My little loves

It's not about flaunting, it's about passion!

The title of this blog may be a little deceiving...what seems like a glimpse into the romance that happens under our roof is actually a play on words! It all started yesterday at homeschool group at Kati's house. I was so excited to hand out $5 tshirts and $1 bumper stickers (homeschool themed) to Sophia's playgroup friends. While these cute gifts were much welcomed from my friends, my hubby had a different kind of feeling about them. He proceeded to tell me we weren't going to put the sticker on the car. I was crushed. Here I ordered them, all my friends are going to sport "homeschoolers on board" proudly on their cars and I'm not allowed to do it! Clint had 2 reasons for this 1. My motive was selfish-I am flaunting that we home school 2. The sticker was lame
So we tackled reason one, I am passionate about this phase of my life and I want to appeal to others. It has nothing to do with "throwing it" it someones face anymore than a religious or hobby related bumper sticker would. I won that argument. Now to take down reason #2 the logo is gay! Clint seemed to think something along the lines of "my homeschooler can beat up your honor student" would be funnier or "truant on purpose". I was thinking of something cute and heartwarming to exemplify how I feel. Oh men just think differently about these things than we do. This is one of those times I am going to do what I want dog gone it! If he isn't careful my sticker might read something feminine like "Mom is my teacher save the apple and bring the chocolate!" Well ladies its time to sign off all this talk about passion has given me an idea!

What's for dinner tonight honey?

I was asked this by my sweet husband who has no clue about how much multitasking it takes to sit down with Sophia for our 2nd day of homeschooling (our 1st day was Saturday because I wanted to go to the mall today!) while I am nursing Ezra and trying to keep Ava from falling off the table (as she crawls around the candelabras watching sissy sort manipulatives by size, shape and color.) My plan started out as tri-tip and baked potatoes but soon became nachos and pluots. The girls thought this was great since they participated in making their own, the hubby? Well, he decided to have soup for dinner! So this is my new life not really any different except now I have a little more purpose as a mom, an added bounce in my step, and a joy I cannot explain. So I thank the LORD and give him praise because today I am obeying and carrying out His will.
I did get my first criticism today while at Gottschalks. While looking at bin full of bras which Ava proudly refers to as "boobies goes in dare" an older women asked me why Sophia wasn't in school. While I was so excited to admit we are a homeschooling family, she didn't hesitate to tell me she agrees with the law that all homeschooling moms should be credentialed as she looked at my entourage in disgust. I was so flustered and tongue tied I didn't know what to say, so I let her walk away. Moments later I thought of a hundred things to say like "you know, you would look a lot better with some concealer and lipstick" but that would have been going for the jugular. The moral of the story is that sometimes God humbles me by making me speechless so I don't instinctively contradict myself as a Christian mom while trying to model Christ like behavior for my children!

"Shouldn't she be in school today?"

Okay, Okay so I have to selfishly admit this is my favorite day of the year and will be as long as we are a homeschooling family. The day before school starts. I am in the best position you see, because I am thrilled everyone else is sending their children to school so the aisles at Target are less cluttered, and the mall will only be infiltrated with cute babies, preschool aged kids and my adorable little lovie-kins. This excludes all of my wonderful friends' little heirs. Meanwhile when the teachers are struggling with 30 students I will be sitting down with my sweet Sophia spending quality one on one time for about 40 minutes just like the old days when she was hooked up to me receiving nourishment, love, and the best life had to offer...except now she will be holding a pencil and I will be leaving my bra on!
I thank my LORD everyday for the conviction, desire and pleasure he gave me to love my children at home while they learn. Though I know there will be days ahead of uncertainty, monotony, and doubtfulness, I believe Paul in Philippians 1:6 who reassures us to
"be confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." This is the role I have been given in my children's lives, they are to be the focus of my ministry right now...and my mission field? Well none other than our schoolhouse on Silver Crown Avenue, our home with an elevation of 6000 ft in Alta Sierra, Homeschool Support Group on Tuesdays, Enrichment with Valley Oaks on Wednesdays, the occasional field trip and where ever our educational adventure takes us!

Wanted: Flu Bug Exterminator

Towels, tshirts, sheets and nightgowns...what do these things have in common? How about an invitation to my washing machine filled with hot water, double the soap needed, and a few cup fulls of clorox bleach! Yes the dreaded flu bug hit our house yesterday afternoon but so far has only claimed one victim, the weakest of all...Ezra! This little guy is old enough to tell me "owie mommy" while pointing to his mouth but doesn't understand how long or why he has to endure this cruel virus. Meanwhile Mommy is patiently counting down the clock waiting for our 24 hours to be up...if we should be so lucky! Having sick children makes me appreciate the weeks they are healthy and the so called difficult days of bickering and tripping over toys seems like a trip to the Bahamas... Please LORD take me back to those days quickly! I promise I won't complain for at least a week!
Tune in later to see if the rest of us are immune! Until then I am willing to pay top dollar for anyone who can cure the flu bug!

Well friends and family we had a relaxing weekend filled with swimming with friends, family time, and an occasional lazy moment or two! Ezra got a haircut at Cool Cuts for Kids (look for the attached picture to see how much he loves that place!) It seems I will have 1-2 children in my bed until I enter retirement living (which strangely sounds appealing to me) I received my 1st newsletter letter entitled The Acorn from Valley Oaks our charter school and read it cover to cover twice. Clint and I already planned on 3 of the fieldtrips we are able to take between Sept. and Oct. I pray that my enthusiasm regarding homeschooling lasts a few years. I have the tendency to fantasize about how something is going to be but then feel really deflated when reality sets in...for example

• Clint and I will never fight after our wedding day
• My house won't ever be dirty b/c all I will want to do is clean it
• Once Sophia can talk I will never get tired of hearing her voice
• I plan to make five star recipes every night
• Our new house will never be cluttered b/c it is soo big
• A weed will not be allowed to grow in MY garden
• My kids won't ever whine b/c I will know their needs before they do
• I will never need to spank since my children will be perfect
• Having another baby will cure everything!
• For a slim figure I won't nibble after 6 pm
  
• My newest failed attempt at a perfect life-Tuesday's I will iron

Ladies, if you have ever been discouraged from unrealistic expectations remember this "Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "the LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:22-24

Who Needs Sleep

Well my breakfast will consist of one large glass of Nesquick, a banana, and a pot of fresh brewed coffee that yes I have been making lately. The reason? A little 17 month of who melts my heart during the day and turns into a werewolf in the wee hours of sundown. On top of my 4 hours of sleep last night my sweet angel Ava woke me up at 6:55 and said "it's morning time mommy, get out of bed" she always keeps me on my toes and is a great alarm clock when the rest of the house is sound asleep and you potentially get one of those mornings when you could stay in bed well into 7:30! Instead I trudge into the kitchen making her some chocolate milk, turning on Dora, and vowing never to get up before 7 again when my children are out of house! By the way it is 8:12 am and that werewolf is still snoring! But I musn't focus on the what might have been when I have 302 fires to put out, 212 toys that will need to be put away before bedtime, a dishwasher full of sippies and kiddie dishes to load, run, and unload, approx 6 times to wipe ava's bottom, and at least 4 poopy diapers to change. Thankfully nana and papa are arriving at 11 with lunch for their weekly visit YEA!!! So who needs sleep? MEEE!