Still trucking along.....

We have been busy. I really have nothing new to report, Zach is still loving this homeschool thing and he really loves the freedom. There is still a few things that I am trying to get a handle on. He is reading his Bible, but I would really like to know of some kind of study he can do along with reading any certain book in the Bible. Also, I would like to work in his writing papers and things like that. That is where he is struggling....it is also the part of his learning disability that is rearing his head about this age. So, if anyone out their can help with curriculum for this I would love to talk to you.

Just a quick note to say that we are praying for that Alexander family.

Happt Birthday. Zach

OMG! Zach is twelve today. How, when why? Questions that I am continuing to ask myself on how he has gotten to be this age. I just got over thinking that Landon is in kindergarten. Zach is just an amazing young man. Since, we have been together everyday this school year, I am learning so much about him and he is teaching me so much. My time management has greatly improved this past six weeks. I can fold a load of clothes quick. Hey, Andrea maybe that can be my Olympic event! Anyway, I am thinking of my sister who now has a senior in high school, she was just a baby as well. Then, I travel on down to my mom who was just thinking her baby, me has turned 40. So, back to my twelve year old.......maybe turn 12 is not so bad.....YET!

Happy Birthday Zach and Emily!

I have no cute title today....

I am have a blog block. I was informed I need to update so here is goes.

I wonder if I should change my blog name because I feel guilty. So much is focused on Zach. Maybe I should take a poll?

Zach started co op this past week, he is taking Art lessons and guitar. By the way, we appreciate the loan of the guitar until he figures this out. He did love the guitar lesson. The guy that is teaching him was in the same co op. He started at the same age Zach is, had a bad experience with the first lesson and then taught himself to play the guitar. He is a college student and loves the Lord. I hope that this is finally where Zach can find his niche. He has struggled to find just what he needs to be doing and where his talent is the God has given him.

I have been doing good lately. I was looking to find out just exactly how to juggle teaching and being at co op all morning on Wednesday. I also wanted to have Fridays be very easy. I am learning to move things around and fit everything in. Now, I know that I only have one to teach. There are so many of you that have other kids, those that have school age and younger to content with. Yall are saying that Zach is easy, yes he is but were are still mother and son. We can drive each other crazy. He just deserves my best.

Landon.....he was having a few miss Mommy issues. But last week he had no more tears, no stiff upper lip as he hugged me goodbye. He is really doing great. He if finally going to get his hamburger at school on Wednesday. I did not make him wait,this was the first time they had them again. He is coming home telling me about all and every kid in his class. Good, bad and ugly. From those falling asleep to those getting in trouble, or the girl across the hall getting a bloody nose. Do you think he is nosey or just informing me?

I think my blog block left.....

I'm done.......

Everyone close your mouths and pick your jaws up off the floor.

This first week is done! It is about lunchtime on Friday, we are finished for the week. I have a few errands to run this afternoon. After, talking with my "consultant" she explained that I should not feel guilty for doing the errands.

I was worried that, by getting done so early and running around that it would be a disservice to him. But, it was pointed out to me that in public school teachers have at least 20 in a class. They have to make sure that each child get what is being taught. I just have one!

I know that as the year progress some subjects might get harder and require more work. I am also feeling some guilt for my Landon in school and Zach is done. Again, let me remind myself that Zach needs this more. Landon would just want to play at home.

Looking forward to the next week.

Gotcha on my title didn't I..........

First day of school

Zach's first day. Well, lets just say I can do this. I know all of you that told me that I could, not to worry I could not screw him up. Apparently, yall know what yall are talking about. We had a great he loved it. It flowed better than I could have imagined. I was afraid that I would be stumbling over myself. He was so encouraging to me, I was wondering since some subjects only took such a short time to cover. I guess time will tell if I will can deliver on this homeschool thing.

Thanks to all that called to check on both the homeschool and Landon's day. You mean more to me that you will ever know. Love yall!

Leaving his first day! He went back today. Looking at this picture, I do realize that yes his is 51/2 and not 3 like I was thinking. Go figure!

Starting out!

Feeling a little uneasy as he walked down the hall. He just went into his class really like a pro. He did so great that first day. He told me that I did no have to pack anything in his lunch box, that he could get a hamburger and chocolate milk at school. He does not realize that he needs some money for that and they also serve veggies and not french fries.

Happy belated to Ms. Annette hope your day was great!

Congratulations to the Alexander's on finally, getting that little Abe!

Ready, set......go????

Tomorrow, I send my Landon off to Kindergarten. He is pretty excited. I keep thinking that he is not old enough to go. My mind keeps telling me is just 3years old, but deep down I know he is definitely a five year old.

I start my homeschooling with Zach on the same day. I think that I am ready...I know he is. My sister called tonight. She is a public school teacher, I was quite nervous to tell her about all this homeschooling thing. When I did tell her she was supportive. I just did not realize how supportive until tonight. Apparently, God knew I needed some precious, sweet words and He delivered thru her. I was blessed with her greatly.

I will let you know how I did.....not worried about the boy, just his mom.

Good luck to all!!!

It's official.....

Zach is officially out of public school. I called to let them know that he was not coming back and I got a great response. Yes...I was nervous! I really should not have been since considering he is my son. They asked a few question and I told them we were trying something new. She asked me to fill out a home school form and that was it........ what, no lecture, no trying to talk me out of it. Am I waiting for the next ball to drop, or should I expect a knock at my door from school official? They told me if he ever wanted to come back he was welcome.

I have curriculum check, withdrawn him from school check, set up for a co-op check and nerves starting to creep up big surprise....not. I think I have mentioned that the thought of his schooling on me scares me. I was not the best student in my school years, I struggled.

Three weeks and trying not to freak out..........

Pre D-day or homeschool tutoring 101

Okay, so the first day of my homeschooling will probably not be a combat attack of any kind....just my nervousness. My pre d day......buying my curricuculum. Yes, tomorrow will most likely be the day. I have a great and encouraging friend who is going to order our school stuff together. She is showing me how she does things so maybe, I can starting off with as minimal surprises as possible. If I am imaging D-day as the first day of school....maybe I should get some camo and green paint for the face! Anyway, Zach is getting excited and so am I, we are enjoying summer,but rather busy. I will let yall know how my buying went. Wish me luck.

Summertime.....

We are done with public school for Zach.

I went to a few of the events that always accompany the last days. Field day, awards and last day party. I was beginning to think, that Zach was going to miss all those cool little things that make the days fun. I will not bore you with all the details...but let me say that day of school was a BIG conformation from God that I was doing the right thing. I was already at the school for the party and we did not even stay we left early. It is bad when an 11year old tells me that he is "done" with the school. Just when I was reconsidering this homeschooling thing, something happens and God is giving me a little nudge to remind me that He is guiding us.

I am know starting the process of getting myself together and buying books. I am pretty excited. I have a veteran who is holding my hand with all this. Wish me luck!

God's timing

This blog is basically, for my venting about TAKS and my journey to homeschooling.

But, this time is just for me to hear myself think thru typing. We have some friends that are adopting from Ethiopia, had things settled and were gearing up for their kids. Then, the rug was pulled out from them. Things stared going down hill and their kids(at home) had their hearts broken. I knew God's perfect timing for them in getting their new additions, was just going to be that.....God's timing.

Background....I moved to this area my senior year(long time ago). The first person that God put into my life is now one of the best friends in my life, Kelly Miles. We do not get to see each other as we like, but we can always know that we have each other. Her and her precious family, told us that God was directing them to the Middle East to serve Him. They, did not hesitate to go and take their kids and they have been there since Jan. of this year. She is a homeschooler and has been nothing but encouragement to me ( I got homeschool in somehow). I got an email from her today and my rug was pulled out from me. They are coming home because she is very ill. She has non Hodgkin's lymphoma and is in stage 3. As, I cried and started frantically, searching the internet for an information. I was reminded of our friends who had their rug pulling last week. I had to remind myself that God has already taken this. Her faith is not shaking in this diagnosis, so my faith should be the same. So, please keep Eddie, Kelly, Emily and Nathan Schieffer in your prayers. They are trying to make their way home back to Texas and start dealing this.
)
God's timing......not for me to question , but to be still. (Thanks for that post on Friday Emily

Peace......

OMG!!!! We went to the book fair today. I was told expect to be overwhelmed. Well, at first we just could not believe how many people where there. Wade commented saying this is what people think of the public education system.

We really enjoyed our time there. We both just keep seeing so many things that Zach would love and also for Landon when his time comes. My brain started playing with me while I was there. I kept telling myself that I should have started this earlier, I can really do this (feeling like I have somehow cheated him). But, the more that I thought, it is about God's perfect timing. I have been blessed with being able to spend one on one time with each boy during the first 5 years of their lives. I ask you how great is that! Zach was in kindergarten with I had Landon so, I have had the most precious one on one time with my boys. God is good!

His perfect timing amazes me, how He knows what we need, when we need and He chooses to given to us when He deems necessary for HIS WILL NOT OURS. We sometimes do not understand why things are done the way they are, but He assures us that He will never leave or forsake us. So, how can I go wrong with what He has chosen for me. I just know that I can do all things thru Christ and He will never give me anything that I cannot handle, as long as I am abiding in HIM!!!!!! (Emily, yes I was thinking of you and your family with all your waiting on His timing)

All this to say the book fair gave me a lot of peace about our decision. Now, as we have begun to look at all the information given. What to use what not to use.....this is overwhelming.


Quick note on the great home shool choir....we enjoyed listing to them very much. Loved it Ellen!

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off the homeschool book fair I go.....

Well, I have been encouraged to go the big Homeschool book fair this weekend.

Wade is taking off and we are going on Friday. I have had so many friends tell me so many different things about this big homeschool fair. I have heard that it is so overwhelming, for me right now it will not take much. This is all I need, already feeling under qualified and seeing all that is available for curriculum..... no pressure.

Really, I am starting to look forward to schooling Zach. I might actually be getting some confidence. I have had lots of encouragement and friends who have been great. Much love to you all!

I will let you know how the book fair goes.....I hear that a great homeschool choir will be singing. Good Luck Ellen...can't wait to hear you.

And the winner is.......

My Zach.....he passed his Math TAKS. I knew he would but, everything that I have been dealing with it just worried me. Hopefully, it will be his last Math TAKS! If I can keep my confidence going with this homeschooling.

Speaking of confidence...I need some to talk to my mom about all this. She is one that I often talk to and get advice from. She knows that I have been struggling with Zach and his school situation. My mom has her opinions on things. For example, she had a hard time with me leaving the Southern Baptist Church. Deep, deep roots run in my family in the church. My brother in law is a youth minister, grandparents started churches....you get the picture. She is really accepting my church change well. That was very hard telling her that but, I did it knowing that is what Christ was calling my family to. The whole submission to my husband and following Christ. All that to say, I had the opportunity to just let her know what my mind was thinking. I proceeded to let her know what Wade and I were thinking for the boys school. Landon in Kindergarten and pulling Zach out and letting me school him. Homeschooling is not new to our family it just has really never been discussed. My sisters kids have expressed an interest in private christian school but, they all feel that being in a small town, their dad being know as a youth minister the school is their mission field. I really understand that. Back to my mom... after my explanation of all that has been going on. She told me that we was going to do whatever we need to help Zach regardless of what anyone said. Knowing that her approval was not needed, it was a blessing that she was backing us in our decision. Don't get me wrong. my mom is the most precious and Godle lady and just the best mom that I could have been blessed with.

So, all in all both Zach and I are the winners.

Math Task Test

Here we go again! Our kids are taking the Math Taks tomorrow. Please pray for all those involved from the kids to our teachers. I know so many teachers that do not like this way of testing.

I talked to some of those teachers this weekend and got pretty much the same response. If our teachers were able to teach TEKS (Texas Education Knowledge Skills), then the TAKS would take care of itself. Basically, those skills would be taught at each grade level. I also, asked if our kids were getting a good education now, or did we receive a better one year ago. She told me that she felt out kids were getting a good one however, she did say that their was so much pressure put on them to pass this stupid test. Well. a pro and a con for the public education system.

Another teacher..who just so happens to be my sweet sister... told me that changes were coming for the TAKS test. She said the fifth graders now would have to start taking an exit course exam when they get in high school. Great...what do we do between now and then. She also said that the teachers would be teaching to THAT exit exam. Back to square one...take a few steps forward and fifty backward.

My husband heard someone speak at our church this weekend and he was making a point about public education. I might not quote him directly, but he basically said that that as Christian parents we should not be surprised when our kids act the way they do. We send them to a school that is getting more worldly, by the second and our kids are just soaking it in. He also said that when we turn our kids over to Cesar do be surprised when they turn into Romans. Think on that!!!!!!

I hate TAKS testing still.....

The other day as Zach and I were doing homework, I needless to say got very frustrated and sad at the same time.

Math TAKS is coming up on April 8th.... that just so happens to be what we were working on. He was working on word problems, okay you say that is not so bad mom. Well, next time he is doing these I will call you. The paper of course had what TAKS objectives that this particular homework paper was tackling. These problems purposely throw these kids of, either in the word problem or the answers. I can handle challenge them. I am rambling...let me get back to the issues. As we were working, Zach was not having to figure out the answers mathematically, but what math sentence was that would solve this problem. Got it? So, instead of figuring out how much change Sally will get back, he had to figure out the math sentence that would best solve. Not the actual figure. I do not know about you but, when I was in school that would not go over...I had to figure the change.

I did not mention my Landon much last post. I am thinking that he has been with me for...well all his life, he needs to see a school and classroom setting. He will be going to kindergarten at out elementary around out house. He is very excited and I have enroll him in few weeks. I just felt that someone would think I am left him out. I have not.

Homeschool me.....not qualified!!!!

Monday, March 30, 2008

First, I have never blogged before. I have friends that do and I read theirs but me, not so much. I just really learned how easy it was to text. I know, I am turning 40 and I need to get with it.

I have two great boys, Zach 11 and Landon 5. Yes, that is a gap between ages but, apparently God wanted it that way.

My Zach is in fifth grade and doing well. Landon will start Kindergarten this fall. As of now both will be in our public school. We have been very happy with it until now. Little background on my Zach...in kindergarten his teacher noticed that he was not catching things as quick as she thought he should. We had him test for learning disabilities. We found out that his attention was easily taken elsewhere. We also were told that he has Development Oral Language Disorder and a Written Expression Disorder. Granted, that was not a really big blow, other parents have kids who really need so much more than my Zach. He entered speech therapy and thrived. Our elementary schools run K-4, intermediate is 5-6, and middle is 7-8. He was dismissed from speech in fourth grade and has been doing great.

Fifth grade things are different....class changes, locker, gym class. He has done great. Those of you who know Texas......TAKS test! Let me just say I HATE THAT TEST! These poor teachers have to teach to this stupid test. It is not for the students benefit. The better the scores for the school the more funding the school receives! It comes down to the almighty dollar.

All this to say......we are thinking of pulling Zach and I homeschool. Landon will go on to public ed. in the Fall just to let him see what a classroom is like. He has been with me these five years.

Yes, for not blogging I have awful wordy. I promise it will not be like this I just have a lot on my mind. So, stay with me over this journey to the unknown.