Missing Camera

It's been another one of those days weeks! On top of that I can't find my camera, so if anyone finds before my son's 5th Birthday tomorrow PLEASE let me know!!!It's not much of a camera, but I've grown fond of the little guy.

Check It Out!

The 2007 Homeschool Blog Awards nominations has begun!
If you haven't been there yet hurry on over
and tell them Amber sent ya! ;)

They've only just begun

Alrighty, I've been tryin' to post since Saturday, but things just keep happening.

My mother-in-law is trying to come visit us again, 3 birthdays are about to hit next month with Thanksgiving thrown in between, so I'm preparing ahead a time, and I'm trying to keep up with school, but it's kinda distracting for the youngins (and me) when we keep hearing big machines knocking down trees.....which leads me to what I've been wanting to post about.

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that we're Breaking Ground, we'll here's where it's gonna be.

It may not look like it, but this is over a 150 ft. slope. Somehow they are gonna flip this mountain upside down, flatten it and build a cabin on it.

It's hard for me to visualize all this, but my hubby can see it. I can however show you the view we'll have. (I took these last Tuesday before the construction began.)

It's almost like touching heaven!!!

After many weeks months of waiting, this little guy showed up.

And ever since then they've been digging dirt and clearing trees.

Nothing too exciting has happened yet, but tomorrow the bulldozer is coming and that's when the REAL action is supposed to begin. In the mean time here's a few shots of what they've been doing.



I know it's not much to look at, but I did get some better shots today...I forgot to take pics yesterday:( you'd think I would have learned from my last experience to always have my camera. Hopefully I can update ya'll soon and stop by to say hello. I MISS EVERYONE!!!

Before I head off I wanted to share one last picture. It's not great, (I'm NO photographer) but I thought it was purdy:D

**YOU CAN CLICK THE PICTURES TO ENLARGE THEM**

Thankful Thursday - Breaking Ground

For almost a year now we have been in the process of trying to have a cabin built.

The first step of course was getting financed. Praise the Lord after many months we were approved. Then we were waiting for all the necessary permits needed to build....

Well, this week we finally got the green light to start grating the area where our cabin is going to be built. So, hopefully in about 2 weeks we'll be breaking ground!

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time. Ecc 3:11

The Smell of Autumn

Yesterday my husband was mowing the lawn with the children, each one eagerly awaiting their turn. As they cut the grass for the last time this year, I sat on the porch with the the baby :B While sitting there I was enjoying the smell of the freshly cut grass and the crisp autumn breeze passing by. And the smell just brought back so many wonderful memories of fall when I was a child.

I am so thankful my children will finally be able to experience the true autumn season, raking up leave and jumping in....followed by a tick inspection. Warm toasty fires while roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. And hopefully a few camping trips:)

This little stroll down memory lane leads me to a haiku poem I thunk up all by my little old self for Melissa's Haiku Carnival....please, no tomato throwing.

Excited and......

nErVOuS!

My Sister in law/Best Friend in the world is coming Sunday! I'm excited because I LOVE HER SO MUCH!!! We've been friends since I were 4 years old (I guess that gives you an idea how long DH and I have known each other.) We've gone through SO much together. She's always there for me even though we are miles apart. But for some reason every time she comes I feel a little inadequate. Please don't get me wrong, she doesn't do anything directly to make me feel this way, I somehow do it to myself.

I see how her children eat a variety of vegetable and think "I should make my children eat more vegetables."

Her children go to bed at a descent hour, and I say to myself, "I should make sure mine go to bed at a descent hour."

She's got tons of wonderful, creative ideas, and I wonder, "Why can't I think of great ideas like that?"

I know the Lord LOVES us both and created us all different, but I can't stand feeling this way. I mean we live two different lives, she has three children and I have seven, she's settled and we're months away, but I just can't seem to shake it.

I don't know, maybe it's just the thought of 15 people and ONE bathroom rackin' my brain, but I'm always up for a challenge;)

If you don't mind, please say a little prayer for me, so this feeling goes away and I can just enjoy our time together. I really do love our time together and so do the children!!!

I had a WONDERFUL Birthday, Thanks!

I don't have much time now, but I just wanted to thank everyone for stopping by and wishing me a Happy Birthday. I have a few things I'd like to share with you all. I hope tonight to stop by some blogs. Since school has started (which is going pretty well btw), I haven't been reading and commenting like I'd like to...speaking of school, I better hurry back. After school, I plan on dueling hubby at a game of pool Wii style! We're both semi-competitive ;)

In the meantime, go check out my "Go Figure" post @ MTM!

We've All Got a Touch of IT!

I read Karen's post yesterday, Do you have AAADD? I think we ALL have a touch of it, especially if you have children!

I mean today I was filling out a disclaimer for our telephone company and I asked my son what today's date was...."Uhhh....September 11th, your BIRTHDAY!!!" Ok, another DUH! moment for the books.

...Speaking of September 11th a.k.a 9-11 I just want to ask everyone to say a prayer for all people who died and for their families on that terrible day and to all the soldiers.

Also, checkout Leigh Ann's wonderful post, "It was a day that changed our nation" over at the MTM blog.


On another note, don't forget to check out the 89th Carnival of Homeschool hosted by Henry and Janine @ Why Homeschool.

By Curious George I Think I've Got It!!!

After much time praying and asking the Lord to guide me, I finally planned out a homeschool schedule that is working well for both me and my children. They love it, I love it and everyone is HAPPY!!!! So, here's the plan:

Mondays

• Bible
• Copywork (verses from the Bible)
• Narnia Audio Books
• Hooked on Phonics Master Reader (R & J)
• Primary Language Lessons (A & M)
• History
• Handicrafts
• Reading Time (mixed in above at various times)

Tuesdays

• Bible
• Math
• Poetry & Literature
• AVKO Spelling
• Science-Botany
• Arts & Crafts
• Reading Time

Wednesdays

• Bible
• Copywork
• Math
• Intermediate Language Lessons (R & J)
  
• Hooked on Phonics (A & M)
• Geography Through Literature
• Music- folk songs and hymns (nothing formal)
• Reading Time

Thursdays

• Bible
• Copywork
• Poetry & Literature
• AVKO Spelling
• Science- Botany
• Artistic Pursuits
• Reading Time

Fridays

• Bible
• Math
• Poetry & Literature
• Intermediate Language Lessons (R & J)
• Hooked on Phonics (A & M)
• Geography Through Literature
  
• Music
• Reading Time

Saturdays

• Copywork
  
• Math
• AVKO Spelling
• Cleaning (doesn't really count for school)
• Children Cook Dinner!

In the past I would feel that if I wasn't doing 5 days of math OR 3 days of science, I wasn't teaching my children enough. I'm learning to LET GO and LET GOD! I don't feel like there will be any g a p s and my heart feels content.

I pray that we will have a peaceful year full of FUN and LEARNING!!!

I love it when a plan comes together! ~ Col. John "Hannibal" Smith (A-Team)

Homeschool Open House 2007: How Our Homeschool Jouney Evolved

Tiany @ Less Of Me~More Of Him is hosting

*click above for details*

I am a Christian Homeschool Mom of 7 wonderful blessings. We are going into my 6th homeschooling year. I am currently homeschooling my four oldest children, although my 4yo has eagerly jumping into Hooked on Phonics Level 1.

I started homeschooling my oldest daughter a month before she turned six. My oldest son (4yo at the time) didn't take much of an interest in school, so I just focused on her. I must admit, I didn't do much research before I began, but it was what the Lord guided me to do, homeschool! At the time I didn't know there was such a variety of homeschool styles and curriculum , so I did what I was familiar with, traditional textbook-style. With only homeschooling one child, it wasn't so bad, we did a little bit of everything, math, language arts, science, social studies and art. Near the end of the year, my son perked up and suddenly wanted to do whatever his big sister was doing and so I googled "homeschool curriculum" to see what would pop up.

I knew now that I was getting ready to homeschool two and take care of three little ones, I couldn't just wing it like I did the first year, so I looked into a great, but slightly pricey curriculum, Calvert. The reason I was so hooked on Calvert was because,
A) it was the first in line to show up in my google search
B) it was a highly rated- standard wise (which I thought was the most important thing at the time)
C) everything was laid out for you in their teacher manuals.

So after giving them both the online placement test, I purchased the 1st grade curriculum for my son, and 2nd grade for my daughter, academically they both a year ahead.

At the beginning of the year it went slow, but smooth. I kinda started getting the hang of it are was able to juggle our schedule pretty well, but then something awful happened...so I thought. I was teaching my daughter something in science, (I can't remember what) and my son overheard us. He once again took an interest in what she was doing and wanted to partake in it. Now you may think this is terrible of me, but I tossed the idea of him learning what she was learning away!

"How could they both learn the same thing when he is a year younger?" I argued with myself. So, R did her lessons and J did his. And so it was written and so it was done!

Year 3: Two more additions to our homeschooling year! OY! What am I going to do??? How in the world am I going to manage to homeschool 4 children and take care of a baby, plus do all the other chores and tasks that needed to be done?! Without really researching homeschool curriculum over the summer, I researched the best schoolbooks used in the highly rated public schools since I knew there was no way I could afford to do Calvert again. I did however recycle some of what we had, like the reading, history and science books. I then purchased the best selling phonic workbooks, the best math books, the best science books, you name it, I got it. The main problem still remained, HOW WAS I GOING TO HOMESCHOOL 4 CHILDREN THIS WAY???

I figured out the solution, I'll buy a how to book...for classroom teachers-LOL! Who was I kidding? But I did it anyway, I bought about 3 or 4 "How to Manage Your Classroom" books. Wow, there was some good stuff in there, one problem, a lot of the suggestions were based on HOMEWORK! So I took some notes on the suggestions I could actually do and tossed the others aside.

Not even a month later I was STRESSED O-U-T OUT! On top of that, I was pregnant again. So we took a break from school--a LOOOONG break. I wasn't going to do any school until after baby #6 was born.

After V was born I decided to start back up after the New Year (V was born a couple of days before Christmas.) Things still weren't like I planned, we hit a few bumps here and there. Finally summer came! They did not complete a full year, but I wasn't too worried, because they were a year ahead. By Florida law they had to be evaluated yearly and they passed, so I was happy, but not satisfied.

During th summer, I did a LOT of praying and asked the Lord to guide me what to do. I finally decided to google everything and anything homeschool. That's when I came across the term "Unit Study!" I felt like I had breathed a breath of fresh air.

I finally found a method that incorporated all my children PLUS, it integrated different subjects! WOW, just what I needed! I came across many different unit study programs. The 3 main ones I looked into was: Weaver, Konos, and Heart of Wisdom.

All of them were great, but I had to decide which one I was going to use. I knew I wanted something Bible-based, all of them were, so that made the decision even harder. I have to say, Weaver was my top choice in the beginning, but at the time I couldn't afford it due to a family situation that had unfortunately happened. A family member had gotten into a car accident. Praise the Lord everything turned out OK, but she needed attention and the fact that she was now living with us meant we needed to cutback in certain areas.

I then turned to Konos, another great curriculum! (If you use or are going to use Konos, you can find the Konos Queen HERE!)I asked a friend about it and she gave me one of the Konos Volumes. The only problem was the book was an older version and it had been used...I mean used! Notes were written in it, pages were torn out and the book list was outdated. I later found out that the book was not originally hers. I tell you, it did come in handy though, I finally got to see what this whole unit study thing was all about. (We do use some Konos units.)

There was one final unit study to look into which happened to be the one I chose, Heart of Wisdom. The reasons I chose HOW:

1. It was Bible-based
2. It was in an e-book format (I had enough homeschool books lying around the house)
3. It fit within our homeschool budget
4. I could buy the units one at a time
   
5. PLUS, I really liked the HOW teaching approach! (I even bought the Book)

We began our 4th year in October. Our schooling was a little more relaxed, but I still stumbled along the way. I needed help, this was new to me and I needed some advice, but I was too nervous to ask, so I joined the HOW forums. They helped a little, but I still needed something more.

One of the ladies from the forum blogged at Homeschoolblogger. At the time, the word blog was foreign to me. Anyway, I poked around HSB, didn't have a clue what I was doing...then left.

I still struggled slightly with the unit study concept, so in late November 2005 I decided to give Homeschoolblogger another go. This time I read comments and started going to different blogs and found mothers who were in the same boat as me. I couldn't believe I wasn't the only one struggling! I guess sometimes we imagine that no one else could possibly be going through what we are going through, but there are. I even emailed some people asking for help--emailing was another new thing for me at the time. EVERYONE was extremely helpful!

I began to go everywhere and read everything and anything that I could, I even saw that people were mix and matching their curriculum--WHAT?! I thought that was unheard of, taking a little bit of this from one program and mixing it with that. Not only that, some would buy one Math program for one child and another math program for another child--How SHOCKING! OK, so I was a little naive, sue me.

This made me really look at each one of my children and see how they comprehended learning the best. I knew I needed a little something more, but I couldn't go out buying everything. That's when I came across another mom's blog who was also using Heart of Wisdom. She introduced me to Ambleside Online, a FREE online curriculum using the Charlotte Mason method (Robin -the HOW founder- intertwines this method of learning with hers.)

Ambleside Online was a true blessing! They have a wonderful selection of literature books available online for FREE!!! BUT, before I was going to just jump into another homeschool curriculum, I wanted to test it out. So, for one week we did the AO schedule. The children LOVED it! It was relaxing, it fit into our schedule and best of all, we were all learning! This was the first time in 4 years that I actually felt like I was a true homeschool mom! I know that may sound weird to some of you, but to others parents, I think you know exactly how I felt.

Fast forward to our 5th homeschool year (now). We started this school year off with a field trip/vacation to NC- where I currently live. To make a long story short, while we were there (here) we planned to move by early next year. I also discovered I was pregnant with baby #7!

When we got home (in FL) the packing began. We had to do more than just packing though, we had a little farm, with sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, rabbits, dogs, cats, a donkey and a horse. Sadly we had to find a new home for our pets. Thankfully we found a home for them where they would not be butchered. My aunt and uncle are taking care of the horse and donkey until we can move them up here....Anyway, my point is, we did a lot of unschooling.

Since we were not going to be with the animals much longer, our schooling focused a lot on them.


Now that we're moved, we are a tad behind, but we've been doing school throughout the summer. Since I just had a baby, our homeschool this coming year is going to have to be flexible, semi-structured, but definitely flexible. Plus, there are upcoming events happening that are going to make some of our homeschooling days even more challenging. (I plan to blog about those events soon, until then please stay tuned.)

I have listed the curriculum we are using on my sidebar with links, so your welcome to have a look see. Plus in our everyday life we are learning lessons. One thing that we do that isn't listed is, I have them do dinners on the weekend which we classify as school. They also really enjoy making dinner when guest come too, which is a HUGE help for me, while they tend to the kitchen, I can tidy up the house.

As far as where we homeschool, right now we just do it around the house, and outside, but in FL we had an empty shed that my loving DH converted into a schoolroom for us. This is one thing we definitely miss in our homeschool day, Plus, it's kinda sad that all the hard work he put into just to make our homeschool day easier was left behind. He's always thinking of other, oh I LOVE that man!!!



As far as any advise I to give, I'd have to say first PRAY!!! Then if you can do some research, and don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't have a local support group ask us here in Bloggy Land, there are many of us out there willing to help you the best we can.

Homeschool Resource books I recommend would be:

• Homeschooling Methods
• Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach
• The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas- I love this book!
  
• 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum- this may be overwhelming for some.
  
• Real Learning- I have just begun to read this, but so far the little I've read is great!

When choosing a curriculum, try not get overwhelmed and don't worry about picking the highest rated, most expensive curriculum out there, they are all good, believe me, I tried them all...just kidding. Just choose the best one for your family, of course there will be some trial and error, but the Lord will guide you to which one is right, and when you find it, you'll love the feeling.

The last bit of advise I have to give, but definitely a key point, DON'T STRESS!!!! Enjoy your Homeschool adventure and most important, ENJOY YOUR FAMILY!!! Make your homeschool years loving and memorable!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that a handful of us moms were able to start a new blog called Multi-Tasking Moms!

I am thankful that my family allowed time while I was working on this project and helping to get it up and running.

I am thankful for the awards given to me by my Bloggy Friends. I finally was able to put them on my sidebar, Thank You!

I am thankful that my Mother-in-Law is coming from NY today and will be staying with us for a few days. This is the first time she is gonna see the baby!

I am thankful that I have such a loving, Godly Mother-in-Law.

I am thankful that I'm a mom!

Fill your heart with more thankfulness at Iris's place.

There's a New Blog in Town!

A bunch of wonderful blogging moms and I started a new blog called Multi-Tasking Moms!

We are going to share a bunch of helpful tips for all moms, while havin' a little fun of course. So click on our cute little button and check it out!

OOPS! Did I forget to mention in honor of starting the new blog we're having a contest?! BETTER HURRY, c'ya there!

Toilet Flushing Phase

What do you do when there are 8 potty trained people, one bathroom and a broken toilet?

Hope for best?!

My 2yo has been going through the "Toilet Flushing Phase." First it was his pamper, then a K'nex wheel and now the toilet paper holder.

Unfortunately we didn't catch him in time and now toilet paper holder is stuck! Now our ONLY toilet won't flush properly. Hopefully we can fix it and FAST! With the weekend coming I don't think it'll be easy to get a plumber out here.

Well, I'm headed off to Ace to buy a snake.

Thankful Thursday

I an thankful for the four seasons. I have not been able to experience them for over 10 years living in Florida and now my children are able to experience them too.

I am thankful for the beautiful landscape that the LORD made. I never appreciated it so much until the first time I visited here (North Carolina). The mountains, trees, flowers, everything is gorgeous!

I am thankful for the property that the LORD allowed us to buy. It was a miracle we were able to get it. We came here for only a 2 week visit looking for some property and the last 3 days we were able to find it. It wasn't even on the market yet. This was definitely the Lord's doing!

I'm thankful today is another beautiful day, because I plan to spend it outside with my children today, so I'll end my list there and come by later to visit your blogs.

Have a Blessed Day!

Hooked on NEST Family

I don't know if any of you have ever heard of NEST Family, but they are wonderful Christian videos and Bible stories for all ages. Well, I have to tell you about what I just ordered from them! (This purchase can be completely justified, it's for school!)

Recently NEST teamed up with Hooked on Phonics (which I use for my phonics curriculum thanks to my aunt) and created Hooked on Bible Stories. I've been wanting to get this for sometime and I promised myself I wouldn't get it until next school year. Well, I guess waiting paid off because, normally it retails for $99.99, but it's on sale for $79.99! WOOHOO!

(Note to hubby) Okay, no more purchases this week Honey, I promise!

If you've ever seen or used NEST Family or Hooked on Phonics products, you know they are great quality items. Our family loves them!

Amazon Addict

Hi, my name is Amber and I'm addicted to Amazon.

Yesterday I was at Amazon again and I purchased some more homeschool books for my children. If your curious, this is what I ordered:

• The Chronicles of Narnia CD Box Set
  

• Hooked on Pre-K Super Workbook

• Primary Language Lessons

• Intermediate Language Lessons

I know it's only 4 items, but when I received my email today saying my items have shipped, I linked to my order history and it's like a mile long! Am I the only one, or are there more of you out there?

All I know is that I better stop before DH confiscates my credit card...which doesn't really matter because Amazon has them on file-BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Is it True?!

23% Geek

...Not about me being 23% Geek, but about Nessie really existing.

The other day my 9yo DS was reading about the Loch Ness Monster. Well I'm a big Nessie fan, she's always fascinated me. A HUGE monster out there, thousands claiming to have seen her and yet no physical evidence....not until they supposedly caught her on tape. Watch and see for yourself.

This was ummmm.....interesting?!

Seriously, if you are interested in the Loch Ness Monster, watch this:

• The Loch Ness Monster Part 1 of 4
• The Loch Ness monster Part 2 of 4
  
• The Loch Ness Monster Part 3 of 4
  
• The Loch Ness Monster Part 4 of 4

I think after today's post my Geek score is gonna go up!

And the Winner Is.....

Susan @ Penless Writer! There was a 3-way tie, but she was the luck lady I pulled out of the bag...not literally.

I also wanna wish Leigh Ann a Happy Belated Birthday! I hope you had a WONDERFUL DAY!!!

And last but not least, I wanna wish Sprittibee, Just Mom, Lori B & Susan luck for the Bloggy Hoss Election!

Don't Forget...

The Bloggin' Along Contest, the winner receives a
$20 e-gift card from Land's End.
Contest will end Sunday, July 8, 2007

Also, the nominations for the Bloggy Hoss Election '07
end today, so hurry on over.


Click icon for details.

And this is my DC favorite video, they wanted me to share it with you.

I hope you all had a Happy 4th of July!!!

A Happy Birthday and Other Stuff

*Click here to enter the Bloggin'Along Contest*

Today is my Mother-in-law's Birthday, so in honor of her birthday I'm posting one of her favorite songs and mine too, so I hope you enjoy.

MercyMe - I Can Only Imagine


Happy Birthday Mom!

Also, Kailani from An Island Life is hosting the Bloggy Hoss Elections '07.

Click icon for details.