Ticklebelly Road

When I was a teenager there was
a road that we frequently drove
over. This road was filled with
those abrupt drops that
make your belly tickle.

Do you know what I mean?

It was always fun to ride on
that road, especially if one
was going just a bit faster than
the speed limit. That means that
it was much more fun if Mom was
driving...tee-hee.

One day we were taking some
neighbor children to an event
of some kind and they got all
excited because they called that
road Ticklebelly Road and they loved
to go over it. Cute!
That name stuck for us ever after.

Well, this morning I am no where
near Ticklebelly Road but I feel
as if I am on it.

This is the first day of Homeschool
Co-op. I am excited and nervous,
all at the same time.

Two choirs are expecting me to get
them started toward our goal of the
Thanksgiving Concert. I know there
are those in the 4-6th grade class who
are resistant to the idea of singing in
a choir. Their participation at this age
is not optional...therefore out of the
46 young people that will be in front of
me likely half would not have chosen this
for themselves and a quarter of those will
show that fact on their faces.

I am seeing this as a big fat challenge.
A challenge to win them over to a love of music.

I know I won't be one hundred percent successful
but with this as a mission, I will surely win some.

So...with a tickle in my belly...I am off to
begin an intense ten weeks.

Have a great day!

Becky K.

Pumpkins and Straw

I found a little place to get pumpkins
for one dollar each. Small straw bales
are two dollars...

I am having fun with these.

Wanna see?

Hold on...I'll run out on this foggy morning.
Maybe the fog will keep the neighbors from seeing me
out snapping pictures in my nightshirt.
Oy! The things I do for you...she says with a smile.



It does look prettier in person...I promise.



I want to cover the cut hosta with corn stalks but they were out of them
when I got the pumpkins. I think that will be cute.



I may have break down and get another one of these fellows.



Mine kind of took a beating last year so he is gone.



It is a work in progress...but then everything around here is a work in progress...including me.

See you later.

Have a great day!

A Worthwhile Evening

For my friends in the public schools, this is not
meant to be a put-down!!! It is an adjustment to
the reality of the differences between learning at
home and learning in a classroom.

Last evening our homeschool co-op enjoyed our
monthly "Mom's Meeting". However, last night
we included the Dads and children who wished to
be there.

Our guest speaker was Dean Andreola. You may know him
as the publisher of Charlotte Mason Materials or as
a reviewer at Christian Book Distributors.

Dean and Karen had joined our co-op upon moving into our
area a couple of years ago and it has been a true pleasure
to get to know them. We had missed seeing them since
Nigel graduated and no longer needed the co-op.
The relationship has rekindled through church and our boys' friendship.
Nigel recommended a book that has Mikey reading enthusiastically.
This has blown my mind since he is a very hesitant reader.
Thank You, Nigel!
You are my hero!

The sincerity with which the Andreolas approach
their work and life is beautiful.

Before Nigel graduated, Karen gave her Mother Culture Talk to
the Moms of the Co-op. It was so neat. If you have had a
chance to hear Karen speak you know what I am talking about.

One of the things that made Dean's talk so interesting last
evening were the personal anecdotes he shared about he and
Karen's years growing up in New Jersey. It was fun to hear
a husband's perspective on his wife, who is our friend.

Dean had us wiping tears from our eyes we were laughing so
hard but then in the next breath he would share something
totally profound and so true.

Over the past couple of years I have found myself using more
of a Charlotte Mason approach to our homeschool with much better
results than we saw with a more workbook/textbook oriented approach.
The kids are happier and learning more while I am much less stressed.
If we could ditch math, I would be completely happy...
but that is not happening, so I continue to suffer through the math.

Some of you may be wondering, "What is Charlotte Mason?"

It is more of a philosophy than anything else...although
Dean and Karen have printed and written books to teach the
Charlotte Mason method. The philosophy is finding that thing that inspires
your child to learn. To learn from nature, music, poetry,and
living books. It is the antitheses of attempting to recreate
what we think of as Public School in the home.

The books that Karen writes are inspirations to get us
headed in the right direction. Some are actual tools, such as
Pocket Full of Pinecones, and Story Starters.
Very cool!

No rows of desks...no attempt to teach our children as a class of twenty.
There are only three in this house...

I spend time at the library searching out books that will
inspire the children to learn more about a subject. Books that
they will not begrudgingly read. This approach takes time, effort
and planning but it is definitely worth it. For example, we have read
some of the neatest historical fictions that have shed light on
World War II and its effects on people, learned scientific principles
through books on airships, and so much about history through reading
the biographies of those who lived it. So fun! So interesting!
When I see my kids sketching away and it is a picture of something
we have been reading about...I know I have them. When I go to close
a book and they complain that they want more...I know I have them.

This is the Charlotte Mason Method. Teaching your child to enjoy
lifelong learning. Not "doing school" as it used to be done at
our house with tears and lots of worksheets.

Now we make books, and write stories. We draw, we go outside and look
at the plants about which we study...we are in the kitchen creating dishes
that are fantastic...as we learn about homemaking and cooking. We take
every natural opportunity to learn. We have found our children's passions
and we are seeking to make available to them the tools of learning to
expand upon them. We are teaching them the fun in learning. The ability
to appreciate the knowledge.

To do this we are having to "unlearn" some old, bad habits.

Mikey resists anything that is called schoolwork. He is softening
a little bit as this year we have built his Junior year around his
interests in botany. He will be doing his writing assignments and
speech on this subject or perhaps one will involve the science aspects
of his dirt bike. Propulsion, speed, thrust, gas engines...so many options.

I don't mind if he mixes his sciences as long he is learning.

Jonathan has a strong interest in the chemistry of Food.
Food Science.
I have ordered a text...unfortunately it is on back order, however,
he will be studying food science this year.
Different?
Yes!
Definitely
for us.
But, it should be fun.

Chelsea is an avid reader and writer. She learns about so much every day.
She reads magazines and books. This one is very motivated to write and
learn. She is also growing in the arts of homemaking and only last evening
commented that she can now see herself with a family of her own. We were making
knock-out beef and pepper stir-fry over Chinese noodles. We were using her new
cooking class book. I found it for a dollar at the library "store".

The meal was y-u-mm-y!

Dean's talk last evening was just the encouragement we needed to continue along
our path of inspiring our children to learn and to love the process. The
hope is that they will carry that love of learning all through their
lives and pass it on to the next generation.

Thanks for being here today and reading about what is such a large portion of my life. It is my biggest burden and my biggest joy.

I love my children and want the best for them. I pray constantly that God would allow us to provide whatever it is that they need to help them to grow into Godly adults with careers that they love...or in Chelsea's case if she grows into the homemaker and Mom that I can see her as...that will be great with me. She wants to be a published author.
I can see that happening too.
She is a great little writer.

Alright, off to wake the aforementioned children...they have a busy day ahead.

Blessings on your day.

Becky K.

Catching Up - The Weekend

Update on Pastor Mike's brother and sister.
They are both fine.
His brother near Houston said they had
80 mph winds for hours.
His sister was spared the flooding that
others in her area experienced. She had rising water
from Lake Pontchartrain but it did not reach
her newly reclaimed from Katrina home.
That was such a relief!

The Moms got home from their
huge trip just before Midnight
Saturday. It is so good to know
that they are safe and that a wonderful
time was had by both.

They shared stories over a typical
Sunday Dinner yesterday. I made roast,
Potatoes and carrots in the crock pot.
Yum!
I hope to get some pictures from both
of them of the things they saw and
share them here.

We heard about the jeep ride that left bruises,
the trail ride with the man who was in his
70's and had never ridden a horse(He got the one Mom
refused to ride...no wonder he kept saying "Mamma Mia!"),
the burro ride down into
the Grand Canyon, the stone arches, climbing Mesa Verde,
the hot springs, the Durango Train ride...

Adventures aplenty...at least one per day.

Meanwhile back here in little 'ole PA...

Saturday Chelsea was a babysitter for
two little friends of ours. These guys
are beyond adorable. They were so good.
Check out the ketchup on this sweet face.
We didn't notice it until looking at the
picture.

I love this one of the two of them...

And then with their great babysitter.


I tried to stay out of their way and let her handle
the boys herself.
She did a wonderful job.

I have to run off this morning and get Jonathan to work.
This is a big week on the farm...He will be working
most days. It is unusual. But Thomas the Tank Engine is
in town and this is a very large attraction in our area.

This means many, many tourists so extra hours for nearby
attractions.

Have a blessed day.

Becky K.

About Faith

I was thinking about Hebrews 11.

It is a chapter in the Bible where
the heroes of the Faith are listed
and the key to their being noted is
pointed out.

By Faith

1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 2This is what the ancients were commended for.
3By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 4By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

5By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. 6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

7By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

11By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he[a]considered him faithful who had made the promise. 12And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

13All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

17By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, 18even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring[b] will be reckoned."[c] 19Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

20By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

21By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

22By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

23By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.

24By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. 25He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. 26He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. 27By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. 28By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea[d] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

30By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

31By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[e]

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. 40God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
These faithful people did not see all of the fruits of that faith here on Planet Earth, but we have benefitted from that faith. We have an example of Faith and what it can accomplish...knocking down city walls? Yikes!

The fruits of this faith are most certainly being enjoyed this day in Heaven as they have received eternal life and a city not made by hands!

There are such lessons to be learned by reading the accounts of these peoples' lives. They were certainly imperfect people...but to me the one thing they had in common and would not give up on was the belief that God was worthy of all of their trust and they acted on that trust in a very real way.

There have been times in my life where I have had to just trust. There was no other option. My parents modeled this for me as a teenager as they stepped out on a journey of faith in a church plant in a new town. We were dependent on the giving of church people who had pledged to support us. The home we lived in was rented to us but up for sale at the same time.

I remember a day when the cupboards were bare and just then a check came in the mail.
Faith Builder!

I remember the day that there was a cash offer on the home we wanted to buy. Our financing was iffy at best and there was absolutely no certainty that we were going to be able to afford the house. The owner of the home refused that cash offer saying that we were to be the next owners of the home. Faith Builder!

I remember more recently a little church, one that was down to less than twenty people. It surely would die. We surely would be better serving the Lord in different ways...then the Lord miraculously provided a place...and now He is sending His people.
Faith Builder!

I remember the day our first was born with so little hope of living. There was a hope deeply planted in my heart that he would survive. I don't understand that hope,
all looked bleak, but it was God....had to be! Faith Builder!

I remember the day the house we had a contract on got away from us and we were devastated. I remember how God provided a much better home that very same day...in a very unexpected way. Faith Builder!

My point?

If you have not had faith building experiences of your own to cling to when things seem impossible...look to the Biblical examples. They are there for your encouragement. It is always good to reflect on those things in your life that have been faith builders. What are those things that distinctly have God's Handprints all over them?

The evidence of His loving watchcare is all over...just look for it.

It is so reassuring in a time of World Distress.

Our Faith cannot be placed in our Government, Ourselves, or our Church. It must be placed in the ONE who is worthy of this Faith.

To look beyond the obvious....to expect a different outcome... based on the promises of God.

Ahhh to sink into the comforting knowledge that this is not all there is...but that HE is here with us, loving us, caring and providing for us, leading and guiding our paths. Intimately involved in our lives. Aaahhh...that is so sweet.

Is it pie in the sky? Denial? A crutch?

Not for me!

It is fact!

These are things God has done. These are his revelations of Himself in my life.

I hope you'll look for HIM in your life today.
Blessings on your Sunday.

Becky K.

Much to Pray About

Girl Praying

With Hurricane Ike devastating Texas
and Louisiana and a terrible train crash
in California there is much to pray about
on this Saturday.

We watched the coverage until we could not
keep our eyes open last evening, concerned
for those loved ones in the areas effected.

While, we personally don't have family there
our Pastor has two siblings directly in the
line of fire. One in Slidell, where the flooding
is occurring again, and one hunkered down just
outside of Houston. There is much concern.

Warren's and my Mom are to fly through Dallas
today on their way home from the big adventure
out west. We pray that they will make it home
safely and without too many delays.

The ladies have plum worn themselves out...
with all of their fun agenda!

The train crash in LA is absolutely tragic.

Watching the rescue efforts that have continued
throughout the night...it is hard to believe.

So sad!

We serve a Big God and none of this catches Him
by surprise. I pray that HE uses this to turn
our hearts and minds toward HIM.

I pray today for the emergency workers across
this Country who will see things and experience
exhaustion like never before.

I pray for the volunteers who give of themselves
until they have no more to give.

I pray for the electricians who will work around
the clock, away from home and family to restore
the power that we so often take for granted.

I pray for those in the path of the storm as it
continues to trek across this great Country.

So much to pray for...so much to be thankful for
as I sit in my dry and safe,(for now), home.
Ike is headed our way eventually.

May you find Blessings in this day...friends.

Becky K.

Girl Praying courtesy Allposters.com

I am Losing My Mind...

If you see it
please let me know!

I cannot remember the
simplest things lately.

First, it was a missed
Dr. appointment....on a day
that I was flat out sick.

A couple of weeks ago,
the whole family went somewhere
without me because I was sick
and I missed an appointment
that had been made a week or so before.
The office called a couple of hours later
to say that I had missed the appointment and
would I like to reschedule.
I wish they had called when I was due to
be there, I would have gotten over there.
Crazy!

Then I wake up this morning to remember
that I was to have gone in for bloodwork
yesterday and totally forgot that!

Yikes!

So...if you happen to see my brain
... strolling by your place
please tell it to come home...
It is needed here!

On a more positive note,
You should pop in on Brenda,
at Coffee Tea Books and Me.
She is giving away some fun
stuff from Sally Clarkson.
Homeschoolers, in particular, will
appreciate this giveaway...
you know who you are!

I finished THE SHACK.
I don't know how to comment on
it yet. I don't want to give anything
away...and I am still rolling the story
around the empty spot where my brain
used to live.

Interesting...

Candle season is upon me.
There are at least three fundraisers getting
underway. I will be deep in soy wax and gel
for the next few months.
I decided to do one craft show this year.
It is one I did last year and enjoyed.

Co-op begins on Thursday...much to do there.

Church is going well. Always something to keep
up with there...however, the new people are finding their
place at the church and are sharing the work.
What a blessing!

The kids work a lot this next week so I will be
working around their schedules.

Just life!

Busy but rewarding.

Have a great day!

Becky K.