Homeschooling Jacob

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We’ve made the decision to home school Jacob next year.  He will be in 4th grade.  I will periodically write updates here on my blog about the process.

Today I have been searching the Internet for information.  I’ve basically come to the conclusion that I have to make a decision about whether to use dvd schooling (where the student watches school on tv) or go ahead and just teach him myself.

The other thing to remember is that I wouldn’t be doing this alone.  My husband is an excellent teacher, he’s more patient than I am, more calm.  He’s even said that Jacob could go with him to work once in a while to do his studies.  Whether this will prove practical is yet to be seen! 

There is a tremendous amount of information out there.  Now that we have internet, it has really opened up a wealth of information, tools, tips, and HELP! 

I’ve realized that I can change my mind set about LIFE and MOTHERHOOD in general as I go through this homeschooling process.  I am convicted about the many many teaching opportunities that I MISS during the day.  I could be teaching all of the children so much more than I am.  (and David is upstairs watching Mary Poppins as I type! *ouch*).  Obviously a balance has to be discovered and maintained or I will drive myself and everyone around me crazy.

I was looking at Rod and Staff Publishers curriculum today and I was impressed with what I saw.

I looked up CT law on home schooling.

I discovered the book A Well Trained Mind, by Susan Baur and I want to see if Barnes and Nobles has it so I can look through it.  Has anyone read it?

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of all these new ideas, but realistically I know it will be a lot of work.  Pray for me as I journey on!

More love to Thee, O Christ

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My Meditation of Him shall be sweet. . . . .Psalm 104:34

I can’t help but write my thoughts today, which are focused on Christ.  About a month ago, I was reading about Samuel Rutherford, who was “a soul enthralled by the surpassing loveliness of Christ”.  I immedietly was struck by the thought, “Am I enthralled with Christ?”   I want to love Christ more, just like Elizabeth Prentiss writes in her hymn.

Am I “on tip toe for the sky?”, (which is another description that I read of S. Rutherford.)  Tip toe for the sky!  What a glorious thought!

Turn your eyes upon JESUS
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangly dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

We have love names for our precious ones here on earth.  Do I have love names for Christ?  Fair and fairest Sun of Righteousness, Maker of Kings, Ancient of Days, Satisfyer of my soul, The Candle that lighteth the sun and moon, the bright and morning Star, Lover of my soul, Beautiful Saviour, Rose of Sharon, Strength, Shield, my Hope, my Life.  In my own personal prayer life, I want to use these names.

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows,
heals his wounds
And drives away his fear.

In makes the wounded spirit whole
and calms the troubled breast
‘Tis manna to the hungry soul
and to the weary, rest.

Jesus!  my Saviour, Shepherd, Friend
My Prophet, Priest, and King,
My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,
accept the praise I bring.

Weak is the effort of my heart
and cold my warmest tho’t;
but when I see Thee as Thou art,
I’ll praise Thee as I ought.

John Newton, 1779

Christ, whose glory fills the skies,
Christ, the true, the only light,
Sun of righteousness, arise,
Triumph o’er the shades of night
Dayspring from on high, be near;
Daystar, in my heart appear.

Dark and cheerless is the morn
Unaccompanied by Thee;
Joyless is the days return
Till Thy mercy’s beams I see
Till Thy inward light impart
Glad my eyes, and warm my heart.

Visit, then, this heart of mine:
Pierce the gloom of sin and grief;
Fill me, Radiency Divine,
scatter all my unbelief.
More and more Thyself display,
Shining to the perfect day.

Charles Wesley, 1740

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.”  Matthew 22:36, 37

Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.  Amen
Ephesians 6:24

In shame I admit that I just scratched the surface.  My brief thoughts are nothing compared to Christ.  But, if I can glorify Him in some small way here today, that is enough. 

Think of Christ and Love Him More

TRIP BACK HOME

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Let me just begin by saying that I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked.  I missed a lot of photo opportunities because the purpose of my visit was to be there for my grieving family; my mom and her sisters and the rest of the family, after the death of my Uncle Chris.  There are pictures in my mind, however, and moments not soon to be forgotten.  Thank you for all your prayers and well-wishes on our behalf.  It was a bittersweet time~  bitter because of loss, sweet because of family, friends and the love that we share.
And now, the pictures I did take.  Enjoy!

The picture above is of my 5 children, my Aunt Colleen’s 4 daughters, and my sisters 2 daughters.  And so it goes.  Life continuing on.

This picture is special.. My mother and me with my son.  It was taken on Mother’s Day.

My Parent’s house.  This is where I lived from age 10 years on until I left home to get married.  The only place on earth where I can feel relaxed and comfortable.

What’s a family visit without food?  Besides my mom’s homecooked lunch, we also enjoyed cousin Erika’s homemade baked goods.  The brownies were sublime.

Aunt Mary

Here are some of us girls going through some pictures of Uncle Chris.  “Time it was and what a time it was. . . .a time of innocence. . .a time of confidences. . . long ago it must be . . I have a photograph. . . .preserve your memories . . . . . .”

My Grandpa Gohl

My “sweet as sugar” sister, Melissa

One of the most important people in my life, my brother David.  He has the most gorgeous blue eyes.

The happiest newlyweds ever!  My brother Nathan (another very important person in my life) is thrilled with his new wife and now that they have a baby on the way, life just can’t get any better!  I’m so happy for them.

What’s a trip back home without a picture of my dear Dad?  Unfortunately that perfect picture never happened.  We tried.  Oh well, I hope that on our trip to Fort Ticonderoga in 2 weeks I’ll have an opportunity for a Dad Pic.

Love to you all. . . . .

Line from the song that was sung at the funeral:  “God knows your heart when people just see you crying”

 

Some Pictures I took Today. . . . . . .

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Grace and Ethan    Yes, I love the color green.  Dad, I know what you would name Ethan if you were talking to him while he was wearing his green pants, “Mr. Greenjeans”, right?  Those of you who know my Ethan know that he can totally pull of the green pants, they are HIM to a “T”. 


Caleb  Oh well, what can I say?  He’s a dream-boat!  As Uncle Jason says, “He has tennis balls in his cheeks”.


Our Thankful Book   This is an idea I came up with just the other day.  I bought this blank book on Friday and it stays out on the counter for anyone to write in. . . just things we’re thankful for.  It’s already fun to read and puts a smile on my face.  The kids can write anything they want, however they think it’s spelled!  (like Grace’s, “hoses”—she meant houses) 

A Moment in Time

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~There’s No Place Like Home~

 


Be it ever so humble. . . . .

I ran out to the van to get my Bible and when I turned around to run back in, I paused and looked at my house.  And as I looked, I had a feeling of contentment.  Seeing the glow of the lights in the livingroom, knowing that the people, my family, were buzzing about inside, getting ready for the next day.  Making lunches, doing homework.  Davy-boy in bed, Caleb playing in his playpen, husband helping the kids. . . . . . . .so, I ran back in the house to grab my camera.

“I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:  and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”  Psalm 86:12

Amanda gets me out of the house. . . . . . .

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I’m generally a very happy person, but~
I get stuck in a rut at times.
I hole myself away in my little world until I feel as though the walls are closing in.
Until I feel like “if I clean up one more mess. . . . .”
Until the stress is like a weight.
That’s why, today, I am so thankful for my sister.  We’ve gotten closer in the past 6 months.  Now that she’s married she has that contentness and calmness, like she finally has someone to complete her.  And that has made our relationship better as sisters.  Amanda is an extrovert, I am an introvert.  I cannot believe how much energy and sparkle she has after having N. only a month ago!
She gets me out of the house.
Out of my little cave.
Yesterday she was here and we just sat outside and talked and sat inside and talked.  She comforted me when I thought Caleb was dying from tipping over in his high chair.
Today we went for a walk and to the park.  I took a big quilt and some magazines and my camera and watched my little sister play with my son.
I’m so thankful for my sister!

More about me:

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Are you interested in your family history?  Here is some information about my own family.  I left LAST NAMES out, for sake of privacy:

My Maternal Great Grandparents, Anton and Lucy Belle had 15 children!  Esther, Wesley, Richard, Theodore, Harold, Mary (my maternal grandma), Lucy, Lena, Lawrence, Roger, Betty, Ethel, Joann, Joyce, and Rita!

My Maternal Grandparents, Theodore and Mary, had 6 children:  Chris, Cindy (my mom), Carol, Teddy, Mary Ellen, and Colleen.

My Parents, Greg and Cindy, had 5 children.  Shanda (that’s me!), David, Amanda, Nathan, and Isaac.

And I, with my husband, Rich, have 5 children.  Jacob, Ethan, Grace, David, and Caleb.

I’m in a family history mood! 

PS, I’ll have to do my Paternal side later. . . . . .