Friday, November 30, 2012

A Schoolhouse Review Crew "Newbie"

A few months ago a fellow homeschooler posted that the Schoolhouse Review Crew was looking for new reviewers for 2013.  So I applied thinking "what would it hurt", but to my surprise they did want to see my review.  So I first reviewed The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, check out my review here on my blog.

So starting NOW I will be a lucky homeschool mom who gets to check out some curriculum and tell anyone interested what I think about it!!  Really looking forward to getting started.  Come by and check out what I'm using...

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Thankful...Day 23 New Life

Day 23
Thankful the all the youngins who are bringing new life into this world.  Got to celebrate the newest family member's life yesterday.  Patrick and Amanda Higdon are expecting a new addition in January and we were able to celebrate with her at her shower.

Thankful...Day 22 Thanksgiving with the Higdon's

Day 22

Thankful that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with Steve's sister's family, minus Steve and his parents.  It is a great tradition that I love!!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Thankful...Day 21 Mamaw and Pappaw

Day 21


My parents invited my youngest  to stay the night with them tonight.  She felt like she hadn't spent enough time with him.  So Evan is spending time with Mamaw, Pappaw and his cousins Cole and Mia!!!  Thankful that he can go without any trouble.

Thankful...Day 20 For this...


Day 20

I am thankful that I started thinking about what I am thankful for.  Honestly, I thought it would be easy, but there are some day when nothing comes to mind.  I am so glad to focus on what I am thankful for than on what we want!!!  Thankful I can teach my children to remember what they are thankful for instead of just what it is they will put on their list!! 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thankful...Day 19 Giving

Day 19

Thankful that we have a more then enough.  Enough that we can give when needed and teach our children the importance of taking care of others.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Thankful...Day 18 Family

Day 18

I have been blessed with LOTS of family; aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, etc.  We have always been close!  Looking forward to shopping with a bunch of them Friday!!!  
Thankful for all my family!!!

Thankful...Day 17 the Way God is Moving

Day 17

Last night our family attended a meeting at CAL-Southwest Campus to learn more about Southeast Christian Church's Southwest Campus, which is going to be built on the 10 acres adjacent to the school.
The official start date isn't quite known yet, but just meeting with the staff was good.  It makes me so excited to walk in and see so many people that I know.  
I am thankful for how God is moving through our community.  I am thankful for how excited the kids are for it to get started.  I has been a long time since we have been able to worship in our own community!!!

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Thankful...Day 16

Day 16

Thankful I have a husband who will cut the grass and take care of the leaves!!  I haven't cut grass in over 20 years because he takes good care of me!!!

Friday, November 16, 2012

Thankful...Day 15 Heat

Day 15

Even though I sit here "freezing"  I am thankful that we have heat!!  
Our house may not be really warm, but at list we can warm it some!

Maybe I need some of these!!!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Thankful...Day 14 Southeast Christian Church

Day 14


I am thankful for my church! 
 The place where I have learned more about Jesus and have grown to have a personal relationship with Him.  So excited that they are starting a satellite campus out in our end of town, Southwest Jefferson County.  We have an informational meeting Sunday, can't wait to see what's happening and where we can help!!! 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Thankful...Day 13 Smoke

Day 13
"SMOKE"

I'm thankful for our little dog, Smoke.  He makes the kids so happy!!!

Thankful...Day 12 HFC Panthers

Day 12

I'm thankful that my girls are able to plan on a competitive volleyball team.  When you homeschool all the things like games, uniforms, score keepers, cleaning up after, concessions etc. is the responsibility of the parents.  I'm thankful for all the families that have worked so hard taking care of the details!!!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine


I have been homeschooling for 8 years now and love it, but I felt like there was more I could do for other homeschooling families.  So I have applied to be a curriculum reviewer for the Schoolhouse Review Crew.  I am being considered and my first review (hopefully not my last) is of a magazine for homeschooling families, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is a homeschooling company giving homeschoolers many different resources as long as helping them find many of the new and old resources.  The Old Schoolhouse Magazine is a wonderful, monthly homeschooling publication, that is reaching people worldwide!  Each issue (over 150 pages each month) is packed full of information, insightful stories and great curriculum ads.  There are many well known people from the homeschooling community who contribute their wisdom to the magazine; Andrew Pudewa, Mark Hamby and Malia Russell (from my own homeschooling community).


I have spent the last weekend reading through the Old Schoolhouse Magazine November  2012 issue.  Honestly, there is so much information in it that it could take me the whole month to read it all.  Of course, like other magazines there are some articles that I skipped over, but the majority of the articles were very interesting and helpful.  

In the November issue there's an article Homeschooling a Struggling Learning: Where Do I Find the Time?, that has given me lots of suggestions for how to handle this aspect of my homeschool. I have a daughter who struggles with many different areas of learning and with four other children to teach I have a real struggle helping her.  The article has given me lots of ideas for helping her. The Special Feature: The Amish was a set of articles about the Amish people and their life style.  I shop at an Amish owned store and was very excited to learn more about them.  

I have saved the best for last, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, is FREE!!!  Yes, you read that right,
F-R-E-E!!!!  You can download it to your laptop or even download the app for your Apple product, Kindle Fire or Android.  I have it on my iPad and it is a great way to read through a great magazine.  You can find the article you want by just clicking it in the table of contents.  No magazines laying around the house!!!  What a great resource it is for us and a blessing for families who might not be able to afford such a great a wonderful resource.


Disclaimer:  I received a free copy of this product through the Schoolhouse Review Crew in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.


Sunday, November 11, 2012

Thankful...Day 11 Homeschooling


 First day of school 2010


First Day of School 2011


First Day of School 2012

Day 11

I'm so thankful that I am able to homeschool!!  It is such a blessing to be able to send all these important years with my kids.  This year I have a junior, freshman, 6th grader, 4th grader and 1st grader.  It is challenging, but it is so worth it!!!  

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Thankful...Day 10 NASCAR


Day 10

I'm thankful for NASCAR!!  I know it sounds crazy, but I love to watch.  I love everything about it.  Know lots about it and look forward to spending my day of rest watching.  Thirty-six weeks a year, my pass time!!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Thankful...Day 8 My Parents


Day 8

I am so thankful for my parents.  They are always there for us when ever we need them and are great grandparents.  My dad loves to take my kids fishing and hunting and my mom loves to spend time with the kids.  I also thank them for letting me borrow their lake house this weekend to relax.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Thankful...Day 7 Time Away


Day 7
I'm thankful for my time away.  A couple times a year I'm lucky enough to go away for a weekend at my parents lake house with some friends.  Just me and some girls hanging out.  Thankful that my husband realizes that I need it!!

We leave tomorrow!!!

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Thankful...Day 6 Freedom


Day 6

Thankful for the freedoms that we have here in our great country.  Thankful that the values and morals I help teach my children will one day help them make the right choice when voting for our leaders. Thankful I can teach my children that above all else the Bible is what we follow.  



I guess it is only fitting on election day to make the freedom we have what I'm thankful for.

Thankful...Day 5 My mom and sister


Day 5

Thankful for the women God has put in my life especially my mom and sister.  We don't spend the time together that we should, but I love being with them.  Praying that my girls feel the same way when they are old like me!!!  LOL

Thankful ...Day 4 Steve

I'm a couple days behind...


Day 4
I'm thankful for the man that God brought into my life 24 years ago.  I knew 5 years before that we would be together one day...just took him a couple extra to years figure it out.  He has made me the happiest women in the world.  

Praying that I continue to be the wife that God intends me to be for him!!!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

Thankful...Day 3 The boys


Day 3
Today I'm thankful for the boys I am getting to raise.  They are a blessing to me each and everyday!!  Thankful that they have the dad they have to show them by example the kind of man God wants to be.  Thankful that one is still little enough to "snuggle" with me, one that is a great example to his younger brothers and sisters and one who "tests" me, but loves to wrap his arms around me all the time.  Thank you God for this many men to raise!!!

Crazy how much they have changed since this was taken just last October!!!!

Friday, November 2, 2012

Thankful...day 2 The girls


Day 2
Today I am thankful for the daughters that I have the privilege of raising (with God's help!!).  They are both such wonderful blessings to me.  Thankful for one who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to get it and for one who is always willing to help with whatever needs to be done.  Grateful for all the volleyball games we get to watch them both in.  Thank you God for giving me two loving and special girls to help  you grow into Godly Wives and Mothers.

They have both REALLY grown up in the last year!!!  WOW!!!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Thankful...day 1

I can't believe this year has gone so quickly!!  Many life changes for us this year and many things to be thankful for.  I'm going to take each day the next month and post the things I am thankful for.  Feel free to add yours.

Right now I'm thankful that my father-in-law is still around for my children to know and love.  He is a young 90 years old.  He has spent the last few weeks in the hospital and is now in a senior living home to get the physical therapy he needs so that he can go home.

Our children are the youngest of the grandchildren (they range from 41 to 6) and they have had lots of years to get to know him, learn from him and learn how to love the Lord "with all their hearts."

I am thankful for the man who is half responsible for the wonderful husband that I get to call mine.  I am thankful for the man who loves the history of this country enough to share what he remembers with the young-ins. Thankful that the Lord has let us keep him here for all these many years!!

I am thankful for Frank H. Britt...