A Change of Heart and a New Direction

Over the past several weeks, Scott and I have both felt a sense that God was leading us in a new direction regarding educating our children, yet neither one of us said anything. Scott knew how badly I wanted to homeschool, and I didn't want Scott to think I couldn't handle it. So we just kept heading toward a year of homeschooling. Finally, we had a heart to heart, and have decided to put Sam in public school this year.

Am I disappointed? Oh yeah. Am I at all nervous about this new direction? Yep. But I totally and completely trust the Lord, His leading in our hearts, and His best interests for my family. His heart is toward us. I know that in following the Lord in obedience, and remaining under His authority, His blessings and all that come with it will prevail.

So today, we enrolled Sam in 1st grade at his new school. We bought school supplies (except for the ever elusive light blue pocket folder with brads...lol), picked out a new lunchbox and backpack, and some new socks and tshirts. Oh yeah, and new sneakers. Meet the teacher night is on Wednesday, and a date night for Mommy and Sam on Thursday. And school...that starts on Monday.

Sam goes back and forth between nervousness and excitement. This morning when he woke, Sam told me he'd dreamed that he attended school. He was happy about it. Then later this afternoon, he threw away his new lunchbox because, "I'm not going to school Mommy." And the big heart breaker...."But Mommy, Ian and Emma will get to spend ALL day with you, and I won't."

So this is our plan for this year...this month, this semester. :-) We'll see how it goes. God is good and faithful and He loves us. Oh - and I chose to share this news on my blog to spare me having to make 100 phone calls. Gotta love technology!

5 things I love about Ian...

In honor of my sweet boy turning 5 years old, I'm posting 5 things I love about Ian Weslee...

1. His tender heart. Ian has always been my sweet, tender hearted boy who is sensitive to others. If someone is sick, sad, or hurting, he is always right there to give hugs and kisses. He seeks out the brokenhearted.

2. His creativity. Ian is my creative one, and most often is found coloring, drawing, painting, or writing stories (in his own special script). He does NOT like to perform in front of others, but does enjoy showing off his creations.

3. His sensitivity to the things of God. When Ian first joined Upward Soccer, he carried his little Bible around everywhere, trying to read it. He said he wanted to know more and more about God. When he prays, he's either awfully silly or incredibly tender.

4. His desire to help. Ian always comes running when I (or anyone else) needs help doing something. He loves to have a clean room, loves helping tidy the house, and always wants to help cook or fold clothes. What a husband he will make one day!

5. His love for his siblings. Ian LOVES his big brother and little sister. Yes, they fight like wild animals, but oh how he loves them. I so enjoy hearing him playing "house" with Emma, and he calls her "dear" just like Scott calls me. They say they love each other and he takes such good care of her. I pray his relationship with them only grows and sweetens.

Ian, you are an amazing blessing to your family. I could list a million things that I love about you! We are so proud of you for being a courageous boy, for working hard at your speech, and for learning to obey mommy & daddy. We are so glad God chose you to be in our family!!! We know that God has great things in store for your giant heart - we will cheer you on each step of the way. We love you sweet one!

Ian...through the years

Just a few weeks old in 2003

On vacation in Hunt, TX 2004

After having some yummy ice cream - 2005

Sadly, the curls are gone! 2006

My thoughtful one...Kosse, TX 2007

My big boy on the beach (Okaloosa Island, FL) - 2008

Happy Birthday Ian!

My sweet Ian turned 5 last Sunday! How did that happen? I was just looking through his ABC scrapbook recently and was amazed how quickly the time has passed. I miss his precious curls and cute dimples...but I'm grateful for the boy he's becoming.

We started the day off with a traditional birthday muffin. I'll never forget on Ian's 2nd birthday, he reached out to touch the candle before I could stop him and burned himself. His pictures from that year are not so endearing. :-)

Ian decided he wanted hot dogs, hamburgers, cupcakes and ice cream for his family birthday party. So dad delivered! Scott started the grill in the awful heat, and made yummy burgers and dogs for us. Ian also requested sprinkles on his chocolate cupcakes with vanilla/blue icing, thank you very much! Mimi (my mom) and Uncle Carl (Scott's brother) made it for the party. He was surrounded by family and lots of love!

Decorating his cupcake

He gets so embarassed when we sing to him. I love how he looks to me for support. Sweet!

He loved opening his presents - he was so happy! He kept running around telling everyone, "thank you so much" for the gifts. It fills my heart to see my children so happy! A glimpse of how God must feel as he watches us experience His blessings. Happy Birthday Ian Weslee, you are loved!!!

One of Ian's favorite gifts...a Lightning McQueen tent. He's slept in it every night since.

Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting....

Well, okay, it was really Karate...but what a GREAT song! :-) Sam has been taking karate class all summer, and has loved it! Every week after class, he says he wants to quit because his muscles hurt; but then he always wants to go back the next week. This weekend he participated in his first tournament, and had so much fun. Scott always takes him to his class, so I'd never seen him spar before. It was so exciting to watch, and he was proud when he finished his competition. Here are some pictures from my little kung fu fighter's tournament.

Waiting to compete...

And the sparring begins...

And 30 seconds later, it's over! :-)

Introducing the newest member of our family....

LILY the puppy!

We are so excited to have this sweet little one join our family! My brother, who told us about the puppy, met Scott and the kids in McKinney to hand her over. Lily is a black lab; her father is papered, but her mom is a mixed lab. She had 7 siblings who were black or chocolate. She is about 7 weeks old and so smart! She already whines when she needs to potty.

The kids brought her home just as I was leaving for Bunko tonight. In her first few minutes at home, she jumped on the trampoline and swam in the pool. We had such fun just watching her eat tonight. She started out sitting at her bowl, and then gave up and just laid in front of her bowl, a paw on each side. So precious! Now she is completely worn out and resting peacefully. Her current resting place is in a crate next to Sam's bed. We'll see....

Blogging...

Well, I am in a rut and have found little in my life right now that I deem blog worthy. So, in an effort to appease my friends and readers, I will share a few noteworthy quotes from my current reads and from life.

"...an unalterable and unquestioned law of the musical world required that the German text of French operas sung by Swedish artists should be translated into Italian for the clearer understanding of English-speaking audiences." Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence (she is so brilliant!)

"It was one of the great livery- stableman's most masterly intuitions to have discovered that Americans want to get away from amusement even more quickly than they want to get to it." Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence

"In spite of illness, in spite even of the arch-enemy sorrow, one can remain alive long past the usual date of disintegration if one is unafraid of change, insatiable in intellectual curiosity, interested in big things, and happy in small ways." Edith Wharton, A Backward Glance (her autobiography)

"Mommy, what rhymes with fart? Oh, I know! Barf! Right mommy? Okay, now, what rhymes with poop?" Sam, during dinner tonight at Chili's (what stimulating conversation with a six year old...)

Have a blessed week!