The 2nd and 3rd most annoying questions...

We all know the first most annoying question. If you homeschool, you've heard it 100 times. If you don't homeschool, you've probably asked it. With the holidays, I had the joy of seeing all those people in our extended circle who feel the need to pass judgement on our parenting decisions. I still remember the look of horror from one of my cousins when she first heard we were planning to educate our own children. "Why would you do such a thing?" It was as though I said we would be keeping them in a closet for the remainder of their lives. I can't imagine ever asking that of someone who chooses traditional schooling for their children. But for some reason people feel perfectly justified to question you about your choices if you homeschool. Which leads me to what I feel are next in line on the annoying scale. "But aren't you worried you won't be able to teach them everything they need to know? How can you be sure to teach them everything?" (Because as you know, the government schools are doing such a great job.) I wonder if people realize when they ask me this, that they are essentially calling me a moron. Or perhaps they are the morons. I mean come on...my kids are in elementary school, I think I can handle it! The third question that really irritates me can, at times, be harmless curiosity. It's all in the tone of voice. Usually the question is preceded by a pat on the back. "That's great you homeschool." Then comes the question, annoying depending on the tone. "But how long do you plan on continuing? You're not going to homeschool for High School, are you?" What they're really saying is: "That's cute, but how long are you going to carry on with this foolishness?" I'm thinking that's really none of your business! You small-minded nincompoop! If it was up to my son, we'll be homeschooling for a long time. He just asked me yesterday if he could homeschool for college. I told him "No". (He doesn't know yet about online degrees, and I'd like to keep it that way for now.)
Well, that's my rant for the day. I feel better now. Off to go ruin my children's lives some more!

You know you're a homeschooler when...

Today I stopped by my local library to pick up a book. I was chatting with the librarian at the front desk, when I heard the head Librarian call from the next room: "Is that Julie?" Yes, I'm there so often that not only do all the librarians know my name, and my kid's names, they can also recognize my voice! Not only that, but they're pretty on top of what my family is currently studying, and will often recommend books without me having to ask. You gotta love living in a small town!

My weirdness

I've been tagged my Stephanie to reveal 5 weird things about myself, so here goes:

1. When alone in the car, I crank up the tunes, and sing very loudly. (And very badly). I've been known to have trouble keeping both hands on the wheel while doing so. I also crank up the tunes and dance around my kitchen like a maniac when no one is around. Sometimes I even have a pretend microphone. I hope it sounds good to the Lord, since I know it doesn't sound so great to the human ear.

2. I've discovered that I have mixed dominance. I'm left-handed, but my right eye is dominant. In some people this can cause writing problems, or dyslexia. I have neither, but a serious left/right problem. Never trust my directions, as I'm likely to say right, when I really mean left. In college, my parents once ended up in a very bad section of Boston because they followed my directions. My husband always jokes that if we're ever in a situation driving, and he yells "Go left", in order to save our family from an accident, we'll all be meeting Jesus. That's why he does most of the driving.

3. I have hazel eyes, but as a child I had a pie-shaped wedge in one eye that was green. It still appears every now and then. Even weirder, I have a niece, also named Julie, that has the same pie-shaped wedge thing going on.

4. I homeschool my children, and attend a Baptist church. I don't think this is weird, but a lot of other people apparently think so. (I live in RI, after all, and I'm the only person in my family that is not Catholic.)

5. I not so secretly wish I was born in a different century. I envy Ma Ingalls, and daydream about being a pioneer woman. My husband doesn't think I'd last a day, but I think he underestimates me.

So there it is: my weirdness. I'm tagging Kysha, and Brooke Lorren. So let's hear it, how weird are you?

Don't try this at home...

Speaking of bikinis...I did a very foolish thing today. I was cleaning out a drawer and came across a bikini I bought for my honeymoon, many moons ago. I had a momentary lapse in judgement and decided to try it on. Big mistake! The top, when I finally managed to get it partially clasped, looked downright obscene. The bottom...well, have you ever seen a pregnant woman in a bikini and thought: "That's just too much information." That was me, except of course, I'm not actually pregnant. Perhaps the bikini could serve as a weight loss motivation. Not that I'd ever actually go out in public in one. I'm far too conservative for that. Not to mention too old. The good news is that I've managed to remain Snickers-free so far in 2008! And although I haven't lost any weight, I didn't gain back the 2 pounds I lost from the stomach flu. Maybe there is hope after all.

Bikini, anyone?

This afternoon we set out for the homeschool theater group my girls are involved in. It's free, if you don't count the gas. It's about a 35 minute drive, which by RI standards is very, very far. I was about 20 minutes into the drive when my cell phone rang. It was the teen who runs the group calling to tell me there was no theater today. Okay, there's $5.00 in gas I'll never get back. I decided to make the best of the situation and try to get a little shopping done. During the last snowstorm I realized Rachel desperately needed new boots. It seems she doesn't like having to scrunch up her toes to fit into her old ones. I knew it might be a little late to find these, but I didn't realize how late. I knew we were in trouble when the first thing I saw when we walked into Target was bikinis. Okay, it's 10 degrees out, who in their right mind is going to buy a bathing suit this time of year? As we walked through the store I saw rack after rack of shorts and summer clothes. Have I entered a time-warp? I thought it was January, but maybe I'm mistaken. When we got to the shoe department, I noticed a lovely assortment of sandals and flip-flops. It wasn't looking good. Then I spotted the row that said, "Family Boots." I got a little excited. That didn't last long. The racks were empty, except 7 pairs of boots. (yes, I counted) 5 were Men's, and 2 were in toddler sizes. Bummer! I know I should have bought them earlier, but with Disney and Christmas, I just kept putting it off. I guess I learned my lesson. Next year I'll be better prepared, and buy them in July.

Happy New Year!

This year I decided to make a New Year's Resolution. I've avoided these in the past. They always seem to lead to guilt, anyway. So why bother? But this year I have the big 4-0 coming up. I decided it was time to lose the baby fat now, or it's probably never going to happen. My oldest is hitting double digits this year, and the baby is learning to read, so I'm running out of excuses for the belly I've been carrying around. I have a fool proof plan. Cut out the Snickers, (or at least cut back), and start exercising. I can do this! Well, yesterday, the first day of 2008, I failed miserably. Although I didn't run out to the store for a Snickers, I also didn't do anything that can be called exercise. I don't think turning the pages of a book really count. And yet, I managed to lose 2 pounds already! How you ask? The old-fashioned way. I awoke at 1:30am with a strange, yet familiar feeling. Yep, the stomach flu! Only 13 pounds to go! See how God can use all things for good? Even vomiting. Maybe I'll start exercising tomorrow, if a miracle happens and the kids aren't up all night sick. Now I'm off to nibble on some Saltines and Ginger-Ale. Hope your New Year is off to a better start!

I'm an Amish Robert Frost

I've been called many things, but this one had me rolling all week. You know that song by Newsboys, "Shine." (Shine, make them wonder what you've got...etc.) Do you ever wonder if you "shine"? Do people notice something different in you? You know, Christ shining through, that type of thing. I found out on Christmas Eve that I apparently do have that something different thing going on. I'm sitting there minding my own business when the rough around the edges brother of my sister- in -law announced to all that were within earshot that I was Amish! Yes, me! How funny is that? He was commenting on how I don't know how people treat each other in the real world, because, of course, I'm Amish. For some reason I find this amusing, and actually a compliment. It would appear that he doesn't think I'm as mean as most people. Either that or he has something against the Amish. I'm not sure, but I'm choosing to see it as a compliment. Then today I was even more amused by one of my Sunday School students. In class, I read to them a blog post from a few months back. It happened to go along well with the lesson. I didn't tell the kids I had written it, but thought they would figure that out. After church we were at a friend's house, when I asked if he figured out who had written it. He said he was pretty sure it was by Robert Frost! And he was serious! I think it's safe to assume that he's never actually read anything by Mr. Frost! So in the course of six short days I've discovered my true self. I'm an Amish Robert Frost!

Back to reality..

Well, we're back! We had a great time in Disney. It was warm and beautiful everyday. But now it's back to reality. After a bumpy flight home late Saturday night reality has hit in a big way. I spent all day Sunday battling my nemesis, known as laundry to everyone else. By God's grace, I won, and managed to wash, fold and put away all our vacation clothes. I felt like I had climbed Mount Everest. Monday it was back to reality for the kids as well, school!! It was painful after such a nice, long break from Mommy's nagging. Monday night I went Christmas shopping to take care of the rest of my list. You know, all those gifts you put off buying because you have no idea what to get. I made out pretty well there, and only have 2 more gifts to pick up. When I got home at 9:30, I worked on Christmas cards until midnight. They're done, although if I missed you, or you got two cards from me, sorry, it was late! Tuesday, school was a little less painful. I then baked cookies for 7 hours. (Squeezed making and eating dinner in there,too.) I ended up with 24 dozen cookies for the Christmas baskets at church. Not bad for one afternoon's (and night's) work. Today, I shopped for all the rest of the food I need for baking and Christmas brunch. Things look much calmer for the rest of the week. On Friday my kids head to Gramma's for the annual cookie making sleepover. John and I will use that night to do all our wrapping together. We always watch "It's a Wonderful Life", while we wrap. Corny, I know, but that's just what we do. And you know what? It is a wonderful life! If you don't hear from me soon, have a blessed Christmas!

My break from reality

Tomorrow's the big day! My family is taking off for 9 fun-filled days in Disney!! The kids are calling today, "Disney-Eve". It's all very exciting. My Mom and Dad will drive over to spend 4 days with us. So for a few days, at least, we won't be outnumbered by the kids. But there's much to do to get ready. So, today I'll be a total stress case, as is a family tradition. But tomorrow, now that's another story. Tomorrow I become "vacation Mommy." I'm sure the kids will really appreciate me then, after being traumatized today by "stressed- out- getting ready for vacation- mommy. " I have to admit, that I never did finish my Christmas cards, still have a little shopping to do, and about 30 dozen cookies to bake....but who cares?...I'm going to Disney!!!

Where's God?

Last weekend our hearts were broken. The 14 year old son of our friends died unexpectedly at a church youth event. Our friends have lost their only child. There truly are no words to adequately express the sorrow we feel for them. And yet, in the midst of such darkness, the Lord is at work. That Sunday our church family came together for worship. We were all stunned by the events of the weekend, and desperate for the Lord to shed some light on the overwhelming grief. As it would happen, our Pastor was away on vacation that week. He had scheduled for a guest speaker to take his place. Although the Pastor tried to get a flight home, he was unable to return in time to be with us for our Sunday worship. But the Lord, of course, knew all this was to happen. In His mercy and wisdom, He provided the perfect messenger. The scheduled guest speaker had lost a teenage son in a drowning 13 years ago. Coincidence? I don't think so. God sent us the only person who could help us make sense of it all. He was able to share with us what a parent feels when a child dies, what is helpful and what isn't. He was able to share how he was able to eventually find peace with the knowledge that the Lord truly is in control. These things do happen for a reason, even if we don't see it this side of eternity. At the invitation, the church was encouraged to come forward to pray, or be prayed for by our Deacons. Many people went forward, and we collectively grieved for Patrick and prayed for his parents. A couple I had never seen before went forward, weeping. Most of the teens in the church went forward, formed a circle and prayed and grieved together. Men and women were openly weeping. The song went on for quite a while. I don't know how the worship team managed to keep singing. You could actually feel the Holy Spirit fill the room with His mercy and grace. Words really don't do justice to the magnitude of the experience. On a side note, my husband's aunt just happened to visit church that day. She lives nearby and visits on occasion. She had no idea what had happened, and later said that if she had known she probably wouldn't have come. You see, 4 years ago her daughter died. Coincidence that she happened to come that day? I don't think so. When the music ended I turned and saw her tear-streaked face. But there was something else there too. A look of peace I haven't seen in 4 years. The next day I called to check on her. She stated that the service was the most healing thing that has happened since her daughter died. And she just happened to come that day? Yeah, right.

When the unthinkable happens it's easy to wonder where God is in it all. How could He let this happen? I think it's normal to wonder why, but we have to trust that God is in control. Sometimes that's not the easiest thing to do. But as far as where God was in all of this, I can tell you for sure. He was right there with us all. It would have been impossible to miss Him.