Everything high School... when homeschooling...

Homeschool High School

Our homeschool co-op class is in full swing! Biology is AWESOME just like I knew it would be! Spanish, history and even writing and math class are turning out to be a lot of fun = ) Don't get me wrong it's a ton of work, and it's still taking much longer then I thought, but it's only the second week and I hope after some time it will level off.

It's really made me start to think about limiting our "outings" away from home but sometimes you just have to go. I mean you can't Not go to the ortho appt., you can't NOT go to the music lesson, I can't NOT go to earn money on Friday's cleaning. With our homeschool co-op classes meeting 2x a week it doesn't leave much play in our schedule. I'm so thankful for laptops!!! I can't tell you how many times having laptops in the van saved our behinds. It's not the ideal way to go but definitely a blessing when needed.

Cheyenne looking through the microscope



My wonderful hubby did not let the meager pickings of garden #1 deter him! He's already started garden #2 and after tasting the beats that he grew, and that I canned...  I think he is energized to go again! He said they were wonderful! I'll take his word for it since I don't eat them = )
so far I've put up ...


 pickled beets, dill pickles, blackberry jelly, persimmon jelly, carrots and wild plum jam.

Dehydrating mushrooms

I have a bushel of peaches on the way and I just got a GREAT deal on blueberries and froze just over 8 lbs of those to do something with later. Hubby's replanted everything again so we'll see if the "old timers" were right about this mid-summer into Fall gardening.

I can tell already it will be another full & exciting year.... I'm already looking forward to our little weekend getaway at the lodge. We have a great group of people going this year and I know it will be the best year yet! October can't come soon enough!!!
We still have a few "river days" left... some exciting field trips to consider and fellowshipping with friends. Speaking of which we are baby sitting some almost ready to hatch chicken eggs! Interestingly enough even though we currently own about 80 chickens and have had many more over the years... we have yet to see any hatch so we are pretty excited!

Until October there's plenty to do... I will try harder to make time for the womens bible study I'm in, try not to drown in papers that need to be graded, try to remember my supplies for our co-op class... and just relax knowing I am NOT in this alone! I have 3 beautiful friends helping to make this a wonderful, successful school year.

I miss my friends that live further away..... know that I think of you, pray for you and look forward to things that cross our paths. One of the costs of living in the country. You are always welcome to visit, just let me know when you want to come.

God Bless.....
Sherri <><

School starts, garden #2 and the on going journey of our lives....

Well, well.... August hit fast! This year's homeschool high school courses...

Bible - Foundations 1
Apologia Biology
Science Roots Vocabulary Vine for Apologia Biology
MOH 1 & MOH 2 Ancient History
Learnables Spanish 1
Algebra 1 & Geometry
Writing Class
English
Typing
Guitar & Drum lessons
P.E.

Our homeschool co-op class started last Monday and the kids all seemed pretty excited about getting back together. We've added another family and some new subjects which will be a huge blessing for all of us. I for one am excited about the talent these moms share with us, and I'm really looking forward to classes this year. Keegan is still pretty adamant that he will be a doctor and Nathaniel is leaning back towards a field in engineering. Time will tell, I only ask that they continue to pray about it and wait on the Lord's leading.

I had a sobering thought the other day... We have only have 3 years left of homeschooling. We are on the tail end of this journey and starting to think about the next segment of our lives beyond homeschooling. I will have more time with hubby... more time for hobby's... more time for a lot of things! I know God already knows what we'll be doing with the time that was once homeschooling... I'm looking forward to what He has in store for us.

Nathaniel has his permit now and he's been chauffeuring hubby every where. I let him drive me occasionally but I am mostly content to wait until hubby signs him off as safe = ) The thought of an untested driver at high speeds leaves me unsettled. Living in the country means everywhere is at high speed!

I think we've found a church home... I know that may surprise some of you, as you know I am always on guard against any politics or funny business in a church. A dear friend invited us to her church, and the church is NOTHING like anything we've ever been to before. No contemporary music, no youth groups, no crowds, fancy bells & whistles equipment... just a small, humble, completely in love with the Lord group of people. Interestingly enough the men in my family seem to be getting truly fed what they need. I have watched them grow in the Lord since we've been there, even to the point of Nathaniel re-committing his life to Jesus completely and unexpectedly one day. There are more homeschool families in this church then I've ever seen at the other churches we've been too. I think being somewhere where the word is preached wholeheartedly & unabashedly with other like minded families is making the difference for us.

Other then homeschooling going well & church being wonderful... God has set us in the midst of godly friends to fellowship with. What a blessing!!! We have so enjoyed fellow shipping this summer down at the river, after church and at each other's homes. I truly look forward to the time ahead growing with these friends.

Garden #2 is planned, plotted and soon to be planted!! The guys have been harvesting everything nature has to offer around our home. We've made tons of blackberry jelly, persimmon jelly, elderberry syrup and today we made wild plum jelly! I've canned pickles and carrots & dehydrated a BUNCH of squash! Our neighbors have sent bags and bags of cukes our way. That was truly a blessing as our garden #1 didn't put out the way we had hoped. I pray your summer has brought your family closer to each other and the Lord, God Bless!

Sherri <><