Home of the brave BECAUSE of the free! Thank you, Veterans!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Sometimes I feel as if I'm on top of the world, excelling as a wife and mother, ordering my home and tasks with ease, accomplishing more than I imagine possible.   I am confident and energetic.  I feel like an achiever and a conqueror.

Those moments of grandeur are fleeting.  All too often they are followed by mediocrity -- days of chaos and struggling to keep all the plates spinning without dropping anything.  Weeks when I am rushing from one task to another -- or simply wandering around somewhat aimlessly, overwhelmed by all that I SHOULD be doing.  In these moments, I am merely persevering.

In the moments of grandeur, those near-perfect days when I am feeling that maybe, I might be, almost, just a little bit of a Super Mom --  I think I am doing it all.  I am the great one.  I have my act together.

But when the chaos returns, and I'm trying to figure out what I've done wrong -- I have to admit that I am not SuperMom.  I can't maintain the grandiose days forever.  I am merely an imperfect human relying on God's grace.

Everyone has revolving (and evolving)  moments of grandeur and mediocrity.  It is just life.  And life is much less about me than I often believe.  It isn't really about what I'm doing RIGHT or what I'm doing WRONG.  It's not all about my success and failure.

So in these days of mediocrity, disorder, distraction, and even laziness -- I am once again humbled, but also hopeful that the more organized and productive days will return.  I like those moments of grandeur more than the days of just trudging along.

But I persevere, each and every day -- even when I'm not in my most glorious state.  Even when I'm merely mediocre.

Galations 6:9  "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

Hebrews 12:1, 2  "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, ane let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith ... "

1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12  "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that our daily life may win the respect of outsiders ... "


Trusting In Him,
April

Prov. 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man [family] sharpens another.”

When you began your homeschool adventure, where was it that you went to ask questions, get answers, find the camaraderie of many shoulders to cry on and find out that your child wasn’t a freak because he was having trouble with his nine times-tables?  Where was it that you could count on someone with experience to be there for you?

Does “support group” ring a bell to anyone?

I hate to say it, but in many areas support groups are going the way of snow in summer-time…they seem to be melting away and fading into the atmosphere.  And I say, “what a shame!”

It’s come to my attention that many of our precious experienced homeschoolers are starting to drift away from attending their area support group meetings.  Do they feel that they have out-grown them?

Look at it this way:  if I take two pieces of rusty, dull iron – I have two pieces of rust, dull iron!  J  But if I rub them together, something great happens; they start to change.  They become a little sharper, they become a little brighter and shinier.  They become something usable.  Iron can’t sharpen iron unless there is friction between the two…they have to meet together.

As I asked you in the beginning, think about when you were a new homeschooler and your child just wasn’t catching on to a concept and, at your wit’s end, you went to your homeschool support group and started asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  There was a wonderful, experienced mom there who had actually “been there, done that”!  You went home, tried her advice and it worked!

Now…think of this:  A new homeschool mom, full of hopes and dreams and fears comes to your homeschool support group.  Her child just isn’t catching on to a concept and she’s at her wit’s end; and after coming to your support group she starts asking around for help.  Lo and behold!  Does she find it from you…OR is this one of those nights when you decided you just didn’t want to go tonight?  After all, what more do YOU need to learn about homeschooling since you’ve done it for so long?

Well, what if the reason you are to STILL attend your group has changed?  What if it’s now a ministry?  What if the reason that new homeschool mom leaves the meeting a little sadder and a little more fearful and discouraged is because YOU weren’t there to answer her questions the way someone was there for you?

Isn’t it time for us to be there for a new generation of homeschoolers?  Isn’t it time for us to share our experiences, our triumphs, our joys and even our failures with the new crowd?  Isn’t that part of our Titus 2 duty?  Did the Lord really make you a part of your group JUST so you could get a newsletter, go to gym or co-op or field trips, find out about curriculum sales and legislative updates?  I don’t think so.

This is a new season in our lives and an opportunity to shine as examples of experienced homeschool moms!

Let’s not be a part of the “me, me, me” crowd…we’re past that.  Let’s be the Lord’s hands and feet and minister to our sisters and their families and ease some of those fears and build some dreams!  After all, a long time ago someone cared enough to be there for you.  Now it’s your turn.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

For Today...

Outside my window...grey & over-cast. A cold front moving in after our 2nd Indian Summer. But that's OK...it's fall, after all. :-)

I am thinking...that I need to get ready to leave. My DD#2 & I are going to lunch w/my mom.

I am thankful for...still having a warm house, cars & not missing a meal during my DH's layoff.

From the kitchen...lunch out w/my mom this afternoon; possibly pasta & sauce for supper.

I am wearing...jeans, & a red, pink & white shirt.

I am reading...sermon notes.

I am hoping...things will go well w/my mom while we're out. She's not a happy woman & it can wear on us.

I am creating...a peaceful home.

I am hearing...radio, DD#2 in the shower, a neighbor's leave blower.

Around the house...laundry, dusting, running sweeper, dust-mopping kitchen & bathrooms.

One of my favorite things...a hot mug of Hazelnut or Vanilla Biscotti coffee on a cold, dark morning.

A few plans for the rest of the week...household chores, taking DD#2 to/from work, praying for miracles.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is the Collins Schoolhouse in 1854. This was a working schoolhouse until the 1940's. The family who now owns it has hired 2-3 retired teachers who now 'teach school' for school & homeschool field trips; an entire day just like in the 1800's. When our girls were little you homeschool group went there - it was great - the kids dressed up, took lunches in a pail or basket, they drank from the well, played old-fashioned games, the school was heated by the Franklin stove, they worked from McGuffey Readers on their slates, make bookmarks. This was also a year when we were working through "The Priarie Primer" unit study, so it was awesome!

Enjoy other Daybooks at: http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/
Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

The American Heritage Education Foundation  is a non-profit organization created to help educate our children in the history of our nation and the philosophies upon which it was established.  They believe that the focus on diversity in our schools is tearing the country apart and threatening its survival, and that it needs to be balanced with a study of our country's history.  They focus on four themes in US history:  Freedom, Unity, Progress, and Responsibility.

In order to promote these four themes, the American Heritage Foundation created an American history/citizenship curriculum for K-12.  They provide this $150 value curriculum free of charge as a free PDF download, as PDF documents on a free CD-ROM, or for $19.50 in a printed notebook format.

The curriculum is provided in 3 levels: elementary, middle school, and high school.  They also provide a Spanish language variation in the elementary level.  Each level of curriculum is over 180 pages long, with information for the teacher, lesson plans, group activities and individual activities.

These materials are designed for public school use, and some of the activities are obviously created with a larger group in mind than a typical homeschool family (like the Colonial America Simulation Game).  These could be adapted with some effort, or they could be used in a homeschool group or co-op setting.  Now, I will admit that adapting materials intended for a public school classroom to the family homeschool isn't always easy, but sometimes it can be worth it.

Although the American Heritage Foundation is a secular organization, the curriculum refers to the founding father's belief in God and the Bible with factual respect.  The Christian beliefs of the Colonial settlers and founding fathers is not ignored, but it is still a secular curriculum.  This makes it suitable for classroom use, or use in a homeschool group with members of varying beliefs.

Some of the citizenship topics covered include:

• The American Revolution
• George Washington
• U.S. Presidents
• The Declaration of Independence
• The US Constitution
• The Great Seal
• Thanksgiving
• The Bill of Rights
• Our National Documents
• Entrepeneurs in American History
• The United States of America's Flag
• The Star-Spangled Banner
• The Gettysburg Address
• The National Motto
• The Statue of Liberty
• The Pledge of Allegiance
• America the Beautiful
• What is An American?

The three levels include much of the same materials for the teacher, with age-appropriate differences in activities and discussion questions.  This means they can be used together in a homeschool or co-op setting to teach the same material to all the students.  This is NOT a complete American history curriculum, but can be used to supplement your American history or US government studies.

For myself, I have to admit that I will not use all these lessons and activities, but I will use some of them.  Most of our citizenship lessons are oral discussions.   We aren't likely to use most of the worksheets, but we are more likely to use the activity ideas.  I think this curriculum lends itself to a homeschool group or co-op more easily than to an individual family situation.

BUT, it's a FREE curriculum!!  Request your own copy and check it out for yourself. Even if it's not something you'll use regularly, there may be some helpful information or even one activity that makes it worthwhile.  Get it for your homeschool group ... or you might fall in love with it, and take the time to make it work for your family.  You have nothing to lose!

If you'd like to help promote the American Heritage Foundation, you can donate to their non-profit organization.  These donations will help them continue to share their curriculum free of charge to public schools, private schools, and home schools.

This item was provided free for our review as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew.  We received no other compensation, and this review is our honest opinion.  Click the TOS Homeschool Crew banner at the top to read more reviews on this product by other Homeschool Crew members.

Trusting In Him,
April

A Quiet Sun, a Cold Winter

The Old Farmer’s Almanac is calling for a colder-than-normal winter. One contributing factor is sunspots—or the lack of them!

This year and next, sunspot activity will be very, very light. Whenever this phenomenon has occurred in the past, the result has been a cooling influence on Earth. Solar experts believe that the Sun will remain calm for another year.
See sunspot activity for 2009.

Robert B. Thomas, who founded this Almanac in 1792, believed that weather on Earth was influenced by sunspots and solar radiation. Sunspots are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun. Click here to read “What Are Sunspots?”


To this day, the Almanac uses three disciplines to predict the weather: meteorology, climatology, and solar activity. (See How We Predict the Weather.)

If you’re interested in learning more about the Sun’s effect on our climate, read “The Influence of Solar Activity on the Weather.”

Or, join this forum: “Are Sunspots Disappearing?”

Seasons of the Sun

Learn about the discovery of the 11-year solar cycle and its importance in predicting the frequency of sun spots and the strength of solar storms.

Sweet & simple...

Mix together & store in an air-tight container:

1 c. 20 Mule Team Borax
1 c. Baking Soda

~ Use 2 TB. each load.
~ If your plastics come out clouded, use just A DROP of liquid dish soap.

Here is a family favorite I thought I would share w/you.  Our family has had the pleasure of going to Holmes County, Ohio ~ the largest Amish settlement in the world ~ a few times.  Once my dh and I enjoyed the most wonderful long weekend at an Bed & Breakfast there.  The husband had grown up Amish but left them to marry.  Their B&B was built by his Amish family members and looks just like an incredible Amish home.  The difference being that the whole 1st floor is made up of lovely, themed guest rooms (we stayed in Grandpa's Room) w/a good 1/3 of the 1st floor being a HUGE country kitchen and a wonderful country gathering room w/several tables and chairs (for those incredible breakfasts and freshly made pie in the evening!) and a relaxing living-area w/a fireplace, piano and comfy couch and chairs.  There is also a wrap-around porch.  The family that funs the B&B has the entire upstairs as their own "house."  That, of course, is a private area.    It's been a while since we've been there, if you're interested, I believe it's called Miller Haus.  It sets on the highest knoll of Holmes County.

Anyway...one of our incredible breakfasts while there was Amish French Toast!  I have made this from-time-to-time ever since!  If you try this, you will be in food heaven!    Let me know how you LOVE it! 

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Amish French Toast

eggs

milk

butter

bread

syrup

powdered sugar

 

~Mix w/fork 2 eggs and enough milk to cover (this you will do as necessary for each slice of bread)

~Melt butter into med/hot skillet (do this for each serving.  IF you MUST use margarine, use one that is non-hydrogenated like Earth Balance – I have to do this for one of my girls)

~Crack egg into skillet

~IMMEDIATELY soak a slice of bread in the egg/milk mixture and lay on top of the egg in the skillet; fry for about a minute or so until bottom egg is cooked through.

~Flip egg and bread – together – and let bread toast on other side.

~You MAY need to flip over on each side again until egg is fried to your satisfaction.

~Move egg/toast to a plate and top w/syrup and powdered sugar.

~ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

One more reason to vote "NO!!" on Ohio Issue #2: this gov't over-sight will be an Ohio CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT!! Not just an ordinance or run by a board of lawyers telling farmers what they can/can't do in Columbus...but an Amendment!

VOTE "NO"!!!!!!