Homeschool Update

It has been a few weeks since I began the homeschool journey with Angela. In the short time I have been working with her, I have seen her improve leaps and bounds. She now willingly reads out loud with me. I started a phonics type of reading program with her and we normally do three lessons a day. She is 1/3 of the way through. At the end of the program (mid-summer), she should be on a second grade reading level! I started a second grade math curriculum with her and we do several lessons a day. She is rockin' it! It has been great having her with me.

The biggest improvement has been with her self-esteem. She said to me the other day, "Mommy, I really am smart! I'm SMART!" That was the most beautiful sound. All year the only thing I heard was how stupid she thought she was. I still can't talk about that without tears welling up. I know without a doubt this was the right choice.

People have been so supportive. I'm amazed at the level of support I have received. I'm also amazed at people I thought would be supportive have remained silent.

The path we are on now, although rewarding, has not been easy. The transition from school work to "home" work has been hard. The transition from Mommy being Mommy to Mommy also being Teacher has been very hard. Angela realizing she is in a safe place and her heart finally releasing all the things it has been carrying around, has been heartwrenchingly difficult. Me loosing just about all the "me" time I had, has been difficult. But what is Mothering? It is walking these hard roads, making the difficult choices, holding the hurting child, ignoring the unsupporters or silent ones you want support from, putting others before yourself while maintaining balance to take care of yourself, letting your children see you living a life you would want them live, and imprinting on their hearts a legacy.

We Are A Homeschool Family Now!

Most of you are not surprised. I have always said if it came down to it and I needed to, I would pull my kids out of school. Well, it was time. Past time. God's time. I pulled Angela out of school. She LOVES being at home. In the week and a half I have had her at home, she has already shown SO MUCH improvement! Her reading is already better. Her math skill are good. Most importantly, she is happy.

Next year, Evelyn will be home schooled too.

And yesterday Amber told us she wanted to experience it too!

WOW!

God is really changing hearts around here!

Angela is 7!

Happy Birthday! (belated!) Angela, you shine like a light in our life. You are so sweet and smile in the midst of sadness. You are such a smart girl. Your imagination is fun and you remain the little princess! We are so blessed to have you in our family! I love you and am so proud of you!

Happy Easter!

Remember the reason Easter is.

You.

Easter is a celebration of God's love for YOU. So much that He gave (offered up willingly) His ONLY Son. And Jesus did it. He didn't want to. But He did it anyway. Why? Out of His love for YOU.

Wow.

The song Oh How He Love Me and You says it all.





Kid tip: Wrap a marshmallow in a crescent (the-from-a-can-kind) and talk about Jesus' death and how he was wrapped up and placed in a tomb. Bake according to directions. See what happens!

Protect yourself! Remove yourself!

So much info is out there. About YOU! To protect yourself, remove your listing. Go HERE and find out how. It just takes a few mins and is well worth it!

I found my name, address, cell phone #, and email on it. Not anymore!

FREE Picaboo Photo Book!

I LOVE scrapbooking. I have made tons of albums! But, I have never done a digital photo album. Until today. It was SO EASY! And this book is FREE! But it ends Wednesday, so hurry up! You ONLY have to pay for shipping. WOW!

What book did I do? For who? Ha! Not telling! You'll have to wait till it comes in!

How can you get yours? Go here and sign up as a new customer.

Then come back here and tell me how much you loved it too!

Evelyn is 9!

Evelyn, you are such a joy. You are so funny and full of energy. You always put others before yourself and care so much about your sisters and friends. I have seen a lot of tenderness and compassion in you lately as you try to find ways to help others around you feel better. You love finding new things to think about and new ways to make the world around you a better place. I love you and am so proud of you!