Several {ok…way more than several} of you have emailed and asked what in the world we will be doing with Kaleb next year for school. Is he moving up to 1st grade? Will I be finishing up the rest of the literature based printables that began this year?

The short answers are no and yes. {And yes, I enjoy being difficult! ~ grins}.

Kaleb’s birthday falls at the end of November and at the moment it’s a little hard to place him grade-wise {well, based on the public school timeline it is}. Because there are different activities that we participate in, we have to say he is in PreK or K or whatever appropriate level applies.

BUT…at the moment he isn’t quite ready for 1st grade for various reasons ~ some skills that he hasn’t fully grasped, the need to ‘mature’ a bit so he can work on different skils…and while I flip-flopped back and forth trying to figure out how to handle it, I realized something.

We homeschool.  Kaleb can be mid-year and that is ok. As he is ready to move up to the next level, he can. {Yes, that would be a ‘duh’ moment}.

{For the record…it’s ok to be mid-level ~ I’ll give you permission, m’kay?}.

So the LONG answer {assuming you are still reading this} is that we will still be working on literature-based printables and other printable packs and adding in additional curriculum pieces to round out our year. When Kaleb is ready to move up, we’ll just ease into it.

That would be the beauty of homeschooling. We can work on what is appropriate for each one of our kiddos.

And I’m ok with that.

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Be specific in your ‘link title’. Leave either your blog name or theme and provide an age range for your activities. Something a little like this:

Police Officer Theme {ages 4-5}

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Reading out loud together has really been something that has taken off over the last few months in our family. After reading The Underland Chronicles by Susan Collins, I wanted to find some other books to read that we would enjoy just as much and also wanted to mix in a few classics along the way.

The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss

As we were wrapping up our school year, we picked up the Swiss Family Robinson to read. The Great Illustrated Classic version of the story isn’t quite as intense as many of the other translations, but overall was great. Reactions to the story were mixed overall, because several kiddos loved The Underland Chronicles so very much ~ and Swiss Family Robinson was so very different {perhaps I should have read them in a different order ~ ahem}.

We put the book aside for a little bit this past month. When I attempted to start another book, we had a bit of a mutiny on our hands.

Apparently a few of my kiddos enjoy seeing things through to the end of the story and didn’t like to be left hanging.

We finished up the book this past weekend by the light of the campfire. Then this week we sat down to watch the Disney version of the Swiss Family Robinson to see how the story compared to the movie {on a sidenote, has anyone seen the tv series to recommend at all?}.

Homer Price by Robert McCloskey

Now that we’ve finished reading the Swiss Family Robinson, we’ve pulled out the book Homer Price by Robert McCloskey to read {you may recognize him as the author of Blueberries for Sal}. We’re about 2/3 of the way through the book and the kids are giggling at the funny short stories and antics all about Homer {they especially loved the mystery story about the robbery and the skunk}.

Next up is either The Borrowers series or another fun adventure book that I recently found…but that will be something I’ll have to share next month!

What are you all reading together? 

Don’t Miss Out!! Email subscribers of Homeschool Creations are entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon each month. Subscribe by email now!

• Home Educators of Virginia ~ homeschool convention with over 130 workshops, 310 exhibitors, and speakers.
• Maestro Classics ~ introduce great music and classics stories to children with this classical music series.

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The last week has been one where my mind and my heart were going through such a rollercoaster of emotions on the heels of my trip to Tanzania.

There were moments where I would be smiling and then just seconds later was a sobbing mess on the floor. Trying to put my finger on what in the world was going on ~ well, that was just about impossible because there were so many different reasons.

And truthfully, blogging just seemed so…trite. One moment I was ready to just toss the whole blog thing out the window because of the extremes that I had witnessed the week prior. How in the world was I supposed to go about our day-to-day routine and jump back into life after seeing how other families struggle to even provide food for their children?

These were just a few of the thoughts barreling through my brain last week. Those and the contemplations of selling all that we own.

So blogging was pushed aside. The first few days home I was S.I.C.K. And although that was stinky, God knew that I needed some time to just be still and process. Listen. Wait.

Through that time {and I’m sure the weeks and months to come}, I’ve been reminded of how much we have been blessed with and that I should continue walking in what God has called me to do ~ as a wife, a mother, and here on this blog.

Granted, there will be changes in things here at home. In my heart. In how I approach things here on this blog. We are blessed. So amazingly blessed. And through those blessings, we are able to in turn bless others. And now we as a family desire to do so much more than ever before.

So while in some ways it seems that we’re back to life as normal, truthfully, we’re not. I’ve changed. We’re changing.

And change is a good thing.

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Moments to Remember was developed as a simple way to look back on our week as homeschoolers and find photos that encompass the memories we want to remember. 

The week may have been tough, there may have been more bumps than smiles, but in the end these are the moments that keep us going, the ones we need to remember.

This past week was spent relaxing, cuddling on the porch swing, unpacking and planting a garden.

And enjoying some sweet little faces. Like this one…

All in all, it’s been a week that my heart needed and I have been so happy to have.

What moments do you have to remember this past week?

__________________________________________________

Want to join in and share a fun moment? Link up your Moments to Remember at 1+1+1=1 this week!! This linky is for homeschoolers, or families who are keeping their kiddos at home during the early years {we consider you homeschoolers too}.

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• Home Educators of Virginia ~ homeschool convention with over 130 workshops, 310 exhibitors, and speakers.
• Maestro Classics ~ introduce great music and classics stories to children with this classical music series.

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This week has included a lot of laying low while I’ve been recovering from jet lag. Fortunately, I have four amazing children who have been quick to snuggle up in bed with me, throw their arms around me repeatedly, or whisper the words “I love you, Mom”.

All things that my heart has needed this past week.

So while we haven’t had any school time this week, we focused more on the ‘home’ aspect of things.

And that has been something else that my heart has needed just as much.

What have YOU all been up to this week?

More Preschool Links

Ready to Link Up?

Share what you are doing with your kids! Please link your exact blog post to the Mr. Linky below and link back here too! Grab a button for your post below and be sure to take a minute to visit the person who linked up before you. You can read more in the updated guidelines for Preschool Corner.

Be specific in your ‘link title’. Leave either your blog name or theme and provide an age range for your activities. Something a little like this:

Police Officer Theme {ages 4-5}

<a href="http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/category/Preschool%20Corner" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/jolantheerb/PreschoolCornersidebarbutton210.jpg" title="Preschool Corner" /></a>

Don’t Miss Out!! Email subscribers of Homeschool Creations are entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon each month. Subscribe by email now!

• Home Educators of Virginia ~ homeschool convention with over 130 workshops, 310 exhibitors, and speakers.
• Maestro Classics ~ introduce great music and classics stories to children with this classical music series.

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I’m back. Home. And truly at this moment I’m at a loss.

This past week was something that was truly life altering for me and to throw up a post just for the sake of having one seems like it will in some way diminish all that I saw, participated in and felt God impressing on my heart.

So…while I wait and process all that my brain is trying desperately to keep up with, will you all allow me a little grace?

I am back. Just not the same as when I left.

And that’s a good thing.

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This week I’ve been able to share my reflections and thoughts with you all as I’ve traveled Tanzania with group of amazing bloggers. And really, you all? They are fabulous writers and have been sharing stories that will make you cry and cheer and laugh ~ sometimes in the same post.

Can I share a few of the ones that have spoken to me this week? I’d love it if you would stop by and visit them. Leave a comment. Encourage them too. {Because I know you all are great like that!}.

Here are a few I’d recommend!

Amy from Resourceful Mommy has been my roommate this week and this week she met her sponsored child, Meka. How can you NOT love the smiles on that little face?

Kelli from Minivans are Hot shares how hope revealed itself to her.

Maggie, from Gussy Sews, shares how a little dirt showed her what love really is…

The Nester shares how a little blue nail polish can be so very fun…

Scott from Big is the New Small {and the man who had every child in the centers giving him fist bumps by the time he left} shares how God showed up in a big way for the family of Amos.

Maybe this week you’ve been thinking about sponsoring a child. Thinking you’ll take care of it tomorrow….but if you haven’t yet, would you please take a moment to sponsor a child through Compassion International? It’s truly one of the best gives you could ever give ~ and receive yourself!

Don’t Miss Out!! Email subscribers of Homeschool Creations are entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon each month. Subscribe by email now!

• Home Educators of Virginia ~ homeschool convention with over 130 workshops, 310 exhibitors, and speakers.
• Maestro Classics ~ introduce great music and classics stories to children with this classical music series.

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This week I have nothing to share that is related to teaching preschool. Unless you count blowing bubbles with lots of children this week in Tanzania and almost causing a mass riot of sorts. Quite literally.

Apparently bubbles are a HUGE hit.

So this week…I’d love to see what you are doing, although I may be a bit jet-lagged if I leave comments too soon. I’m just sayin’…

And, if you have a minute or two, see what I learned from a three year old girl this week.

More Preschool Links

Ready to Link Up?

Share what you are doing with your kids! Please link your exact blog post to the Mr. Linky below and link back here too! Grab a button for your post below and be sure to take a minute to visit the person who linked up before you. You can read more in the updated guidelines for Preschool Corner.

Be specific in your ‘link title’. Leave either your blog name or theme and provide an age range for your activities. Something a little like this:

Police Officer Theme {ages 4-5}

<a href="http://www.homeschoolcreations.net/category/Preschool%20Corner" target="_blank"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/jolantheerb/PreschoolCornersidebarbutton210.jpg" title="Preschool Corner" /></a>

Don’t Miss Out!! Email subscribers of Homeschool Creations are entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon each month. Subscribe by email now!

• Home Educators of Virginia ~ homeschool convention with over 130 workshops, 310 exhibitors, and speakers.
• Maestro Classics ~ introduce great music and classics stories to children with this classical music series.

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From the very beginning, this center visit in Arusha, Tanzania was different from all of the rest. Driving out to the center took over an hour and we traveled through some absolutely beautiful areas not far from Mt. Kilimanjaro. The homes here are a different style than the ones in Mwanza because the soil is so very different, making bricks difficult to make. Also, there is a very large Maasai population.

Maasai were in the fields herding their flocks and every now and then we would see a boma {a group of their houses}. Right now the fields are green and provide plenty of vegetation for the cattle to eat. Last year it was a different story for many when a long drought hit the area, making it difficult for families to feed and water their flocks and provide an income for their families.

For those in the Maasai tribes, education is not always a top priority. Girls can be married off at a very young age, and truthfully…there are other things that happen which are almost too difficult to think about, let along write about. Just know that as a mother of young girls, the thoughts make my heart unbelievably heavy and want to cry. And cry some more.

Compassion International’s work with the center in this area of Arusha is amazing, which was something I realized in full after our home visit.

Visiting a Maasai Home

After 15 minutes of driving, we had almost reached the home of 14 year old Lema. She is from a family in the Maasai tribe. We walked a short bit to get to their boma. Everyone needed to stoop to enter the door of their home, which then quickly filled with other family members, neighbors and those curious to hear what was happening. The mother quickly borrowed stools from nearby homes so that we all had places to sit.

The darkness completely enveloped us. There was a small fire that was dying out, but the embers glowed in the darkness.

Slowly, as my eyes adjusted, the structure of the house appeared and you could make out the faces of the many people inside with us. Lema was a bit shy and quietly answered our questions.

So many people were talking at the same time. One person was singing very loudly making it difficult to ask questions and hear answers, so after about 25 minutes with the family and a time of prayer, we began walking back.

The visit left me feeling a bit disoriented. After talking with another team member on the ride home, a few things about our visit to the center today impacted me. I began to understand how above and beyond this particular Compassion center works with the families in the area, but I know that it is not unique to this center.

A Passion for Children

Sometimes we forget the people that are ‘behind the scenes’ in the centers. We know there are teachers and directors and such, but we know that everything is taken care of and so that’s it, right?

Or maybe I am the only one who thinks that way {grins}. Yes, I write my sponsored children, send gifts, pray for them, but I’m also learning the importance of praying for these many individuals that provide the love and support for these families behind the scenes.

Typically, home visits are made to sponsored children twice a year. In this center that sponsors over 270 children, they try to make two home visits a month.

{I’ll let you stop and ponder the math for a moment}.

I’ll also let you think about the fact that many of these home are miles and miles away. Children are walking for a very.long.time {just thinking about it makes my legs tired}. This isn’t just a walk down the street to a friend’s house.  For the home that we visited, I would guess it is a good one hour walk ~ and that’s briskly {I don’t do briskly}.

During these home visits, the center workers are able to check on the families, see what assistance they need, and look into any concerns the family or child may have. This has been a huge help for young girls that enter the program and provides an added measure of protection {against the things that I am not even wanting to think about or mention}. The center helps give an added voice to those that are a part of the program.

For Lema, that can mean so many different things, but it gives her one more advocate as she continues her education. Dreams of one day being a teacher. Grows up to be a woman of faith.

The Compassion office in this area is very respectful of the unique qualities are part of the Maasai tribe. When some of the customs can be harmful to a child, they work hard to educate them of the dangers to individuals. The Maasai culture is truly a community and something that is so amazing, as I witnessed today.

My eyes have been opened this week to the many facets of Compassion International. From child sponsorships to caring for babies, families, future leaders, and critical needs around the world, there are people all over the world that work for and with Compassion, intently focused on being advocates for children in whatever way they can. They are using their passions to work behind the scenes, serve in the ways they are able and make a difference in the lives of children. Giving hours upon hours of time and prayer to these children.

And for that I am so very thankful {and thank YOU ALL at Compassion for the work you do!}. The are truly being the hands and feet of Jesus in the lives of children and walking with them day by day.

Would you like to help make the difference in the life of a child? Sponsor a child through Compassion International and begin helping fight the poverty of others.

If you have sponsored a child this week {or before}, would you let me know? I would love to pray for you and your child too!

Those who went on the home visits today will also be sharing how they were impacted as the day progressed. Be sure to visit the Compassion Bloggers website to visit the blogs of others and read more. I can’t wait to share more with you this week, especially as I meet one of the children that we sponsor and hope you will continue following!

Don’t Miss Out!! Email subscribers of Homeschool Creations are entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon each month. Subscribe by email now!

• Home Educators of Virginia ~ homeschool convention with over 130 workshops, 310 exhibitors, and speakers.
• Maestro Classics ~ introduce great music and classics stories to children with this classical music series.

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Since yesterday’s visit to Gidioni’s home, waves of tears have washed over me in intervals as I considered the impact of the family gift donations. Even what I consider to be a small gift can make a tremendous difference in a child’s family. My entire view of how we interact with our Compassion children has truly been altered.

Visiting the third project today was such an amazing encouragement. We visited {TZ-955}, a center that has been in place for over four years, with the kind of facilities the last two centers hope to someday have. Through one of the home visits, I was also able to see how a family gift donation was used to help a family better their situation ~ something that just sealed all that had been stirring in my heart after learning about how a family gift donation can help a sponsored child’s family.

Vision in Action

The Compassion child development centers that have been in place for longer periods of time often have educational programs in place such as computer labs, sewing classes and other similar areas that focus on practical living and important life-training skills that children need.

This TZ-955 center has a computer lab with 23 desktop computers and also 10 sewing machines to use when teaching the children life skills. They also have a rain water collection and filtration system that provides water for the surrounding community, so they do not need to rely on city for all water.

Seeing a Family Gift in Action

After touring the child development center, we visited the home of 9 year old twins, Kurwa {which means firstborn twin} and Doto {the second born twin} who have been sponsored for several years.  Because they are twins, both are allowed to be sponsored in the Compassion program (typically only one child per family can be sponsored in Tanzania).

Kurwa and Doto’s mother works selling fish in the market and hurried home to meet us. Their father, a house painter currently without work, was there to talk to us before she arrived and welcomed us into their home.

The daughter, Kurwa, is sponsored by a couple in Australia and she ran to bring us a stack of letters covered with stickers and pictures. Doto, the son, is sponsored by a man from the USA who is currently stationed in Japan. He also shared letters from his sponsor with us ~ some written online {you can find out more about about writing to a child online here}.

Both parents desire great things for their children. For them to be strong leaders {maybe even in politics so they can help others}. To do well in school. And also have good health. When we asked them how Compassion has made an impact on their family, this would be the point that the tears started welling up in my eyes.

Again.

Doto’s sponsor has sent the family a monetary gift each year through the Family Gift Donation {this is a gift given by the sponsor above and beyond the $38/monthly sponsorship}. Through those gifts, the family has been able to purchase the supplies that were needed to add plaster to the walls of their home and paint the walls. They still have a little more work to do, but said they should be able to finish the work this year if they receive another gift.

To see the physical manifestation of a family gift donation was such an amazing gift to MY heart, especially on the heels of yesterday’s home visit. It has been truly overwhelming to me to see how God has been hand-picking the places for us to visit and see ~ knowing exactly what our hearts have needed to feel and what our eyes have needed to see.

And this is where I start to cry again.

Honestly, you all, I cannot really even adequately put into words all that has been on my heart these last five days. All I can say is this ~ sponsor a child through Compassion International. Your $38 a month will help them with the basic needs that we so often take for granted.

Clothing. Food. Education.

And most importantly Jesus.

While there is a hope for a child’s physical future in the first three, the last one provides an eternal hope that cannot be matched ~ please sponsor a child today!

Don’t Miss Out!! Email subscribers of Homeschool Creations are entered to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon each month. Subscribe by email now!

• Home Educators of Virginia ~ homeschool convention with over 130 workshops, 310 exhibitors, and speakers.
• Maestro Classics ~ introduce great music and classics stories to children with this classical music series.

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