The Beginning and the End

Well, it is that time of year again...

soccer has ended...

school is coming to an end...

and it is time for a little break.

No more getting up before the sun to rush to get everyone ready and out the door for school.

No more juggling after school schedules and therapy appointments with soccer practice and soccer games...

and that is ok for now.

As much as I love watching my kiddos play...

our Saturday mornings have suddenly opened up to pancakes and bacon and it has been so nice!

Em and Lizzie have survived completed their first year of home school and just as with Caleb, we have had our moments of...

 “That's it, I am sending you back to public school next year!”...

*snicker*

but overall, I have just really enjoyed have these two beautiful spirits home with me this year!

They are sweet and funny and helpful and now have me totally hooked on the The Pioneer Woman!

Yum!

We have learned all of the state capitals, learned our multiplication tables, just about completed 2 History and 2 Science text books and finished up with Grammar and Spelling weeks ago!

Whew!

Soccer for the girls ended with an amazing team party, complete with tubing, kayaking and a cook out!

I just love where we get to live!

Maggie and Lucy have another school year done and have made such amazing progress! Hard to believe that not even 2 years ago, these precious ones didn't speak a word of English and had never been to real school!

Maggie has loved being with second grade for a large part of the day and has made some really sweet friends, as well as some really suweet progress!

Baby girl still has a way to go but oh how far she has come!

Lucy's year was interrupted for a while with surgery, casts and wheelchairs and while she had to stay home with us for the duration, she worked so hard and was ready to tackle the world and walking (grin) as soon as those casts came off!

 Chatterbox, I mean Lucy, has even managed to graduate from outside speech therapy!

This determined child has shown us all what it means to trust in the love that surrounds you and allow that love to heal.

My wonderful Caleb has also survived completed his first year back at public school and not just any old public school but one with a bit more rigorous curriculum, which had him taking pre-algebra in the 6^th grade!

He rose to the challenge, however, and not only survived but thrived!

Having his Dad and his 2 big brothers there didn't hurt either...

Most of the time anyway...

*wink*

And then there is Charlie! I have said it before and I will say it again...

Charlie just makes me smile...

all the time...

and he is a teenager...

for real...

So while there has been some scary moments...

*gulp*

Charlie's teen years have been, dare I say...

pleasant!

Gasp!

Charlie served on the school's student council, won 2 drama awards (go figure) and made the varsity soccer team...

in the 9^th grade!

Our oldest, Christian, will be a senior next year!

sniff sniff

He has grown into such a respectful, hard working young man and we are so proud of the choices that he continues to make...

except that drinking out of the milk jug thing!

bleh!

He has gained such trust and with that I have released (however slowly) some of my grip on him, amazed at the responsibility and seriousness in him.

I was so NOT that serious and responsible at that age!

This year, Christian was elected and served as Student Council President, was elected into the National Honor Society, won an award for Peer Mediation and 2 awards for Spanish 3, competed for and won an amazing internship for the summer and was voted MVP for defense on his soccer team!

He also has a very sweet girlfriend who is beautiful inside and out.

This amazing young lady already has a cause, already has convictions and is just as serious and responsible as her side kick, and...

is a vegetarian..

just like me...

something my dear sweet carnivore Christian used to tease me about.

Those particular chickens, my dear sweet Christian, are coming home to roost – not roast!

Bwhahahahaha!!!

Then there is my wonderful Hubby, whose heart has grown in such amazing and beautiful ways.

He has also survived completed his first year of teaching Geometry!

He was an immediate hit with the kids and turned out to be an amazing teacher, as someone (not to name names – ahem), knew he would be!

So proud of my Mr. H.!

Praying the Lord will provide the way for you to continue to do what you feel you are supposed to be doing right now, and what your fellow teachers tell you, you should be doing...

cause I may not get math much past the 5^th grade but I do know enough to know that...

 teacher's salary + family of 9 = not possible

however, we all know that with God...

nothing is impossible!

Then there is little old me.

I have some how managed to survive complete another year of home schooling, another year of advocacy, as well as advocacy for my girls, another year of watching helplessly as my kids grow bigger and stronger...

That is just not right y'all...

and another year full of opportunities for trust and for growth.

It has not always been easy but it has always been blessed and now there is another change on the immediate horizon for me...

one that I am having to give over to Him and trust that this particular ending is leading to a brand new beginning.

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven

Ecclesiastes 3:1

more on this later

So while it is the end of the school/soccer year...

it is the beginning of summer and I cannot wait to see what His summer plans for us are!

Happy Summer Y'all