We started out so strong!!! Little did I know what was coming...
Math-
Monday- More work on telling time...still going very well! Now they're constantly telling me what time it is instead of asking a million times a day!
Tuesday-Counting/writing numbers 1-20. They are past this..and are bored with it. Do I skip it or just keeping going with the order of the book?
Wednesday-.....
Thursday-.....
Friday-.....
Saturday- shapes/following directions/thinking critical. They are also beyond shapes, but the following directions/critical thinking aspects were fun for them.
Phonics/Writing-
Monday- Introduced the letter "Z", and completed a reading review worksheet.
Tuesday- Phonics evaluation (A+ for both girls! YAY!!), reviewed "z" blends, and we are beginning to learn parts of a story. Today we learned about "titles".
Wednesday...
Thursday...
Friday...
Saturday- Introduced the concept of "s" being pronounced as "z" in certain words.
Science-
Monday- Weather unit: Snow, something we are all too familiar with this year!!! We also reviewed temperature and reading a thermometer.
Tuesday- Weather unit: Wind- time didn't allow for us to make our windmill project but we will get back to it in the coming weeks! We watched a Sid the Science Kid video titled "What is wind".
Wednesday....
Thursday...
Friday...
Saturday....
Social Studies-
Monday- NC unit: We learned all about the state insect- the honeybee! We also learned about voting and did an activity about voting that also tied in Math.
Tuesday- NC unit: We learned about the state capital- Raleigh! We even made a trip to Raleigh to visit the Marbles Museum. Our friends Jonna, Jackson and Austin went with us and we met our friends, The Saufley's, there. This was our first trip to Marbles and we will definitely be back. We loved it!!!
Wednesday-....
Thursday...
Friday...
Saturday....
What happened to Wednesday-Friday?!! I was so sick and in bed for the better part of 3 days. Friday evening I decided we would use Saturday as a catch up day. It started out okay, but an hour into our lessons Shaylie starts feeling bad and has a high fever, so off to the doctor we went.
So somehow I have to incorporate the rest of our studies for this week into next week. Come on Spring!! We need these winter illnesses to go AWAY!!!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
One Thousand Gifts
I have recently joined the Bloom (in)Courage book club. I've never been involved in a book club before, but it's something I have always been interested in. I absolutely love to read and when I saw that the February selection for the book club would be Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts, I knew this was the time for me to join. So I signed up, ordered my book and waited patiently for it to arrive. For those of you who have never heard of this book club, I strongly encourage you to check it out. Visit their website and it tells you all you need to know. Since this is my first month I definitely don't know all the details, but I do plan to blog about the book and the book club along the way..so you can learn with me!
I received my book in the mail earlier this week and oh my gosh I love it. I love her writing. I've read the first few chapters and I can already tell this book will change my life. If you haven't heard of the book, please go here and watch the trailer. You owe it to yourself. This book is like none I've read before. I am a very fast reader. It's nothing for me to finish a 400 page book in just a couple of days. But this is different. I was telling my husband this morning, this is a book that I read a page or two of and then I sit and think..and think..and pray. It's a book I want to savor. I want to stay fully immersed in it because I can feel it changing my heart. You just have to read it to understand.
From the inside of the book jacket of One Thousand Gifts, "As Voskamp discovered, in giving thanks for the life she already had, she found the life she'd always wanted". That is really the basis of the book. We can't fully grasp the goodness and the love of God until we live a life full of Thanksgiving. It challenges you to look at the gifts all around you. Look at the blessings God gives you each. and. every. single. day. Count them. Write them down. The longer your list grows, the more your faith will grow. As Voskamp writes many times, "Thanksgiving always precedes the miracle". Try it. See what happens.
I've taken the challenge and here starts my list...
1. Little laughs coming from downstairs.
2. Rainy mornings for sleeping in.
3. Open minds in our home, always willing to learn.
Please continue to check back to follow my journey to an emptier, fuller life. In the meantime, go here to read chapter one of this incredible book. I bet you'll be hooked!
Homeschool week review 1/31-2/5
This week we picked up school again after a loooonng break and let me just say and I'm positive that I speak for the girls too, it is SO nice to be back. For me, it's nice to have our routine back, but for them, they just thoroughly enjoy school time. I am very blessed to have children who love to learn and who get excited about having school. Each morning they get up and ask "Are we having school today?" and if it's a day that I have to work (which means we don't have school) they are really bummed. Now, I know they're only in Kindergarten and I'm really hoping their love of schooling continues for years and years to come. Even though they are only in Kindergarten, we do have a pretty rigorous school day including Math, Phonics,
Writing, Science, Social Studies and Bible each day. So, here's a quick recap of our week.
Math:
Monday- we reviewed even/odd. We initially learned about even and odd in the beginning of the school year and have done very little review of it (One thing that I do not like about this particular curriculum.) but I was suprised at how much they remembered.
Tuesday- We practiced writing our numbers 10-20, which was also a review for them.
Wednesday- Worked on completing patterns.
Saturday- We began learning to tell time. This was a brand new concept for the girls. They know how to read digital clocks, but have never learned to tell time on an analog clock. It went very, very smoothly. I'm amazed at how quickly they picked it up. They love to draw on the white board, so I let them make their own clocks and they "taught" me how to tell time! It was fun!!
Phonics:
Monday- We had a phonics eval scheduled for today. To say I was nervous about it was an understatement. Remember today was the first day back after a long break and I was scared they weren't going to remember all they had learned. But alas, I should not have been worried. They both aced it! 100% for both of them. Mommy was so proud! Looks like they really ARE learning something :)
Tuesday- Review day- which they were pretty bored with, so we read Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss. Well actually, they read the majority of the book to me.
Wednesday- We introduced the letter X and reviewed sentence structure.
Saturday- We talked more about the letter X and I was explaining to them that X was usually found in the middle or end a word, not in the beginning. Well, of course Shaylie goes on to tell me that Xylophone starts with an X..LOL, she's too smart for me! We also did two phonics worksheets today. Both girls love worksheets and they're finally at the point where they can do independent work...and so I love worksheets too :)
Writing-
We introduced letter X and did several practice worksheets on the rest of the alphabet.
Science-
We began our weather unit. I won't go into daily details because each day built on the one before. We began the week learning about temperature. We made a large classroom thermometer out of posterboard and white/red ribbon. After we cut out the thermometer and wrote in our temperatures, we cut two slits in at each end. We attached the white ribbon to the end of the red and then threaded it through the slits, so now we red ribbon represent the alcohol and we can pull the ribbon up or down to change the temperature. It's great practice for learning to read a thermometer. If anyone wants pictures/instructions, let me know. I would be happy to email them to you. We learned about rain and on Wed. sat out a rain guage..and low and behold Thursday-Saturday God sent us some rain to measure. As of 10:00 this morning, we had 3.25 inches of rain. :) While learning about rain, we learned about evaporation and did an experiment. We measured one cup of water and left it sit out in the kitchen for 3 days. After the 3rd day, we remeasured the water and only had 2/3 cup left!! We were all surprised at just how much had evaporated. See- this is another reason I love homeschooling. I learn too!
Social Studies-
We began our unit on North Carolina. We've learned all about the history, location, flag, state bird, state seal, state motto, state flower, state tree and started talking about the NC zoo. We plan to take a trip to the zoo in March. The state motto of NC is "Esse quam videri" which means "To be rather than to seem". I love that!! Do you know what the state motto of your state is??
Bible-
As I've said before the Bible curriculum we're using right now focuses a lot on character development and uses scripture to back it up. Each lesson starts with a story, then asks two questions, and ends with a prayer. We really enjoy it and it sparks some great conversation. This week we've covered: love, contentment, confidence, and appreciation. Today's lesson started a conversation on unanswered prayers. And we really had an awesome discussion. It started with Nevaeh saying "God hears all of our prayers, right?" And I said "yes, each and every one". And she says "well then why doesn't he always give us what we ask for?" And I asked her what did she ask God for that she didn't get. And she says "well the other night I prayed that we would be able to get ice cream and we still couldn't get it". (back story: the girls weren't allowed to get ice cream this particular night because they had not been listening very well all day and that was their punishment) So I had to explain to her that God knows what is best for us and while he hears ALL of our prayers, sometimes we still don't get what we want, because God knows what we NEED, better than we know what we want. And that God wants and expects us to obey our parents. GREAT learning experience and she asked such a mature question! :) My baby is growing up.
We had a full week! But the absolute highlight of our week was a day trip to Greenville on Thursday to have dinner with new friends! We met up with the Saufley's and the Bost's and everyone had such a GREAT time. There were 6 adults and 8 kids and as Laura posted on Facebook, the good news is McAlister's is still standing! Seriously though, I'm so glad God has brought these wonderful people into our lives. I'm sure that was the first of many many great times to come.
Shaylie and Nevaeh with their new friend Madalyn!
Writing, Science, Social Studies and Bible each day. So, here's a quick recap of our week.
Math:
Monday- we reviewed even/odd. We initially learned about even and odd in the beginning of the school year and have done very little review of it (One thing that I do not like about this particular curriculum.) but I was suprised at how much they remembered.
Tuesday- We practiced writing our numbers 10-20, which was also a review for them.
Wednesday- Worked on completing patterns.
Saturday- We began learning to tell time. This was a brand new concept for the girls. They know how to read digital clocks, but have never learned to tell time on an analog clock. It went very, very smoothly. I'm amazed at how quickly they picked it up. They love to draw on the white board, so I let them make their own clocks and they "taught" me how to tell time! It was fun!!
Phonics:
Monday- We had a phonics eval scheduled for today. To say I was nervous about it was an understatement. Remember today was the first day back after a long break and I was scared they weren't going to remember all they had learned. But alas, I should not have been worried. They both aced it! 100% for both of them. Mommy was so proud! Looks like they really ARE learning something :)
Tuesday- Review day- which they were pretty bored with, so we read Hop on Pop by Dr. Seuss. Well actually, they read the majority of the book to me.
Wednesday- We introduced the letter X and reviewed sentence structure.
Saturday- We talked more about the letter X and I was explaining to them that X was usually found in the middle or end a word, not in the beginning. Well, of course Shaylie goes on to tell me that Xylophone starts with an X..LOL, she's too smart for me! We also did two phonics worksheets today. Both girls love worksheets and they're finally at the point where they can do independent work...and so I love worksheets too :)
Writing-
We introduced letter X and did several practice worksheets on the rest of the alphabet.
Science-
We began our weather unit. I won't go into daily details because each day built on the one before. We began the week learning about temperature. We made a large classroom thermometer out of posterboard and white/red ribbon. After we cut out the thermometer and wrote in our temperatures, we cut two slits in at each end. We attached the white ribbon to the end of the red and then threaded it through the slits, so now we red ribbon represent the alcohol and we can pull the ribbon up or down to change the temperature. It's great practice for learning to read a thermometer. If anyone wants pictures/instructions, let me know. I would be happy to email them to you. We learned about rain and on Wed. sat out a rain guage..and low and behold Thursday-Saturday God sent us some rain to measure. As of 10:00 this morning, we had 3.25 inches of rain. :) While learning about rain, we learned about evaporation and did an experiment. We measured one cup of water and left it sit out in the kitchen for 3 days. After the 3rd day, we remeasured the water and only had 2/3 cup left!! We were all surprised at just how much had evaporated. See- this is another reason I love homeschooling. I learn too!
Social Studies-
We began our unit on North Carolina. We've learned all about the history, location, flag, state bird, state seal, state motto, state flower, state tree and started talking about the NC zoo. We plan to take a trip to the zoo in March. The state motto of NC is "Esse quam videri" which means "To be rather than to seem". I love that!! Do you know what the state motto of your state is??
Bible-
As I've said before the Bible curriculum we're using right now focuses a lot on character development and uses scripture to back it up. Each lesson starts with a story, then asks two questions, and ends with a prayer. We really enjoy it and it sparks some great conversation. This week we've covered: love, contentment, confidence, and appreciation. Today's lesson started a conversation on unanswered prayers. And we really had an awesome discussion. It started with Nevaeh saying "God hears all of our prayers, right?" And I said "yes, each and every one". And she says "well then why doesn't he always give us what we ask for?" And I asked her what did she ask God for that she didn't get. And she says "well the other night I prayed that we would be able to get ice cream and we still couldn't get it". (back story: the girls weren't allowed to get ice cream this particular night because they had not been listening very well all day and that was their punishment) So I had to explain to her that God knows what is best for us and while he hears ALL of our prayers, sometimes we still don't get what we want, because God knows what we NEED, better than we know what we want. And that God wants and expects us to obey our parents. GREAT learning experience and she asked such a mature question! :) My baby is growing up.
We had a full week! But the absolute highlight of our week was a day trip to Greenville on Thursday to have dinner with new friends! We met up with the Saufley's and the Bost's and everyone had such a GREAT time. There were 6 adults and 8 kids and as Laura posted on Facebook, the good news is McAlister's is still standing! Seriously though, I'm so glad God has brought these wonderful people into our lives. I'm sure that was the first of many many great times to come.
Shaylie and Nevaeh with their new friend Madalyn!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
When the kids are away....
...Mommy and Daddy will..do a whole lot of NOTHING! The girls have been in VA for the past six days and despite the fact that I've had the flu, Scott and I have been irresponsible and haven't done anything really. Seriously, minimal housework, minimal cooking, one load of laundry, laying around, watching tv, staying up late, sleeping in. We did enjoy a day trip to Wilmington last Friday, but that's been the extent of our week.
I am thankful that the girls weren't here to share my flu germs with me and hopefully they will all be cleared out by the time they get home tomorrow. I've enjoyed the quiet, uninterupted conversations Scott and I have been able to have. But oh my goodness, please bring back the purpose to my life. Those two sweet little girls are really my reason for waking up each day and when they aren't here I just don't know how to be me! And even though he won't admit it, I know Daddy misses his Sponge Bob partners too.
So Dear Mother Nature- please let the snow in Virginia come to a stop, so the VDOT workers can get the roads clear and we can get our girls back home safe and sound tomorrow!
I am thankful that the girls weren't here to share my flu germs with me and hopefully they will all be cleared out by the time they get home tomorrow. I've enjoyed the quiet, uninterupted conversations Scott and I have been able to have. But oh my goodness, please bring back the purpose to my life. Those two sweet little girls are really my reason for waking up each day and when they aren't here I just don't know how to be me! And even though he won't admit it, I know Daddy misses his Sponge Bob partners too.
So Dear Mother Nature- please let the snow in Virginia come to a stop, so the VDOT workers can get the roads clear and we can get our girls back home safe and sound tomorrow!
Monday, January 24, 2011
We have a name!
Choosing a name for a homeschool is more difficult than choosing a name for a child! Geez! I didn't think we would EVER come up with a name. It's a difficult decision because it will follow your child throughout the rest of their life. They will use it when applying for colleges, for scholarships, for jobs, etc. So we wanted something solid. We also wanted it to mean something to us. Since the day we even remotely started considering homeschooling Robert Frost's poem The Road Not Taken has always resonated within me. We homeschool to give our children a better life. It's definitely not the easy road..and it's definitely not the popular road. But it's the road we've chosen and this road does make all the difference for us. So with the guidance of our good friend, Laura @ Our Three Birds, we've come up with Pathways Academy, which brings about the new title of my blog- Sacred Pathways.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Update...finally!!
Once again, I've fallen off the wagon. Neglected the blog. But I'm back! I will be posting an update at least once a week.
So what has been happening in the Bowen household? Nothing significant, just a lot of being BUSY! The girls are currently in Virginia spending a week with Nana and Granddaddy. While I miss them like CRAZY, I'm taking the opportunity to catch up on things around the house, hence updating the blog! They will be home on Thursday and I can't wait!! Since I've last posted, we of course have continued schooling. But with our Christmas break and knowing they were going to VA for a week, the past couple weeks we've just been reviewing what we've learned so far this year. Next week we will be picking up where we left off before Christmas and going full force 4 days a week! The break has been nice, but we are all itching to get going again.
Work at Baby Land has been booming! Something I meant to do at the beginning of the year was to keep track of how many births I have been part of this year. I just now remembered that I had planned to do that..and there is no way to go back and count, so I will just have to start from yesterday and continue on. I really do love my job, how many people can say that each day they go to work, they witness a miracle?! I can!! And somedays, multiple miracles!! I just love it. Being face to face with God's greatest gift each and everyday....no words for it.
I've also been helping out my mother in law at a Home Health Agency she works for. Their nurse is out on Maternity leave and I'm filling in until she returns. So yes, I've been quite busy to say the least...but what mother isn't!? It just goes with the territory.
My husband has also been quite the busy bee! His classes have resumed and are going well. He also launched Project Conversion on 1/1/11. If you don't know about Project Conversion, check it out!! It's an awesome journey he is on to teach us about the different faiths of the world. He has already been interviewed by The News and Observer in Raleigh and has been contacted by a reporter/producer for ABC News!!!
2011 has come in with a rush, but we are just basking in God's blessings! Expect another update within the week...seriously. I promise- there WILL be an update! :)
So what has been happening in the Bowen household? Nothing significant, just a lot of being BUSY! The girls are currently in Virginia spending a week with Nana and Granddaddy. While I miss them like CRAZY, I'm taking the opportunity to catch up on things around the house, hence updating the blog! They will be home on Thursday and I can't wait!! Since I've last posted, we of course have continued schooling. But with our Christmas break and knowing they were going to VA for a week, the past couple weeks we've just been reviewing what we've learned so far this year. Next week we will be picking up where we left off before Christmas and going full force 4 days a week! The break has been nice, but we are all itching to get going again.
Work at Baby Land has been booming! Something I meant to do at the beginning of the year was to keep track of how many births I have been part of this year. I just now remembered that I had planned to do that..and there is no way to go back and count, so I will just have to start from yesterday and continue on. I really do love my job, how many people can say that each day they go to work, they witness a miracle?! I can!! And somedays, multiple miracles!! I just love it. Being face to face with God's greatest gift each and everyday....no words for it.
I've also been helping out my mother in law at a Home Health Agency she works for. Their nurse is out on Maternity leave and I'm filling in until she returns. So yes, I've been quite busy to say the least...but what mother isn't!? It just goes with the territory.
My husband has also been quite the busy bee! His classes have resumed and are going well. He also launched Project Conversion on 1/1/11. If you don't know about Project Conversion, check it out!! It's an awesome journey he is on to teach us about the different faiths of the world. He has already been interviewed by The News and Observer in Raleigh and has been contacted by a reporter/producer for ABC News!!!
2011 has come in with a rush, but we are just basking in God's blessings! Expect another update within the week...seriously. I promise- there WILL be an update! :)
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Six years ago today
Six years ago today, I woke up as Heather Miller for the last time.
Six years ago today, my Dad walked me down the aisle and I went from being Daddy's Little Girl to being your wife.
Six years ago today, I held back tears as you recited your vows to me.
Six years ago today, I didn't know how to love unselfishly.
Six years ago today, I married you the father of my beautiful daughter.
Six years ago today, we didn't know another little girl was on the way.
Six years ago today, we crashed in the hotel room after the wedding utterly exhausted, completely unaware of the sleepless nights to come.
Six years ago today, we stood before our family and friends smiling happily not knowing the difficult days ahead.
Six years ago today, I thought I could never be happier.
Six years ago today, I thought I loved you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today, I look at you and I KNOW what love is.
Today, I realize the happiest days of my life are each day I spend with you and our children.
Today, I find myself thankful for the difficulties we've faced because it's made us stronger as a couple.
Today, I can say that a sleepless night with you is better than a night of perfect sleep without you.
Today, I'm eternally grateful for the children you've given me.
Today, I see all our marriage has taught me. How to love strongly, unselfishly and completely.
Today, I hold back tears as I write this and find myself consumed with my love for you.
Today, I know that I married the second best man in the world (next to my Dad).
Today, I am proud to be your wife.
To my sweet husband: I hope you know how much you mean to me. Each day that I wake up beside you is a great day. Words can't express how much your love means to me. The past six years have been eventful, both good and bad. We've endured more as a couple in six short years than most do in a lifetime. But in the end we still come out together, stronger than ever. You are absolutely the best husband I could ask for. You're my soul mate, the man of my dreams and my best friend. I know I don't say it nearly enough, but thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for the good days. Thank you for the hugs on the bad days. Thank you for our children. Thank you for the laughs. Thank you for being you. I love you and I'm proud of you.
Six years ago today I said "I do"..and today I say I would do it all over again.
Six years ago today, my Dad walked me down the aisle and I went from being Daddy's Little Girl to being your wife.
Six years ago today, I held back tears as you recited your vows to me.
Six years ago today, I didn't know how to love unselfishly.
Six years ago today, I married you the father of my beautiful daughter.
Six years ago today, we didn't know another little girl was on the way.
Six years ago today, we crashed in the hotel room after the wedding utterly exhausted, completely unaware of the sleepless nights to come.
Six years ago today, we stood before our family and friends smiling happily not knowing the difficult days ahead.
Six years ago today, I thought I could never be happier.
Six years ago today, I thought I loved you.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today, I look at you and I KNOW what love is.
Today, I realize the happiest days of my life are each day I spend with you and our children.
Today, I find myself thankful for the difficulties we've faced because it's made us stronger as a couple.
Today, I can say that a sleepless night with you is better than a night of perfect sleep without you.
Today, I'm eternally grateful for the children you've given me.
Today, I see all our marriage has taught me. How to love strongly, unselfishly and completely.
Today, I hold back tears as I write this and find myself consumed with my love for you.
Today, I know that I married the second best man in the world (next to my Dad).
Today, I am proud to be your wife.
To my sweet husband: I hope you know how much you mean to me. Each day that I wake up beside you is a great day. Words can't express how much your love means to me. The past six years have been eventful, both good and bad. We've endured more as a couple in six short years than most do in a lifetime. But in the end we still come out together, stronger than ever. You are absolutely the best husband I could ask for. You're my soul mate, the man of my dreams and my best friend. I know I don't say it nearly enough, but thank you. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for the good days. Thank you for the hugs on the bad days. Thank you for our children. Thank you for the laughs. Thank you for being you. I love you and I'm proud of you.
Six years ago today I said "I do"..and today I say I would do it all over again.
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