April 13th - 19th

In Our Family This Week...

* Dad and Ben went on a day-long canoe trip with the Scouts
* August and Seth worked everyday (except Thurs. and Sun)
* Mom went Visiting Teaching
* Mom designed up a couple of Graduation Announcements for clients
* Mom had Bunco on Wednesday night
* Mom and Dad had a date night with Mike and Nicole VanBibber
* 2 more visits to the Chiropractor for Dad. He has had back pain for over 15 months and started seeing a Chiropractor last month but she now thinks the pain is coming from an organ (specifically his right kidney -- in fact 15 months ago when the pain started, dad thought it was another kidney stone). Typically it takes several weeks to get into the (only) Urologist in town but since it's Mike VanBibber (yay!) dad has an appointment on Monday morning to go in! Hopefully we can get some answers to this pain...
* Mom and the girls went on a movie date to see "Home"
* Ben has been bitten by the "Fitness Bug" and being healthy. He in turn has lost 5 pounds this week!

In Our Homeschool This Week...
Enrichment: Daily Reading of "How Do I Know If I Know?", Singing, Scriptures, D&C 93 (specifically how the Prophet Joseph Smith and the First Presidency are chastened by the Lord for not having their houses in order and teaching their children correctly. We then discussed how/what we could forsake in our own family to help us be more obedient).
Math: Money, UNO, double digit addition, solving algebraic equations, Story problems, fractions, Lego's, even and odd
English/Writing: Spelling, Vocabulary, Sentence Structures, Beginning sounds, Digraphs and Consonant Blends, Blending 3 sounds together, Lively Letters, Independent Reading, Reading out loud , Handwriting, Retelling Stories and Novel Writing
Science: The 5 Senses, Sid the Science Kid, Wild Kratts, DINOSAURS! We took a field trip to the "Jurassic Quest" exhibit that was in town for the weekend (this has sparked MUCH interest in dinosaurs and so we'll be continuing the study of these magnificent creatures!)
Art: Chalk Art, coloring, drawing, computer generated art and card making

Spiritually Speaking...
Ben had a wonderful experience this week with his prayer being answered. After he lost his glasses in the river (and everyone was in helping him look) he said that he was just praying so hard to Heavenly Father that He would him find them... shortly after he closed his prayer he said he felt something with his feet (and originally just thought it was a stick) but then as brought the object to the surface he realized that it was his glasses!!! And more miraculous was that they weren't broken! He said he immediately gave a prayer of thanks for the help.

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At the beginning of each school year, dad gives each of us Father's Blessings for guidance and direction. As I (mom) was reading over the past blog entries, I quickly realized that I never included this  years blessings! It then occurred to me that they were recorded on my phone but that I couldn't hear them since I still have no sound capabilities on my phone (from when Lexi's earphones broke off inside the headphone jack over Christmas). I figured they were lost and was quite saddened by that! Dad then suggested I try transferring the files onto the computer where I might be able to hear them - sounded like a great idea and so I did that this week and... it worked!! I've only gotten Lexi's transcribed but will continue to add them into the Spiritually Speaking as I get them written down.

Here is Lexi Fae's:

Alexa Fae Vogt, by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood which I hold, I place my hands upon your head and pronounce upon you a blessing at the start of this school year.

Lexi, I bless you with the ability to absorb large quantities of knowledge and information and to be able to retain that knowledge. I bless you with the ability to learn at a rapid pace. I bless you with the ability to understand and comprehend concepts that may initially seem difficult, but that you would be able to master them. I bless you with the ability to have patience and wisdom. Know that your Father in Heaven loves you very much. We're so thankful  for the good girl that you are and for your kind nature and for the love you have in your heart for the gospel and for Jesus. Heavenly Father knows what's inside of your heart and is grateful for the choice little girl that you are. Remember to be able to keep your composure and to be able to be patient with others and this will lead to harmony within the home. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

As this school year is quickly coming to an end, I have seen these blessings come to pass. Her reading and comprehension has sky rocketed! Math concepts that are typically taught later (ie multiplication and large number addition) she has grasped and taken off with! She really is such a sweet natured little girl and helps us to remember to only watch "good shows" and follow Jesus.