Category: Uncategorized

Several homeschool moms and I sat down the other day and made a list of places that we could take our kids on field trips in Western North Carolina. I am going to post a few places today and share a few every week. When we do go to these places, I will be taking pictures and sharing them with you all.

Since I live in Western North Carolina, I love to go to the Great Smoky Mountain Park. There is so much to see and do in this area. Not only do you have the beautiful mountains you can hike in to see the wonderful flora and fauna, the animals and the landscape, you also have the many visitor centers that are located throughout the park. You have the Oconaluftee Visitor Center at the entrance of the park in Cherokee, NC. There is an Old Mountain Farm set up there you can tour. Not even a mile down the road is Mingus Mill. It is an old mill that is working order.

In Cherokee, you also have the Oconaluftee Indian Village and Unto These Hills. They also have the Oconaluftee Indian Museum you can tour. Our family has enjoyed going here a couple of times and look forward to going back with the younger kids.

As you go farther west, you can also visit the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. My family hasn’t been here yet, but our homeschool will be planning a field trip here this summer. I have heard a lot of wonderful comments about this place and look forward to visiting it.

I read a lot of blogs. Some blogs I read because they are devotionals, some are information blogs and some are ones that have similar interests with me.

One of the blogs I have started reading just recently falls into that later category. Not only is she a Christian, she is a mom, she homeschools and she also enjoys baking.

I am talking about Amanda at i am mommy and i am baker.

Amanda has written a post about how much it means for people to comment on her blog and she also lists several readers that comment often. Today on her post, she mentioned ME! I was so surprised and so honored for her to do that. She was very sweet in what she said about me.

I just want to say thank you to Amanda at i am mommy and i am baker for recognizing me as a faithful reader and comment.

I must say, I don’t comment often, but when I do and what I say, I really mean it.

Thanks for recognizing me Amanda!

No, I am not talking about Spring or the pollen. I am talking about getting all of the homeschool catalogs in the mail to begin the search for curriculum for the fall.

I always like to see what new curriculum or books they have out their on the market. Every year, I always think back on the previous year to see how I think things went. Did my kids like the books? Did we learn what we needed to for the year? Up until this past year, I had always used mostly Bob Jones for English, Science and History. I used Saxon for math and also used the Apologia Elementary Exploring Creation series for some extra science.

This past year, We took part in a co-op group that used Tapestry of Grace as a base for History. We studied a lot about the Early Church and the Church during the Middle Ages. While my daughter LOVED studying about the Middle Ages, she did not care much for Tapestry of Grace.

Since my older daughter is in 6th grade this year, I thought I would ask her opinion on what she would like to do for school. I believe she is old enough as well as mature enough to help make a wise decision based on how she likes to learn and what she likes to learn.

I have ordered all kinds of homeschool catalogs that we can browse though to help us make the right choice together. They have been steadily coming in the mail. Every day, I race to the mail box to see what catalog we have received in the mail!

Through conversations though she has expressed interest in going back to Bob Jones. I always thought she didn’t enjoy using the Bob Jones material. She always seemed to have a comment about the material. So this really caught me by surprise.

I have priced Bob Jones material for her, however, I am still looking. You never can tell what we will come across.

I am also still looking for curriculum for Samuel and Claire. They will be in 1st and Pre-K grades next year. This year, Claire had been sitting down next to Samuel doing the same worksheets that he was doing. She was able to keep up with him for the most part. The only trouble I saw with Claire doing the same work was with the writing. She doesn’t seem to quite have the motor skills that he has just yet. I am not rushing her one bit with it either. I know that will develop over time.

So while we are finishing up for this school year, we are busy getting ready for next year.

I am so very thankful and blessed to have children who truly love to do their school work and loves to learn no matter what.

No, I am not talking about Spring or the pollen. I am talking about getting all of the homeschool catalogs in the mail to begin the search for curriculum for the fall.

I always like to see what new curriculum or books they have out their on the market. Every year, I always think back on the previous year to see how I think things went. Did my kids like the books? Did we learn what we needed to for the year? Up until this past year, I had always used mostly Bob Jones for English, Science and History. I used Saxon for math and also used the Apologia Elementary Exploring Creation series for some extra science.

This past year, We took part in a co-op group that used Tapestry of Grace as a base for History. We studied a lot about the Early Church and the Church during the Middle Ages. While my daughter LOVED studying about the Middle Ages, she did not care much for Tapestry of Grace.

Since my older daughter is in 6th grade this year, I thought I would ask her opinion on what she would like to do for school. I believe she is old enough as well as mature enough to help make a wise decision based on how she likes to learn and what she likes to learn.

I have ordered all kinds of homeschool catalogs that we can browse though to help us make the right choice together. They have been steadily coming in the mail. Every day, I race to the mail box to see what catalog we have received in the mail!

Through conversations though she has expressed interest in going back to Bob Jones. I always thought she didn’t enjoy using the Bob Jones material. She always seemed to have a comment about the material. So this really caught me by surprise.

I have priced Bob Jones material for her, however, I am still looking. You never can tell what we will come across.

I am also still looking for curriculum for Samuel and Claire. They will be in 1st and Pre-K grades next year. This year, Claire had been sitting down next to Samuel doing the same worksheets that he was doing. She was able to keep up with him for the most part. The only trouble I saw with Claire doing the same work was with the writing. She doesn’t seem to quite have the motor skills that he has just yet. I am not rushing her one bit with it either. I know that will develop over time.

So while we are finishing up for this school year, we are busy getting ready for next year.

I am so very thankful and blessed to have children who truly love to do their school work and loves to learn no matter what.

I had a pretty good week last week. Well, it was better than just pretty good. It was pretty awesome. I actually lost 5 lbs last week! I could not believe it when I got on the scale this morning. I am now happy to say I am at 218.5 lbs.

I got to thinking about my week last week. What did I do differently? Hmmm..After much thought, I figured out that I moved a lot more last week! While it wasn’t your typical exercise routine, it was a lot more moving than what I had been doing. I played basketball at the park a couple of times last week for about 30 minutes each. I also jumped rope on one of those days as well. I also walked a little more than what I had been doing.

I am still keeping my calories intake in between 1500-1600 calories. I do not like to go over 1700 if at all possible. I also try to get my fat grams down as well as my carbs. I try to eat a lot of good protein to help me keep my energy up during the day time.

My goals for this week are about the same. Keeping up with my calories as well as trying to add in more exercise. I can’t forget to drink my water either!

While I may not have another big week like this past week, I am looking forward to having an awesome week! Love getting back to a healthier lifestyle! 🙂