Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY
March 29, 2010
Outside my window...it is pouring rain
I am thinking...I should do some spring cleaning
I am thankful for...the hope we celebrate this time of year
From the learning rooms...a relaxed schedule this week
From the kitchen...leftover whole wheat pizza from last night
I am wearing...still in my PJs; pink drawstring pants and a gray top
I am going...think I am staying in today
I am reading...Small Changes for a Better Life by Elizabeth George
I am hoping...to deep clean the kids' room today
I am hearing...the clothes dryer going, birds chirping
Around the house...laundry needs to put put away
One of my favorite things...snuggling with my kids
A few plans for the rest of the week: preparing for Easter; making sausage pies, a bunny cake
Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

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Please, it only takes a minute. Pick up the phone and make a call. Click on the logo above for the phone numbers. Pass this on to everyone you know. The implications of the health care bill has far reaching consequences into our Christian liberties. Don't be deceived. Thank you.

"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them." Ephesians 5:6-7

Great Call Last Night

Thanks everyone who made it to the conference call on helping kids with Autism. My apologies for the technical difficulties with it starting late. The call was great! And hearing straight from a dad who was able to have his child improve so much that he is no longer classified as autistic was..well just great.

The call was not recorded, but I did take some notes. If you were unable to make the call and would like a copy of my notes, please email me at teemact@optonline.net.

Autism

Have you or someone you love been affected by Autism? According to recent studies, one out of 150 children is diagnosed with autism. Join us for a live conference call on Thursday, March 18th at 7:00 pm as a father, Justin Banner, shares his experiences using nutrition to help his children overcome this diagnosis. One of the products is a new, natural oral (non-intravenous) heavy metal chelator he came across that has human clinical trials showing that it safely and gently removes mercury, pesticides, etc. from the body’s tissues and not just the bloodstream and bowels*.
It’s an amazing story of hope. For more information email Theresa at teemact@optonline.net or call in on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. EST. The phone # is 1-218-936-4700; participant access code- 389875.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Delicious Six Ingredient Pancakes

Last night at bedtime, my daughter excitedly asked "Mom, can we have pancakes for breakfast tomorrow...please?" I said "We'll see". I try to make a double batch at least once a week so we can have them for a couple of days. I am not talking about the frozen ones, or even the mix that you add water to. Have you ever tried to read the ingredients listed in those? If you can pronounce the ingredients, do you know what they are? If not, maybe you would like an easy, delicious recipe. This recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law. She would make these on Sunday afternoons for Tom and I when we were dating. I loved going there for her special griddlecakes and tea. She makes them much thinner than I can, more like a crepe, but they are just as delicious.

Ingredients for a double batch (about 30 pancakes):
2 1/2 cups flour (I use 1 1/2 cups unbleached white and 1 cup whole wheat)
5 tsp. baking powder (I recommend Rumford's aluminum free)
2 Tbsp. sugar (I don't double this since I use cane sugar which is sweeter)
2 eggs
2 cups lowfat milk (organic, of course)
6 Tbsp. melted butter
Directions:
1- Combine flour, baking powder and sugar. Set aside.
2- Beat eggs, add milk and melted butter. Mix well.
3- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir.
4- Pour by 1/4 cups onto a hot griddle. Flip when bubbles start forming. Cook until golden brown.
5- Serve with pure maple syrup, all fruit spread or plain. Enjoy!

*If you have any leftovers, you can layer them between wax paper and place in a storage bag in the refrigerator or freezer.

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Homeschoolers

Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Homeschoolers
And then there are the social aspects of going to school. Homeschooling parents tend to want to shield their children from negative influences. But this quest often runs counter to the idea that schools represent society and help promote tolerance. "No parental couple can offer a breadth of education [that can] replace experienced teachers," says Kraus, of the German Teachers' Association. "Kids also lose contact with their peers." (excerpt taken from above article)

I beg to differ with Kraus (surprise, surprise). This is probably the most argued point about homeschooling. I have heard “certified” teachers gasp and say things like, “who do they think they are (homeschooling parents). It is a slap in the face to think they can do our jobs.” I must admit at one point I thought it a bit insulting myself. After all I had attended college for six years to become a NY State certified teacher. I had to take out student loans on which I still owe lots of money. What would make a parent think they were equipped to do my job? Well, thankfully some of my prideful thinking has been corrected. Maybe it was my experience as an elementary school teacher that led to my change of thinking. Maybe it was becoming a parent myself, or a combination of the two.

I have taught in the projects and in a beautiful suburban village. I have worked alongside some of the finest teachers there are. There is no limit to the influence a teacher can have in the life of a child. There is a saying “to teach is to touch a life forever”. How true that is. I often think of a few teachers I had. They bring tears of thankfulness to my eyes. They were the ones who made me want to be a teacher. I hated school. But there were a few teachers who made me want to change that for others, to make school different, even if just for a couple of students. So I am not saying there are not wonderful teachers out there, making a difference, believe me there are and I count it a blessing to be able to have met them.

However… the thing that I did see that saddened me as a teacher were how children whose parents were working so hard to instill in them certain values were exposed to certain things that could never be taken back. I do not think that the young age of six or seven is the time to start explaining why certain people do certain things to the degree that this would involve. Yes, children know that not everyone does things the same way, but to have them exposed to this on a regular basis and think it isn’t going to affect them negatively…well, that is too much of a risk for me. I remember how it broke my heart to see the look on a child’s face when they saw one of their classmates misbehaving. Please don’t think I am unsympathetic to those children who were acting out. They were some of my favorite students. They have their own set of problems that led to their acting out behaviors. I did my best to help them and give them the attention they craved.

So yes I believe in the parents’ decision to “shield their child”. After all aren’t we as parents called to do that? I also believe it is the parents’ responsibility to train their children and help them to build a strong foundation so they will know how to handle certain situations in the world. It is not the country, state or school district’s responsibility, it is the parents’. As for the statement Klaus makes about kids losing contact with their peers; Hogwash! There are so many homeschooling activities available as well as other community activities with which to be involved, if the parent wishes. What about the interactions homeschoolers get to have among their siblings? You don’t hear too much about that, but how precious it is to have siblings learning alongside one another. Parents can do a fine job of educating their children. I am sure there are some homeschoolers that are not taking seriously their obligation to teach their children, just like there are some teachers that do not take seriously their responsibility to teach their students. Does that mean that the state has the authority to determine who is best to teach your child? I think not. In this wonderful country of the USA, let us remember that our country was founded upon the God-given right for individuals to pursue life, liberty and happiness. If we don’t remember this principle it may be taken away from us. May that never be!