Thrift Schooling

Homeschooling went longer than usual. I sleepily open the fridge to make dinner only to notice that I never thawed any meat out that morning. Do I panic? I grew up walking to the grocery store in the suburbs. Picking up a meal or missing ingredient was never a big ordeal. Now that I'm a country girl, I am forced to designate one day a week to drive half and hour to town. "Running to the store," is not a part of my daily routine. Surprisingly, I don't panic. Yes, a few years ago I would have. I would have stressed out until my husband walked through the door and mumbled something about going out for pizza. Yet this time, I calmly take a step back and figure something out.         HOW DO WE BREAK THE CYCLE OF DEPENDENCE? Photo Credit: Morguefile How am I able to stay calm? How am I able to not be dependent on the grocery store and pre-packaged foods or meals when in a bind? Well, it certainly didn't come easy. When tim...

How much do you know about the Bible and its influence on our culture, history–and the whole world? Focus on the Family and Bring Your Bible have teamed up to create a quiz to test how much you and your kids know about the Bible. Take the quiz to find out!   Don't forget to mark your calendars to celebrate religious freedom with other students across the U.S. on October 6.  Bring Your Bible to School Day Students from kindergarten to college will be bringing their Bibles to school and sharing God with their friends in just a few short weeks.  Sign Up   And be a part of the movement to protect religious freedom for future generations. By signing up, you’ll receive a free guide with tips, downloadable posters, sticker and T-shirt designs, information on your legal rights, and other fun, interactive activities.  Plus Bring Your Bible to School Comes to Adventures in Odyssey! Getting used to a new school isn’t easy, especi...

We told our children, when they were young, there was one reason why we were teaching them to read. Obviously reading is important, if not necessary, to survive in our culture but that is not the reason.  We want them to be successful individuals. Ones that will not simply survive but thrive in their communities. But that is not why we were teaching them to read.  Reading encourages the imagination and stimulates the brain in a way that mindless entertainment never can, this is just a bonus.  We flat out told our children, that they were to learn to read, so they could read the Bible. Plain and simple. The Word of God is what will stand when the world is on fire. When trials and troubles come, the Word of God will bring comfort, healing and hope.  Even in pre-reading days, we memorize Scripture, as a family to get the word of God in their little hearts. And, once they begin to read, we give them their very own Bible.  My two oldest have already reac...

About The Journal Mindfulness: A Journal provides the user with a series of simple journaling prompts designed to nurture a positive, calming framework to approach the day. Each of the writing prompts provides the user with space to examine one's self and ponder some of the basic tenets of mindfulness. The journal can be completed at whatever pace the user prefers to work at (daily, weekly, etc) and features inspirational quotes sprinkled throughout, as well as introductory material on the practice of mindfulness and a list of resources for further reading. Disappointed: This book claims to have a totable, giftable package. I thought that literally meant that it was wrapped in a creative box or package that would be enticing as a gift. I guess all it means is that the journal is in a book form making it easy to give as a gift- not really sure. I wanted to like this book. Really, I did. Journaling was a happy past time of my youth and I was hoping this book would i...

Parents of homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers alike agree that spelling is a tricky subject. Many parents I talk to cringe when I bring up the subject. The only advice that I have to offer in this area is Read More At Our Homeschool Forum.

Itsy Bitsy Christmas  by best selling author Max Lucado is the perfect gift for the little one in your life.  I had to run into Dollar General quick to grab a few necessities. In the midst of those candy bars your kids are always eyeing but know they can't have, I saw the first sign of Christmas. It was subtle, but it was there. Santa Claus pens. While waiting for the super slow line to progress, I eyed this oddity trying to believe it. Christmas pens for sale, in September. I guess it's not that odd anymore these days, but it's still hard for me to wrap my mind around. Christmas is coming. Fortunetly, I do my shopping year round so that isn't a huge stress for me right now. I like to hunt and gather. Deals, and fun Christmas goodies for the little ones are fun to find at random times during the year. Itsy Bitsy Christmas is one of those fun finds. This book is certainly as cute is it's name. I chose it simply because it appeared to be geared towards i...

Are you concerned about the abuses of the federal government? The government regulates things they have no business controlling, there’s a massive imbalance between federal and state power, and the spending and debt is out of control. But there’s hope! For the first time in many years, the people and states have a chance to check the runaway train of the federal government. Article V of the Constitution provides a way for the states to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Constitution. Mark Levin has explained the Convention of States process in his bestselling book The Liberty Amendments , and now there’s an organization that can turn an Article V Convention of States into a reality. Citizens for Self-Governance (CSG) recently launched the Convention of States (COS) Project with the expressed purpose of urging and empowering state legislators to call a Convention of States. Under the COS Project plan, this convention would be called “for the purpose...