It’s 3 am

….well actually 2:52 am. We are finally moved and somewhat settled into the new apartment. Let me just say, I love, LOVE the layout and the overall feel of the place. I don’t like that the bedrooms do not have light fixtures. Right now, we are using an L.E.D. light for our bedroom and Phoenix has night lights we use for her room.

So, now that we are moved in, my insomnia is back. I’m restless at night now. I was doing fine until the move and I know it will take me some weeks or so before I am settled before I can sleep normally again. I’ve started looking into more homeschooling for Phoenix. I haven’t yet designed my Easter Line for Phoenix Designz. I’m hoping to get started after this term is over, but that will leave me with only a week before Easter.

So, my task for tomorrow (actually later today) is to design a schedule or routine. Something that will help me get organized as we get settled into our new apartment. I know my posts are sporatic and jumbled, bear with me as I try to update my posts and have a moment to sit down and gather my thoughts. (I’m studying and typing this post at the same time) Keep your fingers crossed for luck!!!!

Education: Part 1: Homeschooling

At 6:25 am I was watching the sun starting to rise. I hadn’t woke up early to watch it, I just hadn’t been to sleep. I had too many things going through my head. I’m a full time college student. All my classes are online and I’m taking four this term. You would think it would be easy. It’s not. I have quite a few term papers due, essays, journals, research assignments…etc. I don’t remember having this much work when I was younger, but this brings me to the point of my post today.

I’m not much of a procrastinator, especially if I know it really needs to be done, however, things that make my eyes cross over (algebra) I put off to the very last second. So,while I’m up watching the sun, I started thinking about my kiddos. My daughter at 13 months understands most of things I tell her and already has a love of books, especially the interactive kind. I wondered, how would she handle going to school? If I introduced subjects to her now, would she have the same problems? Would she actually like math whereas I don’t? Of course my thought process is interrupted about the dangers of sending her off to school. I can tell you, these school shootings are NOT something I care to hear about or even see happening. (That topic is another post for another day)

Then, I think about our son. When we adopt him, he’ll be older, but further behind than kids here in the U.S. When my husband and I talked about this, we both thought it would be a great idea to homeschool. Like me, my husband isn’t thrilled with the violence going on in schools. As a 12 year army veteran, he knows all too well the dangers of guns and what people can and will do in hostile situations.

Homeschooling isn’t for everyone. My best friend doesn’t have the patience and likes the free time from her kiddos. Me? I would love to homeschool, knowing my children are getting a good education and are learning many different things. Now, that isn’t to say they wouldn’t get a good education in public or private school, I just feel better and comfortable teaching my children myself.

Many parents have told me it’s “selfish”, “they need to be around other kids”, “you need your own time”, “I couldn’t do it”, etc. I’ve heard it all before. I was homeschooled for my junior and senior year of high school. I’ve never been good around a crowd of people and being in school actually hindered me more than it helped. It helped my brother instead of hindering him.

Each child, family, and situation is different. I don’t expect what may work for us will work for you. Our son will know little to no English. Homeschooling will be very beneficial to him.

For families interested in homeschooling, check with your local School Board in your country. There are usually some requirements you must follow and a letter that you will need to submit stating your intent to homeschool.

I would advise speaking with other homeschooling parents. There are a number of them with blogs, websites, and groups (check yahoo and Facebook for the groups).

Locate curriculum. Remember, YOU will become the teacher when homeschooling and must plan accordingly. Find some teacher resource websites. I did this during my “no sleep mode” and found over thirty six. Keep a list of the sites and what materials they offer. Many of the materials are free and will only cost you ink and paper to print them. Do keep a binder for keeping track of not only your children’s work, but your planning and resources. It might be a good idea to have up to three binders.

The rest of this week, I’ve decided to spend a bit more time looking into homeschooling and talking about the school systems and how they differ.

If you are planning to move (soon or in the near future or looking for a new school for your little one(s)) and homeschooling is NOT an option for you. I highly recommended looking at Great Schools. You can find many parent reviews on the schools as well as read more about the schools, what they offer, and search for schools. This website, in my opinion, offers a wealth of information. Every parent should definitely view this link.

For early learners and beyond, I recommended Lakeshore. They offer resources as well as a print catalog in addition to their online catalog. You can purchase materials as well. This is really great for those that have a home day care.

Homeschooling, as I mentioned, is great for our family. I still have plenty of resources for when I homeschooled my sister. But for those of you will more questions, visit You Can Homeschool. This site will offer you questions. Last, but definitely not least, please, PLEASE visit the Homeschool Legal Defense Association (or HSLDA). You will find all the legal information you need on homeschooling.

~Happy Schooling~

The Facebook Take Over

When I check my Facebook, the first thing I notice are comments such as this, “Just finished breakfast”, “Just gave the kids a bath”, “So, little James….”, “Finally finished cleaning and laundry, got dinner to make”, “Just finished dinner”, “spending quality time with hubby”…etc.

You get the point. What I don’t understand is, if someone is constantly updating their status with what they’re doing and who they’re with, how are they actually accomplishing anything or managing to spend that “quality time”?

In the world of social networking, we tend to update and comment the most private and personal things, yet, everything seems to think this is okay because “Only people I know are on my friends list”. Really? Only people you know? What about the random people you friend for games? The lady who has a few things in common with you? The stranger who you met at the cafe and had a wonderful conversation with and you told “find me on Facebook”.

While I’m all for using social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace to keep in contact with friends and family, I don’t see a need to treat them as though they are my personal diary. I think you have personal information, contacting someone via phone, email, or text is better than posting it on Facebook.

Am I going overboard? Maybe. Once, someone told me their daughter was very upset and crying and said she felt replaced by Facebook because she was always on there and rarely spent time with her daughter. Has Facebook replaced our lives? Our loved ones? The average american person checks their Facebook page more than 30 times in an hour and post on nearly every comment in their newsfeed! That’s a lot of time spent on Facebook.

If you’re posting and commenting, are you also neglecting your family? Do you jump on Facebook the minute you leave a restaurant with your date? Is the entire ride spent with you talking about who said what and who did what to who?

As I mentioned, social networking is a great tool, but like anything else should be used in moderation. When we have family time, we have family time. There is no Facebook, no twitter, no myspace, no WordPress, no Blogger. Our family time is meant to strengthen and bond our family, not to tell the world what we are doing. Do I post what we did afterwards? No! Why? Because once our daughter is asleep then it’s our time as a couple.

Social networking can become an addiction. Many people are addicted. Those are the ones that can’t seem to step away from Facebook. On the occasion when I do get on, the last thing I want to read is about what you did with your spouse last night. Use caution and consideration. Try limiting your Facebook time to 2-3 times a day or take a break. Deactivate your account. If you “THINK” you can’t survive for more than 24 hours without needing to know what is going on Facebook, you could be addicted and should seek a professional opinion and counseling.

Facebook isn’t the only thing that people become addicted too. Texting, twitter….it’s important to make these things third or fourth in your life. If something were to happen to you, how many people in your social network would remember? What is the last thing your family would remember about you?