Tim Hawkins... A Homeschool Family

Oh, the misconceptions and realities of homeschool life, from comedian (and homeschool dad) Tim Hawkins

Small Town Parade and BBQ

July 4th started out with a great parade in our little community. We watched tractors, dogs, and people firing guns. You name it.. we saw it.

Rob and Jo came out for a little while with our sweet nephew and niece.

This is our friend John with my amazingly adorable husband. And no, they are not brothers though I am sure most thought so.

Angelina and Jenna are enjoying the parade and yelling for candy. Folks throw candy to everyone on the sidelines. They definitely got their fair share.

and yes that is a toothbrush! The dentist in town said "Forget candy!"

We all stood proud and took off our hats for the military. This is the Marines truck. Thought of my nephew in Japan serving our country when this big truck passed by.

Amanda is John's wife. We love this family. Glad they could come be with us! John and Amanda are friends from church that enjoy spending time with.

My beauties.

So after the parade we took a break at home and then headed to a BBQ with our pastor's family .This funny, articulate, young women gives Gabe a run for his money. Megan is our pastor's daughter and they argue and play like siblings!

Do you see what I see? Gabe is sneaking in the picture of Megan's great dessert.

Who will be the big winner? Competition is a serious matter with this crowd~ We heard the girls yelling and screaming from the upstairs. I am women, hear me roar! Gabe had no chance!

Melody is our pastor's other daughter. She likewise is a kick in the pants. Their momma is very funny and when you listen to the three of them.... lol!

So it rained most of the afternoon and by late afternoon all parties were tired. We drove out to Palmer Lake to see if it was even possible to watch the fireworks. We went home and pondered... and pondered some more. T was leaving early the next morning for Mexico and I had homework. What do we do???? What do we do???? Well, I felt very smuckish but we dropped the kids off with friends and let them watch the fireworks while we stayed home. All's well that ends well!

Red Rock Canyon and Donuts

We started out our day "thinking we were heading up to Pikes Peaks but the weather wasn't looking so good at 14000 ft so we switched gears to do a day hike instead. Well, nothing goes with a day hike like donuts! We Finally found a really good donut shop. It isn't close by but it is soo yummy!! Side note: Apparently the donut shop here in Monument closed down after the Donut Man was struck by lightning crossing the street... from his shop. :( I guess the lightning is pretty scary here after all!

The sky was full of clouds as the afternoon storm started to roll in.

The little Hiker Bees.

This cactus was in bloom. I have never witnessed this! Quite beautiful.

Gabe was in charge of Charley and Charley was able to run off leash most of the time. We split up for one trail and all of a sudden we hear Gabe and Terrell yelling across the canyon. Charley was off after Bambi and just about caught her. She is fast and leaps high, Charley that is, not Bambi. We got her back and I tell you this boy needs to find a career that involves speaking loudly. His voice carrrrrriesss!
Make a Wish!

Little Lina got plum tuckered out.

I love hiking. I'm not always strong right away. I found from training for the marathon a few years back that it takes about 3.2 miles for my body to warm up so sure enough as we were almost done with our hike up and down this canyon, I was warmed up and ready for more. Unfortunately, we were not hydrated enough and hungry for substance. Home James!

Summertime Sunsets

Colorado at its finest.

Simplify

It's been awhile since I've given you a nugget to ponder....

I was standing at the kitchen sink, looking at the trees blowing gently and pondering the busyness of life. It's summer time and by darn it, it's supposed to be slower. At least that's what I hear. We started off summer with a bang, a 17 day road trip. It was very fun, don't get me wrong, but tiring too. So many places to go. So many people to see. We all sighed when we came home....ahhhh. Our own bed. By the next morning, we were unpacked and back into the routine of life. The kids missed their friends so they planned play dates and social outings. Hmm.. Yep, I put on my taxi driver hat and I drove. and I drove. And I drove some more. Now, all these activities were good and I was happy they had friends to come home to but too much of a good thing becomes bad. After four days of driving, I pulled the emergency break. ERRRRRTT! It was time to stay home and well, be home. Simplify.

God made Simplify a theme for my life when I had my first three little ones. I remember trying to be all things to all people, church, girlfriends, family. No time at home. When I was home I was planning what was next. What ensued was chaos. My kids needed constant busyness to feel satisfied and I had a messy house with little energy to put forth. I was too busy doing other, more meaningful good things. Uh, huh. God took us to a new place.. literally a new place, a couple hundred miles away from all I knew and what began was my journey to simplicity. I read, I cried, I loved it! My home became my castle where life happen. We invested more in the kids and our own marriage. I learned what it meant to not live in chaos and learned how to take on the responsibility of making our home a place of peace; ie CLEAN. Okay, sometimes just tidy. I really started to understand the concept of too much of a good thing isn't good.

Since then I have had moments of relapse, especially during the teen years. But I pull the break once again and we all stay home. I ache when I see moms trying to accomplish it all and think they can. Something always gives. So as God reminded me again of this place in my life that He desires for me to be, I challenge you to think , ponder, and pray about the place He wants you to be too. It's time to be honest with yourself. Where your treasure is there your heart is also.

Reality Check:
So, where's your heart today? Out in the truck raring to go to the next place or at home creating a place of rest and solitude for your family.

The choice is yours.

Thanks for listening,
Tuna Jones