Torn

I have been struggling and struggling with a the huge decision of whether or not to homeschool my kids. It's something we have been thinking about for 3 years now and kindergarten registration is fast approaching. I have prayed about it, talked to homeschooling friends and family about it, read countless numbers of websites and blogs and am still having such a difficult time. My neighbor just decided to homeschool. One week, she said she was absolutely not even considering it and the next week, she was thoroughly convinced that this was the way to go. Why can I not make a decision so easily? Why am I up all night going over and over this in my head? We have made our pro and con list and the biggest thing standing in my way is that I feel like I am signing my life away. It was very important to Jim and I that I stay home with our children when they are young. Done. I couldn't be happier. But I have long been looking towards the day when they would all be in school and I could start MY life. Jim and I got married when I was still in college and got pregnant just a couple of weeks later. I never had the opportunity to start a career before life with children began. I have no regrets and I meet stay at home moms every day who have quit their jobs as lawyers and pediatricians to stay home with their kids and love it, but part of me is very selfishly looking forward to that day when it is my turn. Should I homeschool, that day could be delayed for years and years. Never mind the added bonus of the extra income; my sanity could be at stake!

For whatever reason, however, I still feel called to do this. I look at today's society, it's focus on materialism, sex, and power, and I just feel like God is telling me that this is what I should do. I'm certainly not saying that I think every kid who goes to school is doomed for failure or that there aren't wonderful school systems out there, but what I am saying is that I feel like God is telling me that MY kids, maybe one, maybe all three, may not be able to withstand the pressures of the world if I send them out in it right now. My all time favorite verse:

"Do not be conformed to this world, but continually be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may be able to determine what God's will is-what is proper, pleasing, and perfect" Romans 12:2

This verse has helped me so many times since I've been married, especially when the temptaion creeps in to shop for unnecessary things, to try and keep up with the Jones', or hyper-parent my kid into every music class and sport. But now I think it is helping me make the decision to teach them in a comletely unconventional way that I know will earn me plenty of negative feedback. But nobody ever said following God's will was easy.

Jim is supportive either way. Jim also had a wonderful school experience and didn't make many bad decisions growing up. We differ just a little bit there. I don't recall actually learning much of anything in school. The idea of homeschooling is new to him but the more research he does on it, the more on board he is. Ultimately, however, it will be me who will be doing the bulk of the actual schooling so he would be just as supportive if we send them to school too. So if you're reading this and you are at all concerned about the outcome. Please pray for us and this decision we are facing. I'll keep you posted on what we decide and I hope that is very very soon.

How to save your girlfriend when she is being heckled by an SUV full of guys

(This is MY first post on our family blog)

This weekend some of my buddies I served with in Iraq came to Boston for a mini-reunion. It was a blast, and we really had a good time. We visited quite a few bars and even toured the Sam Adams brewery. That tour consisted of 4 minutes talking about the incredients in the beer, 4 minutes in the actual brewing room pointing out the various vats and kettles the beer is brewed in, and then about 40 minutes in the tasting room. Definitely worth the $2 donation. We went out again on Saturday night accompanied by Pete's girlfriend, Gennie, and Natalie. After last call, we were walking back to our hotel when a SUV full of 5 dudes passed by sloqing down to "ooh and ahh" at Gennie who was leading the way back. Demonstrating his quick thinking and clear respect for his girlfriend, Pete immediately yelled out "She's a man!" The guys in the SUV stopped their heckling and drove off. Pete and Gennie clearly have a loving relationship! It was a great weekend filled with lots of laughs, mostly at the expense of our former commander, and no injuries.

Weekend Guests

We are in the midst of a big weekend for us complete with reunions, a visit from Mimi, and an unexpected house guest, Brown Dog. Brown Dog is Cole's class pet. He is not a real dog (thank goodness). Every weekend, a different child is chosen to take brown dog home for the weekend. Over the weekend, Cole is supposed to be drawing pictures, taking pictures, or writing stories about their adventures. Brown Dog has not left his side since he got home from school yesterday. So far, Brown Dog has played legos, been dressed up in princess clothes, fed from a bottle, met some soldiers that Jim served with in Iraq, and slept in Cole's bed. Today Brown Dog will be meeting Mimi and enjoying whatever fun they have planned for tonight. I'll post some pictures at the end of the weekend but the whole thing is pretty cute. It's really funny how much these kids enjoy taking care of this stuffed animal.

A Job Well Done

It's always good to hear you're doing a good job, especially when you are working (and loving) a job that will never give you a pay raise or even sometimes get you a "you're so unfair!" Jim came home tonight when Cole was writing a letter to somebody. I have been teaching Cole to read this year and he is doing really well. He is becoming more confident and has lately really liked writing stories and trying to spell words on his own. Tonight he was writing his grandfather a letter about Cole's spooky Halloween. Halloween was spelled HALWEN but he did it all by himself and sounded it out as best he could. Jim also saw him sound out "Frum Cole." Close. Close enough that Jim was pretty impressed. When the kids went to bed, Jim told me what a great job he thought I was doing with the kids. It's nice to get a compliment like that from time to time, especially when we live in a world where you so often hear criticism. Oh, and just because I am a bragging mother for a couple of minutes, Alli is learning to write all her letters (Upper and lowercase) and Cole is also very good at math. Thank you, Jim, for acknowledging that stay-at-home moms really can make a difference in the life of a child. None of us get that nearly enough.

Cole's Clothes

Cole has been REALLY in to picking out his own clothes lately. I thought it would be fun to post some pictures of some of his original outfits. Yesterday he wore his warm up pants and a shark t-shirt with his basketball jersey over it. Tonight I sent him upstairs to get ready for AWANA. He came down with his Cubbies vest on but had also decided to wear a cape. He wore it all night and was so cute. Alli is without pants in this picture because Alli is almost alwasy without pants by lunch time. She changes in and out of princess dresses and her tu-tu all day. She really wanted her picture taken in her rainboots. I included one picture of Avery because she's cute and I still get to dress her up and she can't argue or take it off. Oh, I should also mention his most recent "prayer." So Cole always wears socks to bed. The other night, Jim told him he needed to air his feet out so he should not wear his socks. Jim walked off and then came back to Cole's room to check on him. He heard Cole talking to someone.

Jim: Who are you talking to?
Cole: God
Jim: That's cool. What were you taling to God about?
Cole: About wearing socks to bed

We have told Cole that he can talk to God about anything but we thought this was pretty funny. Oh, the problems of a four year old. So simple.

Avery's First Sled Ride

It's been a while since I have posted anything but we had a fun week last week. We actually got some warmer weather here so the kids were able to play outside for longer than 30 minutes. Jim's parents sent a sled a while back and Avery is just the right size for it now. It has a seat belt so we were able to buckle her in and Jim pulled her all around the courtyard and down the hill out in front of our house. She LOVED it and Cole and Alli loved watching her. She's becoming quite the big kid now. She wants to do everything the big kids do and Cole and Alli seem to be accepting her into their cool kids club. They have even started getting angry with her for getting into their stuff which is really not okay but funny at the same time. I love that Avery has even found her way into the pecking order of the arguments too. Here's a couple of pictures of her sled ride and her hanging with Cole and Alli.

Perfect Snow Day

Today was one of those really perfect snow days. We got a call from the school last night that all the schools were closed as opposed to this morning so we were all able to relax and stay in jammies a bit longer than usual. Since all of the snow had finally melted over the last few weeks, getting another twelve inches was an unexpected but fun surprise. It was just a long enough break from snow that all of the kids were eager to go sledding first thing this morning. It also could very well be the last big snow of the season so the whole neighborhood wanted to take advantage. After our noses were all frozen, our lovely neighbor invited us all in for lunch. The kids stripped off their snow gear and ran around in their long underwear while she made spaghetti. Then we got home and Jim surprised us by coming home early today. His classes were cancelled and he was able to take the noon shuttle home. What a perfect day!! I'm going to go start the chili now for tonight's dinner...

Cats Speak Chinese

A few days ago Alli and I were talking about China. While I like to pretend that all of my children are little prodigies, I wasn't teaching her Chinese or anything; it just happened to come up. I told her that in China people say, "Ni hao" instead of hello. She walked around the house for a few minutes saying, "Ni hao. Ni hao." Then she walked back up to me and said, "Mommy, cats speak Chinese too!" "They do? I've never heard a cat speak Chinese," I said. Alli in all seriousness replies, "Yes Mommy, they say Mee-ow, mee-ow." I could not stop laughing. You just can't make this stuff up! I wish I could just spend five minutes inside my kids' heads to see what they are always thinking.