Sunday, May 28, 2023

Homeschooling - If God Leads You to It, God Will Lead You Through It

 


​Homeschooling was never in the plan.  Back in the early '90s, I met a couple of homeschooling families. They were a bit odd but quite nice. That was my first exposure. Later, as a member of the Conservative Book Club, I was sent a book by Raymond and Dorothy Moore called The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook.​ I also came across The Christian Home School by Gregg Harris around the same time. Soon, I was hearing Dr. Dobson talk about homeschooling with Dr. Moore on Focus on the Family. 

God just lead me to it. My Lowell agreed. We decided to do it for a year.  My family disagreed with us even though it was just kindergarten.  That was the year of Columbine. After that, my mom stopped fighting me.

I found Charlotte Mason through The Elijah Company catalogs. I read them cover to cover to learn how to homeschool and to get recommendations. I've always been a reader. That's what appealed to me about CM. I'm not sure where in the process I found Karen Andreola. Her books were invaluable to me.

Mrs. Andreola taught about Charlotte Mason's gentler way of learning. Short lessons, lots of variety, real living books, nature study, etc. It lead me to use whole books, hands-on activities, and life experiences along with our math books and such. I now have grown children aged 21 through 32. They are intelligent, self-motivated, life-long learners who know how to find information, study for themselves, discuss issues, and solve problems. 

One of my sons had the courage to fix a rather involved brake problem with my older daughter's car. I asked him how he knew what to do. His father isn't mechanically inclined with vehicles. "YouTube!" he said. He was brave enough to tear her car apart and persevere when it got hard. I am thankful and proud.

Don't be afraid. Don't get caught in workbooks only. Teach them to learn. Provide a print rich environment. Model a love of reading and learning. Do hands on things. Make God, The Bible, and church central in your life. God will lead you in the path for your children to prepare for each one's future.

You can homeschool. I highly recommend that you read Mrs. Karen Andreola's books, A Charlotte Mason Companion and Mother Culture: For a Happy Homeschool. She no longer writes her blog, Moments with Mother Culture, but you can still find a wealth of information there.  She is a wonderful resource for homeschoolers who are starting, who need some new ideas, or who need a little encouragement and mother culture. She is approachable and friendly. 

I will never regret the years I spent homeschooling. My children think for themselves. They can pursue any type of future the LORD has for them.  We were  able to give them experiences that helped them to explore their areas of interest. We did it all on a very low income with God's provision and favor. He made a way where there seemed to be no way. We stood at the crossroads, and we chose the ancient path* where the good way was and is. Someone else might say we chose the road less traveled. 

It was hard. It was good. It was worth it all. 

Be brave and courageous,
Laura Lane

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*"This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'" Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Review: The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison Raymond Arroyo , Kristina Gehrmann (Illustrator)

 



Hello everyone! 

I'm here with another book review. This one is The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison. It was  written by Raymond Arroyo and illustrated by Kristina Gehrmann. I was aware of a bit of Thomas Edison's back story. I knew that he had failed in school and subsequently been homeschooled by his mother. Go homeschoolers! But, this book surprised me! You might say that it was unexpected!

I had no idea just how much trouble young Al got into and caused as a youngster. I didn't realize the friction it caused in his home and community and the damages he caused. 

This is a terrific book for parents and for kids. I think it's probably good for 2nd graders and up, but I wouldn't hesitate to read it to kindergartners or first graders. The cool thing is that it's good for older folks, too. Read to your children! Great kids' books are great for grown-ups, too!

The story is told chronologically and with plenty of detail to keep the reader and listener interested. The illustrations add a marvelous interpretation of the text to secure attention.

I highly recommend this book!

Five stars!

From Zonderkidz:

"Before Thomas Alva Edison became one of the world's greatest inventors, he was a smart, curious kid who loved to figure things out—just like you! But did you know that when he was seven years old, yougn "Al," as he was known then, was thrown out of school? His teacher claimed he couldn't be taught. In this groundbreaking Turnabout Tale, Raymond Arroyo captures the story of how a mother's love and dedication fired her son's imagination and turned Thomas Edison into one of the most unexpected, brightest, and innovative lights of our time." 


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I use the Goodreads star system.
★               Did not like it
★★            It was okay
★★★         Liked it
★★★★      Really liked it
★★★★★   It was amazing


Find me online here:

@lauraofharvestlane on Instagram
Laura Lane on Goodreads 
2023 23 Finished Books Goal 51
PayPal laura@harvestlanecottage.com
Address available by email



Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Review: Turtle Finds His Talent by Lucille Williams and Amanda Gulliver

 

Oh my goodness! What a sweet little book. As I read this book, I had a whole different perspective. I'm expecting my first grandchild, and I dream of reading books aloud to him like I did to my own children many ago. I love reading aloud, and this is a perfect board book for little ones.

Turtle Finds His Talent, Discovering How God Made You Special, is a wonderful book for the littlest listeners. I just love the childlike innocence of the illustrations. The loveable little animals do what they do best whether it be running or hopping or stretching up tall. 

As a child, I often felt odd like the little turtle. There were so many things that I just couldn't do. This little book recognizes our differences and the gifts that each of us have. I loved that Momma kept encouraging her son, and his friends applauded his unique gift.

I will be happy to read this to my little grandchild. 



From Zonderkidz:

"Foxes can run fast, rabbits can jump high.. But what talent do turtles like Tanner have? Little ones can interact with Tanner as he discovers his special, God-given gift, using the special pull tab to help the shy turtle show his amazing talent to the world."

★★★★

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I use the Goodreads star system.
★               Did not like it
★★            It was okay
★★★         Liked it
★★★★      Really liked it
★★★★★   It was amazing


Find me online here:

@lauraofharvestlane on Instagram
Laura Lane on Goodreads 
2023 23 Finished Books Goal 51
PayPal laura@harvestlanecottage.com
Address available by email

Monday, May 15, 2023

Happy Homemaker Monday - May 15, 2023

 


Hello ladies, 

My Monday post is quite late this week.  You might even be seeing this on Tuesday. School will finish next week. ~smile~ I subbed today and will tomorrow.  That might be the end for me. First thing I want to do is make strawberry jam. 🍓 I use the recipe in the Sure Gel package.

The weather... Rain!

Right now I am... Tired. I subbed in a special ed class today. Tomorrow 5th grade.

Thinking... I want to revisit my Spring Bucket List.  I want to do what I can, then maybe add some things to a summer ☀️ bucket list. 
  • John from The Bible
  • In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer ~ for review
  • The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison by Raymond Arroyo ~ for review
  • Turtle Finds His Talent ~ for review
  • Homespun Devotions Volume 2 ~ by Cheryl Smith
  • Mere Christianity ~ by C.S. Lewis
Favorite blog post last week... I can't even remember if I've read a post this past week!

Something fun to share... 

My Sand & Sea Socks are off the needles. I'll weave in the ends this week.



Blog hopping... I like Living from Glory to Glory by Roxy

On the menu for this week... 
  • Monday ~ fried ham and mashed potatoes 
  • Tuesday ~ sandwiches
  • Wednesday ~ beef stew
  • Thursday ~ I'm not sure yet. We're going to try EveryPlate. I have a girlfriend who really likes it and has used it for over a year. Our box should arrive Thursday. I'll let you know what we think. If you want to try it too, you can use this link to get a big discount. 
  • Friday ~ Something from EveryPlate
On my to do list... Just try to hold things together until school's out!

In the craft basket...  knitting and a bit of mending.

Looking forward to this week... My son's are delivering the sofa and chair I bought on Marketplace. We've been in bad need of new to us furniture. 

Looking around the house... It is looking a little lived in after three days of making merry this past weekend. 

From the camera... 
It's not to early to think about gifts you can make or thrift. I'm planning to make extra jam to give this year.


On my prayer list... Salvation, healing, financial provision.

Bible verse, Devotional... Philipians 4:6-7   “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Now, just a note. I homeschooled my kids for over 25 years, and now I work in schools. May is crazy with kids! Give yourself grace and try to take some breaks. Y'all will get through this month!

Have a terrific week,
Laura

See what the other ladies are up to at Happy Homemaker Monday.  Unlimited Link Party

Monday, May 8, 2023

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ May 8


Hello ladies, 

I'm still getting back in the habit of writing these Monday posts. I'll pretty them up a bit when I finish with school. ~smile~ I probably won't sub much more this year. I'm on the schedule for half a day this Thursday and one day next week. 

The weather... Sunny and hot and humid. I cannot believe I was cold last week.

Right now I am... Tired. I subbed in a special ed class for kids with autism and behavior disorders today. 

Thinking... I would really like to read a bit tonight.
  • Ezekiel from The Bible
  • In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer ~ for review
  • The Unexpected Light of Thomas Alva Edison by Raymond Arroyo ~ for review
  • Turtle Finds His Talent ~ for review
  • Homespun Devotions Volume 2 ~ by Cheryl Smith
  • At Home with Madame Chic ~ by Jennifer Scott
  • Mere Christianity ~ by C.S. Lewis
Favorite blog post last week... A Little Blog Reading from The Archive

Something fun to share... 

I wrote this off for my daughter this week. 


Blog hopping... I like Living from Glory to Glory by Roxy

On the menu for this week... 
  • Monday ~ salad and quesadillas
  • Tuesday ~ We'll each be away from home and will eat out
  • Wednesday ~ beef stew
  • Thursday ~ I'm not sure yet. We're going to try EveryPlate. I have a girlfriend who really likes it and has used it for over a year. Our box should arrive Thursday. I'll let you know what we think. If you want to try it too, you can use this link to get a big discount. 
  • Friday ~ I'm not sure. It's my birthday, and my husband will take care of it. I do know my grown kids have been invited over for cake.
On my to do list... Do I have to think about it? I've been working on to do list after to do list recently. I'm going to maintain the house this week and think about a to do list for next week. 

In the craft basket...  knitting and a bit of hand quilting on my daughter's quilt. My husband's grandmother pieced it and gave it to me to finish. It's been challenging. She used lots of scraps, and some of them had polyester blended with cotton. They're hard to get a hand needle through.

Looking forward to this week... My birthday is Friday. My husband has invited me to lunch at our favorite place, Red Onion. I'm looking forward to French onion soup, bruchetta, and a piece of their Italian cream cake. Super yum!

Looking around the house... It looks great. We cleaned up after having company last night. It was nice to come home to a clean house. 

From the camera... 
My little boy who grew up to be a lawman.

On my prayer list... Salvation, healing, financial provision.

Bible verse, Devotional... In honor of Mother's Day, "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28

Now, just a note. I don't really like the way I've got this set up. I'm going to look back on how I've done it in the past.  So, you can expect this to look a little different over the next few weeks. Right now, I'm just trying to get myself writing again.

Have a terrific week,
Laura

See what the other ladies are up to at Happy Homemaker Monday.