This  Mother's Day will be the first I've celebrated without my own mother being alive. 

 Mom died last Fall, after fighting a losing battling with COPD.  My mom really was a fighter of sorts, and a survivor of many trials.  She knew she didn't have long to live and she had some regrets about some of the things she did in her life that were damaging to her health.  Boy, don't we all have those regrets?

This photo is my Mom's baby picture.  We put this shadow box together for her "Celebration of Life."  In it is also her birth announcement, a lock of her hair when she was 8 months old and the hospital bill. 

When I was at my Mom's house after she died, I was sorting through papers looking for photos and memorabilia for her service.  I came across many cards and letters from all of her children and grandchildren.  It was so wonderful to see how loved she was by all of her family.  I put all of the cards and letters that I found that were from my family into a couple of large envelopes.  To tell you the truth, I was astounded at the amount of them!  I really didn't think we did that good of a job of keeping up our relationship with Grandma over the years.  We have lived 850 miles away from her for the last 15 years, and have only visited a handful of times when we were able to travel.  I'm not the best at letter writing anymore;  I mean REAL letter writing, not emailing or blogging.  Many of the letters were handmade by my kids.  That was such a blessing to find.

Mom had a computer for a little while, but I couldn't get her much interested in doing much on it.  Anyway, I was happy that we had taken the time to write and send cards, drawings and little goodies in the mail.  I know we could have done more, but we didn't.  I don't have any regrets about that.  It wouldn't do any good anyway.  What is done is done. 

I wish I could honestly say that my Mom was the sweetest most wonderful woman in the world who made the best chocolate chip cookies in the world and was my best friend growing up...but I can't.  She did, however, make the best coconut merange pie, the best grilled cheese sandwiches and her meat loaf was to-die-for.  And although she wasn't my best friend growing up, we did grow to have a pretty nice friendship of mutual respect and love when I began a family of my own.  I didn't know how to be close to my Mom when I was growing up.  It was a foreign concept to me.  I think it was foreign to both of us.  I have tried to change that legacy with my own children.  By God's grace it will work out that way.  And if not today, we try again tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong, she was a very dear lady.  She had a rough start in her life and lost her own mother at a very young age to cancer. 

Carolyn at one month old,  being held by her Grandmother, Anna. 

She and her sister were then raised by Grandparents, their father not being up to the challenge, I guess.  Through it all, she did grow up to be very accomplished on the piano and had many talents, but nurturing, I think, was very hard for her. 

 You know, we think that "motherhood" and all the trappings thereof, is as easy as breathing for us mothers.  But even though the Good Lord built a whole lot of mothering instinct into us, there is also a lot we have to learn.  Some of those things we learn from those who mother us.  We learn how to nurture, nourish, encourage, train.  We learn empathy, apathy, endurance or hopelessness from them. And we pass those things on to our own children, whether we like it or not.

We also learn many things from other people, but for some reason it's the mother that gets the blame or the glory for the way the child's character turns out in the end. 

One thing that my mom said a lot was "accentuate the positive!"  I know she tried to, but I know that life still drug her down despite that attitude.  I know she really wanted to be that way.  Sometimes wanting something and achieving it are two different things.

Carolyn and her dog "Laddie" at around 2 years old.

Once when I was a struggling young mom, a dear friend sent me a verse to spur me on.  It was Isaiah 40:11: 

      He will feed His flock like a shepherd;
      He will gather the lambs with His arm,
      And carry them in His bosom,
      And gently lead those who are with young.

There have been many times that the Lord has carried me, and has gently led me in the way I have raised up my children.  He is still doing that today!  Frankly, I fail on a daily basis and it is only, ONLY, by His grace and mercy that we make it through each day. 

Motherhood isn't easy, even for those who may have had super-moms who raised them.  I know some really super moms, and thank God for them.  But without Him even the best of the best are the same as the rest of us; blood bought, saved by grace, living by faith. The only difference is whether or not we rough it out in our own strength, or ask for some help.

There have been many "other mothers'" in my life along the way, and I have many fond memories of them. But there will never be another Mom for me.  She is my Mom.  And I am, for good or for bad,  a legacy she has left behind.  And whether I want it to be or not to be, how I raise my kids will be a legacy to me.  Of course I want it to be positive, but then there is something called "self will" involved.

 Carolyn's High School Graduation picture

Although there was a bit of religion in my childhood home, I tried many different churches but had many unanswered questions.  I was grew up in public school and family was really an afterthought.   I struggled with many issues growing up.  My Dad had a serious heart attack when I was around 10 years old, and Mom went to bat to support the family. Dad lived for 12 years after major surgery.  The doctors said he might live for 5, so that was a gift to us.  But it was still hard.  It was very hard and Mom struggled with alcoholism for many years. 

 Alcohol is one of many issues I have struggled with myself.  One year not too long ago...maybe 10 years ago...Mom had called us to tell us that she was giving us an early Christmas gift.  She said she was admitting herself into a treatment program.  It was truly a miracle.  It was a long prayed for gift to us, and to herself. 

 We were so happy that Mom was getting sober.

When I was a young adult, after several years of being on my own I came to know the Lord.  I also became clean and sober during that time.  Many friends and family members laughed and mocked me and told me it was just a fad and that it wasn't real.  They knew that I liked to drink and party and this "new me" was just a passing fancy.  But God truly did a miracle in my life and helped me get cleaned up on the outside.  Now after all these years He is still working on cleaning me up on the inside. 

 It is a day by day process.

I talked to Mom a lot about the Lord over the years, but our relationship wasn't so great that she would want to hear what I had to say, plus it was really hard saying it.  It's very hard to tell your family about the Lord sometimes.  They feel like you are condemning them, and sometimes you do even though you really aren't trying to do that.  Words just come out all wrong and tempers flare.  Familiarity sure can bring condemnation, doesn't it?  Things can get so bungled up sometimes when you are trying to tell people about the Lord.   

Other people ministered to my Mom and after she died I was told by two different people that she had made her peace with God, and that she knew what Jesus had done for her.  I am so glad that I know that.  It helped me sort through my feelings about her last few days.  She left this earth in peace, and even though it was the hardest thing I have ever gone through there was peace in her leaving us. 

No more sickness, no more sorrow, no more tears, no more pain. 

 Mom, I can't wait to join you there!

But I guess I will have to.  I still have much to do here.  I have prayed for years and years that the Lord would help me to have a gentle and quiet spirit.  Boy, He has his work cut out, doesn't He?  In the meantime, I will keep reading about the Proverbs 31 woman, and pray that maybe a fraction of my life would somehow, someday add up to  be like hers. I have to.  I have several little future legacies running around here, watching my every move.

Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her;

So he will have no lack of gain.

She does him good and not evil

All of the days of her life.

She seeks wool and flax,

And willingly works with her hands.

She is like the merchant ships,

She brings her food from afar.

She also rises while it is yet night,

And provides food for her household,

And a portion for her maidservants.

She considers a field and buys it;

From her profits she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself wtih strength,

And strengthens her arms.

She perceives that her merchandise is good,

And her lamp does not go out by night.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her hand holds the spindle.

She extends her hand to the poor,

Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household,

For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

She makes tapestry for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,

And supplies sashes for the merchants.

Strength and honor are her clothing;

She shall rejoice in time to come.

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children rise up and call her blessed:

Her husband also, and he praises her;

"Many daughters have done well,

But you excell them all."

Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,

But a woman who fears the Lord,

she shall be praised.

Give her the fruit of her hands,

And let her own works praise her in the gates.    

This is a really nice photo of my Mom, taken a few years back.  She splurged and went to Glamour Shots, I think.  Wasn't she lovely?

Reading about the proverbs 31 woman has really opened my eyes that my dear Mom truly had many of these traits in her own life.  Sure, there were faults, but by golly we are human after all, right?   We get weak, we get tired, we get burdened and we don't always do what we are supposed to do.  But one thing that is so easy to do is just find  something to hold on to. 

That something is the hand of the Lord.

The day we left my Mom's house the sky looked amazing and I had to take photos of it. It was so beautiful and just seemed to be shining like a big star in the clouds...it just seemed like something very special. 

 Is that God's hand beckoning someone to come home?

Matthew 11:28-30

 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Somehow, I just have this feeling that Mom is having the most wonderful Mother's Day ever!

I love you Mom,

Nancy

or how about this?

I am unable to do either of those, but I can curl my tongue the other way.  LOL! 

This was on a tree in our neighbor's yard a few weeks back.  The wind was blowing it's feathers and just take a look; its so cool!

And here is another shot from the zoo.  Giraffee want a cracker?

Don't forget to enter the contest!  Check my previous entry for the details.

Blessings!

Nancy

Wow!  I tell you, sometimes it just seems like life goes crazy and tips the scale at nothing short of amazing! 

 Last week was the kick-off of the Ultimate Homeschool Expo and I tried my hardest to listen in to every one of the live conferences.  They were super!  The final conference "What Will They Remember" with Jill Novak was the sweetest ending to a completely enjoyable, uplifting and encouraging series of speakers.  Jill had us all in tears and feeling the Lord in a powerful way. 

 Thank you Cindy, for orchestrating it all for us.

Although the UHSE is done, it's not over.  You can STILL get a ticket for this event!  How can that be?  Well, all the chats and ALL the vendors and ALL the cool free stuff (tons of it!) are going to be on the website for eons to come and all you have to do is get your ticket NOW, before the price goes up.  Then you will have access to ALL the talks, all the goodies and you can't beat this deal - anywhere! 

 Here is some info straight from Cindy:  Even thought taping is over, it is Still going on and here is what it means for you:

·        You can access every session by downloadable audio for years to come (at YOUR convenience).

·        You can access a full library of ebooks, articles, studies, and printable pages.

It is NOT too late! So, grab your ticket today! Price will be the same $40 until July 1^st--then, it will be $99.95 for the entire UHSE 2008 Package. Save NOW! You will LOVE IT! Here is your link to order:

http://www.ultimatehomeschoolexpo.com/tickets.html

If that link does not work for you (for some reason the link does not show both the single and order with a friend options for some browsers--haven't figured that out yet! Ha!), then use this link:

http://www.ultimatehomeschoolexpo.com/UHSE2008.html

The speakers had some great door prize giveaways, and I enjoyed giving several copies of my eBook away.  (I will have that available at the special UHSE price until at least the end of this month, then I might have to go back up to my regular price so if you were THINKING that you wanted to learn how to cut your kiddo's hair...now is the time to purchase it.)

  One of the doorprizes was a copy of Tammy Cardwell's eBook, "A Homeschool that Handles the Hard Times; a Guide for Christian Homeschoolers."

(You can check out her website here.)

When I saw that Tammy was giving one away I jumped at the chance and zipped over to her blog and entered.  Lo and Behold, I was the winner!  I was elated!  When I downloaded my copy, much to my chagrin I discovered that I already had a copy of it!  I couldn't believe it, I felt so dumb but my goofiness is your gain.  First off, I re-read her book and was blown away at how it spoke to me!  I am sure I read it before, but I guess my circumstances right now were more ripe for hearing what she had to say.  It completely ministered to me and blessed my socks off.

So I had a little chat with Tammy, and she and I would like to bless YOUR socks off!  We decided to have a little giveaway of our own here. 

 Here is the deal: 

 You zip over to Tammy's blog and leave her a comment telling her that you saw the contest over here.  But you have to linger a bit, and read her blog.  That's the catch.  You have to spend a little time over there and then come back here and tell me what you read, and well, extrapolate a bit on it.  That's all.  You can handle that! 

And then by the end of next week, May 16th, we will each pick three of you to win a copy of her eBook!  Doesn't that sound super?

Head over to "A Cluttered Desk" and see what fun stuff you can find to read!  Then leave her a comment about my blog, and come back and tell me about hers, ok?

Blessings,

Nancy

Hi Friends!

It has been very different this week for us. You see, instead of my usual hustle and bustle with four very energetic kids all around me, it has been deathly quiet. Now, don't get me wrong; I can use a dose of quiet now and then. But sometimes it's a bit hard to get used to!

A dear friend of mine "kidnapped" all my kids for most of the week! She is a wonderful homeschooling mom...I mean former homeschooling mom. All her kids have flown the nest! She was feeling a bit lonely and wanted to borrow some kids. (Actually, she put them to WORK! Can you imagine that??) Well, she called me the second day they were there and said they were already DONE with several tasks that they set out to do...before 9:00 a.m. I was flabbergasted! (And proud of them too.)

While they were being well taken care of I had the pleasure of being interviewed Wednesday morning (early!) by Cindy Rushton! I have the delight of being a vendor in her Ultimate Homeschool Expo! She invited me to talk about my "Haircuts For Little Men" eBook, and it was so much fun. (Although I was barely awake and all that. LOL. It was quite a fun time though. Cindy, I'll talk with you anytime!)

Right now her preview chats are FREE! You can even go in to the conference room and listen to past chats which are amazing! It is right here: (CLICK HERE)

If you get the chance to listen to some of them, be sure to listen to Lynda Coats. She is a veteran homeschooling mom who gets you back to the Biblical basics found in Deuteronomy. (Teaching them when you sit, stand, walk etc. ALL the time!)  Many new homeschooling families can get confused with all the "options" we have now.  Get back to the basics, and I don't mean the 3 R's. (Actually the one "R" and the "W" and the "A"!  LOL!) I was completely blessed by her talk. Thank you Lynda!

Some other conferences you don't want to miss are coming up. (Get your ticket so you won't miss out!)  So many people who blog right here on HSB are going to be featured like Jill Novak AND her son Eric (HSB Tech Support!)

I hope you can all get in on the conferences. I have enjoyed just having the computer on and listening to some fantastic encouragement while I work around the house.

Click HERE to get your ticket!!

Happy Homeschooling, Unschooling, whatever your brand is called. :)

Nancy

HI friends! 

Wed, April 23, (Tomorrow!)  I have the pleasure of being interviewed by Cindy Rushton!  She is going to be asking me questions about my e-Book, "Haircuts For Little Men." 

 I am honored to be a vendor at her 2008 Ultimate Homeschool Expo which starts April 28th.  Right now, she is hosting FREE preview chats that you don't want to miss either!  I just can't say enough about how much fun these virtual conferences are.  You can listen right in the comfort of your home and even "do" things while you listen!  Last year I cleaned my entire office during the UHSE!  And it's just about time to do that again. 

Tomorrow, Wednesday April 23, at 7:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) I will be sipping coffee and trying my best to sound like I am coherent while I talk about why I wrote "Haircuts For Little Men," and why YOU need a copy of it!

   Here is the info!

Haircuts for Little Men

With Nancy Baetz from http://tinyurl.com/46oogm  

Wednesday April 23, 2008

8AM CST

Talk-Shoe Conference Room

     Join us online (requires a quick download--download early!):        

          http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCast.jsp?masterId=16750&cmd=tc

Cindy will be giving away some free e-books from me as door prizes, AND on top of that, my book is now at a special discount for the conference. 

Just WAIT until you hear how much money you can save by doing haircuts at home.  It is phenomenal!

Blessings,

(Please pray for me, for a successful interview!)

Nancy

Hi!  First off, I need to say I've been a total bum about posting ANYTHING about our family.  It's just been one of those things.  But I am hoping to remedy that a bit today, although I have some neat links I have discovered and want to share with you.

Be sure to zip over and read my front porch post today.  Do you need an unschooling reality check?  Let me know how it worked out for you. 

It was 70+ degrees this week already and I was enjoying getting out and working in the perennial garden which is going nuts...but yesterday we got snow!  Well, its good for the plants and April IS our snowiest month, typically.  Can't wait to see the tulips blooming in the snow.  It ALWAYS happens.

Before I share the GREAT links, I will catch you up on life around here!  I suppose this should go on my homestead blog, but alas, that one is a bit moldy at this point.  (Old and untouched, so to speak)  Our city chickens are doing great!  They have a wonderful coop and are growing by flaps and bounds.  They eat from the kids hands and occasionally peck skin, but not to worry.  They follow my husband around too, it is hilarious. 

The garden is planted with peas, onions and a new potato growing system that I hope to tell you about later.  The kids and I have been working on several other projects on the computer, sewing, etc.  One child is very interested in French.  I got a zillion books, tapes, videos and DVD's at the library and told him he'd better be fluent by the time they are due back.  One other child just took apart an old tape player and seemed to really enjoy all those little parts.  My oldest is doing algebra.  Don't ask me why.  She is driven to learn and thats fine by me.  My oldest son just memorized the Morse Code and wants to be a ham radio operator.  Contact me if you or your kids are involved with that, I'd love to hear about it!!

So check out this wonderful blog I found today.  If you have a heart for unschooling it will bless your socks off.  And then watch this video of 5 dangerous things you should LET your kids do.  I think my kids have already done all of these, but it was very freeing to hear this guys message.  You will love it! 

Well, enjoy your day, relax, trust your instincts, and your God,

Nancy

Homeschooling Is Life!

I will *try* to post photos soon--we have lots of neat things to share from the camera!

Yes, it seems like lately all I have been posting about is contest, haircuts, more contests, more haircuts.  This cabin fever is nuts!  We can barely get outdoors because of global warming!  :)

Yesterday I worked out in the yard, it was beautiful out!  Today, it has done everything from rain, sleet, snow and back again.  Weird, weird weather.  (Weird = Normal here in this geometrically shaped state!)

Let's see; I haven't been doing much blogging lately, just too busy with the chickens, the kids, (not necessarily in that order) um, the computer giving me FITS, and sundry other craziness going on here. 

I am utterly bummed (someone please enlighten me if there is an updated word for that, ok?) that my friend from TN isn't going to come to my state homeschool convention this year as a representative for Rosetta Stone.  Can't believe that.  Shoot. That would have been worth the trip!  (Just joking, no reflection on the awesome conference.) 

In other news, we now have a permitted driver in the house.  Well, you know, in the car, except the car is broken down and I have to convince her that it wasn't  cursed by the Lord just so she can't scare the living daylights out of us...again.  :)  Heh, heh.  You know, she will NEVER read this blog because she has some kind of magnetic element to her physiology, and all she has to do is LOOK at a computer and it will blow a ...whatever computers blow.  (She is really good on the computer and has done some fabulous projects, but prefers stuff like spinning.  Not a lot of tech-support needed for her hobbies.)

Actually, as far as the driving is concerned, she is doing fabulous.  Only 40 more hours of daylight driving to go!  I personally have no recollection whatsoever of ever driving with my parents when I had my permit.  I must have blocked it from my memory.  Or it never happened.  Hmmmmm.  And the funny thing is that I did indeed pass my drivers test, and have over three decades of driving history to prove it and only accident to my name, knock on wood.  And, that was in someone elses car.  (Never, EVER borrow someone elses car when you have only been drving for 3 weeks.)  You can bet I am emphasizing THAT rule.  Never.  Ever.

Gee Whiz, this is about the worst rambling blog post ever.  I can't wait to get my brain back in gear and make some sense for you all!  We had some friends over for a visit and we got in the silliest conversation about this "stuff" we had back when we were kids called "Incrediblie Edibles" and "Creepul People" and something else about flowers...now I forgot.  :(  But the funny thing was the stuff it was made of was called "plasti-goop" and I had forgotten about that completely, but our dear friends reminded me and we all thought "What were our parents thinking!!??"  What was that stuff anyhow?

Memories~  Ha! Ha!  We conjured up all kinds of tidbits that were buried yet became "debrained" for whatever reason.  Isn't that crazy when you start remembering things that you haven't thought of in probably over 40 years?  Yup, I be that old.  This is dating me big time, but oh well.  My avatar hides the wrinkles well.  This other memory popped up of the time I wanted an EZ-Bake Oven for Christmas or something.  I didn't get one, I got something else.  That story is so silly, that I will HAVE To save it for my next rambling, meaningless mentally challenging blog entry.  I bet you will be holding your breath and losing sleep until I post again!

Happy Homeschooling~

Nancy

This is so exciting! 

Do you know what is so neat about creating something?  (Other than just for the sheer excitement of having created something?)  It is seeing it being passed on to others and watching THEM create! 

Last year I published my first e-Book, Haircuts For Little Men.  It is a primer on haircutting technique for Moms to learn to do at home!  It is a great way to save some money and learn a skill that can be used for generations! 

Well, let me tell you some wonderful news.  I have had some wonderful feedback and I hope you have been able to discover some of those posts here and there around the blogsphere. 

 Today, I want to share a blessing I received with you.  This is a letter  from a dear sweet mom named Joy. 

Hi, Nancy!

I recently bought your book Haircuts for Little Men and found it very helpful.  I have cut two of my sons' hair now and even my husband's (brave man!).

 

I was wondering if you had any tips for very thick wavy hair.  My 7-year-old son wants to keep his hair a little long but the problem with that is it gets so poofy.  I looked at thinning shears but they were $25 and I couldn't bring myself to invest in them.....  Do you think that's what he needs?

 

Also, my 3-year-old son has a cow lick in the front, at his forehead.  Any suggestions?  I know that I cut his hair evenly but then it looks uneven when it dries.  Do you try to leave it longer in that spot?

 

Thanks for your help and for writing a book that helps families be more efficient.

 

Blessings,

Joy

Just look at these  wonderful photos Joy took.  Joy bought a copy of my e-Book and promptly put it to work for herself!  She emailed me with a few questions about cowlicks and curls.  We talked about those things and several other things that I address in the book.  I want to tell you I am so proud of her! 

 Look at these handsome young boys!  Didn’t she do an awesome job?

Thank you so much, Joy, for sharing this with me!   It makes me very happy to see this tool being used!  You did a fantastic job for your first try at this method and I know you will just keep doing a wonderful job as you lovingly do haircuts at home!

Keep up the good work! 

*This just in!  Go check out "Momlady's Barbershop!"

Blessings,

Nancy

Author of "Haircuts For Little Men"

I guess I am.  Except for the one named "Courage,"  I guess they are pretty chicken.  Or is that pretty chickens?  Can you really call them pretty?  (I personally think they are beautiful!)

Anyway, this is a fun way to share them.  Photobucket has some really neat new features for enhancing your photos.  This is the "cartoon" feature.

Say hello to Peck, Freckles and Courage.  These are our latest homeschool project.  (Butterscotch didn't make it to the photo-shoot.)

In about another month or so, we should be collecting some very fresh eggs!

Happy Resurrection Sunday,

Nancy

This just added!  Mel over at workerette.com is having a great contest!  Here is what she has to say:

I just wanted to touch base quickly and let you know that I've got a SUPER contest running this week on both of my blogs: I'm giving away TWO free subscriptions to KIWI magazine.

If you're not already familiar with KIWI, you can check them out here: http://www.kiwimagonline.com.  I'm a huge fan, as some of you already know.  If you're interested in having another resource in your arsenal for "green" living and parenting, or if you know of someone who would benefit from something like this, please take a moment to enter and pass this along to friends or family who would enjoy it.

Here's where to enter:

http://momnmore.blogspot.com/2008/03/fantastic-contest-free-subscription-to.html

http://www.workerette.com/2008/03/contest_free_kiwi_magazine_sub.html

You can enter up to twice on each blog.  There are only two rules: the winner has to have a USA mailing addy and can't be a member of my family.  Otherwise it's a free for all - in a manner of speaking.  ;-)  I'd really appreciate you passing this along so others may benefit as well; most especially, I want folks to learn more about KIWI and ask their local booksellers for it!

Hoping this finds you safe and well.  If you enter: good luck!
Melonie

Visit my blogs:
Momma (and More) http://momnmore.blogspot.com
Workerette http://www.workerette.com

Thanks Mel!

 

My friend Jenefer is so cool.  She has the greatest blog titles, AND the best entries.  She is one real person, and laugh - she can make you laugh so hard you'll spit stuff out your nose. 

ANYWAY,

She's having a contest.  You better get in on it, it's a great one!!!!  Here is all the info you need to know.  OH, and Jen and Coie are going to be REPS for Rosetta Stone at some lucky homeschool conferences this summer.  Rosetta Stone, you are one lucky company to have those gals representing you. 

Here is how to enter the contest:

Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE! 

This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.

This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program.  Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking.  Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included!  For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports. 

To win this most excellent program -- in the language of your choice -- copy these (blue) paragraphs and post it in (or as) your next blog post -- then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/JenIG/501132/  and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it.  And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it.  And good luck!  The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg.   And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win.   Yay for free stuff!

Good Luck!

Nancy

Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments.  Oh, I wish I could send you each a copy!! 

I'd like to congratulate TONYA!!

Thank you so much for entering the contest!  I know you will be blessed by the Girlhood Home Companion.

Nancy

Hey friends,

I will probably be choosing a winner for this contest at the end of the week.  Please leave a comment so you can get in the running!  You will be so glad you did.

Here is where to read about this lovely magazine, and enter the contest with a comment!

Oh, and be sure to read the comments--there is some additional info about the Girlhood there.

Blessings!

Nancy

Hello Friends!

Are you doing pretty well this week?  It is well here.  It seems busier than usual, but there hasn't been much change.  We woke up to snow and slick roads yesterday, but by noon it had melted off.  It is very cold.....brrrr!  I am just not much of a cold weather gal. 

I don't know about you, but my "to-do" list is a mile long!  My kids are so busy, and it's hard to keep on my toes with all they need to do and learn.  Oh, I don't teach them everthing though, they are becoming independent learners.  I just see myself as a "facilitator" most of the time.  However, my first born is a natural teacher and has been doing many fun things with her younger siblings.  Most days they do pretty well with that, sometimes it falls apart.  But we just try again another day.

I think I have talked before about my friend Jill, who is a homeschooling Mom with many of the same ideas and methods that we have here.  We are "kindred spirits."  If you have ever had the pleasure of hearing one of Jills conferences you have to agree with me that she has the sweetest voice you have ever heard!  I LOVE listening to Jill. 

Jill coined a term; "Project schooling."  It's a really neat way to describe the hands-on, familiy oriented type of learning she loves to do.  The whole family gets involved in different projects, and they learn so much along the way as they work together.

One of Jills projects is the Girlhood Home Companion.  Have you seen this magazine? 

It is a beauty.  I am not just saying that because I have contributed a few articles and photos to it.  I just love it.  Jill is an artist and an author and has created a feast for the eyes, and for the soul.  Very few magazines out there are truly beautiful.  I always loved Victoria magazine, do you remember that one?  I enjoyed the softness of the photos, the way they were composed; but there were a lot of advertisements I didn't like. And frankly, I can't remember ever reading one of the articles in Victoria!

 The Girlhood Home Companion has one thing in common with Victoria; beautiful feminine photography and artwork.  But that is where the similarity ends.  The Girlhood is different, for a different purpose entirely.  I don't just enjoy it because I love to look upon beautiful things.  My soul desires that which is good and beautiful and true.  These are the things I want to share with my daughters.

What is theGirlhood Home Companion about?  It's about this:

"During the Victorian era, when life moved at a much slower pace, there were distinct periods of development in a girl’s life: babyhood, childhood, girlhood, and womanhood. I have seen a marked difference between the girl my oldest daughter used to be, and the lovely woman she has become in Christ. One thing I firmly believe is that girlhood is a priceless training ground that should not be rushed. Make the Girlhood Home Companion a tradition in your home."
           
               Mrs. Jill Novak

You know, there just isn't a whole lot out there for our lovely young girls today, as far as media goes.  We want to bless them with something Godly to read, to learn from, and to read together with them. 

We desire to minister to our children, in all we do.  It is our desire to keep them safe in the world, but help them to not be of it.  The world we live in today is full of fast paced scenes of our children growing up way before their time.  But this brand of "growing up" is not God's plan for our girls.  We want them to grow in the knowledge and grace of the Lord.  We need to keep them in the Word, and not "of" the world.

I appreciate resources that help me do that.  Don't you?

Girlhood can be such a fleeting time; let us not squander it on empty words and images.  Fill it with wisdom, beautiful words and images, lessons and inspiration.  I know just the place where you can find those virtues; in the Girlhood Home Companion!

Please leave me a comment and let me know if you have ever had the blessing of seeing a copy of this lovely publication.  Let me know what you like best about it!  If you have never seen a copy, please check it out on the website.  Also, I would like to invite you to comment so I can put your name in a hat to win one free copy! 

Blessings!

Nancy Baetz

Can you be an unschooler and a Christian at the same time?  Can you be a radical unschooler and a Christian?  This is a question posed over on my friend Dana's blog recently.  There is some great discussion.  Go take a peek!   (I don't consider myself to be a radical unschooler.)

Dana asked me to put my .02 in, but I am still thinking about it.  I believe that as an unschooler (in the sense of non-institutional type learning experience) I am still a Christian first, unschooler second.  Or third, or whatever. 

 I believe that the Lord expects us to direct our children in the way they should go (their aptitudes) by what He has put in them (their talents) and through HIM, (the Theology without which any of this would have any validity.)  So to raise them without any input, direction or guidance of any form would be no less than neglectful.  How can you have a relationship with your children without having a................relation-ship with them?

God designed it, I didn't, I can't and I won't try to re-invent it.  I think I will just do my best to enjoy it, learn from it and trust Him for the outcome. 

Nancy

Hi Friends!

Do you ever sometimes mull stuff over again, and again, and again.....things that happened in your life but you really wished you could rewind, erase and start over again?  Stuff that you just can't get off of your mind?  I do.  I hope I'm not the only one who does.  Not that I would wish it on anyone, of course!  I just hope my brand of crazy is the generic brand. 

At any rate, I have been finding peace in the midst of the muddle, and love in the midst of the storm.  How?  Only through the Word.  Only through HIS word am I able to do this.  I hope you can find this truth too my friend!

Last week the kids and I had an impromptu lesson that really turned out to be a goodie.  We first read Psalm 8, and what stood out was the Excellence of the Name of the Lord, in all the earth.  From there, we got to discussing (once again) how we must get His Word into us, or we are sunk.  That is the bottom line.  Of course, we must have His Spirit in us, but I really think that having His Spirit, and His Word are pretty synonymous. 

So during our lesson, just for a fun visual, I wrote out "WORD"  and "WORLD" on a small white board, and we discussed what the obvious difference was; just one letter.  An "L." 

WORD

WORLD

 From there we got out our Webster's 1828 Dictionary, and a few more modern versions and we looked up words that begin with "L" that might in some way characterize a person who is in the World, but not in the Word.

  You can imagine that we came up with several wonderful examples.  I will wait and share them with you later....but I must say that we also came up with some humorous examples too.  You can use your imagination on that one.  (Humorous to us, but maybe not to say, certain political persuations....and some Hollywood characters too.)  At any rate, we had a very good time learning new words, talking about the differences between a Word-y person (God's Word) and a World-ly person. 

In the middle of the night (stuff hits me at that hour quite frequently) the Lord brought to my mind one "L" word that we hadn't thought of that encompassed ALL the other "L" words that we thought of.

Can you guess what it was?

Leave me a comment if you can guess.

Blessings Dear Friend! 

Praying that YOU find Love in the Storm today!

Nancy

p.s. Go to the front porch on Valentine's Day and check out my post. Warning; it's a re-blog from last year, but you won't go away disappointed!

Hello Friends!

Hope you are having a wonderful "Valentine's Week!" 

I have been so busy that I let the contest go on a bit longer than I planned!  I am sure glad though, it gave more of you time to get comments in!

I have enjoyed hearing from all of you and so has Heather.  Your comments have been such a blessing to both of us! 

Now, the envelope please........

And the winner of the Patchwork Heart "Soul Seeds" gift is Eyebright!   Congratulations!!!!  Please stop by her blog and tell her she is the winner, ok? 

 And Eyebright, just send me your mailing info at my email address; (nancybaetz at msn dot com) and I will get that info off to Heather.

Eyebright, I know you will enjoy the wonderful packet of encouragement from Heather at the Patchwork Heart.

Now, I wanted to pick a winner for my haircutting e-book.....and well, I decided that it was just too hard to pick one! 

 So, just for fun, and as my gift to you, I will be sending each of you a free copy.  :) 

Please email me with your email address also so I can get that download to you! 

If you get a chance and want to share your handiwork with me (after you do your fabulous haircuts on your handsome little men) just let me know, I would love to see your photos!  If you want to show us your results and are willing to post something on your blog, just let me know;  I will even give a freebie to the friend of your choosing as an additional "thank you!"

Thank you everyone,  for being such good sports and for making this contest so fun!

  Don't forget, Heather's creations make wonderful gifts for Mother's Day, birthdays, ANY days.  Her prices are so reasonable too.  I encourage you to shop with your fellow homeschoolers.  Let us support one another!

Blessings!

Nancy

My dear friend "down under," Belinda from Lifestyle Homeschooling bestowed me with a wonderful gift!  She gave me the Excellent Blog award. 

Thank you so much!

The "rules" say - "By accepting this Excellent Blog Award, you have to award it to 10 more people whose blogs you find Excellent Award worthy. You can give it to as many people as you want but please award at least 10. Thank you out there for having such great blogs and being such great friends! You deserve this! Feel free to award people who have already been awarded…"

I appreciate all the nice blog awards that have been given to me in the last year, unfortunately I haven't made time to keep up with them.  I keep telling myself I am going to try to post them, but it hasn't happened!  I want to acknowledge the givers as being very special to me and my blogging experience.  I am also going to have to work really hard to find only 10 of you out there who deserve the Excellent Blog Award too.  There are so many that deserve this pat on the back!!

Thanks for thinking of me.  :)

Nancy

Our sweet little bunny, "Lightning" died today. Here is a link to a cute photo of him and his brother "Thunder" taken a couple years ago.  Lightning is the bunny on the right.

Please say a prayer for my kids who are really pretty upset about this.  Me too.

Nancy

Last weekend my two oldest children participated in the Civil War ball put on by Parker Christian Home Educators.  What a wonderful event!  A good time was had by all.  I want to write more about it but for now you will just have to enjoy a couple of photos and imagine how much fun it was!

Yes, she designed and made her dress.  The back has lacing, with grommets and satin ribbon and a big bow.  She also made the bow for her hair, and we had fun searching for some gloves.  (We found them at a wonderful store here in our town called "Repeat Performance."  I had the honor of fixing her hair. I thought she was the belle of the ball.  (Just like every other Mom there thought their daughter was the belle.  And they were!)

 My son's costume was provided by You Can Live History.   He was a sword bearer too, for the presentation of the young ladies.  We got his sword from Vision Forum.

The band was exceptional, the lady who taught the dances was fabulous it was amazing how everyone caught on so quickly.  I bet there were over 400 participants.  We were very impressed with the decorations and how nice the event center was.  If you get the opportunity to do this, take it!  Next year hubby and I better be on that dance floor too....the kids can't have ALL the fun!

Blessings!

Nancy