Cheaper by the "half dozen".

Yesterday I watched "Cheaper by the Dozen II" with my kids (for the hundredth time, I love that movie). There are so many great lines in the movie that epitomize real life and make us think about what we are doing as parents. But Yesterday one line really got my attention like never before.

The Bakers and the Murtaughs have raced to the hospital where the oldest has just had a baby. The family is gathered around the bed and she tells them the name of the baby boy. "We named him Tom. Because dad has shown us that there is no perfect parent".

No perfect parent! What?! Isn't that our quest in life? That got me thinking about the characters more. Murtaugh is portrayed as the "bad" guy. But I never really thought so. I was rooting him on.

In the end both parents have to learn to let their kids leave and choose what they want. Both took different roads to get their children where they are. Neither was wrong. Steve Martin has a line in the movie where he says "Don't tell me how to raise my children". I think what made Murtaugh the "bad" guy was his judgment on the Baker family.

We as parents have a great blessing and that is the freedom to raise our kids the way we choose, using the methods we like and agree with. The opportunities we create for our children give them wonderful learning experiences. Learning experiences we want them to have. That is a freedom I think more people need to fight for.

In the end they both are the good parents and their kids love them and embrace them. On a religious note...Our Heavenly Father gave us Free Agency for many reasons. I believe on of those reasons is we all have different talents and missions to fulfill here on Earth. If we all did everything the same and only had one choice, it would be very hard to fulfill our missions and reach our potentials.

I don't have quiet the dozen. Not even half a dozen. We are a family of 5. But I like to think we are a bit like the Murtaughs and the Bakers. All learning to give our kids everything we can in this life. Our goal is to give them what they need to return Home to our Heavenly Father. Along the way we hope they find out what their talents are, what their mission is, and have the tools to succeed.

And....we're off!

It's that time again. The beginning of a new school year. We started this week along with the government schools. I have heard from a few friends who homeschool as well that they are overwhelmed. Start slow. You don't have to keep a schedule. Do a little this week and then add something next week. Let the kids pick the subjects they like and start there. You don't have to fit it all in at the start.

The key is keeping the kids interesting in learning.

My youngest got to pick three subjects this week that he wants to work on. He is a 5th grader. He choose reading, math, and vocabulary. Next week we'll ad another subject. In September our coop classes begin and he will have one day a week at a local charter school taking sculpting, piano, and a fitness class. We will also add a club called Knights of Freedom where they read a biography of a famous person and have discussions, and they each take turns in charge of activities and they get to learn new games and be boys.

My middle child is starting Middle school and she got to pick 4 subjects to start this week with. She choose reading, math, vocabulary and grammar. She found out that Middle School isn't that much harder. (Hard doesn't mean impossible. It means just a little more concentration and effort). She will add writing next week. In September she will start a Shakespeare class. She will learn the language, write reports, play games, attend plays, and next semester put on a Shakespearean play. She will also go to the local charter school once a week and take sculpting, art, and violin.

My oldest is once again attending Open High School of Utah and is a Sophomore. It is an online High School. She is her class Secretary, and will be on the yearbook staff as well. This year the student government have a class with a few assignments and they will get credit for their service. I'm excited about that. We like to get as much credit for our efforts as possible. With hopes of getting a scholarship, leadership is a very important part of the applications. She is taking Algebra II, English 10 Honors, World Civ., Biology, Graphic Design, and Health. Next Semester Graphic Design will be replaced with Photography and Health will be replaced with Yearbook.

Here is a great article to read as to put life in the right perspective. We only have our kids at home for a short period in our lives.

Enjoy the Journey!!!

http://ldsmag.com/lds-church-updates/article/6111?ac=1

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

This year we decided to spend a little more time focusing on our oldest daughter, and help her realize how wonderful she really is. Moving to Utah seems to have been hardest on her. She misses old friends that were so kind and supportive of her. She misses family members who were her cheerleaders. She loved gymnastics, but soon became to tall. (Go figure..dad over six feet tall and mom is 5'9"). She said she'd like to cheer. So we went for it and now she is cheering for a competitive team.



She missed her lighter hair and the sun that kept it that way. So she saved up her money and got highlights in her hair.

Things started looking brighter through Shelby's eyes. She started feeling "normal" again. Moving a pre-teen across the country to a new culture and hoping they cope and figure it all out on their own is crazy. I'm an adult and haven't found a way to cope yet. Mommy! I'm so thankful for the ability to find her "thing" that helped her cope.

Now for the big event. She wanted to be in a Pageant. Well, we just happened to know the Director of the Miss Utah Outstanding Teen Pageant and she told us how to get involved. It has been so much fun preparing. You know you have a great kid. And then you start filling out paperwork and putting down all of their accomplishments, and they see how amazing all their work is...Priceless! In the past few months she has said more than a few times.."I rock"! We just had her photos taken and now she is saying "I'm beautiful"! We knew this already of course. But the world around her was telling her different. She needed to see herself again.





Post a comment and support Shelby. Let her know how great a person you think she is!

Another great debate

Recently there was a great debate on a group I follow about whether or not you are a true homeschooler if you participate in State funded programs. This really got me thinking about what my strong views are and why I have them.

First I want to state that I believe any program the State is willing to allow Homeschoolers to participate in is a win win. For so long we have been excluded from activities in the school district for various reasons. I really don't buy into the belief or feeling that government money is evil. What I do think is that this is a greater move towards Choice in Education, and that is a wonderful thing. Parents are responsible for the up bringing of their children. They should have the choice in how they educate them as well.

Every year I end up choosing something different. One year we didn't participate in anything. Not even a coop. Another year we used K12 through the local school district. Another year we did k12 and a local coop. This year the kids really wanted to take music and art so we are signing up for a few classes at a local charter school.

I still consider myself a homeschooling mom. All of our core classes are taught at home. 4 days out of 5 we are at home. I am the one choosing the kids curriculum and what they are exposed to. Yes I am going to use the state's money to pay for curriculum. After all I do pay taxes. I look at it in the view that I am getting MY money back. Not TAKING it from the state.

I am really excited to see more choices in educating our children. This is a great opportunity for those interested. I hope and pray for more choices for parents.