a bible lesson

     I just love the innocence and faith of children, it is both funny and refreshing.  Lately, my son's curiosity of God and heaven has seemed to be "awakened".  Recently, while driving to the YMCA for some fun-filled energy-burning football-throwing, chase, and unwind time, Aidan began questioning me about who was going to make it to Heaven.  This really seems to be a concern of his lately.  The conversation unfolded as follows; "Mommy, since Madison came to church with us, does that mean she knows Jesus now and she'll go to heaven?" "Well, baby Madison is probably getting to know who Jesus is and since she's a kid she will difinitely go to heaven, but it would be a good idea if Madison could keep coming to church and getting to know more about Jesus." "Mommy, I should  invite all my friends who don't know Jesus to go to church so that they can go to heaven, right?" "I think that would be a great idea." "But they got time cuz they're just kids, not like old people, we have to ask them right away because they might die soon huh Mommy?"  "Well, let's just hope they don't die too soon baby." 
    Continuing this same train of thought later in the day, Aidan questions both Daddy and myself.  "Daddy, you said that just your Spirit goes to heaven, but that's not right is it Mommy?" "Well, actually baby it kinda is.  Your skin and body will die and go into the ground, but all of your thoughts and feelings and everything that makes you who you are, that goes to heaven." "What about my bones?" "Those die too baby, you get a whole new body."  "But, I like my body."  "We will get an even better body."  "Will it be a different color?" "Maybe."  "Well, as long as I don't have a mustache."  At this point Daddy asks, "Don't you like mustaches Aidan."  "What? Hair all over my face. Gross. No!"
     Over the course of the past few years, I have been praying for some serious wisdom when it comes to raising my beautiful little boys into becoming men of God.  In times like these, I am overjoyed that I am the one who's available to answer these questions.  No matter where this journey takes us, I know that I will never regret the knowlege that is being poured into these little vessels.  I'm not really the kind of mom who determines what her child will be long before the child is out diapers, but it is my desire for them to know Christ, and accept the love of our Father God, and trust His Spirit to lead them along whatever path they choose to travel.  I just remembered one more statement that Aidan said to me just today. He said, "Mommy, everyone doesn't know Jesus, do they?" "No baby, they don't." "Then we should tell them about Him, right?" "Yes baby, we should." "That's a lot of people though so maybe we could make some signs that say, Worship our God." I just love this little boys heart!

Another week

    Hooray, we've done it! We finished another week. We actually seem to be getting the swing of this.  Sometimes I actually wonder if it is supposed to be this easy.  I have to say thank you to you well-wishers out there as well as those of you who have left me words of wisdom  and nuggets of advice (Christine, Robin, Julie). I welcome any suggested reading, and will try to explore suggested websites.  I am learning  that the library is one of my best friends, everything is a learning opportunity, don't always stress about the schedule , and allow school to fit into your day, not the other way around. 
    Lately, my boys seem to be fascinated with sharks so we have been reading some interesting facts about sharks. Random, yes, but they enjoy it, so that's what matters.  While driving down the block yesterday we pass a school bus.  Aidan screams out "Mommy, daddy says that whale sharks are as big as a bus. Is that right?" Well, not really knowing for sure the answer to this, but knowing that they have been reading about sharks, I reply, "Well, if Daddy says it, it must be true." Today I read the shark book and actually saw an odd sketch of a whale shark in a school bus.  Just some useless information for all you out there....who knew I'd be learning too?

trip'n with monkeys

Capitalizing on Daddy's time-off from work, we took another field trip! Yes, two field trips and we are only in our second week.  (Who's wanting to attend my school)?  To be fair, this is our first vacation of the year, so we all needed the down time. Also, the trip was to the Zoo, so there's tons of knowledge to be absorbed in those surroundings. Like for instance; "Mommy, are lions mean? Are these snapping turtles? Does that mean they won't bite me if I pet them? Will this big goldfish bite me if I touch it? What do monkeys eat? Does that tree bark taste like a  lollipop to them? Why do they have such funny butts?"  After the endless question and answer session, I actually looked forward to a meal at McDonald's.

mommy down time

O.k. so I skipped a day, but after I let you know what happened, perhaps you will understand.  This week has been tweeked a little because my wonderful husband finally got some vacation time.  Whenever this happens, I throw in a year's worth of appointments ie. doctors, dentists, etc... in one week.  Therefore, Aidan got to have his first visit to the eye doctor on Monday.  The plan was to see the doctor then come back home and work on school a bit before heading to various other things that I get to do (by myself) while daddy is home with the boys.  Well, I wasn't anticipating Aidan getting his eyes dialated. In other words, no school for at least two hours.  In my world, that translated, "no school today at all." So, we picked up yesterday, well actually daddy did. Yes, you heard me, (or read me) correctly... daddy did school!  In fact, I even squeezed in a nap! Can you believe it?  Yes, the boy is still alive and daddy is too.  Apparently, the experience went pretty well for both of them. Well, except for the occassional, "Mommy doesn't do it that way."
   So, that brings us to today....day 7.  Today was amazing! Maybe it was because I got a much needed break. No, not from homeschool (although that was a nice surprise), but a break from being the "do-it-all mom." Then again, it might have been a result of daddy's incredible influence over the mind of my firstborn.  Whatever it was, I am thankful.  We began with reading (which he flew through). Then moved on to English and Math, took a small break for lunch, flew through handwriting, and ended with more reading. My wonderful darling was like a teacher's dream today.