graduate number two

13 years ago we started down a path called "Homeschooling".  We were totally new at this.  We knew a few people that were starting at the same time, or had only been doing it for a few years.  We were completely in the dark.  Greenhorns.  Newbies.

Last year we graduated our oldest child.  She had no desire to get a college degree so we did not pursue that.  (I mentally sighed in relief - I did not want to tackle ACT scores, scholarship applications, etc.)

This year, we graduated our second child.  SHE wants to be a Radiologist.  Hmm...college forms here we come!  Thankfully, she is very motivated and initiative oriented.  She is filling out all the paperwork and I just have to provide some information sometimes.

And yes, they both graduated early.  That's one of the benefits of homeschooling.  They work at their own pace and that usually means faster than public school students.  Child number one graduated at 17, child number two graduated at 16. 

And I still have 11 more to go!!

Until next time...

JenT

Happy Birthday!

Our second boy/fourth child turned seven yesterday.

Homemade donuts for breakfast.


The cake. Yes, for some reason my children love these cakes. Just pick a favorite flavor, color the frosting, and throw on some wild animals. Easy. Works for me!!

A favorite event: licking the frosting off the decorations.

The game: Pin the trunk on the elephant. :) Elephants are his favorite animal.

lol...overloaded with gifts!! He also loves fireman stuff. (His favorite movie is Fireproof).

In case you couldn't tell, he's the comedian of the family. He's a very good actor and very dramatic.

Happy Birthday, little Actor!!

Until next time...

13 years!

Tomorrow it will be 13 years!








Until next time...

Birthday Celebration (a bit late)

Our fourth daughter/8th child turned 2 this last Friday. We picked up ice cream cakes for her birthday. Who wants to bake a cake in this heat? And ice cream is the best!







Yes, I got the camera out a little late. But we just couldn't wait to dive into that ice-y cold sweetness. Yum!

Until next time...

Mother's Day happenings

Well, I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine was pretty relaxing for the most part. I went to visit my mom. We had lots of chocolate. :) Always a plus. I helped her sort through some things she's wanting to get rid of via a yard sale. We still have a few boxes to go. Snapped a picture right before I left.

She protested as I was taking the pic, but let me keep it. I told her it was going on my blog and she said "Oh well, nobody that knows me will see it." She much have forgotten a couple of her sisters read it. :)

Well all said and done I had a good Mother's Day. The kids made me stuff, but I didn't get a chance to get pics.

Go check out a couple of my aunts' blogs, two of my mom's sisters: That Crazy Goat Woman and the Teacher.

Until next time...

Is Easter Biblical?

At the risk of losing my readers I am posting this. Click on these links to find out where I'm coming from. I don't belong to this church, nor am I a Jehovah's Witness. I am simply a follower of Jesus Christ and it concerns me when I see other people say the same thing and then celebrate pagan holidays. I am certainly no expert on the matter and our family is still learning as we search for answers. But I ask you, what does the Easter Bunny, rabbits, and colored eggs have to do with the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Does It Matter to God? I do not agree with everything written by this organization, but they do have some very good stuff. If you think they are wrong then research it for yourself and find the truth. Here are some other things on the history of Easter. Fertility Symbols: Beneath the Dignity of God, The Chronology of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection, The Resurrection Connection, Easter: Masking a Biblical Truth.

We are led to believe so many things by people we think are to be trusted, or we blindly follow traditions we have had in our lives for so long. I am troubled that Christians excuse the things they do by saying things like "I'm not celebrating a pagan holiday, I'm celebrating the birth/resurrection of Jesus. We can do it any time we want and I choose to do it now." I ask, "Why?" So we don't look odd in the eyes of our family and friends? Let them mock. Jesus suffered far worse for us. So our children won't "miss out" on fun and presents? Let them be deprived. They will learn a far more important lesson when they see their parents standing for what they believe in. The children of the first century Christians were "deprived" in that sense. I wonder what they think now?

Some people say that Easter is in the Bible. Yes, but it is a pagan holiday in the Bible. It is not wrongfully translated. It is not really Passover. Why would Herod observe a Jewish holiday? He wanted to have his fun and then afterward get back to the work of persecution. (This is one point in which I disagree with the article in the links above).

I hope I don't come across as prideful or critical. I am asking you to search out the reason you do certain things. My children have never hunted Easter eggs and don't believe in Santa Claus. We teach them the truth. And they don't feel deprived. We don't substitute Resurrection Sunday for Easter. We don't do a birthday cake for Jesus at Christmas. At the risk of flames I'm asking, "Why do Christians do these things?" I will also say that the Bible says if you observe one day as special you have the freedom to do so. So please don't get upset with me if you are offended. Ask yourself why you are offended? "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." Psalm 119:165

Now to sound really far out there; I am currently researching the history of birthday celebrations. Currently we have a special meal for the child on their actual birthday, then we have a big party in the summer. A birthday bash we call it (we copied that from the Jeub family). The only difference being that we specifically say don't bring gifts. We give out little goody bags to the kids and fix a big meal for everyone, have fun and games, and pinatas. If you think there is anything wrong with this please let me know. Seriously, I'm not being sarcastic. I want to know if I am doing anything that would cause my brother to stumble. (1 Cor 8)

When we stand before Jesus Christ, will He say, "Why didn't you celebrate Easter and/or Christmas?". No, we will be judged for our works, whether they will stand the test of the fire or not. (1 Cor 3). I am purposely not putting these verses in so that you will look them up for yourself.

Please understand that I am writing this out of concern for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If I did not care, I would not say anything. If you disagree; well, isn't it wonderful that we have that liberty?

And my reference to Easter in an earlier post? We are having a ham dinner, but we are not celebrating Easter. Remember, no egg hunt? :)

Until next time...(if anyone comes back)

And the winner is...

Ok I was unplugged on Friday and Saturday my mom and brother came to visit, so I totally forgot to post the winner of my "guess my age" contest. I said that if more than one person had guessed the correct age I would have to draw a name. Well, two people guessed my correct age; which is 34, by the way. So let's see who won.

My daughter has offered to draw the name.

*a hush falls over the audience*

And the winner is...Arlene! *applause* Yay!

So, Arlene, be looking for a spring-y surprise in your mailbox next week.

Until next time...

Happy Birthday to me!

*singing*
"Happy Birthday to me,
happy birthday to me,
happy birthday to me-ee,
happy birthday to me!"

Yes, today is my birthday. Thank you, thank you (in response to the "happy birthday"s coming my way). Here's a picture of the cake my girls made for me. They used some of their toy Schleich horses for decoration. And, yeah, I'm a little older than 7 :). That's all the candles we had. If anyone guesses my correct age I'll send you a little something. So bring it on...



You say you want to get me something? Awww...how sweet. But, really, you don't have to get me anything. Oh well, hey, if you insist, here's a great way to do it. AND...you can get something for yourself at the same time. No kidding! Here's all you have to do. If you will go to the link on the right from christianbook.com (CBD) and search for something it will take you directly to their site. Buy something for yourself (or a relative or friend). That's all you have to do. Don't buy me anything...seriously. When you use the link on my sidebar I get a percentage of what you spend. Cool, huh? They have things in the gift department for as low as $20, $10, and $5. And...check this out...they have a really great sale going on right now. Some things are 95% off!! You can get things for as low as .25...you read that right...ONE QUARTER! Go check it out!

And don't forget to guess my age in your comment. I will send the winner a little surprise...I'll give you a hint...it has to do with spring.

Until next time...