Homeschooling Breeds Precocious . . . Cats

Here's what you'll find over at Heart of the Matter Online today by yours truly:

When my oldest daughter, Meghan, was four years old, we discovered that she was allergic to cats (and grass and dust). Uh oh. We were very attached to our feline lap warmer and just couldn’t see giving him up. We decided to try keeping the door to my daughter’s bedroom closed so that she would at least have a fur-free place to sleep. That worked . . . except when it didn’t. Meghan continually forgot to close her door.

As I was scolding her yet again and reiterating the importance of keeping the cat out of her room so that she wouldn’t have an asthma attack, she came up with the perfect solution: “I’ll just post a sign on my door that says ‘Willy, keep out’!” After I gained control of my giggles, I informed her that wouldn’t work because cats can’t read.

Again, Meghan came up with the ideal answer: “Then I’ll just teach him to read!” She was very proud of her reading skills and was sure that she would be able to teach Willy how to read in no time flat. Ah, to have the innocence and confidence of a four-year-old again! The sign Meghan posted at the cat’s eye level on her door lasted longer than her efforts to teach Willy to read.

As homeschoolers, we have the ability to instill in our children that same confidence in their abilities. We can give our children the gift of knowledge to pass along to whomever—or whatever—they wish. How do we accomplish this? By not squashing their natural exuberance for passing along their lessons. By encouraging them to explore the world at their level. By giving them the tools they need to learn. By teaching them in the way that they learn best, which isn’t necessarily the way we learn or teach best. By letting them post signs to the cat on their door.

Want to foster precocious children? Let them teach their cats to read!

Life, In Spite of Me (review)

Wow. Powerful. Heartfelt. Gripping. Those are my reactions to Life, In Spite of Me by Kristen Anderson, as told to Tricia Goyer. I know I’m supposed to write the synopsis first, but this was such an excellent book that I couldn’t resist giving my reactions first. If you have teenagers or work with teenagers or even just know teenagers, run, don’t walk, to the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of this book.

Deep depression, despair, and a lack of hope are usually what drive teens to commit suicide. But, what happens when suicide is attempted but not achieved? Kristen writes candidly about her transformation from a rebellious girl who made a fatal choice to a joyful young woman. She offers extraordinary hope for those who feel they have nothing to live for. Kristen also offers sensitive advice to adults who are trying to help depressed teens.

Here’s a link to download chapter one. You’ll be so hooked that you’ll have to scurry on over to the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group to buy your own copy of the book to find out what happens! If you prefer, you can view the video trailer here.

This is the part of the review when I’m supposed to announce that I have a giveaway for y’all. Here’s a true confession (haven’t had one in a while, it’s about time): I did receive an extra copy to give away, but I’m going to give it to our youth pastor at church instead. That’s ok, right?

This book was provided for review by the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group.

New Desk!

Just so y'all know how seriously I take my readers' comments and requests for future posts, I went to Ikea yesterday and bought a new desk--for myself! Of course, I had to have new organizing accessories to go with it, too, but I'll review those another time.

This is the Vika Gruvan table top (white wood with a divider in the middle, closed on the ends, but open on the width) on top of the Vika Fagerlid table leg with storage (comes in white or birch). I chose it because of the extra storage underneath the glass top and the bookshelf-type legs.

I managed to wrangle the boxes onto the cart myself and put them in the car almost by myself, but my husband had to help me carry the top in. That box was heavy! I started to put the legs together by myself and I probably could have figured out the little picture thingies, but my hubby volunteered to help. I forgot to time us to see how long it took, but probably between 30-60 minutes from car to setup. Putting the legs together really was a one-person job, but setting the desktop and then the glass on top of that is definitely a two-person job.

So far, I love it! The surface area is easily twice as big as my old desk (you can see a picture of it here). Almost all of the books I had in the upper hutch fit onto the lower shelves of the new desk. The new containers house all of the things I had in the drawers previously. I love that I can actually see while I'm grading papers now. Previously, I felt like I was stuck in a cave. The only thing I don't like so far is that either the glass can stay clean or I can use my new desk. Oh well. I think I can live with just one more tiny thing to obsess over. In case anyone is wondering, yes, I will also obsess over keeping everything under the glass totally straight and organized. For real. Just ask my kids.
Q4U: What do you use for a desk for yourself?

Disclosure: No Material Connection. I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Centsible Celebrations (a Molly review)

Over the next few months, my family has been invited to two graduations and a wedding shower. In addition, we have a slew of summer birthdays and holidays that we like to celebrate with our friends by hosting bbq/swim parties. I can’t wait to use Molly’s thrifty ideas to make this year’s events fun and frugal! Maybe I’ll try one of her pretty gift basket projects, too.

A Molly digest wouldn’t be complete without printable organization forms, a week’s worth of menus and a shopping list to go with it, a special section on fresh produce (it’s time for farmers’ markets again), resources and links, and creative ideas to feather your nest frugally.

The May Digest is available for download on the Member's site and is available in the store shortly. You'll especially enjoy this issue that focuses on gift-giving, celebrations and parties.

Look for some great freebies in the special Member's-Only Page as well. This month is all about frugal celebrations! Here is a small sneak peek at some of the free downloads you will receive along with your May Digest.
• Tons of freezer cooking goodies
• Wedding freebies (along with tips, ideas, and frugal gifts)
• Inexpensive Organization E-book (creative organization ideas)
• A Baby Shower for Jesus E-book (encouragement for Moms)
• Mother's and Father's Day ideas
• Ideas for hospitality and parties
• A Free Kids' Cookbook
• And more!

You get all of that for only $3.95! If you have not signed up to become a Molly Member, what are you waiting for? If you purchase the Digest alone, it is $4.95! Why not save a dollar and get all the above to boot? It is $1.00 cheaper than buying the Digest and they get SO much more. Here is the link to the sign-up sheet.

Here is the link to buy just Molly’s Centsible Celebrations May Digest from the TOS store.

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Inspirational Zingers Jumble (review)

I found the cure for road-trip boredom! It’s Tyndale’s new Inspirational Zingers Jumble book. With six kinds of puzzles, including Jumbles, Double Jumbles, Mystery Person Jumbles, Word Search Jumbles, Super Jumbles, and Criss-Cross Jumbles, there’s something for everyone. It has inspirational quotes from well-known people, Bible verses, interesting trivia, and more. This 200-puzzle book will keep the whole family entertained over the hill and through the woods to grandmother’s house this summer.

Disclosure: Tyndale provided me with a free copy of this book to review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Indivisible (review & GIVEAWAY)

In Indivisible, Police Chief Jonah Westfall is a good guy; so is Tia Manning, but they can’t seem to work together on the string of gruesome acts plaguing Redford, Colorado. People choose to be alone in order to protect themselves from varied pasts. Kristen Heitzmann’s characters all have good reasons for keeping to themselves, but discover that being alone isn’t the best way to live.Are our backgrounds a reason to distance ourselves from others, or an excuse? Are our actions protection or consequences? Heitzmann explores this emotionally sensitive topic realistically while guiding readers back into how to live communally. While I appreciated the theme and the message, the storyline itself had me gagging. For once, I was a bit disappointed in a Heitzmann book.

GIVEAWAY: Leave me a comment below with one good reason people need to live life together instead of separately. Be sure to leave your contact information and to check your spam box. I’ll choose a random winner on Saturday. Please don’t enter if you’ve already won a book this year .

Disclosure: WaterBrook Press provided me with a free copy of this book to review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Winners & More Giveaways Coming!

The winner of the Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream giveaway is Monica! Congratulations!!

Just so y'all know, I've got 2 more book giveaways coming in the next few weeks. Be on the lookout & be sure to enter! I love giving stuff away to my readers!

Happy Mother's Day!

I Owe My Mother

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's why."

5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."

6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about..."

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out..."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19.. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

And my favorite:
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

Yes, I did swipe these from one of those ubiquitous e-mail jokes. I thought it was appropriate for the season. Have a good laugh and remember to call your mother to tell her how much you appreciate everything she taught you (even if she didn't homeschool you).

Q4U: I'd love to hear some of your favorite memories of your mother. Leave me a comment!

Radical (GIVEAWAY & review)

What would Jesus do? In the 80s, this question became so common place that it almost didn’t mean anything. In Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, author David Platt takes this question to a whole new level. He examines the way the disciples followed Jesus two thousand years ago and how modern-day Christians in atheistic (or anti-Christian) countries follow Jesus today. What did/does it really cost those two groups of people to live fully for Jesus Christ? What did they have to give up? Then he describes what happened when a typical suburban church decided to do what Jesus would do. He closes by challenging readers to join The Radical Experiment and transform their lives.

What I appreciated most about this book is that the author didn’t just talk about what Jesus would do, he did it. Platt begins with his own search for answers and continues with how his church responded when he challenged them to live radically. He gets down to the nitty gritty by showing how opposite the typical American lifestyle is to the way the Bible calls Christians to live. He details specific steps for readers to take in a one-year period and guarantees that their lives will be changed if they follow The Radical Experiment.

Want to read the first chapter? Click here. You can request a free copy of the companion booklet, The Radical Question, by clicking here and check out the Radical book Web site here.

GIVEAWAY: Leave me a message in the comments telling me what Jesus is worth to you. I’ll choose a random winner on Saturday. Be sure to post your contact information and to check your spam folder.

Disclosure: Multnomah provided me with a free copy of this book to review. I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Where Do You Homeschool?

In the May/June 2010 issue of Home School Enrichment, I talk about WHERE you homeschool. Before you say, "Duh, at home," think about it. Even at home, multiple choices exist: the kitchen table, the living room floor, individual desks, and more. Is what you did this year working? Do you need to think about tweaking it for next year?

Then there is carschooling. How much school time do you spend in the car? Is it too much or too little? Now is the time to reflect on your level of activity this past year and to decide whether it was just right or needs to be adjusted for next year.

How many outside classes do your children take? I know kids need to have some interaction with other kids. And, I know that not every mom is equipped to teach algebra (that would be me!) or grade essays. But, are your kids taking more classes outside your home than inside of it? Do you need to re-evaluate for next year?

The last question I posed in my article is the trickiest: where in your heart is homeschooling right now? If you're like me, spring fever has hit hard. I'm ready to be done with the year! It's been a challenging year as well, so I have to keep reminding myself of all the reasons we're homeschooling lest I be too tempted to flag down the yellow bus that passes my house each morning. Keep homeschooling front and center in your heart and keep pressing on to finish this school year well.

For the rest of the article, subscribe to Home School Enrichment! :-)

Q4U: Where do YOU homeschool?

Hand of Fate (book review)

Hand of Fate, Lis Wiehl’s second installment in the Triple Threat series, is action packed to the very end. The story opens with the murder of popular radio talk show host Jim Fate. The three crime-fighting colleagues from Face of Betrayal again use their wits and friendship to solve the murder, but even they don’t suspect the twist that unveils the killer on the last page. This is not bedtime reading material, but it’s definitely a page turner. While not overtly Christian, the author’s biblical worldview does peek through the pages occasionally. Overall, I’d give Hand of Fate two thumbs up! Purchase Hand of Fate here.

I’m a member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Sneeze blogger club and they provided me with a free review copy of this book.