Another great audio resource! Several of the book for our study of the Middle Ages are found here! I'm thrilled.
My Audio School
This could come in very handy!!! When my older boys were little, on rainy days they would lazy around listening to audio books while they played Lego, K-nex, and Lincoln Logs. We don't ever seem to have those "down" days anymore. Everyone is busy with all sorts of different projects, but if I turn on an audio book, it seems people quiet down and migrate toward the story, even if the story was meant for me. I love listening to audio book while doing laundry or dishes!

More quotes and blog links

The purpose of compulsory education is to deprive the common people of their common sense.

--G.K. Chesterton

I found the above quote at Morningside Family. Laura has some great posts and check out the links on her side bars too.

"You are only as wise as your next decision. You prove your wisdom in what you choose today."
--Joshua Harris

And this quote I found at Plain Ol' Vanilla,
who I must say makes some of the most gorgeous quilts I've ever seen. Also, I believe she truly possesses God's wisdom. And so over the years as I've visited with her, I pay close attention to her words, because I view them as words of wisdom.

History

"Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it" Winston Churchill

I'm looking forward to getting back into our more formal learning routine. One aspect that I look forward to is all the reading of history that we get to do. I absolutely love learning along with my children. And when I say "along with my children" I mean just that! I made A's in history all through school, but I don't recall much of anything about it. In fact, I didn't like it. What a shame! Thankfully, it's not too late for me to enjoy it now!

I ran across this site tonight that offers History magazines and timelines.
The History Shop

And I just ordered a print catalog from Winter Promise Publishing.

We'll be studying the Middle Ages this year. I'm so in the dark but looking forward to exploring a new-to-me part of history

Another Quote

I find that I enjoy posting little snippets of information on my blog that I don't want to forget. Today, while doing laundry and general cleaning, I've been listening to Crazy Love by Francis Chan and I've been challenged. It's free to download this month at Christian Audio.

Here's another quote I quickly grabbed pencil to copy down, "How we live our days is how we live our lives." ~ Annie Dillard

Now, I'm ready to fill out the annual homeschool forms that we are required by law to submit to our local public school superintendent. Doing this makes the new school year seem very close. But that o.k., exactly when does it end? Zeke sleeps. The rest of the kids are all water coloring.....art class is in full swing. :)

Quotes

"Too much of the good life ends up being toxic, deforming us spiritually." ~ David Getts

"There are two days on my calendar: this day and that day." ~ Martin Luther

Gratitude List ~ The Thousand Gifts

I want to begin this journey of chronicling my everyday gifts. I need this. The awareness to the moment. The heavenward focus. The storing up to savor later.

And I begin.....

#1 ~ Being married to my best friend. We've been friends for, let's see.....since I can remember, and intimate friends for 20 years, and totally, loyally in love for 15 years.

#2 ~ My baby's voice singing "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy to Jesus, but to trust and obey." (And yes, he sings it, "to be happy to Jesus".)

#3 ~ Dark Chocolate Truffles found on clearance for 50 cents.

#4 ~ The first ripe yellow Pear Tomato from our garden.

#5 ~ A mom who's only a phone call away.....ready to just chat.

Middle of the Night Browsing

I couldn't sleep......

So I'm browsing online, something I don't do very often. I have my list of blogs that I read through Bloglines, check my e-mail and then I'm off to do "real life". But my every-once-in-awhile midnight readings do lend some gems.

Storybook Woods is always a delight for the eyes! Clarice has stated that is a goal she holds for her blog and I'd say she's accomplished just that! I was browsing the lists of blogs that she reads and ran across Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. I own the book and love, love, love it, but didn't realize they have a blog! And just look at all those wonderful bread recipes. I'm thrilled to see they are sharing how to bake bread on a grill. How brilliant! My bread baking has come to a screeching halt as we have had at least 90* weather for days on end. But I've missed the simple pleasure of fresh bread.

I hope all of you have had a wonderful weekend celebrating our dear country's 233rd birthday! We enjoyed lots of fellowship with friends and family. I feel very blessed! I want to thank all of the soldiers out there who are sacrificing all on my behalf......I thank the families of each of the soldiers, too. You are all appreciated and held up in my prayers. I'm overwhelmed to think of all that others have done down through the years so that I can enjoy freedom today. Let's not give it up. Let's not let their sacrifice be in vain!

May God have mercy on these United States of America!