New book

Candy has a new ebook, The Joyful Homemaker, and best of all it is free!!!!! To view or download it you may go HERE.

Enjoy!!!!
Blessings,
Carie

Tuesday

What a beautiful fall day it is!!!!! I am so glad that we live where the season change. Although I joke about it, I think that I would get tired of living somewhere that was warm all the time. Remember that I said that this winter :)

Today has been very good. We began a unit on orderliness this morning. I am in as much need of this as the boys are. I am not an orderly person. I tend to micro-organize....one shelf or cabinet will be perfect while the rest of the room is a disaster. I have tried every program available, but the truth is....I am lazy. So I am working on that and my attitude toward the work that needs to be done. I find that I am much more peaceful when I don't try to rush everything.....and everything seems to get done anyway :) What a blessing!!!! God is so gracious to provide just what we need. We finished our laundry and got everything put away, the kitchen is clean and the boys went to their cousin's house to play for a while.....I am alone...and should really be knitting :) But I will get to that in a minute.

I just had a bowl of my new favorite thing.......sugar-free chocolate pudding and sugar-free Cool Whip. What a delight it is to a woman who craves chocolate and sweets and hasn't had any since Thursday (with the exception of fruit, but that doesn't really count to a choco-holic). I might be able to handle this diet after all......

Monday

Today was definately a Monday :)

I got up at 6 and ate egg beaters (southwestern style) and peaches for breakfast. I bathed Sadie and then myself and got hamburger out of the freezer to thaw. And talked to my mom on the phone (I talk to my mom on the phone every single morning at 7 a.m. unless they are traveling, or we are traveling).

At 8 I was beginning to mix the ingredients for Pilgrim's Bread (from the More with Less cookbook). I had my bible study time and got the boys up for breakfast. The bread was rising and the boys were fed by 9 a.m. and we started school.

I was able to begin lunch prep at 10:30 (diligence by the boys makes an earlier lunch!). We had meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans. When I pulled the meatloaf out of the oven, I put the loaves of bread in (I had re-kneaded them during lunch prep). After lunch I skimmed my mail, folded a load of laundry....took the bread out and put an apple crisp in. I had a piece of fresh warm bread, butter and apple butter for a snack (that is one of the few things I can still enjoy in moderation!). When the apple crisp came out I finished Norman's lunch box up and then settled down to study some more Ancient Egypt with the boys. We had some company around 2 and everyone greatly enjoyed the apple crisp :)

Our company left around 3 and we were off to town.....drop trash off, drop off stuff at resale shop, walmart, drop off movies and then taekwondo. We are just now getting home :) I am tired, but something about the day just seemed calm and perfect. I love being a mother and being able to stay home and work and homeschool. I love the peaceful busy-ness of our days. Greg and I shared a story about Thanksgiving.................Lee worked so hard on his writing assignment this evening...........I love our shared history time (probably more than they do, but that's ok). I thank God every day that he has put me here, with my children and husband!!!!!!

Praising God,
Carie

The Latin Centered Curriculum

I thought that I would post some thoughts on how a Latin Centered Education looks at our house :)

Classical Languages

Leland (and I) are learning Latin. Lee is using Prima Latina and I am using Henle Latin Book 1. I will admit that Lee's studies are going better than mine :) I am thinking of folding Greg into Prima Latina come January since he has his English phonics concepts down pat. I am loving that Lee is learning English grammar through Latin....and he doesn't even really know it. What a blessing!

We haven't gotten to Greek yet :)

Math

LCC recommends Rod and Staff or Ray's Arithmetic for the early years. We use Math-U-See. Leland is working from Gamma (book 3) and Greg is just starting Beta (book 2). They are both working on their facts (addition for Greg and multiplication for Lee). We are using Wrap-Ups and Calculadders to help with drill.

English Studies

Gregory is finishing Alphaphonics. Lee has been finished with phonics for a couple of years now. I am thinking about doing a quick phonics review with him after Christmas just to get everything fresh again. For independent reading they are using the BoxCar Children and the Magic Tree House series. I haven't started suggesting the classics yet. We are working into them. For family reading we are using a Landmark Book, The Pharoahs of Ancient Egypt, which coordinates with our current history study.

For penmanship we use Italic Handwriting. Greg also works from the Copywork books from Memoria Press. We are working at Recitation. Since we took a speech class with our homeschool group I think that we have covered recitation there :)

For writing we are using Writing Stands. I know that this isn't at all one of the recommended resources for the progrymnasmata, but this is what we had on hand and it is working well for us. I may re-evaluate this for next year.

We haven't really gotten into the Literature section yet. For 1st and 4th grade there is a large amount of literature suggested. I think that we will try to read through The Real Mother Goose and The Random House Book of Nursery Stories. Both of these are kindergarten suggestions, but I thought that we would start there. LCC is a lot easier to implement if you have started from the beginning :) If we get those done, we will go on to the Fifty Famous Stories Retold and some of the Fairy Tales (both 1st grade recommendations). Shakespeare is recommended for 4th grade and we will see about that :) He may have to stay in England another year :)

Classical Studies

We are doing history chronologically rather than the way the Mr. Campbell recommends. I do have a book of Greek Myths that we will try to read in the evenings before bed.

Christian Studies

We are following the Bible program laid out by Veritas Press (grade 2). The readings so far have been from Genesis and will follow history as close as possible for a while, I think this year at least. The boys also get Bible instruction from Sunday School class.

Modern Studies

Like I said before, we are studying history chronologically, but we are trying to work in some other geography study this year. So far, we haven't done much, but we are going to work on it.

Science

Science is very laid back and hands on in LCC. I enjoy that. We are using some unit studies to cover some other things that the boys are interested in. So far we have covered the Days of Creation and reptiles. We are working on oceans and have dinosaurs yet to go. If we get all that finished, we will probably drop science from the "main studies" for the year and focus on nature study.

As you can see, a Latin Centered Curriculum can be very relaxing to a family that is tired of juggling all the different facets of a classical education. I am very freed in thinking that if we accomplish math, latin and some reading we have done good for the day. What a concept!!!!! Just think, we learn so much by reading, why shouldn't our children as well? And I say this as the mother of a very reluctant reader....but he isn't so reluctant to listen and we can explore all kinds of diferent topics through literature and good books that we get from the library. I firmly believe in following the desires of your children in certain areas. That thought is what guided our science topics for the year. They will learn more if it is something that they love. The interests of children change daily so you have multiple opportunities to teach millions of topics to your children. Feed their interested, their loves and desires. See where it takes you. I am certain that you will learn as much, if not more than your children.

And on the home front.....

I am knitting, reading and cleaning.....not necessarily in that order :)

I just recieved my newest issue of The Old Schoolhouse magazine....so I will probably be carving out the time to read that through. We rented the newest version of Pride and Prejudice so I am looking forward to watching that while I knit this evening. I am about half finished with a baby blanket and have another to go before Thanksgiving. I am needing to order some camoflauge yarn for some scarves for the boys, but I am waiting to grub up some money. One of the children that I babysit won't be here for about 2 weeks, so that cuts into my spendable income :)

This evening I will work on my review of The Latin Centered Curriculum by Drew Campbell for TEACH magazine. I am sure that Julie will be glad to receive it :) Sorry it took so long!!!!

The boys are outside enjoying another wonderful, warm, fall day. Norman said that it is supposed to get very cool tomorrow. I guess that it is fall.

So far, no adverse side effects from the Metformin. Course, I should probably find some wood to knock on now.....I sure don't want to be sick.

Have a wonderful fall weekend!!!!!
Blessings,
Carie

On the school front.....

Things are going pretty well. Greg is wrapping up his phonics work. He is pleased and I am relieved. I seem to feel vindicated when I manage to teach them to read.....ha, ha, people who thought I couldn't do it.....my children can READ :) So, now that I am done gloating about that; we are learning loads of cool stuff this year.

History

We are using Veritas Press as our spine and learning history starting from the beginning. We are in Ancient Egypt right now and using so many supplements that it is taking awhile. The history pockets are really cool and I am just itching to get started on the History Kit that we got from Hands and Hearts (see ad in the right side-bar). I think that the hands-on projects will really pull the study together. We might even be able to go to the Field Museum in Chicago and see the King Tut exhibit there. We are taking a trip to Chicago in a few weeks, but we haven't finalized our agenda yet :)

Science

We quickly finished our units on the days of Creation, reptiles, and are now working on an oceanography unit. The boys are interested, but would rather that we get to the part about the whales and sharks than have to read about the waves, weather and tidal currents :) I guess that is to be expected. We still have a unit about dinosaurs to dig into, so they are anticipating that.

We are enjoying all the resources that we have for this year. I am really, really liking Veritas Press. I am so glad that I decided to go with them this year. I am also glad that I spent a little extra and got all the supplemental stuff from various places. We are using it all and loving it. Leland is slowly reading through the BoxCar Children series. Gregory has just discovered the Magic Tree House series. He is reading them though quick....about 1 every 2 days. He may be my reader :) Leland is having great success with his writing this year. We are using Writing Strands (Level 3). Last year we had such problems because the book instructed the student to do the assignment by himself. Lee would quickly get bogged down and I would get frustrated because he was "supposed" to be doing this himself....right? Anyway, we dropped it after about 3 months. This year, I blocked off 30 mins. every day that I work through the lesson with him.....2 times a week. Small bites. And most of the time he is getting it himself. I won't say that he likes it, anymore than he did last year, but he is doing it and learning that he CAN do it himself :) That is an achievement if I ever saw one. We are getting ready to really crack down and learn our math facts for the year.....addition for Gregory and multiplication for Leland. Of course, I am not hearing cheers of anticipation on this one, but I am hoping that it will manage to be as painless as possible.

Happy studies!

Diagnosis

At my dr's appointment this a.m. I finally received the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Of course, I had suspected this for about 6 months, but to finally get the diagnosis means that I am being TREATED and finally can be on the road to good health again. I am on 500 mg Metformin for 7 days and then 1000 mg Metformin thereafter. I am also on a no-sugar low-carb diet. That is the hard part. I know that with prayer and help from God, family and friends that I will get accustomed to this way of eating. I hope and pray that this will help the symptoms of this disorder (unexplained weight gain, hormonal imbalances and infertility). My dr. is very hopefull of this.

Anyway, I want to thank everyone for their prayers for me. I really appreciate it.
Blessings,
Carie

A picture of us

I am trying my hand at a new talent (HA HA)...uploading pictures. If this works, let me tell you it was no easy feat on dial-up....oh how I long for satelite internet :) Anyway, here we are: (2nd try)




From left to right we have Leland, Norman, myself and Greg

Enjoy!

Puttering around the house

I've been busy this a.m.
I cleaned and redecorated the tops of my main kitchen cabinets. I lined up my tea pots and added some 8 by 10 photos to the top. It looks soooo cute :) I wish that I could take a pic and show you :)

I am working on laundry. The kids are done with school. Talked to Aunt B and found out that she wants me to use something called Fray check on the ends of my yarn....so I am getting ready to order some of that. Declutted the kitchen and dining room, but now we have had lunch so it is a mess again. Gotta get to work on that I guess.

CB is here and I will be picking up SC at school in a while. Then we will be running to Walmart and then to taekwondo. This in the only class this week so I am doing the happy dance. It is always great to have a week off from the continual trips to town.....don't tell my instructor though :)

I hope to have some time to knit when I get home. I guess that I will try to get some socks on needles for Aunt B. while I am waiting for the Fray Check to get here. So many projects.......

Stocking Up

This seems to be a common theme in the blog-o-sphere this week. I have to admit that I have felt the urge as well. But I wonder....why doesn't this urge hit in the spring when I could plant a huge garden??? I worry and stew all winter long but come May....I forget.....I know that I am lazy, but my mind needs to overcome my will and just do it.

Since I don't have a big garden to bring in, I will have to resort to what the stores have to offer. We stocked up on veggies a couple of weeks ago.....4 cases of various kinds. We got our 1/4 of beef so the freezer is stuffed. Flour looks good, but I will need to get a hold of several bags of sugar. We could probably do without, in an emergency, but that would only make a bad situation worse. I need to go through my first-aid drawer and see what needs replenishing....and the medicine cabinet. Like my mother, I tend to assume that there will be a big snow/ice storm mid winter. I always aim to be prepared to not leave the house for at least 2 weeks. Now, mind you, this hasn't happened since 1978 (I was an infant) and even then my dad was able to get to the store, but doesn't hurt to be prepared. And there is always North Korea and their nuclear situation to consider.

I am wanting to get some more material for some jumpers that I want to make myself this winter. Mom and I will be going on our annual shopping trip soon and that will probably be a major purchase then. I am also getting ready to order some books for winter reading and some camoflauge yarn for some scarves for the boys. With my other projects, I am definately going to busy until at least Christmas.

I have been hoping to convice dh of our need for a generator, but he isn't as paranoid as I am :) We have a totally electric house so in the event of a power outage...we are done. Moving to my mom's house :) But I am trying not to dwell on that.

So, my thoughts this week are on stocking up....how about you?
Blessings,
Carie

I found these in our church bulletin this morning...

Recipe for a Miracle

2 cups LOVE
4 cups TIME
1 cup ATTENTION
3 T FAITH
1/2 cup UNDERSTANDING
Dash of DISCIPLINE
Add PRAYER to taste
Mix all thoroughly and provide generous portions to each child from birth.

A Poem

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do,

I had to hurry and get to work

For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,

And jumped up off my knees.

My Christian duty was now done

My soul could rest at ease.....All day long I had no time

To spread a word of cheer

No time to speak of Christ to friends,

They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,

That was my constant cry,

No time to give to souls in need

But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes.

For in his hands God held a book;

It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said

"Your name I cannot find.

I once was going to write it down.....

But never found the time."

Now do you have the time?

Is it winter already??

What is with this weather? I enjoy cold weather and all, but I generally appreciate a little bit of transition. We were going to go to the football game this evening, but the wind is freezing so we are going to pass. The boys are going to a friend's house for the night and I will be knitting :)

Candy has some wonderful posts at her blog regarding the condition of the heart for eternity. They are fantastic and very worth the read.

Guess that is all for the evening! Have a good weekend :)
Blessings,
Carie

Yesterday......and this morning

Yesterday we were in Evansville, IN for a taekwondo regional tournament. Everyone had a fabulous time and we finished up with a dinner and play time at Chuck E Cheese. Not exactly my favorite place in the world, but Norman and the kids loved it :)

Around 4:00 a.m. I rolled over in bed and heard my neck pop. The pain was indescribable. I finally managed to get out of bed and into a recliner. With the help of double doses of ibuprofin I am able to move my head very slowly from side to side. But it still hurts. I am afraid this might require a trip to the chiropracter in the morning.
I have never been to the chiropracter and I am really, really hoping that I won't have to go this time.

So, today will be spent on the couch. I might see if I can knit a little, but I doubt that it will be much. Hopefully the kids will be able to entertain themselves while Norman is at work.

Have a blessed Lord's day!
Carie

How do you like it????

My new blog format, that is. Janet at Pine Blossoms Websites did such a fantastic job with everything you see here. She worked and worked with me. I am sure that was no treat, as I had no idea what I wanted or what I was doing. I am still worried that I will mess it up somehow, but she assures me that she has it saved somewhere very safe. So please, leave me a comment and let me know how you like it.
I love it!
Thanks again Janet!!!!
Carie

Tuesday

On Tuesday's we are usually able to stay home all day. Today was no exception. I decided to clean the house, which I do occassionally....contrary to popular belief.....It really isn't my fault that nobody is ever there to see it.

I got up around 6.....did my bible study (I finished Leviticus) and then walked with Sadie for about a mile. Came home, checked email, talked on the phone to S.A. and then bathed Sadie. Started laundry then bathed myself :)

Hung out laundry and woke up boys. It was about 8:30. They finally go through with breakfast/dressed/teeth brushed and we started school. Finished Latin, Bible, Reading/Phonics, Handwriting, Writing, and Math by 11.

I hung out the rest of the laundry (2 more loads) and started lunch (baked chicken and rice with corn). C.B. arrived here on the bus from school (I babysit him). I cleaned the playroom while Norman helped the boys carve pumpkins. We all sat down and ate lunch. Got Norman off to work and C.B. laid down to rest while the boys and I worked through History (Ancient Egypt) and Science (Oceans).

I cleaned the boys bathroom, vaccummed the hallway and living room and swept the kitchen. C.B. killed a spider....with his shoe.....we had to "high 5" after that. Spiders are scary you know! Anyway, his grandmother came and got him about 3:30.

I folded laundry while the boys put it away. The boys worked on their speeches for a few minutes and are now outside playing. They had sandwiches for supper. I had leftover red beans and rice and popcorn for supper......nutritious I know. We are going to start some evening reading this evening and I plan to knit for a while....gotta get to work on the rest of those shawls for Aunt B.

Tomorrow I am going to take Uncle L. shopping. I am hoping and praying that I am not as busy tomorrow....I am soooo tired :)

Have a good evening :)
Carie

This is too funny.....The Toddler Diet

I am borrowing this from Mrs. Wilt at the Sparrow's Nest.......I laughed sooooo hard :)

Over the years you may have noticed that most 2 year olds are trim. It came to me one day over a cup of grapefruit juice and a carrot that perhaps their diet is the reason. After consultation with pediatricians, x-ray technicians and distraught mothers, I was able to formulate this new diet. It is inexpensive and offers great variety and sufficient quantity.
Day 1:Breakfast One scrambled egg, one piece of toast with grape jelly. Eat 2 bites of egg using your fingers; dump the rest on the floor. Take 1 bite of toast, then smear the jelly over your face and clothes.
Lunch Four crayons (any color) a handful of potato chips, and a glass of milk-3 sips, then spill the rest.
Dinner A dry stick, 2 pennies, 4 sips of flat diet pop.
Bedtime snack Toast piece of bread, butter it and toss it face down on the floor.

Day 2:BreakfastPick up stale toast from the floor and eat it. Drink 1/2 bottle of vanilla extract or one vial of vegetable dye.
Lunch Half tube of "Pulsating Pink" lipstick and one ice cube, if desired.
Afternoon snack Lick an all day sucker until sticky, take it outside and drop in dirt. Retrieve and continue slurping until clean again, then bring inside and drop on living room carpet.
Dinner A rock or an uncooked bean, which should be thrust up your left nostril. Pour iced tea over mashed potatoes, eat with spoon.

Day 3: Breakfast 2 pancakes with plenty of syrup, eat with fingers, rub fingers in hair to clean. Glass of milk, drink half, stuff excess pancakes in glass.After breakfast,pick up yesterday's sucker from carpet, lick off fuzz until sticky again, then leave on cushion of your best chair.
Lunch Peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Spit several well-chewed bites onto the floor. Pour glass of milk onto table, then slurp up.
Dinner Dish of ice cream, handful of potato chips, 1 sip of cold coffee.

Final Day: Breakfast1/4 tube of toothpaste (any flavor), bite of soap, one olive. Pour glass of milk over bowl of Cornflakes, add 1/2 cup of sugar. Wait until cereal is soggy, drink milk and feed cereal to dog wih your spoon.
Lunch Eat crumbs off the kitchen floor and dining room carpet. Find that sucker and finish eating it.
Dinner A plate of spaghetti and chocolate milk. Leave meatball on plate. Handful of cheese snacks, eat 2 and place the rest in bowling ball holes or any other convenient hiding place.

Isn't that toooo funny???? It truly does sound like a typical meal at my house sometimes :)

Proverbs 2

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
Then shalt thou undersatnd the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and undersanding.
He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stanger which flattereth with her words;
Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.

But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

The unique-ness of me

Psalm 139:13-16

For thou has possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

This passage was used this morning during our worship time to help us identify how unique God has made us all. Our speaker was led to discuss with us all the ways that God can use each of our unique details to do His will. I may be the only person who has the unique ability to connect with someone else. Nobody else ever made by God will be exactly like me or have my unique set of gifts. I praise God for making me so unique and I ask Him to show me where I can do His work using the talents that He has given to me.

These thoughts really touched me today. I am 29 years old. I still feel young and unexperienced, but then I see other godly women who are my age - and younger! - who are accomplishing so much for the kingdom of God. I am disgusted with myself for not being able to get my act together. I feel that I am letting down those around me. I wonder what lives I could have touched if only I had followed God's will for my life instead of going my own way. I have been leaning on many crutches over the years....the excuses for why I didn't have it together. No more excuses! The problems that I have are mine alone. I need to deal with them, rather than using them as an excuse for laziness. I will be searching God's word this week to see what God wants for me. I suspect that I already know, for the most part, the area that I will be focusing, but I feel that a time of prayer before I commence will be very appropriate. If you feel led, please pray with me that I will find God's will and direction for my life.