Sunday, December 30, 2012

Elections In The Homeschool World

I think learning about how our government works is one of the most important things a kid can learn.
I figured that the best time to talk about elections is during the 2012 election.  It also opened up a lot of discussion with my two older kids.  As hard as it might be, I try very hard to give both sides to the discussion.  However, I always will say "now, how I feel is.....".

We watched the debates, ads and interviews.  Jason tried to figure out what was important to him. 

Jobs or the economy was important to Jason.  He doesn't care that we have to drive further to see the doctor or that we only have two choices in grocery stores.  But he does care that our drive inn will not be opening back up next summer, or that his favorite hobby store might close.

I thought a fun way to close out our unit on the elections, was to hold our own election. We did it on the actual election day.  And we did it old school.  Here in Oregon we use mail in ballots, but I wanted him to set up a polling place.

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It gave us a chance to talk about polling place laws and why they are there.  It also gave me realize just how much our garage needs to be cleaned.  He made polling signs, sign in sheets, ballots, ballots boxes and even "I voted" stickers.


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On the ballots he listed: Obama, Romney and Other (for write ins).  The whole family got a chance to vote.  Jason was tough, he even required ID to get your ballot.

Our elections in this house did turn out differently then the National election.

Romney: 3
Obama: 1
Bush: 1 

Jason on the debates:  "Mom....did they answer the question?"


Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.


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Saturday, December 22, 2012

MOMS Club Weekend

18 years ago I became a stay at home mom.  The real estate market had crashed and I had been working in a bank that did it's business centered in the real estate market.  So when Anthony was just about 6 months old I became a stay at home mom when the bank started laying off employees and finally closed.

I was looking forward to staying at home with my baby.  One of the things I didn't count on was the isolation that I felt.  All of my friends were working Moms.  I would meet them for lunch or do weekend things but I really missed the adult conversations during the week.

I thought I was going to lose my mind after a couple of months.  I opened the local paper and found an article about MOMS Club.  MOMS Club is a support group for stay at home moms.  It is a club that was started with the idea that we can only be good mothers if we first take care of ourselves.  One of those ways is to get out of the house and be around other mothers.  All the activities in MOMS Club include the kids. 

Just what I was looking for.  Most of the activities where at other Moms houses or at the park.  We were all Moms just looking to get out of the house and hang out with other Mothers feeling the same way we did.  Not only that, the kids were all about the same age as Anthony.

I started with this club back in California, helped form two different chapters when I moved to Washington.  I tried to get one going in Oregon but it never took root.  Instead, in Oregon I became a volunteer with International MOMS Club.  I started out reviewing websites and now I just was promoted to State Coordinator of 4 different states.  I have been a member for over 17 years and I keep in contact with so many of the Moms from my first chapter.

Why do I mention this now.  This past November I attended our regional luncheon.  It was a chance for all of us to get together and relax, get to know each other and have a great time.  We had Volunteers and chapters from Hawaii, California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho there.

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 The picture above is off all the volunteers that help put the amazing luncheon together. Below is a picture of me with some of the other Oregon coordinators.

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 This was such a great weekend. My only regret was that I had missed the last couple years. I am looking forward to next years.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Anthony's Surgery

As some of you might remember, Anthony had a knee injury during wrestling his junior year in HS.  It kept him out of going to state and possibly wrestling in college.

He went in for minor arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus.  It turns out that the tear in his meniscus is probably cause from a loose ACL.  Not great news, because he could possibly need more surgery later.

On my couch.

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A picture of his knee post surgery.

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His knee healed fine. He went in on Friday and should have been up and walking around by Sunday. Unfortunately, not the case. He ended up with 4 blood clots.

So, back on the couch he went for the next week.  The treatment is medication, of course, and shots.  Shots he has to give himself and in his stomach.  I am glad to say, he is feeling much better.  He is going to physical therapy to rebuild that ACL.   He will be on medication for the next 6 months.  He is happy to be up moving around and back to work.

He knows one thing for sure.  He will not be having any more elective surgery for a long long time.

Saturday, December 08, 2012

The End of Soccer

What a year.  The girls High School team had a new head coach this year and a whole new style of soccer.  The girls responded well.  They finished #4 in the state.  It was a tough year for Megan.  She has never had to compete for her spot as keeper.  And to make matters worse, she had to compete with her best friend.

A quick note:  these pictures are not mine, thanks for sharing them.  Anthony had just had knee surgery and I couldn't make the game below.

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 I can't say enough about both these girls.  They are amazing keepers.  Did you notice that their shirts match their shoes.  This is an older picture, because now their gloves match to.

They both bring very different strengths to the game.  And they are both very supportive of each other.  When Auslin had to defend a shoot out, Megan sat on the side lines praying for her.  When Megan played a rough game, Auslin was the first to hug and congratulate her.


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I can't tell you how much fun it is to watch these two girls play.  They finished the season with 69 goals score on the other team and only 11 goals scored on us.  That tells you something about how they play.  They sat on the bench and compared their injury's.  Broken fingers, bruised and batter knees, pulled shoulders and backs and the various cleat prints on their legs.  These two girls are tough.


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Since both girls are sophomores, I can't wait to see what the next two years will be like.  Us parents have commented on how tight this soccer team is.  They are all friends and Megan is already missing seeing them every day.

Friday, December 07, 2012

Megan's Free Time

Megan was bored the other day and found this website. She did one for both Anthony and Steve. Enjoy!!!
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!
Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

A Quick Laugh

I was just uploading some pictures so I could post them here.  I know that I have posted both of these before.  It just blows me away looking at these.  Look how much to two of them have grown up.


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Speaking of changing and growing up. Look who has her learners permit. 247984_10151193190914161_541717901_n

Saturday, December 01, 2012

Hey...It's December


I thought tonight would be a great time to fire back up the blog.  It was that or finish putting up the Christmas decorations.  I have a ladder in the middle of my kitchen that I don't feel like dealing with.

I was just thinking that I really should finish up, at least in the kitchen, when Megan walked out of her room.  She was just getting changed and ready to head out with her friend for the night.  I was completely taken back by how much she is growing up.  So I grabbed my camera and took a quick picture of her.

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Man....I feel old.

A couple of weeks ago, I took the kids out to get a Christmas picture.  It is always an adventure trying to get a good shot of them.  They usually take the lead and come up with different poses.  All three of them carefully got on rocks in the river and turn and said "ok".  I focused and got ready for the shot and then they did this.

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They are not shy when it comes to the camera.