Join the Fight

The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children has been recognized and upheld for centuries. But there are dark clouds on the horizon.

Today parental rights are coming under assault from federal judges who deny or refuse to recognize these rights. Adding further danger to the child-parent relationship, international law seeking to undermine the parental role is advancing on the horizon. Together, these threats are converging to create a "perfect storm" that looms over the child-parent relationship. (Read more here)

Only a constitutional amendment will ensure that the courts of our nation protect the fundamental right of parents to raise their children. And only a constitutional amendment will override international law that seeks to undermine the parental role. (Read more here.)

Join the Fight

Happy 9th Birthday, Josiah!

The month of February is full of birthdays for our family. Today we are celebrating Josiah's 9th birthday. Unfortunately I have to admit that his pregnancy was not the easiest.  In fact it was my worst. Lack of sleep, bladder infections, and other things made his pregnancy just miserable.

However, when they placed Josiah into my arms, all  that just melted away. Josiah is a very sensitive boy and very caring about those around him.  He loves to play knights, build with Legos and K'nex, do puzzles of all kinds, loves to sing, enjoys being in the outdoors and learning about bugs.  Science is his favorite subject in school and enjoys doing experiments.

Josiah is growing into young man and is taking on more and more responsibilities around the home. He doesn't always embrace these new responsibilities with enthusiasm. He loves the Lord and tries hard to keep up with daily Bible reading.

Our family is blest to have Josiah as a part of our family.

4 months old

1 year old

4 years old

Friends from Sugar Grove

Home Educating – When Life Happens

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

One of the more common questions that home educators hear is how to deal with babies and toddlers while home schooling the older children. I will admit that this isn't always an easy task.

My 1 year old is a high-need baby. Being held by Mom or an older sibling is her favorite thing while sleeping is her least favorite. Basically this means that she needs Mom A LOT – including the night. So we don't get a full night's sleep and mornings come way too soon. My best investment was purchasing a sling. She loves being kept close to Mom and it also gives the opportunity to be "involved" in our schooling and near her siblings.

Not getting enough sleep can really affect my energy level in the morning. The older ones have been trained in getting breakfast and morning chores which relieves a majority of the pressure on me first thing in the morning. We also implemented a buddy system. Older children have an assigned younger buddy. Here are the assignments: 15yr old/4yr old, 14yr old/7yr old, 12 yr old/baby, and the 8 yr old works with the 15yr old when he needs help. Eventually he'll be assigned the 4yr old. These assignments work for getting meals, doing chores, leaving the house, when we're out in public – anywhere a buddy system is a benefit.

We have also found that training the children to complete school work on their own has really helped. Our older 3 (15 yrs, 14 yrs, and 12 yrs) do most of their book work on their own. So my part is just making sure that they get their assignments, complete them, and answer any questions they may have. My husband also teaches a couple classes (logic, worldview, and Bible) in the evening. This has taken a huge load off of me.

So my daily focus is on teaching our 8 and 7 year olds, along with working with the 4 year old and taking care of the 1 year old. There are days when the 2 youngest ones will play great together and I can get a huge amount of school work done. Then we have those days when the baby wants to be held by me all morning. I'm going to say it again…that's the beauty of homeschooling! I can forgo a few things on those days when my plate is so full and make it up on a day when things aren't so hectic.

Some other ways we have taught while raising babies is to train the babies to have a blanket or playpen time. This is accomplished by training the baby on the blanket/playpen, starting with 5 or 10 minutes and gradually increasing that time. Using the blanket has its advantages because it is easy to transport. We have also used naptime to work on some of the subjects that need undivided mom time. This requires a bit more flexibility, but well worth it for teaching those hard to understand or more in-depth subjects.

My favorite of all though is the use of older children in the home. Schedule an older child to watch the baby or toddlers for 15-30 minute intervals. Not only does this keep the baby/toddler quiet, but also gives the older child a break from the school work. Older children can take the baby/toddler for a walk, rock with them, push them on a swing, play on the floor, have a snack, read books, or do puzzles.

Another activity, for those days when you absolutely need to get something done and there is no one else, is a learning DVD. We don't use them much in our home, but have when we are desperate. Some of my younger children have liked Baby Mozart. I like the classical music. We have also borrowed "Signing Time" DVDs and they all like to impress Mom and Dad with their new signs. Even the baby has been learning and is able to communicate with us. We also own Moody Science videos. These are old, but they the lessons they teach about Scripture and science are wonderful.

Here are some more quick ideas:

• Drop the school work for younger children and have a play day. Break out the play dough, crayons, or toys they don't get to play with very often. This will keep them quiet for a while so that you can sit of the couch or lay in bed for a few minutes to pray, read some scripture, and regroup.
  
• Gather the children and let them play quietly with Legos or color while you read aloud.
  
• On good days train your children how to make sandwiches, or fix an easy breakfast like dry cereal. Then on those rough days, they can get their own breakfast or lunch.
  
• Have breakfast for dinner. Not all husbands like this, but having pancakes and eggs is a quick meal with minimal clean-up. Using paper products also helps on those rough days!
  

The best lessons our children, old and young, will learn during this seasons of babies and toddlers will be how to handle what life gives us. This post mostly talks about when there is a baby or toddler in the home. But what happens if Mom gets sick, there is a death in the family, or some other challenge that God uses to grow our faith? Interruptions in a normal schedule are going to happen. As homeschoolers we have the opportunity to use these experiences as learning tools for our family.

Happy 1st Birthday, Sara Elizabeth!

One year ago today, our 7th child, Sara Elizabeth, was born. On February 8th, Daniel and I went to bed as normal, only to be woken up at 11:15 with my water breaking. 2 hours later, in the comfort of our own bed, Sara was born.

This hasn't been an easy year. Sara is a high needs baby and it took a long time to learn about her. She is a very serious baby, but when she does smile, it lights up the whole room. She brings such joy to our hearts and all of her siblings love her and think she is just so cute!

It really is amazing that just a year ago, Sara was a helpless little babe who could do nothing for herself. Now a year later she is a little toddler walking around, trying to feed herself, and saying words like "bye", "kitty", "mama", and "dada". She also can use a bit of sign language.

Happy Birthday, Sara!

Happy 14th Birthday, Jesica!

Today our beautiful daughter, Jesica, turns 14 years old.  There is so much that I can say about her.  She is thoughtful, loving, and love the Lord with all her heart. It takes her weeks to read a book, yet she can crochet an afghan in 2 days. To learn some more about Jesica, go to her blog and read this post. Everything she wrote is true!

Happy birthday, Jesica! May the Lord bless you with many more. Thank you for being the wonderful daughter that you are. We love you very much!

Enjoy this pictures of Jesica from her younger years:

Jesica age 1

Jesica age 3

Jesica age 5

Then it seems like she grew up overnight!

Happy Birthday!

Home Educating – Methods and curriculum

Part 1 of the series can read here.

Part 2 of the series can read here.

Every home schooling family is different. Some families are large, having many children, while others have just a few children. There are families who want to bring school home, while others want to ban anything that has to do with school and do all the learning from life experiences. These are some of the differences which make homeschooling so wonderful. Education can be adapted to each family. There is no right or wrong way to do it. What's even better is the fact that the children's education can be adapted from year to year depending on which trials or real-life experiences God is placing in your family.

There are several different methods that frequently come up when you speak to home schooling moms. Terms like "classical", "traditional textbooks", "Charlotte Mason", "unit-studies", and so on. To learn more about each of these methods click here. Looking at our home school, I can see different methods taking place. We use some textbooks, follow a bit of the Classical model, read some "living books", and include some hands on and tons of life skills. This has really worked well for our family.

Through the years we have tried many curriculums, changing them to fit into our season of life. However, despite all the changes, one thing has remained constant. Our home school is based on the Word of God. If our children are growing in their knowledge of Scripture and are striving to glorify God and living according to His Word, then we are accomplishing our roles as parents and educators.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." 3 John 1:4

All this is not to say that academics don't play a part in our home. They just aren't our #1 priority. Academics tend to be further down the ladder somewhere after God, Biblical living, and family relationships.

Whenever home school moms get together, the topic usually will turn towards which curriculum is best. There is no "best" curriculum. The "best" is the curriculum that works for your family. This may remain constant through all the years of schooling, or they may change as family dynamics change. Over the last few years we have had medical issues, a move, and a baby be born. This has led us to make a few changes in our curriculum choices and schedule. That's what is so great about home schooling. We are able to be flexible, while still giving our children their education.

Here is a brief overview of what we are using for each child this year.

Justin (10^th grade)

• Notgrass Exploring World History – we really like this as it incorporates history, literature and Bible all into one subject.
  
• Teaching textbooks pre-calculus – teaching textbooks is a great fit for our family
  
• Scripture memorization
  
• Apologia Chemistry – All of the Apologia books have been great – even the Elementary series that the younger children use.
  
• Economics
  
• Writing – Excellent!
  
• Logic
  
• Christian World view
  
• Bible - RC Sproul videos
  

Jesica (8^th grade)

• TruthQuest History – Age of Revolution I
  
• Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
  
• Scripture Memorization
  
• Apologia General Science
  
• Writing
  
• Logic
  
• Rod and Staff English 7
  
• Bible - RC Sproul videos
  

Ashly (7^th grade)

• TruthQuest History – Age of Revolution I
  
• Teaching Textbooks Pre-Algebra
  
• Scripture Memorization
  
• Apologia Botony
  
• Writing
  
• Logic
  
• Rod and Staff English 6
  
• Bible - RC Sproul videos
  

Josiah (3^rd Grade)

• TruthQuest History – American History for Young Students I
  
• Math U See
  
• Scripture Memorization
  
• Apologia Zoology 3
  
• Grandpa's toolbox and other books for Bible
  
• Copy work
  
• Explode the Code
  
• Maps charts and graphs
  
• Sequential Spelling
  
• IL State History books
  

Cara (1^st grade)

• TruthQuest History – American History for Young Students I
  
• Math U See
  
• Scripture Memorization
  
• Grandpa's toolbox and other books for Bible
  
• Copy work
  
• Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Lessons
  
• Explode the Code
  
• Maps charts and graphs
  
• IL State History books
  

Mathias (pre-school) – Mathias is just working on various little workbooks that we have picked up. His schooling is nothing too formal as he has been learning best from playing and working alongside his family.

There are several great companies to buy curriculum from. One of our favorites is Rainbow Resource. Their prices are great and so is their customer service. We also buy a lot of our curriculum from vendors at our local home school convention. Attending a convention allows for opportunity to page through books and talk to the vendors about their curriculum. The IL State Convention also has workshops by the vendors, so you can see the product in action. Buying curriculum used is another great way to get the books you need to a great price. Support groups host them or you can go online to sites such as HSLDA's curriculum market.

 

 

 

Home Educating - Scheduling

Part 1 of the series can read here.

I am a first born, thus I tend to have some first born qualities that lend themselves to being very useful in homeschooling. Scheduling is one of them. However, sometimes I schedule so much that I don't allow for any freedom. This is something I have to work very hard on.

One of the products that I started using, back when it first came out, was Managers of Their Homes. The Maxwell's put several schedules in the book and then they teach you how to make a schedule. I found this very useful as I was beginning our homeschooling. Plus having a spreadsheet made me feel so prepared to face the day! I still use what this book teaches, but have branched out a bit and made the schedule more my own.

Confession time…since we moved in October, I have been having a very hard time getting our schedule back on track. Several things have caused this. First, Daniel is home in the morning until about 8am. I really enjoy this time, but it does slow the children down a bit. Second, my baby still isn't sleeping through the night. This causes me to be very tired in the morning. Therefore, it is rare for me to be out of bed before 7 am. It's usually closer to 7:30 am. Third, all the children (except the baby) sleep upstairs where I don't go very often. So they don't get up right away and then leave such a mess that takes me being a drill sergeant to get it picked up. Fourth, it's cold and dark in the morning and takes great discipline to get up. Right now I just don't have it.

So I really need to talk to my husband and get things figured out. A realistic schedule needs to get set up so that our family can function and look like we really have purpose in our day.

Here is a brief and condensed look at the general schedule that we have. Each child has his/her own schedule broken down inside this main schedule.

• 6:30 am up and devotions (some shower)
  
• 8:00 am breakfast
  
• 9:00 am family devotions
  
• 9:30 am children divide up and mom work with younger children on their assignments. Older children work on their own.
  
• 12:15 pm lunch prep/lunch/cleanup
  
• 1:30 pm rest time for those 12 and under. 13 and older finish school work or do something quietly.
  
• 3:00 pm free time
  
• 5:00 pm dinner prep/dinner cleanup
  
• 7:45 pm family worship
  
• 8:30 younger children go to bed
  
• 9:30 everyone else go to bed
  

Some things to think about when making a schedule.

• Make it realistic. Allow enough time to get the tasks done
  
• Don't cram everything in.
  
• Be flexible. God will place interruptions in our day. We need to welcome them and not be tied to our schedule.
  
• Is everything in the schedule necessary? Are you trying to do too much with your time? Too many activities?
  
• Clear the schedule with your husband. There may be thing he doesn't see as important that can be taken out. He may also see thing you may be missing.
  

A schedule can be a good thing; just don't schedule your life to death. Take the time to enjoy and have fun with your children. Let them see the blessing in having a good balanced schedule.

Home Educating – Why we home educate

Home education is a subject that is dear to my heart. We are currently in our 10^th year of home schooling. Our 7 children range in from 15 years to almost 11 months. So we are in the process of teaching high school, jr. high, grade school, and preschool. That sounds like a lot, especially in a day and age when most parents look forward to sending their children off to school.

Our home school journey began in 1999, more out of necessity than conviction. As the years have gone by that has changed. Having our children at home is now a conviction, not a necessity. Our family believes that home education follows God's commands found in Deuteronomy 6:1-9:

"Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you—'a land flowing with milk and honey.'"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

"And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

As homeschoolers we can easily lose our focus. Pressures arise from friends, family, and even other homeschoolers which make us lose confidence in whether we are doing the best for our children. Their children are involved in this activity or studying that subject and are excelling in all that they do. We on the other hand can barely get the kids through their assignments, get a meal on the table, or the laundry finished. We begin to think that everyone else has it all together while we are failing. That is why it is so important to know the foundation of why we are homeschooling.

Why are you homeschooling? Your curriculum choices, scheduling, extra-curricular activities, and even choice of support groups are all built upon the answer to this question. So pray and study Scripture. Talk with your spouse. Examine where God is leading and you will find the answer to "why?".

    

Home Education Series

One of my commenters has asked for some posts on home education and how it works in our family. Even before she had asked, my desire was to write up a few posts. The comment just spurred me on to write the series of posts sooner that I had intended.

My goal was to have the first couple posts out already. However sickness overtook me and then the issue of the CPSIA. Please read up on this legislation and how it will affect you and your family. The first post will be up sometime this weekend, with the others following every couple of days or so. Feel free to leave your comments or questions. Emails are also welcome. My address can be found in my profile.

"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."

Deuteronomy 6:6-9

More on the CPSIA

Shannon, at Rocks in My Dryer has an excellent article that gives more in depth information on the CPSIA that will be taking effect on Feb 10th.

Read it here.

This is VERY important.  Please take the time to see how this is going to affect everything.

Consumer product Safety Improvement Act

Consumer product Safety Improvement Act....

Sounds harmless doesn't it? The government having Americans best interests in mind.

NOT!

On February 10 a new law goes into effect All products for children 12 and under will need to be tested for lead. Companies who don't comply will be charged high fines. How does this affect us? Think about all the small mom and pop companies that you buy from....or ebay...or etsy.....can these afford to pay for the tests? Probably not. So out of business they will go and their products will no longer be available. Government control at its best!

To read more: Story 1, Story 2, Story 3 and mot importantly Story 4, The effect on libraries!

To read the full 62 page text of the new legislation CPSIA

Please write your senators, representatives, the CPSC, you local newspapers....spread the word so we can get this overturned.

Christmas 2008

This year Christmas ended up being a pretty quiet time in our home.  Due to the weather, Providence's Candlelight Service was canceled.  That was a bummer for our family.  Jesica and Justin were supposed to play their instruments, and several members of the family were in the choirs.  Next year we'll try it again!

Mom and Sara

Mom and most of her girls watching a movie in bed!

On Christmas Eve we went to Ming's for Chinese food. This is usually our New Year's Eve tradition, but hope to start a new one of those this year.  After Ming's we came home, started a nice fire, and opened gifts.  Daniel and I had bought our own gifts last month.  Daniel bought Ruger 10/22 rifle.  My Kitchen Aid mixer broke, so I bought myself a new Bosch.  The children had lots of fun opening their gifts.  Justin also received a rifle and Jesica got the camera she's been wanting.  Ashly has been wanting to learn how to decorate cakes, so she received some tools to do just that.  Josiah and Mathias had a "Camo" Christmas.  Camo outfit, PJ's, communicator watches, and rifles.  Cara and Sara both received new dolls from Vision Forum.  Cara also received a toiletry bag so keep all her hair stuff in order!

Our 7 Blessings

On Christmas Day we loaded up the van and headed north.  After a 3 hour drive, we arrived at Mark (Daniel's brother) and Kristi's home.  

There we opened more gifts and ate a wonderful meal.  The children then sat and watched Wall-e with some of the adults, while the rest of us sat around, ate dessert, and enjoyed a glass of wine.  Then it was back into the van for the 3 hour ride home.

All the Ryken grandkids

The day after Christmas, my parents came down.  Their arrival was a bit delayed due to the ice, but they made it in time for dinner.  After dinner we opened a few more gifts and then sat down and played games. Sara was having a really good day and even let Grandma and Grandpa hold her!  

Soon it was time for soup and dessert!  There's nothing like a good eclair and sherbet to round out the holiday season!  Dad and Mom spent the night and after a breakfast of cinnamon rolls and scrambled eggs, got on the road.  It's so nice having family spend the night.  It gives us more time to spend together without having to watch the clock.

We took so many pictures during the holiday. Instead of showing each one here, I uploaded them to a photo album.  

Christmas 2008