Best job in the World!

I read a lot....but not for really for myself, not to escape or for pure enjoyment.  I read for fear of messing up, of not getting things right, and also to educate myself and to make sure I am getting a least a little bit right.  My book shelves are littered with parenting books.  Yes, I said parenting books.  Some we have bought, but to be honest with you most of them we picked up at garage sales for a quarter, and a lot we have received for free.  Do you know what I have learned from them......that the best book to look to when parenting is the BIBLE! Funny isn't it! Not to say that I haven't gained a tonne of insight, knowledge or a touch of wisdom perhaps....however when it comes down to it my three beautiful gifts are from God and He knew them before they were even in my womb (how incredibly amazing is that)! He has a plan for them and He knows every-single-hair on their heads.  So when I find myself in a panic, I am slowly learning to turn to Him who knows them best.

How did this exciting revelation suddenly come about you ask? Ok, ok perhaps you could care less, but I will tell you anyways! ;o)  Homeschooling!!  I have been homeschooling for two months now....2 entire, long, stressful months.

Now perhaps I need to write a disclaimer paragraph here because the minute you say you are 'homeschooling',  people give you this strange look and some get their panties all in a knot. You might as well have told them that you beat your children, feed them kitty litter and lock them in the basement.   Seriously! I do have to say that it is far more 'accepted' in Alberta than it is here (not to mention the funding you get in Alberta--sniff,sniff).  Here I have to be careful as to what I say and do.  There are people that have been reported for 'homeschooling' their kids because you know it is so 'wrong'.  So my kids who love to talk and tell everyone about how much they love homeschooling (bless their little hearts), have had to keep it 'low' profile and yes I told them why! We made the decision to homeschool for various reasons.  It is our decision and it is one that we prayed about.  We have always said that our kids would be homeschooled or be in a Christian school.  That has been our choice, it has been something that God has laid very heavily on our hearts and no I am not saying it is for everyone.  In fact we have decided that we will take it year by year and seek God on it. For now, because of the field of work that we are in, it truly gives our family a lot more stability.

Hmm, to get back to my revelation.  Homeschooling is not easy.  It is especially difficult when you have just moved across the country to a new city, new province, new place, know nobody and have nothing set up in your house.  I thought two weeks would be enough time to wave my wand and get everything magically organized and set up.  Who was I kidding?  My hubby told me to start a month later and go a month into summer. I scoffed and laughed, but guess what, that is one of the many advantages of homeschooling.  I could totally do that, but I didn't.  We have had some really good days, and some really bad days.  Never in my life have I felt so stressed out about a 'job'. Being a parent is the best, most important job in the whole wide world.  It truly is, but it is also the most stressful, exhausting job in the entire world.  Now add homeschooling to that, and because of my perfectionist tendencies (I inherited that from my Mom--thanks Mom-lol) I feel like i am going to die of anxiety, or something.  So I had to hand it over to Him.  You know what, the minute I did, things have been a lot less stressful.  If I am struggling, I just beg God to help me as He knows their needs, their personalities so much better than I do.

I had a pretty good week this week.  We have had some pretty cool conversations and when I have conversations like this it makes my heart swell to the brim and I thank Him for allowing me to have this incredible opportunity.  It has brought us so much closer as a family.  We are learning to love, respect and live with one another every day all day.  We are learning unconditional love right here in our house.  We live it, breathe it and practice it daily.  We learn to help and encourage one another.  I am learning to seek, ask and trust in Him more.  I am forced to my knees a lot more, which is where I should be and is humbling to say the least.  So because I can, let me share a few of our conversations with you.

Jude:

- Mommy I 'wuv' you and Jesus 'wuves' you more.
- I give you kisses (and he kisses me).  I give you kisses on your eyes. I give you kisses on your nose.  I give you kisses on your neck. (I was smothered)!
- No I Jude.  I just Jude! (I told him that he was Mr. grumpy pants the other morning and this was his response.  We now call him different names just to hear him say this.  It is so funny and he is so serious about it!)

Jude is my cuddle bug and he is such a character. I was worried about homeschooling with him and what I was going to do with him.  He is so awesome at playing by himself when I need him too.  However, he comes and sits with us for our phonics.  He walks around singing the ABC's all the time now.  I have to say he does pretty good for a two year old.  Also, when I have the kids working on worksheets, I just plop him down beside them with a box of crayons and he colours away and does 'school' too.  It is so much easier than I thought with him! He is such a funny, easy going, cuddly little boy.

Genesis:

- Mommy, can I ask Jesus into my heart again?

When I told her that she didn't need to and that He already filled her whole heart up her response was:

- I just love Him so much, I want to make sure that He is there and knows that.

Yeah, I melted! I am sure Jesus did too!

She is our little encourager.  She is so positive and sweet and is always, always telling us how much she loves us and 'just loves her family'. She always tells me that I am so pretty, Daddy that he is so handsome and Jude and Zech that they are so handsome too.  She loves to compliment us. She prays for her friends, family and complete strangers.  She opens our morning in prayer every single day and it is awesome. She also watches girly shows with me and cries at the same parts that I cry at!

Zechariah:

- Mom, is God too busy?

Oh this was a great question and we had a great conversation about it.  It totally convicted me about some of my thoughts and perceptions of God! Love how God uses our little ones!

- Lord, please give us money, not for the fancy things, but so that I can get some poor kids to live with us.  Lord that would be better than any toy, more poor kids to live with us.

This was his prayer the other night and wow, what a heart this kid has.  I was amazed.  He has been praying to adopt all of the poor kids for years now.  He has had nights where he would stay up all night to talk to God about this.  I know this is something that God has put on his heart pretty heavy as this boy of mine also really loves his toys and is a tad possessive over them at times.  Pretty cool! I am excited to see what God is going to do with this.  We have thought a lot about adoption and now the pressure is coming from our kids!

- Mom have a great night at Bible study tonight.  I love you so much and I will really miss you.

Melted my heart as we had a few issues during the day and for him to tell me that, well it was pretty sweet.

I had to record these moments, these times.  This is the best job in the world and although we definitely have our struggles and frustrations, I wouldn't trade these moments for anything in the world.  I am so in love with this amazing family God has blessed me with.  What an honour! Thank you Lord!