Time Revealed

Today, as many of you know, is a special day to me. Not only is it the day that I entered this world, it is also the beginning of the end of winter. Sharing my birthday with the rebirth of the Earth after a long cold winter has alway seemed to escape my attention. I have known for quite some time that winter is my least favorite season, eventhough I do respect and ackowledge it's importance in our ecosystem. But this year, I feel like my eyes and heart have been opened to experience this day from a fresh perspective. For the past year, I have noticed all of the signs that time has been catching up to me physically (i.e., laugh lines, sprinkled gray hair, general aches and pains). This has been a gradual process, but it seems like this year I have taken more notice (and offense) at the accumulated affect. But today I am reminded that while I am one year older, like the Earth, I am also one year closer to experiencing perfection. Our Earth is also experiencing the accumulated affects of age, wrecklessness and selfishness. Every winter, the Earth attempts to renew itself, but falls just a little bit short year after year. But there will come a time when the Earth and everyone who believes in Jesus Christ will be renewed to their God-created, perfect state. On this day, I believe that, while my body may be growing older, my heart has inflated infinitely by the Holy Spirit. The short time I will spend in my earthly body does not compare to eternity as a heavenly vessel. My birthday prayer is that God would renew your spirit and grant you a glimpse of perfection today, as he has done for me.

God's Blessings

For the past 6 months I have been wrestling with some very big issues. It is amazing how God brings about the answers in His time, and it all happened in ONE week! I feel so excited about the future that I can't hold it in!

First of all, I have been trying to decide if I was going to be able to pull off homeschooling Seth in Kindergarten, when I know nothing about educating early grades. (Plus keep Lukah and Alayna busy so we could work!) In the past two weeks, God has shown me that He has given me the ability and confidence to work with Seth and Lukah and Alayna. Itall started when I bought the Leap Frog learning video collection (Letter Factory, Talking Words Factory, et.). Within 2 weeks, all three of them are reciting the sounds and names of all of the letters. Seth has also been working with Headsprout for a few months. Just recently I've see it all come together as he has started reading and writing words all over the place! I also picked up a math curriculum, and since doing just 2 lessons AND watching the Leap Frog Math Circus, he is doing addition and patterns easily. I don't mean to boast my accomplishments at all. On the contrary, we could not have done anything without God's help. But it hasn't just been Seth's progress that has given me confidence. I set up a "school" table in the dining room, and since then, Lukah and Alayna have been "working" right along with Seth. Lukah doesn't like to be helped or taught, but he listens all the time and catches everything that I do with Seth. He has been cutting out all kinds of shapes, writing his name, sounding out letters, drawing pictures of people and houses (which he wasn't doing before) and doing math with Seth. Alayna sits and colors with us or cuts out "pictures", but she is picking things up too. All of this to say that I am confident that this is what God wants for us.

Secondly, ever since Zach and Dylan "switched" so they could be with their dad during the week and go to school in Marion, I have prayed that God would give the situation direction, and that I would follow His will. For 3 years now, they have gone to school in Marion, but they have decided they would like to switch the situation back, so they could go to school here again. I'm glad they had the time with their dad, because I think that is so important, especially for boys, to bond with their dad. But I won't lie, I missed them like crazy all week! It will be an adjustment for everyone to get used to busy weeks, and missed rec time on the weekend, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

Finally, God opened the door to financial opportunities that have allowed us to relieve some burden from our lives. Granted, these are burdens we have brought on ourselves, but God has shown endless grace in helping us remove these burdens once again. Knowing that I will be able to stay home through next year in order to provide the education my children deserve is beyond thrilling to me!

I hope God is also showing his endless mercy and grace in your life as well. It is so hard to accept sometimes, because I am so undeserving! Have a blessed week!

Life at Home

It has been quite a while since I've posted updates. I have been watching for a moment that would inspire me to write, but I think life has been flying by so fast that I haven't caught any moments lately!

The past couple of weeks I have been putting in extra hours with Tiffin, closing out one term and getting another one ready to go. I have to admit, eventhough it accentuates my nerdiness, I LOVE it! I love being able to combine my love of teaching, with my technological skills and my need to be home right now.

I have also been working with Seth, Lukah and Alayna on some simple preschool activities. I need to see if I can do this steadily for the next couple of months before I make a commitment to homeschool Seth next year. So far it is going well. Seth is doing an online reading program called Headsprout (www.headsprout.org), where he is learning how to read quickly! I also found an entire Hooked on Math curriculum set at a Once Upon a Child for $24! I initially bought it for my Sister in Law, who is homeschooling her son Noah. But Seth saw it on the table and insisted we do it. I sat down with him, Lukah and Alayna one morning and before long, all three of them were picking up math facts. (Lukah did very well because a large part is set to music, which he picks up very easily.)

So between working from home, preschooling, carting kids around the state and trying to keep the house somewhat clean, I stay pretty busy. But I have to say, this is one of the best times of my life. I'm truly enjoying my time with the kids and my ability to work my brain at the same time. God has truly blessed me!

The Phone Call

Alayna - 2 years old (February 08)--------------------- Alayna - 3 years old (February 09)

Yesterday, I was outside playing baseball with the Seth and Lukah. They just can't wait for warmer weather, and 38 with a windchill of about 25 was warm enough for them. Unfortunately, Alayna was not willing to brave the cold to be a cheerleader for her brothers, so she chose to be inside. After a few minutes, I heard "Mooooommmmmmmyyyyyy" coming from the house. Alayna opened the door and said something about the phone. I figured she had answered the phone and I needed to come and take it, but when I came in, the phone was not off the hook. She said, "Mommy, she said she will talk to me soon and then the phone said meeeee...meeeee...meeeee....meeeeee." I asked who it was and she said, "I don't know, Sierra Suzie?" (Sierra is her friend and Suzie is grandma.)

As we approach Alayna's 3rd birthday on Friday, I have been thinking of all of the changes and growth I've seen in her. I don't take time to pay attention to her daily changes, but when I look at the giant leaps she has made in the last 12 months, I am astounded. I wonder if God does the same thing, or if He is able to appreciate our small changes as we make them. Every day I wake up hoping to make a good impression on God. By the time my head hits the pillow, I count how many times I failed and disappointed Him. But as I think of Alayna's past year, I realize that I am not remembering all of the times she disappointed or frustrated me, I remember the positive growth and change. This gives me hope and reminds me to focus and pay attention to the small changes I make every day, because that is what He is smiling about.

Lukah's Latest

Last night:

Daddy- So what did you do today Lukah?

Lukah - We played at church and ate McDonald's at the Shasteen's.

Daddy - What else did you do?

Lukah - We went to the store to get cards for you.

Daddy - What kind of cards?

Lukah - I can't tell you, it's a secret!

Swimming at the YMCA

Seth has always been a very strong swimmer. I can't remember a time he was afraid of the water. In fact, when he was 1 or 2, I had to put a life jacket on him whenever we were near water, because he would just jump in without regard to safety!

Although this past summer he has learned how to float and be an independent swimmer, he was afraid to go in the deep end of the pool at the YMCA without a "floatie" on because of how dark the water is. He didn't understand that he'd float the same as if he was in the 4 feet where he can't stand!

Well, last weekend, we had a breakthrough. Zach and Dylan were swimming in the deep end, so, of course, Seth wanted to follow. He started out swimming with Zach, but soon realized that it was actually the same as the shallow end and became independent. He began imitating the older boys diving and within minutes (and a few pointers from mom), was diving with the best of them! I mean he was getting up on the starting blocks and jumping up and diving like he had been doing it his whole life! I wish I could take credit for his achievement, but he really just watches and does it himself.

I wish following Christ were this easy for me. I feel like I try and fail so many times that I'm going to go under and not come back up. I'm so glad I have people around me to watch me and pull me back to safety when I need it. I have recently realized that living in Christ is the most challenging undertaking of my life (yes, even behind parenthood). Fortunately, I believe that one day I will also receive the greatest reward for my efforts... eternity.

Pet Store Trip

We took Bailey, our 3 year old dog, to Petsmart today. Lukah was looking at the animals in the glass. He looked in one with surprise and said "Hey, Look! There is a big GIANT Pinny Gig!"

It has been quite an eventful week! We were able to spend some extra time with friends, Sierra and Micah, and cousin, Elijah. On Thursday, we got to meet our newest friend, Shiloh Hope, the Shasteen's newest addition. All five kids were able to hold her and peek at her.

Luckily, we are on a sports break right now, so we have little running around to do at the moment. I'm just working on figuring out TU's system and teaching at a different level (and through a different medium). I really enjoy it though! I have quite a variety of students, from Native American Reservations to soldiers serving in Iraq, and everything in between.

Scott has decided to coach 8th grade football at Shelby next year. He's excited to be able to connect with the kids and stay involved in the game, but at the same time taking less time from the family.

Hope everyone has a great week!