| Just give me Jesus |
Sorry for offending everyone.Dear bloggers,I am sorry I so offended everyone with my last post. I don't know what to say. I'm sorry my wording didn't come out the way I intended - I wrote it at 4 am and was just thinking and wondering. I'm kind of in shock. I have been extremely misunderstood. I guess I did not make clear in my last post that I have been disillusioned by both homeschooling AND PUBLIC SCHOOL. My post was written with the hopes that someone could help me in deciding how my own children should be schooled when they come along. Instead, I was ridiculed and made to feel like a complete scumbag. I am not judging anyone here!! I am asking people for PROS on public or homeschooling. In my EXPERIENCE, neither worked out for me, and I'm sad about that. I want my children to have a better experience in school than I did, be it in public or home school. I'm not lying when I say that the homeschooled children I grew up with had a hard time socially. That doesn't mean that that's true of all homeschoolers, or that I think that! I was hoping for positive stories that would help me lean toward homeschooling without the trepidation I have now regarding it. Ugh. I feel sick. I'm really sorry. Please forgive me. I didn't mean any of that last post the way everyone thought I did. I just wanted to hear people's opinions and feel better about my childrens' options for school, I guess. I don't even know now. This is a nightmare. I love this website and the people here and I'm so ashamed that I've gone and made everyone think I'm a basher or something. I'm not! I was ranting about my own negative experiences with school and hoping that someone could tell me some good ones regarding theirs or their childrens'. I'm going to bed. 09:04 - Friday, October 10, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentA few pictures.....I'm even less inspired to blog today than before Homestead ate my first post. Grrrr! Here are a few pictures from Elijah's birthday:
Yes, it's a decent cake. Not spectacular, but fair for icing piped out of the end of a plasic baggie. I still can't find my cake decorating things!
I can't believe how BIG Samuel is. He's so . . . so grown up!
And, here is me. At 25 weeks.
And now, I hope this posts. Because I'm definatly not inspired enough to blog it again a third time! Hope everyone has a great weekend! ~Ashley~
04:05 - Fri-10-Oct-2008 - comments {3} - post commentWE GOT MOVED....... obviously buying a home is nothing like purchasing one of those fun capsules that if you soak in water the prize will emerge out as a full fledge house all in order...As the Lord sure does have a sense of humor when teaching ones prodigal daughter with severe OCD and ADD to exercise patience especiall in the area of nesting(me want it now, the Will so far....turtle pace) and as promised photos( the tour of the acres will be set for a later date).  Let the Moving in Begin  Can you believe that when I had 4(yes 4) big burly men to help me move they couldnt figure out how to move my fridge into the kitchen (without wanting to take the doors off,which required a special star key that I didnt have to they left my fridge in the living room), but leave it to one desperate new home owner and a friend who recently had surgery , do it ourselves with the doors intact...(ps we even were able to move the piano ourselves too but shhh the guys egos are still bruised from the fridge incident.ha ha)( I am the one in the back smiling behind my son)  Still waiting on my kitchen to look half as clean as it does here with all the stuff in boxes.Ha Ha  I am literally blocked outta my bathroom and bedroom.....   Here is what the "dinning" area looks like now....... ( very scary indeed) even my pets are afraid to move in that area of the house)..  Apperiantly the instant you move to the country you are adopted by the local Hen that owns the place/property( say hello to Barbara(the name my daughter gave her), she was born and raised here on our place, and needless to say my daughter and son(as well as miss Dixie) have taken a shine to her as she is to them(not so much the dog but you get the idea), so the sellers have given her to us... but wait the adoption of animals doesnt end there as another has decided she will adopt us as well...or is that the other way around....(ha ha, stay tuned as her idenity will be unveiled in the days to come)....moving on  See this pretty girl, This is Laura and this is her husband Tim, they are a fellow military and family of our Pastors church...  They were expecting their second child, and Laura couldnt wait to be done being pregnant, so I put her to work with the moving and what not and by the next day(very early morning) she was having their second son Collin Michael........  Please forgive me for not showing a photo of the handsome new blessing, Just protecting the families privacy.... As exhausted as I am the excitement to begin our adventure in "homesteading" is still there and this is a blessing come true, I pray so hard that this new home of ours will be a praise that shouts Glory to the Highest each and every day.... PS: on a side note, please continue to keep us in your prayers, the home inspection for the DHS is drawing near, and getting our house somewhat settled into home is still needing to be done if we are to continue taking the steps to getting custody of my beloveds nephew..... and on a somber note, my darling daughters medium Pinscher Bruno has been missing now for 4 days, and although I have tried to encouragemy daughter with a heart to prayer, the reality of country life is coming to full swing for her and my son, as worse case scenario could have happened to him(coyottes, and possible mountain lion spottings in the area).... she is quite upset and taking it hard...... 09:16 - Thursday, October 9, 2008 - comments {3} - post commentThoughts on homeschooling?So I was reading a quick post over at morningsunshine's blog regarding homeschooling, and found myself with varied emotions over the topic. I don't have the energy to go into the whole rant again, so I'm just posting the comment I left over there here:Honestly, I don't know what I think of homeschooling. I really don't! The public school system definitely failed me academically, there's no denying that; I spent most of high school barely passing my classes because I was too busy studying in my own time all of the interesting things my school didn't offer. Can you blame me? Who wants to learn what a verb is as a HIGH SCHOOLER (!) when one not only already KNOWS that but would rather spend one's time studying linguistics or something. A couple of my friends and I were taking a college-sophomore English class online because we weren't being challenged in our senior AP English then, and even the online class was mind-numbingly boring and pointless (the reading was excellent, but the lack of interesting, thought-provoking discussion and the abundance of demeaning questions shadowed that for sure). Public schools seem to think that if someone is under the age of 22 they need to babied, talked down to, and not entrusted with any sort of responsibility unless it involves pages and pages of repetitious homework requiring time, not thought, that will get you a failing grade if you don't complete it. Bah. However - the part of homeschooling that scares me is the lack of socialization. My mom tried to homeschool me when I entered the seventh grade, and it was a total failure - I loved learning, but as an only child I lost interest when I had no competition or fellow students with whom I could have a sense of teamwork or camaraderie. On top of that, I became *incredibly* lonely, even though I had plenty of neighbor kids to play with when they got home from school. Lastly, when I went back to public school the following year, I found I'd really missed something: the last time I'd gone to school, in 6th grade, my classmates and I were children. Now, in 8th grade, I found that everyone around me was much older, not nearly as innocent, and entering full-blown adolescence, a world I knew nothing about. It was an almost traumatizing experience; I felt so out of place and confused! I tried homeschooling again the first semester of ninth grade, this time with a small co-op of ten kids in a class taught by the moms. It was a little better, but I still had a hard time, and because of the 'class' setting I still couldn't really go at my own pace. Even if I'd stayed at home and *gone* at my own pace, my mother would never have been able to keep up with me, and I didn't have the discipline to teach myself (what kind of kid does without some kind of influence, like a parent?). Not to mention, of course, all of the homeschooled kids I've known over the years who don't know how to chat with people, who are painfully shy and can't make friends, who don't know how to brush their hair or dress nicely, who are just plain awkward to be around, who are afraid of anyone outside of their family and church group. How are these kids going to make it when they go to college, or try to travel, or get a career? I am NOT trying to make an attack on homeschooled families, please hear me; I've met a few well-adapted homeschoolers whose schooling has been magnificent for them, as well. It's just that those kids seem to be in the minority, and I know my own experiences with homeschooling were painful at best. Sorry for the long rant - I got carried away! This should have been a blog post, but it's also directly tied to yours, and I'm anxious to hear what others have to say about it. I really, really want to believe in homeschooling, but I've seen it fail so many times that it's really hard. :-( But I don't think public school is the answer, either. So yeah. Thoughts, anyone? I know most people here probably lean toward homeschooling; are there any proponents for public school out there? I am eager to here both sides, as I am currently extremely disillusioned with both. 06:09 - Thursday, October 9, 2008 - comments {5} - post commentAvoid the Drive-Thru Trap!Here are some great recipe ideas to avoid ordering take-out or going through the drive-thru which is not only expensive but usually un-healthy.
It only takes a little preplanning to get a healthy homemade meal on the table. The crock-pot is a great tool to use when you aren't home to prepare a meal.
Check out this great blog:
03:12 - Thursday, October 9, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentHard TimesSome helpful suggestions on: I don't know about everyone else, but now is the time to start making changes in how we consume and spend money. I am not going to live in fear and I know the Lord will provide, but I also know I need to use wisdom and be self-controlled if we are going to get through these hard times. 01:30 - Thursday, October 9, 2008 - comments {1} - post commentWhere to start-part 5There is one thing that I have not mentioned that I probably should have in the begining of this. Both husband and wife need to be in some kind of agreement and have a desire for the homesteading lifestyle. It is not an easy thing to do at first and both partners have to be willing to do what it takes to accomplish this. I'll be honest with you-my heart was not in it completely when we started thinking about it. I wanted a simpler lifestyle but I was not sold on the idea that this was the way. BUT-it was my husbands strong desire and he was patient and kind and truly believed this was right for our family. And before we started I knew it was the right thing to do--it took alot of talking and praying-but I did get there. The concept was always appealing to me I just wasn't sure if I was going to be able to do it. Now I cannot imagine any other way of living. As for the children.....they don't have to like it but it does make it easier. I have found that it is easier with younger children to make this type of lifestyle change than it is for older children. But in the end even the most reluctant teenager found great appreciation for the peace that this life brings. Peace in a crazy world is priceless. Blessings>faithfarm08:23 - Thursday, October 9, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentWhere to start-Part 4The first year will be an interesting one. It doesn't matter if you are starting from scratch or moving into an existing structure. Transforming it into the homestead you want just takes work. The entire first year will be dedicated to obtaining three main goals. Safe, warm and dry. This goes for your family residence and your livestock. I include livestock because in a true independent lifestyle your animals play a vital role in it. Regardless of if it is eggs from your chickens, milk from your goat/cow, or meat from your rabbits...whatever your choice may be there ability to flourish and maintain good health is key to your success and possible future income or bartering sources. In all things that you do the first year it is important to keep it simple. Cover your basic needs and then improve on them once those needs are met. Unless you have an unlimited supply of income-which most don't-doing it this away will allow you to obtain the safe, warm and dry goals. If you start out too big in anything you do the odds of failure increase. By keeping it simple in small steps, improving and growing as you go along, it will allow you to learn and mistakes (that you will make) won't be so hard to overcome. I personally find it very hard to imagine that what you think in the beginning of this journey won't change and adapt as you go along. Your beginning plans, layouts, ect will be useful as a guide but must be fluid enough to change with new wisdom and experience. Be ready to accept failures and learn to accept change. When I started this I was really uncomfortable with both. I was one of "those" people who did not like to fail at anything and changing from "the plan" was extremely hard for me. I got over it-LOL. So for all of you out there who like control and order be advised now-LOL. There are some things out there that are just beyond your control. Like the weather, price of building materials, illness, injury, income loss,rock, mud, insects, varmits, broken equipment, exhaustion....the list goes on and on. You can only do what you can do. But I will tell you when it's all said and done you will have a new found trust and appreciation for how great our Lord is to us. I can't imagine doing any of this without that peace and strength. I think that one of the greatest lessons I have learned in this is the ability to accept what I cannot change. I've learned to be fine with "Well, that didn't work--Ok--let's try it this away". And the day goes on. For some of you that lesson may already be learned-Good for you! Your starting out one big step ahead. Just don't let your lack of knowledge in an area stop you from obtaining your goals. When I say I knew nothing about nothing-I really mean it. Thank God there is other people out there that have already done it and took the time to put it in a book or are willing to show someone else how to do it! I hope one day to be a Blessing to someone else the way so many have Blessed me. >faithfarm07:30 - Thursday, October 9, 2008 - comments {0} - post commentIT IS 5:30 AMAnd all is still quiet in the house. Dh left for work about a half hour ago and I was up before him so I took this time to check my emails and do some stuff on the computer that I have been wanting to get done for days. Well, today I want to get all the cloths washed up that I have in the laundry and I would like to get my kitchen and living room cleaned up enough that I would not be upset if someone came over for a visit. It is not a total disaster mind you but it could use a little help. On the days that we have been home and not running to Drs with Father in Law, I have been doing daycare of filling out paperwork or talking to more nurses on the phone. That reminds me I have to send out another email when I am done here. I have often wondered if we are going to get our stuff done that we always do before the first snow? I have kinda forgotten about Christmas stuff along with some other stuff that is going to be put on the back burner for a while. Take care all and please know that I am reading all your blogs even if I do not comment on them or have an entry here. Blessings to one and all! 06:30 AM - Thursday, October 9, 2008 - comments {2} - post commentHow Do I Keep Order?This is in response to THIS BLOG, where some thoughtful questions were asked.First of all, I don’t really feel like I do keep order! We are a family of individuals, and each does what they can. Right now, I have to handle many of the tasks necessary to run the house, so when Samuel can help me with something I’m grateful and appreciative. I'm mainly a co-ordinator of different skills, temperaments, abilities, and I try to help each of us help the other. I'm a Helpmate - which is not a Do-It-All'er! That means the family is primarily Jonathan's burden. As he works 50+ hours a week, he needs help. But when I need help occasionally, I don't feel like a "failure" as much as I could/would in the past. I do have a sort of a method for our madness, and it works for me. I beat myself up for years for not “keeping house” with my mama’s method, so if this doesn’t work for you, skip it. If you find something that helps, I’m happy for you! Here are a few standards or precepts by which I run our home:
As long as they are playing nicely, the boys are free to play. Unless they want to help; in which case I (try) to always welcome their “help”. If they are grumpy or irritating each other, I might put Elijah on the countertop while I cook, or have Samuel look at a book in the kitchen or have one boy stay in the living room and another in the kitchen. I am not quite as focused on having my boys' help in the kitchen as I would be with a little girl. It is more important that Samuel helps his Daddy mow the lawn and change the oil in the vehicles and work with wood than it is that they help me with dishes every night, etc.
· Assumptions = irritable mommy. I try, as much as possible, not to make assumptions. You just can’t plan to wake up to a telephone crammed into the VHS or dried cheese stick crumbled strategically so that you have to vacuum at 7am or jump over it in the hallway. I do not “assume” both boys will nap at the same time, though they often do, because it sets me up to be a grump when it doesn’t happen. Usually the only awake boy is subdued without his companion and we enjoy our one-on-one time greatly, but not if I’m mentally “caught off guard” and battling resentment of the loss of something I feel “I deserve”. My list of Must Do’s: · Make my bed · Eat, dress, take vitamins · Fed my boys and dress them as time allows/necessary · Read the Bible My list of Would Like to Accomplish’s:
My list of As Needed’s:
Often I get the first two lists done as well as something off of list #3, BUT if it’s a really interesting day and I spend more time teaching the boys to get along, or I'm super tired, or I just don't feel like doing anything, I don’t beat myself up about it. Tomorrow is another day. I plan, plan, plan for the future. If I allow the boys to be selfish now, I expect them to be selfish in another year. With increased vocal capacities they might have more excuses or be more polite about it, but selfish is selfish . . . . That is not to say that I make my children hand over toys every time someone else wants them! But we work on things now, to the best of our limited capacities, so that one day they might be easier for us. Which means on my part, practicing selflessness as an example. Oh, yeah. Like I don’t need to work on that!!!! I guess because the focus is on where our hearts are, the whole house is rather secondary. I don’t mind loud, happy children, or Daddy playing noisy games with them. The whole house shining like it’s out of Better Homes & Gardens wouldn’t matter if I was grumpy and irritable when my honey gets home! We might have dust in areas, but Lord willing not on the covers of our Bibles . . . it’s all perspective! Pick your priorities and taylor them to your family. Each has different needs! ~Ashley~ 11:22 - Wed-8-Oct-2008 - comments {5} - post comment
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Description 1 Timothy 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Home User Profile Archives Friends Holy Days or holidays? Are you Pretending? ONCE SAVED.........ALWAYS SAVED!!!! Recent Entries - Interesting blog on home schooling........... - Test the Spirits - My reply to "HOW TO KEEP ORDER" - SUBSTITUTE FOR RED FOOD COLORING - PAYING OFF THE MORTGAGE EARLY |
