Homeschool Nations - Ohio - Homeschool Blogger

Homemade Spray Disinfectant

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:40:00 -0600

2 c. water
3 TB. liquid Castile Soap
20-30 drops of Tea Tree Oil

~Mix well in a spray bottle.
~Squirt on everything from baby's bottom to the cutting board!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Our Places on the Team

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 20:27:00 -0600

I Cor. 14:33 – “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.”

James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder…”

Ever have one of those days when things are so loud and disorderly that if the roof caved in it wouldn’t be a surprise? When the kids are constantly nit-picking each other and the pitch and volume of your voice just keeps getting higher and louder? And then, dear Dad comes home to his loving family only to be bombarded with all the problems. But never fear…SU-permom is here! She’ll just take over Dad’s role as Head of the House and he can exercise his “authority” by gladly giving it all over to her. But…does that really bring peace to the situation? Does that foster love and respect in the wife’s (and children’s) heart when the family leadership roles are reversed?

There will be no peace in our homes until we find contentment by accepting our role in God’s plan for the family. Not accepting our roles is an expression of envy and discontentment and that destroys the peace of our home.

As homeschool mothers/teachers it can be hard to “give up” our leadership role when our husband walks through the door. All day long we’ve been giving the instructions, making the plans; being nurse, taxi driver, peace-maker, cook, teacher and Supreme Court judge. It’s hard to lay that mantle of authority aside when Hubby comes home.

In his Advanced Home Schooling Workshop tape entitled Establishing an Orderly Home, Gregg Harris says, “All order is an outgrowth of purpose.” He goes on to explain that a coach has a goal in mind and therefore decides what places on the team (what roles) each player plays. “Take away the goal post and the play has no purpose.” When we have a goal, or a vision, our various roles will then make sense. When everyone is doing their own “thing” then there is great disorder; disorder brings no glory to God. If we see and participate in our place on the team, we have order; order does bring glory to God. God’s glory is our goal!

God has specific roles for each member of the family. When women are willing to take their proper place in God’s order they get more of the man they wish they had! We can’t keep going to God in prayer asking Him to make our husbands the godly leader we wish they were if we don’t honor our husbands by letting him assume his role as leader of our home. This is NOT about superiority vs. inferiority, but about places on the team, about restoring the household to its proper place. My friend, Jami S., is one of the most godly women I know. I once heard her say something that I have kept written in my day-timer: “My humbleness will get me further than my pride.” God is a loving God and wants us to understand true submission and my Bible says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” (Eph. 5:21) That’s reason enough for me!

Moreover, what is our example teaching our children? Oh dear, I hear that old saying running through my head again, “Children learn more from what is caught than taught.” What are my children “catching” from me? Just as viruses have a tendency to work their way through a household this time of year, attitudes also work their way through. What attitude about places on the team work their way (for good or bad) to my children?

As we practice submission to our husbands we ought always hold them up in prayer. Remember, the man carries the heavier burden. He is responsible before God to put his very life on the line, to give his life for us! “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her…” (Eph. 5:25)

I certainly realize that we homeschool moms have a lot on our plates already…but when we live out our roles, peace will begin to reign and those loads might just become lighter. Our attitudes will be turned to respect and a deeper love for our husbands (Eph. 5:33) that our children will “catch” and take with them into their own homes in years to come.

Blessings from Ohio,

Kim Wolf<><

Veteran's Day!

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:14:00 -0600

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

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Is Your Iron Getting Rusty?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:44:00 -0600

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,

Kim Wolf<><

Old Farmer's Almanac ~ A Quiet Sun, A Cold Winter

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:05:00 -0600

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.

Wooly Worm Weather

Thu, 5 Nov 2009 12:04:00 -0600

Using wooly worms (Pyrrharctia isabella) to predict winter is old American folklore that traces its history back to early Americana. Supposedly, Native Americans taught the pioneers to read wooly worms to predict winter weather. Wooly worm is the common name for the larval stage of the Isabella Tiger Moth. They are also called wooly bears.

Step 1
Look for wooly worms under rocks and inside hollow logs.
Step 2
Examine the wooly worm, paying attention to its bands of colors. The wooly worm will curl into a ball when touched or threatened. When they crawl, they can crawl very quickly!
Step 3
Wooly worm forecasters say that the size of the brown band of color will tell you what kind of winter is coming. Legend says that the thinner the brownish red bands, the harsher the winter will be. If the wooly worm is mostly brownish red in the middle, winter will be mild.
Step 4
Wooly worm enthusiasts claim an 85 percent success rate over the last few decades. Scientists tend to disagree and say wooly worm weather prediction is as unscientific as using groundhogs to predict winter weather. The groundhogs likely side with the wooly worms.
Step 5
Whether or not you believe in the power of wooly worms, they can be a fun project for children and adults.

{from www.ehow.com}

Summit County Homeschool Geographic Bee

Tue, 3 Nov 2009 10:47:00 -0600

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC BEE

SUMMIT COUNTY HOMESCHOOL BEE

CHEC will host the local Homeschool Geographic Bee on Friday December 4, from 3-4 p.m. at The Chapel (Akron Campus).

The National Geographic Bee is a geographic competition open to all students in grades 4 to 8. Our local Bee is for homeschooled students who reside in Summit County and surrounding communities. The winner of this Bee will take a written test to qualify for the State Bee.

To register or get more information, contact Bob Mellen at robert.mellen@att.net. Send the name, age, and grade of the child(ren) you wish to participate. You must register by December 2.

The cost of the Bee materials is provided by a gift from 4 Corners Maps, an on-line map store found at www.4cornersmaps.com.

Central Ohio Homeschooler seeking volunteers to help with Eagle Projec

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:56:00 -0500

Dear fellow homeschool leaders,

I thought it would be appropriate to send this to you since there may be some lists owners whose list members might be interested- I tried to reach many of the central Ohio lists but I may have missed some. Please feel free to forward it if this is the case. This project will be facilitated in north central Ohio (Powell/ Dublin Ohio area).

I am excited to announce my son is working on his Boy Scout Eagle Scout Leadership Project! I am very proud of him. According to statistics the number of boys who start scouting and actually recieve this award was 5%. He has worked hard and has asked me to send a request to the homeschool lists for volunteers who'd be willing to help him complete his project.

David Lopez is seeking volunteers to help with his Eagle Leadership Project.

Background on the Project:

David's passion for skateboarding and concern for children lead him to choose the SafeKids Central Ohio, a non-profit “coalition of public and private organizations working together to prevent injuries to children” to be the beneficiary of his project.

Did you know that accidental childhood injuries are the leading cause of death in children 14 and under? Did you know skateboarding injuries contribute to those statistics?

David's project will generate a Safety Card to inform and educate parent and children on safe skate boarding procedures. There are currently no educational resources for this sport available to central Ohio parents.

How Can Volunteers Help:

Participate in a brainstorm meeting On November 3^rd,to gather ideas for the card's logo.

Donate a snack/ treat for those participating in the brainstorm session.

Work with him in determining what information is most essential and how to lay it out on the safety card.

Donate a ream of cardstock - the cards will be being printed on cardstock.

Participate On November 21^st when the cards will be distributed to Nationwide Children's Hospital; Close To Home Centers; recreation centers; skate shops; etc. He needs

Distribution Volunteers - these are those willing to take cards to a predetermined site.
Base Volunteers - those willing to help get the assignments to the Distribution volunteers.

Donate cookies, or other snack foods for those participating in the November 21^st distribution process.

Seek out relevant websites and skateboard safety information that might be placed on the card and then e-mail your research finds to David at davidseagleproject@yahoo.com.

We are excited about the impact this project will have on the safety of central Ohio children. Together we can help educate parents and children; thus impacting their ability to choose to skate safe!

Your help is greatly needed and appreciated!

Please contact David today davidseagleproject@yahoo.com Let him know how you are willing to help.

Thank You!!

Kathy Lopez

Abraham Lincoln Quotes...

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:30:00 -0500

"You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves."
~~Abraham Lincoln

2010 CHEO Convention Changes Locations!!!

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:46:00 -0500

Ohio--Announcing the 2010 Christian Home Educators of Ohio Convention in Akron!

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

Save the date! The CHEO 2010 Convention is coming to your area on June 24-26, 2010.

Please note that the CHEO convention has changed locations this year, moving to the John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill Street, Akron, OH 44308.

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We are keenly aware that our parental and homeschool freedoms are best

preserved when we all stand together to defend them. We look forward

to seeing you at the CHEO 2010 Convention!

Sincerely,

�@

Michael P. Donnelly, Esq.

HSLDA Staff Attorney

http://www.cheohome.org/. For more information about the CHEO 2010 Convention, please contact CHEO at 740-522-2460 or visit them online at