A Peculiar Notion - Homeschool Blogger

The Proper Way to End a School Day

Tue, 5 Feb 2008 18:52:00 -0600

Puppy training has been hard work, and the day I took this picture, both Boomer and Madison were "pooped" after school (pun intended!). Honestly, she gets this from her mother (my beatiful daughter in the pic that is...), as that's exactly what I love to do after the school day is through. Naptime has to be my favorite subject! One of the many reasons we love, love, LOVE homeschooling!

Boomer has been quite the challenge when it comes to house breaking. Sunday Quinn was trying to get him to go outside and he wee'd all through the house until he hit the back door. I don't think I've ever seen Quinn quite so, well,...ticked. It's a good thing he's cute, or he'd have been a goner! He keeps us laughing too...he was howling in his sleep the other morning. I haven't heard him do that awake! What a cool sound they can make...but I ran upstairs as quickly as possible so my morning quiet time wasn't completely derailed by the kids waking up too early. :0)

Anyone else have issues training a beagle??? We'd love some feedback. He is sleeping through the night now (finally!) that we've made him stay in his kennel, so that's a big plus. Seriously though, if you've had (or have!) a beagle we'd love the input.

Puppy Love

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:30:00 -0600

Recently one of our homeschool families sent out an SOS email. They had adopted two new puppies, Blue Tick Beagles, for the purpose of hunting in the Fall. Avid animal lovers, they already had three dogs, one of which is a very bossy Yorkshire Terrier. Of course, this yorkie was just fine with all the females running around, but decided that the new male puppy was just too much for him to tolerate. So he terrorized this poor puppy, hence the email to find the puppy new digs.

At first when I brought the issue to my husband's attention he balked at the idea of one more pet. Actually, his exact words have been, "If you bring one more animal into this house I'm LEAVING!" We currently have 1 cat, 1 dog, 1 fish, 1 guinea pig, and 3 hermit crabs. I can't say I blame him. Well, I mentioned it to him, said it would make a great dog for him, and didn't say another word. My friend gave me some pics of the puppy, and he took a look at those also. Nope, he wasn't budging.

Then on Friday as he was walking through the door after work (I don't believe he even had the door shut yet) he said, "Hey Hon, let's go look at that puppy." No, "Hi Honey...how was your day." Oi! He'd been talking with some friends at work, and they went on and on about what great dogs they are...yadda-yadda. We went over to see the puppy, and we're now the proud owners of this sweet baby, who Quinn has named "Boomer". It quite fits him I believe...see what you think:

Isn't he absolutely adorable???

Merry Christmas Dear Ones...

Tue, 25 Dec 2007 10:15:00 -0600

Hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas. Don't forget to open the most important present of all...the gift of JESUS!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16

Do Not Worry...

Tue, 4 Dec 2007 11:12:00 -0600

~ Do Not Worry ~

“See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:28-33

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I started painting again a few months ago, and I'm hoping to post a few that I really love. I have several ideas running around in my head that I plan to paint soon. Just thought I'd share one of them with you.

This is actually only a portion of the painting I created that I could scan, but overall I am pleased my scanner could capture this much of the pic! The scripture above is the one the Lord gave to me when He gave me the idea for this painting. He has definately had me on a creative journey, and I can't wait to see where it leads.

I chose this particular picture to show everyone first, because I thought it would be an excellent reminder as Christmas approaches. Sometimes I believe our worries carry the beauty of the holiday away, and we have the opportunity daily to lay all those cares at His feet. Enjoy the season!

Blessings,

Lori

Glowing

Fri, 9 Nov 2007 18:41:00 -0600

My littlest daughter Rebecca loves to take pictures. In fact, she is the one who took this amazing pic of her older sister. This has to be my all-time favorite picture of Madison, because it speaks so many things to my mother's heart.

Madison is on the very cusp of womanhood...with all the emotion that entails, with all the pushing of the envelope that often precipitates, with brief moments of uncertainty mixed in for good measure. She is confident in who she is becoming, because she is learning to see herself through the eyes of God - not the latest fad or social pandering that happens in the teen culture of our nation. She has an easy way with adults and children alike, and a personality that draws out the best in others.

I adore her, and I'm so proud to be her mother.

She believes she can do just about anything she sets her heart (and her mind) to do. She believes she is loved unconditionally, and has enjoyed her childhood. She loves completely. She laughs with abandon. She is passionate about life, friends, family, cooking, and her faith.

She is becoming a woman of God. She is infinitely farther along in her journey with her Lord than what I ever thought of being at her age, and it humbles me.

God has been gracious indeed to bless our lives with her presence. And as much as I've enjoyed calling her "Daughter" over the years, I'm looking forward to the day I can look her in the eye and call her "Friend" as well.

Just in Time for Christmas...Cookie Recipes!

Thu, 8 Nov 2007 08:07:00 -0600

Just click on the cookie name, and PRESTO! you get the recipe...

1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling CrÃ¨me De Menthe Chocolate Squares CrÃ¨me Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion 'Puffy' Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises

Rebecca's New Smile

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 18:51:00 -0500

Years ago when my oldest daughter was losing her teeth, she had the most amazing jack-o-lantern grin. Now her littlest sister is following in her footsteps with a very unique smile all her own. Now her first two teeth came out a bit early, due to an accident with a football (caught with her mouth instead of her hands! LOL!), but her little tooth on the bottom came out like it was supposed to, with much fanfare all around. Let the fleecing of our bank account begin!

Teens On Target ~ Parents on a Mission!

Sat, 8 Sep 2007 20:29:00 -0500

Recently my friend Cindy and I started a group for our Homeschool Teens called "Teens On Target". We currently have about 35 teens on roster, ranging from grades 7th - 12th. Yesterday we had our kick-off pool party at Cindy's house, and it was a blast!

At the beginning of this year God placed an amazing love in me for teens. I love their energy, their music, and the way they hunger to know what truth really is. They can see past your facade, and will not pander to adults who are not real. They face some humongous obstacles, but the Lord has a plan specifically for this generation - just as He does for ours. What an amazing opportunity to influence the next generation for Christ!

I read a lot. And when Cindy and I decided to start this group I picked up a couple of books on teen ministry. Honestly, with 3 kids in the house being homeschooled, and other responsibilities (can I get an AMEN sisters?), I had no desire to recreate the wheel. I wasn't sure where to even start! But God in His faithfulness placed an amazing book in my hand called "Ministry Mutiny" by Greg Stier of Dare2Share Teen Ministries. This book has absolutely turned my world upside down! To have this book before we even started our teen ministry was a true God-send.

Did you know 2 out of 3 Christian teens will, according to George Barna, participate in a "graduation evacuation" from the body of Christ once they graduate high school? Here is a list of 30 Core Truths (in question form) that teens should know, live, and own by the time they graduate from high school:

30 CORE TRUTHS EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW

By Dare2Share Ministries

Who is God and what is He like?
What is the Trinity?
Who is Jesus?
Why did He die on the cross?
How do I know He really rose from the dead?
Who is the Holy Spirit and what does He do?
How do I get plugged in to the power of the Holy Spirit?
Is the Bible really God’s Word and does it relate to my life?
What is truth and can I know it with certainty?
What is sin and how does it impact my life and my relationship with others?
Why does God allow evil in this world?
What is a Christian and how does a person become one?
If Jesus is the only way to heaven, are all other religions wrong?
What about people who have never heard about the gospel?
What is the Great Commission and how does it relate to me?
Is there a real heaven and hell and what are they like?
Is there a judgement day and what difference should it make in my life?
Can I really be forgiven for all my sins, even the really bad ones?
Will God ever leave me or forsake me?
Who are Satan and his demons?
How do I engage in spiritual warfare?
What is the church and why should I be involved?
What are spiritual gifts and how do I discover mine?
How should the return of Christ impact my life?
What is prayer and how do I do it?
Why should I study my Bible and how do I do it?
How do I defend my faith?
Who am I, where did I come from, and what is my purpose?
Which is true, creation or evolution, and why does it matter?
How can I worship God in everything I do?

So, how many can you answer? I'm sure you may have a few more you could add to the list. Think of these core truths as a safety net, with each one representing an individual rope in a net. If one area is weak, or several areas together are weak, when our teens face the challenges of life they could "fall through". We want them to have a firm net to fall into when faced with difficult decisions and situations. We want them to know WHY they believe!

Ministering to teens is an awesome responsibility, but can be very rewarding. Let God make you aware of the teens He's placed around you that may need ministry in the coming weeks. Be sensitive to His voice and prompting. This generation needs us if they're going to fulfill the plans God has for them.

Encouragement for New Homeschoolers

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:15:00 -0500

It's a whole new school year, and I've been thinking about the very first day of our homeschooling journey. It brought back a rush of memories for me, especially since I've been speaking to a lot of brand new homeschoolers over the summer. I just want to stop and encourage you as I know many of you have started school sometime during the past couple of weeks. If you haven't started yet, please don't feel pressured! You set the pace and tone for your homeschool, and we all tend to start at different times.

Our first year of homeschooling I approached with much "fear and trembling". Even though I am a college grad, the whole thing still intimidated me. And my first day? Whoa...I figured I might as well quit while I was ahead. We worked at school for 8 hours straight that first day, with only a 30 minute break! I have to laugh at it now in hindsight. I even called a close girlfriend of mine and told her about our horrid first day. She just laughed and assured me it would get easier, and better, and we'd find our "groove" in no time. She was right! I was trying so hard to do the "public school" thing in my home instead of having my home set the tone for our school. It takes awhile for mom to de-program, especially when we're products of the public/private school systems ourselves. And look how well WE turned out! :0)

So, please don't be too hard on yourself Mom. Stand firm and remind yourself why you've decided to homeschool, and all the wonderful reasons there are to keep going. Can't think of anything? That's okay, here's a few to get you started:

Studies show that homeschooled children average between the 80th and 90th percentile, regardless of the socio-economic background, or educational level of the parents.
Great student to teacher ratio.
Very good communication between the student, teacher and parents.
You can homeschool in your PJs every day!
The curriculum is in perfect agreement with the values of the parents.
The children will not bring bad habits home from school.
The pace of learning will be geared to the ability of each child, not the lowest common denominator.
You don’t have to fix lunch in the morning.
No waiting for the school bus at 6:00am in the morning (or whenever).
Without peer pressure, they learn to think for themselves, not just parrot what the “group wants to hear”.
Every educator agrees that parental involvement is the key to success in a child’s education. How could one be more involved?
Your child will never be “just a number” in your classroom.
You get to capture those "teachable moments" as they happen so your values are reinforced in your child.
Field Trips!

I'm sure you can think of even better reasons for your family. You truly are the best educator for your child. After all, you have been teaching your child since the day you brought that wee-one home from the hospital. Every day is an adventure, and some days are more "adventurous" than others. Pace yourself. Think outside the box. And above all, commit each new school day to the One Who holds each day in His capable hands. God has all the wisdom (and patience) you need to greet each day if you'll stop to ask. And this is absolutely the most important key to a successful homeschool!

One more thing, please don't hesitate to call a fellow homeschool friend if you get bogged down. The veteran homeschoolers know how you feel, and would gladly step up to give you the encouragement you need to go the next mile. Don't feel like you have to do this alone. Get involved in one of the many groups your community is offering to local homeschoolers. You'll be glad you did.

Blessings,

Lori

What a Fine, Fine Day

Thu, 30 Aug 2007 21:37:00 -0500

For all of you wondering if I've dropped off the face of the earth...never fear - I'm still here! LOL! Thanks for your care and concern. I'll try to update when I can, but this is already turning into a VERY busy season, and we're only two weeks into the school year.

I have a friend who's been instructed not to drive by her MD for health reasons, so I offered to take her to Wal-Mart today. I honestly didn't remember we were supposed to go until I checked my Microsoft Calendar (Thanks Bill Gates!). If it's not on the calendar, it just doesn't exist. :0) I decided to bring my youngest DD Rebecca with me, and off we went! We picked up my friend at her house, along with her 6mo son and headed to Wallie World for another adventurous day. I knew my friend had a lot of shopping to do, so I brought along our extra cell phone, handed it to her, gave her a crash course in cell technology, and left her at Wal-Mart.

Where did I go? Starbucks!

You see I had already planned my "escape" as it were from Wal-Mart (I really can't stand being there for too long - my wallet starts screaming for mercy), and I also needed to do some schoolwork with my budding Kindergartener. What a perfect place to go for "school". I ordered an Iced Caramel Macchiato (grande size), and Becca got a M&M cookie with a double espresso - uh, I mean iced water. :0) We did a bit of school work, then my friend called and announced she was in the check-out line. I even got a front-row parking spot when I returned to Wal-Mart, so she found me right away. Ah...life is good.

Oh, and just to rub a few of my peeps, I emailed a picture of Becca doing schoolwork there. ;0) Hope a few of you got the pic. If I figure out how to get the pic off my cell phone I'll post it sometime soon.

You know, the joys of homeschooling just keep piling up. Hope your year is starting well. If it gets too stressful, go somewhere fun! Push yourself to think outside of the box this year. You'll be glad you did.

Blessings,

Lori

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Ha! Figured out how to send this pic to hubby's cell phone and then transfer to internet. Here's the proof:

Just gotta love technology! L~