Home, Sweet Home

Here are some pictures of the new outside home for Squirtle, Samuel's turtle.
Squirtle is a red-eared slider that Samuel has raised from a baby. He was a little larger than a silver dollar when we brought him home. He is now as big as a dinner plate, and is overdue for the move to the great outdoors.
So, for my birthday, we created this outdoor "habitat" for Squirtle. "Habitat" is what you call your pet's space when your house is actually a zoo. If we start adopting larger animals, we will need to start calling them "enclosures".
Now he has lots of room to swim around and places for sitting in the sun. He's gone all native on us, only coming out to eat. He heads for the safety of the water when anyone is around. He's acting like..................a turtle. And that's just fine with us.

Kid Quotes 3

While watching Dancing with the Stars.....
Hannah: "He's the mambo king. Living in his mambo world. Where they eat mambojalaya."

Mom: "Here. Try these on."
Samuel: "I don't want them!"
Mom: "They're Levis!"
Samuel: "I don't care who Levi is! He can keep his pants!"

More Dancing with the Stars. The 'Baby Got Back' number.
Gabriel: "Now that's just plain sick!"

At bedtime....
Mom: "Your bed looks nice."
Gideon: "Yes. Be very careful. I put a lot of effort into this."

Kid Quotes 2

Gary, this first one is for you. :)

Hannah-"When we ask God to forgive us, does He really?"
Mom-"Yeah, 'cause that's how He rolls."
Hannah-"In the 8-1-Heaven."

Mom-"You're all in trouble, and you're all grounded."
Gabriel-"I didn't make a bad choice! I'm not in trouble!"
Samuel-"You weren't even there, because you're already grounded!"
Gabriel-"I know."

Dentist-"I'll let you play with the puzzles, and long as you don't fight. You don't ever fight, do you?"
Gabriel-"Sometimes we do. It's kind of our thing."

Mom-"You're inside already? I thought you wanted to play outside."
Gideon-"I decided to come in. Know why?"
Mom-"Why?"
Gideon-"I'm having a little bit of a bad day. People keep being mean to me. I think we both need a nap."

Squeezing Washington, Part 1

Since I can't load pictures right now (grrrr), I thought I would start a series on how to save some cash. Everyone can use that, right?
My Daddy says about my Mom that she could squeeze a dollar so much that Washington's eyes would pop out. Let's see if we can do it too.
Let's start with the gas for your car. It always helps to cut that cost a little.
I actually started thinking about this after watching a NASCAR race. I figured if they were racing 190 mph, and can save enough gas to avoid a pit stop and finish the race, why can't I do that? And what do you know, there is actually a name for it. It's called hyper-miling.
We can't control the gas prices, but we can control the way we drive. And hyper-miling is all about science-using inertia, gravity and centrifugal force to your advantage. As an added bonus for home school families, it can be turned into a cool science lesson.
Since highway miles are at a nearly constant speed, these tips won't help much on the highway. Driving in town, it's like gold.
Your car uses the most fuel going up through the gear box-especially taking off from a complete stop. My friends, you must be gentle with the accelerator. As un-cool as this is, it will save you some cash.
Next is the law of inertia. Once the vehicle is moving at your required speed, take your foot of the throttle. See how long you can coast without losing speed. It may surprise you.
Now for gravity. Most places are not completely flat (isn't God good to us?). Even a slight change in elevation can help you pick up speed without using the gas pedal.
Centrifugal force can be used in curves to pick up speed as well. You have to use some common sense here. The idea is to save gas, not to throw people and objects across the roadway.
Another cool science tidbit-applying the brake pedal causes friction, which will reduce the force of inertia on your vehicle. Don't use the brakes needlessly, but by all means, use them when necessary.
If you have a gauge that shows your mileage in real-time, this is helpful in hyper-miling. However, if you spend all your time looking at the gauge, you will have more problems than just gas mileage.
I have increased my average gas mileage by at least 5 mpg. Not a lot, but I'm still working on it, and every little bit helps.
Locals-see if you can beat me. Turn from Granbury onto Wardville. Get to 30 mph before Pizza Hut. I can coast at 30 all the way to Main St. If you can catch the green light, maybe you can go farther! Let me know.

In Defense of Freaks, Part 2

The last time I addressed this subject, I came to the defense of Jesus Freaks. This time, I am defending another type of freak-the home school family.
Last night, my daughter had her first debate about home schooling. I must say, she conducted herself admirably. Honestly, this exchange bothered me more than it bothered her. Mainly because I thought we were past all this. It seems that the only anti-home school holdouts are the NEA. Of course, home schools are a threat to their livelihood. They have reason to fear. Home schooling is growing at a national average of about 10%.
Here's the gist of the conversation:

Friend-"Why are you home schooled? Public school is so much better!"
Hannah-"What's better about it?"
Friend-"Home schoolers don't have any friends." (This is Hannah's friend speaking. Duh.)
Hannah-"I have a lot of friends."
Friend-"Home schoolers aren't socialized." (I wonder where she heard this?)
Hannah-"I go to a fine arts school with lots of kids." (Over 500)
Friend-"I've already learned 3 notes in band."
Hannah-"I'm trying out for Honor Band next semester." (Hannah's band class meets for band for 2 hours, once a week. Public school band meets every day.)
Friend-"We're going on a field trip to Bass Hall next week."
Hannah-"We went twice last week."
Friend-"Home schoolers don't have as many activities."
Hannah-"I have church stuff, band, drama, horse riding lessons and I'm in Honor Choir."

Note that I am not condemning anyone for their family's educational choice. I am defending the choice of our family to home school.
The tired argument that home schoolers aren't socialized is just insane. The only "socialization" that my kids are missing is the kind I don't want them to have. Not just the bullying and mean-spirited behavior that I remember from institutionalized school, but being exposed to adult subject matter at an early age.
Another matter is the worldly outlook that public schools are forced to observe. Refusal to teach intelligent design as an alternative to evolution, reluctance to teach purity until marriage, acceptance of alternative lifestyles, etc., etc., etc.
I am in no way blaming school employees for this state of affairs. It is the system that I believe is broken. Government education, just like any other government program, has grown into a beast that feeds on itself. If it were shut down tomorrow, it would devastate our economy. Public education is big business. A majority of property tax goes to public schools, and yet it never seems to be enough. A home school family can provide an excellent education for a fraction of the cost. What is wrong here?
I know very few "bad" teachers or administrators. They are working in a system that has been mismanaged terribly. It has become very much about test scores and preparing adults that will support the economy. The joy of learning is no longer encouraged in teacher or student. The celebration of an inquisitive nature is quickly sacrificed in the noble quest for conformity.
No one knows children like their parents do. No one loves, nor has the vested interest that we have in our children. We know their strengths and weaknesses. A teacher with 20 students does not have time to understand my child that well, nor would I expect them to.
I can tutor them at their own pace. I can let them soar in their strengths and support them in their weaknesses. "No child gets left behind." We have a more flexible schedule, we are able to take advantage of "teachable moments", we can decide to go the science museum in the middle of the day while we're learning about dinosaurs! I could go on and on. The benefits of home schooling are limitless.
It has been said, "Public schools need Christian kids." Maybe so, but I am not willing to sacrifice my children on the altar of a system that is no longer functioning properly.

Kid Quotes

Hannah-"OK, we're going to have to evacuate. I think Arkansas will be far enough."

Mom-"Alright, you're getting an extra chore for that."
Samuel-"That's it! I'm giving you guys a horrible mention!" (That is the opposite of an honorable mention.)

Mom-"Now what does the red light mean?"
Gabriel-"Stop."
Mom-"What about the green light?"
Gabriel-"Go."
Mom-"Do you know what the yellow light means?"
Gabriel-"That means you stop for gas & tires."

Gideon-"I think I'm going to be an Army man when I grow up."
Mom-"That's a brave job."
Gideon-"I'm going to try to defend our country."
Hannah-"You're going to be an Army man?"
Gideon-"Yes, I'm going to try to protect our country. Now just be quiet about it."

Pictures from The Promise

Here is Jesus' birth. Brittany is up top on the left. Her brunette twin, Leigh, is on the right. Gabriel is in the middle, but I don't know his name in real life. Hannah Midkiff is opening the door on the left!
Little Yeshua (Aaron). He did a wonderful job!
Jesus on the left, John the Baptist on the right. I told Jesus after the show that we were best friends, so he should know who I am. He said, "I remember talking to you earlier today. You pray a lot." :)
Jesus getting baptized. Yes, they have a river. Awesome!
This is Satan (Blare), sitting in a tree, watching Jesus & eating an apple. I thought this turned out less fuzzy. Sorry Blare.
This is Satan. I can't remember what scene this is (help?). Obviously, something bad was happening, or he wouldn't have been there.
The last supper. There's a really beautiful song in this scene.
Jesus before Pilate. Did I mention there are live animals in this show? Roman soldiers on horses, a camel, sheep, doves, donkeys (that sometimes bite). Awesome!
The crucifixion. Satan is hanging out on the steps in front, all creepy. Blake is the thief on the right, I think.
Resurrection! Jesus banished Satan in this scene, and everyone cheered.
And there He goes, up into Heaven! Sorry about the blurriness. He was flying.
Curtain call! Giving it all back to God.
David-cutest drummer boy in town.
Benjamin-always smiling. A great actor, and an excellent scribe.
Brittany-told you she was an angel. :)
Debra-Mama of the clan, and an excellent singer.
Aaron-Little Yeshua. He did a great job!
Hannah Beth-always so happy, and a great dancer. Actually, she's good at everything.
My kids with Satan? A little creepy. Actually, Blare is just about the nicest guy ever.
Caleb-also a talented Midkiff. A great young actor-maybe Billy next year?
Satan & an angel.........hmmm. Two of the most talented people I know, but most importantly, they love God.
One thing I noticed last night was that during the beginning of the show, there was a lot of clapping. But as the show went along, there was less of that. The audience was so involved in the story that they weren't thinking about the actors anymore. Mission accomplished.
The story of Jesus is like that. The only Son of God, willing to leave Heaven and become a man, suffering so incredibly in death, and finally being raised by the power of God. Just so that we could be with Him forever. What an amazing story.

The Promise!!!

Here we are, waiting for the show to begin...........
We went to see The Promise last night. If you've never seen it, it is hands down the most amazing show I have ever seen. This is our second year to see it, and it gets better every year. Our good friends, Blare McClure, who plays Satan, and Brittany Coddington, who is an angel (on stage and in real life), invited us.
We also have another group of friends in the production-the Midkiff family. Debra (singer & towns person), Hannah (singer, angel & dancer), Aaron (little Yeshua), Caleb (singer & towns person), Ben (king's assistant) and little David (drummer boy). Brittany's brother, Blake, was also in the show (and did an amazing job). He was Lazarus and a thief on the cross.
The show was AMAZING! I cried. I cried before the show, when they had a tribute to the military. I cried when Jesus showed up, I cried every time Jesus did something cool (which happens quite a bit), the resurrection, everything. I also booed Satan. Heehee. Anyway.........
The Promise is the story of the life of Jesus. It follows the Biblical account very well, beginning with the prophets that foretold the coming of Jesus, and ending with His ascension into Heaven. Visually, it is stunning. The acting, singing, and dancing are all outstanding. As for the story, well, you can't go wrong with good material. :)
We have already decided to audition as a family next summer. If you have a gift for performing, I can't think of a better way to use them for God's glory than this show.
I'm going to post more pictures in a separate blog. You can also see pictures from last year's performance on their website.

A New Reason for Therapy

Hello, my name is Donna, and I am a box-aholic. I wasn't born this way, it's my choice. I call it an "alternative lifestyle".
Selling things on Ebay can lead you to this type of lifestyle. It starts out small, saving a box here and there for shipping. Before you know it, you're scanning for "good" boxes everywhere. Suddenly, everything in your house that was once in a box is without one. You get a gift in the mail, and you say, "That's nice, but look at this great box!"
At first, you may try to hide the boxes. But after a while, it's useless, and you know it. You've passed the point of no return. You'll think, "Yes, it may look like I'm getting ready to move cross-country. You may even think I'm crazy. But I don't care! I just love boxes!"
This can also lead to other related lifestyles, such as obsessions dealing with the United States Postal Service, but I'll save that discussion for another day.

Pint-Sized Entomologist Makes Discovery!

Thanks to my Superman husband, I now have a tiny pond in my front yard. This pond is to be a future habitat for Samuel's turtle, who has grown from the size of a silver dollar as a newborn to the size of a dinner plate at seven.
Anyway, we were outside watering. In Texas, this is a popular hobby. The boys were with me, looking at the pond, when they discovered a dead bug. Good home school family that we are, we launch into a discussion about jewel beetles.
Suddenly, Gideon says, "Let's do CPR!" The rest of his medical team decide this is a wise course of treatment for the jewel beetle. I don't have to tell you what happened next. Had the jewel beetle been alive, he didn't stand a chance against this kind of malpractice.
Samuel said, "Ewwww! Mom look! He has white blood!"
In a serious tone, Gideon says, "Those are his white blood cells. That's probably what killed him."