Keep the Homefires Burning
The Creative Family {
11:44 AM
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Friday, July 3, 2009
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I stumbled across this book at the library: "The Creative Family" by Amanda Blake Soule. It has lots of fun artsy type things to do with your kids. One in particular we are going to do is the painted placemats. Using canvas (she suggests saving some money by buying a canvas drop cloth at the hardware store instead of by the yard at the fabric store) and acrylic paint, we are each going to design our own placemats: dad included! I plan on having the top pieces cut out and ready for when the older kids come home for a visit. I think I'll even have Jack make a few for Christmas gifts. One word of caution: the book has a few new-age-y references such as a blessing that begins with "Earth, we thank you for this food..." But, as with all things, I approach it with a salad-bar mentality: take what I want and leave the rest. I'll post pictures of our finished projects. (Hopefully they'll be done before the snow flies!!) Blessings! Connie Christian Un-schooling - bipolar kiddo - Advice from veterans? {
09:04 AM
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
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Help! I know there are so many compassionate homeschooling moms on HSB and maybe even some sharing in my heartache.Our almost-10-y.o. is struggling daily with behavior, explosiveness, anger, meltdowns -- you get the picture. He simply cannot cope in a regular classsroom so homeschooling was supposed to be the answer. But dad and I can't even get started with teaching before Jack is screaming, slamming things, throwing things, etc. We have been seeing doctors, therapists, psychiatrists since Jack was in kindergarten and NOBODY can give us an answer. We have tried upwards of 12 different meds...all of them have been disasters. They either make him worse or spike his blood sugar and that wreaks havoc on his diabetes. We continue to modify 'school' time with lots of activities, hands-on, unit studies, un-schooling, lapbooking, etc. Usually we are so war-weary that most days are non-schooling! Dad and I feel very isolated because no one understands what it's like within the walls of our home. We struggle with Jack and with each other. Unfortunately, I am the bread winner working at a homeschool partnership within our public school leaving dad at home to cope through the day. I yearn to be the at home parent, but my teaching contract came through first (dad's a teacher as well) and I had to take it. If there are any other parents out in HSB-land that have neurological behavior issues with their kids, would you send any tips you have for survival? I'm ready to write the book about this that I can't seem to find anywhere else. I know God holds my munchkin in the palm of his hand...as well as dad and me. But when I hear my little guy crying and saying, "I ruin everything...God shouldn't love me...there's a black hole where my heart should be..." I find it very hard to feel God's presence. Thank you for any pearls you may have.  Jack at a Monster Truck show -- haircut by Jack! Blessings Connie Great Website to visit... {
12:52 PM
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Monday, February 16, 2009
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I LOVE this website. I think you will, too! Each week, the Erskine family puts out a week's worth of FREE resources for homeschoolers. Here is a rundown of this week: Monday, Feb 16th: Great President's Day Resource Links! (links) Want to make the most of President's Day? Check out these Lesson Plans, virtual tours, poetry & the actual papers of presidents Washington & Lincoln! Tuesday, Feb 17th: A Chinese Wonder Book (PDF ebook) This fascinating collection of Chinese stories and legends, edited by Maggie Hogan of Bright Ideas Press, is a great literature-based introduction to the rich history and culture of China. Includes a read-aloud guide. Wednesday, Feb 18th: "Harriet Tubman & the Railway to Freedom" (MP3 audio) A classic old time radio dramatization of the story of Harriet Tubman and the activities of the "underground railroad" during slave years. Thursday, Feb 19th: Blessed Is The Man: High School Unit Study Sampler (PDF ebook) "Blessed is the Man" is a wonderful High School Unit Study geared to Christian young men, and based on Psalm 1. Today's resource is this extensive 74 page preview of the complete four year curriculum - normally $10 on the publisher's website - but yours to download today! If you have growing boys in your household, DON'T MISS THIS! Friday, Feb 20th: Creatively Simple: How to Make Butter in the Blender (PDF ebook) Learning to make butter is something everyone should do at least once. This simple ebook by Penny Raine can teach you how, using items you probably already have in your kitchen. Detailed instructions and lots of pictures. You can get all of these on their respective days at www.HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com Hope you enjoy the site! Blessings! Connie --------------------------------------- Picture of the inside of my son's Bus-Turned-Home {
07:56 PM
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Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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Thomas had a "bus" warming party the other night and sent these pictures on. He wasn't kidding when he said they had gorgeous wood everywhere!Thanks for indulging a proud mom! Blessings! Connie  The kitchen, with custom made push-latch drawers and cupboards.  Looking from the front to the back.  The back: bedroom/music room/office. Cherry wood bathroom door on the left.  The back room. Complete with fireplace and piano!  A view from the other direction. I thought I taught him to make his bed better than that!  A view from the "top" floor.  The smile says it all! Pictures of my son's Bus... {
06:56 PM
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Friday, January 16, 2009
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Here it is! Way back I posted a picture of my recent college grad. son and mentioned how he and a buddy were going to be transforming an old school bus into a "home on wheels". Here is the outside. They are almost done with the inside. They have tongue-in-groove cedar ceilings, cherry wood doors, 3/4 bath, full (compact) kitchen with nicer cupboards than mine!, and a piano!! Thomas refused to budge on putting the piano in so they opted to build "up" for more sleeping room. Oh, and a gas fireplace! This from the boy who couldn't figure out the vacuum!!  He's looking a little scraggly here! Blessings! Connie Best Website resource ever...(honest!) {
06:20 PM
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Monday, September 22, 2008
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These two websites are worth your time! They both offer free downloads for homeschooling or just because. You can rest in knowing that everything you download from these two sites is wholesome and family-oriented. You won't be sorry you took a minute to visit.http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/ and http://www.homeschoolradioshows.com/ I hope you enjoy them as much as our family does. Now if I can just remember how to add their link to my sidebar!! Blessings! Connie School day struggles... {
06:07 PM
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Tuesday, September 9, 2008
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We made the difficult decision to send our 9-y.o. back to public school this year. He was home with DH last year while I was the "breadwinner" teaching at a public school's homeschool parent partnership. Jack attended classes there 2 days a week and then was home 3 days a week with dad.It didn't work as well as we hoped. Dad wasn't quite sure how to prioritize his time and more often than not, school work didn't get done. Also, dad struggled with the ego thing: you know, he was "just" a stay-at-home dad. He was taking night classes to finish his Master's Degree in Math Curriculum development but his teacher friends kept saying, "You can't waste an entire year", etc. Talk about Job's friends!! Anyway, we decided that we would try our neighborhood school. The principal, Jack's teacher, the counselor and everyone is so great with him and his behavior issues but it's just AWFUL! He gets so angry, he yells and screams and slams his desk. He scares some of the kids. Tonight the principal called with what I think will be a very good middle ground. Jack will be in school from 8:45-10:15 for math and literacy instruction. Then he will come home and have some downtime, lunch, perhaps a nap (even at 9 he still could use a nap!) or do some chores. Then he will go back from 1pm-3pm for science and social studies. He seems to do okay when he is just in the classroom. It's the constant transitions from classroom to music to recess to library to PE to lunch to recess, etc. that cause him the biggest problems. So, instead of that middle of the day madness, he can be home with dad and they can do the guy things around the house: mow the lawn, put up the pantry shelves, wash windows (yes, that's a guy thing at our house! :-) ), etc. We'll see how it goes. It seems like a pretty good solution...at least it's the best at this moment. Dad won't be in charge of the actual book learning and Jack will be able to have the down time he so desperately needs. I'm so grateful that God led us to this particular home two years ago that is walking distance to the school. I'm grateful this "think-outside-the-box" principal is at this school at this time. I'm grateful that I have been given a job that is flexible and allows me to work the same schedule as my son's school schedule. I'm grateful that dad is willing to try to stand against the tide for another year and stay home where he knows the toughest, most rewarding job is within these four walls. Almost like it was planned or something!! Blessings! Connie My Magna Cum Laude Graduate! Best smile from him in a picture ever! {
10:11 PM
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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 This is our oldest on his graduation day. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Whitworth with a degree in Philosophy. This is one of the best pictures of him ever. He has such a beautiful smile! (but he doesn't like to show it in pictures!) Here's the kicker: after getting a decent-sized inheritance from his paternal grandfather, he decided to pay off his student loans (that's my boy!) and then he bought (are you ready for this?) an old school bus and he's converting it into an RV-type vehicle to live in while he travels the country. My magna cum graduate is living in a bus!!! I say this with a smirk and a huge amount of pride!. He has always marched to his own drummer...as far back as kindergarten. He has his head on straight, takes care of business, and doesn't fall prey to negative peer pressure. He never has been one to follow the crowd. And buying an old school bus certainly keeps that reputation going!! He's been to Europe three times, been to China, and now wants to explore our country. Of all the things he's seen (the Roman Colosseum, Big Ben, the Matterhorn--the real one, not Disney's -- among many other things) he has said that the most awe-inspiring to him was Arches Park in Utah. He wants to see the other amazing things in our country before he loses out on the chance. The other thing he has going for him is that he is so tight he squeaks! He could probably live on $3.50 a day! He's living in Seattle right now while he and a buddy fix up the bus. I can't wait to see some pictures. Then he plans on coming home for a visit when it's done. What a red letter day that will be. I can see it now: a big ol' school bus rounding the corner with my son behind the wheel...happy as can be! It makes a mother proud! :-) Homeschool Freebie website {
01:55 PM
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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Many of you may already know about this site...but if not be sure to check it out!http://homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/ The Erskine Family offers five freebies a week. Everything from unit studies, audio downloads, and way-cool old time living books, etc. The other Erskine site I love is http://www.homeschoolradioshows.com/ Each week they offer a free audio download and some extras if you choose to become a premium member. Only problem now is...I keep downloading stuff and am afraid I'm going to run out of room on my computer!! Enjoy! Connie Attempting to go MSG free....experimenting with homemade "broth" {
08:17 AM
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Wednesday, August 6, 2008
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The more I read about nutrition and behavior issues, I'm convinced that not only will my dynamo Jack benefit from whole foods but so will dad and me. In an effort to get started I have declared our home a "no-msg" zone.Now I know many of you are already there, but, hey...baby steps! I wanted to use up some broccoli so I was planning on making broccoli cheese soup for the freezer. EVERY recipe calls for chicken bouillon! So I am experimenting with homemade vegetable stock. I threw in onions, carrot tops/peelings, garlic, parsley, celery seed (no celery at home) and a little thyme. I did not put in ANY salt at all. We'll see what happens! I can hear some of you chuckling. I'm sure homemade vegetable stock is a no-brainer for most of you! Please don't tell my homesteady mom that I'm just now trying this out!! :-) Blessing! Connie My Mom: The Beauty Babe! (sorry -- the pics are pretty big!) {
05:30 PM
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Sunday, August 3, 2008
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My beautiful mom is a treasure. She's been named Volunteer of the Year in her hometown of Plains, Montana for her work at the local nursing home. Once a week, she and a few other ladies volunteer their time to wash, dry and style the hair of the elderly ladies in the nursing home. They are affectionately called the Hair Ladies...but we like "Beauty Babes" better!So I wanted her and her ladies to be in the Sanders County Fair parade. My dad has a flatbed he could pull with his pickup and my Jack wanted to throw out the candy. We were going to get signs made for the truck doors. But now, none of the ladies seem to be available so my mom wants to drop the idea!! I have called my dad and told him to put in an entry for the Volunteers of the Year anyway. If nothing else, Jack will walk the route wearing a sandwich board that says, "My Grandma is a Beauty Babe" while passing out candy. My mom is so giving and generous. I hope to be like her when I "grow up"! She puts together trays of homemade cookies and goodies for all her volunteers on their birthdays, she takes huge goody trays to the day room of the nursing home for the residents. She is a living, breathing example of hospitality. If you happen to be in Plains, Montana over Labor Day weekend, come on down for the parade and see my Beauty Babe mom!!    Blessings!! Connie My itsy,bitsy, teeny, weeny, "garden"!! And fingernails! {
07:29 AM
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Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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My parents (both 70+) still have the most amazing garden. Mom cans what they don't eat fresh and they have it all winter long. I love walking up and down the tidy rows, peeking under green leaves to see what treasures are hiding, snatching a handful of fresh peas leaving the tell-tale pods trailing behind me. You would think I could have a fabulous garden myself since I have such great role models and teachers. But I have a confession to make: I'm lazy! I guess I don't want it badly enough to put the work into it. I have a nice little area in my backyard that would be great for a few tomatoes, some peas and zucchini...but the ground is so hard and rocky I just don't feel the motivation to really clear it out and make it useable. So, I have five containers: 2 tomatoes and three pepper plants. That's it. Just five big pots. My mom sees them, smiles that same smile she gave me when I was in grade school and showed her my latest art project. You know the one, the "oh, isn't that special...whatever it is. I love it because you made it!" type of smile. She oohs and aaahs over my little "garden" and gives me ideas what to do with the 15 peppers I will end up with! (I love my mom!!) So, to all of you with beautiful, bountiful gardens: I salute you (and envy you!)!! Thank goodness for our local farmer's markets. At least I can pretend as I bring in my latest purchase that I need to scrub the dirt from under my fingernails. Fingernails? I love the look of the well kept, neatly trimmed fingernails my friends have. But I have a confession to make: I'm lazy..... Oops -- One more thing... {
07:24 AM
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Monday, July 21, 2008
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This may fly directly opposite of my previous entry about peace and silence...but I love it!I found this on someone's blog (can't remember whose) and I wanted to save it. Call it my marching orders for the day! LIVE YOUR LIFE IN SUCH A WAY THAT WHEN YOUR FEET HIT THE FLOOR IN THE MORNING, SATAN SHUDDERS AND SAYS "OH NO, SHE'S AWAKE"! A few quiet moments before the hectic week... {
07:09 AM
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Monday, July 21, 2008
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Come and Find the Quiet CenterCome and find the quiet center in the crowded life we lead, find the room for hope to enter, find the frame where we are freed. Clear the chaos and the clutter clear our eyes that we can see all the things that really matter be at peace, and simply be. Silence is a friend who claims us cools the heat and slows the pace God it is who speaks and names us knows our being, touches base making space within our thinking lifting shades to show the sun raising courage when we're shrinking finding scope for faith begun. In the Spirit, let us travel open to each other's pain let our loves and fears unravel celebrate the space we gain there's a place for deepest dreaming there's a place for hearts to care in the Spirit's lively scheming there is always room to spare. Father, God, help me stay focused on all that truly matters this week and let the rest fall as chaff to the ground. Lead me to my quiet center so I can hear your voice and leading. "Home Court Advantage" by Kevin Leman {
12:49 PM
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Friday, July 18, 2008
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Highly recommend this book! Probably preaching to the choir here at homesteadblogger...but it sure reaffirms and encourages what we all know already: home is where the heart (and future of our country) is!My favorite parts so far include Dr. Leman's use of old Andy Griffith shows to bring home certain points. I ordered several Andy Griffith episodes from Christian Book Distributors because I love to share these old shows with Jack. These shows are from the era where it was still popular to have competent parents and respectful children! One episode Jack and I watched showed how Opie needed to earn his allowance but the new kid got whatever he wanted just by throwing a fit. The new kid showed Opie how to throw a fit to get his way but when Opie tried it, Andy asked him what he was doing. Opie replied, "I'm throwing a fit!" Andy just looked at him and calmly reminded him not to get his clothes dirty rolling around on the floor like that! When Opie said he should get his allowance without having to do any work, Andy listened to his argument and then basically said, "no work, no allowance". Gotta love Sheriff Taylor! Dr. Leman reminds us (especially me!) that everything we do is under the scrutiny of our children. My kids watch how I handle everything from dealing with heavy traffic to helping those less fortunate to my relationship with my spouse and family. Also, he challenges us to think very hard about the memories we are making with our children. And remember: not all memories are good ones. That comment has made me really stop and think: will Jack's memories be about me on the floor with him building k-nex race cars or will he recall seeing my backside as I stand at the sink full of dirty dishes hearing my complaints. Guess what? Dishes don't disintegrate by sitting in the sink for a day! My 19-y.o. daughter came over for a visit (translate that into "hot meal") and she asked if I would come out and swim with her for a while. My first instinct was, "I'm tired, I have dishes to do, and I want to go to bed early". But, fortunately, I said, "Sure". As we floated around the pool on the loungers we talked and laughed and I'm sure I made a memory with her. I give God the credit for stopping my selfish desire and encouraging me to "make a memory". Blessings! Connie Day 3 of 30-day challenge {
07:19 AM
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Saturday, July 12, 2008
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Steve Arterburn of the New Life Live radio show gave a caller who was struggling with guilt from past sin this challenge: read through Romans 6, 7, 8 every day for 30 days and see what happens. I, too, struggle with forgiving myself my past transgressions so I took this challenge on for myself. Even though it's only been three days, I am finding that different verses speak to me on different days. Today what jumped out at me is: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do no know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (8:26) There are so many days when I feel so overwhelmed and burdened that all I can muster is a weak cry of "help". And today, I was reminded that He who knows my heart and mind even better than I do is right there on the floor with me, interceding with "groans that words cannot express". "If God Almighty is for me, who cares who's against me?" (my loose paraphrase of 8:31!) The Creator of the Universe is on my side! What can compare to that?! Blessings! Connie He Is! {
11:25 AM
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Wednesday, July 9, 2008
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These past days I have been weighed down...down...down to my knees. Then I remembered this song. May it bring you goosebumps and peace like it does for me each time I hear it.Blessings! Connie Enough is Enough!!! {
11:05 AM
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Monday, July 7, 2008
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We are done with behavior meds! We have listened to Jack's doctors (pediatrician, endocrinologist and psychologist) for the past 18 months and now it's time to listen to our gut and rely more fully on God's healing!We've tried concerta, straterra, adderall, risperdol, guanfacine, buspar, abilify, ad nauseum! Jack's behavior either deteriorates or stays the same so obviously, the pharmaceutical road is the wrong way. Time to "fully rely on God"! No matter how many times I say, "trust in God", I still have not burned the bridges that lead to drugs, etc. I am NOT saying that behavior meds are wrong or sinful!! I am saying that we have tried and tried and tried again and obviously meds are not the answer for my sweet boy. As dad and I look at our homelife, our own baggage, and our own fallen status, we see where Jack, in all his strong-willed and inflexible glory :-) needs boundaries, consistency, parents who are stronger than his will, and the grace of God. Philippians 4:13 has become our cornerstone: We can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. We can all control our tempers, we can all be obedient, and we can all be joyful!! Blessings! Connie Pics of Jack receiving his yellow belt!! {
08:57 PM
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Thursday, June 26, 2008
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Jack has been taking martial arts for the past year at our homeschool parent partnership program. He earned his yellow belt and boy was he thrilled! He worked very hard and was so determined. It was great to see him succeed!  Jack's Ajarn tying his new belt on.  The special "hand shake" for this type of Thailand Martial Arts! With all the behavior issues Jack continues to struggle with, it is SO wonderful to see how he flourishes in his martial arts class. It has been the best outlet for his energy. Blessings! Connie Kitchen mill/grinder questions! {
08:25 PM
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Tuesday, April 22, 2008
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We are thinking we need to try a gluten free diet for Jack and I know many of you grind your own grains. I'm totally in the dark and am wondering about brands of mills, how easy it is to grind rice and corn flour, is it really as simple as grinding up long-grain rice, is there a co-op or other place to purchase ready-to-grind grain, are these questions really as silly as I think they are? :-) We read that 1 our of every 10 kids with Type 1 diabetes are also diagnosed with celiac disease. Until we can get in for the official testing, we have decided to start living gluten-free just in case. I'm quickly learning all kinds of things and researching recipes, etc. Any advice or links would be most appreciated! Blessings! Connie { Last Page } { Page 1 of 4 } { Next Page } |
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