Home School Riddle

Question: How does a home schooler change a light bulb?

Answer: First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library. Then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison, and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they'll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light.

Thought you ladies would get a kick out of this one!

Fall is Almost Here...YEA!!!

The weather's been crisp and cool. I've had pants on for most of the past two days. And, I've fallen asleep to the cool air through opened windows for about five nights. I'm so pleased that fall is coming I could do a cheesy, musical number right now. Ok, let's pretend I did it.

So, we started Lucy's sixth-ish grade year up yesterday, Monday. The two of us are fried out and tired from trying to jump-start our brains back into gear but it's awesome!!! We've started with shorter days but I'm hoping by next week we'll be more rested and can do the entire day. For anyone interested in how I've set up our schedule this year, here it is:

School Schedule

8:00-8:45 Bible

8:45-9:25 Math

9:25-10:00 English- Spelling, Writing and Cursive

10:00-10:30 Social studies

10:30-10:45 Snack

10:45-11:25 Italian

11:25-12:00 History/ U.S. and World Geography

12:00-12:30 Lunch

12:30-1:00 Potpourri (Garden/ nature/ animals/ manners/ cooking, art, music, poetry…)

1:00-1:30 P.E.

1:30-2:00 Science (with Danny)

Add on art lessons, drum lessons, possibly swimming and AWANAS. We should be busy enough. Now, if I only had time to write and publish that New York Times best seller...I'd be, dare I say, content? Happy, THRILLED!! I'd buy you all something nice so there's a benefit to praying for this request:) Happy almost fall, all!

Our Chickies

This is our tiniest chickie, Waverly. She's a Bantam Chicken. We have four but the others are much bigger. They free-roam our property and have such wonderful and specific personalities. It's so amazing how every creature, big and small, has unique characteristics...God is in the details. The only problem is, we're not big egg eaters so too many of our eggs are being wasted. We're getting about four a day. If any of you are big fans of fresh chickie eggs, let me know and when we've got extras, we'll bring them by or you can come get them.

Who in town is ready for fall? I am...I am!!!

Amish/Mennonite Living

Trying to live an Amish/ Mennonite life in modern America is challenging. Figuring out which boundaries need to be set is even more challenging. Sure, some things are obvious but others I tend to have to break out the scales of balance in order to make a reasonable decision. This is especially tricky when it comes to children. There are so many influences out there and so much temptation. I picked up a copy of Jame Dobson's, "Bringing up Girls," book yesterday--they also have "Bringing up Boys." I personally and freely jumped into every hole possible as a young-er woman so I do feel like through experience I am somewhat prepared for what may come. At least I know the signs and more important perhaps, I know the reasons behind my own choices. My prayer, and this might be a good prayer for us to lift up for one another, is that God guides Danny's and my parenting so that whatever mistakes we make, are not one's that damage Lucy and that where we do fall short, he will shield and strengthen her. Nicole asked me yesterday if Lucy was 10 going on 13. I'm so glad she's not. Emotionally she's had to deal with issues far beyond her age and her worries and causes and sometimes logic reflect that. But in a worldly way, she is very young. I picked out a pair of jean shorts for her the other day that come down to a little above mid-thigh. She's used to shorts coming down to her knees so I had to tell her that these new, shorter one's were fine. "I just don't feel like they're appropriate." She told me. That pleased me beyond what I can express.

May we all hear such wonderful words out of our children's mouths for as long as we live!

Fun Fruit Project

We were recently asked to provide a fruit tray for a get-together. My first thought was, how boring. I love to cook, so fruit didn't offer much of a challenge. Then Lucy came up with an idea we had just read about in a childhood cookbook of mine. The original idea was with lettuce and veggies but we made the changes and came up with what we lovingly called, Earl. We had so much fun making Earl as a family and he was a HUGE hit at the party, especially amongst the wee ones.

So, just because you're asked to bring fruit, doesn't mean your dish can't be the hit of the day!

Baby Steps

Hi Friends,

Wow, almost a year has gone by since I last blogged. It has been a very long and windy road. The journey is not quite finished yet, nor is it entirely smooth, but I'm getting there. I feel I have changed a lot in the past two or three years. Some change has been good, some not. I have actually become more quiet....gasp! Don't worry, this isn't the case when I get together with good friends. I just feel like I listen more. In silence it's so much easier to hear God. My brain is a hyper-spinning brain and so, I'm learning to simplify the parts of my life I have control over so that the craziness that I cannot stop, won't overwhelm me. I am not always successful at this but I'm working on it. We've found a Mennonite church in town that we are going to try. We feel like some simple and back to basics, Christian fellowship is needed in our life. We are spending more time in prayer and as a family. We would like to add a church family into the mix. Lucy and I have really been enjoying cooking together. And this year, I am determined to stop being a serial plant killer! There is a green thumb somewhere in me and I am going to find it!

We have been in a new house for almost a month now. We were set to move out of state, to Washington or Oregon when God led us to a house in town. I have to admit that I was both excited and concerned. The thought of running away was and is very tempting. However, there is a reason we're needed here and as much as I sometimes want to run from that reason, I understand it.

My dad spent the month of August in the hospital. It was determined, amongst other things, that he has suffered 8-11 mini strokes on top of the big one he had in 2001. We knew he wasn't doing ok before this but he's such a stubborn man. Lucy was with him when his side started to go numb and was very wise in having him hold onto a wall and calling us. It was a very stressful month. When he returned home, we spent a month living with him while Barbara was in sober living. We were able to help dad a lot during that time but sadly, Barbara hasn't made any changes since returning home. My dad retired in October and we closed his office. There is always so much going on with that family and while it causes the majority of worry in my life, I am working on giving God the control. Obviously he wants us here to help and therefore I have to believe that He knows I can handle it.

Lastly, Lucy is doing very well in school. I am teaching her Italian, which she is very good at. She still loves her American Girl dolls and we went up to the LA store for her 10th birthday in February. Business is going well for Danny. We joke that we had a lot of financial blessing in 2009 but a lot of personal turmoil. This year we're praying for balance.

Hope all is well with you. Sorry I've been away for so long. I hope to be back for good.

I know, I know I'm using a new name....again....Shiloh. In the Bible it means peace and right now it is what I search for daily.