No Regrets

Too often we take our loved ones for granted. It's those we love that we tend to hurt the most. You never know when the last time you will see them will be. None of us are guaranteed a tomorrow.

Imagine coming home and finding your loved one has been called to their eternal home.

Have no regrets! Love them fiercely while you can. Hug and kiss them, hold them tight, tell them you love them, day and night. Don't hurt them with you words and mean eyes! Whether it's a spouse, a child, a parent, a grandparent, and aunt or uncle. Love like there's no tomorrow!

I love that Jesus tells us not to be troubled. He knows our hearts and the grief we hold on to. He also tells us that he has gone before us and has prepared a place for us. Find comfort in Jesus, my sweet family.

No regrets!!

BINGO

I've heard so many I love yous, thank yous, I had a good time with you today. I even got a "You're the best mom a boy could have." The hugs and kisses have been endless!!

This sweet boy and I went on a date this afternoon. He has worked really hard on his reading and got a bingo.

We have these bingo card and each square tells them when or where to read. Such as under a tree, on a beach towel, in the bathtub, before breakfast, on a Thursday, and so on. When they bingo they have coupons. So far they've gotten to do things like go to Sonic with Mama Jean, night fishing with Papa, ice cream with Grammer, and today Justin got a date with mom. (By the way Ma, Johnny got a bingo while you were in California and drew Day With Nana.)

We started off with a drink at McDonald's. On the way he didn't really talk much, and played with the toys he brought. That isn't too abnormal for Justin Robert, though. Once we got there I asked him to leave the toys behind in hopes that he would talk. That did it....his motor mouth started! We drank up and headed to Walmart. I had to get a few groceries and he wanted to look at toys. He has a birthday coming up and wanted to show me [again] what cool toys he wanted. :) Man I love this kid! He goes from isle to isle grabbing everything that caught his little eye. The mask you see me wearing below he wanted me to have. I don't know if you can tell, but I was not too fond of the idea of putting it on. Justin insisted and asked to take a picture. I'm glad I did because the smile on that cute face of his was priceless! After looking at EVERY toy Walmart had we got our groceries and headed for the car. Not once did he ask for a toy! He did, however, ask to get his brothers something. What a cool kid,  huh? Ok, so out the door we go... He helped load everything into the truck of the car, ran the basket and put it away, and ran back to the car to open my door. :)  Again, what a cool kid! Before starting home, we stopped to gas daddy's car up so he'd be ready for the week with a full tank. I asked Justin if he wanted to help; he hopped out and was eager to learn! I'm usually in a hurry and with all three boys. Whom of which would also want to get out, so it's never allowed. The smile on his face, again, was priceless!

All it takes is a little undivided attention! They are putty in your hands. No wonder they forget to listen to us. How often do we stop and listen to them?

One year down

I'll never forget our first year of homeschooling. I was overwhelmed with all the different curriculums and teaching styles. Oh my, what am I going to do to my kids? Am I crazy? Worry and panic started to flood my every thought. How was I going to get laundry done, cook dinner,  iron Kyle's shirts, AND teach math, reading, science, history, and spelling. Then, one night, God softly spoke to me as I was laying in bed praying my heart out. I knew He was with me; God has a way of working all things together for good as we trust him.

I went to a meeting to see what this whole "homeschool group" thing was about.  I just knew there I would get answers.  I did, but not the one's I was looking for. I had Katie, the leader of this homeschool group come over so I could pick her brain. Again, I just knew she would give me answers. She gave me peace...A LOT, but still not (what I thought) the answers I was desperately needing.  She told me to take the next week (as my family and I were traveling to Galveston) to pray for those answers.  I knew she was right, but still I just wanted someone to tell me, "This curriculum, use this!" That week in Galveston, with a different prayer on my lips, I began seeking answers.  

By the time I got home I had peace in my heart. But not because I had 'answeres' on which curriculum to use. It was again, I knew he was with me working out all the details.  So, a week later we began.  The first week was a breeze. They sat at the table and did what was asked of them.  I couldn't believe how easy this was! I wish I could stop there, but I'm not gonna lie.... that didn't last. I had to be a mother with purpose and a plan. I had no idea what that was, but I trusted in God to help us thrive! As the months went on some days were better than others. I noticed every day, though, that the boys may not remember what they learned but how they learned it. 

It wasn't until the end of our year that I realized the relationships I foster with my children were more important than the books we read.  I wished I could have a do over! 

OH, but I do. There is this year! With every year you get to reset. This year will be different!! This year our school will be more of a discipleship!! More to come on this later. For now I have to go feed all the animals...including the kids and husband! ;)

Until then....

Oh, and by the way, Kyle's shirts aren't getting ironed and we don't do near as much science as the boys would like, but it's working!