Special Connection Homeschool

Since my blogging obligations for the Schoolhouse Review Crew ended in November, I thought it would be a good time to take a break from the internet and other media. So, from November 1 until Thanksgiving Day we went on a media fast. Now, let me explain how we defined that for ourselves because we did not refrain from every form of media or even every website. Instead, we targeted areas where we felt most vulnerable. My husband makes his living from computers. He always has and probably always will. He started out in computer repair, then sales, and now he writes software, so expecting that we have no use of computers is kind of difficult. So what we did do during this time was limit ourselves from the majority of it. What we didn't do. We refrained from any type of video games on the computer or X-Box. I also gave up social networking including Facebook . I did remain engaged in two local groups which we use for planning between meetings. I absolutely did not read my fe...

1. I am thankful that a holy God would love me enough to save me. That while I was still a sinner Christ died for me. He did not wait for me to be worthy, for that I would never be. With the psalmist I ask, what is man that God is mindful of Him? Not knowing or understanding such a love, I simply thank Him for it, each and every day. I am thankful for God's Word. How I have access to know more about Him and to learn how to experience His love, mercy, grace and peace. I am thankful that I have many copies, in many versions, when there are people around the globe risking their lives to get one. I am also thankful there are missionaries working diligently to get those to them. I am thankful for answered prayers. That God hears and has mercy and grace. I am also thankful for unanswered prayers as God truly does know best and can use things that I don't understand for His glory. I am thankful that I can boldly go before the throne of grace and know that He hears me. That is ...

Now that our Schoolhouse Review Crew has officially ended I wanted to let my readers know that I am now leaving the crew, at least for awhile. Even though I won't be reviewing products, it is a great resource for finding new things so keep them in mind. If I get opportunities to review individual products I may take those offers, but for the most part my posts will simply be about what is working for us. As Gess enters middle school it is more difficult to find resources that are "age appropriate." I am eager to find what others are doing for the middle school and high school years. We do have some products we have kept from the crew and a few we have added apart for it. I will probably share more about those after the holidays. I want a little more time to see just what is working as we enter the 6th grade! It's been a blessing and quite a ride, but its time for me to step back and focus on some other things. So those looking for specific reviews, my old links w...

4. I am thankful for my friends. The ones that I don't see as much as I would like to but are ready with a yes when want to play cards, go to a movie, bowling, or some other thing. Those that still gather for game night, karaoke, and cookouts. Those who were here to greet me when I first arrived and still love me even now to those I am just now getting to know. I am also thankful for those I have known over the years but lost touch with only to find you on here again. You are all dear to me! 3. I am thankful for my church family. With my actual family being spread around the country I am extremely grateful for a place where I can feel those bonds face to face, day to day. I have many great mentors and friends. They will laugh with me, cry with me, travel with me, work with me, and pray with me. This has truly been one of the few places in life where I feel like I fit in, so the fact that they even put up with me is reason enough to say thanks!  2. I am thankful for my family...

The Schoolhouse Review has provided us with some amazing products, some of which I might never have found. Now our crew has voted for our favorites. Today I am sharing their post that shows what the entire crew thought. Later I will post of some my favorites. For now, see which vendors won the Schoolhouse Review Blue Ribbon Awards !

7. I am grateful for kids. My kids, grandkids, friend's kids, church kids, kids with special needs, kids who know everything, kids who know nothing, kids who are chatty, kids how are quiet, kids who make me laugh, and kids who like to cry. Kids are a gift from God. May we treat each of them with the love, care, respect, and dignity they deserve! Hug a kid today! Tell them you care and are glad they are in your life! 6. I am grateful that I have a roof over my head, clean water, and plenty of food to eat including things that are not so good for me but taste really good. I am thankful we have cars to get us form place to place, air conditioning the summer and heat in the winter. We have clothes in our closets, shoes on our feet, and beds to sleep in. 5. I am grateful for laughter. It really does do the heart good like a medicine. I am glad that even when things get tough I can find a reason to laugh. From a simple joke to a silly thing my daughter might say to my husbands cutti...

For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ( Rom 1:19-20) I had just memorized these verses when I was received my latest review from Purposeful Design . I was extremely eager and have been very blessed to use the Purposeful Design: Understanding the Creation in our homeschool. Jay Schabacker does a wonderful job explaining how God did exactly what Paul said in Romans. Our world was not simply made by an intelligent designer, but with a very specific purpose. It was designed for us . God made each one of us to have a relationship with Him and He made this planet for us to live on. He gave it so much love and care and in it we can see His eternal power and divine nature. It was purposefully designed. The Purposeful Design: Und...

10. I am grateful for books. I love to read and learn new things. I am thankful for the awesome library we have in our community, for used book stores, and online shopping. I love my ebooks, hard back books, paperbacks and lately large print books! While I get to travel so little in real life I can pick up a book and explore far away places, go back in time, head into the future or even brand new worlds! Books are just cool! 9. I am thankful for Down syndrome. Yes, that is right. I am thankful that Gess is how she is. As with any parent I would rather my child be healthy, but the blessings that have come from this experience are too numerous to over look. Especially the friendships that have been made. I am so glad for the bonds that have been made because of one adorable little girl named Gess! 8. Homeschool mommas. That is another group of ladies I would not know outside of a common bond. Our educational choices have brought us together from across the globe! I am so tha...

I can't think of a better way to start thinking about the Christmas holidays than with the book I received for my latest review. David Nicholson is a retired teacher and missionary who brought back to life a Christmas story that he often shared with his own children. Originally written by Nan F. Weeks, If He Had Not Come shares the meaning of  Christmas that reveals the true impact that Jesus has made on the world. With beautiful color illustrations this story comes to life and makes one consider what Christmas is truly all about. In the story Bobby and his Father are reading the Bible together on Christmas Eve before Bobby heads off to bed. As they read John 15:22 the words "If I had not come" jump off the page to him. After he falls asleep he hears a voice wake him up abruptly on what he thinks is Christmas morning. Instead he finds himself in a world in which Jesus had never come! There is no Christmas tree with presents underneath, but more importantly there ...