Show and Tell Friday - Family Sacrifice


Kelli over at "There's No Place Like Home" hosts a show and tell every Friday. Hop on over and see her special treasures along with links from others who participate in this fun little activity!

This Friday for Show and Tell Friday, I wanted to share with you our family piano. I have played the piano since I was in the third grade. My absolute favorite past time is playing the piano. I am so thankful for the sacrifice my parents made for many many years to make sure I had piano lessons. When I think of all the money that they spent for lessons, time they spent taking me to and from lessons, and hours endured sitting through endless recitals; my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for all of their endured hardships to develop my passion. Thanks Mom and Dad!
I have played on many a piano. I have played on old, new, school pianos and showroom pianos. I always dreamed of having a grand piano. While other teens had posters of their favorite sports stars adorning their walls; I had poster sized pictures of grand pianos adorning mine. I also realized that my dream of having a grand piano would probably never come true. My husband always felt differently about it - and told me that someday I would have a grand piano. I would always smile and continue on with a different subject. He would assure me that someday he was going to make sure I had a grand piano. I knew that in the ministry - that was probably never going to happen.



Well, about three years ago - we were opening our Christmas presents as a family. We try not to overdue Christmas and each of the kids gets one or two presents from Mom and Dad. The evening was wrapping up and I still had one gift under the tree. When I opened the box, I was more than surprised to see a big, fat, red piggy bank sitting in the box. When I took it out, there was a note attached to it - telling me that this was the bank that would help us set aside the money for the grand piano. (I was still sceptical) So, I put the pig on top of the old piano and figured that we would start saving - but it would still be a long long time. Little did I know how enthusiastic my children would become about the idea of getting Mom a new piano. With love in their hearts for me, they began - of their own accord and choosing, to put the money that they received into the pig. The fat pig's insides began growing and 9 months later September we were able to purchase the piano. We took the kids in with us to the piano store, along with the red pig and purchased our piano. It was a great lesson for them to learn to save and then spend - and it was a great blessing to my heart to see the excitement and love in their eyes as they watched Mom pick out her new piano. Their sacrifice for me - meant more to me than the piano ever would.



Today we all enjoy playing music on the piano in our front room. Sometimes at night I will stand and look at our piano and think of the love of family that it represents. I will whisper a prayer to God - thanking Him for the loving family He has allowed me to have, turn out the lights and head to bed - knowing that I am blessed more abundantly than I ever dreamed!

Have a Great Week - see you next Friday!

A Night Of Frights!

When the two helpful gentlemen were leaving the house - waiving their well wishes and hearing our thanks and praises - my husband says to me - "Well, this is something you will have to blog about". And, indeed it is. Here is the story - I am trying not to exaggerate - everything you read here is true - and for your own safety - I hope you never have to try this at home!"

It is Saturday night - which by all understanding, when you are in the ministry, is open to all sorts of odd and interesting happenings. If anything different is going to happen - it will happen on a Saturday night - - when you are in the ministry that is. For some reason - when your husband is a pastor - all sorts of things can take place on a Saturday night. It is like living with the "Friday the 13Th" thing over your head every weekend. (OK, not really quite that bad - but simple to say - odd things seem to happen on Saturday nights). If the kids are going to get sick, it will be a Saturday night. Of course, after the substitute for your Sunday School class has long since gone to bed - so you will not be able to inform her of her impromptu lesson she will be teaching until right before she will leave for church the following morning! If a pastor and his wife are going to get into an argument - scratch that - a disagreement - (and I know this may be hard for anyone to believe that pastors and their wives can have disagreements) - it WILL happened on a Saturday night! Well, this Saturday it was NOT a sick child and it was not a disagreement, although there was enough screaming going on inside the house to justify a call from the neighbors to the police reporting a possible domestic dispute.

This Saturday it was, as my husband first named it, "a critter". Now, the term "critter" can have many translations. However, when it is unwanted - uninvited - and it is in the confines of your own personal living quarters - a "critter" means - TROUBLE!

I was pleasantly surprised when my husband walked in the door at 9 o'clock this Saturday night. I knew that he was not done finishing up his messages for the next day, but I knew that his portable study office would be set up on the dining room table and he would be reading about the deep things of God and studying for his Sunday school lesson.

Before he sat down to his study in the dining room, he headed down stairs to turn out lights and to look for his missing suit coat - the missing suit coat that caused Sunday school to be started late last week - due to him having to come home and change during the Sunday school song service - (another story in and of itself). Well, it was his trip downstairs led him to the use of the word "critter", and also began a commencement of pounding of certain metal equipment on the ceiling of the basement - (the air vent). I was down there - when he was explaining to me that he had heard a "critter" in the vent and was going to investigate. I was standing directly overhead when I asked this question - "How certain are you that you heard something in there." As if the critter wanted to make the answer known himself, he began walking around DIRECTLY OVER MY HEAD in the vent. That was all it took for me to tell my husband that I loved him and to have fun. I then left and headed upstairs here to try to think of something interesting to put in my blog.

Move ahead 5-7 minutes and I hear my husband ask me to turn on the AC to see what would happen. I obediently did this - and went back to trying to figure out what to write for my blog.

Move ahead a few more minutes and it sounded like my husband was mad at me and yelling at me from the basement. I sighed and went to find out what he wanted. It was then that I heard - not frustration in his voice - but a equal mix of authority and fear wrapped around his spoken words. They went something like this - repeated over and over and over, and emphasising a different word in the phrase each time it was repeated - "SHUT THE BASEMENT DOOR, SHUT THE BASEMENT DOOR, SHUT THE BASEMENT DOOR, ( and then finally the whole phrase was said with the same sentence emphasis on each word) SHUT THE BASEMENT DOOR...." (you get the picture). Guess what I did? I shut the basement door.

I then started yelling through the closed door - "What's the matter?!"

It was odd though, because what had sounded like my husband was right next to me was now a muffled sound - it was his voice but so muffled that I could not make it out. I followed through the floor of the main level trying to find where his voice was coming from in the basement. Finally, in the vent of our bedroom I could make out his words a little clearer. "It's a bat..."

To which I yelled down through the vent - "What do you want me to do?"

To which he yelled -"I don't know, I am thinking." (Now, I know I needed to give him time to think - but when he is down there, the door is closed, his voice is muffled - it is hard to let him think.

I yelled again, "what do you think I should do?" I suggested calling one of our neighbors. My husband grunted up through the boards and the vents and I took it as a yes and called our good and kind elderly neighbor who knows just about anything about everything. I talked with him and he suggested that my dear husband try a sheet and try to catch the "critter" in. He also offered his BB gun if we would like it.

I went and yelled down the vent that he needed to get a sheet and that a BB gun was available if he would like to crawl out a window, cross the street, and get it at the neighbors.

My brave husband, nixed the BB gun idea saying it would not work with all the things around the basement, got a sheet from the laundry room - and began his wild man adventure to catch a bat. He was ready - sheet in hand - he opened the door and entered the front part of the basement ready to spring on the flying bat. He stood there - and stood there - and stood there. He proceeded to tell me that he could not find the bat. I told him I would go out and look in the windows and see if I could see it. Lying on the damp grass outside, I scanned the ceiling of our basement school room - acutely aware that there were creepy crawlies outside in the grass and praying that I did not encounter any of them! I was also hoping that someone would not walk by our house, see me laying on the grass looking in the widows, and think that I was some sort of weirdo and call the police.

I looked and looked - my husband looked and looked - nothing. We looked for over an hour. Finally it was decided that the bat had gone back up the vent and out through the chimney.

This is the story we told the children - who had awakened and were standing shivering next to us. I can not tell you how strong and convincing we sounded as we told them. (My husband sounded very strong and convincing - to all of us) He informed us that there was "NO WAY" that bat was still there - it went something like this - "There is no way that bat is still down there - I checked in every nook and cranny - I even check in places where he could not possibly have been...")

He went on and on with this story. So good that the children were calmed and settled and headed back up to their beds without a shiver or fear within them. Dad had saved the day. (It was now - 11:45 pm)

When I knew that the children were out of ear shot I began with the interrogation - "Are you SURE that thing is gone?"

Nothing he could say convinced me. Then he really tried "It's not like it went and hid on me - that thing wanted out of here - that is exactly what it did - there is NO WAY that bat is still here. It is long gone." We sat there is silence for a moment and then I added in a calm but firm voice - "I will be bathing upstairs in the morning... I just don't..." It was somewhere near this phrase that something emerged from the mudroom and began flying for my head - it was at that very moment that I began screaming - louder and longer than I have every screamed - (and I have given birth 4 times!) I made a beeline for my bedroom - screaming the entire way - and also having my husband yelling - "GO GO GO!"

I took off North, my husband south - I went to the bedroom he went to the closet " I am locked n the bedroom and my husband in the front closet when we hear the patter of little feet upstairs. Both of us start yelling - "STAY UPSTAIRS, CLOSE YOUR DOORS!" We hear the doors upstairs slam shut and then I hear my husband swinging something -he yells that he needs another sheet - which I promptly throw at him . (He is now out of the closet and in the doorway of our dining room swinging a queen sized sheet. Finally I hear him say that is it fine - and I slowly emerge from my bedroom. The bat has successfully been locked into the bathroom off the kitchen. I am informed of his whereabouts just as I hear his wings brush up against the closed door - sending a shiver up my spine.

The next course of action is to go up and settle the kids and let them know it is alright. I get them settled and into one room - telling them to close the door and keep it close unless they hear my tell them to open it. Kids in room - the time is now 12:10 am.

I come down to the main level to see my husband sitting upon the couch - neon fishing net in one hand - and an old tennis racket in the other. (This tennis racket is so old that it is made of wood and it is the one that Rachel's tennis coach just looked at in amazement and said, "now that is interesting!") I asked my husband what he was going to do - and heard the same answer once again, "I am thinking." The thinking continued as the neon fishing net gently tapped on his leg. It was then that I remembered while sitting upstairs - my husband locked downstairs - with a bat between the two of us - I had checked on line and saw a web site for "How to get bats out of your house..." one website had said that if you had a bat in your home and were able to confine it - then you could call the public health department and they would come and take it away. Mind you, it was for some city out east - but if those east coast people had public health people that hauled bats out of their houses - could us Midwest people also have this benefit in our community? It was worth a shot - it also was 12:30 in the morning and I wondered just how to get a hold of one of these bat catching community helpers. The "non-emergency" police number seemed to be calling my name - so I decided to give them a call. I was informed that they would send someone right over. That "someone" ended up being the local police department who parked their cars right outside the front of the house - lights on and spot light glaring trying to find the correct "bat infested house."


The first officer that arrived in our home was not really a tall officer - but informed us that bats were not his specialty. He did not beat around the bush about it either. He simply said, "I am not going in that bathroom!" He then proceeded to give us all the reasons why he would not care to go in that bathroom. (All the reasons, might I add, that I thought it would be good for us not to have the bat in the house - germs, rabies, painful bites, shots etc...) I was wanting to tell him that we were aware of all of the dangers of this particular rodent, hence, why we had the "critter" locked in the bathroom. Just as I thought about giving my dissertation about our knowledge of bat germs, another officer walked in.

Now this officer was tall - very very tall - he also seemed like a tried and true police man - fearless. He asked my husband - "So you have a bat..." My husband informed him of the bats confinement to our bathroom. It was then that I heard the most beautiful words of the evening - "Well, where is your bathroom?" and he starts looking around the room - in search of the infamous bathroom. As he is making his way to through the house - he asks us what we have to catch the bat with. My husband smiles and hands him the neon fish net. He tells us that he would be more comfortable with a box. I was sure that I could find a box - and produced one in short order. I vaguely heard the younger officer remind him how painful the rabies shots are. None of this moves this fine man and he proceeds to open the door and catch a bat with a neon fish net - placing his captured prey into the box. It is then that the bat begins to realize he has been had and starts squealing - the box is quickly covered with the queen sized sheet - and carried outside. The police set it free and we watched as the bat flew away. The helpful gentleman, our local police hero's, waved their goodbyes and told us to have a good night. It was then 12:40 am.

Yes, this was something I had to blog about. For the record, my husband was able to get enough studying done to be able to preach a decent message for Sunday School. As I sat and listened to him preach I would find my mind wondering and then I would start laughing as I thought of the events of the night before. Only on a Saturday.

And in case you are wondering - no, he never did find his suit coat - but we are still on the lookout for it!

Have a great week.

Show and Tell Friday - God's blessings!


Kelli over at "There's No Place Like Home" hosts a show and tell every Friday. Hop on over and see her special treasures along with links from others who participate in this fun little activity!


This Friday I thought I would show you our dinning room hutch that I decorated last year with my birthday money. I must say that the dining room is one of my most favorite rooms in the house. I really loved how the greenery turned out on the top.



God graciously allowed us to get our dining room set last year. We had been tempted to find one and put it on credit; because we were lacking the funds in cash to pay for it; and our table was literally falling apart. (I was afraid to let the kids lean on it - for fear it would fall over). My husband (who is more level headed than I), reminded me that we did not believe in putting things on credit. He encouraged me that we would hold out until we were able to have the cash to pay for a new set. I was extremely disappointed, as I really LOVED the table I had found at a furniture store. However, I agreed with him and waited. We were putting cash away and waiting - when I ran across an ad for a table that looked IDENTICAL to the one that I had fell in love with - - only this one had a hutch that came with it for the SAME price as just the table I had wanted. The sale came on the week that we had finally had enough cash saved to make the purchase of the new table! I knew that God had given me the hutch - His blessing for waiting for HIS time and His plan. I absolutely love my dining room.



I purchase the greenery and the wire accessories and had fun making my arrangement on top of the hutch. I loved how my the color in my collection plates matched so well. I was able to find the plate holders to hang on the side of the hutch. I think all in all I spent around $30.00 for all the flowers, the plate holders, and the wire accessories. I love it when God provides!! With my husband being a pastor, we entertain a lot! I love to sit around the table surrounded by the beautiful things that God has given to me, and fellowship with those God brings our way!

Thanks for stopping by! See you next week.

Back to School!

What an interesting month we have had here at our house. Our energies and efforts have gone into getting the school room and school material ready to start the new year of academics. We were able to pull it all off, have all of our curriculum arrive in time and start a week before our original planned start day. The kids were too excited to wait another week. I think it is neat that the kids love school. The thing that is amazing is that this excitement lasts all year long. I remember getting excited and then settling back into a normal "I - hate - school" mode about a week into the new year. My kids continue liking it all through the year - and we have been known to have tears at the end of the year. I have literally had children begging me to go through the summer.

We are approaching September and I am looking forward to fall. I LOVE fall. It could be fall all year long and I do not think I would ever grow tired of it. We are planning on finishing the painting of our house. I thought I would give you all pictures of the project we have before us. I will be sure to post picture of the finished job. We are planning on making this a family project. Isn't there a saying - "The family that PAINTS together, stays together?"


Hope you are having a good week. God is so good.











"Of Some - Having Compassion - Making a Difference"


This past week I found out that a very dear lady in my life passed away. When I got the call telling me that my dear friend had gone to Heaven my heart pondered her passing and rejoiced at her home going. I also pondered her life.


She first came into my life during my fourth grade year in elementary school. She was my teacher. The hardest teacher I ever had. She loved assigning homework! She was a stickler in spelling! How many times she could be heard asking the question, "Would Jesus has done that?" How soft her hands were! So many times I remember feeling her hands touch my shoulders as she would lean over to help me at my desk. I remember watching her play the piano as we sang our songs during Bible class. Her hands played with such enthusiasm - songs of praise to the Lord. (God's Time - Is Always Right was a favorite of hers - I am sure!).

I loved her stories! I remember as she would tell us stories of her days in Africa as a missionary teacher in Nigeria. How she could bring Africa to our classroom with her stories! It was as if I could see the African boys and girls right there in our classroom as she told how they carried their water, or worked as housekeepers in her home. I have replayed her stories so many times. It was through her stories my heart grew tender towards missions.

No other person has had as big of an impact on my life as Mrs. Glessner. It was she, who through her passion for Christ, cultivated a heart within me to do something for God. Oh how she loved her Savior! Because of her love for God, she knew how to love. I knew it as a nine year old little girl sitting in a wooden desk, as assuredly as I know it now - she LOVED me!

She prayed for me! Perhaps her first prayers for me began when I was a student in her small fourth grade class; but I know her prayers for me have continued throughout the years. How I will miss knowing that she is praying for me!


In junior high she tutored me in English. It was perhaps sitting at her dining room table two afternoons a week that I grew to know her better. How we poured over the grammar books! I looked forward to just being with her. I loved sitting next to her and feeling her arm wrap around the back of my chair as she leaned close to me and helped me with the grammar that so often evaded my knowledge. Though the years of tutoring, she gave me a love for writing and English that only could have been passed down through personal hours of interaction. I will forever be in her debt.


It was my dear teacher who did the devotional at my bridal shower weeks before I was to be married. How "in her element" she was as she talked to me about becoming a wife to the husband God had given me. How she talked of the stories that filled her heart and marriage as a new bride. She was now passing on wisdom to me - even years after being a widow herself. How I will cherish her advice...


As I looked at her picture on the front of memorial card - I was amazed at how full of life her eyes were. I was drawn to her eyes a year ago when I was back for a visit. She looked absolutely lovely - and in love - with her Saviour. I am so thankful that my children were able to meet this Christian saint. They were so excited to meet her; as they had heard me tell so many stories about her during our English lessons at home. They were given the opportunity that day to meet a great Christian.



As I pondered her passing, I wondered what it was like when she stepped onto Heaven's shore. Oh how bright her eyes must have shown the moment she saw the face of her Saviour! She had waited so long for Him! How long she must have embraced Him - I know there were tears running down her cheeks as she sang His praises. I am sure that there were tears also upon His cheeks as He welcomed home one so dear! ("Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints...") "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter..."


Oh what rejoicing in His presence, when are vanished grief and pain, when the crooked ways are straightened and the dark things shall be plain. Face to face ...




"Well done, thou good and faithful servant..."





Thank You - Mrs Glessner. My life will never be the same - You made a difference! You ran your race - you finished your course - - you challenged my faith.

Finally - The Bread Recipe!

I have been asked to share my bread recipe that I talked about in an earlier post. Sorry it has taken me so long to get it posted. I got the recipe from http://tammysrecipes.com/ - (if you have not checked out this site - do - you will LOVE it!) I changed a few things in my recipe; but for the most part it is basically the same as the recipe on her site. Tammy has so many recipes and it is wonderful because they are "normal" recipes; that use "normal" ingredients that you have around your kitchen. I am posting my bread recipe with instructions using my Kitchen Aid mixer. If you do not have this kind of mixer and knead your dough by hand - go over and get the instructions from Tammy. ( Her recipe is called Herb Bread - (I added the garlic). :)


Garlic Herb Bread

31/2-4 cups of all purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup dry milk powder
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon of yeast
2 cups water
2 Tablespoons oil
2 Tablespoons butter
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 cup chopped red onions (Tammy's calls for green onions - I like the color the red onions added)
1 Tablespoon parsley
2 teaspoons oregano
1 Tablespoon of Garlic ( the kind that comes in the jar- see picture below.)
11/2 teaspoons salt.

In your Kitchen Aid mixing bowl combine the following: 1 cups of all purpose flour, the whole wheat flout, milk powder, sugar, and yeast. Mix it all together with a wooden spoon and set aside.
In a small bowl combine the following spices: chopped red onions, parsley, oregano, garlic and the salt. Mix together thoroughly and set aside. In another small bowl crack the eggs and beat gently. Set aside.
In a small saucepan combine the following: water, oil and butter. Heat the liquid to 120-130 degrees. When it reaches the desired temperature remove from heat.
Turn on your mixer with the dough hook attachment to speed 2 or 3. While mixer is turning the flour mix slowly pour in the warmed liquid through the chute. Continue mixing and adding liquid for about 1 minute. After liquid is all added add the eggs slowly to the mixing bowl. Mix the eggs into the dough for about 1 minute. After the eggs are mixed in add the spice mixture and continue mixing for about 1-2 minutes. Add the remaining flour 1/2 cup at a time until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl. (This takes about 2 minutes of mixing) after adding the flour mix for 2 more minutes to knead the dough.
Remove the dough from the mixing bowl and place into a greased bowl - making sure to turn once to coat both side of the dough with the oil. Place in a warm spot and allow to rise for 1 hour.
Punch dough down then remove dough from bowl and divide into two equal parts. Roll the dough out and then form into a loaf.
Place into a greased bread pan. Allow both loafs to rise for about 1 hour (or until doubled in size.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until the bread is golden brown. Remove from oven. Coat the tops of the bread with butter. Allow to cool - enjoying the wonderful aroma - then cut and serve to your awaiting family - who can not resist being in the kitchen next to this delicious smelling bread.

Homeschool Happenings

I thought it would be fun to participate in the Homeschool Open House being sponsored by Less of Me-More of Him (http://homeschoolblogger.com/tiany) Stop by and see all the people participating. This will be a great 2 weeks. Forgive me for not getting mine up and running right on the first - but I am new to this blogging thing and I have had a little difficulty in getting it all figured out. So here we go:) --



LET ME INTRODUCE MYSELF:




I am a Mom to four children. I am a second generation homeschooler. We have always be able to have the privilege to home educate our children. I have been homeschooling for 10 years now. I have one child in high school, two in elementary grades and one special needs preschooler. (This should be an interesting year!:) To make things a little more interesting: we are in the process of adopting again and it looks like we could be getting a placement here soon - So I am very aware that this is shaping up to be a full and very educational year for our entire family -- how ever many that may be:)! I love to homeschool - and am so thankful for the opportunity.


SCHOOL CURRICULUM:



For most of our homeschooling years we have used ABEKA curriculum. We have done it both ways - parent taught and video taught. For the Jr High age and High School grades I LOVE the video as it helps me to feel that they are getting some of the things I may be unsure on how to teach them. I will be parent teaching my Third grader and also doing some preschool work with my youngest for this school year.


Preparing for the first day of school (2005-2006 school year)



The girls staring Bible in school.
James participating with his class on video.Zak playing at his desk during school time.

OUR SCHOOL SCHEDULE:



I LOVE a schedule. I love making schedules out and posting them. Our family functions best on a detailed schedule. I am a Pastor's wife and have responsibilities with different church ministries. My children all take piano lessons. My girls take violin lessons and our youngest son has autism. I know that we would not be able to do everything that needs to be done without a schedule. I am POSITIVE that we would not be able to be even thinking of adopting again if it was not for our schedule.


I have always been a detailed person. To some extent, we have always been on some sort of schedule. However, several years ago I did come across the Maxwell's web page http://titus2.com/ . I have found valuable information that has helped me implement schedules that really work in our family. My schedule is one of my best friends!! Here is a picture of our control board. On the board with have the schedule posted for each day of the week. Each child has a color and each half hour there is listed what is on the schedule for that time.


My day starts at 5 am when I have to give Zak his first dose of medication for the day. I start my coffee and then go up and give him his medicine. He always goes back to sleep and I come down to a quiet house and a hot cup of coffee. I am able to enjoy time in the Word with the Lord and pray. I also take some time to plan out the day if I need to. I try to go on a walk with my oldest daughter around 6:00. When we get home she makes breakfast and I shower and get around for the day. The others are getting up at 7am. They do their "Sunshine chores", get ready for the day and get their rooms cleaned. We eat breakfast as a family at 7:30. After breakfast we have morning chores for about an hour. (If you are interested in a post on chores and homeschooling let me know.) We head down to school at 8:30. We take an hour for a lunch break at 11:30. Our school day for the younger ones gets done around 2:00 pm when they start their music practice. My oldest gets done with her work around 3p.m.


During the school day each one of my kids has a "Mom and Me" time. This is time for just the two of us to go over school work, take speed tests, and give homework assignments. The kids love their time alone with me. This also allows me to be knowledgeable on the school work of the children participating in video school. Then I feel like I am able to help them. and catch things they are struggling with that perhaps could get missed without my attention.


HOMESCHOOL TIPS:

The Maxwell's site that I mentioned earlier is packed with information for the homeschooling family. I would highly recommend ANYTHING that they have on their site.

I know the issue of socialization is a big topic around the concept of homeschooling. I believe one of the best places for my children to learn to socialize is in the home. My children must FIRST learn to be a friend to the people God has placed around them. (Perhaps I should post on this subject of socialization. You can let me know if you are interested.) With that said however, our family is NOT isolated from social contact. We make sure as a family that we are around other people and ministering to those with whom we come in contact. The goal of our family in this area of socialization is not to find friends for our children, but rather raise our children to minister, and be a friend to those with whom they come in contact. OK: enough on that hobby horse!




We make sure that our children are dressed and ready for school. My children do not sit around the table in their pajama's doing school work. I believe in order to have the BEST environment for learning the children must be dressed and ready to sit and learn. I believe that this tells my children that what they are doing is important. I have found that their mental attitude tends to be better if they have prepared for their school day and start ready to learn.


Well, that's about it. I am about ready to start the new school year this year. We plan on starting on the August 20. I will post pictures of the school room when we get in all ready for this year. The kids are SO excited. I am getting there too! Happy homeschooling everyone.