We did it...

So we have been praying about homeschooling for a long time, we finally have decided to jump into it full force this January.  Everyday we go through the whole rigamarole of getting the kids onto the bus, so they can spend a total of ten hours at school and on the bus.  The kids do really well in school but the scripture that I am so thankful for is Psalms 127:3-5.  "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate."  So after reading and praying that and many other scriptures, we just came to the conclusion that we were not investing into the lives of our "reward from God" as much as we could and should.  Putting our family first is what we aim to do no matter the thoughts and opinions of others.  We always get the condescending remarks about socialization for our kids.  But I always ever so gently remind these people that in public schools, students are required to sit down and be quiet all day long and they only get a 30 minute lunch and maybe recess if they behave.  Physical activity isn't a requirement in most public schools today, which brings me to my next point.  Inactivity is the leading cause of death today.  It has surpassed smoking and heart disease.  Do I really want my child to become a slave to this lifestyle?  Also, school lunches are pretty non-nutritious these days and kids get the opportunity to eat one time all day.  Not good for the metabolism in my opinion.  With homeschooling, not only will we be able to fulfill Christ's will, we will also be becoming much healthier people.  We plan on growing our own garden and raising chickens.  Its going to be awesome and we are so excited.  I know that it is going to be hard but life isn't supposed to be easy.  The cost of Christianity is high and I'm willing to pay the price......

Natural High Anyone??

So in my health class, my instructor recommended that we create a Top 10 list of our own personal natural highs....Its a lot harder than you think...

1.  Every morning when the kids are getting on the bus, Joshua will run all the way back to the house to give me a hug.  Mornings are not very fun since I am not a morning person and neither are any of my children, but no matter how grumpy I am, he still loves me when its all said and done.

2.  Whenever Paul picks up a guitar or sits at the piano and sings, it makes me happier than you could ever know.  I love that man so much, he gives me a natural high.

3.  Grocery Shopping!!I know that sounds so weird but since I don't work and will soon be homeschooling. nothing brings me greater joy than preparing healthy meals for my family....which leads me to the next on my list.

4.  Sitting down at the table and all of the kids liking what I have prepared...It sure doesn't happen very often, especially since I have so many kids, some of whom are extremely picky, but I love it when it does.

5.  There's always the obvious natural high that I get when I exercise.  I certainly don't do it enough, but that is on another list.

6.   I have two children who have accepted Christ as their Savior already and that was a high I will never forget.  Kind of made it clear to me that even though I think I am muddling through this parenting thing, at least I have some impact on  my kids...I owe everything to God!!!

7.  When any of my children tell me thank you for little things like treating them to a sonic drink, it makes my heart swell with love...and a little bit of pride, too...

8.   I get this crazy high when I am discussing literature....I love love love to read literature, but love discussing it even more.

9.  When my cat comes to sit in my lap sometimes I get really annoyed because I think she is in the way, but I rejoice in Gods creation when she does...I love my animals...

10.  My last high that I want to list is when my kids or my husband hug me for no reason other than the fact that they love me for me.  I am overly critical of every aspect of my own life, yet they just see a great person who strives to lead them in a life filled with Christ's love..

I will be adding to my list and look back at these regularly just to be reminded when I need reminding.   

thoughts on education

So I am working in a public school system and quite honestly, it sucks. There are so many politics involved with running a school. I don't agree with half of them, and because I don't agree with them I have been labeled as "not a team player". I work with the special ed department and we are doing those kids such a disservice that I want out. I don't want to be involved in any more ethical dillemmas. I don't want my kids to be a part of a public school system that is so large-scale. I think that is where some of the problems lie. It's too big for its own good. So my next dilemma is "homeschool or public school"? I can't really afford christian school for all four of my kids but they can get a christian education from me!! And they can get the rest that they need to be healthy. They can learn from an ordinary person(me) when they struggle with learning from a more educated person(teacher). I have been praying about it for a while now, I don't have a clear answer just yet, but I know that I will most likely not be continuing my career in the public school system. I am just grateful that for now while they are in public school, they aren't under the special ed category because they certainly would't be getting what they needed.

Blogging

I am home sick today and wanted to start my blog again. I will write more tonight though because I don't have time now. I have some serious thoughts I would like to write about here. So until then...