Wow! I feel that this month has been all about busyness. We have been so busy! Girl scout cookies, Girl scout cookies, and more Girl scout cookies, Girl Scout cookie booth sales, home church at our house, homeschool field trips, every day routines of laundry, homeschool, and house cleaning, visitors...and this weekend a trip! Wheeww! I'm tired just thinking of all we've done and have scheduled to do, no matter how much we enjoyed each extra activity and visitor. But I know the rest we need is in Jesus!
I am learning, again, that there is no way that you can do all you need to do without Him. All my efforts to strive and be perfect and be everywhere come to naught if I do not give everything to Him first. Why do we assume that because everything is going well that we can skip this crucial step? I know that I myself am guilty of thinking that "I" can handle it. But I really can't--not on my own! I am so glad that I have had a reminder that I need to put everything in His hands. Everything goes so much better when I do. This past week has been so much more peaceful than the two weeks previous because I finally got my life back in His order.
And, I am also glad that I have learned to lighten up on homeschool a bit. I still have high expectations, don't get me wrong! But I have realized that homeschool is NOT just bookwork. This is a big step for me! We can learn all kinds of things without everything coming out of a book. I am taking baby steps toward that realization, and we are having so much fun. Thank you, Lord! You have taught me so many things, and when I realized that all of them didn't come from Your Wonderful Book, I realized that my children could learn from me without them sometimes, too! It is very refreshing to have a baking day or to do only Math and Language and go on a field trip or even to take the day off.
So today, we are resting! We are hanging out, reading, playing games, and leisurely packing for our fun trip this weekend. We are looking forward to our visit with the Pisanos, seeing "The Sound of Music," and shopping at the American Girl store (Don't Worry: Ethan will have his DS--he is looking forward to shopping with distraction!).
