Encouragement for the Home Educator

"Why do we succumb to the world's expectations - even the homeschooling world's expectations?  Why don't we find rest and peace in our Savior who tells us His burden is easy and His yoke is light?  Our fear of failure causes us to hide our imperfections, yet it is only in our weakness that He can make us strong."

Laura Hazelip, March/April 2011 Homeschooling Today

I am guilty of succumbing to other's expectations.  It is all driven by my fear of failure, which I am just now only willing to admit.  It's all about pride, really.  I want my children to "turn out well" so that I will not look like a fool for the choices I made!

On my knees, I admit my weaknesses, including a fear of homeschooling through high school. I confess that I cannot do anything without His help.  Relief washes over me!  I rejoice!  I am at peace as I wait for His help.  My burden is lifted. 

This Week At Home, Number 32

I know it sounds trite, but, I can't believe another week has flown by.  We just wrapped up our fourth week of learning. 

The "Learning Room" after lessons.  Somebody get me a maid!

I'm really enjoying lessons right now.  I love reading aloud every day.  We just finished The Golden Goblet, a story about a poor young boy who is mistreated by his evil half brother, but makes good in the end.  Yes, it was a bit predictable, but exciting and educational, too.  Historical fiction just can't be beat for learning.  Next week, we start, The God King.  The oldest two are reading The Hittite Warrior on their own. 

Another book we are delighted with is Story of the World, volume 1.  I like the author's style of writing, very conversational.  The kids like it, too.  Grace is doing the activity book while I read aloud.  The boys build Lego creations.

A surprise favorite is Usborne's Encyclopedia of World History.  The actual contents are not what is so exciting, but the Usborne Quicklink website is great.  A reader goes to the website, selects the book he is reading, and then enters the page number.  Links appear and the kids enjoy exploring ancient history on the computer. 

Just as they did last year, the kids have a weekly writing assignment.  They had a blast writing peace treaties between made up countries this week. I think one or two of them might make promising treaty writers.  Is that a career? 

Science with Apologia is a big hit this year.  The oldest is doing Physical Science on his own.  The other two and I are working through Zoology 2, Swimming Creatures.  I love the notebooking journals.   I cannot say enough good things about those. I tried to do Flying Creatures a few years ago, but did not finish as I was not as together then.  (lol)  No, it is because of the notebooking journals that we will finish this year.  They are that good!!!

He's the man!

To keep this blog real, I don't want to give the impression that lessons are all roses and gumdrops, I've had next year heavy on my mind.  I am trying to sort out what to do with our oldest.  He will be in high school.   He has a brilliant mind and really needs to be pushed to use it.  He needs to be ready to go to college.  It is intimidating to me to think I could prepare him for his future.  I am praying for an answer about whether or not to send him to school next year.  We are having his youth group leader over for dinner on Monday. I am hoping he can help us get some direction for Ryan's future.  Not that it has to be decided right now. 

But enough about school... here are some highlights from our week: 

A gift from Grace

Saturday found us at a local farmers market.  We've enjoyed the bounty all week. How will we go back to bland grocery store vegetables this winter? 

Sunday we were running around like crazy with church commitments starting back in full force.  We were at church before 8 AM and finished with choir practice for the youngest at 5:45 PM.  In between we had Sunday school,a parent meeting, and flock group meeting. 

You already know about Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday night we started back to AWANA.  I was a bit anxious, but should have known better.  It's basically going to be like a year long VBS.  400+ kids and a lot of energy!  I am working with Grace's age group (Guards) and my husband is in charge of high school.

Thursday we wrapped up lessons and then headed for karate in the evening.  We got some rain overnight which was awesome.  Grace measured an inch in the gauge.

Friday the kids and I will be having a fun, but busy day.  I am walking with a friend at a local park on Friday mornings.  Then we need to go to the library.  And we also get to go swimming at my mom's.  Friday evening is another farmers market I'd love to go check out. 

Saturday is an all day AWANA training and then Sunday is another FULL day of church things, a repeat of last week's list.  

Thanks for taking the time to read!  As usual, I appreciate your comments and will be around to visit as time allows.

Blessings to you,
~Jenn

Time for Another Little Chat

Working on improving my skill. 

Once again, there is a wonderfully quiet start to our week.  Mondays and Tuesdays are going to be like this until after Labor Day weekend, when we add homeschool gym and dance class back into the mix.  Then Tuesday will be our lone quiet day.  (I'd better not even think of changing that!)

So far I continue to be pleased with how things are going.  The kids are pitching in more and more, trying to keep the house a little more under control.  It's nowhere perfect, mind you.  I am trying to give them more authority over areas of the house.  I want them to take ownership, little baby steps to independence. 

We've been having cooler mornings, which makes us want to go outside before we start our lessons.  A later start is no matter on a quiet day.  Oh, how I love that freedom to just allow for a natural progression to our day.  No demands on our time except to do what is next. 


I look forward to taking some time soon to rest on my hammock.  Perhaps we will have our reading time outside after lunch.  Although, after lunch, the sun is in full force and it is not as pleasant to be outside. 

I read today from Romans 15 that God is the God of endurance and encouragement.  I so need endurance and encouragement!  I pray that you will have all the grace you need to face your day.

~Jenn 

This Week At Home, Number 31

What a full week we've had!

Monday through Wednesday, we were back to lessons, working hard. The days were filled with books, warm sunshine, laundry hanging in the breeze, and taking care of the house.

I noticed a change in the 2 younger kids.  They were initiating note taking during science.  They seemed more "on board" with our lessons.  And, there is an answer to prayer in the works as to my issues that I mentioned earlier in the week. 

Mad about science. 

Wednesday evening, Jeff and I attended our church's AWANA meeting for workers. He is the director of high school this year. I am a leader in 5th and 6th grade girls. I am rather nervous because there is so much paperwork to learn!  I have an all day of training coming up, but we start with kids next week and I am trying not to freak out. 

My good looking cowboy! 

Thursday, Grandma came down for a visit. We went to Pizza Hut for lunch, a total favorite with the kids. Then we spent hours at our favorite living history museum. I really love walking around the grounds, talking to the costumed interpreters and just being open to learning new things. I always learn something new.

Thursday evening, the uncle joined us for a nice family BBQ. And we took oldest son to karate, because he does not miss karate for anything.

These sheep reminded me of my cat. 

Today, Friday, I am meeting a friend to go walking this morning. We have to get a birthday gift for a party the boys are attending this evening. It's a sleep over, too. I also need to get groceries.

"Gentle women don't ride astride." A favorite quote from Felicity. 

And this weekend will be very busy, too. Saturday morning, we are taking Grace to a farmer's market before we have to go get the boys. Sunday we have church and 2 other church meetings to attend, plus Trevor begins choir in the evening.

I'd be a little upset with all this running if we did not live a mile from church and if my kids were not home with me all day, everyday. These programs enrich their lives so much and it is such a short season of my life.

I hope you all have a great weekend, too.  Only two weeks until our next camping trip.  I can't wait!  
~Jenn

A Midweek Chat

It has been a quiet week here, so far. (I savor quiet starts to our week.)  That's going to change starting tonight with our AWANA all worker's meeting.  Thursday, Grandma comes.  Friday, we shop and the boys have a sleep over birthday party. Oh well, at least I've had a bit of a break from running around. 

I've been able to rest a little in the afternoons.  I've changed my workout routine and am a little exhausted and sore, all good I assure you. 

School is going on.  I have my usual worries about how lessons are progressing, but nothing to really write about.  I'm taking those straight to Him.

I hope you are having a nice week, as well.
~Jenn

This Week At Home, Number 30

Just a house I like. Wouldn't some chickens look nice in the yard? 

In which I revamp formats, yet again.

On the Heart and Mind:
The return of cooler weather, with liveable humidity has been the saving grace of my sanity. 

My Sweet Girl

Life and Learning:
Our second week of school is going very well.  We continue to check off the chapters in some very captivating books.  We are enjoying The Golden Goblet, although, it might be a bit predictable for some tastes, namely oldest son, who would rather all books be set in space.  The oldest two are also reading Mara, Daughter of the Nile.  And, we are all enjoying our Story of the World text.   I can tell they are listening.

Let me tell you how I know this is true.  I can tell they are listening because they are starting to bring up bits of the books and make connections to our everyday word.  For instance, today when my beloved 2002 Dell desktop bit the desk, they asked if they could mummify it.  Then they went onto describe how they'd do it and what they'd do to protect it from grave robbers.  See, they are learning. 

This is an improvement over the first time we studied ancient history.  They mummified every doll in the house.  I almost had to hide the toilet paper.  

This week we also took an Indiana History field trip to our local living history museum on a very lovely day. It was just too lovely to stay inside. 

Around the House:
The house is holding its own since its cleaning on Tuesday.  I have to make a decision what to do with the "desk" in the kitchen now that my desktop is not going to be there.

This is what it looked like when it was clean. 

Kitchen desk with computer before its death.  

This is what it usually looked like.

Ugh!  The area is a giant clutter magnet.  It doesn't work to use it as an eating area.  It's not big enough for all of us.  It is too low for extra counter space, which I really need and want.  What would you do with it? 
In the Kitchen:

I finally made hummus!  I had asked my sweet friend JoAnn for her recipe a whole month ago. Then I would forget to buy one ingredient and have to wait another week.  (Yes, I can be a bit disorganized.) Well, I finally got some made and I have to say I am in love!   I ended up using a different recipe from Best Life, one for a blender.  I only have a blender, so this worked great.

2 cans of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 huge clove of garlic, pressed

1t salt

up to 1/2 cup of warm water

1 t cumin

juice of 1/2 a lime

3T tahini sauce

I just mixed it on low and stopped frequently to mix with the spatula.  This recipe is the bomb.  It is not "biting" like some we have purchased already prepared.  Also because it doesn't use sesame seeds, but the tahini sauce, it doesn't have to go through the blender very long.  It was thick and creamy!

Table of "curiosities"

We don't have big plans for the weekend.  We cancelled a camping trip when we got home from our last one.  We decided we would rather wait until better weather and it is promotion Sunday at church and the kids were disappointed at the thought of not being there. 


Thank you for taking the time to read and if you have any thoughts on the kitchen desk, let me know.  I want to work on that and get it settled by next week. 
~Jenn

Let's Pretend

I could be quite comfortable, here next to this fireplace.  Instead of a basket of yarn, though, I'd have a pile of books and a lamp.  There would be a cat curled up in my lap, too.  I'd look up and glance at my husband in his chair next to me and smile.