The Weaver

The Weaver

My Life is but a weaving
between my Lord and me;
I cannot choose the colors
He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow
And I, in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper,
And I the under side.

Not til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand,
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

He knows, He loves, He cares,
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives His very best to those
Who leave the choice with Him.

Patching It Up-The Rochesters

Barbara Mandrell ~ My Favorite Song When I Was a Little Girl 'cause I was Country, When Country Wasn't Cool. Some How it Got in my Head Today.

Pre-Easter Festivities

Some sweet friends invited us to their church's egg hunt.  The kids had a great time.

All 3 kids were on different fields, so I was only able to get a picture of Faith hunting for eggs.

Hanging out with our sweet friends listening to music & to the story of the resurrection.

After the egg hunt.

********

Our second egg hunt.

Playing hot candy (hot potato).

Getting ready to take off.

Will finding an egg. They were really excited about this hunt, 

because they hid money in some of the eggs. 

(Oh how I wish someone would do an adult egg hunt & hid $20 or $50 in them.)

I just missed Collin climbing in the tree to get an egg.

The boys riding on the golf cart with Mr. Harold.

*********

A girl at our church did this last year & I couldn't wait to do it

for my lady's Bible study.

Sunflower with peeps.

So much fun dyeing Easter eggs.

Resurrection Rolls

The Crescent Rolls represent the tomb, a marshmallow to represent Jesus

Dip the marshmallow into the melted butter. This represents the oils of embalming. 

Then roll the marshmallow in cinnamon & sugar.  This represents the spices used to anoint His body.

After they are baked, the marshmallow is gone.  HE IS RISEN!

************

We also enjoyed doing the resurrection eggs as well as studying the Crucifixion & resurrection story today.

Last Month of Co-op

One thing that I love about our co-op is that it gives the kids a chance to present projects in front of kids as well as parents.  This year, we had to do 2 devotionals, the boys each had to present a scientist & then at the end of the year, a science fair project.  It was a lot of work, but so much fun.

  

 

We have a great group of kids.  

They cheered the presenters on and asked questions. 

Faith was not required to do a science fair project, but she wanted to do one.  

Her project was to test how important seat belts are.  She used a toy car, ramp & eggs.  

All the kids loved watching the eggs get cracked

Will setting up his video.  

I wasn't able to get a picture of Collin's because I was helping him.

*********

Our second to the last co-op was very eventful.  

The kids were so excited to have daddy come and teach.

Right when he arrived at the church, the fire alarm went off.

One of the staff members burnt popcorn, which caused the alarm to go off.

Since the church is in the city, the fire department had to come out.

The lesson was on the physics of sound & music.

Since Tony has a BS degree as well as a doctorate in music, 

Mrs. Melinda asked him teach the class.

 Tony did such a wonderful job. The kids LOVED it.  They voted him

the teacher of the year.  Above, Tony is teaching the kids how to change the 

pitch by using straws. 

******

Our final co-op for this school year.  

For the last day of our co-op, the kids were able to show what they learned.

The violin & piano students played a solo, the art students displayed their favorite piece

& the language students (Spanish, French & Sign Language) presented a sample

of what they learned through out the year.

Spanish party with cupcakes, chips and salsa.

Will & Collin along with the rest of the Spanish class presenting 

La primavera,El verano, El otofio y El invierno

(Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter).

Our co-op (minus 4).

We had such a great year.  These kids a really a great group.  

They love the Lord & are very kind to one another.

We are hoping to still get together through out the summer.

We are really looking forward to next year.

Crazy kids.

Praise God!

Great News! Great News!  My sweet friend Angel was diagnosed with cancer.  The doctors were not giving her much hope.  She told them that she didn't want for them to tell her how much time she had left, because they do not determine her time on this earth, the Lord did. 

Through it all, she had such a sweet spirit.  She praised the Lord even when she had every right to fear.  When I talked to her, she always lifted my spirits.  She still sang in the choir and sang solos.  Her parents could not have chosen a more appropriate name for her.  She is sweet as an angel & her voice is what I imagine the angels in heaven sound like.

She found out last week that she is Cancer FREE!!!!!  When she called to tell me, I couldn't stop crying.  What a blessing!!  On a day that I needed to be reminded of His goodness, I was reminded in a powerful way.  God is always so good.  Even if He called her home, He would still be good.  I am so thankful that His will is for her to stay on this earth with her precious family & friends for a while longer.  (Hopefully, a long while).

I am honored to call her friend.

Little Snippets From Our Days

3-30-11
It's funny how kids pick up little sayings from movies.  Today, the kids were saying "You calling Dr. Jones, Doll".  (From Indiana Jones) Faith gets right in my face & tells me "You calling Dr. Jones, doll.  ~ Mama, that's a nickname for a woman."  Where do they get this?

***********

Tonight Sparks had Sparkie store.  The kids earn Sparkie dollars for their sections, bringing their Bible, wearing their vest, going to Revival & attending class. Collin has one of the biggest hearts that I know.  He could use all of his money to buy for himself.  Every time they have the store, he buys things for me, his sister & for his brother.  He buys more for us then he does for himself.  I am so thankful & am praying that he will always have such a tender & giving heart.

One of the gifts that he bought for Faith was a crown.  After she put on her crown, she asked, " Collin, do I look beautiful?"  Collin responded, "very beautiful."

We may not have much in the eyes of the world, but we have so much more.  I wouldn't trade what we have for all the money in the world.  My cup runneth over.

************
3-31-11

All afternoon, Will was saying that he wanted to build a bird feeder.  We didn't have any of the supplies to build one. I told him that we would pray about it and maybe we would get one soon. Faith decided to open a prize that they got last week for helping with the Ladies Prison Ministry at our church.  Guess what it prize was......a bird feeder kit.  Oh the excitement around the house tonight.

************************
4-11-11

We had a great day in school.  Watched a movie about Johnny Tremain from Disney.  The kids really loved it.  Watching the Boston Tea Party, making silver, and the battles from Lexington & Concord really brought it to life.

This afternoon, the kids had a great time tearing down Thomas The Tank Engine.  All the kids have really loved him through out the years.  My father-in-law built a big wooden Thomas Train that they could get inside & play when Will was about 2 1/2.  It had a good long life with the kids.  What great memories we've had with it, but it was starting to rot & wasn't safe to play in anymore.  Watching the kids tear it down was sad, but they really enjoyed it.  Will & Faith gave up on it after awhile, but Collin kept at it.  He got it all broken down & loaded it on the trailer.  He is such a hard worker.

Tonight, Collin said that he wished that he had something else to demolish.  So, if you have anything that you would like to be demolish, let us know.  We can take care of it for you.

Funny Kids

My kids come up with some of the craziest ideas.  I love their imagination as well as their sense of humor.

 

Collin with chip clips on his lips.

Will with latex glove on his head.

Faith wanted to have a picture taken with her swimming suit, goggles, flippers & snorkel on.

I am so blessed.  The joy they bring into our life.

Are Seat Belts Important?

Faith's science fair project.  How important are seat belts.  She was not required to do one, but she loves projects.  (I guess she got that from her mama.)  We ran 18 tests using raw eggs.  (we did wrap them in Saran Wrap) Out of the 18 tests, only 1 egg  survived the crash. 

The Egg in the Bottle

For our Physics class (in our co-op), the kids had to do a science fair project. Both boys decided that they wanted to do something with fire. Since we (me) didn't think it would be a good idea to use fire in the church, we decided to video the project.


Will the egg go into the bottle?

Curriculum ~ It's That Time of Year Again

I love looking at curriculum, but making the final decision can be stressful.  I started looking in February & am just now making my final decision ~  in April. After much praying & sifting through many websites & brochures that I got from our homeschool conference, I am done.  Now for the money. Which is the reason I have to decide early so I can watch out for sales on used curriculum.  It takes awhile, but it's well worth it.

I haven't bought Bible curriculum before, because I've always had plenty.  We have finally ran through everything that I have.  We are going to try Apologia's Who Is God? And Can I Really Know Him? (If interested click on title, then scroll to page 25.)


We will be doing Science with our co-op starting in August, but the kids really like ocean animals, so we will start with Apologia's Zoology 2 Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day  until August. (If interested click on title, then scroll to page 35.)

Writing-  The Write Stuff Adventure Exploring the Art of Writing 

Handwriting - I am creating my own using the kid's AWANA memory verses as well as some copy work. 

History is the only thing that is up in the air.  We did living books this year & really liked it.  Most US History start with the founding of America.  We have covered that so much, & haven't really gone past the Civil War. Sonlight Core D starts with the Civil War.  I am praying about this.  It is pricey.

For Geography we are using Galloping The Globe with Collin & Faith.  Will has already had US Geography. We'll review the US Geography, with Will, but he (probably) will be doing Trail Guide to Bible Geography.

For Will's Spelling & Collin's Math, we are using ABEKA .
Will's Math - Saxon Teacher.  This will be on computer.  He is getting farther than I feel comfortable teaching.
Will's Grammer - The Plan by Rod & Staff
Will's Reading - living books.  I'm still working on the list.  I got some great ideas from Jan Bloom. As well as from other Homeschool moms

Collin's Reading - Explode The Code
Collin's Spelling- Spelling Workout
Collin's Language- First Language Lessons


Thankfully, we have everything that we need for Faith's Kindergarten/1st grade.

Children a Blessing

And he shall be unto thee a restorer of they life.

And a nourisher of thine old age;

For they daughter-in-law which loveth thee,

which is better to thee than seven sons, hath borne him.

Ruth 4:14,15

Naomi's grandson would grow up to become the grandfather of King David.  What a blessing to Naomi to have this child to love!  He truly was a nourisher to her in her old age after her very unhappy life.

Today, God, Help Me to understand the marvelous wonder

of the children in my life.

Help me to be a blessing to them as they are constantly to me.

Help me, Lord to be patient and loving to them at all

times and never unattentive.

(Taken from: From My Heart to Yours: Devotionals to Inspire Women to Lvie for God by Blorianne K. Gibbs)