Thursday, October 27, 2011

My Halloween rant

I don't get some peoples issue with Halloween. Like with any holiday, or any day of the year, or any situation, it is what you make it. I've heard bits and pieces of the history of Hallowen, no two stories alike, but to be honest, I don't care! I don't choose to celebrate it as some dark holiday. Instead, my family and I choose to make this a fun and happy time. No darkness, nothing scary ("For God has not given us a spirit of fear"-2 Timothy 1:7). The kiddos get to dress up as something/one that is good, or silly. We don't do scary decorations or anything, everything has to be positive. I like the fact that on Halloween strangers give to strangers. Sure, it might just be candy but ya gotta start somewhere! Neighbors who usually keep to themselves, get out and interact with other neighbors. Everyone is kind and happy, giving compliments on costumes, etc.

So you see, I think its all about perspective and how you choose to view/do things. Your kids will feed off your reaction. You don't make it a big deal, neither will they. You focus on making this a happy time, so will they. And hopefully the tradition will continue. I don't think its an evil, bad holiday unless you choose to make it/celebrate it that way. We sure don't. Gonna try and make the best out of EVERY day, holiday or not! But that's just me, and my opinion. ;)

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Things I have learned

I've learned to wait patiently, without losing hope.
I've learned that just because you and I don't see eye to eye, doesn't mean one of us is good and the other bad. We can both be good!
I've learned that our strengths are given to us by God, for we are created in His image. So, let your strengths shine - for that is giving others a glimpse of what God is like!
It's OK to acknowledge your strengths. That doesn't make you conceited!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Baseball

This year, Zeke, decided he wanted to play baseball. He has played soccer and karate in the past but he has shown a lot of interest in baseball and was very persistent that this was, in fact, the sport he wanted to play. It worked out well because fall ball is typically a good time for newbies to try baseball. Because it's technically not baseball season, it's less competitive, and really just a good time to learn the sport.

My little man up to bat! =)

I am super proud of Zeke for going out and trying a new sport - something he has no experience in and giving it his all. He is so brave!

This Thursday will be his last game and I'm kinda sad. I've genuinely enjoyed watching the game, to my surprise (I'm not the sports type). I was pleasantly pleased with his coach. He has coached both his older boys baseball teams and is now coaching his 7 year olds. He is so patient and kind, yet stern. He is not real competitive and is very encouraging, always, to his own team and the other team. He has done a fabulous job coaching - the team has won almost all their games! And sometimes, they win by such a landslide (17-0) that I truly feel bad for the other team! But they handle the win well, and take the losing in stride, always trying harder the next time.

A-man, chillin' at big brothers game.

Ms. Macie cheesin', also enjoying brothers game.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

It's good to be a quitter!!

Well, at least in some things it is!

I gotta brag on my man here for a minute. Alittle over two months ago, he quit smoking cigarettes. Cold turkey. Never looked back. Made it look easy! He comes from a family where the majority of them are smokers, and he himself started at a very young age. So, this is kinda a big deal. He wanted to start setting a better example for our kids. And for that I'm so proud of him! Yay for my husband, the quitter!!!

Friday, October 7, 2011

Funny God!

Fridays are hard for me. I get antsy and want to go OUT. Maybe it's the 23 year old in me?? I don't want to go out clubbing or anything. I want to go out with my family, of course, and see friends, socialize, the fair is in town, maybe take the kids to that.

Well, tonight I kinda through a pity party because I was feeling extra ...bored?? I'm going for a walk with the kids on the phone with P complaining about being bored, there's nothing to do, yadda yadda. We hang up and I realized I practiced no control over my emotions, and I wasn't being thankful for all that we do have, like I always tell my kids to do. So I shot up a prayer. No sooner than "amen" a car pulled up beside me. The most unsuspecting lady started talking to me about a teacher friend of hers just retired and gave her a bunch of stuff and she noticed I had 3 kids, doI want any?

WOW. She loaded my double stroller slapped full of books, kid laptops, HUGE coloring books, Leappad, etc. The kids and I are still going through everything!! Let's just say we won't be bored any time soon.

Coincidence, you say? God in all His glory, I say!

To Homeschool or not to Homeschool, that is the question!

I can't believe I'm even debating this. I guess the reason I've had a hard time the thought of homeschooling is because of my own experience with it. But that's just it, that was MY experience, not everyone's.

The longer Zeke stays in public school, the more I don't like it. I don't like that kids don't get personal one-on-one education on their own level, so some fall behind, others aren't challenged enough. I don't like the way the teachers handle the kids. I don't like the way the school is run. I don't like the way kids are yelled at in the cafeteria. I don't like when a teacher who doesn't know my kid or the situation that is going on, uses scare tactics on him. I don't like how the nurse doesn't call me. (And Z has only been to the nurse 2-3 times in the 3 years he's been in school.) I don't like how I don't get to monitor who my kid hangs out with, what he is being exposed to. I don't like him being taught the "big bang theory". I don't like any of it.

My DH, Perry, has been wanting Zeke to be homeschooled for a while now. Perry is very smart, and loves to learn, loves to teach. I think he would be a fine teacher ;) OK, but let's be realistic here. He's the provider, I'm the one at home, so I would be the teacher. And I'm not so confident that I would do a good job.

But again, as time goes on, I'm not pleased with the public school system. I feel like I could do at least no worse than they are! So, homeschool it is...I think.

Right now we are researching our options. I've been told about the free online school through the state, it's basically public school online at your house. Dislike. Ok, isn't that part of the reason I want to homeschool because I'm dissatisfied with public schools education? Plus, I'm NOT okay with my kid sitting in front of a screen for some odd hours a day. So no to that.

I like good ole textbooks. But these programs are expensive. I'd like to do field trips. I'd like to make every experience a learning one. I just don't know if I'm that creative! lol Which is where I guess joining a homeschool group would help.

I think the original plan was to start next school year but in all honesty I don't know if I can hold out that long. I'm not thrilled with how this year has gone thus far. I'm not bashing all public schools and those who choose to send their kids there. I just feel like this is the best decision for my child, for our family at this particular time. We'll see how it goes.

I've been praying about it, to varify this is the Lord's will, and I feel pretty confident that it is. And to Perry the answer is an easy YES. (He's funny.) So, we'll see how it goes and when we'll start.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

First Blog Post!

I have been wanting to start a blog for awhile now! Its kinda like journaling but almost easier since its faster to type than hand write. A girl I know says she blogs about her family, and at the end of the year she prints all her blog posts for that year and scrapbooks them. I thought that was a pretty cool idea.

Somethings to know about me is I'm very passionate. In all that I do, everything I believe in, I do so with passion. Some are taken back by it, some are drawn to it. It is what it is.

My current passions: being an awesome wife, and mother. If I fail in either catagories then I fail life. GOD. My only parent, my savior, I want to please Him. I'm learning how to do things the way God intended. Like , how my husband and I handle finances. I'm also into birth and having babies natural. I believe God made each woman fully capable of delivering her child, I don't know why or where along the lines medical intervention came the norm. Of course there are times when interventions are needed and for that, thank God for modern medicine!

Right now I'm trying to heal from my past and be the best person I can be. I'm going to be real, I'm going to be honest. Maybe someone somewhere will benefit from that! Here goes nothing! ;-)