My mind is blown!

Since I homeschool I have been paying quite a bit of attention to this whole Common Core Curriculum. It is blowing my mind. I have watched videos on the books and listening to different things and I can't even wrap my mind around it. If my state passes this it will take away my right to homeschool my children. Also I read if they have special needs they will not get a diploma, they will get a certificate of attendance. What kind of junk is that?!? I am just beside myself. And then I am reading about this parental rights stuff they have going on. Really? It is not up to me how I raise my children or how I have them treated medically? Crazy!! This country is on a downward spiral and going fast. Sorry... just had to put that out there. We all really need to do our homework. We need to find out all we can about all of this non sense. I refuse to let them take over my family and my children. Here are some links for you to check out. There is a lot of information so don't get overwhelmed.

This is from "Overruled: Government Invasion of your Parental Rights"

Common Core Language Arts

                                                       

Math                                                                          

I know I am on my soap box but I really care about what my children learn and how they are raised. I want them to grow up to be kind God fearing adults. I want them not to be afraid to go against the grain and to stand up for what is right. We need to bring God back into our country and fight for what we believe in. We should have the right to believe what we want and teach our children what we want.

God Bless!

Here is a little Toby Mac...

Goings On...

Well my friend and I have decided to have a yard sale this weekend. It always seems like such a great idea. Then you are getting your stuff together and pricing it and then thinking "I should just drop this off at Goodwill and be done with it." That is what I was thinking today when I was loading up my van. UGH!!! Can't wait until it is over. I have been listing some of my stuff on ebay. I like doing that because I don't have to do anything but post it and then ship it when someone buys it. Easy enough.

Anyway...We are in a mad dash to finish up school. We are ready for summer vacation. All we have left is Math. It seems to always happen that way. She gets done with everything else because she doesn't like math and saves it for last. We have two tests left then we will be done with the fourth grade! I am super excited!!

I haven't had the chance to try any new recipes or make anything crafty. I hope once we are done with school I will be able to do some of the things I pinned on Pinterest. There are so many things I want to make.  I want to make gifts for father's day this year. I know the kids will love helping so it should go quickly. Here are some ideas I want to try...

                                                           http://www.craftionary.net

Of course my wreath will be Cleveland Indians...

                         http://howtonestforless.com/2012/05/21/st-louis-cardinals-baseball-wreath/

                                        http://nowathomemom.com/diy-personalized-birthday-mug

             http://www.etsy.com/listing/101070873/best-dads-get-promoted-to-grandpa?ref=v1_other_1

These are just a few ideas I found on Pinterest. Not sure yet which one I will try...

Hope you have a blessed weekend!

It has been a looonnnggg time

Sorry it has been so long since I have posted anything. A lot is going on in our house! We have decided to adopt! We have just finished up our training classes and are now waiting to have our home study. We are super excited! I have also decided to homeschool traditionally next year! Ahhh! We are done with the online school! I have been searching high and low for the best deals on text books and deciding what I want to use. That is a huge task! But I am trying to keep a positive attitude. Any way.... I encourage you to check out foster parenting or adoption. There are a lot of children across the United States that need a good home. Just something to think about...

If you live in Ohio and are interested you can check out this site for Northeast Ohio Adoption Services.
www.noas.com

Or you can contact your local County Children's Services for more information.

Thanks for reading and have a blessed day!

Books

I just finished reading Les Miserables. What a sad book. I thought it was a good book but, it was a very emotional book. Most of the book was horrible things that happened to this man. He had terrible luck! If it was bad and it was going to happen, it was going to happen to him. There were maybe two happy moments in the whole book. A friend of mine recommended it to me. I'm glad I read it....if you can handle that kind of reading I would recommend it. The original was about 2,ooo pages long. I did not read that one. I read the version that was adapted for today's readers. Here is a picture of the cover.

I am planning to check out the movie that is coming out on Christmas day. I wonder how close to the book it will be. The cast looks pretty good.  Here is the movie trailer.

I usually like to read the book before I see the movie. Usually the book is a million times better than the movie but that is not always the case. So we shall see.

Santa...to believe or not to believe that is the question.

My daughter just turned 10 yesterday. She is really struggling with whether or not she believes in Santa. Of course I want her to continue to believe because I am not ready for her to grow up just yet. But how do you answer that question. I just want to tell her in a way that doesn't ruin the magic of Christmas. Of course the most important reason of Christmas is the birth of Christ. Which she knows all about. Santa is just the fun part of Christmas. Here is a letter that was pinned on Pinterest, I thought it was really cool.

I'm not sure of it's origin. If it is yours please tell me. I really like this and would probably say about the same thing to my daughter.

Christmas Cookies.....

Made these with the kids the other night. It was so easy that they probably could have done it without me. I got the idea from www.pillsbury.com. They were pretty tasty and we saved a couple for Santa. Here is what you do..

1. Get some of the Christmas refrigerated sugar cookie dough.

2. Bake them and let them cool.

3. Take some vanilla frosting and put it between two cookies.

4. Put sprinkles around the edges.

That is is! Super easy if you need to make something in a pinch and don't have a lot of time. They would make a nice gift for the neighbors or family. 

I am still in shock over what happened in Connecticut yesterday. My heart goes out to the families there. I cannot imagine nor do I want to what they must be going through right now. I know I held both of my kids and cried yesterday so thankful that I am able to homeschool them. I have people say to me they will miss out on so many things at school. I don't think so. Until we get God back into our country it will continue to go down farther and farther. I don't want my children to be a part of that. I know homeschooling isn't for everyone and I am by no means saying you should pull your kids from school. But it is my personal choice. We have our struggles with it and I have fought with the idea of sending her back to school. But in the end it is not something I am willing to do. I just want them home with me so I know they are safe. Maybe I am being paranoid or over protective but it is a decision I am willing to live with. Sorry I am ranting...just needed to let that out. I pray for our country and for all of you. Please join me in praying for the families of this tragedy and for the children who witnessed it all. They will be forever changed.