And now for the other side of the poll...

If someone were to post, as their Facebook status update, the following statement, what would your response be?

It saddens me to think that you would choose home education for your child thinking that it could possibly be in their best interest. How will they be prepared for college?

Now, this is completely hypothetical. I've always said I understand home education isn't for everyone. Different strokes for different folks.

I just want to know how you would react to this statement being posted on a public forum by a parent who chooses public education.

A friendly poll, for mature adults. Please voice your opinion!

If I were to post, as my Facebook status update, the following statement, what would your response be?

It saddens me to think that you would choose public education for your child thinking that it could possibly be in their best interest. How will they be prepared for life?

Now, this is completely hypothetical. I've always said I am not anti-public education. Different strokes for different folks.

I just want to know how you would react to this statement being posted on a public forum by a homeschooling parent.

Hoping to figure out a better way...

I'm trying to simplify here...

Trying to make Jamie Buckland a one stop shop for my writing, my music, and my crafting.

I hope you'll be patient, and also loyal, to seeking me out over there to read any future posts.

I am hoping to figure out a way to actually MOVE my blog from here to there, but until then, just check it out there, okay? Okay.

How was lunch?

I had an extra child at the table when we set down to school today. For those who find they relate to this, I share your joy in being able to school a, shall we call them, a free spirit?

Ah, my Emma. Anyway...

I took a late nap yesterday. Bad idea. It resulted in my being up til 3am. On top of not being able to sleep, my throat started to feel slightly scratchy, and I just didn't rest well. I'm married to the greatest man on earth? Have I ever told you that before? Well, I am. Every morning, it is the norm for me to awake, prepare breakfast (something not cold), pack his lunch (cold), and send him out the door. I only do not cold breakfasts to get my bottom out of the bed. So, for those who think I'm such a great wife and cook, let the curtain be pulled back. I am not a morning person, I am lazy, but I am not worthless. So knowing that I can't rely on my man pouring himself a bowl of cereal, and knowing that I can't live with having him go hungry all day, well, it gets me outta bed in the morning.

Now, there are a few mornings where I roll over, and in my most manipulative sleepy voice say, "Do you need me?" Ha, and I will say that most mornings he says, "Yes." To which I grouchily arise and head to put on my apron.

But this morning, he said, "No." Thus the reason he's the greatest man on earth. He could tell I really didn't feel all that well. I had thought I heard him packing his own lunch, but I was mistaken. I saw the belongings to my purse scattered abroad when I did get up, which only happens when he's scavenging for cash.

So, when he called to tell me he to write down a withdraw in the check register, I felt better knowing although he had had no luck in my purse, he was getting him some moolah to get him some grub. Goodbye guilt.

So, now to feed these kiddos. Well, this will do...

Leftover pizza, leftover cinnamon rolls, and a can of good ol' Ravioli :) Hope your lunch was satisfying today. It's back to the grind here.

Grace: Do your kids just think it's what you say before that first bite?

There is much to be said about this word.

I have realized I'm an amateur at giving it. And although needy of it, I am also an amateur at resting in it. And finally, I am sure that I have become a student of it.

I started hearing the message about a year ago from friends around the way.

It started creeping into family conversations at Sunday dinners.

Having been raised in a good ol' once in grace always in grace culture, well, I just figured there wasn't much more I needed to know about it.

I was wrong.

I'm still learning, but obviously, still not in complete understanding.

But what I've found is that even those who know about it, preach it, and really seem to understand it, still find themselves living in such a manner that is ignorant of it from time to time. So, therefore, I am reminded He wants me to take time out of my day to submit to Him working on me some more...

Are you aware of grace? Really aware?

Would love for you to read this, and share your thoughts.

The Big E

Right now, I'm comfy in my favorite spot of my two-seater chair, with just a few sips of Pepsi left in the can to my right. My dog is snuggled in by my side, and my loaner cell phone that is temporarily replacing the one that went through the laundry last night, is by my other side.

My daughter is dancing around freshly showered in fresh pjs with a freshly pulled tooth in a Ziploc baggy.


My son, who is almost at his daddy's shoulder, is standing shirtless beside his daddy, who is just back from having to make an evening trip out for work in Mullens, as the two of them make the most of borrowed Wii time.


Ah...the goings on of a Saturday evening.



Hard to believe the view from this same comfy spot last night looked like this...





Ethan turned 10 on November 3rd. Can I just say that it is strange when your baby boy hits double digits? Being Ethan's mom is an absolutely joyful, and amazingly rewarding experience. Ten years ago, I was at a very difference place in life. You can kinda get the picture by reading about his beginnings here.


Even after writing that post a year and a half ago, things have changed. I have changed. I am sitting under teachings of grace that He has used to open me up and show me grace in an entirely new light.


What does this have to do with Ethan's birthday? A lot.


He is using grace to teach me so much about parenting, and discipling, my young man.

And I must just say, I love who He is forming Ethan to be. And I thank God that out of my rebellion, He could build us into the family we are today. Praise be to my God.


Okay, with all that being said, last night we had 8 of Ethan's bestest buddies over for a sleepover. We don't buy Ethan or Emma birthday gifts from us, don't worry, they don't go without! The grandparents did a fantastic job, and supplied him with a new DSI and a MP3 player this year!

So anyway, because we don't do gifts, we do provide the actual party. We live on a single income, so it requires me to be a tad more creative than buying the most popular party favors, ordering a cake, and inviting everyone and their mama for a "different" kind of "wow" birthday party.

Well, let me just say, I guarantee my boy didn't feel this was a sacrifice AT ALL!




I looked at lots of different ideas for party favors. Something the boys could play with here, and then take home. Last year, we did small Lego toys. They were about $5 a piece. Well, I just couldn't afford that this year. So, we went with insulation foam lightsabers covered in duct tape. Each lightsaber was about $1.89 a piece. Not too shabby. The boys got creative, and had double sabers before you knew it...I was impressed.


Between borrowing the Wii from my sister, and having a friend bring their controllers, too, we were able to supply sufficient entertainment for our 9 fun-seeking guys.

So, what's the other big cost to throwing your kid a party? Food.

Well, with a little effort, and some extra dish washing, you can cut cost there, too.

I made 3 pizzas from scratch. I'd say each pizza probably cost me about $2.50. I only bought 3 2 liters of pop, each were $0.79. Once they were gone, we just did water. For dessert, Ethan asked for hot fudge brownies. So, from my mawmaw's Betty Crocker cookbook, I whipped up a 9X13 pan of some unbelievably scrumptious brownies. Then drizzled a bottle of microwavable glaze I picked up at Wal-Mart atop, since I couldn't find an ingredient to make the icing I wanted to on my own...at first I was bummed, but then I realized the bottle of glaze for a few bucks wasn't so bad after all!

One gallon of vanilla ice cream was about $3, the brownies and icing would probably be just under $6, and then poor guy had to settle for just 3 candles since that was all we had in the cabinet!

This morning, we had cinnamon rolls from scratch, couldn't have had more than about $3 in all 24 rolls.

So, if my calculations are correct...

Party favors for 9 boys = $17.01

Food to feed 9 boys = $19.50

Entertainment for 9 boys = free

Watching 9 boys fight to near death with foam, wrestle fairly to the 3 count out, and giggle uncontrollably over each other's antics...

yeah, you know it...priceless!

Pride. Sin. Proverbs.

Good discussion going on here about comparing ourselves to one another.

Is our pride at work when we post status updates about something we've accomplished? Or is it at work when we withdraw from doing such for fear that someone will think ill of us?

Good stuff.