Here we go!
We are ready to start our homeschool curriculum tomorrow. For this year we decided to go with LifePac which we purchased from Alpha Omega Publications. I really like all that I have looked at so far for planning and am excited to start teaching it tomorrow. I think there are many things in the first few books that Kristopher already knows, but I could be wrong and I’m sure he needs a review anyway. I just hope that it has new things by the second book (there are 10 workbooks in each subject for the year.) We get to start our first experiment the second week of school if all goes as planned in the science book. I’m sure that will be fun.
Right now I am thinking that we will do the Art book (scroll down – it’s called I can do all things) from My Father’s World, but I may just come up with my own art projects. It wouldn’t be a problem, but sometimes it’s nice to just have it laid out for you. I’m still looking into Music lessons of some sort, but I may just try doing that myself too…we shall see.
Tomorrow, on the first day at Artesian Christian Academy, we are going to do a fun activity that Taylor can participate in as well. I got these posters from Oriental Trading Company. I think the kids will have fun filling in the information about themselves and their family – hope I’m right! I purchased one of those big pocket calendars too that you can have the kids add the days to and the weather and holidays. I’ve always wanted one of those for my kids even when we weren’t planning to homeschool, so I was finally able to justify it. Taylor will get to help with that too:)
We went on our first field trip last Thursday and it was fun for all the kids. It was a fishing field trip organized by one of the moms in our homeschooling group. She had a KY Department of Fish & Wildlife educator, Sonya Mahler, come out and teach the kids about KY fish. Then they learned how to cast their line by trying to get it into a hula hoop. Then the kids split up into 2 groups and one did sidewalk chalk art while the others got to try fishing in the pond. I sat on a blanket with Kameron and Jakin, while Bill & Suzie helped Boaz, Lillian, Taylor and Kristopher with their poles. Taylor caught a catfish, but I’m not sure she was that excited about it! Then the groups switched until it was time to eat lunch. It was a really fun thing for all the kids and the group was the most well behaved group of kids I’ve ever seen in that kind of setting. Everything was relaxed and fun and they learned something too – a very nice first experience for us.
Taylor is going to be starting Kingdom Kids this Tuesday. She will be there 2 days a week like Kristopher was when he was her age. We really liked the program then, so I hope it goes well for Taylor too. When Kristopher was there he had a small class, but Taylor’s class has 14 – heavy on the boys side. When we went to meet the teacher Taylor actually walked in and sat down at the table with all the boys, while the other girls all went to the other table. She has always wanted to hang out with the boys, so having that many around won’t be a problem for her! I just hope she enjoys going and doesn’t cry every time like she does when we drop her off for church.
Well, I better get to bed, so that I am well rested for tomorrow. Getting enough sleep is essential to me so that I have enough patience…and I definitely want that! Pray for me, and all of us, as we begin this new adventure of homeschool.
Filed under Homeschool, Kids, News | Comment (0)What happened to family time?
…or, the invasion of the television.
So, I was driving home from Paducah tonight and I ended up behind a van that had a tv going in the backseat. I really think that tv in your car is not only not safe, but also not a good idea for other reasons. It’s too isolating. When my family gets in the car we talk, we joke, we sing, we have fun – spending time together. I mean really, do people not watch enough tv at home that they have to get one in their car too?
Which brings me to my next “thing.” I don’t understand why people think they need to watch tv. Seriously, the tv channels don’t do anything beneficial that I know of. Sure there are some “good” things on, but if you weren’t watching the tv what could you be doing? Getting things accomplished? Spending QUALITY time with your loved ones? Spending time out among people spreading God’s word? Praying or studying? We don’t have television channels here. Yes, we do have a tv and we have movies and games and we enjoy them. But this way we have control over what comes in and we don’t sit in front of it all day being vegetables. I’ve seen far too many people who can’t be in a room without the tv on and it gives me such a headache. Most of what I’ve seen when I am around tv lately is not even worth having on and I’m so glad that it doesn’t come into my home. Even the news is not news. It’s bad news. The point of it is to drag you down and make you conform to the world.
Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
So, I challenge, nay, I dare you – turn off the tv for a week or two or a month or forever. See what happens to you and how you spend your time.
(and don’t just turn off the tv and turn on the computer! Don’t even get me started on youtube and all the other ways to just sit and be a vegetable with this thing!!)
Filed under News, Rants | Comment (0)Income or lack there of
Lately I’ve been really wishing that I had some sort of an income to help our finances and as a little bit of a safety net for our family. Kody has gotten a new job which he will start at the beginning of October and while it is a step in the right direction embarking on something new is always a little scary when it comes to the money. Especially with 4 people depending on you. (and even if Kody isn’t scared about that, I am!) I know that the Lord will provide what our family needs, I just wish I could figure out how to make a little to make this easier on my mind. Now probably isn’t the best time to be thinking about all of this since we are going to start homeschooling Kristopher on the 17th. I am going to have my hands full trying to figure out how to be the best teacher for him, taking Taylor to her preschool program 2 days a week and working with her the other days and taking care of Kameron and the house. Most days I feel like I am doing the right thing by staying home and taking care of my children and teaching them myself but there are a few when I feel like I should be working outside the home to make money. I know I can work from home and all the things I would do from home, I am good at, but I’m just not sure with everything in my home life if there’s time to devote to extra work. I can make things, I can teach others to make things, I can take care of children and I can cook. My dream is still to have a store in Murray with Suzie, but in order to do that we’ve got to have the startup and that just isn’t happening right now. So, what do I do?
I know some would say get over it and send your kids to daycare and get a job, but that is not what I believe. Our God put us on the earth as mothers to have the children and take care of our children and teach them. I fully believe that that along with taking care of my husband and our home is my highest calling. I do not consider myself old-fashioned because I believe this nor do I look down on anyone who doesn’t stay home. I do believe that’s where I’m supposed to be though and no one is going to convince me otherwise.
Anyway, just a bunch of tired stressed out rambling, I suppose. I’d just like to have the answers and know that I am contributing something.
Filed under Rants | Comment (0)