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I have moved to a new blog: Nikki's Thoughts On

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October 29, 2009

Seriously? Is that really necessary!

I know that H1N1 has lots of school districts worried. I understand the need to educate people and telling them to stay home if they are ill. In my opinion that is common sense: No Biggie!

However the local news report had me saying "What? That's just a big waste of money!" It was reported that the school district here just received 10,000 temperature strips. These disposable temperature strips will be SENT HOME with students within the next couple of days. Each family will get 4 one-time-use strip.

The reason the school is sending these home is because they recognize that there may be families that do not have access to a thermometer. That may very well true, but wouldn't it be more beneficial to give a a family a real digital thermometer that can be used again and again, vs. these 1 time temperature strips?

If the goal is to provide families with a  thermometer fine, but why not give them something that will last them? I'm sure MORE families would have been helped. Just another example of how my tax money is being wasted.

You Homeschool: So how did you get sick?

That is basically what the nurse asked us yesterday. You see Superstar was suppose to have surgery yesterday for ITW, we went to the surgical center with the intent to have surgery done, but got sent home because Superstar was running a fever. He had a cough too, and they listen to his lungs yesterday and they were clear, but because of the fever they said they could not do the surgery.

So the nurse turned to us after realizing that Superstar was sick and that I myself wasn't feeling the greatest, and asked "You homeschool, so how did he get exposed to germs? I mean he's not in school with other kids".

I just looked at her and said we belong to a homeschool group that meets weekly and a lot of the group members have been sick lately. And my husband piped in that they may have also got it from the workout place. She then just looked at us and said "oh, that makes sense."

Yes even homeschooler are not immune to germs and if we are expose to them we will get sick just like anyone else! Granted we don't spend our days with a bunch of other kids that may or may not be sick, so the likely hood of us being exposed is slimmer but it still happens. We do go to the store, we go to church, we go to play centers, and play grounds, and have weekly meeting with other homeschoolers. We are around other people that may or may not be sick.

I will say though that our group of homeschoolers are pretty good about staying home when they are sick, but you just never know. It's possible to be carrying the germs even if you have no symptoms yourself.

We most likely have your run of the mill viral infection: coughs, fevers, vomit, chills, sore throats, runny noses, etc.

October 25, 2009

Tomato Crisis

Is a tomato a fruit or a veggie? Watch and Find Out!

October 24, 2009

Chess Tournament and Prayer Request!

Today the kids had a Chess Tournament! They played against several other homeschoolers, public school, and private school children across the area. They had a great time playing today.


This is Web-princess waiting to play her first game of the day.


This is Superstar waiting to play his first game of the day.

After 5 rounds each we hung around and waited for the award ceremony. Both kids placed today! They each were in separate divisions. Web-princess was in Grade K-2 division and that division had 30 players. Superstar was in Grade 3-5 division and his division had 60 players.

Web-princess placed in 8th place. This is her with her 8th place ribbon (red). The purple ribbon was a participation ribbon.


Congrats Web-Princess!

Superstar placed 6th place. This is him with his ribbon (yellow). The purple ribbon is also a participation ribbon.

Congrats Superstar!

We had a great day! Both kids were happy to be there and were good sports today. Even when they lost a game they had a joyful heart. Superstar also clapped and cheered for everyone that won today during the award ceremony.

For those of you that pray: Please keep Superstar in your prayers especially on this coming Wednesday. This Wednesday is his surgery for ITW (toe-walking). We have to be at the surgery center at 6:00 AM (central standard time). We are told that we should be able to leave the center, with Superstar, @ noon that day. It's an out patient surgery. I know that it's going to be a tough day for all of us, especially Superstar. He's going to have both feet done and will leave the center with both feet in a cast. One will be a blue cast and the other will be a green cast. Thanks!

October 22, 2009

Christian Costume Ideas

With Halloween right around the corner I have noticed a pick up in traffic to my site. I've noticed that I'm getting hits for Christian Costume Ideas. So I wanted to take a moment to say, I know the post that is getting the hits: Costume Ideas?, isn't going to help because in that post I was asking for help for my own costume ideas.

Well, I should announce that we did find a costume for our son. He is going to be a road trip! Thank-You to Family Fun for providing us with the Costume Idea. Of course we are modifying the costume a bit seeing Superstar, will be in a wagon or wheel chair that night, because of surgery.

Or perhaps seeing Halloween is "All Hallows Eve" and the night prior to All Saints-Souls Day, you may want an All Saint's Day Costume. Just a thought!

As far as costumes are consern, You must do what you feel is best for your family. I really don't think there is such a thing as "Christian Costumes"! Costumes are just THAT Costumes. There's nothing Christian or Non-Christian about them, it clothing. The clothing can depict Christian Virtues, but it doesn't make the clothing Christian.

Of course a family may choose not to allow their children to dress up, or to dress in a certain way, because of their religous beliefs and convictions.  They have the right to do that!! That's fine....

October 21, 2009

Homeschool Blog Awards

I'm sure that if you have been combing the blogosphere like I have been then you may have noticed that the 5th Annual Homeschool Blog Awards have started. Currently they are taking NOMINATIONS between NOW and OCT 30th 2009.


After the nomination process is complete then they will start the voting process on November 9th, 2009. Please see the complete schedule for the time-line of events that will be taking place in regards to the Homeschool Blog Awards.  Don't forget to actually nominate your favorite blog! :)

UPDATE: Nomination is now close but the VOTING  IS NOW OPEN!

October 18, 2009

Review: Christians Courageous


Title: Christians Courageous

Author: Rev. Aloysius Roche

Short Description: True tales of 14 believers who defied the savage Roman emperors and evaded assassins sent by them; confronted Attila the Hun unarmed, saving Rome from destruction by his Mongol hordes; repelled bloodthristy Moslem invaders of Europe; overcame the deadly Druids; risked death to carry the Sacraments to souls with crippling disease; and --to preach the gospel to souls in the remotest regions --climbed even to the roof of the world!

Review: I got this book because when I was looking at it on the Catholic Company's site I noticed these words:
"Here you’ll read about, among others: The Irish monk who crossed the Sea of Darkness to discover America."
I was excited to see this, because at that time my kids and I were studying about St. Brendan and I thought to myself. "That must be St. Brendan they are referring too. This book just might be a great book to have for reference when it comes to Saints". So I was excited and I couldn't wait to get this book!

The book came, I ripped open the package, and immediately starting to comb the book looking for the bit about St. Brendan, after all that's who we were studying about. I was eager to learn more about this Saint. I was eager to share more with the kids.

That was the end of my eagerness! I was disappointed because first and forth most the chapters are not labeled by the Saint's name. So it took me a few times to find the correct chapter.

Once I found it I was disappointed on what I was reading. It seemed to be random content and there was no real flow to the content. No matter how hard I tried. I just couldn't stay engaged in this book. I simply found it boring. The author would share things that I felt were out of place or off topic. I just didn't like this book and no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't read it; completely that is.

I tried several times, but I just couldn't stay engaged. I wasn't liking the book, thus I didn't want to read more. There isn't much more to say. I just was disappointed.

If you're interested in learning more about Christians Courageous then be sure to check out the Catholic Company. For more reviews about this or other products from other bloggers then please click here. 

Disclosure: I was given a free copy of Christians Courageous by the Catholic Company in order to write my honest opinion of this product for this review.

October 17, 2009

Periodic Table in Videos

My daughter (7) bought an MP3-Video Player for her brother (8) because of his up coming surgery. She felt that he would really enjoy it, especially seeing both of his feet are going to be in a cast.

Anyway seeing we now have this player I have been looking for videos that I can legally download for the player. In the process of looking for videos I remembered about this website that has the Periodic Table in Video, FREE for viewing!!. Here is just one example of the videos available:



Warning: Don't try this at home! :) 

If you visit the Periodic Table Site you will see they have videos for all 118 element. You can also visit their Youtube Channel. They have all those element videos AND more on their Youtube Channel.

October 16, 2009

A Choir Of Angels?

Judy @ Benmakesten talks about how a Choir of Angels is there to help us discern the will of God in her latest post: Week Two of Co-Op. Do you know about the 9 choirs of Angels?

After reading Judy's post I had angels in mind and can't help but wonder if they had a hand in saving this little boy from the train. The little boys stroller rolls off the platform and lands on the tracks. Right before the mother's eyes a train comes rolling in and drives right over the boy! He was safe and fine and unharmed!!! Praise God!

Let's Have A Laugh!



The kids and I just got done watching the above video. They are now in the living room making their own sticky notes! LOL Web-princess told me she (the young lady in the above video) is a GENIUS!!! Which just made me laugh more! LOL


Update: Meet the new Superstar!


Update: Meet the new Web-princess!

Monkey See Monkey Do! LOL

October 14, 2009

Finding Time For Me

Finding time for me is a struggle that every mother goes through. We feel guilty if we do have time or we feel as if we don't have time. I, because of homeschooling, have come to realized that I perhaps don't have all my priorities in the right place. I've noticed that if it's something important to me I always seems to have the "time".

I've been under going some structural changes within our daily schedule, things that aren't set in stone, but things that I know need to be done in order for me to maximize my time! My husband is fully supportive with the idea of me having my own radio show.

However seeing I already struggle some days with the house work and daily chores, he doesn't want the radio show to trump housework, nor does he want it to trump the kid's schooling. Just like when I approached him and said I really need to do something about my health, going to the gym, something, he said that's fine you have my blessing, but I don't want it to trump the kid's schooling or the housework.

I'm fine with that! I don't want it to trump the housework or schooling either, but I'm at the point that I need to do something! I have several DVD and things here at home, but staying home doesn't work for me! It's all to easy for me to say oh I'll do it later, I'll do it when DH gets home, I'll do it when.....as long as I'm home I don't make the time I know I need for this.

Just like with homeschooling, everyone is different, and they have to find out what works for them! Leaving the house and having a place to go works for me. Going to a place that has child care for the children works for me. Well I've been bless to join such a place this week. I know joining a place isn't going to work for everyone especially if they don't have the income to do that. So I'm really, really bless that not only do we have the income right now, but that my husband is supportive of it.

The place I joined this week is medically integrated. It's part Dr office, Immediate Care (walk-in clinic), physical therapy etc and part fitness center (gym) with child care. I joined the fitness center. I'm so looking forward to this place and can't wait to get started. I can leave the kids in the child care for up to 2 hours per day. So that means I can get up to 2 hours for me.

This place features and indoor (1 mile) and outdoor (2 mile) track. The outdoor track goes in and out of the woods, prairie lands, up hills, down hills, etc. The kids are welcome to walk the outdoor track with me, so that is something I will do with on fair weather days. We also can bring the dog to walk the outdoor track. I'm sure that Gravy (the dog) would enjoy that.

On the inside there is a warm water pool, lap pool, treadmills, stair climbers, weight machines, etc; your standard fitness gym equipment. Then they have rooms for like dance, yoga, kicking boxing, etc. Those classes along with the water therapy classes are free. They all are apart of my standard membership. If I want to go to a class I just have to show up.

In the locker rooms, they have showers w/soaps, shampoo, conditioners, lotions, towels, hair dryers etc; this items are free for members and apart of the membership. Also in the locker room there is a hot tub, sauna, and steam room. Although I don't know what the difference between a steam room and sauna is, again those are free for members and all apart of the standard membership. The cream of the crop is that in the locker room there is a lounge room. The lounge room features over sized stuff chairs, tables, and ottomans to put your feet up.

In my mind I'm thinking I can do my 30-45 minute workout, go to the locker room, shower, change my cloths and hit the lounge area, within the locker room, with my spiritual book or books, put my feet up and just enjoy the quiet time to read, pray, and reflex. So I would be use the time to better my whole-self: Body and Soul! And seeing they provide everything there the only thing I would have to bring with me is my change of cloths and books. How easy is that!

I'm so looking forward to this tomorrow! I'm sincerely hoping that with this I will have the energy I need to accomplish everything that I need to do daily. I'm hoping this will help me be better prepared mentally and physically for my day.

I know not everyone is going to be able to join a gym. I'm by no means saying the only way to get exercise and spiritual reading done is to join a gym. It's just for me I've come to realize that is what I need to do! This is how I work!

This is not one of those I need time away from the kids and I don't want anyone to think that. It's just I workout better when I can go to a place to workout outside the home. I also workout better when I can do that during the day, while DH is at work. My kids are young 8 and 7 so this means I need to go to place that has childcare so I can leave them with a responsible adult while I workout. I can't have them on the gym floor with me, etc.

This is really important to my physical health. As part of my standard membership fee I got an health assessment done today. Here are the results:
Height: 5'6" (I shrunk; in high school I was 5'7")
Weight: 305 lbs
Body Fat %: 47.9 That means about 1/2 my weight is fat
Blood Pressure: 132/88 (Pre-hypertension)
Cholesterol: 203 (normal 50-199)

I had other things measured and analyzed by the fitness center today as part of my standard fee, but I'm not going to share. The bottom line is I know that I need to do somethings to correct these numbers. The really cool thing is that I was given a customized workout routine that I get to start tomorrow. All apart of my standard fees.

Here's hoping and praying that things workout! I'll be posting future updates about this on my site: Catholic Christian Living. I post this here at first as really a reminder to all moms, especially homeschooling moms, that we need to MAKE time for ourselves for our physical health and spiritual health. If we don't take care of our health then we can't take care of our family.

October 12, 2009

Picture of Jesus Arrested in Rockford, IL

I share this video here because this is my hometown and I know thanks to sitemeter that I have local people visiting my blog. The priest in this video is my parish priest. I also know from talking to Father that the owner of the abortion clinic has come out dressed as the devil and has proceeded to "bless" Father while Father and other local priests are there praying.

I know this has nothing to do with homeschooling and I understand that your position on abortion may be different then mine. I'm not debating abortion, nor do I want this to become a hub for debate.

I share this here, because I know I have local people, people that live in Rockford, that visit my blog daily and I want them to know what's going on in our hometown. I have more videos about the local clinic posted on my website: Catholic Christian Living.

Warning: The picture of Jesus in the WINDOW of the abortion clinic is offensive. It features Jesus given the bird with both hands. This offensive picture was NOT the one arrested. The one that was removed was a picture that was on displayed by the pro-lifer that was there to pray. The picture that was removed by the police was beautiful, godly, picture!

There was a previous picture of Jesus given the bird and that was removed as the local news has reported. However it has been replaced with a NEW picture and that new picture is shown in the video below.

The new picture has  not just one hand but 2 hands given the bird. I learned from talking to Father (the same one in the video) that the new picture was there 2 weeks ago and is still there today!!! It was 2 weeks ago that I also learned that the owner of the clinic dress himself as the devil and proceeded to "bless" the priests there that were praying.

So a beautiful, godly, loving picture of Christ is removed by police, but a picture featuring Christ given everyone the bird is left on displayed.



UPDATE: It was just brought to my attention that about 1:18-1:22 in the above video you can see a hand given the bird as well, in the window. I have taken a snapshot of the image from the video.


It's hard to tell in the still picture above but when the video is moving it is clear that it's a hand given the bird as well. It is my understanding that it is the hand of the abortion clinic owner.

Radio Show: Poll Results and NEW poll question

On the poll question: Would you be interested in listening to a web-based radio show hosted by me? I got the following results:
YES 10 (62%)

NO 3 (18%)
MAYBE 3 (18%)
Total Number of Votes: 16
Now the NEW POLL question is: What night would be the best time to listen to the web-based radio show? The NEW POLL questions is multiple choice. So please pick those nights that would be best for you!!!

PLEASE VOTE IN THE POLL SECTION IN THE SIDE BAR!!! 

Thanks,
SAHMinIL

October 9, 2009

Banned From China?

It's true that I use sitemeter to help track my visitors. It's also true that I've had at least one visit from 6 of the 7 continents. Although I never have recalled getting a visitor from China. I believe I found out why? It seems that my site Catholic Christian Homeschooling has been banned from China's Mainland.

T/H (tip of the hat): Frabjous Days

October 7, 2009

Do You Know Your States?

This kids and I had fun playing with this website: Know Your States.

You have to place the states CORRECTLY on the map! It's a little tricky because the state lines are NOT drawn on the map. Of course once you start filling in the states it gets easier. If you place the state in the wrong spot then the correct spot shows up in red and you have to place the state there.....

I got 84%. What did you get?

October 3, 2009

Just how old do they think I am?

Last night we decided that we were going to go see Toy Story/Toy Story 2 in 3D. Before the movie we were sitting at the restaurant having dinner. The kids were sharing how they are excited about going, etc.  I mention that the movie is actually an older movie, because I seen it when I was a kid. (Okay maybe I should have said teenager instead of kid).

So I told them I had seen it when I was a kid, but it was not in 3D. To which Superstar replied "So was it in black and white then?" I just start laughing and said "No, it was in color". To which Superstar replied "black and white is a color". Okay he was on a roll that's for sure. So yes when I was a teen (and a younger child) we had color TVs just so everyone is clear! I'm not THAT old!

My husband during all of this was NO help. He reminded me that I was an old "Toby" Mommy. If your kids are familiar with Thomas The Tank Engine then you are familiar with Toby. My son, Superstar, when he was younger 2-4 would call me an old "Toby" Mommy.

October 2, 2009

Lazer Maze: For gym Class



Yesterday we went down to my Mom's for another Art Class. On the way home we stopped at the mall to eat at the food court. Then we decided that we were going to walk around the upper level then go home. As we were walking we saw this new place in the mall called "Lazer Maze". There was signs that said this was NOT lazer tag. So I wonder what was it?

As I was standing there the guy comes over and asked, "Do you want to check it out? I'll let you check it out for FREE!" So I said "okay", and the kids and I went in. He demo the maze for the kids (we got to stand in the lazer lookout room to watch.) He then let each of the kids go for free.

The video, above,  shows you basically what the kids did. Although the one here did NOT have a diamond and didn't have a secret code to enter. The one here had two sensors, two buttons, that they had to hit. One in the middle and one at the end. They also had to come back to the beginning and hit the stop time button. Here if they hit or touch a sensor then it added 30 seconds to their time.

Anyway the guy let each one go for FREE, and seeing they were having fun, and seeing we were the ONLY ones there. I went a head and bought the $7 unlimited all day pass. The kids spent the next 2 hours going in and out of the maze. Sometime they went together sometimes they went by themselves. They each were trying to beat their best score.

They played at first on the easy level, then we asked the guy to change it to expert level. They did one round on that. Then we changed it to medium level, they were tired towards the end so it got moved back down to easy level. When it got moved down to easy level, Web-princess told the guy: "Hey some of the lights are missing?" She didn't realized that easy meant less lights. LOL

By the time we left both kids were red face and dripping with sweat. After all Superstar went from start to finish in 22 seconds. Web-princess best time was 40 seconds. Not only do they have to get down to the other end and back, but they had to avoid the lights. That meant jumping, crawling, and everything else in between. I estimate that they both went at least 100 times each in those 2 hours that we were there. Hey I thought I got a good deal! What do you think?

We most definitely will be going back. Of course that will before Superstar's surgery this month. I'm hoping I can get a "field trip" with some of the families in my co-op.

October 1, 2009

How To Make Elephant Bread?

How to Make Elephant Bread is a children book that Superstar read today. As result of this book we ate "snow on the roof" for dessert tonight.

It was a very good dessert I might add, perhaps a little cold for the weather we are having. "Snow on the roof" is one of those things that would be better served on a hot summer day! How to Make Elephant Bread, in my opinion, is a cross between a child's storybook and cookbook. Although none of the recipes required cooking! As a matter fact they all are something that my kids being 7 and 8 can do on their own. As matter of fact they are the ones that made tonight's dessert. (All by themselves I might add)

As for what is needed, if you have gram crackers, jam (or jelly), peanuts, peanut butter, raisins, applesauce, carrots, lunch meat, cheese, OJ, pineapple juice, tomato juice, carrots, celery, vanilla ice cream, and lettuce, then you can make ALMOST everything in the book.

Tonight's dessert we needed vanilla ice cream, gram crackers, and jam. It was yummy!! Tomorrow for snack we are going to make the one that requires applesauce, peanuts, and raisins. (I just forget what the book called it right now) Again, that will be something that Superstar and Web-princess can make on their own.

If you haven't heard of How to make Elephant Bread then please run to your local public library and check it out!! I'm sure if your kids are like mine, they will be happy that you did!!! Not all but most of the recipes are just made with "healthy food": veggies and fruits, which might tie in with the Subway Kits.