tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13891168667979472042012-01-28T08:03:00.275-05:00Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.comBlogger4381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-2488543852376139432012-01-28T08:03:00.000-05:002012-01-28T08:03:00.316-05:00

I didn't participate in last week's Virtual Curriculum Fair.  Lack of time to write was my excuse.  The truth is that I really don't think I do a very good job in including "the arts" which was the subject of the week.  So, I didn't have a chance to write a post, but I sort of felt relieved because I didn't have to try to look as if I had it all together and working in the area of "the arts."

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-39586699851875100522012-01-27T19:29:00.000-05:002012-01-27T19:29:17.494-05:00

This week has gone by in a bit of a blur.  The cold that was passed on to me by my dear children and that I thought was gone chose to come back in full force as a sinus infection.  I spent most of the week in a fog before finally heading to the doctor for an antibiotic today.  I think we really did get some school work done.  I think we even got quite a bit done - except for today of course.

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-24723468268645118032012-01-20T17:28:00.001-05:002012-01-20T17:28:19.833-05:00

I am very happy to report that this was mostly a normal week for school.  Woohoo!  Unfortunately, I had the yucky crud that the kids have all recovered from, but we plunged ahead and actually accomplished quite a bit this week. Bible: We are still skimming through the Bible with a 90 day overview.  It is taking us well over 90 days because we are alternating reading with studying the

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-41587064840042087082012-01-15T11:24:00.001-05:002012-01-17T09:30:33.240-05:00

This week's curriculum fair takes a look at social studies (history) and science.  I will confess that these are two areas where I have had the most difficulty finding a good fit for our family. First, history: When we began our homeschooling journey, we were using mostly ABEKA materials (as I said in my very first post).  I really don't like ABEKA (or any traditional text book I've seen) for

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-11643630187573455352012-01-13T20:58:00.005-05:002012-01-13T20:58:55.713-05:00

Ah, a new week with potential to accomplish so much.  And yet, we were up most of the night for several nights with coughing, coughing children.  Charles has had bronchitis, and the girls have had colds (Ashlyne's was an upper respiratory infection) with coughing. Nevertheless, we plunged bravely on into school work each day. Monday: We had science group.  This was before Charles was diagnosed

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-2733384880517387432012-01-07T12:00:00.000-05:002012-01-10T21:31:40.132-05:00

This is week two of the virtual curriculum fair. Last week , we looked at the good and bad of language arts programs.  You can find my post on that here.  This week, I'll share what has worked (and not) for us for mathematics, logic, and some science. Let's begin with math. Math has never been one of my favorite subjects, so it is something that I wanted to make easier, better, and more

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-15432064846934105252012-01-06T22:03:00.000-05:002012-01-06T22:03:04.647-05:00

Let me just say that I had every intention of plunging eagerly back into school on Monday morning.  But, it came to my attention at the end of last week, that Jason was going to be home on Monday.  So, there was much pleading and cajoling(mostly by the kids but also by Jason who wanted to use them as cheap labor working in our rental house) to persuade me not to start back until Tuesday.  Then,

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-32274592679773447062012-01-02T07:00:00.000-05:002012-01-03T12:22:00.311-05:00

This week's topic is language arts.  As I prepared to share what we've loved and what we haven't loved so much in language arts, I realized that this is a REALLY broad topic.  There are so many things that could really fall under the heading of "language arts." Before I begin, I should probably say, for those visiting for the virtual curriculum fair, that I am most definitely an eclectic

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-12328753516816874252011-12-26T13:54:00.001-05:002011-12-26T13:54:21.665-05:00

One of the best things about homeschooling is that I can change and adjust what we are doing for school as it fits (or doesn't fit) for us.  When we take a break for Christmas, I take time to reflect on what we've been doing and what's working and what's not.  Even though January doesn't technically start a new school year, life seems to reset or restart in January, the new year.  So, it is

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-56674660278900931782011-12-22T22:26:00.001-05:002011-12-22T22:26:36.946-05:00

We use and have used many great resources from New Leaf Publishing in our school.  I've used the science curriculum from Answers in Genesis.  I have the original A is for Adam and D is for Dinosaur books for young children.  We have the wonderful Big Book of History- a  big book with a fold out timeline. There are just so many great resources for encouraging a Biblical world view in my

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-2165471804348102972011-12-16T20:34:00.000-05:002011-12-16T20:34:18.840-05:00

We have officially begun a Christmas Break!  Woohoo.  I seem to be really ready for a break this year.  I was a little concerned that we'd be doing school through Christmas before we could get to a stopping place, but we finished up the science module we were studying, and I declared us done with school.  We actually had a fairly productive week. Monday: School, school , and more school.  Not

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-40324306102534949362011-12-03T11:23:00.001-05:002011-12-03T11:44:05.328-05:00

Well, Thanksgiving is officially over, and the Christmas season is upon us.  Jason and I joined the other crazies on Black Friday to get a large part of Christmas shopping done.  And on Sunday we put up our Advent wreath and Christmas tree.  This week, we started our Jesse Tree devotions on December 1, we had a field trip, and we had a Christmas cookie making day with friends.  It was a

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-27586771428607362742011-11-18T13:43:00.001-05:002011-11-18T14:05:56.341-05:00

I've been struggling along for a few weeks now feeling overwhelmed with life in general.  Money seems tight.  Time seems short.  Tasks seem big.  I've been in a bit of slump, feeling like we need to get things done- yet somehow stuck and not really moving toward what needs to be done.  I've actually avoided writing a wrap up for a couple of weeks because I'm feeling so stuck in a rut.  I'd like

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-62873321824702003372011-10-28T22:01:00.001-04:002011-10-28T22:01:37.549-04:00

The title of this post is sort of misleading.  Earlier in the week it was actually still sunny and warm.  But, today has been cool and overcast, and tonight we started with a misty rain.  But, it reminds me that fall is just around the corner. We are actually wrapping up several fall activities at the end of next week.  I'll be glad for a little more free time in the schedule, and I plan

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-6735198978848940022011-10-23T20:17:00.000-04:002011-10-23T20:17:29.657-04:00

Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers is taking some blogging time off this week due to loss of a family friend.  I'm going ahead and posting our weekly wrap up because I am actually getting around to one this week. Monday, we had a mostly normal day of school work and gymnastics.  I am continuing to love our Apologia General science.  We're studying simple machines.  I don't really remember too

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-91032273098543558352011-10-15T22:14:00.002-04:002011-10-15T22:14:28.927-04:00

This week started with Monday (don't they all), and we did some school around the house and then headed to science club where we dissected crayfish.  Uggh.  I'm glad I have friends who are brave enough to attempt this.  My loving daughter pointed out that I was the only mom who put on rubber gloves before I would handle the dead critters.  I also did that last week when we dissected the

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-70286184436493302262011-09-16T22:16:00.002-04:002011-09-16T22:16:59.499-04:00

Last week was very, shall we say, challenging. I posted about it on my other blog- I'm Livin' My Dream.  This week was much easier in most ways, but it was very busy.  The next two weeks will be equally busy.  I was pleasantly surprised by how much school we were able to accomplish. Monday, we had a fairly normal day- school, gymnastics, and soccer.  Jason headed up to Charlotte to pick up

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-31183078684064232452011-09-14T13:17:00.000-04:002011-09-14T13:17:07.547-04:00

Sometimes I forget just how big God is.  I changed several things in our curriculum this year.  I had different reasons- not enough depth in what we were using, the desire to have a more Biblical focus, recommendations from others.  I know, on an intellectual level, that God is in control of ALL things and that He knows best what my children need in our schooling endeavors.  But, sometimes I

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-10679437243115665092011-09-02T21:47:00.001-04:002011-09-02T21:47:48.651-04:00

We are deeply entrenched into our school schedule now.  Well, maybe not deeply, but we are getting there. I am noticing that it is taking longer to get school work done this year- something I expected now that I have two middle schoolers.  I'm pleasantly surprised at how well the older kids are responding to the increased amount of work.  I tried to really prepare them, but I was a little

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-82326620728750493072011-08-21T21:33:00.000-04:002011-08-21T21:33:35.971-04:00

I have been doing school since June actually (with the month of July off), but I am just now getting around to writing a curriculum post.  Perhaps it is more of an organizational type post.  I did start back in the summer again this year, but I am planning to do things differently next year.  So, our year will be: Quarter 1- August-October Quarter 2- November-February Quarter 3- March-May

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-70759640890465805132011-08-14T18:39:00.000-04:002011-08-14T18:39:41.128-04:00

It is that time of year again.  Stores stock up on pens, pencils, and notebooks.  Neighborhood pools close for the year (even though it will still be hot for another two months around here).  School buses begin stopping by my neighborhood every morning again.  Parents begin making comments about how glad they are to be sending the little munchkins back to school all day. It's the time of year

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-81212116107552286582011-08-02T19:36:00.000-04:002011-08-02T19:36:07.146-04:00

This beautiful, hardcover book from New Leaf Publishing company presents Biblical history in light of modern archeological finds. It includes relevant maps and and drawings and color photos of actual ruins and Biblical objects and places. Chapters cover Old Testament events and leaders such as the flood, Abraham and his family, Moses, and the kings of Israel.  Discrepancies in

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-79140820753931334522011-07-15T17:11:00.001-04:002011-07-15T17:13:09.298-04:00

This week was an in between week.  We came home from the beach last Friday evening and today Jason and Charles left for a missions trip to Cleveland, Ohio with our church. We used part of the week to finish up reading The Last Battle, the last of our Further Up and Further In unit study.  This has become one of my favorite books in the series.  I wrote about it here. Charles also finished

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-34575296864685757632011-07-11T21:25:00.000-04:002011-07-11T21:25:35.899-04:00

Ah, after a whole school year and two extra months, Charles has finished Saxon 65.  I think I was as happy and relieved as he was.  We both did a happy dance today when he completed the final investigation. This was our first year with Saxon, and we liked it.  I especially liked it.  But, I wasn't quite prepared for the amount of work.  And, when we didn't start regular school back until after

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-68449267285367712302011-06-26T19:15:00.000-04:002011-06-26T19:15:21.383-04:00

A few week (months) ago I posted about losing focus with my blog.  I tried to blog on a schedule of sorts with some moderate success.  I've now decided to add another blog to my family of blogs.  You can visit me at I'm Livin' My Dream for homemaking information, devotionals, family happenings, and random thoughts.  You can still read here for homeschooling tips, what's happening in our

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-19033625721128315862011-06-24T20:32:00.001-04:002011-06-24T20:34:02.246-04:00

Although we've been on summer break since mid-May, this week marked the official beginning of summer.  It was hot enough here.  And, although we've been back to school (on our summer schedule) for the month of June, we didn't do much school this week. Kathryne had theater camp- Shakespeare and Stage Combat.  Charles kept plugging on in attempts to finish his Saxon math.  And the little girls and

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-10387057154309902902011-06-20T02:10:00.000-04:002011-06-20T02:10:00.331-04:00

I recently  purchased The Mom's Guide to Meal Makovers from Meal Makeover Moms. I have to say that, so far, I think this may be the most effective resource I have found to help change our eating habits.  Several years ago, I began a campaign to help us eat more healthy foods.  We did make some good changes, but after a while, some things became too difficult to keep up, and we slipped back

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-76866227684749229012011-06-19T13:58:00.000-04:002011-06-19T13:58:42.991-04:00

Jason and I were able to go to the SCHEA (South Carolina Home Educators Association) this weekend.  I was very impressed by the differences between this convention and the one we attended in March in Greenville.  That convention was sponsored by Great Homeschool Conventions.  We decided to go to the convention in Greenville for two main reasons: Ken Ham was speaking, and Tim Hawkins was

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-14001805888876522132011-06-16T14:38:00.000-04:002011-06-16T14:38:42.582-04:00

Jason and I will be heading to the SCHEA homeschool convention tomorrow.  This will be our second convention this year because we went to the Great Homeschool convention in Greenville, South Carolina in March. Going to the convention in Sumter, South Carolina each year has become a tradition.  We enjoy going alone- no kids- and having a weekend away as well as attending some of the workshops and

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-29671099357312224112011-06-10T22:16:00.000-04:002011-06-10T22:16:42.247-04:00

So, when I thought we would be less busy after May, perhaps I was wrong.  Perhaps I will be less busy in 15 years or so when all of my children are fully grown.  But, of course, we won't have nearly as much fun then; so I'll just embrace the busyness. Monday- Jason's cousin and girlfriend were visiting this weekend, so we took the whole crew- minus Jason who was working- and headed up to

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-35456364666556173432011-06-08T20:54:00.000-04:002011-06-08T20:54:11.230-04:00

Charles as the New Jersey Wolf at Kidshine

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-70730567788525160252011-06-03T10:58:00.000-04:002011-06-03T10:58:46.933-04:00

My children love to do this:  Even my big kids enjoy slipping and sliding.  Our Slip-N- Slide from several years ago had reached the end of it's life span, so I headed to Walmart this year to buy a new one. I made sure to choose one with no blow up parts, because inflatable toys and four (or more) children don't mix well.  This one simply has the sprayers and the bottom inflates with water.  The

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-6003629547039080602011-06-03T10:41:00.000-04:002011-06-03T10:41:32.025-04:00

Charlotte Mason's motto: "I Am, I Ought, I Can, I Will"- It is rich and meaningful and could be pondered and discussed for quite a while.  I've decided that in August, when we transition into our "new school year," we are going to take some time to discuss this. In Volume One of Charlotte Mason's books, she says: "'I am'––we have the power of knowing ourselves. 'I ought'––we have within us a

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-9462824413132962432011-05-30T13:33:00.000-04:002011-05-30T13:33:56.644-04:00

Just recently, our family began sponsoring a child through Compassion.  I had heard about Compassion over the years.  Most of us have.  And, it is something I had thought of but not very seriously.  After reading Radical last year, Jason and I talked about giving sacrificially.  I feel like any giving we do is sacrificially, but I'm not sure we've always done a good job teaching our children what

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-49930336095015921812011-05-30T07:43:00.000-04:002011-05-30T07:43:00.594-04:00

I am trying really hard to get back on track with some family meals this week.  We have one more really busy week, and then things are winding down.  I am hoping that we can find time to eat together every night this week despite our business.  I actually broke out my white board this week and wrote our menu plan on it.  Maybe if everyone sees it, I'll be accountable to stick to it.

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-79082978479719088412011-05-28T20:19:00.000-04:002011-05-28T20:19:09.085-04:00

I've been pondering my blog lately.  Pondering is always dangerous for me.  I've looked back over the last few months of posts and noticed that my posts have been fairly sporadic and fairly pointless.  Does any one here really care what I'm having for supper every night this week?  Honestly? I have several good reasons for my sporadic blog postings.  First of all, we have been through the

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-71674670024231657152011-05-21T20:53:00.000-04:002011-05-21T20:53:59.755-04:00

What a week it has been.  From a wedding to a funeral to a mini vacation, we've had a busy week. It began on Sunday with my nephew's wedding.  The wedding was beautiful, held outdoors.  The weather was nice, although a little warm; and we all enjoyed being with family.  Most of our family.  Kathryne didn't go with us because she had a special 13th birthday party for a good friend to attend,

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-8429923854123379252011-05-14T20:38:00.001-04:002011-05-14T20:40:21.050-04:00

As I prepared to write my wrap up of the week, I thought about pretending that I had been unable to blog this week because of all of Blogger's troubles this week.  But, the fact is, I haven't been around Blogger all week, and the only reason that I know about the difficulties with Blogger is because I saw it on Facebook (have to go play Gardens of Time each evening after all!).  The fact is, it

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-85935952043151682112011-05-09T08:45:00.000-04:002011-05-09T08:45:00.681-04:00

Last week was out last Wednesday night dinner at church, so this week, I actually have to plan a meal for every day!  Aaack!  When most of our afternoon/evening busyness is over, I'll probably take the kids to Kids Eat Free at Earth Fare on Thursdays, but in the meantime, here's five meals (with plans for leftovers on the weekend): Monday: Roast in the crockpot with potatoes; green beans

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-62137468295871260172011-05-08T19:25:00.001-04:002011-05-08T19:27:05.354-04:00

I will not sing the "We are through with school and you aren't" song.  I really won't.  Okay, maybe I will, but I will sing softly.  And dance just a little.  Because at the end of this week, WE ARE THROUGH WITH SCHOOL!!!! Now, I will insert a disclaimer here:  We do some school through the summer.  It is a lighter schedule, and we won't start all our new subjects, but we do attempt to have

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-66754013603833749582011-04-26T20:45:00.000-04:002011-04-26T20:45:15.658-04:00

"We're busy, busy dreadfully busy.  You've no idea what we have to do."- Veggie Tales "Are You My Neighbor?" I really do have a good excuse for not posting in almost ten days.  My family is moving at the speed of light.  Four children and almost twelve years ago, Jason and I vowed that we would never be this busy when we had children.  I'm now eating those words.  Unfortunately that's about all

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-2802579708070222682011-04-18T11:46:00.000-04:002011-04-18T11:46:57.027-04:00

This week is a much easier week for which to plan meals because all of our evening activities are canceled due to our local school's spring break week.  Hooray! Monday- Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak; rice; corn Tuesday-Slow Cooker chicken and dumplings; green peas Wednesday- Spaghetti Casserole; fruit or salad Thursday- Dinner at Earth Fare for family night Friday- Cheesburger pie; mac

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-25816136775024638132011-04-15T18:54:00.000-04:002011-04-15T18:54:09.996-04:00

Okay, I realize that having had children for going on twelve years now, I've already lost most of whatever brain cells I started with.  But, for some reason, I had the (very wrong) notion that as my children grew older, they (and parenting) would somehow become easier and therefore less stressful.  What I failed to read in any of those wonderful parenting manuals was that the lives of those

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-89664941574163977482011-04-10T21:34:00.000-04:002011-04-10T21:34:50.549-04:00

I am breathing deeply.  In, out, in, out, in, out.  This has been one those weeks where I felt all week as if I could not catch up.  I am finally feeling slightly more caught up tonight.  I know the feeling is short-lived.  Kathryne just this week found out that she has a part in a community theater musical for the spring.  This will involve practice five times a week for two hours at each

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-21855914226553614002011-04-04T21:27:00.000-04:002011-04-04T21:27:04.068-04:00

I have finished the Bible in 90 days!  Woohoo!  (I actually finished last Wednesday which was slightly short of 90 days but forgot to put up a post Saturday on the official 90th day.)  Once again, I was very blessed to read through the Bible in this way.  If you've never tried it, Amy at Mom's Toolbox is hosting another read through beginning in July.  And right now, she's hosting a Blogging

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-34220930333276396302011-04-02T21:12:00.000-04:002011-04-02T21:12:48.107-04:00

Once again, it is time for the (insert drum roll please) Ultimate Blog Party with 5 Minutes for Mom's! To introduce myself for those who might be stopping by for the very first time: My name is Leah, and I am a homeschooling mom of four children.  Despite that, I am, most days, a sane and relatively personable human being.  Unless it has rained for multiple days and my children have been shut

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-27065100474432317342011-04-01T21:23:00.001-04:002011-04-01T21:24:10.734-04:00

I love the finishing up of things.  Even when I am reading a really, really good book, I feel a sense of accomplishment at the completion.  So, I enjoy this part of our school year when I can see the end of several subjects approaching. The way I figure it, we have about seven more weeks of "real school."  We school all through the summer, but we do a much shorter and abbreviated schedule.  The

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-7089679987725864452011-04-01T21:07:00.000-04:002011-04-01T21:07:54.900-04:00

Before I begin, I do realize that this post is being written on a Friday, not a Thursday.  But, yesterday was rainy and gloomy and dark and nasty.  So, if you can forgive me for not being able to form a coherent thought, much less write it down, perhaps you can enjoy this week's Charlotte Mason post on Friday. When I first began exploring Charlotte Mason and her principles as an educational

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-42658307716187653732011-03-28T20:59:00.000-04:002011-03-28T20:59:22.409-04:00

At the end of this week, I will have successfully completed the Bible in 90 days three times.  Wow!  I am reading through the home stretch now in James. One of the neatest things about reading these three times has been to get to the New Testament with the Old Testament still so fresh on my mind.  I can see how many times Jesus and the New Testament writers refer back to the Old Testament and I

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-50466529183061269682011-03-28T08:06:00.000-04:002011-03-28T08:06:00.837-04:00

Monday:  Cheeseburger Pie; tater tots; salad/fruit Tuesday: Beef Tips cooked in crockpot with onion soup mix and cream of mushroom soup; rice; corn Wednesday: Eat at church Thursday: Country style steak with gravy; rice; green beans Friday:  Top your own pasta; salad/fruit

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-75481823269724336972011-03-25T22:06:00.000-04:002011-03-25T22:06:02.588-04:00

Last week was our official spring break because we had the Missions Festival at church, and then Jason and I were gone Thursday and Friday for the Southeast Homeschool Convention.  This week was back to the regular routine. Monday- We did our regular school in the morning and then had our science co-op.  In co-op this week, we looked at the brain and the nervous system and the respiratory system

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-45677879248681742362011-03-24T16:31:00.000-04:002011-03-24T16:31:39.521-04:00

One of the greatest things about using Charlotte Mason's methods for me has been the fact that I can school multiple children using many of the same materials.  Reading living books is wonderful for all ages.  Often I can read a book that is written at a much higher level for the older kids, but the younger ones listen along and learn too!  My younger children have listened to Shakespeare, poetry

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-56396116245282967602011-03-22T21:03:00.000-04:002011-03-22T21:03:22.855-04:00

I was given the opportunity to review Time 4 Learning for the last month for all four of my children.  I had looked into Time 4 Learning at various times and had even done a brief membership for Ashlyne at one point.  But, I had never considered signing up all the children and had never seen their site for older students. There are things about the site that I especially like for younger

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-26368365361160491152011-03-22T20:25:00.002-04:002011-03-24T09:12:46.895-04:00

Jason and I attended a homeschool convention in Greenville, South Carolina this weekend.  Normally we go to the South Carolina convention in June which is put on by SCHEA, but we were drawn to this first Southeast convention put on by this organization because of some big name speakers including Ken Ham and a concert by Tim Hawkins. I had already decided I didn't like the convention as much as

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-67054086922990614732011-03-17T06:13:00.003-04:002011-03-17T06:13:00.228-04:00

Nature Study: Of all the Charlotte Mason methods and studies, nature study has been one of the most difficult for me.  There are several reasons I think this is. 1.  I am NOT an outdoors person.  If it is sunny and between 65-80 degrees with mild to no wind, I love to be outside.  Otherwise, I have to make myself go out and get some fresh air. 2.  I honestly don't know that much about the

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-49111460178303068932011-03-16T10:29:00.001-04:002011-03-15T10:31:07.681-04:00

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-1962771442066609112011-03-15T09:52:00.000-04:002011-03-15T09:52:28.450-04:00

This week is our church Mission's Festival.  I always enjoy this time of year.  Typically the kids and I help out with childcare, so we get to meet the missionary families and especially their children.  It has given us the opportunity as a family to see missions in a much more real way and to better pray for our missionary families.  I was brought up in a very missions minded church, so I've

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-74547158941268011252011-03-15T09:13:00.000-04:002011-03-15T09:13:40.046-04:00

Guess what:  It's not Monday.  And guess what else:  I don't need a menu plan this week.  Nope!  This week is our church Missions Festival.  Last night, we gathered at a host house and ate supper.  I did contribute to the meal, but I didn't have to cook.  Tonight it is pizza with the missionary kids, and tomorrow is a dinner at church.  Then Thursday and Friday Jason and I will gone to the

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-63181271336191807642011-03-10T01:47:00.000-05:002011-03-10T01:47:00.607-05:00

Because I love Charlotte Mason and incorporate many of her philosophies and methods in our homeschool, I am going to try to take some time on Thursdays to talk about some of our favorite Charlotte Mason methods or resources. "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life."  Charlotte Mason One topic of study that I would not have thought of before I read Charlotte Mason and started

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-75953232233295371182011-03-09T13:02:00.001-05:002011-03-09T13:02:00.135-05:00

Boy Stuff:  My sweet boy with his Lego creation at a recent birthday party

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-61588344427330326162011-03-08T01:05:00.000-05:002011-03-08T01:05:00.213-05:00

Last year Jason gave me a Garmin for Christmas.  I affectionately named it Carmin (you know Carmin the Garmin?).  Carmin doesn't always like me because I don't go the way she says.  When I take a different turn or fail to turn when she tells me to, she informs me in an irritated tone that she is "recalculating." This is the time of year when all teachers- those of "real school" and those of us

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-38998498949847043322011-03-07T10:54:00.001-05:002011-03-07T10:54:00.616-05:00

Monday- Ravioli with red sauce or olive oil and parmesan; salad; fruit Tuesday- Easy chicken pot pie Wednesday- Eat at Church Thursday- Cheeseburger Pie Friday- Party with Friends Saturday and Sunday- Leftovers or sandwiches; frozen foods

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-83497072719472656392011-03-06T10:52:00.000-05:002011-03-06T10:52:40.325-05:00

So, I came to my poor, forgotten blog, and realized it has been exactly one week since I posted.  This is not exactly good blog etiquette.  Sometimes life seems to move too quickly for me to blog about what is happening. So, what have we been doing this week?  Since I missed Friday's Weekly Wrap Up, I suppose this will be a wrap up of sorts. In school:  We actually had a rather (gasp) normal

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-69179208794932000682011-02-27T14:14:00.000-05:002011-02-27T14:14:06.895-05:00

I am up to date on my reading through the Bible in 90 days and am now reading through the prophets.   I find the prophets difficult reading.  The Israelites have neglected God, and the word of the prophets serves to convict them and warn them of impending disaster.  In most obvious cases, we see that the people, as a whole, didn't listen.  Kings continued to lead the people in worshiping other

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-59834270820465082362011-02-25T12:00:00.000-05:002011-02-25T12:00:44.347-05:00

I'm not even really sure why I'm bothering to write a Weekly Wrap Up post this week.  I'm not sure we actually accomplished anything that I can wrap up.  Between strep throat and colds and fevers, I'm not sure I did anything this week except nurse sick children and clean house. Hmm, what did we do that was school related? * We read in Story of the World about Lewis and Clark's journey through

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-14679283043891441062011-02-25T10:18:00.000-05:002011-02-25T10:18:46.668-05:00

I rarely copy and paste other writers in their entirety, but this devotional from Max Lucado was really for me this morning, and I thought it might be a conviction/encouragement for someone else. I've had a house full of sick children this week, and that tends to make me a little self-focused, a little "oh poor me."  This devotional struck me and encouraged me to get my eyes off of myself and

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-15640295214476990412011-02-22T21:01:00.000-05:002011-02-22T21:01:00.818-05:00

I am up to date reading through the Bible in 90 days.  I am currently in Isaiah, having begun the prophets over the weekend. I breezed through Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon at the end of last week.  Ecclesiastes is rather a downer of a book.  "Meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless."  I'm glad I know the rest of the story. :-) The prophets are much more understandable

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-46838529781051343752011-02-21T20:18:00.002-05:002011-02-21T21:13:01.642-05:00

Well, as I enter into my second Gabby Mom's review for Eternal Encouragement (formerly TEACH magazine), I have a disclaimer to make, a confession of sorts: I do not like Enewsletters! I'm not sure why.  I love my computer.  I do almost everything digitally now.  But, I am not a fan of enewsletters or digital magazines.  Perhaps one problem is that I do not like to click from the newsletter to

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-87166464508112367822011-02-21T19:32:00.000-05:002011-02-21T19:32:21.397-05:00

I found another online menu planning site.  I have been using All Recipes for quite a while now to look up and store recipes in my own recipe box.  Now All Recipes has a menu planning option.  For a fee, you can become an All Recipes subscriber for access to the menu planner.  I paid $22.95 for a two year membership. This was especially convenient for me because I already have so many

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-8013508448067671462011-02-18T18:40:00.000-05:002011-02-18T18:40:39.166-05:00

Although it was another run around week this week, I have definitely enjoyed a preview of beautiful spring weather.  As the week went on, the weather became more and more spring like culminating in 70 degree temps today with sunshine.  Woohoo! Monday- We had a science time to make up because we missed last week when our hostess for the week was sick.  So, we gathered and discussed fossils and

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-88949164774416579412011-02-15T19:52:00.000-05:002011-02-15T19:52:52.642-05:00

I am caught up currently with my reading through the Bible in 90 days, and I am reading through the book of Psalms. I must admit that Psalms is my very least favorite book to read through in this way.  Psalms are poetry.  Poetry is not my favorite reading genre, but when I do read poetry, I prefer to read small bits at a time and process them.  just as it would be difficult for me to take a

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-30767045718680607372011-02-14T07:37:00.001-05:002011-02-14T07:37:00.358-05:00

Monday: Crockpot chicken and dumplings (I had this planned last week but was missing some ingredients.); corn Tuesday: Taco Pie; fruit and yogurt Wednesday: Dinner at Church Thursday: Free food at Earth Fare- I'm going to be out and about! Friday: Country style steak; mashed potatoes; green beans Saturday and Sunday will probably be leftovers, possibly homemade pizza.  It is shaping up to be

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-43550616886087017192011-02-12T19:36:00.000-05:002011-02-12T19:36:15.460-05:00

There are some weeks that make the title "stay at home mom" seem very ironic.  This was one of them.  It seems as if we were going or doing something every day this week.  School got done, but I'm not sure how or when. Monday- Supposed to be science day.  Rushed through the morning to get school finished but found out at lunch time our hostess for the day was ill.  The children were VERY

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-25145461009053413122011-02-08T19:06:00.002-05:002011-02-08T19:06:33.382-05:00

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 is an online educational program that can be used in many ways including as a homeschooling curriculum or afterschool tutorial. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-19296013809954940532011-02-07T20:20:00.000-05:002011-02-07T20:20:48.414-05:00

We are over 1/3 of the way through the Bible in 90 Days!  I am caught up with my reading and just read Esther and began the book of Job today. Esther is one of my favorite books of the Bible.  I love the inspiring story of Esther, the young queen who risked her life to save her people.  I think the romantic in me likes to imagine that the king really did love her when she found favor with him,

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-78981882484704454442011-02-06T19:02:00.001-05:002011-02-06T19:03:05.622-05:00

This is a busy week, so I am making use of my crockpot! Monday- Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings; green beans Tuesday- Roast beef in the crockpot with onion soup mix; corn; crescent rolls Wednesday- Dinner at church Thursday- Country style steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, peas Friday- Sloppy Joes with Manwich; fruit and yogurt Saturday- Leftovers and sandwiches

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-87842742739265714542011-02-04T14:11:00.000-05:002011-02-04T14:11:25.209-05:00

Well, we started out our week with Jason going to the doctor to be tested for the flu.  It turned out his test was negative, BUT he definitely had bronchitis/upper respiratory infection.  And Rachel woke up Monday not feeling well.  Jason ended up staying home from work through Wednesday, and when Daddy is home, we just don't get as much done.  So, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we had a lighter

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-81070428772815352952011-02-01T21:08:00.000-05:002011-02-01T21:08:30.695-05:00

Here's what's been going on this month: Personally- I am reading through the Bible in 90 days.  I am all caught up and reading now through Chronicles.  I am reading and blogging with Mom's Toolbox again. I am also reading and reading and reviewing on my Good Reads blog.  I've committed to a challenge this year- 52 books in 52 weeks.  It sounds like quite a bit to read a book a week, but, in

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-32451411225583211692011-01-31T18:14:00.000-05:002011-01-31T18:14:30.071-05:00

I am caught up in my reading.  We are almost 1/3 of the way through the Bible in 90 days.  I began 1 Chronicles today.  Chronicles is sort of a repeat of the kingly history in Judah and Israel that is given in Kings, but Chronicles focuses more on the kings of Judah. The first nine chapters of the book- my reading for today- is mostly names, family lines and genealogies.  I'm never sure exactly

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-91500845441622972942011-01-31T01:40:00.001-05:002011-01-31T01:40:00.310-05:00

I created my menu plan in Google this week.  You can see the whole plan (alone with some recipe links) here.

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-40710506922733527502011-01-28T21:04:00.000-05:002011-01-28T21:04:27.384-05:00

I am currently caught up in reading through the Bible in 90 days.  We are on day 26.  I am reading in 2 Kings today.  I enjoy reading through Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles.  This is Israel's history, and I definitely a history buff.  Sometimes the kings can be a little confusing.  1 and 2 Samuel deal mostly with the first kings of Israel- Saul and David.  1 and 2 Kings tell the lines of kings in

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-5231377937677470152011-01-25T04:40:00.000-05:002011-01-25T04:40:00.436-05:00

And here it is, ladies (and gentlemen)... Drum roll please.  My first product review for TEACH magazine (now called Eternal Encouragement)! I was very excited to receive in the mail a few weeks ago, my first product to review as a Gabby Mom.  Gabby Moms are a group of mom bloggers who have the privilege of reviewing products from TEACH magazine throughout this year.  I will receive one product

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-11538238459392175212011-01-24T08:15:00.000-05:002011-01-24T08:15:00.778-05:00

No fancy online tools used in meal planning this week.  I am trying to use up some of what is in my pantry and not have a big grocery trip this week, so I am making dinner based on what's on hand. Sunday- Chili and corn muffins (My football favorite!) Monday- We will be at Great Wolf Lodge with my mom.  We're taking sandwiches and snacks and may eat at Cracker Barrel on the way home.

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-46242798272751166052011-01-23T19:55:00.000-05:002011-01-23T19:55:00.187-05:00

Sometimes I feel like I am just marking time.  On weeks like this one has been, I can't wait for the spring and sunshine.  When we have a vacation planned- like the homeschool convention in March- I find myself counting the days until we go.  In the summer, I find myself planning out our schedule and constantly preparing for the school year. I stop myself when I look at how fast time has

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-87530612989476419212011-01-22T19:40:00.000-05:002011-01-22T19:40:00.764-05:00

I am still on track reading through the Bible in 90 days.  I have just finished reading through Judges and Ruth and beginning Samuel. The book of Judges is always very shocking.  The things that go on in the nation of Israel at the time are appalling- idol worship, immorality, murder.  The list is long and the recurring phrase is: "The people had no king and did what was right in their own eyes.

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-6554998000846918762011-01-21T18:34:00.000-05:002011-01-21T18:34:13.467-05:00

So, I'm not really sure what that title has to do with school, but there it is:  I am so ready for spring.  Thankfully, mixed in with the serious cold and miserable rain this week, we had one beautiful gem of a day when the sun came out and the temperatures reached almost 50.  It reminded me that spring will one day come again.  Even if they are forecasting MORE snow next week.  Uggh. In all

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-6356067059287365582011-01-17T17:27:00.000-05:002011-01-17T17:27:26.419-05:00

I am caught up with my Bible in 90 Days reading- reading now through the book of Deuteronomy.  I haven't read today's reading yet, but I plan to do that while I'm making supper. Deuteronomy marks the end of the reciting of the law.  Moses is retelling the Israelites all that God has done for them and how He has led them through the years in desert.  This was especially necessary because all the

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-1349589696196735622011-01-16T20:58:00.000-05:002011-01-16T20:58:20.436-05:00

Still using DinnerTool to plan our suppers (even though it still isn't cooking for me!). This week: Monday- Chicken casserole; corn; green beans; crescent rolls Tuesday- Tacos and fruit Wednesday- Eat at church Thursday- Easy Baked Spaghetti; salad; breadsticks Friday- Homemade pizza Saturday- Baked potato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-80482760246247825122011-01-14T17:33:00.001-05:002011-01-14T17:36:30.570-05:00

  We had snow this week.  For some of you in colder climates, this may not be a big deal.  But, here in the South, school was out for three days and all the stores were out of milk and bread.  I did not cancel our school, but I did do a more "relaxed" schedule on Monday and Tuesday so the kids could get out and play.  We picked up with a regular schedule on Wednesday.  But we did finish by

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-83150137893662316282011-01-11T13:41:00.000-05:002011-01-11T13:41:22.362-05:00

It never fails to happen.  I'm reading along quite well in Genesis and the first part of Exodus, very interested in the story of Israel, God's chosen people.  And then it happens:  I come to the Ten Commandments, and all the later law.  The whole second half of Exodus, Leviticus, most of Numbers and parts of Deuteronomy will continue to relate the law to the people.  Why?  Why is so much of the

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-67601807993627058772011-01-10T14:43:00.000-05:002011-01-10T14:43:03.386-05:00

We are on Day 8 of reading through the Bible in 90 days.  I am on track, having finished reading Exodus and will begin Leviticus today.  I always get bogged down in Leviticus and Numbers, but reading through so quickly helps me to get through those more difficult books of lists of laws and rules and helps me to see the bigger picture of why God was giving all those rules. One thing I've noticed

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-19380268877590789852011-01-10T01:40:00.001-05:002011-01-10T01:40:00.457-05:00

Sunday- Chili and cornbread Monday- Baked mac and cheese; fruit Tuesday- Grilled chicken and pasta; salad and fruit Wednesday- Dinner at church Thursday- Cheese quesadillas; grilled corn Friday- Order pizza for Charles's party Saturday- Chicken tortellini soup These recipes and planning come from yet another menu planning sight I found- Dinner Tool.  Too bad I have yet to find a sight

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-65772289483907331212011-01-07T20:57:00.000-05:002011-01-07T20:57:40.963-05:00

I am excited about something I have the opportunity to be involved in this year.  I am a Gabby Mom!  I am going to be a product reviewer for TEACH magazine.  TEACH magazine- recently renamed Eternal Encouragement- encourages women to be godly wives, mothers, and homemakers. I've never had a subscription to the magazine, but I have been aware of the ministry and am very excited to be able to

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-46774491198973829492011-01-07T20:09:00.001-05:002011-01-07T20:10:22.272-05:00

We started back to school this week!  I was very ready for the routine.  The kids were not so ready. Our week started rather roughly.  On New Year's Eve, I took Kathryne to the doctor.  She had run fever and felt bad since Christmas Day.  She tested negative for all the normal things, but her white blood counts and platelet counts were very low.  We headed to the ER.  The general consensus after

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-53593619614879153542011-01-05T20:43:00.000-05:002011-01-05T20:43:21.242-05:00

I'm reading through the Bible in 90 days again!  We began Monday.  Today I am caught up reading in Genesis about the life of Joseph. I've posted before about reading through the Bible in 90 days, but I cannot say enough good things about this program.  I have read through the Bible every year since high school.  I grew up in a church and a Christian school that taught the Bible in an

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-5513365575986165082011-01-03T16:20:00.000-05:002011-01-03T16:20:57.387-05:00

I found Monthly Meal Planner, a website that plans out an entire month's worth of meals, complete with recipes and grocery list.  You can use the given menu suggestions to add your own meals and produce lists based on those.  This is a totally free website.  I'm not sure how I missed this in all my previous searches for online meal planning, but I'll be using this one!  I have all of

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-36598230814488292052011-01-01T11:39:00.000-05:002011-01-01T11:39:55.325-05:00

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Proverbs 16:9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. I love to plan.  I love to schedule.  I love to be organized.  I really love for everyone else to just follow the plans that I have made. 

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-74226039291396077482010-12-31T23:14:00.000-05:002010-12-31T23:14:16.334-05:00

 January- Rachel in the snow  February- Kathryne at Uncle Bo's creek  March- Charles at Winthrop Lake  April-Charles hunting Easter eggs  May- Ashlyne at the campground  June- Ashlyne with a school project  July- Rachel at the beach  August- Rachel turns 5!  September- trip to Great Wolf Lodge  October- trip to the zoo  November- Kathryne on Thanksgiving Day December- Charles's

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-64094650267672967762010-12-29T20:27:00.000-05:002010-12-29T20:27:53.766-05:00

I've decided that I am very techno dependent.  My internet went out briefly yesterday, and I had severe withdrawal even though it was only about thirty minutes.  I've become quite dependent on being able to turn on any techie device whenever I so desire.  Here are my favorite gadgets: 1.  My laptop: This has to be my number one.  My personal laptop is where my love of all things technical began.

Leah Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10812333478201076333noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1389116866797947204.post-82840899743884798772010-12-26T18:02:00.002-05:002010-12-26T18:02:13.818-05:00

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