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About Me

I am a blessed homeschooling mother of 6 married to my best friend Jim who is a naval aviator. Between deployments, moving, and new babies, life around our house is never dull for long and can often be quite entertaining. I've been told I should start writing it all down, so here goes...


"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." Hebrews 3:13


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May. 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day!

Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

I just had the best Mother's Day, basking in the privilage and joy of motherhood.  I thank God that I live in a country where I still have the freedom to homeschool my children.  I remember a time when I didn't really understand that "you can do that ... homeschool."  I didn't understand freedom - not really.  I had been educated in our public school system, and thought the state really had more authority than it does.  "You can do that?  Homeschool?"  Yes.  And so I do -- and I count that a blessing and a privilage to have my children around me, and be the main influence in their life.

To say "motherhood is important" is an understatement.  "The hand that rocks the cradle ... " is a very important hand in a child's life.   What an opportunity to influence - to shape - to nurture.

"I remember my mother's prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life."
-- Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

"My mother was the most beautiful woman I ever saw. All I am I owe to my mother. I attribute all my success in life to the moral, intellectual and physical education I received from her."
-- George Washington (1732-1799)

"The mother's heart is the child's schoolroom."
-- Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

"Youth fades; love droops, the leaves of friendship fall;
A mother's secret hope outlives them all."
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

"Mother's arms are made of tenderness,
and sweet sleep blesses the child who lies therein."
-- Victor Hugo

"A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts." --Washington Irving

Well, these folks got it.  Do you get it?  What can a classroom setting in public school's mass education system ever give to your children that you can't give?  Nobody will ever love them like you do, and nobody can ever replace what you - dear mother - have to give to your own children ... home where they belong.


Happy Mother's Day!


Deb Turner - Homeschooling from the Heart
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Featured Graduates and Alumni


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May. 11, 2008
Minute to Minute - Ever to Late to Go Back to the Basics?

Posted By Gena Suarez, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
 
Minute to Minute
Readers Helping Readers
 
Greetings!

Earlier this year Minute to Minute received a letter from a Canadian mom interested in homeschooling who wanted to know if there were homeschooling aids and resources available to a Canadian. Minute to Minute: Homeschooling In Quebec included a wealth of information helpful to all Canadian homeschoolers.

This week, Minute to Minute has the opportunity to help another Canadian mom, this one bilingually homeschooling five children. She's frustrated, confused, and worried about her youngest daughter who just seems willing to give up on school. Should she go back to the basics? Are there free or inexpensive resources that could help her teach her daughter? Homeschool moms, you hold the answers.
 
 
Happy Mother's Day!

hands

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28
Something Special
 
 
The Gifts Are Back!
 
2nd Freebie Friday
 
2008SurveyButton
 
 
 

Digital Edition

Back To Basics
Dear Minute to Minute Readers,

I'm writing you today in hopes that some of you wonderful people can help me with an issue I am having with one of my children. My husband and I have 5 wonderful blessings, and I must say I thank God every chance I get for each one of them. Our youngest is 12 and has been diagnosed with ADHD and Dysphasia. This in itself leaves us with a boatload of challenges for her.

Well, our wonderful daughter had quite a bit of trouble with some school work yesterday (we are using CM methods) and had a meltdown. She said her dictation was too hard to memorize; she was too stupid to understand her French work (we are a bilingual Canadian family, and our curriculum is sort of cut down the middle being half in French and half in English); and she couldn't for the life of her remember any of her subtraction tables without checking again.

Well, we had Meltdown City followed by Bad Attitude Town, and by late morning, her self esteem was pretty much non-existent. She was using words like "stupid," "dumb," and "worthless" to describe herself. It is very painful for me to go through, and even more so when I try to explain to her that she is NOT any of these things. You see, she then pulls out the attitude box and is actually NASTY with everyone. So not only do I have to figure out what to do about schooling, I also have to figure out discipline issues.

Now that you have read through my most recent saga, I'll actually get to my questions. First question: Is it okay to drop everything and go BACK TO BASICS? I mean, all the way back to first grade-ish stuff. As I mentioned, we use the CM method, and I was on the Ambleside Online site yesterday looking at year 1 stuff. I'm concerned that even that would be too much at the moment. Second question: Is there anyone who may have any ideas or recommendations on curriculum material for my daughter? The tough part of this question is that it must be free. You see, hidden in the saga is the fact that with all of our various health issues and disabilities (and there are many), our medication costs are well over $1500 a month, and I just don't have any more money to use on curriculum. Any references or resources that you can recommend would be a fantastic help.
 
A Canadian Homeschool Mom,

Stephanie
Homeschooling Resource
 ADHD
 
A Parent to Parent Chat on ADHD E-Book helps you figure out the questions you need to ask. Knowing the right questions to ask is the 1st step in gaining control. Written by Theresa Lode, the mother of a now 12 year old with ADHD, this e-book will be a friendly cup of coffee with another mom who can share her experiences with you.


 
If you have any advice, suggestions or resources that would help Stephanie go back to the basics with her daughter, please email us. When you email us, you give us permission to post your responses in the Minute to Minute e-newsletter, send your responses to Stephanie, or publish them in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Your Voice column if selected. 

Sincerely,

Elisabeth Marlowe, Minute to Minute Editor
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

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May. 11, 2008
a short update

Posted By Encouragement Along the Way

Bobbie came home Saturday, she walked a whole 200 feet...and I am trying to figure out all the machines they sent home with her.  The nurses at the Hospital kept calling her the "miracle girl"...they could not believe how well she did and is doing...she is also pain free and has not taken anything for her knee for two days now....Praise God!  She also had a chance to pray with one of her nurses and her roomate...she will be sending her own emails soon...I just don't want her to rush it....she does want me to pass along her thanks (and mine) for your prayers and says Happy Mothers Day to all you Moms out there....
 
Blessings,
 
Mike

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May. 11, 2008
Monday Meanderings

Posted By EclecticEducation in Monday Meanderings


For more information visit Tiany's blog.

    Hello!  I hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day.  Mine had it's ups and downs but considering everything that is going on that is to be expected.  After church we went home to eat, then made a quick stop at Hubby's mom's to give her a card.  We then went to see our oldest son, Prince Caspian,  who is still at the grandparent's and then to my favorite restaurant which we have never seen so busy!!!! The good thing is they were give out $10.00 gift certificates to all the moms, so we will be able to enjoy them again soon and hopefully it will not be so busy!!!  Little One was sweetly telling me that I was the best mother he could ever have and of course that totally made my day!!! He gave me a potted flower which was really beautiful and I hope to show pictures of soon.  Prince Caspian gave me a paper flower project that he made which was really sweet.  Last week, he had given me a silver ring that said "Love" on it, which of course I really treasure.  

      
This week~

1. Bible Study/ Devotions
•Devotions for Homeschool Moms by Jackie Wellwood

2. "Must Do"
This week I “Must”
•  We have an important meeting  on Wednesday concerning Prince Caspian that we are praying goes well.
• Relax some!!!

3. Zone
•Unsure

4. Train Them Up
• Little One has some anger issues that need to be addressed. 

5.  Wellness-
•Drink more water- Getting better, but still not enough
•Take vitamin regularly - Still having trouble with this one.
•I need to start some gentle exercises
Thanks for stopping by! Please leave a comment so I know you were here!

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May. 11, 2008
Emily's List: The Lonely, Cheering Mom in the Bleachers

Posted By Susie-Q

K-Lo's right...it must be very tiring for these womyn, continually fighting oppression the way they do, with no reward or appreciation.   Poor dears.



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May. 11, 2008
Tot School

Posted By Schoolin"R"Home in Tot School

Here is what we did in our Tot School this week:

Tot School started out with a full day outside. The whole family worked outside all day (for the most part) after some main school subjects were completed. It was a great day! We even ate outside by a fire!

Before heading outside, "Precious" played with the counting rack (and a little peek-a-boo).

             

Here are my favorite shots from our day outdoors!

Trampoline Fun:

The balls are soft and from a ballpit. It makes jumping more fun. We also collected balls of a certain color that I called out. "Precious" just gathered two like colors and I told her the color they were! She currently likes yellow!

We even had a basic lesson about static electricity- can you see why?

They also visited the swings....

             

...plus a ride with big sister!

Then a quick wave to our shadow! (look how many lessons can be taught easily outside: colors, static, shadows,etc.)

Don't forget to stop and smell the flowers!!!

(By-the-way: She is smelling "bleeding hearts"- one of my favorite flowers. I love how they really are the shape of a pink heart with a drop coming out. Plus she has hearts on her shirt! She pulled the whole bunch off the plant in her grasp- but it will grow back thankfully)

"Peanut" did some things for his flower lapbook. Here he colored the flowers with colored pencils then finger painted the border.

The next day we did something new: Pom Pom Alphabet pages. The kids thought it was fun however they are just starting to learn the letter shapes. "Precious" watched "Peanut" and then joined in the fun!

It didn't take long and the schoolroom looked like this:

Then we also had homeschool softball. My hubby was along the one day so I took my 2 little ones and a friend's daughter for a walk around the park. I pushed "Precious" in a stroller and my son and his friend (from our church) walked along with me. It was so nice. The kids were so sweet and were looking at everything!

We even found some flowers from a dogwood tree and I was able to show them how it represented Jesus' death on the cross for us! (another great flower idea for our lapbook, too! I wish I had some kind of printable. Maybe I will do a search!)

One of our favorite books this week (in honor of being Mother's Day) was...

What Moms can't do! by Douglas Wood.

It was cute and made us giggle!

...And here is how books get read in our house sometimes.

"Precious" is such a copy-cat. She has to hold a book too. My "Princess" is reading the top book to her!

Again..."peek-a-boo,Mom!"

Have a great week with your family!

If you want to visit the other Tot School participants' posts

visit Carisa's blog 1+1+1=1! Link-up if you do Tot School activites!


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Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mother's Day

Posted By Toby

I am thankful for my Mum.

blue owl

And for the Bananalets. Who honored me with stir-fried chicken, chocolate raspberry cake, Dark chocolate raspberry creams (note a theme there?), a potted impatiens, a butter bell, and a millefiore necklace. And numerous cards featuring both interesting quotes and creative spelling.

 

Psalm 113:9 ~ He gives the barren woman a home,
making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord!


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May. 11, 2008
What We Say...

Posted By Susie-Q

...versus What Mom Hears.

The ultimate Mother's Day card.

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May. 11, 2008
Sudden Craving for Coupons

Posted By Susie-Q

Okay, so I finally moved near enough to CVS to do the deals MoneySavingMom recommends.  This is quite fun!  Right up my alley.  Immediately, I realized that I am going to need a better stockpile of coupons than online printables will allow.  Nevertheless, I managed to dig enough coupons up to buy a few things and generate ECBs for next time.

I now have $13.99 in ECBs.  What next, CVS bargain experts?

I'll post a picture of my purchases later, when I regain access to the main computer (too many kids, too few computers).

I also went to the local grocery store.  It doubles coupons up to 50 cents.  I got $1.75 off lunchmeat that was marked 2/$6.  Combining those with Claussen pickles (I had $1 off coupon), I was able to get Kraft mayo for free!  I had two coupons for $3 off 1 Post LiveActive cereal.  The store had them marked down for $2.50 apiece!  So I got two of them for more than "free"!  I combined that with another store coupon I had:  buy any two Post cereals and a gallon of milk, get a certain amount off (can't remember how much, but at least a couple of dollars).  Even more "free"!  On top of that, I had a store coupon for $3 off a $30 purchase.   I did buy a family pack of sale ground beef, three gallons of milk, two loaves of bread, and on-sale strawberries ($1.88).  Pretty good, for around $20 cash! 

I hope I get better at this with practice.

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May. 10, 2008
Grocery Savings Podcast!

Posted By Susie-Q

Crystal of MoneySavingMom.com did a podcast with Moms Love $hopping earlier in the year that's worth listening to.  Be sure to catch part two as well, if you have a CVS store nearby (we do! finally! "earned" my first few ECBs today!).





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