Born to Be... Great?

You know, it's weird. I never really was a big fan of kids. Animals were more my thing. But yet, here I am, a stay at home mom that home-schools. I think maybe I was always destined to be a teacher (I taught at a daycare for 4 years after The Diva was born, then did in-home for a year, then went to school for teaching before dropping out because I hated it), but I have felt restricted by state standards, parental expectations, etc. 

However, I am here to tell you right here and right now that I am done with people-pleasing and worrying about if my kids are learning what they should or should not be learning at a certain age/stage. My kiddos are happy and healthy and intelligent. Why should I care if somebody thinks something should be done differently? I mean, if I continue to do what's expected ONLY, then the kids and I won't have fun. I won't be able to really experiment and find new fun things to do.

I mean, look at all of those amazing things on Pinterest! I bet that moms/teachers didn't get to do all of those things by following the books. Right? Maybe I'm over thinking all of this, but it's been bugging me for years now. Seriously, where is the fun in living if you have to follow every body else's rules?!

So... Rant over. Look forward to seeing my fun activities that the kids and I will be doing since I feel like I am finally breaking free of my internal chains that have been holding me back from greatness. I'm a creative person by nature, and I really cannot wait to put it to good use and see where it leads me.

The Busy, Busy Bee

I know, I know. I haven’t written on here in forever. I’ve began a lot of entries, but deleted them or left them unfinished. I completed one or two, but never posted it for some reason or another. I’ve really been so busy being a mom to two, or a wife, or a daughter, or a business-owner, or just been busy in general.

When I was a kid, I never imagined my life the way it is now. Do I regret the way it’s turned out? Definitely not! I never thought I’d be living with my husband and our kiddos in his parent’s house. In fact, when I was younger, I didn’t even want kids of my own - let alone to be “tied down” to anybody forever. But life has a funny way of working out in unexpected ways. Well, unexpected for us really, not necessarily unexpected to God.

Since the last time I wrote, a lot has happened. Like I said, we moved in with my in-laws. I thought it was going to be the end of the world and that I would hate it, but I actually quite enjoy it. My MIL and I have become great friends over the last couple of months. My FIL works all day everyday, so I rarely see him, which is okay with me because he’s kind of intimidating.

Mommy’s Sew Clever is officially a registered business! It’s great because I feel professional - with my own business cards and everything. It sucks because now I have to try to keep records and track all of my expenses/income (except there seems to be more expense than income this month).

My little man is 9 months old now! Can you believe it??!! Me neither! He’s the smiley-est kid I’ve even seen in my entire life. He’s so well behaved and rarely cries - only when he’s hungry or really mad. He is crawling all over the place, pulling himself up, and walking around tables while holding on with just one hand. He really wants to just let go and walk, but he isn’t there yet. Thank goodness! I honestly don’t think I’m ready for my baby to start walking yet.

On top of all of that, I am now a home-school mom. Yup, that’s right, I’m officially a crunchy momma. And, I love every bit of it! The Diva is six and is a great learner. She picks stuff up so easily and quickly that it’s almost too easy. She hates writing, but since I’m making it fun (writing letters back and forth to her cousin and her great-grandma, writing stuff in chalk at the park, leaving notes for daddy in his lunchbox, etc.), she doesn't even realize she’s learning! Great, right?

This week we started working on sign language. She has already mastered letters A-F, and basic words such as Mommy, Milk, Cat, Daddy, and Eat. She seems to be doing really good, but she’s likely to hate me in a week or so when we start doing spelling words. I’ll show off my lesson plans whenever I get it officially done, but she’ll be expected to do the following for each vocabulary word:

1) Orally spell each word correctly

2) Correctly write each word - including capitalization where needed

3) Use each word correctly in a sentence

4) Spell each word by signing each letter

5) Sign each word itself

6) Type each word correctly

Yeah, it’s a lot, huh? It’s actually easier than it sounds. I mean, I won’t be doing any hard words, and they’ll all be short words during the first few weeks. I can’t wait to upload a few of my lessons to show off to the world!

Other than that, there isn't anything else new that’s occurring. This, I must admit, I am very thankful for. Thanks, as always, for reading my blog. Please look forward to there actually being regular updates!