South Florida Student Convention

A few weeks ago Andrew attended the South Florida Jr. State Convention in Ft Pierce. In the past, our family has tagged along with our dear friends from Community Christian Academy. This year they did not attend so Andrew went as the only student from Cornerstone Homeschool Academy! Andrew had an incredible weekend of competitions. We are very proud of all of his achievements especially being awarded 1st place for Communication and Potential Leadership (C.A.P.) This is not a specific event that students enter, but a culmination of all points earned. Each contestant is required to enter at least one event in each of these four categories: Music Performance, Speaking Performance, Writing and Art. We all had a wonderful weekend and look forward to attending again next year.

Visiting with Brother Richard. They are very special friends!


Andrew and his new friend . Rae is deaf, yet somehow these two boys communicated just fine!

The story of Horace the Rooster!



Practicing Ode to Joy!

College Road Trip Part 2

On January 31st, Matthew was invited to visit Florida Southern College for a college preview day. This school is in Lakeland, Florida, about 20 minutes away from home. Matthew was pretty impressed! The head of the math and computer department invited him to come to the college and sit through a few classes. He plans to take them up on thier offer. We had a very insightful day. At this point, the biggest problem we see with Florida Southern is that most of the buildings were designed by the architect Frank Lloyd Wright who apparently was a very short individual. Matthew stands at 6'1", so he had to duck a few times as we walked the hallways!


The "Southern Geek" arrives on campus!


Andrew makes friends with the mascot, "The Moccasin"!

Polk County Youth Fair 2009

The Polk County Youth Fair has been a big part of 4-H for my children for the past 8 years. This year the fair was moved from March to January. This made it a bit difficult for Horticulture projects, but somehow the boys both managed to get blue ribbons on all of their vegetable entries in spite of a freeze a week before the event. Matthew also placed 2nd in the Senior Horticulture Judging Competition and Andrew placed 1st in the Junior Horticulture Judging Competition. Here are a few pictures of the event.....

Andrew identifies citrus.

Matthew and and his friend Peter wait their turn at the Whip Popping Contest.

Matthew receives his 2nd place ribbon for the Senior Horticulture Judging Contest.

Something to Think About...

I came across this on another BLOG and thought I would share it here. It spoke to my heart...maybe it will speak to yours too!

My name is Pride.
I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment...because you "deserve better than this."
I cheat you of knowledge...because you already know it all.
I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship...because nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love...because real romance demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I'm always looking out for you.
God has so much for you, I admit.
But don't worry...If you stick with me, you'll never know.