Do You Know Who...

George Washington Carver was? How about Lonnie Johnson? "IJ" and "JJ" chose these two gentlemen to learn about for their Black History Month projects. These projects were well done. The boys presented them at a Black History Fair on last Thursday before a group of smiling homeschool students and parents.

Have you ever heard of Lonnie Johnson? If not, I'm sure you know about at least one of his inventions. It brings lots of fun to many households, especially in the summer months. "J" and I owned a pair even before we had kids. Do you know what it is?

Yes, it's the Super Soaker!

Johnson is a mathematician and nuclear engineer who has worked for various companies including NASA.

Did you know that George Washington Carver had over 300 inventions, but was not concerned with patents? This was because his purpose for inventing was to improve the lives of poor black farmers. Did you know that he turned down lucrative job offers from Henry Ford and Thomas Edison because he wanted to stay at Tuskeegee where he knew black people would receive recognition because of his accomplishments. Did you know that he was a man of God who not only taught his students about agriculture, but about the God that made it all possible? "IJ" learned all of these things and more about this very talented and creative man. Our favorite quote from Dr. Carver is "It has always been the one great ideal of my life, to be of the greatest good to the greatest number of my people."

A Black History Fair would not be complete without a Soul Food luncheon. Yes, we ate well. There was fried chicken, mac n cheese, collard greens and cornbread (our contribution) and various desserts. The best dessert by far was a sweet potato cobbler. It was off the hook! I had never had this before, but I am definately a fan. Now I've got to figure out how to make it.

They Really Listen

Have you ever questioned your response to a situation? Did I do the right thing? Did I say that in the right way? These thoughts are always on my mind because well, I'm a mom. God has given "J" and I some amazing gifts (our boys) and an awesome responsibility (raising up Godly men). We don't take this lightly. If you are a parent then you know that what you teach your children early in life will greatly affect their world-view and their walk with God. I say this because on Friday the boys and I went to a museum of natural history. We wanted to go a few months back, but were unable to for some reason. We explored rocks, animals, Native American culture and our states regional resources. As you can see below, the boys were being "chased" by a brown bear. Aaaaaggh!


There was an evolution exhibit which I opted to skip. Well, wouldn't you know that we ended up having to deal with this warped idea anyway. One of the main reasons for our trip was to visit the planetarium. I had not been to one in years and I remember it being really cool. Unfortunately, I did not thoroughly check out the particular movie they would be showing. It included the idea the the first men were unintelligent beings and also the "big bang" theory. I was very uncomfortable to say the least. A couple of other families left. We sat for a bit longer, but once the "big bang" lie was presented I couldn't sit any longer. My boys and I left to explore the gift shop and began talking about what we had seen. I must say, I was very pleased with their take on the whole thing. My children knew that this was nowhere near the truth. "IJ" just kept asking, "how could anyone believe that the earth was made by a big bang?" Well, they couldn't wait to tell Daddy about it and Granny and anyone else who would listen. In fact, this morning "IJ" was drawing on our white board and this is what he did.



I'm kind of patting myself on the back. It feels good to see the fruits of my labor and to see the beginnings of the glory my young men will bring to God throughout their lives.

Tea Anyone?

Patience...waiting without complaining, was our character trait for last week and this week. We spent time reading Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, which gives us pictures of opposing seasons in life.


Ecclesiastes 3
A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.


The boys made some great drawings depicting this passage. Often I have them act out a Bible passage to help them remember some of the details, but had not planned to do so for this one. Well, when "IJ" heard the passage he begged to act it out. I should have known this would somehow lead to my two boys wrestling (kill,war,hate). However, I made up for it by having an extended time on verse 7 where there was silence. Yeah! We discussed how the varying seasons in life will bring about the need for us to be patient, since things are not usually the way we want them.


We each chose some situation where we needed to work on being patient. I have to admit that I was really convicted a couple of weeks ago while driving. My six year old was in the back seat wondering aloud why that lady is moving so slow. He then determined (with a very sassy attitude) "she's driving like that cause she's on the phone, look at her". There was no need for me to wonder where that came from.


Our focus within the unit was on grains, how they're planted, grown and harvested. We spent most of our time learning about wheat and rice. We explored the difference between white, wheat and whole grain. We did the same with rice. Both of these helped to solidify our desire and resolve to nourish our bodies with whole grains. We even baked some wonderful focaccia bread and the best vegan peanut butter cookies using whole wheat flour and wheat germ. Yummy!

We ended the week by hosting some friends for tea and sharing some of the wonderful cookies. This was a lovely formal tea where everyone dressed for the occasion. It was great fun and I was so proud of my boys and the manners they displayed. After about 30 minutes all of them were ready to head outside. "IJ" quickly removed his dress clothes, while "JJ" had to be called inside to take off his suit. Our guests had their pretty little dress shoes and tights nice and muddy by the time they left for home, but everyone was happy nonetheless.

Aviation Exploration

For the past two weeks we've been studying air, airplanes and how they fly. I got to see how much I missed in school. Science was not my strong point, but I'm enjoying it so much now. I think we did 6 experiments in one day. First the boys had to find out if air takes up space (blow up a balloon). Then they explored whether or not air has weight by balancing the full balloon on one end of a ruler and an empty balloon on the other. Two of the most cool experiments were also done that day.

Cool experiment #1

Stretch a balloon over the top of an empty water bottle. Put the bottle into a bowl of hot water (we boiled ours). What happens? Why?

The boys discovered that hot air expands and rises. "JJ" took it a step further and said "I bet if we put it in cold water the balloon will go down." He then repeated this experiment for "J" when he came home, explaining what happened and why. This from the child who often has a difficult time getting his thoughts and words to go together. I was so proud of him! This is discovery learning at it's best.

Cool experiment #2

You will need a peeled hard boiled egg, an empty quart size glass milk jar (opening should be just big enough for the egg to sit in), and a half sheet of paper. Roll the piece of paper and light with a match. Immediately place in the upright glass jar. Wait for all of the fire to go out. Set the egg on the opening of the jar. What happens? I won't tell you. Just think, vacuum.

From there we learned about the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and Baron Von Richthofen (The Red Baron). Do you remember the song Snoopy vs the Red Baron?

"IJ" thought it was unpatriotic to sing about him, since he was the enemy, but the tune got stuck in his head and he can't get rid of it. HA, HA! Lots of paper airplanes were made and most of them crashed shortly after take off, prompting us to try again and again to perfect our designs.

The most fun came last Friday when we joined a group of friends for a field trip to a local aviation museum. We saw everything from fighter to passenger planes as well as several helicopters. The real fun came when the kids were given the opportunity to be the crew on a Boeing KC-97. The pictures show "IJ" as co-pilot and "JJ" as flight engineer. Our tour guide, a retired teacher, was very knowledgeable and great with keeping the kids interested.

This was a great unit. Keep reading to hear about our next learning adventure.

Blog Plans

Wow, it's February already. My plans for this blog have been good ones, but finding time for it has not been an easy thing. I want to share with you our homeschool journey. I want to tell you about all of the wonderful food we love to eat. I want to share some of the good books I've been reading. I also want to just tell about my wonderful life and the Heavenly Father who sustains me. So, I hope you stick with me and keep reading my thoughts. Thanks!

What is this stuff?

I grew up in the midwest, so I know what snow is. My question is "what is it doing here?" We moved to the SE several years ago, in part, to get away from this stuff. Yet here it is. It followed us! I'm glad the boys get to see it, but I have no love for it. I do admit that it makes for beautiful pictures. Along with the fact that "J" had a snow day, we took another day off from school since "IJ" still isn't feeling well. We've been snuggling on the sofa watching inauguration coverage and looking for Granny in the crowd. So, while we had a snow day it does not mean we didn't learn anything. Homeschooling is so great! Learning happens all of the time.

Are you available?

I've often asked God to use me. No specifics. Just use me. Then when the opportunity arises I question whether it's the right situation for me, if I'm qualified to get the job done. I've had several situations this week in which I would have liked to bow out. Someone else would be better qualified, more articulate and well...just plain better. I asked my friend at Well Watered Woman to pray for me. She later shared a song with me. The song is called "I'm available to you". I had never heard it before, but it truly spoke to me and the situations I've encountered this week. The words are as follows:

Vs1 You gave me my hands,

to reach out to man

To show him Your love

and Your perfect plan.

You gave me my ears,

I can hear Your voice so clear

I can hear the cries of sinners,

but can I wipe away their tears

Vs 2 You gave me my voice,

to speak Your Word

To sing all Your praises,

to those who've never heard

With my eyes I see a need

for more availability

I see hearts that have been broken,

so many people to be free.

Chorus

Lord, I'm available to You.

My will I give to You,

I'll do what You say do

Use me Lord,

to show someone the way

and enable me to say

my storage is empty

and I am available to You.

So, I have resolved to be available to my Father. Never too busy, since I would have no time if not for Him. Never unqualified, since He will always give me the tools to accomplish His plans. Never fearful since His word says we have not received a spirit of fear (Romans 8:15). Lord, I'm available to You! What about you? What opportunities have you missed to be the hands and feet of Jesus? What will you say the next time He asks, "are you available?"