Our 20-year anniversary, marriage vow renewal celebration was truly a “Homestead Wedding!” My sweet husband got down on his knee in front of the whole church on our 19^th anniversary this past fall and proposed a vow renewal wedding to me to be held on the 20^th anniversary of our first date in January. His proposal came complete with a new ring! Since we eloped the first time, we were not able to enjoy a nice ceremony to include our friends and family and most importantly honor God in His House.

            Planning and preparing was a valuable experience for my two teen daughters to share with me as well. We headed out shopping the day after Christmas with a “Winter Woodland” theme in mind. Avoiding the holly and poinsettias, we still found an abundance of pine boughs and pinecone adorned items that would be just perfect and at giveaway prices! Candles and lights were at cheap too. I even purchased woodland stationary to use for invitations at an office supply store for only a few dollars.

            We planned and prepared for only four weeks, and it all came together beautifully that final evening. One hundred and fifty people had kindly RSVP’d either by phone, email, or returning the slips that we put in our church bulletins. We hadn’t anticipated a last minute winter storm that kept all but about 90 people at home! My daughters, our pastor’s wife, and I put everything together the day of the wedding. My husband graciously stayed home with the two little guys and my oldest son helped clean home for our friends who would stay to baby-sit that night while the newly remarried couple honeymooned.

       Attire for our theme was very easy and inexpensive- warm, wintry clothes in greens, browns and reds. The few new items we needed to purchase were very inexpensive with the winter markdowns as well. My daughter had just knitted me a gorgeous shawl that was a perfect touch! At the beginning of the service as guests were arriving, we played a gospel CD recorded by our friends. For a guest book, we used a simple leather-bound journal given to us by a friend. Thankfully, our church sanctuary had been newly renovated so not much decorating was required. We dimmed the lights and put electric candles with pine candle rings in the windows. For the end of every other pew I made an olive green satin bow and attached a spray of pine and berries. These cost under a dollar each. We used simple pillar candles, with Mason jar lids under them to catch the drips for the “Unity Candle Table” and set them up on extra hymnals with a pine garland across the front of the table. There was an unlit candle for each member of our family and one center candle lit in the middle. After our pastor preached about God’s design for marriage, we exchanged the renewal vows which we had carefully selected from various ideas we found online. We and our five children then each lit a candle from the center one representing God, the Center of our family and whose light is spread through the testimony we each live for Him. Afterwards our children sang the hymn, “The Longer I Serve Him.”

            As the guests were standing in line for food in the reception area they could view a skinny primitive tree that I hung with photos. One photo of my husband and me for each year that we had been married. I used a stamping/scrapbook idea guide and embellished each photo like a mini scrapbook.        The 16-ft guests’ tables were simply covered with white paper table-covering and a red paper placemat was at each place with simple plastic cutlery. Down the center of each I placed a 10-inch wide strip of burlap about 6 feet long. In the center was a pillar candle in a beautiful pine candle ring (only $2.49!) Satin gold-edged ribbon with pinecones and berries printed on it streamed from either side of the centerpiece down the burlap for a nice contrast. I sprinkled large pieces of natural potpourri across the table also. The smell filled up the large gymnasium.         For wedding favors I purchased rusty tin snowflake ornaments from Oriental Trading at only $3 per dozen. These were tied to a card which read: “Like each unique, yet perfect, snowflake which falls from the sky, your love and friendship is a special blessing to us from above.  We thank God for you!”

Three friends graciously offered to help serve the food. Three tables with white gathered skirts were lined up and covered with burlap across the top. Under the burlap, I stacked reams of paper, and the large boxes the paper comes in, in varying tiers on which to place the serving dishes and give them depth. Around the stacks under the burlap, I strung white Christmas lights to shine through the holes. Across the front of the tables I placed pine garlands. Two pine tree centerpieces were a nice touch on the bread table. 

       The first table was for three different kinds of soup cooked in and served from 18- Qt electric roasters: Broccoli and Cheese, Potato, and Vegetarian Chili.         The next table was for baskets of three kinds of breads- cornbread muffins, parmesan herb muffins, angel biscuits, butter squares, crackers, and spiced pecans with a square of plaid homespun fabric under each container. 

        Embellished cards labeled the different kinds of foods.

       The last table held the cake along with trays of wedding cookies and a framed 5X7 photo of my husband and me on our wedding day and a family photo taken this year. My talented aunt made our cake for us. Since we were planning for so many, we decided to make one small beautiful cake that could be viewed and enjoyed with the eyes through the whole reception.  Two large, plain white sheet cakes were kept in the kitchen to be cut and served to the guests. They tasted just as yummy as the original. We ended up not needing the main cake and it was served the next day for my daughter’s ballet recital reception.           One more round table off to the side held the iced tea, coffee, and hot spiced wassail. The bowl of ice was set in the center of a Christmas wreath. My son and his friend played traditional Appalachian flatpick guitar music while we were enjoying the food and fellowship. We received so many complements about our wedding and reception. One friend even said it was the most beautiful wedding she had ever attended. I couldn’t believe how little we ended up spending. All the decorations can even be used next year for our first Christmas in our new log home! All the work in planning and preparing was worth the effort to celebrate 20 years of blessings from the Lord!

 There are many websites to help determine serving quantities. Basically, I planned on 12 oz. of soup per person along with two muffins. I multiplied my usual recipes until I had enough. I prepared the wassail in an 18-Qt. electric roaster as well. I did as much pre-chopping and mixing as I could the night before. My daughters thought to use an apple peeler for the 10# of potatoes that went into the potato soup. It worked wonderfully, saving time effort! The nuts and cookies were made a few days ahead. Here’s a few of the recipes I used:

Hot Spiced Wassail

1/2 gallon apple cider
 4 Tbs Lemon Juice
 1 Cup Orange Juice
8 whole cloves
 A  few pinches of ground allspice
4 cinnamon sticks, one-inch each
Dash of nutmeg
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt

Place all liquids in pot on stove, crock pot, or coffee pot.

Place remaining ingredients in tied in a coffee filter.

Simmer 20 minutes until ready to serve.

Remove spices.

Yields 1/2 gallon.

Parmesan Herb Muffins

1 egg

¼ cup olive oil

1 cup low-fat milk

1 cup parmesan cheese

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup cornmeal

2 ½ tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Grease muffin tins or line with paper cups.

In large mixing bowl, whisk together egg, olive oil, milk, parmesan and herbs. Set aside.

In another bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, and baking powder.  Mix with fork and then add to liquid ingredients. Stir just to combine and spoon batter into muffin cups. Bake 15-20 minutes until tester comes out clean. Makes 10.

Vegetarian Chili

1 12 oz. bag of Morningstar Farms Griller Crumbles

1 (48 oz) can tomato juice

1 (29 oz) can crushed tomatoes

4 cups cooked kidney, red, and black beans mixed

1 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped celery

½ cup chopped green pepper

1/8 cup chili powder

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

½ tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp sugar

Sauté the onion, celery, green pepper in some oil until tender. Add the Griller Crumbles and sauté a little longer. Add mixture to rest of ingredients in large soup pot and simmer until heated through and flavors blend, about 30 minutes.

Wedding Cookies

1 cup butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

6 Tbs confectioners’ sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup chopped walnuts

1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar for decoration

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium bowl, cream butter and vanilla until smooth. Combine the 6 Tbs sugar and flour; stir into butter mixture just until blended. Mix in the nuts. Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and place them 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes, until just beginning to brown. When cool, roll in remaining sugar. May be rolled a second time.

Spiced Pecans

1 egg white

½ cup sugar

1 tsp water

¼ tsp salt

1 pound pecan halves

½ tsp cinnamon

Blend egg whites sugar, water, salt and cinnamon in a bowl. Add pecans and coat evenly. Pour pecans into roasting pan and bake at 225 degrees for 1 hour. Stir every 10 minutes. Cool.

On December 1^st I received the most wonderful Christmas gift from my dear friend, Sheila.  A lovingly-made, personalized advent calendar! Each day leading up to Christmas holds a special photo of one of our family’s blessings covered by a numbered paper flap tied on with a ribbon. We immediately untied the first flap to discover a sweet photo of my hubby and me. Oh, the temptation to untie them all! The past nine days have revealed photos of each of our children involved in some of their unique interests and talents: my oldest daughter knitting, my youngest dancing and holding her puppy, my oldest son playing his guitar, my middle guy on his four-wheeler, my preemie boy in the hospital weighing a mere two pounds and then the very next photo was him proudly blowing out two birthday candles, and of course a photo of my dear friend and I on the porch of our under-construction log home.

You lap-bookers have probably already figured it out, but in case you are still wondering, she constructed it using two pocket folders overlapped to make a tri-fold book. The insides are covered with scrapbook paper.

          I  just can’t get over this unique gift! The picture I took doesn’t do it justice. I’m so blessed to have such thoughtful friends who can encourage me to see what’s really important when the stresses of life seem blinding. The Christmas tree in front of my calendar was a gift from another special friend. She decorated it with the cutest homemade prim ornies. Not only can I see these special gifts and remember how the Lord has blessed our family, but I’m reminded of the blessing of friendship and I’m truly thankful!

                                         

       One of the joys of raising kids is getting to attend birthday parties again! My son was recently invited to a birthday celebration complete with a magician! At the end of the show each guest received a made-to-order balloon hat. My son anxiously requested the “bunny ears” hat. To me it looked more like a “bug antennae” hat, but either way it didn’t match him. I figured he’d choose the propeller hat. When we returned home I discovered why he chose that particular hat. He joyfully announced, “I’m a BULL!” Of course, what a great way to end our week of rowing through Ferdinand! Before this week, I don’t think he even knew what a bull was. 

       As we Row through the books, I’m lap booking as many of the activities as possible. I hope to share some of our most unique projects that might not  be suggested in the FIAR books.. As if there wasn’t enough to keep us busy in the books, I can’t help but chase some rabbits occasionally!

       For our Ferdinand study I thought it would be appropriate to introduce the 5 senses since Ferdinand loved to sit and SMELL the flowers.  We made a “Tab Book” with a tab for each sense. We then scoured old magazines (Family Fun is great as I get to review some forgotten ideas and do some clipping myself) and cut out things that could be experienced with each particular sense and then glued them to the proper pages in our book. Just so happened that it was the day that he learned to write 5's, so he wrote it on his own without tracing. I did label this book, but usually I draw dotted lines and let him trace all the words. He loved this and was so proud to show his new knowledge off to his daddy!

          The curriculum newsletter that came across my computer this morning made the suggestion to take advantage of the opportunity to promote homeschooling when topics of conversation turned toward the horrible school events of this past week.

I wanted to scream, “NO! Don’t say THAT!”

Of course I don’t want to be over-critical of this person’s suggestion. I’m certain it came from the heart of a loving, homeschooling parent. What parent wouldn’t want their child rescued from atrocities such as these?? I don’t want to make light of those these horrible events either, but these barbaric men could have just as easily stormed my home and killed my children while they were being educated at home.

Our battle is not against men with guns. Ephesians  6:12 reminds us: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Certainly our children’s safety is an added perk to homeschooling, (although studies show that most accidents do happen at home) but we ought not let it be the reason that we choose to homeschool our children. It is impossible to hide from Satan. He is alive and well in our own homes just lurking and waiting to attack us not only physically, but more often even sending his flaming arrows straight out through our own hearts and minds into each other.  1Peter 5:8 “ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

I believe that the best reason for homeschooling is that we desire for our families to be on the offense rather than the defense. We should want our children to not only be fully equipped for battle once they leave our sheltering arms, but we should want to make sure they stay enlisted in God’s army period! Their tender young minds can so easily be swayed to believe the twisted lies of the world.  They can be lead astray from their service to our Heavenly Father before we even blink.

Yes, the scenes that we are seeing on the nightly news make us tremble, but they shouldn’t. Psalms 56:4 does say: “In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.” The only fear that should move us to action is the fear of the LORD himself. Deuteronomy 8:6 says: “Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.”  

With all the tools available to us today, homeschooling is really not difficult (don’t you get asked that question ALL the time?) But, likewise, homeschooling is certainly NOT easy either! In more ways than I have time to list, it is the most challenging project a  person can undertake!  If we homeschool for the reason of FEAR, we’ll not make it. Even fear isn’t strong enough to get us through the difficult days when we feel like throwing in the towel. We must choose homeschooling out of a desire to serve the Lord, feeling that it is His calling for us to do so.

           If you are blessed with the opportunity to share homeschooling with other like-minded parents, I encourage you to be positive and share with them what the Lord can do with children who aren’t “over-protected” at home, but rather fully prepared to enter the world in service to Him Ephesians 6:11 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

I’m grateful to my friend for loaning me her Prairie Primer text (and all additional  resources to boot) to use with my 3^rd grade daughter.  I bet she wishes she hadn’t told me to keep it as long as I needed it! Now, five years later, I’m finally getting up the courage to use it…although with a different daughter!

The week we began this study of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, a field trip was announced to a one room school house. To me, that’s just God’s stamp of approval on our curriculum choice this year! Thank you, Lord!

            I worried that maybe we were building ourselves up too much for this experience today. My daughter helped me sew a new prairie bonnet to match her simple calico dress. We packed old-fashioned lunches for the two youngest pupils in old tin pails. My two oldest were a little skeptical as to the need for themselves to participate in this, but I assured them that it would be ok and they’d not be too awfully embarrassed.

No one could have prepared us for the wonderful adventure ahead as we set off this morning at 7:30 am for the hour long drive to Mineral Wells, WV to visit the New Era One Room School. When we arrived our large homeschool group was divided in two. For over an hour our group was free to play outside (recess) and experience old-fashioned entertainment: teetor-totter, marbles, stilts, hopscotch, wooden toys galore, and an exercise in Maypole dancing while the first group had their “lessons.”

 We had the privilege of being allowed to use the restrooms of the public elementary school next door. It was a lovely facility. What an eye-opener as we walked through the cafeteria during lunch! My kids were equally amazed with this modern school situation!

Finally, we heard the authentic school bell ring and it was our turn! We were greeted at the door by our school marm, Miss Icie Henderson, portrayed by a professional re-enactor who played the intimidating part very well! Our 1 ½ hour lesson time inside the school was amazing. This authentic schoolhouse was quite a museum! Plus the students had been given individual instructions ahead of time to be prepared with certain knowledge or items that would bring the experience to life. Girls were caught passing notes and punished by having to stand with their noses to the chalkboard, a boy threw a marble (the original hole where that really DID happen years ago is highlighted on the chalkboard) and someone else was mistakenly/on purpose punished for his offense, children brought in pretend vegetables to make soup for lunch, there were recitations and readings too. The kids had a blast. It was hard to keep a straight face even with the school marm waving her switch to keep everyone in line. My 15-year-old son was asked to stand and spell the word “drawers” and then give the definition. When he told her it was something in a cabinet to contain things she assumed aloud that he must not be wearing his “drawers” as he should be and told him to go to the outhouse and get some on as she tossed him some big white bloomers. He enjoyed the embarrassment! His buddy had to endure it also in the first tour.

The day wasn’t all about discipline. The kids received a generous helping of historical and practical knowledge and were even allowed the experience of using real pen and ink! She even shared the story behind the poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” When our school marm came out of her character at the end, she praised the children for their good-natured participation (those boys sure handled wearing that dunce cap well!) We parents were thrilled that her Christian convictions shined through as she lead the class in the Lord’s prayer and was able to refer to our Lord at many times (God was still allowed in public school in the 1800’s!) What a witness to all the school children who visit the schoolhouse annually.  We had a brief discussion about the one room schools that continue to function in our country and the atrocity that occurred yesterday in PA. It was a very sobering time of reflection too.

I’d not hesitate to drive several hours for a presentation of this nature! My children and I will never forget it!

Here's my Kindergartener's narration from his point of view:

            As several of our homeschooling friends are sending their children back to school (even PUBLIC school!) this year, Satan sure is trying to plant seeds of doubt in my mind about the education of my own children.  My friend lost her eighteen-year-old daughter to an auto accident this year also. She was just beginning college, having not been homeschooled like her little sister. Her mother shared with me how Jordan never wanted to be homeschooled because she wanted to be a witness in the public school. Her parents agreed that she was bold enough. And she was! She even participated in ministries at more than one church. She lead many children to the Lord. Public school was obviously where she needed to be to fulfill her short ministry for Christ. I think this family has a beautiful testimony!

Well, those seeds of doubt aren’t taking root in my mind this year, because God is speaking so LOUDLY to my heart. The latest evidence of his leading: Last year the little book More Than a Carpenter, by Josh McDowell was on my son’s reading list (I often follow what Sonlight suggests) so I purchased it. He didn’t get around to reading it so he just began this year. He is about 1/3 of the way through it. Guess who we got to hear speak yesterday not thirty minutes from me house? Josh McDowell himself! I’d not been very familiar with him nor his ministry until now. What a wonderful man! That little book now holds the author’s signature in the front!

It was a small church setting and not many kids were present since his seminar was geared toward parents. My son and his friends stood out so he came over and talked to them. How nice! I was so impressed with his message for us. Here’s a little of what I gleaned as scribbled in my little notebook:

A recent study of over 18,000 “Christian kids” shows that there is 0% difference in their behavior and that of “non-believing” kids. (I could’ve told him that from watching the kids at our church!) He said that the most important thing our kids must have to make in our society with their beliefs intact is convictions, “knowing WHAT they believe, WHY they believe it, and having EXPERIENCED it in their lives. To help them form these convictions relationships are of utmost importance. (I could’ve told him that from watching MY kids at our church!) I still have much to learn in this area and his “7 A’s” toward achieving these ideal relationships with our kids really spoke to me:

(I hope the scriptures are right!)

1.                          Affirmation- Romans 12:15 This will give kids a sense of authenticity. We are REAL feeling people to them. We shouldn’t just quote scripture to them all the time, but TAKE the TIME to laugh and to cry WITH them.

2.                          Acceptance- Giving them a sense of security will allow them to be more vulnerable and transparent with us. Show them we love them even if they aren’t perfect. Take them out for ice cream when they LOSE, not when they WIN.

3.                          Appreciation- Matthew 3:17 Catching them doing right and thanking them will give them a sense of significance.

4.                          Availability-  Matthew 19:14 Gives them a sense of importance. Spending time with them now will make them want to spend time with us later (remember that song about cats & spoons?)

5.                          Affection- Kids will feel lovable and not seek affection elsewhere in wrong relationships. Could I really set a goal of saying ‘I love you’ to my children 10X per day like Josh did for his kids? I plan to try!

6.                          Approach- 1 Cor. 13:5 Step into their world to really get to know your child! Play with them! Enjoy what they enjoy!

7.                          Accountability- Giving them responsibilities now will prepare them for being held accountable by God. This gives them a sense of self-control and responsibility.

All of these are outlined in Josh’s book “The Father Connection.” He said that he wrote the book so moms could read it and tell those non-reading dads what it said in a nutshell. Hey, that’s a great reason to give your daughter when she complains about book reports and wonders where in life she’ll ever use those particular writing skills!

     I noticed all the beautiful hooked wool rugs in the primitive shops last spring. I found them so appealing (the designs, not the prices!) Even if I could afford to buy the rugs already made, I’d be missing out on the satisfaction of having done it myself. Once again, many colors of natural fibers, how fun! They had to be simple to make once I knew how.

     I began my quest to learn this art at the library of course. Thankfully, our library stocked the perfect book for beginners: Hooked Rugs, by Ann Davies and Emma Tennant. There wasn’t much to read about the procedure. It seemed too simple to be true. The materials and tools perplexed me, however, as everything was unfamiliar territory. Our local Jo Ann Fabrics carried no rug hooking supplies whatsoever! I searched online and became overwhelmed at the choices and price ranges. However, I decided to take one step at a time and chose my pattern first of all. A rug measuring 36” X 45.” Twenty colorful squares outlined in black with a black star in the middle of each. I’m not one to fool around with dinky samplers in order to learn and then progress to what I really want to make. I prefer to cut to the chase and just DO IT! Next I would have to have a wooden frame. Although some people have success using quilt hoops, I knew better. My capable hubby whipped up a lovely LARGE frame for my LARGE project. I planned on securing the fabric with thumb tacks temporarily. Now what?

      The next week held a scheduled field trip out of town to WV’s own Fenton Glass factory. On the way we passed a quaint looking little shop called The Woolen Willow. Hmmm… Wonder what they sell?? I vowed to stop on the way back. Later in the parking lot, I nestled the kids in the car with their sack lunches and went in the store to experience “Rug Hooker’s Heaven!” Thank you God! Two very sweet and helpful gals not only demonstrated how to hook, but showed me everything that I would need to do it. I ended up buying Monk’s cloth (you can’t buy this type at our Jo Ann’s) rather than linen because I liked the nice even weave. I got a small hook for $6. I was also shown how to quickly rip and cut strips of wool fabric for my project. There was a huge bin of scrap wool which they offered by the sack-full for only $25. Lastly, I discovered that the frame my husband had made was a tad bit too LARGE and I noted the design of their hooking frames so that we could make some adjustments. Although it was a bit pricey (around $30,) I also splurged on some gripper strips for the edges of my frame. I left the shop a very inspired “hooker-to-be!”

      Well, that was six months ago. I’ve still not progressed much on my rug, but it sure is fun and relaxing when I do make the time to sit down and hook. This year’s ballet schedule gives me a little extra time to sit and watch the girls, so I keep my hands busy on my rug at the same time. For my  birthday last week, Hubby took the time to make the alterations to my frame and we applied the gripper strips (a VERY wise investment!)

Now back to homeschooling! "All things in moderation"…that’s the key to making time for “everything” you want to do!

     This week I had one of those moments that causes me to remember why we homeschool. My kindergartener, who was totally clueless about the alphabet 2 weeks ago, came running to me carrying an electronic “guitar” toy whose keys were alphabetized a-i. He points to the keys and excitedly exclaims, “Look, it’s Hopeful ‘h’!!” He continues on, “Oh, there’s Boy ‘b,’ and Dancing ‘d’ too!” He goes through all the keys so excited to have found the friends that he’s met on Alphabet Island during his first two weeks of school. I wanted to cry! What a blessing to see those light bulbs coming on in his head as his world expands. That’s one of the reasons we homeschool. I want to be the one who teaches him those things. The past two weeks have brought us closer as we spend a couple hours of one on one time together “doing school” each day.

     I’m more relaxed with this little guy, as he is number 4 on my school roster. I didn’t push him to learn the alphabet or do any writing before we started formal Kindergarten (mostly because there wasn’t the time to do it!) and he certainly didn’t volunteer to do it on his own. Why rush him? He turned five in August and everything I’m teaching him now is being absorbed with no problems. His 21-month-old brother sits with us however, and takes everything in as well. He makes all of the phonics sounds with us and LOVES listening to the Alphabet Island CD.

      When I found the Alphabet Island program I knew it would be perfect for him. My husband questioned the cost of the program and asked why I couldn’t use the program that I used to teach the other kids to read. I knew that the FREE copy of Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons that I used with the others just wouldn’t work with this active learner. He needed something to capture his attention that he would want to remember. I couldn’t be more pleased with Alphabet Island! It’s creator, Susan Mortimer, is a genius! Of course I knew that from having used her science and Bible programs in the past.

      Here’s what we do each day thus far:

*We listen to a sweet little song that she sings about the Island describing each character who lives there. I’m beginning to see the relationship of their names and personalities to the letter of the alphabet that makes up part of their appearance. Active ‘a,’ for instance, is a baby wearing a diaper. He makes the short ‘a’ sound like a baby crying. Of course!

*Then we sing along to a unique version of the alphabet song (forwards and backwards!) sang by a remarkable likeness of Hap Palmer (could it be??)

*We then have a worksheet showing the correct formation of the letter with a creative poem describing how to write it. My little fellow has great success writing the letter with his finger in a pan of cornmeal before attempting to use a pencil on paper.

*He colors the character on the large reproducible poster taped to the fridge above his table.

*I say different words and he chooses the Alphabet Island character card which corresponds to the beginning sound of that word, thus reviewing previously learned letters.

*I randomly ask him to write previously learned letters.

*Lastly is another worksheet which reviews the new letter and its sounds. After every three letters is a review lesson covering the last three letters learned.

      I’ve listened ahead to the CD (or rather the 2 year old has!) and I’m very excited about what’s in store. For instance, there’s a special song about Qualified ‘q.’ It goes:

Qualified ‘q’ does quality work and he’s hardly slowed down by his crippled foot. Understanding ‘u’ gives him a hand whenever he wants to walk or stand.”

How clever is THAT??

The circus has once again come to our town! The Hager Family Seven Ring Circus is a thrilling adventure for all ages. Step right up to the first ring and you will see the daring young high-schooler swinging through Algebra II with the greatest of ease. In the second ring the brave Kindergartener will thrill you as he swallows flaming phonics and spits them back out into whole words! The lovely middle-schooler in the third ring balances cautiously on the back on Algebra ½. That fourth ring will capture your attention as you watch the 4^th grade contortionist twist pencils to create the most amazing art work! Watch out for the trained monkey in the fifth ring. He will keep you smiling, but don’t turn your back! He’ll pilfer your pencil and ruin your textbook in no time flat! Just the thought of the strong man entering the sixth ring stirs the heart of all the other performers. He is able to lift their spirits effortlessly. Not only is his physical strength inspiring, but his spiritual strength shoulders the hefty burden of raising this large family of performers. The most talented of all is found in the last ring. It’s the juggler who can balance an unlimited number of items at great speed through any obstacles encountered. If the items begin to faulter she immediately sets them back orbiting in their straight paths once again.

Most spectators will breathlessly exclaim, “I just don’t know HOW they do it ALL!” Although each performer tries his best, it’s the Ring Master whose loving guidance brings each talent together making it the incredible show that it is.  Many desire to join the show, but find that the pay scale is unsatisfactory to them. Actually they just don’t understand the long-term benefits package!

            Homeschooling is indeed a curious show in this world! But it’s certainly not all fun and games! It’s always with much dismay that I’m exclaiming at the end of our school day, “This place is a circus!” However, this year I’m sincerely trying to find more humor and joy in all of the confusion. The show will be quickly over, leaving me with an empty tent. For now, I’ll sweep aside the debris, grab a seat and enjoy the antics of those goofy clowns!

          One of the highlights of my school year is our annual Homeschool Moms’ Retreat! For the past five years I’ve had the privilege of planning these retreats with my dear friend, Barbie. Planning these events is quite an effort. It used to be that we’d not really anticipate doing it again once we succeeded in completing a retreat. Of late it’s been so looked forward to that instead of asking God, “Should we do another one?” we ask Him, “What theme do You want us to do this time?”

Barbie and I each homeschool five children and live about an hour away from each other, and don't get together very often through the year.  In the planning and preparing process of our retreats we share ideas via lots of e-mails, but basically let God lead us individually as we go. When we both arrive at the retreat site, Cedar Lakes Campground, armed with boxes and baskets full of goodies, we’re always in awe at how marvelously God brings it all together! We work so well together that it’s really unbelievable!

We usually host between 12 and 24 ladies for Friday night through Saturday afternoon. For guest speakers we’ve always drawn from our wonderful support groups of loving, seasoned homeschool moms who would be willing to share with us in our various topic areas. The titles of our past retreats have been “All Things Through Christ,”  “A Friend Loveth At All Times,” “Time Seasons Our Lives with Purpose,” “Liberty and Freedom Through Christ,” and this year’s was our best yet “Daughter’s of the King.” We celebrated our glorious role as heirs of God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ and His marvelous grace!

 "The King's daughter is all glorious within..." Psalm 45:13

Our schedule this year included:

Speakers:

*Veteran Homeschool Mom, Vicky, sharing how their family maintains “Royal Relationships in the Home.”

*Former model, Belinda, shared about God’s perspective on our outward beauty “Being a Princess Inside and Out.” Complete with lessons in makeup application, color analysis, and a makeover for one mom.

*Barbie shared her gleanings from the book “Order in the Court or Castle in Chaos.” With a round table discussion on household management.

*I shared my gleanings from the book “Keeping a Princess Heart in a Not so Fairytale World” as it applies to homeschooling areas.

*Saturday morning devotional was also lead by, Sheila, demonstrating what kind of “pillars” we should be for God.

            Video:

*Nicole Johnson’s “Keeping a Princess Heart in a Not so Fairytale World"

            Crafts:

*Scrapbooking Friday night, making awesome little “squash books” designed like treasure chests filled with our” family treasures.”

*Painting, and embellishing wooden makeup trays.

            Food:

*Friday night snack banquet with the most delicious delicacies that everyone brought from home!

*Breakfast & Lunch at the dining services at the camp-scrumptious!

            Games:

*How Well Do You Know the King?

*Pass The Slipper

*What’s in the Princess’ Purse?

*Dress the Princess (a scavenger hunt)

Prizes & Favors Galore:

* Princess bag with a jeweled pen and engraved pencil

* Potted ivy with a frog prince pot-sitter reminding us to remember to kiss our toads when they need some charm restored.

* Retreat program written as a first-person “Princess Diary” to record our thoughts and the weekend’s events.

* Air-freshener for our “castles”

* Picture frame for the royal couple

* Mirror and tissue holder

* Every true princess found a “sweet pea” treat under her pillow Friday night

* Candy jar reminding us to fill our castles with hugs and kisses

* Perpetual devotional which we kept going through the whole retreat. We filled small suitcases with items representing the sacrifices Jesus made for us so that we’d be “Equipped for the Trip” to His Heavenly Kingdom someday! Everyone got a turn to read scriptures.

            A FREE Book Swap

*Each Princess brought a few used books that she was willing to trade in the royal library. How good is THAT?

I can’t tell you what a blessing the fellowship was! Homeschool moms are the best! This gathering always proves to be a great blend of new and veteran moms from all over the place, not just a click of moms that know each other well. So we always enjoy meeting new friends each year. Barbie and I keep getting complimented for “all our hard work,” and it IS hard, but it’s so rewarding! Seeing weary moms come out for the weekend to relax, laugh, and rejoice in the Lord, is such a blessing!

We’d love to have you join us next year!

Does the thought of homeschooling through High School have you scared to death? Fear no more! There is a resource out there that will completely put you at ease and fully equip you for the challenge!

This weekend, seventeen families in our homeschool support group met at our local library to view “Inge Cannon’s Transcript Boot Camp DVD Seminar.” It is 4 hours of the most comforting advice you can get! Everything she advises, from a very Biblical standpoint, will inspire you! 

At $70,this program seems quite pricey but so worth every penny! Have several families chip in if you have to and GET IT!!! You and your highschooler will be so glad that you did!

Can you tell I'm REALLY excited about this program?

Multitudes of books have been written on the subject of”Gardening with Children.” The authors all make it sound so touching- how delightful to watch the wonder and excitement as those tiny minds discover God’s awesome design for life! Sounds good, but I’m sorry, my “perfectionist, type-A” personality really struggles with projects such as this! All I see through the water beads that just got sprayed in my face are dollar signs as the precious Miracle Gro potting soil gets dumped on the ground. I inevitably end up screaming,  “Wait! You can’t put all those expensive seeds in one hole!”

Our first year living on our farm with only two children, my husband plowed me a dream flower bed in the front yard. It is kidney bean-shaped with the rusty, vintage, John Deere tractor that was on the property, prominently displayed in the center for Morning Glories to trail on.  After my fourth child, I realized I’d plowed up way more than I could weed. Even with landscaping fabric to block the weeds, they happily began growing on top of the fabric! And what’s worse, the mint that I was warned NOT to introduce into my garden, did indeed take over as I was warned that it would!

Now this garden is a “holding area” until we move and develop smaller, more manageable, flower beds in which to transplant the dozens of keepsake perennials that I’ve accumulated over the years. I’d not take anything for the Yellow Buttercups, Almond Bush, or Cameo Rose that came from my “Maw-Maw’s” house where I enjoyed watching them grow as a child. The Japanese and Bearded Irises from Grandma Bettie and Grandma Victoria could never be replaced!

I’ve reduced my flower gardening to hanging flower baskets along my porch railing and a few large pots in which I plant seeds each year. I feel that I should sow the joys of gardening in my children’s hearts also no matter what a struggle it is to my “keep it clean and neat” efficient personality. The older kids run when they see this annual seed-planting ritual about to take place. They’ve learned from experience that it’s NOT fun to help Mom with this project no matter how calm she seems at the start. The two littlest guys haven’t learned yet and were ever so anxious to help this year. Considering the mess that they created, I think I handled it quite well. Looking back at the pictures, they seemed to enjoy themselves. That’s the whole purpose!

As I looked out my windows this summer and was greeted with bright billows of orange and yellow flowers, I was reminded of the flowers yet to come as I plant seeds daily in the lives of my children. I often get frustrated and grow impatient of this growing process, but oh, the beautiful flowers God has yet to spring forth in their lives, if I’ll just remain patient and faithful to His calling. “Lord help me to do so with a good attitude too!”

The summer of 2001 presented a double blessing for us. It was one of those stories where Mom is expecting and all of a sudden ends up also adopting a newborn baby! June 5th was a day our family and another close family of homeschool friends will never forget.

Our friends were enjoying a Bible study focusing on Psalm 46:10a “Be still and know that I am God.” They decided that our farm would be a perfect place to visit while they meditated on these scriptures. We took advantage of the opportunity and joined them out in the meadows, each family going their separate ways in the field.  We each heard crying/baaing sounds and thought the others were goofing off and not “being very still.” When we met back up we discovered that none of us were actually making any noise. Upon further investigation back out in the pine thicket, we discovered a tiny, wet, lifeless, fawn beside our drooling, overly excited dog, Molly. It was sadly evident what had happened! I scooped up the limp body (Mistake #1), preparing to have a burial ceremony.
           Within just a few minutes away from the annoying dog, the dear little thing began to come to life. We realized that it had only just been born and no thanks to Molly hadn’t had time to get adjusted to the outside world. My friend glanced at the babies underside and announced “It’s a boy!” The name Bambi was immediately on everyone’s lips.

I called my deer-expert friend and she guessed that Mama Doe was lurking somewhere and just may come back for the baby, but the fact that I had touched her and coated her newborn scentless body with human odor she might abandon her afterall. I decided that it was worth a try to put her back, but just in case it didn’t work, Daddy was instructed to stop by the feed store on the way home from work for some calf starter formula. With Molly in the garage, we snuggled the little fawn back under the pine tree where we found her, said a prayer and hurried back to the house.                    

At dusk we went back into the woods to make sure the baby had been reunited with its mother. She was still right where we left her! She was our responsibility now…

Another call to my friend, “What do I do NOW??” She instructed me to not call the DNR under any circumstances. As it is against the law to raise a deer, the government will fine you heavily, and then take the baby away only to kill it. Seems logical in the “pro-death” society in which we live! She knew of a veterinarian who was sympathetic to our cause and very ready to help. The office faxed me an 85-day feeding schedule. 85 days of bottle feeding this baby??? Just like a human baby she needed to eat every 4 hours in the beginning. That meant setting the alarm clock for all hours of the night. And I was also informed that the mother deer helps the baby defecate with her tongue. Oh my! Well, I went through a whole lot of rubber gloves and wet paper towels that summer!

That first night she progressed very quickly and began clumsily walking around our garage. That was definitely NOT the place for a deer. We made an impromptu enclosure under our porch for her protection. She showed no interest at all in a bottle or calf formula in any manner. I really didn’t expect the little thing to even live through the night. With the awesome responsibility of raising this baby ahead of me, would I really be disappointed if she didn’t make it? What a horrible thought-shame on me! I had to just trust God for this one.

Well, the next day the baby was very much alive and with the umbilical cord dried up we also discovered that “Bambi” was really “Faline!” She still didn’t want anything to do with formula or a bottle. Further research suggested that maybe she might like goat’s milk. The closest goat farm was a 45 minute drive away and goat milk cost $4.00 per quart! Of course she guzzled it!! I quickly devised a plan to wean her to the cheaper formula by gradually mixing more of it into the milk. It worked and we didn’t have to invest too much money in her food bill. It was nice getting to know the goat farmers and learn that if ever a human baby couldn’t be breastfed, goat milk was better than formula for him also! I filed that bit of info in my mental filing cabinet.

Raising Faline was a joy! I took her for walks and she followed me like a puppy. She grew VERY attached to her bottle and if she wandered too far away I simply held up the bottle and she’d return to her enclosure. Friends came to visit her and enjoyed being able actually pet a fawn. Although she was tame, she still became skiddish around most people besides her adopted “mama.” My kids had to learn to feed her for me when their baby brother was born. She was close to being weaned when one day when she decided to take a very long walk by herself and she didn’t return that night. I was frantic! I then came to realize that it was time for me to let her go. When she did return for her feeding the next day I began leaving her cage door open and gave her an orange collar to increase the chances of hunters having mercy on our poor tame deer.

Even after she took her last bottle she would return to visit and lounge by the back door snuggled up with the cat. Soon we discovered that our neighbors across the hill, an older couple, had also befriended her and affectionately named her “Sweetie.” She takes advantage of their serene surroundings, the corn and salt block they provide for her, and most importantly their lack of pets, especially when it’s time to birth her babies. We enjoy e-mailing each other with updates on Faline’s adventures. I’m thrilled that they often even  replace her orange collar when she loses it and I drag me feet in making her a new one. It was worth the labor to raise her knowing the joy she brings to them as well. 

 This summer Faline turned 5 years old, along with my son. Once again she gave birth to twins but her “grandparents” notified me that one of them didn’t make it. We’ve so enjoyed watching her frolic with the baby in our pond and I don’t have to feed it! Another glorious example of “reaping what you sow!”

No, it’s not a new German word my hubby picked up during his current deployment. It’s an acronym for the maxim, “There Ain’t No Such Thing as a Free Lunch!” I remember this subject being debated in a high school class once, but it didn’t really become perfectly clear until we read Richard Maybury’s Whatever Happened to Penny Candy last year. Oh, how we are hooked on the Uncle Eric books now! They should be required reading for everyone breathing. This concept is growing ever so hard to comprehend as the internet makes such enticing offers of free products. Everything from TV’s and Ipods, to vacations and  video games. I’m teaching my kids to read the fine print and logically assume that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You just aren’t going to come into anything for free unless someone dies! And then the dead person is really the one paying for it afterall, huh? Yes, salvation is free (to us!) but Jesus paid it ALL and all to Him we owe!

Well, sometimes the only way to make kids realize this concept is to let them find out for themselves. That’s the way we really learned it, right? This week I was outside doing chores when my son appeared to ‘help’ maybe?? He casually mentioned that he’d won a $2,000 online shopping spree. “Oh really?” “Yeah,” he says. “You know that card you threw away from the Ford dealership? Well, I got it out of the trash and scratched it off and won the ‘grand prize!’” “Uh huh?!” So, I examined the card and discovered that there were 3 possible prizes: A free oil change, $1500 cash (I might get excited over that one,) and then the coveted grand prize of a $2,000 online shopping spree. To claim this prize the card had to be returned to the Ford Store.

Well, it was on the way to church that night so I was not getting out of it. I knew without a shadow of a doubt what I was up against. With the hopeful young prize winners waiting in the car, I, being the one over 18 years of age, trudged into the dealership with all the salesmen expectantly eyeing my high mileage trade-in. As I expected there were other “prize winners” standing in line clutching their “winning cards.” These pitiful folks looked like they could use a $2,000 shopping spree. I quickly informed the salesman that I wasn’t in the market for a new used vehicle at this time, but just wanted the details of what I’d “won” in order to satisfy my anxious children. What the deal boiled down to was that I was given a specific website to visit. I could freely spend my $2,000, BUT I had to pay up to $29.95 shipping and handling for EACH item I ordered! For instance, I can get a ‘lovely’ pair of leopard print sunglasses valued at $29.99 for a mere $4.95 shipping fee or a $19.99 toy for only $8.00 shipping. I'm sure I could find a better deal on this junk at the dollar store.

Yep, I bet all those cards stay in the trash from here on out! Lesson learned, and since we had left a little earlier to make the stop we were actually on time for church for once! God is good and provides for our every need!

Easter is my favorite holiday! I love the wonderful freshness of spring, the glorious celebration of our Lord’s resurrection, and all the sweetness that surrounds the secular recognition of the holiday. Even though Easter is not all about bunnies and eggs to us Christians, these images are so pleasant! This harsh world needs more soft bunnies and pastel colors! It needs Jesus more though! This year I happened across a wonderful idea from Focus on the Family for teaching our children the true meaning of Easter. I was blessed to be able to help with the devotional part of our homeschool Easter party so I used the idea on an entire group of kids in addition to my own.

I began by telling the kids that I determined the true meaning of Easter to be a big white bunny because I saw so many of them in the stores. They quickly corrected me as I anticipated they would! Even though the world wants us to think that the Easter Bunny is what the holiday is all about, I showed them that we can look at the image of the Easter Bunny and get a clear picture of Jesus Christ- the true reason for the season! I cut out these explanations: