Homeschooling? How dumb!

SAID NO ADULT EVER (WHO WAS ACTUALLY HOMESCHOOLED WELL)!!!!

 I read the entire transcript of Obamas speech. The one where he says all sorts of lovely stuff about women. And then claims that women are forced to stay home because childcare isn't available. 

I want to know how many women that ACTUALLY is? 

Find me a stat. A number. I want the proof from the horses mouth. 

I see that women who want to work, can and do. He wants to magically make daycare more available and better? By what funding it through the government? Sending our kids to institutions ran by government workers? Where do these magic daycare/childcare providers come from? They must be women, right? 

How does he think he will create better child care programs? He says all this wishy washy stuff. But never says HOW he will accomplish it. And no one ever thinks about it all the way through. 

As a homeschooled individual, it's extremely demeaning & insulting to say that children are better taught outside of the home. ..

"because we know investing in high-quality early childhood education makes all the difference in the world." -Obama

And frankly, it's ignorant to claim children are better educated by professionals with strangers sitting all around. Some children NEED one on one attention. 

Staying home was a stress free, bully free, schedule free, environment. I made choices about my education when I was 10. I was able to choose what projects to do. And I was able to focus on things I liked to learn about while also incorporating important educational areas - reading, writing, math, science, history. 

So to say that a child is best served in a classroom of 30 students at age 3, isn't fair. Not all children thrive in chaos. Actually, most do not enjoy it. 

Our son is very social, get him in a huge group of people and he clams up. It overwhelms him. And why wouldn't it? And why is it said to be bad if he can't handle loud groups of people? I can already tell, he learns best when he's one and one. He needs quiet, loving attention.

And I will provide him with opportunities and experiences in group settings. We will join home educating co-ops for group learning. And he will get socialized. I promise. 

Somehow I managed to be homeschooled and still attend highschool and graduate with honors! And then obtain two college degrees. I have my associates degree and LPN. 

 Weird.

 Shouldn't I have been stupid from all my "home edumacating" by someone who isn't a qualified professional? 

HOW could someone dumb home educate me? Is that a serious question? 

Happy New Year!!

T W E N T Y
T H I R T E E N

WAS AN AMAZING YEAR!
 IT WAS FULL OF CHALLENGES AND CHANGES AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS. BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE IT ANY OTHER WAY.

THIS YEAR:::

 I LEARNED HOW TO BE A MOTHER,
I SUCCESFULLY NURSED ELIJAH AND WE ARE STILL GOING STRONG
KALEB AND I FOUND A LOVELY HOUSE TO RENT
LAST WEEKEND I DECORATED FOR A WEDDING AND THAT WAS A FIRST AND HOPEFULLY NOT A LAST!
I HAVE STRIVED TO READ MY BIBLE MORE AND DIG DEEPER INTO WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS ABOUT LIFE. THE MORE I DO THIS, THE MORE I SEE THAT THIS REALLY IS THE ONLY WAY TO LIVE.
KALEB AND I HAD OUR UPS AND DOWNS AS ANY COUPLE DOES. BUT IT HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL TO SEE HIM IN HIS ROLE AS ELIJAH'S FATHER. THEY HAVE A SPECIAL BOND. IT WILL ONLY GET BETTER AS THE YEARS CONTINUE.
THIS YEAR WE FOUND OUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEPHEW IN JANUARY!
MY BABY SISTER TURNED EIGHTEEN
I HAVE LEARNED HOW TO COOK MY NONA'S SPAGHETTI SAUCE BY HEART *YAY*
I SUCCESSFULLY FLEW ACROSS THE COUNTRY 3 TIMES WITH A BABY IN TOW. *INTENSE*
BEING A MOTHER IS MY GREATEST JOY. TRULY. EACH DAY HAS STRUGGLES AND HIGHS AND LOWS. BUT EACH DAY GETS BETTER AND BETTER.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO 2014. WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING AND DISCUSSING AND  WE WOULD LIKE TO GET PREGNANT AGAIN THIS SUMMER. WE ARE PRAYING THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN. WE KNOW IT IS GOD'S TIMING BUT WE ALSO KNOW HE CARES ABOUT OUR HEARTS DESIRES.AND THAT IS SO SO EXCITING! AND I WOULD PREFER TO NOT BE DUE IN THE DEAD OF MINNESOTA WINTER. IT WAS NOT ENJOYABLE AND TRULY, IT WASN'T SAFE. AND WE LIVE EVEN FURTHER FROM ANY MAJOR CITY. MIDIWVES ARE ABOUT 1.5 HOURS AWAY GIVE OR TAKE.

I CAN'T WRAP MY MIND AROUND THE FACT THAT IT'S

T W E N T Y
F O U R T E E N
!!!

Being a mother||What I have learned.

I wanted to list all of the things I have learned during the past 8 months.

I have learned: 

1. ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING 

I believe I already knew this prior to being Elijah's mom, however, it has become even more clear. If I say I can, I will succeed. This goes for everything in life. It is very very true in regards to breastfeeding. 

2. I LOVE BREASTFEEDING

 I knew that breastfeeding would be something special, because my mom was always saying how much she enjoyed it. Now here I sit experiencing the joy for myself. I was thinking about how God created this intricate system within my body that allows the PERFECT milk to be created. Milk exactly specifically detailed to what my son needs. Not only is it the best food for my baby, it gives him the security and constant bond to his mother. Every few hours we cuddle up on the couch with a soft blanket and he nurses and I let him hold my hand. I look down and he is gently wiggling his foot on my leg. Sometimes, ever so gently, he rubs my collarbone. He peers up at me with his beautiful brown eyes and I can see the love and contentment in his eyes. 

He isn't attached to an object that feeds him. He is attached to his mother. He finds comfort in me. He finds shelter and test amongst my bosom. It is a beautiful and ever fleeting existence. In a few short years, our sweet son won't need me to feed him any longer. With each passing day, our bond as mother and son has become that much more beautiful. This bond is crucial to the future of my child. It is important that we bond as infants. It helps us bond later in life. And bonding doesn't just take place at the breast. That is just one of many bonding experiences. You cannot have too many! 

I thought about, how God made it this way. Babies are not supposed to be away from their mothers. 

God wants us to follow His guidelines. But we have taken it upon ourselves to change the rules and do things our way. We say we know what is best, without even thinking about the way God designed things. Why did God make our breasts?? to produce milk? If we just let them dry up and don't feed our children, aren't we wasting a gift that God has given us?? 

The facts are that Elijah nurses every 2-4 hours which leads me to think that it's important for him to be with me all the time. (Of course I am blessed to be able to stay home with him- not pointing fingers at anyone who has to work to survive)...

3. MOTHERHOOD IS A SACRIFICIAL EXISTENCE 

It is a daily sacrifice. Not only do we sacrifice our perfect bodies to pregnancy, but we sacrifice our bodies after the child is born. Things get saggy and stretched out. I have also had to sacrifice my time and my wants. I find myself not caring about buying anything for myself, I want Elijah to have the best things. His needs and wants are now above my own needs and wants. I would not have it any other way. It feels natural. I feel this is what selflessness is and I find it to be chastening my soul and strengthening my faith. I want for nothing. Seeing my son smiling and free and full of life is enough for me. He is a dream come true. 

4. DISCIPLINE IS HARD

I haven't had to discipline Elijah much at all, yet. But he did bite me while nursing and I sternly said no! And removed him from my breast and placed him in the floor. Because that is the advice I was given. He looked up at me so pitifully and cried and cried. I waited 1 minute and picked him up and hugged him and let him continue nursing. He has not purposefully bitten me since that day. It was a tearful moment for Elijah and for me. 

It has given me such a clear picture as to how our God feels when we choose sin and the world instead of Him. And He watches the consequences ensue upon our lives. Or when He lets trials come our way to teach us lessons and ultimately to have us rely on Him. Just as our children rely on us. 

Patenting is such a picture of God. It is so beautiful if we choose to see the beauty.

5. I AM NOT GROSSED OUT BY ANYTHING 

After Being a mother, I am pretty certain that their is nothing that can make my stomachs churn. It is incredible how we become desensitized! I have to give some of the credit to Anatomy and physiology class in college. Dissecting a cat was pretty rough. And helping a man with necrotizing fasciitis in LPN school was pretty rough. That smell was intense!! Rotting flesh! But now, changing diapers and being puked on and slivered on and licked and sucked on, I feel that I am tough as nails! I am thankful for that toughness! 

6. MARRIAGE TAKES EFFORT

Honestly, marriage before Elijah was easy. Granted, it had only been a year and a half of marriage before Elijah was born. But communicating was easy and finding time for one another was simple. Everything was easy. Now, instead of being completely spontaneous, our lives have to be planned. We have to work around Elijah's schedule. When he sleeps we can enjoy a meal together or cuddle on the couch. It has taken these past 8 months to fully grasp that. We have to Jose to make time for one another. It's easy for days to go by without really having conversation about how we are doing and feeling. It's easy to let things be about "the baby". But we work every single day to stay connected to one another. I am thankful for technology. It allows us to have dialogue. It helps. I love my husband more today than yesterday. We have a lifetime on earth and forever in Heaven with our Savior. 

7. We are blessed 

Plain and simple. God has given us more than we could ever ask for! Especially, considering how selfish I have lived. The list of my short comings and sins and failures, have been erased. I can walk upright and with honor. Knowing my Jesus has redeemed my soul. I am excited to share my love for Christ with Elijah and any future children we may have! 

8. Being a mom is the most tiring job I have ever had!I once worked 60 hours a week and went to college full time. I thought I was tired then!! But wow, the exhaustion I feel at the end of some days is overwhelming. Those are simply the facts. Even though its tiring, it is the MOST rewarding, by far!! There is no greater feeling than seeing your child develop at his/her own pace and flourish and excel and smile and laugh! It has changed Kaleb and I, forever. Life is about our family now. All other ground separate of Christ's love sinking sand! 

9. I WOULD BE LIST WITHOUT JESUS

At the center of our family, is our Savior. He has to be the center of it all! ALL! If we  forget about God, life stops making sense. He is where I pull my strength from. I know that even when things get rough and I am tired, God is near and he lifts me up, where I can see clearly and where I can stand. 

He is a solid rock. 

I look at Elijah and I am so thankful for him. My perfect, sweet little boy. 

10. I WANT LOTS MORE KIDS!