We have several objectives in what we want to accomplish in this endeavor.   One was for them to fall in love with reading and for them to read good books… ALOT of good books.

This is tricky.   What they want to read and what I want them to read dont usually match up.     At first, I was pretty laid back on what they read – I wanted them just to read.   But as the habit began to take hold, I upped the ante.   I wanted them to read something that I picked but also would grab them…

This is where these books came in:

The Peter and the Star Catcher series by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Nick of Time and the Time Pirate by Ted Bell

Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis

All books counted above, there are over 10 books above….. 13 if you want to be accurate.    And they are fabulous.

The Peter books are a new take on Peter Pan – how he came to have his “traits” and adventure galore.   What had me choose these books besides the amazing stories was that the over all theme is that there is good and there is evil and evil must be overcome at all costs….even if you make the ultimate sacrifice.

Ted Bell wrote “historical fiction” with his series – I am calling it a series even though currently there are only 2, because I believe he MUST write more….   Nick is a kid who lives on a Channel Island on the eve of Germany attacking England – Nazis….   He goes back in time to rescue his sister and even meet George Washington in the second book.   These books talk history.   These books discuss doing what is right for your Country even when your Government is wrong (as in the first book before Winston Churchill begins leading England).     These books show a precious generational friendship as well as sweet sibling bond.   I believe I may have my older re-read these books when we are covering the Revolutionary War and Modern History.

The Narnia Series – Seriously – there is nothing not to love about these books.   There are a bunch of them, but many are short.    The last one, The Last Battle, was my favorite – one that I have picked up and reread myself.

Here is another hint….  When I said we “read” these books,  I should clarify in that we actually listened to the books.   These books were on CD and also available to download directly to an iPod or MP3 player and played over the sound system in my truck.   In the country, there is plenty of travel time.   So I used that time to listen to good stories – to discuss issues in the book – to play “what would you do” with the boys.    These books are so good there were times when we would get home and just sit with the car running to listen or the boys would beg me to leave them in the car while I ran into Walmart (like that would happen….)    Listening in the car doubled the amount of material they could  learn in our school year.   It also killed 2 birds with 1 stone as some of these books are BIG books and it would be years before the little one could truck through the material.

Now, we listened to a bunch of other stuff but I wanted to share several that I still think about – that we still talk about – that we still lament that there arent  more of….   Download a copy today – or check one out.   Honestly, there isnt an age that couldnt LOVE these stories from young to old.

And if by chance anyone reading this blog WROTE any of the above stories, get back to work…. My boys are missing you and your talent….

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls

This post isnt about whether I think she did it or not – I do think she killed her child….   But is in praise of 12 people who sat and listened for what seemed like forever…   Who thought independently and just didnt take the Prosecution’s, and thus the Government’s, word on what happened.    They didnt just “trust” the powers that be.

No – these people took the hard road.   They took the unpopular road.    They took the road that has lead to ridicule, death threats and scorn.    They took the road that will have people for the rest of their lives thinking they let a murderer walk free.   And they very well may have.

Why?   Because the Government didnt do its job.   I honestly feel the Government knew they had a weak case.   They were counting on the fact that there is a murdered child and that the Government is pointing the finger to persuade 12 to vote guilty.

But it didnt work.    Oh, it has in the past – tons of times….   But not this time.

12 people thought for themselves.

12 People….   God bless those 12 and God protect those 12….

Pray – Praise – Prepare

It was such a fabulous opportunity to shut down all off shore drilling in the gulf last summer….    Funny that its just off limits to us, but others can continue to drill….     The President is also ignoring a FEDERAL JUDGE who has stated that his Administration MUST start issuing permits to drill.    Hear that clearly – The President IS IGNORING A FEDERAL JUDGE…..

NOW READ THIS

What do you do?       Ride a bike.    Walk.    Pray that we get a new President next year – You do realize that this summer starts the running season.   Doesnt it just seem like we just did this?

I drive a tank.    44 gallons and diesel….   Currently I can find it cheapest for $3.57.    Do the math.     What am I doing?     I drive more conservatively.    I coast down hills and I piggy back my errands.      I carpool to baseball practice that is across the closest city….   Its back to the grocery list and 1 trip a week unless I have to be anywhere close anyway….    I will ride this out – I will not sacrifice the safety of my family or my hauling ability for a tiny car.     Homeschooling has afforded us a little more ability to control what we do and where we go.

And I most certainly WILL VOTE…..

But if you already drive a gas sipper, you may not really feel the pinch of high gas prices.    But you will….   When these prices go up, your food prices go up.    In addition to inflation adding to the cost of your food, gas prices are going to boost it up all the more.

Now is the time to get yourself squared away in regards to your food pantry….    It all comes back to food, doesnt it?

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls

Wow.    I don’t know about you, but the above quote by James Madison, when brought to my attention by Accept The Challenge (who if you aren’t reading, YOU SHOULD), took my breath away.   It was a realization that those that formed this Country – that wrote our Constitution, could foresee the distortion of that Constitution for personal own gain.

This post is going to be several parts.   How could it not be?    The statement above in light of where our Country currently sits, could demand nothing less.   Lets start with the Public School System – mostly because its in every one’s face due to the DISGUSTING antics of Public School teachers in Wisconsin.

Public school was never intended.    It is unconstitutional if you take a founders words….   Why?     I believe that its because education is a privilege and not a right.   WHAT???    You mean a precious little child doesn’t have a right to learn how to read?     Spare me the dramatics    But, NO… A precious child doesn’t have a RIGHT to learn how to read.    Education should be a family’s choice.   It should be parents’ job – responsibility – to educate their children or provide for that said education.     And should a parent be worthless and a child grows not knowing how to read, then it turns to the child as an adult to learn how to read.     It stinks, yes, but how many of us adults have things we have to overcome as adults that were done to us as children.    Honestly, a child raised in a loving home that doesn’t learn how to read is far better than a child who learned how to read while being abused by a parent.

How do we pay for our schools?   Property taxes.     You may pay for your house, but you rent your land from the Government for the rest of your lives.    You never really own your home because the Government can take it for nonpayment of taxes.     We are serfs, beholding to the Landholder, the Government.    Its disgusting.

How would you educate your child if it was up to you?    Have you always secretly wished you could homeschool but cant because you must work?    Would it be easier for a parent to stay home with the children if property taxes were a thing of the past?     Do you eye that expensive private school down the street?     What about a situation where you teach your child your favorite subjects and hire a tutor for other subjects?    Do you cringe when you hear what your child has learned in public school that has nothing to do with education?

We have believed the lie that our children’s education is the responsibility of the Government – that they can do the best for them….   That is a joke.    Its also a lie that the more money spent for a child, the better the education.   If that were true, public school kids would win the Spelling Bee every year.    Schools in the Washington DC area would be at the top of the curve…   Homeschool kids would be at the bottom.    But that is not the reality.

Teachers – public and private – will tell you that one of the single factors that determines a student’s success is PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.    A parent who knows what is going on will have a student that succeeds – or at least has the best shot.   How much more successful would children be if their ENTIRE education – from who teaches and what they learn – was up to the parents?

So, how come we keep throwing more and more money at a problem that consistently gets worse?    I contend its because its easier.    I absolve myself of responsibility if a kid cant read by throwing money at the problem.    That is what it boils down to, doesn’t it?

What if the money stopped flowing?    What if school districts had to cut bare bones to what was important because the Government wasn’t going to send them any more money?    What if these same school districts had to make the tough decisions – the parents of these kids had to make the hard decisions?   What if these parents had to actually decide what is learned, what is spent, who is employed?    What if parents spent out of their pockets what schools could spend?  What if all schools had to COMPETE for parents to send their child to their school?    Would they choose Sex Ed over English?   What about “multi-culturalism” over Math?

Things would change.    I can GUARANTEE that my local rural school district wouldn’t have sex education any more.    There WOULD be manners, character and corporal punishment.

What if 5 or 6 families could get together and hire a teacher to teach their children for LESS than what their yearly property taxes would be?

OH THE HORROR…..     The wails of “how will the State know if the children are up to par?”      I can hear them – and I would be lying if I said that it doesn’t make me clutch myself in thinking about poor children and their plight.      What if there is a generation of idiots?

But the truth is, there will be idiots.   But the current system hasn’t spared us from their intolerable stupidity either, has it?    My guess is that just the opposite would happen.    There will be a generation where math scores skyrocket after a hard adjustment.    Where children read MORE and watch TV less.   Where they know how to research and write a heck of a paper.    Where the response to “How are you” is “I am well” and not “I am good.”   Where families are more closely tied than they are today….

One of the reasons for public schools was to keep lower income kids off the streets – to have a place for the little beggar children to go….   The initial public school was to create a populace that was easy to control and would make good workers.    It was designed to teach a child NOT to think – NOT to question – to go along….    They have done an excellent job.

I, for one, want a child to think.   I want my child to ask “why” and not to just take my word for it, but learn it for themselves….    To reason and wrestle with hard answers.

This isn’t an argument FOR homeschooling or for pulling your kid out of public school for private.   If you LOVE your private school.   Excellent.   If you LOVE your public school.   Great.    But know where you send your children to every day and know the “machine” behind it.    I want to make you think about a system that was designed NOT to help your child, but to lull them into being subservient and compliant to an authoritarian Government.     An UNCONSTITUTIONAL public school system.

How does it change?    It may not change until this Government goes bankrupt and it is no longer able to send the checks to local school districts that have become like Educational Crack.    I am also not saying that it would be an easy transition – it would be painful and it could hurt children – children whose only meals for a day may come school.

But I also believe parents who desperately love their children will find a way to educate them.    That parents who desperately love their children, love others’ children as well and I for one, could never go about my business blind to the plight of a child that was hungry.    Churches and those individuals who are mindful of these things would rise to the occasion.    If not educated, these children would be fed.    Of this I have no doubt.

I would be dishonest if I didn’t convey my utter joy at the total destruction and unequivocal desolation of the NEA – the Teacher’s Union – The Department of Education.    These institutions who have used children to seize power and our money.   Who use the tactics currently seen in Wisconsin.    Who wrap themselves in the banner of “Helping children” but have done nothing but undermine and cripple those very children.    Now – please hear me – I do not believe that individual teachers are out to get your children.   Some may bey, but absolutely not this group as a whole.   But they are part of a machine that is out to do exactly this….    Department of Education – the NEA – the Teacher’s Unions see power, money, election before they ever see your child….   And until teachers AND parents cry “enough” and demand a systematic change, your money and your child’s potential will be wasted.

There are as many ways to educate a child as there are children.   If you have 2 kids – are they the same?    Absolutely not.    Then why would one way to educate them be rational?   Its not.

In Oklahoma, homeschooling is written into our State’s constitution.   It is the only state to have such.     It means it gives us the freedom to have our children learn as best as THEY can – not someone who doesn’t know them should decide.    There are families who have hired a teacher to oversee what they do….   There are families who go together and both moms do the job….     There are families who hire tutors for one subject or two….   There are coops, groups, facilities, classes in as many ways as there are families.     And all these children are better for it.    Families are closer.   Families vacation when THEY want to, not when a school tells them its ok for them to leave.    Families set their own schedule, their own time, their own priorities.

How would you like to OWN your own family again?    Its priceless.    And this control, the money thrown at education, the riots in Wisconsin,  is at the core of the struggle of NEA to maintain power over your children….  And ultimately you.

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls

People just start to feel that wanderlust and there isnt a better road to explore than Hwy. 66.

Its historic….

Its fun….

Its has some awesome food….

Its just plain COOL…..   Even Paul McCartney drove it a year or two ago – bought an old Ford Bronco to make the trip.   Honestly, it does need to be seen in an American vehicle.    I prefer Fords…   Yall know that, but I would be willing to give you permission to use a pre-Government owned Chevy car or truck.    Make it retro and make it memorable.

Those that get to travel this road with any regularity know that there is no telling what you will see, especially on a Saturday.

Caravans….  LONG…. Interesting….  Cool….. LONG….  LONG….. Caravans…
Corvettes and Mustangs ALWAYS along with different groups of Motorcylers with their special wave to each other  (I would call them Bikers, but didnt want to confuse you with those that pedal.)    Classic cars – Model T-type cars – VW Bugs – VW anything – PT Cruisers – Airstreams – 5th wheel trailers – You name it….   Its a pleasure to see and a pleasure to see my kids’ see.

Other things pop up around this road….   Flower beds filled with ancient Iris’ or tulips emerge in what are now empty fields, but where you can imagine a white frame farm house once stood.    I wonder if they are surprised they are alone….

Trucks carrying oranges or potatoes or tomatoes or any vegetable, really, parked on the side of the road and a little umbrella and card table for those that are manning the “booth”.

People drive this road slow.    Regulars are painfully aware of this fact and in my car we refer to the slow drivers of this Mother Road as Gawkers, Newbies, Virgins, Lookie Lous and every now and then something that should only be uttered on Date Night when kids arent in the car     We pass when we can and take loud breaths when we cant.

Dont assume from our annoyance with Sunday Drivers that we dont appreciate what we pass with regularity.   We do.    I  know what all the historical markers say….   I have been told the stories of where dead bodies have been found, how houses were burned or why, where teenagers hangout and are teenagers and have since their great-grandparents homesteaded in the Land Run…. Where the Land Run began or ended and what Tribes used to live here.    Even know the ancient owners of farms and some of their “falling in love” stories.    I think about these things often as I pass and tell just about everyone that visits what to look for on the way home.

You dont get more Americana, than traveling Hwy. 66.    It is a connection to our past, but also a connection from one side of the Country to the other.   I have a feeling, its how those 100 years ago felt when they traveled from one side of this Land to the other via Railroad.    What pride Union Pacific must inspired….

There really isnt a point to this post…   Just a gratefulness that I see this road often.    That people still appreciate what She has to offer and choose Her over a faster route.    That small diners still make a living because people appreciate someone that knows their name or waitresses that call you “Honey” or “Sweetheart” if they dont.

God bless this Nation – God save this Nation….

And if you have time, and especially if you dont think you do – make the time and drive Hwy. 66.

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls

Yall know I have a couple boys…..   And typically, I would say that boys are easier than girls.   They are pretty honest in what they are feeling – happy – hungry – tired.     Its pretty basic with boys

However, there is one area that I have struggled with and I dont want yall to laugh when I tell you.   It isnt the birds and the bees, that was easy – its fighting.    Fist fighting to be specific.

I dont want to raise a wuss.   And by that I mean, I dont want to raise boys that let people walk all over them and dont take a stand.    But on the other hand, I dont want to raise boys who hit at the drop of a hat or are bullies.    Its a fine line, I tell you….

And this is what we have come up with and so far it has served us, and these boys, well.

Rule 1 – You never throw the first punch.

Now, Rule 1 has a caveat.   You most certainly can throw the first punch if its in defense of someone else – and by “someone else” we classify that as someone you should “protect” – a girl, an elderly person, someone younger or weaker than you….

The boys have never had to plead Rule #1.   I am going to assume its because no one has needed defending and not because they just dont care

Rule #2 – You BETTER defend yourself.     Someone hits/pushes/takes a swing at you, you better defend yourself.

Boys have used Rule #2.

Rule #3 – You have one punch, you better make it count.

Now, just between you and me, Rule #3 is a little wishywashy.     We have told the boys this only because we dont want them whaling on some kid if 1 punch will end the fight.

And also between you and me, boys have used Rule #2 and Rule #3 a handful of times – not starting it, but using one punch to end it.

One little story that makes me smile….  Boy2 and a neighborhood little boy were looking into the creek.    The boys start arguing about what to name the one fish they can see.    Neighborhood boy punches my Boy2.    Boy2 throws one punch and leaves Neighborhood boy crying.     About this time, Dad happens to drive by and Boy2 takes off for the house.    Dad sees the little boy crying and our boy running and investigates.    We do the whole “what could you have done differently” and “Was naming a fish something to really hit someone over” with Boy2.  Boys apologized to each other and we considered it finished.

And then we were at the neighborhood pool when Neighborhood boy and his mom come over…..   Crap (this was my first reaction, because a lot of moms dont like it when their kid gets hit even if he is the one that hit first….I thought there was a chance it was not going to go well….)    Anyway, Mom has her son apologize again to Boy2 and the boys go off to play.    Mom then turns and says that her boy was telling her what happened and was crying hard.   Mom asks boy why he is crying so hard and he says its because my son hits harder than he does…. To which Mom replied “Then dont hit him.”

God love that Mom.    I really should have known it was going to be ok; this mom has 3 boys of her own and obviously wasnt new to the hitting thing.

Makes me think there needs to be a caveat to Rule #3 – When you hit….hit hard.

Moms of boys – what are your fighting rules?   Never?   Walk away always?    Dont throw the first, but throw the last?

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls

But what I fear is that Egypt will become to Obama what Iran is to Jimmy Carter….   A constant reminder of a failed foreign policy because of an inexperienced, out of touch President.    God help Israel if this is true.   God help us if this is true.

Changing course sort of, a week or so ago, I had a sweet Twitter exchange with an absolute Love of mine – a dear friend – and we were talking Egypt.    It was pretty light, as most tweets are as you only 140 characters, but then something came out of me that was a slight revelation to me.

I pray for this Country – I pray for our freedom.   I prepare.    I save.    I learn new skills.    I teach my children truth.    Why?

It came out in this tweet….

“I know. I pray hard for the world my sons will enter when they turn 18…..”

And that is it.   I have sons.   Sons who will grow to be men.   Sons whose job it would be for defense of this Country that I pray so fervently for….

And that is why I prep.    That is why I save.    That is why I teach them truth.     If I can save this Country.    If WE can save this Country, we save our sons too…..

I mean, I should have known….   Isnt that what mommas do?    We move heaven and earth for our children….

God save America.

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls

This article almost got the gist, but not quite.    The writer, as does the Main Stream Media (MSM), want to still do political math this way:   Tea Party + Republicans = GOP.

But the math doesnt add up this way….

You see, the Tea Party and what the GOP is seeing in the House is WAY more Libertarian than anything else.

The Tea Party isnt about pro-Life.     It isnt about cutting taxes.     It isnt about saying the pledge, prayer in schools or where to put the 10 Commandments.

Its about an over reaching Government and how far from ORIGINAL INTENT this current situation is….

That means that a pot smoking hippie as well as the hard core entrepreneur and even the devout Christian can vote for the same candidate.     All want the Government out of their business.    All really dont care about the one sitting next to them except that they stay out of their business too….

It all boils down to whether or not you think the Government can do a better job managing your life or do you think you can?     And if you think its the Government, then argument over, sit down and shut up and do not complain when THEY tell you what to eat, where to live, and eventually how to die.    You have given away, to them, the authority over you.    Good luck with that.

If you think that you can do a better job, well, good luck to you too….  Because it may not be a bed of roses – you may not be able to buy what you need and you may not be able to afford medicine….  Or you may be able to earn enough that you can provide for way more than your family.    That is the chance you are willing to take – you are willing to be responsible for GOOD OR BAD, what happens to you and your family.    And that is the catch.

Many want the Government to get out, but then they invite them back in when the BAD part comes into play.    Sorry.   But it doesnt work that way.    Stuff happens and it happens to us all….    Plan for it now and play the best hand you can with what you have been given in this life.

Trust me, it is far better than the hand the Government would deal you.

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls

But what if I could get you prepared and you didnt even know it.   I mean, you might notice it a little, but it isnt like you were standing at the foot of Mt. Everest looking up to the very top (can you even see the top from the bottom) and expected to race up it.    But let me tell you a secret – its just one step after another.    One step.    One step.   One step.     And after a while, you look back and you will see how far you have traveled.     It amazes me sometimes when I think about my empty pantry to knowing where I am today.     And here is another secret – I am not done yet….   No one ever is.    Its a journey.   It will be the way you think and shop from now on…

So back to getting you prepared.

A pantry is just unprepared meals.     It is a way to feed your family breakfast, lunch and dinner.    That is all.

Lets talk breakfast.     Breakfast isnt scary.

What are things you eat or can eat for breakfast?    Cereal – Cream of Wheat – Oatmeal – Waffles – Pancakes.    There are some other things, but these are easy and we want to start with easy.      So we are going to think about a week….  One week.    Not a month or 6 months or a year, but 1 week.

You arent afraid of 1 week.      7 days.     How many people are in your family?    You need to feed them for 1 week.     Make a menu of those meals and check your pantry to see if you have what you need….    If you do, you have the fixings, then you have food storage for breakfast for one week.

Congrats.     Feels good doesnt it?

Now – if you double this, you have 2 weeks….

See how easy it is when you take it just one tiny step at a time?

Lets think about dinner.      Make a menu for a week’s worth of dinners.     Do you have the fixins?    See above breakfast directions and repeat

When I first started with my pantry, it was overwhelming, but there was this COMPULSION I felt that I needed to have more food.    There wasnt a plan, just a bunch of receipts for items that were now in my pantry.       As I look back, I do see where panic buying wasted some food storage dollars, but I did do some things right.     I bought things I knew I would eat.     A lot of FS (food storage) lists list things that I am not going to eat or I know VERY WELL that the munchkins are not going to eat.    Even if it was on a list, I did not purchase….   I bought things I knew we would eat.

I have a groove now and know where I am low or where an aspect of my “balanced meal” plan is a little weak.     When I find a recipe I like, I mentally think about how it fits in with my pantry and do I have what I would need to fix out of my pantry….

Food storage is just your breakfast, lunch and dinner.

You can do this one little baby step at a time.    And yes, I am leaving it in your hands.   Your VERY CAPABLE hands.    Why?   Wouldnt it be easier for you if I just told you what to do?    Probably for you – not for me – and that totally depends on your kids.

I am not giving you a list of exactly what to buy because you and I do not eat the exact same things….    We have different people in our families….    You may not like my canned pumpkin and I dont like your canned beets….

Having you do it also steps you out of your probable comfort zone and take some responsibility for your family and you are obviously on your way there since you are on this website and have managed to read this far down….

Start with breakfast….1 week….

Move on to your dinners….1 week….    Make your meal plans and add items to your list….

You can do this.   You.  Really.   Can.

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls

I have blogged before how I use cash to keep certain stores from tracking my purchases.   I dont want the cashier reading my name on a debit card or a check and knowing my name and where I live and what I purchase….   Its a safety thing.    Its a None of Your Business thing.   And thanks to Egypt, its a Survival thing.

You dont get any interest with your checking – well, some of you may, but its a pittance and not worth the bank controlling to what your family has access.     You need to keep cash at home.   I am not talking about $100 in a can….  I am talking about what you would need to live for more than a month and factor in the cost of the basics if they have skyrocketed.

The same revolutionaries that want the ousting of President Mubarak in Egypt, are here too….  Not the EXACT revolutionaries, but all cut from the same cloth….   They dont want democracy – they want Socialism.   They want control over your life in a way that has never been in this country before – a way that makes our current Government look like the most benevolent of Governments.

When they see a chance, the riots are coming here too.    They may not be in your town – it may stay close to the big cities – Detroit – Chicago – LA – DC (for sure).     But that doesnt mean I wouldnt be prepared….

One third of our Country right now is snowed into their houses – have you seen the pictures of what people did to their neighborhood grocery stores in anticipation of this storm?    A storm that they KNEW wouldnt last forever….   What would these people do if riots were disrupting food deliveries??     Would you want to venture out to get food for your family?    What if the banks were closed because of the unrest?    How would you survive?   Would your debit card or check even be taken at your local store?    Probably not.   Cash will be king….   CASH ONLY will be the sign.

Dont neglect this part of your preparedness….

Pray – Praise – Prepare

Pearls