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MomTo2ChappelBoys
Jun. 29, 2008
We've Kept Busy

    I think I am crazy sometimes.  I know I don't always have a very good idea of where my limits are.  At least that is what my DH and some of my friends insist.  This past week I realized that they were right.  I tried to do too much in one week, but I didn't realize that was the case until I started.  Unfortunately the boys were drug into my craziness.  I hope they haven't suffered too much.
    What did I do? I planned my cooking day for Tuesday, had a birthday party to plan for, a camping trip to pack for, homeschooling, guiding DH  in building the raised beds for my garden, a car repair appointment, and working a full week.  Yes, I exhausted myself and my family.  I have plans to make next year less hectic in June.  I'm going to move my cooking day up one week and just be more conscious of how to manage finances and start packing 2 weeks before Family Camp instead of one.
    I did realize that it would be unrealistic to bake bread this week.  The boys had plenty of options for lunches even without loaf bread.  They ate more vegetables.
    As it stands right now, I have to make the frosting and frost the cake and make fruit salad for the birthday party in the afternoon tomorrow today, wash 1 or 2 loads laundry, scrub the tubs and sinks, and general housekeeping before we leave for camping.  My in-laws are kind enough to care for the fish and plants while we are gone.
    The good news is, I have 17 more days off from work.  Yes, that's right.  I took a real 2 week vacation.  I only have 7 days of activity planned.  I just decided I wanted the opportunity to enjoy my family for more than 5 days of busy chores and activity.  I have never done this without having given birth or having a broken arm.  In fact, I'm taking more time off than I did when I had J.  I had 2 weeks off before I delivered D and I had a lot of fun playing with J and gardening.  What am I going to do with my time?  Play with my guys, go to the beach a couple times, garden, and knit.  It always seems we run out of time before I can do these things.  I do play with the boys for a few minutes most days, but I plan on playing with them for hours at a time.  Maybe we'll even have time for a couple tea parties.
    I'm really excited about the garden.  DH has 9 of the 12 raised beds built.  He needs to receive the last delivery of lumber in order to finish.  I will need to buy soil and compost for the beds.  I had about 6 cubic feet of compost and 32 cubic feet of soil, but that is not nearly enough to fill all the the beds.  I'm very excited.  This year I will only be able to put in fall crops and no broccoli for a while. 
    There will be no broccoli, because the fires have already begun.   Nine days ago we had dry lightening.  It basically has set Northern CA on fire.  The smoke rolled in Friday morning.  It was clear as I was driving home from work but the skies were gray when I woke up at 1pm.  The smoke is sitting high and not causing any difficulty with asthma here.  My mom says actual ash is falling at her house and my sister told me she's not allowing her children outside to play.
    Well I need to start the process of turning around to a normal day shift schedule.  I need sleep so I can be rested for worship and a birthday party.  I'll post pictures of our various activities as soon as I can.
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Jun. 15, 2008
Walking As Jesus Did

    I really love the Bible curriculum we use, "Bible Study for All Ages."  The application can allow you to search as deeply as you can.  We are studying about the descendants of Adam and Eve.  Last week was about Cain and Abel.  We discussed mastering sin.  This week the application is walking with God.  Enoch is the example; "he walked with God and was no more."
    The curriculum didn't bring in I John 1:5-7 and I John 2:3-6.  These verses have always been important to me.  "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." I John 1:5-7.  You could just keep reading to gain the full context.
    "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him.  This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did." I John 2:3-5.
    We discussed how we could walk as Jesus did.  The boys came up we these things:
1) Serve others- by touching them physically and emotionally, giving of ourselves.
2) Know God's Word- meditating on it and studying it daily, being capable of quoting scripture.
3) Prayer- having a personal friendship with God.  We discussed the different ways in which we could commune with God.  The daily prayers, spontaneous words of confession, praise, and/or petition.
4) Teaching others- Jesus taught as he lived daily life.  He used parables and nature.
5) Obedience to God's Will- Jesus was obedient to God's will even when he had to do something he didn't want to do.  The human side of Jesus didn't want to die on the cross.  He would have gladly bore our sins in some other way if it was possible, but he was submissive to God's will.

    We discussed that walking with God required a daily commitment to remain faithful and obedient to God.  Each morning it requires us to wake up and pray, "Father, I commit myself to you today.  I want to walk hand in hand with you.  Please help me remain obedient to you and to walk as Jesus did.  Let me see each opportunity to serve your children and shine your light in the darkness."
    DH and I explained that by committing each day to the Lord would help them to stay close to Jesus side and prevent them from one day looking up and saying, "How did I get here?  I've wondered so far from home."  J brought up the Prodigal Son and how he chose to leave his father for the "better life."  "Which isn't a better life at all.  It may look good but it's just all shiny and empty," to quote J's commentary. 
    DH likened the boys' faith to this:  It's like Mommy and Daddy's faith is an oak tree and we give them each an acorn by sharing our faith and nurturing it.  We give them an acorn, they have to plant and tend it in order for it to grow.  We can share our faith and encourage them, but they have to make the personal decision to nurture and develop their own personal faith.
    We spent time this evening singing songs of prayer and praise to our Lord.  This is one of my favorite family times.  It must be all of ours because we tend to continue until the boys are exhausted and/or we lose our voices.  One song we sang tonight has the chorus:
The greatest friend you'll ever find is on a lonely mountain,
And the highest high you'll ever reach is when you kneel to pray,
And the brightest light you'll ever see is when you close your eyes.
Oh, Lord you are my first love, at last I realize.
It took my singing the chorus 3 times for J to understand what it meant.  Then I could see in his eyes how significant and special the message was. The best experience you can ever have is when you are in prayer with our Lord.
    It is good for my soul to be able to share my faith with my children.  They understand what God wills for their life and see them growing every day.
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Jun. 9, 2008
Continuing With Our Routine

    I know it has been a while since I wrote anything on my blog.  Our family has been busy following our routine of school and work.  We have had some playtime as well.  School is going very well.  The boys are more self directed and self motivated.  Their narrations are getting more detailed.  J is even starting to analyze what he reads and offer more opinions. 
    J is enjoying having more independence in the kitchen.  It feels strange and somewhat irresponsible to stay out of the kitchen and watch from a far while he is mixing up baked goods or cooking in the microwave.  I still oversee all direct interaction with the cooktop and oven.  D is trying to become more independent in the kitchen as well.  They are both doing a great job.  They have a well developed sense of safety and when they need help.  We're working  on fine tuning the clean-up process.
    DH is enjoying his job at the bank.  He likes his coworkers and believes in the philosophy of the business.  He enjoys the customers who comes through.  I like that he comes home with a smile on his face.
    We have a nice routine for when Nana comes to stay when my schedule overlaps with DH's.  I think the boys like having their time with her.  They like the change in routine and style. 
    Since D has learned to ride his bike, we have been riding down to and around the fairgrounds.  Our goal is to add 1/2 mile each week and be able to ride between 5-7 miles by the end of the summer.  DH bent the front wheel of his bike in an accident, so it's in the shop.  We are looking forward restarting our family rides.  These rides will be where we gain the most strength and endurance.  The boys tend not to notice feeling tired when they are riding with their dad.  J can already ride between 5-7 miles.  Next year we'll do the family fun ride during the Tour Of The Unknown Coast.
    Last weekend, my parents took the boys on an adventure up to Crescent City.  They visited Trees of Mystery, where the talked to Paul Bunyon and rode the sky trail 3 times.   They visited the lily pond, Clam Beach, had a picnic at the Red School House at Smith River and the Roosevelt Elk Reserve, went to Ocean World where  D petted sharks, walked out to Battery Point Lighthouse (it was closed so they couldn't go in), and played in Jeddidah Smith Redwood Forest (J insists he saw an Ewok because he was in Endor-  This is where Return of the Jedi was filmed).  Overall they had a very fun adventure and didn't miss Mommy and Daddy at all.  When D was told it was time to go home, his response was, "Why?"  It's good to know that you're loved.
    This Saturday is the homeschool End of the Year Picnic.  We are looking forward to fun day of fellowship, play, and good food.  It's nice to see the families in the homeschool group, some of which we only see a couple times/year and others we see quite regularly.
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May. 20, 2008
It's Here!!!!

    My new sofa arrived today!!  I am so very happy.  We find that we have more seating in less space than the old sofa and chair. We're all snuggled up watching "Good Eats."  The sofa is very comfortable.
    Here is the photo.

    We returned from school break yesterday.  We fell back into our school routine quickly and easily.  We had a nice break filled with D learning to ride his bike without help, gardening, working on crafts, nature walks, and a visit from my niece for 4 days.
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Apr. 5, 2008
Nature Walk

    Every day we go on a nature walk.  We try to vary our route so we can see different plants and animals.  The boys bring their binoculars and a notebook.  Yesterday I took the camera along as well.  I think I may try to bring it more often.  It will aid in identifying new plants and also make sketches easier to complete.  Here are the photos I took yesterday.
The boys in front of the garden at the museum.

This is a remnant of the bridge on Ocean Ave. which was built in 1902 over Francis Creek.  The bridge was rebuilt in 2002.

A beautiful tulip.  The boys are loving the tulips, daffodils, and crocus right now.

Ferndale is definitely a cow town.  A young steer is grazing in a pasture on Rose Ave.

They have such sweet faces.  The cows have always loved to be close to the boys while we go on walks.  The boys have had new babies suck on their fingers.  They have rough tongues.  Their tongues are not as rough as cat tongues, but not as smooth as a dog's.
    We took a picture of a pair of snails, but I didn't use the correct setting on the camera.  The picture is blurry.  We were on a quest to see ducks, but none were found.
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Mar. 29, 2008
Homeschool Tracker Upgraded

    Yesterday, I upgraded from Homeschool Tracker Basic to Homeschool Tracker Plus.  I always knew that I would eventually upgrade when the time was right.  I thought it would be when I started keeping formal grades and started to create a transcript.  Then, I realized I could save hours of work each year during preparation. 
    If I had realized how much easier life was going to be, I would have used Homeschool Tracker Plus from the start.  Yesterday, I was still down with a sinus infection (Yes, I succumbed to the virus that is going around after 6 weeks of fighting it.), so I took the time to learn how to use the new features in the program.  Half of next year's assignments are already scheduled for both boys.  It has taken half the time and much less frustration to get the work done.  I like having more control over when the assignments are and how they look. 
    I also like the built in schedule.  It will save having the schedules posted by the calendar in the laundry room.  It will keep our day more organized.  Hopefully I should hear less, "What should I do next?"  and "Can I have lunch now?" (at ten or eleven a.m.).
    Thank you Homeschool Tracker for helping keep my life more organized.  All of my friends and family know how I like to keep things neat and organized.
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Mar. 19, 2008
They Are Growing Up Too Fast!!!

    On Saturday, we took the boys clothes and shoe shopping after the one day VBS at the church in Eureka.  D is in size 8 now and J is in size 12.  They both wear slims, but I'm realizing that their sizes no longer have the elastic button tape with which you can adjust the size of the waist.  I desperately need these back, because my sons are too skinny for slims.  DH said, "Only our boys would fit in slims like they were huskies."
    Off to shoes.  D is still in size 13 1/2 and have feet that look like little boy/baby feet.  This makes me very happy.  J, on the other hand, has huge big boy feet!!!!  I nearly started to cry when we realized that they are the same size as my feet.    I tried on his new shoes.  They are quite comfortable.   His toes are like man toes.  How did this happen?  Who asked me if this is okay?  He's only 9!  He's still my little boy!
    I'm not ready for my little man to become not so little.  I need a little more time to get used to this idea.  I thought this wouldn't happen for a few more years.  I guess I was wrong.  I'll get used to this eventually.
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Mar. 16, 2008
Previous Entries Updated

    My Shutterfly Studio has finally been updated so I can upload pictures more easily.  This means I have been able to add photos to the entries I've made since December.  If you're interested, scroll down and enjoy the added pictures.
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Mar. 16, 2008
Foggy Bottoms Milk Run

    Last Sunday, the boys and I ran in the Foggy Bottoms Milk Run here in Ferndale.  We ran in the 2 mile race.  J ran the race in 18:49 and D ran it in 21:40.  I stayed with D to make sure he stayed safe, so I took his time.  We had a lot of fun.  Our friends came down for worship, the race, and pizza and fun afterward.  Our house was busy with 7 children.
    The Wednesday prior to the race, the entire team came to our house for practice.  Since we live just off of the route we started our run here that day.  After we ran, we came back and enjoyed the spiced carrot cake J made before going to play a game of baseball.
    Here are some photos:
Receiving instructions prior to the practice run on Wednesday.

J running over the finish line in the Foggy Bottoms Milk Run on March 9.  He's the little boy closest to the red mat.

D finishing the race.  I'm holding his hand.  He did  an excellent job.  He only asked me to slow down a few times.
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Mar. 13, 2008
Out With The Old and In With The New

    God is good in how he provides with us with our needs.  Just hours before we were going to use our tax refund in the way we planned, I discovered the need to replace my current sofa and chair could no longer be delayed.  About two years I ago, I made slipcovers for them because the upholstery was worn out but the frame was still good.  Yesterday, I realized that the furniture had deteriorated to the point that I have to replace it very soon.
    I had been hoping for a few more years before I reached this point, but God provides for his children.  We had the cash in hand to purchase a new sofa, even though that was not what we planned.  This afternoon my husband and I ordered this sectional sofa. We ordered it in a sage green microfiber suede with wine microfiber pillows which match the sage green floral pillows I made last year.  Our sectional with have a sleeper bed in the two cushion section which does not contain the recliner.  It will be arriving in mid-May.  I look forward to the added seating and easy care upholstery.  DH loves the idea of having a recliner.  D has claimed the corner cushion.  J says he likes it too.
I'll take a photo of my sectional when it arrives for all to enjoy.  It will be a long time until I will have replace this one.  I purchased the extended StainSafe warranty to make sure it stays nice through the boys' childhood.
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Mar. 11, 2008
It's Time To Take Action

    California residents who support homeschooling need to take action now.  A concurrent resolution has been introduced into assembly, and if passed will go on to the Senate for vote.  We need to call our assemblymen and Senators to encourage them to support this resolution. 
    Basically the resolution calls for the CA Supreme Court to overturn the appellate court ruling in the case of Re Rachel L, which in effect calls homeschooling without possessing a teaching credential illegal.

    Here is a copy of the resolution introduced by Assemblyman Anderson.
BILL NUMBER: ACR 115	INTRODUCED
BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Anderson

MARCH 10, 2008

Relative to home schooling.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


ACR 115, as introduced, Anderson. Home schooling.
This measure would acknowledge the long and rich history of
private home schooling in California and call upon the California
Supreme Court to reverse the opinion of the California Court of
Appeal for the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles in the case
of In re Rachel L. that home schooling without a teaching credential
is not legal.
Fiscal committee: no.



WHEREAS, Some 30 years of experience with the modern home
schooling movement in California demonstrates that home-school
graduates take up responsible positions as parents, as students in
and graduates of colleges and universities, in the workplace, and as
citizens in society at large; and

WHEREAS, Home schooling by California families with diverse
backgrounds has historically given children a quality education
through proven, independent approaches that nurture valuable family
bonds and support successful pupil development; and

WHEREAS, Private home schooling has a long and rich history in the
State of California, and is currently estimated as involving 200,000
pupils in the state and 2,000,000 pupils nationwide; and

WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court has ruled that parents
have a fundamental constitutional right to direct the education and
upbringing of their children (Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) 406 U.S. 205,
Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925) 268 U.S. 510, and Meyer v.
Nebraska (1923) 262 U.S. 390); and

WHEREAS, On February 28, 2008, the California Court of Appeal for
the Second Appellate District in Los Angeles issued an opinion in the
case of In re Rachel L., 2008 Cal.App. Lexis 292 (Cal.App.2d Dist.
Feb. 28, 2008) holding that home schooling without a teaching
credential is not legal; and

WHEREAS, This misguided interpretation denies California parents
their primary responsibility and right to determine the best place
and manner of their own children's education; and

WHEREAS, The fair opportunity of California families to educate
their children should not be undermined; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature hereby calls upon the
California Supreme Court to reverse the opinion of the California
Court of Appeal for the second Appellate District in the case of In
re Rachel L., that home schooling without a teaching credential is
not legal; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.


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Mar. 8, 2008
California and Homeschooling

    I'm sure many of you have heard about the appellate court ruling and published statement issued on Feb. 28 in L.A.  I heard about it yesterday when my sister called to tell me in a trembling voice.  I must admit I spent most of the day in shock.  This was so unexpected.  I have spent most of my time as a homeschooling parent confident that I wouldn't face any  problems.  Whether that is naive or over confident, I'm not sure.  It's probably a little of both.
    Anyway, I signed the petition on HSLDA's website and spent time in prayer.  I now feel confident that with prayer and by taking what action I can take that every thing will turn out fine.  Like DH keeps saying, "God is in control.  His will will be done."  DH sent out emails to all our friends and family to encourage them to sign the petition. 
    My request for you is to sign the petition and to spend time in prayer.  We need to pray about our families, our country, and the leadership.  This country is becoming more and more socialistic and government controlled by the moment.  This is not what our founding fathers intended- it's the exact opposite.  We all need to be thoughtful and prayerful when deciding how we will vote at every level of government. 
    I do like what Copper's Wife has to say about the issue.  Take time to read what she says and what her elder says in his blog. 
    While I pray, I'm going to continue doing what I have always done, provide my children with the best Christ centered education that I can with the help of my Lord and Savior who gives me strength to do all things through Him and who works all things for the good of those who trust in Him.
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Feb. 26, 2008
Bumps In The Road

    We have gotten off track with our homeschooling schedule by no fault of our own.  The entire family suffered from the flu last week.  What a nasty virus it is.  Everyone who has fought it or is fighting has my full sympathy.  In 13 years of knowing my DH, I have never seen him this ill.  (He was too sick to complain and could only use his computer minimally.)  We had fevers up to 103.5.  I had to administer cold compresses, tepid baths, and Tylenol.  I managed to remain healthy until my days off from work and then I didn't have the fever, thank the Lord.
    Anyway, the boys were heartbroken when they were too sick to participate in Famous Americans on Saturday.  The homeschool group missed out on the cutest Commander General George Washington and Sergeant Elisha Bostwick.  They worked so hard on their presentation.  We will host a party and invite some friends of ours so they will have the pleasure of performing their presentation and wear their costumes.
    I am hoping tomorrow we can start to get back on track with the assignments we left undone.  We have been able to do very little this week so far.  Yesterday was filled with grocery shopping, an oil change for the car, and prep work for once a month cooking.  The boys took great pleasure in being able to assist with the prep work which included using a knife under supervision.  Today they really wanted to participate in the cooking, so we set school work aside and cooked.  They both put in a full days' work between cooking, washing dishes, and helping package the food.  They took great pride in their accomplishments and were asleep the moment their heads hit the pillow.
    My house is maintained to the barest standard of cleanliness, but it will have to wait until Thursday.  Tomorrow is DH's birthday.  The morning will be filled with school, the afternoon will be devoted to making a surprise birthday cake and special dinner for Daddy while he is still at work, and the evening will be a family birthday party.
    I'm very pleased with this school year so far despite this bump in the road.  We have kept on schedule much better this year than ever before and their recall and  quality of narration is improving greatly.
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Feb. 10, 2008
From The Inside Out

    Meditations for this week:
       On Sunday mornings, we are working through the video series on Marriage and the Family by Don Ruhl.  Today we watched the 10th lesson on "Building Your Child's Character From the Inside Out."  He had so many good thoughts and scriptures on which to mediate.  It worked together with this evening's lesson on "Building Your House on a Firm Foundation" to give me a fuller lesson on which to meditate.

    What foundation do I want my sons to build their life on? 
    Matt. 7: 24-27I Pet. 2: 4-9, Jesus is our foundation.  If we have any other foundation our life will crumble and end in spiritual death in hell.
   
    What does God value in a person?
    I Pet. 3:3-4 a quiet and meek spirit built from the inside out.   Matt. 15:17-20 the product of our heart is what God values.

    What do I teach my boys so they will have a heart that God desires? 
    Ecc. 12: 13-14 to fear God and keep his commands.   Prov. 4:20-27 to meditate on God's Word, to keep it your heart, and keep your eyes on Him.  I Tim. 4: 8 to work to develop godliness in your life.

    What qualities should I strive to instill in my sons?
    Matt. 5:1-12
to seek after God and know I need him, to keep will under his control, to hunger and thirst after righteousness, to be merciful to others, to be pure in heart, to be a peacemaker, and to never give way under opposition.  II Pet. 1: 5-7 grow in the spiritual fruits and build on each one.  Gal. 5: 22-23 to have love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.   Eph. 5: 18-21 to show an attitude of thankfulness, focus on God, and submit and serve one another.  Matt. 7: 7-9, 6: 19-33 seek after God's will and his righteousness.  Trust that all your needs will be provided by Him as long as you keep your life focused on serving and obeying him.

    How will my sons learn these qualities? 
    Brother Ruhl had an excellent list which has really made me think and examine my life.

Our Children Learn What Spiritual Qualities
We Value Through:

1.  Our example- what we strive for in life.
2. Our reactions to:  What they do.
                               What others do.
                               What we admire.
3. Our approval of their friends- social status, character qualites.
4. What we emphasize in their education.  Is spiritual growth more         important than academics?
5. What we emphasize for their future and career choice.

    As you can see I have much to examine and meditate on for my own life.  My prayer is that God will use this time of meditation and reflection to help me grow and become more like Him.  We are facing a major change in our life starting in the morning.  It will be a good change that has been long sought after and desired.  It will take time and fortitude to travel the road to where our family wants to reach.  I pray that I will face the challenges up ahead with the grace and poise of Christian woman with a gentle and quiet spirit.  May DH and I instill in our sons the values and will of God through the choices we make.
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Feb. 7, 2008
Cross Country

    The boys restarted cross country practice three weeks ago.  The team is training to run in the 2 mile race at The Foggy Bottoms Run/Walk which will take place in early March.  I try to run 3 times/week with them here in town and then attend practice.  The weather is a bit of a challenge.  It rains a lot here in the winter and we tend to have heavy fog in the mornings (redwood trees help create fog to obtain water).  Since the boys are still small I try to pay attention to visibility and safety.  J is getting faster and is able to finish closer to the big boys' time now.  D is getting stronger and is able to run the full 2 miles.  Yesterday he only asked me to hold his hand twice and didn't complain when I said no.  I enjoy running with the team because it will help me become more fit. (I walk with a co-worker 3-6 times/week and do pilates afterwards as well.)
    We all like the social aspect of the cross country team.  After the boys cool down from running they play with their team members.  Some of their team members were already friends from church.  They are developing new friendships.  The moms enjoy the opportunity to visit.  I am developing deeper friendships with the other homeschool moms.  I really like that especially since I spend so much time at work with women who are not Christians and/or have a completely different philosophy on how to live life. 
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Jan. 26, 2008
Term 2

    We have finished the 1st week of Term 2.  The boys have returned to their routine quite nicely.  D is studying 13th century history with an emphasis on England, learning place value and grouping in math, and about different mammals in science.  He's learning about several animals which are on the endangered species list.  Each week he draws a picture of the animal he has studied.  A couple have turned into "Save the ...." posters.  He has a "Save The Black Rhino" poster, "Save The Elephant" poster, and "Save The Whales" poster on his bedroom door.  I think J may have made the "Save The Whales" poster because it has been there for a couple years now.  Both of my boys have tender hearts and are very kind.
    J is studying Colonial America in history, learning to master simple multiplication in math, enjoying learning all about birds in science, and learning how to organize his thoughts in order to write a paper about a historical character.   He is struggling with learning how to read about an important person in history and discern what are the most important facts to communicate.  He came to me this week and said, "I think everything is important."  I talked to him about figuring out what the most important qualities and/or actions made John Adams (the historical person he chose) special.  Next week, I'll sit down with him and see what he has come up with and give him more direct guidance.  Up until now his education has been mainly learning basic facts and learning that it's ok to struggle with lessons.   Now he's getting old enough to start learning how to use critical thinking. 
    One of my co-workers asked me if the coming years were going to be easier or harder.  I told her it was going to be easier and harder at the same time.  I said that it was going to be easier in that I wouldn't have to read as many of the lessons to the boys as they developed better reading skills.  It was going to be harder in that the concepts and skills were going to more complex.  I think the hardest will be teaching them how to critically think for themselves.  When I was a tutor, I skipped the age group between 10-13 years old, so I don't have experience helping someone develop their critical thinking skills from the start of the transition from concrete thinking to abstract thinking.  God will be my strength and guide through this time.  I will have to rely and trust Him to make everything come out just right.  Each of the boys will have to be taught how to think in a different way.  This will be an interesting adventure.

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Jan. 26, 2008
Baking

    J has decided that he is 95% sure that he wants to be a pastry chef when he grows up.  He has been having a lot of fun pouring over baking cookbooks and helping me in the kitchen.  Last Saturday, he made his first batch of biscuits and his first apple pie.  Both of which were wonderful and we enjoyed.  Today he was itching to bake, so he made Carmel Muffins for our breakfast in the morning.  He is almost independent with simple baking.  It will be fun to see what he can accomplish in the next few months.
    He has been enjoying helping me bake bread and make communion bread each week.  The help is appreciated.  I just need to start teaching him how to make savory pastries so I can keep my waistline in check.
    Even if he decides a different career when he is older, we will have spent hours having fun together.  He's learning a valuable skill that he can bless his future family and friends with.
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Jan. 17, 2008
Organizing and Cleaning

    Our school break is about to come to an end.  Monday we start back up.  I haven't accomplished all I wanted to, but I think what I have done will make our life easier.  The sewing remains unfinished, but I'll get to that one of these days.  I haven't even been knitting very much.
    So what have I been doing?  Organizing and cleaning my house.  One Sunday the boys were asked, "What will Mommy have in heaven?"  D responded, "Lots of closets."  This isn't because I have a lot of clothes and shoes.  It's because I like everything to be neatly organized, pleasant to look at, and easy to find and use.  This past month I've purchased a ton of plastic shoe boxes and a few other storage containers.  I've reorganized my laundry room, bathroom, and both bedrooms.  I still want to finish DH's office, the boys' play area/school space, and the kitchen.  Those will have to be done bit by bit since I have run out of time to dedicate entire days to them.
    Today we received our new comforter set in the mail.  I now have a beautiful gold and burgundy comforter set.  The particle board night stands are gone.  In their place are glass topped decorator tables with burgundy damask table cloths.  Soon the shower curtain and wheat insulated curtains will be replaced with burgundy velvet curtains.  Then I will only have to buy a real dresser.  Right now I have a pressed board 5 drawer dresser.  The furniture is left over from when we first moved to CA after graduating from college.  Every other room has been treated to real furniture.  Just about everything has been purchased used and for little money.
    My main challenge now is to keep the guys on track.  It's really easy to fall into bachelor habits when Mom is working three 12 hour night shifts in a row.  I'm only awake 1-2 hours before leaving and I prefer to spend them playing with the boys and exercising instead of cleaning.  I have to change my habits and be the home inspector every day.  I just don't enjoy walking around saying, "Your room is a mess.  Clean up the mess you made at lunch.  Put your school books away neatly and properly.  I have to go to work now.  I love you."  I'll figure it out.  They might like me a little better.
    The better organized home will make it easier for everyone to keep things neat.  It will definitely make it quicker for me to clean the house.  That makes me feel good.
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Jan. 1, 2008
Long Awaited Recipes

      Here are few recipes that have been requested by other people.  It has taken a while for me to post these, but here they are.


Tortilla Black Bean Casserole
Makes 6 servings

In a skillet:
2 cups chopped onion (or to taste)
1 1/2 cups chopped green pepper
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 14 1/2 oz can tomatoes, cut up
3/4 cup picante sauce
2 tsp ground cumin
2 15 oz cans black beans or kidney beans, drained and rinsed
12 6 inch corn tortillas
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
2 medium tomatoes, chopped (optional)
2 cups shredded lettuce (optional)
1 cup  sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)
Saute the onion,pepper, garlic, tomatoes, picante and cumin until lightly cooked.
Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
Stir in beans.
In a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan:
Spread 1/3 of the bean mixture over the bottom.
Top with 1/2 the tortillas, overlap as necessary, and 1/2 the cheese.
Add another 1/3 of the bean mixture, then remaining tortillas and bean mixture.
Cover and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.
Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
We pass the chopped fresh tomatoes, lettuce, and ff sour cream at the table for individual toppings.


Chickpea, Okra, and Tomato Soup
serves 6

This peasant soup works well at Christmas time. It's light yet intensely flavored making a change from the richer soups around at this time.

1 fl oz olive oil
8oz okra topped and cut in half lengthways (I use frozen okra since I freeze it.  It keeps the okra from becoming slimy)
11/2 large onions, finely chopped
11/2tsp salt
11/2tsp paprika
11/2tsp dried oregano
1lb 5oz fresh, ripe tomatoes, skinned and chopped
21/2 pints vegetable stock
1lb 5oz boiled chick peas
3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
4tsp tomato purée
1 medium -sized courgette (zucchini), cut into small squares
1oz fresh, flat leaf parsley
1oz fresh basil
1oz yogurt, optional

1. Heat half the olive oil and sauté the okra at a high temperature for 1 minute.
2. Add the remaining oil, heat and sauté the onions.
3. Add the salt, paprika, oregano, tomatoes and simmer for 4 minutes.
4. Add the stock and bring to the boil.
5. Add the chick peas and simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Add the garlic, tomato purée and courgette and simmer for a further 2 minutes.
7. Add the fresh herbs and optional non-dairy yogurt before serving.

© Chico Francesco, The Citrus Tree, The Vegetarian Society, The Vegan Society
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Jan. 1, 2008
Happy New Year

  
 Happy New Year!!  This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice in it.  He gave us a beautiful 1st day of 2008.  The sun was shining and it was the perfect temperature. 
    Last night we were enjoy a brief glimpse of what heaven will be like.  Our friends Paul and Susan, with 5 of their children came over for dinner.  We had a wonderful time visiting.  The children played games together while us adults spent time visiting.  I think that last night I had more fun washing dishes than any other time I can recall.  It's nice to have company while you are doing clean up.
    We had seen Paul, Susan, and the kids at the fellowship hosted by the McKinleyville Church of Christ on Saturday.  While we were in line for lunch, Isaac (just a few months older than D) told me that he felt like I was his aunt, DH was his uncle, and the boys were his cousins.  I told him, "Of course you do.  That's because we are family."
    Last night I enjoyed watching J with little Emily.  He has always been very good with younger children.  He is a lot like my brother in that way.  He played pick up sticks with Emily so she wouldn't be left out of the games.  After playing with her, we heard, "Come on J---!"  When the kids were playing Rummicube, Emily felt left out.  I suggested that J have her on his "team."  So off she went to sit beside J and play with the big kids.  We heard everyone laughing and playing together. 
    That's how God wants us to be.  He wants us to be quick to let others join us, even if they don't know the rules, are "too young," or any other reason why someone shouldn't join in.  J just opened his arms to Emily when he realized she felt left out.  We're all part of God's family and should embrace each other as brothers and sisters.  The fellowship and love we have in Christ is more beautiful and immeasurably better than we can fathom.
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