Oh wow!  That is what I said when I opened my mailbox a few weeks ago to find the latest TEACH magazine!

Marriage!

My first thought is what can they discuss about marriage and homeschooling?  Well, after a few weeks of having my magazine, I admit that I am only half way through it.  BUT not because I don't want to read it or some other lame excuse, NO!  Because there is SO MUCH GOOD STUFF in here!  I mean really.  This is the BEST one so far.  I have been reading and rereading each story, each article everything.  This has been a very touching and needed topic.  And what does it have to do with Homeschooling.  Well teaching our children is part of what we do, right?  This is one thing, one subject that is not heard much in our topics for homeschooling, but should be.  With having a daughter engaged and planning her wedding, this is the magazine that I am sharing with her.  Lots of great advice, ideas and suggestions are here.  Well, what can I say.  I am heading off on a 3 week business trip, away from the family--BUT I am bringing this and my scriptures with me, to learn, grow and come closer to my Lord---and rejuvenate my marriage.

Thank you TEACH for all that you do.  Keep it up, you are the strength when I need it, the Beacon of Light that keeps me going.

Debra T

Lately it has been very difficult.  Trying to juggle our family that is.  I graduated our first child--B in January this year and immediantly signed her up for Junior College.  What started out as an exciting event and her signing up for 5 courses, has become a drudgery for her, and she is down to 2 courses now. I know she is excited about growing up but other things have become more important to her and it has been hard to deal with.  She wants to get married to her boyfriend.  I am not sure exactly why, if it is because her best friend has gotten married and is now having a baby, or what.  So, here I am not super happy about it, and trying to help her plan it, although on a very slim budget. 

My second dd--A, is very upset by all this.  We are homeschooling her for her High School years, after being in PS for 1 1/2 yrs.  We got off to a rocky homeschooling start, and we have just never got into a groove yet.  She is such a social butterfly and she needs constant interaction with friends or she feels depressed.  We have become closer in our relationship which has been nice, but this wedding thing with her sister has hurt their relationship.  I am struggling to keep her going in her school work.  She has a two day a week job now, which has been nice, as she likes the money she earns from it.

My ds-CD is showing signs of needing attention.  His PS grades have slipped drastically.  We are now checking and rechecking homework daily and trying to stay on top of things hoping to motivate him to get those good grades we know he can get.  His attitude is also changing and I am not sure if that is due to him turning 13 or what.  He is making good decisions in everything but school work.  His attitude at home suffers a bit, and he likes to pick on the little kids here at home.  Life gets hectic when he gets home from school.

As for JET and ET, well homeschooling has had its moments lately.  We seem to not get a whole lot done, and with ET its more just teaching basic facts of life.  getting dressed, brushing teeth, holding pencil etc.  That is fine, but it is so hard to give him the attention that I know he deserves, with all that is going on in our house. 

Decisions are having to be made here.  Life changing events are taking place and I have been offered a HUGE promotion at work--that of General Manager.  That will mean more time away from home, some traveling and of course the raise, although that is not what is motivating me to do this.  It seems that we hug more, and I try super hard to spend as much of the free time I have at home with each one of the kids.  I just know that homeschooling is going to suffer because of this.  The younger two kids are going to go to PS next fall, but I will keep homeschooling A to finish High school. 

So---off to help with the wedding plans, finishing high school and getting through this last year of homeschoooling the little kids.  Homeschooling has been such a joy in my life, but I truly hope and plan to stay active in the movement and all of my friends that I have made through out our homeschooling years, after all--I am still homeschooling, even if it is just one kid.

Debra

Hi,

We are running $20.09 special to kick off the New Year!
Plus, this great deal, Lorrie's book, Teaching Children Responsibility.  FREE EBook!

Please go to this website:  http://www.teachersbookshoppe.com  You will see the details
of the 2009 promotion we are running on the home page. You can take advantage of the following:

Subscribe to TEACH Magazine for 1, 2, or 3 Years for an unbelievable price
of $20.09 per year  (Savings of up to 23% off!)

AND

You can choose any bundle from our list of topics such as Character
Training, Child Training, Homemaking How Tos, Marriage, Godly Women, Family
Dinners, Quiet Times, Prioritizing, and Chores for only $20.09. Each of
these is valued up to $110.00 and regularly sell for $34.97. But right now
they are each only $20.09!

Place My name (Debra Tangren) in the Notes section when checking out so that you get the free ebook we are offering.  This is one kickoff promotion you're not going to want to miss out on!  We're so sure you'll love our products that we know you'll want to share them.

Hurry though -  this offer expires on February 4th.

Debra Tangren

Well this was dd17 first week of college.  I am not sure still what to think of it.  Today I asked if she had all her homework completed.  LOL  Its kind of sad not KNOWING what she is learning.  I have always been involved in her courses and knowing what she is doing.  In a slight way I am little jealous, and want to go back to college myself. 

She is taking---US History --WW2 to now.  AstroBiology (I call it Astronomy).  English Literature.  Pilates.  She takes the bus down twice a week and is gone all day on those days.  (Its about one hours bus ride each way to the nearest Community College.  She earned all her money to pay for tuition and books, supplies and I am very proud of her.

She has cut her works hours from 4 days a week to 2 days a week, with an option for a 3rd day here and there.

My baby is growing up!

Deb

..while trying to organize the house is very difficult.  I have decided last week that my dd6 has too much furniture in her room and it is causing huge clutter problems.  So I told her three things had to go and she got to choose them.  I will take them out of her room tomorrow while she is in her workshops at the Charter Homeschool school tomorrow morning, that way it is not to tramatic.  I am also going through toys again and taking a huge load to the thrift store---gotta get this out of my house.  I worked on the living room on Saturday and it looks great except for the toys.  So that whole room will be done by tomorrow as well as her room. 

Getting school work done in the mean time is off and on and we take lots of breaks.  We sometimes don't even get started until around 10:30 or 11, due to them sleeping in.  They have always been late to be kids, and late to wake up---so I try and take advantage of the morning time to pay bills, catch up on things or sleep myself ( I work 3  swing shifts a week and dont get to be until about midnight those nights), so I need it sometimes. 

I always plan more then we ever get to--but I do try to get to it all eventually.  I have had to lock up the computer (sign off) each time I leave it so my ds5 doesn't get on--he can get online and to games, pbskids and nickjr by himself--and I don't mind it sometimes, just he would be on it ALL the time.  I also told the kids today--no tv and until the sun goes down tonight, again they will watch tv all day--and things I dont like (Disney, Nick Jr---and not the fun kiddy stuff in the day, like Backyardigans--but what I call junk TV--Hanna Montana and other stuff I dont know the names of that I think are way to old for a 5 and 6 yr old.  I wish that I could block it all. 

Anyways, there break is over now,  so I better get off here now.

Deb

Ok--so the dd17 is all registered and has chosen her classes for her first semester at college.  She is taking an English literature course, Astronomy, US History since 1870 and a Pilates class.  She will be taking 11 or 12 units total and working a part time job --2-3 times a week.  I sure hope that all goes well.  She starts next week and has her bus pass taken care of for the month of January.  We are still in the planning stages for her Homeschool High School graduation.  I will let you know more when that comes around.

Deb

I am graduating my first homeschooled and oldest daughter.

AHHH!  How has this happened?  It seems it was just a year or so ago that we pulled her out of public school and started homeschooling her.  It has been 7 years now and 3 states.  What a whirlwind but exhilirating time.  She has already registered for the local junior college and starts in three weeks.  She is finishing up her coursework this week for graduation.  Although we have discussed a few months ago a graduation party, we haven't finialized any details as of yet.  I want to do something special, have a "senior party" and graduation ceremony, prom etc.  The church has a prom night, so that part is taken care of although the dress part will be fun to get.  She has no homeschooling friends, and only a few church friends, so the party will be small, and I am still unsure what to do with a graduation ceremony. I would love for her father and grandparents to come.  We just had her "portraits" done over at Olan Mills this week, and that was fun. 

She has done so well---graduating with a National Honor Society member, taken more credits then was needed to graduate.  We have used the Umbrella school--North Atlantic Regional High School, which is an accredited private homeschool.  It is based in Maine and has been a wonderful program for my dd17.  I am so proud of her accomplishments and her hard work.  She has overcome so much in the past few years inlcuding her broken knee, surgery and recovery.  Although it looks to be more surgeries etc for her she puts on a smile and keeps going.  Her plans are to someday be a Public School teacher, getting her English Degree and teaching Middle to High School level children. 

What a star!  I am so proud of you sweetie.

Love Mom

another year (2009).  I feel like we are just starting school for the school year, although I do see growth in what the children have learned so far.  This year has been one of hectic caous.  Ok, I think I spelled that word wrong. 

I am trying to get more organized.  I have totally cleaned out my room, well the things from the floor, under the bed and dresser tops.  I filed paid bills away.  I feel much better.  I have also got the kids to clean their rooms and all is well with that.  Except for dd6 who insists on messing things up before we get one day away from clean rooms. 

We are trying to teach her to keep things cleaned and put away things after using them.  This is a toughy.  Since she is still growing and gaining her wonderful personality, I am also finding that she is hyperactive, disorganized and also destructive.  In the past week she has found permanent marker and written on my bedroom furniture, walls and even my lightswitch.  She has cut her hair (again) and who knows what else she has done that we haven't found out yet.  She is one child you have to watch all the time.  Most of these things happen when I am not home--I do work outside the home 3 evenings a week.  So, our family is trying to adjust to an overzealous child. 

Since none of the other 4 older children are this way, it is something new to us to have to be on the lookout for.  My dd15 just finished a puzzle (1000 piece) and dd6 tried to pick it up and ruined it.  This is not the first time this has happened, but since it is happening to other children (stuff being ruined) I have told the older kids they must be on the watch also, it can't always be put on me. 

I am going to try something new this year with school work, and make a new schedule, trying to get the younger two kids into some sort of routine. 

Mondays: We are going to focus on writing, reading and games---with gymnastics as PE.

Tuesdays: Focus on writing, reading and social studies.

Wednesdays: They go to their charter school workshops (this next 5 weeks will be math games and writing--lapbooking, storytime) no other school work other then reading at home.

Thursday: math day, writing and arts and crafts, with maybe library time and reading.

Friday: focus on writing, reading and science and maybe parkday.

Saturday: will try and be a catch up day if possible.

I am going to try this for the month of January and see if it works better then what we have been doing.  My work schedule is changing here real soon and so trying to get the younger two in routine is critical, especially with my 3 upcoming trainings (total of 4 weeks away from home, spread over 3 months).

Deb

Hello dear friends and family,

Welcome to the New Year 2009!  Although this blog is a quick one, I do plan to be more active this year.  I have found that I need to release my inner thoughts more, so this is the first of hopefully a more detailed and active account of the happenings in our household.

Love to all

Deb

Hi there!

What a busy 2 weeks it has been around here.  We went to my parents house for New Years.  The girls went to a Youth New Years Eve dance and had a blast---the rest of us went to bed early.  Dad took ET and CD off to do "men things"--not sure what that was, but they were definetly bonding .  David took JET to the Sacramento Zoo and had a great time with his brother and sister and all the kids ---so all the cousins minus ET were there. 

Here is the bunch:

We also got to visit my Aunt and a few cousins to catch up on what that side of the family is up to.  So our 3 day trip was a whirlwind of visiting family and friends and then running back home.  We have taken down the Christmas tree and unwrapoped all the gifts.  CD and I have reorganized his closet to accomodate his things and he also got new laundry hampers toHOLD HIS CLOTHES in, as well as JET getting a fluffy pink one.  B and Amee have redone their room (taking apart the bunk beds) to make two beds.  They ended up taking out a desk and sewing machine--now in the garage to make room for it all.  

We are back to school this week and JET has been doing well with it.  She really missed not doing school for 3-4 weeks. I will post later what we have been up to with school. 

Deb and Half dozen

Actually I am not even sure what to say.  I am not feeling well today, I think my husband gave me his cold--again.  I was sick one month ago and now here I am again. Except today I don't have time to be sick.  LOL

Today is our monthly General 4H meeting.  My project --cake decorating is in charge of Education this evening.  We still have posters to make and I need to decorate the "final"show piece.....a gingerbread house.  The kids are doing the other steps.  BUT my Ammie is the President, so I need to help her with her agenda for the evening, B is the newsletter editor so I need to make sure she gets that completed as well, then CD is the Treasurer so I need to make sure that the treasurers report is balanced etc.  LOL  Having 3 kids as Officers in 4H is fun, but very time consuming.  We also are doing a new thing this year and instead of having a random gift exchange we are having "secret buddies". So the person receiving the gift is actually happy with what they get.  We are doing this with all aged children from 5 years to 17 years.  I think that it will turn out ok ---but its just one more thing to add to my day--shopping for 3 others gifts.  AHHH!   :)  I love it though. This 4H stuff is fun.  I never did it as a kid so this is new, fun and exciting.

Anyway.  Off to get ET to Speech and JET doing some school work--right?  For Kindergarten it seems as it is more play then work. 

Deb

PS---- B = DD16, Ammie=DD14, DJ= DStepS14, CD=DS11(12 this month), JET=DD5, ET=DS 4

OK, so summer is over and it is full swing of FALL right now, but its never too late to write about it, right?  My issue of TEACH magazine came to me in mid to late summer and I have read it and reread it numerous times, as I always do.  I try and keep them around so I can read an uplifting story here and there when I have a few moments. 

One of the first stories that touched me was titled "My family = My Friends?"  This story discusses growing up with sibilings and being kind to one another and each other.  I know that i wasn't always the greatest oldest sibiling t my younger brothers, but I do know that as we get older things do seem to get better between us all.  I tell my children this all the time as two of them bicker, call each other names, hit and just plain old mean to each other.  I tell my children that we all need to get along with each other and so I read this story to them.  Jessica Cover the aithor of this article summed it up best, and so I typed up her words and posted them in my home so that all the kids could see them and be reminded.  Tips for Cultivating and maintaining close relations in the family:  1.  Laugh together!  Enjoy each other!  2.  Treasure each other!  Compliments, encouragaing words, smiles and hugs.  3.  Forgive each other and pray for each other!  Never, ever, ever be bitter.  4.  Make your relationship with the Lord your TOP Priority.  5.  Persevere! You can do it!

This next story that caught my attention --Mission Impossible! by Shelley Noonan just had me rereading and rereading her article.  She spok about finding quiet time---How am I supposed to find quiet time when I can't even go to the bathroom by myself? Oh how this truly rings true in my home. LOL  She challenges us to get creative and to make some adjustments.    Her first note is to adjust your location.  sometimes for me that is just going for a short drive in the car.  Second  is Adjust your time, for this I started making the big kids go to their rooms to read and the little ones to go to bed a little earlier, then I can relax on the couch, read or evern just go to bed earlier.  Third and last is adjust your boundaries.  To do this is to Verbalize, Signal and Enforce.  What a great article.  I may not be a pro at this yet, but I am working on it more and more each day.

I will have to write more later, I need to take my daughter somewhere.  TTFN--Debra

I am back---been having major issues with the computer, but I think I got it taken care of.

My TEACH magazines are the best!  They always come to me when I am needing to be picked up off the floor and carried to a better place.  My Spring and Summer issuse came when I was in one of those rutts.  The stories are always so uplifting and reassuring me that I am have not been here alone, but been through some of my most trying times, while others have been as well.

In my Spring Issue this year one of the first stories that touched me was titled: Unexpected places by Melanie Chitwood.  This story touched my soul as it talks of depression and our need to hear and feel God's love.  What  a wonderfully uplfting story of a courageous mother.  Walking by faith.  WOW! 

Turning the page another story hit me---They are precious...Walking with our children through the teen years.  OK, I really needed to read and hear this story as well. I have 3 children and one more on the way to becoming a teen.  This story reassured me that having Christ in our lives is a great thing. I am so glad that my children are not testing the waters outside of Jesus.  This is something that I totally agree with....teaching our children about Jesus from very young. Teaching them about His love and guidance.  I know that this has kept me going over the many years and that it can be a huge help to teens in these trying years as well.  I may not have 10 children like this author--Laurel Diacoginannis does but raising our children to know and love Jesus is the best education I think that we can give our kids.

Ok--so I think that in some weird way every story in this issue touched me in some way.  The story of the The Ugly Backyard gave me a chuckle beacuse we moved into our home this January in the cold and I mean VERY cold winter.  Our backyard is full of rocks and I wanted to make it beautiful.  What a beautiful analgy this story gave  of beauty in the middle of a rocky hill.  Needless to say we were able to squeak out some flowers in our rock filled backyard, all planted by me and my dd5 who was amazed at her little flowers grew....although I am sure faith had a lot to do with it.

This story gave me a huge wake up call also---they all do in some way.  What's weathering you? by Jayna Pettersen.  She gave the story of Moses and his wanderings to uplift my soul in my homeschool.  1. Identify the Mirages----What illusions have you been chasing?  Are they idealistic?  Ok---so that makes one think, what changes do I need to get me to my final destination and what is that final destination.  2. FInd your bearings.  instead of wandering aimlessly and having to relearn lessons, reastablish your direction. 3. Protect yourself from dehydration.  What has been drying you up?  try to isolate the factors that get you down, map out a strategy and work on one a week.  4.  Create an oasis to water your soul.  What boosts your sprits?  celebrate the littlest blessings are the biggest reasons to celebrate.  5. Don't over water the Cacti.  Over-committed?  think of your top 5 biggest weekly commitments, go one-by-one imagining a week without them.  Which one gave you the greatest sense of relief?  This was a huge wake up call to me and a great analogy. and helped me to rethink some of the things I was doing. 

My most favorite author in the magazine is always Lorrie Flem.  She brings the realities of homeschool and family to me, letting me know that I have never been alone during my 6 years of homeschooling.  She is also a great "friend" and also make me laugh and cry--sometimes at the same time.  :)  Lorrie's quick tips --7 shortcuts to longevity made me chuckle but also realize that some of the simple things in life can be forgotten  or at least made simple.  Thanks Lorrie for helping me to realize some tips to making my homemaking and homeschooling life a little easier.

As for blogging about the TEACH magazine spring issue in Fall, well things have been just crazy since May this year.  Wrapping a 2nd year of high school (homeschooling) and then having major injuries in our household with two surgies this summer plus starting a part time job my family has been going through some HUGE changes and adjustments.  I have read and read this issue of TEACH because it has been an uplifting thing in my life, that has brought about changes and also helped me to know that I am not alone in my trials.  I am so thankful that this magazine has come into my life and so appreciative for all the nice ladies (and myabe me also, not sure) for putting it together.

Thanks so much---Debra

Hello out there in Blogging Land.  I have been out of the loop for a very long time now.  We had computer issues and ended up getting a new computer---thank you dear FIL.  We also moved and purchased our first home.  YEAH!  We have had some issues to deal with in buying a older home, but I won't go into that now.

We have been horrible sick ever since we moved also. We have had stomach flu, colds, strep throat, infections etc.  So many to name.  ICK!  My husband and I are both recovering from sickness again just this week.

We are still homeschooling--thank goodness!  dd15 is still chugging along with High School, although we have had some major motiviation issues trying to overcome.  dd14 we put in PS in January as she was having horrible motivation problems as well.  She is actually doing very well at this point, very motivated and doing well in classes (all B's except for 1 A)---that is great!  She is also more mature and choosing great friends to hang out with.  ds11 is still in PS and doing awesome as well.  He is on the honor roll all quarters with A's and B's.  dd4 who is almost 5 is doing great here at home with preschool.  We have been doing FIAR, LOTW and HSS with adding in computer educational games and other hands on activities to enrich her learning. She is doing well--and learning all the time.  ds3 is doing fine.  We have had him join dd4 in her activities and he is slowing pick that up.  He is having issues with his speech and so we are seeing the local Speech Therapist today to see what we can do to help him.

That is us in a nutshell!  My dss14 is coming up to visit us for Spring Break while the older 3--dd15, dd14, and ds11---are going to my mom's for a week long visit. 

Catch up more later

Deb

WOW!  What a spectacular sale this site is having. 

TEACH magazine is a seasonal magazine full of inspiration for moms.  It has been around since 1998 and I have been reading it for a year now.  It has uplifted me in every way and I just love to share the stories with my friends and family.  They are having their First ever HUGE BlowOut! Sale with items up to 75% off!

Be sure to check this sale out as the sale ends Wednesday, November 22 at midnight PST.

There are so many things to check out there they have back Issues of the TEACH magazine, Anthologies, Gift Sets, CD's, and ebooks are all featured in the sale.

They also make things so easy by letting you combine sales from the regular bookstore to work toward a bonus level.  They also have FREE Bonuses of over $135.00 with a $100 purchase. One of these is a wonderful biblical hero action figure that talks!  This alone is a $25.00 value.--This is the toy that was refused by Toys for Tots because it was "Christian in nature".  Don't get me started on that one.  It is a wonderful toy!

Some other great bounses are:
*    $76.00 of FREE Bonuses with a $75.00 purchase.
*    $27.00 of FREE Bonuses with a $50 purchase.

 Click here to get to their site:  TEACH BLOW OUT SALE!

This school year started for us on September 1st this year.  Things started off just fine and I feel have gone down hill fast.  I have an 8th grader and High Schooler and then my two youngest--Pre-Schoolers.  I have found it hard to juggle both sets--as I do "teach" my two older girls for Botany and Health this year.  I try and set aside time with the little ones, but my 8th grader needs a lot of direction and help for almost every subject.  She is very kinestetic learner and so I try and give her hands on activities or lessons and then let her on her own to finish the pages or whatever, but even then she seems to need her "hand holding" the whole rest of the page.  She is not motivated on her own to do anything.  I have to stay in the same room with her or nothing gets done.  I find this very difficult.  She would rather watch Barney or Seasame street with the younger kids then do her work.  I am frustrated.

I have asked from friends on yahoo homeschooling groups for suggestions---my older daughter work with little ones while I work with my 8th grader, preschool bags or boxes of educational things to do, but they do need hands on stuff with mom.  My 8th grader seems to take up all of my time, leaving nothing left of my energy to work with the little ones.

I am at a loss of what to do.

Debra

Our plan for this Fall is the following --for my 4yr dd.

We are using FIAR--going around the world in our travels.  We also use Beautiful Feet books (we sort of ROW those as well--along with other books on the country)

September---France

Mirette on a High Wire

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

October--France

Madeline

Puss in the Boots

The Giraffe that Walked to Paris

November---Germany

The Duchess Bakes a Cake

Time of Wonder

Harold and the Purple Crayon

December---South America

MSB--In the Rainforest

Stellaluna & Crickwing

January----Antartica

Mike Mulligan and the Steam Shovel

February---Australia

Strong Magic

Wombat Stew

Katy and the Big Snow

March---India

Once a Mouse

The Snake Charmer

Another Celebrated Dancing Bear

April---Russia

Brave Irene

Owl Moon

May--- Japan

A pair of Red Clogs

Grandfather's Journey

Crow Boy

The Little Sparrow

June---Interantional

The Salmadender  Room

The Napping House

Here are the questions:

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.

  "If your student has done some work with directions, have him determne which direction he would have to travel from his home to get to Ohio. "Five in a Row

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch? 
   The wall with a puzzle of California hanging completed

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV? 
   SuperNanny

4. Without looking, guess what time it is. 
   1:30pm
5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 
    1:39pm

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? 
    3 kids in the pool, 1 kid watching Magic School bus and music coming from my daughter room where she is cleaning it.

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? 
    A few minutes ago. Checking on the kids in the pool.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at? 
    My friends Blogs

9. What are you wearing? 
   purple Capris and a purple t-shirt.

10. Did you dream last night? 
   I dont remember last night's dream. 

11. When did you last laugh? 
  The other night watching Jay Leno 

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in? 
    Photographs, a clock, Calendar, my husbands diplomas from college 

13. Seen anything weird lately? 
   Hmmm not that I can think of. 

14. What do you think of this quiz? 
   It's fun and entertaining.

15. What is the last film or video you saw? 
 Devil Wears Prada

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? 

    Buy my husband and I 20 acres in Mountain Meadow--by where we live, build our dream ranch house--with Windmill and Solar Panels for Electricity.  Pay for all our Children's college educations and go back to school myself. 

Ok--sorry if that sounded sort of like Britteny Spears there for a minute--but hey, they DID do it again!  And  boy did they do it!    It's like they read my mind or something---the issues are always geared for me, right?  LOL  Ok--so maybe they aren't but it sure does seem like it.

This recent Summer issue had so many articles that touched me it was amazing.  In fact I have reread this magaine front to back a few times in the past few weeks--sorry for the delay in writing about it, let alone any part of my life recently.

First off--Lorrie's Laundry room always gets me going--either with tears or tears of laughter.  This past one had my mouth dropped open with awe of her recent trip to Nebraska.  I even had to read it alound to my husband--an avaition nut--and my children.  What an amazing woman to go through all that she did in just a few days trip.  In some way--I wish that I had been there at the Homeschool conference to see her speak.  I had also wished to go to the Summer Beach retreat she had a few months ago--but due to finances we have been penny pinching majorily--and those sorts of things are off bounds for us.  That brings me to my other favorite stories and articles.....

Organized Choas--By Marybeth Whalen--always gets me motiviated.  We have had some ups and downs the past few months--sending my daughter off to PS for the last 5 weeks of school---as she was the least bit motiviated to do anything at that point--then it backfired on me  BIG TIME!  She went way the other way---clothes, make-up (which we do not allow at this age) and her appearance became a HUGE issue with her--and school work and learning went out the door.  She is my huggy child and a follower----so we sat her down and explained our reasons for sending her and that we were not going to throw her to the WOLVEs so to speak.  I learned from this article that I need to get my family--not just me back to the LORD and to have family study scripture time and devotional.  We also need to be praying for guidance---me especially. 

In Be Teen TImes by Audrey McKeever also had a great article that just fit perfectly with my just turned Teen daughter.  A strong and Steady peg---was beautifully written and reconfirmed my new choices to devote our lives more to God--our Heavenly Father.

Learning the Ropes by Maggie Hogan was a great article for a mom who has just been through Burn out Hell.  I am not so organized as I wish I was or some of my friends are----but this article gave me a great step back --look at things in my life first, then come back with a healthy attitude.

The most exciting part of the whole magazine was the TEACHer's Report card--that is where they put letters to Lorrie and to the Magazine---my email was posted and what a treat to see it in there.  I felt like a true close sister to the members of the magazine and the editors--they read their emails and care about their readers.

What a wonderful treat--now off to read it over again--I need the spiritual upliftment.

Debra Tangren

Sunny, muggy and hot Southern California

I was so delighted to receive my second issue of this WONDERFUL magazine. We were heading out for a weekend trip to see family and I set it on the couch to take with us.  Well, in the hustle and bustle of getting 5 children out the door, I forgot it.  OH I was very disappointed in myself.  We got home a few nights later and it was still there....big sigh of relief!  The next day it disappeared.  I was frantic.  I looked on every bookshelf, I looked UNDER every couch and bed in the house. I even got my children looking for something, that  they never remember seeing.  AHHH  I was ready to pull my hair out. 

Well, I finally contacted the magazine and was sent out another copy.....ohhh another sigh of relief.  My oldest daughter smiled when she saw how happy I was to finally get a copy and immediantly sat down to read it.  She asked me what was so special about this magazine.  I told her that it is the best uplifting magazine that I have ever read.  A few days after I finally put it down, I caught her reading it.  LOL 

I pointed out one of the articles that I felt would be some inspiration to her, but also to ease my mind in her future.  The article is titled "Two Marriageable People".  Although it is has a lot of advice for boys and men, I thought it was well written for us girls and women also.  I had some of these feelings when I was younger, before marrying my first husband.  I made mistakes and I often tell my daughters not to make the same ones.  NOT that there father was a mistake but just we were both very immature at the time and didn't know what our feelings were saying to us.

After my daughter red the article she said, thats ok mom, they teach us this stuff at church. OH I felt so much better knowing that other Christian families teach what our Christian faith teaches as well.  She also reminded me that at almost 15 years old she is not interested in dating or boys, yet. Well I added the yet part--because it will happen sooner or later.

I was also touched by Lorrie's article about Sharing Jesus in Everyday situations.  What a wonderful woman to be close to her parents and be able to take care of them.  This article touched me deeply.  We recently lost my husbands grandmother to old age.  She lived the last 10 years or so with Alzheimers. I had never met her before the alzheimers set in and hearing stories of her before brought me closer to this woman.  My husband and I were in a situation about 4 years ago, him just out of university and no jobs in the Aerospace industry--just after 9-11.  The family needed help in taking care of Grandma and so we moved to Washington State to move in and help take care of her. What a wonderful woman she was.  Although she could not remember much we still talked oftenof the recent passing of her husband and also of her mother who had passed away 30 years before that.  We talked of Jesus and heaven and what happens after we die.  We both are Christians but of different denominations and so our belief of the afterlife are a little different, but we still had our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  What a joy o discuss these things with her.  She has now gone to the other side and I hope that the little bit of missionary work I did with her, might give way to something wonderful. 

I already have reread the magazine over 2 more times since getting it, letting it all sink in.  I really enjoy the stories of how other families homeschool, giving me strength the many days I struggle or feel like I am struggling.  I homeschool preschool all the way to high school and struggle finding balance.  I treasure my copies of this magazine and am soooo glad to be receieving them.

Deb