School Days, School Days...

Well it's over, the first day of school that is. The girls had a great time. We got off to a rocky start when their bus didn't show up. Alex and I had planned on follwing the bus anyway and attending the morning meeting (they meet each morning as a whole school). So we hopped in the car and drove to school. We made it in time and both girls were greeted with big hugs from their teachers. (we had gone to meet the teachers on Monday so they weren't strangers)

We sat through the meeting and then they were off to their classrooms. They were excited and smiling - it felt great. I shed many tears in the car on the way home - even though I am confident this is the BEST thing for our family, I will miss those two. The house was quiet today...Jack and I played many rounds of Bingo and Go Fish. We all have to get used to this new paradigm and it will take some adjusting, but it feels so right and that gives me great peace in my heart.

Here is a picture of my gorgeous schoolgirls...

Can I Get An Update???

I can't believe it is August 22nd. As I sit here with my mouth wide open, astonished at the pace the summer has flown by at, I'm feeling really blog-lazy. I haven't been here nearly enough and I haven't kept you updated nearly well enough.

There are so many things to tell all of you that I feel a little overwhelmed - okay a lot overwhelmed! Well I'll try to take them one by one and see how far I get before I'm called away.

1. In 6 days Annie and Lucy start in a brick and mortar school for the first time. I have been homeschooling them via the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School for the past few years. But finally, a charter school that we have been following the progress of for more than 2 years had it's charter approved this past February and is opening it's doors next week. Annie will be in third grade and Lucy in first grade at The Environmental Charter School at Frick Park. It is a city of Pittsburgh public school but it is run by Imagine Schools one of the nation's only NFP charter school companies. The teachers and administration are employees of Imagine Schools and though they are accountable to the city and state for test scores the majority of their accountability lies with Imagine and also the parents of their students. This year it will be limited to grades K-3 and they will add a Kindergarten class each year until they are K-8. (So Annie will always be in the oldest class!) It is housed in the old Regent Square School building and the transformation that has occurred there over the summer has been amazing. We have been attending events all summer long designed for the kids to get to know one another and the staff and we will attend the Grand Opening on Monday and the girls will meet their teachers and see their classrooms for the first time.

I'm thrilled for this opportunity for them - it seems to me like a perfect mix between public education and homeschooling. Part of the Imagine vision is lots of parent involvement and satisfaction so I'm confident that my voice will be heard and listened to. Also they had over 300 applicants for less than 50 positions so they were able to hire the best of the best for their staff. Everyone I have met so far has been incredible and I'm excited to see how they year unfolds.

Of course I have my reservations - how can any teacher know my child and their learning style better than I can? How will my kids fare with a more rigid schedule and less flexibility? Will they fall prey to all of the potential hazards that exist for young kids in school today...bullying, trying too hard to fit in...etc? And, to be as transparent as possible, I will miss them horribly. I know that after I drop them off the first day I will shed lots of tears...my eyes are welling up writing this. But in my heart I believe this is what is right for them and for our family right now. I don't think my homeschooling days are over...we may have to revisit that issue come time for high school but that is 6 years away. (OMG - Annie will be in high school in 6 years?!)

2.Wyatt is only 9 days away from being 5 months old! Yeah, I have no idea where that time has gone. He is AWESOME! He is rolling over both ways and laughing and grabbing onto everything he can and getting it into his mouth as soon as possible. He is mesmerized by his siblings and saves his biggest smiles for them. He had some extended time with his daddy on vacation and they are developing a strong bond. I'm happy to say though that he still prefers Mama over anyone else! Our CPU is being worked on right now but when I get it back I promise some updated pictures...he looks EXACTLY like Jack did at this age...it's actually a little freaky.

3. Speaking of Jack...he is already dealing with the fact that his "sissies" (sisters) are going to be gone for much of the day this fall. He is sad because the three of them are a little pack, traveling everywhere together. Along with that comes the good - and the bad - but for the most part they are super close. He will have a tough adjustment but he is also very close to me and I hope that he and I can have some special time together this year because next year he will be in Kindergarten...and sending him off to school is sure to break my heart in two.

Okay that is all for today - I still want to write about our house and vacation...but that is all I can muster for today!

Well...DUH!

Researchers have published findings this month that say when a woman sees her own baby smile it stimulates areas in her brain that trigger feelings of happiness.

What a shocking revelation!!! Read the whole article here.

Stop The Madness

If you have daughters please read the following article before allowing them to receive the Gardasil vaccine. It hasn't been proven safe and real young women are dying after getting the vaccination.

Click here for the article

Click here to read a blog about a young girl who has been irreversibly harmed after receiving the vaccination.

The information on the commercials regarding this vaccine are misleading. If you aren't convinced by these articles then do your own research. See how fast this vaccination was pushed through the channels...see how little research was done in comparison with other vaccines...and see how the drug companies pockets are being FILLED with three shots in the series at close to 300 bucks a pop.

Allow your daughter to be ONE LESS getting this vaccination.

Of Smiles and Coos

I have to admit that I am unashamedly soaking up every single minute of Wyatt's life. I am cuddling him, holding him LOTS, responding to every little noise he makes and loving on him at every turn. I'm sure I don't love him more than my other kids but I am enjoying this stage of his life more than I did with the first three. Why? Because, like others, with my first I was a touch neurotic...and then the other two came in such close succession that I never really got to enjoy the newborn and infant stage all that much. I was so busy caring for other babies and toddlers that I was too crazed to appreciate it all.

But now??? I am giddy with each and every smile. My heart leaps at the sound of even the smallest coo. I am so grateful for this chance to experience a baby without the anxieties of the first child or the busyness of having children close together. Annie, Lucy and Jack are all fairly independent and they are so awesome to indulge their crazy mama while she stares at and holds onto the littlest one among us. They love him too, they sing to him so he'll smile, they kiss his toes and his head, and they want him to do everything with them. "Mama just put Wyatt on the bed while we jump, he'll have fun!"

I'm just amazed once again at how God has expanded my heart to accommodate the vastness of love I have for Wyatt. It's always hard to imagine how much your heart can hold...I'm so glad God had the confidence that I could love Wyatt well. I cannot imagine my life or our family without him.

Watching History Unfold

I was so aware as I watched Barack Obama win the democratic Nomination that we are all witnessing moments of extreme historical significance. For the first time in our nation's life a black man is the nominee for the presidency. I'm so proud and excited.

PS - I sure know how to pick a winner! And that post was all the way back in July of last year!!!

I'm Alive!

I know it has been a long time! I have heard from many of you, my faithful readers, asking why I haven't been writing lately. Well time is scarce for 2 reasons.

One - Wyatt! He takes up a lot of our time - and it is a joy! I just don't have as much flexibility as I once did to get to the computer and blog! I usually hop on for a quick email check and that is about it!

Two - we are moving in 2 weeks! we are packing up and heading back within the city limits. This will give us greater flexibility with regards to children's future education and it puts us closer to lots of things we desire to be closer to.

Wyatt was baptized last Sunday on Mother's day! It was beautiful and whenever I get the pictures off of my camera (the cord is packed right now!) I will post them.

I have lots I want to blog about...topics ranging from ingredients in vaccines to California legalizing gay marriage. I'm sure you could spend many minutes imagining what my viewpoints are on those matters! I'll be back soon...

The Time Has Come

Today is the Pennsylvania Presidential Primary! (gosh I love that alliteration!) So it's time to get out and ROCK THE VOTE!

I want to encourage all of my friends in Pennsylvania to get to their polling places and allow their voices to be heard. I consider voting to be one of the most amazing and empowering things we are able to do in this country and I'm thankful for an opportunity to lend my voice to the chorus of others who are participating in the political process. I know it is easy to be very cynical about the process but in these very important days of our nation's history it is time to set cynicism aside and use our power as part of the electorate to effect the change we hope to see.

You all know I am voting for Barack Obama - if you are a registered Democrat I strongly encourage you to check him out of you haven't already. He is more than a politician - for me and many others he is an inspiration. The inspiration we desperately need in order for real change to happen in our world.

I heard this quote on one of his TV ads here in PA. I think it was from a speech he gave at Penn State...and I love it

"It's with your voice that we're going to be able to make a difference. One voice can change a room, and if it can change a room it can change a city, and if it can change a city it can change a state, and if it can change a state it can change a nation, and if it can change a nation it can change the world. Let's go change the world." - Barack Obama

Life with Wyatt

I cannot believe my last post was 9 days ago! Time is going by so fast right now. usually when I bring babies home the first few weeks seem to last years but this time is totally different. Time is racing by and I can't even tell you where the days have gone.

Wyatt is settling in to life around here. Some of the amazement is wearing off for the older three kids - and it seems as if Jack is experiencing twinges of jealousy here and there. I understand that because he had been the "baby" for 4 years before this little interloper came along and usurped his role. So we hear a lot of "don't nurse Wyatt!" and "mommy will you sit next to me?".

I'm loving breastfeeding again - it isn't without its stessors and moments of feeling so tired that I'm ready to give up - but all in all it is going well. Wyatt is gaining weight the doctor said he looks great. Unless I have some major concerns I don't have to go back until his one month appointment - which is unbelievable only 12 days from now.

We have a new nephew - John was born to Jay and Linda on April 12. My sister in law is a total beast - as she pushed out (in right about 10 minutes) a 10 pound 6 ounce baby! YEOW! John had his own stay in the NICU but is home now and doing really well. Thanks be to God! My mom has been out in New Jersey all week getting to know her newest grandson...and believe you me her 4 grandchildren here have felt her absence...not to mention their mother!

Well my little alarm clock is squeaking - must be time to open the dairy queen again or as Alex says "time for milking". Just laugh along with me!

So Yummy!!!

My dear friend Sarah is starting a photography business and took some pictures of Wyatt yesterday. Here is one that I love love love. If any of you in the Pittsburgh area want to contact Sarah about pictures just let me know...I will happily put you in touch. Thanks Sarah!