Issac's 6th grade American History

Issac has really become interested in history in the last year and so I decided to try and make that more of a focus this year. I had heard about Guest Hollow from another mom and thought I'd check it out. Issac was really interested in the American History, so that was what I focused on finding.  Since we studied a little bit of American History last year I decided to go with the American History Year 2 that is a free option. I knew going into this program that links could not work and I'd need to request lots of books from the library, but I thought it was worth a shot! :)

One thing I decided to do was use file folders for each week. I printed out the lesson plan for the week and then anything else I needed to print I could have ready in the folder. The first few weeks are focused on the Civil War and suggest you either use Time Travelers: The Civil War by Home School in the Woods. We had been blessed with receiving this item free for reviewing it earlier this year. It was also recommended to use History Pockets-The Civil War. The author recommends one or the other, both are typically too many activities. I know that some of the activities in the Time Travelers unit were hard for my son, so I purchased the history pockets to supplement. I just picked a few things from both to use during those first few weeks. I'm noticed that as much as I'm wanting to do more hand-on activities Issac is just happy to have me read to him. He'd be happy to just sit and listen to me read everything in the history lesson and him not do any activities. That wasn't my plan at all, but some days that's what we do. I was hoping that I could get him more engaged in his learning with some fun activities.

While I was filing my papers in the folders I was also searching and requesting library books and marking which ones were available locally. I would say 90% of the books were easily available to us via library lending.  As I received the books from the library I'd use a little post it note and mark which week they were to be used. I then purchased a plastic tub that could hold a few weeks of all my books. I put my file folder with schedule and printed items in there, the books for the week and any additional books that might be used for multiple weeks. This way everything I need for history is in that box. I also decided a few weeks in that the book that is read for several weeks would become our reading book and we'd work on comprehension. We are about to finish Farmer Boy and we used the vocabulary and comprehension questions from homeschool share.  Our next book will be Sounder and we are using vocabulary and comprehension questions from Glencoe.

I've made a few little tweaks which is basically picking and choosing which items we are going to do. I also find that I still sometimes print more than we do, but I like having it already printed and ready to go. It helps Issac stay on test for me to not have to stop and print. We are provided with lots of different activities and even when the links don't work I can usually search and find what I need. They have lots of different free and paid options for multiple subjects. I'm thankful that I looked into Guest Hollow because they really have tons of great options.

Review: A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson

Melody Carlson is an author that I have enjoyed reading her books for a while now. Fall and winter are some of my favorite times of the year and I especially enjoy reading any books about Christmas.  A Christmas by the Sea was a very easy read that captured my attention and interest from the very beginning.  Wendy Harper's husband has passed away and with that loss came debts that she's struggling to pay. She inherits a cottage at the beach that she loved as a child, but as an adult she sees it as the answer to her prayers. She can hopefully sell it, pay off the debts and put aside a little for her son, Jackson's, education. Jackson sees this as a different opportunity. He wants to put aside the sadness of losing his dad and give him and his mom a fresh start in a place that brought her such happiness as a child. As much as Wendy is focused on selling the cottage Jackson is focused on finding a way for them to keep it and stay there.  

This was such a great read and a sweet story. Jackson worries about his mom so much now that his dad has passed. He knows she's stressed, but she always seems so happy when she talks about her times at the beach cottage when she was a child.  He just wants to do whatever he can to help her get back to those happy times.  He knows she worries about money, but when she can just sit down and relax she seems peaceful. As she tells Jackson about the sand dollars that her grandparents collected they decided to go on a hunt for themselves. Wendy is shocked at the number they find and realizes this might help answer her money issues. As she works with the sand dollars making beautiful art she starts to find some peace and possibly a new future for her and her son.  


**I received this book free from Revell for my honest review." 

Thankful Tuesday 9/18/2018

As I took our dog outside this morning the world seemed so calm and peaceful. As I stepped over all the leaves on the ground it was a reminder that just a few short days ago it didn't feel this way. The sky was stormy, the rain constant and we had no power. Our situation is minor compared to that of so many closer to the coast.  My heart aches for all the damage they have received.  Even just 15 minutes away from me the roads are closed and it's totally flooded. I'm thankful for so many that have come here to help those in need. All those out risking their lives more often than not for people that didn't heed the warnings to stay home. None of us want to sit in the dark, but we have to remember that it's our husbands, brothers and sons that are having to go out in those storms to get our power back on! I'm thankful when a community can reach out and help each other and I only wish that it would happen more often than when there is a disaster.

Review: Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms by Debora M.Coty

I know most moms like to say they are too blessed to be stressed, but do we really act that way?? I know I like to say that, but then I turn around and stress about so many things. Most of the things I'm stressing about I have no control over anyway! Debora Coty has given us an amazing tool to help work on the stress in our lives and truly act as we speak.  Too Blessed to be Stressed for Moms has a gorgeous cover that just grabs your attention to start.  The flowers seem to jump right off the cover and there is a handy, pink ribbon to keep your place while reading.  The book starts off with a "stress test" for moms.  There are 10 true/false questions to help place you in the yellow alert, orange or red areas for stress.  I fell into the orange alert level.  "Look out-you're at toxic stress levels".  I felt that pretty much summed up my daily life :) 

There are four sections in the book: 

1) Why Didn't Anybody Warn Me?
2) So Where's the Ding-Dang Motherhood Manual?
3) Coloring My Word with the Crayons Papa God Gives Me
4) Mothering is a Lifetime Gig

In each of these sections there are short, but sweet, lessons to help lower the amount of stress in our lives.  Chapter 2 I'm Not Crazy-I'm Crazy-Busy is how I might describe my life! We are given the verse I will strengthen you, surely I will help you from Isaiah 41:10 One thing that stood out to be in this chapter is that the word "should" is a dangerous word. Deborah tells us that it's a stress-filled pressure-packed slave driver. We compare ourselves to others and what they are doing. We then feel we "should" be doing certain things. This often is a use cause of stress in our lives.  In Chapter 12 Chocolate Caulks Relationship Cracks we learn about Forgiveness.  Romans 12:19 says Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do.  "I'll do the judging," says God.  "I'll take care of it." We often feel the need to get revenge on those that do us wrong.  Sometimes it's a struggle with a neighbor or a friend.  We need to learn to be kind to one another, tenderhearted and forgiving.  At the end of each chapter there is a navigating the hood section. There are a few questions that really help to dig deep and study our hearts.  

Motherhood is a challenge no matter what age your children are at the time.  When they are younger we are dealing with taking care of their every needs. As they grow older they don't need us as much and often push us away when they do need us. As they grow and leave our homes we have to learn to parent in an entirely different. Once they leave the home and start families of their own they still need us, but in different ways. We are parents for life, but it doesn't mean it's easy. It's easy to get stressed and not rely on our heavenly father to help us through the tough times.  We need to pray and remain faithful that he's got this and will be by our side always.  

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"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."

Review: I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel

The title I'd Rather Be Reading pretty much sums up my entire life! When I was a young child we lived very close to our local library. I remember going quite often and I checked out as many books as I could carry between my hands and my chin. That was my gauge on the number of books that was enough. I could safely carry books without dropping them that way. I remember sitting on the floor of the library and just looking at all the books on the shelves and looking until just the right ones jumped out to me. Even to this day I think how much I'd love to live across from the library. Anne Bogel was fortunate to live that dream of mine. I think there are many people out there that would consider her to be amazingly lucky to have lived right next to the library.  

Anne has given us a quirky and delightful read about her growth as a reader. Many of the things mentioned in this book were true for me. I remember as a young girl loving The Little House series and then later moving into The Babysitters books. My brother would always give me books for my birthday when he was older and I always figured it would be another "weird" book that he'd pick out (LOL) He always picked out books that I'd never pick out, but I almost always enjoyed reading them. He pushed me as a reader and that's something I'm not often good at doing to myself. I love mysteries, romance and anything about the Amish.  I tend to stick in those same sections of the library, but I'm almost never disappointed when I do :) I can't say that I've read all the classics or even many books that others have read. I don't belong to a book club and may never. I have stacks and stacks of books in my house and many are still unread after sitting here for years. Anne understand and shares in her book that sometimes it's just got to be the right time to read certain books.  We may all vary in the types of books we read, but one thing is sure that we all cherish the books we have. We love to go into the library and just feel the happiness that all the books bring to us. Stop into the bookstore and have to make the sad choices about which books you can afford to buy. Look at our Goodreads lists and see how many thousands of books are on our to-be-read list.  If your looking for a fun book from a fellow book lover then I highly recommend I'd Rather Be Reading. 

Check out Anne Bogel's social media for additional books she's written.  She authors the blog, Modern Mrs Darcy and has a podcast What Should I Read Next?

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**I received a copy of this book free from Baker Books for my honest review." 

Review: The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible & Giveaway

We have been delving into The Spirit of God Illustrated Bible by Doris Wynbeek Rikkers.  What better way to start our day than with one of over 40 stories that share God's presence and power! When I first saw the cover of this book the illustrations by Fernando Juarez jumped right off the page to me. Not only are the stories powerful, but the illustrations match.  We had 29 stories to choose from in the Old Testament and 16 in the New Testament.  

A few of our favorites were The Spirit of God Brings Wisdom and Understanding-Based on the story found in Genesis 40.  This starts out with a verse from Job 32:8 But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty that gives them understanding.  We then read about the story of Joseph and how he interpreted the dreams of the cupbearer and the baker while he was jail.  The next story, God's Spirit Inspires a Leader, is based on Genesis 41. It continues the story of how Joseph interpreted the dreams of the Pharoah.  The verse included here is from Genesis 41:38 So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?" 

In the New Testament we enjoyed A Joy-Filled Father, a story based from Luke 1:57-80 The verse given to us here his: His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.  Here we learned of Zechariah being told by an angel that his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child. He didn't believe the angel and suddenly couldn't speak. When the baby was born Elizabeth said his name was John. Friends and relatives couldn't believe they were naming him John because there were no other John's in the family. Zechariah wrote that his name was John and immediately regained his voice. 

I think maybe my favorite part of the book is at the end where The Spirit Today is talked about.  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Psalm 51:10-11. Here we learn that the Bible tells us that God's Spirit is everywhere.  From the depths of the ocean floor to the heavens.  This spirit is with us all day and night.  He is out comforter who makes us feel safe.  When God asks us to do things for him we need not be afraid. His spirit is with us and will always be with us.  When we invite Jesus into our hearts his spirit will follow. We then have the ability to do great things for God.  

This book and many others are published by Zonderkids.com They publish wonderful books that we can use to teach our children biblical principals for life.  

I am fortunate enough to be able to offer a giveaway for this wondering book!  

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“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller/FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days on the same blog, you are not eligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

Review: The Hope Jar by Wanda E. Brunstetter

I'm not sure I have ever picked up a book written by Wanda E. Brunstetter and not thoroughly enjoyed it! The Hope Jar fell right into that category.  After Sara Murray's mother passes away she learned a secret that shocked her to her core.  Her mother had been born Amish and Sara still had Amish grandparents living. She reached out to them in hopes of learning more about her mother.  Michelle Taylor is struggling in her daily life. Dating someone that is not treating her right and she feels she just needs to get away and start fresh.  Mary Ruth and Willis Lapp hadn't heard from their daughter since she left and didn't know whether she was alive or dead.  When they receive a letter from Sara they struggle to deal with the news that their daughter has passed away, but they are blessed to have a granddaughter. Sara has said she'd like to come see them and so they anxiously wait for her arrival at the bus station on the date planned. As they are looking for Sara Mary Ruth sees someone that she instantly knows is Sara. The color of her hair is the same as their daughters.  When they approach Sara she doesn't know what to say. This couple comes to her as if they are family and welcomes her with open arms. After so much time of not feeling safe she is comforted by the warmth and safety she is just offered so she goes with them. There is only one problem she is not Sara, the granddaughter they think.


Two people in such troubled times of their lives and one couple to offer warmth and safety. As Michelle is assumed to be Sara she goes home with the Lapps and feels she will enjoy the safety and comfort offered for a few days and then move on elsewhere. She doesn't expect to feel such a connection with the family.  As we read through the story and figure out why Sara didn't show up that day we see that Michelle becomes more a part of the Lapp family than she ever imagined.  As Michelle finds the jars of scriptures and prayers she starts to feel more of a connection to the family. She wonders who was so troubled and wrote such heartfelt prayers.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review." 

Remembering 9/11

17 years ago today I remember turning the tv on to get ready to attend Bible Study and hearing the horrific news about what had happened. I cut the tv off because I didn't want Zachary to see any of it.  We headed to Bible Study and I remember he didn't want me to leave him in his classroom. We had been attending for a while and not even the first day did he cry when I left him in his class. I remember sitting in the rocker, 7 months pregnant with Brianna, and rocking him until he was calm. It was as though he knew what was happening and was as unsettled as the rest of us :( I feel such sadness for all those that lost their lives that day and the following days. All those that had the family dynamic changed in a second. So many people changed because of that day. I'm so thankful for everyone that helped during that time to get out the survivors as well as those that didn't survive. It seemed like our nation was brought closer by this tragedy and although I don't want to relive that tragedy I wish our nation could relive the closeness. We are always fighting with each other and it's a sad way to live. I'm thankful for my family and friends and pray today for all those families that were affected by this horrible tragedy.