I can hardly believe it...
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Friday, December 24, 2010
Mary and Joseph - Let the Whole World Know!
Even without facebook, the story of Jesus was known by the Shepherds. The Wise Men knew. Even Ceasar Augustus knew. The story of Jesus is known more than any status update ever on facebook, and much more reliable. =) People are continuing to share His story over 2,000 years later.
If you are familiar with fb terminology, this video is pretty neat. Mary even changes her profile pic. I love this. =)
If you are familiar with fb terminology, this video is pretty neat. Mary even changes her profile pic. I love this. =)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Total Lunar Eclipse and Winter Solstice Tonight!
These two events are unrelated, but they do not usually happen on the same day.
You can see the eclipse if you don't mind staying up awhile!
I'm telling my kids that if they want to stay up, then they have to look up some information first and tell me a few things they've learned, hee hee!
The moon starts into the earth's shadow at 1:33am EST and will be totally eclipsed from 2:41 to 3:53 EST. This is when the moon will be red.
You lucky people in the Pacific Time Zone! Your clocks will be three hours earlier than mine!
I hope I can stay up! Maybe I need a nap. Zzzzz....
Thanks to Apologia posting this on Facebook.
Total Lunar Eclipse on Aug. 28, 2007, seen from Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, Hawaii. Shot thru a telescope, about every 5 minutes.
Why does the moon turn red? Simply put, it's for the same reason that sunsets are red.
White light is made of red, green, and blue. Our atmosphere filters out the shorter-wavelength light (blues, greens), so right on the edge of the earth's silhouette, the light from the sun that is hitting the moon is red.
If you were on the moon during a lunar eclipse, you would see a red ring around the silhouette of the earth.
The moon has no light of it's own and reflects whatever kind of light from the sun hits it.
--Last year in Physical Science, we did a very simple experiment (sheet of paper, red marker) that shows how the light spectrum works this way. (Scroll down -- it would be the last one, of course!)
►At EarthSky.org, watch a video and/or read why "there won’t be a total lunar eclipse this far north on the sky’s dome until December 21, 2485."
Scroll down for specific times for different time zones.
►More information on Lunar Eclipses, including a list of future eclipses, and from what region of the earth they can be seen. Scroll down.
♦Learn more about light and why you see a rainbow the way you do.
UPDATE: Here is the eclipse from yesterday.
Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.
Friday, December 17, 2010
JohnDavid made Deer Stew today! =)
He made deer stew all by himself, from start to finish. I'm proud of him!
He's done it before, but usually the girls would join in and help. Today, he did it all on his own.
and.... he let me take his picture!!! And post it!!! =D
And Bethany made chocolate chip cookies.
Ahhh, the deer stew smells soooo good!
He's done it before, but usually the girls would join in and help. Today, he did it all on his own.
and.... he let me take his picture!!! And post it!!! =D
And Bethany made chocolate chip cookies.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
The CUTEST little snowmen!
You could even use a 20 oz. soda bottle; just rubber band the white tube sock to the top instead of tucking in. Great to use as a centerpiece on a piece of batting. =)
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Frozen Pipes? Nooooo!
It's supposed to be 11º tonight! What do you do when the temperature is going to be reaaally cold? There are many things people do to keep pipes from freezing. Of course, good insulation is always great. You know, the foam pipe type stuff you slip over the pipes. But do you know any other tips, little tricks, that you do other than leaving the water dripping (in the other room where you can't hear it, ha).
We also have vents that let air flow under the house. We close those when it's going to be really cold.
If this won't work for you, what kinds of tips do you have? Leave a comment for me and other readers. Thanks!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Biology, Module 7, Cellular Reproduction and DNA
Quizlet Vocabulary Game, M7
Videos, etc. for M7
Whew! Talk about something over my head! Well, I think I got it, thanks to Apologia's teachers being willing to email back and forth with answers to my questions. =) Thank. you. Andrea! (I don't know who she is, but she has to be the most patient person ever!)
Last week we did experiment 7.1, DNA Extraction.
What??? Extracting DNA!?! Yep.
But of course it was in clumps, or we'd never have been able to see anything.
In fact, it takes a powerful microscope to even be able to see the chromosomes, which are long strands of DNA in the nucleus that are coiled up and compacted. See image. (source)
Let's see... how big is a chromosome?
Well, two thousand average cells can fit in a line across your fingernail.
Breaking that down, each cell of humans has 46 chromosomes.
One chromosome is made of a single strand of DNA, that when stretched out, is about 6 feet long! And there are 46 of those in each cell!!! (um... 46 x 6 x 2,000 = mind boggled)
Experiment 7.1, DNA Extraction
--We put dried split peas in very cold salt water, and ran it thru my food processor. This was to expose the cells. Salty water will help the DNA solidify and appear in the alcohol later. We used cold water to help keep the DNA intact during the extraction process. (More about that in a minute.)
After running the food processor for several minutes, the peas still did not really grind up or anything, but the water did turn light green (but was not see-through). I wasn't sure if it should have been ground up more, but the experiment worked!
--Then we poured the pea liquid through a small strainer and added 2 Tbs. of clear, liquid hand soap, and stirred very slowly. (Supposed to work better than dish soap.)
But why add soap? Well, what does soap do? It breaks down fats and grease. The plasma membrane of a cell and the nuclear membrane are made up of phospholipids. Lipids are fats. The soap allows the cell and nucleus to open to expose the DNA. The cell's contents will now be mixed together.
We allowed it to sit awhile -- longer than the book recommended because we were going over some other stuff. Maybe 30 minutes!
--Then we added a little meat tenderizer, again stirring slowly. The DNA strands are wound around proteins, and certain enzymes in meat tenderizer help break these down. When we used cold water, it was to keep the DNA intact from the enzymes that are already present in the cytoplasm of the cell. The cold slows down the enzymatic reactions. (The purpose of enzymes being present in the cytoplasm is to destroy the DNA of viruses that may enter the cell.)
But at this step, we were now ready to break down the DNA proteins with enzymes, so we added the meat tenderizer.
--Then we finally added refrigerator-cold, rubbing alcohol. I found some 91% isopropyl alcohol. Yay! I'd read that a higher percentage would do better, and also that it would do better if the alcohol was cold.
We tilted the glass, and slowly poured the alcohol down the side (yes, the inside, lol), so that it would not mix with the green pea mixture.
We had instant results! Clumps of DNA! =) These clumps also contain RNA.
After waiting maybe 20 or 30 minutes more, we checked the glass again and this is what we had.
See the thin strings near the bottom? Those are not single strands of DNA. They are tangled strands of DNA.
I found a lot of this information on this page of FAQ's, and of course some was in the biology textbook. Those FAQ's had said for better results to allow more time for each step, which we unintentionally did! =)
Here are instructions (PDF version) if any other blog readers need them, and an instructional video. Neither are exactly like the textbook, but close.
I've found that if I look up the experiments we are going to do, I can find a tip here and there that might give me more insight as to the why of some things, and also maybe help prevent common mistakes. (Yes, I am prone to those!)
We also learned about DNA and RNA (of which there is more than one kind). Two kinds are messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA). We learned about transcription and translation, the processes by which DNA makes proteins.
We learned about mitosis (asexual reproduction of cells) and meiosis (sexual reproduction), and about diploid and haploid cells.
We learned a little about how a virus uses human (or animal) cells to reproduce the virus, since a virus cannot reproduce itself.
This was a very interesting and complex module. I've said this before, but I am always amazed at God's awesome creation, and how intricate it all is! =)
Videos, etc. for M7
Whew! Talk about something over my head! Well, I think I got it, thanks to Apologia's teachers being willing to email back and forth with answers to my questions. =) Thank. you. Andrea! (I don't know who she is, but she has to be the most patient person ever!)
Last week we did experiment 7.1, DNA Extraction.
What??? Extracting DNA!?! Yep.
But of course it was in clumps, or we'd never have been able to see anything.
In fact, it takes a powerful microscope to even be able to see the chromosomes, which are long strands of DNA in the nucleus that are coiled up and compacted. See image. (source)
Let's see... how big is a chromosome?
Breaking that down, each cell of humans has 46 chromosomes.
One chromosome is made of a single strand of DNA, that when stretched out, is about 6 feet long! And there are 46 of those in each cell!!! (um... 46 x 6 x 2,000 = mind boggled)
Ummm... evolution did not do this. God is our Creator, and he did not need to use evolution. =)
Experiment 7.1, DNA Extraction
--We put dried split peas in very cold salt water, and ran it thru my food processor. This was to expose the cells. Salty water will help the DNA solidify and appear in the alcohol later. We used cold water to help keep the DNA intact during the extraction process. (More about that in a minute.)
After running the food processor for several minutes, the peas still did not really grind up or anything, but the water did turn light green (but was not see-through). I wasn't sure if it should have been ground up more, but the experiment worked!
--Then we poured the pea liquid through a small strainer and added 2 Tbs. of clear, liquid hand soap, and stirred very slowly. (Supposed to work better than dish soap.)
But why add soap? Well, what does soap do? It breaks down fats and grease. The plasma membrane of a cell and the nuclear membrane are made up of phospholipids. Lipids are fats. The soap allows the cell and nucleus to open to expose the DNA. The cell's contents will now be mixed together.
--Then we added a little meat tenderizer, again stirring slowly. The DNA strands are wound around proteins, and certain enzymes in meat tenderizer help break these down. When we used cold water, it was to keep the DNA intact from the enzymes that are already present in the cytoplasm of the cell. The cold slows down the enzymatic reactions. (The purpose of enzymes being present in the cytoplasm is to destroy the DNA of viruses that may enter the cell.)
But at this step, we were now ready to break down the DNA proteins with enzymes, so we added the meat tenderizer.
--Then we finally added refrigerator-cold, rubbing alcohol. I found some 91% isopropyl alcohol. Yay! I'd read that a higher percentage would do better, and also that it would do better if the alcohol was cold.
We tilted the glass, and slowly poured the alcohol down the side (yes, the inside, lol), so that it would not mix with the green pea mixture.
We had instant results! Clumps of DNA! =) These clumps also contain RNA.
After waiting maybe 20 or 30 minutes more, we checked the glass again and this is what we had.
See the thin strings near the bottom? Those are not single strands of DNA. They are tangled strands of DNA.
I found a lot of this information on this page of FAQ's, and of course some was in the biology textbook. Those FAQ's had said for better results to allow more time for each step, which we unintentionally did! =)
Here are instructions (PDF version) if any other blog readers need them, and an instructional video. Neither are exactly like the textbook, but close.
I've found that if I look up the experiments we are going to do, I can find a tip here and there that might give me more insight as to the why of some things, and also maybe help prevent common mistakes. (Yes, I am prone to those!)
We also learned about DNA and RNA (of which there is more than one kind). Two kinds are messenger RNA (mRNA) and transfer RNA (tRNA). We learned about transcription and translation, the processes by which DNA makes proteins.
We learned about mitosis (asexual reproduction of cells) and meiosis (sexual reproduction), and about diploid and haploid cells.
We learned a little about how a virus uses human (or animal) cells to reproduce the virus, since a virus cannot reproduce itself.
This was a very interesting and complex module. I've said this before, but I am always amazed at God's awesome creation, and how intricate it all is! =)
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Cousins singing at my brother-in-law's church ♪♫
Love this!
The girls sang too, and here they are singing after church.
The girls sang too, and here they are singing after church.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Family Game Night!
Well, it would have been Family. But the men declined. hee hee!
My old Clue game...
It was Mrs. Peacock, with the rope, in the conservatory. (I was not Mrs. Peacock.)
See my green "men" still in Start... we are now drawing from the second deck... I have yet to move. And Bethany already has a man in the home stretch. (Yes, I had little green men!)
And then I won! haHA!
Skip-Bo! I think I got to play one card from my stock pile in this round. It was an 8. =)
Phase 10 ended up being Phase 3. It was getting late...
Now I want to play Mancala. We only have the 2-player game, but I just saw at this site there is a 4-player game! Wonder if 3 could play? I'll have to drag JohnDavid into playing. =)
My old Clue game...
It was Mrs. Peacock, with the rope, in the conservatory. (I was not Mrs. Peacock.)
See my green "men" still in Start... we are now drawing from the second deck... I have yet to move. And Bethany already has a man in the home stretch. (Yes, I had little green men!)
And then I won! haHA!
Skip-Bo! I think I got to play one card from my stock pile in this round. It was an 8. =)
Phase 10 ended up being Phase 3. It was getting late...
Now I want to play Mancala. We only have the 2-player game, but I just saw at this site there is a 4-player game! Wonder if 3 could play? I'll have to drag JohnDavid into playing. =)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Cold Winter Predicted!
The Farmer's Almanac is predicting a very cold winter.
It must be true because the squirrels are gathering NUTS. Three of my friends have already disappeared!
Are you O.K.?!
It must be true because the squirrels are gathering NUTS. Three of my friends have already disappeared!
Are you O.K.?!
My Mom emailed me this. =D
Saturday, December 4, 2010
My kids in the snow!
 |
| My girls! |
 |
| My twins! |
 |
| My sweet kids! |
So snow is always exciting for us. =)
Friday, December 3, 2010
Li'l duckies in the wind...
At first I said, "Awwww," then I laughed and laughed.
Then I said, "Awwww" again, and laughed some more. =)
They look like leaves.
Poor li'l duckies... hahaha! (sorry!)
Then I said, "Awwww" again, and laughed some more. =)
They look like leaves.
Poor li'l duckies... hahaha! (sorry!)
Thursday, December 2, 2010
These are a "few" of my favorite things!
Ok, so I thought I'd post a few of my favorite posts...
Ummm... I like quite a few!!!
I did try to cut it down, but you know... I love all my posts, lol. So getting it down to 30-something posts out of over 200 was no small endeavor. =D
•Sooo Thankful! The day Travis decided to drive home instead of letting Rebekah drive.
•My fridge is CLEAN! And I just wanted a picture of it, lol.
•Rebekah is 15 - Picture of the girls and Bethany's first (and only so far!) cake made with fondant, last year when she was 12.
•Snow! We actually got 10 inches of snow last year!
•First Kill - JohnDavid is so funny!
•Egg on the Floor - JohnDavid also loves to play pranks. =D
•Return of the Dementia - Oh my! Anyone reading this will really have cause to wonder about me!!
•Root Observation, by JohnDavid, age 11
•Seed Experiment, by Bethany, age 11
•Sadie in Space, by JohnDavid, age 11. I love this! So funny. =)
•Sahm-I-Am ♥ my family
•They Did It! How my girls raised $400 in 6 weeks last year by selling pocketbooks they made.
•He Shoots! He Scores! Woo-hoo, Travis! (short video)
•Surprise Perks at Summer Camp - I can't believe my 10yo son did this! It was so hilarious and cool. hee hee!
•Homeschoolers - How We Do It - some funny pics I found online to demonstrate how we Moms really are when no one is looking, haha!
•Bethany's Scarf and how she made it.
•You Are My Hiding Place ♪♫ A World We Never Touch - both songs by the John Marshall Family
•Modesty - what guys say
•Diaper Cake! My Mother-in-law and I made this one.
•Four-part harmony ♪♫ one guy
•My girls singing with Kay Chandler ♪♫
•Vengeance is Mine (Mwah-ha-haaa!!!)
•Physical Science, Module 9 - See O'Dale, Leona, Breanna, and "nameless" compete for the win! =)
•Stuff we've made - mostly stuff the girls have made. =)
•Physical Science, Module 11, hahaha! I got 'em good! =D
•Error 1714 whew.
•No new thing under the sun
•I Love my Mom and Dad - in 2008, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer, but she stayed so faithful to the Lord! After 50 years of marriage, my Mom and Dad still loved each other very much. =)
•August 4, 2011, the granddaughters singing at Mama's funeral "I Saw Jesus in You" ♪♫
•The Best Husband ♥
•A man dies and goes to heaven...
•Travis ♥
•Standing on the Solid Rock ♪♫ My kids and their cousins, playing and singing
•Girls in the Rain. =)
•Physical Science, Module 10 - see the explosion; hear Abigail say, "Marty!" in disbelief because I let them do this in my kitchen! =D
•My kids use something and don't put it back...
•Biology, Module 6, The Cell (incredible, edible pizza and cake cells)
•Do you REALLY Want to be Like HIM?
•...and I hope you're with me...
♪ These are a few of my favorite things! ♫
Ummm... I like quite a few!!!
I did try to cut it down, but you know... I love all my posts, lol. So getting it down to 30-something posts out of over 200 was no small endeavor. =D
•Sooo Thankful! The day Travis decided to drive home instead of letting Rebekah drive.
•My fridge is CLEAN! And I just wanted a picture of it, lol.
•Rebekah is 15 - Picture of the girls and Bethany's first (and only so far!) cake made with fondant, last year when she was 12.
•Snow! We actually got 10 inches of snow last year!
•First Kill - JohnDavid is so funny!
•Egg on the Floor - JohnDavid also loves to play pranks. =D
•Return of the Dementia - Oh my! Anyone reading this will really have cause to wonder about me!!
•Root Observation, by JohnDavid, age 11
•Seed Experiment, by Bethany, age 11
•Sadie in Space, by JohnDavid, age 11. I love this! So funny. =)
•Sahm-I-Am ♥ my family
•They Did It! How my girls raised $400 in 6 weeks last year by selling pocketbooks they made.
•He Shoots! He Scores! Woo-hoo, Travis! (short video)
•Surprise Perks at Summer Camp - I can't believe my 10yo son did this! It was so hilarious and cool. hee hee!
•Homeschoolers - How We Do It - some funny pics I found online to demonstrate how we Moms really are when no one is looking, haha!
•Bethany's Scarf and how she made it.
•You Are My Hiding Place ♪♫ A World We Never Touch - both songs by the John Marshall Family
•Modesty - what guys say
•Diaper Cake! My Mother-in-law and I made this one.
•Four-part harmony ♪♫ one guy
•My girls singing with Kay Chandler ♪♫
•Vengeance is Mine (Mwah-ha-haaa!!!)
•Physical Science, Module 9 - See O'Dale, Leona, Breanna, and "nameless" compete for the win! =)
•Stuff we've made - mostly stuff the girls have made. =)
•Physical Science, Module 11, hahaha! I got 'em good! =D
•Error 1714 whew.
•No new thing under the sun
•I Love my Mom and Dad - in 2008, my Mom was diagnosed with cancer, but she stayed so faithful to the Lord! After 50 years of marriage, my Mom and Dad still loved each other very much. =)
•August 4, 2011, the granddaughters singing at Mama's funeral "I Saw Jesus in You" ♪♫
•The Best Husband ♥
•A man dies and goes to heaven...
•Travis ♥
•Standing on the Solid Rock ♪♫ My kids and their cousins, playing and singing
•Girls in the Rain. =)
•Physical Science, Module 10 - see the explosion; hear Abigail say, "Marty!" in disbelief because I let them do this in my kitchen! =D
•My kids use something and don't put it back...
•Biology, Module 6, The Cell (incredible, edible pizza and cake cells)
•Do you REALLY Want to be Like HIM?
•...and I hope you're with me...
♪ These are a few of my favorite things! ♫
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