Minivan Moments

Back... and With a Vengeance!

2011-12-01T21:12:00.000-06:00

So, here i am, finally getting around to putting some words down on this blog after a several-month absence. And now, i find myself in a stage of change. Again. {smile}

Not all changes are bad, and of course, some changes aren't good, but most changes represent challenges and a bit of uncertainty. The challenges vary substantially and the uncertainty can be daunting. However, we usually see enough benefit after working through the change to make said change worthwhile.

That brings me to my point: we are adopting a mostly vegetarian/vegan way of life as a family. It is something that has lingered on the horizon of my life for a few years now, but i have not had the drive to fully embrace it. Until now.

The last bit of research i read about dairy, and animal protein in general, shook my doubts off like water from a just-bathed dog. I can no longer deny that this is the way to keep health in my family's future. Our generation is increasingly sick, and we are looking down the line at an even sicker generation after us. That would be my children. Yeah... um... no, thanks.

So for the overall well-being of my family, we are restricting animal foods in our daily diets. And thus far, it hasn't been as difficult as i would have thought! But if any time is the time to go vegan, it is now! We are blessed to be embarking on this journey at a time when it is a very well-accepted lifestyle choice.

Recommendations for you if you are interested:
Documentaries like (to name a few)...
Forks Over Knives
Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead
The Gerson Miracle
Food, Inc.

And the book that started my awareness of this subject so many years ago (4 now?): Skinny Bitch.

Hard to believe i was ever that naive, but the truth is, i thought the world worked the way it looked like it did. It never occured to me that people in the medical field, governmental office, and the education system could all be misleading me. Now, i'm not saying they all are... but i am an informed consumer now. And i strongly advocate being one - make your own decisions based upon your own research and knowledge.

High/Low Life

2011-09-14T20:47:00.000-05:00

Living the High Life, whatever that is. An expression that implies good fortune, plenty, success. That begs the question: is less than plenty, success, and good fortune, living the Low Life? A "Low Life" is another expression, this one meaning someone who is less-than-desirable, and to some, less than human somehow.

So if i'm not living the High Life, am i a Low Lifer? A Low Life?

Loving God the way i do, i meander a lot on a journey that seems paved with good intentions but poor judgment, best of plans but disastrous execution, and great expectations but depressing results. And the more i compare my life to others, the more dissatisfied i get.

Okay, that makes sense. So, stop comparing, right? Simple enough! Yet... not easy.

Through the 'high' times in life, we can back-burner prayer, even God. But in the 'low' times, we cling to Him like plastic wrap clings to its roll. We just cannot get through the hard things without Him. So why do we try to get through the good times that way?

We. Are. Fickle.
Plain and simple.

I need to compare my life to Christ's. And no one else's.

In the midst of what is likely the hardest thing i have ever had to deal with, i wonder: "will i remember God's presence and my passionate vigil with Him when things level out?" Oh, Father, i hope so! Help me remember that if You can love me enough to carry me through the Tough Stuff of Life, i can love You enough to cling to You when i'm on Easy Street, too!

May God remind you today that He is there, waiting patiently for a smidge of your time, whether you are dealing with Tough Stuff or Living the High Life. His love is unchanging, which is more than we can say for our circumstances.

Cupcake Mania

2011-09-06T22:23:00.000-05:00

Today, the kids and i tackled our out-of-character, chilly, drizzly September day with a bit of nonsense. We decided, after i spent 20 minutes on YouTube, that cupcakes were in order! After all, we should practice before the birthdays come, right?

We took photos of the whole process, too, because the kids think it would be neat to make videos for YouTube that pay money! Hahaha. Ah, well, it was fun at least!

Here's a taste of what we did.
(After i get the slide show uploaded to YouTube, maybe i'll post the link here....)

From "Ho-hum"...

...to "Oh, Yum!"

Chrysanthemum Cupcakes! They were tasty, too!!

Jackpot!

2011-08-25T22:10:00.001-05:00

Today, on a random run-through at my local Target store, i found some fantastic fixes for some trouble areas in our home. I could not believe the teacher supplies they had in the Dollar Spot! I bought an organizer for schedules, some little crayon scheduling cards, some flashcards about various subjects, and some cute reward stickers for when the kiddos apply themselves and deserve a little pat on the back.

Here's our schedule (the kids will turn their crayon around as they complete a task):

Then i wandered past the planners and such, and i found some fabulous organizational tools called "Organize Her." I got a magnetic mail sorter, a magnetic calendar/schedule for a week, a magnetic file sorter, a magnetic flip chart that holds 3 different papers in a flip-up style, and an important numbers magnetic sheet. All of these magnetic items match, by the way, so i look organized just at a glance! Of course, a clear-off of the front of the frig was in order, but after getting all that set up, i feel like i could actually use this system and NOT clutter up my kitchen!

Here's my organized Paper Sorting/Mailing/Bill Organizing Station:

So, this year is about getting a handle on my home and my day. My children will all be schooling for the first time this year, and i need to feel more capable of handling all their individual educational needs better. God has been so gentle with me up to this point, but i think i am ready to step out in obedience and discipline. Armed with the knowledge of what we're dealing with and where we're headed, i feel confident this year is going to be a wonderful year!

Life of Joseph - A Review!

2011-07-27T22:57:00.000-05:00

"Walk with Joseph as he goes from a prince in Canaan to slavery in Egypt and then to the courts of Pharaoh. Your students will enjoy this engaging Bible study!

Follow Joseph as he travels from the tents of Jacob to the house of Potiphar and eventually becomes second in command to Pharaoh. Watch to see how Joseph reacts to slavery and false accusations. See how God uses difficult circumstances in Joseph’s life to prepare him to save thousands of people, including those who mistreated him. Joseph’s story is one of betrayal, forgiveness, and restoration. Take a look at this fascinating Bible story today!

Multi-Level Book: Designed for ages 7 and up"

~ Grapevine Studies

I recently received a copy of the Joseph Multi-Level Bible Study by Grapevine Studies to use and review in anticipation of its launch on August 1st. As always, I just love using their units! With the recent knowledge of my oldest two children's learning barriers, the units from Grapevine Studies mean even more - because it is something they can do.

The first thing I noticed about the Joseph study was that it is set up like a time line. That is a fabulous discovery for me because I recently became aware that my children do not understand what a time line is (even though we have done them in the past in our schooling).

The next thing I discovered while working through the study with my children was that it was quite thorough! This was no fluff story of Joseph; this was a Biblical account of how his life happened. And beautifully woven into the study about Joseph were review questions intended to help children process what they had learned, both about Joseph and about God's character. That sort of lesson is priceless to me. We have so much to learn about God if we are going to learn to trust Him in times of trouble - as Joseph undoubtedly knew.

As always, the Grapevine Studies units require very little in the way of supplies: a Bible, a dry erase board and dry erase markers of varying colors (they suggest 8), a copy each of the teacher book and the student book (multiple student books if you are working with multiple children like I am), and some colored pencils. The Multi-Level lessons are easy for children of many ages to complete (my 4-year-old gave it a shot, though she was less able to reproduce recognizable drawings than she was to retell the story), and there is usually something mixed in that even I didn't know. (Bonus!)

As this lesson will take us several weeks to complete, I will say that we are not finished with the unit as I write this review. However, it pleases me that we have a few more weeks to learn about Joseph as a family because my children seem to enjoy this study immensely. As I was perusing the ending sections this evening, my son was standing behind me, captivated by the simple stick-figure drawings, asking questions like "who is that?" and "what are they doing?" He is fairly anti-school, so that is a really good sign!

*Disclaimer: I was given a copy of the Joseph Bible Study at no cost to me by Grapevine Studies for the purposes of this review. A positive review was not necessary, just deserving.

Summertime Silliness!

2011-07-25T07:02:00.028-05:00

By about this time of the summer, the kids are a bit heat-weary, and everyone is less enthused about the outside stuff than they were in May. Coincidentally, this is also the time of the summer that Target begins to mark their summer fun stuff down. You know what that means: time for a trip to Target!

We recently stocked up on bubbles, sidewalk chalk, water blasters, and soaker balls in an attempt to drag out the summer fun for at least another week or so. With 100-degree days fading into one another with little respite, we've learned to make the most of the water fun we can engage in in our front yard. (Three kids and sunblock do not a happy mommy make, so we stay close to home.)

Slamming each other with splashy balls of water, running amok around the yard in an all out Water War, and sticking our butts over the sprinkler are all ways we enjoy a good cooling off in the afternoon.When evening arrives, the sidewalk chalk, balls, and bicycles come out... and an occasional Popsicle doesn't hurt either!

Happy Summer Silliness, y'all!

Faithful Father

2011-07-22T15:02:00.000-05:00

Not a single person on earth is faultless. Not one is without error, sin, faults; whatever you want to call 'em, we've all got 'em! So, here i sit in my comfortable life, messing up with the best of 'em, and my Heavenly Father remains faithful.

I screw up. Sometimes terribly. Yet He forgives.
I make mistakes. Sometimes huge ones. Yet He forgives.
And even better than that forgiveness, at least to someone like me, is His teachings. He never lets me escape the opportunity for a lesson. I yearn for and appreciate those lessons sometimes!! Other times... not so much. But, He is faithful to provide just exactly what i need, even when i don't know what that is.

How anyone can live a life without knowing Him is beyond me. He is the very Air i breathe, the One to whom i can turn when i am struggling, the Nourishment to my soul, the Rest in times of trouble.

There is nothing this world can put me through that i cannot endure with the help of the One who created me. He is faithful. He is the best Father a girl could have.

The Value of Good Health

2011-07-13T22:46:00.000-05:00

I'm really struggling with something lately: How do i put a price tag on my child's health and well-being?

Let's say, for just a moment, that i found out my child had cancer (God forbid!). Let's then assume, for the sake of this conversation, that my insurance doesn't cover the treatment. Further, the treatment is just over $5,000 and will take weekly therapy for 8-12 months. What would i do? Quite obviously, i would treat my child to get rid of the cancer!

Now, imagine the health concern is merely that her eyes don't function properly. I don't mean she needs glasses; i mean, she has eyes that do not operate physically the way they are supposed to and it interferes with her brain's ability to understand what she is seeing. Basically, she sees everything as if her eyes operate independently of one another, and her brain thinks she is seeing double (and that is really only one of the problems).

That may not seem life-threatening, and certainly, she'll not die of this condition. But imagine for a moment that you see every set of words as if there are two of them and they slightly overlap. Now go read for an hour a day. Do 30 minutes of math every day. Write interesting and grammatically correct essays every week. Right. That's what i thought. Not just a nuisance, but a real handicap in school.

However, we truly cannot afford the treatment. Besides which, our son needs the same treatment, so multiply that figure by two. And just like when we treat cancer, there is no guarantee. It is a great likelihood that they will walk away "cured" of their vision development problems forever! But it is also possible they cannot be fixed completely. Helped, but not necessarily "cured."

So my struggle is that i feel like i am putting a price tag on my children's future. It is all well and good to say "we couldn't afford to send him to karate" or "we never had the money for her to pursue dance" when we reach graduation day. But, folks, how do i look at my children each day for the rest of my life and accept that i did not help them SEE.

God, only You can help me with this dilemma. Only You know my heart AND my situation. Please direct my path and focus my heart on You.

Follow the Leader

2011-05-26T22:32:00.000-05:00

I've generally been a follower. I don't care to lead, and i don't want the responsibility of being in charge, so i have been mostly content to be a sheep most of my life. Baa!

Then i became a mama.
Most women have a hidden 'switch' (for lack of a better word) that is activated at the birth of our first child. We blossom into selfless, nurturing, dedicated leaders. The little bundle depends on us, and we generally rise to the occasion beautifully. Oh, sure, we have our fair share of speed bumps, but, being women, we fuss and carry on, learning to do better next time.

Which brings me back to my point: we become leaders. If the doctor won't take us seriously, we'll do our own darn research. If the teacher won't understand our child, we'll find our own blasted answers. If the child needs guidance that is far from accepted by mainstream America, we'll become Pioneers in our own right.

We lead because we are wise enough to know when we have to.

And if there is one thing i have learned in recent years, it is that i have to follow God in order to be a good leader to my children. If i listen to that still, small voice He put inside this mama's heart, i find the most amazing truths about my kids. It is only when i allow myself to get distracted by the world - or by my flawed expectations - that i stumble in frustration upon the bumps in the road.

Time again to follow the leader. I needed that reminder tonight.

Getting what i wanted... kind of

2011-04-27T11:21:00.000-05:00

So, a year ago, i saw some red flags in my son, obsessively pursued the nauseatingly abundant resources on the subjects of childhood disorders, disabilities, and syndromes, and have exhausted myself and others with my relentless determination to NAME the THING that is WRONG with MY CHILD. Are you hearing me?? I wanted that darned thing CALLED OUT. Out in the open. Titled. Exposed. After all, i reasoned, i can't fight something if i don't know what i'm up against. Right?

Well, finally, after months of researching, labeling, contemplating, re-labeling, and trying things from various angles, i got that coveted appointment with the pediatric neurologist. I marched in there, armed with all the things that were amiss in my child, determined that i be taken seriously. And i was. He was inquisitive, patient, and painstakingly thorough. My son walked, ran, trotted, bent, twisted, and counted for the good doctor. He closed his eyes and operated his arms and hands. He tolerated the doctor's touches and prods. He answered the questions honestly and openly.

At the end of the evaluation (a full 45 minutes, folks!), the doctor says my son has low serotonin levels causing mild OCD. Come again? OCD? That was NOT one of the things i 'diagnosed' my child with over these past 11 months! Well, apparently, God will give you what you asked for... just not exactly how you think you'll get it. I thought i'd get a diagnosis that would send us to therapy. I didn't. I thought the answer would 'make it all make sense' right away. It didn't. I thought naming the problem would be the Ah-Ha! moment i wanted it to be. It wasn't.

But in my further research (yes, the doctor indicated there was little to be done beyond medication, so i am reading, reading, reading!{Read: obsessing}), i have learned that this diagnosis does make sense. It is the answer i am looking for. And it is supplying that Ah-Ha! moment i was looking for. I can tell you this much: OCD in children is very different than what you (or i) always thought. And now that i know, i am doing things a bit differently. And my son is already showing signs of thriving!! Yay! Go, God!!

I wanted an answer.
I wanted some direction.
I wanted some tools.
They aren't proving to be that easy, but i am getting there - with the help of God, the Creator of my precious child, we will persevere. And we will have a success story on the other side of this mountain!

Can We Talk?

2011-04-19T23:08:00.000-05:00

Remember Joan Rivers saying, "Can we talk?" in that smoker's, accented voice? I think about that sometimes when i wonder if my kids know they can talk to me about anything. As a kid, i remember knowing when i screwed up, but never really getting positive feedback. Sadly, i seem to have adopted that parenting style myself.

I struggle with a critical nature, and that must make it tough for my kids to share their innermost struggles or feelings. I have been focusing on it more, and trying to retrain myself. My 11-year-old and i are fighting our way through this right now: i'm trying to learn patience, watch my tone, and encourage her as much as i criticize; and she's trying to find her way (as well as tolerate me). :)

Recently, my son and i have been dialoging quite a bit about his behavioral concerns. I have tried bringing up my concerns and asking him questions whenever we have time alone. Tonight, i found how much progress we have made when the other kids were sleeping and Daddy was out and he opened up the communication lines about his behavior: how it makes him feel, during and after, and why he thinks that is, as well as some ideas he has for what his problems might be. For an eight-year-old, he had some mature insights.

It was a beautiful thing, though, to hear his heart, to know he thinks about these things and wants to share them with me, and especially that he was confident that he could come to me to ask for my help. It also cemented why it is so important to have quality alone time, even for just a few minutes, with each child every day. It is far too easy to let the day get away from us and not make that effort, but nothing worth having is ever easy, right? And the beaten-down path is never really the one we want.

So, i'm going to struggle up the less-traveled path, machete in hand, making my way through the obstacles, and building relationships with my children above all else. Outta be quite the adventure! :)

Finding the Balance

2011-04-11T16:23:00.000-05:00

It would be so easy to set up a 'school' at home and follow a schedule so that all educational pursuits would be completed before we play... except it isn't.

It would be so simple to have a room in which everything 'home school' lived and all our home schooling took place in that room and it would be organized and schooling-friendly... except it didn't work.

It would be totally marvelous to have all my children reading everyday and learning so much from books that they develop into lifelong learners and passionate readers... except they don't learn best that way.

Like most things in life, when i peer over the fence into someone else's life, i find myself longing for pieces that work for them to work so wonderfully for me. But it isn't that simple.

When i keep a perfect school schedule, my house is a wreck, the laundry piles up, and dinner is a combination of convenience and junk.

When i keep a tidy house, the schooling gets behind and the kids get ignored.

So, when i strive for balance, it looks a little more like this: a bit of school, followed by a bit of housework and play, followed by some routine time together and meals, followed by a bit of school and time with friends, then a home-cooked meal with the family and time outside before reading and bedtime.

Is it the perfect way? No, of course not. There is lots that can be tweaked. But is it the way that is working RIGHT NOW to give us some balance? Yup. And right now? Balance is more important than academics OR organization!

Find YOUR Just-Right-For-Right-Now Balance.

Saving and Serving! Woohoo!

2011-04-04T19:52:00.000-05:00

Yesterday after church, my son (who is not what you'd call 'enthusiastic' about church) informed me that he needed to bring in some shoes to donate to the kids in Japan. He said he wanted to bring the most shoes so he could win the movie tickets the church is raffling off for the kids who participate in the shoe drive.

I immediately thought of my favorite Super Shoe Savings tip: Rack Room Shoes' CLEARANCE aisle!! They typically have shoes back there for $3-$5 a pair, and i knew i could "RACK" up (pun intended). PLUS, i had a coupon for 20% OFF a $60 purchase, so i decided i needed to get $60 worth of shoes before we even went.

Tonight, i ran through there with the eldest after meeting Daddy for dinner, and we set out to "RACK" up! OH!! THE FUN!! We had the cashier AND the manager caught up in our enthusiasm by the time we got to $60! (by the way, the Clearance Aisle items are good for the BOGO 50% Sale, peeps!!)

Altogether, we purchased 20 pairs of shoes, never paid more than $4 for a pair (and only one was that high) and got one pair for $0.80 - we got clearance shoes + BOGO 50% OFF + 20% off each pair and we spent $50 WITH TAX.

I couldn't wait to share my sale-stackin' coupon-clippin' shoe-shoppin' EXTRAVAGANZA with my readers. THAT, folks, is Saving WHILE Serving. GOD is GOOD.

[Thank You, Jesus, for the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful experience. You could have done this without me, but to share it with me and let me share it with my daughter is a priceless experience, and not likely one we'll forget. Praise and Glory to God!]

God-Given Gifts

2011-03-29T21:03:00.000-05:00

It's easy for some to know what their God-given gifts are. My husband has a computer for a brain, so he is fantastic with computers. {grin}

For me, i have struggled. Over the years i have been told my gifts are in working with children. Ehh... not so much lately. I have also been told i should open a restaurant. Umm... i'm too lazy/picky/chicken/pick one. Then, there's the writing. I've been told i should write children's books. Yeah, well, they're only as good as the illustrator, and that's not my thing, so.... I used to write the newsletter for my small church and they loved it, but it has since closed its doors, so that's that.

Well, so i have this blog. I love to write. (You didn't know that, did you?) I have a lot of opinions. (Kept that a secret, didn't i?) And, i'm starved for an intellectual outlet as a stay-at-home mother of three.

If you put all that together, you MIGHT get one of my God-given gifts: writing... about/for/to benefit children. Maybe. I dunno. BUT - i did it. I wrote a "Letter to the Editor" (i know, i feel like a retired lady with too much time on her hands - no offense!!), and i attempted to shine a little light on Sensory Processing Disorder. After submitting it, i didn't think about it again.

Then it was published. I know it was because i got an email. Then another. Then another. Then another. So i found the letter online, and i decided to share it far and wide. It doesn't answer a bunch of questions about SPD, but it gives a glimpse for people who just don't know that people around them are dealing with this.

If you feel like it, hop on over and have a read. Otherwise, i'll try to entertain you better next time you stop in. :)
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110328/WILLIAMSON07/303280016/Childhood-disorder-greatly-misunderstood

Many blessings for all of you on the journey.

Aha!: That Magical Moment

2011-03-07T13:12:00.001-06:00

I have days when i wonder what i'm doing homeschooling. Okay, i can't lie, i have weeks like this. They are scattered about hither and yon, they scurry into hiding places when i try to meet them head-on, they jump out and take me by surprise when i'm not paying attention, but mostly, they make me feel like a failure.

Who do i think i am, teaching these kids?

What makes me think i can accomplish such a lofty goal when i have dozens of unfinished projects laying about?

Why would i add to my already-heaping plate such a tremendous task (times 3!)?

Well, today i got the reminder, the answer to all those questions and more.

My eldest had 'a morning' (she's 11 - use your imagination).
My son required constant reminders (he's 8, so he still loves to play).
My youngest was in 'a mood' (she's 4 and a bit emotional, so...).
We had an extra child today, and she was apparently feeding on our moods (yay: sharing!).

After a lengthy (and exhausting) pep talk with the eldest, lovingly but firmly reminding her of her responsibilities to herself, her education, her family, and God, i poured my energy into the younger kids and left her in the Lord's hands.

That means we got lunch made, we worked on phonics and math (teacher-directed math with 3 kids is no small feat, let me tell you!), and we tidied the living room (i even dusted!). The eldest arrived downstairs for her i-feel-better-now-Mommy embrace, and we moved on.

So when did i get my answer, you ask??
When my daughter went to God with a clear understanding of her problems and came back focused and content.

When my son learned to round to the tens place and said, "but when there's one that's halfway between the two numbers, like '5' - then what?" before i could even tell him the rule. (yay: critical thinking!)

When my youngest counted the bumps on the math blocks in order to answer me when i asked 'which one is the number 4?'

As if all that wasn't enough, my eldest needed help with her math after lunch, so she came to me with her problem and when i explained it, she said, "that's all? I thought it was a lot more complicated than that!"

Oh, how i love That Magical Moment of Aha!
I guess that's why i teach my own kids - i'm good at giving them Aha! moments and i love to witness them. God sure knows how to counter my concerns. What a beautiful day it's turning out to be!!

Would You Like Cream With That?

2011-03-03T21:05:00.002-06:00

Generally, yes. Until recently, that is.

You see, all my adult life, i have suffered from sensitive skin, so not only was shaving cream necessary to a good shave (yes, THAT kind of cream), but specifically the kind for sensitive skin to ease my pain.

Apparently, i have a skin condition that causes aggravation of the hair follicles, and shaving makes this worse. So, i have vacillated between intermittent shaving and complete boycott of the practice. Generally, the boycott takes place in the winter, so no need to be alarmed.

Well, on our recent vacation, i forgot to pack my razor. It was still winter, so no biggie. Oh, except for the fact that i was traveling to FLORIDA. Yeah, um, gonna need that razor after all! Off to the store i went... where there was a ridiculously pitiful selection (i discovered after i returned that Publix doesn't stock razors in the health and beauty aisle, but keep in mind that i didn't know this during that visit) which included bare-bones, bottom-of-the-line straight razors, cheapies in Woman-On-The-Go packs, and the BOMB: the Gillette Venus Spa Breeze razor for women. (You know about my disturbed hair follicles, so you can guess which one i chose. Yep, the Cadillac of razors sailed into my basket despite the wince-inducing price tag!)

Upon taking that baby for a test-drive, i learned a marvelous (surprise!) factoid: no shaving cream required! (i know, i know, i should really have read the packaging.) Alrighty, then, that makes the $10 price tag a bit more justifiable (hey, i told you it was the Caddy)!! Bonus!

Upon returning home, i figured it would stay in the traveling bag for future trips (never forgetting a razor again!). However, i kept thinking about how unsafe it would be to leave it in the bag that stays at the bottom of my linen closet... so, i put it on the sink and there it has lived

Until today.

I needed a quick shave to dress for the lovely sunshine-y weather we are currently enjoying (enter: Intermittent Phase), and i spied the 'Breeze - old friend! And i have to say, it is so much easier and faster to shave with a razor that provides its own cream - no more doing the Shower Shave Dance! You know the one?? Where you lather up one leg then carefully avoid the steady stream of water coming off the shower head so you can shave every spot before the shaving cream washes away - all while hanging practically upside down with one leg hiked in the air and staying close enough to the spray to rinse the razor in between swipes and keeping your rear and back in the water so you don't freeze? Yep, The Shower Shave Dance! :^)

Well, with the Gillette Venus Spa Breeze, dance no more!! Just SHAVE, doggone it! Be fast! Be free! Be smooth! Without the cream. (Sorry, Skintastic!)

* i received no compensation for this post. This post is my own opinion (though possibly the exact opinion of others) and i purchased my Venus razor with my husband's hard-earned money. :)

Tasty Tuesday

2011-03-01T08:32:00.001-06:00

Some of my blogging friends are doing a series called "Tasty Tuesday" in which we share recipes with our readers. Since i LOVE to cook, it seemed like something i should take time to do... but which recipe?? Hmmm.

Okay, here's a simple one for those of you who have dairy troubles like we do, and it involves YOUR family favorites!

Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients:

Canned or cooked chunked chicken

Chicken broth of choice

Cornstarch

Canned and drained or frozen and thawed mixed veggies

Biscuit dough or recipe of choice

(quantities are left out because this is so easy to adjust to your family's size)

So, taking all your favorites (mine are canned chicken from Costco, Organic Better Than Bouillon Chicken Flavor, canned veggies, and homemade biscuits from America's Test Kitchen Cookbook), you assemble this simple meal in a cast-iron skillet (or deep 12-inch skillet with lid) and dinner is served in under an hour (half an hour if you're really efficient in the kitchen)!

Mix or pour chicken broth into warm skillet. Whisk in cornstarch (this makes the "cream of" chicken base) and allow to thicken (not like gravy, but almost like a thick stew). Add chunked chicken, veggies, and salt/pepper to taste (with the Better Than Bouillon, i don't add salt). Allow mixture to come to a simmer and drop biscuit dough or formed biscuits onto bubbly liquid. Cover and allow to simmer on low for 20-30 minutes or until biscuits are cooked through. Serve and enjoy!

I like this meal because it uses pantry staples and no perishables so i can always whip it together for dinner at the last minute (that's actually how i came up with it!). Plus, when hubby walks in the door, the kitchen smells good and he would never know that i didn't have a plan for dinner until 4:45 that evening! Shh! ;)

Go check out the other Tasty Tuesday entries by clicking HERE.

What is Forgiveness?

2011-02-24T22:25:00.068-06:00

In teaching my children about World War II, i have discovered a newfound passion for the topic. I recall sitting in fifth grade civics class, watching videos of the atrocities of the Holocaust: the concentration camps, the gas chambers, the starvation and wasting away, the devastating separation of families. Now, as a suburban mother in a middle-income American home, i am deeply moved by all that i did not even understand back then (and i understood more than some of my peers did).

This week, i have been watching the documentary, Forgiving Dr. Mengele, which is about a surviving twin of horrific scientific experimentation at Auschwitz. In the documentary, there is quite a rage about her decision to forgive the Germans, the Nazis, and the doctor who was the perpetrator of the heinous crimes committed against her and her sister. The outcry reminds me that a great many people, religious and non-religious alike, seem to have a misconception (or at least no full comprehension) of the meaning of true forgiveness.

Forgiveness is something God requests of us. And He knows what He is about when He asks it: without true forgiveness, we become bitter, angry, hateful, but also suffocated by our innermost injuries. Our souls cannot handle unforgiveness... it is not God's way. But many people don't realize that the body cannot handle it either. Stress kills brain cells, destroys organs, causes ulcers, and raises blood pressure, among other things.

I had an experience a few years ago in which God asked me to call my stepmom and apologize for being a snot as a child and young adult, and He asked that i request forgiveness. Now, if you know anything about my childhood, you would likely respond as others did: "why should YOU ask THEM for forgiveness when they were the adults and you were the child??!" The simple answer is: because God told me i needed to repent - He lovingly showed me the errors of my own ways and encouraged me to follow His way. When i followed God, He opened a door to a real and lasting relationship with my parents for the first time in my life. My stepmother also asked forgiveness in that telephone call, and she is now a precious part of my life. There is more to the story, but suffice it to say, real forgiveness has taken root, and it wasn't through my own strength that it happened; God led the way... i simply obeyed.

In addition, forgiveness is not something we do because anyone deserves it. Do you deserve to be forgiven when you lie? When you cheat? When you lose your temper? When you curse? There isn't always a deserving heart on the other end of forgiveness, but i thank God that He doesn't wait for me to deserve His grace and forgiveness. We forgive because God forgives. Not based on any appropriate battery of tests a person completes to show his/her remorse.

Some members of my family are also confused about this topic: some think that forgiveness can't take place unless requested by the perpetrator, or that the victim has to contact the perpetrator to inform him/her of the forgiveness taking place, or even that forgiveness is akin to "moving on" and "letting bygones be bygones." Unfortunately, as a survivor of sexual and emotional abuse, neglect, and abandonment, i have a painful history that i don't care to repeat - but i can forgive without putting myself in similar situations, without letting myself be 'taken in' by an abuser again, and i can protect myself without wanting any harm to come of the abuser.

That's the final piece i find people don't understand fully: what does it mean to no longer want harm to come to the perpetrator? Well, in our basic human nature, we are geared to want the 'eye for an eye' method of justice. However, if each of us was to exact his/her own revenge, a few things would happen: we would never see the situation clearly enough to exact the perfect punishment, we would be limited in our methods of punishment for the offense(s), and mostly, we would damage our own souls with the harm we inflict on others.

If you think you can harm someone (even mentally, with your thoughts of revenge) without repercussions, you are ignoring your conscience (not to mention the Holy Spirit, if you're a Christian) and denying your own pain. I can't think about the times i have lost my temper with my children without pain and remorse, much less inflicting harsh words or actions on someone on purpose.

Overall, forgiveness is a complex issue that God will be glad to help us understand. But understand it we must; only our own selves are harmed by our inability or unwillingness to forgive. I hope you'll heal in this way, if not today, then soon. There is freedom on the other side, but forgiveness is the bridge.

Got Garden??

2011-02-23T20:28:00.001-06:00

Yesterday, the kids got the hair-brained idea to dig up the old (read "ignored"), overgrown garden and plant flowers in it. The last week of sunshine and nice temps has really motivated them to start up the gardening again, and i had a tough time saying "no" - so, i didn't. :^)

So, 2 hours later, we had tired backs, weak muscles, a giant trash bag full of weeds, and a beautiful little garden where once a nightmare had been. This morning, i had to go out back and look at it just to appreciate all our hard work again. Now, maybe we'll be able to control ourselves until we can plant the veggies!

$6 for organic garden soil (we only needed a little on top) + $7 in fresh pansies of many colors + elbow grease and determination = perfect!

(you may not know what it looked like before this shot, but i do... and what an improvement!)

Self-Centered by Default?

2011-02-15T09:00:00.029-06:00

So, the kids and i have discovered this fabulous game called The Scrambled States of America. We LOVE playing (okay, The Littlest Princess is left out, but we try to include her some) and the kids are actually learning a bit about the U.S. States in the process!

Just the other day, my son's workbook wanted him to use a map of the United States (included in the workbook) to write down each State's capital city. Okay, fine... except he couldn't find Hawaii where he thought it should be and Alaska was nowhere near where he had begun learning it should be.

Then, in trying to locate a Southwestern State, he says, "oh, New Mexico is by the Pacific Ocean!"
Huh?
I walk over and look at his book, explaining, "no, son, New Mexico is right above Mexico..." only to notice that THERE WAS NO MEXICO ON HIS MAP. (or Canada, for that matter)

Well, no wonder other countries think the United States is so self-absorbed: we teach our children that we are on our own giant island and all alone over here! Good grief, my poor second-grader was confused that what he thought he was learning was actually NOT the whole story.

Yes, son, there are other countries out there, and they have people living in them much like we do... and we do not occupy our own continent here in the U.S. of A. - hence, the "of A" part. Sheesh!

Weary of Winter

2011-02-13T09:37:00.001-06:00

Last summer, we began a tedious journey through a difficult season in our lives: family trials coupled with unprecedented numbers of illnesses in our home have just about driven me batty. So, after a frayed rotator cuff in my right arm (why i don't blog as often anymore), the discovery of a couple of possible learning disabilities in my kiddos (not covered by our insurance, naturally, so we're on our own), two stomach viruses (TWO!!), possible RSV that led to pneumonia (myself and the Littlest Princess), bronchitis (hubby), and an ear infection (the Man-Child)... i was deeply touched to be sent the "Stylish Blogger Award" by a friend from my reviewing days on The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Homeschool Crew! Wow! I needed that reminder that there is life out there and i used to be a part of it!!

Thank you, Heather!! :^) Check out her awesome site at http://faithfamilyandfun.com/
I don't know how she does it, but there is always something new and inspiring going on over there!

The rules for this award:
~ Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award
~ Share 7 things about yourself
~ Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers (not gonna happen here, unfortunately)
~ Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award

Okay, 7 things about myself...
... i recently discovered that i am an idealist, which means it is hard to tackle normal things like parenting and homeschooling because i can see a bigger, brighter concept and i try to aim at it - only to get disappointed when i achieve something not-quite-so-stellar. {sigh}
... i am a servant most of the time, but i get crotchety on occasion and forget - that's never good when i am coming back down the other side of Me-Me-Me Mountain (oh, the guilt!!). :^)
... i always wanted a half-dozen kids - up until i had one and realized that i can't possibly stretch myself that thin (remember the idealist, folks!). Now, i try to remember to enjoy the three i have!
... i successfully managed my own home garden for the first time last year and am looking forward to doing more this year. (yup, surprised a few people who had watched my earlier attempts, i can tell you that!)
... i really like to read, a passion that began when i was in 7th grade (i devoured most of what my school library had in the mystery section by the time i left for high school). I now use PaperBack Swap to procure my books at a more reasonable price (though parting with good books has been a challenge i have finally begun to overcome!).
... i love to sew and a dream home for me would have space for me to store all my sewing materials as well as space for me to leave projects laying about while i am working on them.
... i have a nephew in Heaven with Jesus and i can't wait to see him again (will he still be 4months old in Heaven, i wonder, or will we see the young man he would have become??).

And the "Stylish Blogger Award" goes to (i'm breaking the rules because i don't currently follow 15 blogs and some of the ones i do follow got this award already):
~ Tonya Lee over at Homeschool or Bust - she amazes me with her homeschooling, and i know we only see a glimmer of it on her blog.
~ Caitlin at Welcome to Normal - what an inspiration she is! I get caught up in her blog and have to limit my visits so i can get other stuff done.
~ Loving Learning at Home - there is so much going on over there, i seriously think she has a clone!
~ Just discovered Encouragement Along the Way (again), and i am loving her wisdom and honesty!
~ Debbie over at Debbie's Homeschool Corner amazes me again and again. She is a remarkable woman and Homeschool Mama!!

Okay, sorry, folks, that's all i've got; I need to get off the computer!!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-13T15:51:00.000-06:00

Well, it's a new year, it's a new day, it's a new YOU! Or is it??

I take issue with New Year's Resolutions in general because i feel that if it's worth resolving to do it, it's worth starting NOW, not on some arbitrary square on the calendar . However, i understand... mostly.

After the holiday festivities involving too many meals with too many calories and too little exercising because of too little sun, it can sure seem like that magical day on the calendar brings with it a new resolve: to do something differently.

For me, i am trying to get a grasp of my children's hang-ups so i can find the sweet spot that will lead to less conflict. I am also trying to get healthier, both by increasing my daily activity levels and by watching my junk food consumption (neither of which comes easily, i might add). I also want to declutter the house enough to make it less of a chore to keep clean - no, not tidy; we're not that family. But clean would be nice.

What have you resolved to do??

Coincidence? Hmm...

2010-12-21T13:11:00.000-06:00

I find it interesting that the day after i investigated my lost packages, which the post office didn't have, FedEx didn't have, and Amazon.com couldn't track, 2 out of 3 of them arrived. Then, the day i called Amazon for a replacement, they informed me the post office had it and they couldn't refund or replace it. The next day, the package arrived. Hmmm....

So, a package can be lost in the system for 8 days, but the day i inquire after it, it shows up and gets delivered? Interesting....

Well, at least all of my packages have now arrived safe and sound. Odd, but happy, ending. :^)

Lost

2010-12-16T15:44:00.000-06:00

i want to know REALLY BADLY what happens to all the millions of dollars of merchandise "lost" in the shipping system. FedEx/UPS/USPS had it in their hands, they say they lost track of it in such-and-such a location, but they can't find it? REALLY?? Well, someone found it. It didn't just disappear! When someone found it, where did he/she take it?? IT HAS MY NAME AND ADDRESS ON IT. It wouldn't be so very hard to get it to the right person, so i am left to believe that A STRANGER GETS TO KEEP MY STUFF.

This is especially frustrating at the holidays when multiple packages i am counting on for Christmas will not be here because someone "misplaced" my boxes. In the past, i have lost personal boxes that contain items that cannot be replaced, some various curricula, a Nintendo Wii, and now several different things this year. It doesn't just frustrate me that they will not arrive in time, but the fact that the shippers involved are always so nonchalant: "sorry, it must be lost. You'll have to contact the shipper for a replacement."

Seriously?? My only recourse is to TRY AGAIN?!?!? How about you find out what happens to the stuff?? How about you go to whatever warehouse you auction this stuff out of and FIND MY BOXES and send them to me??? Sometimes, what is inside those boxes cannot be replaced! Go GET IT.

Grr!

Anyone else ever feel this way?

Year in Review

2010-12-09T22:41:00.000-06:00

Looking back on the year i've had, i am left with a resounding "WOW" in my head. Anyone else have one of those years?? The kind of year that makes you cry, laugh, sigh, scream, rejoice, and dance....

In 2010...
i wept often and laughed much.
i prayed both passionately and passively.
i found new reasons to be thankful for my friends.
i rediscovered the Truth of the Living Word of God, and i spent a lot of time with His Son, Jesus Christ.
i felt the love of family, friends, and a Holy God.
i renewed my love of motherhood, which had taken a sound thrashing but was struggling to hang on.
i rejoiced in new life, remembered those we've lost, and understood the delicate state that is our humanity.
i shared my love for Christ and His love for me with as many people as i could pin down.
i made both mistakes and enemies, but i repented when necessary, and learned to walk away. (this one's huge for me!)
i learned that "peace at any cost" isn't peace at all, and i began applying it to my life.

But perhaps the most notable thing of 2010 for me was learning to hang on to the "peace that passes understanding" that God promises us when we look to Him in our times of trials. Jesus promises that we will have troubles, but that He will be with us... and i have lived that truth over the past 12 months. He is faithful, strong, kind, loving, compassionate, comforting, dedicated, powerful, and so many other things i can't describe.

It has been a good year. God has blessed me mightily, and i am undeserving... yet thankful.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

2010-11-18T12:58:00.000-06:00

Are you aware of your child's eye strain? Did you know that current educational advancements are partly responsible for the decline in eyesight among the young? Yeah, i didn't know either... until last week.

In a routine eye appointment with our family eye doctor, we discovered a few interesting tidbits: children are supposed to be far-sighted when they're young (that means they see well far away, but not great up close); my eldest needs reading glasses; and fifth grade is apparently a typical point when we see children begin having trouble with print, though normally it is temporary. In discussing this stage of "need them now but probably not forever" with our doctor, we learned something fascinating: the educational system we enjoy in this country is a large contributor to eye strain in the young, which leads to a need for glasses. Huh. Seriously?

The doctor told me about a study that was done over 50 years ago in which the Eskimos were evaluated, then educated, then evaluated again, and guess what they discovered? A people who had PERFECT vision prior to "formal education" experienced massive decline in eyesight over two generations. Yes, you read that right: just 2 generations!!

So, while i can't advocate going backward in educational standards, or ignoring the advancements we have made in this area, i must ask the question: is late really better than early after all??

Swinging by a Blog

2010-11-03T16:34:00.000-05:00

Lately, i have noticed incredibly high numbers in my blog traffic. (Cheer! Cheer!) Upon further inspection, i note the various countries from which people are visiting. (Cheer! Cheer!) Then i wonder, "WHY?" So i look at what is driving them here... and it is the clicking on "Next Blog" in the upper portion of the Blogger Bar. (Cheer! Cheer!)

Hmm... why, do you suppose, is it that folks from all over the world are popping in by clicking "Next Blog"... especially when i discover that most of the visitors to my blog stay "less than 5 seconds?" (Boo! Boo!)

Seriously, there's not much i write on here that can be digested in fewer than a few seconds, so i have to assume that these people in other countries are, for the most part, passing through quite quickly. Still, i wonder, why now? i mean, this is dozens of instances in a given week... all of a sudden.

Ah, well, doesn't much matter if they aren't staying around long enough to read some profoundly fascinating tidbit i threw together for the betterment of the world at large. {grin}

Guess i'll keep writing, you'll keep reading, and we'll just wave cheerfully to the Brazilians and the Indians and the Germans as they breeze through on their way to something... well, not more interesting, certainly. ;-)

The Sight of Blood

2010-10-23T22:42:00.001-05:00

Thinking about a few years ago when i walked into the bathroom to wipe the tush of my then-three-year-old son to discover a toilet full of blood got me thinking... about, well, blood. Some people faint at the sight of blood. Some have nearly-physical pangs of an empathetic nature. Still others have a resolute, lets-get-this-figured-out-and-taken-care-of manner about them.

Blood is the life force - the giver of oxygen to necessary organs, the circuit through which nutrients and chemicals travel the body, and a healer in many ways. But blood, when not seen, is easy to think of scientifically. Once it is oozing from the body or collecting in a vial, though, it becomes something a bit more... disturbing... for some.

That day, many years ago, the sight of that blood beneath my small child was a panic-inducing nightmare. Turns out, he has a severe sensitivity to digesting dairy. Cease panic. Phew!

Other days, while restraining my youngest child over the course of dozens of blood draws in the four short years she has been alive, the sight of blood is a necessary fight to get information from her body. How is her thyroid doing? Are her meds still working? Will her body heal in time and become "normal?"

Then, however, my mind goes to the blood we women deal with monthly. For many, it is a disturbance of our regular lives, an interruption in our rhythms, and even a nuisance. For others, like my sister, the lack of bleeding each month is a sad reminder of what the body isn't willing or capable of doing... at least, for now.

Or the blood that meant the end of a life that was not to be... the life my body wasn't going to bring into the world after all. The blood that was a purging of someone i would not get to meet this side of Heaven. And to that end, i remember the blood that was expelled from my body when each of my three living children was born. The blood that nourished and grew them into the babies i could hold and snuggle and play with. That blood, while still slightly disturbing in its sheer quantity, was almost reverent blood.

Reverent Blood. That takes my mind to the Blood of Christ. Not a concept i was grateful to have pushed upon me as a new Believer, but one i embrace today with a bit more clarity. This is Blood that grows us, covers us, washes us, purifies us, and claims us. Reverent Blood. Jesus' Blood. Holy Blood.

The sight of blood is a unique experience for each of us. What's yours?

Ignorance is NOT Bliss

2010-10-04T13:09:00.000-05:00

There are so many things in life we are led to believe we don't need to know... by the government, by our doctors, by the school system, sometimes by our own friends or our churches. Things that people believe they can "protect" us from.

But the truth is, ignorance is NOT bliss. NOT knowing something has never blessed me. You?

I'm the one in the doctor's office asking, "How much is in the syringe? Will it hurt? Does the stuff have any side effects? Will i get better without it? Do i need it?" I'm the one in the grocery store looking at labels, muttering, "MSG?!? Really? In chicken stock? Milk? In a fruit drink? Natural Flavors, huh? Well, which natural ones: cow, dirt, blood?"

Asking questions is certainly something that i am compelled to do. And it bugs most everyone. {smile} But it is by asking questions and seeking answers that i have discovered that too much protein increases a woman's chance of cancer, phenylalanine causes brain tumors, xylitol is a natural substance that strengthens your teeth, dairy is so hard for our bodies to digest that it actually leeches calcium from our bones, fingernail polish is toxic (as are most cosmetics), commercially-available soaps are really detergents that are caustic, sodium laureth sulfate is carcinogenic and causes increased susceptibility to canker sores (mouth ulcers), soy has its own estrogen, which feeds breast cancer, abortions increase a woman's risk of breast cancer, Planned Parenthood doesn't counsel women concerned about abortion - they send them to the pro-lifers - because there's no money in counseling her out of abortion, baby oil is mineral oil with fragrance added and mineral oil is only slightly different than motor oil... Need i continue? I could.

So, why is it, if being ignorant of something doesn't save you from it, that elders, politicians, medical workers, and religious leaders continue to treat us like we're better off not knowing the truth?

~ "If we read the healthcare bill, we wouldn't allow it to pass, " paraphrased from Nancy Pelosi.
~ "Knowing the truth about abortion is too emotionally harmful for women considering abortion, so you may legally lie to them," paraphrased from legal wording allowing abortion clinics to lie about abortion.
~ "Oh, it's no big deal," my doctor told me before administering one of the most painful shots i have ever been given. (then he failed to mention the 48 hours of NEW pain i would experience AFTER the shot)
~ Major poultry farmers refuse to allow cameras into their facilities... wonder what they're hiding?

How many experts have kept you in the dark "for your own good?"

Right now, for me, it is health. I notice many of my friends are on the same path. God must be moving our hearts to learn more about what He intended for us.

Seek the answers to your burning questions and even your curiosities... you may learn more than you bargained for. For your own good.

Blessed... Blast!

2010-09-28T19:40:00.000-05:00

What does being "blessed" really mean?
Okay, i'm moseying along, minding my own business, raising my children, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, cooking for my family, giving to the poor, reading my Bible, commiserating with friends, praying for healing, and BAM! I get knocked down.

Yeah, yeah, like the song, "i get up again." I dust myself off, look around for where that slam came from, take stock, and head down the road again... washing, teaching, cooking, reading, praying... BAM! There it goes again!

Okay, so i get up. Again. But now i'm starting to wonder what in blazes is going on?

I look around again, see nothing out of the ordinary.... But i sense the presence of evil just as surely as i sense God's presence in church on Sundays. I know it's there, but i can't see it. I know it just knocked me down, but i can't tell where it's coming from.

Eventually, i figure out the evil is coming from within. From within me, from within my family network, from within my home. That gets my attention. My Home???

Now, i'm angry. How have i let this happen? How has the enemy managed to infiltrate my private quarters, my haven? What do i do now?

As i pray, seek, and read my Bible, God shows me how "blessed" i am...

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."

i am poor in spirit because i recognize i am nothing without the Lord.

"Blessed are those who mourn,

for they will be comforted."

i mourn for my sin and the sin of others because God mourns our sin.

"Blessed are the meek,

for they will inherit the earth."

i claim no rights to any good deed, for all Good comes from God.

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled."

i despise injustice; i yearn and strive for righteousness with the power of the Holy Spirit.

"Blessed are the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy."

How can we not show mercy to a dying world? Compassion, forgiveness, love... God helps us show these things to others in His name.

"Blessed are the pure in heart,

for they will see God."

i pray for pureness of heart... for darkness to flee... for God's desires for my life to be manifest in my desires.

"Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God."

Strife is energy-depleting, soul-wrenching, and spiritually annihilating. It is exhausting because it is not of God.

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven."

This part has always been where i start to wonder, "Why, Jesus, did you ruin a perfectly good list of Beatitudes with the last few lines??" (don't shake your finger at me: He knows i feel this way! LOL) So i'll get Heaven when i am persecuted for the righteousness i so desire... and...

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

[all Scripture lines ~ Matthew 5:1-12 NIV]

Blast! (yes, Buzz Lightyear)

That is the one i always disliked. Who wants to be insulted? Persecuted? Lied about?? Not me. Remember, i despise injustice!

But... God says i'll be blessed.

Well, from the midst of the persecuting, insulting, lying and scheming, i can tell you that God is blessing me. I am feeling His peace - if i just stop focusing on the people, the lies, the injustice of it all, and if i keep my eyes locked firmly on His.

The price is high.

But the rewards are great.

i. am. blessed.

Recipe for Weight Loss

2010-09-19T22:56:00.000-05:00

Okay, first off, i am not a dieter by nature.
Second, no, it isn't because i am a toothpick who can eat 2 Whoppers with fries and sit in front of the computer all day sipping calorie-laden soda and never gain an ounce. (those women should be force-fed carrot sticks until they turn orange... just sayin')

Finally, i have not EVER in my life been on a diet that was a true diet in the sense that i was dieting to lose a certain amount of weight.

Still tracking??

Okay, that said... i have found the P-E-R-F-E-C-T recipe for weight loss, quite by mistake.

First, let your house get really messy. I mean messy, folks, not 20-minutes-to-good-as-new! I'm talking, we had a nuclear bomb go off in the house, followed by a small tornado, then the closets all barfed their contents... messy.

Next, schedule an appraiser to come estimate your home's current market value... in a sink-hole-of-a-housing-market era... so that you can take advantage of the astronomically-low interest rates (did i mention the housing market was crashing??)

Finally, use toxic chemicals you have never before used in combinations never before envisioned to scrub, scour, and whisk away the dirt, all while piling, storing, shoving, hiding, stowing, ditching, and stacking your ~~crap~~ random belongings that do not appear to live anywhere (since they have obviously not been put away since "W" was in the Oval Office). While using said noxious-fumes-producing agents to make your house look like you never actually lived in it, feel free to break out 3 different varieties of paint and paint roughly 500 square feet of your home in 3 days... including baseboards, door trim, and dog- and toddler-gnawed corners. (oh, and you should still teach your 3 children the 3 R's, keep up with the laundry, cook 3 squares a day, water the garden, settle sibling disputes, tend to hubby's every whim, and wash dishes every day)

Yeah, i can no longer smell anything (including the above-mentioned toxic chemicals), my head is killing me from all the allergen-colonies we disturbed in our dedicated efforts to Take Back Our Home, i cannot breathe out of my nose unless i go outside and commune with the ragweed (go figure!), and i have lost a pound each day i have been doing this. I haven't been this low on the scale for more than a blink in... well, years.

So, all that to say, if you've got a few extra pounds you just can't shake....

Spackle

2010-09-15T20:14:00.000-05:00

So, in the midst of my already-crazy life, we are trying to refinance our house to get on a 15-year mortgage. That means i am getting our home ready for an appraisal.

Um...

Er...

Blech.

Well, here i am, scrubbing, painting, trashing, filing, cleaning, dusting, sorting, organizing, and patching, and it hits me: Spackle. Duh.

My life can be represented by the wall in my stairwell: there are dozens of fingerprints from all the people who have touched me, making their mark on my life; there are nicks from the times something got away from me along the way; there are cracks from the settling that naturally happens as we age, threatening to expose what is hidden away; there are half a dozen or so nail pops from screws and nails that are trying to get out of the original construction, which need time and attention to restore; and there are scuffs from people getting carried away and not being aware of the damage they are doing.

The Stairwell Wall = My Life.

Okay, so my life needs a little TLC, but overall, it is a simple fix: Spackle.

The nicks, scuffs, dents, and dings can be covered up with Spackle. Just like the nicks, scuffs, dents, and dings in our lives are covered by the blood of Jesus. Like they were never there. Miraculous.

The fingerprints? They are messy but real.

The cracks? The facade is coming away to reveal what is really underneath.

With Spackle, all things can be made new. Thank You, Lord, for wasting Your time on me, a lowly servant undeserving of Your grace... yet You bless me immeasurably again and again.

Misunderstood

2010-09-14T00:30:00.000-05:00

Do you ever feel so misunderstood that you wonder if you're losing your mind?

I often have trouble with my memory, so it is a handy excuse for anyone who comes against me to use... and it is offensive to be told i must've "had that conversation with myself" just because the other person doesn't remember it. It is possible that i am not the only person who forgets things... so why can we not just admit we don't remember? Why cast blame? Why trash someone else's character?

Because in the midst of the battle sits an enemy. It's an enemy i have met before. It's an enemy who has tormented me in the past. But this enemy's got nothin' on my God... and my God's got my back.

Little things become bigger,

Bigger things become vast.

It gets hard to progress when

Someone's throwing up your past.

Through Christ there is healing,

Abundant love and hope.

Without Him, we struggle just to

Hold tight to the rope.

Although it feels like failure,

Trials are often good.

A struggle grows us better than

Any blessing could.

So, if someone wants to take you

Down the path of long ago,

Look toward the Savior.

He'll show you where to go.

~ exclusive rights to Angela Varela, original

Stickers?? Really??

2010-09-02T22:21:00.000-05:00

How is it that i can have a child that still surprises me after nearly 11 years in the Parenting Jungle?

How is it possible to have more than one child and still be taken off guard by the next?

What does it mean that i can have a Bachelor's Degree in early child psychology and still not understand how my children tick???

Oh, i know their personalities, i understand their temperaments, i've even figured out some of their gifts and a few of their struggles. But how is it that after a surprising 20+ years of dealing with children, i am still floored by the simplicity of their minds??

Stickers!!
STICKERS!!

Yes, for pity's sake, i finally decided to try using reward stickers for my struggling youngest children and wouldn't you know it!? Success!!

Stickers?!?!?
REALLY?!?!?

{sigh}

Sheesh. Someone needs to send me the men in the white coats, 'cuz i may not make it out of this Jungle with all my wits about me.

[muttering to self] ...stickers... who knew?... of all the simple...

The Proverbial Straw

2010-08-28T20:22:00.000-05:00

How many times have you met The Straw? You know the one: it's the very last straw you can handle... the one that "breaks your back?" Furthermore, how many times have you met The Straw... only to find you can handle more than you thought you could? Yeah, that's God.

Sometimes, i really think God has a LOT more confidence in me than He should... until i remember that He doesn't actually want me to handle anything. He wants me to give it all to Him and Let. Him. Handle. It. All.

Okay, i'm a work in progress, and i am teachable.... mostly. Well, He must still think i am if He's still wasting His time on me.

Several times over the past year, i have believed that i have reached the peak of what i can handle. You understand - you've been there, no doubt. Not surprisingly, though, i have mostly been wrong. I can apparently handle quite a bit. This past week, month, year, i have learned a lot about myself, a lot about my family, a lot about the world, and a whole lot about God.

While i appreciate the efforts to which God goes to ready me for His Kingdom, i must admit the process is often filled with grief and pain. There is grief over the loss of self, the loss of relationship, the loss of understanding, and the loss of what i imagined was there before i learned it was a farce. There is emotional pain, spiritual pain, mental pain, and physical pain. And just when i think i can't take another cut, someone lays another blow on me. Sometimes, i rant to a close friend and the steam subsides. Other times, i bring my concerns to God and the Spirit calms me. Rarely, but occasionally, i find myself enjoying a small pity party. Those don't last long, but they are wrenching and bleak.

I have not know how to write on my blog during the past week or so - life has been too difficult to say anything positive or funny, and i do hate to make this blog a place for my whining.

However, tonight, i feel led to share. It seems many of us are being "sifted" in preparation of the troubles ahead. I offer my prayers to each of you who rides this train with me. The journey is long, the battles are weary, but the Spirit is capable.

May God bless you through your suffering.

Ever Get the Feeling...

2010-08-19T01:08:00.000-05:00

... that the whole world has gone mad and you are the only sane person left? I realize that is often the definition of insanity, but sometimes i really think it's an accurate assessment of the situation.

Imagine a world in which everyone took responsibility for his/her actions and words.
Imagine a world in which people cared about other people's feelings more than their own.
Imagine a world in which people who supposedly cared about you didn't resort to throwing stones whenever their feelings were ruffled.
Imagine a world in which a ridiculous situation could be cleared up with a simple "i'm sorry" or a turning to truth.

Imagine....

'Course, that would be Heaven, 'cause it sure ain't happenin' here on this Earth.

God "Gets" Us

2010-08-16T20:36:00.000-05:00

After a long weekend of hiking about in the Fall Creek Falls State Park, i have come to a stunning realization: God 'gets' me. That may seem like something of a 'duh' moment for some of you, but i have begun to understand for the first time in my life that i am fine just the way i am. I am quirky, anxious, compassionate to an extreme, moody at times, generous to a fault, pessimistic more than optimistic, fearful of just about everything, and overall, a strangely functional person with a variety of oddities.

However, in all of that, God 'gets' me. He understands where i have been, knows what hands i have been dealt in life, and is aware of my hang-ups and coping skills. He 'gets' me.

He created me SO THAT i could go through all that i have gone through and SO THAT i would come out of it all in JUST such a manner as i have. He 'gets' me.

So, though i often struggle with the people in my life who do not understand me, i can rest in the comfortable knowledge that it doesn't matter whether they do or not. My God, above all else, 'gets' me.

And i can look into the beautiful faces of my children, quirky and difficult though they may be, and know that God 'gets' them, too. He understands all He has asked of them, all He continues to ask of them, and all He asks of me as their mother. He 'gets' us all.

What is Normal... Exactly?

2010-08-04T13:08:00.000-05:00

The word "normal" comes from the Latin roots that indicate "made according to the square" as in a carpenter's square. So, you have this tool - it is inanimate and does not move... therefore it does not change. Hence, you make something using it or according to it and you get... something square, right? That's normal. That follows the norm. Makes sense.

But to say something is "not normal" or a person is "not normal" is to indicate that there is something "off" or "different" or "not quite right" with it/him/her. You tracking? I am "not normal" in that i can feel a UTI before it develops and can take steps to ward it off. Never had a full-blown UTI in my life thanks to this "abnormality." I am "not normal" because i have bunions on both feet and cannot shop for shoes in "normal" sizes or "normal" stores like the rest of the planet. I get to spend way more money for this "abnormality," incidentally, than the average shoe-buyer spends. I am "not normal" when it comes to my taste buds because God blessed me with an overdeveloped sense of taste combined with a texture sensitivity.

Last week, i caught a bit of Joyce Meyer on television while on vacation. She was talking about the power of words. I have heard it before; i get it. There is inherent power in the spoken word. Negativity breeds negativity; we know that. But she specifically said, "be careful what you say about your children." and. i. was. crushed.

What have i done? How many times have i said my children are "not normal" or "different" in some way? Especially over the last few months as i have spent oodles of time and money researching Sensory Processing Disorder (a.k.a. Sensory Integration Disorder). Oh. Wow. Darnit!

Well, i can't take it back, but i can start changing my vocabulary. My children are not normal... but that is because the Carpenter Who made them doesn't use a "square" - He uses His heart, His hands, His eyes, His breath, and His Words. The Potter Who created us began with a Thought, an Idea, and a Dream.

The power of the spoken word created this world, and it is the essence of each of us. And we are NOT square. We are unique, colorful, quirky, and radiant.

I choose to embrace my differences, seek out the uniqueness in each of my children, and stop letting the word "normal" have so much sway in my life. My children are exactly what God intended them to be... which, needless to say, is not a bunch of squares.

Blessed to Know Him

2010-07-20T15:40:00.000-05:00

My Grandpa Don passed from this earth yesterday morning. He was a lively fellow with a quirky sense of humor and a real love of life. I got to know my Grandpa Don when i was 18 years old and moved in with my Nana and him in Jacksonville, Florida. I learned a lot about the way God works, i discovered peace in the midst of chaos and turmoil, and i found a gentle spirit and a perseverance that i had never witnessed before.

Those days, weeks, months, that i spent with my Nana and my Grandpa were among the most stable in all my life up to that point. It became a turning point for me, a landing zone, and a launch pad. I became a stronger young lady for those times spent with Grandpa and Nana; i became a more understanding and accepting person; i began walking a path that led me to Christ.

Sadly, i never shared these thoughts or expressed my gratitude to my Grandpa Don... or to my Nana, for that matter. Yesterday, i lost the chance to thank him for the change he affected in my life... but in my limited knowledge of God, i believe Grandpa knows my heart. He is right now observing the lives he has touched, being embraced by Jesus, and beaming at the words he surely heard upon arrival at Heaven's gates: "well done, good and faithful servant."

Well done, Grandpa Don.

You'll be missed.

How to Teach Your Kids to Clean...

2010-07-14T14:37:00.000-05:00

I've had an A-HA! moment. I discovered something that fascinates me, so naturally, i must inform the rest of the world!!

My kids have had to help with household chores since the age of 4, and as they age, they are required to help with more and more ~~disgusting~~ complicated chores. My son has a difficult time with doing chores, and he pouts a LOT. Since i believe he has a condition that lends itself to this behavior, i am trying new techniques for eliminating it... so far, we've improved, but we haven't abandoned the pouting altogether... yet.

Today, i stumbled upon a way to get him involved in the cleaning with more eagerness, though i am certain it is just a passing fancy that will not stay around....

Cleaning supplies. Honest.

You see, over the course of the kid's life, he has not been trusted to handle anything more toxic than the vinegar bottle we generally clean with. Those other chemical-based cleaners i have up high are the Big Guns, and we reserve those for the Adult Cleaning Specialist (aka: Mommy) around here.

This afternoon, in an attempt to make the children's primary bathroom STOP REEKING, i handed the kid the bottle of Seventh Generation Multi-Purpose Cleaner and sent him into the bathroom to "use it on anything and everything until the place isn't yellow and doesn't stink."

Success!!

He is not only NOT POUTING, but he is HAPPILY CLEANING. Gasp!

{Sigh}... too bad once he's used it a few times the novelty will have worn off and he won't care anymore. Ah, well... for now? Bliss!

Hobby?? Or Home Business??

2010-07-11T19:24:00.000-05:00

I have begun making hats and headbands just for fun, and i discovered i could be good enough to sell them... so i went out and invested in some cuter yarns, some flowers, and some add-ons, and i am going to make them available to the general public! Yay!

Keep in mind, the hats take on average 2 hours to make, unless they are really simple and really small. The headbands obviously use less yarn and take less time to crochet, but they have time-consuming and expensive decorations.

Okay, here are the ones i did this weekend - some are for sale, but some are already taken but don't worry!! I can make whatever you like if i don't still have it. :^)

Teddy Bear Hat in gender neutral cream of thick and soft 100% acrylic yarn.

$12 - $15 depending on size

(this one is toddler size, age 1 to about 3)

Newborn hats in blue and pink, coordinated for fraternal twins in this photo.

$10 with no embellishments

$12 - $15 with embellishments

$20 for a matching/coordinating pair

Headbands with embellishments, this one 98% Acrylic/2% Polyester

Apple Green with Orange Ranunculus Flower

$8, regardless of size (the flower is the expensive part!)

For any and all of these, ask me about different sizes and colors!! Also, i will coordinate hats for a sibling group and we'll talk discounted rates to do multiple of similar styles.

Contact: Angie

athomeandhappy@gmail.com

Thinking in Text

2010-07-08T09:51:00.001-05:00

Okay, i'm not a potty mouth as a rule, and i often cringe at the colorful language in our everyday lives. If i could slap my hands over my children's ears to save them from ever hearing the expletives uttered by unthinking adults, i surely would. However, 3 kids times 2 ears apiece, divided by my 2 hands doesn't equal successful mathematics, so i will continue to educate them about the choice each of us has with our words.

That being said, there are days i think like a sailor - those are the days that i seem slow-witted because everything i want to say is being dredged through my child-friendly filter. Now, however, with online chat and text-messaging as a regular method of interpersonal communication, there are handy abbreviations for all those devilish adjectives... and i feel proud to have learned a new language at such a ripe age!

This morning, my sleep-deprived brain was unable to properly filter a colorful reaction to a seemingly-unreal scenario - but it's okay, because what i said was "WTF!" Yep, the letters, not what they stand for. As a general course of behavior, i do not use the "f-word," but "WTF!" really fit at that moment.

So, though i do not advocate the willy-nilly use of ignorant language, i can now thankfully add yet another method of filtering to my repertoire.

Tired... but not beaten (i hope)

2010-07-05T23:06:00.000-05:00

When i try and it does no good, i am tired - of trying.
When i give and it doesn't get returned, i am tired - of sacrificing.
When i pray and i feel no relief, i am tired - of hoping.
When i hurt inside and i can't make it stop, i am tired - of hurting.

Life is so hard, but i have to trust that God knows what He asks of me.
One thing i am sure of: when i think i absolutely cannot take any more, i think of Jesus and all He suffered for me... and i pick myself up out of the Self-Pity Pit and keep trusting God.

I may be losing some of the battles, but i know how the war ends... and that helps.

Fine Motor Skills

2010-07-01T14:22:00.000-05:00

In the child development world, we have numerous terms that apply to various stages and developmental milestones, as well as terminology for skills that are learned and mastered. One such term is "fine motor skills," which basically means a child can use his/her hands and fingers to do smaller tasks. These skills change and grow as the child changes and grows, which is why fine motor skills are delineated according to which developmental milestone rather than age (we know children mature at different rates, so saying a child should be able to do peg puzzles at a particular age is vague and unhelpful since some will do it earlier, others later, and the rest fall somewhere in the middle - thus, there are averages in place for us to "get an idea" of where our children lay on the spectrum, but we mostly think of it in terms of developmental ability rather than age level).

(i say all this because i tend to talk like everyone knows these terms, and i am frequently reminded that they are not as commonly-used in the average parent's vocabulary, so i don't want to lose anyone since we all know what fine motor skills are - we just may not call them that.)
Okay, lesson over. Are you tracking me now? Good!

It never ceases to amaze me the differences in my own offspring, put together using the same 2 sets of DNA for each of them. My oldest was advanced in many things, right on track for many things, and a bit behind in a few. No worries from me, though, since i knew this was all based on "averages" and that she was overall a balanced child. The next child was a boy, which changed everything since they mature in different ways at different rates as girls (for the most part). He was behind in things my oldest was advanced in, but advanced in things she struggled with. Hmm... Same DNA input, same parents... but, okay, they're individuals. I get that.

Now, however, i have another girl that i have watched grow to be a preschooler and i am noticing even more differences! She is NOT a boy, but she follows her brothers gifts and advancements quite well, while somehow achieving the advancements of her sister at the same time! There's not much she's average in or behind on, so i am constantly perplexed that she is even my child!

Why am i writing about this?? Not to brag, that's for sure! I had nothing to do with my children's level of intelligence, and i take no credit for it. Additionally, it is oftentimes more difficult to parent the bright children than the average children, so i have on occasion begged God to give me stupid children (tongue in cheek, here) so they will not strain my parenting skills so much! However, the Lord, in all His Wisdom, has given me the ones i have, and i cherish them.

So.... yesterday, i received the laminator i ordered and have been laminating stuff like mad for 2 days! (if the dog'll sit still for half a second, he's getting laminated!) Today, i had a stack of freshly-laminated pages stacked up, ready for me to cut the small pieces out so i could assemble some file-folder games. When i noticed one was cut not-so-neatly-but-certainly-functionally, i assumed my eldest got sloppy in her assistance with my project. However, about an hour later, my littlest child was discovered sitting in the floor with the pages of laminated raindrops, the scissors, and a small stack of cut-out raindrops. Wow. She was so proud of herself! And i was amazed at how well she was cutting these things out!!

The fine motor skills of this child have always awed me, but today, i was nearly speechless. I really wanted the pieces cut away from the outlines to the laminate wouldn't peel away from the paper with use, but i couldn't really fault my 3-year-old's success with cutting on the lines, so it'll do. Just exactly how it is.

A Fly on the Wall

2010-06-29T08:28:00.000-05:00

Okay, so i'll just lay it all out on the table here: we have flies. LOTS of flies. Someone told me it is because flies, like mosquitoes, flourish in wet conditions so all the standing water we had in May with the flooding encouraged their over-$#@%&*-abundant procreation. But it's fine; i'm not upset by flies.

Here's a little background for you, Dear Reader: when i lived in my first real house in this lovely city in Middle Tennessee, we noticed that there were a lot of flies in July. I was opposed to rampantly annihilating them just because we're bigger than them, so we humanely left them alone. (you can stop chuckling now) Well, as you can probably guess, it wasn't long before i was sweeping in my kitchen and noticed that those "grains of rice" were wiggling! Ewww! I'm not ashamed to say that ALL FLIES MUST DIE in the interest that i NEVER stumble across maggots in my home again.

So, fast forward 6 years and the fly population being so out of control that i am thinking about creating a Planned Parenthood just for insects, and you can find me on any particular summer day with fly swatter in one hand, toxic fly-killing spray in the other, with a bit of a lunatic look on my face... hunting... hunting... hunting.

Well, yesterday i decided to go to the store and get fly paper to hang about like Christmas lights in the hopes that i could capture and murder millions of flies (insert maniacal laughter). As i proudly began to hang the first strand of sticky stuff above the kitchen counter by the back door that is the Preferred Portal of Entry for the flies, the tape stuck to the wall. Nice. I had to peeeeeeeeel it off. Yuck. I hung that blasted sticky stuff anyway, but now i can't help but wonder where the flies will stick: the tape that i can dump in the trash... or the sticky spot on the wall. Yeah, i know exactly how that's gonna turn out. (sigh)

Getting a Handle...

2010-06-24T12:59:00.000-05:00

... on all of it.

Lately, i have realized how infrequently i feel confident in my job. As a mother, i fret about lost tempers and overreactions. As a wife, i worry over doing too little or expecting too much. As a teacher, i stress about the wrong fit for curriculum, child, activity, grade, attitude, etc. As a household manager, i panic over the bill that i forgot to pay and wonder at the laundry that piles up when i take a day away from the washer.

It seems there is always more to do, a better way to do it, and a feeling of being out of my element. There is always something i can improve, something i need to stop doing, and something i need to figure out... and generally, these happen simultaneously (not much surprise there!). All of it leaves me feeling like we are always in upheaval, i am seriously underqualified, and my kids are getting less than they deserve in me.

So, trying to get a handle on our household, i have been rearranging furniture and rooms to (hopefully) better suit our needs. Trying to get a handle on our education, i have implemented a summer adjustment period in which the oldest child has to get used to doing her schoolwork by herself and every day and the teacher (me) has to do a better job planning activities and lessons for all the kids. Trying to get a handle on our health, i am limiting junk food more than ever, increasing the fresh fruits and vegetables, learning how to freeze (and hopefully, i'll learn how to can this summer!), making even more stuff from scratch, and now... (gasp) i have had my first cup of coffee without my usual amount of flavored creamer (which is completely junk and soooo bad for me!).

Surely, we all face these hiccups in life, and i am confident that God will steer me through it to a calmer place... eventually. I just hope He has flavored creamer in Heaven when i get there....

You Know You Have Pre-teens When...

2010-06-21T23:52:00.000-05:00

... the phone rings and you don't have to even think about getting it.
... the bathroom smells like a cosmetic counter for a few minutes everyday.
... you can tell whether you'll be walking on eggshells for the day by how she acts about breakfast.
... spending the entire day with a friend doesn't appease your daughter's need for a sleepover with said friend.
... you don't have to make your own coffee, wash all the dishes, or change out the laundry, but you still have to remind her to feed the dog.
AND FINALLY...
... you are not only often wrong but you're rarely right. About anything. Ever.

Photos!

2010-06-11T14:35:00.001-05:00

I want to write on my blog regularly, but i'm often at a loss for words. Hard to believe, i know.

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy while i spend some time with God.

We went camping with The Smallish Man-Child's Best Bud in April.

It was in the low 40s the night before. In a tent. Good times.

Littlest Drama Princess... Proud of herself for decorating the dog. He's not convinced.

The Smallish Man-Child plays baseball.

The summer reading program at our house...

...no pictures, please.

Mmmm...ice cream is how we bond.

Practicing for Puberty. Oh, my!

Final thought:

Count your blessings, not your hardships.

Think of all God's done for you.

Remember good times, grow in sorrow;

There is much still left to do.

~Angela Varela, 2010

God is in Control (thank God!)

2010-06-10T13:34:00.000-05:00

God is in control when babies are born early....
God is in control when a woman develops complications during pregnancy....
God is in control when we wait expectantly for news that everything is going to be okay....
God is in control when we celebrate good news....

God is in control while we worry, fret, cry, panic, and pace... and thankfully, He doesn't relinquish control to our way of handling stress.

Welcome Back, Tennessee Weather!

2010-06-07T23:20:00.000-05:00

For the past few weeks, it has felt like i was transported back to Florida and someone forgot to tell me!! The humidity and heat have been overkill, for sure. However, last night, a quick shower brought in some cooler temperatures, and today felt more like the Tennessee weather i have come to know and love!

We were able to spend more time outside, and nobody melted or combusted.

It was a good day.

Tomorrow, i have high hopes for more of the same....

Family, Friends, and Fudge

2010-06-06T18:59:00.000-05:00

We had a nice weekend... we spent loads of time together with family and friends just kickin' around at home, did up a spectacularly hot baseball game, took a family bike ride, smoked a chicken, cooked up a small vat of laundry soap, and made some peanut butter fudge. The baseball game was close, the bike ride burned my biscuits, the chicken was paired with sticky rice, the laundry soap will last us months, and the peanut butter fudge was a first - it came out of a cookbook my grandmother sent each of us so we could make her Christmas-time favorites for years to come. Yum.

We have been blessed beyond measure.

Now, i'm going to fold the mountain of clean laundry on my bed before it begins to multiply like rabbits, gulp some H2O, and head back out to supervise the little bear cubs at play. Fun times.

Have a good one, Y'all!

Wow. Wednesday.

2010-06-02T22:04:00.000-05:00

Today could've been a Monday. Again.
Clearly, i have not been experiencing enough Mondays in my life.

However, i have it on good authority that it is Wednesday.
Praise. The. Lord.

Today, The Littlest Princess had more cavities filled (yep, Mother of the Year, right here) and a space maintainer put on her teeth. Fun times. The poor thing talks with a bit of a lisp now. Her advanced speech is blown, and she has to wear this thing until the adult teeth come in... By the way, they're molars (yep, still got the MotY Crown on).

The best thing that happened today was that my eldest child and i spent some quality time together (thank You, God!): we went for a walk and watched the lightning show (what a sight!); we went to the store and shopped (and got some great deals on meat!); and we talked. About nothing, really. But. We talked.

All in all, despite a rocky start, it was A Good Day.

A New Day

2010-06-01T13:50:00.000-05:00

Today is a new day.
I am no longer a member of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Homeschool Crew.
It is a sad thing to be sure, but i confess that i am also looking forward to settling into some sort of routine with schooling... sticking with something for more than 3 weeks sounds good right now. Who knows, though?

I am staring at the Compose screen, and i am at a loss for something to write! I am so used to writing several reviews during the week that i have gotten off track with personal posts - just a couple every so many days....

I could tell you about our cookout this past weekend... but that just reminds me that my husband broke his foot, my eldest sprained her ankle, and my youngest got her foot slammed in the door. Tainted memories.

I could talk about my journey down the learning disabilities path and the mounds of books i am currently reading regarding Sensory Processing and labeling children... but that overwhelms me. Taking a break.

I could even write about sitting down with my children this morning and discussing our Love Languages in the hopes of defining ways i can parent them more effectively... but my eldest had a pre-pubescent breakdown. Not fun.

Sigh.
It feels like Monday.

Memorial Day 2010

2010-05-31T10:01:00.000-05:00

This Memorial Day...
...offer a toast to an unseen soldier who is whiling away the hours in the sun... in full fatigues and loaded down with heavy artillery in the Middle East.
...say a prayer for a soldier headed out on a plane to an exotic location... to serve and protect far from hearth and home.
...give thanks to the men and women of yesteryear who dedicated themselves to the military in spite of homesickness, strenuous training, new births, heat and cold, family tragedies, little pay, daily risks, and losing friends to enemy fire.
...remember those who have served to keep us a free country... and got buried for their trouble.

Memorial Day is not just a day to save money at the mall or get a better deal on a car... it is A Day of Remembrance... A Day of Honor... A Day of Prayer... A Day of Respect... and A Day of Thanks.

For the countless members of the armed forces who train, equip, dispatch, salute, rescue, protect, risk, and sacrifice even their lives so that i can sit at this computer and wax poetic on their behalf... i humbly Remember, Honor, Pray, Respect, and THANK each one of you.

Kregel - 2nd Shipment (TOS Crew Review)

2010-05-27T16:05:00.000-05:00

My Final Crew Review. Wow. Who knows what the future holds, but for now, I am going to step back from homeschool reviews and concentrate on things around here. Being a part of the Crew has been an amazing blessing, and I am so grateful to go out with a BANG!

The second book we received from Kregel Publications was called Andrea Carter and the Trouble With Treasure by Susan Marlow. Here is the summary from the publishers: "When innocent horseplay temporarily lands Andi and her friends in jail, they decide that a trip into the mountains will leave their troubles far behind. Accompanied by big brother Mitch and armed with a map showing old gold diggings, they canít wait to strike it rich. What could be better than two weeks of camping and horseback riding?

But instead of gold they find heaps of trouble — trouble that leaves Mitch gravely wounded. Andi needs help fast. But who can she trust? And what good is a bag of gold when her beloved brother lies near death in the middle of nowhere?"

This is a story most kids can get into, with characters you can relate to, and it was an enjoyable read. The story would appeal to girls and boys alike, and it keeps you hanging at the end of each chapter. In fact, there were days my kids didn't want to listen (just because they wanted to go outside, though) and I wanted to keep reading, so it was often me begging to continue the story! :-)

I highly recommend the Kregel Publications books, and this latest book is a great read! To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say, click here.

*Disclaimer: I received the above book for FREE to read and review. This is that review. I have not been compensated for this review.

Summer Living

2010-05-25T10:24:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, the kids and i made a solar oven and cooked hot dogs in it for lunch. The oven got up to 175 degrees and cooked the hot dogs in one hour. The Smallish Man-Child was VERY impressed and requested a second hot dot... then was joined by the others wanting another, too!

Then we went to the store and bought our yearly blow-up pool (smaller this year, though, so we don't annoy Daddy). We picked up some popsicles and ice cream while we were at it, and added a couple of new water blasters to our collection. Fun times!

This morning was a beautiful morning, and our weekend was so crazy that it was nice to soak it up on the back patio with my coffee while the kiddos filled the small pool with water. Then i got a wild hair and decided to mow the grass for my hubby. Let me just tell you, that mower is not built for a 120-pound, just-over-5-foot-tall female. Furthermore, you sure notice how lumpy and hilly your yard is when you're pushing a mower through it! And lastly, you know you're overheated when a warm shower feels cool on your face.

Ah, summer living.....

Lobster Network (TOS Crew Review)

2010-05-24T22:04:00.000-05:00

Okay, here's a fun review: LobsterNetwork. The idea behind this is that you've got stuff, your friends have stuff, your extended family members have stuff, your local church members have stuff, and maybe, just maybe, you need something, like once. Example: your Little Angel caught the latest stomach virus and, of course, she just had spaghetti for dinner... eww. You can't go to the store to rent the Rug Doctor (or whatever That Monstrosity is called) because it's 10 o-clock at night and, well, you're coddling The Puking Princess. You know someone was telling you that they just got a carpet cleaning thingy and you can't remember who it was, but you're sure they'd let you borrow it if they knew you needed it.... So, you hop onto the (Wonderfully Wicked) World Wide Web and log into your LobsterNetwork account while The Puking Princess naps on the floor by the commode, and you notice that your neighbor has a carpet cleaner listed that she is willing to lend. Perfecto! You make the call, she runs it down to you (hey, she's a good friend!), and your Beige Berber is back to its Pre-Primavera State. Thank you, Lobster Network!

Another scenario: you need to make room for your new curriculum books on the bookshelf, and you know there are a bunch of good books over there that no one in your family reads anymore. Hmm.... You can log into LobsterNetwork and add all those Fun Fables to your account to sell... or trade... or give them away for free! (That's precious real estate!!) I sold an entire curriculum using LobsterNetwork!

Okay, okay, it's true: LobsterNetwork was created to help people keep track of their stuff when they lend it to friends. Yes, it's true: there is a reminder built into the system to help the lender (and borrower) get their stuff back at the end of the designated period of time for the loan. And sure, it is certainly true that you can create your own community on LobsterNetwork and not send your stuff to strangers (I created a community for my local Co-Op.). But the best part of this inventive online community is that it is FREE. That's right: F.R.E.E. Zippo! Zilch! Your money's no good there!

So, you should definitely head over to www.LobsterNetwork.com and sign up... after all, you might have something I need. (wink)

To see what the other Crew Mates thought of LobsterNetwork, click here.

*Disclaimer: I was given a FREE subscription to LobsterNetwork for the purposes of reviewing the site... but YOU can have a FREE subscription, too, for the purposes of loaning/borrowing/trading/selling/buying YOUR stuff. I have not been compensated for this review.

A Season to Remember

2010-05-19T15:20:00.001-05:00

The seasons will change, on that you can bet.
And this Spring will be one we won't likely forget.

A cake - or TWO - what fun! What a joy!
For a TWINS baby shower - a GIRL and a BOY!!

From Minivan Moments

The very next day, a surprise Mother's Day gift
Was a garden - a raised one - how perfect is this?!?

From Minivan Moments

We also acquired a couple new pets...

From Minivan Moments

So you see, this Spring isn't one we'll forget.

Cerebellum Corp/Standard Deviants (TOS Crew Review)

2010-05-19T13:49:00.000-05:00

We recently received a video from Cerebellum Corporation/Standard Deviants called AP Exam Prep: History of the U.S. Although my children are nowhere near needing Advanced Placement classes in U.S. History, I watched the video myself for the purposes of this review. Having no experience with AP classes myself, I can only guess at the substance of the video, but it looks really good.

The beginning of the video is about the exam itself: what to expect, how to take the test in the most efficient manner, tips for writing the essays, and how the test is scored. Then there is a quick, but thorough, review of 30 main points in the United States' history from the early colonists to the Vietnam War (they call this "30 in 30" - 30 historical tips in 30 minutes). Yep, I said it was quick. Altogether, the video is 73 minutes.

There is also a digital workbook included on a separate disc that the student should print out and use along with the video. It looks like it would really help the student understand and study the topics in the video and practice writing the essays.

The video costs $14.98, but it is currently on sale for $11.24. That's a heck of a bargain for a crash course in US History! And the video will hold your attention, too!

You can check out what my fellow Crew Mates thought of the video, and see reviews of some of the other Cerebellum Corporation/Standard Deviants products by clicking here.

*Disclaimer: The above DVD was provided for free for me to use and review. An honest review was all that was promised, and this review is based on my own experience with the product.

Crew Favorites Are in!

2010-05-18T21:38:00.000-05:00

Here are the winners of the 2010 Homeschool Crew Seaworthy Awards:

Favorite Language Arts Product => EDUDPS

Favorite History Product => Bright Ideas Press (All American History and Mystery of History)

Favorite Science Product => Nature Friend Magazine

Favorite Math Product => Math Mammoth

Favorite Online Math Product => Mathletics

Favorite Handwriting Product => Zeezok (Presidential Penmanship)

Favorite Fine Arts Product (art, music, etc.) => Artistic Pursuits

Favorite Pre-school Product => Time 4 Learning

Favorite Elementary Product => Critical Thinking

Favorite Upper-Grade Product => Professor in a Box

Favorite College Prep Product => Cerebellum/Standard Deviants

Favorite Special Needs Product => Super Star Speech

Favorite Health and Beauty Product => Virginia Soaps & Scents

Favorite Christian Product => Grapevine Studies

Best Resource I Didn't Know I Needed => Studypod

Best Homemaking Product => Sue Gregg

Best Customer Service => Graphics Toolbox
Best Online Resource => ABC Teach

Best e-product => Nutrition 101

Best Office and Technology Resource => Web Designs for Kids

Best Homeschool Resource => Apologia – Ultimate Guide …

Best Map Resource => Homeschool in the Woods

Best Book, Novel or Magazine => Sarah Books

Best Children's Book => Children’s Bible Hour

Best Hands-On Resource => Journey Through Learning

Most Adaptable Resource => Sue Patrick’s Workbox System

Most Unique Resource => Lobster Network

Most Family-Oriented Product => Family Mint

Kid's Choice => Maverick Books

All Around Crew Favorite => All About Spelling

(I put the products I reviewed in BOLD TYPE so you can get a glimpse of some of what my family received.)

You can go to the Homeschool Crew website to check out all the reviews for these and more!

Lifelong Learning

2010-05-16T22:57:00.000-05:00

Tonight, i am putting on my Student Hat and researching some new concepts i didn't even know about until an hour ago. I need to go back to the basics with each of my children for a week or two and evaluate their personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and quirks. I am hoping to find some gems in my search that will help me understand them better as a mother and as a teacher.

God keeps upping the ante around here and asking me to do a little more... the good news it that He asks after i have already done some of what He has laid on my heart to do. I figure He must be taking me through some big stuff, and being God, He understands how i function so He is feeding me in small bits to keep me from being overwhelmed! I look back over the past 2 years and i wonder how i got here, but then i see all the place markers along the way where God has stopped me and taught me something new.

I hope to be a lifelong learner, but more than that, i hope to encourage a love of learning in each of my children. The desire to seek information and apply new concepts to your life is something invaluable, and i pray that i do enough to foster that in them from day to day and week to week. I also hope and pray that i can instill a love for God and a passion for seeking His truths and wisdom in all aspects of their lives. Without God, i would probably be living on the streets (if i was alive at all by now), addicted to some drug or other, tramping it up with virtual strangers... and who knows what else. But since God has never left me, i have been comforted, loved, taught, Held. I want my children to know God that way, too.

Ideal Curriculum (TOS Crew Review)

2010-05-14T20:36:00.000-05:00

As a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I received a free download from Ideal Curriculum. Now, this one is a bit different. Ideal Curriculum offers a full school year of monthly kits (9 altogether) just for preschool. You can get a print version of each monthly unit for $55 or a downloadable version for $30.

I received the downloadable files for the first month/unit, which is Transportation. In the downloads there are things to read on the computer, things to print (yes, that's right! There is a FILE of things that you can expect to print so there is no guessing!), music files, and teacher files. The curriculum covers early literacy, math, science, and social studies.

I found the program to be well organized and expertly directed... if you want a formal preschool curriculum. We don't particularly, but if we did, this would be one of my first choices! There is a schedule, a teacher's guide, and a wide range of activities and advice for orchestrating this curriculum in meaningful and fun ways. In the teacher's guides, there are educational tips for parents that may not know all the ways children learn through play. I happen to, but I was impressed that the makers of this curriculum cared to offer that information.

So, although we're not going to rush out and purchase these kits to finish out the year's topics, I can say that if you are looking for a more structured preschool curriculum, this one is probably for you! To check out what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about it, click here.

*Disclaimer: I was provided with Month 1 of the Ideal Curriculum preschool program at no cost in order to use and review it. This review is my honest experience with the program.

Humbled

2010-05-13T09:44:00.000-05:00

It is hard enough to go back to daily life around here after seeing the horrifying images of our fellow Middle Tennesseans in various stages of disaster. It is hard enough to cook our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners knowing there are hundreds of people still without power. It is hard enough to plant my garden and dream of the fresh veggies and fruit that will come out of it knowing that there are families nearby who are dreaming of the days they had a bed to sleep in and a roof of their own.

To say that it has been difficult for me to sit and do nothing is an understatement! I have sent supplies, washed flood-affected laundry, cooked meals, and met some of the faces of the Nashville Flood of 2010. But i am humbled by what i saw yesterday in East Nashville.... Ruined furniture and broken pieces of people's lives litter the curbs in the communities devastated by the floods. But these people are back at school, back at work, and waiting for the gutted shells of their homes to dry out so they can begin to rebuild.

The kids and i met a charming family of 5, and the kids were sweet and cheerful in the midst of the chaos that had become their lives. The grandmother who is raising her 4 grandchildren all alone (but she has Jesus and she knows it!) recently had hip-replacement surgery, but she was one of the families affected by the floods that had no help, so she was trying to do it alone when the Ordinary Hero people found her and got involved. It was a pleasure to meet them, and i hope my children are changed by what they saw in her company. Faith. Family. Perseverance. Determination. Joy. Love.

Oh, i won't lie, Satan had a field day with me in my quest to show the love of Jesus. But, once banished, the scene remains untarnished by lies and doubt, and i am humbled. God called, i followed, and of course, there were consequences... But. It. Was. All. Worth. It. And i do love an opportunity to give the enemy a black eye. {grin}

God is Good.
I am Not.
So, i will continue to follow His lead.

The Madsen Method (TOS Crew Review)

2010-05-12T20:50:00.001-05:00

We had the opportunity to review English For Life: The Madsen Method with the TOS Crew. We were not sent this package and forced into it. I spoke with Joe Madsen by telephone. The product is expensive and somewhat different from the average Language Arts curriculum, so he wanted to be sure we would want to try it. Perfectly understandable.

Let me tell you about my initial reactions. I love the idea of The Madsen Method (TMM). I love what it's setting out to do. Speaking with Joe Madsen cemented that for me. I believe in their goals, their passion, and their dedication. I understand from a child-development stand-point just what it is they are trying to accomplish. It makes sense. I agree. 100%.

TMM believes in teaching the whole brain, and I whole-heartedly agree! You teach the kids to say to hear and write to see, and you demonstrate the 4 ways that doing so puts information into their brains. This concept is taught as Say and Do in TMM. "When I say, I automatically hear; when I do, I automatically see." The kids got it! They understood it so much that we were using these techniques in other areas of our home within a few days. Even the 3-year-old (who was not part of the L/A program) would Say and Do: "I put my cup in front of my plate" and "I put my shoes in the closet."

The idea of TMM goes beyond the HOW, too, and sets the bar pretty high: they believe that students can accomplish all 4 levels of TMM in 6-8 years and be done with all Language Arts. They believe TMM is the way our forefathers in America were taught to read and write. While all that sounds good, and I certainly like the idea of completing the coursework in less time, as a student of child development, I hesitate to fully embrace a system that is wholly based on a time when children were expected to be little adults. So, it is possible that some of what we experienced might've been my own bias against the "mass education of large groups of children" that we see in the public school system.

In practice, however, it wasn't a great fit for our family as it was written. With a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, we might've been too far beyond the basics to appreciate the backpeddling the program asked us to do. But it is my opinion that the biggest downside of this L/A program is the strict speech - both for the teacher and the student. My son, who is very frustrated by not getting something right the first time, was discouraged by not being able to memorize all the words exactly as I said them after 2 or 3 tries. My eldest could do it fine, so she got to move on more quickly. That added to the poor boy's frustrations, I am sure! (It didn't help matters that really early on we discovered we cannot physically "Go to the learning position" in any of the furniture in our home.)

I altered somewhat, as Joe Madsen allows, in order to "fit" our family but without compromising the "message." It helped, but it was still pretty painfully slow. I realize that the groundwork has to be laid, and that is a lot of what we were doing, but it made it really difficult to even pull the thing off the shelves after a few weeks... especially when the kids resisted it so much.

I wanted to love it. I really did. The people are so wonderful to work with ("my success is their success" seems to be their motto!), and their passion for this product is so obvious and contagious! But I guess I didn't expect it to be so rigid, which is just not a good fit for me. And I still think if I could speed it up, skip a few lessons, and use the basic techniques to teach the "meat" of the program that it would work beautifully in our home. And I may still do just that. But for now, my kids would rather I not even get the books out of the cabinet. So, we'll take a break, catch up on our grade-level L/A skills, and then... who knows? Maybe with a summer of planning, I can modify TMM just enough to fit what I believe is a good theory into a homeschool environment that is just not that strict.

Side note: my youngest child might be the poster child for this program, so time will tell as the next year passes if we have more luck with her!

English For Life: The Madsen Method is available in four levels, and the level I received was Level One, which is available to homeschoolers for a discounted rate of $219.95. To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about TMM, click here.

*Disclaimer: I received Part One of The Madsen Method for free to use and review, and this review is my own personal experience with the product. No compensation for this review has been provided.

Beeyoutiful (TOS Crew Review)

2010-05-10T09:20:00.000-05:00

Last year, when I signed up as a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I opted to review items that were not specifically homeschooling resources. Because of this, I was given the opportunity to review a product by Beeyoutiful. Each member got to make selections and requests, so we got quite a variety of goodies to try. Check out other reviews and products by clicking here.

I received Beeyoutiful Balance, which is a natural progesterone 'cream.' As a woman embarking on the Peri-menopausal Journey, I was ecstatic to have this opportunity to try something that I had ~~obsessed~~ wondered about! I have many ~~annoying~~ common symptoms of being on the Peri-menopausal Journey, but my doctors aren't concerned. Of course, if you aren't the one forgetting to take a shower, snapping at your children, coping with irregular menstrual cycles, and feeling overly tired, I supposed you may not care... but since I AM, I kinda DO.

Okay, enough about me, let's talk about this cream: it is bio-identical and all natural, it comes in a 2 oz. tub and costs $23, and it has all of the ingredients listed on the bottle. No "and others" or "natural oils" or such nonsense. You get the real scoop on what it in the cream, and frankly, when you're talking about hormone replacements, that's a darn good thing!

Here's the WHY (from the Beeyoutiful Balance website):

"Beeyoutiful Balance progesterone cream is specially formulated to help women’s bodies achieve hormonal balance. Progesterone deficiency is epidemic in America, with approximately 90% of women suffering from a host of related symptoms such as PMS, hot flashes, osteoporosis, infertility, early miscarriage, depression, menstrual irregularity, and breast cancer. When applied properly, Beeyoutiful Balance will give the body the physiologic amount of progesterone needed to help bring balance to the hormonal system."

(sounds good to me!)

Here's the WHAT (again, from the Beeyoutiful Balance website):

"Beeyoutiful Balance contains 1000 mg USP progesterone per 2 oz container. It is rubbed into the skin, absorbs into the fat, and then into the bloodstream with almost complete absorption, as opposed to oral doses of progesterone which filter through the liver. Beeyoutiful Balance is made with luxurious skin-nourishing Jojoba oil, expeller pressed Avocado oil, and Coconut oil, which help to restore damaged tissues and make skin appear healthy and more youthful. It is lightly scented with refreshing sweet orange essential oil."

So, you're probably wondering what my results were...? Well, it is my opinion that one month of using this cream should show improvements if someone is experiencing symptoms of low progesterone, and I probably could speak to that.... except I didn't get to use it for a month. By the time Beeyoutiful Balance arrived in my mailbox, I was taking a 10-day course of antibiotics for strep throat and a bronchial infection and using a 5-day course of steroids. I just didn't think it was a good idea to use a hormone replacement cream during all that. So, I figured I would use the cream in the second manner suggested: for menstrual cramps. However, I got my monthly "Visitor" on our campout that month... in another state... and the Beeyoutiful Balance was, naturally, at home. I was actually wishing for it that day as I tried to cope with packing up a cabin of 5 people's belongings while enduring my usual Day 1 Abdominal Pains (the word "cramp" just doesn't adequately describe what happens to me...).

I am currently anticipating my May "Visitor," so I have used the 'cream' for several days. Here is what I have found: I am not as tired, I have not craved chocolate (at all, Wow!), and I have not lost my temper with my kids. My "Visitor" is due in the next few days, but this review is due today, so I cannot speak to the full effects, and I feel I have let the suppliers of this remarkable product down! I did wake up with slight cramping this morning (which is a normal sign of my impending "Visitor") and I immediately applied the 'cream' - and lo and behold, the cramping has stopped! Seriously.

I plan to use the 'cream' with my Day 1 Abdominal Pains this go-round, and I will update you all here on this blog post if you care to come back next week.... I also intend to continue using it for the 2 weeks prior to my "Visitor" the next few times so I can really get a feel for my own need for hormone supplements. So far, I am leaning toward becoming a regular customer of this stuff!

One more note about the product: since the skin is the body's largest organ, I really like that it is in a sort of ointment form (it isn't really a cream, it is thicker and more like an A&D-type ointment) and absorbs more quickly and more efficiently into my body. This really makes me think that there is less waste - if more of the active ingredients are being absorbed, less junk is floating through my system that I don't need, right? Also, the 'cream' does have a pleasant ointment scent, but it fades (after rubbing it in) so quickly that I am certain it is being absorbed right away!

Well, there were many other fun treasures that my fellow Crew Mates got to try, so be sure and check them out... or see what other Mates thought of Beeyoutiful Balance (click here to go to reviews page).

* Disclaimer: I received Beeyoutiful Balance for free in order to use it and review it. An honest review was all that was expected, and this review is my own experience with the product.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T21:34:00.000-05:00

Well, this has been a beautifully busy Mother's Day for me! My husband and children got me a garden, and i got to plant all the herbs and veggies i have been wanting to plant, as well as all the potted seedlings i started last month. And thanks to Home Depot, i finally planted Stevia plants!!

I got 2 apple trees and a hummingbird feeder, too. The back yard took on a whole new look! I also took the ripped-up grass from where the garden went (okay, grass is a bit strong; clover is a better fit!) and patched up the bare spots in the front yard that our dogs blessed us with last fall. That is messy work, people!! My nails may never be clean again....

After having breakfast and dinner made for me, i finished the day with my delicious beef and barley soup and French bread, and i got to sprinkle my new fresh parsley in it - right out of my garden!!

Now, the house is getting quiet, and this Mommy is getting tired. I hope each of you had a great day, and that all you Mothers got a fabulous day of peaceful relaxation. I leave you with one thought: it may take a village to raise a child, but it is the Mommies in the village who makes it a success.

God bless.

The Rain

2010-05-03T09:06:00.002-05:00

We beg for rain; our grass is brown.

Water restrictions begin in our town.

We start to worry and wonder, it's true:

With spring so dry, what'll summer do?

Then the news says rain is coming our way.

We can't help it: we shout "Hurray!"

An end to the drought that we worried would be

A ray of hope, we're beginning to see.

But when the rains come, they keep coming all day,

The rain doesn't stop; it won't go away!

And after two days of this unending rain,

The community sure is feeling the strain!

The rivers are up, the streets are now oceans.

The parks are all ponds, and houses are coastin'!

I watched a school building float by like a boat!

I saw people's houses with newly-filled moats!

"The 100-year flood," they are saying in town.

And then they tell us how many people have drowned.

What a sight! What a state! What a terrible thing!

How could any imagine what those rains would bring?

Our family is fine; our neighborhood's high

Atop a great hill, so we're practically dry.

But i know there are some who have lost all they owned

When it floated away or got drenched in their homes.

And i begin to feel helpless and start in to pray,

And i thank God for all of our blessings today.

And i ask Him to comfort those most in need.

But i know that He will. It's guaranteed.

(The above poem was written by Angela Varela. Please do not use without permission.)

Lesson Planet (TOS Crew Review)

2010-04-28T19:31:00.000-05:00

When I was given access to Lesson Planet for the purposes of reviewing their website, I was certain this was an answer to prayer! Who doesn't want the most information for the best price? We know there is a ton of information 'out there' on the internet that is free (or just about), but it can be time-consuming to find it all... and let's face it, time does often equal money.

That's where Lesson Planet comes in: they offer an ad-free zone full of lesson plans, worksheets, and links to educational information that is geared for educators. At this point in the process, I was hooked... but I have to be honest: actually using the site didn't measure up to my expectations. For some parents/educators, this site would offer a great variety of lesson plans, worksheets, and teaching topics in a short amount of time. For me, a fairly accomplished "Googler" (is that a word??), Lesson Planet didn't really offer much more than I had already been finding for myself.

Also, much of the information I did find was in "read to learn" format, and for that, we use books at home or in the library. My kids would rather read a book than a worksheet, and we don't need to pay for most of that access. In addition, I am fairly creative, have a decent home library, and have more than a passing grasp of ways to extend a subject. So, just because I didn't love it certainly doesn't mean you won't.

Something worth noting: you can search quite specifically, so if you have a third-grader who is getting ready to learn about weather and it is winter, you could search for "Winter weather" and specify 3rd grade. You can also specify a "Rating" which is when teachers have rated a resource already, so you could look only at things with a 3-star minimum rating.

While there were a WHOLE LOT of worksheets, activities, lesson plans, unit studies, and outside links for information on just about anything you could think of, it wasn't really something I would pay money for. It would be useful to lots of people, though (and I didn't dislike it; I just wouldn't buy into it). You can try it free for 10 days to see if you might be one who would benefit. After the trial, it is $39.95 per year.

To see what my fellow Crew Mates thought of Lesson Planet, click here.

*Disclaimer: I received a 3-month subscription to Lesson Planet's website in order to use and review it. This review is my honest opinion, and I have not been compensated for it.

Breaking Through the Breakdown

2010-04-27T15:21:00.000-05:00

When you watch someone you love struggling with his flesh, you can be pretty sure the breakdown is coming. It is through the breakdown that people often have the breakthrough.

However, watching someone you love have a breakdown can be heart-wrenching! We women, especially, want to hold, comfort, reassure... but they don't need us. They need God. Sometimes, we get in God's way.

My mission these days is to get out of God's way and let the breakdowns happen. They might be small and many, or they might be big and few. Whatever God requires. And... i find... it begins... in childhood.

Watching my son come to terms with his own breakdown in order to let him have his breakthrough is painful. But... the goal is adulthood.... So, i have to ask myself, "is this current pain worth less pain later?" The answer is a resounding "yes!"

Madelyn Swift, author of Discipline for Life and speaker on the subject of behavior training, taught me this: "the lessons are cheaper when kids are younger." How true is that?!?! Wouldn't you rather your child learn proper care of other people's stuff with his sister's balloon poodle? Isn't it better to learn transportation safety on a tricycle (as opposed to an automobile!)? Aren't kids better off learning about lying when it is about brushing their teeth?

So, that being the case, i will continue to let my children experience the consequences of their actions, the truth of their choices, and the breakdowns that come from seeking one's own selfish desires (the flesh) rather than the will of God. Because, inevitably, they will be adults... and my job will be done... and they, my children, will deal with the consequences of how i have parented them. May God have mercy on them!

A Bug on the Windshield of Life

2010-04-25T21:42:00.000-05:00

i am a bug.
i'm on Life's windshield.
i have broken wings, but i am alive.
i have been bruised, but i can move.
Being able to move means i can make a decision.
Possibly the biggest decision i will ever make....

Do i try to get off the windshield?
Or do i hope Life doesn't turn on the wipers?

i wish i could tell you which decision is the right one. i cannot even tell that for myself right now.

What i do know is this:
~ i am never alone, for God is with me.
~ i never suffer in vain, for God has a plan.
~ i will not be asked to do anything i cannot bear, though it may sometimes seem that way.
~ i will be alright... as long as i follow the sound of my Creator's voice.

Are you one of the bugs on the windshield with me? Do you need to hear from God?

Father, in all that i am, in all that i have been, i surrender. i am nothing without you, and i repent fully of all the days i thought i could rely upon myself. i ask total forgiveness tonight for my doubt, my fear, my faithless attitude, and my selfishness. i praise Your Holy Name that you would even hear my request... yet You go one step further and GRANT IT. i praise You that You have brought me so far in the past year, that You cared enough NOT to leave me where i was. Lord, i ask You to manifest Yourself further in my life. i want less of me and more of You. Please help me in this moment and the next, and please help me remember to seek You in the moments afterward. i lay my life down at Your feet for You alone are worthy of holding it in Your hands. i surrender all. Help me hear Your voice and obey Your words. In the Name above all names, Your precious son, Jesus' name, i ask these things. Amen.

Super Star Games (TOS Crew Review)

2010-04-23T20:41:00.000-05:00

When we found out we would have the opportunity to review something from Super Star Speech, I thought, "well, I guess we'll sit this one out." We have no speech problems or delays in our home (and 3 of us are even tongue-tied!). Blessed, for sure!!

Well, it turns out there are GAMES made by the same folks, so we got to try those instead! Yay!

We got a download of Super Star Games that contained 11 print-and-play games. The topics were things like insects, continents, planets, inventors, plus others.

We played a couple of the games since some of them were above my kiddos' level (not that they couldn't be interesting and fun just because we didn't know the subject matter... I just didn't print those because I thought they would be too hard). The kids really liked them! They wanted to play again as soon as a game was over, and there was a lot of laughing and 'Oh, man!" to be heard. My first-grader was really trying, even though he had never heard most of the stuff before!

For $3.50 per game (instant download from Curr-Click), it is another great way to reinforce what you are learning or explore topics you aren't yet cementing in a fun way. The games take up WAY less space than your average board game, and they are much more educational, but with some of the concepts of other games that make them fun. For example, the Continents game allows players to win by "settling" continents, so it is sort of like an easy, educational version of Risk.

We liked them. The only downside for me would be the little game pieces - you cut these out of cardstock, and I like to keep these sorts of things in zip-top bags, but the little game pieces stick to the bag with static electricity! I could easily see using buttons or beads to solve that problem, though. (and it really isn't a BIG problem at all!)

See what others had to say (or check out the Speech materials!) by clicking here.

*Disclaimer: I was provided the free games with the intention that we would use and review them. An honest review is all that was promised. I have not been compensated for this review.

Going Batty!

2010-04-20T15:43:00.000-05:00

That's it... my brain has flown the coop!

The lights are on, but no one's home!

I've reached the end of my rope!

I'm going to start climbing the walls!

Hmmm, how many idioms can i recite to describe my current state???

Oh, forget it.

I have lots to do, not enough time to do it, and everything is swirling in my head, bumping into each other and getting mixed up!! Today, i planned a field trip for this week that is supposed to be for next week. Oh-kay.

I am going batty!! Which is not a good thing since i can't go into a cave!!

Ah, well, it's okay... this, too, shall pass. {sigh}

How Can I Homeschool If my Child Won't Obey Me?

2010-04-19T21:23:00.011-05:00

Oh, i wondered the same thing initially! And i sent her to Uncle Sam's Public Brainwashing Academy instead for over 2 years because of that doubt.... oh, the guilt!!!

Well, okay, so your kid doesn't always obey you, and we know kids are better-behaved with strangers, so it stands to reason you would ask this question.

Alrighty, well, just beat 'em.
Kidding.
Seriously. I'm kidding.

You have a LOT more time to teach proper behavior when you don't ship your kid off to the Brainwashing Academy, so what may seem like a big deal after school will be much less so when your child is not overstimulated, overstressed, tired, hungry, and reeling from negative social influences all day.

Junior gets to fold a LOT of laundry. Scrub toilets. Mop floors. Pick up dog poop. Whatever it takes to make Junior a productive member of the household and get his cooperation rather than his complaining.

Okay, okay, oversimplifying, i know. But seriously, if your child doesn't obey you now, how is sending them to school going to help? The only time you'll see your child is when they are at their worst... because they gave their best to their teacher all day and they're grouchy and tired and they know you won't hate them if they act nasty toward you.

This happened to us, and i do not recommend it. We actually had to take 6 months off school when we began our homeschooling journey so that we could learn to like each other again - that's how much fun we were having while she was in school (not!).

Do my kids always obey now? No, but that isn't just because of who they are. We have bigger issues in the home that negatively influence how the kids treat Mommy, but overall, my kids are well-mannered and obedient. (It's because i beat them! I'm just kidding!! *grin*)

All joking aside, homeschooling won't solve the disobedience dilemma, but it gives you a lot more time to work on it - not to mention, more motivation: that little stinker is going to be in your face 24/7 and that's motivation to give 'er an attitude adjustment!! *big grin*

Go read some more responses to this week's Blog Cruise question, and Happy Homeschooling!!

Alphabet Beats (TOS Crew Review)

2010-04-19T21:17:00.000-05:00

We received a copy of the Alphabet Beats "lowercase (Letters)" DVD to use and review in our homeschool. I was thrilled! The Smallish Man-Child doesn't form all of his letters properly, and if you watch him write, he even goes about it all wrong! Plus, the Littlest Drama Princess is learning about letters, so why not let her in on it, too?

Alphabet Beats is a video for your children to watch (with you!) that teaches how to write the letters of the alphabet - each in 5-minute segments. There are practice segments built right in for your child to write with Miss Marnie, and there are phonics lessons to supplement the writing portion of the program. So, in essence, your child is learning the sound the letter makes (phonics), the letter's name, things that start with that letter, and how to form the letter with a pencil and paper... all in a television or computer video that is fun. I don't think they'll even realize they are learning about writing!!

The first time we watched it, the Littlest Drama Princess made us Play. All. The. Letters. Through. (NOTE: this is not recommended by the creator, but this preschooler would not be swayed!) Not only could my kids write more neatly after watching the letters formed in Alphabet Beats, but the littlest one walks around chanting the letters: "candy cane down, line across: F!" I figure by the time she can actually read, she'll have writing the letters down pat!

The video is fun, engaging, takes short breaks from writing to talk about and show things that start with the letter you're on, and then back to forming letters. The Smallish Man-Child thinks it is boring (as if!), but he can write better (grin) and the Drama Princess says it would be great for little kids and the chants for the letters get stuck in your head. These are surely positives!!

The lowercase DVD costs $35 (as does the UPPERCASE DVD), or you can get both for $64.99. While that may seem a bit steep at first, I assure you the video we received is worth every penny! Here is a quote from the website: "Children enjoy watching Miss Marnie because she is very engaging and fun, while at the same time she is teaching valuable skills and concepts. The vocabulary words being demonstrated are both educational and therapeutically based: body parts, spatial concepts, opposites, shapes, colors, animals, musical instruments, sensory items, community helpers, cutting, painting, behavior modeling, gross and fine motor activities, daily living skills, and so much more - all in our writing DVD's!"

To see what my fellow Crew mates thought of Alphabet Beats, click here.

*Disclaimer: I received a copy of the Alphabet Beats lowercase Letters DVD for free in order to use and review it. This review is my own opinion of that product, and I have not been compensated for it.

Camping With the Kiddos

2010-04-18T09:12:00.000-05:00

So, we took the kids to Jellystone Mammoth Caves Campground this weekend, and it was so fun! We tent camped the first night (oh, it was so cold!!), cabin camped the second night (Thunderstorms?? On our camping vacation?? Is that legal??), and were in our own beds last night (praise God!).

We looked at giant rocks, embarked on some Mammoth Cave tours, and walked through the prehistoric times of Dinosaur World - and we played around in the campground (mini golf, kids' playground, potty run, Frisbee, marshmallow roasting, potty run, golf-cart driving, campfire sitting, potty run). We celebrated my son's best bud's 7th birthday, and we loved the excuse to take a family vacation!

Great times were had, memories were made, and a better understanding of camping with kids was cemented.

One piece of advice: do NOT take your 3-year-old camping when she is recovering from a urinary tract infection - this does not produce the calm, relaxing atmosphere you are striving for.

Have a perfectly blessed Sabbath (sort of), Everyone!!

Time 4 Learning (TOS Crew Review)

2010-04-14T21:32:00.000-05:00

I recently received a month of access to Time 4 Learning's online website - the preschoolers section. Since this is likely the first thing we have received that is just for preschoolers, and since I seriously contemplated signing my family up for this last year, I was ecstatic!

The Littlest Drama Princess and I got to click around the website, though not as much as I would have liked due to internet difficulties that lasted much of our month-long access. Now, if I load the page, she happily hops up into the chair and says, "time for my 'kool, Mommy?" which is adorable all by itself!

The site offers LOTS for little people to do: play games, watch videos, draw and color, be read to, and more! There are topics galore for education: numbers, letters, seasons, bugs, pets, days of the week, space, tools, vehicles, and much more! When you want a break from all that (yeah, right!), you can head over the Playground, which is full of, yup, you guessed it: MORE GAMES. Puzzles, 2-player games, math games, various activities (like creating a flower arrangement in a vase or coloring zoo animals)... so much to do.

Honestly, the site is great, and today's children are certainly technologically inclined, but for my 3-year-old, I like her to play with all of her senses as much as possible. Time 4 Learning certainly offers a lot for the $19.95 per month price tag, but preschool is free at our house, so we're not going to sign up for this one. However, trying their preschool section has certainly made me curious about the older kids' areas, and we may try those out!

To see what others had to say, click here.

*Disclaimer: I was given one month of access to the preschool area of Time 4 Learning's website for free in order to review it. This review is my own opinion of that site, and no compensation has been provided.

When God Allows Sickness

2010-04-14T12:08:00.000-05:00

You know, i often think we grouse about getting sick, and with good reason. Getting sick stinks. No one likes it. It is, by definition, not fun.

However, i recently became ill with strep throat and a bronchial infection in the same week, and i have to tell you how much God has done through those paired illnesses! The strep throat came on hard, and with it, a loss of my voice. This lasted about a week. During this time of limited vocalization, God sent me a daily devotion, a sermon, and a book that told me that sometimes i need to "just shut up." Message received. Loud and clear. Since regaining my voice, i am still practicing what i have learned. So much peace when we obey the Lord!!

The bronchial infection took me down... stairs, laundry, dishes... everything was a chore that sent me into coughing fits and breathing difficulties! I had to rest more, do less, and take prednisone. It is through the prednisone (and Dr. Greta!) that i discovered something about myself that God must've wanted me to know: i have ADD. Not the ADHD we see in many male children, but the kind women usually suffer from in silence: "predominantly inattentive subcategory of ADD." This means we lose things, forget things, start things we don't finish, and mentally stray from something we should be focusing on. We tend to develop lots of coping strategies for these struggles throughout our lives, and since we aren't hyperactive, we get by without detection.

As a child of dysfunction and alcoholism, i am not surprised to learn this about myself. The next step is to assist my body to be the best it can be by monitoring and changing the things i can - like limiting sugar, taking Omega-3 supplements, and paying attention to my focus. My oldest child seems to suffer alongside me, so we are learning together how to live with the hangups that come along with ADD.

I am not interested in a formal diagnosis, having come from a course of study in psychology in college. I need only understand my limitations with this issue and develop strategies for improving. God wanted me to know, but not for excuses or medication... He wanted to help me understand myself the way He does. He is just that loving. He knows how often i feel inadequate, unfocused, stupid, lazy, and disorganized. He hears me crying out for help.

We can't always understand why God allows sickness, but we can try to rest in comfort that He has a plan.

Now, off to brew some caffeinated coffee!!

AAS Beehive Reader #2 (TOS Crew Review)

2010-04-12T12:25:00.003-05:00

Remember when I reviewed the All About Spelling Beehive Reader? My son's first question was, "do they have any more?" when he was done reading it. Well, we were sent their second book before it was even available to the general public for purchase! Oh, the excitement!!

First of all, the Beehive Reader will be renamed Cobweb the Cat, so look for it by that name, too.

Secondly, the book we just received is a slightly more advanced reading level book at level 2, and it is called What Am I?

Again, a great collection of short stories with great drawings, likable characters, and an elusive kind of charm that wraps kids up in the book like no other book this size seems to do.

Maybe it is because the book is comprised of shorter stories, so it isn't overwhelming...?
Maybe it is the delightful, pencil-style sketches throughout the book that make the stories come alive...?
Maybe it is having his first hard-back, non-Seuss book that he can actually read....
Whatever it is, the second book is as big a hit as the first!

You can currently obtain the first book on their website, but the second one, What Am I?, will not be available until after April 15th - it is currently busy with its debut at all the homeschool conventions happening right now across the country. {wink} And I may have heard something about a series... {wink, wink}

**Update: This book is NOW AVAILABLE! List price is $19.95, but it is on sale for $15.95 until April 26th!!

Incidentally, it looks like these books will fall under a sub-name: All About Reading. The main curriculum is still All About Spelling.

To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about What Am I?, click here.

*Disclaimer: The above-mentioned book was sent to me for FREE so that we could read it and review it. An honest review was all that was promised, and no compensation has been provided. This review is my own opinion.

Another Great Example...

2010-04-11T20:52:00.004-05:00

... of nobody special doing something extraordinary....

Smiles Without Borders

I always think it is worth discussing when someone ordinary, someone like me or you, does something out of the ordinary, and since i haven't anything poignant to say tonight (shocking, i know...), i am shining the light on a friend of mine's in-laws, who started a non-profit foundation to help people in developing countries receive dental care.

Check them out... and spread the word! Oh, and feel free to send some dinero their way!! :-)

Smiles Without Borders

Tales From Terrestria (TOS Crew Review)

2010-04-09T19:13:00.000-05:00

As members of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, the kids and I received two books from the Tales From Terrestria series of books by Ed Dunlop. He also writes the Terrestria Chronicles books, which some Crew Members received to review. We received books 1 and 4, and we read book 1 thus far.

Book One, entitled The Quest for Thunder Mountain, was quite a good read. There is a lot of imagery, a lot of adventure, and just the right amount of danger to make this book engaging for the whole family. I especially liked talking with my children after each chapter about the symbolism in the book... much of which I would liken to our Christian faith, which is a bonus after the kids have been reading the Harry Potter series with Daddy!

All in all, the kids weren't enthralled with the books, but I have struggled to get them to love anything after Harry Potter, so the fact that they paid attention and we had dialogue after each segment of The Quest for Thunder Mountain is worth two thumbs up from me! I really like the faith-building aspects of the book, and I found the descriptive writing quite appealing. At 200 pages and $7.99, it is well worth the read, in my opinion. There are 2 other books available in the series, and you can order them for $7.99 each or all three for $19.99. These books do not need to be read in order, according to the publisher.

I should note that we have read aloud to the big kids for a couple of years now, both the Harry Potter series of books (1-6 so far) and the Inkheart book. We are accustomed to big words, snappy dialogue, British slang, and twisting plots. :-)

To see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about these and the other series of books, click here.

*Disclaimer: The above mentioned books were provided to me for free with the understanding that I would read and review them. An honest review was all that was required, and no compensation was provided.

Update on Laundry Soap Making

2010-04-07T10:16:00.000-05:00

Okay, you may remember that a few months ago we were given the opportunity to use and review some items from Virginia Soaps and Scents (VS&S). One of the items was homemade laundry soap. We loved it, in case you were wondering.

Well, after that batch was over, i had decided that we would continue to make our own since i had already purchased the ingredients needed for such a project. However, months into the new homemade soap, i feel the need to point out: it is not the same. We purchased Fels-Naptha for our bar of soap because it is the commonly available bar of laundry soap that is in most recipes, and i am not nearly as satisfied with it as i was with the VS&S brand.

So, last month, when the batch ran out, i purchased the bar of laundry soap from VS&S and made another batch, and i am already happier. (you can buy the prepackaged laundry kit or just the bar of soap to go with your supplies) It smells way better, it feels nicer, and it cleans better.

Who knew?

Well, VS&S probably knew. {grin}

You should check 'em out for your soap needs. They are all wonderful! We have now ordered (and are using) their Pet Poo (pet shampoo), Kiddiwink soap (hair and body bar for kids), many varieties of bar soap (favorite is Oatmeal, Milk & Honey), Lady's Shave Bar, Shampoo Bar (i love this!!), lotion bar (takes some getting used to, but it is a winner!), and Lip Balm. I can't wait to place my next order: i always try something new!

Easter and Technology

2010-04-05T16:48:00.000-05:00

Easter arrived, and after our customary basket-dumping, pancake-eating, egg-dying, Jesus-praising, worshipping, and chocolate-eating, we discovered that we had no internet. All day. Coincidence? I think not.

So i am currently borrowing internet until tomorrow sometime when a new modem should arrive (thank you, AT&T!), and i am getting a lot done around the house and with the kids. God speaks our language, doesn't He?

Be blessed, everyone... i hope you all had a beautiful Resurrection Sunday, and that you have a wonderful week!

Critical Thinking Co. (TOS Crew Review)

2010-04-02T21:23:00.001-05:00

My children and I had the honor of reviewing a product from Critical Thinking Company. as part of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. The product we were sent was Balance Benders (Beginning), the title of which told me very little about the product until I had it in my hand. Wow. It's neat!

Balance Benders is a book of logic puzzles that are based on a balance scale, and we received the beginner level, which is geared for children from second to sixth grades. Big gap, I know, but there is a wide range of difficulty from the first puzzle to the last in the book, so I can see how they make that claim!

For only $9.99, it is a great resource! While many people may look at the book and have their doubts that it has any value, I immediately knew it was a great fit for our family. My husband and I are logical people, and I personally LOVE logic puzzles. I was instantly immersed in the book myself!! Then, I decided to see if our fourth-grader could do any of them (I am supposed to be reviewing this for second- to sixth-graders, right? ~grin~).

Well, without any commentary or queries, she promptly answered the first three and looked at me like, "uh-huh, and why are you asking me to do this?" I explained how difficult the concept is to some and how important it is that we train the logical parts of our brains while we are young. She seemed proud to be able to do the puzzles so easily.

I contemplated asking my first-grader if he could do them, but he is so sensitive when he doesn't get something right the first time (especially if he is following behind a successful attempt by his sister!), so I haven't done so. We'll see what the summer holds.

To read my fellow Crew Mates' reviews of Balance Benders or other products from Critical Thinking Company, click here.

*Disclaimer: I received Balance Benders for free as a member of the TOS Crew with the understanding that I would use it and review it. A positive review was not required, just deserving. I was not compensated for this review in any way.

Holy Week and Good Friday Study

2010-04-02T19:39:00.000-05:00

Today at our home, we had the privilege of learning about Holy Week, the final week of Lent, and the culmination of Jesus' life on earth at what we call "Good Friday." My kids have asked numerous times why we call it Good Friday. It is easy enough to answer, but it is complicated because i see their point.

So, we made Hot Cross Buns, studied the activities of Christ each day from Palm Sunday to Easter (mostly focused on the Crucifixion, though, since we still have Easter to talk about the Resurrection), completed a puzzle, and drew stick-figure timelines with GrapeVine Studies' Resurrection Study.

We had a few friends join us for the day, and we feasted on pizza and played outside a lot.

We are surely blessed.

The Family Mint (TOS Crew Review)

2010-03-31T11:50:00.001-05:00

When I was growing up, I remember my parents telling me, "debt is a way of life... you'll always have a car payment." When I married, we discovered the Dave Ramsey way of doing things, and life was so much better! However, it is hard to completely shut out the training of one's youth, and my husband and I have both struggled at points with a case of the Wants.

When we received the information for Family Mint, I thought, "okay, this is going to help us teach our kids what we want them to learn about managing money - so they will not have to overcome a self-destructive foundation."

I signed our family up for an account right away.

Then, honestly, I forgot about it for the most part.

The kids each have savings accounts at the local bank, and the oldest (10yo) helps fill out deposit slips and do balancing. They know how much they have in there and they know how much they are putting in (we haven't taken any out yet) each time, so we keep a running total of how much they have saved. Money comes in for birthdays and Christmas, and those months are long past by this point in our year, so we haven't had money to deposit lately.

The oldest takes 10% to church (if the younger one went to church, he would, too, but that's a different tangent) and spends less than half of everything she gets. She's my saver. The younger one (7yo) is a spender - money is like underwear - temporary and revolving. I definitely need to work on that.

Okay, so with Family Mint online, you can get a free basic account, and the parents act as the bankers. The kids can each have an account, and "money" is deposited and tracked. Interest accrues in the manner you set it up to do, and allowances can even be automatically set to accrue. Additionally, your children (and you!) can set goals: short-term and/or long-term. That's pretty helpful for the spender!

In actuality, we used this very little, but I have had a strange couple of months and am not altogether organized right now. (currently working on that) I see real potential with Family Mint, however, and I think it is a valuable resource for parents. For our family, however, it was a bad time of the year to try it with real money and it didn't occur to me how to use it any other way until this week.

In fact, my daughter is currently reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, and apparently the mother uses play money to help the kids save toward goals, rewards, or real money. We have been talking about implementing just such a policy, and Family Mint would make a wonderful resource for that! 'Course, many are using it to track their real money. Just check out my fellow Crew Mates' reviews here.

* Disclaimer: Family Mint provided a free account to me as a member of the 2009-2010 TOS Homeschool Crew for the purposes of reviewing it. This review is my own honest opinion, and no compensation has been provided.

When the Side Effects of Your Meds...

2010-03-30T21:48:00.000-05:00

... are worse than your symptoms:

you went from having difficulty with daily activities to laying on the floor in the fetal position.
your kids went from laid-back homeschooling to full-time Spring Break.
you went from speaking in a hoarse voice to having no voice at all.
you experienced a 4 on the scale of "interfering with my life" before the meds and a 10 with meds.
your husband went to work everyday when you had strep throat and a sinus infection, but after you took your medication one time, he was unable to work a full day.
and last, but not least, you are begging God for it to be the common cold because it means no meds....

Case and point: my treatment from the doctor was to do Albuterol breathing treatments and use steroids. One inhalation of Albuterol took almost 24 hours to get over: dizziness that made me nauseous and crashing blood sugar that also made me nauseous. If i held my body just so and tilted my head exactly right and then didn't move, i could refrain from worsening the condition.... Fun times.

I think i'll go back to resting so i can breathe more easily.
Asthmatics have my deepest sympathies.

How Has Homeschooling Affected My Life?

2010-03-29T22:12:00.002-05:00

Well, homeschooling IS my life, so suffice it to say, there's no stone unturned! Massive takeover, at times, a bit hostile!!

For example, my second child was getting ready to embark on Mother's Day Out and my first child was conveniently ensconced in a Government-run "educational" facility, and I had a glimmer of real freedom... for about a day. Then I found out I was preggo with Baby #3. Commence Meltdown.

I have since gotten over that ~~traumatic~~, er, beautiful time, and we have embraced homeschooling. The freedom never came, the oldest got pulled from Uncle Sam's Brainwashing Academy, and the second offspring never entered a public school. The third will not go away to preschool.

They go with me to the doctor. This, they do not love. Neither do I. (Mommy, why is she putting that there??) Alas, it is our lot in life... at least until the eldest is of babysitting age.

They go with me to the grocery store. This, they love occasionally, but it usually involves a weak moment for Mommy and far too much junk in the buggy. (yes, i bribe!) Ah, the trials of offspring always underfoot!

They eavesdrop on my conversations with other mothers... and regurgitate bits and pieces of them in front of company in as inaccurate a manner as possible. (Mommy said the neighbors' dog...) Oh, the joys of motherhood!

I sleep with one eye opened, there are nightlights all over the house, my desk has a Dora mousepad, I use the bathroom with the door open (they'll just barge in, what's the point?), I share even my coffee, my dog gets more privacy than I do, instead of a curio cabinet with beautiful china dishes in it, I have wardrobes with homeschooling supplies, my kitchen windowsill hosts various plant experiments instead of a beautiful flowering one, someone says "you know?" and I look at the kids and say "Capital of Alaska" with real glee, and I dress myself so quickly my OB/GYN is always taken aback when I emerge from the room before she has written my checkout papers (high school P.E., anyone??).

Mostly, though, the way homeschooling has impacted my life would be that I get to love my kids through everything... multiplication struggles, Bible memorization difficulties, battles with friends, wars with siblings, and the pressures of being young... They are mine for only a short time, and I do not wish it away. Nor does it fly by for me... at least, not yet. I am told that day will come.

For now, I remain an integral part of their lives, and they, mine.

[To see more answers to this week's Blog Cruise question, click here. ]

When Momma is Sick

2010-03-28T22:56:00.001-05:00

So, this Momma has been sick since Wednesday. Not a big deal. We've all been there. You put on your Big Girl Panties and you deal with your life.

Cooking.
    Cleaning.
          Laundry.
         Bills.
   Pet care.
                        Child care.

And for me, homeschooling.

The past 5 days (including today) have been a trial. Until Friday, i did not realize how sick i was. Well, okay, i wondered... it isn't quite commonplace to feel like you have razor blades in your throat, but still. Despite the fire in my throat, the pounding in my head, the almost complete loss of my voice, and the general tiredness, i kept on keepin' on. Laundry, dishes, cooking, schooling... you know.

Thursday. The coughing started. Within an hour, i had pulled what felt like every muscle in my back and in my chest with the choking, can't-breathe coughing spasms that only went away when i stuck my face over boiling water. Yeah, that was convenient. And so it went... into the night and the next day.

Nevertheless, the show does on. So did i.

Friday morning, however, i decided Enough was Enough and had the eldest make an appointment for me to see the doctor (no voice, remember?). When i tested positive for Strep Throat, i was actually surprised. I know, ridiculous. Still. The doctor agreed that the coughing threw her because it isn't a symptom of strep, but nonetheless, antibiotics were administered.

Now, for those of you who have experienced Strep Throat, you know that between the 24th and 30th hour post-antibiotic administration, you normally feel much better. I, however, am still hoarse, still coughing, and still feeling yucky. Today, while climbing the stairs (laundry, laundry, laundry), i realized how short of breath i am. Now, i wonder if i was developing bronchitis, too.

Ah, well, the show must go on. And so must i, apparently.

One question for all you Mommas out there: When YOU are sick, does your darling husband seem completely unconcerned? Or does he pitch in, help with the kids, do the dishes, make dinner, send you to bed? Just curious.

Long, but worth it!

2010-03-26T10:17:00.000-05:00

I am posting a story by Kitty Werthmann that i received via email from the Tennessee Eagle Forum. It is well worth the time to read it.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

AMERICA.......Truly is the Greatest Country in the World.
Don't Let Freedom Slip Away
By: Kitty Werthmann

What I am about to tell you is something you've probably never heard or will ever read in history books.

I believe that I am an eyewitness to history. I cannot tell you that Hitler took Austria by tanks and guns; it would distort history. We elected him by a landslide - 98% of the vote. I've never read that in any American publications. Everyone thinks that Hitler just rolled in with his tanks and took Austria by force.

In 1938, Austria was in deep Depression. Nearly one-third of our workforce was unemployed. We had 25% inflation and 25% bank loan interest rates.

Farmers and business people were declaring bankruptcy daily. Young people were going from house to house begging for food. Not that they didn't want to work; there simply weren't any jobs. My mother was a Christian woman and believed in helping people in need. Every day we cooked a big kettle of soup and baked bread to feed those poor, hungry people - about 30 daily.

The Communist Party and the National Socialist Party were fighting each other. Blocks and blocks of cities like Vienna, Linz, and Graz were destroyed. The people became desperate and petitioned the government to let them decide what kind of government they wanted.

We looked to our neighbor on the north, Germany, where Hitler had been in power since 1933. We had been told that they didn't have unemployment or crime, and they had a high standard of living. Nothing was ever said about persecution of any group -- Jewish or otherwise. We were led to believe that everyone was happy. We wanted the same way of life in Austria . We were promised that a vote for Hitler would mean the end of unemployment and help for the family. Hitler also said that businesses would be assisted, and farmers would get their farms back. Ninety-eight percent of the population voted to annex Austria to Germany and have Hitler for our ruler.

We were overjoyed, and for three days we danced in the streets and had candlelight parades. The new government opened up big field kitchens and everyone was fed.

After the election, German officials were appointed, and like a miracle, we suddenly had law and order.

Three or four weeks later, everyone was employed. The government made sure that a lot of work was created through the Public Work Service.

Hitler decided we should have equal rights for women. Before this, it was a custom that married Austrian women did not work outside the home. An able-bodied husband would be looked down on if he couldn't support his family. Many women in the teaching profession were elated that they could retain the jobs they previously had been required to give up for marriage.

Hitler Targets Education - Eliminates Religious Instruction for Children:

Our education was nationalized. I attended a very good public school. The population was predominantly Catholic, so we had religion in our schools. The day we elected Hitler (March 13, 1938), I walked into my schoolroom to find the crucifix replaced by Hitler's picture hanging next to a Nazi flag. Our teacher, a very devout woman, stood up and told the class we wouldn't pray or have religion anymore. Instead, we sang "Deutschland, Deutschland, Uber Alles," and had physical education.

Sunday became National Youth Day with compulsory attendance. Parents were not pleased about the sudden change in curriculum. They were told that if they did not send us, they would receive a stiff letter of warning the first time. The second time they would be fined the equivalent of $300, and the third time they would be subject to jail. The first two hours consisted of political indoctrination. The rest of the day we had sports. As time went along, we loved it. Oh, we had so much fun and got our sports equipment free. We would go home and gleefully tell our parents about the wonderful time we had.

My mother was very unhappy. When the next term started, she took me out of public school and put me in a convent. I told her she couldn't do that and she told me that someday when I grew up, I would be grateful. There was a very good curriculum, but hardly any fun - no sports, and no political indoctrination. I hated it at first but felt I could tolerate it. Every once in a while, on holidays, I went home. I would go back to my old friends and ask what was going on and what they were doing. Their loose lifestyle was very alarming to me. They lived without religion. By that time unwed mothers were glorified for having a baby for Hitler. It seemed strange to me that our society changed so suddenly. As time went along, I realized what a great deed my mother did so that I wasn't exposed to that kind of humanistic philosophy.

Equal Rights Hits Home:

In 1939, the war started and a food bank was established. All food was rationed and could only be purchased using food stamps. At the same time, a full-employment law was passed which meant if you didn't work, you didn't get a ration card, and if you didn't have a card, you starved to death. Women who stayed home to raise their families didn't have any marketable skills and often had to take jobs more suited for men.

Soon after this, the draft was implemented. It was compulsory for young people, male and female, to give one year to the labor corps. During the day, the girls worked on the farms, and at night they returned to their barracks for military training just like the boys. They were trained to be anti-aircraft gunners and participated in the signal corps. After the labor corps, they were not discharged but were used in the front lines. When I go back to Austria to visit my family and friends, most of these women are emotional cripples because they just were not equipped to handle the horrors of combat. Three months before I turned 18, I was severely injured in an air raid attack. I nearly had a leg amputated, so I was spared having to go into the labor corps and into military service.

Hitler Restructured the Family Through Daycare:

When the mothers had to go out into the work force, the government immediately established child care centers. You could take your children ages 4 weeks to school age and leave them there around-the-clock, 7 days a week, under the total care of the government. The state raised a whole generation of children. There were no motherly women to take care of the children, just people highly trained in child psychology. By this time, no one talked about equal rights. We knew we had been had.

Health Care and Small Business Suffer Under Government Controls:

Before Hitler, we had very good medical care. Many American doctors trained at the University of Vienna . After Hitler, health care was socialized, free for everyone. Doctors were salaried by the government. The problem was, since it was free, the people were going to the doctors for everything. When the good doctor arrived at his office at 8 a.m., 40 people were already waiting and, at the same time, the hospitals were full. If you needed elective surgery, you had to wait a year or two for your turn. There was no money for research as it was poured into socialized medicine. Research at the medical schools literally stopped, so the best doctors left Austria and emigrated to other countries.

As for healthcare, our tax rates went up to 80% of our income. Newlyweds immediately received a $1,000 loan from the government to establish a household. We had big programs for families. All day care and education were free. High schools were taken over by the government and college tuition was subsidized. Everyone was entitled to free handouts, such as food stamps, clothing, and housing.

We had another agency designed to monitor business. My brother-in-law owned a restaurant that had square tables. Government officials told him he had to replace them with round tables because people might bump themselves on the corners. Then they said he had to have additional bathroom facilities. It was just a small dairy business with a snack bar. He couldn't meet all the demands. Soon, he went out of business. If the government owned the large businesses and not many small ones existed, it could be in control.
We had consumer protection. We were told how to shop and what to buy. Free enterprise was essentially abolished. We had a planning agency specially designed for farmers. The agents would go to the farms, count the live-stock, then tell the farmers what to produce, and how to produce it.

"Mercy Killing" Redefined:

In 1944, I was a student teacher in a small village in the Alps . The villagers were surrounded by mountain passes which, in the winter, were closed off with snow, causing people to be isolated. So people intermarried and offspring were sometimes retarded. When I arrived, I was told there were 15 mentally retarded adults, but they were all useful and did good manual work. I knew one, named Vincent, very well. He was a janitor of the school. One day I looked out the window and saw Vincent and others getting into a van. I asked my superior where they were going. She said to an institution where the State Health Department would teach them a trade, and to read and write. The families were required to sign papers with a little clause that they could not visit for 6 months. They were told visits would interfere with the program and might cause homesickness.
As time passed, letters started to dribble back saying these people died a natural, merciful death. The villagers were not fooled. We suspected what was happening. Those people left in excellent physical health and all died within 6 months. We called this euthanasia.

The Final Steps - Gun Laws:

Next came gun registration.. People were getting injured by guns. Hitler said that the real way to catch criminals (we still had a few) was by matching serial numbers on guns. Most citizens were law abiding and dutifully marched to the police station to register their firearms. Not long after-wards, the police said that it was best for everyone to turn in their guns. The authorities already knew who had them, so it was futile not to comply voluntarily.

No more freedom of speech. Anyone who said something against the government was taken away. We knew many people who were arrested, not only Jews, but also priests and ministers who spoke up.

Totalitarianism didn't come quickly, it took 5 years from 1938 until 1943, to realize full dictatorship in Austria. Had it happened overnight, my countrymen would have fought to the last breath. Instead, we had creeping gradualism. Now, our only weapons were broom handles. The whole idea sounds almost unbelievable that the state, little by little eroded our freedom.

After World War II, Russian troops occupied Austria . Women were raped, preteen to elderly. The press never wrote about this either. When the Soviets left in 1955, they took everything that they could, dismantling whole factories in the process. They sawed down whole orchards of fruit, and what they couldn't destroy, they burned. We called it The Burned Earth. Most of the population barricaded themselves in their houses.

Women hid in their cellars for 6 weeks as the troops mobilized. Those who couldn't, paid the price. There is a monument in Vienna today, dedicated to those women who were massacred by the Russians. This is an eye witness account.

"It's true..those of us who sailed past the Statue of Liberty came to a country of unbelievable freedom and opportunity.

America Truly is the Greatest Country in the World. Don't Let Freedom Slip Away
"After America, There is No Place to Go"

Math Galaxy (TOS Crew Review)

2010-03-26T07:00:00.028-05:00

As a member of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew, I was sent some Math Galaxy electronic downloads from Galaxy of Education. We used Whole Numbers Fun (geared towards 1st through 4th graders).

The mathematics concepts are presented in very concrete ways, much like our Math-U-See, with visual elements and explanations of what the concept represents (like taking something away for subtraction and having multiple rows of the same number of items for multiplication).

The program was a bit tricky to figure out for me, but once I got the idea, it was better. The menus are simplistic, which seemed to add to the problem. For example, when wanting my child to work on Time, we had to click on "Review" and "Step by Step" in order for him to start from the beginning. Clicking on "Review" seemed counter-intuitive for someone wanting to start from scratch, but once I figured that part out, we could do the program.

There is a lot of wording in a text box that explains the pictures happening on the screen, basically teaching you the math concept visually and with explanations. However, for a first-grader, that was not helpful. Having it SPEAK the words would have been a lot more helpful for mothers who can't sit with their kids and read the operations to them. In that respect, I felt like we might as well stick with hands-on manipulatives and parent-taught math, although this computer program sure takes up less space in my house! (grin)

The way the program works is the kids complete the math problems, and each problem earns them robots, which they can use to play in the Labyrinth. That's a great help for parents! Teach the kids to earn the playtime - Two Thumbs Up for that concept!

The kids thought Whole Numbers Fun was "okay" and weren't thrilled with the program, but they didn't hate it either. It is an okay math program, and it certainly seems to encompass a variety of topics, but it wasn't a great fit for us. We are still early into homeschooling and haven't found our "it" program yet, but with all the math products we have reviewed, this program didn't excite them in the same way some of the previous ones did.

Whole Numbers Fun sells for $29.95 with free shipping on their website. To see what my fellow Crew Mates thought of Math Galaxy, or see other programs from this vendor, click here.

*Disclaimer: I received an electronic copy of this program to use and review. I was not compensated for this review, and the opinions expressed are my own.

Spreading the word

2010-03-25T09:43:00.001-05:00

i am sick and i am empty of words for my blog, but God always has a plan, doesn't He?

Here is the link to a blog i follow:
Ordinary Hero Blog

They are in DESPERATE need of an African-American or Interracial Couple to adopt a newborn baby who is to be born by c-section TODAY. This mother chose LIFE and has NOT ONE FILE to look at for her baby because she wants her baby to have Full AA parents or Interracial parents.

Spread the word, save a life....

UPDATE!!! The Mother had a baby girl today, and thanks to prayer and outreach, she has options for adoption! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PASSED THIS INFORMATION ON!!!

Children's Bible Hour (TOS Crew Review)

2010-03-24T09:00:00.002-05:00

We fortunate members of the 2009-2010 The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew received a set of books from Children's Bible Hour Ministries. I was sent four books with accompanying audio CDs: Race With Midnight, You Can't Come In, Seventy Times Seven, and Brave the Storm. Each book is based on a different season, and each represents a time in the life of Christians all around the world: Spring (Race With Midnight) is new life in Christ; Summer (You Can't Come In) is growing in God's love; Autumn (Seventy Times Seven) is struggles and temptations; and Winter (Brave the Storm) is especially difficult times. These books are part of the Seasons of Faith Series and retail for $10 each.

There were so many things to love about this book set: wonderful stories, tales based in God's word, child-friendly topics and characters we can relate to, as well as beautiful illustrations, large pages, and a compact disc that reads the book for us while we look at the pages. I really can't choose a favorite, for we loved them all. There was so much to learn with each one, and the fact that I can pull these books out again and again and relate them to our Christian walk as my children age is yet another bonus!

BONUS: If you order before April 15, 2010, you can receive FREE STANDARD SHIPPING on the set of four books.

To see what my fellow Crew Mates thought of these books, click here.

*Disclaimer: These books were provided for free for me to use and review. A positive review was not necessary, and this review is based upon my personal use of the product and my opinion of it.

Nothing

2010-03-23T21:50:00.000-05:00

Tonight, my eyes hurt.
My head hurts.
My throat hurts.
My body hurts
The sun set and i am one big UGH.

I have absolutely nothing to say... i want to write something because i have a review to write tomorrow and i do not want to only post reviews on my blog and make you all sick of me. However, i am sitting here, looking at the blasted blinking cursor that begs me to start it skipping across the page merrily, slapping letters happily along in neat rows... and... i... have... nothing.

Okay.
Pray.
That's something.
Let's pray.
Let's pray for our families. Pray for our friends. Pray for our country.

When we have nothing... there... is... God.

Sleep well, Friends.

Salvation Army Under Fire

2010-03-21T09:24:00.000-05:00

Dunno how i missed this one, but i saw today that the Salvation Army recently came under fire by the ACLU for preaching Christianity.

Um, yeah, the "SALVATION" Army. D'you suppose they are a Christian organization? Yup.

However, because they opted to take government funding to reach more people in need, they essentially slipped the noose around their own necks.

Sad state of affairs when the government says, "Yes, please help the poor - we'll help you!" then later decides you can't do it if you have a religious or spiritual message to deliver with your assistance. No bullying, just love. No reprimand, just grace. But, no! Give your time, sweat, tears, funds, and energy to those in need... just don't share the saving message of the gospel.

Reckon this is something we can look forward to? How many more people will go without assistance because the government attaches strings to its aid?

TOS Homeschool EXPO

2010-03-19T10:00:00.001-05:00

Last week, I told you about the Homeschool EXPO that will be going on May 12-14, 2010, and this week I am reminding you NOT to miss this! The Freebies alone are worth your time and money and there is a $5 discount to preregister by March 31st!!

We began our weather study this week with one of the free downloads we received when we registered. We'll be delving into Colonial Times and making our own costumes next week with 2 of the freebies.

You really must participate!! Need more?? Okay....

Topics include:
A Plan for Teaching K-12 Writing
Understanding Unit Studies
Get Real
Four Language Arts
Not Just Your Average Genius
Mercy Every Minute Devotions
Battle of the Worldviews
Making a Transcript
iHelp for the eHome

... still need more...?
Not Your Typical Homeschooler
Catching the Journaling Bug
Implementing the Workbox System
Managing the Multi-Level Homeschool
Teaching the Difficult Child

Really? You're still not convinced??

You'll hear from speakers on all the above topics AND get amazing FREE DOWNLOADS, and it all costs you only $19.99 ($24.99 on April 1 or later). Oh, and there's a money-back guarantee (as if you'll need that!) just in case you are still on the fence.

I have personally never been to a homeschool conference, but I am totally stoked about this one - I mean, I get to attend in my pajamas with a cup of coffee in my hand and my house face on!! What's better than that?!?! Well, maybe saving gas money.... {wink}

Homeschool in the Woods (TOS Crew Review)

2010-03-18T22:24:00.000-05:00

As a member of this year's TOS Homeschool Crew, I received some goodies from Homeschool In The Woods. They sent us an electronic copy of some hand-illustrated, black and white maps of the world and of the United States to use in our homeschool. I was pretty excited, but wary because we have 3 giant maps on the walls already (solar system, world, and USA), and I just wondered if I would appreciate more maps.

Well, I downloaded them, and I began to print some of the United States maps to go with our Postcard Swap of the USA. When we started using them, I was hooked. Seriously, I am completely in love with these maps!! (Yes, if they were a man, I would probably marry them - sorry, Honey! - they are that awesome!!)

We got the first state postcard in the mail, Alaska, and we took out our Alaska state map, the map of the USA, and the notebooking page for Alaska (the one with the answers, thank you very much!). We learned some great stuff!! (Juneau, moose, willow ptarmigan - capital city, state animal, state bird - I still remember!! Talk about a concrete way to learn the states!) We then did this with the next state, and we plan to do it with each state we receive. Plus, there are maps of the native peoples of the US, maps of Colonial Times, maps of the Union and Confederate States, and maps of the United States over time. AND STILL MORE!! (yes, I feel like an info-mercial! BUT IT'S NOT A RUSE!)

The really amazing thing is that we probably won't need another map of the world or the USA for a very long time, if ever. This set came with over 130 world maps plus 40 world notebooking pages, and more than 180 maps of the United States, plus notebooking pages for each state (pages with answers and pages without for your changing needs). These Olde World Style maps are thorough and as detailed as you want them to be - some with outlines only, some with text and outlines. It just seems like they thought of everything. And for only $18.95 each or $28.95 for the pair, this is an unbelievable deal!! How often do you find something for the enrichment of your family's education that is affordable AND timeless. Getcha some!

Okay, okay, I will stop raving like a lunatic, but seriously, if you can't take my word for it, head over to the TOS Crew and see what my fellow Crew Mates had to say about Homeschool in the Woods.

*Disclaimer: I received these electronic maps for free to use and review. A positive review is not necessary, just deserving. This review is my honest opinion, and I have not been compensated for it.

When was the last time...

2010-03-17T14:02:00.000-05:00

... you met a 13-year-old who made such wise decisions that she never regretted anything, even years or decades later?
... you met a 10-year-old who never got upset with his parents' rules and/or discipline practices?
... you met a 15-year-old who didn't think she was ready to be treated like an adult?

Yeah, that's what i thought.

So, i have to ask, why does the government somehow believe that our children know better than their parents what would be best for them? Why, then, does the proposed Healthcare Reform Bill and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child each want to put parents on the back burner and lift children to this quite terrifying responsibility of knowing their own minds, understanding their limitless choices, and being solely responsible for their lives/decisions/choices?

Scary. But true. The UNCRC, i have known about (see information regarding the Parental Rights Amendment), but now i learn that the Healthcare Reform Bill has language in it that allows the government to enter and inspect our homes - which could lead to some really nasty social services issues.

Been sick for a few days and have laundry piling up, dirty dishes in the sink, and kids playing the Wii in their pajamas at 2 in the afternoon? Sorry, you're unfit, we're taking your kids to foster care. Good luck getting them back, which even if you do, will be 4-6 months' battle while your kids are living with strangers.

Want to homeschool your children, but don't want to have a "school at home" philosophy? Prepare to have your children yanked from their homes unless you agree to send them to the substandard schools in your district.

You think perhaps i'm exaggerating? Okay, sure, you can't believe everything some random person writes in the Blogosphere... i could be a nutcase. I understand.

Here's some accounts of what we have to look forward to:
* Britain adopted the UNCRC and then used it to determine that homeschooling should no longer be legal, and they are attempting to require homeschooling families to produce annual reports to the government as well as mandating officials to enter homeschooling homes and interview children without a parent present.
* In Maine, 2 children were taken from their mother by a former DHS worker who hoped to adopt them. She did not cite the mother with any form of abuse or neglect, just took the kids to foster care. Years later, her discipline practices killed one of the children, and the mother of the children is still fighting to get custody back of her surviving child.
* In California, a mother suffered a sudden bout of post-partum depression, and her infant was turned over to foster care. Though the mother was diagnosed as temporarily irrational, and with a treatable condition, and the father was at work when his wife decided to hand the baby over to another couple, he is in the process of having his parental rights terminated so his son can be adopted by strangers.
* In Massachusetts, a mother took her 4-month-old daughter to the hospital, reporting that the baby would stop breathing. The hospital staff also noticed the problem, but somewhere along they way, they called Social Services and reported the mother as a possible candidate for Munchausen by Proxy. Fifteen months and numerous psychological examinations later, the mother was deemed to have never had such a condition, and her daughter was returned to her.
* In Quebec, a father forbade his daughter from participating in a 3-day outing that she had already been on as discipline for negative behavior. The issue was taken to court, and the judge overruled the father, mandating that the 12-year-old could participate in the trip.
* I have heard of parents who are asked to sign away their right to be present or informed of issues during visits to the pediatrician - and we're not just talking teens.

Truly? We are imagining a world in which a 9-year-old would know better than his parents what he should and should not be allowed to do?

God, help us.

As the Home School Legal Defense Association says, "Please oppose the health care reform bill. Congress should not force an unpopular bill upon Americans, especially one that increases the power of the federal government and increases the national debt. I am also opposed the bill’s creation of government home visitation programs. Parents, not federal or state officials, should make child rearing decisions for their young children." (emphasis mine)

How do you find time for everything?

2010-03-15T12:42:00.002-05:00

Umm.... i don't. You do??

This week's Blog Cruise topic is intended to answer the question: How do you find time for everything, like housework, homeschooling, time alone, etc.?

I learned very early on in my adulthood that YOU CANNOT HAVE IT ALL. Oh, there are LOTS of people and organizations that want us to believe that if we do this right or get that planner or take this course or have that job or marry that type of person or whatever that we CAN have everything - but folks, it just ain't so. There is Give with your Take and Take with your Give. It is all a balancing act.

Okay, so how do i do it?

First of all, homeschooling isn't a portion of my day, it is my entire day. When we take care of the dog's basic needs, we are educating. When we take a trip to the grocery store, we are educating. When we play with our preschooler, we are educating. When we do laundry, or dishes, or vacuuming, or whatever, we are educating. When i am working with the older children, my preschooler is learning patience and honing her independent play skills. There are too many precious opportunities in regular life to focus only on the 3 R's. We aren't trying to attain recognition for all we accomplish - we are just trying to learn and love and live the lives God gave us.

Secondly, there is no hope for getting it all done. I do not actually believe that done is possible. D-O-N-E is actually "Do Over Nearly Everyday." The mundane repetition will kill you if you don't wrap your head around it's Presence. Hence, it is all always waiting for me when i open my eyes, and i accept that i will do the same dozen things today that i did yesterday. Part of my life... the kids need food (cooking classes), the spouse needs coffee (raising future Proverbs 31 women, you know), the dog needs to go out (veterinary medicine, anyone?), the little one needs attention (mothering/parenting education and learning to be selfless in love), the bigger ones need schooling (discipline and understanding of the world), the laundry needs sorting (sizes, colors, organization, homekeeping), the dishes need washing (more homekeeping), the bills need paying (math, discipline, money management), the house needs cleaning (and even more homekeeping), etc. And right now, two baby chicks need me, too (raising chicks is one way we do science).

Moreover, if we strive to prove all the ways we get it all done, have it all together, and make it all work, we are not only fooling ourselves, but how can we possibly be true friends to anyone? Most people will not like us very much, and some will raise us up on a pedestal as someone they are hoping to become... God forbid.

So, on any given day, i may not take a shower until bedtime (if at all), i may have mountains of laundry reproducing like bunnies in the hampers, my kitchen sink may overflow with dirty dishes, we may have to step over stacks of stuff on the stairs, and my floors may not be worthy of important company, but we get along.... We're gonna do it all again tomorrow, anyway. {wink}

Gonna Whine...

2010-03-12T22:15:00.000-06:00

Yes, me. I am going to do some whining.

Seriously.

Still here?

You've been warned....

I set up a community outreach event. Obtained permissions, booked locations, took reservations, added official speaker, etc. No big deal. My civic duty. The least i could do. No praise, please. Really.

Here's the rub: my city is apparently taking credit for it. The "city leaders" are inviting local residents to take part in the seminar (which is fine since i put it in the paper anyway - open to everyone), the police detective i asked to speak is apparently "leading" the event, and yet no one can get the details right! They are sending people to the wrong place at the right time and to the right place at the wrong time!! Aaargh!

I am so frustrated - and hear me: not because i wanted the credit. REALLY. I just hate them playing Political P.R. with MY idea, work, effort, and initiative to make themselves look like responsible city leaders responding to public outcry.

Alright, giving it to God and going to bed.

Grr!

Advice?

2010-03-11T20:31:00.000-06:00

i have a 10yo daughter. My 10yo daughter is sensitive. My sensitive 10yo daughter has begun sending me email messages to inform me of my parenting mistakes. {sigh}

What do i do with a daughter who is lazy but cannot handle being told she is being lazy?
How do i train a child who cannot accept her mistakes?
What do i do with a child who doesn't respect what i say if i am not being complimentary?
How do i raise a daughter without correction?
What do i do with a preteen who is embarking on a marathon of emotional turmoil?

Oh, Precious Jesus, give me strength and wisdom! i feel so ill-prepared for this season!!

P.S. i am already making sure to hug and snuggle more, and we are spending more quality time together than we have the past few months. Any other tips would be appreciated!