Tag Archives: family

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

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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

Keeping The Code

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I usually learn as much as the kids do in our homeschool. The “all things middle ages” that we have been researching this school year has been quite educational for me. Recently, I realized that I want my sons (I have 4 of them) to be knights. Not the modern ones such as Paul McCartney or Elton John, but the kind of knights from the middle ages. Well, minus the jousting.

As a knight in training, a boy would start off as a page at 7 years old, (I have a 7 year old). He would be responsible for some chores, he received an education and learned to read Latin. He was taught manners, and learned and practiced skills that would serve him later. Not a bad start, huh?

At age 14, (I have a 14 year old, too), the page became a squire. This was his time of apprenticeship with a trusted knight. Real one on one tutoring and hands-on studies happened here. Practical life skills and life or death lessons were learned. Responsibilities were increased.

When the knight in training turned 21, (oh yeah, got one 21, too), he was ready to become a noble knight. But first, before he was dubbed, he had to vow to keep The Code of Chivalry. This is the real reason behind my wanting my boys to become knights. These young men swore to protect the weak, fight wrong, seek justice, be loyal to friends, and be fair to all people. They promised to be true, gentle, faithful, and brave. They pledged to honor and respect women, to be generous, and to dare to do right. I want my sons to develop the character needed to be able keep to this code.

I have daughters, too. One is my own, and one that we pretend is mine. I do not want them to ever be helpless damsels in need of being rescued. I want them to be well educated, trained, and practiced in their callings, too. I think this Code applies to them as well. And definitely should apply to their future husbands.

Here’s the link to the Code of Chivalry and everything else middle ages: http://www.middle-ages.org.uk/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm

And here’s the link to free lapbooks on knights which includes a simplified knight’s code: http://www.homeschoolshare.com/knights_lapbook.php and knight connections http://www.homeschoolshare.com/connections__middle_ages.php

And here’s a random pic that showed up on my Facebook newsfeed , seems to be appropriate.

betty jo

Blogs In Heaven?

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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

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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…

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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

Not So Weird Afterall

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15 years ago homeschooling wasn’t all that popular. It was for hippies, survivalists, and religious fanatics (or so I thought). I did not fit into any of those categories, But, there I was pulling my kindergartener out of of public school anyway.

I checked out 2 different homeschool support groups and neither seemed to have hippies, survivalists, or religious fanatics as members. They were just normal moms that happened to be educating normal kids at home. The larger group had 25 or so families, the smaller had 6. Make that 7, because that’s the one we joined.

These awesome ladies helped me so very much. They taught me to breathe, relax, and pray. They prepped me on how to answer all the opposition questions that would come my way. You know those questions, “What about socialization?” or “How will they get into college?” , etc (insert eye rolling here). They encouraged me and built me up.

This homeschool support group must not have been alone in encouraging newbies. The number of homeschoolers in our country is now over the 2.5 million mark. Families are seeing home education as a viable option to traditional schooling. The opposition questions are still being asked but not as often and are now mixed with some very positive comments. It’s not so weird anymore.

Oh, and by the way, throughout the course of our 15 years homeschooling, I’ve happily learned to be a hippie, a survivalist, and a religious fanatic. betty jo