Skip to main content

my blog, a new name and new look…

Written by Joy
10 Comments
my blog, a new name and new look…

As you know, I no longer live in the Great Smokies of North Carolina.  We moved about 6 weeks ago to the beautiful state of Colorado.  So, I knew that I would need to change the title of my blog to something else.  I was asked if I would change it to My Home In The Rockies.  I had thought about that, but decided against it.  I joked with my husband that we probably would be moving again in another 7 years or so and I would have to change it again.  Then the work began of trying to think of a new name that would fit me and what I write about here on this blog.  I knew I wanted something that would fit our family, our faith and our homeschooling life.  After much thinking and praying, after talking with my husband and friends, I settled on “A Journey of Joy”.

a little sneak peek of my new blog

Why did I choose A Journey of Joy?  For the past several years, I have looked at my life as being a journey.  Everything I do, I do it one day at a time and I do it because I am on this trip of a lifetime.  A journey that hopefully will bring me closer to God.  With my faith, I am on a journey.  A journey to grow more in God. To praise and glorify Him every day.

Then, I am on this journey of homeschooling our children.  Again, it is something we do one day at a time.  We learn together as a family.  We take trips back in time, with history.  We do this to praise and glorify God.  He is the reason why we are homeschooling.

Then, my name is Joy.  Yes, I was blessed to be named Joy.  Other than being my name, what is Joy?  What does it mean?  The Merriam-Webster says

Definition of JOY

1 a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires
b : the expression or exhibition of such emotion
2: a state of happiness or felicity
3: a source or cause of delight

So while it is my name, I also want this blog to be a place of finding happiness.  Finding a source of delight.  We all know that being on journeys can be difficult at times.  I want to be able to go on the journeys with you and us find that happiness and delights together.  To get through those tough times of when things don’t go the way we think they should.  When we have those days that it seems like nothing is going right.  I want to be there to pick you up and encourage you in your faith and homeschooling journey.  Will you come along with me on this new journey?  I sure hope you will!

The new blog should be up and running on Monday.  Honey and Jonah from Honeycomb Design Studio have been working so hard to get this blog designed.  We will begin the process on Saturday.  Yes, I will  be bringing everything from this blog, to the new one.

I do have a new Facebook page for the new blog and you can find it here.  I hope you will stop by and like the new page.

I am looking forward to this next step in my journey.  I have a lot of new and exciting things planned an I can’t wait to share them with you.

Blessings.

 

 

2012, , , , ,

curriculum changes for the new school year …

Written by Joy
7 Comments
curriculum changes for the new school year …

A lot has happened since I last posted about what we will be using for our curriculum for this school year.  The biggest, we moved.   So, as I am getting ready to start school again, there have been a few changes in our curriculum.  We will be using Illuminations.  They give many suggestions on what to use and even offer an awesome scheduling tool to help you prepare your lessons.  We will be using a lot of the suggestions that Illuminations gives.  One of the main reasons why I am going with Illuminations this year?  All three of my children will be using a lot of the same materials.  Especially my younger two.  I am hoping this will help scheduling and teaching them  slightly easier this year.

So what is Illuminations? Bright Ideas Press says it best in their description.

“Illuminations is an all-inclusive *curriculum, covering Bible, Language Arts (grammar, writing, copywork, spelling and vocabulary), Literature, Science, Humanities (poetry, theatre, music, and art), Geography, History, Life Skills, and Projects. Illuminations is built to compliment our Mystery of History or All American History Series.”

 So, what will we be using with Illuminations Year 1?  We are still using Mystery of History: Volume I.  We finished about a 1/4 of the book last year, so I thought I would save some money and just continue to use it this year.  All three of my children will be using this as their History.

For Language Arts, we will be using what they recommend.  For the younger kids, Natural Speller (Spelling), WriteShop (Writing), English from the Roots Up (Vocabulary) and Winston Grammar Basic Level AND The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (Grammar).  They also give a great list for the Literature section.

I am excited about incorporating the geography that they are recommending; The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide and Hands-On Geography.  We will also be using WonderMaps.  We have used it in the past and it is one of the best programs that I have seen.

I love Apologia Science curriculum, so we will be continuing on with it this year.  The younger two kids have asked to study Astronomy.  My oldest daughter, who is now in 9th grade, will be doing Biology from Apologia.

For Math, we are sticking with Bob Jones for Samuel and Claire.  Sarah, she will continue with Teaching Textbooks.  If it works, I see no need of changing it.

We will also continue to use See The Light for our art curriculum.  My younger two have absolutely enjoyed using this and have learned a lot.  I love how Pat Knepley teaches the art and then shares a scripture at the end of the lesson.   As for Sarah, she will be using Artistic Pursuits.  I think she will be challenged by this art curriculum.  I am also wanting to add Harmony Fine Arts at Home.  We will also be using the Young Guide to Composers curriculum.

The most important book of all we will be using, is the Bible.  It is important to me for my children to learn about God and to love Him with all their heart.  We will also be using the Who is God? curriculum from Apologia, for a family bible study.  I am excited to be able to use this with all three of my children.

While it does seem like a lot, it really does not take long to complete the work that is involved.  Illuminations has this amazing scheduling tool that I can use to schedule the curriculum out the way I need to.  I am excited about this curriculum and look forward to sharing with you all we learn this year.

I would love for you to share with me some of the curriculum you are using this year.  Is it working so far?  Have you had to change anything yet?  Let me know in the comments!

2012, homeschooling, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

a season for everything..

Written by Joy
1 Comment
a season for everything..

Even though I am not writing for Seeds of Faith anymore, I will plan on taking part of their iFellowship day.  In the past, for iFellowship, I have always shared scripture that has spoken to me during the previous week.  I would love to continue to do that.

What scripture is on my heart now?

Ecclesiastes 3

1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.

Yes, there is a season for everything.  Lately, God has been telling me it is time for me to move on from a few things.  For example, I will no longer be writing for Seeds of Faith.  It was a hard decision, but I must obey.  Another position I am moving on from is being the leader of a local homeschool support group.  I helped start the group and have been the leader for 5 years.  Again, this is a hard thing that I am doing, but it is time for me to move on.

God has been speaking to my heart and I must obey and keep glorifying God with all my might, even if I don’t like what He is saying.  I know that if I obey God, He will open other doors for me. The key is to listen and obey.  There will always be seasons and changes.  The good thing about that?  God will always be there with us as well.  I am learning to embrace and enjoy each and every season that God is allowing us to experience.

Are you leaving one season and entering another?  I would be more than happy to pray and even encourage you on your new season of life!

2012, God, iFellowship, , ,