Hi!

Hey, I just got home from a homeschool convention, and boy what a deep time of reflection it was!

There is really so much to talk about! 

 I got to hear a wonderful, soul searching, convicting talk by Norm Wakefield of Spirit of Elijah Ministries.  He's a pretty neat homeschooling Dad who reminded me of Peter Graves, I think that was his name.  You know, he was one of the actors on that old show "Mission Impossible."  Hmmmm....I wonder if there is some connection there, you see I caught one of his talks and it was called "What's a Mom to do with her teenage son."  That seems like an impossible mission to me on most days.  But not for the Lord of course.  With HIM, nothing is impossible!  It was good, good stuff. There is so much to consider in each stage of our development; both in our kids and ourselves!

I took my two oldest kids with me, and they heard Jay Wile speak.  They loved him!  My kids are totally into creation apologetics and they learned a lot from Mr. Wile.  They have been sharing it with me so much that I think I am changing the name of our homeschool from "Briarknoll Cottage" to "Punctuated Equilibrium Academy."  Doesn't that have a nice ring to it?

Next on the agenda was Lorrie Flem, who I had the pleasure of meeting for the first time in person!  We have known each other and worked together on projects online for a few years now and we just finally met.  I was so happy!!!  She's an amazing lady and they had her speaking back to back, I think, FIVE times at the conference at least on one day - barely time to catch her breath in between.  But she is such a lady of composure and grace that she just took it all in stride and gave God the glory.  My kids and I had a great time meeting her family members that were there and spending time helping out at the TEACH booth.  It was great!

Oh, I managed to make a few of her talks too which were great!  "Teach So They Will Learn" was a very informative session on methods, pros and cons and resources.  She was so encouraging to me!  Our "non-method" is so misunderstood and hard to explain at times and Lorrie really spoke to my heart about what we do, or don't do with our kids.  Frankly, there was a common thread through each of the conferences that I attended, and only God can orchestrate such a thing.

For one of the opening sessions the speaker was Kris Klicka of HSLDA.  He was very instrumental in helping here in our lovely state as far as our legislation goes and we are so thankful to him for all he has done!  He is such a humble and content man, and loves the Lord with all of his heart.  I was completely touched by his testimony and all of his Godly encouragement. Please keep Kris and his family in your prayers, as well as HSLDA.

Three other ladies that were speaking that I was able to hear were Maggie Hogan, Mardy Freeman and Carol Barnier.  Maggie is another one of those gals that I have worked with online and blogged with and was SO thrilled to finally meet her!  She is great fun!  My only regret was sitting too far back in her session:  None of the chocolate she threw out into the group made it back to where I was.  Maggie, please work on that arm muscle, OK?  Or maybe I just better sit up front!  Actually, it was the squirt guns and bubbles that I would have loved to have instead of that old nasty chocolate...

When I was walking the vender hall I met Mardy Freeman and her husband and they noticed where I was from and said they had just celebrated their anniversary here!  So we got to talking and she was so sweet and radiant that I really wanted to hear her speak.   She has an amazing life story too, what a testimony to the Lord.  What a real live person.  She was great!  She talked on Character, and I gotta get her session on MP3 so I can listen again.  It was that good!

Carol Barnier is FUNNY!  I have loved seeing her sweet face alongside her articles in TOS, and it was so fun to hear her in person.  She has a son who sounds like a twin of one of mine, and her talk was about not missing the Gift that your child IS.  Basically the premise was that even if a child is very, um shall we say "challenging" in one way or another, that we need to see them through the eyes of God, and HE sees their potential down the road.  He knows the end product, and we need to look forward to that day and not get bogged down with the things that seem difficult.  We need to recognize those quirky things that drive US to distraction as distinct gifts that the Lord has placed there for a reason.  Anyway, it was awfully fun, and after missing several sessions due to not getting there soon enough for a seat---I kid you not, standing room only, over and over----I got to Carol Barnier's session EARLY and sat right up front and center!  I wasn't going to miss a thing! 

 Anyway, Carol is another one with an amazing testimony of God's grace and mercy in her life.  He is so good to use all of these gals (and guys) for His glory and for our encouragement.

Ok, lets see....we also got to see and hear the Colorado Wranglers and the Von Trapp Children!   That was a highlight and a delight!  It was all a great way to recharge and try to get a new strategy for the next season of our homeschooling journey. 

Be looking in an upcoming TEACH Magazine for some photos I took of Lorrie and some of her colleagues and friends encouraging each other at the conference.  I think truly a good time was had by all.

Homeschooling Is Life,

Nancy

p.s. thanks friends, for praying for us these last few weeks.  We appreciate it! 

Hi friends!

I just want to tell you a bit about this whole homeschooling/life journey that I have been on for quite awhile now.  In a nutshell, I didn't have a clue about how ANY of this would turn out.  (Of course we are still in the process here.)  But, I am seeing the fruits of my labors, both good fruit and sometimes, unfortunately, the bad. 

But God is merciful and I am SO thankful that I don't have to always get it right the first time!  I can keep trying, keep praying and keep seeking to do the right thing. 

Before I got married and had children, I had an extremely varied experience in my life, my jobs, my hobbies and beliefs.  Slowly, the Lord chipped away at me like a sculpture made of stone. (Sometimes I even felt his mightly hammer ever so patiently chipping off the unwanted portion to reveal the miracle inside. )

 He is still working, and His pleasant breath is blowing away the chaff and the fine dust that still clings to the yet unfinished product.  Someday He will stand back and say, "Yes!  That is what I had in mind all along."  Of course, He can see where He is going with the process.  I can't, and sometimes all the workings of His hand can be downright painful!  Mostly because I tend to think that I am the expert in the way I should go.

There were many directions that I went as a young lady that I truly was never sure were the right path for me, and many weren't.  But some of the "ways" in which I went were all part of a useful plan that the Lord had for my life; plans in which I never imagined would all fit together for His good.

How does this all equate into teaching an old dog new tricks?  Well, for one thing I have learned that the Lord has put together my family, to love me and help refine me into His image; and for my friends, to encourage me, help me, bless me and enrich my life.  And my past?  Those experiences that have become a part of me are even now coming together as a rich tapestry that only the Creator could orchestrate for His and my good.  How wonderful it is!

Blessings to you and yours!  May you each discover how your life experiences will be woven into just what God had planned all along.

Nancy

p.s. Take a look at this!  After many revisions and "creative changes" I want to unveil a new banner for my e-book.  Tell me what you think!  I have also lowered the price a bit to make it more affordable to you, my dear homeschooling friends. 

Just click on the banner and see what happens!  My dear friends over at Remembrance Press have been helping me with this and I am so thankful!  And just to say "thank you" all over again, I want to give away a free copy of this labor of love to you!  Please leave me a comment and I will throw all them in a hat and pick a winner.   Just give me a couple of days to give everyone a chance to enter.

Blessings!

     The Carnival of Unschooling Voices is up!  If you aren't familiar with it, just check it out.  Variety is certainly the spice of homeschooling, and the varied accounts of unschooling days and ways is a treat in itself!  There are some amazing people out there doing some very fun and very normal, everyday, learning type stuff out there.  I wish I could meet them in person!

Go and check it out, click HERE.

I submitted a photo/essay I wrote which I entered into the "Capturing The Educational Moment" contest last year which was hosted by Spunky.  (I didn't win) However, it was great fun putting it together.Click here to see it.   I also wrote about it, and even this many months later I am amazed at what I wrote.  

 I think it even means more to me know than back then! 

Hope you enjoy it too.  Let me know!

Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy 

P.S. My daughter now has 65 purses in her inventory!  We have a couple up for auction on homeschoolbuy.  Check them out on my sidebar!

 Related Tags: unschooling voices, carnival of unschooling, what is unschooling, home education, deschooling, lifestyle of learning, photo essay on homeschooling, homeschooling

OUR SCHEDULE FOR THE WEEK...

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1PM CST
Ron Wright
http://www.BeforetheKiss.com/
TOPIC: Courtship: Let's Start from the Beginning

8PMCST
Katie, Kimm, and Niki
http://www.HandsofaChild.com/
TOPIC: Beginning Lapbooking

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Wednesday, May 2, 2007:

1PM CST
Crystal Payne
http://www.BiblicalWomanhood.com/
TOPIC: What to Do While Waiting for Prince Charming

8PMCST
Rhea Perry
http://www.EducatingforSuccess.com/
TOPIC: The Biggest Gap in Education

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Thursday, May 3, 2007:

1PM CST
Marilyn Moll
http://www.UrbanHomemaker.com/
TOPIC: Health Begins in the Kitchen

8PMCST
Sherri MacLean and Paula Reetz
http://www.ActivityBags.com/
TOPIC: Fun Ideas for Teaching Preschoolers

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Friday, May 4, 2007:

8:30AM CST--Welcome! Doorprizes!

9:00AM CST--Cindy Rushton
http://www.CindyRushton.com/
TOPIC:  Gearing Up for the Best School Year Ever!

11:00AM CST-- Lorrie Flem
http://TeachMagazine.com/
TOPIC:  Character Training: Where, When, Why, and How???

1:00PM CST--Jill Novak
http://www.GiftofFamilyWriting.com/
TOPIC: The Gift of Family Writing: Teaching Preschoolers to High Schoolers to Write by Journaling their Life Stories

3:00PM CST--Crystal Payne
http://www.BiblicalWomanhood.com/
TOPIC:  What My Parents Did Right. Heart-to-Heart with a Homeschooled Graduate, now Homeschool Mom!

5PM CST--Christine Field
http://www.HomeFieldAdvantage.org/
TOPIC:  Homeschooling Challenging Children

7PM CST--Catherine Jaime
http://www.CreativeLearningConnection.com/
TOPIC:    Homeschooling a Houseful!

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Saturday, May 5, 2007:

8:30AM CST--Welcome! Doorprizes!

9:00AM CST--Terri Johnson
http://www.KnowledgeQuestMaps.com/
TOPIC:    Must I Teach Geography???

11:00AM CST--Marilyn Rockett
http://www.MarilynRockett.com/
TOPIC:  Homeschooling at the Speed of Life: Balancing Home and School

1:00PM CST-- Tammy Cardwell
http://www.TammyCardwell.net/
TOPIC:   A Homeschool that Handles the Hard Times

3:00PM CST--JoJo Tabares
http://ArtofEloquence.com/
TOPIC:   Say What You Mean! Let's Learn to Defend Our Faith!

5PM CST--Matthew Rushton
http://www.MatthewRushton.com
TOPIC:      Looking Back over the Homeschool Years--What I REALLY Think about Homeschooling

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Love,
Cindy Rushton

 
Let's have an ULTIMATE week!
http://www.UltimateHomeschoolExpo.com

 
Rushton Family Ministries, 1225 Christy Lane, Tuscumbia, AL 35674, USA

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Blessings on your week!  Enjoy the conference!!! 

 When you get your ticket, tell them Nancy Baetz sent you!!!  Pass it on.  :)  It's tell a friend day, and you can even get a free ticket to Cindy's Summer Homeschool Program if you tell a whole bunch of friends!  Check out the details on her site.

Homeschooling is Life!

Nancy

Related Tags: Ultimate Homeschool Expo, Cindy Rushton, Homeschool Conferences, Summer Homeschool Study, Talk-a-latte, Homeschooling, Home Education, Homeschool Speakers

Hi!  It is almost Wednesday, and I can scarcely believe it.  We have been rushing about, getting our County Fair entries done---this is the first year we have entered anything!  So we are very excited.  I will tell you more about them later.

We are LOVING the effects of all this rain we have had, but we have been stuck indoors quite a bit.  It has been really coming down!  My flowers are going nuts, and the tomatoes are as tall as I am!  I will take photos of those soon!

My son has been learning watercolor, and has a nice one posted on his blog.  But I am helping to learn to "layer" his work, with washes and such.  Here is a great tutorial that I found online:  Right here.  (This is a whole page of links, and the cat tutorial is about 2/3 way down.  Just look for it, you will find it this time!  Sorry my link didn't work at first.)

I have always loved to paint cats, and so this one really spoke to me.  My son is working on a neat landscape.  I can't wait to see the finished product!

Next, my music loving gals are doing well with their piano, but one wants to learn violin now.  If anyone has an inexpensive violin for sale, please let me know!  I just found this site today, that has free piano theory lessons PLUS free downloads of music!  (You can only get three free ones per day though.)  It is awesome!  I downloaded "Scotland the Brave" and "Hava Nagila" (I think that is how it is spelled!)

                                                           ************

I am really glad everything has been resolved, about the blog thefts.  At least they deleted our posts.  I really wish they would have come forward and said something, but that is the nature of this beast.  Too much secretive behaviour and I think it's terribly wrong.  I am not saying we should "reveal all" online.  But to be able to anonymously create a website, take property that isn't yours and make money on it, that is wrong.  It's hard to track......but not impossible.  I think we had a lot of help on our side, and between all of us we were able to show them that we were serious about it.  Enough said.  I guess I might have to re-publish my RSS feed now. 

So, lets see......oh, How Could I Forget This?  LOL  I just got my support group sample copies of The Summer 06 5th Year Anniversary of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine!!!!

It is totally beautiful, and I can't wait to read it.  What a treat.  I am so blessed to be published in it, and as usual, it is a terrific product.  God is Good to us!  Keep the Publishers of this neat magazine in your prayers ok?

You all have a great week, ok?  And don't forget to stop by the HSB Front Porch on Thursday and say hello........and lets see....there is another contest over at TEACH Magazine's blog---my dear friend Lorrie. 

©Nancy K. Baetz

Homeschooling Is Life !

2006

"I don't have the patience to homeschool." 

Have you ever heard that statement before?  I was told that recently, by a sales person who asked us if we homeschooled.  She said she wished she could have done it. She had several other reasons why she could never homeschool----some of them perfectly legit, but some were just excuses. ( Forgive me if I seem like I know it all, I don't, this is just my humble opinion.)

I told her that you don't have to have patience to homeschool, but like anything else, you will improve in the area of patience, if that is what you need. 

You probably have heard that if you pray for patience, watch out!  It is the trials in our lives that produce patience.

  Well, I believe that is true to a degree, but the Bible says that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit.  (Galatians 5:22)  So, if you have a heart seeking hard after the Lord, then He will produce the fruit in you, His fruit.

And one of those is patience. 

Now, here is another statement I heard recently:

"You must really sacrifice yourself and your time to teach all those kids at home."

This was a really well meaning, nice lady who told me this.  She somehow recognized that we were homeschoolers.  I don't know why she would have equated us with homeschooling.  We were disheveled, our clothing didn't match---we had paint splotches on us in various places.  (We have been painting the house.)  My youngest son had his shoes untied.  (And he knows how to do that!)  And lets see, part of the kids needed a bath.  Or parts of some of the kids needed a bath.  LOL.  Actually, she did say that they looked like a bunch of happy kids, so they must be homeschooled.  Aahhhh.  I guess that works for me!

You know, I don't look at this as a sacrifice.  It only seems like that to me when I am battling selfishness.  Homeschooling to me, not to be cliche or anything, but it is everyday life.  This is just child-rearing.  This is my job.  It is what I am called to do. 

The Lord said to obey is better than sacrifice, and I am trying my best (and failing at times) to obey  His word.  And so I am not to be put up on a pedestal for homeschooling or not homeschooling my kids.  I am doing what I can, at times it's not my best, but it's mine to do.  It's the day-by-day working with and raising up and partnering with Christ (and my husband) on how these kids are to be dealt with. The Lord God created them, gave them to us for a short while and we need to do what we can while we can.

  But we aren't perfect, and neither are our kids.  We are doing the best we can, and by golly, we are enjoying it at times..........and at other times, not.

But this is life.  Yea tho we walk through the valley.......but then sometimes we will shout from the mountaintop!  There is an ebb and flow of life, and we are just doing what we believe is right.  Whatever the circumstances are.  It's all right there in the Word.

"These things I have commanded you...."

So, does this mean that we are not to be praised at all for what we are doing with our children?  It's nice to hear good things.  But there is one whose opinion really matters, the one who put us to the task in the first place. If I am constantly at odds with my job as a mother who is teaching my little ones character, and the three "R's", then it may feel like a sacrifce, but only because of my own sin. 

There is JOY in obedience!  And this, is one more fruit of the Spirit, along with patience, that I will bear as I seek the Lord. 

Stop sacrificing, and start seeking----and obeying.  Doesn't it sound wonderful?

So before you put me up on that pedestal, or anyone for that matter, think about this:  I don't want to be up there.  In fact, I want to decrease, so He may increase.

A seed has to fall  to the ground and die before it will grow, and then if the conditions are right and the gardner does the proper tending.....it will produce fruit.

So stop sacrificing, and start obeying......and there are a whole lot of "fruits" waiting for you in that basket of blessings.  We can bear much more than just patience and joy, there is also love, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control...

doesn't that sound wonderful?

Homeschooling Is Life!

Nancy

For some people, success is equated with status.  This can be professional status, earnings or position.  For some, success is gained through "popularity" or fame.  For others, success is gauged in material wealth.  Success as Jesus taught it is this:  For those of you who desire to be the greatest, you must become a servant.  (My paraphrase.)

Homeschooler's have a combination of success---outwardly.  We see them winning awards and spelling bees.  We read about them making zillions of dollars on e-bay and through other entrepreneurial avenues.  But what is the measure of success?  Even though it is spelled out in the Bible, unfortunately, many don't grasp the teaching.  Many people could care less about success being measured by a pure heart, a servant style of leadership, or a loving touch.  Success in my mind is a gentle and quiet spirit, and children who obey because they love me and our God.

But there are many smaller successes that we look for during our days as homeschooling mothers.  We thrill in our hearts when our sons are kind and protective of our daughters, instead of teasing them.  We are happy when they do chores without being told.  We are excited when we have been seeking a certain "end" and it comes without a lot of weeping and wailing.  Concepts become solid in our children's minds, and we didn't have much if anything to do with it, except for modeling correct behaviour, used gentle leading, or prayed for a positive outcome!

Success can come in many forms.  Of course we want them to be able to read and write, for without those skills they are lost in a word full of words and voices.  But have we failed if they don't read at 5 years old?  At 6?  At 7?  Who decides?

Mothers and Fathers know what needs to be done and taught......or wait, do we?  Aren't we just discovering that as we go along sometimes?  Working out our children's values and educating them with fear and trembling too? 

The proverbial "unschooler," who may just be relaxed in their form of education---has many successes that can't be determined by the latest "standardized" test.  Many of us are dis-enchanted by the public school mantras.  We woke up and decided who the real experts are.  We are.  And to many people, success has many forms.

What one event recently has defined success to you?  Would you like to share it?  I would love to hear it.  Please leave a comment and let me know what it means to you, and what has happened to illustrate a victory in your daily life!

Blessings!

Nancy

Hello!  Thanks for dropping by.  I thought I must might do a "day in the life" kind of post, just to let you know what we have been up to!

First of all, I love the quiet time I can have first thing in the morning, with my cup of coffee and God's Word.  Now, I would be lying if I said that I am faithful to do this every day, I am not.  I know how important it is, but sometimes I am off and running in forty different directions before I realize I don't even have an inkling about where I am going!  But on a perfect day, yes. 

Once the kids get up, and sometimes they even get up before I do, they are really good about getting going.  This morning, they were all up, clustered together in one room crocheting!  Before breakfast, for goodness sake.  You see, they are trying to come up with a way to earn some money, so they are making these adorable little crocheted purses.  Even the boys are in on this.  The youngest is just learning how to do those kinds of things, and before you jump on me and tell me I am demasculinizing (is that a word?)the little guy, I assure you, he is ALL boy.  But back to our day:

I had to rally them up for breakfast, and then grooming and chores.  That means wash and look presentable, feed the animals and then we eat together most mornings.  Then off to the living room for our devotional time.  We are reading (again) Leading Little Ones to God, and it is a good book, but we have found out that we have to go to the Bible and double check for accuracy.  That has been such a neat thing to see the kids do, they are finding that a lot of books, videos etc, are watered down Bible stories, and they are wanting the meat, and not the milk anymore, and certainly not the sour milk.  They want the real thing! They are catching the mistakes!  I am pretty pleased to see they don't take everything at face value.

So today, my ds who is 11 read the whole thing to us, and we talked about it.  The subject of today's chapter was about reading the Bible!  God's word is the most important "curriculum" you will ever need to have.  Then we talked about the solar eclipse that could be seen in Africa, Turkey and India---and had a lively discussion about that.

After that, everybody kind of went their own way.  Now, mind you, my kids are older and when they were little, they needed more direction.  They are getting pretty self sufficient in a lot of areas.  That is the neat thing about homeschooling!  But we are still working on a lot of areas of academics, as each child is able to do the next thing.  Oldest dd practiced for her piano lesson, and the other kids worked on their projects for their "business"  getting inventory made for it!  I told them that they have to have 100 purses made before we go "public" with it!  ( I want to make sure they are serious before we do anything like set up a sale or advertise)

In the meantime whenever I had something for them to do, they helped out.  Take out trash, sweep, vac, or mop.  Unload dishwasher.  They are pretty good at helping most of the time. Then when it was time to make lunch, we worked on that together then the boys went out to play while our piano teacher (a homeschool graduate!) came over and taught.

My 11yo ds worked on his computer art program he has, and then he read books.

After that we were surprised by a visit from some homeschooling friends from out of town and so we visited and that was a blessing. One son showed them our venus flytrap, and I stuck a stick in one of the leaves to try to make it "snap" but it didn't do anything.  So I tried another, and BAM it clamped down and scared the living daylights out of me!

 The kids worked on making dinner together (from our list of scheduled meals that we made) and we had homemade biscuits and hamburger stew.  Then I read a fun book out loud, "Owls in the Family"  while my 7yo videotaped me.  (scarey!) And now everyone is off to bed.

It has been a good day!  I am looking forward to tomorrow, and what it will bring.  Some days we spend more time doing seat work, somedays we just work at getting along and learning how a family functions.  Somedays I get stressed if we aren't doing particular things, but usually that is because I start comparing "us" to "them" and they aren't us.  Does that make sense?  I know that I am responsible for teaching my kids how to be learners, to love life and want to learn all there is about it to help them be the best they can be.  The best SELVES they can be.  And our goal is to glorify God and to point to Jesus as much as we are able. 

God has a plan, and we will continue to seek His will for our lives, and the lives of our children.  And we will enjoy each and every moment spent teaching them all there is that we can, in His timing.  But don't waste any time, once it is gone, it is gone.  Kids grow up tooooooo fast!

Homeschooling is Life!

Nancy

P.S., I see from my sitemeter that I get lots of visits from all over the world!  Thank you for stopping by.  I would love for you to leave me a comment and say hello, ok??

 This is a beautiful essay on homeschooling that you need to read! 

 Thank you everyone who commented on my unschooling post.  The beauty of our lives is in the variety---God sure knows how to make life fresh and interesting! 

 Not ONE of us has exactly the same ideas, the same way of doing things, the same goals or the same methods of reaching our goals.  But we can learn from each other.....not comparing apples and oranges within our homeschooling labels----but savoring the differences of the fruit we each can bear!

Blessings,

Nancy

Hi Everyone,

If you just happened to stop by my blog because it was listed on the Homeschool Nation section of TOS's website, this one is my "personal" blog, and I do have a state blog that I would like to direct you to.  You can go here:  I need to get in there and do some updating, but you can at least take a look around, AND add some info via the comment feature, if you are so inclined!  At least stop in and say "hi" and let me know where you are in this lovely state and what kinds of homeschooling activities you are involved in.

But since you are here, go ahead and keep reading!  I wouldn't want to be disappointed.  Here is my "bio" and a bit of a description about the group I belong to here. I have been a state coordinator for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine for several years now!  I can't even remember....about four?  How time flies!  So, grab your cup of green tea and enjoy, and oh, just a disclaimer......if you keep on reading after this post, you may find out that I am must a little bit nuts but do have some lucid moments.  Such is the life of a happy homeschooling Mom!

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You've seen the headlines.  You have read the stories. 

Homeschooled kids are near perfect, academically sound and headed for glory! 

 They have won spelling bees, geography bees, and excel at just about anything set before them.  They have helped catch burglars, and are involved in all manner of philanthropy.  You can see for yourself right at this informative site:  homeschoolbuzz.

Just a few of the amazing articles to puruse:

"Generous Home Educators Reach Out to Homeschooling Hurricane Victims"

"The Good News About Homeschooling"

"Home-taught Kids Happy With How They’re Educated"

"Home-school Student Given National Award"

If you sense a hint of sarcasm in this, then you must be homeschooled yourself

And if you keep up with a lot of blogs out here on HSB, you will read some reality about this diverse group of families that call themselves homeschoolers.  But are in the midst of the "fly on the wall"  "typical day" and other journal entries, are we being real?

Awhile back, Jen Ig wrote an editorial called "Perfect Homeschooler Envy."  You might want to read that.  It really has a lot to say about comparing ourselves to others.  Not, mind you, that we can't be inspired by the lives and habits of others.  But what about feeling indicted and unable to pass muster when it comes to the daily grind?  We humans do tend to do that.  I think it is part of our nature, no matter how secure we are in who we are.  Sometimes, we look at others and feel like we don't measure up.  But even worse, sometimes we look at ourselves, and KNOW we have some definite problems. And we are afraid to admit them because heaven forbid, we might give homeschooling a bad name.  My take on that?  Let's Get Real.

My husband and I have  a covenant relationship between us and God, who brought us together.  We know that no matter what happens God won't forsake us, He will help us.  This may sound a little nutty, but I know that I don't want to have to explain myself to the Lord if I bail out----"um, well, Lord I just didn't think you could truly help in this situation---it was just too big.''  There is definitly something to be said about the Fear of the Lord.  It is the beginning and END of knowledge.  Amen.

Just like our marriage covenant, we have a similar committment to educating our kids. We are in it for the long haul.  We aren't "doing an experiment."

 No matter how hard it might be, or how inadequate we feel, we don't have to go it alone.

So, back to our honesty about our homeschooling.  If I were to invent a few headlines about our homeschooling journey they might look something like this:

"Homeschool Mom Culinarily Challenged:  Frozen dinners and carry-in Pizza on menu three times this week!"

"Pets go unfed once more~ Mom threatens to ground irresponsible children"

"Lost Math Book Surfaces In Bedrock~child insists room was cleaned back in 2002"

"Childs Learning Style Baffles Mom"

"Mother Loses Temper in Grocery Store"  (Clerks look on in horror as childs request for candy is denied)

"Laundry Piles as High as the Pyrenees"  -- Mud Puddle Attracts Children,

 (source close to family places blame)

"Library Fines Hit Double Digits for Homeschool Family"

"Midlife Crisis Contributes to Mother's Inability To Teach~ (trouble with simple math in the homeschool)

 As silly as those are, there is more than a hint of truth there.  I am NOT perfect, and I don't pretend to be.  My homeschool will probably (but who knows) never get any academic awards.  But that is ok.  Remember that book they used in high school to teach psyschology, "I'm OK, You're OK?"  Well, that is what I want you to remember today.

"I'm OK, You're OK."

That is what I want you to remember today.  Do not feel guilty about not being perfect.  Just be yourself, enjoy yourself and your kids.  Grow with the kids, Grow in the Lord.  Cherish this day, even if the house is a mess and the kids are arguing. 

 Such is life!

I "borrowed" this from my friend Deb.  The following was today's staff devotion.  She obviously has been "reading my mail" as the saying goes.  I hope you will read this and be as blessed as I am by it.

“The fear of the LORD leads to life, and he who has it will abide in
satisfaction; he will not be visited with evil.” Proverbs 19:23 

 

Abiding in satisfaction sounds so appealing to me right now.

Why? Because I have NOT been satisfied this morning.

I am not satisfied with my mothering,
I am not satisfied with my teaching,

I am not satisfied with myself in any way today.

 I have been visited with the evil of my own doing

 by being short tempered, impatient, ungracious and unmerciful.

However – I have also found that if I just turn my gaze back on the One in Whom I fear,

 I will find life and satisfaction in Him,

 and be able to minister to others.

If I refuse to turn to Him,

I am visited with the evil of my own selfish thoughts and objectives.

 He is so gracious to gently lead me back to Himself

even when I stray down that “not satisfied” path.

 He gives me His own Presence

to fully satisfy any deficiency in my own flesh.

 ~ Deborah

Are you convinced yet?  Here is one more headline for you:

"Homeschoolers Find Satisfaction and Peace by Looking To Jesus"

Homeschooling and Living by His Grace,

Nancy


 

 We are blessed to have a Children's Librarian who also homeschooled her son (he is in college now!) and she loves homeschoolers ---and kid in general :)

Wow, thinking about this---it's been going on for a couple of years now.  "Melody" started a Homeschool Book Club at our local library branch here.  This is how it works:

Once a month they meet for one to two hours.  The "Friends of the Library" provide pizza and pop for the kids.  It is for kids who are readers---I think the age limit was 11 and up to begin with, BUT my young son was able to "get in" before he was a reader, he went with his older sister.  It really helped him WANT to read more!

Every month there is  a theme.  Books on the next month's theme are available at the previous month's meeting, but kids can read anything on that particular subject, theme, genre or whatever.  I have had to "nix" a few of the selections but very rarely.  YOU need to make sure your kids are reading appropriate material..(I love the public library, but my children know that there is a lot of garbage and dangerous material there, and they are NOT allowed to just grab whatever they want and start reading....)

Ok, so the kids talk about what they have read (no pressure, they don't have to say a word if they don't want to.)  Then the Librarian has hands-on activities that go with that month's theme.  She has done so many things.....lets see....she has done classification games, (putting books into their "class") puzzles,  etc.  Then this year, the kids conducted the meetings.  They pair up (two or three) and come up with the theme and activities. They have done "costumes" where they dress like their favorite character, and learned songs about the subject etc.  My daughter did the history of patriotic songs and had games where they had to name the songs etc.

 Yesterday, my son was in the leaders group.  Their theme was Mystery/Detective.  They played this crazy game called "Mafia." (I have no clue) and then they did fingerprinting with a neat kit we got, and played another game where you put a name tag on your forehead with another kids name on it.  (you don't know who's name you have) and you ask people questions that will help you figure out who "you" are.  (Who is on your name tag.) They really had a fun time!

Sometimes the pizza places will donate the pizza---Papa John's has done that many times.  I have found that if you just "ask" business owners will donate stuff to anything!  They are so generous. 

Anyway, it sounds like a lot, although it is only a once a month program.  Maybe YOUR local library would host something like this?  I am going to ask my friend the librarian if I can post her email for any questions you might have, so stay tuned!

Nancy

Yesterday would be my 3 month anniversary of blogging!  Tempus Fugit, as my Grandma used to say---please forgive me if I spelled that wrong.  Will somebody PLEASE hand me that Latin dictionary???

Anyhow, I hope it's ok to "re-blog" - I guess I need the blogging rule book too.  I was looking back over my entries, and nobody even appeared to have read my first one, and since it was SO good, you have a second chance.

Some things have changed in the last three months, Fall is in the air.  The cosmos are just beginning to bloom, the flax and poppies are long gone.  Morning glories are almost as tall as I am on the arbor, and the sunflowers are big too---tall anyway.  Hope those rascally squirrels don't get them this year.

So with all the blogging going on about school "starting" up again, and the changes going on around us, I thought yes, we will re-visit these thoughts. They fit.  Not just today, they fit every day. Now it is looking like this intro is longer than the blog that follows, but hopefully today, those few words will paint just the right picture for you.

Blessings,

Nancy

May. 19, 2005 - Launching in to the new world of blogs!

It is a beautiful day!  The poppies are blooming, the flax is amazing and the mercury is rising---we expect upper 70's today.  But I didn't get on here to give you a weather report---but I suppose I am really just testing the web-log-waters, so to speak!   I sometimes spend a lot of time on line,just being goofy with friends (my fruit-loopy friends will understand) and yet, inbetween the necessary tasks at home and the exciting duties at TOS (The Old Schoolhouse Magazine) I often have wanted to have a serious outlet for some of my deepest and most creative thoughts.........now, I have a place, just need the thoughts!   Being a homeschool Mom has been the sweetest adventure.  Sometimes, it is not so sweet---but having friends, mentors and a husband who has clarity of mind helps me to get my thoughts in order.  It amazes me that what God had planned all along for the family has been so misappropriated by so many.  It is designed to do what it does do very well, if I can borrow a line from Ken Ham!     The family has a plan and a design, and we struggle sometimes because what we know in our hearts is correct and good---but we have all those false designs from the past that have laid claim to our lives, that we must THROW OUT!!!    Get rid of those old ways of doing "school."    Stop it right now.     Enjoy your children today and learn what learning is all about.     Let the Master Teacher be your guide, not the old tapes of public school experience, not the family next door, not your store bought curriculum.    Don't quench the Spirit!   The Lord put a thirst for life into your children.  And the desire to learn.     The world He created is your class-room.     His Word is your guide book.   Crack it open!   Nancy

 I found this on DonnaBooshay's blog and thought it sounded like a fun one to answer:

The Friday Feast with a few minor adjustments.

Appetizer
Briefly describe your schooling style.   I like to call it "Delight Directed, unschoolish, spur of the moment, Firstborn Daughter is a natural teacher thank goodness cuz I ain't"  kind of homeschooling.  Or in otherwords, Homeschooling Is Life!

Soup
List 3 things you'd like to accomplish before the end of 2005. Hmmmm...I would like to have a clean, organized house.  I would like to start writing a book.  I would like to make curtains for my bedroom.

Salad
When you're online, what do you spend the most time reading/playing/doing? Suggest a site for us to visit.  When I am online, I am either working, answering email, reading blogs and commenting, searching for homeschool "stuff" or blogging myself.  I also answer a lot of homeschooling questions that come over from our support group.  Please visit my favorite chocolate store---listed in my links--then have them send some my way!

Main Course
What would the title of your autobiography be?  "All The Good One's Are Taken."

Dessert
Do you eat meals at regular times? Do you/did you/will you eat meals as a family?  The kids and I graze a lot during the day, unless they feel like cooking!  If we are going somewhere we take a picnic lunch.  We always have dinner together with Daddy, even the kids cook at times.  Dad cooks more than he should have to because I am a reluctant chef.  Dad always does wonderful breakfasts and stuff on the weekends.  He is such a sweetie!!

This was a really fun one!  I guess there is another (yes, another) tag going around about what books are we currently reading.  

Mine are:  Go Dog Go  (the ending is my favorite!)

Danny and the Dinosaur (I think we need an updated creationist version of this one)

Amelia Bedelia Play Ball!  (I have begun to act more like her every day.  She is my new role model)

Hank the CowDog.  (I am learning a LOT of new words from the Hank series)

and.....

The Foot Book (this explains why I wear two different shoes somedays.)

Happy Homeschooling!

Nancy

*********

"May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, my rock, my fortress and my redeemer."

BRRRRRINGGGGG,  BRRRINGGGGGG.......my phone has been going nuts this past week!   Oh, it's not because they want to talk to ME, they just have my number.  You see, I put my number on our support group info-line, and although they can leave a message on it, they have been calling to talk to a real person, real fast.

So what's the big deal???  Well, it's the season, of course.  Back-To-School.

I know, and YOU know that a lot of us homeschooly types don't really care what time of year it is......as far as "when we begin our school program."  We homeschool all the time.  But for new parents starting, or thinking about starting this journey, there seems to be a dire urgency right now, to find out about homeschooling.

Don't take me wrong, I don't mind.  I put my number on there----so, it was my own doing.  But I have been absolutely flabbergasted at the number of calls! 

Most of the time, it is parents or grandparents who want to know how to start homeschooling.  But here is an interesting thing:  I had a young gal call me, and want to know if she could "qualify" for homeschooling.  She said she was going into 9th grade, and didn't want to go to the public high school.  

So I talked with her, and it turns out that she is an honor student.  She has received many scholarships and awards already, and is very bright~ obviously.  She said she wants to learn at home because she wants to avoid all the peer garbage going on at the high school.  Drinking, drugs, dating, violence----stuff that will distract her from her academics. 

So then I talked with her Mom.  What a nice person, but she said that she couldn't afford to homeschool.  Apparantly someone told her it was very expensive.  (I would call it priceless, but only as expensive as you make it.)  I was able to tell her that if that was the only thing holding her back---to NOT let it!  You can homeschool for free!  You can homeschool for nearly free.  You can homeschool with as much or as little actual curriculum as you want.  And God will provide exactly what you need.

I am going to meet with them next week to help get them going.  I usually don't meet with people privately, usually just tell them to come to a meeting.......but my heart was so blessed by the maturity, and foresight of this young lady.  I will do whatever I can to help them see the ease with which they can accomplish her high school studies.  When you come across a young person that is this confident, and wise, you better do what you can to make a difference. 

Would you all pray with me that her Mom would be convinced that this can be a great and wonderful time for her daughter?  Thanks!!

Nancy

I know when I was a kid, I always had those.  Now, I just feel blue for the ones I see heading off to school every day. It breaks my heart when my friends who have chosen a different path than I are weeping over sending their babies off to school.  I try talking with them.  They just have made up their minds---"we have always done it this way."

 I know that homeschooling isn't for everyone.  I would like it to be, but some are still doing things the way they have always done them.  Some don't want to homeschool.  Some do fine---or even great in institutional school.  It truly is dependent on parental involvement. 

I have seen many people pull their kids out of schools, and take back the responsibility.  Take back the joy that they have missed out on.  And it is my joy to see Parent's have that light bulb moment---YES!  We can do this.  With the Lord's help, and a little help from our friends.  We Can Successfully Teach Our Kids At Home!!

"Reaching One Family At A Time" is my new motto for homeschool support.  It isn't about numbers for me.  It is about relationships. 

Relationships with others--

Relationships with our spouses--

Relationships with our children---

Relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Not necessarily in that order.  And you know what?  Not necessarily on our time table. For all of those relationships, we can't force any of it.  I will try to explain what I mean--maybe here, now.  Maybe later.  (It's 3 a.m. :)  I think Kims blog says it all with the passage from Ecclesiastes.

So, it's that time of the year when we see the kids with their 80 lb backpacks heading for the bus stop at 7 a.m. and we have a rush of mixed emotions.  Keep smiling, and Keep Trusting God for your family and how He will teach you.  And keep reaching out to those who might have the blues, and don't know that there is another way.  You might be just the teacher they need to lead them!

Blessings,

Nancy