Sunday, August 20, 2006

Spiritual "re-lessons"

So lately I've been experiencing a lot of anger just under the surface ready to blow at any moment. I've been wrestling with myself, trying to figure out the root. I thought I had that thing licked...and there is the problem. I thought I had that thing licked.

Why, oh, why must we learn and re-learn the same lessons again and again? Why do we fall back into old habits, in my case, the habit of self-reliance. And I don't mean the good kind. I'm talking about the kind that puts us in bondage as we try to work our way to righteousness. The kind that smacks Christ in the face by saying "your sacrifice isn't good enough...I have to EARN my salvation". The kind that says "I can fix myself if I just try harder". Then as you fail miserably, you find yourself falling into the condemnation trap leading to self-absorption through pity parties and a "martyr" mentality. Why do we do the devil's work for him? We willingly put the chains on our own hands and feet. Ugh.

So once again I have to re-commit to cooperate with God in this process of making me into the image of Christ. Once again, I have to surrender my ideas and my will to His. Once again I am reminded that I cannot fix me or anyone/anything else.

Praise be to God for His infinite grace and His mercies that are renewed daily!

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

"Get it?"

Ethan has entered the "jokester" phase. He tells us jokes all day long. There are a few standards that go like this:
Knock-Knock
Who's there?
Boo.
Boo who?
Well, you don't have to cry about it.

And some that he makes up himself that go like this:
Why did the penguin cross the road?
To hide in the bushes.

But my favorite are the ones that go like this:
Mommy, after I go poopy, will you wipe my butt? Get it? Butt? (hilarious laughter ensues)

What have I learned? 1) That I have an extremely short list of pre-school jokes in my repertoire. Guess I need to get to the library. 2)I think he has my dad's sense of humor (no offense dad...you make me laugh. Usually) :) And 3) if you want to make a 4 year old boy almost wet himself laughing, just say any word having to do with potty functions (plus boogers) or the body parts involved. Ethan's newest favorite: butt crack. I just know that one's gonna bite me in mine one day... :)

Tuesday, August 8, 2006

Update on homeschooling...

As some of you know, at the moment I plan on homeschooling both boys(I say "at the moment" because I'm pretty sure I will despite my waffling on days when I just need to get away from my kids...). Not sure for how long, but the current state of public education (academics, socialization, world view, etc.) and the innocence and open-ness of my son's minds makes me realize the seriousness of the task ahead...to raise God-fearing, moral children who experience a relationship with Christ and learn to love Him. So, I feel until their character is a bit more "set", I want to lay a strong foundation at home.

This is not going to be easy. There are times that I miss a classroom full of smart-aleck 7th graders (believe it or not), not to mention the financial strain. God has provided some opportunities to fulfill both and I see the opportunities growing steadily. As I have networked with some homeschooling organizations and groups, I'm finding the demand for science teachers to be astounding! I have had 2 offers this year from groups I've never met asking me to be their coop science teacher and one who had already filled their class offering, but wanted to keep my info on hand for next year! Praise the Lord. It's not nearly as much money as I would be making full time in public school, but 1) I don't have to grade papers, 2)I'm around other homeschoolers for support 3) I get to teach lots of kids that are well-behaved, 4) it helps buy the groceries or put gas in the car (or it least it would have helped with the gas when I signed on 2 months ago...$3.00/gallon!!! HIGHWAY ROBBERY!!!!)

I also have come across a homeschooling accreditation organization that is (from what I have seen so far) WONDERFUL and they are giving me an opportunity to become a consultant for their families. I'm excited about this, but a bit nervous. I feel God has presented this to me, but also feel my own shortcomings...how can I "consult" another family when I've never done this myself? Guess that's where my professional training will come in handy.

Please keep us in prayer as we begin this journey. It's one thing to learn to trust in the Lord when it's just you. Another when it involves your spouse. And a completely different monster all together when it involves your offspring who are completely trusting you to make the right decisions for them. Add to that the keen awareness that they technically aren't MY kids...their HIS. Talk about feeling inadequate! I know in whom I believe. If He is leading, and I am following, then the details will take care of themselves.

Thursday, August 3, 2006

more pics





During the heat wave, some dear friends of ours discovered their air conditioner on the fritz. So, we all camped out at our house for the week-end. The kids had a blast (the adults had some fun, too!)






Noah likes to sit in his "big boy chair" and look at his books.













It's so funny to me how different Ethan and Noah can be. Ethan is cautious, Noah is fearless. Ethan DOES NOT like to get dirty. Noah finds a pile of black dirt and dives in. He looks a bit like the "Little Rascals" dog, doesn't he?


















I wish I could zoom up on Noah in this photo. This was his first petting zoo. His expression is priceless - he's never seen a goat before!













Noah has invented the "poor man's soccum-boppers"... (I promise this photo has not been staged, doctored, or otherwise encouraged by adults. He did this completely on his own!)













Ethan looks so cute in a tie! He's gonna drive the girls crazy when he's older!












This is one more pic from the Zoo. I thought it was cute... Ethan was trying to hold Noah's hand, but Noah isn't usually keen on that (only mommy or daddy's hand will do). We were riding the monorail 'cuz it was SO DARN HOT!!!