Starting a new school year...

A new year. A new beginning. It's like opening a new notebook, empty and ready to write on. To hold the events of the days to come. This school year is going to be interesting. We ended the year last year on a rough note. I was stressed and the kids were very frustrated. Losing our home and all of our school materials meant we had to start over but try to finish the school year at the same time. I wanted to send them all to school by the end. I thought I just needed a break. Being in a different place, that was not our own, made finishing the year really hard.

Not this year...this year I am seeking God's rest.

I am enjoying my family. I am going to remember why God

called me to homeschool in the first place.

 

So with that, I will be reading and spending more time diving into books like the one in the corner. This is an amazing book. And I plan to find others like it. Enjoy being the Me God created me to be. And realizing that my struggles are not new to HIM.

 

I am changing up the curriculum. In the past, I have used all abeka with some supplements. In another post I will talk about what I am using this year with each child.

 

I am so excited about the changes and I know my little ones are as well.

I hope you will join us on the rediscovery of God's plan for my family through homeschool!

 Here is a sneak peek into what we are doing this year :)

Life after a house fire...

On March 6, 2017, we experienced a devastating event. Something so small as an outlet sparking caused our home to go up in flames. I don't think I will ever forget that day, as my children and I stood across the road and watched our home slowing fade into a caution scene. We cried...we cried a lot and thought what could we have done differently but there was nothing.

Nothing was saved...ALL was lost.

After the fire fighters cleared out, I walked around what used to be the place I raised my children. Where we laughed, cried, and celebrated life. Where they learned to ride bikes and enjoyed wagon rides on quiet mornings. One birthday at a time, we made memories. So many memories in a home that was ours. Not a perfect house, but our home. It didn't matter how far away we vacationed. We came home to this place and tucked our little ones in.

Now all that changed. We were homeless.

In those moments, I just wanted to be alone...far away from all the many voices that wanted to tell us what they thought was best. However, I couldn't because just like I wanted to run to my mama...I believe my hubby wanted his. And that is where we landed...at my in-laws. We have been here for almost 6 months...I have had so many different emotions but the overwhelming one has been feeling all alone. Though the advice was never meant to hurt or demoralize, the enemy played it up that way. I took the bait, hook and all.

I have come to realize " I am who I am" and that is okay!!

The days are getting better! And I am so very thankful that God, through my in-laws, provided a roof over our heads during this tough transition in our lives. I am thankful that even on my crazy days my God was always there to gently draw me back on course.

I am a part of HIS plan and running the race. HIS grace is sufficient even for me. He will never leave me nor forsake me.

I have lost a lot...but I will trust in the Lord for HE is my strength and my strong tower. One who never waivers and HE will always work things together for my good.

I have come to realize "I am who I am" and that is okay!!

Grace for the moment...

Life...can lead you in so many directions. Trying to figure out which way is the best and God intended way is the key. My children are all growing so fast. My oldest started work this past week at our local Chick-fil-A. It has to grow on him,though. He is learning and moving so quickly and I can't help but think...

Have I made the most of my time with him?...

My sweet baby boy is now 16 years old and ready to take on the world apart from mama.

 

He has just two short years of school left. We have decided to have him take some of his classes at a private school this coming year and keep the others at home.

 

On another note, we have found a house! I know, I have not shared at all here but earlier this year we had a house fire that took every thing we owned except our vehicles. We have been living with my husbands parent for the last five months. I am so thankful for their kindness but I am oh so ready for our own space again..

 

Through it all, God has been so faithful to us!!

 

His word has been like a fresh honeycomb to my spirit. I discovered some things about myself that I would say I am not so proud of....I am so thankful that Love never fails!! That HE is with me always and HE is not loosening HIS grip of Grace for me and my sweet family.

 

We have a crazy set of weeks ahead of us...We are preparing for a move, lesson planning for school, cheerleading for both girls, work and school prep for Isaiah. 

 

I am so excited to see what God has in store for us as a family and individually.