ANSWERS TO RANDOM STRANGERS ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING

Imagine yourself in this situation. You are a normal everyday parent. You believe in God or you don't. You send your children to public school or private school. You are living your life as normal as the next fella when circumstances arise and you find yourself making a decision you never thought you would have to ponder. You are deciding whether or not to homeschool your child(ren).

It may be that your child is having difficulty with rules and regulations at school. It may be that your public or private school has shut down. It may be that you or your spouse is now working afternoons and will never be able to see the kids. It may be because you found out that your child can go to college early if they homeschool...whatever reason, here you are contemplating Home Education of all things!

You are a normal gal or guy. You never really gave it much thought before now but the more you look into the idea the more you see that there are other normal people, just like yourself, who are having a wonderful time with this kind of lifestyle.

You jump in with both feet and begin your new life. You are enjoying the kids, though freaking out a little that YOU have decided to do this but other than that things are going along smoothly.

One day you are wandering around town, in the middle of the day with your children when "IT" happens. You and your children are minding your own business at the grocery store, park, field trip, zoo, museum, nature hike, play date, Science Center, or some other random social activity when a complete stranger walks up to YOU, taps YOU on the shoulder and says,

"Why aren't they in school? Did the school have a day off today?"

You are now staring at a random stranger contemplating your response. For the very first time you are forced to see yourself through their eyes.  You now have to say...out loud...

"We are a homeschooling family."

You are about to experience the wonder and awe of the human mind. You are about to witness ignorance at its best. That random stranger, after hearing your answer, will react emotionally to YOUR family...whom they have never met before this conversation....as if you have committed a purposeful attack on their very life.  Yes, it will happen to YOU, my good friend.

After you have given your answer, the Random Stranger will say one of the following statements and you...YOU...could very well be standing there, stammering...wishing you had a response....but you won't! Why? Because you did not realize that you are now one of us!

You are now considered....dunn...dunnn....dunnn...."Not Normal!"

To other people you have morphed into whatever that specific person's idea of a homeschooler happens to be. YOU are..."that" homeschooler!!!

Some people understand that homeschooling is a difficult choice made by practical parents. Some may ask questions out of legitimate inquiry, but some people are flat rude, judgmental, nasty and they...need a jolt!

These answers are NOT funny...they are just true.

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

HOMESCHOOLING ANSWERS TO RANDOM STRANGERS

Random Stranger: 

"Why aren't your children in school today? Did the school have a day off?"

You: 

"We are homeschoolers."

1. RS: "I don't have the patience for that. You must be a saint."
You: "If you are doing homework 2 to 3 hours a night, you're already doing it...welcome to Sainthood.  We just don't have to do it after a hard day's work and we don't have the stress of having to get it done in some bureaucratic time-frame."


2. RS: "Is that legal?"
You: "Yes."

3. RS: "Do you have a teaching degree?"
You: "Do you have one? You are teaching your children every night when they bring homework to your home. Does your child's school have courses for parent's to take that will give them a degree to teach their own children...after the kids have been at school all day and are tired...and you are tired from working all day....and you now have to force them to get the work done on time, know it on time and memorize it on time or else?  'Cause....that's the degree I needed when our kids were in Public School."

4. RS: "Do you have a teaching degree?"
You: "Do you have hemorrhoids?"
(rude personal question begets rude personal question)

5. RS: "What gives you the right to do that?"
You: "Their birth certificate."

6. RS: "What about Socialization?"
You: "Between sports, camp, clubs, homeschool organizations and field trips we've decided we're going to have to cut back. We just have to decide where."

7. RS: "What about Socialization?"
You: "They weren't allowed to talk in class for 7 hours a day and only had 3 minutes between classes to chat, so we thought we'd take them out of that situation in the hope to teach them to socialize."

8. RS: "What about College."
You: "I know what you're thinking. You've heard about Harvard and Yale grabbing homeschoolers left and right and that colleges are now recruiting homeschoolers but we're not going to push that in our family. We're just going to send them to the local community college when they turn fourteen like many homeschooling families do. That way they can graduate homeschool with an associate degree when they are seventeen or eighteen instead of just starting their higher education."

9. RS: "You can't possibly teach them Algebra and Chemistry!"
You: "Do you remember your Algebra and Chemistry?"

10. RS: "You can't possibly teach them Algebra and Chemistry!"
You: "That's what the community college is for." or "That's what our Co-Op is for." or "That's what tutors are for." or "Sure I can." or ...you get the drift

11. RS: "You are abandoning our public schools! It's our responsibility to fix the schools."
You: "Are you saying private schools need to fold also? The Public Schools get my taxes...they are not entitled to have my kids." 

12. RS: "Why would you want to shelter your children like that?!"
You: "Shelter them as in keeping them in the same class with the same kids for 13 years, day after day, year after year?"

13. RS: "Why would you want to shelter your children like that?!"
You: " Well, the horse and buggy became too cumbersome so I learned how to drive a car.  We go on field trips and outings nearly every week...unlike most traditionally educated children who may have a field trip once a year."

and my personal favorite...

14. RS: "My brother-in-law/sister-in-law/fiancee's cousin....Homeschools and their kids are bratty/stupid/too shy/too assertive/too fat/too skinny/lazy/clean house all day/talk too loud/breathe too hard/don't have any friends/talk to their friends way too much......

You: "Yes, I'm sure it's because they are homeschooled.....Public Schooled kids are perfect."

HT: Free Homeschooling 101

Homeschool Resources

I have compiled a list of resources for homeschool parents and placed a permanent tab at the top of my blog for easy accessibility.

Homeschool Resource List

Fun in the leaves

New Blogs

In an effort to make my hobbies more productive I have published two new blogs.

Casey Cakes (My cake decorating)

&

The Little Monkey (My photography)

Experimenting

My first experiment with water motion photography. It's not the best I could have done. I took less than a minute to adjust and snap because Tim and the kids were walking away from me, but I am pleased. I want to take more of a rocky brook or waterfall...

Cute Dog Quotes

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. - Anonymous

Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful. - Ann Landers

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went. - Will Rogers

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. - Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person. - Andy Rooney

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult. - Rita Rudner

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. - Robert Benchley

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like never washed a dog. - Franklin P. Jones

If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise. - Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money. - Joe Weinstein

Ever consider what our dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul -- chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth! - Anne Tyler

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. - Robert A. Heinlein

You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look hat says, 'Wow, you're right! I never would've thought of that!' - Dave Barry

If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them. - Phil Pastoret

Swimming

Every since Hannah was about three years old and slipped under the water with JC, she has been afraid.  Yesterday, her Dad and I convinced her to try to go under with goggles.  It took a lot of convincing, but she finally did, and she loves it now.  I'm so proud of her for conquering her fears!

A Year with CHEC

I am so glad we were active in the CHEC group this year. The girls have made so many wonderful friends and so have I. They have benefitted so much from all of the activities. I can not wait to continue our next school year with this great group of people.

One of the activities that we all enjoyed the most was park day. On the many parks day that we had the kids played for hours while the mommies enjoyed the much needed adult conversing. ;-)

Even Jade got to enjoy a few park days.

Hannah and Lily enjoyed art class this year.  Hannah was able to create line drawings and paint them, make a clay pot that she painted rainbow colors, and make her own candle with a mint scent.  

While Hannah was in with the big girls and boys, Lily and I went into her class to make all kinds of fun crafts including a Rainbow fish aquarium, hand and foot paintings,  and more.  

Here is Hannah's class making their candles. 

Another fun time that we had at the park was the Easter egg hunt.  

We also had a fun and informative time at the Clinton Post Office.

As well as, the Jackson Fire Museum.

But my favorite field trip was our recent one to the zoo.

Hannah was able to attend the zoo's "Klassroom Keys" classroom experience.

After which, we all toured the zoo.

Last but definitely not least is Recognition Night.  All of the kids got a chance to show off their work and perform.  It was very interesting and fun.

During Recognition Night Lily was awarded her Kindergarten completion diploma while Hannah was awarded a reading achievement certificate.  She has tremendously improved in her reading this year and I am so proud of her.  

Here she is reading to her sister, how sweet...

We have one last planned activity with the CHEC group this year.  Our trip to Twin Lakes in Florence.  We can not wait!  I am sure it is going to be fun, fun.  

Ballet

Hannah and Lily had their first visitors day of the year this past week.  I was able to attend Hannah's, but I came down with a stomach virus and past it to Jade by Thursday and was not able to see Lily.  It about killed me to stay home.  I was told Lily was the star of her class though.  Of course she is probably the oldest in her class and took it the year before, so she has an advantage.  

When I went to see Hannah I was amazed at how graceful and grown up she is becoming.  I know I say it all the time, but she is growing up way too fast!  I took some great photos of Hannah and her class.  Here is one of my favorites I took.  

The Little Monkey

Check out my store: www.lilmonkey.net

Want Some Extra Cash?

Home: 601-923-9502

Cell: 601-291-6624

Email: jalyah@gmail.com

myshp.com/mcasey

Businesses

I have been working on creating my e-business for the past two months.  I decided that I would start selling Stanley Home Products again in addition to starting my own eBay store.  My very own Stanley page is located here: myshp.com/mcasey 

My eBay store is called The Little Monkey and is located here: LilMonkey.net

I hope I am prosperous in my entrepreneurship.  My first shipments will include some holy saints necklaces, bracelets, and rosaries.  Also, I have a shipment of Stanley products and airsoft bb guns coming soon.  Wish me luck! 

Sympathy vs. Understanding

Literature: The Depth of Our Sympathy vs. Understanding

"Many scholars forget, it seems to me, that our enjoyment of the great works of literature depends more upon the depth of our sympathy than upon our understanding. The trouble is that very few of their laborious explanations stick in the memory. The mind drops them as a branch drops its overripe fruit. ... Again and again I ask impatiently, "Why concern myself with these explanations and hypotheses?" They fly hither and thither in my thought like blind birds beating the air with ineffectual wings. I do not mean to object to a thorough knowledge of the famous works we read. I object only to the interminable comments and bewildering criticisms that teach but one thing: there are as many opinions as there are men. "


Hellen Keller

Birthdays

The girls had their birthday party at the skating rink again this year.  It turned out good.  They had fun skating and Tahnya brought Tristen to the party.  She and Lily were born on the exact same day.  I think it is neat.  They received a lot of nice presents.  

When we got home and were proceeding to open up all of the goodies, Lily came to me and said, "This is the best birthday, ever!"  That is exactly what a mom wants to hear her child say after planning and executing a party for them. 

 I made a ballerina slippers cake with a heart cake on the side for both of them.  That is what they picked out after much deliberation.  ;)  In addition, it had to be pink for Hannah and yellow for Lily.  No other colors would do.  

Walking

Jade is officially walking now.  She walks everywhere except for when she wants to get there fast, she crawls.  She can crawl supa-fast.  :)  

Homeschool 2008-2009

We began our homeschool year shortly after I completed all of my work.  It is going good so far.  Hannah is on the second grade level while Lily began her kindergarten studies.  Lily's first lesson in Kindergarten, I remember teaching Hannah the same lesson, was basically a review for her.  I can see now that she is going to fly through all of the 5-K material I have.  She is so advanced for her age.  She is still 4 you know.  I remember trying to teach Hannah at the same age and she was just not ready, so we held off another year.  Hannah is not behind by no means, but she is not advanced either.  She is still having a little trouble with her reading.  She is improving quickly though.  Once she gets that down, I think she will advance in no time.  Hannah loves math.  It comes more easily to her than reading.  We moved the chalkboard inside the other day and started playing game on it to improve her reading skills and she loves it.  I think it is helping a lot.  Lily plays the games too.  She just blows my mind.  I think it might because she has Hannah and has always been right there with us during Hannah's lessons that she is so advanced for her age.  

We went to our first CHEC group event on Friday.  Tim, Hannah, Lily and I all went bowling with the group.  I wasn't planning on bowling, but Tim talked me into it and I had a lot of fun.  He beat me of course.  I didn't do too shabby though.  ;)  Hannah and Lily loved it and made friends in the process.  That is what it is all about.  I'm still sore from it.  You don't realize how many muscles are used to bowl until the next day, LOL.  

Testing Times

This past month was a very trying month for me.  I had fallen behind in my school work and had to catch-up to keep my financial aid and continue pursuing my degree.  I completed 20 tasks in 18 days.  Most all of the tasks were papers of some sort ranging between 2 and 8 pages.  One was a research report and one task was to create to lesson plans for health and science that were related in some way.  The lesson plans took me 3 out of the 18 days to complete and each were about 10 pages long.  I received a score of 4 out 4 (perfect!) for both plans.  I couldn't believed it.  Achieving that, lifted my spirits and motivated me to complete the rest in time.  After I completed all of the 20 tasks, I still had to pass a final exam before the month was up and I did.  So now I am in goo standing and can continue to pursue my degree in education.  It is getting very close now.  I can't wait!  

Jade

Jade got her first tooth yesterday!  She is crawling everywhere now and pulling up.  She took her first step between the chair and the couch last Thursday, the 17th.  She was trying to get a wrapper from me while I was sitting in the chair, so I set it over on the couch and she let go of the chair and stepped to the couch!  I couldn't believe it.  She will be 9 months on Tuesday. Time just flies by way too fast.

First Word

Jade has started saying Mama.  She started about a week ago saying mamamamamama when she was mad and wanted me to pick her up.  Now she says mama mama, it's getting clearer and it is so cute.  Even if she usually says it when she is mad and wants me to pick her up.  :)

Water Balloon Fun

The girls were playing with balloons in the jacuzzi today.  They got freakishly big.

Click HERE to see more pictures. 

Hannah and the Wild Cats

Here is a video of Hannah's softball game.  They are the number one U8 Softball team!

-They were until tonight's game.  The other team was tied for 1st place and they won.  So Hannah's team came in second this year, again.  Overall, the wild cats had 11 wins and 3 losses.   

T-Ball Lily

Here is a video of Lily playing T-Ball.  Her team is called the Blue Angels.  She is such a cutie!

Baby Jade

Here is a video of Jade sitting up and playing with her toy she got for Christmas.  She can sit up very well by herself now.  

Dr. Laura's Home-Schooling blog

Home-schooling Does Not Hamper Socialization
Posted By drlaura On May 22, 2008 (12:00 am) In Home-Schooling

One of the criticisms lobbed at the home-schooling community/movement is that home-schooled children are being shielded from diversity and a multitude of challenging influences which will ultimately handicap them in their ability to function in the “real world.”  In other words, “How will these children function in our diverse, multicultural society when they are raised in a setting with monolithic views and beliefs?”

Research examining home-schooled students’ academic achievements have consistently found that they score higher than the national norms on standard achievement tests.  So the only grenade left to throw at home-schooling parents is that they are hurting their children...

Read the ENTIRE Article at: http://www.drlaurablog.com/2008/05/22/home-schooling-does-not-hamper-socialization/
Article taken from Dr. Laura's Blog - http://www.drlaurablog.com

Scary Lizard

I was taking something outside today and when I walked back in I saw the strangest looking lizards.  Here are some pictures I took of them.  The longer I looked at them the scarier they got. ;-)

Why Parents Love Homeschooling

WGU Receives Distance Learning Awards from USDLA

The United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) presented 2008 International Distance Learning Awards in two categories to Western Governors University and its executive director of the WGU Teachers College, Dr. Janet Schnitz. The April 22nd awards were given in conjunction with the 2008 National Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. Since 1987, USDLA has been the world's premier distance learning association. The USDLA International Awards program honored outstanding individuals and organizations for excellence in the field distance learning, education and training.

Western Governors University received the 21st Century Award for Best Practices in Distance Learning, in recognition for WGU's achievements as the nation's first competency-based online university and its success in expanding access to higher education for adults seeking bachelor's and master's degrees.

Dr. Janet Schnitz, executive director of the WGU Teachers College, received the award for Outstanding Leadership by an Individual in the Field of Distance Learning. Since 2004, Dr. Schnitz has led the rapid growth and development of the WGU Teachers College, which currently offers 22 programs. The college currently enrolls 5,000 students in programs that lead to initial teacher licensure, helping develop highly qualified K-12 teachers in such high-needs areas as mathematics, science, and special education. In 2006, the WGU Teachers College became the first and only online teacher education program to receive accreditation by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

"We are very honored to have received these two awards from the USDLA," said WGU President Dr. Robert Mendenhall. "WGU has been committed to our mission to provide access to higher education through distance learning and our competency-based learning model. We've succeeded in large part because of the dedication of individuals such as Dr. Schnitz. Her unparalleled leadership has guided our Teachers College to many 'firsts,' such as our NCATE accreditation, and it has become one of the premier teachers colleges in the nation."

WGU will also be featured on the USDLA site as an award winner. Read the WGU press release about the awards.

Sitting

Jade is sitting up by herself!  I timed her a little while ago to see how long she could sit without falling over and it was 11 minutes.  She reached for something and fell to the side.  I can't believe she can sit for that long.  She is growing up too fast.  I figured she was going to do stuff early.  She turned 6 months yesterday.  We had a WIC appointment yesterday as well.  While we were there the electricity went out in the Health department.  Weird, huh.  Thankfully, they had already done my paper work before it went out.  Jade weighed 14 lbs. and 12 oz.  The nutritionist said that she was short for her age.  She is only 14 1/2 inches long.  That just makes her ever cuter in my opinion. :)  She's my chubby little cutie.  I have three very different little girls.  Hannah is extremely tall and blonde, Lily is average and redheaded, and Jade is short and brunette.  

Ballet Recital

What can I say, it was beautiful.  Both of my girls amaze me.  Hannah is so grown up and Lily is right behind her.  I didn't know what to expect with Lily, this being her first year.  I know Hannah was scared her first year and wanted me to be with her backstage.  However, Lily did not.  I even went to check on her one time to make sure she was not upset and she was like, "Hey, what are you doing?"  I told her I was going to go sit back in my seat and she was like, "Okay."  She is SO independent.  She did so well in her dance too.  I just can't believe how much she is growing up.  Hannah's dance was a lot more complicated than it has been in the past, but it didn't seem to bother her at all.  She said it was easy.  They both love being on the "big" stage.  I actually got to sit and watch the whole show this time.  It was nice.  :) Jade even sat in my lap and was good!  If you remotely know Jade, that is amazing.  She is such a hyper little baby.  We had a good time.  As soon as we got home they both asked, "Can we play in these now!?" They were talking about their costumes of course.  :)  They have a nice assortment of dress-up costumes now.  ;-)

How Pavement Picasso Does It

Found this video...

WOW Art!

I happened across this particular man through an email group. Julian Beever, the pavement picasso.  Go to his site or google him and see his amazing work.  The picture below is one that was in the email. 

"Anamorphic illusions drawn in a special distortion in order to create an impression of 3 dimensions when seen from one particular viewpoint."

DIY Puff Paint

This is really cool and super quick/easy. Combine the following in a little bowl:

1 tablespoon self-raising flour
a few little drops of food colouring
1 tablespoon salt
Then add some water to make a nice smooth paste.

Paint away on a nice thick sheet of cardboard (if you don't have enough paint brushes use cotton buds - they work really well).

Microwave the design on high for 10 - 30 seconds until the paint puffs and it's all nice and dry. We did ours for 30 seconds.

Taken from HERE

My Anniversary

Wow, we have been married for 9 years now.  It doesn't seem like that long.  That makes 14 years that we have been together in all.  I've been with Tim for half of my life!  Goodness, that is a lot to take in.  We have three beautiful girls out of all these years together.  We don't have anything fancy planned for tonight because money is tight, but I did buy a banana cream pie for us to share.  :)  Nine years...I wonder what you are suppose to get for your 9 year anniversary.  I'm sure number 10 is suppose to be something special.  We have almost been married for a decade. LOL 

Ok, now I'm starting to feel old.  

Cute and Funny

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.

"Why?" my daughter asked.

"Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs" I replied.

At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Momma, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart."

I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mom."

We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH.....I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad."

"Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my face.

When you're finished laughing, send this to a Mom

Overwhelmed

I just had aav phone call yesterday.  Oh my goodness, I am overwhelmed.  AAV stands for academic activity verification.  I have five different "classes"  that I have to complete by the end of my new term.  It is a lot for me because I have to teach and take care of my three children as well.  I am on probation this term because I put off so much due to Jade's arrival.  It is very hard to sit for a while and work with her. I have to type with one hand while I hold her in the other.  Hopefully she will be more satisfied soon when she becomes able to sit by herself.  She is such a busy-body.  Has to be doing something at all times.  Well, I guess I better go and get some work done now.  :) 

Jade's Doctor's Visit

Jade had her four month check up the other day.  She had to get three shots in her leg and a vaccination by mouth.  I was looking at the card and realized that they gave her 6 different immunizations.  Six!  I thought that was a lot to give a little baby. I don't remember Hannah and Lily getting that many shots at a time.  Maybe they did, but I don't think so.  She got very sick and ran a fever the next day.  It caused her the throw up as well.  I'm starting to wonder if all these vaccinations are necessary.  I know that there are a lot of parents that opt out of giving their child vaccinations.  I don't know , but I just didn't feel right about her having all those at once.

Just and update on how much she has grown.  She weighs 12lbs. 9oz. and is 24 inches long.  She loves to eat her cereal now.  Oatmeal is her preference.  I also introduced squash to her today.  She made a nasty face and wouldn't eat it.  I will try again tomorrow. :)  She wants to stand up all the time.  She can kinda sit in her boppy pillow for a while before she falls forward.  It won't be long and she will be sitting solo.  :) Growing up way too fast, as with my other girls.

I have another idea.

Searching for more stuff to make instead of buying, I found a recipe for playdoh.  I have never made my own playdoh.  I know people who have, but I haven't.  I think maybe tomorrow the girls and I should make some playdoh.  I found an interesting recipe here.

SMELLY PLAY DOUGH 

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 pkg. unsweetened Kool-Aid
• 3 Tbls. cooking oil
• 1/2 cup boiling water

Children can mix dry ingredients if you wish. Add oil. Pour in boiling water. Mix. I continue to mix and knead with my hands. When mixture is cool enough, children can knead an begin playing immediately. I store in a plastic container with a lid. Contributed by Mrs. Mari

I made some wipes.

Today, I looked up the recipe to make my very own wipes.  It was very easy.  I ran out of wipes and couldn't get to the store, so I made some.  I used the second recipe from this site to make them.  I wonder what else I can make instead of buying.  

I can see the light

Things are starting to look up now, finally.  Jade is sleeping through the night and starting to cry less during the day.  Everything is looking good.  I need to catch up on some school work for myself and Hannah.  We will get caught up though.  Finally, I can see the light through all of the darkness.

New Computer

I bought a new computer!  My laptop has been broken since early December and now I have a new computer.  I decided to switch to Mac.  :)  I have the new iMac and it is awesome!  It is taking a little while to learn everything, but it is so much better that any of the other computers that I have owned.

Snow!!!

It snowed on my birthday! I couldn't believe it. The girls were so excited. It was Lily's first. Hannah was just saying the other day that it is never going to snow here again. Then, SURPRISE! They made a tiny snowman and put it in Meme's deep-freeze.

The New Year

Well, it's the new year. I wish I could be happy about it. I am thankful for all of my family. Without them we would probably be out on the street by now. I am hoping and praying that things get better soon. I am hoping and praying that something comes through for Tim soon. I am so sick and tired of everyone using him. He deserves something better. Hopefully that something will come quickly. It has been long enough! Something has to happen.

Today is my birthday and I have nothing better to do than to vent on this computer. What is left of my computer that is. My laptop screen broke before Christmas and I ordered a part for it but it did not work. So, I have taken the screen off of my laptop and hooked an old monitor up to my laptop. Now it is working somewhat like a desktop, I suppose.

I took all that I had today to not break down to tears. I still could be sobbing at the moment, but I am trying my best not to. It's not that everyone forgot my birthday or anything or that I didn't get what I wanted. Everyone is so kind and remembered, I so appreciate that I am loved. It's not even that Tim is so sick on my birthday. I think he has the flu or something. No it's not that at all. I just want to get out of the deep dark hole that we have fallen into. It's scary and dark and it seems endless. I can't see the light! I'm scared! All I can do is be happy that we are all still together for now and alive. My sweet, sweet girls! They are my lifeline.


Here's to a happier new year than it has been already.

The most stressful time of the year

Why does Christmas have to be the most stressful time of the year for us? Why can't it simply be a celebration of Christ's birthday. Why does it have to get so blown out of proportion with gifts and such. We are struggling to pay bills, much less buy presents for everyone and our three children. Needless to say, I don't want anyone to give me anything. I wish I thought this way when I was a child. I hate raising my children this way in thinking the more the better. On top of all the stress, my laptop's screen has went out. I wouldn't even care, but I attend college through my laptop and I had some deadlines to meet. This unfortunate event put a damper on those plans. Oh, I just want worry-free peace. I was driving down a road near my house that I haven't went down in a while and immediately started thinking about when I was a teenager. I wish I could have those years back. I love my children and would never want to be without them, but the thought of free-ness is wonderful. What it would be like, what I would do or not do. The past is past, eh. Must move on and find peace in the future, hopefully near. Here's hoping for a Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

The 14 Days of Homeschooling

The 14 Days of Homeschooling (tune of "THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS")
Author unknown....

On the first day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can you homeschool legally?"

On the second day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the third day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fourth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the fifth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "YOU ARE SO STRANGE! What about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the Sixth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "How long will you homeschool, YOU 'RE SO STRANGE, what about P.E., do you givethem tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the seventh day of home school my neighbor said to me, "Look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the eighth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "Why do you do this, look at what they're missing,how long will you home school, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what about P.E.do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the ninth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "They'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you home school, YOU 'RE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give them tests, are they socialized, do you homeschool legally?"

On the tenth day of home school my neighbor said to me, "What about graduation, they'll miss the prom, whydo you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will youhome school, YOU ARE SO STRANGE!, what about P.E., do you give themtests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the eleventh day of home school my neighbor said to me, "I could never do that, what about graduation,they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, what aboutP.E. do you give them tests, are they socialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the twelfth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "Can they go to college, I could never do that,what about graduation, they'll miss the prom, why do you do this, look at what they're missing, how long will you homeschool, YOU ARE SO STRANGE, What about P.E., do you give them tests, are theymsocialized, can you homeschool legally?"

On the thirteenth day of homeschool I thoughtfully replied: "They can go to college, yes you can do this, and they can graduate, wedon't need the prom, we do it cuz we like it, they aren't missinganything, we'll homeschool forever, WE'RE NOT STRANGE!, We give themP.E., life it self's a test, they are socialized, AND WE HOMESCHOOL LEGALLY!

On the fourteenth day of homeschool my neighbor said to me, "How can I get started, why didn't you tell me,where do I buy curriculum, when is the next conference, WILL PEOPLE THINK WE'RE STRANGE? I think we can do this, if you will helpus, can we join P.E. and we'll homeschool legally.

Surviving Motherhood

Thanksgiving was nice. I posted a new Thanksgiving slide show of pictures on my website. Check them out if you like. I put a few more pictures of Jade and the girls on there as well.

Jade has been a good baby for the most part. Yesterday was one of the stressful days. She cried all day long. Wasn't happy being held or anything. There is only so much crying and screaming one can take before they just snap. Luckily, I didn't get that far. These are trying times on me lately. When you got a baby screaming at you all day and two little girls fighting with each other, you feel as if you are slowly drifting off from sanity. Then the next day is better and you recuperate. Jade is sleeping most of the day today and slept all through the night last night. In addition, my big girls are gone skating with their Meme. So, I have a little time to catch my breath. Jade even smiled at me several times today. :) She's doing so more and more each day. It's a wonderful blessing to have three little girls, but a lot of work at the same time. Sometimes I feel as if I just can't do it all. I have to take care of all of them(including Tim), teach first grade and preschool, attended college, cook for all meals everyday, and keep the whole house clean. Needless to say, all of it is not getting done at the moment. It's getting a little better with each day though. I don't feel as overwhelmed today as I did yesterday. Hopefully, tomorrow will be even better. Oh, and I still say that my sling is the best thing I have bought to date for taking care of Jade. It allows me to do so much more than I could without. I'm going grocery shopping later and I will be wearing her while I shop. :0)

Picture

Here is a picture of me wearing my sling.

Sick, Sick, Sick

My goodness at the sickness surrounding me. It started with Hannah, then Lily, then Tim, me, and eventually got to Jade. My poor little baby is miserable with a cold. It hasn't gotten too bad for her though. I took her to the doctor yesterday because she was up all night crying like she was in pain. The doctor said that her ears and lungs were fine, but she had a sore throat. So, that is what's bothering her. That and the stuffiness. I hope she gets better soon. Hannah and Lily are about to get over their colds, as well as Tim and I. If we can get Jade well, maybe we can keep from getting sick for a while.
Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Turkey Day! Hannah and Lily have been helping Meme make all of her Thanksgiving goodies. I can't wait to eat it all. ;0) I haven't cooked anything this year. With all the sickness and the newborn, I am just going to eat what everyone else cooks. Having three little ones is incredibly overwhelming right now. I can't seem to find time to get anything done. It's still worth it though! ;-)

Reasons to Homeschool

WHAT’S WRONG WITH SCHOOLS AND RIGHT WITH HOME SCHOOL?

In our current educational system, almost every school, public or private, relies heavily on certain tools which actually hinder the desired result of education. These include the obvious, overcrowded classrooms, non-standardized curricula, under-trained and unmotivated teachers, the “bad guys” everyone points at. But there are other subtly destructive ideas at work. These include grading, grade levels and homework. When a teacher gives a grade, be it for a test or a semester, the teacher has admitted his failure. Why didn’t every student learn the requisite materials? The students were there. Every “B” issued is the teacher and school’s way of saying “we taught this student MOST of the materials”. And an “F”? They’re admitting that they haven’t a clue how to teach your child that subject. Many courses are graded on a “bell curve”, in which a certain percentage of students MUST receive an “A”, a “B”, and so forth. Who determined the percentages? What do you do with a class that is almost entirely “expert”, give some of them “F”s? How about the class that is generally sub-standard, whatever the “standard” may be? Give a percentage “A”s when they can’t sign their names? It happens!Grades pigeonhole a child. Your student is “bright” or “slow” or “below average”. According to what scale? Who determines the criteria? What’s wrong with Grade Levels? Children are tossed into a group because they are the same age, and supposedly that alone will allow them to study well together. But what happens is the fastest or brightest students “slow down”, so they don’t soar ahead of the group. Slower students become “remedial”. The “average” student, whatever that is decided to be by whoever is in charge, is the governor regarding speed of study. And homework? When you, an adult, complete your eight hours of work, and you head home, do you want more work to do? If a school can’t get enough information communicated in a standard day of school, what ARE they doing? When should a student pursue his own interests? Music…theatre…sports? When are they allowed control over their own time, their own lives? Who decided it was alright for a school to become the vast bulk of the child’s activities? And don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s “number of hours spent” that determine an education. It’s not. It’s “amount of information acquired, understood and ready to be used”. Home school places the control over the student’s education back where it belongs…with the student and their parents or guardians. It allows the student to study in a safe environment…something few schools can claim they create, not with a straight face. It eliminates the need for grade levels, or homework. It allows student and parent to design a schedule the student can succeed with. It allows the student to move at his or her own pace, without comparisons or stigma. It allows the student to avoid grades, when the home school system used is a wise one. And the big “problem” with home school, that much-overrated concern, “socialization”, is readily resolved by extra-curricular activities such as sports and music studies, and the fact that the student will have far more discretionary hours in a week!

Steven Horwich
Connect The Thoughts

I love my sling!

I wear my baby and it's wonderful. It frees my hands up so I can take care of my other two girls' needs and Jade likes riding in it as well. When she falls asleep and I don't feel like carrying her anymore, I just slip it off and lay her in the bed and she stays asleep! Nursing can be hands free as well. I just position her for feeding, latch her on and let go. :) I wish I would have had this when Hannah and Lily were babies. Hotslings is the brand I have. It is fitted, so you don't have buckles or rings to worry about. I'm going to get a picture of her in it and post it here. :)

Swaddling

They swaddle babies so well in the hospital while you are there and the babies seem so happy wrapped up so tight. Every time I have tried to swaddle my babies they just aren't as tight as they would have been in the hospital. I did a search and found this video. It came from this site. Works great!

Relearning Things

Since having Jade, I have had quite a few "Aha!" or "Oh yea, I remember now." moments. Trying to figure out why she is fussing so much with gas lately is one of those moments. I was thinking that it might be due to what I was eating, but after a search for info on that, I was reminded of the real reason. I have too much milk. That causes her to have gas because she gets choked, gasps for air and gets too much "skim" milk and not enough "whole" milk. It's an easy fix too, because all I have to do is let her nurse on one side for an entire feeding instead of each breast every feeding. I should have remembered that from Lily.