Homeschool Conference Giveaway
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008
It’s been a few years since I’ve attended a homeschool conference. It’s not because my kids all self-educate, pass out cookies at the nursing home, and clean the house before I get up in the morning. No, I still need the pep talk ….like everyday. I don’t know why I haven’t gone. Motivation. Logistics. Cheetos. (I threw that in there to see if you were really reading.)
I get all kinds of offers from folks wanting me to plug their goods. I usually pass, but I thought this one would be helpful to some of you. The staff and writers of Heart of the Matter Magazine want to give FIVE of you free admission to their virtual online conference. I checked out the participants, and I saw that Todd Wilson is speaking. Todd who? He’s the author of this cartoon that you’ve probably already seen around:
So, I’m in for Todd’s spiel. Also, some lady is giving a talk titled, “I’d be a Great Homeschooler if it Weren’t for These Kids.” I won’t even say it. This is just so funny to me, because I think I’d be an over-the-top hyper-homeschooler if I didn’t have like a gazillion kids to humble me. (Everyone say, “Praise the Lord she was delivered.”) I promise I’m not completely jaded, but I was homeschooled myself in the early 90’s back when the only biology choice was the orange Bob Jones textbook that stunk from being sold at too many used curriculum fairs. You know homeschoolers love a used curriculum fair, especially if there’s an early bird special. So that’s a long time for me in the homeschool circuit, once as a guinea pig and now as a mad scientist. I need a new denim jumper to go with my new attitude.
How to enter
Leave a comment with a good I’ve-been-doing-long-division-all-day-and-now-you-people-want-to-eat recipe, a kid funny, or some pep talk for me. Two entries for you if you use a Bible verse that isn’t in Psalms. (Oh Lord, how long?!) Three entries if you link on your own blog. We’re like the only people on the planet still doing school, and I need to feel the love. Don’t make it complicated. Something like, “Hang tough, Amy, and eat ice cream,” works completely. Contest ends at midnight Eastern this Monday, June 23rd.
The details from the sponsor
Shhhh! Do you hear that? It is the comfort of your home calling you. PJs, coffee (your flavor), and five fun filled days just for you!
In Heart of the Matter Online’s quest to bring you the absolute best home school resource online, they have listened to your requests and are providing you with a fun filled online adventure! On July 30th through August 3rd, they will be hosting Heart of the Matter Online’s first annual Virtual Homeschool Conference! They will be providing the attendees with motivational speakers, video tutorials, free products, question and answer sessions, and a vendor hall - all ONLINE! Just log on and listen live during that time or log in at your convenience and download the audios.
This conference will be less like a “seminar” and more like a bunch of close friends in a chat room. Just wait till you see what some of your favorite home school personalities have done to educate and entertain you! At the end you will join in to chat with them, ask questions, and they will answer.
To insure your spot in the conference room and to take advantage of the early bird special. Simply, visit the Heart of the Matter Online Conference site and click the “pay now” button. At $19.95 these prices won’t last long! This $19.95 includes a fabulous $30 package from Currclick: curriculum in a click! Currclick (formerly HomeschoolEstore) is the largest one-stop shop for electronic lapbooks, affordable curriculum, and homeschooling resources.
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Oh Girl you about made me fall out of my chair laughing. I have not seen that cartoon and don’t feel left out - we’re still “in-session” as well - it’s just easier to do it all year (or I’m really slow at this and need all the time I can get). Thanks for the contest. We’re attending our first HS Fair in July and I fear being completely overwhelmed (I have a VERY strict list of items to look for, but…), this online gig sounds FAB!
We are a Christian family and relatively “secular” Homeschoolers so having time to sit and review (in my P.J.s with my coffee) all the aspects of a particular item sounds VERY reassuring.
And to keep you laughing the other day my 5yo told my father that he was old because he was “crinkly”.
Thanks for the opportunity and best wishes to all!
Comment by AmyDe (June 17, 2008 @ 3:19 pm )
OK, sometimes you just can’t get any funnier. I’m not going to try to be funny because you’ve already done it for me. My oldest will turn 5 in July, so we’re planning on starting to homeschool this year. Some advice and encouragement would be great.
Comment by Bethany (June 17, 2008 @ 3:36 pm )
Last week I was soooo excited about the prospect of “officially” starting homeschooling (in another year or two,
), and this week I think I must be out of my mind. (The same feelings go for the idea of starting to try for baby #3–think they’re both related? 
So, here are the verses I’ve been repeating to myself, over and over: Phillipians 4:6-7 (”Do not be anxious about antying . . . .”) and James 1:2-5 (”Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds . . . “). The funny thing is, my “trials” this week are fairly insignificant, as well as my anxieties. So, I guess I could use that pep talk, too!
Comment by Michelle (June 17, 2008 @ 3:54 pm )
Oh sign me up…Let’s see a good recipe. We have breakfast when mommy just can’t cope with cooking- grits, eggs, bacon or sausage. And I’m headed right over to my blog to link over here cause I wanna win, baby!
Comment by Shannon Miller (June 17, 2008 @ 4:05 pm )
That cartoon was hilarious! I feel as though I am in the same place as that cartoon though. We just finished my daughter’s first year of homeschool and I am amazed that she actually learned anything in all of the busyness of our lives. Thank God that kids are like sponges…well, sometimes I wish they weren’t, but for school stuff it’s cool. Thanks for the hilarious post. It’s nice to know that I am not the only mom who falls off the wagon sometimes. And hits her head on the way down.
Comment by Erin (June 17, 2008 @ 5:36 pm )
Amy,
As a homeschool graduate myself, this post makes me laugh hysterically. I so remember those gnarly Bob Jones textbooks. I was a fairly “secular” (gasp!) homeschooler myself–the last time I wore a denim jumper I was probably 9, and likely cringing the whole time, I listened to non-CCM music that wasn’t classical, and sometimes, I even watched movies that contained action violence. Despite all that, I still love God and I grew up to be a completely normal, well-adjusted English teacher–as well adjusted as we can be.
Oh, and if it makes you feel any better, I have friends in the UK who are still in-session. They don’t get out till the very end of June. So you’re not the only one on the planet.
And as I don’t have kids and I teach at a private school, you can leave me out of the contest.
Comment by Katie (June 17, 2008 @ 6:17 pm )
Katie,
It’s up to you. You don’t have to homeschool to enter.
Comment by Amy Scott (June 17, 2008 @ 6:23 pm )
Okay Amy, we are still doing school here too… well kind of. We ran right into “next year” so we can take time off when our 6th is born at the end of August.
Anyway, a funny story. We were reading some stories about vikings a few weeks ago and my 4 yo was listening very intently and asking WHY the vikings were stealing from monks. Then with the cutest tilt of the head and a furrowed brow, he asks, “oh were they chipmunks?” I cracked up laughing. I couldn’t stop. And well, ya know how it is when you’re 6 + months pregnant w/ your 6th child in 7 years and you haven’t been keeping up with your kegals like you should…
Maybe now you feel better.
Comment by Jamie (June 17, 2008 @ 6:48 pm )
An online homeschool conference is yet another example of how homeschoolers save gas these days. Sign me up, please. Now, to perform said contest entry tasks:
Pep talk: We just started our 2008-2009 year because we run from June to May, so you’re not alone in the lesson plans.
Kid funny: My second grader was writing a two point expository paragraph about his two favorite animals, eagles and snakes. I asked him if he knew how to spell snake. His response: “Well, I know how to spell Satan so I should know how to spell snake.”
Bible verse: Isaiah 40:11, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those who have young.” He really is on my side.
Thanks, and do hang in there. I suggest ice cream with chocolate syrup. Live large.
I’ll get to work on that link thing. The tasks really do never end.
Comment by Elle (June 17, 2008 @ 7:11 pm )
Thanks for the post, and give away!
One of my favorite’s is Phil. 4:13…thats a pep talk in its self!
Athough we arnt offically schooling yet (the girls are 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 and one on the way) I am always on the look out for how we will attach it! Thanks for doing this. Heading over to put a link on my blog!
Amber
Comment by Amber (June 17, 2008 @ 7:49 pm )
“Praise the Lord, I’m delievered.” Oh yeah. That’s you. It’s me, too. and I can’t even spell, either. So I’d *love* that talk. I am dead tired from *making* all those denim jumpers for me *and* my family. That’s a joke for ya. If you let me win this conference, I’ll send you one, ok? lol.
Comment by Andrea@Flourishing Mother (June 17, 2008 @ 9:03 pm )
Here is my funny!
My kids went to VBS last week. Here is the cast of characters.
Tamara 6
Adrian 5
Jonathan 2.5
Tamara and Adrian were sitting by the window talking.
Tamara: Adrian, do you know what sin is?
Adrian: YES!
Tamara: Sin is when you hit Jonathan on the head. That’s sin because Jesus would not do that.
Adrian: I ALREADY KNEW THAT!!
Tamara: Then why do you do that? Your a sinner!
I laughed for a long time.
Comment by julie (June 17, 2008 @ 9:05 pm )
I told you long ago, girl, I’d send you some of
these. You just tell me when, darlin’. (does this count for 2 entries?)
Comment by Andrea@Flourishing Mother (June 17, 2008 @ 9:08 pm )
Amy,
I could completely relate with the cartoon. I am still giggling! Oh, and the denim jumper- too funny. . .
A recipe: 1/3 cup butter melted, 1/3 cup honey, 2 Tbsp. mustard, 1 tsp. curry, 1 tsp. salt. Mix together and pour over chicken breasts (thawed will cook faster, but I have done this frozen - just cook longer) Bake 375 until done (30-40 minutes thawed 50 - 60 minutes if frozen). Note: This recipe is not original with me - but a winner too good not to share!
If that is still too complicated - there’s always raman noodles and grilled cheese!
Bible Verse/ Pep Talk: Titus 3:1-7 (My favorite - I need the reminder often!)
I personally recommend cheesecake over ice cream.
Comment by Tina (June 17, 2008 @ 9:19 pm )
Still schoolin’ here in the South Texas heat! This is my first comment ever. I, too, am a second generation home-schooler (dont you just love the blank stares when you say that?).
My six kids and pastor husband keep me too busy to realize that my brain is fried…and then I read that cartoon. I have said THOSE things. many times. especially the Power Rangers bit. I have a sick 3yr old who (gasp!) watches TV almost every night while doing his breathing treatments. It keeps him still and me sane.
Just say no to denim jumpers. Aubrey in San Antonio
Comment by Aubrey (June 17, 2008 @ 9:19 pm )
We’re year rounders but are supposed to be on break until after 7/4. Unfortunately, my freshmen have bio (apologia), Geo, and alg2 to finish so they’ve been given until August. My only true work relating to them is getting them out of bed before 9am and that is NOT easy. lol
heres a humble verse….James 4:6 God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
So you see, since you have a gazillion kids to humble you–you got a ton of grace, right? Grace is good.
I refuse to do any linking tonight. My time is up. Dial up will send me over the edge someday but that’s my sacrifice for getting my boys out into the country, right?
Comment by Lyn (June 17, 2008 @ 10:21 pm )
“I’d be a Great Homeschooler if it Weren’t for These Kids.” HA! That lady’s got MY number. Which is why God gave me one of his most challenging creations as my firstborn.
Denim jumper? Amy, hasn’t anyone told you how passe’ that is? Homeschoolers now wear denim SKIRTS. Big, big difference. They informed us of the uniform change at a homeschool conference. Oh, that’s right, you must have missed that one. (Speaking of denim jumpers: You have seen the “Homeschool Moms Who Can’t Do Everything,” song, written for the tune of Veggie Tales’ “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” ?)
Regarding the recipes, you mean besides cereal? We do Lasagna Soup. The name comes from the pasta used: mafalda, found in the dried pasta section of most grocery stores. It looks like mini lasagna noodles. It’s not crucial to have that exact shape of pasta, but, of course, the name of the recipe won’t make sense without them!
One recipe is not enough for the 6 of us when I serve it as dinner by itself. I generally double these days.
For just one recipe:
–Brown a pound of ground beef.
–Sprinkle with some form of quick onions (onion powder, dried minced onions, whatever you have and a little salt.
– If you’re feeling especially energetic, throw in a little dried basil.
– Add a can (14.5 oz size) of Italian seasoned diced tomatoes.
– Add somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 cups of beef broth.
– Add mafalda. You choose how much.(If you add a smaller amount of the pasta, it will truly be soup. If you add a lot of pasta, it will absorb much of the broth and be more of a noodle dish.)
–Boil about 10 minutes, until pasta is cooked.
– Serve with parmesan cheese.
Everyone actually likes this at my house, which is a miracle. I don’t feel the need to serve anything else with this if I don’t have the energy. Vegetable, meat, starch, dairy. By old food group guidelines, you’re covered in one bowl!
Comment by Marian (June 17, 2008 @ 10:29 pm )
Oh! And my favorite kid funny from this month is still http://greenkneesocks.blogspot.com/2008/06/wardrobe-malfunction.html .
Comment by Marian (June 17, 2008 @ 10:30 pm )
Oh, I was SO planning to still be in-session at this point but somehow, when “summer” began for the rest of the neighborhood, ours did as well. I still have high hopes of reaching some of our summer goals: summer reading list (no need for any nagging from me…the kids LOVE the stack of books I set out), learn addition and multiplication facts (here’s hoping), and work on handwriting (again, it may be like pulling teeth, but we’re going to try).
So hang in there! I admire your tenacity to see it through. Some verses that keep me going?
“Let patience have her perfect work…”
“Love is patient…”
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience…”
(anybody seeing a pattern here?
The online homeschool conference sounds amazing! Thanks for offering this for Heart of the Matter. I have really benefited from their articles and encouragement.
Now let me go link up at my blog.
Comment by HopiQ (June 17, 2008 @ 10:31 pm )
There’s nothing like still doing school after the public school kids are out. “If you hadn’t lollygagged instead of doing math, you’d be done, too!” But hey, year-round-school is the hallmark of public school committed to education,” right? Doesn’t that mean I’m committed, too? Or ought to be committed?
Favorite end of the day that wouldn’t end meal? Macaroni and cheese using wacky mac. Because if I’m wacky, the pasta should be, too.
Okay, that’s one.
At the end of a long, long, long day, I hear my mom’s voice saying “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal 6:9. That’s two.
And I’m linking. So that’s three.
Comment by April (June 17, 2008 @ 11:58 pm )
Amy,
Well, I’ve been a long time reader and now I am going to be a new homeschooler. We made the decision yesterday to homeschool our soon-to-be fifth grade son. I am very excited!
Do I get an extra entry into the giveaway since I am close personal friends with Todd Wilson. His wife and I are BFF since high school! Great guy and great wife and family.
Now for the recipe: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. soda
pinch of salt
mix together 3 ripe bananas and 1/2 cup mayo. Add to the dry ingredients along with 1/2 cup of mini (or regular) chocolate chips.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.
These are delicious and liked by every person I have ever made them for!
Take care,
Kris Schneider
Comment by Kris Schneider (June 18, 2008 @ 1:21 am )
I love this post! It is so “me”!
What I make when out of time and ideas: Cinnamon toast. Add scrambled eggs on the side to make it more filling. Or cheese omelets. Of course, half my crew hates cheese omelets and the other half hates their eggs scrambled, so it doesn’t solve all my problems, but there it is. At least I know they’ll eat the toast.
I wish I had a pep talk at the ready, but right now I could use one myself–particularly on inspiring oneself to be consistent!
My favorite homeschooling scripture is Colossians 2:2-3: “…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Any school, home or not, that omits Christ will not have access to the ultimate source of wisdom and knowledge. I love to contemplate the lyric scripture that speaks of all things being held together in Christ. He’s the primary point of this universe’s existence! What is learning without grasping this breathtaking reality?
Linked to the blog with the usual cringe (I’m kinda boring).
Comment by Susannah (June 18, 2008 @ 1:27 am )
Oh, and we are schooling straight through the summer too. You are not alone! We missed a lot of school with the baby’s birth and a big move to our 5-acre piece of heaven.
Tina, I make that exact recipe all the time, right down to the frozen chicken breasts! I got it from Southern Living. An old easy fave of mine!
Comment by Susannah (June 18, 2008 @ 1:40 am )
My 7 year old just-finished-first-grade niece was over visiting my 11 1/2 year old daughter and I. My daughter is closing in quickly on the pre-teen years and her once beautiful complexion has turned into a rash of bumpy acne and red pimples along her forehead and nose.
I saw my niece quietly pointing here and there towards my daughter’s face and counting to herself (with her lips moving)
I asked her what she was doing and she said “I’m counting her nipples.”
Comment by ladiesofthehouse (June 18, 2008 @ 2:34 am )
Hey Amy! We are still doing school as well. I choose year round so I don’t get too lazy. That was a great cartoon as well. I hadn’t seen it before & really enjoyed it. I can’t believe your children don’t clean the house before you get up! I wish mine did. I won’t be able to join in the contest (I’m 6 time zones away & have dial up), but I wanted to encourage you to keep going. Keep going!
Comment by April (June 18, 2008 @ 4:20 am )
I was once babysitting a few kids for a family at church, and overheard one of them (I believe he was six or so) singing “Proud to be an American” like a CD player stuck on repeat. Each and every time, without fail, he chorused loud and proud: “…and I gladly stand up next to you and I’ll never sin again…” His heart, if not his words, was in the right place.
I’m not interested in the contest, but would like to hand my entry over to someone who is. If the rules allow it, would you hand my entry to Shannon Miller?
Comment by Heidi (June 18, 2008 @ 6:39 am )
Don’t feel bad, we just “finished” school on Tuesday. Actually my kids have to do a few math problems and continue to read (my choice of books) all summer *gasp*!! This is sooo totally because my kids are hyper-intelligent and not because one has a tad bit of difficulty in math and the other in reading! The fave dinner around here when it’s been “one of those days” like Mondays!!, is pancakes and eggs, of course I ground our own homegrown wheat and used fresh milk from our cow and eggs that the children just collected ( I apologize for the sarcasm
, I truly admire those ladies, I just lack whatever it is to be one!!). The verse I cling to is Jer 29:11 and it fits all areas of my life!
Comment by Kelli C. (June 18, 2008 @ 6:51 am )
School woes? Oy. I hear that. We currently have no less than 4 lapbooks partially completed in various rooms of our home (it seems a little silly to finish that Easter one now…)
We still have 18 Abeka Math lessons to do (I see the light at the end of the tunnel, and yes I do a wee bit pray that it is the train about to hit me).
And my wee girl who will be 2 next week has decided that maybe she may like to start toilet training now….except the 4 month old would like to be, I dunno, fed or something.
However, if that didn’t count for an entry, I will at least put in this verse: Ecc 12:11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
Ecc 12:12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
Oh amen brother: I gots me some weariness o’the flesh over here.
And we are schooling (at least loosely) all summer because I can’t stand the influence of my nasty neighbours on my kids…can you say “insulation/isolation”? Works for me!
Comment by Barbara (June 18, 2008 @ 7:17 am )
Did you hear about the guy at McDonalds all dressed up in a tux?
Yep, a homeschooler at his high school banquet.
*snicker* I know it’s pretty lame but it’s one our kids came up with years ago and we thought it was funny. In truth, our daughter organized the homeschool high school PROM *gasp* for south central Michigan her senior year. There were about 250 kids who came and we all had a great time. About a dozen parents helped out.
My kids used to tease me that I couldn’t really call myself a homeschool mom ’cause I didn’t have a jean jumper AND we only had two kids. Well, can’t do anything about the number of kids but I finally got a denim jumper! When we went to Africa for a year we had to wear dresses all the time (cultural thing) so I bought a variety of jumpers and one of them was denim. It stayed in Africa.
Don’t enter me ’cause I’m done with the homeschooling (son has finished college, daughter almost).
BUT I had to comment.
Comment by Kim (June 18, 2008 @ 8:13 am )
We’re still doing school, too! I have an 18 year old and a 6 year old. The 18 year old is “homeschooling/unschooling/college at home” and the 6 year old will forget how to read over the summer if we don’t keep working.
My favorite verse for mothers of boys, or wives of men who do home-improvement projects:
Proverbs 14:4
Where no oxen are, the crib is clean: but much increase is by the strength of the ox.
Fast recipe for crazy nights, except I don’t really use recipes so it’s more like a formula:
~tuna canned in olive oil (I use 2 cans for about 6 servings, this is flexible)
~minced garlic or garlic powder
~olive oil
~tomatoes (fresh, sundried, or canned diced)
~pepper
~parsley if you’ve got some
~pasta
~parmesan cheese
Cut up the tomatoes, mince the garlic, open the tuna cans,chop up the parsley. Boil the pasta, and while it’s boiling put in a big pot: tuna with its oil, garlic, tomatoes, pepper. Simmer that till the garlic is cooked, add more olive oil if it needs it. Mix in the cooked pasta and some of the pasta water. Throw in the parsley at the last minute. Simmer it all together for a few minutes to let the flavors get into the pasta. Serve with parmesan cheese and some bread if you’ve got it and salad if you really want to be an overachiever. It amazes me how well little kids like this stuff, because by all the usual wisdom they shouldn’t.
Comment by Elizabeth (June 18, 2008 @ 8:52 am )
Well, take heart. We are “finishing” school this week. Then taking two weeks off and then starting up again after the Fourth! I am having baby #6 at the end of August and want a head start, so I can be partpartum, without school guilt. Plus, we’re considering a cross-country move this summer, too. How’s that for nutsy?
Comment by FishMama (June 18, 2008 @ 9:38 am )
I am loving the Bob Jones reference as well as the denim jumper knock.
As for schooling through the summer, my eldest is 6 so I’m still on a major learning curve with all this. We basically took all of April and May off (it’s kindergarten, folks!) because Mom was stressed out.
So yesterday when my son asked me for the umpteenth time how many days he has left of school I answered, “millions, kid, this is just the beginning of many years of school for you,” he started to cry. “But all my friends have only two or three days left!” Oops! Guess I hadn’t thought about the peer pressure factor (those Sunday School kids!). Then I had to try to explain that we were just going to “practice” our phonics and math games for the summer, that’s all, and relieve the angst about millions of days worth of school.
Anyhow, I’d like to be entered - the idea of attending a conference where I don’t have to know whether or not the fellow attendees are wearing denim jumpers or skirts is enticing. Good for my judgmental tendencies.
I will link to you as well.
Comment by Carole (June 18, 2008 @ 9:44 am )
P.S.
Does a sidebar link count?
Comment by Carole (June 18, 2008 @ 9:44 am )
Oh my word. You girls should know. Are denim skirts THE SIGN now? Because I have a few. PLEASE! Help me! I have to know. What’s the consensus?
Elizabeth,
I do a version of that recipe:
-pasta
-salt, pepper, basil
-cut up tomatoes and fresh garlic fried in olive oil and parmesean
-toss together
Nope. Three entries is the max. (I’m so mean!) But kuddos for you trying. It sounds like something I’d do!
Comment by Amy Scott (June 18, 2008 @ 9:49 am )
You know I support sidebar links.
Comment by Amy Scott (June 18, 2008 @ 9:52 am )
I could use the encouragement. We are done for the year because Mom couldn’t do another day. We are using a lot of educational games right now, though I leave off the word ‘educational’ when I ask if anyone wants to play them.
Comment by lori (June 18, 2008 @ 10:24 am )
I think they’re only THE SIGN if they’re long. (as in past the knees) This is a tough one. To be safe, though, my suggestion would be to stay away from denim skirts when gathering with a large group of homeschoolers.
Comment by Carole (June 18, 2008 @ 10:55 am )
[...] to get my name in a draw for a free pass to an online homeschool conference, I have to link to Amy’s Humble Musings and her post about the [...]
Pingback by Another contest « Seven Meadows (June 18, 2008 @ 1:29 pm )
Okay. Here goes.
1. Pep talk: Hang in there. You can do it. Sorry, it’s all I got. It’s what I tell myself every day. I’m still schooling too, since we lost a lot of time due to pregnancy issues through the winter.
Five-ingredient recipe (okay - six if you count the oil) thrown in for good measure: We call it Soupy Pork Chops. Soupy Burgers and Soupy Chicken is also a nice variation. Brown enough pork chops for your family in oil in a nice big skillet (or 3 skillets in my case - we like meat). When the chops are nice and brown, spread some mushroom soup over them (I use one can per skillet) and sprinkle with dried onion flakes. Cover and simmer 20 minutes or so until the chops are done. Meanwhile, cook enough egg noodles for your family according to package directions. Drain the noodles, toss them with butter, and spread them in the bottom of a baking dish. Place the chops on top, spoon the ‘gravy’ over making sure to scrape up all those yummy brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Put the baking dish in a 350-degree oven just ’til heated through.
2. Bible verse not from Psalms: Habakkuk 3:17-19. I love these verses. They remind me not to stake everything on immediate, visible results. There are plenty of homeschooling days without immediate, visible results, aren’t there?
3. Link: my post about the contest
You certainly like to make us work for these things, don’t you?
Comment by Seven (June 18, 2008 @ 1:51 pm )
No, you’re not alone. We’re still doing school…kind of. Things have been sporadic here, for various reasons. So, I’m praying that we will be able to finish this year before the new year is set to begin!!
Comment by Nicki (June 18, 2008 @ 2:08 pm )
OH, too funny…I have that cartoon on my fridge…along with some other ones, you are NOT the only one still doing school…so are we…having a baby kind of pushes things back a bit. AND we were doing LONG DIVISION all day! How timely is your post!?!?!
How many times I have wanted to give up, but given the alternative (public school) I shudder to think of what would happen with my kids…and besides what IN THE WORLD would I do with no cheetos on the floor then?(just wanted to see if YOU read this far! lol)
Comment by Kristy (June 18, 2008 @ 3:36 pm )
Watch out there girls…I am a vetern homeschooler and I was one of those jumper wearing moms! I had jumpers made out of flannel, a jumper with watermelons on it for summer, a christmas jumper, a denim one with fancy buttons, and a couple floral print ones for church. I stopped wearing them after my 7th child was weaned because people kept asking me when the baby was due!
Vacation? Summer break? What’s that? We are STILL doing school. I so want and need to be done. My girls have about 40 more Math lessons to do over the summer. We got behind because I joined a co-op on Mondays and we are gone all day. My oldest daughter had a baby a couple weeks ago and we lost some school days due to going to help her out. I also have Algebra to do with my ninth grade son~~ugh. He got stuck half way through the course and I have been trying to figure out how to “unstick” him. He and I will be doing Algebra over the summer.
BJU orange Science teachers edition~~remember it well.
Here’s an easy recipe:
Throw boneless chicken breast in the crock-pot. Dump a bottle of barbeque sauce over the top. Don’t forget to turn on the crock-pot. Been there, done that! The same thing can be done with chicken and terriyaki sauce. Sometimes I cut the breast in half or thirds. Cook some rice and throw some vegies in the microwave. Serve the sauce from the crock-pot on top of the rice.
Where do all you young ladies get your denim skirts? I have had a terrible time trying to find a new denim skirt. I bought one from QVC 3 years ago. I really don’t like it. When I find them in the stores, they are too short. I like them a bit longer for Sunday night service.
Enjoy your little ones, it goes by fast!
Comment by Robin in New Jersey (June 18, 2008 @ 4:20 pm )
Here’s what I overheard in my house today from Jonny age 12 and Joseph age 3:
Jonny: Oh man, I have heartburn.
Joseph: I have Fart burn, too.
BTW, I have a denim skirt that is a wrap-around style that I purchased for a dollar at Goodwill. I get millions of compliments from my homeschooling mommy friends. What’s nice is that I can move the buttons depending on how chubby or not chubby I am so it always fits. I can always be in uniform!
One more thing, the first time I met Amy, she was wearing a denim skirt and no shoes.
Comment by Jo (June 18, 2008 @ 5:20 pm )
If I had a coolness factor, it’d be shot now. And yeah, my skirts are all ankle length.
Homeschoolers are notorious overachievers. Thought you’d love it!
Comment by Amy Scott (June 18, 2008 @ 6:16 pm )
Okay, I read your blog but don’t think I’ve commented before-however, I am all for online conferences. Especially conferences that may help me maintain my sanity.
I’ve heard Todd Wilson before and even have a few of his books-very funny man.
I’m not sure that my entry falls into the kid funny area but that’s what I would call it.
We basically have 2 families-same Mom and Dad-but there’s 11 years between our first two children and our last two children. Our oldest has now made us grandparents and our 17 year-old son is finishing up his homeschooling the same year our nearly 6 year-old is going to be starting. Our 17 year-old has been buying and selling on ebay for a few years now and one day he had been watching an old truck to see what it sold for. He had gotten up and left the room for a half an hour or so and while he was gone our 5 year-old decided to test her math skills. She thought it was fun to write ones and zeros and was beginning to grasp that the more zeroes you have, the bigger the number is. Well, she sat down at the computer and proceeded to place a bid on that truck. It might not have been too bad, but she had placed a maximum bid of $10,000,000.00. In effect, no one would have been able to outbid us. Thankfully, I was on another computer and received the email confirming our $10,000,000.00 bid and was able to avert complete disaster by quickly emailing the seller and explaining what had happened (after we were able to figure it out ourselves!) and they simply had us withdraw our bid. It’s kind of funny to us now-that our 5 year-old is computer saavy enough to bid on ebay, but at the time it was just a little disconcerting to think that we were going to be stuck buying an old truck that we didn’t really want!
So that’s my story and I hope it will qualify me to enter ’cause there’s nothing better than attending a conference in your jammies!
Comment by Heart at Home (June 18, 2008 @ 9:12 pm )
Here’s my kid funny.
My 6 year old son was having a full blown crying and arguing fit one night because things weren’t going his way. He was in the shower at the time and I was standing in the bathroom lecturing him about his horrible attitude and how he needed to get control of himself. He said (verbatim), “I WOULDN’T BE HAVING THIS PROBLEM IF ADAM HADN’T HAVE ATEN THAT APPLE!!!”. I made one of those horrible snorting noises moms make when they are trying not to laugh but can’t stop themselves.
And my verse is “Do not grow weary in doing good”. I don’t even know where it’s found but I repeat it to myself all the time.
Comment by Tonya (June 18, 2008 @ 10:08 pm )
Here is my humorous quote for the contest. . .
I was grading a recent Algebra assignment and following a half worked problem I read this message. . . .
“I am deeply apologetic and very hesitant to inform you that this problem is beyond my capabilities at this point. If you would be lenient enough to assist me in my struggles, I would offer my greatest thanks.
My deepest gratitude,
Your son
P.S. An alternate option would be to prolong the date and/or time this particular test is due.”
For the entire post go to http://backdeck.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/are-you-overwhelmed-or-stressed-out/
I was hoping to get three entries, but my post included a verse from, you guessed it, Psalms ; )
Comment by Terri (June 18, 2008 @ 11:43 pm )
I know this is Amy’s contest, but thank you all so much. I needed your encouragement. I’m sitting here in my denim jumper (worn for the second day to save on laundry) the 1 mo old just finally fell asleep again (I missed my early morning nap because everyone else is starting to get up–before 9 am–what is going on?) and I am contemplating how much school we should attempt today because Daddy comes home after his fourth week of being gone for work. The floors need to be mopped, the bathroom really cleaned (the 7yob has this as his chore) and we need to get some cookies made so the kids have a snack. I wouldn’t trade this life for anything, but there are days when one wonders “How do I keep going?”
A good recipe that we enjoy is a Betty Crocker one called Pork Chops Supreme. This is just what I do based on the recipe, I stopped measuring a long time ago. Put your chops (about five) in a baking dish, mix together an 8 oz can of tomato sauce, a couple of tablespoons of minced onion (or chop one up), about 1/4 to 1/3 cup lemon juice, and about as much brown sugar. Pour over the chops and bake uncovered till done in a 350 oven, about 1 hour. I remove the chops and then thicken the gravy with some cornstarch and serve it over rice with some combination of veggie, salad, or fruit. My family of eight loves it. The kids are still small so this makes a meal, but we will have to start doubling it soon.
I read this morning in Eccl. 12:13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgemnt, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” I guess we still keep on doing what we do, don’t we? God provides the grace–we just need to keep plugging away.
Sorry, no kid funnies–they make them, I just can’t remember any right now. Gotta go and get breakfast on. Thanks again, friends. It was really encouraging to read your comments.
Comment by Occassional Male Reader (June 19, 2008 @ 9:22 am )
Oops, the secret is out. I’m married to Occassional Male Reader! He evidently was the last one to comment!
Comment by Another Heather (June 19, 2008 @ 9:24 am )
Hey, If your husband wants to enter, that’s cool.
Comment by Amy Scott (June 19, 2008 @ 9:30 am )
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
I hope this counts as a pep talk and a Bible verse. I’ll link on my blog, so put me in 3 times, please.
(We’re also trying to do school around the swimming and golfing and overnight guests.)
Comment by Smockity Frocks (June 19, 2008 @ 10:32 am )
Oh honey, do not feel bad. We are the biggest freaks on our block, at our church or ANYWHERE that I happen to mention that we STARTED home schooling this month. My kids finished up public school on Wednesday before Memorial Day weekend. We went on an 8 day vacation (went to spend the week with my consultant husband in Minneapolis) and came home only to jump right in with home schooling, swimming lessons and piano the first week of June.
Everyone thinks I’m nuts. I had two very good reasons to start right away. Three actually…I wanted a back up plan in case we were a ‘flop’ at home. If we home schooled all summer and it was bad…well..they could go back to public school in August, no harm, no foul.
Also we are going to be HSing year round…so why not start NOW? Lastly…I was too excited to get started I just couldn’t wait until August anyway! LOL! We are blessed because so far we are LOVING it!
My favorite easy HS-night recipe? Chili and Chips. My kids love this…
1 lb Ground Beef, thawed (I buy the rolls of sirloin)
Diced Onion or Dehydrated Onion
1 15oz Can Red Beans
1 15oz Can Chili Beans
1 28oz Can Petite Diced Tomatoes
1 Brooks Chili Seasoning Packet
Brown the ground beef with as much fresh or dehydrated onion as you would like. I usually use about an 1/8th of a cup of dehydrated. When the burger is no longer pink add your beans, tomatoes and chili seasoning. I let it simmer for a good little while… at least 20 minutes or so.
I serve this in a flat stew bowl with light sour cream and shredded cheddar cheese on top. My kids particularly love blue corn chips with this dish. Yum! This will serve my 7, 7 and 6 year old and me for supper and lunch usually another time. Enjoy!
Traci
“Beloved, let us love one anoother..” 1 John 4:7
Comment by Traci Best (June 19, 2008 @ 11:32 am )
I can offer you hope. Last spring I saw my youngest graduate, and have had an entire year without homeschooling. The first since 1989! It does go much quicker in those later years. A funny? Hmm,I will never forget my daughter singing her version of “Peace Like a River”. She sang that she had “cheese like a liver.”
Oh, and 19 years of homeschooling and I never owned a denim jumper. I’m more of a blue jeans girl myself!
Comment by Kris (June 19, 2008 @ 6:48 pm )
Ha! This is our first year homeschooling (with a 1st grader, kindergartener, preschooler, toddler and new baby). Having a baby the first week of school (c/s no less) was probably not the move I’d suggest for new homeschoolers. But we plugged along and are having a blast.
We decide that (not that we must choose between the two) we’d rather have kids who were holy than kids who were brilliant. And isn’t wisdom worth more than knowledge anyway?
Here’s our verses:
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”
Titus 2:7-8,15
And my blog is: http://www.pfamilygal.blogspot.com
Comment by Anonymous (June 19, 2008 @ 11:29 pm )
Ha! This is our first year homeschooling (with a 1st grader, kindergartener, preschooler, toddler and new baby). Having a baby the first week of school (c/s no less) was probably not the move I’d suggest for new homeschoolers. But we plugged along and are having a blast.
We decide that (not that we must choose between the two) we’d rather have kids who were holy than kids who were brilliant. And isn’t wisdom worth more than knowledge anyway?
Here’s our verses:
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.”
Titus 2:7-8,15
And my blog is: http://www.pfamilygal.blogspot.com
Comment by Tamara (June 19, 2008 @ 11:30 pm )
Oooh, dang. Forgot my recipe:
Mac N Cheese:
12 oz cooked macaroni (al dente)
1 12 oz can evaporated milk
1 1/2 lb jack or cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
Mix together and pour into 9 x 13 pan. Dot with butter or margerine (about 1 TBS). Bake for 35-40 minutes at 350. Mmm, baby!
So I get three entries? Thanks, Amy, love the blog!
Comment by Tamara (June 19, 2008 @ 11:34 pm )
Seriously, I need to go to bed. There should be a beaten egg in the above recipe as well (added in with everything else). Oy vey.
Comment by Tamara (June 19, 2008 @ 11:36 pm )
I forgot to post a verse the other day. This is the one I am working on now: What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with they God. Micah 6:8
Comment by Robin in New Jersey (June 20, 2008 @ 8:25 am )
Hi Amy! I’m a single mom of three who works full time from home and homeschools! I thoroughly enjoyed your post, and it brought a big smile to my face. Thank you for being so real! I love it!
And here’s my Bible verse that I just read this morning:
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” — Hab. 3:19
Comment by jen (June 20, 2008 @ 10:50 am )
Thank you, Marian, commenter #17. I tried your Lasagna soup last night and it was a hit. I skipped the Parmesan though (because I forgot it) and added green peas. Yummo! It looks and tastes a lot like a Hamburger Helper dish, which is great on nights that I’m not feeling inventive or energetic in the kitchen. I used a whole box of beef broth (4 cups) and a whole bag of bowtie pasta (3/4 lb.).
Comment by Dreamer (June 20, 2008 @ 11:18 am )
oh please oh please i need to win. let’s see. not in psalms. “in the beginning God created the world.” and i’ll link if i can figure out how. i have no pep talk. just eat many many mini M & M’s..the kind you buy in the baking aisle. it gets me thru.
Comment by darci (June 20, 2008 @ 12:27 pm )
[...] I need to take care of is giving this link to Amy’s Humble Musings regarding a Homeschool Conference Giveaway hosted by Heart of the [...]
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All righty, here’s my link: http://acompletethought.wordpress.com/2008/06/21/some-saturday-business/
Comment by Elle (June 21, 2008 @ 11:41 am )
We are still doing school. We “started” are new year when we got our new curriculum back in May. I have an innocent daughter that has not been clued in to the “school’ thing that beggs most mornings to “do school”, so I try to help her. I have never laughed so hard in my life when I saw the cartoon. I agree with half of it ie it is me.
Keep up the good work with your children.
Comment by Julie (June 21, 2008 @ 6:05 pm )
Oh, geez, would I love that. I just completed a not-supposed-to-be-8-hour road trip with five kids. Hmm…kid funny…my 3 year old thinks there’s a new movie called “Indian and Jones.”
Comment by Lauren (June 22, 2008 @ 5:10 pm )
Here is some scripture that has been reassuring to me lately. I am just starting to homeschool my five year old daughter and have a two year old and 9 month old. I would love for everything to go smoothly everyday-and some days just one or two things. But I believe God is telling us to work on one or two things at a time and it will get done. So for those trials, here’s the verses:
from Deutoronomy 7
17 You may say to yourselves, “These nations are stronger than we are. How can we drive them out?” 18 But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt. 19 You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the miraculous signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear. 20 Moreover, the LORD your God will send the hornet among them until even the survivors who hide from you have perished. 21 Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God. 22 The LORD your God will drive out those nations before you, little by little. You will not be allowed to eliminate them all at once, or the wild animals will multiply around you. 23 But the LORD your God will deliver them over to you, throwing them into great confusion until they are destroyed. 24 He will give their kings into your hand, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand up against you; you will destroy them.
Little by little-I can try to do that.
Anyways, great blog and thanks for a chance to win.
Alicia B in MO
Comment by alicia b (June 22, 2008 @ 9:04 pm )
When Mommy’s needing help in the kitchen because everything else it just too much, she pulls homemade waffles out of the freezer as a “surprise.” And she encourages herself with exerps of Isaiah 55… “Come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters…” And finally she links to this page so she can be entered three times.
Comment by Susanna (June 23, 2008 @ 10:33 am )
OK…Just so you know, you’re not the only one doing school through the summer. There are others who just won’t admit that they didn’t get it all done this year either (like me…whoops I went and admitted it.
) Just remember… “In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth”..and in the end he’ll create a new heaven and a new earth (Rev. 21)…and the only thing that will matter between the two won’t have anything to do with long division. 
Be Blessed!
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/gidget/
Comment by Sonia (June 23, 2008 @ 10:27 pm )
CONTEST CLOSED
I’ll do the drawing later today after I deal with my dead van, triple A, and a load of whites. Thanks for your patience (NOW GET ME SOME!!!!).
Comment by Amy Scott (June 24, 2008 @ 9:54 am )
I like how real you are!You also seem to really enjoy your kids…bravo dear one, children are such a miraculous wonder and privilege to love!!!!!
I am reading Tender Mercy for a Mothers Soul by Angela Guffey. I loved this from it: She uses the illustration of us being like a glass and Jesus is water filling us up and as we are filled up with Him…”Only Jesus can fill me completely, and when I am full of Jesus, I am overflowing…spilling onto everyone around me…sloshing out Jesus everywhere I go”…Ephesians 3:19 “And to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all fhe fullness of God.”
May we all be so focused on the Lord and so filled with Him that we slosh a bit when we walk:)
Comment by Stephanie (June 24, 2008 @ 2:41 pm )
[...] Here are the winners to/from/for* last week’s contest: [...]
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