Encouragement Along The Way

A Switch Of Parenting

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Tue, 01 Feb 2011 03:21:00 +0000

When I first began my change of thought towards a more graced-based parenting approach, I must confess it didn't appeal to me. I am drawn to the rules and regulations-the (seemingly) tangible control of modern parenting. Well, I was probably drawn more just to control.

When the kids are being compliant, you can easily begin to believe that all the 'right' things you are doing as a parent are paying off. Subtly, you may even begin to trust your own abilities as case in proof that if these particular things are followed you will indeed produce angel kids. Truthfully, there are some compliant kids out there. But more often than not, kids will work their wills within the parameters given. Although I desire my children to be so illuminated inwardly that they beam with traits like knowledge, truth and love outwardly, I began to see that logical or linear thinking and teaching did not always produce the outcome I had envisioned nor could I produce it in them. Was it me? Was I just a failure as a parent? I mean I homeschooled my kids, I picked the "right" curriculums for them, I've taught them to think, (We've) given them stability & love-these are some of my 'If I do this than this will happen'-or even in Christianese "If I teach these truths to them they will not depart from it" thoughts.

I'm not saying that grace means not teaching truths or not setting boundaries.
That wouldn't be grace.

But I am saying that those things are not where our faith should lie. We can do those things simply (and not so simply) because we have been given a great Savior who pours His grace on us daily. We are able to work in that grace which gives us timely intuition on the quirks, strengths and areas needing maturity in each of our individual children's lives. And let's remember, we don't know the final timeline of when everything will come together...

So...you have to learn about grace if you want to walk in it.

In the beginning, watching families fumble through grace-based parenting was upsetting. Now I realize, what I witnessed wasn't fumbling, it was walking in a confidence not of their own. Watching their kids make life decisions and sometimes falling was unsettling for me. Learning about grace has been unsettling...and yet has become very freeing. It's unsettling because the truth I was experiencing gripped my heart-I trully don't have the control I thought I did. I began to see that I was more motivated by other functional gods than the one I was professing. Because of this, my good deeds would be blinded by my anger when something didn't go as I had planned or frustrations toward something getting out of the box I had worked so hard to create. You may have a different experience and different motivators-these are just some things that began to shake my own foundations.

Over time, in my own parenting I've seen the difference grace brings into the home. Some things I have learned and am still learning are: It's not the casting off of all boundaries but developing healthy ones. It's truth coupled with love. It's being authentic and allowing my children to be authentic in their words and actions-candid but not disrespectful. It's not micro-managing but being willing at times to see where the action, thought or emotion leads. It allows time and God to work what He has started. It involves discipleship. It comes with heartache and leads your heart to the One who gives peace and strength to endure. It requires humility, brokenness and strength and endurance. More than I feel I can give at times, it is sacrificial and seems unfair when you compare it to the 'rights' you feel you are owed. Then once you compare those 'rights' to truth you realize that those 'rights' you've held onto are to be let go of. Grace is freedom. I am finding that it is much harder to walk in freedom, but I'm taking it one day at a time. I'm finding it much easier to say, "I don't know." Grasping grace brings me to tears at the thought of the cost more often now. I now may 'look' like I am the one fumbling. There is of course more; I'm still learning.

It has been wonderful for me to read some books and articles by Paul Tripp. Sometimes it's hard for me to put my thoughts into words and he does a good job of this on the same subject. Here is an article worth reading: Parenting-The Joyful Impossibility.

May you be encouraged to walk in grace. Seek out and face the motivators of your own heart. Know that you are completely loved and forgiven. Know that there is always hope.

A Full Day Or A Day Full Of:)

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 03:48:00 +0000

So today could have been one of 'those' days...at the start it began to roll downhill. After a few things started to 'go wrong', I thought, 'I could be mystical-giving each thing the title of 'of course this is going to happen today-it's one of 'those' days'. I didn't do that. Quickly, my thought process bounced to 'positive-thinking mode'. Just as quickly, I also chose not to err to that side - looking for the positive things so I could manifest my own destiny of an amazing day.

Today, I just chose... to walk in faith.

It started with realizing that there wasn't anything that I truly deserved anyway-the thought is hard to swallow in a culture such as ours-it almost seems paradoxical. From there, these were the starting thoughts that I quickly pondered., 'I have no idea what this day will hold-it very well might be one of my best days ever-it may be one of those days that is a piece to a bigger picture-actually, I have no idea what this day will be like.' Then I just allowed that reality to set in-no plans-no triumphant day march-no agenda to control my situations-just sat in reality driving in my car to live out this day.

Next, I met up with a friend that I haven't seen in years and my first words were, "This is one of those you get what you see days:)!" We laughed, hugged and started re-connecting!

Throughout the day, there were moments of being frustrated, blessed, tender, loved and showing love, gracious, firm, humbled, hectic, spontaneous, responsible, relaxed, sarcastic, stressed, and heard. It wasn't one of 'those' days. I didn't need to fabricate a beautiful day or to put it another way mold it to my idea (or others) of ideal. It was full of many moments and none of them I missed. It wasn't insignificant or bad. It was just my day.

It was a day full of mercy from above...and just enough for this day.

Blessings!

THAT moment!

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:40:00 +0000

This is not the "suspect" lollipop but too cute anyway

There was a chain of events that accumulated to that moment. I turned around to this mess: coke poured all over the floor which was left out because the big girls had a treat with their cousins the night before. L's shirt and socks were drenched in caramel wetness and as I pulled her shirt off my eyes spotted the lollipop stuck inside her shirt. This brought clarity to the argument J & L were having over "1" lollipop when they both had one. The lollipops were a treat that the littles received after their big sisters music lessons. The lollipops may not have happened, but big sister T went back inside to grab them because sister J was crying for one-she remembered that store = lollipops. Of course the socks and shirt were covered in coke after a day of finishing the laundry! Now everything comes back to this moment, where I had my back to L to write this post and heard the sound of a coke can hitting the floor to which I turned around to check the scenario and cast my eyes on a sweet girl sopped in a coke mess who looked up at me and said , "Ut oh!" As I cleaned her, her mess became my mess. These were the events that added up to that little untidy moment.

I just had to laugh.

Sometimes, something like this happens and I don't laugh. I don't realize the precession of events that lead to the "moments" of life. I get frustrated. It feels better to blame someone-or sigh because "my time" has been compromised. I'm realizing more and more that those reactions are because I'm holding on to something else that I value more. I'm holding onto my comfort, my ideals, my, my, my-etc. But in this moment, my baby lifted her arms to me and I showed her in a very elementary way about the truths of hope and grace. She was a mess and I came to her rescue.

That's how God is with us. Whether it's the things that have happened to us or consequences to our choices that have added up to the moments of our lives, let's face it : we're a hot mess! God already knows the accumulation of events, and he has rescued us!

Triples Doing The Washin'

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:07:00 +0000

This morning my laundry helpers were the new "3" year old and our little 18 month old. The clothes were tossed over the banister (that's how we do it!) and I was picking them up and taking them to the washer. J & L grabbed the clothes along with me and simply followed suit to the washer filling it up with me. It was the easiest and most joyful teaching lesson for them and me.

"We're grabbing the white clothes. The pile right here." I said as I pointed to the pile of clothes on the floor.
Picking up sometimes an armload and sometimes just one article, J would say, "Oh, deez uns?"
"Great job! Yep that's it! Follow me! Great job, you're such a big helper! Now put it inside the washer."

Meanwhile, little L would grab an article, follow us and then push it into the washer with little grunts. This was followed by her little squeaky, "Yay! Woohoo!" Which of course inspired me to repeat with an excited, "Yay!" and "Woohoo!"

Our little procession warmed my heart and turned what could've been mundane into a sweet treat. Each time with encouragement from me and excitement from the littles, the three of us created an effortless team until we finished both the piles of whites and colors. One time I turned the corned and L had underwear on her head.

"We do that after the clothes are clean!" I kindly reminded her with a large smile and of course helped remove the undies. I mean I'm sure we're not the only family who puts underwear on their heads-HA! What kind of mother would I be if I didn't tell her the proper stage of underwear-head wearing?

Our completed job wasn't complete until high fives were given over and over again. You know when you're 18 months, you sometimes only do a five at a time, the "10" can be a little tricky:). Big hugs from the littles ended our job, but the warmth of the moment will last in my heart forever.

How's your Friday going?

Bold As Tears

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 12:41:00 +0000

It comes and goes as it pleases
My emotions seem fine and then it teases
A sigh from my mouth, tears in my eyes
Nothing can stop the laments and the cries
A word not fitly spoken, brings down my disposition
I want to say something like it's my new coalition
But shame and hurt pull my mouth shut
Softly I utter the answers that cut
I'm on the table exposed for all to see
What you get is brokenness the new normal me
I don't get to choose how to be the victim
I walk in blindly to this non-fiction
To be polite to cry in dignity
Is to answer the questions void of love for me
Suggestions on how to live, what to give, how to feel
I just open my eyes and the moment it steals
Keep your lies and fake bereavities
Looking through me like your looking at me
This nomadic visitor sojourns the stories I share
Don't shut me up because tears stain the air
I walk into the moments unaware of what they hold
Not knowing when this grief is even more bold
Treated like a rumor on wings that kill
While forced to take your haughtiness like the red pill
Uncertain timing mixed with played out foolishness
Not at all the window seat but a thievery of much less
Fireflies dance and my heart tries to sing
Then this day or empty words arouse this cleansing thing
Retrospection dipped in angst it never overrides
Time just conceals the marks of the aged dewy-eyed

These Are Moments In Grief...

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:04:00 +0000

Many times, I have been thought of as an optimist. I am not immune to hurt, frustrations or thoughts that have been close to despair . If you catch me on just the right day, you probably have gotten me on the upswing-by God's grace. Let me tell you, I go through it. I have days you would never want to be around me. I have plenty of times I need to cry out my frustrations to God. Here are some of my thoughts from just last week. They are just pieces from my journal and thoughts on my heart, but a peek into a life with heartache. The hope is...one day Christ will complete in me what He has begun...and sometimes I wonder-what does that even mean...

...Today has been a really hard day. Thoughts consume me. Tears make it nearly impossible to see. I'm trying to put myself out there because all I feel like doing is hiding in a hole and never coming out. I'm trying to see the beauty in my children's faces; trying to take in the possible beauty of the day. But the light hurts. My mind wanders to the site of the lifeless boy in my hand. My thoughts jump around but only land on despair and condemnation. I have to put myself out there because-somehow I have to feel through this. Today I sit in front of my own Mirror of the Erised-I see what I want to see but it doesn't bring me knowledge or truth. I dream but I am not living. Today the promises in scripture don't bring comfort but they do bring truth which somehow is blanketing the lies. Maybe there is comfort-my senses are on overload and I'm just trying to feel through the pain...

...Today I've been wondering about what kind of "living" I want to do. Could I just keep myself in the house-enjoying my children and husband and not experiencing anything else. To feel again-it hurts. How do I want to relate to people? How do I learn to understand the Lord more? Do I want to understand the Lord more-do I even want to follow Him anymore? I am broken--but enough? Pain-it will always be in the world. Hurt-you really can't escape it. I can't really imagine going on without God knowing too much about pain, heartaches and all the things that can and do happen that are out of our control-even though I feel so far from Him right now....

...Lord, teach me the things that are for my eyes and spirit. Renew a right spirit within me-bring me to restoration. Forgive my sins and bring to light the ones I need to confess. Show me my hope that I can set my mind to the truth. Open my heart to be shattered but held together by you. Show me what living is...

...I'm finding my smile through the sadness. It's refreshing but I also feel guilty. It's talking with strangers that seems the hardest-Like I wear a big "M" on my chest. I feel broken but I'm trying to live wholly & broken recognizing the blessings I have been given for this time. Lots to learn. I pray the Lord continually draws me closer to communion with him...

I wouldn't even try and figure it all out. Like I said these are just snippets of thoughts. You, like me may have times where your thoughts are everywhere and in between-where nothing really seems to make sense. God can handle your pre-analyzed thoughts. May somehow, you keep reaching, feel through the pain and allow community to minister to your soul-all of which doesn't even seem possible at times. You may never have the answers you desire, but what kind of living do you want to do? Is it worth it? Yes-but it sure helps to know where your hope lies...and I don't think there's really any answer that doesn't feel like some slap in the face, cliche' or some piece of crap advice when you're in the middle of it all. Is it possible to keep living? Yes. Does it still hurt? Yes. I don't have the answers for you-I can only possibly walk alongside of you with an inkling of empathy for your own story. But there is someone who does offer hope-and as cliche' as it may sound-His name is Jesus-that's the only one right answer I can give you. Today, may peace, comfort and hope come to you and may you be able to breathe it in even if it only lasts for a few minutes at a time.

Living in the brokenness,

The Big 1!

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 12:29:00 +0000

Our littlest blessing turned "1" this month. Wow! Time surely flies! We had a precious celebration of her life with family. Of course we celebrate life often, but on this specific day, we made it a party;).

Piano Lessons for your 3-7 Year Old

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:18:00 +0000

Kinderbach is a program geared towards children 3-7 to teach note reading, singing, composition and rythem. You can receive a free session on the Kinderbach website along with watching a video of how the program works. Online memberships, DVDs and song Cds are available to purchase. Piano lessons online starting as low as $7.99

30 Day Guarantee

KinderBach has a No-Hassle Return Policy for DVDs & CDs as well as a satisfaction goal for web members. There are no bad decisions with KinderBach. All Products carry a 30 day Money Back Guarantee.

In addition, all of our disks have a lifetime replacement should any be damaged or broken for any reason. We want you to be totally delighted with KinderBach.

More reviews can be found on the Homeschool Crew Blog.

Blessings!

I have not used Kinderbach. I think I was offered a free limited-time online membership, but while we were moving I lost the information. This reiew is information-based only so you as the consumer can check them out yourself.

Need a Math Tutor?

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:53:00 +0000

More math help can be found through mathtutordvd.com. These DVDs are used in schools and libraries, their DVDs cover all (math) subjects and they come with a money-back guarantee. Free sample videos are included on the right side bar of the home page along with the list of DVDs they carry. The newest edition is pictured above-the Young Minds Numbers and Counting DVD was made with your preschooler in mind. It retails for $19.99 and you can watch a sample before you purchase it on their website.

Blessings!

This review is information-based only. I have only watched the sample myself.

Keyboarding Curriculum

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:52:00 +0000

Keyboarding skills are mandatory for today's children. Leanne Beitel decided to produce her own program that would combine the fundamentals of touch-typing, MLA and APA report formatting, with the added bonus of using passages of Scripture for typing material. The curriculum she created is Keyboarding for the Christian School. HURRY: Type NewYear5 in the Discount Code section for $5 off of your purchase of $12.95 or more available until February 28, 2010! An elementary and middle through high school program is available. I received the elementary edition to review. The directions were very clear with examples-here is an excerpt:

D. Type the d and k in sets of three 10 times pressing Enter with your right pinky
at the end of each line as shown below:

ddd kkk ddd kkk ddd kkk ddd kkk ddd kkk
kkk ddd kkk ddd kkk ddd kkk ddd kkk ddd
dkd dkd dkd kdk kdk ddk kkd ddk kkd dkd

The lessons take around 10-15 minutes each. For the first 19 lessons, your child is getting familiar with the keyboard and keys. Soon after, bible verses are added in to copy working up to timed writings.

If you are looking for a keyboarding curriculum, please visit Christian Keyboarding

I received the elementary edition of Christian Keyboarding to review. My review is based on my research of the curriculum.

Bertie's War

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:34:00 +0000

If you're familiar with Total Language Plus, then you have seen the name Barbara Tifft Blakey. She has written a historical fiction novel- Bertie's War.

Description::
Everything has been going wrong for Bertie lately.

No matter how hard she tries to do and say the right thing, Bertie keeps tumbling into embarrassing--and sometimes dangerous--situations. Her stern father has too many rules, her know-it-all sister won't stop teasing her, and her mischievous younger brother keeps getting into trouble. But what makes her really afraid are those Communist missiles pointed right at the U.S. As Bertie starts seventh grade in the fall of 1962, news of these missiles throws the nation into a panic and Bertie suddenly feels completely out of control. Can Bertie confront an ugly truth about herself and face her fears--once and for all?

This book can be purchased through Kregel Publications for $7.99. It is in the "Tweens" section. Other books are available for purchase-so check them out! For more reviews on Bertie's War go to TOS Homeschool Crew.

I received this book to review. I did not read it as it was lost when we moved. This review is information-based only.

Practice Basic Math Skills to Mastery

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:25:00 +0000

You'll know which facts your child knows

Your child creates a personal avatar

Learn facts through games

Saxon Math has a new product called FactsFirst. This is a program that helps develop instant recall of basic facts in addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. The lessons consist of five basic segments; new facts, commutative property, practice, quiz, and scoring. New facts are gradually introduced to children as they work toward mastery. Facts are grouped in units with each lesson in a unit introducing two new facts. A child masters these facts before starting another unit. There are more than 360 activities for your child to work through. For $49.99 you can purchase Facts First. Each household license contains four unique student profiles and will remain active for one full year. If you've been looking for help for your child with the math facts-this program might be helpful to you. For more information or to view a free demo, please visit www.factsfirst.com.

Blessings!

This is an information-based review of product information only. I did not receive the product or purchase a membership.

In This Moment

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:26:00 +0000

Please don't take this post as me tooting my own horn. Believe me, there are many times in my parenting that I fall way short of whatever the "suppose to-be" parenting model is. I just have to share though that I had the opportunity to help my two year old lay down in her "big girls bed". I know that doesn't sound phenomenal, but she was upset and was crying. At first, she tried to rebel. She cried, called me up for 8 trips of turning the light on and off and even darted out of the room to her big sisters room after I was down the stairs (once). Consistently, I brought her back to her bed. Then there was that special moment. I got to look her into her into her sweet little eyes and say, "You're being a big girl laying here in your bed." She looked back at me while shaking her head up and down with the most angelic little confident face. And then I got it-I got this moment right. I continued looking into her eyes and said, "I'm so proud of you. You're such a big girl. You're laying down in your bed just like all your sisters." That's just what she wanted to hear. Again, she shook her precious little head knowing that she was being a big girl. Somehow, I spoke to her heart. She knew she could trust me. She knew she was loved. Tonight doing what could have been a crazy-run-after-the-two-year-old-to put-her-in-bed-with-tantrums-night was actually love and grace breaking through the mundane and I didn't miss the moment.

Must Eat Puffs

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:11:00 +0000

Okay, I am not endorsing these tasty treats, but I know a little girl who loves them! She looks to little to feed herself.

She only has her two bottom chompers. She'll tolerate some baby food, but she really loves what we eat. Usually, I just blend up some of what we're eating or mash it up. She can't wait to sink her teeth into more! Until then, she likes her snack of puffs.

She's one precious baby!

Sweet T-R-O-U-B-L-E

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 03:53:00 +0000

Isn't she just ADORABLE!
Well, she's on the move and everything holds a place for her to put her things. This was one of the newest spots and I just found it so funny-of all the places...

Did you figure it out?
Yes...she put her box of animal crackers in the dishawasher for safe-keeping.

It made sense to her at the time. Everyone else was putting stuff in there, right??!!-LOL!

She's off again!

I love this baby girl!

Jean Wells Worship Guitar

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:16:00 +0000

My girls have had guitar lessons here and there throughout the years. Although we wish we could afford lessons for them all the time, we can't do it all so we stay eclectic in our electives trying new experiences and adding to our memories and ideas.

They were excited when we received the Jean Wells Worship Guitar Volume 1 book and the DVD Jean Wells Worship Class. The DVD is 2 1/2 hours. They have plugged along here and there with it.

You can download free samples of some lessons and listen to samples on her site. She has a great music catalog which includes guitar packages, accessories and items for piano, percussion and voice. I think I need to invest in the "How do you change guitar strings? How do I use a Guitar Tuner" DVD & String Winder.

Some PRICES:
$24.95 each DVD
$99.80 for the set of four DVD's. ($40 Bonus eBooks available free with set of 4.)

JW Worship Guitar Class for Kids $29.97.

Please view the samples to see if this would be a right fit for your family. This review was written to give more information about the product.

All About Spelling

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:27:00 +0000

My very first thought on All About Spelling after reading Preparing for Level 1 was that all the directions were very well written out in easy-to-use steps. This gave me hope that their multi-scensory approach wasn't to cumbersome. I love teaching to all three learning approaches (kinesthetic-doing, auditory-hearing & visual-seeing) because I know that my children will learn how they like to learn best AND I am going to help them to grow in their weaker learning skills by helping them in a well-rounded manner. When I use a spelling program, I need it to be something we can get done in 30 minutes or less- 15 minutes preferably. I really believe that most spelling and grammar can be accomplished through writing and reading and not through cumbersome workbooks. All About Spelling seems to have some of the same ideas. Spelling is taught through discovering the basic phonograms (some examples: level 1- a,b,c,d and level 2-dge, ey, igh, oy etc...). This helps the child to see and hear individual sounds which form words. Spelling rules are introduced through simple flashcards that are included for the teacher's convenience. Letter tiles, dictation and writing on different surfaces like sand and shaving cream are some ideas they use for helping the kinesthetic learner. Here is what is included in the student packet:

"One Student Material Packet is included with each purchase of All About Spelling Level One. Additional Student Material Packets can be purchased individually. Each packet includes:

Four sets of flashcards that help your student learn and review phonograms, words, and spelling rules.
- Phonogram Cards for learning to read the phonograms
- Sound Cards for learning to write the phonograms
- Key Cards for learning the spelling rules
- Word Cards for mastering the spelling words

Flashcards are printed on sturdy cardstock, ready to be cut apart.

Twelve labeled index card dividers that organize the flashcards in the Spelling Review Box so you can customize your student’s review.

A set of five colorful tokens that provide your student with a fun, tactile way to segment words and identify individual sounds.

A progress chart and completion certificate that allow you to track and celebrate your student’s success."

Both of my older children had the phonograms down, but I got some neat ideas for my preschooler that I could implement a little at a time. For $29.95 you can purchase All About Spelling to receive a teacher's manual and student packet. If your child attends a private or public school and is struggling in reading or spelling, you could use All About Spelling to help fill in the gaps. It seems to be a good beginning spelling program for elementary students.

I received levels 1 & 2 of All About Spelling to review. The ideas expressed are my own based on using and reading through the curriculum.

Ray's Arithmatic

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 02:53:00 +0000

Ray's Arithmatic part of the EES series was written in the 1800's and is a complete math program for young children through senior high. You can order the complete Ray's series which includes a total of 38 books on CD for $59.00. The concepts are shared in a logical procession so your child works on concepts s/he has already learned. The series includes the 12 core Textbooks, + Answer Key's, Teachers Editions, and several intriguing books of mathematical pursuits for the aspiring student, such as Surveying and Navigation, Astronomy, Book Keeping, and Physics. The vintage art is an added bonus to look upon throughout the pages. Here's a sample page:

"The Eclectic Education Series (EES) is a set of textbooks which from roughly 1865 to 1915 WAS education in the United States, almost exclusively. They were the standard textbooks in many states and were chosen independently by over 10,000 school boards as their standard textbooks.

The EES covered every topic. Some of the series are still household names almost a hundred years after they ceased being used. These include McGuffey's Readers and Ray's Arithmetics. There were many other extraordinary series in the EES such as Pinneo's Grammars,Thalheimer's Histories and Norton's Sciences that were used by countless students."

We've become spoiled with our computer-based math programs we use for our curriculum. I will use Ray's sprinkled in as a supplement for doing math in a different format. Sometimes you need that different perspective to make that one specific concept finally click in your child's mind. You can get your own Ray's Arithmatic Curriculum at Dollar Homeschool.

Shiloh STOP Licking The Baby!

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:02:00 +0000

Lilly (9 months) is crawling all over the place and Shiloh (English Bulldog-a little over 1 herself) LOVES her.

Have a PLAN for high school?

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:59:00 +0000

I had my daughter take the PLAN test a product of Advantage Homeschool Solutions for Families.

"ACT is a non-for-profit organization focused on helping students prepare for that time after high school through its commitment to helping students improve their college and career readiness."

PLAN and EXPLORE scores can tell information about your child's strengths and weaknesses in four core subject areas:

English
Mathematics
Reading
Science

Both the PLAN and EXPLORE sample tests are suppose to help you make sure that your child is on-track for college by helping you plan their classes and explore career opportunities. My daughter took the PLAN test, but I really couldn't tell much difference between the two based on the scoreing system-they both gave me ideas of her strengths and weaknesses academically. The EXPLORE test is suggested for 8-9th graders and the PLAN is suppose to be a pre-ACT test for early sophmores. Knowing your child's skill level will help you by providing ideas to advance their learning. I'm pretty aware of where my children's strengths and weaknesses are academically. For me, the testing pointed towards things I knew-which is reassuring on one hand:). If you have a child in 8th grade or higher and are not sure where they stand academically then these would be great test(s) for you to administer to your child. The tests include a helpful booklet entitled College Readiness Standards which has specific ideas for progress in its pages.

Another product that sounds interesting is their Discover test. This test is geared more to your middle schooler through adults. It is an information system that gathers info based on you or your child's individuality and offers suggestions in career options based on you and your chid's uniqueness.

PLAN=$22.95/each
EXPLORE =$22.95/ea

I received both the Explore and Act tests to review. My review is based on our family's experience while using the products.

Presidential Penmanship

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:14:00 +0000

Presidential Penmanship is a great handwriting skills program for first though senior high grades. They advertise it as a supplemental handwriting program, but I know for a fact some boys who wouldn't mind this as their main writing program while they are working through their love/hate relationship with writing. This could be used as a break from a more tedious program or added to your history curriculum. Grades first and second practice writing the quotes in manuscript. First, your youngin' will stay within the lines of the letters then move on to tracing the letters and the last stage is to write the selection on their own. Lined paper for their appropriate age is included as a pdf for you their parent to copy for each grade. Starting in third grade, the program uses cursive. If your child does not know cursive yet, this is not a teaching-cursive program so make sure your child has had a beginning cursive class before using BJU's Presidential Penmanship Complete Program. From first through fifth, the quotes are about 2-3 lines which includes the President's name, junior high is 2-4 lines and the senior high selections are 3-5 lines. As you can tell, they are not tedious. Since I teach from a Classical perspective, I'd use these most when learning about America and during the holidays. These quotes would look great in lapbooks and projects along with the practical use of just writing them for help in penmanship. I love a learning experience that brings many subjects together. I think this helps reinforce what you are already teaching. Having four daughters in multiple grades and ages, this is a great resource for all of them now and in the future when the younger ones are ready to write.
Here's an example of the font we received -BJ Style:
There are other styles to choose from:

This product is offered through Zeezok Publishing for $39.99. Before you gasp-lol!-after purchasing penmanship books at $10.00 a level and year-I personally have spent more on my two girls over the years. There are many other products on their site to check out too.

I received this product to review. The thoughts are my own from using this product.

Math + Exercise = FUN!

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:51:00 +0000

Math + Exercise = Exploracise Gymathtics

I like to be active, but I think many of you have gotten the hint that Math is not my favorite subject. It's funny that I have received several Math programs to review. However, I've been able to find some new programs that my children thought were interesting and wanted to use. For that, I am thankful. Gymathtics is definitely a one-of-a-kind product! At first, it took me a little bit to get used to the instructor, and all the math facts given out simultaneously with the workout routine. After I opened my mind a little more, I realized what a great concept this was building from-movement in combination with learning which enhances retention and recognition.

Let's put it to the test with my 2 and 9 year old girls (don't mind the T.V. equipment on the floor-we just moved)...

I think they liked it! I'll probably use this video when the kids seem like they have some extra energy that needs to be let out;) What a great thing to use when you need 30 minutes to get some other things done. My 2 year old has already asked to play it again. Listening with my adult ears, I thought there was A LOT of math facts shared sounding a little overwhelming, BUT my two oldest children were like, "Hey! I just learned that!" or they remembered when they learned the concept.

You can watch a sample video, order your own Gymathtics DVD and order more products at www.Exploramania.com

The math facts target grades 2-5th (the video was enjoyed by my 2 year old too)
DVD. 30 minutes. Price: $24.99. (Special promotion: FREE Shipping & Handling.)

This DVD was given to me to review. I have given this product an honest review based nf my own experience with the product.

Music and Literature A Great Combination

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:13:00 +0000

Classical music is something that I have felt was important to share with my children since the beginning. There have been several studies done on the benefits of music, especially classical, on the memory, moods, Alzheimers, brain development in infants and more. I have witnessed a fondness for a wide variety of music in my children and I believe that is credited partially to them being exposed to classical music. Exposure has given them a willingness to listen to something that seems foreign in a modern world yet when understood more displays meaning, beats, rythem and patterns.

Stories In Music has developed a wonderful program that makes listening to classical music fun by combining it with narrated classic literature. The music is professionally played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. I received their newest audio CD The Tortoise and the Hare. We've listened to it a few times now and each time something new has stuck out to us which means my kids are actually listening to it! The first time I played it for the purpose of my review and the subsequent times it has been played willingly for fun or before bedtime.

Audio CD's can offer a family help with routines and family-time besides the above mentioned benefits. Here are some ways we have used them in our family:

Snuggling on the couch for Parent/Child one-on-one time
Used as a "timer" during toddler time with older siblings
Used as a "timer" for individual playtime
Bedtime stories
Traveling in the van
Supplemental activities for our Literature/History studies
Listening just because we like them

The Tortoise and The Hare can be purchased for $16.98 along with other titles like Mike Mulligan and the Steam Engine and Casey at the Bat. Each CD comes packaged in a CD case with a "program booklet" filled with great pictures and fun activities. There are free educational downloads for a couple of the titles on their website. Audio samples are also available on their website so head on over and check them out for yourself! But don't just take my word for it-you can visit the TOS Review Blog for more great reviews.

This is my opinion on this product through personal use.

Oh The Places We Go- Oct/Nov 2009 pt. 2

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:26:00 +0000

Trin is taking different dance classes this year. We are thankful that she has this opportunity. Recently, she performed during a Veteran's Day celebration and at a local festival. The festival was a beautiful day that I shared with my girls. I had to include some fun photos of some of the other children too:)

Joci & Mommy

Trin Dancing

Some of the other children

I made it to 3 of the many different parties my brother and fiance' had before their recent wedding. Some pictures of their beautiful day will be coming soon!

Sam sang at her first concert with her choir. They have many more performances scheduled this year. They did a beautiful job. Trin also sings in a choir and they will have their first performance very soon.

We've also started potty training and the little-little has a little tooth breaking through. Never a dull moment around here! I hope you have enjoyed the pictures!

Blessings!

Grandma's Wedding

keovongsafam@verizon.net (Sweet Blessings) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:27:00 +0000

Phone Rings. ""Hi Mom! Really? Grandma is getting married in a month? Wow!"
Email. Grandma sends the cutest email and states the wedding has been moved up-the wedding is in two weeks!
Before you know it. I pack up the girls and we're off on a road trip to Alabama for the wedding.

We show up on Halloween night, crash the Fall Festival at the "Junction" and eat Italian food in our hotel room preparing for Grandma's big day the next day. Barb-wire fence, getting directions, down-town, leaving the camera lens and the Mexican restaurant are just parts to the many stories we've added to our memories.

A road trip with us=
Lots of laughter, Cracker Barrel Stops, Jordan Almonds, Rest Stops, Silliness, Random Fun, Making New Acquaintances Smile, Random Stops For Pictures & More Laughter!

AT THE CHURCH...

MEETING MR. MIXON
GRANDMA AND HER BEAU

MY MOTHER AND AUNT

LILLY (2-FINGERS) WITH GRANDMA

SWEET TRINITY

JOCI-PANTS & MOMMY:)

THE VOWS

PRESENTING: MR. & MRS. MIXON

CONGRATULATIONS!

THE NEW COUPLE

MY MOTHER, UNCLE, AUNT, GRANDMOTHER (&THE GIRL'S GREAT-GRANDMOTHER) WITH GRANDMA'S NEW HUSBAND

GRANDMA AND HER BEST FRIEND

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY!
(I love you Grandma!)