Six Down, Sixteen to Go

I was so thankful to be able to attend our state home school conference a few weeks ago. While there I had the question posed to me often, "How many years have you home schooled." I was shocked to find myself answering 6 (althought Mary is 12 years old and technically I have schooled her from birth, right). Why did that shock me? So often I feel like I don't know what I am doing!! That is good because I tend to call out on the LORD when I am not sure what I am doing. I realized at the conference that it has taken me this long to fall into a rhythm in my home school. Home schooling is rarely if ever stagnant so I know I will never fall into a perma-routine but I am finally in a bit of a rhythm.

Drew took the kids to the museum while I was gone.

Here's Mary coloring a museum coloring sheet.

The little three played at the park

while the older three had tennis Friday morning.

About three hours before I got home Chloe couldn't take it anymore :(

As much as I enjoyed the conference - I sure hate being away from the family the Lord has blessed me with!

Family Mission Statement

Drew and I had a wonderful 15th wedding anniversary getting away. We ate together, prayed together, talked together and best of all, we reviewed and updated the goals of our Family Mission Statement. It was so encouraging to see the areas we had succeeded in and humbling to see where we need more work. I recently stumbled across a blog that is having a free giveaway regarding family mission statements. I haven't tried for any free giveaways but since I have benefitted so greatly from our having a family mission statement thought I would pass this opportunity on to anyone happening across this blog!

Bible On Line

I really enjoy having the bible at my fingertips when I am at the computer. I have found this site so versatile with its extensive variety of translations. http://nasb.scripturetext.com/

Inspiring!

Roger Bennett on piano!

Book Review

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawl

Jay-Berry drew the kids into his world as he set out on a once in a life time opportunity to make his fortune. With his grandpa’s help he determines to catch a band of escaped circus monkeys in order to buy the two things he has always wanted, a pony and a .22. Filled with superstition it opened up great discussions on faith in the Lord Jesus Christ alone.

Summer School!

I just finished making up our summer schedule. I use the term schedule loosely. We are starting in Israel, traveling to Egypt, then south to the tip of Africa. Next around the west coast of Africa into Europe. After visiting Europe we will travel throughout Asia, then reversing Magellan's travels go to South America, with a pit stop at Antarctica. Ending, after touring North America at the North Pole. Whew! I plan to use the above books, maps, songs and puzzles to teach us along the way. I am especially excited to be digging into a Window into the World and praying for different countries. God made this amazing world and I am excited for our summer tour of it.

These are our passport pictures.

We plan to draw the flag of the country for each one we visit for an extended period.

And we're OFF!

Congratulations Joshua

Drew's nephew graduated from High School. We attended his party yesterday afternoon! Then we spent an hour or so and Pa and Grandma's. It was a late bed time and everyone is showing signs of weariness this afternoon!

Humidity Berometer

Late Lunch

Abi is my meal prep person this month. She made eggs for everyone for our late lunch today. These two wanted to fix their own.

Stacks UPON Stacks AND Sunscreen

There are stacks everywhere! I can hardly believe that just 6 days ago the house was immaculate. No really, it was, well almost. I had worked through all the stacks, cleaned every room and even scrubbed the kitchen floor.

On Memorial Day I was relieved that Kari had brought sunscreen and was more than willing to share! When we got home I looked in the cupboard where I thought the sunscreen was, thinking I would stick it in the van so it would be harder to forgot on our next sun filled outing. The sunscreen wasn't there. I have a saying in the house, "if you can't find something, start cleaning." I never got to clean in search of the sunscreen.

Just moments ago I sent Jacob to get Chloe's milk out of the refrigerator. The old newspapers are stacked a mile high on top of the refrigerator. I could have recycled them on several occasions, but keep thinking, when I get the garden planted I will need those papers to keep the weeds down. AND I will need them when we put rock around the ac unit to keep the weeds out there too.

So moments ago, after Cob got Chloe's cup - CRASH!! down came the half of the papers stacked on top of my wooden bowl. Low and behold there came the sunscreen. Whew! I guess I won't need THAT many papers to keep the weeds down :-)

Memorial Day 2010

We had an awesome Memorial Day with Family and Friends!

I didn't get any pictures of the canoe sinking escapade!! Yes, the boys were trying to switch canoes and one "capsized" as many told me. Maybe Aunt Kari got a picture, Drew did not. I suppose he was too busy rescuing the boat. Thankfully everyone had their life jackets on and no one was hurt. Cob did have nightmares of tons of boats out on a lake all sinking around him and people drowning and Uncle Ron in the background calling him "sinker, sinker!"