Category Archives: Uncategorized

Calling For Reinforcements

Sometimes Christian based homeschooling isn’t enough. Sometimes Sunday school, youth groups, or attending church aren’t enough either. Sometimes it’s wise for parents to call for reinforcements. It can be beneficial to seek other options for the hard topics. And one of the most difficult topics, we as parents have to face with our teens is “purity”.

The little time we spend in discussion of keeping oneself pure is not much compared to all the sources pouring impurity into our youths – books, movies, TV, the internet, magazines, fashion, music and more. We parents can so easily be viewed as “old fashioned” and our instruction not relevant for today.

E17 went to “The Silver Ring Thing”. This is a national event tour. The speakers are young and hip. The bands are popular and fun. But the important thing is they dare their audience to defy cultural norms. They speak out in truth about dating, love, faith, and sex. These folks are our reinforcements and I’m so glad to have them on our side in this cultural war.

Now when E17 is faced with tough choices about life and love she will have more to base her decisions on than just what mom said or a Scripture verse from a youth group lesson. Now, she has something more, she has this Silver Ring Thing to reinforce her beliefs and values. And I’m relieved.

Here is the Bible verse theme from Silver Ring Thing:

1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 The Message (MSG)

4 ^1-3One final word, friends. We ask you—urge is more like it—that you keep on doing what we told you to do to please God, not in a dogged religious plod, but in a living, spirited dance. You know the guidelines we laid out for you from the Master Jesus. God wants you to live a pure life.

Keep yourselves from sexual promiscuity.

^4-5Learn to appreciate and give dignity to your body, not abusing it, as is so common among those who know nothing of God.

And here’s the link to the Silver Ring Thing Promo:

betty jo

The If’s of Friday

3 Replies

IF the kids have done about 10-15 minutes of extra math Mon.-Thrus, IF the notebooking assignments are finished, IF we have made some progress on chores, IF Thursday’s reviews went ok, and a few more IFs, then we have what we call “Free Ed Friday”. This means that for our 6 hour school day (requirement for homeschools in KY), the kids get to pick whatever they want to learn about. They pick books they want to read. They come up with their own art or cooking projects. They watch some educational tv and play educational games on the internet. On Fridays we might get out a board game or two.

Friday is also the day for homeshool creative ministry rehearsals, color guard practice, and errands. And sometimes, fast food. Our support group/co-op meets every 3rd Friday evening for a themed family night get together, so on that Friday we prepare for family night.

While the kids are busy learning whatever by themselves, I get to do my own educational things too. I surf the web looking for new lessons. I read posts and e-mails I didn’t have time for earlier in the week. I always find something new and wonderful. And sometimes meet someone new and wonderful. Knowing that our school week can end this way sure does give us the incentive to work hard during the week. Ask any of us which day of the school week we like best, and we would all answer “Friday”!

My favorite Free Eds from this last Friday included an earthworm collection complete with some new holes dug in the yard, learning Just Dance 4 moves, meeting some new homeschool moms and chatting with others I’ve known for years. I’m reading Andrew Klavin’s If We Survive, because E17 recommended it . She knows I love a suspenseful story and this one is.

And I found an amazing link to share with you:

http://www.google.com/intl/en/culturalinstitute/worldwonders/rideau-canal/#tab=photos&ql=1

And this one for creative fun: (be sure to check out St. Patrick and Easter on the “Holiday” tab)

http://www.thetoymaker.com/

betty jo

The Office

4 Replies

My sweet J9 often says very insightful but odd things. One day, he was sitting at the kitchen table. He looked sad. When I asked him about what was going on, he replied that he was in need of an office. I did not have a clue where this idea came from or where it was going, but I was curious. I asked him why he needed an office, and J9 answered, “When you’re in an office, people do what you tell them to.” Wow, suddenly he wasn’t the only one wanting an office, I wanted one, too.

We have two tables in our kitchen. One for meals and school work, the other is a drop leaf that was a collection center for coats, books, groceries, random toys, etc. That table only got cleaned off when company was coming and we needed more seating or room for a buffet.

J9 and I cleaned everything off the dropleaf. Then we moved the homeschool records, school supplies, unit study box, and printer to that table. We hung a bulletin board. And TA DA an office for J9 and me.

However, this has turned out to be a bit of a disappointment for him. People (our family members and the boy next door) do not do what he tells them to just because he tells them from an office. J9 has shouted at us, “You’re fired!” (imagine Donald Trump), at least 10 times apiece. However, he does like having his computer time there.

I am not disappointed at all in our office. I love it. It looks better. The organization is an improvement. Before, our homeschool records were on the hutch in the living room. The printer , mostly stayed in my bedroom (not convenient). The unit study box could have been found anywhere (garage, under beds). Now when one of the kids asks me where their folder is, I tell them, “It’s in the office”, and they actually will find it there. I print off unit study pages and right away they go into the unit study box. If we need a crafting supply, we simply look in the tote that’s stored under the table. I even have a place for our homeschooling support group notebook.

The office is where I sip hot creamy coffee and plan our weeks. It is where I can meet one on one with each kid to discuss work, grades, schedules, and such. It’s where the calendar and planner can be found. And of course, the office is where parent-teacher conferences happen (insert a snicker or chuckle here).

Sometimes, the simplest ideas end up being the best ideas. After years of homeschool disorder we finally have some organization. Our office cost nothing to set up. We got it together in hardly any time at all. I find it a wonderful home/ homeschool improvement. The office has become one of the best areas in our home.

Thank you, J9 for the idea. And just maybe if you paid “your people”, they would do what you tell them to.

betty jo

Blogs In Heaven?

6 Replies

It’s been a little over a week since I started Still Learning Something New. I am humbled that I’ve had views, a few e-mail followers, and received wonderful, encouraging comments. I’m proud that I’m in the process of overcoming my computer-phobia and learning how to blog instead of only reading others. Really, friends, this is a huge step for me.

In my past life (not a in a Shirley McClain kind of way, but in the before marriage and children kind of way) I studied journalism in college. In fact, my folks spent thousands of dollars to see I got educated to write and be published. However, college was a “FAIL”. Those dollars were wasted. I lost brain cells instead of filling up the ones I had. I hurt me and I hurt my parents. I’ve been ashamed and I have always thought they were too. They were very educated. My older siblings have degrees. Success was expected.

After all those years I am finally committed to writing daily, I’ve finally been published. People from around the world have read what I said. It’s mind blowing. I wish my parents could know.

I don’t imagine that they have WiFi in Heaven. There is so much sin and sadness over the internet and NO sin and sadness in Heaven that I don’t think those there would even want it. However, since “all things are possible with God” , my prayer is that my Mom and Dad know that it all wasn’t a waste. I’d love for Jesus to let them read what I’ve written. And for Him to show them that “view map” on the stats board. I’d like them to see the pics of the chalk board wall, too. Mom would love that idea.

Also, I pray for those of you reading now that whatever your needs are that they will be met. And that we all will be able to do something that glorifies and pleases He who made us and saved us.

. many blessings, betty jo

March On – The Sequel

2 Replies

As I studied the calendar for March I learned that Sunday, March 3 is, “I Want You To Be Happy Day”. Isn’t that everyday? Smiles always beat frowns. Tears from laughter are better than tears of sadness. So what is it that makes us happy? What is it that we can do today that will not only make those around us happy, but also ourselves? It’s a good thing that money doesn’t buy happiness, because I don’t have much of that.

Anyway, I’ve been thinking about what 1 thing I can to do to make each family member happy, and so far everything I’ve come up with is pretty simple. I have decided that I will take the dish turn for B14, not ask A21 to take out the trash, or E17 to babysit. I will play a game of chess, cards, or whatever Z7 wants to play immediately upon his request. I’m not sure yet what I’ll be doing to add a little happiness to A22’s day, but I know it will involve cheese and pineapple (homemade pizza?). J9 is easy, extended laptop and tv turns for him. My husband will be happy if I can keep from sending him on some errand and just let him have a day to stay home.

We all know that saying, “Nobody’s happy unless Momma’s happy”, perhaps a Sunday afternoon NAP will take care of that. Wishing you happiness , betty jo (ps: lots of views and comments on the blog would make me very happy, too)

For more about special days coming up this March take a look here: http://www.hsclassroom.net/2013/02/calendar-unit-study-national-awareness-days-in-march/

If you missed the first post of Forward March click the link on the sidebar.

OOPS!- I Forgot…

3 Replies

Last night I added a page to this blog site, but I forgot a couple of pictures. Of course I did not realize this until my daughter, E17 left a comment on the page. (At least the kids are keeping track of what their mom is posting about.) So tonight, here’s what should have been included in “One of Our Favorite Things – The Wall. Original page link here; .https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/one-of-our-favorite-things-the-wall/

E17’s Hunger Games B-Day Party

B14’s Giant Panda

And this one is A22 and me working on the Fall Wall. Z7 had posed for the scarecrow.

At the risk of losing readers by showing this pic of me in shorts, I thought this was a good picture to show how big our chalkboard wall really is and included it anyway. betty jo