Our Homeschooling Journey

Well, we have been at it for a month now. I would be lying if I said it was going smoothly. Shaylin has taken to it like a pro. She loves being at home and completes her work in record time. She is already more than half way through her Algebra 1 book. We decided to redo Algebra this year. She really struggled with it last year. I truly believe its because the teachers did not have enough time to spend with the kids to explain the areas that they didn't understand. We will be ordering Geometry before Christmas. Math-U-See rocks!!

Zach is another story altogether. He is fighting me tooth and nail to get his work done. Although, he is over half way done with his math also. At the pace we are going the kids will be done with school in late February or Early March.

We have planted many veggies as part of our science class. The kids are having a ball playing in the dirt several times a week. Now if they just enjoyed weeding.... The seedlings are really taking off. The humid weather we are having this wee, following Fay has ready helped a bunch of them to finally germinate. We are going to have a ton of tomatoes and cukes!!

So, I have decided not to start our History lessons just yet. I think I will start them when we begin classes again after our Holiday break. Although the holiday break will be spent on home ec. and crafting. The kids are really getting into sewing. They absolutely love it. So we are going to be sewing our Christmas presents this year. I would post what we are planning to work on but my family may read this and their gifts would be spoiled!!

So, we are still settling into our groove for homeschooling. I know that once Zach is more comfortable with the new system, it will get easier. But he is my strong willed child and loves to push mommies buttons. So right now he is over at Grandma's working. He listens to her better on the days we aren't seeing eye to eye. Too much of the Mleko blood runs through that child's veins!!! hahaha. No offense family but you all know the Mleko's are a stubborn bunch! Although, the Demers' have that trait down to a science too. Right Poppy Andre? ;-)

Well, I am cooking a ham dinner for Tali's 25th birthday tonight. Its her golden birthday. So I'm off to baste the ham and get started on the green bean casserole. (Yuk!) But its her dinner not mine. hehehe. The things we do for our friends. I love her. I just wont share her veggies!

Have a blessed week all!!

Our First Sewing Lesson

Today Grandma Jean (my mother-in-law) started teaching the kids how to sew. She got me started a few years ago, so I sat in and helped out when needed. Shaylin, Zach and Marylin learned all the ins and outs of a sewing machine and how to run it.

They had a blast learning to stitch a straight seem and then onto zig zagging. Zach actually did better than the girls!! He followed grandma into the other room and told her how much fun he had. And how much he enjoys sewing already. He has very good hand/eye coordination. I am sure it comes from all the video games he plays.

After they finished the few lines of stitching, they got to pick out fabric for their first project. We will all make aprons. I am making one to wear this Friday while we cook for our BBQ. But the kids will cut their pattern and fabric next time.

We are making aprons to wear during our cooking lessons that will start in August. Jeannine and I will be teaching the kids different things in the kitchen. By the end of the first eight weeks Shay & Zach will be able to plan out a menu and cook a meal of their choice for us all to enjoy. Every 8 weeks they will have a new menu to put together and cook for us. We are very excited.

So I guess you can see how some of our homeschooling will tie into each other. The best part of it all is that we get to spend time getting to know each other better as we teach the classes. Its a good thing Grandma only lives across the street!!

Thanks for the sewing lessons, Grandma Jean!

World Changers 2008

I recently got back from my first ever mission trip. I went with our youth group to Augusta, GA. It was an awesome experience. The days where long and hot and the nights where short and freezing!! The AC was remotely controlled so the rooms got very cold at night.

There were about 280 of us that worked on 18 homes in Augusta. It was a great way to give back a little that the Lord has given to me. The crew I was on re-roofed a house for Mr. Green. He is an elderly gentleman that could not afford to have it done any other way. He was very happy to have us there.

I learned how to lay down three tab shingles. And that yes, I am still afraid of heights!! I am glad that I was able to stay on the ground the second day and start scarping paint off the windows. I got light headed just thinking about being on that roof again. It only took our team 2 days to tear off the the roof and put a new one back on.

One day three of us went walking to give out our extra lunches. It wasn't a very nice neighborhood to be walking in and I am glad we had Kevin with us. But we ended up at a home with 8 kids. The ages ranged from 1 years old to 15. We were able to take them to a magic show. It was based on Christ and the the wondrous things He did for us. 3 of the older girls we brought with us accepted Christ after the show. WOW!! It was a great day!!!!

That is why we where there. To help make the homes a bit more livable and to the bring Christ into those homes. I wish we would have had more time with those kids. T.J. the youngest boy @ 3 didn't want to go back home. He wanted to stay with us. I think about him all the time. I wonder if he remembers us. I sure hope so.

You never know where you will end up when you answer the call the Lord puts upon your heart. I ended up in Augusta, GA. It was a rough week of work but at he same time, fun and uplifting. The Holy Spirit was with us and working through us that week.

Every night at worship you could feel the Holy Spirit vibrating through the room. So many young hearts where touched and changed forever. I know I was. I met some of my most physical limits and pushed them and expanded them through the strength of the Lord. He was my source of energy. The reason I kept at it when I felt I was at my limit. And I was rewarded by seeing those young girls give their lives to Christ.

Isn't funny how one small act of kindness can change someone else's life forever? Our God is good all the time and all the time He is good. I guess that is why we are told to walk the path that Christ walked. For if we share what He has given us, His word, and His life than we will brighten someone else's life.

If you ever have the chance to go, try it just once. You will be glad you did. I am.