Becoming A Heaven on Earth

In the past, I have admitted my defeat in doing those summer reading programs at the library. We’d sign up, and then the library wouldn’t see us again until the end of summer… nothing filled out.

My boys and their cool balloons they got for signing up -

pictures are sun, moon & stars, curly headed smiley face,

a chemistry beaker, and a helicopter.

The balloons didn’t last long once they took them outside.  Anyone surprised?  Redbeard drew pictures so the twins would be able to know whose was whose.  I think more than going to the library and getting their prizes, my boys like coloring the picture of the day.  They’re so funny that way!

This year something’s different.  I’m not sure if it’s because my boys are older, or that we’ve established a family rhythm that includes regular reading…. probably both.  Anywho, Iris has been speeding through all her Dick and Jane books and is paying more attention to blended sounds, which is a huge HOORAY for her.  Venus has hit the Narnia books, and even Athena is recording all those scholar type books for the weekly drawings.

In some parts of the country kids are just getting out of school, but we’re already gearing up for the biggest change of our lives – enrolling the kids into an online virtual academy.  The one we’re leaning towards the most is INSPIRE – Idaho’s division of Connections Academy. It IS a Federal school, not State.   However, I really am impressed with their science & languages program.  Literature?  Not so much.  I’m pretty confident I can TJed the literature aspect – in fact, the time the older girls spend in Commonwealth and the Shakespeare plays count as school hours.   Not bad, me thinks.  I told Athena if she didn’t want to do it, I’d understand – she could study for the GED and do just fine.  But then, she wouldn’t get Chemistry and Latin, and she’s VERY excited about learning those.  No, she says.  She wants the hard work.

Holy cow – Back when I was in school, I don’t think I had half the confidence she does.  She amazes me at every turn.

Wonder if I’ll like HomeschoolBlogger better now that they’ve changed the format?

Hmmm…..   WordPress.

Have I mentioned how much I hate navigating  WordPress?

Sigh.

Adjusting.  Adjusting.  Adjusting.

Just like life.

I must admit, like this template, albeit being a tad on the boring side.  I can change my picture up there with the seasons, to reflect who I’m discussing or whatever.  Very simple.  Yeah, okay – that’s not so bad.  Maybe I’ll start posting more again.

BTW – this yr we’re looking at doing an Online Virtual Academy.  My husband wants to put all the kids in it but I’m thinking maybe we ought to withhold enrolling Venus.  She is more than less enthused about it.  I guess it depends on how my we see her transition on into scholar, although Redbeard has finally said something he has never said before – he wants the kids to have a diploma.  I was shocked by that.

On the other hand, I’m excited we might actually get to meet other homeschoolers than the ones we already know up here.  I miss Texas and friendly people.  I don’t care who that offends – it’s a fact I’ve been withholding saying for over 6 yrs now..  When you go to people’s houses and they don’t bother to introduce you to people or invite you into conversations, or when they allow you to slip in and out without a word….  I swear, I’ve never met a bunch of ruder, NICE people in all my days.  They’re just clueless on how to handle guests/friends!  My hope is that we meet some folks who are NOT from up here that homeschool that know what good manners are and are passing those down to their children as well.

That being said, as lonely as it is, I would move here again in a heartbeat, because I know it’s where Heavenly Father wanted us.  We’ve grown in ways we never would have imagined by coming here.  Not to mention having the chance to adopt our son.  I just miss the Southern hospitality sooooooooooooooo much!!!!

Another Addendum: Oh no.   Because I used to have a black background, some of my older posts are using a pale colored text.  I guess if anyone bothers with the old stuff, they could always highlight it to read, huh? 

I really don’t mind the changes – this is the third one I’ve been through with homeschoolblogger – the last one was crap.  So I’m actually glad they changed it.  Just lots of clean up to do….