tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18586158006944481982024-03-13T10:09:33.490-07:00INSPIRE...DISCOVER...CREATE"Education is not the filling of a pail,
but the lighting of a fire." ~William Butler YeatsDinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.comBlogger118125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-58493955259348888592012-01-24T21:22:00.000-08:002012-01-25T21:34:34.568-08:00Dale Carnegie is Right!Today my husband and I got our drivers licenses renewed. I was prepared to wait for an eternity but surprisingly it wasn't too busy. A man helped us at the information desk and I decided while watching him that I would try some new skills I'm learning from Dale Carnegie's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439167346/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439167346">How To Win Friends and Influence People</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1439167346" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" />.<br /><br />He asked us if we knew a gentleman with our same last name. My husband responded that he didn't and the subject seemed to be dropped. But I noticed he was interested in his friend so I said enthusiastically, "I bet his a great guy though!"<br /><br />The man immediately brightened up and said, "You better believe he's a **** good person." He proceeded to tell us exactly what we should do so that we could be helped the quickest. And <span style="font-style: italic;">then</span>, while we filled out our applications in the waiting area, he came over and gave us numbers so that we would be called next! He totally went out of his way just because I had showed interest in a friend of his. I'm a convert : )Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-26662700295562614692012-01-23T20:26:00.000-08:002012-01-25T21:34:20.409-08:00Reprogramming the ElephantI recently listened to a talk about the concept of the subconscious vs. the conscious mind. In the speech by Orrin Woodward, he refers to the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1893430146/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1893430146">The Ant and the Elephant: Leadership For the Self</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1893430146" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> by Vince Poscente. I have yet to read the book but it is definitely on the must-read list.<br /><br />The basic idea is that as humans, we have so much untapped potential in our subconscious minds. The subconscious mind fires something like 4 billion neurons per second while the conscious mind fires approximately 2,000 neurons per second. The author compares the subconscious with all this activity to an elephant while the conscious mind is likened to an ant.<br /><br />How do we tap into that powerful potential of our elephants? When you think about how much an elephant eats compared to an ant, you can easily understand that our elephants eat everyday, whether or not WE feed it. Our minds are constantly being programmed with images, ideas, scripting, etc. Take for example watching the television. Images are constantly flashing on our mind's eye with words and ideas. Just the thought makes me feel vulnerable.<br /><br />I remember after serving a mission for my church, some friends took me to a movie. It was one of the "Mission Impossible" movies and I just remember feeling assaulted. It was an overload of visual chaos to me after not having watched any kind of show for almost 2 years.<br /><br />Media is not the only food we feed our elephants. Each of us has a script running through our minds. We are constantly creating our story by the way we think of ourselves, our relationships and surroundings, etc. Have you ever stopped to think, "What am I thinking?"<br /><br />In order to tap into the power of the elephant and get him to do what our ant wants, we need to reprogram him. Positive affirmations are one way we can do this. I pay attention to my negative scripting and then rewrite my story according to what I really want. Then I read them to myself at least once a day.<br /><br />My husband and I also have a HUGE vision board on the wall in our room with images that show our affirmations. We started writing things on our mirror 10 years ago when we wanted to move back to the west to be near my father-in-law who was in poor health. We posted a map with stickers on the cities we would like to live and we wrote on it: "We are back in the west by Oct. 2003". Within a month of that date we were moving into our new house in one of the cities with a sticker on it.<br /><br />Reprogramming the elephant really works. I want to be in charge of what I put into my mind! Imagine what we can do if the elephant and the ant worked together to accomplish our personal purposes while we are here on earth. I can see the ant riding the elephant right now...I got another image for my vision board!Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-49278114976297494972012-01-22T17:53:00.000-08:002012-01-25T20:49:34.435-08:00A Great Quote<p class="">“Woman is God’s supreme creation. Only after the earth had been formed, after the day had been separated from the night, after the waters had been divided from the land, after vegetation and animal life had been created, and after man had been placed on the earth, was woman created; and only then was the work pronounced complete and good.</p> <p class="">“Of all the creations of the Almighty, there is none more beautiful, none more inspiring than a lovely daughter of God who walks in virtue with an understanding of why she should do so, who honors and respects her body as a thing sacred and divine, who cultivates her mind and constantly enlarges the horizon of her understanding, who nurtures her spirit with everlasting truth.”</p><p class="">~Gordon B. Hinckley<br /><sup class="noteMarker"> </sup></p>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-17901550350217477352012-01-21T17:41:00.000-08:002012-01-22T17:45:57.330-08:00The Principle of Preparation<p class="MsoNormal">This is a paper I wrote last year. I needed to review the principle so I thought I'd share it here. It's a bit lengthy so feel free to skim...</p><p class="MsoNormal">My eyelids pop open with the realization that today promises to be an impossible day.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The tasks before me loom like an ominous, dark cloud and that familiar feeling of dread begins to creep into my being.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My feet barely hit the floor before to-dos tumble around in my mind: home school, chores, morning routine, laundry, Liberty Girls, basketball practice, drama class, and the decision of what to make for dinner that would be easy, quick and healthy, knowing we have little food to work with because I need to go shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just the thought makes me want to lie back down and pull the covers over my head.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">We’ve all had those days where it is not humanly possible to squeeze in all that we think we need to accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Yet there are people who seem to pull it off.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Mr. Gilbreth in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Cheaper by the Dozen</i> achieves record time as his family prepares for an outing or when all twelve children are dressed, the morning routine done like clockwork.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What is the difference?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why can some seem to accomplish so much in little time while others scramble to keep their heads on straight?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Some may argue that having systems in place ensure the Gilbreth family success with the to-dos in a family of fourteen.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>While certainly systems account for their time breaking records, I wish to explore an even more fundamental level of his accomplishments—preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In Webster’s Dictionary the word “prepare” is defined as “to make ready beforehand for some purpose, use or activity” and also “to put in a proper state of mind.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The motion study expert and father of twelve had to identify what end result he desired and then prepare a system that would answer that end.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>He spent time teaching and drilling the children to respond quickly when asked.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>His whole profession involved an in-depth study of the most efficient way to carry out tasks and then spent his time preparing his subjects to execute at that level.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The definition “to make ready beforehand for some purpose” calls to mind another large family on the other side of the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Imagine for a moment that you are in the countryside surrounding Salzburg, Austria in the early 1940s on Easter Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“This morning, when the families walk to church, you see them carrying bundles large and small.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>On the Sunday of Sundays even the food which will be on the table later for sumptuous Easter breakfast is blessed [by the priest].<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The father carries the big ham, the mother, the artistically baked Easter bread with raisins popping out all over, and the children are entrusted with the basketsful of Easter eggs and little dishes of salt.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">The Story of the Trapp Family Singers</i>, Maria Augusta Trapp details how all this food is then blessed by the priest.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">In our day and age we would scoff at all that extra work while chiding to “keep it simple”.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>However the longer I consider the Catholics in Austria, the more I realize the “extra” work they did was a form of worship, a way to adore the Lord for His ultimate sacrifice. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>They spent the beginning of Easter holidays in “feverish” spring cleaning mirroring the internal cleansing that occurs during Lent.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everything they did during the Easter season symbolized their adoration for the Lord.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Austrian Easter ceremony caused me to reflect on the scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What does God have to say about the topic of preparation?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The entire mission of John the Baptist was to “prepare” the way of the Lord.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Why was his calling so important?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What would cause the Lord to say to the multitudes about John, “But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For this is <span class="clarityword">he,</span> of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist…” (Matthew 11:9-11)? </p> <p class="MsoNormal">These questions lead to more which in turn lead me to the answer for which I seek.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What if John the Baptist never came?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>What would have happened when the Lord came into the world?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I can imagine that the people would not be, using Webster’s words, “put in the proper state of mind.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>There is that theme again, anticipating or preparing for the Lord is part of worshipping him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The people needed to know he was coming so they would be ready to accept him as their Savior.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Another prophet spent a good portion of his life preparing.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>“By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world…” (Hebrews 11:7)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not only did he build the physical structure, he gathered two of every animal, seeds and food, not to mention preparing his family for the impending journey.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Noah showed his great faith by acting when the Lord commanded.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Each act of preparation must have been for Noah an act of faith, a way to worship God.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Just as God commanded Noah, He has given us commandments that if we heed can allow us to show our faith in Him.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>In Doctrine and Covenants 85:3 it states, “He may tithe his people to prepare them.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How is living the law of the tithe preparation?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By sacrificing we learn to a small degree to be like the Savior who sacrificed His life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We will also be prepared to live the law of consecration.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>God teaches his children in Doctrine and Covenants 38:30, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We can find comfort in preparing for emergencies, storing food, saving money for a rainy day and doing our family history.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Many of God’s commandments share an element of preparation since the scriptures tell us that “this life is a time to prepare to meet God.” (Alma 12:24)<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By preparing we can show our love and devotion to God.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are promised that “eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">We get a glimpse of these blessings in the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everything we do in the temple has to do with preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The ordinances help prepare us and others to return to live with our Heavenly Father.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Once while living in New York I arrived just in time, but rushed to a temple session.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My mind was racing with everything I needed to do before I could enter the endowment room.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Later as I sat pondering how I treated a trip to the Lord’s holy house, I was struck by my lack of devotion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My mind was not clear and ready to worship or receive much needed revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I vowed to be better prepared when attending the temple.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Around that same time, a sweet, elderly sister taught us how to care for our temple clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>As I did as she had taught and washed my temple clothes, I was again struck at how even preparing to enter the temple is a form of worship.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Formally worshipping the Lord in the temple obviously shows our faith and devotion, but does the principle of preparation apply temporally?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How does the Gilbreth children executing record time in anticipation of an outing show adoration to the Lord?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everyone is given the same amount of time in this life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We are stewards over that time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>H. Jackson Brown, Jr. counsels, “Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By using the time we have been given wisely, we can in effect show our respect to the Giver of the gift.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Attitude and awareness are the defining elements.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The manner in which I prepare a meal for my family, prepare clothes by doing the laundry, or prepare my children for bedtime can show my adoration and faith if I do so with an attitude of devotion.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Making time for each activity throughout my week creates space:<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>space to love and play with my children, space to pray, space to hear and act upon promptings. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This space can potentially eliminate impatience, hurrying, tardiness, frustration and the destructive effects to relationships and our personal state of being these negative experiences can cause.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>By using the time God has given me in an efficient way, I can show my gratitude and respect.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I will become an instrument in the Lord’s hands available to His inspiration and guidance.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No longer will I crawl back in bed defeated, I will welcome each day with peace and confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s about time.</p>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-71462048585645189172012-01-20T07:05:00.000-08:002012-01-22T17:35:56.704-08:00Bad FrogsDo you remember the scene in "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler where he's reading story books to his niece and nephew? I can't remember the titles exactly but the books were something like <i>Chipmunk Wears a Bike Helmet</i> and <i>Larry the Alligator Recycles</i>. Under his breath he remarks that he refuses to read these socialist books. It's what causes him to tell his own story.<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday I came home from running errands and my little ones were purposely trying to be naughty. The older kids explained that while I was gone, my mom had read a library book one of my children randomly chose from off the shelf. It is entitled <i>Bad Frogs</i> by Thacher Hurd. These bad frogs do everything possible wrong including kissing their girlfriends late into the night. </div><div><br /></div><div>Usually books with naughty characters have a redeeming ending. Much like the story of <i>The Best Christmas Pageant Ever</i> by Barbara Johnson, the Herdmans are an unruly set of siblings who terrorize the neighborhood only to end up stars of the local church Christmas pageant. It was a touching version of the Christ's birth that gives the reader a different perspective of the age old history.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Bad Frogs</i> had no such redeeming value. These bad frogs slurp, burp, wear bad hats, smell yucky, talk crummy, make messes, spill water out of the bath tub, never say please, never say thank you, and it goes on. Pretty much everything we painstakingly try to teach our little ones not to do everyday. The truly alarming thing is how well it works. My children copied every behavior possible. </div><div><br /></div><div>It appeals to the natural man disregarding conscience and morals. About this book the author says, "This has been a fascinating experience for me; to create a book about pure, unadulterated froggy joy." </div><div><br /></div><div>When preparing a lecture or writing a paper, I've been taught to ask the questions, "What do I want my reader/listener to know as a result of my presentation? What do I want them to feel? and What do I want them to do?" I frequently ask these questions about the books I read so that I can uncover the author's message. These questions reveal to me a scary agenda now infiltrating literature meant for the rising generation. </div><div><br /></div><div>This book skips socialism and goes straight to promoting communism. If there are no morals, no religion, and everyone seeks to please #1, then we will need a government that controls with a heavy hand. Our key to freedom is self-government and as we drift from that ideal, government puts more laws in place to keep order.<span style="font-size:100%;"> Benjamin Franklin said, "[O]nly a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Let's borrow a page from Adam Sandler (never thought I'd say that ;-) and write our own story. I told my children the true story of <i>Bad Frogs</i> and they keep looking over my shoulder as I write this post. I can to appeal to my library and write a letter to the publisher. My own story will be fighting for freedom, even in the small and simple things like a seemingly harmless children's book...</div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-20464589419072531152012-01-19T07:15:00.000-08:002012-01-19T07:25:56.745-08:00ConsistencyIt's 8:22 am, I haven't finished my Morning Routine from my previous post, and I'm rushing to write a post so that I can begin our Morning Devotional on time. I take great comfort in a journal entry by John Adams recorded on July 21, 1756:<div><br /></div><div>I am resolved to rise with the sun and to study Scriptures on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings, and to study some Latin author the other three mornings. Noons and nights I intend to read English authors....I will rouse up my mind and fix my attention. I will stand collected within myself and think upon what I read and what I see. I will strive with all my soul to be something more than persons who have had less advantages than myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the next morning he slept until seven and a one-line entry the following week read, "A very rainy day. Dreamed away the time." (McCullough, <i>John Adams</i>, p. 41) </div><div><br /></div><div>He became a great statesman so I am hoping there is a wide margin for error : )</div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-27882521213753445112012-01-18T06:48:00.000-08:002012-01-18T12:01:06.299-08:00HabitsAristotle said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." What kind of habits do we have? Are they leading us toward excellence or mediocrity? <div><br /></div><div>In Noah Websters 1828 Dictionary, habit is defined as "a disposition or condition of the mind or body acquired by custom or a frequent repetition of the same act. Habit is that which is held or retained, the effect of custom or frequent repetition." </div><div><br /></div><div>I take heart in this definition since the "condition of the mind or body" are faculties over which we have control. We do not have to become victims to our default habits. We have power to create habits that will lead us to success. </div><div><br /></div><div>How do you know which habits to make? That may seem like a simple question, but LEMI offers a whole <a href="http://shop.lemimentortraining.com/Forms-and-the-21st-Century-Forms-audio-download-2015.htm">conference call on "Forms"</a>. A form is a model, system or pattern. Simply stated a form is the way we do things. Once I learned about forms, all of a sudden they started to pop up all over the place.</div><div><br /></div><div>We see different ways to govern, ways we handle the preparation of food, ways we get up in the morning, ways we clean the house, etc. The reason this is so crucial is because seeing forms allows us to proactively create success-leading habits. First we need to define what kind of form we are operating under. For example, how do we govern our homes and family? If we find ourselves yelling and ordering everyone around, then we can zoom out and realize the form of government we are following is akin to a dictatorship. Once recognized we can align our behavior with the form of government we desire in our home.</div><div><br /></div><div>Since I'm in love with Fly Lady's system, I will use that as an example. What she does in essence is give those willing to be mentored a system or form for cleaning our homes. She has created a Morning Routine (to which I added some of my own) that I follow everyday (or almost everyday ; ) </div><div><br /></div><div>Morning Routine:</div><div>Plan</div><div>Read Scriptures & Pray</div><div>Exercise for Well Being</div><div>Get Dressed from head to toe, including make-up and brushing teeth</div><div>Swish & Swipe (1-2 minute wipe down of bathroom)</div><div>Check Calendar</div><div>Unload Dishwasher</div><div>Reboot Laundry (sort, wash, dry, fold, put away one load)</div><div><br /></div><div>After following this routine for 4 months, it has started to become my own. I realized this morning that these habits I am creating help set the proper tone for my entire day. They are habits that lead me to success.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I develop these success-promoting habits, I naturally turn to my children to help them establish good habits of their own. Then it hit me! That is really the Core (yes as in Core Phase : ) of a Thomas Jefferson Education. We are not trying to fill their minds with all sorts of facts, we are teaching them excellent habits that help to create the inspiring environment that will ignite their fire of curiosity and learning. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you don't like the way your morning goes or how you handle the dinner hour, simply zoom out and recognize what form you follow. Then choose which form you would like and begin making the habits that lead to success! I'm off to practice what I preach : )</div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-61328742262437453792012-01-17T04:59:00.000-08:002012-01-17T14:25:55.639-08:00PlanningI've noticed my best days happen when I take the time to plan. Planning involves more than list making, although creating lists are a big part of it for me. I just spent almost a half-an-hour planning. Today it included making a menu for at least a week and from that making a grocery list, looking at my calendar and putting any events on my daily to-do list to keep them present in my mind (I've been known to forget many an activity), looking at what I want to accomplish and when I will do those things.<br /><br />It is important to think thoroughly and detailed at these items if I want to be effective. I can stuff my daily to-dos full of things that would be nice to accomplish but at the end of the day it only leaves me feeling unproductive and frustrated. I've learned to be realistic and only write down those things I really want to accomplish. That way I can commit to those items and begin my day with determination to finish the list.<br /><br />I noticed this crazy phenomenon when I have become more consistent in my planning, scheduling and execution: my children follow my lead. If I am haphazard about my day, everything is harder. It's harder to get the kids to clean, do school, follow anything I say. When I try to stay on task, my kiddos follow suit. Sometimes it's not fair I think that so much depends on us moms. If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody's happy--that kind of thing. Sometimes I wish I could just be grumpy! But when you look at the other side of coin, isn't nice to have much of the power to create wonderful days and happy children?Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-65244946847184276872012-01-16T04:38:00.000-08:002012-01-16T04:53:28.578-08:00Let's Get CoziTo help me live a proactive life, I have found yet another friend :-) Fly Lady told me about an online family planner called <a href="http://www.cozi.com/Features-Overview.htm">Cozi</a> that I now use everyday! It can be shared with the whole family although I am currently the only user. I mainly use it for the To-Do Lists you can create--I am an avid list maker. I have lists for the family schedule, kids school, Fly Lady zone cleaning lists, and of course the daily to-dos. <div><br /></div><div>There is also a place to plan meals, keep shopping lists, calendar and journal. I love the shopping lists because I can have a list for each store I frequent. I have one for Costco, Walmart, etc. and when I run out of something I need from that particular store, I simply add it to my list.<div><br /></div><div>The real genius for me is the smart phone app. It really has saved my bacon with everything that I have going on with homeschooling, our commonwealth school, cleaning on the FLY and all the kids' activities. I can also take it to the store with shopping lists and not forget everything I need. The phone app has yet to include the meal planning, but they are working on that. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>The only thing I need to work on is looking at it later in the day. I seem to get my day rolling just fine, but then it must really get rolling because I forget to stop and check back. Occasionally I leave important items undone. Too bad there's not an app to teach me self-discipline ;-)</div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-34554995474952277522012-01-15T14:58:00.000-08:002012-01-15T15:45:37.367-08:00A Mathematical JourneyMy daughter (12 years) and I have been going on a math journey every (school) day since the new year. Both of us are trying to change our paradigm about mathematics, but for different reasons. She has a mindset that math is difficult for her and I, having loved math in school, am trying to see math in a more holistic, artistic sense. <div><br /></div><div> We began by reading "<a href="http://www.maa.org/devlin/LockhartsLament.pdf">A Mathematician's Lament</a>" by Paul Lockhart (I should note that the friend that recommended these resources to me mentioned there is a reference to something inappropriate but I didn't notice it since my daughter was reading and it went over her head--thought I'd give you a heads up though). We both enjoyed it again probably for different reasons. She liked the dialogue and big words and I enjoyed his refreshing perspective on math. <div><br /></div><div>We are also reading some wonderful resources that have helped us to enjoy doing math together. </div><div><br /></div> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307338401/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0307338401">Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician's Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0307338401" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Arthur Benjamin is a great way to instantly increase the confidence of a child who knows her basic facts. <div><br /></div><div> We do one puzzle a day from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486252116/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486252116">Entertaining Mathematical Puzzles</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0486252116" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Martin Gardner. It has been good for us to talk through the puzzles and even if we don't get it right, we feel good about exploring all the options we can think of first and then seeing how it should be solved.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly we read from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0393309347/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0393309347">The Man Who Counted: A Collection of Mathematical Adventures</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0393309347" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border-top-style: none !important; border-right-style: none !important; border-bottom-style: none !important; border-left-style: none !important; border-width: initial !important; border-color: initial !important; border-image: initial !important; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-right: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important; margin-left: 0px !important; " /> by Malba Tahan. My daughter LOVES to read so this has been fun to follow their adventures. We don't always figure out all the math but she enjoys the story so I am focusing on exposure.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hesitate to mention this one but since I feel like it has helped me think in a new way, I should mention I started to read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0486600882/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0486600882">The Thirteen Books of the Elements, Vol. 1: Books 1-2</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0486600882" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> by Euclid on my own. Before you get too impressed, I should clarify that I have only read the definitions which is a little over a page! However, just pondering on the meaning of the first definition broadened my mind. And I am holding onto the belief that if we lead out, our children will follow. </div><div><br /></div><div>(A great article on some math resources can be found at <a href="http://www.tjed.org/?s=math">tjed.org</a>.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Since we've begun our mathematical journey, I am looking at things in a new way. Particularly in the scriptures, I have noticed mathematical concepts. Today while studying to teach Sunday School, I noticed a pattern. I looked the word pattern up on dictionary.com and didn't find a satisfactory definition so I pulled out my Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary and this is what I found:</div><div><br /></div><div>Pattern--An original or model proposed for imitation; the archtype; an exemplar; that which is to be copied or imitated, either in things or in actions; as in the pattern of a machine; a pattern of patience. Christ was the most perfect pattern of rectitude, patience and submission ever exhibited on earth.</div><div><br /></div><div>Suddenly, mathematical concepts came jumping out at me all during church. A man spoke of the sequence of things, there were symbols in a vision, I recognized a dichotomy of ideas (a distribution of ideas by pairs), etc. It is as if God uses the language of mathematics to get our attention, to tell us THIS IS IMPORTANT--DO THIS! I feel like an infant exploring the rudimentary elements of life but my desire and capacity to learn, ponder and search is being magnified and increased. My paradigm is shifting...</div></div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-5125327156887815342012-01-14T09:08:00.000-08:002012-01-14T09:51:37.130-08:00Lead OutLast night we had a simulation at our combine Shakespeare and Key of Liberty Parent Night. It was the first one that I made up from scratch and I had no real way of trying it out first to see if it would be successful. To add to my insecurity, both the parents and students would be participating.<div><br /></div><div>A simulation, for those who have yet to participate in one, is an experience in which the participants take on a role in a fictitious setting. This type of learning is hands-on and very enlightening since you are actually experiencing first hand history, life, leadership, etc. Whereas reading a book or watching an educational program is more of a third person, somewhat removed experience. Simulations can be powerful because you learn crucial aspects about yourself, for example, how you react in different situations, but in a safe environment. That way if there is something you don't like about yourself, you can take steps to improve before you are placed in a situation where it is too late.<div><br /></div><div>In creating last night's simulation, which was really quite simple, I had to think of a need or purpose, create a scenario and environment for that scenario, create roles and gather materials, devise a time bomb that would help the experience come to a climax by adding pressure for the students to act and lastly prepare to conduct a debriefing where the participants share their individual experiences. The last part is the most critical since it helps students to see their experience through other's eyes, to share insights and epiphanies they may have had and to go deeper into what principles made the experience so meaningful.</div><div><br /></div><div>I realized while brainstorming and using people as sounding boards for my ideas that I felt very vulnerable. I wanted everyone to have a meaningful experience and for my purpose to be accomplished--I just wanted something I knew would work! So many times when we become a leader in whatever capacity, we put ourselves out on a limb. We open ourselves up to criticism and even ridicule by leading out. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last night I learned (while watching the participants feel that same vulnerability I felt in creating the simulation) that if you don't take that risk then you will never know if you will succeed. I knew this already but it was reinforced by my experience. The fear of failure sometimes paralyzes us from acting. I love Thomas Edison's perspective on failure. He said,"Results? Why, man, I have gotten lots of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward..."</div><div><br /></div><div>Next time I feel that vulnerability, I will change my perspective from worrying I will make a fool out of myself to being excited that I have an opportunity to grow and learn--a step closer to the person I want to be.</div></div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-44841133132729016932012-01-13T07:11:00.000-08:002012-01-13T07:29:33.194-08:00One of My NEW Best FriendsI'd like to introduce you to someone you may have heard of already. I had met her before, but didn't REALLY appreciate her (you may have had a similar experience). But now, she is one of my new best friends since she saved my life! She has brought order to my chaos. She is a little chubby and has wings. Have you guessed yet? I'd like you to meet <a href="http://www.flylady.com/">FLY Lady</a> :-) <div><br /></div><div>Before I met her I had it all backwards. I used to think that I had to clean my house and THEN I could start to declutter since the house usually falls apart when you focus on a project. I thought by having a clean house to begin with that I wouldn't get as frustrated if I focused on gutting out a closet because I could look around and everything would be generally clean. So what happened? I would clean my house, get pooped out and be done! I would never get to the decluttering--the part that really makes me feel my house is clean.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fly Lady has a much better way. She has me decluttering for 15 minutes every day. That's it! I never get tired out (she has me take regular breaks) and my house is the cleanest it has ever been. I love how she starts you with baby steps so that you can establish the habit before moving on to the next thing. I have a tendency to jump into a new thing with both feet and then get burned-out. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have a secret though. Only read on if you think you might really want a clean house (if you don't have one already). I know the key to succeeding using the Fly Lady system. Are you ready for this one? The key to succeeding with Fly Lady is SUBMISSION. I have learned well that if you submit to a mentor's style, even though it may not be the way you do something (i.e. getting dressed down to your shoes or shining your sink before bed), that you should DO IT ANYWAY. <b>Once you learn her way and see why it works</b>, <i>then</i> you can tweak it to fit your style. Happy cleaning! </div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-42018327302153686282012-01-12T05:46:00.000-08:002012-01-12T07:08:58.116-08:00Quiet Time...AhhhI was recently listening to an inspirational CD about how to help children to fall in love with reading. One of the suggestions that I added to my schedule was Quiet Time. I've tried it before, but like most things, my inconsistency failed to make it a successful. After homeschooling for four years, my capacity to develop new habits has increased and Quiet Time is a wonderful addition to our schedule. After two weeks of it, I wonder how I ever did without it!<div><br /></div><div>After lunch, we clean up (the kitchen and their zones) and everyone goes to their designated space (mostly their bedrooms minus my oldest who reads in the loft/schoolroom area). I give one of the children a timer so they know it will end (if I didn't I might stretch the hour into two!) The younger ones who cannot read yet listen to CDs such as Brite, Scripture Scouts, etc. while the older ones may read classics. And I? I STUDY! I've always wanted to incorporate consistent study time into my daily routine, but it was rather elusive (I take full responsibility for making it so!). It has been incredible that a small, consistent habit like this leads to learning in leaps and bounds for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>The craziest thing of all is that the kids LOVE it. I'm not sure if they love the structure, consistency or the actual quiet time but so far they ask for it everyday like it's something to look forward to. I've been told it takes 21 days to make a habit. In that case, one more week to go!</div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-73888312282736472572012-01-11T20:14:00.000-08:002012-01-11T20:35:10.952-08:00Don't Judge A Book By It's CoverI'm reading <i>How to Win Friends and Influence People</i> by Dale Carnegie and I have been pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but he tells great stories to make his points and I have been not only entertained but instructed as well. In the book, he gives suggestions on how to make the study of this book most effective. One tip is to read the chapter twice. Initially, I thought that would be cumbersome but I have actually enjoyed it. It's amazing how much I miss the first time through and like I mentioned his stories are impactful and touching--definitely worth a second read. <div><br /></div><div>His first three "fundamental techniques to handling people" are: 1. Don't criticize, condemn or complain, 2. Give honest and sincere appreciation and 3. Arouse in the other person an eager want. It's funny, but I again anticipated reading this with the intent of applying his advice in dealing with people in my commonwealth school and other more professional settings, but I find my mind drifting continually to my children. I have read Part I in it's entirety twice now and my children kept returning to my mind. </div><div><br /></div><div>Equally as unfortunate is my inability to apply Rule #1! It seems like too frequently I slip back into a mom that thinks she needs to "nip things in the bud" before they develop bad habits when in reality no one likes to be criticized. If someone tells me I did a lousy job at something, my first reaction is NOT, "Oh you're right, I want to do that better next time!" It automatically puts people on the defensive instead of them opening up and deciding to change on their own. I need to make a picture in my house crooked or put a string on my finger as a reminder to keep checking myself because sometimes I respond in negative ways as naturally as if I'm taking a breath. </div><div><br /></div><div>I think I'm pretty adept at Rule #2 Give honest and sincere appreciation. I've practiced that over the years and I think I do OK although I'm sure there is always room for improvement : ) It's number 3 that I'm still trying to wrap my brain around. "Arouse in them [again my children instantly come to mind] an eager want." Wow, if I could bottle that I think I'd become a millionaire overnight! Can you imagine not having to ask your children to make their beds or do their kitchen jobs because they already WANT to do them? I think that section deserves a third read.</div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-55282158960519383122012-01-10T20:48:00.000-08:002012-01-10T21:11:38.639-08:00The Need to WriteMy last post was over a year ago. Over that year I feel like I've been on an amazing journey of learning and have often thought I should start posting again. Just recently I have had a more pressing and reoccurring need to process new information that comes to me.<br /><br />I taught a writing workshop at our Freedom Project last Friday and we discussed why we write. I like to compare it to digesting food. Writing is the way we internalize and assimilate new information into our being. There is something in the process of thoughts traveling from our mind through our hands onto paper that helps us to make a truth our own.<br /><br />So I would like to make myself a commitment to write something everyday. I have to be honest I am a little nervous to make that promise since I am already juggling many important things in my life. My entries can be short and simple, just so I establish a habit of writing something that I have learned. I'll do it! This is for my own benefit but if there is anyone listening, I welcome your thoughts and insights. I love this journey we call life and hearing from fellow travelers always enriches and enlivens my experience and hopefully does the same for you. So welcome back and happy traveling.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-74403952494260841882010-10-21T06:47:00.000-07:002010-10-21T22:32:16.191-07:00The Whole Truth<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapedefaults ext="edit" spidmax="1026"> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:shapelayout ext="edit"> <o:idmap ext="edit" data="1"> </o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">I am in the middle of a moment where things I've been reading, studying, listening to and pondering along with life experiences are all culminating into a mega epiphany. Having this experience serves as a red flag for me to write! The best way I know of to really grasp and internalize a new principle is to write about it.<br /><br />Today I was listening to a classic conference call from <a href="http://lemimentortraining.com/">LEMI</a> entitled “SayGoBeDo” which in a nutshell talks about following inspiration, promptings and/or revelation from God.<span style=""> </span>For example, we may have a thought to call a friend or have a feeling to spend time with a child.<span style=""> </span>During the discussion one of the mentors said, “To become charactered, we need to be motivated by serving others.”<span style=""> </span>When I heard that all the pieces of the puzzle came together perfectly and I saw truth clearly. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The whole purpose I am seeking to educate myself and my children is to help us develop or become charactered.<span style=""> </span>And yet as I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1573459194?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1573459194">Bonds That Make Us Free: Healing Our Relationships, Coming to Ourselves</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1573459194" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> (yes I’m still working on that one) and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1576759776?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1576759776">Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1576759776" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /> by the Arbinger Institute, I learn that how I regard others or how I truly feel about them will be communicated to them regardless of what I am actually saying.<span style=""> </span><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">In <span style="font-style: italic;">Leadership and Self-Deception</span> in teaching this principle, one of the characters asks this poignant question, “When you’re going out of your way to do all those things for Leon so that he’ll know you have an interest in him, what are you most interested in—<i style="">him</i> or his opinion of you?”<span style=""> </span>Yikes!<span style=""> </span>If I am painfully honest with myself I would have to say the latter would answer for the majority of my interactions with others.<span style=""> </span>I am having a sort of out-of-body experience lately as I see myself communicate with others in such a self-centered way.<span style=""> </span>It’s as if my mind knows what is right but my body is on auto pilot just doing what it has always done and there seems to be no way to stop it!</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Of course that is not true.<span style=""> </span>Recognition is the first step to change.<span style=""> </span>As I practice getting “out of the box” or viewing others as fellow human beings with hopes and struggles just like me, I can focus outward and serve others on a more meaningful level which is truly my heart’s desire. <span style=""></span>Practice makes perfect : ), right?<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-85726216056896857882010-09-07T16:32:00.000-07:002010-09-07T15:36:54.361-07:00Heart at PeaceI just finished participating in an introductory series of webinars for the <a href="http://www.leadershipeducationfamilybuilder.com/" target="_blank">Leadership Education Family Builder</a> program offered by Diann Jeppson and Jodie Palmer (which I highly recommend for those of you who are applying a TJEd philosophy in your homes). The first session focuses on our first job as parents to build, nurture and heal relationships in our family. They use <a href="http://www.arbinger.com/en/home.html" target="_blank">the Arbinger Institute</a> philosophy to show how to accomplish this job.<br /><br />In the webinar, Jodie referenced an article entitled <a href="http://www.arbinger.com/downloads/parenting_pyramid.pdf"><span style="font-style: italic;">Parenting Pyramid</span></a> you can download from their website and I would again highly recommend it and any of their books. The Arbinger Institute's main premise is that there are two ways to do anything--with a heart at peace or a heart at war. When your heart is at war you treat others like objects while with a heart of peace you realize that others are human beings.<br /><br />It is all too easy with 5 children to get caught up in getting things checked off my list or herding my family around to various activities--too easily my children can become objects to move from here to there. I have really stilled myself in the last couple of weeks and made myself aware of my heart especially during morning devotional and learning time.<br /><br />This has helped me to create and nurture quality relationships with my children. All of our learning has been more effective as we focus on treating each other with respect. Morning devotional (minus a two-year old) is more peaceful.<br /><br />However, I should have entitled this post "No Pain, No Gain" since I have been seeing myself through different eyes and what I see is PAINFUL. As I read <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1573459194?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1573459194">Bonds That Make Us Free: Healing Our Relationships, Coming to Ourselves</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1573459194" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" width="1" border="0" height="1" /> by C. Terry Warner (an Arbinger Institute book), I see a little too clearly what a self-centered person I really am!! Ouch! Caution: Read this book when you feel good about yourself ; )<br /><br />What is most fascinating is how our perceptions and experiences create a reality (that is NOT reality) in our interactions with others. We project our own ideas onto others' motives and create painful interactions with those we love! Maybe I'll post some realizations when they aren't quite so painful...Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-68307849724035150002010-08-26T08:30:00.001-07:002010-08-26T08:57:11.121-07:00Still MORE Thoughts on Chores<span style="font-size:130%;">In the spirit of telling the "rest of the story", I have changed my tune about chores…yet again. I still think the <a href="http://inspireyourkids.blogspot.com/2009/06/thoughts-on-chores.html">HAnnDi Work System</a> is very useful and comprehensive however I would imagine that it would work really well for children that already know their jobs. I was having 4 children simultaneously cleaning and not correctly and I felt torn as to who to help first while others waited…you can imagine the scene I’m sure.<br /><br />I had an epiphany one day when my oldest daughter came to show me with face beaming and chest puffed out that she had just folded the perfect towel. She was so pleased with herself and was sure that she could pass that chore off on her adult skills list that finally the light bulb went off. Children need practice! And lots of it…<br /><br />So I temporarily set that system aside and changed to zones. I divided the house into zones and let the children choose what rooms they wanted to be responsible for. They will have their zones for at least 6 months. They all know how to tidy a space so that buys me a little time to teach whoever needs a little extra attention. Also I’m kicking around the idea of having a cleaning class once a week where everyone learns how to wipe off a counter or sweep the floor for example.<br /><br />We’ve been doing zones for about 2 months. Here are some issues we’ve had to iron out. All children need to respect others’ zones by cleaning up their own messes. Toddlers are not respectful ; ) and everyone needs to pick up after them. Return and report is key to teaching proper technique. On the days I don’t pay attention to their work, I’m always disappointed.<br /><br />I had a payday last week when I heard my son teaching a friend how to wipe off the table in sections and then dry it so they could go play. I’ll have a clean house yet!</span>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-57581142398008415892010-08-19T11:27:00.000-07:002010-08-25T19:04:44.114-07:00DisclaimerA couple of months ago a friend of mine told me she stopped reading my blog because she felt overwhelmed and pressured to do what I was doing. I really had to take a step back and search my motives and intentions for this blog. I originally thought I could create a place where people would share ideas—an ongoing brainstorming session—that would get a reader’s creative juices flowing. The idea was to use what would work well for their family and disregard the rest. But was that what I was really accomplishing? Or was I simply overwhelming my readers? <br /><br />I took the summer off from my blog to mull these questions over in my mind. Upon closer inspection I remembered I do have the tendency to want to fix people’s problem (I come by it honestly from my mother ; ). Perhaps that was coming through in my writing. Also as a human I think I naturally put my best foot forward—was I being authentic with my audience? I could do better with follow-up posts as well telling if things worked out over time. Perhaps most importantly I learned or relearned that each family has the ability and stewardship to know what they should be doing in their families. <br /><br />My friend and I had a good talk. She told me that she had decided there were a few simple things she felt her family needed right then and that was what she was going to do. You as parents will know as you seek inspiration from God what you should be doing with your children. This is simply a place to spark ideas that will ignite your children’s fire for learning.<br /><br />I have really missed posting this summer. Blogging for me is like thinking out loud. Writing helps me to wrap my mind around principles and assimilate them into my life. So when you read, please take what I say with a grain of salt and hopefully you will share some ideas and find one or two that inspire you.Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-80739378481415182932010-06-04T08:57:00.000-07:002010-06-04T09:16:07.156-07:00Great QuoteLOVE,<span style="font-size:130%;"> LOVE</span>, <span style="font-size:180%;">LOVE</span> this quote I found while reading<span style="font-size:130%;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0760752346?ie=UTF8&tag=httpinspireyo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0760752346">Up From Slavery: An Autobiography (The Barnes & Noble Library of Essential Reading)</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=httpinspireyo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0760752346" alt="" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important;" border="0" height="1" width="1" /></span>. I want to be like this!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">"I make it a rule to clear my desk every day, before leaving my office, of all correspondence and memoranda, so that on the morrow I can begin a new day of work. I make it a rule never to let my work drive me, but to so master it, and keep it in such complete control, and to keep so far ahead of it, that I will be the master instead of the servant. There is a physical and mental and spiritual enjoyment that comes from a consciousness of being the absolute master of one's work, in all its details, that is very satisfactory and inspiring. My experience teaches that, if one learns to follow this plan, he gets a freshness of body and vigor of mind out of work that goes a long way toward keeping him strong and healthy. I believe that when one can grow to the point where he loves his work, this gives him a kind of strength that is most valuable." --Booker T. Washington</span>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-20700339281411767962010-06-01T15:14:00.000-07:002010-06-01T15:43:34.210-07:00Didn't We Just Eat?!Lately I have been hearing, "I'm hungry." and "I'm starving!" or "Tengo hambre." And all I can think of is that <span style="font-style: italic;">we just ate an hour ago</span>!! So this week since we have company and no school, I decided to declare war on hunger! I have planned every meal of the day and two snack times at 10 and 3 for the next week. I thought I would share some of the snack ideas I found in my search because sometimes we need some ideas to get us out of our food ruts.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Homemade Trail Mix</span>--these are less expensive than store-bought, easy to throw together, they'll always be a hit since you can put the ingredients they like in it. Some of the mixes I've done: peanuts, pretzels and craisins; almonds, chocolate chips, pretzels, Rice Chex and banana chips; really the possibilities are endless!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Apples, Almonds, String Cheese</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Yogurt Parfait</span>--again your only limits here is your creativity and your kids' taste buds. I've done layered granola, vanilla yogurt and strawberries. My mom threw together frozen blueberries, yogurt, almonds and a dash of cinnamon.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veggies and Dip</span>--one recipe I'm trying this week: Peel and chop 1 ripe avocado; place in a medium bowl; mash with a fork. Stir in 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1/4 tsp cumin or oregano. Makes 2 cups. Serve with cut-up raw vegetables.<br /><br />Another recipe I found--<span style="font-weight: bold;">Apple-Cheese English Muffin Pizzas</span><br />Split and toast 2 English muffins, slice1 large apple and cut 4 square slices of Cheddar cheese in half. Spread each muffin half with 1 tbsp of cream cheese; top with apple slices and 2 pieces of cheese. Heat in toaster oven 30 seconds or until cheese melts. Dot with dried cranberries.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Green/Fruit Smoothies</span>--My friend Tammie has delicious smoothie recipes on her blog <a href="http://simplehealthytasty.blogspot.com/search/label/Smoothies">Simple, Healthy, Tasty</a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Homemade Protein/Energy Bars</span>--I'm trying some recipes <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Almond-Energy-Bars/Detail.aspx">here</a> (if you look on the left side bar there are more recipes like that one). I've yet to try them but they look good.<br /><br />Any good ideas? Please add to the list! Have a great snack!Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-68769345712406603722010-05-18T20:22:00.001-07:002010-05-18T21:16:27.437-07:00Here Are A Few Of My NEW Favorite Things<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S_NZwax_yJI/AAAAAAAAAKY/_4HFnEg1ZEY/s1600/IMG_1386.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S_NZwax_yJI/AAAAAAAAAKY/_4HFnEg1ZEY/s400/IMG_1386.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472816660542900370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;">There are several really WONDERFUL things about this picture.</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">First, I now have my very own CLASSROOM! It has been soooo nice to have a space set apart for learning. It seems to set the mood for hitting the books helping keep my children's attention. I have switched from nomad homeschooling to a homesteader style : )</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Notice behind the studious people there are IKEA bookshelves that contribute to my sanity and organization. Yay! Happy space, happy price.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Please note my two oldest children studying diligently (and willingly I might add) with their grandfather. You may want to be seated for this next part...they are </span><span style="font-size:130%;">studying MATH! Grandparents and other relatives have so much to offer in way of enriching our children's education. Take advantage of your resources!</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;">I will add another view of our classroom to point out a couple more of my new favorite things...<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S_NkWFYCC3I/AAAAAAAAALI/I46Cc6n_Nic/s1600/IMG_1381.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S_NkWFYCC3I/AAAAAAAAALI/I46Cc6n_Nic/s400/IMG_1381.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472828302748158834" border="0" /></a></span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">Posters are a great way to "inspire, not require" learning. Earlier this year I bought two posters at a museum and they have been the best investment. My children love to read, memorize, talk about, make up stories about the facts listed on these posters. Even my two-year old points to mammals and asks me to name them.</span></li></ul><ul><li><span style="font-size:130%;">I'm not sure where I read this idea but I love it! All along three walls of our school room I put up some butcher paper to make a time line of the history of the world. We only have a handful of events on there, but already I have seen how it helps to order historic events in my mind. My children actually get excited when we come across a date when studying history.</span></li></ul><span style="font-size:130%;">Not pictured is a white board that has helped not only as a way of explaining a concept but also encourages art, writing, self-expression. I feel like I am getting closer to my vision of home education. I would love to hear other tips that have helped you!<br /></span>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-30757438409587702052010-05-05T19:53:00.000-07:002010-05-05T20:05:39.437-07:00So UNinspiringMy children found cute, fuzzy little mice in our window wells and begged me to let them keep the mice as pets. I should insert here that I love all of Gene Stratton-Porter's novels and I delight in her descriptions of plants, animals and insects and somehow fancy myself a lover of nature BUT...I draw the line at mice. BUT because I am a fun homeschool mom I graciously promised my children that if they researched mice and found out about their natural habitat and what they liked to eat, etc. and wrote me a page about it, I would allow them to care for the mice properly. (Are you cringing yet?)<br /><br />It just so happened the very next day the pest control company came to service our home. I also just so happened to mention our little problem with the mice and the technician assured me that he would take care of it. Feeling rather relieved I shut the door and was faced with three crushed children. They were crying and appealing to their father for mercy (and making plans to thwart the pest control guy's work). I remembered my empty promise and was suddenly filled with a sick feeling.<br /><br />My oldest came to me and scolded me, "If you are always talking about catching your children's sparks of interest and building them into bonfires, why do you squelch every flame of interest we have!" Talk about calling me on the carpet! I really felt bad...for about 5 minutes...Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-74597094355775142422010-04-23T12:51:00.000-07:002010-04-23T12:54:22.172-07:00Great Quote<span style="font-size:130%;">I need to memorize this one!<br /><br />"Work while it is called today, for you know not how much you will be hindered tomorrow. One today is worth two tomorrow's; <span style="font-weight: bold;">never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today</span>."<br />~Benjamin Franklin</span>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1858615800694448198.post-48280452697848428062010-04-20T14:28:00.000-07:002010-04-20T16:24:28.863-07:00Kayaking on Scappoose River<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:130%;">I thought I would add some pictures for fun. It was<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">such a beautiful, lazy day.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S84dMnd-FrI/AAAAAAAAAJg/sFO-ESmpCQo/s1600/IMG_1219_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S84dMnd-FrI/AAAAAAAAAJg/sFO-ESmpCQo/s400/IMG_1219_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462335500637312690" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:130%;">The turtles were coming out of hibernation.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S840R0rCFKI/AAAAAAAAAJw/T2vgp6XJ6KI/s1600/IMG_1218_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S840R0rCFKI/AAAAAAAAAJw/T2vgp6XJ6KI/s400/IMG_1218_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462360878848545954" border="0" /></a>I spy an eagle...(I took this picture by the way!)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S840oQiuUEI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/qhDd05RwFPE/s1600/portland_edited-2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S840oQiuUEI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/qhDd05RwFPE/s400/portland_edited-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462361264287010882" border="0" /></a>Sometimes I had trouble navigating...</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S841ZGX0wzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/V7eqMqrtJ4Y/s1600/portland.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S841ZGX0wzI/AAAAAAAAAKA/V7eqMqrtJ4Y/s400/portland.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462362103370531634" border="0" /></a>They nicknamed these tandem kayaks the "divorce" kayaks. </span><span style="font-size:130%;">We found out why : ) We're smiling here because<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;">we haven't left yet.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S842zXtbmkI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/RPxzqz2Xzu8/s1600/portland_edited-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0xO8DigFijQ/S842zXtbmkI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/RPxzqz2Xzu8/s400/portland_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462363654212786754" really="" it="" was="" the="" perfect="" way="" to="" fresh="" beautiful="" border="0" /></a>Really it was a perfect way to unwind...nature, fresh air, beautiful weather...<br /><br /></span></div>Dinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523502480869696090noreply@blogger.com1