Some charts

Some of my charts I made for the upcoming year...

Abortion. Still? Why?

Of all the controversial political issues out there, I often try not to make up my mind simply by following the party line.  While I may feel one way about something, I will also try to really understand why the opposition feels so strongly.  Most issues (like same-sex marriage for example) I think there can be some kind of compromise that respects the convictions of both parties.

I feel completely differently about abortion.  For a long time I have listened to the arguments, have been unable to find any in favor of abortion that I can wrap my mind or heart around.  Why doesn't our society value or protect innocence?

This year I have been increasingly convicted on this issue.  It all started when I read this heartbreaking story that someone had shared online, describing an abortion watched via ultrasound where the baby literally squirmed to try to get away as it was being dismembered.  Clearly the was consciousness.  How can people still argue that "life" doesn't start until X weeks or birth?  By the time most women find out they are pregnant, the baby already has a heartbeat, and is developing much more rapidly than people like to admit!

Then, a few months later my sister filled me in on the highlights of the disturbing abortion doctor scandal that the media tried to ignore.  Finally today I saw this article describing a late term abortion of twin girls, and I was again shocked by the callousness that people feel.

I just don't get it.  Why is this still happening?

What about the rape argument?  There are plenty of people willing to adopt these children who had no control over the conditions of their conception.  Should a human life really receive a death sentence in order to alleviate some of the trauma of their mother?  And genetic defects?  Again, plenty of people willing to adopt those children who are different, and will face big challenges, but are no less human and precious (and often more pure-hearted) than the rest of us.

The only concession I can really wrap my mind around is the morning-after pill.  Some argue that this is tantamount to abortion, and the arguments aren't that dissimilar from those against birth control.  I do not have a finalized opinion on the morality of either, however, if there was ever a compromise to be made, this would be it.

My question is, with the morning-after pill now legally available, why is abortion even still a legal option?  Isn't it a far more safe, sanitary, and less traumatic and less morally incomprehensible than an abortion?  At the very least, why are we still allowing late term abortions, or abortions for teenagers without parental knowledge or consent?  Can't we at least take some steps back in the right direction, toward valuing the dignity of human life?  Shouldn't the right to life (which is one of the core principles our nation was created upon) trump a woman's so called "right to choose"?

My daughter at one day old, clutching her father's hand.
How can you not want to protect something so fragile & innocent?

It should. So why haven't things changed?

Military Families Should Not Be the Target of Budget Cuts

A friend of mine shared this article recently discussing more budget debates which will likely hit military families.  Yet another of many such articles lately since the sequestration fiasco began.  This kind of talk makes me so angry.

What is frustrating is that the DoD wastes so much money in other areas (for example the terrible use-it-or-lose-it budgeting practice which causes departments to spend frivolously in order to preserve the next year's budget allowance), yet every time there are budget cuts to be made, they target military personnel and their families who are already sacrificing so much!

Photo by SSgt Chad Trujillo

People are always "supporting the troops" with lip-service, but very few people really understand the toll that long term military service puts on members and their families (physically, emotionally, financially).

Perhaps these congressmen should try living the military lifestyle themselves before considering these cuts.

Curriculum Choices

So after considerable searching I have settled on TAPESTRY OF GRACE for our core curriculum.  I love how it is history based, teaches subjects in relation to each other, and easy to adjust to multiple ages! Tapestry will cover History, Composition, Literature, Geography, Fine Arts and Bible History (for upper levels it also covers Philosophy & Government). Year one covers Ancient civilizations through the fall of Rome.

Additionally we will add in Explode the Code for Phonics, Saxon Math, God's Design for Science, Teach them Spanish, Piano Adventures, and Ready-To-Use P.E. Activities for K-2.


Here is our tentative schedule for the year:

New Journey!

This summer we decided the best choice for our family was to move into base housing.  There were a multitude of benefits, but one major downside: not the greatest public schools.  Not only do I want to avoid the bullying (which is reportedly around 30% in this district), but I also know my ADHD son needs schools and teachers on their A game in order to succeed.  This also got me thinking about how tough this last military move was, and how many moves we still have ahead of us, and how each time the curriculum shift will become harder for the kids.  So we ultimately decided that homeschooling was the best option.  I was a little excited, but mostly terrified!  Over the summer I have done more and more research, been inspired by Pinterest and the many bloggers out there!  I am now feeling much more excited and confident about the upcoming year!  Our class will include a 2nd grader, and 1st grader, a 2 1/2 year old and a 1 1/2 year old.