The Question

Because NG is entering her last year of middle school, I have gotten the question, more than once, "What about high school?"  So, these are my thoughts about homeschooling, in a nutshell.

Obviously I am a firm believer of homeschooling otherwise I wouldn't be doing it.  I am a huge proponent of homeschooling in the elementary school age.  I think it provides a great opportunity to build a wonderful biblical and educational foundation.

I am also a firm believer of homeschooling in middle school.  Being a teenager can be hard.  So much going on emotionally, physically, spiritually and mentally.  It is a great time to give my kids short wings.  To experience some of life and to sow and reap etc.  But, we are always a conversation away.  When "stuff" happens and it does, no matter what.  We get to discuss much of it almost immediately.  There is still time for guidance and reassurance and some times redirecting.  Little by little preparing them to leave the nest.

As for high school, I am not planning on sending any of them to high school.  I would like to finish what we started.  But, I will never say never.  I have been alive too long to know that things change.  That being said, there are soooo many wonderful opportunities for high school homeschoolers.  Dual enrolment at the local community college, co-ops, writing and science classes offered.  Flexibility for work, travel, missions etc.

I don't have to know everything.  But, I know people who do know a lot of things about certain things.  And I will go to them as resources.  I also know that my kids know how to find out about things.  It is rare I answer a question for them.  They usually are expected to find out for themselves.  I was once told by a veteran homeschool mom while in the grocery store, "When asked by curious people about a certain subject, topic, date in history etc. just encourage your children, if they don't know the answer to reply 'We don't know the answer to that but we can certainly find out.'"  In other words, it is impossible for me, or any other teacher, to ever be able to teach everything to every student.  But, if we teach our kids how to find out information, how to research and know their way around a library and/or the Internet, we are doing more than OK.

So, we are a year away from high school.  And my educational plan has not changed.  Homeschool all the way through . . .

Haiti Team

I believe the above pictured people are truly a team.  The majority of the people pictured have been to Haiti at least once in the past 12 months.  And the neatest thing is, all but one of the people pictured, is under the age of 30!

Majority of this group had been to Haiti just a couple of months ago.  And their love for Jesus, orphans, and the Haitian people compelled them to go back within months of their return to the states.  So, a week and a half ago, our family along with a couple of others met at the airport at a crazy early time and sent them off on their mission.

It is such a neat, neat time.  We stand around and they tell stories and we hold hands and pray together right in the middle of the airport.  We give cards and Scriptures verses and words of encouragement to send them off.  We give hugs and there are usually tears.

I had the opportunity to talk with one of the young girls the other night.  (They all have been very patient with my questions and curiosity.)  She just said how she knew from an early age she wanted to work with orphans.  She just was waiting on God to show her how and when.  Now that she has been and back twice, she said she misses it.  Her heart is there.

I applauded her.  Although that doesn't sound like the right.  Anyway, I told her I barely remember my 20s and I was just so proud of her (and the others) to use her youth and singleness and gifts and talents to follow what God was calling them to do.  She is planning on going back at the end of the year with a couple of others from the same group.  She is also thinking about long term missions next year.

My body tingles and tears come to my eyes when I think about what these young people are willing to sacrifice for the sake of following Christ!  They are such wonderful examples and encouragement for all of us who desire to follow Christ.  We have mission fields all around us, whether here or abroad.

As I have mentioned before, my desire is to some day follow in her foot steps into the foreign mission field.  But until then, I will support each and every person from our church who is willing to be the hands and feet of Jesus to "the least of these."  Knowing they are expanding and glorifying the Kingdom of God .  . . 

A Half Marathon

I am "training" for a half marathon.  I can't believe I am actually putting this out there.  But, I have been "in training" for about 5 weeks now so maybe it will really happen.

Quick back story:  A good friend of mine, who is a runner, was diagnosed this past January with a brain tumor at the base of her skull.  She went to the eye doctor because she was having trouble seeing.  And within a few days was diagnosed with a brain tumor sitting on her optic nerve.  Within weeks she was scheduled for surgery and has since been through 5 weeks of radiation.  And she is on the mend!

On the day of her surgery she had been signed up for our city's half marathon which, obviously she did not run.  So, a bunch of us had this great idea to celebrate recovery and life and health and our friend by running the city's half marathon with her this coming February.  That is why I am training for a half marathon.  I had wanted to start exercising for a bunch of different reasons and this was the motivation that I personally needed.

Slow and steady wins the race.  Well, I don't anticipate winning any races but my goal is it just finish.  And to celebrate life with a great group of ladies.

My sister in law, who trains triathletes gave me great advice and a plan to build endurance.  The whole family has been pretty encouraging.  I even bought some exercise clothes!  I take the time to pray and thank God for my many blessings during my "runs."  I even try to memorize Scripture during that time.  It all helps me push through the more difficult parts.  At the end of our runs, a bunch of us text each other our runs for the day to help encourage one another.  (It is next to impossible for a bunch of homeschooling mamas to run together.)

I need to exercise.  I want to be a part of this celebration.  So, we will see how the next few months go . . .

Yesterday's Dance

Yesterday my big girls and two of their friends danced in our church service to a wonderful woman singing a beautiful song.  Thankfully a wonderful lady videoed it.  But, I have no idea how to get the video off youtube and put it into my blog post.  So, if you would love to see them dance and hear the beautiful song just click below.  I love, love, love to watch them dance . . .

http://youtu.be/e2kELfkluS8

Ballet on the Big Screen

Recital week I received an email from the Admin Assistant of the girls' ballet program.  The email was telling everyone that the local college's film school was producing a film about the story of a dance mom and daughter who moved to a different city.  And they were looking for extras to be in the film.  The girls had to dress like dancers, black leotards, shoes, hair in a bun etc.  And to bring costumes to wear if we had them and extra ones to use as props, if we had them.

I didn't tell the girls for a couple of days that I was contemplating taking them.  Hubby had to work the days they were needed so that meant all of us had to go.  I explained to the director's assistant or whoever it was that I called what my situation was and she was more than accommodating.  She even asked if I wanted to be a ballet mom in the film!  (I didn't.)  So, I decided to take the girls.  As long as they wanted to.  And of course they did.

We had no idea what to expect, although I had heard that our film school was pretty well known.  Anyway, we were needed for a couple of hours on the first day.  We brought snacks and stuff to do.  But, honestly, it was a well oiled machine and they had people who were constantly making sure we were OK.  The girls only had to shoot about 20 minutes total and we were there for at least 3 hours.  When they were needed, I think they just kind of stayed backstage while the film crew shot the stage.  So all you would see was them just standing there waiting for their turn to perform.  I am totally guessing because the littles and I did our best to stay out of the way.

The next day was much more hectic.  They used them in the dressing room and walking down the hall with a rolling hanger full of costumes.  I think Little Mama even got to pretend she was talking to the girls next to her!

It ended up being a lot of waiting and doing things over and over.  I think the girls got a real dose of what it would be like to be an actress.  Not quite so glamorous all the time!  They had a fabulous time though and they were glad they did it.

Someone from the film school called Sunday and asked if they would be interested in being in another film.  I told the girls about it and they didn't get all excited.  I think they enjoyed the experience but didn't need to do it again.

The film comes out the second week in December and the film school will invite us all to come watch it.  It will be interesting to see just how much they really ended up in the movie . . . .

SonPower

About a month ago now, Nature Girl had an awesome opportunity to go to Orlando with her youth choir to record a CD.

Every year the youth choir puts on a citywide event with 2 or 3 other churches.  In the beginning of the fall (I think) each member of the choir receive a CD of songs that they are to learn and then, at some point, perform in a group youth choir concert.  Well, this year, her youth choir was able to record that CD with about 500 other kids.  And they had a great time!

My original plan was to chaperon.  But, by the time we got our schedules worked out etc. a couple of the more musically inclined moms were able to go.  (Which made way more sense.)  It was a tough decision for us to make.  To let our baby girl go so far away without one of us.  But, this is the gang that goes on the bike trip which NG has been on twice before and daddy knows all of them pretty well.  And he was more than confident about supervision etc.

So, at noon, on a Monday, I waved good bye to my little/big girl and watched her go on an adventure of a life time.  I love our youth choir director.  He made the otherwise expensive trip so much more affordable.  The kids slept in a church for the week and they brought all their own food.  The moms that went, not only chaperoned but cooked as well!  

They played games and hung out in the mornings and in the afternoons did different types of missions work.  Yard work at a children's home, handing out VBS flyers and packing hundreds of food boxes to be given to those in need.  At night they would rehearse and sing and then go home and have devotions (under the big cross outside.)  They played and went to the beach and listen to a concert by Meredeth Andrews.  And, of course, sang!

On Friday, they spent the afternoon recording the CD and, from what I understand, it was quite a tedious thing.  Doing parts of songs over and over until they got it right.

I was sad I did not get to be a part of it.  But, thankful that NG could have such a great experience.  Our youth choir has been a round a long, long, time and this was the first time they had the opportunity to go.  Although they had been invited many times before.

I am so thankful for the leadership at our church.  And thankful for so many of the kids.  Young and old.  And for the parents who willingly invest in our youth. . .

Foodie Post

I am totally not a foodie.  But, my hubby is.  Sort of.  He loves food and he loves to eat.  Over the last year or so, because of cooking through the PW cookbook and needing to find recipes for our garden veggies, I have become way more comfortable in the kitchen and almost enjoy the challenge of trying something new.  Almost.

We have tomatoes.  Lots and lots of tomatoes.  We have done the canning thing and we don't have soooo many tomatoes that it is worth all of that hassle.  We did spaghetti sauce and froze it last year and that worked out much better.  This year we are using them as we go.

Last week was Ina Garten's Roasted Tomato Basil Soup.  (A recipe shared by my sister.)  And it was a hit, although a little spicy hot for some of my crew.  (Note on recipe card, use half of the crushed red pepper called for.)  It was crazy easy and didn't take that much time.  It had all the things we love:  tomatoes, onion, garlic, 4 cups of fresh basil, salt and pepper and the crushed red pepper flakes.

What is better with homemade soup than homemade Ezekiel bread.  We will definitely do it all again. Next up, tomatoes au gratin . . . .