Communism

Our latest history lesson was on Karl Marx and the Communist Manifesto (thank you Linda Hobar and the Mystery of History!).

As I was reading and explaining Marx's theories and how Communism and Socialism are "supposed" to work, my oldest said, "wait, so if private industry goes away, doesn't that make the government the rich and powerful ones?"

Yes, yes, yes.  And again yes - if my 16-year-old can figure this out, then those who are okay with socialism and communism are CHOOSING to not see this truth.

Election Season - Already??

I have been homeschooling for about 10 years.  My oldest is going to be a junior (!!) this year.  His birthday is in October, so he's always a grade behind where people assume he should be.  He'll turn 17 this year, and 18 in 2016.  He's very much looking forward to, *gasp*, voting in the next presidential election.

The other day, he turned on the TV and a news channel was on.  I won't tell you which channel, but I will tell you I have banned CNN in our house, due to the airing of a terrorist sniping an American military member (they "graciously" went to black at the moment of impact, but I don't give a flying flip).

Anyway, he didn't immediately change the channel!  When I asked why, he said that since he was going to be able to vote in the next election, he probably ought to start paying attention to what's going on.  I almost fell over.

Then, last night, he was able to watch a bit of the first Republican debate (the one with the "lower tier" candidates).  He came into dinner discussing what he had heard and his thoughts on how to fix some problems in our country.

Is he becoming....responsible??  Thoughtful??  Nah.....

But maybe....

Testing

Today was our annual testing day.  None of us really like it, but it has to be done to satisfy the state requirements.  I have explained all this to the kids:  this isn't a true measure of what we've learned this year, this doesn't measure how you can cook or care for animals, and that it certainly is not a measure of your worth.

It was still a rough day for a couple of the kids, but we had some positive stuff come out of it.   For the first time, Peter was able to finish his entire reading sections in the time allotted - that's never happened before!  Caroline finished all her math and felt pretty good about it! Victoria was lucky to finish strong - she got pretty bored at the end of the reading part - but this was her first time having to read all the instructions herself.  Jonathan - well, he smoked it.  Always does!

The kids understand the necessity of the testing, and they're taking it well.  I'm so glad they enjoy homeschooling enough to work through it!

Vitamins

I recently took my oldest to the doctor for some acne treatment - it's pretty bad - and the doctor commented that many times, acne is better in the summer than the winter.

We returned home and while we were talking about what needed to be done, he said, "maybe I should start taking vitamin D since acne is better in the summer than the winter."

Holy cow - he's been listening!

Funnies

Just a few funnies that I want to remember.

In the car, discussing with the kids where polar bears live, as well as where penguins live.  When we explained that the penguins live at the SOUTH pole and polar bears live at the NORTH, Jonathan was a bit perplexed.  "Wait....I thought penguins lived at the North Pole with Santa Claus."  Tim's response?  "Well, THAT explains why you haven't been getting anything on your list."  Tee hee!!

The other night, at the dinner table, we got a little silly.  Caroline threw her napkin at Tim, and missed WIDELY.  Hardly made it halfway down the table.  We harassed her a bit, then Victoria tossed her napkin.  Landed right on him.  We laughed and teased Caroline about how her sister was a better shot.  Caroline exclaimed, "well, the wind took hers!"  We ALL had a good laugh over that!!

Random Thoughts

Haven't posted in awhile....it's been a tad on the frustrating side here.  BUT....a little light shines here and there!!

Last week, when I picked up the boys from Bible study, Jonathan told me they had to tell a role model they had.  He said he chose me! Awwwwww!!!

Yesterday, we were watching a video about Creation and we saw greenish-yellowish pools, to which Victoria said, "that's sulfuric acid."  WHAT???  I mean, she was right, of course, but who knew she knew!?

Parenting is HARD

One of the most encouraging verses in the Bible about parenting is in Judges.  I hear you scoff, "Judges?"  Yes, Judges.

Manoah and his wife have been childless.  The angel of the Lord appears to the wife and tells her she's going to conceive and have a son.  Then he instructs her as to what she must do - drink no wine or fermented drink and eat nothing unclean.

The angel of the Lord comes back later and this time Manoah gets to talk to him too.  Manoah asked him, "When your words are fulfilled, what is to be the rule for the boy's life and work?"  That's me, wondering what the rules are to be for my kids....what will their future look like?

The angel of the Lord answered, "Your wife must do all that I have told her."  He repeats the previous instructions and says again, "She must do everything I have commanded her."

I LOVE that.  Did you figure it out?  We're not supposed to worry about our kids and their future.  We know what we're supposed to do (read the Bible, attend church, pray, be generous, love one another, etc., etc.), and God is going to take care of our kids' future.  It's not our job to know what they'll do for a job.  It's our job to train them in the way they should go....to bring them up in the fear of the Lord....to teach them to love the Lord our God with all their heart, with all their soul, with all their mind, and with all their strength....to teach them while we walk along the road, while we sit at home....to discipline and disciple them.  And frankly, that's more than enough for us to do!

I had very wise Sunday school teachers when my kids were very little.  They told me, "no guilt, no glory."  When you've done the best you can, following God as well as you can, you take no guilt on yourselves as to how your children turn out.....nor do you get the glory.  Samuel (Old Testament) was raised by Eli.  So were Eli's sons.  Eli's sons turned out bad and were struck down by God.  Samuel turned out very well.  Same parenting.  So what's the difference?  God.  God.  God.

He makes all the difference.