Wasn't it just last night that we stayed up too late and ate too much and made way too much noise at the stroke of midnight? 

Where does the time go? 

We had homemade ice-cream sandwiches and homemade sparkling juice (very clever, juice and soda-water, yum!) and while the kiddos were getting ready to run out front with their pots and pans and bugles and drums and noisemakers of every sort to scare the living daylights out of the neighbors and all the pets...I was at the computer putting the finishing touches on my after-Christmas-hopefully-before-the-end-of-January family newsletter.

Whew.

At any rate, I finally got something done.  Now, I just have to send some by email, print some to mail, and ALSO mail all the packages still hanging around here waiting for me to either print off the postage and drive to the P.O. or go use the self-post (which I LOVE) or go through the line at the P.O. and wish I was back home because my sister is a postal clerk there. 

She's the only one I really love to do business with!

Let's see...one of the packages I need to mail was actually supposed to go out LAST year, but I never got to it and it STILL has last year's newsletter in an envelope all ready to go.  Heh heh.  Does anything like this every happen at your house?  Or is it just me?  (Just refer to the "Demented" post a few entries down.)  Oh well.  Sheesh.  Whatever!

It's late, I mean early, and hubby is sawing logs.  The kids are camping out since their room is in transition---we are finally getting around to painting it after living here for 14 years.  Boy, are we on top of it or what? 

Guess since we are on such a roll, we ought to make some New Years resolutions!

O.K.,  I resolve to learn some new html so I can revamp my blog.  There are a few things nagging me, like my friends list.  I want it all in a paragraph form.  I might have to sacrifice some brain cells, but it will be worth it. 

I resolve to take down the Christmas tree this next week, and actually try to find photos for all the little frame ornaments that Nana has made us for the last several years.  Really.

I resolve to make that Christmas scrapbook that I have been wanting to make.  Now that I have sorted through 8000 photos and found every last Christmas photo that I have taken since 1989, I will put them in a notebook, and journal about each one, and even embellish the pages.  Ha!

I resolve to actually cook one new recipe this year.  Since I own about 50 or so cookbooks, it should be easy to find something that sounds good that I can actually cook.  If not, I will just go to recipes.com and print off the first easy/healthy/no-nonsense recipe.  If I leave it laying around, someone here might cook it before I get to it.  I resolve to not let that bother me in the least.

I resolve to be a better wife/mother/friend.  In order to do these things, I resolve to always talk nicely, kind of like "Snow White," at least, how her voice sounded in that old Disney movie.  I will be consistent with everything with my children, and will not talk about my aches and pains with my friends no matter how much they encourage me to do so.  This should make me a much nicer person to be around.

I resolve to actually spend time teaching my 17 year old to drive.  Would you resolve to keep that in prayer with me?  :)

I resolve to actually finish the umpteen projects that are half done and taking up precious memory on my computer...before my precious memory of what they were supposed to be is gone. 

But most importantly (and seriously!) I resolve to focus more on the Lord, less on my circumstances, and less on what everyone else's problems are!  Twice recently, I came across some very good advice;  Stop focusing on the sins of other people!  OUCH.  Boy that one is so hard, especially being a mom. 

 Anyway, we are supposed to be focusing on God's goodness, not on ___________________(fill in the blank-everything that drives us crazy, all the injustices of the world, etc., etc., etc.) 

 Isn't that simple?  It should be anyway.  It's that old verse about getting the plank our of our OWN eye. 

No wonder I can't see straight!  I think I have some major surgery to do; oops, not supposed to talk about those aches and pains. 

Actually, I think I'll just leave it up to the Great Physician! 

Blessings on your New Year.  Keep Looking UP!

Nancy

P.S. by the way, Sharon Jeffus of Visual Manna is blogging!  Go say hello and read her posts.  She has some neat things to say over there.   

I am convinced that one is never too old to lie down under the Christmas tree!   Have you ever done that and just gazed up through the branches and looked at all the treasures?  My kids used to love to do that and even fell asleep under the boughs when they were really little.  They aren't so little anymore, but are still enjoying the view from under the tree.

 Here is some proof:

Aren't those twinkling stars fun?  Those and the glittery text are available if you use Photobucket.  I like their service, and you might too.  Just remember to keep your albums private. 

So why a tree? Here is a fun and very lovely page about Christmas you might enjoy.  Read some of the history of why we do trees, etc. 

I just read a neat blog about the WHY of celebrating Christmas.  You can go read it here.

Are you enjoying this Holiday season? 

Or is it getting you down? 

Here are a few things that might pick you up.  First off, have you ever heard of Adornaments?   We found them a few years back at the thrift store, of all places.  They are out of print now, so you might have to hunt some down for next year.  (That link is to Amazon, just FYI with a couple of reviews.  It isn't an affiliate link.) 

Anyway, we've enjoyed them and just realized that the artist who painted all the little pictures illustrating the names and attributes of Christ is none other than the wife of one of our favorite Christian musicians;  Wendy Francisco--wife of Don.  You can get some wonderful music to hear from their website station right on www.donfrancisco.com and read some great articles too.  They have GREAT mp3's that you can download for a donation too. 

One quick note:  a song called "Pants" is a bit more adult in it's lyrics than you might want your kids to listen to...just a friendly warning.  It's a cute song, but might lead to some questions. Speaking from personal experience, of course.  LOL!)

Ok, so back to your holiday. 

 Are you feeling overwhelmed with shopping that still has to get done? 

 Well, just don't shop anymore! 

If you think you need a bunch of gifts still, look around your house and see what you have that you can give away.  We are all so blessed that there must be just the right thing already in your posession for that neighbor, co-worker or friend that you want to bless with a token of your love.  Give them your favorite recipe, or that sweater that they have admired, or some seeds you saved from your flowers last summer...or...the list goes on. 

Or just take a few moments to write a card and tell them how much you (and Jesus) loves them!  It really is the thought that counts. 

However, if the getting ready to give and then the givin itself becomes too stressful, just give them a big hug and pray for them.  That is worth its weight in gold!

Are you struggling with Depression?

If you are feeling depressed, you are not alone!  Holidays can trigger depression or worsen it for many reasons.  There is a website that has some good information on it, some a bit humorous, and hopefully just the word you might need to get you up and over that mountain.  You can find it here.

Christmas and everything associated with it can totally take over our lives for a few months.  Then it's over in the twinkling of an eye...and then we have to deal with the aftermath.  Try to remember the best things you can, and throw away the rest!  Focus on the Lord and He will lead you through these crazy days of blessing and stressing. 

I hope you are remembering to find Grace and Peace in each day and not let the busy-ness of life get to you.  Remember that LOVE covers a multitude of sins, and that HIS mercy is new every morning.

Great is His faithfulness!

Have a wonderful, Holy, holly, joyful, jolly, CHRISTMAS this year!

Nancy

Do you remember learning to read?  Well, the experts say that most adults forget most of their memories of their very early years; say, before the age of 10.  I certainly don't fit in that category because I have many vivid memories of my early childhood.  But do I remember actually learning how to read? 

Nope. 

 I remember going to school, but not the actually learning-to-read process.

I love to read!  Reading is life.  I don't know where I would be without being able to read.  But reading, especially teaching reading can throw a wrench in an otherwise peaceful journey. You know, being a homeschooling Mom can add a great deal of pressure to our lives.  WE must be the ones who teach our children how to read!  And that pressure can be great IF we are following a preconceived notion of when our children must learn to read.  

Children learn different things at different times.  Children learn to read when they are ready to read!  Take my first born.  (No, not really, you can't have her, although many of my friends would like to have her and borrow her from time to time!)  Anyway, I tried to teach her to read when she was five or so, and we clashed heads in a very big way.  She just wouldn't do it!  We were both frustrated.  So, some wise person told me to back off. 

 Ok, I did. 

So hubby and I  just kept reading out loud to her, we read our own books, visited the library often and books have always been a huge part of our lives.  And one day, viola' she started reading.  She read chapter books, not the Dick and Jane twaddle.  And she hasn't slowed down since.

Enter second born.  Second born child loved books too, but as he got older and older...the reading wasn't happening.  I started to get a little worried.  But after listening to Dr. Raymond Moore and reading "Better Late Than Early," I figured everything would work out fine.  And it did.  My son began to read when he was 9, but there is also another factor to this story; he was very sick and we didn't know it right away.  He has diabetes, and until it was diagnosed and we began treatment, concentrating was very hard for him to do.  So once we got that figured out, he began to read.  He loves to read and reads all the time, or he would if I let him!

Child number 3 also is an avid reader.  You know the funny story about how when we have our first baby we sterilze the pacifier and such, and then by the "nth" baby we just wipe it off on our jeans kind of thing?  Well, feel sorry for child number 3 because I have NO idea when she started reading.  She just did and does and that is that.  By the time you  have several learners running around, it's just too hard to notice who is doing what, when!  Life happens too quickly, and I can't keep up.

So what happens when the number four child is NOT reading yet?  And "should be" because he is old enough, yada, yada, yada.  (Do people still use that word anymore?)  Anyway, that is where we are today.  A 10 year old who is perfectly capable of reading, just doesn't want to do it yet...but sorta wants too, and is the smartest little whip of the bunch, but just is TESTING Mom in a big way.  Maybe it's "let's see how long we can get away with not reading!" 

 Hmmm. 

 Well, at any rate, I wanted to tell you about a neato little book that my sometime boss/buddy/old friend Gena Suarez has written.  It is all about a little green guy named "Splish" and it's his story of learning to read.

My son was pretty excited when we got this book in the mail, but as soon as I started reading he became suspicious!  I think the book "resembled" him in many ways, although he isn't green.  "And Then Mama Said...It Takes Time to Learn to Read" is a fun book that kids are drawn to.  At least mine were!  My son thought the drawings were similar to the "bears" which of course, are the Bearenstein Bears and I hope I spelled that right.  :)

At any rate, if you are trying to teach a child to read  to convince yourself that there is no reason to bang your head up against the wall because your "older" child is not reading yet, then you should read Gena's book.  It will give you some more peace of mind, or at least help you find that peace that is there tucked away in your mommy-brain somewhere. 

 Do you know why?  Because that is the "soul" purpose of this book.

At least I think it is!

You can get Gena's book at the Schoolhouse Store.  Just click on the graphic!

Blessings,

Nancy

My oldest son is getting older tomorrow.  (I guess that makes me older too!  LOL!) 

 Would you do me a favor and go wish him a happy day?  His blog is Trial and Error Terror, and I'd love it if he got a ton of wishes! 

Thanks so much!!

Nancy

Will you help me?  I need about ten quotes on "relaxed homeschooling." 

Tell me how it works for you.  Tell me what you really like about it.  Tell me the pitfalls you have with it, or the blessings.  I'd like to be able to quote you in an article, so if you respond here be sure to give me at least your first name and an initial. 

The first five who leave me a comment will receive a free download of my E-book, "Homeschooling Is Our Life!"

I need those right away, so please leave me a comment with your thoughts.  Thanks so much!

Nancy

The Myth of Socialization.  That dilemma comes up quite often in homeschooling discussion.  Some days it seems like that is all we do!  Socialization?  Stop worrying about whether or not homeschoolers are "properly socialized!"  I know for a fact, that their Moms certainly are.  :)

As long as I have been homeschooling or even hearing about homeschooling there has been the socialization question.  Many folks out there think we need to have our kids in a class with 30 other (or even less) youngsters with whom to learn from.  We need them to know how to act within the group, within the herd or actually what I think it boils down to, getting the pecking order "right" in the early days!  That way they will know how to act when they get out in the "real world" and have to relate to co-workers, bosses, etc. 

 But I already believe that we ARE properly socializing them right here.  There are lots of folks in my family.  My kids are already learning how to relate to siblings, friends and family---oh, and strangers too. 

 And if they make major faux-pas, we just keep plugging along, teaching them what we believe. 

That is it in a nutshell...but I am really excited to read the newest e-book from TOS Magazine!  I would love to read what others are saying about this issue.  I hope to be giving one away for free here in a few days so stay tuned. 

 In the meantime, check out the link for it on my sidebar. 

 OH, and check out that awesome deal on a subscription too, while you are at it!  Totally amazing. 

Blessings,

Nancy

     When my kiddos were little I used to attend a MOPS group.  This was one awesome group!  They treated you like queens, had wonderful speakers, delicious treats and while our little ones were being cared for by great ladies and their helpers we enjoyed all those luxuries.  On top of those, they had crafts for us to do.  It was wonderful to be able to get out for the morning, have the kids well taken care of while the Mommie's visited, feasted, were uplifted and got to create something to bring home!  Ahhh, those were the days...

I've been trying to get some pictures up here for VintageGirl's Homemade Christmas, but alas, I am just not there yet.  Every year I tell myself around October that I want to get some Christmas "things" done.  But it just doesn't happen.  My kids have made things, but I am just pulled in too many directions and end up with not a lot to show for it. 

We have been cleaning like mad here (today my hubby vacuumed the ceiling for me--I kid you not!) and the kids asked me where the Thanksgiving decorations were.  Well, "Probably in the crawl space" was my reply.  I don't think we've had them out for the last two years, just couldn't find them. So we went "down" to the storage area and lo and behold, the kids found the box!  These are some of the crafts I made during my days at MOPS. 

 The pumpkins are made with fabric, wire, silk leaves, cinnamon sticks and raffia.  Oh, and newspaper.  I think we cut out big circles of fabric then we threaded the wire through, almost like sewing, and then pulled that to close up the "ball" --then we stuffed newspaper in it.  After you get the shape you want, you pull the wire tight and close it up.  Then you hot glue a stem and some leaves on top, add some raffia and cinnamon sticks and then wrap the leftover wire around a pencil to make "tendrils." 

 'Viola!  Cute Pumpkin decorations!

The little Pilgrims are made from upside-down mini terracotta pots.  The heads are wooden balls and then the clothing is all made from felt.  Somewhere I have those patterns...somewhere...maybe in the crawl space?  Oh, the hair is made from that doll hair stuff you can buy.  I think these are adorable!

When I was growing up we had little candles that were a pilgrim boy and girl and a big old Tom turkey that were on our table every Thanksgiving.  Mom had a wicker cornucopia too...

The Pilgrim lady is made of paper that looks like cornhusks.  She was pretty hard to make, and actually this craft was a bit more complex than what we usually did, so I think we had to get help on her.  We all did get to sorta help.  This was several years ago, so I don't remember too well.  But isn't she a sweetie? 

I hope you are enjoying this week with your family.  We really love this time of the year and I always learn something new about the Pilgrims. 

Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow,

Nancy

You know,

I've been trying to get some crafts created for Christmas so I can take part in the Homemade Christmas thingy....well, several of my family members have had a terrible cold and so things are a bit out of wack here.  I guess that is pretty normal though!  After all, we are just a bunch of demented homeschoolers, you know.  At least that is what "Joy" from that program, "The View" thinks.  I'm not posting any links---if you want to, sure, go listen to it.  But beware, it is very um...a waste of time-ish? 

At any rate, the subject was where were the president-elect's children going to attend school, and homeschooling came up and this gal "Joy" said that homeschoolers were demented!  And that they were scared of other children! I hear that she used to be a P.S. teacher.  Hmmmm...so how does she know?  Does she read HSB?  LOL!

I looked up the definition of demented, and here is what I found:

Main Entry:	demented
Part of Speech:	adjective
Definition:	crazy, insane
Synonyms:	bananas, bemused, crackbrained, daft, delirious, deranged, distracted, distraught, flipped out, foolish, frenzied, fruity, hysterical, idiotic, in the ozone, lunatic, mad, maniac, maniacal, manic, non compos mentis, nutty as a fruitcake, out of one’s gourd, out of one’s tree, psycho, psychopathic, psychotic, schitzy, schizoid, unbalanced, unglued, unhinged*, unsound, whacko
Antonyms:	balanced, rational, reasonable, sane, sensible

I think that I resemble that remark!  And my kids, well I seriously believe they are in the antonym category; balanced, rational, reasonable, sane, sensible...for certain! 

Non compos mentis!

Nancy

There is nothing more special to me than homemade gifts and homemade decorations and homemade food...just put "homemade" before ANY word and I would love it!  I am so excited that Emily Rose is having a Homemade Christmas blog theme and anyone can join in.  See the lovely little graphic for it over on my sidebar?  You must go visit this talented young lady and see what she is creating!

I'm going to get busy here and make something I can post for this!  Wish me luck!

Nancy

Thank God It's Friday!  What a glorious day.  We had some snow flurries this morning and it has been colder than a...fill in the blank! 

I promised I would post a copy of the piece I wrote for the Remembrance Press Newsletter (August 2006) about how my story "I Remember" came about.  I hope you enjoy it. 

Nancy

Click here for the free download.