Secrets of a mother to 9

Posted on by JustAskMaia

I have no idea what to blog but I felt compelled to get on anyway. Perhaps it is my slight guilt of not being able to keep in contact via blog. Or maybe it is the fact that I am bored out of my mind.

I do have a confession though. Although I am an established business owner and serial entrepreneur, I have never want to be either. What I have always wanted was to help people and to be rich. I just found a way to incorporate my wants with people’s needs. I REALLY want to be rich though. Just kidding. I am rich. No but for real, I love helping people reveal to themselves, maybe even for the first time they deepest most hidden goals. The smiles on their faces when this comes to fruition is priceless. I love it. I love seeing people smile and be happy. Happiness drowns out so much pain and sorrow its like a drug, but legal, I don’t know how long it will be legal but its legal none-the-less.

What I have always wanted to do is start a shelter. Not just any type of shelter but a shelter with long term assistance both in and out. I never understood the concept of having to check out at the crack of dawn at a shelter. I mean it is very commendable that you give so many broken and lost individuals a place to lay their heads but then what? It would seem to me that you are simply keeping your business funded. You get funding by need. Homeless people need somewhere to rest at night. The end. But what are you doing to assist them with getting back on their feet? Getting a job? Going back to school even? I suppose with that type of assistance you wouldn’t have many people needing you after too long, so you simply give them a cot, a sheet, and a pillow. I am in no way attempting to knock the efforts of these places, I am simply saying, people need more help.

I speak from experience. I have been there, hell, I’m just about there right now with my family while we await the closing of our home. But, I know my hearts desires will be met soon and you can volunteer if your heart is in the right place.

That’s all.

-Rush
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Family vacation my FOOT!

Posted on by JustAskMaia

So I have been off of here for a few days and there is so much that I would like to share with you guys, my thoughts, interactions, and goings-ons, that I am going to have to post a few blogs tonight just to catch up.

Let us start with this “family vacation” we have recently gone on……..

I do not even know where to start but let me first say that whoever came up with the term FAMILY vacation was obviously delusional in every aspect of the matter. At no point during our trip to Myrtle Beach did I feel or have the remote inkling that I was on vacation. There was nothing that I did that said vacation. I will admit though that everything said, family.

We were blessed to be able to get a room for a very reasonable rate that had a kitchenette in it. There was a pool right outside our door and the beach was like a 45 second walk. The customer service was awesome. The keep was exceptionally pleasant and I even messed up a plate and they did not charge me for it (mostly due to the fact that I was honest and brought it to their attention first). The best part is they were a family and couples only hotel which meant everyone was civilized and respectful of one another. The best part was they never one time turned their noses up or turned us down once they found out that we have 9 children; this is especially a rarity for us when we travel.

Now, the trip. While I felt very extended while away because i was not only doing the same everyday things that I do at home, I had to do them in tighter living quarters and if you know me you would know that I hate clutter and cluttered situations but I digress for the good of the trip. I still had to get up and cook breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I still taught school and created daily lessons, I still worked for one of my clients (which I will not do ever again), and I still had to pack, unpack, and clean. This has brought me to the sad conclusion that no matter where I am I will always be slave, er, I mean mom.

My children are spoiled to the max and I am okay with that sometimes; on vacation is NOT one of those times.

I am just whining. Although I still felt like the nanny-cook-housekeeper-slave, the smiles and enjoyment from my children makes it all worth it. We went to the beach that my children beg to go to all the time but when we get there, they remember that they are deathly afraid of the water. The laughter I get from that alone makes the trip worthwhile. Lol. Likewise with the pool. Sai almost drowned in 3 feet even though he is 4 foot 2 inches tall. I laughed so hard at his dramatics that I almost forgot to save him (so his brother jumped in to do it). I kept yelling stand up but he was too busy being dramatic. And before you flood me with the fact that it is possible for him to drown in three feet while being over four feet tall, yes, I am well aware of that but if you knew Sai you would totally see why it was funny.

In the end (and even some parts of during) I did thoroughly enjoy the trip <—— (notice I didn’t say vacation). It was fun plus I got to hit some cool Thrift Stores on the way home.

 

-Rush

Lost in a relationship.

Posted on by JustAskMaia

No. My relationship is not in trouble, just a few thoughts I have been pondering from watching other people.

There are several things that turn a relationship sour. There is not a top of the list and no one thing that is better or worse than the other. I believe all of these issues are attributable to the demise of a relationship. I have been in relationships where some of these were a factor and I have been in a relationship that possessed all of them…stupid ex. But after all the tears and anger, I managed to come out stronger than I thought I ever would and I am able to consult and encourage those who are. Alas, as much as I dislike what I was taken through in life I owe my success to it. Pay attention because this is free advice that I normally charge $50 an hour for. I, at this point, am just tired of seeing our black men badger our black women on their big mouths and bad attitudes; their lack of subordination and respect. I am also tired of seeing our black women badger our black men on their inconsistencies and inabilities to keep them happy; Their lazy and selfish ways. Both sides are angry and both sides are hurt and I think it about time we meet at the round table to discuss our issues and the roots that plague us.

Lets start with the list. [Lack of] communication, respect, compassion, and honesty. The root; poor upbringing from our parent’s poor upbringing from their parent’s poor upbringing, etc.

How many of us can honestly say that our parent(s) taught us about being a good mate? How many have discussed it with us that it is important to not carry the aforementioned characteristics? Even the more, how many of us had examples of what a healthy two parent household relationship should look like? There is your root that is more than likely their root and so on.

We forget that we are one people. Men want to be able to come home and relax. They want a good meal and conversation. They want to be able to unload and unwind from the struggles, worries, pains, and injustices of their day. They want to be held and told that everything will be alright. They want to feel at home. But here is the kicker.. So do women. We forget that we face the same issues in our daily lives, its just painted differently. We do not know how to communicate that to each other. Your wife does not want to nag you to death, she wants you to understand that she had a rough day too. and when neither one can civilly communicate with each other they search elsewhere for someone who will let them release. We do not respect that we both go through the same trials in life just trying to get ahead. We are so angry at the world that we get angry at each other for not being there. We are not honest with one another. When something is bothering you tell her/him, don’t just say ‘nothing’ or ‘I’m fine’, that is dishonesty. Learn to pour your heart out to the person you pour your soul into during intimacy. You are one, how can you be mad at yourself and never seek to resolve the issue. LISTEN. Don’t just hear the words and wait to interject your opinion/disagreement by taking mental ‘get-back’ notes. What your mate has to say needs to be heard because they are worth it. Aren’t they?

By not respecting one another and being there for one another we are continuing the cycle of our own extinction. It is a hard journey for us all but just because you hurt on the left and I hurt on the right does not make my pain any less important than yours. It starts with a conversation and continues on by passing the gathered information.

So who’s going to meet me at the round table? There is plenty of room.

 

-Rush

usies

Day two of Homeschooling

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Today was a lot more structured and a lot more hectic. We bypassed the morning outing because the Homeschooling family we were to meet up with had to reschedule for tomorrow but now, after today, I think I may have to reschedule because I am beat.

Seeing as though we had a very laid back first day, I thought I had it all in the bag. I spend weeks planning and days organizing. I spent hundreds of dollars on necessities and maybe necessities, books, paper, boards, writing utensils, books, memberships for learning paraphernalia only to realize I was not even close to as organized as I should be. However, I managed to roll with the punches and get everyone on a set agenda for the day. By 2:00 I had an entirely new revamped layout and platform created and realized I needed to spend a couple more hundred dollars which we later did, mainly at the dollar store…THE DOLLAR STORE! Okay, I did get a twix but don’t judge me.

While I managed to get my two 4 year olds (no, not twins) on track with letter recognition and numbering, my kindergartner her dolch word list, I set my fifth grader up with States and Capitals for social studies and triple digit adding and subtracting for math and my tenth grader up with Civil War studies, Distance Formulas, and started reading Up From Slavery; Keeping my three and two year old occupied was where my challenges were really met. So, While I feel like I may have the others adjusted, my little Littles were running around without proper parental supervision. (McRush was outside fixing his car). It is nothing new with these two almost three almost four tiny people, This is an everyday adventure. I call my three and four year old chip and dale, no nasties not THAT chip and dale. The chip and dale cartoon characters from when we were young. Those two keep me on my toes. They are either arguing or conspiring  to tear the house up. They keep me laughing but they are training Chucktown and TamMan to follow in their footsteps and I think I  may run away. I just cannot with those two, I friggin love them.

All in all, today was a great day. The best part was watching my son get his ‘ah-ha’ moment with distance formulas. That has been a math area he has never been able to comprehend despite him being an honors student in all of his advanced classes. I saw the happiness in his eyes when he finally got it. I was so excited I almost cried. I was able to see my baby hit a goal and it was amazing. He wasn’t all the way on board with homeschooling but after today, he does not want to go to school. He was able to grasp, in nine minutes, what he was unable to understand his entire school year. It is like I have been saying all along, especially when it comes to Say who has an IEP plan (after 4 years of begging the district), If a child is not able to learn the way you are teaching then it is very well possible that you need to change the way you teach, at least to the ones who do not get it.

I hope I am able to encourage my readers in many ways, one of them being empowered to believe in yourself to homeschool your babies. I have not veered away from encouraging you to start your own business either so don’t thing I will stop blogging about that because I won’t.

I love you guys, I just want everyone to live the life they always wanted to. Life can be beautiful as soon as you believe in you the way I do.

 

-Rush
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Welp, Today I managed

Posted on by JustAskMaia

Today was the first day of Rush Academics. For me it started last night as I continued to do the last minute things to assure everything was in order. After reading and studying I finally managed to climb in the bed at around 1:30 a.m. just to find out I was completely restless until about 3. my punishment for this late night partying fiesta; I overslept. I didn’t wake up until 7:30 because I kept hitting the snooze button on my alarm from 5:15. So, not only did I wake up late for school, I also missed my morning worship and empowerment call. Never-the-less I did get started with our day, just later than I had anticipated.

Since I didn’t wake up early enough to get started the way I planned, I decided to forgo the entire plan for the day and make it and easy first day. We packed up and went to the Firehouse Museum in Tanger where we learned the importance of fire safety and exit strategies. we a lot toured the museum and got to view and learn about fire trucks dating back to 1857. The children were able to make their own badges, take pictures and ride in a fire truck simulator.

When we came home we just did some refresher work. The littles worked on phonics, alphabet recognition, rhyming, and manners. I figure tomorrow we will get a little more structured, as planned and increase in difficulty there. I have to say, not shabby for our first day, I was able to learn some new things along with them which was nice. The best part is, Biz, whom absolutely LOVES going to school told me she loved homeschooling. That was nice.

The best part is that I am able to freely implement a Christian base to their academics. Todays focus is Daniel Chapter 1. Once I find our rhythm I will post our schedule for those who are wondering.

Tomorrows morning trip will be to Wannamaker Park, we have a homeschooling play date!

Now as the children wind down and I finished cooking dinner, I am working on a clients social media package. Yes, you know I stay busy!

-Rush

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iRush

Posted on by JustAskMaia

tomorrow is the first day of school for my homeschoolers and I am so nervous yet excited. I am nervous because I want to be great and I want them to be great. I want them to understand the reasoning behind my decision to homeschool.

McRush is a little leery but I am not surprised. He supports me in every big idea or plan, plot, or twist I conjure up on any given day but he is always leery. I am an adventurer,  a go getter just because while he has to analyze and ponder upon it being sure to calculate what could happen at any given moment. Me, I just want to do it, all in, whatever ‘it’ may be.

I will say this, though, I have a new found respect for teachers. No matter how much I plan, I feel like I am missing something. And no matter how many times I perfect it, I still feel like I am going to miss something. But, no matter how I feel about missing a beat, I am super excited to get started.

It has been a busy couple of days because I have a couple new contracts and one of my other clients is getting the runaround with her website host so I have to get to the bottom of that. I have integrated more bible study into my daily regime so I have been feeling a lot more empowered. It is very important to take time out to spend time with your God of understanding. (I saw a friend on facebook say that and thought that was a perfect way to speak to the masses regardless of their belief).

I plan on incorporating my homeschooling journey into my blogs for those who follow and would like to know how it is before jumping into it because there are a lot of questions I did not know needed to be asked but people who have cared enough about me and my family were kind enough to offer advice that I am grateful to have received, so I would love to pass it on to someone else.

I have decided not to go with a public school platform but, instead, I would like to free teach my children. I intend on teaching them a level up from where they are so that the can stay a little bit ahead in the event they return, I do not have to worry about their comprehension.

SN

Yesterday I had a six and a half minute staredown with Beara. That little girl is me all over. Although I eventually won because she was more concerned with eating her Nerds than winning, I am sure I have not seen the last of her staredowns.

(Beara is Sara for those who do not know, but only I call her that)

There is TamMan, ChuckTown, Beara, Ty, Moni, Biz, Donte, Say, Bree and of course McRush (My=M, Crush=C + Rush=McRush) and then there is me, Maia. and we are iRush #RushBunch

-Rush