Homeschool Advice

***Update***

Thanks everyone for your comments and all your emails. I am so thankful for all you had to say, and the advice you have to offer. It is such a big decision and we will continue to pray through it. I am completely planning on emailing everyone back, and responding to comments today...at some point...hopefully. I do have more questions and look forward to hearing more about your experiences. Thanks again!

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I am wanting to pick some of your brains out there about Homeschooling. Like I have mentioned before, we are looking for a new home for our growing family. As we look through homes in different towns, 1 thing is always on our mind..."what are the schools like here?"

I have to be honest. Every time we pass the elementary building in each neighborhood, I get a knot in my stomach. My sweet Ella is almost 5, and will be heading into one of these big buildings this Fall.....unless I homeschool. I know that this may be a "letting go" thing, and that I will most likely have trouble when I watch her walk in that 1st day with her backpack and cute little ponytail. Seriously, I'm tearing up.

If you would've asked me a year ago if I would consider homeschooling, I would of said something like, "No way! Definitely not for me...not a chance." I guess time has changed my mind...or has God changed my heart?

So, what are your thoughts? What is your view on Homeschool vs. Private/Public Schools?
How do you manage many small children while homeschooling?
Am I really "wired" to homeschool? Can I do it?
Would she benefit more in a classroom?
Don't kids need the social part of being at school? Don't they need that interaction with other kids?
Does every mom go through this when their 1st child starts school?

I would love to hear your advice, experiences, and thoughts. Hope everyone had an amazing weekend!

The Real Deal On Our Love

I can't count the number of times I have been asked, "what are you guys doing for Valentines Day!?" Well...

We went on a weekend getaway.

We had no kids to tame, no diapers to change, and had absolutely no schedule.

We stayed in a nice hotel with an amazing view that looked out over the water.

We slept in and ordered breakfast in bed.

We took long walks on the beach, held hands, talked about life, and listened to the waves hit the shore.

At night, we watched the sunset and had quiet, romantic dinners by the fire.

Not Really.

In all honesty, we had a busy day of running errands, and a normal night of baths, pajamas, snacks, feeding babies, and bedtimes. I was in bed at 9:45pm, no joke.

With 5 small children, those "getaways" are not always practical. Instead, we spend time as a family. We eat chips & salsa and rent a movie after the kids go to bed. We currently like spending time together searching for our new home...when we can get a Sunday afternoon to do so. I have also noticed that our "date nights," have turned into "day dates." And truth be told, I don't mind.....I thought I would, but I don't.

I'm not going to lie, it's not easy to stand outside the "Social Norm." And to be brutally honest, as a mom, it's lonely sometimes. It can be tough to watch other couples with smaller families go on weekend trips, spend time alone, and have date nights. But would I trade it for anything? Never. And does God make mistakes? Definitely not. And is it possible that our Sovereign God chose this road to make us more Holy.....to make a stubborn, independent girl like me rely more on Him? Absolutely, there is no doubt in my mind. Praise The Lord for my 5 sweet girls...I don't feel like I could breathe without them. I've always been one to jump on board with the saying, "a baby will change your life," and I still do think that. But having 5 children in less than 4.5 years, has not only changed my life, it has changed who I am. I am not the same girl I was last year, or 6 months ago for that matter.

Now, due to all of the above, I'm OK without a super-charged, expensive, romantic, Hallmark Valentines Day. I really do love all the fun little holidays, they are always fun. Ours just may be a little different for awhile. I need to be remember everyday to love my husband with all I have, and we need to remember everyday to celebrate each other. With this many small children, we have to be thankful for any time we have alone, even if we're just running errands.

With all that said, I hope everyone had a fun, sweet Valentines Day! Anyone do something super fun? Any fantastic presents?? Do tell!

Help You Can Trust

I usually don't offer much advice, probably because I am always looking for some. But if you have small children, whether you have 2 or 20, you need a break now and then. We are currently finding out that just one person can't babysit anymore. I feel like we have to bring in a small team, haha. The dynamic of 5 under 4 is enough to send a person straight off the edge or running from our front door screaming. Especially if you didn't carry them for 9 months and don't have that maternal bond to them, I think that's how I do it alone...God chose me to be their mom, and for that I will maintain my sanity and stay home with them, day in and day out.....and soak up this time that I will never get back. I'm rambling...anyway...

Ideally I would like to have everything in place when the babysitters show up. Laundry put away, floors swept, kitchen cleaned, kids in their pajamas, and me showered, completely ready to go. This never happens when I'm trying to get out of the house. In fact, the exact opposite happens. Laundry baskets sitting out, kitchen is a mess, girls are in princess dresses, and I had just finished drying my hair after showering with a bouncy seat in the bathroom. I'm just trying to get one stinkin' minute by myself without someone yelling my name, whining, spitting up on me, peeing on their pants, or swallowing Lite Brites...that's a whole other post, but believe me, they can swallow multiple pieces at one time.

The Bottom Line? It's really hard to get out...and do you ever have those times when you wonder if the time by yourself is worth all the work it takes to actually get out the door??

Last night for example, I had a meeting I had to be at, and I enlisted my Mom & her husband, and Eric's mom to come watch the girls until Eric could get home around 8:30pm. I get out the front door 10 minutes later than I had planned, which is actually pretty good for me. My cell phone isn't charging right, so I told them to call if there was a problem, but that I might only have 20 seconds to talk about it. 10 minutes after I left, my mom calls.

Mom: Kate, the powers out.

Me: The power is out!? Like the lights are off?

Mom: Yep, completely dark, the girls are freaking out, and I can't find a flashlight.

Me: Up on top of the cabinets in the kitchen there are 2 flashlights...so you are going to have to stand on a chair, in the dark, and feel around for them.

Mom: Got it, don't head home right away, they might come back on soon, and Cheryl is already on the phone with the power company. I'll call you in a few.

I seriously sat there and thought, "Of course the lights are out, I'm out by myself, why would the power stay on!? Now not only are they dealing with chaos, they are doing it in the dark." My mom called 20 min later and said the power was back on, and that things were fine. I couldn't help but think of how amazing and wonderful it is to have our families here to help us. So we can get out a little, and not have to worry about anything. We can relax and enjoy our time out knowing that they can handle the kiddos, even when things get a little crazy. We are completely grateful for the 2 women that literally always take over when Eric and I need to be somewhere, I don't know what we would do without them.

Although it takes a lot of planning to get out for a few hours by myself, it is totally worth it in the end. I feel refreshed and de-stressed...even when there is a minor crisis while I'm gone.

Oh, rumor has it that there is a great new article that has just been published over at Blissfully Domestic...hee hee...go check it out!

Blissfully Domestic

I am super excited to announce that I have been asked to join the writing team over at Blissfully Domestic! I will be joining the Multiple Bliss writers where we try to help, encourage, offer advice, and laugh together about raising multiples. I know many of you have already been over to Blissfully Domestic, but if you haven't yet, head on over! This magazine has a section for everyone. From cooking, weddings, and finances, to raising kids and homeschooling. You can also check out articles on the latest fashion trends, photography, healthy living, and home decor. There is a sold out conference called Blissdom'09 going on this coming weekend in Nashville, TN. If you have a ticket, you are one lucky lady! I am really excited about this opportunity and will be writing my first article early next week. Happy reading!