It's September! YIKES! : )

LOL, as I typed the subject line...I'm literally laughing!  September for us, is a crazy month.  Every year we seem to be less and less prepared for this dreaded month.  Although our oldest celebrates his birthday this month, and that is always the highlight, the entire month has stuff going on...every year.  From Labor day clear through...we are runing around like chickens with our heads cut off!  This year seems crazier as we hope to be closing on our home next month...so in addition to our already insane schedule, we have thrown in packing and paperwork.

Anyone that knows me, knows that I am opinionated and head strong.  When I believe in something, I will defend it and argue my point.  Yes, I do tend to be a little idealist at times, but I also seek honesty and will admit when I'm wrong.  I don't like to be treated like I'm not intelligent or that I am stupid because I'm a lady.  This always sends my temper into orbit!  It's always interesting around my house when that happens.  Joey's response is always, "duck and run....Mom's ticked!" LOL  Yep, some things never change....although I have learned to control my temper...for the most part.

I have made remarks that upset people or stir the pot....and believe me, more times than not, it's unintentional!  As I get older though, it becomes more clear that opinions and thoughts range drastically from generation to generation.  Some people are willing to learn, some are set in their ways, and some just honestly don't care!  I will listen to differing opinions, I may even change my thoughts...IF I am given true facts and not just opinions that are based on an opinion that has been drilled into their heads by someone else.

I guess having to different living ideals has helped reshape my thoughts and opinions.  I will say, I have been blessed by this scenario. Both of the towns I spent the majority of my life in, were small towns at the time.  Now, both towns have grown, considerably and seem more city like.  Then I moved to Missouri, and found the life I've now lived for 13 years.  It amazes me how 400 miles can make such a huge difference.  Although Illinois was my home for 23 years, I can't remember ever being in a farming community that resembles the farm community I live in now.  Although life can get hectic here, it doesn't run at break neck speed all the time.  Life here is simple, laid back, and for the most part easy.  I have been blessed with my Missouri family, and many of the ways they live their lives...we also live.  I am not as connected to my Illinois family due to the lifestyle up there and the distance, but they were my first teachers and some I still turn to for their opinions.  I miss my family, but it has become such a major system shock going back up there, it's hard to manage.  Richard absolutely hates going up there and complains for weeks before hand, and the kids don't adjust well and behave terribly....so it's easier to not go.  Since I don't travel alone anymore, for reasons I won't go into, it makes it difficult to ever get out of the state.

As my life  as shaped and changed since I've been in Missouri, I have been able to find myself, and in some ways reinvent myself.  I have found things that I really enjoy and some that I don't.  Did you know, in our community, All businesses(except the grocery store) close at 5 during the week, and at noon on Saturday.  That means if you need anything for weekend projects....you have to get it before noon on Saturday or make a 25-45 minute trip to the next town that has a Wal-Mart, Home Depot or Menards?!  Yep, it can get frustrating, but you know, you actually do get used to it.  If you don't get your materials before the close of business in town....it just has to wait until the next weekend.  I guess that just fuels the lifestyle here..."if it doesn't get done today, it will still be there tomorrow!"  Although it took me years to readjust to this lifestyle, I can't imagine any other way of living now.  This life has allowed me to find a happy medium to who I was/am.  In Illinois I was getting to be a party girl, had a really bad temper that wasn't always controllable, and was pretty self-centered.  Here though....I have learned to control my temper, I value opinions from those that have made a big difference in my life, I have learned about farming, gardening, canning, livestock, and most of all...I have learned to see the blessings in my life and reflect on those blessings to make our lives better.  Richard's parents, grandparents and great grandparents have definitely had an impact on my life, but I think the majority of the gratitude goes to Richard for everything he has taught me, everything he has stuck with me through, and everything he contiues to teach me.  I love that we can sit down to have a conversation, say whatever comes to our mind, have our heated discussions, and in the end we find the answer or find a happy medium that we can both live with.

I have spent a lot of time in the last few years reflecting on my life and the way I want my life to go.  I am not a church go'er, nor do I intend to be.  I do not feeling it is necessary to sit with a bunch of hypocrits every Sunday to have faith in a higher power.  I am teaching my children to read the bible, have faith in God, pray everyday, and live a life that is decent.  I believe that every sins, that is what Jesus died on the cross for, but I also believe that the choices we make everyday are our own.  That will will have to answer for them on judgement day, but I will not be judged and ridiculed by some that attend weekly services to confess their sins and pray for forgiveness...just to go out and do the exact same things for the next week.  Once again, this brings up the teaching of our children.

Thankfully, Richard and I have the same beliefs and opinions on raising our kids.  We began home educating our children because of a situation that our school district couldn't handle.  Although, I always knew this was an option, I had not considered it until just a few years ago.  I was brought up in the public school system, and although I did ok and passed with average grades....there was a lot that I was not prepared for in real life, even that many years ago.  I was fortunate to be able to be involved in many extra-curricular activities, the academics lacked common sense training.  How to think for ourselves, and to make good choices.  I was lucky to have a class, taught by an awesome teacher, for half a semester.  That did help some...but it definitely need to be a full year requirement!  Now, as we are into our 2nd full year, I am finding that I value the indiviualized curricula for home education.  Each subject is based on the students progress, not grade level.  If a student excels in one subject...you can move on to a more advanced level.  If a student struggles in a subject, you can spend as much time as necessary to help them understand it and progress.  No matter how long it may take.  I know for me...that would have been helpful in Algebra!  Which brings into view another common arguement, "I struggled with this subject or that, or I'm not smart enough to teach my kids."  Well, let me tell you......there are plenty of people that may agree with this statement, but here is my opinion! (Ha, there's a shocker, huh?!) If you struggled with a subject, it's ok.  As you teach your child, you can learn together.  That is the nice thing about home education!  You have the time and materials you need to teach it and learn(or relearn).  This is also a great example for your kids.  They see you willing to learn along side of them, and it promotes a life ling desire to learn.  If you don't think you are smart enough to teach your kids...guess what, there are full box curriculm sets that give you everything you will ever need!  Including access to teachers, professors, and other professionals to help you teach.  There are millions, and I mean literally, of web sites available to those who  choose to be the educator of their children.  Some are faith based, some are not.  Although we use a multitude of programs, websites, curriculum and have access to a few fantastic teachers....there are some things you can not learn from school work alone.  Teaching work ethic, citizenship, honor, decency, honesty, and thinking for themselves...must be taught by example, and hands on.

For us, home education was a decision that had to be made out of necessity and safety for Joey.  There are many reasons people choose to home educate their kids....safety, religion, lack of confidence in their school district, and so many more...are just a few.  For us, it started as a safety issue because of a bully and the school district was unable to do anything with the other child.  Although I was verbally confident in my ability to home school, inside...I was scared to death!  I knew some kids growing up that were home schooled and honestly, we always thought they were odd.  I was asked a lot of questions, and honestly I didn't have any answers for them.  It made me mad that we were questioned and even madder that I didn't know enough about home educating to get more answers.  Now, 2 years into this journey, I have been able to learn more and have found many support pillars....it's different.  Richard and I both agree that home educating is the only way our children will be educated.  We are a united front.  As I have read and talked to other home schooling families, I am finding that everyone receives the same questions and biases.  So, I don't feel as bitter or belittled.  Between Richard and myself, we know our kids will get the best education possible and still learn to be hardworking, honest and be an asset to whatever community they settle into.  They will also be allowed to think for themselves and explore different interest paths.  While avoiding the peer pressure, status B.S. of what brand of clothing,shoes, or whatever that goes on,  We are given the unique opportunity to allow for plenty of family time, no rushing around for the school bus in the mornings, a lenient schedule that allows for other learning time(grocery shopping, reading labels, cultural, agriculture, etc.)  It has been a win/win for our family.  We are now beginning to venture into outside interests, and I'm thankful that Joey has found something that interests him.  He has never been into sports, and hasn't shown much interest in music. He has now began venturing into 4-H and wants to take guitar lessons.  We have let him "come into" this on his own.  Not because everyone else is doing it.  We have researched the 4-H subjects, found a guitar teacher, and offered him several areas of interests to consider.  Following the crowd, is not what we want for our kids.  We want them to find their own way, even if it means carving their own paths.  We have been called weird, odd, different...you name it.  But, I keep reminding myself that some of our greatest members of society were considered the same way.  So, for anyone that reads this....you can thank the weird, odd, and different for many of the modern conviences that we enjoy.....including electricity!

As I reflected this morning, I really made myself laugh.  Who would've guessed at the person I have become.  I know, 15 years ago, I wouldn't have been caught dead on farm, let alone knowing anything about a natural life style or even meditation.  Although I am a constant work in progress, I really like the person I have become.  I love making my family, my priority.  I love knowing that my family eats 3 meals a day together, we learn together, we play together, and we have strong family values.  We don't make time for family....we make time for other things.  Our family is our first priority.  Everything and everyone else, comes after the needs of our family.  That sounds cold and uncaring to some degree but it's the truth.  For many years, jobs, school, hobby's, etc....came first.  Now, the family is first.  It's really humbling to watch so many others and know that, that could be us.  Rushing around every morning to meet the bus, get kids to daycare, get to work, work all day long, rush to pick up kids at daycare, rush home to throw together a meal out of a box, blow through homework, and baths and then rush to bed...just to get up the next day and do it all over again.  I know that most people do this....but it doesn't work for us.  So before I get a bunch of nasty messages, I am NOT judging....just grateful!  We have made MANY sacrifices to allow for our lifestyle.  And yes, many people don't agree with it and many are happy to tells us that we are hippies/weird, etc.  All I can say is thank you.

We are a family that has been truly blessed.  Despite a rough start, several obsticles, and because of many lessons learned, we are truly happy and honestly believe in what we are doing.  We appreciate the help that has been offered, those that have helped us to make some of our toughest decisions, and are grateful to those that we turn to for advice.  The 2 teachers(you know who you are ;))  I talk to on a regular basis that have helped shape our curriculum, you ladies have really helped me to gain focus.  Your support, honesty, and guidance has definitely been a breath of fresh air!  To those that have listened to me whine during difficult home school days....thank you for not suggesting reentry into the public school system, but instead reminding me why we are on this venture and for supporting us.

As I continue through this crazy month of birthday parties, festivals, candle parties, and packing.....I continue to pray for health, and safety for our family and friends.  May you all be blessed!
Salli