All in the Fam...

Campaign Quote of the Day

2008-07-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

“John McCain has dedicated his life to serving, improving and protecting America. Barack Obama spent an afternoon talking about it.”

--McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds

20 Great Reasons You Homeschool

2008-07-23T19:49:00.000-07:00

Click to enlarge...

Tell Me He Doesn't Understand!

2008-07-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mika began teaching Josh to say yes, complete with the head nod. He was getting it well, except like any good American, reduced it to "yeah". But did he understand what it meant?

Well he'd just gotten into the pantry and was near some Hansen's Mandarin Lime soda...so I asked him if he wanted some soda. Without hesitation, he very energetically did a simultaneous nod and "yeah!". He got a little bit and was very happy.

First, Germany....Is American Far Behind?

2008-07-11T23:00:00.000-07:00

WorldDailyNet had a fascinating article last month about a case in Germany regarding homeschooling. The judge in the case equivocated homeschooling to a driver who has multiple DUIs--not in words, but in his sentencing: 3 months in jail, without parole.

But the caveat to me is this, written in a formal government letter to the parents in a different case (emphasis mine):
"The minister of education does not share your attitudes toward so-called homeschooling," said a government letter in response. "... You complain about the forced school escort of primary school children by the responsible local police officers. ... In order to avoid this in future, the education authority is in conversation with the affected family in order to look for possibilities to bring the religious convictions of the family into line with the unalterable school attendance requirement."

Fortunately for German citizens, there's a glimmer of hope: the European Union recognizes the right of parents in schooling, and that pressure will eventually descend on Germany and this lasting remnant of the Third Reich. (Read the article...this is not an exaggerated statement).

Question is...how long before the attitude that seems to have recently begun to simmer against homeschooling here in the US reaches this point? How long before kids are taken from their parents for homeschooling, or parents jailed?

Maybe Orwell Was Right...

2008-07-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

One of the most famous lines in Orwell's Animal Farm--or at least the one I recall the most--is:
"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

I think Orwell may have foreseen the current state of thinking between some who oppose homeschooling. Ok, maybe I'm stretching a bit, but follow along.

When the animals first took over, the animals were initially treated fairly and pretty equally. Much like how homeschooling had been treated for quite some time, both historically and fairly recently. Sure, there was a little strain, but overall things were smooth.

But then certain animals--and I'm sure Orwell didn't mean anything in the possible symbolism--decided that they were smarter, or had more insight, or simply were part of the "in" crowd. Kinda like much of the NEA, if you will. They believe they should control our children and what they learn, while all the time not looking at their own miserable failings compared both to foreign schools and to homeschoolers in the US.

And yet, like in Animal Farm, they may yet succeed unless we speak up...

Wordless Wednesday

2008-07-02T00:01:00.000-07:00

Help Me Decide!

2008-06-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks, poll closed. Actual results posted soon...

This weekend I plan on shaving the beard. But what to replace it with? Help me with your opinion...

Wordless Wednesday

2008-06-25T05:43:00.000-07:00

Drama Queen. To. The. Max. (to bring back some of the vernacular from the 80's!)

Apple and Homeschooling...

2008-06-24T12:04:00.000-07:00

Finally, a major company gets it right. Complete page here.

Apple’s Home for Homeschools

Homeschooling has grown significantly over the past several years, with current estimates of up to 2.2 million homeschooled students. At Apple, we have focused on building technology solutions for education for over 25 years. And now, recognizing the growing demand of homeschoolers, we are making the full range of Apple's educational products and solutions available to homeschools.

I'm not a fanboy of either Mac or PC, or Linux for that matter. My background PC with some Linux (which I run on my Thinkpad) and a small amount of Mac. As I've written before, I believe each has their strengths and each has their place. But what Apple is choosing to do here is phenomenal...and I kinda wish it would have happened a while back when I got my Thinkpad, because I might otherwise have been typing this on a Mac. Regardless, this program is amazing and helps give even more credibility and recognition to what we do.

In stark contrast, of course, to Subway's recent gaffe.

WA Homeschoolers Win Big at National History Day Awards

2008-06-23T19:27:00.000-07:00

Read more here. Top prize. Many others from WA State, but haven't yet found out how many of those others are homeschoolers.

Gloves in a Bottle Review

2008-06-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

Because of a previous review, I'd been asked to give my thoughts on this product. It was initially slated to be reviewed while JoAnn and the kids were in Portland a few weeks back, but the project I was going to be doing during that time was postponed (which was ripping out all the downstairs carpeting and beginning to lay laminate wood flooring--which would have been a great trial for the lotion). And with all the other project planning that's been going on, and the side work I've been doing, the review got put on the back burner for a bit.

My initial impression of the product wasn't so much in the product itself yet, but in the sample I received for the review: it was a full 8oz bottle. A pleasant surprise it was. The lotion itself is fragrance- and colorant-free (though not devoid of color, of course, since that would be rather strange), and is slightly thinner than standard lotions. But in part this is because it is a shielding lotion as opposed to a moisturizing lotion (the former designed to keep moisture in and protect skin from irritants and toxins, while the latter is designed to add or replace lost moisture). It soaks in pretty readily and without the greasy feeling most lotions leave. During the review period I'll be using on my hands, elbows (which tend to get very dry), and ankles, but even with just a couple initial applications, the areas feel better and smoother.

The Effects of Global Warming?

2008-06-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

I was sent to wake Josh up from his morning nap, and when I got there, he was basically laying a pool of sweat. Well, his head, anyway. Soaked up by the bedsheets, but it would have been a pool otherwise. Kinda gross.

But he's always been a heater...but fortunately not as bad as Mika was when she was little.

More on the 520 Floating Bridge Replacement "Listening Opportunity"

2008-06-19T07:22:00.000-07:00

Since I seem to have garnered the attention of the WA State Department of Transportation for a second day in a row, let's examine what they are saying about these engagements. From WSDOT...with my comments in red after.

Latest news on building a new SR 520 at open houses

Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Contact: Amy Grotefendt, SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project, 206-295-9846 (cell
Suanne Pelley, SR 520 Bridge Replacement and HOV Project, 206-770-3578 (office)

SEATTLE – WSDOT will share the latest plans for the SR 520 bridge replacement with the public at open houses next week in Seattle and Bellevue. The new plans are a result of the mediation process on the west side of Lake Washington and collaboration with the Eastside communities.

Agreement on options for the west side of the corridor is the first important milestone of mediation. Next the group will develop a project impact plan, which is due to the governor and legislature at the end of the year. Selecting a west side plan at the end of the year will allow the project to complete the environmental review and engineering plans.

The plan on the east side of the corridor, from Lake Washington to 108^th Avenue NE, is progressing into more detailed design including transit improvements,community connections with transit stops, new bicycle and pedestrian paths, and noise walls.

At the open houses the public will also be able to speak with project partners working on key corridor elements, including Sound Transit, King County Metro, and staff from the newly-formed SR 520 Tolling Implementation Committee.

Representatives from the Lake Washington Urban Partnership will also be launching the environmental process for a proposal to toll the existing SR 520 floating bridge. This proposal is part of a federal program aimed at improving congestion through tolling, transit, technology, and telecommuting.

Pontoon construction for the new bridge will get underway in 2009. Construction on the east side of the corridor is expected to begin in 2010, with the four-lane corridor open to traffic in 2014 and the full six-lane corridor completed in 2016.

Tues., June 24, 4 to 7 p.m.
Naval Reserve Building
Lake Union Park
860 Terry Ave N (at Valley Street)
Seattle

Wed., June 25, 4 to 7 p.m.
Bellevue City Hall
450 110th Ave NE
Bellevue

A presentation will be made at 5:30 p.m. at both locations. For more information, please visit the project Web site.

Sharing plans is now a "listening opportunity"...except for the fact that the plans are almost set, negotiations are in process, and construction is beginning in 2009.

I always thought listening mean the input was desired and meant something, as opposed to telling.

But I'm all about helping, and in light of that, I provide the following links to the next WSDOT visits to the blog:
Effective Listening
Habits to Differentiate Good From Poor Listening
The Secrets to Listening Well

You're welcome...glad I could help.

BlogHer Convention...

2008-06-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Was asked by YoungMommy on Twitter whether I was going...and the answer was no. There's a myriad of reasons below, more than what I twittered...not in any particular order:
1. The blog's not quite in place for what it needs to be for BlogHer.
2. Cost
3. Distance
4. Work. Yeah...
5. The other work
6. The fam
7. Fearful and intimidated by all the estrogen that'd be there
8. Fearful and intimidated by all the cooties that'd be there.

Yep, estrogen and cooties...

Ok, Who Did It?!

2008-06-18T16:35:00.000-07:00

Got an email this afternoon about my BlogHer registration. My what?!?

My blog's not registered, and I certainly don't recall ever registering, not even after a Sangria episode, and I certainly didn't do it this afternoon. Searched my gmail, and this is the only email from blogher I've ever gotten.

I've got my suspicions--anyone gonna fess up? Don't make me break twitter again to find out...

Uh-oh...They're On To Me

2008-06-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

Already this morning the blog gets a hit from the Washington State Department of Transportation because of the brief post yesterday about their spokesperson using some new and creative politically-correct language.

Glad to see they are spending our hard-earned tax dollars, and increased gas taxes, to fund "brand monitoring" instead of, oh, I don't know, fixing traffic. Priorities...

Wordless Wednesday

2008-06-18T05:45:00.000-07:00

I don't recall where I'd found this...but it's one of those pics that speaks well more than its allotted one thousand words.

New Politically-Correct Language

2008-06-17T22:12:00.000-07:00

The Seattle area is having meetings to discuss the replacement for the 520 Floating Bridge. News report just showed a rep of the state Dept of Transportation talking about a meeting as a need for dialogue and as a "listening opportunity".

Has the American English language really gone that far down in standards, or have we watered everything down in the hopes of not offending people?

I'd like to hear from you. Consider it a listening opportunity. And I promise to not be offended...much.

The Other Prodigal Son

2008-06-15T18:21:00.000-07:00

Most of us have heard the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. But what seems to be passed over is that the story isn't just about the son that left, wandered, squandered, pondered, and returned to the open arms of his forgiving father...take a look at verses that conclude the story (Luke 15:25-32):

25"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.

26"And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.

27"And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.'

28"But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.

29"But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;

30but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'

31"And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.

32'But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"

To his credit, the "good" son had served his father all the while...this much is true. But he misses the mark on a few key issues. That anger was his first emotion when hearing of his brother's return is a good signal that while he had served his father all this time, his heart was not in it. He had served his father, but likely not as faithfully as he believed. Further, the offenses he brings up in verses 29 and 30 are not his offenses--his inheritance was not affected by the brother's squandering.

I think that, as Christians, we can fall into the trap of being that other brother, serving God--sometimes without serving with our heart--and often missing the point. We see new believers and how their lives change and somehow feel slighted instead of celebrating with them. We turn it into an "us vs. them" thing rather than joining in with them. We take note of their past faults (without..ahem...looking at our own) instead of their transformation. We criticize in areas that aren't ours to judge, but don't check our own egos and attitudes at the door.

The thing is, our inheritance has not been affected by them. Our inheritance is ours. But when we fail to celebrate with others, we miss seeing more of the amazing attributes of the Father.

All This Learning Is Making Me Tired...

2008-06-14T14:54:00.001-07:00

Josh has been on the learning version of a growth spurt recently, mainly between climbing and talking. And boy is he gonna do both. A lot. And often. But for now he does take pauses or just plain passes out...

So far his faves appear to be:
In climbing: climbing up on the arm of the loveseat to reach out and turn off the lights in the living room. Recently added...climbing on daddy's thighs when he's sitting on the couch (sometimes when daddy has his feet up on the coffee table), pretending the balancing is no big deal, and grinning big.

In talking: Dada and mama have been around for a while (quite literally as well as objects of his speech), but "nana", firetruck (it was attempted and understandable), bubble, and "dot-dot-dot" are new additions. [The dot-dot-dot came as a results of Mika's answer to what we're doing for Father's Day...she speaks in ellipses, apparently. Wonder where she got that...]

Chiropractic Adjustment Via Laptop

2008-06-09T20:32:00.001-07:00

Subtitled: don't try this at home. Well, unless you need to, that is.

Last week I tweaked my back in a way that's different than I'd ever done. Instead of lower back or neck, it was the very upper back with pain into the shoulders. Went to my chiropractor (and found out it'd only been like 1.5 years since I'd seen him), got adjusted, and it helped it quite a bit. But it came back, and the last few days were pretty hard, with limited mobility in my right shoulder and lots of Excedrin.

So as I got home, I thought...if it's my right shoulder that is hurting, maybe I should try slinging my laptop bag on my left. I swung it around out of the car and landed it a little hard, but almost as soon as it landed, my back popped right between the shoulders. And a huge amount of the pain is gone.

Why Homeschooling Should Be Outlawed...

2008-06-08T16:37:00.000-07:00

If we can make it illegal for a child to be taught poorly by a parent at home, it should then also be illegal for a teacher to teach poorly in a public school. And that, my friends, would not be a bad thing, would it?

Besides, if it ever was outlawed, just like failed gun control policies, only outlaws will have well-educated children. That, too, is not such a bad thing. Perhaps then something would show up in my FBI file.

Culinary and Educational Experts

2008-06-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Forewarning: Part of this article is satire. Conversely, some of it is not. The line between the two isn't necessarily very clear, however.

A consortium of culinary experts in California has successfully challenged the right of citizens to prepare and cook their own meals, citing health concerns of obesity, nutrition, and lack of a discerning palate. "Today's families" cited spokesman Michael Burrows, "simply lack the skills to prepare a healthy, nutritional, flavorful meal. We believe that research shows a direct link between rising obesity and other health concerns and citizens preparing their own meals, and because of this, we seek to promote a healthier alternative."

The consortium, headed by the McDonalds®, Burger King®, and Taco Bell® corporations, seeks to promote the healthier foods for which they are well-known as a replacement to home-cooked meals. They are, after all, experts and professionals in the culinary field.

In a somewhat related story, also in California, the California Teachers Association claims in its brief that allowing parents to homeschool their children without requiring a teaching credential will result in “educational anarchy.”

The leaders of a vastly failing institution want to impose their supposed authority and expertise on homeschooling. Nachos anyone?

Father's Day Giveaways...

2008-06-07T21:19:00.000-07:00

Head over to From Dates to Diapers for more info. Well, that and the actual giveways as well...

Wow...wow...wow.

2008-06-07T11:29:00.000-07:00

This is the story of Brian "Head" Welch...former lead guitarist of Korn. A few years back he left the band and all of its success, and did it for his daughter and for Christ. His story is one of amazing transformation.