Keepin' ya on your toes! {or at least that's my excuse}

Some of you may have noticed that I have been a little fickle this past week with my blog's background.  I assure you this was just simply to keep you guys on your toes {smile}. I am done for now. 


- Brandi

My Testimony

I was recently asked for my testimony so I thought I'd share it....

When I was little, about 7 or 8, my mom and I started attending church. I made a profession of faith, said the sinner's prayer, was baptized in a community pool and continued with my life.

When I was a teen my older sister wanted to be baptized but didn't want to do it alone.  As a loving sister, I offered to join her. So, I was baptized a second time, this time in a large tub in front of a l-o-t of people. Still went on about my life.

I continued my teen years.  I was the typical smart mouth kid, know it all teen that gave my mom all her gray hairs on her head. I almost didn't graduate, I went from boyfriend to boyfriend and partied most weekends.

As you can see, I was headed down the wrong path.  God, with all His mercy, had a better plan for me.

When I was 17 I had knee surgery that didn't go so well. I ended up being laid up for many weeks. During this time I remember taking to my mom's best friend, "Aunt Cindy." She was telling me about how her and her husband Dan had got saved.  I thought this woman had lost her m-i-n-d! Did I mention that these were my mom's biker buddies! After our several hour conversation, she invited us to church.

My mom, my boyfriend {now husband} and I got up the following Sunday and went to church. Since I was going to church and all, I decided to dress up, but because of my knee I wore knee high stocking instead of the regular kind.

Sitting in that church and hearing that pastor preach about hell fire and brim stone really scared me. This was the first moment that I really knew that hell was real and even more concerning to me,  I was headed there. The pastor gave an invitation but partly because I was on crutches and I think partly because I was embarrassed I did not go forward. I went home.

We get home and I am changing out of my church clothes when I realize my leg is swollen. Like, we had to cut the knee highs off swollen. We were so clueless - my mom just said for me to prop it up for the swelling to go down.

The next morning comes and still my leg is really swollen. A doctors visit and doppler later I had an all expense paid trip to the local hospital. I remember that right after I got the doppler test they wanted me to go directly to the hospital. This really scared me.
Beause of the surgery, smoking and birth control pills - I had a blood clot in my leg that could have taken my life. God however, had other plans.

The very same pastor that had given me the gospel visited me in the hospital. I repented of my sin and laid them on Christ Jesus. The Lord had changed my heart and put the rightousness of His son Jesus on me. 

It was amazing how the desires of my life changed. I was {and still am} a sinner - just a forgiven one! 

The third and final time that I was baptized was in the Chesapeake Bay.  This time I did it as a sign of my salvation!

Several years into being a Christian were a struggle for me, to the point that I wondered if the Lord really saved me then or sometime later.  I don't really know.  I don't have a date of my salvation, I just know that  somewhere in there the Lord did indeed save me. 

Eph 2 

1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

² Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

³ Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

⁵ Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

⁶ And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

⁷ That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Watermelon Frosty {Recipe}

Hopefully you guys are blessed to have friends like my friend Marta.  She goes on fields trips with us, she ALWAYS makes me laugh and she searches high and low for great recipes {on Pinterest of course}.

The one she has been bugging me to make this week was the Watermelon Frosty.  "Your kids will love them," she tells me.  "They are sooo easy to make," she tells me.  She was right {smile}.

For a yummy, fast and good for ya treat, try these:

Watermelon Frosty
serves 2

2 1/4 cups frozen watermelon cubes
1/2+ cup water
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1 large lemon, squeezed (lime juice also works very well! use 2 limes)
1 fresh banana (make sure it is not overly ripe)

Blend on high. Garnish with frozen watermelon slices, if desired. Enjoy!

 

Have you tried any new summer recipes lately?

Our Book Basket.... Nursery Rhythms

Tuesdays seems to be the day that I drop by one of my favorite places in the whole wide world, the library.  Have I mentioned my love of the library before?



I have never seen anyone walk out of there with as many books as me.  And I tend to look really silly when I have forgotten my Whole Foods bag to carry them all in.  Trust me, even the librarians giggle - I just smile and give the "we homeschool" excuse. {smile}

I thought I'd share some of the books that the kids and I are reading this week. 

Last night was the kick off to our county library's Summer reading Program and our branch kicked off with a play.  The play was put on by the librarians {who did a fabulous job BTW}, who each dressed as a fairy tale character and came into a salon for a makeover for some reason or another.  The play was really cute and funny.  It inspired us to go upstairs and pick out some nursery rhythms to read at home.  Here is what we ended up with:
The Tortoise and the Hare by Janet Stevens

Old Mother Hubbard by Jane Cabrera

Little Red Riding Hood by Josephine Evetts-Secker

Dusty Locks and the Three Bears by Susan Lowell - there was not a Goldilocks and the Three Bears anywhere to be found so we thought we'd try something new

The Little Red Hen by Paul Galdone
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse by Jan Brett

Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker

Little Robin Red Breast by Shari Halpern

Randolph Caldecott's Picture Books


The girls are going to start reading Meet Kaya from the American Girl Book series.  We are going to be starting an AG Summer Book Club in few weeks, I'll keep ya'll posted as we move along with that .

I just finished reading about George Mueller and have now moved on to A Step Further by Joni Eareckson Tada and Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit by Teri Maxwell {almost done this one}.

As I am typing, Computer Girl and I are giggling our way through Oh Say Can You Say by Dr Suess, which is quite the tongue twister!

Read any good books lately?

Trail Guide to Learning Blog Roll {Linky}

With all of the excitement swirling around Trail Guide to Learning I was surprised to not find a blog roll anywhere.

So I decided that right here was a fine little spot to start one {smile}.  If you blog and are using any of the Trail Guides to Learning, please link up!

You can read our Trail Guide to Learning review here.  Also, please visit the blogs below. It is fun to see how one curriculum works in different homes, and get new ideas from others.

<a href=http://livingsolagratia.blogspot.com/p/trail-guide-to-learning.html target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Photobucket" src=" http://i913.photobucket.com/albums/ac331/bkeefe98/compass-old1.jpg/></a><br />

Creation Illustrated

As nature lover's, we were pretty excited to receive 4 of the most recent Creation Illustrated Magazines for a TOS Crew review!

Their mission statement is:
Our purpose is to share the wonders of God's creation. By revealing fresh insights of His infinite wisdom, gentle touch, undeniable justice, redeeming love, and flawless design, pure truth shall bring renewed peace. Each part of this publication is offered as a reprieve from the daily rigors of life so that all can look to the future with unbridled gratitude and hope.

These magazines are full of beautifully detailed pictures of God's Creation that almost take your breath away.  Each issue is focuses on nature, scripture and living. 

For example, the latest Spring edition includes:

In Nature

• Giving Thanks
• Flying Jewels {hummingbirds}
• Yellowstone
• A Lens on Creation

In Scripture

• Creation Day 6 - The Creation of Humans {an ongoing series}
• Creation Highlights
• Creation Stewardship

In Living

• Bloom Where Planted {a wonderfully encouraging article}
• Genesis Cuisine {this month featured 3 yummy smoothie recipes}
• Children's Story
• Youth Photo Contest
• Resource Guide

In addition to all of those articles there is an instructional guide for homeschoolers and teachers to glean key glean key spiritual and character-building lessons from each article.  There are also creation activities and a word search puzzle.

Amazing pictures!

You can order your own subscription, which is delivered quarterly directly through Creation Illustrated. 

$19.95/ year
$37.95/ 2 years
$53.95/ 3 years

Add $5.00/year for Canadian postage
Add $10.00/year for Foreign postage

You can also try before you buy by requesting a free trial issue.

We think that Creation Illustrated would make a wonderful addition to any family's reading list, nature lover's especially! 

Disclaimer:  As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in
exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are mine.

 

 

Be sure to check out what other TOS Crew members are saying about Creation Illustrated! 

To My Mansion in the Sky

To My Mansion In The Sky

written by Jimmie Davis

This train I’m riding they say it’s leaving                    
For a place where we’ll never die
And the pilot will by my Jesus

To my mansion in the sky

Now don’t you be grieving cause I’m leaving
Don’t cry when I say goodbye
There’ll be no weeping where I’m going

To my mansion in the sky

My journey with Jesus will end my sorrow
Heal my affliction no more I’ll cry
I’ll be rejoicing while I’m going
To my mansion in the sky

Now don’t you be grieving cause I’m leaving
Don’t cry when I say goodbye
There’ll be no weeping where I’m going
To my mansion in the sky

I can remember listening to this song when the Lord first saved me, over and over and over again!  I think I wore my little Ricky Van Shelton cassette out! 

Sometimes in the day to day cares of life I can forget that there is gonna be a be a better place for those that are in Christ Jesus.    A place where everything is perfect, no more sickness or death and where we will worship the Lord forever! 

John 14:1-6

1Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 4And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. 5Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? 6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

TOS Crew: enVision Math by Pearson Homeschool

Computer Girl was coming to the end of her math book for the year when the TOS Crew gave us the opportunity to review the 4th Grade enVision Math by Pearson Homeschool (the same company that publishes Sing, Spell, Read and Write).  I thought it would be a great math book for her to start and continue to use this coming year. 

We were given the enVision Math 4 Homeschool Bundle which includes the Student Edition Textbook, MindPoint® Quiz Show CD-ROM, Teacher Edition CD-ROM and Parent Guide.

Student Edition - The Visual Learning Bridge teaches math concepts step-by-step with purposeful, sequential illustrations while connecting learning activities and lesson exercises. Grades 3–6 hardbound edition expands visual learning with focus questions and pictures with a purpose, and students learn to express concepts in writing.

MindPoint® Quiz Show CD-ROM - Multiple-choice questions in a game-show format give your child additional math practice. Ideal for children to play on their own or with you involved.

Teacher Edition CD-ROM - Contains the entire contents of the Teacher's Edition with easy navigation. Includes customizable lesson plans, teaching guides, reviews and assessments, and numerous printable resources in .pdf format all organized in a friendly, easy-to-use format.

Parent Guide - This guide walks you through the program highlighting the main elements of the student and teacher materials and provides guidance on setting up your lesson plan, pacing, and adapting the curriculum to fit your family.

The enVision Math series has levels for students in K-6th. This program engages your child as it strengthens their understanding of math. It uses problem based interactive learning as well as visual learning to deepen conceptual understanding. EnVision incorporates visual tools to promote problem-solving skills, while providing data-driven differentiated instruction to ensure success.

The table of contents for Grade 4 are:

Topic 1: Numeration

Topic 2: Adding and Subtracting Whole Numbers

Topic 3: Multiplication Meanings and Facts

Topic 4: Division Meanings and Facts

Topic 5: Multiplying by 1-Digit Numbers

Topic 6: Patterns and Expressions

Topic 7: Multiplying by 2-Digit Numbers

Topic 8: Dividing by 1-Digit Divisors

Topic 9: Lines, Angles, and Shapes

Topic 10: Understanding Fractions

Topic 11: Adding and Subtracting Fractions

Topic 12: Understanding Decimals

Topic 13: Operations with Decimals

Topic 14: Area and Perimeter

Topic 15: Solids

Topic 16: Measurement, Time, and Temperature

Topic 17: Data and Graphs

Topic 18: Equations

Topic 19: Transformations, Congruence, and Symmetry

Topic 20: Probability

Here's what we thought:

• This is the most beautiful math book I have ever seen, but to be honest I felt like there was a lot going on on each page.  My brain was on stimulation over load, my daughter on the other hand had no problem-o.  She loves this book!  So much so, that the other day she did 6 pages when usually we just do 2 pages at a time. 
• While I do appreciate non-consumables, math is a subject in which I would prefer a workbook.  In saying that, the teacher edition has oodles of printables that are great for reteaching the lesson and for daily review.  I am considering just using these along with the lesson in the textbook.
• I do like the way this book explains concepts. Math is not necessarily Computer Girl's strength, but she has been understanding and learning the lessons.  She is not dreading math, she is actually enjoying it!
• I really like the Teacher Edition CD.  While I would like a more portable answer key, I really appreciate all the goodies on the CD.  Things that would not be included in a standard answer key, like the additional printables, center activities, vocabulary cards and teacher helps are great a great bonus!
• Did I mention there was a QUIZ SHOW??  Let me just start by saying this is sooo cool!  All my kids want to play this.  The quiz show allows the player to select which topic they want to play from {same topics are their lessons}.  They can play as a single, multi-player and team play.  There is also an option to play against the computer or to beat the clock.  This quiz show makes learning so much FUN!!

The enVision Math Program by Pearson Homeschool if definitely worth checking out!  The homeschool bundle is available directly from Pearson Homeschool for $99.99 which includes the Student Textbook, MindPoint® Quiz Show CD-ROM, Teacher Edition CD-ROM and Parent Guide.

Check out what other TOS Crew members are saying about Pearson Homeschool Products!

Disclaimer: As a member of the TOS Crew, I received this product, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine.

Reading Through the Summer

One of my goals here at the LSG House is to have keep a steady learning environment. So that means that even when we are on a break of sorts from school, I still have my kids read. 

Just about every weekday my kids are required to read.  Usually they have quiet time in the after noon for about an hour and a half -during which time they are to read and then they can play quietly in their rooms or nap.  The girls are to read at least a chapter.  Alpha Boy is required to chill in his room and look at books for about 20-30 minutes.  Little Bits usually gets a story read to him either by me or one of the girls before his afternoon nap, afterwards he will usually look at a few books before drifting off to sleep.

We do a good amount of reading together during the day.  We read historical fictions, character sketches and about missionaries together,  So for their QT reading I allow them to choose what they would like to read for fun.  Current or recent books for the girls include Ginger Pye, Little Women, and American Girl Doll Books.  Alpha Boy loves I Spy Books and Little Bits {and everyone else} really likes Bernstein Bear Books. 

Up until this summer, we have taken the summers off, like mid May to mid August off.  This summer will be a little different.  Because of the new curriculum that we are using this coming year I have decided to take a few weeks and then keep plugging along.  {more on this later}

Even though we are going to continue with school we are going to join in the our county library's summer reading program as well as the one from Barnes and Nobles.  They are reading anyway but I think these programs will be a nice little incentive to keep on keepin' on. 

I am also considering starting an American Girl Doll book club this summer - this is still being worked out in my brain but I did think this would be a fun way to hang with friends, meet new friends and make reading fun!

Some ideas to make summer reading fun would be:

• Read through all the books from the Five in a Row Series for fun.
• Pick one American Girl Doll and read the whole series about her aloud.  Don't forget incorporate some the crafts and recipes for her time period.
• Just because it's summer does not mean kids can't make a lapbook, some of my children really enjoy making these.  Homeschool Share has oodles of lapbooks, for freeeee!
• Pick a few ideas from my Bringing Books to Life Series and do them with a book you've read.
• Start a summer reading club!

What summer reading plans do you have??

Menu Plan 6/11/12

Here's what's cookin' at the LSG House this week....

Breakfasts

Giant Breakfast Cookies - double and freeze.  No, you don't need your eyes checked.  We ARE having cookies for breakfast : )

Cereal

Waffles

PB Toast w/ Fruit

Pancakes - double and freeze

Oven Eggs & Toast

Baked Oatmeal


Lunches
Corn Dog Muffins - double and freeze

Mac & Cheese

Tuna Melt Crackers - a spoonful of tuna (mixed with a little mayo, salt and pepper) on crackers sprinkled with shredded cheddar.  I just heat them up in the toast oven.  Yumm yum!

Cheese Quesadillas

Turkey & Cheese Rolls

PB & J's

Dino Nuggets & Fries

Dinners

Baked Cavatini & Green Beans - double and freeze

Oven Fried Parmesan Chicken w/ Parsley Potatoes and Broccoli

Homemade Pizza

Chicken w/ Cream Cheese and Bacon over Rice w/ Green Beans

Beef Stroganoff and Mixed Veggies

Grilled Chicken Salad

Meatball Subs

Snacks -
Apple Bread - double and freeze

Bird Nests - double and freeze


Note:  All meals are served with fruits and /or veggies.

Anyone trying anything new this week?

Victory in Jesus

Somehow I managed to skip over this favorite of mine.  I can't believe that I have never posted this song! Ever since the Lord saved me, I have loved Victory in Jesus! 

Jesus had victory over sin and death and through His blood, we have victory in Him! 

Big Curriculum Changes are Coming! {Trail Guide to Learning}

I am so excited!  We are going to be starting a new curriculum next year, mid July to be exact.

We are going to be using Trail Guide to Learning - Paths of Exploration {POE} by Debbie Strayer and Linda Fowler.  For times like this, I really wish there was a cute little abbreviation for a homeschool mom doing cartwheels in her front yard!

I knew that we were going to be studying American History this year and I had assumed that we would just continue with our regularly scheduled program {curriculum} but then I started peeking around to see what else was out there. 

Here was my criteria for potential new curriculum:

• Biblically sound - check!
• It had to be something everyone could do together {I am not about to embark on 3 different history books thank you very much} - check!
• Bible, History, Science  should flow together - check!
• I wanted to read REAL BOOKS - check, check and check!
• We do oral narration but I felt like I we needed a little more, like discussion questions - check!
• Charlotte Mason friendly - check!
• Notebooking and lapbooking - check!
• TM needs to be laid out in homeschool mom terms that my brain  could understand AND follow through with - double checkity check!!
• Interesting books and hands on activities - check!
• I would like to keep Fridays free or light - check!

When the UPS man delivered the box I tried to act like it was no big deal and sneek into the house.  ALONE.  But as you can see I ended up having help.  My little dude loved that everything was wrapped.  He helped unwrap everything while asking me if these were for his birthday {smile}.

Things that exceeded my expectations:

• Character Traits are something I am always trying to incorporate into our day but sometimes fail to do so.  I love that this is integrated into the Bible Portion of POE {Light for the Trail which is sold separately}
• We love Nature Studies but rarely fit in Nature Walks and never get around to using our Handbook of Nature Study book.  Would you believe that a main component of POE's Science is the Handbook of Nature Study!!!
• I really like that the TM is broken into 6 week unit increments.  I also like that week 6 is for review and catch up. 
• Language Arts in included in this curriculum.  From what I understand so far, it is taught through literature Ruth Beechick style. 
• Not only are there hands on activities there are GAMES!!  My kids are going to love playing Columbus Bingo and Charades!

 As you can see, this looks like a great curriculum!  I will update my thoughts on POE once we get started and as we move along. 

Anyone else starting something completely new this year?

Disclaimer: I received Trail Guide for Learning - Paths to Exploration, at no cost to me, in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are mine.

Fun & Frugal Summer Activites for Kids

If your little peeps are anything like mine, they can tend to get a little boooored when most of the school books have been put down. This year I am being proactive, in other words I a gotta plan!

I am scoping out some fun summer activities {hopefully the kind that lasts for more than 10 minutes} for them to do. 

Here are my requirements:
1) frugal
2) simple
3) fun!

Here's 10 great ideas that I found.....

I am soooo doing this one! Just the other day my kids went through 4 bottles of bubbles in about 5 minutes flat. These recipes look super easy, easy enough for the kids to even mix up on their own.

Sidewalk paint sounds like a winner! My kids ALWAYS want to paint - what better way to fill that desire than outside on the patio or sidewalk!!

My kids love to play with pool noodles, and I don't even mean in the pool. They have used them for jousting when we studied knight and they can frequently be seen playing with them on our trampoline. I think this would be a huge hit!

These little babies look like they would kids the kids off the couch! Sponge Bombs would be great to add into backyard water play. Simple, cheap and fun, fun, fun!

I am not normally a fan of my husband's soda habit but this week... drink up honey! These are soda bottle bowling pins are awesome and I am definitely making them! The kids have already seen them and approve : )

A great way to get out and about would be a Nature Scavenger Hunt! I plan to take the kids to a local park to do this.

I think that a Backyard Twister Game would win me a Best Mom of the Year Award for sure!

 

For the Angry Bird fans.... Angry Bird Water Balloon Game. This looks so fun that I believe I will be playing this one too!

 

My boys will LOVE this! All you do is grab some masking tape and your imagination and get to it! I am saving this one for a rainy day.

I found several backyard water play ideas on Family Fun Magazine's website.

Check out my New 101 Fun & Frugal Summer Activities for Kids Series!