Ancient Paths

iPad Giveaway

2012-02-12T21:59:00.000-06:00

Apps School is giving away and iPad 2 with a whole bunch of apps. Go to http://www.apps-school.com/giveaway.htm to enter.

Really. Who doesn't want an iPad?

Ready? Set! GO!

2012-01-15T21:02:00.000-06:00

Late in 2010 the Lord began a work in me that took me by surprise. It started first with this video. Then came the video that the Lord continues to speak to me through.

For the first time last year I named the year with one word. 2011's one word was New. I felt like the Lord told me to name 2011 the year of NEW. I can honestly say that there are many NEW things about me and my life but while in 2011 I felt as though nothing was new. I didn't realize that there were new things happening inside me. In the moment (year) I felt like a failure. I felt like nothing was new at all.

Well December of last year (I love saying that!) rolled around and I began to pray and seek God for 2012's one word. At first I wasn't getting anything. I prayed and I could hear the crickets chirping between here and heaven. I began to wonder if last year's one word was just something I wanted and not what the Lord had spoken at all. That would explain why nothing felt new. Yes I was starting to see the error of my ways in naming 2011.

One night about a week before Christmas I was drawn to You Tube to watch something a friend had told me about. Note that I wasn't praying about One Word 2012 or even thinking about it at the time. While there I watched the above video again after not watching it for a while. I usually watch it every few weeks but life had just kept me from going there to watch. As usual the video went straight to the deepest part of my soul. I was reaffirmed in some things the Lord had told me previously and then.....right there on the screen was the word GO. The Lord said "Paige, GO now. 2012 is the year of GO. Go do all the things your mind lingers on in the dark of night when sleep is scarce. Go and move out into the calling I've given you. Above all else be ready to GO whenever I tell you to." My whole body was electric in those seconds. I almost didn't believe what I heard. GO and not be still? GO and not be patient? Go and not "Not right now. You aren't ready yet."? GO! Really?

Lord did You just release me into the ministry You have crushed my heart with? Did You? Really?

I wish I explain what all GO means but I truly can't fathom it all right now. I'm still a bit in shock. There are a few things I consider minor that I know He told me to act on and I'll be doing those soon. Subscribe to my blog in your favorite reader to stay up to date. All I know right now is that I am NEW and last year was a holding year while He made many things NEW inside me. There are not words to describe how different I feel. I look the same. Sound the same yet inside me is a different perspective that is starting to come through around my family. Of course there is still a lot to be changed into His likeness but I'm making progress and I know it.

2012! Here we come!

What's your One Word for 2012?

I Wasn't Prepared

2011-11-23T02:32:00.000-06:00

I wasn't prepared for what I read just a moment ago over at Lisa Notes. She wasn't prepared either. Her post hit me like a brick. Living in Nashville I see homeless people all over the place. I can't help but wonder if I'd been more prepared what could I have done in the past. I just know that I'll take this idea and get prepared from now on.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

Joshua Got His Green Belt in Tae Kwon Do!

2011-11-19T22:17:00.000-06:00

I've got video and a few pictures to share of Joshua testing for his green belt and then the promotion ceremony. He's thoroughly enjoying doing Tae Know Do and I'm excited at how good at it that he really is. I look for him to go very far in this. His goal is obviously to get his black belt and then keep it. Here he is testing for his belt.

And here he is receiving his green belt.

Now I've got to buy sparring equipment! I don't know if I'm ready for that. Here is a picture for his Meme because I know she loves the still pictures.

Love you Mom, Dad, Fred, and Joan!

Hello Mornings

2011-09-17T20:04:00.000-05:00

I've followed Kat over at Inspired to Action on twitter and through her blog for quite a while. I'm ashamed to admit how long I've been familiar with her blog yet never read there much. A few weeks ago the Lord began to do some things in me and I found her blog and began to read. I was instantly impressed for a couple of reasons. 1. She totally must have a camera in my house. 2. She has written some excellent things to help me and anyone else that cares to read them and put them out for FREE. Now I have no problem paying for the work that people write or create but put quite simply money is very tight right now. I can't express how blessed I am that her materials are FREE. Did I mention they are FREE right now?

One thing I struggle with is is going to bed at reasonable time and getting up early in the mornings. I've always struggled with this and I hate that it's so hard for me to do what I need to do to take care of my family and myself properly. I WANT to get up before the sun rises and have my quiet time with the Lord but I don't. I WANT to be up and showered before the boys so that I'm ready to tackle the day with them but I don't. I DON'T WANT to be exhausted and short tempered with my boys and husband but I am. I DON'T WANT to be consistently behind in house work and laundry but I am. The answer is so simple. Go to bed early and get up in the morning early. By doing this I would have my sweet time with the Lord before the day. I would be showered and ready to cuddle with Jacob when he wakes. I love having a few minutes to sit and hug him and discover what's in that brilliant little 5 year old mind. If I woke early I could have Bible study with Joshua.

I've read so many books, blog posts, Cd's etc. on this very topic. We as Christians and homeschoolers have multitudes of help out there to us and I've used facets of all of those materials. But I never was able to make them my own, so to speak, and follow through with them. It's hard to take someone else's specific answer to prayer to their own issues and make it your answer to prayer to YOUR specific issues. If you know what I mean. All the other materials out there have helped and I've used them in some fashion. Kat's materials have been different.

So what made Kat's materials different for me you ask? I'm so glad you asked!! Kat kept things simple and gave step by step actions to take to help you begin to Maximize Your Mornings. She doesn't cram her specific morning routine at you and tell you you are failing if you don't follow it to a T. She includes forms for you to fill out that will help YOU develop YOUR OWN morning routine. The best part? Maximize Your Mornings is only 32 pages long! I was able to read it in one sitting and the forms were not time consuming in the least. They were direct and to the point. Time is of the essence for me. If I'm sitting down not doing anything something is not getting done (I won't bore you with how many loads of laundry aren't done and how bad my living room and school room look right now). I needed straight forward and Kat gave it to me. Kat has also graciously included calendars that will help you pray for your kids and husband and so much more. Really!! All FREE. Did I say that already? Be sure and read through all of Kat's resources HERE.

So this next week begins a NEW journey for me. I'm going to set my alarm and get up early no matter what time I go to bed. I'm going to do that until it's a habit for me. I'm going to do my best to go to bed earlier. If I'm up earlier and getting things done it should be easier for me to go to bed without feeling like late night is the only time I can get some things done....or feel like that's the only alone time I can get.

I know this will be hard. I know there are days when I will want to just give up and go take a nap. But I'm committed to changing things. I'm tired of feeling like a failure.

Is there anything that has motivated you to action lately? Tell me about it. I'd love to hear all about it.

Mirror, Mirror On The Wall, I Don't Like What I See

2011-09-09T00:57:00.000-05:00

It's 9:45 and the lights just went out. I'm laying there with heart aching after reading about the suicide of Trey Pennington. I'll ready admit that I didn't know Mr. Pennington. I didn't even follow him on twitter. What weighed so heavy on me was how hopeless he must have felt to make the choice to end his own life. I thought of how hopeless I've been at different points in my life. Many years ago I was very near suicide. As the tears begin to flow I try to conceal them from my husband laying next to me. I don't want to have to explain my shame if he asks me whats wrong. I'm consumed with the children who are starving, dyeing of preventable diseases. How hopeless must they feel? That hopelessness eats them up from inside.

I'm standing in my (admittedly) small kitchen railing about the injustice of having to endure this travesty of a kitchen, house even. I'm angry. I'm fussing because there aren't enough pots and pans to cook the way I want to. My kitchen is the size of some families HOUSES. I wish I could tell you I realized my own travesty right there in my kitchen and stopped dead in my tracks. Sadly, I did not.

That night the tears flow hot and I look in the mirror and I don't like what I see. Shame and disgust eat me up from inside. I cry out to Jesus and tell him just what I think of myself. I fully expect the disappointed silence.

His arms around me pulling me up into His lap, holding me tight, so there's no question Who has me. He says "I know but I still love you." and I feel it in my bones. I KNOW He does still love me. Really? This black heart? You still love me? INCONCEIVABLE!! How? Why? "Because you hate the black Paige. You keep pressing into Me so I can wash you white as snow." I do? I don't feel like I do. I feel like I stand and spew black sickness all over my kitchen and house because I'm a self absorbed, whining, bratty child. No more words, just arms so strong and safe I know the truth that is HIM. He need not speak. I know and feel His truth in His all consuming grip.

You've probably noticed a bit of a focus change here on my blog over the last few weeks and even this year. God wrecked my whole idea of life before Christmas 2010. I've not known what to do with myself, this blog, since then. The last few weeks the Lord has been making my call clearer. Things carried from childhood are starting to make sense. Things that didn't make sense before are getting clearer. Praise the Lord!!

I'll still write about homeschooling and my family. I'll just be sharing more about how I'm learning to live in this first world with one foot firmly planted in the third world. There is so much He wants us to learn. So much He wants us to do. Life won't be dull if you'll step into God's story with me. You won't be able to control it at all but in the end that's where the Life Abundantly will come from.

In honor of Shaun Groves new record Third World Symphony I'm starting a Third World Thursday meme. What is Third World Thursdays you ask? Every Thursday I will post something in regards to third world countries, the children and families that live there, their living conditions, how I'm helping a child or family in a third world, how I'm reconciling our first world with their third world, Compassion or any other child advocate organization, projects these organizations are creating to help release children from poverty, a child that needs sponsorship or clean water or food. You get the idea. If you are blogging about third world issues, children, needs, or even how to live more simply so that they can simply live, this is the place to link up. The linky will be active from Thursday to Wednesday for each week. Come and join me as I seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus for the least of these.

Ready! Set! Go!

Meet the Newest Member of Our Family!!!

2011-09-07T15:50:00.000-05:00

I can not tell you how excited I am to post this news!! This was a long time coming for our family too! Today Joshua and I ended up having a very serious heart to heart talk about many things but in the end we found ourselves at the Compassion website looking over profiles of kids that needed a sponsor. I picked the country and Joshua set about looking over boys profiles and reading about each one. He settled on this handsome guy and I immediately felt that this was the child the Lord would have us sponsor. We prayed about it and we both agreed that this young man was the one. So without further delay let me introduce you to....

Dawit from Ethiopia

Dawit is 12 years old and his favorite activities are soccer, swimming and singing. Maybe one day we'll get to hear his sweet voice singing praises to the Lord.

We'll be patiently waiting (yeah right) for all our paperwork from Compassion so that we can begin writing letters to Dawit. I can't wait to tell him how much Jesus loves him and how much we love him too.

Stay tuned as I hope to be able to share about Dawit and the work of Compassion frequently.

Praising Jesus!

Paige

Third World Symphony

2011-09-01T17:30:00.001-05:00

I'm 2 days late for this and that truly breaks my heart. On August 30th Shaun Groves newest album debuted. Third World Symphony has been a long time coming for Shaun Groves. You can listen to the whole album AND you can download for FREE the single titled All Is Grace. Remember your purchase of Third World Symphony will help many a child be released from poverty.

Go on!! Why are you still here?!? Get on over there right now and check it out.

I've Chosen Walls

2011-08-10T11:55:00.001-05:00

It never fails. Her words catch me and incise my heart. I'm weeping before I know what happen. She's talking about my life, right, otherwise this wouldn't chisel away at the hidden pain and reduce me to rubble.

I'm asking myself the same thing Ann Voskamp asked herself a few years ago. "Do I count the times I have chosen to stare out at the obstacles, chosen obstructions, as my spiritual landscape?"

8 months into this year of New. So many new things have already happen. So many things still just the same. The same because I chose walls. I chose to look at the obstacles and believe that they win. The view looks impossible. "But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those the love Him."

My heart shattered for "Jake" the motherless and fatherless child in China.

No money. A house already bursting at the seams. No medical insurance. My enduring failure to be the woman, wife, mother that I want to be.

Still no sponsorship of any of the millions of needy children in the world. Struggling between each paycheck yet living a life so full of indulgence. Shame. Guilt.

Walls, created and chosen by me, lying about my view. 5 months left to choose my view. 5 months for the Lord remove this heart of stone and replace it with His heart.

"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekial 36:26

P.S, If you are interested in more information about adopting "Jake" please send me an email and I'll put you in touch with the right people.

2011-08-02T10:35:00.000-05:00

Just updated our 2011/2012 curriculum page. See it here.

HCG Diet Update, Bible in 90 Days, School Rooms etc!

2011-07-11T22:17:00.001-05:00

I know it's been a while since I posted (as usual). As always life is crazy. When I started my HCG Diet I was visiting my parents in MO. My visits there are alot like vacation for me because I get to eat a lot of things that only my mother can make the right way :o) Like potato salad and chicken and noodles. I really shouldn't have started the HCG while I was there. So after a few days I decided to stop and wait until I came home. Well I came home week before last. I've not mentioned it much on my blog but I really want to run...like marathons...like really long distances. I got home and the next day I got an email Fleet Feet that they were starting a couch to 5K program THE NEXT DAY. Have I mentioned how much I really want to run? So I decided to jump in and do the couch to 5K with the Nashville Fleet Feet group. So HCG is on hold right now while I train to ~~kill myself~~ run a 5K. A 5K is a little bit over 3 miles for the folks who might not know. I can barely run for 1 minute straight right now. This should be fun!! So I'll see how much weight I lose training and see whether I need to do HCG after that or not.

I started the Bible in 90 Days today too. If you would like to join in on reading the Bible in 90 days check out the specifics at Moms Toolbox. For the most part I'll be using my Iphone's You Version app to read every day. If you are reading the Bible in 90 Days and you have an Iphone or Android phone check out the FREE app for reading the Bible.

Lots of things going on around my house right now too. We are moving all but 1 bedroom to make room for a school room in our downstairs area. I've tried to do school down there before but it's mostly underground so it's dark and ~~moldy~~ fragrant. I started thinking about painting and making it all fun and inspiring. My awesome husband just rolled his eyes but thinks it's a great idea. So I'm in the process of cleaning one room at a time as I get them ready to move around. This will be a lot of work but well worth it in the end. I'll post pictures because I FOUND MY DIGITAL CAMERA!! Yay!! Now if I could just find the plug that charges the battery so I can use the camera I'll be doing great. EDITED to add: I found the plug for the battery charger of my digital camera!! See! That's why happens when you clean a room from top to bottom (insert rolling eyes here).

Always chaos but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!

Now off to bed so I can get up at 6 a.m. and run...with Joshua....that's my favorite part of training. He's training to run the 5K with me.

HCG Diet Day 3

2011-06-16T10:12:00.000-05:00

I weighed in at 153 this morning. Down 5 lbs from yesterday already and I'm still fat loading. Today is my last fat load day and I've decided to just eat what I want and not try to push eating. I look less bloated in my face already. I knew this was going to work but I'm shocked that I've already seen some changes with out doing the low calorie portion of the diet. I suspect things are going to happen quick after tomorrow!!

SO READY!

HCG Diet Day 2 with Links

2011-06-15T22:30:00.000-05:00

Today was another fat loading day for me. I am really having to make myself eat. I had several pieces of bacon and eggs fried in bacon grease for breakfast. I then had 2 cheese burgers and fries from McDonalds for lunch. I've had a third of a bag of chips with dip and chocolate bars. I'm also drinking coke's like crazy since I won't be drinking them much after this. I've decided that even after the diet I won't go back to drinking them. I've long wanted to give them up but was just not motivated to do it. I'm about to have some Breyers ice cream before bed.

I weighed in at 158 this morning. I knew I would gain with all the eating I'm doing but I can already tell that the HCG is working. I'm not hungry at all. I'm a bit surprised because I gained but my shorts were looser on me today and I had to keep pulling them up. I think I'm not retaining water like I was.

We shall see how this goes. I've got tunnel vision with this. I'm going to do this and follow it through. I'm so ready to be done with this weight.

Here are some of my favorite HCG links as this point.

HCG Blogs I like:

http://gettinfitandtrimkim.blogspot.com/ This was the friend online that I talked to about doing HCG.

http://hcgvictoria.wordpress.com/

http://hcgliving.blogspot.com/

A Good Source for HCG:

www.betterhealthhcg.com

A Yahoo Group for HCG dieters:

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/hcghomeopathicweightlossmethod/

You can find a free PDF copy of the Pounds and Inches book by Simeons at the yahoo group after you join and or at www.betterhealthhcg.com

I hope that as I record my experiences here some of you might be inspired to make some changes too.

The Bruins won the Stanley Cup!

Paige

Day One of a New Physical Me

2011-06-14T16:58:00.000-05:00

I know I've neglected to post anything for so long but life has been a bit on the crazy side lately. When the Lord told me it was going to be the year of New boy did He mean the Year of Completely NEW!

First I was baptized on May 29th after loving the Lord for 21 years!. More on that later. The first half of the year brought some serious trials and reflections on my walk with the Lord over these last 21 years. It culminated in me finally being baptized.

Second, today I begin doing the HCG diet. I've not been happy with my weight for several years now and I couldn't get started on any significant change no matter what I did. I needed a boost and after many months of research I feel like this is the key to the boost I need. I first heard about HCG when I ran into a lady I only new casually and she had lost many pounds. She was large before she started and now she was really thin. I looked into HCG then but didn't pursue it. Some months later I came across an online friends blog where she had kept a daily log of her first 2 rounds of HCG. I researched more this time but still did not pursue it. That was in April of this year. I'm in MO right now visiting my parents and when I come here to the NW Ark area I go to a Chiropractor that I really like. I walked in Friday to get an adjustment and low and behold he HCG drops and info in office. I STILL did not buy the drops but I went home with HCG heavy on my mind. The next day Mom and I were going shopping and I got very frustrated because I didn't have any clothes that fit me and I felt I looked so bad in what I did have. I work jeans on a 95 degree day because of how I felt my shorts made me look. I decided that morning I was going to do HCG. I went and picked up the HCG drops from my Chiropractor yesterday and began round 1 this morning. I can do more than 1 round of HCG but I don't know if I will do 2 rounds or not. It will depend on what happens with this first round.

I realize some of you may have never heard of HCG or know very little about it. Albert T. Simeons MD came up with this protocol back in the 1940's. He published a book detailing how he discovered this information and who to treat those patients that were obese or needed to lose weight in a book called Pounds and Inches: A New Approach to Obesity. You can read that book HERE. I got my drops from my Chiropractor but once I go back to TN I will buy any more drops I need from Better Health HCG.

This is so difficult for me to do but I'm going to put my beginning/before pictures up for you to see. It's so hard for me to look at pictures of myself right now and the thought of those pictures being up for the whole world to see is a horrifying thought. But I feel that anyone reading this needs to know where I started from and where I end up at the end of this HCG protocol.

Aaaack!!! I can't tell you how embarrassed I am to show these pictures!!

The pictures are from my cell phone because my digital camera battery is dead and I haven't gotten a new one yet. Sorry they are a bit blurry. You still get the idea I think. Moving right along...........

Day 1: Weight 155. I am 5 foot 2 so this weight is staggeringly too high for me. This a fat loading day so I will most likely gain a few pounds before I start to lose any weight. You fat load for 3 to 7 days so that you will have plenty of reserve fat while on the diet since you won't be eating any fat or carbs while on the diet. Read the links I gave above to learn more.

Big breath................ as I click PUBLISH POST.....................

Book Review: The Final Summit by Andy Andrews

2011-04-11T23:59:00.000-05:00

The Final Summit is about a man named David Ponder who is summoned by the Archangel Gabriel to attend a "summit" to answer the question "What must humanity do, individually and collectively, to restore itself to the pathway toward successful civilization?"

Ultimately my feelings on this book are mediocre at best. I felt as if the character portrayal of Gabriel was misguided. Several times in the book Gabriel is portrayed as less than impressed with humanity. While I truly can see that God and Gabriel would both have every right to feel less than impressed with humanity I don't feel that either of them would act as portrayed in this book.

The idea that one man - David Ponder - holds the fate of mankind in his hands is disappointing to me. No earthly man holds the fate of mankind. Jesus Christ holds the fate of mankind in His hand. No amount of talking about how humanity has diverged from the right path will change the path we are currently on. This world needs Jesus and to suggest anything other than this solution is...honestly....drivel.

I will say that from a fiction stand point this book was interesting to read. I just feel that even though the book made me think deeply about some things in my own life the author could have pointed readers to Jesus instead of giving the impression that they, in their own ideas and power, can bring themselves to the right path.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Beautiful Heart of Dakota Catalog

2011-03-31T20:15:00.000-05:00

I received the newest catalog from Heart of Dakota today and I just had to show you what a wonderful catalog they publish. It's a quarter inch thick and 80...YES 80 pages. They also have new book substitution policies and reduced and free shipping options.

The Cover...

Like I said it's about a quarter of an inch think

Full Color 2 Page Spreads showing everything from subject areas, sample layouts of each guide to detailed book descriptions.

The last page of the catalog gives you a nice sampling of their Notebooking pages...

Request your own copy of the catalog HERE. If you would like extras to share with friends just note how many you need in the comment box and they will be happy to include as many as you need.

The HOD catalog is prized in our house. I'm going to order several more to give away too. I'll hand one to anyone that will take one LOL.

Heart of Dakota Box Day!

2011-03-31T10:00:00.001-05:00

Well admittedly our box day was a few weeks ago but I never managed to get the pictures up for it. I was going back over pictures for our week in review and found the box day pictures and I just had to post those too! Heart of Dakota is such a blessing to us and the rich literature is just outstanding.

Here is what I saw when I opened my box and pulled out the packing paper: Beautifully packed!

Here are the History books that are the spine of our History studies using Preparing Hearts for His Glory.

Here are the Science books for Preparing Hearts:

Preparing Hearts includes an independent history study. These are the books used for the independent history study:

We are already enjoying Preparing and I hope you enjoyed a quick peak into the rich literature of Heart of Dakota.

I'll be Reviewing The Final Summit

2011-03-30T12:53:00.000-05:00

My first review for Book Sneeze will be The Final Summit by Andy Andrews. Check back on April 11 for this review.

I'll Be Reviewing Books for Book Sneeze and Tyndale Blog Network

2011-03-30T11:56:00.000-05:00

As you can see in my about me section I love to read! I applied to be a book reviewer for both Book Sneeze and the Tyndale Blog Network and was approved for both! I'm very excited.

Stay tuned for my first book review coming very soon!

Review of Time4Learing

2011-03-28T10:47:00.000-05:00

I'm excited to do this review of Time4Learning. Let me say that we had done Time4Learning previously with Joshua a few years ago so I was familiar with the basic idea of Time4Learning. For this review I enrolled Jacob who is 4 years old. He's about to turn 5 in April so I chose the Preschool level for him knowing that if we decided to keep with it I could move him to the Kindergarten level if the Preschool level was a bit too easy for him.

Time4Learning Preschool is divided into 2 levels. Jacob completed approximately half of level 1 and maybe 1/3 of level 2. To say he likes Time4Learning is an understatement!! He's really enjoyed the activities in the Preschool level and I have no doubt he'll enjoy the K level. Here are the things I liked about the Preschool level. There is a great deal of reading to the child and much of it contains rhyming which is a critical skill for little ones just starting to learn to read. They also allow the child to "write" their own books by having them pick a subject and then asking them questions about it. Their answers are then made into an online book about the subject that they read to the child immediately. There are several activities with sequencing and patterns. Both necessary skills for little ones. There are activities where the child colors an online picture. These are Jacobs most favorite things to play on Time4Learning. Letters, shapes, vocabulary, numbers, patterns and more are all covered within the activities. Be sure to check out the lesson plans here to see what each activity includes and covers.

If there were any complaints from me I would say that I wouldn't mind having worksheet options at the preschool level. We don't want to do many worksheets but having the option would be wonderful. If worksheets are never added we would still enjoy Time4Learning. Note: Starting in K through 8th grade there are worksheets.

To drive home how much Jacob has enjoyed Time4Learning he's sitting on the couch next to me while I write this asking me can he play yet. Can I play momma? Can I play? He's seen the Time4Learning character on the screen and is chomping at the bit to play.

To summarize my feelings: I feel like Time4Learning is a cost effective online curriculum that is worth the money and does teach critical skills at each level while making it fun for the child. With all the options out there for computer or online programs Time4Learning seems to be a great value considering that it includes all subjects for a low monthly price.

So after discussing it Adam and I have decided to continue our membership with Time4Learning. We feel that it's a good investment since Jacob enjoys it so much and will also be learning while using it. As Jacob starts Kindergarten in the fall we feel it will be a great reinforcement to our core curriculum to play on Time4Learning.

I hope this review has been helpful. As we continue with Time4Learning I'll also keep updating on the different levels we are doing. In full disclosure I want to say that what I've written here is my own opinion entirely and was not written by Time4Learning. I was given a free month in which to evaluate Time4Learning. That is the only compensation I received.

We are enjoying Time4Learning. Check it out!

21 Days of Prayer for Sons

2011-03-25T22:50:00.001-05:00

I stumbled onto this website tonight and I'm thrilled with everything I'm reading right now. Being the Mom of boys can be so harrowing sometimes. I pray constantly for my boys but lately I've been feeling the need to pray more specifically about the needs of my boys. Enter 21 Days of Prayer for Sons.

Are you the mother of boys? Would you make the commitment to pray for your boy/boys several times a day for 21 days during April? If so sign up by clicking the button just above.

I'm looking forward to reaping the Lord's harvest by praying for my boys during the 21 Days of Prayer for Sons challenge.

All About Reading is Available!!

2011-03-15T22:03:00.001-05:00

I'm a bit late in announcing this but I did want to let you all know that All About Reading Level Pre-1 from the awesome All About Spelling is now available.

The new All About Reading program is unique because it begins with Level Pre-1 for preschoolers and kindergarteners, and it focuses on what we call the Big Five Skills. These five fundamental pre-reading skills include letter knowledge, phonological awareness, print awareness, listening comprehension, and motivation to read. It is this specific set of skills that helps pre-readers understand the basics of language and how it works, preparing them to learn to read.

With All About Reading Level Pre-1, your child will play special games, enjoy little crafts, and engage in charming storytime activities--all the while absorbing these all-important Big Five Skills.

Be sure and check out the samples at the links above. I trust you will be very impressed. I sure am.

Enjoy!
Paige

Miraculous Change After Only 2 Days

2011-03-08T21:59:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was our first day back with HOD as our core curriculum. It was a long day. But it was a good day. Joshua spent a lot of time saying he hated it but he was the happiest hater I've ever seen LOL. It was our first day and I knew it was going to take a while for us to get into the grove of doing things in this new way. I also knew we were going to have some heart issues to deal with but that is another post entirely.

I was still exhausted from the MidSouth Convention and ended up sleeping until 9:30 this morning. Jacob also slept in and woke a few minutes after me actually. Anyway while I was sleeping this morning Joshua worked on his independent work. We are still doing Reading through the BJU Distance Learning (I can not wait to start HOD Drawn Into the Heart of Reading this fall though) so he did that lesson and also did his Saxon math. He also voluntarily completed his Independent History and Independent Science from the HOD Preparing manual. This was approximately 3 hours of work without a prompt from me.

Now I need you to understand that this child has been one that could not follow a schedule or do any work without a constant push to do so. He would rather be doing ANYTHING than school. ANYTHING! Physical labor would probably get done without whining before school. I hope you are understanding the depth of change that took place yesterday for him to do this this morning. It truly was the first miracle of the day.

So I got up and got Jacob and I some breakfast and did some necessary catch up from waking late while Joshua took a break. Have I mentioned that Joshua is writing phobic? Seriously. Getting a sentence out of him has been like pulling my teeth out without a shot for the pain............. So while on his break he decides he's going to WRITE A BOOK!!!! And write he has done today. I had to pull him away from writing after lunch to finish school. Miracle #2 today!!

We are reading Grandpa's Box: Retelling the Biblical Story of Redemption for History right now and we read Ch. 2 today. Joshua loves this book already. After reading Ch. 2 our Preparing manual had read most of Romans 5 today and do the discussion questions listed in the manual. Those discussion questions led into an hour long talk about the law, Jesus' gift, and whether or not we could keep the law. It enabled me to share more intimately with Joshua why I follow Jesus and my relationship with him. I explained to him that I don't love Jesus because I'm afraid of going to hell or anything like that. I love Jesus because the law has shown me just how black my heart is and how much I deserve death yet God loves me anyway. I love Him because He first loved me and continues to love me even when I sin. I attempt to not sin because I love Him and I know it breaks his heart when I do sin. I love Him so I don't want to hurt him. Every motivation is based in love.

There were tears from both of us and Joshua made a confession to me about some sin in his life. When I didn't directly address the sin he asked my why. I told him that the Lord was convicting him and I didn't need to punish him any further. I realized that he thought I didn't love him because I wasn't angry about the sin he confessed to me. We had the sweetest time together talking about how, like Jesus, there was nothing he could ever do that would take my love away from him. NOTHING! No matter what he does he's my son and I will love him forever. I also told him that as much as I love him God loved him even more than me.

I am simply amazed at the miraculous change that has come after only 1 day with Heart of Dakota. I fully credit HOD with the new found creativity that Joshua is experiencing and for guiding us in a truly Jesus centered day that brought my son and I to a most wonderful place with Jesus. If you are feeling unsettled with your current curriculum or are missing out on time with your children having truly deep conversations about the heart of God then may I humbly suggest you take a look at Heart of Dakota. I think you will be blessed if you do so.

Praising Jesus for the presence of His Holy Spirit today and for finding Heart of Dakota!

MidSouth Homeschool Convention Highlights

2011-03-07T23:48:00.001-06:00

I attended the MidSouth Homeschool Convention this past weekend in Memphis and there were some great highlights for me. The first and foremost was getting to meet Carrie Austin, the author of the Heart of Dakota curriculum. It was such an honor to meet her and her sister Julie. They have been an inspiration to me and it was my privilege to spend time with them.

I spent a great deal of time at their booth and to top it off they were next to Rainbow Resource's booth! What a win win situation for me LOL. I mentioned in my last post that I was leaning towards Saxon for Joshua's grammar. After spending so much time at HOD's booth I got to looking at Rod & Staff for grammar. One thing I've learned about Carrie Austin is that she picks what she recommends within her curriculum for a reason. I've also learned that it's usually best to trust her and go with her recommendations first. Then if it doesn't work look elsewhere. So I went with Rod & Staff English for Joshua. After really looking it over I feel very good about it. It is scheduled within the Preparing manual so I don't have to think very hard about scheduling it either.

I also decided to put Jacob in Little Hands to Heaven right now. I hadn't been doing anything structured with him at all and I knew this would be a great start to "school" for him. Today was our first day of LHTH and he had so much fun!!

I attended 2 workshops while I was there also. I heard Ken Ham speak and it was excellent as usual. I ordered his workshop on CD in fact. I also went to Art Reed's workshop. Listening to him confirmed my decision to use Saxon for Joshua. I highly recommend Mr. Reed's book and if you get a chance to hear him speak about Saxon math you should. I'm still strongly considering using Saxon for Jacob too. I'm still weighing things. Carrie recommends Singapore math. I'm seriously considering each of these and I'm grateful that I've got some more time.

One other change that is happening is in regards to Joshua's phonics work. We have been using Saxon's Phonics Intervention. It's strongly focused on learning to read but does include spelling along with a great deal of other skills. Joshua is reading well and his reading level has jumped several grade levels in the last several months. He still struggles with his spelling though. After praying about this I've decided to go back to All About Spelling with him. The approach of AAS lends itself well to helping Joshua with any phonics holes he may have. It will better address his spelling struggles also. We will also be using the dictation in Preparing which also includes some spelling words.

Well those are the highlights and changes I made after attending Convention. We are set to go now and I am really looking forward to our Journey using HOD as our core curriculum. Our first week of Saxon math also went well. Joshua says he doesn't like it but I know that's only because he's truly having to work at it LOL.

Blessings!

A Few Changes & Next Years Curriculum

2011-02-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

Just a quick update on what we are using right now and what the plans are for next year's curriculum for both boys. We have been using BJU's Distance Learning classes with Joshua. It's going very well but when I started BJU math with Joshua I knew he might not thrive well with it. Since I had to pay for the complete grade kit for the BJU Distance Learning classes I wanted to give it a try. I've learned that Joshua does much better with incremental lessons and consistent daily review of those concepts. Mastery based math just doesn't seem to be enough review for him. So we decided to move him to Saxon math. We are also using Teaching Tape Technology dvd's with the Saxon books. With the English he was doing ok but again he seemed to need the same constant review of grammar concepts that he needed in math. I learned that Saxon had a grammar and writing curriculum also so I took a look at that and have decided to move Joshua to Saxon for grammar also. I will be picking up the Grammar & Writing at convention this coming weekend in Memphis so we will start that the following Monday. If all goes well with it we will continue with it for the next level.

My research for next years curriculum brought me back to Heart of Dakota. We have enjoyed BJU but I wanted to shorten our school day and I've always wanted to do HOD with Joshua. I just couldn't seem to make it work for us in the past. I knew that we could go back to using HOD for next year so I began looking into the Creation to Christ manual. I was completely sold on coming back to HOD for both boys starting next year. It hit me one day that I could do Preparing right now with Joshua and it would help him with the skills he will need for CtC in the fall. We will receive our Preparing materials on Tuesday and get started on that for Bible, History, Geography, and Science. We are really looking forward to Preparing and HOD in general.

For Spelling, Reading, and Cursive Handwriting we are continuing with the BJU Distance Learning classes. Next year for Reading we will be doing HOD's Drawn Into the Heart of Reading. I'm really liking BJU"s Spelling. As we get closer to fall I'll make some final decisions regarding Spelling but at this point I'm leaning heavily towards doing BJU Spelling again only teaching it myself. Joshua's cursive is coming along very with BJU right now. For next year he'll do all of the writing & copywork required in CtC in cursive to serve as his handwriting.

I'm also considering enrolling Joshua in an IEW writing class taught by a licensed IEW instructor. IEW stands for Institute for Excellence in Writing. If I don't do a class then we will get the Student Writing Intensive dvd's for him. I'm leaning towards a class for accountability and to start giving him an idea of what high school might be like. I likely will make use of tutorials, etc. in high school and I want him to start understand what it's like to have to do work and turn it into someone other than me.

Jacob is turning 5 in April and he's doing so well with "school" type stuff I feel confident in going ahead and doing K with him in the fall. He will be 5.5 years old at that time and he's already chomping at the bit to learn his letters and numbers. Right now he enjoys playing on Starfall, doing Abeka's ABC 123, Readiness Skills, and Art workbooks. I'm also using Learning at Home by Ann Ward with him. I plan to start him in Little Hearts for His Glory at half speed in the fall for K. I will be going half speed so that LHFHG can be used his K and 1st years. I will be using the appropriate levels of math and phonics for him each of those years. At this point I plan to use Saxon Math and Phonics for him. We'll see how that works out. I'm really looking forward to it.

Well this went much longer than I had planned. If you stayed with me bless your heart. I really appreciate it!

I hope everyone has a wonderful school week!

Meet Emilda

2011-02-26T08:30:00.002-06:00

Emilda is an 18 year-old Compassion sponsored child with the mental capacity of a three year-old. She lives in a squatter community in the Philippines. And she's FAST!

In 2009 Emilda competed in the Philippine Special Olympics and she performed well enough to qualify for the World Special Olympics in Athens, Greece this Summer. But she needs your help to get there.

Emilda's parents are unable to pay her way to Greece and neither is the Philippine government. Her beginning need to get there was $19,837. Thanks to people just like you all she needs now is $10,000. A gift in any amount will help.

You have the opportunity to send Emilda to the World Special Olympics! Just think what this would mean to Emilda and her family.

Pictures and more information about Emilda are available at The Making of a Special Olympics Champion

To make a donation to help send Emilda to the World Special Olympics go here:
Donate to Help Emilda

Please prayerfully consider whether the Lord would have you donate to help Emilda. You can make a difference in the life of this impoverished child.

Read the Bible in 90 Days Update

2011-02-25T21:29:00.001-06:00

I've been neglecting my blog again. Sometimes it just seems there aren't enough hours in the day. I wanted to give a quick update on reading the Bible in 90 days. I was not able to keep up with the reading. I want to be honest and transparent so I'll say that there are two things I believe hindered me in my reading. The first was that I started a day late. I didn't find out about it until the end of the 1st days reading. I really thought I could catch up but that brings me to the second reason I wasn't able to keep up. To do the days reading takes about an hour to read each day. I just wasn't prepared at the last minute to add that amount of time to my day.

Moms Toolbox will most likely repeat Read the Bible in 90 Days again during Summer. I plan to join in the next time they begin the process. This time I will be better prepared and can give this reading the time it needs and not start from behind at the very beginning. I am looking forward to it. The days that I did read in this attempt were a blessing beyond measure.

Will you consider joining in the next time? I hope so.

Time4Learning Review

2011-02-25T15:38:00.003-06:00

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 as an online homeschooling curriculum or for afterschool enrichment. Find out how to write your own curriculum review for Time4Learning.

Trying to Figure Life Out?

2011-01-17T09:17:00.000-06:00

Read the Bible in 90 Days

2011-01-04T01:17:00.000-06:00

Today I signed up to read the Bible in 90 days. Won't you join me? It started today so there is still time to join in with me. Hop on over to Moms Toolbox to learn more.

I look forward to reading with you,

Paige

The Year of New

2011-01-04T01:01:00.000-06:00

And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold I make all things new" and He said "Write, for these words are faithful and true." Revelation 21:5

I have never named a year before or given thought to one word for a new year before. I had never even heard of it until this year. This last year has been hard. For many many reasons. For the first time in a long time I am happy to see 2010 go. As I have prayed about my one word for the coming year the Lord kept bringing up making all things NEW. I need new this year. I need a new everything.

A New Mind
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

A New Body
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.. Colossians 3:9,10

A New Heart
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and i will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26

A New Song
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD. Psalms 40:3

A New Covenant with my Savior
And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood." Luke 22:20

Even a New Heaven & New Earth if it be God's will.
"For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former things will not be remembered or come to mind." Isaiah 65:17

Are you READY for something NEW!!
"Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:9

I don't know about you but I spent some time in the wilderness and desert this past year. I need the Living Water.

Get ready! God is doing something NEW!

Happy New Year!

Paige

Grief and Grieving

2010-12-17T01:49:00.002-06:00

This past week I've been surrounded by death on all sides. First my cousin's husband died, then the husband's sister was killed by a drunk driver, then the husband's mother had a massive stroke and is hanging on by a thread and it does not look good for her to pull through. My cousin's sons have lost their father, aunt, and most likely their grandmother in the span of 7 days. Words fail me. Grief chokes my heart.

This past Sunday the Hanley family lost their precious son Mattias or "Tiggy" as they called him in a tragic accident that could happen to any one of us in our own home. Words fail me. My mind lingers on my own 4 year olds face as I imagine losing him in this way - or any way for that matter - and grief threatens to steal the life from me.

I'm reminded again how quickly you can lose a loved one when Ann Voskamp of A Holy Experience shares an excerpt from her upcoming book One Thousand Gifts. Words fail me. The darkness rushes in.

I know you might be tempted to ask "Where are you God? How could You let all this happen?" I know you are tempted because I once would have asked the same questions.

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
1st Thessalonians 4:13-14

I grieve for all the loss around me. Tears flow freely. Words fail me. There are only heart groans.

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; Romans 8:26

In my weakness there is Hope. I cling to that hope, that knowledge, and it allows me to rejoice in the grief. Little Mattias is with Jesus. Little Aimee is with Jesus. And Jesus has made promises that I stand on in times like these.

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Then He who sat on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” ~Revelation 21.4-5

This seems the best time to start my 1000 gifts list. Here now as I wait on the coming Savior. I can start my 1000 gifts list now because He did come. As a baby. He will come again as King. This I am sure of.

#1 ~ The Sweet assurance in Jesus Christ. When all else fails this does not.

ICE! Opryland Hotel 2010

2010-12-17T00:06:00.000-06:00

We went to ICE! today. It's always so fun. Words really don't do it justice so I'll just show you all the pictures. EVERYTHING is ice and it's 22 degrees in this place! It felt like it was colder than that though. The theme this year is from the classic Santa Claus is Coming to Town.

from our family

to you and yours!

In Memory of Mattias Ryker Hanley

2010-12-16T20:58:00.000-06:00

Because my heart just almost can't take it I'll direct you to other people who have said it better than me. Please remember this family in your prayers this holiday season as they must live without their almost 2 year old this Christmas.

There are no words.

In Christ Alone,
Paige

I'm determined to die today.

2010-12-09T10:53:00.000-06:00

This video has awoke a sleeping giant inside me. It's not that it's new information for me. I gave my life to Jesus years ago. 20 years ago in fact. I've known that people should see Jesus in me. That I should disappear and Him appear. I can't say it's only been head knowledge up until now either. I've loved Him all these years. I've loved Him because I was one of those poorest people before He saved me. I've known the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. I've tasted of His sweetness. Yet not once did I ever think that taking up His cross every day would be what cost me my life. I was willing to give up my life for Him. I just didn't know this would be what would take my life. I feel dense and stupid right now.

If the Gospel brings death to the giver then I'm determined to die today. Taking up His cross starts when I open my eyes each morning and look at my husband. Mind you. I've not died yet today. I've already been frustrated, stretched, and angry and it's only 10:30 in the morning. Why? If I'm truthful with Jesus and you who are reading this then I know I've been trying to guard my own life this morning. Isn't that the base reason peace doesn't come to each of us every day? Aren't I protecting something I don't want, TRULY want, to give up? This morning it's very true. I've been protecting my schedule, my need to get my To Do list done, my CONTROL of my life.

Is my schedule and To Do list bringing the Gospel to my family first? Is it Jesus' will or my will? Do I really want to be the one in control today and every day? I want Jesus to love me (I know He already does) because I'm all about His business like He was all about His Father's business. He's given me a choice. I can give up my life and I can take it up again. There is NO OTHER WAY to serve Him because I've tasted His sweetness. It won't be a curse. It will bring that PEACE that I seek after so diligently when I write my schedules and exact CONTROL over the day and my family. Dying will bring LIFE. LIFE ABUNDANTLY. Abundantly! Did you hear that? ABUNDANTLY! I don't know about you but I don't feel like life's been very abundant lately.

Anyone want to die with me today? You can do right there in your own home. Feeling stretched, frustrated, like your going to go crazy? Give it all up for LIFE today.

In the name of the Prince of PEACE Jesus,
Paige

But How Do We Go Mama?

2010-12-07T23:29:00.000-06:00

The evening began with the 4 year old moving the 11 year olds presents around under the tree and the 11 year old yelling "Don't touch my presents!" and grabbing them and putting them back where they were. After dinner I'm watching a video on youtube and I watch another video produced by the same people.

I am undone.

I call the 11 year old to sit and watch and listen. Tears stream down his cheeks. I hold him and we cry together for a few minutes. Then he looks at me and says "But how do we GO Mama?"

"Son Going will look different for each person. Can you see that we can't sit here and guard our own lives anymore?"

"Yes Mama. I understand. I will GO. I will be disappointed to not have my presents on Christmas morning but knowing the children will have presents is all I need."

I am undone again.

I am ashamed.

I am privileged.

Who I Am and Who I Want To Be

2010-12-07T15:12:00.008-06:00

If you want to be made into a hero for Jesus Christ start HERE.

Our Advent Wreath & Resources

2010-12-02T15:22:00.000-06:00

I purchased a new Advent wreath this week because the one we had was just not working for us. The candles would not stand up or stay in the holders and it was frustrating. This is our new one.

I like this one because when I finally get the Way of Light Advent wreath that I truly want I will still be able to use this in another way during the Christmas season. I purchased this one from Christian Book Distributors if you are interested in this for yourself.

We are using 3 different resources for our Advent Devotions this year. We are reading Jotham's Journey, using several ideas from Celebrate Jesus at Christmas, and also reading and making the Jesse Tree ornaments from A Jesus Advent Celebration. Celebrate Jesus at Christmas has devotions for Advent through Epiphany and one thing it has us do each day is build a nativity and move Mary and Joseph closer each day to the manger. Wisemen also move towards the Christ child.

My sincere desire is for you to meet Jesus during this Advent celebration. Be blessed as you quiet during this time and focus on His glorious first coming!

In Christ Alone,
Paige

Win A Computer & $250 Best Buy Gift Card

2010-11-28T20:09:00.000-06:00

Angie Smith from Bring the Rain is having a great giveaway. You can win an awesome laptop and a $250 gift card from Best Buy. Head on over HERE and enter to win.

In Christ's name,
Paige

Free Jesse Tree Advent Devotional & Compassion

2010-11-28T16:17:00.002-06:00

Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience has released her revised Jesse Tree Advent Devotional again. As always anything Mrs. Voskamp writes is fabulous. Please take a look and see if you would like to use it. It's geared to families will all ages. She has also chosen to make it free. Originally she had posted that 100% of the profits from this devotional would be given to Compassion.

It is for this reason that I would ask that you prayerfully consider a gift or sponsorship to Compassion in Mrs. Voskamps name. I know that Mrs. Voskamp has been stretched and gave countless hours revising the devotional.

Matthew 10:8

⁸"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

As we begin the Advent season where we focus on the Glorious Coming of our Savior Jesus remember that we all have freely received from Jesus. Please prayerfully consider freely giving to those that have not.

Blessings to you as you embark on this glorious time of God with us,
Paige

Whose Birthday Is It?

2010-11-17T23:01:00.000-06:00

Whose Birthday is it?

Thanksgiving Study Resources

2010-11-15T11:03:00.000-06:00

This is a bit late but I wanted to list some of the things we are using to study about Thanksgiving and that time period. I'm not really sure how I found this blog that got me started on all this but I am giving her credit now. Learning Sharing Caring has some great lesson plans and I found most of my information from her plans. Be sure and look through the Oct. archives for all the links.

Scholastic Interactive site on Thanksgiving

Colonial America

Plimoth.org Interactive Website

Enjoy these resources to teach your kids about Thanksgiving!
Paige

Finally settled on curriculum for Joshua

2010-11-15T09:55:00.001-06:00

Well after weeks of struggling, hit or miss school we have all decided and committed to a curriculum for Joshua. We have chosen to use all BJU Distance Learning. We have used alot of BJU in the past including their distant learning classes through the satellite before they shut the satellite down. Their distant learning classes are top notch and it will allow Joshua to complete his school work without waiting on me to teach him. We spent the last several days (couple of weeks really) talking about all the pro's and con's of schooling this way or that way. I tried to let Joshua tell me what he preferred and take that into consideration since he's getting older and we want to encourage him to take more responsibility for his education. He choose BJU DL also. After much prayer and talking it over with my husband we placed our order and we can't wait for our boxes to arrive.

It's very hard for me to let go of the doing Heart of Dakota at this point but I know this is what the Lord wants us to do regarding Joshua's schooling right now. We will reevaluate after he completes this school year at the end of July but I see us continuing with this for quite a while. I had planned to do BJU DL at the first of this school year and things were crazy around here so I decided to use what I had on hand. I should have just done the BJU DL from the beginning but hind sight is always 20/20. I know the Lord has not forgotten Joshua and will redeem my mistakes to bring Himself glory.

So this week we will be planning our new schedules and getting ready for several boxes of books and dvd's to arrive and learning about Thanksgiving. I'll figure out how to post our schedule when I get it done.

In Christ alone,
Paige

Edited to say that I will still pick up the Diana Waring audio cd's to listen to. We really like those and I want to listen to those in our free time.

Some thoughts on our curriculum

2010-11-09T00:02:00.001-06:00

I'm seeing some things in our curriculum that will need to be addressed soon. Joshua is doing cursive using A Reason for Handwriting. He's not learning how to connect the cursive letters very well. I'm going to have to do something else for him I think. Any ideas are appreciated. I am thinking of BJU simply because BJU was the the first curriculum that we used with Joshua and he's kept with the basic idea of their "font". I also like that BJU has wonderful teacher's manuals.

We also have not been doing history this semester. I have been looking over several curriculums trying to decide what to use. I have let Joshua be involved in this process and we really like History Revealed by Diana Waring. After all the research I remembered that HOD uses Diana's What in the World cd's.

Ok let me back up and give you some history. I have loved HOD since I found it a few years back. I have used it in the past but sold it and bought it and sold it and bought it :o) I just couldn't make it work for Joshua in the past. BUT here I am again finding that HOD is using yet another book or curriculum that I am choosing on my own. I honestly wish I would have known about HOD when Joshua was at the right ages to start it from the beginning. I will be using HOD for history at a minimum for Jacob when he gets old enough to start it. So let me just say again that I love, love, love HOD.

I'm starting to understand that I just need to do HOD and get over it. The biggest decision now is what level to start with for Joshua. Decisions. Decisions. Oh if only all our decisions were really this easy.

On the eve of the election

2010-11-01T17:55:00.000-05:00

As we hopefully all go to the poles tomorrow I want to leave you with this quote. I believe this is one of the most important elections our nation has ever come to. Please be in prayer and above all VOTE if you have not already.

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free. ~

Ronald Reagan

Fun Holiday Food and Drinks

2010-10-27T21:30:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner people!! I will be making some wonderful festive drinks for my crew again this year. Check out Holiday Punch and Peppermint Hot Chocolate. For more holiday recipes see here.

A Note About This Blog

2010-07-18T15:19:00.000-05:00

Some of you have clearly noticed the neglect this blog receives from me. I've tried to figure out why and I realized it was because I spend so much time over at Facebook. I had given thought to just deleting this blog but I don't want to do that since I can share some things here a little easier than at FB. So I won't be abandoning this blog but if you want to see more about me and my life then please get on Facebook and friend me. Message me if you need my name of FB.

Ok back to your normal programming.

My last lazy OOH-RAH

2010-07-18T14:51:00.000-05:00

I know you might be saying "Did she say OOH-RAH? What is a OOH-RAH anyway?" so I'll first define OOH-RAH for you. OOH-RAH is commonly heard within the military most notably said by the Marines. It is their war cry. OOH-RAH is conceived in sweat, nurtured in drill. It is raw determination and gut-wrenching courage in the face of adversity. It cannot be administered. It is not planned and put into action. It cannot be manufactured. OOH-RAH must be purchased.

Today has turned out to be my last lazy OOH-RAH. It was not planned and put into action. I did purchase it at the tune of $20. I simply got up today still not liking my weight or the way I look in the mirror as I've done for far too many mornings to date. Without thought I ate ice cream for breakfast within an hour of waking up. Then for lunch I had a mushroom and swiss burger with deep friend curly fries and a large cherry coke for lunch. Oh I also had 2 hand breaded (with white flour I'm sure) chicken strips with honey mustard sauce. Then I decided to check up on some of my Facebook friends that I hadn't had a chance to read up on lately. Enter Tracey with a war cry screamed so loud I had to cover my ears. I go to church with Tracey and she runs. She's also a Team Edward TWIHARD. Need I say more? Ok I will. She also has 2 boys like me. If that doesn't make you want to run to Tracey's web site then I don't know what will. If you need to know what a TWIHARD is then go here.

So I was reading Tracey's blog and suddenly realized that I had entered into my last lazy OOH-RAH. I don't know what I'll have for dinner but since today's my last lazy OOH-RAH then I can assure you it will be some tasty, not good for me, include some kind of chocolate BLISS. Guaranteed.

Then at 5 a.m. tomorrow morning begins a new OOH-RAY for me in response to Tracey's war cry. Now I must confess that Tracey has no idea she issued a war cry to me. The war cry was in my ears. No one else is as delusional as me to infer a cry for war from Tracey's blog. But none the less the cry for war has been issued and I'm responding back with a GREAT BIG OOH-RAH. Tomorrow morning the blood, sweat, and tears path to a smack down begins. I'm going to rise early in the morning and run (translation: walk with wheezing, double me over cramps, sweat dripping in my eyes).

I see your HOLLA! Tracey and raise you an OOH-RAH!!

Let the fun begin!

Our Summer Curriculum

2010-06-12T01:26:00.000-05:00

Over summer we will be working on some school things so I thought I would update what we will be using. Joshua struggled to learn to read but he's doing really good. I've prayed about it and I believe the best thing for us to do this summer is work on his phonics so that he can get better and faster at his reading. I've purchased Saxon Phonics Intervention for him so that is the only Language Arts we will do over summer. For Bible we will be using the Discover 4 Yourself How To Study Your Bible. I will also be working with him on All About Spelling as that will only reinforce what we are doing in Saxon Phonics Intervention. He is participating in 2 summer reading programs with Barnes & Noble and our local library system. He's reading Hank the Cowdog books right now and loving those.

I'm also having to reevaluate our math. He's been using Teaching Textbooks and he really likes it but I feel that it's not sticking with him like I feel it needs to. I'm undecided what to use yet but I'm leaning towards Singapore or Saxon for math. I'll update with final decisions on that when I know.

He will continue to use A Reason for Handwriting for his cursive. He's doing very well with his cursive.

I've not made any plans for the next school years curriculum yet. I'm leaning heavily towards Heart of Dakota's Preparing Hearts for His Glory program for history & science. We'll see what the summer brings with Joshua's reading and I'll go from there.

It's Been A While

2010-06-04T21:13:00.000-05:00

Well it's been quite a while since I posted anything. Sorry about that. I just returned from spending a couple of weeks at my parents house in MO. Great fun. I will get back to posting more regularly now. I've been having regular quiet times and reading the Bible every day. I'm going to start posting some things related to that very soon. Look for some changes to come here.

In Jesus' Name,
Paige

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card plus more

2010-03-24T23:12:00.000-05:00

Eisley Jacobs is having a give away when she reaches 1000 Twitter followers. The prize pack includes a $25 Amazon gift card, coffee and more. Check her out at http://eisleyjacobs.com/contest/1000-twitter-followers/#comments There are several ways to enter for a chance to win.

Blessings,
Paige

The Chicken Adventure Begins

2010-03-22T23:43:00.000-05:00

We picked up our 25 chicks for Joshua's 4H chick chain project. They are so cute. Pictures to follow. I couldn't take any pics because I'm having trouble with my camera battery. This is going to be so fun!!

Molly has a chick coming out

2010-03-21T13:24:00.001-05:00

Max has chipped a hole into his shell and is chattering away. Molly appears to be helping him a bit here & there. Don't miss this.

http://www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam.html

Babies on the Way

2010-03-20T17:27:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting on pins and needles watching Molly with her eggs. She's very restless today. I think we will have at least one baby soon!!

http://www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam.html

I'm addicted to Molly

2010-03-19T23:35:00.001-05:00

I'm addicted to watching Molly and McGee (Barn Owls) with their impending brood. You might too. Check it out at http://www.sportsmansparadiseonline.com/Live_Owl_Nest_Box_Cam.html

Enjoy the view,
Paige

Bible, History, Science, Grammar & Writing

2010-03-13T22:54:00.001-06:00

Well I've made some changes yet again to our curriculum. We were using ACE paces for English, Science, Spelling. I was really feeling like I was not involved enough with Joshua's schooling so I've been on a quest for the last couple of months to find something new. I made my final decision today and we will be starting new curriculum Monday.

For Bible & History I've decided to use Veritas Press along with the Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History. For Science and Grammar & Writing we will be going back to BJU. For Spelling it's back to All About Spelling. I had tried ACE for spelling but I should have never tried to fix something that wasn't broken. I also subscribed to Meet the Masters for art through the Homeschool Buyers Co-Op. We will be starting Heart of Dakota's Drawn Into the Heart of Reading for our reading curriculum.We will use Handwriting Transition Student Worktext (Reason for Handwriting) for penmanship.

For Jacob I am using ACE Kindergarten with Ace & Kristi. I am giving serious thought to using BJU's K4 program with him in the fall. I would probably use the online streaming classes for him.

Well that's all for tonight folks. See ya'll after next week when I do a week in review.

Two great books finds

2010-03-12T23:33:00.002-06:00

I ran into Food Lion last night to pick up a side for dinner and they had a bargain book bin. Now I can never pass up a big pile of books and if they are bargain priced then I don't think I need to say anything else. I found 2 great books for $6 each.

The first one is not for the very young but my almost 11 year old loves this book. It's titled Warriors: All the Truth, Tactics, and Triumphs of History's Greatest Fighters by James Harpur. It contains historical information about The Assyrians, The Spartans, Alexander and the Macedonians, The Celts, The Romans, Gladiators, The Vikings, The Samurai, The Ninja, Genghis Khan and the Mongols, Medieval Knights, The Aztecs, and The Zulu's. Whether they're fighting single-handed or shoulder-to-shoulder with others in strict formation, warriors have given their lives to win land, cities, and empires. From the ferocious ancient Assyrians to the fearsome Zulus, Warriors showcases these celebrated fighters, highlighting their battles, heroisms, weapons, and tactics. Discover how the fearless Spartans were groomed and trained for war from birth, or how Boudicca, Britain's terrifying warrior queen, rose up in revolt against the mighty Roman army. Learn about the bloodthirsty Aztecs and their custom of ripping out the hearts of living sacrificial victims, and enter the mysterious realm of the ninja, masters of stealth and sabotage! Since we will be starting Ancient History soon this book will be a great addition to our studies as we cover these ancient places and people. It does contain graphic language that describes actions and tactics of the particular warrior or battle that is being highlighted that might scare young or sensitive children so use caution.

The other book is titled Blood and Goo and Boogers Too: A Heart-pounding Pop-up Guide to the Circulatory & Respiratory Systems. Both boys have looked at this one multiple times today. Very fun
book that gives great information too!

So next time you are in a Food Lion be sure and check out that Bargain Book Bin. You might be pleasantly surprised!

Week 6 52 Books in 52 Weeks

2010-02-02T19:18:00.003-06:00

This weeks book is:

I'm already impressed with it. Looking forward to finishing it.

ACE Bible Reading Pace Samples

2010-02-01T15:54:00.004-06:00

I use ACE for almost all our school. Right now we are not using ACE for History & Science but I am planning to place him in that at the motel meeting. Another ACE user has done a great job with posting paces samples but she hasn't put up any Bible Reading pace samples so I thought I would post a sample just in case someone needed it. The following is from 2nd grade Bible Reading pace 1013 pages.

The other ACE user is RockingHSMom5 and you can find her blog here: www.rockinhsmom5.blogspot.com

Hope this helps someone,
Paige

Fear is Like Pain

2010-01-31T23:36:00.000-06:00

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2010/01/weekends-are-for-growth.html

How I Use Motivated Moms & Flylady Together

2010-01-26T19:53:00.000-06:00

Finally able to make a post about how I use Motivated Moms and Flylady together to keep the house organized and clean.

I started out using Motivated Moms but was feeling like my rooms weren't getting deep cleaned enough. Also the clutter has a tendency to build up very quickly at my house. MM does have you decluttering but it wasn't frequent enough to keep the major areas of our house decluttered. I remembered that Flylady incorporated decluttering before cleaning so I went over to check it out again. I had looked at Flylady before but could never seem to even get started on it. So after some studying I came up with the following plan. I haven't been using MM and Flylady together very long but it does seem to be working out wonderfully.

I divided my house up into zones very similar to the way Flylady does. My zones are as follows. Living Room, Kitchen, Bathrooms & Laundry Room (we have 2 full baths, the laundry room is in one of them), Hallway & either the Boys Room or our new Reading Room, & the Family Room. I plan to switch between the Boys Room and our Reading Room every other cycle through my zones. I used Flylady's zone cleaning lists for each zone and I'm adding to those lists if needed as I work through each list. I don't follow Flylady's schedule with cleaning my zones as I take a week for each zone instead of a few days for the first zone. If a particular zone is badly cluttered then I will declutter before I clean it per Flylady's instructions.

Motivated Moms is divided up into daily chores for each day of the week and is only $8 for the whole year. MM has the weekly, monthly, and yearly etc. chores schedule throughout the daily plans. You can see samples of the current years Motivated Moms here so that you see what I mean. I am using MM to keep the daily chores and weekly chores done. With MM it's already scheduled out I don't have to think much. So I do most of the daily chores on the left of MM & also most of each days scheduled chores through the week. My husband's schedule has changed so I might have to play with the days of MM but I will just rearrange the days & leave the chores as is.

All in all this is working out wonderfully for me. I've schedule an hour a day in 2 half hour segments where me & the 10 year old work on it. I'll be posting our current schedule soon & you will be able to see how I've scheduled these into our days.

I hope this helps in some way. Please feel free to comment & tell me how you use Motivated Moms, Flylady, or your own system. I'm always open to new ideas to help keep things clean or organized. Check out Motivated Moms here.

Blessings,
Paige

Week 4 Book(s) 52 Books in 52 Weeks

2010-01-24T22:06:00.003-06:00

Ok I've narrowed down my selection for this week down to 2 books. Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, & Bad Attitudes in You & Your Kids OR Thr3e. I've started both today but will see which one prevails in getting my time this week. I tell you picking just one book a week might be hard for me. LOL

52 Books in 52 Weeks

2010-01-23T23:19:00.001-06:00

I just signed up to read 52 Books in 52 Weeks. Check it out and see if you would like to join me and the others that are embarking on this reading Journey. I'm always reading so I've been reading since Jan. 1. I will do a follow up post with what I've read so far and what I plan to read over the next few weeks.

Come join me!!

Democracy and Liberty

2010-01-21T22:44:00.002-06:00

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch.

Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote. Ben Franklin

My friend Chris McLaurin posted this on Facebook tonight. I loved it so much I thought I would post it for all 2 readers of my blog to see!!

Night all,
Paige
p.s. I'm working on some posts on our current daily schedule, how I use Motivated Moms & Flylady together, our curriculum & how we use it.

Scott Brown Republican WINS the MA Senate seat!!

2010-01-19T20:58:00.001-06:00

Martha Coakley is giving her concession speech. Scott Brown (R) wins the MA Senate seat. The only thing you can say is PRAISE GOD!!!

Jesus heal our country and bring us back to You with our whole hearts, whole minds, & whole bodies.

All Praise be to Jesus,
Paige

Prayer Points from the ground on the Massachusetts Brown-Coakley election

2010-01-19T09:15:00.005-06:00

I received this prayer request with a link to a youtube video. Please read the e-mail, watch the short video, and then, please, be in prayer today that conservative Scott Brown will be elected to fill the vacant Senate seat in Massachusetts once filled by Ted Kennedy.

Scott Brown opposes the socialistic take-over of America now going on in Congress and the White House.

The e-mail below was forwarded from the Family Action Council of Massachusetts by William Morgan, Chairman of the counterpart organization here in Tennessee, the Family Action Council of TN.

Please read the request and please be in prayer that Scott Brown will be elected Senator from Massachusetts tomorrow, not Martha Coakley.

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: William D. Morgan
Date: Mon, Jan 18, 2010 at 6:44 PM
Subject: Update & Prayer Points from the ground on the Massachusetts Brown-Coakley election
To: "William D. Morgan"

Here is an update and prayer points on the Massachusetts Miracle, as they are calling it, from our counterpart organization up there.

Be sure to watch the video, it is awesome!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nEoW-P81-0

Pray for the miracle to come true tomorrow.
William
William D. Morgan
Chairman of the Board

Family Action Council of Tennessee
www.FACTn.org
615-256-0112 (office)

Dear FPC Leaders,

The SECOND American Revolution begins tomorrow, and hopefully will be the prelude to the Third Great Awakening! Scott Brown is leading by 10 points in the Fox News poll, but we dare not rest until we get out the vote tomorrow and ensure that everyone who says they are going to vote for Scott does so. Organizing for America, aka ACORN, is furiously at work trying to rally the Democrat base, but I truly believe that they will not succeed.

You cannot believe the electricity that is in the air. Scott Brown lawn signs far outnumber Coakley’s across the state. The rallies for Scott have been humongous compared to Coakely’s, and when President Obama came yesterday, more Brown supporters were outside the auditorium cheering for Brown than Coakley supporters inside! The goal for our breakfast fundraiser for Scott last Wednesday was $10,000 and we received $24,000, a real answer to prayer.

Coakley’s campaign seems to be in a self-destruct mode. Her negative ad campaign is alienating most people and she has made numerous gaffes with the media. We had prayed that her radical abortion views would come back to haunt her and indeed they have as she said on a radio talk show that “people with religious beliefs should not be working in hospital emergency rooms.”

Meanwhile, there is an absolutely fresh anointing on Scott as he maintains a positive message that is resonating with voters. Wherever he goes, throngs of enthusiastic people show up. He has not made a single gaffe and his strength and vitality are amazing for the hectic pace of the last 3 weeks, again answers to our prayers.

This has to be God ending the 60-year Kennedy dynasty (1 Sam 3:11-13) and we believe this could be the prelude to a spiritual renewal in Massachusetts. People want to throw off the oppressive bondage of the Kennedys’ arrogance and socialism, which has been a key stronghold of the “walls of pride and intellectualism” in Massachusetts.

Please be in fervent prayer today!

PLEASE PRAY FOR:

Coakley’s deluge of negative attack ads to continue to drive voters to Scott tomorrow.

That EVERYONE who said they were voting for Scott do so with a record turnout, especially the independent voters. (50% of registered voters in MA are independent and 70% of them say they support Scott.)

That senior citizens turn out in record numbers understanding that a vote for Scott is a vote to prevent drastic cuts in Medicare.

That ACORN’s nefarious activities be thwarted and NO voter fraud.

That the enemy’s plan to delay Scott’s certification, if he wins, would come to naught. (The 90% Democrat controlled legislature have said they would do this to give the Obama administration time to pass the health care bill should Scott win.

Believing with you for the real “Massachusetts Miracle” tomorrow!!!

Kris

My Laptop is Fixed!!!!!

2010-01-18T21:04:00.003-06:00

Right after my last post on Nov. 2 my computer had a corrupted hard drive. With Christmas coming I didn't want to spend the money on a new hard drive. Well I have been about to lose my mind without a computer so I sprang for the hard drive last week with some Christmas money I got. I have a new huge hard drive and Windows 7 instead of Vista and my updated computer ROCKS!! Thanks so much Brian S.!!!!!! You ROCK!!

So that's why I've been MIA for close to 3 months. There have been lots of changes and I'll try to get things updated here. I just bought the 2010 Motivated Moms earlier tonight so I can get back to cleaning my poor house. It's gotten out of hand while I didn't have the computer. I have been using a combination of Motivated Moms and Flylady. I will try to get a post up soon about how I use both of those together to keep my house clean from top to bottom without spending hours each day.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas & New Year!!

Latest update on homeschool curriculum changes.

2009-11-02T11:21:00.003-06:00

Final decisions have been made so I thought I should update anyone who is interested. I really like Teaching Textbooks for math but the level my son needed isn't being released until Feb. 2010. I really like CQLA but I know we needed more phonics instruction to help Joshua's reading along even more. I was in our local homeschool store last week and happen upon Saxon Phonics and Math. I was really impressed with their Phonics so I researched it a bit more at home. I also gave him the placement test for Saxon math. So last week I bought the Saxon Phonics and Math and we started them last week. Saxon has computer CD's that are very similar to Teaching Textbooks starting in 54 so that is covered if I feel like I need it. I have decided to wait on CQLA and see where we are at the end of this year for that. At a bare minimum I see myself using Meaningful Composision in the future. Then again I might just go back to CQLA. I just feel like we might need a bit more formal grammar than CQLA gives but that is easy enough to rememdy with CLE or ACE English. I am very pleased with the Saxon at this point. I was somewhat of an anti Saxon person so this was a pleasant surprise for me. I'll try to start doing a weekly update and give my opinion of the Saxon Phonics (and Math too).

We are using Heart of Dakota for our history and science. I love HOD so this is working out great for us. I am looking into using BJU science in addition to HOD's though. I think HOD's science is fine but Joshua is science minded so I think using a formal science might be a good idea for him in case he ends up in a science career down the road.

We are also starting Notgrass's Celebrate Thanksgiving unit study this week. This is super fun and we are looking forward to doing this over this month. We will also do their Celebrate the Savior study over December. I will post our Advent plans very soon since it starts here in a few weeks.

My computer's hard drive is dying so I am borrowing my neighbors laptop to update here. I hope to have a new hard drive put in my laptop soon so I can get back to business.

I'm Recanting

2009-10-09T20:57:00.004-05:00

Ok only part of my confession but I am recanting. I am not sure what we are going to use for grammar,writing or math yet. I am looking into Teaching Textbooks for math and Character Quality Language Arts for our Language Arts subjects.

Everything else will be what I said in my previous post about our updates.

When I FINALLY make up my mind about LA and math I'll update again.

Shees I wish this wasn't so hard to decide!!

Updates, updates!

2009-10-06T20:17:00.004-05:00

Well I've been behind but I have an excuse. I've been getting into a grove with school. I think we are finally finding our way. Some changes have come since we started so I'll start with that. We are also adding in I Can Do All Things with the DVDs for art twice a week.

Our new curriculum line up is Discover 4 Yourself Bible Studies for Kids for Bible, Heart of Dakota Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory for history and science, BJU English and Writing, Abeka Math, & All About Spelling.

We have been meeting one day a week with a good friend of ours to have our own co-op where we are doing Bible study using The Young Peacemaker curriculum, BJU's Elementary Spanish, doing some activities from HOD's Beyond history and science, and HOD's Drawn Into the Heart of Reading for our own book club :o).

Not much really going on besides school. I'll try to start doing a week in review soon.

Good night all!

Beware the "ism"

2009-09-12T21:18:00.002-05:00

This is a 1948 cartoon that talks of the dangers of "ism."

Thanks to Cosmox for this.

But I Believe in Faith

2009-08-30T22:22:00.003-05:00

But I Believe In Faith
by: Justin Harvey at The Anchor Fellowship

For 14 years I have believed in Yeshua, but my faith in him as not been so long lived.

It’s easy for me to believe something… prove it to me. Irrefutable evidence is a sure way to make me a believer. I want to touch it, taste it, feel it, smell it, see it, hear it. This is the type of belief I‘ve had in Yeshua since he proved his existence to me in ways that could take pages upon pages for me to tell. I wasn’t a church kid… quite the opposite actually. I was raised without religion and by my own reasoning deemed Christianity a worthless crutch for the mentally weak. I aggressively gave Christians a hard time… and even recruited others to join me in the assault. It was in the height of my resistance that Yeshua knocked me off my high horse. He personally revealed himself to me and that encounter had a dramatic and instantaneous effect upon the very core of my being. In a moment I went from being a professed enemy of Christ to being one of his followers. Ever since then I have believed in him… and he has continued to reinforce that belief with his constant presence and action in my life. This is why I believe in Yeshua: he proved himself to me.

This belief, however, is not a clear indicator of my faith. Belief is something we hold internally. We can believe many things and never speak of them or act upon them. Belief is nothing more than a state of mind. Faith, however, supersedes the confines of our thoughts. Faith is the manifestation of belief in the form of action. Faith is what happens when something we believe overrides the other things we believe, particularly those contradictory things, and we act on the belief despite how unlikely, impossible or unimaginable our expected outcome may be.

It’s faith that caused a man named Simon to jump out of a boat far at sea and walk to Yeshua who was also standing on the water. It’s faith that caused Martin Luther King Jr. to proclaim his dream of a racially united America in a time when racial unity seemed an impossibility. And, it was faith that lead me to say to a girl with a broken leg, “Because of God’s great love for you, you are healed.” …and she instantly was. There was a season in my life in which I had faith in Yeshua to do the unlikely, impossible and unimaginable. But over time that faith dwindled. What was a constant soon became an occasion. For the last few years it has been a rarity.

I’ve come to realize that I now live with a great belief in Yeshua, but merely marginal faith in him. It seems rationally absurd to me, but even Yeshua’s water-walking-friend, Simon, had a similar dilemma. On another occasion Simon was again on a boat far at sea. Yeshua was with him asleep in the hull of the ship. A huge storm swelled up, tossing the boat wildly. Water was coming on board and Simon, a lifelong fisherman, knew this was the end. He knew they were going to drown. He went under deck to Yeshua, shouting their certain doom. Simon had the faith to walk on water with Yeshua, but he had never seen Yeshua save a sinking ship. It would seem Simon lacked faith that Christ would save them, perhaps even that he could save them. Yeshua sat up and calmly walked on deck. He raised his arms up and told the storm to stop. It obeyed! The sky cleared and the waves stopped. Yeshua then turned and asked Simon, “Why did you have no faith?”. Simon wasn’t the only person on board. Everyone saw what Yeshua did and they were amazed. They couldn’t explain it – they couldn’t understand it – but they believed what they had just seen.

There was a man among them named Judas who also saw many of the amazing things Yeshua did. He was a believer and professed his life to following Yeshua. But, he proved himself faithless when he decided a fat paycheck was valuable enough to betray Yeshua. He believed Yeshua was God’s son but was unfaithful to that belief for the belief that money was more important.

In a lot of ways I feel like both Simon and Judas. I’ve walked on the water with Yeshua. I’ve been terrified he couldn’t save my sinking ship. I’ve sold him out for a cheap thrill and a wad of cash.

Satan believes in Christ, but it’s clear that’s not going to him much good. Just believing something to be true is a far cry from living like it is true. It’s not enough for me to believe in Christ… I need faith in him.

I once heard a man quote this scripture to justify his choice to not commit to a disciplined lifestyle modeled after Christ’s: “If we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Lord, we will be saved”. That’s great! I’m sure that quoting bible verses to God will work out great on our day of Judgment. Clearly the meaning of this verse was lost to him. What it’s saying is to put belief in Yeshua somewhere other than our heads – to integrate that belief into our core – at the very center of what we think and feel. When we believe things with our heart our lives reflect it… it consumes us, it bleeds out of us. Simply confessing a head-belief of Yeshua’ Lordship in my life is pretty pointless. I mean, its good show and sounds right, but what good is it really? That kind of belief isn’t faith. It’s just another categorical fact that may or may not have any weight in my life. I can believe a life jacket can keep me from drowning but that won’t do me any good if I don’t wear it.

I need my belief to turn into faith again. I long for the days when my faith in Yeshua overshadows all that I believe. I anticipate the times when I not only hear the Lord tell me to heal the sick, or prophecy to a stranger, or speak life into a dead child… but when I actually do it. The scriptures tell us that someone who hears the words of God but does not act on them is like a person who gazes in a mirror but walks off not remembering what they look like. Here I am staring at my reflection. Will I walk away and still remember who I am?

Lord, I believe. Increase my faith.

From Paige: Amen Lord! Increase my faith!!

Standing in Awe of God

2009-08-25T07:26:00.002-05:00

"Paige, guard your steps when you come into My presence. Come to listen rather than talk. Don't be quick w/ your mouth or hasty in your heart. I GOD am in heaven and you are on earth so let your words be few." Ecclesiastes 5:1,2

"There is hardly ever a complete silence in our soul. God is whispering to us well-nigh incessantly. Whenever the sounds of the world die out in the soul, or sink low, then we hear these whisperings of God. He is always whispering to us, only we do not always hear because of the noise, HURRY, and distraction that life causes as it rushes on." Frederick William Faber (1814-1863)

Awesome God,

I confess my inclination to rush into Your presence overflowing with many words. My private devotions are filled with my agendas for You. My public worship can be so flooded with noise that You are not able to get a word in edgewise. I confess my failure to listen for Your voice. Too seldom do I wait in silence before You as a servant waits before a king. Help me, Living Word of God, to learn to listen to You. Teach me to still my soul as a child with its mother. Give me a renewed vision of Your holiness, so that when I speak to You it might be with reverence and respect. (Ps. 131:2; Hab. 2:20)

With fear and trembling,
Amen

What's motivating me? Why do we homeschool?

2009-08-24T15:35:00.003-05:00

I want to thank Daisy for bringing this Holy Experience post back to my memory. In light of my previous post about making sure I'm not chasing the wind with all my toiling this was a very fitting post by Ann Voskamp.

I'm linking you to Mrs. Voskamps post because I really couldn't say it any better myself. I hear I'm in good company with that sentiment.

So please. If you would like to know what's motivating me with homeschooling please read here.

Labor and Achievement: What's motivating me?

2009-08-24T14:43:00.005-05:00

"And I saw that all labor and achievement spring from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 4:4

In my Bible reading earlier the Lord reminded me through this verse to check myself on why I do the things I do. If I am not motivated to do the Lord's will in ALL things then it's MEANINGLESS and I might as well be chasing the wind.

Wow that knocked the wind out of me. I mean one of the things that stresses me out each day is feeling like there is not enough hours or minutes to get it all done. I sure do not want to be wasting my time chasing the wind. I'll be taking this to heart and really examining what's motivating me with every minor action. Making sure I'm not chasing anything but the Lord Jesus Christ.

What's motivating you? Is it really meaningless in the big picture of Jesus' will for you? Are you running around chasing the wind?

Precious Jesus,

How often I delight in what I have done: my achievements, my family...my victories, my possesions, my family...my, my, my. But what is it all worth apart from You, Holy One? "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." Lord, unless You work through me, my labors will be empty. Unless I abide in You, I can do NOTHING THAT MATTERS. Unless I do Your bidding, my life will never bear fruit that will last. But when I live by Your grace and for Your glory, then my toil will not be in vain. Help me, Lord, to devote my life to doing Your will, for then I will have treasures in heaven, treasures that will last for eternity. (Ps. 127:1; Isa. 65:19-23; Mt. 6:19-21; Jn. 15:5)

In Your name, the name ABOVE all names,
Amen

Prayer: why we struggle (and how not to)

2009-08-20T22:16:00.003-05:00

Ann Voskamp's Walk with Him Wednesday post does it again. Don't miss her blog period but by all means do not miss this post.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2009/08/prayer-why-we-struggle-and-how-not-to.html

Google Chrome Browser

2009-08-12T20:52:00.002-05:00

Since I had problems with Firefox a friend told me they had the same problems and had downloaded Google Chrome. So I checked it out and downloaded it. So far I really like it. If you are looking for a new browser check out Chrome.

Our Reading Room

2009-08-09T21:02:00.005-05:00

Here's a few pictures of the newly painted reading room. I thought some of you might like to see the colors that we chose. The white strip in the corner will need to be painted before the room is done. We couldn't tape the wet green paint to fill in the orange gap LOL.

This is one of the green walls. I hope the colors are clear enough. The green is lime for sure.

The orange is called Fire Orange. I hope to have it mostly finished by next week.

We can't wait to sit in our new reading room and read.

My Wonderful Husband

2009-08-09T20:56:00.002-05:00

I just want to tell everyone what an awesome husband I have! When I thought up changing our spare room into a reading room I fully intended to do all the work myself and with Joshua. Well yesterday my husband helped me paint and he did it with the happiest and greatest attitude. I could have done it by myself but it would have taken me at least 3 times as long to get everything done.

I am so blessed to have a husband that does things even when it's not his idea and probably the last thing in the world he wants to do at the time. He's the love of my life!

On top of that he mowed our somewhat large yard AFTER he did the bulk of the painting. How awesome is that!?!

He's the best!!

Working On Our New Reading/School Room

2009-08-06T19:14:00.008-05:00

I have been busy converting our spare room into a reading/school room. I wish I could take credit for the idea but I stumbled onto a lady's blog who had done one of her unused rooms into a library reading room for her 4.5 year old daughter. She was inspired after reading The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease I was instantly inspired by her ideas and immediately asked my husband about converting our spare room into a reading/school room. He said go for it! So I've been cleaning our spare room out and tomorrow we will buy our paint and Saturday we will PAINT it! We are kicking around colors but we are thinking orange and neon green or neon green and some shade of blue. It should be wonderful when it's finally done. I hope to be mostly done by the end of next week. I'll post pictures when it's done but for now here is a picture of the first 2 new things for our reading room.

It's My Computer

2009-08-05T01:26:00.002-05:00

I think my problems with my blog are Firefox related. I can pull up the blog on IE and it looks right. Firefox did an update and now everything is all messed up in general when I try web pages on Firefox. Soooo as much as I hate IE that's what I will be using until/unless I can fix Firefox.

I have been very happy with Firefox up until tonight LOL. I'm not such a happy camper with them right now.

What does my blog look like to you?

2009-08-04T22:25:00.003-05:00

I am having problems with my blog all of the sudden. I see a white background. Could you reply and let me know what you see?

I'll try to get it back as soon as possible.

Parentalrights.org -- Action Email: Blitz Congress Today!

2009-07-22T08:59:00.002-05:00

Parentalrights.org -- Action Email: Blitz Congress Today!

Shared via AddThis

Changes and Finalization of This Years Curriculum

2009-07-18T18:38:00.006-05:00

I have made some major changes in our homeschool plans for next year. After years of trying to find curriculum that works for me AND my son I have come to the conclusion that textbooks are the way to go for us. I had started out thinking unit studies were the way I wanted to educate my kids. I loved unit studies but needed more structure in the day to day planning or I found that I didn't get school done consistently. So then began my search for a unit study type curriculum with daily lesson plans done for me. I finally ended up on Heart of Dakota. I even had planned to use HOD for this coming year. I still love HOD (I went there to look at some books a couple of weeks ago and decided right then and there to scrap the new plans and do HOD after all LOL) and really wish that it was best for my son. It just isn't no matter how much I love it.

So I'll spare you the details and tell you that we decided on Abeka for all subjects except spelling. For spelling we will continue to use All About Spelling. We have been using AAS over this summer and it's going well. I am really convinced this is one of the best spelling curricula out there.

I forgot to add that we will not be using Abeka for Bible. We will be using the Discover 4 Yourself Inductive Bible Studies for Kids. I plan to start with How to Study Your Bible for Kids (Discover 4 Yourself® Inductive Bible Studies for Kids) first. I will do this study with Joshua in my own Bible also. While we are doing this study I will pray about which one the Lord would have us do next in the series. I have wanted to do these books for a long time so I am really looking forward to delving into these with Joshua.

I do not have a official start date for our school year but I will be working on our school schedule over the next few weeks after I get the curriculum and I will post that when I get it done.

Hope everyone is getting ready for the new school year!

I Have Not Forgotten My Blog LOL

2009-06-18T20:14:00.002-05:00

Well I've neglected it but I haven't forgotten it. Things have been crazy and I was out of town for most of Jan. to the first of May but I am home now and trying to catch up with everything that was neglected at the house. I will be making some new posts soon with lots of updates about us. Tomorrow and Saturday we are having a yard sale so we will be super busy but then I will also have a bunch of junk out of my house that has been cluttering it up.

Hope everyone is enjoying their summer,
Paige

One Of My Favorite Blogs

2009-03-30T11:08:00.003-05:00

A Holy Experience

Words can not do it justice. Get a cup of coffee or tea and read, read, read.

I never fail to be speechless as I am now having just come from reading there.

All About Spelling Beehive Reader 1 is Now Available

2009-03-24T11:31:00.005-05:00

Well I am so happy to report that the first Beehive Reader that corresponds with Level 1 of All About Spelling is now available. It looks really great. If you have a young child that is learning to read All About Spelling can really help a child advance with their reading. Now Marie Ripple has added a reader to help them along. I will be ordering this in the very near future for Joshua and I know Jacob will use it in the future too. Just click on any All About Spelling link on my web page here and then click Products and you will find the new Beehive Reader there. There are several samples to look at and best of all it's on sale until March 31 for only $14.95. It's a hardbound book and was designed to be a keepsake book so the price is awesome on it.

While you are there be sure and check out All About Spelling's book All About Homophones. It's a great way to teach kids about words that sound the same but are spelled differently.

Also hop on over to The ChatterBee for straight talk about Language Arts. It's a great board to talk about any language arts issues and even other subjects. It's free to sign up too!

Hope everyone is having a great day!
Paige

This weeks Preschool plans

2009-03-23T00:31:00.006-05:00

I have received all my books for Heart of Dakota's Little Hands to Heaven except for the Singing Bible. I should receive it tomorrow. I absolutely adore Playtime Devotions. I am so glad I decided to spend a few extra dollars and get this book before I couldn't get it in the future. It's the perfect devotion book for Jacob. That is what I love the most about Carrie Austin. She is so discriminating in her book choices for each of her manuals. I have come to trust her and that is why I really looked at the out of print books that were originally used in Little Hands to Heaven. I knew they would be top notch and I am not disappointed at all. I am really looking forward to snuggling up with Jacob to read our Bible stories and do our letter activities. Jacob loves to read together and he loves saying his ABC's and many of their sounds. I have no doubt Jacob will love the fun learning activities in Little Hands to Heaven. I will try to take some pics of him on his first day or preschool. I didn't do things like that with Joshua and I regret that I didn't now. We will be doing more memory type things with both boys in the future.

Fun stuff in store for us this week. How about you? What are your plans for this week?

Next Year's School Plans

2009-03-22T23:36:00.006-05:00

Well I think I am pretty set on most of next year's curriculum choices for my oldest son. We will continue with Heart of Dakota's Bigger Hearts for His Glory until we finish it. We will also continue with All About Spelling. We are currently in Level 1 but I expect to finish that by the end of summer and move into Level 2. We will also continue using BJU English & Writing. I am really liking this because of the alternating focus that BJU takes with this course. It's one chapter of grammar and then one chapter of writing starting in 2nd grade.

Right now we are using Singapore math and using the lesson plans that Heart of Dakota has written in their manuals to coincide with the Singapore workbooks. I really like Singapore for it's mental math component and Joshua is doing fine with it. I keep thinking don't change something that's working but I really am considering putting him back in BJU math. We did BJU before Singapore and he did fine with that too. I am waiting to see what BJU does with their online classes because I want to use the distance learning classes for English, Math and Handwriting from BJU but right now you can only buy full grade kits at $1000 a pop to get those classes. So no classes for us right now. I am teaching the English class myself and it only take about 15 to 20 minutes for us to do. If they offer an acceptable plan for the online classes then I will use those classes for English and also move him back into BJU for math. At least with the distance learning classes I know that the basics will get done if for some reason I am unable to teach one day.

With Bible I am thinking of going with the Summit's Building on the Rock World View/Bible Survey curriculum. We currently use Grapevine Bible in addition to HOD's Bible and we really like Grapevine but I am drawn to the age appropriate study that Building on the Rock offers. I just might have to try it out to see how it goes. BotR is somewhat expensive to get started so I haven't made up my mind for sure yet but I am strongly leaning that way.

I am also looking into adding Evan Moor's A Word a Day books for vocabulary. Thanks to Dana for that idea.

Soooo I am fairly set except for concrete decisions on Math and Bible yet. We will be working through summer since we didn't get very far at all into Bigger Hearts. I know it will be a great summer with HOD though so I am really looking forward to watching Joshua grow in his reading ability while doing Bigger Hearts. We will be going through HOD's emerging reader set over summer and into next year to help give Joshua some practice and confidence in his reading.

How about you? What are your plans for your homeschool next year? Any new things? Keepers? Tossing? My top keepers are for sure Heart of Dakota and All About Spelling.

Our Preschool Curriculum

2009-03-16T19:41:00.015-05:00

Well I ordered my books for our preschool curriculum for Jacob. We will be using Heart of Dakota's Little Hands to Heaven.

When Mrs. Austin wrote the Little Hands to Heaven manual she used a devotional book called Playtime Devotions . It's now out of print but Mrs. Austin has substituted it with another great book called Big Thoughts for Little People. I decided to buy Playtime Devotions because of Jacob's age. He will just turn 3 on April 12. I wanted a very easy intro to school things and Playtime Devotions looked like it was just what I was looking for. I want to instill a love for learning in him and make some wonderful memories with him. I looked at Big Thoughts extensively and I think that when he's just a bit older I will get that book and use it at night before bed. Big Thoughts is a very good book and I was torn because I didn't want to miss out on it either. Little Hands to Heaven also uses A Child's First Bible. In Little Hands to Heaven each unit has a theme centered around Bible characters. These stories provide the focus for the day's plans. The daily activities are linked to the Bible stories. There are musical selections from The Singing Bible that correspond with each unit. I have no doubt this will be a favorite of Jacob's.

My plans at this time are to do Little Hands to Heaven a couple of times a week because of his age. I plan on taking 2 years to complete it. Jacob has shown signs of being gifted so I might end up doing LHTH every day and have to change my long term plans for him but in the beginning this is the schedule until I see how he does. On the other days I plan to use some Kumon First Step workbooks called Let's Cut Paper!, Let's Fold!, Let's Color!, and Let's Sticker & Paste!.

I am also strongly considering using Mathematical Reasoning: Beginning Prek with Jacob. It's for 3 & 4 year olds and I think this book and maybe even the ones that follow it would dovetail very nicely into Singapore math which we will use when Jacob is older. Singapore is known for it's mental math component so I think these books will be an age appropriate precursor.

When I start will depend on when my books arrive. I will be posting about some of our days and weeks in review also.

I'm also working on a new daily schedule now since I will need to make sure I allow enough time for working with Jacob. I will post my new schedule when I'm done with it.

A Serious Abuse of Power

2009-03-12T09:55:00.002-05:00

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=91397

Judge orders homeschoolers into public district classrooms despite the children testing above grade levels.

I'm beyond words Ladies and Gentlemen. Beyond words. Anyone remember the California fiasco not that long ago?

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine - Almost 200 Products Up To 80% Off

2009-03-10T12:47:00.004-05:00

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine store has gone mad. They have almost 200 products up to 80% off! Check it out HERE

While checking it out for myself I also found that they have the book Boys of Grit Who Became Men of Honor in MP3 format for FREE download. It is read by Jim Hodges. Download it from HERE.

Remember that TOS always has FREE shipping on anything you buy from them too!

Enjoy!

Building on the Rock World View / Bible Curriculum

2009-03-05T20:32:00.003-06:00

I stumbled onto a Biblical World View and Bible Survey curriculum that I like the looks of. It's from Summit Ministries. They have elementary through adult curriculum. They have extensive samples of the curricula to look at so you can get a very good idea of the curriculum. Level 1 was over 90 pages of sample. I've only looked over level 1 so I'm still in the checking it out phase but this looks very good so far. Thanks to Deb for giving an overview of it. Be sure to check out what she has to say about her first week of using it too.

In looking at the sample pages I am very encouraged at the hands on application of the lessons. My very hands on son would enjoy it I am sure. My initial response to this is that I very much want this one for our homeschool. If I do get it I'll let you know how it goes when I start using it.

For now though I just wanted to make people aware that it is out there. I hope you enjoy looking at it as much as I have so far.

What to look forward to...............

2009-03-05T10:44:00.002-06:00

Well I'm home and we won't talk about my trip but praise God I did make it without any injury!

I wanted to let the few people that check out my blog know what is coming over the next few days. While gone from home I stumbled onto a few things for homeschooling that I will be reviewing in the next few days.

I also had 2 epiphanies while gone that are going to make a difference in my life from here on out.

AND I read a whole book while gone. That's the first book that I read word for word and didn't skim and jump around in for a very long time - maybe years (I'm serious about that). It's a book that is gaining in popularity and I will review it. I borrowed my copy so I need to pick up my own copy to butcher while I read it again and review it. When I'm able to do that I'll get around to reviewing it. The other 2 things come first though LOL.

Alrighty then! Like anyone cares but I thought I would post now that I am home and dangle some chocolate in front of a few of you! I know you are on pins and needles waiting for me to post - NOT lol.

Blessed to be home with my wonderful husband,
Paige

Coming Home Tomorrow!

2009-03-03T23:00:00.002-06:00

Well I am finally coming home tomorrow. I can't wait to get home to my sweet husband! If you think of me please pray for a safe trip. I am traveling with a very packed car, 2.5 year old, and the family boxer. This should be interesting!

Thanks,
Paige

Check out the Scanalog giveway!

2009-02-28T22:09:00.002-06:00

Angela over at Homeschooling and Loving It is having a Scanalog giveaway! I had never heard of Scanalog but since learning about it I think it looks like a wonderful thing.

Scanalog is a CD-ROM software system to store, catalog and retrieve your favorite articles from magazines (and catalogs). It's also great for saving children's school and art work, recipes and just about anything you can think of.

Be sure to enter for the giveaway at Angela's blog.

Living in the wastefulness of Jesus' grace,
Paige

Still away from home

2009-02-09T12:04:00.002-06:00

well I'm still at my parents house. I was supposed to be back a few weeks ago but as usual major changes happen and I'm still here. I have very limited access to the internet so I havn't been able to post. I'm in withdrawal to talk to all my friends online. I hopefully will be able to check and post more in the next week or so.

Paige

I'm packing for a trip to my parents

2009-01-03T15:13:00.004-06:00

I am packing to leave in the morning to go see my parents in MO. It takes me around 12 hours with stops for the boys. I will be gone probably 3 weeks. My parents don't have internet at their house so I will not be online too much while I'm gone. Did I mention tomorrow is my birthday? What a way to spend your birthday isn't it. I should be doing this trip on a plane in the very near future. My cousin is becoming a pilot and is almost done. WHOOO HOOO. No more 12 hour driving days lost.

We will be doing school while at my parents and I will update when possible. I am looking forward to getting back to school and our routine. I'll try to get our Christmas photos up soon. I should have already done it but I've been lazy about that. I also got on Facebook. I see why people like it so much.

I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas and happy New Year.

FREE 100 Day Menu Kit

2009-01-01T18:02:00.002-06:00

Menu in a Box is offering their 100 Day Menu Planning Kit for FREE today 1/1/09. This kit has everything you need for 100 days of menu's. It includes the menu's, shoppping lists and some great extra's like a kid's birthday menu and father's day breakfast menu. All they ask is that you give feedback once you have used the kit. The meals look very healthy and delicious.

Enjoy!

Almost lost the blog

2009-01-01T15:29:00.002-06:00

Ok I added something to my blog and ended up almost losing my blog because I had not saved it. I was able to get it back after losing some code and having to update it. I'm still working on it though so be patient. I've got to change fonts and colors yet so if it's hard to read something that will be updated soon.

Having a crash course in HTML,
Paige