Keeping It Real endeavors to share encouragement, information and insight into the REAL life aspects involved in homeschooling, mothering, marriage and a personal spiritual walk. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:59:00 -0500 Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:59:00 -0500 Questions to ponder: Why can I seem to grow all other herbs but Basil? I can't even get it to flourish INSIDE! Is living and at a high altitude and in a dry climate worth it enough to see myself aging before my very eyes? HA! Why does horse manure not stink like other animals manure does? Why do my sons like the movie, Dumb and Dumber? How can I like classical music AND country music at the same time? Why do I like rainy days and being snowed in? Why is my short term memory getting worse and my long term memory getting better? Why do I like to stay home and not run around so much more than I used to? (could it be because I live in paradise?) How do I love my horse and hate him all at the same time? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/701900/ Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:59:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/701900/ I'm starting to get really excited about the upcoming Creative Living and Learning Online Conference. This conference was born out of the desire to help and encourage mothers during this time of year when they often get introspective and discouraged in their duties at home and homeschooling. SO, we have gathered together some incredible speakers and chosen to focus on creative living and learning as our subject. Look at some of our speakers: Diana Waring, Sally Clarkson, Zan Tyler, Amy Pak, Leslie Valeska, Jill Novak, and several others. I hope that you will join us at this online conference. You don't have to leave home AND you don't have to listen in live, you can join us when YOUR schedule permits you too and listen to the rest of the workshops at a time that is convenient for you after the workshops are archived. To find out more information, please be sure to visit: www.creativelivingandlearning.com Faith and Courage, Lori http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/645542/ Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:35:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/645542/ I LOVE English for the Thoughtful Child. I have to admit that I had my doubts about whether anything that easy would really work. I have been a bit eclectic in my homeschooling over the years, but if you were going to try and pigeonhole me, it would be in a combination of Charlotte Mason, Classical (time period study) and Unit Study. I'm on my "last" son and we are doing English for the Thoughtful Child. I don't know why I doubted it would work because I've seen narration, dictation, copywork and lots of reading work with my other boys in the areas of spelling, grammar and writing. However, for whatever reason, I still worried. My son just came up and showed me what he was doing with todays work in English for the Thoughtful Child and I found him explaining a few things to ME and I found him catching his own spelling and grammar errors without me telling him. SO much progress has been made and yet he spends about 10-15 minutes on it a day. That's it! Shame on me for doubting! Maybe one of these days I will actually learn! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/627974/ Thu, 4 Dec 2008 11:27:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/627974/ Alot has been said, written and discussed regarding the idea of spiritual mentorship. One thing that I read in Titus 2 is that the "older women" are teaching the "younger women". I KNOW there is a desperate shortage of older women willing to mentor younger women. However, I think there is wisdom in Scripture and I think there is a reason that it talks about someone older mentoring someone younger. Along those lines, I want to turn the tables a bit and ask YOU a question. How do you describe mentorship and a Titus 2 relationship as it pertains to our relationships with each other and our relationships with mentors or as being mentors and older women. Is it an accountability relationship? Is it a counselor relationship? Is it a teaching relationship? How does it look? Have you experienced it and has it been successful? I would love to hear your thoughts. Lori http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/626665/ Mon, 1 Dec 2008 18:32:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/626665/ If you aren't familiar with Diana Waring and her approach to History, you are really missing out. Not only are her resources time period oriented, but they also have a distinct emphasis on the arts. In addition, Diana is the author of the history series, Diana Waring Presents as well as the author of Beyond Survival. THIS THURSDAY, November 20th at 3 p.m. EST, I will be airing a live interview with Diana on our Artios blogtalk radio program entitled: Arts At Home. I know that this interview will be encouraging and uplifting as well as informative as we discuss not only a time period approach to history and the arts, but also discussing different learning styles and obstacles. You can tune into the program live and be able to participate in a Q&A at the end of the session or you can also listen to an archived copy of the broadcast. Either way, just get on your computer and go to www.blogtalkradio.com/theendinmind We will be having a contest during the live session and the winner will be given a set of Diana's CD's entitled: That's Why They Call It Grace: 20 Centuries of Church History. However, this contest will only be for those who are listening in live via their computer. I hope that you will be able to join us. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me directly at: llane@artiosacademies.com Please feel free to pass this on to all your homeschool buddies. Faith and Courage, Lori L. Lane Executive Director Artios Academies http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/621411/ Wed, 19 Nov 2008 11:23:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/621411/ Lean Hard! I'm sorry that I've been a bit quiet over the past few weeks.  My inlaws just left today to return back to their home in Maine.  While they were here they shared with me a website that sends out daily devotionals.  Of course, when you find a good thing, I did what is logical and shared it with some friends.  One of those friends sent me one of those devotionals back this morning and it was such an encouraging reminder that I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!   Lean hard! (from Winslow's, "The Burden Cast upon God") "Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you." Psalm 55:22. It is by an act of simple, prayerful faith we transfer our cares and anxieties, our sorrows and needs, to the Lord. Jesus invites you come and lean upon Him, and to lean with all your might upon that arm that balances the universe, and upon that bosom that bled for you upon the soldier's spear! But you doubtingly ask, "Is the Lord able to do this thing for me?" And thus, while you are debating a matter about which there is not the shadow of a shade of doubt, the burden is crushing your gentle spirit to the dust. And all the while Jesus stands at your side and lovingly says, "Cast your burden upon Me and I will sustain you. I am God Almighty. I bore the load of your sin and condemnation up the steep of Calvary, and the same power of omnipotence, and the same strength of love that bore it all for you then, is prepared to bear your need and sorrow now. Roll it all upon Me!" "Child of My Love! Lean hard! Let Me feel the pressure of your care. I know your burden, child! I shaped it- I poised it in My own hand and made no proportion of its weight to your unaided strength. For even as I laid it on, I said I shall be near, and while she leans on Me, this burden shall be Mine, not hers. So shall I keep My child within the circling arms of My own love. Here lay it down! Do not fear to impose it on a shoulder which upholds the government of worlds! Yet closer come! You are not near enough! I would embrace your burden, so I might feel My child reposing on My breast. You love Me! I know it. Doubt not, then. But, loving me, lean hard!" http://www.gracegems.org/com.htm   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/564390/ Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:38:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/564390/   Tomorrow, Thursday, July 3rd, we will be hosting an interview with Rea Berg, the author and founder of Beautiful Feet Books which provides homeschoolers with guides to studying history and geography through literature.   The syllabi provided by Beautiful Feet have always been among my homeschool favorites.  You don't want to miss this opportunity to hear from Rea Berg as much of what she will discuss and offer us is applicable to all of our involvement not only in homeschooling but in integrating the arts within our homeschool curriculum.   You can tune in live by going to www.blogtalkradio.com/theendinmind at 3 p.m. EST tomorrow or you can listen to an archived copy of the broadcast at your convenience by visiting the same website and then clicking on the broadcast for July 3rd.   Hope you can all be there!   Lori Lane http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/555814/ Wed, 2 Jul 2008 23:17:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/555814/ It should read Lions, and Tigers, and Bears OH MY!....but it doesn't.  Instead my life includes, chickens, gardens and horses.  But, I've got problems....at least "challenges" so, I thought I would put my "issues" into writing and ask for some advice! Problem #1 - NOTHING is coming up in the garden!  It's been two weeks..and I've consistently watered...and nothing but GARLIC that was planted last fall has come up.  This didn't happen last year....so hat did I do wrong. Problem #2 - My chickens are refusing to lay their eggs in the nesting boxes...and instead are finding the craziest places all over the barn and in boxes to lay their eggs...oh...and also below the roost...which makes finding the eggs in a timely manner......almost impossible.  HELP! Problem #3 - My chickens keep digging little spots in the dirt (like little indentions in the dirt) where they can sit and keep cool I guess.  The problem is, they will even climb into my pots...WITH PLANTS IN THE POTS...and scratch out dirt and my plants in order to find a place to make their little "spot". Problem #4 - We got a new horse...CHEROKEE...and we have had him two weeks.  He is wonderful...but SNERT is bullying him...and it is not calming down AT ALL. Problem #5 - It is still dipping below freezing at night occassionally and that has cost me some flower plants.......ones that were SUPPOSED to be fine at even 40 below......so I don't get it. Problem #6 - My barn cats keep making unseemly "deliveries" of their catches to my front door...and of course, eventually leave me the most "choice" parts of their catch to discover as I walk out the door.  GROSS! Problem #6 - The "squishies" are making holes all over the pasture...which makes riding IN the pasture.....an adventure and I'm scared to death one of the horses is going to get hurt stepping into one of those holes. Problem #7 - My barn cats, one especially, Ranger, will not stay away from the birds....and we LOVE birds. Trivial issues...YES...I agree.....but hey, they ARE irritating! HA! Lori         http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/550372/ Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:46:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/550372/ Although I have a personal website, BUT, I do plan on continuing to update homeschool blogger as often as possible.  I had previously thought I couldn't keep up with both...but hey, I think I figured it out....so I'm not disappearing from the homeschoolblogger.  Plus,I get great comments from this group and love surfing other blogs here. So, let's keep in touch!  Lori http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/548336/ Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:47:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/548336/ God Empowers His People For His Service This past Sunday our pastor preached a sermon that I think was meant especially for me.  Do you ever have that experience?  It was as if he had been in our home for the past few weeks, knew what we were going through and facing, and preached a sermon meant to encourage us on a very personal level.  The sermon text was Zechariah 4 and the sermon was entitled:  God Empowers His People for His Service. This passage tells about the vision or dream that God gave Zechariah concerning the lampstand and the olive tree.  God is doing a mighty work and He calls His people to be a part of that work.  Now, we know that we have God's complete word and that God always moves in concert with His Word.  God's word for us TODAY is powerful and is the ultimate living book.    However, in Zechariah's time, God was showing Zechariah a new thing and he does so through this vision of the lampstand and olive tree.  Take some time to read this passage and to familiarize yourself with this vision. Our pastor shared that there are three steps in God's empowering people for service. 1.  God empowers his people for service through the vision (Word) that God gives them.....by God's word.  Again, God always moves in concert with His word.  Zechariah saw a lampstand representing the light in the holy place.  When you read the vision you will notice how the lamp was structured.  It was connected directly to an olive tree so that it received a continuous flow of oil from the tree to the lamp.  In Zechariah's day, God was showing him that the encouragement Zechariah needed to rebuild the temple could be found in God himself.  How much more true for us today!  Our encouragement, our strength, our vision, should come from being directly connected to God's word, the ultimate "living book" and the book from which we hear from God himself. John and I share a personal vision.  Sometimes this vision seems so big and even ambigous that it is hard to wrap our arms and minds around exactly what it means long term.  We want to help rebuild the spiritual foundation of the next generation.  John and I see it from different paradigms and perspectives because we are individuals.  However, our separate paradigms have this common vision.  That vision comes directly from the "living book" and the responsibilities that we feel God details for parents and teachers.  What vision or purpose do you feel like God has given you? 2. God empowers His people for service by God's spirit.  The only way God is glorified and that we cna serve him effectively is through HIS power.  When there are obstacles in our way.....God describes them as mountains in this passage, but He also describes them as being "leveled" and removed by HIS power in order for HIS purpose to be accomplished.  Doesn't He say:  "My grace is sufficient for you for MY strength is made perfect in YOUR weakness."  3.  God empowers His people His service because He chooses to use God's people.  It's amazing to me that God chooses weak, frail vessels to do His work. God delights in using small and humble things so that it is evident that it is HIS power which is accomplishing HIS will and so that no one may boast before Him God has called each of us to do specific things.  You know how I feel about that subject especially as it regards to children.  However, it applies to all of us.  God created each of us uniquely because he has a unique purpose and plan for each of us.  Sometimes what He has "called" us to do seems too challenging and there are too many obstacles in the way so that our human perspective tends to take over and we see only our weakness and we fail to focus on God's strength.  I'm so guilty of doing this....especially when there are things going on that I just can't seem to understand.  I seem to lose sight of God's sovereignty and the fact that He is in control and knows the BIG picture and His desired end result and I focus on trying to figure ou WHY things are happening they way they are happening.  I know I'm not the only to struggle with that as I have heard others describe and talk about the same feelings.  Even David stopped to ask God why and to ask God why he (David) was being asked to do certain tasks for God.  I think God expects that from us as humans.  However, His constant answer to us is to trust in HIS strength and to know that HE will empower HIS people to do HIS work. Faith and Courage, Lori  .       http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/546111/ Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:15:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/LoriL/546111/