Life: Take2: November 2008

Friday, November 28, 2008

Camping 2008

We went on a family camping trip in August. We invited the whole clan but only my Dad could make it. We are hoping to plan another one here in April.

Nick (Misty's Dad), Dan holding Zac, Ben, and Kris.

Our Campsite and the new "condo."

Zac and Kris getting firewood.

Ben chillin' instead of being on firewood patrol.

From Life Take 1

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I have been looking everywhere for a list of things every man should know when he leaves his parents home. I have found nothing. I have found plenty on things little girls should know but nothing about boys. So.... with the help of my husband, some homeschool friends, and with my own boys as guinea pigs ... I am determined to make my own list. This is a work in progress obviously and I will need all of your help. PLEASE ... if you think of anything to add, email me. I will be trying to divide the list first into catergories and then by age and/or grade ranges. Maybe even through in a few ideas on how to implement all of this ... who knows we will see how it will develop. Maybe it will even turn into a book someday. Whatever God has in store ... will be perfect for me! And so not to exclude anyone ... these ideas could also be used for little girls as well.

General Resources
There are quite a few books available written about boys but nothing has what I am looking for exactly as I stated before. However, there are a few resources that are great at teaching life skills aimed at both genders. I have listed these below. These books cover multiple areas. For books on a particular subject ... please look under the appropriate heading.

For Use With The Kids:
Life Skills for Kids: Equipping Your Child For The Real World by Christine Field
Plants Grow Up
Contenders of Faith
Man in Demand
Christian Manhood
Preparing For Every Man's Battle

For The Parents:
Raising A Modern Day Knight
Books For Boys
Bringing Up Boys
Future Men
Boyhood and Beyond
Preparing Sons o Provide for a Single-Income Family by Steven Maxwell

C hores

18 months - PK:
Help with picking up
Imitate cleaning in play
Can put things in trash when asked
Can bring things to you when asked
Cooperates with directions given
Helps make the bed by placing pillow and stuffed animals on bed after it is made
Helps put dirty laundry in the laundry basket

PK-K:
Pick up toys and belongs; put in proper places
Put Away Laundry Piles
Sort Laundry
Help younger siblings
Help mom or dad upon request
Put plate and cup on counter near sink
Set the table
Turns off lights when leaving a room

1st-3rd grade:
Carry laundry and have it remain folded correct to the rooms it goes in
Fold laundry
Unload the dishwasher
Make Bed independently
Feeds pets
Empty small trash can
Help bring in groceries
Vaccuum
Dust
Knows address, phone number, and full name
Know full names of parents and siblings
Street Safety
Knows to look both ways before crossing street (Stop, Look, and Listen rule)
Knows to always cross in the crosswalk or at a corner
Knows what the meaning of stop lights are (and each color)
Knows what a stop sign is

4th-6th grade:
Load the dish washer/wash dishes
Start a load of laundry and complete it ... to where everything is put away neatly
Clear table and put away left overs, etc.
Empty trash cans
Put away grocerries without help
Wash Windows
Clean bathroom counters and sink
Clean Microwave
Sweep Tile (or vacuum it like I do)
Answering Door

7th grade - adult:
Clean entire bathroom
Mop floors
Clean oven
Clean Refrigerator
Defrost Freezer
Handling Solictors
Important Papers
what are they
how to keep them safe (filing in a fire safe box)
Knows what to use to clean any surface in the home, where to purchase it, and how to clean that surface without any outside help from mom or dad
Able to see what needs to be done and does it on his own

Manners
18 months - PK:
Says Please
Says Thank you
Says Your Welcome
Sits or Stands quietly during a short family prayer time
Says Excuse me
Waits to start eating until after a prayer has been said
Resource: Boys First Book of Manners

PK-K:
Says yes/no ma'am/sir
Says God Bless you for sneezes and coughs
Open some doors for mom and sisters (depends on weight of door)
Child learns not to interrupt
Child answers phone with "------- residence. Please hold." and nothing else even if it is Dad or Grandma on the other line. You never know if he is mistaking a voice or not. How many times have you made that same mistake even as an adult?
Resource: Everyday Graces

1st-3rd grade:
Can answer phone and take messages when needed
Holds doors for elderly, woman, when someone needs help
Offers assistance when appropriate
Resource: Little Book of Manners for Boys
Treats others with Respect at all times

Self-Care
18 months - PK:
Washes hands with help
Tend to potty needs with help
Requires help dressing self
Requires help brushing teeth

PK-K:
Washes hands alone
Tends to potty needs alone
Brushes Teeth alone
Some assistance needed with bathing but beginning to do it on own
Brushes hair with minimal assistance
Sex Education
Resource: The Story of Me (God's Design For Sex Series)
Knows that he is a boy
Knows differences between boys and girls, moms and dads
Stranger Danger
Knows what a stranger is
Knows who to go to for helps
Knows what to do if seperated from parents

1st-3rd grade:
Sex Education
Resource: Before I was Born (God's Design For Sex Series)
What is an Emergency
Introduce the topic of drugs and alcohol
what is peer pressure
how to say no
smoking
Living a Healthy life style
proper nutrition
exercise
how to handle stress properly

4-6th grade:
How to tie a tie
Cleaning up vomit
deodrant and cologne
Sex Education
Resource: What's The Big Deal (God's Design For Sex Series)
CPR
Knows how to purchase own clothing and shoes
shopping on a budget
purchasing what you need first then what you want
finding out if you can afford your wants
knowing your sizes
how to tell if things fit properly

7th-adult:
How to shave
Sex Education
Resource: Facing the Facts (God's Design For Sex Series) -- to be done around 7th grade or so.
what is a menstrual cycle -- uncomfortable, why the blood, no deroggatory remarks
caring for an illness
Routine Medical Care
how to talk with medical professionals
explaining the problem
When to go the doctor
importance of yearly exams
family medical history
Refresher course on CPR for all age groups; get a card
how to trim hair
making sure side burns are even
how to get a haircut
comparing costs
describing what you want
where to go

Matters of Self-Control
Sexually and otherwise ... (I think you all know what I mean here and some of the resources at the top helps you prepare your little man for this as he grows. Now we are expecting him to do this on his own. All the time.)
Basics to work on through out:
Basic first aid
Administers medication to others
Visit the following websites for specific information
http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/firstaidandselfcare/index.cfm
http://www.parasolemt.com.au/Manual/
http://www.healthy.net/clinic/firstaid/
Creating a First Aid Kit
Visit the following websites for list of supplies
http://www.tundraco.com/dlhkit.html
http://expage.com/page/firstaidkit
Disaster/Emergency Preparations
visit the following sites for specific information:
http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/
http://www.fema.gov/rrr/prep2.shtm
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0%2C1082%2C0_601_%2C00.html
http://www.disasterrelief.org/Library/Prepare/
Take an Emergency Management Course at your local College

Cooking
PK-K:
How to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
How to pour himself a drink
Assists with baking

Other:
baking bread
cooking a meal
proper nutrition
the food pyramid
using the microwave
using the oven
using the stove
using other kitchen appliances
chopping veggies
slicing fruit
grating cheese
how to follow a recipe
food safety during preparations
meat temperatures for safe cooking
Get a food handlers card
how to make coffee, tea, hot cocoa
How to handle knives
How to sharpen Knives
Hot Oil Safety
What to do if there is a....
grease fire
electrical fire
general fire
use of a fire estingquisher

Cars Repair and Maintenance
PK-K:
Resource: How Our Car Works by Larry Burkett
1st - 3rd grade:
Learning the names for various parts of the car

Other:
Changing the Oil
Fixing a Flat Tire
Changing the Wiper Blades
Filling Brake Fluid
Filling Transmission Fluid
Maintenance Checks
Putting on Snow Chains
De-Icing a Windshield
Wash a car
Wax a car
Detail a car
Change the spark plugs
Change the oil filter
Change the air filter
Putting air in the tires
Checking the tire pressure
Filling the window washer fluid
tightening belts
fixing the breaks
learning the parts to a car
changing a fuse
changing a light bulb
putting on the tags
vehicle registration
getting insurance
driver's education
defensive driving course
learning to drive a stick and an automatic
How to stabalize a car and use a jack
how to put gas in a car
How to get estimates for work that needs to be done
for your car
for your home
Purchasing car parts
comparing prices
where to go
What to do when your car breaks down
on a freeway
in the middle of the street
in the middle of no where
in an emergency
How to tell when something is wrong with the car
gauges indicating there is a problem
smoking
strange noises
What to do when your car overheats

Home Repair and Maintenance
PK-K:
Visit Home Improvement Store and become familiar with the various sections and types of things they carry
Plant a garden, learn to care for it with assistance
Pull weeds with assistance
Water with assistance
How to clean up spills
Resource: How Our House Works by Larry Burkett

1st - 3rd Grade:
raking leaves
Cleaning deck furniture
Shoveling Snow
Sweeping sidewalks
Using phone functions (caller id, speeding dialing, ....)
How to Climb a Ladder Safely
bug killing
recognizes non-posions bugs
able to step on them or squish them with a paper towel and throw them in the trash
Hosing off sidewalks
Proper care of tools
Proper use of tools
hammer
pliers
screw drivers (phillips, flathead)
sockets
wrenches
hand saws
power tools
kinds
use
care
drills
mounts
bits
tape measure
safety equipment
dust mask or respirator
leather gloves
goggles
hard hat
steel-toed boots
learn about various trades and equipment used

4th -6th Grade:
Cleaning the bar-b-que
Grocery Shopping
how to pick fresh produce
checking for expiration dates
comparing prices (price per unit)
Furniture Care
oiling wood
oiling leather
flipping mattress
hiring companies to clean
drapes
couches
other items
Basic Sewing
how to sew on a button
repairing a simple tear
How to Iron
How to Change a light bulb
Painting
touch ups
filling holes
how to mask off
Proper lifting of heavy items
Moving Furniture and other items
Connecting electronics (ie tv, dvd, vcr, stereo)
Getting grease stains out of the garage
When to call a repair man
Proper way to clean up broken glass
Disposing of hazard materials
Building a bird house
Staining or Restaining Furniture

7th Grade - Adult:
pest control (using raid or other products)
Renting Your First Apartment
World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Renting Your First Apartment
mowing the yard
unclogging sinks
Fixing appliances
garbage disposal (reset button)
refrigerator (adjusting temp)
washer
dryer
freezer
fixing leaks
Wall Paper
Hanging Pictures
Cleaning a pool
How to use a weed wacker
How to trim a tree
How to trim a bush
Cleaning gutters
Tune up a lawn mower
How to replace door locks
Basic plumbing
Turning water off at appliance
Turning water off at the main (to the whole house)
Unclogging the toliet
Unclogging the drain
Cleaning the drain
Replacing a u-joint
Unclogging a garbage disposal
Fixing a running toliet
How to Replace a Washer
How to protect pipes from freezing
Fixing a leaking toliet
Basic tile installation
Basic electrical
Turning electricity off to appliance
Circuit Breakers
turning off the main
turning off to various parts of the home
proper labeling
How to repair a drive way
How to add a sidewalk with either brick or concrete
Relocating ~ out of state, in state
Shampoo the Carpet
How to cut firewood
Better Homes & Gardens ...... Making a Home: Housekeeping for Real Life (This book covers more than just cleaning. This is a how-to guide for every aspect of your home from purchasing items including furniture to etiquette and entertaining. From stain removal to organization. A must have for everyone of your children as they prepare to take on the world along. ISBN: 0-696-21203-x)
constructing simple shelves
Assemblying furniture and other items
How to turn the gas off to an appliance
How to turn the gas off to the house
Simple Drywall Repair
Basic Landscaping principles
protect plants from freezing

A Man's Tool Box:
We feel that it is important for every young man to leave home with a well stocked quality tool box. When our sons begin first grade, they each recieved a tool box with his initials clearly on it (so as not confuse with Dads or brothers) and a few tools. The first tools our sons recieved were a level, a tape measure, and safety goggles. Each year, as they learn more about the home and cars ... they will get new tools to add to their collection. Their tools represent things that they have learned to do. Whenever a project is to be done .... each little man gets out his own tools. All tool boxes are located in the garage, where they belong. When our oldest son got his, our little ones felt left out so we bought them aprons at the home improvement store. They were just as thrilled with this and their toy tools as big brother with the tool box. Just a note, Kris got his apron and first set of tools (plasic in a plastic tool box) when he was a year old. These have been a favorite ever since. They also have play hard hats.

Sports
Throwing a ball
Catching a ball
Kicking a ball
Basic Rules for
football
baseball
basketball
hockey
soccer
pool
golf
tennis
volleyball
Swimming
Diving
Rock Climbing
Hiking
Push Ups
Pull Ups
Sit Ups
Arm Wrestling
Olympic sports
Self defense course
Karate
Boxing/Wrestling
Skiing
Snowboarding
Ice Skating
Roller Skating
Lifting Weights
Aerobics
Stretching
Warming up and Cooling Down
Riding a Bike
Playing team sports
Sportsmanship
Being a great loser
Being a humble winner
Dancing
Slow dancing
on a date

Outdoor and Survival Skills
Camping
how to put up a tent
what to pack
where to go
rules for safety
collecting firewood
starting a fire
Bar-b-Que-ing
starting a fire
how to tell when its done
What to do when encountering a wild animal
What to do when lost
What to do during a flood
How to tie a know
Able to identify common plants and animals to the area where you live
Can use a compass
Boiling water for safe drinking
How to plan a trip
budget
map reading
safety percautions
transportation issues
plane, train, car, boat, ....
Home preparations for natural disasters .. ie what to do during a
hurricane
tornado
earth quake
flood
Firearms
how to clean
registering
how to care for
how to use
where to store it
naming various parts
types

Finances
PK-K:
Resource: Lets Go To The Store by Larry Burkett
Resource: Lets Count by Larry Burkett

1st-3rd Grade:
Resource: All About Money by Larry Burkett
How to save money
Resource: Money Matters for Kids by Larry Burkett
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Your First Savings Plan by Larry Burkett (This should be read aloud to your child. They can re-read it on there own later for a refresher course.
Open up a savings account in the child's name

4th - 6th Grade:
Resource: Money Matters for Kids Planner by Larry Burkett

7th grade - Adult:
Resource: Money Matters for Teens Workbook by Larry Burkett
How to purchase a home
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Buying Your First Home by Larry Burkett
How to purchase a car
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Buying Your First Car by Larry Burkett
How to purchase furniture
How to make investments
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Planning Your First Investment by Larry Burkett
The Stock Market
How to balance a check book
How to open a bank account
Tithing
Donating to charities
How to write a check
no SSN number on the check
numbers as words
no empty spaces
your signature
making a budget (and sticking to it!)
Choosing a loan by comparing interest rates
Financial Planning
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Creating Your First Financial Plan by Larry Burkett
Credit Cards
Resource: World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Getting Your First Credit Card by Larry Burkett
Preparing Tax Forms
Doing it yourself vs. hiring an accountant

Dating
How to buy flowers
How to make dinner reservations
Planning a night out (focusing on things you both like to do or she likes to do ... not just what you want.)
Getting a baby sitter (okay ... this could also be a fatherhood skill but I stuck it here.)
Buying appropriate gifts
Remembering important dates
Conflict Resolution
Abstinence and other options
Sex Education (see self care for specifics)
Personality Types
Basic Psychology
World's Easiest Pocket Guide to Family Relationships by Larry Burkett
Dating Rules

Characteristics of a spouse
How to buy jewelry
Preparing for Fatherhood
How to Change a Diaper
How to Make a bottle
How to pack a diaper bag
How to Give baby a bath
proper temp
what to use
those funny little hooded towels
The cost of little people
planning for their futures (wedding, college)
all those things they need
all those things they want
medical expensenses both before and after the are born
paying for an education (private school, home school, extra-curricular activities)

Job Skills and College
College Admission Applications
Getting Your First Job
World's Easiest Pocket Guide To Finding Your First Full Time Job by Larry Burkett
How to Write a Resume
Job Interviews
what to wear
what to expect
what to say
sending a thank you letter afterwards
Filling out a job application
Internships
Exploring various Careers
Online resume sites
Head Hunters
Time Management Skills
Setting Priorities
Organizational Skills
Computers
Basic Understanding of popular programs ... Microsoft
Word
Excel
Powerpoint
Access
Email Etiquette

Worksheets & Lesson Plans

From Life Take 1
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A to Z Teacher Stuff
ABC Teach
CEC Lesson Plans
Ed Helper
Homeschooling Families Lesson Plan Links
Lesson Plan Page
Lesson Planning Forms to Print
Lesson Plan Search
Lesson Plans Page
Lesson Planz
School House Printables
The Teacher's Corner

Other Information

From Life Take 1
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Arizona School Information
Calendar for Upcoming Events in AZ
Girl Scouts
Studio 2B

Safety in AZ

From Life Take 1
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check crime rates and who is living in your neighborhood. Keeping our children safe should be one of our top priorities!
AZ Sex Offenders
Crime Time
FBI
Family Safe Media
Megan's Law
Phoenix Sex Offenders
Tempe Sex Offenders

I.D.E.A.

From Life Take 1
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IDEA Alaska
IDEA Arizona

AZ Magazines

From Life Take 1
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Arizona Parenthood

Christmas Movie List

From Life Take 1
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The Toy That Saved Christmas -- Veggie Tale

The Christmas Star -- Veggie Tale

Muppet's Christmas Carol

It's A wonderful Life

Little House on the Prairie Christmas

Christmas Carol - 1930's Edition

Walton's Christmas

Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!

How The Grinch Stole Christmas

Frosty the Snow Man

Christmas with the Kranks

Birthday Cake for Jesus

From Life Take 1
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(Originally from Focus on the Family)

In the hussle and bussle of the season, it is easy to forget the true meaning of our celebration. It is Jesus Birthday!! So to celebrate, let's bake him a special birthday cake. No not just any cake but one with meaning to help us remember. First, the birthday cake itself symbolizes God's love for us (John 3:16). It is a chocolate cake, to symbolize our sin, black in God's own eyes (Romans 3:23). The entire cake is shaped like a star. White frosting covers the cake just as Christ's purity covers our sins (Isaiah 1:18). On top of the cake we put a yellow star to signify the one that shone over Jesus' manager (Matthew 2:1-2), an angel to indicate the first glad tidings (Luke 2:9-10), and candles to show that Christ is the light of the world (John 8:12). There are 12 candles to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world tjroughout the 12 months of the year, not just at Christmas. Also, they are red, symbolizing His blood shed for us (Matthew 26:27-28). Finally, we put some evergreens on the cake to signify everlasting life (John 3:16), God's gift to those who recieve it.

Family Advent Activities

From Life Take 1
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Go caroling....
Go ride and look at the lights and then come home to hot chocolate....
Go to see a live nativity (maybe NOT available in Alaska?)....
Bake Christmas cookies and sample with hot tea or hot chocolate....
Make Christmas gifts and goody baskets....
Make Christmas wrapping paper....
Take goody baskets for Troopers...Firefighters...Your Chaplain...a lonely neighbor! Fill with lots of homemade goodies!
Make Christmas Decorations....
Go visit a nursing home...sing carols, take homemade cards, really talk....
Have a Birthday Party for Jesus for the children of your neighbors and friends...let each child bring a canned food/toy to donate for Christmas....
Pull out the old photo albums and tell all of those hilarious family stories....
You may want to even take time this holiday to make up a Scrapbook of just your past Holiday memories complete with stories from each holiday...
Go shopping with your little ones...
Pop some popcorn and have a Christmas family movie night....
Read a great Christmas classic or bookaloud each night....
Make Christmas ornaments...
Make a Jesse Banner or tree ....
Make an Advent Candle....
Decorate your OWN "night tree"
Buy the "adornaments" at the Christian bookstore...these are great forquick Advent devotionals...they center on the names/Character of Jesusand you have a little ornament to hang on the tree each night....
Make a Christmas Book (homeschool alert - doubles as creative writing and handwriting for Dec)... take a picture each day (or draw one) and have your child write why THAT item reminds them of Christmas, or create a story about that item.....compile the book, save and bring out each year to read at Christmas time.
We wrap all our Christmas picture books and the children take turns getting to choose a book to be read during the Advent season. The lastthing we do each year is rewrap the books and then pack up allour Christmas books, videos and music....they can't come out again until the day after Thanksgiving next year
Make paper chains and tear off one for each day as you get closer to Christmas

Advent Candle

From Life Take 1
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Take a 12 in candle and made 24 marks in it. I then wrote LITTLE devotionals (geared for the younger set! - we're talking a few sentences on most days) - we add and discuss if my littles ones are doing well - if not - that's it!). Each day we burn the candle and read the day's devotional and discuss. The candle "should" be burned out on Christmas Eve and the little ones will know that Christmas will arrive in the a.m.

Turkey Dinner Song

From Life Take 1
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Well, I got to the library to late this year to reserve any good books on the topic ..... so this will just have to wait till next year. But we did find some new favorite Thanksgiving songs that I thought I would share with all of you.
Turkey Dinner by anonymous

Turkey Dinner, Turkey Dinner,
Gather Round, Gather Round,
Who will get the drum stick, yummy yummy drumstick
All sit down, All sit down

Cornbread muffins, chestnut stuffing
Pudding Pie, One foot high
We were all thinner, Until we came to dinner
Me-o-my, Me-o-my
There was another one too but I lost the piece of paper I had it written on. Will try and find it and post it soon.

Homeschool Information

From Life Take 1
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Homeschool Register by State
Pray hands
About Homeschooling
Denim Jumpers
Homeschool Fun
Homeschool Central
Homeschool FAQ
Homeschool - Who Me?
More Homeschool FAQ
Smoothing The Way
You Can Homeschool
Homeschool Methods

Bible Links

Explorer Bible Study -- Free Online Download for all ages

The Plan

Sometimes you receive an email that reaches into your core and resinates with you in a way that is hard to explain. Its like your thoughts that you were unable to articulate are finally sitting in front of you. I love this country but there are so many things that need to be fixed. We keep putting bandaids on issues and never really resolving the issues. Those that know me know that I tend to stay away from politics. Those that know Dan know that is one of the main things his family discusses. It is a heated passionate ongoing debate. The following email is a plan that would work... now if only the President Elect, Obama, will read it and put it into action.

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The Plan!

Robin Williams, wearing a shirt that says 'I love New York ' in Arabic. You gotta love Robin Williams......Even if he's nuts! Leave it to Robin Williams to come up with the perfect plan. What we need now is for our UN Ambassador to stand up and repeat this message.

Robin Williams' plan...(Hard to argue with this logic!) 'I see a lot of people yelling for peace but I have not heard of a plan for peace. So, here's one plan.'

1) 'The US will apologize to the world for our 'interference' in their affairs, past & present. You know, Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Tojo, Noriega, Milosevic, Hussein, and the rest of those 'good 'ole' boys', we will never 'interfere' again.

2) We will withdraw our troops from all over the world, starting with Germany , South Korea , the Middle East , and the Philippines . They don't want us there. We would station troops at our borders. No one allowed sneaking through holes in the fence.

3) All illegal aliens have 90 days to get their affairs together and leave or We'll give them a free trip home. After 90 days the remainder will be gathered up and deported immediately, regardless of whom or where they are. They're illegal!!! France will welcome them.

4) All future visitors will be thoroughly checked and limited to 90 days unless given a special permit!!!! No one from a terrorist nation will be allowed in. If you don't like it there, change it yourself and don't hide here. Asylum would never be avail able to anyone. We don't need any more cab drivers or 7-11 cashiers.

5) No foreign 'students' over age 21. The older ones are the bombers. If they don't attend classes, they get a 'D' and it's back home baby.

6) The US will make a strong effort to become self-sufficient energy wise. This will include developing nonpolluting sources of energy but will require a temporary drilling of oil in the Alaskan wilderness. The caribou will have to cope for a while.

7) Offer Saudi Arabia and other oil producing countries $10 a barrel for their oil. If they don't like it, we go someplace else. They can go somewhere else to sell their production. (About a week of the wells filling up the storage sites would be enough.)

8) If there is a famine or other natural catastrophe in the world, we will not 'interfere.' They can pray to Allah or whomever, for seeds, rain, cement or whatever they need. Besides most of what we give them is stolen or given to the army. The people who need it most get very little, if anything.

9) Ship the UN Headquarters to an isolated island someplace. We don't need the spies and fair weather friends here. Besides, the building would make a good homeless shelter or lockup for illegal aliens.

10) All Americans must go to charm and beauty school. That way, no one can call us 'Ugly Americans' any longer. The Language we speak is ENGLISH..learn it...or LEAVE...Now, isn't that a winner of a plan?

'The Statue of Liberty is no longer saying 'Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses.' She's got a baseball bat and she's yelling, 'you want a piece of me?' '

Saying Goodbye

In October 2008, our family got the news that a beloved member was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The night before Thanksgiving, Aunt Shelley Conway lost her fight to cancer. Please join us in prayer as our family mourns this loss. Aunt Shelley has left behind a husband of 25 years, Uncle Mike, and 8 children ranging in age from 8 to 23. For more information, please visit her blog at http://shelleyshelleyconway.blogspot.com/.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Dan's New Toy

Dan traded in the bike he had for his dream... a Harley Davidson. He ended up getting a 2008 Steet Bob with chrome skull accents. Its his baby. Unfortunately, the boys all thinks its their new toy as well. Dan is willing to share.... to a point. Here they are all checking out the new ride.

And of course they had to test it out too. Dan gave them all a ride around the block.

Harley

Our first puppy, Harley. He was an amazing dog that was with us for a month. Our landlord then decided that he did not approve of the breed of dog, American Bulldog, and would not allow us to keep him despite the fact that pets are allowed and he was being trained. We miss him a lot and hope he is doing well with his new family.

Ben named him. His first choice was Mega Ranger and was denied. Harley was his second pick adn approved. Ben got to name him as we were on an "alone time" adventure with him when we found out a friend of ours, Andrea, had picked him up for us as she new we were looking for a dog. She also knew about Dan's previous dog, Buddy, and felt this would be a perfect fit. It was....

Zac's Missing Tooth

If you have known me for awhile then you know that Zac is my adventurous child who visits the ER on a regular basis. He is never afraid of taking a risk or trying something new. He can be shy and quiet at first but don't let that fool you! In his latest adventures, Zac had a run in with his dresser. Somehow, he knocked his front two teeth lose. It resulted in a trip to the dentist and a missing tooth.

Some how missing a tooth just makes you seem older. Now, it is official!

He is no longer my baby but a big kid.

Not to be out done, his brothers had to join in the photo to

show off the missing tooth.

Engagement Photo

Costumes

Ben (4) as Buzz Lightyear, Zac (5) as Jack Sparrow, and Kris (8) as a Power Ranger.

Halloween Party

Dan is all about fun. Its one of the things I love about him is that he never lets life pass him by. He is always in the middle of it. He never does anything half way. He throws his whole heart into everything he does. So when the idea of a Halloween Party was brought up... Dan threw himself into it as he does everything. I only wish you could have been here to see it. A haunted hallway, fog, fog bubbles, creapy music, strobe lights, and a bonfire in the backyard. Dan is promising next years (if he is here) will be even better.

Some of those at the party. More arrived later.

Dan and I as pirates. What do you think of me as a brunette?

Shelley and Richard together again. Emo and Mobster style.

Melissa and Me. Ragged Ann with a Pirate. Odd combination. I wish

we still lived around the corner and could spend more time with each

other. I guess someday we will get another girls night out.

Pumpkins

The boys have never really celebrated Halloween but rather the Harvest. This year, Dan wanted to show the boys what Halloween was all about. If you know Dan, he never does things half way. Its all or nothing.

The pumpkin patch and Schnepf Farms was the first stop.
After all, you have to have the perfect pumkins for carving.

Its not an easy job to find the perfect pumpkin... just ask Ben.

But adventually you do find one.

After all that hard work, its time for a little fun in the sun.

After the adventures at the pumpkin patch, its time to carve the pumpkins.
Step 1: Cut open the top

Step 2: Take out the insides. YUCK!

Step 3: Tips from Dan on how to carve your pumpkin.

Step 4: Attempt to carve your own pumpkin.

Step 5: Let Dan finish the carving for you.

Step 6: Kiss your pumpkin if you really like your Jack-o-lantern.

Wedding Planning

It is about 8 months till the big day when I become a wife again. The planning has been going pretty well. Its hard to believe all the details that go into planning an event and how much it costs. I have a website that I created just for all those details. Some of you have asked for that information: www.mywedding.com/mistyanddanpoland. There is a blog there as well that will give you all the details on what we are doing as far as wedding related events and other events that are happening in our life as well.

This is our save the date magnet. We are handing these out to family and friends at the Christmas Party on December 13. And yes... you are invited too. =)

Life: Take1 & Take2

Throughout this site, you will notice posts labeled as Life Take 1, these are posts from previous blogs or websites that have been beneficial to many readers and moved here. These entries maybe missing the original links or photos. I apologize for this but they were not moveable and so will need to be recreated. If I have time in the future, I may add these items. The rest of the entries are brand new and I hope you enjoy them. Please be patient as this is a long process and there is a lot to move. Thanks!

Life: Take2

Friday, November 28, 2008

Camping 2008

Life Skills for Boys

Worksheets & Lesson Plans

Other Information

Safety in AZ

I.D.E.A.

AZ Magazines

AZ Field Trips

AZ Homeschool Support Groups

Teacher Resources

Unit Studies & Themes

Christmas Links