Brand New Year, Brand New DECADE! WHAT?!?!?!?!

I will try ONCE AGAIN to be better at blogging more!  I have gone through SO.MANY. seasons of life over the past decade and blogging always was one of my favorite things but became so much more difficult to do with Facebook making it SO much easier!  I will "try" my hand at it again this year.....we'll see!

This is going to be a GREAT year, not just because it's a chance for a fresh start, new beginnings, BUT it's also the FIRST year of a NEW decade for ME!  

HELLLLOOOOOOO 40!!

HAHAHAHAHA!

Seriously though, I am more excited than I thought I would be about turning 40!  It's in a way empowering, very freeing.  I am not the "girl" I grew up being told I was from my father.  I am not the 20 year old trying to find someone to love me.  I am not the 30 something year old looking for validation and affirmation.  I am a 40 year old, strong, fierce, loving, smart, kind and thoughtful wife, mother, daughter and friend.  If you don't believe me, look at my Facebook page, LOL!  I was given so many beautiful words, thoughts, and well wishes today.  I was reminded today just how loved, respected and cared about I really am.  It was beautiful.  The phone calls, the messages, texts, and posts were icing on the cake today, so THANK YOU to everyone for taking the time to do that. It truly meant alot to me.  Shit, this decade is going to ROCK!  I just know it!

My day couldn't have been better!  I slept in until 8, took the kids to a Dr. Seuss Exhibit at Art For The People Gallery in Austin, stopped by Homeslice Pizza for lunch and tiramisu, followed by a deluxe pedi with my bestie, and some delicious Avocado B.L.Ts at home with my family.  Chris is planning something for Saturday but I have NO clue what and that excites me! 

I woke up to this (Anna is so great at showing love and affection)...

    

  

A few more pics from our trip into Austin...

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LOVED the Dr. Seuss exhibit!

Came home to my new washing machine delivered (I truly am excited about this one!) and a Birthday Balloon Bouquet from my dear friend that now lives too far away up in New Hampshire!!

I played with my kids, had a cup of coffee brought to me by my son and wanted so very much to bottle up every minute of this day which is why I had to blog it! God knows my memory isn't getting any better....hahahahaha!

I couldn't be luckier!

From this LOVE right here, 

I got THESE 3 beautiful gifts...

I am TOTALLY entering this decade with a FUCK IT attitude.  I don't need to prove anything to anybody.  I am who I am. I will continue on my path, make mistakes as I go, but forgive myself as I make them because I am human. So, 2016, I am ready for you! Let's do it!

2014/2015 Curriculum

I  *heart*  Curriculum!

I am beyond excited to start this school year!!!  Our family had a heck of a start at homeschooling!  Pulling the kids out of public school mid year in the 2012/2013 school year, leaving our church, losing our friends, mom getting sick, husband traveled more, AND I was babysitting to make extra money......HOLY COW HOW DID I DO THAT???!!!??!!??!!

It's a reminder that when the going gets tough, the tough get going!  I always have and always will "do what it takes" to make it through and come out of it smiling (and stronger/better than before!).  I can't believe I'll be teaching a Kindergartener (weep), a Third Grader (what??!!) and hold on......A 6H GRADE MIDDLE SCHOOLER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My sister in law posted a quote about giving your kids strong roots to grow and wings to fly.....I couldn't agree more and am SO thankful I get to spend every day with them, watering and nurturing those roots for they day they are ready to fly!

I have learned A TON over the past year and a half and am thankful I didn't quit (oh, believe me, I had my moments).  We are ALL excited about the new year and lots of new curriculum!  Here's what we have.....

Anna

Math - Teaching Textbooks ( She LOVES it and math has become her favorite subject because of it!)

Saxon 6/5 (supplementing with it this year to test the waters)

L/A -  Easy Grammar along with Daily Grams

Saddleback Language Arts

Wordly Wise Vocabulary

Editor in Chief Extra Grammar practice with editing

Dr. DooRiddles Spelling Reinforcement

Spelling/Phonics:  Saxon Phonics Intervention Program

All About Spelling

History:  Story of The U.S.A.

U.S. President Study 

Geography: U.S. States & Capitals

Science: National Geographic Elements of Science Kit

Rosetta Stone Spanish 1

Music:  World's Greatest Composers

Using the S.Q.U.I.L.T method with the study.

Art: World's Greatest Artists

Christopher

Math: Teaching Textbooks

Saxon 3

L/A:  Easy Grammar 3

Abeka Read & Think 3
First Language Lessons for The Well Trained Mind Level 3

Daily Grams

Cursive Writing

Spelling/Phonics:  Saxon Phonics Intervention Program

All About Spelling

History:  Story of The U.S.A.

U.S. President Study 

Geography: U.S. States & Capitals

Science: R.E.A.L Science Earth & Space

Rosetta Stone Spanish 1

Music:  World's Greatest Composers

Using the S.Q.U.I.L.T method with the study.

Art: World's Greatest Artists

Sofia

Saxon Math Kinder

Saxon Phonics Kinder

Handwriting Without Tears

Explode the Code

She will also sit in on group work with the option to go play with Nana instead. LOL

Aaaaaannndddd.....there you have it!  I feel really REALLY good about our curriculum choices this year!  I've had the past year to get lots of insight to where my oldest had some crucial parts of her foundation missing which I know the Phonics Intervention will help and be great for her!  The other two I got early on and feel strongly in the choices for the type of learners they are.  We are going to try to work our school day a little differently than we have done in the past.  We ALL have a fresh start beginning next Monday and MAMA LOVES A FRESH, CLEAN SLATE!  

I'll tackle Christopher and Sofia with their "Teacher-led" learning early in the morning since Anna sleeps a little later.  We will hit the YMCA in the morning during "snack time" for them and workout time for ME!  After that, I will sit with Anna for her "Teacher-led" time and the littles will work independently and/or read to and work with Nana.  We will wrap up our days with group work and chores before dinner and Swim Practice!

I sit here, filled with gratitude for the opportunity to homeschool and be with my children each and every day.  While some think it's crazy and couldn't imagine having their kids with them 24/7, I couldn't imagine life any other way now!

Aaaand the Curriculum Search BEGINS!

Ahhh......it's that time.....Curriculum choosing for next year!!!!!!!!!

I had a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE revelation over the past couple of weeks!  Once my kids got accepted into Meridian World School and I turned them down, I just *knew* what the next step for us was!  Since then, I've been on FIRE! I have been consumed with reading, reading, reading....consumed with curriculum....consumed with used swap sites.....just consumed!!  And I am LOVING it!

When I first took the big kids out of public school in January 2013, I really had no idea what I was doing.  I sought out advice from a few different moms on curriculum and mod podged it together.  It was wonderful.  Then, the more I researched and the more moms I met, the more pressure of "doing it right" I felt.  This was pressure I solely put on myself.  I questioned if what I was doing was "enough".  Therefore, I went ahead and purchased a more structured curriculum for this past fall.  It just didn't work.  I'm learning that every family dynamic along with every child is different.  While there are SO MANY wonderful curriculum choices out there, we have to buckle down on one type/style and feel confident in that decision.  I was reading Pioneer Woman's post on Five Different Homeschooling Styles (LOVE HER) and realized fully that we are more of an Eclectic type (SUPRISE!) sprinkled in with some Charlotte Mason and a splash of Unschooling all wrapped up in one!  YES, it is possible. Each of the three kiddies have different personalities but share some similiar learning styles.

I am going back to more of the way we "did school" when I first started.  I took out the First Language Lessons for The Well Trained Mind that I had last winter and the kids are loving it, wanting more.  They LOVE Unit Studies and Lapbooks, SO DO I!  They love learning about other cultures and the world which is why Five in a Row was such a hit....we're bringing it back!  They are consumed with learning about the presidents so our Geography will be what I purchased and didn't use last year, Road Trip USA.  I am purchasing a few of the Critical Thinking and Writing Workbooks from Timberdoodle from swap sites and Ebay (cheaper) and we are continuing on with Math U See for Christopher and Teaching Textbooks for Anna.  I'm still deciding on History but I'm leaning towards Story of the World.  I purchased Latin Primer and All About Spelling too already.  I'm still on the hunt for Saxon Phonics, hopefully used because it's pricey too!  We are going back to our Artist and Composer studies because my kids miss it (so they said). I'm still at the beginning stages of planning our school year as we wrap up this year over the next couple of months, but I feel SO much more knowledgeable and prepared this time. :)

This homeschooling thing is not for the faint-hearted, that's for sure, but when they are begging not to go back to public school and for me to homeschool what else can I do?!   It has stretched me in ways you wouldn't believe, but it has also grown me in ways I didn't imagine something like this could.  I'm excited to see where my heart leads us for next year!  These three little people are my life!!  I am a better person because of them and am thankful for the opportunity to spend every day with them!!

Perseverance

I hesitate "over sharing" and protect my words MUCH more than I have in the past.  I've learned how people can use my words and thoughts to hurt ME.  Therefore, during my last year of homeschooling, I've kept my struggles on the down low.  I've done this to protect myself while I've walked through one of the toughest seasons of life.  Our family has gone through lots of change, and while it seemed horrible at times, it has been one of the greatest things that could have happened.

I realized last night that one of my greatest gifts is my vulnerability.  I give my heart 110%, I give everything my all, plus some.  Holding back my feelings and struggles is NOT me.  I started this blog over 6 years ago to share, not to hide.

So, as we approached our 1 year "Homeschool Anniversary"......here are some of my thoughts.....

Wow, WHAT did I sign up for?

This is the GREATEST thing I've ever done!

Sleeping in is great!

I need more sleep!!!!

Spending all day with the kids is awesome!

When are these kids going to bed??!!!

Ahhh.....no more "school clothes" budget!

I have to FEED them ALL DAY???!!!! Wow! My grocery budget doubled!


It has been a ROLLER COASTER of emotions for me, no doubt. We have our good days and we have our bad ones.  Those good ones though, wow, those are what help me keep on keepin' on.

Last August when my mom got sick, things have become tough for us all, especially me.  My plate is full and there are times I just want to give up!  Hell, you want to know a secret???  I applied at two charter schools because I was so overwhelmed!!!  I've been trying so many different things in our homeschool and have just been exhausted trying to find "our place" in the Homeschool World!  But it hit me the other day, I already KNOW where our place is and it's totally different than my unschooling friends, my Christian homeschooling friends, my literature loving homeschooling friends, ALL of my homeschooling friends........as it SHOULD be.

We are all so different, but one thing we moms have in common, homeschooling or not, is that we want the very best for OUR children.  My gut and my heart told me to homeschool, my husband finally came around to the idea two summers ago and the only thing that makes me question it at times is FEAR.

This shit is s-c-a-r-y!!!

Those adorable little people scare the hell out of me!  They make me want to be the very best I can be for them and I get scared that I'm not enough.  THAT is where the problem lies, THAT is where my struggle is.  So, to help, I seek counsel from family and intimate friends, I seek encouragement from the moms that have been doing it for years and I move forward, one foot in front of the other.

This is no sprint baby, it's a FREAKING MARATHON!!!!!!

I took the big kids on a hike last week and while I was watching an listening to them (after I found out Sofia got into one of the schools and the big kids were #2 and #4 on the wait list) my heart ached at the thought of ever sending them back to school.  I wanted to cry right there on the spot.  I adore my little people and I know this is EXACTLY what I am supposed to be doing right now.  Therefore, off to looking at curriculum for next year I go!!  We, as a family will take it year by year.  Adrianna begs me not to put her back in school, she wants to stay with me all the time! Christopher says he wants to stay home too but is fine either way, LOL.  Sofia, well, she is staying with mama too! She will be the first Auditore not to go to Kindergarten and to be honest, I'm really happy about that!!!

When I told my mom how I felt, how afraid I was, she said so "Matter of Fact like"......."Since when do YOU give up on something because it's a challenge or difficult?"  She seemed shocked that I was even considering throwing the towel in.  I sat there with my coffee and thought to myself, "Yeah, when DO I quit when the going gets tough????  Tough is what I PUSH through, challenge is where I THRIVE".  Life looks quite different for me now then it did 2 years ago, that's for sure....but I'll take it!!  I am happy and fulfilled in ways I never have been before.......that's what it's all about!!!

I *ALWAYS* Persevere!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

While we aren't Irish, everyone knows the Italians and Irish love each other! :-)  We eased into school with some fun activities,a little history about St.Patrick and our math and grammar.  It was a GOOD day!

Brains!!!

The kids were talking about brains last weekend so that prompted our upcoming anatomy study! This was unplanned butt here we go....Brains first, next the heart!