Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Have you ever been to the point of exhaustion? Or maybe to the point of burnout? Have you ever wondered what more could you do to get things completed faster? Or maybe you have thought about just quitting, afterall, it seems easier doesn't it?

These are the questions that have been running through my mind the last couple months. I know a lot of it has to do with the fact that there is a TON on my plate. If there was a literal plate, mine would be overflowing with all kinds of things -- all of them good, but at the same time, there's just sooooo much! Is there anything I can do to minimize this? Not really. So, it's one of those times where you just have to roll up your sleeves and take the nitty with the gritty (or however that goes). :)

Today's good news is brought to you by Liberty University. Okay, well the good news was actually given to me, but I want to share it with you.

I called Liberty to change my degree program to a BS in Early Childhood Education Interdisciplinary. My degree plan was set at a BS in Psychology Christian Counseling. While I still feel that I can do this sort of "job", my heart is in a family child care/development setting. Originally my degree completion would end in March 2015, attending at the current pace I have been attending (summer breaks, two classes in the fall, four in the spring). However, after the academic adviser informed me of how I can accelerate a lot quicker, I seriously felt like I had just heard THE BEST NEWS EVER (besides knowing that Jesus died on the Cross for me and wants to have a personal relationship with me).

It is most certain, or at least it feels that way, that the reason why this feels like THE BEST NEWS EVER is because I am absolutely burnout on attending college. For once I want to have my mind blank (umm, I'm a female and there's just no possible way this could happen, huh?) and not worry about college classes, reading tons of material, answering questions and quizzes, and taking tests. I want to have the freedom to come and go as I please with our children and do things as a family, to take many more date nights with my husband without school getting in the way.

At the same time, I know once I earn this degree it will be one of the most rewarding things I have accomplished. It will have been earned with rapid heartbeats to meet deadlines, procrastination, thorough examination of material given, and lots and LOTS of tears. It will be so worth it! It WILL BE rewarding!

Picture by ME.

So, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I will now graduate around 15 August 2014. Yes, on this accelerated path I will have to overlap sub-terms. This fall I will overlap so much that at one point I will be in FOUR CLASSES (someone help me now, please!) for four short (not so much) weeks! Several times I will be in three classes at a time for two to three weeks at time. BUT ... it will all be worth it when I can finally say that I have graduated with a Bachelor degree, one that will be so rewarding to put to use -- not just financially, but in that "warm fuzzy" heart kind of way!

THERE IS A LIGHT at the end of the tunnel that is growing increasingly brighter!! THANK YOU, LORD for answering this prayer about what I should do concerning school! His provision NEVER FAILS!

A few goals for our Homeschool Year 2012-2013

I have decided to write out a blog post about my goals for our homeschool year 2012-2013. In years past, I have done our school year on a whim. It is time to be intentional!! I am gearing up for a VERY SUCCESSFUL AND REWARDING school year for our three kiddos and myself (and dad, too, when he is available to help out).

This goal list will help me see where we are at three or four months into our school year, at the halfway mark, and then at the end. I am sure I will add to the list as time goes on and with each milestone with the passing school year.

For time and space-sake, I will be generic in listing my goals; but believe me, almost each one has an indent of a few more goals attached to it.


Here are a few of my goals for our school year.
1. Set a firm foundation in math for each child. Check their progression monthly.

2. Bible is an absolute importance. Without the Bible and a relationship with God, everything is meaningless. Time to be proactive in teaching our children about dedication and the reward to having a relationship with Jesus.

3. Writing. All avenues to explore include penmanship, book reports, book reviews (written on websites), letters, etc.

4. Learn more History. Wars. Presidents. Constitution. Oh my! So much to learn about!

5. More Science experiments. The kids LOVE this one!! :)

6. Field trips on purpose. We have not done enough of these. Time to get out there and do more!

These are just a few of the goals for our school year. I hope your school year is off to a great start! I know there are many children heading to the first day of school tomorrow in our city. I pray this year is filled with success for the teachers, students, and parents.

HAVE FUN!!

Happy 2012

HAPPY 2012 TO Y'ALL!

What are your new year's resolutions? Do you even make resolutions each year?

I am one who does not [usually] make resolutions each year. I think this has to do with mainly not wanting to let myself and/or others down when those goals are not achieved.

However, this year I am making a couple goals a.k.a. resolutions:

1. To be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. (Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God" James 1:19-20).

2. Learn to RESPOND; rather than to REACT. Yes, there is a difference. Here is an article I read about responding and reacting. I love how the gal who wrote the article says: "Now, how can we learn to respond instead of react? Well, you can't learn it on the spur of the moment; it has to be built into your character and into your mind. The more you get into God's Word, the more you spend time with the Lord each day in fellowship and prayer, the more prepared you will be to respond. You have to build in those spiritual muscles, which are there for you when you need them." The basis of this article/website is on Christian Working Women. However, I do believe this article and much that the author speaks about on the posts can pertain to anyone (by simply replacing the words with man, daughter, wife, mother, father, son, friend, cousin, etc).

See how goal number 1 and goal number 2 go hand-in-hand? If I am in God's Word daily, meditating on His scripture, I will learn to respond, being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Will this all happen overnight? No. Because of the characteristic I already have that is in my heart and mind, it will take some time to learn to be this way; on more of a normal, everyday basis. Please be gracious to me if you happen to be on the receiving end. Know that I will feel horrible and will apologize.

With all this being said, I have one more goal:

3. To be the best mama, wife, and homeschool teacher that the LORD will have me to be in 2012. I have approached our kiddos with setting a goal or two for 2012 (afterall, setting goals is a good thing to do). I told them what my goals are and when I came to number 3, all three of them said "But you already are!" Forcing the tears back, but with watery eyes, I looked beside me and behind me and said "Do you see someone else here that is?" and laughed. They laughed and said "You already are a great mom and the best homeschool teacher in the world!" Even with my shortcomings, these kiddos surely know how to make a mama feel ultra blessed!!

Setting realistic goals will keep things in perspective and give you priority to what is most important. For me, this priority leans heavily on making Jesus the center of my life!

Have an amazing 2012 -- no matter the circumstances you are in or what may come!!!

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