We officially decided on a name for a homeschool... Olive Branch Academy won out over the other names we thought of. We decided to use Romans 11 as a corresponding passage and I have come up with the basic design for our logo. The boys are excited and it has really given them a sense of ownership. Micah and Xavier can't wait to make a flag and now they are talking about shirts and other things which I never even thought of, lol.
The boys have finished 1/2 of their school work this morning and now are fixing lunch. We will do math and finish writing afterwards. I finally put all of the past years work in their designated envelope's and labeled them. So their notebooks are fresh, clean and empty for a new year (which starts next week).
On another note... we are still waiting to see where we are moving to. We were told that we were going to Ludington, MI and then 4 hours later that changed - ARRR! It is so frustrating. I will be glad when July 26th gets here and the move and knowing where we will be living is finally over.
Etiquette Changed
just a little bit due to the fact that my kids have been monsters and we needed to seriously discuss the burping thing. For some reason they think it is cool to burp the alphabet. Okay, I will admit I did not exactly nip that in the bud like I should have when it first started. So now I am dealing with it bigtime <-That is probably what I looked like at one point as they smiled at me, laughed and said but it is fun.
So the fine points of today's manner/etiquette lesson were the appropriate way to burp and the definition of the word rude. Hopefully they got the point, lol.
We did finish math today - YAY! So now they totally get the concept of multiplication and multiplying by 0 & 1. Now we will practice that for a few days along with their speed drills and then move on to 2 & 5.
So the fine points of today's manner/etiquette lesson were the appropriate way to burp and the definition of the word rude. Hopefully they got the point, lol.
We did finish math today - YAY! So now they totally get the concept of multiplication and multiplying by 0 & 1. Now we will practice that for a few days along with their speed drills and then move on to 2 & 5.
Joel and the boys have finished working on their walking sticks for the most part. I have to re-shellac them tomorrow but they will be ready to use by Thursday. Then we will have to go do something so they can actually use them ;) I keep trying to upload a picture so I can post it but the darn thing won't upload thanks to my sorry internet service.
Xavier has a sore throat now (not good) but feels okay for the most part (PTL). He woke me up this morning wanting medicine though which is always a bad sign. We are suppose to be heading out to Ft. Pulaski in a few hours but now I am kinda waiting it out to see if we really need to be going off. Hopefully whatever Xavier is trying to come down with doesn't become contagious and Micah will be feeling okay.
We are starting our summer school plan this week. Fun, fun, fun and the 3 r's too. Lol.
Here's the plan for the week:
Tuesday - Ft. Pulaski to participate in the Jr. Ranger program
Wednesday - Etiquette class begins (we are doing this ourselves)
Thursday - Park Day
Friday - Possible beach trip
Micah is starting his 3rd grade math book this summer and Xavier is reviewing some of the math from this past year. Xavier gets real frustrated with math so we are going to take some time to make sure he understands it perfectly.
I still have to come up with the overall plan but it should work out pretty well even with moving.
They are going to be keeping journals over the summer that should help with reading, writing & spelling. Plus hopefully not be a total bore when it comes to doing Language Arts. I thought maybe we could do a scrapbook type journal and a nature journal.
Xavier has a sore throat now (not good) but feels okay for the most part (PTL). He woke me up this morning wanting medicine though which is always a bad sign. We are suppose to be heading out to Ft. Pulaski in a few hours but now I am kinda waiting it out to see if we really need to be going off. Hopefully whatever Xavier is trying to come down with doesn't become contagious and Micah will be feeling okay.
We are starting our summer school plan this week. Fun, fun, fun and the 3 r's too. Lol.
Here's the plan for the week:
Tuesday - Ft. Pulaski to participate in the Jr. Ranger program
Wednesday - Etiquette class begins (we are doing this ourselves)
Thursday - Park Day
Friday - Possible beach trip
Micah is starting his 3rd grade math book this summer and Xavier is reviewing some of the math from this past year. Xavier gets real frustrated with math so we are going to take some time to make sure he understands it perfectly.
I still have to come up with the overall plan but it should work out pretty well even with moving.
They are going to be keeping journals over the summer that should help with reading, writing & spelling. Plus hopefully not be a total bore when it comes to doing Language Arts. I thought maybe we could do a scrapbook type journal and a nature journal.
Happy Memorial Day
Happy Memorial Day! Hope everyone has had a wonderful weekend. We cooked out on the grill Saturday night and hung around the house most of the weekend. Joel left to go back to school this morning - only 18 days left before he graduates. I will be so happy when he is home again.
The boys and I spent the morning outside. We cleaned the garbage & recycling can - YUCK! Transplanted some plants into containers and others into the ground. Gave our doggie a bath - boy did he stink! I tore down the rotten wood container we had our flowers/garden in and spread the dirt around the yard. Then I watched as the boys played with some mole crickets they found.
After lunch I took a nice nap and now they are playing with a friend. Micah built a really neat sailboat out of the K'nex while I was napping and Xavier played around on the computer. Tomorrow we are going out to Fort Pulaski to do the Jr. Ranger program with some friends and have a picnic. We might hit the beach afterwards but I am not sure yet we may just wait until Friday to do that.
The boys and I spent the morning outside. We cleaned the garbage & recycling can - YUCK! Transplanted some plants into containers and others into the ground. Gave our doggie a bath - boy did he stink! I tore down the rotten wood container we had our flowers/garden in and spread the dirt around the yard. Then I watched as the boys played with some mole crickets they found.
After lunch I took a nice nap and now they are playing with a friend. Micah built a really neat sailboat out of the K'nex while I was napping and Xavier played around on the computer. Tomorrow we are going out to Fort Pulaski to do the Jr. Ranger program with some friends and have a picnic. We might hit the beach afterwards but I am not sure yet we may just wait until Friday to do that.
Emily Post & Etiquette
The boys and I are going to have an "etiquette class" over the summer. I would love to send them to an actual class in Orlando but since that is not possible. We are going to do it ourselves. They don't know about this yet though, lol. The plan is (I love to make plans it is implementing them that is the problem)... anyways the plan is that we will be working on manners and adding actual etiquette things each week. This week we are going to hit some of the basics which they already do and add to them. I figure we will have an actual class each Wed. and then work on the skills the rest of the week over the summer.
This week we are going to talk about why we say thank you & please, Sir & Maam, and opening doors for people. These are things they already do but need a gentle reminder at times. So it should be pretty easy this week.
I did find Emily Post's book online. So I am reading over it and seeing what exactly she had to say on the matter. I have never read it before and I am positive that there are a lot of things that I can learn also as we go over some of the basic things.
This week we are going to talk about why we say thank you & please, Sir & Maam, and opening doors for people. These are things they already do but need a gentle reminder at times. So it should be pretty easy this week.
I did find Emily Post's book online. So I am reading over it and seeing what exactly she had to say on the matter. I have never read it before and I am positive that there are a lot of things that I can learn also as we go over some of the basic things.
What School?
This week school has been pretty much non-existent. I have been in the dumps and the boys have been in a mood. We did a little early this week but then it all went downhill. I spent half the week laying around the house. While they worked on building a fort in the living room and the best way to irritate your brother. I guess I can not count that as school work huh?
We did manage to go to Park Day on Thursday. Which the boys really enjoyed being able to get out of the house and play with some friends. We were only at the park for a couple of hours and were able to enjoy a sun shower while we were there. It felt good. It has been so hot lately (doesn't help the I am prego).
After our park adventure we made a Lemon Meringue Pie (we added to much lemon though) WHOO - it'll knock your socks off. I think next time I am going to find the recipe I used last time I made one. Then Joel got in from SC. He is home for Memorial Day Weekend. Which is real nice since we won't see him again until he graduates school on the 16th of June.
So next week I have school all planned out and am actually looking forward to hitting some books and doing some cool things with the boys. They do not know what all I have planned yet. They just think we have worksheets, books to do. Not so, my sons. With summer here we will be doing a little bit of bookwork to finish our grammar and also to work on reading/math. But most of the things planned are outdoors, experiments and things of that nature.
Anyways, hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
We did manage to go to Park Day on Thursday. Which the boys really enjoyed being able to get out of the house and play with some friends. We were only at the park for a couple of hours and were able to enjoy a sun shower while we were there. It felt good. It has been so hot lately (doesn't help the I am prego).
After our park adventure we made a Lemon Meringue Pie (we added to much lemon though) WHOO - it'll knock your socks off. I think next time I am going to find the recipe I used last time I made one. Then Joel got in from SC. He is home for Memorial Day Weekend. Which is real nice since we won't see him again until he graduates school on the 16th of June.
So next week I have school all planned out and am actually looking forward to hitting some books and doing some cool things with the boys. They do not know what all I have planned yet. They just think we have worksheets, books to do. Not so, my sons. With summer here we will be doing a little bit of bookwork to finish our grammar and also to work on reading/math. But most of the things planned are outdoors, experiments and things of that nature.
Anyways, hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.
Verse of the Day
But why do you call Me "Lord, Lord," and do not do the things which I say?
~Luke 6:46 NKJV
~Luke 6:46 NKJV
Such Angels - Such Demons
My boys are such angels! I went to the dentist this morning with the boys in tow. I told them to just hang out in the waiting room and we brought Yu-Gi-Oh cards, the Gameboy and a sketch pad so they had something to do. I prayed they would be good since they have been arguing so much lately. They were angels of course! The entire staffed told me how well behaved they are and how they were so quiet they could forget they were sitting there. My boys can you believe it????
Fast forward to an hour later...
Demons is what they are, lol. We barely get in the door and already the bickering has started. The screeching is ear piercing and the crying is non-stop. I am sorry you can't find your Bionicle pieces, no I don't know where they are. Moron is not an acceptable word. From now on consider it a cuss word. No you may not have a snack you can make a sandwich for lunch. What do you mean you accidentally hit your brother? I saw you. It is not an accident if you walk up and hit him. Such demons!!!
Guess what it is time for my nap! So be quiet and let me rest I am sick and have a headache.
Okay, so it's not really nap time. I was peacefully napping earlier and was awaken to a scream. Oh they are getting along now. How peaceful it all is now, well it would be if they did not believe that to speak they must yell.
Fast forward to an hour later...
Demons is what they are, lol. We barely get in the door and already the bickering has started. The screeching is ear piercing and the crying is non-stop. I am sorry you can't find your Bionicle pieces, no I don't know where they are. Moron is not an acceptable word. From now on consider it a cuss word. No you may not have a snack you can make a sandwich for lunch. What do you mean you accidentally hit your brother? I saw you. It is not an accident if you walk up and hit him. Such demons!!!
Guess what it is time for my nap! So be quiet and let me rest I am sick and have a headache.
Okay, so it's not really nap time. I was peacefully napping earlier and was awaken to a scream. Oh they are getting along now. How peaceful it all is now, well it would be if they did not believe that to speak they must yell.
That's My Son
I am reading the book That's My Son (How Moms can Influence Boys to Become Men of Character) by Rick Johnson. I read it a few months ago but decided to start over. I am hoping that by really diving into this book it will help me as I try to raise my boys.
Last night I read the first couple of chapters and a couple of things really hit me. First, the Bible tells us Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. I have read this verse a million times but this time I decided to break it down.
Train (in Webster) 3 a : to form by instruction, discipline, or drill b : to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient.
I am to teach, instruct, discipline my children:
In the way he should go this is normally the hard part. Each child is unique, a gift from the Lord. Each child sees the world differently and is affected by different things. While I can have one set of rules in my house using the same form of discipline for each child will not be effective. Why? because they are different. As a homeschooled parent I can understand how my children learn in different ways, they need to be disciplined in different ways also. I have to guide them along the path the Lord has laid out for them not the path that I may want.
and when he is old he will not depart from it. A lot of kids take the scenic route at times. I know I sure did it took years for me to actually become a Christian. As much as I pray that my children do not take the scenic route there will more than likely come a time when they are not walking with the Lord as much as they should be. However, by training them to keep their eyes on the Lord and to follow Him they will soon come back. Although you might think it won't happen and be in prayer for months over your son's the Bible tells us that if we train them in the direction they are to go they will not depart from it. That is a promise.
That verse seems easy enough until you try to apply it. I do not know what exactly the Lord has planned for my boys but my feelings and emotions can get in the way. So it comes down to one of the first questions in Rick Johnson's book. Am I willing to sacrifice my son?
Many women in the Bible gave up their son's. Hannah was blessed with a child then sent him to work for the Lord. Moses mom hid him then sent him in a basket down the river. Mary watched as her son died on the cross so that we may have eternal life. Each of these three women sacrificed their son in some way. They gave their children to the Lord.
The first thing I need to do to make sure that I raise Godly sons (or daughters) is to give them to the Lord. He blessed me with my children and they are in my care so that I may guide them, teach them, train them so that they will follow Jesus. I must be willing to give them totally to the Lord and be ready to sacrifice my son's for the Lord.
My Prayer:
Heavenly Father
You have blessed me with my 2 beautiful boys.
You have shown me how I am to guide them and teach them in your Word.
Yet, I sometimes fall short and forget the instructions you have given me.
Help me so that I may train them the way you want me to.
Be with me as I guide them to look to You in all things.
Help me remember that they belong to You and are only in my care for a short while.
Give me the courage and strength I need so that I may let go of any worldly notions and raise them as Your children. So that they may walk with you forever.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Last night I read the first couple of chapters and a couple of things really hit me. First, the Bible tells us Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6. I have read this verse a million times but this time I decided to break it down.
Train (in Webster) 3 a : to form by instruction, discipline, or drill b : to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient.
I am to teach, instruct, discipline my children:
In the way he should go this is normally the hard part. Each child is unique, a gift from the Lord. Each child sees the world differently and is affected by different things. While I can have one set of rules in my house using the same form of discipline for each child will not be effective. Why? because they are different. As a homeschooled parent I can understand how my children learn in different ways, they need to be disciplined in different ways also. I have to guide them along the path the Lord has laid out for them not the path that I may want.
and when he is old he will not depart from it. A lot of kids take the scenic route at times. I know I sure did it took years for me to actually become a Christian. As much as I pray that my children do not take the scenic route there will more than likely come a time when they are not walking with the Lord as much as they should be. However, by training them to keep their eyes on the Lord and to follow Him they will soon come back. Although you might think it won't happen and be in prayer for months over your son's the Bible tells us that if we train them in the direction they are to go they will not depart from it. That is a promise.
That verse seems easy enough until you try to apply it. I do not know what exactly the Lord has planned for my boys but my feelings and emotions can get in the way. So it comes down to one of the first questions in Rick Johnson's book. Am I willing to sacrifice my son?
Many women in the Bible gave up their son's. Hannah was blessed with a child then sent him to work for the Lord. Moses mom hid him then sent him in a basket down the river. Mary watched as her son died on the cross so that we may have eternal life. Each of these three women sacrificed their son in some way. They gave their children to the Lord.
The first thing I need to do to make sure that I raise Godly sons (or daughters) is to give them to the Lord. He blessed me with my children and they are in my care so that I may guide them, teach them, train them so that they will follow Jesus. I must be willing to give them totally to the Lord and be ready to sacrifice my son's for the Lord.
My Prayer:
Heavenly Father
You have blessed me with my 2 beautiful boys.
You have shown me how I am to guide them and teach them in your Word.
Yet, I sometimes fall short and forget the instructions you have given me.
Help me so that I may train them the way you want me to.
Be with me as I guide them to look to You in all things.
Help me remember that they belong to You and are only in my care for a short while.
Give me the courage and strength I need so that I may let go of any worldly notions and raise them as Your children. So that they may walk with you forever.
In Jesus Name. Amen.
Changes
I have decided to change a few things about my blog. For the most part I have been crossblogging some of our school stuff over at homeschoolblogger. Which has been easy to do as far as updating this one but I don't like seeing it at both places. So from now on if you want to see what is happening in our school you will have to check us out HERE. However, I will keep most of our family things here.
Today I spent some time surfing the homeschoolblogger site and reading blogs. So many are very inspiring but some saddened me. It seems that so many mother's blog about raising their daughters to be Keeper of the Home. However, not many blog about raising their sons to be Godly Men. So I have decided that we are going to focus on how we are raising Micah and Xavier and the effect it will have on them so that they may grow into the men the Lord wants them to be. If you would like to see more about Raising Men check out our blog HERE!
Other than that today was pretty boring, we did a little bit of school and the boys built a fort in the living room where they have played most of the day. Now it is almost bedtime so they are getting ready for me to tuck them in. Hope everyone has had a wonderful day.
Today I spent some time surfing the homeschoolblogger site and reading blogs. So many are very inspiring but some saddened me. It seems that so many mother's blog about raising their daughters to be Keeper of the Home. However, not many blog about raising their sons to be Godly Men. So I have decided that we are going to focus on how we are raising Micah and Xavier and the effect it will have on them so that they may grow into the men the Lord wants them to be. If you would like to see more about Raising Men check out our blog HERE!
Other than that today was pretty boring, we did a little bit of school and the boys built a fort in the living room where they have played most of the day. Now it is almost bedtime so they are getting ready for me to tuck them in. Hope everyone has had a wonderful day.
Walking Contradiction
I have decided that I am a walking contradiction, lol. It is funny how life works and how things you thought you want you don't and things you didn't want you do. 3 years ago a girlfriend and I started a secular (well an inclusive homeschool group). We tried to get it going but nothing came of it... until this past spring when it has taken off and has boomed. Problem is that as much as I wanted this and it is kinda mine in the sense that I was one of the founders I am stuck in it. In a lot of ways I really like it and how it is growing, in other ways I am struggling with it. Over the past 3 years the Lord has changed a lot of things in my life and now I am left trying to sort it all out. It is sad to think that what I wanted from this group has finally come into place but I just am not so sure I want it anymore. So I am greatful in a lot of ways that we will be moving. It is an easy way out but in the end I know that even if I wasn't moving I wouldn't be able to stay in the group for long. Yet, I still care how it goes.
Then there is a whole 'nother thing. For a few months I was really studying what the Lord has to say about clothing and modesty. Then I kinda just left it, for awhile I was trying to wear skirts but it is so easy to wear shorts and pants. But lately... it has been bothering me. Especially now that I am pregnant and am hoping for a girl. I don't know why but it has been 7 years since I had a baby and I have learned a lot of things since then and there are a lot of things I would like to do different.
Anyways, in the end I guess it comes to down one thing. I have not been spending a lot of time with the Lord lately. Which I need to do. So that I may see where it is I am going and where it is he is leading me.
Then there is a whole 'nother thing. For a few months I was really studying what the Lord has to say about clothing and modesty. Then I kinda just left it, for awhile I was trying to wear skirts but it is so easy to wear shorts and pants. But lately... it has been bothering me. Especially now that I am pregnant and am hoping for a girl. I don't know why but it has been 7 years since I had a baby and I have learned a lot of things since then and there are a lot of things I would like to do different.
Anyways, in the end I guess it comes to down one thing. I have not been spending a lot of time with the Lord lately. Which I need to do. So that I may see where it is I am going and where it is he is leading me.
Long Time...
Busy, busy, busy we have been.
First Congratulations!! to my brother and his new wife~ the wedding was beautiful (I cried) You two were so beautiful/handsome (and my boys were handsome too)! Oh and of course my sister and neice's ;)
We made it home safe and sound and I went to the doctor. Not very exciting... I am 7 weeks and 2 days as of Friday. So that makes me 7 weeks & 4 days today ;) I have been tired, exhausted and sick. Guess it comes with the territory though.
Joel made it home for the weekend to visit. It was to short but a nice visit. We still don't know where exactly in MI we will be moving to but we will be moving soon.
Other than that not much has been happening. So for now...
First Congratulations!! to my brother and his new wife~ the wedding was beautiful (I cried) You two were so beautiful/handsome (and my boys were handsome too)! Oh and of course my sister and neice's ;)
We made it home safe and sound and I went to the doctor. Not very exciting... I am 7 weeks and 2 days as of Friday. So that makes me 7 weeks & 4 days today ;) I have been tired, exhausted and sick. Guess it comes with the territory though.
Joel made it home for the weekend to visit. It was to short but a nice visit. We still don't know where exactly in MI we will be moving to but we will be moving soon.
Other than that not much has been happening. So for now...
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