I Could Never Do That....

Since I started homeschooling I've had several conversations that went like this,
"So you're homeschooling?"
"Yes." Waiting for the barrage of questions.
"Wow, I could never do that."
"Sure you could! Let me know if you ever consider it, we'd love a buddy!" and I move the conversation on to something else.

Why? Because I'm tempted to say this.

"Yes, you COULD homeschool, you just choose NOT to. There is a difference. Ask me how I know!"

I WAS that mother. I totally supported homeschooling moms, hats off to them but I did NOT want to. I knew it was in our future because of the district we were in, but I was not AIMING for it, not longing to do this.

I'm not gonna lie. I miss the quiet.

But you know what, you CAN homeschool....you just may choose not to. So if you are considering it, and think you CAN'T, let me remind you this.

You are you. Your children are yours. No one else's. Homeschooling doesn't require some wonderful knowledge or training. Do you think teachers knew everything first day of college? No! They LEARNED, studied, picked concentrations, focused. But they worked at it. Do you not do that as a parent? Is there some big instruction booklet I missed getting, because if so I'd SURE like one because my kids are irking my damn nerves lately.

You learn as you go, just like you do EVERYTHING in life. Practice makes perfect....except in parenting. And homeschooling. Every day, month, year could bring a new challenge, interest, child, plan, and so on. You never know what's going to happen....just like in PARENTING! And this crazy thing we call LIFE!

So, don't say you CANNOT homeschool. Say you want to but you're ________ (insert descriptive word here, scared, nervous, selfish, etc.) Because it's ok. I am too. So are a LOT of homeschooling moms. So are a lot of teachers! How many teachers do you think might drink themselves to sleep in the first few weeks (years?) of teaching because it's just such a new and different job? But they keep going back, learning new things, learning new skills and bonding with their students.

Except you don't have to do it with a whole new batch of 20 every year! You have the joy of seeing your children understand concepts and grow and learn. It can be awesome, I've learned that in the short time we've done it.

And it can also make you lose your ever loving mind. You will scream, cry, curse, stomp, drink, eat, and threaten to send them back to public school. Guess what, it's ok. Move past it. Seek solace in something. Talk to a friend. Write a blog! (I mean, hypothetically...)

Do not compare yourself to the other homeschooling moms you meet. Especially the one who's done it for 12 years. Because guess what, she started somewhere too. However, get her number because you're going to need it. Pride cometh before the fall after all, don't be stupid, listen to the veteran's advice!

In the end, they are your children and your decisions. You're going to fail at some things and excel at others. That is REAL LIFE. Contrary to the nice little box the current educational system wants us all to fit in, we're not like that. We are all on learning curves every single day of our lives. Striving to learn.....something.

I don't understand the pissing contests we all get into as parents. I am all for advice, venting, chatting, etc. But, my spawn, my decisions. Homeschool moms are no better than any other mom, and the different types of homeschooling moms are not better than public vs. private school moms. We are all just women who want what's best for our babies.

One of my favorite quotes is, "It's okay not to know how, it's not okay not to try." And that's all, we really can do, every single day.

No matter where your child goes to school.

~~Amy

Fun on the Fourth and More

Summer has been pretty good so far! We've been knocking things off our Bucket List, which is good since I KNOW they will soon whine, "We didn't do ANYTHING this summer!" and I can directly point to the Bucket List.

We had some fun this Fourth of July, and I hope you all did, and took the time to remember what is really important about our countries Independence. 

 Made a yummy flag inspired dessert!

 Smoke Bombs are always a favorite, especially for Eli, he hates the noisy fireworks.

 Harrison rocking his Duck Dynasty shirt with sparklers.

 Eli, aka, Anakin Skywalker, even put on a brave face and used a sparkler.

 Managed to get a few fireworks shots!

Hope everyone had a great Fourth!!!

~~Amy

Why We MUST Remember

This is a difficult weekend for all Americans, no doubt. Ten years have passed since 9/11. Ten years since we all heard the news that our country was under attack and our lives would forever be changed. Ten years since we went to bed truly fearing for our safety and lives...perhaps for the first time. Ten, long years have passed since thousands of families were torn apart. Thousands died that day, some died later one, those who helped try to rescue from illnesses caused by working in the damage and rubble of what was once two, tall, strong towers--symbols of American ingenuity.

It's been ten years.

The footage will no doubt be all over TV, replays, tributes, reading of the names. As it should be. Perhaps this will be too hard for you to watch. I respect that. Perhaps you lost someone in the terrorist attack or even perhaps you survived it. For that, I will continue to pray for you and your family every night.

Perhaps some say we shouldn't inundate ourselves with the footage, we need to move past, we need to carry on. I believe we are doing that, every day that we get up and are thankful for what we have. Every day we get up and give thanks to the soldiers who protect us, the first responders who tried to save their fellow man, and say prayers for those who passed.

But we should not ever hide from this memory, this tribute, the footage. If we hide, try to pretend that 9/11 is not a bitter part of our lives, then we let the terrorists win. If we FORGET the lives lost, the tragedy that shook our nation to it's core...then we have let down the people who's very lives were snuffed out that horrible day.

The mantra soon after 9/11 was "We Will Never Forget" (or various versions of that sentence.) But if we shelter our children from this event, if we do not discuss it, remember the victims, and if we do not continue to be proactive in protecting our country from it happening again, we WILL have FORGOTTEN.

There is nothing wrong with going about your day, playing with your children, going to church, laughing, and just living your life. If anything, we MUST do that....and show appreciation for it EVERY DAY out of respect for those who can longer do that due to their untimely death or due to them being thousands of miles away protecting our freedoms.

But while you do your daily chores and live your life, not just today but EVERY day, say a prayer for others. Pray for those you know and love, and pray for those you don't know. Pray for our enemies. Pray they find peace. Pray that we never have to endure this type of tragedy again, but that if we do, pray that future generations will not forget US and will make sure the memories never die.

I Will Never Forget.

I am Thankful.....

• For healthy children and family
• For a place to rest my head
• For a husband who loves me despite my flaws.
• For a faith so strong that I am comforted even when one thinks I should be lost.
• For a country that can and will fight it's way back to being what it once was.
• For the freedom of speech and creativity to do what we love and what we are talented at.
• For the ability to make my own decisions...if they are wrong, then it's on me.
• For the smell of coffee brewing...bonus points if it's accompanied by the smell of gluten free cake baking.
• For Black Fridays Sales---from the comfort of my PJS! (Buy Handmade!!)
• For my friends near and far, even those I've never met who make life a little easier each day.
• For the smell of a baby after a bath
• For a pile of uncut fabric...it's just so pretty.
• For America and those who hold it dear.

May you have a safe, happy, healthy and thankFULL thanksgiving!!!

~~Amy