The Homeschool Mother's Journal

For the weeks of March 11-23rd 2012

In my life this week....I was able to take long walks because of the perfect weather. Everyday, and even in the evenings either daddy and I or the girls and I would walk, and walk, and walk! Long walks are so extremely refreshing and invigorating. I didn't have anywhere to go all week and stayed home and did nothing but be a mama! We were able to get ahead in our lessons and it looks really good that we will be able to have most everything finished up before our trip west next month. We enjoyed taking the girls rides around the yard on the motorcycles. The girls fairly beg their brothers all day long to stop what they're doing and give them rides. It's so cute to see the boys give in. Although, I can't imagine those boys have too hard a time quitting what they're doing to jump on those bikes!

In our homeschool this week....For the past couple of weeks we have gotten much done. Our studies are getting more and more enjoyable. We learned all about the Aurora Borealis, the causes of the lights and why they can be different colors. Our drawing for this week was of the Northern Lights but we continued with our picture study of Henri Matisse. We studied a bit about Indians and drew some totem poles and learned what they are all about. Our lessons were continued in Christian Studies where we talked of Cain, forgiveness and sin, and Jacob and Esau. Geography brings the study of physical geography as we continue with compass work, longitude and latitude, drawing maps, etc. Some of the girls thought it would be fun to write their names on our wall chalkboard using hieroglyphic and cuneiform forms of writing that they learned during their history this week in The Story of the World Ancient Times.

For nature study we are really enjoying our unit study by Amanda Bennett: Twisting Tornadoes. The girls show a lot of interest as we read about tornadoes and watch videos online. I thought right now would be the perfect time to do the unit since we live in an area where they occur.

A view of one of the girls' Classical Writing page and a few drawings from our picture study as we continue learning about Henri Matisse. These were drawn last week! The photo below right belongs to the artist!

My boys have finished their reading of the The Birkenhead Drill and The Sinking of the Titanic and Great Sea disasters. I don't post as much on my boys' work because they are mostly on auto pilot and I'm not involved as much with them on a daily basis other than to oversee their schedule's getting checked off!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice....Find the vision for your family. Where do you want to be in 10, 15, or 20 years? After you have set the standards for your vision set out each day to achieve it. Step by step, precept by precept! The most important thing is to never lose that vision. Keep it safe and tucked away in your heart and stay the course despite any obstacles you may encounter that may set you back. If you fall, stand up and finish what you started!

I am inspired by....Queen Esther. Is she amazing or is she amazing? I could read her story over and over again! There's just something about making tough choices when faced with the uncertainty she was faced with. But she held fast and pressed forward. Definitely something I could work on in my own life.

Places we're going and people we're seeing....We had a great time last Sunday having dinner at some friends' home we go to church with. Each month we try to either meet in our home or in theirs to enjoy some fellowship and fun!

My favorite thing this week was....The video at the end of this post. I absolutely loved every second of it. I hope you will too!

What's working/not working for us....My insatiable love to read to my kids is not working! Not working because I seem to think that each and every book I run across I should sit down and read to them! There is just so many books and so little time! So THAT is what's not working! I just need to patiently and consistently enjoy each page of one or two read alouds at a time before I pick up something new!

Questions/thoughts I have...."I slept in" Have you ever wondered about those 3 little words. Three words that in reality are not even a complete sentence! But yet we use them all the time! Which got me to thinking the other day. "I slept in" Slept in what? I slept in my pajamas! I slept in the tent! I slept in Paris! I slept in until noon! I'm just being silly here obviously! But it is food for thought when you really think about it! As an educator to my children for a long time I have been through many cycles of grammar over the years and according to what I've learned those 3 words should never fly! How about you? Any silly grammar thing going on in your life that you get away with?

Things I'm working on....Cleaning up and organizing my basement. It will be complete with only about 30 more minutes of work. I really don't know how on earth it even gets messy and unorganized. We don't use it except for storage but every 6 months or so it looks like a cyclone went through it!

I'm reading....Sitting at the Feet of the Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith. I have this on my ereader and I always forget about it until I happen to see the reader on my desk. It is taking me forever to read this book! But I am enjoying it very much. It brings so much insight into the life of our Savior.

I'm cooking....Swedish Rice Porridge - again! I think I have made it at least 5 times this month. Every one of my children ask for it on a regular basis.

I'm grateful for....My 5 younger girls who I can do things with. We do all kinds of things together. We read, school, exercise, take long walks, watch old movies, bake and cook in the kitchen, play games, shop, share our hopes and dreams, and so much more. They are turning into awesome young ladies and I love them so very much!

I'm praying for....Contentment in my own personal life.

A photo to share....My 2nd boy who barely joined our small towns volunteer fire/rescue team. I'm so proud of his desires to help those who will be in need of it. So much like his older brother who is a member of BORSTAR which is the Border Patrols Search, Trauma and Rescue Team. In this photo his is being called out to a small fire just a day after being called to assist at a motorcycle accident where the driver was air lifted to the hospital.

A Quote to share...."Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms (of government) those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it unto tyranny." Thomas Jefferson

We didn't know that Mary had done this video until one of the older kids played it for us. It's amazing how even the littlest of kids can figure out the buttons on a computer. We seriously laughed until tears came. It was so funny and precious all at the same time! Enjoy!

A video to share....Mary's ponytail tutorial