And the Search Begins...

for Next years curriculum, that is!

I  am always in search for new and intresting textbooks that keeps my girls attention. 

Next year is my oldest first year in high school.  I have no idea where to start with that.  I know she will be doing Spanish, History, Physical Science, Algebra 1, Language Arts,  and Bible.

I already know what I want for Physical Science, Language Arts, and Algebra 1... but the others I am at a lost!

There is so much to choose from, that I can get lost in trying to find what I think will be the best fit for her.

I have a few months before I really need to begin buying, but I love to read reviews, research the products, and then see if my girls would love it or not. 
Well, my search will continue until I find what I believe will be the best for my dd.

Taking care of MOM

Taking care of MOM

Being a homeschool mom can take a toll on you. Let’s be honest here… we are not just teacher but mom, house keeper, chafer, cook,…. And the list can go on and on and on.

I find that some days I am just burned out! I am tired, stressed at the thought of just thinking about school. I have come to realize that I have to take care of me…MOM. If I don’t than the whole house suffers.

How do I take care of ME? Let’s face it, I am a busy wife, mother, and a home daycare provider.

The most important thing is my Devotional time with the Lord. If I don’t start my day in prayer than, My day will not be very productive.

I take time out for myself during the day. Usually I “kick” all the children outside for about an hour. I can keep an eye on them while I am sitting in my chair relaxing. I may read a book, cut out a pattern, or just sit and listen to a quiet house. Mom’s just need some quiet time if you know what I mean.

Some times I just fill the need to get out of the house. I leave the girls with my husband and I may just run to the post office or the store. You don’t know how just a few minutes out can help you fill refreshed.

I have come up with a list to help take care of ME:

Prayer and devotional time
Spend time during the day for me…. Sitting and relaxing
A day out once a month without the children… hubby is invited to tag along.
Pamper myself a little… buy me something nice, maybe a bubble bath…

I have come to the conclusion that if I do simple and little things to make sure that I am taken care of than the rest of the family will be more happy and productive….

Like that old saying goes: If mamma isn’t happy than nobodies happy!
Mom’s are important so let’s not overlook ourselves!

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Phlippians 4:4

As Christians we must rejoice! Rejoicing strengthens us. We all have our ups and down in our Christian walk. There are times that we may fill that the Lord is not near us that , maybe he has forgotten us. Don't let these thoughts rob you of your joy!

For the full post click here.

Love Amid the Ashes

Disclaimer:  This book was provided to me by Baker publishing to read and review.  In no way have they paid me to give this book a good review. The opinions expressed are just that, my opinions.


Love Amid the Ashes
by Mesu Andrews


An epic story of love and forgiveness, suffering and restoration


When her beloved grandfather Isaac dies, Dinah must follow his final command: travel to Job's household to marry his son. After Job's world comes crashing down, Dinah finds herself drawn to this great man brought low. What will she risk to fight for his survival?

Mesu Andrews weaves an emotional and stirring account of Job and Dinah. Love Amid the Ashes breathes life, romance, and passion into the classic biblical story of suffering and steadfast faith.
(provided by Baker Publishing)  Check out their site HERE. 


I don't know where to begin with this review.  This book was not at all what I was expecting it to be.   I was expecting a story that had a creative feel but that was closely in line with the Bible.  I have to tell you that after a few chapters I stopped reading it  because I was upset with the author.  But I did finish reading it! 
The Story is just that a fiction story that (you can say) takes place or continues  where the story of Job in the Bible ends ( it was all a little confusing to me excatly what time it takes place).  We don't know what took all took place in  the Book of Job.  I had to remind myself of this when I began to read it again.
It was a delightful book to read.   I was pleased with it (after I overcame my own expectations).

This book just proved to me that  you never know what is behind the cover until you began to read and get captivated by it.    I am glad that I did in fact read this book.  Take time, lose all your preconceived expectations and read it, you will be delighted.


downloadable excerpt of Love Amid the Ashes.
 

Happy Reading everyone!
Shelby

Crock pot cooking...here we come!

I finally bought me a new CrockPot!  I fell in love with the one pictured.

CrockPot Cooking here we come!  I have always wanted a new one, but could not justify spending fifty bucks for one.  I was at the grocery store yesterday and I noticed this crockpot up on a top shelf, with no price tag in site... So I hunted down an employee and asked  for the price.... $29.95!  I snatched it right up. 

I even have dinner, cooking away....

Now I am on the search for crockpot recipes!  If you have one and want to share.... place it in comments!



Families are a Treasure

Spending time with family is a treasure.  It has been few weeks since my family has been able to just get away and relax. 

We decided to get new tires on our truck this weekend, but the dealer lived almost two hours away.  My parents live in the same town as our car dealer we buy from, so we just decided to pack up and spend the weekend there.

My parents always love to have their grandkids around, and their daughter and son in law.   But just between us, the grandkids win hands down.... ;)

What a relaxing weekend!  I love just being able to sit and relax. 
You don't have to do anything special to spend quality time with the family, just visiting, playing games, talking together is all you need.   

Mom and I played games, Hubby and my Dad talked and just visited,  the girls took advantage of a TV  (we don't own one) to watch movies.
We even were able to go to church with my parents.
All in all a great weekend.

Now that we are all relaxed.... Maybe we are ready for this coming Week!

Hubby Duty Day



Today is what I love to call hubby duty day!  While my lovingly hubby is out doing yard duty, I am in the house writing this post.   

I love that my hubby will take time out of his day to work in the yard.  I love that he will do it.  I am so scared to go out back that if it was up to me, the yard grass would be a tall as the house.

I just wanted to take time out and tell the world that I love my Hubby!  I am thankful for all he does for our family.  He goes to work sick and does not complain about it.  He takes our grumpiness and lets it role off his chest. 
I Love you honey!

The Dog and the Little Girl

The Dog and the little Girl
by Kalyn Dunning @2011

The little girl is named Monday.  Her dad bought her a dog named Adam.  Then her Dad bought her a cat but she did not like it, so her dad sold it for $10.00.  The little girl got the money. 
But then her dog got sick and then her dad got a doctor for the dog.  The dog got better.  Monday got sick and the doctor got sick. Little Monday got better.  But then dad got sick and the doctor sent some letters to some doctors and the doctors came to the house.  The dad, the dog, and little Monday  all got better.

The dog ( this must have happened later) had three puppies.  We named them Spacer, Champ, and Princess.
Monday had a baby girl. (apparently she got married) and she is two years old.


( are my comments!)

I am proud of her.  She is working on her writing skills and she wrote  all by herself.... without it having to be an assignment!
I have not proofed it...just copied how she wrote it.

Heart of Lies

I recieved the book free of charge by Zondervan to read and review.

Please check out their site for more information.

Synopsis:

Maddie Grande, who was raised to be a thief on the streets of New Orleans, now lives in the bayou. She longs to change her life, but her twin “brothers” have forced her to become involved in a kidnapping. When she falls for the detective assigned to the kidnapping case, her world is turned upside-down.


This is book 2 in the Irish Angel Series by  Jill  Marie Landis.   I have never read one of Jill's books before.  I love to read  stories that take place back in history. 
Jill did a great job on this book.  She kept the story lively, far from boring!  I kept telling myself  stuff like,  Maddie why did you do that!  Come on girl, stop running!  Yes, I was talking to the book. 
My favorite character besides Maddie is the little kidnapped girl... she was so spunky.  She made me laugh more than once while reading. 
I loved it! I can't wait for the next book to come out.
If you love Historical Fiction, than you will love this book! Check it out you will not be disappointed!
So until next time,
Happy Reading Everyone
Shelby

Searching for a new home...

We are living, well renting an older home in the small town that we live in.  Well, when we first moved in I found a king snake (very long).  It was in our laundry room working its way under the dyer.  I am terrified of snakes so it took me  two weeks to go in the laundry room by myself.  Well Sat. my daughter saw a small snake on her window seal inside her room. Again, I was very glad that hubby was home to take care to it.
I have decided that it is time to start searching for another home.  I just don't feel safe here anymore.   There is not a whole lot to choose from around here so the search is on!

I have a list of things I want in my new home that I feel are important to our home:

• two bathrooms
• 3 bedrooms
• one room to use as a school room
• big back yard
• enough room for our stuff

I really am wanting to look for a home that has enough room so I can have a school room.   We have looked at a home that meets these needs, so we are praying about it.

I am praying that the Lord will give us a home that I can feel safe in without the scare of any unwanted guests finding there way inside!
Please pray with us!
Shelby

Building Godly Character Chapter 1

And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. Deut. 6:7

This is my Scripture for homeschooling.  I believe as a mom it is my responsibility to teach my children good Christian Character.  Last year, I worked on some Character trait lessons and stories to use with my youngest school work. 

I have decided to share some stories I wrote with you my friends.

Here is a story that I wrote to deal with  our lesson on kindness:



Matthew 7:12


12Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

                                                      The Echo
One day George was walking in the woods behind his house singing and shouting. He was surprised to hear it repeated. George looked around to see who was also in the woods.


“Who are you?” George called out and immediately and he heard the voice again. He called out again, only this time louder. “You are a fool.” “Fool” , replied the voice from the woods.


George was now beginning to get anger. “You are a no good, rotten person!” George began to shout to which was faithfully repeated by the voice.


George began to search for the little boy who he thought was mocking him. He searched everywhere. He looked by the river, looked under the huge rock cliffs and looked by the grove of trees in the field. He finally gave up and went home.


“Mom, there was a boy in the woods that was mocking me. I searched everywhere and I could not find him. He made me so mad!” George told his mom.


”George, I think you have made a mistake.” Mom replied. “ You did not hear another little boy in the woods, it was your voice that you heard , an echo, just like when you look at a mirror and see your face reflected in it. If you would have spoken kindly to the voice, you would have heard kind words in return.” Mom continued, “ It is just like the little boys that you meet, their action toward us is an echo of how we have acted toward them. If we treat others kindly, they will in turn treat us kindly. But if we treat others rude and unkind, they will treat us rude and unkind.”


George stated exactly, “ Just like the golden rule.”


Mom replied happily , “ Yes, just like the golden rule…. Treat others as you would be treated.”




Thinking thru the story:


1. What did George think was in the woods with him?


2. What happened when the voice did not answer George?


3. What did George think the voice was doing?


4. Mom told George that the voice was what?


5. How will others treat us if we treat them kindly? Rudely?




Show kindness to others today by:


• Speaking gentle words


• Do a good deed for someone


• Do not let anger take over your speech


 Next week I will post another story in BUILDING GODLY CHARACTER
 
Happy Homeschooling!
Shelby

Bathsheba... The wives of King David

This complimentary book was given to me to read and review.

Can love triumph over treachery?


Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her husband away fighting the king's wars, she battles encroaching loneliness--which makes it all too easy to succumb to the advances of King David. Will one night of unbridled passion destroy everything she holds dear? Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God forever?


With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba the same way again.
(from the back of the book)

What can I say about this book? It was an amazing book. I have read book 2 in the Wives of David series, so I was hoping this book would not disappoint me. Well, It didn't! Jill Smith keep this book closely to the Bible as I expected it to be. Of course, she used her creative side to give us a more in depth view on the love between David and Bathsheba.

I had always wondered as many probably have, what may have happened that the Bible did not record. This book let me imagine what life was like for Bathsheba.


Jill Smith is an amazing author that keep me captivated thru out the whole book. This is a book that I will keep stocked away to read again!
Next time your at the book store... take a look at this book! You will enjoy it.


Happy Reading everyone!


until next time,

Shelby

While visiting Mr. Whittaker at Whit's Soda Shoppe, Beth and Patrick find a mysterious letter in the Imagination Station requesting a Viking sunstone. The letter is old and says that someone named Albert will be imprisoned if the sunstone isn't found. Mr. Whittaker sends cousins Patrick and Beth to Greenland circa 1000. On their quest for the sunstone, the cousins meet Vikings Erik the Red and Leif Eriksson--and find the sunstone as they join Leif on his first voyage to North America. But the adventure is just beginning, for when they return to Mr. Whittaker's workshop with the sunstone, there is another note waiting for them, requesting a silver goblet.


I recieve this book by Tyndale to review. 

I love Adventures in Odyssey, so when the oppintunity come to review this book I took it.
It is a very easy read for ages 7 and up.  It is filled with action and adventure.  All that you expect from a trip in the Imagination Station.    I love the fact that it mixes a little fiction with history! Great book for the little readers!

Friends come in all sizes

I have recieve a book by Waterbrook press to review. It is called Divine Appointments by Charlene Ann Baumbich.



I have to say that it did take me a while to really get into reading this book. I am glad that I have finished it though.

Divine Appointments is a story about Josie Brooks, who is a consultant. She is single but married to her job... a job that does not make it easy for friends. Who wants to be friends with a lady who may say your job is no longer needed.


Josie does not expect to make any friends on this assigment, but she unexpectally does!


This is a pleasent read, not very adventurous but nice.


Friends come in all shapes and sizes, Josie found that out... read the book you will enjoy it!
 
Happy Reading everyone!