We Love Homeschooling

We began homeschooling the kids this past fall. L is pre-k and J is preschool. There were several factors that led our family to this decision, and honestly it is still on probation status. Coming from a family full of public and private school teachers we caught quite a bit of flack about this decision, but ultimately it was one made between Hubby, the Lord, and myself.

Initially I began asking Hubby if we could home school about a year and a half ago. He was adamantly opposed. For good reasons, he was concerned about the kids missing out on the fun memories he had of his school days, wanted to make sure they were getting a quality education and didn't want our kids to turn out to be spelling-bee weirdos! I didn't press him, I just prayed and prayed and prayed about it. Those were valid points - although they were not the same concerns that I shared.

I wanted to home school to ensure that my children received a strong foundation before being exposed to the world. I know that to some people that sounds like a religious zealot's mindset, and maybe it kind of is, but I am not saying that I want to raise them in isolation. For me the concern was that my children were going to be exposed to views and beliefs so different to our own for more hours in a day than they would to the core values of our family. While I don't view public school as evil in anyway - so please don't misunderstand - I did not want to have to undo 8 ours of what my kids were exposed to when they got home. It has been brought to my attention SEVERAL times that public school does not push a religious view on children, it is my belief that what you are not allowed to learn or discuss is a form of religious teaching.

Anyway, all this to say that we have been having a blast these past few months learning together. We used ABEKA curriculum this year and I won't be using it again. It is not bad - but we found it boring. So next year we are putting our own together - not that I am designing my own lessons, just taking math from one place, language arts from another -stuff like that. I am very excited. I have been spending a lot of time looking into our options and talking to others about what works for them. Being that we will be moving in the next few months I want to make sure I have all my ducks in a row for next year before life gets too hectic!

(Wish I had a pic. I'll take one and add it later)

Boring Me

Well I'm sure that's what it seems like since for the last few weeks all I have posted about has been my weight woes. I am really alive and doing well. The kids and my hubby had been sick for almost a full month. Finally last week all were feeling well again.

Updates:

Hubby is still waiting to pop his ears. For his physical he has to be able to pop his ears or it is an automatic fail, but he has been sick forever and so his tubes are plugged and won't pop. I know you are thinking - just say they did! Well he can't, the doctor looks in them while he holds his nose and blows. If she doesn't see what she needs to then he has to wait. We are trying everything, Flonase, Netti pots and today we are going to buy some heavy duty Sutafed (spelled right?).

L's basketball season just ended. His last game was last night with a parent vs. kids game and then a pizza banquet after. He had a blast and improved so much! He is also learning to read, small words, and write. He is so smart and loves to learn. I love that about him.

J's a drama mama. Thank heavens I only have one girl, I think it was all I was meant for. She is beautiful, silly, funny and independent. She is also a cuddle bug.

M's teething (AGAIN!) - I don't know if it ever ends. He is talking up a storm and actually called me by my first name the other day. That totally freaked me out. He is a mimic and a goofball. He loves to play duck duck goose and copy his brother and sister.

My brother and his wife had been staying with us for the last couple of weeks. He was just stationed near us and the movers hadn't brought their stuff up yet. They were nice house guests, but as always it is nice to get back to our normal routine.. although Auntie did play with the kids A LOT and let me take naps.. I'm sure going to miss that.

As for me, I'm trying to balance life. Spending time in the word, at the gym, with the hubby and kiddos. It has been a rough month with illnesses and visitors, but I'm happy to say that I am resting in the Lord. My postpartum depression subsided in the beginning of December and I went off of my medications. I must say that exercise has been a great emotional booster for me. I think by eating right and exercising I have been in such a good mood. Now I crave a workout instead of dreading it. It's a weird feeling for a girl who was morbidly obese 4 1/2 years ago and never liked to exercise. :) Also, I decided not to return to school this semester, I'm taking a break for at least one year. Life got to hectic following M's arrival and it has really been stressing me out. Now with two moves in the next year and being on my own with the kids for a minimum of 3 months I don't see me being able to handle it with everything else.

There is our family update if anyone was wondering what has been going on for the last few weeks besides my diet

Week Three : On the Record

Do I have to be? Oh yea I started this! Darn. So being totally honest - I stinkin' blew it this week! Monday - Thurs was a cheatfest. I was emotionally eating like crazy. Friday I corrected myself and today the scale said I was paying for it.

I weighed in -1lb from last week.
That puts me UP 1lb from the beginning our challenge (so pathetic).

I worked out 4 days last week and did strength training.
I did not consistently drink all my water or take my vitamins.

This weeks goal - no cheating - water - workouts - vitamins... not too much right ;)

How did you do? Probably better than me :P

Week Two : On the Record

How did you do this week? I did pretty well. I ate properly with no cheating - well until last night when I went to a progressive dinner with some ladies from church. I didn't oink out but I didn't eat along Atkin's guidelines (and I had some tiramisu).

I struggled a little more with water intake, and think I forgot a couple vitamins.
I did cardio 5 days this week and lifted weights.

I am really happy with the way I took care of my body this week even if the scale says I am UP 2 LBS!

I know why the scale went up this week though - and not just because of my indiscretion last night - 1.) It is that time of the month (sorry if that is tmi but I know that is going to affect the scale). And 2.) I started lifting weights and my muscles are really sore - so I am assuming that causes even more fluid retention.

So total I am down 7lbs,
but since the start of our accountability I'm up 2.
I have confidence that this number WILL correct itself next at week's weigh in.
Weight left to lose : 20lbs - nuts

HOW DID YOU DO?
Are you happy with the choices you made for yourself this week? - regardless of what the scale says?

Good luck!

Week One : On the Record

Are you ready to make some changes to improve your health? This is what I am doing:

1. Following the Atkins Nutritional Approach

2. Doing 20-45 minutes of cardio 5 days a week

3. (This week I am adding) Weight lifting 2 days a week

4. Drinking a minimum of 64oz of water

5. Taking vitamins and fish oil

Over this past week I did really well. I did not put one bad thing in my mouth, I exercised everyday and met all of the rest of my goals. I'll admit that I am slightly disappointed as I got on the scale this morning and it only went down 1lb from last week, but I'm still excited that it went down. Over the last two weeks I have lost 9lbs. Not too shabby.

So my starting goal for this challenge is to lose 18 lbs.

ARE YOU IN?

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

WHAT IS YOUR MOTIVATION?