Thursday, August 30, 2007

Lapbooking

We have recently started lapbooking. We are lapbooking Nick's work, CJ's work, insects, and our country's symbols. Take a look at the video if you are interested in starting your lapbook adventure. My children learn alot more and easier when they can do the hands on work while creating a lapbook.

Blessings,

Amanda

The Homeschool Homie Video

I thought this was a great homeschool video. You don't see many advocates like this, huh?

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Ten Reasons to Homeschool in High School

Ten Reasons to Homeschool in High School



Why Homeschool Teens?
by Elizabeth Smith

When our children reach the high school years, we begin to question whether homeschooling can really provide them with what they need—spiritually, socially, and academically. But homeschooling is effective in high school for the same reasons it is effective in the younger grades. As a matter of fact, homeschooling in high school can yield great dividends in the life of your teen.

Here are 10 reasons why you might want to consider homeschooling your teen.

1. Continue the Family-Building Process

The teen years are a strategic time to cement relationships that last a lifetime. Parents can continue as the primary role models. You can make sure that your teen is instructed and discipled consistently each day with moral training and sound doctrine.

2. Cement Family Relationships

Relationships are the most important thing in family life. When teens are away from home for six-to-eight hours a day, subtle changes begin to erode relationships at home. Divided allegiance or "serving two masters" can shake their foundation. The result is weakened family ties and parental influence.

3. Provide an Excellent Learning Environment

Receiving one-on-one instruction is the most effective way to learn. At home, academics have priority, and there are no classroom distractions. Conversely, studies show that barely one third of the school day in traditional high schools is dedicated to academics.

4. Individualize Education Based on Needs

You can customize your teen's education to provide motivating opportunities to develop gifts and abilities. In areas of academic weakness, you can provide extra time and help. No classroom setting can offer this consistent and loving support.

5. Accelerate Academic Progress

Many homeschooled children are academically ready to do college-level work between the ages of 14 and 16. Additionally, researchers have found that age/grade isolation or segregation actually inhibits socialization. Available data demonstrates that homeschooled children are ahead of their public school counterparts in maturity, socialization, and vocabulary development.

6. Have Direct Influence over Peer Relationships

Homeschooling allows parents to fulfill their God-given responsibility to oversee the choices and amount of time spent outside the family. Parents can mentor their teens as they develop the important lifeskills of evaluating and choosing friends, resolving conflicts, and handling romantic relationships.

7. Protect from the Pressure to Conform

Teens feel strong pressure to compromise their standards and personal identity to conform to "the group." Few are mature enough to withstand constant pressure.

8. Maintain Flexibility

Homeschooling allows great flexibility for family plans and work or service opportunities. Through these venues, teens can gain valuable experience to help prepare them for future adult responsibilities.

9. Create a Safe Learning Environment

News headlines tell us that the presence of drugs and violence are escalating on high school campuses across the country. Homeschooling offers a safe haven for learning, and it provides more opportunity for parents to recognize and lovingly intervene if their child exhibits at-risk behavior.

10. Allow God to Show Himself Strong

2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him." Let us look to God and trust Him as our provider during these special years.

Article from HSLDA

"If a woman has home in her heart, she will have heart in her home."

The Problem With Dating



The Problems with Dating



Compiled by Nathan Bailey




Why do people feel so strongly about these issues? Because the "dating game" is such a dangerous game to play! Whether you are the predator or the prey, you are quite likely to be hurt by the recreational dating scene. Some may come out unscarred from the pit of snakes, but is that any reason to walk through it?



Dating promotes lust and moderate s_xual* activity, opening the door for fornication.



Dating develops a self-centered, feeling-oriented concept of love.



Dating creates a permanent endorphin-bond between two people who will not spend their lives together.



Dating teaches people to break off difficult relationships, conditioning them more for divorce than marriage.



Dating creates a standard of comparison by which mates are first chosen, but after marriage rejected.



Dating develops an appetite for variety and change, creating dissatisfaction within marriage.



Dating causes late marriages, leaving more time for falling into sins associated with singleness.



Dating destroys fellowship, leaving Christians alienated and ineffective uncooperative ministry.



Dating lacks the protections and guidance afforded by parental involvement of courtship.



Dating doesn't prepare children to face "life's realities" ~ it warps life's realities!



Dating devalues s_x and marriage.



Dating leads to intimacy but not necessarily to commitment.



Dating tends to skip the "friendship" stage of a relationship.



Dating often mistakes a physical relationship for love.



Dating often isolates a couple from other vital relationships.



Dating, in many cases, distracts young adults from their primary responsibility of preparing for the future.



Dating can cause discontentment with God's gift of singleness.



Dating creates an artificial environment for evaluating another person's character.




These problems are extracted from "Dating: Is It Worth the Risk?" by Reb Bradley; "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris; "Dating, Betrothal and Courtship" by Dr S. M. Davis, "Dating vs. Courtship" by Paul Jehle, and various posts to the "Courtship Ring" mailing list. Please see the list of resources for details of where to access these resources!

Friday, August 24, 2007

The Rapture - Are You Ready?


This video was found Godtube.com. It is a reality check for those that think their ready, but are not. Watch this 6 minute clip "The Rapture." Then, examine yourself.
~
Blessings,
Amanda

Lapbooks


Hello friends.

~

I have heard of lapbooks before, but I had never seen any. So, I looked on a site and saw a lapbook made on volcanoes. Now, I am curious about what you have made lapbooks about. What materials do you use? Do you make lapbooks about the subject you are studying in history, science, ect.?


Leave me a comment.

~

Blessings,

Amanda

Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Our Other Two Babies

Our other two babies.
This is Nick with Jake. Jake is a Boxer Bulldog. We got him earlier this year from a family member that no longer wanted him. We couldn't pass up this wondeful family pet.


This is Nick with Maggie May. Maggie May is an English Bulldog. Maggie was Jeff's
dad's dog. He died a few years back and we inherited her. Well, initially she was to stay
with Jeff's mother. She didn't want to keep her so Jeff's sister took her and didn't care for like she needed to cared for. So, then she came to live with us. We are so lucky to have
two wonderful pets.

And here Nick is with both of them. Aren't they beautiful?


Problems

I am having problems posting Our Master Schedule. I will continue trying to post it.

Scheduling Time To Work On Scheduling

Good morning.

Well, today is the first day we are back to our schedule. I had to have a definite set schedule during baseball season in order for us to get everything done on time. We were spending several hours a day at the ball park. I will post our schedule for you to take a look at. I have had to adjust a bit. The time that we were at practice or games is now our free time. We normally take that time to ride bikes, play board games, or catch up on a recorded I Love Lucy show. Sometimes I use this time to schedule our school projects or lesson plans for the next week. I am still babysitting Parker and I got a call from a neighbor last night asking if I'd start babysitting their future arrival. I enjoy Parker very much. He is a great kid when he is here. Although he isn't our child, we still have a lot of freedom while keeping him. I grew up with him mother and Jeff worked with his dad. We carry him anywhere we go and I train him just like I do my own. However, with this perspective couple, I'm not sure if they are expecting a daycare setting or a home sitter. I guess I have to figure all of that out when time comes. I am fortunate to be able to provide somewhat of an extra income for our family without ever having to leave my home. Jeff has agreed to allow me to take on another child. He actually said that I could take on two. In Jeff's mind, I am SUPER WOMAN. However, I know my limits and I don't want to take on more that I can handle. I still have to have my time with CJ and Nick in order to get their school work in each day. On the other hand, I do have Parker on a set schedule and if I could get the perspective baby on the same schedule, I would still have free time to spend on school. Thanks for listening (actually reading) while I figure out my schedule.
~
Blessings,
Amanda

Monday, August 20, 2007

Created To Be His Helpmeet

Click on this link to order the book. The journal can be ordered from the same site.

Blessings,
Amanda

I'm Back - Created To Be His Helpmeet

I'm sorry I have been gone for awhile. I am back and will get back to blogging. My last blog was at the end of June. We went on vacation the following week. We went to Savannah, Tennessee and camped at Pickwick. We just got back from Davy Crockett Days in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. We try to go every year around now. We enjoy living a simple lifestyle and try to take advantage of the primative things that still exist these days. Nick and CJ can make a fire with flint and steel. Now that's primative!
~
I have thoroughly enjoyed blogging. I enjoy sharing my life with you. I hope you find something on my blog that will help you in your life. I just gave away my book, "Created To Be His Helpmeet." I have got to get another one ordered this week. I am a member of a yahoo group that is going through the book chapter by chapter. I have read the book a few time, but I seem to keep finding things new each time. There is a journal that goes along with it now. I reccomend the book and the journal. It will take your marriage to a new level. I will post the web address at the end of this post. I will also list the Pearl's website below.
~
Well, until next time. Take care and God Bless You!!

Blessing,
Amanda

http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/created2behishelpmeet/