Eclectic Education: Back to Homeschool- More Planning!

  Some great info from another homeschool blogger about getting back to homeschool and homeschool planning.

Eclectic Education: Back to Homeschool- More Planning!: I am trying to get organized!  (I'm always trying to get organized... lol!!!) I am really, really bad at planning for a school year.  I a...

Back to Homeschool 2012

     It is true summer is headed to a close and while some parents may be relieved to send the kids back to school we get the privilege of keeping them home. For us the only thing that really changes is that we do more work books during the school year, everything else stays pretty much the same. I must confess however that I am looking forward to a new start of our homeschool year, especially since this has been a tough summer for our family.

It gives us a opportunity to get on a better routine, not that we ever really have much of one lol! Yet there are some things we need to change in order to provide ourselves with a productive homschool year. For one the kids have to start going to bed earlier and wake up earlier to. This way we can get all the things done that we need to including house hold chores and outside activity. We also like to get workbooks done early in the day so we have the rest of the time for everything else.

Another way that we like to start fresh is buy getting the house in order and all of the homeschool stuff including homeschool area organized and ready for back to homeschool. We also like to get last years samples and the kids best art work out of the way and into our portfolio and make room for the new years curriculum that we will be picking up at the beginning of August.

There is a lot to do before we go back to homeschool but it is a new start and that is always good, not to meantion another great homeschool year with my boys ages 6 and 9. It is not always good and comfortable but we are learning and learning together. We don't miss any moments good or bad and that is a good thing : )
Many blessings to you and your family!

From Joanne

What Is the God Particle?

Interesting physics stuff by Jimmy Akin.. If you get a chance take a look at his Secret Info Club where you will get tons of great info about the Catholic Church.

The Value Of History

   I hope this paragraph can have some value in your history as it does mine. I thought it was really great so I am posting it..


"What value is history if it is just a display of facts to fill our heads? All history must be defined in the light of God and His actions in man's history. Man then, in his study of history will be elevated, incited to say as those who witnessed the early Christians defy the lions, who left the Colosseum affected by the miracles they witnessed, would shout, "Great is the God of the Christians." Our seeing God's hand in history, causes the same reaction of God's greatness. Your reading the previous sentence is history the moment you finish the sentence. Your actions of reading it is no longer in the present. Therefore, everything for you is in the future. All that comes to you in the next moment is future. So what is its value? Nothing, if explained only from the world's view, for in the end, what does it matter? But if history is viewed in the context of God and His Word applied, history becomes very important, for everything will pass into eternity. History only has importance or value if it elevated man and that importance is not surpassed by anything one will ever do, for our personal history will come into review in the future. As a way of explanation, consider one man who paints for a living but with no thought or desire to elevate himself or those who see his art towards good or  higher things. Regardless of his talent, if it is not being used for a higher purpose, it will not lead him to a future of peace. Another man, who also paints, has the desire that through his gift, he lead himself and others towards God, and his paintings reflect this aim in honoring God. Both have history they are creating, but only one man's history is creating a future of peace for himself and others. Every man who ever walked the earth will receive a history test. It is his bridge from this life to the next. In the middle of that bridge stands Christ, the teacher, judging your life and all the history tests you have gone through. Behind him, at the end of the bridge, are three paths leading you to the place you chose by your own history (Heaven, Hell and Purgatory). History, therefore, in this light will be your foremost thought, your whole attention. Most, on their death beds, reflect on their past lives in concern of what will be determined in the next. History is future. Decisions made in the future will effect your history. Therefore, decisions made in your history will affect your future. History will come back to you in the future even in the next life, in the judging of your life."

From the -20 Years Of Apparitions- an awesome manual that anyone should read : )

Sincerely Joanne

New Years Resolutions

     First off I want to say I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Although this is only the beginning of the calender year established by Cesar. The period of about 365¹/₄ solar days required for one revolution of the earth around the sun or a cycle in the Gregorian calendar of 365 or 366 days divided into 12 months beginning with January and ending with December.

We must be reminded that every moment is a new opportunity for change. 

For those who do not really know me, you should know that I do not make New Years resolutions. Instead I prefer to take the time to make the necessary changes, daily. I don't have to tell you that we all have somethings that we know we need to change or do better on. The beginning of the year is no exception!

Every moment we can decide to change or not, do good or not, make a wise choice or not. The fact is most people who make New Years resolutions don't keep them for very long, if at all, they always fail because for the most part it is being done for the wrong reasons.

If you want to change you will and it won't matter what day or hour it is. I wish you all health, happiness and truth, today and tomorrow just the same as I would any day of the year.

A few years ago I created this quote "Today I will be better than I was yesterday!" Every moment of every day is a chance for you and me to be better people, betters parents, spouses, children, and most importantly walking examples of Gods love and grace.

"Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect" Matthew 5:48 and this applies to our lives every single day, every single second of it!

When it comes to setting goals you have to want it for the right reasons or you will never do it. Find your why and just make it happen! Don't talk about how you will do it, just do it. We will say more with our examples then with our words. Be a good example to others and that is the best gift you can give!

I hope all is well with you and your families!

Please read  This Is The Season For Giving and Charity!

Lentil Soup Recipe

   This is a recipe I made up, it is a great simple Lentil soup recipe using the Organic Gourmet Vegetable Bouillon cubes. You can use chicken stock but I like a more veggie taste for Lentil soup. Here is the directions to make it the way I do, it always comes out great, I hope it does for you to! I also do not use any ham or bacon fat etc.. This is a vegan style lentil soup.

Lentil Soup

1 small to medium onion chopped
1 big carrot chopped
1 celery stalk chopped
3 small potatoes chopped into small bite size pieces
A clove or two of chopped garlic
1 cup dried lentils rinsed and drained

Put all veggies in a pot, saute for a few min in a little olive oil.
Add enough water to cover veggies completely, the water should be about half in above the veggies in the pot.

Bring to a boil and add vegetable bouillon about 2 cubes (see package directions for how much water per bouillon cube) I use Organic Gourmet.

Once boiling add lentils and simmer on med high until lentils are tender.

You may want to add seasoning as desired, taste your soup to see what it needs. I did add a little extra salt but you don't have to the bouillon has many flavors including salt.

Enjoy!

By Joanne Utke