Seton Hall Orientation

To catch up everyone on my future plans: This fall, I (Julie) will, Lord-willing, be attending Seton Hall to study History and Secondary Education. Further, I was accepted into their intensive Honors program. On the 25th and 26th of June, I had a two-day orientation at Seton Hall. My mom and dad attended a separate orientation for parents that extended through the first day. They were both heartily impressed and excited. My two days were very informative, although rather drawn out and long. Thankfully, there were fun highlights sprinkled throughout the days, not to mention the delicious ice cream at the cafeteria! The most exciting and stressful part of the first day was registering for classes. Somehow (although it makes no sense whatsoever) we are supposed to sign up for classes before we even know who our adviser is. This caused some uncertainty and stress in trying to sign up for my recommended schedule. I will be taking a total of sixteen credits in the fall: a six-credit honors' class which will be studying ancient history and literature, the History of Education, Adolescent Psychology, American History II, and a one-credit University Life class, which tells us how to manage our time, do our laundry, and other things necessary to be successful college students! At dinner on the first day, I was able to meet one of the Honors professors, and had the opportunity to ask any questions which I had about the honors program. Since I had no inclination to attend mass, I had some down time which I spent on the Green getting to know a Hindu girl who is in my honor's class. As evening activities, the college had organized a money-less poker tournament, dancing, and even karaoke. Thankfully, my room-mate was a very quiet person, and when we went to check out the activities in the student-center and realized how loud the music was, we chose instead to head towards the gym and take a look at the pool. On the way, the library captured us, and we spent about twenty minutes exploring the most beautiful library I've ever seen. When we returned to the dorms, we both washed-up and settled in for a good night's sleep.
The next morning, in my devotions, I read about the instance of Jesus' healing Peter's mother-in-law. Here I was in the middle of a very Catholic college reading about how "the first pope Peter" had a wife - God has a sense of humor!
The second day was spent with those people who will be in my honor class for the next few years. I was very thankful for the opportunity to get to know some of those people even before school officially begins. Although the second day seemed to drag more than the first, it ended in an exciting way, when we received our laptops from the school. The computers are Lenovo Think pads and have some amazing capabilities! Finally, at four pm, my family arrived to pick me up, and my mom, dad, and I showed Andrew and Sheryl around the campus, making us one of the last families to leave!
After the orientation, I'm much more excited for fall and school to arrive, and very thankful for God's evident leading as I take this huge step into the unknown of the future.

Graduation Update

Julie's graduation last night went very well, and God was certainly glorified by the program. The high school choir commenced the night by singing Beethoven's Hallelujah, after which two of the graduates spoke. While Sharon Seiter encouraged the Seniors to proceed into the world to be lights for Christ, Kevin Hanse exhorted his classmates to persevere to

the end - through every circumstance. Following the speeches, the Senior Ensemble sung "Still" by Reuben Morgan, which was a beautiful reminder to be still in the hand of God, knowing that He is in control.
Finally, it was time to present the diplomas. Since it is a home school graduation, each of the parents come up on stage and present the diploma to the child, while short biographies are read about the student and seven pictures of them are shown in the background on the powerpoint screens. Directly
after the presentation of the diplomas, our dad gave a brief devotional on the importance, pleasure, and necessity of Knowing the Lord.
Concluding the musical aspect of the evening,

Choral, a select music ensemble, sang two very moving selections: "How Great Thou Art" and the "Irish Blessing." Then, to the great pleasure of the graduates, Mr. Forstrom, the

emcee, presented the Class of '09, and as the room erupted into cheers, the graduates turned their tassels - and were high schoolers no more.

Julie's Graduation

Since she has finally finished high school, (Wow! My big sister is so grown up!) Julie is going to be graduating with 34 other home schooled, hard-working seniors next Tuesday. This graduation is for the home schooled seniors of North Jersey. Daddy has the honor of giving the commencement message. Then, he is directing the turning of the tassels and then the "distinct privilege" of presenting the class of 2009. The choir that Julie and Sheryl were in this year (this was Julie's fourth year) is also going to be singing at this memorable event.
We all are looking forward to this milestone in Julie's life.

You are all invited to this graduation. It is at Hawthorne Gospel Church on Route 208. at 7:30 PM

For those of you who can't make it, we will miss you, but we will be sure to post pictures!!!

The two pictures are two of Julie's senior pictures. The top left one is her official one, while the bottom right one is just another pose.

Carlson Christian Homeschool Academy has finished another year!

This is just a brief update to inform everyone that every student of the Carlson Christian Homeschool Academy has officially completed all their work, and that the school has closed its door for everyone but highly-specialized staff, aka Teacher Mommy!
Andrew Barton Carlson has completed seventh grade!
Sheryl Kathryn Carlson has finished ninth grade, and is no longer a freshman!
And Julie Louise Carlson is graduating from high school entirely!

Memorial Day

Trinity Baptist Church did something fun and new for Memorial Day and held a huge picnic at a local park and invited sister churches and the Boy Scouts and families from Troop 777. The day began with the annual Trinity A v. Trinity B softball game. Meanwhile, the Boy Scouts of Troop 777 marched in the Pequannock Parade, family and friends cheering them on, while they sung "Onward, Christian Soldiers."
The Boy Scouts and their families then made their way over to the picnic grounds to meet up with the sweaty softball players for a lunch of hot dogs, hamburgers, and plenty of amazing salads. After the meal, the Boy Scouts performed a flag ceremony and one of the scouts played taps, while we all meditated upon the lives that had been spent for the freedom we now enjoy in America. Next, Pastor Daddy gave a devotional about how true freedom comes from life in Christ.
Although the planned activities of the day ended at 4pm, people continued to enjoy fellowship and play volleyball until almost 7. Sheryl and Andrew built up arm muscles pushing kids on a mini merry-go-round, Julie tried to kill herself and everyone else practicing her volleyball skills, and Mom and Dad did what Carlsons do really well - talk and talk! The Carlsons thoroughly appreciated the day of relaxation before the final sprint to the end of school year.

Co-op Presentation Night

On April 28th, CALVARY co-op had it's fifth annual Presentation Night. The Carlsons were highly involved, particularly since Sheryl, along with Bethany Seiter, was the main organizer. After weeks of much planning, the evening was an amazing success. All the families stayed after co-op for a pizza dinner and practice. Then at 7 pm, we all gathered into the auditorium for the main event! Over 16 classes from the adorable Pre-K and Kindergarteners to the High school Seniors gave presentations. Andrew's Science class made a dramatic entry and then shared several things that they had learned. Following the more studious presentation, his speech class acted out and recited "The Jaberwockey." (Below is the tum tum tree.)


Sheryl's classes were also well represented. For Formal Logic, the students dressed formally and in polished British accents discussed

logical and not so logical subjects!
Then, as the highlight of the evening, the Spanish I and Spanish II classes joined and regaled the audience with The Wizard of Oz in Spanish. Sheryl played Miss Gulch and then the Evil Witch of the West. (Below are pictures of her trying to steal Dorothy's dog, and
another one of her escaping after a heated encounter with Glinda.)
As a last minute addition to the program, Julie's Rhetoric class pulled together a dramatic interpretation of the "Saint Crispian's Day Speech" from Henry V by William Shakespeare. The Seniors then ended the progam with their "Twelve Weeks of Co-op" (see a previous blog entry) and a more poignant attempt at "The Irish Blessing."
The enjoyable evening concluded in dessert and fellowship - and as Mama Carlson always says, "Fun was had by all!"

Picture Gallary

Since pictures speak louder than words, we'll update you on the Carlson's whereabouts via photos this time. To back up a couple of months . . .
To the right is a picture of Julie just before a Victorian teaparty/sleepover. Sheryl had lots of fun dressing her up and doing her hair.
Another girly activity: Sheryl and Julie are part of a girls' book discussion group. The most recent book which was discussed was Old Fashioned Girl. Presently they're reading Wind in the Willows.
Andrew is determined not to be out done by his sisters in the dress-up,
but believe us, he really does know how to be the epitome of a boy!

















On the school front, co-op ended on May 12th (the picture of Sheryl is from the last day of co-op. Everyone ate lunch outside), and since then we've been busy trying to finish all of our other subjects. The target date to finish school is June 12th, one month after co-op! With that date approaching, the students of the Carlson Christian Academy are keeping very busy.
In preparation for the next school year, Karen and Bart attended the Pennsylvania Homeschooling Convention, and had a wonderful time on their annual get-away. Julie was also at the convention, but not as their sidekick - She's helped at two homeschooling conventions this month, selling Logic and Latin curriculum for Classical Legacy Press. Having just learned all about verbal persuasion in Rhetoric, she had a great time putting her new found skills to use!