Journal of a Hearth Keeper in Training

Nov. 23, 2009 - T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G.

A challenge from a friend. 

Here is my T.H.A.N.K.S.G.I.V.I.N.G.

Truth found in the Word of God

Husband that loves and cares for me more than I will ever deserve.
Additional bathrooms.  Yes, again, may seem small, but we rarely have to wait now with 3 spots to "go". 
Neighbors that are kind and caring and welcomed us into the neighborhood. 
Kidlets running around and making noise.  What may be frustrating at times, brings great joy to their Mom.
Songs of praise to God that help to keep me focused on what is true and good and pure.
Giving sacrificially.  At times it can be hard, but it is true, it is better to give than to receive.
Internet.  I know highly spiritual.  It is wonderful to be able to stay connected to those we have left behind. 
Vision for our family to grow and walk with the Lord and to be the people that God wants us to be.
Interesting adventure that is moving to a new location.  All sorts of new things to explore, new people to meet and new things to learn. 
No cable.  While I miss some shows, I value the time we are spending together as a family so much more.  The tv reception is not very good, but I am still able to watch the news. 
Growing both physically and spiritually.  It is a joy to watch my children grow to be the people that God wants them to be. 

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Nov. 22, 2009 - a fun time with our sweet friends

We recently were finally able to get together with our precious friends, The Hall Family, -- well, a portion of the family.  We had a great time catching up and are reminded how very sweet our friendship is.  God is so good to bless us with so many wonderful friends.

Mark enjoying  some time in the pool:

The group gathered to pose for a quick picture before we had to leave. 

 

We've been close friends with this family since Mark was born.  It's so great to reconnect.  The children can't wait to do it again.

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Saturday, November 21, 2009 - I get to host the Homesteading Carnival again!

I hosted the 101st Homesteading Carnival back in June, and I'll be hosting the 123rd edition of the Homesteading Carnival coming up on November 30th!

 




If you have an article/blog entry for the November 23rd Homesteading Carnival, please use this form before tomorrow afternoon.  It's being hosted by The Homesteading Carnival themselves!

 

This week's Carnival was hosted by Catherine at Seeds of Love.

Please let me know your thoughts!  Thanks!

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Nov. 20, 2009 - Calls needed to stop intrusive health care bill

I recv'd this today from HSLDA e-lert service:

November 20, 2009

Senate Will Vote on Health Care Bill Creating
Home Visitation Programs--Urgent Calls Needed!

The U.S. Senate will vote at 8 p.m. Saturday, November 21, on whether
to proceed regarding H.R. 3590.  If 60 senators vote for cloture,
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will then substitute his 2,074-page
bill, "The Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act," in
place of H.R. 3590.  This bill will become a shell for the Senate's
version of health care reform, which it will debate and may ultimately
approve.

Majority Leader Reid's bill, the "Patient Protection and Affordable
Health Care Act," is the fifth of six health care bills created by
leaders in Congress that has included federal funding for new home
visitation programs.

While HSLDA does not normally urge its members to act on legislation
relating to health reform, we see the "Patient Protection and
Affordable Health Care Act" as a serious threat to parental rights.
This $848 billion bill calls for home visitation programs which would
empower government officials to teach parents how to raise their own
children.  Although these programs will not be mandatory, parents may
feel pressured to participate, allowing the federal government
unprecedented access into private homes and involvement in early
education. To read more on how "The Patient Protection and Affordable
Health Care Act" threatens your right as a parent to raise your
children as you see fit, please see our preliminary analysis on the
bill at http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=7260 .

ACTION REQUESTED

Please call your senators today and urge them to vote against cloture
on "The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" in H.R. 3590.  You
do not need to identify yourself as a homeschooler. You can use some
or all of the following message:

"I am opposed to 'The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,'
substituted in H.R. 3590 because Section 2951 creates home
visitation/early education programs through grants to the states.  
Parents, not federal or state officials, should make child-rearing
decisions for their children. Please vote no on cloture."

You can reach your two U.S. senators by calling the Capitol
Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. Or find contact information for your
senators by using HSLDA's Legislative Toolbox at
http://www.hslda.org/toolbox .

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith, Esq.
President, HSLDA

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Monday, November 16, 2009 - Daybook: Monday November 16th, 2009


Outside my window…  the sun is low in the sky, casting a beautiful light over the snow-covered fields.  

From the learning rooms… we are wrapping up a Tapestry unit this week and preparing for a week off as we enjoy Ken's vacation days!
 
I am thankful for…  Ken having two weeks home and my restored health!     
 
From the kitchen….   a pan of water begins to boil on the stove--we'll have spaghetti for dinner    

I am hearing... the washer and dryer running, pages turning as the girls read from the book baskets.  
 
I am wearing … a white blouse and a windowpane denim jumper with a long 50's circle-style skirt.  
 
I am reading… Goodness and Mercy by Esther Davison

I am creating… another flannel petticoat.  I think this winter is gonna be cold!   
 
I am praying…  to be faithful in the small things, daily, hourly, and minute-by minute; for the big things are often just small things compounded. 
 
Around the house…  I'm finished with fall cleaning except for a few light fixtures.  I hope to do those this week.    
           
One of my favorite things… a cup of tea, a good book, a quiet evening and a gently glowing candle.  (Ok, that wasn't one thing, but I like them all together.)     
 
A few plans for the rest of the week…  Ken's off this week and next.  This week is a family work-week, next week is play!  

A picture thought to share: Double Bubble Trouble

Double Bubble Trouble

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Saturday, November 14, 2009 - Back to basics

All my children are a bit prone to careless mistakes in their school work, but Kendra won the prize yesterday for the most extreme absent-minded error  to date.

I'd just started to grade her math drill when I noticed she'd gotten the first question on the page wrong.  Not the frist math problem, but rather the frist question on the page; the blank marked, "Name______________".   

I would have understood if she'd forgotten to fill it in, but she answered--incorrectly.  In hasty Kendra-scrawl, she'd written, "Kaira."  

She was surprised and bemused at herself when I pointed it out.  The only explanation she could think of was, "Well, it is a timed test, so I was in a hurry."  She must have been hurried indeed to have forgotten her name!

I'll occasionally say the wrong name, but this is the first time one of the children has mistakenly called herself by a sibling name! 

Throughout the day I've been sneaking up on her and giving a pop quiz, "Quick, what's your name?"   She usually even gets it right--at least when she can stop giggling long enough to answer.

In Her Own World

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Thursday, November 12, 2009 - Positive or Negative?


This is an audience participation post. (Actually all my blog posts are!)  I have a practical question at the end, but I can never simply and directly get to the point.  I've got to ramble first and show pictures. 

Speaking of pictures--have you ever noticed that photo negatives are rather disturbing?  They have a disquieting way of turning familiar people and animalsinto freakish creatures with black cavernous mouths and spooky white eyes. 

 

These particular shots were eerily fascinating to me in negative form: 

Positive or Negative


(Fun tip for Photoshop users--converting a normal image to a photo-negative effect is as easy as pressing the "Control" key and "i" simultaneously.  Just think "i" for invert.)


The "positive" of these pictures are less otherworldly and marine.  (I live in Wyoming; marine life is otherworldly.)  In fact the photos are commonplace, flat and the lighting was awful.  These pictures were taken in the loft of our barn, not because I think they'd be interesting photographic subjects, but because I'm hopeful that others can help me identify them.


We are cautious going up to the barn loft these days, choosing cool days when the wasps will be sluggish.  Attached to the door of the loft are the following homes.

Who lives here?


Ok, so here's my question: what inhabits these dwellings?  I'm pretty sure at least one of the types is a wasp nest.  We'd like to evict our unwelcome waspish tenants, but we don't want to mistakenly vanquish any little honey bee friends.  

In short, are they positive or negative?

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Thursday, November 12, 2009 - People's Choice Awards

If anyone still happens to read this blog, I hope you'll take just a couple extra minutes and vote for me in the Bloggers & Tiaras People's Choice Awards at MomDot.  I've entered the pageant on my other blog... Anita's Antics.  I'd love it if you'd vote for me and then leave me a comment here (or on my other blog) letting me know you did!!!


Just click on the crown (below) and look for "Anita  http://anitamartin.wordpress.com ".  Then, check the little circle next to my name, scroll down and click the "vote" button.  Simple, fast, easy!!!

Vote for Anita, please?
Thank you!!!

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Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - Wordless Wednesday ~ Etch A Sketching


Keegan and Kieran

(Click here to view collage larger)

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Nov. 11, 2009 - Fall soccer is over

Our fall soccer season has come to an end.  We had another wonderful season with some good life lessons along the way. 

The girls had a great end to their season.  They won the championship.  It was even better because Brooks was their coach.

Here's the team giving high 5 after a goal:

We had an amazing goalie, Hannah. 

Here's the whole team with their championship trophies:

And my girls --

 

Bekah was feeling really good and had asked Brooks if she could play.  He told her that he would put her in toward the end of the game.  She can run and play but she is supposed to avoid falling.  Not too long into the game, one of our players got hurt so Bekah went in and played the whole game.  She was out of shape from no activity since the end of August but she did a great job and the girls really enjoyed playing the final game of the season together. 

Mark had a great last game.  Here he is with his buddy, Jackson:

And Mark and Brooks:

Sam's team almost made it to the championship game.  They lost in a shoot out in Friday night's game.  Sam's coach said a small little something about each player as he gave the trophy.  When the coach gave Sam his trophy he said "Sam I can play any position (last name)" Here is Sam receiving his trophy:

 

We have a couple of months of no soccer.  Sam will play indoor winter soccer and that begins in January. 

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