Teaching

Who knew that when I gave up on a teaching degree back in 98 to get married that I would someday come back into the education world? No me! No, I went on to be married, divorced and married again. Mother of 2 and just hanging on at times. You could say I have been teaching for the past 2 years with scrapbooking. Holding classes once even twice a month. But, this is not really what I think of when we talk about education. I'm talking about kids, my kids, actually. Believe it or not, I have been considering homeschooling for a couple months now and I am 95% sure that we will be homeschooling next year. Alexie will be in 1st grade and Emma will be 4.

This is not a lifetime decision I am making. I plan on evaluation our school plans every year and based on each child individually. I think the traditional classroom is great, I LOVED school when I was a kid. Right now, it's just not working for Lexi. She is not being challenged and there is too much negativity going on and it is greatly effecting her.

So! Homeschooling, here I come! I am looking forward to it, I'm excited, and I pray that I can still say that this time next spring! :)

Two books you have gotta read!!!

So, I finished these 2 great books over the past couple weeks that I think EVERYONE should read. The 1st is a nonfiction that completely changed my view of God, in a great way! I can't hardly say much about it and not spoil the book, but it addresses the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" and it helps us see just how important a relationship is with God, not just the weekend rituals of church. The book is called The Shack by William Young. Go out, buy it, read it, I think you'll be happy you did. BTW...you may want to buy a box of tissues along with the book. :)

Okay, 2nd GREAT book is Email to the Front, by Alesia Holliday. It is a book a Navy wife wrote with her emails back and forth to her husband during deployment. For me(since Kelly is gone right now), I can completely relate to almost everything she writes about. I laughed so hard that I was crying. If you don't even think you would like the book, just stop in the library and ready the lawn mower chapter, I promise you'll end up taking it home and reading the rest of the book. The greatest thing about the book though is this: it lets all the wives whose DH have to go away for work (military and non-military) know that they are not alone. And for all you "civilians" it gives you a wonderful insight to what most have no clue is going on. All over the world, our military is risking their lives for us, and all over the country, spouses are pulling out their hair trying to keep the kids happy and the laundry done, all while counting the days till their loved one comes home.

Happy reading!

Family

You know how some of your family members you love dearly, some you can only take so much of at one time, and some you just don't understand how you are related to? Maybe you feel you need a major vacation after a family reunion? I know we all have family like this, but I have never truly wished that I was not connected to a person or situation as I am right now. Never have I ever had one person cause so much widespread hurt among the people I love and call family. Please pray for all of my extended family right now, we are confused, we are hurt, we are crushed, and we have a long road ahead. We NEED God more than ever, I have faith He is carrying me right now, I cannot walk myself.

Christmas Lights

We had two great light outings this year. The zoo, a new one for us, was a long day but well worth it. We did both a daytime visit and night visit all in one day breaking it up with dinner at Cracker Barrel in between. Here we are at the lights at the zoo.
It was so cool, they had 4D short version of Polar Express at the zoo, I think this is my first 3D type experience and I know it was the girls' first time. The 4D experience was that the whole place smelled of yummy hot chocolate!

The youngest could go to the zoo and skip the live animals and go just for the merry-go-round!
We've never done this before, but happened to be there at the perfect time to buy some nectar and get to feed the parakeets. Red loved this and never freaked out even though one landed on her head!
Kelly was not as happy about the bird thing, since right after I took this picture, one sat on his head and then peed on his head! EWWWWWW!


The other lights outing was the Lights of the South. The biggest difference besides the lack of wild animals, was the hay ride instead of walking, and the fact that the night we went here, it was about 27 degrees!! Burrrrrrrrrrrr.........

They have hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights starting with the story and Jesus, then the kids' favorite characters and ending with Santa himself. We got to roast marshmallows over the open fire pits and drink hot chocolate and apple cider to try to warm ourselves.

Christmas Program

My sweet girl was in her very first Christmas program and Daddy was home to see it. Some of the angels sang more than others, but they all looked angelical! She choose to watch more of the program going on behind her more than participate, but Mommy and Daddy had a great time watching her.

On a side note: you should know that the angels are all 3 years old, and that they stood through the program was a great feat in itself, AND Mrs. Pat and Mrs. Alice said that this was the BEST year of angels, since no one took off their halos or wings until they were all finished.

Sara Groves

On December 15th, Kelly and I went to see Behold the Lamb of God, with Andrew Peterson, and best of ALL, Sara Groves. After I saw her at the MOPS convention, christian music is about all I listen to, so I was really excited to find out she was coming to Augusta. The concert started off with the 6 different musicians taking turns singing some of their own songs. Then the second half was Behold the Lamb of God, a story of Jesus from creation to His birth in songs. It was GREAT and I recommend that you go see it next year if they come to your town! I felt so star struck and a little silly, but very excited to actually get to speak to Sara on her way out of the convention center while Kelly was cd shopping; and I was brave enough to ask for a picture along with 2 or 3 others. Sara's music is so wonderful and you should check her out if you've not heard any of her songs. She has a great sound and an even better message in all of her songs. This is Sara's site that has her info: http://www.saragroves.com/ and you can get most of her cds from you local Christian book store.

1st Day of Pre-School

Well, I am not blogging in order, life is too crazy this year for me to really care! :)

My sweet blondy started preschool last month and she loves it! She only goes 3 days a week, but she is usually sad on the days she doesn't have school.

This is her excited for school, but she would prefer that Mommy DOES NOT take her picture! Too bad!

Now we are happy! If they would just open the doors!

Okay Mom, you may LEAVE! See ya later!
Plus, her patriotic selection of clothes granted her the job of flag holder on the first day, how great is that?!