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.
Showing posts with label mother. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mother. Show all posts
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
My fuse is short
It's hard to hear...
It's even harder to admit...
I've talked about how I'm serving at church, I've upped my work hours, I'm currently doing several girl scouts projects (anyone want to buy any cookies? My living room is filled with them!) and then there are the other curve-balls life throws (sometimes way-too-hard) at you. I've never claimed to be superwoman. Except... to my kids, still waiting to see if they've caught on or not. JUST KIDDING! I make sure they know it's not ok for people to behave like I do at times... And right now is one of those times.
You know... the quick fuse, the being pulled in so many directions I'm surprised I'm not walking sideways, the "I'm too tired to clean up!" (that comes from me, not the kids this time), the falling asleep when I sit down instead of putting the kids to bed, the feeling like a bad mommy starts becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, the ... um... yeah. That's me. I was wondering today WHY my kids were yelling at each other so much. Then I heard myself. UGH.
Some of you right now are being a little quick to judge. Yeah, you know who you are! The truth is... we all have our stressful times. When you see the reflection in the mirror, what do you do?
I'm going to step back. Start with the simple things.
Ever since Christmas, my kids have started asking me to get them up early in the morning. That has seriously cut into my Bible reading and prayer. But let's be honest... Even when I'm the only one up, if my eyes close, it's cause I'm sleeping... know what I mean???
What is my plan? Thanks for asking!
Back to my DAILY QTs.
I really want to use music as a calming mood change.
Then, when the fuse is quickly going... take a step back. and breathe. I've been holding my breathe for a while now...
God has been growing me a lot lately. I need to rest in Him.
It's even harder to admit...
I've talked about how I'm serving at church, I've upped my work hours, I'm currently doing several girl scouts projects (anyone want to buy any cookies? My living room is filled with them!) and then there are the other curve-balls life throws (sometimes way-too-hard) at you. I've never claimed to be superwoman. Except... to my kids, still waiting to see if they've caught on or not. JUST KIDDING! I make sure they know it's not ok for people to behave like I do at times... And right now is one of those times.
You know... the quick fuse, the being pulled in so many directions I'm surprised I'm not walking sideways, the "I'm too tired to clean up!" (that comes from me, not the kids this time), the falling asleep when I sit down instead of putting the kids to bed, the feeling like a bad mommy starts becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, the ... um... yeah. That's me. I was wondering today WHY my kids were yelling at each other so much. Then I heard myself. UGH.
Some of you right now are being a little quick to judge. Yeah, you know who you are! The truth is... we all have our stressful times. When you see the reflection in the mirror, what do you do?
I'm going to step back. Start with the simple things.
Ever since Christmas, my kids have started asking me to get them up early in the morning. That has seriously cut into my Bible reading and prayer. But let's be honest... Even when I'm the only one up, if my eyes close, it's cause I'm sleeping... know what I mean???
What is my plan? Thanks for asking!
Back to my DAILY QTs.
I really want to use music as a calming mood change.
Then, when the fuse is quickly going... take a step back. and breathe. I've been holding my breathe for a while now...
God has been growing me a lot lately. I need to rest in Him.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Secret Keeper Girls!
Secret Keeper Girls...
An amazing night!
A bonding night for mothers and daughters!
A night to open the door to discuss purity and modesty!
A night to celebrate being a woman created by God!
A night to remember!
All moms of girls, check this out!
http://www.secretkeepergirl.com
I only wish I had found out about this sooner! It advertises for ages 8 - 12 or 8th grade, but I think it is geared for 7 - 10 years old. The girls are growing up so much faster... It is an awesome introduction to the topics of modesty and purity. If older girls go through this, it needs to be followed with deeper teachings. The organization has one for teens, but since I haven't seen it, I don't want to comment about it. I really like that they have a section for guys in the teen teachings.
My heart is to lead girls in these truths.
I was able, at this event, to love on not only my daughter, but a daughter that has recently lost her mom. I will never forget her eyes as I held her in my arms. I am so thankful that I could be there for her.
An amazing night!
A bonding night for mothers and daughters!
A night to open the door to discuss purity and modesty!
A night to celebrate being a woman created by God!
A night to remember!
All moms of girls, check this out!
http://www.secretkeepergirl.com
I only wish I had found out about this sooner! It advertises for ages 8 - 12 or 8th grade, but I think it is geared for 7 - 10 years old. The girls are growing up so much faster... It is an awesome introduction to the topics of modesty and purity. If older girls go through this, it needs to be followed with deeper teachings. The organization has one for teens, but since I haven't seen it, I don't want to comment about it. I really like that they have a section for guys in the teen teachings.
My heart is to lead girls in these truths.
I was able, at this event, to love on not only my daughter, but a daughter that has recently lost her mom. I will never forget her eyes as I held her in my arms. I am so thankful that I could be there for her.
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