While You Are Waiting



photo credit: Fruit in Season

We are in a season of waiting, both again and still.  Some of the things we wait for have changed, some remain the same.

Waiting is rarely easy, but it is inevitable that we will wait.  Sometimes the wait is long, sometimes short.  We wait in traffic and in the grocery store lines.  We wait for things to change. Some wait for a child to come home.
Whatever it is you are waiting for, there are some things to remember as you wait.  They are easy things to forget, especially as the wait grows longer or more complicated.


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Created to Reflect

This weekend I went to visit some of my extended family. While we were there, we got to tour my cousin's new home. They have been working on the building of the home for almost two years. It is nearly finished and they should get to move in within the next two weeks. As we toured their home, each bathroom had a set of unique mirrors leaning against the wall, ready to be hung. The mirrors were not yet fulfilling their ultimate purpose, but they were still reflecting.

Have you stopped to consider what you are reflecting? 

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May you reflect the glory of God.

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Curriculum 2012-13

It's that time of year again when the current school year is winding down and I am gearing up for a new year.  Just about the time the kids finish their current year, I sit down and begin to write out all of their plans for the next school year. 

I started looking at curriculum for next year just after the halfway point in our school year.  For the last couple of years, it has been an easy decision to choose the next year with no major changes.  But, for the fall, we are making some major changes.  I faced the dilemma of just going with the next book in our current history curriculum or choosing something that would be a better fit for our family.  I didn't want to be tied to a curriculum just to finish the series when I was not convinced it was the best option for everyone in our family.

We are adding a baby to the family in May (or June) and thus our life and school schedules will look a bit different.  I felt that we needed something that would give us the togetherness and bonding time we will surely need. 

So for the fall, we are going back the Sonlight.  We will be using Core E, American History, beginning around 1850.  The lesson plans are already done for History, Bible, and Language Arts!  We will be using Wordly Wise 3000, Books 2 & 4 and Writing with Ease 1 & 3.

I would love to add in All About Spelling for both kids, but I haven't made that purchase yet.

For math, we are sticking with Math-U-See.  The kids love it and really seem to understand their math.  We will be using levels Beta and Delta.

We will be adding in US Geography this year, using The Star-Spangled State Book and Workbook.  I am considering adding in Eat Your Way Through the USA, just for fun.

For Science, we will be covering two different topics.  At home, we will be using Physics from Gravitas Press and in co-op, we will be using Apologia's Swimming Creatures.

We will continue with Rosetta Stone Spanish and add in Latin for the 4th grader.

We will also be continuing ARTistic Pursuits, moving on to Book 3.  This is another one that the kids just love and look forward to.

We will take a short break to celebrate completion of this school year before we begin our summer studies.  Our summer studies are far more low key and delight directed.  We will be doing unit studies/lapbooks on Butterflies, Owls, and Weather.  The butterfly garden is already planted and we will study well this summer so we are ready for their fall migration.

What are your plans for the next school year?

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Three Ways to Fuel Potential

“He surprises me sometimes,” I leaned over and whispered to my husband as we sat at the back of the room listening to one of our friends address the large group. “Yes, that often happens to me too,” he replied. We were both pleasantly surprised by the words spoken by our friend.  Yet, I am not sure that we should have been.  I have pondered why we are so often surprised by the good we see.   I am forced to ask myself:

Am I one who regularly looks for the potential in others?

Or do I become blinded by their shortcomings?

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