heartofdakota.com

What was YOUR week Like?

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a- A picture
b- A blog Link
c- A written synopsis
d- Your favorite memory
e- Anything you want that shares your HOD excitement!

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http://gracefilledhomeschooling.blogspo ... 18-22.html

Great week and there is giveaway you might want to check out in my post as well

Little Hands to Heaven: Unit 29


Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory: Unit 11


Preparing Hearts for His Glory: Unit 7

Here is an update on our last two weeks of MTMM http://graceandfur.blogspot.com/2013/11 ... 82013.html

Just a quick pop-in to say We Finished Bigger Hearts! On Thursday. Well, except for the last Bible reading. It was a really crazy day. But I am so thankful, and so excited for all my daughter learned and we are looking forward to starting Preparing right after Thanksgiving!

Blessings to others, I will try to have a longer update later.

MelInKansas wrote:Just a quick pop-in to say We Finished Bigger Hearts! On Thursday. Well, except for the last Bible reading. It was a really crazy day. But I am so thankful, and so excited for all my daughter learned and we are looking forward to starting Preparing right after Thanksgiving!

Blessings to others, I will try to have a longer update later.

Yay!!!! We had a lot of fun with Bigger as well.

We had a pretty short week of school this week, for a few reasons. It's deer hunting season here, so my dh took our oldest 2 sons on a deer hunt for 5 days. Emmett stayed home with me. I was reminded how having 1 can sometimes be harder in some ways than having 3. It is busy being more of the entertainer, but then those are special one on one memories for just the two of us as well. For you mamas with 1 child or you young mamas who have 1 little child now, this past week reminded me of the special challenges and yet also special joys of all of that 1:1 time. I also spent several days with my parents, as my Dad is now in the final stages of his pancreatic cancer and entering the hospice program. For those of you who have prayed for him and for our family for the past 1 1/2 years - thank you so much. Your prayers meant the world, and we continue to covet your prayers as we walk this final walk with our Dad. This may be weeks or many months - but that is all in God's capable hands.

I am very thankful for HOD these days. Even with so very much going on in our lives right now, we are able to continue homeschooling quite normally. It is the glue holding my little family together as my bigger family continues to need more of me. I don't know what we would do right now without that sense of stability that homeschooling with HOD provides. It forces me to keep my life more balanced, and that is a good thing.

One thing that we have done that has helped keep things balanced is to move Emmett to half-speed Beyond right now. This little change has freed up 45 minutes in my day, and that has been the little change that has made a big difference in coping with all that has been going on in our lives outside of school. My dh has been gone 9 out of 10 days overnight, and is set to be gone another 7 out of 8 days overnight (some for work, some for hunting). I am not complaining, and I know some of you amazing ladies have husbands gone far more often than that - but it does make being there for my parents who live over an hour away and balancing this with homeschooling interesting. My plan is to go half-speed with Emmett another 4-5 weeks, until Riley is done with CTC. After that, I'll have Riley go half-speed starting RTR, and put Emmett back to full-speed with Beyond. Wyatt will keep going with WG full-speed. It is truly a blessing that HOD is this flexible. I love that we can easily go half-speed, as I know I'd not want to skip anything. Skipping skills has a payback later, as preliminary skills have to be taught for intermediate skills to be successful, and intermediate skills need to be taught for mastery of skills to be successful... and then of course it's time for new skills to be taught. For those of you in a tough spot with health or life or time... half-speed for a season is far better than skipping things and dealing with the loss of skills later.

I only got a few pictures snapped this week. Here is Riley (CTC) with his mezuzah case and message...


Here is Riley's notebook page for CTC - he really does choose nice bright colors to color with, doesn't he?


Here is Wyatt doing his science getting ready for our midpoint meeting time (which he always has tea or hot cocoa during)...


Here Wyatt and Riley are discussing his Bible text. Riley was the haver, or study partner, and the 2 discussed the discipleship of Elijah and Elisha - they thoroughly enjoyed this, and even got into a somewhat heated discussion over a few points - loving that they are passionate about the Lord!


This Thanksgiving we are counting our blessings of family, of faith, and of a future that is certain.

Love in Christ,
Julie

Here's a peak into our week with Unit 10 in Beyond! We had a lot of fun with our Language Arts lesson ; ) http://schooltimesnippets.blogspot.com/ ... 10_20.html

Julie, I don't know how I missed this info about your dad. Just wanted to let you know that we are praying for your dad, mom, whole family. Wish I were there to hug you.

Also I really appreciate your testimony about going half-speed when needed. Our sweet little girl will be here in February and I want to be a joyful momma and fulfill all my roles and you just gave me a good idea on how to do so and not sacrifice skills.

CTC Units 13 and 14

http://ourhomeschoolreviews.blogspot.co ... 22-13.html

Julie -

I somehow missed that your father was still battling cancer. I'm so sorry to hear he's nearing hospice and pray you will sense the Lord in a special way as you walk through this difficult time. We went through a similar experience 11 years ago, when we lost my father to cancer, so I think I understand some of what your are going through. I am glad you are able to have special moments with your father during this time. Your post was a blessing and truly demonstrated a heart that fully trusts the Lord and is at peace with his will. Thank you for being such an encouragement.

John'smom and daybreaking - Your words were a blessing to read today - thanks so much!
Love in Christ,
Julie

Julie, I am just seeing this post today. I did not realize you dad was not doing well again. I am so sorry to hear this and will continue to lift you and your family up in prayers. Sending you BIG HUGS!!!

Thank you so much, Great2kids! Each day we are just, as my Dad says, 'following His plan.' It is not always easy, but there are bright moments still amidst the more difficult ones, and we know all of this that is happening is in God's very capable hands.

Love in Christ,
Julie