Renewal

Well I made it through another semester at UVU. I missed about 4 weeks of class (near the end of the semester) because I started homeschooling my 3 youngest, and I still got decent grades. I got an A in my Drugs, Behavior, and Society class and a B+ in my upper division Principles of Community Health class. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

 Today I attended UVU convocation exercises because a friend of mine was graduating. I started tearing up thinking if my day would ever come. I felt so proud for the graduates and all their hard work and the pride they must have felt at that moment. Now that I'm homeschooling, college is on the back burner. I felt a tinge of regret for taking a leave of absence from college. Then as the graduates were coming through the veiled entrance to the stage one by one, I visualized myself coming through the real veil that separates us from heaven, and I imagined friends, family, and loved ones cheering me on as my name was called to step forward. What an honor that would be to know I had graduated from earth life with honors. That I had got my Phd in motherhood and was ready for the eternal work of motherhood that lie ahead. Yes, education is important, but motherhood is the essence of heaven! The regret left and I was proud that I chose to put my children first.

I share this not to make anyone feel guilty for getting their education and having a career. I realize we all have different avenues we have to follow and we know what's best for our families, and so does the Lord. I share it because it gave me a sense of RENEWAL in my calling as a mother. Maybe it can shed some perspective for those who think that life as a stay at home mom is passing them by. All mothers are engaged in the greatest, most challenging work. President David O. McKay said, " She who rears successfully a family of ... beautiful sons and daughters...deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God". What a tribute!  Happy weekend!


                                               My short hair 3-1/2 inches off!

Flexibility, Freedom, Fun

Flexibility, Freedom, Fun -
These are the words I use to describe Homeschooling. Yes, I know what you are all thinking because it's the same thing I used to think about homeschoolers. Now that I'm on the other end I understand WHY some mother's homeschool. I would have never even considered this was an option for me, and my three youngest if I hadn't have prayed and received this answer. The two older, of the three youngest, were having constant issues at school. One was just plain miserable being in his class that he didn't care about anything. This reflected in his apathy towards schoolwork and inappropriate behavior at school. The other just has attention issues that aren't conducive to a classroom setting. Since I had no intentions of medicating this child just so he'd be compliant in a classroom setting the Lord showed me another way... Homeschool. I am proud to report that both are much happier being at home. They are thriving big time and it's wonderful to be apart of that. It's enjoyable teaching them and seeing their thirst for knowledge. I love that we can be flexible and take all the time we want on any given assignment. I love that we can go on  field trips once a week. We get to spend quality time together. I don't get the tired, stressed out attitudes and behaviors walking through the door anymore after being at public school all day. We have no homework. We live in the best neighborhood ever and once our homeschool is over they bolt outside and play for hours with their friends. I don't know how long we will be on this homeschool journey, but for now it's an answer to many heartfelt prayers.

                                         Field Trip to the Hogle Zoo w/cousins and friends

                                         The peacock was strutting her/his stuff.

                                                             This orangutan was huge!
                                        

                                         I decided to move art to the backyard. We are learning
                                        about Pablo Picasso. They are painting their own version
                                        of  Picasso's "The Girl Before a Mirror".

                                                             Cheesy smile!

                                          Josh is becoming quite the artist! He doesn't like
                                          homeschool too much yet. I think he misses the
                                          fanfare he got at school because of his charming
                                          personality and just plain cuteness.

                                         He spent a lot of time on his painting and it turned
                                         out good. He has a blanket in his lap...only at
                                         homeschool could you get away with that. :-)

                                         The mom! See how long my hair is getting - well
                                         on Monday I'm chopping 3 inches off.
                                         Goodbye long hair.