Landform maps

The boys needed to make land form maps using topography so we used play dough. I didn't have the best colors, but we went with it anyway!! They were able to make several different forms- mountain ranges, hills, lakes, rivers, plains, etc.- and we used the different colors to differentiate between structures. This was actually for a scouting requirement and my little one joined in just for fun! All the boys enjoyed doing this little project and it was super easy.

A Fresh Start

Next week is the start of a new year for us. Fresh start! Boy, do we need it!

The past two years have been complicated...difficult...frustrating. Finally, we feel like we are getting back into focus. Family, schooling, fun. Yeay! Now, if I don't mess it up. Why do I put so much pressure on the "homeschooling" part of life? It's a huge responsibility, granted, but I'm normally a mostly laid back and easy going person. Where's all the pressure coming from? hmmm.. anyone else feel it?

I'm trying (maybe desperately) to find the balance- between achieving goals (those lesson plans and great ideas!) and letting go of the pressure. It will be a daily battle. I don't even know if I will win or quite what that will look like. But I'm ready to fight for it. I'm ready to try it again. I'm ready to let God work on me so He can work through me and reach my children.

A week ago I wasn't sure if I had done the right thing in keeping my boys home through my year of treatment. I was being tormented with doubt. It hurt. Big hurt! I questioned everything...had I been selfish? foolish? Did I damage our relationships? Would they hate this time when they looked back on it? It took some free therapy- you know, friends- to help me see the boys from a fresh perspective. They are happy, healthy, smart, friendly and GODLY children. In other words, they're fine. I haven't ruined them...

So I'm up for the next year! I will strive hard to encourage them. We will try to learn, laugh and have adventures together. And pressure- go knock on someone else's door for a change- we're too busy being a homeschooling family!

Cy's Storybook Bible part 3

Hello everyone. I'm here to tell you of me (a 9 year old's experience, from the end of 2007 to the beginning of 2008). This is a sad story what happened to my mom. One day I got up to a sad morning. At first, me and my brothers didn't know what was going on. Because mom and dad were crying and me and my brothers didn't know what to do. So we just wrote cards for them. Later they told us the bad news. MY MOM HAD CANCER. And you know what? I still didn't lose faith with God. So I'm trying to tell you guys that if we have hard times, God is still there. I want you to give me a comment if you read this about when you felt that God is not there. I've gone through a lot of hard times but I still have not lost faith in God.

If you do not know this I am going to tell you right now: everybody has sinned. Nobody is ever perfect. I can tell you that. Not even me, no way, I have sinned too. If you do not think He will forgive our sins...well, He came to earth, died for us, and we are free from sins.

Cy's Story book Bible part 2

CH: 4 Verses cont.

Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

Truthful words last forever. But lies last only for a moment. Proverbs 12:19

Doing right guards those who are honest. Proverbs 13:6

Commit to the Lord everything you do. Then your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

The path of honest people takes them away from evil. Those who guard their ways guard their lives. Proverbs 16:17

Her husband is respected at the city gate. He takes his seat among the elders of the land. Proverbs 31:23

Notes on Cy's Bible story post

PLEASE NOTE: The following entry is from my oldest son (almost 10 years old) who worked all morning on his Bible journal and I asked him if I could share it here because I felt it was very heartfelt and meaningful. He proudly presents it here for the public so please enjoy and know that I had NO INVOLVEMENT whatsoever! (And this from my reluctant writer....)

Cy's Storybook Bible

CH:1 be yourself .

God has a plan for every one who sets his or her's foot on this earth. We shouldn't give our lives to ourselves, but if you are wise... you would give your lives to God. And anybody can do that, you don't have to be famous or rich. No, you can do it no matter what kind of person you are, just be yourself.

CH :2 After our life

After our life it will be more beautiful than our earth....yes, yes it will be. You know what, right now I feel that I am so in touch with God right now I am going to bless His name right now. Holy, Holy, Holy, you are my God and I bless your name forever, Hosanna in the highest.

CH: 3 Instructions to Heaven

To get to heaven you have to tell your soul this: love God more than anything and believe that Jesus died on the cross for us, and that He sacrificed Himself for our sins. And that you can pray to God anytime you want to. So believe in the things that I say. So here are some more important instructions for life. I can tell you what- if you aren't a Christian yet, follow these instructions and I can tell you that you will completely change your life forever: follow God and have a little Bible study time because it's verse time.

CH: 4 Verses

Memory Work: He has made everything beautiful in it's time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

Look I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of the prophecy in this book. Revelation 22:7

Phonics Flip Chart

Here's my little one displaying his beloved flip chart! He has learned so many words and is getting really fast at sounding them out. The flip chart is wonderful because we can take it anywhere and he feels like such a big boy being able to read something on his own. I guess years of watching his older brother carry books around where ever we go has made an impression on him! Anyway, he found this at Mardel's and I'm going back to get the other ones soon!