Today I have a special privilege to tell you about my friends, the Estes family. Several years ago I “met” Kate Estes on an email group for Christian self-publishers. In the summer of 2006, several of us were expecting. In July of 2006, I gave birth to our 6^th child.. And a few weeks later, Kate gave birth to her 7^th child, Noah. Her delivery was nothing short of miraculous. God spared both her life and Noah’s life. In February of 2007, I was honored to meet the entire Estes family in person in the Western North Carolina Bookfair in Asheville, NC. Even though we were both vendors that day, we found time to talk and get to know one another. Noah was this sweet little baby in a hand-crocheted sweet pea baby bunting. One thing that struck me then was how small Noah was compared to my own baby.

At that time, the Estes family had concern about Noah’s size, but it was not until he was being considered for a feeding tube in April of 2007 that they found out that Noah had serious medical issues. His internal organs were not in the normal placement for organs. He was not a candidate for certain feeding tubes due to anatomical issues. Further testing over the course of months and years eventually gave the Estes family a diagnosis for their precious son. Noah was diagnosed with a progressive and ultimately terminal condition called mitochondrial encephalomyopathy. Since I do not have a medical degree, I will not go into a medical explanation of mitochondria. As a mother, I cannot fathom hearing that my child has a terminal condition. My heart has been heavy for Noah throughout his journey. I have prayed for him and his precious family for a long time.

Noah’s condition would be considered fragile. He has had many, many hospitalizations during his little more than 3 years of life. He has seen many doctors and specialists. And his parents have learned how to do many medical procedures at home in order to keep him at home as much as possible. Their family has been blessed with another child since Noah’s birth, so their family now has 10 members. It is very important that Noah’s parents are available to take him to the doctor or hospital on a moment’s notice.

A few years ago, Noah’s dad, Jeff, was working for a company and his position was downsized, and he was laid off. In this economy, most of you know how hard it is to find employment. He was able to do more with their home-based business, Hands and Hearts. But there were changes to federal law last year that forced them to shut down their business for several months. They make hands-on history kits, and the kits are for children aged 12 and under. Since then, there has been a temporary stay on this federal law, and they are once again operating Hands and Hearts from home. But it has not recovered back to its former level of business. The economy has been hard on many homeschool publishers.

Noah’s condition is so fragile that he is often in the hospital with Kate caring for him and Jeff at home caring for the other children.. So while God has worked many circumstances out to provide financially for the Estes family. God has also used many of us to bless the Estes family. That is why I am writing today. The Estes family has been working with many Christian self-publishers to provide a special package for anyone who donates a minimum of $39 to the Estes family. This would enable them to take care of financial obligations and allow Jeff to continue to run Hands and Hearts from home while also starting an additional business that he can run from home. From personal experience, running a business from home requires a lot of time and attention. And Kate can do some of the Hands and Hearts operations, but her focus is to care for her children and Noah’s medical needs. Jeff is really the backbone of Hands and Hearts. They are both prayerfully seeking God’s will for their lives and the lives of their children.

There are few people in this world who have stood firm in the faith during trials as Jeff and Kate have stood. They have always given praise and glory to God even when the situation was dire. There were many times that I expected “the call” that Noah had gone Home. God has plans for this special child, and He has brought him back from illnesses that doctors did not expect recovery. There will be those who read this who have something negative to say to the Estes family. They really do not need that type of “attention.” You can leave any negative comments here on my blog, or you can email them to me. I know this family is the “real deal.” My life has been blessed and enriched from knowing them. And I know many, many people can say the same thing. Please prayerfully consider if God wants to use you to bless this family. While there is a suggested minimum donation, any donation is appreciated. For the special package made available by the self-publishing family, you are asked to make a minimum donation of $39.

Here is the page you need to visit:

http://www.funfoodadventures.com/estes.htm?emc=intellicontact&m=4285556&v=1012869972&l=11

Have a blessed day! Tami

The new year lends itself to reflection. And as I have been learning to go about our normal life and routine, I realized that I am doing that with parts of my heart missing. Those who have gone on before me are in a better place, but I still miss them. And that has brought about a "new normal" for me. Each day I concentrate on what is important for that day. In the past year, my children have needed me to meet more emotional needs as they are coping with the same losses than I am coping with. I love how God moves in and brings healing. And I love the precious memories that I have of my loved ones.

Tami

Hello! It is hard for me to believe that 2010 is already here. I will say that 2009 was a difficult year for my family. We lost many family members. But we rejoice in knowing that we will see them again one day in heaven.

I made many changes in my life in 2009. I became a full-time college student in addition to being a wife, mother, home educator, business owner, and more. I have enjoyed the challenges of being an adult student. And I am more confident in my abilities as a home educator. I am not sure where God is leading me in this journey, but I know that He has been with me every step of the way.

I also embarked on a journey to a new and better lifestyle. I posted a picture at www.tamifox.com. Through dietary changes and exercise, I have lost 44 lbs. I have a goal for 2010 as well. The key has been to find options that I can live with for the rest of my life. It is not a "diet," but it is a way of life.

I will try to write more often. I have found that writing papers for college zaps me of my creative writing abilities.

Be blessed in 2010! Tami

It's fall in the beautiful foothills of NC. We are enjoying our schoolwork and getting out for the occasional field trip this fall. I am also a full-time college student. That is one of the reasons why I have not been writing on my blog very often.

Have a blessed day! Tami

It's time for my annual microscope giveaway! I do this every year for my anniversary with Discount Home School Supplies.

Check out the entry information at www.tamifox.com.

Have a blessed day! Tami

I will be hosting the Carnival of Homeschooling next week on my blog at Tami's Thoughts and Views at www.tamifox.com. I would love to have lot of entries!

For information about submission guidelines, go to www.whyhomeschool.blogspot.com

 

Recently, I had the opportunity to interview a friend, Teri Kuiper, about the Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina. I serve with Teri and some other hard-working homeschoolers on the board of HA-NC, and I am excited to see things come together after many months of working behind the scenes.

What is Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina, Inc., and who do they serve?

Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina, Inc. (HA-NC) is an inclusive statewide home school organization, which provides an avenue for homeschoolers across the state of North Carolina to find support, stay informed concerning home school news and legislative issues, discuss home school topics of interest and connect with needed resources and information.

What’s new at HA-NC?

HA-NC has a fresh new board of directors, who are committed to its success. The new board has been working quietly and consistently, planning for the development and growth of HA-NC. Some areas of development include:

• Becoming incorporated as a non profit in North Carolina
• Hosting the Third Annual statewide inclusive Love to Learn Home School Conference which offers a variety of speakers on a wide range of topics that are pertinent to home school families.
• Organizing and hosting the First Annual School’s Out Forever Getaway.
• A Liaison between the North Carolina Department of Non Public Education and statewide homeschoolers, for those homeschoolers not wanting to directly contact and discuss home school issues with the department.
• Providing a home school blog that lists home school news from across North Carolina, the country, and sometimes the world, allowing homeschoolers to stay up to date on current home school happenings.
• A comprehensive website, accessible to all.
• A list of home school events from around the state of North Carolina.
• A regularly updated list of home school support groups, sorted by county, with a registration page for support groups to add their information to our site.

We now have a comprehensive website, where one can find more detailed information about everything I just mentioned, at http://www.ha-nc.org/ .

What are some benefits of joining HA-NC?

Benefits of membership include:

• An official HA-NC membership card
• Discount for the 2009 Love to Learn Conference
• Discount for the 2009 School’s Out Forever Getaway
• Access to conference speaker audio files
• Access to an e book entitled “Overcoming Obstacles While Homeschooling, 1st. ed.”
• Discount for subscription to NHELD, LLC

And, as time permits, we are seeking out additional member only benefits, with a focus on discounts for those services and items that home school families often use.

Can you tell us more about the conference?

HA-NC recognizes that there is great diversity among homeschooling families. Because we are committed to the empowerment of ALL registered NC homeschoolers, we wanted to create an event that met the needs of ALL homeschoolers, with something for everyone. The Love to Learn Conference, in keeping with the mission statement and by-laws of HA-NC, is inclusive, and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, age, marital status, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, home school method or any characteristic protected by law. We don’t discriminate against children at the conference, either! We welcome them! After all, the children are the reason we home school. We even have space set aside just for the kids, with games, puzzles and other activities.

What is the “School’s Out Forever” Getaway?

Homeschoolers are no longer connected only by small local groups. HA-NC recognizes that the modern home school family knows other homeschoolers through conferences, yahoo groups and other e-lists, as well as blogs and other social network media. The Getaway is called “School’s Out Forever,” and was loosely modeled after another successful state wide home school group that brings homeschoolers together via a twice yearly camp gathering. “School’s Out Forever” is much more “upscale” in that it is not camping. It was created to give families a chance to connect, meet, and renew friendships with other homeschoolers, in a more personal and relaxed environment, while providing family activities, in a value packed vacation package at an exciting location!

Where will it be held?

This year, it will be held in the stunningly beautiful Stone Mountain Park, in Georgia. Stone Mountain Park, listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids before They Grow Up, is a 5 square mile green oasis where families and friends can enjoy the outdoors together. Activities include hiking, canoeing, ropes courses, cable car sky rides, museums and a spectacular evening laser light show! Indoor activities are still being organized at this time. Friends can also sit and relax either on their personal patio or in the front porch rocking chairs that face the magnificent Stone Mountain carving of the Confederate Memorial.

And when is it?

The Getaway will be October 8 through October 11, and limited space is still available.

Do you have a website where people can go to read more?

Absolutely! Homeschoolers can visit our website at http://www.schoolsoutforever.org/ to register and reserve accommodations. There is also a link on the site to the SOFG yahoo list, where we talk, plan, and add new information.

Where will the Getaway be in 2010?

Ah! I cannot reveal that just yet. We are looking at a few possibilities, and all of them would be exciting for different reasons. But, until we sign on the dotted line, I am afraid we have to keep it a secret!

What is the future of HA-NC and how does the organization support homeschoolers?

Future ideas include maximizing the use of the internet to bring homeschoolers together, via online virtual conferences and online used home school curriculum sales. These two together will help homeschoolers stay connected and find the support they need. We also have plans in development to provide additional resources on our website such as a high school transcript planner, and diploma creator. And, as I mentioned earlier, we are continually seeking out discounts that would be useful for homeschooled families. We also welcome new and fresh ideas from our membership!

How can others get involved in HA-NC?

HA-NC is truly a grass roots effort, and we welcome all the help we can get! In fact, HA-NC is looking for energetic and committed homeschoolers to join our Board of Directors. I would recommend first going to our website, and joining HA-NC, and then clicking on the link to join our yahoo group. The yahoo group is our primary method of communication, and a great source for discovering how to become more involved. It also provides yet another opportunity for finding support and friendship. Our board of directors is excited about the progress we have made, about the events we are planning, and about all of our ideas for the growth of HA-NC. We want others to be excited too, and we are working hard to build HA-NC into an organization that will stand on its own, grow, and meet the varied needs of all homeschoolers in North Carolina.

I want to thank Teri for taking the time to talk to me today. There are many exciting things on the horizon for HA-NC.

Tami

I have a great special on the MFL-06 Duo Scope Microscope with a FREE copy of the World of the Microscope Book for only $72.99.

If you have not heard of this microscope, let me tell you a bit about it. It is a battery-operated microscope that you can use to view slides or solid objects. The optics are all glass lenses. It have a 5-year manufacturer's warranty. It is not a child's toy microscope. It is a very nice student microscope. We have used ours for 3 years now, and we have traveled with it to various homeschool conventions, and it has given us no problems whatsoever. I have used the same AA batteries in it since we got it, and I just recently had to put in new batteries.

I have used this microscope with my older and younger children, and they love the flexibility of switching the light source from slides to solid objects in a matter of seconds. The microscope also comes with a slide making kit, and I am including a free copy of The World of the Microscope Book with each purchase. This book is the best book I have seen on teaching how to use a microscope and make slides.

This is a limited time offer!

Please join me on my website for a great SAXON SALE! It is for a limited time only for in stock products. Take advantage of this soon!

Have a blessed day! Tami

It is hard to put two thoughts together to update my blog, but I shall try to give you a brief update. I last posted on May 18. I spent the rest of that week getting ready for the NCHE convention. It is always on Memorial Day week-end, and this year Memorial Day was early.

On the last day of the conference, I received a phone call that an elderly relative had a medical emergency. I had been helping take care of him since my grandfather passed away in December. So I finished up my duties at the convention, and I was able to participate in my daughter's graduation ceremony at the convention.

But once I returned home, I spent a lot of time either at the hospital or commuting to the hospital. It was not a quick trip each day. When I returned home each day, I had children and a husband who needed me, and I had business matters to attend to. And I started online classes to get my bachelor's degree.

Somehow in all of this, my blogging fell way off. I posted quick prayer requests on Facebook, but that was about all I had time for each day.

My great-uncle passed away on June 7, 2009. And I was heavily involved in the arrangments. I did have help and support of extended family. And now I am in the waiting mode to work on the estate stuff this fall.

I spent most of last week getting caught up in my house and office. And, now, I think I have a little time to spend blogging. Not a lot though.....I have a research paper to write. This is my 4th one for this class. And it has been a looooooong time since I wrote a formal paper for a class.

The kids are all doing well, and I am trying to inject some fun into our summer. It has been a very rough year.

As far as my business goes, I could use some more customers. :-) I am running a good Saxon Sale right now. You might want to check it out at http://www.dhss.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=9">http://www.dhss.com/shop/custom.aspx?recid=9.

I hope you are having a blessed summer!

My friend, Jen, is holding a fantastic contest! Please read below to find out how to enter:

 

Rosetta Stone is the fastest way to learn a language and has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while — and you can WIN the *all new* version 3 Rosetta Stone Homeschool LATIN program… FOR FREE! This is the first year you can get Latin in the brand new Version III update.

This is a $259 program (and believe me it’s worth every penny!)
This is a computer based curriculum and Rosetta Stone will also include a headset with microphone, and a supplementary “Audio Companion” CD so you can practice lessons in the car, on the go, or where-ever! Students participate in life-like conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone incorporates listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary and writing along with speaking and pronunciation lessons. For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program to allow parents to easily enroll up to ten students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, grade completed work (the program grades the work automatically as the students progress- I love that!), and you can view and print reports for transcripts. Homeschooling a lot of kids at your house? This program is designed to enroll and track up to ten students (five users on two computers) and will work for nearly all ages — from beginning readers up to college students.

To win this most excellent Latin program copy these paragraphs and post them in (or as) your next blog post, and/OR link to the contest from your facebook page and/OR email the information to your homeschool support group – Then go to the original page http://Jeneralities.com and leave a comment saying that you’ve posted about, or have linked to, the contest. Please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post. And good luck!

I have a Q & A session with Jessica Hulcy of KONOS today on "Your Homeschool Questions Answered." Hop over and check it out.

www.homeschoolquestions.blogspot.com

Have a blessed day! Tami

Many of you know the Estes family of Hands and Hearts. Their two-year-old son, Noah, is very sick tonight. He could use the prayers of all the saints of God. Please pray for him and his sweet family. This is personal for me for a few reasons. I met Noah when he was a small infant, before they ever knew he was sick, and he is a few weeks younger than my youngest son. This family is the dearest, sweetest family. And they have been through so much in a few short years. I can see God's Hand on them, and I beseech you to pray for him as you are led.

You can read their updates at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/ourquiverfull.

Thank you for praying! Tami

I have had a lot of questions asked of me over the past several years, and I am making a compilation of them on a new blog called, "Your Questions Answered About Homeschooling." Join me over there and ask your questions!

Have a blessed day! Tami

We had a barn fire today. We lost the whole barn and a few chickens, feed, hay, and tools. I posted more information on my other blog.

Have a blessed day! Tami

April 2, 2009 - editing to announce the winner of the microscope giveaway............

There were 16 entries, and using Random.org, I have a winner!

And the winner is.........

entrant # 2 - Tracy Wells! CONGRATULATIONS! Please email me at fiveblessings at bellsouth dot net to claim your prize! Thank you for participating!

Join Discount Home School Supplies in celebrating SPRING!

Discount Home School Supplies is giving away one SMD-04 Microscope.  We sell this microscope for $68.95 on our website.

Here is the description:

A 3D Exploration!

We're proud to introduce the latest in the My First Lab series of quality microscopes. Designed for viewing solid or three-dimensional objects rather than traditional glass slides, this scope makes it possible for students to view virtually anything. The binocular head allows comfortable viewing with both eyes (no more squinting) and the built-in light illuminates all specimens for premium viewing every time. Real glass optics provide high-quality images and battery power makes it portable for outdoor use.

Perfect for collectors and hobbyists, it allows users to explore the infinite diversity in nature, making it an ideal - and fun - educational adventure for young and old alike.

Features include:

• binocular eyetubes
• built-in light source
• real optical glass lenses
• 20X magnification
• portable battery power
• vinyl dust cover

Requires 2 AA batteries (not included).

How can you enter this contest? It's very simple! Tell your friends via your blog, Facebook, email, or other social networking site about the Spring Shipping Special Discount Home School Supplies has from March 19-April 1. You can copy and paste the following, and once you have posted this information, you can leave a comment here.

BEGIN COPY:

Join Discount Home School Supplies in celebrating spring with special shipping rates. The more you buy, the lower your shipping fees will be. You can read more about the special on the front page of Discount Home School Supplies' website.

END COPY

 

This contest is open to residents in the 50 United States. I am sorry that I cannot open the contest worldwide at this time.

The contest begins now, and I will draw the name of a winner on April 2, 2009. You can enter the contest more than once if you blog about it more than once, or if you announce it more than once.

Thank you for spreading the word!

Starting today, March 19, through April 1, I am holding a spring shipping special at Discount Home School Supplies. Order Subtotal:

• 0.00-24.99 - $5.75
• $25.00-$49.99 - $5.00
• $50.00-$74.99 - $4.00
• $75.00-$99.99 - $3.00
• $100.00-$124.99 - $2.00
• $125.00-$149.99 - $1.00
• $150.00 and up - FREE SHIPPING!

The more you order, the more you save!!!

Have a blessed day! Tami

Hello,

I am slowly getting back into blogging. I have added some new pictures over at http://www.tamifox.com. I will try to add some new posts on this blog, too.

Have a blessed day! Tami

March 2, 2009 -

 

Just two months ago we were working on plans for my grandfather's funeral. I cannot believe it has been two months already. It has been a tough few months. We have battled illnesses since his passing. For the first time in two months, I can say that we are physically well. I can also say that I am not emotionally well. For some reason, it hit me hard last night that he was gone. That is another reason why it is hard for rme to write. I tend to write from the heart, and my heart has just been very tender during the past two months.

My children have been great though. They are such a source of joy for me. And my husband has been very understanding, too. Of course, I could not get through eah day without the Lord. So I know that I have never been alone through this valley.

We have had a very normal Monday morning. We just finished our school work, and now it is time to start chores. Then, it will be lunch time and nap time. And I will be working in my home office this afternoon. I have some orders to ship out.

I hope you are enjoying your Monday!

God bless, Tami