Six Weeks Today.....

Wow....six weeks old today! Where does time go?

You met grandma for the first time last week....

She was much happier about it than you ;-)

Blogging Out Loud for 11th Grade Plan

So, I'm in the process of planning 11th grade. I thought I had things figured out. The problem is I just keep second guessing myself. The last couple of years I knew what I wanted for Angel and this year, I keep changing my mind.  We used My Father's World for 9th and 10th grade with supplement. 

Angel much preferred the Beautiful Feet supplement I added last year.  So I thought I'd supplement again with BF this year, using BJU U.S. History as a spine.  There are so many great pieces of literature for this time period. I hate to pass that up.   I know we want Biblical worldview and I know she will spend the last 2 years of high school studying U.S. History with Government in 11th grade and Economics in 12th grade.

I own the following bold pieces of MFW U.S. History to 1877...

Daily Lesson Plans
Answer Key for U.S. History to 1877


Thinking Like a Christian
- Student Journal
- Teaching Textbook
- DVD
Assumptions That Affect Our Lives
Growing Up Christian
Christian Character


US History BJU
- Student Text
- Student Activity
- Student Activity TE
- Tests
- Test Key
US. History Timeline


Under God
- Student Text
- Teacher's Guide
Never Before In History

American Literature Supplement
Early American Literature
Teacher's Guide for Early American Literature
Of Plymouth Plantation
Scarlet Letter Progeny Press Guide
Four Great American Classics
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
My Heart in His Hands
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass
101 Great American Poems
Easy Grammar


In addition, I own Notgrass Government in place of Under God and Lightning Lit and Comp in place of  the MFW Literature.  Last year, we decided to do something a little different for the timeline, so I'm not worried about that. 

Lightening Lit covers the following...

Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin
The Angler by Washington Irving
Poems by William C. Bryant
Life of Frederick Douglass
The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar A. Poe
The Scarlet Letter
Moby Dick
Poems by Henry W. Longfellow


As you can see it's very similar to MFW. So I'm trying to decide if I just piece it all together, which I think is doable with some work, or stick with MFW entirely for ease of planning. My time is very limited these days with the birth of Levi and I still need to figure out Riley and Ruben's plan.  In addition, I am concerned with the BJU U.S. History in that it doesn't spend a great deal of time on exploration which is an area Angel could use some time with.

I've also been toying with the idea of TruthQuest history guides.   They have a three book series called Age of Revolution that covers U.S. History for upper grades.  I love the book lists and we own many of the titles.  This would help me supplement.  But I'm not crazy on the commentary within the guides.  

My brain feels like mush at this point.   Now that I have this typed out, I'm thinking maybe I should take a look at the MFW Daily Lesson Plan and go from there. What do you think?  What have you used for high school U.S. History?  I'm open to any feedback.

I should note, we also plan to use Math-U-See Geometry and Apologia Chemistry.   In addition, Angel will be studying  art, logic, and computer literacy.  

No Longer a Slumdog

I recently finished reading "No Longer a Slumdog" by K.P. Yohannan.  It's a collection of stories of lives that have been changed by Gospel for Asia, who's mission is to spread the word of Jesus Christ with lost men, women, and children throughout Asia.  Prior to reading the book, I was somewhat familiar with the caste system of the Hindus, but didn't realize the oppression of the lowest class or "Slumdogs".  

The book prompted me to watch the 2008 film "Slumdog Millionaire", directed by Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandin.  Wow, what a powerful film and follow-up to the book!!  I felt compelled to invite family over and share the situation with them in the hope of bringing awareness and opening hearts to pray.

You can request a free copy of No Longer a Slumdog here.  I pray that your heart may be opened to the people of Asia and that you will join me in prayer for a spiritual breakthrough there.

One Month....Good and Bad.....

Levi is one month old today.  He was weighed and measured at his check-up and has continued to gain.  He's up to 9 lb. 12oz and 21.5 inches.  This was wonderful news!!

On the flip side, upon examination the Dr. found that he has an ear infection.  This explains why he's been fussy and doesn't want to be laid down.  This poor little man has been through so much, but God is good and we will continue to pray for healing.  

Four Weeks and Four Decades.....

Today I reflect
As I kiss your cheeks.
I am four decades
And you are four weeks.

Hard to believe
Where does time go?
When I was young
It went so slow.

The first decade
The sun always shined.
Sand box, swing set,
baby dolls and fireflies.

The second decade
I grew like a weed.
From elementary to high school
Graduation, too soon to believe.

The third decade
was down and back up.
When I met your dad,
Joy overflowed my cup.

The fourth decade
loss of limb and loved ones.
God pulled us through with
birth of babies and adoption.

Wee little one
You are so small.
I pray four plus decades
To watch you grow tall.

The weeks will slip by
Turn to months and years.
Band aides on boo boos
To wipe away tears.

Graduation and wedding,
Grandbabies to kiss.
But through it all
Remember this....

Four weeks to four decades
As time flies by,
Always bow your head to the Lord
And reach for the sky.

Above and Beyond.....

I can't believe Levi was three weeks old yesterday....

Today he hit a major milestone.  The public health nurse just left.  Levi weighed in at 1 oz. over his birth weight!

The funny thing is, he slept through the whole thing and is currently resting peacefully.

Thank you God for tears of joy :)

A Big Gain

We are so excited to announce Levi's big gain!  He is 2 weeks old today and back up to 8 lbs. 4 oz.

Though he's not quite up to birth weight, he's making great progress.  Through breast, pump, bottle, and syringe, we're getting there.  We are looking forward to things leveling off and our new normal.

Your thoughts and prayers are heartfelt and we are truly grateful.

God Bless,

Melissa