OVER TWO MILLION CHILDREN ARE HOMESCHOOLED

Purcellville, VA—In a new study released today the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI) estimates there were over 2 million children being homeschooled in the United States in 2010. “The growth of the modern homeschool movement has been remarkable,” said Michael Smith, president of HSLDA. “Just 30 years ago there were only an estimated 20,000 homeschooled children,” he added.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2008) there were an estimated 54 million K–12 children in the U.S. in spring 2010, which means homeschoolers account for nearly 4% of the school-aged population, or 1 in 25 children.

Today, homeschoolers can be found in all walks of life and with a wide variety of curriculum options, and a proven record of academic as well as social success, homeschooling is rapidly becoming a mainstream education alternative.

The NHERI study used data from both government and private sources in order to arrive at the 2 million figure.

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) is a 28-year-old, 85,000 member non-profit organization and the preeminent national association advocating the legal right of parents to homeschool their children

Tangled is Mangled.

Here's a link to a great article about Disney's latest offering Tangled.  It's posted on one of my favorite sites Ladies Against Feminism.  I really appreciate how Kelly Crawford, the author, sees the messages that are subtley presented.  I'm glad to see that I'm not the only person who another who analyzes Disney movies!

UPDATE:  Please also see my follow-up article at Untangling Tangled.

One Day at a Time

I know that seeing the phrase "One Day at a Time" can mean different things to different people.  For those of us who were 70's children, it might bring back memories of Schneider hitting on Barbara and Julie's mom on the sitcom One Day at a Time.  To others, Christy Lane singing with a little twang comes to mind.  To a person familiar with AA, it's a help in taking one more step.

I'm in all three camps.  Well, I technically would need Overeater's Anonymous instead of Alcoholic's Anonymous, but you get my drift. 

So, I'm sitting here at the computer planning on making "One Day at a Time" part of my new year.  I'm not making any resolutions for a few reasons.

First, I'm not making any resolutions because I'm perfect just as I am!  NOT!  It just felt fun to type it even though it's far from the truth.  No, actually I'm not making a resolution because it's just too much and too big. 

There are a lot of things I need to change, add, or take away from my life.  (Like the chips and dip I'm eating right now!)  A year-long resolution is too overwhelming.  AND, if I want to be truthful, I'd have waaaay to many things to resolve.  More time in the Word. More time in prayer.  More time to write.  More time to read.  More variety in my teaching.  Calling people to chat more.  More time reading with my daughter.  Keeping the house clean.  Cooking in a more healthy manner and more frequently.  Losing weight.  Exercising more. Et al. ad nauseum. 

Second, who am I to think that I can resolve to do something on my own?  Without the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit, I can do nothing of eternal worth.  And really, what good is it to read more or eat less, if there is only a temporal benefit in the long run?  Sure losing weight and cleaning house definitely have benefits in the here and now, but wouldn't it more worth the effort if I learn to gain comfort from the Scriptures instead of food, or the benefit of setting an example for my daughter through the actions and attitudes I display in keeping my house?

With all that said, I've decided to take it one day at a time.  Sometimes one day is intimidating enough! Especially when you are attempting to mindfully live your day instead of just letting it happen.  BUT I know for a fact, that God can and will give me grace to work through one day at a time. 

That's how He works you know.  One day at a time.  His grace is just like the manna He provided in the desert.  He gave enough to last one day.  There was always enough, but you couldn't store up for tomorrow.  You had to wait and get the manna for tomorrow...well, tomorrow.

So, no New Year's resolution for me.  I going with this day to day thing. 

"Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."  Matthew 6:34