Hopping Back On the Ol' Blog Wagon

I'm a bit embarrassed, I'm mostly disappointed in my lack of consistency, and honestly, just kinda bummed. What's it been? Something like 4 years?!?!?! A lot of water under the bridge, a lot of joy, a lot of heartbreak, success stories and failures, stress and sleepless nights, contrasted with beautiful days that we didn't want to end. Such is life. So from today on, my goal to write about our comings and goings starts with great enthusiasm and hopefulness.

A -  went from tween to full blown TEEN!! No longer Rocker Boy but Skater/Surfer Boy. Since moving back to Florida in 2009 his love of all things surf and skate is a full time obsession! Along with...girls!

B- went from pink princesses to neon green fashionista tomboy. Since moving back to Florida, our amazing community of home school families have nurtured her individuality and unique fashion sense!

R- went from wanting to relax in the countryside of NC to taking on more projects in real estate as well as 2 bands! Amazing to me is his new desire at attempting to get a real estate flipping show on HGtv! LOL

Me??? Well, I used to long for chickens and goats, growing all my own organic produce, sewing, crafting and baking.  I got over THAT real quick!!! HA I still love chickens and goats and all that other stuff, but if we want some livestock time we got to the fair and the farmer's market!  I still do many of the domestic 'arts', but it finally dawned on me that I have to have balance! I swung from one side of the pendulum to the other. I do have a tendency toward OCD. I think I'm finally getting to a place in my head that I can do whatever I want whenever I want. I don't have to fit a certain mold. If I want to bake some bread then I'm gonna do it! The next week I'll buy the bread at Costco! I'm not going to beat myself up over it or feel like I've failed my family!! We lost both of R's parents in the last year, they were a huge part of our everyday lives. Their deaths opened my eyes tremendously! Life is short, very short. Cut yourself some slack and enjoy the ones you've chosen to be with. The bread baking can wait.

Useful Information!

Homeschooling by the Numbers [Infographic]



When we encounter individuals who either don't understand homeschooling OR individuals who attack our decisions to homeschool, I like to be prepared with information that backs up my choice. 
I found these stats to be about as straight forward as you can get!

A is HOME!!!

The summer is over and I have my boy back!  3 inches taller and 8 lbs heavier!!! Thank goodness his Grandma bought him a bunch of new clothes and shoes! The stuff he left behind doesn't fit at all. Donation time at the Goodwill:)

B is thrilled/sad to have him home! One half of her is so excited to have her beloved brother back. The other half is dreading the prospect of having to share(toys, food, parents) having to ask for permission to enter his room and having to share the bathroom.

We'll be starting a number of new activites as well. Our first meeting with 4H is next week at a nature center. B has weekly dance classes.  A will be trying an introductory martial arts class to see if its something he'd like to persue. And the animal shelter is anxious for him to come back to the doggies and get back to training new volunteers!

Our plate is full - Life is Good:)

Summer is here

Getting ready for a summer with only one kiddo at home! A is making a huge jump into tweendom. In the past he's gone to England with his grandparents for about 3 weeks.  This year he's going for 2 months!!! I struggled with that for a while. Not for him, but for me!!! LOL 

Thank goodness he's very independent and adapts well to changing situations. He's never been a clingy kid. Never cried when dropped off at preschool, never fussed when mommy had to leave him with a sitter to go to work.  He's got a stong and adventurous personality. So needless to say, he's SUPER excited about his summer in England!

We've also got some plans for B while her brother is gone. Working on her independence and her clinginess!! haha   She does seem to sprout while he's away. She comes out of her shell and feels much more confident. It's interesting to watch.  We shall see what she accomplishes this time:)

Excited for both of them during this exciting time!

Passion, creativity, art, music, team work, talent, friendship, JOY!

These are all the things that I was priviledged to experience while working on and performing the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

After 15 years of being away from theater, I found my voice again! It never left of course, but my life had taken a different path. Being a wife and a mom will always be my number one role, but to have the opportunity to express myself creatively has renewed me. It also showed my children that Mommy is A LOT more than what they see every day.

This was a goal that I had been waiting to achieve for 20 years. But I also believe that had I played the role back then it probably wouldn't have been as fulfilling or as multi-dimensional. There's a lot to be said for 20 years of life experience that one can bring to a character.
I also reconnected to a group of people that give me so much joy. 'Theater People':) People who 'get' you. People who have the same love and respect for the craft. These will be life-long friends.

This will not be the last production I do. The fire has been sparked and this time I won't let it go out!