What an amazing few weeks! I'm not sure where to begin!
Home Schooling -
Now that Summer is upon us, we are going to change up our structure some. I think it's important to flexable, and go with the flow. So, we are going to do structured school work Monday - Wednesday, and work on fun, outdoor/indoor projects Thursday - Sunday. The nice part of homeschooling is the flexibility and being able to change things up as need be. Since our large garden has been a total loss until it's replanted, we are going to focus on Joey's mini-sandbox garden. Which is doing great! He has radishes about ready, watermelon, corn, cantalope, and cucumbers growing well. He also planted some soybeans and wheat...which are doing great! We have several indoor plants - tomatoes, banana, lemon, and lime trees, sweet leaf plant and herbs we are attempting indoors.
Our Get Away -
Wow! What an amazing, and chaotic weekend! We took off at 6:30 last Saturday, to head to LaSalle. We got to Utica about 10:30 after a stop at Princeton to get a stroller. We went to the main lodge and took some pictures, went in the lodge and did some hiking before heading to the lower picnic area. We took off for starved rock and we read the signs along the way telling about the indians, and their stand on starved rock. Then the 4 of us headed of the stairs to the top of Starved Rock. The view was just as beautiful as I had remembered. Looking out across the beautiful lush forest that makes up Starved Rock, looking across the the river, and watching Joey's eyes light up as we watched a barge make its way into the lock. Chloe wasn't really interested, but I knew I wanted to share this with them. Even Richard seemed to enjoy himself. We made our way back down the stairs and headed to a quiet picnic area. We got to have a real picnic, on a blanket and enjoyed our lunchmeat sandwiches, chips and drink pouches. Chloe crawled around on the blanket and was real interested in everything Joey did. We laughed, joked, and had a blast. I am anxious to go back when we have more time to hike. Joey is the perfect age to enjoy someplace so amazing. As for me, as soon as we entered the park, I felt I had come home. I could just feel the tension ease. Walking to the lodge, the paths, being on Starved Rock, all of the experience was like the piece of my soul that has been missing....was back. I spent just a few minutes talking to God, on Starved Rock, and just felt like he could hear me.
Now, that we are back at home, I'm doing some major catch up on housework, laundry, Ameriplan, and my newest venture. Yep, I wasn't busy enough so I jumped into another project. I am now a distributor for Gold Canyon Candles. I have bought these candles for almost a year now, and the lady that was selling them quit.! So, rather than go without, I picked up the slack, and dove in head first. I currently have a catalog party going until June 8th. Any orders placed online or in person will receive a free thank you gift.
I have to say, I have to be one of the most blessed people. Although Richard and I have our issues, we get along pretty well, I have 2 amazing kids, a successful home business, a new business I will make successful, an amazing family, he has an awesome job, awesome friends, and a comfortable home. Of all the material things I would like to have, none of them are as precious as the list above! Thank you God, for being such an amazing and wonderful God!
God Bless!
This crazy but wonderful life we live. Home education, self-sufficient living, learning, growing, and finding our way on our farm and in life. Teaching frugality, logic, and common sense. Grab some coffee and enjoy my regular writings on current subjects and interests.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
A weekend get-away
Wow, what an up and down week. The rain and gloomy weather has definitely damped our plans lately. We started making plans for an over night trip the end of April. We were able to our hotel reservation early...no rooms left now. So, as time has progressed the plans have changed about 6 different times before finally getting set in stone yesterday.
So, we are taking a 3 hour away trip to LaSalle to watch a race at a dirt track. The race includes a local driver that Richard likes and races with. The best part of the whole trip for me is the plans prior to the race. We are going to my favorite state park to hike and have a picnic. I haven't been to Starved Rock in years. So, now I can take my kids and show them the most beautiful park I have ever seen. I have always found such peace, and always felt so close to God there. I am really looking forward to so time at peace. We have all our supplies for our picnic, some snack foods and our blankets. I am so excited! We are heading out early in the morning. We can check into our hotel at 2, and then a few hours at the hotel, then to the race and Sunday head home.
Sunday we have Richard's little sisters graduation, and then the party. So, we are going to be super busy this weekend....but I am counting on my few hours of peace at Starved Rock to get me through. I can't wait.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
So, we are taking a 3 hour away trip to LaSalle to watch a race at a dirt track. The race includes a local driver that Richard likes and races with. The best part of the whole trip for me is the plans prior to the race. We are going to my favorite state park to hike and have a picnic. I haven't been to Starved Rock in years. So, now I can take my kids and show them the most beautiful park I have ever seen. I have always found such peace, and always felt so close to God there. I am really looking forward to so time at peace. We have all our supplies for our picnic, some snack foods and our blankets. I am so excited! We are heading out early in the morning. We can check into our hotel at 2, and then a few hours at the hotel, then to the race and Sunday head home.
Sunday we have Richard's little sisters graduation, and then the party. So, we are going to be super busy this weekend....but I am counting on my few hours of peace at Starved Rock to get me through. I can't wait.
Hope you all have a great weekend!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Let the Home-Educating begin!
As of Wednesday, May 5...we began home school. After some bullying issues by another child, and lack of acceptable action by our school...We began early.
So, as terrifyingly real as it's become....I have stepped up to teach Joey. I spent Thursday and Friday trying to get a grasp on where Joey was at intellectually. We found that we have to start at the beginning of homeschool curriculum, and work forward. There are several areas that Joey hasn't learned in school, but there are areas that had. So, we are working on so many different subjects to make up for the end of his 3rd grade year. We have it figured that he had 120 hours of public school left. The 8 hour days at school included lunch and recesses, but we are using all the hours towards his education. We are spending weekdays studying: Math, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Spanish, Latin, Missouri History, American History, Social Studies, Science, Bible study, Handwriting, and Vocabulary. As a different approach to some subjects we are working on some hands-on real life study. Joey has helped read and measure the recipes for cookies, and cake, he has helped his Dad measure, build and finish my clothesline, and we are doing some computer games. On weekends, Joey has 2 hours per day of reading time, 30 minutes of Science(nature study), and at least an hour of "handicrafts"; which amount to a learning of a trade. So, we are able to school 7 days a week and he has fun and doesn't realize that he is learning.
The foreign language part is proving to be a challenge but we are working with what we have. I am realizing that I will have to purchase a foreign language program real soon. Otherwise, we are doing good. I am learning that a lot has changed since I was in school. Terms have changed but the way that you go about doing the problems are the same.
As soon as the weather cooperates, we are going to be taking a lot of nature walks, and a few field trips. I am really enjoying the time with Joey. I know that we are accomplishing a alot and he is excelling, already with a change of atmosphere.
Life in general is crazy as always. We have adjusted schedules, and are learning new schedules.
I hope that we will keep up with the pace we are at. I feel lost at times and unsure of my ability, but at the same time, I know that I can teach both our kids so much and give them a jump on real life.
Salli
So, as terrifyingly real as it's become....I have stepped up to teach Joey. I spent Thursday and Friday trying to get a grasp on where Joey was at intellectually. We found that we have to start at the beginning of homeschool curriculum, and work forward. There are several areas that Joey hasn't learned in school, but there are areas that had. So, we are working on so many different subjects to make up for the end of his 3rd grade year. We have it figured that he had 120 hours of public school left. The 8 hour days at school included lunch and recesses, but we are using all the hours towards his education. We are spending weekdays studying: Math, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Spanish, Latin, Missouri History, American History, Social Studies, Science, Bible study, Handwriting, and Vocabulary. As a different approach to some subjects we are working on some hands-on real life study. Joey has helped read and measure the recipes for cookies, and cake, he has helped his Dad measure, build and finish my clothesline, and we are doing some computer games. On weekends, Joey has 2 hours per day of reading time, 30 minutes of Science(nature study), and at least an hour of "handicrafts"; which amount to a learning of a trade. So, we are able to school 7 days a week and he has fun and doesn't realize that he is learning.
The foreign language part is proving to be a challenge but we are working with what we have. I am realizing that I will have to purchase a foreign language program real soon. Otherwise, we are doing good. I am learning that a lot has changed since I was in school. Terms have changed but the way that you go about doing the problems are the same.
As soon as the weather cooperates, we are going to be taking a lot of nature walks, and a few field trips. I am really enjoying the time with Joey. I know that we are accomplishing a alot and he is excelling, already with a change of atmosphere.
Life in general is crazy as always. We have adjusted schedules, and are learning new schedules.
I hope that we will keep up with the pace we are at. I feel lost at times and unsure of my ability, but at the same time, I know that I can teach both our kids so much and give them a jump on real life.
Salli
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Amazing!
"A simple shift in your emotion can make your entire energy field shift!"
This is so true. It's amazing to me how the little "baby" steps I am taking, are seriously working. Having a little insight to how to change my thoughts, and making that simple shift - can seriously change your emotional vibe.
I have enjoyed a busy few days. A birthday party for Richard's cousin last night, Joey having a friend over, going to our Elementary PTO carnival tonight...and even the simple shift of position. I was having some negative thoughts this morning, and I physically got out of my chair, went to load the dishwasher, and wash Chloe's bottles. That little shift, and taking control over my thoughts made a huge difference.
I have listened to a man named Les Brown, a lot lately. This is a man who has overcome some serious issues and has the motto: " It's Possible!" And to tell you the truth, why shouldn't it be possible. Whether your "it," is more money, a better job, a job, a great relationship, or whatever you are wanting. WHY NOT? So many of us dream at less than 10% of our potential, because we have been programmed that way.
I am undoing that programming, and reprogramming my thoughts, attitude, and self-image to not only dream to my potential but to achieve those those dreams! AND WHY NOT? Because I don't have an Ivy League education, I don't have a degree in the area I have a passion for, because I wasn't in the top 10% of my class....SO WHAT! I can achieve and thrive in whatever I put my mind to...and so can anyone else...IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH!
So, my goals - on a brief description: to continually work on my self, and become the best me that I can, to achieve National Vice President with my company, to build a financial legacy for my children, to build a beautiful new home with lots of room for my kids to run and grow, and to give my relationships the attention the need and deserve.
I ask you, what are your goals, and what are you doing to work towards those goals. Are you feeling in your heart what you want to happen? Have you written down your goals in detail? If not...what are you waiting for?
"Someone's opinion of you does not have to become your reality!" - LesBrown
This is so true. It's amazing to me how the little "baby" steps I am taking, are seriously working. Having a little insight to how to change my thoughts, and making that simple shift - can seriously change your emotional vibe.
I have enjoyed a busy few days. A birthday party for Richard's cousin last night, Joey having a friend over, going to our Elementary PTO carnival tonight...and even the simple shift of position. I was having some negative thoughts this morning, and I physically got out of my chair, went to load the dishwasher, and wash Chloe's bottles. That little shift, and taking control over my thoughts made a huge difference.
I have listened to a man named Les Brown, a lot lately. This is a man who has overcome some serious issues and has the motto: " It's Possible!" And to tell you the truth, why shouldn't it be possible. Whether your "it," is more money, a better job, a job, a great relationship, or whatever you are wanting. WHY NOT? So many of us dream at less than 10% of our potential, because we have been programmed that way.
I am undoing that programming, and reprogramming my thoughts, attitude, and self-image to not only dream to my potential but to achieve those those dreams! AND WHY NOT? Because I don't have an Ivy League education, I don't have a degree in the area I have a passion for, because I wasn't in the top 10% of my class....SO WHAT! I can achieve and thrive in whatever I put my mind to...and so can anyone else...IF YOU WANT IT BAD ENOUGH!
So, my goals - on a brief description: to continually work on my self, and become the best me that I can, to achieve National Vice President with my company, to build a financial legacy for my children, to build a beautiful new home with lots of room for my kids to run and grow, and to give my relationships the attention the need and deserve.
I ask you, what are your goals, and what are you doing to work towards those goals. Are you feeling in your heart what you want to happen? Have you written down your goals in detail? If not...what are you waiting for?
"Someone's opinion of you does not have to become your reality!" - LesBrown
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