Well the Southern Gospel music convention is over. Lots of fun, I might add. We arrived a bit early ( there was an hour time difference that I didn't know about!), so I got to ride a little gocart with my 7 year old. He wasn't quite tall enough to reach the pedals, so I had to drive. And apparently it wasn't quite fast enough for my big guy, even though I had the "pedal to the metal!"

2009 Southern Gospel Music Convention

It's getting closer! This Saturday, New Life Voices will be traveling to Cave City, KY where we will perform a few songs on a stage in front of our biggest audience, yet! Visit my New Life Voices blog here!

The 2009 Schoolhouse Planner

Wow. Let me say that again. Wow. One more time. WOW!

I have taught preschool for many years, out of my home, and now in my home. I also homeschool my own children. My planning has run the gamut; from filling out pre-made lesson plan forms, to jotting things down in a notebook, to purchasing a "Teacher Plan Book" from my local parent-teacher store. But I have NEVER seen anything quite so expansive as The 2009 Schoolhouse Planner ebook.


This awesome resource is not just for homeschool planning. It really can be an all around family/home management tool. Containing recipes, calendars for each month, and oodles of informative articles, this Planner is a steal! I wish I had one of these babies when I first began teaching, even before homeschooling!


One of the many exceptional things about the Planner, is that it can be used in homes with one child, or multiple children. Families of preschoolers and families of high schoolers will love the versatility. When you purchase this ebook for just $39, you even have the ability to create mini unit studies. I will be making mini-offices and lapbooks with some of my printable pages!


The downside, for me personally, is, having an older computer, I would really enjoy being able to order this Planner in a hard copy, preprinted! Since I spend so much of my time away from my computer, I'd love to be able to flip through the pages anywhere, without having to print them all myself!

If you go to the Schoolhouse Store, you can purchase the Planner all by itself, or you can purchase the Planner and Planner Module Membership for $99.99. When you sign up for Module Membership, you'll receive supplemental monthly modules packed with great ideas and information. You can also purchase the Modules separately.


The best deal.... there is a money back guarantee! Run by the Schoolhouse Store and pick up your 2009 Schoolhouse Planner. I'll doubt you'll regret it!

I Was Chosen!

Woo-hoo! I am so very excited. Do you remember when I wrote the "audition" reviews for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine? Well, guess what?! I was chosen to be part of the review crew! Come back often, tell your friends, and sign up to be one of my followers. My voyage begins soon!

Fun times

Today I attended the first annual Lexington Homeschool Fair. What fun! There were some great vendor booths to browse, and some exceptional speakers. One workshop that I attended was all about Adding Creative Touches to your Home School. Cindy West, of Shining Dawn Books really got the ideas percolating in my head. I cannot wait to try some of them out! Check out her blog or her bookstore!

23 Uses for a Fork

1. Painting tool
2. Digging device
3. Pancake flipper
4. Hole poker
5. Makeshift screwdriver
6. Have a balancing contest with your brother
7. Comb your hair
8. Comb your brother's hair
9. Plant id holder
10. Crease maker
11. Playdough scraper (to get it off of clothes)
12. Coffee stirrer
13. Staple remover (careful!)
14. Photo holder
15. Bookmark
16. Rescue a hermit crab from his water dish
17. Peanut butter cookie line maker
18. Truffle dipper
19. Backscratcher
20. Shoehorn
21. Shoelace unknotter
22. Catapult
23. Eating!

New Photo Montage

Scroll to the bottom for my newest photo montage. And yes, as my firstborn so lovingly pointed out... I realize the first picture is not the location of the rest, but it's a good photo anyway!

Nature Study

Those unplanned child-led nature studies are just the best, aren't they? As my boys were swinging on the swingset several weeks ago, my attention was called for. "Mommy, look, there's a bird in that nest!" There's an apple tree right behind the swingset, and sure enough, a mommy bird was sitting in her nest. Over the next few weeks, we kept a close eye on her, the boys noticing any changes. We saw first hand when the two babies hatched, listened to them cheep while Mama went for food. Then just yesterday Middle man said "Mommy, that baby bird is trying to fly." What a miraculous experience to witness those babies from when they were laid as eggs, to when they took their first flight out of the nest!

If I ever played in the dirt, I don't remember. I somehow doubt it. I remember liking dresses, and staying clean! But God has given me a challenge... three little boys who LOVE to play in dirt. In fact, just now, they went outside and the first thing my 17 month old did was head straight to the dirt hole (yes, I have a dirt hole in my backyard thanks to my precious little diggers!). With a great sigh, he plopped right down, and with a big smile began to rub his hands around, creating a giant dustcloud. Yesterday when we came inside my hubby gave him a hug, and dirt literally poofed out of his clothes! Daddy lovingly referred to him as "Pigpen." Remember that little guy on Charlie Brown?

Our Recording Session!

Scroll to the bottom for a little taste of Harmonia's first recording session!