Tickle Wars to Tantrums

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

I have a dream....

I'm not usually a dreamer. I married a dreamer and his dreams are exciting enough for both of us for sure! However, I do have a dream. A part of that dream was fulfilled yesterday when I went to the American Heritage Private school in American Fork to pick up the new curriculum I just bought to home school my kids. Yet again, I recently had another one of those profound moments where I just know this is the path I'm supposed to take for our family. This journey to get where I am today is interesting to me. A year and a half ago I read a book that profoundly changed my way of thinking. The book, "A Thomas Jefferson Education" was so inspiring to me and rang true to my very core. This was the first time the thought of homeschooling was planted. I should note, I've NEVER wanted to home school before this book and I carried a lot of the same concerns or judgements as many do of those who home school. But a paradigm shift was taking place. And has been ever since. I've been in touch with, talked with, seen so many families who have taken the home school path. They have helped to give me the confidence to take the jump. I've seen that they aren't "weird" or "unsocial" and they are quite bright children and their families are incredible. My greatest concern has always been Hannah. The only way to know how she will take to this new way of learning, is to plunge in. She is social and thrives at her social time at school. I know this is a need of hers. I'm excited to network with the incredible families in this circle and for her to make friends with new kids. She's good at that. I'm THRILLED for the opportunities to be involved with American Heritage School and secretly hope to be able to send my kids there in the future. (If anyone wants to donate $20,000/year to send my kids there, we'd gladly accept :o). But the most exciting thing to me about this, is how much I will learn as well. I feel like a giddy little school girl, I'm so excited! and nervous! and a little scared! This quote has given me some confidence though.

“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

So there's my dream. In part, coming true. And since today is the new year, this is also one of my greatest resolutions. I am not naive enough to know there will be plenty of hard days. Just last night I was dealing with children like this:

In their defense, it was almost midnight. Tired kids = grumpy kids!

So Happy, Happy New Year! May it be as wonderful as I hope!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Our Christmas Whirlwind

Christmas is magical with children, however, as I write this I'm counting patiently so I don't lash out at my children as they fight and cry and whine. Really, it's been over the top lately and I'm ready to pull my hair out! But, I digress....Christmas was wonderful! Since we no longer get together with my family on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, Aaron and I have tried to create our own family traditions. I don't know why it's a challenge since I grew up having Christmas with just my family. We didn't go to grandparents either, and we'd love to spend Christmas in California with family there, but that is challenging too. I had WONDERFUL family traditions growing up. Some of my favorites were Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve, pulling taffy, sleeping together with all my siblings on the floor and waking up at 5:00 to open presents, egg-ala-golden-rod breakfast, listening to the Christmas story told by dad.

Here's what we did.
A yummy, candlelight dinner

A hilarious game of brown paper bag. (rules: stand on one leg and bend down to pick up bag with teeth. Cut shorter once everyone has a turn. Winner is the one who can pick it up without falling. Nathan won....Aaron was a super close second. I face planted into the ground).

Even Joe thought we were pretty funny.

Poor Abby was sick and couldn't play. She did a lot of this.

We finished our Advent Calendar of Scriptures about the Savior's birth. And put the food out for Santa's Reindeer.

Opened one gift. Hannah got a movie from Grandma Lombardo; Nathan got a cool pen from Hannah; Abby opened a necklace made for her by Hannah.

Lastly, it was "The Polar Express" movie and plate of goodies for Santa. We were skimpy on Santa's treats this year. I'm sure he didn't mind.

At 1:00 Santa finally came.

Luckily, our kids haven't adopted my family tradition of waking up at 5am to open presents. I think it was 8:00. I was terrible getting any good pictures of them opening presents. It was more fun to just watch them. They were SOOO excited!

Favorite gifts:
Sewing Machine for Hannah

Radio Control Helicopter for Nathan (he's in love with it)

A 'fur real' puppy for Abigail (couldn't flip this picture for some reason)

And of course, we had our traditional egg-ala-golden-rod

Aaron and I enjoyed going to the movie, "Les Miserables" and both cried. I sobbed, he cried. I'm so grateful for life, for freedom, for love, for family, for food, for a home, for kindness, for God.

We ended our night with singing "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night" in the dark with a single candle. Magical!

So even though today is another day of chaos and crying, yesterday was wonderful and the Christmas Spirit was here. And I was happy. And it was a very Merry Christmas.