Here's something you have probably not thought of doing...how about a field trip to a funeral home?!

I am in no way trying to be morbid here, but I think you will find that it will be one of the most interesting AND beneficial field trips your Jr/Sr high students will ever take.  As many of you know, we consider life skills as a major part of our homeschool.  One of the topics in a unit study that we use as a loose outline covers the topic of ‘being prepared in all circumstances.’  Unfortunately, as we live in a fallen world, death is a part of life.  When we were a young married couple Ty & I lost our darling 3 month old daughter, Jessica, to SIDS and we were faced with all the frightening, ‘must be done NOW,’ heartbreaking decisions that encompassed arranging a funeral…as we were only in our mid-20’s, neither of us had ever been involved in preparing a funeral for a loved one.  As we are not promised tomorrow, we didn’t want our daughters to be completely in the dark as to what is involved in the funeral process, as we were. 

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Got this in the mail and thought you might be interested in it!

KW<><

ONLINE ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY CLASS ~ RESIDENTIAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY CAMP

(on the campus of Appalachian State University)

Homeschool Greetings,

This online class & camp is appropriate for all rising 8th - 12th grade students, but is especially geared toward students interested in careers such as medicine, exercise science, biology, chemistry, dentistry, athletic training, nutrition, health promotion, nursing, physical therapy, physician's assistant, occupational therapy, etc.  Also, it's been my experience that the information and experience offered in this online class and camp often sparks an interest in students that was previously undiscovered.

Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions.

Greg Landry, M. S., 12 Year Veteran Homeschool Dad

Director, Human Anatomy & Physioloy Lab

Appalachian State University

Boone, NC  1-828-265-4101

Our Anatomy Camp Uses a Human Cadaver...

The Optimal Way to Teach Human Anatomy!

Early Registration Discount Ends Soon!

Go to Website for Details & Letters form Parents...

www.HomeschoolScienceAcademy.com

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We all have blogs that we return to day after day to read, enjoy, be encouraged be, learn from and catch up with friends.  Whatever whim that particular blog fulfills.  MANY of those blogs belong to some of you...and I sincerely hope that my blog is enjoyed by many of you.

But today I want to share with you, especially those of you who homeschool ~ and those of you who would LOVE to live WAAAAY out in the boonies somewhere.  This is one of my absolute FAVORITE blogs that I return to nearly everyday.  This blog belongs to "Ree," The Pioneer Woman and she is a homeschool mom of 4 "punks" (as she lovingly refers to them) who has a wonderfully humorous way with words and a knack with a camera as she shares the life of her husband, referred to as Marlboro Man, and life on their ranch.  She ALSO has sections to click on for incredible recipes, photography lessons and home improvement...she's one BUSY ranch wife/homeschool mom!!  Oh!  Before I forget...she's even blogging about her city-girl-turned-ranch-wife-turned-homeschool-mom LOVE STORY, for all of us to enjoy (up to chapter 30-something!) called "Black Heels to Tracktor Wheels."  You'll love it!

To introduce you to Ree and her city-girl-turned-ranch-wife-turned-homeschool-mom life, you will really enjoy reading the May 1st, 2008 entry!!     http://www.thepioneerwoman.com   Click on "Confessions" and then click on the entry entitled:  "I Could Be Sitting in a Classroom Right Now."  (I would have posted the full web-address, but everytime I did it would run across the whole blog page and blend w/everything.  I'm not techo-savvy enough to know how to stop that!)    !Enjoy

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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Hey Everyone!

Please be sure to check out my dear friend, Balinda's, new blog!  Click on http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/bcakstehomeschoolmom and say "hi" and welcome her to the blogging world!! 

You will find that she is an awesome woman of God and you will shortly fall in love with her sweet spirit.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim<><

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A dear friend of mine sent me this story in an e-mail.  I think I read it quite a while ago, possibly you have too, but I think it's a goodie and worth passing along to you.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk's office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.  

'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder,  'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman.  'I'm a Mom.'

'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,'  Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.   The Clerk was obviously a career woman; poised, efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like , 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.'

'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it?  I do not know.   The words simply popped out.   'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.'

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.  

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.  Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest, 'just what you do in your field?'

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply,  'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field, (norma lly I would have said indoors and outside).   I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters).  Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 16 hours a day, (24 is more like it).   But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the
rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.  Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.   I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!  And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'   

Motherhood!  

What a glorious career!  
Especially when there's a title on the door.

Think about it...

Does this make grandmothers,
'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human
Relations'

And great grandmothers, 'Executive Senior Research Associates?'  

I think so!!!  

I also think it makes Aunts, Associate Research Assistants

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Prov. 27:17 -- "As iron sharpens iron, so one man [family] sharpens another."

When you began your homeschool adventure, where was it that you went to ask questions, get answers, find the camaraderie of many shoulders to cry on and find out that your child wasn’t a freak because he was having trouble with his nine times-tables?  Where was it that you could count on someone with experience to be there for you?

Does “support group” ring a bell to anyone?

I hate to say it, but in many areas support groups are going the way of snow in summer-time…they seem to be melting away and fading into the atmosphere.  And I say, “what a shame!”

It’s come to my attention that many of our precious experienced homeschoolers are starting to drift away from attending their area support group meetings.  Do they feel that they have out-grown them?

Look at it this way:  if I take two pieces of rusty, dull iron – I have two pieces of rusty, dull iron!  J  But if I rub them together, something great happens; they start to change.  They become a little sharper, they become a little brighter and shinier.  They become something usable.  Iron can’t sharpen iron unless there is friction between the two…they have to meet together.

As I asked you in the beginning, think about when you were a new homeschooler and your child just wasn’t catching on to a concept and, at your wit’s end, you went to your homeschool support group and started asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  There was a wonderful, experienced mom there who had actually “been there, done that”!  You went home, tried her advice and it worked!

Now…think of this:  A new homeschool mom, full of hopes and dreams and fears comes to your homeschool support group.  Her child just isn’t catching on to a concept and she’s at her wit’s end; and after coming to your support group she starts asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  Does she find it from you…OR is this one of those nights when you decided you just didn’t want to go tonight?  After all, what more do YOU need to learn about homeschooling since you’ve done it for so long?

Well, what if the reason you are to STILL attend your group has changed?  What if it’s now a ministry?  What if the reason that new homeschool mom leaves the meeting a little sadder and a little more fearful and discouraged is because YOU weren’t there to answer her questions the way someone was there for you?

Isn’t it time for us to be there for a new generation of homeschoolers?  Isn’t it time for us to share our experiences, our triumphs, our joys and even our failures with the new crowd?  Isn’t that part of our Titus 2 duty?  Did the Lord really make you a part of your group JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op or field trips, find out about curriculum sales and legislative updates?  I don’t think so.

This is a new season in our lives and an opportunity to shine as examples of experienced homeschool moms!

Let’s not be a part of the “me, me, me” crowd…we’re past that.  Let’s be the Lord’s hands and feet and minister to our sisters and their families and ease some of those fears and build some dreams!  After all, a long time ago someone cared enough to be there for you.  Now it’s your turn.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

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Charity at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/FHCJourney and Amy at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SimpleFolk have posted this list on their own AWESOME blogs...So I thought I would be a copy cat and do it, too!  Hope you enjoy.  Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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Is. 26:12 -- "Lord, You establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished You have done for us."

If you count Kindergarten, this is our 15th year of homeschooling.  My goodness!...what seemed like such a long-term, daunting task back then seems like only yesterday now.  My youngest will be a Senior NEXT YEAR!  I, honestly, can't imagine any other life choice for our family.  We have relationships with our daughters that would never have had if they were away from us all day...over 24,000 hours during their school career.

Through it all, the Lord has been a stead-fast anchor.  It was His idea for us to homeschool.  He put the "want to" in my heart when I was 19, even before I became a Christian and found out about homeschoolig at the age of 23.  Finding out that I could keep my children at home was such a confirmation of God's love and concern for me as a new Christian.  I couldn't help considering it one of those moments when God smiled down and whispered in my ear, "See, I really am here and I care about even the smallest desires of your heart."  What sweet assurance.

Sometimes I wonder what it is that God has planned for our daughters.  How should I direct their educational paths?  The Jr. High and Sr. High years have become even more special than the early homeschool years.  During these years we actually get to prayerfully guide their academics and electives toward the gifts and callings they feel God has placed on their lives.  How exciting!  I'm realizing what the Aplostle Paul felt when he said, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.  So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, Who makes things grow."  (1 Cor. 3:6&7)  These years are the beginning of the harvest of all the labor and pruning in our homeschool garden.  Now is when we get to watch how God has made them grow and blossom.

Even more than academically educated, we want our daughters to be godly young women, who marry godly young men (and know what to look for in the mean time), who will serve the Lord in their homes and in their churches with gladness.  Since homeschool involves "real life," they already know that not everyday is happy or without stress, however they also know where their joy, their provision and their salvation come from.  Being home, our girls have lived through prayerful decisions and the prayers for provision when the bank account and pantry were low...and have seen paryers answered time and time again!  THOSE are the REAL economics lessons and the REAL testaments to God working in our lives!

I would love to take the credit for the precious, loving, giving, funny daughters that I am raising.  But I just can't.  I am me.  I know me.  And, for better or worse, my daughters know me.  Hopefully, I serve as an example of God's never ending grace...my hope is that that will be one of the greatest lessons they learn.  And it will have been by God's hand that they have been taught it.  As I said:  I know me...I can take no credit for what God has done in their lives.  He is so good, so faithful.  Even when we are not.

Many parents seem to think that they can't homeschool their children through the Jr. High and Sr. High years...let me encourage you to NOT throw away some of the best years of your homeschool career.  If you need help with the "higher" subjects, get it.  But don't give up watching the blossoming of what God has chosen to do through you and your homeschool.  There is peace and satisfaction in knowing that YOU have been a part of God's rich plan that HE is commplishing in the lives of your children.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

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Blessings, Kim Wolf<><

Passing along a Free Offer.....

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Be Fruitful and Multiply

What the Bible Says About Having Children

~By Nancy Campbell, Distributed by Vision Forum

This is an interesting book with study questions at the end of each chapter.  I’m sure it would stir up a little controversy in nearly any women’s group or Bible study.  The topic?  Let the Lord choose your family size.

Admittedly, I’m quite confident in my opinion that most Christian couples do trust the Lord with regard to the size of their families.  Mrs. Campbell’s stand is that even well-meaning, sincere Christians have conformed so much to the world that we have lose our desire to fulfill God’s first command to Be Fruitful and Multiply.  This certainly is a matter for prayer for each and every family of faith.

I must say here that I agreed with some things, such as:  children ARE a gift from God, we must obey God rather than man, etc.  I also agreed with her stance that many women ignorantly choose their birth control without educating themselves as to how it works.  But, I confess that there were some things that I had questions about that I felt were not answered…

I, myself, would have loved to have had 5 children.  Our first beautiful daughter died of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Crib Death) at three months, I then had two miscarriages before our other two daughters were born.  Apparently, that’s where God wanted our family numbers to end.  I figure that, yes, God did give me those 5 children…although I only have two remaining on earth, I will have all 5 for eternity!  But, Mrs. Campbell doesn’t address the difficulties that many of us face.  My concern is that some may feel somewhat condemned by that at the end of the book.

But, fear not!  I do leave you with a quote containing some hope and grace:  “The fact of the matter is this:  It is not a matter of our deciding how many children we should have, or should not have, but having a vision of God’s plan for marriage and family – a vision to bring forth godly seed for God’s glory.”  Amen.  No matter how many children we are blessed with.

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