Monday, March 31, 2008

Dance!

Dancing with my kids is one of my favorite things to do. We all laugh together. We can be silly or we can dance slow and cuddle. This is something I started doing when my first born was just a few days old. When my children are grown, I suspect the fondest memories of their mom will be the times that I danced with them. Last night we were due for a dance session. The moment was right. All the curtains were shut. I put some music on and cranked up the volume. Landen's mouth dropped open as he watched his mother cut loose. (mind you I'm big and pregnant) LOL...They think it is funny to see mom act so silly. I love just watching them giggle at me.

In fact alot of days I put on worship music while the kids are doing their chores and getting ready to start our school day. I love seeing everyone sing their hearts out to the Lord. It's such a great way to start our day.

Sunday, March 30, 2008

6 Words To Describe Myself




I was tagged by a good friend of mine Kadi (sorry don't know how to link you to her blog) CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME HOW TO WORK THAT.. her blog is www.kadiprescott.blogspot.com Her blog is hilarious as she writes about her daily life as a mother of 7!

I was tagged to do a six word memoir on myself. Thanks Kadi, I really had to think hard on this one....

Independent
Nosy
Misunderstood
Hopeful
Determined
Calm


Now it's your turn. Try and describe yourself in six words.

Tag your it...
Brianna
Brenda
Aimie
Sarah
Austin and Faith ok that's 6 oh well...( good idea I think I'll have them do this too! )


The Rules


Use six words to describe yourself


Add a picture (optional)

Link back to the person who tagged you

Tag five new people and link to their blogs

Farrah's 1st year of life

I'm proud of myself I usually don't know how to do slide shows and all that fancy stuff. I was looking through pictures of Farrah and I just can't believe how fast this year has gone by. My baby is going to be 1 years old already! I have so many pictures that it made for a long video. If you get a chance click on the link below (I mean copy and paste) I don't yet know how to set up a link..sisters I need your help on this one...duh! enjoy!


http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p=56bbb14e5f6f6464b1abff&skin_id=601&utm_source=otm&utm_medium=text_url

Friday, March 28, 2008

So Tired

Last night I was so tired that I couldn't wait to finish giving the kids bath's jump in the shower myself and go to bed. I told Austin to get in the shower while I give the two little ones a bath. I'm calling Landen from the other bathroom to come get in the bath but he wants to take a shower. Austin won't let him in so he starts banging the glass shower door. I quickly get Faith to watch Farrah so I could get Landen to stop banging on the door. As I walk in this is what happened.........



So much for getting to bed early!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

My child will never.........

Never say never! As the saying goes, if I had a dollar... well let's just say For every "(My child will never)......." comment I have made and then broken I'd be rich!

I am starting to realize that every child is different and you never know what you will result to just to survive the day. For example my two older children were easy going and well behaved. Now my third well let's just say I often wonder what God has in store for such a strong willed child.
I sometimes think Landen is a payback... an excruciating, unforgiving and perhaps deserved payback for my mothering judgments. HA..I love him but ahhhh! I pray all the time, " God I learned my lesson, I will not judge again. Now please let Landen behave!" A lot of my self-righteous opinions began well before my first child was born. I was a young naive mom who didn't have a clue. I was the mom who's child was going to wear name brand clothes eat homemade organic food, always be neat and clean and use their manners. After having Austin and Faith I waited 4yrs before having Landen. I always thought motherhood was easy and how could mom's let their kids act like that or go out of the house looking like that. Well, that was until my sweet Landen was born. I will try to NEVER judge a mom for how they raise they kids again!
Here are some of My child will never.....



My child will never be seen in public in just a diaper........ until of course they pooped up their back and I had no more change of clothes in my diaper bag.

My child will never have a crusty nose... died after Faith had such a bad cold and runny nose that it just kept running and running. Who can further torture their child and their raw red nose with the constant wiping?

My child will never be the kid who bites other kids in Sunday school....now I get paged out of church almost every Sunday and have to carry hot sauce in my diaper bag to squirt in Landen's mouth.

My child will never eat pizza, french fries, sweets etc...... HA! what was I thinking??? My 11 month old eats just about all of that.

My child will never eat in the car..........Well anyone who has seen the inside of my car knows this rule was broken. In order to keep my sanity while driving they do eat in the car!

My CAR will never smell......Until I realized how easy it is to forget about the bottle left under the seat or opps mommy I spilled my vanilla steamer.

My child will never wear cartoon shirts, shoes etc....... after number three, you don't care as long as they are dressed.

My child will never be homeschooled... Look at me know, I love it so much I blog about it:)

My child will never watch t.v. for hours a day......now, it's go ahead honey watch animal planet for the 3rd hour in a row! Your learning right?? Somedays mom needs a break with free babysitting.

My child will never wear a leash........ Now I love my leash it has saved my two year old from getting hit by cars many times. Try chasing him pregnant with a 10 month old in your arms.

My child will never get yelled at by me in public......now I just scream, "Knock it off now or I will pull down your pants right here and spank you and I don't care who's watching!"

My child will never scream in public like that......now he not only screams but is on the floor screaming and kicking.

My child will never use a pacifier.... now I use the pacifier after it fell on the floor.

My child will never have a messy room....as long as the rest of the house looks somewhat in order who cares what their rooms look like. Let them have fun and play.

This are just a couple of the one's I can think of. Now that my sister is about to have her first baby I strongly warn her not to be judgmental of me or other mom's because she just might have a sweet baby boy just like Landen:)

Call me crazy, but I'd rather raise my kids in a happy, loving household with Dora on the tv and Cheerios on the dinner table than to have them grow up in the presence of an uptight, judgmental mom with her constant eye rolling and shoulders up to her ears.
I am doing the best I can as a mom and I love my children everyday!

What are some of your, "My child will never..." and then broke them???? I'd like to hear.

A phone scam targeting homeschoolers

Beware...I'm posting this for all my homeschool friends. Better safe than sorry...

CHN (California Homeschool Network) and HSC (Homeschool California) received information today that someone who claimed to be
from Pacific Justice Institute called a homeschooler and told her it
was illegal to homeschool in California, and they wanted a $200
donation from her to help keep her freedom to homeschool so that
she's not fined and put in jail.

PJI was called, and they say they are not making these calls. So, it
looks like another phone scam, If anyone else gets a
call, will you please give CHN a call and report the information you
have at 800-327-5339.

1st part of court battle won!

Whooo hooo! This is a great first step. On March 25, the California Court of Appeal granted a motion for rehearing in the 'In re Rachel L.' case--the controversial decision
which purported to ban all homeschooling in that state unless the
parents held a teaching license qualifying them to teach in public
schools.
All us homeschoolers are very glad that this case will be reheard and that this opinion has been vacated, but there is no guarantee as to what the ultimate
outcome will be.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Most Annoying Moments

Okay, there are several but this is one that I get alot.

I was sitting with another hs mom today. We were talking about how any time it comes up that we homeschool, we brace ourselves. The most popular response from strangers is "Oh, I could never do that. I don't have the patience." Now, this is not the worst response.

Then it is usually followed by the "Why? What's wrong with the school in your area?" Or what I find MOST ANNOYING... if you can imagine it, is when people actually QUIZ my kids. They look at them and say something like "Oh, really?? Well, who wrote The Gettysburg Address and in what year?" Ohmygosh. I don't run around quizzing other people's children. I don't quiz their parents either. But it constantly astounds me how many strangers feel that giving my children pop-quizzes if fair game. It's so tacky and rude. That's the worst for me.

I love homeschooling. My kids don't have it easy when it comes to what they are learning and we don't skip stuff either. We work hard.

Today was the first day of SAT 9. I have to admit this being my first year I was a little nervous and didn't know what to expect. Did I prepare my kids enough??? After I picked them up I asked, "Sooooooooo, how was testing?" They said so easy mom! Whewwww! I'll see when the results come, but I think were gonna be just fine.

Lesson for today: If someone says they homeschool, just say, "That's nice!" or "Well, good for you!" or even just "Have a great day in school."

Monday, March 24, 2008

Grandma's Famous Raviolis

I've been wanting to learn how to make my grandma's homemade raviolis since I was little. I made it a point to take the kids to grandma's for a lesson in making the yummy raviolis. We learned how to make them from scratch and the sauce too. This recipe was my great-grandma's and has been passed down. Now not only do I know how to make them now but so do my kids:) Thank you grandma for letting us make a mess at your house. (I just hope mine turn out as good as yours)

Friday, March 21, 2008

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Easter Fun

Whether you home school or not these are some fun stuff to do with the kids for Easter. My kids had a blast making the resurrection rolls (thank you Laura!) it's fun to see the the roll empty! We made it a big deal when we closed the oven door, we even taped it shut to make a point of the story. We read the bible story along with the baking of the rolls. Fun and easy!

Resurrection Rolls
Ingredients:

1 package of refrigerated crescent rolls
Large Marshmallows - 1 per biscuit
Melted butter
Sugar & Cinnamon mixture
Directions:
1. Wrap 1 triangle around 1 marshmallow. Dip in butter and roll in cinnamon/sugar.
2. Bake as directed on the crescent package.
3. The marshmallow will melt and the roll will be hollow inside.
4. While the rolls are baking share The Easter Story with your children. They will be amazed to see that the roll will be empty just like Jesus’ tomb was empty.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We plan on doing these for our Easter egg hunt at grandma's house. That is if I can gather all the materials it time.


Resurrection Eggs
Materials needed:

12 plastic eggs numbered 1-12
empty egg carton
small piece of bread
3 silver coins
small piece of purple cloth
thorn (you could use a thumbtack)
thick string
small cross (you could make this from toothpicks)
nail
small sign with the words “THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS”
piece of sponge
spear-like object (you could use a toothpick or stick)
rock
Directions:
Fill 11 of the eggs with the above items, leaving the 12th egg empty. Read the following passages from Scripture as you open each egg.

1. (Bread) Matthew 26:26
While they were eating Jesus took a piece of bread, gave a prayer of thanks, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. "Take and eat it," He said, "This is My body."

2. (Coins) Matthew 26: 14-15
Then one of the twelve disciples, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and asked, "What will you give me if I betray Jesus to you?" They counted out thirty silver coins and gave them to him.

3. (Purple cloth, representing a purple robe) Mark 15:17
They put a purple robe on Jesus. . .

4. (Thorns) Matthew 27:29
Then they made a crown out of thorny branches and placed it on His head, and put a stick on His right hand; then they knelt before Him and made fun of Him. "Long live the King, of the Jews!" they said.

5. (Scourge-a small piece of rope or thick string) Mark 15:15
Pilate wanted to please the crowd, so he set Barabbas free for them. Then he had Jesus whipped and handed Him over to be crucified.

6. (Cross) John 19: 17-18a
He went out, carrying His cross, and came to "The Place of the Skull," as it is called. (In Hebrew it is called "Galgotha.") There they crucified Him.

7. (Nails) John 20:25b
Thomas said to them, "Unless I see the scars of the nails in His hands and put my finger on those scars and my hand in His side, I will not believe."

8. (Sign) Luke 23:38
Above Him were written these words: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

9. (Sponge) Matthew 27:48
One of them ran up at once, took a sponge, soaked it in cheap wine, put it on the end of a stick, and tried to make Him drink it.

10. (Spear) John 19:34
One of the soldiers plunged his spear into Jesus' side, and at once blood and water poured out.

11. (Rock) Matthew 27:59-60
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own new tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.

12. (Empty) Matthew 28:6
He is not here He has risen just as He said.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I shared this poem with the kids and let them eat jelly beans to go along with the poem. (I think I'm their favorite teacher)

Jelly Bean Poem
Red is for the blood He gave.
Green is for the grass He made.
Yellow is for the sunflowers so bright.
Black is for the dark of night.
White is for the grace He gave.
Orange is for the sun He made.
Purple is for the hours of sorrow.
Pink is for our new tomorrow.
A bag full of jelly beans,
Colorful and sweet.
It's a prayer, a promise,
And a child's treat.

Attention Young Artists

Since Faith has told me on many occasions, "Mom, I don't need to learn math I am just going to be an artist anyways."
Faith is excited to enter this contest along with her brothers.

Pier 1 Imports is sponsoring a contest for kids (ages 14 and under) to design a holiday card for UNICEF. This year's theme is "Making Spirits Bright."

The winning drawing will be printed as an official UNICEF holiday card and sold at Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide, with 100% of the proceeds going to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to help children all over the world.

The child who creates the selected drawing will also win a free trip to New York City.

For more details and to access the official U.S. entry form online, please go to:

http://www.pier1.http://www.pier1http://www.phttp://www.p

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

My New Term "Pouch Schooling"


In the new movie Horton Hears a Who the sour kangaroo who is the "villian" and homeschool mom in the movie makes a comment about homeschooling. She calls it "pouch schooling." I personally think it's cute and funny. In fact I think I'll use that term from now on. I know a bunch of homeschool mom's who have their panties in a bunch about the reviews for this movie. They are saying that this movie is portraying homeschoolers are narrow-minded, fear based, fun and imagination squelchers. It doesn't bother me and I will still take my kids to see the movie. We laugh, because we know it's not true. If anything the homeschool mom's I know are everything but that.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Family Kite Day


Saturday, we were out of town so my parents filled in for us on kite day. Each boy had to make a kite and see who's kite could fly the longest and highest. On Friday, my dad and Austin built a kite together. I was told it was the best kite there! I'm not suprised anything my dad makes he put's alot of thought into. Good job Austin and Grandpa.
Thank you Brianna for taking the pictures

No more long hair

Before




After



Most of you know I do hair, but the boys like to go with daddy to the barber shop. It's a guy thing they all like to do together. So on Thursday Justin took Landen with him to go get their haircuts and ice cream. They tried a new barber (who I guess didn't speak good english) Justin explained that Landen just needed a little clean trim. Before he could even stop the lady she had his whole bottom half of his head shaved! Poor kid...I went and had it fixed on Friday.
Now Landen has his big brother haircut. They look so much alike now. The only thing now is what will I grab when he takes off running away from me???



Ca. Parents Arrested: Caught Home-schooling

California parents arrested -- Caught Home-schooling their children without a teaching credential
Written by Robert W. Armijo
Story written: 11 March 2008



California's home-schooled headed for public schools?
Sacramento, California - A three-judge panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeals made it illegal on February 28 for any parent to home school their child, unless they have a teaching or tutor credential. Upon hearing the ruling, school districts officials began demanding that police take immediate action. So yesterday, throughout the state, judges secretly began swearing out and signing arrest warrants for any parent who was suspected of home-schooling their children without a teaching credential.

Setting up a special task force virtually overnight, SWAT teams and truant officers armed with arrest warrants and automatic weapons began rounding up wayward parents, and against their will placing their child in protective custody and enrolling them in public schools throughout the state.

Originally thought to be a logistical nightmare, distinguishing home-schooled children from that of the public school system, officials quickly learned they could gather up a list of suspects from last year's contestants, finalists and winners of the National Spelling Bee Contest, unusually high SAT scores and any kid who passed a random drug screen and/or pregnancy test.

"Also, we followed home any polite, courteous or well adjusted child," said Dug Martinez, SWAT Commander. "Oh, and any kid we caught actually doing their homework at the library."

In the early morning predawn darkness, SWAT teams and truant officers began their statewide sweep, crashing down the front doors in quiet peaceful suburban neighborhoods, but mostly in rural areas.

"After the California Superior Court medical marijuana ruling, the three-judge panel of the 2ND District Court of Appeals had to do something to try to restore the proper checks and balances to the political system that has been inadvertently eroded by that ruling," said a political scientist. "So they did what anyone would do in their situation, they pointed the finger at a minority group to draw away public attention from themselves."

"Also, they must have thought the ruling against home-schooling would bring in badly needed federal education dollars to the public schools for the upcoming recession, securing the liberal vote for the elected incumbency from the teachers' union," said a legal analyst from the Cassandra Institute Foresight School of Law.

"Overall, we netted a pretty good raid," said Officer Martinez. "We arrested the parents. Put the kids in protective custody and enrolled them in public school. We confiscated a whole bunch of high quality, up to date learning materials, too."

Listed among the home-schooling educational material seized by police: copies of "Plato's Republic; The Prince; The Magna Carta; The Federalist Papers; The Declaration of Independence; The Constitution and The Bill of Rights."

"You know until today's raid, I never even bothered reading this stuff myself. Let alone read it to my kids," said Officer Martinez. "I just found out we've alienated these good people out of at least three of their inalienable rights. Now, that ain't right."

The home-schooling learning materials will be held in the evidence locker to be used at trail, unless a plea bargain is reached, then they will be properly disposed with, according to Officer Martinez.
The story above is a satire or parody. It is entirely fictitious.
~I just had to share this! Too funny...~Bridget

Friday, March 14, 2008

Weekend with no kids!

My husband planned a weekend trip to San Francisco all by himself! All I had to do is find sitters for the kids. I think the last time we went away with no kids was almost 4 years ago when I got pregnant with Landen in Hawaii. I'm already pregnant so I should come home safe this time. haha... My sister is brave enough to take the two younger ones, and I have a feeling after this weekend her and her husband will only plan on having just one child. My mom is taking the older two so I'm set. Our plane leaves tomorrow morning and we come home Monday night. Yeah!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Over socialized

For most people their main concern for homeschooling is the social part. I on the other hand have to say it's the least of my worries. My kids are very social and are active in alot of different activities. They have many friends!
Today we had park day. Some of the activities included kite flying, egg hunting,taste testing and ended in the American Fitness Challenge.







Austin enterend the fitness challenge
He ran a mile, did 25 situps in 1 min and (I forgot how many pull ups) but he did good. :) He came in 2nd place out of the 8 year old boys! Go Austin!



What if

Now that I have been faced with the "what if" I can't homeschool legally in California, I have realized alot this week how much I would miss it. How much I would miss the time spent teaching my children. I enjoy seeing the light bulbs go on, the times we have learned math by baking, the fun of reading books together. I enjoy being with my kids. I would never trade the past year I have spent by their sides. I know God is in control of what is going on so I am not that worried. I also don't think the truancy officers can even tie their own shoes let alone come track all of us down. (Sorry I'm a little bitter)
All of this has caused me to think alot about homeschooling and why I do it. I teach my kids because there is so much I want them to learn in addition to straight academics. Yes, it is very important that they know how to do math equations, know the history of our country and know how to write proper sentences. But one of my main goals is for them to really have a love for learning itself. I myself had to learn this later on in life. When I was young in school I lost the desire to learn. I was bored and burnt out. I was their more for social reasons. Now I love to learn and I want to pass that on to my children.

I have learned so much since we started homeschooling in September. I have learned so much from teaching my kids. They can move at their own pace, redo things or go fast, it keeps the spark of learning in their lives. They never get burned out. Another thing I have found to help them is by allowing some leeway in their studies, I hope to spur a lifelong habit of learning about subjects that are of interest them. But the all-encompassing reason why I teach my kids is that I feel it is what God has called me to do.
I am so thankful the Lord has blessed me with the opportunity to shape their hearts at home.

I do not believe homeschooling is right for everyone, though I think people don't realize what they are missing out on when they send their kids off to school. God calls us as parents to do what is best for our children, whether it is sending them to public or private school, or homeschooling them. As long as my husband and I feel God is calling us to homeschool, I will continue to do so whether it means I have to move out of California!

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Campland

My kids think this place is better than Disneyland. Campland on the bay is located in San Diego. It is such a great place to take your family. We headed out for the weekend, after a long week in the hospital it was nice to get out. Farrah is feeling much better and enjoyed being outside in the warm sunshine. We all had alot of fun! They have so much to do there. They have scheduled events planned all day everyday. From arts and crafts to horse shoe tournaments. We plan to go back very soon!
Here are some pictures from our trip








I'm calling the Governor so should you!

We need to send a strong message!
Call your State Assemblymember and State Senator as soon as possible.
(You can find your Assembly Member's Capitol phone and fax numbers, and address by entering your 9-digit ZIP code in HSLDA's Legislative Tool Box at http://www.capwiz.com/hslda, or by calling the office in your county that handles voter registration. The Governor’s office is (916) 445-2841 or fax him at (916) 558-3160.)

Ask them to –
“Please support Assembly Member Anderson's ACR 115 by signing on as a co-author. This Resolution calls for a reversal of a California Appellate Court's misguided interpretation of the laws under which we educate our children at home."

Notes:
* Because e-mails are usually ignored, letters and calls are significantly more effective.
* Reprint or forward this to your friends, church, school, and group.
* Pray for a proper outcome.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Please sign Petition

Whether you homeschool or not, if you believe in freedom - especially in the freedom for parents to have the final say on the raising of their children (such as where and how they will be educated), then please let your voice be heard against this ruling in California.

Thank you!

https://www2.hslda.org/Registrations/DepublishingCaliforniaCourtDecision/

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Update on California homeschool rights

What is this world coming too?? Please continue to PRAY -- and especially that any legislative action that MAY be taken is done in such a way that we are allowed to maintain our freedom and rights, and continue to honor God in our homes an families - gee, maybe even with increased opportunity to share our Love for Christ, and His Love for US through this whole little mess :-)


***************************************************************************************

LEGISLATIVE NEWSFLASH – March 7, 2008


From: Roy Hanson’s Private and Home Educators of California


CHEA is sending you the following newsflash from Roy Hanson, who serves as our legislative consultant.
***** ***** ***** *****
As you probably know, on Thursday, February 28th, The Second Appellate District in Los Angeles County ruled that a homeschooling family from Southern California (not a member of HSLDA) did not have a right to “homeschool” under the California Constitution unless the parent is a credentialed tutor.
***** ***** ***** *****

Current Situation
Nothing has changed in California regarding your homeschool. HSLDA maintains that the advice they have given home school families for some twenty-five years is still accurate and that filing a private school affidavit, or enrolling in a private school independent study program (I.S.P) are valid options under the law in California.

In summary, homeschoolers should not panic but continue to home school as in the past. The leaders of the statewide homeschool groups and HSLDA are coordinating with each other on this issue on a regular basis. Pray for a positive outcome. The attorneys at HSLDA are working very hard during this time to prepare for additional legal action to reverse this decision. Seeking legislation at this time is unnecessary and likely dangerous.
***** ***** ***** *****

Governor’s office press release Friday, March 7, 2008
Gov. Schwarzenegger Issues Statement Regarding Court of Appeals Home Schooling Ruling
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement regarding the recent Second District Court of Appeals ruling on home schooling:

"Every California child deserves a quality education and parents should have the right to decide what’s best for their children. Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will.”
***** ***** ***** *****

Background
This ruling resulted from a Juvenile Court case on allegations of abuse or neglect, which originally had nothing to do with homeschooling. When the Juvenile Court judge would not prohibit the parents from home schooling their children, the court-appointed attorneys for the children went to the California Court of Appeals. The Appellate Court went further than they needed to, and essentially ruled that State law does not provide any options that allow parents to teach their own children at home.

Future court action on this Appellate Court ruling cannot occur until after March 29th. This ruling is a very serious matter but not a cause for panic. There are legal options still open to pursue in the Courts. HSLDA is working to overturn this decision in the courts. In other words, this Appellate Court ruling is not the final say.

It is important to realize that no laws have changed that affect private schools whether in one’s home or on a campus. California is still one of twelve states where homeschoolers can operate legally under the private school provision. See our Legal Fact Sheet . The Court does not have the power to change the law but only to interpret it, and this court has made critical errors in their interpretation of private school laws as they apply to private home education.

No court has the authority to universally order every homeschooler into a public or private campus school. Under due process the court can only issue orders directed to the parties before the court. Any attempts of enforcement would have to be one family at a time. As in the past, a family could be charged with truancy and then go to a SARB hearing even before any court hearing. This should not be a dread for anyone who is a member of HSLDA. If you are not a member of HSLDA you should join now!

If a public official comes to your door and tells you that home schooling is illegal and that you must put your kids in a public school or a private campus school, do not let them in your house, call HSLDA if you are a member, and let the HSLDA attorney talk to the person at the door. HSLDA attorneys are available to their members 24 hours a day seven days a week.

***** ***** ***** *****
What can homeschoolers do right now to help?
(1) This court's ruling could provoke well-meaning individuals to seek a legislative remedy. Legislation at this time would be detrimental to our current freedom to home school privately in California. If you become aware through first hand knowledge of any such attempt to have a legislator introduce legislation addressing or dealing with home schooling, please contact us at contact@pheofca.org immediately!

(2) Please encourage your home schooling friends to join HSLDA now (www.hslda.org) for two reasons! (a) Membership in and contributions to HSLDA will help provide the financial resources needed to carry on this complex and lengthy court process for judicial relief from this current ruling. This will benefit all homeschoolers. (b) HSLDA membership will protect your family should you be contacted as a result of this Appellate Court ruling. This will also give you the piece of mind that, whenever you might need it, you have immediate support from the only experienced highly successful team of attorneys specialized in defending private home schoolers in California and our Nation.

(3) In all situations, it is the Lord Jesus Christ Who is our refuge, provider, and protector (Psalm 50:10-15). He is sovereign over all. Our Lord reigns! We are asking that you pray daily and also consider some kind of periodic fasting during this protracted battle that is shaping up. Pray for:
* those in authority, especially the judges involved in this case,
* the Long family involved in this case,
every fellow private homeschooling family
* HSLDA as they prepare to not only handle this situation but as they respond to all future legal contacts,
* for us here at Family Protection Ministries that God would sustain us and that we will be able to intercept every legislative proposal that could further erode our freedoms,
* CHEA and every other home school organization in California, and
* all other individuals and groups supporting this effort to defend home education.

(4) Continue on with a peaceful heart in your homeschooling and family life.

Friday, March 7, 2008

California Apellate Court ruling concerning homeschooling

I've been getting emails and calls on this: this is from Western Christian ISP (which we belong to)
By now you have likely seen a newspaper article, or heard a news story about the recent California Apellate Court ruling concerning homeschooling -- if not, the info below summarizes it.

CHEA (the Christian Home Educators Association of California) is advocating a don't panic, PRAY, but keep doing what you're doing approach to this situation (the link to their statement follows as well). At this point, the California Education Code has not CHANGED, California state law has not changed, and those laws and provisions in the code, by which we have, for many, many years, homeschooled with the understanding that we were (and are) in compliance with the exemptions for private schools, have not changed. They have been interpreted differently by this Court, and there may be future implications -- but for now, CONTINUE WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

DO NOT PANIC -- at this point, we need to PRAY, and we need to follow the lead of the major homeschooling organizations so that we present a united front. Now, more than ever, we need to have the image of a well-educated, responsible, reasonable, competent group of Parent-Educators!

PRAY and PRAY and PRAY and PRAY --- spiritual warfare is being fought here, along with political power and
parental and personal rights issues ---- it needs to be resolved expediently . . .

We love you - and we will do everything we can do to keep you informed -- but please take the responsibility on yourself as well, and visit the HSLDA website frequently for the next few days/weeks . . . if anything changes, or any further action needs to be taken, we'll let you know.

Happy to be home



We just got home from the hospital. Farrah is doing so much better and is happy to be home playing with her brothers and sister again.
The kids made little welcome home Farrah posters.
We all sat down for lunch and I asked the kids how everything went, what they did etc. Faith right away says, well Austin called me the "F" word. I said, "WHAT!" I leave for a couple of days and this is what happens???? My kids learn the "F" word.
Faith continued to tell me what he said, "mommy he said I was artsy (then she whispers in my ear(Fartsy). Ok, I can handle that "F" word. I thank God my kids are so innocent at times.
On Tuesday we had planned to go to San Diego and camp at campland for a couple of days. We had a field trip planned at Sea World and a museum trip planned also. We were excited to have a fun week away. We were all packed when I noticed Farrah was weezing really bad. I took her in to urgent care and ended up being transported by ambulance to the hospital. Her oxygen level was really low. Needless to say the kids were bumbed.

We are all begging daddy to take us soon, now that Farrah is feeling better.
Thank you to everyone for their prayers. Thanks to all who helped watch the kids and thank you for letting me come home to a clean house!

I have the best family and friends.

Farrah in her tent (not happy!)

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Pray for Farrah

Farrah is spending her second night in the hospital for RSV. She is having trouble breathing. We both want to go home! If you get a chance say a little prayer for my baby. Thank you!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

A sucker for suckers

Part of being a home school mom means I have to take the kids with me when i run errands. Alot of my errands involves bribing my kids with suckers to be good, but a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do right? Anyone know of a 2 yr old who has 10 or more suckers just to keep quiet while sitting in a doctors office. Can you say sugar high! Well lucky for me I found a bag full of sugar free suckers at the dollar tree. I bought all they had. These suckers have helped potty train Landen (almost) and help me get alot of errands done. I even was able to go to get a quick eyebrow wax. I made them all sit down with suckers. I'm telling you it works!I am learning to bring sugar less suckers with me everywhere and plenty of them. Even Farrah likes running errands now.




Sunday, March 2, 2008

Life is to short



When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
when 24 hours in a day are not enough,
remember the mayonnaise jar and the coffee....

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in
front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large
and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He
then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that
it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into
the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas
between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was
full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the
jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if
the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table
and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the
empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to
recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the
important things - God, family, your children, your health, your friends,
and your favorite passions-things that if everything else was lost and
only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the
other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car. The
sand is everything else-the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no
room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you
spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have
room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play
with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner
out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the
house and fix the disposal." Take care of the golf balls first, the
things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee
represented. The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes
to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always
room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."