FOR TODAY ... May 26th, 2009

Outside my window... it is overcast & mild temps 60's - 70's for today. We are having a wet spring ()not to hot, I am thankful we haven't needed to turn on the AC yet this year. Most days we have the windows open and use fans to enhance the breeze. nice

I am thinking... how peaceful and quite the house is this morning, C is still asleep.

I am thankful for... How the Lord has taken care of us this month, money has been tighter than normal ( and normal is tight) I really was worried how I'd get all the bills paid this month, God has been good and once again things are working out even though on paper it looks impossible. Praise Him. He has always taken such good care of us and I love him so.

From the learning rooms... Caden is home with me today, we are learning about day 6 in creation science, the beast of the earth. In history our lesson comes from the growing up where Jesus lived storybook. Phonics reading is from one fish two fish by Dr Seuss, copywork lesson for handwriting, and in math we are working on counting by 2's & 5's using pennies and nickles.

From the kitchen... this weeks menu..

hamburger & mushroom pizza, salad

stew with crusty bread

magnificent pasta w/ veggie

cowboy beans, roll, veggies

chicken & rice

chicken mac/ salad

(out of town sunday- tuesday)

I am wearing... one of hubby's shirts, pj bottoms

I am creating... a rag rug for my master bath (can't wait to see it completed)

I am going... to town this afternoon (to the bank and to get a few grocery items)

I am reading... the evolution of a creationist ( very good book )

I am hoping... to get my housework done today

I am hearing... C getting up and giving Z the third degree about why he is still here and not at school today

Around the house... the garden is really loving all the mild wet weather, several tomato plants have blooms on them.

One of my favorite things... The wonderful creatures designed by God, such as this tiny hummingbird which, by the way, is one of many animals that defy evolution.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Getting VBS craft supplies ready, a trip to Branson for hubby and me :), starting college summer courses on June 2nd.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. Genesis 9: 13

to join the simple womans daybook click here http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

Our home schooling plans...

I have finally worked out our home school schedule for this coming year. I am blessed to have most of the books for the older children, Cadens total curriculum will cost around $140.00, very well priced for the quality of the program. I have chosen beyond little hearts for his glory for him. I recommend anyone looking for a Christ centered, complete, engaging & hands on program that's easy for mom to use to check it out.
so here's what it is looking like...

dd- 10th grade
language arts:
World literature - abeka
Editor in chief - critical thinking co. (grammar skills)
Spelling & vocab. - abeka (this is under grade level for her but is plenty challenging for her skill level.)
Writing lessons in structure & style - institute for excellence in writing.
math: Geometry - BJU
history: Geography - BJU
science:
Exploring the world of chemistry, will still need addition chemistry with labs. I will most likely go with apologia science. I may look into what is offered at the local community college.
Knowing creation a nature study
she will also be working on life skills: household management, banking, cooking & shopping.

ds - 7th grade
language arts:
God's gift of language - abeka ( used for grammar instruction)
Spectrum reading workbook - chosen for the strong use of vocab. instruction
Spelling & usage - hearthstone curriculum
Writing lessons in structure & style ( I will be combining writing )
He will also have daily reading time covering selections from the following genres: biography, adventure, historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, nonfiction, humor, realistic fiction & folk tale
math: Life pac 7th- alpha omega
history: Geography - BJU ( I will combine this subject )
science:
Considering God's creation
106 days creation study
We are looking into at least one of the following: karate or music lessons, boy scouting.

ds - 1st grade
using Heart of Dakota, beyond little hearts with daily lessons in: history, poetry, geography/ science, bible, copy work/spelling, reading & math.
history resources are - American pioneers & patriots, Stories of the pilgrims, Boys & girls of colonial days. ( all christian liberty press)
science resource - God's wonderful works ( christian liberty press)
reading made easy for phonics instruction.
math: Horizons - alpha omega

Also we will be attending our local home school co-op each week for Tuesday school activities.
It looks like a busy year, I am so happy that I will have them all home next year :)

Need to update...

I haven't kept up with my posting as of late, things have been so busy. I am thrilled to be finished with another semester of college. Finals were the first week of may, yesterday I took the CLEP test for English comp I & II..... I passed!!! Praise God that I was able to get credit for these classes because I have no idea how I would have fit them into our summer/ fall schedule if I had failed the exam. Now I have 3 weeks off :) during which I plan to prepare the crafts for our VBS and missions trip. Harry and I are taking a mini vacation to Branson on the 31st ( for 2 nights) then I return to college for summer classes June 2nd.

I have made the decision to home school my children next year. This has been heavily on my heart this year with them not being home schooled. I am certain (along with her therapist) that it is in Autumns best interest to home school (both for academic and behavior reasons.) Z would have been going up to jr high this year, and although I dearly love the teachers and staff at our small elementary sadly I don't feel the same about the high school. There is a lot of things going on up there that I just don't want him exposed to yet. Also we are having trouble in the blood sugar department, due to his forgetfulness in giving boluses and checking BS. It will be easier to manage with him at home. Caden is having a miserable time in his kindergarten trial, he is hating the long days, he's board, he's whiny and worn out by the end of the day, he is looking forward to returning to homeschooling. I have most of the materials for them already but will need to purchase Caden's 1st grade supplies. I am leaning toward beyond little hearts for his glory by heart of Dakota, the more I look at this program the more I like it. I have decided to apply for the online RN program at UACCB for next year. Taking the online course is the best way to manage the clinical days and my weekend job while still allowing me to be here to home school my children.

I haven't posted any coupon deals in a while but I have been staying on track with our grocery/ household budget of $75 weekly. Last week I got some really good deals at walmart ( shocking because I usually don't get very good deals there) here's what I got...

bounty paper towels 2-wheat thins artisan crackers

2- kraft dressing 2- kotex liners

2- pk light bulbs sure for men deodorant

frenchs mustard kraft BBQ sauce

halls cough drops lint roller

2- graduation cards trial size Colgate toothpaste

altogether I paid $8.?? some change (half of this was for the light bulbs and cards.) Several items were free or just a few cents. Next I stopped at kroger and at Walgreens and spent 1.60 at each of those stores for the following items

That's quite a bit of stuff for around & $10 all together. :)

Autumn is coming home this weekend. I can't wait to see her, I miss her so much. She is doing ok, I hope our visit goes well. She sprained her ankle this week and is having to use crutches to get around. :( I hope she comes home to stay in the next month or two, I think she is ready & am seeing some positive changes in her coping skills. I know it will be a transition for her and for us. I feel like she is much more receptive to God's love now that she had seen first hand girls that have never had love, or someone to care for them. Continue to pray for her. I praise God for what he has done for her so far. Blessings Lisa