Deactivated!

It has been 10 days since I deactivated my facebook account.  Yes, I went rogue and left the #1 social networking site.  It was hard.  I'm not gonna lie.  And, I miss it.  So  why deactivate?

Well, lots of reasons really.  I was inspired by a friend, but mainly I needed to focus.  Focus my time on things more meaningful and worthwhile than stalking my friends.  I mean seriously, if we're honest, that's what we do right?  It's not like I'm reading bible lessons on facebook, or learning how to teach my girls righteousness.  I'm not serving my husband, nor my family while reading about my friend whom I haven't seen in 15 years and her vacations.  It does me no good to see something and then stew about what I just read.  And I really don't need to be buying anything from the awesome facebook online garage sale!
 
Now no, facebook isn't the devil and it can be used for great things. I loved seeing my bestie's kiddos and reading some interesting articles that were shared.  I used it as a way to share my blog and keep up with some distant family.  And I enjoyed some of the humor my friends displayed on their walls. But, there wasn't enough good in it for me to balance how much time I spent.  It was an addiction and it had to go!

It's my conviction.  Mine alone.Don't worry cause I'm not judging my 100 something friends that I've left hanging.  But, I felt the tug of God on my heart saying, let it go for now.  Ya know that verse in the Bible that says:

 ^"If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." 
Matthew 5:29

 Well, facebook was the eye in this case.  And in case you're missing the point and taking me too seriously in using this verse, I don't think facebook will cause me to go to hell.  I have salvation by trusting in Jesus alone and facebook won't cause me to lose that!

Facebook was causing me to stumble and I have felt God stirring in my heart.  Deactivating facebook was my way of making room.  Making room for God to move.  Making room for God to work on me. 

I'm not planning to give it up forever. Maybe a few weeks, maybe a few months.  I'm not sure, but for now if you search for me on facebook, I won't exist!  And that's perfectly fine with me!

Wordless Wednesday...Yep That's My Dryer

Back to School, Part 2

Yesterday I posted about school starting in our house!  Woo hoo!  We are back in session and today was part 2.  We had our first day back at school, Cornerstone, and we were all excited to see old friends and make new ones.

Chloe, 6th grade

Rylie, 3rd grade

Staying true to family tradition, the Hubs went in late to work in order to drive the girls to school.  Just another reason I'm in love with that man!  He has walked the girls into school since day one of Chloe's Kindergarten class...both of them.  It's important for him to be there and they love it.  Of course he typically makes a stop at McDonald's for some type of morning treat to make it extra special.
 
The day for the girls was fabulous.  They truly enjoyed making new friends, getting to know their teachers and seeing friends they've missed this summer.

Chloe is taking yearbook this year and she was excited for that class to begin.  Rylie is finally old enough to cheer for the school, so of course she's elated!  She came home chanting cheers for a good hour.

As for me, it was super crazy busy!  I barely had time to breathe, but I enjoyed every minute....well, almost.  Taking out lunch trash was not fun, but chatting with a new friend made it all the better!  Other than that, it was a pleasure showing the new girls the ropes and meeting some of our new kiddos.
 
I was reminded how amazing our journey has been the last few years.  How thankful I am that we got to this place.  God has blessed us through this sweet school and I look forward to him shaping and refining us!

xo

Lori

Back to School 2012-2013, Part 1

It cracks me up to think it's like 100 degrees outside and we're calling it the end of summer!  Ummm, hello, it is still summer and yes, we're going to back to school!

Today the girls and I had our first day of school and luckily it was a light load of lesson plans.  In fact, Ry had nothing on hers so we started a History lesson and worked on handwriting.  She finished up by organizing her books, backpack and binder.

Chloe on the other hand had lessons in all subjects, but they were light.  Yipee!  We dove into math, earthquakes in science, and a simple spelling lesson.  She also organized her binder and backpack.

I'm so thankful for the quiet day to catch up on some housework before the madness begins.  We all will head off to school tomorrow.  I'm excited to be working as a 4th grade assistant again this year on our Cornerstone days (tues/thurs).  The women I'll be serving alongside of seem like amazing Christian girls and I'm blessed!

Praying you all have a great start to the school year as well!

xo

Lori

So What Are We Teaching?

Updated: 8/6: I realized that when I cut/paste their book list it didn't format correctly.  I've retyped and hopefully it will make more sense!  Also, all tests are taken at school, not home!

I've had some mommas ask me what curriculum we're using for school.  It's funny because I had to think about it since I get a list from the school and then we just order, order, order and order some more!  I can honestly say that it's my least favorite part of school. 

It consumes hours of time and I cringe at every shipping charge.  And no, I can't order it all on one site.  And no, I rarely use ebay.  Ebay drives me insane and I only use it if I need a book I can't order new due to it being part of a package deal. 

So, here's what we're using:

Chloe

ENGLISH:      Grammar 6, Tests, Bob Jones
Spelling Workout F, Modern Press
Reading Books:     Wilfred Grenfell: Fishter of Men, Nate Saint: On a Wing and a Prayer, Letters from Rifka, Twenty One Balloons, Exploring the Titanic, The Cay, Snow Treasures, A Wrinkle in Time
        

Math: Abeka 6

Science: Bob Jones

History: New World History and Geography, Abeka

Rylie

English:  Shurley Grammar
Spelling Workout C
Zaner Bloser Handwriting and Handwriting without Tears
Read and Think 3 Skill Sheets, Abeka

Reading: Gladys Alylward: Daring to Trust, Stone Fox, Leif the Lucky, Misty of Chinocoteague, Mrs. Piggle Wiggle, The Sword and the Tree

Math: Abeka 3

Science: Level 3 Science, A Purposeful Design

History: Story of the World
                                                                

             

I will be instructing History on my own, but am using what the school will be teaching just to make things easier.  For Chloe, I ordered an older edition for history on ebay to save costs.

 For reading, the girls will be assigned reading books (listed above) at school.  We'll read at home and typically they have a packet to fill out on each book as well as a project and test.

All tests are taken at school so the math tests and drills are kept at school for integrity purposes.

I honestly have hardly cracked a book and some are still in route.  We begin August 7th and we're all excited and ready.  With one year under our belt, I'm feeling a little more confident this year and can't wait to see what God has in store! 

Treehouse Face Lift

Remember the tree house that the Hubs recently built?  Well, the girls have finally started putting their personal touches onto it.  Remember, I've given them free reign on decorating the INSIDE of the tree house.

They used their own money and purchased "oops" paint at Home Depot in purple and they scored free paint from Bestie S in a bright blue.  They even purchased the brushes and supplies themselves.

Smart little Ry enlisted the help of a friend for the first round of painting.  And then we finished the rest up this past weekend as a family.  I'm so proud of their hard work and determination in making this little space their own. 

The best part, was the decorating.  We scoured the house for a few things to hang on the walls and help girl-i-fy the room.  They have lots of plans to add other details such as blankets and pillows, bins of various toys and more pictures for the ceiling.  We're even searching for a dust buster so that they can vacuum their carpet and clean out the little spider webs.

Grandpa built a little table and Ry painted it.  Yep, just like her momma.  She got paint everywhere!

doesn't she look thrilled?

in case you're wondering, the stripes took forever!

notice the idog.  Yep, every kid has an idog in their treehouse, right?

Memories are all ready being made in their little house and the Hubs couldn't be prouder!

The Great Release

Back in December, the girls scored a free water turtle from their sweet friends.  Or you could say that their sweet friends' momma found someone to take an unwanted turtle.  I look at it that latter way.

Anyhoo, the Hubs came home with said free turtle and $60 in supplies and we instantly had a new pet we lovingly named Dasher.  I did grow to love the fella, and even  refinished a piece of furniture to hold his little tank.

However, after 7 months, I grew tired of looking at him and decided he needed a new home.  Don't get me wrong, I did find it amusing to watch him swim around and make tons of noise so we would feed him.  I did not enjoy watching him eat his own waste.  Yeah, gross!

Sunday was the day.  I finally convinced everyone that Dasher would be happier in our koi pond.  So after church we decided to partake in the Great Release.

 Dasher has more than doubled in size and become quite a stinker.  It was funny how he gravitated towards the pond on his own.

 Then he came to the pine straw and decided on a different direction.  Needless to say, I redirected him back TO the pond.

 And, he's off!  And don't you just love the green water?  Yea, the Hubs is working on that!

 Once he hit the water, he was gone!  You could barely see his little head peaking up.

 This thing below is one of our koi fish.  He's like 8 1/2 inches long.  Quite a big fella.

We spent a few minutes watching him resurface and then disappear again.  I'm sure he'll be better here with the koi than in a small 10 gallon tank.

I am a little sad to think he may not remain in the pond and the Hubs is pretty sure he's gone.  Of course we're not telling the girls that.

We're certain that Dasher was the first and last reptile we'll ever own.  Mark my words!

But don't worry, in his place they have added a couple fish!  On to the next journey in pet ownership.

xo

Lori