A wonderful homeschool family in my area is facing the loss of their homeschool dad and husband.  He was tragically killed last week when a car pulled out on him as he was motorcycling on his way to work.

Occurrences such as the loss of a homeschool parent or, as in our own case, the coming of our final year of actively homeschooling, gives me a reason to be so thankful for the choice we have made to homeschool…

In most homeschool homes dads serve in the roles of Principal/Superintendent, Banker and Supreme Court Judge.  And some, if they are lucky enough and their schedule allows, even help mom in the role of Teacher. 

I think of our friends and how their dad was able to help homeschool them through part of the day because he worked second shift.  He was able to teach his children that even work could be fun.  While mom took care of most of the academics, those kids learned about gardening, bee keeping, fixing cars and flying remote controlled airplanes, even playing the guitar from their dad.  If his children had been away at school all day for more than 9 months of the year – while he was home during the day without them and then gone from home in the evening – those kids would barely know their dad.  And worse, he would barely know them.  But instead, they have hundreds of great memories and learning experiences that include their dad.  Their homeschool dad.

Yes, mom is usually the one who does the bulk, if not all, of the teaching; but homeschool dads are the ties that bind.  They are the backbone, the support system of the home.  How many days is it that our husbands trudge off to work, leaving their family behind when what they would really like to do is to stay home with the ones they love?  The ones who love them.  They would love to come with us on our next field trip or sit as the subject of his little girl’s first portrait or help that boy who looks just like him learn his fractions. 

I know Father’s Day is past, but how about designating a day in the near future as your own family’s “Homeschool Father’s Day”?!  Thank him for working so hard so that his family can stay at home for school to be taught by the people who love them the most, to learn in peace and safety.  Thank him for forking over the money every summer so that your family can buy the best in curriculum, magazines, educational games and learning resources.  Thank him for being the one who works so hard so that your family can go on those great vacations…and when you go on those vacations, try to make it simply outstanding for Dad.

Homeschool dads…aren’t we blessed to have them?

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

I have posted the obituary and service times on the McCHEO (Miami County Christian Home Educators of Ohio) blog for all you locals:

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/McCHEO/565868/ 

I would appreciate continued prayers for this wonderful family.  Thank you so much.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<>< 

Yesterday I had the radio on in the afternoon and there was newsbreak that came on about a country intersection in our area being closed because there was a motorcyle fatality.  This morning, I was utterly and completely saddened to find out that it was a friend of ours.  The father of a local, wonderful homeschool family.

Please pray for the Times family.  The dear wife, LaNelle, is now left 3 fantastic kids and, they just found out a few weeks ago, another sweet baby on the way. 

Forrest was such a great guy - wonderful man of God, loving husband and daddy and ALWAYS smiling.  He will be missed by everyone who knew him.  If you are a local homeschooler to my area, I will be posting service information at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/McCHEO as soon as I know anything.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

OK...I'm going to see if I can get this to work 'cause the link is LONG!

Staples is having their annual Teacher Appreciation Days.  I take advantage of this every year.  In case you don't know, homeschoolers CAN get a Staples Teacher Rewards card/key ring tag!!  Be sure to let the clerk swipe it at every visit.

Here is the link that you can go to and find out the date of your local Staples' Teacher Appreciation Day.

Hope this works...

http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/tad_2008/?storeId=10001&cm_ven=Glamour&cm_ite=teacherday&cm_mmc=email_retail_TRW-_-CORP_TRW-_-TRW-_-TeacherDay&cm_lm=ex:WOLFHOMESCHOOL@NETZERO.COM

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Here is a family favorite I thought I would share w/you.  Our family has had the pleasure of going to Holmes County, Ohio ~ the largest Amish settlement in the world ~ a few times.  Once my dh and I enjoyed the most wonderful long weekend at an Bed & Breakfast there.  The husband had grown up Amish but left them to marry.  Their B&B was built by his Amish family members and looks just like an incredible Amish home.  The difference being that the whole 1st floor is made up of lovely, themed guest rooms (we stayed in Grandpa's Room) w/a good 1/3 of the 1st floor being a HUGE country kitchen and a wonderful country gathering room w/several tables and chairs (for those incredible breakfasts and freshly made pie in the evening!) and a relaxing living-area w/a fireplace, piano and comfy couch and chairs.  There is also a wrap-around porch.  The family that funs the B&B has the entire upstairs as their own "house."  That, of course, is a private area.    It's been a while since we've been there, if you're interested, I believe it's called Miller Haus.  It sets on the highest knoll of Holmes County.

Anyway...one of our incredible breakfasts while there was Amish French Toast!  I have made this from-time-to-time ever since!  If you try this, you will be in food heaven!    Let me know how you LOVE it! 

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Amish French Toast

eggs

milk

butter

bread

syrup

powdered sugar

~Mix w/fork 2 eggs and enough milk to cover (this you will do as necessary for each slice of bread)

~Melt butter into med/hot skillet (do this for each serving.  IF you MUST use margarine, use one that is non-hydrogenated like Earth Balance – I have to do this for one of my girls)

~Crack egg into skillet

~IMMEDIATELY soak a slice of bread in the egg/milk mixture and lay on top of the egg in the skillet; fry for about a minute or so until bottom egg is cooked through.

~Flip egg and bread – together – and let bread toast on other side.

~You MAY need to flip over on each side again until egg is fried to your satisfaction.

~Move egg/toast to a plate and top w/syrup and powdered sugar.

~ENJOY!!!!!!!!!

OK gang...just remember...I'm an oldie goldie compared to some of you!    I was a kid in the 60's and a teen in the 70's (class of '77!)...Sooo, this may even be a history lesson to some of you!  HAHAHAHA!!  Have fun!...

What were your 3 favorite things to watch on TV when you were a kid? 

1) Beany & Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent, 2) Beverly Hillbillies, 3) Andy Griffith Show.

What 3 commercials do you remember most from when you were a kid?

1) Don't squeeze the Charmin/Mr. Whipple, 2) Frigidaire [sp?] commericals w/ladies dressed up, dancing around their appliances,  3) Marlboro Man cigarette commercials.

What 3 toys were popluar when you were a kid?

1) Barbies, 2) G. I. Joe, 3) Baby First Step.

What 3 things did not exist when you were a kid?

1) Telephones w/o a cord, 2) VCR/DVD players, 3) CDs. (I still miss the huge posters that we used to get w/our 33 rpm albums!)

What 3 fads did you fall for when you were a kid?

1) Earth Shoes (did you know they're back!!!  Love 'em!), 2) white lipstick, 3) huge bell-bottom jeans.

What 3 songs do you remember most from when you were a kid?

1) ANYTHING by the Beatles!, 2) "Easy Come, Easy Go" by Bobby Sherman (oh, be still my heart!), 3) "Puppy Love" by Donny Osmond.

What were your 3 favorite movies when you were a kid?

1) "Mary Poppins" (the FIRST TIME it was out!), 2) "101 Dalmations" (the FIRST TIME it was out!), 3) "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken" (the FIRST TIME it was out!).   

What are your 3 most embarrassing moments from when you were a kid?

1) Throwing up on the school bus, 2) when a hoody-type girl who - for some unknown reason - made it her life's goal to make my life miserable tried to get me to fight her.  Of course, since I wouldn't, everyone thought I was a chicken...yep...public school is great! What was your question about socialization?  3) falling off the top of the monkey bars...back then we HAD to wear dresses in grade school.

What 3 things do you wish you could get back from when you were a kid?

1) My friend Debbie who moved, they were an Air Force family, 2) my cat, Boots, 3) my grandparents.

~~ If you do this, let me know!!

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Hey!  I just stopped by Crosswalk.com and...lo and behold...they re-posted one of my articles!  http://www.crosswalk.com/homeschool/1273983/ That was a nice surprise.  (I need to up-date my info with them!  )

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><

Ohio homeschool law is up for review!!  PLEASE read the notice below and PLEASE go to the website given!!!  This is SO IMPORTANT!!!  We face the possibility of losing the law we have enjoyed since 1989!!!   KW<><

July 17, 2008

Ohio--Urgent--Your Help is Needed to Stop
Revisions of the Homeschool Regulations!

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,

If Ohio homeschoolers do not act, they may face stricter homeschool
regulations.  

For the first time in nearly 20 years, the Ohio Department of
Education (ODE) has initiated a formal review process of the home
education rules in the Ohio Administrative Code Section 3301-34.  It
is imperative that every Ohio resident who is concerned about
homeschooling freedom register his or her opinion regarding proposed
changes.  The comment period is now open and will last only until
August 8.

Ohio law dictates that the ODE review regulations every 5 years to
determine what changes, if any, should be made.  O.A.C. 3301-34 was
enacted in 1989, and until now, the ODE has not found any revisions to
be necessary during the 5-year review.  Even though the regulations
have worked very well for the past 19 years, the ODE has decided that
this time, changes are warranted.

The most important message Ohio residents can convey to the ODE is
that the regulations do not need to change.  If enough people support
the current regulations, we may be able to stop the revision process
before it begins.

ACTION NEEDED

1. Go to http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=5316 and register your
comments about the ODE's intent to change O.A.C. 3301-34.  The
deadline to comment is August 8.

2. Forward this message to others.  Anyone who is a "stakeholder" may
register comments.  This means that if you homeschool in Ohio, have
previously homeschooled in Ohio, are considering homeschooling in
Ohio, or have a family member or friend who is homeschooling in Ohio,
you may comment to the ODE.  

3. It is important to comment in your own words--please do not simply
copy and paste someone else's message.  If your message is not
original, it is possible that it will not be counted as an individual
response.

Ohio homeschool leaders are also closely monitoring this situation.  
For more information on the review process, please visit
http://ohiohsalert.org/ .

Sincerely,

Michael P. Donnelly, Esq.
HSLDA Staff Attorney

Favorable Development in the California Homeschooling Case

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

Thank you for your continued prayers for the California homeschooling case, In re Rachel L. Last night, Mr. L’s attorney in the juvenile court reported to Home School Legal Defense Association that the juvenile court judge terminated jurisdiction over the two youngest L children in a hearing held on July 10, 2008. Mr. L is represented by Gary Kreep, who is the director of the California-based United States Justice Foundation, which has long been a close ally of HSLDA and homeschoolers in California.

Two years ago, the children’s court-appointed lawyers had asked that the two children be ordered to attend a school outside the home. That request became the basis for the court’s February ruling that homeschooling is illegal in California. The appellate court later vacated its own decision and set the case for rehearing. Oral argument on the rehearing was held on June 23, 2008 and a decision could be handed down at any time.

Mr. L’s appellate attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund will be making the appellate court aware of this new development immediately. They will move to dismiss the petition pending in the court of appeal on the ground that the petition is now moot. In other words, the children are no longer under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. Therefore, any decision by the appellate court based on the two-year-old petition could not be enforced against the L children.

“This is a significant favorable development toward preserving homeschooling freedom in California,” said Mike Farris, Chairman and Founder of HSLDA.

Keep praying!

Sincerely,

J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President