The Declaration of Independence

Home schooling has not only made me a teacher, but a student all over again, a student of life, and of liberty. I am ashamed to say until today, I had never actually read the text of the Declaration of Independence. So, in honor of the 232nd anniversary of our nation's birth, and in honor of all those who fought bravely then and all those who still do today, to protect our freedom, here it is:




IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.--Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.


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The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:

Column 1
Georgia:
Button Gwinnett
Lyman Hall
George Walton

Column 2
North Carolina:
William Hooper
Joseph Hewes
John Penn
South Carolina:
Edward Rutledge
Thomas Heyward, Jr.
Thomas Lynch, Jr.
Arthur Middleton

Column 3
Massachusetts:
John Hancock
Maryland:
Samuel Chase
William Paca
Thomas Stone
Charles Carroll of Carrollton
Virginia:
George Wythe
Richard Henry Lee
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Harrison
Thomas Nelson, Jr.
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Carter Braxton

Column 4
Pennsylvania:
Robert Morris
Benjamin Rush
Benjamin Franklin
John Morton
George Clymer
James Smith
George Taylor
James Wilson
George Ross
Delaware:
Caesar Rodney
George Read
Thomas McKean

Column 5
New York:
William Floyd
Philip Livingston
Francis Lewis
Lewis Morris
New Jersey:
Richard Stockton
John Witherspoon
Francis Hopkinson
John Hart
Abraham Clark

Column 6
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett
William Whipple
Massachusetts:
Samuel Adams
John Adams
Robert Treat Paine
Elbridge Gerry
Rhode Island:
Stephen Hopkins
William Ellery
Connecticut:
Roger Sherman
Samuel Huntington
William Williams
Oliver Wolcott
New Hampshire:
Matthew Thornton

Teaching Through Asking

"History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days."

Winston Churchill


We've now studied 313 years of American history, and I have learned that the best most effective method for teaching it, is asking about it. I tried other methods at first. During the first few chapters, I would have Ashley read a section and then I would explain it to her as I interpreted it. This did not result in discussion as I hoped it would. It usually resulted in a blank stare from her and a good bit of frustration for both of us. I also tried letting her read a section on her own, complete the section review questions in her book and then discussing it based on those questions. The results weren't much better and we ended up missing out on a lot of the extra information of the text that helps to bring history to life.

Finally, I tried the method we are currently using. We sit together and each read a small section. Then I ask her questions about it. She either knows the answer off the top of her head or will review the text and answer that way. This helps make it obvious to me how well she knows the material and if she truly understands it or not. It has also made for lots of humorous and lively discussions about some of the little extra descriptive tidbits of information included in the text.

I also try to refer back to things we have learned before, especially when it comes to historical figures, such as George Washington. Ashley and I both have a greater understanding not only of his accomplishments but of what an amazing man and gifted leader he was. We even took the time today, while discussing The Alien and Sedition Acts of the late 1790s (during the Presidency of John Adams), to theorize as to whether or not Washington would have approved of them and what actions he may have taken if faced with the issues Adams dealt with. It brought a real sense of continuity to our studies and helped her really to identify with what was transpiring at that turbulent time in our nation's history.

We also had a discussion about the Bill of Rights a few days ago in which we talked about personal freedoms, such as the right to home school, and where we might be without them.

I am so thankful for the opportunity to educate my children myself.

June In Review

Where did June go? I always wonder this at the end of the month. Time flies it seems. This month was taken up with our move, and making our new place feel like our home. We're done unpacking now and are working on a workable organization system in our garage, that allows for storage and room to park the car. It's very much a work in progress.

In other areas, June was an eventful month, with all the typical ups and downs. We made a real effort to focus on family and I am pleased to say we have had a family dinner nearly every single night since moving. This is a bit of a record for us, and we have all enjoyed and benefitted from it. Other things we have enjoyed are:

Gardening, and watching our plants grow from this, when we moved in:




To this, taken today. Note the neat homemade (free!) trellises devised by my handy hubby.




New Life: The mama bird in the nest on our porch now has two (we think) of the cutest little fuzzy babies cuddles up with her. We suspected they had hatched, as we found a broken egg in the bushes, but its only been the last few days we've been able to see little fuzzy heads pop up:



Dancing: Aspen had a blast dancing to oldies music I shared with her and Ashley on a special girls night. It left me wondering, since when did my favorite music become oldies, anyway?



Night Bubbles: We've gotten a ton of fun with some cheap bubble toys we found at WalMart. Aspen's favortie thing is to do them at night while we watch the fireflies dance.



Financial Blessings: Unexpectedly out of the blue I sold my reborn doll, Thomas for $250. This was a total surprise and a much needed financial boost. This is a shot of Aspen holding him just before I packed him off to his new mum, who adores him and wrote me a very gracious note filled with praise that made me feel so wonderfully blessed. Gee, looking at this pic really makes me want another baby....




In other areas, school has been a great success this month. We completed three chapters of US History and learned about the Revolutionary War and the ratification of the consitution, as well as the trials and triumphs of a newborn nation. Ashley has actually been "into" this subject and we have had a ball learning together. This excites me, that she is genuinely enjoying our study. We've also completed two units in Language Arts and are about to start studying Our Town, one of my favorite literary (and theatrical) works.

On a personal note, the Lord has been really working in my heart this month. His abundant blessings have helped me to let go of some fears I've been clinging to and focus more on taking steps to further let go of me and embrace Him. I have also been able to come to a place where I can let go of some false hope that I was clinging to in an old relationship, and letting go of it, giving it over fully to the Lord, has lifted an enourmous burden from my heart.

Of course, no month would be complete without the usual trials of daily life. I managed to either break or dislocate my pinky toe this month. It happened in such a weird way too. We were at the pool and I stood up to get something for Aspen, and somehow (I think) my toe got caught in the lounge chair. All I know is when I stood up, the chair unexpectedly came with me and man did it hurt! Ouch! It's much better now but it wasn't pretty:



Sorry if the above pic was TMI, lol.

In other difficulties, we are in need of a $600 car repair. It seems the computer that operates our transmission is dead and so the transmission will not shift out of first gear. Evidently this is a rare occurance, for the computer to go out completely, but that seems to be typical of our experiences. We have a bit of a love / hate relationship with our cars. If it were up to me I'd walk or bike everywhere, provided we lived someplace where that would actually be feasible.

Well, I didn't intend for this post to be this long, but I hope y'all have enjoyed the look back on June. I have high hopes for July. We have company coming the 2nd, plans for the 4th, Ashley's birthday on the 17th and more, so I hope it will be as full and rewarding as June was.

Free Homeschool Resources

Why didn't I find this sooner? There is a terrific resource on the web where you can get a free download of home school materials every single day. Plus, if you susbscribe to the mailing list, you get a special freebie just for subscribers! This week's bonus is How To Play The Piano By Ear, a student's and teacher's edition in PDF format. Also, today's freebie was Stitchery For Girls: A Five Year Course In Hand Sewing & Stitchery.

Since Ashley has expressed an interest in sewing and already has learned a bit about hand-sewing, this will be a great addition to her home school curriculum. The piano course will hopefully also be applicable to her learning to play guitar.

To subscribe to the newsletter and download thoday's freebies, take a minute to stop by: Homeschool Freebie.

Summer Shopping Adventures

One of the things Ashley and I love to do together is to shop. With our budget like it is, it's not often we get to do that. So, when we learned that Old Navy is having their Super Summer Sale, in which nearly all their summer stuff is 50% off and their brand flip flops are just $1, we knew we couldn't miss it.

Overall, we had a great time. However, the store was packed and I feel like I just have to comment on the behavior of the patrons. Doesn't anyone have any manners anymore? Has common courtesy vanished with the wind?

Here are just a few of the things I observed while Ashley dug through the swimwear and graphic t's:

- Children running wild through the aisles with no regard for the people around them, while their mothers browsed or talked on their cell phones, seemingly unaware

- Groups of shoppers walking around the store like herds of cattle, taking up entire aisles and not bothering to move aside ever, not even for the elderly or disabled.

- People pushing their way through areas where there was clearly no room for them, indiscriminately bumping and shoving other shoppers, and seeming to find it funny. One woman bumped me and nearly stepped on Aspen. Thankfully she didn't because that would have been the limit to which I would have kept my mouth closed.

- People (adults and children) blatantly staring at passersby, as though they were somehow hypnotized - what is with that? I nearly asked one person if their mother had taught them that it's rude to stare.

I could go on all day really. Bad behavior, especially on the part of adults, in public setting is really a pet peeve of mine and it seems like it's more and more common these days.

Anyway, enough about that. We had a great time and found some fabulous bargains. For $42 we got: a two-piece bathing suit, and tank top for Ashley, an adorable little dress for Aspen and a pair of flip-flops for each of the three of us. I'd venture to say without the sale prices we'd have spent $80 easily. I had set our budget at $50, and so the fact that we got so much and came in under my limit makes me happy. And in spite of the craziness in the store we had fun digging through the picked over racks and piles of shirts hunting for treasures.

Good times, for sure.

Personal Goals & Accountability

There are a few areas of my personal life that need a major overhaul. In addition to adding them all daily to my prayers and asking the Lord to fill me with right desires and the strength to change these things, I am also asking for the help of my bloggy friends. I am going to be posting here (most likely on a weekly basis) about how I am doing in these areas, and your support, suggestions and especially prayers are very welcome.

Here goes:

First and formost, I need to lose weight. I don't know my exact weight as of today but suffice it to say I know I need to lose at least 20 pounds. Last Fall I was in great shape with my weight, but due to a lot of very stressful, trying times since then I have slipped into poor eating habits and the results have been disastrous. Add to that the fact that I am no longer getting exercise by working three nights a week at my former job, and you have a recipe for an out-of-shape, out-of-sorts mama. This needs to change immediately!

My plan is to cut back on the amount I eat and to focus on a more healthy, light diet. I have already begun the dietary changes in our family's menu, and since it's summer this is pretty easy to do. Everyone loves light meals and fresh fruits and veggies when its warm out, so the new menu has been met with a positive response. I also need to get in some kind of daily exercise even if it is just running up and down my stairs or something.

As far as accountability goes, I am planning to post regularly here about what I have eaten and what I've done for exercise. My goal is to be back to a size 7/8 by the holidays. I am currently a size 10, which at my height of 5'1" is well, not good.

Second is my dental health. I have always had dental problems, as far back as my teens but it seems like in recent years that has gotten worse and this is due in part to my slack dental regimen. I brush, but that's about it. I am now starting a new regimen that will involve daily flossing, using a mouth rinse and getting some much needed dental care now that our budget will permit it. I'll be posting on this regularly too, probably more on a monthly basis since there's not much to write about in that area.

Last, but of equal importance is managing my time on the internet. We've had the internet back in our home since Thursday and so far I feel I've done very well. I've not spent more than an hour a day online, and it has been mostly things like checking our bank statments and the like. My only leisure on the computer has been blogging and that has been limited to a few minutes at a time when all my other obligations have been met for the day. In order to help me keep my computer time in check, I have left all of my online groups and this has slashed the amount of mail I get down to a few a day from those closest to me. I am still planning to do digital scrapbooking and other things that involve using the computer but in a more limited way than before. I'll be keeping a log of time spent and how its spent and posting that here too, probably weekly with my weight loss updates.

I hope all you bloggy moms will join me here and please feel free to share your own goals and accomplishments too!

Wordless Wednesday

I'd be remiss if I didn't include a few words in this post, crediting my daughter Ashley for this beautiful photograph of Aspen, which she swears was accidantal.