Why Do I Do This To Myself?

For the past few weeks, Anna-Claire has had a lump on the side of her eyebrow.

Sorry to say, but I have really begun to dismiss these things. Out of all the children we have, if I don't have one in eminent danger, I tend to overlook the minor bruises. So I figured, it was either a bump on the head or maybe a sinus thing that would just go away. Not only did it not go away, it's getting bigger. Well I was going to make an appointment this week, but as luck would have it; she went and fell off the slide, making the other side of her face a complete wreck. (I would have photo's, but Luke took my camera to Michigan for the week) So, I thought I would stall a few more days to give the other side some time to heal.

Oh why did I do this? Every time I got a spare minute I started thinking, I should look that up. Just in case. I don't really want make a big deal about something stupid.

Well, I looked it up online....and now I'm scared to death. Everything I could find that fits...well I'm just scared to death. Now I'm calling the second the office opens in the morning to get her in.

I really should just not look things up online anymore!

Change is Good....I Think!

Tomorrow, I have to let my kids go. Go to church camp for three days. Which I know will be good for them, but hard for me.

Justin and Bethany...the two oldest.

I suppose, in some sense, I'm very controlling. If I'm not in control, it's hard for me to accept the person that is...to do the right thing. So, relinquishing my kids for three days is going to be tough. But I realize that it's something they need, to be able to make decisions on their own, and to have fun...just plain fun.

Of course, I'm driving them there, I know the camp nurse, and I know who is going to be with them....every moment. (It's my job to know these things)

But I suppose my anxiety lies, with a completely ridiculous issue...

Who's going to clean the bathroom, and make the beds. while their gone?

The untitled...

So, most of you know me now, but here's a glimpse into the me then

Luke left today for a week in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I never thought it would bring up all of these thoughts. The memories that I sort of wanted to remember and wanted to forget all at the same time. Memories of difficulty, pain, and change.

Luke left for Antonio, Texas on Sept 3rd, 1997. I felt like I was going to die that day. I was 7 months pregnant with our first baby. So I moved back into my parents house, and waited.....waited to hear from him.
( Every military wife will tell you this feeling. The feelings you get when they leave. First, it's everytime someone looks at you, then it gets to everytime someone talks to you, finally you get strong enough to hear someone ask "how are you?" Without feeling your lips quiver and your eyes well up with tears.)
Finally, in what seemed like forever, I got a phone call from him. All he could do was tell me his address and hang up. All I could do was cry.
I wrote dozens of letters and sent packages every week.

I didn't care if he read them or not, I just wanted to make sure that he was flooded with love letters every time mail call was given.
Once he graduated basic training and was sent to tech school he could at least call me.
The day that we will both never forget is the day our first son was born. Luke was on the phone in Texas and I was here, with our new baby boy. The first time he called he was hung up on...(my silly mom)...the second time.....

The phone rang and before a word was heard....the cries of a brand new baby wailed into the reciever of the phone.

(This photo was taken when Justin was 8 weeks old...it was Luke's first visit home.)

After the smoke clears

Today was just hard...just really hard.

I went to my Grandpa's house. It's just weird going through someone's stuff, deciding what it is you should take and what you should leave. I know it's been a while since his death, but maybe that's why I've taken so long so go over there.

The point is I really didn't want anything. I mean, the memories that I have of him are enough. Most of the things in the house that I remember the most are already gone. Silly things, like a clock that chimed, or all the colorful decantar sets.

The point is, that once someone is gone, and the "things and money" are dispersed...how do you keep discretion?
I've tried to steer clear of the whole thing, does that make me look like I dont care?

NO MORE MONKEY'S RUNNIN THROUGH THE HOUSE!!!

How many times have we been told . . . and have told our children NOT to run in the house? Did we always listen? Do they listen?
Not always.
Sometimes our seemingly futile efforts fail, and 'boo-boo's' happen. Here is a little feller who didn't listen, and he got his own souvenir scars. Perhaps he'll learn from his mistake. Maybe....











Doesn't look so-o bad. Perhaps he should keep this next photo handy to explain the way it happened - - - - ow ow ow own ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow OOOHHHHH!!! That's GOTTA hurt!!!!

On the Line.....

I'm laying it all on the line....

Along with all the questions I hear in a day, this time of year brings up the particular question.

SO WHERE DO YOU GO TO SCHOOL?

My kids are forced to say, "we homeschool" followed by an "ooooh."

I stand with pride, and always hear what follows. A "wow!"
But it brings into question....WHY?
WHY would I homeschool my children?

Of course I think back to when I began and all the reasonings I had then.
(sorry I do everything in lists, but it's just my style)

1. Because my heart broke every time I left them at school.
2. Because we decided that the center of their universe should be their home.
3. Because my children are not something I'm not willing to take my chances on.
4. Because the Bible says " teach them in the way they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it."
5. Because I know that a system that is in rebellion against God cannot be a positive influence on my children.
6. Because God gave these children to me to raise, not a system, and I am the one that knows what's best for each of them.
7. Because, even though I'm not the smartest person in the world, my kids will be raised with the TRUTH.
8. Because when I went on my knees with prayer, it was the one thing that God and I could be comfortable with.
9. Because I don't have to worry about who's telling my children things I don't want them to hear.
10. Because it's challenging, and I want my children to learn how to work hard.


With tears and a lot of emotions I give you a portion of my all....
There are more, but these are just a few important reasons why I homeschool.

(in no particular order)

Christmas in July

Ok, every other homeschool family will tell you. It's Christmas in July, or August depending on when their books come in.
Hurray!!!
Their finally here! I'm excited, the kids are excited, and we're looking forward to the new school year.
I always take on the task of going through each book and assessing how much time, energy, effort, and pages need to be done in a day to get through it all in a year. This year is going to be very different for three reasons;

1. I did a 180, and switched curriculums from BJU to A Beka.
2. We're going to be trying out the MVV program this year.(which means...more paperwork, documenting, and testing)
3. This year I'm taking on the task of having a lesson of some kind for each child.