I Must Be Crazy

So it began. I starting my third semester at College of Southern Nevada today. This time I’m taking 14 credits (ACK!!!) here’s what my schedule looks like:

BUS106: Business English (an online course to help me learn to write a resume apparently)

BUS273: Business Law (a course requirement to make me either A. pull my hair out. B. die from boredom. C. go postal or D. All of the above.)

HHP123: Anatomy & Physiology (not sure how learning the structure and function of the human body correlates to a degree in business, but OK)

HHP124: Anatomy & Physiology Lab (as all science requirements, a lab)

MGT103: Introduction to Small Business Management (not to be confused with Business 101 in which the same material will be covered regardless of redundancy)

So a full schedule for me, not to mention that I still have a calling in church that requires a significant amount of time. Jonathon is also back to school now. If only for the extra paycheck to help us along, I’m thrilled. Even though he is down one class because the main instructor shorted herself so she took his class. So rather than teaching two classes he’s only teaching one. Perhaps a blessing in disguise, we just don’t know yet. He’s also taking several welding courses this semester as well.

Oh did I mention that we have decided to homeschool Ethen. Yup! I pulled him out today after my first class. It was a little emotional for me because I have officially taken responsibility for the education of my child. HIS WHOLE EDUCATION!!!

Ethen doing math with Legos

This decision has been a long time coming. We have been thinking about it for a while now. Our concerns with Common Core and the fact that he wasn’t really thriving at this school made a huge impact on our decision. I haven’t decided what curriculum to follow, if anything formal. I am currently just reading a lot to Ethen, we do some math, journal and call it a day. I have a lot of research and planning to do.

I thought I was a busy mom before! Boy was I wrong! Ethen has been home two days and I am so busy! I know that this is the best thing for him. We have joined a homeschooling group that meets once a week so he can get out and play with kids of all ages. I know that most people’s major concern with homeschooling is socialization. I personally feel that he will be better socialized this way. Socialization is NOT about having friends. Friends are good, don’t get me wrong. Real socialization is the ability to resolve conflict and deal with people of all ages, not just your own.

I believe this is the best choice for our family. I’m thankful to have a husband that not only supports this but has encouraged it. I believe that this will bring our family closer. I pray the Lord guide me because I’m going to need it!

Wish me luck!

Pinecrest’s Trunk or Treat

Ethen’s school, Pinecrest Academy, hosted their annual Trunk or Treat yesterday. We had a blast. This year Ethen wanted to be a Marine Vampire – but changed it to just a vampire at the last minute. We had lots of fun going around to the cars (some of which went all out), playing games and eating some food! Jonathon went as a Tactical Vampire Hunter and I was… myself!

School Changes and a Very Busy Mom!

These past couple of weeks have been eventful! Jonathon is part of a group called The Nevada Watchmen and another wife and I decided that it was time to form a ladies auxiliary of said group. Our focus is to support the men in their trainings but also to bring a positive image to what we do. We are not a group of fanatic doomsday preppers, a militia (which is a common misconception), political activists or vigilantes - all we are is a group of people that feel the need to be prepared for any situation. We're like the boy scouts - but cooler! (not that the Boy Scouts aren't cool - I love the scouts!)

So we set off to form this group, even wrote a charter, and presented it to the guys. Of course they were all for it because our focus was on things that they weren't too concerned about but are still necessary - like food preservation, 1st Aid and self defense. We kicked off our group events with a Ladies Night Out to the range! We had a GREAT time at Green Valley Range and the staff and RSO's were AHHHHHH-MAZING!!!

Time to send some rounds down range!!!

Gonna teach Patricia how to shoot the AR-15!!!

I love Amber’s facial expression!!!

That’s one dead piece of paper!!!

It was so much fun meeting the ladies from Hot with Heat Holsters and Accessories and Kim and Mary from Green Valley Range!

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Back in January I had placed Ethen’s name in a lottery to be accepted into a local Charter School here in Henderson called Pinecrest Academy. Pinecrest is an amazing school and I have heard nothing but positive feedback about it. Unfortunately his number wasn’t pulled! Oh well – so he continues at Robert Taylor! Well as I was preparing for Ladies Night Out (see above) I receive a phone call from the registrar at Pinecrest saying they had an opening and Ethen was in! I about screamed for joy!!! I spent the next day rushing around to get him withdrawn from Taylor and submitting all the necessary paperwork. Since Ethen had a previous IEP for speech I had to submit that as well. I’m excited to say that Ethen starts at Pinecrest tomorrow!!!

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Since starting the women’s group – appropriately named Women of Nevada Watchmen – we have created a fan page on Facebook, a pinterest board and even a blog. We REALLY want to spread a positive light and feel that social media will be the best way to accomplish that! Here are the links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/WomenofNW

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/nevadawatchmen

Blog: http://womenofnevadawatchmen.blogspot.com

Looks like we are gonna be busy!!!

CCSD Photo Release

I got word today that Clark County School District did a photo release of the images from Basic High School graduation – and of course, my lil’man was pictured! I quickly emailed the representative to get copies of them. I only asked for the three I saw but she was kind enough to send me others that had my baby pictured!

Left image: With Trustee, Deanna Wright - Right Image: With Mrs. Tilley

With BHS Principal David Bechtel

Some fun ones!

Thank you CCSD for the pictures!

Brandy

Basic High School Graduation

Congratulations Class of 2013!

Today Ethen, along with Aspen and Kassidy, were invited to speak at the commencement ceremony for Basic High School. It was an honor and a privilege to be invited to this event.

For the past several weeks we have been working on memorizing his “speech”. He was excited up until the moment he put the cap and gown on – then the nerves sank in! Thankfully Uncle Jason was there and told him a trick. He said – if you get too nervous just wave at everyone and they will wave back! BRILLIANT!

I have to admit, that when Ethen and the kids walked in wearing these cute cap and gowns, I smiled when the whole senior class did an “AWWWWEEEE” in unison! They looked SO cute!

Of course they said Ethen’s name wrong – something that he’ll have to get used to. But that’s ok! Speece is such a difficult name!!! It was so cute when they came up to the podium to speak – even WITH a step stool the podium was still taller than they were, so you could ONLY see the top of their caps! A resounding “AWWWWEEEE”, once again echoed through the arena! They were adorable!!!

These kids are awesome!!!

In case you couldn’t understand them, because you are distracted by how cute they are, they said:

Congratulations to the class of 2013. Robert Taylor students are going to follow in your footsteps. And Sue Morrow students are going to follow in your footsteps too. So make wise decisions. And be a good role model (Ethen’s only solo line). Good luck in the future!

I had to put this here. The American flag was presented by BHS’s own Marine Corps JROTC ALL GIRL, National Champion Color Guard team! OOHRAH!

After the ceremony the kids got a “job well done” surprise – a $20 gift card to Toys-R-Us!!! Sweet!!!

This was such a great experience. Ethen did AMAZING! I’m so proud of him! To think that in just 12 years, Ethen will be the one graduating – in 2025!!!

Brandy

Water Balloon Volleyball

***Notice: Tons of picture***

In the spirit of celebration we decided to have our YM/YW combined activity tonight – being the last day of school we wanted to have a fun time before everyone went off for their summer activities! K’Leigh (our Laurel president) came up with the idea to play water balloon volleyball. Basically teams of two hold towels in which they lob water balloons over the net and try to catch them without them breaking. It was a LOT of fun!

In preparation for this activity we needed some water balloons. So Ethen and I (mostly me) filled some balloons. I even made some water bombs (the normal size balloons filled with water – oh yeah)!!! Of course we had to test some out!!!

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And the youth had a blast! Some were a little more, shall we say, enthusiastic than others!

Of course we saved some balloons to have an ACTUAL water balloon fight! As you can see, Sister Crum is sitting ON the ice chest that is holding the water balloons. In the next image, you see her sitting on the ground. She was SHOVED off of the ice chest!!! They were RUTHLESS!

After cleaning up all of the tiny balloon pieces the kids were off to play on the splash pad and have fun with a game of capture the flag (or towel in this game)!

It was a great activity! Congratulations guys for making it through another year of school. Enjoy the summer!

Brandy