Being real here...

You know, if you only read the posts on my blog (this one and my other one http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/blessedbeingmom )
and that is all you knew about our lives, you might think we have it all together and we are oh-so-organized and do a lot every day. Well, I just have to take a moment to post about real life. Real life is having had at least one (and usually 2 or 3 of us) sick for what seems like months now (off & on). Real life is that it usually seems like we either get the house clean, or we get school done, but it's so hard to get them both actually done on the same day, at least not very well anyway. Real life is a day full of squabbling kids, tired out parents and feeling like I will go nuts if I have to look at one more littlest pet shop pet on the floor again, LOL! Real life is taking advantage of a nice day outside and not necessarily getting a lot of seatwork (workbook stuff) done that day, but getting a lot of life lessons in, like helping daddy with the garden and learning about plants and bugs. Real life is having a pet butterfly for a day when the kids find one outside with malformed wings that can't fly away, but it is really neat to learn from getting such close observation in. Real life is deciding that we really need a break and being able to take a break and not have to worry about "catching up" since we can do school year round. Oh and real life is having the freedom to start our school year at the first of June, so we can be done by Easter and have our "summer" break during April and May, which is T-ball/softball season for the kids, and also a wonderful time to have a break so we can spend tons of time in free play outside and for Matt to really get into his gardening and for him to be able to pass on his love of the outdoors and gardening to our children (a love that alas, mom doesn't share as much, but she is thrilled that he does and is passing that along to our kids).
I'm so grateful that God has allowed us this opportunity to school our children at home and to bring them up to love the Lord and glorify Him in all that we do. It is a continual learning endeavor for all of us, and God is using these experiences to help us all grow closer to Him and learn more about Him and how we can be more like Him and live the way He wants us to live! I'm so glad that God gives me a fresh chance to start anew every day, because I surely need it!