The Rose Has Bloomed

Well, it was bound to happen. That sweet little darling Rosebud has now blossomed into a wild climbing Rose! These past couple weeks have been a little too eventful for my tastes! Let's see if I can just recount a few episodes for you.

She has...
handled every CD and DVD in our entire library.
deleted half my address book on my cell phone.
sent a video of the back of Macey's head to a friend of mine during church.
eaten dirt from Gran's plant.
called the NRA back from the caller I.D.
decided that the coolest place to play is the toilet.
taken over the organization of our homeschool drawers.
chewed a whole pack of gum with the wrappers on.
taken up reading. (I'm very jealous of my books!)
eaten...
eaten...
eaten...chicken poop. There. I said it. I'm not going to elaborate on that one.
become the 1st of our 5 children to require stitches.
Whew!

We've taken to calling her "Inspector Gadget", since she insists on inspecting all our gadgets (cell phones, iPods, telephones, remote controls, walkie talkies, etc.)

Here she is looking so innocent after taking every last piece of clothing out of my dresser drawers.

She knows exactly who to go to when she wants something! She climbs up Sis as if she were a ladder.

She loves all her bubbas

And they love her back in spite of the fact that she steals their toys!

What an adventurous time of life. Toddler days are so fun, and there is something new every day! I will say from experience, that having a toddler in your 30's is much more exhausting than having one in your 20's. I'm so thankful for big brothers and sisters who pitch in!

Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine

From the 1961 Operation Coffee Cup Campaign against Socialized Medicine as proposed by the Democrats, then a private citizen Ronald Reagan Speaks out against socialized medicine. There is no video because this was an LP sent out by the American Medical Association.

Stop the Abortion Mandate

Volunteer your 'fishy' ideas to Obama

Volunteer your 'fishy' ideas to Obama

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The Many Faces of Summer Rose

Future Homeschool Teacher

Make Mine Freedom

This cartoon was made in 1948. How prophetic! Too bad the hippie generation made sure all references to the blessings of ethical capitalism have been completely removed from school textbooks. I took an entire semester of high school economics and never even heard the word "capitalism". We discussed "free enterprise", albeit from a Keynesian perspective, never identifying the clear differences between capitalism and socialism that have allowed America to prosper above any nation on earth.

"Make Mine Freedom" was made back in the days when the Lone Ranger encouraged children to live clean lives and respect authority, when Superman taught patriotism and loyalty to his impressionable audience. How did we arrive at today's Bart Simpson/South Park/MTV trash in such a few short years?

Gather the children around for a 10 minute homeschool lesson:

If you'd like to brush up on your economics from a Biblical point of view, I'd like to recommend Tower of Power by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. It's an audio presentation (2 CD's). The cost is $24.95, but it will definitely bless you with a clear understanding of God's way to run an economy. (Of course, if you ask me, you can borrow mine!) It makes a great homeschooling resource for older grades.

P.S. Is it just me, or does President B.O. not bear a striking resemblance to the Snake Oil Doctor?

Alan Keyes

Time Out

I've been in planning mode these past few days, and haven't had much time to blog. We school year round, from September to September. Schooling year round allows me the flexibility to take time off for life's interruptions (i.e., revivals, babies, roofing the house, work at LMO, sick days, etc.) without "getting behind". Our normal week consists of 4 days of lessons. Even with a 4-day week, we can still take 7 weeks off during the year. This schedule works very well for our family. While I love that the kids don't have long spaces off between each year (makes for brain mush!), we have enjoyed these past couple weeks off to just relax and do some fun projects. Here they are painting some little seed planters.

Dixie is always close by, hiding but watching. She doesn't like having her picture taken, and hid forever in this tree until I put my camera away. I tricked her and tiptoed around to get this shot. We got a kick out of this, because apparently the little stinker stuck her tongue out at me!

In honor....

I'm posting this video in honor of the swearing in of the new Supreme Court Justice, Judge Solongtotheconstitution.

Isn't that hilarious? This one definitely slipped through the Communist News Networks' fingers! An articulate and intelligent defense of the Second Amendment? On national TV? Scandlous!

"Obama-Bots"

I loved this article:
"Obama-Bots"

"For what is your life?"

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." James 4:14-15

Obviously, I've been behind on my blogging this week, but with good reason. After 5 children, we actually got our first set of stitches last Monday evening at the ER. Our precious little Rosebud fell and hurt her mouth badly, possibly even losing some of her beautiful little teeth (pray hard!). I'm not trying to exaggerate; it certainly could have been much worse, but I've learned a lot through this experience.

She fell Monday evening around 7:30, and the initial accident was horrible. Being a facial injury, there was a lot of blood. A LOT. Now I consider myself a pretty cool head, but instantly my baby was drenched in blood, and even I almost panicked. It was a heartwrenching experience for me and Jason to have to watch them sew her up, and to hear her painful screams. If you are a follower of my blog, you've seen Rosebud's famous smile. That smile was no where to be found. Two of her front teeth were pushed deep into her gums. Her mouth and gums purple and whole face swollen. So pitiful! And it all happened in just one instant.

When we got home late Monday evening, I was holding the baby and trying to get her to calm down for sleep. I looked over and saw my "To Do" list that I was working on completing for the day, just when the accident happened. The garden vegetables still weren't put away, the homeschool lesson plans still weren't completed, the kids missed their baths, on and on. I'm a listmaker (or list slave, maybe), but it occurred to me that every time I make out my list for tomorrow, I'm making the huge assumption that I'm going to be here tomorrow to complete my list. I thought of the scripture, "Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." from Prov. 27:1.

I haven't got much accomplished this week, just mostly holding my girl, but my perspective has definitely changed. I want to accomplish more meaningful tasks, things that affect eternity for me and my family; not just things that satisfy my personal ambitions and needs. I still want to plan and make my famous lists, to plan like I have many years to work for the Lord. But I want to work as if this were my last day on earth. For all I know, it could be.

Here's a pic of my little Summer Rose. You can see the how her whole face is swollen. The inside of her mouth is all purple and there's a huge gash, and she has 3 stitches on her outside lip. As of now, her teeth are still pushed up and back, but we are praying they will work themselves out some. Thanks to everyone who has called to check on her. We are grateful for your concern and prayers.

Stop Obamacare

Stop Obamacare

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Today

Today is yesterday's tomorrow you were so worried about.....and all is well.

Down by the Riverside

A few weeks ago, I surprised the children with a trip to the creek. We all had so much fun! Bubbie was a little scared at first, and Sis carried him all around until he got used to the feel of the rushing water. What a great memory!

Got veggies?

Here are 2 easy recipes for your fresh garden tomatoes and cucumbers. Both are extremely easy, and you can do them even if you don't have lots of canning supplies. The first is for frozen pizza sauce, and the next is for canned garlic dill pickles. Good luck!

PIZZA SAUCE
Blanche* tomatoes for 30 seconds to peel them easily. Peel and core tomatoes. Place 2 large tomatoes (or 3 small), 1 garlic clove, 1/2 tsp. basil, and 3/4 tsp. salt in blender and blend until smooth and creamy. This makes about 1 1/2 - 2 c., which is a perfect portion for a large 18-in. pizza. Freeze in individual portions. (I use breastmilk storage bags...just the right size) I'll post some pizza recipes soon. This makes a delicious, healthy pizza sauce.

CANNED GARLIC DILL PICKLES
Yield: 7 pints (Pack jars first to measure how much liquid will be needed.)

About 4 lbs 4-inch cucumbers, sliced crosswise or lengthwise
(I personally like the spear-shaped for this recipe; they're crispier)
6 Tbsp. canning salt
4 1/2 c. water
4 c. white vinegar
14 heads fresh dill
3 1/2 tsp. mustard seed
21 peppercorns
7 garlic cloves

Wash cucumbers; drain and slice. Place 2 heads fresh dill**, 1 garlic clove, 1/2 tsp. mustard seed, 3 peppercorns into each hot jar, then pack with cucumbers. In large pot, combine water, vinegar, and canning salt; bring to a boil. Ladle hot liquid over cucumbers, leaving 1/4 in. headspace. Remove air bubbles and place lids. Process 15 minutes in a boiling-water canner.*** Allow to sit for 6 weeks before eating.


*Blanche means to place in boiling water, then ice cold water for even amounts of time.
**Freeze dried dill can be used (1/2 tsp. per jar), but it is "messier" inside the jar
***Boiling water canner means a large pot, with water brought to a rolling boil. Carefully place jars inside and make sure they are covered by 1 inch of water. Begin processing time when it returns to a rolling boil.

This is not a stock photo! (Really, I promise!)

If you want to commit "plant abuse", then just give it to me. Seriously! Just ask my mother-in-law. Her house looks like a memorial to the Garden of Eden. Mine is neat and clean (humor me, please...), but terribly plain. How lovely it would look with some pretty flowers or ferns hanging on my front porch. She has tried to help me many times. She'll bring a beautiful plant or flower and place it in just the right spot, and she'll say things like, "Now, I water mine every other day," with that hopeful look, but......they never make it. I don't know why I can't grow stuff. I know all the facts and research about them, but they just don't like me.

So that's why I'm so delighted with my African Violet that I got from the church on Mother's Day. Yes, Mother's Day. That was in May. This is the end of July. Hah!

I even re-potted it in my little strawberry dish to match my kitchen! Isn't it beautiful?

They say talking to plants makes them healthier. Maybe that's why I never have any luck! So this past May, when I was re-potting my little scared plant, I just looked at it and said, "Look, you want to live. I want a plant in my kitchen. Can't we work something out?" So far, so good, but next time you come to my house, maybe you could whisper a little word of encouragement to Violet. She'd appreciate it.

A Sweet Baby Checking out the Sweet Babies

Yippee!!

Seth lost his first tooth!

Little brother was maybe a little jealous, but wanted to get a picture to send to the Daily Planet.

A dollar bill from Dad!

Ah, what a fun stage! I've already warned Seth that for about the next year or two, I'll be taking hundreds of pictures of his "snaggletooth" face!

Michael Jackson's REAL Cause of Death

Lest my blog readers think otherwise, please know that I am NOT obsessed with Michael Jackson; although I do admit to being a little morbidly mesmerized with his freakish appearance and self-abuse with all those plastic surgeries, and his transformation from a masculine teenager to a sickeningly feminine adult male. I have never deliberately listened to his music, and I was always a little suspicious of friends and acquaintances during my younger years who had his picture on their walls.

Having cleared that up, please indulge me by watching the above video made by Ray Comfort of Way of the Master. Remnant Christians look at society, and we see how bad things are; but to actually hear one-on-one conversations from lost people shows us the desperate ignorance of the masses when it comes to our Creator. "I believe he's up in heaven having a dance battle with James Brown, as we speak!"?!

Oh, how we need Bible preaching! Not psycho-babble rantings from the hirelings of the emergent church business, but real Bible preaching! Pray for the real preachers you know. Pray that they will be faithful and steadfast to the end!

Psalm of Summer

PSALM OF SUMMER

Now it came to pass that spring turned to summer.

God's people raised their voices and said:

Recreation is my shepherd;

I shall not stay at home;

He maketh me to lie down in a sleeping bag.

He leadeth me down to the interstate each weekend.

He restoreth my suntan;

He leadeth me to state parks for comfort's sake.

Even though I stray on the Lord's Day,

I will fear no reprimand

For thou art with me, my rod and reel they comfort me.

I anointeth my skin with oil, my gas tank runneth dry;

Surely my trailer shall follow me all the weekends this summer

--Johnny the Baptist

Only a Mother

Only a Mother..............

Can listen to the same knock-knock joke 27 times without hollering "Nobody's Home."

Will be a Scrabble partner with a kid who thinks "cookie" begins with "k."

Will unwind 56 feet of toilet paper so her little darling can have the empty roll to make a horn.

Knows the location of every drive-through window and pay-at-the pump in town.

Can sing while she's changing a dirty diaper.

Knows the secret to happy grocery shopping with a toddler...visit the bakery aisle first and plug his lips with a big cream horn.

Can cherish the 1,000th bleating of "Mexican Hat Dance" from a budding musician.

Sees a Picasso in those scribbles decorating the fridge.

Knows all the verses to "The Ballad of Davy Crockett".

Can find her last good pair of panty hose hitching a wagon to a tricycle.

Knows the sure-fire way to get three kids to eat carrots... buy two carrots.

Is limber enough to wrestle a fitted sheet onto the top bunk bed.

Can see across town and locate a missing shoe from her cell phone.

Can switch from cook to catcher in an instant.

Has a bathtub that's filled with little yellow duckies.

Seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.

--Anonymous

Sisters

There were never such devoted big sisters, nor such adoring little sisters.

Two Little Men

"It takes two men to make one brother."

~Israel Zangwill

Gettin' Stunk

"Mama, I have to eat my popsicle inside because every time I go outside, I GET STUNK!"

--Bubbie, Age 4
(after getting stunG 3 times this morning by yellow jackets)

The Gospel Perverts

The Gospel Perverts or Jesus

The above link will take you directly to an old recorded radio program by Bro. Lester Roloff. If you've never listened to preaching by Bro. Roloff, you're surely missing a blessing. I have dozens of his sermons on my iPod that I downloaded for free from various resources on the internet. Bro. Roloff was a preacher in Texas who died in a plane crash in 1982. He founded several homes for troubled teenagers. He fought a showdown with the state of Texas over whether or not those homes would be controlled by the atheist state or the churches which funded them. He never backed down, and preachers from all over America came and stood with him, literally forming a chain around the homes to protect the girls inside. Bro. Roloff went to jail 5 different times, not willing to compromise on what he knew to be the rightful freedom from state intervention that the founding fathers passed down to us, and especially not willing to compromise his allegience to King Jesus. He was a lone voice crying in the wilderness during the 70s and 80s, warning (almost prophetically) churches against registering with the government. If only they had listened!

In the message linked above, Bro. Roloff begins the program with his trademark song, "Stranger at Blue Galilee" that began every radio program. He doesn't get in a big way preaching on this program, but it is still very powerful. Also, keep in mind that it was being boldly broadcast all over the nation. If you listen to the very end, you will hear many topics covered, including communism, big government, public schools, psychologists, seminary preachers versus God-called preachers, career women, de-throned husbands, drugs, modern art/music, and hippies! (All on national radio!) Even with all the sins hurting America, Bro. Roloff's main theme in this message is,

"The worst pervert in America is the gospel pervert."

How true!

Standing Guard

Around here, if you wait to eat your cupcake until after your nap, it might be gone!

I've got my work cut out for me!

Every time you look at a child, you see a bundle of potential and hope, a future full of new experiences and adventures to be had....And for the homeschooling mother, you also see 12 more years of phonics, multiplication tables, sentence diagrams, timelines, and flashcards.

Unfortunately, my little Jared isn't a very inspired student, as you can see by his face below.

This is what greets me each morning at his homeschool desk. It starts out with, "No dink you, Mom. I really wouldn't like to do school today," in a ridiculously sweet tone of voice. Then, it's, "But I'm a little boy. I like being a little boy. I don't want to do man things." [Note to self: Lay off Peter Pan] It usually ends with a little "corporal" inspiration from the teacher, threatening to call the principal's cell phone (that is, Daddy at work). And we're only doing all the fun stuff now, the art and stories pre-school "work" that all my other children just loved!

Bubbie is perfectly content to play alone all day long without disturbing our lessons. He even volunteers to "watch" the baby while we do school! I am truly fighting the temptation to just let him play his days away, because obviously I do have plenty of other things I could be doing! But I'm teaching Proverbs in Sunday School now, and this Scripture keeps coming to my mind,

"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame." Proverbs 29:15

Dear Lord, please give me wisdom....and nerves of steel, for Bubbie's sake. Amen!

New Experiences

"Are you sure this is edible?"

"...but it's all squishy!"

"Alright, I'll give it a try..."

"Yeah, this end definitely tastes better!"

"Yay, I love oranges!"

Jackson Freak Show an Indictment of America

You MUST read this short article. Nobody says it like Ingrid.

Jackson Freak Show an Indictment of America

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Finally, someone with some common sense!

As I can't help but hear all the "R.I.P.s" and the glowing eulogies given Michael Jackson, and as I hear the reports that there are actually 1,000,000 people who have applied for tickets to his memorial in Los Angeles tomorrow....I can't help but feel a little like Elijah the prophet in Israel, who felt like he must be the only one left who hadn't bowed his knee to Baal. Just before I was going to throw up, I saw a glimmer of hope in today's news headlines. Thank you, Rep. King, for having the decency and the nerve to speak the truth!

R.I.P. Moby Dick

The biggest goldfish ever to live for nearly 3 years in a 2 1/2 gallon aquarium. He was too big to flush down the toilet.

I won't miss cleaning your tank, Moby, but I'll miss you. ("KK")

Independence Now and Forever

Independence Now And Forever
by Chuck Baldwin
The Covenant News ~ July 1, 2009
As we approach Independence Day, it behooves us to recall the principles of America's founding, especially in light of the ongoing attempt by today's political and commercial leaders to merge the United States into a hemispheric government. In fact, the clarion call for independence is just as fundamental, just as revolutionary as it was 233 years ago.Regarding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, John Adams said, "[Independence Day] will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the Day of Deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."Adams went on to say, "You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory; I can see that the end is more than worth all the means, that posterity will triumph in that day's transaction, even though we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not."Indeed, the signers of America's Declaration of Independence endured the sacrifice of both toil and blood. Pertaining to the lives of the signers, David Limbaugh writes, "Of those 56 who signed the Declaration of Independence, nine died of wounds or hardships during the war. Five were captured and imprisoned, in each case with brutal treatment. Several lost wives, sons or entire families. One lost his thirteen children. Two wives were brutally treated. All were at one time or another the victims of manhunts and driven from their homes. Twelve signers had their homes completely burned. Seventeen lost everything they owned." continue reading...

Morning Routine

She's got her passie, Doodle, cup, peep-eye, and her Cookie. Why the tears? Now all she needs is for Mama to put the camera down and snuggle with her while she drinks her milk. I just treasure morning times with my little ones. So sweet!

Our Founding Document

Many Americans think of the Constitution when we mention America' founding document; however, our original founding document was the Declaration of Independence. To read the Declaration of Independence today, 233 years later, it is sadly obvious that we are now once again living under "despotism". I love my country, and I hope and pray that this year, as everyone looks to the skies admiring the fireworks, that Americans will look beyond the fireworks and to the heavens, and remember the God that so generously inspired and blessed this great nation.

Enjoy this great reading of the Declaration of Independence:

Guest Blogger

The older children are required to read at least 2 books each month. (Anything beyond that earns them $5 per book!) To get their allowance, they must write a book report on one of the books that they read. Caleb has been working really hard on improving his book reports, and I thought he did a really good job on this one. I helped him proofread and fix a few spelling errors, and here is the finished project. (Just for the record, he will type the first paragraph, and I'll type the rest)

My Book Report

by Caleb J. Stringer

I have just read a very good book called Adam and His Kin: The Lost History of Their Lives and Times. The author is Ruth Beechick. This book covers the time period from the Creation to Abraham.

I really enjoyed reading about the Garden of Eden. It was perfect there, no sin, no sorrow, no death. When God put Adam and Eve in the Garden, He told them not to eat of the Tree of Good and Evil. One day when Eve was alone, a serpent came to her and tricked her into eating the fruit. Then, she gave it to Adam, and they saw that they were naked. For punishment, God threw them out of His garden, and told them that because they sinned, they would have to die. God cursed the earth.

Adam and Eve had two sons, Cain and Abel. One day when Cain and Abel were alone, Cain was jealous of Abel. He killed him, the world's first murder. God cursed Cain for what he did.

Sin continued to grow in God's young earth, so that there was more murder, and man was always thinking on evil. Sin became so bad, that God was sorry that He even created man; but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. God told Noah to build a very big ark. 120 years later, two of every animal went into the ark, along with Noah and his family, and God shut the door. God sent the Flood, and everything was destroyed. Noah and his family survived.

Evolution teaches us that man evolved from a lower order. It was fascinating to read in Adam and His Kin about Creation, and that God created man as a highly intelligent being, hardly the grunting, ignorant cave man we often see portrayed. Furthermore, dinosaurs and man were both created on Day Six, not millions of years apart.

One of the most interesting parts of this book was about Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. Here, only 100 years after the Flood, idolatry and false religion were begun. To save mankind from his own wickedness, God scattered them and confused their language.

This glimpse into the life of early mankind is definitely worth your time!