Teaching my children about guns

Today for the first time in about 20 years I shot a gun . Yes shocking ! We have a glock 19 we have had since we got married . When I lived in ga I actually had a CW . See I grew up shooting guns. My parents had 357mags and 44 mags and some shotguns .
I remember them being loud . We shot them in the back yard . We didn't have ear or eye protection . How unsafe!


After my oldest got mobile I sort of became a anti gun mom. I was terrified of my spirited child getting to the gun. So I told their dad no more .

When I had my first boy I was determined her wouldn't 'play with toy guns' or be exposed to any 'violence' well I tried ...but before long he was making the 'pu pu pu' sounds . Using his fingers and then sticks . Sigh ! What did I do wrong?'

So as he got older I just told him not to point his pretend gun at people or animals . That guns kill and it's against our beliefs to kill .

Mothers of boys know what I mean! I have been so terrified of having my son grow up to be a killer ! I do believe we live in a desensitized world . And sadly let's face it the majority of the mass killings are by males .

I have been back and forth with whether to teach my kids safe gun usage .
I am very pro life . I believe natural conception to natural death . I do not believe in the death penalty . Yea I'm sure this will anger many .

Some argue we should trust in God to protect . I do! But I find myself thinking with the world as it is and gun rights being threatened , I should teach my children proper safe gun usage . I showed them the hunter safety class online . I have been explaining more and I got the glock out and disassembled it . I went over proper handling of guns , we treat them all as if they are loaded . We point them at the ground and do not put your finger on the trigger until ready to fire the weapon .

A few months ago i joined a FOP outdoor range . It wasn't very expensive . Yet ammo is super expensive and very hard to find ! A local catholic dad was very generous and gave me a few boxes of ammo . For that I am so grateful .

So today I took a few of the older kids and met up with another couple that has several guns and a CW . They were so kind showed me how to use the glock and worked with the kids . Teaching proper usage .
I was scared but not too much . It was so loud! Even with ear protection . But I did it .
Ethan shot more than me I think . Ansely just fired a couple and Tat fired one .she didn't like it . That's ok . I wanted her to try it .
I'm hoping and praying they now know how serious guns are and how powerful they are . Until today they only saw them in a few movies , like Courageous .

I need more practice of course . I would never kill anything or anyone . I do trust God with my whole heart . Lets face it the times we live in are awful . I'm blessed to live in a relatively safe area . We have a big dog that alerts us to anything .
I just feel its time to be prepared . I wouldn't shoot to kill anyone . But I guess in all honesty I don't know because I will protect my children no matter what . I pray to God I don't ever have to.
Here are a few photos from today .

Space Shuttle Atlantis Artifacts

This morning we went out early to watch a rocket booster (I think) from the space shuttle Atlantis as it made its way up the intracoastal waterway. On the way to a museum with the space shuttle.
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/wingsofdreams.html

My doula blog

I decided to start another blog. Called Graceful Beginnings Doula. My doula website I had up somehow was lost. While I am great on the computer....Web page set up is not something I am good at. I need to find someone to set up a website for me. I know some use a blog as their website...So if any of you can help please let me know. I cannot afford much right now.

Here is the link http://gracefulbeginningsdoula.blogspot.com/

Healing, injuries and a long birth

It has been a couple of weeks since I posted. One reason was just coping with my poor Sebastian's injuries, the chin and his head were just a bit much for me to cope with. Not to mention losing sleep because my poor boy HAD to sleep on top of me. He would not sleep on his head with the staples in. A friend and her husband came over and helped (basically removed) the staples last week. While it was rough we did it. Now I have been working hard to keep him as safe as I can. He is such a active boy. SO far the injuries seem to have taught him to be less crazy... He hasn't been jumping on the bed and throwing his body into the walls. I am awaiting a consult with child find next week for his speech and a few other concerns. We will see how it goes. I am not too thrilled with the referral I got....I wanted to go to Nemours.....I will give this a go first and go from there.

I also had a last minute doula client a week and half ago. IT was a great birth , warrior momma but it was LONG. I was with her for 28 hours. She was in labor 38 hrs. I was EXHAUSTED. Then ended up fighting off a cold I think. AND I NEVER get sick.

This weeks fun has been my washer has been leaking, a lot apparently it smells musty. Luckily I have a great landlord. She had me go to Home Depot today and pick out new washer. I had a repair come yesterday and said the washer was not in good shape and also had a few dangerous burned wires....So as my MOUNTAIN of laundry builds....Hope to have a washer by Saturday.

I am also healing, inside. Or I am trying to. I feel so alone a lot. One friend is going thru a difficult time  and she is moving away. But she is also closing me out it seems. Everyone more than likely. I have been on FB less. I am over the drama...But stay connected for my 'business' and a my virtual catholic homeschool friends. More and more I feel like "friends" are not really friends. I feel like I am always there for people when they call me or need something. But except for FB sadly I feel alone. It is hard to explain and friends reading my blog I hope not to offend. While our virtual world is easier at times. It is not as "friendly" I miss having a friend that I can go to her house and hangout with my kids, bake or just sit and talk. I moved away from one of my best friends in 2004. We still keep in touch somewhat. But it has gotten less and less. AS she has  closer friends etc. She is my children's God mother. We will always be connected. I just miss our friendship like it was. When I first moved here I seemed to have a few friends In the HS group. Now NO one calls me. Just today my daughter told me several were getting together and having dinner together ...I NEVER get invited to come over with my children and hang out. I hear about parties, birthday parties and such and me or my children have not been invited. I mean these 'friends' know what a difficult time I have been going thru. They are Catholic and Christian. It is just hurtful and I do not know why. I mean I am not a needy person.
 I always put myself out there for others. Maybe it is time to stop. I am a very giving person. Yea I guess I am having a pitty party tonight. Maybe I expect too much from others. Maybe I should move away and start a new life.

Not for the Weak ...two ER visits

I have a lot to post but right now an update of sorts . Sebastian on march 16 busted his chin playing on a skateboard . He got two stitches but needed more . I went to the local hospital and it was very traumatic . I helped hold him . The nurse could not handle it. The dr didn't use numbing gel just started jabbing the needle in his poor lacerated chin . I kept calm but was furious . Made him stop after two .
I removed them after he nursed to sleep 6 days later .

Then tonight he was apparently rough housing with Ethan . And got knocked into the entertainment center . I was getting ready as I was suppose to go meet an new doula client . Which I had to cancel . I'm praying she holds out a few days as she is 40 weeks!
I took Sebastian to the children's hospital this time . A normal hour away took. And hour and a half due to rush hour .
The ER was insane . Full of sick people with puke bags . I'm praying we don't catch it . I rubbed thieves on our hands and feet!
The dr was really nice . She let him lay on his tummy on my tummy and I held him on me. It wasn't easy . It was still difficult . My poor baby got 4 staples in his head . Please pray this doesn't result in a tbi . I'm so Leary of head injuries now .

I will post photos in order .