Updates!!

Trevor passed a long 3 weeks of gruelingly intense testing and training for this new job in Vegas. Even though it was a transfer from Arizona with the same company, they are a lot more strict here. So yay! We will see a paycheck!

This new paycheck is affording Orthodontic work for the kids.

MaKayla has braces! (the poor dear has needed them badly. She has been spreading her palate with an expander to make room for her teeth; this process is the new wave in orthodontics and it started in Arizona.)

Jessica will get her expander soon and braces shortly after.

Justin will get his expander and hopefully wont need braces at all.


School is going well. While it was an adjustment for all it is. My favorite thing is when people say to me, "I know how you feel. Give it two months and you will adjust."
I think, "really? Do you honestly know how it is to give 6 children anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes each night for homework...that is on average 4-6 hours a night of homework help for 6 children." Plus, I have the 8 lunches to pack, 8 water canteens to clean and refill, 6 uniforms to make sure are starched, ironed and laid out ready to go. Dinner to make and clean up after, laundry and dishes to cycle. It's all nearly impossible! And I find I don't have time for the extras at all. These well meaning individuals have two to three children in school and the youngest is in either Preschool or Kindergarten...that doesn't compare. Sorry, it doesn't. But I wouldn't trade my children. I love them dearly and they are getting the hang and flow of things, working into more independence. Every Saturday I spend half the day cleaning and baking and the other half catching up on homework. There is really no time for the extras. It's a good busy. Thank heavens I like to be busy.

This brings me to my next update...my thyroid. I finally went to the Nevada clinic where they use biomeridian machines to determine what the cause is and what treatment is necessary. I have noticed I am not as depressed, and I have noticed a significant amount of energy increased. This was a welcome with my new busy life. I have yet to notice a metabolism increase...PLEASE KICK IN!!

The children are doing well musically. Alexis has been invited to study with WeiWei Le in UNLV. She doesn't take too many students and expects a lot out of the ones she has. She requires 3 hours a day of practicing and has confidence she could help Alexis go where ever she wants to musically. She was impressed with her playing.

MaKayla has yet to meet with Tianna of UNLV for her viola studies. We are excited to meet her and continue our studies.

Jessica, Our little "August Rush Boy" type genius was invited to study with either Dr. Andy White at UNLV or another mentor at Nevada School of the Arts. She is very musical and needs a mentor to help her take off and make sense of the music she hears in her mind.(Ooohhh, this was taken years ago in Logan's Utah State University, right before a competition.)


Justin, I will get him with a piano teacher the first part of February.

It's all been crazy trying to adjust, find schools, get over the holidays and meet with teachers. I have learned that the student needs to pick their teacher at an older level (like the girls' age). They need to be compatible and the student inspired. The chemistry has to work in order for that to happen.

So...here we are with all these updates!

A New Chapter...School.

I have known for a while that changes needed to be made with my children's schooling. It was so difficult to manage the needs of 6 children, from a high school age to Kindergarten. I felt so divided and spread thin. All mothers know when this happens, nothing gets done really well. I felt that I was short changing my children, which resulted in feeling like a failure. I was once wonder Mother who did fantastic projects, crafts, snacks, field trips, reading classical works to, cooking healthy meals for, gardening with, developing artistry and critiquing music for. We must not leave out, teaching the children to work, manage the house with, pay bills and budget for, run the errands. You know-it's life. For me, for some reason I always went the extra mile, wanting to provide the best for and achieve the most. I always felt-if anyone can educate these children-it's me. There's only 6. How can I not do just as good of a job. And for years I felt the spirit's confirmation of peace that what I was doing was right for the time. People would ask me, "how long are you going to Home School?" I would answer, "Until the Spirit directs me differently." Maybe it's the wipe out that unemployment naturally brings. Maybe it's the hardship of living in the bubble we did while in Arizona. Maybe moving 3 times in 3 states in 1 year did it. But I found myself drowning. Maybe all this drama our family has been through was what needed to happen to get me to throw in the towel-because I wouldn't have done it any other way. The Spirit whispered that something needed to change. I felt my stomach turn and the peace was gone so I knew Something had to be done. I began researching options for my children, all while feeling like it was because I couldn't do it anymore. Like I failed them. I felt guilt that the boys wouldn't get the quality time with me that the girls did. Then the spirit revealed to me the obvious. "Boys are wired differently. They are designed to want to be out in the world so that they can achieve, compete and succeed, and one day provide for a family." I of course felt devastated that I couldn't offer that to them, but I accepted the guidance.
So it started my path of finding a suitable school for my children. Let's face it. Nevada is the 49 out of 50 states in the public schools. This isn't happy valley, Cache Valley Utah...This is broken homes, strip families, morally questionable environments amongst the good families. This was not a decision to be taken lightly. So I turned to Charter schools-toured, asked many people and read websites. It was better than just a public school-but the waiting lists were long. With a lottery system, trying to get 6 children in would be improbable in a timely manner. I knew my children had needs in education that couldn't wait with a lottery. Something needed to be done now.
While researching I went to Trevor's work Christmas Party. While visiting with a middle aged woman there she told me about a great Christian, (Partial to LDS) Classical, Faith based-Patriotic private school, that her children attended Years ago. So I came home, looked at the fees times 6 and knew that my children wouldn't be able to go there and sadly gave up the idea. This liberal arts school was everything that I was trying to achieve for my children at home. The director has a degree in Law from BYU and completed studies at George Wythe-Everything I could ask for. As badly as I wanted it, it wasn't going to happen. Man! Six Children are expensive. At another Christmas party, my cousins wife was telling me her kids went there years ago and parents volunteered help to reduce the costs...this was my in!
I offered my services in whatever capacity and....We are in! The kids had their first week. I worked where was needed, from a Librarian, to cleaning walls and baseboards, to filing, to the front desk/secretary. There may come a time I will take a class and substitute. Can I just say...what a perfect arrangement! I am still there with my children and yet, I kind of have a job! I never wanted a job. I recognize that the most important work I can do is the work I do at home. However, this was the only way to get them in there. I consider myself fully devoted to my children and whatever is best for them. I always have.
It's crazy. The school is four days a week, because Monday is family day. So the days I work I have to have their uniforms ironed, washed and ready the night before. Lunch packed for 8 people-a healthy home made lunch at that. Dinner to prepare for each night and homework to oversee. Whew. It's a good tiring. Welcome to working momhood.
Kids are adjusting. The school is highly advanced and the kids will need to step up. It will be great to have someone else for them to answer to and impress with school work...maybe mom is too soft. The kids get to go to the math class of their level...so they don't feel frustrated amongst peers. This was a hardship for many people in school. This entire school adjusts by levels in math. Can I say, the spirit is so strong there. Patriotic pictures adorn the walls, with scripture quotes and pictures of Christ. Respect and reverence are accepted. I walk into a class and I hear "Good morning Mrs. Ericksen." in unisome while the children stand from their desks to greet me. I walk down the halls and the children address me the same. This place is incredible. I am privileged to be part of it and I am thankful for the like minded people I can work with. I honored and humbled that I can give my children the chance for an education of this magnitude. I am grateful for teachers who work harmoniously together to ensure proper principles and a love for learning are taught. I am grateful for Heavenly Father's direction...he always knows what is best for his children.