I knew we could do it!

Every homeschooling mom asks herself all the time, "Am I doing enough"?  Every year We pray and evaluate where the kids are, their likes and dislikes, our goals for them, etc.  I always fret whether I have done enough.  I think I can finally breath a sigh of relief.


We sent our oldest daughter to the local PS Highschool for her Junior year.  She had taken a wide variety of classes.  She has a great love of learning.  But would all that translate into a box public schools make you fit into?  Yes!  Yes it did!  She did fantastically!  She took advanced classes.  She took AP English Languange, Trig/Analytic Geometry, Honors Chemistry, and Dual Enrolled at the local State College and took Childhood Development.  She ended the year with a 3.7 GPA unweighted.

There were some disappointing things that occurred.  3 Chemistry teachers in one year (that effected her grade a little), a Spanish class that was a waste of time (teacher didn't control the class.  My daughter learned more from her Spanish speaking father than the teacher) and lunch was terrible (locked in the cafeteria and no momma's cookin').  However, there were some nice things as well.  She was on the Golden Quill and had some stories published in a book, met some great people, and attended a Drama class she loved. 

She has enjoyed drama/theater in the homeschooling community.  I think she had more friends when she was at home than she had actually attending the local PS.  I was completely frustrated with all the Chemistry teachers.  Each time she had to acclimate to that teacher's teaching style.  It was not a good experience.  Not to mention they didn't do a lot of labs. 

Next year we are looking at sending her to the local State College for her Senior year.  We are confident that she can definitely handle the work load.  She will be able to take 3 classes a semester and the state pays for it.  We haven't made up our minds for sure.  But it is what I'm leaning towards.  She isn't sure yet.  We'll keep praying.

That poor first child.  They are such the "guinea pig".  I have so enjoyed homeschooling the past 11 years.  I am now confident that I am doing a good thing.  They are learning.  They are great kids. 

You big bully!

This use to be an insult. Now a days it seems to be a badge kids like to wear, all in the name of fun or being funny.

I have been struggling with this since I started having kids. At first I listened to everyone who old me "oh, that's kids. They need to toughen up and get use to it". Now that my kids are older I still struggle with them "needing" to "get use to it". As an adult I don't see the value in putting up with bad behavior.

I see it in kids and adults. Most of the time it an attempt to be funny or impress those around them. They are feeling insecure and come up with something to make fun of to blow off steam. Today society tells us we need to understand and recognize their acts as acts of insecurity. Where are the days of recognizing it as WRONG?

Instead of teaching our kids to understand it and put up with it, why aren't we teaching kids it is wrong and to express themselves in a more appropriate manner?

I am struggling with this issue. I am trying to teach my kids that teasing isn't funny. But they are bombarded with it everyday. And I homeschool. I can only imagine what other kids have to put up with.

Instead of telling everyone "deal with it", how about teaching kids how to behave properly? I see it as just getting worse if we keep ignoring it and accepting it.

Who is with me? Who is with me in standing for the right?

Jesus himself got mad at the money changers. At that time it was what everyone was doing. Should they have ignored it? Should we be appalled at Jesus for being upset at the behavior? No, we should take his example and stand up and not accept it.

Exciting things in the Homeschool world

I belong to a lot of different Homeschool groups. Lately there have been a number of posts about different opportunities for our kids. I'm so excited to see so many options. I thought I'd post all the links and you can get them all here in one place.

First is a great "private" school option. You do the curriculum. They do the paperwork for any state you live in. Nice!

http://www.homelifeacademy.com/www.homelifeacademy.com

Here are some websites with games...
www.playinghistory.org


Here is some free curriculum....
jettedgames.com/spelling.htm
ocw.mit.edu/index.htm
www.k6edu.com/index.html
lifeprint.com


And here are a few great blogs...
whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com

I read an article the other day that really got me to think. I love it when articles or books to that. Here is the article

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=968&sid=18032640

One of the comments was actually what got me thinking. The person commented that there is no difference in a mom going to work than moms sending their kids to school each day, all day for someone else to care for. This actually perpetuated my decision to homeschool. I don't think this was the person's intent when he commented.

I think a bigger issue is more about "being there" than "staying there". There are a lot of "stay at home moms" who can't wait to send their kids off to school each day. The idea of having their kids home all the time is ridiculous to them.

Ezra Taft Benson counseled that moms should be at home with their kids. He also stated this “take time to always be at the crossroads when your children are either coming or going — when they leave and return from school, when they leave and return from dates, when they bring friends home. Be there at the crossroads whether your children are 6 or 16.” I think some of the crossroads are learning to read, figuring out their Algebra, ...well learning in general. Education is full of a lot of political agendas these days. I'd like them to learn my beliefs.

Here is a funny Youtube video.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJHt-m3VX6o

As I talked with my husband as he got ready for work this morning, we discussed how awesome raising teenagers is. Our oldest has been struggling with dealing with "meanness" from her peers for a while now. I'm not sure I have the answer to the best way of helping her. But I found these great quotes today. I'm gonna share them with her later. You can enjoy them now.

Rejection. Adversity. Failure. Not exactly steppingstones to success. Or are they? We've all heard of celebrities who refused to let hardships stop them on the road to victory. Their stories tell of dozens of unsuccessful experiments, missed swings, endless rewrites, and humiliating performances. Although they have been the objects of the critical judgment of authority figures and peers, they never allowed harsh words to dull their aspirations and destroy their dreams.

The next time you receive negative criticism, dig through how lousy it feels and try to find something in some inspiring quotes for teenagers that can help you improve. Instead of feeling frustrated, stupid, sad, fearful or defeated, just read the below inspiring quotes for teenagers and mull about how much poorer this world would be if these people gave up believing in themselves and let the judgment of others keep them from accomplishing their goals.

Kindness and honesty can only be expected from the strong. - unknown

“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it's at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”

-audrey hepburn

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”

-albert einstein

Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.”
- Voltaire

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent" -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. ~Judy Garland

Good Luck Shelby in your Junior Year of High School. We'll keep our prayers in your direction. We'll also say a few for ourselves as we try to direct you throw to Adulthood.

Are you ready for some Football?!

We really enjoy football season around our house. Whether watching Ricky play or watching our favorite teams play on tv...it is a big part of Fall.



Ricky left Utah not wanting to play football anymore. We were so blessed to move here and find a wonderful team. Ricky learned that hard work does matter and it will get you where you want to go. He came here and was the 3rd string QB. The coaches practiced him with the other two boys. He looked good. But for the first few weeks his heart wasn't in it yet. He still was deflated from his past 2 years experience. But the coach saw he had potential. Rick kept on him and the coach continued to practice him. Then one day he let go of the past and embraced the experience he was having now. It was obvious he was a good QB. He was able to play in one quarter of the Jamboree as QB. Then the next 2 games he played a quarter. The 3rd game he played a whole half. By the 4th game he was the teams starting QB.



He was picked as the captain



Here are some of my favorite pictures from the season







I love these scriptures in teaching that hard work is worth it.

But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 15:7

Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23 (see Colossians 3:22- 4:1)

Ricky's football idle made this great quote

"Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard!" - Tim Tebow

Fall in Florida

Fall comes later than we have been used to this year. We are having a great time experiencing different things, and some old things in a different way.

We made a trip to St. Augustine Beach and had an amazing time. I had forgotten just how much I love the beach. Rick sat with Shelby and the two of them hunted for sharks teeth. They didn't find any, but had a great father daughter experience both will treasure for a long time. Ricky and Taylor spent the entire time in the water riding the waves. They both want to take surfing lessons. The whole day left everyone with a big smile from the experience. We can't wait to make the trip again.



Taylor started Fall swimming season with Bolles swim school. It is a lot more rigorous than she has experienced before. She has been working hard. Swimming here is all outside. She might still need that parka after all. She swam her first meet last weekend and did amazing. She bettered all her times. Some by more than 10 seconds. But she feels she still has a long way to go. Many of the swimmers have Olympic dreams. Taylor doesn't have that big of a dream...she just wants to make the high school team next year. wink. We are so proud of her.



We went on our first field trip of the school year. We went on a nature walk in some swamp land. Definitely different than the nature walks we took in the Utah mountains. Ricky probably had the most fun. He was so enthralled will the huge grasshoppers, big spiders, swamp water, different plants, etc. Taylor was brave enough to pick up craw fish.

This weekend it got a little cooler here. It was in the 70's. I opened the doors and enjoyed the cool breezes. It made me think about the fall air in Utah. I did enjoy that crisp air and fall colors. Now we'll have new memories of trick or treating in an actual costume, not our coats.