Our Family

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Homeschooloing

What to do....What to do.

I've been considering homeschooling and I keep going back and forth. I thought if I wrote out my reasonings and got some input from others, it might help guide my decision.

So..why do I want to homeschool?
- I have more control over what she is exposed with
- I can make sure she is learning on her level
- We don't have to base our vacation time on the school schedule
- we can take field trips whenever we want and have more of a hands-on learning approach
- I can integrate our beliefs and morals into the learning
- I can teach - which is what I've wanted to do
There may be more I just can't think of anymore right now

Why I don't want to do it:
- I loved school - every aspect of it and want my kids to have the same experience
- The structured social aspect is beneficial for them as they get older.
- It will be a different structure to my day to day routines
- It is a long-term committment
- If I were to enroll her in extra-curricular activities, there will always br a pretense set when others see she is homeschooled - do I want that for her?

How do you decide whats best for you and your family? Any thoughts?

Sunday, October 3, 2010

2 months old!

Our little Nicholas is already 2 months old! I can't believe how fast it's gone. This is his favorite place to play now. He'll play for about half an hour and then conk out. I love it!!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Off to Kindergarten!

KennaDee's first day at school! I can't believe that I have a Kindergartner.

Here's how the day went:

8:00 - KennaDee woke up (I had to wake her)

8:05 - rolled out of bed, got dressed - she picked out her favorite outfit

8:15 - ate breakfast

8:30 - started our journey to the bus stop

(she would wear this everyday if I let her. Thanks Nana!)

And this is her new backpack!

8:40 - walking up to the bus stop

My little girl is not so little anymore.

8:45 - me following the bus to school

I know, maybe I'm pathetic, buy my baby girl just went to school. This is a hard day for mama.

9:00 - I greeted her as she got off the bus, kissed her on the cheek, whispered in her ear that I love her and I hope she has a good day.

Tears started to well up so I darted back to my car before she could see me.

She was scared to get on the bus and nervous to go to school but honestly........

this was me:

I forgot to get a pic of me balling so this is an imitation of me. And I did this periodically throughout the day.

I think I had a harder time than her.

These are the questions that constantly went through my head all day long:

"I wonder what she's doing."

"Is she having fun?"

"Is she participating well?"

"Has she made friends yet?"

"How is her teacher?"

"Will she eat enough for lunch?

"Have I taught her well enough to stand up for what's right?"

.........

3:40pm - I head to the bus stop to pick her up and this was her getting off the bus:

She said she looked a little excited but as soon as she saw me, her lip turned to a frown and her eyes widened. She looked scared! She said that there were soo many people on the bus and it was way too loud for her.

Sad times.

I asked her how her day was and she said good. I asked, "What did you do?" She said, " I can't remember."

"Ahhhhhh!!!" was my response. I so badly wanted to know what she did all day and she couldn't remember. Eventually things started to come out one by one but still.....

We shall see how tomorrow goes.

This is us!

Welcome to our Family Website! We decided to start a family website so that our family and friends will be updated on what we're up to over here on the East Coast. Brian and I met in October of 2003 and were married in August of 2004 in the Vernal, Utah Temple. It was a beautiful wedding and we still have pictures up on the walls of that very special day. We didn't wait long to start creating a family. We welcomed KennaDee in our arms in May of 2005, Jackson joined us in November of 2007, Nicholas "Nico" arrived July 30, 2010 and our baby girl Reagan joined our family on January 17, 2014. As a family, we enjoy going to the park together, visiting new sites, watching movies, cooking, playing outside, and basically doing anything as long as we are together. We moved to Virginia in November of 2007 and we really like it here. It is very green and beautiful. Everyone needs to come out and experience it. We love the ward we are in and hope to stay in the ward boundaries for a long time. We love attending church and learning more about the gospel and how we can strengthen our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We continually have to thank our Father above for the sweet blessings He has given our family.

Brian

Brian graduated from Brigham Young University in April of 2006 and started working as a Public Affairs Specialist for "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C. in June of 2006. He loves it. It is a perfect job for him. He loves music and we are able to attend all the concerts the Band puts on. The public affairs office is in charge of several things but to sum it all up in a short and sweet sentence: Brian, basically does all he can to promote the Band. He deals with media, publishes articles about the Marine Band and has recently been given the title "graphic design specialist."

Apart from his day job, he is working on writing a children's book which the children themselves are helping him illustrate and write. He is also improving on his photography skills and hoping to get his own website built for his free lance design work.

Shara

I graduated from Utah Valley State College in April of 2007. I graduated in Elementary Education and love teaching children. Right now, I am enjoying staying at home with Nicholas and Reagan. There is just no other job that can be so fulfilling emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. I don't know who is learning more...me or them. The great thing is, is that we are learning and growing together. During the day, we love to play at the park, cook, clean house (Nico really likes helping - I hope it sticks with him for years to come), read books, do puzzles, watch movies (mainly anything with power rangers, swords, or fighting).

I am also a member of Herbalife Inc. I enjoy helping others develop a nutrition plan so that they can not only get to the weight they want but mostlyto achieve healthy, active lifestyle. I strongly believe that if you are healthy and active, you tebd ti be a but happier with life in general.

KennaDee Joy

KennaDee was born on May 21, 2005. She has become very active and loves to run around, play outside, watch movies, help me cook and clean, and play with dadda. Since she has been born, she has lived in 7 different homes: 2 in Provo, 1 in Orem, 2 in Maryland and 2 in Virginia. She has quite the personality. Upon meeting her, she seems very shy but once she gets used to her surroundings, watch out! She can be demanding, but she is very sweet and already has her daddy wrapped around her finger. She is very smart and knows it. KennaDee is a joy in our lives. We absolutely love and adore her. She is a precious daughter of Heavenly Father and we hope to teach her all she needs to know to develop her own testimony of Jesus Christ and be able to withstand the temptations of Satan that she will be faced with.

Jackson Brian

Jackson was born November 23, 2007 in Bethesda, Maryland, although we were living in Woodbridge, VA. He is a joy in our family. He loves his siblings so much and adores his older sister. Although it is hard for him, he is always willing to sacrifice for the happiness of others. He is considerate, patient and VERY loving. He LOVES to rub your neck and cuddle and give kisses. He also loves playing sports, watching super mario bros, and wrestling with his brother. He has many characteristics of Christ that we all admire.

Nicholas James

Nicholas was born July 30, 2010. This boy is a firecracker. He knows what he wants and he is always determined to get it. He is not afraid to stand alone and I'm hoping that will carry with him throughout his life. He is stubborn and hard headed yet at the same time he ALWAYS thinks of his siblings and wants to be with them all the time. He is very picky about his friends but once you make it on the list, he's completely loyal to them. We love him dearly and are grateful he was sent to our family.