The rooneys

Pic of the week...

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 16:19:49 -0500

At the Dallas Zoo... Colt fell asleep in the Bjorn- so sweet

School is in Session...

Fri, 3 Sep 2010 22:42:20 -0500

Although it looks a little different then I would have EVER imagined! I will try to not get too carried away with this, but in a nutshell this post is about how Colin officially started “school” at home with me. Yes we are homeschooling and yes we/I plan to homeschool for as long as the Lord presses it on me.

The “journey” of this decision...

Background... I would have NEVER EVER, I mean EVER thought 2 years ago that I would homeschool. Being a teacher in the public schools and at a great school at that I couldn’t wait to be home with my kids then send them to start Mother’s Day Out, Preschool, and then the tearful 1st day of Kindergarten at the school I would be teaching at of course. All I can say is God has a different plan. The seed was planted when Colin was probably about a year old, after listening to a sermon by Voddie Baucham you can watch here if interested:http://www.tangle.com/view_video?viewkey=14fe84b900406d4f2538 After that I can honestly say I couldn’t imagine not homeschooling after that. This is one of those times God was speaking straight to my heart. However, Colin was just a year old so it wasn’t exactly something I would have to deal with right away. Shortly after listening to that sermon I stumbled on this blog http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/ This blog showed me the reality of homeschooling. I was super excited to see a REAL CHRISTIAN “normal” family.

A Little Bit Closer...

This past “year” of being pregnant and watching my niece Grace for my first official year home, I felt discouraged about being able to homeschool and felt a lot of pressure, and negative feelings about whether I could REALLY do this and honestly many worldly thoughts fogged my brain. But I still knew in my heart that that is not where we (our family) was being called to do, Eric felt the same way. I felt really challenged with Colin from about 18 months- 2 years old with discipline, his speech, questions of would I be hindering his personality by keeping him home? I definitely felt the pressure and even considered starting him in a Mother’s Day Out program or pre k school. Which by the way I see nothing wrong with, but again I knew/know that is NOT what we are being called to do. After a lot of prayer with this I stumbled on a fabulous book called “Raising Godly Tomatoes” It was such an answer to prayer, re-motivating me and completely changing our problem with discipline. Don’t get me wrong we still have our typical 2 year old “issues” but my perspective is back where it should be.

I am really writing this for me.... I know I will get many questions about WHY homeschool? What about SOCIALIZATION?? What about HIGHSCHOOL??

I know I will continuously have to answer these kinds of questions and for my own sake I think I should have it written down anytime I feel doubt, laziness, overwhelmed etc.

1. God has truly called me to this. Scripture that has spoken directly to me..
Deut. 6:5-7 says "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Romans 12:2 "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

1. Socialization... Which is the 1st question I had myself and had a big hangup on. I now see that as a very “worldly” view and not Godly

Luke 6:40 "A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."

1 Cor 15:33 Do not be mislead: "bad company corrupts good character."

I guess in a way I do want to shelter my kids while they are kids and in my opinion should be sheltered. I absolutely will make sure they are “getting out” and we have enough family around that it will be impossible to not be “socialized”.

As far as the future, for now I see our kids being home for ALL of their schooling. I would love to have them in a part time Christian school at some point possibly but I of course don’t know if that will be financially possible or something we will want to do when that time does come.

This journey is a whole new level of newness for me but I know God will provide answers and peace about this.

Matthew 6:32-34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

In the meantime here are pictures of our “school time”

Colton is 4 Months!!

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:52:27 -0500

Happy 4 months Colt!!! You are my happy, talkative, “little trooper” Love you so much!!!

Balloon Festival

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:12:41 -0500

While the hubbies were on their boat trip we got really brave and went to the balloon festival! It was extremely hot- especially when you have a 30 pound 2 year old on you :) Colin was terrified of the fire going into the balloons at first but then absolutely had a blast watching them. Then he danced/ran the night away as we listened to the band play after the balloons went down. Colton and Ben enjoyed looking at the balloons and spreading out on the blankets.

Pic of the week

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:09:57 -0500

We met Eric on his lunch break and I got a decent picture of me and Colin and Colt! Here are a few others from our HOT picnic park date.

Potty Training Take 2

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 23:03:48 -0500

Okay in typical Colin form he just had to be the one initiating this whole potty thing. This past week he asked me where his potty was. So I went ahead and put it back into the living room (lovely). I also took the advice of a friend and had him go completely naked. After a few reminders to go to the potty we have had a almost accident free week! I would say we are about 85% of the way there! I am not brave enough to take him out of the house without his diaper, but I will say we are VERY close- YAY!!!

Potty Training- Take 1

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 22:14:48 -0500

So we (I) committed 3.5 days to potty training. Day 1 I had to go out and get our little potty and pick out “big boy” undies. Colin enjoyed picking out both not to mention our marshmallow treat for if we used the potty. I was very hopeful...

AND here are the stats....

Day 1 (after nap)- 3 accidents and no potty :(

Day 2 (our first full day) 0 accidents, pooped in diaper (had to put it on him b/c we had a visitor), peed in potty 3 times!!! Felt like we were on our way!

Day 3- 6 accidents, 1 time in the potty, pooped on floor, pooped in underwear, pooped in bed (yes he took off his diaper and pooped). Feeling pretty defeated and exhausted!

Day 4- 3 accidents, 1 pee in potty, 1 poop in potty-- we stopped after nap and put on a diaper.

My thoughts... a diaper is really not so bad after all :) We have since switched to cheap diapers (store brand) except at night we still wear Pampers. I am putting him in his adorable on piece outfits as much as possible.

So we are officially retiring the cute undies for a couple of months :)