For My Daughter "M"

I have a self adopted daughter who I will call "M", she has just lost her precious mother to cancer.

"M" Honey, this poem is for you and everyone who has known and loved your mom, and I hope this poem gives you some peace and comfort in trying to cope with, and handle this devastating time.

I'M FREE

Don't grieve for me,

for now I'm free.

I'm following the path

God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard him call;

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,

then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life's been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seems all to brief;

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

Linda Jo Jackson

"M" I pray that the poem gives you some comfort. I love you and we are here for you when ever you need us. I will see you very soon but I am here until I do.

And remember... "The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy"

                                               Psalm 145:8

A New Addition To Our Family

Well... we have a new addition to our family in the form of a nine week old baby boy puppy. My son's friends sister found a puppy in a shopping cart at a local grocery stores parking lot. He was curled up with his little tail between his legs whimpering. She took him home and has been taking care of him since, she began bonding with him and knowing all along that her apartment complex does not allow dogs, she asked her friends if they wanted a puppy. Needless to say no one did. There was no way she would take him to the humane society, so she asked her brother to help her find a home for him.

Now, my husband knows that I cannot turn any animal away and as soon as he saw this pup come through the door, it was not leaving. He gave me "the look" and I gave him my very best smile and batted my eyes at him and then... viola! the pup became our newest addition.

We haven't named him yet because I want to see more of his personality so that his name will be well suited for him. I will let you know what we name him in a few days and will also put his picture up.

Homeschooling Video... A New Generation in Education

Although homeschooling is not a new concept, it is however, a choice parents are turning to in the 21st century. What with the economical downturn, the poor decision making of the legislators, the closing of schools, the over crowding of classrooms due to funding cuts, the ever increasing peer pressure and bullying, and the ever so present cutting of sports and art programs in our public schools it's no wonder more and more parents are looking for more options in getting a better education for thier children. And if it means for them to teach thier own children or enroll them in a charter or independent study program (ISP), then that is a sacrifice they are willing to make.

I made that decision close to five years ago to the dismay of my husband. At that time my youngest son was being promoted from year to year struggling more and more each promoted year when in fact, he should have not been promoted from first grade. I begged the school to hold him back because I felt he was not ready for second grade, he struggled with math, writing, and reading and comprehesion. The teacher and the principal told me that "he will do just fine next year" if I just kept reviewing all the materials that were taught that year. I told them that the class schedules were to regimented and not enough time was being spent on any one subject, that he couldn't keep up and the change from one subject to the next was too fast. They said he would be fine. Well... it turns out that no matter how much I would help him with his homework as each year passed, and melt down after melt down (from his frustation), it didn't help through the years. About half way through sixth grade, I had had enough of the excuses from the school and school district, and my sons frustration, melt downs and ever so rapid decline in self esteem, I pulled him out of the public school system and began to homeschool him. We began our homeschooling journey very slow. The last half of his sixth grade year when I pulled him out, I let him just "deschool" and as he was deschooling I began researching curriculum, signed up for a homeschool support group, talked to other new and seasoned homeschool moms and thier children so that my son and I could get a better picture of what it would be like and what to expect in the fall when we would begin our journey. That was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My son has done extremely well with his homeschooling journey and is becoming an intelligent, smart, decent and enthusiastic young man. I am very proud of him.

I have added an enlightening homeschool video below that consists of parent and children interviews on why and what homeschooling has done and meant for them. It was made at a homeschool convention in California.