Catching Up

Last night Staci fell and cut open her face from her lip to the nose. I didn't know that the cut went completely through the skin until the doctor looked at it, even though that explains the blood that was gushing out of her mouth. She is fine, but the emergency room is just never fun... it took us about 5 hours to get in and out of there! Yikes!

Staci's favorite color is pink. She has told me this a thousand times. Of course it is, what else could a four year old girl's favorite color be? Well, this morning she said, "my first favorite color is glittery pink, then sparkly pink, then beautiful pink, and pretty pink, and then just regular pink.... I don't really like hot pink". I thought that was cute.

Natalie is my social child. She likes to introduce herself to everyone and get to know them in return. I think she has met every check out clerk at every store we have been to in the last 2 years. That's just how she is! I think it is really cute. Staci, on the other hand, really doesn't socialize much. She has been known to be social and say things like, "I'm Staci. I'M SHY!!!" Only thing is she is screaming it, and bugging her eyes out at the person she is saying it to.

Jackson is just my little sweetheart. I think he wouldn't offend or hurt another person (except little sisters, of course) for anything. I am so thankful he is a part of our family! He is so smart, and always wanting to know more than he does. He loves to read anything he can, and is pretty much a walking encyclopedia on the topics of animals, space and anything Star Wars.

Isn't it funny that as a mom we continue to doubt ourselves time and time again!? At least I know I do. I plan on something and think about it over and over and tell myself that it is the best thing, and then doubt my decision. I have planned on doing home school while here in Mississippi, but didn't really have a plan. I figured I could do it without any problem (I have several work books for the kids and things) but I haven't had a lot of time to research programs on the internet. I have intentions of doing that, but it has been hard because I haven't had a lot of access to a computer. I figured I could "wing it" for the first week or two after getting here, and then I would have time to figure out a plan. Well, turns out that I am not as good at "winging" it as I thought, especially in the midst of all of the stresses of moving and a broken foot, etc. (have I mentioned that I have a broken foot and sprained ankle... on opposite feet?) So, last week, after a lot of conflict with myself, I put my kids in public school. The problem I have is that Natalie NEEDS the social stuff like she needs air - and has been BEGGING me to let her just go to school, "PU-LEEEASE, MOM!" Staci is also SO excited to start kindergarten in the fall... I just don't have the heart to tell her that she has to stay home for kindergarten. Jackson on the other hand, HATES it. He is having a hard time. I feel so badly about it, but I felt like it was important for them to do this until I have a better plan and organized myself here to be ready for home school. I am planning on still home schooling Jackson starting next year, but I am torn between what to do for the girls. The main purpose in home schooling them is because Geoff has never really been a part of the kids' lives. He has been gone at least 100 hours a week for their whole lives. We hardly have any family memories with him... honestly. Well, now he is working random hours. So, many days, like today for instance, he works late and won't see the kids at all. This is common, I know, but he also has to work every other weekend and I just don't want it to continue where the kids don't see him very much (although I know they will see him more now than they did before). I want to be able to work our school schedule around Geoff's work schedule and have a family life for this time when we are away from any of our extended family. I just feel like that is so important. But I am torn. Can you tell? I am rambling! I just wanted to express the struggle that I am having at this time... it's not always clear what the best thing is for your kids... and what is good for one kids may not be good for another. I guess I just have to wrestle a little more with it... any suggestions?

Anyway, I haven't found (mostly because I haven't even looked for) the device that uploads my pictures on the computer (what is that thing called?) I have to upload some soon, but for now you will have to settle for just what we are up to.