It's true...Simple as that. I am a truely blessed woman:) My life is full of so many incredible blessings, and so much happiness and success, it takes my breath away.
My children are amazing-enough said:) Our newly purchased house is incredible-beyond anything I ever thought I would have as a single mom, or maybe ever-it's the best place I have ever lived-the gardens, the large rooms, the adorible front porch...I am so content here:) It's peaceful and bright and beautiful! My boyfriend is a miracle, simply stated-a true miracle-they just don't make men like this anymore! Right when I had given up completely, he was there-in front of me, like magic:) My job is pretty great, though the summer months have made us slow. Where else can I hang out and listen to music, talk to people, and make great money???? It's perfect for this rock and roll soul:) We are completely blessed to be able to continue homeschooling, and to be able to be so successful with it-the kids enjoy our days, our curriculum is challenging, and we have freedom and fun....
Like I said...I am a blessed woman....
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Amazing Article About Homeschoolers:)
I received this today from a friend:) It's PERFECT-though the typical homeschool stereotype doesn't fit my out of the box family AT ALL;) I LOVE IT!!!
Enjoy if you are a homeschooler...if not, sorry in advance....;)
SONNY SCOTT*6/8/2008 9:39:01 AM Daily Journal
You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.It's a big family by today's standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no threats from mom. The older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about her task.You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children being home schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their reputation for academic achievement has caused colleges to begin aggressively recruiting them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are conservatively estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high as $9 billion. When you consider that these families pay taxes to support public schools, but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the public.Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the norm, and are more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are many and varied. Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse speech, suggestive behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular schools. Others are concerned for their children's safety. Some want their children to be challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public schools. Concern for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar's be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state's bureaucrats on these "trouble makers." Their implicit rejection of America's most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. "Individualism" ) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter's wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square- foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim "our right" to pursue a career for our own"self-fulfillment. "Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k's. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work ... and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn't you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?Is it any wonder we hate her so?
Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in Chickasaw Countyand his e-mail address is mailto:sonnyscott%40yahoo.com
Enjoy if you are a homeschooler...if not, sorry in advance....;)
SONNY SCOTT*6/8/2008 9:39:01 AM Daily Journal
You see them at the grocery, or in a discount store.It's a big family by today's standards - "just like stair steps," as the old folks say. Freshly scrubbed boys with neatly trimmed hair and girls with braids, in clean but unfashionable clothes follow mom through the store as she fills her no-frills shopping list.There's no begging for gimcracks, no fretting, and no threats from mom. The older watch the younger, freeing mom to go peacefully about her task.You are looking at some of the estimated 2 million children being home schooled in the U.S., and the number is growing. Their reputation for academic achievement has caused colleges to begin aggressively recruiting them. Savings to the taxpayers in instructional costs are conservatively estimated at $4 billion, and some place the figure as high as $9 billion. When you consider that these families pay taxes to support public schools, but demand nothing from them, it seems quite a deal for the public.Home schooling parents are usually better educated than the norm, and are more likely to attend worship services. Their motives are many and varied. Some fear contagion from the anti-clericalism, coarse speech, suggestive behavior and hedonistic values that characterize secular schools. Others are concerned for their children's safety. Some want their children to be challenged beyond the minimal competencies of the public schools. Concern for a theistic world view largely permeates the movement.Indications are that home schooling is working well for the kids, and the parents are pleased with their choice, but the practice is coming under increasing suspicion, and even official attack, as in California.Why do we hate (or at least distrust) these people so much?Methinks American middle-class people are uncomfortable around the home schooled for the same reason the alcoholic is uneasy around the teetotaler.Their very existence represents a rejection of our values, and an indictment of our lifestyles. Those families are willing to render unto Caesar the things that Caesar's be, but they draw the line at their children. Those of us who have put our trust in the secular state (and effectively surrendered our children to it) recognize this act of defiance as a rejection of our values, and we reject them in return.Just as the jealous Chaldeans schemed to bring the wrath of the king upon the Hebrew eunuchs, we are happy to sic the state's bureaucrats on these "trouble makers." Their implicit rejection of America's most venerated idol, Materialism, (a.k.a. "Individualism" ) spurs us to heat the furnace and feed the lions.Young families must make the decision: Will junior go to day care and day school, or will mom stay home and raise him? The rationalizations begin. "A family just can't make it on one income." (Our parents did.) "It just costs so much to raise a child nowadays." (Yeah, if you buy brand-name clothing, pre-prepared food, join every club and activity, and spend half the cost of a house on the daughter's wedding, it does.) And so, the decision is made. We give up the bulk of our waking hours with our children, as well as the formation of their minds, philosophies, and attitudes, to strangers. We compensate by getting a boat to take them to the river, a van to carry them to Little League, a 2,800-square- foot house, an ATV, a zero-turn Cub Cadet, and a fund to finance a brand-name college education. And most significantly, we claim "our right" to pursue a career for our own"self-fulfillment. "Deep down, however, we know that our generation has eaten its seed corn. We lack the discipline and the vision to deny ourselves in the hope of something enduring and worthy for our posterity. We are tired from working extra jobs, and the looming depression threatens our 401k's. Credit cards are nearly maxed, and it costs a $100 to fuel the Suburban. Now the kid is raising hell again, demanding the latest Play Station as his price for doing his school work ... and there goes that modest young woman in the home-made dress with her four bright-eyed, well-behaved home-schooled children in tow. Wouldn't you just love to wipe that serene look right off her smug face?Is it any wonder we hate her so?
Sonny Scott a community columnist, lives on Sparta Road in Chickasaw Countyand his e-mail address is mailto:sonnyscott%40yahoo.com
Sunday, June 15, 2008
So Here We Are!!!:)
Again, can't believe how long it's been since I blogged-but ALL good-after all-WE BOUGHT A NEW HOUSE!!!!!! Found it, bought it, moved in and have been here for over three weeks now:) It pretty awesome, still in Bel Air, in an AWESOME neighborhood with the counties BEST schools-not that that matters to US;)- It has four bedrooms, a finished lower level with a pellet stove, two and a half baths, great large rooms, a deck and an incredible professionally landscaped garden in the backyard:) The garden, actually, is what sold the house-I LOVE it!!! We have spent MUCH time weeding and planting already:)
We have settled in, though lots of unpacking still needs to be done. Everyone is FAR more relaxed and seem MUCH happier. I plan to post some pics soon, but for now, I just want to go be comfy on my new sofa and watch some TV;)
Off to enjoy~!!
We have settled in, though lots of unpacking still needs to be done. Everyone is FAR more relaxed and seem MUCH happier. I plan to post some pics soon, but for now, I just want to go be comfy on my new sofa and watch some TV;)
Off to enjoy~!!
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