17 November 2008
For all those who like to plan ahead, I have made a special gift. It is also for those who may not always plan ahead, but really like cute calendars.
Monthly Calendar (2-Page Spread Layout)
The past few weeks I have been working on calendar spreads. Each month is a 2-Page spread, with a box for each date. There is a column on the left side of the left page with room for extra notes.
They will fit perfectly into a three-ring binder, especially since I left room for the holes made by the hole punch. They are made to lay side by side.
The calendars are perfect for remembering birthdays and anniversaries, writing out meal menus, and planning out your everyday life!
These calendars are download-able in two different files. One file is for November 2008 to December 2008, and the other is for January 2009 through December 2009.
I made it just in time for you to use it for your holiday planning and then for the whole next year!
Excited? Click here for information on downloading!
24 September 2008
At the Homeschool Post (previously named Home School Blog Awards), Jocelyn has started a meme called Homeschool Memoirs. Each Wednesday, she writes an assignment for us to post about. This week’s assignment is to post photos of your summer.
When we bought our first digtal camera, we began to take 2x more pictures than we had before with our film camera. Than we got another one – a better one – and took even more photos each week.
Now, we that we have a DSLR camera, we take even more than ever before. The nice thing about digital cameras – you can take as many as you want, and it doesn’t cost you anything. That’s the fun part. The un-fun part is when you have 500 pictures to go through every week and delete the ones you don’t need.
But it is all worth it to have all our pictures on the computer where they’re easy to find and look at.
So, below are some pictures from our summer with brief explanations beneath each one. Oh, and at top-right is a picture of a spider web with dew during a foggy morning.
Sewing . . . I began to sew a dress in the above material to make sure a pattern would work right before I used the actual material I wanted the dress made out of. I still have yet to finish the practice, let alone start the real one. Handiwork is very enjoyable to me, and it is nice to see the fruit of my labors.
Corn . . . we shucked corn. What a delightful grain it is! God is so good! He created so many delicious fruits and vegetables (though of the latter I do not enjoy very many)! We also brought in a small crop of strawberries from our strawberry patch.
Dirt . . . I gardened and took care of my sweet little chickens and hens. At this point they still need a lot of care, and I’ll have to weed them again sometime, because the babies are being overgrown with weeds. Hopefully I’ll get it done pretty soon when it gets a little cooler outside.
Mrs. Brown . . . I had the wonderful opportunity to meet the lovely Mrs. Brown at the UC&F conference in August. She was a great encouragement to me, and a godly lady. I would love to be just like her when I am her age, she is just so very sweet. Her love for her Savior and family was very apparent as we visited with her.
Crafts . . . made several. Since I did a weekly post at the HSB Backyard on crafts, I had to make one each week. Here are links to some of the crafts I made: Notebook (pictured above), Little Portrait Book, Whimsical Button Bouquet, and Memories.
Grape Jelly . . . momma made homemade grape jelly. I got to photograph the whole process. Hopefully in the upcoming week I will post about it with step-by-step instructions on how to make “vintage” style grape jelly (meaning, not FDA approved).
Bently . . . our newly acquired little furry friend. Bently Scribbles came to us in August and he is a very good little dog. He is fitting in very well now, though it was a bit difficult at first. You can read more about him here.
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And those are few of the things I have done this summer! Oh, I forgot one . . .
Church Picnics . . . and I leave you with this picture of a beautiful little sweetheart!
10 September 2008
This year we are taking an adventure. Many a time I have started a novel, and never quite made it to page three. My problem has always been that I think of a great beginning, but then I really don’t know where the story goes after that, usually too many ideas or not enough.
Since Breezy and I would both like to write an adventure novel, we purchased a program that would better help us to plan and complete our novels.
We started the curriculum last week – The One Year Adventure Novel by Daniel Schwabauer.
The author and teacher of the program is entertaining and the lessons have a great soundtrack. There are 72 lessons, and we are to do about three per week. They are not trying, and nor are they frustrating. He simply starts you at the beginning and sets up a few limitations, and uses examples from classic literature and old films. One thing he shows you is that “Boundaries inspire creativity – not hinder it.”
To prove the statement above, here are two assignments:
1. In sixty seconds, write a paragraph about anything you want.
2. In sixty seconds, write a paragraph in which the narrator describes his first blast-off in a rocket ship.
Which was easier? Most likely the one that was more specific and had boundaries in which to write about. In this way, the author gives several boundaries with which to inspire and create a believable story.
So far I am really enjoying it, and it only seems to get more interesting as it goes. I have had a difficult time coming up with the story, but I believe that I may have come up with the synopsis. If you don’t have any ideas as to what your novel will be about, Mr. Schwabauer gives several ideas for the synopsis.
Would you like to write an adventure novel? You can visit the website here, check out a couple sample lessons here, and even request a free DVD with samples here.
Are you using a new curriculum this year? You can post about it on your blog, and sign Mr. Linky here.
3 September 2008
Since my last post about homeschooling, our agenda has changed a bit. Some curricula have been finished, and others taken their place. Here is our daily schedule, which we are still tweaking to get all the bugs out.
AM:
7:00-8:00 : Showers
8:00-9:00 : Bible | Breakfast | PolishedCornerstones
9:00-10:15 : CopyCan | DayBook | Vocabulary | Geometry | SATQ
10:15-11:00 : OneYearAdventureNovel
11:00-11:50 : BiologyNOON:
11:50-1:15 : Lunch | CleanUpPM:
1:15-2:30 : History
2:30-evening : GraphicDesign | Photography | Music | Literature | Health
For the weekly schedule, we are using the Daily Docket (from simplemom.net). This form has a great layout and is nicely organized. If you are wondering what curricula we are using for these subjects, they should be listed in my post about our agenda.
For this coming year, I pray that it will be God glorifying, and His name praised in all that we do.
9 August 2008
On July 28, we started the new school year. I knew I missed it, but didn’t realize how much until we started. The schedule is working pretty well. Here are the subjects that I’m studying this year:
• Polished Cornerstones
Right now we’re studying A Self-Disciplined Woman (Pro. 31:17; 1 Cor. 9:25-27; James 1:19-20).
• Geometry (Math-U-See)
This curriculum explains each lesson to where it is easily understood and enjoyed.
• Essay Intensive (Institute for Excellence in Writing)
Learning how to write an impressive essay from Andrew Pudewa.
• Biology (Apologia)
I’m hoping to get this finished by the end of the school year.
• History (Tapestry of Grace)
We are finishing up Year 4 of Tapestry and then we are going to study Year 1. It is a very thorough curriculum that covers world history, church history, literature, geography, and several other subjects.
• Health
Leftover from last year, and I should be able to finish it in a few weeks.
• HTML
Right now working on our church’s website in Dreamweaver.
• Graphic Design
Using Adobe programs: Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Violin
I’m hoping to get a new teacher this year.
• Literature
We use the list from Tapestry of Grace, the books are usually written by someone living at the time or are about the time we’re studying.
“I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.” – Psalm 119:15-16
We have now been homeschooling for 11 years. I am so very thankful to God for calling us to homeschool, it was never in our plan, but the Lord has seen fit to teach us through it and bring us closer as a family.
25 April 2008
On the 18th & 19th of this month, my family attended the Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) Convention. We arrived around 8:10am (they opened the doors at 8am). That was the earliest we’ve ever been there before (we go every year), and it wasn’t crowded yet so it was quite peaceful.
At the convention, there are two general sessions on each day. One is in the morning and the other in the afternoon or evening. The general session is the time where all (well, most) of the convention attendees come together and listen to one of the main speakers. Below is a list and summary of the sessions I went to.
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Friday, April 18th
- AM GENERAL SESSION
The History of Homeschoolers’ Struggle to be Free
Presented by Mike Smith, President of HSLDA
In this session, Mike Smith told stories of past homeschoolers when it was illegal to homeschool in America. He also explained some of the struggles that many went through to make homeschooling legal.
- WORKSHOP I
Why Students Walk Away from Their Faith
Presented by John Stonestreet, Executive Director of Summit Ministries
When you don’t believe in truth, you can believe in anything. Many students once they hit the college years are walking away from the faith. John Stonestreet gave several reasons why this is happening. Students don’t know who to trust, how to think, who they are, and don’t “get” Christianity. What needs to be done? Parents need to teach their children how to see the world from a Biblical world view.
- PM GENERAL SESSION
Revival in America: Building a Godly Legacy for Generations
Presented by Norm Wakefield, Founder of The Spirit of Elijah Ministries
In this session, Norm Wakefield talked about America and how greatly it needs a revival. We cannot build a godly legacy for generations without a personal revival, so he gave several points on the mindset of personal revival. We must have a humble heart and follow God and His way. Our children need to see God’s strength in us at all times. Have faith in God. God will not disappoint you.
- WORKSHOP II (we decided to shop in the vendor hall – so we didn’t go to any of the workshops)
- WORKSHOP III
Living Happily Ever After . . . A Modern Day Love Story
Presented by Woody & Gina Robertson
This newlywed couple, shared about their courtship and what God did in their lives to prepare for it. Lordship is what they call courtship, because they kept the Lord and His will as the focus of their lives. In their single years they sought God and His will for their lives. A couple of questions that they asked themselves was “Who is God wanting me to serve?” and “What’s my message?”
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Saturday, April 19th
- AM GENERAL SESSION
Anchored in Christ: Building a Firm Foundation for Generations
Presented by Norm Wakefield, Founder of The Spirit of Elijah Ministries
Norm Wakefield spoke about our goals and what our ultimate goals should be. We must live and teach the Gospel with power, and prepare our children for life and eternity. Our problem is that we drift and we need to watch out for our unbelief. When we find that we’ve had unbelieving thoughts and actions, we need to repent of it and go to God and ask forgiveness, give Him the glory, say and believe that it all belongs to Him, and thank Him. Give thanks to God! Display Christ – it will draw others to Him!
- WORKSHOP I
The Brave New World of Biotechnology
Presented by John Stonestreet, Executive Director of Summit Ministries
Biotechnology : : the industrial use of living organisms, or the application of technique of living organisms. Bioethics : : right conduct in the area of biotechnology. You can defend your faith in anything and in any topic. Our moral questioning doesn’t seem to be around when it comes to biotechnology – God’s Word is authority! John Stonestreet spoke on all the different things that are going on in biotechnology (I will leave them unmentioned), and shared about the challenges that we have as Christians. Biotechnology is being done in the context of a false (and dangerous) cultural world view. Only the church has hope and we need to go to our Biblical foundations and send strong Christians to the “mission field” of biotechnology.
- WORKSHOP II
Training Young Ladies to be Bright Lights for the Lord
Presented by Tomorrow’s Forefathers
In this session, four young ladies spoke to parents about how they can train their daughters to be Bright Lights for the Lord. Some of the points were to give training in godliness, lay a solid foundation of Scripture, see the need for continual protection, give a vision for the future, and being committed to prayer. They shared a little about the Bright Lights groups that were started by Sarah Mally. Bright Lights was set up for girls to pursue godliness, to have positive peer-pressure, and to minister to others. Grace, Sarah’s younger sister, was one of the young ladies who spoke during this session.
- WORKSHOP III (we decided to shop in the vendor hall – so we didn’t go to any of the workshops)
- PM GENERAL SESSION
The Greatest Threat Homeschool Movement Freedoms – The Future of Homeschooling
Presented by Mike Smith, President of HSLDA
There are people out there who do not think that parents are qualified or capable of teaching their own children. Statistics show that the parents’ education had no effect on their children’s test scores. Some people think that the government should have full responsibility of educating our children. We can’t take for granted the freedoms that we have to home educate our children. We have to continue to fight for these rights, otherwise they will be taken from us.
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This year the Home School Legal Defense Association is celebrating their 25 years of service to the homeschooling community. In honor of that, they held a little reception, and Mike Smith spoke about what they’ve done over the years, and what they are planning on doing in the future. During this talk, Breezy drew Mr. Smith, so afterwards she went up with daddy to meet him to get his signature by the drawing. Of course, Mom and I followed. We had a nice chat with him, he’s a very sweet, down-to-earth, grandfatherly figure.
This conference is about being encouraged in the Lord and in our homeschooling journey – and it truly was!
1 April 2008
Last night it rained quite a bit, and we woke this morning to green grass. Oh, it’s just down-right refreshing! I never realized how much I enjoy grass – especially when it’s green. Today has been rather cloudy. But one day it will be warm and the sun will shine! I love being around people, and the past couple weeks have been quite busy with “people gatherings.”
Mom and I have created a blog all about homeschooling in Indiana. Mom sends out an email for the hoemschoolers in our area, and sometimes the links and such can be quite overwhelming. So in setting up this site, we have lots of links on the sidebars. We decided to name it “Right Here In Indiana” after much thought and many suggestions. We didn’t get too creative with the title, but it’s kinda cute. We will post different articles about homeschooling, and now and then have a guest writer. We’ve been working on it for a couple weeks now, and we’ve finally got it all set up. The template has been quite a bit of fun designing. We are keeping the graphics at a minimum, so that viewers with dial-up won’t have any trouble in loading the page. We’d like to know what you think, and maybe even a few suggestions on different post topics or links that should be on the sidebar. You can visit the new blog here.
What do you think of my new signature? I had quite a bit of fun designing it. First I wrote my name on a piece of paper, scanned the paper, and then put that image in Adobe Illustrator, and drew it. Then I changed the color, drug it over to Adobe Photoshop, and saved it as a png, deleting the white background. They’re quite fun to design.
My uncle Chris is in need of your prayers. On Easter he noticed that his leg was beginning to swell around his knee. He went to the doctor last Tuesday and the doctor wanted him to go to the hospital, but Chris convinced him to just prescribe him some medication. The swelling went down just a tad, he went to his second appointment, and the doctor told him that he needed to be admitted into the hospital. Since Thursday Chris has been in the hospital. The swelling in his leg grew to about 2 times larger than normal, and spread into his upper thigh. They did surgery on his leg on Saturday to see if there was a foreign object causing the problem, but all that was found was a lot of infection. They want to perform another surgery on his leg tomorrow. Please pray that God would give the doctors wisdom, and that He would heal Chris’s leg. Maggie will probably continue to update you all on about Chris. Thank you so much for the prayers!
Blessings!
7 February 2008
“Sewing is a creative mess, and is better than tidy idleness.”
When Breezy and I were young, Momma always made sure we had something to do with our hands, whether it be embroidery, sewing, crocheting, knitting, or drawing. She has taught us how to make creative handiwork projects. I’ve been greatly blessed with a mother who teaches me valuable things that I will be able to use in the present and in the future.
I‘ve formed habits that when ever Mom’s reading aloud, I’m listening to an audio book, or even having a conversation with guests, I feel like I need to be doing something productive with my hands (even though I don’t always work with my hands during these times, I still feel like I ought to).
Momma is raising us to be productive with our time. Because of that (and the grace God has given me to see them through!), I have been able to complete large projects that I wouldn’t have been able to do without using my every spare minute. A couple of these are my yoyo coverlet and the cross-stitch of the USA.
By trying to use my time productively, I will be able to create things for my future home, whether they be decorations or useful items. One day I hope to adorn my own home with the items I have created with my own hands.
“She stretches out her hand to the distaff,
And her hands grasp the spindle.” – Proverbs 31:20
For other’s Homemaker in Training posts, please visit Eyebright’s blog.
