Family Pictures

Back to the grind...

I have pictures to post of our Christmas holiday and New Years, but that will have to come later when I can get to downloading them.

As for today, it has been a good day. In fact, it has been a very good day. After homeschooling the first semester I have had time to sit back and analyze my feelings and opinion on the matter throughout the Holidays. One thing is for sure is that I still feel like homeschool has been the best decision we have made for our kids. I can look back and with no regrets say, "it has been for the better" for our family. I have seen my Thomas open up, smile, and become more confident in himself. William gets giddy when it's time for school and can't get enough of it. Lydia walks around all day asking when it is her turn to homeschool when in reality I have sat down with her more than once that day to school her already.

Seeing that this is so new for us I am still trying to figure it all out. I have decided to make some adjustments to our daily routine. I have decided to add an extra hour in the morning. One of my biggest complaints to myself is that their is too much free time in the day. It's nice to be done by noon, but the last thing I want it my kids sitting around bored asking to watch TV or play video games. I have wanted more music time and religion some how incorporated. Since I am homoeschooling I have the privilege of adding religion into the daily lessons. So now our extra hour has and will continue to consist of morning prayer, scripture study (with the New Testament Stories that Grandma Jones gave Thomas for his Baptism), and music time. Today (after we discussed the date and time) Thomas gave the prayer. I then read to them about the Plan of Salvation and looked at pictures as we had discussions. All this time William thought that because we were all brothers and sisters in Heaven that we would all have to die on the cross just like our brother Jesus did. WOW, was he relived when I told him that his Savior already gave his life for him so he wouldn't have to do the same. That learning moment was seriously priceless! The look of relief on his face was beautiful. After that we had music time and I had planned to work on some simple children songs, but the boys wanted to sing while I played the organ. Thomas had a great idea to get the primary song book out and play/sing primary songs that had to do with the plan of salvation. We sang about six songs and before you knew it the extra hour that I had wanted had been filled with not only fun educational times, but also the spirit was filled in our home. This is one area that at bed time I hurry and rush them to sleep so I can have "my time" and then I lay their feeling guilty thinking why don't I use more time during my day or night to teach them about our Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Gospel. I felt today that this new schedule will fill that void and need for them to learn about God from us as their parents, not just in primary. Thomas said (after the new hour this morning), "Can we just learn about Jesus and not do school today?"

One last thing I feel needs to be adjusted is Social. This in no way over shadows the importance of education, but it is almost just as important in my eyes. The only way to accomplish this is to put them in public settings, more play groups, and social activities. One good thing about this is that I as their Mom get to choose which children influence my children. This was a HUGE reason for my decision to homeschool. I wasn't ready for the world to come down on them so early, meaning that I wasn't ready for my children to be influenced with naughty language, naughty topics, and naughty behavior. Not that my kids in ANY way where or are perfect because I know how they can be... I just felt that I was loosing them so quickly as they were away from me eight out of the twelve hours they were awake. Times have changed and they aren't the same as they were when we were little. Yes, we all went through learning and being exposed to negative things, but I think we were older and more mature to handle the world. I have been able to re-install what is accepted and not in our home. My Goal: If I can hold onto that innocence a little longer and build up their confidence in themselves maybe life will be easier for them later on than succumbing to what the world thinks they should learn socially and behave like...at such a young age.

So how do I go about that topic of social again? Well, I refuse to pay and put them in TOO many extra activities, but I am trying to get them some more social time outside of the house. I already have in the works swim and piano lessons. We have done four scheduled play dates for the boys during the holidays and I hope to keep that going and make it a regular thing. I am signing them up for some arts and crafts through the Parks and Rec center here in the county and baseball starts come spring. Also, we go skiing with two other families every weekend so they can interact their. Personally, I think for now that will be enough.

To sum up these past few months of homeschool it has been extremely rewarding on both parts. It's like they say, "It's harder them I could have ever imagined and more fun than I could have ever expected". Nothing makes a parent glow more than to see their children learn something new for the first time and it all make sense. I love that I know my children well enough to gear them in their interest and hobbies. I know their strengths and weakness' so I can concentrate more on what areas need more attention. I love that learning truly never stops at home. Whether it be educational, behavior, or religion we as parents have the opportunity to teach them non stop. At times it can be overwhelming but at the end of the day I can go to sleep feeling like I have done enough.

I know that most people don't agree with this decision for me to homeschool my children (as it is not the "norm") and some people think that I am doing them a dis-service in many areas, sheltering them too much and not giving them enough of the world, but as one school teacher recently said to me, "To each is their own". I couldn't agree more. Mark and I have made this decision to see if it benefits our children and if it works for our family. We are taking it year by year. So far I have never woken up and said to myself, "What have you done?". Surprisingly enough my children get along better, house is absolutely crazier, and all is well.

Regrets? None.

The American Heritage Festival 2010, Queen Creek Arizona

Another great year for the American Heritage Festival down in Queen Creek Arizona. I have gone three years now and it was a success as usual, but with one major person in my life missing…my Dad.

It was so wonderful to have my best friend Rachel come down and participate/experience it with me alongside with our other Utah reenactors, but this was one time a year that I couldn’t wait for nor imagine my Dad not being their and me along by his side. I look forward to it months before hand. Dad and I share so much in common, one being the love for our countries history (strong emphases on the Civil War;) and the other to be music. It was heart breaking after driving 14 hours that day and only 20 mins before we arrived that night I got the call that he wasn’t going to make it this year. I wanted to hang up and cry, my heart ached. I just couldn’t imagine this event without him. He had very good reasons though and I admire him for taking care of his responsibilities that called for him at home. I guess it was just the selfish side in me that was so sad and heart broken. He was VERY missed this year, not only by his daughter but everyone who knows him. I was asked everywhere I turned, “Where’s the Doc.?” He makes such an impact on people not only with his tender heart, but his great personality, humor, and his amazing bulk of knowledge. Everyday I was reminded that he wasn’t their as an empty space with an orange stick and a number on it was waiting for him across the way from our tent for him to set up, just in case he came. Also, I have never gone out on the battle field to portray his nurse with out him. I had to do it alone and I missed him, a lot. It was on day two that a dear friend (who fly’s out from Virginia to portray Gen. Robert E. Lee every year, my Dad’s hero) asked me late one afternoon where my Dad was and how my Mom was doing. I don’t know if it was his sweet demeanor, the fact that he was portraying Gen. Lee, or the look in his eyes…but as I continued to answer him I became very emotional. My parents health isn’t the best and I don’t talk about it too much and when I do I am so good to hold it together, but for some reason that afternoon at sunset Gen. Lee caught me off guard and reality truly set in. How many more “Queen Creeks” will I have with my Dad? How I wished he was their every minute of the day that weekend. I had to go back to my tent and compose myself for a few minutes, Bowman girls don’t cry. I love you Dad. We’ll have to make it up next year!

Rachel and I have for sometime now sign our messages, "Your sister in Christ". I think it has a little ring to it. It's grown on me. Oh how I love my best friend Rachel! Everyone needs a Rachel. She made this reenactment special for me, especially without my Dad not being able to make it. I have never laughed so hard, nor done so many crazy immature things at my age than I have with her and for that we will both never forget. She truly means so much to me. I am horrible at expressing my feelings for friends, but I think she knows that I can’t imagine her not in my life (and no Mark, she is not slowly replacing you;) There is a special bond/understanding that we have that anyone would be lucky to have even experience once in a lifetime.


Here is Col. Scott and his beautiful family. They are responsible for making this annual event happen. Amazing family they are! Their three daughters are so respectful, kind, and such good examples to all the other youth. If my little miss Lydia could be half of what their daughters have become I would be so very pleased. This family is the family that had me very intrigued and interested in homeschool, and are the ones who inspired me to make the decision. I owe it to them for this amazing adventure I have begun with my children. His lovely wife guided me through it in the beginning when I was overwhelmed and questioning myself.



Basically my weekend consisted of music and playing music. I had last minute put together a music group which consisted to three violins, two guitars, a mandolin, and a cello. A sweet addition this year was little Maria who is 8 years old. She played the violin and I honestly can say that I have never heard such a talented girl in my entire life. She is in the pink next to me with a little bonnet on. SO adorable!

My niece Heather (in blue) came out for the day. It was so great having her join us. I don't get to see her very much and I sure hope she comes back again.

BTW, this is my new dress that I made and finished just hours before we left. It is one of my favorites, mainly because it is light weight and cooler.

This is Darci and she rocked! She taught us how to shoot the arrows. If I couldn't find Rachel, she was with Darci. We like her and her mothers cooking:)

Yes, Rachel scored!

The couple on the left are part of our group in Utah and they came all the way down to Arizona and joined in for a day. It was great to have them their and their support.

Rachel and I played nurses for a battle or two. The lady in the black portrayed a religious person, blessing the dead with her massive Bible in arm. She was a doll! She ran and kept up with us throughout the entire battle.

Posing for pictures

War is over, Union won...again.

Posing for pictures again after the battle. This time the Confederates won!

How sweet is this? Rachel took a picture of these little boys playing war. My kids would have been all over this!

Some of the young girls that came by and hung out for tea and biscuits

My niece Heather and I

Heather

We had six of our Utah Civil War boys come down and participate. They did Revolutionary War. They made us proud and looked very put together.

Here are a few of them preparing for battle

This was taken on the last day and it was beyond windy! We were so tired.

Rachel is finishing quilting a cot quilt she made before the event. It is a replica of a soldier cot quilt that the woman made out of what ever scraps they had for the soldiers. She used period correct material and also measurements. And that is Austin. He is another Utah boy that came with us. He is 20 and had an eye on my niece Heather. He was with the Confederate artillery.

Once a day we were on the program to perform for 20 mins at 1pm. This was the highlight of my time their that week. We drew quite the crowd. We had my dulcimer, two guitars, three violins, a mandolin, and a cello (which I absolutely feel in love with).

And then came the fun... Dancing!

First of all, before I would play Austin would come and straighten out my strings and make them even. I can't tell you how many times he did this all day long. It must have been an OCD thing with him. Either way, it helped me out a lot. I have to do that every time I play. Thanks to Rachel and her head lamp. It was a life saver. I don't think I could have played with out it.

After the Dance on Saturday night, Col. Scott and all the officers of all the eras came by our dance. We stopped and they gave words of encouragement and gratitude for every ones participation. It is a tradition that we sing a few Christmas carols because this event it just days before Thanksgiving. Everyone makes a huge circle and holds hands while singing. We had well over 100 people their that night. This event just gets better and better each year.

Their was a large bomb fire that everyone hung out afterwards. So great! What's special about this event is that it is a strong family Christian based event/organization. I like the feeling of it. It's one you can't describe usless you are their.

Aiming for one of them Union soldiers. Check out those sweet pleats on my dress. They gave me so much trouble.

Rachel and I literally spent an afternoon getting our picture taken by an original camera from the era. After three tries, we were pleased with the tin types. I'll have to scan them and post them. They made us look so old and angry. Not flattering at all! This was taken while we waited.

I was waiting for my personal photo to process, I am slouching. I wanted one with my dulcimer. I saw a girl with a picture taken like this. I feel in love with it. I always play my dulcimer standing up and I wanted one sitting, embracing it. It turned out beautiful!

This instrument had changed my life. It has given me a purpose to play music again. I love playing music for others in hopes that it will touch other people’s hearts as much as it touches mine. I live for the moment that I can play it again wither it be for one person, a small crowd, or a large group. I can’t tell you how many people who have never seen or heard of it and leave falling in love with it’s sound. Music brings people together as I have experienced this year with my fellow civil war reenactors. It connects you and puts you back in that time and era from whence the song comes from. I have had numerous moments where I have been playing by a fireside late at night, soldiers dressed up, and they quietly sing along with me on a song like, ‘Tenting Tonight on the Old Camp Ground” (an original civil war song sung by soldiers during the war). It's like you have gone back in time. It’s one of those moments that you will never forget…

Now, here is a taste of reality of my relationship with my hammer dulcimer. After long events or when I have been playing a full day I have (many times) wanted to take my hammer dulcimer and throw it out the window of a fast moving car or even the horrible thought of chopping it into fire wood and enjoying the warm burning glow. Now, keep I mind those thoughts only stay for a few second and then I quickly knock them out, but I guess what I am trying to get across is that I have a love/hate relationship with it. It takes so much concentration to play and memory (no sheet music used) that my head and eyes hurt after playing it. I love it dearly, but we usually need some space after playing.

Right now we are on a break till next week and then he (my dulcimer) and I will be in the recording studio getting ready to record for a film “Blood Fare” this coming fall. I have to play five songs. Very nervous. Their will be a fiddle, guitar, and a banjo with me and my dulcimer. After we get the final record made it will then be turned into the Grammy nominations for 2012 in the category for “Bluegrass”. So excited. I’ll keep ya’ll posted:)