The HerdKeeper

Late spring, early summer we met with another family to show them the Konos ropes. We studied orderliness and how that translates into construction/building. We discussed the different trades needed to build a house and the difficulty and skill it takes to build a house. They were not convinced until they were challenged to build one themselves. We first started off by making the foundation of a building with Popsicle sticks and the walls. While we were waiting for the sticks to dry, we moved on to an outside project of building a compost bin out of scrap lumber. They were armed with pallets and a few other scraps. The finished project was a little shaky but it was a great experience. Leadership qualities popped up and everyone had to learn to "cooperate". Our houses were destroyed by a hurricane named Zack (he's two). I understand they finished their houses and used marshmallows for insulation in between their walls. Impressive. check out the link below for a descrip

In our co op class we have been learning about Ancient Egypt. Our first week focused on the geography of Egypt and The Nile River. I just love how this is all coming together. We are reading The Cat of Bubastes by G. A. Henty as our literature for this unit. The description of the Nile and the distinction between upper and lower Egypt hopefully cemented this lesson. I hope the kids are seeing these connections!!!! Currently we are working on learning about the Pharoah's and creating a presentation. These are to be given in the first person, in costume. This past week we worked on creating their own personal sarcophogus. I can't wait to see how this turns out. This will be followed by a feast of primarily vegetables just as the Egyptians would have eaten.

I am teaching a one hour co op class on Ancient History using HOW I (Konos) to high school students and I am thoroughly enjoying it. I have discovered that one hour is just not enough time. In addition to the homework I assign, such as Streams of Civilization and various websites, we have done some really fun things to help the lessons stick. We studied Abraham and his journey and placed him on a time line and plotted his journey. I will say that map work is my weak point. I envisioned beautiful colored maps and frankly it hasn't worked out that way, but we all have the idea. Next we added Issac and Jacob and Esau to our time lines. We ate a traditional red lentil stew. I found this amazing website that gave me history and recipe. http://theshiksa.com/2011/02/23/jacobs-lentil-stew/ You must check out her fabulous website. Finally we studied the tower of Babel and added it to the time line and then we proceeded to build the tower out of sugar cubes. I honestly wasn't sure how w

Some things that I have learned about being a mom of many are that it only takes a minute. So much of the time I put off doing little things my children asked for because I thought I was too busy. This left them feeling like they were ignored or not important. I have come to the realization that sometimes it only takes a minute, or five to do the fun things that make memories. Today I painted my little girls nails pink. Literally it took me a minute for each little girl and they were thrilled. I can heat water for a tea party while I clean the kitchen and when it is done I can call my little girls in to have a tea party. We can have a little tea and with their attention span it only lasts minutes or until the tea is gone. I was watching all these wonderful projects come through on pinterest and thinking that is so great but I don’t have time. One day I decided to make a fall tree project I had seen with our fingers to print the leaves. From setup to clean up it took 10 minutes to do th

My dear sweet friend has invited me and my children to come once a week and study I Peter via video web cast. It is a church in Washington State, Mars Hill Church. www.marshillchurch.org. Anyway, he was speaking of the Old Testament being about Jesus and the New Testament being about Jesus. He reviewed many prophesies fulfilled and it was beautiful to be reminded of all that Jesus has done and will do. It is all about Jesus! Out of all the things he said the thing that struck me the most was that the Bible is not a self-help book. Big deal you say. Think about this. How many books in the Christian book store are self-help books. If you do this, you will get this result. If you have this problem read, pray and meditate on this verse, chapter, principle etc. The Bible is not some rule book. Follow the rules and you will get xyz. If you have this problem and follow this formula your results will be..... That is not to say that there is not instruction and warning and tho

We learned about Connecticut today and their whaling industry of the 1800's. My children were thoroughly disgusted by the whole process. I guess they would not make good farmers. Since the family is still recovering from this nasty virus it is a movie day. We are watching the IMAX whale movie and Moby Dick is on the venue for after lunch. We learned that PEZ candy, the "first" hamburger as well as the first lollipop are from Connecticut

Lighthouses, Lobsters and Blueberries, oh my! Melaina and Josiah decided to use up old gingerbread cookie dough last night that had been in the freezer. I came downstairs this morning to see a gingerbread Maine - complete with pine forests, Augusta the states capital marked and lobsters in the ocean. Pretty clever. The best part for me was that I knew they understood and had been listening even when I do not think they are. Earlier in the week we drew Maine, read Blueberries for Sal, had blueberry muffins and learned the parts of a lobster and watched a lobster movie. Today they built a lighthouse, kept a journal as if they were a lighthouse keeper, put together a US puzzle and we had a bite of lobster. One lobster X 8 students doesn't go very far.

Jordan Lee entered this world still on February 10, 2011 at 10:35 pm weighing 3 ounces and was 7 inches long. He was a perfectly formed baby boy. He was in his 16th week of pregnancy. This is his story. After his big brothers birth, his mom and dad wrestled with trusting God to bring more blessings. In April of 2010 they took a huge leap of faith and said yes to God. They began praying for him, asking God for a brother for his brothers and sisters to grow up with and to help teach him to serve and love one another and God. They discovered he was on the way on their 24 th Anniversary. They kept this little one a secret and struggled through fatigue and nausea waiting for the day it was safe to share the news. They were waiting for his mother’s first doctor’s appointment to confirm he was safe before sharing this joyous news. The plan was to begin doctor visits on February 1 st . On January 19 th his mother had some cramping and spotting. It was just once but ther