Spring Blossoms

Tea Party for Little (and big) Girls

Dyana treated Isabelle and I to a lovely afternoon tea party in honor of Sarah's 9th birthday! It was girl-time through and through with hats, dressed up dolls, tea-sandwiches, and sweet desserts! The girls each chose a tea cup as a memento of this special day. We had a wonderful time! Isabelle said to me later on this evening, "I wish I could go and do it all over again..." Smile.

Violin Recital

Last night was Josiah's 8th violin recital and Isabelle's 3rd. It is always a much-anticipated event in a beautiful setting (Langroise Hall at the College of Idaho).


This year Isabelle played Bach's Minuet 1 beautifully. Josiah brought down the house with Clebanoff's "Millionaire's Hoedown" and played it perfectly!

We are so proud of their hard work and hours of practice that went into this great performance.

Future President?

Yesterday afternoon Josiah, Joe, and Isaac spent the afternoon waiting for, listening to, and standing in line to meet Presidential candidate Ron Paul (go to RonPaul2008.com for more info). This was a privilege for them all -- particularly Josiah who has taken the time to read his books as well as delve into studying the Constitution to further support his cause. Ron Paul is a "Constitutionalist" who believes in a return to liberty, limited government, and is a genuine believer and supporter of homeschooling freedoms. The real question is: which person in the picture am I referring to when I ask "future President?" Smile.

Quote for the Day

Josiah said to me with tear filled eyes which were wide with a combination of fear, amazement, and anticipation after reading the first chapter of Alex and Brett Harris' book for teens entitled "Do Hard Things" --
"Mom! I never knew I could do anything REALLY important now! I thought I had to wait until I 'grew up'."

Teaching Your Children to Do Their OWN Laundry

One of the best things I've taught my children thus far is how to do their own laundry. On my laundry room door is a sign which reads: "LAUNDRY - Help Wanted". In light of the various and constant tasks on my daily plate of duties, this is one of my least favorite. Thus, I begin early to hand off this necessary and valuable job to the ones who create the work in the first place. My son shown above began doing his laundry entirely by himself at the age of 8. Other than a time or two of forgetting to put in the soap, he's done a great job. Yes, I still need to remind them occasionally to change a load; but knowing that they do not have free time until their laundry is done is a big motivator! All of the following steps can be taught over a number or years or a number of months. I teach my children steps 2-4 from an early age. They also learn to fold their clothes WITH me at a young age as well. Steps 4, 5, and 6 come with maturity and understanding (as well as height in our family) -- all of which vary with different children. I highly exhort you to fully hand off this task to your children by the time they are in their teen years (except for rare occasions of acts of service to and for them). Happy training!

Steps to children doing their OWN laundry:
Step 1 : Remove the guilt from your mind which tells you that "good mothers" should always do their children's laundry. :)
Step 2 : Teach your children how to sort laundry based on a whites, lights, or darks system. Begin this as soon as they can stand. They love to "help" and it teaches them their colors and sorting (I'm always multi-tasking!).



Step 3 : As soon as they've mastered the sorting, teach them how to load the washing machine and also how to switch the washing to the dryer. In addition, let them be the ones to change out the lint screen and replace it.


Step 4 : When they are tall enough and/or responsible enough, allow them the thrill of measuring out the soap/fabric softener (which I don't advise using but so many people do I thought I'd put it in there).


Step 5 : Teach them the understanding of WHY we wash the dark colors in cold water and WHY we wash whites in hot. Kids are much more likely to remember a "rule" if they understand the concept behind it.


Step 6 : Teach them (by having them do this along with you) how to fold clothes properly, including the concept of (and my kids can recite this in their sleep): "How you hang your clothes in your closet is how they are going to hang on you!"


Step 7 : Shadow them through the entire process of completing a load entirely by themselves. Teach them to set a timer so they are diligent to remember to change out the washing to the dryer. Do this several times until you feel that they are responsible and can be trusted with the process.
Step 8 : Praise them for their service to you and your family! Enjoy having to do a few less loads each week. Set aside a day each week that is their "laundry day" and make it a habit for life.

The Return of Green

The Silent Majority

Although I joyfully applaud those wonderful mamma's out there who are living out their lives adhering to God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (especially with their husband's leading and blessing), I have an unending yearning to also speak for the silent majority. Since I've been married going on 18 years and am quickly approaching 40 and have homeschooled "officially" for 9 years now, I'm going to take a leap of faith that perhaps I'm beginning to fit into that "older woman" category and hopefully might reach some of my younger readers' ears. Of course, as with everything my prayer is that my words might be used mightily for the glory of God.

I am becoming increasingly concerned with the subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) pride growing withing the homeschooling community. It is disguised within a noble cause, but in the end -- it is often pride. The pride I speak of is that which grows out of following the calling God has given you to "allow God to choose your family size" -- or in the words most of our world can understand -- choosing not to use any form of birth control. It is true that it is a Biblical command to be fruitful and multiply, and obviously it is also a Biblical command to "not murder". My concern is however, that the homeschooling community seems to be putting "noble pressure" on its members based on exactly HOW MANY children you have and what qualifies as "being fruitful".

I can't tell you the number of times I have been judged by other homeschoolers because I have ONLY 3 children. I've had a prominent, national speaker and leader in the homeschool community whom I've approached with full smiles at a convention, only ask me upon being approached and introduced, "And how many children do you have?" When I answered, "Three" (sheepishly I might add), I could tell that I was immediately judged and the resulting conversation was stilted and awkward. I have had to defend the choices that my husband and I have made with a strange sort of defensiveness that is unbelonging within the family of God.

I encourage you fellow sisters to be sensitive, loving, and kind to those you encounter regardless of their family size. It is not your place to make judgments or assume anything on the part of another. Similarly, it is important to consider that we are all coming to the place of understanding and obedience at different points in our lives. This understanding and obedience will LOOK DIFFERENTLY based on an individual's calling and relationship with his/her Redeemer.

A wise woman will realize that a mother's choices are not always her own. I have known women who greatly desired to continue having children but who's husbands chose instead to end the possibility in their future. I have a dear friend who can no longer have children (despite very much wanting more) because of the cancer medication that is helping her remain cancer-free. I have known women who went through several miscarriages throughout pregnancies and have only been able to conceive 3 children in 20 years of marriage. I have known women, who for the sake of their mental or physical health and based on medical advise have chosen to limit the number of children they have because they felt God leading them to do so. And I have known women who have grieved and mourned the choice they made or directed their husbands to make in a moment of sincere overwhelming. Are all these women breaking the command to "be fruitful and multiply" because they may only have 2 or 3 or 4 children?

On the opposite end of the spectrum I have been confronted by women (godly, beautiful women) who criticize and make severe judgments upon my husband and I because of our choice to limit our family size (first as an intellectual choice, and secondly due to medical reasons which I do not regret). I have known women who face potentially life-threatening physical challenges, yet who continue unhappily (out of guilt or confusion or complacency) to "fulfill their calling". Finally, I have seen many, many women who undermine their husbands and silently usurp their leadership by purposely continuing to get pregnant in spite of their husband's obvious dissatisfaction and concern over such. This is more common then I believe we "Eve's" are willing to admit.

I encourage you fellow homeschooling mothers to be sensitive. Keep quiet when needed (which is always more often then we're willing to admit I'm afraid). Live out your calling as God has granted you through His Holy Spirit to do. Do not compare. Your boat is likely much different then those around you. Rejoice when children are born, but don't make assumptions for those which aren't. There are many, many women who live out regret each day of their lives, but whom are confident in the forgiveness and mercy and grace of their Saviour. It's not our job to impart guilt. God calls us to love. Let's challenge ourselves to do so with no strings attached.

Biblical Worldview

I've had several inquiries lately regarding the class I'm teaching to my precious young (but nearly all taller than me) friends. It is a Biblical Worldview class in which I unashamedly put forth as the objective to familiarize my students with how the Bible combined with the student's personal faith impact and direct the way they view various aspects of our world and it's culture. It is my goal to provide a framework for looking at history, the sciences (both hard and soft), politics, ethics, theology, philosophy, and law through a Biblical lens. This has been a fascinating study, albeit a challenging one for these early teens to get through some of this college level reading. My prayer is that it will benefit them for a lifetime as they face the challenges ahead. It certainly has benefited me! The following are the books which the kids are required to read (in full) as well as the Worldview text and workbook which they are going through. They are also required to watch a 6 hour DVD entitled "How Should We Then Live" by Francis Schaeffer which coincides with the book of the same name. In addition, they are required to watch another DVD series entitled "Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution". We meet together for a one hour class every other week where they are graded on their participation through a meaty discussion of the reading. I encourage you to possibly read through a few of these books -- they've provided insight into the "why" of how we think and given understanding into our current culture and it's impact on our Christian thinking of today.

Worldview Texts:
1. "Thinking Like a Christian" text and student workbook by David Noebel and Chuck Edwards
2. "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis
3. "How Should We Then Live" by Francis Schaeffer
4. "The Biblical Basis for Modern Science" by Henry M. Morris
5. "The Joshua Generation" by Michael Farris

Worldview DVD's:
1. "How Should We Then Live" by Francis Schaeffer
2. "Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution" with Dr. Jobe Martin

Worldview Optional Resources:
1. "History of the World - B.C." 19hr. audio CD by Vision Forum Ministries
2. "History of the World - A.D." 19 hr. audio CD by Vision Forum Ministries
3. "6,000 Years of Earth History" by Doug Phillips
4. "The Life of C.S. Lewis - Through Joy and Beyond" -- DVD or VHS

The Value of "Lists"

I giggled to myself yesterday while reading a dear friend's email to me. She had asked for advise about something but parenthetically inserted, "No lists please!" She must know me pretty well. Smile. In my mind, there is not much that can't be fixed, corrected, or made to happen when a list is involved. I make a lot of lists in my life. In fact, I achieve almost as much satisfaction in making a list towards the accomplishment of something as I do the actual accomplishment!
Lists can be an invaluable tool in a busy mother's (especially a busy homeschooling mother's) life. I make lists each year of goals that I hope to achieve with each individual child. I make lists in those frustrating moments of life when I fully understand my sin and realize that serious changes must occur. I write out lists for chores for my children. I make "honey-do" lists for my husband on Saturday mornings (and he's so sweet to usually do a few of the things each time!). I make lists when I'm having company and I start to fret about the menu choices and food to prepare and buy. I make lists of subjects to study, resources to buy, friends to write, books to read, tasks in the garden to accomplish .......
I know that there are wonderful programs out there that replace the need for lists (see sidebar for Titus2 website). I've read them. I've owned them. I've given them away. I prefer my lists. There is something comforting in having direction to my actions. There's something even more powerful in seeing the items on the list crossed off (see -- I'm secretly a very sick person!). Never underestimate the power of a list to help you stay on track and to provide a guide in those what-should-I-tackle-next moments.
I encourage you -- don't be afraid to make a list. Use it faithfully. Write them regularly. Consider it pre-Alzheimer's help. I do.

In Loving Memory

On Tuesday April 15th, our family lost one of the kindest Grandpa's and Great-Grandpa's to ever walk the earth. Hardworking, dependable, faithful, and loving are just a few of the words to describe Grandpa Cochran. He was a loving father, a doting Grandpa, and an adoring Great-Grandpa. He will be greatly missed.

New Trees - More Evergreens Please

Our long winters (as well as the tractor graveyard in the property next to us) led us to want to add some more evergreens to our property. While we were traveling and on vacation, we were fortunate enough to have a landscaper (and friend of the family) come and plant some lovely evergreens in the back yard and in one of the side pastures -- the one we're slowly turning into garden. We love the results and are happy for family far away to be able to see the latest branched editions to the "farm".

What to Plant Now

If you haven't already, now is the time to plant:
-- potatoes
-- peas
-- lettuces
-- spinach
-- radishes
-- broccoli
-- and other cold weather crops that can't take the intense heat

Wait on those veggies that need the sun to really thrive OR those that sprout quickly such as beans. Definitely DO NOT put out tomatoes right now (even though I'm sure they likely already have them in the nurseries) -- even if the temperatures themselves are high enough, the wind can easily burn their leaves and stress them so that your end product isn't as strong as it would have been.
I would also wait on putting out tender yet colorful annuals for at least another week, and more likely until the beginning of May. If you really NEED to plant something, now is a time to plant trees or perennials. They are fairly cold hardy, even if they've already leafed out in the nursery. If we expect a cold night or frigid wind, they are easy to cover and then uncover again.

Happy Planting!

Things that I Really DON'T Like

1. Peeing myself every time I sneeze.
2. Weeds in my yard - even the pretty ones
3. Emptying the dishwasher
4. Discussion of any sort regarding body parts (too bad I married a Pathologist, huh?)
5. The smell of a self-cleaning oven
6. The white's load
7. The color hot pink
8. Phone calls in the middle of devotions or homeschooling or dinner or ....
9. Late nights
10. Any and all movies literally ruined by the use of profane language (why??!)
11. Knowing I can't look or weigh what I did when I was 22.
12. Shedding dogs
13. Watching my cat kill and eat a bird
14. Graying hair
15. Listening to complaining about the meal I just spent 40 minutes preparing
16. Crumbs on the floor
17. The sights, sounds, and especially smells of Walmart
18. People who are unkind and critical
19. Frigid wind in the month of April
20. Slothfulness in the midst of blessing
21. Sitting in chairs where my feet don't touch the floor
22. Noticing that my son's shirt has egg yolk dribbled down the front just as we're walking into violin lesson.
23. "Healthy" popcorn
24. Printers that don't work when you really need them to.
25. Having to buy eggs when I have some 30 odd chickens I'm feeding in the barn!
26. Unmade beds
27. Guilt trips of any sort

Benny the Bunny

Isabelle is my animal lover. Since I can not give her a baby brother or sister myself any longer (I've had a hysterectomy for medical reasons), I rejoice in watching her love on her animals. Yesterday, Daddy caved (after Mommy's urging, and well out of Isabelle's hearing) and bought his precious girl a bunny. She picked out the sweetest of the bunch and promptly named him "Benny" Ears Kronz. When they drove up, I was on the back porch cutting the boys' hair. We could hear her exuberantly exclaiming out her rolled down window all the way up the driveway, "I've got a bunny!! I've got a bunny!!" I swear we are truly suckers for the smiles of that little one...
I'm hoping that within a year we'll be able to add to our animals here on our little "farm". I'd love to get goats (to milk), a couple of cows (for beef), and a lamb or two (just to look at -- I think they are beautiful -- at a distance. Smile.). Of course, the neighbors just called with another colt being born ..... do you suppose Daddy would give in to my smiles this time?

California Wildflowers

Isabelle and Isaac picked these beautiful wildflowers in a meadow of gold and purple last week.
Can I please go back on vacation?? It is interesting the way the "tyranny of the urgent" can so quickly ensnare you upon returning home. One thing the Holy Spirit has been nudging me on is my being drawn so much into the computer. While I was on vacation and away from it, I really felt the difference. I love blogging. I love reading the blogs of those I know and love and admire. I love getting emails and communicating at the click or two of a button. BUT .... I wonder what I might be missing as I stare at this screen? Yes, it is a tool -- a valuable one; but at what point does it become an idol? I think of my kids, finding me (yet again) sitting down in front of the computer ("for just a sec..."). How many times have I talked to them while staring at this, rather than at their chubby sweet young faces? I believe the Lord gives us wisdom through the nudgings of His Holy Spirit (and okay, let's face it -- sometimes He just plain pounds you over the head!). I'm going to choose to obey. If I don't post quite as often, this is why. "There is a time and a season for everything under the sun ..." -- I only have NOW with my blessed children and husband. I don't know what tomorrow holds. I'm thanking God for NOW and taking time to kick the ball, tickle their tummies, discipline their misdeeds, show them a new skill, train them (AGAIN) in an old one, taking time to smell the (wild) flowers, etc. etc. etc. If you need me, I'll be busy looking into my children's eyes.

Sunday Night To-Do List

1. Clean and vacuum homeschool room with the kids after earlier popcorn fest while watching the "shows" (This Old House + Victory Garden).
2. Type out notes after 5 hours of reading preparation for teaching my Biblical Worldview class this coming week.
3. Fold last two loads of laundry while Joe reads "Little Pilgrim's Progress" to the kids during FDT's
4. Listen with tears as my children each pray for a specific need made known to us just today.
5. Climb in bed with my precious daughter and read the beautiful book by Johanna Bluedorn (www. triviumpursuit.com) which illustrates the 127th Psalm.
6. Say, "Goodnight, God bless you, I love you" for the 34,000th time as I blow kisses and shut the door.
7. Tickle my son, squeeze his nose, check his windows and start his music as I turn off the lights, wishing I had made more time to fit in a chapter of "Boyhood and Beyond" with him. Perhaps tomorrow night ...
8. Plan out our history and geography reading for the week -- write out reading and writing assignments for both boys.
9. Find appropriate literature or poem for Isaac's copywork this week.
10. Write out spelling words on the chalkboard for Isabelle (the first ever!), as well as the bonus learning to be done. Don't forget the word-for-the-week (must use it in a sentence sometime during the week!) -- the word for this week is "qualm". Also must put up the math problems for Isaac's lesson tomorrow.
11. Put out writing and arithmetic practice for Isabelle as well as reading and puzzles to complete during my hour with Isaac.
12. Say goodnight to my teenager -- which is never just "goodnight". I wonder what life changing discussion we'll hold tonight.
13. Read my Bible and pray and confess and pray some more. God is so good.

Quote for the Day

As we were finding our spot on the soccer field for the first game of the season (and ever - my boys never played soccer), Isabelle turns to look up at me. With a quiver on her lip she says, "This is the 'scaredest' I've been in my whole life."
She played wonderfully, made a goal, and "danced" (literally) in defensive position through most of the game. Smile.

Field of Wildflowers

Unforgettable Moments

This is one of my favorite memories of our vacation. We prayed that morning that God would provide a beautiful (and quiet) place for us to spend the night. This is how He provided. Meadows, rocks, water, trails, mountains ... it doesn't get much better!

Family Fun

It took more then a little ingenuity (and Joe running hilariously through the field away from the posed camera) to get this shot!

Traveling Vacation

We just got home from a week-long vacation on wheels through the state of California! Usually very task-oriented and driven people, Joe and I like to "wing it" when it comes to vacations and have invested in an RV just for that reason. We rarely plan where we go, but instead get in and start driving. Most often we'll have a direction we want to take (north, south, east, or west) and a particular destination we'd like to see. For this trip, it was a toss up between heading north into British Columbia or south into California. With promises for a future (shorter) trip north, we voted to head south with the particular goal of seeing the "Ronald Reagan National Library" in Simi Valley, California. Along the way we had an interesting adventure driving through downtown San Francisco where Joe had his heart set on his kids riding a trolley (we neglected to see the sign that forbid any trucks over 3 tons until we were right in the thick of it!). While in southern California we visited family (I grew up until age 12 in the then-small town of Yucaipa), showed the kids my old homes, walked through the church my Grandfather pastored, spent a day at Sea World, camped in the most beautiful location at the base of the Sequoia National Forest, and walked right up to the second largest tree in the world (as well as walking through one) in Sequoia National Park. Altogether we clocked an amazing 2,400 miles! Even though we could have easily used the money we spent just on gas at a wonderful resort sitting beside a pool, we enjoy these non-traditional vacations with "just us". While driving we have some wonderful conversations. Daddy is a captive audience (a treasure!). I indulge myself in reading (this trip I read the latest Jan Karon book, the memoirs of Nancy Reagan, a portions of "Jumping Ship" by the Pearls and "An Old Fashioned Girl" by Louisa May Alcott). The kids play endless games with their game-boys (yes, they are well-chosen games and they do serve a purpose at times like these!), or played with their stuffed animals (Isabelle brought), or watched DVD's on the portable player. We immersed ourselves in Reagan trivia through reading and DVD's after our visit to the incredible library/museum dedicated to his memory. We are true homeschooling nerds!! With an un-planned vacation ... you never know where you might end up!