Month: August 2013

August 27, 2013
I cannot believe my sweet Bella started school. It’s more like mama and Bella started school, as she will be home-schooled. Since her birth, I have been determined to teach her as much as I can, so I started as soon as we brought her home from the hospital. Sometimes, I think if she could speak then, she would ask me to be quiet as I told her and showed her everything I possibly could. Anything I was doing, I described to her, whether it was taking out the trash or getting the mail or driving. This girl was very well equipped with vocabulary from early on. Today, she seems to communicate as an adult, even the tone of voice is sometimes intimidating. I have to turn around and see whether it’s a 3 year old or a 16 year old. The idea of homeschooling was born when I started dating Barry as he was also home-schooled. I used to think, there is no way I can home school my children as I don’t know enough, but that is a foolish thought, because whatever I don’t know, I will learn and teach them. After doing extensive research and reading, I have come to a solid conclusion that public or even private education is just not what I choose for my kids. I am not judging anyone that has decided to send their kids to a regular school, not at all. I have based my decision strictly on what I have researched and what I see and want to see in my children.
Bella is starting Kindergarten at age 3 and the reason it’s not pre-school is because of the material, her and I have gone over pre-school material last year and she is very familiar with what is taught in pre-school. I chose a classical education approach, because it requires a child to collect, memorize and categorize information, which is very effective. Bella loves the material so far and is having fun with it. She has fully memorized Psalm 100 and recites it smoothly. We will continue to memorize verses, poems and songs. She is reading daily and picking up speed. One of my favorite things about teaching my kids at home is I can teach them a Christian curriculum, not only will they possess day to day knowledge but they will also grow in their walk with Christ. I am excited beyond words about this new chapter in our life! Through Him everything is possible!

This was a first for us, to bring our sweet daughter into class and for her to just take off and become part of it. The tears wanted to come on as soon as we entered, but she was distracted enough to not cry. She did fantastic! I knew she would like it, but I had no idea how good she would be at it. This girl nailed every exercise that was given and stuck with it all the way to the end. The least favorite part for her were the “foamy things” somehow they were cutting into her skin, as she explained. I hope next time her experience will be even better. Bella honey, mommy, daddy and Joshy are all very proud of you and your accomplishments. Not only were you good with all the exercises, you were the best behaved child and that makes mommy and daddy beyond proud. We love you our precious girl!

We have a brand new fire station that opened and the invitation went out to all of the neighborhood to come for fun, food and simply to tour the station. Of course, it being only 10 minutes away (walking distance) we decided to take our bundles. To say they loved it, would simply be a lie, we had some tears as soon as we got there. The firemen hats were somehow not a hit with our children, so that’s what triggered the tears ; ) Joshy was intimidated by the fire engines so there was some hesitation there, but overall, we had a good time. It was fun to take the kids and sit in one of the trucks and have them see the police car close and personal. They definitely remember it and talk about to this day : )

4th of July, celebration, fireworks, family, friends and in the midst of it all, sorrow and heart that aches for the ones that are not in a situation to celebrate. After having a fantastic time at Oleg’s and Lilya’s and watching a spectacular fireworks show from the roof top we headed home. It was that moment where everything almost felt frozen, like the time has stopped. As we drove past the county jail, there was not a person insight except for a mother and a baby sitting on the cement steps at 10:15P.M. As she leaned over to her baby who was in the stroller, it almost seemed as she was saying that everything was going to be ok. I couldn’t help it, my heart cried for her and her situation. Why was she there? Why was the baby with her at such late hour of the night and not sound asleep in his/her warm and cozy bed? A flood of emotions and prayer has overcome my heart and soul. I prayed for all the babies out there, that do not have homes, I prayed for broken marriages, for fathers that neglected their families, for women hurting, for all of that goes on in this painful world. Then peace came over me, it was as if Christ had his hand on my shoulders telling me that He has all of these people in His hand and He knows each and everyone’s story. I thanked Him over and over for the things and relationships that we have and do not deserve. For his gracious heart that keeps on loving us no matter how much we mess up. We are blessed beyond measure!