tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90710001247398277872024-03-13T08:01:19.840-05:00Southern Fried Family"He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”~John 7:38Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.comBlogger393125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-16585425225165781142016-04-25T11:20:00.003-05:002016-04-25T11:20:31.242-05:00Well, would you look at that? <div style="text-align: center;">
Just like that...I am back. So much has changed since I last blogged. </div>
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Most notably are two things (or would you say three?).</div>
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1) I have changed. What you have read on my blog before. The stances I had on things. They may have changed. I have grown. I have matured. I have gotten away from legalism, which I struggled with and didn't even know it! </div>
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2) Our family GREW! Not by one, but by TWO! </div>
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I will update my pictures so that you know more. </div>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>
Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-50419201763254266472013-05-14T07:17:00.002-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.419-05:00Ooka Island (Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://d2nj0rjuk4p5vu.cloudfront.net/wp-content/themes/Nova/images/onsite-purchase/logo-ooka.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://d2nj0rjuk4p5vu.cloudfront.net/wp-content/themes/Nova/images/onsite-purchase/logo-ooka.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://ookaisland.com/" target="_blank">Ooka Island</a> is a "learn to read" game for children from pre-K to 2nd grade.</div>
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It is software based, not an online program. </div>
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There are three editions:</div>
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School</div>
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Home</div>
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&</div>
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Homeschool</div>
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We are reviewing the "Homeschool" edition.</div>
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Our <a href="http://ookaisland.com/" target="_blank">Ooka Island</a> software arrived quickly, and was delivered on a USB drive for Mac.</div>
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Installation was a SNAP and it was ready to play in no time at all.</div>
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Now...let me give you a little information before I get into the "meat" of my review.</div>
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My 7 year old (Troy) has had a VERY difficult time learning to read.</div>
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He also gets frustrated with the computer, and does not spend any time on it.</div>
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We limit time with electronics in our home, so it is not like he has a lot of "practice" either.</div>
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When preparing to do this review, I did not have high hopes. </div>
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Back to my review:</div>
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Troy sat anxiously watching as I installed the software and was immediately drawn in by the graphics. He repeatedly asked, "Is it time for me to play yet?".</div>
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Finally, it was time. </div>
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He played,</div>
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and played,</div>
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and played some more.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-295wNaXCtTY/UZIp77uREUI/AAAAAAAAA6E/gQAK9X84nPQ/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-295wNaXCtTY/UZIp77uREUI/AAAAAAAAA6E/gQAK9X84nPQ/s320/DSC_0013.JPG" width="263" /></a></div>
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There are also printable workbooks to go along with the program,</div>
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and correspond to the books they read within the program.</div>
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We used these to help reinforce the computer learning. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XltjCHqVgNk/UZIp8elhZCI/AAAAAAAAA6M/O-IglqFFjhM/s1600/IMG_6554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XltjCHqVgNk/UZIp8elhZCI/AAAAAAAAA6M/O-IglqFFjhM/s320/IMG_6554.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Md_8Xkvm5Iw/UZIqBBL__sI/AAAAAAAAA6U/HUeUlMay0UQ/s1600/IMG_6556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Md_8Xkvm5Iw/UZIqBBL__sI/AAAAAAAAA6U/HUeUlMay0UQ/s320/IMG_6556.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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(Yes, we often do school in our pajamas)</div>
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I think the first few days he spent 2-4 hours a day playing.</div>
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(I know, I know...that is a lot. However, he was learning and loving it, who am I to argue?)</div>
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Immediately I noticed changes in his reading ability. </div>
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I mean after his first day playing it, not after a week or two. </div>
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After several weeks of playing, he has grown by leaps and bounds. </div>
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I swore I would never use a computer based tool for homeschooling,</div>
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opting for the more traditional living book method.</div>
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<a href="http://ookaisland.com/" target="_blank">Ooka Island</a> is my exception to that rule.</div>
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We LOVE it not only because it is fun...</div>
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we love it because it does what it is supposed to do,</div>
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and that is to teach a child to read. </div>
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Troy begs to play it DAILY!</div>
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(yes, even weekends)</div>
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The best feature for me as the parent is the <a href="http://ookaisland.com/online-progress-reporting/" target="_blank">Ooka Island "Lighthouse"</a>.</div>
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This is what the website says about the "Lighthouse", </div>
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and it explains it better than I could:</div>
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"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555555; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">The Ooka Lighthouse Reporting System is an easy-to-use online portal for parents and educators. As young learners travel through the downloadable<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7RtNzufvSI" target="_blank"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #00b7f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;">Ooka Island Learn-to-Read System</span></span></a>, account holders can follow along in real-time by logging into the Lighthouse via a web browser.</span></div>
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Current research is emphasizing that academic success in the early years is highly correlated to success in life. In fact, if children can read fluently and well by age seven, the likelihood that they will reach post secondary education doubles. The findings from the Lighthouse Reporting System tell us that children, ages five and above, using the Ooka Island program, can emerge into reading after as little as <em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">eight hours spent on the program,</em> and that four-year-olds can emerge into reading within 13 hours. The <a href="http://ookaisland.com/online-progress-reporting/#Research" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #00b7f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-color: initial; border-style: initial; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial;">“Red Line / Blue Line Chart”</span></span> </a>describes a typical five year old child’s progress on the Ooka Island Learn-to-Read System."<br /><a href="" name="lighthousetop" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #00b7f3; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></a></div>
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Here is a little video peek at the Ooka Island Adventure:</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/L7RtNzufvSI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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You can see the pricing <a href="http://ookaisland.com/pricing-overview/" target="_blank">here</a>. </div>
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BUT WAIT, do you want to save some?</div>
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<a href="http://offers.ookaisland.com/" target="_blank">Here</a> is a link to save 30%!</div>
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<a href="http://mosaicreviews.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RVJ86-sus2Q/UZIrF72SiTI/AAAAAAAAA6g/-a_QqWohsMY/s1600/71434_537055499659307_339451745_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://mosaicreviews.com/ooka-island/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="92" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PvM3gVUJUnU/UZIrIfF5DJI/AAAAAAAAA6o/TheGkSwo9Ic/s320/MRCrew_thumb1.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>
Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-19921440770906189432013-04-29T07:54:00.001-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.384-05:00Spanish for You (Product Review)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.spanish-for-you.net/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://www.spanish-for-you.net/uploads/8/0/1/6/8016814/1381897.jpg?1347155231" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.spanish-for-you.net/" target="_blank">"Spanish for You"</a> is a complete foreign language curriculum for grades 3-8. I had to tweak it some, as I was using it for my young 1st grader in order to facilitate a review for it. My plan had been to use it with my teen, who is struggling in her spanish class, but it just didn't pan out like I had intended. The material was just too different from what she was studying. Anyhow, we have not done the study the way the program was designed, BUT, I have looked at it thoroughly enough to understand how it would be used with a child who could dig deeper into the materials.</div>
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So, that being said, lets move on.</div>
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With <a href="http://www.spanish-for-you.net/" target="_blank">this</a> program, you receive: </div>
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<ul style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 5px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 5px !important; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-left: 2.3em !important;">
<li style="color: #878787; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><ul style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 5px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 5px !important; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-left: 2.3em !important;">
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;">Spanish for you! soft cover book (allow up to 2 weeks for delivery) or E-book (trial pkgs.)</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;">Audio download (MP3) of the <strong>entire book. </strong>You use these as the lesson guide instructs.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><span>A free bonus audio of the entire book recorded by a native speaker from Mexico. (MP3)</span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;">24-30 Week Lesson Guide (PDF) - The student (and parent if needed) follows this guide step-by-step to know what to do, at whatever pace works for you.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><strong>S</strong><strong>elf-checking</strong> worksheets (PDF) - You just print these as you need them. The lesson guide will tell you what you need to print and when.</li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;">Free set of pictures for making flashcards and other activity materials. (PDF)</li>
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You can teach this curriculum whether you have a foundation in spanish or not. For me, I speak very little Spanish. We live in an area heavily saturated with native spanish speaking people, so it is very important for my children to develop a basis in the language.</div>
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We started out learning the colors and numbers. There is an audio file to accompany this, so that Troy could hear it and repeat it. We also did the flash cards to accompany them so that there was true mastery of the vocabulary. </div>
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In the weeks that we reviewed the program, that is as far as we have gotten. However, it has worked and he can now at least say 15 colors and 20 numbers in spanish. The book came with suggestions for games to play to integrate the vocabulary into every day life. Application was what I REALLY loved about doing as much as we did. </div>
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We got the "Fiestas" which has the theme of celebrations. Because we chose this, we learned cultural lessons too about things like "Day of the Dead", "Carnival", and "Holy Week" in Spain. </div>
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Spanish for you was developed by Debbie Annett, MSEd. </div>
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The following is from their <a href="http://www.spanish-for-you.net/about-curriculum.html" target="_blank">"About"</a> page. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #878787; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><strong><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">More to know:</span></strong></span></div>
<ul style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 5px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 5px !important; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-left: 2.3em !important;">
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">Every Spanish for You! package is used over an entire school year by the author before it becomes available for sale to ensure quality and test it every step of the way.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">Each Spanish for You! book provides new material as well as overlapping of some material from other Spanish for You! books for reinforcement of concepts.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">The self-checking worksheets are leveled for grades 3-4, 5-6, and 7-8 because even though grades 3 through 8 are learning the same content, they need practice appropriate to their grades.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">This curriculum prepares students to excel in any high school Spanish curriculum.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><strong><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">Many students who have used this curriculum for 2 or more years have been able to begin high school Spanish early, some as early as 5th grade.</span></strong></li>
<li style="list-style-image: initial !important; list-style-position: outside !important; list-style-type: disc !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-top: 3px !important; padding-left: 5px !important;"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: small;">Some students who study with Spanish for You! for a few years are able to begin high school Spanish at the <strong>second year level</strong>.</span></li>
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We are enjoying this curriculum and using it at a modified level for a younger child. However, it is certainly best suited for the target age ranges. We will be using it starting Troy's third grade year and hope to work through all books that will be available. Right now there are three different themes available, "Fiestas"(Celebrations), "Estacions" (Seasons), and in June "Viajes" (Travels) will be released.<br />
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On their <a href="http://www.spanish-for-you.net/purchase-curriculum.html" target="_blank">website</a> there are free samples for you to utilize.<br />
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The program costs range from $9.99-$64.95. I have found that this is a very reasonable price for a full Spanish curriculum.<br />
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For more reviews, please click on the disclaimer above. </div>
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Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-83640711663689634712013-04-11T15:09:00.000-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.445-05:00Apologia's The Ultimate Homeschool Planner (& Weekly Planner for Teens) - Review <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YH0BkqzI9m4/UWb9ycX9yKI/AAAAAAAAA5E/v7QywZJT3oE/s1600/IMG_6608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YH0BkqzI9m4/UWb9ycX9yKI/AAAAAAAAA5E/v7QywZJT3oE/s320/IMG_6608.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I have used several homeschool planners. I have used free ones you piece together yourself, dated ones you buy, undated ones you buy that are pre-printed, undated HUGE planners you print pages as you need, etc. I always felt something was lacking. </div>
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We were given the opportunity to review both <a href="http://art.apologia.com/landingpages/DBPlanner/" target="_blank">"The Ultimate Homeschool Planner" and "The Ultimate Weekly Planner for Teens".</a></div>
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I will start out with my review for <a href="http://art.apologia.com/landingpages/DBPlanner/" target="_blank">"The Ultimate Homeschool Planner".</a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv2IHv3-X10/UWb6rdvceOI/AAAAAAAAA3g/wID28fDkvwk/s1600/IMG_6600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv2IHv3-X10/UWb6rdvceOI/AAAAAAAAA3g/wID28fDkvwk/s320/IMG_6600.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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First off, who doesn't love pockets? This planner has pockets in the front and back for that stuff that you need to store. We keep our flashcards in there. </div>
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And then...here comes one of the VERY BEST parts of this planner. Debra Bell (the author of these planners) is a seasoned homeschooling Mom. She and her husband home-educated their four children from grades K-12. (Click <a href="http://debrabell.com/about-3/debra/" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more about her.) She put that knowledge to use building this planner, and she also guides you through how to utilize the planner to get the most out of it. It has fully detailed instructions as well as the reasoning behind those things. </div>
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Things such as: </div>
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Planning Retreats</div>
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Planning Sessions</div>
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Planning Breaks</div>
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Monday Morning Tutorials</div>
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Friday Afternoon Breaks</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjZg8DH5PdU/UWb6uxmnvUI/AAAAAAAAA3w/SjGfShfwA_k/s1600/IMG_6601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bjZg8DH5PdU/UWb6uxmnvUI/AAAAAAAAA3w/SjGfShfwA_k/s320/IMG_6601.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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See a full table of contents <a href="http://shop.apologia.com/books/350-the-ultimate-homeschool-planner.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ70GN846rg/UWb7CcNK1xI/AAAAAAAAA4A/JTM5s63fN5c/s1600/IMG_6602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJ70GN846rg/UWb7CcNK1xI/AAAAAAAAA4A/JTM5s63fN5c/s320/IMG_6602.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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Here you see my planning grid, in progress. I would have NEVER thought to put my year on a grid like this. It has enabled me to see ALL goings on, without flipping around and trying to cross reference. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DoQi-yAMKY/UWb9pgG5pcI/AAAAAAAAA44/gRWv_p3p1_U/s1600/IMG_6603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7DoQi-yAMKY/UWb9pgG5pcI/AAAAAAAAA44/gRWv_p3p1_U/s320/IMG_6603.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Here, we have a list of goals for each of my children.</div>
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This includes character goals and academic goals.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcUlyZXWAb0/UWb7D0eqjAI/AAAAAAAAA4I/gf1vethTDqA/s1600/IMG_6604.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XcUlyZXWAb0/UWb7D0eqjAI/AAAAAAAAA4I/gf1vethTDqA/s320/IMG_6604.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Following this, there is a page to list family priorities.</div>
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This is excellent for being able to figure out what fits into your homeschool, </div>
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and what is best to phase out or say "no" to. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pA7sCG_zoP8/UWb9tXTGiYI/AAAAAAAAA5A/OD7plq2Ti5o/s1600/IMG_6605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pA7sCG_zoP8/UWb9tXTGiYI/AAAAAAAAA5A/OD7plq2Ti5o/s320/IMG_6605.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Then there are several pages to list homeschooling resources, </div>
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followed by monthly calendars for the year (undated, so you are not limited in start/finish times). </div>
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Since we homeschool year-round, undated is absolutely necessary for us. </div>
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Next, we have the weekly planner pages.</div>
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The rows vertical and horizontal are blank so you can utilize it how it works best for you.</div>
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I use it for ONE child, so I use subjects across the top,</div>
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and days of the weeks down the side. Then I just check it off as it is done. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXWPVZ5SaUM/UWb7co6KyrI/AAAAAAAAA4g/p1uujpcVA1Y/s1600/IMG_6606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXWPVZ5SaUM/UWb7co6KyrI/AAAAAAAAA4g/p1uujpcVA1Y/s320/IMG_6606.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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On the right side, there is space for:</div>
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Notes</div>
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Supplies</div>
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Appointments</div>
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Along with those there is an inspirational quote.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lKltKqpEs90/UWb7cK0JuYI/AAAAAAAAA4c/3caaWfzQsB0/s1600/IMG_6607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lKltKqpEs90/UWb7cK0JuYI/AAAAAAAAA4c/3caaWfzQsB0/s320/IMG_6607.JPG" width="238" /></a></div>
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Weekly, you are encouraged through <a href="http://art.apologia.com/landingpages/DBPlanner/" target="_blank">"The Ultimate Homeschool Planner"</a> to have a weekly planning break.</div>
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In this time, you reflect, plan, pray, and formulate your "battle plan" for the upcoming week. </div>
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For me, this is has been super beneficial. Purposefully reflecting weekly on forward momentum and evidence of character growth certainly helps in moments of Momma doubt and homeschool burnout. </div>
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In the back of the planner there are pages for recording grades, reading lists, & filed trips.</div>
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She also has some tips in the back that are excellent tools for even an experienced homeschooling parent. </div>
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There is a year end review and a page for notes. </div>
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This planner most definitely has helped our homeschool. Not just in planning, but in improving and adapting. We can continually prioritize, assess goals, and form an evolving plan to give us the best success at educating our children at home in a godly manner (while being well organized).</div>
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We will be using this planner permanently now. </div>
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It has two different choices for the cover, both beautiful and appealing. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OY0lE9Yaiak/UWcTSpR5Q_I/AAAAAAAAA5U/6_BYntA8zrc/s1600/photo-8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Now, onto <a href="http://shop.apologia.com/books/328-the-ultimate-weekly-planner-for-teens.html" target="_blank">"The Ultimate Weekly Planner for Teens"</a>.</div>
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This was a bit more of a challenge since my teens are no longer home-educated fully.</div>
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My oldest son and my daughter attend a local school full-time, </div>
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and my next to oldest is studying for his GED. </div>
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My oldest uses a school issued planner, so I gave it to my daughter to use.</div>
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She used it for a few weeks and really found it didn't help her much, except for listing under the days of the week what tasks/tests she had that were special. </div>
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So, I passed it onto my son who now uses it to plan out his studying in his GED guide.</div>
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He enjoys it for that purpose, but it really doesn't utilize the planner to its full potential.</div>
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This planner is really well suited and thought out for a high-school student who is tracking progress for their high school diploma and/or transcripts. </div>
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It has:</div>
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An "About me" section</div>
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Schedule Logging</div>
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Calenders (Undated)</div>
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SAT words weekly</div>
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Planning pages with days of the week and subjects</div>
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(Time spent on subject tracking)</div>
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Think pad space (notes?)</div>
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Doodle Space</div>
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It also has neat quotes on the side...</div>
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The Periodic Table of Elements</div>
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and many other useful charts and conversions.</div>
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It has maps too...</div>
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(My kids really liked the info in the back, even though they didn't use the planner fully)</div>
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They also LOVED the design. Said it was "cool".</div>
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There is a lot of space for notes too.</div>
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The stickers in the back are awesome too...</div>
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We all believe this planner would be excellent for a homeschooling teen. </div>
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You can order "The Ultimate Homeschool Planner for Teens" <a href="http://shop.apologia.com/books/328-the-ultimate-weekly-planner-for-teens.html" target="_blank">here</a> for $19.00</div>
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You can order "The Ultimate Homeschool Planner" <a href="http://shop.apologia.com/books/308-the-ultimate-homeschool-planner.html" target="_blank">here</a> or <a href="http://shop.apologia.com/books/350-the-ultimate-homeschool-planner.html" target="_blank">here</a> for $28.00</div>
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(Links to ordering for each cover style)</div>
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You can see other reviews of this and other products by clicking on the disclaimer above. </div>
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Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-74128228298123361702013-04-02T15:24:00.002-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.438-05:00We Choose Virtues Review and Coupon Codes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="102" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9c93RaVnfMM/UVs2ZHrFVkI/AAAAAAAAA2s/Tz_zyGcEgS4/s320/logo.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Around our home, we try really hard to instill good character traits in our children. I say we try, but really sometimes we don't quite teach intentionally and therefore the importance of a particular trait is not focused on until a child noticeably deficient in that virtue. We concentrate on "yes sir", "yes ma'am", "please", and "thank you". We are intentional in these things. Otherwise, it is usually waiting until a chance to practice a virtue is missed before we speak up to "correct" it. However, rarely do we place continual intentional focus on it. </div>
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When I saw the <a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">"We Choose Virtues"</a> products were coming up for review, I did a little squeal of delight. I was so excited to get these and begin using them. </div>
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Here is a shot of the flash cards we received, along with a game suggestion card:</div>
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The traits on the cards are:</div>
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Attentive</div>
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Content</div>
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Kind</div>
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Patient</div>
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Self-Controlled</div>
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Diligent</div>
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Gentle</div>
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Forgiving</div>
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Perseverant</div>
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Obedient</div>
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Honest</div>
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Helpful</div>
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We also received a "Parent Card" which guides us in ways to focus on the character trait:</div>
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Our parent card was focused on "attentiveness",</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhjDn30oEWo/UVs4DrTtqbI/AAAAAAAAA28/gKihZxBNxMg/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KhjDn30oEWo/UVs4DrTtqbI/AAAAAAAAA28/gKihZxBNxMg/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I knew I had to tread carefully with my teenagers with this one. They can be very touchy, and quite resistant to anything that might improve them as people. It was certainly evident that I should have had a system like <a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">"We Choose Virtues"</a> when they were younger! </div>
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What I finally decided to do was pull the teens off to the side and tell them that we all had to work to retrain Troy. I told them that I needed them to participate so that they could help me since they often saw behaviors I didn't. They were totally on board with that! I do know though, by teaching, you are learning, and that is all that mattered.</div>
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Every morning at breakfast, the kids pull the flash cards out and go through them. Right now we are only focused on the "I am" statements (like on the Attentive card, which says "I watch and listen carefully"). In the evening, sometimes we pull them out and play games with them. Our favorite one has been for someone to make a skit and act out the lack of a virtue, and in order for the next person to have a turn, they must say the catch phrase (I am statement) on the card that would correct that situation. Then, the person who did the skit must fix their skit to show how to do the "right" thing. </div>
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Another thing we do is "catching" others doing well in the virtues and praising them. The seven year old LOVES this one. The teenagers? They love catching each other NEEDING to remember one, and then point it out to them. Siblings... </div>
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It was quite ironic that the parent card we got was the "attentive" one since that seems to be the number one virtue lacking in our home. Not just the kids, but us as parents too. We have used this card as our "focus" card for a month, and I can actually say we have seen an improvement! We have memorized the Bible Verse, and the examples of what being attentive is "not". We find examples to talk about, and relate it to planes (we live by a busy airport, giving us a lot of chances to be reminded). See, the attentive character is "Airplane Betty Jane". The parent card guides you to know how to relate the character to the trait creating an easy memory jogging tool for the child. Well, for adults too. I now think of "attentiveness" with every plane I see. </div>
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Heather from <a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">We Choose Virtues</a> has offered a LIFETIME long coupon code for the use of my readers here. The code is good for 15% off of your shopping cart. The code to use is: <b>VIRTUE15</b></div>
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If you choose to make a purchase of the homeschool kit before the end of April 2013, there is a special code just for you! It is: <b>Home20</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are so many products available for purchase, that I cannot list them all and their prices here. <a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/collections/homeschool" target="_blank">The Homeschool Kit </a>is $98.99, and has everything you need to complete the program. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Another choice is the <a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/collections/tools-for-families/products/family-kit" target="_blank">Family Kit</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/collections/tools-for-families/products/family-kit" target="_blank"> </a>for $69.99.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If neither of these options fit your budget, Heather (from We Choose Virtues) recommends the following: </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/collections/tools-for-families/products/virtue-flash-cards-for-families" target="_blank">Virtue Flash Cards</a> $14.99</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/collections/tools-for-families/products/kids-virtue-poster" target="_blank">The Kids Virtue Poster</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> $15.00 </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://we-choose-virtues.myshopify.com/collections/tools-for-families/products/three-rules-poster" target="_blank">The Three Rules Poster</a> $6.00</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tO_6ju7ZdXs/UVtAI5Rb-mI/AAAAAAAAA3M/bLTZuR_vwdA/s1600/71434_537055499659307_339451745_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tO_6ju7ZdXs/UVtAI5Rb-mI/AAAAAAAAA3M/bLTZuR_vwdA/s1600/71434_537055499659307_339451745_n.jpg" /></a></div>
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You can also see more reviews of this product starting April 3rd over at <a href="http://mosaicreviews.com/" target="_blank">Mosaic Reviews</a>.</div>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>
Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-33765487111185739162013-03-24T13:13:00.002-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.403-05:00FamilyMint Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://familymint.com/item/50d1112ce4b0c75e54db31d4?format=original" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="70" src="http://familymint.com/item/50d1112ce4b0c75e54db31d4?format=original" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://familymint.com/" target="_blank">FamilyMint</a> is a program that can be utilized to teach your children money management. This is what their site says about the program:<br />
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"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">FamilyMint's Money Management Certification Program combines a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;"><strong style="font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">60-page step-by-step workbook with a fun online money management application </strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 25px;">for kids. Kids that complete the 2 month program develop key money habits that will benefit them the rest of their lives."</span><br />
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In our family, I thought about this program and who in our family would be best to have work through it. I decided to let my 14 year old work through the program, and then write a review herself for the program. I did not have her register and use the online worksheets, because our children have limited access to the computer and internet. This program does have some excellent computer based resources, but since it is totally an option to use it without those resources, we chose to do it that way.<br />
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(Hopefully I will be adding more pictures of our own later...our card reader has broken and I cannot upload them at this time)<br />
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Her is her review:<br />
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When my mom handed me this book, I thought to myself "I am way too old for this, and I already know all of this stuff". However, when I started actually working through it, I realized I had been wrong.<br />
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I got my first bank account last year when I started babysitting. It is a "checking" account, but I don't use checks. I just have a debit card I use. I have not been good about tracking, saving, or anything. I also have a savings account, but it only has $5 in it.<br />
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The first thing I really likes about the "FamilyMint" book was the "SMART goal system". I had never had a system of setting goals. I just decided what I wanted and sometimes I got it, and sometimes I was too impatient and spent my money before I had got what I wanted. I often have been disappointed in my ability to save for what I really wanted. I feel like through the FamilyMint book, I have finally learned how to set goals and attain them. I like having the worksheets to physically see my progress towards my goals. Looking at them helps to keep me focused.<br />
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Another thing that I learned a lot through this book was about budgeting. Not only did it teach me a lot about how I divide up my money, it made me realize how much my parents have to use their money for taking care of the families needs. It makes me more aware of how it can effect the family when I ask for things.<br />
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Interest has always confused me. After working through the section on interest, I called my bank to see how I can start earning interest through my own account. I have to save for a while to have the $500 to put into an interest bearing account, but I understand now how it will be beneficial.<br />
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I can now write checks and fill out deposit slips, which I couldn't do before. I feel like I have a good understanding of how to manage my money. It will help me when I am out and on my own in a few years.<br />
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I would recommend this product for all kids. It was written at a level that kids younger than me could easily understand, but I still learned a lot from it. ~ by Michaela<br />
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This is a video from <a href="http://familymint.com/" target="_blank">FamilyMint</a> on life "Before and After FamilyMint".<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lod9Itoj6PM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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FamilyMint has several different options available for purchase that range from $4.99/ month to $29.99 for purchase of the full program. There is an option available for everyone's needs. There is also a FREE 14 days trial you can access. The options are listed <a href="http://familymint.com/pricing/#.UU9AeBxpeX8" target="_blank">here</a> for you to explore. </div>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>
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This review was done as part of the Mosaic Review team. I was provided these materials to review as part of the team, and in no way was asked for a favorable review. </div>
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You can see the other reviews for this and other products by clicking on the link below.</div>
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<a href="http://mosaicreviews.com/" target="_blank">http://mosaicreviews.com/</a></div>
Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-70935297351641000262013-03-04T08:41:00.001-06:002016-04-25T11:14:10.283-05:00I am "that" homeschool Mom...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0AEU3rj4Fo/UTSvrKvC54I/AAAAAAAAA1k/7k7Jvvyrv6g/s1600/Homechool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--0AEU3rj4Fo/UTSvrKvC54I/AAAAAAAAA1k/7k7Jvvyrv6g/s320/Homechool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I am "that" homeschool mom.</div>
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The one who doesn't fit in homeschool groups,</div>
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because I have a child in public school. </div>
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The one who doesn't fit into public schooling groups, </div>
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because I homeschool.</div>
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Yet, I do not consider myself a "public school mom", </div>
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because, I homeschool. It is just what I do. </div>
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One of my children goes to public school, to receive some education.</div>
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That being said, I think most of what she learns comes from her time here at home.</div>
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Why do I even care about "labels"?</div>
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I don't have a clue. </div>
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But the fact is, I do. </div>
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I shouldn't want to fit in (and in many ways I don't).</div>
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But still, I do wish that I didn't feel so alone.</div>
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In the homeschool community there is often a stigma associated </div>
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with those who have children in public school. </div>
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I guess it is a sense of superiority because "we" believe we have </div>
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chosen the best way to educate a child. </div>
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I know this is true, because I have seen it.</div>
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I have also been guilty of it.</div>
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I am still guilty of it.</div>
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Even though I have a child in public school, </div>
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I think it is beneath her and the inferior way for her to be educated. </div>
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Why is she there then?</div>
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Well, that story is long. </div>
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I will save it for another day.</div>
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It has to do with her desires,</div>
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and my husband's (and my) desires to not make her bitter. </div>
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I often find I am ashamed to admit that I have a child in public school. </div>
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No one has shamed me, </div>
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but because I believe it is best to keep children home for their education,</div>
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I am ashamed of myself for allowing one to be away.</div>
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Now, I said there was a stigma in homeschooling circles about public schoolers.</div>
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That is true.</div>
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However, I believe it to be more true in general public.</div>
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They don't understand homeschoolers.</div>
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They still think they are "weird",</div>
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even though more and more people are discovering it is NOT weird.</div>
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In fact, it is very natural. </div>
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We teach our children every day, regardless of where they get their formal education. </div>
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There it is, just a confession from "that" mom.</div>
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The one caught in the middle.</div>
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Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-7933859778743358812013-03-04T08:22:00.004-06:002016-04-25T11:15:57.443-05:00Troy Says: On the Human Body<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAAyweNXe2U/UTSuMkn2wII/AAAAAAAAA1c/-0BktYIqL1s/s1600/Troy+Says.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UAAyweNXe2U/UTSuMkn2wII/AAAAAAAAA1c/-0BktYIqL1s/s400/Troy+Says.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What happens to food when you eat?</div>
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<i>It gets all munched up inside your stomach</i>.</div>
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What makes boogers?</div>
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<i>Whenever your nose gets dry, the boogers gets, umm, uh...all dried snot.</i></div>
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Why do we fart?</div>
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<i>Because thats just what happens to gas.</i></div>
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Why do people have different colored eyes?</div>
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<i>Because that's just the way God made them.</i></div>
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What makes people have different hair colors?</div>
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<i>Don't you get it Mom? God made us all different.</i></div>
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Why do we have 10 fingers and 10 toes?</div>
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<i>So we could have on each hand and foot.</i></div>
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Why do we have tongues?</div>
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<i>To eat and drink. Because, your tongue helps you chew your food with, um, your teeth and your tongue. And, that's it.</i></div>
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Do you think helps us talk?</div>
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<i>Well yeah, because it just works along with our teeth to make us talk.</i></div>
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Why did God make different skin colors on humans?</div>
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<i>I don't know. I think we're all the same on the inside. </i></div>
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What would happen if we didn't sleep?</div>
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<i>We'd all die. For sure.</i></div>
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What does a brain look like?</div>
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<i>It might look like a glob of skin with blue and green veins attached to it. </i></div>
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Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-11038388199251353222013-02-28T08:05:00.000-06:002016-04-25T11:15:57.378-05:00Every Blogger Needs a Blogging Planner: Review of Mama Jenn's 2013 Blogging PlannerI have never been a very organized blogger. I mean, I keep a running list on my phone of things to blog about, and reviews that need to be done, but there is not really much rhyme or reason to my method.<br />
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Because of joining up with Mosaic Reviews, I have a land of new opportunity in front of me. This opportunity requires that I be a bit more organized in my blogging. What would the best tool for this be? To find a blogging planner that would help me to achieve the needed organization. I was directed to several sources for planners, and I chose <a href="http://www.mamajennblogs.com/2012/12/my-2013-blogging-planner-free-printable.html" target="_blank">Mama Jenn's 2013 Blogging Planner</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mamajennblogs.com/2012/12/my-2013-blogging-planner-free-printable.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dP8IGLNmznE/UN3wHAB_6jI/AAAAAAAAALk/jfyzz2wpYxg/image15.png?imgmax=800" width="301" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mamajennblogs.com/2012/12/my-2013-blogging-planner-free-printable.html" target="_blank">Image from Mama Jenn</a></div>
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Why did I chose this particular planner? Well, first off, it was pretty. Additionally, it appeared to be very thorough (and it is). But really, it is all of the different pages and features that I loved. Did I also mention that it is free? FREE!!! </div>
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This planner has so many features for each month:</div>
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(each month has a different colored daisy)</div>
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~Blog Calendar </div>
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~Blog Planning Page</div>
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~Giveaway/Review Page</div>
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~Monthly Blog Post Notes </div>
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The Planner also has these bonus pages:</div>
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~Year at a Glance Calendar</div>
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~Monthly Blog Statistics Tracker</div>
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~Future Blog Post Ideas</div>
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~Notes</div>
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This is a shot of one of the monthly calender pages that I had used. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0l6A6Xr8dlk/UTSjcXJHsfI/AAAAAAAAA00/KmA13Gfn_mI/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0l6A6Xr8dlk/UTSjcXJHsfI/AAAAAAAAA00/KmA13Gfn_mI/s400/DSC_0002.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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For me, the monthly calendar pages were the most helpful. It gave me the "big picture" so that I could develop a more cohesive theme. </div>
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This is a shot of one month's worth of pages. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bKxFcmApRKo/UTSje88SnzI/AAAAAAAAA08/LAQGiroCfQY/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bKxFcmApRKo/UTSje88SnzI/AAAAAAAAA08/LAQGiroCfQY/s400/DSC_0001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you print her planner as it is, you get one of each of these pages. For me, from now on, I will print multiple pages for my "Blog Post Notes" (which she also suggests doing on her page). This could be the same for giveaways/reviews, but I don't do that many, so one is enough for me at this time.</div>
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Here is a shot of a couple of the bonus pages. </div>
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One with future blog post ideas, and the blog statistics page.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nUAX13VYZQ/UTSjRwqdX6I/AAAAAAAAA0s/3TuQMuFaIMs/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0nUAX13VYZQ/UTSjRwqdX6I/AAAAAAAAA0s/3TuQMuFaIMs/s400/DSC_0003.JPG" width="265" /></a></div>
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The "Future Blog Post Ideas" page is another I would print more of, because this list could end up really REALLY long. </div>
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Because I am a member of a review team, the blog statistics tracking is a must for me, so this page will be especially handy. However, even if I weren't, I think it is an excellent tool to gauge the reach of your blog. </div>
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This planner has ended up fitting all of my needs as a blogger. One Mama Jenn's <a href="http://www.mamajennblogs.com/2012/12/my-2013-blogging-planner-free-printable.html" target="_blank">page</a>, she talks about binding this planner. I did not bind it, and this works best for me so I can spread the pages out and cross reference. I keep them in a dedicated "blog" folder though, and that fits my needs perfectly. </div>
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If you would like to get a copy of this planner for your own, head on over to<a href="http://www.mamajennblogs.com/2012/12/my-2013-blogging-planner-free-printable.html" target="_blank"> Mama Jenn's blog</a> and grab one, for free.</div>
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I completed this review as a member of the Mosaics Review Team. I was not compensated in any way for this review, and all of the opinions are my unbiased opinions of this planner. To read more reviews on other planners, please click on the Mosaics emblem below.</div>
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<a href="http://mosaicreviews.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5YHbZpAVx0/UTSqKbqQH0I/AAAAAAAAA1M/zNHthEwMduQ/s1600/MosaicReviews125x125_zpsb7d2cb5f.jpg" /></a></div>
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Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-35735562507654108862013-01-14T14:02:00.000-06:002016-04-25T11:15:57.407-05:00It is my pleasure to announce...<center>
<a href="http://mosaicreviews.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i1160.photobucket.com/albums/q497/homeschoolmosaics/Mosaic%20Reviews/MosaicReviews125x125_zpsb7d2cb5f.jpg" /></a></center>
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It is my pleasure to announce...that I am now a proud member of the Mosaic Review team. </center>
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Mosaic Reviews is about so much more than homeschooling. As it says on their site, it is about everything you use or need in life, not just stuff specific to homeschoolers.</center>
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Since our life has changed, yet again, I find this to be a great fit for our family. At its very definition, "Mosaic" fits our family. </center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Mosaic (def)-<span class="lbl" style="font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal;"><span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">a</span> <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">combination</span> of diverse <span apple_mouseover_highlight="1">elements</span> forming a more or less coherent whole.</span></i></span></center>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="def" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></i></span></center>
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So now, a little "update" on us and what we have going on.</center>
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We have added two new family members, though they are just here for a season. We have Ms. A who is 2 years old, and Baby D who is 5 months. They are our foster children, and we are loving this crazy wild adventure of loving them through a rough spot in their life. </center>
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I am still homeschooling Troy full time, and loving every minute of it. I also do some pre-schooling with Ms. A, and she does quite well.</center>
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As for the teens, well, they chose a local school with an intense focus on academics and career training as their path of education for high school. As much as this distressed me, my husband has wisdom in knowing that allowing them their choice may pay off in their performance. He was right. They are excelling in their studies. Michaela is pursuing academic & sporting achievements, while Tucker is working on the welding trade. He has already competed and was part of a team that won Grand Champion on a smoker they welded. Wyatt is part of the varsity soccer team, and has enlisted in the Army. He ships out in July, before he even turns 18. I have also seen them grow individually in their walk with Christ since they have started attending school away from home. I am grateful for their loving Christian teachers, counselors, and principals. </center>
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You can check out Mosaic Reviews here: http://mosaicreviews.com/</center>
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Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-34958065583661629022012-10-30T15:08:00.001-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.405-05:00An update on our family and schooling...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZTdfhvxnNs/UJAyfU6zKbI/AAAAAAAAAys/zp7zksu1Rl4/s1600/Homechool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5ZTdfhvxnNs/UJAyfU6zKbI/AAAAAAAAAys/zp7zksu1Rl4/s320/Homechool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Homeschool is a journey.</div>
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It is what we believe in.</div>
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When our teens appealed to us to attend a school outside of home, we prayerfully considered it.</div>
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And, in the end, made the decision to try a different sort of school this year.</div>
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This school is a advanced pace high school with many electives and community involvement requirements. The teens are excelling there, and at this point we are okay with them being there.</div>
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We still "after-school"them. Which means, we require work outside of school and work on things that the school does not work on (such as Apologetics).</div>
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We are absolutely still full-time homeschooling Mr. Troy. </div>
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He is doing so well to overcome his challenges and is finally reading AND writing.</div>
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This is amazing seeing as though we found out that he was legally blind just a year ago.</div>
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Also, he has always had developmental delays, and his motor skills are still quite lagging.</div>
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He works so hard every day and I am amazed at his progress! </div>
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As for news as a family, we have certified to be foster parents! </div>
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We have not gotten any placements yet, but they say it will be soon.</div>
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We will have two, under the age of two. </div>
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FUN FUN!</div>
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Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-26677506896703135062012-10-30T14:53:00.001-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.398-05:00I'm Baaaaaaccckkkk!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cHnaf7Ffnic/UJAu8i7Fv-I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/OSk_4tn38UM/s1600/IMG_2734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cHnaf7Ffnic/UJAu8i7Fv-I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/OSk_4tn38UM/s320/IMG_2734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had taken a break from blogging, while prayerfully examining what the scripture 1 Timothy 2:11-14 was saying when it said women are to "be quiet". </div>
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I feel I have found a balance where I can share thoughts and scripture, without "preaching".</div>
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I will go back to my eclectic blogging style, blogging about my family, my homeschooling, my schooling outside of the home, the products we use, the places we go, and our many adventures.</div>
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(lol, adventures? maybe not.) </div>
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Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-46777162416884685062012-07-30T12:13:00.000-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.415-05:00Our School Year Plans, 2012-2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNqoAYo2akw/UBa42uxWUHI/AAAAAAAAAxE/g6lMOyzKt6o/s1600/Homechool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xNqoAYo2akw/UBa42uxWUHI/AAAAAAAAAxE/g6lMOyzKt6o/s320/Homechool.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Making curriculum choices is not an easy task.</div>
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Especially for someone who is a curriculum junkie, like me.</div>
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There are so many GREAT choices out there.</div>
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We are an eclectic homeschooling family,</div>
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but tend to lean to the classical/Charlotte Mason styles. </div>
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So, without further adieu, here are the final decisions for each child: </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqSIC5yqKcQ/UBa6LSts6PI/AAAAAAAAAxM/aJS2iowiB7o/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dqSIC5yqKcQ/UBa6LSts6PI/AAAAAAAAAxM/aJS2iowiB7o/s320/DSC_0109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>First Grade for T-Roy:</i></div>
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<b>Math:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.jonesgeniuses.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=65" target="_blank">Jones Geniuses Early Level</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.stanleyschmidt.com/FredGauss/11catofbooks.html" target="_blank">Life of fred: Apples</a></div>
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<b>Handwriting:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.areasonfor.com/article.php?id=19" target="_blank">A Reason for Handwriting, Level A</a></div>
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<b>Reading:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.rocketphonics.com/" target="_blank">Rocket Phonics Levels 1 & 2</a></div>
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<b>Bible, Language Arts, Science, History </b></div>
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<b>(and everything else that a unit study includes):</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1368101431">Konos Volume 1</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.konos.com/www/elementary.html" target="_blank">Character Building Traits</a></div>
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<b>Spanish:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.rosettastone.com/homeschool" target="_blank">Rosetta Stone</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3WYGFeWsAk/UBa6NkwNj7I/AAAAAAAAAxU/__BT5XPOUDg/s1600/DSC_0121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3WYGFeWsAk/UBa6NkwNj7I/AAAAAAAAAxU/__BT5XPOUDg/s320/DSC_0121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Tenth grade for Tucker:</i></div>
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<b>Math:</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.jonesgeniuses.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=60" target="_blank">Jones Geniuses Levels 5 & 6</a></div>
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<b>Handwriting:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.handwritingsuccess.com/write-now.php" target="_blank">Write Now (Getty Dubay)</a></div>
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<i>(Tucker has never developed legible handwriting, due to his learning disabilities. </i></div>
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<i>We are going to address this now and correct it to an extent.)</i></div>
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<b>Bible, Language Arts, Grammar, Science, History, </b></div>
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<b>Speech, Drama, Geography, Latin, and various others:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1368101410">Konos History of the World II:</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.konos.com/www/HOW2.html" target="_blank">Medieval World</a></div>
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<b>Spanish:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.rosettastone.com/homeschool" target="_blank">Rosetta Stone</a></div>
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<b>Electives:</b></div>
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(<i>will be tracked via a time log, and 1/2 credit given after 75 hours of work in each subject. </i></div>
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<i>After 150 hours, they will gain 1 full credit.)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Automotive Technology</div>
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Life Skills</div>
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Computer Technology</div>
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Keyboarding</div>
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Agriculture</div>
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<b>Volunteering:</b></div>
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Fort Worth Zoo Volunteen</div>
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Various Community Service</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWzQ1DMpGYg/UBa7Dc1XnWI/AAAAAAAAAxo/TLzDFlps41I/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LWzQ1DMpGYg/UBa7Dc1XnWI/AAAAAAAAAxo/TLzDFlps41I/s320/DSC_0113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>Ninth Grade for Michaela:</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Math:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.jonesgeniuses.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=60" target="_blank">Jones Geniuses Levels 5 & 6</a></div>
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<b>Bible, Language Arts, Grammar, Science, History, </b></div>
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<b>Speech, Drama, Geography, Latin, and various others:</b></div>
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<i>(She will be doing this all at the honors level for college prep)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1368101410">Konos History of the World II:</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.konos.com/www/HOW2.html" target="_blank">Medieval World</a></div>
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<b>Spanish:</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.rosettastone.com/homeschool" target="_blank">Rosetta Stone</a></div>
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<b>Electives:</b></div>
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(<i>will be tracked via a time log, and 1/2 credit given after 75 hours of work in each subject. </i></div>
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<i>After 150 hours, they will gain 1 full credit.)</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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Agriculture</div>
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Home-Ec</div>
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Computer Technology</div>
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Keyboarding</div>
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College Test Prep</div>
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<b>Volunteering:</b></div>
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Fort Worth Zoo Volunteen</div>
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Various Community Service</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-41666139012175351332012-07-11T23:48:00.002-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.411-05:00Facebook Disclaimer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjGcMsaCiwg/T_5W8GezsdI/AAAAAAAAAwg/ai9YrZyk7EI/s1600/469443_4144002479306_567925422_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yjGcMsaCiwg/T_5W8GezsdI/AAAAAAAAAwg/ai9YrZyk7EI/s320/469443_4144002479306_567925422_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I wrote this status on FB and my friend made it into a graphic. </div>
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Thanks Joanna!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-24869637701409195832012-07-01T16:18:00.001-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.391-05:00Blogging re-examined...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkUmytGumAU/T_C-gUErf7I/AAAAAAAAAwU/keO3QtVHryY/s1600/Really%3f+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gkUmytGumAU/T_C-gUErf7I/AAAAAAAAAwU/keO3QtVHryY/s320/Really%3f+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Should I be blogging, really?</div>
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I love reading blogs that convict me, teach me, encourage me. </div>
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I love to write. </div>
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I love to share my heart, my experiences, and my opinions.</div>
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I love the Lord and I love to share what he has done and is doing in my life. </div>
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I started my blog in order to do all of these things. </div>
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I wanted to share with others, and I love the comments I get here and when I share on Facebook. </div>
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I am not a regular blogger. </div>
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I just blog when I have the extra time, or something to say about it. </div>
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I have a long list of blog posts I want to write.</div>
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However, lately I have been thinking.</div>
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I spend too much time with my technology as it is. </div>
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I recently read this blog post over at <a href="http://www.handsfreemama.com/2012/05/07/how-to-miss-a-childhood/" target="_blank">Hands Free Mama</a>. </div>
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It really stepped on my toes. </div>
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You should read it. Really. </div>
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Then, as I was weighing out my time spent with technology, I realized that I have stepped over a line. </div>
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Not a line in technology, a Biblical line.</div>
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1 Timothy 2:11-14 tells us:</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Verdana, Arial, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 16px;"></span></i></div>
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<i>11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. </i></div>
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12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. </div>
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13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. </div>
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14 And it was not Adam who was deceived...</div>
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I have not been quiet. Quiet, in this sense, means orderly. </div>
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It means that I have been speaking out on matters in a manner that is not meant for me (as a woman) to speak out on in a public venue.</div>
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A blog is *very* public.</div>
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I have not followed the proper order of what God has laid out. </div>
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So, I will be more mindful of what I say, and how I say it. </div>
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I will continue to do my Bible studies with other women, because it is private from men. </div>
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I will *not* continue to blog in an attempt to uplift and encourage my sister's in Christ. </div>
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I feel I could be messing up the divine order of things. </div>
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I want to be a Titus 2 woman, and I want to learn from Titus 2 women. </div>
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Until I am sure of the proper way to go about this in a technological age, I will refrain. </div>
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I will blog when I have something to share, but my primary focus will be sharing with my family.</div>
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I will not be blogging frequently.</div>
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Thank you for supporting me, encouraging me, and your thoughtful comments. </div>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-71639606763412735792012-06-04T10:50:00.003-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.434-05:00Homeschool Planning, the high-school version...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrn_cCOCkmM/T8zZPPUVe1I/AAAAAAAAAuc/wHLBk_8hH5U/s1600/Homechool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Xrn_cCOCkmM/T8zZPPUVe1I/AAAAAAAAAuc/wHLBk_8hH5U/s400/Homechool.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I have been very busily researching and planning our homeschooling for the next year. Well, not just next year but for the high-schoolers, I have been planning out their full high school years so that they have the credits they need to do what they plan to do for college.<br />
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You may say "but Heather, you have a girl. I thought you said in your "<a href="http://johnseven38.blogspot.com/2012/04/escaping-feminism-part-two-and-feminine.html" target="_blank">Escaping Feminism</a>" post that girls should not go off to college, and that the formal higher learning isn't absolutely necessary?". Yes, I did say something like that, but this does not mean I don't think it is a bonus for anyone to have a high level of education. *MY* children will all have a good education. I do not believe that daughters (or sons, for that matter) should be running off to University without being well prepared to stand up to the things that come with that decision. I would <i>prefer</i> my daughter stay home for her higher education. At some point, she may make that decision. However, her plan at this point is to go off to Texas A&M to get a degree in Political Science/Pre-Law, and then continue on to the University of Alabama to get her Juris Doctorate. Since these are her wishes, and her goals, it is my job to adequately prepare her for them. My oldest, he is going directly into the military (which I am not happy about, but, then again...I can't make the decisions for them). My second oldest is planning to attend a trade school, which we already have all of the requirements for. This has allowed me to tailor his high school education plan to those requirements and prepare him well for that.<br />
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High school planning is sure a lot more intensive than planning for the lower levels, that is for certain. Gone is the freedom to jump around to different curriculums. Now is when we need steadfast and concrete progress. That is not to say that if something is absolutely not working, that we won't switch, it is just saying that we all have to make a more concentrated effort to make what we use work. After all, in college they won't be able to just "switch" if it isn't exactly to their liking. <br />
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What did I do to make these plans? Well, first off, I looked at the requirements for admission to the choice school of higher education. For Katie, it meant that she has to follow the advance track credit system for the state of Texas. I went and printed those courses out. Then, I went to the education code and printed out all of the rules in re: to those courses, along with suitable substitutes. After that, I began writing out their plans. For her, it means no less than 26 credit hours. However, she will likely supersede those by a few (more like 32). For Tuck, he only has to have 22, but, he will also have more. I have everything scheduled in except all of their electives.<br />
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I am so excited about these years with them...we have so much to do, but I know the effort will pay off BIG TIME!<br />
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(This post is being linked to the "Back to School Monday" Homeschool Link Up. Click on the link below to go visit the other posts in this link-up party.)<br />
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<a border="0" href="http://susangodfrey.com/site-link-ups/back-to-school-monday-homeschool-link-up/" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.susangodfrey.com/Images/SG_Back2School.png" /></a>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-44897835135605648402012-05-28T01:00:00.000-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.413-05:00This day, Seven Years Ago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCh-yKPBw0s/T8L-wg-HH9I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/QxDqlJBG12o/s1600/BrodysSweetfeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cCh-yKPBw0s/T8L-wg-HH9I/AAAAAAAAAuQ/QxDqlJBG12o/s320/BrodysSweetfeet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On this day, seven years ago, I gave birth to a perfectly made little boy.</div>
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He had the cutest little button nose,</div>
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and the broadest shoulders.</div>
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Both of these things were 100% like his Daddy.</div>
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He had full lips,</div>
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and "Flintstone" feet,</div>
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Just like me. </div>
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Since Daddy and I both have very blue eyes,</div>
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we knew his would be too. </div>
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He was beautiful.</div>
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We loved him before we ever saw him.</div>
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We loved him fully and completely even though we...</div>
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never heard his precious cries</div>
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never rejoiced in his lovely giggles</div>
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never clapped as his took his first steps</div>
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or anything else.</div>
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His Daddy and I excitedly anticipated meeting him,</div>
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but, he went to meet Jesus instead.</div>
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Our precious son, Brody Michael, was "still born".</div>
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His heart stopped beating before he left my body. </div>
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He was perfect in every way.</div>
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My body stole away his blood supply,</div>
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robbing him of life...</div>
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and robbing us of him. </div>
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I can rejoice that he will never know sorrow,</div>
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or pain,</div>
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or heartbreak,</div>
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or disappointment,</div>
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or struggle of any kind. </div>
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However, every day, I think of him.</div>
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I wonder what he would be like today.</div>
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I miss all of the things I would be doing with him.</div>
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I miss him.</div>
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His father misses him.</div>
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His brothers and sister miss him.</div>
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My mother misses him.</div>
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My grandmother, my aunt, and many others in my family miss him. </div>
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My best friend misses him.</div>
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He lived, and he lives on in our lives.</div>
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Our grief is still very real, though it is in a different place than it was 7 years ago. </div>
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Thank you...</div>
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to those of you who still think of Brody,</div>
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Thank you...</div>
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to those of you who think of us & how our lives were <i>forever</i> changed </div>
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when we said good-bye to our little man. </div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-23564010301701186222012-05-26T00:00:00.000-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.388-05:00Confession: I am a brand name snob<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3s6XNfpYkqI/T7_HcbUR9aI/AAAAAAAAAuE/gdJZLgtqPrU/s1600/brand-names.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="269" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3s6XNfpYkqI/T7_HcbUR9aI/AAAAAAAAAuE/gdJZLgtqPrU/s320/brand-names.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know...this is not becoming of a Christian woman. </div>
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But, it is the truth.</div>
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I am sitting here thinking over the things I buy and the things I turn my nose up at.</div>
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There is something to be said for good quality.</div>
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I have bought into the lie that "the higher the price, the better the quality".</div>
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For example, I decided that since VS bras were expensive, they had to be good.</div>
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Same with their underwear.</div>
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So, with my weight loss I bought me some.</div>
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Let me tell you, there is no difference in quality of their underwear vs. Hanes. </div>
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Seriously. Actually, I think my Hanes have held up longer.</div>
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I buy my little one's clothing from Gymboree. </div>
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This is a case where through experience I *know* that the quality is worth the cost. </div>
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Still, I buy only during sales. </div>
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My challenge to myself is to stop being fooled by advertising and go with the best bargain for quality.</div>
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This means I will shop for quality, not for price or brand. </div>
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I have thankfully never bought into the Coach purse fad...</div>
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(or any luxury high-dollar fashion trend)</div>
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For that I am grateful...</div>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-77373921083605965602012-05-15T21:04:00.000-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.440-05:00Troy Says...on random subjects.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Cvg7HFQds/T7MKntbJQZI/AAAAAAAAAtI/KvHI2vL7_Jo/s1600/Troy+Says.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w8Cvg7HFQds/T7MKntbJQZI/AAAAAAAAAtI/KvHI2vL7_Jo/s320/Troy+Says.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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How many people does it take to change a lightbulb? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>I don't know. I'm serious.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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(It's okay buddy, it seems to be an unanswered question for a lot of folks.)</div>
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What makes a car go? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Well, a lot of engine, a lot of turbo chargers, and even more than that.</i></span></div>
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What about gas? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>What about gas?</i></span></div>
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Does it make a car go? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>YES! Because you pump it way full and then it goes </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>*vrrrrrroooooommmmm* </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>(imagine boy noise here) </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>and speeds off fast!</i></span></div>
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Where does chocolate milk come from? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>From a black cow, duh.</i></span> </div>
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Why does a blanket make you warm? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Just because it is made to make you warm like that.</i></span></div>
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How do you become a grandpa? </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>You just get older and it happens.</i></span></div>
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What is the BEST smell in the world? </div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Armpits.</span></i> </div>
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(he answered WAY too quickly this time...like he didn't even have to think on it. BOYS!)</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">What is the WORST smell in the world? </span></i></div>
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Armpits, they STINK! Pa-toooey!</div>
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But you just said armpits were the best smell in the world?</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>Well, deodorant on armpits is the best smell in the world! </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>And Dad's armpits... I like smelling Dad's armpits.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>After he showers.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;"><i>And puts on deodorant. </i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-38624004286983782122012-05-02T20:48:00.001-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.409-05:00My "Spot"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG3s7JrrP6s/T6Hi0NGmbPI/AAAAAAAAAsw/d45rbf_LJSc/s1600/398862_10150844380581023_722181022_12248415_1114216543_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SG3s7JrrP6s/T6Hi0NGmbPI/AAAAAAAAAsw/d45rbf_LJSc/s400/398862_10150844380581023_722181022_12248415_1114216543_n.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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This is "my" spot...</div>
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the kids call it "Mom's chair"</div>
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When I am in it, they usually don't bother me.</div>
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<i>"Where's Mom?"</i></div>
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<i>"She's in her chair"</i></div>
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<i>"Oh, well, I'll just ask her later."</i></div>
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They know that when I am in my "spot", it usually means business.</div>
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This is where I do my devotions.</div>
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This is where I often pray.</div>
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This is where I do my homeschool planning. </div>
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(see the crate beside the chair? yep...homeschool stuff)</div>
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This is where I do a lot of thinking...and a lot of growing.</div>
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When I need a "break", this is where I head for a time out.</div>
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It is in my bedroom, but right by the door. </div>
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So, I can leave the door open and have a direct view into the living room...</div>
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so I can keep an eye on the kids.</div>
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And not be totally disconnected.</div>
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But, I can also CLOSE the door and get some private time. </div>
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I have always dreamed of having my own "spot",</div>
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and now I have it. </div>
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-72950036509938916912012-04-18T13:32:00.001-05:002012-04-18T13:35:50.445-05:00What a view...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7dQuSw2LdzE/T48Cf4C4irI/AAAAAAAAAq8/2j0y18Irm94/s1600/Toon-TVThoughts-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7dQuSw2LdzE/T48Cf4C4irI/AAAAAAAAAq8/2j0y18Irm94/s400/Toon-TVThoughts-web.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"The View".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not the liberal-leaning network talk show. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from our couch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view of the television screen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a blessing a television is.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But something more is it...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a curse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It draws the children in like a moth to a flame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is a pied piper to many adults as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I posted a blog back in August about how we were<a href="http://johnseven38.blogspot.com/2011/08/cutting-cable.html" target="_blank"> cutting cable</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We did cut the cable, and we have stuck with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We do have "Netflix" though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have the plan with both streaming & with DVD's.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It has parental controls set up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, it is *still* full of messages we don't need coming into our home.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Garbage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lots of it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am a firm believer in "garbage in, garbage out".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This being said, I am a wimp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am ready to cut it off. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Just the streaming, not the DVD portion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wimp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remember that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't want to deal with the disappointment that the kids will express. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't want the attitudes that will have to be disciplined.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Having trash coming in seems easier than dealing with my children being upset. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But just because it is easier, doesn't mean it's right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As a matter of fact, it seems the easy way is most often not the right way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Matthew 7:13 tells us:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it".</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wide Gate, broad road...Leads to destruction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">DESTRUCTION</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Narrow Gate...not the easy way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The easy way leads to destruction.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Allowing my kids to have things their way leads to...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">destruction. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, we will cut Netflix too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This stinks. But it will be worth it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that RedBox is so cheap, and available too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-25331941664239264032012-04-14T10:17:00.000-05:002012-04-14T10:17:06.117-05:00Troy Says-On Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alMpdfIBjm8/T4mSgK28EZI/AAAAAAAAAqs/gpEX2xSNcxI/s1600/Troy+Says.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-alMpdfIBjm8/T4mSgK28EZI/AAAAAAAAAqs/gpEX2xSNcxI/s320/Troy+Says.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b>At what age is a person an adult? </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i>When they're a Daddy. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Why do you think so? </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i>Because then they're older than you.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b>If could change one rule that your family has, what would you change?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i>Dad wouldn't give me spankings.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b>What is something that makes your family special?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i>They love on me.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Of all the things you are learning, what do you think will be the most useful when you are an adult?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i>Math. I don't know why, Daddy just says so.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Are you a good friend?</b> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i>Yes.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><b>Why do you think so?</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px;"><i>Because I make a good friend, that's why. </i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-31443692277537814972012-04-11T21:50:00.005-05:002012-04-11T21:59:27.184-05:00The 5 Stages of Moving to a New Town (Emotions People)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S83zULI_r1g/T4ZC8VnkYJI/AAAAAAAAAp4/EL8ZSmz0V78/s1600/moving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S83zULI_r1g/T4ZC8VnkYJI/AAAAAAAAAp4/EL8ZSmz0V78/s400/moving.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><h2 style="text-align: center;"><br />
</h2><h2 style="text-align: center;">Background:</h2><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We lived in a place that I hated.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had been there for 21 months when the news came that we were being <strike>pardoned </strike> transferred.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I first moved there, I was shocked at how ugly the area was.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, in all fairness I am an East Texas Piney Woods girl who LOVES trees and water.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I even *like* humidity.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Moving to the baren land of West Texas was a shock.</div><div style="text-align: center;">However, I was absolutely determined that is was going to all be okay.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had heard about how "friendly" West Texans were, and that was encouraging.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Guess what?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Some were friendly.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Most were not.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have never been in a place where people were so judgmental and conniving. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That being said, I also met some wonderful, caring, genuinely EXCELLENT people there.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It just took quite some time. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I began to be comfortable, and decided to bloom where I was planted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I bloomed quite well in the desert...</div><div style="text-align: center;">while still missing the trees, the water, and more friendly people.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I missed decent priced housing too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Then the phone call came...we were leaving that place.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><h2 style="text-align: center;">1. anticiaption</h2><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was so excited. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We were going back to an area I was familiar with, though I had never lived there. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We found a beautiful house and started making the plans.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Things got delayed some, but it was all a go.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anticipation was killing me. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><h2 style="text-align: center;">2. enthusiasm</h2><div style="text-align: center;">A new start in a new town.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A beautiful new home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seemingly friendly people.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful scenery.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Felt promising, so promising. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was all very invigorating and comfortable.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I was full of enthusiasm. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">and then...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><h2 style="text-align: center;">3. loneliness</h2><div style="text-align: center;">Man I miss my friends in West Texas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I guess it wasn't such a bad place after all.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sure, it wasn't the prettiest place, but it wasn't the worst place to be.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Man, I really miss my friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a beautiful home, no one to invite over.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know anyone here in this town, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and while the people I have met are friendly enough, </div><div style="text-align: center;">none seem to genuinely like me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am okay with that. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I would rather have friends who adore me, than have people around just for the sake of having people around.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I know I am a great friend. If they don't like me, it's their loss. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I also know I am an odd duck, and that makes people shy away.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That is okay too. </div><div style="text-align: center;">What makes me so lonely is...</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is no one to call if I am sick.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is no one to call if I need help with the kids.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband is gone most of the time back to West Texas.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am needed at work more, but I can't work as much as they need me because it is *just me*</div><div style="text-align: center;">...for the most part.<br />
When my husband *is* home, he doesn't want me gone.<br />
I am homeschooling again, so I can't just leave the kids often.<br />
Plus, I have no one to help me out if I already have things scheduled and need to run into work.<br />
I really wish I didn't *need* to work.<br />
Maybe things will change in the near future.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Geez, this is not all roses like I thought it would be...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Do any of my friends realize how much I really miss them?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am lonely.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><h2 style="text-align: center;">4. hope</h2><div style="text-align: center;">We went back to our old church, a little over an hour away, when we first moved here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We loved being there.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It felt like home.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We wanted to find that here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We researched churches and their belief systems.</div><div style="text-align: center;">None seemed to be what we were looking for,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but we had a list going in order of ones to "try" anyway. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We procrastinated. We made excuses.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then one day, I stumbled upon one I hadn't hear of previously.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was only 15 miles away. </div><div style="text-align: center;">We decided to try it, because it most closely resembled what we thought we were looking for.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We tried it, and we liked it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We liked the people.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I *think* they like us. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have been talking to a couple of the ladies, and I am really starting to feel a kinship with them.<br />
Even though we have been only twice.</div><div style="text-align: center;">None of those ladies are from here, nor do they live here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But, they are not far away either. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Once again, I have some excitement over being here.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I still miss my friends.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I still love our new home, even though we will probably be looking for one further out in the country come the end of the year. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I have hope...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><h2 style="text-align: center;">5. faith</h2><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Throughout this saga, I have never once lost faith in God, of course.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am speaking of a different kind of faith. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A faith of what is to come now, after our move.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am standing on the scripture:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Hebrews 11:1)</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will bloom where I am planted.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will make new friends.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I will establish roots here, even if not in this home.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">My friends that I miss are STILL my friends, even if miles separate us. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am blessed and I live a GREAT life. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I am full of faith....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-66379297453154396912012-04-11T05:00:00.001-05:002016-04-25T11:15:57.428-05:00Sibling Rivalry...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Edited: I made this post last night, and set it to post this morning.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had a particularly bad day yesterday around here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This morning, they were all peaches and cream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Troy even said "wow, sissy is in a good mood".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When Tucker woke up, Troy said "Wow, Bubba is in a good mood too!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, it's been a good day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Still doing what was planned though...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xWcMGuSFERI/T4TmRNScIII/AAAAAAAAApw/pmvqziDGYEw/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xWcMGuSFERI/T4TmRNScIII/AAAAAAAAApw/pmvqziDGYEw/s400/DSC_0181.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I can look at this picture and see the tension.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My kids, they do not really get along.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It breaks my heart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The teens are all snippy with the little one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If they aren't being snippy with him, they are "playing" with him...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(which is just another word for torturing him, I promise you this.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tickling him...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holding him down when he wants to leave...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Taking the remote and changing something he is watching...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Picking him up and carrying him when he doesn't want to be held...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You know, stuff like that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They do not speak kindly to one another very often, and they are constantly trying to find a way to get under one another's skin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They love to push each other's "buttons".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, I am going to enact a system of consequences for being "ugly".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will have a family meeting and talk about these problems,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and the reason for the consequences. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The consequences will be kept in a jar and as they "act up", they will have to pull one out and do it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know any of them would fight to the death for another one of them, if need be.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I don't understand this rivalry thing, I never experienced it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We will also be working diligently at character training to get their hearts "right" again.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Without their hearts being right,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">nothing will change.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a></div>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9071000124739827787.post-14742494403948388562012-04-09T09:30:00.003-05:002012-04-09T09:35:03.805-05:00Troy Says-On Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwzUZtttRjQ/T4LwhkHVszI/AAAAAAAAApY/9r4pJ1j6J6A/s1600/Troy+Says.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwzUZtttRjQ/T4LwhkHVszI/AAAAAAAAApY/9r4pJ1j6J6A/s400/Troy+Says.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What is the proper age to get married?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>13</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why 13?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Because when you're 13 your pretty much grown.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, your sister is 14, you're saying she should get married?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Um, no. Not her. I meant me, when I am 13.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What do people do on a date?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Get a ring and kiss.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When is it okay to kiss somebody?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>When you're 36 and you're already married.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is it better to be single or to be married?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Married, because well, I don't know it just is.</i> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why do people fall in love?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Because when they see each other they feel like they want to marry them.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What does it feel like to love someone?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Nothing. I mean, being sad, being happy, all those emotions.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Why do lovers hold hands?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Because they just feel like it. Like you and Daddy do. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What do you think about love?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I feel like love is about bunny rabbits.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What about bunny rabbits?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>It's good, love is. That's all. Just stop Mom. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How do you make someone fall in love with you?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>By looking at them in the eyes. That's all *I* have to do. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What are people thinking when they tell someone they love them?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>They're thinking dumb. Dumb. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Is it okay to kiss somebody?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>No. When your six, then no. But if you're married it's okay. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How do you make love last?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>By being happy and kissing a lot.</i> </div><br />
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v357/EliMae/9C8CB2D659346D40353CD4EA267F5C8F.png" /></a>Heather Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18402588795021141896noreply@blogger.com2