B T S

This last week was back to school for kids in our area including the kids in our home. But instead of getting on that big, yellow bus, we stay home. The kids did have some home to school pictures taken this last week in another kind of bus - a '66 VW. Pictures to come:) 

As I like to change up my mantle, I put together my own back to school themed mantle. 

Yes, I bought a handful of wooden rulers for the sole purpose of my mantle display. But in my defence, they were $.67 a piece. So give me a break! 

I must admit, it was time to get back to a routine as nice as summer is! We all crave routine to a degree and structure brings a certain amount of comfort. 
I didn't have my usual panic attack as the school buses went by this year. I didn't even notice them actually! We had some rainy days but on the nice ones, I took them for a bike ride even being so bold as to bike through the parks and paths at the local public school. We also spent a lovely day with other homeschoolers at Upper Canada Village to end our first week back.  I may still be in the early school year honeymoon period but I love hanging out with my kids. A certain office supply store that shall remain nameless would have me believe that "this is the most wonderful time of the year" because I'm ushering my kids out the door for most of the day. Don't get me wrong - I get it. Oh, I get it. That big, yellow bus looks pretty darn good some days. But most days, I feel blessed and humbled to hang with my kids. To be the one who teaches them to read and count, memorize Scripture or prepositional phrases - it's like reliving when they learned to walk or talk. I am blessed. 

Grade 7. Where did the days go? I look at my boy/man and I am amazed! He had a great first week. He's really taken ownership of his math (thank goodness) and is biting into pre-algebra this year. Yikes. He memorized the prepositional phrases with the help of the tune Old MacDonald and started Confirmation class at church. He had placement try outs for the cities youth orchestra and was calm, cool and collected while I hyperventilated in the hall! 

My girly-girl! Grade 1. But funny, it seems like she's always been a part of it all and isn't "starting" anything. She's continuing to do her thing and she blows me away with her perspective and insights! But it's hard growing up, even when that's all you want to do. For once, she was the one throwing the fit and rebelling against authority, not wanting to do her lessons but do what she wanted to do and play. I felt her pain as she howled in the corner and heard it for what it was - that part in all of us that wants it's way even when we know the right way. Yeah, baby, I get it. I feel your pain! Let it out and when you're done, it's time for math. And so, it wasn't just Language Arts and Math on the menu but also some character training and discipleship; not the kind of lessons you can grade. 

I'm a student too. Only I don't get a first day. It's every day! I'm learning my lessons too and sometimes I don't get it right away. Heck, most of the time I don't get it right away. Hopefully, as my kids watch me learn to live out my everyday life I can be a real example of God's grace in the life of one of his children. As they watch how I interact with my husband, control (or not control) my temper, manage my time, run a household, keep to a budget, maintain friendships, practice hospitality in our home, how I use my words, what music I listen to or what I choose to watch as entertainment - these are all lessons I'm teaching my kids. The real world should not be such a shock to them some day because we've made them a part of our real world. And while I'd love to be that perfect example of what they should be or do and I daily try my hardest, I daily fall short and the teacher becomes the student of The Teacher who reminds me "my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9