Start of another busy year

Here it is already the middle of October and I am just now getting this post for the 2009-2010 year started! .. that shows how things are going with us so far! lol

This is Patrick's senior year. He has been doing a college course online this year with the school. It's been really eye opening to him. He has to figure out how to prioritize his time and still have time for other things in life. I think this past week he is finally catching on to that fact. He is doing a film analysis class through Kirkwood college. It's been good practice for him. He has had to write three 4-5 page papers so far with no end in site. ;) He is also doing Mathematics the Human Endeavour by Herold Jacobs , American Government from Abeka and an ACT prep guide from Barron's. Most of his other credits have already been met... hard to believe he will be off to college by this time next year!

Kelsey has been working on American History by Abeka, Geometry by Herold Jacobs, Biology through Abeka, Critical Thinking, tons and tons of reading and Applications of Grammar at home. She is also taking band, choir, Spanish 2 and music theory at the school. I have never seen her get so much out of history as she has this year! She is actually talking to me about what she is learning as she is learning it. Finally the spark I was waiting on. Her Geometry is going pretty well. When I can't help her, Patrick or Darrel step in and explain things to her. I am glad I have them... I didn't do so well with Geometry. Biology is not her favorite subject, that's for sure. But she does the work well.. it's just not a big interest of hers. Kelsey has also been writing some poetry. I have never seen such expression in her writing! I am quite impressed. Unfortunately, heartache can bring about beautiful poetry...This is one of her new poems.

You Forgot About the Ever

I thought we'd be together forever,
forever to call you mine,
But I guess you forgot the ever,
and you thought it was time,
I loved you then,
I love you still,
I love you when,
we were well,
I want you and you alone,
for you are the one I love,
I want you to call me on the phone,
and say I look as pretty as a dove,
You broke my heart into pieces,
is it bad that I don't care?
You said there were lots of reasons,
but I don't see them there,
I cry every night in my room,
missing the way things used to be,
Things were as easy as 'click click boom',
when it was you and me,
I feel like I need to talk to you about everything,
because you know me so well,
And then my heart starts bleeding,
because the broken pieces fell,
You sit back and don't care,
I just don't understand,
Life just doesn't seem fair,
I just want to hold your hand,
Why did things go so bad?
what did I do wrong?
Did I really make you that mad,
when I didn't like a song,
People tell me to just move on,
but it's hard to let you go,
We were together for so long,
I just keep saying no,
Life seems easier with you by my side,
I don't want to give in,
They all tell me how much you lied,
should I believe them?
If it's true,
why didn't I see?
What would I do?
I don't feel like me,
I want to just lie down and clothes my eyes,
but life says no,
I wish I could rewind time,
but this is not a show,
This is my life,
as much as I wish it wouldn't be,
I will put away the image as a wife,
and just let God lead me,
We had great times when we were together,
in my heart they will always be,
But you forgot about the ever,
and also about me.


Now for my Ryan! :) When you look over at your son and see him reading the Bible-- on his own, for free reading, THAT makes everything worth it! He is doing the Beyond the Codes this year. He is doing really well with it. We are over half way through the first book which now includes stories he has to read as well as comprehension questions in each lesson. I think he is going to be ready to skip on up to a higher level than what I am giving him at this point, but he needs to build up his confidence first. So after we get done with this book, we will evaluate and go on from there. He is doing Modern Curriculum Press math, the 5th grade level book. He is right on track, as he usually is with his math... that is always his strong point. We had one day that we weren't sure if any of us would get the problem though... it was tough!... I need to invest in the answer key. lol We have been doing a bible study book that uses science as a basis for each devotional. He has really picked up a lot on things such as atom, particles, light, even discussed rainbows and how they are scientifically and divinely created. He is also working on health and some spelling. That needs to be my area of concentration this year... SPELLING! He is gaining knowledge every day. But that's the goal, right?

Our family experience has been different this year. Darrel was switched to the afternoon shift. That makes for challenges as we try to figure out how to get Ryan to do his school instead of hang out with daddy. But as the weather gets cooler, I see changes already. Darrel has been able to read his devotion every day with him and get him started on his math. That sure makes the day go better for Ryan. I look forward to the changes that happen each year and watching my children grow and mature, gain knowledge and get closer to God. I am so thankful to be able to have my kids home. I am thankful to have the freedom and even the responsibilities that come with homeschooling... well, most of them anyway. :D