Homeschool Curriculum

When you first decide to homeschool there are a lot of things to figure out.  One of the biggest things being what curriculum are you going to use.  Are you going to do an online program? A box curriculum? Make up your own?  Mix and match?  You would think after almost 4 years of homeschooling we would have our curriculum figured out but we don't.  Every year in February, we decide if we are going to homeschool the next year.  Then we decide what we like about the curriculum we are using and what we want to change.  It's not just about tweaking it for personal preference, as your kids get older you have to consider college prep and make sure you are covering all the basics.  You also take into account the field your child thinks they want to go into and make sure you are giving extra attention to the areas of study that interest them.  Homeschooling is not easy!  It is definitely not one of those things you can take lightly.  I mean you are responsible for your child's education. I really think even if they are in public school you are responsible for their education as well but the gravity of it seems heavier when you are a homeschool parent.  So here we are planning out what we want to use next year and I never know if we have it all right but I guess maybe no one ever does.

Time for a REAL change

I haven't been happy with my weight for YEARS.  It's been an up and down battle since having kids.  I can tell my mind set is different this year and I know this year I will finally hit my goals.  I have made decisions that are hard for me.  Like, my first BIG decision was to hire a trainer.  That is so far out of my comfort zone, but she has been fantastic and really pushed me.  Next I signed up to do a 5k...ok well that was the plan but my kids have an activity the day of but that didn't stop me.  Ok well....actually my friend didn't let that stop me as she offered to run the 5k with me the day before the actual event...so April 11th I'll be running a 5k.  My new BIG challenge is I'll only be weighing in once a month.  I am a scale junkie so this is a HUGE change for me.  I know that obsessing over the scale is holding me back so I am going for it.

Some of my goals for this year:
Run a 5k
Family photo (we have ZERO photos of all 5 of us)
Hit 100 lbs lost

Have the tough talks

Today we woke to horrible news that the sweet faced 10 year old girl from Springfield who had been abducted from her neighborhood yesterday was found dead.  Just writing that sentence just leaves you with a sick feeling.

We have had some "close calls" I would say...or maybe it's just my mommy brain worrying.  So last year I was leaving Walmart with my daughter who was 6 at the time.  This truck started kinda following us and my mommy radar went off.  I got her in her seat and started loading the groceries.  At this point I had decided that he was probably just waiting for our spot.  Don't ever discount that mommy gut!  As I turned my back to put up the cart I hear him get out of his truck and I look back.  He is headed right for my daughters door.  I leave the cart and run back, he sees me and runs back to his truck and drives off.  Maybe I was mistaken, maybe there was a misunderstanding but it sure didn't feel that way.  I was shaking and couldn't drive for at least 10 minutes.  By the way, that was in a crowded parking lot in the middle of the day.

Also last year in January, I get a call from my mom.  She tells me that one of our close family members has been arrested for molesting a child.  The first thing I did was throw up. For those unaware I was adopted.  My childhood was a far cry from a "childhood".  Because of my background I do NOT trust people.  However this person I had let in my house, around my children, even around my children unattended.  I was angry, not just at the person and what they had done but because I had let my guard down.  Thankfully, he had not assaulted my children.  

I say all this because we have to have the tough conversations with our kids.  We have to talk about what inappropriate touching and conversations look like.  We have to let them know to speak up no matter what, no matter who the person is or what they say.  We also need to talk about what to do if someone tries to take you.  Don't just talk about strangers, because statistically it could be someone they know.  Tell them that no matter who it is or where they are if someone tries to get them to go with them to scream, to hit, to scratch, to bite and to scream some more.  Looking at statistics their chances of being found alive go down drastically as soon as they get in that vehicle.  Also remember people who prey on children are cowards.  The louder your child is the bigger the chance is that they will run away.   Make sure they know that even if it's someone they know that you personally will tell them if someone else is ever to pick them up.  To never ever take someone else's word for it.  Tell your kids that they don't have to be polite,  that they won't be in trouble.  Even if they are wrong and the person wasn't trying to take them that you will be proud of them for fighting back.  We spend so much time teaching them to be polite and listen to adults.  They need to know that there are times it's ok to be rude, it's ok to scream.  I don't want my children to worry that they may get in trouble, those first few seconds can make all the difference. Your children have instincts just like you do, teach them to listen to them.  Don't just have that conversation once and be done, they need to be reminded so they know what to do if God forbid they are ever in that position.

Praying for that girl's family and her community.

Uncharted Territory

So my 7 year old daughter is a GIRLY girl.  I am learning a lot as she gets older about all things girly.  Don't get me wrong, she can play hard in the mud but she'll probably wear heels and a tiara while doing it.  Back in August she started dance, she had previously done gymnastics for 2 years.  Dance is a whole new world for us.  However, it has been amazing for my little girl.  In the few months since she has joined she is like a whole new girl.  She has so much more self-confidence, she is happier.  It isn't just with dance it has affected her whole attitude about everything.  She is doing better with school and reading as well and I know it stems from her new found confidence. She is definitely passionate about dance and that has played a roll.  However I can not brag enough about her dance coach and the studio we are at.  They are truly a blessing to my little girl.  Ok so back to the girly stuff.  So of course with dance comes a ton of girly things.  Honestly she has great hair but my skills are limited.  So I am learning new things to help her do her hair cute.  She also recently decided she wanted to do pageants.  The idea of pageants makes me cringe and makes me want to run and hide.  However, this pageant that I agreed she could do is all natural and has come highly recommended.  A bonus at this pageant is that Caylie gets to do a talent.  Like I said Caylie has a new found confidence and I don't know how she will do once she actually hits the stage.  But I think even if she doesn't do great that she will go out and have fun and it will continue to help boost her self-esteem.  Bonus is she is doing this with some friends so no matter what it will be fun. Oh and her dance teacher suggested I add some sequins to her dance costume for the pageant.....did I mention I am not crafty AT ALL.   Dance, and pageants, and glitter oh my!  She is always telling me I need to be more girly and she's right.  I definitely don't take the time for my feminine side.  Learning to be more girly for my daughter's sake.  Wish me luck!

Life in the Mommyhood

I am a homeschooling mom of 3 great kids.  I have been married to my husband almost 13 years now.  This blog will definitely be littered with a lot of mommy ramblings.  However it will also be a place where I post my opinions on everything from weight loss to politics.  Happy reading!!