Giving Back

This past year, I felt like we needed to be more involved in volunteering our time to those in need.  I also felt like the girls were old enough and the sooner I helped them see the blessing in giving, prayerfully they will make it a normal way of life.  We wanted to volunteer at the Autauga InterFaith Center downtown.  They help give clothing, food, etc to those in need in Autauga County.  One day the girls and I drove down and were sadly disappointed to find that the girls weren't old enough to volunteer.  The girls were sooooo disappointed so I thought of everything I could that we could do that day and came up with the pound :)  We all love animals and thought going to play with those without homes sounded like a good idea.  We drove out to the pound only to find out that they didn't open for another hour and a half.  So far, it wasn't a good day for volunteering.  Again, the girls were very disappointed.  As we drove home, I prayed that God would open a door for us.

An hour and a half later, we drove back to the pound, filled out some paperwork, and played with some kitties and pups.  Girls were so happy!  We have been a few times but not much lately :/  (need to put that back on the to-do list).

Meanwhile, I kept praying that God would show us what it is that we could do to help the human race :)  I mentioned wanting to do Meals on Wheels to my neighbor and she said that her friend at her church was the MOW Coordinator for them and she was sure I could go with her one day to see what it was like.  I was super excited and contacted her immediately.  Not long after, we went with her (Monique) for a delivery.  We were hooked!!!  I absolutely LOVE old people and I love to give food to others so this is a perfect fit!!!  My Great-Grandma Pippin and my Mamaw received MOW for a little while and I know how much it meant to them and I am so excited to be a part of doing this for others.  The first time we did the route alone made me a little nervous because I don't know my way around these Prattville neighborhoods very well. Thank goodness for GPS!    We have absolutely fallen in love with these folks.  They are so precious to us and we look forward to going each month.  It is just as much a blessing to us as it is to them.  I miss my grandparents greatly and this lets me get to love on some little old folks.  Did I mention how much we LOVE this!!?!

I just learned yesterday that one of the men on our route died this week.  It makes me super sad because you really get attached to these people very quickly.  I am thankful to have met him and been able to minister to him in Jesus' name!  

Simplicity

Messiah's Mansion

Back in August (yes, it's February....so far behind), we went to the Montgomery Sanctuary put together by Messiah's Mansion.  It was a "full scale model of the wilderness temple built by Moses and the Israelites."  This was a very interesting field trip!  I have often read and studied about the tabernacle, Ark of the Covenant, etc but could never fully picture it in my head.  Everything seemed so intricate and ornate, I just couldn't really wrap my head around it.  This was a great experience because it really brought it all to life and helped me to get a good picture.  The fact that every little detail of the tabernacle was designed by God and had meaning really hit home that God cares about the details....even the little details. If the tour comes through your area, I encourage you to go.

Behind Again....

I haven't posted a single thing since school began.  Must mean I'm a little bit busy ;)  Let me say, that previous sentence was an understatement.  I fly from the moment I arise to the moment I collapse at night.  So, these post will be more abbreviated than I had anticipated them to be.  I had hoped to go into detail with every little thing....blah, blah, blah....not gonna happen.  So, let's get started!

Learning Games

My next door neighbor school teacher took a new job this year and we were the beneficiaries of several new learning games.  Here is a picture of Leah doing one about patterns and Ella with compound words.  They love playing these games and it makes learning so much fun.  Thank you, Mrs. Stacy for these great games!!

 

Catching Butterflies

One of the many things I love about homeschooling is the ability to stop and take advantage of whatever gift God is showing us at the moment.  Leah had gone outside to take a break and came back in screaming about the biggest butterfly ever while running to her room to get the butterfly net.  So we went outside, captured it, studied it, and then let it go.  It was a nice moment in the day just to watch the wonder and excitement in them over God's creation :)



Making Pottery

One of our projects was to make some pottery jars like they used to store scrolls in during Biblical times.  MFW gave us a recipe to make some clay, but fortunately, someone had given the girls a gift of a pottery wheel.  This was a messy project, but as usual, the girls loved it....the messier the better as far as they are concerned :)  And, no, you can't see the finished projects because though they are painted, they don't have the jewels glued on yet (that's my fault because I keep putting it off in order to accomplish other things...bad Mommy).

World Cake

Ok, last one for tonight.....another of our assignments was to make a world cake with all of the continents on it.  My brain (and my pride) said, "Oh, I've got this.  This is gonna be good."  What is that scripture says??  "Pride goes before a fall."  Yep.  I had envisioned this great sphere shaped cake with blue fondant water and green fondant continents.  Well, the cake pan I used didn't give me the pretty round shape I had thought it would.  Then, I didn't have enough blue fondant to cover the entire thing.  Lastly, the continents weren't nearly as easy to cut and shape as I had anticipated.  So though Mommy was failing, the girls reminded me this was their cake and they wanted to cut the continents.  So each one got to cut a few continents and "glue" them onto the cake.  They had fun and we reviewed the continents and that was the point.  I am humbled so often throughout this homeschool process. 

 

So, there is a quick glimpse into a few of the things we've been doing.  I'd like to detail them all but God only gave me 24 hours in a day :)

The 2013-14 School Year Has Begun

We started back to school yesterday.  Both the girls were excited and we had a pretty good day overall. 

I wanted to share our curriculum choices for the year.  I spent much time researching and debating on what would be best for Ella this year (as far as Language Arts is concerned).  We always use My Father's World as our base.  It is so biblically based and I absolutely love and highly recommend it.  It covers subjects such as Bible, History/Geography, Science, Music/Art, Read Aloud, and other enrichment activities.  The projects are always fun and really help reinforce the lessons.  It comes with A LOT of books so I am not going to take a picture of them all (see July 17 post to get an idea).  But they are all SOOOO good.  Leah is in first grade and she will get an overview of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.  Ella is in third grade so she started Exploring Countries and Cultures.  We will focus on how God loves all of the world and how to get involved and pray for all people.

Beginning in second grade, you have to supplement Language Arts and Math.  We actually started supplementing math in first grade and have chosen Alpha Omega Horizons.  We have been greatly pleased.

 

 



Though, again, I highly recommend MFW, I didn't like their choice of Language Arts for second grade.  Third grade is scheduled to be a continuation of second, so over the summer I set to researching what would be best for Ella this year.  I prayed over it and I must say, God (as always) came through.  Ella and I both loved every bit of LA yesterday.  I must say, it is quite a hodge podge of all different things, but I think this is best for her.  For Spelling, I chose Building Spelling Skills by Christian Liberty Press. 

 

For Grammar, I chose Language 3 by Abeka. 

 

For Reading, I chose Doors to Discovery by Christian Light Education.  The biblical/character lessons in these stories are astounding.  I couldn't be happier!!

 

Finally, for writing, I chose Daily 6-Trait Writing.  I must say, with this too, I am pleased.  



 

I never thought I would piece so many different things together...especially for just one subject...but I could not be happier with the choice.  It really seems to be exactly what she needed.  Praise the Lord we are off to a great year!!

Mission Trip Crafts

I have wanted to go on a mission trip for soooo long.  I just want to do it as a family.  Our church offers several mission opportunities each year, but the youngest participants are in their teens.  This past June, my neighbor (Stacy) went on a mission trip with her church to Mexico.  It was a family mission trip.  Kids as young as 6 went!!  I couldn't believe it.  She said that the kids were active participants in hammering nails and painting (they built 2 houses) as well as playing with the local children.  She said , "Y'all should go with me next year."  I made sure I understood her correctly....we could go, even if we weren't members of her church??  "Absolutely!" was her reply.  Can I just say my heart flipped over a zillion times!! 

Our church has fundraisers to help defray the cost of mission trips.  Well, we won't have that help as we aren't going with our church.  So, I am making some crafts to sell to help raise the money.  I know it may take us a couple of years, but I believe that if we are obedient to the call to go, God WILL bless! 

Here are a few of the things I've made.  I really hope to get a new vinyl machine before long and I can do much more!  In the meantime, everything here is able to be personalized to your preference (name, initials, colors, sayings, scripture, etc).  These are just examples.  Please share with your friends and help send our family to Mexico!!

12x12 decorative tile $22

12x12 decorative tile $20

12x12 decorative tile $20

6x6 desktop tile $10

8x14 floating frame $25

Post it note holder $7

Santa cookie plate $13

Christmas decorative plate $13

Etched glass Christmas ornament $8.50

Etched glass candle holder or vase $10

Name tumbler $12

Initial tumbler $12

Auburn tumbler $13 (would be cute with a paw print too)

Alabama tumbler $12

Peanut butter fudge tray $20

Chocolate chocolate chip cake $22

Almond cream cheese pound cake $20

Sock-it-to-me cake $20