Time flies so fast and we don’t realize it until it’s too late. One minute we’re young and the next our children are becoming parents. Watching my children grow up has been such a pleasure it’s hard to put into words without tearing up for the joy I recieved from their existance.

I guess one reason why I’ve never taken it for granted that my children are getting older is the fact that when my wife Joanne and I adopted them at the ages of 5,8,10, we felt we already missed out on quite a bit of their lives and wanted to enjoy the time that was still available. Because of that reason, we never over looked our time with them. Yes there were times when I was “too busy” to hang out with them or had “better” things to do, but the truth is that I have the advantage of my daughters being homeschooled.

We started homeschooling them shortly after the adoption was finalized. We figured to make up for some of the bonding time we had missed out on, homeschooling would be a way to do it. Instead of getting up at 6am to get them ready , fed and driven to school, we would take our time sitting down eating a calm meal without the feeling of being rushed. Homeschooling them also gave them more time to talk with us, listen to us or play games with us since there wasn’t any homework to keep them occupied during the afternoon and evening when that time should have been spent bonding as a family.

The most fortunate experience to come out of homeschooling is the great things we get to do together without competing with others trying to do the same thing. When kids are in school, we go to Disney (we have season passes). When kids are doing homework, we get to go to the movies. When kids are out with their parents on the weekend “getting the errands” done, we just relax or ride our bikes in the neighborhood.

Homschooling has been the best thing we’ve done for our kids. They get to grow up in a secure atmosphere without peer pressure or the drama of other teens in the school system. I feel I’ve been able to make up for the time I didn’t have with them in the beginning of their lives. I know them so well and that I’ll never feel like I wished I could have done it over.

This year my family and I wanted to do something different for Thanksgiving. What we came up with was to go to Disney World.

We had a great time and since we’re season ticket holders, we’ll be there alot more during the next 11 months

Here’s some pictures that Joanne took of the kids. All four of us.

Yesterday my family and I went to the Sarah Palin rally that was in our city. We’ve never been to one before and the experience was a good one. We got there early and were able to get right up to the stage (or as close we were allowed).

The funny thing about the whole rally was how my daughter and I were a little too interested in the secret service men than with the speeches from the candidates. Here’s a picture of Sarah from the rally.