Apple Pie Days

Nothing says Summer in Texas like an Apple Pie.  Nothing says wonderfulness like something out of the oven that was homemade by small ten year old hands.  This week marked Lauryl's first week of fifth grade.  We started out our year-long Geography study with a look at maps, a compass, a globe and the world.  What better way to get into the spirit of world-travel than "How To Make An Apple Pie And See The World" by Marjorie Priceman.  It's definitely on our list of fun books with big, colorful pictures.  As we closed our first week of school, Lauryl commenced to make her first pie with only onlooking supervision from Grandma.  Lauryl mixed, rolled, sliced, peeled and baked this magnificent apple pie all by herself.  (Recipe found at the end of the book.)  If I may say so myself, it's fabulous!  Tomorrow, it's on to making organic Guacamole as a way to eat healthy brain foods.  (NOTE: We are studying the brain in Health this week.)  Thank you to our Lord for a smooth week.  It couldn't have produced such fruit without His everlasting graciousness and help. 

 

Read of the Week:
Story Craft by John R. Erickson- "Reflections on faith, culture, and writing from the author of Hank The Cowdog"
 
Finds of the Week:
http://bibledraw.com/ - Check out the Picture Smart Bible.  We've used it for two days and are already deeply in love with all of it.  Worth each and every Mom-saved penny.



Scripture of the Week: 
"This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'"
Jeremiah 33: 2-3 - NIV

"There is more to life than increasing it's speed."
 - Ghandi

Some Like It Free

I love when I come upon things that are free.  After all, the best things in life (ie. SALVATION) are free....  I stumbled on a new group called New Beginnings for homeschool parents that either are new to this profession or are feeling the burn out.  I added them (like button) to my Facebook and I found out that each week they have a FREE DAY!  They post all sorts of homeschool goodies that are completely free, except for the price of printing things out.  There are lap books, unit studies, supplements, planners, etc.  I downloaded things like The Book of Virtue Project Pack, Constitution Study Guide and a Inside My Body Unit Study.  You could completely teach your kids for a year with these things at no cost.  It's amazing that generous people are willing to share what they have.  There must be an understanding somewhere that we are all making this voyage together and sharing is part of what makes us great.  If you find other FREE places, let us all know.  Share the "wealth!"

Read of the Week:
The Lie: EVOLUTION, by Ken Ham- “Genesis - The Key to Defending Your Faith” five stars
 
Finds of the Week:
http://www.seedsoffaithwomen.com -To which my dear friend Maggie is a contributing author.  Find encouragement and love here!

http://www.new-bintexas.webs.com -What a great place to find help when you need it most.  Add them to your Facebook and get the great FREE posts!

Scripture of the Week: 
^"Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.  Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you."
Ephesians 4:29-32-The Message

"Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty."

- Thomas Jefferson

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came. " 

- John F. Kennedy 

A Girl's Guide To Life Review

Book Review of A Girl's Guide To Life, by Katie Meier

 "The truth on growing up, being true, and making your teen years fabulous."

Katie Meier’s talks straight to girls about real life issues.   She touches on a plethora of areas concerning girls, such as - romance, self esteem, eating disorders, sex, fashion, religion and family.  Though her book is marketed as a “guide”, it is more like a book of facts.  The book does make girls feel as though Meier’s has the answers to some big questions and a place to go as a resource.  The book has a definite Christian flair, but does not reference the Bible to back up all of her answers and guiding insight.  Meier’s book is not an “all answers” book for your tween or teen girl.   The book should be used a resource to some tough issues, with the help of parental guidance.  This book is aimed at ages 14-17 girls, as she gets into some of the hard-hitting issues like STD’s, depression, self-mutilation and masturbation.  Meier’s book has moderate views, some leaning toward a more conservative stance, and some much more liberal.  If you are searching this book because you are looking for an additional stratagem (second to yourself as the ultimate resource) to instill purity and Christ-like character into your daughter, than this book will come close to what you are looking for.  This book does not expand on or promote courtship or some of the more conservative mind-sets.  The book, although is interactive with quizzes and fill in the blanks.  Meier’s style of writing and verbiage will enchant any young reader.  She speaks on the teenage girl level; and doesn’t shy away from the realities of being a girl.  Her spirit of enthusiasm and bounce comes across on each page.  Your daughter will find encouragement and detailed information pertaining to her whole self within the pages. 

I Am Hutterite Book Review

Book Review of I Am Hutterite, by Mary-Ann Kirkby

 "The fascinating true story of a young woman's journey to reclaim her heritage."

This book will immediately envelop the reader.  It's poignant, moving and also joyous.  The author will bring you to tears over her path to forgiveness.  She will bring a smile to your face by the simplicity in her words.  You will learn more about the Hutterite people within these pages, than you will in any text.  Kirkby not only gives you the details of the Hutterite ways, she also brings to life their emotions, thoughts and strict religious attributes.  You will fall in love with all three generations that are chronicled in Kirkby's book.  You will remember the names, the German Hutterisch language and the love and unity that tied these people together.  From births to deaths, love and hate, freedom and inner-slavery, this book is sure to please.  

 

The Way of Words

What about the words we speak in our home?  I'm under the impression that we feel freedom and security in our homes, and we tend to say words that aren't useful.  Today I word vomited on my husband.  I think it was more unpleasant for me, than it was for him.  The remorse I feel for the things says is still burning in my chest hours later.  The words that I used showed a lack of respect, class or honor.  The darnedest things about words, is that we can't take them back.  Incorporating words into our vocabulary that are for building up is a place to start to bring peace to our souls and homes. 

Kathy Koch has written and recorded so much on this very topic.  She encourages us to not just tell our spouses and children that they are good, but why that is.  "I know you are smart, because your report on caterpillars is top notch."  "I know you are obedient, because you picked up your room without complaining."  "I know you are special, because God said so in the Bible."

So what have we said today that made our families know they are smart, special, kind, and one of a kind in our lives?  Our families are completely worth our words.  Our words of love and encouragement that is. 

Let's incorporate some of these words in our homes this week - best, finest, great, good, quality, high, number one, optimum, premium, top notch, superior, excellent, superb, outstanding, magnificent, exceptional, marvelous, wonderful, first-rate, first-class, sterling, satisfactory, not bad, all right;  terrific, fantastic, fabulous.

Read of the Week:
The Big Talk Book  by Bruce Cook, "10 steps to empower your teen to choose the best - abstinence until marriage." 
 
Find of the Week:
SETHSA Homeschool Conference, http://www.sethsa.org/conferences.htm.  We will be there, will you?

Scripture of the Week:

Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.  And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.  In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.  But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.   Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!  Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?  Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
James 3:2-12-NLT

"There are painters who transform the sun to a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun."

Pablo Picasso

Getting Ready

This week I have begun to prepare for the 2010-2011 school year.  You've got it - lesson plans, books, curriculum, projects, activities, field trips, etc.  Being a "Perfect Paula" I find the need to get everything in order and be proactive for my own sanity.  I'm gearing up for the big Arlington Book Fair and Homeschoolers Conference this weekend.  A structured list is my very best friend.  I have a list of curriculum to look at, and prices to compare.  Always be prepared!

I'm enthusiastic about the classes offered this year.  I'm thinking that there will be a lot to learn.  I'm sitting in on the following lectures....

• Seven Tools For Culitvating Your Child's Potential (Zan Tyler!! WOHOO!)
• Home Schooling One Student? (Donna Conner)
• Give Your Children An Advantage In Science (Patty Myers)
• Ready, Set,....Now What? (Lyndsay Lambert!!  Awesome!)
• The Bible Explains Dinosaurs (Ken Ham, this guy knows his stuff!)

I'm currently searching for ways to keep away from burnout.  I'm aiming at success!  But what does success mean?  Does it mean that we get the whole book done and push to extremes? Nope!  It means that we use the materials to  cultivate and nurture the talents and strengths that our children already possess.  That's the beauty of Home Education - to go beyond the school house and slate, and move out into creation, and explore even to the ends of the universe.

Keeping burnout in mind, see what The Moore Formula is all about.  Great ideas!

THE FORMULA
1) Study from a few minutes to several hours a day, depending on the child's maturity.
2) Manual work at least as much as study.
3) Home and/or community service an hour or so a day. Focus on kids' interests and needs; be an example in consistency, curiosity, and patience. Live with them! Worry less about tests!

I love how this formula keeps it simple.  I tend the get very caught up in the traditional and mundane.  Of course, God didn't give me a "traditional" child.  Goodness, He has an incredible sense of humor when creating our quintessential children.  Slow down, keep it simple, pay attention to the little moments, and feel okay about going off on a tangere.  What if we put all of our focus toward creating good citizens, strong Christians and explorers?  Limitless possibilities.

Reads of the Week:
If You Want To Write, by Brenda Ueland- “a book about Art, Independence and Spirit.” a jillion stars
Nutrition 101: Choose Life!, by Debra Raybern, and other authors- “a family nutrition and health program” 5 stars



More on Nutrition 101....This book has so many facets that it can almost seem overwhelming when you dive in.  It totally covers all of the many dimensions of the human body, but also deals with emotional health as well.  It is backed with Scripture and has a Creationists point of view.  There are countless recipes that are good!  There are discussion questions, activities and additional resources (broken down for elementary and secondary levels), not to mention a plethora of Appendixes.  You can use this in multiple approaches....full human anatomy science curriculum, health curriculum, resource book to go along with other science, even just as a bookshelf resource for your family's health.  We are incorporating it this year as a health elective three to four days a week.  It will take us almost two school years to complete at the pace we are using it.  You can totally do it in one year if you use it as a sole science curriculum.  I highly recommend this book for EVERY home.  It is very much worth the price, as I can't really find an appropriate price tag for a gem this great.   Get it today.... at Growing Healthy Homes.  (10% off, as I hear it, at the THSC Convention this summer.)
 
Finds of the Week:
www.booksneeze.com - "get a free book, read it, review it on your blog, get another free one."  RAD!





Scripture of the Week:

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."
Mark 12:30-NIV

"Two men look out through the same bars, one sees the mud, and one sees the stars".

Frederick Langbridge

Thinking About Growing Up Strong Girls

It's been on my mind of late about growing up girls to be women of God.  Not just of strong faith, but strong minded, good citizens, hard workers, nurturers, lovers of others, etc.  It's hard when you are young to know what you want and who you want to be.  I find it so important to nurture and cultivate the strengths that God has creatively wired into our girls.  That being said, I've come across some significant resources this week to begin the guiding process for me as a Mother.  It is marvelous to know that there are other Mom's out there that are looking for the same guiding light.  There is no better place than the Bible to teach and model from. 

 Thinking about some of the great women in the Bible that we can take a closer look at would be....

Noah's Wife, Mary (mother of Jesus), Esther, Abigail, Abishag, Anna, Deborah, Dorcas, Elisabeth, Eunice, Euodias, Hannah, Joanna, Lois, Lydia of Thyatira, Milcah and Phebe to name a few.

All of these women exemplified in some way a Proverbs 31 woman.  They should be a starting point for us as Mom's to achieve to be, and an example for the girls that we are raising.  Possibly someone, someday, will make a homeschool unit study for girls about these astounding women.  Who knows, maybe it's me?

BUT!  I've found other great genius to glean from as well.  I hope you take a look closer at these items, and begin to grow your seeds into a delightful garden.


Reads of the Week:
How Am I Smart? by Dr. Kathy Koch- “a parents guide to multiple intelligences.” 5 stars

Finds of the Week:
American Heritage Girls -  

AHG Oath:

"I promise to love God,
Cherish my family,
Honor my country,
and Serve in my community."

AHG Mission:

"Building women of integrity through
service to God, family, community and country."

AHG Vision:

"American Heritage Girls is the premier national
character development organization for young women that
embraces Christian values and encourages family involvement."


Scripture of the Week:

 ^"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"
Hebrews 12:1-3- The Message

"Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night."  ~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke