Wordless Wednesday: April 11, 2018
Birthday Girl
Wordless Wednesday: April 11, 2018 – Birthday Girl {Wordless Wednesday}
2018
Wordless Wednesday: April 4, 2018 {Wordless Wednesday}
Wordless Wednesday: April 4, 2018
Anniversary
Homeschool Diploma {Crew Review}
Here is something I bet many of you did not know about Homeschoolers: You can graduate and you can issue a full diploma to your student. Homeschool Diploma can help you make this happen. They provide you with everything you need for your Homeschool Grad. They offer a full package with Cap, Gown, Tassel and Personalized Diploma. We were also able to receive a copy of the standard diploma, a Laminated Wallet Diploma, and a Pre-Stamped Diploma Cover as well.
It is hard for me to believe that we are at the point of Graduation already but my 17 year old is almost grown. It’s hard on a Momma’s heart to see the years pass so quickly by. As homeschoolers, we don’t do things like Public Schoolers most days but I did want him to have something to commemorate this experience as well as a real diploma to show he did his schooling through the years.
This child has been such a joy to raise and love. I want nothing but the best for him and that included for his Cap, Gown, Tassel and Diploma. Homeschool Diploma was more than we could ever have wished for.
You order online with ease through their professionally designed website. The process is very easy. There are so many choices to make as you decide what you want for your Cap, Gown, Tassel and Personalized Diploma package.
Personalized Diploma
First, let’s talk about the Personalized Diploma. I was able to choose between a smaller, standard sized diploma and the larger size. In the beginning, I chose the smaller size but after designing I asked to switch to the larger format. This was easily done, even after submitting, by emailing the company right away. They were happy to change it for us.
They also offer a Standard Diploma that does not come with all these bells and whistles but is just as nice as the Personalized Diploma.
There are so many options to choose from for your diploma. First, you’ll need to choose a School Name to represent your Homeschool. Some states require a school name while others do not. Our state does not so we decided to create a new one. It took a few days but our family finally decided upon Ocean Mountain Academy. We chose this because my children have been educated from the Ocean to the Mountains during our time homeschooling. For us, it means a lot.
There are many elements to the process of creating the diploma. You can choose to make a standard school diploma that looks much like a Public School diploma. You can choose to develop a diploma that contains many elements that point towards your child having been homeschooled in the phrasing. For us, I chose to create a Christian based diploma that represents our style of education, as well as our hopes for the future.
My son’s diploma says:
With thanks to God and acknowledgement of his enabling grace,
we joyfully present
NAME
With this diploma. It is the culmination of twelve years of home education,
a milestone at which we recognize his many accomplishments, and evidence
that he has fulfilled all requirements for graduation.
It is followed with the date we have chosen for his graduation which has not happened yet.
Additionally, I was able to choose a Bible verse or a quote to add to our diploma.
I chose a Bible verse:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I was able to choose between having two names listed as the signature line like a Public School diploma or to list one name and the date. There were several options for this. I chose to list Instructor on the left and the Date on the right since I have been the main educator throughout my children’s lives.
In between these, I was able to choose a seal. There were also several options for this from embossing, a foil seal and a colorful foiled seal. Different seals were available and I chose the one I felt represented us best. I chose a gold and blue seal with a cross and crown in the middle that states Soli Deo Gloria: To God Alone Be The Glory. You can also choose an Honors foil seal.
I love my son’s diploma and can hardly wait to create my daughters because this process was simple and fun. Additionally, I was able to order a second diploma in case something happens to the original, as well as a Laminated Wallet Diploma. The second diploma is formatted exactly as the first.
Pre-Stamped Diploma Cover
Our Personalized Diploma also came with a Pre-Stamped Diploma Cover. I was a little disappointed that the cover was limited on color options but I’m happy with it in the end. I choose a solid black cover for my son’s diploma.
The Diploma cover also come with multiple options to choose from. I choose to place a replica of the seal on the diploma on the cover. This replica is simply gold embossing that fits the style of the rest of the embossing on the cover.
I also had our School Name, Ocean Mountain Academy added to the cover and my son’s full name is written at the bottom right corner. I love how beautifully this turned out. It truly stands out and is beautiful.
Cap, Gown and Tassel
The next step in the diploma process was choosing our Cap, Gown and Tassel. I knew immediately, if it was available, we wanted purple. Purple is my son’s favorite color, it’s my daughter’s favorite color and it’s the color for Epilepsy. Purple means a great deal to our family.
I’m thankful that Purple was indeed one of the color options. I chose a length I felt would work for my son and hit submit. The selection process for this was just as easy as the rest.
The Tassel also had many options available. We could choose various colors, or even two colors. I asked the kids what they wanted for their graduation tassel and together they chose purple only. We were also able to chose between a silver and a gold 2018 charm. They chose silver.
Other Options Available
There are so many options available at Homeschool Diploma. You can order a class ring. You can order additional graduation jewelry. You can order mugs, shirts, picture frames. Almost anything that you can order for a public school homeschooler, you will find on Homeschool Diploma’s website. Honors accessories are also available to be purchased.
Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduation Options:
Homeschool Diploma also offers Kindgarten Cap, Gown, Tassel and Diploma sets, as well as an 8th Grade Diploma option.
You can find Homeschool Diploma online at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/homescldiploma Tag: @homeschldiploma
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Creation Illustrated {Crew Review}
Creation Illustrated asked us to review two Unit Studies this year: Snow Unit Study and Pine Trees. They also have new Digital Editions of their magazine that these go with for expanding learning. They are the Fall ’17 Digital Edition and the Winter ’18 Digital Edition. They were a lot of fun to work through.
We were introduced to Creation Illustrated a few years ago through the Homeschool Review Crew when we reviewed physical editions of their magazine. These editions were beautifully designed and full of wonderful, educational information. Their digital editions are just as wonderful as their print editions are. And best of all, they are Creation based so they show nature through a Christian perspective.
You can read our previous review here: Creation Illustrated 2012 Review
For purposes of this review, we were given access to the Creation Illustrated Fall ’17 Digital Edition and the Creation Illustrated Winter ’18 Digital Edition along with the unit studies that go along with these editions.
The Creation Illustrated Fall ’17 Digital Edition goes along with the Pine Trees unit study. Information for the study begins on page 8-9 of the Fall ’17 Digital Edition. The study is designed for grades 5-8.
The study begins by sharing information on reading and educational resources to use with the study. Next you’ll find a selection of links to Educational Videos that can also be used along with the study. Next, you learn a bit about the history of the word “Pine” followed by a list of related vocabulary words and spelling words.
The study includes a Bible study on Pine Trees as well. I found this very interesting. Did you know that Fir trees do not grow in Palestine? I didn’t before this study!
This study includes Geography, Science, and even Math. It has a little of everything so you get a full learning experience. The study ends with a word search on Pines.
This study is designed to be easy to use. It is easy to get started and work through. You could use it with a younger child if you’re guiding them or with an older child as a review. We used it all together.
The Snow Unit Study goes along with the Creation Illustrated Winter ’18 Digital Edition. You will find the information related to this study beginning on pages 20-21. The images are outstanding.
The Snow Unit Study follows the same design as the Pine Trees unit study. It begins with related information and videos, followed with important vocabulary and spelling. I like that these start out with the important words to know so it makes it easy to cover these before you work through the full study if you wish to.
This study also covers relation to the Bible. Did you know that the word “Snow” appears 24 times in the Bible? I sure did not!
Both of these unit studies end with the answer keys so you can find the answers easily as well.
The BEST part of these Unit Studies is that they are so CHEAP. They are both priced at $9.95 each but they are currently available for $6.95 each. That’s a 30% discount!
Creation Illustrated offers both Digital Editions and Print Editions for purchase. You can also subscribe for future magazines to be delivered right to your door. These magazines are beautiful and will bring you much joy.
You can find Creation Illustrated Online at:
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Just To Let You Know… {Thoughts From Me}
All of our social media now matches and our blog has a brand new look!
I wanted to make it a bit easier to locate us online so I created a new image/logo and I’ve updated all of our favorite online places with the new logo so you can easily find us online. I really hope you like it.
I choose the purple them for both Epilepsy and Breath Holding Spells Awareness because, as you know, both hold a pretty special place in my heart. The ribbon that winds through our blog title also represents awareness and those 4 tiny hearts at the bottom of our new logo are for each one of my beautiful children.
It’s been a blessing to do this job and to share and help others. I hope to continue doing so far into the future. But for now, I’ve more work to do to move ahead with our little space online.
God bless,
Dana
The Assignment by Devon Blanton {Review}
The Assignmentby Devon Blanton
Dr. Devon Blanton is a Professional Christian Counselor, a Pastor, musician and overall man with a heart for God. Dr. Blanton has taken his knowledge and shared it within several books. The Assignment is the first book I have personally read from Dr. Blanton.
The Assignment attempts to give answers to the great question that most people ask today: What am I here? What is my Purpose on this Earth? Through this study guide book, you will gain perspective on these thoughts and find reason for your existence.
The book is small enough that it can be carried along with your Bible or in your purse if you wish. There are 13 chapters. Each are short but packed with thought and information supporting Dr. Devon’s Biblical insight, as well as directing you to scripture.
The book is set up in study form so that you read the chapter, then explore more. Each chapter ends with a list of Study Words and then dives into the workbook activities. All are included in the book so you only have one copy to keep up with.
The workbook activity sections are basically study guide questions designed to help you further understand the message of the chapter you’ve previously read. This would be great for a Christian study group. The amount of questions for each chapter varies throughout the book.
If you feel lost and can’t find your purpose or reason for being here, this book is a great way to gain focus and find your way. The Assignment by Devon Blanton is available on Amazon for $8.99 with Prime shipping or $3.92 for Kindle.
You can find Devon Blanton at The Assignment Bible Study on Facebook!
