Hello Friends! I wanted to share an update about what is going on here at Pecan Cottage. 1. I am now the mother of two - soon to be three- teenagers and three littles. Rayanna is somewhat sore about being lumped into the "littles" category; but it does have certain perks. I have not blogged in quite a while and dearly miss it. 2. I still homeschool all of our children; but I do have some help from a few resources online for the older children. I was a B student in math for most of my life and am finding it a challenge to keep up with Aaliyah in Algebra - so we have purchased some help in that department as well as spelling help from Memoria Press for a few of the children who seem more challenged in that area than the others. If anyone tells you that having your children read great books will make them great spellers- they lie and tell not the truth!!! I am surprised by some of the "spellings" that my marvelous children exhibit in their works. 3. I am a published author of a few works. I believe that I mentioned this in a previous post; but I have been working on a catechism for my children. Some friends saw what we were doing and requested a copy. What I used for us was not presentable for the public; but I have made it so. If you are interested in a little book that teaches your children the basics about what we believe about God and his Word; feel free to check it out. You can find a copy on Amazon by searching my name - Tinyla Beckles. It is entitled, The Good Apple - Primary Catechism- Level 1. 4. I also have been teaching piano once a week in the Fall and Spring. I am sure Miss Sunny (my Korean piano teacher from high school) NEVER thought that I would be teaching anyone piano! Thirty years later, here we are. I must say that it was a little bit of a struggle to find materials for my students that were specifically geared to children who weren't training to become concert pianist; but still kept their attention and offered skills that would help them play hymns and fun songs for their personal enjoyment. I didn't want to use what I was brought up on for many reasons; but began with it anyway. I found myself editing it and hunting around for alternatives often. I found many other resources. One that I will share with you if you are a mom or pianist in search of fun and simple (or not so simple) songs. There is a website called - Making Music Fun. You can find some hymns and some popular classical pieces and nursery songs and such for piano, as well as other instruments. You can request free copies at several diffent levels (1-4, I believe). Miss Zoe (age 5) recently played their level 1 version of William Tell at our recent recital. She has an incredible ear for music! Honestly, I am seaking the Lord for wisdom about her musical journey. She said she wanted to play in the recital and memorized and played page 1 of that song in about two weeks! Another resource is one that I have created. It begins with level one and continues to level four. Currently, level 1 is available online and features the VERY basics of music/piano and some nursery songs, Sunday School songs, and a few classical songs that have been modified for beginner hands. If you are interested in something like this - again, search my name on Amazon. This work is entitled - Piano Easy: Book One. 5. I don't like that this post is coming across as an advertisment for my work; but I do want to tell you, friend, what I have been up to lately. Home life and working on resources to help others in their homes is what I have been up to these days. It is a blessing to have a sixteen (almost 17) year old at home that will take good care of the others while I sneak away to the library to do a little work about once a week. 6. Lastly, I am working on a website that will host our family news, photos, and future things that I publish; but it is very slow in coming. For some reason, I am not catching on to things as quickly as I did for blogspot. I do have a friend with some experience; but she is a mom with a busy family as well, so I am holding out in asking for help for when I REALLY need help. (smile) I intent to share what each of us is reading as well as daily goings on at the cottage. I am looking forward to this and hope to be faithful in sharing weeklys as I enjoy blogging very much. It is sort of a way of looking at what God has done in our family with an outsiders eye, and sharing what I feel we are doing well- or maybe not so well and brainstorming how we coud improve. Thank you for your time today and as always, Wishing you God's best,