Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Taking The Plunge

So, your thinking about maybe taking the plunge into homeschooling. After my "Why?" post I was happy to hear many of you are "thinking" about it.
Any family who is willing to go against the flow of the traditional public school system is thinking outside the box. Good for you! Your probably a bit off center like me and I like that in a person:)
I was just like you when I first started "thinking" about it. It's scary but the unknown is always scary. It seems like such a big step for most of us because it is so foreign to what our own educational experience was.


I remember being exactly where you are right now. Tons of stuff swirling around in my mind. Can I really teach my children? Will I ruin them for life? What will my in-laws think? Will I go crazy in the process? How much will it cost? Where do I start?....

Think about it you already have started. Who taught your child to walk, talk eat with a spoon? Now, I think I might have to hire a professional teacher to teach my children how to clean their rooms but I don't think it would help. What makes parents think that when their children turn 5 they are no longer capable of teaching them?
Let me start out by saying many people including myself preconceived the idea of homeschooling. Homeschooling seems to have a bad wrap. You can't help but think of a dorky kid that hides behind his mommy's leg at age 12. Or you may think you have to fit that mold of wearing long prairie skirts and buns.

I am hear to tell you I may be a big nerd but I am so not what you would think a "homeschool" mom is suppose to look or act like.

I'd love to help you on your journey. I'm not a pro trust me. We are just finishing up our 2nd year and I still have a lot to learn. Having a type A personality, I must say when I get myself into something I jump in with both feet. I grabed everything and all the information I could get my hands on. I've gone to curriculum fairs and attended different conferences. I've met with many different homeschool groups and listened to many veteran homeschoolers give advice. I have done academic research into homeschooling, looked at ALL the different theories of learning etc. There are so many different ways and methods to homeschool that it makes you dizzy. I find myself to be called the "Eclectic" Homeschooler. AKA the middle of the roader, the one who mix and matches all the methods together. I'm a big fan of the Charlotte Mason Theory but also love Unit Studies etc. I use MFW as our core curriculum. This mostly covers bible,science, and history for us. I use this for both my 2nd grader and 4th grader. I assign more advanced work for my 4th grader though.

You don't think your smart enough? Um..If I can do it you can do it! I told you before I am horrible at spelling and still count on my fingers for math. I am only one day smarter than my kids. It's working and my kids are learning! I'm teaching them to love to learn and I can't stop them from wanting to learn. How's that for a beauty school drop out!

You don't need an impressive educational background or lots of money to succeed at homeschooling. Research has shown that parents with only a high school education can do about as good a job as those with advanced degrees, or education degrees. It has also shown that those who spend less than $200 per child per year on homeschool curriculum can get as good results as those who spend thousands. I fall in the middle because I have an addiction to books. I often shop on Amazon though, way cheaper. Also the library has lots and lots of books for you and your kiddos. I get most of my curriculum at used homeschool book fairs.

First thing is to get your hands on some good homeschooling books. Some of the one's I first read were:
So You're Thinking About Homeschooling by Lisa Whelchel.
The Homeschool Handbook by Mary Griffith

Also there are many websites and blogs out there about homeschooling. Visiting a curriculum fair is a good idea too (may be overwhelming) there is SO much to homeschooling you would be surprised. It's a whole new world out there that I think many don't even look into. It is such a fabulous alternative that NO ONE should reject it without first looking full into the face of it.


Let's talk about the "S" word. Oh, no not that word again! You will hear this over and over again. Socialization is really and truly a complete non-issue! People worry about it and they shouldn't. Let me just say that my kids are more social than most. The homeschool setting is ideal for socialization. Think about it, you have the normal school child who is locked away for eight hours a day with thirty or so of their peers and as a result are deprived of the chance to interact with those outside their own age group. Homeschooling on the other hand provides my children with opportunities to interact with people of all ages, occupations, and interests. Which I believe results in a well-rounded, sociable and confident individual. Unless you lock you children up in the basement, they will get "socialized."

Legal Stuff: really it's not that big of a deal. Homeschooling is legal! It's easy to figure out and if you join a group or a school they usually take care of it for you. Each state is different. I personally go through a private school.

Warning! You may suffer from what I like to call PPA: Parental Panic Attacks. I do! It's normal.I believe it's part of the homeschool life. You will question yourself often. I think most homeschool mom's tend to ask themselves over and over,"Am I doing the right thing?" Or "what did I get myself into?" Trust me I am tempted on hard days to drop my kids off at the nearest bus stop and wish them well.
I also suffer from burn out from time to time. Usually when I over commit myself. I'd have to say being too busy is our biggest challenge. I try to find a happy medium between "Over scheduled vs. Mom,I'm bored!"

Even though we call it "homeschooling" we are never really home. I recommend getting your kids out of the house and enjoy school outdoors or do school at starbucks etc. Yesterday we did school outside the airport and watched the planes fly in. I like to use the world as our classroom. Make it fun and different. Enjoy your time learning together and have fun with your children. Make memories! They grow up too fast!

Remember there is no right or wrong way to homeschool. Every family is different and the more confident you become the more comfortable you will feel about tossing things out or adding new things.
Remember to listen to your heart and don't worry about what others think. Do what you want and what you think is best for your family.
There is so so much more I could write about but I have to start my day....
If you have any questions please ask away and if you are a homeschooler that can add information to this post please comment away...

Have a good day and don't forget to send in your Red Envelopes! Today is the day!

It is also Day 35 for us at the 40 Days for Life campaign. 297 babies have been reported saved from abortion
297 -- Praise God!!

Monday, March 30, 2009

Weekend Recap






Spring has sprung! My garden is going crazy and I love it. So many new beautiful flowers blooming. I have roses coming out my ears. That and avocados, oranges,apricots,grapes, rasberries, blueberries and more...The weather has been so nice. I spent some time Friday and Saturday working on the yard. I actually like working on my yard. (I am turning into my mother) But you will not see me picking crab grass anytime soon like she does. Saturday after soccer we enjoyed a bday party. Then I meet up with an old friend of mine that I haven't seen in 8 years. (How does time go by that fast!) It was nice to see her and for her to meet my kids. Sunday I wasn't feeling well and just wanted to relax. The kids wanted to go swimming. It was a nice hot day but the water was freezing! If you remember when you were a kid you don't care how cold the water is! Landen said, "it's cold for adults but not for kids." He's right! Justin went shopping and started the bbq. Our family came over and we enjoyed a nice day together.



Farrah all ready to go to her boyfriends birthday party.

I see some flirting going on...aren't they both cute!

Just had to share these cute pictures Pam was nice enough to take of my kids at the party.






Enjoying some good food...I'm doing the "I hope I have nothing in my teeth smile"



relaxing with my 3 babies after church


If you ask Farrah, "who's your best friend?" she points to Finley and says," baby best friend."


Not a weekend goes by without someone getting hurt.

It's amazing what a kiss from mommy and a Transformers band-aid will do. Suddenly all better!


Just hanging out with the fam!

entertainment provided by Landen


He's got all the right moves!




Swimming....

Some safe stunts...

breaking out the bikini for the first time this year.

being silly with nana P.

Spending some time with my stinky boy:)
I often feel guilty that I don't get to spend much time with my niece and nephews because I'm busy with my own kids. I love seeing them!

These two are getting so big Aven is 9months today and Finn is 8 months today!


These felt great on their teething gums!

until Aven used his teeth to bite into it

Cute little sour face:)


The juiciest oranges...goggles are required!

It's amazing what people will do for free fruit.

My dad climbing the tree.

Great grandpa and My sis


Anyone have some good Avocado recipes?







After all that picking Great grandma made strawberry shortcake for all of us!

I love having my family over.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

So I Can Kiss You Anytime I Want!

One of my favorite movies...

My favorite line in this movie is, "Why do you wanna marry me anyhow?" ...."So I can kiss you anytime I want"

We did our own version a couple weeks ago...I know were big nerds!LOL









All laughing aside...My heart breaks for all the mommy's with sick babies. The blog world is so strange, I almost feel like I know these people. I tear up just thinking about them.
Please pray!
Baby Stellan is not doing well today! He has been in the hospital for one week now and his heart is still in SVT.
This is from MckMama's blog

Stellan's heart is still in SVT, and his heart function is slipping away. He is not perfusing to his extremities well anymore at all. At times, his pulse cannot even be felt in his feet whatsoever. He is pale, extremely irritable, and his mother is trying hard to keep from being a sobbing, wretched mess in front of him.

I thank God for all my healthy babies and pray for all those who are sick and for their families.
40 days of life..we are at day 33. 295 babies saved!

Friday, March 27, 2009

My Little Birthday Bunny

Farrah's 2nd birthday happens to land on Easter this year. Her birthday won't land on Easter again until 2020. When she's 13...I don't want to think that far.. I can't believe she's already 2!



I love to ask her how old she is going to be. She concentrates so hard at getting those two fingers up,then puckers up her cute lil lips to say twoooo.

I love her so much!

Now, that's one cool 2yr old!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Supermom?

I think I may have confused some of my readers. I am not, I repeat I am not supermom! Trust me on this! Ok, you don't believe me here's proof!




What mother would leave her kid shoeless drinking a large coke (ok it wasn't a coke just water to keep her quiet) and forget to strap the carseat in while driving. Then make a sharp turn and have her baby flip over....Me that's right Me the one you call Supermom! This is just one of the many things that happens in the life of the person you call supermom.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Bottles and Bibles

During Christmas the kids and I wanted to "adopt" a family to buy toys for. About a week before Christmas we met a lady digging for cans outside a Chick-fil-A restaurant. We offered to buy her lunch and started talking to her. Come to find out she was a single mom of 5. She was trying to collect cans so that she could buy presents for her kids for Christmas. I asked if I could get her number and call her. She didn't have a phone so I asked if maybe I could get her address and drop some goodies off for her kids.
You never know these days, but this lady just seemed so sweet.
The kids and I raised some money and had fun shopping for this family. I was a little scared when going to drop off the presents. Not knowing what to expect. My husband wasn't too happy about me going without him. We arrived at a little apartment complex and knocked on the door. The kids and I were greeted with a big hug and eyes full of tears. It was so neat.
The kids work hard at recycling and collecting cans and bottles. They have been bringing trash bags of cans and bottles to their house twice a month since Christmas. Their apartments just happens to be right next to their music class so it's very convenient.
Yesterday the kids brought 6 bags and some bibles...


I'm so proud of my kids:)

Wordless Wednesday




President Fitness Challenge


Today the kids were involved in the Presidential Fitness Challenge

Faith was not happy about running and didn't see the reason to have to do any sort of P.E. She wanted to just hang out with her friends. I told her if she didn't participate I would give her an F. I know mean, but I let her skip out on it last year and so I made her do it this year. She was drama the whole time. When she was done running she told me she couldn't breath and thought she was going to die. I didn't fall for it. I gave her a big hug, handed her water and told her to get on with the other events.
Austin on the other hand came in 2nd place last year so he told me he was going to step it up this year. He is very competitive (like his mama) He got 1st place out of all the 4th grade boys!
He will get a special award at the end of the year.




Holding on for dear life!



Faith taking a rest in between events




Farrah playing in sand, stops for a pose...



little miss innocent



don't fall for that cute little look.... if you only knew






















she was picking up sand, trying to hide it then she would throw it at my face.....



I may of had sand in my hair and in my mouth but it made for some cute pictures:)

It was a long hot day for the babies...nap time!


The kids did a great job. I treated them to big juicy cheeseburgers and shakes for lunch. I of course had no problem scarfing down a cheeseburger and sucking down a shake myself.
What a day! I'm beat!


Day 29— 237 babies saved!!!!!!!!