Family Learning since 1980, Homeschooling since 1988. Possibly the weirdest family you'll ever meet. Welcome to Easterhouse. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:10:00 -0500 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:10:00 -0500 Thought I'd poke my head in. Haven't updated in a while, and while this won't be much of an update, I will say I'll try to write more very soon. Things are a little ape right now. I know, what else is new? Pretty much the way things go for this nutty family. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/546543/ Thu, 12 Jun 2008 09:10:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/546543/ I was under the wire to not have my blog deleted, but only by a day...so I thought I would peek in and update.    We have gone back to a much more structured approach to school, and it's working well for us.  It makes the kids feel like they are accomplishing a lot with their studies, which gives them confidence that I'm seeing show through in their actions and attitudes, so I'm seeing it as a good thing.  And the structure itself is helping us all to stay on track with everyone's respective involvements outside of school.   Girlie is taking six dance classes and assistant teaching nine classes of 3-7-year-olds.  Guess it's safe to say her career apprenticeship is well established!  Not everyone gets to apprentice in their chosen field from the age of nine.  It's a challenge making sure she isn't overdoing it, and I'm watching closely to make sure she is eating right and getting plenty of sleep.  She seems to be juggling everything rather well and she seems happy with the arrangement, so I'm just doing everything I can to support her.   The boys are back in swing with Bible Bowl.  MathU is learning the bass and Sam is continuing with guitar, drums, keys, and is now the official worship leader for our youth services.    I'll write more later.  Right now we are cleaning house and preparing for company over the holiday weekend. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/193798/ Thu, 31 Aug 2006 14:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/193798/ A few days ago I received a letter our 25-year-old son sent to the staff of the museum where he has worked since he was 14.  He worded so many things that I felt the homeschooling community at large should read, I asked him if I could share his letter.    So... almost 11 years ago, on July 3, 1995, a goofy homeschool kid at the age of 14 started his first day at some science centre across from USF.  He thought it would be a cool thing to do for a while, you know, supplement his education at home, make new friends, gain valuable work experience... Very quickly after that he joined this programme called the YES! Team, and a year later he became part time staff.  By the time he was 16, he was doing the shows in Science Works Theatre, by 17, he was helping write the shows... at 18 he went full time as a Lead Interactor, then as Early Childhood Specialist, then as Group and Outreach Programmes Coordinator.  If his calculations are correct (Al Peche will let you know if they aren't) he has done over 7,000 classes, shows, demos, workshops, birthday parties, campins, special events, tours, outreaches, speaking engagements, and "wanna see something cool?"s.    Five years ago, he discovered that he had an amazing passion for something else, racing.  No, not NASCAR, these cars turn both ways.  He became instantly very involved in the sport of Sportscar Racing, spending the last four years working on the side with the Viper GTS-R and Pagani Zonda in the international endurance racing scene.  If you've heard of the 24 Hours of LeMans (that's in France), then you know what I'm talking about.  If you haven't, then go look it up.  It's cool.  This passion has turned into priority...   And here we are today... That kid turned into me.  And yes, I'm still goofy.  Stop laughing, I'm not done.  The past decade of my life that I have spent here has been indescribably wonderful.  Through ups and downs, good times, bad times, through flooded floors and packed lobbys, new buildings coming, old ones going, special events, demos, constants, changes, and constant changes... it's been a wild, but incredibly awesome ride.  And now it's time to make a new change.  My last day as a full time MOSI employee will be Friday, March 3rd.  I will be staying on for a while as a part-time employee, to help train newcommers, as well as continue teaching certain programmes.  Gotta get my teaching fix somehow, lol.  Quitting cold turkey is hard they say!    So where to next?  A partner of mine and I have started our own company, called P1 Groupe, a full service Drivers and Teams Management Company.  (Think Jerry McGuire, but with racing)  Eventually I also hope to be apart of putting together and American-designed LeMans-winning programme.  Always wanted to take on the rest of the world... I am also going to do some Management and Sports Marketing at the Sports + Field Professional Training Facility in North Tampa for a while.  There is no way I could ever thank everyone enough for all that each and every one of you have done for me both professionally as well as as a person.  I literally have "grown up" here at this Museum, and this institution will forever have my respect, support, and loyalty.  Don't be surprised to see a racing-science exhibit designed by me come your way down the road... Anyway, thank you again to everyone who made my stay here something to remember.  You are all more than coworkers, you are friends, and always will be.   Godbless, Godspeed, and Finest Regards, Jeff Easterling The next day he sent me the link to a press release for his new company.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/92905/ Thu, 2 Mar 2006 08:03:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/92905/ Rosie was dancing wildly while listening to some Japanese song this morning. She came into the kitchen panting and said, "Man, that really beats up my heart!" I knew what she meant to say was that it increased her heartrate, but I loved the way she put it.   It made me think of all the things that "beat up my heart". If I could just make a habit of taking thoughts of the things that beat me up and focusing instead on thoughts of the things that make my heart beat faster...I think I would live happier.   Dear Abba...please find ways to beat up my heart today. I'll be looking for them. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/86111/ Fri, 17 Feb 2006 20:13:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/86111/ We just watched ABC's 20/20 episode "Stupid In America: How We Cheat Our Kids".  If we needed another affirmation for home education, we just watched an hour-long one.  I can't believe (okay, yes, I can) the travesty that is being perpetrated by teachers' unions, misappropriated funds, beaurocratic apathy, and all manner of issues in public schools across America.    The Florida Supreme Court just knocked down the voucher system.  Great job, guys.  Tell ya what.  You give ME $10,000. PER KID to teach my kids at home and A. they'll get a superior education, and B. I'll have a boatload of money left to donate to Hospice.  Parents across the world are teaching their children at home (or should I say "personally", since only a portion of education actually occurs at home) and let me tell you this: I don't personally know ANY homeschooling parents who spend $1,000. per year per child, let alone ten times that much.   Sadly I've had my own reservations about the voucher system, but only because I know how government tends to be where money is concerned.  Translated: We give you a tax break/voucher/cash for educating your kid and we get to tell you how to do it.  Yeah, I'm down with that.  Not!  Like I want a miserably failing system telling me how to do things better.  No, thank you. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/68030/ Sat, 14 Jan 2006 08:46:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/68030/   november cameending a great october with fall festivitiescandy and a church partytrick-or-treating with friendsand funnovember camewith easterling hearts falling like the leaves outsidein the winter breeze my world was shakenseems the brilliant rosewhose bloom had warmed my heartand caressed me tenderly with her petalswas beginning to diea cruel symbolic irony of nicknameslaughter turned to tears and as many restless nightsback from a day of reminiscenceat the great white-walled chamber of fearthe rose never gave up hopebut dazzled and amazed us allwith her courage and perseveranceuntil the very endtears swept the halls as angels danced to the goodbyesand final hands were laida grave now standsthe lifelessness of what was so beautifulnow a shockingly bitter realityshe is missedshe is lovedshe is singing againin a heavenly reunion of both the lamented and the unseen of all angelsas a grandma earns her wingsand hope comesin the remembered birth of a saviorwhom she is currently beating at cards   Trevor Easterling, 141.4.06 My thoughts on the past few months...   Last month we lost a person very near to us.  Grammy has touched us all in different ways and I know that she has touched so many more in her path.  She always left endless love and laughter in her wake.  Christmas was not the same without her, but thanks to a number of family and friends I believe it may have been the best Christmas ever.  And it relieves me to know there is no more pain, no more bills, and no more hospitals.  She had the best Christmas of us all, and I can live with that.  It was the first of her eternal New Years in Heaven with the Father, and soon, very soon, we will be with her.  We will sit beside her and watch that Heavenly ball drop.  We will welcome all the new years and will never be separated ever again.  But until that time comes to pass, I will wait patiently.  I can go on knowing that someday, some way, we will be together. I'll see you then...   Matt Easterling, 121.4.06 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/63649/ Wed, 4 Jan 2006 13:25:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/63649/ One of the most frustrating things about my state of mind (and heart) right now is the heaviness of my inability to put thoughts together.  I forget things.  I misplace things.  I lose track of what I'm doing, where I'm going, what's going on around me.  I keep wanting to ask no one in particular, "How long does this last?"  And I keep hoping no one in particular will reply, "Not long, honey.  It will get better really soon."  I guess it's no surprise that I've been accused of being simple-minded.   All of Mama's things have been gone through and either stored or put away.  I've managed to stay really busy with all the organizing and straightening up to this point.  I guess this is the part where things start settling down and the busyness that has masked the pain for a while is no longer quite so masking.   I'm not even sure I know how to start homeschooling again tomorrow. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/63387/ Tue, 3 Jan 2006 21:32:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/63387/ Mama got sick in Nov. and went into the hospital.  She was discharged from the hospital on our birthday, Nov. 17, but by the 22nd was back in with an infection.  On the 24th we were told she was in kidney failure and may not make it through the weekend.  She was released to Hospice House on Thanksgiving Day and died three days later.    There are a million words hanging in silence between those typed here.  A million emotions, thoughts, and cries sagging against a backdrop of pain and loss.  This is an empty like nothing I have ever felt. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/60954/ Wed, 28 Dec 2005 19:34:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/60954/ Just wanted to poke my head in and say I'm alive.  My computer is down UGH-ain, and this time it could be my hard drive.  I am so tired of PC problems.  I love my computer, but man, this one's really giving me a time of it.    We're off to the music store for band books and then off to a homeschool park day, so I'll try to write more later.  It's been a heckuva week.  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/23669/ Fri, 9 Sep 2005 09:26:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/23669/ I think I'm going to start referring to our educational methods as "Family Learning".  It's shorter than "Lifelong Discovery Learning" and more accurate than "Unschooling" (we aren't undoing anything) or "Homeschooling" (we learn all over the place).  That's what we do: we learn together as a family, in all areas of life, all the time, wherever we happen to be.   Rosie started back to dance today.  She did really well, although I know she will be pretty sore tomorrow.  It should be an interesting year with 14 girls in the class.  They are all lovely, talented, precious girls, so it will be fun.   Life has been pretty challenging lately with my mom's health problems and some difficulties in the lives of some people we love very much.  We are hoping good things are coming, though.  We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, and we do love Him.   I love my husband so very much.  I am profoundly grateful for his dependability, his trustworthiness, his steadfast love, his patience, his selflessness, his compassion, his Godliness.  It is my prayer that I am able to bring him the happiness he has given me.  It amazes me how he celebrates the woman I am, supports my interests and encourages me to take time out to nurture my talents and hobbies.  I am glad to be his wife.   Our son, Trevor had an opportunity recently to share the gospel with a gentleman he met on his trip to Colorado.  I asked him if he thought he'd gotten through to him, and he said he couldn't be sure since the man never really responded.  Trevor said he felt like he'd given him some things to ponder while he worked, and I told him that if his heart was open to it, he would hear, but sadly sometimes hearts have just become too hardened.  Anyway, he's hoping for the best.  That boy is such an optimist.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/17284/ Thu, 18 Aug 2005 23:03:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/lisaeasterling/17284/