Homeschool Schedule

School starts for us next Monday.  I'm always excited to start the new school year and all the wonderful things my children (and I) will learn.  This year we are concentrating on reading well and enjoying it, writing well and improving math skills.  Below is our schedule:

Bible   15 mins.
Character Training (Doorposts)   15 mins.
Cursive Writing   15 mins.
Reading and Comprehensive Guides   45 mins.
Latin    30 mins.
Math    30 mins.
History (Ancient Greeks and Holidays)   30 mins. 2 times/week
Music  (Classical Composers)   30 mins. 2 times/week

We'll have some art lessons and journal time later in the year as well as monthly field trips as a family.  Between that full school schedule and after-school classes and activities (Cub Scouts, dance class, park days, sports, etc.) I sometimes wonder if we're making our days too busy.  One of the many reasons Jim and I chose to homeschool is to simplify our lives and to learn, love and serve as a family.  I want to make sure that the busy-ness does not take away from our family time and God's calling on our lives.  Those opportunities to serve both within and outside the family are so very important.  We will make changes in order to allow for those opportunities.  Can't wait to see what the new school year brings for all of us!
             

Do Something Risky!

(Make sure to turn off the music at the bottom of this page)

Lazy Days of Summer

Beach time!

 Pool time!

We're enjoying the days of summer, enjoying Nathaniel and enjoying all the events planned this summer.  I've tried to plan the camps, Vacation Bible School and other activities so that we have at least a week's break between each.  That allows us an opportunity to have the necessary free time.  We are doing school "light" during the summer.  We strive for 20 minutes (minimum) each of math, reading and Latin each day.  I'm already excited for the new school year.  I'm making some changes to our homeschool schedule and curriculum.  This will be our 3rd year and I feel that we're honing in on our priorities for our children's education.  I enjoy planning the year with Jim and including him in our scholastic goals for our children.  I'll get into more detail later in the summer, but we will be concentrating on math, reading (a lot), cursive writing, Latin and character traits; all this with God central and foremost in our daily activities. 

I recently read an article by Martin Cochran (editor of The Classical Teacher) in which he stated the following, "We live in a culture in which educational starvation has become epidemic.  Students who are functionally, culturally, and morally illiterate are graduating from our schools.  But some of us have saved up the seeds of the old education and are replanting them again so that, as more and more people realize that the educational crop has failed, they will have some place to go."  (emphasis mine)  Why do I homeschool?  Mr. Cochran could not have stated my reasons better.  What worked so well for over two thousand years has been replaced with the latest experimental ideas of the 20th century, and guess what... it's not working.  But enough of that for now.  I'm going back to enjoying the lazy days...

The Delivery

Nathaniel is now 4 weeks old and such a blessing to our family.  He does have a touch of colic, which means that I'm not getting much sleep.  That's ok.  It's absolutely worth the loss of sleep.  How different my attitude is now that I know that my years of childbearing are coming to an end.  What a special season of life this is and I'll be sad to see it go.  We know that God does have plans to bless us with more children... whether through adoption or birth.  We are keeping the door open to see how He will work in our life. 

As for Nathaniel's delivery, it was pretty textbook.  I woke up quite early on the day of his birth; not from labor pains, I just couldn't sleep.  Before getting out of bed, I said my morning prayers and specifically asked that if God willed it, could the baby please come that day.  Within 2 hours, I started experiencing stomach pains.  Since I could time their frequency, I knew that labor had begun.  I went in to tell Jim and he just about lept out of bed.  Since our last baby, Dan, was born just 20 mins after arriving at the hospital, Jim was especially concerned about getting to the hospital quickly.  The hospital is about a 25 min drive and we arrived there around 9am.  I was checked at 9:30am at 3 - 4 cm dilated.  The labor pains were not too painful and were still about 5 mins apart, so I decided to walk the halls for a little while.  After a few intense contractions, I had the nurse check me again.  Now I was only 4 - 5 cm dilated at 11:30am.  That really concerned me since I was sure I was further along and the contractions were getting really painful.  I prayed and asked God to please let the baby come soon.  After 1 hr I was fully dilated and ready to push.  Nathaniel came out in 2 pushes.  What a relief to have him finally with us and to gaze upon his face.

I only stayed in the hospital 1 night, which was the shortest hospital stay for me.  That's ok.  I was ready to be in my own bed and to be with my other children.  We are all finding a new normal with one more person in the family.  His siblings love him so much, of course, and are a tremendous help.  Even Dan will let me know when the baby's crying.

We have been blessed with a month's worth of meals from the wonderful families at our church, homeschool group and my Titus 2 small group.  The prayers, kindness and generosity of these families represent the body of Christ in action.  We are blessed!

Nathaniel's Here!

Announcing our newest son, Nathaniel Thomas, born May 19th.

I'll write more of the birth story when I have a free few minutes.  In a nutshell, it was relatively easy (as easy as labor can be) and Nathaniel arrived ready for the world. His brothers and sisters are so happy to have him home and we are all adjusting to being a family of 7.  I love it!  All I can say is that I see God when I look at this sweet face and in the faces of all my gifts.  All children are miracles and truly gifts from the Lord.

Are You A Good Person?

I've seen this before on other blogs and the Living Waters website.  It's so good.  I just feel compelled to share.

Off To The Races

Yesterday was the Annual Pinewood Derby for Will's Cub Scout pack.  Everyone had such a great time.

Kate and Anna entered their cars and won 1st and 3rd place for the Open Division for siblings.

Will's car is the armored Jeep with a machine gun on the back.  Oddly enough, it was quite aerodynamic and he won a few races.  He ended up placing 2nd in his den and also won Scout's Choice.

As a leader in the pack, Jim doesn't feel comfortable when the children win so many trophies.  However, it was their design and they did a lot of work on the cars.  It's a good lesson in winning gracefully and not boasting.

So much going on this week.  It's supposed to be close to 90 degrees here today, so the kids are having friends over this afternoon to swim and I get to enjoy some time visiting with the moms who are dear friends.  Will and Anna have routine dentist appointments tomorrow.  I have a doctor's appointment on Friday, a baby shower on Saturday and then it's Mother's Day on Sunday.  My mom, sister, sister-in-law and niece will come over to celebrate both Mother's Day and Will's and Dan's birthday.

The baby is happy as can be and doesn't look like he's coming anytime soon.  I'm about 3 1/2 wks from my due date.  3 out of my 4 children were early, so I'm expecting and hoping he'll be early too. Ultimately, he'll come when he's ready and it's his time.  Since my other 2 boys were born on the same day, May 11th, we're all wondering if this boy will be born on May 11th as well.  Wouldn't that be amazing!  I think it's a bit early, though.  We'll see...  Have a great week!