Thrift Schooling

Happy Friday Everyone!  Today's Flashback goes back fourteen years. Spring had just sprung in Israel and another field trip was scheduled for our semester long class, The Land of The Bible . From day trips to Jericho, to week long excursions in villages along the Sea of Galilee, our professors jam packed us full of information not only in the classroom but during bus rides and on location at historical sites. Of course, what stands out all these years later was not so much the textbooks, tests or even the teaching, but rather the interaction with my classmates, professors and the locals. Isn't that what life is about anyway? How we interact with one another, treat each other and love one another through the One who is love? I mean, what good is it to walk where Jesus walked if we can't walk how He walked? The sites and lessons were amazing and a memory I will treasure, but the most memorable experience deals not with so much where I was, but who I was with.  Our ...

Sahara Sam's is New Jersey's Largest Indoor Water Park!  With 58,000 sq feet of splashtastic fun, the world's tallest ropes course, modern arcade and the region's only surfing simulator, the whole family will be entertained! A full service cafe caters to parents and kids alike complete with snacks and drinks! SAHARA SAM'S OASIS IS NOW TAKING FUN TO THE  NEXT LEVEL!!! Now announcing a brand new birthday party package!  This delicious new twist to birthday parties will have everyone cooking up some fun! Complete with Chef Hats for you and your friends, this party isn't complete until everyone has made their very own Pizza and Cookie Treats before making a Splash in the Water Park! Sam's Cooking Up Fun- Birthday Package Value $399.00 * 3.5 Hours Long Party * 1.5 Exclusive Use of a Festive Party Room with Dedicated Party Host * 2 Hours in Water Park following Party Time * 1 Make Your Own Personal Pizza per Child * 3 Cookies to De...

I'm excited about what 2014 has in store for this blog. Really excited. What started out as a small, meager attempt at finding something productive to do online, (rather than checking Facebook aimlessly several times a day,) has turned into a tremendous blessing! Hopefully not only for my family, but for my readers as well. Only a few weeks into the New Year and already I have some exciting reviews and giveaways for products that I can truly stand behind!  I look forward to sharing with you a book review on a book that has changed the way I parent in an extremely positive way! An Etsy shop giveaway worth over $50! And.... two quality online homeschool resource reviews. This is going to be good, for everyone! And, it's only January! Happy, Happy New Year Everyone!

There are certain essentials that every homeschool parent needs to help them get through each school year. From curriculum to supplies, several members of the Schoolhouse Review Crew will be sharing over a span of five days what is essential for them. From veterans to newbies we will hear about what these parents have found to be an absolute need to optimize their schooling experience!  Please join us January 20th through 24th to be encouraged, inspired and informed. I will be posting several posts throughout the week on the essential need for VISION in homeschooling. To help prevent burnout, stress and doubt, I hope to help you focus on WHY we are doing what we are doing and for whom we are doing it!

After sipping my last drop of tea in Starbucks, I nodded in agreement to my friend who had been sharing how she had been through the wringer recently. Yet even through the pain, loss and disappointment, a glimmer of hope still shone through in her conversation. Filled with the presence and the Word of God she was holding firm to the promises of the One whom the Bible says sticks closer than a brother. She shared with me a sermon she was inspired by about certain obscure women of the Bible.  Bathsheba, for example. We generally hear her name and cringe. This woman ruined a king. A godly man who feared the Lord. But what about her side of the story? Have we ever stopped to think about how she must have felt. My friend shared from this sermon about how it showed her Bathsheba's side of the story and the pain and fear she must have been experiencing when her husband was murdered by the king and she was then married to the man who had her husband killed! The conversation with ...

This post is linked to "Looking Back 2013."  Feel free to click the banner below beginning January 8th to see what other Crew members have shared about this past year: I would do it all over again. Last year that is. Sure maybe some curve balls where thrown at me but if the question comes up this year, "so...are you still homeschooling?" The answer is an enthusiastic, resounding, YES! Do you ever feel like when non-homeschoolers ask you how your year went, it seems as though they are fishing for a sense of struggle, discomfort or sigh of discontentment? Like they are hoping to see the fire dwindling so they can say, "see, I knew homeschooling was hard, which is why I could never do it!" I guess we will always be observed under a magnifying glass, and I just need to get over it. Like when the kids are asked by concerned adults, "what are you learning in school?" My children stare at them blankly responding with the ever so dreadful, ...

#1 GLIDEWARE REVIEW The Top Viewed Post of 2013 is not surprising!  GLIDEWARE is by far the winner!!! This new product has JUST recently gone into production and is the hottest new accessory to maximize your kitchen space.  Read my Review  #2 FIRMOO REVIEW Ordering glasses online is a cinch these days, all you need is a prescription from your doctor and you can find some great deals at discount sites such as Firmoo.  Read My Review #3 CHRONICLES OF DINOSAURIA REVIEW My absolute favorite children's book that I read this year. Totally deserves to be at number 3! Read My Review #4 An Etsy Shop Review: Woodworks By Brooks This post was a big hit. Customers are hungry for handmade. Read My Review  #5 NOAH WEBSTER BOOK REVIEW A book I will so be keeping on my shelf! Read My Review #6 PUREX REVIEW Throughout the year I've been able to provide my readers with several Purex brand products. The most pop...