfMTmc9ZGiFYzkQzVM6iVKn4gSypVxInRXOZVA7NadN22_8N5Y0mKdLM3cPBW0kSR71JyVUMJz35eihyphenhyphenMcxW6s/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I made this form myself using Mircrosoft Word, tweaking it here and there until I felt it was what would work best for me and our schooling. Each subject we cover through the week is listed down the left side with the days of the week going across the top. I have a section on the right side to list what books the kids are currently reading along with a place to write down about our week, a sort of easy-access journal of our school days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Once I have this filled out for the week I transfer the kid's assignments to their own weekly checklists that they keep in their box with all their curriculum books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMXC3hlGLia5ZWBsvsMtGXhJB2EzSatFkxi-3QMHfuaYS_SOCT5A2kRSd8qUDhtmexaKVB7J8eYGCO9aSRO_sYVXh3S3JfZ-uapvSqhmRIOO5E-mYUSyP-wI1FQ3bZ0NUZbU-FeD614zn/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMXC3hlGLia5ZWBsvsMtGXhJB2EzSatFkxi-3QMHfuaYS_SOCT5A2kRSd8qUDhtmexaKVB7J8eYGCO9aSRO_sYVXh3S3JfZ-uapvSqhmRIOO5E-mYUSyP-wI1FQ3bZ0NUZbU-FeD614zn/s320/006.JPG" width="229" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I fill in as much as I can before the beginning of the week, but there are some things I have to fill in as the week goes on depending on what they do each day. For example, how they do on their daily <a href="http://www.typingweb.com/">typing</a> determines what they will do the next day. Also, if more practice or help is needed in math, that also determines what the next day's assignment will be. Again, like my planner, subjects are listed down the left side with the days of the week going across the top. Each box has a place for them to check off each assignment as they complete it. I also put their weekly scripture verse they are to memorize at the bottom so they have a visual reminder several times throughout the day and week. (This has worked wonders in the success of them memorizing them!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having their own personal checklist has brought so much peace to our days and took so much frustration off of me. No longer do I have to continuously hear, "What else do I need to do mom?" or "What's next mom?". Along with having all of their books in their own boxes so they can find what they need at any time, these weekly assignment sheets have allowed my children to take some control of their own education, which is the ultimate goal as they grow into responsible young men and women.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, there ya' go. That's how our homeschool weeks are planned. Hope this may help inspire someone to come up with a planner that fits their family. As my very wise hubby always says, "Proper prior planning prevents poor performance." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Pssst... there are tons of planning forms <a href="http://donnayoung.org/forms/index.htm">here</a>! This is where I get most of the ones I use.)</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-34124031088828870552011-09-27T09:42:00.000-05:002011-09-27T09:42:47.505-05:00One Busy Momma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMv4QdIExMVoXh1q59gXTRAkz5LfxIrBjgKlGHKN8d59TBX64yCh5Jn91gwcy9z2OpczvFmubxViI_Dax320yUzI_Nf9eI_ljc3vaouEP3jqfw1OrxeR1pC0qd3n7Rx_Ok2WwC54AblgU/s1600/212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJMv4QdIExMVoXh1q59gXTRAkz5LfxIrBjgKlGHKN8d59TBX64yCh5Jn91gwcy9z2OpczvFmubxViI_Dax320yUzI_Nf9eI_ljc3vaouEP3jqfw1OrxeR1pC0qd3n7Rx_Ok2WwC54AblgU/s320/212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Has it REALLY been nearly four months since I promised to give you all my best Disney tips! Wow! Time sure does fly when you're a busy momma. <br />
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I truly am so sorry. I do still intend to type up everything I can to help you have a wonderful Disney vacation. When we got back from Florida I had two weeks as the VBS Director at our church to finalize everything for this summer's VBS fun. Then it was on to getting our home back in order (because as anyone who has ever directed a VBS knows, it's either VBS or a clean house, but it's impossible to have both at the same time!), buying and setting up a new swimming pool, planning for a yard sale, and all the million other things summertime brings. Thus, the Disney blog posts got put on the back burner.<br />
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However! With one of our dear friends planning a trip for her family in November and excitedly telling me all about it, I am really, REALLY wanting to start planning our next trip as well! So all the pictures and memories are flooding back into my mind lately and I desperately want to document everything, so I promise, it's coming.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-54122871877237286362011-06-05T16:48:00.002-05:002011-06-05T16:53:44.246-05:00Walt Disney World!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZkK1AObrnEJZalXCIu10ZuqXbqCOOdTftR3EOJdgNARr0U9_HUhxyFTNISS91YQPYjSlqs_rP1c_h5B50T-lTKcT_2U6tKGuIMf9444tzkceWQkjL7rGmJS4QaSFrxbdZwJpKP2Yqac8/s1600/053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWZkK1AObrnEJZalXCIu10ZuqXbqCOOdTftR3EOJdgNARr0U9_HUhxyFTNISS91YQPYjSlqs_rP1c_h5B50T-lTKcT_2U6tKGuIMf9444tzkceWQkjL7rGmJS4QaSFrxbdZwJpKP2Yqac8/s200/053.JPG" t8="true" width="133" /></a></div>Our family recently returned from a long-overdue vacation. I'm talking EIGHT LONG YEARS overdue! And our vacation destination was the same place we went eight years ago... Walt Disney World! It's our absolute favorite place on earth to go. At least, it is right now, since we've not been anywhere else as a family! LOL! (We plan on taking them to Washington D.C. and New York over the next few years as those are my other favorite places to visit!)<br />
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If you have never been to Disney World I encourage you with all my heart to try to go, whether you have small children, older children, or no children at home at all. It's such a magical place and everyone becomes a kid again when visiting the Magic Kingdom! Or at least, they <em>should</em>. But sadly, while there I saw far too many tired, whiney kids getting on the nerves of their tired, grouchy parents, and that is no fun for anyone. Why get all the way to Disney World only to ruin everyone's vacation by not being prepared BEFORE you arrive?!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfczg_POyPuRkHvhayKK0Eisvrxinlpk-1vwbAbxidx4vsbMtGnfCNgAtCOREdB5-6XWV7YMsNbxyVYeYw6fEfwq-x3_xorpe1lkhowwXPMAsKyApA3Xq1E2-a_Wwt0InjVQWOg1kIFEce/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfczg_POyPuRkHvhayKK0Eisvrxinlpk-1vwbAbxidx4vsbMtGnfCNgAtCOREdB5-6XWV7YMsNbxyVYeYw6fEfwq-x3_xorpe1lkhowwXPMAsKyApA3Xq1E2-a_Wwt0InjVQWOg1kIFEce/s320/023.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a>Over the next few weeks I'll be blogging all about our trip and sharing all the best tips I learned to help make anyone's trip to Disney World the best it possibly can be. Please trust me when I say Disney World is NOT a trip you can just take with no prior planning. For some, a trip to Walt Disney World is a once in a lifetime vacation. For others, it's simply too magical of a place to only visit once. Regardless, if you will take the time to plan and organize your Disney vacation you will come home with a lifetime of wonderful memories, and hopefully lots and lots of pictures to help preserve those memories!</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-26384313168947265522011-06-01T12:38:00.000-05:002011-06-01T12:38:42.898-05:00Amanda, Light of My Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UH8rjyt1hTNR1c8ersVGgjboqmEuzdwdzL6IyBg5NERveaY1GaA0TfnTJCJcwOg5efzreh5IhfbWW6V-4EI8bVPuqxkTlF4nVfceFGsxtD1k5TBjZ76cyC3Dn66Kxyd8r02a0tUwuGow/s1600/Mandy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UH8rjyt1hTNR1c8ersVGgjboqmEuzdwdzL6IyBg5NERveaY1GaA0TfnTJCJcwOg5efzreh5IhfbWW6V-4EI8bVPuqxkTlF4nVfceFGsxtD1k5TBjZ76cyC3Dn66Kxyd8r02a0tUwuGow/s200/Mandy+2.jpg" t8="true" width="160" /></a></div>When I was a little girl my stepdad was in a couple different country music bands. That's all I knew growing up, hearing him singing and playing with his band buddies. One song I remember fondly was 'Amanda' by Waylon Jennings. I always loved that song becuase of the way the end of the word 'Amanda' ( followed by 'light of my life') was sung higher and higher and higher. I loved singing those notes along with the drummer! <br />
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When I was nine my mom and I moved from Illinois to Kentucky with my stepdad. Being so young and moving from an hour south of Chicago to a small town in Kentucky was not easy for me. I was very sad about leaving my friends. I felt lost. This was a whole different way of life for me. I was used to neighbors being just a few feet away. Now they were quite a <em>walk</em> away, if not a good DRIVE away. A new school, a new home, a whole new way of life. With no siblings to commiserate with I was really lost.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtSrpRolKlmh1xrjLkX0tSZNI84p5QoXcRxAxrixyDnaPEVshttmXKSgPpRpglMrlp6S7fHBVkiOikMq67Nv1dFq38xoP_64xuiK7wfMDrQSarotLEF2o15paZtB8eqIH3j1X39DXvA9-/s1600/IMG_0010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJtSrpRolKlmh1xrjLkX0tSZNI84p5QoXcRxAxrixyDnaPEVshttmXKSgPpRpglMrlp6S7fHBVkiOikMq67Nv1dFq38xoP_64xuiK7wfMDrQSarotLEF2o15paZtB8eqIH3j1X39DXvA9-/s200/IMG_0010.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>But God saw my little broken heart and sent me an angel, my new Aunt Mandy. We moved in with Mandy, my stepdad's sister, while our house was being built. Aunt Mandy took me right in and treated me like one of her own. She loved on me and cooked for me and talked with me, she even tried to snatch my birthday present while I was opening it once (picture above)! She always had a hug ready and waiting for everyone, whether she hadn't seen them in a while or if she had just seen them the day before. It didn't matter to Mandy. She loved everyone.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">During this time of living with her I began transforming from a little girl into a young woman, if you know what I mean. I was quite young for this and I was freaked out. But I remember Aunt Mandy coming into my room, sitting down beside me on my bed, and talking to me about 'things'. Her words comforted me and I was so thankful for her.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Once, I woke her up while I was sleepwalking. She heard me and came to see what I was doing. She caught me at the front door putting on my coat and asked me where I was going. "I'm going home", I told her. "Ok, here, let me help you". She took my coat off and led me back to bed and tucked me in. Thank God, literally, for her! Who knows where I may have ended up!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5jxxVkJpNJK9ch4Kpcois3TJ_Xj3g8GHHriLghdSqPS94UATJyWBt_11modqpGauCDajzRVZ8SfBptSAQIpk3qhcDD5mBg72kxy9l8dksxgJARascUH5C8QgfN3Y6xrxAd9U4Cvjh_gw/s1600/IMG_0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5jxxVkJpNJK9ch4Kpcois3TJ_Xj3g8GHHriLghdSqPS94UATJyWBt_11modqpGauCDajzRVZ8SfBptSAQIpk3qhcDD5mBg72kxy9l8dksxgJARascUH5C8QgfN3Y6xrxAd9U4Cvjh_gw/s200/IMG_0009.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdxK6nAz4PGjUDvL-aXxqLh1M3E3TE6HwdnTZ2Gum1H0saWEc_4O3dvDFqkqEDIg3KywMGDDraGFNk628B03P2o3WkVU3cQHHblavrkM13zjUFfcrcxyEvMmkHTW0rGXRE5sCTP6iSewL/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdxK6nAz4PGjUDvL-aXxqLh1M3E3TE6HwdnTZ2Gum1H0saWEc_4O3dvDFqkqEDIg3KywMGDDraGFNk628B03P2o3WkVU3cQHHblavrkM13zjUFfcrcxyEvMmkHTW0rGXRE5sCTP6iSewL/s200/IMG_0007.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>Once our new home was built I still saw Mandy every day since we lived right across the road from her. Even after I was married and had children of my own one of my favorite things to do was to go to Mandy's and just sit outside with her, enjoying the breeze and talking about whatever was going on at the time. Just look at all that family sitting out under Mandy's carport and in the yard enjoying family time and some good music!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx9yUWitU-DcGGPEptWrX1CaDNpoDJXT4OFrVyKaVkNlbXqRcXk62zkCWE7Uv6QwNb1FsCUNWWq4MiYSUL2L4AtNy2EcZU39q79Aw16o2Yi0skqh_BEkr2m6lWGOtjlokYQe67cCtWXt1/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx9yUWitU-DcGGPEptWrX1CaDNpoDJXT4OFrVyKaVkNlbXqRcXk62zkCWE7Uv6QwNb1FsCUNWWq4MiYSUL2L4AtNy2EcZU39q79Aw16o2Yi0skqh_BEkr2m6lWGOtjlokYQe67cCtWXt1/s200/IMG_0001.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a>We weren't the only ones Mandy opened her home up to. After we moved out and into our own home Mandy took in an older gentleman named Norwood. I'm not even sure who exactly he was but I believe he was some relation to her late husband. I'm sure this wasn't always an easy task. The one thing I remember about Norwood is that he DRANK linament! Oh, and smelled like it as well. LOL! But Mandy opened her heart and home and took care of him until his death. What an amazing woman.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And oh what a cook she was! I <u><strong>loved</strong></u> Mandy's potato salad. To this day I can't stand to eat any other potato salad, except Mandy's. She knew this and any time we had a family reunion she was sure to make some. I think it made her feel good to know that hers was the only one I would eat. Oh, and her potato cakes! Oh my goodness. Those were heavenly, and she used to make them often for me. I'm going to have to make sure to get those recipes now I guess. I didn't want them before because those foods were special any time I had them because that meant that Aunt Mandy had made them for me. I'm crying, again, knowing I'll never again taste the love that went into everything Mandy made.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeJyusU4MPMxSbFudeBiJdNDo7D718X2PfKU8OMs-BgyX0t3RIveMXv0i3CALTOHxli3CMVERf6d6J1zBAH8jj0gFPE8KpGkP1V9ZCEGaxuLVtJDrl4LX3XBlysA0mcvDaWRq1UFBg_Oh/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeJyusU4MPMxSbFudeBiJdNDo7D718X2PfKU8OMs-BgyX0t3RIveMXv0i3CALTOHxli3CMVERf6d6J1zBAH8jj0gFPE8KpGkP1V9ZCEGaxuLVtJDrl4LX3XBlysA0mcvDaWRq1UFBg_Oh/s200/IMG_0005.jpg" t8="true" width="196" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Due to other's situations and allowing life to get in the way I hadn't seen or talked to Mandy in a couple years, although we lived only 15 minutes apart. It broke my heart and I thought of her often, missing her hugs and our talks and of course, her yummy food. The saddest part for me, the thing that has my heart hurting more than anything, is that for the past few months I have had Mandy on my mind and wanted to call her just to hear her voice again. I missed her. I missed her laugh, her hugs. She truly, genuinely cared about others and I missed her greatly. But I would call, soon. Aunt Mandy would always be there. She was the rock of the family. She was hardly sick. She was the youngest of her siblings. I never dreamed I would never get the chance to talk to her again.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Aunt Mandy went to be with the Lord yesterday after successfully coming through a heart cath where three stints were placed to open up blockages. I was so very thankful to hear she would be coming home today. No more putting off seeing or talking to her. I was going to visit her this week! I couldn't wait! Sadly, God had other plans and He is now the One that gets to receive those hugs of hers, the One that gets to sit and talk with her and laugh with her. What a glorious reunion they are having right now, with all her siblings that have gone on before her, her parents, and her beloved husband she has been without for so very, very long. I'm so happy for her, but so very sad for those of us who are left behind to miss her every single day for the rest of our lives. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKK6-SH8F7Mc-9AdtoQHTtKSEqNDpfikRjqj1f1hU7ObCMjI8ILDTvfiGZtnT4zP36YtrKCWCYPOCq7CfdbjA05XilQbN-NhNunQNLS20p0K_sDEwZZOLmEfx64L2h_K3wIGK_qv2icex/s1600/IMG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKK6-SH8F7Mc-9AdtoQHTtKSEqNDpfikRjqj1f1hU7ObCMjI8ILDTvfiGZtnT4zP36YtrKCWCYPOCq7CfdbjA05XilQbN-NhNunQNLS20p0K_sDEwZZOLmEfx64L2h_K3wIGK_qv2icex/s320/IMG.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU86KQaM8sw-PBz-IouVcepQL4MWwzfckNMPgnO_ZsrJ08QraiOJ-2xrxYEkECydgaWqloZ8-F7alZmsWu18Jqv367itoDmX_fSV1wkSLDTTqC9TX1D1378gPR-DE3jCVBSUkLOBcbDSt/s1600/IMG_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiU86KQaM8sw-PBz-IouVcepQL4MWwzfckNMPgnO_ZsrJ08QraiOJ-2xrxYEkECydgaWqloZ8-F7alZmsWu18Jqv367itoDmX_fSV1wkSLDTTqC9TX1D1378gPR-DE3jCVBSUkLOBcbDSt/s200/IMG_0003.jpg" t8="true" width="160" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yet, I find comfort in knowing that one day I will see her again. I can't wait to get to Heaven and feel those arms around me one more time, to hear her precious laugh, and just to sit and enjoy the breeze and talk about everything that's been going on.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I love you Aunt Mandy and I truly thank God for sending you into my life when I needed you the most. Thank you for always loving me, as well as my own little family, no matter what. Thank you for the hugs, the talks, the smiles, the home when we didn't have one, the potato salad, the potato cakes, the apple crisp recipe you gave me a few years ago, all the sweet corn, for letting my kids come pick apples out of your trees. Thank you for the memories, and thank you for giving your life to the Lord so those of us left here mourning your passing can have the hope and the comfort of knowing that we can indeed see you again if we simply make the same decision you did to give our hearts over to the Lord and serve Him.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Thank you Aunt Mandy. I miss you greatly, and I <strong><u>will</u></strong> see you soon. I promise!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-54399217974054066862011-05-13T00:00:00.002-05:002011-05-14T22:00:17.798-05:00Review: Institute for Excellence in Writing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqQt9yDWXj1lERsmc0mAdTa98UedDyF79ou-PNpCRRWXzzUkw282St_mz4wJCVu5vSd0DKbziSQvi_kR3UVt3oDjux1pIDGt8nrjYF2T0_Gc2EDeMTpeZ9wW5Qinmp-CUeWcBP0P30dP5/s1600/241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="64" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqQt9yDWXj1lERsmc0mAdTa98UedDyF79ou-PNpCRRWXzzUkw282St_mz4wJCVu5vSd0DKbziSQvi_kR3UVt3oDjux1pIDGt8nrjYF2T0_Gc2EDeMTpeZ9wW5Qinmp-CUeWcBP0P30dP5/s320/241.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">As a member of the TOS Crew my children and I were given the opportunity to review the <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/sid-c">Student Writing Intensive, Level C</a> from the Institute for Excellence in Writing.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipnEDVAHxUwwSacWjp6-hJQal-NT-OKOwhoNz-cpf1DrRIEumxi3-RlPm7D78ciJKDo51_1JZ8hcP0eIUByjRxQOWcM55RdICh1p2vlhnOh1kgsxMLco5Um79p28Aatuphar7twaLdiJW/s1600/242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipnEDVAHxUwwSacWjp6-hJQal-NT-OKOwhoNz-cpf1DrRIEumxi3-RlPm7D78ciJKDo51_1JZ8hcP0eIUByjRxQOWcM55RdICh1p2vlhnOh1kgsxMLco5Um79p28Aatuphar7twaLdiJW/s200/242.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I had heard about <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/">IEW</a> many times over our nine years of homeschooling, but I had assumed it was simply too intensive for our style of learning as well as being too expensive. Granted, I never took the time to thoroughly research it. I simply passed it off as 'not for us'. Boy was I wrong! Having a freshman in high school with no thorough, formal writing instruction up to this point, the opportunity to review this curriculum was most definitely a blessing.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BYPSQbHJw8h8v9aaDq8SgEAS387rcXPCWotV3m4mOosZYWsRzeq_45YgxMT_EGwlwzEnBlbt_SehrbX4wEWDzPfGVFWgAxGGIeL7smaJl9HtbsGbnlDxMmoR8YolJq1CojaErFL_MlLX/s1600/244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BYPSQbHJw8h8v9aaDq8SgEAS387rcXPCWotV3m4mOosZYWsRzeq_45YgxMT_EGwlwzEnBlbt_SehrbX4wEWDzPfGVFWgAxGGIeL7smaJl9HtbsGbnlDxMmoR8YolJq1CojaErFL_MlLX/s1600/244.jpg" /></a>First of all, the creator of the Institute for Excellence in Writing, <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/meet-andrew">Andrew Pudewa</a>, is a homeschooling father of seven, a grandfather of three, and a teacher. His primary profession is teaching music. However, he was put into the position of being a history and an english teacher without any previous experience at either. He was encouraged by another teacher to attend a teacher-training course on 'structure and style in composition' by a gentleman named <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/page/meet-dr-james-b-webster">Dr. James Webster</a>. Mr Pudewa was so impressed and learned so much and saw such amazing results in his students that he returned to the training course for the next two years! Mr. Pudewa continued teaching what he learned to children which led to the opportunity to do some seminars and classes. The interest from parents and other teachers was so great that those seminars and classes eventually evolved into writing the curriculum and doing the videos that became the Institute for Excellence in Writing.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">IEW has products for every age level, beginning with the <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/pal">Primary Arts of Language</a> for K-2 and continuing on with their <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/swi">Student Writing Intensives</a>, Level A for grades 3-5, Level B for grades 6-8, and Level C (which is what we reviewed) for grades 9-12. Each of these 'Intensives' cost $99.00 and come with a binder with dividers, a packet with teacher's notes, student handouts, and checklists, as well as the writing sessions recorded live on four DVDs. Extra binders can also be purchased for $18.00 if you're working with more than one student on the same level. However, when that becomes the case for me I plan on simply making multiple copies of the handouts that come with the Intensive and putting them in a binder myself. One more thing that's important to know is that once your student has completed all the lessons in their Intensive it is possible to continue on through the rest of the writing units with an additional 32 lessons if you so choose, however, this is optional. By using the <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/sicc">Continuation Course</a> you can use this writing curriculum for 1-2 years of writing instruction per Intensive.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Another IEW product I plan on using next year is <em><a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/fix">Fix It! Grmmar and Editing Made Easy With the Classics</a></em>. While learning how to write is of upmost importance I also don't want to let my daughter's grammar fall by the way-side while she's learning to write and this looks like just the right fit for us. Not too much, not too little. Hopefully it will help her learn to critique her own writing even better!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Oh, and that teacher-training I mentioned above that Mr. Pudewa learned so much from? Well he has kindly put together our own <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/twss">teacher-training seminar</a>! Now, I only have experience with the <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/sso">Structure and Style Overview DVD</a> so I can't speak on the other teaching DVD's but I was very impressed with what I watched on the S&SO DVD. Mr. Pudewa's voice is very enjoyable to listen to and he's very easy to understand as well as being funny. I felt like I was right there in the room with him. Here's what the website has to say about this DVD:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>"In this 2 hour and 20 minute DVD and accompanying handouts, Andrew Pudewa introduces you to the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style method of teaching writing. Briefly covering the nine units of structure and introducing several stylistic techniques, Andrew gives the audience insight into why this method is so effective in teaching even the most reluctant writer."</em> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, if you'd simply like to purchase the whole kit and kaboodle for a certain level you can do so in one easy click <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/twss-swi-combo-pack">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju69LM2OOwS4YC_ejg6zpXuP6aNS2m-BpUK6RU4wT3SlKf6v2uODC_KQT-ohzJXUtDngU6Sur30lyev5Iew01TaX2zGusBs3P8tRGF5glV6PYtpDEzrjaLyCs_Sz3h3GofxH_H4h04n6wQ/s1600/240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju69LM2OOwS4YC_ejg6zpXuP6aNS2m-BpUK6RU4wT3SlKf6v2uODC_KQT-ohzJXUtDngU6Sur30lyev5Iew01TaX2zGusBs3P8tRGF5glV6PYtpDEzrjaLyCs_Sz3h3GofxH_H4h04n6wQ/s200/240.jpg" width="148" /></a>We were also sent a <a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/pw">portable wall</a> which is "a single-pocket folder with an extra page, creating a tri-fold wall packed with all the Unit Models, several word lists including prepositions, substitutes for "said," and more." I really appreciate whoever came up with this idea as we are one family that has absolutely no room to hang posters, at least not anywhere where my daughter could actually see it easily in order to help her. With the portable wall she can simply keep it in her binder and pull it out any time she needs to. Two big mom thumbs up for this one! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As I've said before, writing is one of the most dificult things to evaluate. You want to teach and encourage the student in their writing yet receiving a paper back full of red marks is not going to help your child want to write very much. But when they have complete, thorough, easy-to-understand instructions it is so much easier, on the student as well as the mom/teacher!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall I am VERY pleased with the products we reviewed and plan on continuing to use them throughout our homeschooling years. To watch your child go from not understanding that there is a right and a wrong way to write to someone who is developing into a wonderful writer of beautiful papers is such a thrill! And it's all thanks to IEW and Mr. Pudewa's teaching that our daughter now enjoys writing and actually looks forward to it each day! All this mom can say is thank you, thank you, thank you. We are now life-long IEW users!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received this product free of charge in exchange for my review and honest opinion of it. As a believer and follower of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I promise you that all my reviews contain only my own honest opinions...'cause He told me to not lie!</span></div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-87937763618126965072011-04-29T00:00:00.005-05:002011-05-14T22:06:46.519-05:00Review: Latin's Not So Tough<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL60IUTPNh_Gz7ftry678MisSlxpyLiQDmrFWNKzFbN75z8b9zE0ZbG9XkCgWyj83GJgRZZzA5zvPbr1DQF-t7MaHMNZUicK5h32WOUZyW2htMB1dJBM3qVj77rGRbyRh5-EnONA6Nbiir/s1600/238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="88" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL60IUTPNh_Gz7ftry678MisSlxpyLiQDmrFWNKzFbN75z8b9zE0ZbG9XkCgWyj83GJgRZZzA5zvPbr1DQF-t7MaHMNZUicK5h32WOUZyW2htMB1dJBM3qVj77rGRbyRh5-EnONA6Nbiir/s320/238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
As a reviewer for The Old Shoolhouse I was given the opportunity to review <em>Latin's Not So Tough!</em> by <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/">Greek 'N' Stuff</a>. Now, you may be asking yourself, "Latin? From GREEK 'N' Stuff?" Well, yes. LOL. I couldn't find it anywhere on their website but I'm guessing that their curriculum <em>Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek!</em> was written first, before their other 'stuff', hence the name <em>Greek 'N' Stuff.</em><br />
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Ok ok, on to the important <em>stuff</em>.<br />
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<em><a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/latin.html">Latin's Not So Tough!</a>,</em> as a whole, is intended for use with young children. With six levels currently available it would have been nice to be able to start with Level One (which can be completed in less than one year) with my children when they were much younger than what they are now. I would be interested to see how going through all six levels would help them in their early study of Latin.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcedIlzNfJYW96ecuUWzKfRdcHgN1cYW8ATTBzip7HCo5xh9ZfGFrVecVpbTI1dTAnxQridNOAm-ybPAoKGugr-FbGb7BYBf7h7nGYh75itvauPUmmSm45A2uLmAIUmT6TsRkwoHzOr4t/s1600/237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcedIlzNfJYW96ecuUWzKfRdcHgN1cYW8ATTBzip7HCo5xh9ZfGFrVecVpbTI1dTAnxQridNOAm-ybPAoKGugr-FbGb7BYBf7h7nGYh75itvauPUmmSm45A2uLmAIUmT6TsRkwoHzOr4t/s200/237.jpg" width="154" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">However, while Level One concentrates on the alphabet, diphthongs, and special consonant sounds, older elementary students (and beyond) can start with <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/latin.html#THIRDBOOK">Level Three</a>, which is the level we received to review. (You can go <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/faq.html">here</a> and scroll down just a little to find Placement Quizzes to see which level your student needs to start with. Personally, I found I would need to start somewhere LOWER than Level One! LOL!)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Level Three covers the following:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">*Alphabet and vocabulary review </div>*Latin grammar: <br />
~First declension nouns <br />
~Second declension (-us and -ius) nouns <br />
~Three special case uses <br />
~First conjugation verbs, present active indicative<br />
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*Read and write simple Latin sentences <br />
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*Matching, fill in the blank, fun activities, puzzles <br />
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Also, each level includes flashcard pages at the back of the workbook. These need to be cut out and I highly recommend using poster board-type paper and/or laminating them so they will last longer.<br />
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Level Three is for students who have completed Level Two, or older students. Regardless of which level you start with, each one has the following available (along with a few other things you can find <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/latin.html#THIRDBOOK">here</a>):<br />
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~Student Workbook (21.95)<br />
~"Answers Only" Answer Key (4.00)<br />
~"Full Text Answer Key" (21.95)<br />
~Quizzes/Exams (5.50)<br />
~Pronounciation CD (for Levels 1-3) (10.00)<br />
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<a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/latin.html#LATIN"><em>Latin's Not So Tough!</em></a><em> </em>teaches classical pronunciation and is written to be very student-friendly. The workbooks are designed in such a way that the student simply progresses through each level on a page-by-page basis, rather than on a weekly lesson structure. The first three levels are laid out as such:<br />
~Level One: 104 student pages; 28 lessons <br />
~Level Two: 144 student pages; 30 lessons <br />
~Level Three and above: 170 student pages; 36 lessons <br />
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The Student Workbook is laid out in such a way that they can pretty much pick it up and work through it at their own pace with little teacher involvement. Depending on what day it is around here, that can be a very good thing but sometimes it also makes me a little sad. However, independent learning has always been one of my goals for my children in homeschooling them so it actually works out very well. Seeing as how I have NO knowledge of Latin, it's probably better this way anyway. LOL! <br />
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Actually, NONE of us have any prior Latin knowledge and this made it near impossible for us to just pick up and start learning with Latin's Not So Tough. Right from the very first page it instructed the student to do things that we had no clue about! They couldn't do it and I couldn't help them. There is no instruction, just an expectation that you know what you're doing for both the student and the teacher. <br />
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Maybe I just don't understand how to use it the right way, but my frustration eventually won out and I hate to say that we did not use this curriculum. Maybe starting at a lower level would have helped us? I just don't know.<br />
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However, if this is something you are interested in, let's move on to pricing. Considering the prices are different depending on what Level you are purchasing I will simply refer you to <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/latin.html">this</a> page to see all of Level Three's prices.<br />
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Along with Latin and Greek curriculums, a few <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/alone.html">Bible Studies</a> are also offered by this same company.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received this product free of charge in exchange for my review and honest opinion of it. As a believer and follower of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I promise you that all my reviews contain only my own honest opinions...'cause He told me to not lie!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/samplePDFpages.html">Sample pages</a>.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-33949729295907243792011-04-03T21:17:00.004-05:002011-04-04T12:52:41.390-05:00Review: Zeezok Guide to the Movies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM5Q67GxxKLJnn2BB5MmbSKwMhUDCcSPnJ0ICPMgBNHa6228TFu7-DTDujUA3RWIu85qsSf_FLEWcz76SJkmnKkywHK2EZvT61uW-h2oRFsOVueBasnFft1Uh7A67AqZ-RIDjBzPOcxuo/s1600/224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM5Q67GxxKLJnn2BB5MmbSKwMhUDCcSPnJ0ICPMgBNHa6228TFu7-DTDujUA3RWIu85qsSf_FLEWcz76SJkmnKkywHK2EZvT61uW-h2oRFsOVueBasnFft1Uh7A67AqZ-RIDjBzPOcxuo/s1600/224.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Finally, someone has come up with our family's kind of curriculum! Watch a movie, learn from it. How much better could it get?<br />
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<a href="http://www.zeezok.com/default.cfm">Zeezok Publishing</a> has created these wonderful little things called "<a href="http://www.zeezok.com/cat-z-guides-to-the-movies.cfm">Z-Guides to the Movies</a>" to go along with select movies that are full of wonderful learning opportunities. When presented with the opportunity to review the guide that corresponds to the movie <em>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</em> I jumped at the chance! <em>Mr. Smith...</em> is one of our 14-year-old daughter's favorite movies so I knew this review would be a perfect fit for us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSbKrrcwdEvwR_uHjEk5s1QMo5K3pgdqP2gr1PgWajcYn-IIcefQZpHMp8kFl5CnPRpFYn-v8wbojlMKreQHNBdSC9cN7RekxlTntzLWPqx3ncNhQppfDpac-lbKu7ToK5Q3DedwdMLR8/s1600/225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSbKrrcwdEvwR_uHjEk5s1QMo5K3pgdqP2gr1PgWajcYn-IIcefQZpHMp8kFl5CnPRpFYn-v8wbojlMKreQHNBdSC9cN7RekxlTntzLWPqx3ncNhQppfDpac-lbKu7ToK5Q3DedwdMLR8/s200/225.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>We received the <a href="http://www.zeezok.com/pd_mr_smith_goes_to_washington_-_z-guide_to_the_movies_ebook.cfm">e-book</a>, however you may also purchase the guide on <a href="http://www.zeezok.com/pd-mr-smith-goes-to-washington---z-guide-to-the-movies.cfm">CD</a> if you wish. This CD contains a printable pdf file of the complete study guide. Regardless of which option you choose, each cost $12.99. If you don't already own the movie for which you are studying you may also purchase them on DVD from Zeezok, rent them, purchase them from the store, borrow them from the library, or, my very favorite, get them through Netflix.<br />
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The study guide starts out with a Topic Overview. In this particular guide a brief explanation of Congress, Senators, and filibusters as they pertain to the movie. Next comes a movie synopsis giving a brief description of the movie for those who may not have already seen the movie.<br />
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Following this are ten different activities to help study different aspects of the movie more in depth. For this particular title we started with 25 movie review questions. Even though we had already seen the movie, a few times in fact, we still chose to watch it again so it would be fresh in our minds. But before watching the movie for this study my daughter and I read over the review questions first so we would be aware of what to listen and watch for. I had her answer the questions as she recognized them while watching the movie. Gotta love that Pause button!<br />
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Then we moved on to learning all about the filibuster. Having never had the opportunity to take a US Governement class in school and having been busy raising kiddo's the past 15 years, this study was as much for me as it was my daughter! American history is FASCINATING to me and I thoroughly enjoyed working on this and look forward to more of these studies.<br />
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Some of the other activities we worked on were learning how a bill becomes a law, comparing our views on our US Senators (are they representatives, trustees, or both?), becoming a reporter as well as an interveiwer covering this story, trying to get inside the mind of the director of the movie, as well as several other fun and thought-provoking activities.<br />
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Both my daughter and I learned so much through the guidance of this study and we look forward to using more z-guides to dig further into other movies. What an awesome and fun way to study history! Even my younger kids joined in watching the movie (again) as well as some of the activities. That's what I love so much about homeschooling. Even though this study is labeled as being for high school students, younger children can learn so much just by joining in on the fun!<br />
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There are <a href="http://www.zeezok.com/cat-z-guides-to-the-movies_all.cfm">28 different Z-Guides to the Movies</a>, all of which look to be just as fun and interesting as <em>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington </em>and each costing just $12.99. Each title focuses on a specific time in history and in my honest opinion is just simply a fun way to help understand what life was like during a specific historical period of time. History shouldn't be dry and boring, but exciting and interesting and if possible, fun! With these Z-guides from Zeezok Publishing I really do think we're going to enjoy our history time a whole lot more.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received this product free of charge in exchange for my review and honest opinion of it. As a believer and follower of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I promise you that all my reviews contain only my own honest opinions...'cause He told me to not lie!</span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-85642043254302893762011-03-23T00:01:00.008-05:002011-03-24T16:06:27.124-05:00Review: Artistic Pursuits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaxgX-c1ZQcr5tt4g72Uv7EhcktpL5QervScpOeZa0i_iTCChYEreouiQZeXytLQDhomc_QYhpO439Zdmv-SDSYRCUPfABPyT2vjFBEVRK4pqokntPqlpv7T6YR4MmsI8vyaR7OAG_Qvg/s1600/217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaxgX-c1ZQcr5tt4g72Uv7EhcktpL5QervScpOeZa0i_iTCChYEreouiQZeXytLQDhomc_QYhpO439Zdmv-SDSYRCUPfABPyT2vjFBEVRK4pqokntPqlpv7T6YR4MmsI8vyaR7OAG_Qvg/s1600/217.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Having an avid artist in the family who loves to draw and would do so all day, every day if he was allowed, I was thrilled to receive <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/index.html">Artistic Pursuits</a> to review as a member of the <a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/783838/">TOS Crew</a>. <br />
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</div><a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/index.html">Artistic Pursuits</a> is an award-winning art curriculum for homeschoolers, by homeschoolers. There are a total of <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/1110books.html">ten books</a> for students ranging in age from as young as 3-5 all the way up to a senior in high school! If you choose, you may also purchase <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/1120suppk.html">art supply packs</a> that go along with each book. These packs include all the art materials needed for each book and range in price from $45 to $92. If you're interested in saving a little money or if you'd like to buy individual art supplies rather than the whole supply pack, Artistic Pursuits has also linked to on-line <a href="http://www.artisticpursuits.com/1120suppk.html">discount art supply stores</a> you may also purchase your supplies from (scroll down to the bottom of the page to find these).<br />
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There are several things I really like about this art curriculum, one of the biggest being that the books are written conversation-style directly to the student so my son can simply pick up the book and do it on his own. This makes is easy on mom while also helping my son feel independent in his art.<br />
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Another thing I really appreciate about Artistic Pursuits is how the student is encouraged to look at the world around them, taking it all in and seeing it in a different way than they've ever looked at it before and then drawing from that. They are not kept inside the box, being shown exactly what to draw and how to draw it within a tiny little box. They are encouraged to draw things as THEY see them, at their own age-appropriate level, and then praised for doing so.<br />
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Within each book is a full school year's worth of lessons, done at two lessons per week. There are four unique projects in each unit that include creative exercises, art history and appreciation, techniques, and exploration of various subject matter. <br />
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The book we reviewed is Book One of the Grade 4-6 level as seen here:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM6a65T6YqC1QsC1yuTtZpU7taRcL4bXeGnxrzVTLHlrWW3EZrXwZtZXv95tMcNfX6KPtIEaxgEprS9Z0oaIhtMO_-q914aSy4KVX0GzbQ3agwkOg7Spy4TKUh6wGbJ5qmwtPM3g0grD8/s1600/216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrM6a65T6YqC1QsC1yuTtZpU7taRcL4bXeGnxrzVTLHlrWW3EZrXwZtZXv95tMcNfX6KPtIEaxgEprS9Z0oaIhtMO_-q914aSy4KVX0GzbQ3agwkOg7Spy4TKUh6wGbJ5qmwtPM3g0grD8/s1600/216.jpg" /></a></div><br />
This book is broken down into 16 units, each unit containing four lessons. Lesson 1 of each new unit is titled, <em>Explore Your World!</em> <em>A Creative Exercise Using Real-World Experience. </em>This is exactly as it sounds, a brief reading of what real artists out in the real world do in different situations along with a 'Try It' activity for the student to do. The objective for each unit is given at the bottom of this page making it easy for the teacher to see. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgqq8_Ec9NzuJR81zHk-2K8FzEcgB7Q9-nAjauLaF3HoZ0PNVIZQNaqJkUGKs2DTaS8uwy5wg6B-Anfjl_d3phxoIPvttikbM33UUgrpeTtBxoZUnTGu-qZbJHhuw5Y0cv9qnnQR3_t-K/s1600/219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgqq8_Ec9NzuJR81zHk-2K8FzEcgB7Q9-nAjauLaF3HoZ0PNVIZQNaqJkUGKs2DTaS8uwy5wg6B-Anfjl_d3phxoIPvttikbM33UUgrpeTtBxoZUnTGu-qZbJHhuw5Y0cv9qnnQR3_t-K/s320/219.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Unit 2, Lesson 1: VOCABULARY AND CREATIVE EXERCISE PAGE Each unit explores one or two elements of art or a compositional arrangement. ILLUSTRATED VOCABULARY: A definition is given in both words and pictures at the top of the page. EXPLORE YOUR WORLD! Students get their hands on art materials the first day in a project designed to explore the subject of art and creativity. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the Explore your World! section are listed and color coded to clarify the purpose of the creative assignment and for easy grading using a grading system on page 87."</span></em> <br />
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Lesson 2 of each unit shows a master work and helps them apply what they are learning into their own creation. One of my favorite parts of Artistic Pursuits that I am so glad the creaters included comes in lesson 2 as well, learning about famous (and sometimes not-so-famous) artists and the times they lived in.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3vKLUBT3_SCfdedrxblHxN1suRP4_O52-M7b1DFWtWpCocdun9QXyXB6Xe02sZ7vlj8gAjh-x-WFQn3cFV5h2sxyO_hjIpjihQGSyy4xL4JdMFZYR6ahaBraTHyA2D5Um_KIKt9EEjbU/s1600/220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3vKLUBT3_SCfdedrxblHxN1suRP4_O52-M7b1DFWtWpCocdun9QXyXB6Xe02sZ7vlj8gAjh-x-WFQn3cFV5h2sxyO_hjIpjihQGSyy4xL4JdMFZYR6ahaBraTHyA2D5Um_KIKt9EEjbU/s320/220.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>"Unit 2, Lesson 2: ART APPRECIATION PAGE Students see how the topic of the unit is used in a work by a master artist. When they see a concept in artists' works, they are more able to use it in their own work. Illustrations accompany the work, helping students see what is being discussed in the text. Arrows point to the places in the artwork that are discussed in the text so students can't miss seeing it."</em></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVb5VA1IPo5Q0LBiCrbIAbTleBsLE9AW-VAeNZYUfPFeZN_EECS0fcGLXBKlgPTu9jVzKm1WeCrVaxFUA1YclrGqmhO__QPBogvXiF-SoNyp-ND3Q0q1vuE1EbtxBXwBnghFELzmK2Jpr/s1600/221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVb5VA1IPo5Q0LBiCrbIAbTleBsLE9AW-VAeNZYUfPFeZN_EECS0fcGLXBKlgPTu9jVzKm1WeCrVaxFUA1YclrGqmhO__QPBogvXiF-SoNyp-ND3Q0q1vuE1EbtxBXwBnghFELzmK2Jpr/s320/221.jpg" width="246" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>"ART HISTORY PAGE: Students gain a larger context to view art in as they learn about the artists and the times in which the art was made. ARTIST BIOGRAPHY: A biography of the master artist familiarizes students with major artists and their works. Students learn about painters of the American Revolution, the first painters of the Native Americans, Wilderness Explorers, Cowboy Painters, Quakers, miniatures, American Impressionists, Realists, and Regionalists. THE TIMES: Students learn about American history. They will see what Americans were doing, thinking, and discovering during the artist's lifetime. MAKE AN OBSERVATION DRAWING: Students gain skill in working from observation, memory, or imagination."</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></em><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em> </em></span>The third lesson of each unit focuses on learning how to use the different medias, materials and tools of art and having them put that knowledge to use in their own art.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggs1Td_f-yoAD9iRNnzsFnkUgPlzRq-TFycUdaZM1HxlnG4JHXiV4MzD1MfvH2Ut_HVLVQhMAV4XSFbm2H4mIEBnEGnkOU9nH8RXOr2pSN7V1iuW9IF528ekz212xn2uctoJJSyRTVA9nk/s1600/222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggs1Td_f-yoAD9iRNnzsFnkUgPlzRq-TFycUdaZM1HxlnG4JHXiV4MzD1MfvH2Ut_HVLVQhMAV4XSFbm2H4mIEBnEGnkOU9nH8RXOr2pSN7V1iuW9IF528ekz212xn2uctoJJSyRTVA9nk/s320/222.jpg" width="251" /></a></div><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">"Unit 2, Lesson 3: TECHNIQUES PAGE HOW TO: Students learn technical information. How to use a medium such as pencil or pen and a variety of ways for using each medium are introduced. Techniques for drawing and exploring certain subject matter are shown. This page introduces some basic ideas about seeing to help the student begin to observe more closely. SOMETHING TO TRY: Students practice with the techniques shown, completing a project."</span></em><br />
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Finally, in Lesson 4 the student is given a project to do that incorporates the new things they have learned. They use a variety of references such as still life objects, landscapes, portraiture, photographs, and more.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DC2KQjnAocdOwkZ1Av-KQ4rNcvnpGT6hirbY6MxS6Hgi-EEsyqmr9RQoSiWDkXoF8SItIj4pi9T8UXINLt-1_c37BdGY7rMu1CmykF44p-2CYHHbRMaEMwoEiV5Jb6d7WVKnVM_6v0sX/s1600/223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DC2KQjnAocdOwkZ1Av-KQ4rNcvnpGT6hirbY6MxS6Hgi-EEsyqmr9RQoSiWDkXoF8SItIj4pi9T8UXINLt-1_c37BdGY7rMu1CmykF44p-2CYHHbRMaEMwoEiV5Jb6d7WVKnVM_6v0sX/s320/223.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>"Unit 2, Lesson 4: FINAL PROJECT PAGE Instructions are given for a final project in which students assimilate the information from the unit and do a work reflecting their interests or particular interpretations. YOU WILL NEED: A materials list is given in the right column. REFER TO THE FOLLOWING WHEN DRAWING: Suggestions for what to use as a reference is given in the right column. Once students go through the book they will have used all the references available: photographs, direct observation, their imagination, etc. STUDENT GALLERY: Students see how others their own age interpreted and successfully used the element of art. A range of skill levels is shown to encourage different approaches to art. LOOK BACK: Students evaluate the success of the finished work by answering the questions. Parents can use the color-coded stated objective for easy grading."</em></span><br />
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Each of the ten Artistic Pursuits books sell for $42.95. In my honest opinion they are worth the price. However, it can get a bit pricey when you have several children that you would like to purchase books for. I would like to see perhaps a discount when buying multiple books. But that aside, I do really like this curriculum and look forward to continuing to use it in our homeschooling adventure.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received this product free of charge in exchange for my review and honest opinion of it. As a believer and follower of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I promise you that all my reviews contain only my own honest opinions...'cause He told me to not lie!</span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-14192888171956741792011-02-14T08:20:00.001-05:002011-02-14T08:21:38.890-05:00Great Expectations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzJAIsy5JH5isdiBpMUgHBDfNfqrZoXIh98isg8h3y4h6N-LIzpnFZVHZPMzMn73CTcNlZUOe7yHqmpMk3dykfjvTgrK42-8wvifxed7z3e7Hh91tWN3zk7CgSYBSvhlZVswPM5DFP9o9/s320/201.jpg" width="282" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, today is Valentine's Day. How do I know? Because the calendar says so. And since the calendar says so then that means we need to do something, right? I mean, just take one peek at any store you walk into today. Red hearts, beautiful roses, balloons, teddy bears, and candy are everwhere, SCREAMING "buy me to prove your love to someone!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Listen, I personally don't have a problem with Valentine's Day but I know many people do. But the reason I don't have a problem with it is not for the reason you might think. It's not because I HAVE a Valentine, my wonderful husband of nearly 16 years. Nope. I don't have a problem with Valentine's Day because a long time ago I learned to let go of my expectations of other human beings. In fact, I believe I blogged about this very same topic almost five years ago...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://trainingheartsathome.blogspot.com/2006/05/problem-with-expectations_16.html">The Problem With Expectations</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-28733352814731497942011-01-28T22:07:00.000-05:002011-01-28T22:07:42.647-05:00A Sad Kind of Happy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG_JnCGfEMFGy-S4HI0eg6dD8F70Bqto95sZIHbiqogaevTh_s7xa1yhkOR5-TjZjN1xUcg4-a8AGV3u8bM5B_WLKKxmWR5WSVeDdik-K-fo-Wap1GIEnVq08zf0xrUcGNgH5_p9xGuEm/s1600/061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTG_JnCGfEMFGy-S4HI0eg6dD8F70Bqto95sZIHbiqogaevTh_s7xa1yhkOR5-TjZjN1xUcg4-a8AGV3u8bM5B_WLKKxmWR5WSVeDdik-K-fo-Wap1GIEnVq08zf0xrUcGNgH5_p9xGuEm/s200/061.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>So my babysitting came to an end a week sooner than I expected since Chloe's mommy found a replacement sitter who was ready to go ahead and start. We are so sad not having little Chloe here with us, giving us slobbery kisses and making us laugh. But she's doing good at her new sitters and my focus is turned back to my home and family and homeschooling and these things make me happy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TnY9Hl6ta70tFgGqZSDU9IpJ83m_K51AlsAqiKNdALtBpueo-Gc83tvgvvZsVnhMtzUGkZOXToTNd6cMGlf1twPkC_QmJUg7lzLtLceWBcPlrU71jF7bMu-SmkOPMNPyGVl6AbvOmPxE/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TnY9Hl6ta70tFgGqZSDU9IpJ83m_K51AlsAqiKNdALtBpueo-Gc83tvgvvZsVnhMtzUGkZOXToTNd6cMGlf1twPkC_QmJUg7lzLtLceWBcPlrU71jF7bMu-SmkOPMNPyGVl6AbvOmPxE/s200/IMG_0001.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>My husband's grandmother passed away last week. She lived a rich, full life of 94 years. The past eight years however were spent in bondage to a body that simply wouldn't do what her mind told it to do. In addition to 7 children, 19 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren she also left behind a legacy of taking her children and grandchildren to church and asking everyone she came in contact with, even in the nursing home, if they went to church. While we were sad to see her go, we know where Granny is and for that we are happy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We had a car accident over two years ago and our case was just settled a couple weeks ago. Sadly, our family business had a large bill that we had to take care of and that money is now gone. However, I'm so thankful for God's perfect timing and that we WERE able to take care of the bill. AND, learning that had we continued paying the minimum monthly payment on this bill it would have taken us 31 YEARS to pay it off and would have cost us an additional $15,000 makes me VERY happy it is now paid in full!<br />
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Life is not always easy, but how we CHOOSE to view each situation that comes our way goes a long way in determining who we are. Are we going to choose to be overcomers who have joy even in the midst of hard times or are we going to let life get us down and depressed and steal our joy. <br />
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I CHOOSE to see that Chloe is happy and well taken care of and that my children and their education is now getting my full attention instead of being sad and second-guessing letting her go and giving up the extra monthly income. I CHOOSE to see that Granny is now running with her new glorified body down streets of gold with her Saviour as well as her husband she had to say good-bye to several years ago instead of being sad over not still having her here with us. I CHOOSE to thank God for providing the way before YEARS of financial bondage overtook us instead of pouting over not being able to spend the money on other things.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-44724834277711404412011-01-19T19:16:00.005-05:002011-01-19T19:54:38.172-05:00Priorities<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUf4G3DIyYzhaRy75lUp4qzhjaXzwgFdNRXFaFdEokg91RTxLq7NOAqLxrmkWFRQlhhhwVymovbfkl8oy7E8HjNrwXY7wl6w2E96F2j121VC6qcf-5ppg4BsQQ9mMm97ItUmgBYxz3CFP/s1600/176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUf4G3DIyYzhaRy75lUp4qzhjaXzwgFdNRXFaFdEokg91RTxLq7NOAqLxrmkWFRQlhhhwVymovbfkl8oy7E8HjNrwXY7wl6w2E96F2j121VC6qcf-5ppg4BsQQ9mMm97ItUmgBYxz3CFP/s1600/176.jpg" /></a>When we started homeschooling nine years ago I was simply a mommy and a wife. Granted, I was a mommy to a 5-year-old, a 2-year-old, a 1-year-old, and a 2-month-old and was very busy, but it was a different kind of busy than what I am today. My busyness came from taking care of my babies and our home and that was enough. </div><div align="left"><br />
</div>Today I am still a wife and still a mommy, the only difference being that I am a mommy to a 14-year old, an 11-year-old, a 10-year-old, and a 9-year-old. But in addition to my duties as a wife and mother, and of course a homeschooler, over the years I have also become the leader of a girl's group at church, a Sunday School teacher, the VBS director at our church, a babysitter, a homeschool product reviewer, and the 'upkeeper' of my hubby's at-home business while he works his full-time job.<br />
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But lately I have felt an unsettleing inside. It didn't take me long to realize that it was the Lord nudging me to get my priorities back in order, to get back to what HE wants me to do. First, I am a wife. Secondly, a mother. Those two things have to be a priority and to be honest, they have both taken a back seat to everything else. I look around and see that my house is not a home. It's not a haven for my husband to come home to after a long day at work. I am not setting a good example to my children, especially my two daughters, in how to keep an orderly and comfortable home nor how to be a helpmeet.<br />
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God has also called me to homeschool our children, this I know for sure. Our days used to center around learning, reading, and discovering together! But as I've added more and more hats over the years I'm sad to say that we have evolved into a workbook, little-hands-on, independent-work type of homeschool. This is the very opposite of what we loved about homeschooling in the first place. While there's nothing wrong with homeschooling with workbooks and certainly, developing our children into independent learners is always the goal of homeschool families, for our family the unit study, hands-on approach much more fit our lifestyle and it's something I miss very much. My children are growing up right before my eyes and I'm tired of letting other things get in the way of enjoying every single second of watching them do so.<br />
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I am simply doing too many things, and only doing a so-so job at each of them. And because of this the very things I love the most have suffered. Taking on too much has also taken it's toll on my health as well, and that is not good for anyone. I have put my own health on the back burner and as a result I have put on a considerable amount of weight and my blood pressure is at an unhealthy level. There once was a day when I rose early and exercised (and spent time with the Lord!) before anyone else in my family woke up. That hasn't happened in a very long time and I miss it. I am so thankful the Lord loves me and my family enough to gently show me that I need to realign my priorities to His.<br />
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As of a few months ago I am no longer over the girl's group at church. In His perfect timing God made a way for this by replacing the group with another opportunity for our girls to be together and learn about the Lord. <br />
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After next week I will no longer be babysitting. This was a very difficult and heart-wrenching decision for me. The little ones I watch have been with us for a year and have become like my own. We all love them very, very much and will miss them greatly. However, after much prayer I know that this is something I must do. Doing the right thing is not always the easy thing. Often times it requires sacrifice.<br />
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I am still praying and believe there will be even more changes to come in the near future. When one makes decisions such as these it doesn't always sit well with others and that is sometimes a very hard thing. Saying 'no' is not very popular these days. However, as long as I know I am doing exactly what God wants me to do then I can go forward in confidence and peace, knowing that He will work out all the details and more importantly, I know He will be pleased with my obedience. After all, obedience IS better than sacrifice and I'd rather obey Him than make others happy and sacrifice His blessings any day!<br />
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How about you? Are you doing too much and thus sacrificing these most important years in your children's lives? Years you can never get back? What things can you put aside or say 'no' to (or maybe just 'not right now') in order to put God and your family back in first priority where they belong? Are you willing to sacrifice the good for the better?Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-46078028580822291652011-01-14T17:07:00.000-05:002011-01-16T17:12:22.809-05:00Review: The Life of Christ from the Gospel of John<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIpeoTVBHBm3aF0tHrwxNKAszxFHWt4iqYFiT9rcPcVOD0SVtRswGuZCz2pDzPeWRsqQ-ccobNT9y2maU8YuskPT8VjQ-c2qhy1zB0Vrk2Qkm26fMmVR8y8E7qXosuG-n8kUBQaMnP6C2/s1600/172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIpeoTVBHBm3aF0tHrwxNKAszxFHWt4iqYFiT9rcPcVOD0SVtRswGuZCz2pDzPeWRsqQ-ccobNT9y2maU8YuskPT8VjQ-c2qhy1zB0Vrk2Qkm26fMmVR8y8E7qXosuG-n8kUBQaMnP6C2/s1600/172.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.positiveaction.org/pages/htmlos/003289.2.3685334145273774676">Positive Action for Christ</a> is a publishing house that has been offering Bible curriculum for churches and Christian schools since 1969. Our family had the opportunity to review <a href="http://www.positiveaction.org/pages/htmlos/003289.1.2643828592373774676">The Life of Christ from the Gospel of John</a>, one of their many high school studies.<br />
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<a href="http://www.positiveaction.org/pages/htmlos/003289.1.2643828592373774676">The Life of Christ study</a> can be used independently by the student, taught by the parent, or a combination of both, which is how we have chose to use it. It can also be used in a co-op or group setting or as a family devotional. The student book is divided into seven units, each unit containing between three and seven chapter lessons for a total of 35 lessons, one for each week of a typical school year.<br />
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Each chapter/lesson begins with a short reading to help the student connect their world today with the lesson and the truths found in the Bible. This leads into the Student Work, the questions in their textbook. These questions are designed to help the student imagine themselves as part of the story of Christ. They will "help you to put yourself in the place of the disciples, the Pharisees, or the multitudes as you investigate for yourself just who this Jesus is." I am really impressed with the intent of the Student Work:<br />
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<em>"Since the objective of this study is not just to fill students' minds with facts, but even more importantly to help them grow in the knowledge of their Saviour, we have designed this section to help their minds ponder Him and His teaching. Our intent is not to use these questions to provide definitive answers, but rather to get the students thinking about the personalities and their character qualities as well as the meaning of the text and the spiritual truths it teaches."</em><br />
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The Student Work in the student textbook leads into the teacher's lesson, which, depending on how you schedule your school week, may very well come in the middle of the week. The reason for this is because it is recommended that you discuss their answers to the student work as an introduction to the teacher lesson. In doing so the student will already know many of the questions you will be discussing in the teacher lesson before you even begin. Each chapter in the student textbook has space for the student to take notes during the teacher's lesson.<br />
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The Teacher's manual contains the teacher's lessons, copies of the student textbook along with answers to the student's fill-in-the-blank sections, as well as masters of chapter quizzes and unit tests. Also included is a CD-rom of overhead transparencies to use with each lesson. I'm not sure how many homeschool families will actually use these in this way since it requires an overhead projector or video equipment. However, each 'transparency' can also be printed out, but duplicates of each are also in the student textbook so I'm not sure that this is really necessary. Personally, I choose to not use the transparencies CD since it is just duplicating what is already in the student book. If I were using this study in a group or classroom setting then I would most likely use the transparencies to teach the lessons since I would be teaching several students at one time instead of just my daughter.<br />
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A list of recommended scriptures for the student to memorize is also included in this study, all taken from the book of John. While not mandatory, I choose to have my daughter memorize each lesson's corresponding scripture and have her write the verse from memory on her weekly quiz paper.<br />
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Having a daughter in high school it is my plan for her to earn a Bible credit as one of her required electives. However, finding just the right study for her to complete in order to earn that credit is not as easy as it may seem. The original plan was to have her earn this credit while completing the Bible study that corresponds with her American history book. This turned out to be nearly impossible since her history is very in depth and requires most of her time during the school day. To also complete all that is required for the Bible section was simply too much for her. Besides, while the intent of tying history and the Bible together is a good idea, in my opinion it simply teaches facts more than helps her grow in her relationship with her Saviour. That is what I like the most about The Life of Christ study, that the emphasis of the lessons is to challenge the student and help them apply the lessons to their own lives. <br />
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Since it is my standard to give my complete and honest opinion of anything I review, I feel I must add that while researching the Positive Action for Christ website I came across their <a href="http://www.positiveaction.org/pages/htmlos/002534.1.1373307322614442404">Doctrinal Statement</a> and I do not agree with a few of their positions. However, this is not a discussion on differing beliefs but I felt it important to inform you of this fact. Despite our differing beliefs, I have yet to read anything in <a href="http://www.positiveaction.org/pages/htmlos/002534.2.223492829414442404">The Life of Christ study</a> that teaches differently than what we teach our children, which I am very happy about since the study fits our needs so well.<br />
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To check out this study or other products from Positive Action for Christ simply click <a href="http://www.positiveaction.org/pages/htmlos/002534.7.1279234199314442404">here</a>. They offer products for churches and Christian schools, which can also easily be adapted for homeschool families as well. I have been considering purchasing their Bible curriculum for my other children who are in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades since I am so impressed with The Life of Christ study for our 9th grader. If you'd like to see what each study covers you can download (or order for free) a Scope & Sequence <a href="http://www.positiveaction.org/pages/htmlos/002534.7.1279234199314442404">here</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9p_d4Ab5vgwnbMrRTPgE2laxBRzFebUNXtxQE7CJxsLCTTCv69X-hMNGn1HD_CnYqDjS3jFBspEeSPI-91pCcXcCXZoOOTCo2TL9jUtvsU7n-BuMOrNIU7GbcuMTNbdJxz5mqfdQe1Dq/s1600/174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9p_d4Ab5vgwnbMrRTPgE2laxBRzFebUNXtxQE7CJxsLCTTCv69X-hMNGn1HD_CnYqDjS3jFBspEeSPI-91pCcXcCXZoOOTCo2TL9jUtvsU7n-BuMOrNIU7GbcuMTNbdJxz5mqfdQe1Dq/s1600/174.jpg" /></a></div><br />
If you are interested in the Life of Christ study for your high schooler here is what it will cost you:<br />
*Student Manual- $17.95<br />
*Teacher's Manual- $41.95 (this is also available on DVD for $29.95)<br />
*Deluxe Presentation DVD (which looks SUPER COOL!)- $79.95<br />
*Overhead Transparencies (full color printed acetate transparencies)- $99.95<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U56L1Bhck4dVlMAOtE4HBEtBDw13DU2b6HyPgEpRcIoVpckj8q4w0iMVnPKy8TW4SPh38xJVEf8-e8ipKKGO38e86-EywZkcO1CK8fjtx9a8M_2ZwfiO-S4d8h_V87B0CpU6Lt4LGcwb/s1600/175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8U56L1Bhck4dVlMAOtE4HBEtBDw13DU2b6HyPgEpRcIoVpckj8q4w0iMVnPKy8TW4SPh38xJVEf8-e8ipKKGO38e86-EywZkcO1CK8fjtx9a8M_2ZwfiO-S4d8h_V87B0CpU6Lt4LGcwb/s1600/175.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received this product free of charge in exchange for my review and honest opinion of it. As a believer and follower of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I promise you that all my reviews contain only my own honest opinions...'cause He told me to not lie!</span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-49009414750855012522011-01-12T07:06:00.000-05:002011-01-12T07:06:06.584-05:00Review: Virtual Nerd<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECTm9NGJaZ3ZImic5lLlSBAJHMzK9oEyjlYt8CRG_XHLBBxbxEv2lDswqlFFgiORqmUYf9eG8Hk98A9RWVXdZ3LTcAAtleySL0rOubXqN08w6ufasaqminjIH2GXbyjQefn5HpIwF2dI4/s1600/167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiECTm9NGJaZ3ZImic5lLlSBAJHMzK9oEyjlYt8CRG_XHLBBxbxEv2lDswqlFFgiORqmUYf9eG8Hk98A9RWVXdZ3LTcAAtleySL0rOubXqN08w6ufasaqminjIH2GXbyjQefn5HpIwF2dI4/s1600/167.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Did you know that according to the U.S. Department of Education 29% of eighth grade students tested at a "Below Basic" level in math in 2009? At least 27% (and up to 67%) of student families in grades K-12 pay for tutoring services. Typical hourly rates for private tutoring range from $30/hour to over $200/hour. The private tutoring industry in the U.S. is estimated at over $5 billion annually.<br />
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If you are one of these families with a student in grades 7-12 who could use a little extra help in either math or science I am happy to tell you about Virtual Nerd. Virtual Nerd is an award-winning subscription website that offers tutorial videos 24/7 in different areas of math and science. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlSdUIwvOZO2SQ4ZCN5hQmEnxj0bjYnCsnfm8_WjpMsObWcFau9lx1iub8f27CywHksbWK1DjwmR11zFP0b9ioPO8AZueHDtsKnDG-1oVRZzMOYlRu_VtBZgRFxLQ0hiBzfuUmmSLPE1z/s1600/166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlSdUIwvOZO2SQ4ZCN5hQmEnxj0bjYnCsnfm8_WjpMsObWcFau9lx1iub8f27CywHksbWK1DjwmR11zFP0b9ioPO8AZueHDtsKnDG-1oVRZzMOYlRu_VtBZgRFxLQ0hiBzfuUmmSLPE1z/s400/166.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Currently students can view these video tutorials and receive top-notch help in Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II, and Intro. to Physics with much more scheduled to be available later this year, including Geometry, Calculus, Pre-Calculus, Chemistry, and Biology! At only $49/month, that is like wrapping up SEVERAL tutors into one for a very affordable monthly price! And if you're like me, when it comes to most of the subjects listed above, I'm MORE than happy to pay someone else to do the teaching and tutoring, someone who actually knows what they're doing! LOL!<br />
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What I like most about Virtual Nerd is that as opposed to a physical-person tutor your student may see once a week for an hour at a time (if even that long), with Virtual Nerd they have 24/7 access to a tutor so the help is right there at their fingertips any time, any where. And the <em>amount</em> of help available is so vast! For example, the number of Algebra I tutorials is over 450 with over 15,000 step-by-step graphics created for just for Algebra I. It would take a student over 18 hours to watch all the tutorial videos that go along with JUST Algebra I! Now multiply that 18 hours by the typical hourly rate for tutors these days and I think you'll agree that Virtual Nerd is well worth looking into!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhVK29961h1loITRDnnU1O9xZG1OJ1C2x1sEWciGbzgdLIIxDgZXSJrrv6wFVrmq0-WBzezujy7t7AU57Nx3XYfWkPrOqIgf-jLx1-74B7aFD_q9AhhjTyocHLB8-_MnXRZIBKbU5GPo6/s1600/169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyhVK29961h1loITRDnnU1O9xZG1OJ1C2x1sEWciGbzgdLIIxDgZXSJrrv6wFVrmq0-WBzezujy7t7AU57Nx3XYfWkPrOqIgf-jLx1-74B7aFD_q9AhhjTyocHLB8-_MnXRZIBKbU5GPo6/s400/169.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>If you'd like to give Virtual Nerd a try you can do so <a href="http://www.virtualnerd.com/signup-options.php">here</a>. They have several subscription options, including a two-hour free trial if you'd just like to get a feel for how it all works. One word of warning however. On their pricing page it has an orange button that says: Educators click here, which takes you to a free educator sign up page. This free service IS NOT available to homeschoolers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF9pyt2LK_3_zbCh22Eds0H1c7_iU8wJqRuoB7iGRAn-MX2K7GRmr8t4Zf_FOGDKto3nCtCugFbjO0tjED6aDmTAfz7caOde3KsYdCFDhwed6QuZ2BOdJSz0eAdtLfmWnt-6EMfsfBooh/s1600/170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="115" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtF9pyt2LK_3_zbCh22Eds0H1c7_iU8wJqRuoB7iGRAn-MX2K7GRmr8t4Zf_FOGDKto3nCtCugFbjO0tjED6aDmTAfz7caOde3KsYdCFDhwed6QuZ2BOdJSz0eAdtLfmWnt-6EMfsfBooh/s400/170.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received this product free of charge in exchange for my review and honest opinion of it. As a believer and follower of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I promise you that all my reviews contain only my own honest opinions...'cause He told me to not lie!</span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-78148240085735965622011-01-03T10:30:00.000-05:002011-01-03T10:30:16.845-05:00And Mom & Dad Can Hardly Wait...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULEFOKQH8SEwfIzjw7EEMcMP74GqTlIGibM_LdFpPiUzy_e7ipYirIFYvRIJ-MnkGH2xyU19vwP5ZNWBhBMMQpeVAOKzRipWS9Le51JHF8XvXeXgxYX5VmdL6lEp1xo0BQvr-UkMQre67/s1600/160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULEFOKQH8SEwfIzjw7EEMcMP74GqTlIGibM_LdFpPiUzy_e7ipYirIFYvRIJ-MnkGH2xyU19vwP5ZNWBhBMMQpeVAOKzRipWS9Le51JHF8XvXeXgxYX5VmdL6lEp1xo0BQvr-UkMQre67/s320/160.jpg" width="255" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Need I say more?</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-64130701738067554802010-12-22T09:58:00.001-05:002010-12-22T09:59:18.819-05:00Marcy's Thoughts About Fran<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbrO8Db0gu5hiwewRyPHOFlm1ZHXP7I-oRT4qneoFq3qYs2OcQNTyMlWTxHJiq8Q40QnzD9ifXO9Z4Uki9S4gsD0I2CmjMm59hfnMIVwkRWquzBSEWeW-Z6J_Zt3Y9MMEd4DiXVefIc6r/s1600/n680743677_742841_5901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbrO8Db0gu5hiwewRyPHOFlm1ZHXP7I-oRT4qneoFq3qYs2OcQNTyMlWTxHJiq8Q40QnzD9ifXO9Z4Uki9S4gsD0I2CmjMm59hfnMIVwkRWquzBSEWeW-Z6J_Zt3Y9MMEd4DiXVefIc6r/s200/n680743677_742841_5901.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://trainingheartsathome.blogspot.com/2010/12/delivering-frans-quilts.html">Remember</a> Kaity and I picked up Marcy on our way to deliver the quilts to Fran's family? I encourage you to read <a href="http://www.benandme.net/2010/12/for-fran.html">her thoughts</a> on Fran and the day. It was a blessing to me to read it as I'm sure it will be for you as well.Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-44167769901759513562010-12-19T18:42:00.002-05:002010-12-20T07:17:07.137-05:00Delivering Fran's Quilts<div style="text-align: left;">I feel as though I lived a Hallmark Christmas movie yesterday. It was quite possibly the most perfect day I have ever lived, and it could only have been orchestrated by God himself.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">When <a href="http://konicklife.blogspot.com/">Fran</a> passed away from breast cancer back in June her friends and fellow homeschool moms from the <a href="http://fiarhq.com/">Five in a Row</a> message boards decided to <a href="http://trainingheartsathome.blogspot.com/2010/07/frans-quilts.html">make quilts</a> for her husband and two daughters as a way to show our love and support for them. I had no idea at the time just what a blessing God had in store for <em>me</em>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I am truly humbled and honored that I was able to help in the creating of these special quilts, although I never sewed the first stitch on any of them. To be used by God as a vessel to get these quilts into the hands of Fran's grieving family is beyond the shadow of a doubt the most precious thing I have ever had the privilege of being involved in.</div><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1zM6bqiSoTNtDcD9o1tgk37SzkesctQZnMIfg-3VihhHwmvsjdyUpWGaew8lJV7WFVUKdvdgJokby92uNd3wW4Xn8wG4V_S4pSzcY9gv2_X-N1PzSStcj6HGbxSt58Ml88oqvQiZfT-k/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1zM6bqiSoTNtDcD9o1tgk37SzkesctQZnMIfg-3VihhHwmvsjdyUpWGaew8lJV7WFVUKdvdgJokby92uNd3wW4Xn8wG4V_S4pSzcY9gv2_X-N1PzSStcj6HGbxSt58Ml88oqvQiZfT-k/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Yesterday started early for my oldest daughter, Kaity, and I as we jumped in our van and headed north-then-west to Louisville to pick up friend and fellow Five in a Row mom, <a href="http://www.benandme.net/">Marcy</a>. It was a cold and beautiful Christmas-y feeling kind of day. We tuned into a 24-hour Christmas music radio station and enjoyed the beautiful scenery on our 2 1/2 hour drive. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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We picked up Marcy (and promptly gave her the KENTUCKY BLUE-hatted penguin in a BLUE bag tied with a BLUE Kentucky lanyard we had brought her for Christmas- she's a Louisville Cardinals fan, who's color is red, BLECH!) but before we headed north to Fran's house in Indiana we had to stop for a bit of nourishment at <a href="http://www.lynnsparadisecafe.com/">Lynn's Paradise Cafe</a>, the place Marcy takes all her special friends who come to visit! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX_QlHMW9rXjetnOYJeTO2Tr0yXq7ZVqRDViMF8it0BfuYaoq_fqmLRUKkLq9YtDhb7JbIPmEXWaBYur-_Id-w7F2OsAQm4Kz2yRZXiddB62D1U6RBStCu4-QMsiO9_kxmURMa88PPCL1/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX_QlHMW9rXjetnOYJeTO2Tr0yXq7ZVqRDViMF8it0BfuYaoq_fqmLRUKkLq9YtDhb7JbIPmEXWaBYur-_Id-w7F2OsAQm4Kz2yRZXiddB62D1U6RBStCu4-QMsiO9_kxmURMa88PPCL1/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
What a fun and quirky place Lynn's is! (Oh, and the food is de-LICIOUS!)</div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While there we just <em>had</em> to try on some of Lynn's crazy hats!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4fr5AL_gjSjOlJteabPNajR7hyphenhyphen-3HzLc6XJNFt-elf5DR-WsG1DZ_X7t2dpJC_x4RfJ1o4g-KwFsVs1R_uu8n2zvduIak30TbkFc4h1qfMxWLmx5Ytty9sFXRBg9g4S-XE9-IAwE_SVF/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD4fr5AL_gjSjOlJteabPNajR7hyphenhyphen-3HzLc6XJNFt-elf5DR-WsG1DZ_X7t2dpJC_x4RfJ1o4g-KwFsVs1R_uu8n2zvduIak30TbkFc4h1qfMxWLmx5Ytty9sFXRBg9g4S-XE9-IAwE_SVF/s320/044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div> As we left and began to drive out of Louisville Kaity and I were amazed at the completely ice-covered sidewalks throughout the city...<br />
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Before long we arrived at Fran's house to meet her precious family.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's what her front yard looked like, completely ice-covered...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we walked into Fran's home we were welcomed with big, <u>real</u> hugs from Ed, Fran's husband, the aroma of fresh coffee brewing in the coffee pot and a warm, cozy fire in the fireplace. And it was a REAL, wood-burning fire, not one of those fake ones stores try to convince us are just as good today! With the snow-covered ground and forest of trees outside the windows, a woodpecker that had landed on a bird feeder and that fire crackling while we sat near the Christmas tree... ahhh... it was a scene straight out of a movie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We met Emma, Fran and Ed's 7-year-old daughter, Eden, their adopted 5-year-old daughter, and Elliott, one of Ed's three grown sons. And let me just stop right here and say what an obvious blessing Elliott is to Ed and the girls. He has helped take care of Emma and Eden since Fran passed away and his love for them was so evident in the way he scooped Eden up and held her, rubbing her little arm, then taking her to give her her feeding and laying her down for a nap. What a fine, Godly young man! I know Ed is proud.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Marcy began by sitting down and explaining to Emma in a way she could understand who we were, how we knew her and her mommy, and the reason we had come. Then we showed her her quilt...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Much to our excitement, Emma and her daddy recognized what books many of the quilt squares represented! They told us they own several of the books and plan on purchasing those they don't already own so they can always have them to go along with the quilt. Emma told us that one of her two favorite colors is red, just like her quilt.<br />
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Next, we showed them Eden's quilt...<br />
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Once again we listened as Ed and Emma commented on several of the squares. And guess what color Emma told us is Eden's favorite? Purple. I am constantly amazed how much God is in even the smallest of details.<br />
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Then, we opened up Ed's quilt. I don't have a picture like the ones above because it got a little more emotional and I wanted to be sensitive to that. But I have a picture of his quilt I had taken earlier that I'll share with you.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFxKoGafFOzyT6VgKnkcAoEnGfcDMtujSoR_WSc_QNypEDrpCW3-xlm8c-vT3OPMekeoH82xSGIVe55F6WaD_7y9ppuCPZyCYPvz3pFY5zhOY_1Rv3hdC8d2iM0cvfhwQpntGuWmGJFfc/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFxKoGafFOzyT6VgKnkcAoEnGfcDMtujSoR_WSc_QNypEDrpCW3-xlm8c-vT3OPMekeoH82xSGIVe55F6WaD_7y9ppuCPZyCYPvz3pFY5zhOY_1Rv3hdC8d2iM0cvfhwQpntGuWmGJFfc/s320/006.JPG" width="217" /></a></div><br />
He noticed one block in particular right away. He said, "Oh, it's <a href="http://konicklife.blogspot.com/2008/11/for-love-of-christmas-tree.html#links">Fran's Thanksgiving tree</a>." Then he saw the one in the top right-hand corner with the three hearts that says 'Amazing Grace' and said, "Fran's favorite song." That's when the tears gently rolled down his cheeks and I couldn't hold mine back any longer either. We pointed out the breast cancer awareness symbol in the body of the butterfly and the hidden stitching in one of the blocks that spells out Fran and Ed's names. It was obvious he was very touched and that these quilts are already a priceless treasure to him. Ed even said, "We'll have to find a very special place to put these, won't we Emma?" For a minute or two there was just silence as he took it all in. It was a very humbling moment and one I'm honored to have been witness to.<br />
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I then handed Ed a zip-lock bag of all the notes and cards and letters several FIAR ladies had sent along with their quilt squares. Whenever I received one in the mail with a square I simply put it in this zip-lock bag, unopened, for only Ed's eyes to see. (Except for one that was addressed to Emma. She found that one and as Marcy, Ed, and I talked I noticed she opened it and was reading it.)<br />
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After that we all sat and talked for a while and even laughed some, listening to what all was happening with Eden and Emma and the things Emma's involved in, what's on her Christmas list, and how she will soon be 'Aunt Emma' when her big brother gets married in January! She will also be going to school for the first time in January after continuing to be homeschooled by Ed and Elliott throughout this past fall. "Fran already had the whole school year laid out. All we had to do was pull each week's sheet out and we knew what to do." What a momma. Emma will be attending a small Christian school very close to home with only 13 in her class, including a couple friends she already knows. She's a very excited little girl!<br />
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We decided we had taken up enough of their time so we said we would go, but Ed said, "Let's have a word of prayer first." Words can not describe the feeling in that room as Ed prayed. The spirit of the Lord was there in a very real way and once again the tears fell, this time by all. When I looked up little Emma had her head buried in her daddy's shoulder, crying. He said, "Would you like to give these ladies a hug too?" and I got down on my knees as she melted into my arms, still crying. I tried not to, but my heart was broken and I cried with her. As I squeezed her tiny little body and caressed her hair I thanked her for such a wonderful hug, told her that her mommy loved her so very much, and then pulled her back to look at me as I told her, "I sure hope I get to see you again some day, but even if I don't, I want you to always remember that as you grow into a young lady, and one day a young woman, you will always have lots and lots of mommies all over the world who love you and are praying for you!" That made her smile.<br />
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Our visit was over all too soon. Pictures and hugs ended our time together, along with Ed offering to sell me his camper! LOL! (We may just take you up on that one of these days Mr. Konick!) <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrihCuHXiU429itUci8839XkArGUh-Nof3EanISYSC4qSK3AjbmXLXHRpG6ZEjPVpVso5YiOljdu5u3N_5EAQvkTY_BormYZl-qORYTPeLxhtZE3N4yM3b2-u_4Rv1ZUGw-vw2bkLCtWK/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrihCuHXiU429itUci8839XkArGUh-Nof3EanISYSC4qSK3AjbmXLXHRpG6ZEjPVpVso5YiOljdu5u3N_5EAQvkTY_BormYZl-qORYTPeLxhtZE3N4yM3b2-u_4Rv1ZUGw-vw2bkLCtWK/s320/066.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div align="center">(Marcy and Emma)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAOsHWd7DULrEWlIqCWYMgArYib1SvXsQVcSHF-PxRlD5oLckqPlEmxJGN_2wa_fTYUJpeu0ViXQRJiDZsrSDIbHRd9b0jwjLrvqHD1oGcANeVZ0nrZ5AzxKF_N3I_RDq7s82QgFtwgbC/s1600/067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNAOsHWd7DULrEWlIqCWYMgArYib1SvXsQVcSHF-PxRlD5oLckqPlEmxJGN_2wa_fTYUJpeu0ViXQRJiDZsrSDIbHRd9b0jwjLrvqHD1oGcANeVZ0nrZ5AzxKF_N3I_RDq7s82QgFtwgbC/s320/067.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Kaity and Emma)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I didn't get any pictures of Eden, although I wish I would have. But again, I wanted to be sensitive to her needs and didn't want to appear pushy, so I'll just share with you my very favorite picture of her from Fran's blog...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreysrzvKLhQgPuouac9W8k_V2R0ZkAbTgftyzhGgH-1ARmKv1bAf9Yk9OvQ27XfoyDDRrlSuO20ZbSwmvKF03kw4EZF6KT-i8b0ujKZKiySDS7xJyC9Cdp3JQwdRDp03xXkcS2xSdI68t/s1600/154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhreysrzvKLhQgPuouac9W8k_V2R0ZkAbTgftyzhGgH-1ARmKv1bAf9Yk9OvQ27XfoyDDRrlSuO20ZbSwmvKF03kw4EZF6KT-i8b0ujKZKiySDS7xJyC9Cdp3JQwdRDp03xXkcS2xSdI68t/s320/154.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Isn't this the most precious picture? At one point during our visit Ed reached down and got Eden's hand and the biggest smile spread across her face! It was precious to witness.)</div><br />
Elliott had shoveled all the ice off of the sidewalk while we were visiting (I told you that boy was a fine young man!) and we drove back to Louisville to drop Marcy off at home, but not before we stopped off for some yummy Starbucks treats and a bit more visiting.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCb1Ug-VBAc25FpT3K7VEY7IFb5nzy_K1rSWNUnRILuxtOlQCky9mg2Ew3inm3Temntk6Q0_qbW8ab3RpIbGi5ehiLrVgjKwiZvRRVX0B6P640AkN2jxetlbFr22NCvbEObf6Klkl-HDd/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCb1Ug-VBAc25FpT3K7VEY7IFb5nzy_K1rSWNUnRILuxtOlQCky9mg2Ew3inm3Temntk6Q0_qbW8ab3RpIbGi5ehiLrVgjKwiZvRRVX0B6P640AkN2jxetlbFr22NCvbEObf6Klkl-HDd/s320/074.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(What's up with teenage girls making duck-lips in all their pictures these days? LOL)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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After leaving Marcy (and her precious family whom we got to talk to for a few minutes), Kaity and I headed back to Lexington where we stopped off at a Target, grabbed some taco's and Mt. Dew (for the drive home, it was getting late you know), and snapped these pictures...<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have replayed the day over and over in my mind and each time I do, or each time I tell someone about it, I cry all over again. But you know, it's funny. While my heart obviously breaks for those Fran left behind, my tears are not all sad tears. I can't exactly explain it, but it's more of a humbled, amazed-at-God, thankful, cup-running-over cry. I am simply honored that God chose to allow me to be His vessel to bless this wonderful family. I am nothing. Without Him I can do nothing. I don't deserve the blessing He has given me through this, but oh I am so very, very thankful and humbled because of it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have just had my very first <u>REAL</u> Christmas, and I need nor want anything else. I found Jesus in the tears of a beautiful, blond-headed little girl and through the prayer of her daddy. No other gift could begin to compare. THIS is what Christmas <em>really</em> is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Merry Christmas my friends. Merry Christmas.</div>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8097512829505567054.post-42380803742127586552010-12-13T00:01:00.004-05:002011-01-12T07:24:01.328-05:00Review: ALEKS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI_u34Eigq3PocM4KTy4DtxJ3X5Q1vh5OpFzR941OwLiZPMNrnizDfT4_lMvXfLD6h8eFvZ_lGza4WS9F8dnqzVwrpiGXi_vxw3W5pFYCIH7I4wTN7S1ayBul1YzqamVe5MV_OJx7CBDB/s1600/132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdI_u34Eigq3PocM4KTy4DtxJ3X5Q1vh5OpFzR941OwLiZPMNrnizDfT4_lMvXfLD6h8eFvZ_lGza4WS9F8dnqzVwrpiGXi_vxw3W5pFYCIH7I4wTN7S1ayBul1YzqamVe5MV_OJx7CBDB/s1600/132.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I had heard of <a href="http://www.aleks.com/">ALEKS</a> before, but to be completely honest, I really had no idea what it was when this review was presented to me.<br />
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So what <em>is</em> <a href="http://www.aleks.com/">ALEKS</a> you ask? Well, ALEKS stands for<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <strong><u>A</u></strong>ssessment and <strong><u>LE</u></strong>arning in <strong><u>K</u></strong>nowledge <strong><u>S</u></strong>paces. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you'd like a quick and easy answer, it's a math-learning website. But that doesn't really give it the credit it's due. So the 'official' description of ALEKS is this:</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: inherit;">"...a Web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system that uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what a student knows and doesn't know in a course. ALEKS offers truly individualized instruction that meets the student at her learning level and instructs her on the exact topics that she is most ready to learn."</span></em><br />
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<a href="http://www.aleks.com/">ALEKS</a> can provide you with the instruction and support that you need to homeschool your children in mathematics for grades 3-12. With a comprehensive course library ranging from elementary school math to complex subjects such as PreCalculus (as well as <a href="http://www.aleks.com/about_aleks/course_products?cmscache=detailed&detailed=gscience9_prepphysic#gscience9_prepphysic">higher education science</a>), ALEKS acts much like a human tutor to help take the stress off of homeschooling parents. ALEKS is accessible from virtually any computer with Internet access, making it a flexible and mobile educational solution for your children.<br />
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-Complete Curriculum Solution for Math with Access to Full Course Library<br />
-No Textbook Required <br />
-Artificial Intelligence Targets Gaps in Student Knowledge <br />
-Assessment and Individualized Learning for Grades 3-12 <br />
-Master Account - Monitor and Direct Learning Progress <br />
-Unlimited Online Access - PC & Mac Compatible <br />
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Since our oldest son, who's 11, has struggled just a bit with fractions I felt he might get the best use out of this site so he helped me with my review. The first step, once you purchase a <a href="http://www.aleks.com/homeschool/buy_aleks_now">subscription</a> to ALEKS, is that your student(s) will begin by taking an individualized, adaptive assessment to determine what they already know and what they are ready to learn next.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSNIEAd7a1MJILKQwrnPGJXcBwL0TULey_pZFXMSTWfjiyF7YXHeVXZYiTGBz-0mwweJSrVURq5Gi_lj2XgAJR-qAXnfYYBohpoqUMPAzzakpKJdC11xmInil2cX-_9uAIHyV9CMIafF7/s1600/134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKSNIEAd7a1MJILKQwrnPGJXcBwL0TULey_pZFXMSTWfjiyF7YXHeVXZYiTGBz-0mwweJSrVURq5Gi_lj2XgAJR-qAXnfYYBohpoqUMPAzzakpKJdC11xmInil2cX-_9uAIHyV9CMIafF7/s200/134.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Once they have finished that they will be shown their 'pie'. The ALEKS Pie summarizes a student's current knowledge and offers topics that the student is ready to learn next. The darkened portion of each pie slice represents the topics that the student has mastered and the lighter portion represents what the student has yet to learn.<br />
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While ALEKS appears to be a wonderful tool, my only real issue with it is that our family has always focused on the mastery way of learning math as opposed to the spiral method and the ALEKS assessment includes questions on several topics that my son has not learned yet. This made his pie look like he knew very little, which was a bit discouraging for him. However, students can work on one particular concept at a time until mastery is acheived, so if we had a paid subscription that we could use over an extended period of time I can see my children really liking and doing well with ALEKS. <br />
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Subscription prices are as follows: <br />
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*$19.95 per student, per month, or <br />
*only $99.95 every 6 months, or<br />
*only $179.95 every 12 months. <br />
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They also have a <a href="http://www.aleks.com/homeschool/buy_aleks_now_family_discount">family discount plan</a>. And just for my readers, ALEKS has graciously extended a one-month FREE trial!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.aleks.com/webform/eb2-200"><img alt="Visit ALEKS for 1-Month Trial" src="http://www.aleks.com/homeschool/Homeschool-Banner.gif" /></a></center><br />
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While I really like <a href="http://www.aleks.com/">ALEKS</a> and belive it would be a great help in our homeschooling, our family simply can not justify spending this amount of money on something that isn't crucial. Would it help? Yes. Would my children enjoy it? No doubt. But is it a neccesary purchase for us? No, it is not. While we would use <a href="http://www.aleks.com/">ALEKS</a> every day in our homeschooling, we do have our wonderful math books that we have used for years that are also getting the job done for a lot less. For our family, four student accounts, even with the family discount plan, would cost us $300 for six months. That's just not in our budget and I'm afraid that it's not going to be in a lot of homeschool family's budgets, the majority of whom are one-income families.<br />
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However, if you have a struggling math student and would be willing to pay for a personal tutor who is available 24/7, then ALEKS may just be what you're looking for. Here's some more information to help you see just how many great things ALEKS has to offer...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rfVLOtRFAZZhEZPQYDZk4cbCVsLySmhVQIaSxV3SB8yfjYNIa-UEJrP3pVkRDARLkNNYmKgsSCZ-Pjx6Oh92FDAkAILPV54y5jqB_dnu6WO_vWSofxZqlG1umENkrx5cbxAFEhyphenhyphenuthxR/s1600/135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rfVLOtRFAZZhEZPQYDZk4cbCVsLySmhVQIaSxV3SB8yfjYNIa-UEJrP3pVkRDARLkNNYmKgsSCZ-Pjx6Oh92FDAkAILPV54y5jqB_dnu6WO_vWSofxZqlG1umENkrx5cbxAFEhyphenhyphenuthxR/s200/135.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>ALEKS provides a free response environment and sophisticated input tools that avoid multiple-choice and require students to demonstrate content mastery.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENweqraSW_iqUMt-FCMFL1EVCisZawyKv7VTQNt-CGxeaYcGrQ74oW6D1mFOjIE1zemdz66jRwEuRPq1Yu_VXcZLuXDac_FFmll6NrMUB6Y7CMfTf7NbCvbhMKIooHlMRSFFQZBm4wGaf/s1600/136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgENweqraSW_iqUMt-FCMFL1EVCisZawyKv7VTQNt-CGxeaYcGrQ74oW6D1mFOjIE1zemdz66jRwEuRPq1Yu_VXcZLuXDac_FFmll6NrMUB6Y7CMfTf7NbCvbhMKIooHlMRSFFQZBm4wGaf/s200/136.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>The Learning Mode provides students with practice problems, and offers explanations of topics and procedures as needed. Once a student has demonstrated mastery in the Learning Mode, the topic is added to the ALEKS Pie, and new material that the student is now ready to learn becomes available.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF40cS88fQfahKRe55JfE7YESMFYAGHSHnLI9pJb5xC5hJ2XmOfuReWOAHDbRNly_twWIZNY4Vg6NTbg5t8DJi-KdDFrtg72-oc2wF2f_EALEIqF1cf2eytLkav4uB2buy3HFISS8yz4Xt/s1600/137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF40cS88fQfahKRe55JfE7YESMFYAGHSHnLI9pJb5xC5hJ2XmOfuReWOAHDbRNly_twWIZNY4Vg6NTbg5t8DJi-KdDFrtg72-oc2wF2f_EALEIqF1cf2eytLkav4uB2buy3HFISS8yz4Xt/s200/137.jpg" width="196" /></a></div>When a student is working on a particular problem, she can access an explanation of that problem by clicking on the "Explain" button. The explanation typically provides a step-by-step solution, with commentary. In some cases, an alternative or more detailed explanation is also available. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhK19jPmRETWVCZBHVjhGhuX8nvE0VmtQdIPGbMC1bMuIqr6DmZ16ZWo0APiMlkeJkktH-VQs37LqbSvMPsp7ZUA0BjSTeXlv9k_AESd0GXGSPeoDENRxikTYvxmbG1G9TI3Np3LlVGQS/s1600/139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuhK19jPmRETWVCZBHVjhGhuX8nvE0VmtQdIPGbMC1bMuIqr6DmZ16ZWo0APiMlkeJkktH-VQs37LqbSvMPsp7ZUA0BjSTeXlv9k_AESd0GXGSPeoDENRxikTYvxmbG1G9TI3Np3LlVGQS/s200/139.jpg" width="200" /></a>Students receive immediate feedback and, in some cases, suggestions for correcting mistakes.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3jdIk4ajpn7VBDGAxNrvDBnYvhk1LVeZEDb7FbhVVWB_FUUu1XHdDcEFBRLyvc7XcXUHgJD4cYP3Cdt1paGM0bi3wxoPLKN4zLKQOEwrhHztG8RM_k533CAwVoAYnmuoJu136nVb-JYB/s1600/140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3jdIk4ajpn7VBDGAxNrvDBnYvhk1LVeZEDb7FbhVVWB_FUUu1XHdDcEFBRLyvc7XcXUHgJD4cYP3Cdt1paGM0bi3wxoPLKN4zLKQOEwrhHztG8RM_k533CAwVoAYnmuoJu136nVb-JYB/s200/140.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <br />
Students have the ability to print out 16-question worksheets for additional practice or review. These worksheets are uniquely generated based on the student's current knowledge. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXGzEY1TosN6Ymh6BTcJW_myj1iMbh3vyoYeBQSLMc3SAtzipiITWFIYzqFF5yPIz2htDx0XdhZZ5a4QoCJ3c8j1EZx0vu3f1yk-bkfgdNeFIvtXuw67b2GtzKFeG4sULV5zy9IlD9f42/s1600/141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXGzEY1TosN6Ymh6BTcJW_myj1iMbh3vyoYeBQSLMc3SAtzipiITWFIYzqFF5yPIz2htDx0XdhZZ5a4QoCJ3c8j1EZx0vu3f1yk-bkfgdNeFIvtXuw67b2GtzKFeG4sULV5zy9IlD9f42/s200/141.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>QuickTables is a research-based, math fact mastery program for multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxNy3UIL7pcj6Ybuoz1vATyWaDJD_QTjzQk5q_9EyvUuS86Kw1d_m5H9XYHKEqiOGHQJUOQGfHl3r-yx5WlAdBwYq2km_jEoK2E0_rLD_v8daXKdOcJhCqKgY9vRxF6t68px2AZg-MTgt/s1600/142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxNy3UIL7pcj6Ybuoz1vATyWaDJD_QTjzQk5q_9EyvUuS86Kw1d_m5H9XYHKEqiOGHQJUOQGfHl3r-yx5WlAdBwYq2km_jEoK2E0_rLD_v8daXKdOcJhCqKgY9vRxF6t68px2AZg-MTgt/s200/142.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Interactive games provide additional review and built-in rewards. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdRenr-EQraor0ax1QqOMqKOmoMXFIG8mhGnxDoI65oPd27hvsmkSy3mnTXiBM58dSoRIl-hC6g0_eZpPP55jO2JYI_Qu8YhYNGPA6TigSWGbpSm30RFgYIgVaoaP7gOM-8YTKrC1NrtU/s1600/143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdRenr-EQraor0ax1QqOMqKOmoMXFIG8mhGnxDoI65oPd27hvsmkSy3mnTXiBM58dSoRIl-hC6g0_eZpPP55jO2JYI_Qu8YhYNGPA6TigSWGbpSm30RFgYIgVaoaP7gOM-8YTKrC1NrtU/s200/143.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Master Account Homepage: Easily manage all student accounts, monitor student progress, view customized resources, and more.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSZVc03FdZJNA_pwzH17mXYE70f_pGFFd0xfZI3iKQdHDca0AATksdTiPQNXa1nbiYRcbTeoTfN0xM5rh92EHo0EDYs_CHKyg62yqTAZQc0mnxXvGJuS7Y9OK-nn2X_q_GjZcPhYCRL4J/s1600/144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqSZVc03FdZJNA_pwzH17mXYE70f_pGFFd0xfZI3iKQdHDca0AATksdTiPQNXa1nbiYRcbTeoTfN0xM5rh92EHo0EDYs_CHKyg62yqTAZQc0mnxXvGJuS7Y9OK-nn2X_q_GjZcPhYCRL4J/s200/144.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Attendance Report: Track student time spent in ALEKS per day, the topics attempted, and the topics mastered and added to the ALEKS Pie.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTfhXrChUx6m0XT4g1phaRXhyphenhyphentCAb5EGeMdSSJRd8XwmRgeBoRpmNBpTsNjHpcPARD2VVmVmXYPRJNqAafO-w4D7KfNOHRoqrMsu_hV-bHjdyF2poGI1G7uGXjJ9a8FVeGo6VGEu3rtDb/s1600/145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="106" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTfhXrChUx6m0XT4g1phaRXhyphenhyphentCAb5EGeMdSSJRd8XwmRgeBoRpmNBpTsNjHpcPARD2VVmVmXYPRJNqAafO-w4D7KfNOHRoqrMsu_hV-bHjdyF2poGI1G7uGXjJ9a8FVeGo6VGEu3rtDb/s200/145.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Student Progress Report: Track student progress made throughout the course. The blue bar represents the percent of course material that the student has mastered during an ALEKS assessment; the green bar represents the percent of new topics the student has mastered in Learning Mode since the last assessment; and the yellow bar represents the percent of topics the student has yet to learn in order to complete the course.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPfM8w9WjWPx7Hv8Y5_-Q777wIlMbbzWVM5DBjKv5VE-IVhEc4omgHpOf8Fu2sy9E3YR8hGGuzWptcPLsocnNm0fyuw0MC0X3mMy1bJttIhpLkg9JkeJxpzTQPijVKy9KvrkPbNG8CyXz/s1600/146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPfM8w9WjWPx7Hv8Y5_-Q777wIlMbbzWVM5DBjKv5VE-IVhEc4omgHpOf8Fu2sy9E3YR8hGGuzWptcPLsocnNm0fyuw0MC0X3mMy1bJttIhpLkg9JkeJxpzTQPijVKy9KvrkPbNG8CyXz/s200/146.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Quizzes are automatically graded and the results are available to both the parent and student immediately.<br />
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So, overall I would give ALEKS an A-. The 'A' for how well it is laid out and the numerous amount of help and options it offers. Their customer service response time and the friendliness of their staff also contributes to that 'A'. I had some issues setting up a second student account for our other son and while the issue still hasn't been completely resolved, I can't complain about the helpful emails I received regarding this issue. <br />
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The 'minus' comes after that 'A' simply because of the cost. If a subscription were half the cost it currently is, then I would seriously considering purchasing a subscription for our family.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*As a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received this product free of charge in exchange for my review and honest opinion of it. As a believer and follower of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I promise you that all my reviews contain only my own honest opinions...'cause He told me to not lie!</span>Christyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02273201875765310067noreply@blogger.com0