A little bit of shopping

I went shopping tonight. To this cute little place north of use. The owner had some very nice jewelery to pick from. I wasn't too sure what I wanted so I just looked around a bit. Talked to the owner tried on a skirt (very sad it didn't fit) and then decided on these cute things. A bracelet and earrings, the owner is also going to custom make me a necklace. I picked out the colors and described what I wanted and she seemed very excited to do it for me. Oh, did I mention it is my sister-in-law? Thanks Michelle.

Reading Corner

I was talking to my wonderful husband about reading and the kids and he came up with this great idea. He suggested we have a reading corner for them. We have this area in the back of the basement, a corner by the bookshelves that would be perfect for them. Put down a rug get some pillows and have two baskets of books one for each of them. I loved the idea and while at Walmart picked up a cute rug and two pillows and they do love it.

This picture is good for a mom's heart.

Math Time

I had to get Ellyn a new math book, she had finished her old one and was ready to move on. I found a great on at Barnes and Noble. For Andy I use Math U See and love it. I will probably get the same for Ellyn next year. The Math U See comes with all the fun blocks that help the kids do the math and understand it. One other thing I like about it, is the lessons are taught by a teacher and they just have to watch it on DVD. Then they have lesson pages that go with it and then review pages and then a test. And it is up to me how many lesson pages they need and review pages. For Andy usually one lesson page is needed because he has caught on to the concept and then does one review and then his test. So far he seems to like it.

Ellyn using the blocks to do her addition.


Today it must have been "do math on the floor day", can you see the nice desks they both have? The ones not being used? All part of homeschooling.

Can you guess how Steve spent his Thursday morning?

Surprise!

My sister-in-law, Steph had their baby and this past Sunday we threw her a surprise baby shower.

Baby Kinley Jane Snyder was born on March 6th, 6lbs 13oz. She is much smaller than her sister Jocelyn. But just as cute.

Steph opening gifts, Tim trying not to be seen in pictures.

Andy just loves babies and they love him. (i think she is smiling at him)


Me and Kinley and Steve. It is fun to hold them and then pass them back when they poop.

Cousins: Jocelyn, Ellyn and Andy, they are great friends.

Homeschooling Fun

fin
tub
bib
hat

What do these words have in common? These are the first words Ellyn read! It is so fun to be there while they are learning these new things. One of the hard things is figuring out their learning style and then trying to find the materials to teach them the best way they learn. And of course Andy and Ellyn has completely the opposite learning style. But, God has been good to show me the best curriculum for them. I found this great reading program for Andy last year and he is doing so great. He is very much the hands on learner, doesn't hear phonics (so the phonics programs I kept trying would not work) but he is very visual. He loves art, science and riding his bike. Now Ellyn, she gets the phonics that is why she is reading so much earlier than Andy did. So, I am using a phonics program for her and it is working great. I am going to stick with the same company for Ellyn for at least a few years.

For Andy this year we have been using Rocket Phonics. When he is done with this program we will switch to a new company for his language arts and spelling, we will use the WRITE! programs.

For Ellyn I am using a phonics program from Christian Liberty Press for kindergartners, it seems to work so why change. We will get her the first grade reading program and spelling.

It is this time of year when homeschool parents begin to plan for the fall. One reason is Curriculum Fairs happen in the spring. A time for parents to look at different vendors and see what they have to offer and a time to spend money on books! It is also a time to remember why we are homeschooling and that we do like it and we do like our kids. Most days I do, but there are some days where I am pulling my hair out and thinking about public school. But then I have a good nights sleep (usualy a Coke and chocolate) and then I am fine. And we go on.

This weekend is our local homeschool conference. I am so excited to hear some great speakers, look at books and hang out with other homeschoolers and realize we are not alone in this.

Saturday Grace

Once again my sister in law to the rescue! I have been wanting some new photos of our Saturday Grace Ministry and knew that she would be just the one to take those pictures. Here is her photoblog site that have some. I will post my favorites just as soon as I can narrow them down. Thank you so much Michelle!

Photos of Saturday Grace in action!

My sister in law had a great post the other day on listening to your body. I have taken on the challenge.

I have always thought of listening to my body in the exercising way, "ouch this hurts, so i must stop." But she had a new twist on it, really listening to your body. My body craved reading this fun book called Dewey, which is about a cat that lives in the library. So, I read Dewey. It was great. Sometimes we get so busy with the everyday life that we forget what and who we are. Who we are created to be and do. And I believe that includes reading great books about a library cat whose antics make me laugh out loud. And eating Starburst jelly beans.

Through It All

Through It All by Andrae Crouch

I've had many tears and sorrow
I've had questions for tomorrow
There've been times I didn't know right from wrong
But in every situation
God gave blessed consolation
That my trials only come to make me strong

I've been a lot of places
And I've seen so many faces
But there've been times I've felt so all alone
But in that lonely hour
In that precious, lonely hour
Jesus let me know I was His own

Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word

So I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
I thank Him for the storms He's brought me through
Cause if I never had a problem
I wouldn't know that He could solve them
I wouldn't know what faith in His Word could do

Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to trust in Jesus
I've learned to trust in God
Through it all
Through it all
I've learned to depend upon His Word
Yes, I've learned to depend upon His Word
I've learned to depend upon His Word

Park Fun

We have found a new park by our house. There are lots of fun things for the kids to do. Ellyn likes the monkey bars that are her size (they are closer to the ground) she can do them all by herself.






I don't know if you can tell or not, but Andy is jumping out of the swing. The mom in me wants to yell "NO! I don't want to take you to the hospital with a broken arm!"

If Mama Goes South,...

I have finished another book. "If Mama Goes South, We're All Going with Her."

I forgot to add it to my reading list, it wasn't a planned read. I was at the Christian Book Store (Gift of Grace in Springville) shopping the bargain bookshelf, one of my favorite places to be. And I can upon this book, and for $5 who could pass it up.

It was a good book. I have written about some of what I have learned it past posts. It was good to remind me to take care of myself. I have to be healthy for all the people who need me, my husband, kids, church and ministry. I could see that life was getting out of balance and God used this book to bring it back.

I also learned something that I never expected to. I learned that I don't have to read every word on every page of every chapter. Who knew? Not me. I thought that once I started a book, I had to read it, ALL OF IT. But, it is ok that I didn't. Some of the book didn't apply to me, at this season of my life. It may at a different time, or it may to whomever I lend it to.

In one chapter the author is talking about being Road Weary. Now, if you are a mom, you understand what I am talking about without me even to have to explain. But for those of you who do not, this is what she is talking about. It is the if I hear "mommy I need you" one more time I am going to explode. That is not what God has intended for us. But we get that way, Road Weary.

The author has this to say "Have you gotten enough sleep? Had any "down time"? Did you take a Sabbath day? Are you surrendering to God and the rest he promises for your soul regardless of what's simmering or storming in your life? Have you gotten outside to be rejuvenated with the healing properties of sun and light on your skin and fresh air in your lungs? Growing in these areas of your life can and will increase your capacity to serve others, and be healthier and happier while your doing it." These are great questions that I need to ask myself every so often to make sure I am taking care of Mama.

One last thought " Life is as busy as we make it, and we do find time in our days for the things we value." What do I value? Where is my time being spent? Am I seeking God everyday? And asking him to show me what I need to do? Because I know that He gives me enough time in my day to do all that He wants me to.