Homeschooling is not for the weak.

(Sweet daughter, I feel your pain. More than you know.)

Everyone keeps asking me how homeschooling is going, so I thought I would update all of my fans, um I mean friends (hee hee).

It is awesome (and by awesome I mean fulfilling, fun, frustrating, and hard) I am no fool. I knew that homeschooling wouldn't be all field trips and projects and walking hand-in-hand through the flowers whilst reciting William Shakespeare, and then sitting down for a lovely picnic of homemade jams and tarts. I am laughing as I am typing this because it is so far from that it isn't funny...well, it actually is, that is why I am laughing. Aaaaaanywho...

It is wonderful that I get to spend all day, every day with my kids (I know you are laughing, but I really do like my kids most of the time) and that I am in complete control of what we do, but that also means that I am under a lot of pressure to keep us on track. On days when it is cold and rainy and all we want to do is stay in our p.j.s, snuggle on the couch with hot chocolate and watch Phineus and Ferb (one of my, um, I mean the kids' favorite shows), it is really tough to do chores, sit and work on handwriting (I'll talk more about the dreaded and throughly despised handwriting later) and other subjects. We usually do stay in our p.j.s though so, duh - WINNING!

I am sure it will be even more difficult when we get our 2 weeks of bearable weather in May between the floods of April and the skin melting heat of the summer.

Okay, so I am going to follow a rabbit trail about handwriting. Oh dear Lord in heaven I have never wanted Jesus to return so badly than when I am in the full on hair-ripping-out process of handwriting with my daughter. I still don't understand WHY it is so hard. I can't comprehend WHY I get so frustrated. Sidebar: Don't ever, ever, ever, no matter how tempted you are, pray for patience because the Lord WILL bombard you with opportunities to grow in this virtue.

Okay, back to handwriting. Yes, I am doing a full on handwriting curriculum with my kids. I think that the written word has become a lost art. With texting and e-mail and all of the social networking that we have at our disposal, we just LOL and LMBO and TTYL each other all day. Some of the acronyms are so confusing too. I find myself going to the Urban Dictionary (oh yes, there is such a thing) to figure out what everyone is saying. I guess that means I am old. That and the fact that loud music gets on my last nerve now. You know, back in my day...oh wait...nevermind.

So, as I was saying, the written word is a lost art. Lots of parents who homeschool don't do handwriting, but with handwriting, we also incorporate several other subjects. We write scriptures, sentences from our history and literature books, etc. I don't want my kids writing like doctors. No offense to doctors. I am sure some of you have excellent penmanship.

So, for those or you who wondered, and those of you who didn't but were so taken with my thoughts and wit and couldn't pull yourself away from my post, homeschooling is going well. It is frustrating. It is not something out of an Emily Bronte novel. In fact, sometimes it is something out of a Stephen King novel. It is wonderful, however, to be able to go the coffee shop in the middle of the day to do our history lesson, or have lunch as a family. It is comforting to know that my children are learning about our world as one that has a Creator...a loving and caring Creator. It makes me happy to know that I am learning my children's strengths and weaknesses and am able to speak to them within the framework of the curriculum that I have chosen. So, I am off to take my Valium and finish our school day. (Just kidding about the Valium...it is Xanax. I am allergic to Valium.) ;) <--- And that is a smiley face for those of you who don't text. LOL! Ha ha ha!

Why I homeschool...

Well, we are officially homeschooling.

Holy freakin cow.

I am excited and a little anxious...a lot anxious.

The whole fate of my 3 munchkin's education rests solely on my shoulders...no pressure.

Gulp...

Anywho, I'll start with a complicated answer to a simply question that I continue to get..."Why are you homeschooling".

Well, here goes...

First of all, I don't hate public schools. I love our school system. I do think that the public education system is broken, however. I am incredibly grateful for the teachers that my children have had. They are phenomenal and I feel very blessed to have had each and every one of them. We have prayed every year for our teachers, and we have had amazing ones.

Secondly, I want my children to have a faith-based education. That is something that public schools simply do not provide.

Next, I have a child who is of above average intelligence. I am not bragging, it is truth. He began reading at 2 years of age. He understands the concepts of physics better than I do (and I am a former science teacher). He remembers EVERYTHING. Literally. I think he has a photographic memory. He could, and did, read entire books at school in one day. He has a love (almost an obsession) with history, the military, engineering, and science. He simply cannot get enough. I feel as though God has given him a wonderful mind, and that He has laid it upon my heart to foster that as much as possible. I have the desire and I have the ability, so why not?

More than anything, I have the opportunity to introduce concepts and information to my children at the time, and in the way that I feel, as a parent, is appropriate, and that I can be the final authority in all areas of their lives. As parents, we have a very short window to have the greatest influence in our children's lives as they are learning about the world and society that they live in, and I feel as though it is my calling to be the foremost influence in their lives. As parents we love our kids more than anyone, know them better than anyone, and have their best interest at heart more than anyone, so why not be the preeminent figure in their lives to teach, encourage and love on them on a daily basis?

All of that being said, I am certain of several things...homeschooling isn't for everyone. Many people do not have the desire, the calling nor the patience to be home educator. That doesn't make them less of a parent, it makes them normal. Ha! Seriously, I, by no means, feel as though this is the path for everyone. It is what I feel that the Lord has called ME to do.

I also love and admire educators in the private and public sector. They are saints and have jobs that are invaluable to our society. God bless 'em!

Lastly, the hubs and I believe that the Lord has put the call on our hearts to raise Godly children and do the best that we can to instill His incredible love and mercy for us. In this world of, well, worldliness, egocentrism and self-indulgence, among other things, we want to raise our kids to love the Lord first, each other second, and others third. Educating our children at home gives us the opportunity to impress these values upon them while giving them an individualized education. Not a bad plan in my opinion.

Sooo, there ya' go. Just in case you wondered...now, here we go into the great unknown. I'll keep you posted as we will update our homeschooling journey on this blog. Nope, no new one for that, just this one. This will be this Swiss army knife of blogs. Homeschooling, crafting, decorating, and just about anything else that floats my boat.

Here goes nothin'...

Jenn

priorities

I don't know about you, but I find myself constantly questioning myself. I have spoken about Mommy Guilt before. I have it. I have it bad. I feel guilty about everything and about being perfect (or very imperfect) at everything. I know, it is a silly problem, but don't lie and say that you have never felt that way. If you haven't, for real, please message me and I want to meet you and somehow get you to ooze some of your awesomeness on me. Wait, that sounds gross. You know what I mean. Anywho, reading all of the amazing blogs that I follow, makes me feel worse, but I can't help it. I LURVE reading blogs and getting ideas. The problem is, I have all of these amazing ideas in my brain, and I will never get them done. And so the cycle ensues...I feel even worse.

So, bear with me, I am going somewhere. I have really felt burdened that I am not prioritizing my time as the Lord would see fit. I pray constantly for direction on how to budget my time effectively. I pray that, in spite of myself, that I could fit in A-Z in the 18 hours that I am awake. I don't spend enough time with my Father, I don't spend enough quality time with my kids, and I spend too much time worrying about my house being clean, and projects not getting done, and the weeds in my flowerbeds, and the fact that I STILL don't have a garden, and that I have big boxes in my entryway that have been there for weeks, and that I have food going bad in the fridge, and dust on my baseboards, etc.....

I am making a commitment to myself and my family. My house might get messy. The kids might get messy. Dinners might last an hour to make time for conversation and laughing. Baths may last an hour to make time for bubbles. I might not answer emails right away. I might not even turn my computer on. I might leave dishes in the sink overnight and not care (or at least, try not to care).

I am going to spend time with my kids. I am going to really listen to them and do the things that they want to do and not worry about what I am not doing.

So, if you need me, you know where to find me. But I might not be there...so just leave a message. I'll get back to ya'.

changes & being out of pocket

For those of you who take the time to visit ye' ol' blog, I have been a little out of pocket for a while. I will make this short and sweet.

The hubby and I have decided that I need to work for him for a while. We had initially had plans to hire someone (other than myself), but after looking at our budget, there was simply no way we could do it right now. That being said, my help is free, and we are putting the kids in school. I know, two posts ago was my big reveal of our office/homeschool room, so this was a very quick and recent decision. I am heartbroken. Completely heartbroken. However, I know that the Lord is guiding our steps and that this is the best decision (although the hardest) we have had to make in a long time. The past couple of weeks have been spent buying school uniforms, supplies (I mean, do we REALLY need 8 glue sticks & why is there not one single packet of 8x12 construction paper within a 100 mile radius?), lunchboxes and backpacks. So, I haven't been too crafty. I have been trying to wrap by brain around early mornings, and packing lunches, and my babies being away from me 5 days a week, 8 hours a day, and homework, and after school activities that were going to be a welcome addition to our homeschool schedule, but now seem like just one more thing for us "to do" and be away from each other. My only daughter is off to kindergarten. Honestly, I needed a good 3 months to prepare for this one. Oh, and now I am up all night worried about schedules, and meal planning, and when to clean my house, and the responsibilities of my "new job" and when and how that is going to work.

I am smiling, because I refuse to cry. I know that the Lord is in control. I know that he is sovereign, I know that this too shall pass and that we are all going to be fine. Just fine. I know that this season is just that...a season. The kids will love school, my baby will love his preschool, my husband will be gratefull for the much needed help, and I will survive...

just like Gloria...I will survive.

My next project

...doesn't cost a dime...

will change the whole look of the room...

& is something I have been dying to do for a LONG time...

office/school room reveal

(My new favorite place in the house...)

After the hubby moved into his "real" office, I knew that the space needed a major overhaul to accomodate the chirren's learnin' and stuff. Also, I really had to have a place to put all of our "home" paraphernallia (i.e. bill paying stuff, files, manuals, paperwork) and my crafting/sewing stuff. This room is multipurpose if there ever was one. Sooo, here 'tis.

Like I said, this is my favorite spot. It is the reading "nook". I have one more little touch to add, in the way of some decoupaged letters, but that is for another post (and tutorial).

I saw this petite little chair at Pier 1 months and months ago. I fell in love! Something about the little ruffles and pops of bright color in the midst of the cream and brown just got me. I just didn't have a spot for it, so I forgot about it. Then, the other day, as I was sketching out my new office/schoolroom, I realized that I had a perfect place for it..and it was on sale! SOLD! I adore it...and it is kid sized, but perfectly comfortable for the vertically challenged, such as myself.

A book "nook" for each kid. I got them at Hobby Lobby (when they were on sale for 50% off, of course) for $20 each. I sprayed them white (they were scuffed and the finish was worn when I bought them...they were ALL that way), and added little metal book plates and finished it off with their names.

I am obsessed with this print. I got it here. I purchased it, downloaded it to my computer and had it printed off at Costco for $2.99. It is 12 x 12, perfect for my cheapo IKEA frame.

I have a magazine fetish. Books are great, but they are a time commitment. I can commit to about 15 minutes at a time, and I am am immediate gratification girl, so magazines fit the bill. Wow, more than you wanted to know, right? Anywho...I got these at IKEA. They come in packs of 2, and at $10, I thought it was quite a steal. I really wanted wood. I didn't think the cardboard ones would hold up, and these, I could stain and bring in a natural element to the space. I just went all designer's challenge on you...you like that? ;)
Okay, so I just had to show the frame peeking out from the picture above. Honestly, I gasped when I saw it. It looks like it is made out of shell or something. It is perfect! Well, almost...have to fill it with something ;)

The paper boxes are from IKEA ($8 for 2), and the wooden crate came unfinished from Hobby Lobby. They were $10 each ($5 with a coupon). I distressed, stained and (will) wax them (when I get a minute).

My work space. Let me put a little note here. I am having a heckuva time with the corkboard. I got it at Homegoods for $50. It is BIG. The frame is about 5 inches wide. It was originally a brick red color, and although it was gorgeous, I knew it wouldn't work in this space. I primed it and painted it orange/coral. No bueno. It just didn't work. So, I went for pink. I like it okay, but I really think that I am going to go with the color of the desk and bookshelves. That or apple green. The verdict is still out, but in the meantime, the pink will do just fine.

This candle mold came from a nearby antiques shop. So did the kid's chairs you'll see in a minute. It is perfect for holding all of those necessary (and not so pretty) office supplies. The weathered star is from Joann's fabrics. I am always surprised when I go in there. They have neat little stuff every now and then.

Can you believe this is a fake plant? It looks very realistic EVEN in person (not so much on the website though). It is from IKEA, as is that pot. It just goes to show you that IKEA isn't strictly modern design. They also have hanging pots to match this one. I had to show some restraint or I would have loaded my basket with them for the back patio.

The woven star is from Hobby Lobby (I have one hanging on my living room wall as well) and was $5. The notebooks are from Target. $2, I think. The colors were my inspiration for the color palette of the room. You never know where inspiration with strike!

The prints above are of vintage alphabet flash cards. I got them here, & just printed them out on some heavy carstock, trimmed them up and framed them in IKEA frames. Super cheap art. They are my kiddo's initials.

Vintage banker's chair from Craigslist. I think I paid $30. It needs a little work, but I have a thing for these kind of chairs and they last forever.

More storage. The bakets on the bottom are from Hobby Lobby...all together..."ON SALE". Under $10 a piece.

The wicker topped jar is from TJ Maxx ($13) that holds those fun little shaped erasers. I am going to fill it with little goodies for the kids that they can use for school. The gumball machine is from TJ's as well from forever ago. It was cheap. Notice it is almost empty. Wonder how that happened? I may need to rethink this little accessory.

The whiteboards are from Mardel. I think I paid about $10 each and they are held on with 3M velcro hangers. We can pop them off if we need to, but they will probably stay right here. I am going to write each munchkin's assignments for the day on the board, and they can cross them off as they finish them. That is the plan. It may just end up being a drawing space. Either way, the kids LOVE them.

Old school desks painted white. I got them for $4, then painted them out and purdied up the tops. The one on the left was painted with chalkboard paint (not sure it is staying...it's kinda messy) and I decoupaged some magnificent wrapping paper on my little girl's desk.

This is a close up of the paper...love love love... (Found it at TJ Maxx)

I got the chairs at the same antique shop. There were 2 of them. I paid $20 a piece. The chairs are just a bit different from each other, but finished out the same. The seats were originally upholstered, but the fabric was removed and some woven caneing was added. I think it is fun and definitely a departure from the regular kid's chair.

Easel from IKEA. Chalkboard on one side, whiteboard on the other. For $5, you can buy a big roll o' paper. It came unfinished and I just spray painted it. I like the white, but a bright color would have been fun too. I just had the white spray paint on hand. I smell a masterpiece a comin'!

These Lenda curtains from IKEA are $20 a pair. Yes, you read that right, a pair. They are 96" long, and they come with tabs at the top. I simply cut the tabs off, cut 1/3 of the tab off, refolded it and reattached it to the panel where the top of the folded tab came about an inch or so from the top of the panel. I sewed them in place, then sewed on a piece of gathering tape right, gathered it up and hung them on my existing rods.

Easy peasy and cost about $11-$12 a panel. The fabric is nice and thick and it has just a hint of a stripe running vertically. Looks good, don't ya' think?

By the way, I got the idea from this post. Gathering tape is my new friend. It made this project ridiculously easy.

This little spot is to the left of the desks. I finally (after 10 years) framed my diploma. It only took me 7 1/2 years to get it. I was on the 8 year BA plan, but graduated early. HA! I thought the cute little old framing dude at Hobby Lobby was going to stroke out when I said I wanted to mat it in hot pink. I thought it was fun, and why the heck not? The pillows are from TJ's way back. They can be thrown on the floor to read or sit or be jumped on too. Seriously, that is what will happen if you know my kids.

The giant basket looks familiar...but I got mine on clearance from Hobby Lobby for $15 beans less & I liked the finish better...whooo hooo! It is where I keep my sewing maching and other sewing related thingamabobs and dohickeys.

So, there's the grand tour! I thought I would break it up into separate posts, but I just got too excited to show it all and couldn't wait. I love it. I love that it is the one room that I feel like is totally me. I wanted to love everything in it and not worry about if it was the proper or popular thing to do. I like the quirkiness of it. It is so much more intersting that way. It makes me smile :)

So, are you freaked out like Hobby Lobby mat dude? Are you shaking your head? Or do you love it?

P.S. Anyone else having trouble with Blogger? It won't let me publish straight from the edit page. Also, when I add a picture it automatically puts it at the top of the page. Is that normal?

yes, this room is, sadly, in my home...scary

Okay, so first of all, the following pictures might possibly be a hazard to your health (your eyes, mainly). If you have been following my blog, you will know that my not-so-fancy-schmancy camera kinda pooped out on me. I have been using my phone for pictures since then, which I kinda like. I usually use the hipstamatic app (which is the bomb diggity) or the Instamatic app. Both are phenomenal and free/cheap. If I don't, I usually send my regular pics over to Picnik and fiddle around until I am happy with them. I wish I had photoshop, but I also wish I had a DSLR camera, a bigger laundry room, kids that slept through the night, a smaller waist and a toilet that cleaned itself, but that is neither here nor there. Anywho, you are getting the unrestricted, untouched, frightening pictures of my new office/craft/billpaying/internet surfing/blogging/homeschooling room. I have about 5 days to renovate this thing, so here are

the plans:

I love this trellis pattern that I handpainted a while back, but I see every little imperfection and it stresses me out. I also want to lighten the room up, so the medium khaki color has to go. Sorry trellis, we had a good run...it's not you, it's me. I am thinking of going a very very pale robin's egg blue. I have a little tester sitting around, so I am going to test out a bit and see what I think. I'll let you know. Oh yeah, behind door #1 (which is the one that is closed), is a little closet. It houses lots of coats, board games a small file cabinet, some things for my hubby's work that he has to have here, 3 french hens, 2 turtle doves...oh wait, that's the other closet.

This is a SE facing window. Lots of great morning light. I am going to replace the drapes with some plain-ol' white ones from IKEA and use some gathering tape at the top. I saw this tutorial over at Jones Design Company and thought I would give it a whirl. I have always wanted to use it, so we'll see how it goes. Looks easy enough.

In front of this window, I plan on putting the kid's desks. There are three, so they will be tight, but I have a feeling we won't be schooling from here most of the time anyway.

Wow, this is the really scary part. I love my IKEA desk, but they don't match the bookshelves. Long story, but they originally weren't in the same room. I am going to paint the shelves to match my desk (the closest color I found was Sherwin William's "alabaster"). I am also going to paint some large horizontal stripes along that wall with alabaster and the other blue color. I have a large whiteboard on the left, I will have a large framed corkboard above my desk, along with the woven baskets on the left of my computer. You see them? They are awesome and hold file folders for all of my paper junk. I am going to put the old wooden banker's chair back (after I heist it from my hubby's new office...have to replace it with something else though because he won't work without a chair. Selfish!) and maybe give it a sweet little seat cover. On the right of the desk , I am going to put up my kid's 3 little book caddies and a little chair to read in. Other than that, there will be lots of DIY artwork, places to put the kid's artwork & school masterpieces, and whatever works. Lots of organization, lots of baskets and magazine files, etc. etc.

So, there is my newest project...I'll keep you updated ;)