Thrift Schooling

I try not to include politics (too often) on this site because that is not the primary focus of this blog. Homeschooling and training children up in a way that is in accordance with Jesus and His Word is the primary focus. But sometimes politics and homeschooling do go hand in hand. Which is why our family turned a lesson of "current events" into a field trip, to:  CAPITOL HILL! That's right, come this Tuesday, October 1, 2013, things will change in this country in a way that I believe will be a moment in history that we will not forget. This is the day that every American will be required, by law to receive government health care. This is the day that socialized medicine, although not a new concept, will be enforced in a way that goes against everything this nation stands for. We took our children to a building. A building in which was built to face east. East, so that the sun would never set on the face of freedom. We went to the capitol of our nation, to...

We all have a story. A past. There are pleasant memories, and ones that you pray will be erased from your memory, forever. We all have had people treat us unfairly and unkindly in our lives, and how we choose to deal with that pain, determines how will will treat and react to others in the future. In Dear Dad, did you know I was a Princess? Sundi Jo Graham shares her testimony in light of her healed relationship with her father at the end of his life. This journal-style piece of writing shows her sharing her fears, insecurities and eventual faith in God in the form of letters to her dad.  The story of Sundi Jo is interesting because her true deliverance and salvation found in God did not happen before she found herself in ministry but after. What a sobering message. Although my experience is different and I didn't fall prey to all the same sins as her, sin is sin. I too, remember when I was highly involved in ministry, yet my heart was far from God, far from desiring righteou...

Chronicles of Dinosaura by Dave Woetzel   Published by Master Books, a division of New Leaf Publishing Group { BOOK REVIEW} Here's a little secret you might not know about me, (I hope you're sitting down). One of my goals in life. Is. To see a real, living, dinosaur. There, I said it. The nerdy me is out. I truly want to see a living, breathing, dino before I depart this wonderful world. No, I'm not going weird sci-fy girl on you. Bear with me, and please, let me explain, dinos do indeed exist, and have existed alongside man from the beginning of time. Now, I know many of your minds are racing, whether you are an evolutionist or old earth creationist, ( meaning you believe that each day of creation was not a literal 24 hr day but millions of years passed between each day of creation ). I know you may disagree with me. But I ask you to think. Is it possible? Is it truly possible that men and dinosaurs ever did exist together even though we have been told otherwise f...

When I first realized I was spending waaaay too much time on Facebook, (I see you nodding your head in agreement). I thought to myself, how can I monetize this situation? You see, the reason I was spending so much time on the computer was simple. Little ones. Schedules, naps. When I joined Facebook, I had three kids, ages three and under. True story. Someone was always napping, or so it seemed. I needed to be home a majority of the time to keep them on schedule. So, my only "me" time each day,  was online. Nothing wrong with that, but why not make this time profitable? So I left the Facebook community and started a blog. Fell in love. I figured, if other people can make money online, then why can't I? Well, I can, but what I learned primarily is what you put into it, is what you will get out. Basically, if you head into the blogging community thinking you will make a ton of money the first year, then, well unless you make it a full time 40 hour work week, you are wrong. B...

1- Waiting For the Morning to Throw your Wet Load in the Dryer:   Sometimes I can get away with this but more times than not, the load, after sitting around for hours, will begin to smell of mildew. Not even a couple of freshly scented dryer sheets will take care of that rancid scent. The clothes tend to smell worse than before they hit the washer! 2- Filling the Detergent Cap to the Top, even for Small Loads, to get your Clothes "Extra Clean:" If you have a stain that is unberable, pretreat it or soak it before putting it in the washing machine. This will save you detergent and less trips to the store to buy more in the long run! 3- Running the Dryer Twice or Three Times rather than Cleaning the Lint Trap: You know you've done this. Not that cleaning the trap is really that hard. But, pushing that button, just one more time is so much easier! I get it, but, so does your electric bill! Comments make me smile! Feel free to share any laundry humor or ...

The  Logic of English   Essentials  program combines phonics, spelling, vocabulary and grammar into one comprehensive curriculum. This program is directed towards students ages seven and up, but is easily adapted to work with emerging readers ages five and six and for ESL learners of all ages, including adults. I am currently using the Essentials program with my six year old with great success! The program is packed full with educational games and activities which I allow my five year old to join in on as well. This curriculum is so diverse in activities and student involvement, my highly active six year old doesn't seem bored but actually enjoys "English class."  In order to teach the Essentials program, it is recommended that you purchase at least the following: Essentials Teacher's Manual: $95 Essentials Student Workbook (Cursive or Manuscript): $25 Basic Phonogram Flashcards: $18 Other supplemental products are also available to enhan...

$200 Amazon Gift Card from Glideware goes to..... DONNA M.!!! 3 Purex Fels-Naptha Bars goes to.... ................. MARY BETH I.!!! Thank you to everyone that entered! Donna and Mary Beth, be sure to check your inbox with instructions on how to claim your prizes! Have a great weekend!

Time4Learning is an online program for students in the Pre-K all the way through High School. Unlike a majority of other educational websites for kids, Time4Learning teaches subjects all across the board. Rather than focusing solely on phonics, math or reading, this website teaches Social Studies, Science, Math, Language Arts, and more. The variety of subject matter presented in different ways keep your kids engaged and entertained each session.  Unsure about the level of your student? No problem! You can sign up for a particular grade level and use the level directly above it or below it, if you need to. If you child is strong in a certain subject for example, you can have them work on a level higher in that subject but stay grade level in everything else.  I wasn't sure where my son was so I signed him up for second grade but had him work on some of the first grade material. Then, one time I was watching him and realized his reading lessons were way below hi...

 A majority of the materials I review are for my sons, so when I knew that a board book from  Greene Bark Press Inc.   would be in the mail, I was certain this would primarily be for my three year old daughter!  Look Left, Look Right, Look Left Again  is a fun and educational board book written by Ginger Pate and creatively illustrated by Rhett Pennell. $8.50 Ages 3-8  The kids and I were outside when the package arrived and to my daughter's surprise, it was something she too could enjoy! We immediately opened the package to find a quality, study, board book inside! I was impressed with the size, not too small and the pages were thick and sturdy, perfect for little hands.  The pictures certainly captivated her. She absolutely loved looking at the interesting pictures of Wally Waddlewater and his adventures  learning how to cross the street. When we received the book, outside, we opened it there on the front porch and read it...

For the past few weeks, my five and six year old boys have been learning Spanish, online, through the Homeschool Spanish Academy . They have been taking classes in the Early Language Program  geared for ages five through twelve. The Academy also provides instruction up through high school and for adults.  Recently, I was talking with my husband trying to think of some ways I could make some extra money and the idea of tutoring came up. Then we realized that honestly, I would have no extra time to drive somewhere to tutor someone in their own home. Then I said, "I wonder if anyone ever has tutored over Skype?" Hmmm. Interesting thought. It crossed my mind but hadn't thought about it again. Then, not too long after that I attended a homeschool conference in Richmond, Virginia. If you have ever been to a homeschool convention then you'd agree with me that it is purely information overload. Basically, you get bombarded with vendors trying to sell you their produ...

1. YOU FIND YOURSELF SAYING, "BUT I READ MY BIBLE AND PRAYED TODAY, WHY ARE THINGS STILL SO HARD?!" There is a cute children's song that says, "read your Bible and pray everyday and you will grow, grow, grow."  We try to teach our children at a young age the importance of daily Bible reading and prayer through not only implementing it into our homeschool curriculum but by example as well. We all know the power and importance of reading our Bible and praying but it alone is not our salvation. I know there was a time when I noticed that the days that I spent time with the Lord in the morning, those days were easier to get through than days that I didn't. The Lord loves for us to come to him first thing when we arise, it blesses Him and it blesses us and makes our relationship with Him stronger. But, if we are doing it with the mindset that our day will be easy peasy because we did our devotions in the morning, we are misled and doing it for the wrong ...