IndoctriNation Film Trailer!

The above trailer is from a film titled, "IndoctriNation" and while I have not watched the whole film I cannot wait to order it and see it.  We often complain that government has too much involvement in our lives, and that government is broken, yet we send our children off to be educated in and by this broken system.  What?!

"Everything exists to proclaim the glory of God, and the one place where we send our kids seven hours a day, is a place where God's name can't be mentioned.  It's not indoctrination, it's insanity."  R.C. Sproul Jr.

Co-op Crafts!

My friend Nikki made these darling 'memory boards' to use as demos for her craft class at co-op.  Autumn and Cayla are in her class and each made one.  I liked theirs SO much I decided to make my own.

Naturally, I made mine Americana.  It's pretty basic, afterall, I managed it :)  Items required are foam board, fabric large enough to cover the board, ribbons and other embellishments, such as buttons or thumbtacks. And of course a hot glue gun.  Once the board is cut to the desired size, glue the fabric over the board.  Place ribbons across board and hot glue them on the back.  Add embellishments, a ribbon at the top for hanging and that's it.  It's now ready to hold photos, notes or whatever you wish.

I put some fabric on the back simply for my own peace of mind.  There are numerous lines of fabric and ribbon hot glued into place and it's rather unsightly, so I opted to camouflage it with matching fabric.  Of course no one will see the backside, so it's not a necessary step.

St. Patrick's Day had everyone in green....and acting silly.   Emily, Autumn and Jocelyn at lunch.

Cayla and Mark!

Homeschool!

Since so many homeschooling moms read my blog, I thought you might enjoy the comic relief. Feel free to laugh out loud, when they're true it makes it all the more funny!

You might be a homeschooler if:

• You come to school in your PJ's.
• Your biology lab consists of assisting in your sibling's birth.
• Your stacks of books to check out is taller than the librarian.
• Your PE comes from chasing little toddlers around.
• Your school bus is a 9 passenger van.
• You consider school work after lunch to be cruel and unusual punishment.
• Your father has ever told the check-out lady at Wal-mart, "We're on a field trip."
• Your social life is viewed by some to be one rung lower than that of a Benedictine monk.
• Your teacher has ever written your report card on a napkin.
• You have to move dirty laundry off your desk before your can start school.
• The signatures on your diploma all end with the same last name.
• Everyone else in the world is referred to as "Non-homies."
• Your Mother's wardrobe consists primarily of denim jumpers.
• Your first real date is on your honeymoon.
• The word 'homework' sounds like an foreign language.
• Your yearbook is also your babybook.
• A snow day means that you shovel the driveway after you finish your school work.
• You enjoy the pastime of watching public school kids walk home from school.
• You have to look at the clock to see if you can call your public school friends yet.
• You think that public-school-kid is an insult of the highest degree.
• Health class consists of eating breakfast.
• You have to decide what year you want to graduate.
• You are always late but just call it "homeschooler time."
• You can remember nearly every single day you went to public school.
• Your teacher can kiss the principal, and no one thinks it's unusual.
• You get to school and the teacher asks you if you've done all your chores.
• You are one of the best people in the world! :)

First day of Home School Co-op!

The photo album below is the girls on the first day of home school co-op. They were super excited to see their old friends and sign up for classes. Cayla couldn't wait to show off her new glasses. The weather was nice, but still required a light jacket that morning. It will be the first of many as our sunny, warm days give way to icicles and snow.

School Days!

Just a quick update.  After a whirlwind weekend of planning for upcoming church activities and socializing with friends and family in honor of Labor Day, we're understandably exhausted.  Tuesday is however, a new day, and not just any new day.  It's the first day of school for us.  I've already gotten my curriculum organized and I cannot wait to get started.  Christian Liberty's curriculum (recommended by my sister, who KNOWS home schooling :) looks amazing and I know it's going to both challenge and encourage the girls as they begin their school work.  Here we go.....

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.  Proverbs 1:7

Curriculum Contemplation

Disclaimer: This is a home school post. I'd love input from my friends/family who have an opinion. THANKS in advance!!! As a homeschooling parent, I get to sift through literally hundreds of curriculum companies and try to figure out which route I want to go. I tend to be an all or nothing person, so I enjoy selecting one company, offering comprehensive curriculum for each grade level. The older my children get, the older it is to pick their education. I'm not complaining, but I am saying that it's a bit overwhelming when I consider the plethora of learning opportunities available to me. In the past, I have used Costco's comprehensive curriculum books. Dirt cheap, and easy to understand, everything is encompassed in one book. The problem is, they're not Christian and as my children get older and learn about case studies and various scenarios, I'd like those to be Bible based instead of secular. I have to consider my budget, my teaching style (how much prep work is involved, and if the company offers a comprehensive curriculum - my favorite), my children's learning style (and yes, they're different), and numerous other factors before making a decision. So, for those of you out there who have some thoughts and read my blog, I'd love for you to weigh in. After researching a dozen companies for my 3rd and 1st graders next year, here's what I've determined: Saxon: Excellent, but very expensive Switched on Schoolhouse: Decent prices, learning is via CD-rom, but there's no 1st grade comprehensive curriculum A.C.E.: Perfect for Cayla since she's self motivated, but not ideal for Autumn. Prices are midline LIFEPAC: Excellent comprehensive studies for both grades, midline price, but I don't know anyone who has used it, so I have little info. on it Sonlight: Stellar programs I've heard, but requires a ton of prep work (not my thing) Christian Liberty Press: I'm leaning towards this....the prices are good, it offers comprehensive curriculum for both grades and includes teachers manuals, plus it rolls into high school well Bob Jones U: Again, excellent curriculum, but it's kind of pricey. This year we used BJU science and it was great, so it's a possibility So, that is just one peril of being a home school parent. I know people who select a nice eclectic mix of materials and turn out intelligent, well informed children, but that isn't my ideal, even though it is what I did this year. We have all summer to consider it, pray about it, and see what our budget will allow. I want my children to have a great academic education, Biblical knowledge and a love for being home with mom. Is that too much to ask?

Slow Motion Monday

I had a horrible dream last night. If you talk to me long enough, you'll eventually learn that I tend to have very vivid, traumatic dreams. Last night I dreamed that America had gone through a total natural devastation (I think it was a flood) and there were a few safe spots provided by the French (go figure). I had the girls with me and we were trying to get to Cory. We finally made it to the very dark, underground French compound where we were issued a paper that gave us the right to get bread and water and a pillow to sleep on. I finally found Cory and I was just so relieved that the four of us were together again that I didn't even mind that we had all of our rights stripped from us and were no longer in a free country. What does it mean? I'm missing my family and we need to spend more time together? Or is it something deeper? So this morning we're moving in what feels like, slow motion. I left my bed unmade and immediately went to hug my children. I didn't care that they had left the caps off the markers they were using, or that they had wasted a ream (or so it seemed) of paper. I was just so relieved that they were happy, and safe, in our own home, and most of all.....FREE. I think today we're going to fore go all of our regular school work in favor of a history lesson where they learn the blessings of living in a free country. Even if it doesn't make a deep and profound impact on them at this age, I am going to start planting the seed!