tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99152334041777152024-02-07T00:08:01.904-05:00Our Story in ProgressThe journey of our familyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.comBlogger179125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-65732569403036232502012-12-18T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-18T08:00:14.326-05:00Forty & Fabulous–part 2<p>Yesterday I began the daunting task of sharing <a href="http://www.ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2012/12/forty-fabulous.html" target="_blank">40 life events</a> in celebration of starting this new decade. So without further delay here is the next installment.</p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzEGGQ-3LjBKexqxE9SMZ27OzO-G0sypf5JilzJZJZt6LbKgSMH6PN24UhOzouOPSsheycJyNQKqzxjswFMUf3LNERvJqmVYLCMw3SSulZHFaoit8JkpCpFkVdZ-l0Mb_63nOrCDOkXI/s1600-h/IMG_0431%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0431" border="0" alt="IMG_0431" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQ8yunaaeTEGedMGo8HL1Oi0GGymUCy-AF6o_qJGrEPkmYNq4ULPsVq3DH-cVjMKBsbbj_wVFTW4bNirA-597cNsfV7oUjrfG5l4UC8NNQ-xvqIMmADenzyJ0u5QX4odNkMKgraFzoHw/?imgmax=800" width="277" height="331" /></a></p> <p>11. July 1984 – I became an aunt at the ripe old age of 12! The morning after the twins were born there was a double rainbow in the sky. I think God put that there just for them. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HNXMUt31QEw/UM9C39EQfdI/AAAAAAAAAuw/tVuxye7lcPQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>12. May 1986 – <a href="http://redesign-concepts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">One</a> of my sisters got married the same weekend as my 8th grade dance. While I was excited about <a href="http://redesign-concepts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my sister</a> getting married, I was still missing my first big school dance. </p> <p>13. 1987-1988 – I was on the Oviedo High School dance corps. Oh the memories of wearing an all orange uniform and heavy green eye shadow. Yeah, you try being a blood red redhead and pulling off ALL orange! Ack</p> <p>14. 1988-1990 – I played clarinet on the Oviedo High School marching band.</p> <p>15. 1990 – Senior year of high school and finally graduation. </p> <p>16. June 1990 – My first real job working as a secretary for an insurance company in Winter Park, Florida. </p> <p>17. June 1990 – As part of a graduation gift, my girlfriend & I flew out to San Francisco and stayed for a week….by ourselves. I still can’t believe my parents let a 17 year old girl go without supervision. We had such a great time!</p> <p>18. 1991 – I moved out! Need I say more? 18 years old, employed, going to school  in-de-pen-dent! Woo Hoo</p> <p>19. August 1992 – I moved to Tennessee and began classes at Carson Newman College. I met, what became, my best friend the first week I lived there. I met her on a double date and we were trouble from then on. haha</p> <p>20. August  1993 – My daughter, <a href="http://www.ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=lauryn&submit.x=0&submit.y=0" target="_blank">Lauryn,</a> was born! Read about it <a href="http://www.ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2010/08/happy-birthday-lauryn.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-56998557531413106482012-12-17T10:00:00.001-05:002012-12-17T11:13:52.189-05:00Forty & Fabulous<p>So today I celebrate my 40th birthday! </p> <p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1rM6lTWYro3Zbq9t7-ansCEf5SCgGkhG3slsIysz0vI3ORohGhkF2Cbo21RmAimJXoggun62AZcT0kblK4PUDVQ8Fconm0Lzfctk_ubckMqbeQOr5Lod8YdL_71A3tnm70Z8uFtPY8c/s1600-h/The%252520bashers%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="The bashers" border="0" alt="The bashers" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9gA-R2bwUtLwSvWHJVfkb62Q6AbXrdb_Ov080p7p9krKqJinad98CpIFeKyzmGukXB8PeqvujTTMx5nSH7Du4doMrNREb9rl1r86lj94dJz8VVsGeJAvq2OSN6rm3Am7kNSaldlbNcA/?imgmax=800" width="282" height="237" /></a></p> <p>Everyone keeps asking me if I feel old but honestly I don’t…until you ask. LOL My wonderful family & some pretty sneaky friends threw me a surprise party and made many of my <a href="http://pinterest.com/shelley17/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> dreams come true but I will share their wonderful party skills later. <a href="http://www.ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=lauryn&submit.x=0&submit.y=0" target="_blank">Lauryn</a> was asked to come up with 40 life events to put on a board and said she struggled a bit with this so I thought I would share he first 10 today. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DEHJAz-8hUY/UM8zfEppyOI/AAAAAAAAAuM/feIhGL1qBxk/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></p> <p>1. <strong>Summer 1972</strong> – No I wasn’t born but apparently I cut short a fun family camping trip out West while still in my mother’s belly. My mom and oldest sister flew back home to Florida while the rest of the family drove back.</p> <p>2. <strong>December 17 1972</strong> – This would be the day of my birth</p> <p>3. <strong>August 1977</strong> – I started kindergarten and my teacher was Mrs. Bellhorn. This was extra special because she taught both my brothers and my sisters.</p> <p>4. <strong>September 1978</strong> – My first piano lesson at Rollins College. My teacher, Mrs. Hunting, burst in the room and without looking up blurted out something about redheads being mean (she was a redhead). What she didn’t know was that sitting at one of the pianos in the back was an extremely shy redheaded girl. </p> <p>5. <strong>1978-1979</strong> – We would drive up to my grandparents house in Waynesville, NC and I would play with Bonnie, the girl next door. She had a strong southern accent; a cat named Pepper and a dog named Bern-a-de-atte (can you hear the twang?)</p> <p>6. <strong>Summers</strong> – Every year our family spend a week or two at New Symrna Beach. We lived 45 minutes away but I swear it would take forever to finally get there!</p> <p>7. <strong>Summer 1981</strong> – My siblings were much older and beach vacation often ended up being mom and I there the whole week while everyone else popped in and out based on work and school schedules. This included <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search/label/Lessons%20from%20my%20father" target="_blank">my dad</a>. This one trip we had bought a yellow Hawaiian Punch inflatable raft to ride the waves and dad took me out as far as I dared and we spent the afternoon riding the waves.</p> <p>8. <strong>1983-1986</strong> – Joined the Jackson Heights Middle School band and played the clarinet</p> <p>9. <strong>September 1986</strong> – I gave my mom a black eye! Yup you read right. I was in 8th grade and I  accidentally hit her in the face with a tennis racket. </p> <p>10. <strong>1986</strong> – I can’t remember which month but in 8th grade I was Student of the Month. </p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-15242919550387775792012-03-29T07:00:00.000-04:002012-03-29T07:00:10.907-04:00Walk for Lupus - 2012<p>Spring is in the air and May is fast approaching. For our family, this means tons of birthdays, the end of a school year, and our annual <a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=0&kntae1007680=0F3DBB4A74E4405EA8C4C1857E5B72CE" target="_blank">Lupus Walk.</a> The piedmont chapter of the Lupus association has made a fun interactive website for the <a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=0&kntae1007680=0F3DBB4A74E4405EA8C4C1857E5B72CE" target="_blank">Wards Walkers</a> and we would love for you to leave us a comment or write on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Wards-Walkers-Walk-for-Lupus-Now-Charlotte/205753416125808" target="_blank">Facebook page</a> and like our page!</p> <p><a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=0&kntae1007680=0F3DBB4A74E4405EA8C4C1857E5B72CE"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="lupuswineSMALL" border="0" alt="lupuswineSMALL" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L9JRsTzDmcg/T3OJN6uFqqI/AAAAAAAAAsE/0apbHAkI14M/lupuswineSMALL%25255B9%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="150" height="150" /></a></p> <p>In my blog I have shared <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2012/02/walk-for-lupus.html" target="_blank">our personal walk with lupus</a> and how it has affected our family. I am proud of both <a href="http://redesign-concepts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">my sister</a> and my daughter. For me these are the faces I see when I think of lupus. I have watched them persevere and accept what God has given them with grace and dignity. I am blessed to <a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=0&kntae1007680=0F3DBB4A74E4405EA8C4C1857E5B72CE" target="_blank">walk for lupus</a> alongside them.</p> <p>Every year, we have had a great time preparing for this event. The first year three generations of Ward women walked with my daughter as she dealt with the knowledge of this chronic illness. I still get choked up thinking of how special it was to have her surrounded by her friends and embraced by wonderful women. We made a full weekend out of it, including a spa day and cook-out the night before.  We tie-dyed tee shirts and made hats with the butterfly hand drawn on them. The second year was more quiet, with <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2011/05/congratulations-graduate.html" target="_blank">graduation</a> the following weekend, we decided to make our walk just a family event. We made tee shirts with our own <a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=0&kntae1007680=0F3DBB4A74E4405EA8C4C1857E5B72CE" target="_blank">Wards Walkers</a> logo.This year we are ready to walk again and do not know what to do!</p> <p>Do we create a new logo for our walkers? Just wear the same color? Or be boring and have no team spirit. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout" alt="Smile with tongue out" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KAA6BbuHqXw/T3OJOq2L2oI/AAAAAAAAAsM/yJfCmtrOCUM/wlEmoticon-smilewithtongueout%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> Let me know what you think. Leave a comment on our <a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=0&kntae1007680=0F3DBB4A74E4405EA8C4C1857E5B72CE" target="_blank">walk page</a> or on our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Wards-Walkers-Walk-for-Lupus-Now-Charlotte/205753416125808" target="_blank">facebook page</a>!</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-70807570005494909812012-03-27T07:00:00.000-04:002012-03-26T17:16:47.497-04:00Virtual Convention<p>You have heard me rave about the <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2012/02/well-planned-day-organizers.html" target="_blank">Well Planned Day planners</a> before. They constantly impress me and once again I am excited to share with you another of their great ideas!</p> <p><a href="http://homeschoolconvention.com/" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Written on His Hands"><strong>Virtual Homeschool Convention</strong></font></a></p> <p>And the best part…it is FREE! Yup I said FREE!</p> <p>So right from the comforts of your own home, you can pour a cup of tea/coffee and start browsing the convention hall. There are five different halls that you can browse through.</p> <ol> <li>Main hall</li> <li>Family/TV media</li> <li>Homeschool 101</li> <li>Explore curriculum</li> <li>Exhibit hall</li> </ol> <p>You can experience vendor workshops, homeschooling workshops with guests like Ken Ham & Dr. Jay Wile, and vendor booths. The workshops start April 2nd so there is still time to register.</p> <p>This experience has great features as well. As you browse through the vendor hall you can add booths to your agenda. You can chat with friends online, chat with product reps, and of course…<strong>shop</strong>. </p> <p>The idea of saving my feet from pure exhaustion is very appealing!</p> <p>What do you think about using the online forum for homeschool conventions? Will you be walking the halls of your local conventions?</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-35388163410294035442012-03-19T07:00:00.000-04:002012-03-23T13:24:34.880-04:00She thinks it…He builds it!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nEJ7676Syqc/T2yxzosIRTI/AAAAAAAAAr4/VmJw69m982s/s1600-h/She%252520thinks%252520it%252520Logo%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="She thinks it Logo" border="0" alt="She thinks it Logo" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WblO4rKp_TE/T2aOKAWmf3I/AAAAAAAAAsA/d6wcgtqxt7k/She%252520thinks%252520it%252520Logo_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="86" /></a> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">I can't be the only one this happens to. Browsing the blog community and come across a great idea. I can do that, you say and next thing you know you are in the home improvement/craft store looking for the little treasures you read about. </span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">With stars in my eyes, I recently discovered a DIY headboard from </span><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/04/how-to-make-headboard-for-big-boy-room.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">Thrifty Décor Chic</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"> and off to home depot I went to buy my piece of wood for </span><a href="http://redesign-concepts.blogspot.com/2011/05/headboardsor-not.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">our very own DIY headboard.</span></a> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: storybook"><font size="2" face="Written on His Hands">This would be a good time to mention I am less than handy.</font></span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">No worries the nice home depot man cut it for me! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_XJFkXKeQ98/T1-xV-3jKGI/AAAAAAAAApY/HiqCxFq41TQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> I brought it home sharing my idea with my hubby and he smiled encouragingly. The girls and I were hard at work and created this headboard using fabric from an old curtain.</span>    <br />   <br /> <table style="text-align: center; float: left" class="tr-caption-container" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody> <tr> <td style="text-align: center"><img style="background-image: none; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" title="DSCN5393" border="0" alt="DSCN5393" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NYE8JYmyMEY/T2aQsKsLNpI/AAAAAAAAAro/UKH-ha2doIw/DSCN5393_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></td> </tr> <tr> <td style="text-align: center" class="tr-caption"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"><a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2011/09/launching-pad.html" target="_blank">zebra print headboard</a></span></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif"></span> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">It went well and so I was hooked! I wanted to make another for our shabby chic French country bedroom. Using the other half of our board and an $8 drop cloth from Home Depot, we headed back to the garage.</span> <br />    <br /><span style="font-family: storybook; font-size: x-small"><font face="Written on His Hands"><span style="font-size: small">Remember how I said I wasn’t handy</span><font size="2">?</font></font> </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">Well I couldn’t even staple the staples into the board. <strong>HA</strong>!</span> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pXbDzf30Nug/T1-xXh8q6_I/AAAAAAAAApg/G9NA0o2_wsg/s1600-h/WP_000423%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000423" border="0" alt="WP_000423" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Et-4W1yvnvc/T1-xYaOfnCI/AAAAAAAAApo/-LN4Z4XeJUA/WP_000423_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">Enter my HandyMan…J. Before we knew it our headboard was getting revamped. Instead of just a boring old fabric-covered board, J suggested framing it with a trim piece. And so we started over.</span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">First we pulled out all my staples…yes all 10 of them! No judging please. We made a quick run up to Home Depot where J found some trim pieces that we could use to frame the headboard. Then we used the trim piece as our measuring device and cut the foam where from the board where the trim piece will now be attached. In case you were wondering…</span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: storybook"><font size="2" face="Written on His Hands">I helped clamp the trim piece to the board!</font></span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">This would be a great time to note that I LOVE working in the garage with J. He puts up with all my crazy ideas and most of the time, makes my visions become reality.</span> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EFZl_oy6cqg/T1-xaACjQwI/AAAAAAAAApw/ALn0I6DNU5c/s1600-h/WP_000411%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000411" border="0" alt="WP_000411" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Vu96EV4Soes/T1-xiLJVNHI/AAAAAAAAAp4/Bn-j3SOrw6o/WP_000411_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">He then used a few staples to attach the remaining foam to the board. Originally I used spray adhesive but J felt this would be more reliable.</span> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NU6Ei5UG8ww/T1-xjh_idfI/AAAAAAAAAqA/P_94ztZXdrg/s1600-h/WP_000412%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000412" border="0" alt="WP_000412" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zOKcH5rZOlU/T1-xkDsVTnI/AAAAAAAAAqI/ivBDY76v5Hc/WP_000412_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oXOkdXLuUZc/T1-xlyPOYuI/AAAAAAAAAqQ/OQdFERgZGDg/s1600-h/WP_000414%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000414" border="0" alt="WP_000414" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-64PPgaUX5aM/T1-xmn9Qo2I/AAAAAAAAAqY/tOYz-Xg1Zao/WP_000414_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CTx-oW9BUJE/T1-xoTVmRcI/AAAAAAAAAqg/1pVuxU4is64/s1600-h/WP_000416%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000416" border="0" alt="WP_000416" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DN9GpN53fGY/T1-xpLVAhDI/AAAAAAAAAqo/2I8hGdnjMLQ/WP_000416_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HOS_bF6Kz_M/T1-xq0HRPLI/AAAAAAAAAqw/t2DO4A7F9sY/s1600-h/WP_000418%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000418" border="0" alt="WP_000418" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LrugrNceLMU/T1-xs0lv8uI/AAAAAAAAAq4/fs_yAEQWwrU/WP_000418_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">Then we recovered the board with the drop cloth and a few staples. This time J did the stapling and it went MUCH smoother.</span> <br /> <br /><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GO0VhuqfO3c/T1-xuvJF2yI/AAAAAAAAArA/rHiSCc1Mz6U/s1600-h/WP_000420%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000420" border="0" alt="WP_000420" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-omo7D7vhlb0/T1-xvWojAGI/AAAAAAAAArI/F-1XhbV8LT0/WP_000420_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">Time for my contribution to the project! I painted the trim pieces. While the paint was drying my mind was racing. I have LOTS of ideas and instead of watching paint dry, why not get started on that next project!</span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: storybook"><font size="2" face="Written on His Hands">Yes that IS how my mind works.</font></span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif">“Oh hey, can we cut that mat for the picture?”  More on that later!</span> <br /> <br /><span style="font-family: trebuchet ms">Part two of the headboard project coming soon!</span> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-8969749184438342262012-03-13T07:07:00.000-04:002012-03-23T13:22:38.962-04:00This is How We Roll…<p>This week we are schooling “on the road.” Since my husband travels for work, we get to tag along on some of the trips. This week I will get to visit my cousin and her beautiful family in south Florida AND do some school. </p> <p><font size="3" face="Written on His Hands">Did I mention how the kids are thrilled about that?</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dAqmlmanSBg/T16t-GdVByI/AAAAAAAAAoo/3o0NdBAj2sw/s1600-h/WP_000442%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000442" border="0" alt="WP_000442" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-snIHMhsc5aY/T16t-iaNx7I/AAAAAAAAAow/lBoKmeeJK_Y/WP_000442_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="223" height="168" /></a></p> <p>School on the go can be a daunting task. So I thought I would share what we do. Maybe it will spark some ideas of your own next time you have to pack it up and take it on the road. The first thing I do is plan how much time we will actually spend doing school. Since my husband is working during the day, we are spending our mornings doing work. This leaves our afternoons and evenings open for fun. Once I have the big picture, then I start packing!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fc6qy7cFmCI/T16uBdqlRaI/AAAAAAAAAo4/TRTsQTc3Dg0/s1600-h/WP_000448%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000448" border="0" alt="WP_000448" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GytByGFSylM/T16uCFU3VQI/AAAAAAAAApA/h-yZUlkVHto/WP_000448_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>My bag is filled with teacher books, reading material, colored pencils, stories on CD, my <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2012/02/well-planned-day-organizers.html" target="_blank">Well-Planned Day calendar</a> and even a scrapbooking project I want to get started on. I also have a 3-ring binder that is not in the picture. I packed up my teacher notes from <a href="http://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/connect/jrox.php?uid=shelley17&jxURL=http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/year1/" target="_blank">Tapestry of Grace</a> and my lessons plans.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MsWvY9bDvF4/T16uECIX3YI/AAAAAAAAApI/9KdHdTmyR44/s1600-h/WP_000446%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="WP_000446" border="0" alt="WP_000446" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jHICYFU4r2o/T16uE8fH15I/AAAAAAAAApQ/LTz9VTvz4ss/WP_000446_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="Written on His Hands">And that, ladies, is how we roll!</font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-16298242936856854222012-02-28T08:00:00.000-05:002012-02-28T08:00:17.610-05:00The habit of Reading...<em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Reading is not an escape from life; it's an exercise in living."</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">-Gladys Hunt</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I love reading! I find such joy in opening up a <a href="http://www.sistersinbloom.com/love-of-books/" target="_blank">good book</a> and taking up residence in the story. We do lots of reading here in our home and often the books become part of our everyday discussions. I also love talking!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Big surprise there. :-) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I also love having friends over to visit. So I recently invited a few ladies to join me in a Book Club.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For our first book, we read the <strong>Magic of Ordinary Days</strong> by Ann Howard Creel. A wonderful story that takes place during WWII. It is about a young woman who dreams of becoming an archaeologist but instead finds herself banished to rural Colorado by her father and the magic of the days that follow. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprRcqqm6zagDc5tOznFrxtmv2OWj5AVzO00i-8DJmJaH64JNJU_9EALhWJn7jDql-IbEGceigqVQ2vcXus0WIm0rcjZPSJ3qRsaX8DqrAjNJrvJYWrHy204asGiz5TFkDZnTklq979q8/s1600/Magic+of+Ordinary+Days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprRcqqm6zagDc5tOznFrxtmv2OWj5AVzO00i-8DJmJaH64JNJU_9EALhWJn7jDql-IbEGceigqVQ2vcXus0WIm0rcjZPSJ3qRsaX8DqrAjNJrvJYWrHy204asGiz5TFkDZnTklq979q8/s200/Magic+of+Ordinary+Days.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For our meeting, I wanted to set the mood and transport us back in time. I turned up Glenn Miller and his band, set out some food, and planned for some great conversation. We played a game, chatted and settled in. My father always said to hang around people that you can learn from. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">He was right! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I was blessed to be in the company of such wise women. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4sm0bGflNihG-Qx0UyVmc10wlWcSDMw1LwnaSdiw-ZzHMOGoy3kXo99WiXET0p6HQnCqQmD4D2tZEtEqG0vQZ-KxFJNQ0U5DXw7X9rzLpHXb3Uk9Bp1T-goTcfOrJmPguPelVz3QiZs/s1600/WP_000392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX4sm0bGflNihG-Qx0UyVmc10wlWcSDMw1LwnaSdiw-ZzHMOGoy3kXo99WiXET0p6HQnCqQmD4D2tZEtEqG0vQZ-KxFJNQ0U5DXw7X9rzLpHXb3Uk9Bp1T-goTcfOrJmPguPelVz3QiZs/s200/WP_000392.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Livvy and her new friends love chasing butterflies and add them to their sketchbook.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> I couldn't resist when I saw these note cards in the store. They would be perfect!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1PhKXWvelhSs5Ny4ZuyZgXZM9MSWA-6wbXRUhUP88UYnXZuSXfMyqJBzECPHe6CP4xMp9UzjSgQnNZyN2eiXa8CSZWXTADJGEPjHhdGCIXQJVPd1XMMgeIR-lrNpfzHy7rSMNlc5lmM/s1600/WP_000394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1PhKXWvelhSs5Ny4ZuyZgXZM9MSWA-6wbXRUhUP88UYnXZuSXfMyqJBzECPHe6CP4xMp9UzjSgQnNZyN2eiXa8CSZWXTADJGEPjHhdGCIXQJVPd1XMMgeIR-lrNpfzHy7rSMNlc5lmM/s200/WP_000394.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Since the story took place during the WWII period, I pulled out my grandmother's glasses to serve fresh lemonade. She would have loved it.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNlvsdY4MIJYeszofeZSuqQvt_8HInMWGcFzxNSNsYN08O6PlvjoGKsD_EIhQ1emEAr17ul6F1xnabsL_WTfaV3DyAuIm8Y3x0PmoALkOX6cECWU82g8HKN71z_DagryvzE1xUv2paBE/s1600/WP_000395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNlvsdY4MIJYeszofeZSuqQvt_8HInMWGcFzxNSNsYN08O6PlvjoGKsD_EIhQ1emEAr17ul6F1xnabsL_WTfaV3DyAuIm8Y3x0PmoALkOX6cECWU82g8HKN71z_DagryvzE1xUv2paBE/s200/WP_000395.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sometimes in the afternoon, Rose & Lorelei would visit Livvy. The girls would share a Coca Cola.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj2Jh3tRcImcpN0cPNxN3BMfE2nQ589npQIkXNR4qpJAJyb_Nug-PaIKf6GpjzXw0HOj2aR6qlkYOtI0SwIn6jrlA14Ou0Oo-x3RXewRPNtIh9ZsofLNdNmYkLuZeAJhppLm32o1uxyY/s1600/WP_000391.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzj2Jh3tRcImcpN0cPNxN3BMfE2nQ589npQIkXNR4qpJAJyb_Nug-PaIKf6GpjzXw0HOj2aR6qlkYOtI0SwIn6jrlA14Ou0Oo-x3RXewRPNtIh9ZsofLNdNmYkLuZeAJhppLm32o1uxyY/s200/WP_000391.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There are a lot of great examples of Love in the story, so what better reminder than from 1 Corinthians about what love truly is. Thanks <a href="http://pinterest.com/shelley17/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> for the idea!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So what's on your nightstand right now? Are you like me? I have several books I am reading. Some for pleasure and some for school and others to learn. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you have any good suggestions for our <a href="http://www.ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2009/07/step-by-step-youll-lead-me.html" target="_blank">Book Club</a>?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-57229985296577820412012-02-09T07:48:00.000-05:002012-02-09T07:48:00.228-05:00Walk for Lupus...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9WT7VLOxdo3sNdZZ_pm7n3i5qprvK8GHYQCAvs7tA6gZmAMktJtMRKFbWTGS44PAH37NBejrwmUccC5GFdmEIhWKuB0UK_LnlRUUbUAUfCla3CNSlc4Ab4pl7Bbbu5VwwgSWFnX7FTc/s1600/Walk+for+Lupus+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9WT7VLOxdo3sNdZZ_pm7n3i5qprvK8GHYQCAvs7tA6gZmAMktJtMRKFbWTGS44PAH37NBejrwmUccC5GFdmEIhWKuB0UK_LnlRUUbUAUfCla3CNSlc4Ab4pl7Bbbu5VwwgSWFnX7FTc/s200/Walk+for+Lupus+2011.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Walk for Lupus 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">It is that time of year again! In May our family will be participating in the</span> <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=1&kntae1007680=D1691AEF8FC3459A9544FB779CBA2643&supId=0&team=4925596&cj=Y" target="_blank">Walk for Lupus Now</a> Charlotte. This has become sort of a <a href="http://www.ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2010/01/i-would-walk-500-miles.html" target="_blank">family tradition</a> as we support our daughter in her journey with<a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=1&kntae1007680=D1691AEF8FC3459A9544FB779CBA2643&supId=0&team=4925596&cj=Y" target="_blank"> Lupus</a>. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When our children are young, we have such huge expectations and desires for them. As they grow up we see the person they were created to be peeking through and we adjust our dreams. Lauryn's first year homeschooled was filled with all the usual adjustment challenges. She was starting sixth grade and I was starting the journey of being a teacher. About half-way through the school year, she began complaining of difficulty breathing and extreme fatigue. She ached all over. The pediatrician suggested we cut out caffeine (which wasn't a huge issue in our home because we hardly bought it) and we complied. He gave her a prescription for an inhaler to help with the attacks that left her gasping for air. We had EKG's and met with a heart specialist. The doctors briefly entertained the thought of <a href="http://walkforlupusnow.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=1007680&lis=1&kntae1007680=D1691AEF8FC3459A9544FB779CBA2643&supId=0&team=4925596&cj=Y" target="_blank">lupus </a>but decided that since they didn't see the butterfly rash there was no way possible. Their conclusion was panic attacks. I was not convinced. I remember some kind people at church even suggesting she was suffering from depression because we were homeschooling her. :-) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Then one Sunday afternoon, I saw a sun-kissed patch under her eyes and on the bridge of her nose. I remember asking others if they had noticed it too and they did. She was tired that day, exhausted from a sleepover and the evidence was staring me right in the eyes. Slowly we saw improvement in her energy levels but always found it odd that she would turn down sleepovers and other fun events saying she was just too tired to go. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Life went back to normal for a while but my dreams and prayers for her began to change. I started asking for a name. All of these things sounded like <a href="http://lupus./">Lupus.</a> After all, we knew of it from my own sister. But how could we be sure? It took four years for her to be diagnosed...four doctors to take a stab at putting all the pieces together with blood work, EKG's, CAT scans, and a couple of MRI's. I have seen how God used every step to continue shaping her and our family. I still have desires for my children but the greatest lesson I have learned is that those desires are not mine, they are HIS.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We are excited to walk this year with friends and family and would love your support!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-58033354597882365652012-02-08T07:55:00.000-05:002012-02-08T07:55:00.257-05:00Well Planned Day Organizers...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> A few years ago, I stumbled upon my now <a href="http://www.wellplannedday.com/?oid=1038_1" target="_blank">favorite planners</a>. Since then they have expanded their product line and right now Home Educating Family has some of those items on sale. Yippee!!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">If you know me at all, you know that I love two things (aside from the obvious friends & family). Organizing and pretty designs. When I saw how functional and beautiful these planners were I knew they were a perfect match for me. If you haven't taken a peek, check out <a href="http://www.wellplannedday.com/?oid=1038_1" target="_blank">Home Educating Family and</a> you will quickly see why I love their stuff!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEwwCuQLx6E6WTYl3dHXmQ3Uj-1bKgy82lR8EKafHVk4nPlU6YFGfx1f2rXkyEXnOzV-n0ktaBSFiB8MQgMNfM0gI7k3xDL7ooYpUSgApP1Z0x8IbnIquPUZ62PLMJy9BL9QAgG8xuy8/s320/wpdmain1213.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For the homeschool mom, <a href="http://www.wellplannedday.com/?oid=1038_1" target="_blank">this planner</a> has everything from meal planning to budget planning in addition to weekly school planning. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdQMbmoFUUYVZrUoU3_o379ggfId-cAinTWjWHANouX_M-V5oskzPZaHEzC6bESOcne5R9Gsf6S-kQGkC7G0kgqw-8F0cnFsUGG2bjw8CGPvLEx6XWI-zEOcG0eoolraKTw7dMP-LlSk/s1600/studenths4year12main.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdQMbmoFUUYVZrUoU3_o379ggfId-cAinTWjWHANouX_M-V5oskzPZaHEzC6bESOcne5R9Gsf6S-kQGkC7G0kgqw-8F0cnFsUGG2bjw8CGPvLEx6XWI-zEOcG0eoolraKTw7dMP-LlSk/s320/studenths4year12main.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For my high school student, we purchase the <a href="http://www.wellplannedday.com/?oid=1038_1" target="_blank">4 year planner</a>. It is almost like a spiral bound guidance counselor in addition to a school planner. It has been a great organizer as well as a resource.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2bTb6dXuNgW4mBGSbzfoWxJouPOcYFrowPsS3OHKypoJqhthpMFkC7Wsi-Qi_MmoSQmtznSUDtDKS82oj51hXAgnFSV0XxnWe3ChJtNWTMfAHr4SNNQX6NZaIYIaWn3aH_bro5EDTLk/s1600/mywellplannedday.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2bTb6dXuNgW4mBGSbzfoWxJouPOcYFrowPsS3OHKypoJqhthpMFkC7Wsi-Qi_MmoSQmtznSUDtDKS82oj51hXAgnFSV0XxnWe3ChJtNWTMfAHr4SNNQX6NZaIYIaWn3aH_bro5EDTLk/s320/mywellplannedday.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to tell you that the Uber-Nerd in me is anxiously awaiting the unveiling of the<a href="http://www.homeschoolconvention.com/mywellplannedday.html" target="_blank"> Well Planned Day software.</a> It syncs with my Google calender?? Enough said!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQOejZfWZLgUneFiC7nP07HiMYPkf04ges4Gp_1iVColPWmhuhMbDydP0WhuKoZLLYhRIMHRwZz7sGvaAmr-w5M6kY_KKlkBkU818vzyCzmSqjd27m3a7RjLd2i4mOMQ0fUcNxyAn2Mc/s1600/otg12main.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQOejZfWZLgUneFiC7nP07HiMYPkf04ges4Gp_1iVColPWmhuhMbDydP0WhuKoZLLYhRIMHRwZz7sGvaAmr-w5M6kY_KKlkBkU818vzyCzmSqjd27m3a7RjLd2i4mOMQ0fUcNxyAn2Mc/s320/otg12main.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I will be honest and tell you that I have not used this planner. I find that between the homeschool planner and my phone, I have not needed something like this but thought I would share anyhow. It is so pretty!</span><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can see for yourself why they are a favorite!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img height="34" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2bTb6dXuNgW4mBGSbzfoWxJouPOcYFrowPsS3OHKypoJqhthpMFkC7Wsi-Qi_MmoSQmtznSUDtDKS82oj51hXAgnFSV0XxnWe3ChJtNWTMfAHr4SNNQX6NZaIYIaWn3aH_bro5EDTLk/s320/mywellplannedday.png" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 370px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 690px;" width="96" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-76133608721514458002012-01-31T07:30:00.000-05:002012-01-31T07:30:03.397-05:00Music Calms the Savage Beast...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have to tell you that I love, love, love music! It literally inspires my moods. I even think in song, but that is another story. :-)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I grew up in a music-filled house. My mother had me taking piano lessons from the age of five and I continued on through high school. I even played the clarinet in my middle school and high school bands. I sang in elementary choirs, youth choirs, and church choirs. So it stands to reason that I would want to fill my home (homeschool) with music.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">A while back I attended a lecture on <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2010/06/education-is-life.html" target="_blank">Education is a Life</a> and to this day that experience influences my homeschool goals. One of the take-aways from that day was how music can play a role in our education experience...and our moods. My husband moved a stereo on to the main floor and even set it up so that my phone could play the selections of Pandora throughout the house. Some mornings we are just not awake and so I feel the need to put a little 70's groove in our morning. Other days we are reading and working on more challenging concepts and so we put on our Vitamin String playlist. (Just saw that they made a tribute to Adele album. Love that!) Other times we put on our favorite Praise & Worship songs. I even have a special playlist for Italian-inspired meals. My youngest and I have been known to break out in dance in the middle of the kitchen. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My piano teacher used to always tell me that music tells a story and as musicians we are the storytellers. I love adding our own soundtrack to the story of our everyday. So next time things are feeling stressful, crank up the radio, iPod, Pandora, whatever and let the music inspire your mood!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">What's on your playlist?</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-61952938244317411322012-01-30T07:22:00.000-05:002012-01-30T07:22:00.869-05:00The Edible Cell Project<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">IIn trying to keep with the more hands-on biology, we recently finished the <a href="http://appliejuice.wordpress.com/2008/11/06/the-incredible-edible-animal-cell/" target="_blank">Incredible Edible Cell project</a> and had a lot of fun creating & sampling our hard work.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcQznpdgmt_S3tMNJHOtlx-zBN-0k7B6ywWyNIpGvs6bMYQV6fzj1yl8xMB41cuTe_y8yi8AyoPwz00ePAq8T2zsN2GK70J5Ymyn6OwiBfMbFCIlK-DRay4m3y79Ga_MxQ2qoQOa4jMk/s1600/WP_000307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcQznpdgmt_S3tMNJHOtlx-zBN-0k7B6ywWyNIpGvs6bMYQV6fzj1yl8xMB41cuTe_y8yi8AyoPwz00ePAq8T2zsN2GK70J5Ymyn6OwiBfMbFCIlK-DRay4m3y79Ga_MxQ2qoQOa4jMk/s200/WP_000307.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjWIcqhQ5aKFi4gdNZAWZkfFQRGaRsPRy_7vnOWdyuHrRLJYabRz46I-oOEa_uQpqcvq5S-KXRjA_yG2a3bZy0dRcQ4Dhs_nKad_3NNoMD39ue-aRbDs-QawpI3m8StqHBDxdQHMHCqo/s1600/WP_000308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjWIcqhQ5aKFi4gdNZAWZkfFQRGaRsPRy_7vnOWdyuHrRLJYabRz46I-oOEa_uQpqcvq5S-KXRjA_yG2a3bZy0dRcQ4Dhs_nKad_3NNoMD39ue-aRbDs-QawpI3m8StqHBDxdQHMHCqo/s200/WP_000308.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Armed with all kinds of goodies, we began constructing our plant & animal cells.</span></div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_C6e5iaSZCazLoqbD2WSRS-cgWjcfFvTIhm_7DovfDpspxOI6CsvY368MgY0w7GQzeVg-UWXkpAY6xZWKwFxXSqSzX-az52VHNMlh6Zz5VyGORifmd_-9xQam2MygakHs5PjwPDX6-o/s1600/WP_000309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_C6e5iaSZCazLoqbD2WSRS-cgWjcfFvTIhm_7DovfDpspxOI6CsvY368MgY0w7GQzeVg-UWXkpAY6xZWKwFxXSqSzX-az52VHNMlh6Zz5VyGORifmd_-9xQam2MygakHs5PjwPDX6-o/s200/WP_000309.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Such a great student!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ-gpbP2gbpeemdtlZ2rMkNXllWCVRLo__HkLBvdpHo9hTPohKnOuSX_ejo0ZG1mpXQWBGfwY_fsG2MwY2pOooXxEsq01Fc8h3OmbhJXBngmryM_NUTDFMB_gOc1tRdo93cOM9nFGpNA/s1600/WP_000312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZ-gpbP2gbpeemdtlZ2rMkNXllWCVRLo__HkLBvdpHo9hTPohKnOuSX_ejo0ZG1mpXQWBGfwY_fsG2MwY2pOooXxEsq01Fc8h3OmbhJXBngmryM_NUTDFMB_gOc1tRdo93cOM9nFGpNA/s200/WP_000312.jpg" width="200" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZrXVdGGLQP1VqDLi05nKLZczTqpb0fWC8HJhY6gS0-r0l4GmF7M3MSM9u-xUxZ_7j7-HRVI_osfh3sQgWMl22-_Uio_v-3KCvy9ThGGtkyQ-aHijDTMdflVZshtRo8U862b3GUJmx4M/s1600/WP_000311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZrXVdGGLQP1VqDLi05nKLZczTqpb0fWC8HJhY6gS0-r0l4GmF7M3MSM9u-xUxZ_7j7-HRVI_osfh3sQgWMl22-_Uio_v-3KCvy9ThGGtkyQ-aHijDTMdflVZshtRo8U862b3GUJmx4M/s200/WP_000311.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The finished projects</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-45965657400794869852012-01-27T08:10:00.000-05:002012-01-27T08:10:00.286-05:00She Blinded Me with Science...<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" id="twttrHubFrame" name="twttrHubFrame" scrolling="no" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets/hub.1326407570.html" style="height: 10px; position: absolute; top: -9999em; width: 10px;" tabindex="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And you thought I was going to sing? Nope! Instead I feel like talking about science. This is just not a subject I am strong in. If given the opportunity I will farm this one out to any willing body (usually in the form of co-op). However this year we have chosen not to participate in a co-op and so I must trudge through.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">First off what what we use:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFVUXUqWAMHirDFHiXU4t74b0Nxlks4XBKT9jNxT2w_cxiKQ9pxPgv33L9tktDWINB-J2tXvhu0o9k-6p2OEo7A-Qh_nz_JOQOBcmNB1Fm4uXM9CByYhxk_weXzpje19Ffa0SrrmxAHw/s1600/Apologia+Biology.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqFVUXUqWAMHirDFHiXU4t74b0Nxlks4XBKT9jNxT2w_cxiKQ9pxPgv33L9tktDWINB-J2tXvhu0o9k-6p2OEo7A-Qh_nz_JOQOBcmNB1Fm4uXM9CByYhxk_weXzpje19Ffa0SrrmxAHw/s200/Apologia+Biology.jpg" width="151" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Apologia Biology</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.the101series.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtyxvcvTK8NEnbbyxyiAa5WQK8TmAb1PCCk-TSaPAbbcJTLXsX5Nu-IRGtAz4P4elkkzxyPd8Pp2IRjK5CG19HlSPLI8C6ybKbskox149iza10m0maZGx7BY-g9jPpByxaYqyL5X0ij8/s200/Biology+101.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Biology 101 DVD</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Nature-Study-Botsford-Comstock/dp/0801493846" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3jPsZtfj1AXdO_trXkIHVVtUndzqwqRAlsRA1vM8WZPZD2dRZW5RfXz41wsHW0HL9nu3U2dpiHWsEcf_OmnlkVPed_rcw6mOuonbkpUCp0j-GGlSjqN_BTxe10_cL7O6B4593dBl7fTg/s200/Handbook+of+Nature+Study.jpg" width="134" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Handbook of Nature Study</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I wanted the girls to build a biology notebook over the course of the year so we put our work in a sketch book. In here is a place to write down our narrations and vocabulary as well as draw. We have progressed slowly but I was still looking for more. Over the Christmas break, I found just what I was looking for.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Marty at <a href="http://homeschoolersresources.blogspot.com/p/biology.html" target="_blank">Homeschooler's Resources</a> has done a fantastic job at breaking down each module and offering extra materials to help understanding, including links to videos and an easy to read explanation. I have also used this as a quick teacher-prep resource to help me review the module and prepare the girls for the test. She has also linked to two other great resource blogs. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">♦ <a href="http://appliejuice.wordpress.com/apologia-biology/" target="new"><span style="color: #2d99fa;">Michelle at Applie's Place</span></a><br />♦ <a href="http://jlsgrant.wordpress.com/apologia-biology/" target="new"><span style="color: #2d99fa;">Julie at
Mindful Ramblings</span></a><br />♦ <a href="http://homeschoolblogger.com/amnbooks/apologia-biology/" target="new"><span style="color: #2d99fa;">Loretta at Books 'n Other Stuff</span></a></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">With her help and a little bit of perseverance, I think we will do alright.</span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-41526124898054492332012-01-11T07:00:00.000-05:002012-01-11T07:00:17.013-05:00Project Life...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10_BJgXeM3LNHhGHHeW4a9eFHP9J6DXJ5_IwrjN5BiS465AvO0tSvjsDKNqLNrwoOB9dmgTrzxvH2auTQA9Xb18_MWVLj0zLg5hrf1PpyW0-j3f1R7zsLMc8zlCm7wzL2o6f5X394GZk/s1600/project+life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh10_BJgXeM3LNHhGHHeW4a9eFHP9J6DXJ5_IwrjN5BiS465AvO0tSvjsDKNqLNrwoOB9dmgTrzxvH2auTQA9Xb18_MWVLj0zLg5hrf1PpyW0-j3f1R7zsLMc8zlCm7wzL2o6f5X394GZk/s200/project+life.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/" target="_blank">Project Life</a></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Have you heard of seen this? <strong>Project Life?</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">I will be honest and tell you that I was completely clueless. I saw some tweets about it but still wasn't sure what it was. Then I was on <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/" target="_blank">shutterfly</a> this weekend working on my annual family photo album. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Yes, I am a wee bit behind but hey at least I am getting it done! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Anyhow, while starting my photo book I noticed that one of my choices was <a href="http://www.beckyhiggins.com/products/" target="_blank">Project Life</a> and of course being the curious sort I started exploring. I was hooked! I have always been a scrapbook lover but have gone digital in the interest of time. At the end of each year, we choose the best of the best and put it in our album and then I journal the year. I love doing it! But now I am a little excited about the possibilities. Project Life is both digital and paper so you have your pick. The pages are fun and intentioned and I am hooked! So who else wants to <a href="http://pinterest.com/search/?q=project+life" target="_blank">Project Life</a> with me?</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-53245022836781762542012-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-10T08:00:02.542-05:00Taking My Temperature...<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A long time ago, I got some of the best advice I have ever received from a wise woman. I doubt she even knows what an impact she had on me. We were sitting around the dining room table while children played upstairs and outside. The house was filled with conversation and laughter, but I heard her loud and clear.</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The wife (mother) is the thermostat for the house. If she is running hot, the house will run hot too.</span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">Oh how many times I have pondered that statement and the truth that lie within. There is no doubt that with school, housework, church, children's activities, and guests we, as moms, can run on steam. Quick to temper; stretched too thin. How many times have I been stressed and seen it amplified in our home? And then I hear her words...</span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">The wife (mother) is the thermostat for the house. </span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">This lesson isn't just for tempers. We laugh about the truth that when mom is sick the whole house falls apart but there her words still reflect wisdom. If I am sick, my house falls a bit "under the weather" as well. I love applying this statement because often I find where I am falling short for my family. It is a constant transformation and I am thankful for God's grace and allowing me to pauce in the midst of a fun afternoon to listen to the wisdom of one who has already walked my path.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS';">This week we started back to school after a long but much-needed rest. My prayer is to consider these words and check my own temperature. How's your thermostat? :-)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-61286613290081061842012-01-02T08:30:00.000-05:002012-01-02T08:30:00.642-05:00Post-holiday To-do's...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The last few hours of 2011 have expired and the decorations have all been packed away. New toys are being played with and we have said good bye to our guests and relatives. The party season has ended and life can now return to normal.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This past week, we began the <strike>joyful</strike> process of reorganizing and putting life back in order. I pulled out an old favorite, <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2011/02/organized-simplicitythe-plan.html" target="_blank">Organized Simplicity</a> and started the task. The first day we worked in the kitchen moving things around. My thought process was to discard the clutter and make simple changes.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQblGv_QvzUXJLAtfKj7Fo9GKk2c22sIggab1iY7HrygdBPHLUWd6W6dEC7PPQt4f7vLr4QI5ETJMu2spv6lCQlz3o5Fv6NSQs5qd8m8vDWXHTDQo5x9t96bv2BUD16600u4r1gXXMAOI/s1600/Food+cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQblGv_QvzUXJLAtfKj7Fo9GKk2c22sIggab1iY7HrygdBPHLUWd6W6dEC7PPQt4f7vLr4QI5ETJMu2spv6lCQlz3o5Fv6NSQs5qd8m8vDWXHTDQo5x9t96bv2BUD16600u4r1gXXMAOI/s200/Food+cabinet.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switched cabinets and created better zones for cooking.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwyf5o4SzRvSzxwtlRSzm20pQBjghCkoqkvur1D2cGTUP02FSHfcb8wXftm_D0lZ1sc72OY-rPI3jgWue83HUbZSuV7aFybJQ5dtuGm5H8Lljtwcfy4g9r7_sVddiPbDWHa9WGQNKJKY/s1600/tupperware+cabinet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwyf5o4SzRvSzxwtlRSzm20pQBjghCkoqkvur1D2cGTUP02FSHfcb8wXftm_D0lZ1sc72OY-rPI3jgWue83HUbZSuV7aFybJQ5dtuGm5H8Lljtwcfy4g9r7_sVddiPbDWHa9WGQNKJKY/s200/tupperware+cabinet.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was merciless with my Tupperware, no mate...not staying</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">After that we moved on to our den. This room has been a work-in-progress for months so it felt good to get in here with a trash bag and <a href="http://pinterest.com/shelley17/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> for inspiration. We played around with our family gallery wall and rearranged my desk area. I even had fun getting crafty. This is still unfinished but now I have better vision of what needs to be done to complete. I can now enjoy the journey without all the frustration.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj35sB85FuMfaLvPoAQlaDxmzwEQpJbATdxDB0kMmGPVzU1OLYKfDURiVI7jHvaWKaYgveuZ2xT1y-fx6pnu8OuMGolrk57YvTuELbmNoXGZL_ai-VvW30U5B3tAAas9n-0p7NMB4Kk0/s1600/gallery+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSj35sB85FuMfaLvPoAQlaDxmzwEQpJbATdxDB0kMmGPVzU1OLYKfDURiVI7jHvaWKaYgveuZ2xT1y-fx6pnu8OuMGolrk57YvTuELbmNoXGZL_ai-VvW30U5B3tAAas9n-0p7NMB4Kk0/s200/gallery+wall.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful for a talented husband who tolerates my ideas!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfh-SbBWkuO-QBmyHSvSbSIz29MwiTMbUwvSnSqyzkfKCNjKQ6vA8HNDO2GzV_bdQhvWxzuKNkOqXgWGyVQlq4cDrafsVW8Aa9TngWFJBblM6POwFbzNF-24gOIsO9a_3JpHlgGhIOSE/s1600/Expedit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfh-SbBWkuO-QBmyHSvSbSIz29MwiTMbUwvSnSqyzkfKCNjKQ6vA8HNDO2GzV_bdQhvWxzuKNkOqXgWGyVQlq4cDrafsVW8Aa9TngWFJBblM6POwFbzNF-24gOIsO9a_3JpHlgGhIOSE/s200/Expedit.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have been playing around with this for a long time. I saw just what I was trying to achieve in BHG magazine. <br />
Can't wait until it is done.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Our final day of 2011 we spent our afternoon in the living room and dining room. Our donation box has gotten bigger and our trash can is full and it feels so good.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As we ring in the new year, I am rereading <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=organized+simplicity" target="_blank">Organized Simplicity</a> and contemplating once again the atmosphere of my home and how best to manage it. I would love to have some company and maybe even a fun book club night and share. For now I am armed with my favorite things and ready to tackle the new year. This week, I am switching gears and spending time preparing for school.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-363097297102532322011-12-29T20:22:00.002-05:002011-12-30T00:29:23.696-05:00My parents' wedding...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Seems like forever since I posted anything. Honestly I have been tucked away working on several projects. A big one was a Christmas gift for my mom of her wedding. We were fortunate enough to have an audio recording of their ceremony and so began the long process of sorting throuh pictures, editing, and putting together this DVD. My idea was to share their life together as they recited their vows. They truly lived out a Godly marriage through richer and poorer, in sickness and in health.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzSmnRq5P20CVBS-SpfiJIQ-udXmh3tEkW4gXWLGFn8XxccW3sF_RnbLIQb_COEJaLGKUe9jsI4SBWBhjrP' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-87399943189025467092011-11-09T14:50:00.000-05:002011-11-09T14:50:24.751-05:00Grammarland<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6skwgL2LCLPoHRwXstG0WeTmYW73pOdAPMxEzVKOLaoepefywgYxUxPyWlBnqUPyK7CZX2U9Csw_H92yHlXELIHQ-C3GVomV5MVG-JMmtiGUONnvypYhfi-SRZ2x_35PZF2yJxKs0HpE/s1600/Grammarland+Chapter+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6skwgL2LCLPoHRwXstG0WeTmYW73pOdAPMxEzVKOLaoepefywgYxUxPyWlBnqUPyK7CZX2U9Csw_H92yHlXELIHQ-C3GVomV5MVG-JMmtiGUONnvypYhfi-SRZ2x_35PZF2yJxKs0HpE/s320/Grammarland+Chapter+2.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grammar land Chapter 2</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We finished listening to chapter 2 of <a href="http://librivox.org/grammar-land-by-m-l-nesbitt/" target="_blank">Grammar land</a> today. Last week we read about <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2011/11/grammarland.html" target="_blank">Mr. Noun</a> and had fun continuing the conversation throughout the week. After much begging, we read chapter 2 today...while driving home from lunch. He did his <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2008/07/narration-cube.html" target="_blank">narrating</a> in the van as we pulled in to the neighborhood and came home ready to put it all down on paper. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">This week we are discussing the tiny little article, <em>a </em>and <em>the.</em> So far this has been a review of grammar lessons he has learned but since he enjoys it so much we will continue on. I could definitely see this for 1st or 2nd grade. Books like these make me want to be a school teacher in a small schoolhouse with my little friends exploring the world God has given us. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Can't wait for chapter 3!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-9416258126041452752011-11-04T10:43:00.000-04:002011-11-04T10:43:41.265-04:00Grammarland<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="200" id="il_fi" src="http://www.wholesomechildhood.com/freebies/GrammarLand.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="150" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Grammarland</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week my youngest and I began our adventure in <strong>Grammar Land</strong>. We have been doing a variety of grammar-related activities over the years but I thought it would be fun to play in to his wonderful imagination and his love for stories and introduce grammar in a new way.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">With that in mind, I downloaded the Librivox podcast of <a href="http://www.homewaypress.com/freebies/GrammarLand.pdf" target="_blank">Grammar Land</a> and I have a copy of it on my laptop. After listening to the introduction we discussed the premise of the book. Basically, the different parts of speech are arguing and it is up to the judge to listen to each part of speech plead their case and make necessary rules. My son was ready to get started! Yay! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Chapter one centers around Mr. Noun and at the end of the chapter the children of Schooldom are asked to write down 20 nouns. After our reading, we spent some time discussing the chapter and then he was asked to draw Mr. Noun standing before the judge as well as to write down 20 nouns. I loved watching him draw Mr. Noun based on the details from the story. We will spend a few days letting the concept of nouns continue to sink in before we move on to Chapter two.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-7SY7xvr1pv8qGz_RBD8ptx280wpwERtlhQhjdd2jkSVlv4YkiX9Zc-rT5f6oSvyqHjvxo1sRkyiy81ACkqeU4lK0lEFrNr7RLEetVB8S7_ac3PPvBJIiZ5RRtsTUVtTzCEFLz5wYcM/s1600/Grammarland+Chapter+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-7SY7xvr1pv8qGz_RBD8ptx280wpwERtlhQhjdd2jkSVlv4YkiX9Zc-rT5f6oSvyqHjvxo1sRkyiy81ACkqeU4lK0lEFrNr7RLEetVB8S7_ac3PPvBJIiZ5RRtsTUVtTzCEFLz5wYcM/s400/Grammarland+Chapter+1.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chapter 1 worksheet</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-34162324534760855212011-10-26T09:03:00.000-04:002011-10-26T09:03:00.507-04:00A-Ha Moment<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We have read much about exposing our children to living books. If you are like me you have probably googled the term "living books" and perused book lists for guidance. If you are like me you may have even had emails or conversations with Charlotte Mason mentors looking for living books.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">In our school-house we have been making the transition from traditional school philosphy to one of living ideas like Mason's ideas. There are days when I feel like I have it all under control and then there are days when I am just hanging on for dear life. Both scenerios present great learning opportunities. After all we learn from our mistakes. There are seasons in our school-house when I am uncertain why Mason taught the way she did and it is not until I have one of those a-ha moments that it all comes togther. Last week, I had such an a-ha moment and thought I would share.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For a while now we have been reading living books for history and for literature. We have enjoyed them but I will confess I have wondered how my children were going to make connections or if they were going to make connections. I have seen glimpses of it but I don't think I ever experienced it quite the way I did while with my sisters in Savannah for our <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=FSO">FSO </a>Weekend. I dubbed the acronym<a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=FSO"> FSO</a>...<a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=FSO">Fun Sisters Only</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SOeO4HaXjeINFuuavTjNasQgm5cq_3hIx4rk0B3qXUr-HYQJpehcd3xycOqf6Tk1HYyHxIW0Va99d41QbAOQdPquX9F1HugBqsrfCMJkBAgkE27xL5aT8EeOKJfvFwgecBu2NRseP9g/s1600/P1010010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SOeO4HaXjeINFuuavTjNasQgm5cq_3hIx4rk0B3qXUr-HYQJpehcd3xycOqf6Tk1HYyHxIW0Va99d41QbAOQdPquX9F1HugBqsrfCMJkBAgkE27xL5aT8EeOKJfvFwgecBu2NRseP9g/s320/P1010010.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mercer House</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For a few months we had been planning a little trip to Savannah for my sisters and I and (for the first time) my now <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=lauryn&submit.x=24&submit.y=3">18 year old daughter</a>. My sisters and I decided that we would read the book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil prior to the trip. While the book focuses on an alleged murder in the Mercer House, the author spends quite a bit of time allowing you to get acquainted with the people and the history of Savannah. Stories of Sherman's march towards Savannah and the music of Johnny Mercer are just a few of tales he told. I can remember reading one afternoon and feeling like I truly knew the layout of Savannah. He wrote of the beautiful squares and I could envision magnificent trees sprawled throughout the squares. I was craving the slow southern lifestyle of Savannah and began to look forward to our trip. We had chosen a bed and breakfast across the street from the Mercer House. Three sisters from three states were about to converge upon this neighborhood.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We met on Sunday and started our weekend with lunch on the patio. After a brief rest from our road trip we headed out to explore the historic district. Our first stop was the Mercher House and so began my living history moment. I recalled in the book that the owner of the home, an antique dealer, hung a flag over his balcony to annoy a movie crew that was disturbing the peace of his street. As we walked around the outside we tried to determine which balcony this occured from. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">We crossed the street and found ourselves wandering through the first square. Again, we recalled a scene from the book and tried to imagine how it played out. We continued walking towards the riverfront not really sure what we wanted to do but enjoying the conversation and the scenery. At one point we saw a horse and carriage and decided this would be a great way to acquaint ourselves with the city and enjoy the atmosphere of old Savannah. We climbed in and began to listen as the guide narrated her way through town. This is where I had my a-ha moment. As she shared the stories of Savannah, I realized that I had heard bits and pieces of them from our book. I listened intently and asked questions and found my mind wandering as we continued. I had built a relationship with this city before I had even seen it. I was acquainted with its history.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">It hit me like a ton of bricks. THIS is what Mason spoke of when she said to read living books. THIS is what she referred to when she spoke of building relationships with history. THIS is what education should feel like. I was not labored by the trip or bored as we spent time there. I didn't feel like reading the book or even walking through the historic homes were a chore. I remembered the history of Savannah because I was enjoying the journey. I even came home and voluntarily created two narrations.This being one of the two! My challenge is to take this new understanding and implement it further in our own studies here at home. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-78049443585280330492011-10-24T09:30:00.000-04:002011-10-24T10:18:17.751-04:00FSO Weekend...Savannah<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Last weekend, my oldest daughter and I packed up the car and headed south to Savannah. My sisters and I met at the Savannah Bed & Breakfast Inn. We sat on the patio and shared lunch and then we headed off to explore the historic city of Savannah. After heading down to the riverfront, we took a horse and carriage ride through the city. My sisters and I had decided to read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil prior to our trip. I felt like I had already been to Savannah. The beautiful squares described in the book were coming to life. As we rode through the quaint streets, I recalled tale after tale of Savannah's history. I was making connections! Right there on the horse and carriage ride, I had a <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=charlotte+mason">Charlotte Mason</a> a-ha moment! I was experiencing the benefits of a living book. Later that day as the sun began to set we made our way back to the inn and shared appetizers on our patio. The next day we walked the streets of the historic district and toured one of the homes. Again winding up our day on the patio enjoying food and each other's company.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With over 400 pictures on our camera, I picked a few to share from our <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2010/06/fun-sisters-only.html">FSO </a>(fun sisters only) weekend! </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwSIzrYlaP-FA5IFpcJ3dCfe6mxi7JcCaCb-m3h1yTu9jnTBizBbrIY5FYgOzqbCfEFU4lmYyYUzMLRYFcl' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-77972748351572280762011-09-22T08:00:00.000-04:002011-09-22T08:00:12.008-04:00A Charlotte Mason find...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZwC3qtCN7Dw-mx1n9E-B2crrA1NhjhG1ggv6lyZ6qRY69EntNr1DdICk2UTUtjSpJqfBpZ3KcMPkkIejkMErukjSlfYFL9edHibxgHso9EuyV4LAFPi4iwFqJfVrFMLbZL6EKKxhXB8/s1600/Gilga%252Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZwC3qtCN7Dw-mx1n9E-B2crrA1NhjhG1ggv6lyZ6qRY69EntNr1DdICk2UTUtjSpJqfBpZ3KcMPkkIejkMErukjSlfYFL9edHibxgHso9EuyV4LAFPi4iwFqJfVrFMLbZL6EKKxhXB8/s200/Gilga%252Bcover.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We are working our way through <a href="http://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/connect/jrox.php?uid=shelley17&jxURL=http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/year1/">Tapestry of Grace Year 1</a> this year and are started to get in to our rhythm. As we walk through the ancient world we have encountered mummies, nomads,Abraham, the Nile, Noah, Sumeria, and the story of Gilgamesh. Since this is my second time around, I am stretching my wings a bit and venturing out while keeping TOG's scope in mind.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">My youngest has really taken to the story of Gilgamesh and it is always fun to hear how it comes out. Recently he was talking with a homeschool mom and mentioned that he is reading Gilgamesh and so she let me peek at study guide she was using in her school. I was immediately impressed with it. The <a href="http://www.bfbooks.com/The-Epic-of-Gilgamesh?sc=21&category=-121">study guide</a> is written from a Charlotte Mason perspective and walks through creating a literature notebook as you read through the epic of Gilgamesh. It includes passages from the text for copywork and writing/essay ideas to complete the study. It is definitely one worth keeping in mind. My only regret is that <a href="http://www.bfbooks.com/">Beautiful Feet</a> has not created any more wonderful literature study guides.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-46389700779478475312011-09-21T08:30:00.000-04:002011-09-21T08:30:02.555-04:00The Launching Pad...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE_N5XnO1Xll4qW26mvaDLHQ2SDTPOYtAcNsGLOZ_UjzCt6AIX081TtfwPriyhfpLtC0vuPSwR8blU_5ihmqw6fqm4bjP3ttOB7SocpTRAmheaiTa7H1DwnpUYblBVUAmJ2YOqZtxakg/s320/WP_000033.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For those keeping track, we have now graduated two from high school. Yay! And while normally I would post something about that, today I am just going to let the pictures do the talking.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">For 12 years, my husband and I have talked, planned, fantasized about our <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2011/05/reconstructive-surgery.html">unfinished basement</a> and only recently were we finally able to something about it. It has become a "launching pad" if you will. On <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2011/06/reconstrtuctive-surgery-reveal.html">graduation day</a>, we had a ribbon cutting ceremony. Some time has passed, a few <a href="http://pinterest.com/shelley17/">pinterest</a> ideas have been implemented, and a visit from the <a href="http://www.redesign-concepts.com/">ReDesign Fairy</a> have now made this little launching pad a home!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURxhPAQ0W6cfE0MAopPjbcrkygHBzMtcLr4C4cpZHdY3G96-Pwn4zp3mjgKvqZUEVb5XndZyXkqQYeAl4V0hgnOxaAMM7mbn4uLBiHSDiTpO45-AMHfiUTl9JfmlsBQ4Tj1qIdwwixtw/s1600/WP_000015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjURxhPAQ0W6cfE0MAopPjbcrkygHBzMtcLr4C4cpZHdY3G96-Pwn4zp3mjgKvqZUEVb5XndZyXkqQYeAl4V0hgnOxaAMM7mbn4uLBiHSDiTpO45-AMHfiUTl9JfmlsBQ4Tj1qIdwwixtw/s320/WP_000015.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We turned trash to treasure with great finds in our house.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jfiNXbjwsS4iL1MHbnlbecfGeCIntGp7kcv8jmVKBkPzkx5JkJol7a0um67GiOn2i5XNaOPRa8Kzr-IyNV-OqDwdX1jYNX3yAlDsOpjx2dA9vhvcW7pVHfR0nVh2eXFXGlQT7Ir8rsI/s1600/WP_000018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jfiNXbjwsS4iL1MHbnlbecfGeCIntGp7kcv8jmVKBkPzkx5JkJol7a0um67GiOn2i5XNaOPRa8Kzr-IyNV-OqDwdX1jYNX3yAlDsOpjx2dA9vhvcW7pVHfR0nVh2eXFXGlQT7Ir8rsI/s320/WP_000018.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We added a touch of yellow to our upcycled table thanks to a Pinterest idea!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21627ocBsN0bcQNyYY3hyphenhyphenK5G01a9Nf0zrgii8xez8eeWThGsE1ZdRRC3ea_zE4A6HAa2Wa9wTYWlGzrunZHhBInsqok8J29a-q0kpSw20E7l3b4hDttfCjke79q8nbChZmNd6zk2xAV4/s320/WP_000047.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is a view of the bedroom/kitchenette which now includes our table</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj21627ocBsN0bcQNyYY3hyphenhyphenK5G01a9Nf0zrgii8xez8eeWThGsE1ZdRRC3ea_zE4A6HAa2Wa9wTYWlGzrunZHhBInsqok8J29a-q0kpSw20E7l3b4hDttfCjke79q8nbChZmNd6zk2xAV4/s1600/WP_000047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIqfkXus847McAs0lfuj1pnF-YAX5FLe-XCu4sFrkj61x5RogWfpxC_8bTi1smR0kV2qTbTYfSji3DUnVjmFJicPhly1bS0z2WUGGxF6ybVF8NlRsGCmKaCSSYoDB8zADeYi04E0L250/s1600/WP_000042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIqfkXus847McAs0lfuj1pnF-YAX5FLe-XCu4sFrkj61x5RogWfpxC_8bTi1smR0kV2qTbTYfSji3DUnVjmFJicPhly1bS0z2WUGGxF6ybVF8NlRsGCmKaCSSYoDB8zADeYi04E0L250/s320/WP_000042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Not gonna lie...kindof proud of our curtains turned headboard idea!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgTdy84_WnJ74hWPGN-2KlMOW6RwwiYG3pC4MCmiXFTAbmBE-pA1hMKDSjSBm3OWSV1mSxQvhRk8O7hyphenhyphen3pW9vRKZ73XJyk9Q5BSu6GcCeLS_GN3ktni-RlyojnmrSKWmXh2qN_eFzT4w/s1600/WP_000040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgTdy84_WnJ74hWPGN-2KlMOW6RwwiYG3pC4MCmiXFTAbmBE-pA1hMKDSjSBm3OWSV1mSxQvhRk8O7hyphenhyphen3pW9vRKZ73XJyk9Q5BSu6GcCeLS_GN3ktni-RlyojnmrSKWmXh2qN_eFzT4w/s320/WP_000040.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A peek at her gallery wall...filled with pictures of all the places she wants to travel to!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tp2pp6X4G1TMfbl_Rvr8DGvm1bobbt14R3izajogFPQPi12kkYyrz7h7U6IkXepo_jlLCkBwC_AZ-iULiJgdHC1hPIaAP2V52g2LZMyVGuDm3lBPaNWObWj08n2yFX84liTdJAjByAY/s1600/WP_000038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Tp2pp6X4G1TMfbl_Rvr8DGvm1bobbt14R3izajogFPQPi12kkYyrz7h7U6IkXepo_jlLCkBwC_AZ-iULiJgdHC1hPIaAP2V52g2LZMyVGuDm3lBPaNWObWj08n2yFX84liTdJAjByAY/s320/WP_000038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoBDi5bR2EGG-Ev2_L0b3QtJ5PmwIkIvDUAcWmxy9gNII5_tWbuh6tnv2p2sQLhkJb0yxtmjJeciBCDjN53iYeeGkeFJFKH3A2whGbBnvpWKGAhio88B8wHFExha8GNReBaz2s9V4hF0/s1600/WP_000037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJoBDi5bR2EGG-Ev2_L0b3QtJ5PmwIkIvDUAcWmxy9gNII5_tWbuh6tnv2p2sQLhkJb0yxtmjJeciBCDjN53iYeeGkeFJFKH3A2whGbBnvpWKGAhio88B8wHFExha8GNReBaz2s9V4hF0/s320/WP_000037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Note the mini fridge...does this mean we can stop buying her food?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG0Tg4MwGimuxc1LJe3K2vcn8cVmzrQ-Y8On2E-nQPOEXOv7pRSgSf8W8jAeIWKZObdIjDbvl8o9EbkNvJz-6uXYaDAFbD-L-L3gUwWg-CoYrJBgRu4RYjQKv8nNa2THAWqlxO7bwVI8/s1600/WP_000043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQG0Tg4MwGimuxc1LJe3K2vcn8cVmzrQ-Y8On2E-nQPOEXOv7pRSgSf8W8jAeIWKZObdIjDbvl8o9EbkNvJz-6uXYaDAFbD-L-L3gUwWg-CoYrJBgRu4RYjQKv8nNa2THAWqlxO7bwVI8/s320/WP_000043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Who wouldn't want to stop by for a visit?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE_N5XnO1Xll4qW26mvaDLHQ2SDTPOYtAcNsGLOZ_UjzCt6AIX081TtfwPriyhfpLtC0vuPSwR8blU_5ihmqw6fqm4bjP3ttOB7SocpTRAmheaiTa7H1DwnpUYblBVUAmJ2YOqZtxakg/s1600/WP_000033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE_N5XnO1Xll4qW26mvaDLHQ2SDTPOYtAcNsGLOZ_UjzCt6AIX081TtfwPriyhfpLtC0vuPSwR8blU_5ihmqw6fqm4bjP3ttOB7SocpTRAmheaiTa7H1DwnpUYblBVUAmJ2YOqZtxakg/s320/WP_000033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ST4Wbf5OeRd4tSm8EugfmWjPjfeZrD6w3Chb8cSwqrT6QueAj2vRTwRCV9Q40FSeUU6g5HHPn-mKuBkFfs9XPBUdZUahencGu-1v_hDnEgwA8wH5xYSRaykoms9jr9SLhEg_xIjO8vc/s1600/WP_000044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ST4Wbf5OeRd4tSm8EugfmWjPjfeZrD6w3Chb8cSwqrT6QueAj2vRTwRCV9Q40FSeUU6g5HHPn-mKuBkFfs9XPBUdZUahencGu-1v_hDnEgwA8wH5xYSRaykoms9jr9SLhEg_xIjO8vc/s320/WP_000044.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A view from a different angle</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh30HtKclz4ZEJNvTCChaX_FyR95mTbbJTnXCJ09VTIY3cJtv1Wn7FcGngX8qeYTJyn7H9SLYAr_4S8ZLgrTWI4I_Avl5canyFzQ4bs2DFwPzeC5btGVGDVW7SS2tUUgU7U9ZG-qQEV5k/s1600/WP_000045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh30HtKclz4ZEJNvTCChaX_FyR95mTbbJTnXCJ09VTIY3cJtv1Wn7FcGngX8qeYTJyn7H9SLYAr_4S8ZLgrTWI4I_Avl5canyFzQ4bs2DFwPzeC5btGVGDVW7SS2tUUgU7U9ZG-qQEV5k/s320/WP_000045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">As you step through these doors, you can enjoy...</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g2WDvTHs6lcw2ZEOBaXrkB6mN5jGAue4MpcJD8pg_trSJIM3YtzHKAXt9wwF_A5-8M6bJ8q4SbHlF9XOoPtGUqo2x9iIhW40zeWCXQpizAUbmmmMbqgGjGGGlqZl3epwOrg2uGAi5W8/s1600/WP_000031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1g2WDvTHs6lcw2ZEOBaXrkB6mN5jGAue4MpcJD8pg_trSJIM3YtzHKAXt9wwF_A5-8M6bJ8q4SbHlF9XOoPtGUqo2x9iIhW40zeWCXQpizAUbmmmMbqgGjGGGlqZl3epwOrg2uGAi5W8/s320/WP_000031.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The fruits of our latest labor...the patio area</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-78180161389653635722011-08-30T08:55:00.005-04:002011-08-30T08:55:00.529-04:00And That's a Period...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today is our <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2010/08/happy-birthday-lauryn.html">oldest daughter's birthday</a> so in honor of her 18 years of life, I thought I would share 18 memories we have shared with Lauryn.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBgkz7xSIeF7EsDvavvWJhv03icI4y6AF1R2Js4o8FNtm3cQ07SL5gy8irlzc0qMmCV2NIXFzHvi23gXk6k6sKprVU3irqnKuCP0yhjs8iuKoWxeQGmyHLi_9OFZvrlIbRKklqDDIWXE/s1600/Lauryn+Sept.+1%252C+1993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBgkz7xSIeF7EsDvavvWJhv03icI4y6AF1R2Js4o8FNtm3cQ07SL5gy8irlzc0qMmCV2NIXFzHvi23gXk6k6sKprVU3irqnKuCP0yhjs8iuKoWxeQGmyHLi_9OFZvrlIbRKklqDDIWXE/s320/Lauryn+Sept.+1%252C+1993.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">18. From the time she was a baby she jet-setted between Florida, Tennessee and even New York. Every time she saw my mom she would grab her suitcase and wave goodbye to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">17. As a toddler, she had an independent streak (wait she still does!).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">16. To let us know she was serious, she would end her comments with the phrase, "And that's a period!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">15. She NEVER wore pants until we moved to North Carolina and it was too cold to wear dresses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">14. Every day we walked 1 1/2 miles (each way) to take James to school. She always made the walk an adventure sometimes with her baby dolls and occasionally with her stroller.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">13. After shower time, she would run down the hallway, with her hair all poofed up from having it blow dried upside down, and say, "Mommy I'm worth it!" <em>Remember the L'Oreal commercials.</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">12. When her sister was born...well you'll just have to <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2009/11/kids-say-darndest-things.html">read it</a> for yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">11. She loved to watch Sesame Street but would cleverly leave the room during the educational parts and then return for the fun stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">10. When riding with in her aunt's convertible, she would always ask to put the "lid" down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">9. She broke her arm when she fell off her bike...with training wheels just after we moved to North Carolina.9. After watching the Olsen twins' movie, Holiday in the Sun, she mentioned to one of her aunts that she wanted to go to the Bahamas one day just like the Olsen's. Within just a few months she was playing at the Atlantis and swimming with dolphins on her very own Holiday in the Sun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">7. Trying to give her an outlet for her desire to rescue animals, she volunteered at a shelter. We had told her she could not have an animal unless she could pay for the shots. Thinking we had dodged a bullet we sighed with relief. Within just a few weeks she informed us that she had 2 puppies that needed a home and their shots were already paid for! And so we got Izzy & George</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">6. One morning after dropping our youngest daughter off at school, Lauryn called me on the cell phone to ask if dad would be mad if she rescued a cat from the rainstorm. I told her probably not but she should ask him. "Good," she replied, "he's already in the cat kennel in the basement."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">5. Great conversations about anything and everything late into the night.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">4. Watching Jane Austen and Cary Grant movies with her on any number of nights.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">3. The day her little brother was born she had it <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2010/04/through-looking-glass.html">all planned out</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">2. Walking with her during our Walks for Lupus Now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">1. Watching her over the past few years as she learns who God wants her to be.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGabc4ZeUTeQiGgbvFV9qIdwddJl90WNeFhuTzCMxe_Xc3_Vq74QGIVGcrITSQfBp_ay75XqoN2BxrqxHmvpiMcZASXePX2r7WTJssocShRGzyGoVqVPUWM80a_RO5nDOVHwSLtGA6wU/s1600/Lauryn+on+a+Miata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGabc4ZeUTeQiGgbvFV9qIdwddJl90WNeFhuTzCMxe_Xc3_Vq74QGIVGcrITSQfBp_ay75XqoN2BxrqxHmvpiMcZASXePX2r7WTJssocShRGzyGoVqVPUWM80a_RO5nDOVHwSLtGA6wU/s320/Lauryn+on+a+Miata.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sitting with the lid down!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Happy 18th Birthday!</strong></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-25230323876936694252011-08-22T09:34:00.001-04:002011-08-22T09:34:00.407-04:00First Week of School...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dweIh8mqIb-QTwlnhdWoyjv6fX4Ya2VLL0Gc7nR1uy8T4Wf44MiFhwpLq_Yzlkne328uOBAaLbLx-CLLWj1' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9915233404177715.post-28643814979288680642011-08-03T08:47:00.007-04:002011-08-03T08:47:00.458-04:00The Best Laid Plans...<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This week I have opened up my calendar and have begun the process of seeking a vision for our school year. I have already chosen my <a href="http://www.lampstandbookshelf.com/connect/jrox.php?uid=shelley17&jxURL=http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/year1/">core curriculum</a> so now it is time to sit down and think about how I will implement my year. Ironically, <a href="http://pinterest.com/shelley17/">Pinterest</a> has been a real help for me as I try and figure it all out.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDT3-XHMrHt38shpu0nnFFCaPcXAv5ryCm7zTAvZZ612oV_tJ6H8C0YR1zv3HkY_rdTvq-mSokl1n3gH6qvboZvZXPd8vHOuLHnEdZdOWUZkw0fd113cuDXCehduxJc5rByMbMSMcL2U/s1600/Pinterst.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDT3-XHMrHt38shpu0nnFFCaPcXAv5ryCm7zTAvZZ612oV_tJ6H8C0YR1zv3HkY_rdTvq-mSokl1n3gH6qvboZvZXPd8vHOuLHnEdZdOWUZkw0fd113cuDXCehduxJc5rByMbMSMcL2U/s640/Pinterst.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Homeschool Board</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of the first things I wanted to do was envision the "end product." What do I hope to accomplish with my children? Our family is entering a new phase. I am 50% done educating my children! Can I get a Woo Hoo? I know that I will never achieve perfection but I do find myself pondering what I could have done better with the older two. This is also my second and even third go-around teaching some of these subjects. That is a strange feeling. When I first started out, I quickly realized how little I knew and invested a tremendous amount of time myself reading, researching, and just enjoying the journey. So here I sit ready to enter this new phase.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As I go through this week, I will be preparing <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2008/07/end-justifies-means.html">lesson plans</a>, but more importantly I will praying for vision, revisiting <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2009/05/philosophy.html">my goals</a> for my children, and yes getting <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/search?q=organization">organized</a>!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">So what's on my board? Well...</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/category/nature/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Teaching Natures through the Sciences</span></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"> - This one came to me through </span><a href="http://www.aholyexperience.com/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">A Holy Experience</span></a>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">What appealed to me was the idea of my 3rd grader making his own nature calendar. A thought I have is to find some kind of collection-shelf-thingy (and yes that is the technical term for it) hung on his wall and post the original next to it. Then he can display his treasures for the month. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sketchbooks - Each year I end up using these more and more. I love the idea of each child creating their own "textbook" for different subjects. <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2009/10/in-his-own-words.html">I have done this in the past</a> and have loved the outcome. This year my high schooler will be making a Book of Centuries, but we will be using the <a href="http://ourstoryinprogress.blogspot.com/2010/08/20th-century-chart.html">Century chart</a> as our timeline. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">I would also like to use a sketchbook to make a biology notebook for my 9th grader. A few years back I dabbled with this idea with my 2nd child. There is definitely a learning curve. Things I liked about it was the ownership of carefully recreating drawings and labeling items. We chose a couple of different spines to help us stay on course and never really loved any of our choices.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://9im6jjs425770o267f7u4gprd0l4tbn2-a-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/ifr?url=http://wms.assoc-amazon.com/GoogleGadgets/amzn_monetize.xml&container=blogger&view=editor-sidebar&lang=en&country=ALL&sanitize=0&v=9a9be788051fa5a&libs=core:dynamic-height:google.blog:google.blog.editor:locked-domain:rpc:setprefs:settitle:views&parent=http://www.blogger.com/&mid=1264022299866#">Biology 101 DVD</a> by Wes Olsen - We are going to try a different approach for our spine and will be adding this to my ever growing arsenal of biology curriculum. I will have to get back to you on my opinions. ;-)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">A Commonplace book - This idea has intrigued me for a very long time. As I look over my own bookshelf I realize that I have several of these and honestly, isn't blogging a virtual form of a Commonplace book? With that said, I would like to introduce the idea to my two remaining students. For now, it will be simple. Mostly just about creating a habit and hopefully this will evolve as our school year progresses. On a side note, child #2 started a Commonplace book without any nudging or introduction from me. She didn't have a name for it but when sharing with me one day I realized that yes indeed that is what she had started.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.wellplannedday.com/?oid=1038_1_AugustBlog">The Well-Planned Day</a> and <a href="http://www.wellplannedday.com/?oid=1038_1_AugustBlog">The Well-Guided High Schooler</a> - What can I say about my favorite planners that I already haven't said before? They truly are a blessing at helping me keep our home and school organized. I love the articles. I love the perforated shopping list, I love the meal planner, and I love the scriptures & catechism questions but mostly I love that it is all neatly bound up and looks so pretty I just can't wait to open it and work in it. (yes I am an organizing nerd)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: x-small;">School pictures - This is an area that I am neglectful. At the end of each year, I do collect the best photos of the year and digitally scrapbook our family. I even take the time to journal our year in review. In previous years, I scrapbooked yearbooks for my older children so that they would have tangible memories. This was a compromise since we would not have yearbooks. I like the idea of taking the photo and adding fun facts about the child on the photo itself. This will be a fun challenge but I do plan to start.</span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00288653811228359870noreply@blogger.com0