Matt Redman - 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)

Breath of Fresh Air - Making Progress

    So many amazing milestones have occurred in the last month alone, I just haven't known how to express them all, so I haven't been blogging them......I've been living them and savoring them.

   Today, I take inventory of the blessings in my life.  Although there are many unknowns at this time, which could leave so much stress, I am nonetheless ever so grateful for the progress my family has made over the years.  This year marks such successes, rather triumphantly I might add.  I am not one to just "do a thing", no, I want to do the best thing; it's in my nature to not be mediocre.  Maybe it's because I was raised by two US Marines?  I don't know, but I do know, if I'm going to do it (like educate my own children), I don't settle for anything less than high quality.  I see that paying off in how well my older children did at the college level, both having graduated now.  I could not be more proud of them.  

   The winter was difficult for my current teen son, yes.  But the spring pulled us out of the dark tunnel and onward into the light with refreshment of mind, body and soul. We took a couple new turns, made some changes, with some fantastic results.  I take comfort in the leaps I have seen happen in my family with my children; really amazing leaps.  Leaps that have given me such hope for them, hope for their futures.

    I am so proud that my children are growing into such fine adults.  So proud that we've been able to educate them with a quality home schooling program that really forms them and sticks with them through the tough times.  I'm thrilled that our home study program has added an uber special services section of on line courses for high school that will provide a high quality classical education at a pace they can manage; still helping them to feel a part of it all - with other students.  It will be my blessing for my youngest son with autism as he enters middle school and in three short years will be high school age.  I can not do it alone - nor do I think it's wise.  I draw upon my Lord first, and those with experience and intellectual property to share (and great home school program).  I believe because I have been submissive and humbled by letting others assist me, I have been greatly blessed.  

   And so as we enter Memorial Day weekend, I reminisce about my family and their roots; my children and how I have been so blessed to be able to educate them at home; my children that have graduated college, my pride and joy as I prepared them for it through an excellent high school path; and what is yet to come for them.  My teen son finishing a rigorous amazing 10th grade year even though he hit rock bottom in January & February; getting his driver's permit, getting more social than ever, and really participating in life more, now that he's over that horrible hump that stood in his way literally for so many years.  He is making such progress in all areas -- I am in awe and so so grateful.  He will have an exciting high standard of studies in 11th, and I'm thrilled I can be a part of it.

Have a beautiful Memorial Day Weekend

A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3

Blessed Weekend

There comes a time where all your hard work comes together in the culmination of one glorious memorable moment.  It's fleeting, yes, but it's depth and meaningfulness leave a lasting impression that lingers and is savored for many years to come.  Such a moment happened this weekend as my daughter graduated from college on Mother's Day weekend. 

As we have homeschooled all our children completely, K - 12th grade, without any extra educational tap-ins (i.e. post secondary, partial enrollment), it is a glorious and rewarding event that they went straight from home school into a strong four year college situation.  In other words:  yes, this mother who was not able to complete her own college degree was able to totally school her children 12 years right into college where they received excellent scholarships due to good college test scores.  I am not tooting my own horn here, because really I had little to do with it other than being an instrument in God's hands-- when I made the decision to subject myself to the will of God, and surrender in this area, He took over.  He guided me from day one, and eventually into a home study program integrated with our faith that is of quality and integrity, respecting each child where they are at and supporting the parent as primary educator.  It was and has been such a saving grace to me, giving me unique Catholic support and making up for any deficits I may have had. 

It is a huge accomplishment to have a child graduate from college in general; it is enormously more meaningful for a home school family to have a child that they entirely homeschooled prior to college, graduate with their degree from college.  

Having graduated a son and daughter into college and out of college now, where they make their way with their education and degrees, I can say, you can do it too.  Yes, you can.  It seems an overwhelming or impossible task, but truly it isn't. Let God lead you, take you by the hand.  Be humble, be open.   It's "you" that has to commit to it.  Commit to making a good quality education available to your children. It may be the only 12 years of education they have; maybe they will not be attending college -- then even all the more reason to make it the highest quality you can provide.  It means sacrifice, and not giving in to your own wishy-washy tendencies or whims.  It means staying home and really taking time with each child, each day. It means dying to yourself, so they can rise.  If you see it through with seriousness and uphold that child with respect, it will not come back to you empty, or with criticism. They will thank you later because they will see the value in what you did.  It will not always be easy, that goes with the territory, but it will be rewarding beyond what you can imagine.

I am tired.  Yes, I'll admit it right here.  I'm not only an older mom to begin with, but I'm a mom with a bad thyroid and I'm exhausted most of the time, compared to even five years ago.   So I look at the younger moms with awe and zeal for their mission -- they can do this no problemo!  They have still have youth on their side, and energy.  If I can do it, they can do it!....and likely even better.   Go for it!

And while I may be physically tired, my soul and the spirit inside of me is well invigorated and lighted with the power of God and His amazing blessings. 

So today, the day after the glorious rewarding weekend events, my heart and soul sing in gratefulness that only a mother can feel upon the accomplishment of her own child... 

..."my soul does glory in your love O Lord....for you gazed on your servant with compassion, and you reached out and took me by the hand....Luke 1:46-48

Mary's Song (Millie Rieth)