Free from "bondage"

Someone asked me the other day, "Why in the world would you homeschool???"

I wasn't offended, although maybe I SHOULD have been.

He didn't "get it".

Why should he?

Having NO KIDS, he couldn't understand.

He couldn't understand why I would want to keep them with me.

He couldn't understand why I would WANT to be with them ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.

He couldn't understand that sometimes "sheltering" them from the world IS my intent.

I do NOT think that sheltering them from negativity, worldly views, or others peoples opinions is a BAD THING.

I look at it like a BLESSING.

I am in control...for the moment, of what they see,hear,and encounter.

I WANT to be in control.

I WANT to see them thru this journey, holding their hand...if need be.

I want my daughters to stay SWEET and INNOCENT.

I want my sons to be RESPECTFUL and HONORABLE.

I want them to be free of the BONDAGE that comes with the views of the OUTSIDE world - and what it tells them they SHOULD BE.

We Love FREEBIES!!!!

One of the ways that I figure we can be better stewards of our money is to be frugal.

Frugal meaning that we want to use the money we DO HAVE wisely.

Sooooo.........
In honor of THAT I thought I would pass on this STEAL OF A DEAL~~

Go over to MightybookJr.com
Its a FABULOUS website for begenning AND experienced readers.

It is usually $99 a YEAR..
but
with the coupon code: learntoread

it is FREE!!!!

For a whole YEAR!!!!

Awesome.

FUN and FRUGAL.

I figure that is just the way GOD likes it!!!!

Role Reversal...........

Sometimes I am STOPPED in my tracks.

Sometimes "THOSE TRACKS" stand right smack-dab in the middle of a realization.

(This is a common theme around here...MY realizations! LOL)

This week I have been really trying to "get back into life".

After being sick for a while.... I was READY.

I had all these scenerios planned out in my head....
The kids would quietly sit and listen in school. They would LOVE being "back" and would be ready to take on the day. They would cooperate and do everything without complaining.

I think the meds made me DELUSIONAL.

THAT did not happen. Surprised?

They complained.
They cried.
They were "less then willing" to JUMP BACK IN.
They were "tired".
They were "hungry".
And
They DID NOT MAKE IT EASY for the teacher(ME!!!).

It was a struggle.

But---------

I realize that I am sooo blessed to have a life where THIS WEEK was possible.

So blessed to have the life I never even dreamed of. (sweet!)

I am blessed to be able to teach these children. It is a blessing to spend ALL DAY bouncing between 4th,2nd,1st grade...AND kinder!!! Teaching children to read and tie their shoes. Teaching them about GODS' blessings. Teaching them about loving their brothers and sisters...even when they are ANNOYING THEM!!!


The more and more I walk this homeschool road the more I realize that...

I just may be more of a STUDENT than a TEACHER!

Getting there....differently.

ALL kids are different.

If there is one thing I have learned thru my journey homeschooling...
it is THAT.

All kids are different.

Some are better at math.

Some LOVE science.

Some go thru phases of not liking ANY of it.

Some DO NOT like to read....
And

Some-

can't wait to read.

Oh the differences in children.

I have had ALL different scenerios.

Zeek was my guinea pig(asa most first kids are in LIFE).

I was paranoid.

I was HARD on him.

I hadn't yet learned that ALL KIDS ARE DIFFERENT.

I got mad and am sad to say that I even made him cry once.

It was terrible.

He was not ready.

He was a 1st grader that WAS NOT READY.

I know that there are public-school teachers that would DISAGREE...
but, he WAS NOT READY.

And I believe that I AM THE REASON he still does not like to read.

I make him.
He does it.

But---
He does NOT like it.

Then there was Shasha .....

I swear I did not even TEACH her to read. I taught her the letters and the sounds and she just TOOK OFF.

All on her own .

She was reading.

NO PROBLEMS.

After that I was pretty comfortable with my teaching abilities.

I used Hooked on Phonics with Malachi and LOVED it.

It didnt take very long and he was also reading.

He has little problems now and is in the 1st grade.

And MOST RECENTLY....
There is Sheba.

She WANTED to read.

She was READY.

I started HOP with her couple of weeks ago and she LOVED IT.

Then...yesterday- SHe read her FIRST BOOK.

She was soooo excited.

We all made a HUGE deal out of it and celebrated like she won the NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.

She was so proud of herself as she put her stickers on her chart.

Such a feat...sweet girl.

Sooo....as you can see they have all been different.

Some are FAST.

Some are SLOW.

I have learned thru MY journey that it does not matter HOW FAST they get there...
only that
THEY
GET
THERE.

And with practice and patience....
They all will.

I'm BACK!!!!!!!!

(Psalms 6:2 NKJV) Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.





Tommorow will be 15 days.

15 days of a LESSON.

A lesson in patience.

15 days of learning that MY HEALTH is so VALUABLE.

15 days of resting and healing.

BUT----
Now...Im BACK!

I have rested.
I have laid in bed.
I have learned to SIT.
I have HEALED.

I feel MUCH BETTER and I am ready to get BACK!!!!

(Luke 8:48 NKJV) And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

Sick.

I guess sometimes in lofe you have to just SHUT UP and listen when he talks.

This last couple of weeks has been one of those times.

2 Mondays ago, I went into the hospital...
with kidney stones.

Horrible.
hateful.
sickening.
kidney stones.

I am not sure if I have ever been in as much pain....

Well...I can think of 4 other times.

Zeek.
Shashamane
Malachi
Sheba

But at least at the end of labor...you get a prize.

with
Kidney stones...nothing.

Just pain and INTERUPTION in your life.

I was in bed for 2 weeks.

14 days.
Countless TV shows.
Magazines(thanks Shainee)
all meals in bed...
and hardly any school-except what they got from Daddy.

It has been UNEXPECTED INTERUPTION.

It has been a FORCED relaxation period.

A lesson in listening and patience.

As I have laid in bed the last 14 days...I have had to relenquish all control....
Give up all expectations....
I have had to really SIT BACK and relax.

I am prayerful that when this is all over I will be BACK.

I am prayerful that this is the LAST BIT of my illness over the last year.

It has been a hard year ...health wise.

I am repeating:

"God wouldn't bring me TO IT, If I couldn't get THRU IT!"

Till were back......

I thought I would share a webpage that I love....

FREE RICE



All you have to do is PLAY and for every correct answer..they donate 10 grains of rice.

SWEET.

Check it out.....

Be back soon.......

Sorry for the absence....

Kidney stones SUCK!

And it CONTINUES.........

I could tell he was getting frustrated.

I could see it in his NORMALLY calm, sweet face.

He was about to blow.

I was waiting.

He was supposed to be doing his MATH....which he LOVES- but he was NOT IN THE MOOD.

His eyes started to water and his face turned that "Im about to CRY" fresh color of pink.

"Mom.....My head hurts and I don't want to FREAK OUT...BUT- I think I just need a minute. Everything is making me mad. The kids are all getting on my nerves. Everything is frustrating me. I don't know WHY...But- I think I need a break."

I could see it...He NEEDED a break....like I need a break sometimes.

Zeek needed a break....from it all.

Hes 10 and apparently he is "right on track" with this whole "growing up" thing.

I was sooo proud of him for handling the situation like that.

I could learna thing or two from him....
I am
NOT
ALWAYS
as sweet and composed.

So I got him set up on the couch with the heating pad(because a heating pad always helps). I gave him a few books and kept the kids in the schoolroom.

I was impressed and scared at the same time.

I have a feeling that we are just starting on this journey....

May God let this time,and these kids youth creep by slowly.

Even though....
This is going to be EXCRUCIATING.

................................................................................
Psalms 71:17-18
“Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.” (NIV)

The best of BOTH worlds....

About 10 months ago I saw these.....



Remember THIS?

I saw them online.

I WANTED them.

But

I did not GET them.

Then......
Yesterday- We were in Big lots and there they were.

Only 1 size.

Mine.

Only 1 pair.

Mine.

And the price was even better.... $10.

Sweet deal.

Now I really can look SORTA put together....and still functional.

They really are cute....
and comfy.

THAT bridge..........

Life has a way of sneaking up on me.

Days turn into months.

Months turn into years.

And before I know it....they are little people with minds and ideas of their own.

When I used to hear a Mom talking about her TWEEN daughter- and their TWEEN-NESS.

Tween-ness being: independence

I would think to myself, "Ahhhhhhhh. I am glad I'm not THERE yet. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it."

Well people...I am standing on the edge of THAT very bridge I thought was SOOOOOOOOOOOO far away.

I am looking at THAT BRIDGE and thinking that ....

I
AM
NOT
READY!!!!

Simple. Easy. Not yet.

ALAS........
I am afraid it is INEVITABLE.

THAT time has come.

The Lord thinks I am ready.

But...as usual....I have my doubts.

Shashamane has been saving her money and had some money from Grandma and Grandpa for christmas...so today- she bought and MP3 player.

Which made me excited thinking of all the ways we will bond over GIRL MUSIC.

I was going to SHARE my favorites with her:

Gwen Stefani

Lauren Hill

Alanis Morsette

Stevie Nicks

I was excited....She is growing up and I thought it was a better decision than a TOY(which she wouldn't play with in 2 weeks).

AND

like I said....I had BIG PLANS for us.

We were going to be taking this journey together....thru MY music.

Then we got home.

I said..."Maybe we will put some Gwen Stefani on there."

She said, "I dont want to."

Huh????

NO????

I blocked that out....nevermind.

We were going to BOND.

Then she brought me a list...of people she wanted on her MP3 player.

THIS was the list:
Victorious
Big Time Rush
Jonus Brothers
Miley Cyrus
Pink(later found out this was JAYS pick.LOL)
Bridget Minler
Miranda Cosgrove
Mitchel Musso
Demi Lavato

CRICKETS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

What?
Who?

Oh nooooooooooo.

Then I proceeded to say..."come on...lets go find some music we BOTH like."

And we headed to the computer to click on good ol' you tube.

I tried EVERYTHING.

Alanis Morrisett

Lauren Hill

Stevie Nicks.

And one after another....she turned up her nose.

She shook her head.

She said NO...1 by 1.

She denied me.

Then I said, "Wait a second, It seems like everything I like...you DON'T"

And then she took that FIRST STEP.

She walked ONTO THAT BRIDGE.

She looked me in the eye and said, "Pretty much...Yes."

Oh Lord..........Here we go!!!!

Time Travel.......

How is it that you are 7????

How can that be possible???

It seems like just moments ago you took your first breathe.

It seems like just yesterday that you were learning to walk.

NOW.........

We can hardly hold you down.

We can hardly keep up.

We love you more than you could possibly know.

We love your sweet smile and your loving, tender heart.

May you grow into a strong, loving, God-fearing man.

And may you always remember to KISS your Mama.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!!

I love you....Mom