Happy Birthday, Hannah!

My sweet girl is turning three!! I can't believe it! Hannah is a daily reminder to me of the Grace of God in my life. Of all my babies, Hannah stands out to me as the best baby of the three. Not that the other girls weren't good babies - I am blessed! But there was something special about Hannah from the first day. Maybe it was the fact that she slept 6 hours from the first day she arrived on this earth (that will make any mother giddy). Or maybe it was her long legs which remind me so much of my mothers description of me as a baby. Or maybe it was the way she seemed to just cuddle up so much to me. All I know is this little girl stole my heart from the moment I laid eyes on her. All of my babies have taken my breath away and I can't imagine life without any of them. I am so incredibly thankful as I look back on each arrival of my girls. Today, though, I want to give special attention to my middle daughter. She has big shoes to fill with an older sister like Katie. She struggles with communicating and isn't potty trained yet. But she's smart. She is sweet and loves to laugh. She knows exactly what she wants even if she can't say it clearly. And she'll get potty trained; every child does, right? I have enjoyed every moment of her life. I've babied her more than the others. I think it was because Katie seemed to grow up so fast. I blinked and she was a toddler. I didn't want that for Hannah. Since I got pregnant with Samantha when Hannah was only 10 months old, I think I tried harder to hang on to every minute with her. It's been a joy! Happy Birthday to my Hannah! I hope you feel special today and know how much Mommy and Daddy love you!!

Bumps in the Road

We have officially completed one month of schooling. What a learning experience all around! There is so much to be thankful for - a supportive family, an encouraging spouse, sweet children who play together happily, and a precious six year old who bears with her mama each day. We made it exactly three weeks before I realized that, of all things, I had chosen the wrong grade level across the board for Katie. That will really boost your confidence and humble you, especially when you taught for a living and did quite well at it for almost a decade! What can you do? LAUGH!

One of my principals taught me very early on that "it's never too late to start a new procedure." This came from Mr. Wong's book, of course, but it was great advice that I have remembered over and over even in non-teaching situations. Learning to be flexible and humble does not come naturally to me. I can be very set in my ways and like my "box", so to speak. But in this journey in sanctification, there has to be an element of teachableness even with the most seasoned individual. Otherwise, pride settles in and makes a nice home in our heart and all we do becomes more of an idol to us. I don't want that to be characteristic of my life. I desire to be taught by the Great Teacher and allow Him to direct my life in a way that brings Him the most honor.

So, it's back to the drawing board. But, God has been so faithful to send me women with greater experience and wisdom. I have learned so much from these women. "In the multitude of counsellors there is safety." How true! Today I am on a quest to get what materials I need to be the most effective teacher I can be to the student(s) the Lord has given me. I'm excited! It hasn't caused me to question whether this decision to homeschool was right or wrong. It has given me a renewed desire to make homeschooling centered on an all-encompassing understanding of Who God is and what He desires for each of us in whatever stage of life - child or adult. I am so thankful for this privilege! It's just a bump in the road and, let's face it, there will be more!