Time for Learning

I've been invited to try Time4Learning for one month in exchange for a candid review. My opinion will be entirely my own, so be sure to come back and read about my experience. Time4Learning can be used as a homeschool curriculum, for afterschool enrichment and for summer skill sharpening. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning at www.timeforlearning.com

Early Christmas Cheer

The Christmas tree has made it up before Thanksgiving again this year. With our move months behind us, this makes our apartment feel even more like our home.

Dissection

This was our first attempt at dissection. We started out with the frog as our first victim. Caleb thought it was great and had no problem cutting and slicing. Bethany, on the other hand, had to have my assistance to complete each gruesome step.

Wildlife Preserve

Bethany with the Zedonk, a cross between a zebra and a donkey.


Other fun animals we saw at the wildlife preserve.



I love this picture of the horse, that was captured by Bethany.

New

When we walk out our new home's door, this is what we see.

37!!!

37 years. The years of my life, so far. So thankful today for the life I live! I can look back and truly see the hand of God in my life from the beginning to this point in time. Even though I have spent a lot of these 37 years without God at the center, He was still working, still wooing me with His neverending, everlasting love. His gift of salvation will always be the greatest gift I will ever receive in this life.

Oh Where Has My Blog Gone?

OK. So, I haven't been faithful to keep up with this blog. I have been faithful to read my friend's blogs, on a daily basis, I might add. I have just not felt like blogging. I have sat down many times, even written drafts that I never published. I just haven't "felt" like publishing the many thoughts and feelings that I have had over the last few months. I still keep a real, paper journal, where I reflect and write about life. Writing is very therapeutic for me, but none of my writings may ever make it onto this blog.

We are still homeschooling, still moving on through our school year. During this school year, I have seen progress in my daughter, with each passing month. I have to look back and remember the journey that I have taken with my son, how I worked through things he didn't just "get" right away. He is an independent worker now, most days. I think I expected the same learning curve with my daughter. So, as every other year we have homeschooled, I continue to learn, right along with my children.

Obligatory Snow Pictures

So this our first and hopefully not last snow for this year. Our light dusting didn't fail to dissapoint my kids.

Goofy

Goofy Daddy!


Goofy Uncle!


Goofy cousins!

Winter Nature Exploration

Well, around this time of year, my kids and I both start developing cabin fever. So, I decided we needed some outside time. We took off into the woods behind our house. These are some things that are we saw.



Here are the kids collecting rocks in the ice cold creek.



Cabin fever avoided today.

Holiday Fun and a Field Trip

Well, after being gone for a few days for Thanksgiving, we are home again. Our traveling took us to South Georgia to my mom and dad's for the holiday. We got to enjoy the company of my brother and his wife and their two girls, along with my grandmother and parents. This is my grandmother posed with my family and my brother's.


This morning we attended a local performance of "The Nutcracker". This was a first for me and the kids. Bethany got called up on stage to demonstrate a ballet move, along with some other kids.



One of our homeschooling friends snapped this picture of Bethany and I, with Caleb in the background. We did have fun.

Our Beautiful Fall Day

Today, I planned to take the kids letterboxing. So, around 9:00 am, we set out on a letterboxing journey. The letterboxes make there home at a fairly new park near our house. I had no idea the exact size of the park, or the length of the trails that we were going to be traveling through.

When we arrived, we looked at the map, and the trails didn't LOOK that long. Well, about 2 hours later and with 5 letterboxes found, we arrived back at our starting point. Whew!

Part of those 2 hours included, taking the wrong trail, which incidentally, was straight uphill. (Smile) Another part was stumbling upon 3 does and one baby deer, that let us watch them, without running away for about 5 minutes. We were so amazed to be blessed by God to see such a beautiful sight.

I can say that this park, is now one of my favorites. The trails also have 2 bridges that cross over creeks, that young ones can play in. (Oh yeah, that was another 10 minutes of our hike.)

Oh yeah, I wish you could see pictures of our day, but as usual, I forgot the camera.

Whirling By

Days, whirling by.
As fast as pages turning by the wind.
Images are blurry.
I try hard to focus.
Laughter, talking, singing are all heard as days pass, quickly.
I try to reach inside to collect memories, inside the whirling, twirling, days.

Family Skate Day

Yesterday, we attended a family birthday party for a friend of Bethany's. It was held at the local skating rink. Boy, did we ever have fun! I think the hubby and I had more fun than the kids. We both remarked later, that it was one of our best family days ever.

Publix- Great Deals

I don't know if you can read the receipt, but I only spent $11.01. I saved $33.16. I am amazed at the savings. I had a coupon for every item pictured, which is what made the savings so great, only with everything being BOGO. Into the pantry and freezer, my stash will go.

My Crafty Gal

Since Bethany was small, I knew she was a crafty, creative little gal. Recently, she has had the opportunity to take a free sewing class. The class is taught by a group of women, who want to pass this art to another generation. Bethany caught on quickly on how to use a sewing machine. I have even learned some things in the process. But doesn't that always happen when you homeschool?

Showing Signs of Life

So, my blog is actually showing signs of life. Like there is actually a blogger who enjoys blogging about her and her family's lives.

My title is also significant because of the week I have had. Monday evening rolled around with me having no appetite for supper. Then Monday night...bam! I was hit with some something, me thinks it was the flu. So, the rest of the week, through Saturday, I was confined inside the walls of my house.

But today, oh today, (Can I get an amen!) I returned to the land of the living. As we drove to church, the sun shined brightly in my eyes and I rejoiced. The leaves (The ones that are still there) gleamed with golden yellows, warm oranges and reds. And the people, my oh my, I got to mingle with people. (Hallelujah!)

I don't wish sickness on anyone. But, I do know that being cooped up in a house for a week with sickness gives me a GREAT appreciation for the good health that my family and I usually walk in. I suppose that we cannot appreciate the pleasures of life, as much, without sometimes experiencing pain. As Solomon said, "There is season for everything under heaven. A time to mourn and a time to REJOICE!" Thank God, that we know from His word that our lives will not be all sunshine, but they will also not be all rain.

So, I am showing signs of life today. Whoohoo!

Our Princess

On the way to our church's harvest festival:

What a kid does...

.....when he is bored.

Procrastination

August 26th is our date to start our 2009-2010 school year. I have all of my curriculum. I have looked through it and made lists of supplies that I need for science. Haven't gotten around to the history supply list. Now, I just need to sit down and get a plan for the year. But I keep putting it off.