COMMUNITY LEARNING

I really like where we live.  It’s a college town with three schools, but it doesn’t have a “big” college feel.  It’s an urban area yet there is enough land and rural areas to make it less “big city” and more small town feel.  We have a mall, Kohl’s two Publix’s, and a Wal-Mart.  More than that we have a lot of family history in our little town and I love feeling connected to the roots of life.

In our homeschool we’ve been working on a community unit.  I found this unit study from Enchanted Homeschooling Mom and let me tell you, it is amazing! Seriously, this was the unit study to end all unit studies!  HA! It was all FREE (my kind of price), and so well written, adaptable, and detailed, that we have all enjoyed working on the community unit.  Within the study we have learned about the history of our awesome town, the important landforms, historical sites, and fun aspects that many people might over looked.  We have studied traffic signals/symbols.  We have studied community helpers (like fire fighters, police officers, mail carriers, etc), and even learned about maps and compasses. We have had daily vocabulary lessons with our word wall and so much more!  More than that, today we got to get out and experience the awesomeness of our community by planning a fire department field trip, a brief stop off at Spook Hill, and then ending with a trip to the play park.   

Our word wall.

Working together on our community unit.

Our goodies for the fireman.

 The gang's all here, ready to go see the fire station.

The boys wanted to go down the pole too!

And Cole is now happy!  HA!

They let the kiddos spray and hold the fire hose.

Even Jacob "climbed" on the fire trucks.

Next stop, Spook Hill, an infamous landmark!

Another beautiful landform, our lake.  It's funny how the name was misspelled for the city on the plat books. 

All in all I have had a lot of fun working on this unit with the kiddos.  From the word wall to the field trip today we had a great time learning about our community and finding out why our home town is so cool.  More than that, we learned that our hometown is more than a dot on a map; it is a place with a rich history and a bright future.  We can’t wait for more adventures in 

THE QUEST FOR THE PERFECT PLANNER AND GRADEBOOK

It’s been a while since I’ve chatted about homeschooling tools, what I use and why.  There was a reason for that; I have had an ongoing dilemma!   I needed to have grades and lessons kept in an easy to use and super organized manner; thus starting the quest for the perfect grade book and planner.  I am super picky when it comes to my lesson planners and grade books for homeschooling.  When I was in the private school in Kindergarten and then in 4^th and 5^th, finding a planner and grade book was easy, I just grabbed what was in the supply room.   Then life changed and we decided to homeschool our kiddos.  I needed a planner and a grade book that would work well for more than one kiddo in different grades and study courses.  So the quest for the perfect planner began, and it’s been going on for almost four years!

I am not overly detailed when it comes to my lesson plans, BUT, I don’t like to skimp on information written as well.  I purpose to plan at least a month at a time for lesson ideas and plan about three months at a time for unit and theme ideas.  I wanted a planner that would allow me to have all four of the school aged kiddos in one location, give me room to write little notes, and have the ability to be flexible with the way I write me lessons up.  I wanted a grade book that would allow me to keep grades for each child in an easy way with room to write the assignments out maintain GPA status for Maggie.  My wants seem like a lot, but I have five kiddos, four in school or school like activities, and one in high school; so my wants weren’t all that farfetched.  I tried making my lesson plans on the computer, but I always felt locked in and unable to change them.  Then, I found my planner for this year, and I LOVE IT!

The planner that I am using was made by Debra Bell and is appropriately titled the Ultimate Homeschool Planner.  I love everything about it. I love that I have the ability to be flexible and adapt it to my planning style.  Each planning page has six sections, perfect for my four kiddos, unit study ideas, and Bible themes.  There are pages to record goals, prayer requests, accomplishments, appointments, and reminders about life.  The front of the book has the calendar section that you can fill out to adapt to your school schedule.  For my family, this is the perfect planner and the one that I have enjoyed using the most!

Yellow isn't my favorite color, but I do love this planner!

There are pockets in the front and back to help me keep schedules and papers organized.

The calendar portion. Here is the month of October started with unit study information.  I use this section for attendance too.

My lesson plans.  I label the top with kiddos names.  With this planner, I have a spot for each kiddo in school, Bible, and combined activities. 

On the right side I have a sot for each day of the week and an extra square for notes or other information.

Finding the perfect grade book has been much more of a challenge.  And by challenge, I mean it’s been something that I haven’t been able to find.  So, I made my own.  First stop was Pinterest, the blessing and the curse of homeschooling mama’s everywhere.  Searching I found the template that I liked for my cover and the grade book pages that I tweaked for each kiddo.  The end result was a grade book that isn’t perfect, but fit my needs better than anyone I could find.  I was even able to make mini covers for the kiddos grades that I need to hold onto for the next few years for portfolios and, dare I say it <GASP>, college transcripts!

I do like the pretty cover.

In the front of my grade book I keep an EZ Grader and a GPA calculator.

 Three tabs for three kiddos grades.

Each kiddo has a smaller version of the grade book cover for their records for the year.  I keep all grades in a file folder with the year glued on the front.

My grade book page template, nice and clean and ready to be filled in.

All in all, I am pleased with my tools for this year.  I am pleased with how much easier it is to access things, plan things, and when needed erase lessons and correct mistakes.  More than that, the stress of planning and record keeping isn’t what it was, and that has made my homeschooling adventures a lot easier so I can focus on more important things, like the joy that is found in our adventures and learning together!

FAMILY MEALS

Once upon a time, a long time ago in a land that is not so far away, families used to sit down daily and eat together.  This was not an occasional occurrence regulated to holidays and special occasions.  No, family meals were an everyday occurrence that included everyone from Grandma and Grandpa to little Cousin Billy.  Families used to meet together, enjoy each other’s company, and connect all from the vantage point of the kitchen table.  The meals weren’t rushed, but homemade and slow simmered packed with delicious and healthy food that helped people slow down and reconnect. 

Now, I am sad to say, this is a rarity in our modern and fast paced culture.  Most families eat on the go or at different times.  Very rare is it to find a family that will all sit down and eat together. There is something that is missing within the confines of our family, we are losing the connection.  People are noticing this and noting that the issue needs to start in the home.  There are campaigns and reports showing the importance of being together as a family. There are even ads on TV promoting family meal times.  What has happened to us?  Why are we so busy that we can’t stop and eat together as a family?  More than that, what does this busyness say about our culture and what we deem is important?

In our Sunday school class we were discussing what our best was and most accomplished feat, the one thing that we wanted to be known for more than anything, and the one thing that we believe has brought us the most success.  For me, the answer was simple, it is raising my children.  Oh don’t get me wrong, there are no awards for this.  I am not top in bake sales, mother of the year, or cleanest house or yard on the block.  I am not noted as an eloquent speaker, someone of worldly wealth for fame, in reality I am judged and thought of as crazy because I have so many children.  BUT, one thing that I am known for is the sacredness of family meal time.

My family, aren't they precious!

I am so grateful that my sister-in-law introduced me to menu planning.  This useful tool has helped me to guard this sacred family time closely.  Our meals might be simple, like a quick breakfast for supper, a simple but filling casserole, or the meals might be complex, like our Sunday after church fare complete with a scrumptious desert.  No matter what’s on the menu, you will find the Best Family gathering around the table at 6:00 sharp.  You will hear lively discussions about fascinating topics, like horses, saddles, relatives, and of course the many adventures of our day.  History is discussed, Bible stories and prayer requests shared, jokes and laughter abound, but more than that, memories are made. 

I want to challenge all of you.  Take the time this week and enjoy the meals at your family table.  Sit down and enjoy the food but more than that, enjoy your family.  Have a family meal and relax, even if you’re talking about how big little Cousin Billy has gotten, I promise you fun will be had by all!

OCTOBER IS MORE THAN BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

Breast cancer is a horrific disease that affects a lot of women.  This disease has affected a friend of my daughter’s mom, some women from our church, some women within my family, and my own Grandma.  It is a disease that we need to focus on and pay attention to.  It is a disease that we as women need to educate ourselves on.  We need to learn how to do self exams, watch for warning signs, and be willing to do the detailed screenings at the appropriate time.  October is the month that was chosen for Breast Cancer Awareness, and there is nothing wrong with that, but there is more to the month of October than just breast cancer.  October is also the month that has been designated to bring awareness to infant death, something that I am all too familiar with.

On November 6, 2012 my world was forever changed by the news that my 4^th son, my Samuel was Heaven born.  He died before I got to hold him in my arms. His death forever impacted my life and the lives of his siblings. He was and still is, my precious son.  I still mourn and miss him daily; I know that I always will.  This is the path that I was called to walk on, and I know that I am not alone.

It has been said that miscarriage statistics are hard to document.  The average accepted statistic is that 20%-30% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage that is about 1 in 4 pregnancies.  Most happen before the end of the first trimester (or the 12 week mark), but many, like my loss can occur later (we were at week 19 when we lost Samuel).  With the back to sleep campaign, the SIDS rate has fallen some, but it does still occur with approximately 2,300 babies dying annually here in the US alone.  These numbers also don’t take into consideration the number of baby’s that are stillborn which is estimated to be 1 in 160 births.  No matter what the numbers look like, the simple fact is that today, someone somewhere is sadly going to lose their baby, and it will happen again tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that.

October 15^th has been designated the day to remember these precious little ones.  Today is the day that we should pause and celebrate their lives, honor their memories, and hug their parents tight.  This day, this reason, is why October is so much more than Breast Cancer Awareness month.  This month is more than just women’s breasts, it’s about their hearts as well, and the pieces that are forever missing from them because so many women have been called to walk the path of losing a baby. 

If you know someone who has lost a child, please hug them close.  Not all women are able to be as open to talking about their little one, but if they are a nice note or quick phone call letting them know that you remember and you care can make their day.   If you have been called to walk this path too, then please know that I am thinking of you, that I am praying for you, and that I am remembering you and mourning with you.   I know how hard this path is to walk down.  Believe me when I say that as a mother, you NEVER forget your child.  You NEVER stop loving your baby, it doesn’t matter if they are Heaven born or taken from you too soon.  No matter what happens, they are your child and you are their mother. 

Please remember that October is so much more than Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Please remember that October, especially today, October 15^th is also about women and their precious babies.  Let’s take October to celebrate women, to honor their strength, their courage, their fragility, and their capacity to love.  More than that, let’s remember that there are women whose hearts are missing because a piece of it was taken from them too soon and let’s honor those women today.

VIRUS KILLING SOUP AKA Oh My Stars, this is the BEST Chicken Soup EVER!

It’s that time of the year again.   It’s finally FALL!  It’s time for pumpkin spice, apple picking, fall leaves, and cold and flu season.  I love everything about fall, well almost everything. I despise, loathe, detest, hate, and in general can’t stand the colds and flu bugs that can invade our homes.  This year, more than ever it seems that there are strange germs and new virus’ everywhere.  To combat that I make Virus Killing Soup that I learned from the Sonlight Homeschool Forums.  This is a soup that has become a family favorite here, we eat it sick or not, it’s that good!  Several people have asked for my recipe, and I always share the original recipe from Chloe’s Virus-Killing Soup but I have tweaked it to suit our tastes.  I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

First I gather all the ingredients.  Then in a large stock pot I throw the chicken, rosemary, thyme, red pepper flakes, a carton of chicken stock, and the garlic.  It is the garlic that gives this soup the flavor.  It is the garlic that is the key to this soup.  It is the garlic that gives me my work out.  WHY?  I crush 35-50 cloves of garlic into this soup.  My forearms get the work out of a lifetime.  BUT, the results are oh so worth it!

This is Garlic.  Make friends with it.  You are going to use a lot of it!

Assembling all the ingredients.

I forgot to show you the chicken, sorry.

Everything getting thrown into the pot.  YUM.

Trust me, the garlic press becomes your best friend!

Now comes the fun part.  For about 30 minutes I let the chicken, herbs, and stock happily boil away. After about 30 minutes, I begin to prep and chop all the remaining veggies.  This is my second all time favorite thing about this recipe.  I LOVE munching on all the fresh chopped veggies.

This is  leek.  Before I made this soup, I had never heard of it.  Now, it's one of my all time favorite veggies. 

Chop off the top and tail.

Then chop into little pieces.

Then soak in a bowl of cold water.  Leeks are root veggies, so they are really dirty and need to soak clean.

Wash your carrots and celery.

Then start to happily chop away.

I like my veggies "rough" chopped.  It gives this soup a decidedly homemade flare.

Then chop your celery.  I like to add some of the leaves too.

Looking good right?

Next comes the onions.

And into the pool they go.

Finally chop the fennel.  Cutting the fennel is easy. Chop off the tops, and the bottom peeling off the outer layer.

Don't forget to feed the bunny some fennel tops.  Clemmie loves fennel tops!

Getting close to chopping time, see the outer layer peeling off.

That center circle isn't edible, cut that out and throw into the pool with the other veggies.   

After all the veggies are chopped and prepped, it’s time to work some magic.  While the chicken is still simmering away, it’s time to heat up a skillet and some olive oil and a little butter.  Next I dump all the chopped veggies in and season them with salt, pepper, and parsley.  Then I sauté the veggies until the onions are a translucent color.  Now this is the part in the original recipe that calls for wine.  Robert and I aren’t big drinkers so we’ve had this without wine and with wine.  Having it either way does not in any way change the overall yummy-ness that is this soup.  

While the veggies are happily sautéing in the pot of butter (because we all know that butter makes everything better!!), I remove the chicken and start to debone it.  I also remove the stalks from the rosemary and thyme.  Makes it easier to eat without bones and stems in there ya know!

See, I use butter AND olive oil!

White, fresh, and so pretty.

I love this pretty color that these veggies turn.  This makes me happy.

Working on deboning the chicken.

Now we dump al the veggies and deboned chicken into the pot.  I let the flavors slow simmer for about an hour really mixing and melding together.  Once again I have tweaked this a little and add some noodles to this during the last 15 minutes of cooking.  I have also done this with rice.  Usually I serve this with some flakey bread and we enjoy a yummy meal. 

Back into the pot to swim!!!

Can you taste and smell the deliciousness yet?

Virus Killing Soup Recipe

Ingredients

1 Boiler Chicken or 3-4 chicken thighs                    Red Pepper Flakes

2-3 Quarts Chicken Stock                                     1 Leek

Rosemary                                                               1 Fennel

Thyme                                                                   3-4 Carrots

Salt                                                                       3-4 Celery Stalks

Pepper                                                                  2 TBSP Olive Oil/Butter

15-50 Garlic Cloves                                                         Egg Noodles

Directions

In a large stock pot, add chicken, red pepper flakes, rosemary, thyme, garlic cloves and a quart of chicken stock.  Bring to a boil and boil for approximately 30 minutes.  Meanwhile chop all the remaining veggies and sauté in a large skillet in the olive oil, seasoning to taste.  When chicken is cooked remove from the stock pot and debone.  Add the sautéed veggies and deboned chicken back to the pot.  Simmer on low for about an hour, increasing heat to add noodles if desired.  ENJOY!