Little Sister and Big Sister

It is so neat seeing Kate be a big sister to Rachel Lee. She is especially sweet teaching her new things, like how to feed these ducks. She proudly pointed out to a friend the other day, "I am both a little sister and a big sister. Hannah is only big, and Rachel Lee is only little." I love how she knows and enjoys her place in our family.

A Smile Covers a Multitude of Fusses...

We've been sick...again. There's been lots of crying and fussing. But here is our house lately:

























Yep. And all is right with the world again.

Weekend Away

Yes, you read that right! Jeff and I had a weekend away. We dropped the girls off at my parent's house in Brea and then headed up the 5 to San Francisco to attend a wedding for some of our college friends. I know it sounds like a terrible weekend since we spent about 14 hours in the car, but honestly, Jeff and I enjoyed the time talking and being together without the interruption of our dear wee ones. It was also fun to connect with some friends we haven't seen in years, dance and of course, sleep in!! We had a nice breakfast the next morning at a coffee shop and then drove back home. It was a quick trip with lots of driving, but really, it was just great to get away for a while.

Here we are in the car (I'm blowing a kiss to the girls):



















































Here we are at the wedding:

Public vs Charter vs Home School...

This time last year Hannah and I were touring various preschools in the area looking for one that looked fun with a little bi of academic time that was also had a two day a week option. Phew...that was a tall order for most of the preschools that are also day cares and prefer to have children all day, 5 days a week. Some preschools offer additional classes during their day where you can sign your child up for karate, Spanish lessons, reading programs and so forth...it was exhausting just thinking about all the activities I could sign Hannah up for.

But, God was good and we found a great school. When I walked in there were large teeth with a huge tooth brush in this bin and the teeth were covered with shaving cream. Kids were taking turns brushing the huge teeth, smearing shaving cream all over and having a really good time. And honestly I wanted a turn too. It looked fun.

fast forward a year and here we are again looking at schools for Kindergarten next year. San Diego has a choice system where you can choose 5 schools to request if you prefer a different school from your neighborhood school. Most schools give tours so you can see what the classes look like, so I have toured the schools, placed my choices and am now praying and waiting.

Most schools in the area are going to experience cuts again this year. Grades 2-6 have about 35-40 kids in each class and the schools are expanding Kindergarten and first grade classes from their current 26-30 to possibly as high as 35 kids in a class next year. 1 teacher, 35 kids, no aide, full day Kindergarten...YIKES! Test scores are good, and we are really impressed with two schools that are only a few minutes away. The part that really makes me cringe though is the 150 Kindergarteners at lunch and recess together with, get this, 2 aides watching. WHAT?? What can 2 aides do when kids are teasing each other, or negotiating how to play a game which then turns badly?

But I can't live in fear of what might happen on the playground or in the classroom but rather I am really, really praying for wisdom as we consider the best place for our family...which might involve home school.

I know, I know!! Really, I KNOW!!

Let me explain he background to our thinking, and this is where it gets long so feel free to take a minute, grab some coffee (because this might also be boring...) and then come back when you are ready to think about a few issues with me...

Okay, ready? Okay...

First of all, I really don't like the direction of the public schools. Laying off teachers, over crowded classes, technology that is outdated, no more field trips, no more art, music or library...all of these things are things that enrich education and have been removed because of budget cuts. I can give my girls these things. I can individualize instruction and keep their interest in mind when making lessons. And the teacher morale is going wayyyyyy down as teachers get laid off, rehired, laid off and rehired, more kids and less prep time, furlow days and fewer pay raises...it's the administration that really wears a teacher out, not the students. And the schools are not getting better. Each year there seems to be more cuts and less for students to participate in. Plus, I could get an iPad and say that the girls needed it for educational reasons.

I also want to admit that I always said that I would send my kid to public schools, and if I am completely honest I would say that I judged other parents who homeschooled their kids (Shame. on. me! Special apologies to Heather Ashe who really is a great mom, great teacher and a great resources as we consider what to do...You have been a grea example which makes me think that maybe I should take this step for my family as well...). I don't want sheltered kids who don't know how to handle pressure or social settings. I want kids that are like other kids with the same experiences as other kids.

But, really? Do I want my kids to be like other kids? And does school really prepare kids for pressure and social settings?

I was having my teeth cleaned the other day and the dental hygienist said that all she wanted for her kids is to be happy and rich. It made me think, Wow...I just want my kids to know God's love, to be loved and to love others. I talked to Hannah the other day about how you can always love more people or love people more deeply because love is limitless. Happiness, riches, intelligence, beauty all these things are fleeting. They are nice to have, and I want my kids to be happy, to have enough money, to be smart, but my prayer for them is that they are loved and that they love others. So do I really want my kids to be like other kids? And would home schooling really bring about a different kid? I don't know...

I want to be careful here; I don't want to make a personal preference into a spiritual matter: home schooled kids might rebel as much as public school kids, and public school kids might love others better than home schooled kids...this is a preference issue, not spiritual issue. God never said to home school or to send kids to public school. But with the direction that public school is heading I really think that I could provide a better experience for Hannah (and eventually Kate and Rachel Lee) at home. For now. Maybe schools with change, and maybe when we move we will live in a different area with different types of schools that will make us reconsider, but for now we are here, and here the schools are not doing great.

So that's the background on our thinking, here is where we are now:

After much time on the internet and talking to others I have found a nice charter school that offers two days of in class instruction and three days of home learning. The curriculum is provided, and the classes are limited to 20 kids. There is one teacher and one full time aide, and 4 adults watch the 40 kids on the playground during recess and lunch. These ratios are hard to beat. The school is 20 minutes away, but since I am only making the trip twice a week it turns out to be about the same amount of driving as the school only 7 minutes away...(14 minutes round trip 10 times a week for 140 minutes as opposed to 40 minutes round trip 4 times a week for 160 minutes. The school used to have "lab" classes (karate, art, pottery, cooking, soccer...) but since they are publicly funded they had to cut something, so the labs were cut this year. But, I can find some classes like that for Hannah to participate in as part of the homeschool program. So why not just enroll her in the classes after school? Well, I could. It would just be a really packed schedule with a full day of class, an after school activity, and homework. Let's keep in mind she's 5. I'm 32 and exhausted just thinking about it.

Jeff is still in favor of giving the public schools a chance and then if that doesn't work taking Hannah out of the school and doing home school, but I am leaning towards the charter school (which we have been notified that we do have a spot but the classes are full so if we are not going to take the spot they need to know so they can register someone else on the waiting list). It's really hard to get into the charter school mid-year, so if we wait we may end up homeschooling all 5 days a week, which I would also be okay with but I think that the two day option sounds like a nice blend of home and in school education.

And the final thing that we are considering is friends. If we send her to school in our area she will have friends in the area. If we send her to school 20 minutes away she will know people from all over the area, which means playdates and birthday parties might be more complicated. UGH!

Really, I could go on and on listing all the pros and cons to each school setting, but all this is to say,

PLEASE PRAY FOR US!!

We want to be where God wants us to bless Him, bless our girls, and others. And, if you made it this far you are truly kind to read all my babbling. Please leave a comment with your thoughts. Any thoughts might help...

Still Our Baby Girl

I am happy to report that although Rachel Lee is growing quickly, there are still moments where she wants to be snuggled like a baby, and we are all very happy to indulge our sweet baby girl with all the babying she can handle!!

Tummy Trouble

Poor Kate. Sweet baby has had an upset stomach for a couple months now, and even after eliminating lactose (per her doctor's recommendation), and then milk completely, she complained A LOT that her tummy hurt. So, now the doctor is looking to make sure that her organs are working well and so far everything is coming back normal, praise God! We have one more appointment for an ultrasound, and we're hoping that that will be the last appointment. But, here she is, on the couch waiting until her tummy feels better. Poor Kate.

Little Miss Independent

"Look mom, I can get my own snack!"


And that's why they invited baby locks...

Reading to Rachel Lee

The girls love reading to Rachel Lee, but for some reason they feel like they have to yell to her.

Did you notice when Hannah says dance, dance, dance Rachel Lee copies the "da" sounds and tries to dance?? Rachel Lee is quite the dancer...video of that to come soon :)

Lawn Mowers

My girls are afraid of vacuums and lawn mowers. So, when I vacuum I set the girls in the crib with books and they have some book club time. When Jeff mows we watch from inside. Here is Rachel Lee...every time Jeff came close he gave her a wave and she pounded on the window...sooo cute!!

Three Princesses

We went to a dress up party the other day and I was able to walk these three princesses across town. I love keeping such royal company...thank you to Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Belle for gracing me with your presence!

Raindrop keep falling on my head

It doesn't rain often here is Southern California, but when it does we pull out the rain boots, umbrella, rain coats and hats and have fun getting wet!! Here is a picture of Hannah going out to pick some strawberries...we also splashed in puddles but I didn't take any pictures because I didn't want my camera getting wet. We love our rainy days!!

Kate's first Hair Cut

Kate is three and a half and I have never cut her hair. She has great little curls that hide all the unevenness that three and a half years of growth create, but her hair has never really been long enough to warrant a hair cut. She wanted one though, and so I quickly read a few articles online on how to cut curly hair (cut dry and at the arch of the curl...which really is hard to determine where the arch of the curl is...) and went to work.






Following her stunning short do Hannah then wanted a trim and of course Jeff did too...a case of you give a mouse a cookie. So, here my three are sporting their hew hair styles:

Who do you follow?

Philippians 3:17-21
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many of whom I have often told you and now you tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ who will transform our lowly body to like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.



Just recently I was confronted by a friend who encouraged me to think about my parenting. Her words hurt, telling me that I have high expectations and am hard on the girls. Now we can all admit that no one is perfect. We can admit we are wrong sometimes, but having someone tell you that you are wrong can be hurtful, even when it is done with love. So, after the conversation with my friend I came home and talked to Jeff about things and pointed out all the parenting flaws my friend has and why what she said could not possibly be true. I. am. a. good. mom. Afer venting a little, I didn't feel much better. So then I responded as I should have in the first place: I prayed. After praying a while and realizing that she may be right, I decided to ask friends who are parents that I want to imitate...friends that are following Christ and trying to raise their kids to understand how deeply they are loved and how much they need a Savior. I spoke a long time to a different friend and she reminded me that God is a good teacher and He can teach me to be the type of parent that Hannah, Kate and Rachel Lee need...she pointed me to Christ! Good friend, right? A friend that doesn't have all the answers of how to be a good parent, but a friend who knows the source of true goodness. I am not perfect, I do not have the answers, but I do have a good God who is patient enough to teach and correct me. Follow me as I follow Christ...if one falls down the other can pick him up...be imitators of Christ...ask and it will be given to you...all these phrase from verses have reassured me these past few days as I pray and meditate on the word of God and I realize again, that God is humbling me and teaching me so I can love and teach my girls. I don't know if my friend was correct with her observations, but I am thankful that God used that conversation to humble me, slow me down and to seek first Him and His kingdom. Praise God for continuing His work and praise God that He is faithful to complete His good purposes!

Go, Dogs, Go!!

My Dad and I ran an 8K. I am so proud that we did it too...he set the goal to finish in one hour. Now, keep in mind that my mom and dad walk a lot, but my dad has not run in 2 years. I thought it would take us an hour and a half, but we finished in 1 hour, 2 minutes and 38 seconds! Go, Dogs, Go! And I just have to say that running with my dad was F-U-N! If you've ever met my dad you know that he is a funny man. Witty, punny, and overall just a fun guy. If you don't know him, you should. As we were running I pointed out bird circling, referring to rain in three days, something my dad taught me growing up, and he said, "I'm not even dead yet!" As we ran past some people he also pointed out someone standing next to an empty tripod and said, "poor guy! Someone stole his camera!" Also, when we ran past a crowd holding out their hand to give us five, he bent down low to make the people squat to reach his hand...such a goof ball, and yet something that kept the run so fun!









And the girls were entered in the children's 1K race. I asked Hannah if she was interested in it and she was so excited she got her running clothes on and asked when the race started. I also asked Kate at the same time and she said she would skip. No skip as in pass over the race, but skip, as in hop, skip in the race. And, true to her word, little girl skipped most of the race holding Jeff's hand...and what a precious sight they were skipping hand in hand. The last part of the race she lost steam until Grandma Sue grabbed her other hand and ran her through the finish line of balloons. They each got a metal and some tasty treats o eat. I asked Hannah if she had fun and she said, "Yes! I want to do it again and again!" Kate responded, "I thought it was boring." Well, running is not for everyone, and my Taters is more of a puzzle/doll girl. I praise God for the uniqueness of my girls. What a joy they are!