Wow -- didn't realize it had been 3 months since I had last written! Our remodel is over and done with, and it is beautiful!! As much as it was a financial and emotional strain and drain on us, we don't regret our decision at all and look forward to our family enjoying much needed breathing space. It definitely made us appreciate our small house. When we were squeezed into the back half, regaining the front half felt like doubling our living space!
Homeschool has been an interesting and challenging journey so far, just as I expected it to be. I still have a deep abiding peace within that this is the right thing for us, despite any anguish and turmoil that may arise day to day in the constantly adjusting relationships. It has been a difficult transition for the boys to work with mom as the teacher. I get frustrated when they don't show me the same respect and attention that I know they would be showing their teacher in a normal classroom. But they just see me as mom still. And that's ok -- we will get there.
I am definitely thankful for homeschool as the kids seem to need to sleep in later lately, and so do I. Plus, having no homework in the afternoon means more time to play for them. And definitely more time with Daddy on his day off. We've been on several field trips with and without daddy and the kids love that. Plus, we are about to start cooking lessons since we now have a working kitchen. And I can see how my being so closely involved in their schooling allows me to adjust lessons to help where they are weakest, instead of barrelling ahead to keep the class together.
So even though there are days and times when I wonder what was I thinking that I could accomplish anything with homeschool, again God reminds me that I am not accomplishing anything. He is doing a work in ME, and in my kids THROUGH me, not by my own strength alone. And for that I am truly thankful.
