Nathonal Ichythiosis Awareness Week

Meet Peter who has a rare skin disorder...He's adorible and a blessing! You can learn more
HERE!

Children are precious gifts from God...

Writing Strategy~Planning Past the Evaluations

Once my child was evaluated for placement, it wasn't placement that concerned me, but skill sets.  What does he know and not know.  When I am aware of his weaknesses, I can work with him to improve those areas.  Planning becomes key when looking at where we want to go.  But what would planning look like for your child? Each child is going to be uniquely different, but you can decide as a homeschooler what skills you need for him to learn and when to learn them. 

When my boy was younger, about 2nd grade, I wanted him to creatively write in a journal each day.  I tried all kinds of things to get his creative juices flowing including offering a tape player for him to speak his thoughts into and letting that be his "writing." I did this so his thinking would develop independent of the motor skills of writing.

I also used copy work.  I didn't use the nice copywork sheets that are available with a saying or Scripture on the top in nice script for him to copy, but I used regular three-lined second grade paper and wrote every other line and had him copy my letters directly underneath mine.  This took up more paper and may have been more costly, but really in comparrison to purchasing copywork pages that are not lined appropriately for the young child, but more like college or wide rule notebook paper and their cost, it most likely came out the same...also there were added benefits with using this method.  It was a 'real world' practice of what I would later require of him...I didn't want to change the methods with paper type for a child already struggling! Cost wasn't as much a factor as what may help us!  Also I had him copy the Bible and other works of literature passages for practice in seeing great sentences and content.  I was making the way for a path that I hoped one day would be well trodden!

Each lesson of writing accompanied some other lesson such as history or Bible or science we were doing.  This gave great meaning for all the work, and I was very proud of his efforts and showcased them in page protectors in a three ring binder! I allowed him his place in the process of learning and to grow!

We played word games, although I don't think he ever realized this was a strategy on my part...we played Wheel of Fortune on cd game...he loved to solve the puzzle...Writing became a part of all the other things that were fun for him.  I had to find ways to keep exposing him to using his small fine muscles and to enlist that brainy memory of writing~the art of the written word. 

It could be said, I have worked him silly! In fact, if you ask him, he says that I have done just that...but we are seeing progress...and it was incramental.  It was a step at a time...

Once I figured out what he knew and didn't know, I was prepared to find unique and interesting ways (to him) to take him to a higher level...planning was key.

Write some goals.
Write steps to getting to the goals!
Write some rewards or incentives for your learner!
Evaluate what is and is not working.

Getting the evaluation can be invaluable to figuring out how to help a child who is struggling.  Accurate information such as the self test in the previous post or professional accessments can tell just what a parent is navigating through for their child.

Once this is all done and plans are made, then it's time to do them...and if you find something not working, it's time for....
CHANGE!

We will discuss what to do when something isn't working...how to make that...CHANGE!

Writing Stategy #1

I've told you a bit about where we are coming from in this world "differences" where language learning is concerned in the earlier post. Today I want you to know what I believe is the MOST important thing any parent can do when teaching or beginning home education with their child where the academics are concerned!  It's so simple, but profound. 

START where your child is ~ or on the level where your child functions. 

There are several ways to find out "what" that level is for your child, but academic testing for an older child is useful, but if you prefer, you can do your own testing.  Do a pretest of basic skills.  Can your child count 1-100 or write all his letters or add and subtract, count by 2,3,4,5,6,...and so on? What is the age of your child? Are you bound by "what is taught when" kinds of thinking? Remember that grades are for the masses and you are not dealing in numbers any larger than your own home!  Grades meaning grade levels, like first, second, fifth, ninth and so on...I in no way am against giving 'grades' for work with objective and subjective criteria for assigning the grades~whoa, this is a whole NUTHER post!

FREE language arts/writing accessments for K-12... Placement Test~Language Arts/Writing
Note there is a link on the upper right for a math placement also...through pre-algebra!

After you have given the test, and be sure to praise your child for his efforts! Don't place undue stress on him for his inabilities! Let him and encourage him to do his best...this is just a tool to measure where he is so you can progress forward.

Testing is only a measurement and not an indictment!
Remember that you want to know your child's level, so you can plan a strategy for teaching and improving the difficulties.  Always remain positive, and I've never shared the test scores and CERTAINLY never compared my children in this way! Each child is God given in their strengths and weaknesses~which are really just needs.  Needs are areas we parents can work on with our children! Remember no matter where your child is or where you think he should be, you now know where to begin TEACHING incramentally what he needs to learn. 

Needing to learn information is one thing, and giving it is a different matter!  I remember feeling quite ill equipped over my son's difficulties.  You may also be feeling the same with your child.  Take heart! God has instilled in each creature of His design a learning meachanism whereby learning occurs! It's our job to figure out how to reach our child with a METHOD that will work for him.

This took trial and error for me.  I don't believe that even if I had been a professional teacher that the effort I expended for him could have been any greater! Mothers want the best and we make a way! I dug and dug looking...I used THREE phonics programs and a fourth was used in professional speech/language pathology classes to remediate disarticulation issues.  But the phonics extended beyond just seeing, recognizing and saying, but also to the connection of all three.  We had to instill the sense of the sound through kinesthetic (movement) means!  Our last recourse was to use an air tracing method from Linda Mood-Bell learning systems. THIS WORKED! We had gotten really far with the others, but somehow this worked!

Don't give up! Keep seeking so that you and your child will find!
Remeber that finding out where he is and then begining to devise and implement strategy for rememdy is the only way!
blessings

 

The 3 R's are some of the most important academic work we will do as homeschoolers with our children.  Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic are essential foundations to all the other disciplines.

It's my personal challenge to bring a child with learning issues to a place of competency in the area of language.  Raising a child with language learning deficits where speaking wasn't the only challenge, reading and writing have been huge as well.  I read and used all sorts of materials to make progress; there's been professional testing and interventions too! We turned every stone possible to understand our child and the challenges.  It's not been easy, and often the desire to throw up my hands in defeat have consumed me.  The challenge is not mine alone, as he must recognize it and battle to become all he can become!  He must become successful to compete in this world.  My child has made tremendous strides in the past year plus! He is writing essays, while not where I would like to see him, he is putting down ideas on paper and learning the fine points of grammar and organization.  Because of the difficulties, he is easily frustrated and becomes resistant.  I want to share some of the strategy I have developed for him with the help of a dear teacher friend of mine who is in special education.  She has been a wonderful sideline supporter of me and my children, an ear and friend~a sister/coolest aunt ever in our hearts! Thanks, my friend for loving us!

What are you doing to help your child? Do you have challenges that are puzzling? I'd love to hear.
blessings,

It's The End of The Line~Finishing UP!

Beginning our journey in homeschooling in HOPE~just where do we want to be when we are done?  DONE! Just the word makes me tremble inside, not because I want them gone or don't want to finish, it's the awesome responsibility that I have to do a good job~to "finish well" with them and for them that has me feeling so! But the HOPE is wrapped up in dreams and processes that will bring us to the finish line~final days, hours and minutes of home education~but really the learning NEVER will stop nor will the parenting~Like my mother of almost seventy likes to remind this mid-forty gal~YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY CHILD~and I will always KNOW more than you! Such wisdom, but I remember when I did not believe such was posssible, that I would NEVER know as much as my Mama~she's always going to have lived and expereinced more than me. . .so much knowledge and judgement!

Our children will find this out one day too, if they haven't already.  When they were young, we were their heroes, but now in the teen years I am seeing the rise of their own independence and ideas...it's not all bad~tough as the teen years are for so many reasons!  But where does this all lead us?

Our children and ourselves must come together as families to discover their dreams and goals for the journey and finish of homeschooling in their lives! We cannot educate them if they refuse, nor can they become educated as well without parents.  It's a partnership to the FINISH LINE~to the end of it. 

Goals, dreams wrapped in HOPE will bring about processes to get to the end.  Just like a good athlete, measurable goals and marks are set and strived for~reached for~desired!

Where do we want to end up?  Do our children share our desires and vision?  It starts here and ends somewhere down the road after all the effort and time has passed. . .but HOPE will remain for the future; it won't leave just because one stop along our journey is completed.  Oh no! HOPE will continue to be with us as long as life gives rise to breath and we continue to move. . .forward. . .

Finishing up? Just beginning?  HOPE won't leave even after...happily ever after...

HOPE~It's Where We Start. . .

Since homeschooling is a journey for each family that will change over time whether it's adding a new baby or as our children age, where do we begin? The process is as important as the end result, but the beginning is the underpinning to the whole adventure!

HOPE

It is hope that propells most of us in home educating our children.  Why can't the nay-sayers understand that we are not some deviant bunch of anti-social do gooders who guard dog our kids from society?  Can't they see the results of children who are socialized in such a way that they become well grounded and productive citizens in our society, not participating in the social ilks that plague it?  But since the nay sayers can not see our intentions, but rather our actions, we must press on~in hope for our children's futures.   

HOPE is where we all began with dreams and prayers that tomorrow will be better for our family, that our family will be loving, loyal, tighnight, bonded, sound, faithful, honest, good and godly.  HOPE. . .the wings that have helped us upward towards such lofty goals in the hearts of each mother and daddy as we press on.  Pressing often through tough circumstances such as illness or finances, but continuing in HOPE~seeing and believing with hope!

The naysayer can not see what under girds the homeschool effort, will be able to recognize the result of years of faithful diligence in educating the children entrusted to us.  AND what does HOPE look like in the life of homeschoolers? It's moms continuing to do the job day in and day out, loving, instructing, and enjoying the family~each unique little person God has entrusted to her care, and daddys the same, in his own unique role as DAD of the family. . .each family as God designed. . .going forth in HOPE for those dreams and goals, those heights to be attained!

We are all on different places on the journey, but one thing I know, we all began in HOPE~and with God, HOPE continues to carry us forward, onward and upward!
blessings as we continue in HOPE~

(The baby is my friend's grandbaby born just a few weeks ago.)

FREE Homeschooling eBook ~ Wonderful!

This is awesome, and if you didn't get this FREEBIE from
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, here's a wonderful opportunity to PDF download their generous gift for you

The New School Year eBook

Inside you will find encouragement and information from well known and seasoned homeschoolers who offer their perspective wishing you the best this year with your child!

Thank You~TOS for thinking of us!

Three Things Every Parent Should Teach

Simple things, but essential.

1. Child, you are loved.  When you teach your child he is loved, you show it, and he will know. 

2. Child, God is God.  Values are indispensable in this world, and an understanding of Who God is will carry a person further than most anything, including money and fame.

3.  Child, you have choices.  None of us are without some sort of choice in our lives, and giving our child the knowledge that he will be making decisions in life that can and will effect him for the rest of his life and eternity will lay upon him the needed responsibility and duty to make wise decisions.

Thanks for stopping by.  I'm a homeschool mom with two teens who prayerfully seeks to share these with them.  May you be blessed with your child...
 AND FOR FUN~
1. Your Mama 'ain't' a maid!
2. Zip your jeans before they are washed!
3. Soap and water are cheap!
blessings,

Special thanks to Shoplet.com-Purell Hand Sanitizers  for sponsoring this blog hop.
   

Upper Level Homeschool eCourse~Find ALL the Insight to Do High School Right!

Teaching high school does NOT need to be intimidating! You can feel confident knowing you are doing everything right!  Terri Johnson, Knowledge Quest/Bramley Books has an eCourse designed to give you all the skills to get through these difficult years! I have had a sneak peak with a five day
FREEBIE:  5 Keys to Successfully Homeschooling Your Teen Through High School
and it's got loads on insight and information! Don't be left out wondering when it comes to homeschooling THROUGH high school~ 

Yes! You can do this!!

Join literally thousands who are homechooling through high school!   

You are NOT alone!
GO GET THIS FREE RESOURCE:

http://www.upperlevelhomeschool.com/

Here's a link to a FREE high school transcript calculator:
http://www.everyday-education.com/gpacalc/index.shtml

Our children are high school now~yeah, at first it was a bit daunting to think that we really don't have much longer with them and that higher education is just around the bend...but Terri offers some awesome advice along with others who have been there! Go check out the eCourse! I am soo looking forward to graduation for our little people...hey, I can STILL call them "little", right?? Won't they always be my babies? 

Go check out the high school resources on the left sidebar to help you on your way!
blessings,

Free Museum Day TODAY~

The Smithsonian Magazine is partnering with museums all over the nation for a free visit TODAY for one household member and a guest with a pass you can download from their website.
There is a way on the Smithsonian site to search your state:

Here is my state's participants: 
Museum Day
Grant Boyhood Home, GEORGETOWN, Harding Home, MARION, National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, WILBERFORCE, Ohio Historical Center, COLUMBUS, Rankin House, RIPLEY, Serpent Mound, PEEBLES, Youngstown Historical Center of Industry & Labor, YOUNGSTOWN, Zoar Village, ZOAR
Open Hours for each site
Enjoy a free day at participating OHS historical sites and museums at the fifth annual Museum Day, presented by Smithsonian magazine. A celebration of history, culture and learning, admission is FREE at more than 1,000 museums and cultural institutions nationwide. Visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download your Museum Day Admission Card. Attendees must present the Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. Each card provides museum access for two people, limit one per household. For hours of operation of participating OHS sites, click on the links above.

EXTRA: Need a FREE source for maps of all kinds from state to world? (Check out that left side bar!)
http://printable-maps.blogspot.com/search/label/World%20maps


 Homeschooling is EVERYWHERE! Have a great time!

Free Notebooking/Copywork Sites and How I Did It~

Copy work is a wonderful tool to teach much about language arts.  I have used this method, and IT WORKS! I actually did not use copy work pages such as these, but used initially, the K three lined paper and moved to wide rule notebook paper.  I wrote every other line for my son to copy.  The advantage of using ordinary paper over the "pretty" notebooking/copywork pages is that it makes the practice more like the real world of writing, and I could easily place his work in a notebook, or at one point I even used a regular composition style notebook.  Initially I gave my young son one sentence to copy when he was kindergarten age.  As he progressed, I increased the sentences to three, then five, and finally moved up to a full page of content on various subjects relating to the things we were studying, good study habits, or Scripture. I focused on mastery not volume.  I did only one nice long sentence adding words that first year.  The sentences increased incrementally in difficulty so that the complexity of the sentences increased over time.  This gave him the example to copy above his writing line on his level, so that he could carefully reproduce just what I had done.  I made sure I read with him the sentences, and we discussed the meaning and its applications.  This process of teaching my son sure made my handwriting nicer as I wanted to be a good example!  This method has really paid off in many skills for my son!

Here are free copywork resources from some great websites where you can print out sheets if this is the way you want to go:

http://www.homeschoolnotebooking.com/Free_Pages.htm

 http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/manucopywork/

http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/printables/printablescopywork.html 

http://www.freelyeducate.com/copywork/ 

Here's to copywork!

As a sidebar, here is a  
website with handwriting instructions and tips
http://www.gmbservices.ca/Jr/Handwriting.htm

Ministry of Christian Law Association~Homeschool Legal Advantage

Do you ever wonder if there is someone who is concerned with the legal rights to home educate your children and willing to protect you from those who would want to remove those rights?  The Christian Law Association has been defending Christian liberty since 1969 and has launched its new ministry, Homeschool Legal Advantage.  I am thrilled to introduce this ministry to you as you may recognize the name Attorney David Gibbs.  He has been associated with quite a few high profile cases where Christian liberty was at stake.  If you are homeschooling, you will want to consider this ministry for your right arm legal protection as they are well acquainted with so much that has gone on the last forty years!

Read about what Homeschool Legal Advantage can offer you
http://www.homeschoollegaladvantage.com/More_Information/Membership_Benefits.html

Now I have some wonderful new for you!  You can get your first year FREE by subscribing to Home School Enrichment Magazine.  These fine folks have partnered to bring a year's subscription to their magazine until TONIGHT 9:00PM CST for $14.57 which is a savings from the regualar $21.97 per year cost AND you get Homeschool Legal Advantage FREE!

Is this too good to be true? No! 

I have researched HLA and find them to be good solid and ready to stand with homeschoolers and Christians concerning Christian liberty.  Don't let this get by you~if you miss tonight's deadline, then you can still get Homeschool Legal Advantage FREE but the sales price ends and then you pay the low price of $21.97.   

THIS IS HUGE!

Go here for the magazine special of $14.57
https://homeschoolenrichment.com/magazine/subscribe/subscribe.php?offerid=1029/Go here if you are after the cut off special price
https://homeschoolenrichment.com/
 blessings,

Creation Museum~and the Duggers!

Our family was able to get to Ken Ham's Creation Museum this June! You can read
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/SisterTipster/702692/
about our visit! 

Thanks Michelle for sharing with me the Dugger family's visit.  I am amazed at those without the faith to believe, but the Bible does say that without faith it is impossible to please God.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things not seen. . .For by faith, Abraham... Faith is crucial in beliefs about origins.

Here's the video:


If you haven't seen Ken Ham's Creation Museum, get to Northern KY to see it!
Bless you as you teach Truth to your children concerning origins and God.

FREE Home School Enrichment digital magazine online PLUS...

I am purely giddy! I just got the word that HSE is offering in addition to their free online magazine http://mail.google.com/mail/?zx=vknbvoor3a9l&shva=1#inbox/123a07dd216f450c

a discounted print edition with a HUGE FREEBIE~
https://homeschoolenrichment.com/magazine/subscribe/subscribe.php?offerid=1029/

for $14.57....

with
a
one year FREE membership to

Homeschool Legal Advantage
http://www.homeschoollegaladvantage.com/Home.html
the Christian Law Association's homeschooling arm~oh my goodness!

This is a savings of $86.40 which is HUGE considering you get a PRINT copy of this beautiful full color homeschooling magazine AND the legal representation we all might need! Go check out Homeschool Legal Advantage to see the FREEBIES they offer new members~oh my goodness~this is so unbelievable AND you won't be sorry!

This offer ends Monday, September 21, 2009 9:00PM CST so I'm heading over TODAY! ALL THIS for $14.57 AMAZING! Pass the word!!
WooHoo!

Contest at Train Up a Child!

Train Up A Child has a contest to receive a good read for a daughter in the "tween" years...
Head on over to leave your comment~
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/kovach/727418/?#c1344459
blessings,

Solid Freebies Without the Sell!

I love freebies, but the constant barrage of ads drives me crazy! I am not so dumb as to not view most everything that comes across my screen, but the constant marketing of products by some FREEBIE vendors is just a good ole fashioned ploy~but hey...who can blame a gal for wanting something for nothing or a vendor peddling wares, even if veiled in FREEness? Well, just consider it "paying" when you read the advertisements, and that IF you should purchase, you have solidified the FREEBIE vendor's advertising strategy in gaining more customers! I have on occasion purchased from an ad attached in something else, like a newsletter or blog, but not often.  If I do, you can bet it's a bonafied DEAL, and I've checked ALL my sources for the best price possible...

If you are ad-ed-out, and love FREEBIES, visit the Erskine Family of KY.  They offer Homeschool Freebie of the Day and Homeschool Resource of the Day, along with Homeschool Radio Shows.
http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/
which are absolutely awesome! They even offer a FREE audio download per week of wonderful old timey radio show dramas usually about a famous person or event~wonderful stuff!!
http://www.homeschoolradioshows.com/
Now you will see that they have been offering a huge resource for one price kind of deal for a period of time and will be changing formats to this next year, so this huge deal will be gone...but go check this part out for yourself~I like the weekly radio FREEBIE they offer~you can sign up on the page to see if your kids would even enjoy an audio learning experience.  Often there are guides too in PDF download in the FREEBIE~these are absolutely free; I love it!!

I enjoy sharing without the hype~so here's a resource you can get without the sell~
blessings

Drama and Homeschooling!

This title could be deceiving! NO I'm not discussing family life, I know some of us have "drama" in our lives to last our life times, but I am actually talking about theater in the life of a homeschooler! 

Our children's personalities are God given and developed by everyone they encounter.  Parents have the major roles to play out, but everyone leaves something for everyone in this area...So some are naturally "out there" with gregorious laughter and not minding to be in the spotlight, while others snuggle shyly into our skirts or jeans leg as a new opportunity to present themselves is more than they want to encounter. . .

I have one of each.  Girl Thing One has danced her way to gospel music in church since she was old enough to walk.  When my children were preschoolers, my youngest son would set at our piano and finger the keys (any wonder he has natural gift for it??) and say to his sister, "Dance__! Dance!" And she did right along to his rhythms. . .on her toes, moving her feet as fast as she could with the biggest smile on her face.  He was grinning too~while he didn't want the spotlight, she did and his ability to "play" (this was light banging on the keys, really..." brought each of them joy.

Today as teenagers who are both musicicans, she is singing a hymn in Japanese, and he is playing it on his trumpet.  Again the stage is set for one to take a center spot and the other to accompany.  But not only has this continued in music, Girl Thing One is not in a homeschool drama club, well they both are~but she tried out for a part and got it, while he's happy working on props and costuming! Differences gallore for sure, but both active in their God given ways!

I want to encourage you to take your littles or bigs into areas that will bring confidence to them as they are exposed to this world we live in. 

It was interesting that yesterday in church because my daughter is reserved and very quiet most of the time that my Sunday School class was surprised to know that she is in a theatre production, and that this is her fifth or sixth.  She doesn't dance the church aisles anymore! But she does still enjoy the theature and performing~now a homeschool drama group. 

Please consider drama activities for your children.  The benefits can be huge in terms of their lives. . .will Boy Thing One continue to be a support and faithful back up to those who are more outgoing? But without opportunities, he may never take that center stage. . .and will Girl Thing One continue to work the parts?  Only the Lord knows the future of our children, but opportunities such as drama and other arts such as music are pieces in the building of positive life experiences.

If you don't have a drama group in your area, what about your co-op group? Can you along with them start one? Try your church too.  Often there are many opportunities for children in the form of Children's Choirs, Drama Teams, and more! I learned to sing in our church choir.  I've had about 2 years of piano most of which was as a seven year old, but I can sing and even simply play melody on the piano enough to get the notes for singing! Look around~there are opportunities~and often where was seek, we will find...but if not, let's consider starting!
BTW~the picture is an actual production with my daughter!
blessings,

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle...

It's so sweet to snuggle a baby.  Their smell and feel is unlike any other, and for mother this is a special time in her life and her baby's life. The effects of motherhood have been tremendous on every facet of society since time began.  It's really true that the hand that rocks the cradle rocks the world.  Motherhood is a sacred right and obligation for women who bear children.  It's unique and unlike any relationship with any other.  Mother and child is a bond that is crucial for healthy development.


I am all over Facebook.  I know this is of no consequence to many, but as I have read and commented, I have noticed beginning in the recent weeks a disturbing ad,  "Obama wants women to return to college. You can get your degree..."  Don't get me wrong, I am not against education for women.  I BELIEVE in it! But I am not thrilled with the wholesale advertisement to bring women in general out of their homes with their little ones or big ones to gain an education that could remove mothers from the place of honor, the home with their children~our children.  I realize I am speaking contrary to the popular practices of our day.  I feel it is not in our national best interest or the interest of our children to encourage dissatisfaction for the women who seek to raise their children at home. 

Mothering is so important to not just our children, but to our society and nation.  Become educated! No problem, but not at the expense of our children! Rock your cradle, and remember you are 'rocking' the world because only God knows WHO our children will be as they grow and mature to serve, and it all began in mother's arms in mother's home. Rock on!

blessings,

Remembering 9/11~a tribute and film...

I remember it. Don't you? If you were near a television at that precise hour, then you along with many of us watched in horror as some of the most vicious attacks on our nation unfolded before our eyes...I was home with my children. Our daughter the had been in public kindergarten , and this day as I sat dismayed at what I was seeing, I offered up a prayer of thanksgiving in knowing both my children were home with us, and we were not in fear as many parents who were so concerned that they ran to the schools to get their children...homeschooling took on a new meaning for me. It was a new commitment in our lives, our second year!

Love of God and country has been a huge theme in our schooling. We believe in patriotism! We believe is a just, holy and righteous God! And we believe in our duty to serve both!! In home education is our mechanism for gaining and performing both~

A few years ago, I accidently found the film, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXnA9F 9/11 The Falling Man. This is a documentary about one of the photographs of a man who like many that day became known as a "jumper," and the attempts by some to identify him, put a dignity to his situation and bring closure by by finding his family and for them closure and dignity. THIS IS NOT for the faint or weak as this film shows many disturbing images of the horror of WHAT those no good devils did to our nation, our people and each and every bit of our way of life.

I am chosing to share such with you because it is my belief that to gloss over it's shock, tragedy, and horror does NOT serve us today, but will in the long run harm us in a way that can effect generations to come! Lest We Forget...we may be doomed to repeat the past! It's my prayer that God gives us all the courage, strength and integrity to stand against tyranny in whatever form we find it, to defend and protect our United States Constitution and to BOLDLY say:
God Bless America! Land of the Free and the Brave!

It will take you over an hour to watch. I could have put up a "nice" pic, but in our nation today, we all need to be reminded...Lest We Forget...

http://attacked911.tripod.com/ This was put up by Nichole and it's a tribute that will either make you mad or resolved to DO something in the name of freedom. Let's be patriots and stand strong for our nation!

Loving my country, my countrymen, and my God by remembering in solemness 9/11!

One Cool Cat~

If you love your pets, you can relate...

Our cat, Tiger was one of the coolest cats we've ever had. . . I'm a cat-lover! Seems like I've always had one, and they've stayed with me most of my life. About nine years ago, we visited friends and this friendly orange and white~American longhair house cat came into my husband's chest and loved him...made peace with the alpha male in our home~Daddy who just couldn't at that point say NO to two begging children. . .hence why he's Thomas Tiger!

He was unusual in that he learned to play chase with our son. Around and back and forth, Tiger would run after our boy and in return our rambuctious child would run with him back. Eventually our son tired of the game, but Tiger was relentless...HE played so hard...and another favorite was chasing the laser light beam up the wall until he was purely breathless. Panting, and lying exhausted, if we continued to shine the light, his eyes would follow...OK...when this happened, it was game over! But if he heard the jingle of keys in my husband's pocket, he came running for on the ring was that little fun light!

Tiger was emensely loyal to my daughter. He really was HER cat while we all claimed him...HE REALLY CLAIMED HER...it was her bed mostly he slept on...it was she who he followed around like a puppy, and if she left him to go outside or upstairs behind, he would cry until one of us answered him and down or around he came...he loved his girl and his people...

He was a social cat and even in sickness stayed with us as much as he was able. . .content to lay on the rug or in our son's comfy chair...He always was near and snuggly...

He was a huge cat of 16 lbs and had an air of dignity that cats generally have, but our daughter said, "he's manly, a manly cat" placing on him a black patent leather collar. . . dare I say he was in style too? lol! His coat was long, and the colors bright...his orange fur the color of our children's hair. . .he was gorgeous with golden yellow eyes that were huge. We learned to brush his fur and he enjoyed that so much. He was simply beautiful.

Tiger, as must so many pets has left us to be removed from the suffering of this life. But we celebrate as it may seem silly to some, his time with us! Gone too soon, really is the truth. . .I had expected him to see our children grow up and become as had Mr. Henry, a grumpy old man lol! But as with the will of God and as nature takes hold, some things are not as we desire.

Tiger was one cool cat! And as such we will never forget him, and will always hold his memory dear to our hearts...You can read about him http://sistertipstersthriving.blogspot.com/2009/08/tips-for-painting-home.html
and be sure to hug your family and pets today...love 'em up!

blessings,