I am a Home Schooling Mommy!

Yes I home school my 4 (soon to be 5) year old. I have an older child who also goes to public school which prior to public school he was home schooled as well. School year technically does not start for Kindergarten here until the 27th of this month. This Friday. We started our home schooling yesterday. I decided to share my excitement with all of my friends on Facebook yesterday just like I did about my oldest son's first day back to school Friday last week. Did I get as warm of a response when I did this? No! I was informed how I am not a certified teacher so I can not home school my child. Then was informed that home school children do not get the socialization that other children get and how I would be doing my child wrong no matter how smart he is.

I said I then posted another post up not even directed to this one person who bashed me for home schooling. It simply stated that if someone does not like my post just simply not read it. That I was home schooled before and if you are calling home schooled children socially retarded then you are calling me socially retarded. This same person proceeded to attack me on that post telling me I am socially retarded if that's what I got from what SHE was saying. As if this world revolves around just her words. Hello!!! There are more people than just you with a negative comment towards me about my child being home schooled and about myself being home schooled. The world doesn't revolve around you. Even though we all know you probably wish it would.

I also was called a fool and told I am a liar, because I said no by my states law I DO NOT have to be certified to home school my child. I don't even have to be registered with the DOE until his 7th birthday. She had removed me from her friends before I could remove her so I sent her an email and informed her I have already talked to my state DOE and our parish school board office. I informed her I know what my states home schooling laws are better than she does considering she is in Mass which is north east. I am in the south! Her state doesn't even require certification! It even states in their home schooling laws that the state can not require certification. In some states only qualification a parent may have to have is a high school diploma or a GED. If you are a teacher you have to have a certification.

Well I blocked her after the email letting her know I know what I am talking about I am not just jumping head first into it not knowing what I am doing or supposed to do. I get on my Facebook this morning and click to check replies. I go to two replies on my post that this woman had gone off on me on to see her sister (who is on my friends) has now commented bashing me for home schooling. I was informed I am no teacher and have no right to home school my child. Last I checked I have rights as a parent and an American. I have rights to do what I want when it comes to my children as long as it is not hurting or harming them. My children are taken care of and are extremely smart. My 4 yr old knows how to use a computer! He knows how to get to his games (all educational) and he can operate them just fine on his own. My children are fed, clothed, clean, have a nice home they live in, provided with their needs when it comes to school and other wise. They have toys and everything a child should have to be able to let their imagination grow. My son yesterday sat down with me for 25 mins and done his Language Arts, Math and Health. Then he did games teaching him more about colors, shapes and stuff like that. Yet I have no business home schooling my own son? I guess these people think no one who home schools has the business to do so, because it is not a public school setting.

The way I see it is like this. School is learning time not social time. A child can be social outside of learning. That is why we have stuff like Boy Scouts, 4-H, Sports and such. If your too lazy as the parent to get your child out to social things then I am sorry that is your fault not mine. My children do VBS (this summer we didn't get to due to me being off my leg from a torn tendon in my knee) and my oldest is looking forward to trying out for Soccer this fall (if he still wants to do so). My youngest plays with other kids his age and older than him. We go to the library and there are always other children there for story time and other activities they do at our local library. Just because a child learns at home does not mean that they don't get to be social. It doesn't mean that the parents shouldn't be teaching them if they are not certified teachers. People need to educate before they start screaming Liar and Fool at people. This really shows your true IQ and maturity level.

RIP Kathy

My Mother in law passed away yesterday morning around 7 am. I wish I had more time to have gotten to know her more than we had, but I am thankful for the chance to have met her. I am thankful for the fact my husband did get to meet his mom and see her the two times he did, before she passed away. I am thankful that my children got to meet their grandmother. It is hard to think that when we go back to Texas to visit Grandpa Don and Uncle Lenny that Grandma Kathy won't be there in her recliner laughing and smiling while she watches the kids play and run around being loud. There are memories of her in every inch of that house not only for us, but for her husband and oldest son.

From the stories we have heard about her she was a hard working lady who worked for her children. Due to some crazy stuff she had to leave my husband and his brother behind, but worked hard to bring them to where she was. Due to a lot of things that never happened. I found her via the internet (I found her sister in law who gave me her phone number) and we had the chance to meet her this summer. We only were able to go down twice due to my knee injury I had suffered this summer and my baby boy's hospital stay. A week or less after my son came out of the hospital my mother in law was admitted in. She was a strong and amazing lady. Very soft spoken. She left behind her husband, Her oldest son (he has Aspergers (sp?), blind in one eye and deaf so he lived home with them), My brother in law, My husband and 5 beautiful grandsons ( 2 from my brother in law and 3 from me and my husband). She also left behind 2 Daughter in laws. Myself and my brother in laws wife. Her brother and parents were waiting for her in heaven though and I am sure they welcomed her with open arms.

My oldest son took it really hard about her death, but we explained to him that she had been in the hospital for a while we just didn't tell him, because he was worried about his baby brother enough already. We explained to him that her cancer had been causing her a lot of pain so now she is in no more pain and is in a better place. We told him she went to heaven to be with Jesus. He decided since she is in a better place he is happy for her, but did tell me he still misses her. I told him that it is ok and completely normal to miss someone, because it shows that you cared about them and they touched your life. I am actually thinking about getting a plant or something of some sort for my children to either have indoors or plant outside in memory of their Grandma Kathy since there isn't going to be a service held for her upon her request.

Kathy you are a wonderful person to meet and know and I am blessed that you touched our lives. I regret we didn't get to have more time with you, but that is my selfishness because I know now that you are no longer in pain. I know you wanted to hang on to your new life longer and watch your grandchildren grow up, but we know you are watching us from heaven with your hand on our hearts. We love you and will miss you always until we join you in heaven.

School Starts in 9 Days!

This is a big thing in my house. Especially this year. I have one who is going to be going into Kindergarten. His first time in public school. I was a home schooling mom before last year. My oldest was home schooled since he was 3 years old. Last year he went into first grade in the public school system. He did really well and had no adjusting problems. I feel it also helped that the school is a small country school and at the most the class had 17 students in it. His teacher was a very good teacher who also was the teacher who took the resource kids. She knew how to manage her time and help the children who needed it most and was still able to help those who would need once in awhile.

My oldest is entering into the second grade this year. My middle child is going into Kindergarten. My baby is staying home this year with me, but will attend speech once a week for the fall quarter and depending on how things go with the Kidney Specialist he will hopefully be starting speech 3 times a week when winter quarter comes around. School supplies are bought. Only have one thing from my middle child's list to get which I have to go to the town 30 - 45 minutes away to get, due to there not being a store anywhere around here that carries one pack of brown construction paper. Still have to get lunch boxes too, because this year my children will not be eating food at school. The school does not give them good choices. They don't even make sure they eat their food and not just their dessert. I am on the search for fun lunch ideas for them to take that is not only yummy but good for them. I want to make sure it is stuff they will eat. Nothing worse than a child who decides not to eat their lunch while at school when they come home from school! My oldest did so most days at school. He was supposed to been eating breakfast and lunch at school. Found out he wasn't going to breakfast when he got to school and he was only eating the junk food they were given for his lunch. By the time he got off the bus he was starved and was eating whatever junk he could get his hands on at my mom's house (where he rode the bus to).

This school year I am going to make changes! I plan on getting fast and easy grab and go breakfast items. We have a crazy morning in our household. We get up at 6:30 am. I usually feel like I am running late. This year we will be getting up at 6 am. All 3 children will have a bedtime of 8:30 pm so they are getting an hour and a half over 8 hours of sleep. I will lay out the baby's clothes for the next day the night before after everyone has their baths and showers. I will have the other two pick out their clothes for school. I am going to actually try and enforce a schedule. All the way from morning wake up to bedtime. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. We will have to have dinner at 5 pm before daddy gets off work and gets home due to the fact that daddy gets off work at 6 pm and sometimes we don't get home till 6:30 - 7 pm from picking him up from work. I am hoping with one child at home things will be easier around here. I am hoping to be able to get caught up on housework. I am hoping to get to sit and enjoy some hobbies a little more. I am hoping to become the mother and housewife I always wanted to be. I want to have a hot dinner on the table on time every night. I want to have a wonderful after school snack prepped and ready for my children by the time they get home from school. I hope to have my house clean and inviting. Laundry clean and put away. My laundry is in closet demon! I have lots of hopes I might just have to make a list of. Go over and figure out how I can and will achieve them.

Errands, Errands and Oh Yea Errands...

Well it is a very hot Friday. Made a somewhat wasted trip to the WIC office today. This was highly annoying since it is a 15 minute or so drive for me. My kids were good for me at least. That was a plus. Did some more Friday running after getting back to town. Now I am sitting at home wondering when Fall is going to get here. I am so ready for these hot temps to go away! We have a very busy week ahead of us next week. My baby boy goes for his appointment with the Kidney Specialist Monday. Then Tuesday for a Speech Evaluation. Wednesday we will be going back to the WIC office. All I can say is thank god the gas prices have gone down some! We are going to make the most of Monday at least since we are driving a hour away from home. Going to take the kids to eat somewhere and try to relax and enjoy the day before we go in for his appointment. Our family absolutely love the Bossier City Boardwalk! Bass Pro Shop is also right there on the Boardwalk. Sometimes I wish I had access to a million dollars when I go to the Boardwalk. Awesome place with awesome shopping and great restaurants!

Now I would like to ask all of you what kind of errands do you despise having to do? Does the summer heat make it more miserable for you to have to get out and run errands? Comments! I love them!! :)

Home Sweet Home

We came home from the hospital on Saturday late afternoon. We now have a new specialist added to our list. My baby boy will now be going to see a kidney doctor. Have had a very busy day today. Have a busy week next week with a doctor appointment with the kidney specialist and speech evaluation. Doctor appointment with the regular family doctor this week. Still trying to get everything ready for school for my older two. All school supplies are bought except for one pack of brown construction paper and one pack of white construction paper.

I am thinking I will go through clothes from last year and see what still fits who. See what will get passed down and is worth keeping. See who needs what bought for them for their school year wardrobe. I know new shoes, socks and underwear is on that list. Something that is always on that list each season or more. It will be odd only having my youngest home. He will start Pre-K next year. Makes me want to cry. I think I am going to cry first day of school when my middle son starts Kindergarten. I won't know how to act without him home all day with me. Will have to come up with some hobbies for sure, because the youngest one just goes on doing his thing on his own. So independent for such a little man.

I am hoping to get to sit down and start working on my first cookbook. It will be called Momma Talks Food. Thinking of making the first one a collection of Fall oriented recipes. Aim for it to be done and posted up on here to purchase by Fall 2010! Maybe once life slows down around here some for me I will be able to do a few more projects. Well it is late and about bed time around here so I will close for the night.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Cheesy Bacon and Potato Omelet

Prep time: 15 min

Total time: 45 min

Makes: 6 servings

What You Need

6 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, chopped1 lb. potatoes, peeled, cut into thin slices
1/2 cup sliced onions
1 clove garlic, minced
6 eggs, beaten
1 cup KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

Make It

Cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from skillet to drain, reserving drippings in skillet. Add potatoes, onions and garlic to drippings; cook 10 to 12 min. or until tender and golden brown, stirring frequently. Place potato mixture in large bowl. Add bacon, eggs, 1/2 cup cheese and pepper; mix well. Heat same skillet on high heat. Return potato mixture to skillet; cook on low heat 12 min. or until egg mixture is almost set. Slide omelet onto dinner plate. Place skillet upside-down over omelet; carefully turn plate and skillet over to flip omelet. Top with remaining cheese; cook 3 min. or until cheese is melted and center of omelet is set. Sprinkle with parsley.


This is a recipe I found at www.kraftfoods.com. It looked good so I wanted to share it w/ everyone. Hope you guys enjoy!

Remember to send me your ideas and suggestions. Recipe sharing is welcome too!
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Hospitals Suck!

We have been residents of our local hospital since Thursday. My baby boy got sick Wednesday morning. Since he was no better and his fever was not responding to Tylenol I brought him in to the ER that morning. By afternoon time he was being admitted for a bad kidney infection.

Since being admitted we have found out he also has a heart murmur. He had an ultrasound on his kidneys and bladder yesterday showing his left kidney is abnormal. It is not fully functioning and he either has or possibly has urinary re flux. He will be having an echo done on his heart today.

We are hoping to go home Wednesday. We were supposed to go home today, but due to his kidney being abnormal the doctor wants to keep him in to administer antibiotics through his IV. If he was to go home now his infection would probably come back full force and make him sick again. Please pray all goes well for him.
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Bring Kyron Home!

Kyron Horman has been missing since June 4, 2010. He was last seen at his school. The case is considered Endangered missing. He is 7 years old, 3' 8", aprox. 50 lbs, brown hair and blue eyes. As many already know he is a young white male. Location is Portland, Or. Last seen at 8:45 am by his step mom at Skyline Elementary.

Child Seek Network
Missingkids.com

Contact Info is as follows:

Jude: childseek@verizon.net

Carol: childseek@mtangel.net

If you have any information PLEASE call the Tip Line:
1-503-261-2847

I do plan on having more to come on this case.
I send my prayers to this little boys family and hope for the best.
Please if you know anything call or email the above contacts.
Help find and bring Kyron Horman home where he belongs!

Important Food Recalls!

It happened again. Last night Kraft's Facebook fan page broke out. People really like to gang up on one person when they say they don't get Mrs Brown and think she is crazy now. On a different note there are some cases of recalls that people should be more concerned with. Mold be gone now on to some real concerns.

There has been a Marie Callendar Recall. It is possibly linked to a Sallmonella Outbreak in 14 states. They are recalling all meals that are titled Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken and Rice White Meat Chicken and Broccoli over Rice Topped with Rich Cheddar Sauce no matter the production date. If you have any of these in your home then contact the company.

1-800-595-7010

Source:
http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=145443&catid=3

Also there has been a recall on Campbell's Spaghetti 0's. The Paris, TX plant had a malfunction with one of the cookers, causing the meetballs to not get enough heat applied to them. Recalled are certain lots of three varieties of the pasta product often consumed by children: SpaghettiOs with Meatballs, SpaghettiOs A to Z with Meatballs, and SpaghettiOs Fun Shapes with Meatballs (Cars). The recalled products have "EST 4K," as well as a use-by date between June 2010 and December 2011 printed on the bottom of the can. The products were manufactured between December 2008 and June 2010 and distributed to retail establishments nationwide. If you have any of these in your home then contact the company.

1-800-257-8443 Monday - Friday 9AM to 7PM EST

Source:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5isKA8oswqL8R72hBuYvQKXavpF4QD9GDE0GO0

(This link about the Spaghetti O's was also just passed on to me by a friend so I am going to add it on here for all of you as well.)

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/06/18/2010-06-18_campbell_soup_company_recalls_35000_cases_of_spaghettios_due_to_underprocessing.html

There have also been two other interesting bits of news to hit the internet. One is about our children's fruit juices containing lead. On the list I also observed cans of fruit as well.

http://www.inhabitots.com/2010/06/11/85-of-kids-drinks-snacks-could-contain-high-levels-of-lead/

Other popular children's juice drinks have high levels of arsenic in them.

http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2010/03/study-finds-concerning-levels-of-arsenic-in-apple-juice/

Also as just posted in the comments GE Front Loader Washers have been recalled. They are being recalled due to fire and shock hazzard.

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10259.html

Is it really getting to the point that if we want our children to be healthy that we are going to have to grow it and make it ourselves? I guess it's time to turn Amish (with the exception of keeping the electronic luxuries). So while some of you are out battleing mold the rest of us are going to go worry about real recalls and problems that are a real danger to our children.

Creamy Layered BLT Dip

As I promised at the end of the last blog I posted here is a yummy looking recipe from Kraftfoods.com. Hope you guys enjoy it. :)

Creamy Layered BLT Dip
prep time 10 min
total time 10 min
makes 28 servings,
2 Tbsp. dip and 16 crackers each

What You Need!
1 container (16 oz.)
BREAKSTONE'S or KNUDSEN Sour Cream
1/2 tsp. onion powder
6 slices OSCAR MAYER Fully Cooked Bacon
1/2 cup KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 tomatoes, chopped, divided
1 cup shredded lettuce
WHEAT THINS Original Crackers

Make It!
MIX sour cream and onion powder; spread onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate.

HEAT bacon as directed on package; cut into small pieces. Sprinkle over sour cream mixture. Top with cheese, 3/4 cup tomatoes and lettuce; sprinkle with remaining tomatoes.

SERVE with crackers

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/creamy-layered-blt-dip-55467.aspx

Summertime Treats for the Family!

I am in another recipe sharing mood. I love to search the Internet for recipes that my children would enjoy. I do this so much it could probably be considered a hobby. Well in my search I came across some Summertime Recipes on one of my favorite sites that I have stamped my approval on in a past post. FamilyFun.com has loads of Summer recipes up on their site that you and your family young and old would enjoy!

Here is my Saturday recipe pick to share with all of you out there! Hope you enjoy!

Melt-in-Your-Mouth Melon

Ingredients:

1 Honeydew
Raspberry Sherbert
Chocolate Chips

Instructions:

1) Halve the honeydew, discard the seeds, and chill it overnight in the fridge.

2) The next day, put the halves in the freezer for 15 minutes, pull them out, and pack them with sorbet, gently evening off the top.

3) Using a chilled knife, slice each half into halves again (make sure the melon is sorbet side up).

4) Finally, insert a row of chocolate chip seeds and serve immediately.


This Recipe and many others can be found at FamilyFun and gets my Momma's Stamp of Approval.