Today I am grateful for....

~^~ His unfailing LOVE...always Faithful in His Grace and He never forgets me!

~^~Sweet memories of family Thanksgivings throughout my childhood and adulthood.  

~^~A husband that is our home's spiritual leader.

~^~My sister's in Christ that faithfully attend church every Sunday without their husband's.

~^~God's healing touch, please continue Lord to do your great work.

~^~Accomplishments that I could never do in my own strength, only His!

~^~Worship, with our precious church family and at home.

I am blessed beyond measure!

Today I am grateful for....

~Free Gifts~

*God's grace, mercy and love

*the freedom of living within the United States of America

*good morning hugs and kisses from my precious daughters

*a friend that listens without trying to fix the problem, thank you Lord for my husband!

*spiritual gifts and talents that the Lord has given me to use in the places He has selected

*the promise of a future home, with no more pain, tears or worries.

Blessed beyond measure!

I'm usually excited about Thanksgiving each year. Family, friends, fun and fabulous food is something to look forward to.  This year it's not the same. It may be because I haven't focused on the what to do's and what to makes.  The only thing we've done around here is started Thanksgiving journals. Maybe over the weekend I'll get more excited about the whole thing. I could make some pumpkin bars and some eggnog bread.. that might help my mood.

I think we'll do a family craft together. We've done one when my eldest two where younger. Now that I have five children it will be more fun.

We'll make a Thanksgiving tree.
I'll cut out a tree base out of construction paper and then all my children, my hubbs and I can cut out a bunch of our traced hands in fall colors, and then glue them to the tree.
I think it'll look real neat this year with all the different sized hands.

What about you? Do you do any family crafts together?

Why blogging is so great reason #5,287: You get to meet some of your favorite homeschool celebrities without having to attend a conference! Amanda Bennett has been blogging here at HSB ever since it started back in 2005. Blogging builds good business, but it also builds good relationships, and Amanda is very friendly and relational.

You may think that the author of numerous unit studies has her life perfectly organized and that all of her science experiments turn out with nary a problem. Not so! Even Amanda learns from her homeschool lessons.

This Christmas will be a meager one for many families. Yet we can still make it special. The first step is remembering what it is that makes the season so important to us, aside from Christ, it's family. Amanda shares a story about a tough Christmas she had as a little girl. Be sure to also read Christmas: A Study of Love.

As this week, and next, we are talking about Thanksgiving I thought this post, Thanksgiving Learning--Gratitude? would be of interest to you.

Next week there won't be a new Featured Blogger, so you get two whole weeks to explore Amanda's blog and wish her tidings of comfort and joy! (Such greetings aren't just for Christmas!)

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

I have had this blog since June of 2005, way back when homeschoolblogger was in beta. I was invited by two dear friends, ByHisGraceInColorado and HomegrownHearts and became hooked. For three years I blogged almost daily or at least three to four days a week. I had many readers and I met a lot of neat like-minded folks. This year was different. I didn't have the energy. I spent my days drained and even though I had creative learning ideas to share I would sit here and stare at my computer. The words just could not flow out the way they used to.

That is changed! I am back. I have my energy back and I feel great!

I haven't thought much about Thanksgiving this year. We will be going over to my grandmothers home. I'm supposed to make mashed potatoes and eggnog bread.

Kids learning: I started my two eldest on Time4Learning. I figure it will give them something different to do plus it will give me a bit more time to focus on my little ones. I have two more that are learning to read.
I'll let you know what my kids think of time4learning in a few weeks when they've been doing it for a while. The nice thing about it is there are no contracts and we can go month to month.

The Power of Thank You!

By JoJo Tabares

Did you ever notice how little kids show appreciation?  My son comes to me several times a day and says things like "I love you!  You are the best mommy in the whole world!"  The conviction of his words and the look on his face as he utters them are what touch my heart!  That's what true appreciation is.

Most of us teach our children to say thank you, but few of us really understand its power.  Showing appreciation is not only etiquette, but it is a responsibility especially during the holidays.

I was privileged to have been in the audience when Florence Littauer was speaking on "Silver Boxes".  It's what she calls her philosophy on appreciation and edification.  She quotes Ephesians 4:29.  "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  She says that words are like a gift we give others that come in little silver boxes with bows on top.  This is how we should show proper appreciation.

Many of us remember to say thank you when we get a gift, but often forget to show others appreciation for the things they do for us on a daily basis. And just how much appreciation does our "Thank You" show?

"Gee thanks" isn't much of a Thank You.  "Gee thanks" is what is interpreted when you say..."Thanks for the gift Aunt Millie!"  or even  "I love it!" Even if your voice is excited and your face lights up when you say it, it can be empty.  Why?  Because in order for Aunt Millie to feel appreciated, she has to know what exactly you appreciate: The thought behind it?  Money she spent?  Time it took?  Trouble she went to?  And what exactly did you like about the gift:  The features? The time it will save you?

A proper thank you is one in which you show as much time and trouble to give thanks as the person did in choosing your gift.  Consider this:  "Oh Aunt Millie!  This is so generous of you!  I can hardly believe it!  This is a beautiful sweater and just the perfect color to go with the dress I was going to wear for my interview!  Oh it feels so soft and I just love how it fits!"  How much more appreciated does Aunt Millie feel now?  Notice you haven't even said the words "thank you".  It isn't the words you speak; it's the message it conveys that is important.

And how often should you thank Aunt Millie for this sweater?  MORE THAN ONCE!  I make it a point to wear my gift when I go visit the giver, call them on the phone when I am using it again, mention how I used it the other day and what a pleasure it was that I had it!  NOW how appreciated does Aunt Millie feel?

What about all the thank yous that go unsaid to the people in our lives who do little things for us day after day?  How many of us thank our mothers for raising us or our fathers for working so hard all those years we were growing up-not just on Mother's and Father's Day and not just a card or gift.  How many of us have told our parents exactly what they did that we appreciate?  Details!  A Mother's Day card once a year is an obligation.  A letter or conversation regaling them with the details of what you
appreciated about them over the years is true appreciation!

Is appreciation limited to our family?  Many of us never thank our friends or associates for what they mean to us or do for us each day.  How many of us belong to online communities?  How many times have you emailed the owner of the list or site to thank them for all the behind the scenes work they do every day that allows you to participate, fellowship, and learn?

Take your appreciation public.  How much more appreciated do you think Annie would feel if you posted a public message of appreciation for all her hard work behind the scenes at your favorite Yahoo group?:

"I want to thank Annie for all the wonderful articles she posts each week! I have really learned a lot and I have used many of these articles as homeschool lessons for my children.  Annie must work so hard to create all these fun activities and I want to thank her for donating her time and all the prizes and certificates she has given away over the years!  This group has been such a blessing to me and I have had so much fun as a member. Thanks Annie!"


A little thank you goes a long way! If Annie was feeling a little frustrated by the time the group takes to maintain, I bet she has renewed vitality after your post!  On the job, employers can get more out of their employees by showing them a little appreciation now and again.  You can create a closer relationship with your family and friends by showing them how much you appreciate what they do for you.

So this Christmas season, why don't you give the gift of true appreciation. The most appreciated gift is appreciation.  It's free to give and priceless to get!  Thank you for reading along with my thoughts today!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
JoJo Tabares holds a degree in Speech Communication.  Her Christian and humorous approach to communication skills has made her a sought after speaker.  JoJo's articles have appeared in various homeschool magazines and websites such as Dr. Laura.com.  Her Say What You Mean curricula is endorsed by The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and her eBook, Say What You Mean When You're in Business, has been used by direct sales leaders and small business owners alike.  For more information, please visit http://www.ArtofEloquence.com  or
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/CommunicationFUNdamentals/

What a tremendous year we have had! I am so thankful for so many things, my heart just overflows. I stumbled across an old prayer journal from this time last year and was amazed at how God stepped in and answered each and every one of my hearts cries. For those of you closest to us, you know last year from September through April was a season of challenge for our family. We endured constant sickness, unforseen eviction, (which led to finanical trials) slander, persecution, despair, passport anxiety, delayed orders (missing cancellation of assignment by 24 hours) hospitlization of the newborn (RSV), difficulties securing a new home, and trial after trial after trial. But, in that time, I have seen, the Hand of God come down to us, cradle us, comfort us, make a way for us, provide, persevere, protect, and fight for us. I am not compairing my struggles for 3/4 of a year, to the years of sickness, death, and persecution the new settlers endured, but I do have a deeper respect, understanding, and admiration for them than I have in the years past.


So, although Thanksgiving has ALWAYS been my all time favorite holiday, this year is looked at with new eyes, and because of this, I plan on starting new and different traditions with my family, than I had before.


In years past Thanksgiving was pretty normal I suppose. If I wasn't pregnant and birthing Joey or Charlotte, my 2 Turkey Babies, I would try to make the Thanksgiving Placemats with the other children, but really that's been about it. Everything about it has been pretty fly-by-the seat of our pants, invite anyone over who wants to come, stuff ourselves silly, and then watch DVD's and fade in and out of conciousness on the couch.

 This year though, with my children a bit older and my heart a bit more aimed at not only appreciating what it took for those brave men and women to take the first steps to ensure freedom for our children, but making sure I turn my children's focus to God's heart towards His people. How great is His love for us. How great is His provision, His grace, His comfort for us when we endure struggles of all degrees. I want to start planting the seeds of His faithfulness in their hearts, so that in the future when struggles come, they may reflect back to all the times God was there for them in the past, and be comforted that He is with them yet again. He proves faithful time and time again. David would focus on the works God did in the past, to reassure him that God would again pull through in his current situations. (Psalm 77:10-12) I love that, and we see it over and over in the Bible. Anyway,

One tradition I want to start is the 5 Kernals of Corn. The second winter was even more difficult than the first. They were battling starvation and, tradition has it, had only a daily ration of 5 Kernals of Corn each. This beautiful poem was written by Hezekiah Butterworth and is not a statement of bleak times or bitterness of the struggle, but instead a peom of thanksgiving to father God that they had corn to eat at all, as well as thanking for even the smallest thigns we take for granted, like the sun dawning that brings warmth, and a God who above all else is still on His throne, and still there in love. I look forward to having 5 kernals of corn at each place, and to pass a cup around and listen as each person drops in a peice of the corn and says something for which they are grateful for. This is one I definitely hope to keep as the years go on.

I want to start taking our yearly family portraits in the Autumn, when the colors are bright and changing. It is our favorite season and would be a good time for us to do new photos/family newsletters, as we choose to not celebrate Christmas or do the typical Christmas cards/newsletters. I have not decided yet if I'd like one outdoors in natural lighting with the colors of the season behind us, or one taken by timer with us around the table...maybe both and then pick the best! :p

I thought this was a cool idea: Thanksgiving Hymms. i didn't realize there were hymms written for this holiday, but I love the idea of making the day more meaningful and memorable with music.

And lastly, the remainder of this month will be spent very "Charlotte Masony" as we are mostly checking out library books, and reviewing Thanksgiving art. Last week we found the book "Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving" by Joseph Bruchac which tells the story from the Native American perspective. I had no idea Squanto had endured so much! From being deceived, being taken captive on a ship and sold to Spain as a slave, and then eventually returning back to his homeland only to discover most of his entire tribe and family had been killed. Yet he still persevered in making peace between the other tribes and the English settlers. It really is an amazing story, and has beautiful illustrations on every page.
I also love the Four Freedoms by Norman Rockwell. I hope to spend a bit of time studying these, in reflection of gratefulness that we have these freedoms at all.

I am not sure how many of these new traditions will "stick around" in the years to come. But I am enjoying trying out some new things with the family. Especially as the children are getting older and can really understand, appreciate, and remember them for the years to come. No matter what, I have a God who loves me more than I will ever deserve or understand, and for that I am very, very thankful. ;)

For all my homeschooling friends who think ObamaCare will solve their financial and health insurance woes, think again. It may give you temporary relief for your financial headache, but it may also invite government nannies into your home to improve your child's well-being and health.

HR 3200 that passed the House of Representatives, currently has a provision for funding states that implement a "voluntary" home visitation program for parents with young children or who are expecting. (See Sec. 1904 sec. 440)

The intended purpose is to " improve the well-being, health, and development of children by enabling the establishment and expansion of high quality programs providing voluntary home visitation for families with young children and families expecting children."

In America we used to believe that was the role of the parent, but now it's the role of our benevolent and compassionate Uncle Sam. A gaze over the Atlantic will show us exactly where we're headed,

"Health and safety inspectors are to be given unprecedented access to family homes to ensure that parents are protecting their children from household accidents.

New guidance drawn up at the request of the Department of Health urges councils and other public sector bodies to “collect data” on properties where children are thought to be at “greatest risk of unintentional injury”.

Council staff will then be tasked with overseeing the installation of safety devices in homes, including smoke alarms, stair gates, hot water temperature restrictors, oven guards and window and door locks.

The draft guidance by a committee at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has been criticised as intrusive and further evidence of the “creeping nanny state”.

Where are the safety devices for the "creeping nanny" who keeps sticking her nose into our personal lives?

Why homeschoolers support this bill or President Obama is beyond my understanding.

-Spunky

Cross-posted, with permission, from SpunkyHomeSchool

Since my children were very small, I have tried to be very deliberate about establishing and keeping family traditions.  Many came from my own childhood, and were "imported" to my new home once I was married.  I still carry so many fond memories of the Thanksgivings of my youth back in Michigan, waking up to the wonderful sounds and smells of my mother's early Thanksgiving morning cooking routine.  I was determined that my children would awaken to the same things, and they do!

The onset of the winter holidays here in the USA lets me know that time is about to really FLY for the next 2 months.  It is easy to get overwhelmed, between holiday preparations, houseguests, shopping, and the rapidly approaching end of the semester.  I think that the high school years are unique in that there isn't always room in the schedule for too many interruptions, no matter how  wonderful the interruptions may be.  Gone are the years when we could take an entire month to study pilgrims, make model Mayflower ships out of popsicle sticks, or read nothing but books about Thanksgiving.  Our schedule is particularly heavy this year...so how can we put an old-fashioned "focus" onto Thanksgiving in the midst of Algebra 2, C++ Programming, Chemistry, American Government and Economics, English Composition, Foreign Language, Logic and Rhetoric, and CLEP prep? 

We enjoy turning to the Psalms in the evenings, seeking passages dealing with being thankful in the midst of tumultuous times.  Aren't we in the midst of a tumultuous time?  Do you think things are going to get even more tumultuous in the coming months and years?  I sure do!  What a wonderful habit for ALL of us to be in: giving thanks in all things!  And what a wonderful habit to instill in our young adults who, should Christ's return be yet a ways off, will have to live out their lives in a world far different from the one we grew up in. 

Our copy of William Bradford's "Of Plymouth Plantation" finds its way to the dinner table as well, and we enjoy reading it out loud.  There is nothing better than going directly to the source when the desire is to know the truth of an historic event.  Today's commentators and writers, whether secular or Christian, were not present in Plymouth with the pilgrims...but William Bradford was.  To read his words is such a treasure!  I pray that every Christian high school homeschooler (and every homeschooler, period, for that matter) would have the joy and privilege of reading Bradford's account of the entire journey, from start to finish!  It was translated from Elizabethan English into "modern English" in 1909, but it is still a challenging read to get into...at first.  By the end of the first chapter, especially if reading aloud, I found my brain and my tongue pretty well adapted to the style, and no longer had to read and re-read every other sentence to have it make sense!  It is well worth the effort. 

(An aside here...if American History is yet in the future for you and your students, strongly consider obtaining a copy of this book, and have your students begin it early, perhaps over the summer.  You will have a source of original "American truth," and can then use it as the standard by which you judge the material your purchased curriculum offers.)

Another fun, relaxed, and entertaining way to enjoy and focus on this special season of giving thanks is through a unique and free resource called "Homeschool Radio Shows."  Homeschool dad and entrepreneur, Jim Erskine, from Canmer, Kentucky, has long had a passion for old-time radio shows.  He's collected and catalogued hundreds (thousands?) of them, and makes them available at no charge to those who join his mailing list.  Right now, he has a couple of Thanksgiving-themed shows available for downloading.  You will receive links to a new show every week, and will, from time to time, be offered a collection of stories for a small price.  But they always maintain a wonderful weekly offering of free shows.  I have been a member of Jim's mailing list for many years now, and I've purchased a few of his marvelous collections.  The mp3 files can be burned to CD's, and we've enjoyed doing this in order to have wholesome listening entertainment during road-trips, or vacation days.  We love to gather around the CD/mp3 player during the colder months with a crackling fire, a sketch book or some hand-work, listening and laughing together.

However your homeschooling-through-high-school-family decides to bring its focus around to Thanksgiving, I pray that you will find the time and space in this busy season of life to simply do so!    

May God bless you and your homeschool this week!

Lori

 

Lori Havens has been married to Kevin for 24 years.  They live in Illinois with their two sons, Bryan (17) and Nathan (16), and dog Sunny (9).  Lori enjoys writing, gardening, reading, and the outdoors.  She is the author of "Should I Be A Nurse? A Journey of Self-Exploration for Those Considering a Career in Nursing" and  "7 Essential Questions Every Future Nurse Must Ask."     You can find her blogging at both Homeschool Blogger and Homestead Blogger  .