We did it!

So, we've survived our first year of homeschooling. Granted we still have about a month before we are completely done! There have been some things that were more challenging than I anticipated and others that were much easier than anticipated. Here are a few of the things i've learned.
1. Organization is key! I'm still working on this one but it's getting better.
2. There are some things Andrew is just better at (I know huge surprise!). Numbers and math are much easier for him than phonics. Some say that's a boy thing, I don't agree with that entirely.
3. Teaching phonics is hard!! And having a southern accent does NOT help that situation!!
4. There are no questions too dumb to ask your fellow homeschool moms (thank you Lori!). Especially the ones who have been doing this for a while!
5. Sometimes what other moms do doesn't always work with your kids. I had to figure out my own method that wold work for us. I'm sure when Maggie starts i'll have to figure out a whole new one just for her! :)
6. Teaching my child is hugely rewarding. To be there and see when he finally gets it is exciting!
7. Getting to do school in our pajamas is great!
8. It's also frustrating! To teach the same thing over and over again and just have your kid give a blank stare is the worst! But go back to #6 eventually they get it.
9. There are learning opportunities every where.
10. Homeschooling is more challenging when you have an infant.
11. Never underestimate the amount of knowledge can fit in your child's head!
I now look forward to next year and all the possibilities that come with this adventure! Overall I would consider this whole experience a success! A special thanks to Lori and Susan for being the first people to show me that homeschooling is doable! Oh and don't judge my grammar we're just in kindergarten!!! :)

My receiver is AWESOME!!

There are times in life when I really need to pass the ball. A couple of weeks ago I shared my analogy in bible study about how I try to handle my problems. I like to think of God as my receiver. When I have a problem or something in my life that is overwhelming I try to pass it off to God. Now i'm not always good at this. There are times I think I can handle this, I don't need help. I'm wrong, A LOT!! Here's the thing with God, he never drops the ball!! It's pretty awesome! There are plenty of receivers out there that could learn a few tips from HIM! But just because God has caught the ball doesn't mean it's going down to the end zone for a touchdown. Sometimes God has to run out of bounds to make time for a new play. Whatever happens, once I pass that ball off to God I can know that He's in control. There are a couple of months left in this deployment, so God here's the ball.

if there is anything wrong with my sports theory, i don't need to know. it works in my head! thanks!

My Baby

Can't really argue with the shirt! ;)

He can turn this on and off in a matter of seconds.

This is my happy boy!

That Time

I've reached the time in the deployment when I feel like i'm done. Like I can't do this whole single parent thing anymore. Where I hate going to bed by myself every night, I really don't since at some point in the night there is a kid in my bed. NOT THE SAME!! I don't want to have to bring all 3 kids everywhere I go (yes i'm whining). There are days that I just want some quiet, some time to maybe read a book.
But I CAN get through this. Because....
1. There are only 4 and a half months left. We've passed the half way mark.
2. My kids deserve more than a mom who is just biding her time until her husband gets home. For 12 months I get to be mom and dad. It's not ideal but it's our life. And my kids are amazing!! Regardless of my mood Jackson can make me smile. He's so happy and funny! Maggie is my princess and while that does come with an attitude it also comes with hugs and kisses and "i love yous" for no reason. And then there is Andrew, who continually makes me think with all of his questions. Sometimes it can be annoying the amount of questions but right now there are so many questions about God and who He is! How can that be annoying! He loves helping with Jackson and is such a good big brother.
3. I have a husband worth waiting for. I have a husband who supports me and loves me and who makes our lives that much more interesting! I really miss this guy!
4. I have friends. Friends who have gone through and are currently going through all this too. It helps having that other person know what it's like. That person that will take your kids for a few hours just so you can take a nap or a bath without anybody talking to you!
5. Lastly, I have God. How to get through this without Him, I don't know. The comfort, peace and joy can't come from anywhere else.
So now until the next four and a half months these are my reasons for getting out of bed ever day maybe not out of my pajamas (baby steps people). And there are still going to be days when it's all about survival. But it will all be worth it and this summer will be oh so sweet.

Some Days

I completely believe that I am supposed to home school Andrew. And really most days it's pretty easy but then there are days. Days like today where I really just want to send him to school. There are days where I feel like he's not learning anything even though the day before he knew everything for our lessons. It would be so much easier to send him to school but then I would miss out on those moments when he's finally gotten it and everything lights up. I would miss the joy that comes with celebrating with your child because you BOTH have worked hard to say the sentence "the pig sat in the mud"!! So while there are a few days where I think I can't do this there are so many more days that prove this is what we are supposed to be doing with our children. Also, it helps to have friends who home school and I can see them being successful with their children. Thanks Lori, Melanie, and Susan!

Happy Birthday Maggie!

Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye SUCKS!!!! Really that's the best word I can use to describe it. In the past six months I've said goodbye to a few people. First six months ago I had to say goodbye to my husband as he left for a 12 month deployment. While we are half way through this I still think it's going too slowly!! I am so ready to get say "hello" again.
A few weeks ago I said goodbye to my grandpa. He passed away on Christmas Eve and while I know he is not pain any longer I still can't imagine going home and not being able to see him. My grandparents are the center of my family and having half of that missing is sad. But I will see my Papa Joe again someday, that is something I will hold on to.
Tonight I said goodbye to a good friend I've made here in Colorado. You might say this is the way of the army life and you would be right. It still sucks! I'm still going to miss my friend. A friend whom I've enjoyed talking and laughing with, I will miss you McBean!