As we get ready to embark on year two of homeschooling, I wanted to take some time to reflect on our first year and the journey to homeschooling for our family. I wanted to remember our story because I want to share it with our kids, and the best way for me to remember anything these days is to write it down! That 'pregnancy brain' turned into 'mom brain'. Also, I'm a sucker for a good story and sweet details. :) I grew up in a household where we were sent to public school. I rode the school bus. My mom even became a school bus driver when I was in middle school so she could be home with us during the summers. I LOVED school! My grandmother was a school librarian! At one time, I wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher! I would get so excited about going back to school-- meeting my new teacher(s), getting new school supplies, picking out new clothes, and seeing my friends. I was fortunate and had so many great teachers- I can't think of a single teacher who wasn...

I know that I've said it before, but I enjoy being pregnant very much- even when I'm running to the bathroom with morning sickness or aching with pain as I'm chasing my other little ones around and playing all day. It is an experience unlike any other. Even though we hadn't planned on becoming pregnant so soon after having Owen, we were thrilled to add another baby to our family. When I first became pregnant with Lana, I had been dealing with lots of anxiety. It was to the point where I was unable to sleep at night. Becoming pregnant made me so exhausted, and it forced me to sleep as soon as I laid my head on my pillow. I prayed to be released of my extreme anxiety, but I didn't know that the answer to my prayers would bring Lana. What a sweet sweet surprise. Lana's birth story begins a bit before her actual due date. I had my routine doctor appointment on Thursday, September 26th and measured at 2 and a half cm. A week later, on October 3rd, I measured 3 cm...

A few weeks after celebrating Ella's birthday, we celebrated Owen's 1st birthday on July 20th, a couple days after he actually turned one. He was walking at 11 months, so he's always on the move and he loves to snuggle, loves books, and loves to stay up most of the night. He's finally sleeping all night, but around his 1st birthday, he still wasn't. Lol. He's got those baby blue eyes from his Daddy and some sweet curls from his Mommy. He's a handsome little fella! :) With his love for books, we decided on a bookworm theme for him. We had gone through several ideas for a theme and none seemed to be good enough, but this one was absolutely perfect for our little boy! Again, I had lots and lots of help with Owen's party. Brent did a lot more food prep and party favors than I did so I could focus on the birthday signs and Owen's smash cake. Brent's parents and Brenda also contributed in helping. This time, I wasn't too terribly worried abou...

This summer has gone by so fast! Again, it hasn't felt quite like the summers I remember since I'm pregnant for the third summer in a row. This year, we had two July birthdays to celebrate! First, we had Ella's Bubble Guppies themed birthday party at the end of June. (We celebrated our Independence Day baby a few days early). I love love love planning and hosting parties! It is a lot harder to make decorations and set up with little kids running around needing their Mommy, and I appreciate all the help I had with getting things accomplished in preparation for her party. Brent and I had discussed the details so he knew what I had in mind and also contributed many great ideas to the party. Ella has always enjoyed watching the show Bubble Guppies on Nick Jr. She loves to get up and dance and sing along with the characters. She used to call the show,  "Dup -ah- Dah." I really miss having her call it that. I don't remember when she stopped.... it had to have be...