My First Homeschool Convention~Greenville, SC

I just returned from my first homeschool convention in Greenville, SC.  This was truly a life changing event for me, and in turn, my family.

I am blown away how God answered so many of my spoken and unspoken prayers, giving me new direction and purpose. It's like He strategically placed me in each of the workshops that I needed to be in.  I feel like I just gathered up arm loads full of precious golden nuggets and gems that are spilling out and overflowing.  As my friend at The Anderson Bunch put it after leaving one of our workshops- my cup runneth over!  I am overwhelmed by His goodness and so excited for what's ahead for us throughout the remainder of this year and in the years to come.

Besides the workshops, the vendor hall presented a bunch of new curriculum that I can't wait to try.  There are things I plan to order for the remainder of this year and I know the changes I'd like to make for next year. 

I'm thankful for my homeschool mom friends that I was able to share the experience with.  It's refreshing to be with like-minded women of God! 

Mom & Son

What they say about the relationship between a mom and her son is so true.  There's just something special that takes place between them.  Jared and I have many ways we bond and it takes little effort. 

We are both early birds.  Many times we snuggle together early in the morning in my favorite chair by the window and talk about anything, listen to the birds, watch the sun come up or simply say nothing. 

Or, we talk about waking up with a song of praise on our hearts.  Music is something we both love.  We have a couple of "our songs" that are special just to he and I.   One of them is Glenn Miller's "In the Mood".   Jared loves Big Band/Swing. Another is a silly one called "Let's Rub Noses, Like the Eskimoses." 

We like to read together.  Many times I read books outloud to him, and neither of us move on to the next chapter without the other.  Sometimes we both fall asleep before we can finish a page.

We share a love for nature.  Whether it's sitting in the sunshine and soaking it up, bird watching, taking in the beauty of plants and flowers, a walk in the woods, or the simple excitement of having bunnies come right up beside us in the yard---we love it all.

Mostly, we share a love for our Creator.  I love the talks we have together about our God: thankfulness for all He's done, His beautiful creations, the song He puts in our hearts, His word,  answered prayers and prayers that are currently on our hearts.  It blows my mind how Jared can find the spiritual application in almost any situation.  I can count on him to share in a burden or excitement and take them both to prayer. 

Then, there's Chess.

It's a game that sits on the shelf, untouched, until he and I play together.  I taught him how to play a few years ago and ever since, it's been our thing.

The End.

Our Melted Crayons

Hello Friends!

Spring is in the air and I'm so happy about it!  We have been pretty busy over here, lately.  We joined a Homeschool Co-op which meets weekly and the kids are lo-oving it, which = a happy mom.  We spend about 5 hours there and it is the highlight of my kid's week.  They both have classes (Jared: Human Anatomy, PE and Orchestra. Jenna: Zoology and Sewing) then we have our packed lunch.  After lunch the gym is open and the kids run around playing all sorts of organized games while us moms gab on the sidelines. 

Besides the new Co-op, we have our house on the market which = constant cleaning. *Yawn*.  I'm tired just thinking about all the cleaning I've done.  We have a routine in the morning of making beds and picking up bedrooms before we start school.  Friends, you are more than welcome to "drop by" ANYTIME, because my house is always clean!

We tackled a project that we'd never done before: melting down our old crayons.  This is something I've been planning to do for years, literally (which is why I HAVE to blog about it--ha!).  The kids tackled this one on their own since they were tired of waiting for me to get around to doing it!

So, we broke up our crayons into pieces and put them in my muffin tin (I recommend using an old one that you don't plan to use for muffins later because it's hard to get all the melted wax off when you're done).

This isn't the best picture (above) but I wanted to show you the condition our house was in when we got a call at 6:58pm for a house showing at 7:00pm.  Talk about panic.  My husband was just walking down the stairs from waking up after working 26 hours straight.  Crayon bits and labels covered the table and floor, no beds were made, dinner dishes were in the sink, etc.  I told them they could come see the house at 7:30, which was still crazy.  I went from room to room carrying around the container filled with crayons (above) because I didn't know where to put it and couldn't stop to think about it!  I guess it was a good drill for us because everyone ran around and we got the house picked up in time!

So, we then baked our crayon bits on 250 degrees for about 10-15 minutes.  They came out looking like this:

We put them in the refrigerator to cool for about 15-20 minutes and popped them out of the tins.  And they looked like this: 

What we'll do with them now, I have no idea.  The kids say they're too pretty to use.  

Winter Hike

The past several days have been so nice here.  We decided to take our studies outside and go for a hike in the woods.  It was so nice to change up our routine and get some fresh air to clear the old noggin.  I have to say, as much as I have been desperate for a winter snow storm, I now have a case of spring fever! I think this happens every year.

Here's how our hike went:

Deer tracks

This bouncy, rickety bridge was a highlight of our hike:

We first mastered walking on it...then running!

We later identified this jaw bone as a 2 1/2 year old deer

I Found My Little Girl

The transition from girlhood into adolescence often leaves me stunned, baffled, scratching my head and asking "Why me?"  I am thankful that God is helping me to embrace this natural part of life...today anyhow! 

I wrote this poem today:

I Found My Little Girl

There was, once upon a time, my little girl so amiable and nimble
climbing trees, skipping rocks, running through the day
"Look, Daddy and Mommy, I made you this."
she'd say

A missing tooth, a scratched up knee
stitches, bandages and casts
a tromp through the creek, overturning rocks
in search of obscured crawdads

Riding bikes, sweaty face
prayers in bed, a sweet embrace

Bedtime stories, stay-up parties
hair-dos, massages
pedicures and manicures
laughter and surprises

A kind word, a kiss on the cheek
a tattered skirt and stained up sneaks

Days, weeks, months, years
all too quickly flee
holding hands and bear hugs
now distant memories

Where could my little girl be?

I reach for her hand
but get a cold shoulder
and a "Maybe later, Mom."
oh, how I'd long to hold her

"Want to play a game?" I ask
"Maybe later, Mom."
"Is this the standard response to all?"
"Maybe later, Mom."

Ipod, music, ooVoo and Skype
talking all day and into the night

"Time for bed, and turn that thing off."
a look of disgust and dismay
"Do as you're told, young lady
otherwise, I'll take it away."

"Can I go here? Can I go there?"
anywhere but home, it seems
I catch a glimpse of her in the mirror
she's ready to spread her wings

Like a butterfly, she emerges
from the chrysalis of love held so tight
security, confidence
and beauty take flight

Determination, goals
dreaming about tomorrow
reaching for new heights
wanting to be let go

I stand on the side lines
with guidance, love, correction
cheering her on
with discipline and affection

She's growing up, pulling away
searching for who she is
she looks within, stands on the Rock
and knows that she is His

With prayer and perseverance
patience and trust
I look to the One
who is faithful and just

Take her and mold her, I pray
shape her and form her
with talents and unique gifts
and Truth of Your Word

Let her be one of a kind
let her be free from this world
let her shine as a light
let her be transformed

At His feet, in humble service
walking in love and liberty
making her stamp on this world
that's where my little girl will be!

Potato Stamps

Along with our studies of American History this year, the kids are also learning about the US States.  We are going by geographical regions and working on memorizing the states and their capitals, using this website, which uses mnemonics.  Now that we're almost done, currently on the Rocky Mountain States, I found a book I'd completely forgotten I had, which incidently, a lot of these same mnemonics were taken from.  It's called "Kids Learn America":

It has lots of neat facts about each state, along with recipes, crafts, etc.  So, today we read about Idaho since it was one of our Rocky Mountain States.  One of the projects they suggest is to make potato stamps.  So, Jared and I decided to give it a try for fun!

First we carved out our shapes with a paring knife

Then dipped them in paint to make our pretty pictures

Here's Jared's finished project



It was a fun way to learn about a new state! 

Coming Up For Air

Phew!  Anyone else feel like they're being swallowed up with the everyday demands of life?  It never seems to slow down here...which is why I'm just now getting around to a new post for the first time in several weeks.

Ever since Thanksgiving school has been a challenge for us---and taking such a long break for Christmas only added to it!  I'm not sure if we will take such a long break next year.  I feel like we're moving in slow motion, trying to get back up to full speed.  We're getting there!  We are going to make a few changes in curriculum starting in the next couple of weeks.  I plan to order a new science program for Jenna, a couple of new bible studies and maybe a few other goodies.

We did have a nice, relaxing break, though.  I even learned how to knit!  Before my Grandmother passed away she left me a tub full of all of her knitting and crocheting supplies.  I have just about every size and style needle you could imagine.  So, here's my work in progress:

My very first stitches.  *Squeal* I had no plan other than to keep going once I figured it out.  So...it looks like it will be a scarf.  My #1 fan (Jared) is cheering me on each day.  He is so proud of his mama!  Every day he looks at the progress I've made and says, "Wow, Mom! That is SO cool!  When you finish it- I'm going to wear it."  I said, "But it's purple."  He replied, "I dont care! You made it, and that's all I care about."  Can kids be any sweeter??  So, my next project will be a beanie cap for him...not in purple though! Ha.