It's a lovely morning here in the Northwest, as in it is forcasted to be cloudy today and not rainy.

It is a trying time of year for me. My Dad loves to tell a story about me that when I was a little baby, he'd take me out in the rain or the cold and immediately I would start crying. I feel like that on the inside now. Oh, where I live is beautiful. The terrain, the wide variety of activities within a short distance from one another, the green...but the constant rain... Well, I'm sorry, you probably didn't come to my blog to hear a lot of whining. I live in the jet stream and I live on the foothills. This time of year I dream of moving somewhere a little sunnier. In the late Spring, Summer, and early Fall, I wouldn't dream of living anywhere else. Our ties have us rooted here anyhow.

This morning, I felt like a "normal" family. Jon was taking Riah to school and he and I got up early (as in 7:00) to get her ready to go. I cleaned, the other kids slept. We have such freedom with our business that we tend to not get up till 8:30 or 9:00 and often Jon doesn't leave until 10:00. I'm always so behind in my day because of this...at least this time of year when it's dark before 5:00. It seems like with most families the husband has to be to work by a certain time and that provides some routine. Of course, I know of other families where the Dad work swing shift. That would be a definite challenge. I am challenged enough to establish a routine for my family with a decently early bedtime and a decently early wake time.

I'm planning on going out and soaking in some light and doing a bit of shopping before the Thanksgiving rush. Then, I'll homeschool. Wish me God's blessings.

In Him-

A homeschooler here in Washington wrote this article. I thought it was pretty good, so I'm sharing it with you. The only thing I think I would add is that actual involvement in pornography is not the only danger of cell phone and internet use (although that's a high enough risk all in itself) and just because we homeschool does not mean our children are protected from these dangers. There are scales of grey regarding what we choose to center our minds on and the internet (and texting and movies and what we see in stores and what we listen to on the radio, etc.) are all real dangers. They can also be a blessing. Let's go for God's best. Let's honor Him with our lives.

Thinking about Giving a Cell Phone, iPod, or PDA for Christmas?
Protect Your Family from Pornography
By Lori from WA

 
While technology can be a fantastic tool for worthwhile endeavors, it can also be an instrument for engaging in grave evil.  Advancing electronic technology has made pornography and sexual content readily accessible on cell phones, iPods, and PDA’s (and basically any other wireless or mobile entertainment device).    If that’s not bad enough, individuals can buy long distance phone cards at the grocery store to use for anonymous “phone sex,” and download music mp3s with explicit content.  In other words, we’re not just talking about protecting children from internet porn any more.   Even if your family doesn’t own any of the previously mentioned electronic devices, your friends do and your children’s friends do too.  Most of us have a TV­an electronic device that will become more problematic as it continues to morph and merge with other technology. 
 
Pornography is a global problem, but America owns a lion’s share of the blame.   According to Michael Leahy, recovering sex addict and bestselling author of Porn Nation: Conquering America's #1 Addiction, pornography is “a 57 billion a year global industry and America is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of porn in the world.” Leahy is an expert on emerging tech trends in pornography and has been featured on ABC's 20/20, The View, USA Today, and numerous other major media sources. 
 
According to the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families, children are often exposed to pornography between the ages of 10-14, if not before.  I would add that today’s pornography is exponentially worse than what my generation saw in 1970s magazines (featuring women).  The Internet contains the most vile filth of every kind, including the sexual exploitation of very young children, sodomy, bestiality, and horrors that would be inappropriate to mention here.  All of these images and video are just a mouse click away.
 
Approximately 60 percent or more of the Internet is made up of sexually explicit content.   According to Family Safe Media, 72 percent of males and 28 percent of females (yes, females) visit pornography sites.   Pornography is easy to access and easy to engage in privately and secretly.  The same goes for explicit conversation via texting (or “sexting”) which can be typed out right under a parent’s nose. 

Here are four reasons I’ve heard from parents as to why they are not safeguarding their children:

(1)   “I’m computer/electronics illiterate--I don’t know what these devices are capable of doing and my kids know way more than me. I don’t feel equipped to figure out how to install or administer filtering software or parental controls.”

My response:  Hold off buying or allowing your children to have these electronic gadgets until they become necessary.  And, when you buy, consider your children’s needs­not wants.  For example, there are cell phones on the market without picture/video/internet capabilities (research and ask about them).  There are also “stand-alone” electronic organizers you can buy as opposed to a PDA (does a 15-year-old really need to sync their schedule with a computer?).  If you decide to consider a mainstream electronic device, ask retailers and service providers if you can shut down certain capabilities (learn also if the phone can connect to internet via other wired/wireless connections outside your home, and if the device can download and upload media).  In summary, get informed with the basics.  Then, get help from on-line resources, friends, and your local retail/computer store to be sure you can put filtering or specific parental controls in place.

(2)   “I trust my children.  They can only go on the Internet when I’m at home, otherwise they know they’re not allowed.”

My response: My husband and I don’t trust ourselves not to sin, and we don’t trust our kids not to sin.  I recently read a quote from a pastor named Bill Perkins that pretty much sums it up:  "If you think you can't fall into sexual sin, then you're godlier than David, stronger than Samson, and wiser than Solomon.”  The stakes are high with pornography so my husband and I take serious precautions to reduce the risk of exposure.  Here’s what we have in place:  We log on to our computer with a parental password (important:  it’s not written down anywhere).  I have an administrative password for our filter which only I know (important:  it’s not written down anywhere).  Our filtering company sends regular Internet activity reports to my husband and me (he and I are both accountable to each other as well as with the kids).  We have a separate user account for our oldest who needs access to the internet for classes.  His user account is filtered down to a “white list” of preapproved sites with no search capability.  Further, his email may only receive messages from pre-authorized senders.  Now, you may think all of this is extreme, and your family may choose do the filtering differently (it’s a personal decision and it’s up to you).  However, I’m trying to stress that I’m much more concerned about limiting the risk of exposure to pornography than other less “risky” areas where my children might disobey me.  If a device poses a risk, it’s either treated as a “controlled substance” or it’s out of here.
 
(3)   “I’m so busy, I don’t have time.”

My response:  Please make the time and let something else slide for a while.  Our children are an inheritance and a gift from the Lord.  They deserve our responsible and reasonable protection.
 
(4)   “Sooner or later my children are going to be exposed to pornography.  I can’t control their sinful hearts, or their temptations.  If they look for something hard enough, they’ll find it.”

My response:  While there are many aspects of our children’s lives that we cannot control, including the sinful nature of their hearts and the sin that surrounds us, it’s important that we don’t assume a fatalistic attitude that equates to laziness.  Our children may gain access to pornography elsewhere.  But, my husband’s and my personal goal is to make it as difficult as possible for our children (or anyone else’s children) to access pornography in our home, or on a device someone in our family carries around with them.  As parents, we must also pray consistently for our children’s hearts, their pursuit of holiness, and for the restraint of evil in this world. We also must pray for the salvation and/or rescue of those who are trapped in the slavery of pornography, which is an addiction that affects non-Christians and Christians alike. 
 
Parents, you can do this!  Please visit the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families (NCPCF) at http://www.nationalcoalition.org/home.asp  You will find a wealth of information including opening lines of communication with your children regarding pornography, and how to be a wise shopper (learning about the capabilities of electronic devices before buying).  You’ll also find information about filtering software and applications for the Internet and portable electronic devices, statistics, and other excellent resources.  The two filters recommended on the website have filtering for internet and mobile phones whereas most others do not. 
 
A sister-section of the NCPCF website has a page that’s an excellent starting place: http://www.icarecoalition.org/icarepurpose.asp
 
Lastly, if you have a child who has, or is engaging in the sin of pornography, here is an excellent article for parents about a Christ-centered approach to helping them:  http://www.crosswalk.com/parenting/teens/11600384/

1. The act (meaning that there is an ACTION to it), duration ( meaning it takes TIME) or an instance (meaning there  may be many times of recovery for different issues) of recovering.
2. The regaining of something lost ( I have lost some of who I was created to be due to recovery issues such as addictions, abuse, anxiety, codependency, depression, anger , control or other kinds of negative behavior on my part and on the part of others, and sometimes circumstances such as illness, death, or other loss. I have lost touch with my emotions, with God and with other people as a result of these same issues)
3.Restoration to a former or better condition.( yes. I need that)
4.The extraction of useful substances from waste ( God never wastes a hurt, and I intend to let Him use mine for good. I do not want my time to be wasted either! Though others may have treated me  as if I was not useful, I will bring out my usefulness and get rid of the waste)
5. In Law, the obtaining of a right by the judgment of a court.(According to the laws of my country, I have the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I intend to exercise those rights in my recovery.)
6- Military operations- returning of an aircraft to a base or float( ( I have a need to come down to rest to refuel and repair, like that aircraft) or
7. Returning of persons to friendly control ( I do not want to be controlled by others- this is by nature unfriendly. I do not want to be in control of other adults, this is not friendly either. I am out of control and need to be with supportive friends who will help me regain control of myself.)
8 a change for the better, a progress in development. ( yes. I need to change for the better and progress in developing health)
9 gradual healing through rest following illness or injury ( my body, mind, emotions and spirit have been wounded and have illnesses due to my recovery issues, and I need to spend time healing through rest. Sometimes rest from activities, thinking, people, work, or situations. This is all part of the process and I have permission to take the time to rest, whenever I need it, for as long as it takes. Healing and recovery are sometimes very gradual.)
10 The act of freeing from captivity or punishment ( I have been captive of my issues and I intend to be freed)
11. The act of regaining posession ( I am taking back my life from those people and things who have taken it over.)

We don't really have changing of the seasons in the desert, at least not where I live. This tree outside my mom's window is so pretty. The picture does not really capture the deep burnt orange color. My dad came to visit today too.

A friend asked me what she can do with some pumpkins she has, so I'm posting my favorite recipes here:

Sweet Dinner Rolls

see these here

½ cup honey

¼ cup warm water

1 cup milk

1/8 cup melted butter

1 cup cooked pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon salt

3 T orange juice

5-6 cups whole wheat flour

3 ½ teaspoons yeast

Mix all ingredients except flour, then slowly add flour until dough is elasticy and not sticky. Let rise about 1 hour in a warm place, then form into small balls. Place on baking stone and let rise 30 more minutes. Bake at 350 for 18 minutes

Chocolate pumpkin cake

1 ½ cup flour

2/3 cocoa

2 teaspoons baking bowder

1 teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup buttermilk

1 cup pumpkin

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ½ sticks butter

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

3 eggs plus 1 yolk

375 for 35 minutes. Makes 2 8” round cakes

Fudgy Frosting

8 oz softened cream cheese

½ stick softened butter

3T milk

3 cups powdered sugar

2/3 cup cocoa powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Beat until fluffy

Pumpkin Bread

2 cups sugar

1 cup olive oil

3 eggs

2 cups pumpkin

3 cups flour (must be WHITE flour)

1 ½ ts salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp nutmeg

Cream together top (wet ingredients first) then add dry. Put into loaf pan(s) (I make 2 small ones) Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

About Me I am a homeschooling Mom who wants to be more like Jesus and less like me! I homeschooled for 10 years and have now graduated both my sons. I now mentor other homeschool Moms, write and pursue my art. My prayer is that I will be a blessing to others in this life and to our Lord, Jesus Christ. get a "tweet me" icon • Seasons of Change • A Look to the Past • Week in Review • Fall has finally come • The little shed - part two Links • Home • View my profile • Archives • Friends • My Blog's RSS • <%LinkTitle%> Friends • TOSPUBLISHER • • JillNovak • MamaBugs • Suzanne • MySmokyMtnHomeschool • DandelionSeeds • TEACHmagazine • takingthechallenge • abundantblessings • Tiany • drewsfamilytx • military • pro3128 • Joyfulhrt • MotherJoy • • JennLovesJesus • whirlwind • joyismystrength • • daybydaygrace • authorDonna • JacqueDixonSoulRestES • angelnavywife • annointed • Canadagirl • CandyFoote • socalval • callmekate • LizzieBee • Haflingerhorses • momofneb • servingtheKingofkings • peppermintpatti • BChsMamaof3 • SincerelyAmanda • Ruth • ctnjm324 • jenn4him • eclecticeducation • withHim4ever • bethanyrae • ltjewel • ReviewsbyHeidi • Bettyoklpn • rvnurse2b • diamondsintherough • Kinley • mykidsmatter2 • imasharp • Joycemarie • MishinIA • dietdivas • geeterbug5 • thedietblog • blessedwith2angels • bakerswife • srostollan • cahanbury • karenskorner • designed4me • NatureNotesFromAbove • Lachney1 • classroomfree • mamakaren • basketflat • summersgirl

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