Why we homeschool

Before we ever got married, when Curt and I talked about kids and raising them we prayed and knew that we wanted to homeschool and that God wanted us to as well. I know homeschooling is not for everyone. I definitely don't condemn anyone who chooses public or private or charter schools. You have to do what is right for your own family and your own circumstances. I feel that God has called me to teach for this season. I just wanted to reiterate that. I don't want anyone to feel like I'm against public schools. Although I sometimes feel inadequate to teach, God has given me so many reminders in the past month that I know it is again a confirmation of what I need to do for our family. Here are the confirmations:
1) pastor talking about spiritual warfare and being ready, having your kids ready to do battle any time, any where.
2)pastor talking about being involved with your kids' school and knowing what they are "into"
3)the school district we live in has a rate of 81% of the kids in the high school come from dysfunctional homes
4) I was recently made aware of an issue (that I doubt is resolved) regarding kids finding dirty needles in the bushes and collecting them and then stabbing as many of the kids that they can, as well as another incident
5) of 4 girls beating up 1 boy while the teacher stood right beside them all and just watched.
6) when a student was removed from that school system and placed in a neighboring one, she had to take a placement test and turn in work that she had done at her old school. The results were astounding. She was in 8th grade at the old school, but tested only at a 6th grade level in the new school. And the new school is the area where we used to live. So they are pretty average as far as requirements of students in comparison to other states.

Through all of this, I feel in my spirit that God is saying: See. Because of this, I am making a way for you. I will give you strength. I will give you knowledge and resources. I will give you recreational time/rest/relaxation that you need as a mom. And He has! DD has made some great advances in math this year. Was never her favorite subject before, but now she says she "loves" math. She was able to join a program for kids struggling with math and she has come out of her shell in the way they teach. They actually do online conferences 2-4 times a week where they can talk live. And, she willingly joined the math club last week! She loves to read, and is reading at about a 3rd grade level. Thats the beauty of Ohio Virtual Academy - you can be in more than one grade at once. Depending on where you're at. Her math, for the most part, is 1st grade, but she doesn't know it. She is still doing the curriculum for 2nd grade math, but the extra studying she gets is all stuff from last year that she should have learned or would have learned at the beginning of the school year, if it hadn't been for her aweful teacher! I know homeschooling is not for everyone. I definitely don't condemn anyone who chooses public or private or charter schools. You have to do what is right for your own family and your own circumstances. I feel that God has called me to teach for this season. I just wanted to reiterate that. I don't want you to feel like I'm against public schools. We had such a bad time at her school for a year and a half. Plus you can see what a terrible system it is where we live now!

DS #2 does a funny

The other day, I was in the bathroom, and DS #2 was sticking his fingers under the door. Following is the conversation that unfolded:
DS #2: "can you see my fingers, mommy?"
Me: "Yes."
DS #2: "I can see your pants."
Me: (laughing) "Ok. Stop looking under the door, you peeker."
DS #2: "I can't see your feet, mommy. I NEED to see your feet!"
(Silence)
DS #2: (who is now looking through the keyhole that we (obveously) need to block) "Mommy!! Why aren't you pulling up your pants! You need to pull up your pants, mommy! I need you to pull up your pants! Hurry up!"
After all that, he decided he didn't have to go potty, he just wanted to be with me. ROTFL! Life is never boring with kids, is it?

DS #1

Also definitely worth blogging about: DS #1 turned 5 on Monday. It was a fun day. We went to Burger King (he chose) so the kids could eat and play. And he got some nice things so that he can play "Police officer", which he tells us that's what he's going to be when he grows up. That, and a daddy. :) When he woke up Monday, he came down stairs wearing his "birthday" crown (BK) and I'm quite sure the biggest scowl a 5 year old could have! When I asked him what was wrong, he answered, "I'm not any bigger! I wanted to be taller!" I lovingly explained to him that in the course of a year, he had grown one size in his clothes, that didn't matter. He wanted to be taller overnight. LOL!

And, Curt and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary yesterday! 8 wonderful years! We are looking forward to celebrating many many more!

On being 29....

Ever since I heard my parents say it, I was going to claim the "29 and holding" thing. I thought it sounded funny, and I think society teaches you to have trepdation toward turning 30. But after prayer and much thought, I have decided to embrace 30 as it comes, and be proud to be older, wiser, and more mature in the Lord. Age is just a number, and you're only as old as you feel. Right? In an effort to be a more positive person, regretting my age, seems silly. Regretting it doesn't change it from happening. I somehow feel as though I am about to embark on a great journey. My marriage is at a wonderful point. Curt and I are closer than ever. Homeschool is finally going very smoothly, and I am learning more each day to take time for myself and slow down to appreciate life. All 3 of my kids are potty-trained, so we don't have that slowing us down. Life is good right now. :) I find that through everyday circumstances, God is growing me more and more to be the woman he wants me to me ~ like Him. A lot of people have influenced my life, and for those who have in some way, thank you! May God bless you all richly!

In Him we live and move and have our being,Chalice

nugget of truth

(I found this to be very applicable in light of the coming elections and many worldwide crises.)

2 Timothy 4:1-4
I can't impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food--catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you-- keep your eye on what you're doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thourough job as God's servant.

Where in the world have I been?!

Busy?! I have no idea! I keep thinking of things I want to blog about, but priorities seem to stress me out daily! right now, i am battling emotions with the reality that I am probably pre-hypertension. we dont have insurance (make about 100.00 too much to get any coverage through the state). open enrollment w/ Digital Dish is in Dec and we got kicked off state ins in Feb. ARGH! we dont even know how much it will be for the 2 of us, but are most likely going to *cough* up the moola, seeing as I have been having minor problems lately. (btw, kids are still covered w/ state.) Started out like sinus cold symptoms. except dizziness/headaches that I was experiencing since oh, sometime this spring when we were really stressed finishing the house so we could move in got a whole lot worse. I have realized that I strive on stressful situations, and although it may be a challenge, it is very bad for my health. I can feel blood pressure changes. I am trying to slow down and stay more calm. the definition of prehypertension says that if you don't change habits now, you will probably have hypertension in the future and I'm not (quite) 29 yet!!! I don't want to live with HBP the rest of my life!!! Thinking about that alone stresses me out! :( When I have to talk to someone @ a problem (ie pharmacy who shorted DD a bunch of meds and won't do anything) I have to think 'stay calm, stay calm, stay calm'. I am realizing now that what I thought was just an "adrenaline rush" or being nervous is more of a blood pressure thing than anything else. In case you're wondering; I can't go to dr right now. I'm aware that BP meds arent too expensive, but the problem is this: DH used to work for an insurance company, selling health & life insurance. He says that what I have is probably a pre-existing condition. So, if I go and get diagnosed and start meds, nothing for HBP would be covered for one full year. And then only if nothing major happened in that year. You wouldn't think HBP would be a pre-existing condition, but since having HBP can cause sooooo many other health problems, it is. Today, I have started riding my exercise bike again! I rode 4 miles in 20 minutes. WOO HOO!! This is a MAJOR accomplishment for me as I hate to exercise and have never liked to participate in sports. (there was a time in my life when I belonged to fitness usa, however, where I was exercising 3 days a week and that is the best I have felt in my life.) I'm just too busy to actually go to a gym. My goal: to lose 50 -60 lbs in one year and two weeks. (By the time I turn 30). Pray for me!!!! I will need it!! I have no will power when it comes to food, and I feel like I "deserve" whatever I "want" to eat!I'm praying/hoping that I will be able to exercise at least 5 days a week. Maybe since my life depends on this now, I will be able to stick with it. More soon (I hope!) on the kids!