PRAYERS FOR THE BILLINGS FAMILY

Byrd and Melanie Billings were murdered in Pensacola Florida on Friday. These people were saints who fostered and adopted special needs children. They have lived the heart wrenching life of parenting children who need round the clock care. They have had to bear the loss of some of their beloved and now their children must bear the loss of the only parents who cherished their souls.

I remember watching their story a few years ago. They touched my heart then, and now I grieve for their children. How much more can they take in their short, little lives?

AFTER THE OBAMA SPEECH

Here are the protesters we saw as we left the speech.

His sign says, "Trillions, Trillions Here and There, Socialism Everywhere"

on another note...I'm burnt.

My face hurts something awful.


Feel sorry for me, please.


No? Well, it feels worse than it looks...so there. :o)

OUR INVITATION TO HEAR BARACK OBAMA SPEAK

Barack Obama gave a speech at my college today and I was invited to attend. If you want to know what he spoke about and what I think scroll down to the end of this post. If you want to know what it's like going to a Presidential Speech...listen up.

My husband, my son and I all attend the same college. We've even taken a few classes together so we're known by some of the staff there. We have fun with it and I enjoy the fact that we're giving our boys strong examples that learning is a lifelong adventure.
But I digress...

We got a call from the White House Volunteer Ticket People this past Sunday...No that's not their official title but I forgot what they said on the phone just after the "White House" part. My mind must have shut off after that part because this is what I remember.

"Hello Mrs M, this is The White House..blah blah...tickets...blah blah...Obama Speech...would you like to attend?"

I don't think it's a secret that I didn't vote for President Obama, however, I've never seen a sitting President in person so my answer was yes to the ticket question. I was given instruction about where to get the tickets. I went the next day to grab them.

I held 6 tickets in my hand. Brian couldn't get off work to go so I called my dad in Kentucky. He came up the next day so he could go with Kazz and me. The other 3 tickets went to a friend of mine who works with teen foster children. She took 2 teens who have lived through the foster care system.

The person who gave me the ticket told us to arrive by 12:30 because that is when the "doors" would open. We thought we were being given special treatment because the ticket said that the doors would open at 1:30.

That night, however, we were all watching the news and found out that the President's plane would not even be in our state until 2:30!! What was worse was that he wasn't going to speak until 3:30!!

When we took into account that we weren't allowed to bring anything into the speech other than a camera and our car key, all of our minds started to question whether this was going to be fun or not.

THEN we found out that the speech would be given outdoors. Well, that's about the time my dad decided this was not the place for him. He went to visit his mother, my grandma, while Kazz and I mapped out our plan of attack for the day.

Kazz and I hit the road at 11:00 a.m. We went to Wendy's and ran through the drive thru. We still had an extra ticket to see Obama Speak. While we were waiting at the Wendy's Drive Thru the young man at the window made a little small talk with us and smiled a lot. He seemed like the nicest guy...so I gave him the ticket. He was flabbergasted and took it with much thanks and wow's. He was going to have to feign illness to get off work but that's what has to be done to see the President now and then.

Kazz and I arrived at the College Campus at 11:30. By the time we walked the half mile to the entrance we could see that about 200 people were already waiting in line to get in. We made small talk and chatted. We waited in line, got interviewed by the Detroit Newspaper and made small talk with others about under wire bras, metal detectors and pocket change.

The sun was so bright. I should have brought sunglasses.

At 12:30 we were ushered up to the metal detectors. I put my cell phone, camera and car key on the table, walked through the metal detector and was told I was all clear.

NOW MAY I REMIND YOU PLEASE that I was NOT "All Clear." That metal detector should have gone off. Why? Hellooo... Click Here That metal detector didn't make a peep! So much for security. If anyone knows the president, please let him know HIS metal detectors don't catch 10" plates of metal...but the airport's DO!

After that interesting development, Kazz and I walked around the building to see that there were rows of black chairs placed on the street in front of the stage area. There were 2 bleachers alongside the area also. We were ushered into seats on the ground in front of the stage. Fifth row back, isle seat.

Then we waited. We were told that there was water available so Kazz went to get some.

There were about 8 water coolers full of water that was warm and tasted like a brand new water hose smells. That delicious taste had to sustain us for 3 hours in the hot sun with no shade. We were sitting there in mid-day heat, seats tied together at the bottom and no other means of food or drink.

Needless to say, people were getting a little uncomfortable. Sweat was glistening in the sunlight. It was a beautiful sight. People chatted and texted at will. We looked for secret service agents and found them.

We faked sightings of famous people...until I actually saw some.


The Mayor of Detroit, Dave Bing arrived in the crowd.

There were other politicians there but I only recognized faces. Their names escaped me.

Three hours we waited. My face is sun burned to say the least. THEN...a helicopter flew overhead. People stood and ooohh-ed and aaaahhhh-ed like they had never seen one before.

The voice on the intercom came on to ask everybody to sit down. They sat.

A secret service man came to the front..."Ladies and Gentlemen in the front row. If the President decides to walk along this outer edge you may place your hand out in front of you to shake his hand. PEOPLE BEHIND THE FRONT ROW STAY IN YOUR SEATS! IF the President WANTS to shake your hand, he will. If he does not want to shake your hand he won't. If he shakes your hand, shake it and let it go. DO NOT hold on to the President or try to hug him. If you hold on to him, WE WILL HOLD ON TO YOU!"

We got the idea.

We saw our Governor, Senator and other politicians walk by and sit. A man came up to say the Pledge of Allegiance, a young woman sang the Star Spangled Banner, a MCC graduate told his story and then the President was announced. Here is the video of his arrival to the stage...

We snapped a few photos. He talked about 15 minutes and it was all over. We had waited in line 1 hour and waited in seats, in the heat, with "hose" water for 3 hours to witness a 30 minute program of which the president "may" have talked fifteen.



Ooookay then...

It was an experience. I don't think I would want to wait in the sun that long for this type of event again, but now I can say I and my son have witnessed a Presidential speech. Good day, all said.


---------------------------------------------


Now for the run-down of the speech.

I'm going to school to earn a Counseling Psychology degree. Kazz will graduate this year with a business degree. The college we picked to get our degree pioneered a program where they work with 4 year Universities so that students can actually earn a Bachelors, Master and even a Doctorate by attending their Community College!

Many community colleges throughout the country now use this type of partnership but Our college started it.

I believe that is why President Obama picked Macomb Community College to deliver his speech today. This is where he introduced The American Education Initiative. Billions of dollars are going to be spent on American Community Colleges so that more men and women will be able to earn an associate degree. This plan will make America Number One in the world for college graduates! We will be able to compete with other countries and rise to the top of educational standards in the world again.

The plan sounds great since the money that would have been given to banks will now be given to the people so it will pay for itself and create jobs in the process. Basically the Community Colleges will get more money so they can serve more people.

Yes, that's it. What did you expect for a 15 minute speech? See how we felt?

4TH OF JULY AND FAMILY

Last weekend my brother and his family came up from Kentucky to visit us northern folk for the 4th of July weekend celebration. I was so excited to see all of them!

We took them downtown to see Detroit and had some fun at the Detroit Science Center.

The next day, they all went to the Detroit Zoo to check out the animals.

Kazz was very sick so I stayed home with him while everyone played at the zoo.

The weekend zipped by way too quickly. I have always thrown out hints for them to move up here so we can live closer to one another but I think my chances are slim to none.



I sure do miss my nieces and nephews. I will soon have a new nephew. Ryker will be born this October. I can't wait to meet him!


Keisha turned 15 on Tuesday so we has a quick and dirty Birthday party.

Those are the only kind our family knows how to throw.

Every birthday that rolls around throughout the year goes the same way. We grab some balloons from the dollar store, an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen and Pizza from Little Caesars.

The birthday gal/guy sits in "dads" chair at the head of the table.

We sing happy birthday, they open a gift and we eat! Voila! Party complete.

We rarely invite friends or family to attend. We just have the party and whoever happens to be in the house when it happens gets to eat and participate.




It's never failed to amaze me just how many neighbor kids and family members happen to be hanging around our home on the very day someones birthday happens to fall. LOL

Yes we were able to fit a 4th of July BBQ into the weekend festivities. I pulled out the huge box of crafts that we have laying around the house at any given moment. The kids began making the various crafts while our neighbors let off huge fireworks that could be seen all over town.

Somewhere between all of this deliciously fun chaos, a funky thing happened. A bunch of us were sitting around the patio table when a bird landed on Brisan's leg. He sort of flipped it off of his leg and it flew way across the yard and landed on Brooklyn's shirt while she was playing on the swing.

At first she didn't know what had happened. I think she thought someone had hit her with something. She stayed still long enough for me to get a few pictures of the crazy mishap.



Do you see it? It's little talon is tangled in her shirt and/or hair.

Can you see it in the picture below? Just after that picture was taken, it straightened up and flew over to sit on the fence.

What a crazy thing!

We had just the BEST time with family over the holiday. I sure do wish they lived up here so we could do this more often. (not so subtle hint) :o)

CHUCK E CHEESES

While our older boys were playing in a Halo tournament today, Brian and I got to take our 5 year old twins, Daxx and Kole, to Chuck E Cheeses.


They had only been there one time before in their lives, when they were only 1 year old. I had forgotten how much fun Chuck E Cheeses can be when witnessed through the eyes of newbies.





We got to see our boys' eyes widen and their laughter bubble up for hours as they watched Chuck and his friend's play and sing, the games whistle and pop and the tokens and tickets spill into the floor.



They got to use the tickets to buy Cotton Candy and then go over to get an Ice Cream while I had the attendant make up a couple of "boy bags" with the rest of the tokens.


One thing we don't do it stand around for 20 minutes while the kids pick every little toy trying to spend all those points.


This is the quickest and most fun way we've found to attack the "toy counter." The boys think they are playing for Cotton Candy and they are surprised and thrilled to be handed a bag full of little goodies to play with after they buckle up in the car.

The attendant also thanked me. :o)

IS AMERICA A CHRISTIAN NATION?

Obama's Speech

A POEM I WROTE YEARS AGO...

TOO FAR GONE

The road is long and the journey’s far.
I can’t turn back, I’ve gone too far.
How long I wait for time to end,
The road is long. I cannot mend.

To much temptation, I’ve given in.
Too much, temptation, I’ve given in.
I’ve gone too far to turn back now.
I’ve gone too far to live for Him.

I stand, I wait for time to end,
My time to end, when will it end!?
I hear of God’s Forgiving Grace,
But I’m too far-gone to reach His Face.

I’ve just to ask for it, I hear.
For me He died, He’ll end my fear.
But I’ve gone too far in sin! Why try?
For me, Lord Jesus did not die.

If He would see me kneel to pray,
A hypocrite I’d be that day.
For I’ve gone too far to see His Face.
I’m too far gone for Healing Grace.
---
What time is good for you My Child?
I stand and wait for you My Child,
If you would kneel and pray to Me,
A hypocrite I would not see.

For I made the road you’re standing on.
What is too far? How long’s too long?
I made the time you’re living in.
My Blood will cover any sin.

Just kneel and pray to Me, My Child.
I’ll hold you dear to Me, My Child.
The road, to you, may seem too long.
But My Arms are Great and Very Strong.

Shelly Bannister Mabe1999

FREE-ish HOMESCHOOLING CURRICULUM

Here are a couple of ways to homeschool well, yet frugally.

1. Edhelper is only $40 per year and will give a family access to every
subject from Pre-Kindergarten thru Senior Year. We have been using this quite a
bit this year and may very well use this as our main source for education from
here on out. It's worked well for our 9 and 12 year old sons.

~I print the material I want them to do and put the worksheets in the left side of a folder.
~They do the work, look up information online and/or in books and put the worksheets in the
right side of their folder when they are finished.
~ They hand the entire folder over to me at the end of the day and I use the Answer Keys in MY folder, that I printed, to grade their work.

*The only downside is that we do go through a lot of printer ink.


2. Netflix is an economical teaching source. I recommend "Drive Thru History"
DVD's that are also CD-Roms where you'll find quizzes and what-not.

I also recommend the Standard Deviants DVD's. These are Subjects that are
taught in a quirky way by Young Scholars. Most of their DVD's are geared toward
Middle School thru High School aged students. They have almost anything you
would need from

**Psychology, Sociology, Health, Foreign Languages, Any Math you could want up
thru Calculus, Anatomy, Finance, American Government, English Grammar,
Shakespeare, Astronomy, Geology.....You get the drift.

PLEASE REALIZE: These DVD's are meant to be VERY goofy HOWEVER, if you watch
them as a parent BEFORE your child watches them, Use your pause button to stop
the DVD and take notes every single time they give a tidbit of information then
there is enough Meat to the DVD's for a full course. I made quizzes above and
beyond the quizzes that they have in their lessons. I also assigned an Essay to
be written about a certain topic or person in some of the courses. It's an
inexpensive, fun way to teach if you use them well and put a little effort and
time into them

Those are my favorites for today.

Anyone else have Free or Very Frugal Curriculum ideas?

TO THE STRANGER

This is to the woman who emailed me, to the strangers who are writhing, to the sick and those in prison. This is to the strangers who link us together.

You are not alone.

I am but one woman, one stranger who is praying for peace for your heart, your mind, your soul. I know that this is a very lonely time for you. I have been where you are, felt...feel what you are feeling. My heart wrenches with the memories of that time and I cry now knowing you, a stranger, are dealing with these emotions, agonizing at this very moment. I was alone; miserable; walking through my journey when my heart procedures and uncertainties were before me a few years ago. The diagnosis was up in the air as I lay in the ICU for days wondering if the heartbeat I heard would be my last. Will that be the last? That one? I screamed, inside myself, nowhere to hold, no one to understand, nobody. Falling, falling, inside myself; hurtling out of control.

There is nothing like that horrid, alone feeling. It was during that time that I also had to deal with my own uncertainties about God and come to terms with what I believed deep inside my soul; deep down where nobody dare to tread, the place I kept hidden even from myself. It was then, during the free-fall that I had to look my doubts in the face, deal with them...answer the question. It was then that I could fully understand the question, and realize the answer. I felt His peace. I gave in to His will and came to the point where I understood beyond doubt that I either had to believe that all of life and energy came from nothingness or all of life and energy came from a God in a dimension that was beyond my own understanding. It didn’t take long for me to understand that all things come from somewhere/someone.

I had to place my faith in the one who gave me life. It was only during that time of my life…that time when even those closest to me were so very far away, though they were right there next to me. This is when I really came to understand, believe wholeheartedly in the only God who claimed to make me, know me and love me. Christ Jesus.

I was never one to “talk” like a Christian and I was never one who would preach or be overly overt with my beliefs and in many ways, I’m still not made to be “that kind” of Christian. However, something in your note, your words hit me to the core when I read them; felt them. I was back there again, laying there, thinking, crying at night, wondering within myself why we’re here, what is next, who/what I put my trust in that I somehow feel that you must be, have to be going through a similar struggle.

Please forgive me if I’m overstepping my bounds, but I want, maybe need, maybe even have to let you know, that Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit are with you and know you and made you. They know your doubts, fears, uncertainties and love you just the way you are because they made you that way. If we listen, watch for their work, feel their ministry in our hearts, eventually we are not alone.

With all my love and with all I can muster to send in words, I pray for you and think about you and hope you understand that on some level, there are people who are with you, alone, thinking, wondering, searching and praying. You are not alone. You are part of a vast majority of strangers who love one another. You are a strong link in that chain. God made it, He made you and He will help you through this journey, wherever it leads.

Please don’t hesitate to allow strangers to help, when/if the need arises. We’re here.

Love,
Shelly

INAUGURAL MICHIGAN HOMESCHOOL PROM "CRUISE"

Last Friday the Inaugural Michigan Homeschool Prom took place on the Elegant Detroit Princess Riverboat.

Kazz is 16 years old, considered a Junior, but is about to graduate from college with an Associate of Business Degree; so the standard "Senior" prom isn't something that would fly in the Homeschooling world. That is why this prom is a Freshman - Senior Prom. Homeschool Alumni under 21 can also attend as well as friends of homeschoolers.












There were teens in attendance from all over Michigan and Northern Ohio. Kazz and his friends are pictured above at the Detroit Renaissance Center. Kazz and his girlfriend, Beka, are to the right on the deck of the ship. The rest of the crew are pictured below in our yard. What a gorgeous bunch of unsocialized homeschoolers! LOL





Brian and I found out a while back that it is becoming more and more common for homeschooling teens to attend a Statewide Homeschool Prom. We decided that it would be a fun thing to plan a Michigan Homeschool Prom too, so that is exactly what we did. It went so well that we are now officially the Michigan Homeschool Prom sponsors. If you build it, they will come...and they did! :o)


If you know of homeschooling teens who live in Michigan or Northern Ohio who would like to attend the 2010 Michigan Homeschool Prom Cruise on April 30th please feel free to let them know. They can join the Facebook site for updates.



The view from the boat was absolutely amazing. We passed under the Ambassador Bridge twice during the cruise portion of the evening. We began the cruise when it was daylight and it ended after the sun had set so we were all able to get a lot of opportunities for sunset photos. Brian and I took advantage of that.



Here are some highlights of the dancing that occurred that evening. All of this fun took place with clean modern music too...who would have thunk it? :o)

I can't get over how pretty the boat was and how smooth the ride was that evening. I had never been on a Paddle boat. I didn't really know what to expect, but it was a pleasant surprise to find out that I couldn't feel the boat moving at all while inside the ship.




When I looked outside I couldn't tell we were moving either. It wasn't until I walked outside that I could appreciate the movement as I enjoyed the evening, breeze. It was a night to remember, though it took me 2 days to recover. The toe right next to my left big toe was numb for those 2 days and I have vowed to wear comfortable shoes next year...and I'm going to stop chaperoning long enough to dance with my husband at least once also!

Hope you all can join us next year too! :o)

OUR LIFE IN COLOR

Brian and I have been having some heart to heart discussions lately. These discussions happen from time to time with us. It seems that he and I start "chatting" when life seems to be floating along in a hum-drum sort of way. The short of it is that right when we feel like we've mastered something together, we just HAVE to pick a new project to keep us on our toes.

We began our lives together in a shot and like to keep the momentum going I suppose. Well...not "I suppose"...it's actually..."I know for sure" that we do this.

Snapshot: We met and married within 11 months. We married at the ages of 18 and 20 while unemployed. That was a challenge and quite an adventure. After we gained employment, bought our first home and life was rolling along nicely, we had a baby. After that life was a challenge for about 6 months. Then we were rolling along nicely so we decided to go to school full time and work. We nailed that lifestyle down pat so we threw in another child. After a few years of that we decided to begin homeschooling. That went well but become old hat very quickly so we decided to move to another state. Brian went back to school and he gained employment in the automotive field. We rode the wave of going from minimum wage jobs to a six figure income within 10 years. After a while, we decided that we were quite bored. Our bills were paid. We had bought and sold 3 homes in our marriage so far and were sailing through this parenting thing so we thought, what the hay, we'll become foster parents. We thought that would switch up our lives on a regular basis for sure, but within 2 years we had adopted 3 children. That meant that we had adopted ourselves out of the foster care system.

Life rolled along. Brian still worked, I still homeschooled, we added and removed 5 dogs to our family in the span of a few years. The more we rolled along the more we realized that baby twins did indeed keep us busy for more than 2 years so we were happy and content with the business of life for a while. In the last few months, however, we've felt that "life shake" again. It's that antsy feeling we get from time to time but this time we are coming from a position of knowing.

Here's the deal. We live in Michigan. My husband is a white collar worker in the automotive industry. How long will he have a job? Really. How long? Not long. My husband and I know full well that we are no exception to the pink slip rule. He's cut and we've decided, after short consideration, that we just don't care. We are taking the bull by the horns....again. We are in charge of our own lives. We refuse to be slaves to the ebb and flow of the current American Automotive economy. We don't want to be hit flat in the face so we're ducking...or jumping...whichever. It all shakes out the same in the end. We have decided that Brian is getting out of the boat. He's changing careers and I'm coming along for the ride.

We have spent many a mile in our vehicle discussing what we want to do next in our lives. The twins are now 5 1/2, our older sons are pretty much self-sufficient in a day to day kind of way. We have a family schedule that runs pretty smoothly and life is just....rolling. Nothing more, nothing less...just rolling by. We look around daily and smile at the life going on around us. It's our life. We watch the boys do their thing and thank God for our home and our family. We look at each other and smile for no reason other than the fact that we are so very blessed to have each other. We are content...again. And with Brian and Shelly that means, we are ready.

Brian and I have come to a decision. The lives we've had so far went SO fast! Just think how quickly the second half will go! In 10 years we'll be 50 for all intents and purposes. That's just too quick to sit around being content. Keep it movin' Marvin! He and I are moving alright, we're going back to college! We've already signed up! Hee heeee!

We're going into Counseling Psychology. That sounds fun doesn't it?! In dreamland we envision ourselves working together in an office somewhere well into our 80's. But, the real fun comes right now. We get to go to school together, live our frugal little lives with our frugal little (big) children and ride a brand new rollercoaster in our lives together. I'm so excited I can't stand it. I LOVE change. It's what keeps life interesting.

So, we begin next month. We've already started budgeting so that we can live without employment for at least 12 months. THINK of how many classes we could have under our belt in a year if that is all we do. *sigh*

Life, itsa changin'! How Fun!

LONGFELLOW

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

Stay, stay at home, my heart, and rest;
Home-keeping hearts are happiest,
For those that wander they know not where
Are full of trouble and full of care;
To stay at home is best.

Weary and homesick and distressed,
They wander east, they wander west,
And are baffled and beaten and blown about
By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;
To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;
The bird is safest in its nest;
O'er all that flutter their wings and fly
A hawk is hovering in the sky;
To stay at home is best.

HOMESCHOOL FREEBIE: ZIPCODE ZOO!

ZipcodeZoo.com

Our natural world is rapidly losing its diversity and abundance. To slow this loss, and to better appreciate the natural world, we must begin with local nature. ZipcodeZoo works to bring the natural world to armchair, amateur, and professional naturalists. Our focus is Applied Biogeography: understanding plants and animals in their place, perhaps even your backyard.

Based on the location of your ISP, ZipcodeZoo guesses where you live. You can improve on our guess, if you wish, by correcting the location info here. Your custom home page on the "My Home" tab below uses that location info. Everyone will see info on invasive species, species that are threatened, and all species that live in this area. Visitors from the U.S. will also see zipcode demographics, local attractions for naturalists, and the local weather.

Photographs are submitted by amateur and professional naturalists from all over the world.

They have fun quizzes that help you develop skill matching a bird, mammal, fish, or
amphibian with the sound it makes.

You can find out about invasive plants or threatened and endangered species near
you. Join other amateur naturalists and help build this field guide by
recording your observations using the "LifeList" button at the bottom of
every species page.

There is a translator that allows you to read every page in a variety of languages
including Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Korean, Portuguese, or Spanish.

The site is huge. You may have to wait a few minutes while content downloads as you move from one page or section to another. I did occasional glitches and bad links, however the overall site is quite a wonderful find.

HAPPY FREE HOMESCHOOLING!

DO ANIMALS FEEL LOVE?

There are many people who believe that animals are not capable of remembering caretakers, feeling love or building attachment. After only one year of care, a lion is set free into the wild. Did he form a bond of love with his caretakers?

If there were ever a doubt, I give you this.

STUDENT PICTURE ID CARD WITH PERKS

In the homeschooling community there has been a long standing issue in obtaining a valid picture Identification card. A student ID is quite useful in many circumstances, but in Michigan especially the issue of a picture ID has become an obstacle that can keep some homeschooling teenagers from going to college.

In some parts of our state a homeschooling teen is permitted to enter community college at the age of 14 years old to begin basic computer, keyboarding and undergraduate courses. The one thing that they must do to earn this privilege however, is pass the entrance exam for the college they wish to attend. In order to take the entrance exam they need a valid picture ID. In order to get a State ID the homeschooling teen must produce a "valid" school report card to the Secretary of State office, however, homeschooling records are not accepted at the Secretary of State.

Can you see our dilemma? It has been a vicious circle than we have had to navigate for a few years now.

I am happy to report today, that I do believe I have found the perfect solution to bridge that issue! I have found ISIC. Our home educated students can now get the International Youth Travel Card. (IYTC) It offers youth under the age of 26 access to special discounts and benefits at home and while traveling internationally. To qualify for the IYTC you must submit proof of age showing that your child is under 26 years of age. A photocopy of their birth certificate will suffice. The International Student Identity Card is the only internationally recognized, and accepted student ID card.

It isn't JUST an ID card however, it also comes with 1,000s of discounts at top retail stores and websites and travel insurance to cover the student should they travel abroad.



It only costs $22, which is much cheaper than buying a passport, and this card will allow our students to get discounts like ...

- Cheap student flights at STA Travel
- 50 percent off at Park 'n Fly
- 15 percent off at Karmaloop
- 15 percent off Amtrak
- 11 percent off at Macy's
- 11 percent off Jetblue
- 10 percent off Target.com
- $13 menu at Hard Rock Cafe

You can use it at home or abroad, online or in-store!

There are three versions of the discount card. ISIC is for currently enrolled students. IYTC is for any youth 26 years old and younger. This is the one our homeschooled teens could receive and the ITIC is for any current teacher or professor.

I am so excited to have found this offer. Our homeschooled teens can now take their entrance exam, skip the red tape at the Secretary of State and get on with their lives. I cannot wait to get Brisan's in the mail. I hope this helps other home educators with their Student ID card issues as well. Please pass the word on to the homeschooling community. This is something that should not be kept a secret.