I recently read a post from another blogger about several misconceptions that she has heard through the years concerning homeschool. It set my wheels in motion as to the things I had thought myself, as well as those I had heard and seen since starting this journey. I have compiled a list for your reading enjoyment ;)
1. All homeschoolers sleep in.
Um... no. My children have a pre-set internal clock that gets them up. Sleeping in is not really an option, and why would I want to train them to do that anyway? Life starts early each morning, and the sooner they realize that, the better.
I know many homeschool families that hit the floor early. I know a few that sleep late. I have a friend that gets up and gets all her errands and chores done in the morning (with her children) and they sit down after lunch to school from 1-6. I have another friend who's son just graduated from high school. He would get up around 5 and do his work early so that he had the rest of the day to pursue other interests. Art museums, history museums, volunteer work, music... all those things that public school students just don't get to do. I have yet another that has a public schooled teen and two smaller homeschool children. She takes the older to school and the younger start school around 8:30 to 9, when they get back home from older delivery.
2. All homeschool moms wear jean skirts and birkenstocks.
I own a jean skirt and a pair of birkies that I have had for YEARS, and I refuse to wear them anymore for just this reason. I find this stereotype to be the most ridiculous of them all. Compund that with my long hair and I would just be ASKING for trouble!
3. You must have at least 4 children to homeschool.
Economically, I can see the appeal to larger families to homeschool. It IS cheaper. I mean, let's face it. Public school turns your child into an Amway salesman. Candy bars, t-shirts, tickets, walk-a-thon pledges, cookie dough, candles..... need I go on? Five dollars this week, seven the next, and when you get to high school, you need a second mortgage!
However, it is perfectly acceptable to homeschool just one child. I know many women who homeschool their only child, and they seem to be holding their own.
A word to the wise, though. Large families are well aware of what goes on to make them large, and they really do get tired of people asking them if they "know what causes it". Use caution in the future. Moms have been known to snap and a diaper bag to the temple will leave a mark.
4. Homeschool families grow their own food and bake their own bread.
In a word - no. I must say that we have more time to work on projects, create new culinary masterpieces and foster new hobbies. However, if you check my yard this summer, you will not see a garden. You might see garden items, but no garden. I believe it is important for children to understand where food comes from, and we have tomato plants and things of that nature, but I got my fill of gardens as a child and tilling 2 acres of my yard does not sound like a happy-happy thought.
Same goes for the bread machine.
5. You homeschool for religious reasons.
Well.... let's see. If my religious beliefs aren't enough to homeschool, then I probably need to re-evaluate my beliefs. But that certainly isn't the only reason I homeschool. Although I feel that the Lord told me to do this (or rather screamed at me to do this), there are many factors that aided in our decision. Financially (see #3), socially (that one is coming up - trust me!), and educationally. Everyone makes that decision on their own, and it's their own decision to make.
6. Homeschool kids wear their pajamas every day.
I don't know! We don't!
7. If my child doesn't take standardized tests, they won't be ready for college.
Well THAT is the biggest pile of donkey doo-doo I've heard in a long time. Sometimes I think people flush their brain down the toilet. What in the world does a multiple-choice test taken every year have to do with a college education, and for that matter, life? It's true that they do have to take the ACT and/or the SAT for college admission and that is something that we will work on, but here's a news flash for you; Colleges don't really put much stock in those yearly tests - they realize how worthless those scores are, too. They are just as interested in if that graduate can write, spell and read. They also want to know about extra-curricular activities other than sports.
8. Homeschooled children aren't as smart as public schooled children.
Yeah. It takes a lot of guts to look at a mother and say that to her face. Yet, it happens. I know of a story of someone that looked at a 4th grade boy and asked him what 2+2 was. One of my same friends mentioned above would have her high schooler quizzed on the church van by the kids AND adults. They tried to give him math problems that would stump him to 'prove' that homeschoolers weren't as smart. That is insulting and degrading on a level that I have never reached. I have no doubt that there are homeschooled children that are as dumb as a box of rocks. That's cruel, but there are 'parents' (and I use that term loosely) who don't encourage their kids to succeed. I also know of quite a few public schoolers that can't pull their pants up to their natural waist and couldn't win a 2nd grade spelling bee. Either you raise your child, or the village will. And for those of you that follow my facebook posts, I'm just curious... how many of you knew that Ruth was David's great-grandmother like my daughter did?? I rest my case.
9. Homeschool children are geniuses.
The flip-side to #8 - People put homeschool children on this unrealistic scale and expect them to know the answer to every question ever asked. That's not possible. You're older than my children, and I guarantee that you don't know it all. My children will never know everything. I want to teach them the things that MATTER and those things that they will actually need in life, like common sense. You know about common sense, right? Right???
10. Homeschoolers grow up to be weird.
I don't think I can expound on this, but I'll try. That's bull. I'm done.
11. Children are homeschooled to hide abuse.
This one offends me. To be honest, it never occured to me before homeschooling my own children and it never occured once we started until a friend mentioned that she had been accused by a stranger. It's a repulsive thought because I know it happens, but it's not common. It's unfair to group everyone into a catagory because of a few offenders.
12. Homeschool children are being sheltered.
Sheltered is different from unsocialized, which I'll address in a minute. Children can be very social and have no idea how the world works. The common misconception is that parents jerk their children out of school to keep them away from worldly influences. Yep. Guilty as charged. Here, however, is my difference. I am called by God to shape my children, not shelter them. I plan to tell my children many "worldly" things, like cuss words, but only when they're old enough to understand what they mean and why we don't say them. This may shock and disturb some, but when (not if, but when) someone calls Shelby "that word" I want her to know what they mean so that she'll know how to deal with it. People use slang words for body parts - my kids need to know that. In short, they have to live in this world and the excuse "I was homeschooled" is just that - an excuse. There are things we don't say, do or watch. Those decisions have nothing to do with their education. It has everything to do with our beliefs, morals and values. I teach so much more than math and spelling.
13. Homeschool moms think they're so superior.
Oh.... right!!! Dream on! I have days I would LOVE to send them somewhere for 8 hours! I have moments that I just walk out of the room because I don't have the time, patience or professional training to deal with whatever is happening. Superior? Hardly. Talk - really talk - to any homeschool mom and she will tell you all about her fears and reservations.
A homeschool mom worth her weight in salt has realized a very important fact: It's all on her. If my children don't receive the education they need, I have no one to blame but me. The responsibility of my children's future rests completely on my shoulders, and I feel that burden every day. I am not superior. I am weighted.
14. All homeschoolers are anti-public school.
I don't hate public school. I just don't like the system. The village is an idiot. Public teachers are awesome. They simply aren't given the time and permission to teach in the way they see fit and necessary. State core standards are set in Nashville by a group of men and women that haven't seen the inside of a classroom in a L-O-N-G time. I have used many public school tricks-of-the-trade here at home, and they work. I am not anti-public school. I am just pro-homeschool.
15. Homeschool children aren't socialized.
I saved the best for last, because this is the one I hear the most. It sets my teeth on edge.
Let me ask you something. It doesn't matter how old you are - in your mind, name the class nerds from your freshman year. That wasn't so hard, was it? They stand out. Were THEY socialized? No, they were not. Did anyone get shoved in a locker? Do you think they felt like they were socially accepted? I'm gonna go with.... um.... no.
At what point are we going to stop listening to evil people in 3-piece suits that tell us what's acceptable?
My children have more fun, more friends and more social settings now than they ever did in public school.
Don't believe me? Let me break this down for you, since most of you probably don't know what REALLY goes on there.
These precious angels arrive at school as early as 7 a.m., where they eat breakfast in the cafeteria and they have to stay seated and be relatively quiet. They then go down to the gym, where they sit on bleachers for 30 minutes or longer and can't move. They can only talk to the person to their right or left because they can't turn around. If a really grumpy teacher happens to be the one on bus duty, then they very well could have no talking in the gym at all. Their class day hasn't even started and they're already in "sit down and shut up" mode. They then go to class, where they ... wait for it... wait for it... sit down and shut up. All day. They don't talk in class. They're there to learn. They go to lunch, where they sit on a round frizbee and eat. They can talk if they're lucky and sit at a good table. If it's too loud - then no talking at all. They go to special classes like gym, guidance, music or the library, where they aren't allowed to talk. They go outside if it's pretty, and they run like wild jack-a-lopes because they've been cooped up all day - not talking. There is TOPS 45 minutes a day that public school children 'socialize'.
In addition - let's think about this. Do I really want other 14 year old boys telling my 14 year old boy how to act? Isn't that my job, and my husband's? What makes one child smart enough to tell other children how to act?
We attend several homeschool outings on any given month. One is a Living History class that meets once a month. During the break, all the boys can usually be found playing football. I mean ALL the boys. From 2nd grade through High School. Those high school boys may not love having the smaller ones in the game, but they accept them and let them play.
Homeschool children have one big advantage. They grow up understanding how to deal with all kinds of people of all kinds of ages. When they go to work at their first job, they are able to work with anyone. How many times have you gone in to McDonald's on a Saturday night and witnessed 7 teenagers grouped together, talking, while everyone else of a different age worked? Yeah - they are public schooled. They don't know how to deal with anyone that isn't their own age. With this one area, I have great criticism with the system. They turn out robots that spend the next 10 years getting their head on straight.
Homeschool students are socialized without the socialism.
16. (edited from earlier posting) - Homeschool families are all gun-carrying, Bible-thumping, flag-waving psychos that are building duplicates of Waco, Texas and teaching our kids to hate the government.
No.
Some of us own weapons, many of us read the Bible, a few of us even try to live what it says. I have no interest in a recap of Ruby Ridge - thank you very much. I have not met anyone that has a shelter in their backyard or stockpiles of ammo and toilet paper. If they did, I don't know that I would want to hang around them.
I was a public school failure. I can admit it. And for this next generation, failure simply isn't an option. There are over 1.5 million children in America that are homeschooled today. We're either all nuts, or we have caught on to the secret. We are not trying to turn our back on America. We are trying to re-affirm it.
Ok - it's time to fess up. How many of these have YOU thought??!!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
Is it really January 11 already?
No.... it's January 14. Does this give you a glimpse into my average day? I started this blog and never finished it!
I knew it had been some time since my last post. I didn't realize it had been over a month!
To be honest, I have created several blog posts - in my head. Somehow, they never made it to the computer. It could have been a shortage of time, or just pure laziness. Perhaps I just thought no one was interested in our little lives. It's possible that my posts aren't just about homeschool, but life and the journey. Maybe I'm just a Debbie-downer. I can't say I have resolved to change that, but I will say that every single time I think about never doing this blog thing again, someone tells me how much they enjoy reading it. Usually, it's someone that I would never suspect of reading anything I have to say. God's cool like that.
I haven't really had much in the way of newsworthy reports! Everything has been the same around here lately. We took off for 3 weeks to celebrate Christmas. Let me tell you - we celebrated! I don't mean money and gifts - I mean time with each other. We started a new tradition this year of Christmas light scavenger hunts. It was a raging success and I think that mom and dad had as much (or more) fun as the kiddos!
One interesting piece of news happened in the coolest way the other day. We use 'The Mystery of History' in our classroom - and I must recommend it to anyone who loves History or wants to teach their child more than they will ever get in public school- It's a Christian curriculum that starts with creation and the first book goes to Jesus' cruxification. It links Biblical history and "world" history together. I'm going to admit that, growing up and until recently, I looked at the history book and the Bible as two separate things. It never once occured to me that the Bible was written as history was being made. This book brings those two together. For instance, did you know that the ancient civilization of the Sumerians had running water, libraries, schools and a government? Don't sweat it - I didn't either. One of the major cities of the Sumerian time was the city of Ur. Does that sound familiar? It should, if you know anything at all about Abraham. I always assumed that Abraham was born, lived and died in a tent. Nope! God told him to leave a nice home and comfortable surroundings to live in the desert. And he went!
One of our lessons last week was about Ruth and Naomi. It dealt with their culture at the time as well as the Biblical aspect of why Ruth really didn't need to stay and certainly didn't need to marry Boaz - she chose to out of respect. At the end of the lesson, we were talking about Ruth's lineage and how Jesus was in Ruth's family. I said "Ruth's son was named Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of ..." and before I could say it, Shelby says "David!!! And David was the father of Solomon and Solomon was the father of ...... um... I forget his name." (Rehoboam - who can blame her?).
I was shocked. Really - I was shocked. She reads her Bible every day for school and she's flying through the OT ... and to be honest, I thought she wasn't really getting much out of it. Obviously... I was wrong.
As I say all the time... who's really learning here?
I knew it had been some time since my last post. I didn't realize it had been over a month!
To be honest, I have created several blog posts - in my head. Somehow, they never made it to the computer. It could have been a shortage of time, or just pure laziness. Perhaps I just thought no one was interested in our little lives. It's possible that my posts aren't just about homeschool, but life and the journey. Maybe I'm just a Debbie-downer. I can't say I have resolved to change that, but I will say that every single time I think about never doing this blog thing again, someone tells me how much they enjoy reading it. Usually, it's someone that I would never suspect of reading anything I have to say. God's cool like that.
I haven't really had much in the way of newsworthy reports! Everything has been the same around here lately. We took off for 3 weeks to celebrate Christmas. Let me tell you - we celebrated! I don't mean money and gifts - I mean time with each other. We started a new tradition this year of Christmas light scavenger hunts. It was a raging success and I think that mom and dad had as much (or more) fun as the kiddos!
One interesting piece of news happened in the coolest way the other day. We use 'The Mystery of History' in our classroom - and I must recommend it to anyone who loves History or wants to teach their child more than they will ever get in public school- It's a Christian curriculum that starts with creation and the first book goes to Jesus' cruxification. It links Biblical history and "world" history together. I'm going to admit that, growing up and until recently, I looked at the history book and the Bible as two separate things. It never once occured to me that the Bible was written as history was being made. This book brings those two together. For instance, did you know that the ancient civilization of the Sumerians had running water, libraries, schools and a government? Don't sweat it - I didn't either. One of the major cities of the Sumerian time was the city of Ur. Does that sound familiar? It should, if you know anything at all about Abraham. I always assumed that Abraham was born, lived and died in a tent. Nope! God told him to leave a nice home and comfortable surroundings to live in the desert. And he went!
One of our lessons last week was about Ruth and Naomi. It dealt with their culture at the time as well as the Biblical aspect of why Ruth really didn't need to stay and certainly didn't need to marry Boaz - she chose to out of respect. At the end of the lesson, we were talking about Ruth's lineage and how Jesus was in Ruth's family. I said "Ruth's son was named Obed, and Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of ..." and before I could say it, Shelby says "David!!! And David was the father of Solomon and Solomon was the father of ...... um... I forget his name." (Rehoboam - who can blame her?).
I was shocked. Really - I was shocked. She reads her Bible every day for school and she's flying through the OT ... and to be honest, I thought she wasn't really getting much out of it. Obviously... I was wrong.
As I say all the time... who's really learning here?
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
In Remembrance....
My mom and I took off last Friday for a whirlwind trip to Knoxville. We had a wonderful day, and the twins really enjoyed the break from "school". As we were coming home, mom was telling me about somebody that they eat breakfast with regularly, and the conversation turned to a boy (her words) that I went to high school with. After 20 years, I don't consider him a boy anymore, but to her he still is. Apparently, mom and dad had gone to a car show as a promise to this "boy"'s father (the breakfast buddy). When my mom walked up, he looked up at her and said, out of the blue, "you're Anita's mom, aren't you?". When she replied "yes", he proceeded to tell his mother that I was the one that took him under my wing and helped him out in high school.
Well..... after about 20 minutes, I am fairly certain I know who she's talking about. Even though I now know Rodney's name, I still have no memory whatsoever of taking him on as a class pet! Apparently, we had lunch together and I took him around the cafeteria and showed him where to go, how to pay, what not to eat, and let him sit with me and my friends. Folks - I have no memory of this. None. Nada. Nothing. But that's not the important part - Rodney does.
That was my lesson to pass on to my future generations. That was my 'ah-ha!' moment for the week. It is so important that L and S learn now that how they treat others has a profound impact on their memories. How easily he could have had bad memories of me. He could have remembered how I was mean to him, pushed him down the stairs, etc. Now ... am I tooting my own horn?? Goodness no!!!!! Like I said - I have no memory of doing/saying anything to Rodney. And that's the point. He has a good memory of me, but does everyone in my past??? Nope. Nada. And that breaks my heart. I have bad memories of childhood bullies, and to be honest, I'm not fond of them to this day. I remember the youth group at the church where I grew up. They were all 2 years older than me, and they never included me. I know... wah wah wah Anita. It didn't ruin my life, but it did shape it - I hope for the better. I remember how it feels to be left out, even to this day, and I don't like it. And I'll be honest, I don't like Richard - he was the ring leader. He went out of his way to make my life miserable. I hated church because of him. I don't hate him, but I don't like him, either. See where I'm going with this?? I could have been a Richard to someone. I don't want to do that. I don't want to be that. I don't want to be the one that people try to hide from in the grocery store. I don't want to be someone that people avoid, or roll their eyes and breathe a sigh of relief when they walk away.
A good friend that I used to go to church with was teaching our youth class during VBS and everyone had to say something good about someone else. I haven't had an abundance of nice things said about me during the course of my life - at least none I could hear. Imagine my utter shock when she picked me, and then said that the thing she liked about me was that I was the same, no matter where I was or who I was with. I treated everyone the same. I've never forgotten that. I try to continue to live up to those words, although I fail miserably at times!!!
I want these lessons to sink in, while their brain is still flexible enough to absorb them. I want them to realize that the world doesn't revolve around them. I want them to know that their actions today affect tomorrow's outcome. I want them to grieve when they hurt someone. I want them to embrace "I'm sorry", because they need to say it often. I want them to love the unlovable. I want them to forgive.
I want them to be better than me.
Well..... after about 20 minutes, I am fairly certain I know who she's talking about. Even though I now know Rodney's name, I still have no memory whatsoever of taking him on as a class pet! Apparently, we had lunch together and I took him around the cafeteria and showed him where to go, how to pay, what not to eat, and let him sit with me and my friends. Folks - I have no memory of this. None. Nada. Nothing. But that's not the important part - Rodney does.
That was my lesson to pass on to my future generations. That was my 'ah-ha!' moment for the week. It is so important that L and S learn now that how they treat others has a profound impact on their memories. How easily he could have had bad memories of me. He could have remembered how I was mean to him, pushed him down the stairs, etc. Now ... am I tooting my own horn?? Goodness no!!!!! Like I said - I have no memory of doing/saying anything to Rodney. And that's the point. He has a good memory of me, but does everyone in my past??? Nope. Nada. And that breaks my heart. I have bad memories of childhood bullies, and to be honest, I'm not fond of them to this day. I remember the youth group at the church where I grew up. They were all 2 years older than me, and they never included me. I know... wah wah wah Anita. It didn't ruin my life, but it did shape it - I hope for the better. I remember how it feels to be left out, even to this day, and I don't like it. And I'll be honest, I don't like Richard - he was the ring leader. He went out of his way to make my life miserable. I hated church because of him. I don't hate him, but I don't like him, either. See where I'm going with this?? I could have been a Richard to someone. I don't want to do that. I don't want to be that. I don't want to be the one that people try to hide from in the grocery store. I don't want to be someone that people avoid, or roll their eyes and breathe a sigh of relief when they walk away.
A good friend that I used to go to church with was teaching our youth class during VBS and everyone had to say something good about someone else. I haven't had an abundance of nice things said about me during the course of my life - at least none I could hear. Imagine my utter shock when she picked me, and then said that the thing she liked about me was that I was the same, no matter where I was or who I was with. I treated everyone the same. I've never forgotten that. I try to continue to live up to those words, although I fail miserably at times!!!
I want these lessons to sink in, while their brain is still flexible enough to absorb them. I want them to realize that the world doesn't revolve around them. I want them to know that their actions today affect tomorrow's outcome. I want them to grieve when they hurt someone. I want them to embrace "I'm sorry", because they need to say it often. I want them to love the unlovable. I want them to forgive.
I want them to be better than me.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Well... You knew I would...
I must address this election, but from the standpoint of the education of my children (since this is their blog).
We voted yesterday - I say "we" because "we" three went to vote. They stood beside me as I talked them through the process. I had told them the importance of voting, how many people suffered and died for our freedom to vote (and to Shelby, the women that worked hard for us). We voted for Mitt Romney. I'm not ashamed of that, or afraid to tell you. If you voted for Obama, I don't care. We made that decision together, based on the knowledge of a 38 year old mom and two 9 year old students. I based my opinion on one simple thing: Is America better now than 4 years ago? To me - the answer is "no". They agreed, although Shelby said it didn't matter to her who won. That's just who she is. My sweet, kindhearted Shelby.
We voted, and went on with our day. Tuesdays (as you know) are Zoo days. They went to mamaw's house afterwards and I came home to do all my mom stuff. They came home last night, got ready for bed, we read part of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and then it was off to bed.
They never asked about the election, and I never mentioned it. It's 10 a.m. this morning, and they STILL haven't asked about it. To be honest, I'm afraid to tell them. I think they will be extremely disappointed that 'their' person didn't win.
Now really - can't we all learn a lesson from these two children? They did their job, they voted (well.... through me) and then they moved on. They are more secure than we as adults are.
Of course, they don't have the worries that this world offers. They don't have to worry about insurance, or the price of milk, or gas, or a house payment, or their job in this shaky economy. They're children.
Would you go back and read that last paragraph again? Would you listen to what's being said around you? How sad God must be. When He said in Phillipians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.", He meant that.
Do you really think that He didn't KNOW what would happen last night? Did anyone stop and think that this might actually be in His will??
I've read the end of the book - we win. However, there are things that must transpire. God KNEW what a state our country would be in. He KNEW that we would become a Godless nation. He KNOWS what events will happen in the future, in what order. I would LOVE to say that we as Christians could rise up together and take this nation back for the Lord. In all honesty, we could, if we wanted to. But, God KNEW all those years ago that this wouldn't be the case. We don't want it bad enough. Hence - the last book of the Book. Events must happen to bring about the end. That's simply the way it is. I firmly believe that we must have a Godless, spineless jellyfish in office to turn power over to the face of pure evil. Am I predicting the future? No. Not even Jesus knows the hour of His coming. I'm simply saying that this country will continue to decline. It's scripture. It will happen.
I'm not looking forward to the possibilities of the next four years, but I will tell you this one thing. I would rather live here for four more years of Obamarule than to live here for seven years of the tribulation. My house is in order. And now it's time for me to make sure my neighbor's house is in order, too.
So - who will join me? Who will decide today that this world is temporary, and not worth the effort to worry over? Who will focus on the souls to save and not the Dow Jones Industrial Average?
I am much less in FaceBook and much more in THE Book. It's the only way any of us is getting out of here alive.
We voted yesterday - I say "we" because "we" three went to vote. They stood beside me as I talked them through the process. I had told them the importance of voting, how many people suffered and died for our freedom to vote (and to Shelby, the women that worked hard for us). We voted for Mitt Romney. I'm not ashamed of that, or afraid to tell you. If you voted for Obama, I don't care. We made that decision together, based on the knowledge of a 38 year old mom and two 9 year old students. I based my opinion on one simple thing: Is America better now than 4 years ago? To me - the answer is "no". They agreed, although Shelby said it didn't matter to her who won. That's just who she is. My sweet, kindhearted Shelby.
We voted, and went on with our day. Tuesdays (as you know) are Zoo days. They went to mamaw's house afterwards and I came home to do all my mom stuff. They came home last night, got ready for bed, we read part of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and then it was off to bed.
They never asked about the election, and I never mentioned it. It's 10 a.m. this morning, and they STILL haven't asked about it. To be honest, I'm afraid to tell them. I think they will be extremely disappointed that 'their' person didn't win.
Now really - can't we all learn a lesson from these two children? They did their job, they voted (well.... through me) and then they moved on. They are more secure than we as adults are.
Of course, they don't have the worries that this world offers. They don't have to worry about insurance, or the price of milk, or gas, or a house payment, or their job in this shaky economy. They're children.
Would you go back and read that last paragraph again? Would you listen to what's being said around you? How sad God must be. When He said in Phillipians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.", He meant that.
Do you really think that He didn't KNOW what would happen last night? Did anyone stop and think that this might actually be in His will??
I've read the end of the book - we win. However, there are things that must transpire. God KNEW what a state our country would be in. He KNEW that we would become a Godless nation. He KNOWS what events will happen in the future, in what order. I would LOVE to say that we as Christians could rise up together and take this nation back for the Lord. In all honesty, we could, if we wanted to. But, God KNEW all those years ago that this wouldn't be the case. We don't want it bad enough. Hence - the last book of the Book. Events must happen to bring about the end. That's simply the way it is. I firmly believe that we must have a Godless, spineless jellyfish in office to turn power over to the face of pure evil. Am I predicting the future? No. Not even Jesus knows the hour of His coming. I'm simply saying that this country will continue to decline. It's scripture. It will happen.
I'm not looking forward to the possibilities of the next four years, but I will tell you this one thing. I would rather live here for four more years of Obamarule than to live here for seven years of the tribulation. My house is in order. And now it's time for me to make sure my neighbor's house is in order, too.
So - who will join me? Who will decide today that this world is temporary, and not worth the effort to worry over? Who will focus on the souls to save and not the Dow Jones Industrial Average?
I am much less in FaceBook and much more in THE Book. It's the only way any of us is getting out of here alive.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Beezy, Beezy, Beezy!!
It's Thursday, and and I think we might be getting back into our routine, just in time for the weekend. We've been learning, but outside our little classroom. I can tell you that 3 field trips wrapped around an extremely busy weekend do tend to make mommy a little tired. In facet, I'm yawning right now!
I was with a homeschool mom/friend on Tuesday and we were talking about - you guessed it - homeschool. She and I have come to the conclusion that life is a really good classroom. Now - don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer in learning from a book. I think children should memorize their multiplication facts and be able to write in cursive and know a noun from a verb. I also think that they should be allowed creativity and freedom of expression in their writing and art. I think silence is not golden and noise is ok. I think it's ok to talk during a test, as long as you're not giving out answers. I don't think the government knows better than I what's best for my child. I knew things about these two the second they were born because I already KNEW them.
I find that I am spending less time preaching to my children and more time teaching them. It's important that they do their science workbooks (which is what they're doing now as I watch) but it's just as important that they learn to put their best work into their workbooks. Cut the lines straight, glue everything the right way, follow the directions, and learn to find the answers for yourself in the book.
I must keep reminding myself that, as much as I would love to keep them this size (or smaller!!) forever, my job is to grow these two into productive members of society, able to take care of themselves and able to stand on the faith that we have instilled in them. They must be able to live in this world while not being IN the world. They must be able to get a job and keep that job. They must be able to play well with others, and they must be able to keep their mouth tightly closed most of the time. I hope that during this process, I teach them things I wish I had known. I hope they learn to pray about decisions before they make one. I hope that they talk to God more than they talk to other people. I hope they always pray before they eat, no matter who is around.
Children do come with a manual, you know. It's a very, very old book.
I was with a homeschool mom/friend on Tuesday and we were talking about - you guessed it - homeschool. She and I have come to the conclusion that life is a really good classroom. Now - don't get me wrong. I am a firm believer in learning from a book. I think children should memorize their multiplication facts and be able to write in cursive and know a noun from a verb. I also think that they should be allowed creativity and freedom of expression in their writing and art. I think silence is not golden and noise is ok. I think it's ok to talk during a test, as long as you're not giving out answers. I don't think the government knows better than I what's best for my child. I knew things about these two the second they were born because I already KNEW them.
I find that I am spending less time preaching to my children and more time teaching them. It's important that they do their science workbooks (which is what they're doing now as I watch) but it's just as important that they learn to put their best work into their workbooks. Cut the lines straight, glue everything the right way, follow the directions, and learn to find the answers for yourself in the book.
I must keep reminding myself that, as much as I would love to keep them this size (or smaller!!) forever, my job is to grow these two into productive members of society, able to take care of themselves and able to stand on the faith that we have instilled in them. They must be able to live in this world while not being IN the world. They must be able to get a job and keep that job. They must be able to play well with others, and they must be able to keep their mouth tightly closed most of the time. I hope that during this process, I teach them things I wish I had known. I hope they learn to pray about decisions before they make one. I hope that they talk to God more than they talk to other people. I hope they always pray before they eat, no matter who is around.
Children do come with a manual, you know. It's a very, very old book.
Monday, October 15, 2012
A surprise for mom .....
This is really all the blog I need to post today - it makes it all worthwhile!! 
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Blogging in the Rain
No... really. I wasn't trying to be cute with the title. It's raining outside.
A good friend sent me a message last week (eek!) and with much kindness told me that she missed my blog posts and was eagerly looking forward to another. It's been a month! I didn't really think anyone liked them, so thank you. Thank you for finding my life more interesting than I do ;)
I hate to admit it. Really - I HATE to admit this - but I have become one of THOSE people. I have read many, many blogs over the past few months/year. Most of these blogger moms talk about putting aside a specific time to write, and even make notes during the week so they won't forget. I used to think "man! what a goober!", but now I now understand! I also have a note of things I've written down over the past month so I wouldn't forget. Guess what? I would have forgotten if I hadn't written it down. *sigh* I love getting old.
I now wonder how we had time to go to public school. Our days have been super busy with life, and living it. We took a grandparent field trip to Biltmore at the end of September for homeschool days. It was a long and exhausting day and we loved every minute of it! We also went to Andrew Johnson's home in Greeneville. If you've never been, I highly recommend you go, even if you have no children to take along. I am learning more since starting this school adventure than my children are! Ok, maybe not MORE, but definitely as much. History is coming alive to me now, in a way that it never did from inside a textbook. And, more importantly, it is coming alive in the eyes of my tots.
From the non-school side, we've still been busy. L and S have learned to ride their bikes - FINALLY!! I have found papaw to be the best teacher in matters such as these. We also participated as a family in the great garage re-do. Frankly, I was just sick and tired of having to eject myself through the moon roof of my car to get in the house. I cleaned up, paired down and re-organized. I've also re-arranged my bedroom furniture and cleaned the windows. I've always been an odd duck (and you don't have to verbalize your agreement) but I'm the only one I know that does her spring cleaning in the fall. I think it's just a matter of I can't stand the thought of being cooped up in this house all winter looking at junk.
I'm looking forward to fall. I like pumpkin and cinnamon smells in the kitchen and sweaters and falling leaves. I like putting my blanket in the dryer to get snuggly warm before settling down in front of the TV with a good book and a cup of coffee. I like socks and sweatpants. I like the quiet of moonlight. I like that my children are still small enough to wear those cute little pajamas to bed. You know the ones I mean? The ones with cuffs at the hands and feet. I don't care that they're 4+ feet tall and weigh 65+ pounds each - when they wear those pj's, they still look like toddlers to me and I get to remember.
Alas... life does go on. Today is a big day in the homeschool world. We are headed to the Knoxville Botanical gardens to tag Monarch butterflies. I'm sure I will have some good photos to go with these memories!
This morning, S asked me how much the moon was worth. Thinking I was about to have a great philosophical debate, I started to sit down. That's when L pips up and says "A dollar?" I started to say "no" when he continued with "you know? because it has 4 quarters??" -- Insert rolled eyes here.
A good friend and I have been having several discussions lately about James 3. When you get a chance, I suggest you read it.
I also highly recommend "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick and "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. Who needs Barnes and Noble when you have me?? ;)
Happy October 9th everyone. Remember to smile, remember to laugh, and remember to never take life for granted or too seriously - ain't none of us gettin' out of here alive!!
A good friend sent me a message last week (eek!) and with much kindness told me that she missed my blog posts and was eagerly looking forward to another. It's been a month! I didn't really think anyone liked them, so thank you. Thank you for finding my life more interesting than I do ;)
I hate to admit it. Really - I HATE to admit this - but I have become one of THOSE people. I have read many, many blogs over the past few months/year. Most of these blogger moms talk about putting aside a specific time to write, and even make notes during the week so they won't forget. I used to think "man! what a goober!", but now I now understand! I also have a note of things I've written down over the past month so I wouldn't forget. Guess what? I would have forgotten if I hadn't written it down. *sigh* I love getting old.
I now wonder how we had time to go to public school. Our days have been super busy with life, and living it. We took a grandparent field trip to Biltmore at the end of September for homeschool days. It was a long and exhausting day and we loved every minute of it! We also went to Andrew Johnson's home in Greeneville. If you've never been, I highly recommend you go, even if you have no children to take along. I am learning more since starting this school adventure than my children are! Ok, maybe not MORE, but definitely as much. History is coming alive to me now, in a way that it never did from inside a textbook. And, more importantly, it is coming alive in the eyes of my tots.
From the non-school side, we've still been busy. L and S have learned to ride their bikes - FINALLY!! I have found papaw to be the best teacher in matters such as these. We also participated as a family in the great garage re-do. Frankly, I was just sick and tired of having to eject myself through the moon roof of my car to get in the house. I cleaned up, paired down and re-organized. I've also re-arranged my bedroom furniture and cleaned the windows. I've always been an odd duck (and you don't have to verbalize your agreement) but I'm the only one I know that does her spring cleaning in the fall. I think it's just a matter of I can't stand the thought of being cooped up in this house all winter looking at junk.
I'm looking forward to fall. I like pumpkin and cinnamon smells in the kitchen and sweaters and falling leaves. I like putting my blanket in the dryer to get snuggly warm before settling down in front of the TV with a good book and a cup of coffee. I like socks and sweatpants. I like the quiet of moonlight. I like that my children are still small enough to wear those cute little pajamas to bed. You know the ones I mean? The ones with cuffs at the hands and feet. I don't care that they're 4+ feet tall and weigh 65+ pounds each - when they wear those pj's, they still look like toddlers to me and I get to remember.
Alas... life does go on. Today is a big day in the homeschool world. We are headed to the Knoxville Botanical gardens to tag Monarch butterflies. I'm sure I will have some good photos to go with these memories!
This morning, S asked me how much the moon was worth. Thinking I was about to have a great philosophical debate, I started to sit down. That's when L pips up and says "A dollar?" I started to say "no" when he continued with "you know? because it has 4 quarters??" -- Insert rolled eyes here.
A good friend and I have been having several discussions lately about James 3. When you get a chance, I suggest you read it.
I also highly recommend "Sun Stand Still" by Steven Furtick and "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young. Who needs Barnes and Noble when you have me?? ;)
Happy October 9th everyone. Remember to smile, remember to laugh, and remember to never take life for granted or too seriously - ain't none of us gettin' out of here alive!!
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