More Than One Way to Skin a Cat

Just as the old saying goes there is "More Than One Way to Skin a Cat" there  is also more than one way to educate a child.   Whether you chose to use public, boarding, private, charter or home school is up to you as a family.  You live in a country that allows you freedom to choose what is best for your child, your family and your unique situation.
     We started home schooling our oldest after her school closed and her next public school choice didn't work.  We found her an out of district school that met our criteria for her education; I drove round trip almost an hour 2x  a day  to give her a good education from a school that rated high for academics, performance etc. Her younger sister started kindergarten there with her.  She got a "new to the school" teacher in a blended 3/4 grade class.  As the weeks progressed it was obvious that we were having teacher problems.   We had questions about her homework and got responses like "refer to the previous page"  or "she doesn't have to get the correct answer, just the concept....we are circling in on the idea"  etc.   As far as my husband was concerned home schooling was always an option for us; I was much more tentative.   After much prayer, soul searching and encouragement from good friends we decided to bring her home.  I thought I could do it for a year and then reassess.   She loved it....I loved it;  we were doing life together.  School is part of that life; so is church, chores, community service and activities.  After that first year her younger sister came home and her brother has always been home schooled. Each of my children has different, unique learning styles that have been encouraged.  I have an audio learner, kinetic/audio and a traditional learner.  Each one has been able to learn at their own pace and I have been able to purchase curriculum that works for each of them.  They have thrived being home educated; they have critical thinking skills, they have independent study skills and they have been social.  =)   We have participated in 4H, Brownies, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Heritage Girls, Awana, BSF, Soccer, Softball, Shooting Sports, Co ops, Music and Horses.  ~Thankfully not all at the same time! We have had wonderful learning opportunities and a way of life that I will treasure long after my nest is empty.  My kids have close, rich relationships with each other, my husband and I.  We have loved our time studying God, His word, History and Character Development together at the dining room table and later our class table.   My husband and I developed a multigenerational vision for our family because of home schooling.  We have worked to put God first; to know Him intimately and to entrust our children to Him.  We want His work in them to be accomplished and for them to follow Him with their whole hearts.   As our oldest is pondering her future we are in constant prayer that His will for her will be revealed.   She may do traditional college, online college, a trade school, community college or do an internship/job after she is done with her high school studies.  Alas, there is also more than one way to "skin a cat" for higher learning too. =)
I wrote this almost four years ago and saved it.  Making it part of the diary of my life now.

A Harder Road

We have known that this time was eventually coming but when you finally get the call you face a new reality.     Erik's Dad has been battling Prostate Cancer for several years.    Yesterday, we received the news that he has three to six months left of life on earth and that he also had a small stroke.   We are all absorbing this news in different ways.   In the last twenty four hours there have been tears, worry, sadness and questions.   Our greatest desire is for him to accept Jesus as his Saviour and we are coming to realize that we may not know that answer this side of heaven.  We are going to have to trust in God and His plan for Bud.   We are coveting the prayers of family, friends, church, Wild Ones and our Co op Family.   I can see God's hand in the struggles we have faced as a family.  He has drawn us closer to Him in the last few years, we have learned to rely on His provision, His Grace and His care for us.  He has been with us in ways that we could never have imagined for ourselves and we will lean on Him as we travel down this hard road together. 

                            Best Ever Taco Seasoning


1 T Chili Powder
1/2 t Garlic Powder
1/4 t Onion Powder
1/4 t Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/4 t Oregano
1/2 t Paprika
2 t Cumin
1 t Salt
1 t Pepper

Combine in small bowl and mix into browned 1 lb ground beef or turkey. 
Optional:  add 1/2 C water, bring to a boil, turn stove top to low and simmer 5 minutes.
Enjoy! 

One of the reasons I love to home schooling is the flexibility it gives us.   Our youngest is spending the afternoon working at the ranch.  He is doing some chores and will come home tired, sweaty and HAPPY.   He was created for work and loves all kinds of manual labor.   The ranch is giving him skills that he can use his whole life.   A good work ethic, animal care, fencing, pasture care, weed control and  moving hay bales.....lots and lots of hay bales.   =)  He was able to get half his school done this morning and will finish the rest after a snack, shower and dinner.   He is such a blessing to us; all winter he keeps our wood stove going and in the spring transitions to mowing the lawn.   ~Not too bad for an almost 12 year old!  
Dinner tonight is Taco's with home made salsa, guacamole and a big salad.   I have started making my own taco seasoning.  It has no added MSG or sugar and we all LOVE it.  

Every Day Moments

Josh grew in stature last Saturday.   After a Wild Ones Ranch meeting he got Rompe out to do some ground work and a short ride.   Rompe decided to be a real Wild One and not cooperate with Josh.   Jeannie coached Josh, Erik, Sarah and Laura through a respect lesson; which I missed because I ran into Junction to get some sandwiches.  Josh had to send Rompe away and let him run until he was ready to pay attention, canter around him and rejoin his herd.   It took quite awhile for two young boyos with determination to come to an agreement.     What I saw when I arrived was a tired, focused three year old and a tired, quietly confident, walking a little taller 11 3/4 year old.   What great lessons they are learning together and what a Blessing the loving, patient, instruction of Miss Jeannie is to us.   It was "one of the best days ever"  according to Master Josh and I couldn't agree more!

January has been a challenging month for us and I find myself leaning on my faith, prayer and Gods words to sustain me.   I am thankful for every single day we have to be together as a family, to do life, school and grow; I want to let my kids go with me being full of encouragement, grace and peace.    I want to cherish each moment and not get caught up in the worries of this life.   I want to grow old with my husband and be a help to our kids and grandchildren.   I was reading another blog and the author was talking about these very things.   How will we react when life gets hard?   Will we be angry?   discouraged?   lose hope?  


My hope is in the Lord.  

This verse has been such an encouragement to me.   I am rejoicing in God; His love and the knowledge that no matter how hard life can be I can wake each morning and be joyful in God my Savior.


"Though the fig tree doe not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior."
Habakkuk 3:17-18

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