Homeschooling

Yes, I need to come clean... I am officially a homeschooler. I am not a tree-hugging freak with unshaven arm pits. I am not a Bible-thumping lunatic either. I am just concerned about my son's life and want to give him the best possible start.
He deals with ADHD on a daily basis - and although the meds work wonders, I don't like the way he acts when he is on them. He gets super emotional and seems overly sensitive to everything. And when he takes the meds - he doesn't eat. Now, for some kids that might be fine... but Kyle is skinny... and little. Turns out he has a pituitary growth hormone problem. He hardly produces any. So, now he is about a foot shorter than kids his own age. He looks like a kindergartener, but he is in third grade. It's starting to play on his mind.
I figured we can try to sort out his medical issues this year and and see where this goes. I admit that sometimes I am overwhelmed with the actual workings of homeschooling - and I fight to keep him excited and motivated about learning. But, he will only be a kid for a short while, and I want him to feel good about himself and life before he gets dragged down in the reality of growing older and all of the responsibility that goes with it.

Geezy Peezy - now I've lost two more months!

Life has a way of sneaking up on me. One thing after another and next thing you know... kaplowy! Just another series of events to deal with and then, you shift your way of thinking. Months seem to fade into each other. Then, years do the same.

Today I am 45 years old. God, that sounds so old! I hate, hate, hate it! This is really the first year that I feel my age. And let me tell you, it doesn't feel good. But, I am still here, plugging along. I guess I need to be gracious and thank God that I have a wonderful husband, great kids and a very good life. But there is still a part of me that is the whiny little kid that wants to scream, "It isn't fair!" Why do I have to get wrinkles and flabby arms? Why do my bones ache and my back hurts? Why do I have to hold any written word 3 feet away from my face, under a very bright light in order to see anything? Whine, whine, whine!

Time to stop the pitty party!

Over the years I have at least learned a few things:

1. Be grateful for what you have. It could all be gone in a flash - appreciate it while you can.
2. Even the worst challenges in life teach us something good. Embrace the bad and the good. It's all part of living.
3. Having children forever changes your perspective on living. Nothing is about you anymore - it's all for the kids. And this is awesome! It shifts your way of looking at things.
4. Be brave. (To quote my high school yearbook...) "Go forth and do great things"... and don't be afraid to try. You just might surprise yourself at what you are able to accomplish.
5. Kill them with kindness. Be nice to everyone - it throws people off guard. And, it makes you feel better about yourself.
6. Laugh! Laugh at life! Laugh at yourself! Laugh for no good reason! Laugh when you feel like crying. There is always someone in our life that can make us laugh. Call them, now! I mean it! 
7. Slow down. Take a deep breath. Regroup. Move along.
8. You won't be able to please everyone all of the time... you can try, but you will get awfully tired trying to juggle it all. Sometimes you just need to let a few things go. In my case, this is usually housework. Much to my husband's dislike :) Hee hee.
9. Be creative every day. It doesn't matter what it is... just make something, anything - a craft, a new recipe, a journal entry - anything at it. It keeps your mind active and your spirit intact.
10. You can't change anybody else. Worry about your own morals and ideals - people will do what they want to do, regardless of you. And you can't change any of it. If you don't like it, tough tooties! No amount of prodding from you will change them. Don't waste your energy!

I'd like to thing that I have a grasp on life. But I know that I probably have it all wrong - and something will slap me upside the head to make me realize it sooner or later. Hopefully I can figure it all out before I lose more time and my body completely falls apart with old age.