So, summer vacation is for swimming and camp and READING FOR ENJOYMENT, right?  Well, then why do I still not have any time to read the library books I have checked out or the stack of used books I bought at a discount price on my nightstand?  Gotta schedule that in every day this summer break!

  I need to stop telling this blog what I need; or rather, think I need.  I said I needed to write more about Rachel, and I got it.  Or at least more to worry about where she is concerned.  The only thing I am going to write about the situation right now is that we will get through it by God's love and grace.
  I found Saxon Grammar and Writing for sixth grade at a used homeschool curriculum sale, so that is Meghan's Language Arts for 2012-2013--yay!  Never used, maybe just barely looked at, for the low price of $25.
  I'm going to be on the hunt for a literature program for Rachel.  We already have her grammar, vocabulary, and spelling taken care of.  And of course, both girls will be in Saxon for math.
  Not sure when we will take up the new school year.  We have a lot of living to do in the meantime; the pool, dance camp, church camp, doctor appointments surrounded by shopping, a trip to Aunt Karen's in August.  And lots of love!

BEGINNING OF THE END!

Yesterday, we began our final three weeks of school, after being off for two weeks.  Didn't mean to take two weeks off, but life happens.
  I treated Meghan's spelling in LIFEPAC like Sequential Spelling, and that seemed to work.  I bought Sequential Spelling and Easy Grammar for her for next year.  Still not sure what else to use for her for Language Arts, researching and praying about it.  I DO know that I want to get back to reading aloud to the girls for the rest of this year and from now on!  I am going to start reading a biography about Corrie Ten Boom to them today.  I love the closeness we have at reading time and Bible time.  I am wondering if it is a waste to have such a literal, matter-of-fact thinker like Meghan answer discussion questions about literature.  It has brought me to tears in the past.  These posts usually end up being so much about Meghan; I need to try to write more about Rachel.
  We are going to see the new Madagascar movie on June 8th as our end of the year treat!

  Rachel's curriculum from Timberdoodle came today; she can start on the Language Arts section as early as Monday.  She has grammar, spelling, editing, and vocabulary-- four texts that will make up her Language Arts.  We may start her History together as well, Mystery of History Vol. 2 for both girls.  The girls will continue in LIFEPACs for Science for the rest of the schoolyear and then begin with the new curriculum in the 2012-2013 year.  I'm thinking textbooks for everything will be the way to go for us from here on out.
  I am behind schedule today due to oversleeping and having a headache, but we can still make it a good day.
Thanks to God for giving me a new beginning every day.

CHANGES NEEDED

  I wanted to post something while at the library, seeing as I have been wanting to blog and our computer will be down for a few days this week.  I have been working on a schedule for myself, and then will make foreach of the girls.  Hopefully, this will help us to actually get done most of the things we need to do each day.  I'm not the kind of person who can keep a list in her head; I have to have something written on paper to guide me and keep myself disciplined. 
  I have already ordered curriculum for Rachel for next year, and will probably let her start on it before this schoolyear ends.  She is already finished with this year's Language Arts.  And the history in her next year's curricululm will be for both of the girls, and I am not happy with the way Meghan's history is going, so we may get started on that before the year is over as well.  We decided to stick with Saxon for math; I like the incrementation, and both the girls voted to keep it.  Maybe they arejust tired of me switching curriculum on them so often. : ) 
  Okay, time to humble myself and admit that I have been trying too much to do this on my own; I have not been using the prayer to ask God for guidance in scheduling and what to teach the girls.  I didn't do it with Matthew either.  Stupid. 
  So, will be doing a lot of prayer and evaluating what we are doing and maybe stop doing it, add to it, subtract from it, or doing something new all together.  Gotta take a deep breath and remember why I wanted to start homeschooling in the first place. 

  Meghan did try American Heritage Girls again, but let me know even before we left the building that is just isn't for her.  That's fine with me, she has her circle of friends, can do crafts anytime at home, has worship and Bible class, and can still earn badges through Keepers at Home.  She wants to take some classes offered through Michael's Craft Store as well.  Oh, and her guitar lessons!  I'd say Meghan has a pretty well-rounded life right now.

  Rachel now has cute little flower stud earrings in her ears!  This girl is moving so fast through her math book that I can't keep up!  My Future Meteorologist is also doing a unit on the metric system for science.
  Goal for the day is finishing Courage to Run and spending quality time with the children :).

Crafts

  Meghan and I ended up shopping after her guitar lesson.  We went to Michael's and bought supplies for Christmas crafts.  Meghan is the kind of person who needs to express herself creatively.  I am looking forward to getting closer to all of my family members through creating together this season!  Just one of the many ways God blesses us!