Homeschool Open House 2007

I'm joining in on the Homeschool Open House 2007 hosted by Tiany at Less of Me~More of Him. Thank you for hosting this Tiany, I think it is a great idea!



A short intro about you, how many blessings?
I'm Momma Roar (aka Leigh Ann) and I have a 5 year old son - Quintin, a 2 1/2 year old daughter - Noelle (Elle [rhymes with belly] for short) and an 8 month old son - Colin. Quintin is beginning kindergarten this month.

We home'pre'schooled last year using Weaver's Interlock program. We loved it. It was a 37 week program that covered Genesis 1-11. It formed an excellent foundation for Quintin with the days of Creation - I really enjoyed it too.

Your Homeschool Day, what does it look like?
Our schedule is still being "discovered!" Last year, when I was pregnant with Colin, I would work with Quintin first thing in the morning, while Elle was still asleep. Now, Colin is the first to wake up and I've been trying different schedules this past week. We spent some time reviewing from last year and experimenting with different times to work together. We did it one morning while Colin was down for his morning nap and the next day we did it while he was in the pack n play in the next room. I'm sure we'll have some other variations, but it was nice to know it still worked and it doesn't have to be the same each day.

Our lessons will be Bible, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, Phonics and Math - we won't be starting with all of these, but gradually adding some in each week.

My plan is to finish before lunch, unless we have a crazy day - then I'll work with Quintin while his brother and sister nap.

What curriculum will you be using?
We will be using Weaver's Vol 1 this year and I am looking forward to it. It is set up differently than their Interlock program, but I think I've gotten myself prepared!!

We'll be using RightStart for math and Spell to Write and Read for phonics. I also want to go through Gregg & Joshua Harris' The 21 Rules of This House with Elle and Quintin.

Anything else we add will just be a hodgepodge of this and that, lol!

Do you schedule your day to the minute or go with the flow with no real structure?
I like to have a plan, but "to the minute" is too difficult to do - I have a goal in mind to complete each day. I was an elementary PE teacher before having children and that taught me to always have a plan B - some days I would have the gym to teach in and some days, there would be no janitor there to clean up after lunch so I'd have to move elsewhere (those were the days!)

Do you homeschool in a homeschool room, at the kitchen table, at a desk, in the park on the grass?
We homeschool everywhere - the kitchen table, at a table in the playroom, outside, in the truck...everywhere!!

Do you have any “must share” tips?
I recently purchased Ruth Beechick's "A Biblical Home Education" and I am finding it so refreshing. Here is an excerpt that I really needed to hear:

"Many new homeschoolers, and older ones too, buy too much curriculum and then cry for help. They worry about "gaps," about not covering everything. It is a myth that there is an "everything" standard that we all should know. Graduates who are good thinkers can later learn whatever they need. One whole generation had to learn computers on their own. Schools like Mass*achuset*s Insti*tut*e of Te*ch*nolo*gy hired self-taught men to teach computer until they could raise degreed computer professors. Who knows what your children may need to learn in the future? There is no way to "cover" everything. Aim, instead, to teach your children how to think and learn in whatever content you are using."

Thanks for stopping by my Open House! Blessings to you all for a wonderful new school year!

Sand and Stone

Two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey, they had an argument; and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: Today my best friend slapped me in the face.


They kept on walking, until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.

After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: Today my best friend saved my life.


The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?”

The friend replied, “When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand, where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”

Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your benefits in stone.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person,
An hour to appreciate them,
A day to love them
But then an entire life to forget them.

Do not value the things you have in your life, but value who you have in your life.

images made at http://www.imagechef.com/

Friday's Song

I awoke singing this hymn and as I kept signing, this simple graphic came to my mind - I had to make it and share it. I've been listening to this song on Jars of Clay's Redemption Songs CD. This song is blessing me today, I hope it blesses you as well.

You can hear the song here.

Blog virus

There's a blog virus that has been imbedding itself in the html code causing blogs to load much more slowly. My friend Amber posted about it here. If you notice your blog is loading slowly, you can follow Amber's instructions and get rid of it. If you aren't sure about how to change it, let me know and I can try to help. I found it on all my blogs - almost lost the template for the prayer blog in the process - but now they are loading faster. I understand even if you delete it, it can come back.

What color are you?

Saw this over at Dawnelle's.

You are most like: You are Yellow
The clouds part and the smell of daffodils and daisies fill the air when you are around. Your sunny disposition cheers most, and makes others (the jealous and bitter ones) wish you'd never gotten out of bed.
Take this quiz: Which Crayola Box of 8 Color Are You?
Visit Toys For Your Blog.com for more blog quizzes

So, what color are you?

2 Great Contests

Multi-Tasking Moms - if you haven't signed up for this one yet - get over there - the winner will be announced tomorrow!

This gift includes:
Papaya Puree Body Lotion (250ml),
Papaya Bath & Shower Gel,
& an Ultra Fine Bath Lily (coral color)

And, a Back to School Giveaway with Gymboree.

This site is giving away 2 $250 gift certificates to Gymboree. I'd love to have this one!

Button for Prayer Blog

If you've been blessed by the prayer blog, will you please consider adding the button to your sidebar?

Right-click to copy and then paste into the html/java script page element on the template section of your blog.

Thank you!

<a href="http://liftinghands.blogspot.com/" target="_blank" title="a parent's prayer blog"><img border="0" style="WIDTH: 130px; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="a parent's prayer blog" width="145" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Qa-ZVQXlQ9c/RrYzqtMXT9I/AAAAAAAAAxs/vL8r1i4rg_E/s200/interceding+button.jpg" height="115" /></a>

How are my kitchen drawers?

I want to say thank you to each of you who shared such sweet comments last week on my kitchen drawer post. Your heartfelt comments mean so much!

A few of you asked how my break was so I thought I'd share. Also, last week Susanna at Mommy Inc tagged me for an 8 Random Things post (as did Ghost Girl some time ago, sorry MA) so I'm combining the two into a "8 Things I did over my break" kinda post! You know, like the first writing assignment when you get back to school - What I did over the summer? lol :)

1. One drawer that needed cleaning out was the sewing projects I started but never had the time to finish. Last Friday, I finished this for Elle.

2. And she wore it here on Saturday.

We went with my hubby's company for their 70th anniversary. We had a wonderful time. It was a very hot and humid day (we have heat warnings today). We invited my parents along for the day too - I think they had fun - it was hot, did I say that already?

3. I made some yummy recipes I had been wanting to make but never had the time. You can find those recipes here.

4. I decided to let Elle cut her pacifier (nuk) Friday afternoon - right before bedtime. I wish I would have done it sooner, but it was one of those things that wasn't a problem for me, because she was good about keeping it in her room and using it only for her nap and at nighttime. Except on Friday. She was running around upstairs with it and I told her before I would take it if she continues to do that....so, we cut it, well, I let her cut it. The rest of the weekend she kept telling me, "Next time, no me cut nuk!" :) Her drama is beginning to settle down now and I'm happy it is gone. I seriously thought she was gonna sneak into Colin's room and take one of his. :)

5. I spent time in prayer and in the Word. I also used the time to pray God's will over my children and to bless the new blog.

6. I spent time with the man I love!!

I love this guy - he is an awesome husband and a wonderful father!!! He works so hard for us and I'm thinking about him and his employees a lot today because of the heat warnings outside.



7. I spent time with a great group of kids!!!!! :)

Colin is 8 months today - I can't believe it! He is finally sitting up - this seemed to take longer for him than the other two. I realized he was enjoying playing on his belly and didn't mind being on the floor. Every time I would sit him up he would throw his head back so he could lay down. Now he is sitting up and he is also starting to crawl - in army crawl fashion with a touch of inchworm thrown in for style!! It is so fun to watch. Why must he grow up so fast?






And, that would be batman on the right - he was kind enough to push his mask up for the picture - gotta love his sidekick!! I'm not sure if she is his sidekick or the one causing the trouble for batman!






8. I came away feeling refreshed and acknowledging that I need to do that more often, (my hubby acknowledged that too) especially with kindergarten starting soon. So, you will be seeing a little less of me in the blogosphere as I try to cut back on my posting on this blog.




Oh, and, that bottom drawer, with the boxes of sandwich bags and plastic wraps?



I still can't get it to close - no matter how much I rearrange it! I guess that just goes to show there will always be drawers that we can't get closed and projects that won't get finished, right?

Introducing...My new project

"We try to do the best we can raising our children. Then, just when we think we've got the parenting terrain all figured out, we suddenly find ourselves in new territory again as each new age and stage presents another set of challenges. Sometimes we sail through smoothly. Sometimes we encounter tempests and tidal waves. Sometimes we get so tired that we just want to give up - let the storm take us where it will."

"We don't have to be tossed and turned by these winds of change. Our children's lives don't ever have to be left to chance."

"We don't have to pace the floor anxiously, biting our nails, gnawing our knuckles, dreading the terrible twos or torturous teens....Nor do we have to be perfect parents."

The good news is, we can start right now, this very minute to make a positive difference in our child's future.

"At every stage of their lives our children need and will greatly benefit from our prayers. The key is not trying to do it all by ourselbes all at once, but rather turning to the expert parent of all time - our Father God - for help. Then, taking one step at a time, we must cover every detail of our child's life in prayer. There is great power in doing that, far beyond what people imagine. In fact, don't ever under-estimate the power of a praying parent." From Stormie Omartian's The Power of a Praying Parent

After beginning this book, the Lord stirred up a desire in me to share this burden of prayer for my children with other parents.

Out of this desire, came a blog - a become a place where you can come and say a prayer for your children (old or young). To read more and begin to pray with me for our children, click below.

"The battle for our children's lives is waged on our knees. When we don't pray, it's like sitting on the sidelines watching our children in a war zone getting shot at from every angle. When we do pray, we're in the battle alongside them, appropriating God's power on their behalf." (S.O.)


Blessings,

My kitchen drawer

Did you ever have a drawer that won't close because something is stuck in it?

Last night, I couldn't get my bottom kitchen drawer to shut - the drawer with the boxes and boxes of plastic bags, plastic wraps, foils. I kept trying to rearrange everything to make it go shut - to make it all fit.

I thought, what about my life? I have so many drawers open with things spilling out of them, but I can't get any closed - I have so many things going on in my life and can't seem to finish any of them so I can never get the drawer shut. I. Can't. Make. It. All. Fit.

I'm feeling like this

While I know I could have stuffed these drawers for a more dramatic effect - I didn't want to come across that everything is out of control. I know that my Lord is holding me in His hands and taking care of me. And I need to listen when He calls me to rest - because I can't seek Him when my drawers don't go shut.

So, I'm signing off for a few days and hope to be back next Monday, with my drawers organized and shut - and a new project to share with my friends!

God bless,

boi

Blogs of Interest

*Check out this new blog and get the word out! It is there for us moms trying to juggle everything life, and our children, throw our way.



*I'm in the process of a new project I plan to introduce Monday. Stay tuned!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Mary is hosting Tiny Talk Tuesday - click over to her site to see more!!!


Quintin (on the way home): "Boy, our tires are going to be so dizzy by the time we get home."

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After a doctor's appt:
Nurse: "Would you like to pick out two stickers, since you got shots in two arms?"
Quintin: "Yes, I'll take this one" (pointing to Dash - a super hero boy) "and this one" (pointing to Vi - Dash's sister). "I'll give this one to Elle."

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Upon returning to Grandma's, after the appt, to get Elle and Colin:
Quintin: "Here Elle, I got you this sticker."
Elle: "No."

I'm hoping some of his sweetness will rub off of her at some point. I think she was upset that we were back so soon.


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Read my post below on my Name Tag Challenge! It a Tuesday 2 for 1 - 2 posts in 1 day!

Name Tag Challenge

Jennifer @ Pen of Jen had a great idea - "to write 8 of your blog friends names in a unique way and post them. . You must write the blogger's name that tagged you, then add 7 others. Be creative and if possible use the natural wonders of the world!"

You can see my name in the White Sands of NM on the top of my sidebar. Jennifer also tagged Susan @ Penless Writer, who also tagged me. You can see Susan's creation under Jennifer's. You can click on each of those buttons to see their other creations, too.

I didn't use the natural wonders of the world - but I did use the creative and educational talents of myself and my children as we created these together!

Now for my 7 - only play along it you'd like to - no pressure! ;)

@ A Mother's Heart is a Garden of Love

@ Short Stop

@ Trust in the Lord

@ Just Mom's Musings

@ Learning to Weave

@ Morning Song

@ Reign from Above

Ooops

In my attempt to add an update to this post - I lost the youtube clip - will repost below - argh

Anyway, my update was that this is Anita Renfroe and you can view more of her here. Thank you to Monica (T's cousin) who asked who it was - and I didn't even know. :D

This is great! Since the first time I've heard it I've been singing bits and pieces! Enjoy!

Here's some Total Momsense

New Siggy

Annie at My Life as Annie had a contest this week for the Dog Days of Summer - Guess what? I won!! I want to test it out on a post so we can see how the background color matches up! What do you think?

Show & Tell #6

Today is Show & Tell at Kelli's House. Click on the above button to go to her place where you can see the rest of those joining in on the fun. If you haven't done one yet, think about sharing next Friday!

I'd like to show you and tell you about this clock. T and I had always wanted one for our foyer but just weren't ready to invest in one. Along comes my neighbor's garage sale last year. Yes, I said garage sale.

Our neighbors across the street and a few houses up were moving to NC because of work. I walked up the morning of the sale just to see what was there. I was just picturing the little trinket things you normally find thinking they wanted to sell some of the little things they cleaned out. I was right, the books, small pictures, odds and ends items were outside on their porch. Ready to head home, I realized there was a sign on the sliding door - More Inside. OK, I thought, so I headed in. Here, they were selling much of their furniture: a leather sofa, an entertainment center with a huge TV. They were a couple with two grown daughters and didn't want to take everything down in a moving truck. Good for them - better for us!

I found a table that I fell in love with first - it fits perfectly outside of our bedroom, in an odd shaped nook that we have. I called T to let him know what I found and he gave me the go ahead to purchase it - along with a lamp that was something I wouldn't have bought off the shelf, but since it was a great deal, I bought it for the creative and interesting look it offered.

T came home over lunch to pick up the table and bring it home in his truck. Behind the table, in their hallway, was this clock. I had seen it too and wanted him to see it - but I didn't mention it - I sent him to pick up the table even though I could have brought the table home in my van (I was pregnant with Colin at the time and being the gentleman that he is, he wouldn't have let me bring it home anyway), and I wanted him to see the clock. He brought the table home and asked me if I had seen the clock.

It was the clock we both pictured in our heads when we spoke of one. Nothing but round features and a simple face. Simple elegance.

Well, I headed back up later that day to see if it was sold and I breathed a big sigh of relief when it was still there. I told them we'd be back the next day to pick it up.

We brought it home and love the way it looks in the foyer!

But, this is not the end of the story. A week or two later, I needed to call these neighbors to find out if she was still selling one of her chairs - a friend had been in and seen it. I was sitting in the den when I decided to call. But instead of getting up and grabbing the phone book, I decided to go*og*le their names to find their phone number.

It was easy to find, but the search brought up a genealogy hit (meaning, someone in their family was recording their family history online). So, being the good nosey Brethren woman that I am - I clicked on it. Found her name, her hubby and her kids....clicked on her mom's name...WHAT? Her mom and I shared the same maiden name.....clicked on further and my neighbor's grandfather and my grandfather were brothers! What in the world? Why hadn't I met this family member before? I called her up to discuss the chair and I wasn't sure about discussing my recent findings for the fear of coming across a tad nosey - but I did. She was thrilled (and didn't think I was being nosey, lol). Her mom was still there so she began asking her questions, too. It turns out that my grandfather was either the oldest or second oldest and her grandfather was the youngest - so with the distance, neither brothers' families were close. Her mom remembered my grandfather though and said he was her favorite uncle - always so fun to be around. This was so nice to hear because my grandfather passed away around the time of my birth.

I have no cousins - my parent's siblings married, but never had any children. So believe me, when I tell you that when I find out I have a second cousin - I AM THRILLED. As I was still talking to my second cousin - she said, "You know what? I'm thrilled you go the clock - I loved that clock - and I always wanted it to stay in the family. And, now it has!"

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*:-:¦: Leigh Ann :¦:-:*
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Its still Christmas in July!

I didn't say a word in the house yesterday about my post mentioning Christmas. But, I did have to chuckle when I put Quintin to bed and he asked me to sing, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" for his goodnight song. Maybe he's sensing how close Christmas is too? ;-)

Last night, T and I went out (yes, by ourselves-woohoo) to get some chicken wings - it was Wed afterall! A full belly of wings and pepsi, and I'm still up at midnight! Today could be a doozy!

After we got home, I made a surprise call to Tracy. She was fun to talk to and it felt like we've talked many times before. Tracy - I'm glad I was able to bring some joy to your LONG week. :D So, did I have an accent?!?!

You know, blogging has brought some really fun people into my life. Sunday it'll be 6 months since I've started blogging. And, each day, I am amazed at the friendships that have been created.

The connections with:

• like-minded women
• Christian women
• homeschool moms
• moms with children the same ages
• older moms with much wisdom to share
• younger moms
• women who live close
• women who live far away
• short women
• tall women
• ok, you get my point! (hopefully, I didn't leave anyone out)

Each of you have blessed me in ways I can't explain, but I want you to know I appreciate each and everyone of you.

I think the wings and pepsi are making me sappy. That and the fact that its now 12:30.
I'm off to bed! Thank you and good night!

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*:-:¦: Leigh Ann :¦:-:*
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Only 5 months of SHOPPING time left!

Only 5 months until Christmas...Have you started shopping yet?

I have, no seriously, I have. The other weekend, the Hall*mark stores had their Orname*nt Premie*re weekend. Ever since I was a little girl, I've gotten an ornament from Hall*mark. My aunt started it in 1983 - she got one for me, my sister and my brother. When she stopped, my mom continued the tradition. And now, with my own family, I am keeping it going. Not only do I get them for my children, but my sister's son and my brother's two children as well.

I remember how excited I was the first Christmas T and I were married, to have ornaments for the tree. I was so excited that as a newlywed, we had a tree with decorations - and they all had such fun memories with them. My siblings and I always looked forward to finding out what our new ornament would be - the colors, the expressions. As I put each one on the tree that first winter, I looked at the boxes and remembered how they got bent or twisted while putting them on our family tree and how my dad took a huge magic marker and put our names on our boxes. They added so much to our tiny tree that already adorned the handmade ornaments T and I had made while growing up.

So, back to the other weekend, a sweet friend of mine, Sharon, was given two coupons for the weekend event - she graciously shared one with me and I was able to purchase all my ornaments with a nice big discount! Thank you Sharon!!

Last year, Colin was due at the beginning of December - so I was finished shopping in the middle of November - and two years prior to that - I was having Elle - so I finished early that year too. I enjoyed Christmas with the kids SO MUCH MORE by being finished early!

So, now that I've started, I think I will pull out my list and start searching for ideas for my family. Now is the time to start paying attention and listening to little comments that might give you an idea for the perfect gift! Go for it - you'll be happy you started early!

How do you shop for Christmas? Do you buy on ahead, or do you wait until the last minute?


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*:-:¦: Leigh Ann :¦:-:*
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Tiny Talk Tuesday

Mary at Not Before 7 is hosting "Tiny Talk Tuesday." If you'd like to play along, go to her blog to sign up with Mr. Linky. This is the 1st Tiny Talk Tuesday. I think this is such a great carnival and a great way to record the interesting things our children say. Write a post and play along!

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Quintin (5 years old) - pleading with Grandma for a new toy

"Hey, Grandma, can you take me shopping for a new toy? Can we go somewhere like Toys R We?"

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Elle (2 1/2 years old)- traveling in the car

E - "Mom, where's my num?" (gum)

Me - "Did you swallow it?"

E - "No. (pause) Oh, me found it!"

Me - "Where was it Elle?"

E - "On my pants."

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Elle - playing around in her bedroom when she should be sleeping

Me - "Elle, you need to get back into bed. And, no more sillies!"

E - "Nope!" (said with a cheesy grin)

Me - "This is not funny. I'm not laughing."

E - "Why?" (with head turned sideways and a concerned look for my well being)

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Elle

Real word - yes or yeah

In Elle-ese"Yow"

Real phrase - Fishers of Men

In Elle-ese "Fifuu of ma"


I wish I could totally write out Elle-ese, because it's hilarious. She drops the ending sound of most words, so if you can go back and read it that way. Oh, but sometimes it can be frustrating. Fortunately Quintin can understand her. Maybe one of these days I'll have to videotape it and upload it to youtube. She keeps us laughing - and she knows it - that is why she was concerned when I wasn't. :D

Click over the Mary's to read more Tiny Talk Tuesdays.


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*:-:¦: Leigh Ann :¦:-:*
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