Good Morning Routine

 

 

 

Well we are rocking on we survived our Week 3. Yay Schooling is going smoothly. We finished our goals and no we move on to Week 4... OK so lets see we are learning staying constant makes life so much easier and kids get school work done quicker. Now that is something. =)

 



My kiddos at first were very resistant on getting up at 7am and doing morning routine to start schooling at 8am. But now when i don't get them up it why didn't you get me up. I have found they are actually getting up on their own. Yay but the reason is because they say oh Momma we love the Good Morning Song but do you have to have it playing when you wake us up! My word no but you wake up so nice and ready to get our day going. Or do you want me to come in and do it like your Daddy (loud stern like military voice)"WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP TIME TO RISE AND SHINE WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP"

 

 



We wake up get dressed, make beds and set table. Then we Pray, eat (while listening to our fun songs) and clean table rinse dishes and brush teeth. We the listen to Keys 4 Kids. They have awesome daily devotional stories and scripture for that day. Awesome not having to think of something. Kids love it they also have bible game as well as other story times.

 

 



How do you get your kiddos up before school are there adjustments you make or are you content and kids happy with your routine? Please share looking forward to hearing and learning other ways!

 

                        Thank you for stopping by and Pondering with me!

 

"Prayer is a strong wall and fortress of the church; it is a goodly Christian weapon." — Martin Luther

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. — Romans 8:28

                                          

 

Woohoo going Smoothly

We have had another successful week. I am really liking how things are flowing with kids learning goals. The way I have put what they do together makes it so easy and they are not just staying on one subject for hours because they don't want to get it done. They actually are striving to finish it so we can be done for week. I love the way things flow in Charlotte Mason Method.

I know I am not doing it to a T. But I am using what I am doing to my children's advantages. I am going to try to touch basis on what they have learned this week in Week 2.

 We pray because it helps us stay focused and knowing God is there makes the whining not as bad. We try to remember prayer when we get up, before we eat, before we work ect. Prayer is powerful when put in right use. We are working on not praying prayers are basic. We are making sure the prayers are of what God wants to hear. Kinda hard when the kids are young but we are working on it together. I am reading a book called " The Power of a Praying Parent" by: Stormie Omartian. She has written several books on power of prayer. Wonderful books and not hard to follow.

1. We have a morning routine it is something to get my children's minds in gear for school. As we are getting breakfast done we listen to a song called Good Morning Son, Days of the Week Song, Months of the Year Song and then We say which to me is very important The three Pledges.

2. We listen to CBH ministries because they have wholesome Daily Devotionals Keys for Kids please a nice scripture we look up after each one. We talk about the morals and how we can use them in our daily lives. We are always remember the The ABC's of Salvation so we never forget.

3.We do a weekly memory scripture verse. This is important because it helps get Gods word deep in their brains and fun to know you are learning Gods word. We use the Scripture Memory System by: Simply Charlotte Mason. Love it what a genius idea! :-) Humility is what we are working on.

4. Math: Saxon

 Makenzee is in book 5/4 homeschooling math. It is 4th grade if you go by grades. Which most homeschoolers do not. We go by what our children can do and if they need help we take time and help them grow so they can succeed. Makenzee is working on Word problems with missing addends as well as missing numbers in subtraction.

 Lileigh is Saxon homeschooling math 2. Lileigh is working on getting her addition and subtraction down packed. She is also learning how to do word problems, money, some fractions and time. We are talking basics to help her to grow and learn for whats to come.

 I love Saxon math because it rolls so well. You are reviewing as well as learning a new concept. It is wonderful when using CMM. Knowing my kids are reviewing as well as learning something new makes an awesome thing.

5. Language Arts: Learning Language Arts Through Literature

Makenzee is in the Orange Book which is again considered 4th grade. Makenzee has been working on Journal writing. Taking notes to putting it together. She had to write something about an event like step by step. She choose to make a sandwich. To be precise the sandwiches we make for Daddy's lunch so he can eat while at work. She had to do the First, Next, Then and Now. Daddy was home so he took time to help her. She loved it and did very well.

Lileigh is in the Red Book Reading Program. She worked on Long O sounds She had to read the "Hard Short Hay" from her phonics book All Around the Farm by: Yuuriko Nichols. She learned that not doing what Momma says makes for not always pleasant living. Love the whole Morals thing helps a lot.

6. Spelling: Spelling Workout

Makenzee is in Book C. She worked on Long vowel sounds O and U. Lileigh is in book B. She worked on Long Vowel O. I really like how this not a typical type of spelling like when we were in school and you had huge list of words to memorize. Well these are broke down to a very small tid bit to do a day. just enough to say wow that was fun and move on. They are learning without knowing they are. What I really love is that they flow well with LLATL.

7. Copy/Dictation: As of know they are both working on ABC's to help make writing better and to have them down packed.

 Makenzee is learning Cursive writing. As soon as she finishes doing her basic cursive we will go to a cursive copy work book. She has good days and bad days but she is learning and thinks she is so cool.

Lileigh is learning to read so she needs to know her ABC's much better. We are making sure we know each letter very well and the sound. When she finishes we will continue lessons in Manners for Copy work. by: Sandi Queen

8. Science: Exploring Creation with Botany

We do Science all together makes life much easier. We only do science on Mondays and Wednesdays. Spliting it up with History and Geography helps them to retain more without over doing their little brains. We are learning about Botany. There is so much to them and we are only still on the outer layer. We love how God has put them together and the proof he is our creator is abundant in everything we see and learn. God is good!

9.History/Geography:Story of the Worlds Ancient Times

Again we do history and Geography together we do it on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The girls love learning of their culture how life was nothing like today or was it?! We learned about Ancient Africa. The sahara dessert use to be plush full of vegitation and animals at one time. Then the rains stopped and everything dried up and moved South to where there was more accept way of living. amazing how life has gone and keeps going through cycles.

10. Comper Study: Sergie Prokofiev 1891-1953

Prokofiev was a master at using music to tell a story. One of his most famous musical stories is Peter and the Wolf, which was written for Russia's Central Children's Theatre. You may have seen it performed in school, or on the concert stage.

11. Artist Apperication: Edgar Degas 
Edgar Degas, born on July 19, 1834 in Paris, France, went on to study at the École des Beaux-Arts and became renowned as a stellar portraitist, fusing Impressionistic sensibilities with traditional approaches. Both a painter and sculptor, he enjoyed capturing female dancers and played with unusual angles and ideas around centering. His work influenced major modern artists like Picasso.

12. Foreign Language: American Sign Language & Spanish
We have 2 Foreign Languages we are working on. ASL is very nice to learn. We enjoy learning it and it is easy to talk to each other when others are around if you need to get a point across or the kids have something they dont want others to know. Spanish is not their favorite. Actually the really don't want to learn it. But I feel Spanish is probably an important language to learn because we have a lot of Spanish speaking people. As they grow they will learn others but as for now they will focuse on these two!

13. Nature Study: Hearts and Trees Bubbles and Lavender Kit
We havent started this kit yet but we are so excited when we can. We have used their kits before awesome is only word I can say. Very creative and so very helpful and fun to do.

14. Art: drawing a Ballerina
We are having the girls learn to draw. They drew a Ballerina. I plan on having them draw ballerinas while we study Edgar Degas. They will then in last 12 weeks of school Paint their own Ballerina art on canvas as water color like degas in their own eye. Very exciting to see them grow and get better!


15. Recipe Friday:
We have added a special day that Makenzee is going to be cooking or baking something from a recipe. Well this week we choose Ham and Cheese Crescent snadwich but we have decided to make it a whole casserole dish instead of 4 sandwiches. Very yummy and nice I am proud she is learning to put food together. One day I will be able to ask her to make dinner on her own. Oh ya BABY thats my goal! :-)

16. Memory Poem: Autumn Song by Katherine Mansfield
We love memorizing Poems. Helps keep our heads on straight and brains on top of being active. We learn a new one every 12 weeks. Try to stay with what the season is. Since school is back in session and it is almost Fall we choose. Autumn Song! It is fun we like to say as a song..Kids are creative in how they learn gotta give them props!

We stay on a subject periods of no more then 30 minutes. We have decided what the kids have not finished for daily goals we will do them as homwwork. Meaning after school day and a time or rest they will resume what was not completed. It has worked very well. The girls have completed their work on time and are finishing their weekly goals every week so far. Very Exciting! Makes this Momma very happy...

                                   Thank you for stopping by and pondering,

“There is no respect for others without humility in one's self.”

Henri-Frederic Amiel (1821-1881);

Proverbs 18:12. This proverb is connected with the preceding of the rich man who trusts in his mammon. Before destruction the heat of man is haughty

                                                     

Week 1 done











We had a great first week of school. Yes not everyday was perfect but we were successful! We made our goals for the week and and everyday we strive to have everything for that day done. Here is our Week 1 Goals! We have decided we will have a celebration when our schooling hits day 100 for this year. So the kids are very excited! Isn't it amazing a little something makes for some happy kiddos?

Here is Makenzee's amazing Peach Cobbler she did for her Recipe Friday! It was absolutely wonderful and recipe was from Hill Billy House Wife. Here is the awesomeness of a recipe it is absolutely wonderful!  Super Easy Old-Fashion Peach Cobbler

“Nothing is more deceitful than the appearance of humility. It is often only carelessness of opinion, and sometimes an indirect boast.”

Jane Austen (1775-1817)

Proverbs 15:33(NIV)                                                                                                                                      Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord,
and humility comes before honor.

Getting our prospective on

Well the year is flying by. We are already almost done with July and headed into August. This has been a trying year of hardship and major joy! Life comes fast but it is how you deal with it.

This past year has been anything but boring to say the least. Having a child who wasn't following the rules and to be doing drugs was not the highest point of our family. But God truly does work in mysterious ways. After all the law enforcement arrest and going to court I truly want to believe things are going in better direction for our son and our family. For first time in a while really looking forward to having my second born home with his family. It is a nice feeling.

I at one point did not feel this way. yes sad I know. Your probably thinking how can a mom feel this way about one of her blessings. Well it is quit easy to feel this way. Having a child with mental illness can be trying. But with Gods graces we are pulling through.

We stopped schooling back in March do to my pregnancy was kinda rough for me. So we kinda did here and there schooling. Then Tobin came and nothing was in place. Meaning adjusting to a new borns needs made schooling non exitistent. But now Tobin is 3 months yay starting to become a little human being with personality. We have decided we will start school August 6,2012. We may not be 3/4 of school yr done but a 1/4 is still ahead. My girls work hard.

We are still using same books:
Bible: keys for kids
History: Story of world ( Ancient Times)
Science: Exploring Creation with Botany
Math: Saxon
language Arts: Learning Language arts through Litterature
Spelling: Spelling Workout books
Copy work: memory verses, peoms and quotes
Writing Skills:ABCs and cursive
bible work: memory verse weekly
Art apperication: garden of praise
Music Apperication: classics for kids
computer skills: they have some typing games and skill games


We will be striving to work deligently to have a successful year!
                                                     Thanks for Pondering with me,

”Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong” - Unknown

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God -- through Jesus Christ our Lord!

—Romans 7:24-25

Tobin is hear!

Our Baby boy Tobin Earl Johnson has been born. He was born May 1, 2012 @ 6:56am 7lbs. 14.6oz and he was 19 1/2 inches long. I was 39 weeks and 2 days pregnant his estimated due date was May 6,2012.

We were set for induction on May 2, 2012 @ 6am. We Tobin had plans of his own. here is how it happened!

"I started having constant contractions a little after 3:30am I woke Thomas up about 4:30am at that point I didn't want to be alone. he started timing my contraction and knew immediately I was in labor but I was in denial. So he called hospital to see when we should go in. They said when I was 3 to 5 minutes apart for an hour but he reminded them we are an hour away. Their response was I wouldn't wait that long. So about 6am after Thomas continued to time me we left to hospital. The hospital is an hour away. Good faithful 1991 ford explorer made that drive in 45 minutes. We arrived at hospital at 6:45 in time to get me changed his bag of waters bulging and them telling to push I barely pushed three time he was out with great force. I ended up tearing do to how fast it all happened have 4 stitches. He looks alike like Lileigh but some of Jon Jon as well. Tobin is seeming to be a good baby. He is an awesome asset to our family just wish all my children could be here to enjoy him. Tobin and I doing great. The after birth has been little harder on me then others with pain and emotions but we are healthy and I am fat but we are doing wonderful!"

These are his proud sisters they can not seem to get enough about him.

Here are some random pictures of our baby Boy!

                                                        Thank you for pondering with me,

To change ones life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly.
- William James

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17

Little Note on School Work!

Well it has been a while. I kinda think I am getting good at not getting on laptop to remember to post something anything about how the girls are doing with schooling. Well OK saying learning daily! We have a lot of no work days but they are always trying to read or sound out things so at least we know they have knowledge in wanting to learn without knowing it!

I know I have gone over what we had plan on doing but now I can tell ya since the girls have been working what we have decided to use it has turned out to be such a smooth and easy days. Remember when you are homeschooling if your finding lots of crying or yelling you might want to rethink what your doing it just might not be the right home schooling method.I am so glad I tried new things but We seem to always go back to the way we are working now. It just works for them!! It makes for happier kiddo's..

Makenzee leads her sister's in Daily Devotions for Girls There is always a short story she reads. Then there are answers they work on together and give there thoughts. They also have a short prayer and then they have a small little project they can do that goes along with what they read. I am very proud of Makenzee she also leads them in Pledge Allegiance.

Makenzee and Lileigh have been doing Spelling Workout by Modern Curriculum Press They are great books it takes the old way of spelling out and makes it fun to learn the words or associate ways of words that sound the same or lone vowels short  vowels. The books are marked as A,B,C,D,E etc.they go great if you are worried about being grade on. Each lesson has 5 short fun things to do. So we break them up in our five day week. Sometimes Makenzee goes ahead and does hers in one day. She has gotten very good at being an independent worker.Makes life easier when you have many instead of one your teaching!

The girls also are using Learning Language Arts Through Literature.Makenzee is working in the Orange book which is fourth grade. Lileigh is working in the Red Book which is 2nd grade.They are doing so well.I love the books they have the older grades have reading book studies they have to answer questions and look up definitions and get a certificate after each book study for showing they completed it. They have in each lesson 5 days broken down for each week. Makes it so much easier to keep on track. There is always a review if they child needs it after each lesson. Also after you do like 4 or 5 lessons it has assessment for the child to make sure they truly understand what they have been working on with those lessons.

Makenzee and Lileigh also are working with Saxon Math This works great for my girls. Makenzee is working in Saxon home school math 5/4 which is 4th grade level. Lileigh is working in the red book Saxon math which is 2nd grade. They are both doing well. I like it because it isn't hard to follow. Which in my life makes it so much easier!

The girls are doing history/geography with Story of the Worlds We love hearing the stories. They also have an activity book we use to help with asking questions to keep them prompted. They get to make projects with some of the chapters.Over all it is a very nice curriculum to use with your children.

We also are working on Makenzee's Cursive Handwriting. I got a book that Makenzee is working learning the basics of cursive writing. When she completes the book I have daily copy work for her to do that she will have to write it in cursive.She is loving the fact that she is being big like her mom..

Lileigh does daily Daily Copy Work I have a really neat book that helps with manners. So each day she is working her hand writing and manner skills. She is working on being polite at home. We all know it starts at home so we have manners outside of our home.

The girls are also using Exploring Creation with Botany. WE love it. Basically it is a huge nature study.They journal daily.These are great books for science the girls have decided they would like to do Exploring Creation with Astrology. Looks like fun!!

This all we basically do for now. Life has been very crazy and very on go.We may not do every lesson everyday. We at least do a subject if not all at least a day. Now mind you some days we don't do to appointments and life. As far as girls I am not worried about falling behind. My girls are ahead of the game. But in our eyes they are write where they need to be. Once we have life back to normal well as normal as we are. For example Baby is born and we get use to having him in our home. Life should should slow down some.

Abbigale is doing schooling as well. I have books on basic learning to write for pre-k. As well as cutting books and of coarse gluing. Books on shapes and colors and numbers. She also participates with Makenzee and Lielighs Science and History! Abbi doesn't give us a chance not to make sure she has her school work done. I love it but some days I wish she would be more like a normal 3 year old and go play!

The next time I get to blog might be after our little one is born. As of today I am 37 weeks pregnant I am due May 6. He is measuring at 7# something. I go back to OB Wednesday. I actually get to meet the doctor. I have only been seen by the Nurse practitioners. We really want to have him delayed cord clamping he is not one to practice it. So I am going in with pages for him to read. We did with our last baby who was home birthed. We were not able to home birth this time because there are no midwives in our area. But any who we are getting things ready for when he decides to join our family.

I will post pictures the next time. I just wanted to touch base on whats been going on. Life is crazy and I thank you for stopping by and PONDERING with me! God Bless each and everyone of you!!

                                                            Your friend always,

VERSE:

  We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that
God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
    -- 1 Thessalonians 4:14
   
THOUGHT:
   As horrible as the Cross was, it wasn't the final chapter of the
Jesus story. Jesus died and then rose again. We can believe two
things because of Jesus' resurrection: 1) that Jesus will return in
glorious victory for those who have believed in him, and 2) that we
will be with those we love who have fallen asleep in Christ when
Jesus comes again.
PRAYER:
   Holy and Almighty Father, thank you for raising Jesus from the
dead and giving me the assurance of eternal life with you, and with
those I love who have already passed from this life into death. I
look forward to the day Jesus returns in glory, with the angels of
heaven, and brings complete victory over death. Thank you in Jesus'
name. Amen.

Happy Valentines Day

Well today is Valentines day! So Happy Valentines Day everyrone from our home to yours! We are not doing anything special it is way commercial but I did get my hubby a card. He was not Happy with me because we agreed not to get each other anything. But it did make his day:-)..

 

Well I have decided to have girls make a V-day project they will be making Paper Bouquet of Hearts and Flowers but we are making them flat instead of like they are saying to do it.HEART and FLOWER Project. The girls are so excited and can not wait! The website we are getting this idea is from Making Friends. They have tons of craft ideas and if your daughter is a Girl Scout you can order them patches!

 

We are also making these Yummy Valentine Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites.We have decided we will dunk in white chocolate! These were presented from Mommy's Kitchen.I use a lot of her recipes she has tried and knows they are yummy so she shares.I strive to be a yummy cooking mommy like Ms. Tina! Keep up the awesome ideas and yumminess from your home to ours!!

When we finish their master pieces they make we will share! Have lots to do to get things done. Pictures to come!

        Thank you for pondering with me,

                                              

Life has taught us that love does not consist in gazing at each other but in looking outward together in the same direction.

-Antoine De Saint-Exupery

Philippians 2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.