Just a Peek ....

...into our lives.

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!

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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.

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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. 

Life is heavy at times with questions and disappointments and broken dreams. I believe that God wants to prosper us and pour out His blessings on our lives. I've come to discover that it's ok to ask God "Why?". But at the end of the day, it's about trust. Trust, no matter what. Today, I choose {once again} to trust. Even when it doesn't make sense. And I am filled with peace.

"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

From the Archives...

I was reading through my old blog posts today and found one I thought I'd re-post. Here we are....6 years later. Life is still interesting around here, but in a different way. :)

Mother of Boys - Wednesday April 1, 2009

You know your a mother of boys if: your grocery bags disappear, and later reappear as parachutes your son helps you clear the table and throws the bag of baby carrots in the fridge drawer from way across the room (Yeah! Made a basket!) your dirty laundry goes flying through the air on its way to the pile in the laundry room the laundry basket sounds like a car with its muffler missing the bath tub is a good place for experiments, like how far does the water go if I land like this... your kitchen scissors is always missing your scotch tape is always empty every drawer in the kitchen is open while the dishwasher is being emptied, so that when the job is done, all the drawers can be slammed shut at once you go to bed at night and find a small grain elevator in the making on your bedroom floor soggy washrags litter the bathroom counter because who ever heard of squeezing all the water out and laying it neatly across the sink you've said hang up your coat, or close the door, or put your shoes away, at least 20 times by the end of the day one hour after a meal you can expect to hear, "Is there ANYTHING to eat?" you see cartwheels, jumps, and somersaults on a typical walk through the house tackle football is as common in your living room as reading a book your living room window gets broken because someone was trying to get the kitty cat's attention water is not a necessity; first it is for fun, then to drink if we get thirsty, and last of all, for cleaning purposes you've heard the phrase, "But I'm not dirty, why do I need to take a bath?" you've received the biggest hugs, sweetest cards, and greatest compliments from, none other, than, your boys You know the difference between a backhoe, excavator, bulldozer, skidloader, wheel loader and what each one does (this is also partly due to the 'boy' I married) your stainless steel popcorn bowl has a ding in the side from the BB gun (please don't ask about this one) you've learned how to breathe through the feelings of panic that arise from your offspring attempting daring feats you don't know what caused that awful looking bruise on your son's leg, and he doesn't either you pray for them, and dream of them becoming godly men someday, who will have all their energy guided in the right direction you get excited about dead birds, squirrels, rabbits, and mice