Already Gone

A few summers ago I was able to hear Ken Ham speak at a Home school Convention called WATCH. He was the key note speaker that year. I had never heard him speak before. He was articulate, intelligent and amusing. He was passionate about homeschooling, the Creation museum and speaking to the hearts of homeschooling parents.

A book he recently wrote was called "Already Gone" . It discusses a scientific study showing how young adults from 20-29 have stopped attending church or who have turned away from there faith completely. Even more staggering that there hearts actually turned while still in Jr High or High school.

Homeschooling our children has not resulted in trouble free seasons. Kids have questions and doubts, they make mistakes. How do we answer? Do we really listen? When they doubt what do we say? when they make mistakes do we hold it against them the rest of there life or do we exemplify grace, love and concern while disciplining? Yet are we also holding wrong actions and motives accountable? In love also mind you. Matt 18

Its a factual book, but not boring. In fact just realizing that this is an issue makes my heart hurt. I wanted to read more. Its a resource to help encourage us to hold on to our children's hearts or at least till they give them over to Jesus. *Ü*

I linked the title if the book to a page where it gives an overview of the book. So I wont re review the book any more. The "Beemer Report" that was used was scientific and dependable. Worth looking into.

New Year, New Day, Same routine yet not so much!

Happy New Year! Its hard to believe 2010 is over and then not so much! It feels like it flew by! I am looking forward to the future! Pure and simple. *Ü*

Today we began our first day back at our "school" routine. I dropped one of my girls at work at 10 so the youngest and I went to Starbucks for coffee ( she had milk and water ) and treats. I even brought some school!We covered LA, our BSF studies and knitting. OK so knitting wasn't school but hey.

Once that was done we hit the book section for cake decorating! Starbucks is also inside Barnes and Noble.*Ü* Ry found 2 keepers. Plane Cake by Paris Cutler and my new favorite The whimsical bakehouse by Kaye Hansen and Liv Hansen. We are pretty excited! So much so we went to Joannes before heading home to pick up a few supplies!

We got home after 5 tonight. I made dinner, the girls took care of math and there world view assignments for the day. Its been a great day. No a fantastic day! We didn't start our Tapestry of Grace study today. That will start next week. I'm just not ready.

This New year:

The other day a dear lady I know, ok not just a lady, but Ill call her firend asked me what I will "do" this year. Not what resolution, but what can I do or learn or accomplish. She wasn't talking diets and things I will forget about in a month or 2. My response was to learn all I can about quick books. LOL Yes, you read that right. Quick Books! Not just for book keeping purposes but for my husbands new business.I need to learn to create invoices, billing, add customers and the like. My husband became a general contractor in July/August and we desire for me to get paid, not pay someone else to do that. My friend grew up with her daddy owning a construction business and has offered to help me accomplish this goal. She rocks. Not only that but is one smart cookie. She can do anything especially quick books!

The 2nd thing is something I thought about later. The 2nd thing is to continue to learn to not be so independent. No man is an Island right? Nor woman for that matter. I have a bad habit to retreat and handle things on my own and in my own way most of the time. I can do it, I can fix it, I don't need this or that in my life ect, ect. This brings me to number 3 to reach out to those around me when I need help. Its a bad habit I have to retreat! I'm a loner so to speak. Always have been. Its not that being alone is bad, but trying to handle life and struggles alone is. I have some remarkable woman in my life who not only can I share myself with but vise versa. They exemplify who I want to be in Christ. What I want to be more like when I grow up. *Ü* That includes you too mom! *Ü* I'm encouraged and excited for things to come, come what may. I am not alone.

Happy New year!!
Isaiah 43:16; 18-19

This is what the LORD says--he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters.... "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Bible study Fellowship

Last night was the first night for BSF! For the first time ever they are studying Isaiah.

I have not attended for the last 4 years. I should have gone last May to the last intro night! Last nights intro group had 43 of us all wanting in and not enough room for most. I know why! Because its so darn amazing!! Especially studying Isaiah!!

Praying for new leaders to step in and fill the need!

Free Artist Lapbook

I love Free! I just came across this link for a free lapbook on Famous Artists!

Free Famous artist lapbook

I found this wonderful resource over at Practicle Pages.

Enjoy!

2010-2011 Koinonia Academy School Year

Its time. School starts Monday. It crept up on me once again. Not that I don't have what I need, It's all mental.

I am still working a few days a week. We have a pretty good groove going. Now to just add "school". Some evenings will be "school focused". We don't mind accomplishing some things at night. I need to be flexible so we can still accomplish what we need to. Evening sessions can help aid us in keeping us off the computer, tv and video games. They tend to fill the evenings to much sometimes. *Ü* its my attempt to be balanced while working, youth group and bible studys and everything else relating to being a homeschool mom! *Ü*

History,Literature and writing will be covered using Tapestry of Grace year 1. Tapestry Year 1 covers the history of the world from the Creation to the Fall of Rome in 450 AD. Here is a link to the scope and sequence if you are curious.

TOG Year 1 S&S

I want to add how excited Christian and I both are about being back in Ancients! This is Rys first time in Dialect/Rhetoric level too (for this year plan), so we hope our excitement rubs off on her!

Writing we will continue using IEW as our core and use it alongside TOG. The Ancients theme book is geared at a 3rd or 4th grade reading level,but the information is practical for older students as well. The themes are my guide. I also have Analytical grammars Teaching an Essay and Research Paper.. Essays and research papers I am planning to use as an end of the unit project. Not sure how all this will pan out yet.

Math is Teaching Textbooks Algebra 1

World View will be a combination of Tapestry of Grace and Understanding the times. finally the girls are taking this class!! The core will be understanding the times, but we will not be able to help but get a world view from our history this year while using TOG.

Economics,business, Law, Government and History will be covered by using the Uncle Eric books we have.

What ever happened to Penny Candy?

Whatever happened to Justice?


Are You Liberal? Conservative? or Confused?

Ancient Rome: How It Affects You Today

The Money Mystery: The Hidden Force Affecting Your Career, Business and Investments

Science will be nature study and Health will be covered using Total Health curriculum for High school.

I also have some ideas for art and Washington State History. I plan on using a travel guide to cover 3 of 8 regions in our State over the year. We will try to catch some plays again in Seattle. Its been a year or 2 since we have done that. Also we plan on going to History museums, the Seattle Art museum and anything else we can think of. I will write about that later.

I have hopes of grandeur this year! A girl can hope. This is Sr year for my middle child and 9Th grade year for my baby! Here is to another year!! 16 years and counting!