T-Bone's Blog

Here's One for Your Video Game Addicts

Last year, a friend of the boys' told them about Gamemaker software.  He said that he made a game and they should check it out.  They downloaded the free version of the software and tried to make a game, but got nowhere except frustrated.  So I was excited when I received a three-month membership to Tektoma, Inc.'s website for tutorials using the game maker software.

Tektoma declares that their tutorials are useable by ages 7 to 17.  The boys have spent a few hours using the tutorials and I would be hard-pressed to see a seven year old complete this tutorial with no assistance.  Our youngest is 11 and our oldes is 13 years old.  They have been able to follow the tutorials and create their games without assistances.  I had to install the game maker software and the "extras" pack.  The installation was easy, but needs to be done by an adult. 

Our guys are very adept at video game and computer useage.  They didn't have a problem following the instructions in the tutorials they tried.  They said that it was a lot of information to take in and they'd like to complete each tutorial more than once so that they can really grasp the concepts learned in order to branch out and create their own games, not replicate the games taught in the tutorial.  It was very exciting for them to learn to use the gamemaker software.  They love video games and have talked for years of designing their own games.  Learning this software using Tektoma's tutorials has been a dream-builder for my two enthusiasts.  I'm really pleased with Tektoma's approach.

Subscribing to the tutorials is a little pricey for the year ($140), but you can pay $14.95 per month, which is a little more reasonable.  There are also ways to earn free time by recommending Tektoma tutorials to your friends, so don't disregard this website if you are pressed for money.  AND Tektoma has a 14-day free trial.  I love free trials!  You know what you're getting before having to pay.

If you have a gamer in your house, check out Tektoma.  My two guys have really enjoyed what they've learned.  I'm grateful that they have offered a way for our boys to learn game-programming.  And I don't have to worry about the content!

For more information:

• Contact Tektoma by email:  info@tektoma.com
• Check out the reviews of other crew members here.
• Check out their website and try them free for 14 days.

Another Online Math program

I received a 45-day membership for our sons to 3P Learning's Mathletics website in return for the following review.

If you read my blog with any regularity, you may know that I love math.  It's a sickness really.  My boys, even though they are great at math, don't love it.  It's because when I formally taught them in the early days, I was impatient, which caused them to hate math-time with Mommy.  Earlier in this year we were given the opportunity to review an on-line math program, which we all enjoyed.  Several weeks ago, we were given another opportunity to review a different on-line math program from 3P Learning.  The site is called Mathletics.

This is a very entertaining website.  It is very graphic intensive, so an older PC with a dial-up connection might give you problems.  They do have system requirements on their website so be sure to check those out before trying out this program.

Although I received two sign-ons, one for each of our boys, one sign-on had already been assigned to a girl in Canada.  When I contacted customer service I never received a reply.  As a result of this, only our youngest son used this program for any amount of time.  He enjoyed using it because it is very gamelike.  Our boys do play video games and computer games and we don't limit it too much as long as it doesn't get out of hand.  So our guys are really familiar with on-line gaming.  The graphics were good and there was opportunities to play games when certain lessons were complete.  Of course our 11-year-old T-Bone LOVED the games.  When setting up his sign-on he got to design a little person to represent him on-line.  He liked doing that too.  All-in-all he liked using this program, but had no problems when I told him it was time to return to what we have been using this year.

I found this to be a fun program, but the math level was a little lower than what we use typically.  In other words, when we put in his grade level, the math-work that was required of him was more review and less challenging than I like. (which is why T-bone liked it so much, I think)  I never received a response to my customer service concern, so I can't recommend them in customer service.

This webiste/program is known for having great parental controls and check-ups, but I would prefer to have those land in my email in-box.  I didn't receive any updates from Mathletics after T-Bone signed-on and began using the program.  As any busy homeschool mom, I didn't think to get on-line, log into the program and check on his progress.  I was watching and sitting in the living room as he worked on-line so I knew what he was doing.  I recorded his time for our records, but it would have been nice to get an email updateof his progress. 

It's a good program, you could solve the level problem by simply bumping your student up a level when registering.  There are opportunities to compete against other students using math-skills you develop while using this program, which can be very appealing to children.  Unfortunately there is  no free-trial so that you can get a taste of Mathletics.  But check out their website if you're interested in learning more about this program.  It is available for Kindergarten through grade 8.

Mathletics is relatively inexpensive as on-line math programs go.  The cost is $59 for a one-year subscription.  But while subscribing, if you enter "the human calculator's favorite number" (it's 9) you can get your subscription for $49.95.   You can see subscription information by hitting the "purchase" button on the mathletics website.  One drawback is that there is no discount for multiple students, so for a large family this could get pricey. 

For more information about Mathletics, check out their "about" page by going to their website and clicking on the "about mathletics" button.  And, as always, here's the link to the other crew members' reviews.

Can you Spell...Spelling?!?

A few weeks ago I received Level 1 and Level 2 of "All About Spelling" in exchange for the following review.  Even though our guys are beyond the basic spelling programs, being 11 and 13 years old, I chose to use it as a review for them.  Early in our homeschooling days, I read about Charlotte Mason from a few homeschooling speakers.  In their interpretation, our boys would be great spellers simply because we read great literature.  Well, that didn't happen.  Our boys are not what I consider great spellers.  In annual tests, they are on grade level, but to me, when every other test is at least a few grades above grade level, spelling is lacking.  So, I decided to begin at square one with the boys using All About Spelling Level 1.  BOY was I surprised at what I found!

I was pretty excited to review this product because I had read about it several years ago.  The idea is that there are very specific sounds or phonograms in the english language that are used repeatedly.  (think shun for "tion")  If you learn these phonograms and how the sounds are spelled, your spelling improves.  When I did try to instruct our boys in spelling years ago, I used the old spelling rules that I was taught.  We all quickly learned that all these rules were made to be broken!  This made our spelling careers very frustrating.  Using the methods in All About Spelling, we aren't learning or teaching rules, but sounds.  It's quite brilliant.

I received the starter kit, available for $26.95 and Levels 1 ($29.95) and2 ($39.95), of All About Spelling.  On the Sunday before I planned to begin the program with the boys I sat at the kitchen table to assemble all the materials in the Starter Kit.  There were several laminated sheets of color-coded letter squares.  I had to cut out each square to make 105 individual letter tiles.  Also included in the kit are two sheets of magnetic squares with adhesive backs.  I put one individual magnet on the back of each letter tile.  Then I had to separate the perforated flash cards which are color coded for different skills.  All of this preparation took about an hour and a half.  I spent another hour reviewing the lessons and getting prepared for the week ahead.

Because the boys are older, I bunched several lessons together into one lesson to move them through the program.  Surprisingly, we did find challenges in this program!  I thought that since this was such a beginner level, we'd breeze right through it.  But even I was challenged to write the letter based on the sounds it makes.  For instance, if I made the sounds "ssss" as in snake and "zzzz" as in zither, would you write the letter S on your sheet?  Or if I just made the sound "k", would you know it was the letter K, when later I made two sounds "sss" and "k" to indicate the letter "c"?  Learning the basic phonograms was really interesting. 

I loved the concepts used in All About Spelling.  The tiles are colorful.  The flash cards are color coded.  There are colored see-through chips to use for some activities.  The children have to move tiles and chips to do certain reviews and some new activities.  They are not just sitting and spelling, but touching and moving as well.  By using more than one sense or brain function, the spelling lessons are solidified in their minds.  It's an excellent way to learn.

All-in-all I think this is a fabulous spelling program.  It is logical and makes sense to learn.  It did take a lot of time to prepare for our initial outting, but after that, getting a lesson going took no time at all.  You organize once and you're set for the next 6 levels. (level six will be released soon)  It is not a program that is easily used for multiple students.  I have always taught my boys at the same grade level in everything except math, so I may be a huge exception in the homeschool world.  But the script and activities are set up for one on one instruction.  I have managed to tweak it so that the boys and I could all do it together.  If the material was more challenging, such as in the upper levels, then I may have to work with each boy individually.  However, for this review, we are managing to complete our spelling lessons as a group.

If you would like to see all the products that All About Spelling has to offer, check out their product page.  This is a really great spelling program.  I highly recommed it.  You could begin using level one for a first-grade child or use the early levels as review for struggling spellers like mine.  Using each level would take you through all the elementary grades.  But again, if you have a remedial speller in the highschool level, this is a great program.  Just make sure to schedule enough time to get it all prepared ahead of time.

For more information, All About Spelling's contact page can be found here.  And as always, please check out the review of my fellow crew members here.

Today I'm grateful because...

1.  It's snowing!

2.  Our boys are in A Christmas Carol this weekend.

3.  We have made some new friends that we are enjoying.

4.  Our van was in the shop and the bill was LESS than we expected.

5.  Our guys got home from deer camp safely.

6.  Big Dog got an opportunity to do a survey that will help us with Christmas expenses.

Featured Blogger ~ PearceFamily

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Molly Makes Merry

The Christmas season is almost here--

are you feeling the stress yet?

Don't!

 This season we bring all ladies and "Ye Merry Gentlemen" tidings of comfort and joy!

 God rest hardworking families

Ideas are on the way

With gifts and food to bake yourself

This Christmas you will say:

"With Molly's help I'll make great gifts

For a perfect Christmas day!"

December's Digest is comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

Molly's Money-Saving Digest brings great joy!

 With so much to do and less than a month to get it all done, the December Molly's Money-Saving Digest E-Book shows you exactly how to get those loose ends all wrapped up!

 The special feature for December is:

Comfort and Joy
for Christmas

PLUS! During December ONLY, receive the latest E-Book from Sheri Graham, Homemade Gift Mixes (200+ pages!) and The Urban Homemaker's E-Book: Holiday Open House--Open Your Heart and Your Home when you purchase Molly's December Digest!

Just in time for Christmas!

A link to the free E-Books will be available upon checkout.

Are you worried about gift-giving? Get excited about giving to others! Make some spectacular gifts yourself quickly and easily. Enjoy phenomenal tips to keep the holiday season stress-free right into January as you put Molly's ideas to good use!

Tucked neatly within the pages of Molly's Digest, you'll find:

• Ideas for teaching your children gratitude and generosity.
• A beautiful, decorative use for last year's calendar as the year comes to a close.
• Great suggestions for family gifts, generic gifts, and even food gifts.
  

Truly unique, money-saving gifts to warm aching muscles or provide emergency light will bring your thoughtfulness to mind long after Christmas. Gifts to reach the heart through taste buds--from dessert to bread and snacks, or cleaning recipes you and your gift recipients will appreciate!

Would you like to be more "PC"? You can be practical and cost-conscious this Christmas season when you use Molly's ideas! Be "pleasantly confident" this year when using these inspirational gifts. Discover . . .

• When socks are a great Christmas gift.
• How to use popcorn as a gift to strengthen families.
• Practical gift options you can give to everyone by simply making small variations.
  

As everyone thinks Christmas, Molly reminds you of many other special dates in December. You can plan your schedule to:

• Begin the countdown to Christmas with Eat a Red Apple Day.
• Include discussing tree decorations with Mitten Tree Day.
• Make your card deadline day December 9.
• Study worldwide celebrations on International Children's Day.
  

Even your dates for party preparation with Bake Cookies Day and caroling are covered, as well as special days for activities following Christmas. They will all be found on the list of special dates to remember in December!

"In this edition, you will also find recipes as well as ideas for special days during the month of December. For example, I had no clue that December 8 was a National Brownie Day. Mmmm! Sounds delicious and good to me . . . My favorite article was definitively the "Eight Frugal Family Crafts." It gave me special ideas not only for extended family members but for my own family as well. I really love the Movie Night and the Super Sundaes ideas. Very creative and fun to put together . . . For me, I would love a Book Lovers' Basket or a Scrapbook Box of Surprises--anything to brighten my holidays. Once again, I think that Molly's Money-Saving Digest for the month of December 2009 is wonderful. Thanks Molly for this full year of your wonderful ideas!"

-Isabelle Lussier, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

The December Molly's Money-Saving Digest is the twelfth edition and completes the first year of Digests, bringing practical tips for frugal living to you every single month for all of 2009!

 Take a Peek inside!

 

Let nothing cause you dismay. Enjoy comfort and joy today!

Instantly download the Molly's Money-Saving Digest E-Book.

Monthly Feature--"Comfort and Joy for Christmas" will be exactly what your family feels when you simplify and minimize. Be courageous this Christmas and eliminate obligation and guilt, consider family gift-giving, agreeing to end gift exchanges or to make homemade gifts--Molly tells you how!

• Eight Frugal Family Gifts will ignite creativity in your entire family as you gather to design gift baskets for a Movie Night, Snacks and Desserts, and gaming fun for other families this Christmas.
• Twelve Generic but Sensible Gift Ideas could bring everything from safety to convenience into the life of the recipient and are incredibly fun to choose and personalize!
• Ten Fabulous and Frugal Foodie Gifts provide the thoughtfulness of both time and taste to friends and family with ideas to dress up cheesecake, present incredible bread as a present, and give the gift of baking fresh cookies in a two-part gift experience!
• Let's Get Together! Foodie gifts create incredible opportunity for a get together and can make hosting a holiday brunch much simpler than you ever imagined!
• All the Trimmings includes tips for decorating, wrapping, and all the holiday trimmings with a thrifty perspective. A quickie list will help keep your holiday sanity as you get it all done.
  

"Above all, relax, refocus, and realize that Christmas is about Christ's birth . . . not about staging a magazine-perfect production and trying to meet unrealistic expectations--financially or otherwise. Take the holiday back--for faith, family, and friends. Resolve to keep it simple and sweet."

• Great Expectations for Kids helps you develop a lifelong attitude of gratitude in your children with five guidelines you can easily implement.
  

So much great information--and that's just the monthly feature! There are so many more great sections to discover in every Molly.

Do you love details? Check out each and every part of the December Molly's Money-Saving Digest right here:

• Molly's Minute--Year-end blessings from Molly remind you to focus on family, friends, and faith this Christmas season--regardless of how you choose to celebrate. The first full year of Molly's Money-Saving Digest is complete with this December issue, and more great things are coming in 2010!
• Begin With the Basics--"Candy Making 101" will warm your heart and pleasantly fill the tummies of friends and loved ones. As a frugal art, candy making gets off to a great start, and this article brings recipes, tips, and wrapping ideas. Even some historical reading is thrown in for good measure! You'll love making homemade toffee and mints, and you'll learn what important piece of equipment will help most in your candy making.
• On Sale This Month--With all the Christmas shopping going on, you won't want to miss the list of sale items this month. The list goes far beyond Christmas gifts to items you'll be thankful you found on sale now--you'll use them all year long.
• Keeping it all Together--"Staying Sane During the Holiday Season" isn't just a great title for this article--it is possible for you! This section offers perfect direction for staying on track this season and will prevent you from doing too much. Links galore will also save you time and money!
• Feather Your Nest Frugally--What 6-foot-by-2-foot decorative item could you be working on that will be enjoyed all year long? It isn't your Christmas tree. This great idea will call for you to "pull the tubs from under your bed, dance through the garage, and send your husband up to the attic." Aubrey Lively shares this project she and her mother haven't even officially named because it is too fantastic and beyond words! Pictures and instructions will motivate you to completion as Aubrey walks Molly readers through the entire process with a specially made item just for the Digest.
• Pull Up a Chair--Another great gift idea awaits, along with the usual week's worth of weeknight menus. From tasty Mandarin Almond Salad and old-faithful meat loaf that makes a house a home, to elegant but frugal meals the children will love, Molly's meals have you covered. The Turkey Noodle Leftover Casserole will make the whole house sing--perfect for caroling preparation! Recipes include an ingredient list, easy-to-follow instructions, and even a few more great gift ideas will be found sprinkled within this week of menus.
• Parenting That Pays--Dividends are great when you invest in your children; find wonderful ideas for serving others while instilling consideration and generosity in your children. Get motivated as Jennifer Sikora shares ways her family chooses to serve others, and she encourages your family to do the same.
• Something Old, Something New--"Old Calendars to New Art" will close the 2009 year in style as you learn about a great recycling idea for calendars. Get long-term use from the pictures you loved in your calendar far longer than one year!
• Goal-Getter Spotlight--"Today a Laptop, Tomorrow a Castle" takes you into the life of Aubrey Lively as you hear from an all-around goal-getter. She shares her heart for writing and her story of a small-step process to reaching big success!
• Readers Write In--Molly opens this section this month to fellow readers sharing family traditions. Exactly what did happen to Paula's disappearing gingerbread man's arms and legs? Enjoy her story with a recipe for cinnamon ornaments. Delight in Lisa's very creative final hidden gift that will help your family when it comes time to tear down the Christmas tree. Perfect personalized gifts, tips for gift-giving, even tips for opening gifts can all be found in wonderful advice from fellow Molly's Digest readers.
• Molly's Question of the Month--Are you signed up for Molly's free, weekly E-Newsletter? If not, you are missing out on tips and creative ideas to stay frugal throughout your household. You don't want to miss it!
• Words Worth Saving--Perfect for a monthly memorization activity, Scripture is found throughout Molly's Money-Saving Digest. Enjoy God's Word as you celebrate this Christmas season and all of December.
• Directory of Links--Count on this directory of the links found in the Digest, enabling you to instantly reach websites while viewing your Digest online. Or print the list for a great resource of money-saving sites to refer to again and again.
  

Great gift ideas save you far more than $4.95!

New Molly readers, veteran Molly readers, homemakers, homeschoolers, and moms very much like you have previewed the December Molly--what did they say?

"As always, there are money-saving tips and recipes in the pages of the latest Digest. An entire week's worth of menu-planning meals for suppertime are shared, including a terrific recipe for frozen meat loaf. There are a few recipes for making your own candy, along with links for others and how to turn the goodies into great gifts. In addition, there is fantastic idea after idea for low-cost gift-giving--much appreciated in my household this year! . . . And there are ideas for decorating too, such as yummy-smelling cinnamon ornaments, as well as some non-Christmas decorating ideas for your home. I'm going to be referring to this copy of the Digest often as the Christmas season approaches!"

-Kimberly Charron, Cape Breton, Canada

"Knowing that this issue was December and would be directly linked to the holiday season, I was so pleased to read that the writing for the Digest would be directed towards Christians with diversity in convictions and beliefs and traditions in mind. With that said I was able to grab the Digest and sit to glean cheerfully from its contents without worrying about whether or not to avoid or pass through any of the writings . . . I got my cooking thinking cap back on in the recipe section and am making my lists for cooking up those extra meals for the freezer. Once I'm in the habit of doing it, boy, does it make life easier in the kitchen on co-op and errand days for us. On a personal note, it always makes me wonder why people only decide to help out others during the holiday season. Is Christ not in our lives EVERY DAY of the year, EVERY month as well? Setting our children up for service projects and helping the homeless and families in need should be a part of our everyday living, not just the last month of the year. I enjoyed reading all the gift ideas, and I think I might even do those year 'round, especially to families with multiple siblings--giving is so much fun! I love the idea of giving for the body, soul, and spirit; wow, what a great concept to teach with as well! All in all, another wonderful Digest full of ideas and encouragement for the homeschooling Christian family."

-Katrina Flaws, Murphy, NC

"December's Molly's Money-Saving Digest is perfect for this year. I had already been stressing over how to still celebrate a meaningful Christmas with less money and less time. Molly's Digest has so many great ideas to de-stress my Christmas time. I had to grab pen and paper to write down recipes and ideas. The candy-making section inspired me to try something new. The family gift ideas are a great way to make someone know they are special without having to spend too much. I also thoroughly enjoyed the ideas from readers on new Christmas traditions--at least new to me. Now I can hardly wait for the holidays to begin."

-Tisha Cypert, Ada, OK

These reviewers enjoyed over 45 pages of Christmas comfort and joy in Jesus with
great gift-giving ideas, recipes, holiday help,
and more--will you?

The first twelve issues of Molly's Digest have
paved the way for another tremendous year--
you don't want to miss it!

Spend $4.95 and save much more in time and money with superb gift ideas, scrumptious recipes, planning help, and encouragement for making the most of the Christmas season--without losing your sanity and while keeping your focus on the reason for the season, Jesus Christ!

Are you still trying to decide if this E-Book
is perfect for you?

View a Sample of This Item Right Here

Enjoy some comfort and joy this Christmas--
spread a little around too!

 Be amazed at how far just a little money goes when you buy Molly's Money-Saving Digest today. Great tips, perfect gifts, family memories,
and more await you!

 Simplify, minimize, and get cozy today!
Enjoy Comfort and Joy in December!



Join Molly daily and follow her
adventures in fiscally-responsible homemaking at

www.Econobusters.com.

And then keep watching for next month's Molly's Money-Saving Digest.

Special Words for Special Needs ~ A Calm Heart for the Holiday Season

Merry Christmas Button for Your Blog

Homeschooling Through High School ~ The Teaching Behind Holiday Planning To Our Students!

One of the greatest things about homeschooling is the way we can emphasize life skills and worldview in addition to academics.  We are not raising our children for the glory of the University...we are raising them for the glory of God, and to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the soon-coming King, before whom every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess His Lordship! 

As we enter the season of Advent and then Christmas, I desire to be mindful of the worldview I espouse, and the messages I send via my actions, my traditions, and my decisions.  All of life is a classroom for our young adults, and they are learning from everything we do, even when we don't think we're teaching. 

I do not wish to lay a "guilt trip" on anyone regarding holiday traditions, or the cleanliness/guest-readiness of their home, the "beauty" of their home decor.  Quite the opposite!  Many homeschooling families, as a matter of fact, are choosing not to celebrate Christmas because of the overwhelming commercialism the holiday has come to represent to the world, among other things.  A dear friend of mine has come to this conclusion, and her family simply doesn't "do" Christmas.  Although I won't personally be following that practice, I do understand the reasoning behind their decision.  And, as a result, I have thought long and hard about the Christmas "practices" in my own home.  The following is a brief glimpse into what I've been contemplating, and you are invited...if you'd like...to join me in answering these questions: 

1. What am I teaching my children as I go about my holiday planning?  There should be an intentionality about my work, about our traditions, which is not focused on the world but rather on Christ's incarnation and the reason for His coming to Earth.  If I am putting decorations up inside and outside of my home, why am I doing it?  Sometimes traditions are just that--they're traditions, handed down through generations.  My sons know that I do the things I do, decorate the tree the way I do (actually, they do it now!), bake the cookies that I bake, because it is how my parents did, decorated, and baked. 

My personal thoughts: Traditions aren't bad.  Christmas trees aren't bad.  Cookies aren't bad...in moderation!  But do they show or reflect the miracle of God Incarnate?  Can they?  So where should my priorities be, given a choice of decorating and baking vs. spending time on a missions or outreach activity?     

2. What is the overall "focus" of Christmas in our home?  When my sons speak to their children someday (Lord willing) about what Christmas was like when they were growing up, what will they say?  What will stand out in their minds?  Going to Wisconsin to cut down a tree (we live in Illinois), a 7 t 8 hour event, big yellow dog included, will be a highlight!  But will they remember the outreach activities?  Hospitality?  Missions?  Hymns?  Or will they talk about presents, food, vacation from schoolwork? 

My thoughts: I didn't grow up in a Christian home.  We were faithful church-goers, but the church of my younger years was a spiritually-dead church.  So Christmas was focused on Santa, the cookies, the tree, the presents.  There was church, there were Christmas carols and candlelight, and I loved all of it, but I didn't comprehend the intensity of what God was doing when He came to us as a babe in that manger.  All I knew was that "Jesus was born on Christmas," according to the Christmas carols.  I praise God that He found me, and that He drew me to Himself, and that I have been able to share so much more with my sons about that babe in the manger!  But again, where has the main focus appeared to be?  I know my heart is thinking about Christ, but what are my actions showing my sons?  More is "caught" than taught.

Within the practice of holiday decorating, a key for our family is to get that decorating done in one fell swoop, even though it's a three-day-long-fell-swoop!  Our tree was cut and brought home from Wisconsin on Saturday.  It was decorated on Sunday after church, and today (Monday as I write this) I will pull out and put up the last of the special things we use only once a year in December.  From tomorrow on, then, our focus can truly be on remembering and reflecting upon Christ, and His first-coming...with our eyes and and our hearts FIRMLY fixed on His second-coming.  Our "holiday busyness" can be because of missions and outreach activities, not "decorating."  We can be praying, worshipping, and fellowshipping with the saints, rather than racing around at WalMart.  We can enjoy relaxed fellowship with one another, as a family, in the baking of traditional German cookies to share with loved ones, rather than in haste and impatience.  Should the latter become the atmosphere of our home at Christmas, then the activity should cease.  

Lori

PS: Since last thursday was Thanksgiving, you may have missed my message about a brand new meme over at Plans4You...join me on Thursdays for

Lori Havens has been married to Kevin for 24 years.  They live in Illinois with their two sons, Bryan (17) and Nathan (16), and dog Sunny (9).  Lori enjoys writing, gardening, reading, and the outdoors.  She hosts the "Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers" meme at her HSB blog, "Plans4You," and is the author of "Should I Be A Nurse? A Journey of Self-Exploration for Those Considering a Career in Nursing" and  "7 Essential Questions Every Future Nurse Must Ask."      You can find her blogging at both Homeschool Blogger and Homestead Blogger  .