Why we Homeschool

WARNING: This post may be a little offensive. :)
I often get asked (by homeschoolers and non-homeschoolers) why we decided to homeschool. Back when Braedi was 3 or 4 she started reading. Jonathan remember how bored he was in school and thought that Braedi would be, too. He thought we should look into homeschooling. I had just taken a leave of absence from my job as a teacher in a public school to be a stay at home mom and was a little sceptical about homeschooling. Besides what about all the weirdos I knew who were homeschooled! But, I decided to look into it. I checked out books at the library, talked to another mom I knew who homeschooled, spent many night discussing options with Jonathan, and prayed. I decided to try it for a year (the year before Braedi entered kindergarten). It worked for us and we've been doing it ever since.

Now, the reason we keep homeschooling is a little different than why we started. We continue because I can teach my kids whatever and however I want; I get to spend all day with them instead of putting them on the bus at 7:30 and not seeing them again until 4:30; I don't have to worry about what they will learn and be exposed to at school; it's so flexible; and becasue it is the best thing I can do to raise Godly children.

I'm not going to say that homeschooling is the only way to go (though that is what I believe) and I'm not going to say that anyone can homeschool (even though everyone can), but I will say that if you are ever on the fence about whether you should pull your kids out of school, talk to Jonathan or I and we can convince you that you should.
--Ashlee

Quote of the Week #1

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world. . ."
--Marianne Williamson

I often come across quotes/scriptures/thoughts that stand out to me, and I thought I would start posting them and commenting on them (or at least trying to comment on them--I'm not always as eloquent as I want to be).

This quote comes from Jonathan's application letter to George Wythe University. He shared it with me last month and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. It keeps coming up in conversations with other moms and them not thinking they are good enough to homeschcool, and in Relief Society lessons when talking about our potential as mothers and wives, and in my own thoughts about things I need to do, but don't want to put forth all the effort, and in other conversations with friends. It has struck a chord. I need to do the right thing even though it may be hard and require more effort. I need to do things I enjoy even though someone may do that thing better than me. I need to do my best and not hold back. I need to play big.

Just Breathe

Woo-hoo! I'm excited to have a blog (thanks to my sister-in-law--Christy). Yesterday I was telling her that I was looking forward to posting something, but I didn't have anything to post. She responded by asking, "Did you breathe? Post about it! Was it a good breath or stale air?" That question is the inspiration for my post today.
I have been training for a 5K (another thanks to Christy) and have needed a way to mark how many miles that I run. Yesterday, I decided to run west on Wadell to Dysart, then down to Cactus, then over to El Mirage and back home. I don't normally like to run on main streets for several reasons. One of them is that it is so public and everyone can see me. Another is that I like to run on dirt paths (it's better for my knees). And the last reason is that I don't like to breathe the exhaust fumes from all the cars. During my run I kept thinking about how every breath burned my nose and throat, and I couldn't wait to get home. To answer the question, it was not a good breath and it wasn't really stale, just full carbon monoxide. I think the next time I run I will go back to the canal or the track at the park.

Smokin' HOT!!!

My wife, Ashlee, is the best thing to ever happen to me and the source of the success of our family. She is smart, fun, a GREAT mom, the best wife, and a talented teacher. To top it all off, she is SMOKIN' HOT!!!

I will probably tend to lean toward the goofy stories when I post here. I'll include stories and pictures of the crazy stuff that happens in our lives, and I'm afraid it will not do justice to the great job Ashlee does, so I decided to start off with a short tribute to my wife so everyone knows right off the bat how incredible she is.

I recently read in a book that the fastest way to become attracted to a person is to observe her doing something that she is good at. I guess that's why it's so easy to stay in love with Ashlee. One of my favorite things about her is the amount of time and energy she puts into teaching the kids and improving herself. She is constantly questioning what we could do better or do different. I see her pray about it, search the scriptures and other good books for answers, and talk with me and trusted friends. She is an example to me that whatever righteous goals we have and are willing to put forth effort and dedication towards, God will inspire us and guide us to success.

My wife is FANTASTIC!!!

Ashlee, I LOVE YOU!!!