What My Children Think About Their Education

Blessings!
Awhile back, I gave my kids a questionnaire about Public School -vs- Homeschool, just to see what their views were before we took the plunge. I wanted to see if this would work for our family before we made any decisions. You will clearly see why we made OUR choice to homeschool. I also know, that as a parent, we want nothing but the best for them...but sometimes we may overlook what they 'want' when we get so wrapped up in "doing what works for us".

Now, this is not to say that they will ALWAYS get what they want, but homeschooling should be beneficial for you as the teacher and them as the students. It should work as the most educational, fun, and encouraging environment as possible!  So, I really wanted to see how my kids felt about their education, their schooling experiences so far, and what they really struggled with besides the 'paperwork'. Here are some of the questions/responses I got when I asked my children their opinions: (Mind you these are 5, 7, and, 11 year old kids)......

#1. What do you like about public school?

-PE and Recess

-My friends

-Getting awards and making honor roll

-Going to the library

-The toys in my classroom

-The treasure box for good behavior

-The Smartboard is awesome!

#2. What DON'T you like about Public School? (Brace yourselves here)

-People are mean to me

-When I am hurt or sick, no one listens to me because they think I'm faking

-The food is really bad and not healthy

-The boys are nasty when they talk (my daughters of course lol)

-Embarrassed to say my grace or pray in front of others

-I feel like I already know what they are teaching us and I'm bored

-The schedule changes bother me because I like things to stay on the same schedule

-I always feel rushed

-I never get to finish my work on time

-I get rushed to eat my food, which is yucky

-My teacher always yells at me and it hurts my feelings

-Kids say and do nasty things

-The bathrooms are disgusting with poop and pee and some have alot of bad words written in there

-The stuff is very easy

-They don't teach us about God and how things are REALLY made.

-We say the pledge of Allegiance that has God's name in it, but we don't say grace or prayer together

-Kids call me names

-The teachers tell lies about me

-I REALLY miss my family

-I don't get to take a nap (my 2nd and 5th graders like to take naps lol)

-We spend most of our day sitting in a chair and my butt hurts ALOT

-Only get 15 minutes of recess time

-I don't eat breakfast or lunch on most days because it is gross

-It is nonstop working

-I can't concentrate on anything because they kids won't be quiet

-I can ONLY help my brother and sisters on homework because I'm not in the room with them during school hours and I like to help them

-When I feel frustrated, I can't stop and take a break

-I can't have my bible with me to read during reading time

-I get overwhelmed most of the time

-It is so unorganized in the classroom

-The intercom is loud and they used it too much and it disrupts me from working

-No eating or drinking in class and I get dehydrated

-When I have to pee, they make me hold it

-If I am sick I have to miss days off and I get behind in my work

-This year, we only went on ONE field trip.....ONE!

#3. What might you NOT like about Homeschooling?

- I will miss my friends

-I wonder if they will like me if I make new ones there

-Nervous about the work because our Mommy makes us work hard to be smart (I died laughing at this one LOL)

-Things will get harder and harder each day

-Can we get a Smart board...I think I will miss the one we have in our class

#4. What do you think you WILL like about homeschooling?

-Mommy is my teacher

-We get healthy food to eat

-I don't feel rushed

-It feels great to do things on my own and if I need help, you are there

-I love that there is no yelling or teasing in our house

-We can go outside to learn and do work

-Lots of field trips

-Don't have to miss any days off from school

-If we have a doctor's appointment, we can bring our work with us

-We get to learn about God and Jesus

-When I am sick Mommy, you can be my nurse and kiss my boo-boos (OMG, this one made me cry!)

-I get to do my work in a quiet place

-I can wear my PJ’s and eat snacks, and do my work

-I can brush my teeth after lunch; I hate yucky teeth Mommy (lol)

-I can read a lot

- I get to have nap when I am tired

-Our potty has no germs and is clean

-There are not a lot of kids so you can spend more time with me

-I can snuggle and love my teacher

-When I need a hug I can just take one (oh, they make me giggle) lol

-I get to cook and clean and learn how to be a good mommy

-I am a great homemaker Mommy like you!

-I can sew and make things

-I get to read my Bible and my heart feels super happy

-I can read to my dogs and stuffies (our 5 year old "Bunny" of course lol)

-More computer time

-Get to be with my family more

-No one judges me and I don’t feel stupid for answering the wrong thing

-No pressure to be perfect because you only want me to try my best

-I have the best teacher

-We are all together in our special class

-I don’t miss my brother and sister because they sit with me

-I am excited to make friends who homeschool because they will be nice to me because they are Christian too

***Now, what all of this has told me is that, I have overlooked MUCH of their feelings and desires as public school students because I was TRAINED to believe that public school was the way to go and that it was not always accessible to ALL walks of life (especially children of color, specific religious factors, and the un-wealthy). Honestly, I never thought of myself as the ‘Homeschool’ type either,  but after heart fully praying, asking for guidance, and wisdom to make the RIGHT choice, no matter what it was, and at ALL costs!

I have learned that;

 #1. Parents are the primary teachers! Not some stranger who calls him/her self ‘qualified’ because the piece of paper on their wall says so. LIFE IS MY EDUCATION, MY EXPERIENCE, AND MY QUALIFICATION! There are many who use that piece of paper to justify their reasoning for ignorance, insensitive, and uncompassionate behavior, lack of morals, and extensive flaws in character emphasis! My children have been placed in some unsafe/unsecured/unmonitored white walled building for many years just waiting to break free and I had NO IDEA!  There are 24 hours in EACH and EVERYDAY for which our children spend 6-8 hours every day, 5 days a week, 180 days a year, to bring a total of 5,000+ hours AWAY from home just WISHING that they were here with us!

#2. I have learned that actually ‘listening’ to my children’s needs, instead of giving them what I think they need….raised my awareness on the safety spectrum, as well as being able to acknowledge their spiritual needs in reference to how God wants them to experience the education. These children were probably crying out for help for many years and I was blinded by the statistics that public school kids go to the best colleges, public school kids lack no socialization, public school kids are getting the best education life has to offer. Let me say that “if it’s FREE, then it’s for me”, but surely NOT in this case. This FREE education has imprisoned us more than I ever thought and I now feel as FREE as a bird and so do they.  God has made a way for us to teach them at home!

#3. I have learned that no matter what I may have taught them at home, if it is not consistent -24 hours a day, our works are as good as dead. I’ve learned that homeschooling has strengthened our family bond, made us realize the simple and important things in life. That we were not promised yesterday, and if we don’t give our children today, they will have no tomorrow. Just to see the smiles on their faces brings a smile to our hearts and for that we are TRULY grateful!

~Be Encouraged~

God's Power in a 7 Year Old....

My beautiful and precious gift from God! So, my daughter was supposed to be tucked away fast asleep in her cozy bed. As I was sitting here in the office I here a soft whisper coming from MY bedroom. I grab my camera and low and behold....here lay my blessing propped up on my fluffy pillows reading my Bible. I cannot express how adorable she was. The warmth she filled my heart with, there are no words to describe. God has truely blessed me with His little angel to love. As I watch this video I am reminded of what Luke 18:16-17 tells us "But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." I am amazed at how much she loves God! She shines her little light on everyone and everything she does. For this, I am truely thankful =)

The Devil Was At My Door

Good Morning Beloved,

For the last few weeks something has been stirring within me. I have not been eating right, as I have not been too hungry. I have been snappy, mouthy, and short tempered. I am cold one minute then hot the next (temper wise).  My sleeping patten/schedule is anything but normal. Last night I was up at midnight...again, (as it has been this way for about 2 weeks or so now) and as I forced myself to finally climb into bed, there was my husband AWAKE and watching Sports Center. Now, while this may be a normal thing for him (he is in the US Navy and up at ALL hours for standing watches/being out to sea etc), this is a very bad ordeal for me. As I climb into bed I ask him " Are you STILL up?" He replied " Yep". His normal reply to things. I snuggle in under my covers and what did I do? I COMPLAIN! At midnight!!!

"I don't know why I am still up at this hour."

"You may be used to it but I'm not."

" I wonder if this is YOUR fault?"

"Lord you promised your beloved sweet sleep, why am I not tired?"

 I then tossed and turned for only about 10 minutes and I felt this overpowering urge to scream! I didn't because our kids were sleeping, (well...2 of them anyways because our 11 year old is having the same issue)  but I REALLY wanted to. I felt angry, frustrated, restless, and just plain ol' hateful! As a wife, mother, and full-time homemaker it is my job,   NO privledge to be and do ALL I can for my family and to remain grounded at all times. When Mom's body clock is out of whack, then the whole house seems to be in disarray. I have been wondering what could be causing all of this evil?

Is it the holiday season rush and being away from friends and family?

The freezing weather outside that has given us the most beautiful fluffy snow, but trapped us in the house for a week?

 Is it because my husband's work schedule?

   Well, today as I was writing to a friend on Facebook, I had a revelation as I read her post. She stated "I'm not very hopeful" about her situation. ( I will not mention it for privacy reasons). At that time this is what my spirit was aching to expell:

Don't you dare sit there and have pity on yourself!!! You will not have a pity party, but will claim a victorious PRAYING party!!

*Now faith is the substance of ALL things HOPED for, the evidence of things not seen.

~Hebrews 11:1

*Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping--believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, "That's how many descendants you will have!" ~Romans 4:18

*He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

~Matthew 17:20

*If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."

~Matthew 20:22

*"19 Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

~Matthew 18:19-20

HERE WE ARE....AS TWO, THREE, TEN, 68!!!! WE ARE STRONG, VIRTUOUS, AND BLESSED WOMEN OF GOD. WE ARE HIS ARMY. AN ARMY OF HOPEFUL, BELIEVING & RECEIVING, OVERCOMERS!!!! AN ARMY WORKS BETTER AS A WHOLE....THAT IS WHAT WE ARE! WE ARE NOT PUT ON THIS EARTH TO STAND ALONE. WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO SIT HERE AND BE PICKED OFF ONE BY ONE AS THE DEVIL THROWS STUMBLING BLOCKS AT US!!! WE ARE TO USE THOSE STUMBLING BLOCKS AS STEPPING STONES AND KEEP CLIMBING THIS MOUNTAIN!!! WE...ARE...NOT...QUITTERS!!!!! HE CALLS US HIS BELOVED AND PROMISES US A FRUITFUL WOMB AND THAT WE WILL BECOME A MOTHER OF ALL NATIONS! CLAIM YOUR PROMISES GIRLS.....CLAIM THEM IN JESUS' MIGHTY AND EVERLASTING NAME!!

~Be Encouraged Sisters~

Now, when I sit back and read the power that God had through my hands typing it...I came to the realization that the culprit of my new found "habits" are a word that none of us want to hear: DEPRESSION! I have never been one to sit around and let the devil creep into my life and slap me in the face with Depression. (Ugh, the word gives me the creepies). But, as I REALLY take a look at myself and search my heart I can see the mistakes I have made to open the door for him, and....I left it WIDE-OPEN!

1. Greed: I got so caught up in my earthly desires to have everything "perfect" for the hoildays, that I forgot to take time out for me and God to be intimate. I did not lock myself in my prayer room (normally my bathroom while I'm in the shower as it is the only time I really get to myself for those 5-10 minutes without my blessings needing me lol) and pour all my anxieties upon Him. I prayed a quick prayer and went about my work, instead of allowing the water pouring from the showerhead to wash over me and clease my spirit. I close my eyes tightly and I envision Jesus onthe cross and that the blood He shed for ME is what is washing me. Now some may say to think of such a thing is gross.....blood pouring on you. But, He is the only thing that can save me. His blood is the only thing that protects me. His blood is the only thing that paved the way for forgivenes.....so I will take the criticizem anyday =)

2. Pride: I bombarded myself with WAY TO MUCH planning, organizing, lists, baking, cooking, cleaning, activities with the kids, shopping, wrapping, chatting with friends, family etc that it threw my "spiritual schedule" out of whack! I let my fleshly schedule take over God's master schedule and that is a BIG NO-NO!

3. Substance: Now, while some people may be able to do this, I obviously cannnot. I have been drinking coffee left and right, day after day, cup after cup... for weeks. While it helped me to accomplish most of my earthly matters, it pushed my body so hard (alongside my determination to just keep going) that I am now flat on my face. It is making me stay up all hours of the night (because I am drinking it all hours of the day), but it has me exausted enough to sleep in until 10-11am! I am a MOTHER.....I am the first one up in the morning. I have breakfast made. I am being a keeper of my home (Titus 2:3-5), I am ready for my day as the sun arises! Apparently NOT according to Maxwell House. Well, this is not Maxwell's house, it is GOD'S HOUSE!  So, sorry Max...ya gotta go because "As for me and my house, we WILL serve the LORD" ~Joshua 24:15

4. Selfishness: Because of my persistance in doing things 'my" way, I did not listen to God's word when He says "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." ~James3:16 The word DEPRESSION is a very evil word and an even more evil expeirence. I have never really faced much of it, but for the little I have tasted: I DO NOT WANT IT! I was selfish in thinking that I could do things my way and get away with it. Everything has a cause and effect. Well, I allowed the devil to effect my life with depresion so much that is caused my spirit to battle my flesh.

     5. Complaining: I was complaining about EVERY thing.

No one helped me to do any cooking for Christmas dinner.

No one used their chore lists to help me clean and tidy the house.

No one offered a hand when I felt trapped. The food didn't come out the way I wanted it too.

My family was late for Chirstmas dinner (2 hours late).

My Papa just died and I miss him so much

My husband and I didn't get each other a single thing for Christmas as we just didn't have it this year. (We got for the kids though).

The gas prices are too high to fill up our truck.

His ship's schedule is all messed up because the Captain hates to be home (for whatever reason),

He has duty on new Year's Eve. etc etc etc....

This list went on and on AND ON!!! God clearly states: "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. ~Philippians 2:14-16   I felt like I was the only one doing things and that I was laboring for no reason. NOT TRUE! It is my duty as a homemaker to tend to the affairs of my home and not sit idle nor complain.

6. My Marriage: I was frustrated with my husband. Little words that don't mean anything) were breaking the straw on the camel's back.  I did not want to submit to him in ANY way. When he spoke I secretly said to myself " Shut-up already because I don't care". At night " Do no touch me, I'm  too tired" 'You haven't done a single thing without complaining about it" I am a fine one to talk about complaining right? I was quick-tempered with him, his laundry is piled up (I had 8 whole days to wash/dry/iron it/put it away). He made his own food. Sometimes I would go make lunch for the kids, and grab me a snack and start eating it. He looked at me the other day and said " Where is my lunch? Oh I see you just made stuff for yourself greedy" Now, while he was playing with me with a smirk on his face, I knew that deep down inside, he really meant it. How GREEDY I was!  When I read Hebrews 13:17 I think to myself.....Here is an awesome man of God who is out fighting for our country. Freedom is NOT FREE and he is sacrificing himself to P.R.O.V.I.D.E.  for me, HIS wife, HIS help-meet, HIS beloved.  Proverbs 25:24 states: "Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." Me....quarrelsome? Yep, I sure was. How dare I? Do I really have a reason to be quarrelsome with my husband? Do the little things really matter so much that I am willing to throw my marriage in the fire just to complain about them? I think not!

7. Homemaking:  DISHES, VACUUMING, LAUNDRY, BED MAKING, WINDOWS, TOYS, SWEEPING/MOPPING, DUSTING, COOKING, BAKING, TAKING CARE OF THE CHILDREN AS WELL AS OUR PETS.   Why oh why do I have to bare these burdens? Are you kidding me??? Many people pray just to have a home or just to have a child, or just to have food to be able to take care of and prepare. here I am with MANY blessings, yet I do not want to do them. Proverbs 31:27 "She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness." I was blaming everything and everyone for my LAZINESS and lack of motivation to keep my home in order. Some may ask....Well, do I get paid to do this job? ABSOLUTELY!!! Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Proverbs 31:28-29  How awesome is it to hear those words!!! Now, I may not hear them often (if at all sometimes), but when I get the embracing hugs or a warm gentle smile....I know they are blessing me=)

So, as you can see, the simple little things that I was doing daily, I took for granted. I allowed strife and discontentment to overpower my spirit. Depression.....never again will you weigh me down and make me feel inadaquate. God is my provider and if He is for me, who can be against me?

 Romans 8:31

~ Be Encouraged..........................................Holly

MODESTY

Good Morning Sisters =) So, here is what is going on in my life right: (grab a cup of coffee, because this might take a minute lol)  (Taken from my previous blog)

Ok, so...for quite awhile now I have felt that God has been pulling me closer to Him. I can't stop reading things about Him. I find myself drawl to anything and everything that is of "spiritual" nature. I am yearning to be a better wife and mother to my family. Heavenly Homemaker: that's what I call myself. I find myself reading Titus 2 and Proverbs 31 over and over and over again. I see the women as they are portray through God's words and His eyes and I am drawn to them. I want to be like them. I want to treat my family as the Bible tells me I should. This spiritual journey that I am on has brought so many questions to my mind. It has be digging deep within to view the reflection of myself. Who am I? Who am I in God? Why after all this time am I searching the way that I am? What brought this all about? Is t God reaching out for me? How can I do this when I am only one woman? How am I going to feel at the end of all this searching? Will it have an end? Is it a temporary inquisition? How will this affect my family? Who will I be afterwards.......so many questions!!!!

I find myself feeling "empty" alot. I try to find a one word description of the things my heart seeks. One day I can't get the word TRUTH out of my head. Hospitality the next. Now it is Modesty. My heart meditates on these single words constantly! Sometimes it drive me crazy because out of left field they appear. I will be sitting down watching TV or something and then " HONESTY" (or any other word) pops in my head and I can't sit still. I am finding myself sitting on my computer all day and all hours of the night researching things to fill my spirit. Things to "help" make my home a better home. Inspirational websites, articles, youtube videos, music to encourage me. My soul is aching for a response from God. I am not sure what is going on with me, but I just can't get enough of Him. I cry at the drop of a dime. When I see or hear of someone loving God....I cry. My heart is overflowing with love and so much that my emotions are out of whack!

So last night as I lay in my bed (again) at midnight or close to it, I grab my clipboard with blank pages on it, my Bible, a pen, and write down what was on my heart at that given moment. Modesty has been on my heart for a few weeks now and I can't get my mind off of it. I believe that God is trying to teach me about modesty....this is what I wrote/kept scribbling last night:

Purging of unrighteous items/behavior for the sake of Spiritual Cleanliness!

Heavenly father, please reveal to me ANY areas of my life that are unpleasing to you. I open my heart to you and ask of you: use me as a vessel for your will. Help me to put you and your commandments before myself

Thank You <3 Amen

*As I serve you today Lord, Keep my mind, heart, and physical body focused on you*

1. Go through ALL clothing and discard anything unpleasing to God

2. Go through shoes and donate items too revealing/unwanted

3. Sort through music & DVD's

4. Sort through ALL books

5. All "unclean" items discarded

6. Behavior and language

7. Nail polish (all loud and distracting items)

8. Television shows

9. Vanity (self-centeredness)

10. Toys (girls' immodest dolls, dress-up clothes, books etc)

11. The girls' clothing (purge ALL immodest garments)

Father, there are many distractions in my life. Please help me to remove ANY obstacle that hinders me from giving my ALL to you.

1. The computer (in general)

2. Online gaming (Facebook games, EQ2 etc)

3. T.V

4. Procrastination (in ALL forms)

5.  Useless chit-chat/gossip/idle talking with no purpose but to just talk

6. Idleness/Laziness: Not wanting (physically) to do the work needed around the house)

 7. My desire to have a baby so badly that I spend more time focusing on TTC and things that can “help” my situation, more than I am seeking God the ONLY one who can fix me.

8. Temper/un-submissiveness

9. Past people, situations, things etc.

10. Time management/priorities

11. Untruthfulness/dishonesty

12. Being a “people pleaser”

_______________________________________

So, as I sit back and read what was flowing out from my pen, I realized that all these things were revealed to my by God Himself! The reason I keep getting one word statements is because I have asked God to “REVEAL ANY ARE OF MY LIFE THAT WAS UNPLEASEING TO HIM”. 

Modesty- he is not happy with my clothing, my attitude, my way of just “being”.

Honesty- He doesn’t want me to try and perfect truth: He wants me to realize that HE IS THE TRUTH! I am not perfect, none of us are…..the biggest dishonesty is being dishonest with yourself by thinking that you are perfect. 

Hospitality- he wants me to not be a people pleaser, but learn ho to be a good host. Helping other people just to help without the satisfaction of pleasing self or getting something in return. While I never thought I was like this: I guess I am. I  thought I did things out of the kindness of my heart, but HONESTLY speaking….I can see what I did some things and expected something in return without making my feelings known about it to whomever that person or situation was.

I will say that those nagging little thoughts that kept popping into my head were in fact NOT there to drive me crazy at all. It was God all along trying to get me to DO THE RIGHT THING at ALL TIMES! As I go through my modest transformation I will be sure to take pictures and video along my way. Something to look back on (physically) and say wow! This is what God was changing in me….and as simple as clothing too. The best part of all of this is that Titus 2 says:

 1 You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

4 Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,

 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.

 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness

8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,

10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

My children and I (1 son age 11 and 2 daughters ages 5 and 7)  are going to do this together, so I may direct and teach the younger ones to live according to God’s word.  Another revelation is that I never realized how much I was not only sing myself with being immodest, but how much I was causing MEN to sin. With every glance they give us ladies….we are the root of their sin.  Yes it goes both way and it is their choice to look, but  WE CAUSED THEM TO HAVE THE TEMPTATION IN THE FIRST PLACE. Lust, Desire, impure thoughts, not to mention that some of the men we are attracting could be old enough to be our grandfathers!!! Or worse…our 11 year old sons! I am thankful for God showing me the light on this one…..for I have a son and I would hate for immodest women to entire him in this way…..So here is to a ver prayerful and life changing journey!!!!

I invite ALL of you to join in with me on this journey and  Be encouraged Sisters!!!

<3 Holly

A Military Wife.....

Blessings! Quite some time ago, I ran across a poem (at the bottom of this post), and it really struk a chord within me. It made me smile, brought tears to my eyes, and reminded me of just how proud I am to be a Military Wife. Not that any one wife has a harder job than the next....a wife's place is hard in it's own way depicting daily living. However, the one thing that sets us apart from so many others, are the long good byes.

Tomorrow our family is set to embark on a journey of yet again, another seperation. This will make our 6th deployment in 12 years. For those who are not quite sure how to measure a deployment in Military time, deployments range from 3, 6, 9, 12, 18 month intravals (sometimes longer depending on the duty staion). For my family, this all equals =42 months of seperation!!!!  This is BY FAR the longest one we will have had to do to date. 1 whole year... unaccompanied...with him in Japan! I have so many thoughts flowing through my body right now, I am surprised I am even able to put them into words.

I keep thinking to myself it's just another tour of duty, but the hourly devil keeps popping into my head:

12 months =365 days =8, 760 hours (8,784 in a leap year) =525,600 minutes!!!

(Yes, that's really dragging it out and makes it seems SOOO much longer, but math never lies if done correctly lol.)

For me, I feel blessed that God has prepared me for this journey. Having grown up a militry brat, this seemed like nothing new and has instilled in me a spirit of courage, independence, and honor. Now that we have children however, it makes the situation a bit harder. For our older two (ages 12 and almost 8), they understand why he has to leave, what he is doing on foreign land, that while we are born free, we must still fight to remain as such. Our youngest (who is 5), doesn't quite graspp the concept yet and having autism doesn't help much either, as her sensory/emotional state throws yet again, another wrench in this whole thing. This is her 1st cruise where she will be old enough to remember. She was only 4-5 months old during the last cruise. We are constantly trying to reassure her that Daddy is not leaving for good and that he WILL come back home. Daddy's body may be far away, but his heart is right here with us.

We also purchased some books especially for military children.

and many others.........

 A wonderful stuffed animal/doll called a DADDY DOLL <...you can order one here and they look like this...>

We will begin our deployment chain very soon to count down the days until he gets back.

Last but not least,  we have created this blog so Daddy can hop online and see all the wonderful things we are doing in his absence.

Preperation is key to any sucessful deployment. There are MANY programs, websites, and outlets to plug yourself and your children into. Keeping busy is definatly the one thing we do best being homeschoolers, so that helps! We are blessed with an abundance of friends and family who many of which, are/were also military. So, I say to you.....you are not alone in your journey because I am there with you in prayer! 

~Be Encouraged~

I AM A MILITARY WIFE

I am a military wife -- a member of that sisterhood of women who have had the courage to watch their men go into battle, and the strength to survive until their return.

Our sorority knows no rank, for we earn our membership with a marriage license, traveling over miles, or over nations to begin a new life with our military husbands.
...
Within days, we turn a barren, echoing building into a home, and though our quarters are inevitably white-walled and unpapered, we decorate with the treasures of our travels, for we shop the markets of the globe. Using hammer and nail, we tack our pictures to the wall, and our roots to the floor as firmly as if we had lived there for a lifetime. We hold a family together by the bootstraps, and raise the best of "brats," instilling in them the motto, "Home is togetherness," whether motel, or guest house, apartment or duplex.

As military wives we soon realize that the only good in "Good-bye" is the
"Hello again."

For as salesmen for freedom, our husbands are often on the road, at sea, or in the sky, leaving us behind for a week, a month, an assignment. During separations we guard the home front, existing until the homecoming. Unlike our civilian counterparts, we measure time, not by years, but by tours -- married in Virginia, a baby born at Portsmouth, a special anniversary in San Diego, a promotion in the Atlantic Ocean.

We plant trees, and never see them grow tall, work on projects completed long after our departure, and enhance our community for the betterment of those who come after us. We leave a part of ourselves at every stop. Through experience, we have learned to pack a suitcase, a car or hold baggage, and live indefinitely from the contents within: and though our fingers are sore from the
patches we have sewn, and the silver we have shined, our hands are always ready to help those around us.

Women of peace, we pray for a world in harmony, for the flag that leads our men into battle, will also blanket them in death. Yet we are an optimistic group, thinking of the good, and forgetting the bad, cherishing yesterday, while anticipating tomorrow.

Never rich by monetary standards, our hearts are overflowing with a wealth of experiences common only to those united by the special tradition of military life.

We pass on this legacy to every military bride, welcoming her with outstretched arms, with love and friendship, from one sister to another, sharing in the bounty of our unique, fulfilling military way of life.

Author Unknown