We finished up school, all 168 days of it, and I breathed a deep sigh of relief and gratitude and even a bit of I-almost-can't-believe-it's-been-seven-years-of-educating-our-children-at-home....all kinds of feelings going on here.
We wrapped up school with a wild and crazy morning, walked out the door, and didn't look back for a week. I cautiously entered the room a week later, and cleaned, and sorted, and organized, then ordered all my curriculum for next year, and now we have a quiet school room, which appears to be the most peaceful room in the house. Don't be fooled! This little room, painted aqua, to encourage peaceful learning, has housed most every kind of emotion out there. We've laughed a lot, cried at times, and increased our academic abilities too. We've learned kindness and perseverance along the way, and talked about real and messy and Jesus and forgiveness. It is a hallowed spot at times, and total chaos at other times.
But I love my job of being a home-school-stay-at-home mom and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
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We had such lovely weather the week we finished up school, and the garden was begging to be planted, so we all headed out there and got that project taken care of. It is such therapy for me to work in the soil on lovely spring days!
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The girls have been working so hard preparing for their home school choir's production of Rats! and we enjoyed their performance so much!
We are also in the throes of preparing for our youth group mission trip to Nicaragua in June, so one weekend in April found us grilling 1000 lbs. of chicken and selling meals on a donation basis.
Last weekend we put on a volleyball fundraiser and hosted 16 teams for a tournament. Have I ever told you how much I detest fundraising? I'll keep that to myself.
However, God has done some amazing things for us in the area of finances and it's not a coincidence to have your plane tickets drop $80 a ticket or have anonymous gifts of $1000 towards the trip.
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Immediately after school was out, the boys went on a 24 hour 'survival' camp-out with their friend Lucas. They took bare necessities with them and no food. Leon put a rooster in a cage and replicated a pheasant nest with 2 dozen real eggs in it, and they had to find the food and prepare it. This included butchering the chicken. Leon snuck back during the night and left MRE's (military meals) for them also. It was an experience they won't ever forget and I was quite proud of them!
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The girls enjoyed a picnic in the dandelions while the boys were camping.
On May the 5th, we recognized the 30th anniversary of my dad's death. It is surreal to think that it has actually been that long. We made a little time to go to the graveyard and remember the grandpa that my children never got to meet.
***************************************************** We had plans for lunch on Mother's Day, but in the evening we enjoyed supper out and a lovely walk downtown. I was just made to realize once again how blessed I am, that I get the privilege of being a Mom.
"Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:4-7
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