The end is in sight... sort of

It's been a long year. For those who have followed you know that last year at this time I was very sick... mono, CFS and FM. This year, although I wouldn't say I'm 100%, I feel so much better. That's not to say there haven't been hard days, but over all a big improvement. And, there's been an incredible improvement in attitudes as well.

MMH was just baptized, and joined the church. That was a huge thing, and the fact that it happened on Mothers' Day made it all the sweeter. WeeOne has been learning about stepping out and stretching her world. When Big Sis had to quit track WeeOne was NOT happy, but she stuck with it, and made new friends. And academically I've also seen such huge strides.

I did take a very low profile in teaching for our Friday co-op. I only taught art this year, which I believe makes for 7 years in a row of teaching art. But, praise God, I'm done with art, at least for now, and next year have the joy of teaching 2 or 3 high school classes: 2 semesters of communications, 1 semester of missions based reading and perhaps a year of "The Fallacy Detective." Exciting stuff. At least to me.

Back to this year... one of the focuses in art this year was photography. We began with a full 10 weeks or so of photography under my tutelage, and then just finished 5 weeks this past Friday under Kristin Peters, who does photography on the side. Such a nice end to the year!

Anyway, thought you all might enjoy a few of the kids photos, so enjoy! Part of these last five weeks was learning to alter the photos, and currently we're using a free trial of Adobe Photoshop Elements. What a toy! (The first three are by WeeOne, shot at the local university. The last shots are by MMH, and are explained below.)

Just a quick note on MMH's rose photos... we had a special time for just the high school students. I supplied them each with a rose and told them to try as many shots as they could think of taking... these were just a few of MMH's shots. Quite gorgeous I think!

Anyway, we have just completed our Friday co-op, have two days of standardized testing and 2 weeks left in Western Civ. After that it's just math for the summer, as usual. So, by the end of May we'll basically be done. I'm so grateful, as last year at this time I wasn't even sure I could do another year. The Lord has been gracious, and not only restored much of my energy, but is renewing in me the desire to teach. (As long as it's not art!)

Shalom,
Kim

Male Headship in the homeschool

11A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. 12I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2: 11-15

Having home schooled all of our children, with two now in college, I have learned many lessons over the years. Perhaps one of the best, although not one talked about much is the need for male authority, not only in the home, but in the home school as well. In years past when we had an agrarian society and boys worked in the fields with their dads, or family-owned businesses thrived and children were expected to be a part of this you might more readily see the daily interaction of sons and fathers in areas other than purely dinner conversation. More recently there is less and less time for dads and sons (and dads and daughters as well) to spend important time together where men teach young men how to become men (or, where men teach daughters what to look for in men as men come courting).

How does one achieve this in today's society? Dads are busy, often having long commutes to work, leadership meetings within the church and even working on jobs at home. Well, I'm not going to speak to this... I don't care to preach to the men, I'll leave that to other men. But women, we have a number of options.

• Make sure that the husbands/fathers are part of the home school. It may not mean that they teach a class or grade a paper, but please don't cut them out of the school time because "they are so busy" or "you know better what to do." I know that I did this in the past because as a "trained educator" I was "obviously" (NOT!) much better trained to educate our kids. Instead, have the kids share about their day with dad at the table, have papers out so Dad can see what they are doing, ask him about curriculum or co-op choices. So often the dads have a different and VALUABLE opinion about what to do that we simply can't see because of our intense daily involvement.
• Do not "hide" your kids at home. For a while there was quite a movement to hide that you were homeschooling lest the authorities paid a call. If you are following your state laws, keeping good records and providing a good or "equal" education then there is no need to hide the kids at home where all they may have is mom, mom, mom all day... and no interaction with any males at all.
• Take advantage, with your husband's say so, of using other methods of teaching: online schools with male teachers, co-ops where other dads may be able to teach or train, and by all means use the young men within your own church. We used 4 or 5 young men, and our senior pastor, in our co-op to help teach doctrinal ideas. We figured if it was right and good for the church it would be right and good for our home schools to not have the women teaching as authorities in matters of doctrine. Interestingly a number of these young men went on to attend pastor's college and have become wonderful leaders. Hopefully the blessing went both ways!
• Be sure that you don't schedule your child's life so that he (or she) does not have time with Dad. Sometimes we are so involved "keeping up with the Joneses" that we have every minute of their day scheduled never allowing time to visit, share, question, talk to  or pray with Dad. He' s far more important in your child's life than you may realize.
• Don't sequester yourself. Talk with other home school families and see what they do and if that might be something to try. Don't separate your homeschooling life from time with your husband. He not only needs to know what the kids are doing/learning, he also needs to know what you are teaching/learning. Be sure to share with him, ask his advice, come to him for leadership and share your prayer requests.

In the meantime, here are two recent blog posts on my pastor's blog that might be helpful to you:
Post number one and Post number two. Additionally, if you click to "As Thy Days" you will frequently find excellent posts on homeschooling (or a wonderful family life) and I would recommend paying attention. Anne is a quiet woman, but when she speaks it is worth listening.

Feel free to ask questions... that's how you learn.
Blessings, Kim

Choosing Curriculum

Many of my friends just returned from the Cinncinnati, Ohio Homeschoolers Convention. I hear it's even bigger and better than the one in Indy which I attend most years. BIGGER? BETTER? That's a little daunting.

Over the years our pastor has spoken about the world of Christian publishing, with which he is quite familiar as both his family and his wife's family are involved. I am beginning to see that that same may be true of homeschooling publishers.

As a Christian homeschooler it's important to me that the curriculum I use, especially for the younger grades, is based on strong doctrine. However, taking a math book (which doesn't necessarily need doctrine, per se) and sticking a bible verse on each page does not a Christian text book make. I am learning. Sadly, over the years I learned the hard way, often times plunking down hard earned money and ending up with something that looked to be the next best thing since sliced bread, only to find two months into the year that either it was more of the same, or not even that good.

When we go to the conventions we need to have several things in mind:

• budget: much like a house, clothing or car, we need to set a budget for our schooling. Sometimes it may be okay to extend, but ask your husband, don't just do a spur of the moment purchase.
• WHO are you teaching? Remember, you are teaching your child, not yourself. Maybe this is a way you would have liked to learn, but is this a way in which your child CAN learn?
• Prepare: spend a few months BEFORE the convention studying up on what you are interested in purchasing. Maybe have a few alternate choices if you have something this year that you know you need to change.
• Submit: Run the changes by your husband. One, he may have some insight for you, two he'll help you to keep a cap on your spending, or conversly encourage you to spend on something you should rather than "save money" which in the end may cost you dearly.
• Involve: As your children become older, junior high and above, you might involve them with some of the choices.
• Study: As your children hit high school age look at the classes, look at what your child thinks he may be doing as a life's calling and then try to suit much of his learning to that goal. Example: Young Man is now earning a degree as a Missionary Aviator. So, in high school we geared his language to where he thought he might be called to serve, rather than Advanced Biology we had him take Intro. to Aviation and rather than Chemistry we had him take Introduction to Electronics... all of these are things he needed to help prepare him, but also to help him be sure that this actually was where God was calling him to serve.
• Flexiblity: After all this, be open that you may, indeed, find something new at the convention. Think long and carefully before grabbing it. I had a number of books I sold at used book sales which I had never or only barely used. Sometimes it's worth the price of shipping to give yourself time to think and pray.
• Lists: Bring a list for each child. This helps in the end to make sure you didn't forget anything. I was so pround when I came from convention this year that I had purchased everything I needed. Then I realized I had not purchased our language program. In the end this was okay, because we changed our course based on some good advice, but if I had brought my list I might not have been so quick to think I was done.
• PRAY! Before you go and while you are there pray. Don't think you have to be a cookie cutter homeschool mom. It's so tempting afer one of those great talks to come down hard on ourselves and think, "I should be like so and so and then I'd have great success in my homeschooling." God has created you to be a unique individual, and your children likewise. Don't try to become just like everyone else. DO base your homeschooling on scriptural truths, DO submit to your husband, DO remain accountable whether to your husband and/or to a co-op or a friend, but DO NOT try to become someone you are not.
• Unique: DO NOT assume each of your children are gifted alike. Each of my four kids is very unique in their personality, style of dress, abilities, interests and life goals. That's 100% fine. God makes individuals... remember, some are the hands, some are the feet, maybe someone in your family is an elbow. They may not look as important as a mouth, but try to be a servant to someone without bending your arm and you realize that elbows are also important.

I hope this helps a bit. It's a bit tardy in its posting, but even now this may help as you look at what you've already purchased. Maybe somethings are a perfect fit and others just need to be returned. Enjoy the process, it does give you a unique insight into each child. Hopefully you will know them better and better each year and truly enjoy who God has made them to be as you go about choosing their curriculum.

Shalom, Kim

p.s. Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway... and yes, this includes my local homeschool friends and church friends as well. I'd love to have your names in the drawing! Simply click on the button located in the upper left portion of my sidebar to find the rules and ways to enter!

~Run the Race Well~

It's SPRING! Yep, with all caps. That means the weather's getting lovely, the birds are singing, the garden beckons, and it's everything we can do to keep ourselves motivated to finish our daily tasks for school, let alone keeping a clean house, because, after all, who wants to stay in when we can go out?

1Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of
witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

3For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12: 1-3

I need to keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, reminding myself it's not just me, myself, and I out there. It's not even just me and the girls. It's all of us LIVING FOR CHRIST. That means that each thing we do we ought to be able to invite Jesus to be a part of what we're doing and know that he would feel welcome. If I know I should be teaching grammar, but instead I want to go to an auction, I can simply ask myself where Jesus would feel most valued, or welcomed, in my life. If I'm doing something that isn't exactly what I should be doing, even though it's not "bad," then I know I wouldn't be as comfortable inviting Christ to partake in this activity with me. That's a simple test for me. Then I know I put aside the things that entangle.

The other thing I see in this verse is that we run with endurance. This says to me that the race is not easy. There are simply days when I want to put the girls on the big yellow bus that comes to the corner of our street. It would be so simple (metaphorically speaking of course!) to just send them out the door and do my own thing. But, that would be running without endurance. Would you honor a runner who part way through the race hopped in a cab because they were tired and then got out just short of the finish line so they would appear to have run to the end of the race? I didin't think so. That's what I have to remind myself. No cab. No school bus. No short cut.

I may be tired. I may be interested in other things. The girls might whine. I might whine. (The dog whines all the time!) But, we have a race and for our family it's homeschooling. So, we're going to finish the race this year, Lord willing, with God's help, inviting Jesus to join us. It's then I know we're most likely to honor him. When Christ is with us I know we will not grow weary and lose heart, rather we'll be inspired to finish because he himself ran the race unto death, death on a cross, just for us. How can we do less?!


So, what's your race? I pray you will finish well also.

Shalom,
Kim

p.s. Don't forget my giveaway... it's linked on the sidebar to the right! You have till April 22.

"And in your brotherly kindness, love"

As any of you women know your house is "YOUR" domain. NOT!

Your house is a home to your family, a refuge for your husband where he may look forward to the end of the day, refresh himself from the world's drudge and be well loved. It is a place where your children may learn not the world's ways, but the ways of Christ in regards to loving one another.

In regards to this last statement I recall one young man saying to me about his family and brothers, "I'm his brother and I 'get' to beat him up all I want. But just let anyone outside of this family try that on my brother and I'll back him up 100%!"

On the one hand that is incredibly funny. And, to be honest, that is just how that brother was. He was quick to pick on his brother (any of them), but he would not let anyone outside of the family harm a hair on his brother's head. But, how much better if we also learn to love one another? I realize that as a "not male" person... i.e. a woman I don't always understand the importance of all things male... (beating up your brothers?) but I'm trying to learn so as to support my (almost grown) sons and my husband in a way which attests to their manhood and does not try to feminize them. That would be dreadful.

In the meantime I also have daughters and I need to help them to learn to work together as well. If any of you have daughters you know that although things may rarely get physical there are often verbal battles being fought... and not always openly. I need to learn to share "my" domain graciously and to set an example. I also need to learn to have an eagle eye and to recall that daughters and sons require some different parenting tools.

This year both girls are taking Latin. At first they begged to take it. Then they begged not to take it. But I am determined they will finish the year. Part of the plan was to have them work TOGETHER... they work on flash cards, conjugations, declensions (and what ARE those anyway?!) and all the other icky fun stuff which the study of Latin entails. (Did I mention I have NO CLUE HOW LATIN WORKS? NONE? Whenever I have tried to help, no matter how hard I try it comes out as Spanish about 90% of the time!) So, in order to receive help and practice they must learn how to work together.

Well, yesterday as we continued our discussion as to what MMH would take for a language in high school (EEK! THAT'S NEXT YEAR!) WeeOne said... "OH, then I don't have to take Latin anymore because you (me, the "mothernator") can't help me and she won't be taking it. Much to my surprise, and pleasure, MMH said, "Of course I'll still help you. Just because I'm not taking that class doesn't mean I won't be willing to help you."

Ahhh... such a sweet sound. One child willing to help another. Without being asked. Perhaps the plan is working. Not to mention that WeeOne's Latin won't begin to sound more Spanish than not. And, did I mention Senior Son coming over a few days ago and asking to help with the chores? Yes he did. He vacuumed all the dead lady bugs from our light fixtures in the basement. Seriously... for those who live in this area you know what a big job that can be. And yes, I should have done it in November, but they were still moving! Not to mention the fact that I would have missed this moment with my son. (And yes, this was a manly chore... it takes a TALL person to reach the light fixture, a brave person to open that thing up where bugs were/are living, and a strong and coordinated person to hold the vacuum in the air in one hand while maneuvering the hose with the other!)

I am truly enjoying watching my boys become men. I am also enjoying watching the girls practice the skills that I pray they need some day if the Lord calls them to be wives and mothers. I do feel very blessed and fortunate to see them learning to work (and learn) together.

Shalom, Kim

5Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge,
6and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness,
7and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.
10Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
11for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

2 Peter 1: 5-11

This and That

What an odd day... kind of a relaxing day of much work. Weird, huh?

1. I should have mentioned that we are hosting an Indiana Christian Birthing Expo on March 27. Would be great to be a full fledged doula by that point. And, by all means, if you are expecting or hope to be sometime in the near future please join us. Please email and I'll be happy to share details.
2. I LOVE my mentoring time with young women. I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT! Spent a great day with Becky, and her precious Isaiah today. Such a blessing!
3. After a nap... yes at almost 47 I do enjoy my naps... the girls and I did some "running around." We hit an antique store and found some things (folio, silver skeleton keys, bottle, book, "pink elephant" juice glasses and books-last two items belong to MMH, then on to Michael's... at least two of us have some major projects in the works. (Watch my shops!) Sahara Mart... YUMMO! A new jar of honey... orange blossom, a new big bag of rice (we were out of both) and treats for each of us (Thanks Dear!): rice crackers for WeeOne, 68% with nibs dark chocolate for me and dark chocolate with orange rind for MMH. OH YES!!!!!!! Then home to get library books and drop off MMH (she's made her fried rice for dinner... from scratch... best we've ever eaten including time in China!), while she cooked WeeOne and I stopped at gas station then library. Now home.
4. Took apart an antique photo album (see above). Hope to have projects finished by tomorrow.
5. Got a bunch of school done.
6. Piano tuner came... if you need one in our area I'll happily recommend him.
7. dishes, vacuuming family room and picking up.
8. Now it's off to dinner and to watch "Monsters vs Aliens" a dreamworks video with the girls.

Happy Monday. We're getting SNOW!!!!

Blessings, Kim

Organization

It's all about organizing the past few days. Or weeks. Or years...okay, I'm a bit OCD about organizing. Although, you might not realize this if you stepped in the house. I'm also a perfectionist which means that if I can't always do it perfectly I may simply not do it at all... a daily dilemma!

So, recently I've started filing my paperwork... color coded, and labeled, and visible in a slot on my desk so I can easily see/find/remember to file my paperwork. I've been in the process of organizing art supplies, like with like. Not all done by any means, but getting better. To that end I purchased a vintage library card catalog last year and keep many of my smaller supplies organized that way: postcards/photos, reproductions, angel wings, jeweled brads, etc. and so on. Once I started adding larger things like boxes, bottles and books it got a bit more interesting, but a series of baskets is holding things for now.

IN the kitchen and on the "pantry" (glorified term for open shelves in the work/laundry room) I have things organized by type: for instance, in my spice cupboard one shelf is for baking supplies and one is for cooking. Where they double over I sometimes have two of the same item, one on each shelf. Cookbooks are in two locales... regular use cookbooks are on the counter, specialties are in a cupboard. On the shelves in the workroom the baking goods are in bins, the pasta/rice are in another bin, canned goods sorted by fruit or veggie and then by type. You get the picture. Even my closet has it's own system... by color first, then by sleeve length. Slacks for regular use are on one side, slacks for special use or a different season are on the other side. Ditto for skirts and dresses.

It doesn't mean that everything is always in its place, but everything SHOULD have a place. Now I'm trying to help the girls organize their school work. We (meaning mostly they) seem to have a problem with finishing all the assignments each day. Rather than forcing my style on them I've asked them to each design their own way to keep track. (Wee One asked for help, and at age 10 I was happy to oblige. MMH designed her own system.) So, we'll start these on Monday and see how they work. We already keep lists posted of daily times for each subject, daily chores, weekly chores, etc. Not only does this remind them to keep these things done, but it also removes the whining/arguing/complaining (or a lot of it anyway), because we worked out these lists together. I tell them they can argue with the list, but they'll never win because the list won't talk back. Nor will it change.

I'd show you the lists and all, but then I'd have to take photos and upload/download/overload, something and so you'll just have to trust me. I'm a person of lists... I can't always find them but I love to make them!

April even created an "auction bag" for me so I'd quit dragging in everything and just bring what I needed. It's really cute! It holds my wallet, tax ID, phone and keys, paper, pen. That's it. It doesn't hold the grocery list, credit cards, make up, medicines, extra key chain, calendar, receipts, etc. JUST THE ESSENTIALS. She's so smart!

Well, that's it on organization. I know that was so terribly exciting (not), but perhaps it will help someone out there figure out what to do with their stuff. OR, maybe you'll come up with a clever organizational tip for me. I'd love it! I'll put it on my list. If I can find the paper. And the pencil. And remember to do it.

You get the picture.

Happy END OF THE WEEK!!!!
Blessings, Kim

The Twelve (or more) Days of Christmas

Well, our Christmas break began with wondering if Young Man would EVER EVER get home. He did. Finally.

As per our tradition we open our gifts to each other over a period of days BEFORE Christmas. Perhaps this sounds silly, but for us it allows time to enjoy gifts, to not have the "gimme more gifts" syndrome and for Christmas to focus on... well, Christ, of course.

Our first gift from Senior Son was small and squishy. Dear opened it and we saw SS's grade sheet from this semester. A perfect string of A's and to boot his writing teacher has talked to him about getting his writing published in the school journal. Too cool!

On Christmas Day we began with a leisurely breakfast of strata and coffee cake and fruit. Mostly a tradition, although I've been told they want sticky buns (monkey bread) rather than my coffee cake. Boo hoo! Our day was spent as a family and it was very sweet. Later we went to Bob's house for dinner. He supplied the food and Senior Son cooked an incredible meal: roast leg of lamb Greek style (1/2 c. of minced garlic for 13 lbs. of meat!), Italian green beans and garlic/ranch mashed potatoes. Bob supplied a nice bottle of Soft Red from a local winery and I brought desserts.

Senior Son and Bob discuss the roast.


Very simple ingredients to dress up these legs of lamb. (We didn't tell Wee One it was lamb... just a roast. We thought she might get upset. Later after she ate the meal and liked it Bob started chanting "Baa baa black sheep." Followed by, "I LOVE lamb!" That Bob! He has in interesting sense of humor! :~)


Does it really call for 1/2 cup of garlic? Bob thinks so!

And here he goes... For those who might have wondered... YES, he really did cook the entire meal! And set the table.

This was where it got interesting. You see you have to "make the meat happy" as Emeril would say... that is... you have to rub the garlic, oregano and oil all over the roasts. YUMMO! (to quote another TV cook)

And here we all are: Left to right: MMH, Wee One, Young Man, Dear, Bob's Friend (what IS his name?!), Senior Son and Bob.

Now, for those who know Bob you know that you can't always understand him the first time. But, when I asked what I could bring he said, clear as a bell, "Mincemeat." Drats! I understood it. No excuses. I tried again... "Hey Bob, for those who don't want mincemeat, how about another option?" Again, clear as a bell, "PUMPKIN." Yep, Bob LOVES his pie. So, then I just told him I'd also bring something chocolate for those of us who don't enjoy pie. Let's just say we all had a feast. Our family, Bob, and his friend who was visiting and later on Ben joined us for dessert.

Over the next few days we all tried to relax while getting ready for the next round. Monday found us traveling 2 hours south to Dear's folks where we met up with his siblings and their families. Dear's folks recently downsized to a 3 bedroom condo from their home of over 40 years. So, you can imagine our surprise when they managed to have all 8 grandkids, one foreign exchange student, Martha and her husband and two dogs spend the nights there. WOW! Dear and I, and his brother and his wife were booked at a nearby hotel. YEAH! I hear the kids were up LATE playing games each night. Glad to see them enjoy each other so much as the ages range from 10-28!
Left to right: John, Becca, Sarah, MMH, Senior Son, Young Man, InSeop. Front Row: Wee One with Buddy, Stephen

Hmmm... there was more to this post. Where did it go?
Let's see... New Year's Eve with The Moore's ... which meant lots of food and Texas Hold 'em Poker (it's a tradition), Laura beat us all. But David won twice in a rematch on Saturday night.

New Year's Day... Donut Day here... it's the one day a year I make donuts from scratch... we're not talking fried biscuits folks! Word has gotten out and there were 11 kids at our breakfast table and 5 plates/orders to deliver around town.

Sunday found me with a bad back, pleurisy, and missed church.

Monday found me at the doctor's office as Dear and Wee One were worried. Home with meds. Guess who's allergic to them? A dose of Benadryl found my hands back to normal, my neck stopped itching and my lips settled down also. Now better and the girls are back to school. Boys are on break till next week.

How was your Christmas break?

Blessings, Kim

p.s. please take a peek at my Etsy listings. I have some new ones up and am happy to do special orders. Also, for those in town I don't charge shipping.

Silence is golden

or, in this case the blog silence may be golden, but it's not so silent at home.

I may have bitten off more than I can chew this time around. Seems I said, "Yes," to the request to be a vendor at the Art and Soul show on Nov. 28. This is my FIRST year... actually, truth be told it's my first at most of what I am doing for this show.

However, I couldn't, of course, JUST say yes to the show, I am also on call for a birth, STILL trying to complete my CBI Doula certification (2 book reports finished last week!), homeschool the girls, teach one adv. level co-op for an 8th grader and a sophomore, "teach" art at our larger co-op on Friday (that is not too difficult), and try to keep up with the girls' assignments from that co-op... I'm woefully behind. IN the meantime I'd really like to start teaching childbirth classes again.

My classes fill a needed gap in the community, they bring in some extra dollars, and it's a great way to meet people and minister to them. However, I would have to be out of the home at least once a week if not twice. I'd have to find a location where I might teach... my basement is now FULL of homeschool items, weight bench, etc., "craft studio" (can you say tables with LOTS of stuff on them), TV, books, etc. In other words... it won't work. I might fit three couples in the living room, but that's not going to make it worthwhile for a paying class.

Hmmmm, we'll see what happens. In the meantime I continue to study for CBI and to create for Art and Soul. My latest creations are button jewelry... very Victorian in their feel... or modern... I'm not sure exactly, I just know they're not like other jewelry I've seen. (Too bad... the other stuff is really great! Just come to the show and see.)

Don't you just love that wrinkly linen shirt? HA! Fooled you... to better show off the necklace I had MMH tuck an old hankie in her shirt front. Oh yes, the tricks of photography! And yes, those three large pieces are old buttons.

Well, back to life here. We have two extras for two days while their parents finally get to celebrate their 15th anniversary. We also have a library visit to make, a trip to the post office for Sarah so she can get her quilt pieces, a trip to Mama Magpie's house to help out there and dinner, and all else that is included in a homeschooling family... you know, LIFE.

Hope you all are having a good week. I'll try to get photos of everything before or during the show.

Remember, Art and Soul, Nov. 28... if you're in our area just come to the Pour House across from the Main Library and we'll be there from 10-4.

Blessings, Kim

Full and Fabulous Friday

This was one of those incredibly busy days. But, in its own crazy way it was fabulous. I woke up late today. We have to leave by 8:55 to get to co-op by 9. however, when you wake up at 8:20 and know that simply drying your hair will take all the time, and that doesn't include washing it... well, you just know it's one of "those" days.

So, we hurried, got the kids packed, and the printer printing for art class and I dropped the girls off. Then off to pick up materials for art. In history we are up to the Code of Hammurabi. So, for art each child inscribed his name on a salt dough tablet... we used sanded down chopsticks and nail files... I'm so grateful to the Dollar General stores! I also swung by the grocery store, picked up 18 sugar cookies and a tube of icing. I had grandiose plans to inscribe words of wisdom on the cookies. Well, when the cookie is about 3 inches across and two letters take up 3.5 inches... well you get the gist. The cookies all had such inspired words as: "ah," "oh," "up," "me," "my," etc. In other words... my Sumerian script is not so neat nor is it small. However, at lunch when handed the code they were able to translate the cookies. They had fun, it was cheap and it was a great hit. One of the students remarked that he was thankful he was a not school child in that time period having to write a 500 word essay! Kids... they're always thinking.

As a treat for a job well done the girls and I ran off to shop at the Red Cross book sale. Picture a LARGE fair building full of tables of books. YEAH! Birthdays and Christmases are covered!

More followed in my full day, but the gift of the day was the way that homeschooling allowed us to do what needed to be done. Yes, I know that in the "real world" there are deadlines, but in the homeschooling world there is also a thing known as "grace" and that was extended to me in various ways today, and to my kids, and by us to others. It was a treat to experience grace and friendship in such abundance and that was the fabulous part of the day. I love my co-op friends, they are the salt of the earth!

Blessings, Kim

Don't hold your breath

You may not see many more posts in the next few months. Then again you never know!

I have been SOOOOO busy this summer. Then there were some days where I totally just did NOTHING. It was great.

The big change this summer was helping with my in-laws' move across town. Now, you would think that with all the "junk" I collect for art projects I might have paid a bit more attention when we were cleaning out their house. But, at that time we were moving in a hurry. We had exactly 2.5 days in common with Dear's brother and his wife and that had to be the time in which we did the final big move. So, MANY trips by the men to Salvation Army and Goodwill later... I thought, "Hmmm, I bet some of this would have sold for a good price." Ah well... water under the bridge and hopefully someone found a great treasure for very little money. Live and learn.

I have also now been introduced to the world of auctions. Now, lest you wonder if I have nothing but spare cash and spare time, the answer is NO to both of those questions. However, you would have been assuming that I was going to auctions of "ART" and "ANTIQUES" when in actuality I was going to rural auctions looking for such things as: buttons, button cards, needle cards, thimbles, old papers, and old bird houses. Those are just a few of the things, junk, that I look for both at auctions and garage sales. As the summer has wound down I began to worry that I had not looked diligently enough to accumulate what I needed for my work. So, I might have, maybe, just a little, obsessed about auctions and sales.

And, I want to brag a bit... twice now Dear has accompanied me. The first time... oh my! I was sure he would never ever ever go again. It was long, slow and my items came up at the end. Then, as things have been I lost each and every bid I made. I did manage three needle papers. Yep, that was it after sitting there for longer than I will admit here for all the world to learn. However, the next time Dear joined me we had a GREAT time with many treasures.

I bid on a stack of old records ( we love them in this house and have three turntables to prove it!) and won 10 records for $5. Couldn't decide if I wanted another pile for that price, so waited for Dear who was graciously hauling my "treasures" to the van. By the time he got in the bidding was non-existent and he kept saying, "Bid on it!" And I kept asking, "WHAT?" not knowing it was what was up right then. So at last I raised my hand when I heard "$1.00." And I won. Then I was really curious what I had won because I honestly had never turned around. Lo and behold I had bid, and won the bid, for every record there... all for a total of $1. Can you beat that?

I know, pics would make this so much more interesting, but I really don't have the time at the moment.

I attended Mini Pie's second birthday. I adore her! After all I am "Zee Mama" ( translated that means "Godmama"). We had a fun afternoon watching her enjoy life, eating cake with her family and friends and visiting with friends we had not seen in a while.

Wee One had her China Sisters reunion. They went horseback riding nearby. I know pics... maybe I'll post them in a week or two. Or not... no promises.

Now I am living with the beginning of the school year, getting ready for the art show and trying in between times to remember to love my family and take care of them. (It was a disaster here last week, however we did clean up most of the mess... minus my "studio"... aka the tables shoved against one side of the basement, plus the piles underneath that keep taking over all available floor space!)

I am actually beginning to believe I will have enough projects for the show. It's kind of incredible. I had 4 ready last spring. Then I completed two more one day when Mama Magpie came over. Then recently my brain has just been exploding with ideas. I know... pictures! So, if I post these pictures will you come to the show? My booth is "Whimsy and The Word" and it will be cute... I promise. I've got many different sorts of projects... cards from vintage folios, dressed up Shiny Brites for trees, a bit of jewelry I've created, note cards, framed quilt squares, altered bottles, etc. I'm having fun finally and that's a nice place to be and to get the creative juices flowing.

School began very well by the way. Young Man headed back to Texas for another VERY busy year. He is loving it and looking forward to the next mission trip he may take, hopefully to Africa again. Senior Son is in town, being a "Bobbite", working at a part time job and attending Ivy Tech, and the two girls began their school year in August. We began slow and picked up a bit more each week, last week we added their final classes of Latin, Science and Art. MMH also joined the volleyball team at a local Christian school. She has made a lot of new friends, renewed some old friendships, learned how to play volleyball and generally enjoyed the season so far. We hope the school will not join the IHSAA next year as that would disallow her from playing since the rules state that all student athletes must attend the school 50% of the day.... We'll see.

Well, that's enough for now. The Lord continues to work in our lives. We are learning about His faithfulness to all generations, how what we believe directly impacts what we do, think, read, and watch (our fruit will tell about our souls), and many other things. I am so grateful that each day the Lord is with me and guiding my steps. I may wander from the path but the Lord has always pulled me back.

Blessings,
Kim

Feast or Famine

I guess that can title the post or my life lately. It seems it's an all or nothing type of lifestyle.

Anyway, not that that really has anything to do with anything, it just popped into my head, then down to my fingers and out onto the keyboard. Aren't you blessed? (ha)

We're still sitting here waiting for Young Man to make it home. His is the biggest aviation class in the history of the school. So many, in fact, that young man started flying later in the semester as they had to hire extra teachers. Added to that fact is Texas weather in the spring (ahem!) and you might realize that it was not all peaches and cream for flight time. He's been trying to finish since last Saturday. (Along with many others... they have a special set up for aviation students to live for free on campus for these weeks after the semester ends until they can finish their flight time... guess it's not an uncommon occurence.)

Sadly, although he had a great test for most of it, he missed two items. When I emailed for more info this is what he had to tell me in the return email: "I'm actually getting done in less time than most of the other students. I'm bummed because I was almost there, and then blew it with that one landing. Everything else was good: I had a great pattern, the best checklist use he's seen yet, and I did great in my maneuvers." His problem, if I understand correctly is that he missed a call and landed flat (hard, I think is the actual term) rather than on the back wheels lowering to the front wheels. He's been doing great landings since the beginning. It's just one of those things.

As I've been worrying about the weather and how it affects him I realize this will be a lifelong issue as he flies. He will constantly have to make judgement calls about flights. For instance, in Lesotho there are dirt strips, at a 30 degree angle. Not the most easy of airstrips from which to take off and land. But, they aren't doing practice runs from these strips, instead they're serving thousands by taking in medical supplies and staff, taking patients out, and moving missionaries and their supplies. I'm not sure how they make their decisions. I guess that's something Young Man will learn about when he's over there.

In the meantime, our plans are sort of on hold as we thought he would be home long before now.

In other news Senior Son is doing FABULOUSLY this semester and I'm not sure we could be any more proud, happier, or more pleased parents. It is so wonderful to see your children trust God and act in a befitting manner. We are looking forward to him being back in town and having him over for meals and parties and such... ah yes... the 22nd birthday! I guess we need his menu plan for that one.

We're just about done with co-op for the year. Sadly I've muffed it in a number of areas. I'm trying to end well, but I will need God's grace for one of the classes especially. I need more patience and insight it seems. Next year we've planned differently so this won't be the issue it is this year for either student or teacher, but that doesn't mean that new opportunities won't arise for me to mess up and have to fall back on God's grace yet again. I believe this is all part of the sanctification process for me... this is where the fruit of the spirit needs to come into play.

And finally, I believe we'll be blessed with a visit from my brother and his family come June. YEHAW! (That's what my kids like to say as we drive over a tummy-dropping hilltop.) It's been a LONG time since we saw them last... like a year I believe! So, we're hoping for health and good weather. They're joining us for a family reunion that's not really our family... long long story there, and it should be great. We'll be at a local state park. I LOVE our state parks! Picnic food, outdoors games, scrabble (kind of a tradition), perhaps some horseback riding, hiking, some might brave the cave (not I says the claustrophobe!), and of course swimming. Fun, fun and more fun. Then home in the evening and hopefully time to sit on the deck and watch the kids play in the yard.

Well, this sounds like a Christmas letter or something, but hey, that's what you get. Now I need to go be involved with some schooling.
Shalom,
Kim

What did I do all day?

I feel like for the past two days I have been covered in glue and surrounded by flowers, glitter, faux jewels and paper. Oh... I have. Over on Etsy I received ONE, yes, count them it ONE, order for note cards. And, to be honest, that was from my mom. I received the order in oh December or January and just got around to completing it yesterday. She needed it for next week. Yes, sometimes I do my best work when I procrastinate.

However, once all the paper, buttons, flowers, brads, rhinestones, glue sticks, paper pads and cut outs were ALL over two whole card tables, the floor and the desks... well, I just kept going. So, hopefully in the next 24-48 hours I'll photograph the completed projects and put them up on my Etsy for sale. (Look for them on Saturday.)

You may wonder what my girls were up to while I was wasting my time busily working, and I'll be happy to tell you. This week the girls had their first ever experiences with standardized testing. I never did this with the boys, just felt confident I guess. But I'm feeling frustrated and thinking perhaps I'm not keeping up, so this is going to be my "wake up" call. (I hope it's not my "get out of Dodge" call... ) Anyway, they had testing from 8:45-11:30 each day and a friend was kind enough to bring them home so I didn't see them till noon. Now, Monday was chock full of things to do, and Tuesday... well, it's a blur. But yesterday I got everything out and set to work. Not only did I complete my mom's order and a small wall hanging, but in addition I also completed a paper frame and 3 sets of note cards. Plus dishes have been done, food cooked and the house "picked up." OH, and the ironing was finished as well. Scary... my ironing has been up to date for the past 4 weeks or so! Anyway, today I just kept on working and that's when I finished the rest of the projects. It feels so good to have things accomplished. Not only that, but when I was done and put away the various things I had been using the craft supplies looked neater than they had for some time. Of course the floor needs to be vacuumed, but with everyone in bed I hardly think now is the time.

Well, tomorrow is the presbytery meeting and we're headed off to the worship service. So, we have to be up early to complete our school work before co-op, which will start late to allow us time to worship. I think that part of the joy of homeschooling is being able to flex the schedule to fit in important things like extra worship services. And paper art. Or not...

Well, in two minutes it's tomorrow, so I had best sign off.
Shalom, Kim

Just a typical day...

Thought it might be fun/ny to post about a "typical" day we have on the homefront.

• say good bye to dear who is always up before everyone else
• wake up and get moving
• get the girls going
• assign dog walking and morning chores
• eat breakfast
• talk with one while the other showers/and vice versa
• call walking partner to cancel for the day... rebound headache and the end of a pulled muscle
• email Young Man about mission letter
• post mission letter on blog after trying for too long to transfer pictures... not sure why that wouldn't work
• call the local congressman's office to deal with citizenship issues for MMH
• read three blogs
• back to resting as head is now pounding
• up and moving, feed family, run dishwasher
• talk to Senior Son who has asked for prayer for a test, I LOVE when they ask for prayer!
• set up the ladder
• drop an egg,
• actually that should read, set up a ladder and drop the egg from about 10 feet up...

I thought that might get your attention. We're about to the end of our bird unit and are finishing up with matching and hatching. Each of my three students has to build a container or use something pre-built, without help from older siblings, in which to put their egg and drop it from a considerable height without it getting broken. Kind of fun... if you don't have to go up the ladder that is!

Back to work.

Shalom, Kim

A Timely Title

The blog title that is...

Changes are coming and I am having to daily lean on God and ask him to help me both trust and be joyful.

Small changes, or they seem small today, are coming in our homeschool set-up next year. After YEARS of co-oping (is that how you spell it?) with the same families we are stepping out of PART of co-op. MMH will be working on "Starting Points" with me at home, this is literature rich, but is more focused on knowing what/why you believe, then looking at how that affects what you read, watch, think, and do. We are both excited. Meanwhile Wee One and I will be working in "My Father's World" Creation to Romans. (I think that's the time period.) It means quite a bit more work in one way, but so much more joyful.

A bigger change is that Senior Son is moving back to town to become a "Bobbite"... he will be one of several young men who live with Bob who has CP, and provide all his daily care, including driving, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and "translating" to help Bob communicate with all of us. It's an incredible place to live, and Bob has been such a blessing to so many young men. We are praying that this next year continues to be a good growth time.

One of the biggest changes is that Young Man is going to Lesotho, South Africa to work with MAF for a week or so. Be sure to check out that link. I have spent a bit of time reading about Lesotho and these are things I learned this evening.

• smaller than the state of Maryland
• called "the kingdom in the sky" as it is so mountainous, the lowest point is over 4,500 feet above sea level
• the entire country is surrounded by South Africa, it is a "country within a country"
• 30% of the adult population has AIDS
• 10,000 AIDS orphans live in the mountain villages with little to no medical help
• more than 1/3 of the men have left the country to seek employment
• in 2007 1/5 of the population needed food aid due to drought
• less than 10% of the land is arable
• "Although some 90 percent of Lesotho’s population considers itself Christian, traditionalism and nominal Christianity is widespread with little understanding of the truth of the Gospel. "(see website: http://www.maf.org/lesotho)

All the above info is gathered from the MAF website listed just above. It is a great website with a lot of information about the country. For further information you may visit the following sites:

• http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107714.html
• http://www.africaguide.com/country/lesotho/info.htm (interesting weather info)
• https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/lt.html
• http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_949.html

So, I would like to ask all of you to be praying for our family and these changes. And, should any of you wish to help support Young Man on his trip please contact me via the blog and I'll get him to send you a support letter. His trip will cost $1,800 roughly and that's a big chunk of change for someone still in college.

Thank you all!
Shalom, Kim

Planning for Homeschool Convention Time

As the time for the convention approaches I find myself reviewing questions to ponder rather than a shopping list. The reason for this is simple. I can create 85 different shopping lists, but unless I know WHY I'm homeschooling and WHY the books work for that then I might as well just bag the list and stay home.

1. Why am I homeschooling? Suffice it to say that I am rather a proud person. I could recite back to you many of my test scores, grades in high school and college, and all the subsequent reading I have done. Nevertheless, I have to humble myself and realize I am NOT homeschooling to provide a better education, rather I am homeschooling so as to be able to teach my children the ways of the Lord, train them up as godly young men and women and to encourage them to use scripture as the measure against which all material is measured.



2. If I am homeschooling to honor the Lord and to teach my children His ways how should I look at their education? Well, although there are a myriad of books telling us this or that method works best, or this or that curriculum will produce future leaders of America and even the world, I must look at each child. Early in our homeschooling journey my husband and I agreed that we would look at each child each year. That meant that we were trying to remain open what was best for that child at that time even if it meant that we looked like "failures" or homeschool parent drop-outs. So, over the past 17 years of homeschooling we have been involved in The Potter's School, a small Christian school in the community, co-ops and work at home. One year even found MMH eschewing math books altogether in order to focus on music, weaving, stitching and knitting. (She needed to learn to recognize patterns in order to move forward in math.)



3. Once I know why I am homeschooling and that I am actually homeschooling that year how do I know what books to choose? Well, a wise friend once shared that every summer not only did she set academic goals for each child but character goals as well. What I found was that once I looked at character goals my choices in curriculum often followed quite naturally.



4. How do I know where to start? Well, ask these questions: How do I must enjoy teaching? How does my child learn most effectively? In other words, do I like to lecture? Do I like to read from a set transcript? Does my child like workbooks? Does he or she learn best intuitively through hands-on experiences? This will guide you as to what type of curriculum you might choose. Of course expense might also factor in. I was quite excited about a new curriculum till I saw the price tag. Now you might think price should be no object, but in this case a high price tag kept me praying and searching and led to an incredible choice for my daughter. Be ready to see what the Lord has for you to do.



5. Pray, pray and pray. I know that's not a question, but start praying, which ought to have been first on the list, and continue praying through decision making, purchasing, planning and educating. The Lord will not leave you foundering if you come to Him humbly asking for His guidance.

Okay, so now you have your 5 main items dealt with. Does that mean a list magically appears? Not really... Now you begin the catalog search. My favorites are as follows:

• Rainbow Resources
• Veritas Press
• Sonlight Curriculum
• My Father's World

Now, you may note that of that list three of the items are actually full curriculum rather than a general catalog. However, the readings lists in the last three are so complete that I compare and contrast my plan against theirs in order to be sure I am providing a well-balanced academic plan for each child.

And, let me note, I want the catalogs IN HAND, rather than on the computer so I can read, reread, mark pages, fold corners, take notes, and carry them around for a while while I'm working on the process. Currently this stack has been sitting in my living room, family room, dining room or car for the past 2 months as we've been praying, discussing and searching what to do.

Now comes the fun part. Make a list. And, rather than a "set" list, put some alternatives that piqued your curiosity. I "know" I'll be using Cornerstones curriculum once we reach high school, but in case I'm wrong (hardly ever happens you know! grin) I have others listed which I can view at the convention. See, that's the beauty. There are all sorts of write ups, but until you hold it in your hands, see the set up, read the pages, look at the plan and all the rest you don't really know if that's what you want. And, while you're there looking PRAY, PRAY, PRAY some more.

Okay, now go to the convention, look, enjoy and let the Lord lead you.

Shalom, Kim