 I am soooooo excited to announce a brand-spank’n-new home for The Homeschool Mother’s Journal Community to gather each week! Starting this week, the wonderful, awesome, amazing team of 45+ homeschool bloggers over at the iHomeschool Network will begin sharing their Homeschool Mother’s Journal posts and hosting our community each Friday-Monday. Amy from Milk & Cookies…  In our homeschool this week… We only have Math to finish up before our homeschool year is over, so we’re shaking things up a bit around here with some fun unit studies. It’s Math, Math, Math each morning – lunch – then something fun and interesting in the afternoon. This week, we have found ourselves… 12 comments 
Thanks for sharing the WWII series stuff, looks good. 
Thanks for the info on the WWII series. I am going to look into in for my history buffs! 
I love the educational time on the comfy couch! I wish we could do more of that sometimes. We are following some pretty interesting curiosity trails too in our homeschool right now. So fun to follow the kids when they find something they want to learn more about! 
that does look interesting we participated in something similar this week 
That looks totally AWESOME, Sue!! How fun!! I thought you might be interested in this since you guys are doing WWII right now. http://nw2m.convio.net/site/Calendar/1361040620?v… The National WWII Museum in New Orleans is offering a FREE webinar on the 3rd. Might be something that goes along with your study? Have a great weekend! 
Oh how FUN! 
Funny! I posted then read your post. We are doing some “unschooling” fun right now, too. I love seeing where it is taking us. I also saw the post about the webinar for the WWII Museum in New Orleans. Instead of the webinar, you could take a field trip and come on down to NOLA for a field trip. We would be happy to show you around 
Those videos sound interesting. My girls are fixing to do a little unschooling too 
Wow, that looks like a great series. I'll have to keep it in mind for next year! 
That looks good! Over the winter we enjoyed Edwardian Farm, all about rural life in Devon in the early 1900's, including such unexpected things as mining and fishing. It's on YouTube, all 12 episodes. 
Color me tired … we are just going about the days! 
That looks like fun! We recently completed our first year of CC and were able to visit Washington D.C. right after studying American history all year! My son loved stopping to watch short videos at the museums, especially about the Presidents. We saw some really cool WW II aircraft at the National Air and Space Museum.  In my life this week… It’s going to be 102 degrees here in Arizona on Sunday and I’m none too happy about it. I planted a TON of new summer plants in my yard and discovered a little too late that my watering system decided to go on strike leaving everything in serious jeopardy of dying. Soooooo,… Pin It18 comments 
We are on watering rationing already this year so no watering the garden for me this year:) But that also means no garden:( 
I have been having to go out and water my tomatoes too. It's been sooo dry our grass is all crunchy and gross. We are listening to The Little House right now 
I am glad Almanzo got it fixed for you! I would not be happy about that either. I do love skirts, but no electricity-not so much!
Oh the AZ heat… yuck! I always remember it heats up way too early every year. 
Sweet. Love the Little House on the Prairie bits. I'm not a yard/garden person either and have been putting off buying and planting my annuals and a few vegetable plants. Have you thought about getting a garden hose to reach your plants. Much easier than using a watering can. Just saying… 
Oh, wow! I don't think I could ever live in AZ! I feel sweltering at 80 degrees! 
I am so with you on not enjoying the 100 degree weather! I am so not a heat girl… lol. Give me 75 degrees and I am as happy as a clam. I can't wait to get rid of all the Abeka stuff I bought for our first grade year. My Muppin just got so bored and it really bored me as well! Good bye Abeka, you are a great program, but not for us! I am glad your sprinklers will be fixed 
I wouldn't be enjoying that weather or carrying water either. Glad the situation will be fixed soon. I'm not really getting rid of much curriculum yet, but will be at the end of this year.
102 wow – I thought it was hot here in Southwest Florida – It's gonna be a hot hot summer! 
I can so relate to Latin's Not So Tough!!!! The freedom to get rid of that was wonderful!! I thought our almost 90's was hot! 
I can't even begin to imagine these temperatures – we don't even get anything like that mid-summer! We dance a jig when (if!) we get into the high 70s. (I am one of these *bad* homeschooling mums who never even attempted Latin 
You are too funny! Sorry about the 102 degree weather though…yikes! 
nice that the end of the school year is in sight!
I don't have any curriculum to purge. I do, however, a ton of math books that we don't need. Seriously.. Two entire shelves which are bowing under the weight. I don't think I really NEED 20-30 college algebra books, do you?? *lol* 
So wonderful that you included your son in figuring out when realistically, he could be out for summer break – great life long lesson! Love your blog! 
It is freakishly cold her today (and yesterday) in Middle Georgia. It has been high 60's. I am not complaining a bit. I much prefer it to the high 80's and lower 90's we were having. We planted our tomatoes, too. We have well water so we have to make sure we don't overuse and not have enough for all the animals and us!! I don't really have any curriculum to purge this year. We use an online resource, Time4Learning, and like it. Oh, wait, I do have one writing book that wasn't as good as it appeared to be the day I purchased it. We barely used it. It was a supplement anyway. Now if you asked my daughter about what to purge, I am sure she would tell you EVERYTHING! Good thing I won't be asking for her input on this one. HA HA Joyfully,
I'm just catching up on reading your blog. I LOVE the Laura quote because I can still hear Meliissa Gilbert's little girl voice saying those words! I was a Little House fanatic when I was young. I hope you are not still having to "fetch" the water in your prairie skirt!
great post Sue. And congrats on finishing up the school year soon!  In my life this week… The winter flowers in my front yard have officially kicked the bucket and my planters are overflowing with crunchy, brown petunia carcasses. Just one day of 90 degree weather here in good ol’ Arizona and they all give up and called it quits. (A sentiment I can totally relate to!)… 7 comments 
Totally forgot you all were a CC family! Is he in Challenge A? Feels a little weird for me not to be a director anymore. Weird in a good way, that is. *grin* My only experience with BJU is through ordering standardized tests, so I'm no help to you there. Just wanted to stop in and leave a comment, though! Hope you are doing well these days.
How proud you must be of him for his essay! 
Ah my community is gone too. 
BJU Press is terrific to deal with. I've used their elementary curriculum in the past, but I also use them for standardized testing and had positive experiences! I'd love to read your son's paper – please do publish! Coincidentally, my new site (mostly a parking space for future writings and not blogging) is named, When Hearts Bloom. I was tickled to see your bloom reference 
GORGEOUS purple flower!!!! 
Apologia science is amazing, I also like their Bible curriculum:) 
Thanks so much, Jamie!  In our homeschool this week… We’re on count down finishing up our Classical Conversations program this month and I am now smack dab in the middle of the sometimes fun/sometimes not so fun process of picking our curriculum for next year. We will not be continuing on in our current CC program after witnessing what… 9 comments
wow!!!!!!!!!!! that exhibition looks amazing!!
It was, Jen! A homerun field trip for sure!!! 
We were blessed to see Van Goghs art in person a few years ago, ever since I have been a huge fan. I bet this was just as impressive, it looks so fantastic!
That is pretty awesome! Great way to discover art for those of us who are not artistic at all… I mean I can't even draw stick men. 
wow – that looks like a great field trip !! art to music – definitely hope that comes to FL one day.
That looks like an awesome field trip! And I'm in that picking-curriculum/decision-making process for next year, too. I love it and hate it.
My husband is an artist and he would have LOVED to go to that exhibit! Be blessed this Easter!
Oh, that sounds beautiful. I love Van Gogh! 
Wow! I hope that exhibit comes this way.  I have homeschooled my 13 year old son since he was in the 2nd grade and it has truly been one of the greatest joy of my life. However, there are days and even entire weeks that I just don’t feel like doing it anymore. The homeschooling lifestyle can be hard, and I feel weary… 33 comments
So beautiful and so true!!! Thank you for sharing this. It was just what I needed to hear today:) 
Thank you for this post! I will be HSing my oldest next year after putting him back in the public school system because my husband felt like I couldn't keep up (Ipregnant, running an in-home childcare, bussing our middle son to/from public school, etc etc). You are spot on in this blog. Sharing on FB and Twitter now.
I just heart you and your sweet family! xoxo 
I love the new look! Great post, Sue.
Thank you for this post. Just today I researched the scriptures again today looking for encouragement to keep homeschooling and this is like the cherry on top. 
Great post! As my children get older, one of my doubts is, "Am I smart enough to keep doing this?" Thank you.
I home school my 16 year old who has learning difficulties so I know exactly where you are coming from Im pleased God is giving you peace I pray He always does before home schooling my son I went to uni (as a 35 year old) and did something Id always wanted to do start along a path to becoming a qualified teacher of preschoolers the thing im coming too is that we were taught at uni that a good teacher does reflect on her practise dont let the devil or others allow you to think you arent doing the best for your son another thing thats really helped me is taking one day at a time and realizing education is a cumulative process my prayers are with you 
As a homeschool veteran mom of 14 years, and three children successfully graduated from our homeschool, and who are all successful adults in their own right, I will tell you that you CAN do this, and do it well. Keep at it, ladies. The Lord will bless you, and your children will bless you. Mine still thank me for homeschooling them. I have one who is gifted, and two who are very intelligent, but had learning difficulties. The doubt comes from the enemy, who wants to rob us of our joy by constantly planting those seeds of doubt. Do not entertain those doubts. Do not let them grow (or fester!). Blessings in Christ, 
This is such a great post, because I've been having serious doubts lately about what I'm doing. How I'm failing them, etc. etc. Thanks for sharing this! Such a blessing! 
Great post! Thanks for sharing your heart! I know we can all relate..but in the end we know we are making the right choice, God's choice for our children! Thank You and god Bless! Forest Rose 
The Enemy is a sneaky one, isn't he? He loves preying on the hearts of a homeschool mom, and making us think that our kids are better off taking that yellow bus to a place that doesn't offer curriculum that's tailor-made to our child's specific learning style, or the ability to wiggle when necessary! Love you bunches, Sue! Thanks for encouraging the rest of us! =) 
Sue, I've missed your 'writing'……its' great to have your 'voice' back….not just a journal. Many of us…'get it'….thank you for sharing. It's hard living up against the 'she must be perfect and never have any problems' thought process at times! 
Couldn't agree more! I love the way you put this! When I feel this way, I just think of the alternative and ask myself, "would I rather put them in school?" And I always come back with a "no" and a little more to give the next day! Thanks for the encouragement! 
I too have felt this way many times. I am glad that I just kept going one day at a time. I have a son whom I graduated and went on to obtain his B.S. and will be graduating this spring with his Masters. I have a daughter who I graduated and has since married and they own their own business. I am still schooling my little guy and still struggle every day, but the blessings far outweigh the doubts. You can do this and you will rejoice in your success as you see your children living godly, purpose filled lives. Encourage each other 
I have felt like this many times, but we have made it. I graduate my son in a little over a month, and a child that was just an "average kid" in public school 10 years ago, is going to college on scholarships. Focus on what your child needs, not what the world thinks he should have, and you can't go wrong.
Thank you so much for your post. I am a mother of two little girls, so the excitement of everything "new" with homeschooling still lingers… most of the time! I recently had a few days (or a little more!) where I began to doubt our choice a bit, but we're back at it again, and I'm loving it just as before. I'm so thankful to know that I'm not alone in feeling this way!
Ah yes, you wrote directly to my heart. As my oldest approaches middle grades I wonder if this being at home is best, and then we have a magical week where she is happy, creative, and learning. God always gives us what we need just when we need it most. Thanks, Sue. 
Sue,
Thanks for your sweet comment, Jen!
Thanks so much! Praying that your homeschool year is blessed next year.
Thanks so much, Sam!
Big (((hugs))) right back atcha my dear.
Awww… I love that the Lord let my post be your cherry on top!
I feel that way all of the time, Kris, but if the Lord called me to do it, I'm fully convinced that He's going to give me what I need to accomplish it. – Thanks for your sweet comment!
Such encouraging words, Jen. Thanks so much!
Thank you, Lynn. You are such a great example for so many!
Thanks so much! Blessing to you too.
I'm so glad that you feel encouraged, Emily. Blessings to you too!
Soooooo true! Sneaky. Sneaky. Sneaky. – Thanks for your sweet comment chickie. Love you bunches too!
Awww, thanks Rebecca. I didn't think anyone realized that I've been living in a dark, damp bloggy cave lately. *wink*
I'm so glad that you feel encouraged, Emily. – Makes my heart full 
I am new to the homeschooling idea. My husband and I are VERY interested but do not really know where to begin. Do I need to get some sort of certification as a parent teacher? Who do I need to speak to? Are there certain curriculums that any of you would recommend? I have so many questions and just feel lost. Someone please guide me in the right direction. I will have a 3rd grader, 1st grader and one who will be starting kinder this upcoming year. 
I just about cried reading this! I can relate to your struggles. My son also needs home schooling because of his style of learning. I have been so frustrated because of the bad habits he has picked up in public school and I feel so bad for not being more patient after reading this. Thank you for putting things in perspective for me! I need to focus more on the joy of being with him and seeing his achievements!  In my life this week… Okay. Raise ‘yer hand if you went to see The Hunger Games this week. My local theater was showing that film almost every hour, on the hour and every show seemed to be totally full. Yowza! My husband, who I dragged along with me, still can’t understand all of the… 15 comments
I love everything you posted this week 
We LOVE LOVE LOVE addicted to Chondra Pierce. Love her. Have loved her for many years. Man that sounds like a stalker 
I also saw The Hunger Games this week and I agree the book was much better. I'll have to check out Skinny Taste. I'm on the lookout for great tasting, healthier meals. 
Do you think the movie Hunger Games is suitable for 10 year old children, as the producer (or maybe director) stated? Just wondering. I've not seen it, but wonder if it has messages even a teen should see. Your opinion on that? 
I'm confessing. I have seen many posts on Facebook mentioning The Hunger Games.
I'd never even heard of The Hunger Games til I saw it on the sign outside the movie theater, and then did a little research. I'm just not a major movie-going gal. And aren't iPhones great for sneaky photos? 
Love the video. She makes me laugh. We did the midnight showing of The Hunger Games. Those are so much fun. It was good but I had read the books before seeing the movie.
There are so many great recipes to try over on SkinnyTaste, but I haven't found a bad one yet! Hope you have a great weekend too, Jen.
Ha! I wish that I would have known about Chonda sooner. I had no idea all of the funny stuff I was missing!!!
I hope that you love SkinnyTaste as much as I do! Just don't forget to tell me about your favorites after you try them. K?
Would I take a 10 year old to see the Hunger Games?… No. The themes are just a bit beyond what I think a child that age can realistically grasp. Did I take my 13 year old son to see it with me?… Yes. Although, just like his dad, he really didn't find it that interesting.
LOL – No worries, Michelle! The Hunger Games is just another fad that will pass as soon as the next big thing comes along.
Totally. In my opinion, sneaky photos are the BEST kinds of photos!
Thanks, Becky! I read the books first too. They were sooooo much better than the movie, but I'm sure that I'll see the next 2 flicks when they come out. — Yeah, I'm a sucker for a big bag of popcorn a few hours away from the house.
I haven't seen Chonda Pierce in a long time…thanks for sharing  In my life this week… It rained in Arizona this week and it was kind of a big deal around here. We rarely see large puffy clouds in the sky and almost never see dark puffy clouds overflowing with raindrops hovering over our parched valley. Our skies are almost always blue and clear and I… 29 comments
wow!!!!!! what a stunning rainbow 
Wow is right! What a beautiful rainbow! We've had (mostly) cold wintery rain here in Southern California. I thought spring was supposed to be here. *pout* lol 
Wow does not begin to explain the impact of that photograph. Simply stunning !!!!
That is an amazing picture! I'll have to show my kiddos when they wake up. They have always wanted to see the end of the rainbow.
Love the photo! Both of them actually. I love the cloud pictures that show one side dark and one side light 
I love your link for BEAUTIFUL!! AWESOME! 
beautiful photo! 
Oh that rainbow is amazing!! I love look at them, so exciting!! The kids and I 'celebrate' our school end by putting away all the books, I let them throw away the expendable books (they love this part), and we take a picnic to some fun park nearby. This year we are going to celebrate by leaving town on a huge adventure… that is going to be fun I am so glad you got rain, I can totally understand loving rain. We play in the rain 
I understand your blue skies familiarity. We live in Sunny Florida where rainy days are rare. At least we get to appreciate those things more, right? You made me think about what traditions we have to end school. I'm not sure we have any. Now I'm pondering. 
beautiful! love the rainQ
I was pondering the EXACT SAME question this week on MY post: How to celebrate the end of the year? LOL Sometimes we go on a family trip, but it looks like we'll be doing that at the end of April rather than mid-May. I'll have to come up with something fun! And I love the link to Bright Ideas blog for ending the school year. I tend to focus on the negatives and forget the positives, so it's DEFINITELY time to include those positives! Incredible rainbow!!! 
One day at a time is definitely the only way to go. I get caught up in thinking about the future a lot too and then I stress about it and it takes away from the "now". What vivid photo's! So beautiful.
What a gorgeous rainbow. Beautiful.
Oh Arizona and it's storms once they come. That is one thing I definitely miss about living in the Valley. Fantastic photos!! I really needed this post today as I too have been pouring over what to do for next year with my almost 4th grader and soon to Kindergartener and 3 year old. I really want to make the end of this year BIG since we endured a HUGE cross states move in the middle of the year. I have no clue what to do though. ?? 
That rainbow is breathtaking!!
Thanks, Jen!
Thanks, Julie! Hope your springtime weather shows up soon.
Awww… thanks, Chareen!
Thanks so much, Jen! Hope you have a great week too.
A fun family vacay? What a great way to end the year!
I think that your "put away/throw away" tradition is fantastic, Kay! I hope you have a great trip out of town this year too!
Thanks, Cheryl!
Incredible rainbow!! Wow!!!
I love how you said to enjoy the year's moments now instead of spending too much time fretting about the next year. Excellent reminder. I'm not the greatest planner in the first place (!) so this is actually a validation of sorts
Wow! Your rainbow IS breathtaking! 
The pictures of the rainbow and storm are terrific! 
Oh how I miss living in Arizona. I grew up in Tucson but I have lived in the Phoenix area too. We are hoping to go back next year.
LOVE that picture and your update! Looking pretty snazzy!!!
Thanks, Rebecca! |
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Cant wait!
Sorry about your water. Glad though it is getting fixed soon. 
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2 comments
Fun news! Thanks so much for being such a great host for all of us for so long.
Yes, thank you Sue for starting this and leading it for so long! It has helped me to stay accountable in journaling our home education adventures and I look forward to it each week.