Where We Learn

I have really enjoyed reading about other home educating families' school rooms over at the IHOMESCHOOLNETWORK this week. In my home educating years, I have never had an actual school room or area. I'm not one of those typical moms who have maps and posters hanging on the walls with a plethora of bookshelves full of books. I want my house to look like a home when others come to visit without all the extras. I'm not one to buy a lot of big things to use and then have to find a place for it. If it looks cluttered to me, then I'm not happy. Most home educating moms are going to think I'm odd, but I really like seeing my house.

For the past seven years we have had our education time either around the kitchen table, or we were comfortable on the sofa.

                                     

This year is no different. I can't believe we are on our eighth year of home education.  At the moment our house is packed and in storage and once everything is back in its proper place, I'll post pictures.

Peach Cobbler

Peach Cobbler is one of my favorite desserts. It is the first dessert that I can actually remember having, when I was a little girl. Not only is it quick and easy, it is also very inexpensive to make. Don’t be in too big of a hurry when placing your peaches in the baking dish. You don’t want the crust to get mixed more than is needed.

~Peach Cobbler~

1 stick butter melted
1 (28 oz) can sliced peaches, in syrup
1 cup sugar
3/4 cup self rising flour
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour butter into baking dish. Mix sugar and flour; add milk. Pouring slowly to keep from lumping. Pour over butter in dish. DO NOT STIR.Spoon fruit on top, gently pour syrup. DO NOT STIR. Batter will rise to the top while baking. Bake for 30-45 minutes. The top should be golden.

Serve with fresh whipped cream, cool whip or vanilla ice cream.~ Yummy!

Key Lime Pie

My husband loves pie! He doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth for a lot of sweets. But he really loves pie. He asked me a while back to make him one, so I surprised him today with one. This pie is super easy and tasty too.

Oh yes, a REAL Key Lime Pie is NOT green! I know what you are thinking, but it’s not. I guess many people either use regular limes or add a little food coloring to the mix. I hope you enjoy!

~Key Lime Pie~

1 14oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
4 egg yolks
1/2 cup Key Lime Juice (1 lb bag of key limes)
1 – 9” graham cracker pie shell
Whipped cream topping

Mix milk and egg yolks at a slow speed. Slowly add juice, mixing until well blended. Pour mixture into 9” graham cracker pie shell and bake for 15 minutes at 350°. Refrigerate for several hours before serving, to allow filling to set. Top with whipped cream around the edge.

Blueberry and Peach Crumble

This is a simple dessert, that is a crowd pleasure. Every time I make this, it doesn't stay around long. A wonderful anytime favorite with some vanilla ice cream.

Blueberry and Peach Crumble

The fruit: 

2 large cans (29 oz) peaches, drained
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup fresh blueberries

The topping:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 stick cold butter, diced

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Place peaches in a large bowl, add lemon juice, sugar, and flour. Toss well. Gently mix in the blueberries. Allow the mixture to sit for 5 minutes. Pour into a 9X13 baking dish.
For the topping, combine the flour, sugar, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and the butter in a bowl. With a pastry knife, cut in the butter until it is the size of peas. Rub the mixture with your fingers until you have big crumbles, then sprinkle evenly over the fruit. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until the top is browned and crisp and the juices are bubbly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

**Fresh peaches can be used when in season.

2012-2013 Curriculum

I can't believe it is the eighth day of August already! Our school year was suppose to start on Monday, but we've encountered a situation that has put our starting date off for a little while. Hopefully, we'll be able to hit the books next Monday. I'm gasping for breath when I think about my sweet Jamie starting seventh grade. Where did the time go?

 I am really excited about some of the changes I made for this year. Hopefully all will go well, so I don't have to make any more. I dislike having to make changes in the middle of the school year and knowing more money has to be spent. From what I can tell, we should be able to work through what we have chosen without any snags along the way.

 Here's the mom and son approved curriculum choices ~

 Bible ~ In past years, I used a curriculum but now that Jamie is older and can spend more time in the Bible on his own, we've been using Bible study books from The Wilds.  We are going to be studying the book of James along with the lives of Joseph and Jonah. Rand Hummel is an excellent speaker and author. If you ever get a chance to hear him, do it!

Math ~ TEACHING TEXTBOOKS ~ This will be our third year using TT and we love it.

Grammar~ DAILY GRAMS  along with a little WINSTON GRAMMAR. We started Winston Grammar last year and like it a lot. We will be focusing mostly on the Daily Grams since I don't want my son to fully rely on the WG cards.

Spelling ~  SPELLING POWER ~ I finally decided to go with Spelling Power since it is a program I will be able to use throughout high school.

Writing/Composition ~ I am still trying to find something that will be appealing to a reluctant writer. So far, nothing seems to be catching my eye. Until I do, we are going to use writing prompts and a 1 minute free writing along with journaling.  History and Science will also include writing assignments.

 Reading ~ PROGENY PRESS ~ This is a new to me company. I began looking for something that would pick apart a story without ruining the moment of reading to help in comprehension. From the reviews I've read, this may be what I'm looking for. We will be starting with Johnny Tremain and if everything goes smoothly, then we'll move on to Sign of the Beaver. The book list in our History curriculum will also be used for our reading.

  History and Geography ~ ALL AMERICAN HISTORY VOL. 1 and MAP TREK  This is a change that we've made to help keep the love for history alive. We'll be doing a study on the election process.

Science ~ GOD'S DESIGN FOR LIFE from Answers in Genesis. This is one of the changes that I made and we are extremely excited about.

 Critical Thinking ~  Mind Benders and Root Words from The Critical Thinking Co.

 

My Calling: A Pebble in the River of Ministry

Not too long ago I was asked about being called into missions with my husband. In short I was asked this question, "Was I (Lori) called to be a missionary?" There is no simple answer to this question. As Christians we are all called to share the gospel according to Matthew 28: 19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  These verses are talking to every Christian ~ man, woman, boy and girl.

My Calling: A Pebble in the River of Ministry

Jesus also tells us he is sending us out in John 20:21  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.  We are called witnesses in Act 1:8   But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.   We are to have a burden for others. With this burden comes the compassion and the drive to want to tell others about the Lord. This burden may be for those in your neighborhood, or those that you work with. This calling doesn’t always mean to a foreign field. Yes, I have been called to be a missionary. If you are reading this and a Christian, you have been called also.

The Lord has a plan for my husband’s life. Since we are married, I’m included in that plan because we are one flesh. Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Whether the plan is for my husband to work a secular job or work full time in a ministry, I am called to work along side of him. His calling is my calling no matter where it may be.

Serving the Lord is supposed to be top priority in any Christian wife’s life and then her husband and family. I was created to be my husband’s helpmeet according to Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. I am to put my husband and his needs before anything else that comes my way. I honestly believe the Lord will not ask me to do something that will be a conflict in our marriage. First and foremost, I was called to be my husband’s helper. Meeting his needs and making our house a home and a refuge from the daily grind is important to me. Secondly, I am called to be a mother. At this stage in my life, I am training our son. Not only am I to be concerned with his academic learning, I am to be concerned with his spiritual life. How can I spend time working in the lives of others, while putting my son’s life on the back burner? It can’t be done; focusing on my husband and son is the will of God for my life.

When my husband was called into the ministry the first thing he did was pray. He prayed for my heart and how I would react. When he told me this, I was a little upset that he felt he needed to pray for me before telling me. I was saddened to learn that he saw something in me that would hinder what the Lord wanted for his life. Now that I look back on it, I’m glad he knew to pray for me. With prayer came a softening of my heart. When my husband shared his burden, that burden became my burden.

I would like to take this moment to talk to any single women readers I may have. If you are in a relationship with a young man who you honestly believe is the one God has for you to marry and he has been called in a ministry, you are being prepared to be his helpmeet in his ministry whether you realize it or not. Keep your focus on the Lord and you'll be amazed at where you end up.

Home Education: A Little Sacrificing

Home education is a way of life. For me it is a very serious part of my daily life during our school months. Yes, I am a parent who does not school year round. I've thought about it, and I just can't bring myself to try it. I enjoy my summer months off and being able to prepare and look ahead for the following school year without any current work hanging around my shoulders. Who knows, I may give it a try in the next couple years when my son is a little older.

I love having the freedom of choosing what I teach my son. I don't have to settle with one particular curriculum that is not a fit for our learning. If I choose, I can use several teaching methods for different subjects. I can use videos to help in understanding a specific moment in history. I really love this one... I don't have to be the math teacher! My son can pop in a CD and be taught without either one of us pulling our hair out.       ~ That's a good thing! We can spend days at museums and other local places to do some of our learning. ** Learning doesn't come from just books.**

As a Christian family, we choose to teach from a biblical standpoint. My son knows that many believe in evolution and has been exposed to some of its teachings. He also knows why we do not believe in it and will not agree with it. We have also continued to teach him about how Christians and Jews alike have been persecuted for their biblical beliefs. This is something that is not taught as much in our public school systems now days. Instead the textbooks being used are teaching the opposite; those that are known for persecuting Christians, Jews and others are being made to look as if they are a loving group of people. You can see more about it HERE.

My husband and I chose to make the sacrifice in keeping our son at home. Going from two paychecks down to one is a huge step. Over the years, I've learned how to become more thrifty. I've learned how to make many items that we use in our home. Together we have learned how to be good stewards with my husband's paycheck and any money the Lord blesses us with.  We've also learned how to trust the Lord for our needs;  He has provided each time a need came up. 

I really get aggravated by people who tell me how they wish they could teach their children at home, or bring their children back home and continue home educating them. It's very hard for me to just smile and nod my head in agreement.  I want to tell them they don't have enough faith and are not willing to sacrifice to make the change. ~ There, I did it. If you are reading this and  thought I want to keep my children at home and cant/won't or whatever eases your mind, you've just read my two cents on the matter.

I've mentioned this before in several posts...Our children are a gift from God. It is up to us to protect them at all costs. If sacrificing to home educate our children is a cost, it is well worth it.

Fourteen Years

In the fall of 1997 I met my Prince Charming. Little did I know when I agreed to play softball with some friends through church, I would one day be marrying a team mate. A wonderful, trusting personality won me over; I think the long eyelashes played a big part in it. ;)

Knowing God was in complete control of whom I was supposed to marry is an amazing thing to think about. To know God had the perfect gift for me; a gift He created just for me when I married my husband. ~ A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

Being married for fourteen years is not as common today as it used to be and I'm thankful our marriage is firmly planted in the Lord. I am thankful for a husband who will lead our family in the ways of the Lord.