Frolicking at the pool

 

 Several of my homeschool mama friends and I are getting together to bring our children swimming 2 Friday mornings a month during the rainy season. Looks like I will finally have to buy a swimsuit that fits.
Aside from trying to find a suit that doesn't look like Grandma Moses wore it, I do want something that is fairly modest with a skirt or shorts. I refuse to pay $80 for one I like. SwimModest, which is vigorously promoted by LoveToLearn, is very expensive. Not only that but, I bought a boy's swim top from them last year and had the worst customer service!

Another problem I have is that I am "tall". I need a long torso suit or I am (ahem!) "flossing". Not enough going north to south, ya' know!
I have decided on a black skirt with tummy control and bought it on Ebay. Now I must continue the hunt for either a longer tankini top or a one piece that I can put the skirt on over.
Does anyone else hate swimsuit shopping?

What a mom does in a day...

 Seriously.... you gotta see this. So funny.

Healthy what? This chick IS healthy!

 

 

Make your own Cream Of Chicken Soup

For years I have used white sauce instead of Cream Of _____ Soup.

We used to buy Campbell's Healthy Request cream ones because they did not have MSG in them. Two people in my family have a major sensitivity/mild allergy to  monosodium glutamate so we really avoid it. Campbell's does not make these anymore- or at least is not shipping them to any stores around here! Here is a good alternative for us...

 

Are you out of Cream of Something soup?

Make your own.

Just mix 2 tsp. of chicken bouillon granules or 2 cubes with 1 cup water. (In my case, we use MSG free boullion, which is hard to find and more expensive- of course )

Microwave until it boils. While you are zapping get ¼ cup water and 3 Tbsp. Cornstarch then bring them to a boil. Mix both mixtures together and stir until they are thickened like the Cream Of soups. One recipe is the same as one can of soup. Turn it into Cream of Mushroom Soup by using beef broth. Simple and delicious!

More info on MSG: CBN News (aka 700 Club)

Planning a hostile takeover... of my house!

 

  

I am still in the vein of trying to get organized, plan my year out and streamline
what I feel I am capable of. (Hah! )
On that embarassing note, I am including an article here I found today.

Their printables are much better than DonnaYoung.org has, in my opinion.

Cuter, too.

OrganizedHome printables:   Printable Planner Forms for Home Management

More great links at the end of the article. Without further ado....

Household Notebook: Planner for an Organized Home

 

Posted September 8th, 2007 by Cynthia Townley Ewer 
(in other words...NOT ME "HOMEFree") 

Personal organizers are hot, hot, hot. Smart home managers tackle time management and goal setting with the help of an all-in-one calendar, scheduling and information retrieval tool.

Families need a organizer, too! Whether it's called a household notebook, a home management binder or family organizer, this simple idea saves time, cuts stress, and enhances communication in any-sized family or household.

A standard-sized binder stocked with calendars and schedules, planner forms and inventories, a Household Notebook creates a one-stop information center for busy families. Whether it's a carpool schedule or a co-worker's phone number, the Household Notebook holds the information you need to check each day.

Ready for an evening out? Flip the Notebook open to the "Emergency Information" page, and the babysitter will always know where to find you.

Time for dinner? Menu planners, recipe organizers and shopping list make it easy to feed the family night after night. Clean house fast with cleaning schedules, chore lists and seasonal checklists for home maintenance.

Stay-at-home parents and homeschool families add scheduling features to the Household Notebook. Daily morning and evening checklists and family schedules make it easy to organize life in busy families with small children.

Ready to create your own Household Notebook? Click the links below for more information about making and using a Household Notebook ... to get organized at home.

• What's A Household Notebook?


• How To Make Your Household Notebook


• Suggested Dividers for a Household Notebook


• Create A Christmas Holiday Planner


• Resources For A Household Notebook


• Specialty Notebooks: Occasions, Hobbies and Crafts

Mini-book: Old Testament - Men Of The Bible

 

I came across this and thought younger children may enjoy making it while older siblings are learning through Old Testament scriptures. You need to scroll past the directions to get to the templates.


Old Testament Men Mini-Book
"The mini-books are quite simple with images that should appeal to young children and simple, repetitive words that early readers should be able to read themselves. This particular one introduces a number of Old Testament characters using simple words."

Liberty & justice for all, Amen!

 

 

I got a copy of this article sent to me via email a couple weeks ago and thought I would share it here. 

Since then, I have received comments and personal emails about this post. People think it is my son. It is not. I cannot take credit for this sweet boy and his generous heart.

So, I must stress that...

this article was not written by me and it is not my son.

How long has it been since you've had ice cream?
By Lilly Walters

Last week I [not HOMEFree] took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads, he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray! Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

"Really?" my son asked.

"Cross my heart." Then in a theatrical whisper the gentleman added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is already good."

 

 

Isn't that cute? What a sweet boy. And I am sure that woman took a look at her heart and actions. She may have though that his mommy put him up to it, but I hope not!

My children do know how to pray. And always  "in Jesus name". But we should not judge others, nor their children, for not praying the way WE think they should. Isn't praying really a conversation between the Lord and them?

  

Do you see what I see?

Not sure if this is real or staged, but rank none-the-less and hilarious in a demented way.

(Photo courtesy of http://www.backwoodshome.net/nl/nl0709.html)

 

Waiter! There's something alive in my food!

 I have been pining away for some kefir grains to make my own kefir for quite some time now. We drank it as children and adored it!! I enjoy kefir quite a lot as an adult and hate paying so much for it at the health food store! Because it is so spendy, I rarely will buy it. I found a place online that sells kefir grains for $20. I thought, hey that would be great! Live culture kefir to give to my family regularly!

Kefir: A fresh cultured milk with probiotic cultures, billions in every sip. Good for you bacteria. Not only does it keep digestive and immune systems intact, it helps prevent common side effects from taking antibiotics, helps with lactose intolerance and weight loss. Plus, it's an excellent source of calcium, protein and fiber. In short, super healthy!!

I was getting up the nerve to blow $20 once and for all recently when a friend of mine and I were talking. The subject of kefir and kombucha came up. I know I have had kombucha iced tea that I bought somewhere. I cannot remember what it tasted like. Well, my friend said she has been brewing her own kombucha tea and said she loves it. She said she knew where I could get a better price on kefir if I was going to get some. I was so intrigued!

Right away I ordered the kefir grains and kombucha! (Okay, I am a little nervous about the kombucha!!) The kefir grains are here already and we drank our first batch this morning. YAY! Kefir is soooooo good for you! I put some in my little one’s bottle to share the probiotic lovin’!

Now when the kombucha shows up later this week, I will have to make black tea with sugar and cool it. Then add the kombucha “starter” (aka scoby) to the tea, at which point it should set for 7-10 days.

Clearly there is more involved when you make kombucha. In contrast with kefir- just pouring some milk over kefir grains and letting set 24 hours!

If you want to know more about live culture foods and what an amazing thing this is that God gave to us for our health, just do a search on “fermented foods health benefits”, “making kefir” or “making kombucha”.

See this cool site!  HOW TO MAKE KEFIR

Rollin' rollin' rollin'!

Yes, it is September.
I always try to be sooooo organized and I plan plan plan. But when the year starts up for us- the kinks and the REAL LIFE schedule starts to float to the top. Sometimes I get a little stressed about it, but then I realize- all over again- that I just need to focus on the Lord's direction.

So, that is what I am up to right now. Working out the "Real Life & Real Timeframe" plan for the day, week and year. Maybe, just maybe we will get to art and spanish. But really I doubt it. And I cannot guilt myself over it. When my life is all said and done- did I train my children in the Word? This is my focus. Everything else in school is secondary-- or third-ary (LOL!)

The Illiterate Bride

 

 

It grieves me when I think of how Christians absolutely REFUSE to make the Bible the center of their homes. 
 

 

Even worse, Christians that homeschool.

 

Churches are full of children and teens who do not know the Bible!
Beyond a couple stories of Noah, Adam & eve and Jesus walking on water, they do not know a thing. They hear stories. And those stories have remained just that, stories.

 

 

They are, in effect, illiterate.

 

 

Biblically illiterate, and spiritually illiterate as a result.

 

 

Illiterate: 
1 : having little or no education; especially : unable to read or write

2 a : showing or marked by a lack of familiarity with language and literature 2 b : violating approved patterns of speaking or writing
 

3 : showing or marked by a lack of acquaintance with the fundamentals of a particular field of knowledge 
(Taken from Merriam-Webster.com)
  

The Bible tells us to make the Bible and study of it your priority, as a parent.
Most homeschoolers will nod and say "I know" or "I do", but what they really mean is that they have a Bible workbook or textbook and teach Bible as a class or subject. And that's that.
 

 

The Lord is clear what He means.

 

The Word should be infused into the Christian.

That begins as a child. All day. Every day. All day. Every day. Trained. Integrated. Trained in the Word of God, the true wisdom of God.

They should be taught in the ways of God and the scriptures, just as God ordained it. Read here:

 

4 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.  (Deut 6:4-9)

 

 

The Lord commands us clearly here. He says we cannot be lazy about teaching our children about Him. Full throttle teaching, 110%. We must do this during our entire day's routine- sun up to sun down. All day and every day.

 

 

 

 

Einstein was no lemming

"He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice."

- Albert Einstein

 

Kill 'em or Train 'em

 

Are you planning to have teenagers? If you're going to let your children live past twelve years old, you better get used to the idea. Adolescent changes often startle parents. They feel threatened by the new thinking and behavior. In fact, it's hard to not feel threatened knowing that a teen may attack or explode at the slightest irritation. Teen actions and questions are often perceived as forms of rebellion and parents have a hard time knowing whether this is a phase to be ignored or the beginning of a problem that needs urgent action.

It’s important to know where to draw the line. Independent thinking is healthy but disrespect is not. Choosing one's own values is necessary but can't be an excuse for dishonor. Parents who don't realize the difference, miss valuable teaching opportunities.

Teens may appear hard but they're still very sensitive. When parents dish out criticism the same way teens do, teens get hurt. Their understanding of themselves is much more fragile than their actions lead you to believe. Teens are at a prime time for life-altering experiences. An offhand comment may make a lasting impression so be careful what you say and how you say it.

Tie privilege and responsibility together. A young person shouldn't be able to experience the benefits of family life without also abiding by the principles that make it work. "I feel uncomfortable taking you to the mall right now because of the way you asked me to leave your room a few minutes ago. First, let's deal with the way you're treating me and then we can talk about the privilege of going to the mall."

 

From the book, "Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids."

Jesus appearing to Muslims!

 

CBN News - Christian News 24/7

Watch Christian World News Now!

MUSLIMS SEE JESUS.... unbelievable video!

Irony is...

 

Whilst (I like that word!)... Ummm okay- Whilst walking through the living room a few moments ago I came upon a book lying on the floor. When I picked it up this is what I found...

 

Creative math counters

 

We have a lot of army guys we got from the Dollar Store recently and yesterday it dawned on me to use these guys for math counters! Much better than pinto beans like we always have used.
How cool is that?
Then I started thinking that hotwheels cars, Legos, toy lizards and frogs would work great, too.

For girls you could use Barbie shoes, beads, and barrettes.
Maybe everyone else in the world does these things already- but I thought I would share.

Do something nice for your husband!

 

Okay, I know we "do" lots of little things all the time for our husbands.

I know we all tell them how much we appreciate them, how important they are to you & your children and that we tell him that we pray for him (and really do).

Can you think of something you can do just for him that is "different" today?

-- How about washing the inside windows of his vehicle?
-- Do you ever iron his shirts or pants (if he doesn't wear these kind of thing to work, how about for church?)
-- Write him a note and put it somewhere he will be surprised to find it.
-- Is there a movie or music CD you would NEVER watch or listen to, but he has been dying to?
-- Fix something to eat that you know he likes and you really don't. In my house that would be "bachelor food" like macaroni with chili. Or make "from scratch" something he liked a lot as a child but never gets now. In my house that would be Chex Party Mix or haystacks.
-- Get up early and make him a real breakfast!

When he notices this special treatment, tell him you wanted to show him that he is the coolest guy you ever met, irreplaceable, and you couldn't live without him! Telling him he is "hot" doesn't hurt either!

Applications being accepted to the H0MEFree Fan Club

I have a little acceptance speech prepared around here somewhere... now where did I put that?
Oh it doesn't matter... I'll just shoot from the hip here. Can you hear me in the back?

I won the Random Blogger Award this week.
Thanks Tia of HSBCompanyBlog for the hat tipping! Much love to you!

It is probably the only time being random is a good thing!

As we speak, a special song is being written in my honor...

and a statue of my head has already been placed in front of The Old Schoolhouse company building. I preferred it to be made of marble, but I was told it was going to be alabaster instead. Oh well, what can you do?

I'll probably be the top story on the news tonight. Make sure you tape it!

 

Seriously though, thanks HSBCompanyBlog and Tia Linschied, Senior Editor!!

 

Confession of a homeschool mama

 

 

We homeschool all year in my family. Summers are less "intense".
A friend of mine homeschools her two children and takes part of the summer "off" from school. She recently admitted that she was not sure what has happened with her time she should have had during this long awaited hiatus!
The problem: Homeschooling mamas are usually multi-tasking.
They are not sitting down with their children during school. Instead, they are doing dishes, checking email, reading magazines, straightening the house, folding laundry or whatever.
If you drop one one thing on your multi-task list, you just replace it with another.
These are the facts.
Homeschool moms do not like to admit it.
Here I am!! Over here! I am admitting it! I confess I multi-task during school, too!

 

Scientists starting to get a clue

 

"Evolution theory challenged"
By SETH BORENSTEIN, AP Science Writer
Wed Aug 8, 5:57 PM ET
 
WASHINGTON - Surprising research based on two African fossils suggests our family tree is more like a wayward bush with stubby branches, challenging what had been common thinking on how early humans evolved.
The discovery by Meave Leakey, a member of a famous family of paleontologists, shows that two species of early human ancestors lived at the same time in Kenya. That pokes holes in the chief theory of man's early evolution — that one of those species evolved from the other.
And it further discredits that iconic illustration of human evolution that begins with a knuckle-dragging ape and ends with a briefcase-carrying man.
...snip...
The paper is based on fossilized bones found in 2000. The complete skull of Homo erectus was found within walking distance of an upper jaw of Homo habilis, and both dated from the same general time period. That makes it unlikely that Homo erectus evolved from Homo habilis, researchers said.
It's the equivalent of finding that your grandmother and great-grandmother were sisters rather than mother-daughter, said study co-author Fred Spoor, a professor of evolutionary anatomy at the University College in London.
The two species lived near each other, but probably didn't interact, each having its own "ecological niche," Spoor said. Homo habilis was likely more vegetarian while Homo erectus ate some meat, he said. Like chimps and apes, "they'd just avoid each other, they don't feel comfortable in each other's company," he said.
...snip...
For the entire article:  Scientists starting to get a clue

 

A good man is hard to find

     

I have been craving cherry pie lately. No, I am not pregnant. Just sometimes I want cookies or something. I know you can relate. I can't have chocolate like everyone else on the planet, so I look elsewhere.  
My amazing husband brought home a Marie Callender cherry pie for me the other day. He is so sweet. Then a couple days later, he brought me flowers and apologized that it had been so long since the last time he got them for me.
He is my dream come true. He makes me want to be a good wife to him. A helpmeet.

17 Children and counting

I love big families. I think they are so wonderful!
I have never met a larger family that was not godly and loving. It is my opinion that members of larger families are better people and better Christians (in general). I believe it is because they have lived in the crucible of the Lord's continual refiner's fire. No one or family is flawless, but it seems they are closer to the mark!
They daily must decide to be a part of their family.
They have learned to honor each other in a thousand ways.
They love and serve on a whole different level.
What better training could you possibly have for life? Or to serve in the Kingdom?

 

A subject of distain, disgust and horror, it seems, is this fabulous family (pictured) that recently had their 17th child. I was so pleased to see articles on them! However, by writing about them reporters have often leaked their disapproval through their choice of words. How regrettable.

This blessed mama said, "We'd love to have more."

To say the least a lot of trash and judging has been thrown at them. Even by Christians who should know better. Here is one comment "In light of the ever depleting resources and crowding in this world, I find THAT many children HIGHLY irresponsible, and VERY egocentric." And another "It's a uterus, not a clown car." You can read more positives and negatives at TheNewsHole.

Children are our inheritance. Children are a blessing. Every time.

For an article on this great family:   17 children just aren't enough

 

Lapbooking resources, free printables

 

I thought I would share a great resource for those of you who are doing the Lap Book type thing.

 

She has a lot more on the site than this, but this should get you started!  :)

 

http://www.homeschoolshare.com/lapbooking_resources.htm

 

Main site:   http://www.homeschoolshare.com/

 

 

Abundant personality? Or not enough socialization? You decide.

Some might say she has been socialized a bit too much.     Others may say the problem is not enough socialization.     But I say, the blue flower in her teeth and obvious flamboyant personality only highlights the fact that she comes from an "interesting" family.

 

Boys. What they're REALLY thinking about...

 

Okay. He's a boy.

And boys will be boys- or so they say.

They are wired very different.

They do things in ways you never thought someone could.

Or would attempt!

Today: You've told him to brush his teeth 12 times and hurry up about it. He's still in there.

Later he appears to be lost- but you find him... in the garage. Apparently a trip to the laundry room was an adventure.

Now, he is staring out the window at nothing- instead of doing his school stuff.

Just WHAT is going on in that head of his?? 

Here's a clue...