Homeschooling

This is one of the many adventures I never really saw coming or planned for..HOME SCHOOL. For what seems like a million reasons..Robert and I keep feeling compelled to teach our kids at home for now. As we put it..this is God's plan now..next year may change..but we feel sure that this is where God wants our family for this season. Now..that's all easy to say but let me tell you..for this Momma it's been quite a journey. You would think with an education degree and a slightly outgoing personality that nothing about this would be difficult..but I've really struggled with it. I admit this, because it's amazing to me how easy it seems to so very many. I've spent many a night stressing over how many sight words my kiddos know..did I cover what a constant was?..what if I miss the missing link between memorization and developmental thinking..do they really get it or did I go over that too quickly?? Will they socialize well, can they count by 2's or to 100 yet? Did I take into consideration science and history this week? I bought too much material to honestly admit on this post. I decided I had to take a dive and stay consistent even if I had no idea what I was doing and just go with what my head and heart felt was best for my blessings..I guess that's it. It amazes me how much responsibility I feel over the incredible gifts I've been given. I know they can go off the deep end no matter what you do..but if I can help it there will be mountains of Momma lessons that will keep his/her behind, mind and soul on the narrow and far away from that wide path. I pray that they will learn now by us and later will seek wisdom on their own..not mine but God's.
Back to homeschooling..well we started a full fledged schedule again, this time with loads of work to be done and I'll admit it was rough at first. We had always worked in booklets for preschool but a complete curriculum (multiple) was slightly overwhelming and being pregob-lets just say there were times that only a time with God and some awesome music kept me going -with the ever great Dr. Pepper..but now I must say..we have arrived:)..ok...well arrived at a happy school zone! I still have a ton to study for next week but day to day it's really becoming a blast! I'm seeing Johnathon reading sentences, Ms. Evelyn writing well, and even Alivia plays with her puzzles quietly after her work is done. Now everyone knows what I must be thinking..what about when Vivianne gets here?! Well my plan is to trust God..continue leaning on him and stay faithful. Saying it's easy..I know doing it is harder than tough. But..I've seen a glimmer of where my kids are headed -  towards wisdom..towards God..towards loving each other and I'm excited..that type of hope is what keeps me going when my eyes are crossed with lack of sleep and my body is giving out. Here are some pictures of our last day on the creation unit..it's titled What our God has Made - and hasn't He made such an abundance of incredible breathtaking creatures! Nature truly declares his glory!

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Honey, this one's for you...

Monday, May 14th 2012 We celebrated our 7th year of marriage. WOW! That seems so incredibly close to a decade:)...what was my life before you? As I sit here and have only a few moments of silence the thought that keeps running through my mind is do you have any idea of the true gift you are to me? I say this because as our daughter takes a bath and the other two holler for me, I realize how incredibly fast life is going and how much of our daily life can become survival and productivity of family, business and the constant strive to move forward. I am so thankful for this path..the one you and I only get to travel. For the people who love us and we love. Who have impacted our lives..but most of all my love.. I want you to know, my lover..my best friend..my partner...I couldn't nor would I want to do this life without you. You have seen the depths of who I am and have stayed;)...you're consistency of love and steadfastness keeps me steady in my emotional ups and downs and crazy remodel "let's do everything in one day" moments. You're hulkness keeps me feeling girly and small no matter what:). Your huge hands are always there to hold mine as we walk and talk and travel this life together side by side. I love falling for you again and again. Your big brown eyes do that to me. Thank you for fighting with me..for staying here physically, mentally and spiritually..for fighting for me..for sticking it out to see the mountain tops and for leading me through the valleys. A decade sounds like a lord of the rings trip...but the I know our  journey will pass so quickly that we will soon be 80 watching our babies having babies. I so look forward to every moment, every kiss, every part of this adventure with you. I love you love. Happy 7th Honey!

Super Heroes - Are We Ready?

So I'm pretty late getting back into the swing of things. These were taken right after Neewollah - our small towns version of Halloween. My new years promise to my hubby and kiddos is to blog again..so here we go. What can I say..Robert has always loved Captain America - his favorite super hero by far and when we went to the Disney store and saw a Johnathon sized costume..well it just majorly escalated from there:)! So..here is my super hero family. As I think about what kind of hero my son is going to grow up to be and as he and my daughter race around our house yelling spiderman I wonder..what am I setting them up for? Good vs. Evil. Good always wins right? I look at the state of our nation, the state of the world and I think how does that look now..is good really winning? Yet deep inside me cries..YES! We will win.....because God word says so and I believe...yes I believe. For Super heros are made during hard times..not easy ones. We don't need captain america when we're all doing great. We need heros during times when things are dark and dim. We need someone to show compassion when they shouldn't, to care whenever it's easier to be selfish, to sacrifice when it is hardest. A super hero is one who isn't revealed until the going gets tough...because that's where true character is shown. For now..my kiddos will fly around the house..walk up the fridge and try amazing stunts to show their super hero skills. What they don't know is the true super hero is being built inside them every day. Their character honed by the word of God and cradled in my and Robert's arms will be developed and will be eventually tested of my little warriors. What a challenge for my husband and I. I pray that as things crash around us..we might all stand up be Super heroes..to do the right thing no matter the cost..to show compassion when none is deserved..to work hard when it doesn't make sense or doesn't pays off..to love the unlovable..to give until there is nothing left...to fight when it looks dark and dim..for we will win (and honestly even if we didn't I'd rather live and die working to be an awesome super hero than live less).

Finger Painting God's World

This is one of those days I want to etch in my brain so that when trials come my way I can use these moments as a constant reminder of how faithful, loving and gracious our God is. We started by finger painting obviously and the joy that brings out is just so incredibly precious! My Evelyn is just one constant glow! Johnathon is getting so talented and mature...the kid after a few minutes noticed his hands were getting dirty..therefore the colors were mixing..so he went inside to wash his hands by himself. Alivia is just a blast! So much personality! Her little nose wrinkle has got to be the cutiest facial expression I have ever seen! Later we played in my son's castle (fort on our playground) and Johnathon bravely fought off the wolfs so that I and his sisters were safe! What a hero he is turning out to be! Evelyn is brave, loyal, compassionate and a beauty. I pray daily that her future husband cherishes the absolute incredible gift he will get with my baby girl. Alivia is so grown up..I have a feeling she will be my first doing everything and always pushing herself to do more! She talks as clear as my other two and is by far more decisive and driven..that in an 18 month old body is fun, frustrating at times and a joy to be blessed with raising. What an incredible adventure we've been given...what a blessing it is to serve to Lord..there is no harder job, nor another one that I would want more than to effect eternity in raising my kids to Love the Lord and Lead others to Him.

Blizzard - Day 1 Lesson One

We took the kids out for a few moments today and they loved it..well what kids don't love snow that you can literally lose yourself in! It is beautiful! My husband had Asia pulling the kiddos with the sled and it was precious! She did a fantastic job!

On another note, my husband is just amazing. We went out today and he must have pushed or pulled at least 7 cars out of the snow and then drove another family to the hospital. This family was walking in the blizzard carrying a 3 year old to the hospital. Can you imagine? Robert noticed them walking - pulled over immediately and loaded them up in our car before I could even turn around to see the situation. They'd been walking for a while and who knows how many people had passed by. It just completely broke our hearts. I think so often we have become a society in which we are not connected physically to each other. By this I mean we are great at communicating and caring online because it's easy, but when we see people our first reaction is not immediate care. I hate to admit it but I sometimes wonder when the situations come up, is it safe... will they be offended if I offer...should I stop and help..OF COURSE I SHOULD STOP AND HELP!! I can't imagine what Christ feels when we act this way to each other.I know that is why today I fell in love with my husband all over again. His compassion just amazes me. He doesn't think twice when someone needs help in situations like these, he just does. And that is what Christ would do..meet the need, show love..compassion..grace. I am challenged today by this, that we may become people who see each other and step out of our comfort zones to meet needs, draw closer to one another and demonstrate Christ. What an Awesome day.