Minivan Moments

Yay! I have just been contacted by the Grapevine Studies program that there will be a special discount period for readers of my blog. I get to pass that great news onto all of you!! Even if you don't homeschool, their Bible studies are a wonderful tool for educating your children (and yourself!) about the Bible. Grapevine Studies is celebrating our new year with a fabulous 30 % OFF for the entire month of January!! If you haven't read my review for this company, click here to read it. I love this company! You can also access other reviews of Grapevine Studies here . If you are already sold, start shopping here on or after January 1, 2010! Just enter the promotion code "crew" when you are checking out and you will save 30% OFF an already affordable Bible program.

...to cleaning! I know, it sounds like i must be making this stuff up, but i think it might be true!! Yesterday, i decided to tackle some of the unidentifiable junk that has been accumulating in various places upstairs over the past few months (with 1 birthday, Halloween, another birthday, Thanksgiving, ANOTHER birthday, 3 Christmas gatherings, and our regular routines, it has been all i could do to focus on the downstairs). About an hour into my tidying, my nose turned into a leaky faucet. A couple of hours later, my head was pounding a most unpleasant beat. Later in the evening, after i had ceased all attempts to organize the chaos that i had created during the gut-it-to-deal-with-it frenzy, i wanted to liberate my nose from my face for the constant itching and my eyes were trying to swim out of my head. Hmmm. To clarify things some more, i took some Benadryl before bed so i could sleep, convinced i was getting a cold and was going to be miserable for the duration. Not so: I sl...

Last night, we enjoyed a Christmas performance here at my house. My 2 oldest children and 4 of their closest friends told the story of the birth of Jesus, offset with LOTS of Christmas musical favorites. They worked so hard this month, memorizing their lines, learning the actual words to the songs, and learning motions to accompany the songs. They got a bit nervous and giggly in the first act, but they rose above it and persevered... ending with applause! We had Christmas cookies, Birthday Cake, homemade hot cocoa, and two different kinds of decaf Christmas tea. I put a donation cup on the refreshments table and explained that we were raising money for a missionary family in New Zealand. At the end of the night, there was almost $40 in that cup! ( God is really making his $20 point! ) I will be making DVD copies of the recorded production for everyone who couldn't attend last night's performance. A small donation of $1 to benefit the missionary family in New Zealand is al...

This first half of the school year has been very busy for us. We have been blessed to be a part of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew , benefiting from free curricula from various sources. It has been eye-opening as I didn't realize there were so MANY things out there for homeschoolers. It has also been a little awkward at times, like when the product we are reviewing is not our favorite, but we are using it for a time anyway. Occasionally, I have had to do a lot of prep to understand how to use a curriculum, and that has been especially difficult for someone like me! The value of the products have been well worth the effort, but it has been some effort. That said, we recently received something fun AND easy to use and review: a CD from Maestro Classics of the fable, The Tortoise and the Hare . This is something that we just got to enjoy. There is the classic tale of the hare who believes he is so fast that he cannot be beaten in a race of speed, but he soon ...

Today, I have the privilege of telling you about Mathletics ( from 3P Learning) , an online math practice program that we have been blessed to be able to use and review for the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew . My kids have tried several math programs already this year for the TOS Crew , many of them good, but this one has them genuinely excited! They couldn't wait to inform me of all the ways Mathletics was better than everything else they had tried. THAT is impressive. Mathletics offers online math practice programs around the world, and kids actually have the opportunity to "represent" their country with their accomplishments. There are Top 50 and Top 100 categories for the kids to get that recognition, as well as a Hall of Fame - all right there on the home page for the world to see! In addition, your child has his/her own account, and parents get a different login - that way parents can check how their kids are doing. Mathletics also emails result...

This was too cute not to put on my blog! Dania and her cousin, Donald, love each other SOOOOOO much that they request play dates frequently. This picture was of the two of them sitting at the top of the stairs with a snack... then, WHAMMO ! He laid one on her! Are they cute or what?

Well, the computer geek i married decided he needed a better career path - one that had more ability to move up in the company or greater potential with another company should something happen with his job. He put in for a management position and was offered the job. Congratulations. Yes, by all means, congratulations are in order; i am very proud of him. That being said, i turned into a corporate wife overnight!! He officially got named for the position yesterday and was handed an invitation to the "Managers Only" Christmas party at the VP's house... for tonight! No learning the ropes, getting used to the way things are done, or slipping slowly into the swing of things?!?! Nope, being a good little stay-at-home wife, i exchanged my sweatpants for pleated slacks, my bobby pins for style, and my slippers for heels... and i accompanied my husband to his holiday party. We hobnobbed with the other managers, made nice with the Vice President, and exchanged small talk wi...

Okay, being married to the Computer Geek of the Century , I thought we would have fisticuffs over the Tektoma 'Game Maker' software we received to use and review. Good thing I'm not a bettin' woman! The makers of Tektoma: Game Tutorials for Kids were kind enough to give us a temporary subscription to their website, complete with the Game Maker Lite software and all of the many tutorials and assistance they provide so that kids (or interested adults) can learn the programming of making their own computer games. I was thrilled: finally, I could plug the Smallish Man 's genius brain into something constructive that might lead to learning something useful for... I dunno, like a career or something... you know, someday . When he's eaten all our food, learned everything I know, and given me a head full of gray hair. You know what I'm saying..... What I failed to count on is the Computer Geek of the Century deciding he should finally fix our Wii . Yeah, t...

When I received All About Spelling ( AAS ) to review as a member of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Homeschool Crew , I thought it might be the answer to prayer! My eldest child is not a fabulous speller, but with the proper drills, she does great. The problem with this is the method: I think drills are ridiculous methods to teach spelling in early elementary grades because the children are so young, the language so complex, and rote memorization so limiting. So, needless to say, spelling has taken a backseat to all other topics lately, and my daughter is falling behind. The first thing right out of the chute with AAS is the time-consuming, finger-cramping, scratch-inducing letter cards preparation. The Starter Kit that came with our Level 1 box included the letter tiles, CD-ROM with phonograms, and magnets for the back of the letter tiles. Unfortunately, the letter tiles are NOT cut out, nor are they perforated for easy disconnect. It took me over an hour to cut out all ...

We had a lovely Thanksgiving at our house, about 20 people dined and shared it with us. There was so much food, but it was all prepared by 4 different teams, so it worked well and wasn't too stressful for any ONE person. I even had time to lay pretty tablecloths and decorate each table a little to make it special. I wanted to post some pictures, but i am having computer problems and am having to use my husband's computer, which is not where the pictures are stored, so i am out of luck! Maybe i'll get some of them up later.... I hope everyone is recovered from their overindulgence... nothing like Christmas shopping to burn some calories!! Be blessed!

...and forget what we are stressed about, worrying over, and fretting for. Today in Target, the Smallest Drama Princess on the Planet was playing with a squeaky toy we were buying for our dog, Oliver, for his Christmas stocking. Walking through the Christmas section, where all those stressed-out shoppers were frantically trying to figure everything out, she pipes up: " Is dat gettin' annoying, Mom? " I giggled and answered that Yes, it was getting annoying .... naturally, the surrounding area was full of people laughing and smiling in our direction. Sometimes, a small child can remind you not to take yourself so seriously. Remember to savor the simple things, let go of the heavy burdens, and enjoy the season of JOY!

"A" is for the ANIMALS we got to see and feed. "B" is for the BEAUTY we enjoyed at Fresh Earth Farm. "C" is for the CREEK the Small Man-like Being couldn't resist jumping. "D" is for the DUCK that waddled all around us. "E" is for the EGGS we collected while we were there! "F" is for the FEATHERS we admired in the chicken coop. "G" is for the GOAT that tried to gore me with his horn! "H" is for the HENS that were eager to eat. "I" is for the kids' ICKY reaction to getting chicken poop on their hands! "J" is for JESUS, who took Marble, the sick goat, home for Thanksgiving. "K" is for the KID (who was bigger than his mama). "L" is for the LOCKS that were expertly rigged all over the place! "M" is for MAMA, who was the sweetest little goat. "N" is for NOT wanting to leave. "O" is for OVERCOMING a fear of chickens! "P" is fo...

As a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew , I received a DVD from Exploramania entitled, Gymathtics . This is actually an exercise program for the family that talks about and demonstrates math concepts. That's quite an attention-grabber, yes??? So, the kids and I popped the DVD into the computer (that's how we watch videos downstairs), moved the couches and coffee table, and proceeded to get fit! The really neat thing about the DVD is that it combines the warm up, the program, and the cool down all in one session. I am terrible at remembering to have my kids warm up before exercise, and with Gymathtics , I don't have to! Plus, even the three-year-old can do the workout with us - which adds entertainment, for sure. My kids didn't even realize the video had been talking about math... { yes, dear children, shapes and lines and angles and counting are math concepts } Anytime I can sneak learning into their day without them knowing it is a plus -...

As a current member of this year's The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew , I have gotten some really interesting things to review. There are gobs of homeschooling and supplemental materials and resources out there to be had that I didn't even know about! AVKO is one of them. AVKO (which stands for audio , visual , kinesthetic , oral ) Educational Research Foundation was created with the intention of helping dyslexics learn to read, write, and spell using a multi-sensory teaching style. You can read more about their philosophy here . For the purposes of this review, I was provided with the online membership, and it is the benefits of that membership (which generally costs $25) that I am reviewing. The membership to AVKO comes with free downloads, articles, supplemental materials for their Sequential Spelling program, discounts on printed materials, and much more. While it may be an amazing deal for many homeschooling families, I was too overwhelmed by the website to get muc...

We Christians hear a lot these days about our purpose here on earth. We talk quite a bit about God's plan for our lives. We ask questions, read books, seek wise counsel, participate in Bible studies, and pray... all to determine some grand scheme that will give us a sense of belonging. November has been an amazing month for me already... i have seen God move, i have heard God's voice, i have been a part of God's communication network, and i have helped God with His kingdom.... and now, i have to share a very memorable event with my readers in the blog-o-sphere. Last weekend, God instructed me to have a garage sale, and He meant next week . [ uh, really ?] I planned the sale, packed up some stuff, involved a few others, and picked up some change... all in five days. God also told me i was to sell concessions to raise money for our adopted missionary family in New Zealand. I baked, bagged, and tagged muffins and brownies, made up some signs, and picked up some drinks fr...

Thought for the day from a song i have stuck in my head: " It’s your life What you gonna do? The world is watching you Every day the choices you make Say what you are and who Your heart beats for It’s an open door It’s your life. " ~ Francesca Battistelli ( co-written with Ian Eskelin ) And more important than the world watching me, my children are watching me...

Have i ever told you that i hate crowds? I really get uncomfortable in crowded rooms, long lines, and busy places. I am more of a stay-at-home, peace-and-quiet kinda gal. Well, what they say about three being a crowd is too true! We have three children now, and the house is almost never peaceful OR quiet. In addition to the number of little bodies running around trying to get their own way, the Littlest Angel is now three years old - and for anyone with more than one child, you know that the Terrible Two's have got NOTHING on the second- or third-born child going through the Throw 'Em Back Threes! These days, nothing goes unchallenged: "Honey, if you want to go outside, you have to put pants on. It is too cold to wear shorts," Mommy explains. "I won't be cold," counters the Negotiator calmly. "You can't have candy right now; it is too close to bedtime," Mommy says. "It okay; i not tired, Mommy," counters the Negotiator calml...

As a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew , I received a CD from the American Heritage Education Foundation . The CD is offered to all educators for FREE, so I am not really all that special this time - YOU, TOO , can get this one free! Now, let me give you some background information about this product. The American Heritage Education Foundation ( AHEF ) is " a non-profit, non-partisan educational foundation dedicated to the understanding and teaching of America's factual and philosophical heritage to promote constructive citizenship and Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility among our students and citizens." AHEF provides a set of FREE lesson plans, but they also offer printed binders for a fee. I received the CD with the FREE information, so we printed what we wanted to use when we wanted to use it. The information contained in the CD was vast, and I can see how a family with younger children like mine could study these topics over and...

Today, i am focusing on being "other-centered" rather than self-centered. Though i have not spent most of my life in a self-centered state, i have to admit these last few weeks have been quite full of unpacking myself - the bits and pieces of the child i was, the memories of events that shaped who i have become, and the issues and struggles of today and how they come from all those past events and memories. I am happy to report that this week, i have so much more peace. I feel as if the pain is finally coming to the surface so it can leave, which is the whole point, according to my therapist! I have not only attempted to get on a schedule, i am kicking schedule butt! I have not only endeavored to get caught up in our school work, we are tearing school work up! I have not only tried to make a molehill out of the mountain of laundry, i have eliminated the problem altogether! {although, with laundry, that is always a temporary state!} Anyway, this week, the kids and i hav...

When I was given a complimentary temporary subscription to the ABC Teach website as a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew , I was thrilled! It seems like nearly very time I do a web search for worksheets or handouts to compliment a lesson in our homeschool or my co-op, abcteach.com is one of the top (if not THE top) links that comes back. And that is when I put the word "FREE" in my search! I could only imagine the gobs of stuff they have for paying members. Well, I had the privilege of finding out just how much they provide for members for a short time ( and it seemed far too short! ). The site is just so FULL of great stuff - it is like someone handed me $5,000 and set me loose in a homeschool supply store!! There are lesson plans for all ages, handouts, coloring pages, and games for any subject you can imagine! For example, I searched for worksheets for my oldest to practice her cursive handwriting, and not only are there prepared handouts for ...

As a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew , I received the Amazing Bible Timeline in the mail to use in our homeschool and review on my blog. This is that review. I have to be honest, when I received the timeline in the mail, I was overwhelmed: it is so big, so detailed, and I am SO bad at teaching details in our homeschool. We focus so much on "big picture" stuff, the basics of schooling, and things that interest the kids specifically, and this timeline was way over my head! I didn't even recognize the names of half the people on the timeline (which is totally my problem, not that of Bible Charts and Maps , the creators of this timeline). As a dedicated Crew member, though, I knew I needed to give the timeline a chance. I stuck it on the wall and studied it. I went on their website and read about it. I downloaded the Interactive Maps of the Holy Land that I was to receive as well, and I felt further out of my element. I can certainly see...

I have offended my parents. Not my intention. I am not angry, resentful, or condemning at this stage of the process; the forgiveness happened years ago with the help of the Lord. I just want to be able to break whatever chains are binding me to negative behaviors and unhelpful relationships. I want to look at my grandchildren some day and know i gave them the best hope for parents that i could. I want to use what God has brought me through to help others. I do not believe that God allows suffering for the sake of suffering; He has a purpose for this pain He has led me through. I told my therapist a few weeks ago that according to statistics of my childhood traumas, i should be living on the streets, selling my body, and addicted to heroin. He asked me why i think i'm not. I told him that God carried me. I believe that with every fiber of my being! This week has been hard: i have been down the paths of the past in the hopes of discovering places that i can change negative pe...

The Spring Hill area homeschoolers' Read-A-Thon benefiting the local public library was a HUGE success. We turned in our pledge sheets today and received certificates of participation - as well as a little bag of treats. The money collected will be used by the director of the Spring Hill Public Library to purchase homeschooling resources. The group raised a little over $600, according to the director, and it looks like my kids raised almost half of that all by themselves!!! Way to go, kiddos! And a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who supported their efforts - we have never seen Quin so motivated to read!! We got to play at the park for a bit after handing in our stuff. Pictures are below! Can you find the kids hiding in the trees? Quin's crazy smile! Calysta upside down on the geodesic dome. Dania at the top of a big-kid climber! The kids peeking out of the "castle."

Today, while i was making lunch, i heard rustling in the pantry. Since that is always a sure sign that Senorita Self-Sufficient is helping herself to some tidbit or other, i peeked in. I had to giggle at what i saw: Dania was sitting in the floor with a plastic box of candy corns in front of her, and she was picking the candy out one at a time and stuffing them into her pockets. She put away the box when her pockets were full to bursting, then ran over to sit on the couch and munch her treats while watching Word World! Yeah, i love that little bundle of mischief! Have a Sweet Day!

I received a book to read and review as a member of the 2009-1010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew . The book is Sarah's Wish , and it was written by Jim Baumgardner to offer his grandchildren an enjoyable way to learn about the history of some of the American people. The main character's name is Sarah , and she is a 12-year-old girl living in the mid-1800s. The beginning of the story was hard for my kids because Sarah loses her mother in an accident. Once we passed the grief-stricken child to the story line, we recovered fine (especially since there is mention of a "secret" for a chapter or two before we learn what the secret is - nothing like a secret to keep a child's attention!). Anyway, rather than spoil the story itself for you, let me tell you how much we enjoyed the writing style and story line. Sarah is a likable child with a big heart, and every girl could identify with her. In fact, my nine-year-old loves to play "back in the old days,...

Okay, so as a wonderfully blessed member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew , I received FOR FREE a package of handmade soaps from Virginia Soaps and Scents - with the agreement that I would use them and review them for you all. Before my review of their line of soaps, here's some background information for you: I know just enough about modern soaps and cleaning supplies to be leery of them, but I haven't yet been ambitious enough to learn more or do much about it. I have stocked up on all that I need to make my own laundry detergent, but haven't actually made it yet. I have stopped using "drugstore" type of soaps and hair care products (actually I stopped this some time - and money - ago). And I clean my house with vinegar (except that stubborn stuff on the bottom of the textured shower) instead of toxic mainstream chemicals. Enter Virginia Soaps and Scents . They sent me a small "make your own" laundry soap kit. It came with ever...

Today, the kids got to go to work with Daddy for an hour. {BIG smile} He let them eat breakfast in the cafeteria, work on their writing in his office, and hang out with him. Calysta says he doesn't really work, he just talks to people about computers... "and not just work computers, either!" Then we raced home to walk all four dogs in the never-ending chilly drizzle, and off we went again! This time, we headed in the opposite direction to visit Grandpa and Grandma, who had the cousins over for the weekend. We made homemade scare crows (with newspaper and construction paper, if you can believe that!) and played in the yard with the cousins and grandparents. Yay, mud!! It was a blast, if a bit chilly! I desperately needed that second cup of coffee that came far too late in the day, so i will probably pay for it late tonight when my eyelids refuse to shut! Oh, well, it was bound to happen. Still, it was a fun, fabulous day! Y'all have a fun, fabulous Friday night!

Okay, today is a day for therapy. As i take a break from our lessons and pick up the book i am reading for healing past betrayal, i am compelled to blog about my journey. Maybe God knows this will help someone else. Maybe God knows it will help me. Whatever the benefit... Therapeutic Thursday is born. In the book The Betrayal Bond by Patrick Carnes , i have discovered some things about myself, not the least of which is that i am waaaaaaay better off than i could be. As a child, i was abandoned by my mother. Not her fault, i have told myself, because she has always been a bit emotionally unstable. {incidentally, reading this book shows me clearly WHY she is emotionally unstable, and it truly isn't her fault} My sister and i were placed with our father by the judge (not normal in the 1970s), but he had us only by a thread, and he knew it. Not long after our upheaval, Daddy found us a new Mommy and went off to work. In his mind, he had replaced what we were lacking - becau...