I’m Struck By Homeschooling

The weather has only just begun to change, but already, we have embraced autumn with our whole hearts. This week brought us our first taste of cooler weather, with glorious morning fog and golden afternoon sunlight.  It’s finally been just seasonable enough to allow— even encourage— and afternoon cup of tea. Thank heavens. And oh yes, the very first handful of leaves has fallen.

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Catching a Break

It’s Fall Break for my college kids. Bryan College has a generous break that, when counted from the the end of their Friday classes to the Sunday evening return before classes resume, totals nine sleeps. I know this not only because I, personally, am basking in this luxurious stretch of togetherness, but because Birdie announced this as she counted down the days until her beloved older siblings returned home.

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Cycle 2, Week 11 Resources

These are websites, books, videos, and other resources that correlate with CC Cycle 2, week 11 New Grammar. A few quick disclaimers: I have used every resource that I list, but I may not have used it as intended. (For example, you’ll see a note under the Latin heading about a file folder game I printed and slipped into a page protector for reuse as a printable each week.) Also, I am very comfortable editing books that I read to my children on the fly. If you are concerned about the level or content of a book or resource, please peruse in advance. Some links may direct to affiliate sites. For other CC-related posts and weekly resource links on this blog, click here.

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What I’m Doing Differently Now That I’ve Got Homeschool Grads in College

It’s no surprise that after nearly two decades of consecutive operation (surely I didn’t just say two decades?), our family’s homeschool has changed. A rotating roster of students, ages, interests, strengths, and weaknesses has ensured an evolving curriculum. Add to that the art of accommodating the laws of multiple states over the years, as well as the continuing development and accessibility of resources and tech designed specifically for use in homeschools and well… how I homeschool in 2019 doesn’t bear a huge resemblance to how I homeschooled in 2001.

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Cycle 2, Week 10 Resources

These are websites, books, videos, and other resources that correlate with CC Cycle 2, week 10 New Grammar. A few quick disclaimers: I have used every resource that I list, but I may not have used it as intended. (For example, you’ll see a note under the Latin heading about a file folder game I printed and slipped into a page protector for reuse as a printable each week.) Also, I am very comfortable editing books that I read to my children on the fly. If you are concerned about the level or content of a book or resource, please peruse in advance. Some links may direct to affiliate sites. For other CC-related posts and weekly resource links on this blog, click here.

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Life, Interrupted

My Thursday was supposed to look like this: CC Community Day (Foundations, followed by Essentials), return home to greet arriving in-laws, heavy snacks for kids, get husband and 17 year-old son out the door for Civil Air Patrol Event, get everyone else dressed and ready for same event, head to event, shoot staff portraits, watch my son shine as newly installed Cadet Commander, serve cake, return home and serve dinner, and bundle everyone off to bed extraordinarily late but terrifically happy.

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Cycle 2, Week 9 Resources

These are websites, books, videos, and other resources that correlate with CC Cycle 2, week 9 New Grammar. A few quick disclaimers: I have used every resource that I list, but I may not have used it as intended. (For example, you’ll see a note under the Latin heading about a file folder game I printed and slipped into a page protector for reuse as a printable each week.) Also, I am very comfortable editing books that I read to my children on the fly. If you are concerned about the level or content of a book or resource, please peruse in advance. Some links may direct to affiliate sites. For other CC-related posts and weekly resource links on this blog, click here.

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On True Friendship

Because I’ve moved so much in my adult life, I’ve had a lot of cause to ponder friendship. See, friendship is actually a more complicated thing than most folks think it is. You can miss it when you stay rooted in one spot for a lifetime, I think. I’ve decided that this is because proximity is often mistaken for friendship. Having a conveniently close geographical location, or having multiple points where your lives intersect (church, dance lessons, and small group— three built-in “see you there’s” every week!) gives you familiarity… but it doesn’t necessarily make you friends by the deepest standards.

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Homeschooling and the Treasure Principle

One of the most convicting sermons I’ve ever heard was preached in a small country church by a pastor too young to grow a proper beard. He was the nephew of one of the congregants, called in to pinch hit for an ailing evangelist who had been on the roster for five night homecoming revival. My Mamaw and I had been coming all week even though this wasn’t her church home; she was a fan of the evangelist and, especially, his wife, who lead each evening’s singing with the bluegrassy twang that made every hymn sound just right to Mamaw’s ears. We learned of the change as we mounted the wooden steps to the church, and I was pretty sure we could still make it home in time to watch Jeopardy! I was 17 and headed to college in a handful of weeks. While I loved my Mamaw and knew I needed to be in church on Sunday, I had no great affection for revivals, their fiery pronouncements, or the forty minute altar calls issued while we stood, sweating out the chorus of “Grace That is Greater Than All Our Sin” on loop. Given my way, we would have passed on the guest speaker. God, however, had other plans.

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Cycle 2, Week 8 Resources

These are websites, books, videos, and other resources that correlate with CC Cycle 2, week 8 New Grammar. A few quick disclaimers: I have used every resource that I list, but I may not have used it as intended. (For example, you’ll see a note under the Latin heading about a file folder game I printed and slipped into a page protector for reuse as a printable each week.) Also, I am very comfortable editing books that I read to my children on the fly. If you are concerned about the level or content of a book or resource, please peruse in advance. Some links may direct to affiliate sites. For other CC-related posts and weekly resource links on this blog, click here.

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