The lesson of the "young" and "old" mom

A writing by me, no one else could have such a scattered mind or prose! Sorry for the typos and sentence run-ons. I was too excited to go back and edit!



This hit me today as the kids and I were playing in the park. I no longer
had the "baby" in the crowd. My "baby" is now 3 and instead of carrying him around, I am watching him to make sure that he doesn't wander away or show off to the world that he can "pee" all by himself!

Well, anyway, I was feeling totally relaxed playing with my kids when it hits me as I am trying to help another "young" mom who has her hands full with a baby and a toddler and a preschooler. She nervously looks around and says that she has to get something from the van and was going to make all of her kids go with her. I offer to help her by watching her kids, reassuring her that one of my own is already playing where hers are. I recognize the look on her face, not distrust, but a feeling of not wanting to "put upon" me. I again reassure her that it is alright, I am already watching mine. She hurries, not wanting to prolong "putting upon" me.

When she gets back, she engages me in conversation and we talk about life, kids, how you manage several kids. She compliments me for my demeanor. It is then after she leaves that I shake my head. When did I go from being someone who asked questions and needed so much reassurance to someone that was asked advice? Wow, I still have lots of questions, but now I do notice a difference in my outlook. There is not as much "tyranny of the urgent" anymore. There is important, there is small stuff. I am learning that much that I worried about as a "young" mom was small stuff. And that lesson, learning to discern truly important matters and trivial came straight from God. If nothing else has been learned this year from homeschooling, this lesson taught to me was worth it all. Because I have a peace that only Jesus Christ himself can give. I look back at the worries and they seem so long ago! My view of myself, mothering, and educating have all grown and I am excited at the lessons yet to learn.


Anybody else want to share your "Aha" moment! When did you become an "old" mother?

 Well, I am back! Just in time for the new year I suppose. I am reflecting over the decisions that I made in -2006-2007 that led me to bring the kids home, finally, for school. You know, as being a new homeschooler, I wanted to make sure that I had all of my bases covered. I wanted so much to do right by my kids, but also, unfortunately to satisfy friends and family members. Especially those who supported public schooling and could not understand why this was so important.  I found myself jumping through so many hoops to "keep up" with the public school crowd. I felt obligated to follow closely the schedule of the public school. Not mirror it ,but closely follow. Didn`t want anyone to question my committment!

I am forgetting that it is not the applause of man that I am after. My kids came wtih unique circumstances and I have been called out by God to be their teacher. My husband and I are partnered together to train them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord(See Deuteronomy 6). That passage does not ask if I am qualified or hold a teacher`s certificate or even if I am smarter than a 5th grader! The very fact that God has blessed us with children is the obligation to BE the teacher. I can`t answer back to God that I don`t have what it takes, I can`t do that. The creation cannot be greater than the Creator. He will equip me! But, yes I have to work. Anything worthwhile is what you invest your time in. I want to be the best wife and mother that I can be. That keeps me going. Not alone time, not girls weekend out, not a pedicure or even chocolate. Time spent with God, in the midst of small ones at my feet keeps me going and growing. And yes, God makes all things new! I am not who or what I was yesterday. As the song goes, "He`s still working on me!"

Today we had a unexpected blessing------------RAIN!  The kids and I praised God and jumped for joy in the trampoline. First the rain started out as a sprinkle, but with patience and continuing thankfulness, we experienced more of the down pour of showers. Hope that we all can be thankful and remember those in California in our prayers tonight. God is definately trying to tell us all something with the extreme weather everywhere. I don`t believe in global warming, at least not something that man can cause.  Sorry Al Gore, I just don`t buy it. God is in control, period. Praying that we as a nation turn back to Him and stop elevating the role of man as the center of the universe.(Cause we would be in serious trouble if we could cause global warming! )

Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

Take care,

Ginger

Have you ever had one of those days where it seems no school can be accomplished? Yes, we went through math and writing, but I felt like I was just going through the motions. I suppose we all have days where we just feel like nothing that we are doing is sinking in with the kids. Felt like they viewed me as the enemy and we are having a stalemate today. So, I surrended, well not surrendered, but fell back. Found myself outside praying, talking to God about this homeschool experience. Went to Him telling Him of what all my kids had not learned, or were not retaining. He spoke to me in that still small voice saying to give them-----get this, more of Him, less of work. More family, less math. So, school is out for the rest of the day, and grace has been extended to the kids and also me!

Thanks for "listening"

Maybe you veterans of homeschooling just let this question roll off of your back. But to me right now, this question feels more like a criticism at times. I feel like I am constantly having to justify our decision to homeschool.

I did have a "divine" encounter the other day! My husband and his family were at lunch on a Sunday and invariably the question gets asked in front of everyone. I do my best not to feel the heat of the glaring spotlight turned on me. I try to give short, undefensive answers. But what happened next was such a "God-thing"! It was time to eat and my oldest reminds everyone that it is time to bless the food. HE ends up leading the blessing and prayers for  2 of the family members health sitting at the table. After the prayer, my husband`s aunt, whom has cancer, thanks him for his beautiful prayer. And in his humble way, he looks at her and says, " I pray for you every day." This is the same child that was diagnosed with mild autism 5 years ago. This was definately from his heart! Because he does remember her in his prayers daily.

That is validation to me that the most important lessons that I want him(and his siblings) to learn are not the ones that can be taught at the public school. Love of God, love for family and neighbors. Not thinking of only himself. Even if no academic advances were gained this year, the opportunity to have my kids saturated in the Word and to have relaxed family time in the evenings.................That is priceless! To me that is an abundant, full life.

Well, here goes!

Day one of my first blog entry.  I have been Homeschooling for a total of 5 weeks and I am just now getting around to starting a blog!

My explanation of my web page title......There is a lot of noise around here! But I realize that I am so blessed to be able to be around my kids all day! Compared to last year, even with the 3 oldest gone to public school all day, there was peace missing at my house. Yes, it was quiet during the day, but I knew that I was not in God`s will. I needed to bring them home!

Looking forward to writing more soon!

Take care,

Ginger