School is in Full Swing...

I have composed many posts in my head about the adventures of our first few weeks of school; however, there is scarcely time to come up for air these days, let alone write leisurely journal entries. I am hoping that we soon settle into a smoother routine and that I continue to grow in my ability to respond gracefully to the million little challenges and interruptions in my day-to-day life. Homeschooling with a 5 month old and an active toddler is more difficult that I would have imagined. I cling to the promise of "new mercies every morning" and remind myself that the struggles I meet along the way are often God's "messengers" meant to stretch and sanctify me. I have had my tearful times, but I am learning to mingle them with generous doses of laughter. There are plenty of adorable moments that temper the myriad of challenges each day holds. For instance...

Yesterday Stephen was playing the "potty training coach." He told Baby Boy that he had wet his pants a little. Baby Boy responded, "That's okay, Daddy. It's just gas."

Buddy gave me a report about his first class at the Lighthouse Co-Op. He said, "Mommy there was a boy who kept crying for his mom. And I don't mean JUST WEEPING. Sometimes he has FITS!!!"

After his first soccer game, Buddy was telling a story about an exciting game he played. Halfway through his account, he stopped short and said, "Daddy, could you finish telling the story for me because it might sound like I am complimenting myself."

I am humbled and deeply grateful for the network of friends and family who are helping and encouraging me along the way. One friend sent me an e-mail last week that could not have been more timely. I was trying to plug through hours of tedious lessons with uncooperative children and a vomiting baby and was ready to throw in the towel. This friend refreshed me with her perspective on the interruptions in our lives. She said that, when her day doesn't play out the way she hoped it would, she claims God's promise that he can do "exceedingly beyond what we would ask or imagine." She trusts that God has even BETTER plans than those she could have come up with and waits with eager expectancy to see what He might have in store.

Some other highlights of our week include a couple hours with my mom on Wednesdays. She shows up to cheerfully fold up to a dozen loads of laundry and provides an eager audience for the kids' "show and tell." Then there's my "sanity walk" with my sister during soccer practice on Fridays. And the mornings at our Homeschool Co-Op when I visit and share stories with other moms who are making a valiant effort to cater to the needs of all their little ones.

Not a day goes by when I don't remind myself of Galatians 6:9, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."