I live in Alaska along with my husband and four kids. I yearn to be a good mother, a Proverbs 31 woman, a better wife and live a simpler life (not is order of priority). I am currently leaning as much as I can about the Art of Homemaking, as it is not my forte, but I'd like it to be. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 7 Mar 2008 17:57:00 -0600 Fri, 7 Mar 2008 17:57:00 -0600 Please Sign this Petition to Support Homeschool Freedom in California. A California Court of Appeal recently decided that homeschooling is illegal in California unless a parent is a certified teacher. The case arose in a confidential juvenile court proceeding. The family was represented by court-appointed attorneys and HSLDA did not become aware of the case until the Court of Appeal case was published on February 28, 2008. <<MORE>>   www.hslda.com http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/494586/ Fri, 7 Mar 2008 17:57:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/494586/ Many of you have asked me to comment on the "Home Makers Mentor" subscription and give you my opinion.  I have been busier since the beginning of the year than I though I would be, so I have yet to complete any of the assignments or do much more than read the lessons.  Please bear this in mind as I give my opinion. So far, the lessons have been on: cleaning the master bedroom, growing your own herbs,  and cooking beans.  It is the end of February and these have been the only lessons so far.  To be honest, I was expecting more lessons than only three in the first two months.  That being said, the lessons give a great amount of detail and instruction.  I am definitely looking forward to start growing my own herbs and using them in daily cooking rather than store bought dried herbs.  The writing of the lessons is very friendly, like a true mentor would be.  One of the perks of purchasing the subscription is the ability to participate in the forum.  Same type of forum as you see in Sonlight or My Father's World.  This can be a great resource for getting encouragement as well as additional help with the assignments. So, all in all, I have enjoyed the subscription so far.  However, I am still not sure if the product is worth the price.  It is a very expensive membership and I have not seen enough come out of it to truly make me feel like the investment was worthwhile for me.      http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/488977/ Wed, 27 Feb 2008 17:26:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/488977/ I am in definite need of a blog makeover.  I have the same old, generic template.  I have no idea how to personalize my blog.  Don't know how to add items to the side bars, change my title picture, or as a matter of fact do anything to make it unique.  Will I get the coveted makeover?  I wish!!!  I see there are over 2000 of us trying to get this one makeover, so probably not....you get to continue reading my generic blog, lucky you! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/485974/ Fri, 22 Feb 2008 16:33:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/485974/ So I am really not an outdoorsy type gal.  I love my paved roads, running water, electricity, bug screens on windows.  I am a home body.  So you know I am ready for summer if I am actually looking forward to a few camping trips this summer.  I am becoming a true Alaskan woman.  Who knew?     Another thing I am looking forward to this summer is volunteering as camp nurse at http://www.solidrockbiblecamp.com/ a few of their sessions.  This will be my first time to ever be a camp nurse, so it will be interesting.  This camp is three hours South of us.  My two eldest attended last year and lvoed it.  After they attended, I found out they have a terrible time finding camp nurses willing to volunteer.  So I figured, why not??  I am volunteering during two sessions that my daughters will attend as campers and my little 3 year old man can tag along with me. Fun, fun!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/484400/ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 10:49:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/484400/ My outlook on winter has improved today.  It is in the 20s and 30s now.  This cold I can handle.  It's the hovering around 0 degree that does me in, makes me wish I could move to Timbuktu (is Timbuktu warm year round??).  I guess my biggest issue is contentment, being happy where I am planted.  Who's to say if we moved to the perfect sunshiny town (wherever that may be) that I'd be satisfied?  The greener pasture syndrome is my friend I guess.  Thank you Lord for helping me get through the last few weeks.  Change my heart Lord and bring me closer to you. Happy LOVE day to you all!  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/480820/ Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:46:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/480820/ I officially have it, winter is really getting me down and I am so very tired of it.  It just seems to keep going and going and going...you get the picture.  We have had a VERY cold February in Alaska and it has really affected me emotionally.  It has made me want to get out of here very badly.  Don't get me worng, Alaska is a beautiful place, but I don't think I am cut out for this winter thing.  Summer time is great and wonderful, but then comes winter.  It is very hard.    So if anyone is reading this, please pray for me that I would endure and perservere with some joy in my heart.  I don't want to be negative and bring the rest of my family down.  I want to make our home a joyful place.  This is proving to be just a tad difficult right now.   Lord in heaven, pleae help me to make it through the remaining months of winter.  Help me be content with where you have placed us.  Help me love this place and enjoy being a part of it.  Take this feeling of depression away from me and remind me that you are my refuge and strength no matter where I may go.  In Jesus name, Amen.   Thanks for letting me share.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/480279/ Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:06:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/480279/ Listed below are the lessons they have planned:   The following 24 online classes will be available for 2008 to HMM Members: *Cleaning the Master Bedroom *How to Make Simple Curtains *Homemade Notecards & Stationary *Growing an Indoor Herb Garden & How to Use Fresh Herbs *Beans, Beans & More Beans - Using Dried Beans for Simple, Delicious & Frugal Meals *Children's Clothing - Storage Solutions & Organization *Sew an Apron *Quick Peek at the Well Stocked Medicine Cabinet & Treating Basic Illness and Injury *Pantry Principles - Organizing & Stocking *Family Meals - Making This Special Time Together Happen! *Canning Blackberry Jam & Other Fruits *How to Embellish Linens with Crocheted Lace Edgings *Really Good Home Canned Pickles! *Laundry Basics & Teaching Children to Help *Simple Skirts for Girls - A Sewing Lesson *An Abundance of Apples & How to Use Them All! *A Clean Sparkling Kitchen *Long Term Food Storage & Simple Emergency Preparedness *In A Stew! *Rebekah's Revolving Chore Chart for Children & Mother's Master List of Home Duties for the Year *Table Settings & How to Create a Lovely Table Setting *Making a Memory Quilt *My Kitchen - A Restaurant? *Gingham Embroidery with Two Projects   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/454984/ Thu, 3 Jan 2008 18:29:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/454984/ I promised some of you that I would return and give a report after the first lesson from http://www.thehomemakersmentor.com/  So here I am reporting for duty The first lesson focused on "Cleaning of the Master Bedroom."  This wasn't just a "wipe a cloth over the dresser, change the sheets, and kick the clutter under the bed" type lesson.  It gave detailed instructions on in-depth cleaning of the Master Bedroom.  Very inspiring for me, as my bedroom is the dumping ground for everything that does not have a place to belong in our home---wrapping paper, suitcases, my scrapbooking goodies, piles of papers, items to be donated, sewing items, books to be read, etc.   This is a room I always neglect, it's way too easy to keep the door closed and forget about it during the day, and just step over the piles at night.  Overall I really enjoyed the lesson and the way it was written (by a friend-for a friend).  The forum belonging to the site is also becoming a very active community. I guess the real test will be:  Will I complete the lesson?  The answer:  You betcha....as soon as I get back from Hawaii http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/454979/ Thu, 3 Jan 2008 18:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/454979/ We leave freezing cold Alaska for our much anticipated trip to Hawaii on Sunday.  I am taking a book to read (probably "Chasing Fireflies" by Charles Martin).  I also wanted some sort of sewing/knitting/craft type project to keep busy on down times.  So I perused my latest favorite blogs: http://norththreads.blogspot.com http://homespunliving.blogspot.com/ http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/ http://angrychicken.typepad.com/angry_chicken/   I finally found a project to bring along with me.  It's a Valentine's Day Penny Rug that the first blog mentioned above, Northreads, had made and turned out really cute.  Here's a pic: It is made out of felted wool and the supplies I need to bring with me are minimal (needle, thread and small scissors).  The pattern for this is a freebie from http://www.fonsandporter.com  I am using a mint green background with the red hearts and pennies.  I love working with felt and this will be a perfect runner for on our table during the month of February. Do you enjoy any craft blogs you could share with me?  I love seeing what others make and copycat projects.  Happy crafting! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/454973/ Thu, 3 Jan 2008 18:06:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/454973/ If you homeschool or will be homeschooling near Achorage, Alaska there is a wonderful support Association in Eagle River/ Chugiak.  www.ercha.com   Welcome to ERCHA! We are Christian families who have chosen to educate our children at home. --> Learn more about us There is Freedom in Homeschooling In Alaska, you have the freedom to homeschool independently without government restrictions or oversight. --> See why Attend our meetings! When: Third Tuesday of each month, 7:00pm (except June, July and August) Where: Eagle River Grace Brethren Church Mile 1.8 Birchwood Loop Road, Chugiak Child care will be provided. --> See map Coming December 27th! ERCHA Annual Mom's Tea - Please register here by December 21st Coming April 2008! Writing seminars by Andrew Pudewa, Institute for Excellence in Writing : About Us :: Meetings :: Homeschooling in Alaska :: Legislative Watch :: Activities/Clubs :: Contact Us :: JOIN : ©2007 Eagle River Homeschool Association http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/440793/ Fri, 7 Dec 2007 18:40:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/liberty4joys/440793/