Home Is Where The Heart Is.

This year I have come to realize some pretty important things.

1)I am capable.
2)My family needs will always come first. Always.
3)My children can learn the most important life lessons right here at home.
4)My husband is the most understanding man there has ever been and loves his family more than words can express.

Starting with the birth of Trent we have come to find out just how important being at home is. I gave birth to Trent at home, on our bed, with my husband and Braxton sitting on the bed beside me and our middle son napping nearby. My sister, Meigan, and friend, Megan both supported me and my family in ways I can't even express. And my midwife keeping a watchful eye over the whole experience. While my older two boys were born med-free and labor involved with wonderful use of a jacuzzi tub, it was my most intense birth, my homebirth, that I feel the biggest smile come when I recall the day. It was so wonderful to be able to have my children involved as much as they wanted to be, to use my own shower, and to feel so open with such freedom to move about the way I needed to without fear of disrupting other "patients", nurses, or other hospital personnel.

This year we have come to decide to homeschool. We started Braxton out in a public preschool (the elementary he would have attended for K-6 grade) but soon after the feelings of frustration set in. Braxton is so gifted and it doesn't seem to me that giftedness is nourished and nutured in the public school setting. Instead, it's made out to be something that causes children to be disruptive and difficult. Being gifted brings on negative labels. So with the mindset that so far we have helped guide Braxton's learning already, we have decided to homeschool. Though do not think this is school at home. No curriculum, no bells, no tests. Rather, following our children's cues on what they would like to learn and providing positive experiences to encourage new thoughts and ideas. For example, Paul mentioned to Braxton that Mozart learned to play the piano when he was a small boy, and Braxton became fascinated so now we are learning about Mozart. I will make a list of what we have learned this year...it's not your average "preschool" list.

One of my greatest joys about homeschooling is that it isn't about teaching my children to pass tests. It's about learning and growing together as a family. We nurture eachother through our questions and discoveries.

This year we also grew our organic garden in the backyard complete with a compost bin. It was primarily tomatoes, but this coming year we are planning much, much more. It is my goal that the majority of what is eaten by our family is grown by our family. Hopefully though next year won't be so wonky in the weather. Too many soggy days make for some unhappy tomatoes.

We have switched our cleaning supplies to homemade concoctions. Vinegar is our friend!! It doesn't have to be smelly either, with the assistance of some pleasant essential oils it doesn't have to be very smelly at all. Vinegar is a great antibacterial cleaner and is safe if the kids lick where it was sprayed. And if you add some Clary Sage to it then you have added antibacterial power. Other than our all-purpose cleaner we have also made laundry and dishwasher detergent with the help of Borax, baking soda, and you guessed it...vinegar!!

Our next homemade projects include personal use items (i.e. "shampoo", feminine hygiene products, diaper rash ointment) and toys (i.e. felt food, peek-a-bags, wooden puzzles). I'm so excited to continue making our home a more environmentally friendly home.