Slowing Down

As I mentioned in my last post, it was a huge disappointment to end up with a severe ankle sprain just a few days before what is one of the most important races of the year for me.

I spent the first week after my injury wallowing in my mire and eating lots of chocolate.  I tried to continue with my 10,000 steps a day, but it soon became obvious that this was more than my ankle could tolerate right now.  The doctor kept telling me, “You’re going to have to lay off.”

The first thing I did was to cut my daily step goal in half to 5,000 steps.  This is equal to a couple of walks around the block each day, which is enough to make my ankle feel better, but also enough to make it want to swell.  I’ve also been concentrating on my eating.  No more chocolate and back to Bright Line Eating.

This time of year is always a big switch in schedules for me.  Our running group has quit meeting three days a week and it’s now back to school time, so there’s a big switch up in our daily activities anyway.  This year’s switch up has been bigger than expected.

I started a project last summer of going room by room, closet by closet, and drawer by drawer getting rid of things we no longer need or use.  We have gotten rid of so much “stuff” and have so  much more that needs to go.  I’m continuing that project as I can.

The time that I spent running in the past is now spent doing strengthening exercises for my ankle every day.  I’ve discovered that they can easily be done while sitting in the recliner with the footrest up, so that makes them more comfortable and enjoyable.  After those are done in the morning, I then spend time getting my electrodes placed and then wrapping my foot in some way to help keep them in place.  I use a TENS unit all day every day, 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off.  Yes, these are my electronic shock treatments.  At night I’m sleeping with a compression sock to help with the swelling and a brace which immobilizes my ankle and helps with the pain.

I’ve had to face one of my biggest fears:  If I stop running or exercising, I’ll never start again and go back to being a couch potato.  I’ve finally decided that this is not true.  Where I am now is temporary.  I’ll do what I can, slowly increasing my activity, until I’m back to where I was.  It will probably take months, but that’s ok.  There’s nothing like having goals to work towards!

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever
circumstances I am.  Philippians 4:11

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Back to Homeschool

All across America, whether you have school age children or not, this time of year is often thought of as “back to school.” We had the recent sales tax holiday where many school supplies were tax free for a weekend. We’ve all been inundated with “back to school” ads from various retailers, and most of us are once again seeing the yellow school buses in and around our neighborhoods.

Most homeschools also experience a “back to school” transition this time of year. Even those that homeschool year round often take a shortened summer break or go with a lighter schedule during the summer. Sometimes the transition back to spending more time every day doing school work can be difficult for the whole family. Here are some things you can do to help make that transition smooth and peaceful.

Start your school year in the middle of the week. By starting your school year off later in the week (let’s say Wednesday), you will only have three days of school before the weekend is here and you have a break again. You can make it an even lighter transition, by starting your school year the Wednesday before Labor Day, taking the weekend and Labor Day off, and then you will only have four days of school your second week of school. Even if you don’t start the week before Labor Day, you can still take the next Monday off.

Regardless of when you start cracking the books open again, you most likely will find that there are some supplies that you forgot to purchase. The fast approaching three-day weekend will give you a chance to go out and purchase those supplies that you find you need.

Make your first day of school a day of fun. Instead of cracking the books open right away, take some time to play some educational games. If you use binders or notebooks, let your children make covers for them. Take pictures and record some vital statistics such as your children’s height and weight. Have your children fill out an annual survey asking about all their favorite things. Do very little bookwork on this day. Let your children review and get excited about the materials you plan to use this coming year.

Also remember that you do not have to start all subjects on day one. Another way to transition into the school year is to start with a few subjects and then add a subject or two each week. This method can help the whole family transition back into a regular routine.

Regardless of how your school operates, remember that it’s your school and it is up to you to customize it to fit your family. If something isn’t working (and you will have something that doesn’t), change it or get rid of it. There is nothing that says that you must educate your children Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Education can happen any time of the day and any day of the week, so take advantage of it and do what best fits your children and your family.

Pizza Ranch and the Apostrophe

Whoever creates, proofs, and approves the decor for Pizza Ranch should be fired. We made another visit to the restaurant, so I was on the lookout after finding their last grammatical error. Evidently, someone in their employment does not understand the use of the apostrophe. “The Best Show on Earth” for the decorators at Pizza Ranch is a YouTube video explaining how to use the apostrophe to show possession.

Why do You #Homeschool?

Handcuffs (Photo credit: .v1ctor Casale.)

We all homeschool for different reasons.  Most of us homeshool for more than one reason.  Once you begin to homeschool, your reasons for doing so may change.

Homeschooling your children is a full-time “job;” and just like any other job, you have your good days and your bad days.  I know there were often days that I thought about how nice it would be to put my kids on the bus every morning.  There were also some days when they weren’t behaving that I would threaten to put them on the bus!  However, when it came down to it, I would never put them on the bus.  I know they knew that too.

When those not-so-good homeschooling days come along, it’s helpful to think about why you’re homeschooling.  It’s helpful to step back for a moment and look at the big picture.  Why am I doing this?  What am I trying to accomplish?  Are we making progress?  Are my children where they need to be now?  A little reflection can often keep you going.

Another thing that keeps me going is the news reports of what is happening in the government schools.  Reports like the one below convince me that many of our government schools are not a place for children.

Second-Grader Says School Put Him In Handcuffs For Misbehaving

Yes, a second grader at a Kansas City school was placed in handcuffs last week.

Kalyb told the station that kids were teasing and taunting him but nothing got physical. A teacher was unable to calm him down and he was taken to the principal’s office by a school security guard.

“We were halfway down the hall, he put handcuffs on and twisted my wrists a little,” Kalyb added.

The report never states that the child was not cooperating with the security guard.

A school’s spokesperson said the security officer followed the proper protocol to ensure everyone’s safety.

Everyone’s safety?  The report never mentions that the child had a weapon.  When was the last time you were afraid of a seven-year old?

Not only is this kid being bullied by the students at this school, he’s also being bullied by the adults.  I cannot imagine the trauma that has been inflicted upon this child.

We all get asked from time to time why we homeschool.  After 15 years, I have lots of reasons.  My answer will often vary depending on how ornery I’m feeling that day.  One of my answers is, “It keeps me out of jail.”  By that I mean that I don’t know how I’d react if my child were the seven-year old placed in handcuffs.  I’m grateful that I will never have to find out and that my child will never have to suffer the treatment that is handed out in government schools.

Why do you homeschool?

Another Reason to #Homeschool

I noticed this proudly displayed in the hallway of our local elementary school.  I’ve seen plenty of the student writing, and this clearly is not the writing of a first or even third grader.  I was also told recently that there are upwards of 70 staff members at this school.  Does not one person in this school know how to spell aluminum?  I know it’s an unusual word, but really!

(Click on photo to enlarge.)

“I Don’t Talk in Front of a Group”

That was the response I got when I asked someone to share what they had learned at a recent conference with our small group.

First I was shocked that a grown woman (approaching 40 by my guess) would still be terrified to speak in front of a group.  Actually, I wasn’t even asking her to speak in front of a group.  This was a very casual, sit around a circle meeting where we would go over our notes and share what we learned at a recent homeschool conference.

My next response was sadness for this woman.  Sadness that she does not have the confidence to speak before people.  Sadness that she doesn’t think that any knowledge she has is worthy enough or important enough to share with her fellow homeschoolers.  Sadness that she can’t find the courage to do something she is uncomfortable with in hopes of helping someone else.

My last response was sadness for this woman’s children.  Sadness that they will never see the example or feel the pride in seeing their mother speak before a group.  Sadness that they will probably never be encouraged or even pushed to speak in front of people.  Sadness that these boys will probably do they same and when asked say, “I don’t speak in front of a group.”

This is the very reason I encourage parents, especially homeschool parents, to put their kids in activities such as spelling bees.  Spelling bees, geography bees, Bible quizzing, etc., all have a much bigger lesson than the topic at hand.  Your children can learn study skills as they study for the big day.  They will learn sportsmanship as they learn to be a good loser and to congratulate the winner.  If they are fortunate enough to be a winner, they will learn to accept their award and not be boastful.  They will also learn, gradually, to speak in front of people.

Speaking in front of a group can be terrifying for someone who is inexperienced.  However, as a homeschool parent you can begin with baby steps by giving your children little experiences that will put them in front of a small group of people.  As an adult, your child might have something important to tell the masses.  You can start preparing him now to have the courage to do so.

Related articles

• Local homeschooler wins state Geographic Bee (bismarcktribune.com)

8 Year Old Removed from School Because She Looks Like a Boy

The grandparents and adoptive parents of an 8-year-old little girl have been told that she can no longer attend the Christian school she goes to unless she meets some conditions.

Did she bring a gun to school or make reference to a gun?  No.  Did she do anything violent or bully other children?  No.  Did she bring drugs or a knife to school?  No.

Sunnie’s parents were told that she looks like a boy and that some students have been confused over whether she is a boy or a girl.  (A simple solution to this problem would be for the confused students to be told that Sunnie is a girl.)  Sunnie’s parents were told that unless her boyish appearance changed, that she could no longer attend this school–all in the name of God, of course.

Doris and Carroll Thompson are Sunnie’s grandparents.

They adopted and raised the little girl and took her out of Timberlake Christian School when they received the letter from the K-8 principal.

“You’re probably aware that Timberlake Christian School is a religious, Bible-believing institution providing education in a distinctly Christian environment,” the letter stated.

It goes on to say that students have been confused about whether Sunnie is a boy or a girl. It specifies that administrators can refuse enrollment for condoning sexual immorality, practicing a homosexual lifestyle or alternative gender identity. It even referenced specific Bible verses that affirm these beliefs.

“We believe that unless Sunnie as well as her family clearly understand that God has made her female, and her dress and behavior need to follow suit with her God-ordained identity, that TCS is not the best place for her future education,” the letter goes on.

The Thompsons said they have no desire to re-enroll Sunnie in the school.

via Grandparents take girl from school after objections to clothes – KCTV5.

Clearly, the idea of rigid, zero tolerance has entered the Christian schools. I can’t imagine how this must make this little girl feel and how this might permanently effect her feelings for God and Christianity.

I was a tomboy myself. I don’t remember ever being told that I looked like a boy, but at some times I had long hair and at others time short hair depending on what was the popular style. Anyone remember the Dorothy Hamill?

My number one playmate until 5th grade was the boy next door. I had Tonto, the Lone Ranger, Silver, and Scout. He had GI Joe and a Hot Wheels racetrack. If it was warm enough, we were outside. And my belief as a young child was that if he didn’t have to wear a shirt neither did I.

None of us were scarred. None of us turned out weird. None of us ended up with gender identity confusion. At the young age of eight and below, gender and anything to do with sex was the last thing on our mind. It wasn’t important. It didn’t matter. We just wanted to be kids, and the adults in our lives were happy to let us do just that.

If You’re Going to go Speeding Down the Highway

take that Christian bumper sticker off the back of your car first. That was my thought today when a van with a sticker on the back glass of a popular Christian school in our area went flying by me.

This driver is making themselves look like a hypocrite.

This person is making the school look bad.

And this person is giving Christianity a bad name. None of us are perfect, we all make mistakes, and we all make ourselves and the things we represent look bad from time to time. But racing down the highway at the speed of light with a Jesus bumper sticker on the back of your car screams, “Look at me. I’m a hypocrite and all Christians are like me.”

Whether we like it or not we are all ambassadors. We are ambassadors for what we believe in or for what we say we believe in. First of all, we are ambassadors for ourselves. Then, it extends to our family. If you are a homeschooler, you are an ambassador for all homeschools. If you claim to be a Christian, you are an ambassador for Christianity and for Christ.

You may not realize it, but people are always watching. Not only do your actions reflect on you, they also reflect on everything you represent. No matter where you are or what you’re doing, you are an official representative. Would you want you as an ambassador?

The frightening implications of the Romeike family case | http://t.co/lSeEqo30Yi

The frightening implications of the Romeike family case | #homeschool http://t.co/lSeEqo30Yi

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March 10, 2014 at 12:09PM

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Eric Holder wins Romeike Case, Then says he Didn’t Mean It

U.S Postage Stamp, 1957 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Uwe and Hannelore Romeike came to the United States in 2008 seeking political asylum. They fled their German homeland in the face of religious persecution for homeschooling their children.

They wanted to live in a country where they could raise their children in accordance with their Christian beliefs.

The Romeikes were initially given asylum, but the Obama administration objected – claiming that German laws that outlaw homeschooling do not constitute persecution.

Please, Mr. President, have mercy on this Christian family. They came to our shores longing to be free.

“The goal in Germany is for an open, pluralistic society,” the Justice Department wrote in a legal brief last year. “Teaching tolerance to children of all backgrounds helps to develop the ability to interact as a fully functioning citizen in Germany.”

On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to hear the Romeike’s appeal – paving the way for the Christian family of eight to be deported.

“I think this is a part of the Obama administration’s overall campaign to crush religious freedom in this country,” said Michael Farris, chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association. His organization is representing family.

via Team Obama wins fight to have Christian home-school family deported | Fox News.

But wait, there’s more!

After fighting every step of the way, after appealing and winning every time, the Department of Homeland Security has now decided that it will grant the Romeike family “indefinite deferred status” which means that they will not be deported unless they are committed of a crime.

Why would a government do such a thing?  Why would a government lead you to the gallows and then suddenly decide to spare you?  That’s because the Obama administration has bigger fish to fry.

Now that they have the Supreme Court on their side, they can go to work destroying religious freedom for Americans too.  They know that most conservative Christians will nod off to sleep now, and they can quietly and without notice go to work.  Eric Holder has stated that homeschooling is not a fundamental right.  In other words, you don’t have the right to decide the education and upbringing of your children.  The Supreme Court has now given that belief the green light.  All the Obama administration has to do now is to go to work restricting and destroying the freedoms you have to homeschool.  If you think they’re going to stop at homeschooling, you’re wrong.  Don’t think that this isn’t important to you if you’re not a homeschooler.

This is not the time to relax and nod off.  We must remain awake and vigilant.  Our government has not set this issue aside.  This is just one step of the very long process to slowly destroy our freedoms.