The Great Homeschool Debate

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I was home schooled. I said I would never homeschool my children. Not because I had a bad experience with homeschooling, but because I always worried that I wouldn't do them justice. I was afraid that I could not provide a good enough education. I am starting to change my mind.
Public school has never been an option for us. Please don't take that the wrong way. I have just heard and experienced (I attended public school my high school years) too many horror stories of what goes on in public school to send my children. It's just not for us. Our plan was to send our boys to a Montessori school, but our upcoming move is taking us a good distance away from that school, thus removing that option.
As soon as we decided to move I started considering homeschooling. I was a little bit hesitant to bring it up with my husband because he isn't a huge fan of homeschooling. I think a lot of people have a distorted image of what homeschooling is, and what home schooled children are like. I once had a lady, who didn't realize I was home schooled, tell me that all home schoolers grow up to be murderers. I realize this is an extreme example, but you get the point. Homeschooling has many stigmas attached to it. It just does. Because I was home schooled, I realize these are not true.
I have several friends who homeschool, and I spent a lot of time asking my friend Amy LOTS of questions. What was their day like, what curriculum does she prefer, what are some good co-ops in our area...and many, many other questions. Our discussion pretty much sealed the deal for me. I went home that evening and very cautiously told Scott that I wanted to give homeschooling a try. To my surprise, he was very supportive.
Another friend told me about the blog, Our Preschool Homeschool, which is (of course) dedicated to homeschooling preschool aged children. She has a 26 week "lesson plan" that I am going to use (altered slightly) with my boys this year. I think it will be a good way for us to get our feet wet.
I'm really excited about working with them this year. I don't feel any pressure since it's preschool, and the lessons are designed to be fun as well as educational.
If you are a homeschooling Mom, I would love any advice or words of wisdom you have to offer! Oh, and prayers too. Prayers are more than welcome. I'm sure we will all need them :)

Getting Closer

There is just something about visiting the orchard & picking your own apples that feels very much like Fall, and I am SO ready for Fall. Sweaters, hot chocolate, camp fires, cool days, brightly colored leaves, Pumpkin Spice lattes, snuggling in a blanket on our new patio while enjoying a glass of wine. I know I shouldn't rush time. I should enjoy every day, every season. But Fall is my absolute favorite. It just invokes so many cozy, happy feelings for me, and I can't wait for it to arrive. 

We spent the morning picking apples with my Mom. This orchard also has pears, peaches & nectarines. The peaches were nearly gone, and the pears were not quite ready, but I definitely plan on returning when they are! In the meantime, we will be enjoying some delicious apple pie. I use this recipe, compliments of my Mom. It's super easy, and super delicious.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Slice 5-7 tart apples and arrange in your pie shell (I use a store bought pie crust. I know, I know...)
Mix 1/2 cup sugar & 1 t cinnamon. Sprinkle over apples.
Mix another 1/2 cup sugar & 3/4 cup flour. Cut in 1/3 cup of butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over top.

Bake 40 minutes or until done. Enjoy!

Picture (slightly less than) Perfect

This past Tuesday evening we ventured out to a local park to have the boys pictures taken. I have pretty much come to terms with the fact that things will not always go as planned. That we might be running late (as usual). That my oldest might not take a nap like I want him to, and therefore will be super cranky and will refuse to have his picture made. That he might curl up on the ground, face in his hands, any time the photographer gets near him. That the mosquitos might just eat us alive. That I might scratch those awful mosquito bites until I have blood running down my leg and all over my favorite jeans. 

But it's okay. Because that's life. That's the way it goes sometimes. And it's okay, because despite all that, we got some REALLY cute shots of my adorable 2 year old. Don't you think? 

He kept saying, "it doesn't work. it needs batteries". AH! Love him. 

*All photos taken by Capture Life Photography, and not altered in any way by me.

What I Love Wed. / Sewing Spaces

We are moving in less than a month, and in the new house I will have my very own space for sewing. I am really, REALLY excited about this. I have been looking for inspiration for this space...color, design, organization. Here are a few of my favorite finds.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

I'm linking up.

Julia Childs I Am Not

I don't like to cook. I just don't. My Grandma was the best cook in the whole world, and my Mom comes in a really close second. I grew up eating really amazing home cooked meals. We rarely ate out. My Mom hardly ever made anything we wouldn't eat. So, I guess I should like to cook. I should be good at it. But I'm not. This results in my family eating way too many take out meals.

I'm turning over a new leaf. Or at least, I'm gonna try. I'm starting out slow. No need to set myself up for failure, right? For the next two weeks (I cringe just typing that) I am going to attempt to cook every single meal at home. The weekends don't count. We can do some take out on the weekends. But the weekdays, I will cook. Every single night.

This is where you all come in. Please (PLEASE!) send me your favorite recipes. Something quick, simple and delicious, not too many ingredients. You can leave it in the comments or shoot me an e-mail through my contact page. And feel free to keep me accountable. Ask me how it's going. If you follow me on Twitter and I give any indication that I'm falling off the wagon, please call me out on it. Really. You have my permission. Wish me luck! :) 

Movin' On Up

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In the 6 1/2 years that we've been married, Scott & I have lived in four different homes. You would think that we love the whole process of moving, which we don't. Yet, here we are again. Moving.
While sitting at the dinner table recently, we briefly discussed moving closer to Scott's new job. The very next day, my Mom called me and said that the renters were moving out of one of their rentals and did we want it. Hmmmm.....perfect timing, yes? The house is not only closer to my husbands new job, but it's twice as much space as we have now. AND it's on 2.5 acres. AND it has a creek on the property. I will have my very own sewing space (said with great excitement), and we already have plans for a garden next summer and a really great playhouse for the boys.
This morning I looked around our current home and immediately got overwhelmed by the task ahead of packing & moving. But I am so looking forward to more space.
Soooo, who wants to come help me pack?