Homeschool Memoirs: #15 A Thankful Heart

THEME

This week, you guessed it, is going to be about having a thankful heart! Yes, of course, we should always be thankful for everything we’re blessed with, but it’s not too often we actually sit and ponder what. This week please join me in writing 27 things you’re thankful (There’s got to be at least 27 things!). I picked 27 because this year Thanksgiving is on the 27th of November.

1. My husband Robby; we've had a rough couple of years...and I'm very thankful we survived it - together.

2. my sweet daughter Gracie

3. my adorable son Matthew

4. My parents, they are amazing and have helped us out greatly this year.

5. The medical care I received this year while pregnant.

6. God for always being there to guide me and get me through.

7. Jesus for dying for my sins.

8. BeckleyMommies.com - I have met so many wonderful friends from there.

9. Internet!

10. books, books, and more books

11. Sites such as Facebook and MySpace to connect with friends.

12. The digital camera that helps me to capture those special moments.

13. Big white fluffy clouds in a deep blue sky.

14. The dishwasher :)

15. A hot, uninterrupted bath.

16. This time of year - Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays.

17. All the holidays shows on tv, especially the Hallmark Channel & ABC Family.

18. A warm crackling fire heating the house.

19. The home that I've built a family in.

20. The sound of birds chirping early in the morning.

21. The feeling of being loved.

22. Hugs.

23. The telephone that I used to call my mama everyday.

24. The peace that prayer gives you.

25. Best Friends

26. My siblings and their families. All of my aunts, uncles, and cousins..

27. The promise of Heaven for all those that believe.

Homeschool Memoirs #14: Award The CATEGORIES!

THEME
This week I want to invite you to nominate your family to their correct categories as well has have others nominate them. While my two sisters are listed under Best Teen and Best Design, those definitely are NOT the best traits they have nor the funniest.

This is how you do it…. you post the category that best describes each of your family members and write something about why you nominated them in that category, and you’re welcome to post photos.

Best Creatively Goofy Daddy Category: Robby
You know that saying "Any man can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a daddy"? When I hear that I think of Robby. He's not afraid to act goofy and play with the kids. He relishes it! I ♥ him so much!



Best Super Hero Big Sister Category: Gracie
Being an only child for 5 years, Gracie was our focus...now that she has to share Mommy & Daddy it hasn't always been easy for her. BUT she has done wonderfully and she loves her little brother so much.


Best Brighten Your Day Smile Category: Matthew
A baby's smile holds many wonders. No matter what kind of day I'm having, when Matthew smiles at me everything is ok again.


Best Lazy Dog Category: Blondie
She looooves to sleep. LOL And boy, does she get in weird positions!

Feelin' Scrappy!

Created in Scrapbook Flair software using graphics from DWW.



Prince Ribbit Kit & Luv My Girlz alpha by Nikki



Got Sugar kit by Designs by Tishia

BFS Assignment #110 - Computers Help People Help People

Memory Verse: Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Assignment:
Share some of your favorite homeschooling sites. The only “rule” for this assignment is that you have to list at least one “free” site. Many homeschooling families have made the choice to live on very little income to do what they believe is best for their children and I want everyone to be able to benefit from this assignment. If you have other sites that are “paid” sites, feel free to include these also as it might be something someone would really appreciate. If you feel led, share your curriculum choices with us. I always love to learn what is out there that I don’t already know about. Please make sure to include links to the sites you share.

I am the queen of Google searches! &:o) I am all the time looking for something, whether it be for Gracie or encouragement for myself. However, there are some sites that I am a regular to...they are always right there offering me exactly what I need. :)

Those sites are:
1. Sonlight
2. Christian Books
3. The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
4. Starfall
5. DLTK-Teach
6. The Homeschool Lounge
7. Blogger Friend School
8. Homeschool Memoirs

Homeschool Memoirs #13: “Mom” Help!

THEME:
This week I’d like to invite you to share what YOUR “Mom” help is. Some drink coffee, soda, or chia-tea. Others check email or read their favourite blogs. Some talk a walk…. what do you do when you need to clear your head and take a breather?

Oh wow...what do I do when I need a break? Pull my hair running for the door? LOL I'm just kidding. Maybe. ;) When I really need to relax and just get way from it all I will pile up in a comfy chair with a book and something to drink and/or snack. When I read I get lost in what I'm reading. I especially love books that are series. The only problem is when I'm done with them I feel as if I've lost a friend. But then I pick up another book and all is well again.

Snow Day Scrap Freebie!

I've got another scrap freebie to share with you all! It's called Snow Day and it's by my buddy Tishia @ Designs by Tishia featuring clipart by ©Scrappin Doodles. It is super cute! You can download it FREE at her blog.



While you're there be sure and check out her stores on the right sidebar for other scrap items she has available. You'll love 'em! ♥

BFS Assignment #109 - We Bring Good Things to Life

Memory Verse: Philippians 4:8 In conclusion, brothers, focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.

Assignment: Share a field trip/lifestyle learning experience where you really felt you were bringing good things to life for your children, where something came alive for them, or ignited a passion.

Well, my daughter's passion is animals. Any kind of animal, though she is partial to kitties and puppies. :) She is constantly asking questions and demanding a fulfilling answer. We watch Animal Planet. And she just enjoys being outside watching the wildlife. She will go into the woods with Daddy and look for deer tracks. Which I am proud to say she can now spot. She can sit on the porch with her kitty and talk up a storm and of course the cat talks back. I'm not all together sure what the two of them are plotting though.

This assignemnet made me think back to last April. My husband was away for a few days and we went to stay with my parents. I was pregnant and we had been out earlier in the day and we all were resting. Gracie & I were back in my mom's play room and the window was open. I was dozing a little and enjoying the quiet. All of a sudden Gracie jumps up and says "did you hear that?" I wasn't sure what she was talking about and she said listen. All of a sudden a cow moos. She got so excited. She ran down the hallway screaming "Grandpa, I heard a cow moo". LOL I thought it was so cute...and I guess I had just forgotten that excitement. I know that I myself take too many things for granted. You forget just how much the little things count. And they really do count for so much more than we know....

Homeschool Memoirs #12: Let’s Play A Game!

THEME
This week I want to invite you to share what different games you use for learning in your homeschool. Outside games, board games, or card games, and what purpose or subject you use them for.

We love to play games! Gracie is constantly wanting to play something. Her latest obsession is checkers, which I am NOT good at, so Robby is teaching her that. I'm not sure what that game is teaching her, strategy maybe?

The others we play are:
Candyland - colors and numbers/counting

Chutes & Ladders - numbers/counting & patience (If you've played this, you know what I mean)

Scrabble - letters and spelling

Memory - memorization and matching

I Spy - colors - We play this inside and outdoors so we are constantly finding new things. Never gets boring.

Card games - Numbers/counting - Especially, poker. Yep, I said poker...she loves playing with a deck of cards and she is pretty good. Hmmm, maybe next card counting. Vegas here we come! LOL I am SO joking!

The most important thing I want her to learn while playing these games is how to lose gracefully. I've seen so many children get upset when they don't win. I want her to know it's ok, that you can't win every time. I really can't think of any other games at the moment. She's really big on puzzles right now also. We went to the Dollar Tree and bought six the other day. Big puzzles - 200 piece puzzles that she can do herself! I'm so proud of her!! She's such a smartie pants. ♥

Election Day

has arrived!

Today is the day that will determine the path of the next four years for this country. Will it be McCain/Palin or Obama/Biden? Right now the economy is in trouble, we watch the stocks fluctuate. We worry about gas and food prices. Our troops are still fighting a war that was started 7 years ago!

What's in store for us? None of us know, but we hope and pray for the best.

Change is evident. No matter who is elected, it's a monumental event. We will end this day with either the first black President or the first woman Vice-President. Did you ever think you would see this? I certainly didn't. I thought maybe one day, but really didn't think it would happen so soon.

Personally, I'll be glad when it's over. So we can stop all of the bickering over he said/he did and start focusing on rebuilding this wonderful country. And making it what it once was...the United States of America - land of the free and the home of the brave.

November already?

Honest to goodness, time has flown by. I feel as if I blinked and months have passed by me. I guess it's having a new baby and just focusing all of your time and energy on him. I dunno, but WOW!

Autumn is without a doubt my favorite season. The changing of the leaves. The crisp smell in the air. It brings back such memories of childhood. I can walk outside early in the morning and take a deep breath and I'm back at the bus stop waiting to head off to school. As much as I hated those days back then, I miss them too. I say hated because I was always fighting going to school. Sawyer Brown's "The Walk" comes to mind. Man, I ♥ that song! I had lots of issues with feeling out of place and also just not wanting to be away from my mom. I was such a mommy's girl. I guess I still am in ways. :) But anyways, let's get back to the wonders of the season. It's always so beautiful here. The mountains full of reds and oranges are just amazing!

The holidays will soon be approaching, Thanksgiving and then Christmas. I'm ashamed to say I haven't even given Christmas that much thought as far as presents. I'm going to have to get serious and make a list soon. Or no one will get anything! Mom's birthday is the week before Thanksgiving so I've atleast taken care of that. *swhooo*

Mom had surgery around the first of October. They removed the lump and all the lymph nodes under her arm. They don't think she will need chemo, but they are testing the lump again to be sure. She'll definitely have to have radiation. She's been a little down lately. I think it's just so much to have on her mind during the holidays. She wants to focus on the kids and not herself. She's one tough cookie. An amazing woman. I can only hope I will be as strong as her one day.

Gracie is doing great with her schooling. She is learning SOOO much. When we first started she was trying really hard to learn all her ABCs. Well, now she can say them all (only missing L now and then?), she can recognize them, and she is trying to spell everything! She is one smart little girl. :) And she wants to learn so bad...so it's pretty easy for me.

Matthew is amazing! He just keeps growing and getting bigger before my eyes. He is such a different baby than what Gracie was. She was always able to be laid down, never needing to be held (I still did it anyways :oP). He adores being in my arms wrapped in a nice snuggly blankie. He only fusses when hungry. He's a very happy baby. Smiles ALL the time. I can just look at him and he busts out that precious smile. I could look at him all day long.

When I look into their sweet faces I get teary eyed (post pregnancy hormones?). I can't believe that I was so lucky to be blessed with two such beautiful babies. God has been so good to me. I have a husband that I love more than anything, even when things get tough, and two precious children who are my world. That's what I will be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

BFS #108 - Quality is Job #1

Memory Verse: I Timothy 4:12-13 - Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.

Intro: Quality is Job #1 (Ford)

Assignment: My family and I rarely do anything apart from each other. We don’t really have quality time together because all our time is together. We feel like the more special moments are when we have dinner together or when we worship God together. For this assignment, tell how you and your family spend QUALITY time together.

We aren't apart for any length of time. I chose to be a stay at home mom and my days revolve around my children. It's a special moment when I can get away for longer than 15 minutes to take a shower. :) But I wouldn't have it any other way.

Our quality time together? What I consider quality time is when I can sit down with Gracie and read her a book and just hold her close and listen to her giggle. It's when I am holding Matthew or I'm playing with him in the floor and he smiles up at me with that beautiful baby smile. There have been many nights that bedtime passes and we are still awake just enjoying the time we have with each other. Robby in the floor playing cars with Gracie, or even snuggling on the bed watching Justice League. Matthew - all he wants right now is to be held and loved on, which I am more than happy to do. But I can't wait for those moments with him also. Watching them with their Daddy and listening to the sweet laughter. Those are the moments that really matter to me.