Busy Holidays!

WOW!!! We have been very busy the past couple of weeks. Getting ready for the holidays, wrapping gifts, mailing them and trying to keep an 8 year old out from under the tree!

We made it to Six Flags over Texas this year for Holiday in the Park. We had a good time and the kids had fun!

If you've never been you should try and make it. Not just during the Christmas season, Six Flags is fun whenever...as long as the heat isn't too bad!!

We will be starting back to school around the 8th of January. It is going to be extremely hard since we have been staying up later and sleeping later!!

Our Christmas was very good this year...the kids recieved some good stuff. They didn't get a whole lot like in the years past...and they didn't mind that...maybe it was just me that really minded. Next we have to plan for New Years. I don't make resolutions, never have. Why when I know that I'm not going to keep them!! LOL!!!

I have a friend that is trying to get "organized" this year. Bless her heart she's having a hard time with it...I guess I need to tell her that organization isn't a one day or week thing...it's a way of life!!! LOL!!

Happy 2007 hope all is good in the coming year.

Homeschool woes

To Homeschool or not to Homeschool, that is the question. Of course, that's Shakespeare, not Cooper.

I got to looking at my "schedule" for the year. We are going by the public school's calendar and I noticed that we are behind! OOOOPPPPSSS!!!! So now I'm freaking out!!
How do we play "catch up"? Do we play "catch up"? or do we just do what she can handle???

We use the curriculum from Bob Jones University. I love it!! It's organized, laid out well and it's easy to work thru. A has come so far with her reading and math. She still hates subtraction! In a few weeks we will be starting multiplication.

My husband, the preacher/computer data base manager, gave me this bit of advice:
Just teach her the Bible and what God wants and everything will fall into place.

I think he might be right.

Am I trying to keep up with the "public" school so I can say where we are or what she has learned? You read these articles that homeschooled children do much better on SAT's and are better well behaved. I have noticed her behavior and attitude is much better!!

I want to do what is best for my child! So I think for here on out...we will take our time and learn the things that God wants her to learn...it may not be every chapter in the books but it will be what she needs.

Reason for the Season

We had a long day today...we took off at 8:00am for our Homeschool Co op meeting. The kids are learning about writing and also practiced "Silent Night".

After that we took off to Tyler to go shopping. A and I had a good day. Although she wanted everything and the things we did get she wants them now. She has no patience.

My youngest is 8 years old, third grade. She no longer believes in "Santa". That ended sometime after last Christmas. So one from church mentioned it to her and I had to explain. Does that make me a liar? Or was it a story or legend to help make the season exciting?

I'm still undecided. I remember being a kid and getting so excited about "Santa" visiting that special evening. I was in the third grade when I found out the truth also. Except I found the presents stashed in top of the bathroom cabinet. I never did say anything about it though.

Don't get me wrong...I love getting gifts, I love giving them also. This year I have tried not to get all wrapped up in the commercialism of the season.





My favorite Christmas program to watch is "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Yes, it's old. It came out in 1965...ohhhhhhh that's so old considering I was born in 1967!!





If you pay attention to it, it tells you the TRUE meaning of Christmas. Who would have thought that after 41 years this little cartoon would still be allowed to tell the true "reason for the season".
Luk 2:1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
Luk 2:2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
Luk 2:3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
Luk 2:4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because (he was of the house and lineage of David:)
Luk 2:5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
Luk 2:6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luk 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Luk 2:9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
Luk 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Luk 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
Luk 2:12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
Luk 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Luk 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luk 2:15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
Luk 2:16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luk 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Luk 2:18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
Luk 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
Luk 2:20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Maybe some don't know...but what Linus quoted was from the Bible. It's the nativity story, the reason we have Christmas. We read that story every year to the kids on Christmas eve. This year I am trying to make the season about Jesus and not about Santa. After all...what did Santa do for me?

Jesus died for me, that's the greatest gift!

Merry Christmas!!!