Keeping Up With The Jacksons

It's Like A Ghost Town Here

By Unknown Sunday, August 31, 2014 Dylan, family, homeschooling, Jordyn, TJ

I'm seriously one of the worst bloggers ever. I have the hardest time keeping up this blog. I'm not even very good about keeping up with my other ones either. I want to do it, but I just can't seem to find the time to actually sit and write. Well except for right now obviously.

But overt he past few days, I've been thinking about what I want to do with my blogs and where I want them to go. Figuring out where I want them to go was actually easy, but how I was going to do it is a bit harder. I know I want these blogs to grow, but because I feel like I don't have a ton of time, I know it will be slow. For right now, I've chosen to go with the flow. When I have time and a topic to write about it, I'll do it. If I don't, I won't. Once I've established a routine that doesn't feel forced, then I will begin scheduling posts farther in advance. I think jumping straight in with 3 posts a week was too much for me and I would get discouraged. So my goal is once a week but I won't stress if I can't make it happen.

How's that for wishy washy commitment?

And how about we switch gears and talk about where we've been. The short version? Still in Savannah. But our time here is slowly winding down. TJ has just over 6 months until he graduates and we start figuring out where our next home will be. Chances are it will Los Angeles, but I'd like somewhere up north. I prefer Boston or my hometown, Greenfield, but those are highly unlikely so I'll settle for New York. lol.

Dylan and I, and TJ for that matter, enjoyed our summer off from school. While I went back to work in July, Dylan followed 2 weeks later and TJ is still on summer break for the next 2 weeks. Oh, the joys of being on the quarter system.

Our summer was pretty uneventful. Dylan and Jordyn went to visit their grandparents so TJ and I were kid-free for a little while. But when they were here, we squeezed in a mini photo session at the request of my mom.

Now that was eventful. You may not be able to tell by the sweet smiles above but they were not happy about it one bit.

Gotta love real life. One topic I have been exploring and researching a lot lately is homeschooling. It started with the idea of Jordyn and Pre-K. Because of when TJ graduates and us moving, the odds of Jordyn getting into any Pre-K program is slim-to-none. I was already thinking that I should do something with her at home that will prepare her for Kindergarten. And then there's our school system. I haven't been super happy with the way the schools are here and knowing that the schools in California can be just as bad if not worse, has me concerned. The schools aren't that great and they definitely aren't the safest. Since private school is not an option unless they both were to get scholarships, I started thinking about homeschooling. After all the research I have done, I have myself convinced this is what I want to do. Not only can I give them the instruction they need (or it can be done with a co-op, homeschool charter school and/or online classes), I can incorporate good Bible lessons in, something I've wanted to do for a while. I talked to TJ and he shared his concerns which led me to more research so he could see the pros and cons and he has agreed to give me a one year trial to see if it's right for our family.

There's just one problem. Finances. The curriculum can be expensive and working would be more difficult. It is possible for a parent to work and homeschool but it's harder. I'd love to find a job that will allow me to work from home (ideally part-time if we can afford that financially). And then I have to do lots of used curriculum research so I can cut those costs as well. Thankfully, I have time. We know we won't pull Dylan out of school now and then we'll start next year, so looking around now will help.

Jordyn is a bit of a different story. She is so into going to school and doing schoolwork like Dylan, I really want to seize that opportunity for her and figure out something for her. I found a Letter of the Week curriculum on a blog called Confessions of a Homeschooler and after reading her blog for a few weeks, I knew it was something I wanted to try with Jordyn. The past few weeks, I have been preparing the lessons to get Jordyn started and tomorrow we will begin. It's going to remain informal but she is so excited for "schoolwork."

I did find a free curriculum for Dylan on Easy Peasy All In One Homeschool and he's actually pretty pumped at the idea of homeschool so I suggested we try it out as some supplemental work. He's all for it and he wants to start tomorrow too. For him, his main focus is still his schoolwork from school but I told him if he wants to try it out, he can do as much as he wants. That kid is ready to go. I love how excited my kids get when it comes to learning.

Well that's about it for now, but I'm hoping to update you more on how our informal homeschooling goes and on how and when I find some affordable curriculum.

Where We've Been and What We've Been Up To

By Unknown Thursday, March 06, 2014 5K, Dylan, Jordyn, life, Riverstreet Sweets, running, Sabrina, Savannah, TJ, working out

You know I started this blog so our family could keep up with what we were up, but seeing as I'm not very good at updating this ol' blog of mine, they can't really do that. It's a good thing a lot of them are on Facebook and can see daily snippets of our lives and that we talk to each other, otherwise our family would be completely in the dark. But, we've had a lot of changes since I last posted and it's high time I get back to posting.

So let's take it one family member at a time, shall we?

TJ

So what has TJ been up to, you ask? Well, school, school and more school. Seriously! That guy is either at school and in class, at school working on homework or student films, or at home in his man cave working on homework or student films. I'm amazed at how he's progressed and grown in what will be his career. It's hard to believe that in one year (plus a week), he will officially be done with school. It's so exciting and a little scary at the same time.

He's reached the point in school, where he has to start researching different film companies to see what might be a good fit for him. He's looking up post production companies in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta and Boston. Boston is purely for me. Neither one of us think he'll find very many companies there but he agreed to appease me and try. Plus, he's been to Boston too and really does like it. You can begin praying now that Boston is where we need to be.

Aside from all the school work and student films, TJ is pretty much relaxing around the house. And helping out when I need it of course…..well almost. ;)

Dylan

Dylan is doing what every other 8 year old boy does. Going to school, riding bikes, playing video games, you know all the normal boy stuff. He's doing pretty well in school. Last 9 weeks, Dylan was named the Most Improved Student in 3rd Grade in Music. He was so surprised and the look on his face when he was announced was priceless.

He also made honor roll with all A's and 1 B, but this 9 weeks his grades aren't as high; however his teacher is confident that it's because they haven't had very many yet and that he'll bring it up in no time. Of course that was a few weeks ago. The end of the 9 weeks is Friday so when he comes back from Spring Break, we should get his report cards. And speaking of Spring Break, his starts next week and he'll go back Tuesday the 18th (they always have St. Patrick's Day off because of how big it is here).

For Christmas, the kids got bikes for Christmas, and if you know Dylan, you know at 8 years old he still didn't know how to ride bike without training wheels. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure why, but I think he was scared. He got a bike a few years ago that was too big for him and it just made him nervous to ride it. Well, on Christmas, we took the kids out to ride their new bikes (aka push Jordyn on hers and try to get Dylan to stop freaking out) and it didn't take long for Dylan to get the hang of it and officially learn to ride his bike! It was a "Finally!" moment that was of course filled with pride.

And last, for Dylan, we signed him up for soccer (or at least TJ was supposed to. I need to check back with him on that. lol). I know he's excited to start and it'll be good for him to get and be active and in a sport.

Jordyn

Seriously, what can I say about this 3 year old ball of energy? She is constantly keeping us on our toes. She's a smart girl and surprises us everyday with everything she learns and picks up. She is currently obsessed with Doc McStuffins and Jake and the Pirates, and loves doing puzzles.

She also just learned how to ride her bike and asks everyday to go outside and ride it. Look at her go!

Jordyn loves helping around the house, unless it's cleaning her own room. She has no desire to clean up her own mess. And the girl is convinced she's old enough for school. At least once a week, if not more, she puts on her backpack (that we bought her for her birthday because she us she "needed" it) and tells she is ready and needs to go to school. She does not like when we tell her she's not old enough.

But truthfully, she's a pretty typical 3 year old. She's smart, sassy and lots of fun.

Sabrina

I guess you'd like to know about me now, huh? I guess I should go back to when I lost my job last year. There just wasn't enough work to be done at my old job, and so I was laid off. I spent almost a year looking and applying for jobs. In November, I received a phone call from River Street Sweets to come in for an interview. I got the job, which was working upstairs in the Mail Order department, but it was only seasonal. I figured it was better than nothing and hoped they would find a way to keep me on. Sadly, it didn't happen but I left on good terms with them and hope to come back and work there over the summer in store and back upstairs in Mail Order next Christmas season.

And then in January, I had an interview at an elementary school for a Title I Parent Facilitator. The interview went well and I was offered the job. It took a few weeks before I could start (if you know anything about working in a school, it's a lot of paperwork, background checks, and trying to get your transcripts). It's a part-time job, which works great for TJ's school schedule but I am going to be looking for another small part-time job just to supplement our income. I started a few weeks ago and am loving it. As a Title I Parent Facilitator, I coordinate meetings for Parents, offer resources for parents to help their child and once it's all set up, will work in the Parent Center offering a place or parents to come help their child with homework, projects or anything else they may need. In short, my goal is to get as many parents as possible involved and engaged in their child's school and education. The one down side right now, is not knowing enough yet to fully take on the role without help. The assistant principal has been doing my job all year so she has a lot to teach me, on top of her normal duties, which often get in the way of what she's trying to teach me. So sometimes, I don't feel very productive. It's not her fault and I know in time, I will be able to handle most of this on my own but right now, I'm still learning.

Outside of school, I've picked up running more consistently. I really needed to. I've set running goals for myself. The first being to run a race every month. You can read about January's race here and February's race here. March's race is The Kilt and Kolor Run and TJ is running it with me! I'm so excited and think it will be a blast. I've already registered for my April race as well, the Big Nasty Mud Run and am partnering with a friend in my running group!

But perhaps my biggest goal will come later this year, when I run my first half marathon! I told TJ about a year ago that I was setting a goal to run a half marathon before he graduates from SCAD and since that is just one year away, it's time I get cracking on that. And that will happen in November when I run the Rock N Roll Half Marathon here in Savannah. I am SO excited and a bit nervous but confident I can do this. Early registration ends at the end of March, so I will be registering for it soon!

Aside from running and working, I'm slowly trying to get our house organized and get rid of clutter as I go. We know that depending on when and where TJ finds a job, we will be moving sometime in 2015, so the more I can do to declutter and organize now, the less stressful a move will be later. Besides, the house just needs it.

And that about wraps up what's been going on with us. I'm really going to try to do better about keeping this blog updated. With all the changes ahead of us, it will be tough but it will definitely be needed.

Faith Dare

By Unknown Thursday, August 01, 2013 Faith dare, God

A little over a month ago, we started going to church as a family. And the I recently joined a website called Women's Bible Cafe. It's an amazing Christian site for women.

Monday, began a bible study called Faith Dare, and today began Day 1 of a 30 Day Devotional to fast...from your self. Being new to God and discovering my faith, I sometimes find it all a little overwhelming. It is my hope that this study, along with daily bible readings will help me grow. My goal is to share each day of the Faith Dare with all of you. Maybe some of you will connect with me and share the same feelings I do, maybe some of you will have some advice or tips for newbis like myself (which I am always open to), or maybe you're just interested to see how I grow (in which case, you will become my new BFF soley based on the fact you find me interesting. lol). I do hope that one day I can look at this as well and see how far I've come and to see how I've grown spiritually. I also think that sharing each day with you will only further strengthen my relationship with God as well.

As part of this study, there are a few journal questions to answer to help us grow with each day's dare. I know that sometimes these will be tough but necessary for me to complete

So, really what are we waiting for? Let's dive into Day 1, shall we?

Today, talked about our hearts being the our center of being. We need to ask God for a new heart, a new spiritual heart, where God is our center instead of ourselves. We need to ask for His help in finding the parts of our life that need to be recentered or healed.

Today's truth is speaking to me by telling me that I need to start focusing and studying His word a little more thoroughly and really live it. Being so new to God, I admit I don't really know how to live out Scripture but I do know, that I'm not always doing it. I think I need to take a bit more time to really understand what I'm reading. Again, I'm not sure how to go about doing that, but I know it needs to be done. Today's truth is showing me just how much I need to live out His Word. I need to make Him my priority, make Him focus, not just through myself, but through my husband and children as well.

God is asking me to make Him my priority. He is asking me to think about myself less and think about Him more.

My challenge is learning how to put Him first and how to live out His Word.

Well that about wraps up Day 1. I admit I'm a bit self-conscious about posting this, but I'm pretty sure God would not want me to feel that way. I'm pretty sure no matter how little sense this makes to anyone else, God would be pleased I am taking the time and effort to strengthen my relationship with Him.