I am a homeschooling mom of 3 boys. We most often use a relaxed approach to homeschooling. I enjoy coming across natural remedies and organic recipes, although I read about them more than I use them. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:04:00 -0500 Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:04:00 -0500 I just want to pass on the encouragement that I received at the recent CHEK Homeschool Convention.  I hadn't been to any homeschool conventions in a year or two, so it was nice to go and be encouraged by some pioneers of the homeschool movement.  One of the most memorable speakers I heard was Michael Smith (co-founder of HSLDA).  I really loved hearing Michael Smith's heart come through when he spoke on "Homeschooling Demands Ever Increasing Faith".  It just made me all the more glad that I am a member of HSLDA (Homeschool Legal Defense Association).  To check out all they do and join, go to their website at www.hslda.org.  At one point Mr. Smith said, "God didn't call you to train your children for Harvard, but for Heaven."  Isn't that so encouraging?  What a great reminder of our most important reason to homeschool.  It reminds me to take the burdens I'm carrying (like curriculums, extra-curricular activities, and never enough money!) and give them  to Christ.  We do not homeschool alone!  How I need that constant reminder! Michael Smith also said, "God didn't call the equipped, He equips the called".  I've heard that statement many times, but I love the commentary he gave on it.  He said something to the effect of (I didn't write fast enough for exact quotes : )  God didn't call certified teachers, Harvard grads, or the patient to homeschool YOUR children.  He called you.  And to those people who say "I just wouldn't have the patience to homeschool my kids!"  Michael Smith says, "We don't either!  But God does."  See how our faith has to become living faith when we homeschool?  We get the opportunity to live out "with God all things are possible", and "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  We get the chance to put "skin" on our faith for our children.  Our kids can zero in on hypocrisy like nobody's business, can't they?  I think homeschooling is God's way of reminding us that our faith needs to be authentic. The next part of Michael Smith's presentation is just so awesome to me.  He reminded us that we are not "just homeschooling our little family".  We are part of a much bigger picture, even though we lose sight of this so often.  He said that just like Esther, God has raised us up to homeschool right now for such a time as this.  And that God has called us to advance His message of salvation to the world by homeschooling.  Doesn't that just humble you and re-ignite your committment to homeschool?  This was so encouraging because I can really let the enemy make me question whether or not my faith is active and alive.  Be assured--we really are living out our faith when we homeschool.  And to think that God is using us to advance His message of salvation to the world through our homeschooling is such an encouragement and privilege.  His presentation was like a friend who comes along, helps you up and refocuses your attention on the things that matter most in this life.  The storms and struggles of our daily lives can just batter our strength to stay in the fight and keep homeschooling our kids.  But to know that we have been put here in this moment in history for a reason has a way of lightening our load and strengthening our resolve to stay the course.  I will close with this quote from Michael Smith, "Faith is doing what we can't prove will be successful."  Homeschooling IS an exercise in faith.  We can't prove to the world that our efforts now will be fruitful later (really, no one can).  We can't prove that our kids will get scholarships to college, get great jobs, or even stay faithful to God for that matter.  But, we don't have to.  God doesn't ask us to prove anything.  He asks us to remain faithful to Him, and watch how He uses our imperfection (and our kids' imperfection) for His glory.  Keep trusting God, loving your family, and being an Esther for such a time as this! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/705565/ Mon, 6 Jul 2009 12:04:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/705565/ Ah yes, the thrill of victory.  Josh's Upward Basketball team finally got to experience it.  They lost 4 games, tied one, and then finally got to taste victory.  As parents we want to teach good character qualities to our children.  Sports can sometimes provide the moments and opportunities to do that.  They get opportunities to grow their character when they lose as well as when they win.  It was just so fun watching that little team win.  They wanted it so very badly.  The moms in the stands also wanted it badly for our boys.  The coaches wanted it even more so : )  The team was down by 11 points at the half, so it didn't look real promising.  But, our team played with such heart.  They just didn't give up.  They really played as a team.  There wasn't one player who could take sole credit for the win.  It was so encouraging for me to watch.  The most thrilling part of the game was when there were about 30 seconds left in the game and the score was tied.  Josh threw the ball up and "swish", in it went.  He made the winning basket.  Of course I was proud, not to mention his dad, who busted a few buttons on his coach's shirt : )  However, that wasn't my proudest moment.  My proudest moment came when one of the boys on the team finally got his first basket of the game.  This little guy had been trying 110% the whole game, but nothing would fall.  Finally, near the end of the game, he got a basket.  Then, Josh ran up behind him and gave him a pat on the back.  I watched him say, "good job!"  That blessed me so much because he stopped, for just a second, and thought of someone else.  To see him encourage someone else, was such an encouragement to me.  Through this whole basketball season, I've really learned a lot about my middle son.  He is an encourager of people.  He loves to rally around those who need to be lifted up, and he really enjoys watching them succeed.  Don't you love it when you have a friend who can celebrate with you and not be envious of you?  Josh's attitude really spoke to me, and I have to admit, admonished me.    Sometimes when I get in my "homeschooling mode", I get tunnel vision about what academics we haven't covered.  I forget to really watch & observe my boys.  I guess I take my eyes off of God, and my focus gets blurred and off-track.  God has used this basketball season to remind me to watch my boys (that's all you can do at a basketball game : )  Not to watch for the chip in their armor, but to watch and appreciate what God HAS done in their lives.  God is faithful as we obey our calling to homeschool.  It always amazes me that God is so good & faithful when we homeschool so imperfectly.    Honestly, winning is just fun.  Getting to experience a win reminds me of how God gives us blessings and expects us to enjoy them--whether it's winning a basketball game or enjoying some new furniture (that's a little inside joke for my good friend Nancy : ).  We really can soak up every minute of that good thing God sent our way.  So, way to go Josh!  Keep encouraging & keep your eyes on Him!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/670832/ Fri, 20 Mar 2009 16:37:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/670832/ My Grandpa gave us quite a scare recently.  That got me to thinking about growing up just down the road from him and my grandma.   When I was a small child, he was just up the road.  If I went to our driveway and looked up the road, I could see my grandparents' house.  Sometimes I would see my grandma and grandpa sitting on their front porch.  They'd wave and I'd wave back.  Simple things.  But so important nonetheless.  I pondered about what made those simple actions so powerful.  I think it would have to be that the "sameness" brought such security to me.  Not that I knew that as a child, but I just knew it felt good.  It felt right for them to be so close by.  My grandparents were always there; always together; always had an open door.  Sunday suppers were not just meals, they were "events".  It was a time when all of their children & my cousins could come and visit and play.  And later as we grew up, a place to come and reminisce about the "good old days".  My Grandpa has never been a big talker unless he's telling a war story .  Sometimes I wish I'd listened a little closer.  Those were stories of his life.  I'm so glad that my oldest son got to sit and hear some of those war stories.  I think he'll always remember the time he spent in my grandpa's living room.  They have that memory together.  I guess the thing I am most thankful for are the choices he made throughout his life.  He chose to serve his country.  He chose to marry the love of his life.  He chose to be a father.  He chose to work hard in a coal mine.  He chose to stand by his children through their toughest times.  He chose to just be there for all his grandkids and great grandkids.  And most of all, he chose to accept Jesus as his Savior.  It reminds me to make those good choices too.  His life shows me that our choices really do matter.  Those seemingly small choices are actually the ones that mean the most later in life.  I want my children to come and visit me as much as his children do him.  I want to know each of my grandchildren.  I want my family to really enjoy coming to visit, and to know that my door is always open.  I want to be there for my family just like he is.  My grandpa reminds me of my favorite quote that I have written in the front of my Bible:  "Preach Christ always, use words when necessary," by St. Francis Assisi.  My grandpa is a man of few words, but he showed Christ to us by his actions.  Thanks "papaw" for a great example.  I love you.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/660781/ Sat, 21 Feb 2009 09:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/660781/ Kids really do say the funniest things.  I so want to remember all the boys' funny sayings.  I've written some down, but too often, I forget.  But this time, I've got this blog to help me remember.  It's so funny to realize what little children really hear sometimes.  My four year old, Matt, was riding his tricycle and singing around the house yesterday, and I didn't really pay much attention.  However, he had sung it so much during the day, I finally tuned in to what he was saying.  He was singing a Christmas song.  It was the one that goes, "Yo, Ho, the mistletoe, hung where you can see..."  I don't know the name of this song, but anyway, Matt's version went like this:  "Yo, Ho, the mystery toe, hung where you can see..."   After recovering from laughter, I just thought, "What in the world did he think this had to do with Christmas?"  Seems more like Halloween to me : ) You can bet the older boys & I just cracked up for the rest of the day about Matt's song.  I'm so glad that I didn't miss this moment.  I'm so glad we are home together, because all too soon, I won't be waking up to my 3 most favorite faces in the whole world.  And nobody is going to be serenading me throughout the day with a song about a "Mystery Toe".  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/645744/ Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:20:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/645744/ At around 7pm last night, my boys and I decided we needed to have some serious ice cream.  So we loaded up and went to get all manner of ice cream and fixins.  Ice cream cones somehow made it into the buggy also.  We planned on making some banana splits, milkshakes, and McFlurries.  But once we got home, the 2 youngest boys decided on the plain old vanilla ice cream cone.  What's so interesting about that?  Well, my 4 year old, Matt, kept saying, "Mom, I'm so excited!!"  I thought that was so funny and a little over the top for just a plain old vanilla ice cream cone--but whatever, he's four.  When he got down to the cone, he said, "Mom, can I eat this?"  I said "Yes, you eat the cone too."  He looked at me with big, brown, unbelieving eyes.  So, I reassured him that he really could eat the cone.  Then, he said, "Mom, I'm so excited!!"  He took a little nibble, then a bite, then the rest is history as is the ice cream cone.  Then the realization hit me:  I've never given my 4 year old ice cream in a cone!  Yikes!  My mommy meter just went to an all time low .  That's why he was so excited and dancing around with that "plain old vanilla ice cream cone"!  I suppose somewhere on the mommy side of my brain, I decided, "This time around, I'm going to get smart and put this kiddo's ice cream in a cup."  I guess I thought of how messy it was when his brothers ate ice cream cones when they were little.  I just cannot remember ever giving him ice cream in a cone.    So here is Matt eating an ice cream cone:  (this is actually his second one of the night, and he told me he was NOT going to smile) I'm so glad I have this little guy around to remind me of the simple pleasures in life.  Who knew that a plain old vanilla ice cream cone could bring such joy to a four-year old?  And who knew that it could remind one mama that some messes are worth making?  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/642846/ Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:42:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/642846/ This marks our last birthday around here for a long while.  Josh is our New Year's boy.  I guess we always know what we're doing on New Year's--having a birthday party!  He's our middle son, and the best way to describe him is "hands-on".  He loves to tinker.  He wants to take things apart and see how they work. Then he tries to put them together again.  This trait of his has come in handy around the house.  When the handle got stuck on the toilet, it was Josh who wanted to get in there and see "why" it was getting stuck.  And to his credit, he did fix the sticking handle.  He is my child that makes me think "outside the box", especially when it comes to homeschooling.  His learning style keeps me on my toes and forces me to ask myself, "What really makes up a valuable education?"  I have found that answer to vary with each of my children.  I know God made him a "tinkerer".  And I want to encourage any gift God has given him; not kill it.  There is a reason God made him to like to do things with his hands.  And God knows better than I do how these gifts will be used in his future.  For his birthday, he chose to have an "Airsoft War" party.  So we hauled six boys (plus 2 youngers) to our land and let them shoot it out for a few hours.  We feel very blessed to have good friends and family who will spend some time with us on our special occasions. It was so great to watch these boys enjoy the day together.  Who else but a bunch of boys would call it "fun" to spend the day shooting and tackling each other?  So here's a few pictures of the "Airsoft Warriors".    I think the thing that sticks in my memory the most about this day is the  laughter of these boys. They laughed heartily and genuinely.  They laughed when they got tackled playing football, they laughed when they got shot with airsoft, and they laughed when the neighbor's black lab puppies wouldn't leave them alone .  Anyway, it was a wonderful day.  It was a great "hands-on" day for a very "hands-on" boy. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/639426/ Fri, 2 Jan 2009 21:32:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/639426/ Up above in the picture, Josh gets to feel the fish at the fish market in "Bethlehem".   Ok, so we didn't really go to Bethlehem, but it sure felt like it.  We went to "Return to Bethlehem" this past weekend, hosted by a church in a neighboring town.  It was so nice.  This church puts this together each year.  As a group, you get to walk through Bethlehem.  They make it very realistic.  You walk through the town and hear Roman soldiers shouting commands.  You pass by all the different shops and the actors are so good at including you into the story.  It's very interactive.  They have live animals, beggars at the city gates, and you follow the star until YOU find baby Jesus.  It's pretty neat. Our friends, the Carters also went.  This is the second year we have done this, but it was the first year the dads could join in on the fun.  I think we'll make this a Christmas tradition.  Speaking of traditions, we have a few, but I'm looking for some more as the boys get older.  We always read in Luke about the birth of Christ, and we have a "Jesus stocking".  When I catch the boys doing something kind, then I write it on a slip of paper and put it in the "Jesus stocking".  They can also add things they see each other doing and add it to the stocking.  Then on Christmas, we take out each piece of paper and read what's on it.  Their kindness to others is their "gift" to Jesus.  It's a good reminder to us all to be kind, especially as the busyness of Christmas approaches : )   And we usually make a birthday cake for Jesus. Below, the boys enjoy refreshments at the end of the trek through Bethlehem.    Yes, those are  real camels!  Josh, Jon, and Matt posed for a brief (and very cold) picture.  All of the actors were so good at drawing you into the times--this was especially fun for the little ones.  At this shop, the ladies were kneading bread and asked Matt to help out!  This shop made wooden bowls, spoons, etc.     At the shop below, they were making clothing from different animal skins.  I think Jon was thinking he'd seen this done before since his dad and brother have gotten a couple of deer this season.     If you have the chance to go to something like this in your area, your family would love it.  And what better way to help keep the focus on Christ--the real reason for the season!     http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/633167/ Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:30:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/633167/ We've been so sick with coughing, sinus infections and such around here lately.  What always seems to come with that for me is that everything gets so "off routine".  Don't get me wrong, we do not hyperschedule around here.  But I've noticed we have routines to most of our days.  But all it takes is a sickness, and then laundry piles up, dinners consist of something frozen or take-out, and my Bible reading time goes to nil.  I don't know why, but when I am sick, I do not want to watch anything or read anything.  But this morning, I just made up my mind that I needed to spend time with God and His word.  I am so glad He blesses my attempts at following Him.  I read a portion of 1 Samuel 14.  Here's the part that really ministered to me this morning:  v. 6 "...'Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.  Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.'" I love the commentary which said that Jonathan and his armor-bearer were really no match for the Philistine army, but everyone else was afraid.  It went on to say, "...they trusted God, knowing that the size of the enemy army would not restrict God's ability to help them.  God is never intimidated by the size of the enemy army or the complexity of a problem"  (Zondervan, NIV Commentary).  What an awesome reminder that God is not intimidated by my mountain of laundry!  Just kidding...sort of : )  What I really got out of the lesson was this:  God called us to homeschool.  But, often, we feel like Jonathan and his armor-bearer, and that we are up against the huge army of the Philistines (lesson plans, a child who still isn't reading well, a child who struggles with math, financial problems, health issues, and on and on).  But God reminded me this morning that He is not intimidated by the size of the enemy or the complexity of the problem.  This story ends with a victory.  Jonathan and his armor-bearer defeat and kill about 20 enemy soldiers.  The soldiers, in confusion, turn on each other.  If you keep reading, you find that this act of trust by Jonathan, encourages the entire Israelite army to mobilize and push the Philistines back.  So I would encourage fellow homeschoolers to keep trusting, keep teaching those precious kids, and keep loving your family.  Your act of trust in what God has called you to do just may encourage a multitude of homeschoolers who feel afraid, overwhelmed, and defeated.  Or your influence may be on a much smaller, but no less, scale.  You may encourage one homeschool mom to keep going.  By your trust in God, you may be showing your child how to live out their trust in God in a practical way.  Wouldn't we all count that as a victory? http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/632423/ Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:25:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/632423/ Yes, we have a teenager in our home now.  And this year, he and I discussed what he might like to do for his birthday.  He decided he would rather "do" something than have a party.  It warmed my heart that he decided that spending time with the special people in his life was more important than getting "things".  I pray he will always feel this way.  It was interesting to hear some of the comments I received from people about having a teenager.  It seems that our society feels this is the start of a very volatile time for teens as a whole.  However, from our experience it is a sweet time of transition.  No doubt these teenage years are about change--but the change is for everyone in our home.  I have to tilt my head up now to look in his eyes, his shoe size is larger than his dad's, and he reminds his younger brothers about safety while roughhousing.  My husband and I feel very privileged that we are so present during these changes.   That's what I love about homeschooling--YOU get to be there--not just when they have a problem, but for all the good stuff too!  I know I am not alone in being excited about the teen years.  Other homeschooling families have similar stories.  Maybe they will blog about their experiences too--hint, hint.  I believe one of the most "challenging" things about having boys is keeping them challenged!   We have 3 boys and they all seem to be up for a challenge or adventure any time of day or night.  Therefore, it just seemed natural to have a "Paintball War Birthday"!  So here are some pictures of the fun day.  Our good friends, the Carters, came to celebrate the day with us.  Here are the boys and their dads getting their gear together:    Here are the boys putting on their "yellow team" arm bands.  Up above:  Gear on, paintball guns loaded, ready to take those dads down! The "orange team" comprised of the dads and J.  J. is the oldest boy of the family that went with us.  I wonder if the dads know just how much the other boys are anticipating getting to shoot them.  Hmmmm.  You may think these teams are unfairly divided, but it's interesting to note that the young roosters above wanted it this way.  Meanwhile, after watching the "Great Paintball War of 2008", my friend and I took the two younger boys to a park near the river.  It was sooo cold on the mamas, but the boys didn't seem to notice.  It was a really fun day for us all!    http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/630264/ Tue, 9 Dec 2008 22:51:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/630264/ In honor of my husband's birthday, I thought I'd write a few things that I really appreciate about him.  We were high school sweethearts so we've known each other for about 25 years altogether.  I know that many of the dreams we had when we were oh-so-young never materialized, but we love our life together and our boys.  So here are the top 10 things I love about my husband: 1.  That you work 2 jobs so we can homeschool our boys. 2.  That you play games with our boys which equates into hours and hours of quality time.  3.  That you feel as strongly as I do about homeschooling. 4  That you are such a great protector of us. 5.  That you went to Kroger, two times yesterday (one of those trips was about midnight) when Matt was sick to get medicine.  6.  That you are a quick decision-maker especially when I am not.  7.  That you can remember every movie we've ever seen.  This is good because I can't remember any of them. 8.  That you model a great work ethic for our boys.  I know they see you walk out that door many nights to go to a second job even though you are tired and would rather be at home.  9.  That you make us feel like we are your most favorite people in the world to be with.   10.  That you remember all that math stuff and teach it to the boys.  I always know that if I can't explain a math concept well, I can count on you to help them (and me) out.  Well, there's the top 10 list, in no particular order : )  Love you & Happy Birthday! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/628933/ Sat, 6 Dec 2008 18:58:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/candacek/628933/