A few days ago, I published a short video of Matthew. I simply called it “Matthew at Five Weeks”. He wasn’t doing anything in particular, just lying there, looking cute. It gave me the idea to post a short video of him each week, while he’s awake, just to see how he changes. He will be little for such a short time, but thanks to modern technology, I can capture these precious moments for all time. 🙂
Thanks for reading. And watching! :]
I recently attended a gathering with my husband (NO kids, if you can believe it.) where neither of us knew many people. As we mingled, my husband would approach various people and introduce himself. I waited, awkwardly, for him to introduce me, as well. He never did. I stood, shifting from one foot to other, gazing around the crowd, feeling invisible. We found a person we knew, and they introduced a friend of theirs to my husband, but not to me. Again, I wondered, “Am I invisible?” I started to ask someone, but when they looked right through me, I got my answer. (just kidding!)
Today is my precious Lauren’s 11th birthday! Where did the time go? She is the one who made me a mother. I had no idea how to nurse a baby or care for a newborn when she came along. I didn’t know what to do when she cried in her car seat while we drove. I had to learn everything when I had Lauren! I have heard some women say that “mothering” came naturally to them. I can honestly say it didn’t for me. I have made, and still make, so many mistakes! I marvel that the Lord gave me one child, much less five! Nothing has driven me to my knees more than motherhood. I’m thankful that I know the One who knows how to help me.
After Lauren was born, I spiraled downward emotionally. I suffered with PPD and, were it not for the grace of God and a strong husband, I would not be here today to celebrate her birthday with her. When I think of that, I shudder. The Lord was watching over me – over all of us – to see us through those terrible early days of Lauren’s life. I am thankful that she has no memory of it. He has healed me completely and given me hope; for that I praise Him.
I have enjoyed watching my sweet Lauren take her first steps, learn to talk, ride a bike, play at the park, and  learn to read and write. I have not missed a thing. I love having her home with me. She cares about the souls of others and wants everyone to go to Heaven. She wants to know what the Bible says, and she tries to live it. She is a hard worker. She loves to read and play outside. She is joy to our lives!
She is fast approaching womanhood, and that gives me mixed emotions. I want her to stay little, and I want her to grow up and see what God has for her as an adult! I can only have it one way, though. God’s plan is for us to grow and change, but I’m leaning on Him each and every step of the way! While I am a bit melancholy to see her growing up, I choose not to give in to sadness today! I am rejoicing that I have a beautiful 11 year old daughter, and  I am so thankful to be her mother.
Here’s a photo taken of her last Tuesday, when we took her bowling for her birthday. We are having her cake today, so I’ll post more pictures of her birthday celebration later. :]
Making sweet memories,
I have been very pleased with the hands-on projects that A.C.E. has included in their science PACE’s. Lauren is on week two of  Science 1061, and she has already done several small projects. Last week, we made pretty soap balls. We also took baking soda in a cup, poured vinegar on it and lit a match over it. The match extinguished because the baking soda/vinegar mixture created carbon dioxide (eliminating the oxygen), and therefore, snuffed out the match. In her reading, she learned that fire can not burn without oxygen. Our little experiment proved it.
This PACE also called for the use of litmus paper to test various bases and acids. I do remember wishing I had access to some litmus paper when I was doing this past many moons ago, it’s nice that I finally got some and only a few years late!
I was excited to find a new (well, new to me) science resource. I purchased the litmus paper and some magnets and iron filings from Nature’s Workshop. They are reasonably priced and package things for a family, rather than a classroom. For instance, I had found litmus paper on other sites but it was sold in packages of 200 sheets! I don’t need quite that many :]. I was pleased to see them sold in packages of 20 on the Nature’s Workshop website. While browsing their catalog, I also found some good books that I’ve been wanting to buy for the kids. I have also circled several other educational items I would like to buy in the future. I’m always trying to enhance the kids learning experience without breaking the bank. 🙂
Here are some photos of our purchases.
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For more of my favorite home schooling resources, click HERE.
Happy Home Schooling!
This post is intended more for friends and family who don’t get to see our new precious bundle very often. I recorded this short video last week. I hope you enjoy it, we surely are enjoying him! 🙂
Okay, so I’m no graphic artist. I play around with a Paint Shop Pro X2 from time to time, but those times are few and far between. I’m also no expert at web design. A very good friend designed my blog background, header and signature for me. Without her, I’d have been sanctioned to the use of pre-designed templates that might not necessarily fit my personality. With all of that said, I’m extremely thrilled with my simple (very simple) blog button that I designed, and that I figured out how to enable others to share the word about my blog. You can see it live on the right hand sidebar.
I so enjoy meeting people via my little Internet home, so if you have a blog, and if you like mine, would you pick up my handy-dandy button and post it on your blog? I’d be so honored!! 🙂
Well, I better scoot – I have a meeting with some Master Club workers in a few minutes!
Happy Sonday!
P.S. Thanks to those of you who commented on my last blog post! It really brightened my day!! 🙂
 I feel so alone here in blog-land. Hearing from you via a comment would really make my day! If you’ve never commented, please introduce yourself! I would love to “meet” you.
And yes, I’m begging. Please comment.
 Puh-leeeze? I hate one sided conversations.
Pretty please?
I was in a Christian school which used the A.C.E. materials for 10 years of my life. I’ll be honest, whenever I headed over to the public elementary school where my mother taught, and saw the glossy covered books, gigantic maps and mini science labs, I felt as though I was getting the short end of the stick. Our Christian school was small, and couldn’t afford many of these luxuries.The emphasis was on the Bible, and they taught it well. Looking back, I can see that I still got a quality education from the A.C.E. materials (and my parents’ teaching at home), but it just wasn’t the same.
Now, here I am, some…years…later, and I am using A.C.E. with two of my five children. We are almost through with our first week, and so far, I am very pleased. In fact, I’m wondering why I was so hard on it before? Here are some things I like about these materials:
1. The children can work much more independently with A.C.E. than with our previous materials. This is a such a blessing to me as I care for our five week old baby! I really cannot even put into words how helpful this has been.
2. The children are learning to set their goals and they can actually see them being completed. They are crossing off each subject as they go, and that has been rewarding.
3. Lauren (sixth grade) had an assignment to use the dictionary the last two days. She has used one before, but not very much. This was a weakness she had that I had not known about! I’m glad to see this gap being filled for her.
4. A specific Christian character trait is taught throughout each booklet (PACE).
5. Fewer materials to keep up with, so less clutter! 🙂
I have noticed that the materials have been revised since I used them years ago. There are several easy and fun “hands-on” activities included now! They are perfect for a homeschooling mom. I am also adding a few of my own art projects and family read alouds to enhance the day. Right now, I’m reading Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred Taylor to my older children. It’s a moving story that we are enjoying.
I’m using the Abeka materials with my Kindergartener and three year old. Yes, between the five of them, I am hopping most of the day! But that’s a good thing! Job security! 😉
Our school days are finding a rhythm and we are learning to march to it. No matter what is happening at the Basham household, one thing is sure: everyday is an adventure!
Enjoying the adventure,
We were unable to take a “real” vacation this summer. Matthew was born July 14, so we have been busy (and exhausted) as we’ve cared for a newborn. Also, traveling with a few-weeks-old baby isn’t exactly fun, in my opinion. Instead, we were blessed with a visit from my Mom and my sister’s family. My sister, Melanie, lives in North Carolina with her hubby and three adorable boys. Needless to say, we don’t get to see them very often. We relish each opportunity to get together. They were only able to stay a week, but we crammed many happy memories into that week! Here are a few pictures from our time together. I’m calling this the “vacation at home”. 🙂
valeriewritenow.com 