New Doctor...Big Hopes!

We decided to switch doctors when Owen was born.  Something we should have done a long time ago, but that story is for another day.  Owen had his 2 month check up and he is a big strong boy! (despite his rough start)  

This little man is already 12 lbs and 24 inches! 

Avery had her first trip with the new doctor this week to discuss ALL her past medical history and get a plan of action. YAY! Her file looked like a college text book.  I was really excited about going to the new doctor for Avery's appointment, and I am never excited about her appointments, they were normally so depressing.  But, instead of telling me I was doing something wrong or continuing to pacify the situation with more liver-hurting medicine, I finally have a doctor that says lets find out whats wrong with Avery! Finally! 

Thank goodness my little girl is potty training - because we had to do a urine sample at the office.  Have you ever tried to get a 2 year told to potty in a cup??  The look I got was priceless.  Too bad I couldn't hold her, the cup, and a camera at the same time.  So then it was off to the hospital.  Avery amazes me at her hospital visit's!! They draw her blood and she watches them the whole time and doesn't even flinch! Nothing.  She is super child.  

"I did it!!"  After using the cup.

As I was typing...I got an update from the doctor! Blood work looked good!! More samples needed....looks like more cups in our future.  At least we are off to a good start. 

Wow.

Wow. So when I started this...I figured I'd have time to actually sit down and write.  Right!  With baby Owen, as he is lovingly called by his sisters, a potty training 2 year old, a first time homeschooling kindergardener, and the mess of a house they leave in their trails...its no wonder I haven't updated in forever!

So, homeschooling is proving to be harder than I thought.  And I consider myself a pretty organized person! The first week we started, mind you Owen was still nursing every 3 hours, Ella came and woke me up at 3:00am because she remembered, in her sleep??, that we forgot to do art.  Sigh.  At least she is excited.  She loves math!! (thankgoodness daddy does too, cause momma stinks at math)

The next few weeks should be a little rough for me.  Work starts back on Monday - and I am not looking forward to leaving all my babies.  Photography sessions have picked up drastically, which I am thankful for, but I am trying to find a happy middle ground between work and family time.  Pray for my emotions...which run freely!...on Monday morning as I head back to work.

the plan...

I'm calling it "collaborative home schooling".  

I have wanted to have a coming home story of my own for a while now.  When Craig and I first married, before kids, before moving 14 times, I would have never dreamed I wanted to be a stay at home mom....and home school - eekk! Never! I mean, come on, I'm from Port Neches.  We bleed purple.  Our kids are in football and twirl and all that jazz.  It's funny how God changes your heart.  

I have been jealous of others that have come home to their families and been able to teach their children in a Christ centered atmosphere.  I called it righteous jealously, as if that makes it any better.  And for the time being....I am still praying for that day.  But for now, we are taking what we have and making it work for our family.  Which brings me to our collaborative home schooling.  A little with Dad during the day while Mom is at work, a little with Mom in the afternoon when Dad has to work, and some all together as a family.  Not what I had in mind all this time of praying, but God has reminded me that my ultimate goal was always to give our children an education, and more importantly, a relationship with us and their Heavenly Father.  

This week, while agonizing over curriculum and trying to organize a schedule of who will do what when....I was consistently reminded of a verse that means a great deal to me.  God brought this verse to my life when I felt him calling me to his ministry.  To serve Him.  Little did I know then, there are a lot more ways to serve then packing a bag and heading out west.  

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Isaiah 55: 8-9  ESV

Why?

Not quite sure why at this time I am going through all this trouble to create this.  Maybe because my husband said as he poked into the office the other night as I was reading another blog I am addicted to, "why don't you just make your own thing?"  Maybe it's because I am continually so inspired by my sisters in Christ when I read their blogs and realize I am not alone.  Maybe it's because my family and I have decided to embark on a new, scary journey and I hope to one day inspire others.  Who knows.  Hopefully,  the 2 people who read this may one day tell me....