The CHEK Conference

Posted by Cindy on July 15, 2008

Well, I’m back from the CHEK Conference in one piece, but with lots of unpacking yet to do.  Besides clothing bags, I packed three BIG baskets/boxes full of things for my workshops!  I’m a very visual person and like to share visuals with others, too.  Sadly, if I had taken everything I’d wanted, I probably could’ve packed six or more big containers.  Yes, all for two one-hour workshops!  LOL

I don’t know whether it was my heavy containers or the very busy job of chasing a toddler all day Saturday, but my hubby threw his back out and has been out of commission for two days now.  Surely it wasn’t my boxes!! 

The workshops went really well.  Thanks for those who prayed!  A very special thank you goes to Melissa, Nora, Jenny, Anne and Bonnie for being there to support me!!

The first workshop was called “Adding Easy and Creative Touches to Your Homeschool”.  Just about everything I talked about I have written a blog post about before.  A lot of the ideas focused on learning centers, learning spaces, creative character ideas, living math and creative writing.  What I haven’t blogged about before, will surely turn into posts eventually!  LOL

The second workshop was called “Creative Nature Study” (I think.)   Melissa and I shared this workshop.  She spoke about why we should do nature study, shared some of the creative things she’s been doing (which she also shares on her blog), and led the ladies to many wonderful resources.  I talked about how to keep a nature journal, what to pack in a nature bag, some creative activities to do in nature and how to start a Creation Club.  The time went fast for both of us, so we talked a blue streak!  I  sure hope we didn’t overwhelm those poor ladies (and one husband)!

Oh yeah.  My parents are really cool grandparents.  They took the older kids for the weekend and visited the Louisville Slugger factory/museum, the Falls of the Ohio and the Squire Boone Caverns.  What makes them really cool, though, is the fact that they willingly dressed up like cows for the Chik-Fil-A promotion.  Yes, my children mean that much to them.  Truth be told, the kids only had to ask once - I think my parents secretly enjoyed dressing up for free food!   :)

Mammoth Cave and the Leadership Conference

Posted by Cindy on January 24, 2008

Mammoth Cave is the most amazing site!  As the longest cave system in the world, there are many tours offered to cover miles and miles of underground beauty.  We chose the easiest tour because of Eli, but it also happens to be one of the most beautiful tours as well.  The Frozen Niagra tour is one of the only “wet” tours, which means you get to see God’s work in action.  Stalactites and stalagmites are being formed as you watch.  Plus, you get to see the most amazing works of God’s hand, including a huge formation appropriately called the Frozen Niagra that looks as if Niagra Falls has been frozen in rock.

Even as we listened to our tour guide talk about millions of years, we were able to clearly see God’s handiwork through the flood.  We were able to quietly explain to our children how the truth of the Bible could be proven in spite of some of the things the tour guide was saying.  I actually got brave and asked what sorts of fossils they’ve found in the cave.  He said, “Oh, we’ve found many, everything from mollusks to shark’s teeth.”  Sharks teeth!??  How can they explain sharks teeth (a salt water animal) being found inside a cave in the middle of Kentucky?  Well, we just winked at our children because we all knew the answer.

Can you see the running water over the cave entrance, as well as the frozen water?  It was just above freezing outside, but the temperature inside the cave remains a constant 54 degrees all year long.

After a Friday full of caving and swimming at our hotel, Saturday was conference day.  CHEK puts on a Leadership Conference every year to encourage and inform the support group leaders in KY.  It was a wonderful day!  (Especially because Steve took all the kiddos away for bowling and shopping for the entire six hours of the conference!!)  Many good speakers, a round table discussion and getting to know new homeschooling friends from around the state = a great time!  And I had the opportunity to present a workshop on managing your homeschool group without neglecting your family.