WHY?

 
Why did you get out of bed this morning?  Why are you reading this message?  Why have you chosen to educate your children at home?  Why are the things you choose to do important in your world?  Look at your list of things to do today. Why has each item been added to the list?  For what reasons do you work, love, play, strive and pray?
At times, I look at my life and see that I’ve become a master at going through the routine, but perhaps in going through the motions, I’ve lost sight of what is most important.  Perhaps, I’ve lost touch with the reasons WHY I continue doing it all in the first place.   If this rings true to you…Stop for a moment and think about the why.
The reasons are there. Buried under the noisy complications of daily life is the person you truly wish to be and the things which you long to achieve. In some way, whatever you're doing at any moment is connected to those reasons. But if you've lost touch with the reasons, the connection may be distorted and your actions may be less effective than they could be.
When you remember why, you get where you wish to go with much more speed and effectiveness. Take the time and make the effort to stay in touch with the why. Know what drives you, and let it take you wherever you wish to go.
This past week has brought a few little challenges and with it a big ol’ load of doubt.  It is during these ugly moments of doubt that I am grateful I can go back to the WHY of what I do, to the WHY I choose to keep my kiddos home with me each day, to the WHY certain things are vitally important and essential to me.  When I choose to focus on the WHY, I can do the hard days.
Take the time to ponder the why's in your life...perhaps by focusing on why we do the things we do each day, we will again focus on the joys found in all that surrounds us!
Wishing you a BOO-tiful October ~ Stacey
Stacey Lytle
DHSA President

Comparatively Awesome

I don’t know about you, but occasionally I find that I compare myself to others.  Sundays are typically when I’m at my “comparative” worst. I feel fat, dumpy, and weird as we walk into church.  My kids aren’t the ones who go up and bear their testimonies or have the trendiest clothes.  My house is a disaster.  I feel so disorganized!  I don’t always manage to get through all our lessons each week. Sometimes I think people must wonder how such a nice, outgoing man like my husband ended up with a cantankerous introvert like me.
Or I wonder when people say things like “Wow, homeschooling.  You must be super-mom,” they really mean “Wow, homeschooling.  You must be a nut-job/right-wing zealot/anti-establishment freak.” And, of course, all of these lousy things are because I am a weak, inadequate person who can’t get her act together!
One day, I was moaning to a friend about how pathetic I was feeling and how life just stinks, she interrupted me with, “Tell me about the good things in your life.”  This threw me a little, as I half hoped she’d reassure me of my awesomeness.  But she didn’t tell me how great I am.  She wanted ME to list the good things.  So, feeling kind of dumb at first, I did.
I am relatively healthy and still have the time and ability to improve my fitness.  I recently found a single sheet of loose-leaf paper with my oldest daughter’s testimony of Jesus Christ and how she loves Him written on it.  My kids are acutely aware of being modest and not afraid to express themselves with their own (quirky!) sense of style.  I have a snug home that my family feels loved and safe in.  I’m spontaneous and resourceful!  My kids are becoming more self-motivated and I often catch the older ones helping the younger ones. My husband and I complement each other—he’s the steady bass beat to my improvisational riffs.  And I have an incredibly supportive network of friends who understand and accept my homeschooling lifestyle. (And remind me to be grateful for all that I have!)
The Lord has promised “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then I will make weak things become strong unto them.” (Ether 12:27)
This scripture helps me not be so hard on myself.  There’s hope when I’m feeling pathetic!  The Lord says if we’re humble than his grace is sufficient—he’ll strengthen us!  Wahoo! I think tied to humility is gratitude—and if we can find something to be grateful for, we can find what we’re blessed with—and if we can find our blessings, we can find ways to strengthen our weaknesses.  It is our nature to have high expectations of ourselves—and we should.  But let’s not be dragged down when we feel we don’t measure up.  God gave us weaknesses to keep us humble—and if we’re humble, He promises to strengthen us. 
So carry on, thank the Lord, and know He’ll strengthen you.  He knows exactly what you need.
Marissa Pineda
DHSA Vice President

October Mothers Meeting

Our next Mothers' Meeting is sure to be a blast!
We hope you will all mark your calendars so that you can join us for a great evening.
Tuesday, October 25th @ 7:00 p.m. -- until ???
Our theme for the eveing will be
"The Many Hats We Wear"
We'd love to see you all arrive in your favorite hat ~ be creative & have some fun or simply grab your hubby's hat out of the closet... whatever works for you; and if you REALLY despise wearing a hat you can still come without one, but we might find a crazy one for you to be sportin' around in for the evening!
We'll be meeting at Lynelle King's home


Hope to see you all there ~ we'll have some fantastic treats and lots of time for visiting and fun!

Happy Halloween DHSA Teens!

Are you ready to celebrate Autumn with some fun, corn-maze festivities? We are meeting at “The Farmstead”, Thursday, October 27th for a pumpkin-filled, “corny” evening of fun.
Wanna come? We hope so! And your families are welcome to come too. EVERYONE is invited at a 65% discount if we pay as a group. So, please come with $4.00 cash for everyone who wants to participate. We'll meet in the parking area no later than 6:45 pm (just look for the “DHSA” balloons).  We will pay in a single transaction at 7:00 pm sharp and then have the next two hours to get lost in the 18 acre corn maze, jump on the gigantic “jumping pillow”, root for your favorite pig in the pig races, or go on a hayride. It's up to you! DHSA will even provide some light refreshments at 8:30. Hope you can come! Let other homeschoolers know too. We're trying to grow this group BIG!

RECAP: Where: The Farmstead at 1020 S. Rackham Way in Meridian (I-84 and Eagle Rd.)
               When: 6:45-9:00 pm. (You're free to leave whenever you need to).
               Who: DHSA teens (and/or families)
               Cost: $4.00 per person (must be paid before – look for DHSA balloons!)

Angie Petersen 914-5894
Corrie Munson 250-0137

Opening Social - A Fantastic Event!

 

So many friendly faces…
so many adorable kiddos running around…

A great man cooking up hot dog after hot dog after hot dog!  My hubby did an approximate count and figured we had somewhere between 180 to 200 of us there!  SOOOO glad so many of you came out to meet and greet one another…that is what this organization is all about, supporting one another and enjoying amazing friendships. 
This one (below) is my favorite photo of the evening…Why?  Well, because this is my sweet husband, our “Chef” for the night.  He’s busy getting ready for the crowd of hungry kiddos coming on! I was all prepared to cook for the night, but he would have nothing to do with that ~ hooray for me ~ I was able to walk around being a yack-a-matic all night long!

He was one busy man cooking up all those hot dogs!  I had one friend ask me if he had come “incognito.”  If you notice the crazy hair atop his head ~ not his!  He hasn’t any left (possibly due to all of our kids!)
This is his crazy hat and he decided to sport it this lovely evening…gotta love a man who keeps you laughing! 
A perfect night…the weather was fabulous…the kids had a marvelous time playing on the wonderful play yard or with the balls and frisbees, and of course they all love a fun parachute flying around in the air!  And while they all played to their hearts’ content; we had a chance to mingle and visit…bonus!!!  A huge thank you to all who brought delicious desserts and yummy side dishes…so many scrumptious choices!
It was fantastic to visit with each of you.  Looking forward to an amazing year with many more fun-filled activities! 
Stacey Lytle

Spirituality–Mother’s Meeting Notes

Notes from September Mother’s Meeting:
A big thanks goes to Angie Peterson for hosting September Mother’s meeting in her home and to Rochelle Lloyd for coming and speaking to us about coming closer to Christ individually and with our families.
1st of all – a random enjoyable quote from Rochelle Lloyd, “At my home I don’t have any teenagers and never will.  Teenagers have a bad reputation in our society.  I expect something greater than what society expects for them.  I have young men that are in training to become men and young women in training to become women.”
Ok-on to the fabulous thoughts shared by Rochelle:
*We are bombarded by stress in our society – inside and outside the home.  There are wars, national debt, loss of jobs & homes, fighting and rebellion at home.  The devil loves this – he loves complexity and chaos.
*But – God says, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.”  “Be still and know that I am God.”  “Ask and ye shall receive-seek and ye shall find.”  The spirit brings hope, peace, & the knowledge of what we need to do and how to do it.
*We are children of God!  Once that is rooted deep with us we can understand what he wants for us.  We must be willing to bend our will to God’s.  “Council with the Lord in all thy doings and he shall direct thee for good.”
*The manner in which we follow God’s commandments shows our spiritual state.  (referenced story in Book of Mormon in which Alma, who is tired and hungry, returned speedily to Ammonihah when commanded by an angel.)
*Sometimes the things God asks of us are hard.  (Alma & Amulek had to watch the people and records being burned in the fire.)  God can see the bigger picture and knows best.  Bend our will to his.
*Mary, mother of Jesus was a wonderful example of bending her will to God’s.  She:
    -was willing to become an unwed mother.
    -taught Jesus and watched him grow up.
    -saw people love and hate him.
    -watched him mocked, scorned, and killed.
    -when Heavenly Father left Jesus at the end so he could complete what he needed to do alone, Mary still stood as support for her son at the cross, knowing that he was innocent and perfect.
She bent her will to God’s and later the scriptures record that she had great joy in his resurrection as an angel told her to go tell the disciples that he had risen.
Bending our will to God’s brings us great joy in the end.
*Remember Elder Oak’s talk from a previous conference about priorities for our family.  There are so many good choices and we need to choose the better and best opportunities and priorities for our families.
*Do not run faster than we have strength.
*Do things in wisdom and order.
*Comparison to Weight Lifting:  To develop your muscles you add more and more weight that you lift.  If you lift too much weight your muscles will tear.  Everyone has different limits and God will help us to know what ours are if we listen.  Also, we should not judge others by how much weight they are carrying.
*What are we doing to prepare our children for the Lord? 
    - Do they know that they are children of God?
    - Do they know how to bend their will to the Lord?
We have to be a good example!  At this time we need stripling warriors and to get them we need stripling parents.
*We (as parents) are stewards of these children that are God’s children too.
    -They have to do hard things.  It is hard to watch them go through those hard things but it would not be good for us to take them away if
we could.  We should council, guide, and love and
then watch them, like Mary watched Jesus, becoming what Heavenly Father wants them to become.
Ruth Hansen
Field Trip Coordinator - graciously took notes at the September Mother's Meeting.

Constitution Seminar

Hi,
We want to thank all those that sacrificed their time and money to come and participate in the first seminar that we finished this last week! We had a great time talking about Joan of Arc, Columbus, the Revolutionary War, and the events leading up to, and including the Constitutional Convention. Over the 5 weeks of the seminar we also shared a video of the story of Eldridge Cleaver and the events that caused him to become disillusioned and embrace Communism. Years later after experiencing Communism for himself, and while traveling to virtually every Communist country, he learned that Communism was a big lie. He returned to the United States and became a Christian and advocate for the system of government established by the Founders. We also shared a video of Dr. Cleon Skousen talking about Ruler's Law versus People's law. It was great to be taught by Dr. Skousen and hear his insight. Finally we heard a report from Pete Nielson on his trip to Utah to attend the Financial Summit and their discussion about Utah's moving to allow Gold and Silver to be used as legal tender. It was a great first Seminar!!
We are excited to begin the next Seminar in the series entitled, "The Founder's Charter of Freedom". In this seminar we’ll study the entire Constitution from the viewpoint of the Founding Fathers. You’ll see how the trend away from using the Constitution to evaluate new legislation has allowed emotionalism and private interests to become the new standard of measurement for most laws. What you learn in this session will enable you to understand and appreciate the Constitution as you probably never have before—and you’ll be ready for the critically important topics that you’ll study in Seminar 3.
Before we begin this next seminar, we are happy to have our first guest speaker. His name is Dan Vance and he is the National Field Director for all the seminars. He will be presenting information about the Seminars and share a special powerpoint presentation. This meeting, which will be our regular meeting time this next Thursday, will be FREE! Please invite everyone you know to come and find out what we have to offer that is unlike any other program out there. There are many resources from which to learn about the Constitution, the Founding Fathers, and the History of this great nation, but we know of no other program that offers that knowledge with a unique perspective, vision, and action plan that cuts to the heart of all the problems we are facing. Come and find out what we have to offer that you won't find any where else.
As a review, here is a list of all the seminars:
Seminar #1: "God's Hand in the Building of America"
Seminar #2: "The Founder's Charter of Freedom"
Seminar #3: "The Unhinging of America - Attacks on the Charter of Freedom"
Seminar #4: "Restoring the Charter of Freedom"
Date: Thursday October 6, 2011
Time : 7-9:pm
Location: Nutrition West, 115 E. Fairview Meridian
Cost: $39 per person per seminar , $25 for youth
If you have any questions, please call.
Regards,
Blaine Bergeson
Thomas Jefferson Center Representative
208-867-5934

Successful Homeschool Fieldtrips

Lee Anne Tanaka maintains a homeschool field trip email list in the Treasure Valley. She encourages members of the list to organize a field trip and invite others to join them. She also sends out other emails pertaining to homeschooling. Email her at lahtanaka@wwdb.org to be added to her email list if you are interested.

This is here article on suggestions for organizing a successful homeschool activity. She has graciously allowed me to share reprint it here.

Hi! So… you’re organizing a field trip or a class?

Here are some suggestions when setting up with the facility. Please put the appropriate details in a memo that I can send out to the rest of the group about 2 weeks before the tour date. If it’s a class, send out the information as needed for the instructor.
.
Not all these ideas may be applicable to your situation. As you are setting this up, make it convenient for you. If you have 6th graders and the facility only does 3rd graders, it’s ok to bow out of organizing the event.

Here we go
- ages appropriate (we have newborn to 18 years old). If they only take 5th-6th graders, that’s ok. We have plenty of kids in most age ranges
- sign up deadline if needed
- duration (1 hour? ½ hour? )
- how many can participate at one time
- set up 2 tours (if needed): create waiting lists. Consolidate or remove 1 tour if not enough people sign up.
- when finding out the number of kids allowed, find out if the number is just for kids OR does it include adults. We have more adults attending than regular schools because we homeschool. For example, facility says they can accommodate 25. Is that number just kids or does it include adults? Some facilities really mean 25 bodies which would include kids and adults.
- what is the cost/donation (if any)
- if the facility has a cost, this process is in YOUR best interest:
· have them notify you of their intent to be placed on the list via email
· once they notify you, give an address to send you the money required
· give date when money is required to be to you to hold their place
· send an email confirmation of receipt of the person’s money
· there are NO refunds (this gets too messy!!)
· donate any leftover cash to the facility
· keep detailed records for your protection: someone says they paid, when you notified them of receipt, who shows up to the trip/class
- is there a discount for large groups or members of the ICHE (Idaho Coalition of Home Educators)
- are questions allowed
- are any special tools/clothing/materials needed
- are there accommodations for people with special needs (e.g. wheelchair access)
- how are kids with special needs handled? (e.g. autism, hearing, ADHD, etc)
- any other special considerations
- address/phone number and contact name for each group attending (e.g. 3 tours would need 3 contact names for the facility and the tour group attending) people want someone to contact in case they have questions or challenges
- date and time to be there (add 15 minutes to the time – remember we have babies and toddlers, e.g. the facility wants to start at 9:30 am. Tell everyone to be there at 9:15 am)
- directions to the facility, a complete address and phone number of the facility
- please contact the facility as soon as you sign up for your field trip. This is to ensure the facility actually does field trips, is available in the time frame we’d like to do the trip and sets up a contact person in case something comes up on either side.
Please let me know how your tour went. I like to have an idea of how these are going: which worked, how many showed up vs number expected, how was the facility, was it homeschool friendly, etc.
Thanks for being willing to organize a trip! It helps the whole homeschool community!

Lee Anne Tanaka

(please see below for more info)
P.S. Below is a template for those who keep asking for oneJ
When:
Where:
Time (from/to):
Ages:
Cost/Deadline to me:
Notify me via email of your intent and I’ll send an address to mail $
Address/Phone of facility:
Directions:
Contact at tour location:
Special Considerations:
Signup DEADLINE:
Field trip contact:
Name/email

Shakespeare Class

This class will focus on studying, reading, and performing Shakespeare, with a special emphasis on A Midsummer Night’s Dream which students will perform on the last day of class in March. It is geared towards students ages 10-16. The class is limited to 25 students.

... Classes will be held for two hours, from 4-6 PM, after school on Thursdays, at the home of Bryce Petersen near 5 Mile and McMillan in Boise. Jody Phillips has created the curriculum and has partnered with Bryce for this once-a-week journey into “William’s World.”
The cap of 25 students will ensure that everyone gets to perform.

The class begins Thursday, October 20th and ends with the performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on March 29th, 2012.
Tuition is $20.00 per month per family.
To register for the class PLEASE email:
Bryce rbrycepetersen@gmail.com
Jody boisejlp@gmail.com

Park Days

Friday October 14 11AM-whenever Settler's Park in Meridian
Friday October 28 11AM-whenever Ann Morrison Park
I am only planning 2 this month, since I don't know when is good for everyone yet!
Kristina
kswruck826@yahoo.com

Holiday Food Drive!

The TEACH Homeschooling Cooperative is organizing a food drive for Boise Rescue Mission Ministries.

The students and families of TEACH will be collecting food while we trick or treat this Halloween. If you would like to be a part of this food drive, please contact Sarah Westcott sarahwestcott@live.com or 514-2838. We would love to make this the best holiday season we can for our Boise neighbors!

Holiday Shopping List:
NON-PERISHABLES: stuffing mix, instant mashed potatoes, corn muffin mix, soup, chili
CANNED VEGETABLES: corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, mixed veggies
CANNED FRUIT: peaches, pears, fruit cocktail, pineapple
STARCHES: rice, potatoes, pasta salad
DESSERT: boxed cake mixes

Help us give our homeless and hungry neighbors a great holiday season! The food you donate will be served at our holiday banquets or distributed in holiday food boxes.

Thank you and God bless you!
Learn more about the Boise Rescue Mission Ministries at www.BoiseRM.org

Dairy Products Class

Kelly Collett is going to share one of her talents with us. She will teach us how to make; mozzarella cheese, yogurt, cream cheese, sour cream, whip cream, farmers cheese (a simple form of cottage cheese), butter and give a recipe for ricotta cheese and ice cream.
When: Saturday, October 8th at 10am – 1pm or Saturday, November 5th at 10am – 1pm Limit of 8 people per class
Where: Home of Kristen Pond
Cost: $5 If you would like extra raw milk or cream there is an additional cost.
This class is hands on. You will be learning how to make all these products. To reserve your spot call Kristen Pond

Treasure Valley Homeschool Recitation

Treasure Valley Homeschool Recitation will be focused on events for Elementary-aged students to share poems, speeches, dramatic readings, etc.
Join Treasure Valley Homeschool Recitation on Facebook to help me plan events that work for your family. This will also give you the opportunity to find out about these events ahead of time and RSVP.
http://www.facebook.com/groups/153085714782486/?ref=ts
Thanks
Andrea
alwasdahl@gmail.com

Six Rivers Western Festival

Six Rivers Western Festival on October 14th and 15th in Fruitland, Idaho. It is organized yearly by a local (Fruitland) family who also participates in the music and cowboy poetry. My family attended this last year and had a great time listening to genuine cowboy poetry and music from some the of most talented cowboy poets and musicians in the western states. They offer both day and evening performances. It is definitely worth the drive! If you want to organize your own group to go over, they may be able to accommodate a group rate.  You can call them at (208) 642-9610 or send e-mails to:
srwf@live.com
Also, see www.cowboypoetsofidaho.net for more information.
Thanks, Deanne Payne

Facebook for the Family, Safety Tactics Online'

The Boise ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners) and HTCIF (High Technology Crime Investigation Association) are bringing in a nationally known speaker, Cynthia Hetherington, MLS, MSM, for a seminar they are hosting for Law Enforcement.

What does this have to do with you & why am I sending this information to all my Neighborhood Watch Chairman you ask?

Ms. Hetherington is offering a FREE Seminar for the public on Wednesday, October 5th @ 6:30 pm at the Red Lion Downtowner entitled 'Facebook for the Family, Safety Tactics Online'. This seminar will cover Social Networks - the good, the bad, and the ugly of the internet; proper use of Facebook & other social networks; What NOT to do on Facebook; examples of ridiculous posts; and examples of dangerous posts.

Please share this information with all your neighbors, this is a DO NOT MISS opportunity for you & your children.

Treasure Valley Homeschool Family Dance

5645 S Maple Grove (LDS church)
Friday, October 14th
6pm-8pm
Casual Dress
Bring a dessert or finger food to share!
Questions?
Contact Melissa Wolfe (208)968-3998

We will have a large mix of music. We will do a number of familiar dances, such as Macarena, Bunny Hop, YMCA. We will also have the Virginia Reel with calls. Slower songs and songs for swing dancing will be in the rotation as well. There won't be any swear words in the songs. The goal is to provide an opportunity for families to have a good time, meet other homeschoolers, and dance.

Home School Brown Bag Social

Wednesday, October 5th at 11:45.
This is a time of fellowship for home schooling families. Bring your lunch and join us for a fun time playing with new friends. It doesn't matter if you've been home schooling for years or are just thinking about starting.
We meet at Eagle Church of the Nazarene at 1001 West State Street in Eagle.
Please email me at idahoandersons@msn.com or call 631-4134 to RSVP or for more information.
Hope to see you there!
Michelle

Linder Farms–Pumpkin Patch

October 21st is Linder Farms home school field trip day. We will be joining in with other homeschoolers in the area to enjoy this fieldtrip. They are expecting many homeschoolers and plan on being fully staffed.
The field trip price includes a pumpkin for each child (from the field trip field), use of the straw-bale maze, a hand-on play station area where the students will learn about the life-cycle of plants, and a wagon ride.
Pricing: age 6 and younger $3.00, age 7 and older $3.50, Corn maze entrance is $4.00 per person (parents will need a ticket to enter with child)
We will meet in the parking lot area near the entrance at 1:00 pm. Since it is their home school day each family can pay individually at the front gate.
Linder farms is located at 7165 S. Linder Road, Meridian Id 83642
http://www.linderfarms.com/index.htm
No need to RSVP

Old Idaho Penitentiary

Old Idaho Penitentiary – should be fun to tour around Halloween.
Oct. 18th  Meet at 9:45 AM  $2 per person
We will need to pay as a group to get the discount so meet at 9:45 and we will enter at 10:00
The Old Idaho Penitentiary was home to some of the West’s most desperate and callous criminals.  It is no longer in use as a prison and today, visitors can experience over 100 years of Idaho’s unique prison history by reliving the Old Pen’s exciting past of daring escapes, scandals, and executions.
Suggested age is 4th grade and older due to tour content.  Use your own judgment in making exceptions.
PLEASE RSVP to
Korrine Ayers is fieldtrip coordinator kwchild@aol.com or 870-2313

History Fair!

Oct 22nd at 2:00pm
At the Lake Hazel Library
We are putting on a History Fair  on October 22nd at 2:00pm at the Lake Hazel Library and would encourage children of any age to participate.
You can pick a time in history, a person, an event or the history of an item.  It's up to your interest and imagination on what you would like to enter into the fair.  We will have tables set up for your displays.  Be creative on your displays.  Some examples may be a lego diorama of a war, a painting of a person of event,  pictures, drawing, models or any other creative idea you would like.

Your  child will have an opportunity to explain what they have put into the history Fair.  We are expecting a large turn out, which is exciting.  We will have to limit explanations to 3 minutes at the very most. We will  have to interrupt any one if they go over, so please work with your children and have then practice to make sure they do not go over the 3 minutes allowed.
Please let me know if you are planning on coming and participating. Please include child's name, age and the topic they are going to present, and if they are doing a presentation or just a display. This will help us to plan the event and make certificates.
Mark your calendar now, and call or e-mail Kimberly Wing.  sosiouxmeto@msn.com  or 968-3111

HomeSchool Skiers/Boards

Hello HomeSchool Skiers/Boards,
It may not be time to think snow, yet - but it is time for many of you to get important items on your family calendar. We are still waiting for updated registration forms from Bogus Basin. In the meantime you can go to the HomeSchool Ski website(below) and get the dates on your calendar.
TWENTY YEARS will be celebrated this year with 3 additional ski days added to our regular 6 days.
Two days of snowschool/nordic (on Mondays)
and one day at Brundage in March (day to be determined).
Please forward this to your friends who will be interested.
We will send out an email once the forms and further details are ready.
--
Jim & Lynn Adams
www.homeschoolski.com

6th Annual Georgeson Halloween Party

October 31, 2011
11am – 1ish

Georgeson Home
West Boise

Potluck Lunch of Ghoulish Delights. Come in costume, we will have games, reader’s theater, and lunch. All ages welcome, I have age 3 – 13!

Email Ngeorgeson@Q,com to RSVP and get an address.

Creepy Critters Encounters

October 29th 4-6:30 pm
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center
13751 Upper Embankment Rd, Nampa
See live owls, reptiles, and insects
Howl for coyotes
Halloween crafts
Learn about creepy critters
Listen to spooky stories
Fun for All!
Wear your costume!
For Info call 467-9278
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge Visitors Center
13751 Upper Embankment Rd, Nampa

MAN FEAST

The date for our Man Feast / Date Night / Couples' Meeting is changing. We will be having this activity during the month of November. Working with our Caterer to set a firm date and price.

5th Annual Homeschool Trunk or Treat

All homeschooling families welcome (bring Dad too!)

Friday,October 28th @ 1pm,

Tully Park, Meridian
1:00 pm set-up cars
1:30 pm Group Picture and then Trunk or Treat
Come have a little Trunk or Treat fun with us! Decorate your trunk and bring candy or a small treat to hand out from your car trunk. Kids walk from car to car, in the parking lot collecting treats.

Please sign-in before setting up trunk or trunk or treating.
No super scary costumes or decorations please (blood,
scary masks, gore, etc)

If raining at noon event will be canceled

DIRECTIONS TO PARK:

Hosted by April Mitchell
Questions? Contact me @
mitchell_fam@hotmail.com
208-794-1255
www.homeschoolidaho.com
Please host your own Trunk or Treat in your area if Meridian is too far for you to come-it is an EASY homeschool event to host.

Halloween Party

Be sure to mark your calendars for the DHSA Halloween Party on Monday, October 31st (Halloween!) from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Lake Hazel Library (10489 Lake Hazel Rd., Meridian). It's sure to be a ghoulishly good time for all ages, so don't miss it--or else!

Bring a frightfully fun finger food and a small bag to collect prizes.
Dress is cryptic or cute.
Call Melodi Kallmeyer with any questions at 461-5216.
We'll see you there (but will we recognize you?).

School Photos

Heather has opened up another day for homeschool families to get their "school" picture.  It will be OCTOBER 12 (WEDNESDAY)  We did our this morning down by the river in Eagle and I can't wait to see them...way better than the ugly old school pictures with the blue background.  You can check out her website at Kozupphotography.com.     This is an amazing opportunity as she is not charging a sitting fee.  Call to reserve you spot.  Feel free to send this out to other homeschool families.  Have a great day.

Dry Milk Order

This is for the same milk we have ordered in the past: non-fat, instantized, Vit A & D fortified, nothing else added (no flavorings or sweeteners, etc.). See the attached spec sheet. I still think this milk tastes as close to fresh milk as you can get for being just dry milk with nothing else. It is the only milk we drink. My husband calls making milk "Milking the virtual cow."

This milk is extremely easy to mix up - cold water and a wire whisk (2/3 cup dry milk to 1 quart water). Even my 7 yr. old can make it. If you are used to Skim or 1% milk you will like this milk. It is the same milk that Country Cream repackages and sells under it's label.

I like my milk with about 2/3 cup of Half and Half per gallon since I grew up drinking whole milk fresh from the dairy with a thin layer of cream on the top. Half and Half contains milk and cream and lasts longer than fresh milk in the fridge so it's easy to have on hand. The beauty of dry milk is that it's cheaper than fresh and you don't have to make "milk runs" to the store, instead you just make milk.

It is $113 for a 50 lb. bag, which is $2.26/lb. You get about 90 gallons of milk per bag, so $1.25/gallon. The info on the attached spec sheet says that 50 lbs. makes 62.5 gallons so I checked the weight I use when making milk (a heaping 2/3 cup dry milk = 2.2 oz., 50 lbs. = 800 oz., 800 divided by 8.8 (for a gallon) = 90.90. Maybe they make it really rich. Even with their numbers, it's still a good deal, $1.80/gallon. I've had other people tell me that they got 90 gallons from a bag also.

It will be delivered on October 14th to my house. Deadline to order is October 8th. 

email jennifer@teamclark.net to get information on where to send checks.

Just so you know, I don't mark up the milk at all (that's not my business, mine is essential oils:), this is the price direct from the distributor. It fluctuates according to the market but are locking in the price by ordering within two weeks. My contact says the price has been pretty stable lately anyway.

Dry milk from the LDS cannery is currently $8.60 for a #10 can which holds 4.1 lbs., so $2.10/lb.

I tried some of the latest from the cannery and this is my personal opinion: it does not mix up as well as this milk but better than before. It tastes like powdered milk, even chilled overnight, but not as bad as before (my family didn't like it at all though).

We need 36 bags to make a pallet to get this price, so if you know of anyone else that is or might be interested, please send along the information. Thanks!

Other Products: At www.jmswank.com there are other products that can be bought and added to this order. The prices aren't listed because everything fluctuates with the market. So we would need to get a current price. Quantities are as stated so you may want to find someone to share a bag of something with you. Let me know by Monday, Oct. 3rd, what your interests are and I will contact the company. I can vouch for the good taste of the dry eggs, my family likes the cheese powders, and the powdered honey is good though it is not just honey-other things are added.

Remember to check out the blog http://thriveforlife.wordpress.com for other information on food storage, other orders, a few recipes, and health & wellness tips.

All the best to everyone!