Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Friday Feb 12, 2010
Well this year is evolving into a new adventure in our school world
Master J is turning 17 this year and is embarking on Year 11, wow this was a little intimidating for me personally but we were facing it bravely……I felt strongly that I was not going to sacrifice his education for my “ideal” (please take what I am saying in the spirit It was intended) so I was constantly looking for alternatives and extensions to MY offered school experience
Master J has had a desire to design ever since he began to play with Lego, and scribble things and plans down ranging from “battle plans” to Sim City type games on the computer……he loved the order and the system and the geometry and the design mixed with creativity too…it is interesting he is a first born with great organisational abilities but balenced with a huge creative slant (I was exactly the same as a teen too had a great prepensity to the creative arts BUT could not bear to spend all of my to time doing it like an artist would, so decided that a teaching degree would be a great and PRACTICAL second) I was and AM such a firstborn!! So is Josh!!
So Master J set his aim on Tertiary Education and an Engineering/Design course….my course was set too….I have to facilitate with him to achieve his goal, this was something that I was NOT going to fail him in!
In my thinking it was clear, what a shame we do all this hard work for years and not get him to an academic or social/emotional/spiritual standard to achieve and not sink in the BIG world…….that was not an option in my mind. I would find a way, I would not cease until I found something that suited my standards and family situation.
Our family situation was complicated too, missions and travel has become a big part of our lives, to me Moscow and Edinburgh Tattoos are vital and immeasurable LIFE experiences that will imprint my kids forever…..as for Manila everyone who has followed my blogs KNOW the impact that experience has had on my kids, I would not change that for a million bucks!! So school had to FIT this family choice we had made…….seemed like a toooooooo hard call……but I think that we had some help from the eye that never sleeps and loves us endlessly, His hand was in everything we did and do
Psalm 37:23-24 (New King James Version)
23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down;
For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Anyway……………..
We actually ended up looking Open Access College (like long distance ed through the phone and internet hook ups)
We were initially looking for Design and Technology courses (CAD programmes etc, ) but once I saw what they offered and the flexibility that actually FITTED into my ideal (and J’s for that matter) I WAS SOLD!
WEEEELLLL was I impressed from the outset, the friendly staff and non-judgemental attitudes was only the start!
Our counsellor we saw was open and excited, she saw the work that J had achieved just from what we discussed (the Moscow Tattoo, the trip to Manila and the upcoming Tattoo in Edinburgh) she immediately began to explain that we could get credit for these LIFE EXPERIENCES that go towards his SACE score…….that excites me. Finally a “school” that was open and flexible enough to see with eyes that go beyond the 3R’s……that experiences matter, and life skills are vital to achievement in the future.
So as we were winding up with some work/books this year I decided to bite the bullet and enroll him in subjects that will give him points towards his SACE. How exciting!! I also have the flexibility to keep plodding with the things I WANT him to learn still…….now that is what I have always wanted also.
Now Master J will relate to 4 teachers as well as me…great preparation for tertiary, but we still have a certain amount of control over the “environment” through the telephone he can still be at home in my care……how neat is that!
He will work over 3 years (maybe more) in his SACE…….and will streamline down to subjects that give him a TER score for entrance into Uni…..all with someone who KNOWS the system and can work it better than I ever could! Why 3 years and not the traditional 2, I guess why NOT?? Why the rush? Why the push? When kids like Master J have a multitude of commitments outside school the extra time is a boon……no rush and pressure either. No problem if he wants to do more mission trips either…all achievable. Besides I am convinced boys and lads are NOT ready at 17ish to make impacting life changing decisions why not leave it till later???
So he will embark on 4 subjects this semester and 2 next (coinciding with a self study unit on The Edinburgh Tattoo) which will all sow points into his SACE score……….I am relieved to tell you all the truth and encouraged that God saw my need and supplied……
Only believe homeschoolers, He is interested in the least and greatest things we attempt………
I say I am a blessed Mum and Teacher!
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Friday Nov 28, 2008
I just want to take some time to say thanks to God for where he takes us and opportunities we have.
As you may know my boys are drummers in a Scottish pipe band South Australian Pipes and Drums…..well we have nearly travelled the world, Russia, UK next year Switzerland the year after Scotland…wow….
Today they take part in the multi million dollar extravaganza Andre Rieu concert, taking part in the massed band display in full dress….kilt, plaids, feather bonnets, spats and the rest .
Joshua is only 15 and Ben 11…it is Ben’s 1st BIG performance…without James unfortunately he injured his back…. but wow what an opportunity to see behind the scenes and perform…..
So we are of to AAMI stadium today, rubbing shouldes (sort of) with the world’s finest entertainers…..my mum bought me a ticket so I could see it. So I too am hobnobbing with the elite in Adelaide….in the cheap seats of course
Who would have thought a little Homeschooled family in suburban Adelaide could see and experience so much at SUCH a yound age….things that dreams are made of surely!! I would have given anything for the same opportunity.
If I can work out how to upload photos I will (mine seem to be too big….file size, any hints how to shrink them??) We are on You Tube, you can see them in the pagent (one of 3 they are in!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a80Oo1-toes
Bless you all and thanks for indulging me in my brag time!!
Cathy
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Wednesday Oct 1, 2008
Today I again am thinking of our Grand Day Out…
This time in the Cities, the great Edinburgh and the bustling Glasgow ….
Sigh there are some memories that I will never tire of, In Edinburgh, Scotland where we saw the first of our castles, we explored Edinburgh Castle and marvelled at the small courtyard where the Tattoo was performed (compared to The Red Sqaure it was teeny!!! We explored Linlithgow Palace the residence of Mary Queen of Scotts…..we saw the turret she climbed 100’s of feet in the sky to watch and await and pray for her husband to return from battle with the English.
We explored the Dining Chambers and the great Banquet Hall with the Fireplaces as big as 2 carport roller doors…and there were 3 of them!!!! Imagine cutting the wood just for that!!! Oh my it was astounding….
We climbed the circular winding stairs, cold stone with no handle rails and imagined the poor queens and princesses climbing them in billowing dresses and shoes made out of slippery satin or the like. We saw there bed chambers with secret passages that led to the outside in case the King’s life was in danger.
It was the first castle that I saw (or imagined) the expense it must have taken to run a place like that….just the servants needed to chop wood and serve the royals, dress them and feed the royal court….it really amazed me…..and there was nothing left except stone and wood, but I could see!!!
I saw the hardship of medieval living, the coldness of the stone walls (even covered with expensive tapestries and HUGE roaring fires, it would have been a cold atmosphere) The courtyard plain but a respite from bitter Scottish winds on the banks of a river……the sun was warm….but the stark square nature with a gothic type fountain in the middle could only depress! The threat of war and the grief of a queen waiting for a King to return. Truely hard and harsh times.
We tasted Mill life in Scotland, saw where David Livingstone lived with his devout parents in a small room where children slept in a box….I saw his home and where his parents worked, I saw the hill his father walked up to take his son to the boat in Glasgow, going to Africa NEVER to see his son David again…. We stood and had a photo under the enormous statue of Livingstone and his African friends being attacked by Lion…..with Esther then 2 years screaming “KAWEY” (scarey) “LION” and refusing to go near it (it was huge though!!!)
We saw the slums in Glasgow where James Parents immigrated from….we saw the still standing Tenament Buildings where his Aunty lived in, and James when his parents were alive visited…..what an experience.
Too much to write about, the Farms where we saw Scottish Black Face Sheep for the first time, the HUGE and ugly Highland Cow with mud caking its feet and snot dribbling in its hairy face….but in the calendars they looked so sweet!!! We tasted IRN BRU fizzy drink for the first time YUM, we had Scotch eggs, i bought clothes from Mothercare and George….shopped in Testco…..wow i loved it!!!
Anyway, I am a Scottish fan so this just whetted my appetite for more YES LORD!!!!!
Bless you guys sorry if i have bored you but I just need to talk about it…even just for me!!!
Cathy
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Thursday Sep 25, 2008
Time in a day!!!
Do you guys feel like me that we NEVER have enough time in the day…not for yucky things like housework, bookwork or whatever…but whatabout crafts, knitting, sewing, crosstitching, like a a scrapbooking project on my HUGE adventure to Russia….
Like time for a bath and a snooze…..
NOT THAT I AM MOANING OR RANTING
HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM
I guess that is what I am doing now, some time for me, free expression, and the freedom to rant if I want to…..
I guess the diff is this is quicker…. a scrapbook page takes hours and this takes minutes. HUH small mercies thanks God!!!
Today a year ago we woul have been in Edinburgh in Scotland, visiting a Farm and seeing the awesome HIGHLAND COW…huge ugly snotty muddy things they are.
We went to a kilt shop and explored our tartens….sigh
Yesterday we visted the Edinburgh Castle….what a sight….what history…..this was our first castle. I cannot explain what it is like to walk around places that Queens and Kings have walked. There is such a sense of history…….my history too. God is so good!een there
It is warm here in Adelaide today, it was blowy and cold in Scotland, dry here lush and green there. What a contrast.
Life is like that, today I touch my heritage…we go to Highland Dancing…..so maybe I am not there in person but I can taste and feel the essence of the past. As I watch my kids dance I realise that they have something i never had, a link with my past…..I may be a different person who knows.
Blessings to all
Cathy
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Monday Sep 22, 2008
Feeling a little travel home sick now……we would now be in our traditional homeland Scotland, last week we travelled up to Wick to see the still standing cottages of my ancestors….what an experience. Although Scottish roads were a bit scary. Especially coz they do not have Catseyes like Aussie roads do.
We explored Loch Ness…the monster in all of his glory, Urqhart Castle, the deep and huge Loch Ness itself (we had a cottage on it’s banks) The mist in the morning, the jets that skimmed the surface of the lake for training (!?) purposes…the croft which we explored that was 400 years old……Aust has not even cracked the 300 mark…history…beauty….heritage….there is a lot to say about touching your roots…knowing where you came from.
The beauty of history and the foundation of history…..I know what the Jews must feel to know your ancestors walked the same soil, breathed the same air and saw the same sights. it really inspired me and almost took my breathe away.
God is good, gracious….who would have ever thought theTroups with 6 chn would travel to faraway lands…..this is what home education is about…..freedom liberty and experience.
Only believe!!!
ON A LIGHTER NOTE….
Travelling with 6 kids was novel too….2 cars, I had to drive with a little girl in a red car seat screaming if she had enough of that seat!! So it was exhausting fun! In Edinburgh we stayed in a gorgeous farm cottage…2 stories very pretty .
We tasted Scottish Iron Bru for the first time, bad for health but yummy….we had a family night on Fri with pictures of holidays and 3 bottles of Iron Bru to wash popcorn and choccy down! Sounds unhealthy YES but it will be a family memory that will be talked about for years I promise………..
We had out share of flesh moments especially me!! I am a photo lover, but when you are a driver you rely on kids!! Hmmmmmmm how many out of focus piccys can you collect….NEVER MIND!!! But what really freaked me was when oldest lad would FORGET TO CHARGE THE BATTERIES…..a true test of my faith……I felt like Mutlly the hound in that cartoon Wacky Racers….”shusser , frusser rushere mrusher………” beacuse we all know good Christians do not swear……….on the outside anyway. I am just honest, from 20 years in the world of drugs alchohol and wild party living, swearing was my 2nd language literally. So internal lapses after 18 years I think is a VAST improvement.
Praise God…….I never manifested that bad in the car!!
I love Scotland , the green lush land, the stone walls, the black faced sheep, the hairy Highland Cow……what a treat for this mum of 6!!!
Travel sick, but content…..if I was not a Homeschooler that holiday would NEVER have happened, school fees, uniforms, tuition…..etc. Would have never allowed it. Praise be to God. i love him so much, he saved me from myself. If I did not get found I know I would be dead.
If you read this do not be harsh……from a heart to heart….I can only be ME. Faults, tears, smiles, giggles….headaches too.
Must go, have Bagpipes and Pipe Drums reverberating in my ears….chn Dancing the Fling is really cute. But the bagpipes can be a bit hmmmmmmm….especially lots of times in a day, but i NEVER fail to enjoy watching them jump and extend their arms to the sky…
Here to is Heritage alive and well in the family, do real men wear kilts? Well in my family ALL of my Boys Hubby included do….their roots and genes. No shame or embarressment.
JUST US!!
Posted by toomanyflowers | Under Uncategorized
Friday Sep 19, 2008
I BEGIN
This day a year ago I was walking around the banks of Loch Ness….exploring the Loch and a 400 year old croft….
Last week I was walking through the Metro in Russia with MILLIONS literally of Russians and 5 kids!! Watching hubby and 15 year old perform a Military Tattoo in a Massed Band from all over the world…..playing Amazing Grace in front of Lenin’s Tomb in the Red Sqaure…now that is Amazing Grace.
Not many people experience that (in the pouring rain under humungous rain ponchos with a Toddler on your knee, in a stand with no safety nets and a 2 foot gap under your legs, and a 40 foot drop…. mind you!!!)
BUT
Today I schooled my 6 kids, talked about Scotland and Russia, tested, finished Beijing Olympic Project and was so exhausted by 2.00pm I had to lie down with Essie, feed her and slept myself!!!
How life can change from year to year!!
Holidays, new babies, church life, your own spirituality, your relationships with hubbies and kids!!!…..So i decided I would Blog, at least I could look back on it and laugh …no-one else may care or laugh….but life really is not about ME…so I understand really!!
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