Photo of the Day...8/6/12..."Writing"

(Sigh)...Writing...my mind went a hundred different directions with this inspirational prompt.  Do I capture a pic of a beloved recipe written in my mom's handwriting because I love those kind of treasures?  Do I confess, as a homeschooling mom, how I have always struggled to find any love for teaching the skill of handwriting?  Is "writing" just a mechanical skill or is it the art of stringing words together to paint pictures for a reader...whether written by hand, typed in a document or shared as a Facebook status? Well, whatever it is...I love it personally!  I love to journal...sometimes I do so with pen and paper as shown above, sometimes I capture thoughts in Evernote, and sometimes I inflict it on the reader here at this blog.  Each are therapeutic to put the mind at rest...to unburden oneself, getting it off your chest in as peaceful manner as possible...to capture a specific spot in a person's journey through life...to express thoughts and emotions that are not as easy to verbalize.  And with this love of writing in mind, I, as a homeschooling mom, will persist in passing that love on as a treasure.  And if I don't succeed...at least they will have my journals to draw a laugh.

You can learn more about the Photo of the Day challenge here.

SNOW DAY!!!

Snow has been pretty sparse in Michigan this winter...and, to be honest, I've been totally fine with it.  But as today's winter weather warning winds down, I have to admit it's been a pretty cool (pun intended) day!

As homeschoolers, "snow day" doesn't mean a break from schoolwork  But the kids did sprint outside between subjects to build up their toboggan run off the deck as the snow continued to fall.  When the Hero was done with work (thankfully he worked from home today), we all gathered together to enjoy "Mr. Popper's Penguins".  And we were blessed with the arrival of these snow birds.

 
They were first named Mr. and Mrs. Snowbird...then they were just called Dad and Mom.

A Favorite Homeschooling Tool

One of my favorite tools for homeschooling is Google Earth.  After reading about ancient civilations in Mesoamerica this morning, we woke up the laptop, did a quick search for our desired destination and traveled from home to far away lands. We've zoomed over the Great Pyramids...tracked down the Colisseum and explored the length of the Nile...all done while we remained in our PJs.

Favorite Invention Friday!!!

My friendship with the calculator has been long...it has had different phases.

As a child, it was a toy..."What words could I spell?...HELLO...SHELLOIL...".

As a student that often found herself in math and science classes (pursuing an engineering degree will do that to you), it was often a necessity with homework, labwork and tests.

As an engineer, it was tool to getting the job done...whether calculating dimensions, machine rates or budget numbers.

And, even now, as a wife and homeschooling mom...it has a role in my life. Sometimes it's conversions in the kitchen or working on my budget. But, currently, it's most important job is helping me correct three- and four-digit multiplication and long division problems. I think this may be one of its most important functions yet.

Yes I Did!

While on a family vacation this past weekend, I read to the kids each night from James Herriot's Treasure for Children. My nine-year-old would often read the title of the evening's story as I was getting settled. After she had done this the third night, I complimented her reading skills. She looked at me and said "You did that!" recognizing me as her teacher. My heart instantly warmed as I thanked God for allowing me the opportunity to raise each of my girls, teach each of my girls and get to soak in the related rewards of such tasks.

They Got My Back

Well, the birthday celebration rages on...even though the big day was two days ago!!!

Today I want to give thanks for all of the special ladies in my life.

Let me start with my sister. She and I are total BFFs! While it was not always that way (you can read just one incident here), it is that way now. While we live time zones apart, we keep in touch through text messages, pictures on the phone, e-mail, Facebook and good old fashioned phone calls. Every visit is anticipated and relished. We don't necessarily agree with each other on all of life's issues, but we love and respect each other...always willing to listen and learn from each other. Jodi is creative, smart and one of the funniest people I know (second to my dad). (Pssst....don't tell her that I said any of that, ok?)


My two sisters-in-law (or is it sister-in-laws?) are two more special people that I can always count on. While I don't get the chance to spend much time with them, they are always nearby with an e-mail and a prayer. They are quick to send cards and flowers during tough times and I always learn something from them that helps me be a better mom. Remember...they were raised by one of my favorite Titus 2 women!

Then, there are all my sisters (or sistas!) that I'm not related to but could not be closer to. They too have been there in good times and bad. We encourage each other as wives, moms, teachers and followers of Christ. They have character and the courage to live that character out in their daily lives. I appreciate so much their efforts to always be working on themselves and their willingness to serve others.

I am thankful for each and every one of these special women...they have certainly played their part in building this cathedral (she's a brick...howwwse....oops! sorry! could not resist), whether they know it or not.

Three of My Best Friends

They are a collection of giggles, freckles, curls and eyelashes. Each one is different from the other two in countless ways...interests...sensitivities...sense of humors (or is it senses of humor?). God uses them each day to teach me something about others and myself. And it is my pleasure, privilege and blessing to spend each day with them as we learn about the Creation together.

When I consider my own friendship with my sister and my mom, I look forward to what the future holds for us and our relationship...just don't rush me. I am enjoying being employed in the oldest profession...motherhood.

They Will Keep You Humble II

It's Monday...back to the homeschooling routine.

My nine-year-old sits down next to me and asks "Do you like what I writed?" Yep...two syllables...ri-ted. I asked her if she had ever read that word in a book. She responded "No". I filled her in..."That is because there is no such word. The right word to use is 'wrote'."

She promptly looked at me and said, "I should have said 'drawed'." Oh yes...she did say that.

As I told my sister and dear friend today when I shared the story...the books about my homeschooling approach and success will fill shelves...in the humor section.

P.S. I am glad to report that the spell check feature of this blog did catch those two words...that don't exist...except in the world of my students.

Whew...Twice!

I was standing in the checkout line at the grocery store with all of my three girls. Ahhh...the checkout line...where you can actually be dumbed down by the media displayed and your kids can make that last ditch effort at getting you to buy something (candy) you had not planned to buy upon entering the store.

The girls were staring at the various magazines looking for pictures of High School Musical stars and Hannah Montana. Suddenly, one of them says "Hey mom! What's a 'mom from hell'?" Sure enough, it was written right on the front of one of the magazines about some tabloid victim. So, here's my first "whew"...as a homeschooling parent I was thrilled that they can read and can do so spontaneously because they want to, not because they have to. My second "whew"...that they had to even ask what a mom from hell is, instead of knowing exactly what it was based upon their own personal experience.