BENMAKESTEN

Getting Tech-y

2012-01-27T14:35:00.000-05:00

For any Friends of Benmakesten who have children of several age groups in their families, I'm sure you can relate, when I say that it never ceases to amaze me; how technologically advanced my youngest children are.

Our dentist has taken to having his receptionist handing out iPads to keep kids busy and content while awaiting their turns in "the Chair" and last time we were in, she passed out several of them.

Now, my children have SEEN an iPad because one of my dear friends has one and takes it everywhere with her. So, the children have seen hers at various gatherings and events that we've attended together.

However, both my husband and I were a little shocked, when, as soon as the receptionist handed them this new-fangled-tech-y toy/tool/appliance (?) they proceeded to open it up and USE it!

How did they know how to open it? How did they know what to do once they DID open it?

We laughed, my husband and I, as they played "Angry Birds" and this and that, switched back and forth from screen to screen as though they'd owned a iPad all of their lives.

It really seems to be an innate/natural ability with children of the 21st century, doesn't it?

This brings me to sweet, darling Benjamin; who turns 5 in February!

He knows how to log on and off a computer, play Wii games, and computer games, etc...he can even access the "Paint" program on my laptop, unassisted, and enjoy drawing and creating artwork; even editing and "un-doing" when necessary...without help!

There are many times during our school day, when Benny is asked to play quietly, and, although he is capable of playing these basic style games and using programs as I've described, I don't like to let him go upstairs (to the Wii) without a companion...and I'm not really crazy about the idea of turning a 4 year old loose on the computer without someone older to watch over him, either.

Thus, the idea came to me, recently, that perhaps the time has come to invest in a few leapfrog learning supplies. We have never really owned a lot of these types of things...we are more of the "pull n play" type people...you know the old toys I'm talking about...you point the arrow at an animal and pull the lever and you hear that animal's sound. LOL That's about as tech-y as we've ever gotten with someone Benny's age.

However, when we visit friends or family whose children of the same age have some of the leapfrog toys, he always enjoys watching and playing with whatever it might be.

The trouble is, when I go into a store, I have no idea what a good deal as far as these things are concerned, is...or which toys are easiest (user-friendly) educational, and fun for kids who are almost 5.

That's why I'm asking the Friends of Benmakesten! Leave a comment and tell me all about your favorite "leapfrog" toys. Is there a particular one that's great for boys Benny's age? Are there any I should steer clear of for some reason? What do I look for? What are they called? What price range is good?

Give me your best advice!

I sure do appreciate your help!

Soapbox

2012-01-22T18:03:00.001-05:00

Friends of Benmakesten know that I usually steer clear of "politics", "faith-debates", or other controversial and/or confrontational style writing on my blog.

However, once in a while, I feel compelled to "speak my heart" and "follow my conscience" in an effort to express something and share it when I feel that it is important or crucial to "families", "communities", "people of faith", or "individuals who are seeking a better way of life".

This post, is such.

All eyes (and ears) have been on the Republican Candidates lately; their debates, their campaigns, and the voting of several states toward the nomination of a ticket nominee who will go to battle against the incumbent Democratic candidate...namely, the president of the United States of America.

No matter where I turn my attention; to the news, to the media, to conversations with citizens, relatives, friends, social network-pals, etc...I often hear diatribes involving the need to "balance the budget", "restore the economy", "secure our borders", etc...

I would like to encourage and urge you today, if you will be voting toward this nomination and/or in the General Election, come Fall...to PLEASE make "the sacredness of life in all its stages" your number ONE priority and issue.

It is my firm and adamant belief that this nation will never restore its economy, strengthen its industries, build back up its working forces, or protect its citizens from foreign enemies, if it FIRST and FOREMOST does not RESTORE and UPHOLD each and every single person's inherent RIGHT TO LIFE; endowed by their Creator, and WRITTEN INTO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THIS issue IS the most important. It is the most basic and foundational necessity for ALL other laws, amendments, issues, regulations, bills, and statutes.

If the Supreme Court of this nation will not protect and defend the RIGHT TO LIFE, then we will NEVER, EVER rise above the struggles and trials that come from the other fallen and crumbling areas in the day to day life of America.

I hear much talk about "The Federal Debt". I'm not one for "numbers" but I believe that it is somewhere in the neighborhood of more than a trillion dollars, now, correct?

Like I said, it all comes down to the RIGHT TO LIFE.

For instance, in an effort to begin to pay off some of the money-owed, why not STOP funding Planned Parenthood; and in so-doing SAVE the MILLIONS of dollars per year wherein 91% of it is used to slaughter innocent babies in the womb?!? (I don't have the proper numbers, as I've said...but I read recently that our government funded PP with more than $46 million dollars last year!)

If "we" ,as in, "the USA", SAVED that money each year and used it to begin paying off the debt...well, you can see what I mean.

How does one teach a child about compassion, integrity, and ethical and good moral behavior when he/she is growing up in a society where the LAW says that a mother may murder her own child and the government will GIVE her the money to do it?!?

I also read recently that someone (sorry, can't remember the author of the quote) wrote that if any parent wants to "limit" their family size, they should be made to wait until each child is TWO years old...and THEN decide to "limit" the family.

Sadly, it seems so much "easier" to "limit" our children when we can't SEE them.

The men who are vying for the Republican Ticket at this time, are well-spoken, experienced, successful, and full of zeal.

As you decide how to place your vote, PLEASE discern through deep prayer and ask yourself what can possibly be more important to American Citizens, to each family, to the nation as a whole, to churches, to schools, and to the world at-large, than LIFE, itself, and the protection and defense of EACH person...even, and especially, the MOST fragile, innocent, and completely dependent members of our society; BABIES IN THE WOMB?

Which "issue" do you think comes first in God's eyes?

Do not look to the political pundits, to the news media, or to your neighbor or co-worker or Facebook Friends for your answers.

Look to the Lord. Search your heart and soul.

VOTE FOR LIFE.

A vote for life IS a vote for America.

The current president's policies have put more people on food stamps/welfare than any in history.
The current president is more radically pro-choice/abortion (which is one in the same thing) than any other president in history.

These things are ANTI-life.
They are a part of the Culture of Death.

As I step back down off my soapbox now and go back to blogging about the topics I normally feature here, I pray that all of you, who have a voting voice in America, will put LIFE first on your ballot.

Neat and Tidy

2012-01-21T15:51:00.000-05:00

We "deep-cleaned" our bedrooms today; like we do every Saturday.
I love to see all of the little girl dresses lined up in an organized row in the girls' closet.
(Well, truth be told, I'm a little retentive about this, actually and have been known to get quite "irked" when someone hangs up dresses for me and puts them in the *wrong* spot! It's true! Are you like this? I have a *section* in the girls' closet, for each type of dress: short sleeves, jumpers, long sleeved, church dresses, etc...)

There something SO satisfying about taking your time and going through each dresser drawer, toy-box, and shelf and sorting through the clutter, organizing and folding all the clothes, and tossing out anything that is deemed as *trash*.

Each Saturday morning, the kids know to wait for me in their rooms. This little system became my resolution to the "do your chores" and then the chores don't get done properly problem.

Honestly, my kids are pretty good about keeping up on their chores. However, it was that once-a-week, deep cleaning job that wasn't getting done to my specifications. So, my solution was to JOIN them in their work. Once a week, I go from bedroom to bedroom and work along-side the kids.

We dust, we straighten, we fold, we sort, we organize, and we vacuum. That's my favorite part! I just LOVE how the whole room looks when we've finished cleaning and we run the vacuum as the final touch:)

There's something else I love about Saturday cleaning, though; that really doesn't have much to do with cleaning, at all.

It's the time I get to spend with my kids. The eldest two children in our house have their own rooms, and everyone else is paired off by two's. (This is new this year as we used to have 4 girls in one room!)

The kids seem to look forward to our Saturday morning cleaning together as much as I do. We laugh, we talk, we ponder, we discuss; sometimes we sing together, too:)

Somehow, while I'm cleaning out their physical bedrooms, it feels as though I am cleaning out my own heart.

Whatever troubles and trials we've had during the week get "swept right up with the dust bunnies", LOL

The sunlight shines through the windows. We make plans for the fun things we do during the weekend with Daddy at home.

And, during our busy school weeks, I don't worry about the kids' rooms. I know that, come Saturday morning, we will "tackle it" together. They do make their beds and clean up their clothes and toys each day...but you know how that is...clothes that go in drawers, end up in the hamper, clothes that belong in the hamper, end up under the bed, etc...

I think God made man to do chores because He was aware of the hidden blessings that would be contained in the everyday family life of work. Working along-side one another has a way of working out the kinks...solving our troubles...nurturing our souls.

Now-a-days, I think the kids could carry on just fine without me in their rooms on Saturdays. But, I wouldn't want to miss out. I think I'll keep "checking up on them", just because...

Because I love our Saturday morning chores together!

Yummy Yummy in My Tummy

2012-01-21T15:29:00.000-05:00

During the Christmas season, our family enjoys the tradition of making peanut brittle.

Years back, I found a recipe that was easy to follow and the resulting candy treat was YUMMY.

Do you have any "treats" that you ONLY make during a certain time of year? It seems to make it all the more special; don't you think? At least for me, when we have something all the time, it becomes rather "usual".

When I know that I will have to wait a whole year before I have our treat again...it makes it extra special.

We love to give our peanut brittle as gifts.

My kids keep begging me to start an online "peanut brittle" business. "Sell it, Mom! It's SOOOO good! People would LOVE to buy it!"

I must admit, when I see peanut brittle selling for 8 0z @ $15.00, the thought crosses my mind that perhaps I should give it a try.

I'm sure there must be some sort of health/food laws about such things.

Do any of the Friends of Benmakesten own a business where food is sold online? If so, fill us in! Tell us what's involved and if there's a complicated amount of red tape to deal with when taking on something like this.

For now, until I learn more, I think I'll just keep enjoying making our special peanut brittle for our family and friends during the holidays.

However, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to spread it out over a few OTHER holidays, besides Christmas, right?
THEN, I wouldn't have to wait a WHOLE entire year for it's YUMMINESS.

Hey! St.Valentine's Day is coming up soon! That sounds like a good excuse for making homemade treats to me!

What's it All About?

2012-01-21T15:18:00.000-05:00

Recently, a friend of mine had her debit card number stolen. The thief wiped out her account.
I wish I could say I was shocked and abhorred to hear this story. Sadly, though, she was, at least, the 5th or 6th friend or relative of mine who has had this happen in the past couple of years.

Did you know that over 11 million people per year have their identity stolen on our continent?

What's even more sad is that 1 in 20 of those victims are children and young adults whose identity has been stolen BY THEIR OWN PARENTS!

I am the butt of frequent jokes amidst my friends and family. I am labeled as "old fashioned", "out of touch", "archaic", and "out of the loop". Why? Well, for starters, I don't own a cell phone. Add to that the fact that I still write checks, don't use a debit card, and only own one credit card (which I try not to use unless absolutely necessary) and you get the picture...these things open me up for MUCH jesting and ridicule in a modern society.

But, you know what? I have decided that I'm at a much lower risk for these sorts of crimes than the average-Joe. Unless, of course, my dear mother is planning some sort of elaborate scam against me and plans to heist my social security number next time I'm in town! LOL

I have had sales clerks laugh out loud and others say not-so-nice-things when, after filling out applications for this, that or the other discount or program, I come to a spot where the paper asks for my SSN and I STOP.
Usually, the cashier will say, "But, we can't process it without that." "Why not?" I ask. "I don't know. We just can't", they reply. "Then, I've changed my mind. I won't be needing that discount today". Eyes roll, mouths drop, heads shake..."Are you SUUUUURE you don't want to save all that money?" "Yes. If it means that I must give you and whomever else will get a hold of this form and information my SSN, then YES. I'm sure I DON'T want to save that money today."

My mother often muses that she is unsure if man's "progress" has really been worth it in the long run.
Yes, we have medicines and technology that makes life easier, helps us live longer, and provides quick and easy assistance to everyday tasks and duties...but...

We also have a society that's been so overcome by selfishness and greed that PARENTS ARE STEALING THEIR OWN KIDS' IDENTITIES!

We now have websites like, Identity Hawk, that offer identity theft protection.

Protection from whom?! Our own parents???

Identity thiefs love to infiltrate the schools where all of the numbers and info necessary to commit their devious acts are laid out nicely and neatly in computer files and filing cabinets.

I'm with mother.

How worthy has all of this "progress" been if we have to worried and anxious that someone we KNOW (most often, the thieves are people we know) will be so desperate and tempted by money, luxury, and greed that they will steal our identities?

I think back to the days of the Pioneers? I can't think of any identity theft they could have had other than the occasionally forged signature or fugitives in disguise who were trying to pass themselves off as someone else.

No credit cards. No debit cards. No SSN (That didn't come about until 1936.)
No need to worry that we would receive repeated phone calls from a collection agency and finding out that we have a mortgage debt of over $100,000 and THEN finding out that our own PARENTS stole our identity in order to secure a loan for themselves!

I know, I know. People back then had malaria, Yellow Fever, Consumption, and all sorts of other injuries and ailments that couldn't be cured or healed.

And, yes, there were criminals. There were stage-coach robbers and dishonest bankers and what-not.

But, think about it. Did people have to be afraid to tell their name to someone? To tell where they lived?
To state what they did for a living? To trust an I.O.U.?

Along with progress and advanced technology, something in this society of ours, changed...and NOT for the better.

I might be "old fashioned". I might be "archaic". I might be "ridiculous".

But, I know where my money is, I don't live with huge debts, and when my mother calls me on the phone, I BELIEVE her when she says she's "just callin' to say hello and see how the kids are doing".

That, apparently, is a special blessing in today's world.

Sweet Times

2012-01-20T19:48:00.002-05:00

Upon hearing that I spent the week caring for 5 children with strept throat and 1 with pneumonia, one would think that, by now, I would be ready to run into the nearest closet to hide.

That's not the case; at all.

This week has been such a blessing to me.

Isn't that strange?

How can that be? How can having 6 VERY ill children be a "blessing"?

It's because of the moments like the one captured in the photo, above.

That's our sweet Mary Helen and her baby brother Ben; namesake of this blog:)

Aren't they dear?

This picture was actually taken LAST week, before everyone fell so ill...but I posted it here because it contains the essence of what I witnessed amongst my children as we all rallied 'round and tried to get everyone back to good health again.

Jake and Laura, 15 and 16, respectively, were "mildly" under the weather, too; but they were well enough that they could still be a HUGE help to me; doling out meds, changing sheets, starting loads of laundry, fixing meals, etc...

Sometimes, family illness has a way of bringing all that is chaotic and busy in life to a screaming HALT.

We had no choice. For two days, I did nothing but hold Benny in my lap, with a fever of 104.7. Next to us and all around me, were "flopped" here and there, the other children...under blankets, rags on their heads, and cups of ice water near enough to "sip" so as not to become dehydrated.

Oh, and, of course, POPSICLES.

At times, everyone's headaches were too severe so that we couldn't watch movies or even read stories. They just needed quiet, stillness, a darkened room, and REST.

Daddy called to let his children know that he had paused in his work day to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet for them.

My eldest son called to remind us that he had a day off of work and was available to "run out" to the store, should any of his brothers or sisters need something.

As one or more of the kids began to recover, they would join our "nursing forces" and help tend to whomever was at his/her worst at the time.

Gracie, so loving and devoted to Mary Helen, slept for three nights on the living room floor because Mary couldn't leave the couch, but didn't want to be alone. (I was already in another bed with Ben). Oh, what good care Gracie took of Mary; even though her own head was aching. She laid cool cloths across her sister's forehead. She freshened the water and fluffed her pillows for her.

We had to cancel all appointments and visits on our calendar.

But, that's ok.

In some strange and funny way...we were content.

Does that make sense? Not really, huh?

And yet, it's true.

We were very mindful of the fact that although the kids were ill..so very ill...we knew they would get better soon. They do not suffer from any chronic or terminal illness. Their fevers would subside and we live in a free country where doctors are nearby and medicines are readily available.

As the days wore on, we were able to do a little more.

We watched some educational videos in place of our school lessons.
We read stories.
Jacob made everyone some lemon squares.
We printed out some coloring pages.
We read a chapter in our Geography book.

We cleaned...OH BOY did we clean.

I was wiping doorknobs, soaking Legos, running load after load of laundry, and vacuuming more times a day than I can count.

We opened windows and doors to let the freezing, cold, winter air blow freshness through the house.

Who knew that a week of illness could contain such hidden blessings of "sweet times"?

We loved and prayed each other through it.
We are closer. We are stronger. We are more thankful, now.

Although I'd never say that I'm glad my children were sick...I AM thankful that I am their mother and that God allows me the privilege of caring for them and tending to them when they are ill.

I saw many-a-moment like the one in the image at the top of this post.

Sisters and brothers, loving each other.

FAMILY love.

Sweet times.

Rain Chains

2012-01-16T20:15:00.000-05:00

I am so excited.

I came across something today that I had never heard of before.

I am hoping that one of the Friends of Benmakesten are familiar with rain chains and will be able to relay some personal experience in using them so that when I ask my husband if we can try some next summer, I will have some positive feedback to go!

One of the things I've never care for, as far as outdoor home features go, is the downspout...you know, that awful metal thing that links to the roof gutters and guides the run-off water out into the yard. I've tripped over them a hundred times and my kids always MOVE the thing that fits underneath it (not sure what this item is called but its job is to steer the water more evenly so that you don't end up with huge puddles)...Anyway, frogs and salamanders and other little creatures love to live under these and so my children are always lifting and moving ours to find their little friends; but never remember to put back the "whatever-its-called" after they are done! Thus, I not only trip over the downspout but then I trip over the "whatever-its-called" that the kids have left lying about in the yard.

Anyway, I stumbled across chain rain accessories online today and realized there was an entire website featuring these things! Apparently, they come in all sorts of styles and they are meant to allow the rain to flow freely, yet guided from the gutter on your roof down the rain chain and into the rain barrels. The chain links come in different styles...some were designed to look like flowers, some like little cups, etc...then there are electrical "water flow" controllers that come as an accessory. I imagine that does just what it says...controls the flow of the water down the chain?

In the end, instead of having an ugly old metal downspout, you have a lovely feature that looks more like a long wind chime of sorts...the rain flows down the links and into the basin. (Not sure how that gets to the rain barrel, for, as I've said, I'd never heard of these things before today.)

So...tell me...any of you ever use one of these lovely outdoor features? Do they work? Are they very expensive? Can you install them yourself? Do they malfunction a lot?

If you have one, do you love it? Like it? Dislike it? Hate it?

Leave a comment and tell me all that you know about "rain chains". I am very curious about this:)

A Not so Good/Not so Bad Kinda' Day

2012-01-11T23:26:00.002-05:00

I knew when I stood up to switch seats so that I could assist my son, Joseph, with his math work this morning, that the rest of the day was going to pan out differently that I had planned.

My head felt very woozy and the room was tilting and swaying.

"Ah-oh", I thought. "I've got *IT*".

Two of my daughters were already in bed, too dizzy and nauseous to get up for school.

A strange "something" had gripped them...no fever, no cough, nothing really...except a headache and AWFUL dizziness...

I hardly EVER get sick...but I knew that I wasn't going to be on my feet for long.

I managed to finish Joey's work with him...he got his English, Phonics, Spelling, and Math done.

"Good enough", I said. "Let's call it a day".

"What about the rest of us?" a myriad of voices asked, at once.

"Sorry, kids. Mummy doesn't feel very well right now."

That's all I needed to say.

"MOM IS SICK!" rang out through the rafters....little busy bodies ran here and there, offering tea, blankets, and pretzels (too cute).

It was so sweet how all of my children gathered round me to make sure I was "ok".

Even the two sickies from upstairs came downstairs so that we could all "zone out" together in one place.

I remembered that my Mum had told me about an online PA tv station that was filming live at FARM WEEK.

My son brought the laptop over and I found the site...and our "not so good" day ended up being a "not so bad" day as we were enthralled and excited by the shows we were able to see.

There were pony carriage races, and a "Sheep to Shawl" contest which was simply amazing...teams competing to card wool, spin it and loom it into shawls ...FANTASTIC and SO educational!

We laughed at the sound of the Auctioneer's voice as he rattled off bids for a Steer...my heart leaped for JOY as Mary, Grace, and Joe proceeded to explain to the rest of the family what "exactly" a "steer" is...for they'd recently learned about that in their Pioneer Unit Study.

Let me tell you, it is every homeschooling mother's dream to catch her kids in a moment when they are applying their lessons in a natural life-experience setting. Woo hoo! ("They ARE learning!" we think to ourselves.)

The rest of the day, we sipped hot, leftover potato soup, rested, and watched "The Farm Show".

I thought to myself..."Even an icky-I-don't-feel-so-good-day is a good day when I have these beautiful children by my side."

Still...it was even nicer when the room finally stopped spinning. (My dear husband offered me a nap after dinner...and that, plus a hot bath, seems to have done the trick.)

Tomorrow is the last day of the Farm Show.

I think we'll skip some formal classes to enjoy it!

If you'd like to check it out, you can do so, HERE.

Unseasonably Wonderful

2012-01-07T21:22:00.001-05:00

Our weather went from FRIGID to a sudden turn of "early Spring-like" temperatures yesterday.

After our school lessons were done, we ate lunch, cleaned up, and headed out to the fields to bask in the bright, warm, winter sun.

The sky was so clear and so blue; with just a white wisp of cloud here or there. It was BEAUTIFUL.

We needed only our sweaters, which the kids tore off after only a few moments of running :)

We lay down flat in the open field, to feel the rays soaking into our faces. At one point, we could see 6 streams of "artwork" left behind by soaring jets, zig-zagging across the vast canvas of the open skies; all at once!

I love the energy that children have. After a few rounds of football, Benji decided that he was thirsty. We all agreed and lamented that we hadn't thought to bring along some water. During the summer months, we have water out in the fields; but my husband shuts down the faucets when the weather turns cold enough to burst a pipe.

That doesn't stop energetic young children, however. "We'll go get some Mommy!" they cried...and, back to the house jaunted 3 of them to tote cups and a pitcher full of fresh, clear water! (Our field is about 1/4 mile from the house!)

"May we go to our mountain, Mommy?" they asked.

I smiled. I think back to when my eldest daughter, who is now 27, married, w/two children of her own, had a "Winnie the Pooh Tree". Why was it called that? Well, no reason, other than she used to spend hours circling this HUGE tree at the top of our road, 'round and 'round and 'round, singing the "Winnie the Pooh song". She LOVED that tree.

We're in a different house now and her young siblings now have "their mountain"; which, essentially is just a mound of dirt with a bent tree limb that holds their weight and thus, bounces perfectly, to become a pretend horse. This little spot sits at the front of our property...up the hill at the start of our driveway...but, close enough to the road that I don't allow them to play there unless my husband or I am with them.

"Sure!" I said. "Go to your mountain"...and off they ran...again...MORE energy. Oh! How I enjoyed sitting in that open field, under the warm sunshine, watching my children in their little grove of bare winter trees, bouncing on their pretend horse and climbing "their mountain".

I can't think of a nicer way to spend an afternoon.

I am so blessed.

My children are healthy, they are strong, they are imaginative, and they are FUN! They make me laugh and I am so glad that I get to be with them each day.

The highlight of our time outdoors, in the unseasonably wonderful weather, was a little snail that Sarah found.
I thought it was dead. She insisted it was not and proceeded to fashion a tiny "nest" in the grass for her new little friend. She gently laid him in his "nest" and waited and watched and waited and watched.

Along with being energetic, children are patient.

Sarah's patience paid-off.

She was right.

He was alive! And, he came out of his shell and delighted us for the next half hour, as we watched him crawl and stretch and carry his home upon his back.

TA-DA!!! SCIENCE LESSON; hands-on!

LOVE when that happens!

Mary Helen got a camera for Christmas. She loaned it to us yesterday, which made us very happy because we wee able to take some photos for our nature blog. (We haven't been able to post there for a long time because we've been without a camera...again.) We hope you'll stop by and see the little video we posted of
"Buddy, the Snail" and a few other highlights from our afternoon stroll along the trails and fields of:

HOME!

Essentials and Homeschool Blessings

2012-01-04T22:02:00.004-05:00

I was delighted to read this article on the FAR Above Rubies website today; at which I am a new contributor.

As I've been pondering my New Year's Resolution of "exulting in monotony" (see post before this one) I found this article to be quite timely and pertinent to the things that have been on my mind and in my heart lately as I gear up to forge ahead into 2012 with my family.

Here's a small portion of that article (which I hope you'll take time to read because it's really worth it):

Richele, the author of the post, writes:

Essentials to add in to your homeschool...

Morning devotions
A teacher that walks with the Lord.
Read aloud books
Play time
Tea time: a small break you take together and discuss the day, goals, or just sit and laugh
House Rules
A family cause: such as helping the homeless, joining a ministry at your church, sponsoring a child
Chores for everyone so all feel a part of the family and an important part of running the home.
Life skills
Character training

I smiled when I read the above because one of the bullet points is something that I've recently just decided to incorporate into our homeschooling days...TEA TIME! (One of my favorite books in the world is "For the Family's Sake" by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay...I have read it a BAJILLION times and picked it up again this past week...the author proclaims, quite enthusiastically, the blessings and benefits of a regular "tea time") I must admit, it takes a bit of getting used to...in a busy, homeschooling household, to intentionally PAUSE for a respite in the middle of the afternoon...instead of dashing straight on in to supper preparations, laundry, and whatever other myriad of tasks have been waiting for us while we were in school...but I can tell already that I LIKE "tea time"...a LOT. (Even if some of us have coffee, LOL)

As to the other "essentials" that Richele has listed, above...her list warmed my heart and I gave praise and thanksgiving to God...for I realized, as I read...that we do ALL of these things on a daily basis at our house...I felt so completely blessed to be at home with my children as I considered the things that were listed as being "essential" to the homeschooling day.

It also gave me pause to ponder something else. What if I were NOT at home with my children each day? What if they were in outside schools...in the public school system? Would these essentials be a REGULAR part of the 8 hours of their school day?

Here is the list again and my thoughts:

Essentials to add in to your homeschool...

Morning devotions: Although I have read of the renegade public school, here or there, allowing its students to gather 'round flagpoles or meet in a general room for "devotions" before or after school...I don't think that my children would be able to truly center themselves in prayer as we do now in our homeschooling environment...I love to listen to the intentions of my kids...they don't just give "lip service" to prayer...but they truly THINK of whom they'd like to pray for and why...sometimes, it brings tears to my eyes as they will often remember to pray for someone in need that I, in my shame, have forgotten. It would be difficult, in my opinion, for the children to exercise their freedom of faith and be able to boldly proclaim the LORD and His Word if they had to leave our home and attend schools where GOD is clearly NOT welcomed.
A teacher that walks with the Lord: I DO believe that there are MANY wonderful teachers "out there" who love Jesus and try their best to live according to His ways in their daily lives...Sadly, however, for the most part, I think that the system forces them to keep this "private" and "away from the school" whether directly or indirectly. Again, there are those who will "buck" the system...but for the sake of this article; which was meant to help us think of these things on a regular, consistent, and daily basis for our children...I think that it's difficult for a teacher to truly walk with the Lord if he/she is not allowed to share discussion or sing praises of HIM during the average school day. I am so thankful that I can "wear my faith upon my sleeve" in our homeschooling atmosphere...truly, EVERYTHING we do begins and ends with GOD in our average and every school day...I am able to share my faith and my journey in Christ with my children for the (approximately) 8 hours that they would be without that if they had to leave our home and attend school in the public system.
Read aloud books: This is something we do on a daily basis in our family and it happens to be one of my favorite parts of family life...the memories that have been created through the time we spend snuggling under blankets on Mommy's bed or on the couch or under a tree or at a favorite spot in our clearing...are priceless and add to the legacy of our life...my grown children read stories to their children that my husband and I read to them...I have been reading some of the same stories again and again for 27 years now...and never tire of it...the kids laugh at me for there are some tales I literally know by heart. It's not so much that children who attend outside schools can not find time to "read aloud"...they can...at school AND at home...by choice...however...it's more of WHAT is being read to them that I find to be vastly different from the types of books we read in our homeschool setting. In an effort to mirror "the world" the stories in the schools now-a-day sometimes do anything BUT build and restore FAMILY...train up children...inculcate character and conviction and faith...I have actually been rendered dumbfounded upon seeing some of the books that are on the "reading lists" in the schools today. MANY of the books, I would not even allow in my home; much less read them out loud to my children.
Play time...Just this evening, before our family rosary time...I smiled as I entered the living room to find 7 of the 8 kids still at home with us huddled around in a tight circle on the floor...building Lego blocks together! The eldest in the group was 16, the youngest, 4...they were laughing and talking and bantering over choice blocks; trying to persuade one or the other why THEY needed a certain one for their unique and special creation. Earlier, they had been enjoying a game of Hide-n-Go-Seek in the dark down in the basement...and a bit before that, they all made copies of Saint Agnes (from our new, fancy copier that my husband gave to us as a gift) so that they could color together at the dining room table.
Please don't misunderstand...we are a family who greatly enjoys Wii and computer games and other electronic gadgets (that we usually get to use when we visit people who have things like those "DSI's" and such)...but, I can accurately state that MOST of the play time my children get EVERY day is a natural form of play...make believe...board games...running and racing games outdoors...dolls...army...cops and robbers...I Spy...word games...building blocks...building forts...tents...clubhouses...playing house...playing dollhouse, etc... This list goes on and on for us...and I am told (and have read research to support the opinions) that many children of today's society do NOT get play time like this anymore...many of the schools have done away with Phys Ed altogether...and they have "banned" games of tag and dodge-ball and the like on the playground...that is SOOOO sad to me. One study I read stated that there is scientific evidence to show that kids today are actually losing the ability to "pretend" and "imagine" because so much of it is already done FOR them and they merely click a button or stare at a screen to "play". There are certain synapses in the brain that connect and thrive ONLY through imaginative play and many, many kids today do not get this on a regular basis.
Tea time: a small break you take together and discuss the day, goals, or just sit and laugh As I said earlier in this post...I am surprised at how much I am enjoying this new addition to our homeschooling day. I have always loved homeschooling lunch time because I get to eat lunch with my kids and we laugh and hang out together after working hard all morning...but this new little "tea time" is providing something else...something that enriches and refreshes and revives us before we head into the late afternoon and evening hours. I think the English were really on to something when they decided to make this a regular custom in their society. Obviously, if my children were not at home with me each day...I could not put a kettle on and share a cup of tea with them mid-day...I COULD do that after school...but in thinking back to the time when my older kids WERE in outside schools...there was next to NO time left after getting them off the bus...to pause and relax and enjoy a tea time together...we often had to rush back out to a school event...or do HOURS of homework, and work on getting the papers signed and backpack loaded for the next day etc...(Sheesh...I don't miss that, I must say)
House Rules: I know that there are wonderful, strong, loving families, whose children attend outside schools, that have "house rules" at home and try to teach their children a sound set of Christian beliefs and convictions so as to raise them up for the Lord. However, I also know, that there is a HUGE AGENDA which is being systematically played-out in schools today...wherein the enemy is succeeding in his attempts to ROB children of their purity and innocence and character and any convictions parents might have instilled at home...each day...I think of how, if my kids were to return to the school system...every day, that influence would have "rule" over them...and at the end of every day, my husband and I would be in a battle to UNdo what is fed to them there and attempt override it with our own set of core beliefs and morals.(Been there, done that...and once again..sheesh...I do NOT miss that, at all!) As time goes on, that gets tougher and tougher...we need only take a look at the breaking- down of families in America to see the effects...there IS an enemy who does NOT want our "house rules" to rule...there IS an enemy who wants to make the God--ordained and traditional family in America obsolete and invalid...I am SO thankful that my children need not be exposed to that in such an affronting way on a daily basis.
A family cause: such as helping the homeless, joining a ministry at your church, sponsoring a child This is another blessing of homeschooling for our personal family. We have a very flexible schedule. As such, my kids, when they reach an appropriate age, have always been able to volunteer at local (and sometimes not-so-local...like in Baltimore MD) food shelters to assist those in need in our communities.
We can also help out at Church during the day...and write letters to our sponsored child as part of our writing curriculum! I love how this is able to be so easily merged with our "school days"...these things are a natural part of our learning environment and education, in general.
Chores for everyone so all feel a part of the family and an important part of running the home: It's so nice to work along-side one another as a family. I love that I have been able to teach my girls about homemaking and that all of my children can take part in the keeping of our home on a daily basis. We are here at home EVERY day, ALL day (for the most part) and that provides me with many opportunities to instill a good work ethic through the implementation of daily chores. Yes, if my kids were not here with me each day, they'd still have chores...but again...how much time could I really devote to training them to do the jobs well and to carry on all of the wonderful discussions and life-lessons that occur while we are doing our chores together? More than likely, chores would become something we merely cram into our day since most of our day would be spent apart from one another if they were at school for 8 hours or more.
Life skills: I can't begin to express the benefits and blessings that homeschooling has brought to our family in the way of "life skills". It has always perplexed and somewhat humored me when people, who are against homeschooling, say things like "you are not allowing your children an environment which reflects reality and life in the world"...I have always seen it quite oppositely...where, in the "real world" will my children grow to hold jobs that have a room full of 30 other people born within a couple months of themselves? THAT is not "reality" at all...at home, we have a mix of generations and must learn to work together, communicate with one another, help those younger than ourselves (and older or infirm, at times) and...generally speaking...learn to work "as a team" with varying age levels, skill levels, personalities, and more...to me...that atmosphere is MUCH more similar to "real life". Having said that, "life skills" are what homeschooling is all about...we are teaching "godly living" day in and day out...sometimes we FAIL, miserably...but the point is that we are able to persevere and keep trying...we are able to teach things that are falling away and becoming obsolete in society...things like baking and sewing, crocheting, writing letters by hand, balancing a checkbook, counting back change correctly, table manners, ball-room dancing, how to stand and greet people in a receiving line...taking care of babies...gardening...and more. These are not "electives" or "extras" in our curriculum...but a natural, routine part of our average day (except the ball-room dancing of course...but we HAVE sent some students for lessons periodically!)
Character training: There IS "character training" in outside schools today. However, I think I've already made the point that the "character" that the school system thinks my children need does not coincide with our Christian way of life. That is sad...but true. I am blessed that my children are free to learn what it means to be a gentleman and a young lady. I can train them according to the Scriptures and we needn't treat our Christianity as something separate from "character training". When I teach the kids about compassion, empathy, forgiveness, integrity, work ethics, respect, etc...I am able to do so from a Biblical foundation and the "characters" we are training on a daily basis are formed in the image and likeness of GOD. We strive to increase in virtue, wisdom, and stature...and we there is no one in the next room trying to undermine or do away with the foundation that we are trying to lay for our children.

This post is not meant to be a "dissing session" on public schools. Rather, it is meant to express how thankful and blessed I feel to be able to be at home with my children each and every day. I'm so glad that my own daughter (who was NOT homeschooled) is now homeschooling HER children. I hope my son and his wife will choose to do the same when the time comes.

For now, I hope that those who read this post today, who have perhaps considered the idea of homeschooling but have been hesitant to take the plunge and make the lifestyle change...will find encouragement and HOPE in the thoughts I have shared on Benmakesten.

With the presidential debates heating up and all of the issues that America currently faces, it is my firm belief that the only way to restore this nation is to restore the FAMILY...and I think that homeschooling provides an opportunity to do that.

A New Year's Resolution

2012-01-02T19:29:00.000-05:00

The other day my friend shared a quote from GK Chesterton on her Facebook wall. I saw it and new, instantly:

"THIS IS TO BE MY NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION"!

Chesterton wrote, that we need to learn to "exult in monotony" as God does.

EXULT IN MONOTONY

The passage my friend shared went on to explain that God did not merely create daisies by putting into motion some blanket and automatic system by which ALL daisies came into being...but rather...that our God delights in monotony...and thereby makes daisy after daisy after daisy...never tiring of delighting us with His creations!

WOW!

To say that this was the perfect thing for me to read as I was pondering what sorts of goals I'd like to set for 2012 would be a tremendous understatement. It was more like God send me a personal note via my friend's FB wall and was saying..."This is for YOU, Judy...this is what I want you to strive for in the New Year".

To be sure, the daily life of a homeschooling mother with 8 of 10 children still at home (or any mother at home, for that matter) contains "MONOTONY".

Time and time again, we get up and we do the same things: Morning chores, school lessons, laundry, scrubbing, cooking, tending to squabbles and bickerings and whinings...wiping up spills, picking things up off of floors, setting the table, doing the dishes, then setting the table again, etc...

If one would list the monotonous set of tasks that the average mother at home does on an average day...someone reading ONLY that might never hope to BE a mother at home, LOL.

We, who live out this challenging, wonderful, blessed, and monotonous vocation...know that there is MUCH more to it than that...though "that" is a big part of what we are called to do over and over and over again.

Wouldn't it be wonderful...wouldn't it be magnificent...wouldn't it be worthwhile...if we would approach this by "EXULTING IN THE MONOTONY" of it all?

Like our Lord and Creator, God...who never tires of making daisies for us...

I resolve to try not to tire of caring for my family in the menial, repetitive, sometimes-seemingly-in-vain tasks and duties of my every day.

I will pray for the grace to see the value and the blessing in ALL of it...each making of the bed, each sweeping of the floor, each reminding to the children to do their work for school and the chores that follow and precede...

Every time we begin again and resolve to serve the Lord by serving our families with a joyful heart, then we are "exulting in the monotony".

The most extraordinary life is the ordinary life of a family.

Mr. Chesterton has reminded me of this with his beautiful writing and I am grateful to my friend for sharing it.

Are you a mother at home?

If so, I hope you will join me in learning to "EXULT IN MONOTONY" and may your New Year be richly blessed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2011-12-24T00:00:00.003-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS, FRIENDS OF BENMAKESTEN!

AS WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, WE ARE KEEPING

ALL OF YOU IN OUR DAILY PRAYERS AND HOPE THAT YOUR CHRISTMAS SEASON IS
FULL OF PEACE, JOY, and LOVE, THROUGH THE GRACE OF THE MIRACLE OF THAT

QUIET NIGHT, SO LONG AGO!

* I will be away from this blog until January 2nd, 2012 and look forward to another year of blogging with you!

The Eve of the Eve

2011-12-23T22:48:00.000-05:00

I guess tonight is Christmas Eve Eve...right?

I've been visiting some of my favorite blogs this evening; and many are asking, "Are you ready?"

"Yes!" my heart exclaims! I am SO VERY ready!

This has been such a wonderful Advent...and as it draws to a close, it was made all-the-sweeter by my husband, who actually "thanked" me for such a nice Advent yesterday. That was so sweet.

A while back, I told of how our family takes part in a traditions called "Kris Kringles" (which means "Christ Child")...we draw names...and we become that person's "secret helper" throughout Advent...giving them a small gift on Christmas Day to reveal our identity.

My heart was bowled-over with joy today, as my darling Joseph, age 9, told me that he has been Benjamin (age 4)'s "Kris Kringle" and when I asked what sorts of special and secret things he's been doing for his baby brother...he told me that he wrote a prayer and along with that, he has been offering a "Hail Mary" to God each night during Advent, for Ben.

To think of my nine year old son...tucked up "in secret" in his bed at night...praying for the boy in the bunk underneath his...

Well...let's just say that my Advent "was made complete" by hearing that beautiful story; and, once again, I am humbled by and learn from my children.

I can't wait for tomorrow...we will be baking cookies and making more peanut brittle to give as gifts.

We will be making our cranberry sauce and stuffing for the feast on Christmas Day.

My husband stocked up on juice for he knows that our sweet grand-daughter loves it and will be joining us, with her Mommy, Daddy, and baby brother on Christmas.

I love to put the presents under the tree at night...and in the wee hours of morning's darkness...I will light each votive candle that lines our mantle...and turn on the tree lights...and make a pot of coffee...and pray.

Then, I will be delighted to hear the first pitter-pats of the excited children coming down to REJOICE in the celebration of OUR SAVIOR'S BIRTH! Last year, that happened at 5:15 am:) I wouldn't mind if it were just a half hour later this year. (::snicker::)

We open just one gift in the morning...and then, get ready for Mass. Jacob has the honor and privilege of serving the Christmas Mass this Sunday...I am so happy for him. How wonderful to be SO CLOSE to our Lord in His Blessed Sacrament upon the altar on CHRISTMAS DAY.

Tonight...on the Eve of the Eve...

I am smiling and anticipating the joyous days to come.

I am thankful.

I am grateful.

I am full of JOY and WONDER.

An Unbelieveable Reality

2011-12-22T08:06:00.002-05:00

Last night, my teens and I watched the first half of a documentary called "Waiting for Superman".

Its purpose is to expose the educational system in America for what it truly is: "a failed system".

I didn't realize it prior to tuning in to the film, but I'd already watched the FIRST documentary the film-maker had made in 1999. They showed clips of it and I immediately recalled it as a fascinating, troubling, revealing, and poignant portrait of what teachers (who truly believe in their calling) go through in their first year of employment.

Of course, when I chose the "movie" for our evening viewing yesterday, my 15 year old son did not looked thrilled. However, I suggested, "Just watch it with me for a while. You might find it interesting. It's important for us to know and understand the current issues of our society; especially when they pertain to education".

I'm happy to say that both of my teens stayed for the whole-showing. We will be watching the last part of the film tonight (only because "Mom" couldn't keep her eyes open any longer to finish it last night, LOL)

As I prepare to start my day today, some very troubling facts are swirling around in my heart; facts that I learned from "Waiting for Superman".

For instance, did you know that only 12% of 8th graders in Washington DC can read at grade level?
IN OUR NATION'S CAPITAL!
ONLY 12% !
The numbers aren't much better in many other states across the country.
16%, 22%, 34%...

It was so disturbing to hear that kids in "the drop-out factories"; which is the technical term they give to the schools where they KNOW the system has failed but there is (supposedly) nothing they can do about it...

...that children, who were "B" students in the 5 and 6th grades, end up "D" students by the 7-9th grades.

As the man being interviewed on the topic had to say, "Either kids are getting "stupider" each and every year...OR...something is WRONG with the system!"

A certain school in California will...on average... (ON AVERAGE mind you....meaning, "regularly", "usually", "commonly") have 1200 outgoing eighth graders...but only 300 incoming Sophomores! Between 8th grade and 10th grade, they lose...ON AVERAGE...NINE HUNDRED students per year! This particular school, over the past 40 years (FORTY!) has had more than 40,000 drop-outs! That, of course, is 1,000 per year!

WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE?

My own hometown was a "featured" city in the film. Pittsburgh, PA...home of "Oliver" high-school...where
MOST of the students do not finish school and MOST of the students end up in the Pennsylvania State Correctional Institution...(i.e. PRISON).

I found the facts drawn from this subject particularly interesting...my brother happens to be a prison guard in a PA State Prison.

Here's what we learned:

It costs the state of PA, on average, more than 33,000 dollars a year to "house" a prisoner.
They need to be fed, clothed, provided medical care, kept secure, etc...and they don't work or pay taxes...
as the man speaking said, "This is one expensive hotel, man...and the money only goes ONE way".
But the interesting part was this:

The average person in that facility is serving a 4 year term. That amounts to $132,000 PER prisoner PER term. (Not sure how many are in the jail, total).

The average private school education in the area is $9,000+ per year. This means that one could be "given" or "provided by the state"...a "quality private school education" for THIRTEEN years...and STILL have monies left over for college; in comparison to the same scale of funds used to house the prisoners.

Astounding, isn't it?

One school in DC outfitted a student, some years ago, with a hidden video camera. The Superintendent of the district was dumbfounded to watch films of students playing "craps" in the classroom, teachers, with feet up on desks, reading the newspaper...and even one teacher, shoving a student's head into a dirty toilet...he fired all of the teachers on-spot...

BUT GUESS WHAT?

Due to the contract clauses of tenure enacted through the teachers' union...

He was forced to hire every single one of them back WITH A YEAR'S BACK-PAY!

WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE?!

My eldest brother is a retired teacher, who taught more than 40 years at a "Blue Ribbon" school in Pgh.
The students in his school DO graduate...they do get jobs...and many go on to college.

However, as "Waiting for Superman" clearly illustrates...there are many, many, MANY schools in this nation where that is NOT the case.

We were shocked to learn of the "lemon dance", which is a colloquial phrase that explains what they do with the "bad" teachers every year in a district. Because of "tenure"...they are not allow to fire these teachers...their jobs are "secure for LIFE"...Thus, they simply "pass them around" from school to school...trading the other schools in their districts for "lemons"...and hoping that the "lemon" they get isn't as bad as the one they are trading.

Coincidentally...my eldest daughter, whose former landlord teaches in the public school system in our area...was telling me how this woman has to break up fist fights between First Graders on a regular basis...has students shout the "F" word at her during class...and isn't allowed to mark an "X" on their papers...replacing it, with phrases like, "Good Try!" so as not to "squelch" self-esteem.
I was having a difficult time believing that those things were factual...
until I watched this documentary.

WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE?!

Tonight, we'll watch the second half of this enlightening documentary.

In the meantime, I will be praying for the children of this country...there are SO MANY who WANT to learn...who WANT to like school...who WANT to do something good with their lives...but, given the state of events in their every day life of education...they don't have a chance.

Please understand that I am not "downing" all outside schools because I happen to be a homeschooler.
In fact, my son, as he watched with me, suggested that someone should do a documentary on the GOOD schools and the GOOD teachers of America to "balance the scales" and give them due-credit.

My daughter interjected that the whole point of the documentary we were watching was to sound the "alarm" that the scales are beginning to be more-heavily-tipped in the wrong way in this nation...and that the "good schools" are becoming more difficult to find.

Still, I agreed with my son, for I know that there are GOOD TEACHERS out there...who are just as upset about this as we are. (My brother is one of them).

I am so glad that we are free to teach our children at home.
But...I am also glad that we, as a people, are free to choose which way we will educate our children and I feel that our government and Administration should make sure that parents have GOOD schools where they can trust that their children will be provided a safe, enriching learning environment.

Sharing a Good Find

2011-12-19T10:27:00.001-05:00

If you're like me, then you like the toys you choose for your children to be well-made, have value to them; educationally, usefully, family-oriented-ly (is that a word? lol) or otherwise; and to last as long as possible considering the way things are made these days.

I came across this site that features educational toys for kids and thought I'd share the link with you.

I like the way the site includes various categories; which, for me, makes "searching" quite easy.
Just click age group or price range, etc...and a whole list of pages comes up for your convenient perusal.

My sweet grand-daughter is a HUGE "Thomas the Tank Engine" fan and I was able to find lots of the individual trains and pieces here...many of them ON SALE!

There were lots of featured items on this site that were under $20 ! And, I even found a whole selection of "block building people"! We are big "block builders" in our house. Granted, these little people were designed to interlock with Lego-style bricks, not wooden blocks...and we don't have a big collection of Lego blocks at this time (something we did away with as "chokeables" when we had 6 babies in 7 years' time~ lol)...but for those who are currently into Lego....these little people would be SO cool!

Anyway, I was just having fun browsing for gifts online and I get excited when I find a good site; so, I thought I'd share!

A Day of Sharing in the Spirit of Christmas

2011-12-17T18:49:00.000-05:00

We had such a wonderful Saturday, today.

Mary Clare and I were up early, to say good-bye to my husband and Jacob, who were headed out to 7:30 am Mass and a Men's Retreat at our parish. Tom (my hubby) was giving a talk on being a "Christian Man and Living a Christian Family Life" and Jacob was giving one on "The Gift of Celebrating Christmas in a Christian Way".

I sipped my coffee and Mary Clare enjoyed some warm milk. She colored Christmas pictures and I read my emails and the news online.

When the other children woke up and after they'd had a small breakfast, we set to work doing our Saturday chores. I had discovered something VERY special and exciting on Facebook and I told the kids that if we worked hard to get our chores done early, we could participate.

A local movie theater, which is the old-fashioned kind that still shows films from a "reel" machine...posted on FB, that thanks to the courtesy of a nearby Moose Lodge, who wanted to wish the community a Merry Christmas, all families were invited to attend a 2 o'clock showing of the new "Smurfs" movie FOR FREE!

WOW! What a treat!

We waited for Jacob to get back home, had some lunch, and headed out to the theater. It was such fun and we were delighted to come out after the movie to find that it was pouring down SNOW! Our van was parked many blocks away from the movie-house so we enjoyed walking in the Winter Wonderland together.

We had burritos for supper when we got home and headed back out the door to take a meal of sausage, potatoes, and string beans to an elderly man from our parish who is in poor health and has trouble making-do for himself full-time. A couple times a month, a small group of us take turns taking dinners to him. My girls and I really enjoyed our visit; as we always do. Mr. S. LOVES to talk about art and books and writing and LIFE.
His JOY shines through his twinkling eyes and ear-to-ear grin. He always has a warm fire going and we feel so warm and cozy and welcome when we enter into his home.

I love days like today. We prayed, we worked, we played, and we served.

That's the true Spirit of Christmas.

I feel so blessed.

Music and Coloring: 2 of My Favorite Things

2011-12-13T07:59:00.000-05:00

Our Advent Calendar lists "Listen to Christmas music and color Christmas pictures" as our activity for the day.

Yay! I love music and I love to color!

We have been enjoying the activities on our calendar very much the past few weeks.

I needn't worry about remembering to turn the page each day, for Mary Clare and Sarah are always up bright and early in order to RUSH in and do the job :)

Each day's activity helps us, in some way, to "prepare our hearts" for the celebration of the coming of Our Lord which is almost here!

It reminds me of when I was expecting each of the children...how those last weeks are SO FULL of anticipation, energy, JOY, excitement, and WAITING.

Can you imagine how magnified those feelings must have been for the Virgin Mary as SHE awaited her "Little Arrival"?

And, what about dear, good, Joseph, her husband? Talk about a MISSION! Wow! I love to think back on my own wonderful husband as he would "kick into gear" when the due date of one of our babies would draw near. He always made sure that the gas tank was FULL...that the vehicle was pointing OUT toward the road for easy exit...that his cell phone was in his pocket and turned ON...etc...

We have a friend who understood these habits in my husband all-too-well for he has 8 children of his own...and he knows that my husband works several hours away from home...so HE would keep HIS gas tank FULL when my due dates were nearing, as well...just in case he was called in to duty as a good friend to help in a time of need should I have to get to the hospital with my husband not at home!

Even though they are men...this reminds me of the "Visitation" in Scripture when Mary traveled to her cousin Elizabeth, to help her in her time of need while she awaited the birth of John, who would come to be known as, "The Baptist".

I think I've mentioned on Benmakesten before...that our family takes part in the tradition of "Kris Kringles" during Advent. The name means "Christ Child". We draw a name from a basket and we become that person's "secret helper" during Advent...then, on Christmas morning, we give them a special little gift, thus, revealing our identity to him/her.

I enjoy seeing the kids dart about the house "on the sly" trying to help their "Kris Kringle". Beds are made before the sleepy person gets out of the bathroom to do his/her own chores...Daddy's lunch was mysteriously packed the other day...sometimes, breakfast in bed "appears" next to a delighted brother or sister...toys are cleaned up...pencils sharpened for school, etc...

Although it doesn't sound "like much"...to us, it is the essence of "preparing our hearts".

Loving one another, joyfully serving each other, and WAITING together, for the big celebration to come.

Often, it is said that today's world is such a far cry different from the one in which The Holy Family lived.

However, I think, upon a closer inspection, it is also very much the same.

I suppose it depends on how we approach "life" as a family; don't you think?

We CAN take time to sit and meditate quietly together...to make music with one another...to read stories aloud...to take walks outside...to rest and relax and help one another.

We needn't be swept away by the commercialism and materialism or relativism of "the day".

We can CHOOSE to immerse ourselves in this beautiful, holy, wonderful season of "waiting".

Today, my little family will listen to music and color some Christmas pictures.

How will you prepare your hearts as a family this week?

Seeing Children as Blessings

2011-12-08T17:26:00.000-05:00

I know that many blog posts throughout cyberspace have been published which state the exasperated thoughts of those mothers with "many" children, who have been subjected to the taunts, insults, persecutions, prejudices, and snide remarks from ever-the-many bold passersby.

However, today, I thought I'd post about the opposite type of experience.

I want to tell about the people of the world who DO see children as blessings and are not afraid to say so.

People such as:

* Our dentist, who is willing to block out a Thursday morning, every six months, so that my husband and I have the convenience of having all ten of us seen on the same day.

*His jolly receptionist, who passes out iPads by the few so that the kids can share them and enjoy some fun activities while they wait.

* His hygienist, who smiles from ear to ear each time she sees us coming and tells me how excited and happy the "Hygiene Team" gets when they see our family's name on the books for the day.

* My mother (and my dear Dad, too, when he was still with us), who always tells my kids that having her house filled with the sound of their voices and giggles is better than ANY medicine ANY doctor can ever offer.

* The ladies and gentlemen of our parish; who regularly tell us how BLESSED we are to have 10 children and how "babies and children" are the JOY of life.

* Other people who live "open to new life" who can relate on so many different levels and will smile, laugh, cry, and smile again...completely understanding what a blessing children really are.

* Visitors to our blogs and website...I receive SO MANY kind and loving comments, emails, phone calls, and letters in the mail that tell me that friends online and readers to our sites enjoy the glimpses they get of our family...that they keep us in their prayers....and that they see what JOY and BLESSING children bring by reading about ours.

So, you see? There are LOTS of people in this modern world who DO see children as blessings. And, I hope that the next time you hear the sour comments (for I realize they are real and they are many in number) you will, instead, recall this post and know that for each "down on large families" type of person out there...there is someone else who thinks that they are wonderful!

I am grateful for each of those people and their love and encouragement and support ADDS to our JOYFUL BLESSINGS!

Link by Link/Flake by Flake

2011-12-05T23:49:00.000-05:00

"The rolling of cookie dough and cutting out of snowflakes is so much more important than it seems to us at the time".

The above was stated by my daughter, Laura, 16, in a recent talk she wrote for the Ladies' Retreat at our parish.

The first time I heard it, it struck my heart and filled me with JOY; and, of course, my eyes with tears; the good kind.

Today, our little Advent Calendar said that we were to "make Christmas chains and put shoes outside bedroom doors for tomorrow's Feast of St. Nicholas".

The children were SO excited! Each year, we do these things. They are treasured Dudich Traditions.

We make simple red and green Christmas chains from art paper and hang them in the doorways between our kitchen/dining/and living room areas! They are SO FESTIVE! We also fill our kitchen with hanging, homemade snowflakes; and we add some of these to the large picture window in our dining room, as well.

Today, as we were crafting and laughing and talking together, Mary Helen suggested that we might be able to save the chains from year to year if we could find a way to store them without smashing them.

Immediately, Laura chimed in and said, "Awww...but that would take all the fun out of it...making a new one each year is our tradition...it wouldn't be the same if we just hung the same old one up every time."

I agreed.

At that moment, Mary Helen was stapling the chains together for us.

I smiled and said to her, "You know, Mary Helen, Laura is right...it's about the process of gathering 'round this table, all together, year after year to share this experience during the Advent Season. And...it's a right of passage in a way, as well. For instance, just a handful years ago, you were too young to staple these links together...and now look at you!"

All the Littles began to exclaim, "Next year, I will use the stapler Mommy! Next year, may I? Will I be old enough to make the chains next year?!?"

One of my best friends adds a unique twist to the "Christmas Chain" idea in her family. Rather than draping them across the doorways, as we do, they hang theirs vertically, like one long chain and add as many links as there are days in Advent. Inside each link, they write the name of someone they'd like to keep in their prayers.
Then, every day, counting down toward Christmas, they remove one link and pray for the person whose name is inside.

Isn't that lovely?

Family traditions are SO important and significant. Don't let the opportunity pass you by to start some, renew some, or continue to enjoy the time/tested/best-loved ones in your house.

My hubby always tears up at Fiddler On the Roof when Tevye sings his big song about "TRADITION!"

Of course, that whole movie is about a new generation trying do away with the old traditions and make new ones for themselves. I suppose that's ok to a point...but I'd like it if, interspersed with the new traditions, some of the old ones can be kept, too.

This evening, each of my children placed a shoe outside his/her bedroom door. Tomorrow (actually, 20 minutes from now, as I'm typing this post late at night) will be the Feast of St. Nicholas. Our tradition is to celebrate this wonderful man of God by filling the children's shoes with treats while they sleep.
This was the first "Christmas stocking" in olden days...and it still delights the kids (big and small, alike) today!

We will read about St. Nicholas and ponder the virtues that he most exemplifies...compassion, kindness toward others, help to the poor and destitute, etc...we will enjoy a coloring page and watch a video/cartoon about St. Nick.

Laura "gets it". She is right on target.

The little moments, spent together, preparing our hearts and home for Christmas are SO important.

Though the tasks may seem menial and some might be quite repetitive through the years...it is in the act...the process....the journey....the time spent as a family...centered in Christ...that the true beauty of the season lies.

P.S. I will add some photos to this post tomorrow:)

"Versatile" I Like That!

2011-12-02T22:52:00.000-05:00

My good friend, Erin, from Seven Little Australians and Counting, bestowed the "VERSATILE BLOGGER" award upon me today!

Go figure! Me..."versatile"!

I LOVE IT!

Anyway, here are the obligations that come with the award:

Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them.
Tell your readers 7 things about yourself.
Give this award to 15 recently discovered bloggers.
Contact those bloggers and let them in on the news.

I am happy to receive this award and I thank Erin very much! (Link to her blog at the beginning of this post)

Did you know that I:

1) LOVE to eat hot peppers; a little custom that I developed from snacking with my Dad, growing up...OH how I miss him and miss the days when we would cozy up to a plate of fresh, sharp, provolone (IMPORTED, of course), hot HOT peppers, hard salami (also IMPORTED), and a loaf of delicious Italian Bread...Mmmmmmmmm....those were the days:)

2) I am actually "shy", although people's perception of me is usually that I am "confident"...this is because, years ago, I read a book that suggested the "act as if" theory...stating that when you have something to do outside your comfort zone..."act as if" you are an expert at it...and do so consistently and diligently...and, eventually, you will "become" it. Thus, I try very hard to overcome my dislike of speaking in public or waltzing into a room full of people and starting a conversation, etc...And...apparently, the theory works...because most people are surprised to learn that I am shy.

3) I really don't care for cake all that much.

4) I'd MUCH rather have some brownies.

5) I wish I had a bread-dough making machine...I'm not that great of a bread-maker and somehow, I think this gadget would help.

6) I am not very creative but greatly admire those who are. I can look at samples and glean much from the ideas of others...but, as far as dreaming up things on my own...it doesn't usually happen that way.

7) I have a Dean Martin station on my Pandora Radio page. Yep. I do. Gotta' love Dean...and Frank and the boys.

Ok. Now that you know a little more about me...thence comes the next part of "The Versatile Blogger" award: PASSING IT ON TO FIFTEEN OTHERS!

Congratulations to the following VERSATILE BLOGGERS (not sure how "recent", "recent" is supposed to be...so I'll just try to link to bloggers who are fairly recent to ME...even if their blogs have been "out there" for a while:)

1. Reflections from a Homemaker's Heart
2. Hazeltree Farm
3. Down to Earth
4. A Bowl of Moss and Pebbles
5. Chocolate for Your Brain
6. Betty Beguiles

7. Candie's Chatter Box

8.Jerralea's Journey

9. We Are THAT Family

10. Conversion Diary

11. A Martha Heart

12. Women Living Well

13. Comfy in the Kitchen

14. A Glimpse of Our Life

15. Joy in the Everyday

TA DA!!!!WHEW!THAT was time-consuming...but....we did it!Thanks again, Erin, for including me in on the fun!And to all of the new recipients, above...CONGRATULATIONS on being "Versatile Bloggers"!

"I Surrender" Reviewed by LISA HENDEY!

2011-11-30T23:44:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite current authors and website owners is Lisa Hendey.
I'm sure many of you are familiar with Lisa as the owner of CatholicMom.com and the author of "The Handbook for Catholic Moms". She has a new book out now, as well, called, " A Book of Saints for Catholic Moms".

I am VERY excited to let you know that Lisa has read and reviewed my own new book, "I Surrender" on her website! WOO HOO!

She also invited me to give an interview for her readers and that is posted right after her review of my book.

I hope you will take a moment to read Lisa's review and to share a link to it with all your friends and family:)

My heart leaps for JOY in knowing that A) I wrote the book that I felt God was calling me to write and B) It is now being shared with the world and promoted by such noteworthy authors, speakers, and website owners as LISA HENDEY! WOW! That's just plain old AWESOME!

Here's the link where you can read Lisa's thoughts on "I Surrender", as well as my interview with her:
LISA HENDEY'S REVIEW OF " I SURRENDER" & INTERVIEW W/JUDY

Scents, Sights, and Sounds of Family

2011-11-30T21:39:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, we will return our school lessons and my darling husband will return to his work, after having been here at home with us since Thanksgiving Day.

We hope that your families have had a wonderful holiday (if you live in America and celebrate this occasion) and wish you God's blessings as you have been returning to your "usual" daily routines.

This past Sunday, we entered in to what is one of my personal favorite Liturgical Seasons; Advent.

Advent means to "journey to" something after a "long-awaiting"...in the weeks ahead, Advent will help us to focus our minds and hearts on Christ and to prepare ourselves (wait for) the great celebration of the Coming of Our Savior; both at Christmas and in the end of time.

We have been enjoying the activities listed on our annual Family Calendar; which we make every year from old Christmas cards and art paper. Each day, we turn to a new page and participate in whatever the activity is for that day...we read a bit of the Gospel according to Luke throughout the season...and do other things, such as: drive around town with the kids in their pj's, looking at Christmas Lights and listening to carols, writing letters to loved ones, donating coats and clothes to charity, making treats for neighbors, praying the rosary for those who don't believe, watching favorite Christmas movies, etc...

This season and these traditions fill our days with the scents, sights, and sounds of "FAMILY".

My heart has been filled to overflowing with JOY these past days as we have relaxed together, prayed together, rested together, feasted together, and played together.

Today, I was cooking up a storm...the girls were in the kitchen with me, helping to peel potatoes and chatting about this and that as we worked. The aromas of ham and potato soup, pork chops with soy/wine sauce, and freshly perked coffee filled the air...I was keenly aware of these things and silently thanked God for they brought me so clearly into His presence...even the smell of the dish soap seemed to be magnified as I washed my pots and pans by hand, taking care to dry them thoroughly before putting them away.

Upstairs, we heard giggles, bargaining, debating, and cheering, as some of the kids played their bajillionth round of Monopoly.

Downstairs, we could hear the buzzing and whirring of my husband's drill, as he put up a few more slabs of drywall.

Once in a while, someone would dash in or out the front door and the WHOOSH of fresh, cold, winter air would blast through the house, causing all of the Christmas Stockings to sway to and fro on the mantle.

Evenings were filled with stories, read aloud, and Christmas movies on Netflix.

As always, we gathered 'round before bedtime to offer a rosary for special intentions.

Shaking out the tablecloth, folding clean, warm loads of laundry from the dryer, and answering the phone to talk with my daughter, son, mother, or friends when they called...all added to the delights and wonders of our holiday week.

I kept thanking God, over and over in my mind...and felt so blessed to have a beautiful home, surrounded by a wonderful, loving family...there was food on my table, treats in the fridge, warm blankets on our beds, and good company to keep...

And, at the center of it all, as in all things in our life...was Christ.

He is the reason for which we give thanks...and He is the One we are thanking...for our freedom, for our
good health, for our many, MANY blessings.

The scents and sights and sounds of "family".

What more can a person want in their life on earth?

Are You Bored?

2011-11-26T21:31:00.001-05:00

Today, I had the pleasure of having 3 of my daughters accompany me to a "local authors book festival" in historic Berkeley Springs, WV; a small tourist town just "over the bridge" from us.

I was so thankful that my husband "held down the fort" for us as we were gone for a main portion of the day.

It was fun to have "girl time" together. We listened to music in the car and had such fun setting up our table, where I was to be selling "I Surrender", my new book! The girls' excitement was contagious. They were so eager to help and expressed how thrilled and proud they were that their mom had a table at this event:)

As we sat and chatted with the other authors, the girls (and I) began to become a bit perplexed at a certain question that kept finding itself repeated to them: "Aren't you BORED?"

We happen to think that spending a Saturday out on the town, selling books that one of us wrote, watching passers-by, drinking hot chocolate, and having permission to go across the street for a slice of pizza without your parents...is TONS of fun...

And yet, people kept looking at my daughters with a quizzical grin; asking the same thing time and again, "Aren't you bored?"

After a while, my girls looked to me for some answers. "Are we SUPPOSED to be bored, Mom?" they wanted to know.

I laughed and smiled and told them that I think that many people in this world today simply aren't used to meeting young people who are content and happy to be with their mother; no matter where they are or what they are doing.

This explanation rendered the girls a bit forlorn. They just don't understand it when they hear about kids not wanting to be with their parents and/or siblings.

I silently thanked the Lord, as I sat there with my girls. I thanked Him for their spirit of adventure, their helpful natures, their joy-filled dispositions, and their LOVE of family.

One of the authors came up to our table and shared with me that she had been "watching" us from afar, so-to-speak. She said that ever since we had sat down, she could sense a feeling of such "inner-peace" and "JOY" in each of us.

I smiled, and silently thanked God, once more.

I know, in my heart of hearts, that this woman had sensed CHRIST within us.

Ironically, she was an author who had written a book about reincarnation. I prayed for her as we sat "table-to-table".

"Lord", I said. "This woman senses Your presence in us. She sees the JOY that You bring to us and feels the PEACE that is within us because we love and follow You. Please lead her to truth and let her attraction to the peace and joy she senses in us, lead to her to a closer relationship with YOU".

Some of the books on display today were of a very "dark" nature.
Some of the visitors to the book fair were involved (in very flamboyant and intentional ways) in sinful lifestyles.

It was a definite learning experience for my daughters; and for me.

I was glad we were there.
I was glad that we were there to display a book about loving JESUS and making Him the center of your daily life.
I was even glad that people asked my daughters if they were bored so that my daughters had the opportunity to smile at them and say, "No! Not at all!" in return.

A highlight of our day came when "Mr. Lincoln, himself" stopped by our table to page through my book!
He was kind enough to let us take his picture:

I have to admit that I found myself wondering what this world has come to when 3 young girls can not accompany their own mother to a cultural event without raising an eyebrow or two.
Shouldn't this be a norm?
Shouldn't young ladies be expected to be in public places with their mothers?
And, further, shouldn't it be "usual" and "common" and "normal" for them to enjoy themselves while they're at it?

I delighted in seeing my sweet Gracie, age 10, make her way around to the authors' tables; asking questions about books and engaging in small talk with the writers.

I was proud of Laura, 16, who offered to take the girls for a pizza lunch and a short walk around town at noon.

I loved seeing Mary Helen's face light up when children would come to our table with their parents and we'd give them our little "treat" packet of an envelope of hot chocolate, a blueberry candy cane, and a business card for our Homeschool Faith and Family Life Website; all tied together with pretty lavender-colored ribbon.

And, I was happy and thankful in knowing that my girls truly were not bored, but were glad to be with me, their Mom...on a bright sunny day, in a lovely little town, selling books about the Lord we love, and sharing a day that was a "memory-in-the-making" for us all.

A Reminder of My Blessings

2011-11-22T13:36:00.001-05:00

I accompanied my dear friend to the medical center this morning because she was scheduled for a CAT Scan.

As we joined the others in the waiting room, I noticed a man wearing a NAVY cap on his head. He was an older gentleman and my first impression was that he must have been a WW II Vet. They all seem to have a certain "look" about them in common, don't you think?

Like my friend, this man was sitting there to drink two large doses of the Barium needed when preparing for a scan. He exchanged a few comments with me about how nasty that stuff is and how he was glad he hadn't eaten anything like they'd told him not to because it most likely wouldn't have "stayed down".

I looked at him...and, of course, found myself REALLY missing my Dad. Oh, how many times my dear Dad had sat in such a waiting room, drinking Barium, waiting for a CAT scan. And, just like this kind gentleman, my Dad would engage in small talk with those around him...telling all about his kids and grand-kids and great grand-kids ...like this man was doing with me:)

While my friend was escorted to the x-ray room, the man smiled and said, "I just lost my daughter not too long ago...she was only 56 and had cancer". "Oh my...God bless you...I am so very sorry", I replied.
"I think losing her own son was just too much for her", he went on. I asked, "You mean, you also lost a grandson?" "Yes", he told me. "He was only 22. He went out to buy a motorcycle and never made it home with it because he wrecked on his way back and died...his younger brother ... made it home from the front lines in Iraq...but he couldn't make it home on a motorcycle...aaaahhhh, these kids, today...he was a good boy, too." "Oh, sir...I am truly so very sorry for the suffering your poor family has endured".

He smiled at me.
I smiled back at him.
I REALLY missed my Dad.

Then, in the typical style of his generation, he grumbled, "I didn't expect this to take so long...I thought I'd be in and out". "Well", I replied. "Usually, you need to sit about an hour after drinking the Barium before they can take the scan". "But, I'm supposed to be mopping the floors", he said. "Yesterday, I did the vacuuming; today was supposed to be floors...all the kids are coming home for Thanksgiving...we usually have 20, but this year only 10...I didn't think this would take so long".

"You'll get the floors done", I smiled. "Only...a little later than you'd hoped".

I REALLY missed my Dad.

Just then, they called his name.

He smiled at me.
I smiled back at him.

"Off I go", he said.
"Yep...off you go", I answered. "God bless you and have a Happy Thanksgiving".

As I sat waiting for my friend and thinking about my "new" friend...and missing my Dad...I was reminded of how greatly blessed I am.

And, as I often do, when speaking to a man of my father's generation, I felt "in awe".

Here he was, struck with tragedy after tragedy in his own family...losing a grandson...then a daughter...and, most likely having seen action in a World War...

...and yet...he was smiling...and chatting with me to pass the time of day as we both waited.

That's the people of my parents' day...they still smile. They still say "hello" and "have a nice day".

They have a story ready and waiting to be told at the drop of a hat.

Their smile grows wider when they talk about their children and grand-children and great-grand-children.

My husband is healthy.
My children are healthy.
No one in my family is without work this year.
Our grand-babies are thriving and growing like weeds.
We have a roof over our head (that DOESN'T have holes in it from a tornado, like my daughter's does)
We have good food; and plenty to share.
We have a place to lay our heads at night.

I am so thankful that I spent the morning with that wonderful man.
He reminds me that, in life, things can sometimes go wrong; very, very wrong...and yet, life goes on, and God continues to bless us through our families and our Thanksgivings and our nation and our freedom and our friendships...

...and even, in a casual conversation, while sitting in a waiting room at a medical center.

As my husband often reminds me:

"Remember to look for the JOY...it is all around you."

I saw JOY in the sad, kind, and smiling eyes of a Veteran today.

And, the thing about JOY is...it's quite contagious!

::SMILE::

Thankful for this Award

2011-11-21T23:07:00.000-05:00

My good friend, Karinann, has presented me with the above award; for which I thank her and send her this virtual hug ((((Karinann))))).

I am now to share 7 things about myself and then bestow this great honor upon five other bloggers.

SEVEN RANDOM THINGS ABOUT ME:

1) Well, this might not be breaking news to those who know me well, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE scented candles. My all-time favorite one I've ever had was a "candy corn" scented one that I received for my birthday several years ago. Haven't ever been able to find that scent again...but still have the remnants of it in the original jar so I sometimes just take the lid off and enjoy the "leftover" aroma!

2) Jolly Ranchers and Red Vine Licorice are my two favorite candies.

3) I love to play games...word games, board games, outdoor games...any old games...just love 'em.

4) Every once in a while, I enjoy "tackling" a lengthy book or a classic that I've never read but have always wanted to...a while back, I took on Dostoyevsky's "Crime and Punishment"...and soon...I will be reading "Hard Times" by Dickens and "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde.

5) I would like to learn to knit.

6) My Confirmation name is: Elizabeth.

7) I love sending and receiving letters in the mail.

And now, I shall bestow The Stylish Blogger Award upon the following lovely bloggers:

* Mrs. Santos

* Gae

* Ruth

* Laura

* Rebecca

Lovely Young Maidens

2011-11-20T16:02:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of escorting the JMJ Girls Club to my friend's house, who was graciously hosting the gathering so that the girls could join together in an act of service/love for another friend of ours, who is in need.

The JMJ Girls, as you might have seen mentioned before on my blogs, is a new club that two of my daughters have founded and consists of 9 girls, total. Some of their goals include:

* forming godly friendships
* practicing joyful service for family, Church, and community
* spiritually serving others through prayer
* learning communication and computer skills by writing/publishing a monthly newsletter
* Having FUN with crafts, field trips, and other activities

JMJ stands for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph and the girls honor The Holy Family as the perfect model of Christian love.

Yesterday, the purpose of their gathering was two-fold: One, they were making a delicious meal for a friend of ours who has five children and is undergoing cancer treatment; and two, making a Christmas craft/ornament to hand out to people at their churches which included a lovely prayer for priests and an ornament with the name of priests from our county...the recipients of these ornaments will commit to praying the prayer for the priest on their ornament all through Advent.

The girls began their meeting by praying a decade of the rosary for the woman they would be cooking for.

Truly, the prayers of children must be such a delight to Our Lord. I know they are to me!
It filled my heart to overflowing JOY to see these sweet girls gathered 'round in a circle on the floor, faces smiling and soft voices joining together to pray.

Soon, hustling and bustling filled the home as we split into two groups: One mom and four girls in the kitchen, cooking...and myself and the other four girls (one girl couldn't make it to our meeting yesterday) in the dining room, making the ornaments.

After a little while, the girls switched places so that each had the opportunity to both cook and craft.

I was amazed at how well the girls worked together in a natural way. We Moms did not need to direct them, other than to explain what it was they were to do...from there, they took over and we merely helped where we were needed.

I watched as they discussed the best way to set up their little assembly line to make the ornaments. One girl offered to cut the tissue paper to size...another wrote the names on the ornaments...and so it continued, each one seeing where the need was at the moment, and joyfully stepping up to volunteer to do it.

All I could think of was "lovely young maidens".

In this world where so many things we see on tv, hear on the radio, read in the papers, or see in the streets is anything BUT "lovely", it did my heart tremendous good to see these beautiful young maidens of God...giving up their Saturday to help others; and doing so with ear-to-ear smiles upon their faces.

After cleaning up from their work, our host-Mom treated the girls to some yummy cookies, a freshly made pitcher of lemonade, chocolate pretzels, and popcorn.

I felt so thankful, and quietly thanked the Lord, for allowing my daughters to be a part of such a wonderful group of friends.

The girls voted on a "logo" to adapt as their official signature for the JMJ Girls' Club. We are hoping to somehow make it into an iron-on transfer to make tote bags at a future meeting.

After enjoying our snack and choosing a logo...we piled back into my van and delivered the DELICIOUS meal that the girls had made to our friend in need.

On the menu was: salisbury steaks, roasted potatoes/carrots and butternut squash, focaccia bread (sp?), and banana fudge brownies!

Busy little girls.
Lovely young maidens.

It gives me hope to think that these are the wives, mothers, teachers, and women of God for the future.

I am encouraged and inspired by their love, kindness, zeal, and willingness to SERVE!

Homemade Butter, Origami, and Pomegranate Treats

2011-11-15T23:32:00.000-05:00

I love the days when "simplicity" permeates our daily life journey.
The less cluttered, the less busy, the less complicated...the happier I am.

Sometimes, we found ourselves having a day that flows with a natural rhythm and routine and God blesses us with with simple pleasures that bring such joy and peace and harmony to our days.

Today was like that for us.

The kids and I got our school work done nice and early. This left time for a fun supplemental activity to enrich our studies about Pioneer Days.

We made our own butter!

We had such fun taking turns shaking and jiggling the mason jar full of heavy whipping cream. The kids passed it all around the kitchen and even got down on the floor in a big circle and rolled it to each other for a while!

We decided to put a little oomph in our butter by adding parmesan cheese, garlic powder, a tiny bit of salt, and a pinch of oregano...Mmmm, what a tasty spread for our crackers!

We had some leftover hot sausage from last night's dinner...so the girls warmed this up and cut it into bite-sized pieces, "hors'deuvres-style" to share around the table.

My hubby surprised us by putting one of our favorite wintry treats into the fridge without us noticing until today! POMEGRANATES! These are usually VERY expensive in our area...but he got a couple for a good price and we all had a little taste! YUM! Benny thought it was so funny how it turned our fingers purple!

Being the typical homeschooling mother that I am, I threw a little extra math into our "equation", as well; asking things like, "If my pomegranate has 36 seeds and I want to eat only a quarter of them; how many seeds will I eat?" I thought that the older kids would answer first and was surprised when Joey, age 9, shouted, "FOUR!" Yay, for the fourth graders!

Our little kitchen/dining room was filled with such joyful chatter and laughing and it was so wonderful to be home with each other for lunch. This is always one of my favorite parts of homeschooling. I get to have lunch with my kids every day!

Later, for supper, we enjoyed a big pot of homemade soup that we had had simmering all afternoon. Of course, we had to make second batch of our yummy butter-spread so that my husband could have some with us, too!

After chores and baths and what-not...Joey and I cuddled up for the next chapter in the great book we're reading aloud, called, "Francie on the Run". Tonight...an Irish tale was being told about a man who was trying to outwit the devil and his companions!

We decided not to watch any videos this evening (as is a usual form of entertainment before bed-time around here). Instead, we all went up to Mary Helen and Gracie's room and had fun with an Origami Kit that we'd forgotten we had! We made pigs, goldfish, a pencil, and a carton of french fries! I couldn't quite get the complicated dinosaur to work before my husband called everyone together for the rosary. I will try my hand at it again another day. (The dinosaur, that is.)

I love being home and learning along-side my children each day.

I have learned such interesting things this week. For instance, do you know what makes an "ox" and "ox"?
(Well, since many of my online friends are awesome homesteaders, you probably DO...but I didn't!) An ox is a male calf that has been neutered; which makes him a steer...and when he reaches four years of age, and is trained to work at the yoke, he becomes an "ox". If a steer younger than four years is trained to work, then he is not an "ox" but a "working steer".

Teaching my children at home provides so many opportunities for me to learn new things.

We are all learning together.

And, hopefully, we are all growing together: intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually; each of us striving to reach our full potential as a child of God.

It's a simple life.

And, we love it.

Branches of Blessings

2011-11-11T22:32:00.001-05:00

Today, the children and I put together our "Tree of Thanks"; an annual custom that we have as we near the Thanksgiving holiday.

We take some branches from the yard and place them in a vase. Next to it, we put a basket; filled with "leaves" that we have cut from construction paper of Autumn colors and punched holes in the tips. A pen is in the basket, also.

During the days leading up to Thanksgiving, all, (including visitors) are welcomed to write things for which they are thankful upon the leaves and hang them on the "tree".

As I share this post with you and look to my left, I see the tree...branches of blessings...already filling up with some-15 or so leaves. (Should be pretty full by Thanksgiving!)

It delights me to see the little colorful leaves dangling from the branches. And I am moved in spirit as I read some of the things the children have written. One child is thankful for "reason and understanding", another for "good health"...still another is thankful for "friends", and one more is thankful for "life"...one of the boys, of course, is thankful for "pie"!

I'm glad we have the tradition of the "Tree of Thanks"; for if we didn't, I might not know that these are some of the blessings in my children's lives.

I read something recently that begged the question, "What if all I had today were the things I thanked God for yesterday?"

Our little "Tree of Thanks" helps us to keep an "attitude of gratitude", as my dear friend Colleen Spiro likes to say.

These are the things that make for beautiful memories in the years to come. Memories that are lasting.
My son, who is now married and raising two babies of his own, still delights in hanging leaves upon the "Tree of Thanks" when he comes to visit...last year, my heart was filled with JOY to see that my daughter-in-law had hung a leaf, too. It said, "I am so thankful for my wonderful family". This meant more to me than words can say.

Today, my eldest daughter, who is also married and raising two sweet darlings of her own...sent me a photo of my grand-daughter via email and the subject line read, "Hi Gram! We learned about Pilgrims today!"
The photograph was one of my sweet grand-daughter, donning the beautiful construction paper Pilgrim hat that she and her Mommy had had such fun making together.

More memories.
Lasting, and good.

Take some time during these last weeks of Autumn.
Take time to enjoy (or create) some family traditions of your own.

If you homeschool, like my daughter does, slow down and have fun with some crafts and special projects that reflect the season.

It doesn't seem like much.

But, when I sit down to my kitchen desk and type a blog post, and I look to my left and see the "Tree of Thanks" in full Autumn-bloom...

My cup runneth over and I am filled to overflowing with JOY.

Saturday Fun at the Dudich House

2011-11-07T11:46:00.003-05:00

Once upon a time, in the beautiful woods of Pennsylvania, on a bright, chilly, Saturday, at noon...


this happy couple decide to take a break from their chores and have a lunch-time campfire with their kiddos!

They call all the kids...from the "baby"...

...to the teens...

Hats are needed on this cold, Autumn day!

How happy the little girls are when their big sister makes hot cider to add to the fun and warm us all!

The fare for the day is, of course, HOT DOGS, on a stick (along with some French Fries from the indoor oven!)

Daddy knows how to get them "juuuust right" and keep them from falling into the fire!

It's helpful to bring along the "condiments"!

No one minds the smoke or the soot...even when some is left behind on cute little cheeks!

"Yum, yum!" say the little girls!

It's been said that "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree"...we have noticed that "the NUTS don't, either!"

The Clearing

2011-11-06T17:45:00.001-05:00

There’s a clearing in the woods.
It sits in the heart of the forest, underneath a sun-lit sky.
It is a magical place, a quiet place, a sacred space where God awaits.
It is a place where children run free.
They climb, they run, they explore, they pretend.
They are soldiers hiding in the trenches.
They are Pioneers, headed West on the Conestoga Wagon Train.
They are Pilgrims, processing in prayer and song.
They are rock climbers, cave dwellers, fort-builders.

The clearing has a tree; a towering Hemlock; great for climbing.
On it, is a sign bearing a young boy’s name, for his parents gave him
this tree on a Christmas, long ago.
Under its canopy, stands a bench; the handmade gift of an older brother,
to go along with the tree.
This spot has welcomed many a tired climber.
A respite, a place of rest, a seat where one can relax and lookout upon
the vast expanse of wilderness; and ponder its Creator.

The bench by the tree in the clearing
has become a favorite place to the children’s mother.
She brings her rosary here and offers prayers for her friends and family.
She totes whatever book she is currently enjoying; and sometimes
brings a thermos full of hot, steaming coffee to add to the ambiance
of her time in the woods; it’s aroma wafting up into the billowing clouds above.

Always in the clearing in the woods, He is there.
The Lord God on High, Master of the Universe…this Universe.
It belongs to Him.
It is His gift to them.
They know that they can find Him there; that He is always waiting to greet them.
He delights in their antics and cherishes their giggles and red-tipped noses that
have chilled in the frosty air.

The clearing in the woods is a refuge for those who have had a trying day
and are searching for some time alone with God.
It is a classroom for young scientists who are learning about insects and
reptiles and plants and things.
It is a world of adventure to be shared with a visiting friend.
It is a Grotto when Our Lady is carried there in prayerful song and placed
upon her table of honor with music playing to keep her company.

One can sing to one’s heart’s content in the clearing.
Only God is listening and He doesn’t mind if the notes are off-key.
One can dream and think and discern and wonder.
One can hope and decide and plan and admire.
One can create and search and find; in the clearing in the woods.

It is a family place; a private place, a sacred space.
It is a lovely clearing. A beautiful clearing. A peaceful clearing.
It is our clearing; for which we are so truly thankful.

A People Gathered in His Name

2011-11-03T21:27:00.001-04:00

Yesterday, we were honoring the feast of All Souls Day.
On this day, in particular, we pray for the souls in Purgatory; the faithful servants who have been granted their Salvation by grace and are in the time of "purification as through fire", in order that they will made "perfect as their heavenly Father is perfect" to enter into the Kingdom.

Just as the word "Trinity" is not found in Scripture; yet, all Christians profess their belief in the Triune God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,Three in One, so too, has the Church provided a word (Purgatory) for the time, after death, of "final purification", which we find mentioned and supported in MANY Scripture passages, including, but not limited to the following:

Matthew 12:32, 1 Cor. 3:15, 1 Cor. 3:17, 1 Cor. 15:29-30, Revelation 21:27

When explaining Purgatory to children, I often tell a little story about being in the garden all day on a hot summer day...working, sweating, digging, and getting really filthy. What, I ask, would happen, if my wonderful, loving spouse would come to the garden to invite me to an evening of fine-dining in an exclusive restaurant? Each child quickly understands and answers, "Well, you'd have to go take a shower first!".
"That's right!" I answer...
We would know about our evening date to come, we would WANT to be there, and we would be very very excited about it...but,we would ask our spouse to give us time to "clean" ourselves up first. This is like Purgatory. Salvation came to these souls by grace, they know they are going to heaven, they SEE God in the Beatific Vision and ALL HIS GLORY...but...because of their own imperfections and faults that were with them when they died...they WANT to "be made clean" first...they enter into the fire of purification to be "made perfect as their heavenly Father is perfect" before going to The Feast! We call them "suffering" souls in Purgatory...because their suffering is the most intense yearning/desire that can exist...they SEE heaven, they know they are destined to be there, and yet...they are WAITING and being made clean; thus this intense longing becomes their suffering.

(I just thought I'd mention that and clear it up before getting to the point of my post ::smile::)

The children and I left home to go to Mass early yesterday morning, planning to join with our parish community in celebrating the Risen Christ in honor of the feast day.

As we sat quietly, preparing ourselves for Mass, it became apparent that we had come to the time when Mass should have started...but didn't.

A woman came to the front to announce that the visiting priest for whom we were waiting had not arrived.
They tried to call him but there was no answer, other than the voice-mail. This is not at all the "usual" for Father Smith, our sub-priest. He is almost always EARLY. We prayed for his safety and well-being.

At first, our hearts were so disappointed...we had come for Mass and there would be no Mass. We longed to receive Our Lord in Holy Communion, and now, it would not be.

Later, the children and I talked about the times long ago, when the faithful lived in persecution and had to go, sometimes for months or more, without a priest...without the Mass. Oh! How they must have longed for the Sacraments.

Perhaps the people of long ago times experienced similar beauty, love, community, fellowship, and blessings together as we did...in the absence of our priest and the Mass.

Dear Marion, a beloved member of our parish, went to the podium to lead us in the day's readings. Paula, who sings like an angel, and is our regular cantor/choir leader, led us in song. Barbara, dear cherished Barbara (who only just a few weeks ago lost her husband) suggested that we all pray a rosary. Afterward, we decided to join in The Divine Mercy Chaplet.

No "smells and bells" (as people sometimes quip about us Catholics, lol)...just plain and simple people, gathered in prayer, to worship, to honor, to LOVE the Lord their God with all their hearts and all their minds and all their souls.

We stayed on in the pews, kneeling, sitting, praying in silence before the Tabernacle. Eventually, people began to rise and leave the church; some headed out to our cemetery to say some special prayers for their deceased loved ones.

I felt so thankful that the children and I shared this special time with our parish family.

There is a sacred beauty to a shared belief and the words of Jesus remind me that "Where ever two or more are gathered"...then HE IS ALSO THERE.

NOTE: So as not to cause you to worry about Father Smith...it ended up, we found out later, that there was a misunderstanding about the TIME of the Mass; which is usually at 7:30 am each day, but yesterday, had been changed to 9 am. Poor Father Smith was there at 7:30 and...found the Church without a congregation.
By the time we all arrived at 9, he was gone.

Pillows and Sheets

2011-11-01T14:06:00.001-04:00

Lately, I've been waking up in the morning with a bit of a stiff neck :(

I am convinced that this is due to my pillow. This past Spring, I blogged about how excited I was, at that time, to be "redecorating our bedroom". We got a new bed-set, sheets, window treatments (aka: "curtains" where I come from!) and pillows!

When it came to the pillows, I spent more than I had ever done before...not a lot, in some people's worlds, but for me, who was used to purchasing pillows for a few bucks at cheap stores, spending $20+ per pillow was pretty exciting; and made me think I was going to be resting upon LUXURY!

Firm, yet not too firm, soft, yet not too soft. Know what I mean?

I also purchased sheets that were on a close-out sale; matching them carefully to the color of our new comforter set...WOW! Sheets that MATCH my bed covers? THIS was surely a "newby" in my book, as well!

Imagine then, how disappointed I am that my "expensive" pillows have turned to MUSH in just 6 months' time...Hence, the reason I am awakening each morning with a stiff neck.(Having to fold my pillow in half a time or two, just to get it "fluffy" enough to sleep on!)

As for the sheets, they are lovely. However, I paid no mind at all as to what "quality" of sheet I was getting. I've been reading about this and it seems that everyone raves over 1000 thread count sheets; and that things like: "fiber quality", "yarn size", and "finishing" (whatever that is) also play into how "good" your sheets are.

So, tell me, Friends of Benmakesten. What are you all sleeping on these days?

Do you put much effort (and hard-earned cash-ola) into "super quality" pillows and/or sheets?

Are you a pillow expert? If so, give me the goods, please...where/when/how do I go about getting a GOOD pillow. I want to learn. Although, I do NOT want to invest hundreds of dollars into this matter...which is probably why I have pillows that give me a stiff neck, right? Ahhh, but such is life.

What about sheets? Do you actually go down that little "check list" when you purchase them? Or, are you like me; scanning the sheets according to color and what's on SALE?

ENLIGHTEN me.

Tell me all about your pillows and sheets!

Hopefully, you will lead me to something that does NOT cause a stiff neck in the mornings!

The Simple Things that Will Stay in a Heart Forever

2011-10-26T23:05:00.000-04:00

One of my best friend's grandmothers lived in Pgh when she was young, which, if you've been a Friend of Benmakesten for good length of time, you might know, is where I grew up, as well.

The other day, as we were having an email discussion, my friend mentioned that her grandmother used to enjoy getting dressed up and going "Down Town" in Pgh.

Oh! The memories that came flooding back to me in that moment! How I cherish the thought of riding the street cars "Down Town" with my Mum; looking in all of the beautiful store windows: Gimbels, Kaufmann's, and others. Men on the street would sell soft pretzels from their carts. All sorts of people were coming and going in and out of shops everywhere!

When I was a bit older, in my teens, my mother would REALLY treat us and bring home egg rolls from our favorite "Down Town" shop! Mmmmmm....I can still taste their crispy-goodness!

Closer to home, we had Isaly's...the deli/dairy store...and we would enjoy buying "chipped ham" (a "Pgh" thing!) and a HUGE sour pickle so that we could go home after Church and make ham sandwiches on toast and eat our pickles while we watched the Rege Cordic Movie Matinees on tv.

Funny, isn't it? ALL that came back to me just from reading my friend's comment about her grandmother going "Down Town".

Actually, what we had been discussing was that people long ago seemed to understand simplicity and the little pleasures of ordinary life...we were trying to figure out exactly when/how/why the generations became so greedy/materialistic/shallow and selfish in their pursuits and indulgences.

Then, it occurred to me...it is vitally important that we, as parents, provide SIMPLE MEMORIES that will last forever for our own children such as the ones that filled my heart and mind as soon as I read the words "Down Town Pgh".

What will my children remember fondly?

Perhaps, they'll enjoy thinking back on the vases of flowers that we loved to clip from our yard and place in the center of the dining room table and at our family altar? Or, maybe they'll like to think about sitting on the front porch; eating pretzels and sipping Pomegranate Iced Tea. I'd like to think that they will have a treasured place in their hearts that remembers and enjoys the scented candles that I like to light each evening for their coziness and comfort.

I hope that when someone mentions "snow" when my kids are grown up...it will evoke fond memories of sled riding and snow boarding in our woods...of making snow-angels in the yard...of building forts and igloos and snowmen together.

And, when someone talks about camping or tents...I do so hope that my children will immediately conjure up happy thoughts about the campfire circle in our yard...and banana boats and s'mores...and friends coming to stay for the weekend in their tents and campers.

I hope my kids enjoy thinking back on our read-aloud fun...and the time we share snuggled up each evening, praying a decade of the rosary together.

I hope they'll recall the many FUN and HAPPY times we spent in the kitchen together; gathered 'round the island...cooking or snacking; or a little bit of both!

Though we've never traveled the world (Well, my husband has, but the rest of us haven't, lol) and steak is a treat that comes few and far between around here...we DO take pleasure in the simple everyday things of family life...

And, it is my prayer and my hope, that when all my kids are grown and on their own, they will have many occasions to hear a word, smell a certain scent, or see something in their day that reminds them of the HOME they grew up in, the FAMILY that loves them, and the many joyful times we shared together when they were growing up.

What will your children remember most from childhood? Are you making sure that their days include the simple, everyday, ordinary, wonderful things of FAMILY LIFE?

P.S. We've started a wonderful new Book Club/Discussion Group page online on FB! I hope you'll stop by and join us as we prepare to read and participate in the book and Study Guide for "I Surrender"; seeking to make Christ the center of our family life journeys! Come! Inspire and BE inspired! You can check it out here:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/228105583918897/

Intentional Living

2011-10-25T08:56:00.001-04:00

I have been taking part in a discussion group on Facebook; centered on an e-book about being a wife/mother from a Christian perspective. I have enjoyed reading the book and participating in the conversations that have developed through the prompt questions that the hostess of the group posts each day on the FB page.

One word keeps coming up in the comments.

"Intentional".

As I reflect on my own journey, household, family life, marriage, homeschooling experience, and faith, I begin to cling to this word more and more.

"Intentional".

When I think of how the American Family has been degraded, attacked, and broken down over the last decade, I can see a real LACK of "intentional" living at the core.

All has become "relative", "tolerated", and "accepted"...one of the favorite slang/colloquial words that we hear in everyday-speak, and even painted on clothing or accessories is: "WHATEVER".

My husband has always detested this response and has never allowed it in our home.

Some who use this word enhance it with dramatic body language and sarcastic facial expressions.

I know it seems silly and perhaps, a bit ridiculous, at first thought, to "care" about this word; much less write an entire blog post on it...

However, the longer I remain in the little discussion group on FB, and the deeper I go in meditation on the idea of being an "intentional" mother...the more I see why "WHATEVER" bothers my husband, so.

We used to have a pastor who would say, "Stand up for your beliefs...no matter what those beliefs are...if you believe it, then support it, back it up, and be willing to ACT on it".

Scripture tells us that Jesus will "spat" the "lukewarm in faith" right out of His mouth in the final judgment.

"WHATEVER" = "LUKEWARM"

Today, as I go about my menial tasks and duties of housework; and as I learn along-side my children in our school lessons; I am determined to be more "intentional" in all that I do.

I "intend" to let my husband and kids know how much I love and appreciate them.
I "intend" to make Christ the center of all that we do each day.
I "intend" to make nutritious and hearty meals for my family and to present it to them in a lovely and special way.
I "intend" to have a joyful, gentle, and kind disposition.
I "intend" to have fun with my kids.
I "intend" to create an atmosphere that is comfortable, clean, peaceful, happy, and welcoming in our home.
I "intend" to seek God's will in all that I think, say, and do and to carry it out wholeheartedly.
I "intend" to try to be just "who I am" to the best of my ability.
I "intend" to stand up for my beliefs.
I "intend" to thank God for His many blessings in my life.
I "intend" to simplify and enjoy the smallest pleasures.
I "intend" to reach out and share the JOY that is in my heart with others.

I like the sound of "INTENTIONAL" much more than "WHATEVER".

Don't you?

We've Got Two Winners!

2011-10-23T13:29:00.000-04:00

Hello, Dear Friends of Benmakesten! (And greetings to those visiting here from our Facebook pages, too!)

Benjamin Luke, namesake of this blog, and dependable drawer of winning names from our contest jar, has revealed TWO WINNERS for our latest Giveaway and we are pleased to announce them here
today!

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

Carmela Edwards and Laura Haber!!!

Each winner will receive a FREE copy of the brand new, "I Surrender" book!
As a special BONUS PRIZE, they will also receive the audio "Just Fill the Jars" which was recorded
LIVE on Blog Talk Radio when I (Judy) was the guest speaker for Mommies' Jammies Night earlier this month! This seminar is meant to encourage wives and mothers to be more gentle with themselves in their beautiful vocations at home and I hope that our WINNERS, Carmela, and Laura, will enjoy listening!

Thanks to ALL who entered our drawing and CONGRATULATIONS again to the winners!

If you'd like to watch the Book Trailer for "I Surrender" and read a few free excerpts from the book, you can do so AT THIS LINK.

You will find a link on that page to ORDER "I Surrender", as well! Please include your full name, mailing address, and a valid email and you will then be contacted with payment options.

All of those buying a copy of the book will receive the FREE AUDIO with their purchase!

We hope you'll keep "I Surrender" in mind as a lovely gift for the ladies and young women in your life in the upcoming Christmas/Holiday Seasons!

Baby Blankets

2011-10-18T18:35:00.001-04:00

A dear friend of ours and his wife just had their first baby!

This is such a miracle. Well, babies are ALWAYS miracles, but this is especially so.

Many years ago, when the Daddy of this sweet little one was in his mid-twenties, I received a frantic
phone call from my husband during the middle of his work day. He was crying so hard that I could barely make out some of what he was saying.

Suddenly, the world seemed to turn upside down and everything began to run in slow motion.

One of my husband's best friends, who was also his "right hand man" and one of the best workers on his crews, was doing some work in a tunnel and was hit by an oncoming train when the proper protocol for a guard at the entrance to stop the trains was not followed by the company for whom they were working. The train hit our friend in the back of the head, then carried him and tossed him 75 yards.

(Some of the Friends of Benmakesten who have known me for many years in person might very well remember being part of the prayer chains and vigils for this young man)

We did not think he would live through the night. He was in a coma and all of his organs were failing.
His bones were crushed, his skull was cracked open and the more time passed, the worse his condition became.

My husband stayed by his bedside every day, along with his family that drove down from NY.

HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS of people prayed for him and GOD GRANTED US A MIRACLE when days and days later, he woke up!

You'll never believe what his first words were. When he finally spoke, he looked at his mother and said, "We don't do enough for the Lord".

WOW!

And now, here we are, 10 or so years later, and he is celebrating the birth of his first child...a dear, sweet daughter!

I'm making a fleece baby blanket for this wonderful young couple and I thought I'd share the idea with you. (I made one of these in camouflage for my husband a few Christmases ago and a Disney Princess one for my grand-daughter!)
(Note: I've been told that you can make a cotton baby blanket just as easily, but I've only ever used fleece so I can't give a firsthand experience about that.)

Either way, they make a lovely gift. We call them "Prayer Blankets" and include a little note with the gift that the recipient will be "covered" in prayer!

This is a no-sew blanket so all you need to do is choose two fabrics of your choice (a plain and a print is nice). You measure out a square large enough for your recipient and you cut out four small squares about 3 x 3) from each corner of the fabrics (lay both fabric pieces on top of each other)

Then, you go along the entire perimeter of the fabrics (with one on top of the other) and cut strips that are about 2 1/2 -3 inches long and about 1 inch wide. After you go around the entire perimeter, cutting strips, you simply tie the pairs of strips into knots (I do two or three knots on each, depending on how it looks). With each tie, you say a PRAYER for the recipient...so that by the time you are done, you have said a prayer with EVERY knot! Hence, the reason your recipient is being "covered" in prayer!

I think this would make a very unique and special Baptism gift, too!

I had to giggle as I was browsing around for ideas on fabric and styles, when I saw that you can actually check online and find whole websites and articles devoted to discussing what type of blanket to use for your baby! (In "my" day, we never stopped to consider such things...just chose something cute and soft and were happy with it!)

We thank God for saving our friend and we thank Him for the wondrous blessing of a brand new baby that He has bestowed upon him and his wife!

It Just Keeps Getting Better!

2011-10-18T16:05:00.001-04:00

Dear Friends of Benmakesten,

Today, you have been given a gift by a dear friend of mine and a very
generous and kind soul! I received payment as a pre-order for
"I Surrender" in the mail this afternoon, and enclosed with the check for $30 was a lovely note which included the following:

"I would like to donate an extra $15 for you to do a giveaway so that some other lucky mama can get a copy for FREE".

Isn't that SO nice?

We, in fact, had just launched a giveaway for a free copy of
the book this week, and, thanks to this VERY KIND and beautiful
person, we will now have TWO FREE COPIES to offer in the
drawing! YAY, for you guys!!!

And, thanks to the lovely lady who donated another copy of
"I Surrender" to you!

To enter the drawing, scroll down to the post underneath this one and follow the instructions there:)

May God BLESS and REWARD the friend who has given you this gift today!

WIN FREE COPY OF "I SURRENDER"!

2011-10-18T07:01:00.001-04:00

Homeschool Faith and Family Life
invites you to enter a NEW GIVEAWAY for a chance to win a FREE COPY of "I Surrender", Judy's new book, due out next week! TO ENTER: Subscribe to our monthly newsletter (via the subscribe button to the left on this page) and contact us at : tomandjudy@thebestofhomeschoolfaithandfamilylife.com with your name and email address to let us know you are entering...PLEASE STATE that you are entering in your message! If you ALREADY subscribe to our e-zine, then contact us with the above info to enter and promise to do a blog review to help promote the book after you read it and agree to send us a link to that review post when the time comes! THAT'S IT! CONTEST OPENS NOW AND RUNS UNTIL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21st @ midnight. WINNER WILL BE POSTED ON THIS PAGE ON SATURDAY, October 22nd! Please share this post with all your friends! THANKS!

Best wishes to all who enter!

GREAT NEWS!

2011-10-17T20:19:00.000-04:00

Hello Friends of Benmakesten!

I have just received some GREAT NEWS concerning "I Surrender", my book which is due out next week!

As the book is perfectly designed to be used in a Women's Study Group forum (or, individually), I have arranged it with the publishers so that BULK ORDERS will receive a 30% DISCOUNT when ordering

more than one book, up to 24 copies!

That means that the original price of $14.95 would decrease to ONLY $10.45 PER BOOK!

The clinch is that group orders would have to be placed directly through me and I would place the order online. Also, the books could only be delivered to ONE address, so you'd have to discuss that ahead of time with your group and let me know where to have the books sent!

The DISCOUNT keeps increasing with the number of books:

25-99 copies receive a 35% DISCOUNT PER BOOK

Orders of 100 copies or more receive a 40% DISCOUNT PER BOOK

I am THRILLED to be able to offer this discounted rate to you all and hope that you start calling your friends together to form a Women's Study Guide group NOW so you'll be ready next week when "I Surrender" hits the stands!

Incidentally, one of the things I love most about this book is that it is really 3-in-1.

The main chapters of the book each end with self-reflection questions.

The entire book has lovely lines/space for writing directly on the pages so that your book becomes an
INSTANT JOURNAL for you to write your thoughts as you go along!

AND, there is an extensive STUDY GUIDE at the back of the book to be used in your group or by yourself. This includes a special "I Surrender Challenge" page that has suggested activities to help you implement and apply various ideas and changes that may occur to you while reading the book.

That's not all!

At the end of the book, you'll find "I Surrender Prayers" corresponding to each of the chapter topics...as well as further Thoughts to Ponder.

I am very excited to finally be sharing "I Surrender" with you and I hope that you will take advantage

of the GREAT DISCOUNT PRICES FOR BUYING IN BULK that will be offered!

To CELEBRATE the kick-off sales of "I Surrender" we are offering a FREE AUDIO for each person who purchases a book. This audio is my (Judy's) online talk given at Mommies Jammies Night on Blog Talk Radio a few weeks ago. It's entitled, "Just Fill the Jars" and is meant to encourage wives and stay and mothers to be more gentle with themselves; trusting that if we fill the jars with "water" (our love, efforts, joy, desire to serve God) then Jesus will "turn it into wine"!

This complete one hour seminar will be FREE with the purchase of the "I Surrender" book!

Such a Good Feeling

2011-10-16T23:10:00.000-04:00

This weekend, Mary Helen (my trusty little helper) and I took on a H-U-G-E task together.

We cleaned, sorted, and re-organized the storage side of our basement and set up the new play area next to our school room!

That might not sound like much to you at first, but please keep in mind that during these past 6 months or so since my husband and son have been painting all of our rooms, getting new carpet laid in the bedrooms, and building a new classroom (finished) and family room (in progress)...EVERYTHING we had in our old school room and toy rooms was THROWN into the middle of our storage area. As time went on, we would need things from a bin or box or...whatever...and it kept getting more cluttered and scattered by the week as toys were dumped into the wrong bins, clothing for the seasons was all mixed up, and random tools and odds and ends were piled on high to the point that we could no longer walk safely through or see the floor!

Ok. NOW do you see what I mean by H-U-G-E undertaking?

Still, even though it was a tough job and it took days and we were COVERED in grime and dust when we were through...it was FUN and we had SUCH a good feeling; especially when we finally accomplished our task. But moreover, it was nice, working along-side one another; and I don't know about you, but we always feel like we're taking a nice long stroll down memory lane when we come across old, favorite toys that we thought were lost, or clothing we forgot we owned, or photographs from birthdays-past, etc...

Stopping for break and nice cold drink of ice water is always nice, too:)

Mary Helen is my expert-labeler! She gets busy with her Sharpie Marker, scissors, white paper, and tape and as I complete each storage bin, she slaps a label on it, and laughs at me as I try to lift it up to the appropriate shelf. (We COULD call Jake or Daddy to help, but we feel like being determined and strong young (and old, lol) ladies:)

We notice that we now have FOUR storage bins of Christmas items! WHERE-on-earth did all that come from? We wonder. We smile. Ten kids and 27 years of crafts and sweet little presents adds up after a while!

We also came across my husband's Army things. Uniforms from Desert Storm, Medals of Honor, Honorable Discharge Certificates, and trinkets and photos and letters from what seems like a lifetime ago.

There's something about good old fashioned hard work...you know the kind...the roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty kind...that feels SO GOOD.

And, I was so happy to share it all with Mary Helen.

Now, when I go to the basement, instead of feeling anxious and stressed and thinking, "Oh my, oh my, I have GOT to tackle that area one of these days", I can simply walk on by, glance, and SMILE.

I'm so thankful for our home, for the things in our storage bins, and for my daughter:)

Welcoming Evil

2011-10-14T08:14:00.001-04:00

As I was driving in the car with my children yesterday an old song came on the radio, one that is from "my" generation and one that I actually used to enjoy when I was young.

Have you ever noticed that when you hear a song from the past or see a movie or watch a show, something will catch your eye or jump out in lyrics that causes you to stop and say, "Wait. What ?!?!? THAT'S what that song is about???? Why did I never notice that before????"

Laura (16) and I have been enjoying an interesting discussion lately about the apparent "nonchalance" that exists in our society today where "welcoming the energies of evil" are concerned.

This line has always been clearly defined for me as my own mother raised me to be alert and aware of these dangers. She would instruct me over and over never to listen to songs or watch things on television that "invite" those energies into your environment...for, once you do that, you are weakened and it is more likely for the enemy to take hold of you.

Back to the song in the car.

One of the lines was, "I was looking for the daughter of the devil himself". (Meaning...to have a "love" relationship with and a rip-roaring good time).

"YIKES!" I cried, with Laura sitting next to me in the passenger's seat, smiling.

"She shouldn't be too hard for him to find", she jested.

I turned the station on the radio but this little lyric stuck with us both as we pondered how on earth a singer could be so comfortable singing something like that.

Is it because they are non-believers? Is it because they don't care? Is it because they have sold their souls to make a buck? Is it because they have been desensitized and numbed by fame and fortune and have lost their way?

This type of thing (a line in a song) is exactly what my mother was talking about.
It SEEMS harmless enough. After all, it's only a song and only a few words.

However, when a person chooses to sing "for the devil" then they have invited him in. And, believe me, he is aware of that and it pleases him. Once he spots a weak link in our chain, he will move in for the kill.

All of this related well to the conversations Laura were having which were precipitated by the approach of "Halloween", once again.

My family has gone back and forth on our own participation in this holiday and I'm sure if you use the "search this blog" bar in the right sidebar of this page and type in a keyword...several old posts on the topic will turn up.

My thoughts about not wanting to take part in Halloween began more than 7 years ago, in our old neighborhood, when upon a knock on our door for trick or treat, I opened the door to find a 6 foot tall satan standing there, holding out a bag for candy. We were shocked. I looked at him and said, "What's your point?"

Since then, I have wavered as to whether or not I wished for my family to continue to take part in this annual custom. It seemed that with each passing year, the costumes on the street were getting more perverse and offensive...young girls dressed as "hookers", and boys dressed as all the latest and famous characters from the sickest, most offensive horror movies of the day. In fact, it seemed that the MORE offensive and "dark" they could make their costumes, the more people were enjoying themselves.

(Echo my mother's words...."inviting it in".)

As I told Laura, there is one costume, above all others, that bothers me to my very core, and that is when someone dresses their little child as a devil. I CRINGE when I see those sweet cherubic faces donned in red paint with horns atop their heads and capes flowing behind as they stroll down the streets for fun.

In my opinion, this is a dangerous game.

If the Lord came back today and stayed to watch the children Trick or Treat, would He be pleased or find it humorous that some of His children were dressed as the enemy of all Creation? I don't think so.

The Church, as is often the custom, instituted the Christian celebration of "All Hallows Eve" to replace the pagan celebrations, superstitions, and rituals that occurred on that night, back in the day. "All Hallows Eve" was meant to be a Vigil...a preparation for the NEXT day, which is the Liturgical holy day of "The Feast of All Saints". Thus, during my own lifetime, when I attended Catholic Schools, the classes always celebrated "All Saints Day" rather than the usual "Trick or Treat" of the secular groups.

This has also changed. The first year Laura was in a Catholic School in Kindergarten, the teachers in her class held a Halloween Party and one instructor dressed as a witch.

(Inviting it in)

As years have passed and hundreds of discussions have ensued within our family about whether or not to take part and celebrate "Halloween", I started to be drawn farther and farther away from it.

One reason is that no one can actually define for me WHAT we are celebrating, exactly.

Considering Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, St. Valentine's Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, etc...
we can always clearly state what we are honoring, celebrating, and remembering during these times.

But, what about "Halloween"? Can we do the same? Now, when you ask someone this question, you will most likely receive a variety of answers as to the origin of the day and how it came to be...even those, basing their statement on the Church's attempt at the Vigil for All Saints...will say, "It IS a Christian holiday"...

But, is it? Really? What does it honor and celebrate?

I love decorations and especially Harvest ones...and I get a kick out of cute little ghosts and tiny Frankensteins and goblins...but...once again, I am left wondering....

Have we grown too lax? Have we become desensitized? Have we numbed ourselves through "cuteness"?

Are we "inviting it in"?

When you turn on a car radio and someone is singing their heart out about hoping to have a physical relationship with "the daughter of the devil himself", there's a problem.

I imagine that satan loves the American celebration of Halloween.

Beautiful young, innocent girls dressed as prostitutes...babies dressed as demons and devils...grown ups walking around like the latest greatest evil masterminds of the century....

I am well aware of the spiritual battles that exist in our lives today.

This is especially true for those who follow Christ...and those who are married and live a family life.

If the enemy can break down the family, he breaks down the church, the community, and the nation.

I always tell my kids that when we play "pretend" or "make believe" we still have to play in a way that is morally correct and "safe" to our souls.

I think my mother was right.

And, I think that we, as a people, are "inviting it in" much more than we realize.

PRE ORDER "I SURRENDER"

2011-10-11T09:38:00.000-04:00

Yesterday, the designer sent me a sample copy of the COVER for my book, "I Surrender".

I LOVED IT!

He took everything that I had shared with him in "my vision" for the cover and brought it to LIFE!

It is wonderful!

THANK YOU to those who have been contacting us, asking to PRE ORDER the book. I decided to offer this post to make that convenient for those who are interested.

Simply click the donate button at the end of this post and write "Pre Order I Surrender" in the box that will appear on the new page which says, "reason for donation".

Enter your payment of $14.95 and then come back to this post and use the CONTACT US link to send your name and mailing address so that we can get your copy of "I Surrender" right to you when we receive the first batch of books in the mail.

THOSE WHO PRE-ORDER, like those on the waiting list, will also receive a FREE HOLIDAY E-MENU PLANNER which includes shopping lists, instructions for cooking, and craft ideas for 6 holidays!

We also accept PERSONAL CHECKS and MONEY ORDERS via postal mail. contact us for mailing address information.

"I Surrender" is written to encourage women to make Christ the center of their daily lives. It contains 3-in-1; chapters pertaining to marriage, family life, busy schedules, personal faith life, friendships, and homeschooling; with questions for self-reflection and analysis at the end of each section. It also includes an extensive STUDY GUIDE at the end of the book; perfect for use as a group or individually! A special "I Surrender Challenge" page has been added; along with PRAYERS for Surrender and Thoughts to Ponder at the end.

PRE-ORDER HERE:

Don't forget to come back and send your mailing and email information via this CONTACT US page.

Thanks again to all those who have contacted us wishing to PRE ORDER today! We hope that you will ENJOY "I Surrender" !

READ A SAMPLE PAGE FROM THE BOOK

BTW, we are planning a special "I Surrender Discussion Group" page for Facebook that will act as an "online book club" for those interested in joining us. Members of the page will purchase their own copy of the book and then join us as we go through the Study Guide and each Chapter together online! I am really looking forward to this!

Please pray that the message of love God placed upon my heart to share with women everywhere will be a blessing to those who read it:) THANKS!

A Wonderful Visit

2011-10-09T21:36:00.002-04:00

This past Saturday, we visited my mother for the first time since my Dad died in June.

I was so relieved and happy to see how well and strong and rested she looked; albeit, as her daughter, I could also see a tinge of sadness behind her smiling and beautiful blue eyes. (How could it NOT be there after 64 years of marriage?)

The older I get, the longer I live, and the more I learn through my own marriage and parenting experiences, the more I realize what a truly remarkable and beautiful person my mother is.

At 83, her hands and fingers are gnarled and misshapen from severe arthritis; but, you'd never know it without SEEING it. She NEVER complains; in fact, not a single time in my life have I ever heard her complain about the pain...and it's always there.

I love the things that mothers do and worry about when their grown children are coming to visit.
I find myself wondering if I do this to my daughter and son, who are both married and on their own.

For instance, my Mum called my husband the night before our visit (I was at a football game with my teens) to tell him to stop and buy ICE in order to transport the four Chicken Pot Pies I was bringing to her house for lunch. (Since they were in the cold refrigerator all night and she only lives a couple hours from us, neither my husband nor I would have done that, originally...unless it was the middle of a humid summer day.) "MAKE SURE" she told him, that you don't forget to put the pies on ICE to travel! (You can bet your bottom dollar that we did, too, for neither one of us was brave enough NOT to, in case, she'd look in the cooler when we open it, HA HA)

Also, have you ever noticed that mothers of grown-visiting-children-and-grand-children want to constantly FEED you, like some sort of continual IV drip in the hospital? They must think we do not eat in between our visits. ::SMILE:: (I KNOW I do this one because I get SUCH JOY out of cooking for my grown kids and their families). And, you know what? Somehow, no matter what the little treat or snack might be: a bowl of chilled and freshly washed grapes, Bruschetta (home-made!), or ice-cream sandwiches, etc...It ALWAYS tastes better at Mum's!

I am 46 years old and I STILL get such a thrill (just like my kids) from wandering around to all the little nooks and crannies of my mother's house and looking at her treasures. A photo here, a childhood memory there...it's all SOOOOO wonderful to see.

My kids know right where to go at Grandma's to find puzzles and games and toys because she keeps a little room in her house just for this purpose! She still has toys that our eldest children (now in their late 20's) played with as toddlers:)

During my visit this weekend, my mother gave me a tremendous gift...something so special that I was awestruck (and still am, actually). She presented me with the very first engagement and wedding ring that my father had given to her when they were teen newlyweds back in the 40's! She told me that it was for me to keep...and to loan to any of the rest of my daughters who might be called to marriage one day...so that they could carry it as "something old" when they walk down the aisle.

Later in their marriage, my mother was given a "new" wedding ring for the older one was growing very thin at the base. Now, it belongs to me...and with it...comes all of the memories and stories and lessons and LEGACY that my parents have forged throughout those 64 years.

Cherish it...cherish my father's memory...and cherish my mother...

I SURELY WILL.

Sometimes Silence Says So Much

2011-10-03T22:36:00.000-04:00

This past Sunday afternoon, my family and I joined many others in our community to form a

LIFE PRAYER CHAIN along the main street of town. It was Pro-life Sunday, and people were

gathering together in silent prayer FOR LIFE all across America and Canada.

For one hour, we stood in silence; sometimes kneeling, sometimes with eyes closed, sometimes singing a song of praise very very softly and quietly to ourselves and God.

We were spread out, but those (like myself) with very small children, could keep their Littles nearby.

My heart was moved at the beauty of the scene before me. Toddlers, teens, a priest, men, and women; all coming together, united in the belief that ALL LIFE IS A GIFT FROM GOD and IS SACRED.

We held signs. My sign (that was handed out to me when I arrived) said "ABORTION KILLS CHILDREN".

Benny brought a sign from home that said, "LIFE IS SACRED".

My sweet little boy, of course, had to ASK me what his sign said and why I wanted him to hold it.
I told him what it said and also explained that we were holding our signs to ask everyone to pray for babies...so that they could be born...and to pray that all people will see life as a GIFT from God.

He understood. And, in his little 4 - year -old way...he stood in prayer.

Some people driving by honked horns and gave thumbs up...others deliberately looked away. One woman rolled down her window, gave a thumbs down, and screamed at the top of her lungs,
"It's a woman's choice! It's a woman's choice!". I spent a lot of time praying for that woman.

As we were returning to our vehicles, a young child innocently said something to my husband about if we were to have more babies, it would be too many and our van would be full. It filled my heart with joy to hear my husband's response: "There can NEVER be too many!"

I am so thankful for such a man.

I am so thankful that he leads our family and invites us to join him at events like the

LIFE PRAYER CHAIN.

I am so thankful that he sees life as a gift and that he opens his heart to receiving any and all blessings that God wishes to send to us.

I am glad that the children who were talking to my husband saw the great big smile on his face when he said what he said.

He helped them, perhaps not on a conscious level, to tuck away a tiny message that says, "Babies are a blessing"!

I hope that it stays with them all through life.

I hope that my prayers helped that angry woman in her car.

I hope that all of those who have chosen to abort their babies in the womb and then later regretted it will receive a GRACE and BLESSING OF MERCY from our presence on the street. We prayed for them, as well. They are hurting. They need to know that forgiveness awaits them.

I hope, more than anything, that even ONE person driving by, who might have been "on the fence" in their opinions or who might have voted pro-abortion/choice in the past, was moved by the sight of people gathered in silent prayer block after block after block...moved enough to have a change of heart.

Let's Talk Money, Again!

2011-10-01T09:01:00.000-04:00

Or...more importantly, how to SAVE some!

I get very excited when I visit a blog or website (or receive an email that contains a great link, as in this case) that shares practical, simple, and wise tips for living a frugal lifestyle.

It's not new news to anyone here that the economy is hurting. It's tough to provide for a family these days.

I marvel at my husband's ability to sustain us on a single income. Yes, we journey through life, pay check-to-pay check; but, it works for us!

I wanted to share these money saving tips that were shared with me this morning. I find many of them very interesting and quite useful!

Some of them, I already do. Others, I have questions about and would love to hear from the Friends of Benmakesten on the topic; especially numbers 4, 23, and 25 on the page at the link I just listed, above.

Incidentally, I didn't realize that there is an entire "entity", if-you-will, of "Financial Bloggers" online, like those mentioned on CashMoneyLife. I have never been one who understands "all-things-financial" very easily and my dear husband usually has to reiterate a concept several times, in varying ways, for me to "get it". I have rather a secret admiration for "numbers" people and really enjoy reading well-written articles by those who "know what they're talking about" when it comes to finances. (Ah-oh, I feel a new blogging hobby coming on...reading financial blogs...yikes!)

Anyway, back to numbers 4, 23, and 25.

Number 4 suggests using "reward" credit cards. I'm wondering if any of you do this and what your thoughts are on it. Good? Bad? Helpful? Useless? It seems to me that it's always a danger to sign up for "yet another new credit card". We worked for a very, VERY long time to become debt-free, other than our mortgage, and it just seems like a temptation to me, when considering getting a credit card for the purpose of earning "cash-back" for using it. The writer of that article does mention that it only works if you pay off your monthly bill...but that's just it...everyone I know that lives by credit, THINKS they will pay off their monthly bills...but then end up, for whatever reason, racking up debt, instead! So...do these cards help save money? What are your thoughts?

Number 23 is just a personal preference. It tells us to cancel all of our hard-copy magazine, newspaper, etc...subscriptions. While I do not get the newspaper (Headlines and images TOO depressing on most days) and prefer to read my morning news online because I can be selective...I DO get several magazines in the mail regularly; and just enjoy HOLDING something while I sip my coffee or wine...browsing through pages and looking at the images up-close. So...I wonder...what would happen to all of the "mom-and-pop" presses if everyone canceled ALL of their subscriptions? Would that really HELP our economy, or hurt it by putting many small businesses OUT of work.

Lastly, number 25 lists "home equity line of credit" as a culprit that CAUSES debt. I MUST disagree with this particular point, as this is exactly how we got ourselves OUT of debt. That said, I can see how it could cause someone to further their debt if they are not responsible about using it. However, we were able to cut our mortgage loan by approximately 14-16 YEARS by switching our conventional loan to a HELOC.

Wow. I feel very "professional" to be sitting here at my laptop, sipping my morning coffee, and discussing "finances" with you, LOL!

Can't wait to read your thoughts on these topics!

Berber and Vacuums

2011-09-26T23:40:00.001-04:00

In recent times, I have been sharing here on Benmakesten, the goings-on of a bit of home renovation that we've been doing. (Photos of the new school room are soon to come!)

We have always been a simple and frugal family.

I often say, when asked about "decorating style", that I suppose my style would be considered "Reminiscent".
Reminiscent decorating means that most of what we have has either been handed down through generations or was given as a gift from the children or other relatives...little nick-knacks here and there....some of our furniture nearing 100 years old!

We are not "shoppers". In fact, we rarely buy new items for the house, outside of a toaster or coffee pot now and then.

This year has been "the big year". We have purchased appliances and furniture. We have painted and built new rooms. And...we have invested in new rugs for the whole upstairs, the three first floor bedrooms, and our school and almost-built family room.

( Don't start thinking that we stumbled across a money tree in our woods...dear hubby sold his BELOVED truck to do these things for us!)

And so, it seems, that when exciting and rare things such as this occur, you want it all to work out nicely. You want the products to have good quality and lasting potential.

This brings me to my question about "Berber" carpeting. We laid a lovely Berber carpet wall-to-wall throughout the top floor and down the stairs of our home. Of course, in wanting to keep it looking nice, we vacuum often...(Believe me, with 8 kids here 24/7, we NEED to vacuum often!)

I was very disappointed to learn that Berber snags easily in a vacuum cleaner. At least, it did in our upright.
We happen to have 2 vacuums...one a rather low-end run of the mill upright...and the other a higher-end Miele that I L-O-V-E, LOVE. It is a canister type.

We have had to swap vacuums and send my "good" one upstairs with the teens...even though I don't really want to use the "average" one downstairs...but, it kept snagging the new Berber! Grrrrr....

Does anyone else have Berber in their house? If so, do you have a problem with vacuuming and snagging?

I don't like to complain...but it seems to me that if we are finally able to purchase a new carpet...it shouldn't get ruined just by trying to keep it clean!

Kids Are So Funny

2011-09-26T11:48:00.001-04:00

If you ever need a laugh, just go to the nearest kid and stay close by for a while and you are sure to find one...a laugh, that is.

Saturday mornings are a "family chore" day at our house. (If we work hard and well, then we get done early and have the rest of the day for fun and games and rest!)

Recently, I was passing through the kitchen because I needed to go out on the back deck and empty my bucket of water over the railing (I water the bushes and flowers out there this way).

From the living room, I heard my husband's voice call out, "JAAA-COB".

From upstairs, I heard a sleepy-sounding voice in return, "YES DAD?"

Then, once again, my husband: "Are you awake?"

And Jacob, "YES".

Now, on the surface, that does not seem like an overly amusing moment...but what made me laugh so hard was what transpired next.

JOEY: "Hey Dad, may I ask you a question?"

HUBBY: "Sure son, what's your question?"

JOEY: "Well....if you called out "Jacob" and he answered "Yes Dad"....then.....WHY did you ask him if he was awake??????"

LOL

Too funny.

That sweet boy just cracks me up.

And, what's most funny is that Joey did not mean it to BE funny...he was truly perplexed and inquiring with great sincerity. ::SMILE::

BTW, my husband didn't miss a beat in answering Joseph's question...He smiled and replied:

"Because teenage boys can talk in their sleep".

::SMILE::

We'd love to hear a funny "kid" story from the Friends of Benmakesten today!

Do you have one to share?

Cleaning Uniform for Moms?

2011-09-24T00:24:00.000-04:00

I write this post with my great blogging friend, Mrs. Santos, in mind:

Some time ago, on Benmakesten, I wrote a whole post about scrubs like the ones you can find on the following website: http://www.blueskyscrubs.com.

Mrs. S. wrote in the comments and shared how she hoped I didn't indulge myself in changing my wardrobe to accommodate my desire for comfort so that all of my pretty skirts and blouses would be exchanged for
a set of scrubs.

I agreed with Mrs. S. in my heart...I love femininity...I love pretty clothes...I love to look really nice for my husband when he arrives home from work; AND I love to look nice for myself because it makes a person feel happy and healthy when we "dress the part".

HOWEVER...a wonderful little idea occurred to me today, as I was scrubbing up some spills on the floor (and feeling a little like I'd overeaten at our afternoon celebration with friends, hee hee)...I thought,

"HEY!!!! If I can't fill my closet with these comfy, cute, scrubs to wear for main attire...perhaps I could just tuck a few pairs into my dresser drawers to wear on "cleaning days"! After all, wouldn't it feel better to be wearing one of these comfortable uniforms when you're down on your hands and knees, scrubbing the bathtub or floor?!?

Thus, I making a friendly appeal to my dear friend Mrs. Santos from santostimes.blogspot.com.

If I promise to wear them only when I'm doing housework, may I order some blue scrubs with your friendly approval???

LOL

NOTE: For anyone who might be visiting this blog for the first time...this post is in jest ::winks::

Much love to you Mrs. S.!

Talk About Timely

2011-09-21T18:50:00.002-04:00

In a few recent posts here on Benmakesten and a few other social networking sites, blogs, etc...I have been inquiring if any of my "bloggy" friends have first-hand experience with online college rankings.

We currently have two kids in high school in our family and one of them is a junior so the time is upon us when we begin discussing "what comes next" as far as life after homeschooling and secondary education.

The more I research, pray, and discuss, the more I lean toward finding out more about college online.

However, even after I had put out a few "feelers" I didn't seem to get any response...that is, until, the good Lord responded for me!

Out of no where, I received a link in an email for Degreejungle.com which recently published their list of the best online colleges for 2011!

How's that for timing?!

I love it when things like this happen...and I took it as personal validation that God wished for me to pursue this idea further:)

The criteria for the rankings of the 64 best colleges online involved net price attendance, acceptance rate, student-faculty-ratio, percentage of loans, grants, and scholarships; among others.

The vast variety of courses and degrees include: Business, Teaching/Education, Game Design, Science/Engineers, Graphic Design and Mutimedia, and more...the list is QUITE extensive.

It seems to me that being able to stay home, enter the workforce (to save money), attend classes online, and stay close to family are all good reasons to consider online college as a viable option! It is obvious that thousands of dollars will be saved on board and food and tuition.

I was simply thrilled to learn about the above website today and I will be visiting it often in order to learn more and help our daughter decide a path for her future.

I'd love to hear from anyone who has attended or knows someone who has attended an online college.
It would be a great help to have some personal experience stories.

Love is in the Little Things

2011-09-20T11:36:00.002-04:00

Many times, people ask me what I like about homeschooling.

I tell them that the benefits and blessings I find in this lifestyle are near endless.

Some of them I've put to the written word; especially when trying to encourage and support others who share in or might be considering it for their own families. For instance, some of the things I consider to be benefits of
homeschooling can be found HERE

I suppose I could say that each day brings new and unexpected blessings in homeschooling.

There is, however, a certain-something that is consistent and constant and wonderful.

And that is this: Through homeschooling, I have learned in a very tangible, keen, and in-depth way that:

"Love is in the little things".

In fact, "homeschooling", in general, has taught me MOST about "LOVE".

Yesterday, I watched my son Joseph take delight in helping Mary Clare (his younger sister by 2 years) sound out some words in a book she was reading aloud. This might not seem significant to many of you, nor does it, at first glance, appear to be drenched in "love". Perhaps though, if you understand a bit more about Joey, you will also understand why I was so deeply touched by this moment.

Joseph is a child who struggled immensely with "learning to read". In the first two grades of his schooling at home, he was barely able to sound out words on his own. We spent almost the entire two years with me right by his side, forming my lips and mouth silently...or making the first letter-sound in order to help him "jump start" his brain and work through the words on the page.

In 2nd grade, Joseph joined many other children from his parish family to enter into the Sacrament of First Eucharist (Holy Communion). I approached the instructor before the "workshops" began and gently requested that she not ask Joseph to read orally in class because he was greatly challenged in this area and was extremely self-conscious about it. Being the devoted, loving teacher that she is...she graciously complied...she even sat with Joey during a class he was making up due to absence...and helped him step-by-step, ever-so-slowly-and-patiently get through the words (in private) as she has seen me do on a different occasion.

In third grade, I was able to "push" Joey a little more; encouraging him to attempt some things on his own as I could see that the "concepts" were getting through now...and it was "confidence" that needed building.
At times, Joey would cry and lament that he thought he would "never be able to read". I kept praying and encouraging...and also reminded him that his sister, one year older, had been similarly challenged when she was younger and was now reading books left and right on her own:) I must admit that there were times in the quiet of my own heart when I wondered, like Joey, if he'd EVER learn to read.
Several other of his siblings read at levels FAR above their age-standard. Because of this, Joey pressured himself and felt inferior and like he was failing.
We kept at it...each day...or whenever an opportunity arose (road signs, grocery store labels, greeting cards, etc.).

And so, you see...yesterday, when I looked up from my work and witnessed and heard Joseph joyfully helping Mary Clare sound out the words on her page...my heart LEAPED with JOY! I was overwhelmed with thanksgiving and happiness for my son and came very near bursting into tears on the spot.

He looked at me...I GLEAMED back at him. We knew...between us...silent and unspoken...why this moment was SO GLORIOUS and WONDERFUL!

"Thank you so much son, for helping your sister", I smiled.
BEAMING with pride and joy, Joseph answered, "You're welcome, Mom".
"Thank you GOD", I prayed silently.

This moment, this experience, this triumph, this JOURNEY would have been lost if my son had not been at home with me these past several years. The reality of the situation is that if Joey had been in an outside school setting; although people might have been willing to help, the circumstances would not allow for it very well...most likely, he would have been lumped into a "remedial" learning environment, struggling along and left to feel as though he "couldn't keep up". (I have watched several documentaries about the schools today and a vast amount of students who graduate high school without being able to read!!!)

Thus, one of the greatest blessings in homeschooling is that we have been given the freedom to allow each of our children to learn at his/her own pace and are available and present to tend to their unique learning styles/needs in order to help them reach their full potential.

"Love is in the little things".

A few days ago, I asked Mary Helen, age 11, to play with the younger children outside so that I could help one of the older kids with his lessons. When I stepped out onto the porch to check on them a bit later, I saw everyone giggling and chatting busily as they were cutting and stringing and creating something together. When I mentioned that it looked like they were having a lot of fun, Mary Helen explained to me that she had invented a game for them involving "Forest Fairies" and "Missions" and "Treasure Hunts". She was making "Forest Fairy" masks for them each to wear while they played.

All I had asked was for her to keep an eye on the kids.Yet, she went above and beyond her call to duty and developed an elaborate and wonderful land of make believe for her brothers and sisters. The Littles looked SO happy! The air was cool, their cheeks and noses were red, and the porch was FILLED with scraps of colored paper and scissors and crayons STREWN all over!

"Love is in the little things".

Mary also made dinner for us one day this week. Again, I was involved in school lessons, helping an older child edit some essays and was very thankful for Mary Helen's help in getting dinner to the table on time.
She made a wonderful meal and set a lovely table.

"Love is in the little things".

Last evening, I was helping two of the girls design and type the first edition of a newsletter they are publishing for a new little group they have started with some friends. While at the computer, my daughter Grace, 10, said to Laura, 16, "I am writing a book and was hoping you would illustrate it for me". (Laura is an artist.)
"Sure!" Laura said. "What's it about? What kinds of pictures do you want?"

"Love is in the little things".

While passing through the kitchen recently, I heard Jacob say to his father, "Dad, do you have any jobs that need doing that I could help with while you're at work?"

"Love is in the little things".

I might not possess all the credentials needed to teach Calculus or Physics.

My children might not get perfect scores on SAT's or scholarships to Ivy League schools.

They might never travel the world or find a cure for cancer or graduate Summa Cum Laude.

Some people are gifted in these areas. It is their blessing in life.

These noteworthy events and careers and paths taken-on can be a valuable part of society. It is true.

I believe, with all my heart, that it is ALSO valuable to society; and, in fact, a CRUCIAL part of society, to have people that grow up to live "a simple family life"...hopefully enjoying a good job/career, raising a family, and celebrating and sharing their Faith.

"LOVE" is at the center of this life.

And it is found "in the little things".

This is what I like MOST about homeschooling.

It's Time

2011-09-19T08:59:00.003-04:00

Photo courtesy of: Suzanne Mellott Photography
See link in my sidebar!

Once again....to fold and tuck the summer-y clothes into lines of storage bins on the shelves in the basement...
a chore, no doubt, when completing the task for 8 (the teens have enough room in their own dressers not to swap out clothing so that makes it 8 rather than 10)...and yet, fun; taking out cardigans and favorite hoodies (ah oh...there's that "word" again, LOL) that have been forgotten about since last year; almost like getting new clothes!

It's time...

to put the dishes and jars of seashells back in the big zip-lock bag that stores them in the cupboards of our garage until next summer.

Tiny traditions...nothing fancy...and yet, the children are SO quick to notice if I don't follow through one year.

The fresh Zinnia and Cosmos and Black-eyed Susan-bouquets must now give way to artificial flowers. (I've seen these frowned upon on "fancy decorating" shows,and yet, my children and husband love them...so, why not?)

Perhaps we will make and string a garland of Autumn Leaves to hang. (I LOVED the store-bought one that my daughter in law has hanging above her kitchen cabinets; interspersed with twinkly lights!)

And, once again...it's time...

for the strawberry or citrus-smelling candles to make their exit so that the apple-cinnamons and pumpkin spices can take center stage. (Hubby was waaaaaaay ahead of this game recently when he PROUDLY handed over an "Evergreen Forest" candle he had gotten on sale. Our noses were confused for days by this "Christmas-y-aroma-with-85 degree-weather-outside". How do you Floridians keep your senses in tact? HA HA)

The mornings are greeted with delight as swarms of children stand on porches and decks, freezing in their pajamas but willing to endure the icy-ness of it all just so they can "see their breath" in the air!!!!

We haven't quite turned a full corner of seasons...there is no "frost" on the tips of the blades of grass...

but it is coming.

We can feel it.
We can smell it in the air.
We can sense it.

Soon, we will go with friends and my eldest daughter and her girls to a local produce farm.

A hayride, pumpkins (3 for $10!), corn stalks, and other Autumn-goodness awaits us there.

It's a slow and gentle change...but at the same time, it seems as though we go to sleep one day and wake up the next with everything NEW.

This reminds me of our SOULS.

They are forever and always going through change...bit by bit...lesson by lesson...trial by trial...season by season.

We don't always notice it but we know it is happening.

And sometimes, when we allow God's grace to permeate our being...when we confess our sins, when we accept His love and mercy...we wake up one morning and tangibly FEEL the NEWNESS of our spirit.

Like the little decorations of our home, WE are "different"...refreshed, renewed, and shining forth in the beauty of a "new season".

There is a sacred beauty in the quiet rhythms and routines and customs of family life.

It's not really about the "decorations".

It's about the process...the bonding...the care and attention and love that we give to our family and the blessings of our home.

I think that God delights in these little things as much as we do.

While we are checking sizes of sweaters, donating some things to those in need, putting warm-colored cloths upon our tables...and whatever else we do...

He is smiling upon us...and clothing us in His presence.

The change of seasons reminds me that...

It's time.

It's time to de-clutter and re-organize and freshen up...

Not only our home...but our SOULS.

Hoodies and Manhood

2011-09-18T00:22:00.003-04:00

How's that for a curious title?

We've had unseasonably chilly weather here in the woods the past few days.

It's been just cold enough in the morning that I've been tempted to turn on the heater to warm things up before the kids wake up, but have resisted because I know that my dear husband would NOT want the heat on yet!

Still, I've noticed that when our teens (who take turns every other day, getting up early and walking the dogs out to their field) head outdoors, they have been donning their hoodies to carry out their morning duty.

I'm laughing as I type that because the reason for this post is to ask if anyone else's husband thinks hoodie
is an UNmanly term.

My husband gets all worked up when one of our sons says something like, "Has anyone seen my hoodie?" Or, "I want to save up and buy a new hoodie".

"What"?!? Exclaims dear ol' Dad. "You must mean a "SWEAT jacket...that sounds much MANLIER...men do not wear "hoodies". They wear SWEAT jackets!"

Our teens giggle and exchange glances, and, just to keep Dad happy try to throw phrases around like, "I'll fold those MENS t-shirts for you Mom", LOL

I have no idea when "sweat jackets" turned into "hoodies". Do you? It's a catch-phrase that just kind of snuck up on us in the advertisement industry. Or, maybe there's a story behind it all that I'm too out of the loop to know about.

Apparently, though, in our house, GIRLS wear "hoodies" but manly-men don't.

Anyone relate?

HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY!

2011-09-17T13:38:00.001-04:00

Today, in America, it is national "Constitution Day" when we honor the work of our Founding Fathers and all that they stood for.
This site has lots of great information on the Constitution, the Founding Fathers, Amendments, and more.

NOTE: I also noticed a "donate" button for Ron Paul in the sidebar...just wanted to mention that so that you didn't think I led you there for that purpose or that I was endorsing a particular Candidate for President via Benmakesten.

It just so happens that Gracie wrote a report about the Constitution this past week. She had gotten a library book all about it and it interested her so much that she wanted to write an essay.

We will be gathering as a family today and reading Gracie's report out loud.

Many people across the nation meet in public arenas on this day to listen to the reading of the Constitution in its entirety. Guest readers take turns reading the sections. It takes several hours to get through the whole thing. Still, I imagine it is quite a moving experience to listen to the words of this historical document being read before the American People!

As part of our homeschooling experience, I always make it a priority to try to instill patriotism in the hearts of my children. It saddens me to know how many young people (and young adults) no longer know the words to even the most basic Patriotic Songs,nor do they know know the Pledge of Allegiance. They have never heard stories of the origins of these songs and poems or writings.

Perhaps it is because my brother fought on Okinowa in the Vietnam War, my husband fought in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, and my nephew is currently flying combat missions on the Black Hawk in Afghanistan that I have a strong desire to make certain that my children understand that their freedom came at great cost. I want them to know the history of this great nation; Land of the Free and Home of the Brave. I want them to pray for the loved ones of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice. I want them to pray for those who are NOT free in this world.

I also want them to understand how this country was formed.

In studying these things, they also come to know just how "far off base" things have gotten
in certain sectors.

Recently, on September 11th, we gathered at a community prayer service. (I wrote about it here on Benmakesten). I had chills as the altar servers of the Episcopal church we were visiting, came forward at attention, holding a HUGE American Flag while we sang BOTH verses of the National Anthem and other patriotic songs.

Other than at sporting events, my children had never experienced a communal singing of these songs in such a spectacular way. It was amazing and wonderful.

Don't let today go by without wishing your family and friends a HAPPY CONSTITUTION DAY if you are an American. Do something: read an article or story, visit a website like the one I've linked to above, sing, draw pictures, or share ideas on what freedom means to you...so that your children will learn about the history of these wonderful United States and so they will grow up believing in the virtues, sound morals, and convictions upon which America was founded!

Special Day for a Special Boy

2011-09-14T09:00:00.015-04:00

Things are all a-buzz here this morning.

It's a special day...for a special boy!

Nine years ago today, (3 + weeks early because...well, I guess he was in a rush to see what all the fun noises were outside the womb!), JOSEPH FRANCIS DUDICH was born into this world!

One can't be around Joey without feeling compelled to SMILE. He just has a way of bringing it out of you.

When Joey was younger, he would LITERALLY BOUND out of bed in the morning...rush into the living room, FULLY dressed and excitedly say, "GOOD MORNING!!!!!" to anyone who was present! It's actually difficult to describe in written words just how EXCITED he would be each day...there was this unmistakable sense of "YAYYYYYYYY!!!! I AM ALIVE!!! IT IS A NEW DAY!!!!! LET'S GET TO IT PEOPLE...LET'S DO SOME MORE LIVING!!!!!!!!!"

As equally present as his zeal and JOY for living is Joey's tender heart. He is very perceptive and if he senses that you are sad or having a bad day, he is the first to be at your side to hold your hand or offer a hug.

Joey has a best friend named Zach. It's so funny to see them together because they actually LOOK ALIKE and ACT ALIKE; so much so that we (Tom, me, and the other kids) and Zach's family get them confused ALL THE TIME! To learn that they are not twins is surprising enough...but to learn that they are not even related by blood is dumbfounding for they are SO much alike!

If you have been a Friend of Benmakesten for some length of time, then you might recall that it is our family tradition for the "birthday person" to choose the meal, the cake, and the party theme for the day.

Joey has chosen: Meatball Sandwiches, Banana Splits, and a BEACH theme for our festivities!

Two of his sisters, Mary Helen and Grace (One would be hard-put to find one of the three of them without the other) wanted to begin the celebrations a little early. Part of our children's evening chores after dinner is to turn down their bed sheets and get their rooms ready for evening/bed time.

Joey was DELIGHTED last evening to find that a couple of "secret birthday fairies" had already done his chores for him AND had decorated his room with signs and paper chains to boot!

There will be NO SCHOOL in the Dudich House today, as we will be MUCH too busy thanking GOD and celebrating OUR SWEET JOSEPH!

In honor of his 9th birthday, here are 9 things Joey likes:

1) Frogs and Toads

2) FOOD

3) Sticks and stones and mud and anything in the woods

4) SPORTS and OUTDOOR GAMES

5) Read A-louds with Mom and siblings; especially Bible stories

6) Doing anything and going anywhere with his DAD!

7) Building things: puzzles, blocks, Legos, etc.

8) Castles, Knights, Forts, etc...

9) Visiting with ZACH!

Also today, I ask you to keep my dear mother in your prayers. This date would mark the 65th wedding anniversary for her and my beloved Dad; who went home to the Lord this past June. It is her first anniversary without him and I know she will be missing him very much.

I trust that Jesus will comfort my mum today and always. Today is a special feast day on our Liturgical Calendar. It is the day when we celebrate "The Triumph of the Cross".

Once seen as a symbol of the utmost shame (for only the most heinous criminals were hung on crosses to die) Christ elevated the "Cross" to a holy and sacred representation of the gift of our Salvation! He calls us forth to "take up" our "crosses" and follow after Him. He, the Second Person of the Most Holy Trinity, CHOSE the "cross" by which to save the world!

As we pray in the beautiful devotion of the "Stations of the Cross":

"We adore You, oh Christ, and we praise You; because, by Your holy Cross, You have redeemed the world".

And finally, my FAVORITE "JOEY STORY".
(Near the end of that post)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPH FRANCIS!!! WE LOVE YOU SO VERY MUCH and YOU ARE A BLESSING TO ALL!!!!

A Beautiful Ceremony

2011-09-12T09:22:00.002-04:00

Hello, Friends of Benmakesten! Happy Monday! I LOVE Mondays! They remind me of the words of "Miss Stacey" in "Anne of Green Gables" who espoused her love of "tomorrows" by saying, "Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it".

This is how I view "Mondays"...a whole week ahead with no mistakes in it!

(And yet, I know too, that there will BE mistakes, but that I am the child of a kind and loving God who overlooks my faults and forgives me when I DO "mess up" my week!)

On this bright and sunny Pennsylvania Monday, I'd like to welcome Ryan Kraeger to Benmakesten.
He's the newest friend here and you can visit his very fine blog by clicking his picture at the top of this page.
(He's the one in the upper-most left-hand corner of the "Friends" section). Ryan is a Staff Sergeant who has served in our military all over the world, and also, author of two WONDERFUL books, "My Dearest Sisters" and "What Every Man Needs". You can check these out on our website by clicking HERE. I HIGHLY recommend them both to encourage your thoughts and discussion within your families on the value of the virtue of modesty. I plan on reviewing both of these books very soon here on Benmakesten. But, don't wait for the review...check them out now!

Glad to have you here with us, Ryan...and we thank you for your service!

**********************************************************

Yesterday, the children and I were privileged and honored to attend a ceremony where my husband was inducted as an Outside Guard in the Knights of Columbus. Not since his own days in the United States Army have I had the joy of seeing my dear husband stand and move in procession, as he did with his brother Knights yesterday afternoon.

It was a wonderful feeling to be called to rise as a group and place our hands over our hearts to pledge the American flag. At several junctures in the ceremony, we paused to raise our voices in patriotic songs. Once a common scene in classrooms and on sports fields of America, these are now few and far between and I was proud to stand with my family and fellowmen to honor our homeland, our freedom, and our beliefs.

There were about 8-10 men being inducted as officers and each were called forward by name to receive their new title and have their "mission" read aloud before those who were gathered in attendance. They were asked if they understood and would try to their best to faithfully carry out all that was being asked of them; and each resounded with a joyful "I do" and "I will".

If you have never had the honor of attending a Knights of Columbus ceremony, let me tell you that it is quite moving and deeply meaningful.

Everything they do and say is centered on love of Christ and Family.

I noticed the glimmer and the pride in the eyes of my sons as they watched their Dad process up the aisle and approach the leader that was calling him forth.

When the fellow Knight Leaders face one another in ceremony, the make a "sign" of greeting. At first glance, this might seem to some to look like something out of a Fred Flinstone Lodge meeting where they salute the "Grand Poo-bah"...however, what is actually taking place is something very sacred and beautiful. In fact, the one man is lifting his hand/arm and making a vertical motion in the air while the other man is doing much the same in a horizontal direction. Thus, the two together are "drawing" The Sign of the Cross.

So too, as the line of men proceed up the aisle toward the altar, they complete their procession by standing in the form of a giant cross. Though each one is called forward to receive his Officer's Title and Mission, the leader's voice rings out at the end, "Gentleman, please re-form the cross now" so that they begin and end standing in this beautiful formation. At the call of "about face" they exit as "brother Knights" moving as ONE, united in Christ, for the love and honor of God, Family, and Community.

Many times, throughout the ceremony, the leader addressed the Congregation. He did so by saying, "Worthy Knights, Lovely Ladies and Beautiful Children" followed by whatever commentary he was giving at the time.

I can't tell you how happy I was to be a part of it all; and most especially, to have my children (namely, my sons) witness this group of wonderful men who were rising to the Call to stand for Christ and help one another to become better husbands, fathers, and community servants and leaders in His Name.

In a world that has been wrought with relativism, secular and anti-Christian ideas; where right is becoming wrong and wrong-right, and a general sense of order and decorum and good manners is fast on the way to oblivion...I was SO thankful yesterday for the beauty and order and virtuous demeanor of The Knights of Columbus who were gathered in our parish.

I thanked God for allowing my children (again, especially my sons) to have these wonderful godly men as examples in their lives...models of what a good Christian man looks like, acts like...and lives like.

I thanked God for my husband; a wonderful man of integrity and a true blessing as a husband and father.

As I looked down at my sweet little Benjamin, whose 4 year old little eyes were WIDE with wonder and attentiveness, I smiled and hoped that he would one day follow in his father's footsteps.

After the ceremony, we were treated to a lovely luncheon and fellowship with the other Knights and their families; and, of course, our beloved pastor, who serves as Chaplain for the Order of Knights in our parish.

This day of prayer, reflection, ceremony, and social interaction made me very mindful of the many blessings God has given me in life.

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks upon our nation.

The Knights of Columbus ceremony was a beautiful way to start the afternoon.

At 7 o'clock that evening, we went back into town to join many other local church communities who were gathering at the Episcopal church, next door to our own St. Peter's, for a prayer service in honor of those who fell that day and those who still miss them so very much.

Two extremes, one lovely, joyful, new event, one, a memory of a tragic, heinous, catastrophic event...yet both, when intertwined, a sign of God's love and presence that "the gates of hell shall not prevail".

We carry on, we trust in Him, we do our best to love our neighbors as ourselves and through it all we sing out

JESUS CHRIST IS LORD and GOD BLESS AMERICA!

God Bless America

2011-09-10T20:15:00.000-04:00

This evening, we will attend a community prayer service at a local Episcopal Church who has invited our parish to their service.

All gathered in His name will ask God's grace and blessing upon those who mourn the memory of the loss of their loved ones today; the anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our nation, September 11th, 2001.

Now, 10 years later, I pray and wait and dream of the day when my own nephew, a Warrant Officer and Black Hawk Combat Helicopter Pilot will come safely home from Afghanistan.

Today, as in years past, my family will watch films, share stories, and pray...to honor those who fell, to remember those who miss them so...and to ask mercy upon those who conducted those heinous attacks.

I remember very well exactly where I was and what I was doing that day.

This post shares that memory.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! May we never take our freedom for granted!

Fridays for Others

2011-09-09T13:14:00.000-04:00

Haven't done this for a while.

Please lift up your hearts with ours as we pray for the following and feel free to add your own prayer requests in the comment box today. We will pray with you, too!

Dear God,

We praise Your holy name and thank you for your many blessings.
Today, we ask Your blessing and care especially for:

* The people of Texas, who are suffering terribly from the drought and wide-spread wildfires. Please send them much needed help and RAIN. You are God of all nature and the elements obey your command. We trust in you to provide for your people in Texas. Sustain them and carry them through these trials and bless them with waters from heaven.

* Those (including my daughter) who are still trying to rebuild and restore their homes and neighborhoods since the tornadoes. Grant them the graces needed to persevere and recover, one day at a time. May their hearts be filled with comfort and joy in knowing they are not forgotten and that many are keeping them in prayer.

* An end to abortion. Open the eyes of our hearts, oh Lord, that we may see the evil of our ways. Grant our government leaders the courage to take a stand and do what's right to protect the innocent, unborn babies who have been created in your image and likeness.

* Those who feel lonely today. May the feel the presence of your love. Help us to reach out in friendship to those who feel alone in this world. Fill their hearts with joy and let them know that someone cares.

We ask these things, in the name of Jesus, our Savior and King ~

AMEN

Tagged in a Game!

2011-09-07T09:38:00.001-04:00

My dear friend Erin, from Seven Little Australians and Counting, has tagged me in a little game to share some thoughts on homeschooling.

1. One homeschooling book you have enjoyed

Like I told Erin, I have SUCH a difficult time with surveys that require "one item" answers.
I have enjoyed so many books on homeschooling but the one that immediately comes to mind is not, per se, a "homeschooling" book but rather, a book for all who are seeking harmony, joy, and peace in family life.
It is by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, and is entitled, "For the Family's Sake/The Value of Home in Eveyone's Life". I have read, re-read, and re-read this book again to the point that my cover is worn and torn and I'm probably in need of a fresh, new copy! This little gem is full of such insight, wisdom, and practical advice so as to help anyone seeking to create a loving, thriving, enriching atmosphere of family fellowship at home.

2. One resource you wouldn't be without
YIKES. Now, that's a tough one. I suppose if I were told that starting tomorrow, I would only have one resource with which to continue homeschooling, I would want to have the library. This way, I would have access hundreds of books that supplement our learning experiences.

3. One resource you wish you had never bought

Well, the "Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" was not really my cup of tea. I think that the basis of the book is a good one and that it could be a great help to someone who has the time to sit and go through all of the lessons. Our family's style of learning to read is a bit more natural and not-so-cumbersome. However, that is just "me". I know many people who love this book and use it faithfully when teaching their own children and I am not saying it is not a good book; only that it's not a good fit for me.

4. One resource you enjoyed last year

One of my favorite new resources in the past year has been "My Audio School" website! We subscribed for the low annual fee. (You needn't subscribe to make use of the site for a lot is offered free, but gain access to many more stories through your subscription) My kids and I have been enjoying GREAT stories like "The Bobbsey Twins", "Robin Hood", "Captains Courageous", "Beatrix Potter Tales", and more. We like to tune in while we are making supper and setting the table. It's great fun and there are literally hundreds of available audios in a wide genre of categories!

5. One resource you will be using next year
One new resource we are beginning to use more of, is one that I created myself! (We are planning to offer some of these free on our website; as well as take custom orders from customers for particular titles they are looking for). I have found a unique and interesting way to incorporate Vocabulary, Comprehension, Research Skills, and Hands-on Activities by developing Reading Comprehension and Activity Guides to accompany different Classic Stories that I've assigned to the children. Along with reading each chapter in the book, the kids are given a notebook. Each section of the notebook is pre-written and corresponds to the chapters. It contains a list of vocabulary words for which the student enters definitions BEFORE reading the chapter (This way, when the get to those words, they already know the meanings!). After reading the chapter, the go back to the notebook to answer a list of comprehension questions. Finally, each section ends with a small list of "Further Activities and Research" to enhance their learning experience. For instance, in a recent book that my son has been assigned, one of his "further activities" was to research various Indian Tribes online and to try to learn to say a few words in their languages. This new resource has been a HUGE success in our house. The kids enjoy the guides and it alleviates the necessity of having separate classes for Vocabulary or Comprehension.

6. One resource you would like to buy
Actually, what I'd really like to buy are new sets of some of our beloved book series, which, as we have used them for more than 20 years in some cases, have covers and pages that are completely worn and torn and falling apart. My dream is to slowly replace each set until we have shelves filled with nice, new, fresh copies again.

7. One resource you wish existed
Story books for Littles that pertain to the homeschooling lifestyle. I wish for these so much that I have started writing a series of them myself! You are probably familiar with little storybooks that feature "My First Day of School" or "Mary Goes to Kindergarten" type tales...I would like to see a line of books that tell stories about children and their homeschooling families!

8. One homeschool catalogue you enjoy reading

I agree with Erin on this one...I love the Emmanuel Books Catalog. Such fun to browse and dream!

9. One homeschooling website you use regularly
Well...my own (ahem) because I spend so much time writing there! I also LOVE to visit Catholic Icing
While it is not a "homeschooling" site, in particular, (I think anyone can benefit from visiting there) I do turn to it quite often when looking for crafts and celebration ideas to correspond with the Liturgical Calendar of the year!

10 Tag six other homeschoolers

Ok, let's see...I will name the first six homeschooler/bloggers that come to my mind here:

MUNCHESMOM

GAE

NIKKI

VIOLIN MAMA

GARDENIA

KELA

Looking forward to reading your thoughts in this latest blogging game, ladies!

Visiting Angels

2011-09-03T20:32:00.000-04:00

If you have been a "Friend of Benmakesten" for any length of time, then you might recall that my beloved father suffered immensely in the last 5 years of his life. He went home to the Lord this past June and we miss him every moment. Yet, we rejoice that he is at peace and celebrating his eternal reward in heaven!

Many times, over the past few years, my mother, who lives as well as she can with Congestive Heart Failure, was challenged beyond words in caring for and assisting my Dad when certain urgent situations or needs would arise.

So often, my brothers and sister and I would lament to one another on the phone; wishing that there were some way we could get them the extra help they needed.

True, my brother, who lives nearby, is always on-hand to help.

However, the needs surpassed anything he could do for them at times.

A few times, the doctors asked if my Dad wanted to enter a nursing home.
He did not.

I often wished that there would be an organization like "Hospice", except for people who did not yet need "Hospice" care.

Recently, I came across this wonderful website that offers NJ senior care.
There is an expertly trained and marvelous group of people who act as "visiting angels".
Whether a loved one is in need of care after surgery, full-time daily care, even live-in care, this organization is there to help.

This New Jersey Elder Care facility offers so many valuable programs; allowing a family member to maintain his/her living independence as much as possible for as long as possible.

From personal hygiene help, assisted pet care, and shopping help, to safety and fall prevention supervision and housekeeping, as well, the trained staff will visit according to the schedule customized for your loved one's care. Supervisors are Registered Nurses.

I know my parents could have benefited in so many ways from a wonderful program like this.
My father would stumble or fall and it was very difficult for my mother to try to lift and assist him.

These Visiting Angels are a God-send to many, I'm sure.

I wanted to share this with all of you in case someone you love or someone you know might be in need
of this special care.

On a Roll!

2011-09-01T12:04:00.001-04:00

My dear husband, who has been working (with the help of his trusty sidekick, Jacob) for months now, painting and renovating various rooms of our home (as you already know if you frequent this blog because I keep mentioning it; ::wink::) has surprised and impressed me so very much in what he has been able to accomplish.

I have always admired a person who does not let the fact that they are not trained or formerly educated in something keep them from learning and/or doing things.

My Gracie is like this. She is one of the most determined people I know; and OH SO BRAVE! Gracie has been known to tell me, "I love to just FACE my challenges and fears HEAD ON Mom...it's a good feeling...you should try it"...LOL...Aaahhhh, the wisdom of babes.

As I have watched my hubby take stacks and stacks of books out of the library and read articles and tutorials online, in order to educate himself in the knowledge and skills of home building/carpentry and renovations, I can easily see where Gracie gets her "gumption and grit".

I am so blessed. My husband is such a wonderful provider; always finding a frugal means to accomplish tasks and projects. Home renovations tend to be expensive (which is why we rarely do any) and hubby always says to come up with an estimated price, then triple it, and you'll be close to the actual investment.

Anyway, I'm rambling; sorry.

(It's so much fun to ramble on a blog though because no one rolls their eyes, grits their teeth, or sighs at you, ha ha...at least, not that we are able to see or hear, that is) ::SMILE::

Back to hubby. He has successfully learned how to frame a wall, put up a wall, drywall a wall, and add a drop ceiling AND lighting all by himself! I'm simply amazed at what he has done.

Perhaps, to someone like this Northern Virginia remodeling contractor these tasks and projects might seem quite minimal and basic. However, to someone who has never done this type of work, and actually, doesn't care for the intense precision and "slowness" needed to do the job right (leveling, measuring, leveling again and again and again), it is no small feat and VERY exciting to observe it all as it comes to fruition!

I've been teasing my beloved; telling him that he might not have wanted to "let the cat out of the bag" about this newly found talent of his. After all, we were hoping to do some kitchen remodeling in the year ahead; and I'm thinking we have now found a way to save GOBS of money on it all.

I mean, if someone can build rooms, they can lay floors and install counter tops too....RIGHT???? ::wink::

I am thankful for the wonderful example my husband sets for our children. They are raised to believe (and to SEE) that as long as we have a desire to learn and a determination to succeed, we can do many things!

I just realized as I wrote that, that my husband is a perfect representation of the blessings of homeschooling!
This is what we strive to inculcate in the hearts of our children...learning for the love of learning...and that as long as we know HOW to learn, we can make ourselves useful, find employment, start a business, and/or serve others in an almost endless capacity!

Soon to come.....pictures of our new little school room!

Thanks for sharing the journey with us:)

Let's Talk Money

2011-08-31T09:16:00.000-04:00

When I was growing up, we were never given an "allowance". My parents did not believe in this way of doing things and preferred for us, instead, to come to them and ask for whatever our needs might have been.

Raising 7 children on one income, they (my parents) did not have gobs of "reserves" lying around to dish out for the whims and wants of each of their kids. Furthermore, life was different back then. We kids really didn't "want" things very often; perhaps dreaming of the occasional pair of roller skates or a bike whenever the huge Sears or JC Penney Christmas catalogs arrived in the mail.

Sometimes, though, as we got older, we'd ask for a little bit of money to go the skating rink or to a movie; but for the most part, our family life consisted of my Dad going to work each day and my parents using their income to provide for our needs. Simple.

I think my sister saved some of her own money in a jar or piggy bank because I can remember how she would take out all of her pennies and wash them from time to time. Yes! It's true! She really did!

Times have changed. Kids today have lots of money. (Some kids, that is.)

While my husband and I do not give our children an allowance for we are of the mindset that each member of the family has certain things for which he/she is responsible that is merely a part of being a family and running a household and therefore, does not merit getting paid to do. However, in an effort to teach our children about the value of earning money and saving it, we have always invited them to ask for "extra work" above and beyond their regular duties; and only AFTER said-duties have been properly carried out.

This has worked well for us, except in one regard.

Because our kids do not have savings accounts, we tend to encounter problems in the area of money being misplaced, lost, or squabbled over as to whose is whose from time to time.

Thus, I have decided that I'd like to teach my children more about banking and opening and maintaining a savings account this year. (I recall taking Consumer Math classes in high school that most people thought were "blow-off" classes but that I actually learned a lot from).

There are plenty of sites online like this one:
https://www.aurorabankfsb.com/consumer/banking/rates which offer all sorts of information and programs to help you make the most of your savings. I would venture to say that these sites are geared to adults and are quite useful for those who are seeking to customize their savings programs and find the best package available for their personal and/or business needs.

I was delighted to find that not only are there sites out there that pertain to "savings accounts for kids" but there is actually curriculum that offers a variety of activities and lessons for different age groups in order to teach youth about the importance of being a good steward of our finances and the value of opening a savings account. This site:

http://www.handsonbanking.org/en/educators.html
is one such place I found online.

I'd like to hear from the Friends of Benmakesten on the topic of Savings Accounts.

Do your children share your adult account and you simply handle their funds?

Do your children have their own savings accounts?

Have you ever taught a class at home or used curriculum that is focused on this topic?

Leave a comment and share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you!

Happy Belated Tasha Tudor Day!

2011-08-30T09:27:00.000-04:00

Tasha Tudor is a world famous illustrator who was born August 28, 1915, and delighted the world with her artwork, ideas, and lifestyle until she passed away on June 18, 2008.

Actually, her legacy continues on and still warms the hearts of so many who come to know her through her books; as well as the many articles, websites, and blogs that share all things "Tasha".

While I have not (YET) taken on some of the things that were common to Mrs. Tudor in everyday life; such as: raising chickens for eggs, canning jars and jars of homegrown produce, working with antique looms, and other such wonderful activities, I do benefit from striving to achieve the overall ideal which can be gleaned from reading about this lovely lady's life.

Tasha Tudor inspires us to:

Embrace our femininity

Rejoice and delight in our vocation as homemakers

Seek the beauty and joy of the simple blessings in life each day

Take time for relationships

Read, read, read, and read some more!

Relish the talents and gifts we've been given by God and share them with others

Spend time in nature: Meditate on it, sketch it, use your hands to work with it, write about it, and praise God for it.

Tasha Tudor, it might be said, is the antithesis of all that is "feminist" and the epitome of all that is "feminine".

As a true lover of "family read-alouds" and having two very gifted illustrators in my own home, I simply LOVE to share books with Mrs. Tudor's illustrations in them with my children. Sometimes, the kids have to "nudge" me to go on and turn a page because I can get lost in the loveliness of her artwork!
Other times, I have been known to sneak off with one of her books to enjoy by myself so that I need not be obligated or rushed to turn those pages before I'm good and ready! ::smile::

Think of "family". Think of "joy in the blessings of God". Think of a "simple and gentle way of life".

These are thoughts that Tasha Tudor inspires.

In honor of Tasha Tudor day, which was this past Saturday, the 28th, we have added an entire TASHA TUDOR section in the book aisle of our Homeschool Faith and Family Life Store!

We've included this darling little "First Prayers" book; as well as a wonderful cookbook, and the first published work of Mrs. Tudor's: "Pumpkin Moonshine" (originally published in 1938). If you'd like to learn more about Tasha Tudor, you might like to read "The Private World of Tasha Tudor" which tells about her farm in Vermont; and how she lived with no electricity, plumbing, or other amenities we seem to take for granted now-a-days.

There are wonderful books on dollhouses, the seasons, Christmas, and many other holidays.

Stop in and browse around if you get a chance today:)

While most of us will not make such drastic changes in our lives that we return to living without some of the luxuries listed above, we CAN learn from and be inspired by Tasha Tudor in the way of making a joyful, loving, peaceful home for our families, and slowing down to enjoy the simple things in life.

HAPPY TASHA TUDOR DAY!

Please Check Your Information First

2011-08-28T23:01:00.003-04:00

This is not meant to be a political post or a bashing of any other blogger or website owner.

However, something happened this week which caused my soul turmoil. I really couldn't believe it to be truly occurring in this day and age...but I saw it in print with my own eyes and therefore could not deny that it happened.

There is a social network site for homeschoolers that I LOVE. Normally, I would give a link to it and have, many times in the past, done so, because I think it's one of the nicest places to congregate online if you are interested in or living the homeschooling lifestyle. I am choosing not to link to it within this particular post because I would not want that site or its owner, whom I love dearly, to receive any negative publicity or backlash for my post here.

This past week, there was a discussion going on among the site members of that site. A certain mom was feeling a little left out of the loop because she was not Christian and it seemed to her that everyone else on the site IS. This is not so...and many wrote in to tell her that...but what was really nice was that many Christians wrote to her too (myself included) to let her know that we would never want to make her feel left out or unwelcomed, simply because she does not profess a belief as we do.

Anyway, in an effort, (I assume) to comfort this woman and to enlighten others, another person, who has a HUGE online presence and is well known nationally for her writing, her website, her ministry, and work, replied to the discussion by listing a link to an online class that she offers where the purpose is to study various religions and belief systems. She has a small outline there in her post with one word topics/religious faith titles, and a short explanation of each. My eyes just about fell out of my head when I read the following:

Romanism: a belief in Church Authority first, Bible second (Catholics)

I stopped. I re-read it to make sure that I was not mistaken. I stopped again. I prayed. I asked God to fill my heart with charity so that I could respond politely and in an articulate manner.

First of all, it was my intent to explain to this woman that the above explanation, as she has it written, is NOT what Catholics believe AT ALL. Secondly, the term "Romanism" is a VERY derogatory and offensive term; so much so, in fact, that THAT is how it is defined in many dictionaries...as an "offensive term referring to Catholics".

I noticed, after I had written my own reply that several other Catholic members of the site had also responded to her post.

I explained our TRUE belief and also suggested that she might wish to read several dictionary definitions of the term she had chosen in the hope that when she gained clarification of its meaning she would choose another term...and also rewrite her outline (and class, if needed) to tell the truth about what Catholics believe.

This has been troubling my heart and that's why I decided to share it on Benmakesten.

It has been my life experience that most people do not hate the Catholic Church. They only hate what they THINK it is. And, when someone is willing to ask questions and respectfully listen to the answers, they realize that they have been living with HUGE misconceptions of our Faith.

The most troubling aspect of this whole incident is that this person, whom I'm sure meant no harm and only wants to enlighten and teach others, has an ONLINE CLASS that is teaching FALSE things about Catholics and their beliefs! I downloaded the lesson to take a closer look at it and was even more astounded (shocked, dumbfounded, and offended) to read, in the lesson, that Catholics (which she calls "Romanists) "believe Scripture to be incomplete". ?!?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?

THIS IS A COMPLETE FALSEHOOD!

I wrote back to her asking where on EARTH she got such information but it does not seem that she is going to respond.

I am shocked to see how OFTEN this occurs in books, online, and in film, in the year 2011. It just seems so archaic and immature to me.

I don't mean that to offend anyone, but really...if you are going to TEACH A CLASS to others...shouldn't you MAKE CERTAIN that you have first educated yourself in the subject at-hand enough to be confident that you are teaching TRUTH?

Please...if you have questions regarding Catholic belief, write to me and ASK. I will not be offended. I will not be shocked. I will not be embarrassed. Rather, I am happy to share my Faith with all who wish to learn about it in the same way that I enjoy learning about the various backgrounds and beliefs of the Friends of Benmakesten.

Please do not print something about Catholic belief unless you have checked your information with a reliable source and know that what you are sharing IS TRUE. When in doubt, print nothing at all until you ASK.

Thanks ~

Judy

Almost Ready!

2011-08-27T08:28:00.001-04:00

As many of you know, my darling husband and son have been working for months, building a new school room for us in the basement.

Each homeschooling family has a different "style" if-you-will. Some families, such as ourselves, enjoy having a room set aside for our lessons and activities. (By the way, someone mentioned to me yesterday, that they think this is part of PA State Law for homeschoolers...an area set aside...I have not seen this in the by-laws...but that doesn't mean it's not there...I'm sure going back to look because I like to be aware of ALL laws pertaining to our homeschooling education)

Other families like to conduct their daily studies "where ever", either because they have no extra room to use for school or because they "shun" anything that remotely resembles an outside school system. (I am of the mindset that we can glean from the good of those systems and use what works for us!)

My kids and I have always enjoyed having a "school room". And, for me, this helps (in a BIG way) to keep things organized and tidy in a home that has 10 people in it. I can't imagine the clutter we would have if everyone kept their supplies all over the house...Well, actually, I CAN imagine it, because that's basically how it's been since we've entered this little interim of "not having a school room" while the new one is being built.

Yesterday, my husband called us all down so that we could see the progress they are making. There was now a drop-ceiling and nice, large, bright lighting above our heads! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BIG STEP!
The walls are built and painted and he even added a certain item that every homeschooling mother simply LOVES: BOOK SHELVES! LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL BOOK SHELVES FROM FLOOR TO CEILING! Our own LIBRARY!!!!

My heart swelled with JOY when hubby brought me over to a little corner of the room. In this corner, are the valves, pipes, and spigots that control our water system that runs out to our barn and fields. Now, this hardware was all hidden for my husband had concealed it by constructing a little "corner enclosure" around it all. The top of this little corner-wall has a flat square plane. My husband proudly pointed to that space and said, "What do you think? I thought you could put your statue of The Blessed Mother right there".

I smiled. I drew in a tiny gasp of excitement. I hugged him and kissed him and thanked him.

Such a small gesture (Well, not really...because my husband is NOT a builder. He does not enjoy this type of work at all and this is the first major project of its kind he has ever undertaken...it is a HUGE challenge for him) to show how much he cares about us...about our classroom...about making us happy...about providing.

I know that the building of this classroom has pushed my dear hubby to his limits in many ways.

To see that darling little shelf, and to know that he was still thinking of us, above and beyond all of the stressful details he has had to worry about with each new step of construction, meant more to me than words can say.

I will CHERISH that tiny little corner of the room, always. And, I can't WAIT until it's all done and we can place our statue of Our Lady in her new and rightful place in our school room!

Gifts don't always have to be extravagant or cost a lot of money. They don't always involve gift-wrap or store-shopping.

Sometimes, they come in the form of "a thought", followed by "a gesture", given by a loved one that lets you know that you are thought of, that you are loved, that you are being cared for.

Don't ever get so caught up in the exteriors of life that you fail to notice the things that your husband (or children) do for you each and every day to say : I LOVE YOU!

We look forward to sharing a few photos of our new classroom when it's finished:)

Have a wonderful weekend and if you're on the East Coast, or near it, as we are...STAY SAFE!

The Joy of a Simple Life

2011-08-23T14:50:00.001-04:00

I had to smile yesterday morning, when Benjamin tottered in to greet me in the kitchen. He had his favorite "sleepy bear" in-hand and I was at my desk, working on our website (as I usually am during the wee hours of the day). It was only 6:30 am and after scooping up my sweet little boy for some kisses and cuddles, I said,
"It's still very very early Benj. Do you want to go crawl back in bed and sleep some more like the other kids?"

"No thank you", he replied. "I can only sleep this much".

My heart swelled with joy. And, I giggled, a few moments later, when I peeked around the bend of my desk wall to check on him and saw that he had curled up with his bear under a cozy blanket on the couch:)

Today, we were all awake and busying ourselves with our morning routine. Well, actually, our "routine" was a little "rearranged" today because the kids asked if they could watch a movie together before breakfast, chores, and school.

I love homeschooling. It allows the freedom of doing these special things sometimes.

I enjoy seeing all of my kids snuggled up together and "flopping" in all their favorite positions in the living room as they entertain themselves with a movie. Today's feature? "Benji".

I had to laugh as I heard OUR Benji defending himself and saying that he didn't particularly care for the fact that this "dog" had the same name as him! LOL

Just as the movie came to an end, one of the girls glanced out of our huge picture window in the dining room and exclaimed, "Look, everyone! There's a young buck in our yard!"

Soon enough, all 8 kids (and MOM) were stooping at the window sills, delighting in the beautiful sight before our eyes. A stag, standing strong and proud, was nibbling the leaves at our backyard buffet.

Jake and I sipped our steaming, hot coffee.

Everyone watched in awe. We shared in the wonder of nature and God's creature. We smiled.

"Aren't we blessed, kids?" I asked. "Isn't this the most beautiful classroom we could ever hope to have?"

All nodded and responded in agreement.

After a while, the young buck strolled off into the woods and we set about eating, cleaning, and getting ready for our school lessons.

There was an actual chill in the outside air this morning; something we haven't felt ALL SUMMER.
We kept the sliding doors open a way and put the screens in all of the windows.

Feeling this "hint" of the Autumn to come inspired us to make a big pot of soup for supper today!

While some of the kids got to work in their studies, the girls and I browned some stew beef and began to add our tasty ingredients to a stockpot on the stove. I always save the seasoned liquid from strained tomatoes when I make salsa from our garden...I keep it in the freezer as a "soup starter" and it's delicious!

Mary Helen, our resident "baker" immediately offered to whip up some biscuits to go with our soup.

Then, we all laughed as we discussed how difficult it was going to be to wait until SUPPER time to eat the soup; rather than digging in at lunch. "Oh, but it will taste better if we let it simmer all day", I said.
"Yes, but it's sooooooooo hard to wait", smiled Mary Helen in reply.

We decided to solve our little dilemma by frying up some batter-dipped garden squash for lunch.
A nice distraction, don't you think?

Sometime during our morning, my darling husband called to say hello...and to ask me to look for his wallet that he somehow had left behind when he left for work today.

He thanked me for being at home and for teaching our children each day.
I thanked him for all of his hard work.

The kids LOVE when Daddy calls and he delights in hearing their happy farewells as they all shout, "Bye, Daddy, I LOOOOVE YOUUUUUU!!!!!!" into the phone.

We learned about Asia today.
We hung laundry on the line and laughed as we listened to the conversation that "wife" Sarah and "husband" Benjamin were having in their world of make believe out in the yard.

The boys played some video games on their lunch break and Jacob headed out to the driveway to wash the van (on loan to us since we loaned ours to our pastor for the parish pilgrimage across the USA) as he had all of his school work done before noon.

We haven't done anything especially exciting today.
No earth-shattering news occurred during our lessons that you might be interested in hearing.
We went nowhere and saw no one but each other...and yet:

My heart is so full of JOY.
We are ordinary people, living an extraordinary-ordinary life.
I love learning along-side my children and I am truly thankful to the Lord for this privilege. I have learned more about life and about each academic subject than I ever learned when I was a student in school.

This is our calling.
Not doing it, would be saying "no" to what we know God is asking of us.
And so, we say "yes".
Everyday brings a new "yes".

There is great peace in knowing that we are where we are supposed to be, doing what we're supposed to do.
CHRIST is the center of all that we do.
CHRIST is a part of our every moment.

Not all of our days go as smoothly as these last few.
In fact, sometimes, things are anything BUT "smooth".
(These are the days when we "get in God's way" and forget to let Him take the reins!)

But, I still wouldn't change it for the world.

It's about so much more than "academics" or "scholarships" or "money" or "things".

As my friend Gae shares in this beautiful blog post, it is about "relationships".

I see the loving and lasting bond between my children.
I am blessed by the joyful and happy relationships they have with ME.
We get excited when Tom comes home each day.
We understand what it means to "serve with a joyful heart" because we have had to learn to live side by side, 24 hours a day.

It's a simple life.

It is our own.

We feel greatly blessed...

and there is JOY in our every day.

Ben's Big Winners!

2011-08-22T07:16:00.000-04:00

Thanks to all who entered our recent giveaway drawing to win a copy of Suzie Andre's wonderful book, "A Little Way of Homeschooling"! We had a great turnout!

As has always been our tradition at Homeschool Faith and Family Life, we invite our youngest son, Benjamin Luke, (namesake of this blog) to draw the winning names for us!

He was delighted to reach into the jar yesterday, which was packed full of entries, and carefully pull out 3 WINNING NAMES, one at a time!

The winners did not enter a location on their entry notes, so all I have to publish are their first names. We will contact them via the private email addresses they gave to us, in order to get the proper mailing information to forward their PRIZES to them!

The winners are: DARLENE, MARY JO, and SARAH!

We are sending emails out this morning ladies so check your inboxes later today!

Thanks again for participating in our website fun and a special thanks to the author of this wonderful book, Suzie Andres, who generously added the two extra copies as prizes; allowing us to have THREE WINNERS rather than just one!

Stay tuned for more fun giveaways in the near future!

And, if you still want to read the book (and I hope you do because it's full of uplifting stories, advice, and inspiration) you can get a copy of it in our online store right now! CLICK HERE to do so!
You can also get a copy of Mrs. Andres's first book, written prior to the one we just gave away. It is called "Gentleness in Homeschooling" and is available on that same page:)

Once again, congratulations to Darlene, Mary Jo, and Sarah, our BIG WINNERS FOR THIS EVENT!

Enjoy your books!

A Growing Concern

2011-08-19T11:01:00.000-04:00

One of the great blessings that we have enjoyed since starting our website a couple of years ago is that we have met/connected with/learned about/ and become friends with many wonderful people from all over the world.

Where there is blessing, there is also often trial/suffering. Last year, some of you might recall that we suffered through an entire computer crash from a vicious trojan virus that got into our computer through a social networking site. This virus was able to "change its identity" continually which is how it escaped our anti-virus protection program.

In addition to that, we often receive suspicious comments under our blog posts. I can't tell you how many I have to delete each week that attempt to disguise themselves as valid comments; but, upon closer inspection, I'm able to tell that things "are not right" and (usually) am successful in deleting them before any harm is done.

We were talking about all of this the other day and the sub-topic of "debit cards". The credit card my husband and I have works either way; as a credit card or debit card.

It seems that almost everyone we know that prefers to use a debit card has, at some point, been the victim of theft. Is this true for you, also? Many of our own family members and close friends have had their bank accounts wiped out through theft of debit cards and/or identity fraud.

I know that there are places on line that offer identity theft protection.
One such place I came across is called IdentityHawk.

I'm just wondering what the experience of the Friends of Benmakesten has been.
Do you use your debit cards?
Are you invested in some sort of protection program like that which is linked above; and, if so, has it worked well for you?

As our website grows both in expansion and success, these matters of concern grow with it.

I'd appreciate your thoughts and feedback about how you have been able to protect yourself; especially for those of you who are online business owners. Even if you don't run a business from home, I'd still love to hear from you if you have experience with this topic.

Thanks!

Go Ahead Kids; Lie in the Grass!

2011-08-18T13:03:00.001-04:00

One of the little delights of my days occurs when I get an envelope in the mail from my mother. She tucks all sorts of little treasures in there for me: recipes, coupons, comics, and often, worthwhile newspaper articles.

Today, I found the article so pertinent to our state-in-life, and so useful for families everywhere, that I thought I'd expound upon it a bit.

I wish I knew who the author of the article was, but my Mum cut it out of the paper and her scissors past over the line above where the author's name would have been. I DO know that it came from "Views" at Parade.com/views. I wanted to mention that so as to at least give some credit to whomever it was that wrote it.

The title of the article was "The Joys of Summer".

The writer was expressing his dismay and disappointment that modern day children/teens are not given enough free/down time during their summer breaks from school.

For the record, I could not agree more!!!

As the article mentioned, it befuddles me that many of today's parents feel compelled to organize/schedule/structure every waking moment of their son and/or daughter's summer time.
No sooner does school let out for summer break and kids are being shipped off to camps, internships, seminars, traveling sports teams and choral groups, and more.

As is often the case, there is nothing inherently wrong with these endeavors. However, we need to ask ourselves what drives us to enlist our children in all of these busy/occupied/scheduled events when they have next to NO time just to be with their own families, relax, REST, pray, and enjoy the summer beauty that surrounds them.

I have my own thoughts as to why this is so. I believe that for many kids, parents are trying to provide a safe and interesting atmosphere for their children while both parents are away from home during the day. It is easier, after all, to enroll a teen or pre-teen at camp, than have to hire someone to look after them each day.

Also, it somehow seems "better" to have our children attending educational, challenging, or enriching events rather than spending their entire summer at a daycare center.

The author of "The Joys of Summer" article takes this topic to a deeper level. He asks us to consider why it seems that we are "afraid" to just let our kids be kids and allow them summer days filled with "nothing to do".
"I know it won't advance your kids' career objectives or improve their SAT scores", he writes, but "I can make the case for doing nothing all summer".

I smiled as I read the author's description of his own childhood summers. I could relate very well.
He tells of a time when weekdays were indecipherable from weekends. The hours of the day were filled with daydreaming, sitting with friends, carrying around a baseball glove "just in case" a game broke out, lying in the grass with our hands behind our heads; feeling the blades between our fingers, reading comics, eating cereal, or putzing around in the garage with our bikes or trying to create a new invention of some sort.

Add to that swimming, relay races, hide-n-go-seek, eating freeze pops on someone's front porch, climbing trees, spying on people, building forts, sitting on the porch, taking a walk, rolling down a big grass hill, and listening to music, and you've pretty much summed up my youthful existence in summers-past.

I'm happy, on the one hand, that I can honestly say that my own children enjoy summers quite similar to those of my own childhood.

However, I ache for the mainstream of society where kids are not allowed to "be kids" anymore.

Funny, at the end of the article, the author mentioned that some parents try to make the argument that they don't like their kids to have free/down time because all they will do is "text, play Nintendo, text, watch TV, text, etc"...to which the author responds, "You can prevent that. Take those things away."

He goes one step further (which I love for no one likes when a person voices an opinion without having ideas and solutions to back up their own position) and suggests to parents that they should try to get their kids to do the following things on a daily basis:

1) Have a face-to-face conversation
2) Read
3) Build or create or make something

4) Get wet. (Pool, water hose, sprinkler...whatever...)

This is such wise advice, although where I come from it is merely common sense and just a normal part of everyday life as a child.

Not so for many children in America now-a-days.

I hope this post will encourage parents and give you pause to consider the following:

1) Summer weeks pass by in a blink. Before you know it, you'll have to say good-bye to your children for more than 8 hours a day when they return to school (Unless you homeschool, that is!)

2) Every moment of a child's life does not need to be ordered, structured, or pre-designed in order to be beneficial.

3) KIDS WORK HARD IN SCHOOL...they NEED a mental REST!

4) If your child's life has reached a point where September/October looks no different that June, July, and August, then perhaps your child is missing out on a very special part of life.

5) Kids do not have to be ready to graduate from college before they even get there! LET THEM BE KIDS!

I'm thankful that my mother sent this article to me today.
I'm thankful that the author wrote it and inspired me to continue along my chosen path...especially when, at times, that sneaky little monster called "self-doubt" creeps in to tempt us to think we're not "doing enough" like "those other people".

Here's to SUMMER TIMES filled with NOTHING TO DO!

Benmakesten has Two New Friends!

2011-08-15T17:39:00.000-04:00

I'd like to welcome "Mandy" and "Kristina", the two newest Friends of Benmakesten!
So glad to have you with us, ladies and I look forward to visiting your blogs, too!
(You can find their blogs by clicking their images at the top of this page...they are the two faces on the left of the upper-most row)
Thanks for being part of our blogging fun! We wish you God's blessings and many JOYS in your family life journeys!

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR TODAY'S MAIN POST!

Smarter than the Book

2011-08-15T17:23:00.002-04:00

Today, the children and I enjoyed our first "official" day back to classes for our new school year.
It felt so good to have all of our books and supplies stacked up next to one another again.

Benjamin Luke was the highlight of our day's activities because he has a new Kindgergarten workbook of which he is VERY proud. We all delighted in watching him write and color and trace in his first "real" school book:)

As most homeschooling mothers can relate, there are times along this journey when a mom doubts her ability to provide all that her children "need" in the way of academics and education.

Then, there are days like today. When God sends that little message of affirmation...a "love note", as one of my friends calls it...a "sign", if you will ~ that all is well and that we are on the right track according to His plan for our family.

He gave me one of these wonderful moments today.

Gracie and I were having Religion class together. The topic of the day's discussion was "The Apostle's Creed". As we read about the basic tenets of our Christian-Catholic Faith, we touched upon the idea of God, as "Creator".

"What does it mean to "create" something?" I asked Gracie.

"To make something", she answered.

"Well, yes, that's part of it", I said. "But can you take that thought further and make it more complete?"

"To make something....out of nothing", she replied.

"Perfect!" I said..."That's it!"

We then had an engaging discussion of God as "Creator" and how, although we "make" things, no human being is truly able to "create" something in the literal sense of the word.

Our discussion moved on to why God would want to "create" uswhen He didn't really "need" to do so.

Gracie explained (aptly so) that He created the world and us to share His love and goodness.

Right again, Grace.

The book that we were drawing our main thoughts and topics from then asked the following question in anattempt to be analogous with why God would want to share His love and joy and goodness and thus, create the world and people in it.

It asked the student, "When you receive a gift that you really LOVE and are excited about, what's the very first thing you do?"

(Hence, came my little moment/message (or love note) from God.)

As I read the textbook silently, without showing it to Gracie, I saw that the answer the book was looking for in reply to what the natural "next reaction" to receiving a wonderful gift is would be to "tell all your friends about it".

However, that's not what Grace said.

When I asked Grace what the very next thing she'd want to do after receiving a gift that she loved is, she answered, "Thank the person who gave it to me!"

I smiled and then prompted, "And then what?"

She replied, "And then, give them a great big hug!"

I grinned and said, "That's wonderful...then what would you do?"

And Grace said, "Share my gift with my family".

I realized that while Gracie was obviously not going to give the patented answer the book was looking for which was "Tell my friends about it", she gave what I think is a BETTER answer and a clearer analogy as to God "BEING love and wanting to SHARE that love' and thus creating the world and US to do so.

In my opinion, Gracie's answers were "smarter than the book's"!

My heart was so moved by her innocent replies. I quietly thanked God because this small exchange between Grace and me reminded me that there is a much "bigger picture" at play in our homeschooling journey than "just academics". Furthermore, within our academics, there is more to it than "just getting the right answer according to a textbook".

I want my children to think.
I want them to feel and care about people and ideas.
I want them to have convictions and beliefs and a strong Faith.
I want them to be well-read and well-spoken.
I want them, most of all, to know, love, and serve God with all of their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.

Gracie's simple little answers allowed me to see that "she gets it".

She gets "the big picture".

To have a 9 year old daughter say that the very first thing she'd do with a gift that she loved is "THANK" the person who gave it to her...and the next thing she'd do is "hug" them...and the next thing would be "to share the gift"....is affirmation to me as a homeschooling mother.

Yes, we have bad days along with our good days.
Yes, sometimes we struggle with certain concepts.
Yes, sometimes I need outside help when something surpasses my academic capabilities.
And, yes, sometimes I doubt and worry and fear that I can't do and be and teach all that my children need.

But then, God sends me one of these messages. He whispers to me through the moments I share with my kids. He says, "Don't worry. I've got it all under control. They are going to be FINE...actually, they are going to be BETTER than FINE...just leave it to Me. I am with you."

Boy, it's good to be in school with my children again.

Homeschooling is a wonderful blessing. Each unique family is called in their own special way and can find a routine and a rhythm that's all their own in order to help each student reach his/her full potential as "a child of God".

That makes me smile.

No matter where your children attend school, I wish you a year ahead full of learning fun and adventure and the joy and blessings of growing closer to God through your academic endeavors!

We'd love to hear about your school lessons! Feel free to leave a comment and share a story with us today!

Symphony at Night

2011-08-11T13:29:00.001-04:00

"Mom, you've just GOT to step outside when you get a minute and listen...it's AMAZING!!!"

That's how my sweet daughter, Laura, 16, greeted me as I was just finishing up from tucking the younger children into bed last night.

"Oh!" I smiled. "Ok...I'll head out to the porch in a minute!"

I gathered up a couple of books and a glass of ice water for I just love to sit on my porch in the late evening and read.

I smiled again in my heart at the thought of how delighted Laura looked as she beckoned me outside.

I opened the door and settled into my favorite wicker rocking chair and Laura's amazement quickly became my own.

A night time symphony was playing!

Our home is rather "tucked" into the woods so we have forest on threes sides of the house. The echo and acoustics is like having "surround sound" in nature!

The performers for this night's event?

Hundreds upon thousands of Crickets and Locusts!

I was so struck by the beauty of this song that I didn't even open my books or magazine for a while.
I just sat there.
As I sat there I thought, "There are no man-made instruments on this earth that can create music so glorious as this".

Isn't it wonderful that God delights and entertains us in this way?

He didn't HAVE to create these "singing insects". He did it to THRILL us!

And "thrilling" it is to sit on your own front porch, as darkness falls upon the fields, and drink in the wonder and glory of NATURE'S SYMPHONY!

My mind went back to Laura. It warms my heart to know that she notices the blessings that God sends.
She had stopped and listened. She had wondered. She had stood in awe. And, instead of keeping it all to herself, she had shared it...with ME.

I am blessed and so thankful for my lovely daughter and for my home in the woods.

Do you need a rest? Are you searching for peace and quiet? Do you like music?

Then wait until the night time falls and step outside...and LISTEN.

You'll be glad you did.

FANTASTIC NEWS!

2011-08-10T15:04:00.000-04:00

In case you haven't heard, our website, Homeschool Faith and Family Life is currently hosting a GIVEAWAY CONTEST to win a copy of "A Little Way of Homeschooling", by Suzie Andres.

Recently, I was surprised and THRILLED when Suzie, herself, visited Benmakesten and left a couple of comments!
We are so honored that the author of the book we are giving away visited Benmakesten!
You can read Suzie's comments under THIS POST.

In the meantime, I"d like to let you know that Suzie has generously offered to add TWO MORE COPIES of her book to our giveaway; thus, making THREE PRIZES AVAILABLE!!!

Ben will now draw THREE WINNERS!

You can ENTER HERE!

We'd like to thank Suzie Andres for writing wonderful books that inspire and encourage the homeschooling mother; and also for offering such a generous GIFT by adding TWO MORE PRIZES to our giveaway!

Best wishes to all who enter! The jar is really filling up fast but worry not...we have provided several ways for you to gain EXTRA ENTRIES! Hurry over to ENTER NOW!

24 Hours to Love

2011-08-08T09:21:00.003-04:00

Recently, on my good friend Mary's (Beautiful Gate) blog, she quoted Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. While I didn't copy and paste it verbatim here...it basically said that if we, as people, can't manage to love those who are under our own rooftops 24 hours a day, then how we expect that we can ever "love" (as God loves) someone we've only met once?

This has stayed on my heart all weekend long.

I've never thought about it in quite that way before. Have you?

I know that each day is a gift from God.

Father Jack, my pastor, often says things like, "Have you noticed the sky today? It is never-to-be-repeated!"

Having a wonderful shepherd like Father J. in my life helps me, indeed, to be mindful of the fact that each and every day is a directly-willed BLESSING from God.
Still, what Mary wrote about on her blog is different.
This goes deeper. This is something more.

Mother Teresa is saying that in the 24 hours of each day, we are given 24 opportunities to LOVE.

As I pondered this, the message became clearer.

Not 24 opportunities.

After all, there are 60 minutes in each of those 24 hours, right?

This makes it 1,440 opportunities to LOVE.

I'm sure you can see where this is going.

There are 60 seconds in every one of those minutes.

Thus, our grand total of opportunity now comes to:

3,600 opportunities to LOVE in every day.

Now, one might think that "one second" is not enough time to "LOVE".

But, really. Isn't it?

Can't we close our eyes and prayerfully say the name of "Jesus" within "one second"?
Can't we smile lovingly at our spouse or child or friend or a stranger within "one second"?
Can't we give thanks in our heart for something we notice (a beautiful sky, a flower, a bird of prey soaring) within "one second"?

3,600 opportunities to LOVE every day.

Of course, I had to know what that means in a year's time.

Taking 3,600 (seconds in a day) and multiplying it by 365 (days in a year), I found that we have been given

1, 314,000 opportunities to LOVE in every year of our lives.

ONE MILLION, THREE HUNDRED FOURTEEN THOUSAND!

After making this astonishing discovery, I realized another (rather miserable) fact.

I'm not really making the best use of my 1,314,000 seconds.

Are you?

That said, I am human. You are human.
We all know that we will not be successful in LOVING, without fail, 1, 314,000 times a year.

However, Mary's wonderful post and the meditation that God led me through after reading it, has encouraged and uplifted me in the realization that LIFE, itself, is really just a God-given opportunity TO LOVE.

I intend on trying to make better use of my time.

As Mary's "Mother Teresa" quote suggested: "LOVING" begins in the HOME.
It begins with our love of GOD and then our love of OUR FAMILY.

She's right. If we are not loving our spouse or our children; those that we spend the majority (hopefully) of our time with each day...then how can we ever hope to share God's LOVE with the world?

As a homeschooling instructor, I try to teach my children to take "one moment at a time". Or, as some like to say, "Don't try to bite off more than you can chew".

1,314,000 is a pretty large number.

If we leave this post with that "goal" in mind as something we NEED to accomplish, then we will ALL FAIL.

Let's just think of it in terms of that ONE day...and that ONE hour...this ONE moment:

An opportunity to LOVE.

Novel Idea

2011-08-03T12:15:00.001-04:00

I remember when my eldest child was a little girl, the big thing in the children's fashion industry was a product line called "Garanimals". Anyone remember this? The idea was that all of the clothes could be mixed and matched to create many different outfits from just a few select pieces. I liked that idea.

In my online browsings ...wait...is that a word? While browsing online..there...that's better...lately...

I have noticed a similar trend coming back around in conjunction with children's AND women's clothing.

One blogger that I love visiting, has started her own online business because she has a gift for being able to "put together" an outfit, so-to-speak. Friends were always asking her what they should wear to this or that function. Thus, she decided to capitalize on her talent and now creates "wardrobe sets", digitally, that can be purchased as a package deal. She has each item linked to where it can be bought online and your package price is paying her for the time and effort it takes for her to design outfit sets for you...sort of like "grown up" Garanimals! LOL
There's a website that features package deals like this. For girls, and even boys' clothing and ladies! You can purchase a "wardrobe set". This seems to me to save a lot of time and aggravation...instead of having to search and buy individual items...you merely choose a "set" which consists of various articles of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create a number of ensembles!
I love this idea!

I do not "shop" for clothes very often; in fact, quite rarely...but when I do, I find that it's my natural tendency to try to stay within the same style/color categories so that I can wear lots of things with other things...without necessarily buying a large quantity of items...when at the store, I think of my home closet and try to choose things from the rack that will "go with" things I already have at home.

This idea of "wardrobe sets" is like that, don't you think?

You choose a "set" but, in fact, you are getting many different outfits out of the deal!

Anyone else think this is a neat idea?

AMAZING PENCIL PARABLE

2011-08-03T07:50:00.000-04:00

Hello, Friends of Benmakesten!

My dear friend, Nancy, from Be Not Afraid blog, sent me a most AMAZING email this morning and I just HAD to share it with all of you! Make sure you read the entire post so that you can see the beautiful parable after the astounding artwork that follows, below!

The pencil art is super but be sure to read the parable at the end.

A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX :
1. EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK .

2. YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.

3. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.
4. IN LIFE , YOU WILL UNDERGO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.

5. TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.

We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you and then allow yourself to be guided by the hand of God.

Garden of Home

2011-08-02T10:42:00.003-04:00

What do you think of when you think of a "garden"?

I think of:

* peace
* cultivation
*growth
*nurturing and pruning
* beauty
* sustenance
* joy
* nourishment
* weeds
* soil
* stakes
* trimming and tending

...to name a few.

Have you ever meditated on the fact that human life began in a garden? And, not just ANY garden, at that...but one of PARADISE.

When man fell and was forced to leave that haven of peace and joy that was his original home, "life" became a journey that was beset by toil and labor and work...no more would Sanctifying Grace be ALWAYS present...available...yes...but "just out of reach" at times, through human fault and selfishness.

Still, on they went; our first "parents"; striving to regain and maintain what they had lost...what they had rejected...what they were missing and desiring to restore.

And so, times changed, people changed (but not really so much if you think about it) and through it all, only one thing remained the same: GOD'S LOVE.

Thankfully, the Lord promised to be with us and to save us from ourselves. He has done all that He said He would do.

Thus, the "garden" of life has been given back to us...and is at-hand in our very own homes.

Have you ever thought of your home like a garden?

Look back to my own list at the beginning of this post...does it not make you think of your family and daily life journey with them?

Aren't we nurturing and cultivating and tending to the hearts of our spouses and children?

In thinking of gardens, we must also consider what happens to one if it is neglected...and, furthermore, the fact that it will BE neglected IF WE ARE NOT THERE...we must GO to the garden to tend it.

So too, I believe this is why Scripture tells us that women "are to be keepers at home". (Titus 2)
Notice it doesn't say keepers "OF THE" home...it says "at" home.

Again, if we are to cultivate the gardens of our homes, we must BE THERE to do it. WE are the gardeners!

Somewhere along the line, this society got its priorities all mixed up. (Sort of like Adam and Eve did, perhaps?) Things that were once thought of as natural, beautiful and worthwhile (things like: daily routine and rhythm, beautifying the home through housework, beautifying ourselves so as to be a welcomed sight to a husband after a long day's work, and tending to and nurturing our children each day; including all of the mundane and menial tasks that go with that) are now thought to be worthless, demeaning, a waste of time, or merely not gratifying. Instead of embracing their God-ordained role as "keeper at home" women began to want at men had...(which we were warned about when A & E left their garden)...

Have you also ever noticed that when you take time to really "dive into" your work at home, there usually follows a sense of peace, harmony, and joy...perhaps short-lived, depending on your circumstances, but THERE, none the same? It feels GOOD to declutter, to clean things, to organize and to make time to just BE at home...If we go a step further and we add a little vase of flowers here or there, or place a piece of candy on our husband's pillow with a note that says "I LOVE AND APPRECIATE YOU", then we are bringing LIFE to our homes...we are nurturing, cultivating, and sustaining our "garden".

Many couples today tell themselves that the wife/mother in their home "HAS" to work. Granted, there will always be unique and even grave circumstances that arise where this will be true; either for a time, or permanently. A widow must support her family. A wife whose husband is incapacitated in some way must also. Sometimes, too, try as he might, a husband can not make ends meet and needs his wife's help to supplement income. Other times (but not as often as we like to think) God calls a woman from her home for some unique purpose. Women are educated, they have degrees, they are doctors, lawyers, teachers, and more. But, long ago, they did these things when they were SINGLE, as a means to support themselves. When a husband and family came along, they began a new phase of their journey in the home.
I firmly believe that the majority of women who have left their homes to go to work on the outside have done so, not out of grave need, but out of desire to have "more"...That "more" is different for each person...sometimes it is more money, more clothes or toys, more of a house, more travel and vacations, more education options...and other times it is a subtle "more"...more prestige, more common ground with peers, more personal gratification, more opportunities, more of what the husband has (time to himself while driving, lunch with friends sometimes, time away from whining children, and excitement in his day).

When considering "need", we must be careful not to fall into the trap of justifying our wants and behaviors as "needs" or worse, to place God's name in front of them and say we are "called", when in fact, we are sometimes merely trying to find an excuse to do what we WANT to do rather than what is needed.

Even those of us who are at home are prone to this faulty thinking. I might say that I am "called" to head up a committee at church or that I "need" to enrich my kids socially and therefore must join five different sports teams to do so, etc. When I decide to "get real" and give a true assessment to the situation, I often find that we don't "need" whatever it is we are doing and, in fact, our family would be better off without "it". Upon self-inspection, I find that it was I who was enjoying the activity...seeing other moms, getting a pat on the back for my work, getting out of the house, etc. (None of these is inherently wrong, but you get the point, right?)

This post is not meant to persecute or judge or scold anyone.

Rather, I hope it will inspire you to consider its theme. That is, that our homes are like gardens and God meant for us to tend to those gardens on a daily basis. (Yes, one could argue that one can "hire" another gardener to tend the crops, but is this really the same?)

It's hard to make a radical change in life. It's even more difficult to be vastly different from those around us...there are some who would even call us silly or crazy for trying to struggle along paycheck to paycheck just to stay at home with our children.

I hope this post encourages you. I hope it helps you to know that "it is worth it".

The struggles, the challenges, the trials, and the financial burden that comes with living on one income IS worth it.

And for those of us who ARE at home with our families each day, let us refresh and renew our spirits in our vocation! The simple tasks and duties of caring for our homes and our husbands and our children bring a natural and beautiful ebb and flow to daily life that becomes the supporting pillar that "holds up our house" when times get tough.

Doing your dishes and laundry, shining the wood-top furniture, scrubbing your floor, hanging clothes on the line, and making a tasty and nutritious meal for your family...these are "little offerings" that God accepts as worthy and wonderful. He smiles upon you as you "tend to your garden".

Even if your children go to outside schools, just knowing that their mother is there waiting to greet them when they get home; perhaps with a bowl of cookies and a nice tall glass of milk, is a blessing to them.

Some might giggle and say that these ideas are obsolete, old-fashioned, silly, or out-of-date.

These gentle ways and daily duties, done with a joyful and willing heart, are a means to restoring the family in America; and by doing so, we can restore the Church, the community in which we live, the nation, and the world at large...one family at a time, one day at a time...with MOTHER at the heart of the home.

I leave you with a quote that inspired me on this blog today:

WIN A FREE BOOK!

2011-08-01T16:14:00.000-04:00

There's a new giveaway on Homeschool Faith and Family Life!

Suzie Andres has written "The Little Way of Homeschooling" which features the testimonies of 13 different families who found themselves called to homeschool; and then within that calling, entered the lifestyle known as "Unschooling".

This is an intriguing, fascinating idea and I think you'd welcome this book as a nice addition to your summer
reading plans!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS ON HOW TO ENTER!

Please share this post with your friends and family so that they can enter too! Thanks!

Teens for Christ

2011-07-30T11:45:00.002-04:00

"Imagine a world where the teen population ran toward Christ instead of away from him".

Wow. That's some thought, isn't it?

It was shared by my good blogging friend, Noreen and was among other thoughts that she posted following a quote to teens by Saint Maximilian Kolbe. It is worthy of your time, your reflection and meditation, and sharing with all the teens in your life. I am printing a copy for each of my own teens:) READ IT HERE.

Why is it that the world, at least our American society, seems to have thrown up its collective hands in hopeless despair as to the aspirations, demeanor, attitude, and standards of our young people today?

How often do we hear things like, "Boys will be boys" or "There's nothing we can do about it...they're going to do what they're going to do"?

Granted, there is a bit of truth to both of the above statements. That is, IF offered in the proper context.

Yes, "boys will be boys" if you mean that more often than not, the little ones of the gender will turn anything they can get their hands on into an Army weapon of some sort, or a sword, or a pea shooter! And, yes, "boys will be boys" if you mean that, in general, they love getting dirty, running, climbing, sweating, tackling, wrestling, and sneaking up on girls to scare them.

Yes, "they're going to do what they're going to do", when speaking of the gift of free will with which God has blessed us all. There comes a time, and usually, that time begins to surface itself most evidently in the teen years, when each young man or young lady must decide what he/she believes and what they are going to do about that...as well as whether or not they are going to obey.

HOWEVER, these things are NOT an excuse for the adult population to COP OUT on them in trying to inculcate and instill the proper forms of moral standards, convictions, and ideas according to God's Word!

Especially with concern to the "teens" in our OWN homes, our sons and daughters, WE, the parents, are responsible (and CULPABLE to a certain extent) for their SOULS!

My father, whom many of you know, passed away at the end of June, left words that echo on in my heart about parenting. He often told me, "Parenting is not about making decisions that will make your children happy. It's about having the COURAGE to make the ones that WON'T."

If we allow our teens to carry on with dress and behaviors and attitudes that are not befitting young Christians, then WE are just as responsible for the poor choices they make as they are...if not more-so.

I'm not saying this is an easy task.
I'm also not saying that it always goes smoothly. In fact, I know from personal experience, that sometimes it blows right up in your face and leaves a wake of heartache, trial, and suffering behind it.

BUT...it is worth it. It is expected of us, as parents, by GOD. And...if we believe that the promises of Christ are true...then we can TRUST in His Divine Mercy and Providential Plan that all will work for His glory and goodness in the end.

What happens though, if, when we come to meet our Maker one day, we must answer questions like,
"Why did you look the other way when you knew that was happening" or "Why did you allow that when you knew it offended Me" or "Why did you not have the courage to speak up and STOP your child when he or she was clearly not making good decisions for him/herself"?

None of us want to be in that situation, do we?

I'm thinking that most parents have their childrens' best interests at heart. Most of us hope to hear the beautiful words, "Well done, my good and faithful servant"...even though we will have made mistakes along the way, we trust in His MERCY.

Our teens will continue to be a population that runs "away from Christ" as long as we fail to set an example for them and to show them another way...to show them the JOY that comes from believing and living IN CHRIST.

Raise the bar! And you will be surprised at how they (teens) rise to the standard!

I believe that MANY teens are hoping and wishing and silently crying out to the adults in their lives...to take a stand...and hold them accountable. They WANT a way out of the mess that they're in.

The problem is, if WE...grown-ups...don't have the courage to hold them to it...how on earth do we expect them to have the courage to save themselves?!?!?

I once had a mother tell me that she was afraid to forbid her daughter to see a certain boy because she feared that her daughter would run away.

I do not judge ANY mother in making decisions for her family.

I do, however, question whether it is a good parenting skill to base our decisions on FEAR of what we think our teen might or might not do.

FEAR is born of the enemy. FEAR keeps us in neutral and makes us afraid to take a stand...especially one that our child will not like.

I hope this post encourages you to trust in the Lord where your teens are concerned...and to make the prayerful and careful decisions that He leads you to believe is best for YOUR children...no matter what the neighbors are doing...no matter how your teen reacts...no matter how different or isolated your decisions make you feel.

These are precious souls. They need guidance and understanding and love. They need GOOD morals and help in building their characters. They need godly examples. They need someone they can trust to do the right thing; even when it's not popular.

Let us reach out to our teens and help them live up to Saint Maximilian Kolbe's advice!

The world will be blessed by such a thing!