First Week of School

Well we made it through our first week of school.    We decided to try an e-school this year.   An e-school is an online public school.   The children are given curriculum and computers and assigned a teacher, but the parent is the main learning coach and work is submitted online.   I knew it would be an interesting first week as you try and settle into a new routine and also start something new.   Luckily I went into it expecting a challenge.   My kids spent roughly 7-8 hours a day last week completing school work.   It was insane and overboard.   I have a friend who does the same school we do and she has 10 kids.   I FB'd her a message to find out how the heck she does this.   I also posted some messages on the boards of the school to get some tips.   Apparently many parents cut out a lot of the busy work that is provided as part of the lesson.  

Okay I can handle that... but then comes the challenge of looking at all the lessons before the kids do to weed out what needs to be done, etc.  

I used to be a programmer.   Many times as a programmer you would have to "fix" someone else's code.   You would have to dive into the code, figure out how they are doing it, find out where to rewrite what they have and not mess anything else up, make changes and hope that everything still worked.   It was always easier to start writing with fresh new code.   That is what it has felt like a little bit this first week.   I am digging in someone else's lessons to figure out what works and what I can change.   I'd almost prefer to write my own from scratch... at least then I know what's there and what's not.  

It hasn't all been bad though.   The teachers the kids got have been very helpful and they are nice.   I haven't had any complaining about having to do school (although we've ended up in tears on a few assignments because they were challenging).   The school is very organized and all the classes/lessons/assignments, etc are laid out ahead of time so you can move at your own pace.   The online live sessions have been cool and the kids have really enjoyed being online with their class.   I appreciate the structure that is there.  My daugter is loving all the one on one time she is getting with me because it is necessary.  (This is something I may have pushed off under other circumstances) 

I'm hoping that over time it will become easier.   We did manage to finish school today by 3:30, so it was an improvement.  

That's the school story.   Another thing we started last week was a family bible study every morning.   My husband is home at 8 AM and it was a good time for waking everyone up for the school day, so we have enjoyed family times of worship together.   This has been something I always wanted to do and could never figure out logistically when it would fit.   So glad it has worked for now.  

I guess that's pretty much all I'm going to share for now.   Toodles...

It's Not About Me

I'm in a funk.   When everything from the day finally slows down in the evening, I get these minutes to myself, time to think... and the war begins.   I've been having this internal struggle lately about what I feel God has called me to and what I "think" I want to do.   I say "think" because the reality is the grass is greener on the other side and if I was truly doing those things, I wouldn't be any happier.   For sure.   And yet, I feel so discontented by my current situation.   Sometimes there are good days.   But all too often I'm driven by the in the moment frustration and think back to "brighter" days.  

My son has been dealing with similar issues.   He would like to do what he wants, when he wants and how he wants.   In this family, THAT is just not possible.   I keep reminding him, "THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!"   Life is not about what YOU want!   Yes, sometimes life stinks!  But it really isn't about making US happy.  

So as I sit here in my funk, I take a dose of my own medicine.   This is what God wants for the betterment of my children and my family.   It's about time I let go of some of the pride and selfishness that is in my heart and faithfully and cheerfully serve my family.   It's not easy but I know blessing will come from it.  

It's so good to have a God that reminds us of these things.    The good thing is when I get in these funks, it really does draw me to Him.   I need Him for strength.   I need to rest in his presence to be recharged.   I need to continue to learn to trust Him.   I need to remember that Jesus was a servant to all.  I need to remember, it's not about me, it's about HIM!

3 AM

It's almost 3 AM and I am STILL AWAKE.   Had to run the kids to the eye doctor this morning and didn't have my coffee beforehand.   Got back around lunch time and after eating lunch, I felt so sleepy.   I decided to take a nap... which felt great!  Woke up about 4 PM and then had the brilliant idea to have my cup of coffee then.   Anytime I have coffee after noon it affects my sleep.   So here I am.....

Crazy thing is my eyes feel tired and the rest of me is not.  Hopefully, the rest of you are all slumbering soundly in your comfy beds and can pray for me in the morning when you read this and I have to venture out into my day with my children.   As a matter of fact, pray for my children :)