Little Victories!

 

My Aunt teaching my daughter to sew!

Yesterday we were able to pay for my daughter's dance, sewing lessons and my son's piano lessons. Sounds small? By no means is this a small accomplishment within this household. Let me explain...

My husband and I have chosen the path of entrepreneurship this past year has been a roller coaster ride as we attempt to navigate our way through our financial obligations, raising a family and opening two separate businesses. So for us to be able to say we paid for lessons, our lights, gas, water, and other bills are paid for is truly a miracle to us though it may appear to be a little victory to some.

My son with his piano instructor - Mrs. H.



I read once that a small sign of success is to celebrate the little victories!! So this is what we are doing -- it has been through HUGE amounts of faith and work we have gotten to this point. We are thankful and know from whom our blessings come. So as we continue to strive for survival in the midst of our "urban homeschooling" I will continue to blog....

Haman in a "Pimp Suit"

©VeggieTales: Esther, the Girl Who Became Queen (2000)

I'd like to start this post by saying that my husband and I try our best to raise our children in a Biblical/Christian lifestyle - though it may be different from the typical "Jesus is love" doctrine most modern day Christians adhere to today... it is still quite difficult. We censor everything that comes into our home from magazines, music, movies, etc but it never fails something always gets in unintended and the kids let us know!


For example, our children have grown up watching Veggie Tales which is a "Christian" based kids' animation show that always ends with a biblical message. Recently while watching an episode, "Esther, the Girl Who Became Queen" which we have seen numerous times my thirteen year old points out that the little Squash portraying the biblical character Haman is wearing a "pimp suit" while ushering women into his carriage. Yes, she said a "pimp suit!" Of course I had to know where she picked up that term and she couldn't even recall the origin as it is a term that is used very loosely and freely among my fellow church members and neighbors. I try to take everything in stride and giggled along with her when I looked at the image and what was happening... I had to agree BUT this is not a mute discussion!

This is that added dimension of complexity to homeschooling in an "urban" area. We are living by values and morals that seem quite odd to those around us - even within our own circle. We do not swear, no one in this house has ever smoked a blunt (that's marijuana to those who don't know) or done any other drugs, we have never been arrested, been shot, seen a drive by, had a gun pulled out on us, etc or many of the other stereotypes. We are consciously choosing to live according to the commandments and laws of God as dictated in the Holy Bible. We are encouraging our children to give back to a community that seems to be in a never-ending cycle of self destruction. Help out those less fortunate and turn the other cheek. However, the area in which we live does not make this lifestyle very easy. I would love if I could raise my children in area where neighbors aren't swearing up and down the street at each other, the girls didn't dress like women of the night on a regular basis and the men held doors open for women. It would be nice if part of our homeschooling time was not dedicated to explaining the negative impact of the word "pimp suit". However this is our reality so it is with sheer determination and strength we will press on to raise righteous and virtuous flowers amongst a city of thorns. Maybe it will be their light that shines as a beacon to others and helps to restore the reputation of the once thriving Gary, Indiana.

Intro to Urban Homeschooling

For the purposes of this blog I am using the term urban defined loosely by the Urban Dictionary (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=urban) as:

1. marketing term used to hide the fact they are focusing on a racial group; 2. black people or other minority; 3. city dwellers; 4. downtown area

While it may seem at first controversial to use this term I find it is necessary as our experience as a homeschooling family is quite unique from the sterertypical homeschool family. On the surface we may fit the image but our lifestyle and way of interacting is by no means average.

My husband and I are the proud parents of four wonderful children ages 13, 9, 3, and 1. We have a humble little brick home in Gary, Indiana (yes, once named "murder capital") are both self employed (he as a carpenter, I as a loctician) and adhere to a very strict moral code. We do not have fancy degrees of any kind (though I should have my B.S. in June) nor do we make a lot of money - by that I mean to say that we are not even above the poverty level. Our homeschooling journey has not been the easy relaxed uncomplicated walk you may read of others experiences but we have perservered.

The reason we are starting this blog is to share our ever changing experiences with others. Hopefully to provide encouragement as well as serve as a motivator to us during this time. There are plenty of books, blogs and networks available for those who are looking for answers to establishing a smooth functioning homeschool regimen where finances, opposition, religious freedom, racial tension, embarrassing neighbors, etc are not an issue but this is not that blog! So journey with us as we embark on rising above our socioeconomic status and prevailing in the midst of overwhelming odds. Let's BLOG!