Zoo Relocation Complete!

After a crazy and chaotic two and a half months the woman who was certain she would never live outside Florida has actually moved to Houston, Texas.

Okay, let me explain how all this came to be. As many of you know, Michael is business partners with my parents in Restocon Corporation. In the last two years or so they (Michael and Robert) developed a very good working relationship with a prominent engineering firm in Houston. They (Restocon) were invited to bid work in Houston by one of the most prominent members of the firm. This was a wonderful opportunity for Restocon to move into a much more stable economy. After several months, a new Restocon office was opened in Houston. Soon Michael was traveling back and forth fairly regularly. They felt that with sending a trusted employee and Michael's fairly regular commuting neither family would have to move. This turned out not to be the case and the Long family got the chance to begin a new adventure in Texas.

As I'm sure most, if not all of you know, I had never before lived a day outside of Florida. What a big change this would be! As a history geek, I must say that I could not be more excited! Texas is sooo rich in history I could not wait to get here and explore it all. That and Michael had moved ahead of us by about 6 weeks. As I'm sure you all know by now (after all the whining), I HATE being away from my hubby.

So, now we're here in Houston. (Most of us anyway. Tyler has journeyed back to Florida to attend youth conference, scout camp and EFY. I'm sure he's having a great time, but we sure do miss him.) We live in this A M A Z I N G house (it's HUGE!) with an A W E S O M E pool. We're still doing some work on the house (cause it's kinda old in house years), but when we're done I'll post lots of before and after photos. Anyway, I totally love our neighborhood. The neighbors are too nice for words, as is pretty much everyone we've encountered here so far. Our neighborhood is even having it's own 4th of July parade and party. Woo hoo! It's one of those larger communities, but NOT a master planned one like Fishhawk (and as Michael says, it's 40 years old). We live near all these really huge mini mansion type homes. And we found out Sunday that our next door neighbors are members. We haven't met them, yet. They're out of town visiting their daughter. Oh, and for those of you in the know, it turns out I actually like my kitchen. Who'd a thunk? It has more cabinet space than my old kitchen. The new floor is incredible (thank you Tony Wightman!) and the new paint color changes everything. Plus my new master bath...Holy Cow! Fabulous bathroom! Truly a spa like retreat. Michael took this horrid little outdated bathroom that had a freaking ceiling fan for a light and turned it into this incredible spa retreat with 2 shower heads (one a rain head) and a jacuzzi tub. Thank you, Sweetheart! I cannot believe how hard Michael worked to make sure I was happy. That man sure must love me!

My kids amaze me. They have been awesome. I cannot believe how well they are handling the move. As I mentioned before, Tyler is back in Florida staying with my parents. He went on the pioneer trek two weeks ago and then attended scout camp getting much needed merit badges. He haas this week off and then goes to EFY in St. Pete the week of the Fourth of July. Thank goodness for my mom! Here she thought she'd finally have a summer where she didn't have to get a kid to a bunch of activities and we up and ruin it for her.

Jace and Cameron live in the pool. They swim every day. I have finally figured out how to get them to clean. They can't swim until their room is clean. What a life saver that pool has been. Jace loves his new Primary class. Cameron is doing a great job filling in for Tyler while he's away.

Emily has officially joined the team at Woodlands Gymnastics Academy. It's a small program (she's 1 of 3 in level 8), but they are very serious. In three practices she has learned a new dance element, and for the gym parents out there, is working her hand, hand as her beam series and flipped her tsuk today.

Gator and Butch are as individual as the children. Butch acts like he's the king of the castle and poor Gator is just overwhelmed. We bought him a new kennel today and it might just be more than he can bear.

Michael and I are still just trying to get the house the way we want so we can finally settle in. Plus we really miss our babysitter. Well, I'm not sure about Michael, but I sure do.

So, here we are, facing all these changes, and so excited to experience them together as a family.

So watch out Texas! The Long family has moved the zoo to Houston!

Parenting and Discipline

Discipline is one of the most difficult and controversial aspects of parenting. One that is often avoided in any type of parenting discussion. Although it can be very unpopular, even almost the third rail of parenting, I want to open a discussion on how parental discipline or lack thereof affects our society.

It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me well that I consider discipline an extremely important aspect of parenting. I expect, no, demand that my children act appropriately for whatever circumstance in which they find themselves. However, I can only make such demands because I have taught them appropriate behavior. Much to my dismay it seems that very few parents share this point of view with me. We seem to have become a society more interested in indulging our children's whims than instilling character and integrity.

While permissive parenting has become pandemic in American society, I believe an even more pressing issue has arisen. To wit, a society held hostage by "special needs" children. While I know that there are many individuals living in our world who face unique challenges, their needs are no more special than the needs of all children.

Generally when considering how to properly discipline our children we ask ourselves, "how do we make sure we are providing the correct boundaries for our children while making sure they always feel our love for them?". I think there are several other questions we should be asking.

* How do we raise well adjusted, self-disciplined adults? 

For me it has always been a priority to teach my children personal accountability. It is through accountability that we draw closer to our Father in Heaven and our Savior, Jesus Christ. Recognizing our weaknesses and working to improve them helps us achieve true joy in our lives.

* What impact does our parenting and discipline have on other children who, from time to time, fall under our care?

This can be an extremely delicate subject. It is quite common for parents to have children not their own left in their care, thus requiring some level of discipline to be enforced on another's child. No two adults will parent in the exact same manner. Within my own family we have differing parenting styles and unique quirks. Whenever I leave my children in another adult's charge I expect there will be differences in the the way they handle the children, including differences in rules and discipline methods. Since I am very careful in my selection of these adults, I expect my children to adjust to these differences. I know these adults will treat my children with love and respect and will do nothing reckless or irresponsible with my children. I accept that the details of the way they work out their time together will be different from the way I would do it.

* How do we help children with unique challenges fit into the world around them, rather than demanding that the world around them bend?

For instance, in Volusia County, FL a school went to extreme measures to accommodate one child's peanut allergy. Teachers were required to wipe both desktops and children with Clorox wipes regularly throughout the day. Non allergic children had their lunch menus dictated to them, were required to rinse their mouths out upon arrival at school and following lunch. The school even brought in a peanut sniffing dog. Parents who complained about these asinine measures were called heartless and even cruel.

As a parent it has been frustrating to me to have one set of rules imposed on my children and an entirely different set for "special needs" children. How does an adult in a position of authority or leadership over children justify disciplining or correcting "normal" children while condoning disrespectful and disruptive behavior from a "special needs" child? Why is it acceptable to tell "normal" Johnny to sit still and be quiet or be punished while "special needs" Tommy runs around, screams, and slams doors without any threat of consequence? While I expect my children to obey the adults I allow to be in charge of them I also expect those adults to be honest and fair in their dealings with all the children under their purview. To be frank, this is a situation I have difficulty knowing how to respond to. While I do not seek to cause offense, I am tired of the disruptions caused by parents who demand that the world  adapt while simultaneously expecting nothing of their own children. I am willing to adapt to help those who are striving to fit into the world. But I am having an increasingly difficult time dealing with those who make no strides of their own and instead demand that we change.

Furthermore, what lessons are our children learning when they are held to a very different standard than other children under the same adult's care?

It is my hope that as parents we can think past the here and now. That we will look forward to the impact our method of rearing has on our children and society as a whole. I want to raise children who make the world a better place just by being in it.

A Learner's permit?

Holy cow, Batman! Tyler got his learner's permit this morning. I can not believe I am that freaking old! He did a great job getting prepared to take the test. Now on to driving practice! I'll keep you updated on our progress.

I'm just not that mom!

So Leslie reads all these wonderful homeschooling blogs by these mothers who spend all their time loving what they do. And all I can think when I read them is, "I'm so not that mom". I don't want to read about how wonderful they are at everything and how much they love it all. Not when I spend so much of my time wondering why I'm doing this, if I'll ever be good at it, and if my kids are really learning anything. I don't want to hear from moms who can do it all and do it all brilliantly. I'm a complete disaster most of the time. I can't keep my house clean to save my life. It takes me a week to get the house clean enough that we can have people over. We seem to fall further behind our school schedule every passing day. Furthermore, I don't want to be that mom. I'm good with who I am, warts and all. I may not like my children every minute of every day, but I do love them more than words can ever say. That's why I homeschool. Like public school teachers and politicians everywhere say, "it's for the children!".

(Just needed a moment to vent!)

My Wonderful Valentine

Had a wonderful Valentine's Day with Michael Monday night. He made reservations at my favorite restaurant, had them decorate the table with a rose and rose petals, and then spent the whole evening hanging out with me. I absolutely love spending time with the people I love. That is my favorite thing in the world! I am so thankful to him for thinking of me and what would make me happy. I am the luckiest woman in the world!

Happy Valentine's Weekend!

Salvador Dali

View of Cadaques with Shadow of Mount Pani 1917

oil on burlap

Michael and I were guests at an after hours event at The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg last week. It was the first time I had seen any of Dali's work in person, although I thought myself familiar with his art. I was absolutely amazed by the museum. Not only did I find the museum and the artwork fascinating, I was also intrigued by the man himself. The painting above showing Dali's love for his hometown, was done when he was just 13.

Metamorphosis of Narcissus 1937

I was surprised at how prolific an artist he was and how many different styles he used. While he is widely know for his surrealism, he had a passion for art in many forms even creating his own style which he called "Nuclear Mysticism". While the paining at the right is an example of surrealism, I have also included examples of his other styles. 

Cadaques, Dali's Hometown 1923 oil on canvas

Portrait of My Dead Brother 1963, oil on canvas

Salvador Dali Desk

Since I so enjoyed my visit to the museum I will be creating a unit on Dali for my children. At the end of the unit we will attend the Dali Museum so they can see the wonderful artwork this man has given the world.

The Hallucinogenic Toreador 1969-1970, oil on canvas

Dali developed a penchant for hiding things within his paintings. This is called the Hallucinogenic Toreador because he has hidden a bull fighter and his bull within the larger canvas. See if you can find them both.

I would to thank Ed Collins of Wallace Welch & Willingham for the invitation to visit The Dali Museum.

Offense Given or Offense Taken?

I recently took part in a political debate on facebook sparked by a friend's status. The post commented on the differences between conservatives and liberals and the resulting discussion has spanned several days. One of the comments in this debate gave me pause. The individual expressed disappointment that such an opinion had been shared as others may disagree and become offended. It left me considering how much influence the feelings of others should have on one's expression of thoughts and opinions.

In my opinion that influence should be extremely narrow or nonexistent. All expressed opinions should be thoughtful and measured. While we should make a concerted effort not to cause harm, we can and we must stand for those things we hold dear. Especially when those things are being attacked. The possibility that someone might disagree or take offense should not be a consideration.

This especially concerns me within my religious community. We seem to be an easily offended people. How sad that descendants and beneficiaries of some of the bravest, most long-suffering people in American history are so easily offended as to seek to stifle political discussion. I am always careful never to blend politics with religious instruction, or even engage in political discussions at church. However, I feel perfectly free to do so in other areas on my life. Further, I find it profoundly disappointing that those who are taught regularly that we should be "steadfast and immovable" somehow believe that only applies to religion. In all other things we can be as "steadfast and immovable" as we want, as long as we do it silently. After all, someone may be offended. 

While no one should seek to demean or ridicule the thoughts and opinions of others, neither should the fear of someone taking offense cause us to be silent.

As a politically conservative woman I feel as if I'm regularly told, " don't disagree, don't point out untruths, and for Heave's sake never be open about what you believe. Someone may be offended". You know, there's part of me that just wants to say, "it isn't my fault if you don't have enough strength in your convictions to stand against those who think you're wrong". I know who I am. I like who I am. I am not ashamed of what I believe. If my beliefs and/or my thoughtful explanation of them offends someone, well, that's not really my problem. It's theirs. Why are so many so quick to find something (offense) that is never intended?

One last question, why is the mere expression of opinion offensive?
                                                                                                   (copied from facebook)

Martin Luther King JR Day

I had an interesting conversation with Cameron tonight. First, let me provide a little back story. All three of our boys played little league football; different age groups with the same team, the Turkey Creek Trojans. Michael was an assitant coach for Jace's age group, the Mighty Mites, and I was their team mom. It's amazing how we came to love those little boys by the end of the season, one in particular. Our little Giovoni didn't speak to us at all when the season started. He was always obedient, just very quiet. By the end of the season he had become our weekend child (and he talked Michael's ear off Saturday on the way over to our house).
Outside of Christmas and the following two weekends when we were on vacation Giovoni has been at our house every weekend since mid November. As a matter of fact, I just took home a few hours ago. We love him. I semi-jokingly refer to him as our 5th child. His mother calls me his other mom.

Since I've been such a thorough homeschool mom (insert sarcasm for the previous statement) when Cameron sees another tribute to MLK, Jr on TV tonight he finally asks who that is. I always try to relate things to our lives so the kids will understand better. So I tell Cameron that there was time not too long ago when Giovoni could not have been his friend. Not without at least being threatened with violence. You see Giovoni is black; not that he or Cameron or Jace have noticed. I told Cameron about the civil rights movement, how MLK, Jr was a leader of this movement, and why the movement was needed. I briefly explained that black people used to be treated badly all because of the color of their skin; the one thing Cameron had never paid any attention to before. He looked devastated. I really have never seen Cameron look so upset. He finally looked at me and said, "That's just evil, Mom!" I told him he was right. I then explained how MLK, Jr and others had worked hard to help change that. I told how he led demonstrations and spoke to people to help change their minds. Then I told him that we were living MLK, Jr's dream. The color of a persons skin is something we no longer notice.
Giovoni's mother and I appear very different. But we're not. You see we have found the things we have in common and they have united us. We love our children and want them to be safe and happy. We strive every day to do what's best for them. How blessed we are for all those who came before us. I am grateful to those who risked scorn, ostracism, arrest, injury, and even death so that one day my children could have friends and never even notice what color skin they have; so that we could love Giovoni without fear. I think this is the first time I have ever truly understood what Martin Luther King, Jr and those who stood with the Civil Rights movement really did and why they matter to our country.

Snow, Snow, Snow!

We went on vacation to the Smoky Mountains in western North Carolina last week. Contrary to what was forecasted as we prepared to leave for our trip it snowed a bunch! We ended up spending the last two days snowed in.

When it came time for us to depart we had to have a sort of mini rescue. You see, prior to the snowfall we had received a freezing rain so the steep and narrow mountain road was iced. Our wonderful rental agency manager (Maggie @ Great Smokys Cabin Rentals) and her husband went well above and beyond to make sure we had all that we needed (they even invited us to dinner with them). He even came up the mountain to helps us safely navigate the dangerous road off the mountain in time to miss the major storm roaring into the South.


This photo shows our car frozen shut and the gravel drive covered in about 8 inches of snow. In order to start the car (because the cabin provided no snow tools) we had to use a lighter to melt the ice surrounding the door seals. If only I had pictures of that!