Another idea for the ham is shave it thinly. Put a little ham on top of a seasoned, cooked chicken breast and top with (I use low fat) swiss cheese. Broil for a couple of minutes. Yum! I can't remember the name of this dish; is it Cordon Bleu?

MMMmm! I love capers. :drool:

Tonight we are having turkey burgers on whole wheat buns smothered with sauteed mushrooms, garlic, and onion. Our side dish is zucchini and fresh sweet corn sauteed with garlic/olive oil and tossed with fresh basil. For dessert we are having light brownies made with cooked sweet potato.

The answers to the quizzes and tests are in their own sections in the middle of the answer key.

I have workout pants, but I only wear them to workout or around the house. If I leave the house, I take a few minutes and look professional and put-together. It takes me about 5 minutes. I look at homeschooling and mothering as my profession, and I convey that in my dress. It's a personal preference, but I enjoy looking my best, and hubby loves the way I take a little time to put on proper clothes. For some reason, I just *feel* better in a blouse and slacks than in sweatpants and T. I feel I am worth it, and that life is too short to run around looking and feeling schlumpy-dumpy. It's also a way to honor my husband by keeping up the same care in my appearance I had when we were dating. He really appreciates it, so I suppose that is motivating to me. Honestly, I dress mostly for myself though. I feel I am a professional mom and an accomplished home educator, and I dress the way that I feel in that role, if that makes sense, LOL!

My uniform is a 7th Ave pant from NY&C (black, brown, or grey) and a knit or button blouse. A bangle bracelet and a cute pair of heels or flats and I am set. When I leave the house, I wear "business casual" type clothing. It doesn't take any longer to put on a pair of slacks than to put on sweats. A cute top takes no more time than a shapeless, frumpy one. Plus, I feel great!

I keep schedules for history, science, literature, and art each on its own schedule grid. So, I just check off as I go, and add what I want to accomplish each week to the weekly schedule. I think in weekly terms, rather than daily, as I am a Big Picture Person. For example, in Math, I pencil in "Lessons 4-8." Not sure if this will help, but I actually have a post on how I plan HERE. For math/language arts/composition and extras, I just pencil in my starting point on MONDAY. Then, during the week we fill in what was actually done, AFTER it is done. I would not pencil in weeks ahead; do one week at a time and you will not feel behind or stressed. :) On the following Monday, simply pick up where you left off.

Well, it means that we can make it! It means that the world, the flesh and the Devil will not prevail, and that NOTHING can thwart God's purposes in our lives. The only time that God can pick you up is when you have fallen down. Consider Joseph in the OT. Remember how his brothers hated him, and sold him into slavery? (Can you imagine?) That was evil! Do you think Joseph grieved? Do you think he felt abandoned? Yet what they meant for evil, God turned around for good in Joseph's life. He blessed him, raised him up to a high position, and brought about restoration and forgiveness. I'm not sure how Calvinism vs. Arminianism came up, LOL! Calvinism comes up almost as often as Adam and Eve around here! :D Nothing like throwing tomatoes at our brothers and sisters who have a different take on a non-essential. I am very careful not to take a pet doctrine and make it divisive, as there are sincere Christians I know on both sides of the issue. Fighting amongst ourselves does not bring glory to God, nor is it pleasing to Him. Let each person be fully persuaded without judging another in regard to a non-essential. Sue, are you plugged into a solid fellowship? Are you in a small group of women who are growing in the Lord together? If you are not, I wonder if the Lord would work in those areas to bring you though this difficult time, and to encourage others that THEY can make it, too. Hugs to you.:grouphug:

I understand your frustration. It is a very demanding and tiring job raising an ad/hd tween! Like me, you sound like you could use a good cup of encouragement and a bottle of patience to go with it. This is a HUGE job, and I really think that homeschooling is the best way to go. I hate to recommend a book, but I am going to recommend one anyway! This one is a cup of encouragement, and it takes a strength-based, practical approach to managing AD/HDers. The audio is on sale for only $10. I cannot tell you how much I love, love, love this book! I agree with you about all the therapy. I think it *can* cause too much turning inward, overanalyzing everything, and emphasizing feelings TOO much to where the adder starts to take advantage. Remember that YOU are the expert on your child, and that therapy whould have a...err...therapeutic effect. Trust yourself on what is not working, take a deep breath, and take charge of the situation. I have found it best to concentrate on loving my child, honoring her special add gifts, and focusing less on trying to "fix" her. The studies show over and over again that the sense of connectedness and love are the BEST predictors of how these kids will do as adults. Explore supplements, whole foods, structure, behavior modification, limiting screen time to 30 min per day, and anything else that might help just a little. Dr. Amen has some good recommendations at his website. You are the most important person in your child's life, so set boundaries for yourself and take care of yourself so that your cup is full, rather than empty. You must put yourself on the "To Do" list, and make time for friends, time away, physical health, hobbies, and the like. You know, time to just be YOU, not a wife or mom. This is actually not a selfish thing to do; it is very UNselfish, because it will equip you to stay in the game for the long haul. What can you plan to do for yourself this week-end? Next week? You are not alone. It is common for parents of ad/hders to become depressed, so please watch yourself for signs and symptoms of that as well. It is vital for me to exercise everyday, have time outside of the house with friends, to have a hobby, and to eat well to maintain my sense of well-being. How are you doing in those areas? All the best to you!

They don't assume anything. They are Christians who want to express their faith with their products and there is nothing wrong with that. I think its beautiful, appropriate, and encouraging. Some people like Bible verses, and if you don't, feel free to buy a secular teacher planner or start your own business making a secular Homeschool planner. It's not necessary to criticize.

I don't take a real dogmatic postition. The Bible appears to teach a young earth, and Creation seems to be old. We are either interpreting the Bible or the geology wrong, because the Bible and Creation are not in conflict with each other. It does not rock my faith in God as Creator whether the earth is young or old. I don't believe that eating meat is a sin. I base this in a couple of things. First, we are to avoid legalism and being overly concerned with food. Being overly concerned with food is a sign of false teachers: 1 Tim 4:1-2: “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, V:3-4 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving.†Heb.13:9: “Do not be lead away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents†If eating meat was a sin, God would not have commanded Peter to "Rise, kill and eat." Acts 10:9-13 'On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.' Food is a non-issue in the New Testament, and there are so many express warnings against falling into false teachings and legalism. Young Earth/Old Earth is a non-issue for me. Romans 14:17

I don't write lesson plans, but do make schedules for history, literature, science, reading. I don't even make daily plans, only weekly, and it takes me WEEKS in the spring. I normally get it done in the spring before our homeschool convention and because I need to take a break from thinking about school in the summer. :tongue_smilie:

It helps me to think of homeschooling as my chosen profession and full-time job. Nobody would expect a classroom teacher to take their personal phone calls during classroom time, and so I don't expect to take calls either. All who know me know not to call me until after 1pm. I also tell them that they will get their quickest response by e-mailing me. If the phone is distracting, I take it off the hook. As far as hubby, I connect with him at noon, when we are both on a lunch break. That way, we can communicate and stay on the same page. Don't ever feel obligated to take calls. Ever. Especially during dedicated learning hours.

See, I do the same thing, only I look ahead for the whole year instead of a week or two, and buy it all at one time. I'm lazy. :D I have also found it best to record things after we do them, and that is what I am going to this year. Isn't it amazing how those reading lists add up over the course of the year. It seems like those who have literature-based or textbook based curriculums can get by with the least amount of planning. That is something to keep in the back of my head when new homeschoolers who don't like to plan and who are looking for curriculum suggestions. Please correct me if I'm wrong. It just blesses me that there is a method, style, and rhythm that works best for each of us - it's not a one-size-fits-all deal. If you are a "wing-it" gal, enjoy your flexibility. Don't let the 'Planners' on the board steal your joy, gals! You keep doing what's working for you. I bet you don't even menu plan, and you still manage to get a meal on the table. :D Hats off to you!!! :grouphug: