Please vote

Parade magazine is running an article as to whether homeschooling should be illegal. Here is the article taken from parade.com.

In February, a California state appeals court ruled that unless parents have recognized teaching credentials, they must send their children to school. The judge, citing a state education law, said that “parents do not have a constitutional right to home-school their children.” Parents and politicians were outraged, and the court will rehear the case this month.

At stake is the education of the 166,000 California children who currently are home-schooled. But the court decision also could influence laws across the country. Nationwide, up to 2 million children are taught at home. Experts estimate that the number is increasing 7% to 12% a year.

“If upheld, the California ruling will send shock waves nationwide,” says Richard Kahlenberg, the author of a number of books on education. He says the case “pits those who believe parental rights are paramount against those who place a premium on well-educated citizens.”

Right now, only six states have strict regulations for home-schooling, usually requiring parents to have their curriculum approved, to show test scores and, in some places, to submit to home visits. Fourteen states, including California, mandate only that parents notify the state of their decision to home-school.

They are also running a poll: "Should parents need teaching credentials to home-school their kids?" Please go here to vote!

When this first happened, my brother/sister in law (T's sister, they also homeschool) sent this out, and I feel their words are so poignant that I wanted to include them:

California's ruling is a major power grab and victory for the public education system and teacher's union. Education is not the goal or they would embrace any method that works, public, private or home. Their goal is money, and power, and their next target is private school curriculum.

Even if you feel that home educating is not for you, remember that private school curriculum is the next thing to go (attempts are already being made in the courts to stop creationism curriculum).

This is a radical ruling and will have huge implications on the rights of all parents if it is not stopped.

Let's hope the court decides to change the ruling when they rehear it this month.

Friday Funny

I've been looking for a book for quite some time. And today I found it!!!

Back in college, I was introduced to an awesome speaker, Liz Curtis Higgs. She calls herself "an encourager." I think she is hilarious and a very Godly woman. It was ironic where I first heard her speak....at a convention for PSAHPERD (Pennsylvania State Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance). She was the Keynote speaker at the winter convention in 1996.

I became hooked and started reading many of her books and getting her newsletters. In one of them, she asked for submissions from her readers for some "fall-down funny stories to fill your heart and lift your spirit" to be submitted for possible publication in her upcoming book, "Help! I'm Laughing and I Can't Get Up." I recalled the perfect story from years before.

You can read it below, and it can be found on page 37 in her book. (You can click on the picture to make it larger)

Hi Dad!!! I know you are gonna love me for posting it! But, I know it will bring a smile and a laugh to you and Mom as you read it!!!! :-)

Thanks to Ginger for mentioning Liz in her post and making me think of this treasure.

Hey JM! Does this mean I'm published?

6 Unimportant Things

Tara tagged me for this meme and the rules are:

1. Link back to the person that tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. Share six unimportant things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your entry.

Now that you are all on the edges of your seats, let's get started...

1 - I don't drink tea or coffee because it makes my throat swell (nice, I know!)

2 - I cannot ice skate - or even stand with them on...my ankles bend in with no hope of straightening.

3 - My belly is growling.

4 - I haven't had Pepsi (or any soft drink) in 3 weeks and 4 days.

5 - I had braces for 2 years when I was in Junior High.

6 - When I was younger, I wanted to be a veterinarian until my mom told me that I might have to put an animal to sleep.


Tagging 6 people (I know this is what y'all have really been waiting for!!)

1 - Just Mom 'cause I know she's in need of blogging material
2 - Mary 'cause she just needs a break from paint fumes
3 - Short Stop 'cause even if it is an 'unimportant meme' she'll still make it totally fun
4 - Morning Song 'cause she'll make me laugh
5 - Tropical Mexican 'cause I went to high school with her
6 - Lynn 'cause I went to high school with her too AND 'cause she *owes* me for the attack at JM's blog! ;-)

Spreading the meme-love in bloggyworld!!

Wordless Wednesday

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Elle was searching through a drawer that had various cups and containers for Colin. She pulled out a sippy cup and said, "This is my favorite cup. May I use this cup?"

I told her no, it was Colin's. She proceeded to ask, "May I use it when I'm a baby again?"

I answered, "Ok! Sure!"

She ran off smiling!


***
T and I were both in Elle's room saying goodnight. Before we left, she asked, "Do you guys play in our playroom when we go to bed?"

We both started laughing and answered, "Yes Elle! We do!!"

She just giggled and giggled!

***
Our neighbor asked Quintin if he wanted to see her new webkinz. Showing that he is first, all-boy and second, unaware of this new craze, Quintin answered, "Huh? Oh yeah, we have weapons!"

For more Tiny Talkers, head over to Mary's at Not Before 7.

I can't take it all in!

iHave a New Toy

iAlways said iDidn't need one. iDidn't have to be hip! Or, iAm still hip without one... (Is it still cool to be hip? Or is it just hip to be square?)

Then came the ads in the Sunday paper. Staring me in the eyes, a $24 MP3 player.

Hmmmm, iBegan considering some ways iMight use it.

One being that iStarted walking again in the mornings and iWould love to listen to various podcasts of local churches. A second reason being that iCould jam to some tunes while mowing (regardless of the looks my family or neighbors may give me). And third, iReally do just wanna fit in, be hip, or square...or you may call me a wannabe! ;-)

THEN....iCame across the "rewards" we earn with our credit card. iWas redeeming some for Quintin's birthday next month and there it was....an iPod. Oh Joy! iCould use our points to buy an iPod...My own iPod...at no cost (unless you consider what iPreviously had to purchase to earn those points...but really, it is free, isn't it?)

It arrived today - after just 2 days...they told me it would be 4-6 weeks. iWas all bummed thinking iWouldn't have it for the beach - but here it is...iEven had to sign for it. iHave never needed to sign for something at my door - that iCan remember, anyway.

And iThink iHave it figured out. iHad a few moments of being confused. But iAllowed myself to think positive thoughts like: iThink iCan, iThink iCan, iThink iCan!

iAlways thought iWas pretty computer savvy.

But iGuess if iCan't get it figured out - iWill just ask Quintin! ;-)

Oh, and iMight even share with T...since it is points from his credit card too...so yeah, iWill share...but only if he asks...nicely!

Wordless Wednesday

When hiring landscapers...

Make sure to check references and you can use our checklist as well.

- Access to haul lots of mulch.

They like to work.

(taken 15 seconds after mulch was unloaded)

- Being cute makes it more fun to have them working around the house!

- Make sure they have necessary tools as well as years of experience...

We're told the shorter one has been in the business since he was three...

(company file photo from May 2006)

- A concern for exercise and fitness is important for the strenuous work they perform.

- Also, make sure they don't mind getting dirty.

- Knowing that they like to have fun is also a big factor when hiring!

- Did I mention cute?

Finally, I offer one warning when hiring landscapers...be sure to check if they will work when it rains...this outfit doesn't.

But that's okay, I'd rather snuggle up with them inside!!

Hearts in 1 Accord

God has led Susan/Penless Writer to begin an online prayer blog. I have signed up and committed myself to a time to pray each day. We welcome you to join this blog if you're willing to commit to a time slot to pray. Your commitment needs to be workable for you - so it can be as short as 15 min or as long as an hour - just so we are committed to pray. Our hope is to have people praying 24/7!!

Visit Susan to learn more about "Hearts in 1 Accord".

You can give us a prayer request by clicking on the button at the top of my left sidebar. It will open up your email account so you can send us a message.

Wordless Week: Saturday

Wordless Week: Friday (update)

Wordless Week: Thursday

Wordless Week: Wednesday

Wordless Week: Tuesday - TTT edition

Wordless Week: Monday

Wordless Week: Sunday