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RSSAre you here for the Ultimate Blog Party? Welcome! I'm so glad you stopped by.
My name is Joy, the second J of the Five J's, and I'm married to my music-minister husband, Jeff.
I'm a piano-teaching, book-loving, penny-pinching, chocoholic, grammar nerd…
…and a stay-at-homeschooling mom to my three little J's — Jaden, Jerah, and Joely.
Jaden — the all-boy, I-would-spend-every-waking-minute-playing-Legos-if-my-mom-would-just-let-me, self-proclaimed "Lego Master"
Jerah — our book-addicted, animal-crazy, never-runs-out-of-words-to-say middle child
Joely — our always-smiling, loves-to-learn, aspiring-cook, comic-relief, blogging baby
I chronicle much of our homeschooling journey here on Five J's— both the successes and the I-feel-like-pulling-my-hair-out-and-sending-the-kids-back-to-public-school challenges.
I especially love finding creative and fun ways to teach my kids, which has lead to posts like First Grade Language Lessons with Dr. Seuss and my series of posts on teaching kids life skills.
Like Joely, I'm also an aspiring cook — although a year ago I could barely bake a potato. But thanks to my two eternally-patient friends, Toni and Kate, whom I blog with over at Happy to be at Home, I've learned a lot more about cooking in the last 12 months. When I cook for my family, which unfortunately isn't as often as I'd like it to be, I often post my recipes, like this one for chicken, basil, and spinach quesadillas. Or this one for slow-cooker chicken wet burritos. My recipes may not be gourmet, but they're easy-to-prepare and delicious.
*** Sorry, This Giveaway Is Closed ***
And would it be an Ultimate Blog Party without presents? Absolutely not! Since homeschooling is my passion, I thought I'd give away a great homeschooling tool that my kids and I have recently fallen in love with — a spelling practice software program called SpellQuizzer. (I wrote a full review of the program here.) The great thing about SpellQuizzer is that it works for both homeschooling and public schooling families, so if you have school-age kids, this program is perfect for you.
To enter the giveaway for a copy of the SpellQuizzer program, simply leave a comment on this blog post. The giveaway ends Friday, March 27, at midnight CST, after which time I'll randomly draw a winner. (And don't worry, if you want to leave a comment on this post, but you don't want to enter the giveaway, I will pick another winner if your name is drawn. So feel free to comment whether you want to enter the giveaway or not!)
If you don't want to wait to see if you're the winner, you can go to SpellQuizzer now and download a free 30-day trial. If you end up being drawn as the winner, you'll be given a code to fully unlock the software.
Thanks for stopping by. And don't forget to head back to 5 Minutes for Mom for your next Ultimate Blog Party destination.
If you'd like to keep up-to-date with what's going on here at Five J's, you can subscribe via email or in a reader. You can also follow me on Twitter here.
Joy is the wife of 
I want in…
Jerri Ann’s last blog post..Media Criticism
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Hi, I am homeschool mommy too. I would like the Spell Quizzer.
Thanks,
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How thoughtful to give away a door prize! I'm a homeschooling mom too.
Karen W’s last blog post..2009 To-Do list
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Love anything that can help the kids learn and have fun while doing so, please enter me in the drawing. Thanks.
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You have an awesome blog. I have twins who will be 6 in less than 2 weeks. One of our goals for this year is to setup a blog for both of them. They are looking forward to it. It seems like it will be a good way to teach them about computers without just playing games to learn. Looking forward to getting to know you.
Jenny Beth @ JenuineJen’s last blog post..JenuineJen’s Ultimate Blog Party 2009
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Your J's are all beautiful! Glad I stopped by your party. I'm having a party at my place too, come by!
Grace @ Sandier Pastures’s last blog post..It’s 2009 Blog Party Time!
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I'm here for the party! And what a great giveaway!
Kristin’s last blog post..Come on Barbie, Let's Go Party!
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Joy…I love your blog…I read it everyday and I always get a lot out of it. I am a newbie homeschooling mom just started this year. I read your review on Spellquizzer and definately want to win the drawing! Thanks so much – Lisa
Lisa’s last blog post..Birthdays….Birthdays….Birthdays!
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What an awesome family! It's wonderful to meet you. Happy partying.
Holly’s last blog post..Ultimate Blog Party
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Don't even jest about putting those kids in the Public School Pit!! Keep up the excellent work!
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a couple things:
1. i admire all y'all who possess the fortitude to homeschool. good on ya.
2. holey smoleys, your children are beautiful.
3. loving your recipes…the quesadillas and wet burritos sound amazing.
lovely to meet you!
nic’s last blog post..the fifty-cent tour
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So nice to meet you and your wonderful family! I am having a party too! Party On!
Baba’s last blog post..Ultimate Blog Party Is Here
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I would love to win this to help my children with spelling.
I am stopping by from The Ultimate Blog Party to check your blog out. What a great week we are in for!
Check out my place for your chance to win a LeapFrog Tag Reading System.
Stacie
The Divine Miss Mommy
http://www.thedivinemissmommy.com
http://www.twitter.com/stacieinatlanta
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What a wonderful site !!
Have a Happy 2nd Party Day !!
happyhermit’s last blog post..Pizza Pasta (from my Husband)
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I look forward to reading your homeschooling posts. I'm just starting with my preschoolers. And everything I cook is easy to prepare and usually delicious!
Monica’s last blog post..Time Well Spent
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Just going from party to party to see how others are doing this blogging thing.
My prize is #115 check it out!
Have a good weekend blog partyn’!
april’s last blog post..Lets Get This Party Started!
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I've visited your blog many times…and I always enjoy it
You have a beautiful family!
Beth@Not a Bow in Sight’s last blog post..Faithful Friday: Renewing My Strength
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Happy UBP!
Hope you have a fabulous day!
Valerieeeeeeeeeee
http://sweeps4bloggers.blogspot.com/
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Hello! Poppin’ in from The Ultimate Blog Party…all the way from Queensland, Australia! G’Day! I hope you have time to visit my party soon.
Ta!
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just stopping by for the party you have a beautiful family and blog happy partying
Pamela’s last blog post..WINNERS ANNOUNCED
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Hi, I have been out and about bopping into parties for the Blog Party. It has been fun. I think you are like number 172 that I have visited in the last 3 days. I am a new blogger and this has been fun.
Thanks for inviting us all to stop by for a minute.
Have Fun!!
Maureen’s last blog post..Blog Party 2009
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I just stopped by, blog hopping as part of UBP 2009. It is very nice to meet you. I have a blog at http://www.superfunmama.blogspot.com; It's a toddler learning blog. I'd love to have you for a visit! I am loving UBP! Have a magical day. I have a goal of trying to visit 150 blogs per day, whew! Let's hope the little one takes long naps for the next few days.
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Hi! You have adorable children! Very nice to meet you!
I would love to win your prize! Super fun!
Kati’s last blog post..Product Review: Betty Crocker Warm Delights Minis
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Hi Joy,
Thanks so much for your kind comment and visit to my blog; your voice "here" is consistent with your voice in comments. And now I see exactly why you're the 5 J's
. Your children are PRECIOUS and seeing your family helps me know so much about you all.
I'm opting out of the giveaway
. Though I ALWAYS like to win, since I'm NOT a homeschooling mom, I thought I'd let you know that, too 
. Isn't it wonderful to know YOU'RE shaping their hearts and minds daily? Guess I am, too…just with the help of a wonderful Christian school here 
.
Robin ~ PENSIEVE’s last blog post..A knotty tangle of challenge and conviction
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Stopping by from the party, Im a menu planner as well and that Ebook looks wonderful, nice to meet u!
Hollie’s last blog post..It is Party Time Common Cents Style
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Hi, I'm here with the BLog Party! I love your kids' names… especially Joely! How did you come up with them?
Nicki’s last blog post..Not So Frequently Asked Questions!
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I LOVE that your kids all have blogs. Such a great way to get them interested in writing.
Just blog hopping in through the party link list.
Stop in on my party if you've got a minute!
Colleen’s last blog post..Florida in January – It isn't too cold to swim!
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Oh this is a great giveaway because I really need help getting my 5-year-old son (one of my four A's!) up to speed on his spelling.
It's nice to meet you, btw, I really like your blog and hope you have fun during the UBP.
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We could really benefit from Spell Quizzer. Count me in.
Love your blog.
~Jill
Jill’s last blog post..3 Going on 16
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Hey Joy,
We have 6 J's, but they all belong to our kids. Oh, wait my husband is a J too. I guess I am odd man out. We don't have any of the same J names, so if you need to borrow a name in the future I have plenty to share.
Tasha’s last blog post..Enjoying the Feast
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Hello – here on the party route – still trying to meet up with all the blogs – have been to 250+ so far – last day! Lovely to meet your blog!!
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I'm a homeschooling mom with both a Lego lover and a book lover as well. We already have Spellquizzer, so no need to add me to the giveaway. Stop in if you get a chance:http://www.chatterandclatter.blogspot.com/
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May I please be entered?
Thank you!
Amanda’s last blog post..Today's Twitterings
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