Me, home school??!!

I want to home school my kids. I never thought I would utter those words. I enrolled Jordan in school as is tradition when he was 5 years old. He went to Robertson Elementary here on the west side of Tulsa. A school that my mother, husband and various other people I know went to. Its a nice school. Class sizes weren't as big as other schools and its got a hometown feel to it. He went there for kindergarten, and 2nd grade.( He went to a school in Sand Springs for 1st grade.) After 2nd grade I was unsatisfied with his progress, mainly in Math. He had a good teacher, she was attentive and would help as much as she could, yet he was still not doing as well as I thought he should be. I got a job and my mother watched the kids until she got a job shortly before school started up again last year. My sister in law has offered to watch Conor for me while I worked. She home schools her three kids. One evening while talking to Mike I was saying how I was nervous about Jordan's upcoming school year. I felt like he wasn't ready to move to 3rd grade and the teacher had already mentioned holding him back. Then it happened, Mike asked me if we thought that he should be home schooled with his sisters kids. I thought about it long and hard and in the end decided why not? By the first "report card" his grade had improved dramatically from the previous year. I was thrilled. On top of that Jordan seemed less stressed. As the year went by I thought more and more about what we were going to do for the next school year.

I started thinking about home schooling Jordan myself. I thought, "could I do it?", "how would I do it?", and of course "when would I do it?" I decided that I would at least try. Then it happened, I got pregnant again and that sort of sealed it. I got laid off at the job I was at and we had just moved in with my father-in-law to save money so it seemed like everything was falling into place. This is not a decision I have made lightly or without caution. I am nervous, I'm holding my kids' future in my hands and I want to the best I can to give them what they need. What they need? What does that even mean? I wasn't sure where to start but thankfully I have my sister in law to sort of guide me in the right direction.

Her first "direction" took me to the Eastern Oklahoma Home school Convention. I wasn't sure what to expect but they offered lots of workshops that I was interested in and felt like I should attend considering this is my first year to do this by myself. The convention was 2 days. I went to several workshops that I felt would help guide me on this journey. I learned a lot and got lots of good information. One thing that kept sticking out was the idea that public schools put kids into boxes and categories. They teach on kind of learning style and if your kid doesn't fit that then they will most likely not do as well as he or she could. One of the speakers said something that really hit me. She was telling a story about a mom who kept saying her son was behind and her response was "behind according to whose standards." That sort of made me feel better. If I had kept Jordan in public school he would be a year behind all of his friends. I hated the idea of holding him back a year. But with home schooling I didn't have to worry about that. I love the idea that he and I can look at what he wants to learn, we can go on unlimited field trips and take our time on a subject if he isn't ready to move on. He wont be pressured to move on if he isn't ready. There are so many ideas that I have for next school year I cant wait to get started. I have looked at several curriculum and I think I have found one that will suit what I am wanting for my kids.

Home schooling, I never thought that I would be the least bit interested. Its scary and exciting at the same time. This first year will be a great challenge. Not only is it my first go at this I will also have a new born and a toddler in the house. But I feel this is the best thing I can do for the kids. I am very unhappy about the state of Oklahoma's public schools. I know most of you must be thinking "what about socialization?" I already have that covered. Not only can we spend time with my sister in laws kids, there is a local home schooling sports group I am looking into, not to mention the music classes and art classes I am already looking into for him to attend. Plus he has church and I make an effort for him to see his friend from public school and my cousins two boys and my friends two boys. Its not like he has no one.

This will be such an adventure for us this year. Please keep us in your prayers. I'm going to be keeping a seperate blog on my home schooling adventure. I hope you all will be interested in reading my journey.

Love at first sight or lust at first sight?

Love at first sight? Does it exist or is it more lust at first sight? For me I wouldn't say that it was necessarily love at first sight but I definitely felt something. I met Michael at Carbondale Baptist Church. I still remember what he was wearing the first time I saw him. A plaid polo shirt and jeans. He looked so good in those jeans. He still looks good in jeans. From the moment I saw him I felt like he had some sort of hold on me. Something I still cant explain. I remember meeting his mother. She was a big figure in the church. I remember something she said to me that at the time I thought "yeah okay", she said to me " someday you'll marry my son".

I'm thinking of this because well my mother seems very much in love with someone shes only known about a month. There are those out there who don't think that this is possible but I believe its possible. I believe it because Ive felt it. Michael is my soul mate. We just clicked. Even though it took us 10 years to finally get together it was well worth the wait. Ive been in love with Michael since I was 16. Fourteen years now. We've had ups and downs, been off and on for what seemed like forever and yet here we are. We've been married for four years now and things are good. We are in a transition: living with his dad, trying to get Mike back in to school and of course the baby that's on the way. I think this will be a good year for us though.

It pretty much comes down to what do you feel? I have felt for years now that Michael and I were meant to be together. We have something that I cant explain. I'm sure others have this. I'm glad my mother has found it as well. For the first time in as long as I can remember my mother is happy. Really happy, not just faking it happy. Ive also done the faking it happy and its no way to live a life. So love or lust at first sight? I guess both can find you what you want. Love, aint it grand?

My Mother, Dating?!

My parents separated about 2 years ago. As most of you know this was a very nasty divorce and a time I don't want to relive. I knew in the back of my mind that my parents hadn't been happy for a long time. Divorce never entered into the equation. I'm glad it did though. It gave my mom the chance to find herself and be happy, really happy, I think for the first time ever. Or at least as long as I can remember.

Shes been seeing a guy. I haven't met him yet but from what I can tell hes making her very happy. You never really think about your parents dating or doing anything else for that matter. My mom hasn't been out of her "comfort" zone ever as far as I knew. But shes been venturing out a little bit more here and there. From what she describes he seems very nice, stable and may turn into something long-term. But I'm not going to jump ahead to much. I don't think shes quite ready for us to meet him, for some reason she thinks we wont approve. I think as long as hes good to her, honest, and they have a good time together, I already approve.

I have been very blessed in who I am married to. Hes very good to me. Sometimes I think I don't deserve him. When my parents divorced I had a hope that my mom would find someone like Mike. Good, honest, God-loving and someone to grow old with. Maybe just maybe this will be the one that will be just what shes looking for.

Hopefully soon Ill get to meet him. If hes going to be a central figure in my mothers life Id like to at least meet the guy. Shes like what I and Mike were like when we first got together. We couldn't get enough of each company, still cant for that matter and we'll be married 4 years this year. Like teenagers. I wish her all the best, she deserves it after what my dad put her through.

Heres to you Mom!

15 weeks and counting

I am now at 15 weeks, only 5 weeks to go and I'm halfway through this. I have felt small flutters of life in there. For me that's when it really becomes real, when the baby starts moving. I know that sounds crazy. Ive been feeling a bit better so hopefully this is a good sign of things to come. Mike and I have been talking about baby names. I'm only thinking of boy ones because I really believe this is a boy. Arnold is on the table again and quite frankly I like it. Its different. I like different. Hes also suggested Liam. I'm not to sure about that one but we still have 6 months to go so we'll see.

I have been thinking a lot about the coming months. I'm looking forward to taking the kids on some field trips to some cool places around Oklahoma. It will be a challenge being huge and having to deal with Conor, not that hes that hard its just hes a little more active than Jordan was at that age. I'll be taking the stroller and the "leash" with me wherever I go so it wont be that hard. As far as the baby goes, September cant come fast enough. I love the idea of having a baby around but its scary and exciting at the same time. Conor and this baby will be so close in age. I know women have done it before but not me. If I could have had my way I would have waited another 6 years but time isn't exactly on my side and I married Mike to be with him and be his wife not his baby machine.

Anyway I will keep posting if anyone's interested about the coming months. I'm even starting a new blog to talk about our summer adventures and the adventures we'll be taking next school year as I intend to take over Jordans homeschooling. It should be interesting so stay tuned.....