Not Back to School - Student Photos

It's the "Not Back to School Blog Hop: Student Photo Week. So let me introduce you to my student:




This is Holly. She is 13, an age that she has long awaited. Being a teen was on the top of her goals list for many years. I suppose having teenaged siblings for so many years has something to do with that. She is entering her last year of middle school. I cannot believe that in five years we will be sending her off to college. Now that she has reached her goal of "teenager", she is working on some others. Her interests include journalism, art and photography.


I also had to include Gabriel and Hannah. Would you call them my former students? I suppose as Mom, I will always be their teacher. They will begin their sophomore year next month at Pensacola Christian College. Gabriel is studying pre-law. His ultimate goal is president. Yes, of the United States. Hannah is majoring in graphic design.


These pages are some of my first attempts using digital scrapbooking software. I'm planning a give-away next week so be sure to stop by again!

One Thousand Gifts Week 4

There are so many blessings bestowed on me each day. Each Monday I am listing a few here. This week I am thankful for:

• God Who directs our steps when we do not know the way
• the peace that passes all understanding
  
• praying together as a family
• casting my cares upon Him because He cares for me
• God's thoughts towards me that cannot be numbered
• and towards my children
  
• God's protection
• rain
• my mom and dad
• and their 52 years of marriage (August 15th)
• being raised in a Christian home
• my husband who loves me
• hugs everyday
• a child still at home
• housework - because it means I have a home
• a cool-ish summer day
• God's grace
• Salvation freely given
• Eternal life through Jesus Christ
• A relationship with Almighty God, Abba Father

What are you thankful for?

Welcome to the Woodward Family Homeschool

We recently moved from a tiny apartment to a small house. The new school year is just around the corner so getting our school area ready is high priority. We do not have a room just for "school" Most of our work will be done here in the dining room. Definitely need some sort of window treatment on the window. Someday.


Here's our school/dining room table with some of the artwork Holly has been working on this summer.Lighthouse paint by number and ballet slippers done freehand.



Bulletin boards that used to be in Gabriel and Hannah's rooms. If we would have stayed in the apartment they probably would have remained in their rooms. But since we had to take them down . . . Now they are waiting for for something shcoolish to go on them. Above the bulletin boards are Gabriel and Hannah's high school diplomas.

Room decor is a bit of Americana combined with my children's art work. Above are George and Abe - pastel drawings by Gabriel when he was 16.

Pictures by Gabriel, Hannah and Holly circa first and second grade.

This room is equipped with an ugly air conditioner unit. It's also useless and unnecessary since the house has central air. If we owned the house we would simply remove it. But we don't. Well, I was wanting a place to hang my maps. But we don't have a lot of wall space. So my ingenious husband came up with the idea of hanging them over the AC.

I can easily change from the world map to the US map.

And what's a homeschool room without an over abundance of books?! Dolls on the top are awaiting room on a shelf in Holly's room. Maybe we'll get that painted this weekend.

Well, that's our "school room". But of course our learning isn't limited to this one room. I could also add pictures of the kitchen where cooking and science experiments are likely to take place, the comfy couch where we'll read lots of books, the piano, the back yard . . . You get the idea!

It's week 2 at the Not Back to School Blog Hop - School room week. Join in here!

Heart of the Matter {online}

Long Story Short Version

My longtime blogging friend PlainJane asked me recently if I am still working outside the home. I was a stay-at-home mom for many years, beginning shortly before our first child was born. It has always been my personal conviction that mothers should be home with their children unless their income was needed to put food on the table. I understand that most Americans do not share my feelings on that point but I am not here to change anyone's mind, I'm simply stating what is right for our family.


I did have a couple of part time jobs when John was in college. He also worked full time, making a little above minimum wage. I did Mother's Day Out 2 days a week and brought Gabriel and Hannah along with me. After that I cleaned our church occasionally. I was a substitute janitor! I got the kids up early, took them to my mom's and was at the church by 5:30 A.M. Money was always tight. We didn't have fancy cars and have never taken a luxury vacation. But watching God work miracles in our lives has been more fascinating than any exotic excursion could ever be.


Fast forward to 2007 - We had just returned from Romania and made the decision to move to Virginia. We came here in faith that John would be hired by the Virginia State Police. Until then, John found a job working security. Two week's pay only paid for two-thirds of our rent. We decided I would be a substitute teacher. It was a good plan. I worked from 7:00-3:00. The kids did their school work and I would go over it with them in the afternoon. John worked from 4:00-Midnight.


Money was still tight. We still didn't have fancy cars. Vacations consisted of going to see family. Schedules were also tight. Trying to squeeze in homeschooling between my work and the kids' jobs was tough. Reading aloud went out the window and I really missed it. But John was eventually hired by VSP and I didn't need to work as much.


I worked some during our third year in Virginia. Gabriel and Hannah were seniors in high school and college expenses were on the horizon. I'm not sure if I worked ten days last year. With Gabriel and Hannah gone and John working days, there were few occasions when he could be home with Holly so I could go to work. Last week, I received my substitute letter. I discussed it with John, "Do you want me to sub again?" We would have the same dilemma - what do we do with Holly? So the answer is a decisive "No."



To sum up the story, I will once again be a stay-at-home mom. I will look for other ways to earn some extra income - selling things on ebay and clipping coupons. But mostly, I will be watching how God will provide in His miraculous ways. And stand in awe.

One Thousand Gifts Week 3

Thanking the Lord for (One Thousand Gifts # 41-60):

• flowers outside my window
• weeds to pull because it means I have a flower garden
• a handy-man husband who can fix almost anything
• a little girl who loves to write
• two college sophomores working hard far away from home to pay for their education
• a driveway to wash cars in
• and a water hose
• and plenty of water
• a call from my son to ask a simple question
• a nice neighborhood to take a walk in
• freedom

• trees to give us shade
• my car
• my husband's car for work
• books
• bookshelves overflowing with books
• the roof over my head
• a comfortable bed to sleep in
• and a pillow
• being held in God's almighty hand

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
Psalm 37: 23-24

Outside My Window

We were in an apartment for four years after Romania. The view was mainly other apartments. It's been a blessing to have a house and a yard complete with wildlife and flowers. It's been so unreasonably hot that I don't venture outside much. I wilt like these Black-eyed Susans which are planted by our deck.


I can see them while sitting here at my computer. There is a rose bush by the deck as well. It's a bit tall and spindly but today I noticed the very first rose bud since we've been here. And it is my favorite rose - pink!


We've seen some interesting critters too. One little guy is cute and furry even if he is considered a nuisance. And there's one I hope never slithers this way again . . .

Not Back to School Plans - 2011

I have said now that I have two graduated from homeschool, I know how to do it now! And it is true that I have learned a lot over the years. Gabriel and Hannah will be sophomores at Pensacola Christian College this fall. Gabriel is studying pre-law and Hannah, graphic design. They love it there and we are blessed that they made the dean's list both semesters of their freshman year. That leaves me with just one at home.

Holly is going into 8th grade this year. Homeschooling one is entirely different than two or three or more! When I had all three at home and we were done with "school" for the day, they would spend time with each other. Even if they were in the same room, doing different things, there was a togetherness.

(Picture taken in the Transylvanian Alps circa 2003)

This year, I found myself analyzing what did and did not work with Gabriel and Hannah and what would be the best options for Holly. She is like them in many ways but in other ways, she is very much her own person. She is very social and needs interaction with others. So, here is what I have decided to do for this year:

Middle School English Composition and Literature - To be taken at a local co-op. I am also hoping this will encourage her to read. She reads well but never chooses to. This will be my first experience with this group of homeschoolers!


Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra - This will be a first for us. I have heard many good things about it.

Abeka History of the World - I like Abeka. It is very thorough!

Abeka Science Order and Design (Life Science)

Band - Continuing to learn the clarinet in a homeschool band group - if we can afford the gas. It is about 45 minutes away.

High School Art - this is also at the co-op. I am a bit apprehensive about her taking a high school class but the teacher said it is for all skill levels and the middle school class is for 5th-7th graders.

Her interests at this time are either journalism or graphic design. In her spare time, should she have any, she will work on keyboarding and blogging. Time will tell what her actual college major will be. At this point in their lives, Gabriel was going to be an author and Hannah had no plans to go to college.

For more Not Back to School plans check out Heart of the Matter {online}