History, Art, Music, Oh MY!

I'm a little scatter-brained these days! (Those who know me might wonder if it's a more often than just 'these days!') Regardless, I've been working on getting school things printed, organized, labeled and ready for the year. In the process, I've come across some really neat websites and just had to stop the printer long enough (for my hunny to go get me more ink) AND to share the links with you!

My oldest daughter is going into 9th grade (how did that happen?? She was just a wee tot in my arms?) Yes, it does happen. This year she is working her way through Abeka's World History book. She started the book somewhere along the way last year after she began struggling through Mystery of History. (Not sure exactly why she was struggling, but she was; so it was time to try something else.) I started her in the book about where she left off in MoH. This year she is starting at the French Revolution. Basically she just works her way through the book, reading, taking notes, completing the chapter reviews, and taking the quizzes and tests. BUT, you know me, I can't just leave it like that....I have to throw in a couple lapbook pieces, notebooking pages and even a power point presentation that she is going to design herself.

Check out what I found for the French Revolution:
A squidoo lens on the French Revolution! And if you scroll down you will come to Joyful Songs's own lapbook pieces for it. Fabulous. (If I knew French, I'd say "fabulous" in French.)

Now on to England and America to a notebooking page on George Whitefield. Well, I couldn't find one already made for me, but here are some images of him. I printed one out and then my girl will make her own notebooking page, because she is handy like that (or maybe it's because I'll tell her to!:)

How about some great pages on Thomas Edison:
Homeschoolshare.com has a slew of Free Inventor Notebooking Pages! {swoon} In that happy list, you will indeed find Thomas Edison.
Crayola.com has a Thomas Edison coloring page. You are probably thinking--a coloring page for a high school student?? No, I printed these out for the younger two and the two extra kids that will be working on preschool work. I tried to tie in learning about the same things whenever I could. I'm hoping that will be easier on this scatter-brained momma!
More Thomas Edison coloring sheets from Handipoints.com

And now a famous ship: The Titanic
My SmokyMountain Homeschool has a whole post on The Titanic with all kinds of great links. I didn't have to look any further. Since I'm not building an entire unit on The Titanic, I found what I wanted and I'm moving down the history timeline!

Winston Churchill
Activity Village--huge section of famous people notebooking pages! They are arranged alphabetically and it couldn't be easier to find what you want (unless they don't have the person you are looking for.) I did find Winston Churchill on this site, yep, it's printed and nearly hole-punched. I also spent some non-Churchill time looking around this site. Neat stuff.

And here are some other sites that I printed some goodies from:
Cindy Downes, from Oklahoma Homeschool has a long list of homeschool forms--all kinds.
Notebookingpages.com--some free artist, picture study, and composer notebooking pages.
I just found this blog today: Harmony Art Mom. I'm definitely going to bookmark her blog. I already found a post on Claude Debussy--our composer for September. And Leonardo daVinci who is our artist for September

Well, I'm super excited about getting so much accomplished today. Now, if my dishes would wash themselves and dinner would make itself!

Hearing the Word

This morning I had a doctor's appointment (just a routine exam) and while I was in the car, I heard Dr. David Jeremiah's sermon on hope. It was a wonderful reminder and follow-up to a conversation I had just last night with a good friend.

Then on the way home I heard Focus on the Family's broadcast. Phenomenal! The speaker was Joan Brock and she was so good. Very encouraging!

I'm looking forward to going back and listening to both of these again.
When you have time, listen and be encouraged!!

Abundance and Lack

Yesterday we had no air conditioning in the house. The heat index was 105 degrees. I was babysitting a 3 year old and a 4 month old, plus I had my three kids. Interesting how conditioned we are to air conditioning! I was borderline irritable and had to fight with myself to not snarl at the kids. We had an abundance of heat but a lack of cool air.

Two days ago I bought 5 pounds of ground beef. Then accidentally left it in the car...with all the windows rolled up, with a heat index over 100, for 5 hours! I nearly had a fully baked meatloaf. I had an abundance of meat, but a lack of edible meat.

Knowing that I needed to make 6 dozens cookies, I wanted to make sure I had all the ingredients. So as my oldest daughter and I pulled products out of the cabinet and pantry, we discovered 4 bags of flour! I remember thinking that we were out of flour, so I'd pick up one. I guess I did that a couple times!! However we could NOT find any sugar. Hmmm....we had an abundance of flour, but a lack of what we needed to make the cookies.

I've been distracted lately. Working on lesson plans for the new school year, getting everything figured out with our local homeschool support group, keeping up with the house work, etc. I've had an abundance of things to do, but I am lacking in my relationship with the Lord.

This morning as I was thinking about these things, I read this post from Tyler. I also read the post that she linked to by Anna Voskamp. Such good "food" for thought. I want to have abundance in the things that matter for eternity. I'll be "chewing" on these thoughts today and the days to come.

The Power of Respect

While running some errands, I heard just a little bit of a great talk by Bob Lepine of FamilyLife Today. I'm definitely going to be listening to this whole series.

A couple of the bits I remember:

• My husband cares about what I think--sometimes more than any other person's opinion.
  
• Men will quit doing something that they can't succeed at and try something else that they can succeed at.
  
• When I offer my perspective or opinion to my husband, I need to do it in a way that communicates humility and respect.
  
• No matter how confident my husband appears, he is insecure and unsure about many things. I need to encourage him and build him up.
  

Such good stuff. I can't wait to listen to the whole series. You can find it here.

Doing the Next Thing

Ever feel like you have so many things on your plate that you just have to focus on the ONE next thing? That's where I am. We have been busy and I'm busy getting lots of things in place. Thankfully the Lord has sustained me and given me strength along the way.

I really like Elisabeth Elliot's reminder--Do the Next Thing:

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “Do the next thing.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

So, having made my list and giving even it to the Lord, I'm moving forward, doing the next thing.
Thanks loyal readers for still reading...I hope to be more consistent in my blogging as I do have LOTS to say! :)