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For the school year of 2010-2011 we have chosen to put our girls back into public schools. It was not without a lot of prayer, sweat and tears. I have gone back to school and will be seeking full time employment upon graduation. I will leave this beautiful blog up in hopes of helping other homeschooling families. There are lots of great links here.

God Bless You All!

On a blog break

Just a note to say that I will be away for a bit. ;)

March 1st

This year is flying by. Zoom, zoom, zoom.

Guess what?

Yes, you guessed correctly! They are calling for more snow this week! The Farmer's Almanac says we'll be getting 31 more inches during the month of March! I'm just waiting to see if it's true. Somehow, I believe it is. We've had two our our biggest snows during the month of March.

I'm finally feeling better. I've been walking the dogs this week and trying to get out of the house.

I didn't realize it but I was a little stressed about curriculum. Why did I ever doubt the Lord? He called me to use My Father' World several years back and it has been the BIGGEST blessing WHEN I am using it. I am going to share a quote written by one of my friends on a homeschool board. It describes the changes that take place in our lives when we are using My Father's World.

"The thing with Exploring Countries and Cultures (and all MFW years) is that Bible *really happens* and therefore kids/families really get into their faith. It's very exciting! It also is different because it doesn't do a lot of jumping around and surface learning in Bible. Kids almost always know exactly where in the Bible they are reading and exactly how that connects to the rest of human history. The Biblical portion is very solid and not fluffy.

But what *doesn't* happen is the rest of the education being left out. In fact, I'd say the same thing about the rest of MFW -- the learning "really happens" and you don't get sidetracked into leaving out modern history or skipping creation or anything in between. It includes things like classical composers and the arts. It not only creates a framework of understanding for the kids, but it creates a solid teacher!"

My two favorite things that are said in the above quotes are these:

1. "Bible *really happens*"

and

2. "..it creates a solid teacher!"

Some people school fine without My Father's World but these two points alone are what *I* love the most about MFW. I need the instruction on how to teach. MFW takes all the leg work out of scheduling Marie has truly created lifestyle with this curriculum and for us, it makes all the difference! It really does help us get *into* our faith. Praise God!

This year I was concerned about cost. We usually take our tax check and purchase school for the upcoming year but this year we paid off a lot of acquired debt and we didn't have enough left over to purchase everything needed. I've been hunting since last October for two years of MFW used. I finally found ECC (Exploring Countries and Cultures) used, it saved me $150. I also found Sky's math, Saxon 8/7 with the Teacher cds for $45, which is a savings of about $85. That was such a blessing!

Then my mother in law offered to help me make the rest of my purchases. I was able to purchase the first year of My Father's World Highschool-Ancient History and Literature new from My Father's World. I love that we were able to do this because I love supporting My Father's World directly.

I am waiting for Teaching Textbooks to publish their newly made year of 3rd grade. It is suppose to come out in April.

I only have a few odds and ends to tie up and all my school purchases will be complete for next year.

Today was a good school day. We are getting back on track. Sky starts her volunteering at the hospital tomorrow. Keep her in prayer.

Till next time....

February

Public schools have missed 20 days of school due to the snow so far and they are still forecasting more in the upcoming weeks. I am just amazed at how many years we've gone with no snow and all of a sudden, this year, we've been bombarded with snow.

We are doing the basics.

Language Arts

Math

Science

I'm just glad to be moving along.

I've noticed with Meadow that since we've been doing so little scheduled school she has started asking questions. I am really enjoying it. One night we orally covered spelling, rules, different words, nouns, adjectives and verbs for over an hour. She has written a letter and addressed her envelope. I'm proud of these little things.

She is also asking questions like where electricity comes from and how it works. I'm going to order a Bill Nye the science guy video for that one. :)

I just like that I can see her learning.

Sky is doing well. Things aren't moving as quickly as I would like for them to but I'm thankful they are moving.

Sky is starting a Jr. Volunteer program at the hospital. It's sort of a scaled down Candy Striper program. She'll be assisting the Activities Coordinator. I'm hoping that as summer draws closer that it will develop more into the duties of a Candy Striper. I'd like to see her responsibilities increase at the hospital over time.

All is well here at Kingdom Academy.

Calling For More Snow!!

As a matter of fact, its snowing right now! The girls are so excited. We usually school through this kind of weather in the winter but I'm not feeling my best so both girls still have friends over. They are running in and out of the house right now laughing in the snow and it's midnight. Not the typical scene I'm sure but a memorable one for sure.

I had a doctor's appointment today and had some blood work done, it'll be nice to find out exactly what is going on with me. That is my prayer, that this problem reveal itself so the doctor's will know how to treat me. I want to feel better.

I'm resting this evening in His peace and His presence, reminding myself that all things have a purpose and praying that I hear what my Father is speaking to me now.

Snow days! Laugh out Loud! Public schools haven't had one day of school this week. Make up days will run well into June. I hope the girls will build a snow man if we get enough snow. I'll be sure to post pictures if they do.

God Bless!

Learning to Count Blessings

Sometimes the lesson is to count your blessing when you can't see them. It's always hard to remember to see things through spiritual eyes. As most of you know I've had a rough couple of weeks. This weekend wasn't any easier.

We got more snow! That is a blessing I can see! I love the snow! But it was also my time and it really through me for a loop. I don't think there has been extra stress I just think I've been weak and haven't handled the stress as well as usual.

Then the lady that I had mentioned that I was purchasing the used MFW from hasn't contacted me. I've been praying fervently for her because it's like she just dropped off the face of the of the earth. That generally doesn't happen once you've exchanged weeks worth of e-mails and set prices on things.

Then I had another lady send me an e-mail that she had a kit that contained almost all of the consumables included which made it a much better deal because I wouldn't have to add to it to complete. If any of you have ever had to piece together a kit sometimes its easier to buy it done for you!

Some how though things have just fallen apart with this deal too. I'm heart broken. Sometimes it just seems like life throws more curve balls then I can handle. Even though I didn't want to admit it I needed to find these kits at half price.

Tonight in church our lesson was seeing things in the spiritual. How we get so caught up with things in the physical: jobs, money, family and the days ins and outs of things. So tonight I'm asking God, what is it Lord that You want me to do? Give me peace and provide. Forgive me where I fail You and strengthen me to handle things with love the way You would. Your word says whatever is bound on earth in Jesus' name is bound in Heaven and whatever is loosed on earth is loosed in Heaven. Father, I bind my flesh and anger and I loose Your gentle loving patience. Lead me and guide me. In Jesus name I pray.

They are calling for more snow Friday night. I can hardly believe it.

God has given me a budget. He'll meet it, one way or the other. He'll either send me the right family to sell to me half price or He'll provide for me to purchase new from My Father's World.

Listen to this song: The Lord just laid it on my heart. I know it'll take a few minutes but I promise you will not regret it. Close your eyes and seek Him. I'm going to seek Him.

Rainy Days

It's been raining really hard since yesterday. I couldn't sleep last night so I didn't get up as early as I had planned and that set our day back a little. I worked right through, we've had to school this evening but that is okay. School is getting done.

So is house cleaning. We've gone through and dusted, swept, mopped, vacuumed and put everything in its place. I love how the house feels when that is done. I still have a little work left in the kitchen where we still need to paint. Hopefully we can finish that soon. I've been procrastinating. :)

I'm working on getting us through the general basic subjects and trying to get back into our history studies with MFW. We still have state and president sheets to finish along with our study of the state birds. No hurries. We have plenty of time but I'm ready to get started. I loved the history reading that I blogged about in my last post. I don't think the girls were as keen on it as I am but I suppose if you don't have history lovers that is to be expected.

I have found someone that is selling both years of My Father's World that I need for next year at 1/2 price. She also has some English, Science and odds and ends that I was looking for also. I'm quite thankful. The Lord continues to bless us in small but yet great ways.

We give love offerings to God's Word for the Nations and I order any extras that are missing from My Father's World to make sure we are still financially supporting them even though I am purchasing used curriculum.

Taxes are filed and I can't wait to place my orders for new school! It's an exciting time in my home.

Sky and I are getting ready to read The Hobbit and I'm going to order the audio cds to this. I can't wait! She could. Sigh... but thats okay.

Tonight I was sitting here on the couch calling out spelling words from Spelling Power to Meadow while our lovebird Mary sat on my hand. Tony was on the loveseat with his hat pulled over his eyes and Meadow's friend Brittany-who is here for a sleepover- was sitting beside me. I had such a sweet feeling. I am so thankful that the Lord has called me to homeschool. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to really be with my children. I love the closeness, the talks, the time. Priceless.

All the money in the world couldn't bring a better life.

Highly blessed and favored!

I'm looking at a neat virtual homeschool group online that has live classes for two of Sky's subjects next year. They don't have schedules up yet but if they offer Apologia Physical Science and Saxon 8/7 or Algebre 1/2 (pre algebra) then I'm going to let her take those classes through them. They have real teachers and those teachers will grade her work. I'm praying this works out. It will help me out so much and I feel it will help Sky as much me. I'd feel really good having someone else look at her work too. Many pluses here so be praying that this works out for us!

I'll be sharing all my new buys soon. :)