Here is a video that my daughter made using her pictures and a poem I wrote. It is an inspirational video about having time to do the things that matter most in our lives...Enjoy!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3J3MT7jXyMA

 This is the last in my series on Family Goals. Some things may not make sense because I have phrases that are familiar only to us, but perhaps it will make sense in context. And I have to say that these things are suggestions even to us. I write to inspire myself, but I know it is God's way of working through me to guide me. So that is the real vision, that our lives are lead daily by our Heavenly Father.

This references FAMILY Goals, my post in Process Learning our version of Thomas Jefferson Education

Investigating my Interests,

• We must learn to broaden our interests and continue our education. When we do weekly “present your doings” (everyone shares his “doings”) we are being exposed to many different learning interests and can develop a respect for other people’s interests. Breadth and Depth!

Investment Intelligence

• It would be good, in the Love of Learning phase, to teach the saving of money and careful purchases. Later in Scholar phase this is covered in a formal manner through using home study courses or curriculum such as the stocks course, real estate books, internet sources and other business books. Better yet find a mentor. Again, this may be an area that does not come naturally as an interest or may not be “fun” or a Love of Learning topic. But we can learn to have a love of learning if we understand the outcome of our efforts has rewards – in this case Financial Freedom. (for us that is no or low debt other then business debt, and not trading hours for dollars so we have the freedom of time.) This doesn’t come easy, it takes work. We can meet this goal with our continued efforts in maturity and management so we will accept the responsibility for further study and commitment to make the investments.

Love to Learn,

• Our goal for Love to Learn is more than just our interests. As stated elsewhere, we must accept that learning becomes broader and deeper as we see the value to things around us. Learning what to learn is important. We should learn to ask God for direction in our learning as he will open pathways to follow. God can give us a desire for learning that we can’t find within ourselves.

Learn to Love,

• Hanna was the one who suggested this goal long ago when we wrote these. At first I thought it was cute, but not needed. Now I see how important it really is. It gives us peace to have love in our hearts. How simple it is to remember the verse: God is love.

Learning my Life’s purpose

• If we are seeking God’s will for our life, we will see our pathway open before us. We can live day by day trusting that our Heavenly Father cares for us. A prayer to God for His will in our life will help us here. Now that Dad is working at home and we are building home businesses this is even more important. Our goal is go help our children realize there own potential and purpose in life.

Y – Why do I homeschool? F-A-M-I-L-Y!

When I have doubts about this pathway it would be good to review our FAMILY goals and see if we are off course. It is hard to stay the course and often there will be weariness and doubts. But our goals give us direction, so we must continually check to see we are doing everything we can to reach these goals. Sometimes I wonder if I plan too much and do too little. I remind myself that this is part of the process and if I keep my trust then the pathway will continue to open before us. I also believe that we are building a foundation now. This can be pictured as a root system that doesn’t show much growth above ground. When the time comes I believe the children will grow outwardly “in the way they should go” if proper training of the self is done now. Our fundamental goal is to nurture the hearts and souls of our children – not to produce a product that we can grade or to which we apply a point system. I don't want to focus on my pride in them, but rather that they are living in the gifts and confidence that God gave them.

Stay the course!

Maturity (self-control, responsibility, wisdom)

• We learn these character traits through our daily lives. In the Love of Learning phase we review our “Life Skills” through feed back on the LEARN weekly from mom (and others) on areas that need work. We discuss our relationships and conflicts. Attention must be made to doing well in our duties at home. Mom and Dad, of course, are the example – for both strength and weakness. This is the bible study on the first page of my personal commonplace book:

7     And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8     For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9     And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Cor 12:7-9

Maturity is not a goal of perfection or to lead a godly life through our own strength, but rather a dependence on God to help us in our daily lives through our weaknesses. With God’s help we can learn to accept our duties in life. This is an important lesson to learn and is the foundation for maturity.

• Our Scholar phase “Life Skills” course, which includes Between the Leaving and the Cleaving, (the book we hope to write someday about relationships) teaches this in a formal manner through research, writing and discussions. There are also certain Task Analysis Sheets to complete on specific life skills.

Management of my life (home, health, finances, education)

• Being able to manage our home, health, finances and continued education is the outcome of Maturity. The children must see these areas being managed in our own home. It's really hard to be an example, but we can reach these goals through mutual support and continual renewing of our efforts. Motivation is important to our ability to persevere. Motivational tapes, goal setting and rewards all help toward this goal. Seeking support groups helps to. Work on yourself and watch others emulate you. You don't have to be perfect (you can't be!) but making the effort even sporadically is helpful and fully human.

Monetary gains (good management allows for gains)

This is the reward for our efforts of good management. We understand that God is the giver of all gifts, but we cannot stop our efforts. He gives the increase. Monetary gains are important for the safety and welfare of our family and our children’s future families.

Teaching entrepreneurial skills and specialized knowledge are key to success at work at home ventures, or any other type of business as well. The kids need to practice Quick Books to learn accounting (for management). Sales is vital for any business so salesmanship along with fair trade is very important. Learning to network with other professionals and develop joint ventures will build stronger businesses. www.RheasProtegeGroup.com is the best place we have found to learn business skills and to have that important mastermind group.

While all of this maturity and management is hard for most people including parents, the real key is keeping relationships healthy so we can work at these things together and be supportive. No one is perfect so don't get in a tizzy because you fall so short of your goals. When we have love and forgiveness in the family we just pick up and move on.

 This is a paper I read when I am wondering if we are reaching our FAMILY goals. It encourages me that we are progessing (it's a process) and gives me ideas again. Please see my post FAMILY Goals (posted in Process learning) first as that is what I am referencing.

Faith is First

• Do it first! Read the calendar text first in our morning session and copy a portion in our common place books. That includes mom doing it too. Remember to add a variety of other publications to read while still choosing a portion to copy or dictate. Daily, short, consistent!

Academic,

• Inspire in the Love of Learning stage by following my own interests and developing my skills and knowledge in areas I love learning about like Ron Paul politics, philosophy, gardening/farming, history and living history.

• Be an example of choosing to learn something that is “not fun”, but is hard work and may not be my “forte”. For example – I could do, and show I do, a regular study of stocks and algebra. This would show that it is possible to move beyond our interests into broader academics.

• Present and provide access to a variety of information.

• Once a child has chosen to enter Scholar phase he must accept that the mentor will challenge him on certain things. Yes, he chooses his course of study, but he also has to be willing to hear advice from his mentors that certain disciplines are still necessary for a full education. Our piano mentor has been great for this as well as Rhea Perry is in the entrepreneurial education. http://www.mydadcamehome.com

Articulate,

• We can learn to be articulate by weekly presentations to the family on our “doings”. I can also lead the at home discussions by giving a short presentation on my “doings” or readings.

• Post to our blogs, forums and other online resources.

• Each child should also prepare a presentation about what they do in their public interaction. I present to the public as often as I can so I am the example. I always look for value added information and ways to improve my presentations or interaction.

Artistic,

• Cultural Literacy of Fine Arts and Music Appreciation can be approached and discussed in the Love of Learning phase by exploring. In the Scholar Phase a survey of arts is done. That means we record what we have run across. I must make an effort to find elements of the arts to present in our Cultural Literacy discussions. Good planning in my “Great Expectations” planner is key to providing consistent and varied lessons as well as regular visits to the library.

• I can encourage natural abilities: Adam does nice architectural drawings, and so does Josh. It would be a good idea to encourage them to create portfolios of their drawings, and to get some examples of these types of drawings to examine. For example classics like Leonardo da Vinci and modern classics like David Macaulay. Adam & Hanna both work hard on their piano practice and we are blessed with a great mentor. Miina uses art daily. I could ask her what she needs. Maybe we can explore the card business on eBay.

Athletic

• Find individual and/or family activities that are enjoyable to do and require fitness and training to be able to do properly. For example: paint-balling wars, downhill skiing, horse-back riding, hiking or backpacking into unique areas.

• Follow my own program toward fitness. Remember that I am the example in all these areas. Enlist help and cooperation from each other to support our goals. Maybe others will join me in fitness.

• Farm work needs to be done: Bucking bails, gardening, hauling water (we could dig trenches and put in more pipe lines!) riding out to check cattle. Keeping active when there is work to be done is easy.

  More next post...

I haven't posted in almost a year! Well, this last year had so many changes in it – no wonder!

We sold our portion of our business to some partners, sold the home we spent so much effort remodeling, and moved to the inland northwest. We did a lot of hard work, but it paid off. We were able to purchase a wonderful farm, and now my husband is home from work. Woohoo!!

Last year I was very relaxed as far as studies go, but I believe example counts the most so I was giving lots of examples. I love to learn. I am looking forward to sharing what I am learning and what we are doing as a family in the whole process called life.

My philosophy of education partly comes from my memories as a teen. My parents were very ahead of their time when it came to education. They took us on trips and educational adventures like whale watching, horse packing trips, and motor home trips that lasted for 3 months at a time. My mom would buy historical fiction to read about the area and once we even looked up a local author. My mom is really cool! Seriously. And now she lives with us! I am looking forward to telling you all the great things I learned and continue to learn from her. But let me make this key point....

In all my learning adventures I did with my parents and later on my own as a single woman (more then 20 years ago) I don't remember a whole lot about it.

Moms – It's not a test!

What I got out of all that experience was that I CAN LEARN!! I can find out things and go places and experience life all around me. It was the fact that I went to Gettysburg with mom and dad not that I remember how many died is a certain amount of days... I am curious, and I can learn.

Give that to your kids – it's a gift that will go on to the next generation!

More coming up... Really – I promise!

Toward your Learning Process,

Karen Skoog

www.WorkAtHomeAttitude.com

He smelled of soap and sleep and milk. His warm head and soft fine hair felt unbelievably tender under my chin. I tilted my head and caressed my cheek over the top of his head as I rubbed his back. He curled even tighter, in his sleep, pulling his legs up and his arms in – forming into a little ball. Like a turtle – trying to become smaller and protected. His reaction pulled at me inside, and I tried to cover his back with my arms, pulling him close as I felt an overwhelming love and instinct to protect.

…Here he is – so fresh and new from the womb - and I feel so vulnerable and weak to protect his vulnerability and weakness. He’s here – and I can’t go back to the safety of the womb – when the baby was just a theory, an idea, a dream that I could play with and put away. And now I must see it through.

How can I do it – oh God? I can’t keep him safe. Here in this cruel world…

Wetness flattened the fuzz on his head as I prayed for this new little soul and for my empty and lacking soul. Love filled my whole being. A strange and quiet peace descended on me leaving me feeling full – like after a satisfying meal. But tinged with a knowledge not fully understood. There would be tough days ahead; challenges battles and fatigue. I would feel inadequate and lonely and angry and so very, very sad.

I breathed in his baby smells and felt his heart beat next to mine. There would be moments like this too. Moments so full of joy - it felt as if my heart would well to bursting. God would walk with me and guide me as I guide my little one. As I raise him up and teach him and nurture him and admonish him and love him. Then my joy and fear and trembling turned to thankfulness.

He maketh the barren woman to keep house and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 113:9

As I start this writing project for my children I remember those early prayers. God knows my weaknesses and my faults and how much I struggle. It is with continued prayer that I ask that He would bless this project to His glory and the strengthening of faith to all those who read it. I remember the feelings I had when I first learned I was pregnant with our first child. I did feel barren. I was worried. I didn’t feel like good mother material. I hadn’t spent any time up to that point in my life thinking of being a mother. Being a keeper of home had been far from my personal goals and desires. But God placed those things on my heart and He gives the increase as He sees fit.

It is in that vein that I dedicate this writing project to my children.