Volcano

When I first started homeschooling I had all these plans of all the projects and experiments we would do. Reality is those experiments are messy and stressful. And even when we did plan to do one, somehow there never seemed to be enough time. Or there were little ones who I had to tend to first and blah blah blah.

Today was one of those rare days where we not only started a project but also finished it.

Our Volcano:
The first time we poured in the vinegar it was a flop. Ishmael asked, "Is that it?" So we added more baking soda and then we got a big reaction.

Feeling Complete!

My stepson, Z, came back to live with us this week. I missed him so much while he was away. I've raised him since he was 5 years old. He has been such a big part of our lives here. It was hard to get used to him being gone.

He went to live with his mom last summer. It didn't work out well for them so now he's back, but not by choice. I was expecting the transition to be so much harder. Really, it's been a fantastic week! I laid down the rules the first day and it's been just peachy since. We've talked and laughed and it's been fun.

Not that his heart is completely transformed. I see the man he was becoming battling with the boy he has been. Like a dear friend told me, if the actions are there, then there is hope the heart will soon follow.

I dearly hope so! I love this boy more than he will ever realize. My heart's desire is that he would choose to be with us, to fix his heart on our family. I want to save him from the destruction he was headed towards.

But for right now, I have my baby back. My family feels complete again.

Mandy's Treasure Cove

This title is very fitting for where I am right now. In the last year I have come to appreciate my family more. My brother in law died a very sudden death January of 07. It was very hard for all of us, especially my husband. We drew closer together in that time of sorrow.

Last summer Leon damaged his knee. It required surgery (which meant alot of time out of work). I went back to work with the intention of us saving my paycheck so we could buy a house. Leon's absence from work made us dependent on my income.

While working I continued to homeschool our children. It was incredibly difficult to keep up with everything. I felt so out of touch with who I am. I missed being home with my children dreadfully!! There was no time to just sit and be with my children. I had to correct their work, teach them new lessons, plan future lessons, and run off to work.

I am still working but right now it's only on Saturday and Sunday. I will still be out of fellowship with my church until the time comes that I can completely leave my job. Or until my employer decides that my availability is no longer an asset to the company.

BUT!!! I am home Monday through Friday! I don't have to hurry a lesson to be on time for work. I can sit and chase rabbit trails with them. I can stop and answer those never ending questions that come to their little minds when we are reading a story.

My home is my Treasure Cove. Here I can set anchor, and put behind me the troubling sea. It is my shelter from the storm.