Walking by Grace

• Jan. 2, 2006 - Nearly 7pm and Done?

I always plan for school to be nice and efficient and be done by noon or two or so. But no. The children slept late (well, not Boo-bear, he rarely does!).

Then Tito was up so we worked on his language lesson (First Language Lesson). We did it last year and he liked it, but we didn't finish the first grade portion. We started the second grade this fall anyway and are way behind now. Oh well. He knows a lot of the grammar from listening to Squirrell's lessons. He loves the poems and stories. We also began Primary Language Lessons by Emma Serle, which he loves, but we lost the book

. It'll turn up, especially if I buy another! He and I did some more and it was a sweet time.

Then Squirrell got up with a slightly better attitude than yesterday (sleep does help with that!). She didn't start working until we did our 'together' stuff - history, science, Egermeier. Her grandmother called her back to watch the Rose Bowl Parade, which she did. Then lunch. Then this, that and the other until finally I wrote out assignments (feeling Grinchish) because I did need to prepare supper. Then after supper I helped her with some of her homework (which she has barely started on in spite of having at least two hours to work on it). I think I'm done now.

It has been a sweet day, though, with DH home. I can hear Boo-bear giggling in a way that only his daddy can bring about. I've had more hugs and support than usual - that's nice.

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• Jan. 1, 2006 - Happy New Year!!!

Oh the hope we feel at new beginnings: weddings, babies, new jobs, new diets

, mornings and NEW YEARS!!! The promises or resolutions give us hope, regardless of how they have gone in the past (for the record my resolution for 2006 is that I will grow another year older, odds are, it'll happen, if it doesn't, I'm home and that's okay, too!!).

So I love New Years. It's also the day that by tradition, in our family, we have cake and ice cream for breakfast (apologies to Sunday School teachers!).

Yet today was probably the best start to a New Year that I recall. The kids were tired and grumpy, and we were late to church. In spite of that, I was reminded of my greatest reason for hope and the One who truly allows me to begin anew. How good and gracious He is!

May we all love Him more, know Him more, praise Him more and enjoy Him more in 2006!

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• Dec. 30, 2005 - New Seasons

Oh my! Just lost it all. Sadness. Dismay. Nothing too new to anyone reading this. Bummer!!!

But you, Gentle Reader, (a la Miss Manners) don't know that. You don't know that I peacefully typed about Christmas and joy of being with my family and then lost it. Then, a child came running into my carpeted room yelling "There's dog p--p on my feet!" and then as I was cleaning his feet by the back door another was outside demanding to be let in, which resulted in her brother's backside being bumped by the door (but no worse!). Then we had the eye rolling thing going on (drives me batty!!!). Ah yes. Typing of the good I know God is going to do ushered in the events that immediately draw me from pondering things above to my very fleshly self and reacting in anger to circumstances, not in love to these little people who currently cohabit my life.

So....

New seasons....

...the building on my parents home in Hiawassee is almost complete. Meaning that for the first time in nearly 20 years we will live in the same state and less than 9 hours apart (only two hours!!). What joy! My folks are such a blessing to me.

...my brother will be getting married to a lovely Christian lady in the DFW area. Our whole family is so excited for them and looking forward to knowing her better and spending time with them. It will busy getting ready for that as it closer to spring (June wedding). Squirrell is a flower girl, I'm a bridesmaid, Tito and Boobear are jr. groomsmen and ringbearer, respectively, and DH is an usher. Oh. I'm making the cake, too.

...DH is working his last day at his job today. So there is some sorrow for him and wondering what God has in store for us. There has been a fair amount of struggle on my part not to be bitter (and not to encourage bitterness in DH) toward the man who seems most responsible for it. When I get thinking ugly, and then start repenting, I am reminded that though this person may not intend good for my husband (and he doesn't seem to) God is in charge, and He does intend good!! Then, it gets kind of exciting wondering what God will bring our way! The possibilities with Him are rather limitless, aren't they?

...and a New Year. A New Year with new possibilities and I'm looking forward to some positive changes in our home schooling routine. We have been joyless and too 'institutional' in some ways in the way we do things. Sooo, Lord willing and my resolve holds out, we will be learning more together and in a kinder and gentler way. A friend recently referred me to 4reallearning.com which has been good for me. It is a Catholic Charlotte Mason site that I've enjoyed.

anyway...children are calling and this is plenty long enough. Happy New Year (since I probably won't write until next week!!)

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• Nov. 16, 2005 - Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was Boobear's birthday. So many parents talk about how quickly the time goes by when you have children. For me, it took having children to fully believe it. We had a little family party for him. Since he tends to destroy/lose toys, we went with the strategy of giving books (which he respects, mostly) which has the added benefit of being something he and future generations (we hope) will enjoy.

One grandmother gave TinkerToys. That was a huge hit with all three children. They made cars and had a race in our driveway. Boo-bear won (to his older siblings dismay), but only fitting since it was his birthday. (Earlier in the day, he had declared himself 'Tyrant of the Day' by pronouncing "It's my birthday, you have to obey me!!" to his brother and sister. They would have nothing to do with that!!) I think it's interesting how I see so much of my own willfulness in them. (But honey, you need to do it my way--I know better, being the mother, homemaker, woman {whatever!}) A friend once stated God gives us children to grow us up. May it be so.

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