Help! I'm Homeschooling a Middle School or High School Student!

The Hubs and I just registered for our state's annual homeschool conference. It is not until mid-April, but as I rank it rather high on my Homeschool-Mommy-Sanity-Saver list, I wanted to be sure to grab a ticket while the grabbib' was good.  It is a much-needed weekend of refreshment...a chance to assess our homeschooling endeavors and gain some fresh perspective and encouragement to KEEP ON the journey.

What's more, this year, I registered for the pre-conference HOMESCHOOLING HIGH SCHOOL session. 

Yep. THAT'S upon me. There's no avoiding it. My daughter is already doing some high school level work. And with high school officially starting in only two years, I guess it's high time I pull up my big girl pants and figure it all out! I'd rather take the time NOW, than wait two years and start high school with a deer-in-the-headlights look.

2014 Posts Worth Reading Again

(I apologize in advance for the bit of narcissism coming at you in 5...4...3...2...)

I'm a homeschool blogger. I write about homeschool. 

Homeschool methods.

Homeschool madness.

All-things related to combining HOME and SCHOOL. 

And while I am quick to recognize the ministry behind my blog, I would be remiss if I did not also confess the selfish motives that sometimes propel my fingers on the keyboard.

The GREAT Vocabulary Challenge {Learning Vocabulary Authentically}

taciturn |ˈtasiˌtərn|

adjective

(of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little.

If you would've asked my children and me a few weeks ago what the word taciturn meant, we probably would've given you the "Can you please speak in English?!" look. We had no idea what it meant or how it was used in a sentence. But, thanks to our month-long GREAT VOCABULARY CHALLENGE, we can now use this and dozens and dozens of other new-to-us words in our written and oral expression.

Top 10 Favorite Pinterest Boards for Homeschool

Just the other day, the kids and I dabbled in a little color mixing with a...might I say...super easy, "I actually have all the supplies on hand and don't have to go to the store" kind of science project. 

We followed the simple directions.

Crossed our fingers.

Waited the appropriate 24 hours. ("Waited" is a relative term here. "Stared anxiously at the three jars of ever-changing liquids and watched the clock like time-keeping Nazis" is a more accurate description. But, you get the idea.)

Then, we stood back in wonder when it actually worked!

In case you're wondering...

this brief little story...the one in which I get to wear the Super Homeschool Mom cape in front of my kids for a brief nano-second for having helped them with the oh-so-successful science project...was brought to you by PINTEREST!

What We're Reading in January 2015

Our January started across the country with a trip to the Southwest. To escape -40 windchill, we left the day after Christmas and didn't get home until well after the year began. While one might think that a lot of reading would happen on a vacation, it didn't. We were way too busy most of the time. And although we logged over 3600 miles in a borrowed SUV together, some of the kids suffer from car sickness...'nough said!

Me, on the other hand...

I did lots of reading. Finished two books, as a matter of fact. Thanks for asking!

Personal Goals for 2015 {A Look at His Chiseling}

With the turning of a new year comes a chance to reflect on what was and look ahead to what will be. It's a chance to evaluate and make adjustments. I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions. A lofty plan is often unattainable and a precursor to failure. I have no desire to start my year out with feelings of defeat. But, while I never make resolutions, I'm always resolute. I'm firm in my resolve to make slow-and-steady progress. To let go and let God do His work refining me…chiseling away at all my rough parts.