Welcome to Westridge Academy!

It has been a long while since I updated my blog, but I thought that it was time to brush off the cobwebs. 

For those who are new here, I am Gabrielle, a first time homeschool mama to two. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Masters of Science in Educational Psychology. I work full time at an office manager for a local university. I have 3 children ages 11, 8, and 5 months. My husband and I have been married for 14 years, and we have a sweet, orange beagle called Maple.

Lennon and Mama at 2 months old.

 Now for the life update for all my other readers:

During the year of our Lord 2020, a new little person joined our family of four. Now, we are a Watson Party of Five. Little Lennon is just 5 months old. He knows nothing of the world around him except his immediate family and both Gavin’s and my families. He has rarely had interactions with our friends and certainly none with coworkers, PTA, baby classes or even some of our besties. It has been a weird 5 months in our life, and I am sure yours too. However, this is life in a pandemic, and I am grateful for being able to work from home, care for my family, and be alive when so many people are ill or dead.

We found out when Lennon was four months old, that I was still immunocompromised from pregnancy. My body has not fully healed itself from the trauma that is pregnancy and birth, so on one of my very few excursions out of the house, I picked up a minor virus. It began as a low-grade fever and within days I was begging for that low-grade fever and chills to return when I was running fevers ranging from 104—106.7 regularly. I wound up in the hospital with sepsis, tachycardia, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome for several days. While being treated, the doctors could not determine what caused my mystery illness. I was in the covid wing of the ER for over 24 hours while they tried to admit me to a nearby hospital (all local beds were full). Luckily, both of my covid tests came back negative, and I was transferred by ambulance to a hospital just minutes away. It took me another 2 weeks to recover from my ordeal. As a nursing mother, I am not sure if my milk supply has fully returned yet, but I hope so. Lennon does not seem to notice too much. That was a long story, but I am happy and healthy for the most part, BUT this was the leading reason is why we chose to homeschool this year.

I spent a total of 5 days in the hospital in June with sepsis.

 Also, I still scrapbook, and I still bargain shop. I rarely practice photography, but do it for friends and family when I can. I am also a freelance resume writer when folks need their resumes updated. Check out my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/watsonresumes

Disney tri-fold interactive scrapbook folio that I created in July 2020.

 So, this post is really about our reasons to homeschool:

I am immunocompromised, and we have an infant with a developing immune system.

Lennon at 4 months old.

There are some other reasons of course that we chose homeschooling for our family too, but those are not important. I am proud that we have successfully survived AND THRIVED through our first week of homeschool. I am here to tell you that it is doable, even if you work full time. Give yourself grace. Be flexible, and you do not need everything to start homeschooling. 

 

Our very first day of homeschool ever, July 27, 2020, all the kids enjoyed their first day.

In the next few posts, I will talk about our academic calendar, our method/curriculum, our homeschool space (aka dining room), our daily schedule, our reference materials, and keep updating you on our daily lives. 

You can also follow my journey on Instagram @fromwatsonwithlove – I post pretty much daily, and share a lot of stories.

Leave some love, if you enjoy posts like these or you are on a similar journey to ours. I would love to be part of a community of #newhomeschoolers.

Disclosure: Bear in mind that some of the links in this and other posts are affiliate links. If you click on them and make a purchase, I may make a small commission. I only link to items that are tried and true for our family. I will not link to items or services that I do not like. The commission I make, if any, is minuscule.

Need a "new to you" photo lens?

I just got an email from Borrow Lenses that is it time for their annual used inventory blowout aka their biggest sale of the year! Get 20% off all used gear with this code - USEDGEAR20. If I wasn't saving money for Disney World, I would be ALL over this! I love renting lenses from them when I need something for a wedding or family portrait sesh.




Good luck purchasing the best lens for you! I'll be uploading pictures later from Harper's kindergarten graduation; can't wait to share these with you!

Fancy fathers. Dancing daughter.

Happy ultra-belated Father's Day to all the men out there who raise children, who wipe snot boogies, who change diapers, who go to work, who support their spouses, who parent alone, who tie shoelaces, who scare all the monsters away, who kill household bugs, who plunge toilets and take out the trash, who wash the car, who mow the lawn, who always take care of business.

Being a Daddy is a tough job, but it is the most rewarding and valuable one that you will ever work to fulfill.

I am truly thankful for the fathers in my life. Without them I would not be where I am today: a grateful mother, a humble college graduate, and an all around sane person (most of the time).

My dad with Sawyer and my husband, GG.

I love my dad, Kevin Sr. so much! He taught me to never give up on my dreams, that family is always first and education is second, then comes all the rest. He is my role model. He served in the military, then went on to become a police officer. He completed two associate's degrees, two bachelor's degrees, and now he is finishing up his master's degree, all while supporting a family of six (eight including their dogs)! I can always lean on him for support and guidance. He is the best grandpa too.

And, I am so, so, so blessed to have GG in my life. Without him I would not be the mother that I am, and I would not have had the opportunity to finish school and continue on with my graduate degree after our babies were born. He is my rock and support. He loves his children dearly, and they love him (even more than me, I think). I love you Gavin, even more than words can express, and I am forever grateful that you chose me to be your partner in life and in parenthood. Goodness knows that no one could put up with my shenanigans quite like you do. Hugs baby.

Last weekend was terrific. Harper had her first ballet/tap recital, and completed her first official year of dance. It was rough sometimes getting to class on time with a fretful girl, who just didn't feel like dancing. Other times, she was elated to see her friends and play freeze dance. I think it was a great year, and we are so blessed to dance with such an amazing organization: Denton Dance Conservatory. 

Harper got a beautiful "rose" from her doting grandparents.

Harper is to the left of the tall girl in the middle. She's a star.

Harper was so proud of her accomplishment after her recital. She loved seeing all the big girls in their grown up point shoes and tutus. All of the dancers performed well, and the whole show was really terrific. Congrats dancers on another stellar performance!

We spent Father's Day with the Cooper family and Aunt Megan at Sixflags. As Texas summers go, it was very HOT and humid. We enjoyed several rides, slides, misters, and even a couple coasters. Too bad at the end of the day someone stole my good friend's cell phone. That was not cool. Not cool at all.

Bathroom breaks and sunscreen time.

Nice pose dad and trying on hats with mama.

The Watson family and Sylvester showed up just in time.

Cooling off under the by the misters.

Wonder Woman and our first ride of the day, a coaster.

Despite the phone casualty, we had a wonderful day with friends and family. It was a great Father's day weekend.

I forgot to mention this, but the kids and I spent Friday evening organizing Lita's (my mom) scrapbook room. It was a lot of work, but she was able to empty about 12 iris containers that will go up for sale online soon (that's a lot of scrap). She is donating all her extra 12x12 papers and embellishments to Denton Scrap, a non-profit organization in Denton to get kids and adults crafting outside of the box.

AND, this week baby Sawyer turned two! I guess he's not a baby any longer. I'll post pictures of his awesome Mickey Mouse themed splash party next week.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

 Also, I rearranged my scrapbook room, reorganized my scrap drawers and storage unit as well as installed a new (to me) TV. It is awesome. I will do an entire post with lots of pictures next week. Just a little sneak for now.

Always a work in process; I'm super excited for the new TV.