Why???? Here is the Reason:

First, before I approach the topic at hand, let me say this.... I haven't been blogging. I know that. I have been packing, painting, moving, painting, unpacking, painting, and oh yeah... parenting. Plus, on top of all that, I can't find my camera from the move. Therefore, the blogging is at a SHORT term pause. I will get back to the fun stuff, I promise.

Now... the reason I am writing today is to answer the question I keep being asked by all my friends and my family.... WHY IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GOING TO HOMESCHOOL?

I am not sure if the question is because you (my friends and family) are curious, concerned, or cracking up! But, I thought no matter the reason behind the question, I should take a minute to answer it to all of you at one time (and to put my own thoughts into writing to look back upon on days where I ask myself the same question).

For almost a year now, God has really placed a burden on my heart to home school A.J. Although he will probably be my biggest challenge of the 3, he is the primary reason we ever considered it. A.J. is an extremely intelligent young boy. He thrives on math and history (strange combination, I know). He loves to be asked math problems in the car and hear history stories from his Pa. He has even been caught watching the History Channel (yuck in my mind). However, as most of you know, schools focus primarily on reading. He would get 2.5 hours of reading everyday, maybe an hour of math (but not on Friday because that is FUN FRIDAY and they watch movies) and VERY LITTLE Science and Social Studies. This is not acceptable to me as a parent, even though I did some of the same things as a teacher, myself.

The burden then began. A.J. also had an "interesting" 2nd grade year. He was punished in school for talking a lot (wonder where he gets that from) and for not paying attention (that one I credit to his father). He would get entire pages of assignments counted wrong for leaving them blank and skipping them, as well as received a 0 on a homework assignment because he forgot to bring it home. It lowered his final grade EIGHT points.... one assignment! Although I STRONGLY feel these are horrible grading practices and may not happen with every teacher, it is always a possibility and a fight waiting for me each year.

Then, we started thinking a lot about what was best for Abigail. As you know, Abigail struggles with seizures in her sleep. Because kindergarten is a year where the children nap, this raised great concern for us. If she naps at school, she runs a risk of having a seizure when we aren't with her. If she doesn't nap, she runs the risk of a seizure that night because of not having had enough sleep. Plus, she would have to be given other activities during nap time, and we didn't want her singled out or labeled in anyway.

Through the year, I spent a lot of time reading and researching homeschooling, as well as talking to friends of mine who are already doing it. During that time, my reason for wanting to do it began to change. I still feel it will be best for A.J. academically and for Abigail's health, but it is so much more than that. Here is the answer why: WE WANT TO HAVE A FAMILY AGAIN!

We don't want to spend our mornings fussing at everyone to hurry up and get in the car, get their bookbags, don't forget this and that. We don't want to spend our afternoons calming down a child who has been stuck in a desk all day. We don't want to spend our evenings and family dinners studying spelling words, drilling homework, and preparing for the next day. We don't want someone else watching our children succeed and we miss it. We don't want someone else spending more time with our children than us!

I calculated it out.... if a child goes to school 180 days, that is 16% of their year. Count in another 6% of their year towards homework and preparing for school in the mornings. 42% of their year is spent sleeping (assuming 10 hours per night). 3% of their year is spent at regularly scheduled church services (that doesn't count all the extra stuff we do with church). That leaves us only 33% to spend as a family with US RAISING OUR CHILDREN. That (in my opinion) isn't enough.

Being able to homeschool is a MAJOR sacrifice for us on many fronts. We are going to live off of only one income for the first time. We won't be eating out, buying much for Christmas, having the newest clothes or gadgets. As a matter of fact, I am not even sure how we will pay all of our existing bills.... but we will. I know this is what God wants for our family, and I know He will provide. He always does.

We are however, going to have more time together. We will have a weekend again (Allan is off on Fridays, and we will be able to have TWO days in a row like most families already do). We will be able to take vacation whenever we want. We will be able to study history and science whenever and however we want. And, we will have more time to teach our children the most important book of all.... the Bible.

So, to answer the question.... WHY IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GOING TO HOMESCHOOL??

The answer is this.... because God wants us to. Period.

We truly appreciate all the love and support we have gotten during this decision process. I ordered the curriculum yesterday, and we are all very excited. We appreciate your prayers as we embark on this very new journey!

Playing Catch Up

I have been telling myself I was going to catch up on my blog, but of course, I haven't gotten around to it. So, tonight, although I am very tired.... I am determined to get this done for those grandparents that have been asking!!! So, here is a snippet of what has been going on in the Pierce household.

First of all, we have been attempting to get Julia to start baby food. She really doesn't like it. Turns out she likes me or a bottle much better, but we are trying. We also had fun with Abigail pretending like she was the baby!
We also had some fun end of year activities with the kids. Most exciting... Abigail had a preschool graduation, complete with cap and gown (or her nightgown as she calls it). It was a very special day for all of us. We also celebrated A.J. completing 2nd grade (pictured below with his teacher Mrs. Barnes). Summer break here we come!!!

Julia.... the poor 3rd child... doesn't have as many pictures as the others did, but here are some of my favorites!
We also celebrated Julia's baby dedication. I believe all children are a true gift from God, but when they come as a surprise to us... they seem even a little more special!!! Here are a few pictures from Julia's baby dedication, including the altar flowers from Grandma and Pa and Nana and Papa.
The same day (Mother's Day), Abigail was a pumpkin in the Cinderella ballet. We took a few pictures before we left. She was so proud to get to wear make-up!!

Since it is getting VERY hot here, Allan entertained the big kids by making them a redneck slide. For my northern family... that means he laid a tarp on the grass and put dish soap on it. They had so much fun together!
And, to close out this quick update... a few more sweet sibling moments!

Abigail "reading" to Julia... (and by the way... she does everything in her dance costume now that her performance is over. You never will know what that girl will be wearing at any given moment!)

March and a Little April

Here I go again... catching up a whole month of blogging at one time. I am afraid this may start to be a pattern. Here are some of our events in March and the first part of April:

A.J. has never cared much about riding his bike. And, since we have a very long gravel driveway, we haven't pushed it. Recently, he asked Allan to take off his training wheels and he started riding it in the grass. We took him out to pavement to see how he would do, and it turns out that he can ride a bike! Great job A.J.! Next step... a new bike that is big enough for him.

As we have done several years, we we were at Grandma's house for St. Patrick's Day. I have always found it funny that my mom loves the day so much when she hates the color green. Either way... the kids always have a lot of fun on this day with Grandma.


Here are a few more pictures from our Spring Break in Thomasville:

A.J. also had a performance with the Jeter Singers at Monkey Park, and one night, the kids all decided to wear their big/little sister/brother shirts to church. Here are those pictures:

The month has also been filled with Easter activities and the first part of A.J.'s birthday. The Pierce side of our family came to celebrate both with us. The second part is still to come! A.J. got an iPod nano, some new orange crocs, and a book from Abigail. Oh.... to remember the days where your birthday lasted a week!

And now.... THREE EASTER BASKETS!

It's About Time...

A lot has been going on, and I have been horrible at blogging. Now that I am back at work, maybe I will get better at being on a routine and be able to keep up with things better (yeah right).

First of all, I went to my doctor's appointment and took Julia to see the doctor who first welcomed her to this world. Here is Julia with Dr. Rob Marino. Great doctor! (And yes... he is young, but I did ask... he is at least a few years older than me!)

A really big thing happened this month. Julia found her thumb! She is a little younger than Abigail was when she started, but she also is sucking her left thumb!

The biggest news around here has been the snow. First we had the waiting....
Then, we had the playing....
All the snow resulted in lots and lots of laundry. Allan took this picture and just thought it was hilarious. Don't worry... the clothes were clean.
We also had a Pierce family visit. I have gotten really bad about taking pictures, but Michael did capture a few for me.
We also took a weekend trip to Thomasville. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins, Emily and Christian. We spent the afternoon at Paradise Park (and it was rather chilly).
We also spent some time with the Perry family. Here is Julia with Summer (hence the name Julia Summer). She also was held by Ian, who was practicing for his turn with a little sister coming soon.
I also had the blessing of spending time with my girls from home. Thank you so much Brecca, Ashley, Summer, Cindy, and Lesli for coming for a visit. I am so sorry I didn't get pictures. And, I miss you all so much. Thank you mom for all you did to have them over!