It's hard
to believe that another year has ended. I am so glad that we
have our trust
in the Lord. Otherwise the future that looms ahead
would seem daunting.
But I know He has promised to take care of
all our needs
according to HIS riches in glory. And THAT'S ALOT!
The girls and
I took a 3 week break from our regular routine
from Dec.11th
through January 4th. But we were kept busy
with LOTS of baking,
sewing Christmas gifts, wrapping,
decorating and
learning about HOSPITALITY as we served
our holiday guests.
I can't help but
feel that teaching things like that to these
future wives and
mothers is as important as teaching them
their math facts
and spelling words.
But now we are
back to a full schedule.
And my heart is
just overflowing with gratitude to my Heavenly Father
for all that He
provides. And for the blessing of keeping my children
home with me.
WHat a privilege to be able to teach them and prepare
them for their
future...rather than turn them over to a complete
stranger for 7-8
hours per day.
My greatest challenge
now is keeping up with April, my high schooler.
She is plunging
along at a rapid pace with her study of Poetry,
American History,
English and Math. I am a terrible Math student so
I have asked "Dad"
to step in here and tutor her a few nights a week.
I have another
surgery coming up in a few weeks.
It is a very serious
operation on my spinal chord. But we are
praying that this
will give me back the use of my legs and free me
from some of my
pain.
I have been learning
to live life in a wheelchair since Thanksgiving
when everything
shut down. But God is so good.
I have learned
to cook and even mop the floor all from the chair!!
Praise Him!
It is my prayer
now that 1999 will prove to be a year full
of blessings,
learning and love for my children and family.
Summer
1999
We have been enjoying a wonderful summer of "Fun in the Sun", Softball Tournaments, reading LOTS of classic literature and of course a "light" schedule of learning!
Each of the girls have chosen two subjects to work on through the summer...usually the one they feel they need the most practice with.
Emma is starting to read through The Chronicles of Narnia as well as a few other free-reading books we received FREE from one of our favorite book distributor's, The Timberdoodle. And I also ordered her a new "CalcuLadder" workbook to increase her speed and accuracy with her math facts.
Erin is keeping a journal she has entitled, "My Summer" so that she can keep brushed up on her creative writing. I bought her one of those inexpensive, pretty hard-bound blank books so that it would be something she could keep forever.
Erin is also reading through Timothy LaHaye's "Left Behind" series for kids as well as lots of free-reading books from the library.
April is working through the "Key To:" series of math books. She is doing the Fractions and Decimals this summer and I'll probably get her the one on percentages in the Fall.
I bought April a wonderful book from ABEKA Book entitled, "The Real World" and it covers many important areas such as managing finances, relationships, alcohol & drugs, getting a job, etc. It is intended to prepare the High school student for life after graduation. There are practical applications as well as a few comprehension questions with each lesson. I highly recommend it!
April is also doing a lot of summer reading this year. She completed "Mice to Men" in 2 days and is planning to read several other great classics
I thank God for children who love reading and books as much as I do!
The girls have done quite a lot of science projects this summer such as Emma's building a mechanical flashlight, Erin put together a human skeleton and April built the skeleton of a horse.(All with kits from The Timberdoodle, of course)
I feel very good about the girls learning expreiences this summer and I'm making sure there's plenty of time for summer fun!
December 1999
I always enjoy the month of December with my girls! We put aside most of our text books and "formal learning" and we do lots of FUN reading, crafts, LOTS of baking, shopping, gift wrapping, decorating the house, filling out Christmas Cards, singing Christmas Carols and celebrating the birth of our Saviour with our family and friends. What a joy to be able to make our own schedule....one of the many JOYS of homeschooling!
I also have spent some time in the hospital this month again. And we now have a new "scare" of "masses in my lungs" that the doctors found inadvertently during a CAT scan. Alan and the girls are worried. I am only numb. I am confident that we will get through this battle just as all the others. And we will learn NEW lessons with this NEW battle. There are reasons for each one.
I suppose this entry isn't too helpful to anyone. I would just tell any homeschool Mom's to RELAX and really ENJOY the holidays with your children. Put the math and science books aside and show your children how to budget their money for gifts for everyone on their gift lists... let them help you with the measuring and baking of cookies and breads. And teach them the importance of "Christian Hospitality" as you entertain and welcome your Holiday Gifts. I assure you that THESE lessons will serve them much more purpose in their futures than dissecting a frog or learning a new Algebraic equation!
I wish you all a joyous Holiday Season
~I'll
update this page from time to time.~
*
If you ever
have a specific concern or question regarding
HOMESCHOOLING
send me an
E-Mail and if I don't know the answer myself
Homeschooling
through Adversity