Ten rules to abide by while Driving...

So, as I drive down the road some days it is more frustrating then others because people seriously need lessons on how to drive. Here are my ten rules any human can and should follow:

1. If you have a cell phone and you feel the need to talk on it while driving, shove that thing where the sun doesn't shine because you CAN'T pay attention to your surroundings while talking to Amber about the prom last night. I am guilty of this too, but I pay attention to the road while I am driving!

2. Cars were invented with turn signals... USE THEM. If you feel the need to cut someone off at least have the courtesy to use the turn signal. There is no reason to make me or any other driver on the road slam on the brakes because you feel the need to be a jackass.

3. The speed limit is there for a reason, if it says 55 mph, feel free to do 55 mph or maybe 10 over. Nobody likes to be on four lane road and get stuck behind someone going 10 under. It is annoying and time consuming.

4. For the love of everything holy, please do not tail gate me, I will slow down and go 20 until you get off my bumper. There is a reason my car has a sticker that says baby on board...

5. If you have kids in your car, put a seat belt on them. Most people think you look like a redneck if you allow your children to bounce around the car while you are driving, not to mention it is unsafe. One more thing about kids in cars, why are you smoking with little Jack in the car? Protect your valuable assets.

6. Get out of my blind spot! If you can't go around me at least get right next to me in case I have to get over. Accidents can be avoided by staying where other drivers can see you.

7. If you are passing me because I am driving a little slower than your liking, don't get in front of me and go the speed limit. Obviously you were in a hurry to get around me.

8. There are 10 feet between the yellow and white lines, if you cannot keep your car in between those lines, get off the road. Old people, this includes you too. If you take 30 seconds to turn and there is oncoming traffic coming at you, SPEED UP. Looking out the window and seeing a vehicle coming at me going 45 mph scares me!

9. Just because you are driving a Porsche doesn't mean you need to be a jerk and weave in and out of traffic. Nobody likes it, you do not look cool and if you want to speed through the cars, get on a race track.

10. Don't drink and drive. Too many lives are lost and you get to live because you are too drunk to feel anything.   My friends and family's lives are far more important than your need to drink and drive.

Yep, that's all I got!

To you Kaylin

Just over a year ago we found out you were on your way. Your dad was happy and confident and I was nervous and happy and scared all at the same time. Finally we got out of the first part of pregnancy, Yay, three months down and still going strong! Right around Christmas we got the best gift of all! We found out you were a little girl and mommy could dress you up in pink and cute little dresses anytime! Next came March, on the first day of spring, we had your baby shower and you got so many gifts. Lots of toys, clothes, and tons more.

On May 5th, you came into our lives. What a wonderful experience, just to see your pretty little face and hold you for the very first time. It still brings tears to my eyes to think just how precious you are. The first moment I held you was surreal. I thought to myself how awesome it was that very moment as you stopped crying when you were put into my arms. Time stood absolutely still while you were sitting in my arms. The pain was gone, and I knew you were perfect from that first moment.

Each day that goes by brings us great joy to know you are happy and healthy! You are already four months old and every day your personality gets more exciting each day. From the moment I kiss you and tell you I love you each morning before work until the time I get home all I can do is think about you!

To my beautiful daughter, I love you and will be here for you always when life throws you curve balls!

Homeschool: Pros and cons...

Homeschooling has become a lot more popular over the years. As someone who has first hand experience with being home schooled (only for a year) and seeing my sisters being home schooled for a large majority of their education, I can honestly say, it does have a lot of benefits.

Some of the pros I have noticed while seeing my mother home school my sisters:
Educational freedom; say you have to go to the doctor and the drive is longer, with homeschooling, a person would be able to either double up a day and take that day off, or just add that day to the end of the year (similar to how a snow day works). All holidays are off, you could chose to have spring break for the kids, or if one of your kids gets sick, there is always the option of taking the day off so he or she can recover.

Location: One can home school a child from any place in the house or otherwise. Say its a really nice day, in a typical brick and mortar school a child would have to sit in the classroom and look out the window. Homeschooling a child gives a person an option to sit outside, or go to a park, basically whatever is comfortable to the teacher and student.

Religious freedom: If your family chooses to practice Buddhism or Christianity, your child is not being peer pressured or bullied because of his/her beliefs. With new stances on bullying in schools recently, why risk your child's well being because of some kids that want to pick on them?

Family life: One of the things I noticed while seeing my sisters being home schooled was how close they became. They did everything together, and sometimes still do. Just depends on whether my sister with a car has a date, or has to work!

Kaylin after the beach!

Intelligence: I have seen a lot of smart kids in my time, but I would put my sisters education as home schooled children up against any kid who is placed into a public school. One on one education is better because the child gets the specific help they will need in whatever subject possible. It would be the same teacher for each class, so the child would not be learning at the least 7 different teachers teaching styles (I say 7 because a lot of schools have 7 periods in the day). Neither of my sisters have ever had any type of voice/art/music training before and Becky my 17 year old sister can sing and has a great ability to write. She has won contests for her writing abilities! Laurie can sing, she has recently started teaching herself how to play piano (by ear) and can draw. They didn't learn these skills from a public school.

Some of the cons:

Socialization: Unless a parent puts their children into an activity like sports or a day camp, kids have very limited ability to interact with other children their age. While some may say that socialization doesn't make much of a difference, it really does. College is a culture shock for a rural child going into a big city! The town I lived in while I was living with my mother and step father had a very limited amount of people of race/religion.

24/7 time with kids: This may not be a problem for some parents, but others do like to have their alone time away from their kids. Until the kids get a little older, there really is not a lot of free time a parent would have.

Financial issues: Typically, one parent would do the majority of the teaching so the ability to work full time would not be feasible. So, it would remove one income which for obvious reasons would make life a little more challenging.

Despite the pros and cons, homeschooling is the best education a child can receive because its one on one. My sister has a chance right now at a full ride scholarship, doesn't seem like a bad way to go right?!