The Tooth Fairy Cometh... Again!

The Crew has started to lose their teeth. As you know, this is a common enough occurence aboard ship, but I assure you it has nothing to do with scurvy or a general lack of good hygiene and/or personal care. No, it seems that once again I'll be called into duty to attempt the impossible. My mission? To gain access (without detection) into my boys room (we'll call it 'the spider hole' as it's booby trapped with various toys that either light up/emit loud explosions/talk at concert level decibels or a combination of all three.) in the dead of night ...If you know me, you know that this is a task that I've avoided at all costs since early on in their lives. I've never been the 'Snuggle Mom'... you know, the Mom who snuggles up next to their child cooing softly and stroking the hair of their precious angel until they drift off to dreamland? Ya, I found out early that twins... well they keep score...on everything.

"Mom! Will you stroke my hair EXACTLY like you stroked his?" "Mom! I want you to read me that EXACT same story and kiss me goodnight EXACTLY like you did him!" I long ago gave up those dreams I had about rocking my children to sleep... Nope. I was more the "toss 'em swaddled in the general direction of their crib and seal the door closed with a large stone" kind of Mom. On rare occasions I would be required to gain access to the room before morning, and so I became adept at the kind of stealth and evasive maneuvering skills that Seal Team 6 currently employs with such great success. I have to admit... its been awhile since I've had to use said skills, but recently I've found myself being called to duty once more. All thanks to a little legend called the "Tooth Fairy". It was just a few weeks ago that 'Operation Fairy' was initiated. As of this morning I was informed by my boy that Round II is imminent.

I'm going in later tonight... Pray for me.

Can I ask Why?

This is the question that the majority of my friends ask most often after hearing that I homeschool The Crew.  "Why?" and "Don't you want/need a break?" are often the first two questions that are lobbed my way followed by an incredulous "You couldn't pay me to do that!".  Now, I understand where they're coming from... not only do I understand it, but often as I hear the 'big yellow bus' pull up to the corner right outside our door I find myself wondering "Why do I do this?".  And as the bus rumbles to a stop and the neighborhood offspring start piling on,  I  will often slide into a daydream about what life must be like on the 'other side'.  Just like my friends who have pre-conceived notions about how I'm ruining my kids for life by homeschooling them, I'm sure that I have grossly exaggerated fantasies about the amount of spa time, mani & pedi's, and massages that I could be fitting into my non-homeschooling schedule ( it is a daydream after all!) By the time the sound of squealing hydraulics rouse me from my thoughts of sliced cucumbers, I've usually put aside the idea of a 'brick and mortar' education for the millionth time (give or take).  And once the sound of gears grinding down the street has faded, I'm once again recommited to the path we've chosen.   a) because I really don't have the time to be staring slack jawed out my kitchen window and b) because I know deep down that I couldn't do it.  The reasons for b) are varied and quite numerous, but ultimately it comes down to the fact that what we're doing works for us.  The Crew is thriving.  They are far beyond where they need to be for entering first grade.  In several subjects they are well into second and third grade work (shameless brag!).  They have friends.  Alot of friends.  They are not shy.  They are not awkward.  And I haven't ruined them...yet.  Ultimately in the end I think we all have to do what we feel is in the best interest of our families.  What is for you, may not be for me.  What is for me, may not be for you.  Neither of us is right, and neither of us is wrong.  We're just choosing different paths. 

I wish you luck on the course you've charted... and I hope you'll do the same for us!

The tide brings in... over a year worth of bottles?

what's this?  a post?  could it be this long abandoned little blog is coming back to life? it's true!!  our little band of weary sailors has crossed the country in yet another move (over a year ago already!) and our adventures have continued on as well!  so why, you may ask, why come back to this little blog?  Well, there is just so much to share with you, and tho' I have a brand new biz ( visit me @ www.bjorkphoto.com ) and tho' I have a lovely little blog associated with said 'biz', I find that there is so much more of our lives that I want to share with my friends and family that *ahem* may or may not be quite appropriate to share with my clientele. 

So if you are here, it is because you are interested in not only my AMAZING photographic talents, but also because you are interested in our lives... our adventures... and our experiences as an active duty military/homeschooling family.   

Welcome to the chaos...but don't forget to take your shoes off  before coming aboard!

A new bottle bobs among the waves….

Sand castles, seashells, strawberry fields, first roller coaster rides, tire swings, firecrackers, flip flops, sunblock, ice cream cones, moving vans, bubble wrap, sad good-byes, hopeful greetings, green swimming pools with frogs, playgrounds, zoo trips, s’mores, glow sticks, campfires, leaf collections and the sound of rain on our tent.  These memories (and so many more) I will cherish when I look back at the Summer of ‘09.  As I toss yet another bottle out into the swirling currents of our wake, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on my life and how rich it has become.  I am so thankful everyday for my loved ones and the joy they bring to my life.  It’s been a great summer… and now I turn toward the future with great anticipation.  Fall arrives today at 5:18pm EST, and on the horizon I can catch glimpses of all the wonderful memories that have yet to be made.  My favorite time of the year is upon us…  Let the fun begin!

She put the "labor" in Labor Day….

“You’ve got this… You’ve got this… You’ve GOT to GET this!” I muttered to myself as I stood amidst a field of camping paraphenalia that I had hauled from our perfectly good, air conditioned home a few hours before.  In a moment that I can only describe as INSANITY, I had assured my husband that it would be “no problem” to set out early on Friday with two small children and a minivan of necessities to our campsite at Lake Martin while he finished up his classes and lectures.  I would set up everything, play with the kids a while and see him in the late afternoon… no problem!  Fast forward to the present where the sounds, smells, and creatures of the woods were surrounding me… indeed were very nearly eating me alive as I clenched the instructions to our eight man tent in my sweating hand and swatted the air with the other.  Several indistinguishable nylon mounds were strewn about, along with a couple of dozen poles of various lengths.  One could only assume that they were vital to the actual construction of said tent…. The crew sat on a nearby picnic table eyeing me dubiously as I threw what I hoped was a cheerful “Mommy will put the tent up, and then after that we’ll have fun, fun, FUN!”  I cringed as I heard the  desperation from the last word still hanging in the air, and threw a quick glance over my shoulder to see if I had fooled The Crew…. from the look of alarm on their faces, I could see that I had not. 
Two hours, four packs of fruit chews, two juice boxes, several coats of bug spray (12 hours protection my ass!), and one potential deal made with the Devil as he passed thru on his way to Georgia later, I stood back… scraped the sweat laden hair from my eyes, and admired my work.  This small patch of Alabama dirt… had become mine. I had conquered the Alabama wilderness and built my family… well, maybe “home” was a stretch… but a definite zone..yes, "Zone of Comfort”!  Channeling Tom Hanks from the movie “Castaway” I danced around thumping my chest and declaring to the emptiness “I… I have made SHELTER!”  It was a heady moment to say the least.  The Crew who had abandoned all hope and retired down by the lake to throw rocks, and most likely discuss their current chances of survival, came running back and immediately inquired “Are we having fun now?”   Well, I know what our answer to that question is…. now you be the judge!! Happy Labor Day!