My Children ~ My Teachers

January is gone like the wind!

2012-01-31T17:51:00.004-06:00

Our January came and went without too many mishaps. We had one planned mishap and a few birthdays. All in all it was a good month, a busy month, and a successful month. There aren't a whole lot of pictures to share since I only have my iphone for a camera but I managed to get a few anyway. And a few I 'stole' from the blogs of my daughter and daughter in law!

Our Miss Robyn had a scheduled surgery for Monday January 30th to take care of an injury on her ankle she received through her dancing. She is not lonely in the least while recuperating in her room since many of her sisters are around to keep her company, strong brothers to carry her downstairs from time to time and a nice little sis to rub her leg in order to try to take her mind of the pain. Daddy is caught here on camera carrying his sweet treasure upstairs to her room!

Besides celebrating the birthdays of our twins in January there were other birthday celebrations going on. This little one turned a year old on January 28th.

And her mama celebrates her birthday on February 1st. (withholding age to protect the innocent!!!!!) Juli is the only birthday we have in our family in Feb. so I thought I'd add her to January since I have this cute photo of her and baby Ambreigh!

This little darling and her mama each had a birthday in January too. Heather on January 3rd. and Gemma January 6th. Miss Gemma shares a birthday with her twin Aunts Kaydee and Emma!

The Magic of Yogurt and Fats

2012-01-28T05:51:00.005-06:00

I found this article extremely interesting. The last couple of months I have read and researched the idea of 'why French women don't get fat.' And while there is much to be said about it, I won't go too far into it other than to say that their diet includes, whole foods, including whole milk products, cheeses, chocolates, creams, etc. And eaten using their built in 'portion control' buttons! Something we all have, we just need to tap into it. Long of the short, I work out 5-6 days a week, for more than a year I've been counting calories in order to stay in a calorie deficit for weight loss. Low and behold I've actually gained 9 lbs. But, I have gone down in size. At any rate, I still HATE seeing the numbers on the scale rise so I new I was doing something wrong. What I realized, through talking with trainers and researching diet and exercise, were three key things.

1. I was working out too hard and for too long each day.

2. I was NOT eating enough in order to fuel my workouts.

3. I was keeping fat to a minimum or not eating fats at all.

These were my mistakes. So for the last month I've cut my daily workouts in half, I'm eating more fats, AND I'm happy to say I've lost 5 pounds! Go figure - I exercise more, count calories, and gain! I exercise less, eat more, and lose. Just to clarify as to what kinds of fats I'm eating along with tons of fruits and veggies are: Breyers ice cream at least twice a week! Pouring raw milk cream into my daily oatmeal, spreading BUTTER on my toast, baking with creme fraiche, using a good amount of olive oil and coconut oil, drinking whole milk buttermilk smoothies, and feasting on whole milk yogurt everyday! Which brings me to this article: Hope you enjoy! (I just want to add that these things are working for ME, I'm just sharing my experiences with my "why French women don't get fat" information. I'm not saying it's for everyone)

The Magic of Yogurt

New Secrets About a French Women Favorite

By now you are well aware of my love affair with yogurt. I've long employed the creamy treat as my "secret weapon" and I've gone to great lengths to expose its beneficial dietary effects. Recently, I stumbled across some nutrition facts about yogurt that shocked me, and I wanted to share them with you.

It turns out that yogurt actually promotes weight loss by accelerating your body's fat-burning capabilities. By eating one half-cup serving of yogurt twice a day for a year, you can lose up to 10 pounds of body fat. This is especially true for those of you trying to lose a few inches in the waistline; many studies have called yogurt the "tummy trimmer."

And here's why: when the calcium in yogurt is broken down in your body, it produces heat inside your fat cells. There's a big scientific word for this process: thermogenesis. Long story short, this helps to burn off the fats cells and convert them into energy and muscle.

Now, what's unique to yogurt in this burn-off process? Many foods contain calcium: orange juice, milk, cheese, ice cream, etc. But it's the living and active cultures in the yogurt that fuel the cellular fat-burning process.

So what are you waiting for? Time to get more yogurt, whether store-bought or homemade, into your diet, and now!

Here are some great tips for incorporating yogurt into your daily diet in place of offenders:

Swap a few tablespoons of yogurt for mayonnaise in dips, salads and salad dressings.
Try a dollop of yogurt on a baked potato instead of sour cream. This can work as a suitable replacement in sour cream dips as well.
Use yogurt in smoothies or milkshakes as opposed to milk and ice cream.
Try as a soup garnish.
Make yogurt cheese: Place yogurt in a coffee filter over a container, allow the whey to drip out and mix the yogurt cheese with herbs of your choice (scallions, chives, garlic, etc). Yogurt cheese has the consistency of cream cheese, but contains much less fat. Spread on bagels, crackers or mix into dips.

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

2012-01-21T15:01:00.018-06:00

(for the week of Jan. 16)

In my life this week.....We had yet another tea party, (in reality, this time it was a milk party). My girls absolutely love having them. And I enjoy it too. Our little 'teas' offer such precious moments to visit, teach, gab, and just spending sweet time together.

In our homeschool this week....I'd like to share a couple of our commonplace pages!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice....If possible, spend Saturdays preparing food for the week's meals. It is such a blessing to be halfway to dinner when the time comes.

I am inspired by....My daughter Robyn as she patiently works at keeping her mind and heart occupied while waiting for April 14th to roll around when she will marry the man of her dreams. Okay, she does have her sad moments when she misses him tremendously. (Him being way out in Idaho attending college leaves lots of miles between them!)

Places we're going and people we are seeing....Just each other :)

My favorite thing this week was....Finally getting our first real snowfall.

What's working for us/not working for us....Having piano lessons for 5 kids on Tuesday and voice lessons for 4 kids on Mondays. I really need to get them moved to the same day.---

Update-I'm so happy. We did the days changed so they are both on Monday now!

Questions/thoughts I have...Wondering why parents who choose to not continue their parenting responsibilities choose to end the life of their child/children instead of giving them up to a care giver. There are many, many parents in the world that would be more than happy to help them out. It's a win/win situation. Nobody goes to prison, hearts aren't ripped out and the child/children actually has a chance to have a happy future.

Things I'm working on....Or should I say my daughter is working - giving

the kitchen a new coat of paint. (Emma fits on top of the fridge far better than I do)

I'm reading....The Foxfire Book of Appalachian Cookery among several others that I read to the kids each day.

I'm cooking....Or should I say culturing: Nearly everything in my house that is white and comes from a cow!

I'm grateful for....My extremely smart and awesome husband who can bring my kitchen aid back to life after it dies on me! He took the bad parts off, ordered some good parts and repaired if for me. I hardly missed it being away he was so fast!

I'm praying for....Our country. For the mess we are in, for the many people that are jobless, the hope that one day soon our great land will once again have the promised blessings of the Lord.

A photo, or quote to share.

Quote

"We destroy the love of learning in children, which is so strong when they are small by encouraging and compelling them to work for petty and contemptible rewards, gold stars, or papers marked with 100 and tacked to the wall, or A's on report cards, or honor rolls, or dean's lists, or Phi Beta Kappa keys, in short, for the ignoble satisfaction of feeling that they are better than someone else." John Holt

Photo

A sleeping child being carried off to bed by big brother

So much more than teaching phonics!

2012-01-21T07:48:00.002-06:00

It looks like a plain ole phonics drill page, but to Mary it's so much more! She uses it as an 'excuse' to have lots of cuddle time and she draws her lessons out as long as she can by........

Buttermilk, Yoghurt, Creme Fraiche, and Pizza

2012-01-14T17:00:00.000-06:00

I'm trying to decide which of the 3 I prefer using in my kitchen. For sweets and delicate tasting dishes the creme fraiche can't be beat. For smoothies and soaking my whole grains in I have to go with the buttermilk and yoghurt! Either way, cultured raw milk products are so, so good for our bodies. I make all 3 products from our abundance of raw milk and the money saved, especially in the yoghurt department is so awesome. I made this half gallon of yoghurt for less $2.oo. That is way cheap compared to the store!

In order from left to right:yoghurt, buttermilk, creme fraiche, and pineapple, creme fraiche, and maple syrup "ice cream." The ice cream may be last, but oh man, is it ever delicious!

Homemade Yoghurt using Raw Milk

1/2 gallon milk heated to 110

pull out a 4 T. milk and mix with 2 T. plain yoghurt

add mixture to milk and add another 5 spoonfuls of plain yoghurt. P.our into very clean glass jar OR thermos and sit overnight in warm spot. I sit the jars of all three by our woodstove. (store bought milk can be used)

Buttermilk

One quart raw milk and 1 package starter (I get my starter here)

mix together well and sit in warm place overnight. (store bought milk can be used. Store bought buttermilk can be used as a culture as well. Add about 1/2 cup to a quart of milk and keep in warm place.)

Creme Fraiche

1 pint good quality cream

1 T. commerical or whole milk buttermilk, commercial creme fraiche, or some from previous batch. Mix both together and let sit from 12-24 hours or until thick.

Creme Fraiche (my favorite recipe and the one I use.)

3 Cups heavy, good quality cream

1 Cup organic sour cream

Mix together well and let sit in warm spot until thick. Usually 16 hours or so.

For the creme fraiche "ice cream" we mixed 2 cups creme fraiche, about 10 large chunks fresh pineapple, and 1/2 cup maple syrup. Mix well in blender and freeze.

Homemade whole wheat pizza using creme fraiche as sauce.

The night before prepare the crust by mixing together 3 Cups whole wheat, 1 stick softened butter, 1 cup yoghurt or buttermilk, and 2 teas. sea salt. Let sit in warm spot for 12-24 hours.

Sauce

2 cups creme fraiche

1/2 cup sundried tomato spread

2 T. crushed garlic sauteed in olive oil

1/2 cup feta cheese (only because I had it)

mix well and set aside.

Saute whatever veggies you like for only a short few minutes so as not to overcook them since they go in the oven for 10 minutes too. Just until they start to color. We used garlic, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and zucchini.

Prebake the crust for 20 minutes on 350. Let cool just a bit and spread on sauce, veggies, and your choice of cheese and bake another 10 minutes at 350!

Then enjoy! Complete the meal with your favorite drink!

Sure, it was funny in the beginning.....

2012-01-14T16:50:00.000-06:00

But her laughter soon turned to tears when she realized we couldn't get her out!

She needs to thank her lucky stars that she has brothers who know how to use a saw!

Moral of the story...What gets in doesn't always get out!

This just made me cry!!

2012-01-14T15:48:00.000-06:00

This sweet little girl of mine really touched my heart over Christmas. She received a little cash for a present and big sister Kim volunteered to take her and another sister shopping. She came upon a set of rings in a group that she wanted and when Kim asked her why she was buying ALL of them this was her comment......

"I want them all so mom can choose one for her wedding ring since she doesn't have one."

Is this so sweet or what? She's right though. No ring for me because I keep losing it! Three times to be exact. Okay, this last time it was NOT my fault. My kids were the guilty party! But now I have one again. Thanks to a precious little daughter, and a husband who tenderly kissed it and placed it on my finger! I was so excited to be married again!

Multum non multa

2012-01-13T13:20:00.003-06:00

NOT many things, but much!

Our 2012 Family Lessons Schedule (this is for the younger kids, the older kids are continuing with ambleside)

Here is our ongoing schedule that really never changes. The only thing that changes would be the books for each subject. I normally teach at least one thing per day and that is outlined in red on the schedule.

At this time we are using the following resources: If I stay focused we should have these complete by September, relax a bit in the fall and hit it big in January 2013. I try to keep going to some degree year round but normally come January we are ready for new material.

Copywork comes from many places. Scripture, their literature books, Latina Christina, Prima Latina, hymns, poems, and quotes from famous men and women.

Math-Saxon for older kids, Rays Classical for younger

French-memoria press

Latin-Prima Latina and Latina Christiana and Lingua Angelica

Language Arts-Classical Writing Aesop, McGuffey Readers

All literature, picture study, and composer studies which includes living books for all subjects comes exclusively from Ambleside online. Typically we finish the resources around the same time and before I revamp the resources we settle in with a few weeks of Five in a Row. We enjoy using this on our off time during a month or so in the summer and a bit during the early winter.

Memory work-as noted at top of schedule

Lessons I teach each day:

Day 1-Geography-The Latin Centered Curriculum

A Child's Geography of the World (V.M.Hillyer)

The Geography Book

Day 2-Christian Studies-Memoria Press

Day 3-History

Ancient Egypt-As noted in The Latin Centered Curriculum

Day 4-Nature Study and either Picture Study/Composer Study I rotate each week

The Weather Book, Picture Study and composer from Ambleside

Day 5-Classical Studies

D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths-Memoria Press

Day 6-Poetry-Ambleside Schedule

Christmas & New Year Randomness 2011/2012

2012-01-08T17:46:00.002-06:00

Christmas and New Years is always such a happy time. Busy for sure, with birthdays, 7 to be exact, shopping, baking, wrapping up school for a time and just all around good times! Here are just a few of the random times we enjoyed together this holiday season.

Our two married children couldn't come for Christmas but the other 12 of us sure had a happy time together!

Our numbers are only growing. What a blessing it was to have our future son-in-law Luke join us for the holidays! I hope he's excited about all the sisters he is going to inherit soon!

There's just something about birthdays around here. For some reason the birthday child always falls asleep right before or shortly after celebrating!

A very surprised and happy Mary opening her most asked for birthday present!

Sweet little girls!

Mary and Aaron hanging out together!

Singing Christmas songs while Robyn plays the piano

These fun Christmas presents were a hit when it came to fighting off the indoor winter blues!!

To learn more about Mashoonga Warrior Set go to Timberdoodle and watch a video!

Kimmy and Mary enjoying a holiday nap together

Listening to daddy read the story of the birth of Christ in Luke

Happy sisters! And this despite the fact that all 8 sisters shared the same bedroom for time that Luke was here! The older girls gave up their room for Luke and he was too funny when he offered to set up a tent in the backyard so the girls could have their room back! What a guy!

Is this party for girls only?

Celebrating Robyn's birthday

Robyn and Mary's favorite game. Pretty, Pretty Princess

Somebody got a RING for her birthday!!!!!!!!

2012-01-03T15:09:00.012-06:00

And I don't mean on the phone! We had ourselves a special visitor over Christmas. And this visitor brought a little gift along to give to our Robyn on the eve of her 23rd. birthday. One picture could tell all, but I had to share a couple more of this lovely couple!

Robyn is head over heels for her Luke, or is it heels over head?

This beautiful couple will become one on April 14, 2012. We couldn't be happier for them. They are seriously so very cute together. Congratulations Robyn and Luke! We love you both very much. (April 14th is a special day for our son Vance. He and Heather were married that day too!)

I'm in the game 100%

2011-12-27T16:40:00.007-06:00

And I'm lovin' it!! Just like three of my daughters enjoying their game together, I too am enjoying my favorite game, the one I call 'motherhood' and 'wife hood'! I know you all know how to play and I hope you, too, are enjoying playing as much as I am! My eyes are taking in each moment and storing them up in my heart! I'm afraid my camera hasn't been in much use lately so I'm really counting on the memory space in my mind to do the work!! (I'm not so sure that's such a good idea but I'm enjoying holding onto little ones over holding my camera!)

I hope you all are having an amazing Christmas holiday and that you too are feeling the love that comes through our faith in Jesus Christ, our families, and our friends:) See you all in 2012

Christmas Traditions

2011-12-11T12:29:00.001-06:00

I have a feeling that Christmas is the favourite holiday for most of us! I know in this house it definitely is ours. Here are a few of our most popular activities we try to pull of each year. I would love to hear how you all celebrate this time of year if you care to share!! I pray you all will have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Baking goodies to deliver to friends and family~we manage to munch much alone the way
Watching It's a Wonderful Life-haven't missed it yet
Play Christmas music throughout the house
Reading a Christmas story each night in December before Christmas. Right now we are reading THIS
Have the children get up in homemade costumes to act out the story in Luke
Dressing up the 5 youngest girls in matching dresses and spend a fun day in town shopping & eating
I always have a pile of Christmas coloring pages for everyone and then we hang them around the house
Making gingerbread houses using 1/2 pint size empty milk cartoons, graham crackers, icing, and lots of goodies
Try making a few crafts-I say TRY because my creativity is as dry as the Sahara!
Attend our church's annual Christmas get together
Enjoy Christmas songs being played by the children on the piano
Our favorite of all is reading the story in Luke while we sip on hot cocoa and stay warm by the fire
But I think just being with family, reminiscing, playing games, just simply enjoying one another's company is my favourite of all time. Winter, and especially Christmas is just a time to slow down and just; be!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

2011-12-05T22:24:00.007-06:00

In my life this week....Enjoying family life and taking a slow pace as the Christmas holidays approach. Having fun with my kids baking and doing seasonal handicrafts. Cleaning up and organizing the home in expectation of a full house over the holidays. Some projects include replacing our tub surround, painting the kitchen, cleaning out freezers and cupboards and just some odd repairs to most of the house.

In our homeschool this week....Continuing with our reading of The Chronicles of Narnia and using the Veritas Press study guide that goes with it. Adding in a few extra 'craft' days to make holiday decorations and enjoying every moment with my little kindergartner as she begins to pick up the reading process!

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share....Try to add in at least one day a week for handicrafts. This is my weakness but I am doing better and brings a nice change to our everyday lives.

I am inspired by....My daughter Juli and how she is so crafty, creative, and able to bring such beauty to her own home. In this, she did not get from me!

Places we are going and people we are seeing....We will be popping into our country neighbors to wish a very Merry Christmas and leave a plate of goodies.

My favorite thing this week was....My boys insisted I go into town and do some shopping and that they would happily tend to the girls. (I wonder if they were inspired by Christmas!!!!)

What's working/not working for us....My new schedule is working for us and so glad I finally decided to put it down on paper. I will share in the near future.

Questions/thoughts I have....Why are most things in life so overrated? (Sorry, not opening this can of worms. Just saying)

Things I'm working on.....STILL-that last nasty 10 lbs that just won't leave my body no matter what I do. (It's only been about a year now, what's up with that?)

I'm reading, again....The Latin Centered Curriculum. Wonderful book by the way. If you get a chance to read it I recommend you do.

I'm cooking....Cupcakes. Lots of them. I found this fun cookbook at the library called Two Bite Cupcakes. Whew, it's to die for. HMM, no wonder I can't lose the last 10.

I'm grateful for....The quiet house right now and the warm glow of our woodstove. I know it's lame and there are many things more important to be thankful for but at this moment, in the here and now, it's the beauty and heat I'm being blessed with.

I'm praying for....My children as I always do but throwing in some extra prayers for a few of my children and for their particular needs at this time.

Favorite photos to share....Where do the days go!

Left alone in the kitchen!

2011-12-04T11:22:00.001-06:00

It was one of those days when morning came way to quickly! Lessons were taught, lunch was made and the sofa was screaming my name! I not only gave in to the sofa but I also gave in to two little girls who were anxious to get started on the cookies I promised they could make. In my tired desperation I decided that they could go ahead without me and I'd be in shortly. Well, they managed alright as the photos show. (I did get a bit of a shock though when I walked in a bit later to see the, well, you know, the results of all their effort all over the kitchen. Including the floor!) But they managed well and the cookies were delicious and best of all I had 2 happy little girls to eat some cookies with!

Wordless Wednesday~Granddaughters are all sugar and spice

2011-11-30T11:34:00.009-06:00

Ambreigh being both serious and playful

Gemma and Aubryn ~ sweet and beautiful

Cranberry Thanksgiving

2011-11-25T11:39:00.003-06:00

Being that it is Thanksgiving week we decided our Five in a Row book choice would be

Cranberry Thanksgiving. Little did I know that the very state I live in produces the nations most cranberries. Wisconsin! It would have been awesome to visit a cranberry farm but unfortunately the harvest season had just barely ended when I began the book. (it will teach me to plan better!) But we enjoyed it anyway and here is a peek into our cranberry journey!

We watched an awesome youtube video showing the details involved in harvesting cranberries.We visited the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association website where we learned all about cranberries, their health benefits, recipes and printed off our little activity book with recipes, tidbits, and games, and coloring pages. But as usual, the most favorite of everything was when we popped into the kitchen to make some cranberry tea and cranberry bread.

Cranberry Bread

2 Cups flour

1 Cup sugar

1 1/2 teas. baking powder

1 teas. salt

1/2 teas. baking soda

1/4 Cup butter

1 egg, beaten

3/4 Cup milk

1 1/2 Cups cranberries

Mix well and bake at 350 for just over an hour or until toothpick comes out clean. We doubled this and the first loaf was gone in 10 minutes! (oh yes, we made Texas Rhode House Honey Cinnamon Butter the other day for our waffles and the kids were very liberal when they put it on their bread. But oh yum)

First we boiled the cranberries until they were soft. (8 cups water) Then we pressed them into our strainer to gather as much pulp as we could get out. Then we added the pulp back into the water we cooked them in. In went about 3/4 cup honey, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 2 cups of orange juice. We covered the pan and let it simmer about 10 minutes. It was really, really tasty.

We cannot forget about Molly's Pilgrim where we were reminded of how Thanksgiving is linked to the Jewish holiday Sukkos. We read the book and were lucky enough to even find a short

video of Molly's Pilgrim at our library. Both the book and movie were wonderful in that they provided many opportunities to talk about love, charity, and kindness. The girls had lots of fun with a new words they learned: Onomatopoeia and simile. I believe they totally understand each because not an hour has passed without one of them creating a 'sentence' using these literary devices!

Cranberry Thanksgiving takes place in the New England area which happens to be very rich in American History. We talked about 'why' those particular states are so called New England states which made our book even more interesting.

I think the second favorite activity was when they got to pour lemon juice over top of the baking soda in order to produce the 'bubbles' and learn exactly what those bubbles were. (carbon dioxide)

Wordless Wednesday~FALL or Autumn?

2011-11-23T22:45:00.010-06:00

By the looks of things, I'd say FALL

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

2011-11-20T14:51:00.009-06:00

In my life this week....WARNING-Don't park any vehicle bike, or toy behind mom's van as you run the risk of it getting ran over. (Mom has the habit of ONLY watching for children, not things as she backs out) And if you choose NOT to head this warning then please remind mom about the tree in the yard as she is backing out, she just might not see it because she is watching the truck (someone parked there when warned not to!) and probably won't give the tree a thought! Until.......

In our homeschool this week.... we completed Five in a Row's Papa Piccolo about 2 kittens who had no home until 'adopted' by Papa Piccolo. Going along with that we learned all about Italy, a little on Maro Polo, visited a homeschool shelter where we had fun baking up treats to take along, and visited youtube where we took a gondola ride down the 'streets' of Venice.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share.....Make sure that while you are teaching, nurturing, mothering, disciplining, educating, training, or whatever you may call it, to take in the moments you are sharing life with your children!

I am inspired by....my wonderful mother-in-law who shares her wisdom and advice with me.

Places we are going and people we are seeing...staying home and looking forward to a fun week reading Five in a Row's Cranberry Thanksgiving, cooking and baking with my kids as we look forward to a few days with my sister from Iowa. (Cinnamon, you should totally follow her up here too, we'd love to see you!)

My favorite thing this week was....Having one of my little girls look at the escalator in the mall and saying, "Hey look, there's a ride in the middle of the store, mom, can we go on it too, those other people are?" (The truth is out, I rarely get out of the house, and obviously, neither do my children!)

What's working/or not working for us....The weekly menu we've written up. We keep forgetting about it and continue to just 'wing' our dinner. What is working is the Subway nearby that tends to save me on my weakest days!

Questions/thoughts I have...Not so much my question but my husband's. "You mean you backed into the tree in OUR yard? I thought you were talking about when you were at piano lessons and you backed into their tree. But it was OUR tree. Did you forget it was there?"

Things I'm working on....In our homeschool I am preparing our Memoria Press Classical Studies lessons after finishing our current Five in a Row book. In our family we are keeping busy with the winterizing of our home as we prepare for another Wisconsin winter.

I'm reading....Cookbooks with my daughters as they choose their favorite recipes, share them with me, and then copy into their own cookbooks they are making.

I'm cooking....Frozen pizza for dinner today since it has long been our Sunday choice for a quick and easy meal after church! (Newman's Own Pepperoni is the best!)

I'm grateful for....My children, and for being able to spend each and everyday with them and the opportunity I have been blessed to watch them grow and learn.

I'm praying for....My children. That the Lord would always been in their lives leading them, directing them, blessing them, and giving them peace.

Favorite photo(s) to share....To pose, or not to pose, is the question!

Bedtime or reading time?

2011-11-19T08:45:00.002-06:00

As time goes on bedtime around gets easier and easier, sweeter and sweeter! After family prayers each night it never fails that I get this question. "Mom, can we stay up and read for a little bit?" Obviously I say yes, but just for a little while. I snapped this picture the other night when in my opinion, my 'just for a little while' answer had already been and gone. My thought quickly went from, "don't get upset, get the camera!"

And how could I resist on another night a little angel sleeping in a most humorous position. I have to admit the hair across the face would make me crazy and surely wake me up!

How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

2011-11-15T12:02:00.001-06:00

Daddy brought home several varieties of apples and we had fun choosing our favorite!

Unfortunately we weren't able to gather up real salt water from the ocean so we decided to gather some salt through a salt water experiment. Of course we didn't wait until the water was all evaporated to make the pie because no one in this house (including me) was patient enough to wait before we made the pie!

I think that the pie baking was the best part of the whole story!

(I think they enjoyed their travels) We had a fun time learning little tidbits of the countries while on our 'vacation.'

Mary had fun coloring in her apple pages and completing her ABC's around the apple!

Apples aren't just from Vermont! They are also from Washington, Oregon, and Michigan!

Nothing better than pizza two nights in a row!

2011-11-11T09:54:00.000-06:00

My twins have been having so much fun in the kitchen lately. They've gathered up all my cookbooks, recipe magazines, and misc. recipes and have been building their own little cookbook of their favorite dishes. Not only have they been copying down recipes but inventing them too!! This week they made pizza twice. Chicken barbeque and ranch chicken broccoli. Both were very good. The recipes are below.

For one pizza that fits on cookie sheet (we doubled this)

Barbeque Chicken

2 T. yeast dissolved in 1 cup water

2 teas. olive oil

1/2 teas. salt

3 1/2 cups flour

MIx together the dough well and add 1 more cup flour to mixture as mixing. Let rise for 1 hour.

Punch dough down and knead for 2 minutes and press into greased baking sheet.

2 chicken breast, cooked and chopped

1-2 cups barbeque sauce

1/2 cup finely chopped onions (we used dried onions)

2 cups shredded cheese (parmesan and mozzarella are our favorites)

Spread some sauce on the dough, mix the rest with the chicken and onions and spread over dough. Sprinkle with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake in 450 oven for 15 minutes.

Ranch Chicken and Broccoli

Same dough as listed above.

Chop in chopper about 2-3 cups fresh broccoli

2 cups chopped chicken

Ranch dressing or, in our case tonight we used random bottles we had in the fridge. We had 2 partial containers of Ranch and a partial container of Parmesan Caesar dressing. (It turned out to be a great combination)

2 cups shredded cheese

Make dough and set to rise. Then mix the chicken and broccoli in a bowl and add enough dressing just to coat and moisten the mixture. Spread dressing on dough then add toppings and cheese last. Bake as directed above. This was an extremely easy and fast pizza to make and it was a huge hit!! I think they preferred it over the barbeque.

Enjoy

Curriculum choices and the individuality of children

2011-11-07T09:03:00.001-06:00

I thought this article was well written and informative as it speaks on curriculum choices and the personalities of our children. (see link below for full article)

When it comes to cooking, it seems that there are two kinds of people: those who follow the recipe exactly and those who tweak it.

Those who tend to stick to the recipe probably like the security of doing what they're told to do. Someone has already figured this out so I don't have to can be a comforting thought. But sometimes the recipe just doesn't fit your situation. Maybe the person who created the recipe has a passion for hot and spicy, while your family prefers mildly spicy. Maybe the recipe says to bake at 450 for 15 minutes, but you know that your oven struggles to keep a constant heat at that high of a temperature.

So most cooks learn to make adjustments. They might reduce the amount of cayenne pepper or leave out the tabasco sauce. They might add more minutes onto the baking time. Whatever adjustments they make, they tweak the recipe to better fit their families and their situations.

Curriculum is like a Recipe

Curriculum is a lot like a recipe. Whoever writes the curriculum is setting forth what he prefers; what worked in his situation. But just because the author presents it a certain way doesn't mean you have to use it exactly as is.

Maybe a certain curriculum moves a little too quickly for your child; you can adjust it to a slower pace. Maybe a curriculum doesn't include enough hands-on activities for your tastes; you can add some. Maybe you like everything about the curriculum except one little part; leave it out. Maybe a particular recommended "ingredient" isn't available in your location; substitute something similar.

Just as people who create recipes are dealing with ingredients, not your family's taste preferences or your finicky oven, so people who write curriculum are dealing with the material, not with your unique child. It's impossible to write a curriculum that will address the specific needs of every single child. That's where you come in.

As the parent-teacher, your focus needs to be on educating your child as a person. In fact, that premise is the foundation on which Charlotte Mason built her whole philosophy.

The central thought, or rather body of though, upon which I found, is the somewhat obvious fact that the child is a person with all the possibilities and powers included in personality.

So don't expect a one-size-fits-all curriculum to suit each unique personality in your family; it won't. But that's the beauty of homeschooling; you can make adjustments. Any time!

You have permission. It's your family. It's your child. You know him better than any curriculum writer ever could.

Teach the child; don't just teach the curriculum. ~full article can be found at Simply Charlotte Mason

This is why I LOVE homeschooling. I have so many different types of learners, personalities, and temperaments that there is NO way I could possibly try a one size fits all approach. Truly each child is different and having the ability to pick and choose what fits each child is key in preparing them for their special and unique walk that they will have to walk in this life. Other wise it's kind of like pushing a square peg into a round whole. It just doesn't work and trying to force upon a child something that 'we think' is a one size fits all curriculum will eventually bring frustration, unhappiness, boredom, etc. for all involved.

101 reasons why I homeschool #75

Babysitting Boy Style

2011-11-05T19:40:00.006-05:00

I spent several hours today shopping and running errands in the 'city' and left one of my boys in charge. And I have to say that ever since I have had children old enough to tend the younger ones that my boys take the cake in the creative ways they've come up with in order to see that the littler ones are in 'safe keeping' and out of harms way. This is how my boy today tended to one of his little sisters while I was away. He and the other's were busy raking up leaves while at the same time making sure she was 'safe!' At least that's what they told me when I asked them why she was in the trailer! "We didn't want her to run off or get lost!"

They piled leaves and toys into the trailer that sits a bit too high off the ground for a young one to climb out of and yet smart enough to not want to jump from it!

She seemed perfectly content as far as I could tell but at the same time she was thrilled to be set free again by her mama!

She bolted the second her feet hit the ground!

A few more pictures of the creativity of my boys and their babysitting woes, I mean ways!

How about you moms. Do your older children find creative and not so creative ways when tending to younger siblings?

Scenes from October

2011-11-02T20:54:00.000-05:00

Fall decorated cupcakes and hot cocoa offered after hours of wood splitting

One day of many days splitting wood

Hugs from big sis!

Quietly working on lessons!

Daddy finishing up on the roof repairs!

Looking sweet after sister fancied up her hair!

Hope comes after opening Pandora's Box

2011-10-29T08:16:00.008-05:00

"Hope is necessary in every condition. The miseries of poverty, sickness, of captivity, would, without this comfort, be insupportable." ~Samuel Johnson

From the story: The Paradise of Children (a story that captivated my mind and set me to thinking on what hope truly is and how it blesses our lives)

The naughty little Pandora had opened the box. "Now if you wish to know what these ugly things might be, which had made their escape out of the box, I must tell you that they were the whole family of earthly Troubles. There were evil passions; there were a great many species of Cares; there were more than a hundred and fifty Sorrows; there were Diseases, in a vast number of miserable and painful shapes; there were more kinds of Naughtiness than it would be o any use to talk about."

Amazingly, Pandora had closed the lid so quickly that she had left one more 'person' in the box. Undecided as to whether or not to open it again after all her previous 'troubles' to let it out she was convinced to do so because of the sweetness of the voice she heard in the box.

"Pray, who are you, beautiful creature?" inquired Pandora. "I am to be called HOPE!" answered the sunshiny figure. "And because I am such a cheery little body, I was packed into the box, to make amends to the human race for that swarm of ugly Troubles, which was destined to be let loose among them. Never fear! We shall do pretty well in spite of them all."

HOPE!! One definition, and one that brings to mind the very essence of hope is....

Confidence in a future event; the highest degree of well founded expectation of good; as a hope founded on God's gracious promises; a spiritual sense. 1828 Webster's Dictionary

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Jeremiah 17:7

The Wonder Book by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Wordless Wednesday~Daddy~daughter moment

2011-10-26T22:12:00.003-05:00

A NEW Mother Goose Rhyme for families!!

2011-10-25T15:03:00.010-05:00

I had to laugh when one of my little daughters went about reciting this Mother Goose rhyme today after we finished reading our poems. We read several but it seems this one was the most popular!!

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe

She had so many children she didn't know what to do

She gave them some broth without any bread

Then whipped them all soundly and sent them to bed!

Except she changed a few words. Her rendition went like this:

There was an old woman who lived in a shoe

She had so many children she didn't know who was who

She gave them some broth without any bread

Then whipped them all soundly and sent them to bed!

Okay, so I get a little tongue tied once in a while. Who doesn't?

What's for dinner?

2011-10-24T19:50:00.006-05:00

I love that my kids know how to find their way around the kitchen. My twins are first rate when it comes to planning AND cooking an entire meal with dessert included. Here is one of our fall/winter favorites they made for us this week. And the cake was to die for. I highly recommend you try this recipe. They found it in one of my Taste of Home magazines.

Kielbasa sausage links

Potato Pancakes

Sliced tomatoes

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake

Cake Recipe

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1 cup water

1/2 cup butter, cubed

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 teas. baking soda

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

1/2 cup buttermilk

Icing

1/4 cup cocoa

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup buttermilk

3 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

1 teas vanilla

1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional

Combine cake ingredients until smooth and bake in 350 oven for 35 minutes. Ice and enjoy.

Life of Flowers in fast forward!!

2011-10-24T14:34:00.003-05:00

This video shows the awesomeness of God's creations. The beauty of His creations is something to behold! My children loved it. Enjoy! (For a real treat view in full screen)

Life of flowers from VOROBYOFF PRODUCTION on Vimeo.

Measuring spelling ability and teaching spelling

2011-10-23T18:12:00.000-05:00

We have used the McGuffey Readers in our homeschool for over 20 years and continue still. In the little book I have titled The Parent-Teacher Guide for The Original McGuffey Readers we learn that spelling doesn't necessarily have to be taught as a separate subject but weaved in through their daily reading and writing.

First off, to measure a child's ability to spell you can use the Ayres measuring scale found here. It is a wonderful tool to access your child's performance in spelling. In teaching spelling I have found it effective for my children to keep a spelling word journal. Either they oversee it or I do depending on ability. Here's how it works. When a child asks how to spell a particular word I spell it for them but I also record the word in the spelling journal. Also, their words can be taken from their dictation work, writing, and reading. When you tally up 10 or 15 words then it is a good time to have them study the words and prepare for a test using their own misspelled words. Charlotte Mason suggests a way to study words which is simple and effective. Have the child look at the word as if it were a picture. Say it, spell it, take a photo of it in the mind and then close eyes to picture it in the mind. I have my kids do this and with their eyes closed and I have them spell it over a few times in their mind and look at the word again. Most of the time they are correct and manage to remember the spelling in the future.

Out-of-Door Life For The Children

2011-10-21T06:02:00.001-05:00

I.––A Growing Time

Meals out of Doors.––People who live in the country know the value of fresh air very well, and their children live out of doors, with intervals within for sleeping and eating. As to the latter, even country people do not make full use of their opportunities. On fine days when it is warm enough to sit out with wraps, why should not tea and breakfast, everything but a hot dinner, be served out of doors? For we are an overwrought generation, running to nerves as a cabbage runs to seed; and every hour spent in the open is a clear gain, tending to the increase of brain power and bodily vigour, and to the lengthening of life itself. They who know what it is to have fevered skin and throbbing brain deliciously soothed by the cool touch of the air are inclined to make a new rule of life, Never be within doors when you can rightly be without.

Besides, the gain of an hour or two in the open air, there is this to be considered: meals taken al fresco are usually joyous, and there is nothing like gladness for converting meat and drink into healthy blood and tissue. All the time, too, the children are storing up memories of a happy childhood. Fifty years hence they will see the shadows of the boughs making patterns on the white tablecloth; and sunshine, children's laughter, hum of bees, and scent of flowers are being bottled up for after refreshment.-Charlotte Mason vol 1 page 43

Rebuilding a Culture of Virtuous Boyhood winner

2011-10-17T15:05:00.003-05:00

Mrs. White from Legacy of Home is the winner of the tape. Congratulations to her and thank you to all who entered.

Speaking of fires and printing books

2011-10-16T19:15:00.001-05:00

We had our first fire of the season in our stove today. I'm not sure it was extremely cold outside but inside I was freezing. (Of course, as my husband will say, I am the ONLY one freezing). At any rate, it was warm and cozy and I look forward to many more such evenings as this as winter approaches here in the north!! And while I'm on the subject of fires my girls have been reading these wonderful little books called Campfire Girls. They can be printed from the internet and here is are a couple tips I use when I print books from the computer.

I like to use both sides of the paper if at all possible. For the first 2 books in the series I printed out book one, then I simply turned the paper over and printed book two on the other side. I then place the paper in sheet protectors and place in a 3 ring binder. (right photo)

The children are used to reading my printed books in this way but it may seem a bit tricky at first. I keep 2 books in one binder. On the front page of each sheet protector is book one and on the backside of each sheet protector is book 2. So, in a sense they 'skip' a page in between each page read. When they are finished with the first book they simply read the page on the backside of each sheet protector.

I also have another tip I use that help keeps each book in order. The first book in the binder I print in the normal fashion, then I flip the paper over in the printer and print the second book by changing the orientation setting on my printer to print it more in a landscape fashion. Then there is no confusion whatsoever when a child turns pages. They easily see where they are because one page is sideways and the other is right side up. The younger children's books work well this way as they tend to get a bit more confused. By seeing the page sideways they know they are to continue on the opposite side where the pages are 'normal.' Then when they finish book one they turn the notebook and read in that fashion for the second book.

We choose our books to print from Old Fashioned Education, Project Gutenberg, or from our A2 cd or our Robinson Curriculum cds. All are great books from years ago when books weren't so watered down as they are now. These books are also choice for learning vocabulary. As shown in the photo above left each of the children has a copybook in which words they come across and don't know the meaning of are written down from each chapter. In this way, their vocabulary words are literally custom made to fit each child and no other vocabulary curriculum is needed.

For printing needs we use the Brother HL 5370 DW that came recommended way back when I

bought my Robinson Curriculum. It works great. Prints quickly and you get many, many pages from one ink cartridge. I so much prefer holding an actual book in my hands while rather than looking at the computer. In some cases we do need to use both if there is more than one child reading the same book though.

Finding words that "fit" the child

2011-10-14T16:42:00.001-05:00

Describing our children in words can be at times a bit of a challenge. They all tend to 'wear' so many words on their sleeves at any given moment that it truly can take an entire dictionary to find the words to describe all that makes up their spirits. Here is a photo I grabbed of our Kenzie after reading a story. She chews on every word over and over in her mind from everything she hears or reads. Do you have a child like this?

My word I've chosen for her today and most days is 'contemplative' from the word 'contemplate'

To view or consider with continued attention; to study; to meditate on. This word expresses the attention o the mind but sometimes in connection with that of the eyes; as, to contemplate the heavens. More generally, the act of the mind only is intended; as, to contemplate the wonders of redemption; for example. 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language

Rebuilding a Culture of Virtuous Boyhood give away

2011-10-10T06:00:00.007-05:00

Slowly but surely I am working through years of homeschooling materials and this week I ran across a sealed cassette tape of Rebuilding a Culture of Virtuous Boyhood by Vision Forum and realized my boys have listened to this on more than one occasion. As often happens I end up with duplicates and I actually had bought this not remembering or realizing I already owned it. At any rate, if any of you are interested in it just leave a comment letting me know and I will announce the winner on October 17th. You can review it HERE

How we use Halliburton's Book of Marvels

2011-10-04T05:22:00.002-05:00

If you love Geography as my twins do you would love these two books. Recommended by Charlotte Mason and used with the Ambleside curriculum. We basically use them in the same way as anything else. By making entries in our commonplace books. Below are some pages from my twins' copybooks. We use the same format of adding entries as we do with anything else we learn. Here is the link for another post I made that explains commonplace books more thoroughly and how we use them.

Wrapping up September

2011-09-29T18:57:00.000-05:00

It is hard to believe that yet another month has come and gone. And with it, green grass and leaves, warm weather, and special thoughts and moments I've been blessed to capture with not only my ears and eyes, but my camera as well.

An empty wood trailer is a nice surprise for daddy when he gets home from work.

Serving up the last bowl of Swedish Rice Porridge; until another is made; tomorrow! (a favorite in this house)

Jumping from the tree into a pile of leaves!

Patiently waiting for curls to appear.

Twins smiling on a summer night of "lightening bug" catching.

Celebrating another anniversary and another birthday!

Creative rosettes in the making on a rainy evening!

Little sister getting hugs from big sister.

Catching a nearly napping child!

Saying good bye to the last of the "lightening bugs" being caught in little hands!

Big sister says, "Gregg needs a hair cut!"

Catching two smiles on a warm Sunday afternoon!

An invention from a boy determined to savor each and every drop of chocolate flowing from the can. (We buy it in the big can because in the long run we save $$. Dispensing it into saved glass jars is how we store it once we open it!)

Who needs a diaper?

2011-09-27T12:27:00.007-05:00

Baby Vance has other ideas!

The Rag Coat

2011-09-26T15:22:00.004-05:00

We chose to use the book The Rag Coat for last weeks Five in a Row studies. The girls really enjoyed it. It was great in that it taught them the importance of compassion, kindness, and showed the wrong that comes with being judgmental towards others. They especially loved learning about the coal mines and what life was like for the miners. Their daddy used to work in the coal mines in Colorado and shared many stories and experiences he had while there. We watched videos about mining and it was nice having daddy there to explain and answer the questions that they didn't quite understand.

The girls printed off geometric patterns and colored them for a mock quilt. Three of the girls began their very own real life quilt this week. They were inspired mostly by the add on books we read ~ The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy and Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt by Deborah Hopkinson.

We ground corn for the corn bread and learned about the use of the early grist mills. We all decided that a modern day grinder is the way to go!

The Rag Coat story was set in the Appalachian Mountains. We read about the early 1900's culture and decided we needed to top off the week with a real southern meal. Buttermilk cornbread recipe.

How we use Cornerstones of Freedom books along with commonplace books

2011-09-22T14:50:00.002-05:00

We notebook nearly everything we learn about in our homeschool. Or, one could the notebooks commonplace books, learning journal, or, simply notebooking! Here is the idea of a commonplace book. "Historically commonplacing has played an important role in education, and it has served a vital tool in erudition." An early practitioner learning of reflective learning was Thomas Jefferson. He would synopsize and capture the key points of his reading and add his own reflections, recording them in a journal which he called his 'commonplace book.' One of his biographers quoted Jefferson as saying, "I was in the habit of abridging and commonplacing what I read meriting it, and of sometimes mixing my own reflections on the subject."

How these books are being used by our daughter. She reads them through; keeping sticky notes handy and jots down ideas, thoughts, questions, and such that she wants to research through other means. Such as the internet, library books, movies, etc. Then when the books are finished the sticky notes are compiled and the search begins. Or in her words, the fun begins!

One of my favorite resources to use for 'commonplacing' is this little copybook from Memoria Press. When our homeschooling allowance enables me I like to buy them in bulk. These books when completed are all saved and cherished. I also use, depending on what is being studied simple 3 ring notebooks using plastic sheet protectors.

What to add to your book....

Basically, besides adding their own thoughts about what they've learned about they draw pictures, print coloring pages to glue in, type up information about their book through researching the subject online. If they've watched a video on their topic they will journal about that as well. In this particular case, one daughter is journaling her way through the books shown above.

Mary tells about her lap book

2011-09-20T19:28:00.000-05:00

To introduce Mary into her first year of school we decided to read the book Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco and create a lap book. It's about a little girl frightened by a Michigan summer thunderstorm and how her grandmother "Babushka" calms her by preparing to made a cake she calls "thundercake." The day we made the cake we watched some youtube videos on how flour is made from wheat and how sugar is produced. She enjoyed learning about thunderstorms too, especially since she has the opportunity to live in a state where they are frequent! (Big sister Emma created the video, thanks Emma)

Happy Birthday and Anniversary to the one I love

2011-09-19T10:06:00.005-05:00

In keeping with my list I began last year I now add another reason I love this man to bring it to the number 30. Thirty, for 30 years of marriage. Of course the other 29 still apply! Today is also his birthday, (he turned 19 on our wedding day) so, Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to you my love.

1. I love him because-He married me...
2. because he is still married to me...
3. because he gave me 12 babies who are the light of my life...
4. because I can kiss him anytime I want to...
5. because he tolerates my weaknesses with love and firmness...(he has a "no whining around here" policy which everyone is expected to uphold!!)
6. because he strengthens me through his faith and love...
7. because he adores our children...
8. because he adores our son in law, daughter in law and our little grandkids...
9. because he protects me, both spiritually and physically...and finds joy in being my protector...
10. because we are best friends...
11. because he honors, respects, and upholds my position in the home as wife and mother...
12. because he prays for me...
13. because he prays with me...
14. because he blesses our family through his strong spiritual leadership...
15. because he calls me all the time when he is away...
16. because he LOVES my homemade bread...
17. because he loves the Lord...
18. because I get to sit next to him in his pick-up...
19. because he loves my parents, and he loves his parents...
20. because he gives me his coat and seat, does all the barbecuing, mashing of potatoes, and turkey cooking!
21. because I can nestle in his strong arms anytime I want...
22. because he loves homeschooling...
23. because I can date him anytime I want...(how's that? we still haven't gone out for our anniversary!)
24. because he takes me for motorcycle rides...
25. because he works fills our woodshed and keeps us warm all winter...
26. because he is handsome...
27. because he isn't a picky eater...
28. because he likes to hold my hand
29. And last but not least ~ because I'm about to enter another year of marriage with the man I love!!

30. One year later. Because he is growing more and more handsome with each day and has

really strong arms that holds me tight! And I'm still mad about you!! (not just on Father's Day)

Semper Fi (always faithful)

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

2011-09-18T17:32:00.009-05:00

Journal for the week of Sept. 12-18, 2011

In my life this week....I worked on beginning preparations for full time schooling by cleaning and organizing the house.

In or homeschool this week.... we continued reading Our Island Story, Trial and Triumph, and other various reading along with math and latin.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice....It's only the first week. Hang in there!

I am inspired by....My son Aaron and for his thoughtfulness.

My favorite thing this week....Finishing up our schooling area.

Things I'm working on....My own planner and teaching ideas.

I'm reading....Nourishing Traditions - again

I'm cooking....Bread and cinnamon rolls

I'm grateful for....freedom

I'm praying for....My children's happiness

Quote for the week....."History, in general, only informs us what bad government is." Thomas Jefferson

Some photos to add to my homeschool journal.....

The foundations for my kindergarteners (and beyond)

2011-09-12T07:43:00.006-05:00

It's not spring time but in our home there is a new beginning. It's called a kindergartner! And, in keeping with my most of my previous 5-7 year olds my teaching begins with the basics. Reading and writing???? Well, not so fast. I first like to lay some important foundations that they will carry with them throughout their school years and throughout their lives. The following is a basic outline of how I like to introduce a young child to world of academic learning. Which pretty much sets the stage not just for their academic instruction but for living life as well.

These principles are weaved throughout their curriculum and also pointed out to them through their everyday living, and by the end of the year he or she can be trained to respect:

1. The authority of God and His Word, for all subjects and for all government-from self to civil.

2. The authority of parents and teacher as representatives of God and His Word.

3. The Christian individuality of each student as unique and valuable in God's plan of history. He can appreciate others' individuality and show concern for their needs.

4. The principle of Christian self-government. He can develop the capacity for self -government by:

A. using the scriptures as a standard for knowing right and wrong:

B. realizing that God is interested first and foremost in the internal attitudes of the heart. Outward expression is important, but secondary:

C. recognizing that each student is in control of his own eyes, mouth, hands, and body:

D. learning that home, school, church, and civil government can be governed by Biblical principles.

5. The principle of Christian character as illustrated by biographies from scripture, America's Christian history and literature and practiced through the student's daily work and play.

6. Individual property, including the property of conscience, by:

A. recognizing each individual as God's property, made "in His image." and accountable to his Creator-Maker:

B. Caring for his own property and allowing others to care for theirs:

C. Training his conscience in the Law of God and also respecting others' expression of their conscience in understanding Biblical standards and principles.

7. The rudiments of each subject by learning the first principles, or elements, and the rules which govern them.

8. The liberty to become self-teaching through mastering them first principles of the English language.

These guidelines are taken from my copy of A Guide to American Christian History for the Home and School by James B. Rose. I have them printed off and keep them handy for the times when the children need reminders and for the foundation of learning for my "new beginnings" child.

So what exactly is an American Christian Education? In short:

The book A Guide American Christian Education for the Home and School is based upon Biblical reasoning and governmental principles emphasized in first century Christianity, and expressed in America's first two hundred years. For example, some of the truths which govern the student, as well as the emphasis of the subjects, are the Biblical principles of individual worth, local self-government, character, personal property (especially the property of the conscience), and voluntary consent.

An American Christian education focuses on cultivating the individual, heart, mind, and character needed to maintain a Christian Republic. This provides opportunity for the teacher/parent to help the student to apply his knowledge to the government of himself, and then to extend it into his home, church, community and nation. This approach purposes to develop in students a mind and temper, redeemed by the Spirit of Christ. and the manners and habits required for the useful life of service to God, man and country. (American Christian Education for the Home and School).

It is better known as the Principal Approach method and works very well along side the ideas taught by Charlotte Mason. By googling it you will come up with many wonderful writings on and the importance it plays in education.

Homemade Tooth Paste Powder

2011-09-10T07:50:00.000-05:00

I found this while rummaging through an old magazine I had. Thought I'd share it.

3 T. oak bark

6 T. comfrey root

3 T. horsetail grass

1 T. lobelia

1 T. cloves

3 T. peppermint

Combine together and brush. I love the idea of having this concoction to use because I don't have the healthiest teeth. I'm hoping this will help.

Your questions answered....

2011-09-09T07:28:00.002-05:00

A question received through email....

"I love to make homemade, whole grain bread for my family and I see that you make it too. But I can't seem to get my family to enjoy it because by the time it's finished it is like a brick. Any suggestions on how to take out the heaviness?"

It's quite simple actually to tame those heavy grains! Pre-soaking in vinegar, yogurt, buttermilk, lemon juice, etc. is the way to lesson the heaviness. Not to mention the agent chosen to soak the grains in pre-digests those harder proteins making it easy on our tummies and digestion system. I have a few recipes that would work nicely for this. This should cure the 'brick bread' woes all the way. The bread is so very much lighter and fluffier than any I've ever made. The links below are for a quick whole grain bread, and one for yeasted whole grain bread.

Quick whole grain bread

Kefir whole grain bread

Wonderful Wednesday~Seeing Double

2011-09-07T05:34:00.003-05:00

Once upon a time Mommy and I,

Wished upon a distant star,

We didn't know if we'd get our wish,

The chances seemed rather far.

We asked God for a little girl-(after 2 little boys)

To cuddle and hold tight,

To love and squeeze and give

A gentle kiss good night.

Well, God was listening and the answer

Came straight from the blue.

Not only did we get our little angel,

He saw fit to give us two!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal

2011-09-05T17:47:00.007-05:00

Journaling my previous week....

In our homeschool we are finishing our reading of Five Little Peppers and Our Island Story. We are throwing in some a little bit of latin and math to get us primed for the next year set to begin Monday, Sept. 12.

Helpful homeschooling tips-Enjoy the unhurried, last few days of summer before settling into full blown lessons.

I am inspired by Tamara and her awesome Five in a Row Ideas and thank her for sharing them.

My favorite thing this week was having lunch out and a day of shopping with my daughter Robyn.

What is NOT working for us right now is our sleeping too late in the mornings.

Things I'm working on right now are-rising earlier to finish exercise before kids wake, finishing up on kids' lessons schedule for the new year, completion of the new face on our school room.

I am reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, A Biblical Home Education by Ruth Beechick (reading more but wanting to finish these NOW)

I am 'cooking' up new grain cereals for breakfast. Seven grain cereal soaked in water and greek yogurt for 24 hours. Excellent

I'm grateful for a new year of home schooling with my children.

I'm praying for patience, energy, and determination.

A favorite quote-"What luck for rulers that men do not think." Adolf Hitler"

click the pic to link up to The Homeschool Mother's Journal

Juicing and The Dirty Dozen

2011-09-03T09:46:00.008-05:00

We do a lot of juicing around here. That's what makes summer and spring my favorite seasons....the abundance of fresh foods priced at their best! However, choosing the best of the produce can be a bit tricky at times depending on where you shop. Local farmer's markets, road side stands, and of course your own garden are the best places to find organic or mostly organic produce for the best price. But when that isn't possible and the grocery store is our only option then we need to look closer into 'where' the produce is coming from. Try to buy from products from the USA as much as possible, and if you are able to, and can afford it try to find organic. We have an awesome grocery store in our area that sells 'in season' organic produce for an affordable price. Many times, I can find organic for only pennies more than non-organic. Another thing that is helpful is knowing which fruits and vegetables are the considered the 'worst' and 'best' when it comes to choosing what our family likes. Here is the 'Dirty Dozen List' that I found and memorized. It is good to know that not ALL produce could or should be considered best to buy organic.

The 12 most contaminated

peaches

sweet bell peppers

celery

nectarines

strawberries

cherries

pears

imported grapes

spinach

lettuce

potatoes

apples

The 12 least contaminated

onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mangos, asparagus,

sweet peas, kiwi, bananas, cabbage, broccoli and papaya.

Winner of All of a Kind Family study guide is........

2011-09-01T11:25:00.000-05:00

There is only one bad thing about having a give away on one's blog. And that is normally you can only have one winner. I so wish I could bless all of you that were interested in the guide. I had to laugh out loud though when the winner of the All of a Kind Family study guide was chosen because the winner is All of a Kind Family~Tamara. If you would contact me with your addy I'll mail out right away. Congratulations.

Wordless Wednesday~sisters and swimming

2011-08-31T07:22:00.001-05:00

Boys growing to be men (husbands & fathers too)

2011-08-29T09:06:00.003-05:00

To the ordinary eye this may just look like a pile of clean dishes! But to a mom like me, who, yet again, didn't see to the dishes being washed up the night before, found evidence of some little elf waking up early and washing them up before the other elves open their eyes. (including mine) And it is not something that has happened only once or twice, but several times a week. Kitchen gets cleaned up after dinner but there are always a few hungry tummies who meander in throughout the evening to bake cookies, make smoothies, grab a snack or drink and I have a bad habit of leaving them sit until morning. Daddy got up early this morning and caught the guilty elf in the act of blessing his family. What a great guy, and someday I know, a great husband and father!

Another boy who is "such a guy" as his sisters would say. Playing on the trampoline, swimming at the pool, playing a board game, or doing anything fun isn't complete unless big brother is along to share the fun. Gregg is such an awesome brother the way he gets along with his sisters and watches over them. (Of course, it hasn't always been this way but it's amazing how a child can be nudged in the right direction if you're consistent!)

My big boy Aaron is my secret dishwasher and an awesome son. I love watching these boys grow into 'men' and I know some little lady, someday, will be very blessed to be their wives!

When I'm not at my best....

2011-08-27T18:00:00.002-05:00

which is quite often, I refer to this poem I have written in my notebook (author unknown) and it really helps my perspective. (And my patience) I hope it helps you when you are down as much as it has me.

There are little feet that follow

In my footsteps every day

Their little voices echo

So much of what I say.

Sometimes I'm not too happy

With all the things I see

Then I begin to realize

That they're imitating me

My patience seems to falter

And I speak with too much haste -

Til I hear the Saviour speaking

When I look into each face.

Oh Lord, please grant me wisdom

As I train each little one,

Help me set a good example

As You yourself have done.

I would not ask for riches

Or that they famous be

But may each find Christ as Saviour

And live each day for Thee.

All of a Kind Family and give away!

2011-08-25T06:38:00.003-05:00

We have been reading the All of a Kind Family books and enjoying them very much. My 5 youngest girls have loved reading about the life of other 5 little girls who, in so many ways are just like them. Along with the stories of this delightful Jewish family we have been learning all about the Jewish Holidays and the traditions associated with them. Here are our favorite books that we are using along All of a Kind Family. AND, since we have completed our first book in the series and have finished with the guide I would like to bless another "All of a Kind Family" from Queens Homeschool All of a Kind Family study guide. Even if you don't have 5 little girls in your home, you will enjoy these precious books as you snuggle together for some great family reading time. If you would like a chance to win the guide for your family simply leave a comment letting me know. I will announce winners one week from today. Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday

2011-08-24T05:53:00.000-05:00

A peek at our week!

2011-08-21T19:08:00.002-05:00

Taking my camera in hand I......

captured 5 happy girls on the slide

enjoyed some shooting time with my boys

caught the serious looks of a daughter

quietly watching sisters enjoying one another

daughter Robyn bringing some cheer to the front porch

nine children patiently awaiting dinner outdoors

a sleeping child on the sofa

little brother giving big sister a piggy back ride

and an awesome moment with my love

Latin in our homeschool

2011-08-19T06:11:00.000-05:00

Let me begin with the reasons we study latin. Those reasons can be found HERE. But what about latin hymns? Why study and learn latin hymns and what exactly is Christian Latin?

Classical latin is very difficult to read, students who have spent years mastering Latin grammar and vocabulary are usually discouraged by the difficulty of the classical authors.

Happily there is a solution to this problem? Christian Latin. The sentence structure of Christian Latin is much simpler and the sentences are much shorter than in classical Latin. The hymns and liturgy of Christian Latin are so beautiful and clothe such sublime thoughts that they are worthy to be memorized. Is there anything more fitting for our children to study and memorize than religious poetry expressing the most elevated thoughts?

Students who memorize prayers and music in the grammar years will have a great fund of vocabulary, grammar and syntax ready in their minds to draw upon as they proceed through the latin grammar. At every step in their study, examples of the new grammar concept-noun cases, subjunctive mood, irregular verbs, deponent verbs, participles, infinitives and gerunds-will already be in their minds ready to be analyzed and understood at the appropriate time.

That all said. How do I approach Latin in our home? I begin my children in their first year of Latin when they are about 6. They begin with Prima Latina and Lingua Angelica. Eventually they work their way through Latina Christiana I, II, and finish with First Form Latin. I keep it simple by only having them go through the memory work of memorizing their vocabulary, prayers, and songs. No grammar usage is taught whatsoever in their first year. Only memory work. The second year we go through the book again doing the written exercises and learning the 'science' of the Latin. In this way, they are completely familiar already with the vocabulary words, songs, and prayers that it simply makes the grammar of it so much easier to learn. For Lingua Angelica the same thing. Memorize the songs first, then go back through and learn the translation the second year. By beginning them so early it is simple to get them through several years of grammar before graduating by doing each level twice through. I have found that by doing it this way it really gets ingrained in their minds and not only do they know it, but they really "know it."

Powerful

2011-08-17T23:16:00.003-05:00

Oh mom I wanna go!!

2011-08-15T16:02:00.002-05:00

I've suddenly become quite popular these days with our son Aaron. Seems whenever I have to go anywhere, run errands, grocery shopping, library, post office, doesn't matter where, he wants to go. So what has changed in his life lately to suddenly make him want to go everywhere? It's called a 'driver's license.' He is so very happy to be driving and basically told his older sisters to 'move over' because his shotgun riding days are over!! Whew! We are halfway to having all of our children driving. Six down, six to go!!

In this one thing, I do agree

2011-08-13T12:34:00.000-05:00

Question-How do you deal with everything?

2011-08-12T12:35:00.003-05:00

Like, laundry, cooking, cleaning, kids fighting, schooling, errands, snuggles, you know, stuff like that? How do you fit everything in and get it all done?

We were at the pool last night and I met a mom of 3 little girls. One was 7, and she had 5 year old twins. She was so cute with all her questions and inquiries once she realized I had a boat load of kids. And that, "you homeschool too?"

Her questions were actually easy to answer. It's simple ~ I don't fit it all in nor do I get it all done! I mean, who does? No matter how many children you have. Well, actually, many moms get it all done, I'm just not one of them. I fall seriously short of my expectations each and every day. I am amazed at so many moms who are so accomplished but instead of berating myself or comparing myself to them I see them as inspirational. And it very possibly may be you reading this right now that I find so inspiring and I thank you. I have decided on one thing though that serves as a foundation to help me as I serve my family. And it is this: that life is a process based on relationships, not a list of attainments! Although, I do love the little lists with goals on them that I love to check off as I go along but that isn't reality for me. I'm not that talented. However, there are a few days out of each year where I go to bed at night and say, "wow, I got a lot done today. Everything is so nice and organized and clean." And I love it that I can say that once in a while. It's the early fall when daddy goes to the woods to begin cutting wood for winter. He normally takes everyone with him leaving me pretty much alone in the house for hours at a time a couple days a week for a month or so. And it's then, and only then that I can say that!! So how do I explain a day in the life to someone with less than half of the children I have without overwhelming her? Well that would be priorities first. But what are they? Well they always look different depending on the day. But I do have an overview of HOW I would like to see my day go; in order of priority. (Remembering that relationships are priority because 'things' have a way of destroying those things which are most important) The standard to which I strive to keep but don't at all times because again, I have way to many imperfections that are constantly holding me back.......

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42 To me this translates into a process based on relationships.

1. First and foremost ~ Loving Flexibility ~ If I try to keep my wits about me and remember that being flexible is key with love then life runs more smoothly.

2. Running a well ordered home ~ This goes without saying for anyone. But I have found if chores are done then life can glide along better. De-cluttering is my favorite way to keep things orderly. Always remember that if you own it, you have to be accountable for it. Accountability takes time, and that could mean time away from our family. Let me also say that my idea of a well ordered home does NOT mean one that is always kept up. I mean simply a place for everything with the goal of everything in it's place. There's one of those goals I shoot for with loving flexibility.

3. Simple meals ~ This could mean different things to different people. I try to shoot for high quality foods. This kills two birds with one stone. A. If the food is high quality then they get the nutrients they need, and B, it usually means I can get away with less of it! Quality versus quantity.

4. Chores ~ Everyone has a job to do. Many hands make light work! I don't normally switch around jobs too often. Perhaps just once a year. The same child keeps the same job until they are old enough to graduate from it then they 'hand it down' to the next child and move on with one slightly more difficult than before.

5. And last but not least ~ Fitting in schooling. I put this last because without the above attainments reached then we can get into trouble. In order to run a school with several children then there HAS to be order. That order is covered in the first 4. And since my children's education is so important then the other things have to happen. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. That is life, that is our life and we strive each day to do better than the day before. Because everyday is different and brings it's own challenges that we cannot see so that's why I call life a process based on relationships.

My father-in-law always says:

"If you are not going forward, then you are definitely going backwards"

Triplets or geeks!!

2011-08-10T16:32:00.000-05:00

Janai's day out with mom and dad

2011-08-09T11:50:00.001-05:00

On Saturday we celebrated Janai's birthday with dinner out and shopping. Janai is so sweet and pleasant to be around and we have an awesome day together! She chose to go to an Asian restaurant, hence her choice of attire!! She fit right in!

We were only about 500 yards away from home when I heard a 'kirplink' in the backseat. This is what I found when I turned around. I'm afraid our day out must have exhausted her.

But once inside she was all revved up again for her cake and ice cream celebration with her brothers and sisters. She loves making rosettes to put on her head bands so she picked out some more fabric so she could make more. She also chose the game of Trouble. Which I really think is like the 25th time we've bought that game since we began having children!

My bad

2011-08-08T18:19:00.003-05:00

But it still doesn't make me feel any better knowing it was my fault. Our daughter Robyn was expected to fly home today from her Aunt's house in Utah. Pick up time: 12:50. We were a bit late to arrive at the airport but only by about 8 minutes. It's a small airport so I knew it would only take about a minute to find her. The flight was on time so I looked around and didn't see her anywhere. I called her on her phone, no answer. Hung around for a few minutes and called again. Beginning to get nervous because that's what I do. Called her phone again, and again, and again. By now, well, if you are a mom you know the by now stuff. I go out to tell dad I have no idea where she is. He called Utah to speak to Aunt Marjorie, she then called her son who was to have taken her to the airport this morning as we wanted to make sure she even made her flight before I panic anymore than I am already.

Still calling her phone and no answer. By now, about 20 minutes have lapsed and I am in tears. I mean, I was shedding some serious tears. She was no where to be found. (I had begun to pray quietly and honestly I was feeling better, still crying, but feeling peace) Daddy trying to calm me as well but I couldn't seem to pull myself together! Finally, a call from simultaneously from Aunt M and daughter Christie telling me that she doesn't fly out until TOMORROW morning, not today. Okay, my bad!! I am so happy to say that she is still safe and sound in the care of her Aunt M. I have to tell you, I'm getting way too old for this!! (Okay, kids, you can all stop laughing at me now. I was in real pain for a little bit!!)

The Might Works of God

2011-08-07T07:26:00.002-05:00

"We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises to the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done....That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments." Psalm 4,7

The Might Works of God Series was written for the home and school, that the boys and girls of the 21st century might remember the mighty works of God in bringing forth this nation. Many have learned to recognize His hand in the liberty which we know in America, others have forgotten, and some have denied. This series for children is designed to help us remember.

I love these books for teaching history to children. Straight forward and in keeping with the still immature minds of the younger set. It is all we use to teach American History to our younger kids. And if you have 2 or 3 kids near the same age this still will work very well. The Christian self government that is taught throughout the series is what I as a parent admire the most. Each of us, especially our children need to learn how to govern our own hearts through the teachings of Jesus Christ. These series really focus on that fact through each lesson. The stories are very well written and full of factual information about our country.

A few of my favorite things!

2011-08-05T18:11:00.004-05:00

One Room School~Difficult pregnancies

2011-08-05T07:07:00.001-05:00

Most of us have had to deal with a difficult pregnancy at one time or another. And whether you are homeschooling or not it is never any fun. But if you are homeschooling then I hope I can provide you with an idea or two on how to continue schooling without losing your mind during this difficult period. I certainly don't have all the answers but it is my hope to be able to bless others with what has worked for our family. Normally I don't experience sickness until my 5th or 6th week. Hopefully I have found out right off the bat that I was expecting in hopes of giving myself a week or two of prep time before sickness sets in on a daily basis. As with schooling in any circumstance planning is KEY. Have daily schedules set in place for each reading child. Feeding off of a schedule can help lead children to continue "somewhat" on their own for a couple of months. A non-reading child normally is still young. Young enough so that if you scaled back their schooling for a few months no harm would be done. There is a lot of snuggling time for those little ones when mom is 'off' sick and I'm sure that makes up for any lost academics! However, this can possibly be a time for stressing out too if you're not careful. If you choose to let the younger child or children scale back on their schooling for a bit then it is important NOT to stress over it as that only makes a difficult pregnancy even more difficult. Embrace this time with your little ones and know that soon enough they will be reading and doing their math problems!!! If you are able; before you are laid up most of the days I found it so very useful to have meals pre-made and in the freezer. Even 5-7 meals ready to eat can be a life savor. I like to do this near the end of a pregnancy as well. Except I try to increase the amount of meals to more like 10-20. Incorporating the help of older children here is a huge blessing. Even just having some meat cooked, chopped, and frozen is a milestone. So in a nutshell....

Freeze meals ahead of time. (This is helpful for me whether I'm expecting or not)

Have schedules made for each child. Keeping them on auto pilot as much as possible is great.

Having a list of some great family videos to order from the library

Declutter as much as you can~even without babies and pregnancies this is a huge blessing. Remember, all that 'stuff' you own means accountability.

Keeping a list handy for them is a plus. I know that even the thought of food can be difficult so I like to have my family decide the menu for a while until I can begin to wrap my brain around the idea of food.

Try to schedule testing, evaluations, curriculum planning/shopping, etc. for a future date if possible. Along the same lines having all needed supplies on hand is helpful. Paper, pencils, markers, notebooks, etc. It has been such a blessing to be able to direct a child to the 'school pantry' to find a new folder crayons, or whatever rather than having to think about school supply shopping. Scaling back on those 'extra curricular' activities is also a life saver. Not having to load children into the van and running town is a must for me. And if possible, have daddy or an older child run errands and do the shopping.

Got toddlers? There isn't much entertaining that a sick mom can do for a toddler. Aside from just keeping them close by reading stories or cuddling with them there isn't much else that can be done. Older children of course are great with toddlers so if you have any in your home make sure they get some turns playing with "the baby." Napping with the toddler is something else that helps me. I don't normally have my own nap time but during difficult pregnancies this is a must and since the toddler needs one too it works out perfectly.

SPIN OFF~What are the causes of morning sickness? While this is just speculation I have to think it comes pretty close. Basically it comes down to a healthy diet. I have found through my experience that if my diet is as close to 'natural' as possible then my morning sickness is lighter and lasts a shorter time. Unfortunately, while I believe this is true I've not always adhered to making the best choices when it comes to my food. Researchers at Cornell University believe that the sickness and vomiting is perhaps the body's way of ridding itself of toxins during the most delicate time frame of the early developing infant. Hence, the sickness is at it's worse in the first few months. (I prefer to think of it as "God's way" of protecting the infant!) To read the study you can go HERE.

Wordless Wednesday~an unexpected visitor

2011-08-03T23:56:00.000-05:00

Is it bad to have finger nail polish in your nose?

2011-08-01T17:05:00.003-05:00

Now there's a question you don't hear everyday. And when you do, you usually stop in your tracks to investigate!! Why, why, why do these things like this always happen when daddy is away from home? Because I know without a doubt he would take over and make everything okay!! But for today, the dirty work belongs to me and, let me tell you, this is something I consider to be dirty work!! But first, a visit to google to find out how, if at all I am supposed to make things aright!!

My new journey with yoga

2011-08-01T03:54:00.001-05:00

There was a time not so very long ago that when I heard the word 'yoga' only one came to mind: HIPPIE!! I don't know why either, just some weird mindset I fell into. At any rate, once I began doing Jillian Michaels workout several months ago I was introduced to yoga through her Yoga Meltdown dvd. Either I'm now a 'hippie' or not I don't really know but I can sure tell you that I am a huge fan of the practice of yoga. Combined with weekly workouts of strength/circuit training and cardio workouts yoga adds a nice touch all on it's own. Even power yoga can feel like you've just done yourself the hugest favor you can do to your body!! Here are some of the many benefits the practice of yoga can give you:

Increasing flexibility

Increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments, and tendons

Messaging of all the organs of the body

Complete detoxification

Excellent toning of the muscles

To read and understand how this can be visit the link HERE

But these enormous physical benefits are just a 'side effect' of this powerful practice. What yoga does is harmonize the mind with the body and this results in quantum benefits. It is now an open secret that the will of the mind has enabled people to achieve extraordinary physical feats,, which proves beyond doubt mind and body connection.

Yoga through meditation works remarkably to achieve this harmony and helps the mind work in sync with the body. How often do we find we are unable to perform our activities properly and in a satisfying manner because the confusions and conflicts in our mind weigh down heavily upon us? Moreover, stress which in reality is the #1 killer affecting all parts of our physical, endocrinal, and emotional systems can be corrected through the wonderful yoga practice of meditation.

In fact yoga = meditation, because both work together in achieving the common goal of unity of mind, body, and spirit - a state of eternal bliss. More on this HERE.

So I don't know all about the mental stuff going on with yoga (nor do I think I care!) but I can tell you that the physical benefits I have found by practicing it have been awesome. My husband and my children practice yoga as well but mainly for the health benefits of it. I have seen much improvement in many areas over the months of my yoga practice. My favorite yoga dvds, in fact the only ones we have tried are P90x yoga, Jillian Michaels Yoga Meltdown, Bob Harper's Warrior for the Yoga, and The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga. All workouts are considered to be Power Yoga and are not typical of what we all think of when we think of yoga. Definitely some great workouts.

Four blessed birthdays

2011-07-29T16:01:00.002-05:00

In just a few weeks time we have 4 fabulous kids who are celebrating their birthdays. For 3 of them I am a bit late, (okay, a lot late according to one child!!)and for one of them, I am early in making the post!! Let me just say how thankful I am for these children and I want them to know just how much they each bless my life just by me knowing them and having the joy of spending time with them everyday. You are very much loved Christie, Gregg, Aaron, and Janai. (In order of their birthdays)

Christie June 23

Aaron July 26 and Gregg July 5

Janai August 6

Insanity~to do or not to do?

2011-07-28T15:39:00.005-05:00

My guys have just completed 3 grueling months of P90x. They plan on taking a month off and doing it again. Either P90x or INSANITY! Insanity is basically P90x done in only 60 days instead of 90. Here we go again they say: "We're ready to get ripped." (again)

Wordless Wednesday~Vance, Vance, Vance, & Vance

2011-07-27T09:55:00.005-05:00

Five Cute and Crafty little girls!!

2011-07-25T20:30:00.007-05:00

My girls are beginning to be so crafty. But I must admit it is NOT because of the example of their mother. I handle crafting about like an octopus handles ice skates. All the credit goes to their wonderful sisters Juli and Heather. (I claim Heather as my daughter since she is married to my son!!!) Both of these girls are awesome and so very creative. Feel free to visit the blog belonging to my 'littler' girls HERE to see what they've been up to! To visit Heather's creations you can go HERE!

Literary prose of the King James Bible

2011-07-23T14:58:00.004-05:00

The KJV was penned at the pinnacle of English writing style, and it served as a common fount of influence for classic authors for over three hundred years. For this and other reasons we'll explore , the KJV stands alone as being uniquely suited to serve as our "prime spine" in classic literary curriculum. The way children encounter information today is changing. As image-based information becomes more prevalent, our cultural mastery of language is eroding. In response, modern schools move toward materials and methods that are more image-based, and less language-based, than those used in the past.

But the great teachers of the past knew something so simple it's profound: wrestling with rich language develops a strong, agile mind. Their master tool was a literary curriculum, which is inherently language-based. Studies now confirm what they knew by instinct: whereas images are largely passively received and require minimal exercise of the brain, grappling with languag requires the mind to work, flex, expand, and make connections.

However, the watered-down English that modern children typically encounter is by no means a worthy wrestling partner.

On our way toward understanding why the KFV is a primary foundation for modern readers of great literature, we must first note that the master tool of a literary education, the English language, has become peculiarly fluid in our day. English has always been remarkable among languages for its flexibility - its capacity to evolve over centuries according to need. However, this new millennium finds the language in rapid flux. Technology, the mass media and other influences force newly-morphed words upon the language at warp-speed, while various fields and interests, ever multiplying, continuously spawn their own specialized vocabularies.

At the same time, as our hurried postmodern ears grow more itchy for sound-bites than for rich, exact language, we've gradually lost thousands of precise and useful words from common use. Dictionaries require revision with increasing frequency, as publishers find that trying to define what has perhaps become undefinable - "standard" English - is rather like trying to paint the definitive portrait of a chameleon.

Which brings us back to the matter at hand...In sharp contrast to the slippery state of language in our day, the King James Bible was translated during the singular window of time when the English language was at its zenith in terms of stability, as well as eloquence. Scholars and writers of that era possessed deft command of the nuances of grammar and syntax, because their educations were rooted firmly in the study of the static ancient languages of Latin and Greek. This served to standardize and inform elements of style and usage in their writings, to broaden and elevate content, and to produce a rich, colorful tapestry of vocabulary in their works. Their prose and poetry is agile, expansive, exacting, lyrical, bracing. English in the days of King James and Shakespeare was high art, in both product and form.

And so it happened that the King James Bible was translated by scholars of a uniquely verbal, word-dependent age. We can scarcely imagine such an age nowadays, utterly devoid as it was of our modern dependence on image-based informations. Absent our unbiquitous glut of flickering screens, visual media and instantly available music, we sense that mere words in that day more truly tickled the eye and ear. A fresh page of written words commanded eager, vigorous attention, being the sole cultural transport of news and ideas aside from word-of-mouth. Vocabulary was a craft; more lithe, richer in breadth and depth, more colorful. Sentence construction was an art form in itself!

This richly verbal culture sparkled fro a moment on the timeline of civilization, and flung forth a galaxy of literary minds the caliber of which the world will not likely produce again. The crumbs that fell from their tables have sustained every subsequent generation of authors.

So why is this important to you and me, all these centuries later?

The King James Bible is uniquely foundational to Western literature. Take a quick glance through those lists of "Great Books" we all stew over when planning school terms, and mentally highlight the titles written between roughly 1611 and 1930 (which will be the vast majority!) Can you think of one thing most of those books have in common? It's this: most of their authors were intimately familiar with the King James Bible. The result? Its influence is inextricably woven into their works, informing their phrasings, illuminating their expression, and burying treasure chests of meaning beneath the surface of their words.

Those great minds of that halcyon era are the backbone, breath and muscle of the books employed in advanced literary curriculums such as Ambleside Online and House of Education Online. These are the minds daily appealing to your child's mind, whose great thoughts and ideas your child is continuously narrating and absorbing. And the majority of those authors share the KJV as a common fount of though, tone, ideas, construction, phrasings, and references. Therefore, as your children become more familiar with the KFV, they will also become increasingly more as ease with an expansive body of great literary works. It's like having the map to buried treasure.

Classic books are steadily moving beyond the grasp of modern readers. A widening language chasm cruelly threatens to separate us from our own cultural treasures. By choosing the KJV, we bridge that chasm, and in crossing over find ourselves strolling amidst wise and benevolent giants.

And yet, despite the sure benefits, perhaps you still fear the KJV will be unapproachable for you and your children. After all, we've been barraged by publishing marketers with the notion that the KJV is just too hard for us (despite the fact that it was originally purposed as a Bible for the common man?)

Do you note the curious double standard afoot here? It seems we do not hesitate to set our children upon a daunting course of Latin to expand their vocabulary and grasp of great literature; we enthusiastically endorse a steady course of 'real' Shakespeare; we hand our children old, weighty volumes such as Bulfinch's Mythology and Plutarch's Lives because they are bedrock foundations of Western literature. Why, then, do we look upon the King James Bible, which offers similar language experience as well as unexcelled, broadening literary enrichment, with fear and hesitancy?

No need to keep you distance: the KJV is a truly accessible work. After all, it was the Bible of common folk for over three hundred years, read by peasant and scholar alike. And its effect was powerful - the church in that period flourished. Here we have the most universally beloved and captivating book in Western history, and we should be reassured to note that if all those legions of readers could handle it, surely we may expect to as well.

Charlotte Mason also preferred the use of the King James for teaching, and encourages us that children can indeed adapt to its style: "It is a mistake to use paraphrases of the text; the fine roll of Bible English appeals to children with a compelling music, and they will probably retain through life their first conception of Bible scenes, and also, the very words in which these scenes are portrayed." (Mason, Vol. 1 p. 249)

Every little effort you make will strengthen your children toward a comfortable familiarity with King James English. It may not happen overnight, but be encouraged that the human mind is

adaptable and can rise to most challenges. You'll soon find great pleasure in that "fine roll of Bible English," and find the KJV a familiar friend who unlocks many once-mysterious literary passageways for you. Your children will begin making those delightful "Aha!" connections with KJV allusions in their books (indeed, everywhere!)...buried treasure which otherwise would have passed by unclaimed.~~Lynn Bruce

So...Why the KJV? "Because when you walk among giants, it's good to keep up."

Aunts, like Grandma's are awesome!

2011-07-22T12:47:00.006-05:00

It's like Christmas all over again when the girls' Aunt brings out her several boxes of jewelry to display for the girls. What shrieks of delight came from them when she insisted they each choose something to keep for their very own. They were very careful to choose well and I have to say I loved their strategy. Instead of choosing something on a more individual basis they co-conspired with one another and chose something that they all would love. In this way, they ended up 5 favorites instead of only one!! They've already scheduled which day each will wear their jewels!!

And the fun doesn't stop there either. Swimming in her pool was the highlight of their fun. Except of course when they were all finished with swimming we discovered that more than 5 applications of SPF 75+Sunscreen lotion in 2 hours of swimming would NOT enough. While this little daughter was the worst burned the other 4 aren't too much different. We are keeping a large jar of Aloe Vera jel in the fridge and using it frequently.

Wordless Wednesday~my sleeping babies!

2011-07-20T18:27:00.001-05:00

Another 'novice' dutch oven recipe

2011-07-19T07:44:00.000-05:00

Dutch Oven Quick Rolls (Delicious and easy)

1 cup warm water

1 package dry yeast

2 T. sugar

2 1/2 cups flour

1 teas. salt

1 egg

2 T. oil

Dissolve yeast in warm water with sugar. Add half the flour and salt and beat well. Add egg and oil, and rest of flour and mix until smooth. Cover and let rise until double. It takes about 30 minutes for this. Stir it down well and spoon into a greased dutch oven and let rise again about 30 minutes. Bake for about 25-30 minutes. Rotate oven about every 5 minutes. Place oven on about 5 hot coals with approximately 15 or so smaller ones on the lid. Serves about 12.

Scenes from our trip to Colorado

2011-07-17T18:21:00.004-05:00

Family vacation time is always a blast. I forgot my camera back in Wisconsin but that didn't stop me. With all the technology around you can usually come up with something to use to grab those special moments!! (who forgets the camera when they take a vacation? I DO!)

Mary was all smiles most of the time!

I love smiles!

Especially when I can wake up in the morning and see them. Ambreigh was full of them!

The girls night out was hitting Dairy Cream and coming home to Juli's to make lots of pretty hair accessories. The girls had a great time doing this.

A family hike up in the mountains was a highlight. The day was gorgeous and the children were happy!

No trip to Colorado is complete without seeing our awesome Uncles for our annual dentist appointments. Here Mary is patiently waiting for her turn with not so happy of an outcome!

Our oldest granddaughter Aubryn (pink dress) is growing so big and has lots of fun with her Aunt Janai and Aunt Mary. I wonder if someday she will actually call them Aunt!!!!!!

Grand kids Gemma and Beckham as sweet as ever.

Robyn and Christie giving mom sweet smiles.

Robyn and niece Ambreigh sharing a moment.

Christie adores Ambreigh.

Three of our oldest daughters enjoying a family dinner.

Our 2 married kids Juli and Vance sharing a hug. They don't get to see each other much because they live in 2 different states. They had an enjoyable time together.

Mom and Vance live in 2 different states too and it seems forever since we've had a photo taken together!

Juli and her awesome hubby Kelly.

Vance wrestling with his boy Vance.

Vance, Heather, and Kelly

Picture Study Portfolios – Simply Charlotte Mason

2011-07-16T22:09:00.001-05:00

Picture Study Portfolios – Simply Charlotte Mason

This looks pretty cool. Even if you are not a fan of Charlotte Mason's methods this can be a great addition to cultural arts study. If you've tried it I'd love to hear your experience with it!

Colorado, family photos, and tons of fun!!!!

2011-07-14T10:14:00.007-05:00

We had great fun in Colorado over the last couple of weeks. Life was busy and moved fast the whole time we were there. As you can see from the photo just below there are many people in our family and that's what makes it all fun. We enjoyed each other's company tremendously. We played games, visited, ran and walked a "Smith 5k," ate, laughed, hugged, attended church together and had an overall fabulous time with everyone. Our amazing daughter/photographer Juli took the family photos and did an amazing job organizing the families and keeping all the little ones happy!! To see individual family photos you can go HERE to view her gallery.

When I joined 'the family' it looked pretty much like this. (Below) Except for the fact that a couple were still in diapers and there was a toddler or two.

And now it looks like this! (below)

"Young" great grandma and grandpa Smith are seated in the front row in the above photo of their amazingly large (and still growing family.) This photo shows their 11 children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. This doesn't include everyone either. One grandson is is serving the Lord out of the country, one daughter-in-law and her little one weren't there because she is expecting her baby soon. Grandchildren 51 and 52 are on their way!

My own family above and below are beginning to swell in numbers and it brings only joy to my heart to see it happening!

Juli's family.

Vance Jr. family.

Wordless Wednesday~Sweet n' silly smiling sisters

2011-07-13T06:29:00.003-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

2011-07-06T20:27:00.001-05:00

A quaint definition of what a home is

2011-07-04T14:30:00.000-05:00

A reminder to self~~

2011-07-04T12:22:00.000-05:00

There are little feet that follow, in my footsteps everyday,

Their little voices echo, so much of what I say.

Sometimes, I'm not too happy, with all the things I see.

Then I begin to realize, that they're imitating me.

My patience seems to falter, and I speak with too much haste -

'Til I hear the Saviour speaking, when I look into each face.

Oh God, please grant me wisdom as I train each little one,

Help me set a good example as You yourself have done.

I would not ask for riches, or that they famous be.

But may each find Christ as Saviour, and live each day for Thee. ~ Quiet Reflections for Mothers

Cranberry Peanut power bars

2011-07-02T17:41:00.000-05:00

I bought a bar like this the other day at the grocery store. It was really tasty and I know really good for you. I knew that at a dollar that it really wasn't reasonable to treat my entire family so I decided they couldn't be that difficult to make so I tried it out and the results were very positive. I only used these 4 ingredients in this amount

1 C. of the nuts

7 T. honey

1 C. dried cranberries

Melt the honey and add the nuts and cranberries. Grease pan and press mixture in. Then place in fridge until it hardens. In case you care, the entire recipe has 1520 calories!

101 Reasons as to why I homeschool

2011-07-01T20:09:00.007-05:00

Reason 76

"Although teachers do care and work very, very hard, the institution is psychopathic-it has no conscience. It rings a bell and the young man in the middle of writing a poem must close his notebook and move to a different cell where he must memorize that humans and monkeys derive from a common ancestor."~~John Taylor Gatto

Reason 77

"I urge you to examine in your own mind the assumptions which must be lay behind using the police power to insist that once-sovereign spirits have no choice but to submit to being schooled by strangers."~~John Taylor Gatto

Reason 78

"Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your road map through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are at, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die."~~John Taylor Gatto

Reason 79

"One of the first things a family tries to teach its children is the difference between good and evil, right and wrong. One of the first things our schools do is destroy that distinction."~~~~John Taylor Gatto

Wordless Wednesday

2011-06-29T20:26:00.003-05:00

A football, basketball, bow, & three determined guys!

2011-06-25T16:01:00.002-05:00

All for their little sister and daughter....

Thanks guys!!!

Why does your bedroom door get yanked off it's hinges at midnight?

2011-06-24T11:05:00.006-05:00

A. Because you are remodeling and want to replace it.

B. Because you are painting a room or refinishing the door.

C. Because you are stuck in the room with 5 kids and and you can't get out.

D. I had too much sugar and flew into a rage!

If you picked C you would be right! Daddy and the boys were gone overnight and so of course that leaves 5 little girls who want to bunk up with mama. At times our old farmhouse has its moments where things stop working. A few days ago the door locked up and we couldn't shut it all the way for fear we couldn't open it. So daddy said DO NOT shut this door all the way because you won't get open. I'll fix it this weekend. When I heard that I KNEW without doubt we wouldn't make it to the weekend. I mean I have kids, it's gonna happen. It only takes one child not being watched to pull it off and sure enough whilst they were ALL in my room making their beds on the floor we heard a loud slam. I turned around in shock only to have the innocent guilty child tell me, "What, I had to slam it because it wouldn't shut." We were officially stuck and several children whining to use the bathroom. The window is not an option being on the 2nd floor so I searched my room for something to pry the door off it's hinges. Hinges by the way that I'm sure haven't been moved in 100 years. But after lots of pounding and pulling I was able to yank it from it's 'claws' and it and I came crashing to the floor. Nothing like a midnight adventure!!

My picture study project is finished!!

2011-06-22T19:59:00.004-05:00

To Narrate a Picture is to Describe a Work of Art

In every picture study lesson it is important that there should be a short time in which children can look quietly at the picture, uninterrupted by questions or discussion. That is when each of us will have the best to gain his own link with the picture and its painter's thought.

After a time of "looking," you can hide the picture from view and ask the child to describe it. Knowing this might happen encourages children to really "look" at the picture, not just stare vaguely.

A very young child's attention might wander, unless you give him a little help beforehand. Don't go so far as to explain the picture--that would be taking the child's part from him. Instead, provide any facts that the child might need to know in order to enjoy and properly describe the picture. For a picture like Raphael's "The Miraculous Draught of Fishes," for example it really helps if the child is familiar with the Biblical story on which the picture is based.

With very young children it is better to tell or read the story before they have the picture, and then let them have the fun if discovering which part of the story is illustrated.

It is good to give older children a variety of ways to "narrate" the picture. They can describe it orally or in writing, or they can try to sketch it from memory. Karen Andreola

One of my favorite subject is picture study. Unfortunately in the past I've not always been organized enough to round up the pictures, print them, display them, etc. Until now. I forced myself to sit down with the computer and I placed each and every picture from Ambleside's online picture study curriculum in a file. I then placed them on a travel drive and 'traveled' to Office Max to have them printed off. Every year!! From year one on up to high school. I was so blessed as ell to have a coupon I found online for half off the normal price of an 8X10 photos. What a deal. So here they are. Tucked away in sheet protectors and organized by artists in my notebook. Nor more excuses! I have the pictures and will display the one being studied for about 10 days. Each day I will have my children record in their commonplace books one new thing they noticed in the picture. They can also use the picture for 'copywork' as well by sketching it into their art books. No more excuses!!

Wonderful Wednesday~a dinner fit for a king!!

2011-06-22T12:39:00.002-05:00

At least this 'king' thinks so!! This is one of his favorite meals in warm weather. You would have thought I filled the table with the most expensive, fanciest meal ever but it was a simple dinner of fruit, cheese, blueberry cornbread, (recipe below) and cold bottles of Kombucha. Nourishing and filling!!!

Corn Bread

2 C. fresh ground corn meal

1/2 C. spelt

1/2 C. unbleached white flour

1 C. buttermilk, kefir, or yogurt

3 eggs

1/4 C. maple syrup

1 teas. salt

2 teas. baking soda

1/4 C. melted butter

Blueberries or other fruit

Soak cornmeal, buttermilk and butter for 24 hours. Add in remaining ingredients and mix well. Stir in blueberries if desired and bake at 325 for 45 minutes or so.

A generational vision

2011-06-19T09:03:00.007-05:00

Grandpa Vance & Elaine

May ever soul that touches mine---

Be it the slightest contact---Get there from some good,

Some little grace, some kindly thought,
One inspiration yet unfelt, one bit of courage
For the darkening sky, the gleam of faith
To brave the thickening ills of life,
One glimpse of brighter skies beyond the gathering mists
To make this life worth while and heaven a surer heritage.

This does not mean that we should be officious and obtrusive in pressing our help upon those we meet. There is a story of one whose prayer was that he might be permitted to do a great deal of good without even knowing it. That is the best helpfulness which flows out of the heart and life as light from a star, as fragrance from a flower. Love works most effectively when it works unconsciously, almost instinctively, inspired from within. Then it bestows its blessing or does its good obtrusively."

J. R. Miller

On this Father's Day I honor those around me whom I see blessing the lives of others as stated above. My own father who left this life several years ago quietly, gently, and unobtrusively blessed my life. (pictured on left) My son in law and my son are doing the same for their little families. But I think I haven't come to appreciate the fruits of their labors until recent years when maturity sets in my spirit and I can see with my eyes and hearts the blessings passed down from one

generation to another. My own husband is a piece of work from what I call a 'generational vision.' I am reaping the blessings of generations of Godly husbands and fathers. While I didn't know my husband's grandfathers I do know his father. (pictured right with his family) The words spoken above from J. R. Miller quite explains my thoughts when it comes to the influence my husband has been under all his life. I thank my father-in-law (and of course his lovely wife) for bringing up such a fine man as my husband. It is my prayer that this vision will continue to be passed down from generation to generation in the future. Happy Father's Day to the father's I love and to all fathers!

Daddy Vance, Vance Jr. and son-in-law Kelly

Wordless Wednesday~Her favorite game never gets old!

2011-06-15T18:27:00.004-05:00