Flare Up!!!

Flare Up....

Well, it's been a rough few days now, I have had a horrible flare up with my Crohns. I have been sick since last Thursday. We don't have insurance so I just tried to endure it, this was the worst flare up Ive ever had. I almost went to the hospital last night, so I just prayed and took my last Loritab and got out my heating pad and by morning I feel better.

We had a bad storm this morning and it looked like a tornado, so we began to pray and the storm passed. It was so nice and now it's in the low 30's tonight. The children and I put out our bird feeders yesterday, Spring time is my favorite season, we watched all the different birds yesterday and the flowers are starting to bloom.

We worked on our Lapbooks today, we are doing Books of the Bible. I noticed last week at kids church my kids didn't know the books of the Bible and I really felt this is something we need to work on.

I read an article today from HSLDA and thought this would be of great importance for those homeschooling their children, we really need to pray for our rights to continue HSing and for the Lord to give us the right President and those in places of authority.


Washington Times Op-ed Political Resistance Continues

by J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President

Do you believe America always will be safe for homeschooling? Most people might be tempted to say yes, but the reality could be different.

We should remember that after the advent of compulsory education, it was only during the past 25 years that America formally recognized homeschooling in all 50 states. To illustrate how far we have come, as recently as 1983, seven fathers in Nebraska were jailed for their decision to homeschool their children.

Also in 1983, homeschooling was effectively illegal in 45 states because those states mandated that parents must have four-year teaching certificates before they could teach their own children.

In the early ’80s, it was clear there was a need for homeschoolers to come together and fight for their fundamental right to raise their own children without government-imposed mandates.

The Home School Legal Defense Association is approaching its 25th anniversary. Today, homeschooling is thriving throughout the country and is acknowledged widely as an educational success story. Homeschooling, however, increasingly is being challenged in state legislatures across the country.

Every year, particularly between January and May, when many state legislatures conduct most of their activity, HSLDA’s legal department works long hours tracking legislation across all 50 states.

This year, we have seen a significant spike in the number of anti-home-school bills. The fight to maintain homeschool freedom is far from over.

One of the most anti-homeschooling bills came from Nebraska. Partly because of Nebraska’s history, the legislation introduced by state Sen. DiAnna Schimek was particularly troubling.

It called for numerous state-administered tests and the approval of homeschools by the Nebraska Department of Education. If passed, it effectively would have banned homeschooling in Nebraska and could have led to parents being jailed again.

It seemed Nebraska was on the road to repeating its past mistakes. Fortunately, Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman announced that he would veto the legislation if it ever reached his desk. HSLDA is thankful that the governor stepped forward, but Miss Schimek’s action is a vivid reminder that the fight to maintain our freedom is an ongoing battle.

Several other states have introduced bills that in one way or another would increase the bureaucratic burden on homeschooling families. In particular, Tennessee and Mississippi both have introduced legislation that would force state assessments on homeschoolers. Once the government is allowed to set tests for homeschoolers, homeschooling is undermined as a viable educational choice because parents are forced to use the state-mandated curriculum and teach to the test rather than make their own choice of curriculum.

Flexibility in choosing curriculum is vital to homeschooling because each child is unique and has an individual learning style.

These types of continuing threats galvanize homeschoolers throughout the country. While homeschoolers are active and engaged citizens, we always must be mindful that homeschool freedom is fragile.

It can be lost without vigilant action on the part of all homeschoolers. As an organization with more than 80,000 members, HSLDA will continue its mission—which can continue only with the active participation of our members—and work with state organizations to make sure we do not lose any of our hard-won freedoms.

We do not know what the future holds, but we do know that an active, engaged homeschool community can significantly affect the outcome of legislative battles, even when the forces arrayed against homeschoolers are large and powerful.

Michael Smith is the president of the Home School Legal Defense Association. He may be contacted at (540)338-5600; or send email to media@hslda.org.

Gone too long!!!

It seems like forever since Ive blogged here, I have been so busy the past month with a new little angel in the house. Little Nic has been getting a lott of TLC, and Mom is getting some R & R. We have had o many appointments since Little Nic's birth. Brittany has been suffering with extremely high blood pressure and has been in a lott of pain since her emergency c-section.

I have taken some time off from school so I can help her with the baby so it meant taking time off from blogging too!!! But I am back hopefully and I also joined "The Homeschool Lounge" ( link on my side bar) and started a new blog there and I'm making a lott of new homeschool friends.... YIPPEE!!!

It's been raining here since Sunday so we have started learning the book of the Bible.I really felt a need for it because we read out of the Bible every day and they also have to look up scriptures at church for their lessons. Tommorow we are planning to make some oatmeal squares and play some games due to the rain. I want to praise the Lord for the good report at the dr today, Brittany's blood test came back great, and he took her off the blood pressure meds due to her blacking out. We found out her blood pressure was extremely low. Thanks to all who have prayed for us.

Happy Valentine's Day to my beautiful children: Chris, Ashleigh, Brittany, Natasha, Zachary, Michalea, Noah & my awesome grand babies Isaac & Nicholas- I love all of you with all my heart and I thank God for each one of you!!! Mom




Legacy

You are my legacy.
My whole world revolves around you,
everything you are and will some day be.
Everything I do, every decision I make
is made with you in mind.
You are precious, important and
worth everything.
You matter to me.

You are my mission.
The never ending dirty dishes
can't compare to my everlasting love.
The heaping piles of soiled laundry
cannot top the mountain of joy in my heart.
The constant daily discipline
and teaching are non negotiable.
You will one day appreciate.

You are brilliant.
You soak in the world around you
with such wonder and amazement.
Your strong body, creative mind and tender spirit
are growing right before me.
One day I will see the fruit of my labor
and you will become who God made you to be.
You are my legacy.

Thanks Secret Sister

Dear Secret Sister,
Thank you so much for your gifts and card... I was so surprised by a package today as I have been gone the past 3 weeks with Brittany in and out of the hospital and the emergency c-section and birth of little Nicholas. I thank you for your prayers and God's timing. Your words of encouragement are a blessing to me and I thank God for your faithfulness. I also pray for you and know God is in control of every situation. Thanks!!!

New pic's

I just wanted to share a few pic's I took today. Nickie is now 2 weeks old and the bottom pic is Noah my ds-9, and Isaac my 11 mos granbaby. I have been so busy the past 3 weeks and I just haven't had time to blog or anything else. My daughter Brittany has had some life threatning complications since the birth of baby Nic and we have had dr appointments every day for the past 2 weeks and Nicholas went to the dr last week with a blocked tear duct so it's been a busy time for me and I feel it.

I want to thank those of you who have prayed for us and I felt your prayers. I just started back to homeschooling today and boy it's been a challenge with 2 more babies in the house. Through this the Lord is showing me that it's all about HIM, and not me. I get my strength from HIM, I am now making chore charts, menu's etc to get more structured here so my life will run a little smoother. I feel we all need to get our home in order from the oldest to the youngest.

Yesterday we visited a new church, I have been praying for God's direction in this due to we miss our old church in north GA and want so bad to go back there but the Lord has been teaching me to be content in every situation. I need balance though with the 3 little guy's and my teen. I did like the pastor, he was a lott like Church Swindoll and very funny. My Zack liked the kids church so maybe this is where God will plant us?

I have many appointments tommorow so my blogging will have to wait until another day. I have enjoyed the extra time with the children the past few days as I was gone a week when Brittany had Nickie, I stayed with her the entire stay which was nice to be there for her. We're on our way outside for our nature walks.

As a Mom.....Im thankful for

As a mom, things I am thankful for:

* Locks on bathroom doors.
* For my Dad who taught me what a man of integrity really is.
* My extended family, who love my children nearly as much as I do.
* Freedom to homeschool.
* Cell phones
* My own mother, who taught me the meaning of strength and perseverance in tough times.
* Breakfast cereal and peanut butter and jelly.
* Disposable diapers.
* My husband, who taught me what commitment and love really is!!!
* All of the times I stayed up with my children when they we're small when they we're sick or hurting so we could snuggle.
* All of the times my daughter's spent time cooking and baking with me
* Bicycle training wheels.
* Swim lessons.
* Rainy Saturdays and coloring books.
* God's beautiful creation for us to enjoy.
* Extra sets of house keys.
* Child seats on grocery carts.
* Small bits of time for myself.
* Caring and capable emergency room physicians.
* Children’s menus at restaurants.
* dentists.
* Rheoko, our family cat, who helped teach my children to be gentle, compassionate and responsible.
* Talented hair stylists with the expertise to cover up teenager-induced grays.
* Dr Dobson and Gary Smalley, for showing me that God intended families to stick together even when things get tough.
* God, for hand-picking our 7 kids just for us.
* Sofas, cozy blankets and old family videos.

As parents, what are you thankful for?