Everything I Learned From School

I am reading a Geography book from the library, and I am quite perturbed. It discusses the Ice Age(s), and thank goodness, I was prereading it before teaching it to my boys! Years ago, I would not have questioned that there were several Ice Ages, that the Earth had been around for millions of years, and that dinosaurs lived before man. I have always believed in the Bible and Creation, and never believed in the theory of Evolution. But having not studied the Bible to the depths that a lot of Creation Scientists have, I never thought about how old the Earth is.
Of course, when you homeschool, your children come up with all kinds of questions, that MAKE you think about these things. I cannot believe some of the things I was taught in a public school system. And had I not homeschooled, and my children hadn't begun asking thought provoking questions (that I did not know the answers to), I would never have known some of the things I now know. They had a fascination with dinosaurs not too long ago. I could easily have done a unit study on the subject. But I was afraid the answers I would give and ALL the books that we would read would be scientific, and NOT FACT!! I just thought that maybe they didn't really exist, and I didn't want to have to squelch their interest. Why didn't anyone teach me years ago, that they did exist, that they were on the Ark, just like all the other animals; that the reasons they're no longer here are the same reasons a lot of other animals are now endangered or extinct! Why aren't there good books in the library that teach the facts found in the Bible?? I will continue to search out good websites (like the one I happened upon today) and science books/curricula that help me find my answers as well as my children's! How do people (and Lord help me if I ever have to) hand over their children to a place that will teach them untruths that they will be haunted with for the rest of their lives?

What fun we had at tummy time today with our baby cousin!

Yes, Mommy and Daddy, she did sleep... for 10 minutes!

What a face!

Her cousin sure loves holding her.

Auntie Carrie is funny! And bet that reddish hair came from her.

Time to go home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

... to a very special and beautiful niece and a studly young nephew! (would you just look at that muscle!)
I love you guys!

I think we'll use this photo on our Christmas card.

Geocache!

Our fun and cold day of geocaching in the sleet and snow! Good job Daddy finding what was right under Mommy's nose!!

Some of the reasons I homeschool

I find my 7 year old boy curled up reading a book... for two hours!

I get to play with shaving cream with my 4 year old.

I get to choose what, when and how they learn.

They get to sleep in.

We can play board games all afternoon if we want.

I get to see the excitement on their faces when they learn something new.

They are not forced into ignorance by teachers who have to hold them back to the level of the other children.

I am learning (or relearning?) along with my guys... and it's FUN!

My children are friends with each other.

It's 8:15 in the morning. I am gathering school books and supplies for big boy. I sit down to read a short article on Susan Wise Bauer's blog (whom I have recently rediscovered) when I hear
"Ssshhh." And another little whisper voice "Sssss." The first one "Ssshh, hide from Mama." " (giggle) Sss... Mama." I get up and tiptoe to where I think the little sneakers are. The dishwasher is running and middle man and baby man (who frequently sits against the dishwasher when it's running) are cozied up together, hiding. We have one of those portable, roll-around dishwashers and when it's hooked up to the sink, there's just enough space between it and the wall to create a little hidey-hole. Between the vibrations of the machine, and the heater vent, it's quite a warm little spot too. So I snuck up on my two boys and remember again why I chose to be a Mama.

I just thought everyone should know. It was finally warm enough to go outside! Hooray! We were out for about an hour this morning, digging in the dirt (science-- we were "tilling" the garden!), riding our bikes, and discovering lots of worms. Middle man calls them his "friends." Oh, the joys God has given me with BOYS!!! I am discovering more about my gift of mothering every day... and about mud too.

Thirty four years ago, when this man was born, I did not know him. I didn't know him when he was in preschool, elementary school, or even when he graduated from high school. When I did meet him, he had long hair and in fact, had we been alive in the sixties, he'd have been the perfect hippie. He listened to different music than me, had odd friends, I thought. He was definitely not "my type." But that all changed in literally an instant. For the past fifteen years, this man has been my rock, my inspiration. I did not always realize that he would be the most important human being in my life. He would become my greatest encourager, my biggest fan and the most amazing father to my children. He is the funniest person I know, a visionary and my best friend. For these things, and many more, I am glad he was born 34 years ago today. Happy Birthday, Love!