Personification

My boys and I have been writing and talking about point of view. Here's a little poem that was a five minute writing exercise we did imagining we were something they could view out the window.

I am the thorn bush,
rejected and alone.

I like it when birds come and sit on me.

I don't like it when birds sit on that other bush.

For I am the thorn bush
rejected and alone.



(Simple, but effective, don't you think! I'm biased but I think it's seething with jealousy and empathy.)

Writing Inspiration Week - Spring Fever

Spring boredom has arrived for me - mom. Boredom with routine, a disdain for workbooks and all things curriculum looking. With the emerging crocuses and daffodils comes a desire for the truly great and inspiring. This week we declared “Writing Inspiration Week”. It was a great title because anything that had to do with writing was allowed. We read the first few pages of several great books in the morning to gain momentum, then attempted some work of our own. Throughout the week, we read a short story here and there and one morning studied one of my favorite poets, Robert Frost. By the miracles of technology, we even were honored to hear Frost himself read a few of his poems to us via the internet. We finished the book “Spy for the Night Riders” about the trial at Worms and Martin Luther. A pretty good read aloud (3.5 out of 5.0 was the official grade by the kids) made better by daily popcorn with parmesan cheese. During reading this week we worked on puzzle maps of Europe and the world.

My oldest son, 10, was inspired to personify baseball. He wrote three poems: The Bat, The Ball, and The Game. They were short, but full of vivid imagery. I was pleased. Next we talked about illustrating those poems and what it might look like. I drew a picture of the ball from his description. “It’s just like I pictured when I wrote it!” he commented, feeling surprisingly successful. Thankful that my unschooling methods of the week were working for me, we finished the week having done more describing of everything we saw than writing anything down. We described the butterfly that emerged from it’s cocoon in the mason jar on the shelf Thursday, making words described how it felt to be a new creature, in a completely new form. I was not in the mood for books to describe how to teach this week. I tried, but when I attempted to follow their plan, it just killed the wonder and joy of teaching writing. So we continued to describe things orally.

By today, we’d discussed a lot and boys were now much more motivated to research and read than they had been in previous weeks. They spent the morning gathering encyclopedias and nature books. I caught up on the cleaning that didn’t happen according to the chore list this week. When I checked on them they were studying a map of Africa and all the places they would have to go to stop poachers from destroying wildlife. They were also wondering what could be done about all the water quality in the Mediterranean and other bodies of water that I can’t now remember. Happy that science, community and geography were occurring without me, I decided I had no excuse not to scrub the tub.

When their brains were full, we all teamed up to get the chores done and headed off to the neighborhood indoor pool for a swim. What will we call next week? Another adventure.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

It is possible that my friends and people in my church think I can make nothing BUT peanut butter bars.  But, since they disappear so fast, why fight success.   I'm sharing this recipe so you can make a good last minute, no bake, high volume dessert for any event you go to.   It has the desirable quality of making a lot of very filling little bars and you can always leave a few at home and no one will notice. 

It is helpful to bring a folded over 3x5 card that says "Peanut Butter Bars" on them, so people with allergies know that under all that chocolate there is peanut butter.   The recipe comes from my grandmother's church cookbook from Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton, MA.

Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bars

(Make in a 13"x9" pan and cut into 1" bars)

1 c. butter

1 c. finely crushed graham crackers

1 16 oz. box powered sugar (3 1/2 cups)

1 c. peanut butter

1  12 oz. bag semi-sweet chocolate chips (2 cups)

Melt butter and peanut butter in large saucepan (or a big metal bowl) over low heat.  

Stir in the finely crushed graham cracker crumbs and the powdered sugar.  Using a large spatula, combine until blended.  Turn into 13"x9" pan and flatten with the large spatula evenly.  

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler and pour over the top.  Spread evenly to coat. 

Let it cool until chocolate is not glossy but not solid.  If you wait to long, the chocolate will crack when you cut it.  Cut in 1" pieces.

I will not be responsible for how many you eat before, during or after the event you prepare them for.  Just don't count on getting many AFTER.  

Blessings from my world to yours! Anne

Scrapping the Daily List Today

"Seek first the kingdom of God and ALL these things will be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

I’ve come to learn, but not always trust, that if we seek God first in our lives and, specifically, in our day our experience will be better than when we plan our day on our own. Why? Our attitudes change. Our minds are open to His purpose for us. Everything we do reflects the bigger goal and we learn to be who HE has planned for us to be. Ephessians 2:10 says that we were created as God’s workmanship and that He already has things planned for us to do. What do we need to learn to do those things? One gift we have as homeschoolers is the flexibility to allow our kids to follow life according to their passions. Ultimately, our passions motivate us more than any person can.

There are days I trust this and there are days that, although I know this, I panic a bit. I may compare my children’s handwriting to those of their peers and judge them, as if this were the measure God would use to judge their success. The truth is, that to force handwriting when a child is running in another direction is counter-productive to the learning that COULD be achieved if you watched God work and did what he commanded you to do.

I'll show you an example of how a day went that didn't include my forcing my children in a direction against their interests. I did have a list, a neat list of well rounded activities for an entire week for each kid. On it was our study of creation, history, science, Latin, handwriting, math, piano, reading, you get the picture. Here’s how the day really went....

Breakfast... Pancakes. We talked about conserving and rationing as we shared the last 1/4 cup of syrup between us. With our pancakes we listened to one of my favorite hymns of all time on YouTube, “When I Survey the Wonderful Cross”. Next, we grabbed the postcard of the books of the Bible we’re working on memorizing. I’m a bit of an evangelist, so I gave them a pep talk on the importance of knowing what God’s word says, focusing on how science and the world CAN work together with God's word to bring people TO faith and not away from it. After explaining their responsibilities as Christians to lead the world and not follow it’s ways, they ran off and saying they wanted to read their Bible all day.

So, rather than lose them upstairs I got out a selection of new Bible study books for them to pick. They wanted to talk more about evolution vs. creation, so they picked a Kay Arthur for Kids study of Genesis 1-2. In this, I got a discussion in about reading comprehesion (who, what, where, why and when), writing a good title, drawing a picture describing what they understood about the lesson and then we read Genesis 1-2, taking turns reading aloud. It’s now 9:30, we started breakfast at 8:00.

My 10-year-old son is a very passion driven child. I had a choice.. I could stifle his now flaming interest in studying this more by getting math out or ask him where he wanted to go with it. He said he was going to write a paper disproving evolution. (Ambitious I thought, and in faith continued to encourage him.) I know I can learn more when I'm passionate about something, so, therefore, would he. We scrapped the list.

He went to the bookshelf and grabbed books to support his work. I looked at his selections and sat him down to talk about what a hypothesis is, since he was jumping into a large field of study. His eager brain needed a bit of focus and he actually saw it my way! This also led to a discussion of a source list and the importance of multiple sources in a debate. We talked about how debates work and how, if he wants to use this information to lead others to his side he needs to make sure all things point back to the hypothesis.

Now, imagine the difference between a conversation with an interested (even driven) child and one who is being “assigned” something and knows he must do it. Today I was blessed to work with a driven child. His "ADHD" like mind was fully engaged. He continued researching for three hours, listening to guidance as if he knew it would make a difference. For you homeschool moms who have tried to force learning, as I have on occasion, this can truly be a Kleenex moment! (Please note: I am not a believer in labeling kids with ADHD, but use this adjective because it seems to be connected with this driven, passionate personality type and many would medicate my child.)

Meanwhile, I forgot about the 8 year old. I track him down and he’s been reading the Bible aloud to his rabbits and is not ready to stop yet. When he drifts upstairs we get out “Night of the Moonjellies” and enjoy a good story together. We do have a 3-year-old, but at story time he is too busy listening to the Star Wars soundtrack and having adventures with a little one inch Lego man. He takes off.

I made some bread for dinner and put chicken soup ingredients in the crock pot. We had a little lunch and after that watched a video on the forces of water. This is also not on the list, but part of creation. A friend called and invited the kids over. There they spent the afternoon drawing a map of Europe and other imaginary countries. At home, the drawing continued into the evening as I read the last few chapters of “Trial by Poison”, a biographical adventure about Mary Slessor, missionary to the area which is now Nigeria.

I am writing this, because these are my favorite days. Sadly, it wasn't always like this. There have been days I have fallen prey to the incredible societal pressure to do things according to some systematic educational model. I write this to encourage you and myself. God knows what your children need to learn. Seek him first and he will direct your path. There are days I will need to reread this when I feel defeated, when I don’t know how I’m going to accomplish “educating” my children for many more years. Those are the days I've talked to some parents who are worrying about choosing the right curriculum or read an article on getting kids to sit and follow your plan. We must all remember that God knows what they need to know and while intelligent plans can make for good order, sometimes you just need to scrap the plan and open your mind to a way that accomplishes more!

Sticky Rice - A Poem to End the Day

My home’s a bit messy,  my world is not neat

There’s a globe on my table and rice stuck to my feet.

On my coffee table I see Bibles, a pine cone, and books,

I type on my computer because I’d rather not look.

We picked up one room, that’s enough for a day

After all, there needs to be some time to play!

We ate a good dinner, we prayed and we read

The cleaning can wait because I WANT THEM IN BED!

Ah, the quiet... no wait, they’re still up.

Could it be I’m not done yet? Don’t MAKE me get up.

I don’t need much exercise, I so rarely sit,

But the dishwasher’s running, I hope IT gets fit.

After a good rest I’ll see them again

Those beautiful smiles on my three little men.

They come carrying legos, cards, knights and swords

Although it is messy, our life has rewards.

9:00 p.m and my 3-year-old’s still talking to God,

“Ok, Jesus,” he says and goes off with a nod.

We’ll study in the morning, have art then we’ll play

It’s all in the life of our homeschooling day.

In my family room a monkey’s laid flat on the floor. He looks how I feel.

Need I say more?

Drama, Outreach and Fun! A Tribute to My Church Home

My kids were blessed to be a part of a great production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at our church a few weeks ago. After two performances, and late nights of fun and stardom and church restoration, they were more than pretty tired. Our school day finally began today at the pace a slug eats a hosta around 9:30 (or maybe 10:00). Star one, age 10, was still not dressed when he ventured

downstairs to make himself an egg. I have to say that, although we had theater jet lag, I still am in awe of how wonderful it was to get behind on schoolwork, lose sleep and have a messy house for the cause. I say this because we are blessed with a church that gives people a voice for their gifts and a place for God see his people bloom into their purpose.

Every church talks about outreach. Some do it better than others. Some wonder how they will accomplish outreach. Some wonder why nobody is coming on Sundays and some wonder how they will keep up with the many needs God’s purposes present to them. I was blessed to see how one woman’s vision has connected people with the love

of God through theater. People from all over our community were needed to fill parts in this amazing play. Kids came from the neighborhoods nearby to be a part of the “Rainbow Kids” children’s choir. Speaking for our family, experience in that area was less important than the mission at hand, and my kids were given the opportunity to grow and perform. (The fact that they actually completed an hour and a half production twice is a miracle of grace I’m still reeling from.)

What our director offered for all those who participated was not just great inspiration and direction, but unconditional love and grace. While there, each kid was prayed over twice from the heart. While the rehersals went on, the “notes” included prayers for those there, and those they knew who were the sick, and teamwork was a must.

The little kids were dismissed on time, whether rehearsal was complete or not, so they could get to bed. That was a true act of faith! Matthew 6:33 says we should put God’s kingdom first and he will meet all our needs. This was surely evident

this weekend, as a row of at least 12 kids, age 7 to 11 sat still when they needed to and performed exceptionally when their time came, with not a mistake to be found. They knew the blessing it was to be a part of such a great project and sought the autographs of the “stars” living in our community.

As I sat in the audience Friday night, I saw how this project gave kids an outlet for their passions, a place for some to escape into a world of music and friendship, where they are loved and where they know God loves them. I talked to someone in the audience who told about how this mission loved her grandson and how it helped him blossom in a world that seemed

against him. Wow! What if we all used our gifts that way? Do you have a passion for your community and a gift to share?

Outreach? It happens naturally when we love others to God. If you have it, people will catch it! So, if you don’t see

the people coming to your church and you wonder what you’re doing wrong, turn your eyes on Him and then on yourself. Every congregation is full of people with strengths and talents, and, if we spend more time listening to God and less time talking to and about him, more unconventional, inspirational, passion-directed love-overflowing ministry will occur.

If people can't see what God is doing,

they stumble all over themselves;

But when they attend to what he reveals,
they are most blessed.

Proverbs 29:18 The Message

Thanks to Katlyn Worrell for sharing her great photos with me and to the inspiring woman with the big ideas who makes it all possible - Sara Bartlett Farren.  Special thanks also to Diane Zuber who was blessed to guide the Rainbow Kids into stardom!

Headliner Award for Inauguration Day

Today I was inspired by the idea of rewarding blogs that reward others --- AND -- since I am up in the middle of the night reading blogs, thankfully finding myself  WORDLESS for once, I had to share with you a blog that perfectly exemplified my thoughts about this historic inauguration day.   Since I feel nothing I say could be more poignant than this post, I am initiating a new award.  

This award is presented to a blog that interpreted today's news in a far-reaching, life-changing way... It has truly gone "Beyond the chatter to what really matters!"

My first award recipient is Deanna's Diary

As we welcome Barack Obama into the presidency, many of us who did NOT vote for him are moving in a new direction.   As life-loving Christians, a great woe is Obama's address to Planned Parenthood on the Freedom Of Choice Act. (See my earlier blog post on this for a video of his presentation.)   So, while there are monumental achievements recognized on the part our country's views on African-Americans shown today, there are also concerns that go beyond race to life and death.  Diana's post shows a great balance between these heavy issues.

If you know a blog that has posted something "Beyond the Chatter",  one that reflects life living as a Christian in a country that uses the words "Separation of church and state" as if they were actually in the Constitution, then pass this award to them on my behalf.  Good news travels fast and worthy views need encouragement.

Did you know that the words "separation of church and state" are NOT in any of of the founding documents of our country?  As now President Obama said, we are going to recreate America!  Let's do it upon the principles it was truly founded on, not the later atheistic principles that have been adopted by our courts, who have the privilege of passing laws we don't get to vote on. 

Mommy's Learning to Read! What you can learn from a 3-Year-Old

Homeschooling is like being on a sailboat, we get to hold the schedule that directs the boat, but a big wind can take you off in another direction! Sometimes the joy of seeing my kids learn just brings tears to my eyes (pause to get a tissue), and .. once in a while the frustration brought on by my imagined disappointments brings me to my knees.  (Of course, if I’d been there in the FIRST place, I’d had a better plan to begin with... listen more, talk less.)   So, as a homeschooler, I live in a world where I am completely in control of everything that goes on.... are you laughing yet? Ug Hmmm.... Let’s start again. So, I live in a world where I know I’m not really in control of anything, but I make diligent, daily efforts to pattern the day so that we learn, worship through our daily life, keep a somewhat clean house, and cook - sometimes creatively. 

What do we rearrange our schedule for? Well, we’re certainly not reclusive, though I sometimes dream of it, and since I believe that we are called to spread the gospel and encourage others to live for Christ I have come to manage our lives around my mission of serving God in whatever ways we can make fit in. I have too many ideas and too little time! You know, that’s the blessing about being a homeschooler --- you can drop anything just to serve even more people! Occasionally, I must escape.

I’m so tired thinking about it all, that I had to start a new paragraph. Well, in the midst of all that joy and bliss, I’ve had a funny week with my 3-year-old, Jack.   Before bed, we’ve been reading a little book called “ABC Bible”. It’s one of those little gift books and has a lett

er and teeny little Bible story snippet under it. (The kind I put at the bottom of the bookshelf, because I’m sure I’ll probably never read them!) I’ve been homeschooling for four years now. My first child could read when I brought him home, my second child didn’t want to read anything until he was about 6.5.  He now reads better than my first did.

So, when child #3 discovered books, I wondered what new adventures he would bring. He’s loved having stories since about two and a half. (Yes, before that he was read almost nothing  individually-- meaning

no baby books, just a day full of listening to history, Bible and what the other kids learned). Now, he has discovered that bottom shelf and finds those little dusty books FASCINATING.

So.... I’d say here that Jack is learning to read, but instead he seems to think he needs to teach ME to read. Every night I subject myself to this. I get the ABC Bible book with Aa on the first page, then Bb on the second, and so on. As we turn the pages, he “discusses” the letters, almost scientifically...

"Ah HA, there are TWO A’s on this page, Mom. A BIG one and a little one.” Then, I turn the page. He looks at me, waiting for ME to say the letter.  If I’m right, the drama continues.  He exclaims, “THAT’S RIGHT MOM! (clapping) Good job Mom! That IS a B, and there are TWO of them.!” So, this can go on 26 times.

For those of you who think homeschooling is just something you could never do, perhaps you’d like to borrow Jack. I’m sure he’d be happy to show you how to do it with enthusiasm!

What's It Like To Be Us Today

Did we further our character and grow our faith?

Noticed a "few" attitudes early in the a.m. and got out the Proverbs for Parenting.  Added verses on a love for correction to our daily Bible read aloud, cleaned my house, taught my children, loved my husband, reviewed a Bible study to lead for my church, researched young leaders in the Bible for my husband's church report. 

Prayed for....

my husband, my Compassion Childen, my pastor, my friends, my children, myself, and Baraq Obama, and my littlest - please make him WANT to use that potty.

What happened in the kitchen?

Cereal for breakfast with blueberries and grapes, fried chicken and green beans for lunch, AND two pots of soup in the cold garage to reheat. I’d made an extra cornmeal mix yesterday, so that was ready too! A little planning goes a long way.

How did we learn?

Central America mapwork, read about the Mayan civilization, math, vocabulary with crosswords and sentence writing, cursive and handwriting for all, why do birds molt, Bible first of course - Psalm 23 and those Proverbs - later Timothy. One practiced piano and both read for at least an hour. Is journalling a subject? one asked.

What do we see?

Snow, snow everywhere. We never left the house, but did choose to get dressed today. (Okay, that was MY idea.)  I added a summer memories picture because as I shoveled 14 inches of snow off my back sidewalk I thought of my plants WAY under there.

What do we hear?

Thump, thump, on the basement stairs and a little boy voice, “Mom, I need a wittle help down here.” (How many times today?... 10) Late at night - "Thump" again... the same kid fell out of bed.

Any revelations?

My children really want to be a blessing to others. I must be careful not to sour them with my own attitude. Pour some sugar on it, honey!

Attitude check...

Fixed it early.  Challenged to keep everybody moving and remind them that morning choices have afternoon consequences.  

Laughed at...

A real "Jack" in the box. 

I’m happy that...

I see God in so many things and he blesses our days.  My husband loves God. My children smile a lot more than they did a month ago and snow is so pretty!

I am thankful for...

those who led the homeschooling movement, because without them, I’d miss the hugs, the smiles, the opportunity to hear so many encouraging words today... and the note passing... that was the best today. In school, we got in trouble for notes. Today I saw a note my oldest passed a note to his brother. It said in big letters, “I LOVE YOU JON!”

Mercy in Discipline

I came across an interesting question today by a person who was newer in their faith walk. Because of this, she now had the task of converting her family members. She was trying to use God's word to tell the child how to behave, but the child, not really wanting anything to do with God yet, saw no reason to follow those guidelines. Helping your child "see the light" is not a quick process. It comes from modeling a changed heart, first of all. Here was my suggestion for getting into the heart of the child. I do not do this EVERY time, because children need correction, the Word of guidance and prayer to be firm in their faith. The idea I've posted had a very positive outcome with my own children, so I thought I'd share it.

"Sometimes we try to push Jesus onto people rather than love them to Christ. When I was a new Christian I was pretty zealous and it made people feel guilty and convicted, but NOT loved. Think of loving her to Christ. Show her understanding, like Jesus showed the woman who washed his feet. Show her mercy - sometime when you'd really like to punish her just tell her, "You know, God knows the best way for us to live, and because he loves us he tells us the way to go to be happy. Sometimes we don't choose it. We make mistakes. You know I've made a lot of those and I"m thankful every day that God shows me mercy. I'm showing you mercy today, because I know how it feels to need it. It's not going to happen every time, because I need to teach you how to live God's way. That's my job. But this time. I love you and I forgive you. " I don't think there is a better way to explain God's love for us to a kid who's fearing punishment, punishment like WE ourselves deserve."

(However, I do have high expectations of my kids and expect them to show this mercy to others too.)

Attitude Check! Celebrating Kids Who are "Getting It"

There’s Nothing Like Kids with a Good Attitude

This is a post of thankfulness. After a month of entertaining and Christmas celebrating, we are back after the New Year. Reflecting on the past, there have been times in our homeschooling journey when my kids just acted like everything I asked them to do was an injustice to them. “It’s time to do math,” could result in a facial expression on my children that sends me to a place of complete discouragement. I persevered, even when it didn’t seem to work - planting seeds and praying. We read Proverbs on laziness “He who will not work shall not eat.” and “diligent hands will rule but laziness ends in slave labor”. We talked and prayed about honoring God in all we think and do, focusing on what is excellent and praiseworthy... and nothing else! Sometimes it feels like that’s what I’M doing was the slave labor. No, it’s all meaningful, life-changing mission work, this homeschooling daily drama. We’ve been asking God to speak to us in a few moments of silence when we pray. Yesterday I head the words, “lead them gently.” How appropriate, I thought. I normally am a bit of a drill sergeant, so I took that as a revelation of advice.

Well, today I am overflowing with thankfulness, that my children are thankful for their existence in a home that doesn’t involve a bus, where they don’t know that you could get an F, only that if it’s not right, you do it again. They are doing their work cheerfully and without complaining! Yeah! All that time of planning their own days with minimal requirements has led them to appreciate my productive schedule. They are enjoying watching their brains work! Yahoo!!

In all this entertaining and serving, we’ve been talking about usefulness. If they want to be useful and serve God in a useful way, then they have to learn to persevere. Last night my 10-year-old was eager to help with salad prep for a mission dinner at church. After his job was done, I was still working on cookies and bars. The salad looked great, washed, spun and included little carrot shavings, but the floor was covered in lettuce and the counter was still full of mess. Have you ever thought you just couldn’t have another discussion about how to do a job right? I seem to think it daily, but the converse is that you will have to do it yourself FOREVER! One of my visions for homeschooling is that I will be able to send my kids to serve in local or foreign missions and that they will be able to KNOW how to do a job right, so they can be counted on. Of course, this would help them stay employed as well.

Over in Mom-world, I have a new Mac. My HP laptop continued to freeze and I couldn’t connect with the world. Oh NO! In the new year, I’ve abandoned my time consuming computerized homeschool tracking programs. The Mac has a great calendar feature iCal that allows me to overlay each kid’s schedule, and mine at will. I can block time for each activity and link any documents or websites to that day’s appointment. So, if I want to add details of the day I can, but sometimes, less is more. Our books lay out the agenda, why should I track it all too.

Happy New Year to you as I am enjoying the “peace that surpasses all understanding.”

What are we learning now? The Curriculum for the Year

As the semester changes, I always review what’s working in our “homeschool” world and what’s not. I’ve come to dislike the word “school” altogether. The word seems to make my kids skeptical about learning, so I’m trying not to use it. Instead, we’re going to be “lovers of wisdom”. Since the Bible says that the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, that must continue to be the priority for the New Year.

Beginning with me, I need to spend more solitary time with my mentor, my Father and my source of purpose and sanity. We’ve done a pretty good job staying in the Word daily and praying together, but as the winter months continue, THE source of constant light is definitely helpful! A goal of this semester will be to further teach the boys to listen for God in silence and memorization will get back on the bus after the holidays took us in a different (more relaxed) direction.

So, academically speaking....

Math: We’re going to do math. I love math, my kids don’t mind it either. We’re using Singapore Math and it’s working well. Now, my dh, the reader, was reading Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers, and informs me that one reason they think that the Chinese do better in math is because their language is shorter and quicker. Instead of saying “three hundred”, they have short little words. Apparently, these short number names make it easier to remember what number you are subtracting or multiplying, thereby making it easier to do math in your head. This should be encouraging to those of you who are questioning your math program. Every culture has it’s advantages, and unless you’re going to teach them Chinese first, you may not be able to do much more than you are doing.

English: Well, although I love the theory of learning everything by reading books, and secretly I believe in it, I’m going to get my 5th grader back into Rod and Staff English. I don’t like to do English yearly, there just isn’t cause for it, but with all the writing he’s doing, it will fit well to analyze good sentence and paragraph structure.

Writing: Happily, he is also working on a “book” about a kingdom run by a lop-eared rabbit. Every once in a while I check the state standards board and it seems that as we’ve worked on this book, we’ve covered most of the Language Arts requirements outside of letter writing. It would be good for them to write some relatives and maybe the President, so we’re going to add a few letters a month to our goals.

Latin. We’re using Latina Christiana. We’ll continue to review past words and then do a chapter every 2 weeks.

Spelling and Vocabulary: We found Wordly Wise last semester and both boys love it. Carry on!

Art: We’ll be learning graphic design and calligraphy so my little entrepreneurs can improve their fine motor skills, learn a little about what art can be used for and, of course, decorate my walls with more custom work.

Faith: The Bible and more memorization. I love the memorize a block of text a month method I’ve been using. We’ll also add a Rod and Staff reader for them because it’s full of character building wisdom and more Bible at their reading level.

Science: Exploring Creation with Zoology is our current pick. They enjoy reading it together and the projects are fun and easy. My fifth grader is also assigned biographies of scientific minds to read on a regular basis. He’s a book sponge.

History: We follow the Classical approach to history, chronologically moving through time. Thankfully, we’ve crossed the line to A.D. this year! I combine The Story of the World and Mystery of History, so it’s a long but fascinating journey. Fortunately, conquering never gets boring for a house full of boys. They’ve even take to coloring famous people and mythical creatures in their spare time.

Music: Piano for both, tin whistle for fun, guitar for three of us, cello for me, the violin is collecting dust and trombone looks like its the next on the list to learn for one of them.

Literature: I’m working on a book list for the winter, but meanwhile my second grader is reading Prince Caspian. It’s so hard to pick just one! (at a time). Five in a Row is one of my favorites, but the boys aren’t interested in those stories anymore. I’m using “Teaching the Classics: A Socratic Method for Literary Education” so we can now pick our own books and “learn by asking questions”, as Socrates would have done. This great guide has also covered the elements of fiction and helped in our story writing.

Fun!: We’ve organized a Homeschool Hangout day at our church. So, we’ve got a gym and fellowship hall to use for weekly group activities, clubs and recreation. I love my church!

That’s what I have so far. I’m a little relaxed, but firmly believe in the potential of each child, so that keeps me diligently on the path to promote learning and discovery. My goal is to inspire them to love the knowledge seeking process, keep them moving in a positive direction, and give them life skills so they can be leaders of men in whatever they do. If they are nuts for God, I will have done my job, because they will then know what HE expects, and my job will be easier.

My Solution to Frustration and Impatience - Solitude

This week I met with my two dear friends in our accountability group (see previous post) and talked about our need to let God deal with us in solitude.  However,  I neglected to follow my own advice. Today became a dark day for me today. A cloud of latent anger, hostility and restlessness was looming over me. I knew I had to run to God, but seemed to be able to find no quiet place to do it.  My dh suggested I get out of the house. After some shopping and lunch on my own, no change. Every noise my kids made tried my patience. I wondered if I was prone to depression.

This happens every once in a while and, in hindsight, it is imperative that I let others know, but I often feel I can put it off, because there are just things that I should do. I fail to clearly express what I need because the routine must go on. Meanwhile, I hurt others with my impatience and lack of peace. The frustration builds until my body cannot rest, my calm is lost and I can find joy in nothing. A pain pierces the side of my head and I know I’ve let go of my self-control. I call it the spiritual flu. You can try to cure it with cover-ups like a shopping trip or a day to yourself, but the real cure is to run to the All-Sufficient One.

Sometimes He waits and I run a different direction, yet I know I am desperate for His presence. I need to act more quickly, recognize the symptoms earlier and communicate to my family that I need to reconnect with God in solitude, by myself, with no one around. I am reminded that scheduled solitude is the lifeline of my soul. Because I’d let myself get physically anxious, I began with exercise to get out my frustration and then was able to sit in the quiet and listen for God’s voice (of correction).

I’m not a person who neglects my Bible, so reading on a daily basis is not the only thing we need to stay spiritually healthy. We need the presence of God, the healing, energizing, peace-giving presence. I had to let it search me and address what was lurking inside so I could let it go. Our Father knows us so well. Within a few minutes, it was gone and I was free again. Sometimes, in spite of what we know about God, we need to just sit in His presence.

My peace was restored.

Today as I worked on scheduling academics for the new year, I also know that my alone time with my Father is the one thing that will make or break the whole tone of my home. “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.”

Graham Waffles for New Year's Day

If one of your New Year’s goals is to have a healthier 2009, you can ease into it by adding something healthy to your regular white flour waffles. These are my family’s favorite. Feel free to substitute the stick of yummy butter with some vegetable oil. The graham flour gives these waffles a light crispiness and gentle flavor that is just delicious!

Wonderful Waffles

1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup graham flour
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. baking powder

2 eggs
1 3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine the first four ingredients in a medium sized bowl. Wisk together.
In a measuring cup or small bowl combine the 2 eggs, oil/butter, vanilla and milk.
Whisk together.

Pour into dry ingredients. Stir until blended. Pour onto preheated waffle iron. Cook until golden.