here comes week four...

of first grade for Elijah and me. We've read from creation to baby Moses in a basket. We've learned all about number bonds and know them well to ten. We've had three spelling tests and one math test. We've done compound words, words with suffixes, similes, descriptive words, a couple paragraphs (with modifications) and a dialog. We are reading Charlotte's Web and waiting to have a movie viewing complete with pig cupcakes and spider cookies when we are done. We've completed a book called Peoples of the World, which Elijah loved, and from which we have one lingering, half-finished assignment. Our attempt at painting with the batik technique. Hmmm... we really should finish those because we started them two weeks ago. Speaking of that, I'm fairly certain Elijah's not the only one with ADD around here. I recently read a list of ADD symptoms in adults. Yikes. It described me. And my dad. Interesting. One symptom is having several projects going on all at once without completing them. Well, I'll show you, adult ADD - we'll finish those paintings tomorrow! Maybe I'll even post a picture for some accountability. Although, my ADD will likely get in the way of that...

So, here we are. At home. Schooling. Put it together and that equals homeschooling. It's funny how I still can't believe God called me to this and that I obeyed. But it is seeming quite normal already. The first week it felt so strange. I'm enjoying the feeling of normalcy, even though and maybe especially because, we most definitely are not normal. I keep reminding myself that God does not desire that we be normal, but transformed and set apart. God doesn't care if people think we are homeschooling weirdos - He just wants us to respond to His call.

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying my new way of life is easy. In fact, the past three weeks have been quite difficult. We are, for one thing, in a preschool break, so Miles and Ella have been our companions at home. It's been... challenging, to put it mildly. Start with one ADD but super sweet Elijah, add one apprently ADD and obviously patience-lacking momma, and mix in the two little crazies (who are either fighting over the computer, dressed up as a princess and a knight weilding swords in our school area, or needing any number of kinds of assistance) and you have slightly organized chaos. Thankfully, my little knight and "sister" (as he calls her when they play bad guys) will return to school three mornings a week just after Labor Day. I so adore them (really, I do!), but we need to share their love with their new teachers. And Elijah and I will really get to work then.

Our first week I spent telling God I thought He perhaps had had a lapse in judgement when He called me to this lifestyle. He reminded me that He has never had a lapse in judgement. So I grimaced, likely with my hand on my hip, and told Him "Oh, alright. But you could've called me to something easier." On our fourth school day, God gave me this Word from Isaiah 43:18-19:

The Lord says, "Forget what happened before,
and do not think about the past.
Look at the new thing I am going to do.
It is already happening. Don't you see it?"

This Word is what I'm holding on to right now. I am so thankful for such a specific Word. He was so good to share it with me, right when I need it. To be honest, I don't see it yet. But I do believe Him. He is already doing a new thing. And when my little boy is a big man I know I'll be able to see it. For now, I'll hold on to my sweet Word. My sweet promise. And I'll get up and teach more first grade in the morning. Addition stories, here we come!

catching up

I have been wanting to post on here for a long time, but time has been scarce around here lately. Here are some pictures from our fun summer:

We had a trip to the beach with Meme, Allison, Alinda and most of the cousins in July.











We took in our first Pike Road 4th of July parade... lots of fun! Lots of candy! A few strands of beads. And one poor, patriotic goat.

My sweet, crazy Milesy turned four in June. Hard to believe in some ways. Sad, too, because it's going so quickly but also because the older Miles gets, the longer Dad has been gone. He talks about Dad like he remembers him sometimes, although that's impossible. He was 9 months old when Dad died. He recently said, "I've never met your dad, Mom. Do you think he could come down from heaven and have lunch with us?" That would be so nice.birthday doughnut!

Me with the two just-a-likes! All I did for Miles was carry him in my tummy and give him blue eyes. Other than that he's all daddy.

Poor (sweet) Grandaddy had a tough job on such a hot day! The kids loved it!

They also enjoyed the balloon swords!

It was a fun and busy summer. Now it's school time!