A few empty jars...

I know that this is only the beginning, but there has been a few rough spots over the past few weeks.  Kinley and Karsyn are precious, and I know that they are always respectable to teachers and other adults in general.   However, when Mommy is the teacher they are not always on their best behavior!  We do a skittle jar every day, and they each start out with four skittles in their jar.  If I feel like they are not listening, giving their best, and/or not being kind they have to pull out a skittle.  Needless to say there have been a few empty jars the last few weeks!  As the skittle jars are being emptied usually my patience are too.  I know the environment of homeschool is going to be something we will overcome over time.  The pouting has to stop, or this momma is going to go crazy!!  This week we made some listening ears, and I hoped that would help illustrate the importance of listening (not only to me, but to God).  On their headband I wrote, "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." Proverbs 19:20.  They each got to pick an animal and those were the type of ears I attached to the headband.  They loved the headbands, we just need to work on the verse! ;-)

This just reminded me of times in our lives when we want to give up.  It is so easy to throw in the towel, or at least want to!  We all make commitments in our lives, and hopefully the ones that God has called us to we will stick to.  Just because God called you to do something does not mean that it will always be peachy.  There is an enemy out there that wants to steal, kill, and destory the plans that God has for us.  My pastor, Pastor Bryan King, says something often and I think it applies to us in these situations.  "Do not respond out of your pain or emotions, but respond out of your purpose."  For me it is usually my emotions that distract me and take my eyes off of the Lord.  We must continuously remind ourselves that God is in control, and he is with us every step of the way.  It may not always be easy, but as long as He is directing our steps then we know it will all work out.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am doing what God wants me to do, and I will fix my eyes upon Him.  Those days that I feel weary or frustrated I will look to Him.  Know your enemy...he does want to rob us of those plans, and sometimes you just need to tell him a thing or two about your God!!!  My God is mighty, and He is bigger than any problem or obstacle.  He is my strength, and He is the only reason why I make it through some days. 

But, out of my purpose I will respond and stay strong!! 

We have learned so much over the past few weeks, and I am so proud of both of my girls!!

Realizations and Highlights

There are a few things that I am starting to realize!  Can I just be honest and say that my whole morning has never completely revolved around my girls.  No, I am not that perfect little momma that sits and plays games and has tea parties all morning ;-)  If I could figure out a way to do that and still balance all my other chores then maybe, but I have not figured that out yet!  BUT now that I am homeschooling my whole morning revolves around my girls because obviously we have to have school, right?!  Well, with that comes some "out of balance!"  The house is awful!!  I used to have like one major cleaning day every week where I pretty much cleaned top to bottom while the girls entertained themselves (a great perk of having them so close together)!  I just had to intervene if there was a fuss.  This might just be a season of my life where you need to call first before stopping by ;-)  We are just busy.  Afternoons are always full of cooking and extra curricular activities.  Kinley is doing JBQ, soccer, & gymnastics and Karsyn is doing gymnastics too.  It doesn't matter if you work or stay home, there is still not enough hours in the day.

Here is a short list of some other realizations:
1) We have a lot of balls in the air right now!  With my hubby recently becoming a residential contractor plus his job at the post office...WOW!  Of course, I will have to run the company, right?!  Just kidding, but I do plan on trying to help him with all the paperwork and organization.  By the way, our company name is Soul Properties, LLC.  I love our name!
2)  The local library is phenomenal!  I have been there a lot in the last 3 weeks, and will continue to spend a lot of time there.  Kinley and Karsyn were so excited to get their very own library card.
3) Kinley does not like it when her sister answers a question first or gets her work done quicker.  We are so competitive around here, even in our school work!  They are both so smart, and Karsyn is doing wonderful with most all of the Kindergarten school work.  Kinley is going to be my little perfectionist, and does not like it at all when she messes up!

Our week in review....
This week we read the book Lentil, and the book is full of all kinds of lessons.  Lentil lives in OH so we have put together US puzzles and talked about flag etiquette.  He plays the harmonica so we have talked about our gifts and talents that the Lord has given us.  We plan on having a small talent show tomorrow night so the girls can show off their talents.  We also discovered our 5 senses by reading books and doing some taste testing.  We even dabbled in fractions and money this week too (nothing major people, we are in Kindergarten you know)!  It was a fun week. 

Kinley declared next week as BUG WEEK!  So I have been planning next week all around bugs.  It will be fun.  There are just so many things that I want to teach, but I have to remember they will be in school for 12 years.  I think I have plenty of time.  Kinley even asked me today if I could teach college too.  Don't think so! 

As always God is my strength and I alone do not have the strength, patience, or what it takes.  I am just thankful that He helps me through each day.  He is faithful.  He does not call you to do something, and then not give you the tools and ability to do it!  I love the new Steven Curtis Chapman song.  It does not matter what you are doing whether you are CEO of the hugest company or a stay at home mom that picks up toys 20 times a day....do it for God's glory and you will be greatly rewarded! 

Love you guys!