Empty Nest Syndrome.  I'm too young to have that one...but got a taste of it today.  My firstborn got on a plane all by herself and flew clear across the country.  My baby! 

Well, all my fretting and stewing and coaching and warning were pretty much a waste of time and energy.  God is in control and I've got prayer warriors on their knees for her.  (And for me too.)  And she's a highly capable young lady.  Organized.  Practical.  Prepared.  She thinks ahead, and thinks well.  I am so proud of her!

Her little sister snapped this photo of her right after she passed through security.  She has a sewing machine in her carry on luggage.  :)  Her daddy called her and Essie snapped this photo of her.

She was very cool and confidant.  I was feeling a bit nauseaus --however you spell that, and near tears.  She was on her way to take the subway to her gate and we didn't have a gate pass.  Next time I'll not forget to get one of those!  My heartstrings were stretched to the limit right then.  But she did great.  Called us a few minutes later from her gate.  I am SUCH a worry-wort!

I thought I'd post a few pics that she might enjoy, if she happens to pop over to my blog while she's blogging about her trip.  You can read her "trip journal" here.

Here is a view of the airport, after we left.  We weren't able to get a photo of her plane taking off though.  Bummer!

It is much bigger in real life! It is that big funny white bumpy thing in the back there.  I call it the "Gran Tetons."  I have no idea what they were thinking when they built that thing.  Crazy.

Anyway, here is a shot of our lovely "America's Mountain" that we could see most of the way home.  There aren't many of these where she went.  :)

 When we got back to town, we took the kids to a park to get wet in a HUGE fountain that rotates and has a water "veil" that flows down into a reflecting pool.  You can splash around the base of it, but don't get on the second level or the "staff" will get you!

We had a great time getting wet!  The wind would come up and blow the water right off the sculpture, so the kids got pretty drenched, but then they played at the play ground to get dry enough to get in the car.  Note to self:  Keep extra clothes in the car!

So that has been my day.  I thought teaching her to drive was tough.  Watching her walk away from us to go on a cross-continental plane fight....well, 2/3 of the way across anyhow, was very hard!  The only thing that kept me together was the prayers of my friends, and the one who heard those prayers.  He is SO faithful to keep us from ourselves.  :)

God is good!

Hold those kids tightly in your heart, and know that God holds them even tighter in Hands.

Nancy

Mothering. 

What is one of the most powerful ways to have an impact on children, either for good or for evil?  There is power in mothering. 

 I bet just off the top of your head you could think of stories from famous people who attributed their success to the actions of their mother.  Can you name some examples?  How about Abraham Lincoln?  What did he have to say about his mother?  Time to do some research!  How about your own mother?  How about you?  Are you staying focused? 

 Wait, let's back up; are you able to get focused? 

I found a resource that you must read!  It is called the Power of a Focused Mother, and it by Renee' Ellison.  One of many resources she has written, it is a great place to start if you are needing encouragement and guidance in your mothering journey. 

 Her website is Homeschoolhowtos.com and you will be amazed at the information she has there.  Her products are very affordable, and there are also many free downloads too. 

Have a blessed day, and do the important things first! 

Celebrate your motherhood, and be the best mother you can.  Your kids are worth it!

Nancy

---Because I haven't really been blogging much lately!  Shucks, I guess I better get back on the stick, so to speak.  My dear friend (who literally worships the gound I walk on....knock that off, would ya?) told me that I haven't been blogging.  She acted pretty upset.  So, not wanting to upset my one and only fan, here goes!

(I hope you all know I am joking around here..LOL!  I love you Paula!!)

To tell you the honest to Betsy truth here, my kids are doing such amazing things--besides the "driving me nuts" part, that I haven't had the heart to post anything!  Doesn't that sound ridiculous?  Well, they are completely blowing my unschooling boat out of the water, and I feel like I've been forced off the gangplank at the same time!  My oldest is doing some amazing writing and has a feature article coming up in the next Girhool Home Companion.  She is also teaching the younger kids algebra!  The nerve!!  The have been making these really cool lapbooks too.  They did "math vocabulary" lapbooks to go with their algebra class and my oldest son just finished another lapbook on Petrified Wood. 

The girls both have Angora bunnies now, and just did their first "harvesting" of the wool.  It is very interesting to see them "pluck" the bunnies.  It doesn't hurt them at all.  I found a great video on Youtube that showed just how to do it.  We have one Satin Angora and two English Angoras.  All three were gifts!  Isn't God good?  I've got photos, but having trouble uploading them tonight.  Bah Humbug!

Speaking of spinning, our youngest son (10) is now spinning on a spinning wheel too!  I tell you, I never in a million years  tens of thousands of years thought that he'd ever be able to do something like that.  He loves to cook, he's into all kinds of boy things, but I never thought he'd pick up spinning.  Go figure!

My oldest son, who likes to sew costumes, has done a really cool "messenger belt" which is sorta in the genre of Robin Hood/Lord of the Rings--or some sort of fantasy thing.  I dunno.  I leave the room when that stuff comes up, I really DON'T like Hobbits and their kin.  (But I DO like humans who like hobbits, so now you know.)  Anyhoo, check out his cool belt.  It's some kind of naugahyde.  :)  Maybe it's hobbithyde.  I dunno about that either.

I know, it's sideways!  I can't get it to rotate on here.  Actually, it is photobucket's fault.  It keeps reverting back to sideways, even though I have it fixed in my album.  Just tilt your head to the left and it works.  (It works for me!)*

*now it is just squished!  It WAS sideways a few minutes ago.  Honest!  I wouldn't lie to you!!

Now before you get a kink in your neck, look at this pretty bouquet my  hubby bought me for Valentine's Day! 

So....lets see...and here is a card my youngest daughter made for me:

 I"ve got a great photo of a huge  taco salad that I made last week, really!  And some other fun photos.  But right now my family is hollering at me to join them for a family event---so I better get going.

Thanks for stopping by!

Nancy

If you've been wondering about the true story behind Valentine's day, you might check out this article here. While you are there you could read several other articles about many aspects of Love and all the gushy things related to all these heart-filled goings-on that "hopefully" your day has been filled with! 

St. Valentine was persecuted for believing in the sanctity of Christian Marriage, and after watching this video today, I'm wondering how long we will have a Valentine's Day on our calendar.  (It's an hour long segment and does contain some disturbing images and discussion, so please be aware of who is watching it with you--are there little eyes and ears in the room?)

We've been studying quite a bit in the book of Revelation lately.  If you want to know what curriculum to use in your homeschooling, just open your Bible.  If this post sounds a bit "down," it really isn't!  Keep looking up!  I know a lot of homeschoolers who are losing focus because of all the "unrest" around them and all the stress and strain of trying to educate their children at home.  Believe me, I know.  I've been there too.  But We have to keep our eyes on the Lord, and not give in to the temptations of the world.  Being homeschoolers, we can be tempted to worry about temporary things.  But I am here to remind you to focus on the eternal.

If this Valentine's day has done anything for you, I hope it has helped you to focus on your love for your family, and also the LOVE that God has for you.  He loves you so much!  If you have anything between you and the Lord, just confess it and be cleansed!  Confession is so good for the soul.  And HE is so faithful to help you, to forgive you, and to help you move closer to Him.  There is no earthly relationship that is better than the one you will have walking with the Lord.

I must admit I have been kind of absent from my blog in recent weeks.  I have barely made the effort to even post some contest links and silly things like that.  In the past I have said that the reason I love to blog is because everything is so neat and tidy!  It's easy to keep things pretty much under control on the computer.  But things at home do suffer when we are always online.  There are some amazing, encouraging sites I want to send you to, if you must be online make sure you are reading something GOOD for you! 

No junk food for your mind and your soul, ok? 

  Several years back I came across these wonderful articles by Tamara Eaton.  Enjoy and be fed!

Also, if you need some wonderful, motherly advice and exhortation, go read some of Laines Letters.  I think most anyone who has been online for the last decade will know who she is, but if not, here she is!

God Bless you all and Happy Homeschooling!

Nancy

        Go over to Lisa's blog and get in on this great giveaway!

(Salem Ridge Press has some great books, so here's your chance to get a freebie!)

And while you are there, check out her soy candles and all manner of other wonderful things!  I highly recommend her products!

Sincerely,

Nancy

Thank God It's Friday!  What a glorious day.  We had some snow flurries this morning and it has been colder than a...fill in the blank! 

I promised I would post a copy of the piece I wrote for the Remembrance Press Newsletter (August 2006) about how my story "I Remember" came about.  I hope you enjoy it. 

Nancy

Click here for the free download.

When I was a little girl there was someone who appeared in my little world that God used in a very special way.  I know that many of us have that special "someone" or even more than just one.  This person was a dear "little old lady" who really wasn't that old when I first met her, but she became a wonderful friend and teacher.  I've spoken about her, written a tribute to her and am still in awe of the Lord and how He brought her into my life and the lives of many people I may never meet...this side of heaven!

I have an opportunity to share more about her this coming week!  Her name was Shelley Abbott, a musical missionary and neighbor of mine many years ago.  On Thursday, I will be participating in the "Girlhood's Cherished Moments" audio conference with Jill Novak and sharing "Grandma Abbott's" heart with you.  Please join me!  It is free and I'd love for you to tune in. 

 There are several wonderful workshops and talks, so please don't miss it.  Gather up your kids Wednesday and Thursday and grab your handwork and notebooks and listen in.  It will be such a wonderful couple of days!

  Oh, and please pray for Jill and all the Girlhood speakers as she brings this resource to you!  It takes a lot of prayer and thought and work to make these things happen.

You will find the info for getting online with us below. 

Please make sure you get on at the right time for your time zone! 

The following listings are for Central time.   Click here to find your time zone.

Looking forward to "seeing" you at the conference!

Nancy

I don't know exactly why, but I just love Candy Foote's name!  When I first met her on HSB a long time ago, I just thought she had the neatest name.  CandyFoote.  I guess it's the sweet tooth in me!  Anyway, Candy is a homeschooling Mom of...12!  Remember that story, "Cheaper By the Dozen?"  Well, we will have to ask her if that is really true!

I asked Candy to tell me a bit about herself, and here is what she said: 

I'm a homesteading, homeschooling,

Christian momma of twelve children.

All from one momma - all from one daddy!

My desire is for people to truly know the Word of God.

I have put these books together so that people can know what God has to say on these topics.  Everyone has opinions. 

We don't need that!  We need His opinions!!!

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

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