Choose Faith Over Fear - The Secret to Winning Life

Just before trying the zip-line Marley said,
"It's a little scary, but I want to try something new."
She is my hero. <3

    " Courage cannot erase our fear.

      Courage is when we face our fear." - {Seize the Day}     

      This past year has been a significant time for growth.  I asked myself so many questions regarding what is important to me and what I aspire to achieve.  And as a stay at home mom of three, I was unexpectedly faced with a unique and adventurous path.  This path led me to challenge conventional lifestyle and to pursue a frightening future of unpredictability.

     The biggest lesson I learned while embarking on this path, is that fear is not a weakness; fear is a challenge.  We all have fears, and we are faced with fears on a daily basis.  

Fear of failure.
Fear of inferiority.
Fear of the unknown.
Fear of humiliation.
Fear of rejection.

I've always felt that fear is the opposite of faith.
     Especially while I watch the Olympics right now, I am awestruck with the tremendous faith these Olympic athletes radiate.  They go the distance because their parents have faith in them, and because they have chosen to be stronger than their fears.  They have faith in their abilities and in their dreams.

Great things happen when we experience fears and choose to overcome them.  And even when efforts made in faith fail, the experience is worth so much more than having given into fear.  It is an invaluable growth that rewards us eternally!

     It is a shame when people make decisions based on fear; I see those decisions as missed opportunities to truly shine.  But even when people have let fear dictate their paths, it is never too late to turn around and say "No, I am stronger than my fears!"  Every moment is an opportunity to exercise faith.

     When my husband and I took each other's hands and agreed to move forward with our plans to live a minimalist lifestyle.. we were letting go of our fears and building upon our faith.  It was then that we could see miraculous blessings happening in our lives and for our family.

     I had no idea that these things were possible.  But now I am certain that each one of us is capable of miraculous things.  We just need to have the courage to choose faith over fear.  

    

     Everyone has unique goals, dreams, and ideas that will be challenged by fear.  And I'm sure millions of incredible ideas have already been buried by fears.  These ideas could have flourished and could have inspired the world.  But they were stopped in their tracks.  Don't let the fear win.  I've seen it.  I've felt the fear too.  But you are stronger than you think.  I promise.

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Homeschooling Didn't Work For Us

     When I first started homeschooling my preschooler, I thought, "I've got this." I wrote out a daily schedule.  I put together weekly lesson plans.  I had craft supplies and art projects laid out for months at a time.  Everything went pretty smoothly.  My kids had fun doing unit studies and learning bits of information each week.  All seemed well in the homeschool venture.

     Marley was almost four years old when I started to emphasize reading curriculum.  After all, that's around the time when a child should start reading, right? I was a very young reader.  I was able to read Early Reader books at age 3.  So I figured my children would be on the same track.  She knew her letters, and she knew her sounds.  I thought, naturally the next step is to read.  That's what I thought.

She wasn't getting it.

     Sitting down and trying to figure out phonics together was awful.  She knew the letters.  She knew the sounds.  But for some reason, putting them together did not make sense to her.  I tried getting her to memorize sight words.  She knew a few words, but her interest level was so low, that it was difficult to get her to focus her eyes on the page.  Soon, reading time turned into a time we both dreaded.  She just wasn't getting it.  I was frustrated.  She was frustrated.  At some point I got fed up and said, "I know you know this! Why can't you remember?"  She looked up at me with tears in her eyes and said, "I don't know why I can't do it."  That was the moment my heart broke.

     My mom instinct raged - this wasn't right! I was pushing her to do something she wasn't ready to do.  I knew she would read eventually.  Why was I so determined to make it happen on schedule?  Because people might think my daughter isn't smart? Because they might think I'm not a good mom? Who cares! My baby was hurting and she was starting to think she isn't smart.    
No and no.  
I immediately put a stop to it and stopped pushing her to read.  I continued to read picture books to her and we had fun enjoying the stories together.  I didn't stress about her skill level and I didn't bring up phonics or reading to her again...

...until she brought it up to me!

     It was only about six months later that Marley started asking me how to write words and how to spell words.  I decided to write words and phrases on her chalkboard easel each day without telling her anything.  She would ask me what it said and many times she would copy what I wrote.  It was awesome! She was pursuing knowledge all on her own!  She learned so much more and at a quicker rate, when she was ready for it.  I realized that stepping back and being more of a facilitator or a mentor was more beneficial for the education of my children.  That's what I did.  I started asking Marley what she wanted to do or learn about and I would provide activities or information to encourage learning.   I abandoned the idea of schooling at home and I became what's known as an "unschooler."  I didn't know I was "unschooling" at the time, but it wasn't long before I met other home educators who took more of an interest-led learning approach.

Here is an article that gives great examples of how unschooling can be applied:

How To Learn All Subjects Through Unschooling

     The most difficult part of unschooling has been getting over the comparison.  I need to keep reminding myself that it doesn't matter what other kids their age are doing.  Even if they are behind in areas, I aim to make sure they are making progress and maximizing their full potential.

So that's where we are now.
     Even though I still consider myself a homeschooler, homeschooling technically didn't work for us, but unschooling or "freeschooling" (I've recently starting saying)  has been amazing!
As unschoolers/freeschoolers we are free to make up our own schedule and curriculum as we go.  We are constantly learning together at all times and in all settings.  My kids love learning and it is working wonderfully for us.  They are learning at their own pace and they are always excited to learn more, because I follow their interests.  And most importantly, they are happy, they feel loved, and they are becoming caring people who are confident in their abilities.  I couldn't ask for more. <3

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The Day My 5 Year Old Taught Me About Being Selfless

     I truly believe this earth has been blessed with some of the most amazing little souls for children.  My Marley looks like an average happy, adorable 5 year old, but sometimes she says or does something that is miraculous.  

     Since she was a toddler, I noticed that she was very emotionally advanced.  Always considerate of others and happy to share.  She is constantly seeking to make new friends and wants to include everyone in the fun.  She quickly became my hero.  

     A couple weeks ago, something happened that I never want to forget.  When my husband arrived home from work, Marley overheard me telling him that I had a very rough day.  I ranted to him about the cooking, the cleaning, the fighting, the crying, and the diaper changing.  I told him that I was so tired and I would appreciate it if he would clean up the dishes after dinner and handle putting the kids to bed by himself.  Honestly, this is not an unreasonable or an unusual request.  I have asked him to do that several times before. And he is always so sweet and willing to do so! My husband is amazing. <3 <3 <3  But after he said, "Sure, no problem" Marley did something that I hope to keep fresh in my heart forever...

     

     She walked up to me and whispered, "Mommy, can I talk to you?" motioning to me to come away from her dad so he would not hear.  I said, "Okay" and followed her into the next room.  

She proceeded to say:

     "Mommy, we are a family. Ya know? And families work together because we love each other.  Even when we are tired, we are still a family and we should help each other out.  Maybe lets all work together and help daddy clean up so he doesn't do it by himself. Okay?"

     Wow!  I mean, WOW.  I was blown away on so many levels.  The fact that she had the courage to tell me her feelings that contradicted mine.  The fact that she whispered and pulled me away from her dad, so that he wouldn't know what she was saying - she obviously wasn't trying to get praise for it.  The fact that she was so selfless to volunteer to help, so that others wouldn't be left alone to work.  The fact that she acknowledged the sad feelings present and wanted to help.  And the fact that she had shown me that there is a more Christ-like way to think and behave.  It was an incredible moment.

     I swallowed the lump in my throat and spoke softly, so my voice wouldn't crack from the tears welling up. "Of course we can do that baby. You are so right." And I gave her a very big hug.  This particular hug meant more than "I love you."  It meant "You are the epitome of everything that is pure and good in my life, and I am blessed to have you."

     I told my husband about it later that night and he was in awe as well.  He asked me how much of her awesomeness is our parenting and how much is just her. (LOL) I told him that I have no idea, but I hope it's a mix of both.  But sometimes, I am certain that we have very little to do with her strengths, and we are just very lucky.  I admire her so much and hope to become more like her.  

     All small children are amazing souls.  We are blessed by Heavenly Father to have them as lights of goodness.  They are still fresh in the world and have so much hope, love, and purity.  We really should consider them guides for how we should be.  The world would be better for it.

      

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1st Week of Homeschool - A Recap of Our Activities

     Everyone is starting school this week.  So are we.  Okay, well not exactly.  We are starting homeschool this week.  And to be completely honest, we continue homeschooling year-round. But to celebrate the spirit of "back to school," I wanted to share with you what our first week looked like.

     Marley would have been in Kindergarten this year and Dylan would have been in preschool.  I have elected to do self-paced interest-led lessons this year.  We have our Learning Journal that Marley writes in every day and a math workbook that she uses a few times a week.  Other than that we fill our days with reading, art projects, educational videos, and lots of field trips.  I ask the girls what they want to learn about and they pretty much create their own curriculum and have a blast learning together.  And one of the best parts is interacting with the world.

We went to a group playdate at a local splash pad, where the girls got to play with friends and climb and run and dig sand ditches and splash in the water.  As we were leaving the splash pad, Marley said "Mom, I want to learn about the sun and water." Done.

We reviewed the water cycle and watched a few educational videos about the sun.  Pretty interesting stuff.  We were learning together.

She also came to me with the idea to do an art project about the sun.  She said she can cut out the circle and glue tissue paper and color the sun.  All her own ideas! I encourage, facilitate, and provide supplies, but it is her love for learning and creating, that leads to these miraculous days of homeschooling.

The girls love using the iPad, so I've made educational apps part of our daily curriculum.  The Monkey Preschool apps are a favorite and they have learned so much! Marley can spell words on her own and knows how to match rhyming words.  

      We visit the library once or twice a week to pick up books that support the current interests of my girls.  It is incredible how much information is soaked up by a child when their interest is peaked.  It is those moments that I want to seize.  The learning potential is a treasure.

      Marley wanted to learn about fish (an interest sparked by the library aquarium) and so we picked up the Eyewitness Book to identify the species of fish we saw.  She was so happy to make the matches and as we pointed the fishes out, I was able to give her some fun facts about them.
     I remember loving the book Madeline as a kid and my girls loved it even more.  They wanted to read it every night.  This led to a wonderfully fun lesson on geography and famous landmarks in Paris.  

At some point in the week, the girls got bored and they went digging through a hodge-podge of art supplies.  Marley picked out scraps of fabric and cut out pieces and glued them together to make clothes for her miniature dinosaurs.  I called this activity "Designer Dinos." ;) She said she may open up a dinosaur clothing shop. Hahaha!

     We also filled out these adorable "First Day" surveys for our girls.  Some of their answers are funny!  You can find these blank surveys if you click here.

 Amazing first week.  We even managed to do a day at Disneyland for Daddy's birthday; where he taught Dylan how to embrace her inner princess and walk through a crowd as if she was her own private parade.  <3

  I look back and I'm shocked at how much we did and accomplished together with very little effort and a lot of fun!  Looking forward to some equally awesome weeks in the future.

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Best Mommy Secret to a Happier Day

     I'm telling you, by doing just one simple thing I have improved my day by leaps and bounds!  I'm so excited about it that I feel the need to shout it from the rooftops.  I'm going to tell you my secret and then I will walk you through how it works and how I've done it.  Here it goes:

    ~ WAKE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING ~

     For those of you who are like me (night owls who hate mornings) this may seem like an awful thing to hear.  Trust me; I have never EVER been a morning person.  I have struggled my entire life with going to bed early and waking up early.

     Before I started making this change I was sleeping in until around 9am, even though my alarm went off at 730. Haha.  When I would finally drag my body out of bed, I was faced with hungry, whiney children following me around the house.  They had been up for a while so there was always a mess to clean up.  It made me cranky and I felt like crawling back under my bed covers....every. single. morning! Not a good way to start a day.

     I realized that one of the main reasons I liked staying up late was to have some quiet alone time.  But one morning, I woke up early and had an epiphany. What if my quiet alone time was in the morning before the kids wake up? Hmm.

     I decided to designate my morning as "Me Time."  And it has been glorious!  Here is how my mornings go:

• Wake up around 530.
• Put on my earphones and play my favorite music.
• Get dressed and ready for the day.
• Clean up the house.
• Sit outside and enjoy a morning beverage.
• Prep breakfast.
• If there is extra time, I sometimes read a book or paint my nails.

* Important note: I keep my music playing the entire time and I rock out.  Ladies, I seriously dance it out! And you all should too. It's good for the soul. ;)

      I have been doing this for a couple weeks now, and it has been life changing!  Now I actually look forward to early mornings because it is my quiet time without little ones.  I am excited to go to bed early, so that I can get my rest and wake up to a quiet sleeping household.  Side note: I don't drink coffee, so I know this can all be done naturally, without caffeine.  Just FYI.  

     I've noticed that spending that hour or two doing the things that relax me and make me happy, is the perfect way to put me in a great mood.   I'm able to start out the day with a clean home and ready to face my sweet babies and their morning demands with a smile on my face.  I feel recharged and like "Bring it on!"  The kids are happier too, because mom is happy.  Even my husband has noticed that I have been in a great mood throughout the day.  Yay!  

     I urge you to try this if you are struggling with your mornings.  Wake up early and give yourself some quality time.  Customize your time with whatever you love.  Morning yoga, reading scriptures, etc.  It's YOUR time.

Disclaimer: It's still hard for me to wake up early, but I have more motivation to do so now.  I have my routine down, and I cherish my "Me Time."

   

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Downsizing - Minimizing - Simplifying Life

     Obviously, we won't be able to fit all our belongings into the trailer.  Daniel and I had discussed it several times.  We started picking apart our home and determining what would stay and what would go.  We were wondering how much would have to go in order to afford a small storage unit while we were gone.  But in our discussions, it became pretty clear that we were not very attached to our things.  We made a big decision at that point. No storage unit...

EVERYTHING MUST GO.

     We will keep the basic living items that will be kept in our trailer.  We plan to keep a few boxes of pictures and keepsakes, that we will entrust to a family member.  Other than that, we are ready to say goodbye to all of this stuff.  That's really all it is...stuff.

     Recently, I've made time to reflect on this huge lifestyle change.  One of the main things I've realized is that physical objects are of little importance.  I've been rummaging through my household things trying to figure out what I want to keep and what I need to say goodbye to.  But it was mind-blowing; nothing seemed that important.  What happened? For years we have worked hard to upgrade and acquire quality products and eventually buy a big home.  Why all of the sudden are all the things we've worked hard for unimportant?
     I believe our decision to chase this unconventional dream has changed our perspective of our goals and of life.  It has required us to ask ourselves what is really important.  We've had to figure out what we want to accomplish.  Once those questions were answered, it was easy to say goodbye to our things.  People ask, "Isn't it hard to give it all up?" Nah, our goals are different now.
 
     Our children are having to part with most of their toys and belongings.  But to my surprise, they have been happily onboard.  Dylan, my two year old, has battled me a few times when I sold some of their toys and furniture, but then Marley, my five year old would say, "It's okay Dylan. We can't fit that in the Airstream.  And we can have fun without it."  Marley has been happy to give her books away to friends.  We even displayed them at a playgroup and she loved announcing that anyone could take the books "For free!"  And then my heart soars.  I feel so blessed to have such sweet spirited and enthusiastic daughters.  

     Phase one of clearing out has been tiring.  So far I have only cleared out things we never use or have had in storage for years.  That alone, buried me in mounds of stuff! I had no idea we were hoarders until I started bringing everything out into plain view.

     Getting rid of things is a long, tedious project with a lot of questions.
     Do I keep it?
     Do I trash it?
     Do I donate it?
     Do I sell it?
     How much is this worth to people?
     How much is it worth to me?
   
     After a day or two of going through our things, I became so exhausted.  I loved taking mid-day breaks from all of it to goof off with my kids.  I chased them around and tickled them.  I wrapped them up in random ribbons I found in a box under my bed (Lol). We danced and sang and read and cuddled.  It was a wonderful reminder of why we are doing this --- for our family.  

     But the more I clear out, the better I feel.  The closer we are to making our journey happen.  And the more we are focusing on the basic principles of happiness.  Less is certainly feeling like more in this case.
     Sometimes I look around at everything in our home and wonder how I'm supposed to clear everything out.  I asked my husband, "How do people do this? How do they get rid of practically everything?" His reply was, "People don't usually get rid of everything.  We are just weird." Hahaha.  Maybe he is right.  Maybe we are being weird.  But I've never been afraid of being unique, especially when it is supported by a good feeling.  I welcome the weird. ;)

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Getting Crafty at Snack Time

     Here is a perfect example of planting the seed of creativity and letting it grow. ---

     As per our usual daily routine, the baby went down for nap and the girls sat down for a snack.  Cheese crackers were the snack of choice.  As they crunched on their crackers, Marley started a series of curiosity questions.

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~ To The Mom Who Thinks She Can't Homeschool ~

     This is a message to the mom who thinks she can't homeschool...

No, not the mom that has a negative opinion about homeschooling.  Maybe this opinion includes "lack of socialization" or "homeschooled kids are weird."  She is entitled to her opinion. ;)

No, not the mom who has specific circumstances in her life that prevents her from homeschooling, such as work, child custody issues, or medical problems.  She is doing the best she can in her current situation. XOXO

No, not the mom who prefers not to homeschool. She has looked at the options and made a decision for her children that she is confident about.  That is awesome and wonderful!

I'm talking to the mom who says things like, "I could never do that..."

     - I'm not patient enough.

     - I'm not educated enough.

     - I'm not creative enough.

In my experience, these are the things I hear the most!  I have met so many moms who say "I would love to homeschool BUT..." and then one of those three reasons related to inadequacy.  Rubbish.  This breaks my heart! Because guess what?...YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH.

     Here are some important things those self-doubting moms should remember:

     1) Mothers are educators by nature.

Somewhere along the line, moms started becoming convinced they were not qualified to educate their own children.  How did this happen?  We are mothers.  Mothers are incredible women who suddenly have amazing abilities to protect and provide for their family.  A mother's purpose is to raise her children.  What does it mean to raise a child?---To educate.  Think about that.

     2) Moms are just as qualified, if not more qualified than the best teachers out there.  

The biggest thing parents look for in a good teacher is for the teacher to care about their students.  As the mom, you've got that covered. ;) You love your children more than anyone ever could.  You know them better than anyone.  And you want the best for them.  The rest is just finding educational resources, which is easy thanks to the internet.  Trust me, teachers get the same information that you have access to.

     3) If you are patient enough to be their mom, you are patient enough to be their teacher.  

For some reason, some moms think that sending the kids off to school is absolutely necessary to keep their sanity.  Myth busted!  Nowhere does it say that having the kids in school will solve your frustration problems.  It doesn't.  As human beings on this earth we all experience hard days and we often find ourselves on the brink of insanity.  Especially moms!  It's a tough job, but you can do it.  I have found that the hardest things in life are the most rewarding.

     4) Creativity is a muscle.  You can exercise it and become a creative rockstar.

I am proof that this is true.  Before I had kids, I had never thought of homeschooling.  And I never considered myself a creative person.  But once I started researching homeschool and the options (which are mind-blowing), I started thinking more and more "outside the box."  I saw ideas and methods that other moms have utilized and I started borrowing them.  I probably have yet to come up with an original idea, haha.  But sharing ideas and piecing together different types of curriculum has become much easier for me.  It's been a lot of work, but I love it now and my kids are having a blast with the ideas I find for us.

     5) You are enough! As a mother, God has blessed you with abilities beyond your understanding.  Trust your instincts and trust in Him.

I'm sure it isn't a coincidence that almost every homeschooling mom I've met has a strong faith in God.  On social media, one of the biggest responses I see to homeschool dilemmas is "Pray."  Those of us who choose to homeschool know that homeschooling is hard and that the best thing we can do is seek guidance from God.  It helps. I promise.  And I promise you are enough.  Don't let anyone (including yourself) convince you that you are not adequate as a mother.  You are.

    I don't think public school is a bad choice.  And I definitely don't think that homeschool is the universal answer.  I aim to empower and inspire the moms who want to homeschool, but think they can't.  If you are one of these moms, contact me! I want you to know you are not alone. I would be happy to give you advice on the subject and make you aware of your options.  God bless! xoxo  

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Stroller Etiquette (10 Tips for Operating a Stroller at Disneyland)

     I've said it time and time again... "People should be required to have a license to drive a stroller." ;)
   

     I am a Disneyland passholder, so I am often caught up in crowds of people with small children in strollers.  And I am one of those people.  I take all three of my kids (all under the age of 6) to Disneyland by myself.  I rock the double stroller and baby carrier.  I always get comments like, "Wow, you are brave!" and "All three by yourself?!"  Yup.  I love Disneyland and we have an amazing time together.  Even my husband can be spotted at Disneyland with all three of our kids.  Hahaha!

     And trust me, it is a lot better than having them cooped up in the house and letting them make a mess, where I need to constantly clean up after them.  Disneyland is a beautiful and fun place to let them run and play and get their energy out.  They sleep like angels at the end of the day too!

     HOWEVER, the stroller madness at Disneyland or any other crowded place can be frustrating.  I often see people that do not know how to properly drive a stroller and are unaware of stroller etiquette.  If everyone had an understanding of how to safely drive a stroller, we could prevent accidents, injuries, frustration, and unpleasant memories.  So I decided to go over the stroller basics as a friendly reminder to my fellow parents.  This is my logic: It is just like driving a car...

1) Do Not Fill Over Maximum Capacity

     California Vehicle Code 24002 states "It is unlawful to operate any vehicle or combination of vehicles which is in an unsafe condition, or which is not safely loaded, and which presents an immediate safety hazard."  Similarly, a stroller should only be packed to a safe capacity.  Some strollers I've observed have giant heavy bags attached to the handle bars which swing back and forth amongst the crowds.  I myself have been plowed down by some of those strollers and wonder, "What just happened? And why is my arm throbbing with immense pain?"  Eeek!  Please be aware that there will be people and children walking near your stroller.  Try not to pack it like the family mule. ;)

2) Stay To The Right

     Yes, just like while driving, stay to the right.  The opposite flow of traffic should be kept on your left side.  Whenever I see someone heading in the opposite direction coming toward me, I begin to veer my stroller to the right.  It is a natural reaction.  If they cut in front of me to pass on my right, I am thrown for a loop, literally.  This usually causes anxiety, accidents, and chaos.  There are times when I assume the person is from a country where they drive on the opposite side of the road.  That would explain it! Haha.

     Sometimes Disneyland Cast Members will be out directing traffic during a parade or some other attraction and they are almost always directing the crowds to stay to their right.  But honestly, we are intelligent capable adults that can always follow that logic without being micromanaged 100% of the time.  Right? :)

3) Stay A Safe Distance From The Person In Front Of You (Eyes On The Road)

     Anyone ever been rammed right in the heels or ankles with a stroller?  Yeah, me too.  It hurts! And it only took me getting hit once to make me realize I would never want to do that to someone else.  Don't get me wrong; I have done it, and I felt so bad.  It is an innocent accident; no one actually sets out to run over other people...I hope.  And it is so easy to get distracted, especially at Disneyland.  We are constantly looking around us.  But while driving a stroller, it is important to maintain eyesight on your path.  I do my best to remain a safe distance from anyone in front of me.  Just like a car, it is wise to remain another stroller length from the person in front of you.

4) Follow The Flow Of Traffic

     My husband is an offender of this one.  He likes to play Speed Racer and weave in and out of the crowds.  I have tried to remind him that it isn't a good idea and probably unsafe.  When he sees an empty road in front of him, he smiles and takes off with the kids in the stroller as fast as he can go.  The kids love it and I can't object since there is no one anywhere near us.  But when stuck in a crowd, it is courteous to follow the flow.  Assess the speed of the people and strollers around you and adjust to remain at an average and safe speed.  Not too fast and not too slow.

5) Pull Over For A Rest Stop

     This is my biggest pet peeve!  When I am happily moving along down a path in a crowd of people and all of the sudden, without any warning...the group in front of me comes to a STOP in their tracks! They just stand there: adjusting kids, looking at a map, making decisions about where to go or eat, etc etc.  I'm there thinking, "Um, hello?  I just skidded to a halt about an inch behind your ankles and now I'm trapped behind you until you decide to continue along your way."  All the while the rest of the crowds are walking past us.  This happens at least once every time I go to Disneyland.  Why?? It just doesn't make sense to me.  Crowded place, people constantly moving, and you just stop in the middle of the road?  Do people do that while driving? No, I don't think so.  Just pull over to the side.  Do your thing and then pull back out into the crowds when you are ready to proceed on your way.  It's easy, I promise.

6) Yield To Pedestrians

     Very rarely am I the "pedestrian" (or person without a stroller) at Disneyland, but I need to speak on their behalf.  People driving strollers may not want to admit this, but the "pedestrians" are far less cumbersome then strollers.  They are compact, faster, and more agile.  When I see a "pedestrian" trying to get around me, I slow down and let them go where they need to go.  They can get in places where I can't go and they will be out of my way quicker than a stroller.  I see no reason to be aggressive and try to keep my place in a crowd when I know that the "pedestrian" will be hundreds of feet in front of me in seconds.  Let them continue on their way and avoid confrontations.

7) Utilize Designated Parking Spaces

     I can't speak for other theme parks, but I know that Disneyland has designated stroller parking for almost all of their attractions.  When you are ready to park your stroller, take a quick look around or ask a Cast Member about stroller parking.  They do a great job of accommodating the thousands of strollers sitting around Disneyland, without being a nuisance to the crowds walking through the park. If you park your stroller in an area that is not designated for parking, you may find your stroller to be gone.  No no, not stolen! Cast Members are trained to move strollers to the designated parking areas in order to maintain flow of traffic and keep the strollers from being hazards.  So it is wise to park your stroller yourself where it is supposed to be.

8) Strollers Going Straight Have The Right of Way

     Helpful reminder for when you are about to collide with another stroller.  If you are making a lane change or a change in direction, look around and make sure the crossing is clear.  Strollers who are proceeding in a straight path should have the right of way.  I'm not insinuating that there could be a lawsuit if you don't yield (crazier things have happened I guess, haha)... it is just a nice way to maintain order and peace amongst the crowds.

     And in addition...don't play Chicken! When you are about to experience a head on collision with another stroller, don't be like my husband and assess the size and weight of your stroller and figure the single stroller will yield to the big bad double stroller (LOL)...don't say to your kids, "Hey, think we can take them?"...don't try to be the aggressor and test out who will swerve first.  Sounds like fun, but really...not a good idea. ;)  

9) Apologize When You Incur A Fender Bender

     Accidents happen.  They happen every day and all day at Disneyland.  But when they do, people are generally very nice when they are acknowledged and receive an apology.  An awkward situation or confrontation can easily be avoided/ diffused with a friendly smile and apology.  I have said "I'm sorry" so many times, even when I felt the situation was not my fault.  I don't consider myself to have a doormat personality, but basically I am apologizing for the circumstances or for the miscommunication.  It is much easier to go about your day when someone has apologized, even if it needs to be you.

10) In General, Be Aware And Considerate Of Others Around You

     I want to leave a few of my thoughts on respect, consideration, and empathy.  Disneyland is always pretty crowded and it is easy to step on each others toes there...figuratively and literally.  When you are out there in the world of heavy strollers and giant diaper bags and screaming kids and cranky parents, remember that we are all in this together.  We are all human beings.  We are all children of God and brothers and sisters on this Earth.  

We need to be mindful of others and their individual circumstances.

- That rude employee that gave you attitude may be going through a divorce and child custody issues.

- That disrespectful teenager that cursed in front of your children may have been abused as a child.

- That grumpy lady that yelled at you for bumping into her may have recently lost her sister to cancer.    

     Anger and judgement is not the way to go.  Take a deep breath and carry on.        

     Disneyland is the "Happiest Place On Earth," but each of us are responsible for maintaining the happiness there.  We need to embark on our family adventures with a positive attitude and with respect for our fellow human beings.  We need to keep in mind that we are all hoping to create enjoyable experiences and happy memories.  Let's do this together!  I know we can. :)

"We believed in our idea - a family park where parents and children could have fun- together." 

     - Walt Disney

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My Last Baby

“But the last one: the baby who trails his scent like a flag of surrender through your life when there will be no more coming after - oh, that's love by a different name. He is the babe you hold in your arms for an hour after he's gone to sleep.... you rock by the window, drinking the light from his skin, breathing his exhaled dreams. Your heart bays to the double crescent moons of closed lashes on his cheeks. He's the one you can't put down.” The Poisonwood Bible

     Why is this so hard?  I am thrilled to be done.  Overjoyed even!  I hate... fervently HATE being pregnant.  And I do not like breastfeeding either.  I adore toddlers and preschoolers, but I've never been a big fan of the newborn/infant stage.  The idea of getting past the baby stage is..uh, was..so exhilarating.  But I'm starting to mourn.  I'm starting to realize this is it.  No more babies.  No more cradling, cooing, baby giggling, tiny cuddles. And that look he gives me.  Oh my goodness, the look!  His eyes pierce my soul and his smile melts my heart.  I can't ever imagine feeling this kind of overwhelming devotion and love for anything else.

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Writer's Block: Mr. Potato Head

     As a blogger there are times when I sit here and think, I've got nothing.  Some days I can't type fast enough to express what I need to say.  But today, I've got nothing.  I guess I'm feeling like I'm in a slump.  The days are blurred together, becoming one big pile of blah and I'm just waiting for the weekend to come.  What? It's only Monday?!  Eww.  Not good.

     What's a good way to get past this?  Let's talk about something really random.  When I'm feeling Writer's Block, I'm going to ask Marley what I should write about.  Today she said, "Talk about how awesome Mr. Potato Head is."  Hahaha.  That's my girl.  Appreciating the little things in life, like Mr. Potato Head.  

      He IS pretty great!  I remember my Mr. Potato Head as a kid.  I loved it.  Rearranging all those body and face parts.  Making him look like a work of art by Pablo Picasso.  Sticking all those body pieces in the storage unit in his butt.  It's all so brilliant.  This adorable little toy allows kids to use their imagination and sense of humor to create different characters.  Throw Mrs. Potato Head in the mix and the possibilities are endless. ;)

     Now that I'm a mom, I love Mr. Potato Head because my kids love him.  And because he doesn't make much of a mess and he is easy to clean up.  Yes, it's safe to say that Mr. Potato Head and I have always been good friends.  Mr. Potato Head is a classic and every home should have one.  Have a Spud-tastic day! Haha.

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Homeschooling Dads: When Our Sweethearts Homeschool...

     With Valentine's Day only a week away, I thought it appropriate to dedicate a post to our beloved sweethearts.

My husband with Marley and Dylan at Yosemite.
Hiking and learning about the Giant Sequoias.

     One of my most favorite things about homeschooling is seeing daddies take an active role in the process.  Luckily, my husband is 100% supportive of our decision to homeschool.  He finds it enjoyable to be involved in all the educational experiences, and he even comes up with some great ideas to include in our curriculum! I love it!!
     I saw a couple photos of dads teaching their children, and I was inspired to write a blog post about it.  Usually, dads are at work the majority of the day and cannot engage in most of the activities we plan.  However, there are some very dedicated dads who make sure to find some time to take an active role in educating their children.  These dads are, well, for lack of a better word...AWESOME!  I had some homeschoolers send me photos of their husbands leading some homeschool activities and enriching their children's education.  These photos are just darling!!

   
     Here is Randy and his son Edan learning how to take care of a garden, making tissue box shoes for lace-tying practice, and constructing a bird feeder.  Way to go Randy!

     Here is another dad constructing with legos with his daughter and helping his son build with wood.  Great job!

      This is 5 year old Joshua with his daddy at the zoo, taking a closer look at the elephant and rhinoceros. Adorable.

     Here is Taylor, Brent, and their dad building lego sets together.  Aww, legos are a timeless activity!

     The photos below were sent in by Cassi, who says, "What we have learned as a homeschool family is that it's not always about the quantity of time, but more about the quality of time. When your there BE THERE COMPLETELY!!!"  Dad helped his kids build a windmill to charge a AA battery.  Checking out the space station.  Enjoying a football game.  And just doing homework together.  Wow, looks like lots of fun!

     This daddy took some time to build with legos with his kids and also give them some pointers on firearm safety. Haha ;)

     

     Here is Don teaching about the brain and teaching his son Caleb about the surface of Mars.  Uh oh, looks like an alien attack! Heehee ;)

     Here is a dad AND a grandpa assisting with some archery practice with their little ones. Awww, love it.

   

   

















     This is dad Shane with his family: Christina, Jon, Sam, and Ben; as they volunteer their time at Feed My Starving Children.  Keep up the good work!

     These last two photos were taken by personal friends of mine.  They are not homeschoolers, but they were able to capture precious teaching moments between their husbands and little ones.

     Here is Nicole's husband and their two sons.  She shared the photo expressing that seeing her husband teach their sons how to use tools & build was a precious moment. <3

          This is Sara's son sitting with dad in front of their map.  Sara said her husband was giving his son a fun geography lesson by discussing where different cartoon characters live throughout the world.  Haha.  Love it!

     This Valentine's Day, take a moment to hug your sweetheart and thank him for his involvement with your children.  These efforts make all the difference in the world to our kids.  Our children are cherishing these moments in their hearts.  They are not only learning skills and concepts, but more importantly, they are learning that their dads love and respect them.  They will grow up knowing their dads believe in them and are always there to support and encourage them.  This is an invaluable lesson that is guaranteed to pave the way for happiness in their lives.  

     To all those devoted daddies..THANK YOU! <3   

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