I'm A Mormon Monday: Jaime

  I am honored to be guest posting for this I'm a Mormon Monday.

When Carrie asked me I was so excited to do this, then she sent me the questions...there were MANY.  I hope I do a good job!  She gave me free reign to answer whatever I wanted to, so I hope that you enjoy this little peek into my VERY random psyche!

Why did you choose to homeschool your children?

Oh wow, this is a rather loaded question!  When my first son was born, my hubby and I discussed homeschooling.  We knew that we might like to do it as we could see a deterioration in our school system.  When he was 5 we finally found a school we could believe in (mostly) so away he went, taking a little piece of me with him.  When my second son was ready for school, we sent him to the same school and he took a little more of me with him. 


Fast forward two years and we moved.  My second son was pretty massively bullied all of his second grade year.  He would come home crying every day, and leave crying every day.  By the end of the year (and much "intervention" from the school) we were pretty done.   We prayed, went to the Temple seeking direction, and got the answer to return to the option of homeschooling.

We pulled him from school, and his brother wanted to join us. 

Each year we check to make sure that this is still the right decision, but this is what the Lord wants us to do so we continue.  (this is going on our 4th year)

What are you passionate about?

Oh boy!  I have a few things I am passionate about, but there are three that really stick out to me.

1.  Food Storage.  I am a big believer that you can learn the skills the pioneers knew.  You can feed your family super yummy food directly out of your food storage and love it.

2.  Preparedness.  There will be a time, soon or far into the future, that you will need to know certain things.  Knowing and learning these things is a family passion.  (who doesn't like to learn how to shoot a bow, or forage wild foods, or build a fire?!)

3.  Homeschooling.  I think when you do something, and it changes your life so completely, you become rather passionate.

What is one thing you learned from your childhood that you are working hard to make sure your children do to?

My parents taught me early on how important work was.  My husband and I try very hard to make sure that our children also learn this. 

I do not think it is a bad thing that my kids know that to get something special (like a movie at the theater, or a new DS game, or arrows for their bow...) they have to earn it.  Special things cost extra money and you have to work to get it.

My kids also know that dinner is not magically something that appears on the table.  There is a lot of work involved in keeping a house, and my boys are learning how to do all of those things. 

What did you do for Family Home Evening on Monday night? Be honest

I would love to say we had a lesson, but we didn't.

Going along with the above, we like to take opportunities to teach our children how to work.  Even on FHE.  We took our boys over to my Mom's house and we picked 5L of sour cherries.  The next day we pitted them all and canned them.  (some were even dehydrated)

We also picked beans (40 lbs) and cut them and dehydrated them all.

I am all about words. Think quick what is your favorite word right at this very moment and why?

For some reason, since I was a small child, I have loved the word Murmur.

At first the fact it sounded so awesome was all I liked about it...but then it grew to mean so much more.  I try to realize that the Lord has me in His hand.  He knows me, He knows what I need, and His timing is different than mine.  If I remember not to murmur, it makes the road I travel so much easier.

Is there a talent you wish you had?

I really wish I could sing.  I can sing along in the shower, I can sing with the radio, but I can't sing in public.  I really would love to sing alto, and follow along with my part.

What is something you absolutely can not stand?

I am really not a big fan of tardiness.  (or being late!)  I was brought up to always be on time, or a little early.

I know that it is sometimes hard to get out the door, but I really struggle with not being insulted when someone shows up really late to something I am doing.
 
Do you have a habit you are trying to break?

I would love to operate less on first impressions.  I struggle with making first impressions and then not really getting past them. 

I know I don't make the best first impression, I am rather shy and I have been told I am intimidating because I don't speak often, so I know that first impressions are not always true.

I am getting better, but I still need work.
 
What is your favorite scripture?

Right now the passage in Proverbs Chapter 31 (verse 10-31) holds special meaning to me.

10 ¶Who can find a ^avirtuous ^bwoman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely ^atrust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her ^ahands.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 She ^ariseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the ^adistaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the ^apoor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her ^aclothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and honour are her ^aclothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of ^akindness.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of ^aidleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and ^abeauty is vain: but a woman that ^bfeareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

This woman is who I would like to be.  She is a wonderful example of all I ascribe to.

What do you know to be true that others may not?

I know that I am a daughter of God.
I know He loves me.
I know that He is aware of me and my struggles and He wants me to be happy.
I know that I lived with my Heavenly Father before I came to this earth, and He wants me to return to Him.
I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true.
I know that my family, if we live worthy, can be together forever.
I know that if I am worthy I can also be with my extended family through the eternities.

Thanks again Carrie.  This was fun!



Thank you Jaime!  I recently told Jaime in an email that she never ceases to amaze me and it is so true. I question her all the time about if she actually sleeps or not...Maybe there are more than 24 hours in a day in Canada. :)  Her blog is an AMAZING resource on all things homeschooling, preparedness, photography (...I could go on and on), and all the books she reviews go straight to my "books I must read" list.  Go and check out her awesomeness over at her blog: Welcome to the Madness.  Also check out Jaime's Mormon.org profile.